Cap, container, water softener, and connecting mechanism

Abstract

To provide a cap capable of appropriately injecting a content contained in a container body into a device, a container equipped with the cap, a water softener, and a connection mechanism.SOLUTION: A cap for connecting a device and a container body, which is configured to be attachable to the container body containing a content and has an injection part with an injection port into which the content is injected, includes a cap body 21 having a cylindrical shape and forming a flow path through which the content flows from the container body and a plug part 22 for opening and closing the flow path. The plug part is configured to lock the cap body to close the flow path and to open the flow path when a lock is released, the lock of the plug part to the cap body is configured such that the plug part engages with the injection part and is released while the container body is connected to a device.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 12

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a cap, a container having the cap, a water softener, and a connecting mechanism. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, a water softener described in Patent Document 1 is known as a water softener. The water softener includes a tank of a predetermined capacity and an ion exchange resin unit disposed in the tank and capable of removing calcium ions and magnesium ions from tap water. In such a water softener, the ion exchange resin unit removes calcium ions and magnesium ions from tap water, thereby softening the tap water. However, when a predetermined amount of calcium ions and magnesium ions are removed, the ion exchange resin unit loses its ability to remove calcium ions and magnesium ions, so it is necessary to regenerate the ion exchange resin unit (restore the ion exchange resin unit to its initial state) by putting a predetermined amount of regenerated water into the tank.

[0003] In the above-mentioned water softening device, a regenerated water inlet, which is a hole for introducing regenerated water into the tank, is formed at the top of the tank, and it is said that by introducing a predetermined amount of regenerated water contained in a container into the regenerated water inlet, the ion exchange resin section can be regenerated with the regenerated water. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6688571 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In a water softening device such as that described in Patent Document 1, when reclaimed water is poured from a container into a reclaimed water inlet, the reclaimed water may spill, making it impossible to properly pour a predetermined amount into the reclaimed water inlet.

[0006] The problem of liquid spilling when pouring liquid from a container into an inlet formed in the device, making it impossible to pour the specified amount of liquid into the device, is not limited to water softening devices and occurs in various types of devices.

[0007] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a cap that enables the contents contained in a container body to be appropriately injected into an apparatus, a container equipped with the cap, a water softener, and a connecting mechanism. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The cap of the present invention is configured to be attached to a container body that contains contents, and is a cap for connecting the container body to an equipment having an injection section with an injection port through which the contents are injected, and comprises a cylindrical cap body that forms a flow path through which the contents flow from the container body, and a stopper section that opens and closes the flow path, and the stopper section is configured to engage with the cap body to close the flow path and to open the flow path when the engagement is released, and the engagement of the stopper section to the cap body is configured to be released by the stopper section engaging with the injection section when the container body is connected to the equipment.

[0009] According to this configuration, the cap is configured such that when connected to the device, the stopper engages with the injection part and the lock on the cap body is released, so that before the cap is connected to the device, the stopper closes the flow path and the contents do not spill, and in the connected state, the stopper engages with the injection part and opens the flow path, and then the contents flow along the flow path formed by the cap body to the injection port, preventing the contents from spilling, and thus allowing the contents contained in the container body to be properly injected into the device.

[0010] The plug portion may also be configured so as to be unable to return to the locked state after being released from the cap body.

[0011] With this configuration, the stopper portion cannot be returned to its original position, so that when the locking is released, it is possible to prevent the injection from being interrupted with the contents remaining in the container body, thereby ensuring that the entire amount of the contents of the container body is injected into the equipment.

[0012] In addition, the injection portion is provided with a lid portion that opens and closes the injection port, and the stopper portion can be configured to release the engagement with the cap body and open the lid portion when the stopper portion engages with the lid portion.

[0013] According to this configuration, when the plug portion engages with the lid portion, it opens both the injection port and the flow path, so that the contents can be injected with the injection port kept closed, preventing the contents from overflowing from the injection portion.

[0014] The stopper portion may be configured such that, when engaged with the lid portion, the stopper portion is released from engagement with the cap body after the injection port is opened.

[0015] According to this configuration, the stopper portion is released from its engagement after the injection port is opened, so that the contents are injected before the injection port is opened, thereby preventing the contents from overflowing from the injection portion.

[0016] The container may also be configured to have an air inflow suppression means for suppressing the amount of air flowing into the container body from the outside through the flow path.

[0017] According to this configuration, the amount of air flowing into the container body through the flow path can be suppressed by the air inflow suppression means, thereby preventing excessive air from flowing into the container body and causing the contents to flow out of the container body in excess, thereby preventing the contents that cannot fit into the injection port from overflowing from the injection section.

[0018] The injection section may also include an insertion section into which the cap body is inserted, and the air inflow suppression means may be configured to abut against the insertion section to suppress the amount of air entering the flow path.

[0019] According to this configuration, the air inflow suppression means abuts against the insertion portion to suppress the amount of air inflow, thereby suppressing the amount of air flowing from the gap between the insertion portion and the cap body through the flow path into the container body.This prevents excessive air from flowing into the container body and excessive contents from flowing in, which would cause the contents that do not flow into the injection port to overflow from the injection portion.

[0020] The insertion portion may have a side wall formed in a cylindrical shape, and the air inflow suppression means may be configured to abut against an inner peripheral surface of the side wall of the insertion portion.

[0021] With this configuration, the air inflow suppression means abuts against the inner surface of the side wall of the insertion portion, so that even if the container body and the cap move in the axial direction of the insertion portion due to vibration when the contents are discharged from the container body, the amount of air inflow between the inserted cap body and the insertion portion can be reliably suppressed.

[0022] In addition, the container of the present invention is a container that is connected to an equipment having an injection section formed with an injection port through which contents are injected, and injects the contents into the equipment, and comprises a container body that accommodates the contents, and the cap that is provided on the container body.

[0023] According to this configuration, the stopper portion is configured to engage with the injection portion and release the lock when the cap is attached to the equipment, so that the contents do not spill when the cap is attached to the equipment, and the contents flow to the injection port along the flow path formed by the cap body, thereby preventing the contents from spilling and allowing the contents contained in the container body to be properly injected into the equipment.

[0024] The cap body or the container body may be configured to be provided with an air inflow suppression means for suppressing the amount of air flowing into the container body from the outside.

[0025] According to this configuration, the amount of air flowing into the container body can be suppressed by the air inflow suppression means, thereby preventing excessive air from flowing into the container body and causing the contents to flow out of the container body in excess, thereby preventing the contents that do not fit into the injection port from overflowing from the injection section.

[0026] In addition, the water softener of the present invention is a water softener that removes hardness components from water and reduces the hardness of the water, and includes a tank into which the water is poured, an ion exchange resin that is provided inside the tank and that adsorbs and removes the hardness components contained in the water, and an injection section formed with an injection port through which the regenerant is injected into the inside of the tank from a container having a container body containing a regenerant that removes the hardness components adsorbed by the ion exchange resin from the ion exchange resin and regenerates the ion exchange resin, and a cap attached to the container body, the cap including a cap body that forms a flow path through which the regenerant flows from the container body to the injection port, and a stopper part that opens and closes the flow path, the stopper part is configured to engage with the cap body to close the flow path and to open the flow path when the engagement is released, and the injection section includes an engagement release part that releases the engagement of the stopper part of the container connected to the injection section with the cap body.

