Hinge cap

Abstract

To provide a hinge cap capable of improving operability at the time of unsealing, and suppressing scattering of a content.SOLUTION: A hinge cap 1 comprises: a cap body 10 which is mounted on a mouth 2a of a container body 2 storing a content and in which a spout 11 for pouring out the content is formed; a lid body 13 which is connected to the cap body 10 as to be rotatable around a hinge part 12 and covers the spout 11 openably / closably; an unplugging plate 15 which closes the spout 11 by being connected to an opening edge portion of the spout 11 via a breakable weakened part 14; and a connecting body 16 which integrally connects the lid body 13 and the unplugging plate 15. The unplugging plate 15 can be detached from the spout 11 by continuously breaking the weakened part 14 in accordance with the operation to open the lid body 13 around the hinge part 12. The unplugging plate 15 has a step part 45 where a thickness is changed on the hinge part 12 side of the connecting body 16 in a plan view.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a hinge cap. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, a hinge cap has been known as a cap that is attached to the mouth of a container body, and that includes a cap body that is attached to the mouth of the container body in which the contents are stored and that has a spout formed therein for pouring the contents out, a lid body that is rotatably connected to the cap body around a hinge and that covers the spout so that it can be opened and closed, and a plug removal part that is connected to the opening edge of the spout via a weakened part and closes the spout. With a hinge cap configured in this manner, the spout can be opened by pulling up the pull ring provided on the extractor portion, thereby breaking the weakened portion and removing the extractor portion.

[0003] However, with conventional hinge caps, when opening by pulling up the pull ring, the uncorking portion tends to open forcefully, causing the contents to fly out and scatter around. In particular, when the contents are filled into the container body at high temperature, the container body is in a reduced pressure state at the time of product shipment, and outside air can forcefully enter the container body when the weakened portion breaks. As a result, the inflow of outside air causes the contents to become wavy, making the contents prone to scattering.

[0004] In order to prevent the contents from scattering, a hinge cap provided with a projection for preventing liquid from scattering is known, as shown in Patent Document 1 below, for example. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 4560349 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, with the conventional hinge cap, the lid body must be removed from the cap body before the pull ring can be pulled up, leaving room for improvement in terms of ease of opening.Furthermore, there are cases where the pull ring is pulled up with a large force, which can cause the contents to spill out.

[0007] The present invention was made in consideration of these circumstances, and its purpose is to provide a hinge cap that can improve operability when opening and can prevent the contents from scattering. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] (1) The hinge cap of the present invention comprises a cap body that is attached to the mouth of a container body in which the contents are stored and that has a spout formed for pouring the contents out; a lid body that is rotatably connected to the cap body around a hinge portion and that covers the spout in an openable and closable manner; a puller plate that is connected to the opening edge of the spout via a breakable weakened portion, thereby blocking the spout; and a connecting body that connects the lid body and the puller plate together, wherein the puller plate can be detached from the spout by continuously breaking the weakened portion as the lid body is opened around the hinge portion, and the puller plate has a step portion of varying thickness formed on it, in a plan view, on the hinge portion side of the connecting body.

[0009] According to the hinge cap of the present invention, the puller plate that closes the spout and the lid are integrally connected via a connector, so that by rotating the lid about the hinge, the puller plate can be rotated together with the lid. This allows an external force to be applied to the puller plate as the lid is opened, breaking the weakened portion and gradually lifting the puller plate to remove it from the spout. This allows the spout to be opened once the lid is opened. Since the spout can be opened simultaneously with the lid, operability during opening is improved.

[0010] In particular, the puller plate has a stepped portion with a varying thickness formed closer to the hinge portion than the connecting body in a plan view. This increases the resistance to breaking the weakened portion as the puller plate is pulled up, temporarily preventing the puller plate from separating from the spout. This allows the operation of opening the lid and the operation of pulling up the puller plate to be momentarily delayed or stopped, preventing a strong inflow of outside air into the container body and calming the rippling and turbulence of the liquid surface. As a result, it is possible to prevent the contents from spilling out and scattering around.

[0011] (2) The puller plate may have a slit groove formed as the step portion, the slit groove extending along the hinge portion in a plan view.

[0012] In this case, when the broken portion of the weakened portion reaches the slit groove, the thickness of the puller plate becomes locally thin, temporarily reducing the force required to pull up the puller plate. To break the weakened portion closer to the hinge than the slit groove, the force required to pull up the puller plate must be increased, temporarily preventing the puller plate from detaching from the spout. This prevents the contents from flying out and scattering around.

