Liquid container

Abstract

Provided is a liquid container that, when causing a liquid to flow out through a drinking port of a mouth part, is capable of suppressing the liquid from flowing out in a pulsating flow state even when a tank is full.　A PET bottle 1 has a shoulder part 4 formed continuously to the upper end of a trunk part 3, a neck part 5 formed continuously to the shoulder part 4, a mouth part 6 having a drinking port 7 formed continuously to the upper end of the neck part 5, and a cap 11 screwed on the outer circumference of the mouth part 6. A span of the inner circumferential surface 100 from the shoulder part 4 at the upper end of the trunk part 3 to the neck part 5, the mouth part 6, and the upper end of the drinking port 7 is formed in a substantially truncated conical shape. A male screw 10 that is screwed together with a female screw 12 of the cap 11 is formed on the outer circumferential surface 200 of the mouth part 6.

Description

liquid container

[0001] The present invention relates to a liquid container.

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a liquid container having a neck connected to the upper end (shoulder) of a body, a mouth with a drinking spout connected to the upper end of the neck, and a cap screwed onto the outer periphery of the mouth. The liquid container is a container for storing juice, coffee drinks, alcoholic drinks, seasonings, etc., and may be a plastic bottle, aluminum can, steel can, etc.

[0003] JP 2018-104094 A

[0004] In Patent Document 1, when tilting a liquid container to allow liquid to flow from the drinking spout, if the container is nearly full, the drinking spout becomes blocked by the liquid, and the liquid flows out in a pulsating manner due to the action of air inside the liquid container. In this case, there are problems such as difficulty in drinking the liquid from the drinking spout, difficulty in accurately pouring small amounts of liquid into a cup, and the liquid splashing and spilling onto a table or staining clothes.

[0005] The present invention aims to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems and provide a liquid container that can prevent liquid from flowing in a pulsating state when liquid is flowed out from the drinking spout of the mouth, even when the container is nearly full.

[0006] This specification includes the entire contents of Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-031395, filed on March 1, 2024. This specification includes the entire contents of Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-148506, filed on August 30, 2024. A liquid container of the present invention has a shoulder continuous with the upper end of a body, a neck continuous with the shoulder, a mouth continuous with the upper end of the neck, the mouth having a drinking spout, and a cap screwed onto the outer periphery of the mouth, wherein the continuous inner circumferential surface from the shoulder at the upper end of the body to the neck, the mouth, and the upper end of the drinking spout is formed in a substantially frusto-conical shape, and the outer circumferential surface of the mouth is formed with a male thread that screws into the female thread of the cap.

[0007] In the present invention, it is possible to prevent the liquid from flowing out in a pulsating state.

[0008] FIG. 1 is a side view of a liquid container according to a first embodiment. FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the body, shoulder, neck, and mouth of the liquid container. FIGS. 3A to 3C are conceptual diagrams illustrating operation. FIG. 4 is a side view of a liquid container according to a second embodiment. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line V-V of FIG. 4. FIG. 6 is a view equivalent to the cross-section V-V of FIG. 4, showing a modified example. FIG. 7 is a side view of a liquid container according to a third embodiment. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VIII-VIII of FIG. 7. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view equivalent to the cross-section VIII-VIII of FIG. 7, showing a modified example. FIG. 10 is a view equivalent to FIG. 2 according to the fourth embodiment. FIG. 11 is a view equivalent to FIG. 2 according to the fifth embodiment. FIG. 12 is a side view of a liquid container according to a sixth embodiment. FIG. 13 is a side view of a liquid container showing a modified example. FIG. 14 is a side view of a liquid container according to a seventh embodiment.

[0009]

[0023] An embodiment of the present invention will be described below. [First embodiment] [Configuration] Fig. 1 is a side view of a liquid container. Fig. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing the body, shoulder, neck and mouth of the liquid container.

[0010] The liquid container 1 is a plastic bottle. A plastic bottle is one example of a liquid container 1. As shown in FIG. 1 , the plastic bottle 1 comprises a resin container body 2. The container body 2 comprises a cylindrical body 3 with a bottom, and a shoulder 4 connected to the upper end of the body 3. The shoulder 4 is formed by drawing a convex arc with an appropriate radius R. A neck 5 is connected to the upper end of the shoulder 4, and a mouth 6 is connected to the upper end of the neck 5. The mouth 6 has a drinking spout 7. 8 is a cap fastener.

