Beverage containers

Abstract

To improve the operability of the nozzle [Solution] The container comprises a container body having an opening and a storage section for storing the beverage, a lid body (21) that covers the opening, and a lid section (2) that has an air hole provided in the lid body (21) that communicates with the flow path through which the beverage passes and the storage section to promote the flow of the beverage, and a nozzle (22) that can take a first position that blocks the flow path and the air hole and a second position that communicates with the flow path and opens the air hole when rotated, wherein the portion (27b) that forms the air hole is elastic, and the nozzle (22) has a protrusion (22b) with a diameter larger than the diameter of the air hole, and in the first position the protrusion (22b) is positioned within the air hole with the protrusion (22b) biased against the side of the air hole.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a beverage container. [Background technology]

[0002] Beverage containers with straw lid caps are known. For example, a straw lid valve assembly is known that includes: a cap configured to be connected to a beverage container, the cap having a valve-accommodating passage; a spout pivotally connected to the cap and pivotable about a pivot axis between a drinking position and a closed position, the spout having an inner passage that is in fluid communication with the beverage container when in the drinking position and is closed off from the beverage container when in the closed position; and a valve member that can be accommodated in the cap, the valve member having a beverage passage and an air passage, both of which are in fluid communication with the beverage container when the cap is connected to the beverage container and the valve member is accommodated in the cap at an operative position, the valve member being accommodated in the valve-accommodating passage such that an uppermost surface of the valve member is exposed to the surroundings when the spout is in the drinking position and the valve member is accommodated in the cap at an operative position. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Special Publication No. 2022-547867 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The air passage in Patent Document 1 is closed by a bump when the spout is in the closed position. However, the bump merely covers the air passage, and if the spout moves, the bump may float, causing air to leak. Furthermore, if the force required to rotate the spout is increased to prevent the bump from floating when the spout moves, and the spout itself is forced to maintain the bump in a fixed position, this results in a problem of reduced operability of the spout. In one aspect, the present invention aims to improve the operability of a nozzle. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] To achieve the above object, the disclosed beverage container includes a container body having an opening and a reservoir for storing a beverage, a lid body for covering the opening, and a lid portion having an air hole provided in the lid body and communicating with the reservoir and a flow path through which the beverage passes to promote the flow of the beverage, and a nozzle that can be rotated to take a first position that closes the flow path and the air hole and a second position that communicates with the flow path and opens the air hole, the air hole being elastic, and the nozzle having a protrusion with a diameter larger than that of the air hole, and in the first position the protrusion is positioned within the air hole while being biased against the side of the air hole. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] In one embodiment, the nozzle is easier to operate. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing a beverage container according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] 1 is a perspective view showing a beverage container according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] 1 is a plan view of a beverage container according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a side cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 3. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a side cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a side cross-sectional view taken along line CC in FIG. 3. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the lid portion of the embodiment. [Figure 8] 4 is a side cross-sectional view taken along line AA of FIG. 3 in a second position. [Figure 9] 5A and 5B are diagrams illustrating the shapes of a protrusion and a packing according to an embodiment. [Figure 10] 5A and 5B are diagrams illustrating the shapes of a protrusion and a packing according to an embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] Beverage containers according to embodiments will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

[0009] In order to facilitate understanding of the invention, the position, size, shape, range, etc. of each component shown in the following drawings may not represent the actual position, size, shape, range, etc. Therefore, the present invention is not necessarily limited to the position, size, shape, range, etc. disclosed in the drawings, etc. In the embodiments, elements expressed in the singular include the plural unless otherwise clearly indicated in the context. <Embodiment>

[0010] Figures 1 and 2 are perspective views showing a beverage container according to an embodiment. Figure 3 is a plan view of the beverage container according to an embodiment. Figure 4 is a side cross-sectional view taken along line AA in Figure 3. Figure 5 is a side cross-sectional view taken along line BB in Figure 3. Figure 6 is a side cross-sectional view taken along line CC in Figure 3. The beverage container 10 of the embodiment has a container body 1 , a lid 2 , and a handle 3 .

