Cap unit and container with cap
The cap unit simplifies the attachment of inner and outer components with a detachable mechanism, improving cleanliness and usability by enabling separate washing and incorporating a vacuum insulation structure.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2022-05-31
- Publication Date
- 2026-03-16
AI Technical Summary
Conventional cap units with detachable outer lids and inner stoppers are difficult to wash due to complex structures for attaching the inner stopper, compromising cleanliness and usability.
A cap unit design featuring a detachable mechanism that allows the inner stopper to be slid and locked onto the outer lid, utilizing slide locking portions, click locking mechanisms, and a water-sealing packing for easy separation and cleaning, with a vacuum insulation structure for enhanced usability.
Simplifies the attachment structure, improves cleanability of the outer lid and inner stopper, and enhances the overall usability of the capped container by allowing separate washing and providing thermal insulation.
Smart Images

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Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present invention relates to a cap unit and a container with a cap.
Background Art
[0002] Conventionally, there has been a container with a cap provided with a cap unit (plug body) that closes the upper opening of the container body by being detachably attached to the mouth-neck portion of the container body having an open upper portion (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2 below).
[0003] Such a cap unit has an outer lid that covers the mouth-neck portion of the container body and an inner stopper that is fitted into the container body from the upper opening, and the outer lid or the inner stopper is attached to the cap body by screwing.
Prior Art Documents
Patent Documents
[0004]
Patent Document 1
Patent Document 2
Summary of the Invention
Problems to be Solved by the Invention
[0005] By the way, in the above-described container with a cap, when washing the cap unit, it is very difficult to wash between the outer lid and the inner stopper. For this reason, in the cap unit, a structure that can be divided into an outer lid and an inner stopper has been adopted to improve the washability.
[0006] However, in the conventional cap unit, when a structure that can be divided into an outer lid and an inner stopper is adopted, there is a problem that the structure (detaching mechanism) for attaching the inner stopper to the outer lid becomes complicated.
[0007] This invention was proposed in view of the above conventional circumstances, and aims to provide a cap unit that simplifies the structure for attaching the inner stopper to the outer lid, thereby improving the cleanability of the outer lid and inner stopper, and a capped container that, by being equipped with such a cap unit, enables further improvements in usability. [Means for solving the problem]
[0008] To achieve the above objective, the present invention provides the following means. [1] A cap unit that is detachably attached to the neck of a container body with an open top, An outer lid surrounding the neck of the container body, An inner stopper is fitted into the inside of the container body through the upper opening of the container body, The outer lid is equipped with a detachable mechanism for detachably attaching the inner stopper to the outer lid, The detachable mechanism is characterized by having a structure in which the inner plug is attached to the outer lid by sliding the inner plug toward the center of the inner lower surface of the outer lid, starting from a state in which the upper surface of the inner plug is in contact with a position offset from the center of the inner lower surface of the outer lid. [2] The detachment mechanism includes a first slide locking portion provided on the outer cover, The aforementioned inner stopper has a second sliding locking portion, The cap unit according to [1], characterized in that when the inner stopper is slid from a position where the upper surface of the inner stopper is in contact with a position offset from the center of the inner lower surface of the outer lid to the center of the inner lower surface of the outer lid, the other locking portion is locked to either locking portion. [3] The cap unit according to [2], characterized in that the second slide locking portion protrudes in the diameter-expanding direction from the outer circumference of the upper end side of the inner plug. [4] The first slide locking portion is provided on the lower inner surface of the outer cover, The cap unit according to [2] above, characterized in that the second slide locking portion is provided on the upper surface of the inner stopper. [5] The cap unit according to [1], wherein the detachment mechanism has an engagement hole provided in the outer lid and an engagement piece provided in the inner stopper, and when the engagement piece is inserted into the engagement hole, the inner stopper is guided radially to slide freely relative to the outer lid, and when the inner stopper is slid from a position where the upper surface of the inner stopper is in contact with a position offset from the center of the inner lower surface of the outer lid to the center of the inner lower surface of the outer lid, the engagement piece engages with the engagement hole. [6] The detachment mechanism has a first click locking portion provided on the outer cover and a second click locking portion provided on the inner stopper, The cap unit according to [1], characterized in that it is provided with a click mechanism that provides a click sensation when the inner stopper is slid to the center of the lower surface on the inside of the outer lid, by engaging either the first click locking portion or the second click locking portion with the other locking portion. [7] The click locking portion has an elastic piece on which the second click locking portion is provided, The cap unit according to [6], characterized in that the elastic piece is elastically deformed while a click sensation is provided when the first click locking portion overcomes the second click locking portion. [8] The cap unit according to [6], wherein the click locking portion comprises a first click locking portion provided on both sides of the inner circumferential surface of the outer lid, straddling the sliding direction of the inner plug, and a second click locking portion provided on both sides of the outer circumferential surface of the upper end of the inner plug, straddling the sliding direction of the inner plug, and providing a click sensation when either the first click locking portion or the second click locking portion is locked to the other locking portion. [9] The cap unit according to [1], characterized in that it is integrally attached to the outer circumference of the lower end of the inner stopper and comprises a water-sealing packing that seals the space between the container body and the inner stopper.
