Wide-mouth container and method for filling the same

Abstract

To provide a wide-mouthed container whose time and labor are hardly required for taking out a content from a storage space after user's purchasing, and whose part of the content is unlikely to be vaporized; and to provide a wide-mouthed container filling method.SOLUTION: The wide-mouthed container comprises: a container body (12) which can store a content in a storage space; a lid body unit (13) which is assembled to the container body (12) and in which a lid member (13a) openably and closably closes an opening above the storage space; and a substantially flat plate-shaped inner lid (14) which is formed of an elastic material and in which an outer peripheral part (14c) is vertically sandwiched by a lid body side holding part (18) provided downward to the lid body unit (13), and a body side holding part (17) provided upward to the container body (12), wherein a cutting thin-wall part (16) for cutting off an inner side of the outer peripheral part (14c) is provided on the inner lid (14).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a wide-mouth container and a method for filling the wide-mouth container, and more particularly to a wide-mouth container having an inner lid provided with a thin-walled portion for cutting off the inside of the outer edge, and a method for filling the wide-mouth container. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there has been a wide-mouth container that combines a container body capable of storing contents in a storage space with a lid unit in which a lid member closes an opening above the storage space in a manner that allows it to be opened and closed freely, and in which a roughly flat inner lid is placed in this opening (Patent Document 1 (paragraphs 0027-0029 of the Detailed Description of the Invention)).

[0003] A wide-mouth container equipped with such a conventional inner lid has an advantage that the inner lid is sandwiched between the container body and the lid unit, and acts as a packing, so that the contents in the storage space are unlikely to spill out from the inside of the inner lid even when the container is tilted or shaken. In addition, since the lid member opens and closes with a hinge, the user can remove the inner lid once after purchase, and then freely open and close the lid member to take out the contents in multiple batches. The inner lid of such a conventional wide-mouth container is formed, for example, by laminating a low-foam polyethylene sheet with a thin plastic film. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2018-172147 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In the conventional wide-mouth container 1 equipped with an inner lid, as shown in the partial cross-sectional view of Figure 12, for example, the inner lid 4 is sandwiched between the container body 2 and the lid unit 3. Therefore, in order for a user to remove the contents from the storage space 5 after purchase, the user must first remove the lid unit 3 from the container body 2, remove the inner lid 4, and then reassemble the lid unit 3 to the container body 2, which is time-consuming for the user.

[0006] In addition, after the inner lid 4 is removed, the user tightens the lid unit 3 to narrow the gap where the inner lid 4 was originally placed, but there is still a high risk that some of the contents, such as water and alcohol, will evaporate.

[0007] Therefore, the present invention aims to provide a wide-mouth container that requires less effort on the part of the user to remove the contents from the storage space after purchase and that reduces the risk of some of the contents evaporating, and a method for filling such a wide-mouth container. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] (1) The present invention provides a wide-mouth container comprising a container body capable of storing contents in a storage space; a lid unit which is combined with the container body and has a lid member which closes an opening at the top of the storage space in an openable and closable manner; and a generally flat inner lid which is made of an elastic material and has an outer edge which is vertically clamped between a lid side clamping portion which is provided downward on the lid unit and a body side clamping portion which is provided upward on the container body, the inner lid being provided with a thin-walled cut-out portion for cutting away the inside of the outer edge. The container further comprises a container body capable of storing contents in a storage space, a lid unit which is combined with the container body and has a lid member which closes an opening above the storage space in an openable and closable manner, and a generally flat inner lid which is made of an elastic material and has an outer edge which is sandwiched in the vertical direction between a lid side clamping portion lower surface which is the lower surface of the lid side clamping portion which is provided so as to protrude downward from the lid unit, and a body side clamping portion upper surface which is the upper surface of the body side clamping portion which is provided so as to protrude upward from the container body, the lid side clamping portion lower surface and the body side clamping portion upper surface being respectively arranged so as to face each other in the vertical direction, and the inner lid may be provided with a thin-walled portion for cutting out the inside of the outer edge.

[0009] In other words, the wide-mouth container of the present invention can have the inside of the outer edge cut away along the thin-walled cutaway portion, so that the outer edge can be left intact to open an access hole in the inner lid. With the lid member open, the user can insert their fingers into the storage space through the access hole to remove the contents.

[0010] Therefore, after purchasing a product in which contents are contained in a wide-mouthed container, the user does not need to remove the lid unit from the container body, remove the inner lid, and then reassemble the lid unit to the container body, but can remove the contents by opening the removal opening in the inner lid. In this way, it is less troublesome for the user. In addition, it is less likely that a user who is not familiar with how to use the product will always detach and attach the lid unit itself to and from the container body without removing the inner lid or opening or closing the lid member.

[0011] Furthermore, even after the removal opening is opened in the inner lid, the outer edge remains clamped between the lid side clamping portion and the main body side clamping portion, so no gap is created where the inner lid was originally positioned, and there is little risk of the storage space communicating with the outside air and causing some of the contents to evaporate.

[0012] In addition, since the inner lid is made of an elastic material, when the outer edge is sandwiched between the clamping parts, the outer edge is compressed and expands in a direction away from the clamping parts due to the reaction, thereby improving the seal between the outer edge and the clamping parts, and reducing the risk of part of the contents vaporizing.

[0013] (2) The lid unit may be screwed onto the container body.

