Cap for pet bottle and method for using cap for pet bottle

Abstract

Provided is a dedicated cap for a PET bottle for freezing a beverage in the PET bottle. A cap 1 for a PET bottle is used to freeze a beverage in a PET bottle 90. The cap 1 for a PET bottle includes: a cap body 2 having a cylindrical container shape and screwed onto a mouth section 91 of the PET bottle 90; and a protrusion 3 protruding inward from a top surface 22 of the cap body 2 beyond at least the height of the mouth section 91. The protrusion 3 is formed in a cylindrical shape having a closed protruding end, or in a truncated cone shape having a closed protruding end.

Description

Cap for PET bottle and method of using the cap for PET bottle

[0001] The present invention relates to a cap for a PET bottle used when freezing beverages in a PET bottle.

[0002] Conventionally, in households and the like, there are cases where empty PET bottles are reused and beverages such as barley tea and juice are refilled. In particular, in summer, it is also common to freeze a PET bottle filled with a beverage in the freezer of a refrigerator and carry it around. In such cases, generally, the drinking mouth is blocked by the originally used cap (see Patent Document 1 regarding the cap of a PET bottle).

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2022-051984

[0004] However, generally used caps are not dedicated for freezing refilled beverages. Therefore, for example, when pouring a beverage into the remaining space of a PET bottle, there are problems such as the frozen beverage formed near the drinking mouth becoming an obstacle and making it difficult to pour the beverage.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a cap for a PET bottle dedicated for freezing beverages in a PET bottle.

[0006] To achieve the above object, the cap for a PET bottle of the present invention is a cap for a PET bottle for freezing beverages in a PET bottle, and includes a cylindrical cap main body portion screwed onto the drinking mouth of the PET bottle, and a protruding portion protruding inward from the top surface of the cap main body portion and at least exceeding the height of the drinking mouth.

[0007] Thus, the PET bottle cap of the present invention is a PET bottle cap for freezing the beverage inside the PET bottle, and comprises a cylindrical container-shaped cap body that screws onto the mouth of the PET bottle, and a protrusion that extends inward from the top surface of the cap body, at least exceeding the height of the mouth. With this configuration, when freezing the beverage inside the PET bottle, the frozen beverage near the mouth does not get in the way, making it easy to pour the beverage, resulting in a dedicated PET bottle cap.

[0008] This is a perspective view of the bottle cap for a PET bottle according to Example 1. This is a cross-sectional view of the bottle cap for a PET bottle according to Example 1. This is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the bottle cap for a PET bottle according to Example 1, illustrating the state in which the beverage to be frozen is being poured. This is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the bottle cap for a PET bottle according to Example 1, illustrating the state in which the beverage is being frozen. This is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the bottle cap for a PET bottle according to Example 1, illustrating the state in which the beverage is being added. This is a perspective view of the bottle cap for a PET bottle according to Example 2.

[0009] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. However, the components described in the following embodiments are illustrative and are not intended to limit the technical scope of the present invention to them alone. In the following, an embodiment 1 will describe a PET bottle cap (1) without a keyway, and an embodiment 2 will describe an embodiment 2 with a PET bottle cap (1A) having a keyway (4).

[0010] (Structure of the PET bottle cap) First, the structure of the PET bottle cap 1 of this embodiment will be explained using Figures 1 and 2. The PET bottle cap 1 of this embodiment is molded from synthetic resin and integrally comprises a cylindrical container-shaped cap body 2 and a protruding part 3 that protrudes inward from the bottom surface of the cap body 2. In other words, the PET bottle cap 1 of this embodiment has a double structure as a whole, with a long inner cylindrical part (protruding part 3) inside a short outer cylindrical part (cap body 2).

[0011] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the cap body portion 2 is a cylindrical container-shaped part that is screwed onto the mouthpiece (91) of the PET bottle (90). More specifically, as shown in the figures, the cap body portion 2 comprises an outer surface 21 with multiple anti-slip vertical grooves, a top surface 22 with a circular hole 20 that communicates with the protrusion 3, and an inner surface 23 with a female screw groove for screwing onto the mouthpiece (91).

