Nozzle cap

Abstract

We offer a one-touch nozzle cap with a configuration that allows the nozzle to be raised higher than conventional caps through simple and relatively minor design changes. [Solution] A one-touch nozzle cap (1) comprises a cap body (10) and a lid (20) that is rotatably and integrally provided via a hinge portion (2) that swings outward from the side surface of the cap body and covers a nozzle (15) that protrudes from a base portion (13) formed on the top surface (12) of the cap body. The nozzle cap (1) further comprises an intermediate surface (14) provided at a height between the top surface and the upper surface of the base portion, extending at least halfway around the outer region (12L) of the base portion on the hinge portion side, and the hinge portion (2) extends integrally from the side surface of the cap body to the side surface of the lid portion at the same height as the intermediate surface (14).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a one-touch nozzle cap that is attached to the spout of a container filled with liquid such as cosmetics, for example, and discharges the liquid through a nozzle, and more specifically to a nozzle cap having a configuration that allows the nozzle to be raised higher more easily than conventional ones.

Background Art

[0002] Liquid cosmetics such as lotions, milky lotions, and serums are generally filled in cylindrical or tubular containers, and are used by being extruded from a nozzle provided at the tip of the container. Many of such nozzles have their base fitted into the upper opening of the container, and are covered by a separate screw cap that covers the nozzle portion and is screwed onto the upper outer periphery of the container.

[0003] As another form of nozzle cap, there is a one-touch nozzle cap (hereinafter also referred to as one-touch nozzle cap) in which a nozzle is protruded from the top surface of a cap body that is screwed onto the outer peripheral surface of a spout extending from the upper end of the container, and a lid portion that rotatably covers and closes the nozzle via a hinge extending from the side surface of the cap body is integrally provided.

[0004] Generally, the outer peripheral shape of the lid portion has substantially the same outer peripheral shape as that of the cap body so as to be continuous with the cap body in the closed state. Therefore, if the cap body is cylindrical, the lid portion is also cylindrical, and the lower end portion of the lid portion is shaped to engage with each other in a region near the outer periphery of the top surface of the cap body in the closed state.

[0005] Generally, a pedestal portion that is raised by a slight step is formed in a region near the outer periphery of the top surface of the cap body, and by matching the width of the top surface of the outer peripheral region of the pedestal portion to the thickness of the lower end portion of the lid portion, an engaging portion having a substantially L-shaped vertical cross-section is constituted by the top surface of the outer peripheral region and the step surface of the pedestal portion. Therefore, the inner corner of the lower end portion of the lid engages with the engaging portion of substantially L-shaped vertical cross-section, achieving a favorable closed state.

[0006] In this case, the nozzle is positioned to protrude from the top surface of the base. Therefore, the depth of the lid and the height of the nozzle are designed to prevent interference between them during the rotation of the lid around the center of the hinge during opening and closing.

[0007] Typically, screw caps are used for products that require long nozzles, while one-touch nozzle caps are used for products that do not require long nozzles; thus, the two types are used for different purposes. In any case, at least the caps are manufactured as molded products made of synthetic resin.

[0008] Furthermore, since liquid cosmetics are typically dispensed in relatively small quantities through a nozzle, they are designed with elongated nozzles and small-diameter openings from which the liquid drips out. Consequently, cosmetic containers requiring such elongated nozzles often employ screw caps.

[0009] Furthermore, since many cosmetics contain fragrances and other volatile components, a projection is provided in the center of the inner ceiling surface of the screw cap to block the nozzle opening when the cap is applied, in order to prevent these volatile components from escaping out of the nozzle tip opening and to make it difficult for outside air to enter the container.

[0010] However, with screw caps, opening and closing them requires both hands. Therefore, when using cosmetics, you must first open the cap with both hands to completely remove it from the container, then tilt the container and dispense the cosmetics directly onto your palm or onto a cotton ball. Closing the cap also requires both hands.

[0011] In other words, from the moment you open the cap, until you dispense the required amount of cosmetic product and then actually apply it to your face, the removed cap must be placed somewhere. During this time, the container remains open, making it unavoidable that volatile components will be released and outside air will enter.

