Faucet and dispensing device
The cock design addresses air trapping issues by axially moving the inner cylinder to pre-communicate air holes with the outside, ensuring smooth pouring and sanitary conditions.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- JP2021131385
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2021-08-11
- Publication Date
- 2025-01-20
- Estimated Expiration
- 2041-08-11
AI Technical Summary
Existing liquid dispensing devices suffer from air trapping during pouring, leading to decreased flow force, dripping, and staining due to insufficient air escape mechanisms, and larger air holes compromise sealing.
A cock design with an inner cylinder that moves axially, featuring a liquid passage hole and an air hole, allowing pre-communication with the outside before pouring, and sealed by protrusion seals to prevent leakage.
Ensures smooth liquid pouring by releasing trapped air, maintaining flow force, and preventing dripping, while ensuring sanitary conditions by minimizing liquid residue and leakage.
Smart Images

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Abstract
Description
[Technical field]
[0001] The present invention relates to a cock that is attached to, for example, a liquid storage container and is configured to be switchable between an open state and a closed state. [Background technology]
[0002] The applicant has already filed an application for a cock that can be attached to a liquid storage container such as a bag-in-box (see Patent Document 1).
[0003] Such a faucet is attached, for example, by using a spout to which a resin bag forming a liquid storage container is heat-welded. Specifically, the faucet includes a faucet body having an outer cylinder, and a handle into which an inner cylinder is inserted so as to be rotatable in the circumferential direction relative to the outer cylinder.
[0004] In contrast, there are also faucets that are configured so that the inner cylinder can be moved axially relative to the outer cylinder. In such faucets, when the inner cylinder is in the closed position, where it is pushed all the way in relative to the outer cylinder, the liquid circulation hole that opens on the side of the outer cylinder and communicates with the inside of the liquid storage container is blocked by the tip of the inner cylinder, so that liquid cannot be poured out. In addition, by moving the inner cylinder to an open position, where it is pulled out a predetermined amount relative to the outer cylinder, the liquid circulation hole of the outer cylinder is opened, and the liquid in the liquid storage container can be poured out.
[0005] However, when the inner cylinder is moved from the closed position to the open position, not only liquid but also air may flow into the outer cylinder from the liquid storage container. If this air has no other way to escape than the spout at the tip of the outer cylinder, it may be trapped in the liquid as air bubbles, resulting in a so-called air entrapment state. When air entrapment occurs, the liquid may not be poured out as quickly or may not flow continuously. This may result in liquid remaining in the outer cylinder, causing dripping and dirt at the spout.
[0006] To solve this problem, some bottles have an air hole in the outer cylinder to allow the air inside the outer cylinder to escape to the outside, but since the air cannot escape sufficiently when pouring begins, small amounts of air may get trapped inside. However, if you try to make the air hole larger to make it easier for the air to escape, the seal portion formed between the outer cylinder and the inner cylinder may interfere with the air hole, and liquid may leak from the air hole even when the inner cylinder is in the closed position. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]
[0007] [Patent Document 1] JP 2016-023792 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]
[0008] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and has as its object to provide a faucet that can fully release air from the moment the position of the inner cylinder relative to the outer cylinder is set to the open position, making it less likely that air will become trapped in the liquid poured out of the outer cylinder. [Means for solving the problem]
[0009] In other words, the cock of the present invention comprises an outer cylinder having openings at the base end and the tip end, and a liquid passage hole opening in the side portion for allowing liquid to circulate, and an inner cylinder that is inserted into the outer cylinder so as to be movable in the axial direction, and has a closed base end, an open tip end, and an air hole opening in the side portion for allowing air to circulate, and is characterized in that the inner cylinder is configured to be movable at least between an open preparation position in which the liquid passage hole is blocked by the inner cylinder and at least a portion of the air hole protrudes to the outside of the outer cylinder, and an open position in which at least a portion of the air hole protrudes to the outside of the outer cylinder, and the liquid passage hole is open so that liquid can be poured out from the tip side of the outer cylinder.