[0027] With this configuration, the unlocking portion unlocks the stopper portion in the connected state and opens the flow path, thereby preventing the regenerant from spilling and allowing the regenerant contained in the container body to be properly injected into the water softener.

[0028] In addition, the injection portion is provided with a lid portion that opens and closes the injection port, and the stopper portion can be configured to release the engagement with the cap body and open the lid portion when the stopper portion engages with the lid portion.

[0029] According to this configuration, when the lid portion engages with the stopper portion, it opens both the injection port and the flow path, so that the contents can be injected with the injection port kept closed, preventing the contents from overflowing from the injection portion.

[0030] The lid portion may be configured such that, when engaged with the stopper portion, the lid portion opens the injection port and then releases the stopper portion from being engaged with the cap body.

[0031] According to this configuration, the stopper portion is released from its engagement after the injection port is opened, so that the contents are injected before the injection port is opened, thereby preventing the contents from overflowing from the injection portion.

[0032] The injection part includes an insertion part into which the cap body is inserted, The insertion portion may be configured so that the cap body abuts against the insertion portion to prevent air from entering the container body from the outside.

[0033] With this configuration, the cap body abuts against the insertion portion, thereby suppressing the amount of air flowing into the container body from outside the water softener, thereby preventing excessive air from flowing into the container body and causing the contents to flow excessively, thereby preventing the regenerant that does not flow completely into the injection port from overflowing from the injection portion.

[0034] The connecting mechanism of the present invention is a connecting mechanism for connecting a container having a container body containing a regenerant that removes the hardness components adsorbed to the ion exchange resin from the ion exchange resin and regenerates the ion exchange resin to a water softener that reduces the hardness of the water, the water softener having an injection part having an injection port through which the regenerant can flow, the container having a cap configured to be attached to the container body, the cap being cylindrical and forming a flow path through which the regenerant flows from the container body, the cap body being connectable to the injection part, and a stopper part that opens and closes the flow path, the stopper part is configured to engage with the cap body to close the flow path and to open the flow path when the engagement is released, and the injection part is configured to have an engagement release part that releases the engagement of the stopper part of the container connected to the injection part with the cap body.

[0035] According to this configuration, the unlocking portion unlocks the stopper portion in the connected state and opens the flow path, thereby preventing the regenerant from spilling and allowing the regenerant contained in the container body to be properly injected into the water softener.

[0036] The container may also be configured to include an air inflow suppression means for suppressing the amount of air that flows into the container body from the outside.

[0037] According to this configuration, the amount of air flowing into the container body can be suppressed by the air inflow suppression means, thereby preventing excessive air from flowing into the container body and causing excessive flow of regenerant out of the container body, which in turn prevents the regenerant that does not fit into the injection port from overflowing from the injection section.

[0038] In addition, the air inflow suppression means may be provided on the cap, the injection portion may have an abutment portion into which the cap body is inserted and against which the air inflow suppression means can abut, and the air inflow suppression means may be configured to abut against the abutment portion to suppress the amount of air entering the flow path.

[0039] According to this configuration, the injection part has an abutment portion against which the air inflow suppression means abuts, so that the gap between the cap body and the injection part can be reduced by the air inflow suppression means abutting against the abutment portion, and the amount of air flowing into the container body from the outside can be suppressed.This prevents excessive air from flowing into the container body and causing the contents to flow excessively, thereby preventing the regenerant that does not flow completely into the injection port from overflowing from the injection part. Effect of the Invention

[0040] According to the present invention, it is possible to obtain a cap that allows the contents contained in a container body to be appropriately poured into an apparatus, a container equipped with the cap, a water softener, and a connecting mechanism. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0041] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 shows a container and cap according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2]FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line IV-IV shown in FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the injection portion of the water softener and the connecting mechanism of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VII-VII of FIG. 5. [Figure 8] FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the inside of the water softener. [Figure 10] FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 13 shows an intermediate stage in connecting the container to the injection part. [Figure 12] FIG. 2 is a view showing the state in which the container is connected to the injection part. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0042] A cap 2, a container 1, a water softener 7, and a connecting mechanism 8 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 12. For convenience of explanation, the up-down direction will be described based on the up-down direction of the water softener 7 in an installed state.

[0043] First, the cap 2 and the container 1 will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0044] As shown in FIG. 1, the container 1 includes a container body 11 that contains the contents, and a cap 2 provided on the container body 11. The container 1 of this embodiment contains a regenerant, which will be described later, as the contents. The container 1 of this embodiment is configured so that the contents contained in the container body 11 can be discharged to the outside via the cap 2. In this embodiment, the container 1 also contains an appropriate amount of regenerant for regenerating an ion exchange resin 73 of a water softener 7, which will be described later. Furthermore, the container 1 is configured so as to be connectable to an injection unit 5 of the water softener 7, which will be described later.

[0045] The container body 11 is a cylindrical body with a bottom. The container body 11 is also a cylindrical body that can put in and take out contents or air from an opening formed at one axial end (lower end). Specifically, the container body 11 includes a cylindrical storage section 12 that stores contents inside, and an attached section 13 that connects the storage section 12 to the cap 2. The storage section 12 of this embodiment includes a bottom of the container body 11, a body section that stands on one axial side from the bottom, and a tapered shoulder section that extends from the body section to one axial side. In addition, since the storage section 12 of this embodiment has a tapered end in the axial direction, the speed at which the contents flow out of the storage section 12 to the outside can be suppressed. The attached section 13 of this embodiment includes a plurality of protrusions on its outer circumferential surface that can be fitted into an attachment section 23 of the cap 2 described later (see FIG. 11). Furthermore, the attached portion 13 of this embodiment has the mouth of the container body 11 and is configured to allow the contents to be put in and taken out. The container body 11 is used with one axial side facing downward.

[0046] The cap 2 can be attached to the container body 11 and can connect the container body 11 and the injection part 5 of the water softener 7. The cap 2 is configured so that the contents can flow inside. Specifically, as shown in Figs. 2 to 4, the cap 2 includes a cylindrical cap body 21 through which the contents and air can flow, a stopper part 22 provided inside the cap body 21 and capable of closing the inside of the cap body 21, and an attachment part 23 that can be attached to the attachment part 13 of the container body 11. The cap 2 also includes an air inflow suppression means 24 that suppresses the amount of air that flows into the container 1 from the outside when the cap 2 is connected to the injection part 5 of the water softener 7, and a fixing part 25 that is provided on the outer circumferential surface of the cap body 21 and engages with the injection part 5 of the water softener 7 to prevent the container 1 from falling off the injection part 5.

[0047] The cap body 21 is a cylindrical body that forms a flow path through which the contents flowing out from the container body 11 flow. The cap body 21 is configured so that the stopper portion 22 can be engaged therein. Specifically, the cap body 21 includes a cylindrical cap side wall 26 that defines the flow path. The cap side wall 26 includes a stopper locking portion 27 that can lock the stopper portion 22 therein, and a lid pushing portion 28 that comes into contact with a lid portion 53 (described later) and pushes the lid portion 53 downward. The lid pushing portion 28 is a protrusion that is provided on the cap side wall 26 and protrudes radially inward. The lid pushing portion 28 of this embodiment is a protrusion that is provided around one circumference of the inner circumference of the cap side wall 26.