[0012] In this explanation, it is assumed that a hole 20 is formed in the top surface 22 and connected to the protruding portion 3, but this is not the only option. The top surface 22 does not need to have a hole 20, and the protruding portion 3 may be solid with no internal cavity.

[0013] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the protruding portion 3 is a part that protrudes inward from the top surface 22 of the cap body portion 2, at least exceeding the height of the mouthpiece (91) of the PET bottle (90). More specifically, the protruding portion 3 is composed of a cylindrical side surface 31 and a bottom surface 32 that closes the tip, forming a cylindrical inner cavity 30.

[0014] In other words, the height from the top surface 22 (inner surface) of the cap body 2 to the bottom surface 32 of the protrusion 3 is made higher than the cap body 2, and furthermore, as will be described later, when installed (screwed), it is made to be higher than the height of the mouthpiece (91) of the PET bottle (90). Therefore, when installed (screwed) onto the mouthpiece (91), it extends up to the slanted shoulder portion of the PET bottle (90).

[0015] In this embodiment, the shape of the projection 3 has been described as being cylindrical or columnar with a closed tip, but it is not limited to this, and may be formed in the shape of a truncated frustocone with a closed tip. In this case as well, the interior may be hollow or solid.

[0016] (How to use the PET bottle cap) Next, the method of using the PET bottle cap 1 of this embodiment will be explained using the operation diagrams in Figures 3 to 5. This method of use is achieved by performing the following steps 1) to 5) in this order.

[0017] 1) Step of filling the PET bottle 90 with beverage to a depth that will cover the opening 91 when the bottle is laid on its side: As shown in Figure 3, the PET bottle 90 is held upright and the beverage is filled from the opening 91. At this time, the beverage is filled to about half the height of the main container part 92 of the PET bottle 90 while visually checking the level. This ensures that when the bottle is laid on its side for freezing, the beverage will cover the opening 91.

[0018] 2) Step of tightening the PET bottle cap 1 onto the drinking spout 91: Although not shown in the diagram, after filling with beverage, the PET bottle cap 1 of the present invention is screwed onto the drinking spout 91 and tightened.

[0019] 3) Step of freezing the PET bottle 90 lying on its side: As shown in Figure 4, after tightening the cap 1 for the PET bottle, the entire PET bottle 90 is laid on its side and placed in the freezer compartment of the refrigerator to freeze the beverage inside. In this lying position, the beverage is filled to a depth that covers the opening 91 of the PET bottle 90.

[0020] 4) Step of removing the PET bottle cap 1 from the drinking spout 91: Although not shown in the diagram, take the PET bottle 90 out of the freezer and remove the PET bottle cap 1 that is screwed onto the drinking spout 91 by gripping it with your hand and twisting it off. If it is stuck because it is frozen, it is preferable to melt it by pouring hot water or water into the inner cavity 30 through the hole 20. This will create a space where the PET bottle cap 1 would normally be.

[0021] 5) Step of pouring the beverage into the PET bottle 90 through the space created by the PET bottle cap 1: As shown in Figure 5, since there is a large space created by the PET bottle cap 1, the beverage is filled into the remaining space through this space (wide gap). In this way, the frozen beverage and the unfrozen beverage come into contact with each other over a large area inside the main container part 92 of the PET bottle 90.

[0022] (Effects) Next, the effects of the PET bottle cap 1 of this embodiment will be listed and explained.

[0023] (1) As described above, the PET bottle cap 1 of this embodiment is a PET bottle cap 1 for freezing the beverage inside the PET bottle 90, and comprises a cylindrical container-shaped cap body 2 that is screwed onto the mouthpiece 91 of the PET bottle 90, and a protruding portion 3 that protrudes inward from the top surface 22 of the cap body 2 (when attached) at least above the height of the mouthpiece 91. With this configuration, when freezing the beverage inside the PET bottle 90, the frozen beverage near the mouthpiece 91 does not get in the way, making it easy to pour the beverage, and thus it becomes a dedicated PET bottle cap 1. In other words, a space is created where there is no frozen beverage at the position corresponding to the protruding portion 3 of the PET bottle cap 1, so the beverage can be poured through this space.

