JP2004338780A

JP2004338780A - Cap for container

Info

Publication number: JP2004338780A
Application number: JP2003139720A
Authority: JP
Inventors: Mikio Nezu; 幹夫根津
Original assignee: Nifco Inc
Current assignee: Nifco Inc
Priority date: 2003-05-19
Filing date: 2003-05-19
Publication date: 2004-12-02
Anticipated expiration: 2023-05-19
Also published as: KR20040100864A; JP4309696B2; KR100519527B1

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve the usability and the quality, in an integral molded article. <P>SOLUTION: This cap for a container is constituted by integrating a main body 1 which is fitted on the spout side of the container 5, a lid part 2 which is pivotally supported by the main body 1 through a fitting between a protruding section 25 and a recess section 15a, and a button part 3 which is inserted between the main body 1 and the lid part 2 to switch the lid part 2 to an opened state by the pressing operation of the main body to the outer peripheral side. The cap for the container has a connecting piece 4 for stress absorption which is combined to the outer peripheral lower side of the main body 1 through a first hinge 42, and is also combined to the proximal end side of the button part 3 through a second hinge 43. When the lid part 2 is switched to the opened state by pressing the button part 3, the connecting piece 4 acts in a manner to approach the main body outer periphery while being accompanied with the swinging of the button part 3 to the lower side of the connecting piece 4. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は、容器用キャップのうち、特に容器に装着される本体が蓋部及び該蓋部を開状態に切り換える押し操作用のボタン部を一体に形成しているキャップに関する。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
容器用キャップには、図７に例示されるように、容器側に装着されて蓋部を押し操作用ボタン部により開状態に切り換えるものがある。即ち、図７（ａ）は特許文献１に開示のものである。この構造では、容器側の注出口側外周に装着される本体５０と、本体５０に枢支された蓋部５５と、本体５０と蓋部５５との間に介在されて本体外周側への押し操作により蓋部５５を開状態に切り換えるボタン部（スプリング作用片）５７とを一体に形成している。本体５０は、下側５１が容器装着部で、その上側が内径を絞った小筒形開口５２及び外周側の溝状部（支持起立板）５３からなる。溝状部５３には、対向内面に凹部５４が設けられ、又、ボタン部５７が下ヒンジ５８を介し連結されている。ボタン部５７は溝状部５３に対応した板幅で、中間ヒンジ５９を有している。蓋部５５は、ボタン部５７の自由端側に連結され、基端両側に前記凹部５４に対応した凸部５６を形成している。そして、ボタン部５７及び蓋部５５は、図中左側に想像線で示す成形形状から、本体５０側へ接近された後、凸部５６を凹部５４に嵌合することにより、実線の組立態様となる。この組立態様において、ボタン部５７は凸部５６及び凹部５４の嵌合部（枢支部）と、下ヒンジ５８とで位置規制されて、全体が中間ヒンジ５９を外側に張り出した略く字形となり、蓋部５５は開口５２を閉じる。ボタン部５７は、本体５０側へ押されると、想像線のごとく中間ヒンジ５９で反転されて全体が逆く字形となって溝状部５３内に入り込む。同時に、蓋部５５は、凸部５６及び凹部５４の嵌合部を支点として上斜めに回動されて、開状態に切り換えられる。
【０００３】
これに対し、図７（ｂ）は特許文献２に開示のものである。この構造でも、容器７０の注出口７１外周に装着される本体６０と、本体６０に枢支された蓋部６５と、押し操作により蓋部６５を開状態に切り換えるボタン部（中間体）６７とを一体に形成している。本体６０は、上面６１に容器内へ連通する開口６２を形成し、又、外周に両立壁で区画された溝状部６３を形成している。溝状部６３には、対向内面に凹部６４が設けられ、又、ボタン部６７が下ヒンジ６８を介し連結されている。ボタン部６７は溝状部６３に対応した板幅であり、中間ヒンジ６９を形成している。蓋部６５は、ボタン部６７の自由端側に連結され、基端側に前記凹部６４に対応した凸部（軸ピン）６６を形成している。符号６５ａは蓋部内面に設けられた突起である。そして、ボタン部６７及び蓋部６５は、上記の例と同様に凸部６６を凹部６４に嵌合枢支することにより、実線の組立態様となる。この組立態様において、ボタン部６７は凸部６６及び凹部６４の嵌合部（枢支部）と、下ヒンジ６８とで位置規制されて、全体が中間ヒンジ６９を介し略く字形となり、蓋部６５は上端面６１に重ねられて突起６５ａで開口６２を閉じる。ボタン部６７は、本体５０側へ押されると、想像線のごとく中間ヒンジ６９で反転されて全体が逆く字形となって溝状部６３内に入り込む。同時に、蓋部６５は、凸部６６及び凹部６４を支点として上斜めに回動されて、開状態に切り換えられる。