[0012] Therefore, a one-touch nozzle cap that allows the lid to be opened and closed with one hand is desired for such cosmetic containers. With a one-touch nozzle cap, you can open the lid with one hand, dispense the appropriate amount of cosmetic, and then immediately close the lid with the other hand and set it down together with the container.

[0013] However, if the one-touch nozzle cap is used for cosmetics, it becomes necessary to provide a projection in the center of the inner ceiling surface of the lid that is inserted into the nozzle tip opening during application to seal it. However, if the nozzle itself is made elongated for cosmetic use, the nozzle tip opening will be higher and further away from the base of the nozzle that rises from the upper surface of the base (hereinafter also referred to as the base surface), and will be in a position with a large inclination angle from the center of the hinge part, which is the pivot point of the lid.

[0014] Therefore, when attempting to close the lid by rotating it to insert the projection into the nozzle tip, the insertion direction of the projection into the nozzle tip opening becomes inclined with respect to the center of the nozzle opening. This inclination of the projection increases as the nozzle height increases, making it difficult to insert into the nozzle tip opening and potentially preventing proper lid sealing.

[0015] Therefore, even if the nozzle is somewhat elevated for cosmetic use, a one-touch nozzle cap is desirable that allows the projection to be properly inserted into the nozzle tip opening during rotation of the lid around the hinge, ensuring secure closure.

[0016] Therefore, some designs have the nozzle positioned further away from the center of the top surface of the conventional cap body than the pivot point of the hinge, and the corresponding projection is positioned further away from the hinge than from the center of the inner ceiling surface of the lid (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2).

[0017] In this case, even with nozzles of the same height, the projection contacts the nozzle tip opening at a position further horizontally from the pivot point of the lid. As a result, the inclination in the insertion direction relative to the opening center is kept small, allowing for smooth insertion and, consequently, more reliable lid sealing. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0018] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-55597 [Patent Document 2] Patent No. 7152029 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0019] However, as described above, a one-touch nozzle cap configuration is desired that allows for a longer and thinner nozzle, i.e., a taller nozzle, without making any other major design changes, by adjusting the position of the nozzle protrusion on the cap body and the position of the projection on the lid so that they are away from the rotation center of the lid.

[0020] In view of the above problems, the object of the present invention is to provide a one-touch nozzle cap with a configuration that allows the nozzle to be raised higher than conventional nozzles with simple and relatively small design changes. [Means for solving the problem]

[0021] To achieve the above objective, the nozzle cap according to claim 1, for example as shown in Figures 1 to 4, comprises a cap body having a mounting portion that is attached to the mouth of a container and a nozzle projecting upward, and a lid portion that is rotatably and integrally provided on the side of the cap body via a hinge portion that swingably extends from the side of the cap body and covers the nozzle to seal it, wherein the cap body has a base portion formed with a step of a predetermined height in the central region of its top surface, the nozzle is provided rising from the upper surface of the base portion, and the lid portion is inserted into the tip opening of the nozzle when the cap is sealed to seal the opening. In a one-touch nozzle cap having a projection that protrudes from its inner ceiling surface, the cap body further comprises an intermediate surface provided at a height between the top surface and the upper surface of the base portion, extending at least half a circumference on the hinge side of the outer region of the base portion; the hinge portion extends integrally from the side of the cap body to the side of the lid portion at the same height as the intermediate surface; and the lid portion has the same outer circumference shape as the cap body, and when the lid is closed, its lower end engages with the outer region of the base portion including the intermediate surface of the cap body.

[0022] According to the nozzle cap described in claim 1 of the present invention, an intermediate surface is provided at least on the hinge side of the outer region of the base portion of the cap body at a height between the top surface and the upper surface of the base portion. As a result, the hinge portion, which was conventionally formed from the side of the cap body to the side of the lid portion at the same height as the top surface, can now be provided at a height higher than the top surface, at the height of the intermediate surface.

[0023] Consequently, the pivot point of the lid is effectively higher than the height of the conventional top surface, so the rotation range of the lid also moves upward, and the upper limit height of the nozzle that does not interfere with the rotation of the lid is also raised accordingly. This allows the nozzle to be positioned higher than before, while maintaining a good insertion state of the projection that occurs when the lid rotates into the higher nozzle tip opening.

