Cap unit

Abstract

The present invention provides a cap unit capable of properly discharging air that inhibits the deformation of the sealing member. [Solution] The cap unit 1 is attached to the bottle 2 and comprises a main body 3 having a protruding cylindrical drinking spout 33, a lid 4 that overlaps the main body 3 to close the drinking spout 33 when closed, a hinge 5 that connects the lid 4 to the main body 3 so that it can be opened and closed, a locking mechanism 6 that locks the lid 4 when closed, and a sealing member 7 provided on the inside of the lid 4 and positioned between the lid 4 and the drinking spout 33 to seal the drinking spout 33 when closed. When the lid 4 is fixed by the locking mechanism 6, the sealing member 7 elastically deforms, and the restoring force due to the elastic deformation of the sealing member 7 maintains the locked state of the first locking claw 61 and the second locking claw 62 of the locking mechanism 6, while the air between the upper wall 42 and the sealing member 7 is discharged through the through hole 44.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a cap unit attached to a bottle.

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a cap unit attached to a bottle. This cap unit includes a plug body having a drinking mouth, a lid that overlaps the plug body so as to close the drinking mouth, a hinge connecting portion that connects the lid to the plug body so that the lid can be opened and closed, a locking mechanism that locks the lid, and a seal packing that is disposed between the lid and the drinking mouth and seals the drinking mouth in a closed state. The seal packing is sandwiched between the top plate of the lid and the end portion of the drinking mouth in an elastically deformed state.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] A space is formed between the seal packing and the top plate. When the seal packing is sandwiched between the top plate of the lid and the end portion of the drinking mouth, as the seal packing elastically deforms, the air present in this space is discharged from the seal packing along the top plate. However, if the air is not discharged properly, there is a risk that air remains in the space and inhibits the elastic deformation of the seal packing. As a result, the pressing state of the seal packing may become non-uniform in the circumferential direction, and the sealing of the drinking mouth may not be sufficient. Also, in a state where the sealing is not sufficient, when the bottle is tilted or laid on its side, when vibrations or impacts are applied during carrying, or when the internal pressure of the bottle increases due to temperature changes or carbonated beverages, etc., there is a risk that the beverage may easily leak from the drinking mouth.

[0005] In view of the above problems, the object of the present invention is to provide a cap unit that can appropriately discharge air that inhibits the deformation of the sealing member. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] One embodiment of the present invention is a cap unit, A cap unit that can be attached to a bottle, The main body is attached to the aforementioned bottle and has a protruding cylindrical drinking spout, A lid portion that overlaps the main body portion so as to block the drinking spout when in the closed state, A hinge portion that connects the lid portion to the main body portion so that it can be opened and closed, A locking mechanism for locking the lid in the closed state, A sealing member provided on the inside of the lid and positioned between the lid and the drinking spout to seal the drinking spout in the closed state, Equipped with, The lid comprises a peripheral wall portion that surrounds the outer circumference of the drinking spout in the closed state, and an upper wall portion that closes one end of the peripheral wall portion and has a through hole formed therein. The sealing member is attached to the inner surface of the upper wall portion, The locking mechanism comprises a first locking claw provided on the lid and a second locking claw provided on the main body, and in the closed state, the first locking claw and the second locking claw lock together to fix the lid. When the lid is fixed by the locking mechanism, the sealing member elastically deforms, and the restoring force due to the elastic deformation of the sealing member biases the first locking claw and the second locking claw in the locking direction, thereby maintaining the locked state, while the air between the upper wall and the sealing member is discharged through the through hole. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a beverage container with a cap unit attached in the closed position. [Figure 2]Figure 2 is a perspective view of a beverage container with a cap unit attached in the open position. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the cap unit with the lid closed. [Figure 4] Figure 4 shows the relationship between the drinking spout and the sealing member as viewed from the drinking spout side. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a perspective view of the sealing member. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0008] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a beverage container with a cap unit attached in the closed position. Figure 2 is a perspective view of a beverage container with a cap unit attached in the open position. Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the cap unit in the closed position, cut in the direction of overlap between the sheet body 71 and the upper wall 42. Figure 4 is a diagram showing the relationship between the drinking spout and the sealing member as seen from the drinking spout side in the direction of overlap between the sheet body 71 and the upper wall 42. Figure 5 is a perspective view of the sealing member.