[0011] As shown in Figure 2, the PET bottle 1 has a continuous inner circumferential surface 100 extending from the shoulder 4 at the top of the body 3 to the top of the neck 5, mouth 6, and drinking spout 7, which is formed in a generally frusto-conical shape. The shoulder 4, neck 5, and mouth 6 of the PET bottle 1 have a uniform thickness t throughout, and the outer circumferential surface 200 of the shoulder 4, neck 5, and mouth 6 is formed in a generally frusto-conical shape. A male thread 10 is formed on the generally frusto-conical outer circumferential surface 200. As shown in Figure 1, the male thread 10 is threadedly engaged with the female thread 12 of the cap 11. Figure 1 shows the cap 11 in cross section.

[0012] The size of the PET bottle 1 generally varies depending on the capacity. For a 200 ml capacity, the dimensions are approximately 13.2 cm high x 5.4 cm wide, and for a 500 ml capacity, the dimensions are approximately 21.5 cm high x 7.0 cm wide. For a 1 L capacity, the dimensions are approximately 25.0 cm high x 8.5 cm wide, and for a 2 L capacity, the dimensions are approximately 31.5 cm high x 10.5 cm wide. The inner diameter of the drinking spout 7 of the mouth 6 does not vary depending on the capacity and is generally standardized at approximately 22 mm, and the outer diameter of the cap 11 is generally standardized at approximately 28 mm.

[0013] [Setting the Tilt Angle θ] The illustrated PET bottle 1 has a capacity of 500 ml, a height H from the bottom of the body 3 to the top of the mouth 6 of approximately 21.5 cm, an outer diameter D of the body 3 of approximately 7.0 cm, and an inner diameter of the drinking spout 7 of approximately 22 mm. Based on this, the tilt angle θ formed by a line C1 that extends parallel to the bottle axis (the central axis of the body 3) C and passes through a point A in the shoulder 4, and a line C2 that passes through the point A in the shoulder 4 and is a line that cuts through the inner circumferential surface 100 of a substantially frusto-conical shape that is uniformly continuous with the shoulder 4, neck 5, and mouth 6, is approximately 5° to 30°.

[0014] However, when the inner diameter of the drinking spout 7 is set to approximately 22 mm and the inner peripheral surface 100 is formed into a generally truncated cone shape, if the inclination angle θ is set too small and gentle, the length of the neck 5 will increase, the position of the shoulder 4 will be lowered, the length of the body 3 will be shortened, and the capacity of the container body 2 will decrease. If the inclination angle θ is set small and gentle without lowering the position of the shoulder 4, the inner diameter D1 of the drinking spout 7 of the mouth 6 will increase, making it difficult to drink. On the other hand, if the inclination angle θ is too large and steep, the inclination of the mouth 6 will become too steep, making it difficult to form the male thread 10 on the outer peripheral surface 200 of the mouth 6, and engagement with the cap 11 will be insufficient.

[0015] The inventors have found that, taking into consideration the formability of the male thread 10 formed on the outer peripheral surface 200 of the mouth portion 6, the prevention of a decrease in the content volume of the container body 2, and the ease of drinking from the drinking spout 7, the inclination angle θ should be within the range of 12° to 27°. Preferably, the inclination angle θ is 13° to 26°, and more preferably 14° to 25°. It has been found that when the inclination angle θ is set within the desired range, the outer peripheral shape of the cap 11 takes on an appropriate conical shape, making it easier to grip and open the cap 11. This allows even people with weak grip strength to easily open the cap 11.

[0016] Although the capacity of the PET bottle 1 has been described as 500 ml, it has been found that even if the capacity of the PET bottle 1 changes to 200 ml, 280 to 350 ml, 650 to 750 ml, 900 ml to 1 L, 2 L, 4 to 5 L, etc., and the size of the PET bottle 1 changes, the magnitude of the above-mentioned inclination angle θ is 12° to 27°, preferably 13° to 26°, and more preferably 14° to 25°.

[0017] 3A to 3C are conceptual diagrams illustrating the operation of the plastic bottle 1. When drinking the liquid such as a beverage from the container body 2 directly by placing the mouthpiece 7 over the container body 2 or pouring it into a cup or glass, the container body 2 is tilted as shown in FIGS.

