Cap with outlet

Abstract

A cap with an outlet that is attached to the mouth of the container body, which prevents liquid from being discharged when in the basic position and allows liquid to be discharged when in an inclined position. [Solution] The cap with an outlet comprises a tube 3, a cap body 4, and a straw member 5. The tube supports the straw member so that it can be changed between a basic position and an inclined position. The cap body comprises a sealing body 42 that seals the mouth of the container body. A through hole 45 is formed in the sealing body. The straw member comprises a valve body 61 that opens and closes the through hole, and a straw 62 that extends from the valve body in a state that penetrates the through hole. An introduction passage 48 is formed between the straw and the through hole. The straw comprises an internal space that serves as an discharge passage 63 and a relay passage 64 that relays between the introduction passage and the discharge passage. The tube fits onto the outer surface of the straw and is sandwiched between the cap body and the straw in a contracted state, pressing the valve body against the sealing plate to close the through hole.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a cap with an outlet that can change its posture between a basic posture and an inclined posture.

Background Art

[0002] Normally, a container lid does not have an outlet. Therefore, it is impossible to discharge the liquid with the lid closed. As an example of a conventional liquid container, Patent Document 1 discloses an inner stopper that fits inside the mouth-neck part of the container body and a nozzle-equipped cap that fits outside the mouth-neck part of the container body. The inner stopper has a top plate that closes the mouth-neck part of the container body. The top plate has a main stopper that bulges upward at its central part, and a liquid outflow hole is formed around the main stopper. The nozzle-equipped cap has a nozzle that extends in the vertical direction and an annular top wall that spreads radially from the lower end of the nozzle. When the nozzle is in the basic posture, the lower part of the main stopper fits into the lower end part of the nozzle, and the top wall covers the upper part of the top plate while closing the liquid outflow hole to make the liquid unable to pass through. When the nozzle is in the inclined posture, the fitting between the lower end part of the nozzle and the main stopper comes off, a gap is formed between them, a gap is also formed between the top wall and the top plate, and the liquid outflow hole opens to make the liquid able to pass through.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] An object of the present invention is, by a configuration different from the above-described configuration, to make the liquid unable to pass through in the basic posture and make the liquid able to pass through in the inclined posture.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] The present invention provides a cap with an outlet, comprising a cap body attached to a container body containing liquid, a straw member penetrating the cap body, the straw member being unable to pass liquid in its basic position but allowing liquid to pass through in an inclined position relative to the basic position, and a tube fitted into the straw member and supporting the straw member so that it can be changed between a basic position and an inclined position relative to the cap body. The cap body comprises a sealing body that seals the mouth of the container body and has a through hole formed therein that leads to the inside and outside of the container body. The straw member comprises a valve body that faces the sealing body on the inside side of the container body and can open and close the through hole, and a tubular straw that extends from the valve body to the outside of the container body while penetrating the inside of the through hole and has an outlet formed at its tip. An introduction passage is formed between the outer surface of the straw and the inner surface of the through hole to guide the liquid from the inside to the outside of the container body. The straw comprises an internal space that serves as an outlet passage formed inside the tubular shape, and an intermediate passage that penetrates the wall of the tubular shape and relays the introduction passage and the outlet passage. The tube is elastically deformable and is fitted onto the outer surface of the straw. In a contracted state, it is sandwiched between the cap body and the straw on the opposite side of the relay path from the valve body, and it seals the through-hole by pressing the valve body against the sealing body.

[0006] The shape of the outer surface of the straw is not a requirement, but the following is desirable to increase the force that presses the valve body against the sealing body. The straw is provided with end support portions that protrude from its outer surface and support the end face of the tube that faces away from the valve body.

