Container with cap

Abstract

To provide a container provided with a cap at low cost, that exhibits excellent discharging and liquid draining properties of a content.SOLUTION: A container 11 provided with a cap comprises a container body 1A having a storage space S for storing a content F and a discharge port 1a communicating with the storage space S and exhibiting a squeezing property, and a cap 2A removably attached to the discharge port 1a. The container body 1A is provided with a liquid draining valve 3 prepared from a film made of a non-rubber based material and formed with a slit 3a, so as to cover the discharge port 1a; and the content F inside the storage space S is discharged by opening the slit 3a when the container body 1A is pressurized.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a capped container, for example, a capped container in which a cap is attached to a container body such as a laminate tube or a plastic bottle. [Background technology]

[0002] Containers with caps that have squeezable container bodies have been known for some time as containers for storing fluids such as toothpaste, seasonings, and cosmetics. When the container body is squeezed, the contents are ejected from the outlet, and when pressure is released, the ejection of the contents also stops, making it easy to eject a predetermined amount of the contents. However, if the contents do not drain properly when pressure on the container body is released, the ejection outlet will become soiled with the contents. Hinged caps to prevent this have been proposed in Patent Documents 1 to 3, etc.

[0003] The discharge ports of the caps described in Patent Documents 1 to 3 are provided with a liquid cutoff valve that allows the contents to be drained. The liquid cutoff valve is made of a soft material (rubber, elastomer, etc.) or a film material with a cross-shaped slit formed therein. When the container body is pressed, the internal pressure of the container body increases, causing the liquid cutoff valve to elastically deform, opening the slit and allowing the contents to be discharged. After the contents are discharged, when pressure on the container body is stopped, the container body returns to its original state due to its own rigidity, causing the internal pressure of the container body to decrease. As a result, the liquid cutoff valve closes the slit while introducing air from outside the container into the container. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-347813 [Patent Document 2] JP 2019-64680 A [Patent Document 3] Patent Publication No. 2021-8290 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] When a liquid cutoff valve is provided at the discharge port, as in the caps described in Patent Documents 1 to 3, it is possible for the contents to be cut off. However, once the slit closes, the contents in the cap are unable to return to the container body and remain inside the cap. If the contents remain inside the cap for a long period of time, there is a high possibility that the quality of the contents will deteriorate or the contents will solidify inside the cap. Solidification of the contents inside the cap can adversely affect the opening and closing action of the liquid cutoff valve, which may cause the contents to be cut off or make it difficult to dispense. Furthermore, it can also cause dirt around the discharge port of the cap.

[0006] Furthermore, the liquid cutoff valves used in the caps described in Patent Documents 1 and 2 are made of rubber-based materials (e.g., silicone rubber, elastomer-based resins). These rubber-based materials are more expensive than non-rubber-based materials (i.e., general resin materials), which leads to increased costs.

[0007] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and its object is to provide a low-cost capped container that allows the contents to be easily discharged and the liquid to be easily drained. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to achieve the above object, a capped container of a first invention is a capped container comprising a container body having a storage space for storing contents and a discharge outlet communicating with the storage space, the container body having squeezability, and a cap removably attached to the discharge outlet, The container body is provided with a liquid cut-off valve made of a film of a non-rubber material with a slit formed therein, which covers the discharge outlet, and when the container body is pressurized, the slit opens to discharge the contents in the storage space.

[0009] A capped container according to a second invention is the capped container according to the first invention, characterized in that the slit is formed in a completely penetrating state.

[0010] The capped container of the third invention is the second invention, characterized in that a film seal with barrier properties for initial opening is attached on the liquid cut-off valve.

[0011] A capped container according to a fourth invention is characterized in that, in the first invention, the slit is formed in a half-cut state.

[0012] The capped container of the fifth invention is characterized in that, in any one of the first to fourth inventions above, the cap comprises a cap lower part having a discharge outlet and configured to be connectable to the container body, a cap upper part arranged to cover the discharge outlet of the cap lower part, and a hinge part connecting them to enable the cap upper part to be opened and closed.

