Cap and container
A cap is designed to be distributed integrally with a container to assist in squeezing out the contents, addressing the inconvenience of separate tools and enhancing ease of use.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- POLA CHEMICAL INDUSTRIES INC
- Filing Date
- 2025-12-09
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-25
AI Technical Summary
Existing technologies fail to provide a solution for the efficient use of a cap that can be distributed integrally with a container and assist in squeezing out the contents of the container, as separate tools are cumbersome and difficult to use with existing tools.
A cap is provided that can be distributed integrally with a container and can assist in squeezing out the contents of the container, and a container provided with such a cap that can assist in squeezing out the contents of the container, and a container provided with such a cap that can assist in squeezing out the contents of the container.
The cap is designed to provide a solution for the above mentioned solution.
Smart Images

Figure 2026104832000001_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present invention relates to a cap provided on a flexible container and a container provided with such a cap.
Background Art
[0002] Tube-shaped containers are widely used for storing semi-solid substances such as toothpaste and cosmetic creams.
[0003] Although the contents of a tube-shaped container can be squeezed out by crushing it, the structure is often such that the contents tend to remain near the discharge port, and it is not easy to squeeze out all the contents and use them up.
[0004] Patent Document 1 proposes an extrusion tool made of a resin pipe for assisting in squeezing out the contents of a tube-shaped container to address the above-mentioned inconvenience.
Prior Art Documents
Patent Documents
[0005]
Patent Document 1
Summary of the Invention
Problems to be Solved by the Invention
[0006] The invention described in Patent Document 1 is a dedicated tool prepared separately from a tube-shaped container or the like, and it is troublesome for the user to separately prepare the tool according to the type and shape of the corresponding container.
[0007] The present invention has been made in view of the above situation, and an object to be solved is to provide a convenient cap that can be distributed integrally with a container and can assist in squeezing out the contents of the container, and a container provided with such a cap.
Means for Solving the Problems
[0008] The present invention, which solves the above problems, is based on the technical concepts shown in [1] to
[12] .
[0009] <Technical philosophy> [1] A cap to be attached to the discharge port of a flexible container having a discharge port, a storage section for storing contents, and a tail section, the cap comprising a cap body, the cap body having a fixing section for detachably fixing the tail section of the flexible container, and the cap being shaped to allow rotation from the tail section toward the discharge port while wrapping around the flexible container when the tail section of the flexible container is fixed to the fixing section.
[0010] [2] The cap according to [1], wherein the cap body is formed in a columnar shape, and the fixing portion includes a groove provided on the side surface of the columnar shape.
[0011] [3] The cap according to [2], wherein the groove is provided so as to extend parallel to the generatrix of the columnar shape.
[0012] [4] The cap according to [3], wherein the cap body has a convex side portion extending parallel to the groove portion.
[0013] [5] The cap according to [4], wherein the groove and the convex side are provided adjacent to each other.
[0014] [6] The cap according to [5], wherein the circumference from one convex portion to the other in the cap body is multiplied by an integer to be equal to the length of the housing portion.
[0015] [7] The cap according to [2], further comprising a clamping jig, the clamping jig having a mounting portion that is attached to the cap body and a covering portion that covers the outer circumferential surface of the cap body when attached, the mounting portion being configured to be attachable to the cap body so that the clamping jig can rotate relative to the cap body, and the covering portion being provided so that the housing portion can be clamped between itself and the cap body when attached.
[0016] [8] The cap according to [7], wherein the covering portion has a second groove into which the housing portion can be inserted.
[0017] [9] The cap according to [8], wherein the covering portion is provided such that when attached, it covers the outer surface of the cap body while leaving a part of the outer surface of the cap body open.
[0018]
[10] The cap according to [1], further comprising an inner cap that is detachable from the inside of the cap body and the outlet of the flexible container, wherein the cap body and the inner cap have a rotating assist portion that is detachable from each other, and the rotating assist portion has a shape in which the distance from the center of rotation varies along the inner diameter of the cap body or the outer diameter of the inner cap.
[0019]
[11] The cap according to [1], further comprising an inner cap that is detachable from the inside of the cap body and the discharge port of the flexible container, wherein the inner cap has a sub-discharge port that can be added to the discharge port and a closing portion that can open and close the sub-discharge port.
[0020] A container equipped with a cap as described in any of
[12] [1] to
[11] .
[0021] <Effects of each technological concept> The cap described in [1] is convenient for the user because, although it is attached to the container as a cap, it can also assist in squeezing out the contents.