[0007] The sealing element and the valve element may be in direct contact, blocking the area below the through-hole, but to improve airtightness, it is preferable to do the following: A cap with an outlet is equipped with a sealing ring that is sandwiched between the sealing body and the valve body. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] The outlet-equipped cap of the present invention utilizes the elasticity of the tube to allow the straw member to be changed between a basic position and an inclined position. When the straw member is in the basic position, the valve body is pressed against the sealing body, and the through-hole is sealed from the inside of the container body, preventing liquid from passing through. When it is in the inclined position, a gap is formed between the valve body and the sealing body, allowing liquid to pass through the gap. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This is an exploded perspective view showing a cap with an outlet according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a cross-sectional view showing a cap with an outlet. [Figure 3] This is a cross-sectional view showing the straw component of the cap with an outlet in an inclined position. [Figure 4] This is a cross-sectional view of the cap body. [Figure 5] This is a cross-sectional view of a straw component. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] As shown in Figure 1, the cap with outlet 1 of the first embodiment of the present invention comprises a protective cap 2, a tube 3, a cap body 4, a sealing ring 5, and a straw member 6. As shown in Figure 2, the cap with outlet 1 is attached to a container body 10 that holds liquid.

[0011] In the diagram, the mouth 11 of the container body 10 is cylindrical. The internal space of the mouth 11 is vertically penetrating. In this embodiment, the basic position is when the straw member 6 is parallel to the vertical direction, and the inclined position relative to the basic position, in other words, the inclined position, is defined as the inclined position. The cap with outlet 1 prevents liquid from passing through (discharging) when the straw member 6 is in the basic position, and allows liquid to pass through when the straw member 6 is in the inclined position. In Figures 2 and 3, a reference line L, which is a straight line parallel to the vertical direction, is placed at the center of the cap with outlet 1 to make it easier to distinguish between the basic position and the inclined position. Furthermore, the radial direction used in the following explanation refers to the direction in which a straight line extends from the reference line L, with the reference line L as the center point, when viewed from the vertical direction, connecting the center point to another point away from the center point. The liquid contained in the container body 10 is not limited to low-viscosity liquids such as beverages, but may also be highly viscous.

[0012] The protective cap 2 comprises a cylindrical protective wall 21 that penetrates vertically, and a top plate 22 whose thickness is oriented vertically and which closes the opening at the upper end of the protective wall 21.

[0013] The cap body 4 is attached to the container body 10. As shown in Figures 1 to 4, the cap body 4 comprises a cylindrical mounting wall 41 that is attached to the mouth 11 of the container body 10, a sealing body 42 that seals the opening at the upper end of the mounting wall 41 and seals the mouth 11 of the container body 10, and a cylindrical protruding wall 43 that protrudes upward from the upper surface of the sealing body 42 and to which the protective cap 2 is attached.

[0014] The mounting wall 41 is detachable from the opening 11. A female thread 41a is formed on the inner circumferential surface of the mounting wall 41, and a male thread 11a is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the opening 11. The cap body 4 is detachably connected to the opening 11 by the interlocking of the female thread 41a and the male thread 11a. Incidentally, in the diagram, the female thread 41a and the male thread 11a are single-start threads.

[0015] The protective wall 21 is detachable from the protruding wall 43. A male thread 43a is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the protruding wall 43, and a female thread 21a is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the protective wall 21. By fitting the male thread 43a and the female thread 21a together, the protective cap 2 is detachably connected to the cap body 4. Incidentally, in the figure, the female thread 21a and the male thread 43a are double-threaded screws.

[0016] The blocking body 42 is circular when viewed from the vertical direction, and the thickness (dimension in the vertical direction) of the central portion is thicker than that of the outer periphery. A through hole 45 penetrating in the vertical direction is formed in the central portion of the blocking body 42. The through hole 45 is located radially inside with respect to the protruding wall 43. The through hole 45 is circular when viewed from the vertical direction. The through hole 45 includes a plurality of portions with different shapes in the entire length range in the vertical direction. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, it is as follows.