[0048] The cap side wall 26 is a cylindrical portion that defines a flow path through which the contents contained in the container body 11 flow. At least a portion of the cap side wall 26 in the axial direction is inserted into the injection part 5. The cap side wall 26 in this embodiment is capable of engaging the plug portion 22 at its upper end. Specifically, the cap side wall 26 is provided with a plug locking part 27 at the other axial end thereof that can lock the plug portion 22. The plug locking part 27 in this embodiment is configured so that the plug portion 22 can be fitted into it. The plug locking part 27 is formed with a fitting recess 29 into which a plug main body part 39 of the plug portion 22, which will be described later, can be fitted into. The fitting recess 29 is formed around the inner circumferential surface of the cap side wall 26.

[0049] The air inflow suppression means 24 is a portion that suppresses the amount of air that flows into the container body 11 from the outside when the container 1 is connected to the water softener 7. The air inflow suppression means 24 of this embodiment suppresses the amount of air that flows into the container body 11 from the outside of the water softener 7. The air inflow suppression means 24 of this embodiment is a means for suppressing a large amount of air from flowing into the container body 11 at once. That is, the air inflow suppression means 24 of this embodiment suppresses a large amount of air from flowing into the container body 11 at once by making the amount of air that flows into the water softener 7 from the outside an appropriate amount. Specifically, the air inflow suppression means 24 includes a cylindrical portion 31 provided on the tip side of the cap body 21, an air inflow suppression portion 30 that restricts the inflow of air from the outside, and an air inflow permission portion 32 that allows the inflow of air from the outside. The air inflow suppression means 24 of this embodiment is elastically deformable in the radial direction, and the outer diameter in the natural state is larger than the inner diameter of the injection portion 5.

[0050] The air inflow restriction portion 30 is a portion of the cap 2 that can abut against the inner wall of the injection portion 5 of the water softener 7. The air inflow restriction portion 30 of this embodiment is a protrusion provided on the outer circumferential surface of the cap 2 (cylindrical portion 31) that protrudes radially outward. Specifically, the air inflow restriction portion 30 is elastically deformable in the radial direction, and the outer diameter in the natural state is larger than the inner diameter of a portion (abutted portion 57) of the injection portion 5 where the air inflow restriction portion 30 is located when the cap 2 is fully inserted into the injection portion 5. Moreover, the air inflow restriction portion 30 of this embodiment is elastically deformable in the radial direction, and the outer diameter in the natural state is larger than the inner wall of the insertion portion 51, which is the portion of the injection portion 5 into which the cap body 21 is inserted. Furthermore, the air inflow suppression means 24 of this embodiment is disposed on the tip side (one axial end side) of the tip (one axial end) of the plug portion 22 engaged with the cap body 21. The air inflow suppression means 24 is a protrusion that protrudes radially outward and is provided around approximately one circumference at one axial end of the cap 2. The air inflow restriction portion 30 of this embodiment is provided around the circumference of the cap 2, excluding a portion where a slit (air inflow allowance portion 32) is formed, which will be described later. The air inflow restriction portion 30 of this embodiment is configured to be elastically deformable in the radial direction by the slit. The air inflow restriction portion 30 is a plurality of protrusions provided at intervals in the circumferential direction. In this embodiment, slits are formed between each protrusion as the air inflow allowance portion 32. The circumferential width of the slit is smaller than the circumferential width of the air inflow restriction portion 30.

[0051] The air inflow allowing portion 32 is a portion that allows air to flow from the outside into the flow path of the cap 2 when the cap 2 is inserted into the injection portion 5. The air inflow allowing portion 32 in this embodiment is a hole formed to penetrate the cap 2 in the radial direction. Specifically, the air inflow allowing portion 32 is configured as a slit extending from the tip side (one end side in the axial direction) of the cap 2 toward the base end side (the other end side in the axial direction). In this embodiment, the slit is formed to extend from one end side in the axial direction of the cylindrical portion 31 to the other end side. That is, the slit as the air inflow allowing portion 32 is formed to extend from one end side in the axial direction of the cap 2 to the cylindrical portion 31. Also, the slit as the air inflow allowing portion 32 is formed to extend beyond the protrusion as the air inflow restricting portion 30 to the other end side in the axial direction. That is, the air inflow allowing portion 32 is a portion that allows air to flow from the radially outer side to the radially inner side of the cap 2 above the air inflow restricting portion 30. Furthermore, a plurality of slits serving as the air inflow allowing portion 32 are formed at intervals in the circumferential direction of the cap 2. That is, the air inflow allowing portion 32 is configured to allow air to flow in from a plurality of positions spaced apart in the circumferential direction of the cap 2.

[0052] The mounting part 23 is a portion to which the container body 11 can be attached. Specifically, the mounting part 23 is a portion that can be attached to the mounted part 13 of the container body 11. The mounted part 13 of this embodiment can be fitted onto the mounting part 23. Furthermore, the mounting part 23 can be fitted to the mounted part 13 in a watertight state. The mounting part 23 of this embodiment includes a water sealing part 33 that can fix an O-ring between the mounting part 23 and the mounted part 13 when fitted to the mounted part 13, and can be fitted to the mounted part 13 in a watertight state by disposing an O-ring in the water sealing part 33. Furthermore, the mounting part 23 of this embodiment is permanently fitted to the mounted part 13. That is, the mounting part 23 of this embodiment is configured so that it cannot be removed after being attached to the mounted part 13.

[0053] The fixing portion 25 is a portion provided on the outer peripheral surface of the cap body 21 and capable of engaging with the injection portion 5. The fixing portion 25 includes a pair of locking projections 34 that are arranged spaced apart in the axial direction and protrude radially outward from the cap body 21, and a rotation prevention portion 35 that is arranged spaced apart in the circumferential direction and extends between the pair of locking projections 34 that protrude radially outward from the cap body 21. A plurality of fixing portions 25 are arranged on the outer peripheral surface of the cap body 21. In this embodiment, a pair of fixing portions 25 are arranged on the outer peripheral surface of the cap body 21, spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction.

[0054] The pair of locking projections 34 includes an upper locking projection 36 that is a projection provided at the upper part when connected to the device, and a lower locking projection 37 that is a projection provided at the lower part. That is, the locking projection 34 includes the upper locking projection 36 that is a projection provided at the other end side in the axial direction, and the lower locking projection 37 that is a projection arranged away from the upper locking projection 36 at one end side in the axial direction. The upper locking projection 36 and the lower locking projection 37 are projections that extend approximately parallel to each other in the circumferential direction. In addition, a fixed space 25a into which the injection projection 55 of the injection part 5 fits is defined between the upper locking projection 36 and the lower locking projection 37 in the vertical direction. In addition, a fixed opening 37a is formed in the lower locking projection 37 to an extent that the injection projection 55 of the injection part 5 can be inserted and moved into the fixed space 25a. Furthermore, the pair of locking projections 34 includes a slip-out prevention portion 38 that protrudes toward the fixed space 25a. In this embodiment, the retaining portion 38 is provided on both the upper locking projection 36 and the lower locking projection 37. Furthermore, the retaining portion 38 is provided at a position adjacent to the fixed opening 37a in the circumferential direction. In this embodiment, the axial distance between the upper locking projection 36 and the lower locking projection 37 (the vertical width of the fixed space 25a) is approximately equal to the vertical width of the injection projection 55. Furthermore, the axial distance of the portion where the retaining portion 38 is provided is slightly smaller than the vertical width of the injection projection 55.

