Cap with sealing band, apparatus for manufacturing cap with sealing band, and method for manufacturing cap with sealing band

Abstract

The present invention provides a cap with a sealing band that can reliably prevent the tearing of connecting pieces that connect two or more band pieces constituting the sealing band, a manufacturing apparatus for a cap with a sealing band, and a method for manufacturing a cap with a sealing band. [Solution] Multiple deformation-preventing protrusions 15 are provided at predetermined intervals, protruding downward from a filling portion that fills a part of the annular recess, towards the outer circumferential bulge. Multiple connecting pieces 16 extend downward from positions other than the filling portion towards the outer circumferential bulge and connect to the upper end of the sealing band. The bulge is formed at the position where the connecting pieces extend, bulging inward from either of the two U-shaped sides. The deformation portion 18 is provided on the connecting piece and is formed by pushing the upper end of the sealing band upward toward the lower circumferential end of the outer circumferential bulge. The deformation-preventing band 19 is provided at a position opposite the deformation-preventing protrusions on the upper end of the sealing band and is locked to the deformation-preventing protrusions from the outside by the deformation portion.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a cap with a tamper-evident band, an apparatus for manufacturing a cap with a tamper-evident band, and a method for manufacturing a cap with a tamper-evident band.

BACKGROUND ART

[0002] In recent years, for caps with tamper-evident bands that are attached to the mouth portions of various containers, there exist technologies aiming at an unauthorized opening prevention function (pilfer-proof function) that do not adopt a configuration in which the tamper-evident band (also referred to as a band or a connecting strip) detaches from the cap main body, but adopt a configuration in which the connecting piece that connects two or more band pieces constituting the tamper-evident band is torn off.

[0003] For example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2004-331124 (Patent Document 1) discloses a structure of a spout portion including a cylindrical pouring part and a cap that is detachably screwed onto the outer periphery of the pouring part to close the pouring part. The structure of the spout portion is composed of the pouring part, a stopper, and a band. The pouring part is formed with a stopper that protrudes from the outer periphery thereof to block rotation of the cap. On the other hand, a band with which the outer peripheral portion of the stopper engages is connected to the cap via a connecting piece so as to extend in the circumferential direction of the cap. The outer peripheral portion of the stopper is formed in a circular shape with a predetermined curvature, and ratchets are formed on the pouring part at symmetrical positions with the pouring part interposed therebetween so as to form a pair on the outer peripheral portion of the stopper. Further, these pairs of ratchets are formed at a plurality of positions in the circumferential direction. The band is composed of band pieces divided into at least two parts in the circumferential direction, and the ends of each band piece are connected to each other by a cutting piece. On the inner surface of each band piece, claw portions that respectively engage with the ratchets are formed so as to protrude inward, corresponding to the positions where the ratchets are formed. The structure of the spout portion is configured such that as the cap that is screwed onto the pouring part and closes the pouring part rotates, the claw portions and the ratchets formed at positions corresponding thereto engage simultaneously at at least four locations to apply a load to the cutting piece and cut it. Thereby, it is stated that unauthorized opening of the cap can be effectively prevented.

[0004] Furthermore, Japanese Patent Publication No. 2005-271922 (Patent Document 2) discloses an opening / closing cap that is screwed onto the opening of the dispensing portion of a packaging container to open and close the opening. Here, the opening / closing cap consists of a cap body that screws onto the outer circumferential surface of the opening, and a band that is attached to the cap body so as to extend in the circumferential direction of the cap body and engages with the dispensing portion. The band has a portion that separates the band in the circumferential direction at least at one location in the circumferential direction, and at this position the band is connected to each other by a connectable piece that can be cut. Moreover, this band is located below the lower surface of the cap body, and each band piece is attached to the lower part of the cap body by a connecting piece. This prevents the connecting piece that connects the cap body and the band from being cut, thereby ensuring a tamper-proof function.

[0005] Furthermore, Japanese Patent Publication No. 2008-308193 (Patent Document 3) discloses a cap comprising a cap body and an annular band. In this cap, the cap body is screwed onto the dispensing piece to close it. The annular band is positioned adjacent to the periphery of the mouth of the cap body and is connected to the cap body by a connecting portion. A dividing portion is provided at least at one point on the band so as to divide the band in the circumferential direction, and the dividing portion is connected by a connecting piece. When the cap body is rotated relative to the dispensing piece in the opening direction, the portion of the band on the front side in the opening direction relative to the connecting piece rotates together with the cap. On the other hand, the portion of the band on the rear side in the opening direction relative to the connecting piece is prevented from rotating by the engagement of an inner claw portion provided on the inner circumferential surface of the band and an outer claw portion provided on the outer circumferential surface of the dispensing piece, and a circumferential force acts on the connecting piece, causing it to break and the band to be divided at the dividing portion. The sealing cap further includes a deformation adjustment mechanism for adjusting the amount of deformation of the band when the band breaks. This solves the problems of the prior art and makes it possible to change the amount of deformation of the proof band depending on the application of the sealing cap. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2004-331124 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2005-271922 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2008-308193 [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0007] In the aforementioned cap with a sealing band, the cap body and the sealing band are connected by a connecting piece during manufacturing. Subsequently, the sealing band of the cap body is passed through the opening (also called the spout) of the container, and the female threaded part of the cap body is screwed into the male threaded part of the opening, thereby forming the cap with a sealing band as a finished product.

