cap

Abstract

To provide a cap that improves the opening and closing operation while ensuring a more reliable sealing function. [Solution] A cap 10 comprising a cap body 100 and an outer cap 200, wherein the outer cap 200 is configured to slide between a first position in which the cap body 50 is fitted into the mouth portion 51 and a second position in which the cap body 50 is not fitted into the mouth portion 51, and in the process of the outer cap 200 sliding from the second position to the first position, the tip of the inner cylinder portion 230 abuts against the upper end of the small diameter portion 111a, thereby enabling the outer cap 200 and the cap body 100 to move integrally until the cap body 100 is restricted from moving by the mouth portion 51.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a cap.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, in a container provided with a cap detachable from a container body, a screw-type cap has been mainstream. In recent years, for example, in containers such as laminated tubes containing toothpaste or paste seasonings, there has been an increase in caps with excellent usability, such as hinge-type caps or caps of a type that can be pulled out or pushed in while pushing in the side surface of the cap. For example, a cap composed of a cap body and an outer cap configured to be slidable on the cap body is known. In the cap configured in this way, the cap can be attached to and detached from the container body by the sliding operation of the outer cap.

[0003] In the cap configured as described above, in the process of pushing the cap into the container body when closing the cap, after a sealed state is ensured between the cap body and the mouth portion of the container body, the outer cap needs to slide with respect to the cap body. This is because if the outer cap slides with respect to the cap body before the sealed state is ensured, the cap body will fit into the outer cap, and the cap body cannot be fitted to the mouth portion of the container body.

[0004] Therefore, the applicant of the present application has already proposed a technique in which the force required to slide the outer cap with respect to the cap body is greater than the sliding resistance generated when the sealing portion closes the mouth portion (see Patent Document 2). However, from the perspective of improving usability, it is difficult in practice to adjust the force relationship only with the sliding resistance and the sliding force of the outer cap with respect to the cap body as described above under the desire to minimize the force required for operation. Therefore, there is still room for improvement.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 5390825 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2024-128400 [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0006] The object of the present invention is to provide a cap that can perform a more reliable sealing function while improving the opening and closing operation of the cap. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] To solve the above problems, the present invention employs the following means.

[0008] In other words, the cap of the present invention comprises a cap body having a top wall, a cylindrical body portion hanging down from the top wall and attached to the outer peripheral surface of the mouth of the container body, and a cylindrical sealing portion configured to be in close contact with the inner peripheral surface of the mouth; and an outer cap having a top wall, an outer cylinder portion covering the outer circumference of the body portion, and an inner cylinder portion hanging down from the top wall and inserted into the cylinder of the cylindrical sealing portion, wherein the outer cap is configured to slide between a first position in which the cap body is fitted to the mouth and a second position in which the cap body is not fitted to the mouth, and the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical sealing portion has a small diameter portion and a portion with a larger diameter than the small diameter portion and above the small diameter portion. The outer cap has a large diameter portion provided on one side, and when the outer cap is in the second position, the inner cylinder portion is located away from the small diameter portion, a gap is formed between the outer circumferential surface of the inner cylinder portion and the inner circumferential surface of the large diameter portion, and a gap is formed between the outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical seal portion and the inner circumferential surface of the opening portion. When the outer cap is in the first position, the inner surface of the top wall abuts against the upper end of the opening portion, and the outer circumferential surface of the inner cylinder portion presses the small diameter portion radially outward, so that the outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical seal portion and the inner circumferential surface of the opening portion are in close contact around the entire circumference, and as the outer cap slides from the second position to the first position, the tip of the inner cylinder portion abuts against the upper end of the small diameter portion, so that the outer cap and the cap body can move integrally until the cap body is restricted from moving by the opening portion.

[0009] According to the present invention, during the process of the outer cap sliding from the second position to the first position (closing process), the tip of the inner cylinder portion of the outer cap abuts against the upper end of the small-diameter portion provided on the inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical sealing portion of the cap body. As a result, the outer cap and the cap body move together to a position where the movement of the cap body is restricted by the opening. Therefore, the cylindrical sealing portion can be more reliably sealed to the inner circumferential surface of the opening. Then, while the cap body remains immobile relative to the container body due to the movement being restricted by the opening, the outer cap slides to the first position and the cap body fits into the opening.