【０００４】
【特許文献１】
実公昭５１−５３９５２号公報（第１図と第２図）
【特許文献２】
実開昭６１−１７２０４４号公報（第１図〜第３図）
【０００５】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
上記した従来キャップは、何れもが単一成形品であるため量産化する上で製造費を抑えることはできるが、次のような問題を有している。
第１、従来構造では、蓋部を開状態に切り換えるときに、ボタン部の押し力が必要以上に大きくなって使い勝手が悪い。これは、ボタン部を本体側へ押圧することで、蓋部を枢支部を中心として開方向へ回動する構造において、図７（ａ）の例で説明すると、ボタン部５７が枢支部（５６，５４）と下ヒンジ５８とで位置規制されているため、中間ヒンジ５９を介し実線位置より本体側の想像線位置へ反転する途中で過剰な負荷が必要になる。これに起因して、開操作では、ボタン部５７が枢支部（５６，５４）と下ヒンジ５８とを結ぶ反転ラインを通過する際の過大な力を受け、反転ラインより最終位置まで急速に変位するため、蓋部５５が開状態に切り換える途中から勢いよく開いて違和感を与える。従って、品質上は、ボタン部をできるだけ一定の押し力により操作できる様にしたい。また、以上の過剰の負荷は、各ヒンジ及びその周辺部に歪みやクラックを生じて破損要因となる。
第２に、前記の負荷を小さくするには、例えば、図７（ａ）の場合は蓋部の枢支部（５６，５４等）を右側へ、図７（ｂ）の場合は蓋部の枢支部（６６，６４等）を左側へ変更すればそれなり小さくできる。しかし、その場合には、蓋部の開き角度が小さくなって使い勝手を損ねる要因となる。また、従来構造では、蓋部の最大開き角度がせいぜい９０度前後であるため用途的な制約を受けることもある。この開き角度は、キャップが本体・蓋部・ボタン部を一体に形成している関係で、簡単には大きくできない。
【０００６】
本発明の目的は、本体・蓋部・ボタン部が単一成形品という利点を維持しつつ以上のような課題を全て解消して、使い勝手及び品質を向上したり、蓋部の開き角度をより大きく設定容易にして用途拡大を図ることにある。
【０００７】
【課題を解決するための手段】
上記目的を達成するため本発明は、図面の例で特定すると、容器５の注出口側に装着される本体１と、前記本体１に凸部２５及び凹部１５ａの嵌合を介し枢支される蓋部２と、前記本体１と前記蓋部２との間に介在されて本体外周側への押し操作により蓋部２を開状態に切り換えるボタン部３とを一体に形成している容器用キャップにおいて、前記本体１の外周下側に第１ヒンジ４２を介し結合され、かつ、前記ボタン部３の基端側に第２ヒンジ４３を介し結合されている応力吸収用の連結片４を有しており、前記ボタン部３を押し操作して前記蓋部２を開状態に切り換えるときに、前記ボタン部３が前記連結片４の下方向への揺動を伴って前記本体外周に接近するようにしたことを特徴としている。
【０００８】
（要部説明）本発明の工夫点は、特に過剰又は過大な負荷を応力吸収用連結片により緩和したことにある。即ち、この構造では、ボタン部を本体に連結片を介し結合すると共に、本体と連結片との間及び連結片とボタン部との間を第１，第２ヒンジ（薄肉ヒンジ）を介しそれぞれ接続することにより、押し操作でボタン部に加わる負荷を連結片の下方向への揺動にて緩和吸収する。このため、この発明では、蓋部を開状態に切り換える際の押し力を小さくしたり、従来のような蓋部の急激な回転をなくしたり、最初から最後までほぼ一定の力で操作できる。また、この構造では、ボタン部が過剰な負荷を受けないためヒンジ及びその周辺部の破損の虞も解消できる。
【０００９】
以上の本発明は、請求項２〜４のように展開することがより好ましい。即ち、・請求項２は、前記本体が前記ボタン部を上下方向に配置する溝部を外周に形成しており、前記連結片が前記溝部内に収まると共に、前記第１ヒンジを介し前記本体側から略直角に突出する略水平状の基端部及び該基端部から下向きに延びて前記第２ヒンジを介し前記ボタン部に結合している略傾斜状の先端部とからなる構成である。この場合には、例えば、本体側の溝部構成及び連結片の配置構成により外観特性を維持すると共に、形状工夫により連結片の揺動による負荷吸収作用を確実に得られるようにする。
・請求項３は、前記ボタン部は、前記凸部及び凹部の嵌合箇所に対応接近して設けられた第３ヒンジと、前記第３ヒンジより少し下側に設けられて外へ張り出した張出部とを有していると共に、前記張出部の上外面を指当て押圧用の湾曲面又は傾斜面として形成している構成である。この場合には、例えば、第３ヒンジにより蓋部の開き角度を大きくしたり、張出部及び湾曲面の存在により小さな力で押し操作し易くする。
・請求項４は、前記本体は前記凹部を付設した対の突片と、段差状の係合部とを上端面に有していると共に、前記蓋部は前記本体の上側と略同大の外径からなり、前記係合部と係脱する内側の窪み部と、前記突片を受け入れると共に前記凸部を空間に突出しているスリットとを有している構成である。この場合には、例えば、蓋部の配置及び枢支構成により回動角を規制され難くし、従来に比べて、外観特性、蓋装着性等を向上し、蓋部の開き角を大きくする上での制約を緩和できる。
【００１０】
【発明の実施の形態】
本発明の好適な形態を添付図面に基づいて説明する。図１（ａ），（ｂ）は容器用キャップを蓋部の閉状態及び開状態で示す概略外観図である。図２は蓋部の閉状態を示し、同（ａ）は上面図、同（ｂ）は正面図、同（ｃ）は右側面図である。図３は作動図であり、同（ａ）は蓋部の閉状態での断面図、同（ｂ）は蓋部が反転ライン付近まで回転された状態での断面図、同（ｃ）は蓋部が最大まで回転された状態での断面図である。図４〜図６は容器用キャップの成形状態を示す展開図であり、図４（ａ）は上面図、図４（ｂ）は正面図、図４（ｃ）は下面図、図５（ａ）は下側の一部を破断した左側面図、図５（ｂ）は右側面図、図５（ｃ）は図４（ａ）のＡ−Ａ線断面図、図６（ａ）は図５のＢ部拡大図、図６（ｂ）は図５のＣ部拡大図である。以下の説明では、キャップ構造について述べた後、組立及び作動を説明しながら有用性を明らかにする。
