Cap and container

Abstract

The present invention provides a cap comprising an outer circumferential member and an inner circumferential member, wherein the inner circumferential member is securely attached to the outer circumferential member, and a container equipped with the cap. [Solution] A cap to be attached to a container body having a mouth portion having a diameter-outward container flange portion, comprising an inner circumferential member surrounding the mouth portion in the circumferential direction, and an outer circumferential member surrounding the inner circumferential member in the circumferential direction, wherein the inner circumferential member comprises an annular base portion surrounding the mouth portion in the circumferential direction, an inner locking portion erected from the base portion along the direction of the central axis of the base portion and engaging with the container flange portion, and an inner positioning portion extending from the base portion along the direction of the central axis of the base portion and engaging with the outer circumferential member to position the inner circumferential member relative to the outer circumferential member.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a cap that is attached to a vial for containing a chemical solution or the like and having a stopper fitted into the mouth portion, and seals the stopper until administration, and a container provided with the cap.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a vial that can contain a chemical solution and whose mouth portion is closed by a stopper has been used. Also, a sealing structure for such a vial is known (Patent Document 1). As shown in FIG. 12, a vial stopper 901 is attached to a vial 902 in a state of covering an opening 906 of the vial 902. The vial stopper 901 has a seal member 908 made of synthetic rubber and a cap 909 made of synthetic resin.

[0003] The cap 909 includes a cap body 913 and a lid portion 914 fixed above the cap body 913. The cap body 913 includes a cylindrical portion 916 and an annular locking member 917 attached to the inner surface of the cylindrical portion 916. A locking portion 918 is formed at the upper end of the locking member 917. The locking member 917 is fitted to a fitting ridge 924 formed on the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 916.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] In the cap 909, although the locking member 917 is fitted to the fitting ridge 924 on the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 916, there is a problem that the locking member 917 is likely to be displaced or detached from the cylindrical portion 916.

[0006] The present invention aims to provide a cap comprising an outer peripheral member and an inner peripheral member, wherein the inner peripheral member is securely attached to the outer peripheral member, and a container equipped with the cap. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The cap of the present invention is a cap attached to a container body having a mouth portion having a container flange portion facing outward in diameter, and comprises an inner circumferential member surrounding the mouth portion in the circumferential direction, and an outer circumferential member surrounding the inner circumferential member in the circumferential direction, wherein the inner circumferential member comprises an annular base portion surrounding the mouth portion in the circumferential direction, an inner locking portion erected from the base portion along the direction of the central axis of the base portion and engaging with the container flange portion, and an inner positioning portion extending from the base portion along the direction of the central axis of the base portion and engaging with the outer circumferential member to position the inner circumferential member relative to the outer circumferential member.

[0008] With this configuration, the internal positioning portion of the inner circumferential member engages with the outer circumferential member to position the inner circumferential member relative to the outer circumferential member, so that the inner circumferential member is positioned relative to the outer circumferential member and assembled.

[0009] Furthermore, in the cap, the internal locking portion may be provided with a tip locking portion that locks against the container flange portion in the direction of the central axis, and the internal positioning portion may be provided with an axis locking portion that locks against the outer peripheral member in the direction of the central axis, and the tip locking portion and the axis locking portion may be arranged to be in the same position in the circumferential direction.

[0010] With this configuration, the tip locking portion and the shaft locking portion are positioned at the same location in the circumferential direction. Therefore, when a force acts to dislodge the outer peripheral member from the opening along the central axis, the shaft locking portion locks onto the outer peripheral member in the central axis direction, and the tip locking portion locks onto the container flange in the central axis direction. As a result, the locking by the shaft locking portion and the locking by the tip locking portion are aligned on a line in the central axis direction. This stabilizes the shape of the inner peripheral member during fitting, ensuring secure locking between the tip locking portion and the container flange.

[0011] Furthermore, the cap may include a circumferential locking portion that engages with the outer peripheral member in the circumferential direction.

[0012] With this configuration, the circumferential locking portion of the internal positioning portion locks with the outer peripheral member in the circumferential direction, so that the internal circumferential member is positioned with respect to the outer peripheral member in the circumferential direction.

[0013] Furthermore, in the cap, the internal positioning portion includes an inner wall portion formed along the circumferential direction, the circumferential locking portion is a notch formed by cutting out the inner wall portion, the outer peripheral member has an external positioning portion that engages with the internal positioning portion, and the external positioning portion may have a protrusion that fits into the notch as a circumferential locking portion that locks with the circumferential locking portion in the circumferential direction.

[0014] With this configuration, the protrusion of the outer positioning portion acts as a circumferential locking portion that locks with the circumferential locking portion in the circumferential direction, and fits into the notch of the inner wall portion of the inner positioning portion. As a result, the protrusion fits into the notch, ensuring reliable positioning in the circumferential direction.

[0015] The container of the present invention comprises a container body having a mouth portion having a container flange portion facing outward in diameter, and a cap attached to the container body, wherein the cap comprises an inner circumferential member surrounding the mouth portion in the circumferential direction, and an outer circumferential member surrounding the inner circumferential member in the circumferential direction, wherein the inner circumferential member comprises an annular base portion surrounding the mouth portion in the circumferential direction, an inner locking portion erected from the base portion along the direction of the central axis of the base portion and engaging with the container flange portion, and an inner positioning portion extending from the base portion along the direction of the central axis of the base portion and engaging with the outer circumferential member to position the inner circumferential member relative to the outer circumferential member.

[0016] With this configuration, the internal positioning portion of the inner circumferential member engages with the outer circumferential member to position the inner circumferential member relative to the outer circumferential member, so that the inner circumferential member is positioned relative to the outer circumferential member and assembled.

[0017] In addition, in the container, the container body includes a guide wall surface on a part of the outer peripheral surface for guiding the inner peripheral member in the circumferential direction and the central axis direction, and the inner peripheral member may have an inner guide surface guided along the guide wall surface.