[0018] In the first embodiment, the shoulder portion 4, the neck portion 5, and the inner peripheral surface 100 of the mouth portion 6 are formed in a generally frusto-conical shape, so that whether the container body 2 begins to be tilted as shown in Fig. 3A, is tilted partway as shown in Fig. 3B, or is tilted all the way as shown in Fig. 3C, outside air always flows through the drinking spout 7 and into the container body 1. In other words, the liquid flowing out of the drinking spout 7 does not cover or block the entire area of ​​the drinking spout 7, so that the liquid remains in constant communication with the outside air, and the liquid within the container body 1 flows out in a smooth, uniform flow, preventing the liquid from flowing out in a pulsating flow due to the action of the air.

[0019] Since the inner peripheral surface 100 is formed in an approximately truncated cone shape, no matter which direction the PET bottle 1 is tilted, the liquid such as a beverage in the container body 2 flows out smoothly along the approximately conical inner peripheral surface 100, and the liquid does not flow out in a pulsating state.

[0020] In the first embodiment, even when the container body 2 is nearly full, the liquid such as a beverage in the container body 2 flows smoothly along the inner peripheral surface 100 of the approximately truncated cone shape, and the liquid does not flow in a pulsating manner. This makes it easy to drink the liquid from the drinking spout 7 of the mouth portion 6, and allows a small amount of liquid to be poured accurately into a cup, eliminating the risk of the liquid splashing and spilling on the table or staining clothes.

[0021] In the first embodiment, when the outer diameter D of the body 3 and the inner diameter D1 of the drinking spout 7 are set to predetermined dimensions, the inclination angle θ formed by a line C1 that extends parallel to the bottle axis (the central axis of the body 3) C and passes through a point A on the shoulder 4, and a line C2 that passes through the point A on the shoulder 4 and that runs vertically through the inner circumferential surface 100 of a substantially frusto-conical shape that is uniformly continuous with the shoulder 4, neck 5, and mouth 6, is set to be 12° to 27°. This configuration ensures a sufficient capacity for the container body 2 and improves the formability of the male thread 10 of the mouth 6.

[0022] Furthermore, if the inclination angle θ is set to 13° to 26° or 14° to 25°, the container body 2 becomes easier to grip, and the design of the container body 2 can be improved.

[0023] [Second Embodiment] Figure 4 is a side view of a liquid container according to a second embodiment. Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line V-V of Figure 4. In each figure, the same parts as those in Figure 1 are designated by the same reference numerals, and their description will be omitted. The plastic bottle 1 comprises a cylindrical body 3 with a bottom, a shoulder 4, a neck 5, and a mouth 6. The continuous inner circumferential surface 100 extending from the shoulder 4 at the upper end of the body 3 to the upper end of the neck 5, mouth 6, and drinking spout 7 is formed in a generally frusto-conical shape, as in the first embodiment. The shoulder 4, neck 5, and mouth 6 of the plastic bottle 1 have a uniform continuous thickness t.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 4 , the PET bottle 1 has multiple bulging portions 50 (eight bulging portions in the second embodiment) extending vertically on the inner surface 100 from the shoulder portion 4 at the upper end of the body portion 3 to the upper end of the neck portion 5, i.e., from the shoulder portion 4 to the lower end of the cap stopper 8.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 5 , each bulge portion 50 bulges outward from the inner circumferential surface 100 in a generally arc-shaped cross section, and is arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the inner circumferential surface 100. The width W of each bulge portion 50 is widest near the shoulder portion 4 and gradually narrows toward the upper end of the neck portion 5. The bulge portions 50 are not limited to being arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the inner circumferential surface 100, and the bulge portions 50 may be arranged at unequal intervals. Furthermore, the number of bulge portions 50 is not limited to multiple, and there may be only one bulge portion 50. The width W of each bulge portion 50 is widest near the shoulder portion 4 and gradually narrows toward the upper end of the neck portion 5.

[0026] In the second embodiment, when the container body 2 is tilted (see FIGS. 3A to 3C), external air entering through the drinking spout 7 passes through the bulging portion 50 located above and enters the container body 1. With this configuration, the liquid flowing out of the drinking spout 7 does not cover or block the entire area of ​​the drinking spout 7, and therefore the liquid remains in constant communication with the outside air, and the liquid within the container body 1 flows out smoothly and uniformly. Therefore, the liquid does not flow in a pulsating manner due to the action of the air.