[10] A cap unit as described in any one of the above items [1] to [9], A container with a cap, comprising a container body to which the cap unit is attached.
[11] The capped container according to
[10] , characterized in that the neck of the container body is provided with a stepped portion that restricts the radial movement of the outer lid.
[12] The container with a cap according to
[10] , characterized in that the container body has a vacuum insulation structure. [Effects of the Invention]
[0009] As described above, the present invention provides a cap unit that simplifies the structure for attaching the inner stopper to the outer lid, thereby improving the cleanability of the outer lid and inner stopper, and a capped container that further improves usability by being equipped with such a cap unit. [Brief explanation of the drawing]
[0010] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view showing the appearance of a capped container equipped with a cap unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a capped container equipped with the cap unit shown. [Figure 3] Figure 1 is a cross-sectional perspective view showing the configuration of the cap unit. [Figure 4] Figure 1 is a bottom view showing the configuration of the cap unit. [Figure 5] (A) A perspective view of the outer lid of the cap unit shown in Figure 1, viewed from below. (B) A perspective view of the outer lid of the cap unit shown in Figure 1, viewed from above. [Figure 6] (A) A perspective view of the inner stopper of the cap unit shown in Figure 1, viewed from above. (B) A perspective view of the inner stopper of the cap unit shown in Figure 1, viewed from below. [Figure 7]It is a cross-sectional view showing the state before attaching the inner stopper to the outer lid of the cap unit shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 8] It is a cross-sectional view for explaining the state of attaching the inner stopper to the outer lid of the cap unit shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 9] It is a cross-sectional view for explaining the state of attaching the inner stopper to the outer lid of the cap unit shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 10] It is a perspective view showing the appearance of the cap unit according to the second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] It is a bottom view showing the configuration of the cap unit shown in FIG. 10. [Figure 12] It is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the cap unit shown in FIG. 10. [Figure 13] It is a perspective view of the outer lid provided in the cap unit shown in FIG. 10 as viewed from the lower side. [Figure 14] It is a perspective view of the inner stopper provided in the cap unit shown in FIG. 10 as viewed from the upper side. [Figure 15] It is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the cap unit according to the third embodiment of the present invention and showing the state where the inner stopper is attached to the outer lid. [Figure 16] It is a perspective view of the outer lid provided in the cap unit shown in FIG. 15 as viewed from the lower side. [Figure 17] It is a perspective view of the inner stopper provided in the cap unit shown in FIG. 15 as viewed from the upper side.
Mode for Carrying Out the Invention
[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. (First Embodiment) First, as the first embodiment of the present invention, for example, a capped container 100A provided with a cap unit 1A shown in FIGS. 1 to 9 will be described.
[0012] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the external appearance of a capped container 100A equipped with a cap unit 1A. Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a capped container 100A equipped with a cap unit 1A. Figure 3 is a cross-sectional perspective view showing the configuration of a cap unit 1A. Figure 4 is a bottom view showing the configuration of a cap unit 1A. Figure 5(A) is a perspective view of the outer lid 9 of the cap unit 1A viewed from below. Figure 5(B) is a perspective view of the outer lid 9 of the cap unit 1A viewed from above. Figure 6(A) is a perspective view of the inner stopper 10 of the cap unit 1A viewed from above. Figure 6(B) is a perspective view of the inner stopper 10 of the cap unit 1A viewed from below. Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view showing the state before the inner stopper 10 is attached to the outer lid 9 of the cap unit 1A. Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the state of attaching the inner stopper 10 to the outer lid 9 of the cap unit 1A. Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the state of attaching the inner stopper 10 to the outer lid 9 of the cap unit 1A.
[0013] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the capped container 100A of this embodiment comprises a container body 2 with an open top and a cap unit 1A that can be detachably attached to the container body 2, and is a beverage container capable of keeping the beverage (contents) contained in the container body 2 warm or cold.
[0014] Specifically, the container body 2 has a metal outer container 3 and an inner container 4, for example, made of stainless steel. The container body 2 has a vacuum insulation structure in which the inner container 4, which is open at one end, is housed inside the outer container 3, which is open at one end, and the open ends of the two are joined together, with a vacuum insulation layer 5 provided between the outer container 3 and the inner container 4.
[0015] The vacuum insulation layer 5 can be formed, for example, by sealing a degassing hole provided in the center of the bottom surface of the outer container 3 with a brazing material in a chamber that has been reduced to a high vacuum (vacuumed).
[0016] The container body 2, by having such a vacuum insulation structure, can be provided with the aforementioned functions of heat retention or cold retention. Furthermore, because the container body 2 has such a vacuum insulation structure, tension is constantly applied to the outer container 3 and inner container 4 due to the difference between the internal pressure (vacuum pressure) and the external pressure (atmospheric pressure), which increases the mechanical strength of the outer container 3 and inner container 4. As a result, even if the thickness of the outer container 3 and inner container 4 is reduced, the rigidity of the container body 2 can be increased, and the weight of the container body 2 can be reduced.
