Caps and food and beverages in containers with caps

Abstract

To provide a resealable cap capable of opening with neither fracture of a first score during plugging, nor application of large force during opening / sealing with a simple configuration, when using a cap whose skirt wall height is low, and a container whose container mouth outer diameter is small.SOLUTION: A cap 100 for sealing a container B comprises a cap top face 101, and a skirt wall 110 on which thin film-like first score 111 and second score 112 are formed. The first score 111 is formed only on a side of an opening flange 114 formed on the skirt wall 110 from a center of the cap top face 101. The second score 112 is formed only on an opposite side of the opening flange 114 from the center of the cap top face 101. A circumferential direction width of the first score 111 is narrower than that of the second score 112. A film thickness of the first score 111 is thinner than that of the second score 112. It is so constituted that the first score 111 is breakable during opening of the container B.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a cap that can be fitted onto the mouth of a container to seal the container, and food and drink contained in a container with the cap, and in particular to a cap that can be easily resealed after opening, and food and drink contained in a container with the cap. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, a synthetic resin cap that can be fitted onto the mouth of a container such as a milk bottle to seal the container is known from Patent Document 1, which engages with the container mouth from the outer surface side of the container and tightly seals the inner surface of the container mouth.

[0003] The cap (synthetic resin cap 2) known from Patent Document 1 has a cap top surface (top wall 4), a skirt wall (6) hanging down from the periphery of the cap top surface (top wall 4), and an inner ring (seal ridge 8) hanging down in a ring shape from the radially inward side of the skirt wall (6) of the cap top surface (top wall 4), and the skirt wall (6) is formed with thin-film-like first scores (relatively narrow weakened lines 30) and second scores (relatively wide weakened lines 20) extending upward from the lower end of the skirt wall (6). An opening flange (tab 12) is formed on a portion of the outer peripheral surface of the skirt wall (6), and undercuts (locking protrusions 10) that engage with the protrusions (locked jaw portion 104) of the container mouth (opening 102) are formed intermittently in the circumferential direction on the inner peripheral side of the skirt wall (6).

[0004] The cap (synthetic resin cap 2) known from Patent Document 1 and other documents can be capped from above the container mouth (opening 102) using a capping device or the like, so that the undercut (locking protrusion 10) engages with the lower part of the protrusion (locked jaw portion 104) of the container mouth (opening 102), and the inner ring (sealing protrusion 8) circumferentially seals the inner surface of the container mouth (opening 102), thereby sealing the container (milk bottle 100). Furthermore, by lifting the opening flange (tab 12), the relatively wide weakened lines 20a and 20b in the tab side region X elastically deform (stretch) in the circumferential direction, and of the five first scores (relatively narrow weakened lines 30) arranged in the anti-tab side region Y, particularly 30c and 30d break, causing the skirt wall (6) to expand in diameter, and the undercut (locking protrusion 10) can be released from the protrusion (locked jaw portion) to allow opening. Furthermore, since breaking the first score (relatively narrow weakened lines 30c, 30d) makes it easier for the skirt wall (6) to expand in diameter, the user can manually re-seal the container (milk bottle 100) by re-attaching the cap (synthetic resin cap 2) from above the container mouth (opening 102), thereby re-engaging the undercut (sealing protrusion 8) with the lower part of the protrusion (retaining jaw part). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 3977911 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, there is room for further improvement in the synthetic resin cap known from Patent Document 1 and the like. In other words, with the cap known from Patent Document 1, when used with wide-mouth containers such as conventional milk bottles, the skirt wall can be sufficiently expanded to allow the sealing ridge to climb over the latching jaw by extending the relatively wide weakened line and breaking the relatively narrow weakened line, making it easy for the user to open and reseal the cap manually. However, if the outer diameter of the opening is small or the height of the synthetic resin cap is short, the force that breaks the relatively narrow weakened line when the locking ridge rides over it during opening is not easily transmitted, and when opening is complete, the top wall ends up bowed outward, and the locking ridge and sealing ridge also end up bowed outward like the top wall.

[0007] In particular, when the height of a synthetic resin cap is reduced, the axial positions of the top wall, sealing ridges, and locking ridges become closer, making the cap more susceptible to axial deformation when the locking ridges overcome the locking jaws during opening, which is also one of the factors that causes the top wall to warp outward.

