Stopper, container with stopper, and manufacturing method thereof

Abstract

To provide a plug which facilitates clear determination of presence or absence of a virgin property of a container and can be easily opened, and whose sealability can be maintained for a long time even if a temperature changes and vibration or the like occurs.SOLUTION: A plug (1) is constituted of a plug main body (2) and a cap (4) covering the plug main body, and is used by being mounted on a container. The plug main body has a pouring-out cylinder (21) communicated with the inside of the container and a fused flange (22) expanding horizontally toward a peripheral edge through a pedestal (23) of the pouring-out cylinder at a lower end of the pouring-out cylinder. The cap has a top plate covering an outside end face of the pouring-out cylinder, a side wall hanging down from a peripheral edge of the top plate and a tamper-evident band (43) connected to a lower side of the side wall through a bridge (44) for easy-fracture, where when the cap is attached thereto, the tamper-evident band can be fused to an end face of the pedestal of the pouring-out cylinder.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a plug used for a packaging container for storing liquid, powder, or granules, which is not easily opened during transportation or the like and can be guaranteed to remain unopened. [Background technology]

[0002] Packaging containers used to contain beverages such as juices and alcoholic beverages, condiments such as soy sauce, vinegar, mirin, and other liquid or viscous foods such as dressings, or powders such as salt and pepper, or granules such as freeze-dried Japanese soup stock and tablets, must be designed to prevent the containers from being easily opened due to temperature changes, internal pressure changes, vibrations, etc. during transportation or storage. Furthermore, there is a need to prevent deterioration of the contents due to oxygen during storage, and to prevent drugs or foreign substances from being intentionally mixed in. Therefore, as described above, it is required to ensure sufficient virginity in the closure of the container.

[0003] One method for achieving virginity is to provide a closure plate at the bottom of the opening of the spout. For example, Patent Document 1 proposes a stopper for a liquid paper container comprising a spout and a cap that screws onto the spout, wherein the spout has a pouring tube erected on the inner peripheral edge of the upper surface of a base ring, and the cap has a contact sealing ring that hangs down on the underside of a top plate and an inner sealing ring inside the contact sealing ring, and also has a contact sealing ring that hangs down on the inner peripheral edge of the lower end of the peripheral wall, such that when the cap is screwed onto the spout and attached, the contact sealing ring and inner sealing ring that hang down on the underside of the top plate of the cap are in close contact with the upper end of the pouring tube of the spout, and the contact sealing ring that hangs down on the inner peripheral edge of the lower end of the peripheral wall of the cap is in close contact with the outer peripheral edge of the upper surface of the base ring of the spout.

[0004] To open this liquid carton closure, the cap must be removed from the spout, and then the pull ring must be pulled to tear the annular thin-walled weakened line around the periphery of the closure plate, and the closure plate must be removed. This type of closure requires the user to insert their fingertip into the small pouring tube, hook it onto the pull ring, and pull it out, which requires a great deal of force even with thin fingers. This makes it difficult for people with little strength, such as the elderly, to open the container, and it is unhygienic and time-consuming because they have to insert their fingers into the spout through which the contents pass. Furthermore, even if the sealing ability is improved by using the contact ring or inner ring, for example, if the product is stored for a long time after capping, or if the temperature is high for a certain period of time during transportation or storage in a warehouse, the plastic is prone to deformation due to creep, etc., and in particular, if the temperature rises to 50°C or more and then drops, the fit weakens significantly, causing a gap to form between the cap and the plug body, resulting in problems such as a decrease in sealing ability.