[0013] (3) In a plan view, the puller plate may have a thin-walled portion formed on the connecting body side of the step portion, and a thick-walled portion thicker than the thin-walled portion formed on the hinge portion side of the step portion.

[0014] In this case, when the fractured portion of the weakened portion breaks through the thin portion of the puller plate and reaches the thick portion of the puller plate, it is necessary to increase the force required to pull up the puller plate in order to break the weakened portion in the thick portion. Therefore, the puller plate is temporarily prevented from separating from the spout at the step where the thickness of the puller plate changes. This prevents the contents from flying out and scattering around. [Effects of the Invention]

[0015] The hinge cap according to the present invention can improve the operability when opening the container and can also prevent the contents from scattering. Therefore, it is very easy to use and can be particularly suitable for use with containers filled with hot contents. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a first embodiment of a hinge cap according to the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the hinge cap shown in FIG. [Figure 3] 3 is a top view of the extractor plate taken along line III-III shown in FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a second embodiment of a hinge cap according to the present invention. [Figure 5] 4 is a top view of the extractor plate taken along line IV-IV shown in FIG. 1. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] (First embodiment) A first embodiment of a hinge cap according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. 1, the hinge cap 1 of this embodiment is attached to the mouth 2a of a cylindrical container body 2 that contains the contents and includes a cylindrical cap body 10 having a spout 11 for pouring the contents, a cylindrical lid 13 with a top that is connected to the cap body 10 via a hinge portion 12 and that covers the spout 11 in an openable and closable manner, an extractor plate 15 that is connected to the opening edge of the spout 11 via a weakened portion 14 to close the spout 11, and a connector 16 that connects the lid 13 and the extractor plate 15 together. The cap body 10, the lid 13, the extractor plate 15, and the connector 16 are integrally formed.

[0018] The hinge cap 1 and the container body 2 are arranged with their respective central axes positioned on a common axis. In this embodiment, this common axis is referred to as the cap axis O1, the side of the lid body 13 along the cap axis O1 is referred to as the upper side, and the side of the container body 2 along the cap axis O1 is referred to as the lower side. In addition, in a plan view seen from the direction of the cap axis O1, the direction intersecting the cap axis O1 is referred to as the radial direction, and the direction going around the cap axis O1 is referred to as the circumferential direction. Furthermore, one of the radial directions that are perpendicular to each other is referred to as the front-rear direction L1, and the other direction is referred to as the left-right direction L2. Furthermore, in the front-rear direction L1, the side of the hinge portion 12 is referred to as the rear, and the opposite side is referred to as the front.

[0019] 1, a first engagement protrusion 3 protruding radially outward is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the mouth portion 2a of the container body 2. The first engagement protrusion 3 may be formed in an annular shape, or multiple first engagement protrusions 3 may be formed at intervals in the circumferential direction. However, the present invention is not limited to the case where the first engaging projections 3 are formed, and for example, instead of the first engaging projections 3, a male screw portion may be formed on the outer peripheral surface of the mouth portion 2a of the container body 2.

[0020] The contents contained in the container body 2 are not particularly limited, but suitable contents include, for example, liquid foods, liquid seasonings, and other fluid contents. Furthermore, it is also possible to use powdered contents such as salt, powdered food seasonings, and flour, as well as granular contents such as fertilizers and herbicides.

[0021] The cap body 10 comprises a cylindrical inner plug 20 with a top that closes the inside of the mouth 2a of the container body 2, a sealing tube 21 that fits into the inside of the mouth 2a, and an attachment tube 22 that surrounds the mouth 2a from the radial outside.

[0022] The inner plug 20 is formed in a cylindrical shape with a top, and is made up of a disk-shaped top wall portion 20a in which the spout 11 is formed, and a peripheral wall portion 20b that is connected to the outer peripheral edge of the top wall portion 20a around the entire circumference and extends downward from the outer peripheral edge. In the illustrated example, the inside plug 20 is disposed above the mouth 2a of the container body 2. However, the position of the inside plug 20 relative to the mouth 2a of the container body 2 is not limited to this case, and the inside plug 20 may be disposed so as to be located inside the mouth 2a of the container body 2, for example.