【００１１】
（構造）形態の容器用キャップは、樹脂の射出成形品であり、容器５の注出口５ａ側に装着される本体１と、本体１に枢支される蓋部２と、本体１と蓋部２との間に介在されて本体外周側への押し操作により蓋部２を開状態に切り換える操作用ボタン部３及び応力吸収用連結片４とを一体に形成している。なお、容器５は、食品、薬品、化粧品などの液体、粉体や粒状物入れるものであればよく、用途及び材質的な制約は特にない。また、注出口５ａは、本体１が簡単に装着できる形状であればよい。
【００１２】
前記本体１は、筒状外周１０の内側に一回り小さな内筒１１を有し、外周１０の上側全体及び内筒１１の上側の一部が上端面１２で閉じられており、又、上端面１２より外周１０の一部を欠如した状態で縦形の溝部１８を形成している。ここで、内筒１１は、外周１０より短く、下端内周に突出した係止爪１１ａを形成している。この係止爪１１ａは、図３のごとく内筒１１に差し込まれる容器注入口５ａを形成している筒部分の対応部に係合することにより、本体１を容器５に装着可能にする。上端面１２には、下面に突設されたリング形の小筒部１３と、上面に突設されて小筒部１３内に通じている小筒部１４と、片側に位置して所定間隔を保って立設された対の突片１５，１５と、突片１５同士を連結している片部１６と、外周上側を一段低くした係合部１７とが設けられている。小筒部１３は、容器注出口５ａに差し込まれることにより、本体１を容器５に対し位置規制可能にする。小筒部１４は、容器１に収容されている内蔵物を注出口５ａから外部へ流出させる開口１４ａを形成している。両突片１５は、上端面１２のうち、溝部１８の両側に位置し、小筒部１４より若干高くなっている。各突片１５には、同軸線上に貫通された軸穴用の凹部１５ａが設けられている。係合部１７は、上端面１２の外周側、つまり両突片１５の間の部分を段差状に形成したものである。溝部１８は、突片１５と突片１５との間の上端面１２を欠如し、該欠如幅で外周１０の対応部を欠肉したものであり、又、深さが前記内筒１１の外面付近に達している。この溝形状は、図５のごとく両側壁が外周１０より略直角に形成された側面により、底壁が内筒１１の一部に接続された平坦面により区画されて、全体が上下方向に延び、かつ、断面略コ形となっている。なお、符号１９は、外周１０の上端部分を少し欠肉した案内部であり、蓋部２を係合解除するときに操作し易いようにする箇所である。但し、この案内部１９は省略してもよい。
【００１３】
前記蓋部２は、本体１の上側とほぼ同じ外径からなる略円キャップ形状をなし、本体１の上側全体を覆って閉状態となり、該閉状態で内側の窪み部２０（の内径）が係合部１７と係脱する。蓋部２０の外面には、前記突片１５に対応した対のスリット２４が設けられている。各スリット２４は、突片１５を遊嵌する溝幅であり、内空間に凸部２５を突出している。蓋部２の内面側にあって、窪み部２０は、円弧状の周囲壁２１と、周囲壁２１に両側を接続しかつスリット２４に対応して設けられた略コ形の内壁（リブ）２２により区画されている。このため、前記スリット２４は内壁２２の両辺部の内側に位置している。また、前記凸部２５は、蓋部内面に突出されて内壁２２より低いリブ２３の外面（コ形リブ２３の両辺部の外面）に突設されている。なお、符号２６は窪み部２０内に設けられた突出部であり、符号２７は周囲壁２１にあって案内部１９に対応した縁部に突設された係合解除用突部である。突出部２６は蓋部２の閉状態で、小筒部１４内に挿入されて開口１４ａを封止可能にする。突部２７は、指等を当てて蓋部２を開ける方向へ押して係合部１７と窪み部２０との係合を解除する際に利用される。
【００１４】
前記ボタン部３は、前記溝部１８に略収まる大きさからなり、外面３０が両側壁を有し、内面３１が前記両側壁の存在で上側部分に区画された略凹状に突設されたリブ３２を有している。細部的には次の通りである。ボタン部３の長さは、前記突片１５の凹部１５ａと内筒１１の下端との間の寸法とほぼ同じく設定されている。外面３０は、図２のごとく外へ膨出した張出部３３を上側に形成し、該張出部３３より基端又は下端側である下外面３３ｂが滑らかな傾斜面であり、張出部３３より先端又は上端側である上外面３３ａが指当て押圧用の湾曲面又は鋭角な傾斜面となっている。上外面３３ａには小リブ３４が複数に設けられている。該小リブ３４は、指を当てたときに滑りを防ぐ滑り止めであるが、機能的に省略しても差し支えない。そして、ボタン部３は、上端側が蓋部２におけるコ形リブ２３の中間上縁に対し薄肉ヒンジ３５を介し屈曲可能に結合されている。このため、薄肉ヒンジ３５は、蓋部２を本体１に組み立てた状態で、凸部２５に対し接近（１．５〜３．０ｍｍ内に近づくように）している。
【００１５】
前記連結片４は、本体１とボタン部３との間に介在されていて、図６（ａ）のごとく本体１側から略直角に突出する略水平状の基端部４０と、該基端部４０から下向きに延びる略傾斜状の先端部４１とからなり、全体が溝部１８内に収まっている。また、基端部４０は、本体１の内筒１１下端側ないしは溝部１８の底壁下端側に対し薄肉ヒンジ４２を介して結合されている。先端部４１は、基端部４０と共に略へ字形状を形成しており、ボタン部３の基端に対し薄肉ヒンジ４３を介して結合されている。そして、連結片４は、ボタン部３を押し操作して蓋部２を開状態に切り換えるときに、ボタン部３が連結片４の下方向への揺動を伴って本体１の外周を形成している溝部１８の底壁に接近可能にする。このため、設計上は次のように設定されている。基端部４０及び先端部４１には、ボタン部３と同様に所定の剛性が付与されている。薄肉ヒンジ４２には、連結片４の全体を所定角だけ屈曲可能にする弾性力が付与されている。換言すると、この薄肉ヒンジ４２は、例えば、連結片４を本体１側に屈曲可能に連結している構成であればよい。これに対し、薄肉ヒンジ４３は、屈曲性又は弾性力が薄肉ヒンジ４２よりも大きく付与されている。このため、この薄肉ヒンジ４３は、図３（ａ）及び（ｃ）から推察されるように、連結片４の先端部４１とボタン部３の基端側との間の角度を可変可能にする構成であればよい。
【００１６】