[0024] (2) Furthermore, it is preferable that the protruding portion 3 be formed in a cylindrical shape with a closed protruding tip, or in a truncated frustoconical shape with a closed protruding tip. If the protruding portion 3 is formed in a cylindrical shape, water or hot water can be poured into the inner cavity 30 to melt the surrounding frozen beverage. If the protruding portion 3 is formed in a truncated frustoconical shape, the resulting space will be narrower, but it will be easier to remove the protruding portion 3.

[0025] (3) Furthermore, the method of using the PET bottle cap 1 in this embodiment is any of the methods of using the PET bottle cap 1 described above, and comprises the steps of: filling the PET bottle 90 with beverage to a depth that covers the drinking spout 91 when the bottle is laid on its side; tightening the PET bottle cap 1 onto the drinking spout 91; freezing the PET bottle 90 by laying it on its side; removing the PET bottle cap 1 from the drinking spout 91; and pouring the beverage into the PET bottle 90 through the space created by the PET bottle cap 1. By providing each of these steps in this order, when freezing the beverage inside the PET bottle 90, the frozen beverage near the drinking spout 91 does not get in the way, and the method of using the PET bottle cap 1 is designed to make it easy to pour the beverage.

[0026] Next, unlike in Example 1, the structure and usage method of the PET bottle cap 1A with a keyway (4) will be explained using Figure 6. Note that parts that are the same or equivalent as those described in Example 1 will be denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0027] (Structure) First, the structure of the PET bottle cap 1A of Embodiment 2 will be explained using Figure 6. The PET bottle cap 1A of this embodiment, like Embodiment 1, integrally comprises a cylindrical container-shaped cap body 2 and a protruding portion 3 that protrudes inward from the bottom surface of the cap body 2.

[0028] Furthermore, the cap body portion 2 of the PET bottle cap 1A in this embodiment differs from that of Embodiment 1 in that, as shown in Figure 6, three key grooves 4, 4, 4 are formed on the upper edge of the outer circumference of the cap body portion 2. That is, the key grooves 4 are formed as arc-shaped recesses (bent rectangular prism-shaped notches) at positions separated by 120 degrees at an angle between them.

[0029] (Method of Use) Next, the method of use of the PET bottle cap 1A having a keyway 4 will be explained. This method of use is achieved by performing the following steps 1) to 5) in this order. Steps 1), 2), 3), and 5) are substantially the same as the method of use in Example 1, so their explanation will be omitted.

[0030] 1) A step of filling the PET bottle 90 with beverage to a depth that covers the opening 91 when the bottle is laid on its side. 2) A step of tightening the PET bottle cap 1 onto the opening 91. 3) A step of freezing the PET bottle 90 by laying it on its side. 4) A step of removing the PET bottle cap 1 from the opening 91 using an opener 5 that fits into the keyway 4. 5) A step of pouring the beverage into the PET bottle 90 through the space created by the PET bottle cap 1.

[0031] Now, step 4) will be explained. 4) Step of removing the PET bottle cap 1 from the drinking spout 91 using the opener 5 which fits into the keyway 4: As shown in Figure 6, with the key 52 of the opener 5 fitted into the keyway 4 of the cap body 2, rotate the opener 5. In this way, even if the frozen beverage has stuck to the PET bottle cap 1A and it has become impossible to turn, the PET bottle cap 1A can be easily removed by applying force to the handle 53 (point of force application) and rotating it.

[0032] Here, the opener 5 consists of a disc-shaped fitting portion 51, a key 52 protruding inward from the periphery of the fitting portion 51, and a handle 53 connected to the fitting portion 51. A recess of the same shape as the cap 1A for PET bottles is formed on the lower surface of the fitting portion 51. That is, a short cylindrical recess and a key 52 (a convex portion bent in an arc shape (a curved rectangular prism)) that fits into the key groove 4 are formed.

[0033] (Effects) Next, the effects of the PET bottle cap 1 of this embodiment will be listed and explained.