[0017] The container body 2 has a substantially circular bottom portion 2b, a substantially cylindrical body portion 2c that rises from the outer circumference of the bottom portion 2b, and a substantially cylindrical mouth / neck portion 2d that rises from the upper side of the body portion 2c, becoming smaller in diameter than the body portion 2c. The upper end of the mouth / neck portion 2d is circularly open, forming the upper opening 2a of the container body 2. The mouth / neck portion 2d is also provided with a stepped portion 2e that is stepped in diameter along its entire circumference, compared to the body portion 2c.
[0018] A female screw portion 6 is provided on the inner circumferential surface of the mouth / neck portion 2d. Furthermore, below the female screw portion 6, a ring-shaped protrusion 7 is provided, extending around the entire circumference from the inner circumferential surface of the inner container 4.
[0019] Although the capped container 100A of this embodiment has a generally cylindrical external shape, the external shape of the capped container 100A is not particularly limited and can be modified as appropriate to suit the size, design, etc. Furthermore, the outer surface of the container body 2 (outer container 3) may be painted or printed.
[0020] The cap unit 1A of this embodiment constitutes a lid that opens and closes the upper opening 2a of the container body 2. Specifically, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, the cap unit 1A includes a cap body 8 that closes the upper opening 2a of the container body 2 when fitted inside the container body 2 from the upper opening 2a of the container body 2, and the cap body 8 is attached to the container body 2 by screwing.
[0021] The cap body 8 includes an outer lid 9 that covers the upper opening 2a of the container body 2, an inner stopper 10 that is fitted into the inside of the container body 2 from the upper opening 2a, and a detachable mechanism 11A that allows the inner stopper 10 to be detachably attached to the outer lid 9.
[0022] As shown in Figures 2 and 5(A) and (B), the outer lid 9 is made of, for example, heat-resistant resin and has a peripheral wall portion 9a formed in a substantially cylindrical shape so as to be continuous with the body portion 2c of the container body 2, and an upper wall portion 9b that closes the upper part of the peripheral wall portion 9a.
[0023] As shown in Figures 2 and 6(A) and (B), the inner plug 10 is made of, for example, a heat-resistant resin and has a substantially circular bottom wall portion 10a, a peripheral wall portion 10b that rises substantially cylindrically from around the bottom wall portion 10a, a top wall portion 10c that closes the upper part of the peripheral wall portion 10b, and a flange portion 10d in which the top wall portion 10c protrudes in the expanding diameter direction more than the peripheral wall portion 10b.
[0024] The inner plug 10 has a bottomed, substantially cylindrical lower plug member 12 that forms the bottom wall portion 10a and the peripheral wall portion 10b, and a substantially circular upper plug member 13 that forms the top wall portion 10c and the flange portion 10d, with the lower plug member 12 integrally attached to the lower surface of the upper plug member 13 by welding or the like. The interior of the inner plug 10 may be configured with an insulating material S instead of just air to form an insulating layer.
[0025] Furthermore, a male threaded portion 14 is provided on the outer circumferential surface of the peripheral wall portion 10b (internal stopper 10). In the capped container 100A, the cap body 8 (cap unit 1A) is detachably attached to the container body 2 by screwing the male threaded portion 14 and the female threaded portion 6 together. Moreover, the female threaded portion 6 and the male threaded portion 14 consist of double-start threads that are complementary to each other. When double-start threads are used, the cap body 8 (cap unit 1A) can be attached to and detached from the container body 2 with a small rotational operation (approximately 180° in this embodiment).
[0026] A water-sealing packing 15 is integrally attached to the outer circumference of the lower end of the inner stopper 10. The water-sealing packing 15 is a ring-shaped sealing member that seals the space between the protruding portion 7 of the container body 2 and the inner stopper 10, and is made of an elastic material such as heat-resistant rubber such as silicone rubber or elastomer. The water-sealing packing 15 is integrally formed with the inner stopper 10 (cap body 8) by insert molding, which will be described later.
[0027] The inner plug 10 has a first recess 10e shaped to correspond to a first protrusion 15a projecting inward from the upper end of the inner circumference of the water-sealing packing 15, and a second recess 10f shaped to correspond to a second protrusion 15b projecting upward from the lower end of the inner circumference of the water-sealing packing 15. The inner plug 10 also has a third protrusion 10g located between the first protrusion 15a and the second protrusion 15b of the water-sealing packing 15, shaped to correspond to a third recess 15c of the water-sealing packing 15 formed between the first recess 10e and the second recess 10f of the inner plug 10.
[0028] In the cap unit 1A of this embodiment, a first protrusion 15a projecting inward from the water-sealing packing 15 is integrally formed with the first recess 10e of the inner plug 10, and a second protrusion 15b projecting upward from the water-sealing packing 15 is integrally formed with the second recess 10f of the inner plug 10. Furthermore, by integrally forming the third recess 15c of the water-sealing packing 15 and the third protrusion 10g of the inner plug 10, it is possible to increase the adhesion strength of the water-sealing packing 15, which is integrally attached to the inner plug 10 (cap body 8), through their respective anchoring effects.
[0029] Furthermore, although the lower surface of the inner plug 10 has a shape in which the bottom wall portion 10a is recessed upward, it is flush with the lower surface of the water-sealing packing 15. As a result, the water-sealing packing 15 is less likely to peel off from the inner plug 10 at the boundary between the lower surface of the inner plug 10 and the lower surface of the water-sealing packing 15. In addition, because there is no gap near the boundary, water droplets are less likely to accumulate, making it hygienic.
