JP2013173560A - Resin cap - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a resin cap achieving a sufficient reduction in weight and improving productivity by facilitating cooling.SOLUTION: A resin cap 1 comprises a cap body 2 and a tamper evidence band 3 connected to an opening end of the cap body 2 via a plurality of bridges. The tamper evidence band 3 includes a reduced weight structure 15 comprising an annular body portion 12 and a plurality of vertical ribs 13 arranged on an outer circumferential surface 12a of the body portion 12 at predetermined intervals along the circumferential direction. Accordingly, a cooling performance during molding of the resin cap 1 is improved, and a reduction in weight is achieved.

Description

  The present invention relates to a resin cap that is mounted to seal a container that contains a beverage or the like.

  2. Description of the Related Art As a resin cap that is attached to a container that contains a beverage or the like, one having a tamper evidence performance that can confirm the presence or absence of unauthorized opening is widely used. For example, a cap body composed of a disk-shaped top plate and a side wall portion extending from the edge of the top plate, and a bulging portion of the container mouth portion connected to the opening end of the cap body via a plurality of breakable bridges There is known a resin cap provided with a tamper-evidence band having a locking portion for locking to the inside.

  In such a resin cap, the locking portion is locked to the bulging portion of the mouth portion of the container by the opening operation from the mounted state, and a tensile force or the like acts on the plurality of bridges so that the plurality of bridges are The cap body and the tamper evidence band are separated from each other. Thereby, when it is confirmed that the bridge is broken, it is recognized that the bridge is opened. If consumers before purchase can recognize the presence or absence of opening, damage by mischief can be prevented and the quality of the contents can be guaranteed.

  Conventionally, the weight reduction of the resin cap as described above has been promoted by reducing the thickness of the top plate and the side wall. The thickness of the top plate and the side wall greatly affects the performance of the resin cap, and it is a matter of course that reducing the thickness excessively causes the performance of the resin cap to deteriorate. For example, if the thickness of the top plate is reduced, the deformation of the top plate is increased by the internal pressure, so that the sealing performance is lowered, and leakage and suction are likely to occur. As a countermeasure, it is also considered that a reinforcing rib is provided on the top plate to suppress deformation while making the top plate thin. However, even in that case, since the weight increases by the amount of the reinforcing rib, the weight cannot be sufficiently reduced.

  Another problem is the productivity of resin caps. In general, a resin cap is molded using an injection molding method or a compression molding method. In any molding method, molten resin is poured into a molding die, and the product is taken out after the molten resin is cooled and solidified. At that time, if the resin is taken out in a state where it is not sufficiently cured, deformation occurs when taken out. Therefore, it is necessary to perform a cycle in which the resin is sufficiently cooled to a temperature at which deformation does not occur and then taken out. If it is easy to cool, cycle time is shortened and productivity is improved. Therefore, when considering productivity, a cap structure that is more easily cooled is required. For example, Patent Document 1 describes a resin cap having a knurled outer peripheral surface of a tamper evidence band.

JP-A-8-133314

  In the resin cap of Patent Document 1, since the knurled is engraved on the outer peripheral surface of the tamper evidence band, it is considered that the weight can be reduced correspondingly and a slight cooling effect can be obtained. However, if the knurling is only carved, the amount of weight reduction by the knurling is small, and a sufficient cooling effect cannot be expected by increasing the surface area a little.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a resin cap that can be sufficiently reduced in weight and can be easily cooled to increase productivity.

In order to achieve the above object, the following technical measures were taken.
The present invention comprises a cap main body mounted on the mouth of a container, and a tamper evidence band connected to the open end of the cap main body via a plurality of breakable bridges. The tamper-evidence band is characterized in that it has a light-weight structure that improves the cooling performance when molding the resin cap and reduces the weight.

  According to the present invention, the tamper-evidence band of the resin cap is provided with a lightweight structure for improving the cooling performance and reducing the weight, so that not only a sufficient weight reduction can be achieved, but also the resin The cooling performance at the time of molding the cap can also be improved.