[0034] (1) The cap 1A for the PET bottle in Example 2 is a PET bottle cap 1 for freezing the beverage inside the PET bottle 90, similar to Example 1, and comprises a cylindrical container-shaped cap body 2 that is screwed onto the mouthpiece 91 of the PET bottle 90, and a protruding portion 3 that extends inward from the top surface 22 of the cap body 2 (when attached) at least above the height of the mouthpiece 91. With this configuration, when freezing the beverage inside the PET bottle 90, the frozen beverage near the mouthpiece 91 does not get in the way, making it easy to pour the beverage, and it becomes a dedicated PET bottle cap 1.

[0035] (2) In this embodiment, the PET bottle cap 1A has one or more key grooves 4, ... formed on the upper edge of the outer surface of the cap body 2. Therefore, by using it in combination with an opener 5 which has a key 52 that fits into the key groove 4, the PET bottle cap 1A can be removed by rotating it with little force.

[0036] (3) Furthermore, the method of using the PET bottle cap 1A in this embodiment is the method of using the PET bottle cap 1A described above, and comprises the steps of: filling the PET bottle 90 with beverage to a depth that covers the mouthpiece 91 when the bottle is laid on its side; tightening the PET bottle cap 1 onto the mouthpiece 91; freezing the PET bottle 90 by laying it on its side; removing the PET bottle cap 1 from the mouthpiece 91 using an opener 5 that fits into the keyway 4; and pouring the beverage into the PET bottle 90 through the space created by the PET bottle cap 1. By providing each of these steps in this order, when the beverage inside the PET bottle 90 is frozen, the frozen beverage near the mouthpiece 91 does not get in the way, and the beverage is easy to pour, resulting in a dedicated method of using the PET bottle cap 1A. If each of these steps is carried out in this order, even if a frozen beverage becomes stuck to the bottle cap 1A and cannot be turned, applying force to the handle 53 (point of force application) and rotating it will allow the bottle cap 1A to be easily removed.

[0037] The other components and effects are substantially the same as in Example 1, so their explanation will be omitted.

[0038] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above with reference to the drawings, the specific configuration is not limited to these embodiments, and any design modifications that do not depart from the spirit of the present invention are included in the present invention.

[0039] 1: Cap for PET bottles 1A: Cap for PET bottles 2: Cap body 20: Hole 21: Outer surface 22: Top surface 23: Inner surface 3: Protruding part 30: Inner cavity 31: Side surface 32: Bottom surface 4: Keyway 5: Opener 51: Fitting part 52: Key 53: Handle 90: PET bottle 91: Mouth 92: Main container part

Claims

1. A cap for a plastic bottle for freezing a beverage inside the plastic bottle, comprising: a cylindrical container-shaped cap body that is screwed onto the mouth of the plastic bottle; and a projection that protrudes inward from the top surface of the cap body, at least beyond the height of the mouth, and extends to the slanted shoulder portion of the plastic bottle, wherein the projection is formed in a cylindrical shape with a closed projection tip, or in a truncated frustoconical shape with a closed projection tip, and a hole is formed in the top surface of the cap body, connecting to the projection.

2. The cap for a PET bottle according to claim 1, wherein one or more key grooves are formed on the upper edge of the outer circumferential surface of the cap body.

3. A method for using a PET bottle cap as described in claim 1, comprising the steps of: filling a PET bottle with a beverage to a depth that covers the mouthpiece when the bottle is laid on its side; tightening the PET bottle cap onto the mouthpiece; freezing the PET bottle while it is laid on its side; removing the PET bottle cap from the mouthpiece; and pouring the beverage into the PET bottle through the space created by the PET bottle cap.

4. A method for using a PET bottle cap as described in claim 2, comprising the steps of: filling a PET bottle with a beverage to a depth that covers the mouthpiece when the bottle is laid on its side; tightening the PET bottle cap onto the mouthpiece; freezing the PET bottle while it is laid on its side; removing the PET bottle cap from the mouthpiece using an opener that fits into the keyway; and pouring the beverage into the PET bottle through the space created by the PET bottle cap.

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