[0022] The cap described in [2] has a columnar shape that allows the tail end of a flexible container to be inserted into a groove and secured, and then the flexible container to be wrapped around it and rotated, thus assisting in squeezing out the contents of the container.
[0023] According to the cap described in [3], the groove extends in a direction parallel to the generatrix of the columnar shape, so that the orientation of the flexible container to which the tail is fixed and the rotation direction of the cap body are aligned, making it easier to squeeze out the contents of the container.
[0024] According to the cap described in [4], when squeezing out using the cap body, the convex edge portion hits the flexible container, so that the container contents can be squeezed out more easily.
[0025] According to the cap described in [5], since the groove portion and the convex edge portion are adjacent, when squeezing out using the cap body, the convex edge portion hits near the tail of the flexible container, so that it is easy to rotate the cap body and the container contents can be squeezed out more easily.
[0026] According to the cap described in [6], when the cap body is rotated along the flexible container, the convex edge portion just hits the end of the accommodating portion near the discharge port, so that it is easy to squeeze out the contents near the discharge port to the end.
[0027] The cap described in [7] can fix the flexible container wound around the cap body by a clamping jig and suppress its unwinding.
[0028] According to the cap described in [8], when winding up the flexible container, while suppressing its unwinding, the contents can be squeezed out by sandwiching the flexible container between the clamping jig and the cap body, so that the container contents can be squeezed out more easily.
[0029] According to the cap described in [9], the user can rotate the inner cap body while avoiding the covering portion with the assistance of the clamping jig, so that the container contents can be squeezed out more easily.
[0030] According to the cap described in
[10] , the user can rotate the cap body using the inner cap as a handle, so that the container contents can be squeezed out more easily.
[0031] According to the cap described in
[11] , even when the cap body is not attached to the discharge port of the flexible container, the user can open and close the protruding port with a simple operation.
[0032] The container described in
[12] comes with a cap suitable for squeezing out the contents of the container, so that the user can easily squeeze out the contents of the container without having to prepare a separate special tool. [Effects of the Invention]
[0033] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a convenient cap that can be distributed integrally with the container while assisting in squeezing out the contents of the container, and a container equipped with such a cap. [Brief explanation of the drawing]
[0034] [Figure 1] This diagram illustrates a container provided with a cap according to each embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This figure illustrates an example of a cap according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] This figure illustrates another example of a cap according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] This figure illustrates an example of a clamping jig according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] This figure illustrates an example of an inner cap according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] This figure illustrates another example of the cap body according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] This figure illustrates an example of the use of the inner cap according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] This figure illustrates an example of a cap according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] This figure illustrates an example of a clamping jig according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] This figure illustrates an example of an inner cap according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] This figure illustrates an example of attaching a cap and inner cap according to a second embodiment of the present invention to a container. [Figure 12] This figure illustrates an example of the use of the cap and clamping jig according to the second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13] This figure illustrates another example of use of the cap and clamping jig according to the second embodiment of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]
[0035] The caps and containers according to each embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the attached drawings. Note that the embodiments shown below are examples of the present invention and the present invention is not limited to these embodiments. Unless otherwise specified, dotted lines in the figures indicate internal structures, etc.
[0036] <First Embodiment> Figure 1 shows an example of a tubular flexible container Y to which a cap X according to the first embodiment of the present invention is provided.
[0037] As shown in Figure 1, the flexible container Y comprises a discharge port Y1, a storage section Y2, and a tail section Y3.
[0038] The discharge port Y1 has a detachable structure ad. The detachable structure ad is formed in a shape corresponding to the cap body 1 or inner cap 3, which will be described later, and allows the discharge port Y1 to be opened and closed by the cap body 1 or inner cap 3.
[0039] Although Figure 1 shows an example where the detachable structure ad is a screw (screw-type detachable structure), the detachable structure ad can employ any structure that allows the discharge port Y1 and the cap body 1 or inner cap 3 to be detachably attached. For example, the attachment / detachment structure ad may be a protrusion or the like (fitting attachment / detachment structure) for the cap body 1 or inner cap 3 and the discharge port Y1 to engage with a boss.
[0040] Figure 2(A) shows an example of a cap X according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2(B) shows another example of the cap X according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2(C) shows an example of the use of the cap X according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
[0041] As shown in Figure 2, the cap X according to the first embodiment of the present invention comprises a cap body 1.