[0030] Furthermore, two elastic flange portions 15d are provided on the outer circumferential surface of the water-sealing packing 15, protruding in the expanding radial direction. When the cap body 8 (cap unit 1A) is attached to the container body 2, the elastic flange portions 15d elastically deform, causing the water-sealing packing 15 to adhere tightly to the protruding portion 7 of the container body 2 around its entire circumference. This makes it possible to seal (stop water) the space between the protruding portion 7 (container body 2) and the inner stopper 10 (cap body 8).
[0031] Furthermore, the water-stopping packing 15 is not necessarily limited to the shape described above. For example, the number of elastic flange portions 15d is not limited to the two described above; it can be one or more.
[0032] Furthermore, the water-sealing packing 15 is not necessarily limited to the configuration in which the elastic flange portion 15d described above is provided, and its shape and other aspects can be modified as appropriate. For example, the water-sealing packing 15 may be provided with an elastic flange portion that curves downward from the upper end of its outer peripheral surface.
[0033] As shown in Figures 2 to 9, the detachment mechanism 11A has a structure in which the inner plug 10 is attached to the outer cover 9 by sliding the inner plug 10 toward the center of the inner lower surface (mounting direction) of the outer cover 9 while the upper surface of the inner plug 10 is in contact with the center of the inner lower surface of the outer cover 9.
[0034] Specifically, the detachable mechanism 11A includes a guide engagement portion 18 having an engagement hole 16 provided on the outer cover 9 and an engagement piece 17 provided on the inner plug 10, with the engagement piece 17 engaging with the engagement hole 16; a click locking portion 22 having a first click locking portion 19 provided on the outer cover 9 and an elastic piece 21 including a second click locking portion 20 provided on the inner plug 10, with the other locking portion (in this embodiment, the first click locking portion 19) being locked to either the first click locking portion 19 or the second click locking portion 20 (in this embodiment, the second click locking portion 20); and a slide locking portion 24 having a first slide locking portion 23 provided on the outer cover 9, with the flange portion (second slide locking portion) 10d of the inner plug 10 being locked to the first slide locking portion 23.
[0035] The engagement hole 16 is formed by a hole opening in the peripheral wall portion 9a located at one radial end of the outer cover 9, with a shape corresponding to the engagement piece 17. On the other hand, the engagement piece 17 is formed by a projection that protrudes outward from the flange portion 10d located at one radial end of the inner plug 10.
[0036] In the guide engagement portion 18, with the engagement piece 17 inserted into the engagement hole 16, the inner plug 10 can be guided radially to slide freely relative to the outer cover 9, and when the inner plug 10 is slid to the center of the lower inner surface of the outer cover 9, the engagement piece 17 can be engaged with the engagement hole 16.
[0037] The first click-lock portion 19 is located on the other radial end side of the outer cover 9 and is composed of a convex portion that protrudes downward from the upper wall portion 9b. On the other hand, the elastic piece 21 is provided extending in the expanding radial direction from between a pair of slits 25 that cut out the flange portion 10d located on the other radial end side of the inner plug 10. The second click-lock portion 20 is composed of a convex portion that protrudes upward from the tip of a portion of the elastic piece 21 that has been recessed downward in a shape corresponding to the first click-lock portion 19.
[0038] In the click locking portion 22, when the inner stopper 10 is slid to the center of the lower inner surface of the outer cover 9, the first click locking portion 19 can be locked to the second click locking portion 20 of the elastically deformable elastic piece 21.
[0039] Furthermore, in the click locking portion 22, as a click mechanism that provides a click sensation when the inner stopper 10 is slid to the center of the lower inner surface of the outer cover 9, the elastic piece 21 described above is elastically deformed, and the second click locking portion 20 at the tip of the elastic piece 21 overcomes the protrusion of the first click locking portion 19. This makes it possible to provide a click sensation when the first click locking portion 19 is locked into the second click locking portion 20.
[0040] The first slide locking portion 23 is located on the other radial end side of the outer cover 9 and is composed of a pair of rib walls that protrude inward from the peripheral wall portions 9a on both sides of the elastic piece 21, substantially parallel to the upper wall portion 9b.
[0041] As shown in Figure 4, the slide locking portion 24 allows the flange portion (second slide locking portion) 10d to be locked to the first slide locking portion 23 when the inner plug 10 is slid to the center of the lower surface inside the outer cover 9.
[0042] In the detachable mechanism 11A having the above configuration, the inner plug 10 is inserted into the inside of the outer cover 9 from the state shown in Figure 7. At this time, as shown in Figure 8, the engaging piece 17 is inserted into the engaging hole 16, and then, as shown in Figure 9, the upper surface of the inner plug 10 is brought into contact with a position offset from the center of the lower surface on the inside of the outer cover 9. From this state, the inner plug 10 is slid toward the center of the lower surface on the inside of the outer cover 9 (in the mounting direction).