[0027] In the second embodiment, the bulging portions 50 are arranged at equal intervals around the inner circumferential surface 100, so that no matter which way the plastic bottle 1 is tilted, one of the bulging portions 50 will be located at the top, and outside air will flow into the container body 1 through the upper bulging portion 50. Therefore, no matter which way the plastic bottle 1 is tilted, the liquid, such as a beverage, inside the container body 2 flows out smoothly, and the liquid does not flow out in a pulsating manner.

[0028] The number of bulging portions 50 is not limited to eight rows. The number of bulging portions 50 may be, for example, four rows, as shown in Fig. 6. By reducing the number of bulging portions 50, the width W of each bulging portion 50 can be increased. By increasing the width W of the bulging portions 50, it becomes easier to pour liquid and to clean the inner surfaces of the curved bulging portions 50.

[0029] [Third embodiment] Fig. 7 is a side view of a liquid container according to a third embodiment. Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VIII-VIII in Fig. 7. In Fig. 7, the same parts as in Fig. 1 are designated by the same reference numerals, and their description will be omitted.

[0030] The PET bottle 1 has multiple (e.g., eight) bulging portions 150 extending vertically along the inner circumferential surface 100 from the shoulder 4 at the top end of the cylindrical body 3 to the top end of the neck 5, i.e., from the shoulder 4 to the bottom end of the cap stopper 8. The bulging portions 150 have continuous portions 150A that continue from the top end of the body 3 toward the middle of the body 3. The continuous portions 150A are part of the bulging portion 150. As shown in FIG. 8 , each continuous portion 150A bulges outward from the inner circumferential surface 100A of the body 3 in a generally arc-shaped cross section and is arranged at equal intervals around the circumferential direction of the inner circumferential surface 100A. The width W of the bulging portions 150A is widest near the shoulder 4 and gradually narrows toward the bottom of the body 3.

[0031] The number of bulging portions 150 is not limited to eight. Although not shown in the drawings, the number of bulging portions 150 may be, for example, four. By reducing the number of bulging portions 150, the width W of each bulging portion 150 can be increased. By increasing the width W of the bulging portions 150, it becomes easier to pour liquid and to clean the bulging portions 150.

[0032] When the total height of the PET bottle 1 is H, the height H2 from the bottom of the PET bottle 1 to the lower end of the continuous portion 150A is preferably 50 to 60% of the total height H. In other words, the height H3 of the bulging portion 150 is preferably 40 to 50% of the total height H.

[0033] The inventors have confirmed that when the height H3 of the bulging portion 150 is 40 to 50% of the total height H, the liquid does not flow out in a pulsating state.

[0034] In the third embodiment, when the container body 2 is tilted (see FIGS. 3A to 3C), external air entering through the drinking spout 7 passes through the bulging portion 150 located above and enters the container body 1. With this configuration, the liquid flowing out of the drinking spout 7 does not cover or block the entire area of ​​the drinking spout 7, and therefore the liquid remains in constant communication with the outside air, and the liquid within the container body 1 flows out smoothly and uniformly. Therefore, the liquid does not flow in a pulsating manner due to the action of the air.

[0035] [Modification of the Third Embodiment] In the third embodiment, the body portion 3 is described as being cylindrical with a bottom. However, this is not limited to a cylindrical shape with a bottom. For example, as shown in FIG. 9, the body portion 103 may be a rectangular cylindrical shape with a bottom. FIG. 9 is a view equivalent to FIG. 8 illustrating a modification of the third embodiment. In this modification, the inner circumferential surface 100 from the cylindrical shoulder portion 4 with a bottom to the lower end of the cap stopper 8 is provided with four bulging portions 150 extending vertically, as in FIG. 7, and the bulging portions 150 are continuous with continuous portions 150A. As shown in FIG. 9, the continuous portions 150A are formed on the inner circumferential surface of the rectangular cylindrical body portion 103.

[0036] In this modified example, when the container body 2 is tilted (see FIGS. 3A to 3C), the liquid in the container body 1 flows out smoothly and uniformly. Therefore, the liquid does not flow in a pulsating manner due to the action of air.

[0037] [Fourth embodiment] Figure 10 is a diagram showing a fourth embodiment, and is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing the body 3, shoulder 4, neck 5, and mouth 6 of a PET bottle 1. In Figure 10, the same parts as in Figure 2 are given the same reference numerals, and their description will be omitted. A cylindrical portion 20 is provided at the mouth 6 of the container body 2. The cylindrical portion 20 extends from the upper end of the mouth 6 and is formed so as to cover the outer periphery of the mouth 6. A male thread 21 is formed on the outer periphery of the cylindrical portion 20. A female thread 24 of a cap 23 is threadedly engaged with the male thread 21. The outer shape of the cap 23 is approximately cylindrical.