[0008] When a user opens a product's cap with a sealing band, the connecting piece attached to the band may break, causing the band to detach from the cap body and remain attached to the opening. In this case, the remaining band may detach from the opening, potentially leading to a child or other young child accidentally swallowing it. Recently, however, designs have emerged where the sealing band partially breaks, rather than the connecting piece breaking, to indicate that the cap has been opened while leaving the band attached to the cap body.

[0009] In designs where the sealing band remains attached to the cap body, the design is such that when the cap is opened, the connecting piece (also called a bridge) that connects two or more band pieces that make up the sealing band is torn off. However, unlike the connecting piece, this connecting piece is provided along the circumferential direction of the sealing band, which presents a problem as it is vulnerable to external pressure and impact. For example, between the molding of a cap with a sealing band, in which two or more band pieces are connected by the connecting piece, and the completion of installation (screw-in, etc.) into the opening, the connecting piece may tear due to external pressure or impact. If the connecting piece tears, the cap with the sealing band becomes a defective product, so it is necessary to prevent the connecting piece from tearing.

[0010] To protect the connecting piece, a deformation-preventing projection hanging down from the inside of the lower end of the cap body and a deformation-preventing band extending upward from the outside of the upper circumferential end of the sealing band are provided. During the manufacturing of the cap with the sealing band, the deformation-preventing band is locked (overlapped) to the deformation-preventing projection, temporarily securing the sealing band to the cap body and preventing the connecting piece from tearing.

[0011] On the other hand, due to the structure of the mold for the cap with a sealing band, it is not possible to mold the cap with a sealing band while the deformation prevention band is locked to the deformation prevention projection. Therefore, methods such as using a secondary processing device or incorporating a secondary processing treatment during the molding process are employed. When using a secondary processing device, for example, after molding the cap with a sealing band, the cap with a sealing band is removed, and the removed cap with a sealing band is placed in the secondary processing device and compressed vertically, thereby locking the deformation prevention band to the deformation prevention projection. Alternatively, when using a secondary processing treatment, after molding the cap with a sealing band, before removing the cap with a sealing band, vertical compression of the cap with a sealing band is applied to the movable mold during mold opening (removing the movable mold from the fixed mold), thereby locking the deformation prevention band to the deformation prevention projection.

[0012] However, secondary processing equipment incurs equipment costs, and since the processing takes place after the sealed cap has cooled, the rigidity of the sealed cap increases, making it difficult to adequately engage the deformation-preventing band with the deformation-preventing projection. Furthermore, secondary processing tends to lengthen the molding cycle of the sealed cap, and the use of existing movable molds results in weak engagement of the deformation-preventing band with the deformation-preventing projection. Additionally, after molding the cap body, the temperature of the connecting piece that links the cap body and the sealing band decreases rapidly, increasing the rigidity of the connecting piece and making it difficult to deform. Consequently, in any method, the deformation of the connecting piece is insufficient, and attempting to adequately deform the connecting piece requires a longer processing time, resulting in decreased productivity.

[0013] However, the technologies described in the aforementioned Patent Documents 1-3 do not have a configuration for locking a deformation prevention band onto a deformation prevention projection, and therefore cannot solve the above-mentioned problems.

[0014] Therefore, the present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a cap with a sealing band, a manufacturing apparatus for a cap with a sealing band, and a method for manufacturing a cap with a sealing band that can reliably prevent the tearing of the connecting piece that connects two or more band pieces constituting the sealing band. [Means for solving the problem]

[0015] The cap with a sealing band according to the present invention comprises a cap body, a female screw portion, an outer circumferential bulge portion, a sealing band, an annular recess, a plurality of deformation-preventing protrusions, a plurality of connecting pieces, a bulge portion, a deformation portion, and a deformation-preventing band. The cap body is a bottomed cylindrical shape, and the female screw portion is provided on the inner circumferential surface of the cap body and can be screwed onto the male screw portion of the mouth. The outer circumferential bulge portion is provided bulging outward from the outer circumferential surface of the lower end of the cap body, and the sealing band is composed of two or more semicircular band pieces connected in an annular manner by a plurality of connecting pieces, arranged along the circumferential direction of the cap body directly below the lower circumferential end of the outer circumferential bulge portion. The annular recess has a U-shaped cross-section and is cylindrically open upward from the lower end of the outer circumferential bulge portion between the lower end of the cap body and the lower end of the outer circumferential bulge portion. The deformation-preventing projections are provided in the annular recess, at predetermined intervals, from the filling portion which fills a part of the annular recess, projecting downward toward the outer peripheral bulge. Multiple connecting pieces extend from positions in the annular recess other than the filling portion toward the outer peripheral bulge and connect to the upper end of the sealing band. The bulge is in the annular recess, at the position from which the connecting pieces extend, bulging inward toward the U-shape from either of the two U-shaped sides. The deformation portion is provided on the connecting piece and is formed in a shape that pushes the upper end of the sealing band toward the lower end of the outer peripheral bulge. The deformation-preventing band is provided in the upper end of the sealing band at a position opposite to the deformation-preventing projection, and is locked to the deformation-preventing projection from the outside by the deformation portion.