[0043] At this time, as shown in Figures 1 to 4, the engaging piece 17 engaged with the engaging hole 16 becomes almost flush with the side surface of the outer cover 9. In addition, the engagement of the first click locking portion 19 with the second click locking portion 20 prevents the inner plug 10 from sliding radially (in the removal direction) relative to the outer cover 9. Furthermore, the engagement of the engaging piece 17 of the inner plug 10 with the engaging hole 16 located on one radial end of the outer cover 9, and the engagement of the flange portion (second slide locking portion) 10d of the inner plug 10 with the first slide locking portion 23 located on the other radial end of the outer cover 9, prevents the inner plug 10 from falling out of the outer cover 9. In addition, the projections 25a on both sides of the pair of slits 25 of the inner plug 10 are positioned between the first slide locking portion 23 of the outer cover 9, which also prevents the inner plug 10 from rotating relative to the outer cover 9. As a result, the inner stopper 10 is attached to the center of the lower inner surface of the outer cover 9.
[0044] Furthermore, when the inner stopper 10 is attached to the center of the lower inner surface of the outer lid 9, the inner surface contact portion 9c on the inner surface side of the outer lid 9, as shown in Figure 5(A), comes into contact with the straight portion 10h provided on the flange portion 10d, as shown in Figure 6(A), thereby preventing rattling and misalignment. In addition, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, the stepped portion 2e of the container body 2 is fitted to the inside of the outer lid 9, thereby restricting the radial movement of the outer lid 9. This makes it possible to prevent the locking state between the first click locking portion 19 and the second click locking portion 20 from being unintentionally released due to the radial movement of the outer lid 9, and also prevents the engagement state between the engagement hole 16 and the engagement piece 17 from being unintentionally released.
[0045] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 6(A), the top wall portion 10c of the inner plug 10 is provided with upper surface projections 10i. The upper surface projections 10i are arranged in a convex shape that extends upward at equal intervals, rotated by 90° in plan view. The upper surface projections 10i prevent the gap distance between the inner plug 10 and the outer cover 9 from shifting due to dimensional errors in the inner plug 10 during or after its installation on the lower center of the inner side of the outer cover 9. In other words, by fine-tuning the dimensions of the upper surface projections 10i, dimensional errors in the inner plug 10 can be absorbed, making it possible to stably install the inner plug 10 on the lower center of the inner side of the outer cover 9.
[0046] On the other hand, the detachment mechanism 11A performs the opposite operation to the above-described operation, that is, by sliding the inner plug 10 relative to the outer cover 9 in the opposite direction to the above-described direction (removal direction), the locking state of the first click locking part 19 relative to the second click locking part 20 is released, and the locking state of the flange part (second slide locking part) 10d relative to the first slide locking part 23 is released. Next, the engagement state of the engaging piece 17 relative to the engagement hole 16 is released. This makes it possible to remove the inner plug 10 from the outer cover 9.
[0047] In the cap unit 1A of this embodiment, the inner stopper 10 is detachably attached to the outer lid 9, allowing the outer lid 9 and the inner stopper 10 to be washed separately, thus maintaining hygiene between the outer lid 9 and the inner stopper 10.
[0048] Therefore, a capped container 100A equipped with such a cap unit 1A can be further improved in terms of ease of use.
[0049] (Second embodiment) Next, as a second embodiment of the present invention, a capped container 100B equipped with a cap unit 1B, as shown in Figures 10 to 14, will be described.
[0050] Figure 10 is a perspective view showing the external appearance of the cap unit 1B. Figure 11 is a bottom view showing the configuration of the cap unit 1B. Figure 12 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the cap unit 1B. Figure 13 is a perspective view of the outer lid 9 of the cap unit 1B, seen from below. Figure 14 is a perspective view of the inner stopper 10 of the cap unit 1B, seen from above. Furthermore, in the following description, parts equivalent to those of the cap unit 1A will not be described, and the same reference numerals will be used in the drawings.
[0051] The cap unit 1B of this embodiment is detachably attached to the container body 2 (not shown) to constitute a container with a cap 100B.
[0052] Specifically, this cap unit 1B has basically the same configuration as the cap unit 1A, except that, instead of the above-mentioned detachment mechanism 11A, it is equipped with a detachment mechanism 11B for detachably attaching the inner stopper 10 to the outer cover 9, as shown in Figures 11 to 14, and is equipped with a click locking part 26 that provides a click sensation when the inner stopper 10 is slid to the center of the lower inner surface of the outer cover 9.
[0053] The detachable mechanism 11B, together with the guide engagement portion 18, includes a slide locking portion 29 that is engaged with either the first or second locking portion (the first slide locking portion 27 in this embodiment) or the other locking portion (the second slide locking portion 28 in this embodiment).
[0054] The first slide locking portion 27 is located on the other radial end side of the outer cover 9 and is composed of a hole that penetrates the peripheral wall portion 9a. On the other hand, the second slide locking portion 28 is composed of a protrusion that extends outward from the flange portion 10j located on the other radial end side of the inner plug 10.
[0055] The slide locking portion 29 allows the second slide locking portion 28 to be locked to the first slide locking portion 27 when the inner stopper 10 is slid to the center of the lower inner surface of the outer cover 9.