[0010] Preferably, a stepped surface is provided between the small diameter portion and the large diameter portion. The stepped surface has a first stepped surface and a second stepped surface provided below the first stepped surface, and in the process of the outer cap sliding from the second position to the first position, the tip of the inner cylinder portion abuts against the first stepped surface, causing the cap body to move integrally with the outer cap, and when the movement of the cap body is restricted by the opening, the tip of the inner cylinder portion is configured to move to a position where it can overcome the first stepped surface and pass the second stepped surface.

[0011] As the outer cap slides from the first position to the second position, a gap is formed between the outer surface of the inner cylinder and the inner surface of the large diameter portion while the tip of the inner cylinder moves between the second stepped surface and the first stepped surface. This partially forms a gap between the outer surface of the cylindrical seal and the inner surface of the opening. Furthermore, while the tip of the inner cylinder moves between the second stepped surface and the first stepped surface, the cap body transitions from a fitted state to a non-fitted state relative to the opening.

[0012] As a result, during the process in which the tip of the inner cylinder moves between the second and first stepped surfaces, the cap body is fitted to the mouth, and a partial gap is formed between the outer surface of the cylindrical seal and the inner surface of the mouth. Therefore, even if the contents of the container body are such as carbonated beverages, where vaporized high-pressure gas may accumulate inside the container body, the high-pressure gas can be released into the atmosphere while the cap body remains fitted to the mouth during opening. This prevents the cap from flying off the container body.

[0013] The first stepped surface and the second stepped surface should be positioned so that they do not overlap each other in the circumferential direction. Furthermore, the inner diameter of the large-diameter portion should be larger than the maximum outer diameter of the inner cylinder portion.

[0014] The lower end of the body portion is provided with an engaging portion having an engaging projection that can engage with a receiving portion provided in the opening portion. The outer surface of the engaging portion is pressed inward by the inner surface of the outer cylinder portion of the outer cap when it is in the first position, causing the engaging projection to engage with the receiving portion and the cap body to fit into the opening portion. In the process of the outer cap moving from the first position to the second position, the engaging portion is no longer pressed by the inner surface of the outer cylinder portion, thereby releasing the engagement of the engaging projection with the receiving portion. In the process of moving between the stepped surface and the first stepped surface, the engaging portion is no longer pressed by the inner circumferential surface of the outer cylinder, thereby releasing the engagement of the engaging projection with the engaged portion.

[0015] The engagement portion is composed of a plurality of enlarged diameter portions provided at intervals in the circumferential direction at the lower end of the body portion, and the engagement projections are provided on the inner circumferential surfaces of each of the plurality of enlarged diameter portions. As a result, the inner circumferential surface of the outer cylinder portion of the outer cap slides against the outer circumferential surface of the enlarged diameter portion, causing the enlarged diameter portion to deform and bend, thereby engaging and disengaging by the engagement projections. Therefore, the force required to bend the enlarged diameter portion and return it to its original state can be set to be weak.

[0016] Furthermore, the above configurations can be combined and adopted as much as possible. [Effects of the Invention]

[0017] As described above, the present invention makes it possible to improve the opening and closing operation of the cap while more reliably achieving a sealing function. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0018] [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram of the cap body according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, where (a) is a plan view of the cap body and (b) is a front view of the cap body (viewed in the direction of V1 in (a)). [Figure 2] This is a schematic diagram of the cap body according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, and is a schematic cross-sectional view of the cap body (cross-sectional view AA in Figure 1(a)). [Figure 3] This is a schematic diagram of the outer cap according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, where (a) is a plan view of the outer cap and (b) is a front view of the outer cap (viewed in the direction of V2 in (a)). [Figure 4] This is a schematic diagram of the outer cap's structure, and a schematic cross-sectional view of the outer cap (BB cross-section in Figure 3(a)). [Figure 5] This diagram illustrates the operation of attaching and detaching the cap to the container body according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, with each component shown in a schematic cross-sectional view. [Figure 6]It is an explanatory diagram of the attachment / detachment operation of the cap according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, and each member is shown in a schematic cross-sectional view. [Figure 7] It is an explanatory diagram of the attachment / detachment operation of the cap according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, and each member is shown in a schematic cross-sectional view. [Figure 8] It is an explanatory diagram of the attachment / detachment operation of the cap according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, and each member is shown in a schematic cross-sectional view. [Figure 9] It is a table summarizing the states of each part when the cap according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention is opened and closed. [Figure 10] It is a schematic cross-sectional view of the cap according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention, where (a) shows the state where the outer cap is in the first position, and (b) shows the state where the outer cap is in the second position.