[0023] An annular flange 23 is formed at the lower end of the peripheral wall 20b, extending radially outward and positioned on the upper opening edge of the mouth 2a of the container body 2. The upper ends of the sealing tube 21 and the mounting tube 22 are integrally formed with this flange 23. As a result, the sealing tube 21 and the mounting tube 22 are integrally connected to the inside plug 20 via the flange 23.

[0024] An annular support cylinder 24 is formed on the flange portion 23, protruding upward and supporting the lid body 13 from below. Furthermore, an annular groove 22a that opens upward is formed on the upper end of the mounting cylinder 22. However, this annular groove 22a is not essential and may not be provided. Furthermore, although not shown, a structure may be provided that allows the hinge cap 1 to be separated from the mouth 2a of the container body 2. In this case, for example, a vertically weakened portion is provided in the hinge cap 1 near the hinge portion 12 of the mounting tube 22, and a circumferentially weakened portion is formed from the vertically weakened portion (starting point) along the bottom surface of the annular groove 22a for approximately 270° (end point). Note that the annular groove 22a is not provided at the end point of the circumferentially weakened portion, and an unbreakable thick portion is formed. When separating such a structure, the weakened portion is broken from the vertically weakened portion (starting point) to the circumferentially weakened portion (end point), and the lid body 13 is pulled up, whereby the cap body 10 can be removed from the mouth 2a of the container body 2 via the unbreakable thick portion, and the entire hinge cap 1 can be removed.

[0025] The sealing tube 21 and the attachment tube 22 are fitted and fixed to the mouth portion 2a by, for example, plugging the mouth portion 2a into an attachment groove 25 formed between the sealing tube 21 and the attachment tube 22. At this time, the sealing tube 21 and the attachment tube 22 sandwich the mouth portion 2a from the inside and outside, and are attached to the mouth portion 2a with a strong fitting force. The sealing tube 21 is fitted, for example, airtightly inside the mouth portion 2a of the container body 2, and appropriately seals the inside of the container body 2.

[0026] In the illustrated example, the mounting tube 22 is undercut-fitted to the mouth 2a of the container body 2. Specifically, a second engagement protrusion 26 that engages with a first engagement protrusion 3 formed on the outer peripheral surface of the mouth 2a protrudes radially inward from the inner peripheral surface at the lower end of the mounting tube 22, and the second engagement protrusion 26 is undercut-fitted to the first engagement protrusion 3. In addition, the second engagement protrusion 26 may be formed in an annular shape, or multiple second engagement protrusions may be formed at intervals in the circumferential direction, as long as they are capable of undercut fitting with the first engagement protrusion 3.

[0027] However, the method of attaching the attachment tube 22 to the mouth 2a of the container body 2 is not limited to undercut fitting by stoppering, etc. For example, as mentioned above, if a male thread portion is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the mouth 2a of the container body 2, the attachment tube 22 may be attached to the mouth 2a of the container body 2 by screwing by forming a female thread portion that screws into the male thread portion on the inner peripheral surface of the attachment tube 22.

[0028] An upwardly protruding dispensing tube 27 is formed on the outer peripheral edge of the top wall portion 20a of the inside plug 20. The dispensing tube 27 is in communication with the inside of the container body 2 through the dispensing outlet 11. Therefore, the contents can be discharged to the outside through the inside of the dispensing tube 27. The dispensing tube 27 is disposed coaxially with the cap axis O1, and is formed so that the inner diameter at the upper end portion thereof gradually increases toward the top. Therefore, it is possible to dispense the contents through the dispensing tube 27.

[0029] In the illustrated example, the protruding height of the dispensing tube 27 is not uniform around the entire circumference but varies along the circumferential direction. Specifically, the dispensing tube 27 is formed so that the top portion 27a, which has the highest protruding height, is located on the front side, and the low position portion 27b, which has the lowest protruding height, is located on the rear side. As a result, the dispensing cylinder 27 is formed so that the top portion 27a and the lower portion 27b face each other in the radial direction with the cap axis O1 in between. Because the pouring tube 27 is formed in this manner, the contents can be easily poured out by tilting the container body 2 forward so that the top part 27a faces downward.

[0030] The lid body 13 is formed in a cylindrical shape with a top having a peripheral wall 30 and a top wall 31, and covers the entire top wall portion 20a and the dispensing tube 27 of the cap body 10 from above, and can open and close the dispensing outlet 11 by rotating around the hinge portion 12.