[0038] In the fourth embodiment, the cap 23 is substantially cylindrical, which has an excellent appearance and allows the cap 23 to be easily tightened and loosened.

[0039] Fifth Embodiment Fig. 11 is a diagram showing a fifth embodiment, and is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing the body 3, shoulder 4, neck 5, and mouth 6 of a liquid container 1. In Fig. 11, the same parts as in Fig. 2 are given the same reference numerals, and their description will be omitted. According to the fifth embodiment, the liquid container 1 is a "bottle can" such as an aluminum can or a steel can, and includes a body 3, shoulder 4, neck 5, and mouth 6. Here, the "bottle can" is an example of a liquid container 1.

[0040] To manufacture the bottle can 1, a metal plate having an original thickness t1 of 0.285 mm to 0.500 mm is punched into a disk shape and drawn in a cupping press process using a cupping press machine to manufacture a shallow cup-shaped material.

[0041] Next, in a DI press process using a DI press, the cup-shaped blank is redrawn and ironed to elongate it in the direction of the can axis C, forming a bottomed cylindrical body (DI can). The bottomed cylindrical body is cleaned and dried in a washing process, and then its inner and outer surfaces are painted and baked in a painting process. The upper end of the body 3 of the bottomed cylindrical body is reduced in diameter using a mold to form a shoulder 4, a neck 5, and a mouth 6. The mouth 6 is threaded to form a male thread 10, and then the upper end is folded back and curled toward the outer periphery, and then flattened by throttling to form the curled portion, thereby forming a bottle-shaped can.

[0042] In the fifth embodiment, the continuous inner circumferential surface 300 extending from the shoulder 4 at the upper end of the body 3 to the neck 5, the mouth 6, and the upper end of the drinking spout 7 is formed in a generally frusto-conical shape. Since the mouth 6 is formed with a male thread 10, unevenness occurs in the part of the inner circumferential surface 300 corresponding to the male thread 10. In this case, the line connecting the thread bases of the male thread 10 is located within the generally frusto-conical inner circumferential surface 300.

[0043] In the fifth embodiment, the inner surfaces 300 of the shoulder portion 4, neck portion 5 and mouth portion 6 are formed in an approximately truncated cone shape, so that when the container body 2 is started to be tilted, when the container body 2 is tilted halfway, or when the container body 2 is tilted all the way, the liquid such as a beverage in the container body 2 flows out smoothly along the approximately truncated cone-shaped inner surfaces 300, and the liquid does not flow out in a pulsating state.

[0044] Since the inner peripheral surface 300 is formed in a roughly truncated cone shape, no matter in which direction the bottle-can 1 is tilted, the liquid such as a beverage in the container body 2 flows out smoothly along the roughly truncated cone-shaped inner peripheral surface 300, and the liquid does not flow out in a pulsating state.

[0045] Even when the container body 2 is nearly full, the liquid such as a beverage inside the container body 2 flows out smoothly along the inner peripheral surface 300 of the approximately truncated cone shape, and the liquid does not flow out in a pulsating manner. This makes it easy to drink the liquid from the drinking spout 7 of the mouth part 6, and allows a small amount of liquid to be poured accurately into a cup, eliminating the risk of the liquid splashing and spilling on the table or staining clothes.

[0046] In the fifth embodiment, when the outer diameter D of the body 3 and the inner diameter D1 of the drinking spout 7 are set to predetermined dimensions, the inclination angle θ between a line C1 that extends parallel to the bottle axis (the central axis of the body 3) C and passes through a point A on the shoulder 4 and a line C2 that passes through the point A on the shoulder 4 and that runs vertically through the inner circumferential surface 100 of a generally frusto-conical shape that is uniformly continuous with the shoulder 4, neck 5, and mouth 6, is within the range of 12° to 27°, as in the first embodiment. As in the first embodiment, the inclination angle θ is preferably within the range of 13° to 26°, and more preferably within the range of 14° to 25°.

[0047] As a result, as in the first embodiment, sufficient capacity of the container body 2 can be ensured, the formability of the male thread 10 of the mouth portion 6 can be improved, the container body 2 can be made easier to grip, and the design of the container body 2 can be improved.