[0024] As described above, it has become possible to make the nozzle higher than before only by a simple design change in which only one step is added at the height position between the top surface of the outer region of the pedestal portion and the upper surface of the pedestal portion, without requiring a significant change to the design configuration of the nozzle cap from that of conventional designs. Accordingly, a one-touch type nozzle cap that is more compatible with the nozzle height desired for cosmetics can be obtained.

[0025] Furthermore, since the outer region of the pedestal portion serves as an engaging portion with which the lower end of the lid portion is engaged, the lower end of the lid portion also has a stepped shape corresponding to the stepped shape of the outer region where the middle step surface is formed.

[0026] The nozzle cap according to the invention of claim 2 is characterized in that, for example, as shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 3, the protruding position of the nozzle is located in a direction away from the central axis position of the cap body to the opposite side with respect to the hinge portion.

[0027] According to the nozzle cap of claim 2 according to the present invention, by adjusting the protruding position of the nozzle in a direction away from the hinge portion in the same manner as in the conventional art, the inclination of the insertion direction of the projection relative to the tip opening of the highly set nozzle can be kept small. This allows the projection to be properly inserted into the nozzle tip opening, and reliable capping by the lid portion is achieved.

[0028] The nozzle cap according to the invention of claim 3 is characterized in that, for example, as shown in Fig. 2, a ring-shaped fitting portion that fits around the outer periphery of the tip of the nozzle is further protruded from the inner ceiling surface of the lid portion; the nozzle has an outer tapered shape on its outer periphery of the tip, the diameter of which increases downward from the tip; and the fitting portion has an inner tapered shape at its open end that decreases in diameter inward and matches the outer tapered shape.

[0029] According to the nozzle cap of claim 3 according to the present invention, by providing the ring-shaped fitting portion that fits around the outer periphery of the tip of the nozzle on the inner ceiling surface of the lid portion, the sealing of the tip opening of the nozzle is made more reliable.

[0030] As the lid rotates to close, the projection is inserted into the nozzle tip opening, and at the same time, the fitting portion engages with the outer circumference of the nozzle tip from the hinge side. In this process, the outer circumference of the nozzle tip moves at a slight incline relative to the fitting portion. However, the fitting portion accepts the outer circumference of the nozzle tip by following its outer tapered shape along its inner tapered shape, and the fitting is achieved without any problems. [Effects of the Invention]

[0031] As described above, the present invention has a simple configuration in which an intermediate surface is provided at a height between the top surface of the cap body and the upper surface of the base portion in the central region, and a hinge portion is provided at the same height as this intermediate surface. This makes it possible to raise the pivot point of the lid portion, which is the hinge portion, by the height of the intermediate surface compared to conventional designs, and as a result, the nozzle protruding from the upper surface of the base portion can also be raised by that same amount. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0032] [Figure 1] This is a side view showing a one-touch nozzle cap according to one embodiment of the present invention in the open position. [Figure 2] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the schematic configuration of the nozzle cap, where (a) is a perspective view from the upper left side and (b) is a perspective view from the upper right side. [Figure 3] Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the nozzle cap's attachment portion to the container. [Figure 4] Figure 1 is a side view showing the nozzle cap in the closed position. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0033] An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0034] <Embodiment> Figures 1 to 4 show a one-touch nozzle cap 1 as one embodiment of the present invention. The nozzle cap 1 according to this embodiment consists of a substantially cylindrical cap body 10 which is attached to the cylindrical mouth portion 31 of a container 30 filled with contents such as cosmetic liquid via an attachment portion 11 and has a nozzle 15 protruding from its upper surface, and a lid portion 20 which is rotatably and integrally connected to the cap body 10 by a hinge portion 2 which swingably extends from the side of the cap body 10 and covers the nozzle 15.

[0035] The mounting portion 11 of the cap body 10 has a female threaded portion that screws into a male threaded portion formed on the outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical mouth portion 31 of the container 30, and when mounted, it connects the inside of the container 30 and the nozzle flow path 15C via the cylindrical mouth portion 31.