[0005] Also shown in FIG. 3 is a conventional cap 4 having a tamper-evident band 43 . In a cap 4 having such a conventional tamper evidence band 43, a locking ring 23 is provided below the external thread that is screwed into the plug body 2, and a flap 431 provided near the inner lower end of the tamper evidence band 43 is locked onto this ring. During molding, the ring is molded facing downward so that it can be easily removed from the mold as shown in Figure 3-1. However, when fitting the cap 4, the flap 431 is folded inward and upward as shown in Fig. 3-2. When the cap 4 is fitted to the stopper body 2 in this state, the flap 431 engages with the locking ring 23 of the stopper body 2 as shown in Fig. 3-3, and the cap 4 cannot be opened unless the easy-to-break bridge 44 provided between the tamper-evident band 43 and the cap side wall 42 is broken. Therefore, whether or not the cap has been opened can be clearly visualized by whether or not the easy-to-break bridge 44 has been broken.

[0006] As such, to use a conventional tamper-evidence band-type cap, it was necessary to fold upward all of the approximately eight flaps 431 that were independently attached to the bottom end of the tamper-evidence band, which increased the number of processes and created problems such as a high likelihood of defects. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-11963 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] To provide a plug that allows easy determination of whether a container is virgin or not, is easy to open, and can maintain airtightness for a long period of time even when subjected to temperature changes, vibrations, etc. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The stopper of the present invention comprises a stopper body and a cap that covers the stopper body, and is used by being attached to a container; the stopper body has a pouring tube that communicates with the inside of the container, and a fused flange that extends horizontally around the periphery of the lower end of the pouring tube via a pouring tube base; the cap has a top plate that covers the outer end face of the pouring tube, a side wall that hangs down from the periphery of the top plate, and a tamper-evident band that connects to the lower side wall via an easily breakable bridge; the base has a diameter larger than the outer diameter of the external screw provided on the outer surface of the pouring cylinder, When the cap is attached, the tamper-evidence band The inner surface of the base is the outer surface of the base. This plug is characterized by being weldable to the [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] The plug of the present invention does not require any work such as folding a flap, and simply fuses the tamper-evidence band directly to the end face of the dispensing tube base, so that even if the container used is subjected to fluctuations in temperature or vibration during storage, there are no problems with sealing and high protective performance can be achieved. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] 1A and 1B are a front cross-sectional view of a cap constituting the plug, a front cross-sectional view of a plug body, and a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the cap and plug body assembled together in an embodiment of the plug of the present invention. [Figure 2] In an embodiment of the stopper of the present invention, a partially cutaway vertical cross-sectional view is shown showing the process of placing a cap on the stopper body and fusing a tamper evidence band to the base of the stopper using an ultrasonic fusing horn, and a partially cutaway vertical cross-sectional view is shown showing the process of turning the cap to separate the tamper evidence band from the cap and opening it. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing a plug body and a cap in a conventional plug, and the state in which they are fitted together. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the plug 1 of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the plug 1 of the present invention, including a front cross-sectional view with a partial cutaway of the cap 4 that constitutes the plug 1, a front cross-sectional view with a partial cutaway of the plug body 2, and a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the cap and plug body assembled together. FIG. 1-2 shows a plug body 2 having a cylindrical pouring tube 21 surrounding a pouring passage 20 that connects the inside and outside of the container, and a fused flange 22 that extends from the bottom end of the pouring tube 21 to the periphery. An external thread 211 that screws onto the cap 4 is provided on the outer surface of the dispensing tube 21. A dispensing tube seat 23 is provided at the lower end of the dispensing tube 21, between the fusion flange 22. The dispensing tube seat 23 has a larger diameter than the outer diameter of the external thread 211, and the corner of the tip is rounded.

[0013] FIG. 1-1 shows a cap 4 used with the plug 1, which is made up of a cap top plate 41 and a cap side wall 42 hanging down from the periphery of the cap top plate 41. A contact ring 411 is provided on the inside of the cap top plate 41 . An internal thread 421 is provided on the inner surface of the cap side wall 42 to be threadedly engaged with the external thread 211 on the outer surface of the pouring tube 21. Furthermore, a knurling 422 is provided on the outer surface of the side wall 42 to rotate the cap 4. The side wall 42 has a tamper-evident band 43 below it, which is connected via an easily breakable bridge 44 .