[0042] The cap body 1 has a detachable structure ad for attaching to and detaching from the discharge port Y1 or the inner cap 3, which will be described later. The detachable structure ad is formed in a shape corresponding to the discharge port Y1 or the inner cap 3, allowing the cap body 1 to be attached to or detached from the discharge port Y1 or the inner cap 3.
[0043] Although Figure 2 shows an example where the detachable structure ad is a screw (screw-type detachable structure), the detachable structure ad can be any structure that is detachable from the discharge port Y1 or the inner cap 3. For example, the attachment / detachment structure ad may be a protrusion or the like for boss fitting between the cap body 1 and the discharge port Y1 or inner cap 3.
[0044] The cap body 1 has a fixing portion 11. The fixing portion 11 can be any configuration that allows the tail portion Y3 of the flexible container Y to be detachably fixed. In the example in Figure 2, a groove into which the tail portion Y3 can be inserted and fixed is provided as the fixing portion 11.
[0045] The cap body 1 is formed in a columnar shape (a cylindrical shape with a head), and with the tail portion Y3 of the flexible container Y fixed to the fixing portion 11, it can rotate in the direction from the tail portion Y3 toward the discharge port Y1 while wrapping around the flexible container Y.
[0046] In this case, the groove portion of the fixing portion 11 is provided so as to extend parallel to the generatrix of the columnar shape, so that the orientation and rotation direction of the flexible container Y are aligned, making it easier to constrict the flexible container Y.
[0047] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 2(B), the cap body 1 may have a convex portion 12. The convex portion 12 is provided so as to extend parallel to the groove portion which serves as the fixing portion 11.
[0048] As shown in Figure 2(C), the user can remove the cap body 1 from the flexible container Y, fix the tail portion Y3 to the fixing portion 11, and then squeeze out the contents of the container by rotating the cap body 1 so as to wrap around the storage portion Y2, while pressing the storage portion Y2 against any surface S. Furthermore, the user can also squeeze out the contents by winding up the storage section Y2 while holding the flexible container Y and the cap body 1 in their hand. Note that while Figure 2(C) shows an example of using the cap body 1 shown in Figure 2(B), the same usage is possible with the cap body 1 shown in Figure 2(A).
[0049] On the other hand, as shown in Figure 2(C), if the cap body 1 is as shown in Figure 2(B), the convex portion 12 contacts the end of the storage portion Y2 near the discharge port Y1, which has the effect of making it easier to squeeze out the contents near the discharge port Y1 to the very end.
[0050] Multiple convex portions 12 may be provided. That is, the cap body 1 is not limited to a teardrop shape, but can take any shape having convex portions 12 parallel to the groove, such as a polygonal prism, an elliptical prism, a partial cylinder, or an arched prism. In this case, the above effect can be maximized by making the perimeter from one convex side 12 to the other an integer multiple of the perimeter, which is approximately equal to the length of the housing Y2. Figure 2(C) shows an example where the perimeter from one convex side 12 to the other (equal scale) is approximately equal to the length of the housing Y2.
[0051] Figure 3 shows an example where cap X comprises a cap body 1, a clamping jig 2, and an inner cap 3. In addition to the cap body 1, cap X may also comprise either the clamping jig 2 or the inner cap 3, or both.
[0052] If the cap X is equipped with a clamping jig 2, it is preferable that the cap body 1 is formed in a rotationally symmetrical columnar shape (such as a cylinder, polygonal prism, or elliptical prism). In particular, a cylindrical cap body 1 is preferable because, when rotated relative to the clamping jig 2, the distance between the outer and inner surfaces becomes approximately the same, maximizing the effectiveness of the clamping jig 2. The usage and effects of the clamping jig 2 will be described later.
[0053] If the cap X includes an inner cap 3, the inner cap 3 can be attached to and detached from the discharge port Y1 of the flexible container Y. Specifically, the inner cap 3 and the discharge port Y1 each have a corresponding second attachment / detachment structure ad2.
[0054] In this case, the cap body 1 and the inner cap 3 each have a corresponding first attachment / detachment structure ad1, and the cap body 1 can be attached to and detached from the inner cap 3.
[0055] Figure 3 shows an example where the first detachable structure ad1 is a protrusion (fitting detachable structure) and the second detachable structure ad2 is a screw (screw-in detachable structure). However, any detachable structure can be used, and their arrangement can be swapped. Furthermore, the first detachable structure ad1 and the second detachable structure ad employ different attachment and detachment methods, allowing for selective attachment and detachment of individual parts, which is convenient.