[0008] As a result, when resealing, the outward-bent locking ridges and sealing ridges must be inserted into the opening, requiring a strong force to reseal, and there is a risk that if sufficient force is not applied, the container will not be resealed properly, resulting in leakage such as leftover drink. Furthermore, when the outer diameter of the opening is small, there is a concern that the stress on the relatively narrow weakened line will increase when the skirt wall expands during capping using a capping device, causing it to break.

[0009] The present invention aims to solve these problems by providing a cap with a simple structure that will not break the first score when plugging, even when using a cap with a low skirt wall height or a container with a small outer diameter at the container mouth, and that can be opened and resealed easily and without applying a large amount of force when opening or resealing. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] The cap of the present invention has a cap top surface, a skirt wall hanging down from the periphery of the cap top surface, and an inner ring hanging down in a ring shape from the radially inward side of the skirt wall on the cap top surface, and the skirt wall has first and second thin-film scores extending upward from the lower end of the skirt wall, and is a cap that can be fitted onto a container mouth to seal the container, and an opening flange is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the skirt wall, and an undercut that engages with a protrusion on the container mouth is formed circumferentially on the inner peripheral surface of the skirt wall. the first scores are formed in pairs on the skirt wall only on the opening flange side from the center of the cap top surface, and the second scores are formed in plurality on the skirt wall only on the opposite side of the opening flange from the center of the cap top surface, the first scores and the second scores are formed in the circumferential direction so as to be adjacent to the undercuts, the circumferential width of the first scores is narrower than the circumferential width of the second scores, the film thickness of the first scores is thinner than the film thickness of the second scores, and the first scores are configured to be breakable when the container is opened. The first score is located adjacent to the undercuts that are closest to both ends of the circumferential direction of the opening flange, on the opposite side of the opening flange across the undercuts. This solves the above problem. The cap of the present invention has a cap top surface, a skirt wall hanging down from the periphery of the cap top surface, and an inner ring hanging down in a ring shape from the cap top surface radially inward of the skirt wall, and the skirt wall is formed with first and second thin-film scores extending upward from the lower end of the skirt wall, and is a cap that can be fitted onto a container mouth to seal the container, and an opening flange is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the skirt wall, and an undercut that engages with a protruding part of the container mouth is formed circumferentially on the inner peripheral surface of the skirt wall, and the first score is formed on the skirt wall and the inner peripheral surface of the cap top surface The problem is solved by forming a pair of scores only on the side closer to the opening flange than the center, and forming multiple second scores on the skirt wall only on the side opposite the opening flange than the center of the cap top surface, the first score and the second score being formed circumferentially so as to be adjacent to the undercut, the circumferential width of the first score being narrower than the circumferential width of the second score, the film thickness of the first score being thinner than the film thickness of the second score, the first score being configured to be rupturable when the container is opened, and the first score being adjacent to the second score across one undercut when viewed circumferentially. The cap of the present invention has a cap top surface, a skirt wall hanging down from the periphery of the cap top surface, and an inner ring hanging down in a ring shape from the cap top surface radially inward of the skirt wall, and the skirt wall is formed with thin-film-like first and second scores extending upward from the lower end of the skirt wall, and is a cap that can fit onto a container mouth to seal the container, wherein an opening flange is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the skirt wall, and an undercut that engages with a protruding part of the container mouth is formed circumferentially on the inner peripheral surface of the skirt wall, and the first scores are formed in pairs on the skirt wall only closer to the opening flange than the center of the cap top surface, and the second scores are formed on the skirt wall to form thin-film-like first and second scores that extend upward from the lower end of the skirt wall, and the cap can be fitted onto a container mouth to seal the container, The problem is solved by forming a plurality of scores only on the side opposite the opening flange from the center of the top surface of the container, the first score and the second score being formed circumferentially so as to be adjacent to the undercut, the circumferential width of the first score being narrower than the circumferential width of the second score, the film thickness of the first score being thinner than the film thickness of the second score, the first score being configured to be rupturable when the container is opened, the undercut and the first score not being formed on the inner surface of the location where the opening flange is formed, and a third score having a circumferential width wider than the first score and a film thickness thicker than the first score being formed between the skirt wall and the undercut closest to the opening flange. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to the cap of claim 1, a pair of first scores are formed on the skirt wall only on the side of the opening flange from the center of the top surface of the cap, and second scores are formed on the skirt wall only on the side opposite the opening flange from the center of the top surface of the cap.Therefore, when the cap is capped using a capping device, the second scores elastically extend in response to the force that causes the skirt wall to expand uniformly in the circumferential direction, preventing the first scores from breaking and causing the undercut to move below the protrusion, thereby sealing the container. Furthermore, when the opening flange is lifted to open the cap, the opening flange side of the skirt wall is first subjected to stress in the lifting direction, which tends to concentrate stress on the first score which is closer to the opening flange, making it easy to break the first score without applying a large amount of force, and the undercut on the opening flange side easily overcomes the protruding portion, making it easy to open the cap even when using a cap with a low skirt wall height or a container with a small outer diameter at the container mouth. Furthermore, since the skirt wall on the opening flange side after opening can suppress outward warping of the cap top surface due to the first score being broken, outward deformation of the inner ring can also be suppressed. This prevents the inner ring from providing significant resistance to the container opening when resealing, allowing for easy and reliable resealing without applying a large force. Furthermore, since the film thickness of the first score is thinner than that of the second score, stress is more likely to be concentrated on the first score when opening, making it easier to break the first score and allowing the seal to be opened easily and reliably without applying a large amount of force. Furthermore, the first score is located adjacent to the undercuts closest to both ends of the circumferential edge of the opening flange on the opposite side of the opening flange, across the undercuts. Therefore, the first score is formed in a position that avoids the skirt wall, which is less likely to deform due to the formation of the opening flange. Furthermore, when the opening flange is lifted, the stress caused by the undercuts closest to both ends of the circumferential edge of the opening flange riding over the container mouth tends to be concentrated on the first score, making it easy to break the first score. According to the cap of claim 2, a pair of first scores are formed on the skirt wall only on the side of the opening flange from the center of the top surface of the cap, and second scores are formed on the skirt wall only on the side opposite the opening flange from the center of the top surface of the cap.Therefore, when the cap is capped using a capping device, the second scores elastically extend in response to the force that causes the skirt wall to expand uniformly in the circumferential direction, preventing the first scores from breaking and causing the undercut to move below the protrusion, thereby sealing the container. Furthermore, when the opening flange is lifted to open the cap, the opening flange side of the skirt wall is first subjected to stress in the lifting direction, which tends to concentrate stress on the first score which is closer to the opening flange, making it easy to break the first score without applying a large amount of force, and the undercut on the opening flange side easily overcomes the protruding portion, making it easy to open the cap even when using a cap with a low skirt wall height or a container with a small outer diameter at the container mouth. Furthermore, since the skirt wall on the opening flange side after opening can suppress outward warping of the cap top surface due to the first score being broken, outward deformation of the inner ring can also be suppressed. This prevents the inner ring from providing significant resistance to the container opening when resealing, allowing for easy and reliable resealing without applying a large force. Furthermore, since the film thickness of the first score is thinner than that of the second score, stress is more likely to be concentrated on the first score when opening, making it easier to break the first score and allowing the seal to be opened easily and reliably without applying a large amount of force. Furthermore, since the first score is adjacent to the second score across an undercut in the circumferential direction, the stress applied to the first score when the bottle is stopped up is reduced by the second score elastically expanding in diameter, thereby preventing the first score from being subjected to abuse and breaking when the bottle is stopped up.