[0055] The plug portion 22 is a portion capable of closing a flow path formed inside the cap body 21. The plug portion 22 is configured to be engaged with the cap body 21 to close the flow path, and to open the flow path when the engagement is released. The plug portion 22 is configured to be engaged with the injection portion 5 to open the flow path formed inside the cap body 21. Specifically, the plug portion 22 includes a plug body portion 39 that engages with the cap body 21 to close the flow path, and a plug extension portion 40 that extends from the plug body portion 39 to one end side in the axial direction and can engage with the injection portion 5. The plug portion 22 of this embodiment can be engaged with the plug engagement portion 27 of the cap body 21. Specifically, the plug portion 22 is engaged with the cap body 21 by the plug body portion 39 engaging with the engagement recess 29 formed in the plug engagement portion 27. The plug portion 22 of this embodiment is configured to move from the other axial end side to one axial end side to fit into the cap body 21 (fitting recess 29), and move from one axial end side to the other axial end side to release the fit with the cap body 21 (fitting recess 29). Furthermore, the plug portion 22 of this embodiment is configured to be able to float on the contents (regenerant) of the container body 11. That is, the plug portion 22 of this embodiment has a smaller specific gravity than the contents of the container body 11.

[0056] The plug body 39 is a plate-like body that can be fitted into the fitting recess 29. The plug body 39 is a part that closes the flow path when fitted into the fitting recess 29. That is, the plug body 39 is a part that fits into the fitting recess 29, locks the plug portion 22 to the cap body 21, and closes the flow path. When the plug body 39 is released from the fitting recess 29, the locking of the plug portion 22 to the cap body 21 is also released. In this embodiment, the plug body 39 is configured to be elastically deformable, and is elastically deformed to fit into the fitting recess 29. In this embodiment, the plug body 39 has an outer diameter larger than the inner diameter of the fitting recess 29 in the natural state, and is deformed to reduce in diameter when fitted into the fitting recess 29, and attempts to restore its original shape, so that the outer edge of the plug body 39 comes into close contact with the fitting recess 29, thereby closing the flow path so that the contents do not flow in the axial direction (watertightly).

[0057] The plug extension portion 40 is a rod-shaped portion extending downward from the plug body portion 39. The plug extension portion 40 can engage with the injection portion 5 to release the plug portion 22 from the cap body 21. The plug extension portion 40 can engage with the injection portion 5 to release the plug portion 22 from the fitting recess 29 of the plug body portion 39, thereby releasing the plug portion 22 from the cap body 21. The plug extension portion 40 of this embodiment extends in the axial direction to the vicinity of the lid pushing portion 28 in a state in which the plug portion 22 is engaged with the cap body 21. The plug extension portion 40 can come into contact with a lock release portion 59 (lid portion 53) described later when the cap 2 is connected to the injection portion 5.

[0058] Next, the injection section 5 to which the container 1 is connected will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0059] The injection part 5 is capable of connecting the container body 11 to which the cap 2 is attached, and is a portion into which the contents are injected from the container body 11. The injection part 5 is configured to allow the injected contents to flow into the inside of the device. Specifically, the injection part 5 includes an insertion part 51 into which the cap 2 is inserted, an injection port part 52 provided below the insertion part 51 and having an injection port 5a formed therein through which the contents flow into the inside of the device, and a lid part 53 for opening and closing the injection port 5a.

[0060] The insertion portion 51 is a cylindrical portion provided at the upper end of the injection portion 5, into which the cap 2 can be inserted. Specifically, the insertion portion 51 includes a cylindrical insertion main body portion 54 that defines an insertion space 51a into which the cap 2 is inserted, an injection protrusion 55 that is provided on the insertion main body portion 54 and can fit into the fixing portion 25, and a storage portion 56 that is provided radially outward of the insertion main body portion 54 and can store the contents that overflow from the insertion main body portion 54.

[0061] The insertion body 54 is a cylindrical body having an inner diameter larger than the outer diameter of the cap body 21. The insertion body 54 is also a cylindrical body having an inner diameter smaller than the outer diameter of the air inflow suppression means. The insertion body 54 has an abutment portion 57 with which the air inflow suppression means 24 (air inflow restriction portion 30) abuts. The abutment portion 57 in this embodiment is a side wall of the insertion body 54. The abutment portion 57 in this embodiment is a portion with which the air inflow restriction portion 30 can abut. In this type of insertion body 54, the air inflow restriction portion 30 abuts against the abutment portion 57, but a gap is formed between the cap body 21 and the side wall of the insertion body 54, so that in the portion with which the air inflow restriction portion 30 abuts, air is restricted from flowing into the cap 2, and in the portion with which the air inflow restriction portion 30 does not abut (the portion corresponding to the air inflow allowance portion 32), air can flow into the cap 2 through the gap.

[0062] The injection protrusion 55 is a protrusion that protrudes radially inward so as to be able to fit into the fixing portion 25. The injection protrusions 55 are arranged in a plurality of positions spaced apart in the circumferential direction. The injection protrusions 55 are protrusions provided at the upper end of the insertion portion 51. In this embodiment, a pair (two) of injection protrusions 55 are arranged approximately 180 degrees apart in the circumferential direction of the insertion portion 51. The vertical width of the injection protrusion 55 is approximately equal to the vertical distance between the upper locking protrusion 36 and the lower locking protrusion 37. The injection protrusion 55 of this embodiment has a portion of its circumferential central portion hollowed out.

[0063] The storage section 56 is provided above the insertion main body section 54, and is a section for temporarily storing contents that overflow from the insertion main body section 54. The storage section 56 is configured to allow the temporarily stored contents to flow into the insertion main body section 54. Specifically, the storage section 56 communicates with the insertion space 51a, and defines a storage space 56a that is a space capable of storing contents. The storage section 56 in this embodiment is box-shaped. The bottom of the storage section 56 is inclined so that the insertion main body section 54 side (the insertion space 51a side) is downward.

[0064] The inlet portion 52 is a cylindrical portion provided below the inserting body portion 54 and having an inlet 5a through which the contents can flow into the inside of the device. In addition, the inlet portion 52 has an inlet window 52a below the inlet 5a through which the contents can flow into the inside of the device. Specifically, the inlet portion 52 is a cylindrical body extending in the vertical direction, and has the inlet 5a opened and closed by the lid portion 53, and the inlet window 52a, which is a radially penetrating window, below the inlet 5a. That is, the contents that flow into the inlet 5a flow into the inside of the device through the inlet window 52a. Specifically, the inlet portion 52 has a window frame portion 521 that defines the inlet window 52a, and an inlet end portion 522 provided below the window frame portion 521.

[0065] The lid portion 53 is a lid capable of opening and closing the injection port 5a. The lid portion 53 is a portion capable of engaging with the stopper portion 22 of the cap 2 to release the engagement of the stopper portion 22 with the cap body 21. The lid portion 53 of this embodiment is configured to close the injection port 5a to prevent dust and dirt from entering the inside of the device when the contents are not being injected, and to open the injection port 5a when the contents are injected. Specifically, the lid portion 53 includes a plate-shaped lid main body portion 58 that opens and closes the injection port 5a, an engagement release portion 59 that extends upward from the lid main body portion 58 and is engageable with the stopper extension portion 40, and a biasing portion 60 that is provided below the lid main body portion 58 and biases the lid main body portion 58 to close the injection port 5a.