[0016] Furthermore, the manufacturing apparatus for a cap with a sealing band according to the present invention comprises a first mold, a second mold, a third mold, a fourth mold, an inflow control unit, a first removal control unit, a deformation control unit, and a second removal control unit. The first mold forms the outer circumferential surface of the cap body, the outer circumferential bulge, the deformation prevention projection, the outer circumferential surface of the sealing band, and the deformation prevention band. The second mold forms the inside of the lower end of the cap body and the female screw portion. The third mold has an annular protrusion corresponding to the annular recess and a groove corresponding to the bulge, and forms the annular recess, the bulge, the plurality of connecting pieces, the deformation prevention projection, and the inside of the sealing band. The fourth mold forms the lower end of the sealing band. After assembling the first to the fourth molds, the inflow control unit inflows molten resin into the space formed inside the first to the fourth molds via a gate. The first removal control unit removes the first mold after the molten resin has flowed in. The deformation control unit, with the third mold fixed, pushes the fourth mold upward, thereby pushing the upper end of the sealing band toward the lower end of the outer bulge, and causing a deformation to form in the connecting piece. The second removal control unit removes the second through fourth molds and takes out the cap body portion having a deformation prevention band that is locked to the deformation prevention projection from the outside.

[0017] Furthermore, the method for manufacturing a cap with a sealing band according to the present invention comprises an inflow control step, a first removal control step, a deformation control step, and a second removal control step. Each control step of the manufacturing method corresponds to each control unit of the manufacturing apparatus. [Effects of the Invention]

[0018] According to the present invention, it is possible to reliably prevent the tearing of the connecting piece that connects two or more band pieces constituting a sealing band. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0019] [Figure 1] This is a bottom view perspective showing an example of a cap with a sealing band according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional perspective view showing an example of the cap with a tamper-evident band according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIGS. 3A to 3C are a bottom view, a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A, and a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B, showing an example of the cap with a tamper-evident band according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIGS. 4A and 4B are front sectional views respectively showing an example of the cap with a tamper-evident band according to the embodiment of the present invention where no deformable portion is provided, and an example where a deformable portion is provided. [Figure 5] FIGS. 5A and 5B are front views respectively showing an example of the cap with a tamper-evident band according to the embodiment of the present invention before being attached to the mouth portion, and an example after the attachment. [Figure 6] FIGS. 6A and 6B are enlarged cross-sectional views respectively showing an example of the deformable portion in the cap with a tamper-evident band according to the embodiment of the present invention before the deformable portion is formed and before the deformation-preventing band is engaged with the deformation-preventing projection, and an example after the deformable portion is formed and after the deformation-preventing band is engaged with the deformation-preventing projection. [Figure 7] FIGS. 7A and 7B are a front view and a front sectional view respectively showing an example of another cap with a tamper-evident band according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a bottom perspective cross-sectional view showing an example of another cap with a tamper-evident band according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] FIGS. 9A and 9B are front sectional views respectively showing an example of various configurations of the bulging portion of the cap with a tamper-evident band according to the embodiment of the present invention, and an example of the relationship between the bulging height of the bulging portion and the spacing distance of the annular recess. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a front sectional view showing an example of various cross-sectional shapes of the bulging portion of the cap with a tamper-evident band according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] FIGS. 11A to 11C are a plan perspective view, a front view, and a front sectional view respectively showing an example of a third mold in the apparatus for manufacturing the cap with a tamper-evident band according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] FIGS. 12A and 12B are an enlarged photograph of the area between the lower peripheral end portion of the outer peripheral bulging portion and the deformation-preventing band in Comparative Example 1 and Example 1, and a front photograph of the cap with a tamper-evident band after being attached to the mouth portion in Comparative Example 1 and Example 1. [Figure 13]This table shows the results of the capping drop test and the post-capping test in Comparative Example 1 and Example 1. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0020] The embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the attached drawings to facilitate understanding of the invention. Note that the following embodiments are merely examples of the present invention and are not intended to limit the technical scope of the invention.

[0021] As shown in Figures 1-4, the cap 1 with a sealing band according to the present invention comprises a cap body portion 10, a female screw portion 11, an outer circumferential bulge portion 12, a sealing band 13, an annular recess 14, a plurality of deformation-preventing protrusions 15, a plurality of connecting pieces 16, a bulge portion 17, a deformable portion 18, and a deformation-preventing band 19.

[0022] Furthermore, the cap body 10 is a bottomed cylindrical shape. On the outer circumferential surface of the cap body 10, for example, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, an ellipsoidal outer casing 100 is provided, which has an egg-shaped outer circumferential surface with multiple elongated egg-shaped depressions. This allows the user to easily grasp the cap body 10 with one hand.

[0023] Furthermore, the female screw portion 11 is provided on the inner circumferential side surface of the cap body portion 10 and can be screwed onto the male screw portion of the opening, and the outer circumferential bulge portion 12 is provided bulging outward from the outer circumferential side surface of the lower end portion 10a of the cap body portion 10.

[0024] Furthermore, the sealing band 13 is constructed by arranging two or more semicircular band pieces 13b connected by multiple connecting pieces 13a directly below the lower circumferential end 12a of the outer bulge portion 12, along the circumferential direction of the cap body portion 10. Here, the number of band pieces 13b is, for example, two, as shown in Figures 1 and 3, and the sealing band 13 is constructed by connecting each of the longitudinal ends of the first band piece 13b to each of the longitudinal ends of the second band piece 13b with each of the two connecting pieces 13a.

[0025] Furthermore, the annular recess 14 has a U-shaped cross-section and opens in a cylindrical shape from top to bottom between the lower end 10a of the cap body portion 10 and the lower peripheral end 12a of the outer peripheral bulge portion 12.

[0026] Furthermore, the multiple deformation-preventing protrusions 15 are provided projecting from the filling portion 14a of the annular recess 14, which is a part of the annular recess 14, toward the sealing band 13 from the lower peripheral end 12a of the outer peripheral bulge 12. Here, as shown in Figure 3, the shape of the deformation-preventing protrusions 15 is such that the cross-sectional shape has a corner at the outer lower end.