（組立及び作動）以上の容器用キャップは、図４及び図５の展開状態で型成形されて、成形後に使用態様に組み立てられる。組立要領は、蓋部２を本体１の上側に近づけた後、本体１側の各突片１５を対応する蓋部側スリット２４にそれぞれ挿入する。その挿入操作では、例えば、各スリット２４に突出している凸部２５を突片１５の背面に位置させ、凸部２５が凹部１５ａに入り込むよう強制的に蓋部２を両突片１５間に押圧する。すると、各凸部２５は、突片１５と突片１５との間を弾性的に広げ、対応する凹部１５ａと一致したときに凹部１５ａと嵌合する。この嵌合により、蓋部２は、本体１に対し凸部２５を支点として回動可能に組み付けられる。
【００１７】
以上の組立状態において、蓋部２は、本体上端面１２側に押されると、図１（ａ）及び図３（ａ）のごとく窪み部２０の内径が上端面１２の係合部１７に係止された蓋閉状態又は蓋係止状態となる。この状態では、突出部２６が小筒部１４内に挿入されて開口１４ａを封止している。ボタン部３は、本体外周１０の溝部１８内より張出部３３及びその上下部分が突出している。蓋部２は、突起２７を上に押圧することにより、係合部１７に対する窪み部２０の係止を解除し、その後、ボタン部３の押し操作により凸部２５を支点として回動されて図１（ｂ）及び図３（ｃ）の蓋開状態に切り換えられる。なお、容器５に装着された使用態様では、例えば、蓋部２を本体１に対し非係止状態、つまり上端面１２を蓋部２でほぼ覆った状態にしておき、必要に応じて窪み部２０を係合部１７に係止ないしは係合させることもある。また、蓋部２を開から閉状態にする場合は、従来と同様に、蓋部２を本体上端面１２側に押し、凸部２５を支点として回動することになる。
【００１８】
以上のように、この形態では、ボタン部３が係合部１７及び窪み部２０の係止解除状態で本体１の溝部１８内へ押圧操作されると、蓋部２が凸部２５を支点とし開方向へ回動される。この開作動では、まず、ボタン部３が溝部１８内へ押されて図３（ｂ）の位置に達する過程において、連結片４の下向き揺動を伴って数ミリ下移動した後、同（ｃ）の最終押し込みに達する間に元の位置まで戻される。この最終押し込み位置では、ボタン部３が溝部１８の底面に当たり、それ以上の押し込みが規制される。蓋部２は、ボタン部３の押し操作により、凸部２５を支点として、かつ、薄肉ヒンジ３５を屈曲しながら開方向へ回動される。この構造では、以上の蓋開作動において、押圧力としては、ボタン部３が連結片４の揺動に伴う下移動により比較的弱い力で最終位置まで変位される。この理由は、例えば、上記した従来品（反転ラインが固定された構成）に対し、反転ラインが連結片４の揺動により変化することに起因して、反転ラインを弱い負荷で通過可能になるためと考えられる。
【００１９】
従って、この容器用キャップでは、従来品より弱い力で蓋開操作を行うことができ（最初から最後までほぼ一定の力で蓋開操作できることと同じ）、かつ、蓋開状態で蓋部２が閉じ方向へ不用意に回動しないよう所定の保持力を維持できる。また、最大押し力を小さくできるため、従来のごとくボタン部を大きな力で押圧することに起因した蓋部の急速回動、それに起因した違和感を解消したり、各薄肉ヒンジ３５や４３等に加わる負荷、それに起因した破損の虞も解消できる。
【００２０】
また、この形態では、図３（ｃ）の蓋部２の最大開き角度が約１２５度であり、従来品より大きく開くことができる。この開き角度は、従来でも蓋部の枢支部つまり凸部と凹部との設定箇所により多少変更可能であるが、極めて限られている。この点、この構造では、例えば、本体１の平坦状上端面１２に凹部１５ａ付きの突片１５を設定し、蓋部２にその突片１５を逃げる凸部２５付きのスリット２４を設定、つまり蓋部２の枢支構成及びボタン部２の配置構成により蓋部２の回動角が極力規制されないように工夫し、同時に、蓋部２とボタン部３との間の薄肉ヒンジ３５を凸部２５及び凹部１５ａに接近させると共に、ボタン部３が上記した連結片４の揺動を伴って下移動されるよう工夫したため、従来品に比べて、外観特性、蓋装着性、本体側開口の密封性を向上しながら、蓋部の開き角を数段大きくして設計自由度を拡大できる。
【００２１】
なお、本発明は、請求項１で特定した要件を除いて種々変形可能なものである。その一例として、本体の内部構成を変更したり容器への装着構造を必要に応じて変更すること、凸部を本体側に設け凹部を蓋部側に設けること等である。
【００２２】
【発明の効果】
以上説明したとおり、本発明に係る容器用キャップは、本体・蓋部・ボタン部が単一成形品からなる容器用キャップにおいて、押し操作でボタン部に加わる負荷を連結片の下方向への揺動により緩和吸収する。この結果、従来品に比べて、蓋部を開状態に切り換える際の押し力を小さくでき、最初から最後までほぼ一定の力で操作できるようにして使い勝手を向上できる。しかも、課題に挙げたような過剰な負荷を受け難くしたためヒンジ及びその周辺部の破損の虞も解消できる。また、請求項３及び４のように構成すると、従来品に比べて、外観特性等を向上しながら、蓋部の開き角を大きくでき、これにより適用上の制約をなくして用途も拡大できるようにする。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明形態のキャップを蓋部を開閉した状態で示す模式図である。
【図２】上記キャップの細部を蓋閉状態で示す構成図である。
【図３】上記キャップの作動を示す模式断面図である。
【図４】上記キャップを成形状態で示す展開図である。
【図５】図４と同様にキャップの展開図である。
【図６】図５の一部を拡大した要部構成図である。
【図７】従来キャップの問題を説明するための図である。
【符号の説明】
１…本体（１０は外周、１１は内筒部、１２は上端面、１４ａは開口）
２…蓋部（２０は窪み部、２１と２２は周囲壁、２６は突出部）
３…ボタン部（３０は外形部、３２はリブ、３３は張出部、３３ａは上外面）
４…連結片（４０は略水平状の基端部、４１は略傾斜状の先端部）
１５…突片（１５ａは凹部）
２４…スリット（２５は凸部）
３５…薄肉ヒンジ（第３ヒンジ）
４２…薄肉ヒンジ（第１ヒンジ）
４３…薄肉ヒンジ（第２ヒンジ）[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a cap for a container, in particular, a cap in which a main body attached to the container integrally forms a lid and a button for a push operation for switching the lid to an open state.