[0031] The lower end side of the peripheral wall 30 is detachably fitted to the support tube 24 of the cap body 10. As a result, the lid body 13 is supported in a positioned state by the support tube 24. The hinge portion 12 integrally connects the lower end of the peripheral wall 30 of the lid body 13 and the upper end of the attachment tube 22 of the cap body 10.

[0032] The hinge portion 12 is formed in the rear portion of the peripheral wall 30 and the mounting tube 22, and is disposed so as to be at the same circumferential position as the low position portion 27b of the dispensing tube 27. This makes it possible to open the lid body 13 in the radially opposite direction from the top portion 27a of the dispensing tube 27, i.e., toward the rear side.

[0033] A flange fixing portion 32 protruding radially outward is formed in a front portion of the peripheral wall 30 of the lid 13, located on the opposite side of the cap axis O1 from the hinge portion 12. The flange fixing portion 32 has a fixing protrusion 32a protruding forward from the peripheral wall 30 and a retaining portion 32b formed at the tip of the fixing protrusion. As shown in Fig. 2, the flange fixing portions 32 are provided intermittently with gaps in the circumferential direction in a plan view.

[0034] Furthermore, a pair of flange hinge portions 36 are provided on the peripheral wall 30 of the lid body 13 at positions circumferentially sandwiching the flange fixing portion 32, and a flange portion 37 is vertically disposed via the pair of flange hinge portions 36. Fixing holes 37a are provided intermittently in the circumferential direction in the flange portion 37, into which the flange fixing portion 32 can be inserted. As shown in FIG. 1 , the flange portion 37 is engaged from below with a protrusion 38 that protrudes forward from the outer peripheral surface of the mounting tube 22 of the cap body 10.

[0035] When flange 37 is released from its hanging position at the time of initial lid opening and raised upward as shown by the two-dot chain line in Fig. 1, it is fixed to flange fixing part 32 in a state where it extends radially forward relative to lid body 13. Specifically, flange fixing part 32 is inserted into fixing holes 37a of flange 37, and retaining part 32b is locked to a columnar part formed between fixing holes 37a. By using this flange 37, the lid 13 can be easily opened and closed around the hinge 12. Even after the lid is opened, the flange 37 remains extended radially relative to the lid 13, making it possible to visually confirm that the lid has been opened.

[0036] A closure tube 33 is formed coaxially with the cap axis O1 on the top wall 31 of the lid body 13. The closure tube 33 protrudes downward and detachably fits inside the dispensing tube 27. By fitting the closure tube 33 inside the dispensing tube 27, the inside of the dispensing tube 27 can be sealed.

[0037] 1 and 2, a connecting hole 34 is formed in the top wall 31 at a portion located forward of the cap axis O1, penetrating the top wall 31 in the vertical direction. The connecting hole 34 is formed in a circular shape in a plan view, with the connecting axis O2 as its center, and is positioned above the puller plate 15. The connecting hole 34 is formed in a tapered shape in vertical cross section, with the opening diameter gradually increasing from top to bottom. However, this is not limited to this, and the connecting hole 34 may be formed in a straight shape with a uniform opening diameter in the vertical direction. Furthermore, a connecting recess 35, which is circular in plan view and has a larger diameter than the connecting hole 34, is formed coaxially with the connecting axis O2 on the upper surface of the top wall 31. As a result, the connecting recess 35 is connected to the connecting hole 34.

[0038] Furthermore, a holding wall 39 is provided downwardly on the top wall 31 of the lid body 13, radially inward of the closure tube 33. The holding wall 39 is provided so that its lower end abuts against a breaking end end 41 of the puller plate 15 from above. The holding wall 39 may be engaged with the breaking end end 41 of the puller plate 15.

[0039] The puller plate 15 is disposed coaxially with the cap axis O1 and is located inside the spout 11. As mentioned above, the puller plate 15 is connected to the opening edge of the spout 11 via the weakened portion 14. The puller plate 15 is also connected integrally to the lid 13 via the connector 16, and can be removed from the spout 11 by breaking the weakened portion 14 as the lid 13 is opened around the hinge portion 12.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 3, the puller plate 15 is formed in a generally elliptical shape in a plan view seen from the direction of the cap axis O1, with the length along the front-rear direction L1 being longer than the length along the left-right direction L2. Explain in detail. The portion of the puller plate 15 located on the front side is a breaking start end 40 that is pulled upward first as the lid 13 is opened, thereby first breaking the weakened portion 14. In contrast, the portion of the puller plate 15 located on the rear side (toward the hinge portion 12) is a breaking end end 41 that is pulled upward last as the lid 13 is opened, thereby completing the breaking of the weakened portion 14.