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0019] Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings, modes for carrying out this invention will be exemplarily and specifically described based on examples. However, dimensions, materials, shapes, relative arrangements, etc. of the components described in this example are not intended to limit the scope of this invention only to those, unless there are specific descriptions.

[0020] (Example 1) Referring to FIGS. 1 to 9, the cap according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described.

[0021] In the following description, "up" means the vertical upward direction in the state where the cap is mounted on the container body and the cap is facing upward with respect to the container body, and "down" means the vertical downward direction in the state where the cap is mounted on the container body and the cap is facing upward with respect to the container body.

[0022] In this embodiment, the invention will be explained using examples such as laminate tubes for toothpaste and paste condiments. However, the present invention is not limited to such containers, but can be applied to various types of containers, such as PET bottles, glass containers, and metal containers.

[0023] <Container> The container consists of a container body 50 and a cap 10. First, the container body 50 will be described with reference to Figures 5 to 8. Note that only a part of the container body 50 is shown in these figures. The container body 50 has a mouth portion 51, a shoulder portion 52, and a body portion (not shown). The mouth portion 51 is the part of the body portion that is narrower than the shoulder portion 52 and corresponds to the neck portion which has a mouth (opening) at the tip.

[0024] In this embodiment, the inner circumferential surface 51a of the mouth portion 51 is formed by a cylindrical surface. The inner circumferential surface 51a corresponds to the mouth (opening). The outer circumferential surface of the mouth portion 51 is provided with an engaging portion 51b that has a larger outer diameter than the cylindrical surface at the top (tip side of the mouth portion 51). The outer circumferential surface of the engaging portion 51b in this embodiment is formed by an annular projection having a tapered surface that widens in diameter from the upper end (tip) side of the mouth portion 51 toward the body, and a tapered surface that narrows in diameter from the upper end side toward the body, and the cross-sectional shape of this annular projection is triangular. In this embodiment, the case in which the engaging portion is formed by an annular projection is shown, but the engaging portion in the present invention is not limited to an annular projection, and can also be formed by projections provided intermittently in the circumferential direction.

[0025] <Cap> A cap 10, which is detachably attached to the opening 51 of the container body 50, will be described in detail. In this embodiment, the cap 10 is attached to the opening 51 by a pushing motion and removed from the opening 51 by a pulling motion. This cap 10 consists of a cap body 100 and an outer cap 200.

[0026] <Cap body> The cap body 100 will be described in particular with reference to Figures 1 and 2. The cap body 100 comprises a top wall 110 and a cylindrical body portion 120 that hangs down from the top wall 110 and is attached to the outer circumferential surface of the mouth 51 of the container body 50. The cap body 100 also comprises a cylindrical sealing portion 111 configured to protrude downward from the top wall 110, a first cylindrical projection 112 protruding upward from the top wall 110, and a second cylindrical projection 113 that protrudes downward outside the cylindrical sealing portion 111. The first cylindrical projection 112 plays a role in positioning the cap body 100 relative to the outer cap 200 when the cap 10 is closed. The second cylindrical projection 113 plays a role in positioning the cap body 100 relative to the container body 50 by abutting against the tip 51c of the mouth 51 of the container body 50. Furthermore, if positioning is possible on the lower surface of the top wall 110, a configuration without the second cylindrical projection 113 can be adopted. Alternatively, the second cylindrical projection 113 can provide a sealing function.

[0027] The inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical seal portion 111 has a small diameter portion 111a and a large diameter portion 111b which has a larger diameter than the small diameter portion 111a and is located above the small diameter portion 111a. A stepped surface is provided between the small diameter portion 111a and the large diameter portion 111b. This stepped surface has a first stepped surface 111c and a second stepped surface located below the first stepped surface 111c. The cylindrical seal portion 111 has a first stepped surface 111c and a second stepped surface 111d. The first stepped surface 111c and the second stepped surface 111d are positioned so as not to overlap each other in the circumferential direction. In this embodiment, the height of the first stepped surface 111c is constant, and the height of the second stepped surface 111d is also constant. However, these stepped surfaces do not necessarily have to be at a constant height; they can also be configured so that their height changes in a wave-like manner in the circumferential direction. In this case, the first stepped surface and the second stepped surface may be connected. The sealing function is achieved when the outer peripheral surface 111e of the cylindrical seal portion 111 and the inner peripheral surface 51a of the opening 51 are in close contact. The lower end of the cylindrical seal portion 111 is closed by a closing portion.