[0027] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 3, eight deformation-preventing protrusions 15 are provided in the annular recess 14 at predetermined intervals t. However, the number of deformation-preventing protrusions 15 is not limited to this and is designed appropriately according to the size of the cap body 10. For example, if the cap body 10 is small, the number of deformation-preventing protrusions 15 is designed to be 4 to 6, and if the cap body 10 is large, the number of deformation-preventing protrusions 15 is designed to be 8 or more, specifically 12 to 16. The size and shape of the filling portion 14a of the annular recess 14 are designed appropriately according to the number of deformation-preventing protrusions 15.

[0028] Furthermore, the multiple connecting pieces 16 extend downward from a portion of the annular recess 14 other than the filling portion 14a, toward the outer peripheral bulge 12, and connect to a portion of the upper end 13c of the sealing band 13. Here, as shown in Figure 2, each of the two connecting pieces 16 is provided near the two connecting pieces 13a that connect the two band pieces 13b of the sealing band 13.

[0029] Furthermore, the bulging portion 17 is located in the portion of the annular recess 14 other than the filling portion 14a, and bulges outwards from either of the two sides of the U-shape toward the interior of the U-shape. Here, for example, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, the bulging portion 17 has an arc-shaped cross-section and bulges outwards in an annular manner from the outer side 14b of the U-shape toward the interior of the U-shape.

[0030] Furthermore, the deformed portion 18 is provided on the connecting piece 16 and is formed in a shape that pushes the upper end 13c of the sealing band 13 upward toward the lower peripheral end 12a of the outer peripheral bulge portion 12. Here, the deformed portion 18 is deformed in a U-shape below the connecting piece 16, for example, as shown in Figure 3.

[0031] Furthermore, the deformation prevention band 19 is provided at a position on the upper end 13c of the sealing band 13 facing the deformation prevention projection 15, and is locked to the deformation prevention projection 15 from the outside by the deformation portion 18. Here, the shape of the deformation prevention band 19 is such that, for example as shown in Figure 3, the cross-sectional shape has a corner at the inner upper end. This allows the corner of the deformation prevention band 19 to contact and overlap the corner of the deformation prevention projection 15. Also, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, for example, the deformation prevention band 19 is provided in a band shape with a predetermined width along the longitudinal direction of the sealing band 13 on the upper end 13c of the sealing band 13. Then, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, the deformation portion 18 reduces the distance between the lower end 10a of the cap body portion 10 and the upper end 13c of the sealing band 13 by a predetermined compression distance c, bringing the cap body portion 10 and the sealing band 13 closer together, thereby locking the deformation prevention band 19 onto the deformation prevention projection 15 of the cap body portion 10 from the outside.

[0032] This makes it possible to reliably prevent the tearing of the connecting piece 13a that connects two or more band pieces 13b constituting the sealing band 13. In other words, in the present invention, by pushing the upper end 13c of the sealing band 13 toward the lower circumferential end 12a of the outer bulge 12, a deformable portion 18 is provided on the connecting piece 16, forcing the cap body 10 and the sealing band 13 closer together. This makes it possible to lock the deformation prevention band 19 provided on the upper end 13c of the sealing band 13 to the plurality of deformation prevention protrusions 15 provided on the lower circumferential end 12a of the outer bulge 12 from the outside, and during the manufacturing of the cap with sealing band 1, the sealing band 13 can be temporarily fixed to the cap body 10 by the overlap of the plurality of deformation prevention protrusions 15 and the deformation prevention band 19.

[0033] Therefore, even if the cap 1 with the sealing band is subjected to external pressure or impact during subsequent processing or steps, the pressure or impact is less likely to be transmitted to the connecting piece 13a of the sealing band 13, thus reliably preventing the connecting piece 13a from tearing.

[0034] For example, as shown in Figures 2 and 5, when attaching the cap 1 with a sealing band to the opening 2, the sealing band 13 of the cap body 10 is passed through the opening 2, and the female threaded portion 11 of the cap body 10 is screwed into the male threaded portion 20 of the opening 2. At that time, the sealing band 13 comes into contact with the flange 21 of the opening 2, and pressure and impact are applied to the sealing band 13. Even in this case, since the multiple deformation-preventing protrusions 15 overlap with the deformation-preventing band 19, the pressure and impact received by the sealing band 13 are transmitted to the cap body 10 via the multiple deformation-preventing protrusions 15 and the deformation-preventing band 19, and are less likely to be transmitted to the connecting piece 13a of the sealing band 13. This makes it possible to reliably prevent the connecting piece 13a from tearing.

[0035] Here, as shown in Figure 3, the bulging portion 17 plays an important role in forming the deformed portion 18. For example, when molding the cap with sealing band 1 in a mold, the mold comprises a first mold, a second mold, a third mold, and a fourth mold, and a manufacturing device (not shown) that controls the mold assembles and disassembles each mold and injects molten resin into the assembled mold through the gate portion.

[0036] Next, referring to Figure 6, the mold 3 will be described in detail. The first mold (not shown) forms the outer circumferential surface of the cap body 10, the outer circumferential bulge 12, the deformation prevention projection 15, the outer circumferential surface of the sealing band 13, and the deformation prevention band 19. The second mold (also called a rotation-stopping core, not shown) forms the inside of the lower end 10a of the cap body 10 and the female screw portion 11. The third mold 30, as shown in Figure 6, has an annular protrusion 30a corresponding to the annular recess 14, a groove 30b corresponding to the bulge 17, and a gap 30c corresponding to the filling portion 14a of the deformation prevention projection 15, and forms the annular recess 14, the bulge 17, the multiple connecting pieces 16, the deformation prevention projection 15, and the inside of the sealing band 13. The fourth mold 31 forms the lower end of the sealing band 13.

