Inner stopper structure and packaging container

Abstract

To provide a spout structure which is more easily opened, and a packaging container using the spout structure.SOLUTION: An inside plug structure, which is provided in a container body for sealing a cylindrical mouth part, comprises an inside plug attached to the mouth part and a cap screwed with the inside plug. The inside plug includes: a cylindrical peripheral wall part attached to an open end of the mouth part; a partition wall closing the inside of the peripheral wall part; an annular fragile part which is provided at the partition wall and whose strength is relatively reduced; and two or more first ribs which are provided inside the fragile part of a surface being the outside of the container body in the partition wall, and extend from a center part of the partition wall toward the fragile part in a plan view, and are connected to each other at the center part of the partition wall. The cap comprises: a flat plate-like top plate part; a cylindrical tube part connected to an outer peripheral edge of the top plate part; and second ribs which are provided on a surface of the inside of the top plate part and fixed to the first ribs. In the inside plug structure, the fragile part is broken with the rotation of the cap.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

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[0001] The present invention relates to a stopper structure and a packaging container using the stopper structure.

Background Art

[0002] In a packaging container including a stopper for sealing the packaging container and a cap, a packaging container is known in which an intended opening portion of the stopper is cut off using the cap to open the stopper (Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the packaging container as described in Patent Document 1, the force applied to the cap to cut off the intended opening portion is small, and it is required to be easy to open the stopper.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and an object thereof is to provide a pouring outlet structure that is easier to open and a packaging container using the pouring structure.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] One aspect of the present invention for solving the above problems is an inner stopper structure provided in a container body to seal a cylindrical mouth, comprising an inner stopper attached to the mouth and a cap screwed onto the inner stopper, wherein the inner stopper has a cylindrical peripheral wall attached to the open end of the mouth, a partition wall closing the inside of the peripheral wall, an annular weak portion provided in the partition wall with relatively reduced strength, and two or more first ribs provided on the inside of the weak portion on the outer surface of the partition wall facing the container body, extending from the center of the partition wall toward the weak portion in a plan view, and connected to each other at the center of the partition wall, and the cap comprises a flat top plate portion, a cylindrical tube portion connected to the outer edge of the top plate portion, and a second rib provided on the inner surface of the top plate portion and fixed to the first rib, The first rib is provided with a window section, and the second rib is provided with a claw for engaging with the window section. This is an inner stopper structure in which a weak point breaks as the cap rotates.

[0007] Another aspect of the present invention for solving the above problems is a container body having a cylindrical mouth, an inner stopper attached to the mouth, and a cap screwed onto the inner stopper, wherein the inner stopper has a cylindrical peripheral wall attached to the open end of the mouth, a partition wall closing the inside of the peripheral wall, an annular weak portion provided on the partition wall with relatively reduced strength, and two or more first ribs provided on the inside of the weak portion on the outer surface of the partition wall that faces the container body, extending from the center of the partition wall toward the weak portion in a plan view, and connected to each other at the center of the partition wall, and the cap has a flat top plate portion, a cylindrical tube portion connected to the outer edge of the top plate portion, and a second rib provided on the inner surface of the top plate portion and fixed to the first rib, The first rib is provided with a window section, and the second rib is provided with a claw for engaging with the window section. This packaging container has a fragile section that breaks as the cap rotates. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a spout structure that is easier to open and a packaging container using said spout structure. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] Top view of the plug structure according to one embodiment of the present invention [Figure 2]Cross-sectional view at line A-A' in Figure 1 [Figure 3] Cross-sectional view of line B-B' in Figure 1 [Figure 4] Diagram showing the open state of the inner stopper structure. [Figure 5] Longitudinal cross-sectional view of the plug structure in the comparative example. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] (Embodiment) The inner stopper structure 100 according to this embodiment will now be described. Figure 1 is a top view of the inner stopper structure according to one embodiment of the present invention, Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A' in Figure 1, Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B' in Figure 1, and Figure 4 is a diagram showing the inner stopper structure in an open state. In Figure 1, the first rib 14 of the peripheral wall portion 11, partition wall 12, and fragile portion 13 of the inner stopper 10, which will be described later, and the second rib 24 of the cap 20 are shown by dotted lines. Figure 2 shows the inner stopper structure in an unopened state, and Figure 4 shows the inner stopper structure in an open state. The unopened state refers to a state in which the product is virgin, the partition wall 12 is not broken, and the mouth portion 31 of the container body is sealed by the partition wall 12.