[0041] The fracture starting end 40 and the fracture ending end 41 are arranged along the front-to-rear direction L1 and are arranged to be located on opposite radial sides of the cap axis O1. In the illustrated example, the fracture starting end 40 is formed in an arc shape that bulges convexly toward the front. The fracture ending end 41 is formed in an arc shape that bulges convexly toward the rear. The fracture ending end 41 is formed in an arc shape with a curvature greater than that of the fracture starting end 40.

[0042] The pair of intermediate portions 42 of the puller plate 15, which are arranged along the left-right direction L2 and located on opposite radial sides of the cap axis O1, are formed in an arc shape that bulges outward in the left-right direction L2. Therefore, the puller plate 15 has the widest length along the left-right direction L2 at the intermediate portion in the front-rear direction L1, which includes the pair of intermediate portions 42.

[0043] The outer shape of the puller plate 15 is formed so as to smoothly and continuously connect the above-mentioned fracture starting end 40, fracture ending end 41, and pair of intermediate portions 42 along the circumferential direction. Incidentally, a recessed portion 43 is formed in the outer peripheral edge portion of the puller plate 15, in the portion located between the fracture starting end 40 and the fracture ending end 41, so as to be recessed toward the inside of the puller plate 15.

[0044] The recessed portions 43 are located closer to the fracture starting end portion 40 than the cap axis O1, and are formed as a pair facing each other in the left-right direction L2. Specifically, the recessed portions 43 are located between the fracture starting end portion 40 and the pair of intermediate portions 42, and are formed in an arc shape recessed radially inward.

[0045] In plan view, the puller plate 15 has a step 45 with a varying thickness formed on the hinge portion 12 side (the breakage end portion 41 side) of the connecting body 16. In this embodiment, the step 45 is formed by a slit groove 45a extending in the left-right direction L2 along the hinge portion 12 in plan view. The slit groove 45a extends linearly with a constant width so as to connect a pair of recesses 43 facing each other in the left-right direction L2.

[0046] 1, the slit groove 45a is formed on the underside of the puller plate 15 and is recessed upward. That is, the thickness of the puller plate 15 locally decreases and then increases in the area where the slit groove 45a is formed, toward the fracture end end 41 (rearward). The overall thickness of the puller plate 15 gradually increases from the fracture start end 40 toward the fracture end end 41, and then suddenly decreases from the fracture end end 41 to the weakened portion 14 behind it.

[0047] Since the puller plate 15 is formed as described above, the puller plate 15 is formed so as to be constricted at the slit groove 45a in a plan view seen from the direction of the cap axis O1. This slit groove 45a prevents the contents from scattering by temporarily preventing the removal plate 15 from coming off the spout 11 while the weakened portion 14 is breaking. In addition, because the middle portion 42 has a shape that bulges out in the left-right direction L2, this also temporarily prevents the removal plate 15 from coming off the spout 11 while the weakened portion 14 is breaking, thereby preventing the contents from scattering. This point will be explained later.

[0048] The spout 11 formed in the ceiling wall portion 20a of the cap body 10 is formed to open in accordance with the external shape of the extractor plate 15, and is formed to have an opening size slightly larger than the external size of the extractor plate 15. Furthermore, the weakened portion 14 is formed in an annular shape corresponding to the external shape of the puller plate 15, and connects the outer peripheral edge of the puller plate 15 to the opening edge of the spout 11 all around. The weakened portion 14 is made thinner than the top wall portion 20a and the puller plate 15, making it easy to break, and it extends continuously with a uniform thickness all around.

[0049] The connector 16 is formed integrally with the unplug plate 15 and is engaged with the lid body 13. In this way, the connector 16 connects the unplug plate 15 and the lid body 13 together. The connecting body 16 comprises a support portion 50 formed to protrude upward from the extractor plate 15, and a locking portion 51 formed to protrude further upward from the upper end of the support portion 50 and locked within a connecting hole 34 and a connecting recess 35 formed in the top wall 31 of the lid body 13.

[0050] The support pillar 50 is formed to protrude upward from the vicinity of the fracture initiation end 40 of the puller plate 15, and is arranged coaxially with the connecting axis O2. The support pillar 50 protrudes to a height such that its upper end contacts the top wall 31 of the lid 13 from below. An upwardly recessed recess 50a is formed in the lower end of the support column 50. However, this recess 50a is not essential and may not be provided.