[0048] In the fifth embodiment, the mouth portion 6 has a generally frusto-conical shape, and the male thread 10 is formed on the outer peripheral surface 400 of the mouth portion 6. However, although not shown in the drawings, a cylindrical portion (see FIG. 10 ) may be provided on the outer peripheral surface 400, and the male thread 10 may be formed on the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion.

[0049] Sixth Embodiment Fig. 12 is a side view of a liquid container according to a sixth embodiment. In Fig. 12, the same parts as those in Fig. 1 are designated by the same reference numerals, and their description will be omitted. The PET bottle 1 includes a resin container body 2. The container body 2 includes a cylindrical body 3 with a bottom and a shoulder 4 connected to the upper end of the body 3. A neck 5 is connected to the upper end of the shoulder 4, and a mouth 56 is connected to the upper end of the neck 5. The mouth 56 has a drinking spout 57.

[0050] The first inner surface 100A extending from the shoulder 4 at the upper end of the body 3 to the upper end of the neck 5 is formed in an approximately truncated cone shape, and the second inner surface 100B extending from the upper end of the neck 5 to the upper ends of the mouth 56 and the drinking spout 57 is formed in an approximately truncated cone shape.

[0051] In the sixth embodiment, the first inner circumferential surface 100A is provided with a plurality of bulging portions 250 (eight bulging portions in the sixth embodiment) extending in the vertical direction.

[0052] As in the second embodiment, each of the bulging portions 250 bulges outward from the first inner circumferential surface 100A in a generally arc-shaped cross section and is disposed at equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the first inner circumferential surface 100A. The width W of each of the bulging portions 250 is widest near the shoulder portion 4 and gradually narrows toward the upper end of the neck portion 5.

[0053] In the sixth embodiment, when the container body 2 is tilted (see FIGS. 3A to 3C), external air entering through the drinking spout 7 passes through the bulging portion 250 located above and enters the container body 1. With this configuration, the liquid flowing out of the drinking spout 7 does not cover or block the entire area of ​​the drinking spout 7, and the drinking spout 7 is not blocked, so the liquid remains in constant communication with the outside air, and the liquid within the container body 1 flows out smoothly and uniformly. Therefore, the liquid does not flow in a pulsating manner due to the action of the air.

[0054] In the sixth embodiment, the bulging portions 250 are arranged at equal intervals around the first inner circumferential surface 100A, so that no matter which way the plastic bottle 1 is tilted, the bulging portions 250 are positioned at the top, and external air flows into the container body 1 through the bulging portions 250 positioned at the top. Therefore, no matter which way the plastic bottle 1 is tilted, the liquid, such as a beverage, inside the container body 2 flows out smoothly, and the liquid does not flow out in a pulsating manner.

[0055] The number of bulging portions 250 is not limited to eight. The number of bulging portions 250 may be, for example, four. By reducing the number of bulging portions 250, the width W of each bulging portion 250 can be increased. By increasing the width W of the bulging portion 250, it becomes easier to pour liquid and to clean the inner surface of the curved bulging portion 250.

[0056] The angle between a line C1 that extends parallel to the bottle axis C and passes through a point A on the shoulder 4 and a line C3 that cuts through the first inner circumferential surface 100A and passes through the point A on the shoulder 4 is defined as a first inclination angle θ1. The angle between a line C1 that extends parallel to the bottle axis C and passes through a point B on the lower end of the mouth 56 and a line C4 that cuts through the second inner circumferential surface 100B and passes through the same point B on the lower end of the mouth 56 is defined as a second inclination angle θ2.

[0057] In this case, the second tilt angle θ2 may be in the range of 12° to 27°, preferably 13° to 26°, and more preferably 14° to 25°, as in the first embodiment. The first tilt angle θ1 is larger than the second tilt angle θ2.

[0058] Assuming the inner diameter D1 of the drinking spout 57 is the same, increasing the first tilt angle θ1 raises the position of the shoulder 4, making the height H1 from the top of the body 3 to the top of the mouth 6 smaller than the height H1 shown in FIG. 1 , thereby increasing the capacity of the container body 2. If the first tilt angle θ1 is set too large, there is a risk that liquid will flow out of the drinking spout 57 in a pulsating manner. To avoid this, the first tilt angle θ1 is set in the range of 23° to 29°, preferably in the range of 24° to 28°, and more preferably in the range of 25° to 27°. In this way, the sixth embodiment provides a bottle that is easy to drink from and prevents liquid from flowing out of the drinking spout 57 in a pulsating manner.