[0066] The lock release portion 59 is a portion that extends upward from the lid main body portion 58. The lock release portion 59 is configured to be movable downward by engaging with the plug extension portion 40. The lock release portion 59 is configured to move downward to push down the lid main body portion 58 against the bias of the biasing portion 60 and open the injection port 5a. The lock release portion 59 is configured to engage with the plug extension portion 40 and release the lock of the plug portion 22 to the cap main body 21. Specifically, the lock release portion 59 pushes up the plug extension portion 40 to push up the entire plug portion 22, releasing the engagement of the plug portion 22 with the engagement recess 29 of the plug main body portion 39, and releasing the lock of the plug portion 22 to the cap main body 21. The lock release portion 59 of this embodiment is configured to be pushed down by the plug extension portion 40 to open the injection port 5a, and then to push up the plug portion 22 to release the lock of the plug portion 22. Further, the lock-releasing portion 59 is configured to come into contact with the plug extension portion 40 of the plug portion 22 attempting to return to a state locked with the cap body 21, thereby inhibiting the return. The lock-releasing portion 59 of this embodiment includes a step portion 61 that can come into contact with the lid pushing portion 28 of the cap body 21, and a return restricting portion 62 that extends further upward than the step portion 61 and has a radial length smaller than that of the step portion 61 (see FIG. 12). The step portion 61 comes into contact with the lid pushing portion 28 after the lock of the plug portion 22 with the cap body 21 is released during the connection of the cap body 21 to the injection portion 5 described below, and the upward movement of the step portion 61 is restricted by the lid pushing portion 28.

[0067] The return restricting portion 62 is a portion that is in a state where it has advanced into the inside of the cap body 21 with the step portion 61 abutting against the lid pushing portion 28. The return restricting portion 62 is also a portion that restricts the stopper portion 22, which has been released from the engagement with the cap body 21, from moving downward due to gravity or the like and returning to a state where it is engaged with the cap body 21. That is, since the specific gravity of the stopper portion 22 in this embodiment is smaller than that of the contents, it floats on the contents and is therefore unable to return to the engaged state until the injection of the contents is completed. Moreover, even when the contents inside the container 1 are reduced, the return restricting portion 62 restricts the stopper portion 22 from returning to a state where it is engaged with the cap body 21.

[0068] The biasing portion 60 is a portion that biases the lid main body portion 58 and the lock release portion 59 connected to the lid main body portion 58 upward. Specifically, the biasing portion 60 includes a biasing main body portion 63, which is an elastic body connected to the lower portion of the lid main body portion 58, and a biasing bottom portion 64 that fixes the lower portion of the biasing main body portion 63. The biasing main body portion 63 in this embodiment is a coil spring, and its length in a natural state is longer than the length from the biasing bottom portion 64 to the injection port 5a. In addition, the biasing bottom portion 64 is fixed to the injection port portion 52 and cannot move in the vertical direction. Specifically, the biasing bottom portion 64 is fixed to the injection end portion 522. When the lid main body portion 58 is pressed downward, the biasing main body portion 63 is compressed, and the biasing portion 60 restores its original shape and pushes the lid main body portion 58 upward when the force pressing down the lid main body portion 58 is no longer exerted. In this embodiment, the lid main body part 58 is configured to move downward against the bias of the biasing part 60, and in a state where the injection port 5a is open, the lid main body part 58 abuts against the biased bottom part 64. That is, when the lid main body part 58 moves downward by a predetermined amount, the lid main body part 58 and the biased bottom part 64 abut against each other, and the lid main body part 58 and the lock release part 59 connected to the lid main body part 58 are restricted from moving downward by more than the predetermined amount.

[0069] The force with which the biasing portion 60 of this embodiment biases the lid main body portion 58 upward is smaller than the force required to push up the stopper portion 22 in order to release the engagement between the stopper portion 22 and the cap body 21 in the container 1 containing the contents. That is, in the lid portion 53 of this embodiment, after the lid main body portion 58 has moved downward by a predetermined amount and the injection port 5a is in an open state, the downward movement of the lid main body portion 58 and the unlocking portion 59 is restricted, and then the unlocking portion 59 pushes up the stopper portion 22, thereby releasing the engagement between the stopper portion 22 and the cap body 21.

[0070] Next, the water softener 7 and the connecting mechanism 8, which are devices in which the injection section 5 is provided, will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0071] As shown in FIG. 8, the water softener 7 of this embodiment is a so-called shower-type water softener, which is a device that is placed in a bathroom and softens water for showering (e.g., hot water). Such a water softener 7 is a device that removes hardness components from water, reduces the hardness of the water, and softens the water. Note that softening water refers to reducing the hardness of water, and refers to, for example, a process of turning hard water into soft water, a process of turning hard water into hard water with a lower hardness than before the process, or a process of turning soft water into soft water with an even lower hardness. The water softener 7 of this embodiment removes hardness components such as calcium ions and magnesium ions contained in water. Specifically, the water softener 7 includes a tank 72 into which water to be softened is fed from a water supply port 71, a treatment section 74 provided inside the tank 72 and filled with an ion exchange resin 73 for softening the water (water to be treated) from the water supply port 71, a water outlet 75 for discharging the softened water treated in the treatment section 74, and an injection section 5 having an injection port 5a formed therein through which a regenerant contained in a container 1 is injected into the tank 72. The water supply port 71 is connected to a bathroom mixer faucet via a hose, for example, so that the water to be treated supplied from the mixer faucet can be supplied into the tank 72. The water outlet 75 supplies water that has been softened to a shower head via a hose.

[0072] The treatment section 74 is a section that houses ion exchange resin 73 and performs a water softening treatment on the water to be treated. Specifically, the treatment section 74 is disposed in a vertical midway section of the tank 72. In the treatment section 74, the water to be treated permeates through the densely packed ion exchange resin 73, thereby removing hardness components from the water to be treated. Specifically, granular ion exchange resin 73 is densely packed in the treatment section 74, and the water to be treated permeates through the ion exchange resin 73, thereby performing a water softening treatment.

[0073] The ion exchange resin 73 adsorbs hardness components contained in the water to be treated and removes them from the water to be treated. However, there is a limit to the amount of hardness components that the ion exchange resin 73 can adsorb, and the ion exchange resin 73 that has adsorbed a certain amount of hardness components cannot adsorb any more hardness components. Therefore, when the ion exchange resin 73 adsorbs a certain amount of hardness components, in order to remove (regenerate) the hardness components adsorbed by the ion exchange resin 73, it is necessary to feed a regenerant capable of removing the hardness components from the ion exchange resin 73 into the treatment section 74. In addition, in order to properly regenerate the ion exchange resin 73, a predetermined amount of regenerant must be fed into the treatment section 74. Furthermore, the ion exchange resin 73 of this embodiment is composed of an aggregate of granular resin. It is possible to estimate that the ion exchange resin 73 has adsorbed a certain amount of hardness components from, for example, the number of times of use, the amount of water to be treated, the time elapsed since the previous regeneration, etc.