[0014] 1-3 is a vertical cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the plug of the present invention, in which a cap 4 and a plug body 2 are assembled and attached to a container body 3. FIG. This plug body 2 is attached by creating an opening hole 30 on one side of a paper container or packaging bag whose inner surface is made up of a sealant layer, passing the plug body 2 through the opening hole 30 from the inside, and fusing the periphery 3301 of the opening hole of the paper container or packaging bag to the fusion flange 22 of the plug body 2. The cap 4 is placed on the stopper body 2, the internal thread 421 on the inner surface of the side wall 42 of the cap 4 is screwed into the external thread 211 provided on the outer surface of the pouring tube 21 of the pouring outlet 2, and the cap 4 is fastened to the stopper body 2 using the knurling 422 provided on the outside of the cap side wall. At this time, the rotating force is converted into a pushing force by the screw that is threaded into the plug, so even a small force is converted into a very strong pushing force, so that the inner surface of the tamper evidence band 43 competes with the outer diameter of the base of the plug body, forcibly expanding the inner diameter and allowing the plug to be inserted even in situations where a forced fit is required. The difference in the fitting diameters, the clearance (fitting margin) D, is preferably 0.05 mm or more on one side, and 0.1 mm or more in diameter.

[0015] FIG. 2-1 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the step of placing the fusion flange 22 of the plug body 2 on the periphery of the opening 30 of the container body 3, and then applying an ultrasonic fusion horn 5 to the overlapping portions to fuse them together by ultrasonic waves. At this time, the inner surface of tamper evidence band 43 is forced to fit against the outer diameter of pouring tube base 23 of stopper body 2, and the amount of this fitting D is set to 0.1 mm or more on both sides. Then, when fusion flange 22 and container body 3 are fused together by ultrasonic vibration, the ultrasonic vibration is also transmitted to pouring tube base 23 of stopper body 2. This ultrasonic vibration generates heat due to vibration between the outer surface of the pouring tube base 23 of the stopper body 2 and the inner surface of the tamper evidence band 43, and the generated heat can fuse the pouring tube base 23 and the tamper evidence band 43 together.

[0016] FIG. 2-2 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the process of opening a container having a spout 1 in which a pouring tube base 23 and a tamper-evidence band 43 are fused together. When the cap 4 is turned via the knurling 422 provided on the outside of the cap 4, the easy-to-break bridge 44 that connects the tamper-evidence band 43 to the lower end of the cap side wall 42 breaks, and the cap 4 and the tamper-evidence band 43 are separated and opened. In this way, tamper evidence band 43 can clearly indicate whether the bottle has been opened or not by whether or not easy-to-break bridge 44 above it has broken. In this way, tamper evidence band 43 can fulfill its tamper-prevention function by whether or not easy-to-break bridge 44 has broken. Since the dispensing tube base 23 and the tamper-evidence band 43 are strongly fused together, once the bottle is opened, the bottle can be used with the tamper-evidence band 43 fused to the plug body 2.

[0017] The blank laminate sheet used in the container body of the present invention is configured such that a thermoplastic resin sealant is used mainly on the outermost and innermost surfaces, and paper is used as the substrate. The substrate may be paper alone, but in order to improve the storage performance of the contents, a barrier layer may be added to the layer structure, and the substrate may have a polyethylene terephthalate layer or a layer containing a polyethylene terephthalate film having a metal oxide layer such as silicon oxide, aluminum oxide or magnesium oxide, or a metal such as aluminum vapor-deposited layer, or a sealant layer may be provided inside the polyethylene terephthalate layer, or a coating layer of titanium oxide or the like may be provided to make it easier to print. In addition, a polyamide resin layer or the like may be added between the layers to prevent breakage during molding. For example, a possible configuration of the laminated sheet may be, from the front side, an ink layer / front sealant layer / paper substrate layer / sanded polyolefin resin layer / barrier layer / adhesive layer / back sealant layer, etc. Of course, the stopper of the present invention can be used with a container body of a normal container shape that does not use paper as a substrate, or with a container body that uses a thick plastic sheet. <Prototype example>

[0018] Below, the tamper evidence band of the present invention competes with the outer diameter of the base of the plug body, and the difference in the fitting diameters, the amount of force (fitting margin) D, was examined using a prototype example.

