Plug cap

Abstract

To provide a stopper pulling-out cap easily achieving a superior barrier property.SOLUTION: A stopper pulling-out cap 1 comprises: an attachment part 9 attached to a mouth part 15a of a container 2 by engaging with an outer peripheral surface of the mouth part 15a; a cylindrical peripheral wall 10 which continues to the attachment part 9 and is in contact with an inner peripheral surface of the mouth part 15a; a bottom wall 11 which has a stopper pulling-out part 11c capable of being removed by breaking a thin-walled weakened part 11a and closes a lower end of the peripheral wall 10; a seal piece 12 protruding outward in a radial direction from an outer peripheral edge of a lower surface of the bottom wall 11 over the whole circumference; and a vapor deposition film covering lower surfaces of the bottom wall 11 and the seal piece 12.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a plug removal cap.

Background Art

[0002] A plug removal cap attached to the mouth of a container is known (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] It is desirable that the plug removal cap has a barrier property capable of suppressing the permeation of oxygen or the like from the outside.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a plug removal cap that can easily achieve good barrier properties.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The plug removal cap of the present invention has a mounting portion that is mounted on the mouth portion by engaging with the outer peripheral surface of the mouth portion of the container, a cylindrical peripheral wall that is continuous with the mounting portion and contacts the inner peripheral surface of the mouth portion, a plug portion that can be removed by breaking a thin-wall weakened portion, a bottom wall that closes the lower end of the peripheral wall, and a sealing piece that protrudes radially outward over the entire circumference from the outer peripheral edge of the lower surface of the bottom wall. Horizontally or inclined downward The plug removal cap has a vapor deposition film covering the lower surfaces of the bottom wall and the sealing piece.

[0007] In the above configuration, the unplugging cap of the present invention is preferably an unplugging cap in which the vapor deposition film has a diamond-like carbon layer.

[0008] In the above configuration, the unplugging cap of the present invention is preferably an unplugging cap in which a portion including the bottom wall and the lower surface of the seal piece is formed of a synthetic resin material mainly composed of polyolefin, and the diamond-like carbon layer is provided on the lower surfaces of the bottom wall and the seal piece via an adhesive layer.

[0009] In the above configuration, the unplugging cap of the present invention is preferably an unplugging cap in which the thin-wall weakened portion is formed flush with the lower surface of the bottom wall by providing a groove on the upper surface of the bottom wall.

[0010] The discharge container of the present invention preferably has the unplugging cap and the container, and the container has a vapor deposition film on the inner surface.

Advantages of the Invention

[0011] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an unplugging cap that easily realizes good barrier properties.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0012]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0013] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be exemplarily described with reference to the drawings.

[0014] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 2, in one embodiment of the present invention, the unplugging cap 1 and the container 2 constitute a discharging container 3. The unplugging cap 1 has a main body portion 4 and a cap vapor deposition film 5. The main body portion 4 has a cap main body 6, a hinge portion 7, and a lid body 8. The cap main body 6 has a mounting portion 9, a peripheral wall 10, a bottom wall 11, a seal piece 12, a pull ring 13, and a discharging cylinder 14. The mounting portion 9 has a mounting cylinder 9a, a connecting wall 9b, and a fitting cylinder 9c. The mounting cylinder 9a has a locked portion 9d. The peripheral wall 10 has a contact cylinder portion 10a and a reduced cylinder portion 10b. The bottom wall 11 has a thin-walled weakening portion 11a, a groove 11b, and an unplugging portion 11c. The pull ring 13 has a column portion 13a and a ring portion 13b. The lid body 8 has an outer peripheral wall 8a, a top wall 8b, and a seal cylinder 8c. The container 2 has a container main body 15 and a container vapor deposition film 16. The container main body 15 has a mouth portion 15a, a body portion 15b, and a bottom portion 15c. The mouth portion 15a has a locking portion 15d and a neck ring 15e. The body portion 15b has a shoulder portion 15f and a body main body portion 15g.