[0002]
[Prior art]
As illustrated in FIG. 7, some container caps are mounted on the container and push the lid to switch to an open state by a button for operation. That is, FIG. 7A is disclosed in Patent Document 1. In this structure, the main body 50 attached to the outer periphery of the spout side on the container side, the lid 55 pivotally supported by the main body 50, and the pushing between the main body 50 and the lid 55 to the outer peripheral side of the main body. A button (spring acting piece) 57 for switching the lid 55 to the open state by operation is integrally formed. The main body 50 includes a container mounting portion on the lower side 51, a small cylindrical opening 52 with a reduced inner diameter on the upper side, and a groove-like portion (support upright plate) 53 on the outer peripheral side. The groove portion 53 is provided with a concave portion 54 on the inner surface facing the groove portion 53, and a button portion 57 is connected via a lower hinge 58. The button portion 57 has a plate width corresponding to the groove portion 53 and has an intermediate hinge 59. The lid part 55 is connected to the free end side of the button part 57, and forms a convex part 56 corresponding to the concave part 54 on both sides of the base end. The button portion 57 and the lid portion 55 are moved from the molded shape shown by the imaginary line on the left side of the drawing to the main body 50 side, and then the convex portion 56 is fitted into the concave portion 54, thereby assembling the solid line. Become. In this assembling mode, the position of the button portion 57 is regulated by the fitting portion (pivot portion) of the convex portion 56 and the concave portion 54 and the lower hinge 58, and the entire button portion 57 has a substantially rectangular shape in which the intermediate hinge 59 projects outward. The lid 55 closes the opening 52. When the button portion 57 is pushed toward the main body 50, the button portion 57 is inverted by the intermediate hinge 59 as indicated by an imaginary line, and the entire portion becomes an inverted letter shape and enters the groove portion 53. At the same time, the lid portion 55 is turned obliquely upward about the fitting portion of the convex portion 56 and the concave portion 54 as a fulcrum, and is switched to the open state.
[0003]
On the other hand, FIG. 7B is disclosed in Patent Document 2. Also in this structure, the main body 60 attached to the outer periphery of the spout 71 of the container 70, the lid 65 pivotally supported by the main body 60, and the button (intermediate body) 67 for switching the lid 65 to an open state by a pushing operation are provided. Are integrally formed. The main body 60 has an opening 62 communicating with the inside of the container on the upper surface 61, and a groove 63 formed on the outer periphery by a compatible wall. The groove 63 is provided with a recess 64 on the inner surface facing the button 63, and the button 67 is connected via a lower hinge 68. The button 67 has a plate width corresponding to the groove 63 and forms an intermediate hinge 69. The lid part 65 is connected to the free end side of the button part 67, and forms a convex part (axial pin) 66 corresponding to the concave part 64 on the base end side. Reference numeral 65a is a projection provided on the inner surface of the lid. The button part 67 and the lid part 65 are assembled in a solid line by fitting and supporting the convex part 66 to the concave part 64 in the same manner as in the above-described example. In this assembling mode, the position of the button part 67 is regulated by the fitting part (pivot part) of the convex part 66 and the concave part 64 and the lower hinge 68, and the button part 67 is substantially shaped like a letter via the intermediate hinge 69, and the lid part 65 is formed. Are overlapped on the upper end surface 61 and the opening 62 is closed by the protrusion 65a. When the button portion 67 is pushed toward the main body 50, the button portion 67 is inverted by the intermediate hinge 69 as indicated by an imaginary line, and the whole becomes an inverted letter and enters the groove portion 63. At the same time, the lid 65 is rotated obliquely upward about the convex portion 66 and the concave portion 64 as a fulcrum, and is switched to the open state.
[0004]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 51-53952 (FIGS. 1 and 2)
[Patent Document 2]
Japanese Utility Model Application Laid-Open No. 61-172444 (FIGS. 1 to 3)
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
Since the above-mentioned conventional caps are all formed as a single molded product, the production cost can be reduced in mass production, but they have the following problems.
First, in the conventional structure, when the lid is switched to the open state, the pressing force of the button is unnecessarily large and the usability is poor. This is a structure in which the button portion is pressed toward the main body so that the lid portion rotates in the opening direction about the pivot portion. In the example of FIG. 7A, the button portion 57 includes the pivot portion (56). , 54) and the lower hinge 58, an excessive load is required during the inversion from the solid line position to the imaginary line position on the main body side via the intermediate hinge 59. Due to this, in the opening operation, the button portion 57 receives an excessive force when passing through the reversing line connecting the pivots (56, 54) and the lower hinge 58, and is rapidly displaced from the reversing line to the final position. Therefore, the lid 55 is opened vigorously in the middle of the switching to the open state, giving an uncomfortable feeling. Therefore, in terms of quality, it is desired that the button can be operated with a constant pressing force as much as possible. In addition, the above-mentioned excessive load causes distortion and cracks in each hinge and its peripheral portion, which is a cause of breakage.
Secondly, in order to reduce the load, for example, in the case of FIG. 7A, the pivots (56, 54, etc.) of the lid are moved to the right, and in the case of FIG. By changing the supports (66, 64, etc.) to the left, the size can be reduced accordingly. However, in that case, the opening angle of the lid becomes small, which is a factor that impairs usability. Further, in the conventional structure, since the maximum opening angle of the lid is about 90 degrees at most, there is a case where the lid is limited in application. This opening angle cannot be easily increased because the cap integrally forms the main body, the lid, and the button.
[0006]
An object of the present invention is to solve all of the above-mentioned problems while maintaining the advantage that the main body, the lid, and the button are a single molded product, to improve usability and quality, and to increase the opening angle of the lid. The purpose is to make the setting large and to expand the application.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is specified by an example in the drawings, and the main body 1 is mounted on the spout side of the container 5 and pivotally supported by the main body 1 through fitting of the convex portion 25 and the concave portion 15a. A container cap integrally formed with a lid portion 2 and a button portion 3 interposed between the main body 1 and the lid portion 2 and configured to switch the lid portion 2 to an open state by a pushing operation toward the outer peripheral side of the main body. And a stress absorbing connecting piece 4 connected to the lower part of the outer periphery of the main body 1 via a first hinge 42 and connected to the base end of the button part 3 via a second hinge 43. When the button portion 3 is pushed to switch the lid 2 to the open state, the button portion 3 approaches the outer periphery of the main body with the connecting piece 4 swinging downward. It is characterized by having.