[0056] If the cap X comprises a cap body 1, a clamping jig 2, and an inner cap 3, the clamping jig 2 can be attached to the cap body 1 by a mounting part 21 (described later), the cap body 1 can be attached to the inner cap 3 by a first attachment / detachment structure ad1, and the inner cap 3 can be attached to the discharge port Y1 by a second attachment / detachment structure ad2. In this configuration, the cap body 1, the clamping jig 2, and the inner cap 3 can function as a single cap X on the flexible container Y.
[0057] Alternatively, if the cap X comprises a cap body 1 and a clamping jig 2, the clamping jig 2 can be attached to the cap body 1 by a mounting portion 21 (described later), and the cap body 1 can be attached to the discharge port Y1 by any attachment / detachment structure ad. In this configuration, the cap body 1 and the clamping jig 2 can function as a single cap X on the flexible container Y.
[0058] Figure 4(A) shows an example of a clamping jig 2 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Figure 4(B) shows an example of use of the clamping jig 2 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Figure 4(C) shows an example of use of the clamping jig 2 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
[0059] As shown in Figure 4(A), the clamping jig 2 has a mounting portion 21 and a covering portion 22.
[0060] The mounting portion 21 allows the clamping jig 2 to be attached to the cap body 1. For example, if the cap body 1 is cylindrical, the mounting portion 21 may be formed in a circular shape with a diameter approximately equal to the outer diameter of the cap body 1. Furthermore, for example, if the cap body 1 is polygonal or elliptical in shape, the mounting portion 21 may be formed as a circular shape circumscribed with respect to the cross-sectional shape of the cap body 1.
[0061] The mounting portion 21, formed in the shape described above, allows the clamping jig 2 to be attached to the cap body 1 in such a way that the clamping jig 2 can rotate relative to the cap body 1 when the clamping jig 2 is attached to the cap body 1.
[0062] The covering portion 22 is provided so as to be able to clamp the housing portion Y2 of the flexible container Y between the cap body 1 and the covering portion 22 when the clamping jig 2 is attached to the cap body 1 (see also Figure 4(C), etc.).
[0063] The covering portion 22 has a cutout in part and further includes a second groove portion 22a. The second groove portion 22a allows for the insertion of the housing portion Y2 of the flexible container Y (see also Figure 4(B), etc.).
[0064] The specific method of using the clamping jig 2 will be explained using Figures 4(B) and 4(C).
[0065] First, as shown in Figure 4(B), the user attaches the clamping jig 2 to the cap body 1, which has the tail portion Y3 of the flexible container Y fixed to the fixing portion 11. At this time, the user inserts the housing portion Y2 of the flexible container Y into the second groove portion 22a.
[0066] Next, the user can rotate the cap body 1 by holding the portion of the cap body 1 that is not covered by the covering portion 22. As a result, as shown in Figure 4(C), the housing portion Y2 of the flexible container Y is squeezed and crushed while being wrapped between the cap body 1 and the clamping jig 2.
[0067] Thus, with the clamping jig 2, compared to the case where the contents are squeezed out by "holding the flexible container Y and the cap body 1 by hand and winding up the storage section Y2", the unwinding of the flexible container Y is suppressed even without holding down the storage section Y2 by hand. Therefore, the contents of the container can be squeezed out more easily without having to press the flexible container Y against any surface.
[0068] Figure 5 shows an example of an inner cap 3 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
[0069] As shown in Figure 5, the inner cap 3 has a second rotation assist part 31 as a rotation assist part, and a first attachment / detachment structure ad1 and a second attachment / detachment structure ad2 as attachment / detachment structures.
[0070] The second rotation assist portion 31 has a shape in which the distance from the center varies along the outer diameter of the inner cap 3, and can be fitted and detached from the first rotation assist portion 13 (described later) which is provided on the cap body 1 when the cap X has an inner cap 3.
[0071] The shape of the second rotation assist portion 31 is not limited to the gear shape exemplified, but can include any shape such as a polygon, ellipse, partial circle, arc shape, teardrop shape, etc., in which the distance from the center varies along the outer diameter of the inner cap 3.
[0072] The first detachable structure ad1 is formed in a shape corresponding to the cap body 1, so that the cap body 1 and the inner cap 3 can be attached to and detached from each other (see also Figure 3).
[0073] The second detachable structure ad2 is formed in a shape corresponding to the discharge port Y1 of the flexible container Y, so that the discharge port Y1 and the inner cap 3 can be attached and detached (see also Figure 3).