[0012] According to the cap of claim 3, a pair of first scores are formed on the skirt wall only on the side of the opening flange from the center of the top surface of the cap, and second scores are formed on the skirt wall only on the side opposite the opening flange from the center of the top surface of the cap.Therefore, when the cap is capped using a capping device, the second scores elastically extend in response to the force that causes the skirt wall to expand uniformly in the circumferential direction, preventing the first scores from breaking and causing the undercut to move below the protrusion, thereby sealing the container. Furthermore, when the opening flange is lifted to open the cap, the opening flange side of the skirt wall is first subjected to stress in the lifting direction, which tends to concentrate stress on the first score which is closer to the opening flange, making it easy to break the first score without applying a large amount of force, and the undercut on the opening flange side easily overcomes the protruding portion, making it easy to open the cap even when using a cap with a low skirt wall height or a container with a small outer diameter at the container mouth. Furthermore, since the skirt wall on the opening flange side after opening can suppress outward warping of the cap top surface due to the first score being broken, outward deformation of the inner ring can also be suppressed. This prevents the inner ring from providing significant resistance to the container opening when resealing, allowing for easy and reliable resealing without applying a large force. Furthermore, since the film thickness of the first score is thinner than that of the second score, stress is more likely to be concentrated on the first score when opening, making it easier to break the first score and allowing the seal to be opened easily and reliably without applying a large amount of force. Furthermore, since the undercut and first score are not formed on the inner surface of the area where the opening flange is formed, it is easier to lift the opening flange when opening, and the first score can be more easily broken, allowing the package to be opened easily and reliably without applying a large amount of force. In addition, a third score is formed on the skirt wall between the opening collar and the nearest undercut, which has a wider circumferential width and a thicker film thickness than the first score, reducing the stress on the first score when the cap is inserted and preventing the first score from breaking. Also, when the opening collar is lifted during opening, the third score extends, allowing it to be lifted easily without being affected by the undercut. Furthermore, when the opening flange is lifted, the undercut near the opening flange is disengaged from the protruding portion, and the stress is concentrated on the first score, causing it to break without breaking the third score, allowing it to be opened easily and reliably without applying a large force.