[0037] Here, the inflow control unit of the manufacturing apparatus, after assembling the first to fourth molds, inflows molten resin into the space formed inside the first to fourth molds via a gate (not shown). Next, the first removal control unit of the manufacturing apparatus removes the first mold after the inflow of molten resin. In other words, mold opening begins.

[0038] Then, as shown in Figure 6, the deformation control unit 310 of the manufacturing apparatus, with the third mold 30 fixed, pushes the fourth mold 31 upward, thereby pushing the upper end 13c of the sealing band 13 toward the lower peripheral end 12a of the outer peripheral bulge 12, forming a deformed portion 18 on the connecting piece 16, and locking the deformation prevention band 19 to the deformation prevention projection 15 from the outside.

[0039] As described above, the third mold 30 has a groove 30b corresponding to the bulge 17, so that the bulge 17 formed after the inflow of molten resin catches on the groove 30b of the third mold 30 with a predetermined force, creating mold release resistance on the outer circumferential bulge 12. Therefore, when the deformation control unit 310 pushes the fourth mold 31 upward, the connecting piece 16 of the sealing band 13 deforms to approach the outer circumferential bulge 12. Also, since the mold is being opened, the temperature of the connecting piece 16 of the sealing band 13 is high and its elasticity is low, so a deformed portion 18 can be easily formed on the connecting piece 16. In addition, the deformation prevention band 19 can be easily locked to the deformation prevention projection 15 from the outside.

[0040] Furthermore, the deformation control unit 310 reduces the distance between the lower end 10a of the cap body 10 and the upper end 13c of the sealing band 13 by a predetermined compression distance c, as shown in Figure 6, for example.

[0041] Furthermore, the second removal control unit of the manufacturing apparatus removes the second mold to the fourth mold 31 and takes out the cap with sealing band 1. Conventionally, the cap with sealing band 1 was subjected to secondary processing by a secondary processing apparatus or secondary processing, but in the present invention, secondary processing can be performed during the manufacturing process of the cap with sealing band 1, thereby improving the productivity of the cap with sealing band 1.

[0042] There are no particular limitations on the material of the cap 1 with sealing band, but examples include synthetic resins such as polyethylene, polypropylene, and polyethylene terephthalate.

[0043] Furthermore, there are no particular limitations on the configuration of the cap body portion 10. For example, as shown in Figures 1-5, an outer casing 100 may be provided on the cap body portion 10, or, as shown in Figures 7-8, the cap body portion 10 may remain as a bottomed cylindrical shape without an outer casing 100. Here, as shown in Figures 7-8, if the cap body portion 10 is a bottomed cylindrical shape, multiple vertically extending slits 101 may be provided on the outer circumferential surface.

[0044] Furthermore, there are no particular limitations on the configuration of the female screw portion 11, but it is preferable that it be composed of a male screw spirally provided on the inner circumferential surface of the cap body portion 10, as shown in Figures 1 and 2. Also, the male screw portion of the mouth portion corresponding to the female screw portion 11 is preferably composed of a male screw spirally provided on the outer circumferential surface of the mouth portion, as shown in Figure 5.

[0045] Furthermore, there are no particular limitations on the configuration of the outer bulge portion 12. For example, as shown in Figures 2-3 and 7-8, the cross-sectional shape may be a two-tiered configuration on the outer surface, or the cross-sectional shape may be a skirt-like configuration that slopes upward.

[0046] Furthermore, there are no particular limitations on the shape of the band piece 13b of the sealing band 13, but if there are two band pieces 13b, for example, they can be semicircular. The number of band pieces 13b can be two or more, so three or four are acceptable. Also, there are no particular limitations on the thickness of the band piece 13b, but it is preferable that it be within the range of 0.5 mm to 3.0 mm in the radial direction. This prevents tearing or cutting of the band piece 13b even when the cap body 10 is rotated.

[0047] Furthermore, regarding the sealing band 13, as shown in Figures 1-3 and 7-8, an inner claw portion 13d (also called a ratchet claw) pointed in the opposite direction (opening direction) to the closing direction of the female screw portion 11 may be provided on the inner surface of the band piece 13b of the sealing band 13. Note that four inner claw portions 13d are provided on the sealing band 13. On the other hand, as shown in Figure 5, an outer claw portion 21a that can hook onto the inner claw portion 13d may be provided on the outer surface of the flange 21 of the opening portion 2, corresponding to the inner claw portion 13d of the band piece 13b. As a result, when the cap 1 with the sealing band is attached to the opening 2, the inner claw portion 13d of the band piece 13b of the sealing band 13 can catch on the outer claw portion 21a of the flange 21 of the opening 2. When the cap body 10 of the cap with the sealing band 1 is rotated in the opening direction, the inner claw portion 13d of the band piece 13b of the sealing band 13 catches appropriately on the outer claw portion 21a of the flange 21 of the opening 2, fixing the sealing band 13 to the flange 21 and allowing the subsequent detachment of the connecting piece 13a to proceed smoothly.