[0018] According to such a configuration, since the inner peripheral member has an inner guide surface guided along the guide wall surface of the container body, in the assembled container, the gap between the inner peripheral member and the container connecting portion becomes small, so that the cap is less likely to rattle with respect to the container body.

[0019] In addition, in the container, the container body includes an outer container portion disposed on the container bottom side with respect to the mouth portion, and a guide wall portion disposed between the mouth portion and the outer container portion. The outer peripheral surface of the guide wall portion is the guide wall surface having an outer diameter smaller than the outer diameter of the outer peripheral surface of the outer container portion, and the outer diameter of the cap may be substantially equal to the outer diameter of the outer container portion or smaller than the outer diameter of the outer container portion.

[0020] According to such a configuration, the outer diameter of the outer peripheral surface of the guide wall portion of the container body is smaller than the outer diameter of the outer peripheral surface of the outer container portion, and the outer diameter of the cap is substantially equal to the outer diameter of the outer container portion or smaller than the outer diameter of the outer container portion. Therefore, the outer shape of the cap does not protrude from the outer shape of the outer container portion, and the container is easy to handle.

Effect of the Invention

[0021] As described above, according to the present invention, in a cap including an outer peripheral member and an inner peripheral member, it is possible to provide a cap in which the inner peripheral member is securely attached to the outer peripheral member, and a container including the cap.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0022] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a front view of a container according to the present embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the container. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III of FIG. 2. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is an enlarged view of the main part of Figure 3. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is an enlarged view of the main part seen from an oblique direction of the cross-section along the V-V line of Figure 1. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is an exploded perspective view of the container. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a bottom view for explaining the outer member of the cap of the container. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is a front view of the container with the lid member according to the modified example removed. [Figure 9] Figure 9 is a plan view of the container. [Figure 10] Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view of the main part along the X-X line of Figure 9. [Figure 11] Figure 11 is an exploded perspective view of the container body with the cap attached. [Figure 12] Figure 12 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the main part of a vial with a conventional vial stopper attached.

Embodiments for Carrying out the Invention

[0023] Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 7. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the container 1 includes a container body 2 having a mouth portion 20 with a radially outward container flange portion 200, and a cap 3 attached to the container body 2. This cap 3 includes an inner peripheral member 4 and an outer peripheral member 5. In the present embodiment, the cap 3 includes a stopper member 6 and a lid member 7.

[0024] The container body 2 is a container for storing a medical substance. The medical substance is a chemical solution, an injection, a cell-containing solution, a cell sheet, etc. In the present embodiment, the container body 2 is a vial, but it may be a cartridge, a centrifuge tube, an ampule, etc.

[0025] Furthermore, the container body 2 includes, in addition to the mouth portion 20, an outer container portion 21, an inner container portion 22, and a container connecting portion 23 (see Figure 3). Although each portion 20, 21, 22, and 23 of the container body 2 is formed integrally, at least two of these portions 20, 21, 22, and 23 may be formed separately and then combined. The material of the container body 2 is a synthetic resin such as a cycloolefin polymer, but it may also be glass or the like.

[0026] The mouth portion 20 is, for example, substantially cylindrical. The mouth portion 20 also includes an opening 201 for inserting and removing medical contents. In addition to the container flange portion 200, the mouth portion 20 includes a neck portion 202 that extends further to the bottom from the bottom edge of the container flange portion 200.

[0027] The container flange portion 200 constitutes the tip of the mouth portion 20 and is cylindrical. The neck portion 202 constitutes the central portion and base portion of the mouth portion 20 in the direction of the central axis and is cylindrical. The outer diameter of the container flange portion 200 is larger than the outer diameter of the neck portion 202. In this embodiment, the lower surface 203 facing downwards of the container flange portion 200 is a horizontal plane. The lower surface 203 is a continuous surface in the circumferential direction.

[0028] The outer container portion 21 constitutes the outer diameter portion of the container body 2. Furthermore, the outer container portion 21 is positioned on the bottom side of the container relative to the mouth portion 20. The outer container portion 21 is cylindrical with a uniform outer diameter. The outer diameter of the outer container portion 21 is larger than the outer diameter of the mouth portion 20. However, the outer container portion 21 may have a shape where the outer diameter decreases towards the mouth portion 20, or a shape that bulges circumferentially in the central part along the central axis. Also, the outer container portion 21 may have a shape other than cylindrical, such as a rectangular tube.

[0029] The inner container section 22 houses medical supplies. The inner container section 22, together with the outer container section 21, constitutes a double-walled container. The inner container section 22 is located inward from the outer container section 21, i.e., spaced apart on the inward side of the container, and is positioned towards the bottom of the container relative to the opening 20. The inner container section 22 is a bottomed cylindrical shape, with its outer diameter decreasing towards the bottom.

[0030] The container connecting portion 23, together with the outer container portion 21, constitutes the outer periphery of the container body 2. The container connecting portion 23 is a substantially cylindrical part. The container connecting portion 23 connects the mouth portion 20 and the outer container portion 21, and in this embodiment, it connects the mouth portion 20, the outer container portion 21, and the inner container portion 22. Furthermore, the container connecting portion 23 is positioned on the container bottom side relative to the mouth portion 20. Also, the container connecting portion 23 is positioned closer to the mouth portion 20 than the outer container portion 21. In addition, the container connecting portion 23 surrounds the upper part of the inner container portion 22 in the circumferential direction.

[0031] In this embodiment, the container connecting portion 23 comprises an upper portion 230, a lower portion 231, and a connecting wall portion 232 that connects the upper portion 230 and the lower portion 231. The container connecting portion 23 also includes a guide wall surface 233 on a part of its outer circumferential surface, specifically on the outer circumferential surface of the connecting wall portion 232, which guides the inner circumferential member 4 in the circumferential and central axial directions.