[0028] Furthermore, the cap body 100 is provided with an engaging projection 121a that can engage with an engaging portion 51b provided on the mouth portion 51 of the container body 50. In this embodiment, the lower end of the cap body 100 (the lower end of the body portion 120) is provided with a plurality of engaging portions (enlarged diameter portions) 121 that are spaced apart in the circumferential direction, and the above-mentioned engaging projection 121a is provided on the inner circumferential surface of each of these plurality of engaging portions 121. In addition, the inner circumferential surface of the body portion 120 is composed of a stepped surface having a small diameter surface with a small inner diameter and a large diameter surface provided below the small diameter surface with a larger inner diameter than the small diameter surface. As a result, the body portion 120 is configured such that the wall thickness is thinner on the side of the engaging portion 121, so that the rigidity of the body portion 120 as a whole is maintained while the engaging portion 121 is easily flexible. The cap body 100 is made of a resin material (for example, polyethylene (PE) or polypropylene (PP)) that allows the engaging portion 121 to have appropriate flexibility.

[0029] <Outer cap> The outer cap 200 will be described in particular with reference to Figures 3 and 4. The outer cap 200 comprises a top wall 210, an outer cylindrical portion 220 that covers the outer circumference of the body portion 120 of the cap body 100 and is slidable in the vertical direction, and an inner cylindrical portion 230 that hangs down from the top wall 210 and is inserted into the cylindrical seal portion 111. In addition, a cover portion 222 is provided at the lower end of the outer cylindrical portion 220 to cover the engaging portion 121 of the cap body 100 in order to protect the engaging portion 121.

[0030] The outer cap 200 is configured to slide between a first position in which the cap body 100 is fitted into the opening 51 and a second position in which the cap body 100 is not fitted into the opening 51. Here, a retaining projection 122 is provided on the outer circumferential surface of the body portion 120 of the cap body 100, and a retaining groove 221 is provided on the inner circumferential surface of the outer cylinder portion 220 of the outer cap 200. When the outer cap 200 is slid upward relative to the cap body 100, the retaining projection 122 is configured to abut against the lower groove side of the retaining groove 221. This restricts the upward movement range of the outer cap 200 relative to the cap body 100. Therefore, when the outer cap 200 is slid upward relative to the cap body 100, the retaining projection 122 abuts against the groove side of the retaining groove 221, thus preventing the cap body 100 from coming off the outer cap 200.

[0031] <The process of attaching and detaching the cap from the container body> Referring to Figures 5 to 9, the operation of attaching and detaching the cap 10 to the container body 50 will be explained. Before explaining the operation of attaching and detaching, the dimensional relationships of each part will be briefly explained. When no external force is acting, the maximum outer diameter of the inner cylinder portion 230 of the outer cap 200 (outer diameter near the tip) is larger than the inner diameter of the small diameter portion 111a of the inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical seal portion 111, and smaller than the inner diameter of the large diameter portion 111b. Also, when no external force is acting, the outer diameter of the outer circumferential surface 111e of the cylindrical seal portion 111 is smaller than the inner diameter of the inner circumferential surface 51a of the mouth portion 51.

[0032] Figure 5(a) shows the cap 10 in the closed position. In this position, the outer cap 200 is in the first position relative to the cap body 100, and the engaging projection 121a is engaged with the engaged portion 51b. The tip of the first cylindrical projection 112 is in contact with the top wall 210 of the outer cap 200, and the tip of the second cylindrical projection 113 is abutting against the tip 51c of the mouth 51 of the container body 50.