[0011] The inner stopper structure 100 comprises an inner stopper 10 and a cap 20 that screws onto the inner stopper 10, and functions as part of the packaging container when attached to the mouth 31 of the container body. In the inner stopper structure 100, the inner stopper 10 and the cap 20 are connected via a first rib 14 and a second rib 24, and the inner stopper 10 is opened by rotating the cap 20 in the opening direction. The container body can be any container with a cylindrical mouth 31, such as a blow-blown bottle, a stretched PET bottle, a glass bottle, or a paper carton with a mouth 31 (spout) attached. The contents of the container body are not particularly limited and can include liquids, creams, solids, etc., but examples include sauces, mayonnaise, liquids, alcohol, cosmetics, and hair wax.

[0012] The inner plug 10 comprises a peripheral wall portion 11, a partition wall 12, a weak portion 13, and a first rib 14. The inner plug 10 can be made using low-density polyethylene (LDPE), linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE), or mixtures or copolymers thereof.

[0013] The cap 20 comprises a top plate portion 21, a cylindrical portion 22, and a second rib 24. The cap 20 can be made using polypropylene (PP) or high-density polyethylene (HDPE), which have higher rigidity than the inner stopper 10.

[0014] The peripheral wall portion 11 has a substantially cylindrical shape and is provided with a screw groove on its outer surface for screwing into the cap 20. The lower end of the peripheral wall portion 11 is attached to the open end of the mouth portion 31 of the container body, thereby connecting the container body and the inner stopper structure 100. The peripheral wall portion 11 and the mouth portion 31 are connected so as not to rotate relative to each other, and for example, a rotation-preventing rib 15 is formed at the connection portion between the peripheral wall portion 11 and the mouth portion 31.

[0015] The partition wall 12 is provided on the inside of the peripheral wall portion 11 and seals the packaging container by closing the open end of the mouth portion 31 of the container body when it is unopened, thereby maintaining the virginity of the packaging container. The partition wall 12 is provided with an annular weak portion 13 whose strength is relatively weakened, and first ribs 14 that extend from the center toward the weak portion 13 and are connected to each other at the center.

[0016] The weak portion 13 is a part of the partition wall 12 whose strength is relatively weakened, and is spaced a predetermined distance from the inner wall of the peripheral wall portion 11 and is provided in an annular shape from the outer end of the first rib 14 toward the peripheral wall portion 11. The width X of the weak portion 13 is preferably 1 mm to 7 mm in the radial direction of the peripheral wall portion 11, and the thickness of the weak portion 13 is preferably 0.1 mm to 0.25 mm in the direction of elongation of the peripheral wall portion 11. As will be described in detail later, because the width X of the weak portion 13 is designed to be wide in this way, the torque required to open the cap can be further reduced. Furthermore, because the elastic force of the weak portion 13 is increased, even when the inner stopper 10 is attached to the container body by capping, it can be attached within the elastic range, and the breakage of the weak portion 13 during capping can be suppressed.

[0017] Multiple first ribs 14 are provided on the surface of the partition wall 12, which is the outer surface of the container body, and each first rib 14 is connected to each other at the center of the partition wall 12. Therefore, even if the rigidity of the material constituting the inner stopper 10 is low, the rigidity of the first ribs 14 can be increased, and the rotational force of the cap 20 can be efficiently received and transmitted. The first ribs 14 are provided on the thick-walled portion 16, which is the inside of the weak portion 13, and as shown in Figures 1 and 2, the outer end of the connection portion between the first rib 14 and the partition wall 12 is located on the inner peripheral edge of the weak portion 13. There are two or more first ribs 14, preferably three to four. When there are two first ribs 14, from the viewpoint of reducing radial displacement of the first ribs 14, it is preferable that the other first rib 14 is not rotated 180° relative to one first rib 14 with respect to the connection portion as an axis, for example, 90° is preferable. If there are three first ribs 14, they can be arranged in a three-pronged shape with the first ribs 14 spaced at 120° intervals, and if there are four first ribs 14, they can be arranged in a cross shape with the first ribs 14 spaced at 90° intervals, as shown in Figure 1. The first ribs 14 are provided with window portions 17 that engage with the claws 27 of the second ribs 24, which will be described later, but the configuration is not limited to this, as long as the second ribs 24 are fixed to the first ribs 14.

[0018] The top plate portion 21 is circular and flat, and a cylindrical tubular portion 22 extending in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the top plate portion 21 is formed at the outer peripheral edge. A plurality of second ribs 24 extending in the same direction as the tubular portion 22 are formed near the central portion, and an inner ring 23 is formed between the tubular portion 22 and the second ribs 24.

[0019] The tubular portion 22 is cylindrical and is connected to the outer peripheral edge of the top plate portion 21. A screw groove that engages with the peripheral wall portion 11 of the plug 10 is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the tubular portion 22.