[0010] In this way, when the inner cylinder is moved to the opening preparation position, the air hole can be connected to the outside air before the liquid is poured out. Therefore, when the inner cylinder is moved to the opening position, the air hole can be connected to the outside over a predetermined area or more, so that air that flows into the outer cylinder through the liquid passage hole from the time the liquid passage hole is opened can be sufficiently released to the outside via the air hole. As a result, it is possible to prevent an increase in air pressure inside the outer cylinder, so that air is less likely to be mixed in with the liquid poured out from the tip of the outer cylinder, and continuous and smooth pouring of the liquid can be achieved. In addition, since the momentum of the liquid flowing out is less likely to be lost, the liquid is less likely to remain in the outer cylinder, and the liquid is less likely to drip from the tip of the outer cylinder, making it easier to maintain a hygienic state. In other words, if the liquid passage hole and the air hole are opened simultaneously in the open position, when the liquid and air start to flow from the liquid storage container into the outer cylinder, the air hole can only communicate slightly with the outside, making it difficult for the air inside the outer cylinder to escape, and the air pressure inside the outer cylinder increases. As a result, even if there is an air hole, it is not possible to sufficiently reduce air entrapment.
[0011] In order to reliably prevent liquid from leaking to the outside through the air hole of the inner cylinder when the liquid passage hole of the outer cylinder is blocked, it is sufficient that the inner cylinder is configured so that the liquid passage hole is blocked by the inner cylinder and the air hole is blocked by the outer cylinder.
[0012] In order to ensure that the seal between the outer cylinder and the inner cylinder is not compromised even if the air hole is made larger to make it easier for air to escape from inside the outer cylinder to the outside when liquid is poured out, and to reliably prevent liquid from leaking from the liquid passage hole, the inner cylinder may be provided with a pair of ridge seals spaced a predetermined distance axially that form a seal with the inner surface of the outer cylinder, and the air hole may be provided outside the pair of ridge seals on the base end side of the inner cylinder.
[0013] A specific embodiment that makes it easier to increase the adhesion between the outer cylinder and a portion of the inner cylinder, and ensures a seal to prevent liquid leakage from the liquid passage hole when the inner cylinder is in the closed position or the open preparation position, is one in which the inner cylinder comprises a cylindrical main body with a closed base end, and a cylindrical cover made of a resin softer than the main body and attached to cover the tip end of the main body, and the pair of ridge seals are formed on the outer surface of the cover.
[0014] In order to make it easier to maintain a hygienic state by closing the tip of the outer cylinder when the faucet is not in use and to prevent the inner cylinder from moving to the open position by itself, it is sufficient to further include a detachable lid body for the tip of the outer cylinder and a string body connecting the base end of the inner cylinder and the lid body. In addition, with such a device, the lid body can be linked to the movement of the inner cylinder when pouring out the liquid, so that it does not interfere with the operation.
[0015] For example, a specific embodiment for making it easier to attach the cock of the present invention to a spout provided on a resin bag such as a bag-in-box includes a cap having an opening formed in the top surface thereof and engaging with a spout provided on a liquid storage container, and further comprising a hollow communicating tube connecting the top surface of the cap and the liquid passage hole opening into a side surface of the outer cylinder, wherein the cap, the outer cylinder, and the communicating tube are integrally molded.
[0016] To simplify attachment of the cap to the spout by using a plugging system, while also making the cap easily deformable even when made of a hard resin, and allowing the cap to be easily removed from the spout, the cap must be equipped with an engaging claw formed on its inner surface that engages with the engaging protrusion of the spout, and a plurality of grooves extending axially so as to divide the engaging claw into a plurality of engaging claw elements.
[0017] Another specific embodiment for attaching the cock to a liquid storage container further includes a cap having an opening formed in the top surface and screwed onto a spout provided on the liquid storage container, a top plate body attached to the cap so as to cover the opening in the top surface of the cap, and a hollow communicating tube connecting the top plate body and the liquid passage hole opening into the side surface of the outer cylinder body, wherein the top plate body, the outer cylinder body, and the communicating tube are integrally molded to form the cock body, and the cock body and the cap are configured as separate bodies.