[0074] In Figure 5, an example is shown where the first detachable structure ad1 is a protrusion (fitting detachable structure) and the second detachable structure ad2 is a screw (screw-on detachable structure). However, any detachable structure can be used, and their arrangement may be changed. Furthermore, the first detachable structure ad1 and the second detachable structure ad employ different attachment and detachment methods, allowing for selective attachment and detachment of individual parts, which is convenient.
[0075] Figure 6(A) shows an example of the cap body 1 when the cap X is equipped with an inner cap 3. Figure 6(B) shows another example of the cap body 1 when the cap X includes an inner cap 3.
[0076] As shown in Figure 6, the cap body 1 may have a first rotation assist part 13 and a first attachment / detachment structure ad1. The other structures (fixing part 11, convex side part 12) are the same as those described in Figure 2.
[0077] The first rotation assist portion 13 has a shape in which the distance from the center varies along the inner diameter of the cap body 1, and can be fitted and detached from the second rotation assist portion 31 provided on the inner cap 3.
[0078] The shape of the first rotation assist part 13 is not limited to the gear shape exemplified, but can include any shape such as a polygon, ellipse, partial circle, arc shape, teardrop shape, etc., in which the distance from the center varies along the inner diameter of the cap body 1.
[0079] The first detachable structure ad1 is formed in a shape that corresponds to the inner cap 3, so that the cap body 1 and the inner cap 3 can be attached to and detached from each other (see also Figure 3).
[0080] Figure 7 shows an example of squeezing out the contents of a flexible container Y by combining the cap body 1, clamping jig 2, and inner cap 3.
[0081] When using the clamping jig 2, first, the user attaches the clamping jig 2 to the cap body 1, which has the tail portion Y3 of the flexible container Y fixed to the fixing portion 11, as shown in Figure 7(A). At that time, the user inserts the housing portion Y2 of the flexible container Y into the second groove portion 22a.
[0082] Next, as shown in Figure 7(A), the user inserts the inner cap 3 into the cap body 1 and engages the first rotation assist part 13 and the second rotation assist part 31, respectively.
[0083] In this case, the first rotation assist part 13 has a shape in which the distance from the center varies along the inner diameter of the cap body 1, and the second rotation assist part 31 has a shape in which the distance from the center varies along the outer diameter of the inner cap 3. Therefore, the cap body 1 can be rotated by rotating the inner cap 3.
[0084] In other words, as shown in Figure 7(B), the user can rotate the cap body 1 by holding the inner cap 3 and rotating it, thereby gripping and crushing the housing portion Y2 of the flexible container Y between the cap body 1 and the clamping jig 2.
[0085] The cap and container according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the attached drawings. Furthermore, configurations that follow the first embodiment will be noted accordingly.
[0086] <Second Embodiment> As shown in Figure 1, the flexible container Y according to this embodiment comprises a discharge port Y1, a storage section Y2, and a tail section Y3, and the discharge port Y1 has a detachable structure ad. The detachable structure ad is formed in a shape corresponding to the inner cap 3, which will be described later.
[0087] Figure 8(A) is a perspective view showing an example of a cap X according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Figure 8(B) is a perspective view including an opening surface showing an example of a cap X according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Figure 8(C) is a view of the opening surface showing an example of a cap X according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
[0088] As shown in Figure 8, the cap X according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises a cap body 1. In addition, as shown in Figures 12 and 13, the cap X also comprises a clamping jig 2 and an inner cap 3.
[0089] The cap body 1 is formed in a columnar shape (a cylindrical shape with a head or a cylindrical shape with a bottom), similar to the first embodiment, and has a fixing portion 11 on a convex edge portion 12 that bulges out from its side surface, on which the tail portion Y3 of the flexible container Y can be detachably fixed.
[0090] The fixing portion 11 is provided in the convex portion 12 in the shape of a groove parallel to the axial direction of the cap body 1, and is further configured to open towards the bottomed cylindrical opening surface.
[0091] With this configuration, when fixing the tail portion Y3 to the fixing portion 11, the tail portion Y3 can be inserted from both the direction along the side of the cap body 1 and the axial direction, improving the user experience.
[0092] The convex portion 12 is a thin, wall-like member that bulges out from the side of the cap body 1 to form the fixing portion 11. As shown in Figure 8(C), the outer surface of the convex portion 12 is formed parallel to the depth direction of the fixing portion 11.
[0093] This configuration suppresses the size of the convex portion 12, making it possible to reduce the overall weight of the cap body 1.