[0056] Furthermore, the flange portion 10j of the inner plug 10 is positioned between a pair of guide protrusions 9d provided on both sides of the inner circumferential surface of the outer cover 9, which straddle the sliding direction of the inner plug 10. This allows the inner plug 10 to slide freely in the radial direction relative to the outer cover 9, while also preventing rotational misalignment of the inner plug 10 relative to the outer cover 9.
[0057] The click locking portion 26 has a first click locking portion 30 provided on both sides of the inner circumferential surface of the outer cover 9, straddling the sliding direction of the inner plug 10, and a second click locking portion 31 provided on both sides of the outer circumferential surface of the upper end of the inner plug 10, straddling the sliding direction of the inner plug 10.
[0058] The first click-locking portion 30 is located on both sides of the sliding direction of the inner plug 10 and is composed of protrusions that project inward from the peripheral wall portion 9a. On the other hand, the second click-locking portion 31 is composed of protrusions that project outward from the flange portion 10j located on both sides of the sliding direction of the inner plug 10.
[0059] The click locking portion 26 provides a click sensation when the inner stopper 10 is slid to the center of the lower inner surface of the outer cover 9, and the other locking portion (the second click locking portion 31 in this embodiment) is locked over the other locking portion (the first click locking portion 30 in this embodiment).
[0060] An opening 32 is provided at the top of the outer cover 9. The opening 32 is a roughly circular hole that penetrates the central part of the upper wall portion 9b.
[0061] In this embodiment, the engagement hole 16 extends across the corner between the peripheral wall portion 9a and the upper wall portion 9b located at one radial end of the outer cover 9, and is continuous with the opening 32. On the other hand, the engagement piece 17 is composed of a projection that protrudes outward and upward from the flange portion 10d located at one radial end of the inner plug 10.
[0062] The engagement hole 16 may be provided only in the peripheral wall portion 9a of the outer cover 9, similar to the first embodiment described above. The engagement piece 17 may also be composed of a projection that protrudes outward from the flange portion 10d of the inner plug 10, similar to the first embodiment described above.
[0063] Furthermore, the opening 32 is not limited to being continuous with the engagement hole 16 as in this embodiment; it may be a separate opening from the engagement hole 16. The shape of the opening 32 can also be modified as appropriate.
[0064] In the detachable mechanism 11B having the above configuration, when attaching the inner plug 10 to the inside of the outer cover 9, similar to the detachable mechanism 11A, the inner plug 10 is inserted into the inside of the outer cover 9, the engaging piece 17 is inserted into the engaging hole 16, and then the upper surface of the inner plug 10 is brought into contact with a position offset from the center of the lower surface inside the outer cover 9. From this state, the inner plug 10 is slid toward the center of the lower surface inside the outer cover 9 (in the mounting direction).
[0065] At this time, as shown in Figures 10 and 12, the engaging piece 17 engaged with the engaging hole 16 becomes almost flush with the top and side surfaces of the outer cover 9. In addition, the second slide locking portion 28 is locked into the first slide locking portion 27, and the second click locking portion 31 is locked into the first click locking portion 30, thereby preventing the inner plug 10 from sliding radially (in the removal direction) relative to the outer cover 9.
[0066] Furthermore, the engaging piece 17 of the inner plug 10 engages with the engaging hole 16 located at one radial end of the outer cover 9, and the second sliding locking part 28 engages with the first sliding locking part 27 located at the other radial end of the outer cover 9. This prevents the inner plug 10 from falling off the outer cover 9 and also prevents rotational displacement of the inner plug 10 relative to the outer cover 9. As a result, the inner plug 10 is attached to the center of the lower inner surface of the outer cover 9.
[0067] On the other hand, the detachment mechanism 11B performs the opposite operation to the above-described operation, that is, by sliding the inner plug 10 in the opposite direction (removal direction) relative to the outer cover 9, the locking state of the second click locking part 31 relative to the first click locking part 30 is released, and the locking state of the second slide locking part 28 relative to the first slide locking part 27 is released. Next, the engagement state of the engagement piece 17 relative to the engagement hole 16 is released. This makes it possible to remove the inner plug 10 from the outer cover 9.
[0068] In the cap unit 1B of this embodiment, the inner stopper 10 is detachably attached to the outer lid 9, allowing the outer lid 9 and the inner stopper 10 to be washed separately, thus maintaining hygiene between the outer lid 9 and the inner stopper 10.
[0069] Therefore, a capped container 100B equipped with such a cap unit 1B can be further improved in terms of ease of use.
[0070] (Third embodiment) Next, as a third embodiment of the present invention, a capped container 100C equipped with a cap unit 1C, as shown in Figures 15 to 17, will be described.
[0071] Figure 15 shows the configuration of the cap unit 1C, and is a cross-sectional view showing the inner stopper 10 attached to the outer lid 9. Figure 16 is a perspective view of the outer lid 9 of the cap unit 1C, viewed from below. Figure 17 is a perspective view of the inner stopper 10 of the cap unit 1C, viewed from above. In the following description, parts equivalent to those of the cap unit 1A will not be described, and the same reference numerals will be used in the drawings.
[0072] The cap unit 1C of this embodiment is detachably attached to the container body 2 (not shown) to constitute a container with a cap 100C.
