Hinge cap

Abstract

To provide a hinged cap that can prevent cooling shower water from entering the inside of the cap. [Solution] The hinge cap of the present invention includes a top lid with an eaves-like flange and an undercut on the top lid, and a cap body with a body undercut. At least one of the top lid undercut and the body undercut is provided with an undercut notch. When the top lid is closed, the inside of the top lid is opened to the outside atmosphere through the undercut notch, and the lower end of the eaves-like flange is positioned below the undercut notch.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a hinge cap (synthetic resin cap) comprising a cap body attached to a container mouth portion and an upper lid provided to be openable and closable via a hinge connecting portion to the cap body.

Background Art

[0002] A hinge cap comprising a cap body and an upper lid is used for a container filled with contents such as beverages and seasonings. Particularly when the contents are seasonings such as soy sauce and mirin, the heated contents are filled into the container in the manufacturing process. After the heated contents are hot-filled into the container and the cap is capped, a liquid (also referred to as cooling shower water) is sprayed on the outside of the container and the cap for cooling treatment. In such a manufacturing process with such a sterilization treatment, when the air in the cap expands due to the high-temperature contents, the internal pressure in the space may increase and the air may escape to the outside. In such a case, due to the influence of the subsequent cooling shower water, the internal pressure of the cap becomes a reduced pressure (negative pressure) state, and cooling shower water may enter the cap from the gap at the fitting portion between the upper lid and the cap body due to this pressure change (water entry phenomenon).

[0003] Regarding such a water entry phenomenon of cooling shower water, in Patent Document 1, an annular concave groove opening on the end face is provided at the lower end of the outer lid when the lid is closed, and a flexible ring is formed at the lower end of the outer lid existing on the center side rather than the annular concave groove, and it is disclosed that the inner peripheral surface of this flexible ring can be elastically abutted against an annular ridge formed on the outer peripheral side of the main body. Further, in Patent Document 2, a hollowing groove that forms a space cut at a height equal to or higher than the height of the inner surface of the fitting portion is recessed, and it is disclosed that between the hollowing groove on the side peripheral wall and the inner surface of the fitting portion is a deformable thin-walled deformation wall portion. Furthermore, in Patent Document 3, it is disclosed that the pressure contact portion between the upper lid and the seal cylinder of the cap body is set at a position that is not easily affected by the deformation due to capping of the cap body and at a position where the suction of cooling water can be effectively prevented.

Prior Art Documents

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2001-270541 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2018-090273 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2014-040259 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0005] However, the technologies described in the aforementioned patent documents still do not meet market needs, and at least the following challenges remain. In other words, until now, the phenomenon of water entering due to cooling shower water was presumed to be caused by changes in internal pressure inside the cap, as indicated in the aforementioned patent documents. As a result of diligent research by the present inventors, we have found that such changes in internal pressure are indeed a major cause of water entering, and that water entering is also caused by capillary action, where the tiny gap between the top lid and the cap body draws up the cooling shower water.

[0006] Ideally, the gap in the fitting portion should be completely eliminated to prevent such capillary action. However, since the fit between the top lid and the cap body depends on the sealing condition and manufacturing tolerances, even if the fitting is made stronger as described in the aforementioned patent document, it is difficult to eliminate the minute gap in the fitting portion between the top lid and the cap body. In other words, the prior art, including the various patent documents, does not recognize or mention the problem of water ingress caused by both the internal pressure changes and capillary action described above, and it can be said that there is still much room for improvement in suppressing the water ingress phenomenon described above.

[0007] Therefore, one of the objectives of the present invention is to provide a hinged cap that can suppress the ingress of cooling shower water into the cap, regardless of, for example, the fit between the top lid and the cap body. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] To solve the above problems, a hinge cap in one embodiment of the present invention has (1) a top plate, a skirt wall that descends downward from the periphery of the top plate, an upper lid undercut formed on the inner circumferential surface of the skirt wall, and an eaves-shaped flange portion that widens radially outward and downward from the outer circumferential surface of the skirt wall, a top wall, a dispensing cylinder that extends upward from the top wall, an outer wall that descends downward from the outer circumferential edge of the top wall, and a main body undercut that fits with the upper lid undercut at the periphery of the top wall A hinge cap comprising a cap body that is attached to the mouth of a container and has a cut, and a hinge connecting portion that connects the upper lid and the cap body, wherein at least one of the upper lid undercut and the body undercut is provided with an undercut notch, and when the upper lid is closed, the inside of the upper lid is opened to the outside atmosphere through the undercut notch, and the lower end of the eaves-shaped flange portion is positioned below the undercut notch.