[0009] The beverage container 10 shown in Figures 1 and 2 is used for carrying beverages such as water or tea. The beverage container 10 comprises a bottle 2 for holding beverages and a cap unit 1 that is detachably attached to the bottle 2. The bottle 2 is made of metal or plastic. As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the bottle 2 comprises a cylindrical body portion 21 and a mounting portion 22 to which the cap unit 1 is attached. An opening 23 is formed in the mounting portion 22.

[0010] The cap unit 1 is attached to the mounting portion 22 and closes the opening 23. The cap unit 1 comprises a main body portion 3 attached to the bottle 2, a lid portion 4 that overlaps the main body portion 3 when closed, a hinge portion 5 that connects the lid portion 4 to the main body portion 3 so that it can be opened and closed, a locking mechanism 6 that locks the lid portion 4 when closed, a sealing member 7 provided on the inside of the lid portion 4, and an opening and closing holding mechanism 8.

[0011] The main body 3 is made of plastic. As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the main body 3 comprises a cylindrical portion 31 attached to the mounting portion 22, an upper surface portion 32 that closes the end of the cylindrical portion 31, a cylindrical drinking spout 33 protruding from the upper surface portion 32, and a projection 34 protruding from the outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion 31. The inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion 31 has a female thread that screws into the male thread formed on the outer circumferential surface of the mounting portion 22. The drinking spout 33 is cylindrical and communicates with the inside of the bottle 2. The projection 34 contacts the lid portion 4 when the lid portion 4 is opened relative to the main body 3, thereby restricting the opening angle of the lid portion 4. The projection 34 has a mounting hole 35 for passing a strap through.

[0012] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the lid portion 4 comprises a peripheral wall portion 41 that surrounds the outer circumference of the drinking spout 33 when closed, and an upper wall portion 42 that closes one end of the peripheral wall portion 41. The peripheral wall portion 41 is annular and has an operating piece 43 positioned opposite the hinge portion 5 in the circumferential direction of the peripheral wall portion 41 with respect to the hinge portion 5. The operating piece 43 extends outward from the main body portion 3. The operating piece 43 is used to hook a finger when opening the lid portion 4. The upper wall portion 42 is a circular end plate. Two through holes 44 are formed in the upper wall portion 42. The through holes 44 are formed on the outer circumference side of the drinking spout 33 in the overlapping direction of the sheet main body portion 71 and the upper wall portion 42. A counterbore portion 45 larger than the inner diameter of the through hole 44 is formed on the outer part of the through hole 44.

[0013] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the hinge portion 5 comprises a metal connecting shaft 51, fixing portions 52 that secure both ends of the connecting shaft 51, and a connecting cylindrical portion 53 into which the connecting shaft 51 is inserted. The fixing portions 52 are provided on the upper surface portion 32 of the main body portion 3. The connecting cylindrical portion 53 is provided on the peripheral wall portion 41 of the lid portion 4 so as to be connected to the outer surface.

[0014] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the locking mechanism 6 comprises a first locking claw 61 provided on the lid portion 4 and a second locking claw 62 provided on the main body portion 3. The first locking claw 61 and the second locking claw 62 are provided at positions facing the hinge portion 5 in the circumferential direction with respect to the hinge portion 5. In this embodiment, the first locking claw 61 is provided on the inside of the operating piece 43. The second locking claw 62 is provided on the outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion 31. The locking mechanism 6 fixes the lid portion 4 by locking the first locking claw 61 and the second locking claw 62 together when the lid is closed. At this time, the locking state of the first locking claw 61 and the second locking claw 62 is maintained by the restoring force due to the elastic deformation of the sealing member 7.