[0033] Then, the inner cylinder portion 230 of the outer cap 200 is inserted into the cylinder of the cylindrical seal portion 111, and the outer surface of the inner cylinder portion 230 is in contact with the inner surface of the smaller diameter portion 111a of the cylindrical seal portion 111. As described above, the maximum outer diameter of the inner cylinder portion 230 is larger than the inner diameter of the smaller diameter portion 111a, so the cylindrical seal portion 111 is pressed from the inside to the outside in the radial direction, causing it to bulge and expand in diameter. As a result, the outer surface 111e of the cylindrical seal portion 111 is in close contact with the inner surface 51a of the mouth portion 51 of the container body 50 around its entire circumference, and the inside of the container body 50 is sealed.

[0034] Figures 5(b) and 6(a) show the cap 10 with the cap 10 removed from the container body 50. In this state, the outer cap 200 is in a second position relative to the cap body 100, and the engaging portion 121 expands in diameter downwards without being subjected to force from the outer cap 200. Also, the tip of the first cylindrical projection 112 is separated from the top wall 210, and the tip of the second cylindrical projection 113 is separated from the tip 51c of the mouth portion 51.

[0035] Next, referring to Figure 6(b), only the tip of the inner cylinder portion 230 of the outer cap 200 is inserted into the cylinder of the cylindrical seal portion 111. As described above, the maximum outer diameter of the inner cylinder portion 230 is smaller than the inner diameter of the large diameter portion 111b, so a gap S1 is formed around the entire circumference between the outer circumferential surface 232 of the inner cylinder portion 230 and the inner circumferential surface of the large diameter portion 111b. As a result, the cylindrical seal portion 111 is not pressed radially from the inside to the outside by the inner cylinder portion 230. Therefore, even if the cylindrical seal portion 111 is inserted into the mouth portion 51 in this state, the outer diameter of the outer circumferential surface 111e of the cylindrical seal portion 111 is smaller than the inner diameter of the inner circumferential surface 51a of the mouth portion 51, so a gap S2 is formed between the outer circumferential surface 111e and the inner circumferential surface 51a.

[0036] When the cap 10, which has been removed from the container body 50, is reattached to the container body 50 to close it, the cylindrical sealing portion 111 is inserted into the opening 51, as shown in Figure 6(a). At this time, since the maximum outer diameter of the inner cylinder portion 230 is larger than the inner diameter of the small diameter portion 111a, the inner cylinder portion 230 is not inserted into the small diameter portion 111a, and only moves to a position where the tip 231 of the inner cylinder portion 230 abuts against the first stepped surface 111c, which is the upper end of the small diameter portion 111a. Therefore, in the process of the cap 10 being pushed into the container body 50 (the process in which the outer cap 200 slides from the second position to the first position), the outer cap 200 and the cap body 100 move together as a single unit until the cap body 100 is restricted from moving by the opening 51. Figure 6(b) shows the state immediately after the tip of the second cylindrical projection 113 abuts against the tip 51c of the mouth 51 of the container body 50, and the movement of the cap body 100 is restricted by the mouth 51.

[0037] Even after the movement of the cap body 100 is restricted by the mouth portion 51, if the outer cap 200 slides further from the second position to the first position, the tip 231 of the inner cylinder portion 230 will overcome the first stepped surface 111c (see Figure 7(a)). As a result, the outer circumferential surface 232 of the inner cylinder portion 230 and the inner circumferential surface of the small diameter portion 111a of the cylindrical seal portion 111 come into contact (see contact area T1). As a result, in the cylindrical seal portion 111, only a portion in the circumferential direction is pressed from the inside to the outside in the radial direction, causing it to bulge outwards, and a portion of the outer circumferential surface 111e comes into contact with the inner circumferential surface 51a of the mouth portion 51 (see contact area T2). However, the outer circumferential surface 232 of the inner cylinder portion 230 A gap S1 is secured between the cylindrical seal portion 111 and the large-diameter portion 111b of the inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical seal portion 111. Therefore, in this vicinity, the cylindrical seal portion 111 is not pressed against the inner cylinder portion 230, and a gap S2 is also secured between the outer circumferential surface 111e of the cylindrical seal portion 111 and the inner circumferential surface 51a of the opening portion 51.