[0073] Specifically, this cap unit 1C has basically the same configuration as the cap unit 1A, except that, instead of the above-mentioned detachment mechanism 11A, it is equipped with a detachment mechanism 11C for detachably attaching the inner stopper 10 to the outer lid 9, as shown in Figures 15 to 17.
[0074] The detachable mechanism 11C has a pair of first slide locking parts 33a, 33b provided on the lower inner surface of the outer cover 9, aligned along the sliding direction of the inner plug 10, and a pair of second slide locking parts 34a, 34b provided on the upper surface of the inner plug 10, aligned along the sliding direction of the inner plug 10, and includes a slide locking part 35 into which either the first slide locking part 33a, 33b or the second slide locking parts 34a, 34b can be locked (in this embodiment, the first slide locking parts 33a, 33b).
[0075] The pair of first slide locking portions 33a and 33b are female projections that protrude downward from the inside of the upper wall portion 9b of the outer cover 9 and form a guide groove with a substantially T-shaped cross-section that extends in the sliding direction of the inner plug 10. One end of the guide groove in the sliding direction is open, and the other end in the sliding direction is closed. On the other hand, the pair of second slide locking portions 34a and 34b are male projections that protrude upward from the upper surface of the inner plug 10 and form a guide rail with a substantially T-shaped cross-section that extends in the sliding direction of the inner plug 10.
[0076] In the detachable mechanism 11C having the above configuration, as shown in Figure 15, with one of the locking parts (the first slide locking parts 33a, 33b in this embodiment) inserted into the other locking part (the second slide locking parts 34a, 34b in this embodiment), the inner plug 10 is guided to slide radially relative to the outer cover 9.
[0077] Furthermore, in the detachment mechanism 11C, when the inner plug 10 is slid toward the center of the inner lower surface of the outer lid 9 (in the mounting direction) from a state where the upper surface of the inner plug 10 is in contact with a position offset from the center of the inner lower surface of the outer lid 9, a pair of second slide locking parts 34a, 34b are locked to a pair of first slide locking parts 33a, 33b.
[0078] At this time, the pair of second slide locking parts 34a and 34b are locked to the pair of first slide locking parts 33a and 33b, which prevents the inner plug 10 from falling off the outer cover 9 and also prevents the inner plug 10 from being misaligned in the rotational direction relative to the outer cover 9. As a result, the inner plug 10 is attached to the center of the lower inner surface of the outer cover 9.
[0079] On the other hand, the detachment mechanism 11C performs the opposite operation to the above-described operation, that is, slides the inner plug 10 relative to the outer cover 9 in the opposite direction to the above-described direction (removal direction), thereby releasing the locking state of the pair of second slide locking parts 34a, 34b relative to the pair of first slide locking parts 33a, 33b. This makes it possible to remove the inner plug 10 from the outer cover 9.
[0080] In the above-described detachment mechanism 11C, a pair of second slide locking parts 34a and 34b are locked to a pair of first slide locking parts 33a and 33b as described above. However, it is sufficient to have at least one such locking structure.
[0081] In the cap unit 1C of this embodiment, the inner stopper 10 is detachably attached to the outer lid 9, allowing the outer lid 9 and the inner stopper 10 to be washed separately, thus maintaining hygiene between the outer lid 9 and the inner stopper 10.
[0082] Therefore, a capped container 100C equipped with such a cap unit 1C can be further improved in terms of ease of use.
[0083] It should be noted that the present invention is not necessarily limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, the cap units 1A, 1B, and 1C described above are configured such that the inner stopper 10 is attached to the container body 2 by screwing it in while it is fitted inside through the upper opening 2a of the container body 2 as described above. However, the configuration is not necessarily limited to this. For example, the cap units 1A, 1B, and 1C can also be configured such that the outer lid 9 is attached to the container body 2 by screwing it in while it covers the upper opening 2a of the container body 2 from the outside.
[0084] In this configuration, instead of the female thread portion 6 and male thread portion 14 described above, the outer lid 9 (cap body 8) can be detachably attached to the container body 2 by screwing together a male thread portion provided on the outer circumferential surface of the mouth neck portion 2d and a female thread portion provided on the inner circumferential surface of the peripheral wall portion 9a that constitutes the outer lid 9.
[0085] Furthermore, while the above-mentioned capped containers 100A, 100B, and 100C are configured to directly open and close the upper opening 2a of the container body 2, the configuration is not necessarily limited to this. For example, it is also possible to configure the cap units 1A, 1B, and 1C to be detachably attached to a shoulder member attached to the container body 2.
[0086] Furthermore, it is also possible to configure the container in such a way that the lid can be opened and closed on the cap body attached to the container body 2. In this configuration, the lid may be attached to the cap body by screwing it in, or it may be attached to the cap body via a hinge so that it can rotate.