[0008]
(Explanation of the main part) An ingenuity of the present invention resides in that an excessive or excessive load is alleviated by the stress absorbing connecting piece. That is, in this structure, the button portion is connected to the main body via the connection piece, and the connection between the main body and the connection piece and the connection piece and the button portion are respectively connected via the first and second hinges (thin hinges). By doing so, the load applied to the button portion by the pressing operation is moderately absorbed by the downward swinging of the connecting piece. For this reason, according to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the pressing force when switching the lid to the open state, to eliminate the sudden rotation of the lid as in the related art, and to operate with a substantially constant force from the beginning to the end. Further, in this structure, since the button portion is not subjected to an excessive load, the possibility of damage to the hinge and its peripheral portion can be eliminated.
[0009]
The present invention described above is more preferably developed as in claims 2 to 4. That is, in claim 2, the main body has a groove on the outer periphery where the button portion is arranged in the up-down direction, and the connecting piece is accommodated in the groove, and the main body is connected to the main body via the first hinge. It comprises a substantially horizontal base end projecting substantially at a right angle, and a substantially inclined front end extending downward from the base end and connected to the button part via the second hinge. In this case, for example, the appearance characteristics are maintained by the groove configuration on the main body side and the arrangement configuration of the connecting pieces, and the load absorbing action due to the swing of the connecting pieces can be reliably obtained by improving the shape.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, the button portion is provided with a third hinge provided in close proximity to the fitting portion of the convex portion and the concave portion, and a tension member provided slightly below the third hinge and extending outward. And a projecting portion, and the upper outer surface of the projecting portion is formed as a curved surface or an inclined surface for finger pressing. In this case, for example, the opening angle of the lid portion is increased by the third hinge, and the push operation can be easily performed with a small force due to the presence of the overhang portion and the curved surface.
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the main body has a pair of projecting pieces provided with the concave portion and a step-shaped engaging portion on an upper end surface, and the lid portion has substantially the same size as the upper side of the main body. It is configured to have an outer diameter, an inner concave portion that engages with and disengages from the engaging portion, and a slit that receives the projecting piece and projects the projecting portion into space. In this case, for example, the rotation angle is less likely to be restricted by the arrangement and the pivot structure of the lid, and the appearance characteristics, the lid mounting property, and the like are improved, and the opening angle of the lid is increased, as compared with the related art. Can be reduced.
[0010]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIGS. 1A and 1B are schematic external views showing a container cap with a lid closed and opened. 2A and 2B show a closed state of the lid, wherein FIG. 2A is a top view, FIG. 2B is a front view, and FIG. 2C is a right side view. FIGS. 3A and 3B are operation diagrams, in which FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional view in a state where the lid is closed, FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view in a state where the lid is rotated to near the inversion line, and FIG. It is sectional drawing in the state where the part was rotated to the maximum. 4 to 6 are development views showing a molding state of the container cap, FIG. 4 (a) is a top view, FIG. 4 (b) is a front view, FIG. 4 (c) is a bottom view, and FIG. ) Is a left side view in which a part of the lower side is cut off, FIG. 5 (b) is a right side view, FIG. 5 (c) is a sectional view taken along line AA of FIG. 4 (a), and FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of a part B, and FIG. 6B is an enlarged view of a part C of FIG. In the following description, after describing the cap structure, the utility will be clarified while describing the assembly and operation.
[0011]
The container cap of (structure) form is a resin injection-molded product, and has a main body 1 mounted on the spout 5a side of the container 5, a lid portion 2 pivotally supported by the main body 1, a main body 1 and a lid portion. An operation button 3 for switching the lid 2 to the open state by a pushing operation toward the outer peripheral side of the main body and an operation button 3 and a stress absorbing connecting piece 4 are integrally formed. In addition, the container 5 should just be what puts liquids, powders, and granular materials, such as foodstuffs, medicines, and cosmetics, and there is no restriction | limiting in use and a material in particular. Also, the spout 5a may have any shape as long as the main body 1 can be easily mounted.
[0012]
The main body 1 has an inner cylinder 11 slightly smaller inside a cylindrical outer periphery 10, and the entire upper side of the outer periphery 10 and a part of the upper side of the inner cylinder 11 are closed by an upper end surface 12. A vertical groove portion 18 is formed in a state where a part of the outer periphery 10 is missing from 12. Here, the inner cylinder 11 is formed with a locking claw 11a that is shorter than the outer circumference 10 and protrudes from the inner circumference at the lower end. The locking claw 11a engages with a corresponding portion of the cylindrical portion forming the container inlet 5a to be inserted into the inner cylinder 11 as shown in FIG. 3, thereby enabling the main body 1 to be mounted on the container 5. On the upper end surface 12, a ring-shaped small tube portion 13 protruding from the lower surface, a small tube portion 14 protruding from the upper surface and communicating with the inside of the small tube portion 13, and at a predetermined interval located on one side. A pair of protruding pieces 15, 15 erected and held, a piece 16 connecting the protruding pieces 15 to each other, and an engaging portion 17 having the outer peripheral upper side lowered one step are provided. The small cylinder part 13 enables the position of the main body 1 to be regulated with respect to the container 5 by being inserted into the container outlet 5a. The small cylinder portion 14 has an opening 14a through which the internal substance contained in the container 1 flows out from the spout 5a to the outside. The two protruding pieces 15 are located on both sides of the groove 18 in the upper end surface 12 and are slightly higher than the small cylinder 14. Each protruding piece 15 is provided with a recess 15a for a shaft hole penetrated on a coaxial line. The engaging portion 17 is formed such that an outer peripheral side of the upper end surface 12, that is, a portion between the two projecting pieces 15 is formed in a step shape. The groove portion 18 lacks the upper end surface 12 between the projecting pieces 15 and the projecting piece 15, and has a lacking portion corresponding to the outer periphery 10 with the missing width, and the depth is the outer surface of the inner cylinder 11. Has reached near. As shown in FIG. 5, the groove has a shape in which both side walls are formed substantially at right angles to the outer periphery 10, and the bottom wall is defined by a flat surface connected to a part of the inner cylinder 11, and the whole extends vertically. And the section is substantially U-shaped. Reference numeral 19 is a guide portion in which the upper end portion of the outer periphery 10 is slightly thinned, and is a portion that facilitates operation when the lid 2 is disengaged. However, the guide 19 may be omitted.