[0051] Furthermore, a reinforcing rib 55 is integrally formed with the rear portion of the support column 50. The lower end of the reinforcing rib 55 is integrally formed with the upper surface of the puller plate 15. In the illustrated example, the reinforcing rib 55 is formed in a triangular shape in a side view, with the rear edge sloping forward from the lower end to the upper end.

[0052] Locking portion 51 enters connecting hole 34 and connecting recess 35 formed in top wall 31 from below. Locking portion 51 includes a first locking portion 52 arranged inside connecting hole 34 and a second locking portion 53 arranged inside connecting recess 35. The upper end surface of second locking portion 53 is formed flush with the upper end surface of top wall 31 of lid 13, and is locked in a state of contact with the bottom of connecting recess 35 from above.

[0053] The connecting body 16 configured as described above is capable of moving in accordance with the lid body 13 because the engaging portion 51 is engaged within the connecting hole 34 and the connecting recess 35, thereby enabling the extractor plate 15 to be moved around the hinge portion 12 together with the lid body 13.

[0054] During the manufacture of the hinge cap 1, the locking portion 51 is formed in a triangular shape in a side view so as to protrude above the top wall 31 of the lid body 13. From this state, the portion of the locking portion 51 that protrudes above the top wall 31 can be pressed and crushed while being heated, for example, with a hot plate, to form the locking portion 51 having the first locking portion 52 and the second locking portion 53. The hinge cap 1 is attached to the mouth 2a of the container body 2 using a stopper or the like (not shown) after the contents have been filled into the container body 2, for example, at a high temperature. Thereafter, the entire container body 2 to which the hinge cap 1 is attached is, for example, heat sterilized and then cooled with cooling water or the like.

[0055] (Function of hinge cap) The operation of the hinge cap 1 configured as above will now be described. When the product is unopened during transportation or distribution, as shown in Figure 1, a plug plate 15 connected to the opening edge of the spout 11 via a weakened portion 14 closes the spout 11. This allows the inside of the container body 2 to be sealed, and makes it possible to appropriately prevent the contents from leaking to the outside.

[0056] Next, when pouring out the contents, the upwardly raised flange 37 and other parts are fixed to the lid 13, and then the lid 13 is opened around the hinge 12. At this time, because the top wall 31 of the lid 13 and the extractor plate 15 are integrally connected via the connector 16, the extractor plate 15 can be rotated together with the lid 13 around the hinge 12. As a result, an external force can be applied to the puller plate 15 as the lid 13 is opened, and the puller plate 15 is pulled upward while breaking the weakened portion 14, allowing it to be gradually removed from the spout 11. This makes it possible to open the spout 11 when the lid 13 opening operation is completed. In this way, the spout 11 opening operation can be performed simultaneously with the lid 13 opening operation, improving operability when opening the bottle.

[0057] After opening, the container body 2 can be tilted forward so that the top portion 27a of the dispensing tube 27 faces downward. This allows the contents inside the container body 2 to be poured out from the top portion 27a of the dispensing tube 27. After the contents have been poured out, the lid 13 can be closed around the hinge portion 12, allowing the closing tube 33 to be used to properly seal the dispensing tube 27.

[0058] In particular, with the hinge cap 1 of this embodiment, when the pull-out plate 15 is pulled up while breaking the weakened portion 14 in conjunction with the opening operation of the lid body 13, the pull-out plate 15 can be temporarily prevented from detaching from the spout 11 during this process (while the weakened portion 14 is breaking). Explain in detail. When the lid 13 is opened around the hinge portion 12, an external force can be transmitted first to the fracture start end 40 of the puller plate 15, which is located on the radially opposite side of the hinge portion 12 across the cap axis O1, so that the puller plate 15 can be pulled up from the fracture start end 40 side. Therefore, the weakened portion 14 located on the fracture start end 40 side can be broken first, and with the subsequent opening operation of the lid 13 and the pulling operation of the puller plate 15, the fracture of the weakened portion 14 can gradually progress toward the fracture end 41 side.

[0059] In particular, the reinforcing ribs 55 are formed on the support posts 50 of the connecting member 16 that connects the lid 13 and the puller plate 15, making it difficult for the support posts 50 to deform. Therefore, when the lid 13 is opened, stress is easily concentrated on the fracture initiation end 40 side of the puller plate 15, making it possible to reliably fracture the weakened portion 14 located on the fracture initiation end 40 side first.