[0018] To make the cap even easier to deform and further improve the ease with which the top panel can be fitted onto the cap, a recess may be formed between the edge of the spout and the top panel when the cap is attached to the spout.
[0019] A pouring device equipped with the tap of the present invention and the spout can be easily attached to various types of liquid storage containers, and can maintain the momentum of the liquid flow by allowing air to escape to the outside when liquid is poured from the tap, making it less likely for air to become trapped inside.
[0020] In addition, a cock of another aspect of the present invention comprises an outer cylinder having openings at a base end and a tip end, and a liquid passage hole opening in a side portion for allowing liquid to flow, and an inner cylinder that is inserted into the outer cylinder so as to be movable in the axial direction, has a closed base end, an open tip end, and has an air hole opening in a side portion for allowing air to flow, wherein the inner cylinder has a pair of ridge seals spaced a predetermined distance in the axial direction that form a seal with the inner surface of the outer cylinder, the pair of ridge seals are provided on the tip side of the inner cylinder, and the air hole is provided on the base end side of the inner cylinder.
[0021] In this way, the pair of ridge seals and the air hole can be formed at separate locations, so that even if the area of the air hole is increased to increase the ability to release air from inside the outer cylinder to the outside, it is possible to avoid interference with the pair of ridges. This makes it possible to prevent air from being trapped in the poured liquid, while also preventing a loss of sealing performance when the liquid passage hole is blocked. Effect of the Invention
[0022] In this way, with the faucet according to the present invention, the outer cylinder can be connected to the outside while the liquid passage hole of the outer cylinder is closed from the time when the inner cylinder is moved to the opening preparation position. Therefore, the air hole can be connected to the outside in advance over a predetermined area from the time when the inner cylinder is moved to the opening position, so that the air flowing into the outer cylinder from the liquid passage hole can be smoothly released to the outside from the time when the liquid starts to be poured out. As a result, it is possible to eliminate the air entrapment that occurs at the start of pouring with a conventional faucet, and it is possible to keep the momentum of the poured liquid constant. In addition, since the liquid flowing out has momentum, the liquid remaining in the outer cylinder can be reduced, which improves the liquid drainage at the tip of the outer cylinder and makes it easier to maintain a hygienic state. [Brief description of the drawings]
[0023] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of a cock according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic vertical cross-sectional view of the cock according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of a handle according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a schematic vertical cross-sectional view of the cock according to the first embodiment when the inner cylinder body is in a closed position. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a schematic vertical cross-sectional view of the cock according to the first embodiment when the inner cylinder body is in the opening preparation position. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a schematic vertical cross-sectional view of the cock according to the first embodiment when the inner cylinder body is in an open position. [Figure 7] FIG. 6 is a schematic vertical cross-sectional view of a cock according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 11 is a schematic perspective view of a cap according to a second embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 11 is a schematic vertical cross-sectional view showing a state in which a cap is attached to a spout in another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view of a cap according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] FIG. 4 is a schematic vertical cross-sectional view of a cap according to another embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0024] A cock 100 according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0025] The cock 100 according to this embodiment is attached to the underside of a liquid storage container T, which may be a container made of plastic, PET, or the like, or an inner bag of a bag-in-box, as shown in the perspective view of Fig. 1 and the vertical cross-sectional view of Fig. 2. In other words, the cock 100 is configured so that the content liquid of the liquid storage container T is discharged to the outside by its own weight.
[0026] More specifically, the faucet 100 is attached to the spout S, which has a liquid storage container T heat-welded to its flange, to form the pouring device 200. The faucet 100 is composed of three resin molded parts, and includes a cap 1 having an opening formed in the top surface portion that is screwed onto the spout S, a faucet body 2 that is attached to close the opening of the cap 1, and a handle 3 that is attached to the faucet body 2 and is used to switch between the open and closed states of the inside and outside of the liquid storage container T.
[0027] Each part of the faucet 100 will now be described in detail.