[0074] The tank 72 has a treatment section 74 therein and is capable of storing a predetermined amount of water. Specifically, the tank 72 defines a space in which the treatment section 74 is disposed, a retention space 72a above the treatment section 74 in which the water to be treated and the regenerant fed into the treatment section 74 temporarily accumulate, and a discharge standby space 72b below the treatment section 74 in which the treated water temporarily accumulates before being discharged. The water supply port 71 and the injection section 5 can input the water to be treated and the regenerant into the retention space 72a, and the water discharge port 75 can discharge the water to be treated from the discharge standby space 72b. In this embodiment, the water to be treated and the regenerant fed into the tank 72 move by gravity so as to fall from the retention space 72a to the treatment section 74 and from the treatment section 74 to the discharge standby space 72b.

[0075] The injection part 5 is provided on the upper part of the tank 72, and is capable of injecting the regenerant into the retention space 72a from outside the tank 72. Specifically, the inlet of the injection part 5 communicates with the retention space 72a, and the content (regenerant) injected into the injection part 5 is introduced into the retention space 72a inside the tank 72.

[0076] 10, the connection mechanism 8 includes a container 1 containing a regenerant agent, and an injection part 5 having an injection port 5a formed therein through which the regenerant agent can flow into the water softener 7. The container 1 and the injection part 5 have the same configurations as the container 1 and the injection part 5 described above.

[0077] A method for injecting the content (regenerant) contained in the container 1 configured as above into the device (water softener 7) will be described with reference to Figs.

[0078] 10, when injecting the contents into the device, the cap 2 is inserted into the injection part 5. Specifically, the container 1 is oriented so that the cap 2 is positioned downward, and the cap 2 is inserted into the injection part 5.

[0079] 11, when cap 2 is inserted into injection part 5, plug extension 40 comes into contact with locking part 59. At this time, the force with which plug part 22 locks cap body 21 is greater than the force with which biasing part 60 pushes up lid body part 58, so that plug extension 40 pushes down locking part 59, and lid body part 58 connected to locking part 59 moves downward until it comes into contact with biasing bottom part 64, thereby opening injection port 5a.

[0080] As shown in FIG. 12, when the cap 2 is further inserted into the injection part 5 after the lid main body part 58 abuts against the biasing bottom part 64, the stopper extension part 40 is pushed upward by the lock release part 59, the lock between the stopper main body part 39 and the fitting recess 29 is released, and the lock of the stopper part 22 to the cap main body 21 is released. By releasing the lock of the stopper part 22, the flow path opens and the contents flow into the injection part 5. The flowing contents flow into the inside of the device (retention space 72a) through the injection port 5a. Furthermore, the unlocked stopper part 22 floats on the contents and moves upward in the container 1. Even if the unlocked stopper part 22 moves downward due to the flow of the contents, the return restriction part 62 prevents the stopper part 22 from returning to the state where it is locked with the cap main body 21, so that the stopper part 22 cannot return to the state where it is locked with the cap main body 21.

[0081] After the flow path is opened, the lid pushing portion 28 comes into contact with the step portion 61 of the lock release portion 59 and pushes the lid portion 53 downward against the biasing force of the biasing portion 60. This makes it possible to prevent the lid portion 53 from closing the injection port 5a during the inflow.

[0082] Furthermore, the state in which container 1 is connected to injection part 5 is maintained by the engagement of injection protrusion 55 and fixing part 25. Specifically, when cap 2 is inserted into injection part 5, injection protrusion 55 is inserted from fixing opening 37a into fixing space 25a, and container 1 is rotated about the center in the vertical direction, so that injection protrusion 55 is positioned between the pair of locking protrusions 34. By positioning injection protrusion 55 between the pair of locking protrusions 34, container 1 is prevented from falling off injection part 5.

[0083] After the injection of the contents inside the container body 11 into the device is completed, the container 1 is disconnected from the injection part 5 and removed. When the container 1 is removed from the injection part 5, there is no longer a member pushing the lid part 53 from above, so the urging part 60 pushes the lid body part 58 upward, and the injection port 5a is closed.

[0084] According to the cap 2 configured as above, when connected to an equipment, the stopper part 22 engages with the injection part 5 and the locking with the cap body 21 is released, so that before the cap 2 is connected to the equipment, the stopper part 22 closes the flow path and the contents do not spill, and in the connected state, the stopper part 22 engages with the injection part 5 and opens the flow path, and then the contents flow to the injection port 5a along the flow path formed by the cap body 21, so that the contents can be prevented from spilling. Therefore, the contents contained in the container body 11 can be appropriately injected into the equipment.

[0085] Furthermore, since the stopper portion 22 cannot be returned to its original position, when the locking is released, it is possible to prevent the injection from being interrupted with the contents remaining in the container body 11, thereby ensuring that the entire amount of the contents of the container body 11 is injected into the equipment.

[0086] Furthermore, when plug portion 22 engages with lid portion 53, it opens both injection port 5a and the flow path, so that the contents can be injected with injection port 5a kept closed, preventing the contents from overflowing from injection portion 5.

[0087] In addition, since the stopper portion 22 is released from the engagement after the injection port 5a is opened, the contents are injected before the injection port 5a is opened, and the contents can be prevented from overflowing from the injection portion 5.

[0088] Furthermore, the amount of air flowing into the container body 11 through the flow path can be suppressed by the air inflow suppression means 24, thereby preventing excessive air from flowing into the container body 11 and causing the contents to flow out of the container body 11 excessively, thereby preventing the contents that cannot fit into the injection port 5a from overflowing from the injection section 5.

[0089] In addition, the air inflow suppression means 24 abuts against the insertion portion 51 to suppress the amount of air inflow, thereby suppressing the amount of air flowing through the gap between the insertion portion 51 and the cap body 21 through the flow path into the container body 11.This prevents excessive air from flowing into the container body 11 and excessive contents from flowing in, which could cause the contents that do not flow into the injection port 5a to overflow from the injection portion 5.

[0090] Furthermore, since the air inflow suppression means 24 abuts against the inner surface of the side wall of the insertion portion 51, even if the container body 11 and the cap 2 move in the axial direction of the insertion portion 51 due to vibration when the contents are discharged from the container body 11, the amount of air inflow between the inserted cap body 21 and the insertion portion 51 can be reliably suppressed.

[0091] The air inflow suppression means 24 also includes an air inflow restriction portion 30 that abuts against the inner circumferential surface of the insertion portion 51, and the air inflow restriction portion 30 is elastically deformable in the radial direction and configured so that its outer diameter is larger than the inner diameter of the insertion portion 51 in a natural state. Thus, when the air inflow restriction portion 30 is inserted into the insertion portion 51, the outer surface of the air inflow restriction portion 30 abuts against the inner surface of the insertion portion 51, and the outer diameter of the air inflow restriction portion 30 elastically deforms in a direction in which it contracts. Then, since the air inflow restriction portion 30 tries to restore its original shape in a direction in which it expands in diameter while inserted into the insertion portion 51, the outer surface of the air inflow restriction portion 30 can be maintained in abutment against the inner surface of the insertion portion 51, and the inflow of air can be reliably suppressed.