[0032] The upper section 230 is flange-shaped and extends radially. Furthermore, the upper section 230 extends between the lower end of the neck section 202 of the opening 20 and the upper end of the connecting wall section 232. The thickness of the upper section 230, i.e., its vertical dimension, is uniform.

[0033] The lower section 231 is flange-shaped and extends radially. The lower section 231 extends between the lower end of the connecting wall 232 of the opening 20 and the upper end of the outer container section 21. The thickness of the lower section 231, i.e., its vertical dimension, is uniform. The outer diameter of the lower section 231 is larger than the outer diameter of the upper section 230. Furthermore, the outer diameter of the lower section 231 is approximately equal to the outer diameter of the outer container section 21. The outer circumferential surface of the lower section 231 is continuous with the outer circumferential surface of the outer container section 21 without any step difference.

[0034] The connecting wall portion 232 is substantially cylindrical and extends in the direction of the central axis in the longitudinal cross-section. The connecting wall portion 232 also extends between the outer diameter end of the upper portion 230 and the inner diameter end of the lower portion 231. The connecting wall portion 232 surrounds the upper part of the inner container portion 22 in the circumferential direction. The outer diameter of the connecting wall portion 232 is uniform and smaller than the outer diameter of the lower portion 231. However, the outer diameter of the connecting wall portion 232 does not have to be uniform. For example, the connecting wall portion 232 may have a tapered shape in which the outer diameter becomes smaller towards the upper part. In this embodiment, the connecting wall portion 232 is a guide wall portion 234 having a guide wall surface 233.

[0035] The guide wall portion 234 is positioned between the opening portion 20 and the outer container portion 21. The outer circumferential surface of the guide wall portion 234 is a guide wall surface 233 whose outer diameter is smaller than the outer diameter of the outer circumferential surface of the outer container portion 21. In this embodiment, the guide wall surface 233 is a surface without steps.

[0036] Thus, the container connecting portion 23 comprises a connecting wall portion 232 formed in a cylindrical shape around the central axis, an upper portion 230 extending radially inward from the end of the connecting wall portion 232 on the mouth portion 20 side, and a lower portion 231 extending radially outward from the end of the connecting wall portion 232 on the outer container portion 21 side.

[0037] In this embodiment, the outer circumferential surface of the container connecting portion 23 is composed of the upper surface of the upper portion 230 and the upper surface of the lower portion 231, which are flat surfaces extending radially in a longitudinal cross-section, and the guide wall surface 233 of the connecting wall portion 232 along the central axis direction. Furthermore, the container shoulder portion 24, which is composed of the outer circumferential surface of the container connecting portion 23 and the outer circumferential surface of the outer container portion 21, had an angular shape in this embodiment, consisting of the upper surface of the lower portion 231, which is a flat surface, and the outer circumferential surface of the outer container portion 21, which has a uniform outer diameter, but it may also have a rounded shape.

[0038] The inner circumferential member 4 is a substantially cylindrical body that constitutes the inner diameter portion of the cap 3. As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the inner circumferential member 4 surrounds the mouth portion 20 of the container body 2 in the circumferential direction, specifically surrounding the neck portion 202 and the container connecting portion 23 of the mouth portion 20 in the circumferential direction. The inner circumferential member 4 comprises a base portion 40, an internal locking portion 41, and an internal positioning portion 42. In this inner circumferential member 4, the internal locking portion 41, the base portion 40, and the internal positioning portion 42 are arranged in order from top to bottom.

[0039] The base portion 40 constitutes the central part of the inner circumferential member 4 in the vertical direction. The base portion 40 is also an annular portion that surrounds the opening portion 20 in the circumferential direction. The base portion 40 is continuous around the entire circumference without interruption. In this embodiment, the base portion 40 is an annular shape with a uniform outer diameter. The thickness of the base portion 40, i.e., the dimension in the vertical direction, is also uniform. The outer diameter end of the base portion 40 constitutes the inner stepped portion 43.

[0040] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 6, multiple recesses 400 are provided in the circumferential direction of the base 40 at positions on either side of the central axis, with the recesses being inwardly curved. In this embodiment, the base 40 is provided with two recesses 400 located opposite each other across the central axis.

[0041] The internal locking portion 41 constitutes the upper part of the inner circumferential member 4. Multiple internal locking portions 41 are provided arranged in the circumferential direction, and the multiple internal locking portions 41 surround the opening portion 20, specifically the neck portion 202 of the opening portion 20, in the circumferential direction. In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 6, four internal locking portions 41 are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. The shape and size of each internal locking portion 41 are the same.

[0042] The internal locking portion 41 is erected from the base portion 40 along the central axis of the base portion 40, in a direction intersecting the central axis toward the central axis in this embodiment. Specifically, the internal locking portion 41 is erected from the upper end of the base portion 40 in a direction intersecting the central axis toward the central axis. Furthermore, as shown in Figures 4 and 5, the internal locking portion 41 locks onto the container flange portion 200. In this embodiment, the internal locking portion 41 includes a tip locking portion 410 that locks onto the container flange portion 200 in the direction of the central axis. In addition to the tip locking portion 410, the internal locking portion 41 also includes a locking body portion 411.

[0043] The tip locking portion 410 constitutes the tip of the inner circumferential member 4, specifically the upper part of the inner locking portion 41. The tip locking portion 410 is shaped like a cylindrical body cut vertically into four sections, specifically like a cylindrical body cut vertically into four equal sections. In this embodiment, the tip locking portion 410 extends inward (see Figure 4). The tip locking portion 410 has a tapered shape; in other words, the thickness of the tip locking portion 410, i.e., its vertical dimension, decreases towards the tip. The thickness of the tip locking portion 410 may be uniform. The upper surface 412 of the tip locking portion 410, facing upward, is a horizontal plane and contacts the lower surface 203 of the container flange portion 200.