[0015] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the opening and closing holding mechanism 8 provides resistance to the rotation of the lid 4 when it is opened beyond a predetermined angle, thereby limiting the movement of the lid 4. The opening and closing holding mechanism 8 includes a protrusion 81 provided on the outer circumferential surface of the connecting cylindrical portion 53 of the lid 4. The protrusion 81 contacts the upper surface 32 of the main body 3 when the lid 4 is opened beyond a predetermined angle. As a result, the opening and closing holding mechanism 8 provides resistance when the lid 4 is opened beyond a predetermined angle by the protrusion 81 contacting the upper surface 32 of the main body 3. Here, the upper surface 32 has a recess 82 into which the protrusion 81 fits. The user can feel a click when the protrusion 81 fits into the recess 82 while contacting the upper surface 32 of the main body 3. In addition, when the protrusion 81 is fitted into the recess 82, the opening angle of the lid 4 relative to the main body 3 is more strongly maintained.

[0016] The sealing member 7 is made of an elastic member. In this embodiment, the sealing member 7 is made of silicon. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the sealing member 7 is attached to the inner surface of the upper wall portion 42 of the lid portion 4 and is disposed between the lid portion 4 and the drinking port 33 to seal the drinking port 33 in the closed state. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, the sealing member 7 includes a sheet-like sheet main body portion 71 disposed so as to overlap the upper wall portion 42, a circular protruding portion 72 protruding from the sheet main body portion 71 toward the upper wall portion 42, and a retaining portion 73 that engages with the through hole 44. The sheet main body portion 71 has a circular shape having the same size as the upper wall portion 42. The sheet main body portion 71 includes a curved portion 74 that curves toward the side opposite to the upper wall portion 42 at the center, an outer peripheral portion 75 on the outer peripheral side of the curved portion 74, and an annular rib 76 protruding from the outer peripheral edge of the outer peripheral portion 75 toward the upper wall portion 42.

[0017] The curved portion 74 is most curved at the central portion. The curved portion 74 is formed in a circular shape so as to extend wider than the drinking port 33 when viewed in the overlapping direction of the sheet main body portion 71 and the upper wall portion 42. Two retaining portions 73 are provided and protrude from a position straddling the curved portion 74 and the outer peripheral portion 75 toward the upper wall portion 42. The retaining portion 73 includes a shaft portion 77 inserted into the through hole 44 and a flange portion 78 formed at an end of the shaft portion 77. The outer dimension of the shaft portion 77 is such that a gap is formed between the shaft portion 77 and the through hole 44 when the shaft portion 77 is inserted into the through hole 44. The outer dimension of the flange portion 78 is smaller than the inner diameter dimension of the counter bore portion 45 and larger than the inner diameter dimension of the through hole 44. By engaging the flange portion 78 with the counter bore portion 45, the sealing member 7 is fixed inside the lid portion 4.

[0018] The protruding portion 72 is circular and protrudes annularly. As shown in FIG. 4, in the state where the lid portion 4 is fixed by the locking mechanism 6, the protruding portion 72 is located inside the drinking mouth 33 when viewed in the overlapping direction of the seat main body portion 71 and the upper wall portion 42. The outer dimension of the protruding portion 72 is smaller than the inner diameter dimension of the drinking mouth 33. Further, as shown in FIG. 3, in the state where the lid portion 4 is fixed by the locking mechanism 6, when the protruding portion 72 is viewed in the direction orthogonal to the overlapping direction, it elastically deformes (compresses) in contact with the upper wall portion 42, and in the elastically deformed state, the connection portion 710 of the seat main body portion 71 connected to the root portion 720 of the protruding portion 72 is pushed inside the end portion 36 of the drinking mouth 33. At this time, the curved portion 74 is pressed against the opening edge portion 37 of the drinking mouth 33 by the restoring force due to the elastic deformation of the protruding portion 72 when viewed in the orthogonal direction. Further, in the state where the lid portion 4 is fixed by the locking mechanism 6, the portion of the curved portion 74 sandwiched between the end portion 36 and the upper wall portion 42 elastically deformes.