[0011] As shown in Figure 4, the container body 1 is, for example, a cylindrical, vacuum-double-walled structure with a bottom, and includes a storage section 11 for storing a beverage (not shown) and an opening 12 through which the beverage flows out of the storage section 11. A threaded portion 13 that threads onto the lid section 2 is provided on the inner side of the opening 12, slightly below the plane of the drawing. The container body 1 may be made of, for example, stainless steel.

[0012] The lid 2 has a lid body 21 and a nozzle 22. A handle 3 is attached to the lid 2. The handle 3 may be made of stainless steel, for example. The gripping portion of the handle 3 is made of resin. The lid body 21 covers the opening 12. The material of the lid body 21 is not particularly limited, but may be, for example, a resin such as polypropylene.

[0013] 6, a threaded portion 23 that threadably engages with the threaded portion 13 is provided on the lower side of the lid body 21. A packing 24 is disposed on the lid body 21 at a portion where the threaded portion 23 abuts against the opening 12 above the threaded portion 23.

[0014] As shown in Fig. 5, holes 25 are provided on both sides of the lid body 21. The ends of the handle 3 are fixed to the sides of the lid body 21 with screws 31 so that the handle 3 can rotate. Annular silicon storage portions (recesses) 25a are provided around the ends of the holes 25, surrounding the holes 25. Silicon 32 is disposed in the silicon storage portions 25a. The silicon 32 increases friction when the handle 3 is rotated.

[0015] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the nozzle 22 can take a first position (see Figure 1) in which it blocks a flow path (described later) through which the beverage in the container body 1 passes and an air hole (described later) that communicates with the storage section 11 and promotes the flow of the beverage, and a second position (see Figure 2) in which it rotates to communicate with the flow path and open the air hole. As shown in FIG. 2, the lid body 21 is provided with a storage portion 21a for storing a part of the nozzle 22.

[0016] As shown in Figure 4, nozzle 22 is cylindrical with both ends open. The base end of nozzle 22 forms a spherical body 22a. A drinking spout 26 is attached to the tip end of nozzle 22. The drinking spout 26 can be made of, for example, silicone. Drinking spout 26 can be detached from nozzle 22. Note that drinking spout 26 and nozzle 22 may be integrated. As shown in FIG. 4, a first opening 211a and a second opening 211b are provided at the bottom of the storage section 21a.

[0017] The first opening 211a is provided for a flow path through which the beverage passes, and the second opening 211b is provided for an air vent that communicates with the reservoir 11 and promotes the flow of the beverage.

[0018] An elastic packing 27 is disposed on the bottom surface of the storage section 21a. This packing 27 is not detachable from the storage section 21a, and covers the surfaces, inner surfaces and bottom surfaces of the first opening 211a and the second opening 211b, thereby preventing the intrusion of beverages into the inner surfaces of the first opening 211a and the second opening 211b. FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the cover of the embodiment.

[0019] 7 has a hollow portion 27a that is inserted into the first opening 211a and forms a flow path through which the beverage passes, and a hollow portion 27b that is arranged in the second opening 211b and forms an air hole. In this embodiment, one packing 27 has portions 27a and 27b, but this is not limiting, and the packing inserted into the first opening 211a and the packing arranged in the second opening 211b may be separate.

[0020] Furthermore, the nozzle 22 side of the portion 27a is provided with a contact portion 27c that contacts the spherical body 22a of the nozzle 22. The shape of the contact portion 27c is an arc that follows the spherical shape of the spherical body 22a.