[0013] According to the configuration described in claim 4, the first score is positioned at a position that is 30° or more and less than 90° from the circumferential center of the opening flange, so that the first score is not too far from the opening flange and reliably receives stress in a concentrated manner when opening, and by easily and reliably breaking the first score at an early stage in the opening process, outward warping of the top surface of the cap can be suppressed. According to the configuration described in claim 5, the upper end of the undercut is located above the lower end of the inner ring when viewed in the axial direction, so when the opening collar is lifted to open the container, the circumferential stress caused by the undercut going over the mouth of the container is applied to the first score at an early stage of the opening process, causing it to break, thereby preventing the top surface of the cap from warping outward and ultimately preventing the inner ring from warping outward.

[0015] Claim 6 According to the configuration described above, the cap of a containerized food or beverage can be easily opened without applying a large amount of force, and the containerized food or beverage can be easily and reliably resealed by putting the cap back on. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] 1 is a top view of a cap 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a front view of a cap 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the cap 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] 2 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along the line AA' of the cap 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along the line BB' of the cap 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] An enlarged comparative view of part F in Figure 5 combined with a partial cross-sectional view taken along the line C-C'. [Figure 7] 2 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along the line AA' showing a state in which the cap 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention is fitted to the container opening BC. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] A cap 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that only the vicinity of the container opening BC of the container B to which the cap 100 is fitted is shown in the figure.

[0018] A cap 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention fits onto the container mouth BC of a container B to seal the container B, and as shown in Figures 1 to 6, has a cap top surface 101, a skirt wall 110 hanging down from the periphery of the cap top surface 101, and an inner ring 120 hanging down in a ring shape from the radially inward side of the skirt wall 110 of the cap top surface 101. In addition, an opening flange 114 protruding radially outward is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the skirt wall 110, and an undercut 115 (115d) protruding radially inward and capable of engaging with the protrusion BT of the container mouth BC is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the skirt wall 110, as well as a first score 111, a second score 112 (112d), and a third score 113 in the form of a membrane formed thinner than other parts of the skirt wall 110.

[0019] The first score 111, the second score 112, and the third score 113 are formed thinly by forming a groove shape from the upper end to the lower end on the outer surface side of the skirt wall 110, and a groove shape from the center downward when viewed in the axial direction on the inner surface side of the skirt wall 110. Furthermore, no scores are formed at the positions where the opening flange 114 and undercut 115 of the skirt wall 110 are formed, and the first score 111 is formed only on the side of the opening flange 114 when viewed from the center of the cap 100, and the second score 112 is formed only on the side opposite the opening flange 114 when viewed from the center of the cap 100.