[0014] That is, the lid unit, which holds the outer edge against the container body, is screwed onto the container body, so that the user can adjust the tightening force to fasten the lid unit. This allows the outer edge, which is made of an elastic material, to be appropriately compressed, so that an optimal seal can be obtained between the outer edge and each clamping part. This reduces the risk of a portion of the contents evaporating.

[0015] (3) Furthermore, the outer edge portion may have an engaging portion, part or all of whose periphery protrudes outward from the lid body side clamping portion toward the center of the inner lid, and the engaging portion may protrude upward and be engaged outward by the lid body side clamping portion.

[0016] In the wide-mouth container of the present invention, when a user cuts off the inside of the inner lid along the thin-walled tear-off portion, a force toward the center acts on the inner lid so as to pull it toward the center. At this time, although the outer edge is held by the clamping parts, if the force toward the center is large, the outer edge may shift toward the center, and the seal between the clamping parts may become insufficient.

[0017] Therefore, by the lid side clamping portion engaging the locked portion outward from the center against the force toward the center, the outer edge portion can be kept clamped by the clamping portions, and the seal between the clamping portions can be maintained. Thus, the risk of part of the contents evaporating is reduced.

[0018] (4) Furthermore, the outer edge portion may have an engaging portion whose periphery, in part or in whole, protrudes outward from the main body clamping portion toward the center of the inner lid, and the engaging portion may protrude downward and be engaged outward by the main body clamping portion.

[0019] In other words, when a force is applied to the outer edge toward the center, the clamping portion of the main body engages the engaged portion outward from the center, so that the outer edge can be kept clamped by the clamping portions, and the seal between the clamping portions can be maintained. Thus, the risk of part of the contents vaporizing is reduced.

[0020] (5) A tab may be provided extending above a cut-out area of ​​the inner cover that is cut along the thin-walled cut-off portion.

[0021] In other words, by providing the tab extending above the cut-out area, the user can pick up the tab with his or her fingers and easily cut away the inside of the outer edge along the thin-walled cut-out portion. Thus, the wide-mouth container of the present invention allows the contents to be removed from the storage space with little effort.

[0022] (6) Furthermore, the thin-walled cutting portion may be provided at approximately the same position as an inner wall of the lid side clamping portion, which is a peripheral wall facing inward from the center of the lid side clamping portion, and an inner wall of the body side clamping portion, which is a peripheral wall facing inward from the center of the body side clamping portion, that is an inner wall of the body side clamping portion, which is an inner wall facing inward, that is disposed closer to the center when viewed in the vertical direction.

[0023] In other words, by providing the thin-walled portion for cutting at substantially the same position as the inner wall disposed closer to the center in a vertical view, the inner edge of the outer edge portion after the inside of the outer edge portion is cut away and the inner wall disposed closer to the center are disposed at substantially the same position in a vertical view. Therefore, the inner edge is not disposed protruding toward the center compared to either the inner wall of the clamping portion on the lid body side or the inner wall of the clamping portion on the main body side.

[0024] This allows the user to insert their fingers into the opening to remove the contents without getting their fingers caught on the inner edge, thus making it possible to remove the contents from the storage space with less effort.

[0025] (7) The elastic material may have a type D durometer hardness in the range of 40 or more and less than 50 as defined in JIS K7215.

[0026] The inventors found that when the elastic material of the inner lid is a material with a type D durometer hardness of less than 40 as specified in JIS K7215, the inner lid is too soft and difficult to handle, such as positioning when clamped by the clamping parts and holding it in a fixed position. Conversely, when the type D durometer hardness as specified in JIS K7215 is 50 or more, the outer edge is too hard, and it is difficult to be compressed by the clamping parts and expand due to the reaction, so sufficient sealing properties cannot be obtained. In addition, the inventors found that the inner lid is too hard and it is not easy for a user to cut off the inside of the outer edge with his fingers. Furthermore, the inventors found that the inner lid is too hard and difficult to be slightly deformed to fit the clamping parts when clamped by the clamping parts, so that it does not adhere appropriately to the lid unit and the container body.

[0027] Therefore, preferably when the type D durometer hardness of the elastic material is in the range of 40 or more and less than 50 as specified in JIS K7215, the wide-mouth container of the present invention can be manufactured more easily and there is less risk of part of the contents evaporating.

[0028] (8) The elastic material may be low density polyethylene.

[0029] That is, because low density polyethylene (LDPE) has high chemical resistance, when used to store chemicals such as cosmetics and medicines in the storage space, the surface of the wide-mouth container of the present invention is less likely to react chemically with these chemicals and has a long lifespan.

[0030] (9) The lid member may be joined to another portion of the lid unit by a hinge.

[0031] That is, since the lid member is joined by a hinge, the user can open the lid member with one touch and remove the contents from the storage space. Also, since the lid member does not separate from the other parts of the lid unit even in the open state, the user does not need to place the lid member in a separate location. As a result, the wide-mouth container of the present invention allows the contents to be removed from the storage space with less effort.