[0028] Cap 1 has a flattened cylindrical shape that screws onto the tip of spout S as shown in the vertical cross section of Fig. 2, and the inner peripheral surface of the side portion is formed with a female thread SC that screws onto a male thread formed on the tip of spout S. In addition, an opening with approximately the same diameter as the inner diameter of spout S is formed in the top surface of cap 1. The edge of the opening in the top surface of cap 1 is annular, partly protruding toward the inner peripheral side, and engages with the upper surface side of top plate 21 of cock body 2, which will be described later.
[0029] The cock body 2 is formed of three parts as one hollow resin molded part. That is, the cock body 2 includes a top plate 21 attached to the cap 1 so as to close the opening in the top surface of the cap 1, an outer cylinder 22 with both ends open, and a hollow communication pipe 23 connecting the top plate 21 and the side surface of the outer cylinder 22. The top plate 21 of the cock body 2 is fitted into the opening in the top surface of the cap 1 so as to be rotatable in the circumferential direction. Even after the cap 1 is screwed onto the spout S, the cock body 2 can be rotated relative to the cap 1 to adjust its orientation to a desired direction.
[0030] A cylindrical portion 211 is formed continuously on the inner surface of the top plate 21 and is fitted to the spout S. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the outer surface of the top plate 21 is provided so that the surface direction of the outer surface of the top plate 21 coincides with the axial direction of the outer cylinder 22, and the tip of the outer cylinder 22 is configured to extend outward beyond the outer periphery of the top plate 21. The communication pipe 23 is provided perpendicular to the top plate 21 and perpendicular to the axial direction of the outer cylinder 22. A liquid passage hole 2H is formed in the part of the side surface of the outer cylinder 22 connected to the communication pipe 23 to allow the liquid in the liquid storage container T to flow. The inner diameter of the tip of the outer cylinder 22 is slightly narrower than that of the base end, and the opening formed at the tip functions as a pouring outlet 2E.
[0031] As shown in the oblique views of Figures 2 and 3, the handle 3 comprises a hollow inner cylinder 31 that is closed at the base end, open at the tip end, and with an air hole 3H formed on the side of the base end, a cover 32 that is attached to the spout 2E of the outer cylinder 22 to cover the opening when the faucet 100 is not in use, and a flexible string 33 that connects the base end of the inner cylinder 31 and the cover 32, and these are molded as a single unit from resin.
[0032] The base end of the inner cylinder 31 is formed slightly larger than the inner diameter of the outer cylinder 22, and is configured to function as a stopper that prevents the inner cylinder 31 from moving further toward the tip end when inserted into the outer cylinder 22. The outer diameter of the other parts of the inner cylinder 31 is approximately the same as or slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the outer cylinder 22 other than the tip end, and the inner cylinder 31 is inserted from the base end side of the outer cylinder 22 so as to be movable in the axial direction relative to the outer cylinder 22. In this embodiment, the inner surface of the outer cylinder 22 and the outer surface of the inner cylinder 31 are configured to be smoothly slidable. A cylindrical cover 31R made of, for example, a soft resin is attached to the tip end of the inner cylinder 31, and the cover 31R is configured to form a seal between the inner peripheral surface of the outer cylinder 22 and the inner cylinder 31. More specifically, the cover 31R is formed with a pair of ring-shaped ridges SR formed at a predetermined distance apart in the axial direction, and when the inner cylinder 31 is inserted into the outer cylinder 22, the ridges SR are crushed to form a seal. In this embodiment, a double rib SR is formed at the tip and base ends of the side surface of the cover 31R. The distance between the ribs SR is set to be greater than the liquid passage hole 2H of the outer cylinder 22, as shown in Figures 2 and 5, and when the inner cylinder 31 is completely inserted into the outer cylinder 22, the liquid passage hole 2H is located between the pair of ribs SR. In this state, the pair of ribs SR form a seal, so that liquid does not leak from the liquid passage hole 2H into the outer cylinder 22.