[0020] The first score 111 is composed of a first thin-walled portion 111a formed thin on the lower side of the skirt wall 110, a first thick-walled portion 111c formed thick on the upper side of the skirt wall 110, and a first inclined portion 111b in which the inner diameter of the skirt wall 110 gradually changes to smoothly connect the first thin-walled portion 111a and the first thick-walled portion 111c. Here, Figure 6 is an enlarged view for comparison in which part F in Figure 5 is combined with a partial cross-sectional view taken along line C-C', and shows the first thin-walled portion 111a, the second thin-walled portion 112a described below, and the undercuts 115 and 115d superimposed with the outer diameter of the skirt wall 110 aligned. As shown in FIG. 6, the second score 112 and the third score 113 are substantially similar in configuration to the first score 111, although the detailed dimensions are partially different.

[0021] Specifically, the outer diameter, axial length of the thin-walled portion, axial length of the thick-walled portion, and axial length of the inclined portion of the second score 112 and the third score 113 are all the same as the outer diameter D of the first score 111, the axial length ha of the first thin-walled portion 111a, the axial length hc of the first thick-walled portion 111c, and the axial length hb of the first inclined portion 111b. The inner diameter dd of the first thin portion 111a is larger than the inner diameter dc of the second thin portion 112a of the second score 112 and the inner diameter dc of the third thin portion 113a of the third score 113. That is, the first thin portion 111a is formed to be thinner than the second thin portion 112a and the third thin portion 113a.

[0022] In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 1 and 3, the circumferential width of the second score 112d is formed to be the same as or wider than the second scores 112 other than the second score 112d, but it may be narrower than the second scores 112 other than the second score 112d as long as it is wider than the first score 111. The third score 113 is also formed wider than the first score 111 .

[0023] As a specific example of dimensions, if the outermost diameter of the cap 100 is 32.00 mm and the height is 5.80 mm, the sum of the axial length ha of the first thin-walled portion 111a and the axial length hb of the first inclined portion 111b is 2.00 to 3.50 mm, and the axial length of the first thick-walled portion is in the range of 2.30 to 3.80 mm. That is, the thickness of the first thin portion 111a is in the range of 0.20 to 0.35 mm, and the thicknesses of the second thin portion 112a and the third thin portion 113a are in the range of 0.30 to 0.45 mm, and it is sufficient that the thickness of the first thin portion 111a is thinner than the thicknesses of the second thin portion 112a and the third thin portion 113a within the above dimensional ranges. The circumferential width of each score is in the range of 0.5 to 1.3 mm for the first score 111, 1.4 to 5.0 mm for the second score 112, and 1.2 to 2.1 mm for the third score 113.

[0024] The upper ends of undercuts 115 and 115d are positioned above the lower end of inner ring 120, and the innermost diameter portions of undercuts 115 and 115d are formed to be positioned at the height at which the thin-walled portions of first score 111, second score 112, and third score 113 are formed. The inner diameter db of the undercut 115d is larger than the inner diameter da of the undercut 115 by 0.1 to 0.8 mm.

[0025] The container mouth BC is provided with a protrusion BT that protrudes radially outward from the outer circumferential surface of the upper end over the entire circumference.

[0026] Next, the process of sealing and unsealing the container B using the cap 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0027] First, the procedure for sealing the container B will be described. When the cap 100 is pressed downward from above the container B, the undercut 115 of the cap 100 interferes with the protrusion BT of the container opening BC. At this time, if the cap 100 is further pushed in, the skirt wall 110 is subjected to a force that causes it to expand in diameter uniformly in the circumferential direction, and the first score 111, second score 112, and third score 113, which are formed with thin walls, elastically stretch without breaking, causing the skirt wall 110 to gradually expand in diameter. This allows the undercut 115 to climb over the protrusion BT.

[0028] At this time, since the undercut 115d adjacent to the first score 111 has a larger inner diameter than the other undercuts 115, the amount by which the skirt wall 110 expands when climbing over the protrusion BT can be suppressed, thereby reducing the stress received by the first score 111. In addition, the second score 112b adjacent to the first score 111 across the undercut 115d allows the undercut 115 to undergo large elastic deformation to follow the expansion of the skirt wall 110 as it passes over the protrusion BT, further reducing the stress received by the first score 111. These features reduce the abuse of the first score 111 and prevent the first score 111 from breaking when the bottle is capped.

[0029] After the undercut 115 passes over the protrusion BT, the first score 111, the second score 112, and the third score 113 cause the skirt wall 110 to shrink to the state before the diameter was expanded, so the skirt wall 110 also shrinks in diameter, and as shown in Figure 6, the undercut 115 engages below the protrusion BT. The inner ring 120 also enters while being in close contact with the inner circumferential surface of the container opening BC. This completes the sealing of the container B.