[0044] The locking body portion 411 constitutes the lower part of the inner locking portion 41 and has a shape obtained by vertically dividing a cylindrical body into four sections. The locking body portion 411 also connects the upper end of the base portion 40 to the outer diameter end of the tip locking portion 410. In this embodiment, the outer circumferential surface of the locking body portion 411 is located further outward towards the bottom of the container. In the vertical cross-section, the locking body portion 411 is inclined at an angle of 0 to 90 degrees with respect to the central axis. The tip locking portion 410 extends inward from the upper end of the locking body portion 411.

[0045] The internal positioning portion 42 constitutes the lower part of the inner circumferential member 4. The internal positioning portion 42 is an annular portion that surrounds the container connecting portion 23 in the circumferential direction, specifically surrounding the upper portion 230 and the connecting wall portion 232 of the container connecting portion 23 in the circumferential direction. The internal positioning portion 42 extends from the base portion 40 along the direction of the central axis of the base portion 40. Specifically, the internal positioning portion 42 extends downward from the lower end of the base portion 40 along the direction of the central axis. The internal positioning portion 42 also engages with the outer circumferential member 5 to position the inner circumferential member 4 relative to the outer circumferential member 5.

[0046] In this embodiment, the internal positioning portion 42 includes an inner wall portion 420 formed along the circumferential direction. The internal positioning portion 42 also includes an axial locking portion 421 that locks onto the outer peripheral member 5 in the direction of the central axis. As shown in Figure 6, the internal positioning portion 42 also includes a circumferential locking portion 422 that locks onto the outer peripheral member 5 in the circumferential direction.

[0047] The inner wall portion 420 is a cylindrical wall portion around the central axis. The inner wall portion 420 also surrounds the container connecting portion 23 in the circumferential direction. Furthermore, multiple notches 425 are provided at positions on either side of the central axis along the circumferential direction of the inner wall portion 420, and in this embodiment, two notches 425 are provided at opposing locations across the central axis. That is, the inner wall portion 420 is formed by a pair of notches 425. The inner wall portion 420 extends downward from the lower end of the base portion 40 along the direction of the central axis. The outer diameter of the inner wall portion 420 is uniform.

[0048] In this embodiment, the inner wall portion 420 has an inner guide surface 423 that is guided along the guide wall surface 233 of the container connecting portion 23 of the container body 2 (see Figure 4). The inner diameter of the inner wall portion 420 is uniform. One inner wall portion 420 is positioned so as to be at the same circumferential position as two adjacent inner locking portions 41 in the circumferential direction. That is, two inner locking portions 41 are positioned between a pair of notches 425 (see Figure 6). Also, the outer circumferential surface of the inner wall portion 420 is flush with the outer circumferential surface of the base portion 40 (see Figure 4). The inner guide surface 423 abuts against the guide wall surface 233 of the guide wall portion 234 of the container connecting portion 23.

[0049] The shaft locking portion 421 is a protrusion that extends radially outward from the inner wall portion 420. In this embodiment, multiple shaft locking portions 421, for example, four shaft locking portions 421, are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction (see Figure 6). Note that one to three, or five or more shaft locking portions 421 may be provided.

[0050] Furthermore, the shaft locking portion 421 is positioned at the same circumferential position as the tip locking portion 410 of the inner locking portion 41. That is, each shaft locking portion 421 is aligned with each inner locking portion 41 in the direction of the central axis. Also, one inner locking portion 41 is positioned directly above each shaft locking portion 421. The size and shape of each shaft locking portion 421 are the same. In this embodiment, the shaft locking portion 421 is a convex ridge 424 that protrudes radially outward from the outer circumferential surface of the inner wall portion 420, specifically from the central part in the vertical direction of this outer circumferential surface.

[0051] The protrusions 424 extend in the circumferential direction and have a shape in which the thickness is small at the outer diameter portion, that is, a tapered shape. However, the protrusions 424 do not have to be tapered; for example, they may have a shape with a uniform thickness.

[0052] Two circumferential locking portions 422 are provided on the inner circumferential member 4 (see Figure 6). Note that one or more circumferential locking portions 422 may be provided on the inner circumferential member 4. The size and shape of each circumferential locking portion 422 are the same. In this embodiment, the circumferential locking portion 422 is a notch 425 formed by cutting out the inner wall portion 420.

[0053] The notch 425 extends along the central axis. The width of the notch 425, i.e., its circumferential dimension, is uniform. The notch 425 is a straight line extending in the vertical direction, but it may have a bent section or a curved section. The circumferential locking section 422 may be a recess or the like that recessed inward in diameter, in addition to the notch 425. In this embodiment, the notch 425 is in the same position in the circumferential direction as the recess 400 of the base 40. Specifically, the notch 425 is continuous with the recess 400.

[0054] The outer peripheral member 5 is provided to prevent external access to the inner peripheral member 4. The outer peripheral member 5 also surrounds the inner peripheral member 4 in the circumferential direction (see Figure 4). The outer peripheral member 5 is a substantially cylindrical body that constitutes the outer diameter portion of the cap 3. In this embodiment, the outer peripheral member 5 has an outer fixing portion 50 that engages with the inner fixing portion 42 of the inner peripheral member 4. The outer peripheral member 5 also has an outer upper cylindrical portion 51 that surrounds the inner locking portion 41 of the inner peripheral member 4, and an outer top plate portion 52.

[0055] The outer fixing portion 50 is a substantially cylindrical part that constitutes the lower part of the outer peripheral member 5. The outer fixing portion 50 also has a cylindrical outer wall portion 500. The outer fixing portion 50 has a projection 502 that fits into the notch 425 of the inner fixing portion 42, serving as a circumferential locking portion 501 that locks in the circumferential direction to the circumferential locking portion 422 of the inner peripheral member 4 (see Figure 5). The outer fixing portion 50 also has a through hole 504 that fits into the projection 424 of the inner fixing portion 42, serving as an axial locking portion 503 that locks in the central axial direction to the axial locking portion 421 of the inner peripheral member 4.