[0087] In the above embodiment, the present invention is illustrated as being applied to a beverage container that has a heat retention function (or cold retention function) due to the container body 2 having the vacuum insulation structure described above. However, the present invention can be broadly applied to a lidded container that comprises a container body and a lid that can be detachably attached to the container body. [Explanation of symbols]
[0088] 1A, 1B, 1C…Cap unit 2…Container body 3…Outer container 4…Inner container 5…Vacuum insulation layer 6…Female threaded part 7…Protruding part 8…Cap body 9…Outer lid 10…Inner stopper 10d…Flange part (second slide locking part) 10e…First recess 10f…Second recess 10g…Third protrusion 10h…Straight part 10i…Upper projection 10j…Flange part 11A, 11B, 11C…Detachable mechanism 12…Lower stopper member 13…Upper stopper member 14…Male threaded part 15…Waterproof packing 15a…First protrusion 15b…Second protrusion 15c…Third recess 16…Engagement hole 17…Engagement piece 18…Guide engagement part 19…First click locking part 20…Second click locking part 21...Elastic piece 22...Click locking part 23...First slide locking part 24...Slide locking part 25...Slit 26...Click locking part 27...First slide locking part 28...Second slide locking part 29...Slide locking part 30...First click locking part 31...Second click locking part 32...Opening 33a,33b...First slide locking part 34a,34b...Second slide locking part 35...Slide locking part 100A,100B,100C...Container with cap
Claims
1. A cap unit that can be detachably attached to the neck of a container body with an open top, The outer lid surrounds the neck of the container body, An inner stopper is fitted into the inside of the container body through the upper opening of the container body, The outer lid is equipped with a detachable mechanism for detachably attaching the inner stopper to the outer lid, The aforementioned detachment mechanism includes a first slide locking portion provided on the outer cover, The inner stopper has a second sliding locking portion, A cap unit characterized by having a sliding locking portion which engages with one locking portion when the inner stopper is slid from a position where the upper surface of the inner stopper is in contact with a position offset from the center of the inner lower surface of the outer lid to the center of the inner lower surface of the outer lid.
2. The cap unit according to claim 1, characterized in that the second slide locking portion protrudes in the diameter-expanding direction from the outer circumference of the upper end side of the inner plug.
3. The first slide locking portion is provided on the lower inner surface of the outer cover, The cap unit according to claim 1, characterized in that the second slide locking portion is provided on the upper surface of the inner stopper.
4. The detachable mechanism is characterized by comprising an engagement hole provided in the outer lid and an engagement piece provided in the inner stopper, wherein the engagement piece is inserted into the engagement hole and guides the inner stopper to slide radially relative to the outer lid, and when the inner stopper is slid from a position where the upper surface of the inner stopper is offset from the center of the inner lower surface of the outer lid to the center of the inner lower surface of the outer lid, the engagement piece engages with the engagement hole, as described in claim 1.
5. The aforementioned detachment mechanism has a first click locking portion provided on the outer cover and a second click locking portion provided on the inner stopper, The cap unit according to claim 1, characterized in that it is provided with a click locking portion which, when the inner stopper is slid to the center of the lower inner surface of the outer lid, engages with either the first click locking portion or the second click locking portion, thereby providing a click sensation.
6. The click-locking portion has an elastic piece on which the second click-locking portion is provided. The cap unit according to claim 5, characterized in that a click sensation is provided when the first click locking portion overcomes the second click locking portion while the elastic piece is elastically deformed.
7. The cap unit according to claim 5, wherein the click locking portion comprises a first click locking portion provided on both sides of the inner circumferential surface of the outer lid, straddling the sliding direction of the inner stopper, and a second click locking portion provided on both sides of the outer circumferential surface of the upper end of the inner stopper, straddling the sliding direction of the inner stopper, and provides a click sensation when either the first click locking portion or the second click locking portion is locked to the other locking portion.
8. The cap unit according to claim 1, further characterized by comprising a watertight packing integrally attached to the outer circumference of the lower end of the inner stopper to seal the space between the container body and the inner stopper.
9. A cap unit that can be detachably attached to the neck of a container body having an open top, The outer lid surrounds the neck of the container body, An inner stopper is fitted into the inside of the container body through the upper opening of the container body, The outer lid is equipped with a detachable mechanism for detachably attaching the inner stopper to the outer lid, The detachable mechanism is a cap unit characterized by having an engagement hole provided in the outer lid and an engagement piece provided in the inner stopper, which guides the inner stopper to slide radially relative to the outer lid when the engagement piece is inserted into the engagement hole, and when the inner stopper is slid from a position where the upper surface of the inner stopper is in contact with a position offset from the center of the inner lower surface of the outer lid to the center of the inner lower surface of the outer lid, the engagement piece engages with the engagement hole.
10. A cap unit that can be detachably attached to the neck of a container body having an open top, The outer lid surrounds the neck of the container body, An inner stopper is fitted into the inside of the container body through the upper opening of the container body, The outer lid is equipped with a detachable mechanism for detachably attaching the inner stopper to the outer lid, The aforementioned detachment mechanism has a first click locking portion provided on the outer cover and a second click locking portion provided on the inner stopper, A cap unit characterized by having a click locking portion that provides a click sensation when the inner stopper is slid to the center of the lower inner surface of the outer lid, by the locking portion of the first click locking portion and the second click locking portion engaging with the other locking portion of the first click locking portion.
11. A cap unit according to any one of claims 1 to 10, A container with a cap, comprising a container body to which the cap unit is attached.
12. The capped container according to claim 11, characterized in that the neck of the container body is provided with a stepped portion that restricts the radial movement of the outer lid.
Citation Information
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