[0032] (10) The present invention provides a method for filling a wide-mouth container, comprising the steps of: preparing a container body preparation step of preparing contents and a container body capable of storing the contents in a storage space; a lid assembly preparation step of preparing a lid assembly in which a lid unit having a lid member that can be screwed onto the container body and that is configured to freely open and close an opening located above the storage space when combined with the container body, and an inner lid formed of an elastic material and provided with a thin-walled portion for cutting off the inside of the outer edge, are combined so that the outer edge and a lid side clamping portion provided downward on the lid unit face each other in the vertical direction; a filling step of filling the storage space with the contents; and an assembly step of clamping the outer edge between the lid side clamping portion and a body side clamping portion provided upward on the container body, screwing the lid assembly to the container body, and assembling the container body, the inner lid, and the lid unit in the vertical direction. The method may also include a container body preparation step of preparing contents and a container body capable of storing the contents in a storage space; a lid assembly preparation step of preparing a lid assembly in which a lid unit having a lid member that can be screwed onto the container body and that is configured to freely open and close an opening located above the storage space when combined with the container body, and an inner lid formed of an elastic material and provided with a thin-walled portion for cutting off the inside of an outer edge portion are combined so that the outer edge portion and a lid side clamping portion underside, which is the underside of a lid side clamping portion provided to protrude downward from the lid unit, face each other in the vertical direction; a filling step of filling the storage space with the contents; and an assembly step of sandwiching the outer edge portion between the lid side clamping portion underside and a body side clamping portion upper side, which is the upper surface of a body side clamping portion provided to protrude upward from the container body, and screwing the lid assembly to the container body to assemble the container body, the inner lid, and the lid unit in the vertical direction.

[0033] Many businesses that fill existing wide-mouth containers with cream-like cosmetics, medicines, and other contents have equipment for filling conventional container bodies with these contents. They also have equipment for sandwiching the outer edge of a conventional inner lid that does not have a thin-walled portion for cutting between a conventional container body and a lid unit, screwing a conventional lid assembly onto the conventional container body, and assembling the conventional container body, the conventional inner lid, and the conventional lid unit in the vertical direction. The method for filling wide-mouth containers of the present invention is efficient because it can be adopted by many of the existing businesses described above without making significant changes to their equipment. Effect of the Invention

[0034] In this way, the present invention can provide a wide-mouth container that requires less effort for the user to remove the contents from the storage space after purchase, and a method for filling the wide-mouth container. It can also provide a wide-mouth container that reduces the risk of the storage space communicating with the outside air and causing a portion of the contents to evaporate, and a method for filling the wide-mouth container. Furthermore, when a material having a type D durometer hardness of 40 or more and less than 50 as specified in JIS K7215 is used as the elastic material, it can provide a wide-mouth container that can be manufactured more easily. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0035] [Figure 1] 1(a) is a perspective view of a wide-mouth container according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and (b) is a perspective view of the wide-mouth container of FIG. 1(a) separated into a lid unit, an inner lid, and a container body. [Diagram 2] Fig. 2(a) is a perspective view of the wide-mouth container of Fig. 1. Fig. 2(b) is a perspective view of the wide-mouth container of Fig. 2(a) with the lid member open. [Diagram 3] 3(a) shows a perspective view of the state in which the cut-out region of the inner lid is cut away from the wide-mouth container of FIG 1. FIG 3(b) shows a perspective view of the state in which the cut-out region of FIG 3(a) is separated from the inner lid. [Figure 4] 2A shows a plan view of the inner lid of the wide-mouth container of FIG 1. FIG. 2B shows a plan view of the cut-out area of ​​the inner lid of the wide-mouth container of FIG 1. FIG. 2C shows a plan view of the outer edge of the inner lid of the wide-mouth container of FIG 1. [Diagram 5] 1 is a partial cross-sectional view of a container body according to a first embodiment of the present invention as seen from the front. [Figure 6] 1 is a partial cross-sectional view of a lid unit according to a first embodiment of the present invention as seen from the front. [Figure 7] 7(a) is a partial cross-sectional view of a wide-mouth container according to a first embodiment of the present invention as seen from the front, and (b) is an enlarged view of part A in the partial cross-sectional view of FIG. [Figure 8]8(a) shows a partial cross-sectional view in a front view of the wide-mouth container in Fig. 7 with the inner lid removed from the removed region, and Fig. 8(b) shows an enlarged view of part B in the partial cross-sectional view in Fig. 8(a). [Figure 9] 1 is a flow diagram showing a method for filling a wide-mouth container according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] 1 is a partial cross-sectional front view of a lid assembly according to a first embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 11] 11(a) is a partial cross-sectional view of a wide-mouth container according to a second embodiment of the present invention as seen from the front, and (b) is an enlarged view of part C in the partial cross-sectional view of FIG. [Figure 12] 1 shows a partial cross-sectional view of a conventional wide-mouth container. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0036] [First embodiment] A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figs. 1 to 10. In Fig. 1(a), 11 denotes a wide-mouth container, which includes a container body 12 and a lid unit 13 disposed on the upper side of the container body 12. Also, as shown in Fig. 1(b), the wide-mouth container 11 includes a flat inner lid 14 between the container body 12 and the lid unit 13. In the figure, the arrow U indicates the upward direction of the wide-mouth container 11, and the arrow D indicates the downward direction. The arrow F indicates the forward direction, and the arrow B indicates the rearward direction. The arrow L indicates the leftward direction, and the arrow R indicates the rightward direction.

[0037] The wide-mouth container 11 has a container body 12 with a storage space 15 inside, and this storage space 15 can be filled with a semi-solid, liquid, or other content N. Typical contents N of the wide-mouth container 11 are cream-like cosmetics, medicines, etc., and are taken out of the storage space 15 by the user using his or her fingers.