[0094] In the examples shown in Figures 8(B) and 8(C), the cap body 1 further has an inner cylinder portion 14, and the inner circumferential surface of this inner cylinder portion 14 has a first rotation assist portion 13. The inner cylinder portion 14 is a cylindrical member that protrudes from the bottom surface of the bottomed cylindrical cap body 1, thereby forming a double cylinder concentrically.
[0095] Here, as shown in Figure 8(C), when the cap body 1 is viewed in the cross-sectional direction, its outer diameter is determined in relation to the length of the housing portion Y2 of the flexible container Y (details follow the first embodiment), and its inner diameter is determined by a dimension corresponding to the attachment / detachment structure ad (particularly the first attachment / detachment structure ad1) with the inner cap 3, which will be described later. In this case, it is preferable that the inner circumferential surface of the inner cylinder portion 14 is formed based on the inner diameter, forming a weight-reducing region between it and the outer surface of the cap body 1.
[0096] This configuration ensures that the entire cap body 1 is made of thin-walled material, reducing the likelihood of molding defects during mass production of the cap body 1 using a mold. This effect is also true in configurations where the convex portion 12 is formed of thin material.
[0097] The first rotation assist portion 13, similar to the first embodiment, includes a shape in which the distance from the center varies along the inner diameter of the cap body 1, particularly along the inner circumferential surface of the inner cylinder portion 14.
[0098] Figure 9(A) is a perspective view and a plan view showing one example of the clamping jig 2 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Figure 9(B) is a perspective view and a plan view showing a second example of the clamping jig 2 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Figure 9(C) is a perspective view and a plan view showing a third example of the clamping jig 2 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Figure 9(D) is a perspective view and a plan view showing a fourth example of the clamping jig 2 according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
[0099] The clamping jig 2 according to this embodiment includes at least four configurations (which can be changed according to design requirements), as shown in each of the figures in Figure 9. In Figures 9(A), 9(B), 9(C), and 9(D), the left side shows a perspective view and the right side shows a plan view. The dashed line shown in the plan view indicates the arrangement when the cap body 1 is housed inside the clamping jig 2.
[0100] In the examples shown in Figures 9(A) and 9(B), the clamping jig 2 has a covering portion 22 and a bottom portion 23.
[0101] The covering portion 22 is a member in which a part of a cylindrical member is cut out in the axial direction and opened, and when attached to the cap body 1, it is provided so that the housing portion Y2 of the flexible container Y can be sandwiched between the cap body 1 and the inner circumferential surface of the covering portion 22 (see also Figure 12(B), etc.).
[0102] In the example shown in Figure 9(A), the covering portion 22 is provided as two opposing arc-shaped members, with two axial cutouts in a cylindrical member, and is connected at the bottom portion 23.
[0103] With this configuration, one notch allows clearance for the convex edge 12 of the cap body 1 and the discharge port Y1 of the flexible container Y, while the other notch allows visibility of the storage area Y2 of the flexible container Y, enabling the user to visually identify the contents of the flexible container Y.
[0104] In the example shown in Figure 9(B), the covering portion 22 is formed by cutting out one part of the cylindrical member in the axial direction, and its cross-sectional shape is maintained at the bottom portion 23.
[0105] This configuration allows the housing portion Y2 of the flexible container Y to be held over a wide area excluding the notch, making it easier to prevent the flexible container Y from unwinding.
[0106] The bottom portion 23 is a flat plate-shaped member provided to cover one end of the covering portion 22, and maintains the shape of the covering portion 22.
[0107] In the examples shown in Figures 9(C) and 9(D), the clamping jig 2 is composed of a covering portion 22. The covering portion 22 in this case is a cylindrical member with one part cut out in the axial direction and open, and as in the example described above, when attached to the cap body 1, it is possible to clamp the housing portion Y2 of the flexible container Y between the cap body 1 and the inner circumferential surface of the covering portion 22 (see also Figure 13(B), etc.).
[0108] In the example shown in Figure 9(C), the covering portion 22 has a cylindrical shape as its basis, and as shown in the plan view, it is provided in a straight, i.e., flat, shape with one end extending in the tangential direction of the circle.
[0109] This configuration ensures a flat area in part of the covering portion 22, allowing the flexible container Y to be stably placed on a surface S such as a workbench.
[0110] In the example shown in Figure 9(C), the covering portion 22 has a cylindrical shape as its basis, and its cross-sectional direction is configured in a C-shape.
[0111] This configuration allows the direction in which the cap body 1 is attached to and detached from the clamping jig 2, and the direction in which the flexible container Y is wrapped around the cap body 1 and rotated, to be arbitrarily determined, thereby improving the degree of freedom in the process of squeezing out the contents of the storage section Y2.