[0019] <Materials used in the prototype> The plug body has a diameter of 20 mm and the shape shown in Figure 1-2. Sumikathen (registered trademark) G701 manufactured by Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd. is used as the low-density polyethylene, and it was molded into the shape shown in Figure 1-2 using an injection molding die and an injection molding machine. The laminate used for the container body is composed of low-density polyethylene (30 μm) / paper base layer (300 g / m 2 ) / polyethylene (25 μm) / silicon oxide vapor-deposited polyethylene terephthalate film (12 μm) / linear low-density polyethylene (40 μm), and openings were made with a knife blade. Each cap was screwed onto the stopper body and tightened all the way with a torque of 2 N·m. It was then inserted from the inside into the opening of the laminate used in the container body, and the horn of the ultrasonic fusion machine was placed around the edge of the opening as shown in Figure 2-1 to weld the stopper body, and five sets of each were made to check whether the tamper evidence band of the cap could be fused to the base of the stopper body without any problems.

[0020] <Prototype example 1> The cap was made by injection molding using Sumikathene (registered trademark) GA802, a linear low-density polyethylene resin manufactured by Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd., into the shape shown in FIG. 1-1. At this time, the inner diameter portion of the tamper evidence band was used as a insert, and the amount of contact D between the tamper evidence band and the dispensing tube base of the stopper body was set to 0 mm.

[0021] <Prototype example 2> The caps were made of a linear low-density polyethylene resin, Sumikathen (registered trademark) GA802 manufactured by Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd., and were injection molded into the shape shown in FIG. 1-1, producing five caps. At this time, the inner diameter portion of the tamper evidence band was used as a insert, and the amount of contact D between the tamper evidence band and the dispensing tube base of the stopper body was set to 0.1 mm on both sides.

[0022] <Prototype example 3> The caps were made of a linear low-density polyethylene resin, Sumikathen (registered trademark) GA802 manufactured by Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd., and were injection molded into the shape shown in FIG. 1-1, producing five caps. At this time, the inner diameter portion of the tamper evidence band was used as a insert, and the amount of contact D between the tamper evidence band and the dispensing tube base of the stopper body was set to 0.5 mm on both sides.

[0023] <Prototype example 4> The caps were made of a linear low-density polyethylene resin, Sumikathen (registered trademark) GA802 manufactured by Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd., and were injection molded into the shape shown in FIG. 1-1, producing five caps. At this time, the inner diameter portion of the tamper evidence band was used as a insert, and the amount of contact D between the tamper evidence band and the dispensing tube base of the stopper body was set to 0.9 mm on both sides.

[0024] <Prototype 5> The caps were made of a linear low-density polyethylene resin, Sumikathen (registered trademark) GA802 manufactured by Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd., and were injection molded into the shape shown in FIG. 1-1, producing five caps. At this time, the inner diameter portion of the tamper evidence band was used as a insert, and the amount of contact D between the tamper evidence band and the dispensing tube base of the stopper body was set to 1.0 mm on both sides.

[0025] <Prototype Example 6> The caps were made of high density polyethylene resin, Novatic (registered trademark) HJ340 manufactured by Japan Polyethylene Corporation, and were injection molded into the shape shown in FIG. 1-1, producing five caps. At this time, the inner diameter portion of the tamper evidence band was used as a insert, and the amount of contact D between the tamper evidence band and the dispensing tube base of the stopper body was set to 0 mm.