[0038] A user purchases the contents N packaged in a wide-mouth container 11 as shown in FIG. 2(a). The wide-mouth container 11 as a whole is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape centered on a central axis C in the vertical direction. Next, the user opens the lid member 13a of the lid unit 13 as shown in FIG. 2(b) to expose the inner lid 14. The lid member 13a is joined to the main body joint 13b of the lid unit 13 via a hinge 13c. The main body joint 13b is screwed to the container body 12 so as to be freely detachable by rotating about the central axis C. The hinge 13c has a swing center line in the left-right direction, and the lid member 13a can swing relative to the main body joint 13b about this swing center line. This allows the user to open and close the lid member 13a. The main body joint 13b and the lid member 13a both have engagement means 13d, 13d at opposing positions. This allows the user to keep the cover member 13a engaged with the main body connecting portion 13b when the cover member 13a is in the closed state.

[0039] A user cuts off a circular cut-out area 14a located inside the inner lid 14 with the lid member 13a open as shown in FIG. 3(a). The inner lid 14 is formed with an annular cut-out thin-walled portion 16 located inside the outer periphery circle as shown in FIG. 1(b). A tab 14b that can be held by the user's fingers is extended from the upper side of the cut-out area 14a. The user can then lift the tab 14b upward with his or her fingers to cut off the cut-out area 14a along the cut-out thin-walled portion 16 from the inner lid 14 as shown in FIG. 3(a). As a result, when the lid member 13a is in the open state, an opening 13e located above the storage space 15 of the lid unit 13 is opened in the vertical direction.

[0040] 3(b) shows a state in which the cut-out area 14a is completely separated from the inner lid 14. In this state, the lid member 13a can close the opening 13e freely. Since the cut-out area 14a is no longer needed, the user can discard the container, leaving only the portion other than the cut-out area 14a. In addition, when the lid member 13a is in the open state, the user can insert his or her fingers into the storage space 15 through the opening 13e and take out the contents N with the fingers.

[0041] FIG. 4 shows the shape of the inner lid 14 in each state of FIG. 2(a) to FIG. 3(b). The inner lid 14 shown in FIG. 4(a) shows the shape in the state of FIG. 2(a) and (b). At this stage, the inner lid 14 has the thin-walled portion 16 for cutting formed thereon. Next, the inner lid 14 shown in FIG. 4(b) shows the cut-out region 14a corresponding to the portion cut off in the state of FIG. 3(a) and (b). The inner lid 14 shown in FIG. 4(c) shows the outer edge portion 14c corresponding to the portion remaining after the cut-out region 14a is cut off. That is, after the cut-out region 14a is cut off along the annular thin-walled portion 16 for cutting, the annular outer edge portion 14c remains on the wide-mouth container 11. The radially inner edge of the outer edge portion 14c is called the outer edge portion inner edge 14d.

[0042] As shown in the partial cross-sectional view in front view in Fig. 5, the container body 12 has a substantially cylindrical inner peripheral wall portion 12a that surrounds the accommodation space 15 radially inward, and a bottom portion 12b that is formed continuously with the inner peripheral wall portion 12a and is located at the bottom of the accommodation space 15. The container body 12 also has an outer peripheral wall portion 12c that is located radially outward of the inner peripheral wall portion 12a and forms a double structure together with the inner peripheral wall portion 12a. As shown in Fig. 5, the outer peripheral wall portion 12c branches outward from the inner peripheral wall portion 12a at a position approximately 1 / 3 of the upper side of the inner peripheral wall portion 12a, and forms a double structure in the portion below that position.

[0043] The annular uppermost portion of the container body 12 supports the outer edge portion 14c of the inner lid 14 upward. This annular portion is called the body-side clamping portion 17, and faces the lid-side clamping portion of the lid unit 13 described below. The upper surface of the body-side clamping portion 17 is called the body-side clamping portion upper surface 17a.

[0044] The container body 12 is made of a synthetic resin such as polypropylene (PP) or saturated polyester (PET).

[0045] Furthermore, between the main body side clamping portion 17 and the position where the outer peripheral wall portion 12c is separated in the vertical direction, the inner peripheral wall portion 12a has an outward screw thread 12d provided in the circumferential direction. The screw thread 12d is provided over the entire circumference of the inner peripheral wall portion 12a.

[0046] As shown in the partial cross-sectional view of the front view of FIG. 6, the lid unit 13 has a substantially cylindrical body joint 13b that surrounds the opening 13e radially inward. A folded portion 13f is provided at the top of the body joint 13b, which is formed to have a slightly smaller diameter than the top due to a step. The annular lower end portion of the folded portion 13f of the lid unit 13 supports the outer edge portion 14c of the inner lid 14 downward. This annular portion is called the lid side clamping portion 18 and faces the body side clamping portion 17 in the up-down direction. The outer edge portion 14c of the inner lid 14 is clamped between the body side clamping portion 17 and the lid side clamping portion 18. The lower surface of the lid side clamping portion 18 is called the lid side clamping portion lower surface 18a.

[0047] The cover member 13a has an outer peripheral wall portion 13g that is provided along the periphery of the outer edge and an inner peripheral wall portion 13h that is provided along the periphery of the inner peripheral wall portion 13g and that is provided along the periphery of the inner peripheral wall portion 13h and ...