[0017] The upper portion 45a of the through hole 45 is tapered such that the radius decreases downward. The middle portion 45b of the through hole 45 has a stepped cylindrical shape. Specifically, the upper portion 45b1 and the lower portion 45b2 of the middle portion 45b of the through hole 45 are both cylindrical surfaces centered on the reference line L. However, the upper portion 45b1 of the middle portion 45b of the through hole 45 is a cylindrical surface with a larger radius than the lower portion 45b2 of the middle portion 45b. Therefore, an upward-facing surface 45b3 is formed at the boundary between the upper portion 45b1 and the lower portion 45b2 in the middle portion. The upward-facing surface 45b3 is annular. The lower portion 45c of the through hole 45 is tapered such that the radius increases downward.

[0018] A positioning recess 46 for positioning the seal ring 5 in the radial direction is formed on the lower surface of the blocking body 42 (see FIG. 2). The positioning recess 46 is recessed in a state of surrounding the outside in the radial direction with respect to the through hole 45. In the present embodiment, the periphery of the through hole 45 of the blocking body 42 serves as a valve seat 42a.

[0019] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 and 5, the straw member 6 includes a valve body 61 that opens and closes the through hole 45, and a straw 62 that extends upward from the upper surface of the valve body 61.

[0020] The valve body 61 is circular when viewed from the vertical direction. The edge of the upper surface of the valve body 61 is an inclined surface 61a that slopes downward as it extends radially outward. The inner side of the upper surface of the valve body 61, radially inward of the edge, is a horizontal plane. When the straw member 6 is attached to the container body 10, the valve body 61 faces the inner side (downward) of the container body 10 with respect to the valve seat 42a. In other words, the valve seat 42a is the portion that faces above the valve body 61.

[0021] The straw 62 is tubular. When the straw member 6 is in the basic posture, the straw 62 extends in a straight line in the vertical direction. An internal space as a discharge passage 63 is formed inside the straw 62. The upper end of the discharge passage 63, that is, the inside of the tip of the straw 62, becomes the liquid outlet 63a. When the straw 62 is cut horizontally, the area of the discharge passage 63 is the smallest at the lower part among the upper, middle, and lower parts of the discharge passage 63, the middle part becomes larger as it goes upward, and the upper part is the largest. Specifically, the discharge passage 63 has a cylindrical upper part, a tapered part whose radius decreases as it goes downward, and a cylindrical lower part with a smaller radius than the upper part.

[0022] The straw 62 includes a relay passage 64 that penetrates the tubular wall. The relay passage 64 is located at the lower end of the straw 62. The relay passage 64 is formed at intervals in the circumferential direction centered on the reference line L. In the figure, the relay passage 64 is formed every 90 degrees in the circumferential direction.

[0023] The outer peripheral surface of the straw 62 includes a passage portion 65 through which the tube 3 passes when inserted, a fitting portion 66 into which the tube 3 fits (is inserted), and an attachment base portion 67 located on the valve body 61 side with respect to the fitting portion 66, with respect to the vertical portion.

[0024] The passage portion 65 has a cylindrical surface shape and includes a first flange portion 65a that projects radially outward above the lower end portion at the lower end portion. The outer peripheral surface of the first flange portion 65a has a tapered shape with a radius increasing as it goes downward. The lower surface (downward-facing surface) 65b of the first flange portion 65a is annular and is a horizontal plane facing downward.

[0025] The fitting portion 66 has a second flange portion 66a in the middle of its vertical direction, which protrudes radially outward from above and below the middle portion. The outer diameter (maximum diameter) of the second flange portion 66a is smaller than the outer diameter of the downward-facing surface 65b. The outer circumferential surface of the second flange portion 66a is also tapered, with the radius increasing as it goes downward. The lower surface of the second flange portion 66a is also a horizontal plane. The outer diameter of the portion of the fitting portion 66 above the second flange portion 66a is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the portion of the fitting portion 66a below the second flange portion 66a. The fitting portion 66 contacts the inner circumferential surface of the tube 3 in the portion above the second flange portion 66a.