[0056] The outer wall portion 500 surrounds the base portion 40 in the circumferential direction, in addition to the internal positioning portion 42 (see Figure 4). The outer wall portion 500 also extends downward from the lower end of the outer upper cylindrical portion 51 along the central axis direction. The outer diameter of the outer wall portion 500 is uniform. In this embodiment, the outer diameter of the outer wall portion 500 is approximately equal to the outer diameter of the outer container portion 21 of the container body 2, but it may be smaller than the outer diameter of the outer container portion 21.

[0057] As shown in Figure 7, the circumferential locking portion 501 is a protrusion 502 that projects radially inward from the inner circumferential surface of the outer wall portion 500. In this embodiment, two circumferential locking portions 501 are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. The circumferential locking portions 501 extend along the central axis direction (see Figure 5). The lower end edge of the circumferential locking portion 501 is tapered; in other words, the width of the lower end edge of the circumferential locking portion 501, i.e., the dimension in the circumferential direction, becomes smaller towards the lower end edge. The width of the circumferential locking portion 501 may be uniform. The circumferential dimension of the circumferential locking portion 501 is approximately the same as the circumferential dimension of the circumferential locking portion 422. Also, the dimension of the circumferential locking portion 501 along the central axis direction is approximately the same as the dimension of the circumferential locking portion 422 along the central axis direction. The peripheral locking portion 501 is provided continuously along the central axis direction from the upper edge to the lower edge of the outer wall portion 500, but it may also be provided intermittently.

[0058] The shaft locking portion 503 is a through hole 504 that penetrates the outer wall portion 500 in the thickness direction and is an elongated hole extending in the circumferential direction. The circumferential dimensions of the through hole 504 are approximately the same as the circumferential dimensions of the protrusion 424. Also, the width dimension of the through hole 504, i.e., the dimension in the vertical direction, is approximately the same as the width dimension of the base end of the protrusion 424. In this embodiment, the tapered protrusion 424 can easily fit into the through hole 504. In this embodiment, the four shaft locking portions 503 are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. The shaft locking portions 503 are in the same circumferential position as the tip locking portion 410 and the shaft locking portion 421. Specifically, the tip locking portion 410 and the shaft locking portion 421 are arranged on the inner diameter side of each shaft locking portion 503 (see Figure 4).

[0059] The outer upper cylindrical portion 51 is the upper part of the outer peripheral member 5. The outer upper cylindrical portion 51 also has a cylindrical outer body portion 510 and an outer projection portion 511 provided on the outer body portion 510.

[0060] The outer body portion 510 surrounds the container flange portion 200 and the stopper member 6, in addition to the inner locking portion 41. The outer body portion 510 also extends upward from the upper end of the outer wall portion 500 along the central axis. The outer diameter of the outer body portion 510 is uniform and approximately the same as the outer diameter of the outer wall portion 500. Therefore, the outer circumferential surface of the outer body portion 510 is continuous with the outer circumferential surface of the outer wall portion 500 without any steps. The inner circumferential surface of the outer body portion 510 is located diametrically inward from the inner circumferential surface of the outer wall portion 500. As a result, the lower end of the inner circumferential surface of the outer body portion 510, together with the upper end of the inner circumferential surface of the outer wall portion 500, constitutes an outer stepped portion 53. The outer stepped portion 53 fits with an inner stepped portion 43, which is formed by the upper surface of the base portion 40 and the outer circumferential surface of the inner wall portion 420.

[0061] The external projections 511 are protrusions that project inward from the inner circumferential surface of the outer body portion 510. Furthermore, the external projections 511 extend along the central axis. In this embodiment, ten external projections 511 are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction (see Figure 7). The width of the external projections 511, i.e., the dimensions in the circumferential direction, are uniform.

[0062] The outer top plate portion 52 is the part that rests on the outer upper cylinder portion 51 (see Figure 4). The outer top plate portion 52 also covers the plug member 6 from above. The outer top plate portion 52 is an annular plate. In this embodiment, the outer top plate portion 52 has a chamfered outer edge.

[0063] The stopper member 6 is a component that seals the container body 2. Furthermore, the stopper member 6 is the component through which an injection needle is inserted when administering a medical substance to a patient. The stopper member 6 is fitted into the outer peripheral member 5. The stopper member 6 is also housed and held within the outer peripheral member 5. Specifically, the stopper member 6 is housed within the outer body portion 510 of the outer peripheral member 5, and is held in place by the outward projection 511 biting into the stopper flange portion 60. The stopper member 6 is also positioned above the inner peripheral member 4. When the cap 3 is attached to the container body 2, the stopper member 6 is fitted into the opening 20 of the container body 2. The stopper member 6 is also roughly disc-shaped and comprises a stopper flange portion 60 and a stopper body portion 61. The material of the stopper member 6 may be an elastic material such as butyl rubber.

[0064] The plug flange portion 60 constitutes the upper part of the plug member 6. The plug flange portion 60 is also placed on the container flange portion 200 of the container body 2. The plug flange portion 60 is, for example, disc-shaped. The upper surface of the plug flange portion 60 is in contact with the lower surface of the outer top plate portion 52.

[0065] The plug body portion 61 constitutes the lower part of the plug member 6. The plug body portion 61 is also positioned inside the opening portion 20. Specifically, the plug body portion 61 is press-fitted into the opening portion 20 and tightly seals the opening portion 20 by adhering to its inner circumferential surface. The plug body portion 61 extends downward from the lower surface of the plug flange portion 60. For example, the plug body portion 61 is cylindrical. The outer diameter of the plug body portion 61 is larger than the inner diameter of the opening portion 20 and smaller than the outer diameter of the plug flange portion 60.