[0048] Furthermore, the body coupling part 13b has a screw groove 13i provided in the circumferential direction on the inside. The screw groove 13i is provided over the entire circumference of the body coupling part 13b. The screw thread 12d and the screw groove 13i mesh with each other, so that the lid unit 13 can be screwed onto the container body 12.

[0049] The lid unit 13 is made of a synthetic resin such as polypropylene (PP) or high density polyethylene (HDPE).

[0050] As shown in the partial cross-sectional front view of Fig. 7(a), the inner lid 14 is disposed between the container body 12 and the lid unit 13. This figure shows the state before the cut-out area 14a is cut out. Fig. 7(b) shows an enlarged view of part A in Fig. 7(a). The inner lid 14 is made of an elastic material.

[0051] 7(b), the outer edge portion 14c is sandwiched in the vertical direction by the body-side sandwiching portion 17 and the lid-side sandwiching portion 18. At this time, as a result of the lid unit 13 being screwed into the container body 12, the sandwiching portions 17, 18 press the outer edge portion 14c from above and below, and the upper surface 17a of the body-side sandwiching portion and the lower surface 18a of the lid-side sandwiching portion are brought into close contact with both sides of the outer edge portion 14c, respectively.

[0052] Additionally, the outer edge portion 14c has an engaged portion 19 that protrudes radially outward from the lid-side clamping portion 18 around its entire periphery. This engaged portion 19 protrudes upward and fits inside the folded-back portion 13f. In this state, even when a user lifts the tab 14b to cut off the cutout region 14a of the inner lid 14 along the thin-walled cutting portion 16, a radially inward force acts to pull the inner lid 14 toward the user, but the lid-side clamping portion 18 can engage the engaged portion 19 radially outward.

[0053] The thin-walled portion 16 for cutting is composed of a downward V-shaped groove on the upper surface of the inner lid 14 and an upward V-shaped groove on the lower surface of the inner lid 14, which is provided at approximately the same position in the vertical direction as the downward V-shaped groove, at the boundary between the cut-out region 14a and the outer edge portion 14c. The thickness of the bottoms of these upper and lower V-shaped grooves is thin, so they can be easily cut off. The thin-walled portion 16 for cutting is provided at approximately the same position in the vertical direction as the inner wall 18b of the lid side clamping portion 18, which is the radially inner peripheral wall of the lid side clamping portion 18 formed in an annular shape. At the same time, the thin-walled portion 16 for cutting is provided at approximately the same position in the vertical direction as the inner wall 17b of the main body side clamping portion 17, which is the radially inner peripheral wall of the main body side clamping portion 17 formed in an annular shape.

[0054] The state after the cut-out area 14a is cut out is shown in Figures 8(a) and (b). Part B in Figure 8(a) is shown enlarged in Figure 8(b). The thin-walled cut-out portion 16 after the cut-out area 14a is cut out forms the inner edge 14d of the outer edge. In this way, the inner edge 14d of the outer edge is formed at approximately the same position in the vertical direction as the inner wall 18b of the clamping portion on the lid side, and is also formed at approximately the same position in the vertical direction as the inner wall 17b of the clamping portion on the main body side.

[0055] With the above configuration, the wide-mouth container 11 can have the cut-out area 14a cut away along the thin-walled cut-out portion 16, so that an access opening can be opened in the inner lid 14 while leaving the outer edge portion 14c. With the lid member 13a open, the user can insert his or her fingers into the storage space 15 through the access opening to take out the contents N.

[0056] Therefore, after purchasing a product in which contents N are contained in wide-mouth container 11, the user does not need to once remove lid unit 13 from container body 12, remove inner lid 14, and then reassemble lid unit 13 to container body 12, but can take out contents N by opening the outlet in inner lid 14. In this way, the user can take out contents N with less effort.

[0057] Even after the removal opening is opened in the inner lid 14, as shown in FIG. 8, the outer edge 14c remains sandwiched between the lid side clamping portion 18 and the main body side clamping portion 17, and is in close contact with the lid side clamping portion lower surface 18a and the main body side clamping portion upper surface 17a. Therefore, no gap is generated where the inner lid 14 was originally placed. Also, there is no gap between the inner peripheral wall portion 13h of the lid member 13a and the lid side clamping portion inner wall 18b of the folded portion 13f. As a result, the storage space 15 is not exposed to the atmosphere, and there is little risk of a part of the contents N evaporating.

[0058] Moreover, since the inner lid 14 is made of an elastic material, when the outer edge 14c is sandwiched between the clamping parts 17, 18, the outer edge 14c is compressed, and the reaction causes the outer edge 14c to expand in a direction that moves away from the clamping parts 17, 18. This increases the sealing performance between the outer edge 14c and the clamping parts 17, 18, so that the storage space 15 is less likely to communicate with the outside air, causing a portion of the contents N to evaporate.

[0059] The lid unit 13, which holds the outer edge portion 14c against the container body 12, is screwed onto the container body 12, allowing the user to adjust the tightening force to fasten the lid unit 13. This allows the outer edge portion 14c, which is made of an elastic material, to be appropriately compressed, thereby obtaining optimal sealing between the outer edge portion 14c and each of the holding portions 17, 18. This reduces the risk of a portion of the contents N evaporating.

[0060] Since the locked portion 19 protrudes upward and is located inside the folded portion 13f, the lid side clamping portion 18 locks the locked portion 19 radially outward, so that the outer edge portion 14c can be kept clamped by the clamping portions 17, 18, and the sealability between the clamping portions 17, 18 can be maintained. Thus, the risk of a part of the contents N vaporizing is reduced.