[0033] In addition, air hole 3H formed in the side surface of inner cylinder 31 is a generally elliptical opening with its major axis in the axial direction, and is disposed outside the pair of ridges SR described above. In other words, air hole 3H is provided so as not to interfere at all with the seal formed by ridges SR.
[0034] As shown in Figs. 4 to 6, the inner cylinder 31 is configured to be movable relative to the outer cylinder 22 to at least three positions: a closed position, a pre-open position, and an open position.
[0035] In this embodiment, the closed position is a position in which the inner cylinder 31 is inserted almost entirely into the outer cylinder 22 as shown in FIG. 4. When the inner cylinder 31 is disposed in the closed position relative to the outer cylinder 22, the liquid passage hole 2H is blocked by the inner cylinder 31, and the air hole 3H is blocked by the outer cylinder 22. That is, when the inner cylinder 31 is in the closed position, liquid does not flow from the liquid storage container T into the outer cylinder 22 through the liquid passage hole 2H, and air does not flow from the outside into the outer cylinder 22 through the air hole 3H. Here, "the liquid passage hole 2H is blocked by the inner cylinder 31" refers to a state in which liquid flows into the outer cylinder 22 from the liquid passage hole 2H and is not poured out to the outside from the spout 2E. In this embodiment, the liquid passage hole 2H is disposed between a pair of protrusions SR, so that the liquid passage hole 2H is blocked by the inner cylinder 31. The liquid passage hole 2H itself may be completely blocked by the outer surface of the inner cylindrical body 31 without any gaps.
[0036] The opening preparation position is a position in which the inner cylinder 31 is slightly pulled outward in the axial direction relative to the outer cylinder 22 as shown in FIG. 5. In this state, the liquid passage hole 2H is blocked by the inner cylinder 31, and a part of the base end side of the air hole 3H protrudes outward from the base end side of the outer cylinder 22. That is, when the inner cylinder 31 is in the opening preparation position, liquid does not flow from the liquid storage container T into the outer cylinder 22 through the liquid passage hole 2H, and air can flow out or in between the outer cylinder 22 or the inner cylinder 31 and the outside through a part of the air hole 3H. By placing the inner cylinder 31 in the opening preparation position in this way, the part of the air hole 3H that communicates with the outside can be made to have a predetermined area or more before the liquid and gas start to flow from the liquid storage container T into the outer cylinder 22.
[0037] The open position is a position in which the inner cylinder 31 is pulled further toward the base end than the opening preparation position, and the liquid passing hole 2H is located outside the pair of protrusions SR, as shown in Fig. 6. In other words, in the open position, the liquid passing hole 2H is opened, and liquid is poured out from the outlet 2E at the tip side of the outer cylinder 22. In addition, in the first embodiment, the air hole 3H is also in a state in which the entirety of the air hole 3H protrudes outward from the base end of the outer cylinder 22. Air flowing from the liquid storage container T into the outer cylinder 22 can be released to the outside through the air hole 3H.
[0038] With the cock 100 and the pouring device 200 thus constructed, when the inner cylinder 31 is placed in the opening preparation position relative to the outer cylinder 22, the liquid passage hole 2H is kept blocked by the inner cylinder 31, while a part of the air hole 3H can be opened to the outside. Therefore, the air hole 3H can be made to communicate with the outside in advance over a predetermined area before the inner cylinder 31 is placed in the open position and liquid and air flow into the outer cylinder 22 through the liquid passage hole 2H. Since the air hole 3H, for example, can be made to communicate with the outside in its entirety from the point when the inner cylinder 31 moves to the open position and the liquid passage hole 2H is opened, even if not only the liquid but also the air is poured from the liquid storage container T into the outer cylinder 22, the air can be smoothly and sufficiently released to the outside through the air hole 3H. As a result, air is less likely to be trapped in the poured liquid, and the momentum of the poured liquid can be prevented from being reduced. In addition, because the liquid is poured out with force, the amount of liquid remaining in the outer cylinder 22 when pouring is complete can be reduced, preventing dripping at the pouring outlet 2E and making it easier to keep this area hygienic.