[0060] When the weakened portion 14 is broken as described above, the puller plate 15 has a step portion 45 (slit groove 45a) with a varying thickness formed on the hinge portion 12 side of the connecting body 16 in a plan view, so that the resistance to breaking the weakened portion 14 increases while the puller plate 15 is being pulled up while breaking the weakened portion 14, temporarily preventing the puller plate 15 from separating from the spout 11. This makes it possible to, for example, momentarily delay or stop the operation of opening the lid body 13 and the operation of pulling up the puller plate 15.

[0061] Therefore, it is possible to prevent outside air from forcefully flowing into the container body 2, and to calm the rippling and turbulence of the liquid surface of the contents by the delay time that momentarily delays or stops the rupture of the weakened portion 14. As a result, it is possible to prevent the contents from flying out and scattering around. In addition, in this embodiment, the middle portion 42 has a shape that bulges convexly toward the left-right direction L2, which also temporarily prevents the removal plate 15 from detaching from the spout 11 while the weakened portion 14 is breaking, thereby preventing the contents from scattering.

[0062] As described above, the hinge cap 1 of this embodiment includes a cap body 10 that is attached to the mouth 2a of a container body 2 that contains contents and has a spout 11 for dispensing the contents, a lid 13 that is rotatably connected to the cap body 10 about a hinge 12 and that opens and closes the spout 11, an extractor plate 15 that is connected to the opening edge of the spout 11 via a breakable weakened portion 14 to close the spout 11, and a connector 16 that integrally connects the cap 13 and the extractor plate 15. As the cap 13 is opened around the hinge 12, the extractor plate 15 is detachable from the spout 11 by successively breaking the weakened portion 14. In plan view, the extractor plate 15 has a step 45 with a varying thickness formed on it closer to the hinge 12 than the connector 16. This configuration improves operability when opening and prevents the contents from scattering. Therefore, it is extremely easy to use, and can be suitably used particularly for a container body 2 filled with contents at high temperature.

[0063] In this embodiment, the puller plate 15 has a step 45 formed thereon in the form of a slit groove 45a that extends along the hinge portion 12 in a plan view. With this configuration, when the broken portion of the weakened portion 14 reaches the slit groove 45a, the thickness of the puller plate 15 becomes locally thinner, temporarily reducing the force required to pull up the puller plate 15. In order to break the weakened portion 14 closer to the hinge portion 12 than the slit groove 45a, it is necessary to increase the force required to pull up the puller plate 15. During this time, the puller plate 15 is temporarily prevented from detaching from the spout 11. This prevents the contents from flying out and scattering around.

[0064] (Second embodiment) Next, a second embodiment of the hinge cap according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In this second embodiment, the same components as those in the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0065] As shown in Fig. 4, in the puller plate 15 of the second embodiment, a thin portion 46 is formed on the connecting body 16 side (the breakage start end 40 side) of the step portion 45, and a thick portion 47 that is thicker than the thin portion 46 is formed on the hinge portion 12 side (the breakage end 41 side) of the step portion 45. The thick portion 47 is formed by extending downward on the underside of the puller plate 15 beyond the thin portion 46. A stair-like step portion 45 is formed between the thin portion 46 and the thick portion 47.

[0066] 5, the step portion 45 extends linearly so as to connect a pair of recessed portions 43 facing each other in the left-right direction L2. In plan view shown in Fig. 5, the thin-walled portion 46 is formed in a region surrounded by the step portion 45 and the arc-shaped fracture starting end portion 40 that bulges convexly forward in plan view. In addition, the thin-walled portion 46 is formed in a region surrounded by the arc-shaped fracture starting end portion 40 that bulges convexly rearward in plan view, the pair of arc-shaped intermediate portions 42 that bulge convexly outward in the left-right direction L2, and the step portion 45.

[0067] According to the second embodiment described above, in plan view, the puller plate 15 has a thin portion 46 formed closer to the connector 16 than the step 45, and a thick portion 47 thicker than the thin portion 46 formed closer to the hinge 12 than the step 45. With this configuration, when the fractured portion of the weakened portion 14 fractures the thin portion 46 of the puller plate 15 and reaches the thick portion 47 of the puller plate 15, the force required to pull the puller plate 15 up must be increased to fracture the weakened portion 14 of the thick portion 47. Therefore, the step 45 where the thickness of the puller plate 15 changes temporarily prevents the puller plate 15 from separating from the spout 11. This prevents the contents from flying out and scattering around.