[0013] A sixth invention provides a capped container according to the fifth invention, characterized in that the liquid cutoff valve is pressed against the container body by a lower part of the cap.

[0014] The capped container of the seventh invention is characterized in that, in any one of the first to sixth inventions above, the liquid cut-off valve is made of a laminated film having a three-layer structure consisting of an outer layer made of a transparent vapor-deposited film, a middle layer made of polyethylene terephthalate resin, and an inner layer made of polyethylene resin. [Effects of the Invention]

[0015] According to the present invention, a liquid cutoff valve made of a film with a slit formed therein is provided on the container body so as to cover the discharge port, thereby ensuring good liquid drainage of the contents at the discharge port of the container body. For example, even if the liquid cutoff valve closes while the contents are flowing from the discharge port of the container body to the discharge port of the cap, the contents in the cap are discharged out of the container through the discharge port of the cap, so the contents do not remain inside the cap. As a result, the possibility of the contents deteriorating or solidifying inside the cap is reduced. Moreover, the liquid cutoff valve is inexpensive because it is made of a film made of a non-rubber material. Therefore, a low-cost capped container with good content discharge and liquid drainage can be realized. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] 1 is an external view showing a first embodiment of a capped container. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a main part of the first embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is an external view showing a second embodiment of a capped container. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a main part of a second embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a main part of a third embodiment of a capped container. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a main part of a fourth embodiment of a capped container. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a main part of a comparative example of a capped container. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] Hereinafter, a capped container, a fluid discharge structure, and the like according to embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that identical or corresponding parts among the embodiments and specific examples will be designated by the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations will be omitted where appropriate.

[0018] 1 and 2 show a capped container 11 according to a first embodiment. Fig. 1 shows the appearance of the capped container 11 and the container body 1A and cap 2A that constitute it, and Fig. 2 shows the cross-sectional structure (fluid discharge structure) of a main part of the capped container 11. In Fig. 1, (A) is a front view of the capped container 11, (B) is a front view of the cap 2A, (C) is a front view of the container body 1A, and (D) is a top view of the container body 1A.

[0019] 3 and 4 show a capped container 12 according to a second embodiment. Fig. 3 shows the appearance of the capped container 12 and the container body 1B and cap 2B that constitute it, and Fig. 4 shows the cross-sectional structure (fluid discharge structure) of a main part of the capped container 12. In Fig. 3, (A) is a front view of the capped container 12, (B) is a front view of the cap 2B, (C) is a front view of the container body 1B, and (D) is a top view of the container body 1B.

[0020] The capped containers 11, 12 have a storage space S for storing contents F and a discharge outlet 1a (Figs. 2 and 4) that communicates with the storage space S, and are equipped with squeezable container bodies 1A, 1B and caps 2A, 2B that are removably attached to the discharge outlet 1a. The container bodies 1A, 1B are also provided with a liquid cut-off valve 3 made of a film of a non-rubber material with a slit 3a formed therein, so as to cover the discharge outlet 1a.

[0021] A specific example of the container body 1A (FIG. 1) is a laminated tube, and a specific example of the container body 1B (FIG. 3) is a blow-molded plastic bottle. The contents F to be stored in the storage space S of the container bodies 1A and 1B are assumed to be fluids (liquids, gels, etc.) with a viscosity that requires good drainage. Specific examples of the contents F of the container body 1A include toiletries (alcohol gel, toothpaste, shaving foam, facial cleanser, hand soap, sunscreen cream, etc.), seasonings (honey, etc.), cosmetics, etc. Specific examples of the contents F of the container body 1B include seasonings (okonomiyaki sauce, honey, etc.), toiletries (alcohol gel, shampoo, conditioner, hand soap, etc.), cosmetics, etc.