[0009] In the hinge cap described in (1) above, (2) it is preferable that the undercut notch is provided by cutting out at least a part of the upper lid undercut so that a gap is formed between it and the main body undercut when the lid is closed.

[0010] Furthermore, in the hinge cap described in (2) above, (3) it is preferable that the undercut notch is provided on the inner circumferential surface side of the eaves-shaped flange portion.

[0011] Furthermore, in the hinge cap described in (1) above, (4) the undercut notch is preferably provided by cutting out at least a part of the main body undercut so that a gap is formed between it and the upper lid undercut when the lid is closed.

[0012] Furthermore, in the hinge cap described in (1) above, (5) it is preferable that the lower end of the eaves-shaped flange portion is positioned below the upper end of the outer wall of the cap body when the lid is closed.

[0013] Furthermore, in the hinge cap described in any of (1) to (5) above, (6) it is preferable that the undercut notch is provided to be less than or equal to the length of the eaves-shaped flange in the circumferential direction.

[0014] Furthermore, in the hinge cap described in (6) above, it is preferable that (7) the undercut notches are provided in multiple locations so as to be intermittent in the circumferential direction. [Effects of the Invention]

[0015] According to the hinge cap of the present invention, the internal pressure change described above is substantially reduced to zero through the undercut notch, while capillary action is also relatively reduced. Furthermore, by covering the undercut notch with an overhanging flange, it is possible to suppress the direct intrusion of cooling shower water pouring down from above the hinge cap into the undercut notch. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0016] [Figure 1] This is a top view of the hinge cap in the open state according to the embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of the hinge cap in the open state. [Figure 3] This is an external view of the hinge cap in the closed state according to the embodiment, as seen from the front and bottom. [Figure 4] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the hinge cap in the closed position. [Figure 5] This is an enlarged view of the α portion in Figure 4. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0017] Hereinafter, embodiments for implementing the present invention will be exemplified. In this embodiment, the axial direction of the hinge cap attached in a state where the container is standing is defined as the Z direction, and the directions orthogonal to this Z direction are defined as the X and Y directions. Needless to say, the definitions of these X direction, Y direction, and Z direction are for convenience and do not reduce the scope of rights of the present invention.

[0018] In addition, "downward" in this embodiment is defined as the downward direction (minus Z direction) when the container is erected along the Z direction. Also, "upward" in this embodiment is defined as the upward direction (Z direction) when the container is erected along the Z direction. Regarding matters other than the structure of the hinge cap described below, for example, the structures of known hinge caps including the above-mentioned patent documents may be appropriately supplemented.

[0019] The hinge cap 100 according to the embodiment will be described with appropriate reference to FIGS. 1 to 5. As can be understood from these figures, the hinge cap 100 is configured to be attachable to a known container mouth portion, and includes an upper lid 10, a cap body 20, a hinge coupling portion 30 that connects the upper lid 10 and the cap body 20, and the like. The upper lid 10 can transition between a closed lid state and an open lid state described later via the hinge coupling portion 30. As a specific structure of the hinge coupling portion 30, a known hinge including the above-mentioned patent documents may be applied.

[0020] Examples of the container having the above-mentioned container mouth portion include various known bottles capable of storing liquid contents. Such containers are formed with a known container mouth portion for pouring out the contents as also exemplified in the above-mentioned patent documents. The hinge cap 100 of this embodiment can be plugged or screwed onto the container mouth portion. In addition, the contents suitable for the container of this embodiment are not particularly limited, and examples include seasonings such as soy sauce and mirin produced through the above-mentioned manufacturing process, and beverages containing fruit juice.

[0021] <Upper lid 10> As shown in Figures 1, 2, and 4, the top cover 10 is composed of a top plate 11 and a skirt wall 12 that descends from around the top plate 11. In this embodiment, the top cover 10 is also composed of a top cover undercut 13, an eaves-shaped flange portion 14, an inner ring 15, and an outer ring 16, which will be described later.

[0022] The top cover undercut 13 is formed on the lower side of the inner circumferential surface of the skirt wall 12 described above. The top cover undercut 13 can be fitted with the main body undercut 24uc, which will be described later, when the lid is closed. The state in which the top cover undercut 13 and the main body undercut 24uc are fitted together is also called the "closed state". Furthermore, as will be described in detail later, the undercut portion UCP of the top cover undercut 13 of this embodiment is provided with an undercut notch UCP. As can be seen from Figure 1 and other figures, the undercut notch UCP of this embodiment is the length θ of the eaves flange portion 14 in the circumferential direction. L It is provided within the following range.