[0015] For the sake of convenience of explanation, in the state where the lid body 8 is closed (closed lid state), the direction along the central axis O is also referred to as the vertical direction, the direction from the bottom portion 15c toward the mouth portion 15a along the central axis O is also referred to as the upward direction, the opposite direction is also referred to as the downward direction, the direction along a straight line orthogonal to the central axis O is also referred to as the radial direction, the direction around the central axis O is also referred to as the circumferential direction, and a cross section including the central axis O is also referred to as a longitudinal section.

[0016] The container main body 15 has a cylindrical mouth portion 15a centered on the central axis O, a body portion 15b connected to the lower end of the mouth portion 15a, and a bottom portion 15c connected to the lower end of the body portion 15b and having a grounding portion 15h. Note that the mouth portion 15a may have a shape other than a cylindrical shape, such as an elliptical cylindrical shape or a polygonal cylindrical shape. The body portion 15b has a shoulder portion 15f whose radial width expands downward from the lower end of the mouth portion 15a, and a body main body portion 15g connected to the lower end of the shoulder portion 15f. Note that the body portion 15b is not limited to the configuration having the shoulder portion 15f, and the shape of the body portion 15b can be set as appropriate.

[0017] The container body 15 is formed of a synthetic resin material mainly composed of polyester. The polyester is not particularly limited and is, for example, polyethylene terephthalate. That is, a component exceeding 50% by weight of the synthetic resin material forming the container body 15 is polyester. Note that the container body 15 may contain components other than the above synthetic resin material.

[0018] The container 2 has a container vapor deposition film 16 made of a vapor deposition film on its inner surface. The container vapor deposition film 16 covers the inner surface of the container body 15 except for the upper end side portion of the mouth portion 15a. Note that the container vapor deposition film 16 may be configured to cover the inner surface of the container body 15 up to the upper end side portion of the mouth portion 15a. The container vapor deposition film 16 has a diamond-like carbon layer. Hereinafter, diamond-like carbon is also referred to as DLC. The DLC layer has a barrier property for suppressing the permeability of gases such as oxygen. The container vapor deposition film 16 may be configured to have a desired functional layer in addition to the DLC layer. Note that the container vapor deposition film 16 may be configured to have a barrier layer other than the DLC layer having a barrier property such as oxygen barrier property instead of the DLC layer.

[0019] The DLC layer is an amorphous hard film made of a hydrocarbon or an allotrope of carbon and can be formed, for example, by a vapor deposition method. As the vapor deposition method of the container vapor deposition film 16 such as the DLC layer, for example, chemical vapor deposition (CVD), physical vapor deposition (PVD), etc. can be used. Examples of chemical vapor deposition include plasma CVD, thermal CVD, etc. Examples of the power source used in plasma CVD include high frequency, microwave, etc.

[0020] The DLC layer can be formed, for example, by plasma CVD using acetylene (C2H2) etc. as a source gas. In that case, it is preferable to use high frequency as the power source.

[0021] The outer peripheral surface of the mouth part 15a has a locking part 15d that locks the mounting cylinder 9a so as to restrict the upward movement of the mounting cylinder 9a with respect to the mouth part 15a, and a neck ring 15e that protrudes radially outward below the locking part 15d. The locking part 15d is formed of an annular stepped part that locks a locked part 9d formed of an annular stepped part provided on the inner peripheral surface of the mounting cylinder 9a. Note that the locking part 15d is not limited to an annular stepped part, and may be configured as a screwing part such as a male screw part that screws into a screwed part such as a female screw part provided on the inner peripheral surface of the mounting cylinder 9a, for example. Also, the mouth part 15a is not limited to a configuration having a neck ring 15e.

[0022] The mounting part 9 of the cap body 6 is mounted on the mouth part 15a by the connection wall 9b facing the upper end surface of the mouth part 15a and the mounting cylinder 9a engaging with the locking part 15d of the mouth part 15a. The connection wall 9b integrally connects the upper end part of the mounting cylinder 9a and the upper end part of the peripheral wall 10. The fitting cylinder 9c protrudes upward from the connection wall 9b and has a cylindrical shape centered on the central axis O.