[0022] The container body 1A and cap 2A that make up the capped container 11 (Fig. 2) are configured to be connectable via screw structures 1b, 2b. However, a connecting structure other than a screw structure (for example, a type that opens and closes by connecting and disconnecting a locking structure) can also be used. The contents F are discharged from the capped container 11 to the outside of the container 11 directly from a discharge port 1a formed in the container body 1A. Therefore, when discharging the contents F, the cap 2A is removed from the container body 1A by rotating the cap 2A to disconnect the connection via the screw structures 1b, 2b.

[0023] The container body 1B and cap 2B that make up the capped container 12 (Fig. 4) are configured to be connectable with screw structures 1b, 2b. However, a connecting structure other than a screw structure (for example, a type that opens and closes by connecting and disconnecting with a locking structure) can also be used. The cap 2B used in the capped container 12 has a discharge outlet 2a and is composed of a cap lower part 2d that is configured to be connectable with the container body 1B, a cap upper part 2c that is provided to cover the discharge outlet 2a of the cap lower part 2d, and a hinge part 2e that connects them to enable the cap upper part 2c to be opened and closed.

[0024] As shown in Figure 3(A), the cap upper part 2c can be opened and closed (arrow mR) by a hinge part 2e, and the cap upper part 2c and the cap lower part 2d can be connected by locking structures 2f and 2g (Figure 4). The contents F are discharged from the capped container 12 to the outside of the container 12 through a discharge outlet 2a formed in the cap lower part 2d. Therefore, when discharging the contents F, the connection by the locking structures 2f and 2g is released, and the cap upper part 2c is rotated around the hinge part 2e (arrow mR), thereby exposing the discharge outlet 2a in the cap lower part 2d.

[0025] As described above, the liquid cutoff valve 3 is made of a film made of a non-rubber material and has a slit 3a formed therein. The slit 3a has a cross shape (Figs. 1(D) and 3(D)) and is formed in a fully penetrating state (i.e., completely penetrating the film) (Figs. 2 and 4). However, the shape of the slit 3a is not limited to a cross shape, and it may be a straight line shape or a radial shape (multiple slits formed radially from the center), etc. Furthermore, an adhesive or an adhesive film may be used to attach the liquid cutoff valve 3 to the container bodies 1A and 1B.

[0026] Non-rubber materials for use in the liquid cutoff valve 3 include resin materials such as polyethylene, polypropylene, and polyethylene terephthalate. The resin film may have a single-layer structure or a multi-layer structure as long as it is suitable for the contents F. A specific example of the laminated film that makes up the liquid cutoff valve 3 is one having a three-layer structure consisting of an outer layer made of a transparent vapor-deposited film, a middle layer made of polyethylene terephthalate resin, and an inner layer made of polyethylene resin. The inner layer may be an easy-peel film or a film that is welded to the container bodies 1A and 1B. The thickness of the film is preferably 50 to 200 μm, but can be changed as appropriate depending on the viscosity of the contents F, etc.

[0027] When the squeezable container bodies 1A, 1B are pressurized, the liquid cutoff valve 3 opens the slit 3a and discharges the contents F from the storage space S. In other words, when the container bodies 1A, 1B are pressed (squeezed), the internal pressure of the container bodies 1A, 1B increases and the liquid cutoff valve 3 elastically deforms, opening the slit 3a and discharging the contents F. After the contents F are discharged, when the pressure on the container bodies 1A, 1B is stopped, the containers 1A, 1B return to their original state due to their own rigidity, and the internal pressure of the container bodies 1A, 1B decreases. As a result, the liquid cutoff valve 3 closes the slit 3a while introducing air from outside the containers 1A, 1B into the containers 1A, 1B.