[0048] Furthermore, there are no particular limitations on the shape of the band piece 13b. For example, as shown in Figures 1-2 and 4-5, one end of the band piece 13b in the circumferential direction may be recessed in the circumferential direction, and the other end of the band piece 13b in the circumferential direction may be projected in the circumferential direction. This makes it easier to cut the connecting piece 13a provided between one end of the band piece 13b in the circumferential direction and the other end of the band piece 13b in the circumferential direction.

[0049] Furthermore, there are no particular limitations on the shape of the annular recess 14. For example, as shown in Figures 1-2 and 4-5, excluding the filling portion 14a, the cross-sectional shape may be U-shaped, cylindrical, or polygonal. Here, the U-shaped cross-sectional shape may be rectangular, square, or even a quadrilateral with rounded corners.

[0050] Furthermore, there are no particular limitations on the shape of the deformation prevention projection 15. For example, as shown in Figure 3, the cross-sectional shape may have a corner at the outer lower end, or, as shown in Figures 7-8, a hemispherical shape 15a may be provided as a marker on a part of the lower end of the deformation prevention projection 15.

[0051] Furthermore, there are no particular limitations on the shape of the connecting piece 16. For example, as shown in Figures 2-3, it may be a plate-like shape with a predetermined width, or as shown in Figures 7-8, it may have a predetermined width, with a plate-like outer surface and a stepped inner surface.

[0052] Furthermore, there are no particular limitations on the shape of the bulge portion 17. For example, as shown in Figures 1-3 and 7-8, the cross-sectional shape may be arc-shaped, triangular, or trapezoidal. In the case of triangular or trapezoidal cross-sectional shapes of the bulge portion 17, it is preferable that the corners are rounded. Also, there are no particular limitations on the position of the bulge portion 17. For example, as shown in Figures 1-3 and 7-8, it may be provided on the outer side surface 14b of the U-shape, or as shown in Figure 9, it may be provided on the inner side surface 14c of the U-shape.

[0053] Furthermore, there are no particular limitations on the number of bulges 17. For example, as shown in Figure 9, there may be two bulges 17, one on the outer side 14b of the U-shape and one on the inner side 14c of the U-shape, or one on the top and bottom of the outer side 14b of the U-shape, or one on the top and bottom of the inner side 14c of the U-shape. The number of bulges 17 may be increased further.

[0054] Furthermore, there are no particular limitations on the bulge height of the bulge portion 17, but for example, as shown in Figure 9, the bulge height h1 of the bulge portion 17 is preferably in the range of 1 / 8 to 1 / 3 of the distance d1 between the U-shaped outer side surface 14b and the inner side surface 14c of the annular recess 14, and preferably in the range of 1 / 7 to 1 / 4 of the distance d1. In this case, the bulge height h1 of the bulge portion 17 is 1 / 6 of the distance d1, as shown in Figure 9.

[0055] Furthermore, the cross-sectional shape of the bulge 17 can basically be an arc, a triangle, or a trapezoid. Specifically, if the cross-sectional shape of the bulge 17 is an arc, as shown in Figure 10, if the position of the center point c of the arc of the cross-sectional shape of the bulge 17 is on the inside of the outer peripheral bulge 12, the vertical distance h2 of the center point c of the arc with respect to the U-shaped upper surface of the annular recess 14 is set to be smaller than the vertical height d2 of the outer peripheral bulge 12, for example, within the range of 1 / 3 to 2 / 3. In Figure 10, the vertical distance h2 of the center point c of the arc is 1 / 2 of the vertical height d2 of the outer peripheral bulge 12. Also, the horizontal distance h3 of the center point c of the arc with respect to the outer side surface 14b of the U-shaped annular recess 14 is set to be smaller than the horizontal length d3 of the outer peripheral bulge 12, for example, within the range of 1 / 10 to 1 / 2. The arc angle R1 with respect to the center point c of the arc is set, for example, within the range of 70 to 100 degrees.

[0056] Furthermore, the arc-shaped cross-section of the bulging portion 17 may be provided on the outer side surface 14b of the U-shaped annular recess 14, or on the inner side surface 14c of the U-shaped annular recess 14.

[0057] Furthermore, if the cross-sectional shape of the bulge 17 is trapezoidal, it is preferable to make the hypotenuse of the trapezoidal shape arc-shaped, as shown in Figure 10. If the position of the center point c of the arc-shaped hypotenuse of the trapezoidal shape is inside the annular recess 14, the vertical distance h2 of the center point c of the arc-shaped shape relative to the U-shaped upper surface of the annular recess 14 is set to be smaller than the vertical height d2 of the outer peripheral bulge 12, for example, within the range of 1 / 3 to 2 / 3. In Figure 10, the vertical distance h2 of the center point c of the arc-shaped shape is 1 / 2 of the vertical height d2 of the outer peripheral bulge 12. The arc-shaped angle R1 with respect to the center point c of the arc-shaped shape is set, for example, within the range of 70 degrees to 100 degrees. The length d4 of the upper side of the trapezoidal shape is set, for example, within the range of 1 / 3 to 2 / 3 of the vertical distance h2 of the center point c of the arc-shaped shape.

[0058] Furthermore, the trapezoidal cross-sectional shape of the bulging portion 17 may be provided on the outer side surface 14b of the U-shaped annular recess 14, or on the inner side surface 14c of the U-shaped annular recess 14.

[0059] Furthermore, if the cross-sectional shape of the bulge 17 is arc-shaped and two bulges 17 are formed, as shown in Figure 10, if the position of the center point c of the arc-shaped cross-sectional shape of the bulge 17 is on the inside of the annular recess 14, an angle R1 is formed from the center point c of the arc towards the inner side surface 14c of the U-shaped annular recess 14, and the arc-shaped angle R1 with respect to the center point c of the arc is set, for example, within the range of 70 to 100 degrees. Also, the distance d5 between the two bulges 17 is set to be smaller than, for example, the vertical height d2 of the outer peripheral bulge 12, and is set, for example, within the range of 1 / 3 to 2 / 3.