[0020] The second ribs 24 are provided in the same number as the first ribs 14 of the plug 10 near the central portion of the inner surface of the top plate portion 21. Claws 27 for fitting into the window portions 17 of the first ribs 14 are provided on the second ribs 24.

[0021] The plug 10 is fixed to the cap 20. In a state where the plug 10 is fixed to the cap 20, each of the second ribs 24 provided on the cap 20 is arranged at a position along one surface (the surface on the closing direction side) of each of the first ribs 14 provided on the plug 10. Claws 27 provided on each of the second ribs 24 are fitted into the window portions 17 provided on each of the first ribs 14. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, an undercut extending to the side opposite to the top plate portion 21 is formed at the tip of the claw 27. When the plug 10 and the cap 20 are moved in a direction approaching each other along their respective central axes with each of the second ribs 24 along each of the first ribs 14, the claw 27 is inserted into the window portion 17, and a part of the first rib 14 is sandwiched between the undercut and the second rib 24, and the claw 27 is prevented from coming out of the window portion 17 by the undercut. The claw 27 having the undercut and the window portion 17 are fixed by fitting. Note that if the second rib 24 is fixed to the first rib 14 and is difficult to come off, the shape of the claw 27 and the formation location of the undercut are not limited to this example.

[0022] Next, a method for opening a packaging container using the inner stopper structure 100 according to this embodiment will be described. In the unopened state, as shown in Figure 2, the mouth 31 of the container body is sealed by the partition wall 12, and the packaging container is virgin.

[0023] First, the cap 20 is rotated in the opening direction (counterclockwise in Figure 1). At this time, the peripheral wall portion 11 and the mouth portion 31 are connected so as not to rotate relative to each other, and furthermore, the first rib 14 and the second rib 24 are fixed relative to each other. Therefore, as the cap 20 rotates, the rotational torque of the cap 20 is transmitted to the inner stopper 10 in addition to the upward force that moves the cap 20 away from the inner stopper 10 (upward), generating a breaking force at the inner peripheral edge of the weak portion 13 (the area indicated by the dotted line in Figure 2).

[0024] Next, the cap 20 is rotated further. As the cap 20 rotates, the rupture progresses, the inner stopper 10 separates along the inner circumference of the weak point 13, and the packaging container becomes open (Figure 4). Here, as mentioned above, the weak point 13 is designed to have a wide width X of 1 mm to 7 mm. Therefore, as the weak point 13 stretches as it rotates, the rupture progresses, allowing it to rupture with lower torque, and the cross-section of the ruptured part becomes smoother.

[0025] After opening, the thick-walled section 16 is fixed to the second rib 24 via the first rib 14, and thus becomes integrated with the cap 20. Furthermore, because the cross-section of the broken part is smooth, the thick-walled section 16 can function like an inner lid, allowing the cap 20 to be closed while holding down the contents that rise after dispensing, even with highly viscous contents.

[0026] As described above, the first rib 14 and the claw 27 of the second rib 24 of the cap 20 are under-fitted, so in the open state, the thick-walled portion 16, which is the central part of the partition wall 12, is held to the cap 20 side via the first rib 14. Because the claw 27 has an undercut, the fit is less likely to come undone even if the cap 20 is opened and closed repeatedly after opening.

[0027] Although the cap 20 is described as being opened by rotating it in the opening direction, it may also be designed to be opened by rotating it in the closing direction.

[0028] Figure 5 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the plug structure according to the comparative example.

[0029] Here, we compare the inner plug structure 100 according to this embodiment with the inner plug structure of the comparative example shown in Figure 5. In the inner plug structure 200 shown in Figure 5, a cylindrical pressing portion 126 is connected to the partition wall of the inner plug 110, and a flange portion provided at the upper end of the pressing portion 126 is held by the undercut portion of the inner ring 123 of the cap 120. As shown in Figures 5(a) and (b), by rotating the cap 120 in the closing direction, the pressing portion 126 of the inner plug 110 held inside the inner ring 123 of the cap 120 is pressed downward, causing the fragile portion 113 formed on the inner circumference of the opening of the inner plug 110 to break and the plug to open. In the inner plug structure 200 shown in Figure 5, since the inner plug 110, which is made of a flexible resin such as LDPE or LLDPE, stretches, the force in the rotational direction of the cap 120 is not sufficiently transmitted to the inner plug 110. Therefore, the fragile portion 113 is broken only by the downward force.

[0030] The stopper structure 200 in the comparative example requires 1.5 to 2.5 times the torque required for the stopper structure 100 in this embodiment when opening. However, even in the stopper structure 200, by designing the weak portion 113 to be wider, as in this embodiment, the weak portion 113 can be stretched while breaking, thus reducing the torque required for opening. However, since the rotation of the cap 120 cannot be used as the breaking force, approximately 1.3 to 2 times the torque required in this embodiment is required. Furthermore, because the weak portion 113 is not rotated but simply stretched in one direction while breaking, the cross-section of the broken portion may not be smooth, potentially worsening the user experience and impairing its function as an inner lid.