[0030] Next, the procedure for opening container B will be described. When the opening flange 114 of the cap 100 fitted to the container mouth BC is lifted upward, the skirt wall 110 near the opening flange 114 gradually starts to move upward, that is, in the direction of separation from the container mouth BC. At this time, since the undercut 115 is engaged with the protrusion BT, the third score 113 provided between the opening flange 114 and the undercut 115 formed closest to the opening flange 114 extends as the skirt wall 110 moves. This makes it easier for the opening flange 114 to move upward, and makes it easier for the user to move the opening flange 114 to a position where it is easy to apply force to it.

[0031] When the opening flange 114 is further lifted, the skirt wall 110 on the opening flange 114 side expands in diameter, and the undercut 115 formed closest to the opening flange 114 gradually disengages from the protrusion BT, and stress begins to concentrate on the first score 111. At this time, the undercut 115d formed at the position closest to the first score 111 in the circumferential direction and farthest from the opening flange 114 has not yet disengaged from the protrusion BT, so stress is applied in the lifting direction (upward) to the cap top surface 101 on the opening flange 114 side rather than the first score 111 formation part, and the stress is concentrated on the first score 111 without being distributed to other scores, causing the first score 111 to break. Furthermore, since the upper end of the undercut 115 is located above the lower end of the inner ring 120 when viewed in the axial direction, when the opening flange 114 is lifted to open the cap, the circumferential stress caused by the undercut 115 overcoming the protruding portion BT can be applied to the first score 111 at an early stage of the opening process, causing it to break, thereby preventing the cap top surface 101 from warping outward, and ultimately preventing the inner ring 120 from warping outward.

[0032] Furthermore, since the first score 111 is thinner than the second score 112 and the third score 113, it is more likely to receive concentrated stress and break. As a result, the first score 111 breaks and disengages from the protrusion BT relatively quickly after the opening flange 114 is lifted, and the cap 100 is released without the cap top surface 101 being significantly deformed by stress during opening. In this embodiment, when the first score 111 breaks, at least the first thin-walled portion 111a breaks as viewed in the axial direction. Furthermore, since the innermost diameter portion of the undercut 115 is formed at the same axial height as the first thin-walled portion 111a, the engagement of the undercut 115 is released when the first thin-walled portion 111a is broken.

[0033] Furthermore, the fracture of the first score 111 (first thin-walled portion 111a) also loosens the circumferential tightening of the skirt wall 110 against the protrusion BT, making it easier to disengage the undercut 115 from the protrusion BT. Therefore, by continuing to lift the opening flange 114 without applying a large force, the remaining undercut 115 can be disengaged from the protrusion BT, the entire cap 100 can be detached from the container mouth BC, and the opening of the container B can be easily completed. In addition, when the cap 100 is opened, stress is temporarily applied in the area where the undercut 115d is formed in the direction of the inner diameter of the cap 100, i.e., in the direction tightening the protrusion BT, making it difficult to disengage from the protrusion BT. However, since the inner diameter db of the undercut 115d is formed larger than the inner diameter da of the other undercuts 115, the tightening of the protrusion BT can be suppressed, and the increase in force required to disengage from the protrusion BT can be suppressed.

[0034] As mentioned above, since deformation in the warping direction of the cap top surface 101 when opened can be suppressed, deformation of the inner ring 120 can also be suppressed, and since the positional relationship between the inner ring 120 and the inner surface of the container mouth portion BC when resealing is the same as when the container is stoppered, resealing is possible without requiring a large amount of force. Furthermore, since the first score 111 of the cap 100 that has already been opened from the container B is broken, when the cap 100 is reattached to the container B, the skirt wall 110 tends to expand in diameter, making it easier for the undercut 115 to overcome the protrusion BT. That is, the container B can be easily resealed with the cap 100 without the need for a large force, so that the resealing is not insufficient and the remaining contents in the container B do not leak out.

[0035] Here, since the undercut 115 is not formed at the position where the opening flange 114 is formed, when opening the container B, the opening flange 114 can be easily lifted to a position where it is easy to grip with fingers. Furthermore, by positioning the first score 111 at a position that is 30° or more and less than 90° from the circumferential center of the opening flange 114, the first score 111 is not too far from the opening flange 114 and can reliably receive stress in a concentrated manner when opening.