[0038] Then, after the tip 231 of the inner cylinder portion 230 has overcome the first stepped surface 111c, the outer surface of the engaging portion 121 is pressed inward by the inner circumferential surface of the outer cylinder portion 220 of the outer cap 200, causing the engaging portion 121 to begin to bend inward (see Figure 7(a)). Subsequently, as the outer cap 200 slides further from the second position to the first position, the engaging projection 121a engages with the engaged portion 51b, and the cap body 100 fits into the mouth portion 51 (see Figure 7(b)). Immediately after the cap body 100 is fitted into the mouth portion 51 (immediately after the engaging projection 121a engages with the engaged portion 51b), the tip 231 of the inner cylinder portion 230 has not yet reached the second stepped surface 111d. Therefore, in a part of the circumferential direction, the above-mentioned gaps S1 and S2 are maintained.

[0039] Subsequently, as the outer cap 200 slides further from the second position to the first position, the tip 231 of the inner cylinder portion 230 passes over the second stepped surface 111d. As a result, as shown in Figure 8, the outer peripheral surface 232 of the inner cylinder portion 230 and the small diameter portion 111a on the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical seal portion 111 come into contact over the entire circumference (see contact area T1). As a result, the cylindrical seal portion 111 is pressed radially from the inside to the outside over the entire circumference, causing it to bulge outwards, and the outer peripheral surface 111e and the inner peripheral surface 51a of the mouth portion 51 come into contact over the entire circumference (see contact area T2). Subsequently, the outer cap 200 moves to the first position where the tip of the first cylindrical projection 112 contacts the top wall 210 of the outer cap 200, and the closing operation is completed (see Figure 5(a)). In this embodiment, the area within the small-diameter portion 111a where the outer circumferential surface 232 of the inner cylinder portion 230 slides is composed of a cylindrical surface. In other words, the inner diameter of the small-diameter portion 111a is constant. However, the inner diameter of the area within the small-diameter portion 111a where the outer circumferential surface 232 of the inner cylinder portion 230 slides does not necessarily have to be constant; it can be composed of a tapered surface that becomes smaller towards the bottom, or multiple steps that become smaller towards the bottom can be provided.

[0040] To open the cap 10, the user simply slides the outer cap 200 away from the container body 50 from the state shown in Figure 5(a). As the outer cap 200 slides from the first position to the second position, while the tip 231 of the inner cylinder portion 230 moves between the second stepped surface 111d and the first stepped surface 111c, partial gaps S1 and S2 are formed in the circumferential direction, as can be seen from the explanation of the operation when closing the cap. Also, while the tip 231 of the inner cylinder portion 230 is moving between the second stepped surface 111d and the first stepped surface 111c, the cap body 100 transitions from a fitted state to a disfitted state relative to the mouth portion 51. In other words, as the engaging portion 121 is no longer pressed by the inner circumferential surface of the outer cylinder portion 220, the engaging portion 121 returns to its original state due to elastic restoring force, and the engagement of the engaging projection 121a with the engaged portion 51b is released.

[0041] Then, when the outer cap 200 is pulled further in the direction of being removed from the container body 50, the retaining projection 122 abuts against the side of the retaining groove 221, and the outer cap 200 and the cap body 100 are pulled together. As a result, the cap 10 can be removed from the container body 50, as shown in Figure 5(b).

[0042] Figure 9 is a table summarizing the state of each part of the cap according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention when it is opened and closed. The "Position" column shows the position of the outer cap when it is open and closed between the first position and the second position. The "Corresponding Drawing" column indicates which drawing it corresponds to. The "Gap" column indicates whether the gaps S1 and S2 are formed over the "entire circumference," only a "part" of the circumference, or not formed over the entire circumference ("none" in the table). The "Vent" column indicates that a ventilation path is formed between the inside of the container body and the atmosphere (○) and not (×). The "Fitting" column indicates that the cap body 100 is fitted to the mouth portion 51 (○). The symbols indicate the state between the fitted and unfitted states (the state in which the engaging portion 121 is in the process of deforming) and the state between fitted and unfitted states (the state in which the engaging portion 121 is in the process of deforming) respectively.