[0013]
The lid 2 has a substantially circular cap shape having the same outer diameter as the upper side of the main body 1, and covers the entire upper side of the main body 1 to be in a closed state. It is disengaged from the engaging portion 17. A pair of slits 24 corresponding to the protruding pieces 15 are provided on the outer surface of the lid 20. Each slit 24 has a groove width in which the protruding piece 15 is loosely fitted, and protrudes the projection 25 into the inner space. On the inner surface side of the lid portion 2, the concave portion 20 includes an arc-shaped peripheral wall 21, and a substantially U-shaped inner wall (rib) 22 connected to both sides of the peripheral wall 21 and corresponding to the slit 24. Are divided by For this reason, the slit 24 is located inside both sides of the inner wall 22. The convex portion 25 protrudes from the inner surface of the lid portion and protrudes from the outer surface of the rib 23 lower than the inner wall 22 (the outer surface on both sides of the U-shaped rib 23). Reference numeral 26 denotes a protrusion provided in the recess 20, and reference numeral 27 denotes an engagement release protrusion provided on the peripheral wall 21 at an edge corresponding to the guide 19. The protruding portion 26 is inserted into the small cylindrical portion 14 with the lid 2 closed, so that the opening 14a can be sealed. The protruding portion 27 is used to release the engagement between the engaging portion 17 and the concave portion 20 by pushing the lid portion 2 in a direction to open the lid portion 2 with a finger or the like.
[0014]
The button portion 3 has a size that can be substantially accommodated in the groove portion 18, the outer surface 30 has both side walls, and the inner surface 31 has a substantially concave rib 32 defined by an upper portion due to the presence of the both side walls. have. The details are as follows. The length of the button portion 3 is set substantially the same as the dimension between the concave portion 15 a of the protruding piece 15 and the lower end of the inner cylinder 11. As shown in FIG. 2, the outer surface 30 has an overhanging portion 33 bulging outward as shown in FIG. 2, and a lower outer surface 33 b on the base end or lower end side of the overhanging portion 33 is a smooth inclined surface. An upper outer surface 33a on the tip or upper end side of 33 is a curved surface or a sharp inclined surface for pressing against a finger. A plurality of small ribs 34 are provided on the upper outer surface 33a. The small rib 34 is a non-slip which prevents slipping when the finger is put on the finger, but may be functionally omitted. The upper end of the button portion 3 is connected to the middle upper edge of the U-shaped rib 23 of the lid portion 2 via a thin hinge 35 so as to be bendable. For this reason, the thin hinge 35 approaches (to approach within 1.5 to 3.0 mm) the projection 25 in a state where the lid 2 is assembled to the main body 1.
[0015]
The connecting piece 4 is interposed between the main body 1 and the button part 3 and, as shown in FIG. 6 (a), protrudes from the main body 1 side at a substantially right angle. It comprises a substantially inclined tip portion 41 extending downward from the portion 40, and is entirely accommodated in the groove portion 18. The base end 40 is connected to the lower end of the inner cylinder 11 of the main body 1 or the lower end of the bottom wall of the groove 18 via a thin hinge 42. The distal end portion 41 has a substantially rectangular shape together with the proximal end portion 40, and is connected to the proximal end of the button portion 3 via a thin hinge 43. When the lid 2 is switched to the open state by pressing the button 3, the connecting piece 4 forms the outer periphery of the main body 1 with the connecting piece 4 swinging downward. To the bottom wall of the groove 18 which is formed. For this reason, it is set as follows in design. The base end portion 40 and the front end portion 41 are given predetermined rigidity similarly to the button portion 3. An elastic force is applied to the thin hinge 42 so that the entire connecting piece 4 can be bent by a predetermined angle. In other words, the thin hinge 42 may have a configuration in which, for example, the connecting piece 4 is bendably connected to the main body 1 side. In contrast, the thin hinge 43 is provided with a greater flexibility or elastic force than the thin hinge 42. For this reason, the thin hinge 43 makes the angle between the distal end 41 of the connecting piece 4 and the proximal end of the button 3 variable, as inferred from FIGS. 3A and 3C. Any configuration may be used.
[0016]
(Assembling and Operation) The container cap described above is molded in the unfolded state shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, and assembled into a use mode after molding. The assembling procedure is such that, after bringing the lid 2 close to the upper side of the main body 1, the projecting pieces 15 of the main body 1 are inserted into the corresponding lid side slits 24, respectively. In the insertion operation, for example, the protrusion 25 protruding from each slit 24 is positioned on the back surface of the protrusion 15, and the lid 2 is forcibly pressed between the protrusions 15 so that the protrusion 25 enters the recess 15 a. I do. Then, each convex portion 25 elastically expands between the protruding pieces 15 and engages with the concave portion 15a when it coincides with the corresponding concave portion 15a. By this fitting, the lid portion 2 is rotatably attached to the main body 1 with the convex portion 25 as a fulcrum.
[0017]
In the above assembled state, when the lid 2 is pushed toward the upper end surface 12 of the main body, the inner diameter of the concave portion 20 is engaged with the engaging portion 17 of the upper end surface 12 as shown in FIGS. The stopped lid closed state or the lid locked state is set. In this state, the protruding portion 26 is inserted into the small cylindrical portion 14 to seal the opening 14a. The button portion 3 has a projecting portion 33 and its upper and lower portions projecting from inside the groove portion 18 of the outer periphery 10 of the main body. The lid 2 releases the engagement of the recess 20 with the engagement part 17 by pressing the projection 27 upward, and is then rotated about the projection 25 by the pushing operation of the button 3, as shown in FIG. 1 (b) and the lid is opened as shown in FIG. 3 (c). In the usage mode mounted on the container 5, for example, the lid 2 is not locked to the main body 1, that is, the upper end surface 12 is almost covered with the lid 2. 20 may be locked or engaged with the engaging portion 17. When the cover 2 is changed from the open state to the closed state, the cover 2 is pushed toward the upper end surface 12 of the main body, and the cover 2 rotates about the protrusion 25 as in the related art.