[0031] In contrast, the plug structure 100 according to this embodiment is provided with two or more first ribs 14 on the plug 10 that extend from the center of the partition wall 12 toward the weak portion 13 and are connected to each other at the center of the partition wall 12, and a second rib 24 provided on the cap 20 is connected to the first ribs 14. As a result, the rotational force applied to the cap 20 can be efficiently used as the breaking force of the weak portion 13 of the plug 10. This reduces the force required to open the plug.

[0032] As described above, in the inner stopper structure 100 according to this embodiment, the stopper is opened by rotating the cap 20. This allows the virginity to be released before use. Furthermore, there is no need to separately provide aluminum or film seals on the mouth portion 31 of the container body to maintain virginity, and there is no risk of soiling one's hands when releasing the virginity.

[0033] Furthermore, the cap 20 is opened by rotating it in the opening direction. Therefore, unlike the inner stopper structure 200 in the comparative example shown in Figure 5, it is not necessary to rotate the cap 120 in the closing direction to open it, and the cap can be opened intuitively.

[0034] Furthermore, the weak portion 13 is designed with a wide width X of 1 mm to 7 mm. As a result, the weak portion 13 stretches as it rotates, allowing it to break with low torque. In addition, because the elastic force of the weak portion 13 is increased, the inner stopper 10 can be attached to the container body by pressing it in, within the elastic range, and the breakage of the weak portion 13 during pressing can be suppressed.

[0035] Furthermore, in a plan view, the outer end of the connection between the first rib 14 and the partition wall 12 is located on the inner periphery of the weak portion 13. Therefore, fracture can be more reliably caused at the inner periphery of the weak portion 13, the fracture cross-section becomes smoother, and the inner stopper 10 can function as an inner lid. In addition, a decrease in the opening and closing feel of the cap 20 due to snagging of the fracture cross-section can be suppressed.

[0036] In this embodiment, the inner stopper structure 100 may be attached to the container body by screwing it in with the inner stopper 10 attached to the cap 20 after the contents have been filled, or it may be attached by screw fitting. [Industrial applicability]

[0037] The present invention is useful as a stopper structure and a packaging container using the stopper structure. [Explanation of symbols]

[0038] 10 Inner stopper 11 Peripheral wall section 12 Bulkhead 13 Vulnerable parts 14. First rib 20 caps 21 Top panel 22 Cylinder part 24 Second Rib 31 Mouth 100 Inner stopper structure

Claims

1. An inner stopper structure provided in the container body to seal the cylindrical opening, An inner stopper attached to the opening, The system comprises a cap screwed onto the aforementioned inner stopper, The aforementioned stopper is A cylindrical peripheral wall portion attached to the open end of the mouth, A partition wall that closes the inside of the aforementioned peripheral wall portion, An annular, weakened portion is provided in the partition wall, The partition wall has two or more first ribs provided on the inside of the weak portion on the outer surface of the container body, extending from the center of the partition wall toward the weak portion in a plan view, and connected to each other at the center of the partition wall. The aforementioned cap is A flat top plate, A cylindrical tube portion connected to the outer edge of the top plate portion, The top plate portion is provided on the inner surface and comprises a second rib fixed to the first rib, The first rib is provided with a window portion, and the second rib is provided with a claw for engaging with the window portion. A stopper structure in which the fragile portion breaks as the cap rotates.

2. The plug structure according to claim 1, wherein the width of the weak portion in the radial direction of the peripheral wall is 1 mm or more and 7 mm or less.

3. The plug structure according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, in a plan view, the outer end of the connection between the first rib and the partition wall is located on the inner peripheral edge of the fragile portion.

4. A container body having a cylindrical opening, An inner stopper attached to the opening, The system comprises a cap screwed onto the aforementioned inner stopper, The aforementioned stopper is A cylindrical peripheral wall portion attached to the open end of the mouth, A partition wall that closes the inside of the aforementioned peripheral wall portion, An annular, weakened portion is provided in the partition wall, The partition wall has two or more first ribs provided on the inside of the weak portion on the outer surface of the container body, extending from the center of the partition wall toward the weak portion in a plan view, and connected to each other at the center of the partition wall. The aforementioned cap is A flat top plate, A cylindrical tube portion connected to the outer edge of the top plate portion, The top plate portion is provided on the inner surface and comprises a second rib fixed to the first rib, The first rib is provided with a window portion, and the second rib is provided with a claw for engaging with the window portion. A packaging container in which the fragile portion breaks as the cap rotates.

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