[0023] The eaves-shaped flange portion 14 is provided as part of the skirt wall 12 on the opposite side from the hinge joint portion 30. Since the hinge cap 100 of this embodiment is preferably manufactured by injection molding, the skirt wall 12 and the eaves-shaped flange portion 14 can typically be molded as a single unit. For example, when opening the lid, the user can lift it by placing their fingers on the eaves-shaped flange portion 14, allowing the top lid 10 to pivot relative to the cap body 20 with the hinge joint portion 30 as the pivot point.

[0024] As shown in Figures 2 and 4, the eaves-like flange portion 14 of this embodiment is provided so as to widen radially outward and downward from the outer circumferential surface of the skirt wall 12. Such an eaves-like flange portion 14 has a function similar to an umbrella, for example, by enlarging the flange provided on the top cover to cover (protect) the undercut notch portion UCP described later.

[0025] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 5, in this embodiment, the lower end 14b of the eaves-shaped flange portion 14 is positioned below the undercut notch UCP. Moreover, as shown in the figure, in the hinge cap 100 of this embodiment, it is preferable that the height h1 from the lower end of the cap body 20 to the lower end 14b of the eaves-shaped flange portion 14 when the lid is closed is set lower than the height h2 from the lower end of the cap body 20 to the upper end 23u of the outer wall 23.

[0026] In other words, the lower end 14b of the eaves-shaped flange portion 14 is positioned below the upper end 23u of the outer wall 23 of the cap body 20 when the lid is closed. This allows the eaves-shaped flange portion 14 to more reliably cover the gap (a gap or space that connects the inside and outside of the top lid when the lid is closed) formed by the undercut notch portion UCP, thereby suppressing the direct intrusion of cooling shower water pouring down from above the hinge cap into the undercut notch portion UCP.

[0027] As described above, the lower end 14b of this embodiment is positioned below the upper end 23u when the lid is closed. However, the lower end 14b may be positioned at approximately the same height as the upper end 23u when the lid is closed, as long as the ingress of cooling shower water is suppressed.

[0028] The inner ring 15 is configured to descend downward from the top plate 11. The inner ring 15 may extend from the top plate 11 in a cylindrical shape so as to be in close contact with the dispensing tube 22 when the lid is closed. This inner ring 15 has the function of sealing the inside of the dispensing tube 22 by being in close contact with the dispensing tube 22 in the cap body 20, which will be described later, when the lid is closed.

[0029] The outer ring 16 is located on the top plate 11 between the inner ring 15 and the skirt wall 12, and when the lid is closed, it is located radially outward from the tip of the dispensing cylinder 22. For example, when used repeatedly, it has the function of preventing the contents from immediately spilling out by keeping them on the inner surface of the top lid 10. As shown in Figure 2, the height of the outer ring 16 from the top plate 11 may be set lower than the height of the inner ring 15 from the top plate 11.

[0030] <Cap body 20> As can be seen from Figures 2 and 4, the cap body 20 is composed of a top wall 21, a dispensing cylinder 22, an outer wall 23, a circumferential protrusion 24, a second inner ring 25, a pull ring 26, and a score 27.

[0031] The top wall 21 has the function of covering the opening of the container mouth when the cap body 20 is attached to the container described above. In addition, the top wall 21 of this embodiment may be provided with a score 27 known on the inside of the dispensing cylinder 22. The top wall 21 (cap body) is also provided with a known pull ring 26 that can seal the contents to the container, and when the user breaks the score 27 via the pull ring 26, an opening appears on the top wall 21 from which the contents can be dispensed. In other words, the score 27 functions as a planned opening that will become an opening when it is broken in the future. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 2 and other figures, a second inner ring 25 that can be tightly fitted to the inner circumferential surface of the container mouth is provided on the bottom side of the top wall 21 that faces the mouth of the container.

[0032] The dispensing cylinder 22 is configured to extend upward from the top wall 21 described above, and the tip of the dispensing cylinder 22 may be trumpet-shaped, with its diameter expanding radially outward. More specifically, the top of the dispensing cylinder 22 may have a top surface that is continuous with the inner circumferential surface of the dispensing cylinder 22, and a curled portion at the tip of this top surface that curves outward and downward, as shown in the figure.

[0033] As shown in Figure 2 and other figures, the outer wall 23 is configured to descend downward from the outer peripheral edge of the top wall 21. The outer wall 23 may have a double-wall structure to improve sorting and recycling. Specifically, as can be understood from Figure 2 and other figures, the outer wall 23 of this embodiment is composed of a first outer wall 23A that can be tightly fitted to the outer peripheral surface of the container opening, and a second outer wall 23B that is connected at the lower end of the first outer wall 23A and positioned with a predetermined gap between it and the first outer wall 23A.