[0019] (Function and effect) In the cap unit of this embodiment, in the state where the lid portion 4 is fixed by the locking mechanism 6, the sealing member 7 elastically deformes, and the locking state between the first locking claw 61 and the second locking claw 62 is maintained by the restoring force due to the elastic deformation of the sealing member 7, and the air between the upper wall portion 42 and the sealing member 7 is discharged from the through hole 44. Thereby, when the sealing member 7 elastically deformes, air is discharged from the through hole 44, so that it is possible to suppress the remaining air in the space and the inhibition of the elastic deformation of the sealing member 7. As a result, the pressing state of the sealing member 7 becomes uniform in the circumferential direction of the drinking mouth 33, so that the sealing performance between the sealing member 7 and the drinking mouth 33 is improved.

[0020] The sealing member 7 comprises a sheet-like sheet body portion 71 positioned to overlap with the upper wall portion 42, and a circular projection portion 72 projecting from the sheet body portion 71 toward the upper wall portion 42. The sheet body portion has a curved portion 74 in the center that curves toward the opposite side from the upper wall portion 42. The external dimensions of the projection portion 72 are smaller than the internal diameter of the drinking spout 33. When the lid portion 4 is fixed by the locking mechanism 6, the projection portion 72 is located inside the drinking spout 33 when viewed in the direction of overlap between the sheet body portion 71 and the upper wall portion 42, and when viewed in a direction perpendicular to the overlap direction, it pushes the connecting portion 710 of the sheet body portion 71, which is connected to the base portion 720 of the projection portion 720 in an elastically deformed state, inward from the end portion 36 of the drinking spout 33. When viewed in a direction perpendicular to the overlap direction, the curved portion 74 is pressed against the opening edge 37 of the drinking spout 33 by the restoring force due to the elastic deformation of the projection portion 72. As a result, the curved portion 74 is pushed into the drinking spout 33 by the restoring force caused by the elastic deformation of the protruding portion 72, so that the curved portion 74 can be uniformly pressed against the opening edge 37 of the drinking spout 33. Consequently, the pressure of the sealing member 7 becomes uniform in the circumferential direction of the drinking spout 33, improving the airtightness between the sealing member 7 and the drinking spout 33.

[0021] When the lid portion 4 is fixed by the locking mechanism 6, the portion of the sheet body portion 71 sandwiched between the end portion 36 and the upper wall portion 42 undergoes elastic deformation. As a result, the sheet body portion 71 also adheres tightly to the end portion 36, further improving the airtightness between the sealing member 7 and the drinking spout 33.

[0022] The through-hole 44 is formed on the outer circumference side of the drinking spout 33 in the overlapping direction. This allows air to be more easily expelled from the through-hole 44 when the sealing member 7 undergoes elastic deformation between the drinking spout 33 and the upper wall portion 42.

[0023] The sealing member 7 protrudes from the sheet body portion 71 toward the upper wall portion 42 and is equipped with a retaining portion 73 that engages with the through hole 44. As a result, the sealing member 7 can be attached to the inner surface of the upper wall portion 42 using the through hole 44, thus simplifying the structure of the cap unit compared to when a separate attachment structure is provided.

[0024] The main body 3 is provided with a projection 34 that protrudes from the outer circumferential surface of the main body 3. When the lid 4 is opened relative to the main body 3, the projection 34 contacts the lid 4, thereby restricting the opening angle of the lid 4. This allows the opening angle of the lid 4 to be appropriately restricted.

[0025] The projection 34 has a mounting hole 35 for passing a strap through. This allows the mounting hole 35 for passing a strap to be created using the projection 34, thus simplifying the structure of the cap unit compared to a case where a separate part is formed for the mounting hole 35.