[0039] In addition, air holes 3H are formed on the outside of a pair of ridges SR that form a seal between the outer cylinder 22 and the inner cylinder 31, and furthermore, the pair of ridges SR are arranged on the tip side of the inner cylinder 31 and the air holes 3H are arranged on the base end side of the inner cylinder, so that even if the opening diameter of the air holes 3H is increased to improve air flow, it will not interfere with the ridges SR. Therefore, even if the performance for releasing air is improved, the sealing function is not reduced, and unintended leakage of liquid from the liquid passage holes 2H can be prevented.
[0040] Furthermore, since the lid body 32 is connected to the base end of the inner cylinder body 31 by the string body 33, the lid body 32 can also be moved in conjunction with the axial movement of the inner cylinder body 31. Therefore, even when the opening and closing operation is performed by the handle 3, the lid body 32 does not hinder the movement of the inner cylinder body 31, and there is no risk of losing the lid body 32. In addition, if the lid body 32 is attached to close the spout 2E at the tip of the outer cylinder body 22 while the inner cylinder body 31 is in the closed position, not only can the vicinity of the spout 2E be kept clean, but the string body 33 can also lock the axial movement of the inner cylinder body 31. For example, it is possible to prevent a situation in which the inner cylinder body 31 moves due to an impact or the like during transportation of the spouting device 200, causing liquid to unintentionally leak to the outside.
[0041] Next, a faucet 100 and a dispensing device 200 in a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 7 and 8. Note that the same reference numerals will be used to designate members corresponding to those described in the first embodiment. In addition, in the perspective view of Figure 8, the cylindrical portion 211 and the like are omitted in order to clearly show a groove G, which will be described later.
[0042] In the second embodiment of the faucet 100, the cap 1 is configured as a stopper type, and the cap 1 and the faucet body 2 are molded integrally from resin. That is, in the first embodiment, an opening is formed in the top surface of the cap 1, and the top plate 21 is attached to the cap 1 later, but in the second embodiment, the cap 1 does not have an opening in the top surface, and the top plate 21 is integrally formed. More specifically, the cap 1 is provided with an engagement claw C that engages with a ring-shaped engagement protrusion S1 that protrudes from the outer surface of the spout S in the outer circumferential direction. Such a cap 1 is fixed by being struck against the spout S with the faucet body 2 attached. Since the cap 1 does not need to be screwed into the spout S, the orientation of the faucet body 2 can be left as it is at the time of striking.
[0043] The inner surface of the cap 1 is shown in a perspective view in FIG. 8. The engagement claw C formed to protrude from the inner surface of the cap 1 to the inner circumferential side is divided into a plurality of engagement claw elements CE by a plurality of grooves G extending in the axial direction. That is, the plurality of grooves G and the engagement claw elements CE are arranged alternately at equal intervals in the circumferential direction, and the plurality of engagement claw elements CE as a whole are configured to function as the engagement claw C. In addition, the thickness dimension of the portion of the cap 1 where the groove G is formed is set to be smaller than that of the portion where the engagement claw elements CE are formed. Furthermore, the groove G extends in the axial direction from the lower end of the inner surface to the vicinity of the edge of the opening in the top surface portion of the cap 1. More specifically, as shown in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 7, when the cap 1 is completely hooked to the spout S, the tip of the groove G extends to the top surface side beyond the tip of the spout S, and a recess D is formed between the top surface side of the inner surface of the cap 1 and the tip of the spout S.
[0044] With the faucet 100 and dispensing device 200 of the second embodiment configured in this manner, the cap 1 can be attached to the spout S simply by pushing or tapping it into the spout S without screwing it, simplifying the assembly work. Even if the cap 1 and the faucet body 2 are formed of a hard resin to achieve the strength required of a stopper-type cap 1, the thickness can be adjusted by the groove G and recess D provided in the cap 1, and it is also possible to make the cap 1 more likely to flex and deform.