[0066] The lid member 7 is substantially disc-shaped, and in this embodiment, it has a shape in which the central part protrudes downward. The lid member 7 is also detachably attached to the upper surface of the outer peripheral member 5. Specifically, the lid member 7 is attached to the outer top plate portion 52 of the outer peripheral member 5 by covering the hole in the central part of the outer top plate portion 52. The upper surface of the lid member 7 has a shape in which the central part is recessed downward. The lid member 7 is formed from, for example, synthetic resin. The lid member 7 and the outer peripheral member 5 are integrally molded. Alternatively, the lid member 7 and the outer peripheral member 5 may be molded separately and then joined together by welding or other means.

[0067] When assembling container 1 as described above, first, the stopper member 6 is inserted into the set of the integrated lid member 7 and outer peripheral member 5, and then the inner peripheral member 4 is attached to the outer peripheral member 5 to assemble the cap 3.

[0068] Next, the cap 3, specifically the assembled inner circumferential member 4, outer circumferential member 5, and stopper member 6, is pressed into the opening 20 of the container body 2. At this time, the outer top plate portion 52 of the outer circumferential member 5 presses against the stopper member 6, causing the stopper body portion 61 of the stopper member 6 to be pressed into the opening 20. Also at this time, the outer circumferential member 5 presses down on the base portion 40 of the inner circumferential member 4 from above, that is, the pressing surface 512 of the outer circumferential member 5 presses against the pressed surface 401 of the inner circumferential member 4 in the direction of capping, and the internal locking portion 41 presses against the container flange portion 200.

[0069] The pressing surface 512 is the lower surface of the outer upper cylindrical portion 51 of the outer peripheral member 5. Furthermore, the pressing surface 512 is an annular plane around the central axis. In this embodiment, the pressing surface 512 is the lower surface of the outer main body portion 510, specifically the lower surface of the outer stepped portion 53.

[0070] The pressed surface 401 is the upper surface of the base 40 of the inner circumferential member 4, that is, the surface on the side of the opening 20. The pressed surface 401 is an annular plane that is annular around the central axis and is interrupted by the notch 425. In this embodiment, the pressed surface 401 is the upper surface of the inner stepped portion 43.

[0071] Furthermore, when the stopper member 6 is tightly pressed into the opening 20, the restoring force caused by the deformation resulting from the press-fitting causes it to try to come out upward from the opening 20. This upward force from the stopper member 6 pushes the lower surface of the outer top plate portion 52 of the outer peripheral member 5 upward. As a result, the outer peripheral member 5 is biased upward. This biasing of the outer peripheral member 5 is received by the shaft locking portion 503 catching on the shaft locking portion 421 of the inner peripheral member 4, and the inner peripheral member 4 is also biased upward. In this embodiment, the upper-facing surface of the surface defining the shaft locking portion 503 of the outer positioning portion 50 is the contact surface 505 that abuts against the shaft locking portion 421. Furthermore, the tip locking portion 410 of the inner peripheral member 4, which is biased upward, abuts against the container flange portion 200 of the container body 2 from below, balancing the forces. Specifically, the upper surface 412 of the tip locking portion 410 strikes the lower surface 203 of the container flange portion 200 from below, and the forces are balanced.

[0072] In this embodiment, the locking points of the shaft locking portion 421 of the inner circumferential member 4 and the shaft locking portion 503 of the outer circumferential member 5 are located at the lower end of the cap 3. Furthermore, the inner wall portion 420 of the inner circumferential member 4 is provided with multiple notches 425, and in this embodiment, a pair of notches 425. When assembling the cap 3, the inner wall portion 420 of the inner circumferential member 4 bends inward in diameter as it enters the outer circumferential member 5, making assembly easier.

[0073] The container 1 is assembled by attaching the cap 3 described above to the container body 2. In container 1, the outer diameter of the cap 3 is approximately equal to the outer diameter of the outer container part 21 (see Figure 1). However, the outer diameter of the cap 3 may be smaller than the outer diameter of the outer container part 21.

[0074] Container 1 is usually sold with the cap 3 attached to the container body 2, i.e., assembled. However, container 1 may also be sold as a set, with the cap 3 and container body 2 being separate components. In this case, the user, such as the purchaser, can attach the cap 3 to the container body 2. The cap 3 may also be sold separately.

[0075] In the cap 3 and the container 1 equipped with the cap 3 of the present invention, the internal positioning portion 42 of the inner circumferential member 4 engages with the outer circumferential member 5 to position the inner circumferential member 4 relative to the outer circumferential member 5, so that the inner circumferential member 4 is positioned and assembled relative to the outer circumferential member 5.

[0076] In the cap 3 of the above embodiment, the tip locking portion 410 and the shaft locking portion 421 are positioned at the same location in the circumferential direction. Therefore, when a force is applied to disengage the outer peripheral member 5 from the mouth portion 20 of the container body 2 along the central axis direction, the shaft locking portion 421 locks onto the outer peripheral member 5 in the central axis direction, and the tip locking portion 410 locks onto the container flange portion 200 in the central axis direction, so that the locking by the shaft locking portion 421 and the locking by the tip locking portion 410 are aligned on a line in the central axis direction. As a result, the shape of the inner peripheral member 4 is stabilized when fitted, so that the locking between the tip locking portion 410 and the container flange portion 200 is secure.

[0077] Furthermore, the locking by the shaft locking portion 421 and the locking by the tip locking portion 410 are in the same position circumferentially, which prevents the cap 3 from coming off the mouth portion 20. In this way, the cap 3 is less likely to come off the mouth portion 20, and airtightness inside the container body 2 is ensured, making it possible to store medical contents in the container body 2, for example, when storing them in ultra-low temperature conditions such as under the liquid phase of liquid nitrogen.

[0078] Furthermore, in the cap 3 of the above embodiment, the circumferential locking portion 422 of the internal positioning portion 42 locks with respect to the outer peripheral member 5 in the circumferential direction, so that the inner circumferential member 4 is positioned with respect to the outer peripheral member 5 in the circumferential direction.