[0059] In the sixth embodiment, even when the container body 2 is nearly full, liquid such as a beverage in the container body 2 flows out along the first inner circumferential surface 100A and the second inner circumferential surface 100B, which are generally frusto-conical. As in the first embodiment, the liquid does not flow in a pulsating manner, making it easy to drink from the drinking spout 557. Furthermore, the provision of the bulge 250 on the first inner circumferential surface 100A prevents the liquid from flowing in a pulsating manner, as in the second embodiment, making it easy to drink from the drinking spout 557. The small second inclination angle θ2 improves the formability of the male thread 10 of the mouth portion 56 onto which the cap 23 is threaded. Furthermore, the large inner diameter D1 of the drinking spout 57 provides a bottle that is easy to drink from. This provides benefits such as making the container body 2 easier to grip and improving the design of the container body 2.

[0060] [Modification of the Sixth Embodiment] Figure 13 is a side view of a liquid container. In this modification, first inner circumferential surface 100A is provided with a plurality of bulging portions 250. As in the third embodiment, bulging portion 250 includes continuous portion 250A that continues from the upper end of body portion 3 toward the middle of body portion 3. Continuous portion 250A is a part of bulging portion 250. In this case, height H3 of bulging portion 250 is preferably 40 to 50% of total height H.

[0061] In this modified example, when the container body 2 is tilted (see FIGS. 3A to 3C), the liquid in the container body 1 flows out smoothly and uniformly. Therefore, the liquid does not flow in a pulsating manner due to the action of air.

[0062] Seventh Embodiment Fig. 14 is a side view of a liquid container according to a seventh embodiment. In Fig. 14, the same parts as in Fig. 1 are designated by the same reference numerals, and their description will be omitted. The plastic bottle 1 of the seventh embodiment comprises a cylindrical body 3 with a bottom, a shoulder 4, a neck 5, and a mouth 6. The inner circumferential surface from the shoulder 4 at the upper end of the body 3 to the upper end of the neck 5, i.e., from the shoulder 4 to the lower end of the cap stopper 8, is curved outward. The portion curved outward constitutes a curved bulge 500.

[0063] The inner circumferential surface from the top of the neck 3 to the top of the spout 7 is formed in a generally frusto-conical shape. The line connecting the bottom of the spout 6 and the top of the spout 7 is a straight line in cross-section, and the shoulder 4 at the top of the body 3 is located on this straight line. The generally frusto-conical inner circumferential surface and the inner circumferential surface of the curved bulge 500 are smoothly connected. The entire inner circumferential surface from the shoulder 4 at the top of the body 3 to the neck 5, spout 6, and the top of the spout 7 is gradually tapered toward the top of the spout 7.

[0064] In the seventh embodiment, when the container body 2 is tilted (see FIGS. 3A to 3C), external air entering through the drinking spout 7 passes through the inner circumferential surface formed by a curved bulge outward from the periphery of the lower end of the cap stopper 8 and enters the container body 1. As a result, the liquid flowing out from the drinking spout 7 does not cover or block the entire area of ​​the drinking spout 7, and the drinking spout 7 is not blocked, so the liquid can always remain in communication with the outside air, and the liquid inside the container body 1 flows out smoothly and uniformly. Therefore, the liquid does not flow in a pulsating manner due to the action of the air.

[0065] While the present invention has been described above based on one embodiment, it is not limited thereto and various modifications are possible. For example, as shown in Fig. 2, the inner peripheral surface 100 of the container body 2 is generally frusto-conical, and the line C2, which is a line that cuts through the inner peripheral surface 100 of the container body 2 and passes through a point A on the shoulder portion 4, is described as being straight. However, this is not limited thereto, and the line C2 that cuts through the inner peripheral surface 100 may be a surface that is slightly convex upward, as long as it is not convex downward. While the present invention has been described with reference to PET bottles and bottle-shaped cans, it goes without saying that the present invention can be applied to all other liquid containers, such as other plastic containers and glass bottles.