[0043] <Advantages of the cap according to this embodiment> In this embodiment, during the process of the outer cap 200 sliding from the second position to the first position (closing process), the tip 231 of the inner cylinder portion 230 of the outer cap 200 abuts against the first stepped surface 111c, which is the upper end of the small diameter portion provided on the inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical sealing portion 111 of the cap body 100. As a result, the outer cap 200 and the cap body 100 move together to a position where the movement of the cap body 100 is restricted by the opening 51. Therefore, the cylindrical sealing portion 111 can be more reliably brought into contact with the inner circumferential surface 51a of the opening 51. Then, while the cap body 100 remains immobile relative to the container body 50 due to the movement being restricted by the opening 51, the outer cap 200 slides to the first position and the cap body 100 fits into the opening 51. Thus, in this embodiment, it is possible to prevent the outer cap 200 from sliding relative to the cap body 100 before the sealed state is secured. Therefore, it is possible to prevent problems such as the cap body 100 becoming stuck inside the outer cap 200, preventing the cap body 100 from being fitted onto the mouth 51 of the container body 50.

[0044] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, as shown in Figure 7(b), when opening the cap, as the tip 231 of the inner cylinder portion 230 of the outer cap 200 moves between the second stepped surface 111d and the first stepped surface 111c, the cap body 100 is fitted to the mouth portion 51 and a partial gap S2 is formed between the outer peripheral surface 111e of the cylindrical seal portion 111 and the inner peripheral surface 51a of the mouth portion 51. For example, even if the contents of the container body 50 are carbonated beverages or the like, and high-pressure gas may accumulate inside the container body, the high-pressure gas can be released into the atmosphere while the cap body 100 remains fitted to the mouth portion 51 during opening. This makes it possible to suppress the occurrence of problems such as the cap 10 flying off the container body 50 with force.

[0045] Furthermore, in this embodiment, a configuration is adopted in which the outer surface of the engagement portion 121, which has a pre-expanded diameter, is flexed inward by the inner surface of the outer cylinder portion 220 of the outer cap 200 sliding against the outer surface of the engagement portion 121. Therefore, the force required to slide the outer cap 200 when closing the cap 10 can be set to be weaker. Also, by sliding the outer cap 200 upward, the engagement portion 121 returns to its original state due to its elastic restoring force, so the force required to slide the outer cap 200 when opening the cap 10 can be set to be weaker.

[0046] (Example 2) Figure 10 shows Embodiment 2 of the present invention. Embodiment 1 described above shows a configuration in which an engaging portion as an enlarged diameter portion is provided below the body portion of the cap body, and an engaging projection is provided on its inner circumferential surface. In this embodiment, a configuration is shown in which an enlarged diameter portion is not provided below the body portion, and an engaging projection is provided on its inner circumferential surface. The other configurations and operations are the same as in Embodiment 1, so the same reference numerals are used for the same components, and their descriptions are omitted.

[0047] In Figure 10, cross-sections of the cap body and outer cap are shown, and depth lines are omitted except in some cases. The cap according to this embodiment also comprises a cap body 100X and an outer cap 200, similar to Embodiment 1. The structure of the outer cap 200 is the same as in Embodiment 1. An engaging portion 121X is provided on the lower part of the body of the cap body 100X, which is configured not to expand in diameter when no external force is acting on it. Although not specifically shown, multiple slits are provided at circumferential intervals on the lower end of the body so that the engaging portion 121X can be easily deformed inward, and each engaging portion 121X is formed by the portions between the slits. Engaging projections 121Xa are provided on the inner circumferential surface of each of these multiple engaging portions 121X. Each outer surface of 1X is provided with a pressure-sensitive projection 121Xb.

[0048] With the above configuration, by sliding the outer cap 200 downward relative to the cap body 100X, the pressing projection 121Xb is pressed by the inner circumferential surface of the outer cylindrical portion 220 of the outer cap 200, causing the engaging portion 121X to deform inward. As a result, similar to Embodiment 1, the engaging projection 121Xa can be engaged with the engaging portion 51b provided on the outer circumferential surface of the mouth portion 51 of the container body 50.