[0061] By providing tab 14b extending above cut-out region 14a, a user can pick up tab 14b with his / her fingers and easily cut-out region 14a along thin-walled cutting portion 16. In this way, the content N of wide-mouth container 11 can be removed from storage space 15 with little effort.

[0062] Since the thin-walled portion 16 for cutting is provided at approximately the same position as the inner wall 17b of the clamping portion on the main body side and the inner wall 18b of the clamping portion on the cover side in a vertical view, the inner edge 14d of the outer edge portion after the cutting region 14a is cut is located at approximately the same position as the inner wall 17b of the clamping portion on the main body side and the inner wall 18b of the clamping portion on the cover side in a vertical view. Therefore, the inner edge 14d of the outer edge portion does not protrude radially inward compared to either of the inner walls 17b, 18b.

[0063] 7 and 8, the inner wall 17b of the clamping portion on the main body side and the inner wall 18b of the clamping portion on the cover side are provided at substantially the same position in the vertical view. However, if either of the inner walls 17b, 18b is arranged so as to be biased toward the inside in the radial direction, the thin-walled cutting portion 16 is provided at substantially the same position as the inner wall 17b, 18b arranged toward the inside in the vertical view. Therefore, the inner edge 14d of the outer edge does not protrude radially inward compared to either of the inner walls 17b, 18b.

[0064] This allows the user to insert his / her fingers into the outlet and take out the contents N without getting the fingers caught on the inner edge 14d of the outer periphery. In this way, the wide-mouth container 11 allows the contents N to be taken out of the storage space 15 with less effort.

[0065] Because the lid member 13a is joined by the hinge 13c, the user can open the lid member 13a with one touch and remove the contents N from the storage space 15. In addition, because the lid member 13a does not separate from the main body joint part 13b even in the open state, the user does not need to place the lid member 13a in a separate location. As a result, the wide-mouth container 11 allows the contents N to be removed from the storage space 15 with less effort.

[0066] [Inner lid material] The elastic material used for the inner cover 14 may be a material having a type D durometer hardness of 40 or more and less than 50 as specified in JIS K7215 of the Japanese Industrial Standards (JIS), or a material having a type D durometer hardness of 50 or more and less than 60. An example of a material having a type D durometer hardness of 40 or more and less than 50 as specified in JIS K7215 is low-density polyethylene (LDPE). Also, an example of a material having a type D durometer hardness of 50 or more and less than 60 as specified in JIS K7215 is linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE).

[0067] Of these, it is more preferable to use a material having a type D durometer hardness of 40 or more and less than 50 as the material for the inner lid 14. If the material for the inner lid 14 is a material having a type D durometer hardness of less than 40, the inner lid 14 is too soft and does not have enough stiffness to be clamped by the clamping parts 17, 18, making it difficult to hold it correctly in a predetermined position. In addition, even if a user tries to cut off the excision area 14a, it will stretch and will not be able to be cut off properly. Conversely, if the type D durometer hardness is 50 or more, the outer edge part 14c is too hard, and is compressed by the clamping parts 17, 18, and it is difficult to expand due to the reaction, making it difficult to obtain sufficient sealing properties. In addition, the inner lid 14 is too hard, making it difficult for a user to cut off the excision area 14a with his or her fingers. Furthermore, the inner lid 14 is too hard, and it is difficult for it to deform slightly to conform to the clamping portions 17, 18 when clamped by them, so there is a risk that it will not adhere adequately to the lid unit 13 and the container body 14.

[0068] Therefore, particularly when the material of the inner lid 14 has a type D durometer hardness in the range of 40 or more and less than 50 as specified in JIS K7215, the wide-mouth container 11 can be manufactured more easily, and there is less risk that the storage space 15 will communicate with the outside air, causing some of the contents to evaporate.

[0069] Furthermore, when the material of the inner lid 14 is low-density polyethylene, low-density polyethylene has high chemical resistance, so that when chemicals such as cosmetics and medicines are stored in the storage space 15, the surface of the wide-mouth container 11 is less likely to react chemically with these chemicals, and the wide-mouth container 11 has a long life.

[0070] [Filling method] The wide-mouth container 11 of the present invention is filled with the contents N according to a method S1000 for filling a wide-mouth container shown in the flow diagram of Fig. 9. The method S1000 for filling a wide-mouth container includes a preparation step S1100, a filling step S1200, and an assembly step S1300.

[0071] The preparation step S1100 includes a contents preparation step S1110 for preparing the contents N, a container body preparation step S1120 for preparing the container body 12, and a lid assembly preparation step S1130 for preparing the lid assembly 100. The lid assembly 100 refers to an assembly in which the inner lid 14 is fitted and assembled with the lid unit 13, as shown in the partial cross-sectional view of FIG. 10. At this time, the undercut 20 as shown in FIG. 7(b) is provided in advance in the body joint 13b, and the outer edge 14c is fitted between the folded-back portion 13f and the undercut 20 in the up-down direction. The undercut 20 is provided in a protruding manner from the body joint 13b to the radially inward direction of the container body 13 around the entire circumference of the body joint 13b. Therefore, the inner lid 14 is engaged upward by the undercut 20 and does not slip out downward from the lid unit 13. In addition, since the inner diameter of the undercut 20 is slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the inner lid 14, the inner lid 14 can be detachably fitted into the lid unit 13 by slightly elastically deforming. When the inner lid 14 is combined with the lid unit 13, the outer edge portion 14c and the lid side clamping portion 18 face each other in the vertical direction.