[0036] Furthermore, by arranging second scores 112 of different widths, the position at which the skirt wall 110 is to be expanded and the rate at which it is expanded can be adjusted in more detail not only by the arrangement of the second scores 112 but also by the circumferential width, making it possible to easily and reliably open and reseal containers of various sizes. Furthermore, the second score 112 is formed only on the opposite side of the opening flange 114 when viewed from the center of the cap 100, and an undercut 115d is formed between the first score 111 and the second score 112. Therefore, the stress can be efficiently concentrated on the first score 111 without being dispersed to the second score 112, which is farther from the opening flange 114 than the first score 111, across the undercut 115d, and the first score 111 can be broken more easily and reliably.

[0037] Furthermore, the first score 111, the second score 112, and the third score 113 are formed thin by forming a groove from the top to the bottom on the outer peripheral surface side of the skirt wall 110 and a groove from the center downward on the inner peripheral surface side of the skirt wall 110. This makes it easier for only the lower sides of the first score 111, the second score 112, and the third score 113, i.e., the first thin-walled portion 111a, the second thin-walled portion 112a, and the third thin-walled portion 113a to expand in diameter, and allows the container B to be tightly sealed by being sandwiched between the inner ring 120 and the skirt wall 110.

[0038] Here, a sensory evaluation test of the openability of the cap 100 of the present invention will be described. The test method involved subjects opening the cap 100 of the present invention (the cap of the present invention) and, as a comparative example, the cap of the invention described in Patent Document 1 (a conventional cap) using a specified opening method, and then evaluating the ease of opening each in absolute terms on a five-point scale: easy to open, somewhat easy to open, neither easy nor difficult, somewhat difficult to open, and difficult to open. The subjects were 152 people of different ages and genders. The test results are shown in Table 1.

[0039] [Table 1]

[0040] As shown in Table 1, 108 subjects answered that the cap of the present invention was easy to open, and 36 subjects answered that it was somewhat easy to open, meaning that 94.8% of the subjects overall rated the cap of the present invention as easy to open. On the other hand, 82 subjects answered that the conventional cap was easy to open, and 50 subjects answered that it was somewhat easy to open, meaning that 86.8% of subjects overall rated the conventional cap as easy to open.

[0041] From the above test results, it is clear that the cap of the present invention has improved openability compared to conventional caps.

[0042] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various design modifications can be made without departing from the present invention as set forth in the claims.

[0043] In the above-described embodiment, the third score is described as being formed between the opening flange and the undercut near the opening flange, but the position where the third score is formed is not limited to this, and for example, the third score may be formed up to the position where the opening flange is formed. Also, the cap may not have a third score. Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the second scores have been described as including scores with different circumferential widths, but the shape of the second scores is not limited to this, and for example, all second scores may be formed with a uniform circumferential width.

[0044] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the first score has been described as being composed of a first thin-walled portion formed thin on the lower side of the skirt wall, a first thick-walled portion formed thick on the upper side of the skirt wall, and a first inclined portion in which the inner diameter of the skirt wall gradually changes to smoothly connect the first thin-walled portion and the first thick-walled portion; however, the configuration of the first score and the second score and third score, which have substantially the same configuration as the first score, is not limited to this, and, for example, the first inclined portion may not be present. Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the undercut formed closest to the first score and farthest from the opening flange is described as having a larger inner diameter than the other undercuts, but the configuration of the undercut is not limited to this, and the inner diameter of all undercuts may be the same.

[0045] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the outer diameter, axial length of the thin-walled portion, axial length of the thick-walled portion, and axial length of the inclined portion of the second score and the third score were all described as being the same as the outer diameter, axial length of the first thin-walled portion, axial length of the first thick-walled portion, and axial length of the first inclined portion of the first score, but the shape of each score is not limited to this; for example, the axial length of the thick-walled portion of the first score may be shorter than the axial length of the thick-walled portion of the other scores, and the second score may not have an inclined portion. [Explanation of symbols]