[0026] The base portion 67 protrudes radially outward from the lower end of the fitting portion 66. The upper end portion 67a of the base portion 67 is disc-shaped and protrudes radially outward from the lower end of the fitting portion 66. The portion 67b of the base portion 67 below the upper end portion 67a is tapered, with the radius increasing as it goes downward. The upper end portion 67a of the base portion 67 protrudes radially outward in a stepped manner compared to the lower portion 67b. In other words, the boundary between the upper end portion 67a and the lower portion 67b of the base portion 67 is stepped.

[0027] The seal ring 5 is a plate-shaped ring. A hole 5a is formed on the inner circumference of the seal ring 5, penetrating in the vertical direction. The inner diameter of the hole 5a is slightly larger than the inner diameter of the positioning recess 46 and smaller than the outer diameter of the valve body 61. The outer circumference of the seal ring 5 is sandwiched between the mouth 11 of the container body 10 and the sealing body 42 in the vertical direction, and the inner circumference of the seal ring 5 is sandwiched between the valve body 61 and the sealing body 42 (valve seat 42a). The seal ring 5 is softer than the valve body 61 (straw member 6) and the valve seat 42a (cap body 4). The seal ring 5 is elastically deformable. When the straw member 6 is in its basic position, the seal ring 5 is sandwiched between the valve seat 42a and the valve body 61 and adheres tightly to the valve seat 42a and the valve body 61, thereby eliminating the gap between the valve seat 42a and the valve body 61 around the entire circumference of the through hole 45 and sealing the through hole 45.

[0028] Tube 3 is cylindrical. The inner diameter of tube 3 is the same as the outer diameter of the portion of the fitting portion 66 above the second flange portion 66a. Tube 3 is also elastically deformable. Due to its elasticity, tube 3 can expand and contract in the radial and vertical directions of the cylinder. The upper end face of tube 3 is the end face of tube 3 that faces away from the valve body 61. The downward-facing surface 65b of the first flange portion 65a supports the upper end face of tube 3. In other words, the downward-facing surface 65b of the first flange portion 65a is the end face support portion 65b. On the other hand, the upward-facing surface 45b3 of the through hole 45 supports the lower end face of tube 3.

[0029] The outlet cap 1, excluding the protective cap 2, is assembled according to the following procedure. First, the seal ring 5 is placed in the positioning recess 46 of the cap body 4. Next, the straw 62 is passed through the through hole 45 so that the seal ring 5 is sandwiched between the valve body 61 and the valve seat 42a, and the straw member 6 is attached. Finally, the tube 3 is inserted from the tip of the straw 62 and fitted into the fitting portion 66. As a result, the portion of the tube 3 above the second flange portion 66a contacts the fitting portion 66, and a small gap (cylindrical space) is formed between the tube 3 and the fitting portion 66 below the second flange portion 66a. Moreover, in the vertical direction, the tube 3 is sandwiched between the passage portion 65 of the straw 62 and the sealing body 42, and elastically deforms to contract in the vertical direction. Specifically, the upper end surface of the tube 3 is supported by the end face support portion 65b2, and the lower end surface of the tube 3 is supported by the upward surface 45b3 of the through hole 45. As a result, the upper part of the through hole 45 is blocked. In addition, the vertical restoring force of the tube 3 pushes the straw member 6 upward, and the valve body 61 is pressed against the valve seat 42a.

[0030] As shown in Figure 2, a gap 48 is formed between the outer surface of the straw 62 and the inner surface of the through hole 45 at the lower side of the point where the tube 3 and the sealing body 42 are in close contact in the vertical direction. The gap 48 is annular when viewed from the vertical direction and is a space that allows the straw 62 to be changed between a basic position and an inclined position. The gap 48 is an introduction passage 48 that guides the liquid from the inside to the outside of the container body 10. Since the upper end portion 67a of the base portion 67 protrudes radially outward in a stepped manner relative to the lower portion 67b, the portion of the gap 48 corresponding to the upper end portion 67a of the base portion 67 is radially smaller than the portion corresponding to the lower portion 67b of the base portion 67, so that the straw 62 does not displace significantly radially inside the through hole 45.