[0079] Furthermore, in the cap 3 of the above embodiment, the protrusion 502 of the outer positioning portion 50 acts as a circumferential locking portion 501 that locks in the circumferential direction to the circumferential locking portion 422 of the inner positioning portion 42, and fits into the notch 425 of the inner wall portion 420 of the inner positioning portion 42. As a result, the protrusion 502 fits into the notch 425, ensuring reliable circumferential positioning.

[0080] In the container 1 of the above embodiment, the gap between the inner circumferential member 4 and the container connecting portion 23 becomes smaller after assembly, i.e., after capping and during storage, so that the cap 3 is less likely to rattle relative to the container body 2. Alternatively, there may be no gap between the inner circumferential member 4 and the container connecting portion 23. Furthermore, since the inner circumferential member 4 has an inner guide surface 423 that is guided along the guide wall surface 233 of the container connecting portion 23 of the container body 2, i.e., an inner guide surface 423 that can abut against the guide wall surface 233, when attaching the cap 3 to the container body 2, the inner guide surface 423 is guided along the guide wall surface 233, thereby suppressing rattling of the cap 3.

[0081] Furthermore, in the container 1 of the above embodiment, the outer diameter of the outer surface of the guide wall portion 234 of the container body 2 is smaller than the outer diameter of the outer surface of the outer container portion 21, and the outer diameter of the cap 3 is approximately equal to or smaller than the outer diameter of the outer container portion 21. Therefore, the outer shape of the cap 3 does not protrude from the outer shape of the outer container portion 21 (see Figure 2), making the container 1 easier to handle.

[0082] Furthermore, in the container 1 of the above embodiment, the tip locking portion 410 has a tapered shape, which reduces the contact area with the container body 2 when fitted compared to a configuration in which the thickness of the tip locking portion 410 is uniform, making it easier to fit.

[0083] In the container 1 of the above embodiment, the lower edge of the peripheral locking portion 501 is tapered, making it easier to fit into the peripheral locking portion 422 of the inner peripheral member 4.

[0084] It should be noted that the caps and containers of the present invention are not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, the configuration of one embodiment can be combined with the configuration of another embodiment, and a part of the configuration of one embodiment can be replaced with the configuration of another embodiment. Furthermore, a part of the configuration of one embodiment can be deleted.

[0085] In the above embodiment, the locking points of the shaft locking portion 421 of the inner circumferential member 4 and the shaft-locked portion 503 of the outer circumferential member 5 were located at the lower end of the cap 3, but they may be located elsewhere. Such a configuration will be explained below with reference to Figures 8 to 11. As shown in Figure 8, the locking points of the shaft locking portion 421 of the inner circumferential member 4 and the shaft-locked portion 503 of the outer circumferential member 5 are located in the central part of the cap 3 in the vertical direction.

[0086] As shown in Figures 10 and 11, in the inner circumferential member 4 of this cap 3, the base portion 40 constitutes the lower part of the inner circumferential member 4, the inner locking portion 41 constitutes the upper part of the inner diameter portion of the inner circumferential member 4, and the inner positioning portion 42 constitutes the upper part of the outer diameter portion of the inner circumferential member 4.

[0087] The base portion 40 is an annular part that surrounds the container connecting portion 23 of the container body 2 in the circumferential direction (see Figure 10). The base portion 40 also has an inner guide surface 402 that is guided along the guide wall surface 233 of the container connecting portion 23. The inner diameter of the base portion 40 is uniform.

[0088] The internal locking portion 41 surrounds the opening portion 20, specifically the neck portion 202 of the opening portion 20, in the circumferential direction. In this embodiment, the internal locking portion 41 includes a locking body portion 411 which is shaped like a cylindrical body divided into four sections. In a longitudinal cross-section, the locking body portion 411 is inclined at an angle of 0 to 90 degrees with respect to the central axis. When the inclination angle of the locking body portion 411 with respect to the central axis is large in this way, the locking body portion 411 can support the container flange portion 200 with a large force when it strikes it from below, thereby ensuring airtightness.

[0089] In this embodiment, the internal locking portion 41 does not have a tip locking portion 410, and the upper surface 413 of the locking body portion 411 abuts against the container flange portion 200. Specifically, the upper surface 413 of the locking body portion 411 is a horizontal plane and abuts against the lower surface 203 of the container flange portion 200. In this way, when the upper surface 413 of the locking body portion 411 abuts against the container flange portion 200 from below, the locking body portion 411, which extends diagonally with respect to the central axis direction, is more susceptible to pressure, thus improving the airtightness inside the container body 2.

[0090] The internal positioning portion 42 is an annular portion that surrounds the internal locking portion 41 in the circumferential direction. In this embodiment, the internal positioning portion 42 includes an inner wall portion 420 formed along the circumferential direction. The internal positioning portion 42 also includes a protrusion 424 as an axial locking portion 421 that locks to the outer peripheral member 5 in the direction of the central axis. The axial locking portion 421 protrudes radially outward from the upper part of the outer peripheral surface of the inner wall portion 420. The internal positioning portion 42 also includes a notch 425 as a circumferential locking portion 422 that locks to the outer peripheral member 5 in the circumferential direction (see Figure 11).

[0091] Multiple recesses 400 are provided in the circumferential direction of the base portion 40 at positions on either side of the central axis, with the recesses being inwardly curved. In this embodiment, the base portion 40 has two recesses 400 located opposite each other across the central axis. The depth of the recesses 400, i.e., the radial dimension of the recesses, is approximately the same as the thickness of the inner wall portion 420. Furthermore, the recesses 400 are positioned at the same circumferential location as the notches 425. Moreover, the recesses 400 are continuous with the notches 425.

[0092] The outer peripheral member 5 has a through hole 504 in the center in the vertical direction that fits into the protrusion 424, serving as a shaft-locking portion 503 that circumferentially locks onto the shaft-locking portion 421 of the inner peripheral member 4. The outer peripheral member 5 also has a pressing surface 512 that presses down on the base portion 40 of the inner peripheral member 4 when the cap 3 is pressed onto the mouth portion 20 of the container body 2 (see Figure 10).