[0045] That is, conventionally, caps made of hard resin are very hard and hardly deformable by hand, so that it is difficult to remove the stopper-type cap 1 from the spout S. In contrast, in the second embodiment, the cap 1 can be deformed sufficiently by hand, so that the cap 1 can be easily removed from the spout S. As a result, for example, after all the liquid has been poured out of the pouring device 200, each part can be easily removed and separated for recovery or disposal. Alternatively, when it is desired to pour out a large amount of liquid from the liquid storage container T in a short period of time, it is also possible to remove the cap 1 from the spout S so that the liquid can be poured out directly from the spout S.
[0046] Next, a cap 1 according to another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0047] The cap 1 of this embodiment is used to cover the spout S, and includes not only a side portion with an engagement claw C formed on the inner surface, but also a top plate 21 and a cylindrical portion 211. More specifically, the cap 1 is formed so that the top plate 21 is connected to the bottom side of the cylindrical portion 211 and is recessed when viewed from the top surface side. As in the above-mentioned embodiment, the engagement claw C formed on the inner surface has a plurality of grooves G extending in the axial direction formed at equal intervals in the circumferential direction as shown in FIG. 10, and the engagement claw C is divided into a plurality of engagement claw elements CE. As shown in FIG. 9 and FIG. 11, when the cap 1 is engaged with the spout S, in other words, when the engagement claw C of the cap 1 is hooked and fastened to the engagement protrusion S1 of the spout S, a recess D is also formed on the top surface side of the tip of the spout S.
[0048] With such a cap 1, for example, the cap 1 can be easily attached to the spout S by hammering it in rather than screwing it in. Furthermore, even if the cap 1 is made of hard resin to achieve the strength required of a stopper-type cap 1, the groove G makes it easy to stretch a part of the side surface of the cap 1 in the circumferential direction, and the recess D makes it easy to bend the corner between the top surface and the side surface. Therefore, even if the cap 1 is made of hard resin, it can be easily removed from the spout S by hand.
[0049] Other embodiments will now be described.
[0050] The shape and configuration of the faucet 100 are not limited to the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 8. For example, the connecting pipe 23 may be omitted and an outer cylinder may be formed directly on the top panel 21. Also, the handle 3 may be provided with at least the inner cylinder 31.
[0051] The position and size of the air hole 3H formed in the inner cylinder 31 are not limited to those shown in Figures 1 to 8. In other words, the position, size and shape of the air hole 3H may be such that at least a portion of it can communicate with the outside when the inner cylinder 31 is blocking the liquid passing hole 2H of the outer cylinder 22. The entire air hole 3H may be configured to communicate with the outside in the opening preparation position. Note that, in order to make the axial distance of the pair of protrusions SR approximately equal to the axial size of the liquid passing hole 2H and to make the axial length of the outer cylinder 22 as short as possible, it is better to make only a portion of the air hole 3H open to the outside in the opening preparation position.
[0052] The configuration for blocking the liquid passage hole 2H with the inner cylinder 31 is not limited to a pair of ridges SR, and various existing configurations may be used. For example, the liquid passage hole 2H may be directly blocked by the side surface of the inner cylinder 21. Also, instead of attaching a separate cover 31R to the inner cylinder 31, the liquid passage hole 2H may be blocked by the cylinder itself.
[0053] The inner cylinder 31 is not limited to one that slides and moves in the axial direction relative to the outer cylinder 22. For example, a screw structure may be formed between the inner surface of the outer cylinder 22 and the outer surface of the inner cylinder 31, and the inner cylinder 31 may be configured to move in the axial direction by rotating in the circumferential direction relative to the outer cylinder 22.
[0054] The stopper-type cap 1 may be formed with only either the groove G or the recess D. In addition, in the stopper-type cap 1 of the second embodiment, the cap 1 and the cock body 2 are integrally molded, but similarly to the first embodiment, the cap 1 may have an opening in the top surface portion, and the cock body 2 may include a top plate 21 that is fitted into the top surface portion of the cap 1, and the stopper-type cap 1 and the cock body 2 may be molded as separate bodies.