[0021] Furthermore, a protrusion (water stop portion) 22b is disposed at a portion corresponding to the second opening 211b of the nozzle 22. When the protrusion 22b is inserted into the portion 27b from the upper end portion 271b thereof, the protrusion 22b engages with the portion 27b, thereby preventing the beverage in the reservoir 11 from flowing out of the portion 27b. The nozzle 22 is also provided with a grip 22c that the user can grip or place their fingers on when rotating. Returning to FIG. 4, the explanation will be given again. An end of the straw 4 is inserted into the first opening 211a. The upper end of the straw 4 is supported by a portion 27a disposed within the first opening 211a.

[0022] 6 and 7, shafts 22d, 22d are disposed on both sides of spherical body 22a on the base end side of nozzle 22, and nozzle 22 is supported by shafts 22d, 22d on the sides of storage section 21a. Nozzle 22 is rotatable around shafts 22d, 22d as the center of rotation. When nozzle 22 rotates, spherical body 22a slides against abutment section 27c.

[0023] 1 and 2, nozzle 22 can be in a first position where it blocks the flow path (first opening 211a) and the air hole (second opening 211b), or in a second position where it communicates with the flow path (first opening 211a) and opens the air hole (second opening 211b) by rotating. In reality, nozzle 22 abuts against packing 27, so it blocks and opens the flow path in portion 27a and the air hole in portion 27b. FIG. 8 is a side cross-sectional view taken along line AA of FIG. 3 in the second position.

[0024] In the second position, when the user places their mouth on the drinking spout 26 and sucks, the beverage in the storage section 11 passes through the straw 4, the part 27a (first opening 211a), the flow path in the nozzle 22, and the flow path in the drinking spout 26 in that order, and reaches the user's mouth. 9 and 10 are diagrams illustrating the shapes of the protrusions and packings according to the embodiment. The diameter H1 of the upper end 271b (the end that engages with the protrusion 22b) of the portion 27b of the packing 27 on the housing portion 21a side is formed smaller than the diameter H2 of the side portion 272b.

[0025] The tip 221b of the protrusion 22b is spherical. The diameter H3 of the tip 221b is larger than the diameter H4 of the base end 222b. The diameter H3 of the tip 221b of the protrusion 22b is larger than the diameter H1 of the upper end 271b of the portion 27b and slightly larger than the diameter H2 of the side portion 272b.

[0026] With this configuration, when the nozzle 22 is rotated from the second position to the first position and the protrusion 22b is inserted into the portion 27b, the tip portion 221b first abuts the upper end portion 271b. Due to the elasticity of the upper end portion 271b, the diameter of the upper end portion 271b expands to approximately the same as the diameter H3. As a result, the tip portion 221b slides past the upper end portion 271b, and the tip portion 221b is positioned at the side portion 272b, and the base end portion 222b is positioned at the upper end portion 271b. As a result, the protrusion 22b is supported by the portion 27b with the tip portion 221b biased against the side portion 272b. This structure ensures that the protrusion 22b reliably closes the air hole in the portion 27b. Furthermore, when the nozzle 22 is rotated from the second position to the first position, the user can confirm that the nozzle 22 is positioned at the first position. Specifically, when tip portion 221b passes upper end portion 271b, the user feels a load through nozzle 22, and when tip portion 221b passes upper end portion 271b and is positioned at side portion 272b, the user feels a reduction in the load through nozzle 22. Furthermore, the load and reduction in the load felt by the user are comfortable, and may help users make product selections if beverage container 10 of the embodiment is commercially available.

[0027] In this embodiment, the shape of tip portion 221b is spherical, but it is not limited to this, and tip portion 221b may have a prismatic, cylindrical, or triangular prism shape. However, in consideration of ease of attachment and detachment to portion 27b of protrusion 22b, it is preferable that tip portion 221b has a spherical shape.

[0028] Furthermore, the base end of nozzle 22 is formed as spherical body 22a. When nozzle 22 rotates, spherical body 22a slides against contact portion 27c, and the force that presses against contact portion 27c in the vertical direction is reduced by dispersing the force in the normal direction of the sphere. Therefore, nozzle 22 can be moved more easily than, for example, when the base end of nozzle 22 is cylindrical.