[0036] Furthermore, a base portion 13 is formed in the central region of the top surface 12 of the cap body 10 with a step of a predetermined height, and a nozzle 15 is provided protruding from the upper surface of this base portion 13. In this embodiment, the protruding position of the nozzle 15 is set at a position away from the central axis Y of the cap body on the opposite side from the hinge portion 2.

[0037] The lid portion 20 is rotatable around the center of the hinge portion 2 as the pivot point X, and this rotational movement opens and closes the nozzle 15. A projection 26 is provided on the inner ceiling surface 25 of the lid portion 20 that covers the nozzle 15 when the lid portion 20 is closed and, when it reaches a predetermined closed position, is inserted into the tip opening 16 of the nozzle 15 to seal the tip opening 16.

[0038] Furthermore, a ring-shaped fitting portion 27 is provided on the concentric circle of the outer circumference of the projection 26, which fits onto the outer circumference 17 of the tip of the nozzle 15 when the projection 26 is inserted into the tip opening 16 of the nozzle 15. This ensures more reliable sealing of the tip opening 16 of the nozzle 15 when it is closed.

[0039] In this embodiment, the outer circumference 17 of the tip of the nozzle 15 has an outer tapered shape 17T that widens downward from the tip, and the open end of the fitting portion 27 has an inner tapered shape 27T that narrows inward and matches the outer tapered shape 17T of the nozzle 15.

[0040] Therefore, as the lid 20 rotates to close, the projection 26 is inserted into the tip opening 16 of the nozzle 15, and at the same time, the fitting portion 27 engages with the tip outer circumference 17 of the nozzle 15 from the hinge side. Even if the tip outer circumference 17 of the nozzle 15 moves at a slight inclination relative to the fitting portion 27, the fitting portion 27 can still receive the tip outer circumference 17 of the nozzle well, following its outer tapered shape 17T along its inner tapered shape 27T, and the fitting of the two is achieved without any problems.

[0041] Furthermore, the lid portion 20 has the same outer circumference shape as the cap body 10, similar to a typical one-touch nozzle cap, so that the outer surfaces of both are continuous when the lid is closed. The width of the outer region of the base portion 13 is equivalent to the thickness of the lower end portion 21 of the lid portion 20. As a result, the outer region of the base portion 13 forms a roughly L-shape in vertical cross-section by the top surface 12 of the region and the stepped surface of the base portion 13, and when the lid is closed, the inner corner portion 22 of the lower end portion 21 of the lid portion 20 engages with the entire circumference, forming an engaging portion 18.

[0042] Furthermore, in the cap body 10 of this embodiment, an intermediate surface 14 is provided at a height between the top surface 12 and the upper surface of the base portion 13, extending over approximately half of the circumference of the top surface 12, which is the outer region of the base portion 13, on the hinge portion 2 side. The hinge portion 2 extends from the same height as this intermediate surface 14 on the side surface of the cap body 10.

[0043] In conventional one-touch nozzle caps, the hinge portion typically extends from the same height as the top surface. In contrast, in the nozzle cap 1 of this embodiment, the hinge portion 2 is higher than in conventional caps by the height of the middle surface 14 from the top surface 12, and as a result, the pivot center X, which is the central part of the hinge portion 2, is at a higher position than in conventional caps.

[0044] Consequently, the rotation range of the lid 20 also moves upward compared to the conventional design, and the upper limit height of the nozzle 15 that does not interfere with the rotational movement of the lid 20 is also increased accordingly. Therefore, in this embodiment, the nozzle 15 can be made taller than in the conventional design, resulting in a more elongated nozzle 15 that is more suitable for cosmetic liquids.

[0045] Furthermore, the lower end portion 21 of the lid portion 20, which faces upward when open, engages with the outer peripheral region of the base portion 13 of the cap body 10 as an engaging portion 18 when the lid is closed. For this reason, the lower end portion 21 of the lid portion 20 is shaped to match the shape of the outer region of the base portion 13, which has a middle step surface 14 that is higher than the outer peripheral region 12L of the top surface 12.

[0046] In other words, when the lower end portion 21 is covered, the area corresponding to the middle surface 14 is the middle surface contact portion 24, which is at the same height as the middle surface 14 and the hinge portion 2 when open, and the outer-peripheral top surface contact portion 23, which is at the same height as the outer-peripheral area 12L of the top surface 12 other than the middle section 14.