[0031] When no external force is applied, the straw member 6 of the outlet cap 1 returns to its basic position due to the restoring force of the tube 3. In the basic position, the valve body 61 is horizontal, the lower part of the through hole 45 is blocked, and liquid cannot pass between the valve body 61 and the valve seat 42a. The seal ring 5 is sandwiched between the valve body 61 and the valve seat 42a, and the seal ring 5 makes close contact with the upper surface of the valve body 61 and the lower surface of the valve seat 42a due to its own elasticity, thus improving the airtightness. The effect of the seal ring 5 is even more pronounced when the liquid contains carbon dioxide.

[0032] On the other hand, if a horizontal external force is applied to the tip of the straw member 6 against the restoring force of the tube 3, the straw member 6 will tilt, as shown in Figure 3. In this case, the valve body 61 tilts relative to the horizontal state, with one point on the entire circumference of the edge of the valve body 61 acting as a fulcrum. A gap 49 is formed between the valve body 61 and the valve seat 42a at all other points, and the lower end of the through hole 45 connects to the internal space of the container body 10, allowing the liquid to pass through the gap 49 to the introduction passage 48. Furthermore, since the upper edge of the valve body 61 is sloped 61a, it is easy to tilt the valve body 61. Moreover, since the upper edge of the valve body 61 is circular, no matter what direction the external force is applied to the tip of the straw member 6 in the horizontal direction, the straw member 6 will change from the basic position to the tilted position, making it easier to discharge the liquid. When the external force is removed, the restoring force of the tube 3 causes the straw member 6 to return from the tilted position to the basic position. Incidentally, in the basic position, when the straw member 6 is pushed towards the container body 10, the tube 3 contracts vertically, creating a gap between the valve body 61 and the valve seat 42a. In this case, if the outlet 63a is not blocked, the liquid can be discharged.

[0033] Since the inner diameter of tube 3 is the same as the outer diameter of the portion of the fitting portion 66 above the second flange portion 66a, when tube 3 is fitted into the fitting portion 66, a frictional force is generated between tube 3 and the fitting portion 66 when attempting to move it upward, restricting upward movement. Furthermore, since tube 3 is fitted into the fitting portion 66 and supported from above by the end face support portion 65b, upward movement is restricted, and a force that presses the valve body 61 against the valve seat 42a is easily exerted. In addition, since tube 3 is locally expanded radially outward at the second flange portion 66a, the restoring force that contracts radially tightens the second flange portion 66a, making it even more difficult to move in the vertical direction. Furthermore, since the protruding wall 43 covers the tube 3 from the radial outside, the appearance of the outlet cap 1 remains neat even when the protective cap 2 is removed.

[0034] The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments and can be modified as appropriate without departing from its spirit. For example, in the above embodiments, the cap body 4 is connected to the opening 11 by a mounting wall 41 and the sealing body 42 seals the opening 11 from above. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the sealing body 42 may be packed inside the opening 11 to seal the opening 11. In this case, the cap body 4 does not require a mounting wall 41.

[0035] Furthermore, although the through-hole 45 had a shape with different diameters at the top and bottom in the above embodiment, the present invention is not limited to this, and may have a shape with the same diameter along its entire length in the vertical direction. Also, the upward-facing surface 45b3 supports the lower end surface of the tube 3 and was formed inside the through-hole 45, but the present invention is not limited to this, and may be formed on the upper surface of the sealing body 42 around the through-hole 45.