[0026] <Prototype Example 7> The caps were made of high density polyethylene resin, Novatic (registered trademark) HJ340 manufactured by Japan Polyethylene Corporation, and were injection molded into the shape shown in FIG. 1-1, producing five caps. At this time, the inner diameter portion of the tamper evidence band was used as a insert, and the amount of contact D between the tamper evidence band and the dispensing tube base of the stopper body was set to 0.1 mm on both sides.

[0027] <Prototype Example 8> The caps were made of high density polyethylene resin, Novatic (registered trademark) HJ340 manufactured by Japan Polyethylene Corporation, and were injection molded into the shape shown in FIG. 1-1, producing five caps. At this time, the inner diameter portion of the tamper evidence band was used as a insert, and the amount of contact D between the tamper evidence band and the dispensing tube base of the stopper body was set to 0.5 mm on both sides.

[0028] <Prototype Example 9> The caps were made of high density polyethylene resin, Novatic (registered trademark) HJ340 manufactured by Japan Polyethylene Corporation, and were injection molded into the shape shown in FIG. 1-1, producing five caps. At this time, the inner diameter portion of the tamper evidence band was used as a insert, and the amount of contact D between the tamper evidence band and the dispensing tube base of the stopper body was set to 0.9 mm on both sides.

[0029] <Prototype example 10> The caps were made of high density polyethylene resin, Novatic (registered trademark) HJ340 manufactured by Japan Polyethylene Corporation, and were injection molded into the shape shown in FIG. 1-1, producing five caps. At this time, the inner diameter portion of the tamper evidence band was used as a insert, and the amount of contact D between the tamper evidence band and the dispensing tube base of the stopper body was set to 1.0 mm on both sides.

[0030] <Prototype Example 11> The caps were made of polypropylene resin, SunAllomer (registered trademark) PM931 manufactured by SunAllomer Co., Ltd., and were injection molded into the shape shown in FIG. 1-1, producing five caps. At this time, the inner diameter portion of the tamper evidence band was used as a insert, and the amount of contact D between the tamper evidence band and the dispensing tube base of the stopper body was set to 0.0 mm.

[0031] <Prototype example 12> The caps were made of polypropylene resin, SunAllomer (registered trademark) PM931 manufactured by SunAllomer Co., Ltd., and were injection molded into the shape shown in FIG. 1-1, producing five caps. At this time, the inner diameter portion of the tamper evidence band was used as a insert, and the amount of contact D between the tamper evidence band and the dispensing tube base of the stopper body was set to 0.1 mm on both sides.

[0032] <Prototype Example 13> The caps were made of polypropylene resin, SunAllomer (registered trademark) PM931 manufactured by SunAllomer Co., Ltd., and were injection molded into the shape shown in FIG. 1-1, producing five caps. At this time, the inner diameter portion of the tamper evidence band was used as a insert, and the amount of contact D between the tamper evidence band and the dispensing tube base of the stopper body was set to 0.5 mm on both sides.

[0033] <Prototype Example 14> The caps were made of polypropylene resin, SunAllomer (registered trademark) PM931 manufactured by SunAllomer Co., Ltd., and were injection molded into the shape shown in FIG. 1-1, producing five caps. At this time, the inner diameter portion of the tamper evidence band was used as a insert, and the amount of contact D between the tamper evidence band and the dispensing tube base of the stopper body was set to 0.9 mm on both sides.

[0034] <Prototype example 15> The caps were made of polypropylene resin, SunAllomer (registered trademark) PM931 manufactured by SunAllomer Co., Ltd., and were injection molded into the shape shown in FIG. 1-1, producing five caps. At this time, the inner diameter portion of the tamper evidence band was used as a insert, and the amount of contact D between the tamper evidence band and the dispensing tube base of the stopper body was set to 1.0 mm on both sides.