[0072] In each of the preparation steps S1110, S1120, and S1130, the business operator carrying out the wide-mouth container filling method S1000 may prepare the contents N, container body 12, or lid assembly 100 by manufacturing them himself, or may prepare them by bringing in those manufactured elsewhere.

[0073] In the filling step S1200, the storage space 15 of the container body 12 prepared in the preparation step S1100 is filled with the contents N that have also been prepared. The equipment used for filling may be a part or all of the same equipment as a filling device or the like used for filling cream-like cosmetics, medicines, etc. into conventional container bodies.

[0074] In the assembly process S1300, the lid body assembly 100 is screwed onto the container body 12 so that the screw thread 12d and the screw groove 13i of the lid body unit 13 mesh with each other. At this time, the outer edge portion 14c of the inner lid 14 combined with the lid body unit 13 in the lid body assembly 100 is sandwiched between the body side clamping portion 17 and the lid body side clamping portion 18. This allows the container body 12, the lid body unit 13, and the lid body 14 to be assembled in the vertical direction. The equipment used for assembly may be part or all of the same equipment, such as a capper, used to screw a conventional lid body assembly in which a conventional inner lid is combined with a conventional lid body unit onto a conventional container body.

[0075] Incidentally, many businesses that fill existing wide-mouth containers with cream-like cosmetics, medicines, and other contents have equipment for filling conventional container bodies with these contents. They also have equipment for screwing conventional lid assemblies onto conventional container bodies. Therefore, the method S1000 for filling wide-mouth containers of the present invention can be adopted by many of the above-mentioned existing businesses without making major changes to their equipment, making it efficient.

[0076] [Second embodiment] A second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 11. In the partial cross-sectional front view of Fig. 11(a), reference numeral 21 denotes a wide-mouth container, which comprises a container body 22 and a lid unit 23 disposed on the upper side of the container body 22. A flat inner lid 24 is also provided between the container body 22 and the lid unit 23. Part C of Fig. 11(a) is shown enlarged in Fig. 11(b). These figures show the state before the cut-out region 24a of the inner lid 24 is cut away.

[0077] As shown in Fig. 11(b), the outer edge 24c of the inner lid 24 is sandwiched in the vertical direction by the body-side clamping portion 27 and the lid-side clamping portion 28. At this time, as a result of the lid unit 23 being screwed into the container body 22, the clamping portions 27, 28 press the outer edge 24c from above and below, and the upper surface 27a of the body-side clamping portion and the lower surface 28a of the lid-side clamping portion are brought into close contact with both sides of the outer edge 24c. In addition, the outer edge 24c has a locked portion 29 that protrudes radially outward from the clamping portions 27, 28 around its entire periphery.

[0078] The locked portion 29 has an upper annular portion 29a that protrudes upward from the clamping portion gap G1, which is the vertical gap between the clamping portions 27, 28 when the container body 22 and the lid unit 23 are screwed together as shown in the figure, and has a lower annular portion 29b that protrudes downward from the clamping portion gap G1. That is, the upper annular portion 29a of the locked portion 29 protrudes radially outward from the lid body side clamping portion 28, and the lower annular portion 29b of the locked portion 29 protrudes radially outward from the body side clamping portion 27.

[0079] In the screwed state, the upper annular portion 29a is fitted inside the folded portion 23f, and the lower annular portion 29b is fitted into the body-side clamping portion outer gap G2, which is a radial gap between the body-side clamping portion 27 and the body connecting portion 23b. In this state, even when a user lifts the tab 24b to cut off the cutout area 24a along the thin-walled cutting portion 26, a radially inward force acts to pull the inner lid 24, but the lid-side clamping portion 18 can lock the upper annular portion 29a radially outward, and the body-side clamping portion 27 can lock the lower annular portion 29b radially outward. Since the clamping portions 27, 28 lock the locking portions 29 protruding on both the top and bottom sides, the outer edge portion 24c can maintain its posture even more unchanged from before the cutting operation, against the pulling force.

[0080] Further, an undercut 30 is provided in the main body joint 23b, and the outer edge 24c is fitted between the folded-back portion 23f and the undercut 30 in the up-down direction. The undercut 30 is provided around the entire circumference of the main body joint 23b, protruding from the main body joint 23b toward the inside in the radial direction of the container main body 23. Therefore, the inner lid 24 is locked upward by the undercut 30 and will not slip out downward from the lid unit 23. Since the inner diameter of the undercut 30 is slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the inner lid 24, the inner lid 24 can be fitted into the lid unit 23 in a detachable manner by slight elastic deformation.

[0081] The other configurations are common to the first embodiment.

[0082] With the above-mentioned configuration, the outer edge portion 24c can be kept sandwiched between the clamping portions 27, 28, and the sealability between the outer edge portion 24c and the clamping portions 27, 28 can be maintained. Thus, the risk of a part of the contents N being evaporated is reduced.

[0083] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above as examples, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0084] For example, the wide-mouth containers 11, 21 may have a shape other than a substantially cylindrical shape, and may have a shape such as a prism, a pyramid, or a frustum, so long as the content N can be easily filled therein and the user can easily remove the content N from the container.