[0028] The contents F are typically discharged from the containers 11 and 12 with the container bodies 1A and 1B in an upside-down position. When the pressure on the container bodies 1A and 1B is released, the closed cutoff valve 3 effectively cuts off the contents F, preventing the area around the outlet 1a from becoming soiled with the contents F. This reduces the amount of contents F adhering to the caps 2A and 2B when the caps 2A and 2B are closed. For example, in the hinge-cap container 12 (FIG. 4), even if the cutoff valve 3 closes while the contents F are flowing from the outlet 1a of the container body 1B to the outlet 2a of the cap 2B, if the contents F have a viscosity that requires effective cutoff, the contents F will not remain in the cap 2B and will be discharged from the cap 2B through the outlet 2a to the outside of the container 12. In other words, the cutoff valve 3 effectively cuts off the contents at the outlet 1a of the container body 1B, thereby enabling effective cutoff at the outlet 2a of the cap 2B as well.

[0029] In the case of the capped container 11 (Fig. 2), unless the adhesive strength of the cut-off valve 3 to the container body 1A is strong enough, there is a possibility that the cut-off valve 3 will come off when the contents F are discharged. In contrast, in the case of the capped container 12 (Fig. 4), the cut-off valve 3 is pressed against the container body 1B by the cap lower part 2d of the cap 2B, so the cut-off valve 3 will not come off when the contents F are discharged. Therefore, by effectively preventing the cut-off valve 3 from coming off, more stable discharge of the contents F is possible.

[0030] In typical capped containers, the initial sealing of the container is achieved by attaching an initial-opening film seal (a so-called P seal) to the discharge opening of the container body. For example, in the case of a laminated tube, the initial-opening film seal is attached to the discharge opening, and then the contents are poured into the container from the bottom. In the case of a plastic bottle, the initial-opening film seal is attached after the contents are poured into the discharge opening. In the process of attaching these typical initial-opening film seals, if a film with a slit 3a formed in advance is used, the liquid cut-off valve 3 can be attached without adding the process of forming the slit 3a. Therefore, it is possible to manufacture capped containers 11, 12 without making major modifications to existing machinery.

[0031] In the capped containers 11 and 12, the slit 3a formed in the cutoff valve 3 prevents complete initial sealing. If sufficient initial sealing is required, it is preferable to attach a barrier film seal for initial opening over the cutoff valve 3. Figure 5 shows the cross-sectional structure (fluid discharge structure) of a main part of a capped container 13 according to a third embodiment. This capped container 13 has the same configuration as the capped container 12, except that a barrier film seal 4 for initial opening is attached over the cutoff valve 3. The film seal 4 for initial opening may be attached after the cutoff valve 3 is attached, or the film seal 4 for initial opening may be attached in advance to the film constituting the cutoff valve 3, and the resulting laminated film may then be attached to the container body 1B. To ensure even greater sealing, for example, an inner ring may be provided within the cap 2B.

[0032] FIG. 6 shows a cross-sectional view (fluid discharge structure) of a main portion of a capped container 14 according to a fourth embodiment. This capped container 14 has the same configuration as the capped container 12, except that a half-cut slit 3a is formed instead of a fully-through slit 3a. The half-cut slit 3a can be formed by cutting a non-through film that constitutes the liquid cutoff valve 3. Because the slit 3a is half-cut, an unused container 14 is sealed. When the contents F are first discharged from the container 14, the container 14 is opened. At this time, the contents F reaching the discharge port 1a press against the liquid cutoff valve 3, tearing it apart starting from the slit 3a. As a result, the slit 3a is fully-through, similar to the container 12. By forming the slit 3a half-cut, there is no need to attach a film seal 4 (FIG. 5) for initial opening, simplifying the configuration and facilitating manufacture.

[0033] Figure 7 shows the cross-sectional structure (fluid discharge structure) of a main part of capped container 15, a comparative example of capped containers 12-14. Container body 1B is provided with a film seal 4 for initial opening, covering discharge outlet 1a. Cap 2B has an elastomer (rubber-based) liquid cut-off valve 8 with a slit 8a formed in it inserted into discharge outlet 2a in the cap lower part 2d, and is fixed in place with a separate ring-shaped stopper 9. The rest of the configuration is the same as capped container 12.