[0018]
As described above, in this embodiment, when the button portion 3 is pressed into the groove portion 18 of the main body 1 in a state where the engagement portion 17 and the recess portion 20 are unlocked, the lid portion 2 is supported by the convex portion 25 as a fulcrum. It is rotated in the opening direction. In this opening operation, first, the button 3 is pushed into the groove 18 to reach the position shown in FIG. ) Is returned to the original position while reaching the final press. At this final pushing position, the button portion 3 hits the bottom surface of the groove portion 18 and further pushing is restricted. The lid 2 is rotated in the opening direction by bending the thin hinge 35 with the projection 25 as a fulcrum by pressing the button 3. In this structure, in the lid opening operation described above, as the pressing force, the button portion 3 is displaced to the final position by a relatively weak force due to the downward movement accompanying the swing of the connecting piece 4. The reason for this is that, for example, as compared with the above-described conventional product (the configuration in which the reversing line is fixed), the reversing line changes due to the swing of the connecting piece 4, so that the reversing line can pass through with a weak load. It is thought that it is.
[0019]
Therefore, with this container cap, the lid opening operation can be performed with a weaker force than the conventional product (the same as being able to open the lid with a substantially constant force from the beginning to the end), and the lid 2 is opened in the lid open state. A predetermined holding force can be maintained so as not to be inadvertently rotated in the closing direction. In addition, since the maximum pressing force can be reduced, the rapid rotation of the lid caused by pressing the button with a large force as in the related art, eliminating the discomfort caused by this, and adding to the thin hinges 35 and 43, etc. The load and the risk of damage due to the load can be eliminated.
[0020]
Further, in this embodiment, the maximum opening angle of the lid portion 2 in FIG. 3C is about 125 degrees, and the lid portion can be opened more widely than the conventional product. This opening angle can be changed to some extent depending on the pivot portion of the lid, that is, the set position of the convex portion and the concave portion, but is extremely limited. In this regard, in this structure, for example, a protruding piece 15 with a concave portion 15a is set on the flat upper end surface 12 of the main body 1, and a slit 24 with a protruding portion 25 that escapes the protruding piece 15 is set on the lid portion 2, that is, The pivotal structure of the lid 2 and the arrangement of the button 2 are designed so that the rotation angle of the lid 2 is not restricted as much as possible, and at the same time, the thin hinge 35 between the lid 2 and the button 3 is formed as a convex. 25 and the recess 15a, and the button portion 3 is devised so as to be moved downward with the swing of the connecting piece 4 as described above. The degree of freedom in design can be increased by increasing the opening angle of the lid by several steps while improving the operability.
[0021]
The present invention can be variously modified except for the requirements specified in claim 1. For example, the internal structure of the main body is changed or the mounting structure to the container is changed as necessary, and a convex portion is provided on the main body side and a concave portion is provided on the lid portion side.
[0022]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, in the container cap according to the present invention, in the container cap in which the main body, the cover, and the button are formed of a single molded product, the load applied to the button by the pushing operation is swung downward. Absorbs by movement. As a result, compared to the conventional product, the pressing force when switching the lid to the open state can be reduced, and the operation can be performed with a substantially constant force from the beginning to the end, so that usability can be improved. In addition, since it is difficult to receive an excessive load as mentioned above, the possibility of damage to the hinge and its surroundings can be eliminated. Further, according to the third and fourth aspects, the opening angle of the lid can be increased while improving the appearance characteristics and the like as compared with the conventional product, so that the application can be expanded without restrictions on application. To
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing a cap according to an embodiment of the present invention in a state where a lid is opened and closed.
FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram showing details of the cap in a lid closed state.
FIG. 3 is a schematic sectional view showing the operation of the cap.
FIG. 4 is a development view showing the cap in a molded state.
FIG. 5 is a developed view of the cap as in FIG. 4;
FIG. 6 is a main part configuration diagram in which a part of FIG. 5 is enlarged.
FIG. 7 is a view for explaining a problem of a conventional cap.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 ... body (10 is outer periphery, 11 is inner cylinder, 12 is upper end surface, 14a is opening)
2. Lid (20 is a recess, 21 and 22 are peripheral walls, 26 is a protrusion)
3. Button part (30 is the outer part, 32 is the rib, 33 is the overhang part, 33a is the upper outer surface)
4. Connecting piece (40 is a substantially horizontal base end, 41 is a substantially inclined front end)
15 Projecting piece (15a is concave)
24 ... Slit (25 is a convex part)
35 ... Thin hinge (third hinge)
42 ... Thin hinge (first hinge)
43 ... Thin hinge (second hinge)

Claims

A main body attached to the spout side of the container, a lid portion pivotally supported through fitting of the convex portion and the concave portion to the main body, and a main body outer peripheral side interposed between the main body and the lid portion. In a container cap integrally formed with a button portion for switching a lid portion to an open state by a pushing operation,
It has a connecting piece for stress absorption which is connected to a lower side of the outer periphery of the main body via a first hinge, and which is connected to a base end side of the button part via a second hinge,
When the button portion is pushed to switch the lid portion to the open state, the button portion approaches the outer periphery of the main body with downward swinging of the connecting piece. Container cap.

The main body has a groove on the outer periphery where the button part is arranged in the vertical direction, and the connecting piece is fitted in the groove, and projects substantially perpendicularly from the main body through the first hinge. 2. The container cap according to claim 1, comprising a base end of the container, and a substantially inclined tip end extending downward from the base end and connected to the button portion via the second hinge.

The button portion has a third hinge provided in close proximity to the fitting portion between the convex portion and the concave portion, and a projecting portion provided slightly below the third hinge and extending outward. The container cap according to claim 1 or 2, wherein an upper outer surface of the overhanging portion is formed as a curved surface or an inclined surface for pressing against a finger.

The main body has a pair of projecting pieces provided with the concave portion and a step-shaped engaging portion on an upper end surface, and the lid portion has an outer diameter substantially equal to the upper side of the main body, The container cap according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising an inner concave portion that engages with and disengages from the engaging portion, and a slit that receives the projecting piece and projects the projecting portion into a space.