[0092] Furthermore, the air inflow suppression means 24 is provided with an air inflow restriction portion 30 that is cylindrical and abuts against the inner wall of the insertion portion 51, and an air inflow allowance portion 32 having a plurality of slits extending from the tip of the air inflow restriction portion 30 toward the base end side, the air inflow restriction portion 30 being configured to be elastically deformable in the radial direction by the slits, and configured so that the outer diameter is larger than the inner diameter of the insertion portion 51 in a natural state, and the air inflow allowance portion 32 is configured so that air can flow into the flow path from the outside of the device when the air inflow restriction portion 30 abuts against the insertion portion 51 by the slits. Therefore, the air inflow restriction portion 30 can be reliably brought into a state where it abuts against the insertion portion 51 by the elastic deformation of the air inflow restriction portion 30, and the air inflow allowance portion 32 (slits) allows air to flow in, so that the amount of air flowing into the container body 11 can be made appropriate with the configuration of the cap body 21. Specifically, if air inflow restriction section 30 were to prevent any outside air from flowing into container 1, a phenomenon called air clogging would occur, in which air would not flow well between container 1 and tank 72, and the air in tank 72 would not be exchanged with the regenerant in container 1, which could result in no or only a small amount of regenerant flowing. Therefore, by allowing air to flow in from the outside using air inflow permission section 32, the regenerant in container 1 can flow out and can flow into tank 72 by gravity, which makes it possible to suppress air clogging and reliably inject the regenerant into the device.

[0093] The cap 2 includes a cylindrical cap body 21 that can be inserted into the insertion portion 51, and an air inflow suppression means 24 that suppresses the amount of air that flows into the container body 11 from the outside of the device through the flow path, and the air inflow suppression means 24 has an outer diameter larger than that of the cap body 21. Therefore, the air inflow suppression means 24 is larger than the outer diameter of the cap body 21, and can reliably abut against the insertion portion 51.

[0094] Furthermore, according to the above-mentioned container 1, the stopper portion 22 is configured to engage with the injection portion 5 and release the lock when the cap 2 is attached to the equipment, so that the contents do not spill when the cap 2 is attached to the equipment, and the contents flow to the injection port 5a along the flow path formed by the cap body 21, so that spillage of the contents can be suppressed and the contents contained in the container body 11 can be properly injected into the equipment.

[0095] In addition, the amount of air flowing into the container body 11 can be suppressed by the air inflow suppression means 24, so that excessive air flowing into the container body 11 and causing the contents to flow out of the container body 11 excessively can be prevented, thereby preventing the contents that do not fit into the injection port 5a from overflowing from the injection section 5.

[0096] Furthermore, the container 1 is provided with air inflow suppression means 24 for suppressing the amount of air flowing into the container body 11 from the outside, and the air inflow suppression means 24 is cylindrical and includes an air inflow restriction section 30 that abuts against the inner wall of the insertion section 51, and an air inflow allowance section 32 that allows air to flow into the container body 11 from the outside. Thus, while preventing the contents that do not fit into the injection port 5a from overflowing from the injection section 5 due to excessive air flowing into the container body 11 and causing the contents to flow out of the container body 11 excessively, the air inflow allowance section 32 allows air to flow into the container body 11 from the outside, thereby preventing the contents from being unable to be properly injected into the device due to air clogging.

[0097] Furthermore, according to the above-described water softener 7, the unlocking portion 59 unlocks the plug portion 22 in the connected state and opens the flow path, thereby preventing the regenerant agent from spilling, and allowing the regenerant agent contained in the container body 11 to be properly injected into the water softener 7.

[0098] Furthermore, when the lid portion 53 engages with the plug portion 22, it opens both the injection port 5a and the flow path, so that the contents can be injected with the injection port 5a kept closed, preventing the contents from overflowing from the injection portion 5.

[0099] In addition, since the stopper portion 22 is released from the engagement after the injection port 5a is opened, the contents are injected before the injection port 5a is opened, and the contents can be prevented from overflowing from the injection portion 5.

[0100] Furthermore, since the cap body 21 abuts against the insertion portion 51, the amount of air flowing into the container body 11 from outside the water softener 7 can be suppressed, thereby suppressing the overflow of the regenerant that does not flow completely into the injection port 5a from the injection portion 5 due to excessive air flowing into the container body 11 and excessive flow of the contents.

[0101] The injection section 5 includes a cylindrical inserting main body section 54 into which the cap body 21 is inserted, and a storage section 56 that is provided above the inserting main body section 54 and can temporarily store the contents that overflow from the inserting main body section 54, and the storage section 56 is configured to be able to inject the temporarily stored contents into the inserting main body section 54. Therefore, even if the contents temporarily flow out of the container 1 in excess, such as immediately after the container 1 is connected to the device, the contents that do not fit into the injection port 5a can be temporarily stored in the storage section, so that the contents can be prevented from overflowing from the injection section 5.

[0102] Furthermore, according to the above-mentioned connecting mechanism 8, the unlocking portion 59 unlocks the plug portion 22 in the connected state and opens the flow path, thereby preventing the regenerant agent from spilling, and allowing the regenerant agent contained in the container body 11 to be properly injected into the water softener 7.

[0103] In addition, the amount of air flowing into the container body 11 can be suppressed by the air inflow suppression means 24, so that it is possible to prevent excessive air from flowing into the container body 11 and causing the regenerant to flow out of the container body 11 in excess, thereby preventing the regenerant that cannot fit into the injection port 5a from overflowing from the injection section 5.

[0104] Furthermore, since the injection portion 5 is provided with a contact portion 57 against which the air inflow suppression means 24 abuts, the gap between the cap body 21 and the injection portion 5 can be reduced by the air inflow suppression means 24 abutting against the abutment portion 57, and the amount of air flowing into the container body 11 from the outside can be suppressed.This prevents excessive air from flowing into the container body 11 and causing the contents to flow excessively, thereby preventing the regenerant that does not flow completely into the injection port 5a from overflowing from the injection portion 5.

[0105] Although an embodiment of the present invention has been described above by way of example, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0106] For example, the water softener 7 has been described as an example of an equipment and a regenerating agent as an example of a content, but the present invention is not limited to such a case and can also be applied to equipment other than the water softener 7 and contents injected into the equipment.

[0107] In addition, although the cap 2 has been described as being permanently fitted into the container body 11, this is not limited to the above case, and the cap 2 can also be configured to be detachable from the container body 11, or the cap 2 and the container body 11 can be configured as a single unit.

[0108] Furthermore, although it has been explained that when the stopper portion 22 is released, it floats in the regenerant and cannot be restored at least until the injection of the regenerant is completed, the present invention is not limited to such a case and it can also be configured to be restorable.

[0109] In addition, although the lid portion 53 has been described as engaging with the stopper portion 22 to open the injection port 5a, the present invention is not limited to this configuration, and for example, the lid portion 53 can be configured so that it can be opened before the cap body 21 is connected.

[0110] Furthermore, the case where the lid portion 53 opens the injection port 5a before releasing the lock of the plug portion 22 has been described, but the present invention is not limited to such a configuration, and the injection port 5a can be opened at the same time as releasing the lock of the plug portion 22, or the injection port 5a can be opened after releasing the lock of the plug portion 22. When configured in this way, it is preferable that the injection portion 5 is configured to be able to receive a certain amount of regenerant, like the injection portion 5 having the storage portion 56 in the above embodiment.

[0111] In addition, although the air inflow regulating portion 30 has been described as being elastically deformable by the slits, this is not limited to the above case. For example, the air inflow regulating portion 30 may be made of an elastic material so as to be elastically deformable.

[0112] Furthermore, although the air inflow regulating portion 30 has been described as abutting against the inner surface of the side wall of the insertion portion 51, this is not limited to this case, and the air inflow regulating portion 30 can also be configured to abut against a portion other than the side wall of the insertion portion 51, such as a step formed in the insertion portion 51.