[0034] Furthermore, as shown in the figure, the outer wall 23 is not a double-wall structure around its entire circumference, and at least a portion of it is a third outer wall 23C in which the first outer wall 23A and the second outer wall 23B are integrated into a single structure. In other words, the third outer wall 23C can be said to be the region where the groove between the first outer wall 23A and the second outer wall 23B is shallow. More specifically, as shown in Figure 4 and others, in the hinge cap 100 of this embodiment, the third outer wall 23C may be arranged in a manner that corresponds to at least the region in the circumferential direction where the eaves-like flange portion 14 is provided.

[0035] Furthermore, the upper end 23u of the outer wall 23 is the surface that comes into contact with the lower end surface 12b of the skirt wall 12 on the top cover 10 when the cover is closed. In this embodiment, the outer wall 23 is comprised of the first outer wall 23A to the third outer wall 23C described above, so when the cover is closed, the upper surfaces of the second outer wall 23B and the third outer wall 23C come into contact with the lower end surface 12b of the skirt wall 12. Thus, the upper surfaces of the second outer wall 23B and the third outer wall 23C are contact surfaces corresponding to the upper end 23u described above. As shown in Figure 4 and other figures, the height of the upper end 23u of the outer wall 23 is lower on the flange side than on the hinge side in the circumferential direction, but the upper end 23u may be of roughly the same height on both the hinge side and the flange side.

[0036] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the circumferential projection 24 is provided so as to extend upward from the outer peripheral edge of the top wall 21. This circumferential projection 24 is provided with a body undercut 24uc that can be fitted with the top lid undercut 13 formed on the lower side of the inner peripheral surface of the skirt wall 12 on the outside of the dispensing cylinder 22. When the lid is closed, the top lid undercut 13 and the body undercut 24uc fit together, causing the top lid 10 and the cap body 20 to be in a closed state.

[0037] As shown in Figure 4 and other figures, in the closed state, (α) the lower end surface 12b of the skirt wall 12 and the upper surface of the outer wall 23 of the cap body 20 are in contact, and (β) above this contact surface, a fitting portion FP is formed by the upper lid undercut 13 and the body undercut 24uc, and (γ) above this body undercut 24uc, an inward projection 17 of the skirt wall 12 is formed, and its lower surface is in contact with the top surface 24t of the circumferential projection 24.

[0038] <Undercut notch UCP and its effects> As mentioned above, water ingress can occur, particularly during the shower process after filling with high-temperature contents, due to changes in internal pressure and capillary action that may occur inside the cap. Conventional approaches, including the aforementioned patent documents, have primarily involved adjusting the degree of fit between the top lid and the cap body while balancing this with ease of opening.

[0039] Certainly, strengthening the fit between the top lid and the cap body can suppress water ingress through the gaps between the top lid and the cap body to some extent. On the other hand, even if the degree of fit is adjusted while maintaining easy opening, the fit between the top lid and the cap body will not be uniform, depending on the sealing condition and manufacturing tolerances, and it is difficult to completely eliminate the gaps in the fitting part to prevent capillary action.

[0040] Therefore, the hinge cap 100 of this embodiment incorporates a mechanism that makes it difficult for internal pressure changes and capillary action, which are factors that cause water to enter, to occur in the first place. That is, as can be understood from Figures 2 and 4, the hinge cap 100 of this embodiment is equipped with an undercut notch UCP by cutting out at least a part of the upper lid undercut 13 so that a gap is formed between the upper lid 10 and the main body undercut 24uc when the upper lid 10 is closed.

[0041] More specifically, as can be seen from Figures 2, 4, and 5, the undercut notch UCP of this embodiment is provided on the inner circumferential surface side of the eaves-shaped flange portion 14. In other words, it is preferable that the undercut notch UCP is provided such that it fits within the eaves-shaped flange portion 14 in the circumferential direction. When the top lid 10 is closed, the inside of the top lid is opened to the outside atmosphere through this undercut notch UCP.

[0042] Therefore, even if heated contents are filled into the container during the manufacturing process described above, or if cooling shower water is sprayed while the lid is closed, gas can freely enter and exit through the undercut notch UCP inside and outside the lid, thus significantly suppressing the changes in internal pressure associated with heating and cooling the container.

[0043] Furthermore, since the fitting between the top cover 10 and the cap body 20 is released in the circumferential area where the undercut notch UCP exists, the capillary action caused by the minute gaps in the fitting portion FP between the top cover 10 and the cap body 20 in the other circumferential areas can be relatively reduced.