[0036] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the sealing body 42 was plate-shaped, and the vertical dimension of the through-hole 45 was the same as the thickness of the plate, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the sealing body may be configured to include a sealing cylinder that forms the perimeter of the through-hole and a sealing substrate that extends radially outward from the upper end of the sealing cylinder. In this case, the vertical dimension of the through-hole is longer than the thickness of the sealing substrate.

[0037] Furthermore, while the base was located around the through-hole 45 in the above embodiment, the present invention is not limited to this; for example, if there is a downward-facing surface inside the through-hole, it may be that downward-facing surface. Incidentally, the downward-facing surface may also be a horizontal surface. In this case, the valve body may be pressed directly against the downward-facing surface or indirectly via a seal ring.

[0038] In the above embodiment, there was only one seal ring 5, which served to improve the airtightness between the opening 11 of the container body 10 and the sealing body 42, and also to improve the airtightness between the valve body 61 and the sealing body 42 (valve seat 42a). However, the present invention is not limited to this, and one seal ring may be used for each function.

[0039] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the straw 62 was configured such that the first flange 65a and the second flange 66a restricted the upward movement of the tube 3. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration, and the first flange 65a and the second flange 66a may be omitted. In this case, it is desirable to make the inner diameter of the tube 3 smaller than the outer diameter of the fitting portion 66 of the straw 62. When this is done, the tube 3 expands radially due to its elasticity when fitted into the fitting portion 66, and the restoring force of radial contraction tightens the fitting portion 66. This tightening force restricts the upward movement of the tube 3, causing it to be fitted into the straw 62. [Explanation of symbols]

[0040] 1. Cap with outlet 2 protective caps 21 Protective wall 21a Female thread 22 Top plate 3 tubes 4 Cap body 41 Mounting wall 41a Female thread 42 Blockade body 42a Valve seat 43 Projecting wall 43a Male thread 45 Through holes 45a Upper part of the through hole 45b Middle part of the through hole 45b1 Upper part of the middle section of the through hole 45b2 Lower part of the middle section of the through hole 45b3 Upward side 45c Lower part of the through hole 46 Positioning recess 48 Gap (inlet path) 49 gaps 5 Seal ring 5a hole 6 Straw components 61 Valve body 61a Slope 62 straws 63 Exhaust channel 63a exit 64 relay paths 65 Passage section 65a First flange 65b Downward surface (end surface support part) 66 Fitting part 66a Second flange 67 Base 67a Upper end of the base 67b The lower part of the base 10 Container body 11 Mouth 11a Male thread L reference line

Claims

1. The device comprises a cap body attached to a container body containing liquid, a straw member that penetrates the cap body and is unable to pass liquid through in its basic position, but allows liquid to pass through in an inclined position relative to the basic position, and a tube fitted into the straw member and supporting the straw member so that it can be changed between the basic position and the inclined position relative to the cap body. The cap body is a sealing body that seals the mouth of the container body and includes a sealing body with a through hole that allows communication between the inside and outside of the container body. The straw component comprises a valve body that faces the sealing body on the inside of the container body and is capable of opening and closing a through hole, and a tubular straw that extends from the valve body to the outside of the container body, passing through the inside of the through hole, with an outlet formed at its tip, and an introduction passage for guiding liquid from the inside to the outside of the container body is formed between its outer surface and the inner surface of the through hole. The straw comprises an internal space formed inside the tubular structure as a discharge channel, and a relay channel that penetrates the tubular wall and relays between the inlet channel and the discharge channel. The cap with an outlet is characterized by a tube that is elastically deformable, fitted onto the outer surface of the straw, and sandwiched between the cap body and the straw in a contracted state on the opposite side of the relay path from the valve body, pressing the valve body against the sealing body to close the through hole.

2. The cap with an outlet according to claim 1, characterized in that the straw has end support portions that protrude from its outer surface and support the end faces of the tube that face away from the valve body.

3. The outlet cap according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by comprising a sealing ring sandwiched between a sealing body and a valve body.

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