[0113] Also, while the air inflow allowing portion 32 has been described as being configured as a slit formed in the cap body 21, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, the air inflow allowing portion 32 can be configured as a hole formed in the container body 11. When configured as a hole formed in the container body 11, the hole is blocked with a blocking member until the flow path is opened to prevent leakage of the internal contents, and after the flow path is opened, the blocking member is removed, thereby allowing an appropriate amount of air to be sent to the container body 11. [Explanation of symbols]

[0114] 1...container, 2...cap, 5...injection portion, 5a...injection port, 7...water softener, 8...connection mechanism, 11...container body, 12...storage portion, 13...receiving portion, 21...cap body, 22...plug portion, 23...mounting portion, 24...air inflow suppression means, 25...fixing portion, 25a...fixing space, 26...cap side wall, 27...plug locking portion, 28...lid pressing portion, 29...fitting recess, 30...air inflow restriction portion, 31...cylindrical portion, 32...air inflow allowing portion, 33...water sealing portion, 34...locking projection, 35...rotation stopper portion, 36...upper locking portion Stopping protrusion, 37...lower locking protrusion, 38...stopper portion, 39...plug body, 40...plug extension, 51...insertion portion, 52...injection port, 521...window frame, 522...injection end, 53...lid, 54...insertion body, 55...injection protrusion, 56...storage portion, 57...contact portion, 58...lid body, 59...unlocking portion, 60...biasing portion, 61...step portion, 62...return restriction portion, 63...biasing body, 64...biasing bottom, 71...water supply port, 72...tank, 73...ion exchange resin, 74...processing portion, 75...water discharge port

Claims

1. A cap configured to be attachable to a container body that contains a content, and for connecting a device having an injection part having an injection port through which the content is injected to the container body, The cap body is cylindrical and forms a flow path through which the contents flow from the container body, and the cap body is provided with a plug portion for opening and closing the flow path, The plug portion is configured to be engaged with the cap body to close the flow path and to open the flow path when the engagement is released, The stopper portion is configured to be engaged with the injection portion and released from the cap body when the container body is connected to the device, The injection unit includes a lid that opens and closes the injection port, The cap is configured such that, when the stopper portion engages with the lid portion, the stopper portion is released from the cap body and the lid portion is opened.

2. The cap according to claim 1 , wherein the stopper portion is configured such that, when engaged with the lid portion, the stopper portion is released from engagement with the cap body after the injection port is opened.

3. A cap as described in claim 1 or 2, having an air inflow suppression means for suppressing the amount of air flowing into the container body from the outside through the flow path.

4. A cap configured to be attachable to a container body that contains a content, and for connecting a device having an injection part having an injection port through which the content is injected to the container body, The cap body is cylindrical and forms a flow path through which the contents flow from the container body, and the cap body is provided with a plug portion for opening and closing the flow path, The plug portion is configured to be engaged with the cap body to close the flow path and to open the flow path when the engagement is released, The stopper portion is configured to be engaged with the injection portion and released from the cap body when the container body is connected to the device, A cap having an air inflow suppression means for suppressing the amount of air flowing into the container body from the outside through the flow path.

5. The injection portion includes an insertion portion into which the cap body is inserted, The cap according to claim 4 , wherein the air inflow suppression means is configured to abut against the inserted portion and suppress the amount of air entering the flow path.

6. The insertion portion has a side wall formed in a cylindrical shape, The cap according to claim 5 , wherein the air inflow suppression means is configured to abut against an inner peripheral surface of a side wall of the insertion portion.

7. The cap according to claim 1 , wherein the plug portion is configured so as to be unable to return to the engaged state after being released from the cap body.

8. A container that is connected to an apparatus having an injection part having an injection port through which a content is injected, and injects the content into the apparatus, A container body that contains the content, and the cap according to any one of claims 1 to 4 that is provided on the container body, A container in which the cap body or the container body is provided with an air inflow suppression means for suppressing the amount of air flowing into the container body from the outside.

9. A water softener that removes hardness components from water and reduces the hardness of the water, the tank into which the water is poured; an ion exchange resin provided inside the tank for adsorbing and removing the hardness components contained in the water; and a container body containing a regenerant for removing the hardness components adsorbed on the ion exchange resin from the ion exchange resin and regenerating the ion exchange resin, and an injection section having an injection port through which the regenerant is injected into the tank from a container having a cap attached to the container body, The cap includes a cap body that forms a flow path through which the regenerant flows from the container body to the inlet, and a plug portion that opens and closes the flow path, The plug portion is configured to be engaged with the cap body to close the flow path and to open the flow path when the engagement is released, The injection part is configured to include an engagement release part that releases engagement of the plug part of the container connected to the injection part with the cap body, The injection unit includes a lid that opens and closes the injection port, The water softener is configured such that, when the stopper portion engages with the lid portion, the stopper portion is released from the cap body and the lid portion is opened.

10. The water softener according to claim 9 , wherein the lid portion is configured to open the filler port and then release the stopper portion from being engaged with the cap body when the lid portion is engaged with the stopper portion.

11. The injection portion includes an insertion portion into which the cap body is inserted, The water softener according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the insertion portion is configured to abut against the cap body to suppress inflow of air from the outside into the container body.

12. A water softener that removes hardness components from water and reduces the hardness of the water, the tank into which the water is poured; an ion exchange resin provided inside the tank for adsorbing and removing the hardness components contained in the water; and a container body containing a regenerant for removing the hardness components adsorbed on the ion exchange resin from the ion exchange resin and regenerating the ion exchange resin, and an injection section having an injection port through which the regenerant is injected into the tank from a container having a cap attached to the container body, The cap includes a cap body that forms a flow path through which the regenerant flows from the container body to the inlet, and a plug portion that opens and closes the flow path, The plug portion is configured to be engaged with the cap body to close the flow path and to open the flow path when the engagement is released, The injection part is configured to include an engagement release part that releases engagement of the plug part of the container connected to the injection part with the cap body, The injection portion includes an insertion portion into which the cap body is inserted, The water softener is configured such that the insertion portion abuts against the cap body to prevent air from flowing into the container body from the outside.

13. A connecting mechanism for connecting a container having a container body containing a regenerant that removes the hardness components adsorbed on the ion exchange resin from the ion exchange resin and regenerates the ion exchange resin to a water softener that reduces the hardness of the water, the connecting mechanism comprising: The water softener includes an injection unit having an injection port through which the regenerant can flow, The container includes a cap configured to be attached to the container body, The cap is cylindrical, forms a flow path through which the regenerant flows from the container body, and includes a cap body connectable to the injection part and a plug part for opening and closing the flow path; The plug portion is configured to be engaged with the cap body to close the flow path and to open the flow path when the engagement is released, the injection part includes an engagement release part that releases engagement of the plug part of the container connected to the injection part with the cap body, The container has a connection mechanism including an air inflow suppression means for suppressing the amount of air flowing into the container body from the outside.

14. The air inflow suppression means is provided on the cap, the injection part includes a contact part into which the cap body is inserted and against which the air inflow suppression means can come into contact, The connection mechanism according to claim 13 , wherein the air inflow suppression means is configured to abut against the abutted portion to suppress an amount of air entering the flow path.

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