[0044] In this embodiment, the undercut notch UCP is shown as being provided in the upper lid undercut 13, but the embodiment is not limited to this. For example, the undercut notch UCP may be provided by cutting out at least a part of the main body undercut 24uc so that a gap is formed between it and the upper lid undercut 13 when the lid is closed (see the portion shown by the dotted line in Figure 5).

[0045] Furthermore, the undercut notch UCP may be provided in both the top lid undercut 13 and the main body undercut 24uc. In other words, the undercut notch UCP of this embodiment only needs to be provided in at least one of the top lid undercut 13 and the main body undercut, as long as it does not cause the internal pressure changes inside and outside the top lid as described above.

[0046] As described above, the hinge cap 100 of this embodiment substantially reduces the internal pressure change described above through the undercut notch, while also relatively reducing capillary action. Furthermore, by covering the undercut notch with the eaves-like flange, it is possible to suppress the direct intrusion of cooling shower water pouring down from above the hinge cap into the undercut notch UCP.

[0047] Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above with reference to the attached drawings, the present invention is not limited to these examples. It is clear to any person with ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention belongs that various modifications or alterations can be conceived within the scope of the technical idea described in the claims, and these are also understood to fall within the technical scope of the present invention.

[0048] For example, the undercut notch UCP described above may be provided in a continuous form in the circumferential direction on the inner circumferential surface side of the eaves-shaped flange portion 14 (see Figure 1), or multiple undercuts may be provided on the inner circumferential surface side of the eaves-shaped flange portion 14 so as to be intermittent along the circumferential direction. As an example, the undercut may be left as an uncut portion near the center of the undercut notch UCP in the circumferential direction. That is, the undercut notch UCP may contain one or more uncut portions in the circumferential direction (for example, uncut portions with the same structure as the surrounding undercut).

[0049] By providing the undercut notches UCP intermittently in the circumferential direction on the inner circumferential surface of the eaves-shaped flange portion 14 in this manner, it becomes easier to set a torque suitable for opening the lid while maintaining the fit of the top lid 10 to the cap body 20, and it is possible to further ensure the strength and rigidity of the cap by acting as a pressure receiving surface within the undercut notches UCP when the hinge cap 100 is pressed onto the container opening. [Industrial applicability]

[0050] The present invention is suitable for a synthetic resin cap that can prevent water from seeping inside the cap up to the vicinity of the dispensing cylinder, even when cooling shower water is sprayed during the content filling process. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0051] 100 Hinge Caps 10 Top lid 11 Top plate 12 Skirt Wall 13. Undercut of top lid 14. Eaves-shaped flange 15 Inner Rings 16 Outer Ring 20 Cap body 21. Top Wall 22 Pour tube 23 Outer wall 24 Circumferential protrusions 24uc main unit undercut 25. Second inner ring 26 Pull Ring 27 Score 30 Hinge connection UCP undercut notch

Claims

1. A top cover having a top panel, a skirt wall that slopes downward from the periphery of the top panel, an undercut for the top cover formed on the inner surface of the skirt wall, and an eaves-shaped flange that widens radially outward and downward from the outer surface of the skirt wall, A cap body that is attached to the mouth of a container, having a top wall, a dispensing tube extending upward from the top wall, an outer wall descending downward from the outer peripheral edge of the top wall, and a body undercut that fits with the top lid undercut at the periphery of the top wall, A hinged cap including a hinge joint that connects the upper lid and the cap body, An undercut notch is provided in at least one of the upper lid undercut and the main body undercut. When the top lid is closed, the inside of the top lid is open to the outside atmosphere through the undercut notch. A hinge cap characterized in that the lower end of the eaves-like flange portion is positioned below the undercut notch portion.

2. The hinge cap according to claim 1, wherein the undercut notch is provided by cutting out at least a portion of the upper lid undercut so that a gap is formed between it and the main body undercut when the lid is closed.

3. The hinge cap according to claim 2, wherein the undercut notch is provided on the inner circumferential surface side of the eaves-shaped flange portion.

4. The hinge cap according to claim 1, wherein the undercut notch is provided by cutting out at least a portion of the main body undercut so that a gap is formed between it and the upper lid undercut when the lid is closed.

5. The hinge cap according to claim 1, wherein the lower end of the eaves-like flange portion is positioned below the upper end of the outer wall of the cap body when the lid is closed.

6. The hinge cap according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the undercut notch is provided to be less than or equal to the length of the eaves-shaped flange in the circumferential direction.

7. The hinge cap according to claim 6, wherein the undercut notches are provided in multiple locations so as to be intermittent in the circumferential direction.

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