[0047] The following specifically illustrates the difference in nozzle height 15 in one design example of the nozzle cap 1 according to this embodiment. Note that the nozzle cap 1 in this embodiment is generally cylindrical, but a notched surface 19 is provided to serve as a grip when actually lifting the lid 20 with the thumb, enabling one-handed opening and closing of the lid 20. For the sake of simplicity, the cap body 10 and the lid 20 are assumed to be cylindrical in shape, forming a single cylindrical shape when the lid is closed.

[0048] Therefore, the cylindrical cap body 10 has a base portion 13 with an outer diameter of approximately 16.5 mm formed in the central region of the top surface 12, with a height of 0.7 mm from the top surface 12. The nozzle 15 is projected so that its central axis is located 2 mm away from the center of the base portion 13 on the opposite side from the hinge portion 2. The cylindrical lid portion 20 has an internal maximum depth of approximately 11 mm, and its inner diameter matches the outer diameter of the base portion 13.

[0049] In the nozzle cap 1 with the above size design, if the hinge portion 2 is at the same height as the top surface 12, as in the conventional design, the maximum height of the nozzle 15 from the top surface of the base portion 13 will be 9.6 mm. In contrast, in this embodiment, if the middle surface 14 is formed at a height of 0.2 mm from the top surface 12, and the hinge portion 2 is at the same height as this middle surface 14, the maximum height of the nozzle 15 from the top surface of the base portion 13 can be increased to 9.8 mm. In this way, the nozzle 15 could be made taller by the height of the middle surface 14. [Industrial applicability]

[0050] In the embodiments described above, we described a one-touch nozzle cap that is attached to a container from which cosmetic liquid is dispensed in droplet form from the nozzle. However, the nozzle cap according to the present invention can be applied not only to cosmetics but also to various liquid containers for which it is desirable for the nozzle to be taller and more elongated. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0051] 1: Nozzle cap 2: Hinge section X: Center of rotation 10: Cap body Y: Center axis of the cap body 11: Mounting part 12: Top surface 12L: Area near the outer edge of the top surface 13: Base 14:Middle surface 15: Nozzle 15C: Nozzle flow path 16: Tip opening 17: Outer circumference of the tip 17T: Outer tapered shape 18: Engaging part 19: Plane 20: Lid 21: Bottom end 22:Inner corner 23: Top surface contact area near the outer perimeter 24: Middle surface contact part 25: Inner ceiling surface 26:Protrusion 27: Fitting part 27T: Inner tapered shape 30: Container 31: Cylinder mouth part

Claims

1. The cap body has a mounting portion that is attached to the mouth of the container and a nozzle that protrudes upward, and a lid portion that is integrally provided so as to be rotatable via a hinge portion that swings outward from the side of the cap body and covers the nozzle to seal the container. The cap body has a base portion formed with a step of a predetermined height in the central region of its top surface, and the nozzle is provided rising from the upper surface of the base portion. The lid is a one-touch nozzle cap in which a projection is provided on its inner ceiling surface that is inserted into the tip opening of the nozzle when the lid is applied and seals the opening, The cap body further comprises an intermediate surface provided at a height between the top surface and the upper surface of the base portion, extending at least halfway around the outer region of the base portion on the hinge side, The hinge portion extends integrally from the side of the cap body to the side of the lid portion at the same height as the middle surface. The nozzle cap is characterized in that the lid portion has the same outer circumference shape as the cap body, and when the lid is applied, its lower end portion engages with the outer region of the base portion, including the middle step surface of the cap body.

2. The nozzle cap according to claim 1, characterized in that the protruding position of the nozzle is located in a direction away from the hinge portion on the opposite side from the central axis position of the cap body.

3. A ring-shaped fitting portion is further provided protruding from the inner ceiling surface of the lid portion, which fits onto the outer circumference of the tip of the nozzle. The nozzle cap according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the nozzle has an outer tapered shape on its outer circumference that widens downward from the tip, and the fitting portion has an inner tapered shape at its open end that narrows inward and accepts and fits the outer tapered shape.

Images