[0112] In all of the above embodiments of the clamping jig 2, it is preferable that the area in which the covering portion 22 is cut out is narrow enough to allow the flexible container Y to escape to the outside.
[0113] This configuration makes it possible to suppress the unwinding of the flexible container Y, which is sandwiched between the cap body 1 and the container, over a wider area.
[0114] Figure 10(A) is a perspective view showing an example of an inner cap 3 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Figure 10(B) is a side view showing an example of an inner cap 3 according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
[0115] The inner cap 3, like the first embodiment, has a first detachable structure ad1 and a second detachable structure ad2, and further has a sub-discharge port 32, a hinge portion 33, and a closing portion 34. The inner cap 3 may also optionally have a second rotation assist portion 31 depending on the design requirements.
[0116] The second rotation assist portion 31, similar to the first embodiment, has a shape in which the distance from the center varies along the outer diameter of the inner cap 3, and is lockable with the first rotation assist portion 13 provided on the cap body 1.
[0117] The secondary discharge port 32 is a tubular member that connects the inside and outside of the inner cap 3, and can be attached to the flexible container Y, thereby being added to the discharge port Y1. Furthermore, depending on its shape, the secondary discharge port 32 can extend or deform the discharge port Y1.
[0118] In the examples shown in Figures 10 to 13, the cross-sectional shape of the secondary discharge port 32 is an oval shape with a convex portion added, allowing the contents of the flexible container Y to be discharged in a flat strip shape. However, the cross-sectional shape of the secondary discharge port 32 is not limited to this example, and other shapes are also acceptable as long as its cross-sectional area is less than or equal to the cross-sectional area of the discharge port Y1 of the flexible container Y. For example, it may include circular, elliptical, polygonal, etc., and may be set as appropriate depending on the ease of manufacturing the secondary discharge port 32 and the design requirements.
[0119] Here, the inner cap 3 according to this embodiment has a second detachable structure ad2 inside, similar to the first embodiment. The second detachable structure ad2 is a spiral groove, i.e., a female screw, provided along the inner circumferential surface of the inner cap 3, following the first embodiment, and by screwing it into the second detachable structure ad2 provided at the discharge port Y1 of the flexible container Y, the flexible container Y and the inner cap 3 can be detachably attached.
[0120] The hinge portion 33 is a hinge-joint-like member that connects the sub-discharge port 32 and the closing portion 34 so that they can be opened and closed. The hinge portion 33 according to this embodiment includes both a configuration in which the two members, the sub-discharge port 32 side and the closing portion 34 side, are connected by a rod-shaped pivot shaft component, and a configuration in which the sub-discharge port 32 side and the closing portion 34 side are bridged and formed integrally.
[0121] The closure portion 34 is a bottomed container-shaped member that is rotatably attached to the tip of the inner cap 3 at the hinge portion 33, and allows the auxiliary discharge port 32 to be closed or opened. In other words, the closure portion 34 is attached to the auxiliary discharge port 32 so as to be openable and closable.
[0122] With this configuration, the inner cap 3 according to this embodiment can be attached to the discharge port Y1 of the flexible container Y, and it can also be opened and closed. Thus, unlike the first embodiment, the inner cap 3 is not used to squeeze out the contents of the flexible container Y, and the opening and closing operation is made easier.
[0123] Furthermore, the configuration of the closure section 34 allows the discharge port Y1 of the flexible container Y to be closed without removing the cap body 1 from the tail section Y3 after the cap body 1 has been attached to the tail section Y3 and the contents of the flexible container Y have been squeezed out, as shown in Figure 11.
[0124] As shown in Figures 10(A) and 10(B), the first attachment / detachment structure ad1 in this embodiment is a small projection that protrudes further outward from the outer surface of the inner cap 3. On the other hand, the first attachment / detachment structure ad1 in the cap body 1 is a convex member that rises further inward from the inner circumferential surface of the inner cylinder portion 14, extending around the entire circumference. With these configurations, when the cap body 1 is placed over the inner cap 3 and attached, the first attachment / detachment structures ad1 of both lock together, allowing for easy attachment and detachment.
[0125] When using the cap X having the above configuration, first, the user attaches the inner cap 3 to the discharge port Y1 of the flexible container Y, as shown in Figure 11. Next, the user inserts the tail portion Y3 of the flexible container Y into the groove of the fixing portion 11 of the cap body 1.