[0023] The peripheral wall 10 has a cylindrical shape centered on the central axis O. The peripheral wall 10 also has a contact cylinder part 10a that contacts the inner peripheral surface of the mouth part 15a, and a reduced diameter cylinder part 10b that continues to the lower end of the contact cylinder part 10a and has a reduced outer diameter downward. The bottom wall 11 closes the lower end of the peripheral wall 10 (reduced diameter cylinder part 10b). The bottom wall 11 also has an annular thin-walled weakened part 11a formed flush with the lower surface of the bottom wall 11 by providing an annular groove 11b on the upper surface of the bottom wall 11, and a plug removal part 11c partitioned by the groove 11b and the thin-walled weakened part 11a. The column part 13a of the pull ring 13 extends upward from the plug removal part 11c, and a ring part 13b is integrally connected to the upper end part of the column part 13a. The discharge cylinder 14 protrudes upward from the peripheral wall 10 and has a cylindrical shape centered on the central axis O, and has a shape that can be curled radially outward at the tip. Note that the shape, arrangement, etc. of the discharge cylinder 14 can be set as appropriate.

[0024] The seal piece 12 projects downward, inclined radially outward over the entire circumference from the outer peripheral edge of the lower surface of the bottom wall 11. Instead of such a configuration, the seal piece 12 may be configured to project horizontally radially outward over the entire circumference from the outer peripheral edge of the lower surface of the bottom wall 11, or may be inclined upward. It is preferable that the lower surface of the seal piece 12 is smoothly continuous with the lower surface of the bottom wall 11 without a step. The outer peripheral edge (tip) of the annular seal piece 12 is pressed against the inner peripheral surface of the mouth portion 15a over the entire circumference by setting the outer diameter so that the seal piece 12 has a clearance allowance due to elastic deformation. That is, the outer diameter of the seal piece 12 is set to be equal to the outer diameter of the contact cylinder portion 10a of the peripheral wall 10.

[0025] The lid body 8 has a cylindrical outer peripheral wall 8a centered on the central axis O, a top wall 8b connected to the upper end of the outer peripheral wall 8a, and a seal cylinder 8c extending downward from the top wall 8b. The lower end portion of the outer peripheral wall 8a is rotatably connected to the upper end portion of the mounting cylinder 9a via the hinge portion 7. In the closed lid state, the seal cylinder 8c is in close contact with the inner peripheral surface of the discharge cylinder 14, and the inner peripheral surface of the outer peripheral wall 8a is fitted into the fitting cylinder 9c. The lid body 8 can be opened by rotating the lid body 8 via the hinge portion 7 from the closed lid state. The main body portion 4 having the cap body 6, the hinge portion 7, and the lid body 8 is integrally formed by injection molding or the like. Note that the lid body 8 may be provided separately from the cap body 6. Also, a configuration without the lid body 8 may be adopted.

[0026] The plug cap 1 has a cap vapor deposition film 5 made of a vapor deposition film on the lower surfaces of the bottom wall 11 of the main body portion 4 and the seal piece 12. The cap vapor deposition film 5 covers the lower surfaces of the bottom wall 11 and the seal piece 12. The cap vapor deposition film 5 has a DLC layer. The cap vapor deposition film 5 may be configured to have a desired functional layer in addition to the DLC layer. Note that the cap vapor deposition film 5 may be configured to have a barrier layer other than the DLC layer having barrier properties such as oxygen barrier properties instead of the DLC layer. The vapor deposition method of the cap vapor deposition film 5 can adopt the vapor deposition method described above for the container vapor deposition film 16.