[0068] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. The embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. The embodiments and their modifications include, for example, those that can be easily imagined by a person skilled in the art, those that are substantially the same, and those that are equivalent.

[0069] For example, in each of the above embodiments, the cap body 10 is provided with the dispensing tube 27, but the dispensing tube 27 is not essential and may not be provided. Furthermore, in each of the above embodiments, an example has been given in which a connecting body 16 having a support portion 50 and an engaging portion 51 is provided, and the connecting body 16 is formed integrally with the extractor plate 15 and then engaged with the lid body 13, but the present invention is not limited to this case. For example, as long as the lid body 13 and the puller plate 15 can be connected together, the connector 16 may be made up of multiple components, or the connector 16 may be formed separately from the lid body 13 and the puller plate 15, and the lid body 13, the puller plate 15, and the connector 16 may be combined together by fitting or the like. Furthermore, the connector 16 may be formed integrally with the lid body 13 and then engaged with the puller plate 15, thereby connecting the lid body 13 and the puller plate 15 together. In this case, for example, the connector 16 may be made to protrude downward from the underside of the top wall 31 of the lid body 13, and a connecting mechanism that can engage with the connector 16 may be provided on the upper surface of the puller plate 15 so as to stand upright.

[0070] In addition, in each of the above embodiments, the weakened portion 14 is formed with a uniform thickness around the entire periphery, but this is not limited to this case, and the thickness may be varied, for example. For example, the weakened portion 14 may be formed so that the thickness on the break initiation end 40 side of the puller plate 15 is thin and the other portions are thick. By varying the thickness of the weakened portion 14 in this way, it is possible to temporarily prevent the removal plate 15 from coming off the spout 11 while the weakened portion 14 is breaking, thereby making it possible to prevent the contents from scattering. Furthermore, instead of changing the thickness, the width of the weakened portion 14 may be locally widened to temporarily prevent the removal plate 15 from coming off the spout 11 during the breaking of the weakened portion 14. In this case, the change in the width and the change in the thickness of the weakened portion 14 may be combined.

[0071] In addition, it is possible to replace the components in the above-described embodiments with well-known components as appropriate, without departing from the spirit of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0072] DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1...hinge cap, 2...container body, 2a...mouth portion, 3...first engaging protrusion, 10...cap body, 11...pouring outlet, 12...hinge portion, 13...lid body, 14...weakened portion, 15...opening plate, 16...connecting body, 20...inner plug, 20a...top wall portion, 20b...circumferential wall portion, 21...sealing tube, 22...mounting tube, 22a...annular groove, 23...flange portion, 24...supporting tube, 25...mounting groove, 26...second engaging protrusion, 27...pouring tube, 27a...top portion, 27b...lower position portion, 30...circumferential wall, 31...top wall, 32...flange fixing portion, 32a...fixing Projection, 32b...stopping portion, 33...blocking tube, 34...connecting hole, 35...connecting recess, 36...flange hinge portion, 37...flange portion, 37a...fixing hole, 38...projection portion, 39...retaining receiving wall, 40...breaking start end, 41...breaking end, 42...intermediate portion, 43...recessed portion, 45...step portion, 45a...slit groove, 46...thin portion, 47...thick portion, 50...support portion, 50a...recess, 51...locking portion, 52...first locking portion, 53...second locking portion, 55...reinforcing rib, L1...front-rear direction, L2...left-right direction, O1...cap shaft, O2...connecting shaft

Claims

1. a cap body that is attached to the mouth of the container body in which the contents are stored and that has a spout formed therein for pouring the contents; a lid body that is rotatably connected to the cap body around a hinge portion and that covers the spout in an openable and closable manner; a plug plate that is connected to an opening edge portion of the spout via a breakable weakened portion to close the spout; a connecting body that connects the lid body and the extractor plate together, The extractor plate is detachable from the spout while continuously breaking the weakened portion in accordance with the opening operation of the lid body around the hinge portion, The uncork plate has: a step portion whose thickness is changed and which is provided closer to the hinge portion than the connecting body in a plan view; a thin-walled portion provided closer to the connecting body than the step portion in a plan view; a thick portion that is thicker than the thin portion and is provided closer to the hinge portion than the step portion in a plan view.

2. The hinge cap according to claim 1 , wherein the step portion is formed in the extractor plate as a slit groove extending along the hinge portion in a plan view.

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