[0034] The liquid cut-off valve 8 used in container 15 is made of a rubber-based material and is therefore expensive, whereas the liquid cut-off valve 3 used in containers 12 to 14 is made of a film made of a non-rubber-based material and is therefore low-cost. Furthermore, container 15 requires a step to insert the liquid cut-off valve 8 into the discharge port 2a of the lower part 2d of the cap and a separate part, the fixing stopper 9, which increases costs, whereas containers 12 to 14 do not require a step to insert the liquid cut-off valve 3 into the discharge port 1a or a separate part for fixing, which enables lower costs.

[0035] In the container 15, the cap 2B is removed from the container body 1B, the initial opening film seal 4 is peeled off from the container body 1B, the cap 2B is attached to the container body 1B, and the cap upper part 2c is rotated (arrow mR in Figure 3) to expose the liquid cutoff valve 8 at the discharge port 2a, after which the contents F are discharged. After the contents F are discharged, when pressure on the container body 1B is released, the slit 8a closes and the contents F in the cap lower part 2d are unable to return to the container body 1B and remain there. If the contents F remain in the cap lower part 2d for a long period of time, there is a high possibility that the contents F will deteriorate or solidify within the cap lower part 2d. Solidification of the contents within the cap lower part 2d can adversely affect the opening and closing action of the liquid cutoff valve 8, potentially causing the contents F to run out or become difficult to dispense. Furthermore, it can also cause contamination around the discharge port 2a of the cap lower part 2d.

[0036] As described above, in the capped containers 11-14, the film-made cutoff valve 3 with a slit 3a formed therein is provided on the container body 1A, 1B so as to cover the discharge port 1a, thereby ensuring good drainage of the contents F at the discharge port 1a of the container body 1A, 1B. For example, in the hinge-capped containers 12-14, even if the cutoff valve 3 closes while the contents F are flowing from the discharge port 1a of the container body 1B to the discharge port 2a of the cap 2B, the contents F in the cap 2B are discharged from the discharge port 2a of the cap 2B to the outside of the container 12, so the contents F do not remain in the cap 2B. As a result, the contents F are less likely to deteriorate or solidify within the cap 2B. Moreover, the cutoff valve 3 is inexpensive because it is made of a film made of a non-rubber material. Therefore, low-cost capped containers 11-14 with good discharge and drainage of the contents F can be realized. [Explanation of symbols]

[0037] 1A, 1B Container body 1a Discharge port 1b screw structure 2A, 2B Cap 2a Discharge port 2b screw structure 2c Cap top 2d Cap bottom 2e Hinge part 2f,2g locking structure 3 Liquid cutoff valve 3a Slit 4 Film seal for initial opening 8 Liquid cutoff valve 8a Slit 9 Stopper 11,12,13,14,15 Container with cap S Storage space F Contents

Claims

1. A capped container comprising a squeezable container body having a storage space for storing contents and a discharge outlet communicating with the storage space, and a cap removably attached to the discharge outlet, The container body is provided with a film-type liquid cutoff valve made of a non-rubber material and having a slit formed therein, the film-type liquid cutoff valve covering the discharge outlet, and when the container body is pressurized, the slit opens to discharge the contents in the storage space, A capped container characterized in that the liquid cut-off valve is made of a laminated film having a three-layer structure consisting of an outer layer made of a transparent vapor-deposited film, a middle layer made of polyethylene terephthalate resin, and an inner layer made of polyethylene resin.

2. 2. The capped container according to claim 1, wherein the slit is formed so as to penetrate the container completely.

3. 3. The capped container according to claim 2, wherein a film seal having barrier properties for initial opening is attached on the liquid cut-off valve.

4. 2. The capped container according to claim 1, wherein the slit is formed in a half-cut state.

5. A capped container according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the cap comprises a cap lower part having an outlet and configured to be connectable to the container body, a cap upper part provided to cover the outlet of the cap lower part, and a hinge part connecting the two to enable the cap upper part to be opened and closed.

6. 6. A capped container according to claim 5, wherein the liquid cutoff valve is pressed against the container body by a lower portion of the cap.

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