[0060] Furthermore, there are no particular limitations on the shape of the deformed portion 18. For example, as shown in Figure 3, the lower part of the connecting piece 16 may be deformed into a U-shape, or as shown in Figure 9, the lower part of the connecting piece 16 may be deformed into a V-shape. Here, the shape of the deformed portion 18 is appropriately changed depending on the temperature of the connecting piece 16 when the fourth mold 31 is pushed upward, the ambient temperature, the type of molten resin, etc.

[0061] Furthermore, there are no particular limitations on the shape of the deformation prevention band 19. For example, as shown in Figure 3, the cross-sectional shape may have a corner at the upper inner end, or as shown in Figures 7-8, the cross-sectional shape may have an inclined inner surface.

[0062] Furthermore, there are no particular limitations on the configuration of the opening 2, but examples include a cylindrical body with a spiral-shaped male threaded portion 20 formed on its outer surface, as shown in Figure 5. In addition, it is preferable that the shape of the flange 21 of the opening 2 is such that it can be inserted inside the sealing band 13.

[0063] Furthermore, there are no particular limitations on the containers to which the sealing cap 1 according to the present invention is applied, but examples include containers used to fill with liquids such as food seasonings, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, shampoos, conditioners, and liquid soaps, as well as paste-like contents.

[0064] Furthermore, other functions or designs may be added to the configuration of the sealing band-equipped cap 1 according to the present invention.

[0065] Next, a characteristic third mold 30 of the manufacturing apparatus for the sealing band-equipped cap 1 according to the present invention will be described in detail. As shown in Figure 11, the third mold 30 includes an annular protrusion 30a corresponding to the annular recess 14, a groove 30b corresponding to the bulging portion 17, and a void 30c corresponding to the filling portion 14a of the deformation prevention projection 15.

[0066] Here, as shown in Figure 11, the annular protrusions 30a are arranged in a cylindrical shape with gaps 30c between them, thereby forming the annular recess 14 and the filling portion 14a of the cap body 10. Also, as shown in Figure 11, the bulging portion 17 of the cap body 10 can be formed by providing grooves 30b on the outside of the annular protrusions 30a. The third mold 30 is provided with claw-shaped grooves 30d corresponding to the inner claw portion 13d of the sealing band 13 and hemispherical grooves 30e corresponding to the hemispherical shape 15a of the deformation prevention projection 15.

[0067] Furthermore, the method for manufacturing a cap with a sealing band according to the present invention comprises an inflow control step, a first removal control step, a deformation control step, and a second removal control step. Each control step of the manufacturing method corresponds to each control unit of the manufacturing apparatus. This makes it possible to improve the productivity of the cap with a sealing band 1 described above. [Examples]

[0068] Examples and comparative examples of the present invention will be described below in detail, but the application of the present invention is not limited to these examples.

[0069] First, a cap with a sealing band 1 was manufactured based on Figures 1-4. Here, a cap with a sealing band without the deformation portion 18 was designated as Comparative Example 1, and a cap with a sealing band with the deformation portion 18 was designated as Example 1. As shown in Figure 12, in Comparative Example 1, the hemispherical shape 15a of the deformation prevention projection 15 can be seen between the lower peripheral end 12a of the outer peripheral bulge portion 12 and the deformation prevention band 19. On the other hand, in Example 1, it can be seen that the hemispherical shape 15a of the deformation prevention projection 15 is hidden by the deformation prevention band 19 due to the presence of the deformation portion 18. This is because, in Example 1, the deformation portion 18 reduces the distance between the lower end 10a of the cap body portion 10 and the upper end 13c of the sealing band 13 by a predetermined compression distance c, thereby locking the deformation prevention band 19 to the deformation prevention projection 15 from the outside.

[0070] Furthermore, when the caps with sealing bands of Comparative Example 1 and Example 1 are attached to the mouth, as shown in Figure 12, it can be seen that in Comparative Example 1, the shape of the sealing band 13 is distorted, possibly because the position of the sealing band 13 is not fixed. On the other hand, in Example 1, the position of the sealing band 13 is fixed by the locking of the deformation prevention band 19 against the deformation prevention projection 15, and it can be seen that the shape of the sealing band 13 is not distorted.

[0071] Here, capping drop tests and post-capping tests were conducted on the caps with sealing bands of Comparative Example 1 and Example 1. In the capping drop test, a cap with a sealing band was attached to the opening, and the caps with sealing bands attached to the opening were packed in a specified number of pieces in a specified packaging material. Then, the packaging material was dropped from a specified height to apply external force to the sealing band and check whether the connecting piece broke as a result. The percentage of caps with sealing bands that broke relative to the number of caps that were dropped was calculated, and the closer this percentage (%) is to zero, the more effectively the breakage of the connecting piece of the cap with the sealing band can be prevented.

[0072] Furthermore, the post-capping test involved attaching a cap with a sealing band to the opening and applying external force to the sealing band to check whether the connecting piece would break. The percentage of sealed caps with broken connecting pieces was then calculated relative to the total number of sealed caps. The closer this percentage is to zero, the better the seal can prevent the connecting piece from breaking.