[0093] The inner circumferential member 4 has a pressed surface 426 that is pressed downward by the pressing surface 512 of the outer circumferential member 5 when the cap 3 is driven into the opening 20. The pressed surface 426 is the upper surface of the inner wall portion 420 of the inner circumferential member 4, that is, the surface on the opening 20 side. The pressed surface 426 is an annular plane that is annular around its central axis and is interrupted by the notch 425.

[0094] Even with the container 1 described above, the shaft locking portion 421 of the internal positioning portion 42 of the inner circumferential member 4 engages with the shaft locking portion 503 of the outer circumferential member 5, thereby positioning the inner circumferential member 4 relative to the outer circumferential member 5, and thus the inner circumferential member 4 is positioned and assembled relative to the outer circumferential member 5.

[0095] Furthermore, in this container 1, the container body 2 had a bottomed cylindrical body extending from the mouth 20 to the outside of the container, but it may also have an outer container part 21, an inner container part 22, and a container connecting part 23.

[0096] In the above embodiment, the outer diameter of the cap 3 was approximately equal to the outer diameter of the outer container portion 21, or smaller than the outer diameter of the outer container portion 21, but it may also be larger than the outer diameter of the outer container portion 21. For example, the outer peripheral member 5 of the cap 3 may be configured to surround the outer container portion 21 from the circumferential direction.

[0097] In the above embodiment, a guide wall surface 233 was provided on a part of the outer circumferential surface of the container connecting portion 23. However, the guide wall surface 233 may also be provided on a part of the outer circumferential surface of the container body 2 other than the outer circumferential surface of the container connecting portion 23. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0098] 1...Container, 2...Container body, 3...Cap, 4...Inner circumference member, 5...Outer circumference member, 6...Stopper member, 7...Lid member, 20...Mouth, 21...Outer container part, 22...Inner container part, 23...Container connecting part, 24...Container shoulder part, 40...Base, 41...Inner locking part, 42...Inner positioning part, 43...Inner step part, 50...Outer positioning part, 51...Outer upper cylinder part, 52...Outer top plate part, 53...Outer step part, 60...Stopper flange part, 61...Stopper body part, 200...Container flange part, 201...Opening, 202...Neck part, 203...Bottom surface, 230...Upper step part, 231...Lower step part, 232...Connecting wall part, 233...Guide wall surface, 234...Guide wall part, 400...Recess, 401...Pressed surface, 402...Inner guide 410…Tip locking part, 411…Locking body part, 412, 413…Top surface, 420…Inner wall part, 421…Shaft locking part, 422…Circumferential locking part, 423…Inner guide surface, 424…Protrusion, 425…Notch part, 426…Pressed surface, 500…Outer wall part, 501…Circumferential locking part, 502…Protrusion, 503…Shaft locking part, 504…Through hole, 505…Contact surface, 510…Outer body part, 511…Outer projection, 512…Pressing surface, 901…Vial stopper, 902…Vial, 906…Opening, 908…Sealing member, 909…Cap, 913…Cap body, 914…Lid part, 916…Cylinder part, 917…Locking member, 918…Locking part, 924…Fitting projection

Claims

1. A cap that is attached to a container body having a mouth portion with a diameter-outward-facing container flange portion, An inner circumferential member surrounding the opening in the circumferential direction, The system comprises an outer peripheral member that surrounds the inner peripheral member in the circumferential direction, The inner circumferential member is, The aforementioned opening is surrounded by an annular base in the circumferential direction, An internal locking portion is erected from the base along the central axis direction of the base and engages with the container flange portion, A cap comprising: an internal positioning portion extending from the base along the central axis direction of the base, which engages with the outer peripheral member to position the inner peripheral member relative to the outer peripheral member.

2. The internal locking portion includes a tip locking portion that locks against the container flange portion in the direction of the central axis, The internal positioning portion includes an axial locking portion that locks with respect to the outer peripheral member in the direction of the central axis, The cap according to claim 1, wherein the tip locking portion and the shaft locking portion are arranged to be in the same position in the circumferential direction.

3. The cap according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the internal positioning portion includes a circumferential locking portion that locks with respect to the outer peripheral member in the circumferential direction.

4. The internal positioning portion comprises an inner wall portion formed along the circumferential direction, The aforementioned circumferential locking portion is a notch formed by cutting out the inner wall portion. The outer peripheral member has an outer positioning portion that engages with the inner positioning portion, The cap according to claim 3, wherein the outer positioning portion has a protrusion that fits into the notch, which serves as a circumferential locking portion that locks with the circumferential locking portion in the circumferential direction.

5. A container body having a mouth portion with a container flange portion facing outward, The container comprises a cap that is attached to the container body, The aforementioned cap is An inner circumferential member surrounding the opening in the circumferential direction, The system comprises an outer peripheral member that surrounds the inner peripheral member in the circumferential direction, The inner circumferential member is, The aforementioned opening is surrounded by an annular base in the circumferential direction, An internal locking portion is erected from the base along the central axis direction of the base and engages with the container flange portion, A container comprising: an internal positioning portion extending from the base along the central axis direction of the base, which engages with the outer peripheral member to position the inner peripheral member relative to the outer peripheral member.

6. The container body is provided with a guide wall on a part of its outer surface that guides the inner circumferential member in the circumferential direction and the central axis direction, The container according to claim 5, wherein the inner circumferential member has an inner guide surface that is guided along the guide wall surface.

7. The container body is An outer container portion positioned on the bottom side of the container relative to the opening, It comprises a guide wall portion disposed between the mouth portion and the outer container portion, The outer circumferential surface of the guide wall portion is the guide wall portion whose outer diameter is smaller than the outer diameter of the outer circumferential surface of the outer container portion. The container according to claim 6, wherein the outer diameter of the cap is approximately equal to or smaller than the outer diameter of the outer container portion.

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