[0055] In addition, various modifications of the embodiments and combinations of parts of each embodiment may be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]
[0056] 200: Pour device 100: Cook 1: Cap C: Engagement claw CE: Engagement claw element G:Groove D: Concave 2: Faucet body 21: Top plate 211: Cylindrical part 22: Outer cylinder 23:Communication pipe 3: Handle 31: Inner cylinder 31R: Cover SR:Protrusion 32: Lid 33: String T:Liquid storage container S: Spout S1: Engagement protrusion
Claims
1. an outer cylinder having openings at a base end and a tip end and a liquid passage hole at a side portion for allowing liquid to flow; an inner cylinder that is inserted into the outer cylinder so as to be axially movable, the inner cylinder having a closed base end, an open tip end, and an air hole for allowing air to circulate in a side portion; the inner cylinder is configured to be movable at least between an opening preparation position in which the liquid passage hole is blocked by the inner cylinder and at least a part of the air hole protrudes to the outside of the outer cylinder, and an opening position in which at least a part of the air hole protrudes to the outside of the outer cylinder and the liquid passage hole is opened so that liquid is poured out from the tip side of the outer cylinder, A faucet from which the liquid is poured out with the tip side of the outer cylinder facing downward and the base end side of the outer cylinder facing upward.
2. 2. The cock according to claim 1, wherein the inner cylinder is movable to a closed position in which the liquid passage hole is closed by the inner cylinder and the air hole is closed by the outer cylinder.
3. the inner cylinder body includes a pair of protrusion seals spaced a predetermined distance apart in the axial direction to form a seal between the inner cylinder body and the inner surface of the outer cylinder body; 3. A cock according to claim 1, wherein the air hole is provided outside the pair of ridge seals on the base end side of the inner cylinder.
4. The inner cylinder body includes a cylindrical main body having a closed base end, and a cylindrical cover made of a resin softer than the main body and attached to cover the tip end side of the main body, 4. The faucet according to claim 3, wherein the pair of ridge seals are formed on an outer surface of the cover.
5. A lid body that is detachable from the tip of the outer cylinder body; The cock according to claim 1 , further comprising a string connecting a base end of the inner cylinder and the lid.
6. a cap that is engaged with a spout provided on the liquid storage container; a hollow communication tube connecting a top surface of the cap and the liquid passage hole opening in a side surface of the outer cylinder body, 6. The cock according to claim 1, wherein the cap, the outer cylinder, and the communicating tube are integrally formed.
7. The faucet according to claim 6, wherein the cap has an engagement claw formed on an inner surface thereof that engages with the engagement projection of the spout, and a plurality of grooves extending axially so as to divide the engagement claw into a plurality of engagement claw elements.
8. a cap having an opening formed on a top surface thereof and adapted to be screwed onto a spout provided on the liquid storage container; a top plate body attached to the cap so as to close an opening in a top surface portion of the cap; a hollow communication tube connecting the top plate and the liquid passage hole opening in the side surface of the outer cylinder; 6. The cock according to claim 1, wherein the top plate, the outer cylinder, and the communicating tube are integrally molded to form a cock body, and the cock body and the cap are configured as separate bodies.
9. 9. The faucet according to claim 6, wherein a recess is formed between an edge of the spout and a top surface of the cap when the cap is attached to the spout.
10. A cock according to any one of claims 6 to 9, A dispensing device comprising the spout.
11. an outer cylinder having openings at a base end and a tip end and a liquid passage hole at a side portion for allowing liquid to flow; an inner cylinder that is inserted into the outer cylinder so as to be axially movable, the inner cylinder having a closed base end, an open tip end, and an air hole for allowing air to circulate in a side portion; the inner cylinder body includes a pair of protrusion seals spaced a predetermined distance apart in the axial direction to form a seal between the inner cylinder body and the inner surface of the outer cylinder body; the pair of protrusion seals are provided on a tip end side of the inner cylindrical body, and the air hole is provided on a base end side of the inner cylindrical body, A faucet from which the liquid is poured out with the tip side of the outer cylinder facing downward and the base end side of the outer cylinder facing upward.
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