[0049] The cylindrical sealing portion 111 in the cap body 100X and the inner cylinder portion 230 in the outer cap 200 are configured in the same way as in Example 1. Therefore, the same effects and advantages as in Example 1 can be obtained with respect to these configurations. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0050] 10: Cap 100,100X: Cap body 110: Top wall 111: Cylindrical seal section 111a: Small diameter part 111b: Large diameter section 111c: 1st step surface 111d: 2nd step surface 111e: Outer surface 112: First cylindrical projection 113: Second cylindrical projection 120: Torso 121,121X: Engagement part 121a, 121Xa: Engagement protrusion 121Xb: Pressed projection 122: Retaining protrusion 200: Outer cap 210: Top wall 220: Outer cylinder part 221: Groove for preventing slippage 222: Covering part 230: Inner cylinder 231: Tip 232: Outer surface 50: Container body 51: Mouth 51a: Inner surface 51b: Engaged part 51c: apex 52: Shoulders

Claims

1. A cap body having a top wall, a cylindrical body portion hanging down from the top wall and attached to the outer circumferential surface of the mouth of the container body, and a cylindrical sealing portion configured to be in close contact with the inner circumferential surface of the mouth, An outer cap having a top wall, an outer cylindrical portion covering the outer circumference of the body, and an inner cylindrical portion hanging down from the top wall and inserted into the cylindrical seal portion, A cap equipped with, The outer cap is configured to slide between a first position in which the cap body is fitted to the opening and a second position in which the cap body is not fitted to the opening. The inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical seal portion has a small diameter portion and a large diameter portion which has a larger diameter than the small diameter portion and is located above the small diameter portion. When the outer cap is in the second position, the inner cylinder is positioned away from the small diameter portion, a gap is formed between the outer surface of the inner cylinder and the inner surface of the large diameter portion, and a gap is formed between the outer surface of the cylindrical seal portion and the inner surface of the opening. When the outer cap is in the first position, the inner surface of the top wall abuts against the upper end of the opening, and the outer surface of the inner cylinder presses the small diameter portion radially outward, causing the outer surface of the cylindrical seal portion and the inner surface of the opening to be in close contact around the entire circumference. A cap characterized in that, as the outer cap slides from the second position to the first position, the tip of the inner cylinder portion abuts against the upper end of the small diameter portion, thereby allowing the outer cap and the cap body to move integrally until the cap body's movement is restricted by the opening.

2. The cap according to claim 1, characterized in that a stepped surface is provided between the small diameter portion and the large diameter portion.

3. The stepped surface comprises a first stepped surface and a second stepped surface located below the first stepped surface. The cap according to claim 2, characterized in that, in the process of the outer cap sliding from the second position to the first position, the tip of the inner cylinder portion abuts against the first stepped surface, causing the cap body to move integrally with the outer cap, and when the movement of the cap body is restricted by the opening, the tip of the inner cylinder portion is configured to move to a position where it can overcome the first stepped surface and pass the second stepped surface.

4. As the outer cap slides from the first position to the second position, while the tip of the inner cylinder moves between the second stepped surface and the first stepped surface, a gap is formed between the outer circumferential surface of the inner cylinder and the inner circumferential surface of the large-diameter portion, thereby partially forming a gap between the outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical seal portion and the inner circumferential surface of the opening portion. The cap according to claim 3, characterized in that while the tip of the inner cylinder portion is moving between the second stepped surface and the first stepped surface, the cap body transitions from a state in which it is fitted to the opening portion to the state in which it is not fitted.

5. The cap according to claim 3, characterized in that the first stepped surface and the second stepped surface are provided in positions that do not overlap each other in the circumferential direction.

6. The cap according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the inner diameter of the large-diameter portion is larger than the maximum outer diameter of the inner cylinder portion.

7. The lower end of the body portion has an engaging projection that can engage with the engaging portion provided in the mouth portion. An engaging portion is provided, The outer surface of the engaging portion is pressed inward by the inner surface of the outer cylinder portion of the outer cap located in the first position, causing the engaging projection to engage with the engaged portion and the cap body to fit into the opening. The cap according to claim 1, characterized in that, in the process of the outer cap moving from a first position to a second position, the engaging portion is no longer pressed by the inner circumferential surface of the outer cylinder, thereby releasing the engagement of the engaging projection with the engaged portion.

8. The cap according to claim 7, characterized in that, as the tip of the inner cylinder moves between the second stepped surface and the first stepped surface, the engaging portion is no longer pressed by the inner circumferential surface of the outer cylinder, thereby releasing the engagement of the engaging projection with the engaged portion.

9. The cap according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the engaging portion is composed of a plurality of enlarged diameter portions provided at intervals in the circumferential direction at the lower end of the body portion, and the engaging projection is provided on the inner circumferential surface of each of the plurality of enlarged diameter portions.

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