[0027] Generally, it is difficult to form a vapor deposition film in a concave portion such as the gap between the inner surface of the mounting cylinder 9a and the outer surface of the peripheral wall 10. By providing the seal piece 12 so as to project radially outward from the outer peripheral edge of the lower surface of the bottom wall 11 as in the present embodiment, the concave portion formed at the outer peripheral edge of the lower surface of the bottom wall 11 is substantially eliminated, and the vapor deposition film can be easily formed up to the portion in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the mouth portion 15a. Further, from the viewpoint of enhancing such an effect, the seal piece 12 is preferably provided so as to project downward (or horizontally) while inclining radially outward from the outer peripheral edge of the lower surface of the bottom wall 11. Further, by forming the thin-wall weakened portion 11a flush with the lower surface of the bottom wall 11 as in the present embodiment, the vapor deposition film can be easily formed also on the lower surface of the thin-wall weakened portion 11a.

[0028] At least a portion including the lower surfaces of the bottom wall 11 and the seal piece 12 of the main body portion 4 is formed of a synthetic resin material mainly composed of polyolefin. That is, a component exceeding 50% by weight of the synthetic resin material forming the above portion is polyolefin. The polyolefin is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include polypropylene, polyethylene, and blend resins thereof. The above portion may contain a fiber material. The fiber material is not particularly limited, but for example, plant fiber (such as cellulose) can be adopted in consideration of environmental compatibility.

[0029] When the lower surfaces of the bottom wall 11 and the seal piece 12 are formed of a synthetic resin material mainly composed of polyolefin, it is difficult to laminate a DLC layer directly on the lower surface so as to exhibit good barrier properties. However, good barrier properties can be easily exhibited by laminating a DLC layer via an adhesive layer such as a rosin layer or an epoxy resin layer.

[0030] The rosin for forming the rosin layer is a residue remaining after collecting balsams such as pine resin and distilling turpentine essential oil, and is a natural resin mainly composed of rosin acid (such as abietic acid, palustric acid, isopimaric acid).

[0031] The epoxy resin for forming the epoxy resin layer is not particularly limited. For example, a two-component mixed epoxy resin that cures by mixing a main material and a curing agent, a UV-curable epoxy resin, and a thermosetting epoxy resin are preferred.

[0032] The method of laminating a rosin layer or an epoxy resin layer on the lower surfaces of the bottom wall 11 and the seal piece 12 is not particularly limited, and for example, it is coating. The coating method is not particularly limited, and various methods such as dip coating, spray coating, spin coating, and brush coating can be used. When performing wet coating of rosin, for example, a rosin solution obtained by dissolving rosin in a solvent such as alcohol can be applied.

[0033] A desired content (not shown) such as a liquid is accommodated in the internal space 17 of the discharge container 3. The user can apply a shearing force to the thin-wall weakened portion 11a through the column portion 13a and the plug removal portion 11c by hanging a finger on the ring portion 13b of the pull ring 13 and pulling it up, break the thin-wall weakened portion 11a, and remove the plug removal portion 11c and the cap vapor deposition film 5 fixed to its lower surface together with the pull ring 13. After opening the discharge container 3 by the removal, the user can discharge the content through the discharge cylinder 14 as needed.

[0034] According to the present embodiment, by closely contacting the seal piece 12 with the inner peripheral surface of the mouth portion 15a in a state where the plug cap 1 is attached to the mouth portion 15a, the cap vapor deposition film 5 can be provided over the entire opening of the mouth portion 15a, so that good barrier properties can be easily realized. In particular, according to the present embodiment, even when it is difficult to provide the container vapor deposition film 16 up to the upper end of the mouth portion 15a, the container vapor deposition film 16 exists on the inner surface of the container 2 at least up to the portion in contact with the seal piece 12, and the container vapor deposition film 16 is provided so that the cap vapor deposition film 5 and the container vapor deposition film 16 are continuous, thereby realizing good barrier properties between the external space 18 and the internal space 17 of the discharge container 3, and as a result, the quality of the content can be maintained well.

[0035] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the gist thereof.