[0046] 100 ··· Cap 101 ··· Top of cap 110 ··· Skirt wall 111 ··· 1st score 111a... 1st thin section 111b... 1st slope 111c... 1st thick wall part 112, 112d... Second score 112a... 2nd thin section 113 3rd Score 113a... 3rd thin section 114 ··· Opening guard 115, 115d... Undercut 120 Inner ring B...container BC Container opening BT... Protrusion ha: Axial length of the thin-walled part hb: Axial length of the inclined part hc: Axial length of thick-walled section da ··· Inner diameter of undercut 115 db ··· Inner diameter of undercut 115d dc: Inner diameter of the second thin-walled section and the third thin-walled section dd: Inner diameter of the first thin-walled section D: Outer diameter of the first, second, and third scores

Claims

1. A cap having a cap top surface, a skirt wall hanging down from the periphery of the cap top surface, and an inner ring hanging down in a ring shape from the cap top surface radially inward of the skirt wall, wherein the skirt wall has first and second thin-film scores extending upward from a lower end of the skirt wall, and the cap is capable of fitting onto a container mouth to seal the container, An opening flange is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the skirt wall, An undercut is formed in the circumferential direction on the inner peripheral surface of the skirt wall to engage with the protruding portion of the container opening, a pair of first scores are formed on the skirt wall only on a side closer to the opening flange than the center of the top surface of the cap; the second scores are formed on the skirt wall only on the opposite side of the opening flange from the center of the cap top surface, the first score and the second score are formed in the circumferential direction so as to be adjacent to the undercut, a circumferential width of the first score is narrower than a circumferential width of the second score, The film thickness of the first score is smaller than the film thickness of the second score, The first score is configured to be rupturable when the container is opened, A cap characterized in that the first score is located adjacent to the undercut on the opposite side of the opening flange, across the undercut, from the undercut that is closest to each of the circumferential ends of the opening flange.

2. A cap having a cap top surface, a skirt wall hanging down from the periphery of said cap top surface, and an inner ring hanging down in a ring shape from the radially inward side of said skirt wall of said cap top surface, said skirt wall having thin film-like first and second scores extending upward from the lower end of said skirt wall, said cap being capable of fitting into the mouth of a container to seal the container, An opening flange is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the skirt wall, An undercut is formed in the circumferential direction on the inner peripheral surface of the skirt wall to engage with the protruding portion of the container opening, a pair of first scores are formed on the skirt wall only on a side closer to the opening flange than the center of the top surface of the cap; the second scores are formed on the skirt wall only on the opposite side of the opening flange from the center of the cap top surface, the first score and the second score are formed in the circumferential direction so as to be adjacent to the undercut, a circumferential width of the first score is narrower than a circumferential width of the second score, The film thickness of the first score is smaller than the film thickness of the second score, The first score is configured to be rupturable when the container is opened, The cap is characterized in that the first score is adjacent to the second score with one undercut sandwiched between them in the circumferential direction.

3. A cap having a cap top surface, a skirt wall hanging down from the periphery of said cap top surface, and an inner ring hanging down in a ring shape from the radially inward side of said skirt wall of said cap top surface, said skirt wall having thin film-like first and second scores extending upward from the lower end of said skirt wall formed thereon, said cap being capable of fitting into the mouth of a container to seal the container, An opening flange is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the skirt wall, An undercut is formed in the circumferential direction on the inner peripheral surface of the skirt wall to engage with the protruding portion of the container opening, a pair of first scores are formed on the skirt wall only on a side closer to the opening flange than the center of the top surface of the cap; the second scores are formed on the skirt wall only on the opposite side of the opening flange from the center of the cap top surface, the first score and the second score are formed in the circumferential direction so as to be adjacent to the undercut, a circumferential width of the first score is narrower than a circumferential width of the second score, The film thickness of the first score is smaller than the film thickness of the second score, The first score is configured to be rupturable when the container is opened, the undercut and the first score are not formed on the inner circumferential surface of the portion where the opening flange is formed, A cap characterized in that a third score having a wider circumferential width than the first score and a thicker film thickness than the first score is formed between the skirt wall and the undercut immediately adjacent to the opening flange.

4. 4. The cap according to claim 1, wherein the first score is disposed at a position that is equal to or greater than 30 degrees and less than 90 degrees from the circumferential center of the opening flange.

5. 5. The cap according to claim 1, wherein an upper end of the undercut is located above a lower end of the inner ring as viewed in the axial direction.

6. A food or drink container with a cap, comprising the cap according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

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