[0085] In addition, the lid members 13a, 23a may be joined to the main body connecting parts 13b, 23b by means other than a hinge, and as long as the lid members 13a, 23a can be opened and closed without difficulty and the wide-mouth containers 11, 21 can be reliably sealed, they may be joined by means such as a screw system or a fitting system.

[0086] Even if the undercuts 20, 30 are not provided in the main body joints 13b, 23b, as long as the inner lids 14, 24 do not slip out of the lid units 13, 23, the inner lids 14, 24 may be firmly fitted into the lid units 13, 23 for example.

[0087] The locked portions 19, 29 of the outer edge portions 14c, 24c may be configured to protrude only downward, so long as the main body side clamping portions 17, 27 can reliably lock the locked portions 19, 29 radially outward.

[0088] The engaged portions 19, 29 do not necessarily need to protrude radially outward from the main body side clamping portions 17, 27 or the lid side clamping portions 18, 28 around the entire circumference of the inner lids 14, 24; as long as they are securely engaged radially outward, it is sufficient for only a portion of the circumference of the inner lids 14, 24 to protrude.

[0089] The lid assembly preparation step S1130 does not necessarily have to be performed before the filling step S1200, and may be performed simultaneously with or after the filling step S1200 as long as it can prevent the filled contents N from drying out, deteriorating, or becoming contaminated with foreign matter before the assembly step S1300. [Industrial Applicability]

[0090] INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention can be used for a wide-mouth container for filling with contents such as cream-like cosmetics, medicines, etc., and for a filling method for filling such contents into a wide-mouth container. [Explanation of symbols]

[0091] 11,21 Wide-mouth container 12,22 Container body 13,23 Lid unit 13a, 23a Lid member 13b,23b Main body joint part 14,24 Inner lid 14a,24a Excision area 14b,24b tab 14c,24c Outer edge 15 Containment Space 16,26 Thin section for cutting 17,27 Main body side clamping part 17b Inner wall of main body side clamping part 18,28 Lid side clamping part 18b Inner wall of lid side clamping part 19,29 Locked part 20,30 Undercut 100 Lid assembly

Claims

1. A container body capable of accommodating contents in an accommodating space; a lid unit which is combined with the container body and has a lid member which closes an opening at the top of the storage space in an openable and closable manner; a substantially flat inner lid formed of an elastic material, the outer edge of which is sandwiched in the vertical direction between a lid-side clamping portion lower surface, which is the lower surface of the lid-side clamping portion provided on the lid unit so as to protrude downward, and a body-side clamping portion upper surface, which is the upper surface of the body-side clamping portion provided on the container body so as to protrude upward; The lower surface of the lid-side clamping portion and the upper surface of the main body-side clamping portion are provided to face each other in the up-down direction, The inner lid is provided with a thin-walled cut-off portion for cutting off the inside of the outer edge portion, The lid unit is screwed to the container body. A wide-mouth container characterized by:

2. The outer edge portion has a latched portion whose periphery is partly or entirely protruding outward from the lid body side clamping portion toward the center of the inner lid, The engaged portion protrudes upward and is engaged outwardly by the lid body side clamping portion.

2. The wide-mouth container according to claim 1.

3. The outer edge portion has a latched portion whose periphery is partly or entirely protruding outward from the body side clamping portion with respect to the center of the inner lid, The locked portion protrudes downward and is locked outward by the main body side clamping portion.

2. The wide-mouth container according to claim 1.

4. A tab extends above the cut-out area of ​​the inner lid that is cut along the thin-walled portion for cutting.

2. The wide-mouth container according to claim 1.

5. The thin-walled portion for cutting is provided at approximately the same position as an inner wall of the lid-side clamping portion, which is a peripheral wall facing inward with respect to the center of the inner lid of the lid-side clamping portion, and an inner wall of the main body-side clamping portion, which is a peripheral wall facing inward with respect to the center of the main body-side clamping portion, which is an inner wall disposed closer to the center, when viewed in the vertical direction.

2. The wide-mouth container according to claim 1.

6. The elastic material has a type D durometer hardness in the range of 40 or more and less than 50 as defined in JIS K7215.

6. A wide-mouth container according to claim 1, wherein the wide-mouth container is a container having a container body.

7. The elastic material is low density polyethylene.

2. The wide-mouth container according to claim 1.

8. The cover member is joined to the other part of the cover unit by a hinge.

8. A wide-mouth container according to claim 1, wherein the wide-mouth container is a container having a container body.

9. A container body preparation process for preparing a content and a container body capable of accommodating the content in an accommodating space; a lid assembly preparation process for preparing a lid assembly in which a lid unit has a lid member that can be screwed onto the container body and is configured to close an opening located above the storage space when combined with the container body in an openable and closable manner, and an inner lid that is made of an elastic material and has a thin-walled portion for cutting off the inside of an outer edge portion, are combined such that the outer edge portion and a lower surface of a lid side clamping portion that is a lower surface of a lid side clamping portion that is provided to protrude downward from the lid unit face each other in the vertical direction; a filling step of filling the storage space with the content; and an assembly process of clamping the outer edge between the lower surface of the lid-side clamping portion and an upper surface of the body-side clamping portion, which is an upper surface of the body-side clamping portion provided to protrude upward from the container body, and screwing the lid body assembly to the container body to vertically assemble the container body, the inner lid, and the lid body unit. A method for filling a wide-mouth container, comprising:

Images