[0036] Therefore, as long as the plug cap 1 of the above-described embodiment has a mounting portion 9 that is mounted on the mouth portion 15a by engaging with the outer peripheral surface of the mouth portion 15a of the container 2, a cylindrical peripheral wall 10 that is continuous with the mounting portion 9 and contacts the inner peripheral surface of the mouth portion 15a, a plug portion 11c that can be removed by breaking the thin-wall weakened portion 11a, a bottom wall 11 that closes the lower end of the peripheral wall 10, a seal piece 12 that projects radially outward over the entire circumference from the outer peripheral edge of the lower surface of the bottom wall 11, and a vapor deposition film that covers the lower surfaces of the bottom wall 11 and the seal piece 12, it can be changed.

[0037] Also, as long as the discharge container 3 of the above-described embodiment has the plug cap 1 and the container 2, it can be changed.

[0038] For example, the portion including the lower surfaces of the bottom wall 11 and the seal piece 12 is not limited to being formed of a synthetic resin material mainly composed of polyolefin. The thin-wall weakened portion 11a is not limited to being formed flush with the lower surface of the bottom wall 11 by providing a groove 11b on the upper surface of the bottom wall 11. The container 2 is not limited to having a container vapor deposition film 16 on its inner surface.

[0039] In addition, in the above configuration, the plug cap 1 of the above-described embodiment preferably has a vapor deposition film having a diamond-like carbon layer.

[0040] In the above configuration, the plug cap 1 of the above-described embodiment preferably has a portion including the lower surfaces of the bottom wall 11 and the seal piece 12 formed of a synthetic resin material mainly composed of polyolefin, and the diamond-like carbon layer is provided on the lower surfaces of the bottom wall 11 and the seal piece 12 via an adhesive layer.

[0041] In the above configuration, the plug cap 1 of the above-described embodiment preferably has the thin-wall weakened portion 11a formed flush with the lower surface of the bottom wall 11 by providing a groove 11b on the upper surface of the bottom wall 11.

[0042] In the above-described configuration, the discharge container 3 of the foregoing embodiment is preferably a discharge container 3 in which the container 2 has a vapor deposition film on its inner surface.

Explanation of Signs

[0043] 1 Unplugging cap 2 Container 3 Discharge container 4 Main body part 5 Cap vapor deposition film 6 Cap main body 7 Hinge part 8 Lid body 8a Outer peripheral wall 8b Top wall 8c Seal cylinder 9 Mounting part 9a Mounting cylinder 9b Connection wall 9c Fitting cylinder 9d Locked part 10 Peripheral wall 10a Contact cylinder part 10b Reducing cylinder part 11 Bottom wall 11a Thin-walled weakening part 11b Groove 11c Unplugging part 12 Seal piece 13 Pull ring 13a Column part 13b Ring part 14 Discharge cylinder 15 Container body 15a Mouth part 15b Barrel part 15c Bottom part 15d Locking part 15e Neck ring 15f Shoulder part 15g Barrel main body part 15h Grounding part 16 Container vapor deposition film 17 Internal space 18 External space O Central axis

Claims

1. A mounting portion that is mounted on the mouth portion by engaging with the outer peripheral surface of the mouth portion of the container, A cylindrical peripheral wall that is continuous with the mounting portion and contacts the inner peripheral surface of the mouth portion, A bottom wall having a plug portion that can be removed by breaking a thin weakened portion and closing the lower end of the peripheral wall, A seal piece that projects horizontally or downward and obliquely outward in the radial direction over the entire circumference from the outer peripheral edge of the lower surface of the bottom wall, A vapor deposition film that covers the lower surfaces of the bottom wall and the seal piece, and a plug cap.

2. The plug cap according to claim 1, wherein the vapor deposition film has a diamond-like carbon layer.

3. A portion including the lower surfaces of the bottom wall and the seal piece is formed of a synthetic resin material mainly composed of polyolefin, The plug cap according to claim 2, wherein the diamond-like carbon layer is provided on the lower surfaces of the bottom wall and the seal piece via an adhesive layer.

4. The plug cap according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the thin weakened portion is formed flush with the lower surface of the bottom wall by providing a groove on the upper surface of the bottom wall.

5. A discharge container having the plug cap according to any one of claims 1 to 4 and the container, wherein the container has a vapor deposition film on the inner surface.

Images