[0073] In this experiment, 1500 caps with sealing bands were dropped, and 1000 caps with sealing bands were attached. A capping drop test and a post-capping test were conducted. As shown in Figure 13, in Comparative Example 1, 12 caps broke during the capping drop test, representing a rate of 0.8%. In Comparative Example 1, 88 caps broke during the post-capping test, representing a rate of 5.9%.

[0074] On the other hand, in Example 1, surprisingly, the number of fractures in the capping drop test was 3, representing a rate of 0.2%, demonstrating that the fracture of the connecting piece was effectively prevented. Furthermore, in Example 1, the number of fractures in the post-capping test was 0, representing a rate of 0.0%, indicating that even in this case, the fracture of the connecting piece was effectively prevented.

[0075] Thus, it has been found that the present invention makes it possible to reliably prevent the tearing of the connecting piece that connects two or more band pieces constituting the sealing band. [Industrial applicability]

[0076] As described above, the present invention is useful for caps with sealing bands in all fields, including food seasonings, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, shampoos, conditioners, and liquid soaps, and is effective as a cap with a sealing band that can reliably prevent the tearing of the connecting piece that connects two or more band pieces that constitute the sealing band. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0077] 1. Cap with sealing band 10 Cap body 11 Female screw section 12 Peripheral bulge 13 Sealing Band 14 Annular recess 15 Deformation prevention protrusions 16 Connecting piece 17 Bulge 18 Deformed part 19. Deformation prevention band

Claims

1. A bottomed cylindrical cap body, A female threaded portion is provided on the inner circumferential surface of the cap body portion and is capable of being screwed onto the male threaded portion of the opening, The outer circumferential bulge is provided that bulges outward from the outer circumferential side surface of the lower end of the cap body, A sealing band is formed by arranging two or more semicircular band pieces, connected in a ring shape by multiple connecting pieces, directly below the lower circumferential end of the outer bulge portion, along the circumferential direction of the cap body portion, The cross-sectional shape is U-shaped, and between the lower end of the cap body and the lower circumferential end of the outer peripheral bulge, there is an annular recess that opens cylindrically from top to bottom, A plurality of deformation-preventing protrusions are provided that extend from the filling portion, which fills a part of the annular recess, toward the sealing band from the lower peripheral end of the outer bulge, A plurality of connecting pieces extend from a portion of the annular recess other than the filling portion toward downward toward the outer peripheral bulge portion and connect to a portion of the upper end of the sealing band, Of the annular recess, in the portion other than the filling portion, there is a bulge that protrudes from either of the two U-shaped sides toward the interior of the U-shape, A deformed portion is provided on the connecting piece and is formed in such a way that the upper end of the sealing band is pushed up toward the lower circumferential end of the outer bulge; The deformation prevention band is provided at the upper end of the sealing band, opposite to the deformation prevention projection, and is locked to the deformation prevention projection from the outside by the deformation portion, A cap with a sealing band that includes [a specific feature].

2. The shape of the bulge is one of the following: the cross-sectional shape is arc-shaped, triangular, or trapezoidal. A cap with a sealing band as described in claim 1.

3. A manufacturing apparatus for a cap with a sealing band as described in claim 1, A first mold that forms the outer circumferential surface of the cap body, the outer circumferential bulge, the deformation prevention projection, the outer circumferential surface of the sealing band, and the deformation prevention band. The inside of the lower end of the cap body and a second mold that forms the female screw portion, A third mold having an annular projection corresponding to the annular recess and a groove corresponding to the bulge, forming the annular recess, the bulge, the plurality of connecting pieces, the deformation-preventing projection, and the inside of the sealing band, A fourth mold forming the lower end of the sealing band, After assembling the first mold to the fourth mold, an inflow control unit is provided that allows molten resin to flow into the space formed inside the first mold to the fourth mold via a gate section. After the inflow of the molten resin, a first removal control unit removes the first mold, A deformation control unit that, with the third mold fixed, pushes the fourth mold upward, thereby pushing the upper end of the sealing band toward the lower circumferential end of the outer peripheral bulge, and forming a deformed portion in the connecting piece, A second removal control unit removes the second to fourth molds and takes out the cap body portion having a deformation prevention band that is locked to the deformation prevention projection from the outside, A manufacturing apparatus for caps with sealing bands equipped with [a specific feature / feature].

4. A method for manufacturing the apparatus for manufacturing a cap with a sealing band as described in claim 1, The aforementioned manufacturing apparatus, A first mold that forms the outer circumferential surface of the cap body, the outer circumferential bulge, the deformation prevention projection, the outer circumferential surface of the sealing band, and the deformation prevention band. The inside of the lower end of the cap body and a second mold that forms the female screw portion, A third mold having an annular projection corresponding to the annular recess and a groove corresponding to the bulge, forming the annular recess, the bulge, the plurality of connecting pieces, the deformation-preventing projection, and the inside of the sealing band, A fourth mold forming the lower end of the sealing band, Equipped with, The aforementioned manufacturing method is After assembling the first mold to the fourth mold, an inflow control step is performed in which molten resin is flowed through the gate into the space formed inside the first mold to the fourth mold, After the inflow of the molten resin, a first removal control step is performed to remove the first mold, With the third mold fixed, the deformation control step involves pushing the fourth mold upward, thereby pushing the upper end of the sealing band toward the lower circumferential end of the outer bulge, and forming a deformed portion in the connecting piece. A second removal control step involves removing the second to fourth molds and taking out the cap body portion having a deformation prevention band that is locked to the deformation prevention projection from the outside, A method for manufacturing a cap with a sealing band that includes [a specific feature].

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