[0026] The cap unit 1 includes an opening / closing holding mechanism 8 that provides resistance to the rotation of the lid 4 when it is opened beyond a predetermined angle, thereby limiting the movement of the lid 4. The opening / closing holding mechanism 8 includes a protrusion 81 provided on the lid 4. The opening / closing holding mechanism 8 provides resistance when the lid 4 is opened beyond a predetermined angle by the protrusion 81 contacting the main body 3. As a result, the lid 4 can be kept open at a fixed angle, making it easier for the user to drink the beverage. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0027] 1...Cap unit, 2...Bottle, 3...Main body, 4...Lid, 5...Hinge, 6...Locking mechanism, 7...Sealing member, 8...Opening / closing / holding mechanism, 10...Beverage container, 21...Main body, 22...Mounting part, 23...Opening, 31...Cylindrical part, 32...Top surface, 33...Drinking spout, 34...Protrusion, 35...Mounting hole, 36...End, 37...Opening edge, 41...Peripheral wall, 42...Top wall, 43... Operating piece, 44...through hole, 45...counterbore, 51...connecting shaft, 52...fixing part, 53...connecting cylinder part, 61...first locking claw, 62...second locking claw, 71...sheet body part, 72...protruding part, 73...retaining part, 74...curved part, 75...outer circumference part, 76...annular rib, 77...shaft part, 78...flange part, 81...convex part, 82...concave part, 710...connecting part, 720...base part.

Claims

1. A cap unit that can be attached to a bottle, The main body is attached to the aforementioned bottle and has a protruding cylindrical drinking spout, A lid portion that overlaps the main body portion so as to block the drinking spout when in the closed state, A hinge portion that connects the lid portion to the main body portion so that it can be opened and closed, A locking mechanism for locking the lid in the closed state, A sealing member provided on the inside of the lid and positioned between the lid and the drinking spout to seal the drinking spout in the closed state, Equipped with, The lid comprises a peripheral wall portion that surrounds the outer circumference of the drinking spout in the closed state, and an upper wall portion that closes one end of the peripheral wall portion and has a through hole formed therein. The sealing member is attached to the inner surface of the upper wall portion, The locking mechanism comprises a first locking claw provided on the lid and a second locking claw provided on the main body, and in the closed state, the first locking claw and the second locking claw lock together to fix the lid. A cap unit in which, when the lid is fixed by the locking mechanism, the sealing member elastically deforms, and the locking state between the first locking claw and the second locking claw is maintained by the restoring force due to the elastic deformation of the sealing member, and the air between the upper wall and the sealing member is discharged from the through hole.

2. The sealing member comprises a sheet-like sheet body portion arranged to overlap with the upper wall portion, and a circular projection portion that protrudes from the sheet body portion toward the upper wall portion. The sheet body portion has a curved portion in the center that curves away from the upper wall portion, The external dimensions of the protruding portion are smaller than the internal dimensions of the drinking spout. With the lid fixed by the locking mechanism, The aforementioned protrusion is located inside the drinking spout when viewed in the overlapping direction of the sheet body and the upper wall, and when viewed in a direction perpendicular to the overlapping direction, it pushes the connecting portion of the sheet body that connects to the base of the protrusion inward from the end of the drinking spout when elastically deformed. The cap unit according to claim 1, wherein the curved portion is pressed against the opening edge of the drinking spout by the restoring force due to the elastic deformation of the protruding portion when viewed in the orthogonal direction.

3. The cap unit according to claim 2, wherein, when the lid is fixed by the locking mechanism, the portion of the sheet body sandwiched between the end and the upper wall portion undergoes elastic deformation.

4. The cap unit according to claim 3, wherein the through hole is formed at a position on the outer circumference side of the drinking spout in the overlapping direction.

5. The cap unit according to claim 4, wherein the sealing member protrudes from the sheet body toward the upper wall and includes a retaining portion that engages with the through hole.

6. The main body portion is provided with a projection that protrudes from the outer circumferential surface of the main body portion. The cap unit according to claim 1, wherein the projection contacts the lid when the lid is opened relative to the main body, thereby restricting the opening angle of the lid.

7. The cap unit according to claim 6, wherein a mounting hole for passing a strap is formed in the protruding portion.

8. The lid is further provided with an opening and closing holding mechanism that provides resistance to the rotation of the lid when it is opened beyond a predetermined angle, thereby restricting the movement of the lid. The cap unit according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the opening and closing holding mechanism comprises a protrusion provided on the lid, and the resistance is provided by the protrusion contacting the main body when the lid is opened beyond a predetermined angle.

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