[0126] Next, the user opens the closure 34 to release the auxiliary discharge port 32, as shown in Figure 12(A) or Figure 13(A). Then, the user wraps the housing portion Y2 of the flexible container Y around the outer surface of the cap body 1 and presses the housing portion Y2 against any surface S, or squeezes out the contents of the container by winding up the housing portion Y2 while holding the flexible container Y and the cap body 1 with their hands.
[0127] It is preferable that the flexible container Y, from which the contents have been squeezed out by the above process, remains wrapped around the cap body 1 from its tail Y3. This eliminates the need for the user to re-wrap the storage portion Y2 around the cap body 1 when using the flexible container Y again.
[0128] In this configuration, the user attaches the clamping jig 2 to the portion of the flexible container Y where the storage portion Y2 is wrapped around the cap body 1 from the tail portion Y3 (hereinafter referred to as the wrapped portion). At this time, as shown in Figures 12(B) and 13(B), the user attaches the clamping jig 2 so as to cover the wrapped portion in the axial direction of the cap body 1. At this time, the unwound portion of the flexible container Y and the inner cap 3 are left to escape through the cutout portion of the covering portion 22 of the clamping jig 2.
[0129] As described above, the winding portion to which the clamping jig 2 is attached holds the housing portion Y2 of the flexible container Y wound on the outer circumference of the cap body 1 so as not to unwind. Note that the clamping jig 2 in the examples shown in Figures 12 and 13 correspond to the clamping jig 2 shown in Figures 9(A) and 9(D), respectively, but the method of use, function, and effect are the same even for the clamping jig 2 shown in Figures 9(B) and / or 9(C).
[0130] When the user removes the cap X from the flexible container Y, they perform the operation in the reverse order of the above procedure.
[0131] The configurations and functions shown in each of the above embodiments are merely examples, and various modifications are possible based on design requirements, etc. [Explanation of Symbols]
[0132] X Cap 1 Cap body 11 Fixed part (groove part) 12 Convex side 13 First Rotation Aid 14 Inner cylinder 2. Clamping jig 21 Mounting part 22 Covering part 22a Second groove 23 Bottom part 3. Inner cap 31 Second Rotation Aid 32 Sub-discharge port 33 Hinge section 34 Occlusion Y Soft container Y1 outlet Y2 Accommodation Unit Y3 tail ad detachable structure ad1 First detachable structure ad2 Second detachable structure
Claims
1. A cap to be attached to the discharge port of a flexible container having a discharge port, a storage section for containing contents, and a tail section, Equipped with a cap body, The cap body has a fixing portion that can detachably secure the tail portion of the flexible container, A cap formed in such a shape that it can rotate from the tail portion toward the discharge port while winding up the flexible container, when the tail portion of the flexible container is fixed to the fixed portion.
2. The cap according to claim 1, wherein the cap body is formed in a columnar shape, and the fixing portion includes a groove provided on the side surface of the columnar shape.
3. The cap according to claim 2, wherein the groove is provided so as to extend parallel to the generatrix of the columnar shape.
4. The cap according to claim 3, wherein the cap body has a convex portion extending parallel to the groove.
5. The cap according to claim 4, wherein the groove and the convex side are provided adjacent to each other.
6. The cap according to claim 5, wherein the circumference from one convex portion to the other in the cap body is multiplied by an integer to equal the length of the housing portion.
7. Further equipped with a clamping jig, The clamping jig is, The mounting portion is attached to the cap body, The cap has a covering portion that covers the outer surface of the cap body when attached, The mounting portion is configured to be attachable to the cap body so that the clamping jig can rotate relative to the cap body. The cap according to claim 2, wherein the covering portion is provided so as to be able to sandwich the housing portion between itself and the cap body when attached.
8. The cap according to claim 7, wherein the covering portion has a second groove into which the housing portion can be inserted.
9. The cap according to claim 8, wherein the covering portion is provided such that it covers the outer surface of the cap body while leaving a part of the outer surface of the cap body open when attached.
10. The cap body is further equipped with an inner cap that can be attached to the inside and the outlet of the flexible container. The cap body and the inner cap have a rotating assist part that can be fitted and detached from each other. The cap according to claim 1, wherein the rotation assist portion has a shape such that the distance from the center of rotation varies along the inner diameter of the cap body or the outer diameter of the inner cap.
11. The cap body is further equipped with an inner cap that can be attached to the inside and the outlet of the flexible container. The inner cap has a secondary discharge port that can be attached to the discharge port, and a closing portion that can open and close the secondary discharge port. The cap according to claim 1.
12. A container comprising a cap according to any one of claims 1 to 11.