[0066] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 liquid container 2 container body 3 body 4 shoulder 5 neck 6, 56 mouth 7, 57 drinking spout 8 cap stopper 10, 21 male thread 11, 23 cap 12, 24 female thread 20 cylindrical portion 100, 300 inner peripheral surface 100A first inner peripheral surface 100B second inner peripheral surface 50, 150, 250 bulging portion 150A, 250A continuous portion 200, 400 outer peripheral surface 500 curved bulging portion

Claims

1. A liquid container having a shoulder connected to the upper end of a body, a neck connected to the shoulder, a mouth connected to the upper end of the neck, the mouth having a drinking spout, and a cap screwed onto the outer periphery of the mouth, wherein the inner circumferential surface from the shoulder at the upper end of the body to the neck, the mouth and the upper end of the drinking spout is formed in a roughly frusto-conical shape, and the outer circumferential surface of the mouth is formed with a male thread that screws into the female thread of the cap.

2. A liquid container according to claim 1, wherein the inner circumferential surface is provided with a plurality of bulging portions that bulge outward from the shoulder portion at the upper end of the body to the upper end of the neck.

3. A liquid container according to claim 2, wherein the bulging portion continues from the upper end of the body portion toward the middle of the body portion.

4. A liquid container according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the bulging portions are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction.

5. A liquid container according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the width of the bulging portion gradually narrows towards the upper end of the neck portion.

6. A liquid container according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the neck and the mouth have a uniform thickness, and the male thread is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the substantially frusto-conical shape of the mouth.

7. A liquid container according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the mouth portion has a cylindrical portion on its outer circumferential surface, and the male thread is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion.

8. A liquid container according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the angle of inclination θ formed between a line that extends parallel to the central axis of the body and passes through a point on the shoulder and a line that cuts across the inner circumferential surface and passes through the point on the shoulder is within the range of 12° to 27°.

9. A liquid container according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the angle of inclination θ formed between a line extending parallel to the central axis of the body and passing through a point on the shoulder and a line running vertically through the inner circumferential surface and passing through said point on the shoulder is within the range of 13° to 26°.

10. A liquid container according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the angle of inclination θ formed between a line extending parallel to the central axis of the body and passing through a point on the shoulder and a line running vertically through the inner circumferential surface and passing through said point on the shoulder is within the range of 14° to 25°.

11. A liquid container having a shoulder connected to the upper end of a body, a neck connected to the shoulder, a mouth connected to the upper end of the neck, the mouth having a drinking spout, and a cap screwed onto the outer periphery of the mouth, wherein a first inner circumferential surface extending from the shoulder at the upper end of the body to the upper end of the neck is formed in a generally frusto-conical shape, and a second inner circumferential surface extending from the upper end of the neck to the upper ends of the mouth and drinking spout is formed in a generally frusto-conical shape, and a male thread is formed on the outer periphery of the mouth to be screwed into a female thread of the cap, a first inclination angle θ1 formed by a line extending parallel to the central axis of the body and passing through a point on the shoulder and a line cutting longitudinally through the first inner surface and passing through the point on the shoulder is greater than a second inclination angle θ2 formed by a line extending parallel to the central axis of the body and passing through a point on the lower end of the mouth and a line cutting longitudinally through the second inner surface and passing through the point on the mouth; and a liquid container having a plurality of bulging portions bulging outward on the first inner surface.

12. A liquid container according to claim 11, wherein the bulging portion continues from the upper end of the body portion toward the middle of the body portion.

13. A liquid container according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the bulging portions are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction.

14. A liquid container according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the width of the bulging portion gradually narrows towards the upper end of the neck portion.

15. A liquid container according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the first tilt angle θ1 is within a range of 23° to 29°, and the second tilt angle θ2 is within a range of 12° to 27°.

16. A liquid container according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the first tilt angle θ1 is within a range of 24° to 28°, and the second tilt angle θ2 is within a range of 13° to 26°.

17. A liquid container according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the first tilt angle θ1 is within a range of 25° to 27°, and the second tilt angle θ2 is within a range of 14° to 25°.

18. A liquid container having a shoulder connected to the upper end of the body, a neck connected to the shoulder, a mouth connected to the upper end of the neck, the mouth having a drinking spout, and a cap screwed onto the outer periphery of the mouth, wherein the inner circumferential surface from the shoulder at the upper end of the body to the upper end of the neck is curved outward, and the inner circumferential surface from the upper end of the neck to the upper end of the drinking spout is formed in a roughly frusto-conical shape, and the continuous inner circumferential surface from the shoulder at the upper end of the body to the neck, the mouth and the upper end of the drinking spout is formed in a tapered shape towards the upper end of the drinking spout.

Images