[0035] <Evaluation method> The caps of each prototype were screwed onto the stopper body and tightened all the way with a torque of 2 N m, then inserted from the inside into the opening of the laminate used in the container body, and the horn of an ultrasonic fusion machine was placed against the periphery of the opening, as shown in Figure 2-1, to weld the welding flange of the stopper body to the periphery of the opening.At the same time, five sets of each were made to check whether the tamper-evidence band of the cap could be fused to the dispensing tube base of the stopper body without any problems. Furthermore, when the cap was unscrewed and removed from the stopper body, it was confirmed whether the easily breakable bridge connecting the tamper-evident band to the cap body would break and separate.

[0036] <Evaluation results> As for the cap material, all caps made of polypropylene could not be fused. However, some linear low-density polyethylene and high-density polyethylene were fused together. Furthermore, when the cap material was linear low-density polyethylene or high-density polyethylene, only the combinations in which the gap D between the tamper-evidence band and the dispensing tube base was 0.1 to 0.9 mm on both sides were able to weld together, and when the cap was opened, the easily breakable bridge was able to break normally. However, when the gap D between the tamper evidence band and the dispensing tube base was 0.0 mm, welding was not possible. Furthermore, when the gap D between the tamper-evidence band and the dispensing tube base was 1.0 mm on both sides, the easily breakable bridge broke at the stage of fitting the cap before welding. The results are shown in Table 1.

[0037] From the above results, it is clear that the cap can be welded if it is made of a linear low-density polyethylene or high-density polyethylene, which is similar to the low-density polyethylene used as the material for the plug body. In addition, the clearance D between the tamper evidence band and the dispensing tube base is 0.1 to 0.9 mm on both sides. It can be determined that this is necessary for welding. If the material of the plug body is polypropylene, and the material of the cap is also a polypropylene-based resin, then since they are made of the same resin, it is thought that welding is possible.

[0038] [Table 1]

[0039] As described above, the stopper of the present invention has an inner diameter of the tamper-evidence band that is smaller than the diameter of the pouring tube base, with a difference of 0.1 to 0.9 mm on both sides. This allows the tamper-evidence band to be fused to the pouring tube base during ultrasonic welding, and containers equipped with this stopper can maintain their sealing and protective performance without the cap loosening even when exposed to fluctuations in temperature during storage or vibrations during transportation. Furthermore, since there is no flap, there is no need to fold the flap inward, and yet the present invention has great merits such as being able to sufficiently prevent tampering and vandalism. [Explanation of symbols]

[0040] 1. Plug 2. Plug body 20······························································. 21··························································. 211...External thread 22. Fusion flange 23 Locking ring 3. Container body 30......Aperture opening 301.....Aperture edge 4. Cap 41. Top plate 411······Contact ring 42 Cap side wall 421...Internal thread 422······Knurled 43. Pamper Evidence Band 431·····Flap 44. Easy-break bridge 5. Horn (Horn for ultrasonic welding) D. Auction volume (matching margin)

Claims

1. A plug comprising a plug body and a cap for covering the plug body, which is used by being attached to a container, The plug body has a pouring tube that communicates with the inside of the container, and a fused portion that extends horizontally around the periphery of the pouring tube via a base at the lower end of the pouring tube, The cap has a top plate covering the outer end surface of the pouring tube, a side wall hanging down from the periphery of the top plate, and a tamper-evident band connected to the lower side wall via an easily breakable bridge, the base has a diameter larger than the outer diameter of the external thread provided on the outer surface of the pouring cylinder, The plug is characterized in that, when the cap is attached, the inner surface of the tamper evidence band can be welded to the outer surface of the base.

2. 2. The stopper according to claim 1, wherein the inner diameter of the tamper evidence band of the cap is 0.1 to 0.9 mm larger on one side than the outer diameter of the base of the pouring barrel.

3. A container comprising the plug according to claim 1 or 2.

4. A method for manufacturing the stopper according to claim 1 or 2, A method for manufacturing a plug, characterized in that a cap is fitted onto the plug body and ultrasonic vibration is applied to weld the tamper-evidence band of the cap to the base of the plug body.

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