[0029] As described above, the beverage container 10 of this embodiment includes a container body 1 including an opening 12 and a reservoir 11 for storing a beverage; a lid body 21 that covers the opening 12; a lid part 2 that includes a flow path through the lid body 21, an air hole that communicates with the reservoir 11 and promotes the flow of the beverage, and a nozzle 22 that can be rotated to a first position that closes the flow path and the air hole and a second position that communicates with the flow path and opens the air hole. The portion 27b that forms the air hole is elastic, and the nozzle 22 has a protrusion 22b with a diameter larger than the diameter of the air hole. In the first position, the protrusion 22b is positioned within the air hole while being biased against the side of the air hole. This structure ensures that the protrusion 22b reliably closes the air hole at the portion 27b. Therefore, the force required to rotate the nozzle 22 (e.g., the force used to tighten the shafts 22d, 22d by the sides of the storage part 21a) does not need to be strong, improving the operability of the nozzle 22.

[0030] Furthermore, the base end of nozzle 22 forms spherical body 22a, and abutment portion 27c at the end of the flow path is disposed at a position corresponding to spherical body 22a of nozzle 22, and the shape of abutment portion 27c at the end of the flow path forms an arc that follows the spherical shape of spherical body 22a. This allows nozzle 22 to be moved more easily than when the base end of nozzle 22 is cylindrical, as described above.

[0031] Furthermore, diameter H1 of upper end 271b of portion 27b is smaller than diameter H3 of tip 221b of protrusion 22b. This ensures that protrusion 22b closes the air hole of portion 27b when in the first position. Furthermore, when rotating nozzle 22 from the second position to the first position, the user can confirm that nozzle 22 is positioned at the first position. Furthermore, tip 221b of protrusion 22b, which is disposed within the air hole, is spherical, which makes it easy to attach to and detach from portion 27b of protrusion 22b.

[0032] While the beverage container of the present invention has been described above based on the illustrated embodiment, the present invention is not limited to this, and the configuration of each part can be replaced with any configuration having a similar function. Furthermore, any other components or steps may be added to the present invention. Furthermore, the present invention may be a combination of any two or more configurations (features) of the above-described embodiments. [Explanation of symbols]

[0033] 1 Container body 11 Storage section 12 Opening 13 Threaded part 2 Lid 21 Lid body 21a Storage area 211a First opening 211b Second opening 22 nozzles 22a Spheroid 22b Protrusion (water stop part) 221b Tip 222b Proximal end 22c Grip 22d shaft part 23 Threaded joint 24, 27 Gasket 25 Hole 25a Silicon storage section (recess) 26 Mouthpiece 27a, 27b parts 27c Contact part 271b Upper end 272b Side 3 Handle 31 screws 32 Silicon 4 straws 10 Beverage containers

Claims

1. a container body having an opening and a reservoir for storing a beverage; a lid body that covers the opening; a lid portion that is provided in the lid body and includes a flow path through which the beverage passes and an air hole that communicates with the reservoir and promotes the flow of the beverage; and a nozzle that can be rotated to take a first position that closes the flow path and the air hole and a second position that communicates with the flow path and opens the air hole, A beverage container characterized in that the air hole is elastic, the nozzle has a protrusion with a diameter larger than the diameter of the air hole, the nozzle is placed within the air hole with the protrusion biased against the side of the air hole at the first position, and the diameter of the end of the air hole that engages with the protrusion is formed smaller than the diameter of the side of the air hole.

2. The base end of the nozzle is spherical, an end of the flow path is disposed at a base end of the nozzle; 2. The beverage container according to claim 1, wherein the end of the flow passage is shaped as an arc that follows the spherical shape of the base end.

3. A beverage container as described in Claim 1, wherein the shape of the portion of the protrusion that is positioned within the air hole is spherical.

Images