  The light weight structure includes an annular main body part constituting a tamper evidence band main body, and a plurality of vertical ribs arranged at predetermined intervals along the circumferential direction on the outer peripheral surface of the main body part. Is preferred. If the light weight structure of the present invention is composed of an annular main body part constituting the tamper evidence band main body and a plurality of vertical ribs provided on the outer peripheral surface of the main body part, it is easy to open the plug etc. While improving the functionality, it is possible to improve the cooling performance and reduce the weight.

  The plurality of vertical ribs are preferably formed from the open end of the main body portion to a midway portion in the axial direction. With such a vertical rib shape, the outer diameter of the tamper evidence band is not excessively large, and a plurality of vertical ribs can be provided without changing the maximum diameter of the resin cap. Therefore, the conventional manufacturing line can be used as it is, and it can produce without cost by constructing a new manufacturing line.

  In the case where the opening end of the main body portion is widened, it is preferable that the plurality of vertical ribs have a triangular rib shape that reinforces the main body portion. If a plurality of triangular rib-shaped vertical ribs are provided at the opening end of the hem, the main body portion is reinforced thereby, and the strength of the tamper evidence band can be maintained or improved.

  The lightweight structure may further include a connecting portion that connects two adjacent vertical ribs on the open end side among the plurality of vertical ribs. If a connecting portion that connects the two vertical ribs on the opening end side is provided in the lightweight structure, the main body portion and the vertical ribs are more difficult to deform, and the strength of the tamper evidence band can be improved.

  For example, if the maximum radial dimension of each vertical rib is 0.3 to 1.3 mm, the cooling effect is maintained, and at the same time, insufficient strength can be prevented.

  As described above, according to the present invention, the tamper-evidence band of the resin cap has a lightweight structure composed of an annular main body portion and a plurality of vertical ribs, so that not only a sufficient weight reduction can be achieved. Moreover, the cooling property at the time of shaping | molding of resin-made caps can also be improved. Thereby, sufficient weight reduction effect is acquired and productivity can be raised.

1 is a side view of a resin cap according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is sectional drawing of the resin-made caps of 1st Embodiment. It is a part of top view of the resin cap of 1st Embodiment. It is a side view of the resin-made caps concerning 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing of the resin-made caps of 2nd Embodiment. It is a side view of the resin cap which concerns on 3rd Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 6.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a side view of a resin cap 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the resin cap 1 of the first embodiment, and FIG. 3 is the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a plan view of the resin cap 1. In the following description, the direction corresponding to the top and bottom of FIG. The resin cap 1 is used, for example, by being attached to the mouth of a container formed of synthetic resin. The resin cap 1 is integrally formed of polypropylene by compression molding or injection molding, and includes a cap body 2 located at the upper part and a tamper evidence band 3 connected to the lower end of the cap body 2. . The material for forming the resin cap 1 is not particularly limited, and polyethylene, polylactic acid, and the like are suitably used in addition to the polypropylene used in the present embodiment.

  A mouth portion (not shown) to which the resin cap 1 is attached includes a cylindrical main body portion formed with substantially the same diameter from the upper end to the lower end, a male screw formed on the outer peripheral side of the main body portion, a bulging portion, a support ring, and the like It consists of The cap body 2 of the resin cap 1 is composed of a top plate 4 positioned at the uppermost part and a side wall 5 extending downward from an outer edge 4a of the top plate 4.

  The top plate 4 is formed in a disk shape, and an inner ring 6 extending downward and a radially outward side of the inner ring 6 project downward on the back surface 4b of the top plate 4. An annular protrusion 7 and an outer ring 8 extending downward with a dimension shorter than that of the inner ring 6 on the radially outer side of the annular protrusion 7 are integrally formed. When the resin cap 1 is attached to the mouth, the inner ring 6 is in close contact with the inner peripheral surface of the mouth, and the outer ring 8 is in close contact with the outer peripheral surface of the mouth. The annular protrusion 7 is brought into contact with the opening end surface of the mouth and deformed. Due to the presence of the inner ring 6, the outer ring 8, and the annular protrusion 7, the hermeticity of the container mouth is maintained high.

  The side wall 5 is formed in a cylindrical shape, and a female screw portion 14 that is screwed into the mouth portion is formed on the inner peripheral surface 5a thereof. The female screw portion 14 is composed of a plurality of projecting portions 14A provided continuously at a predetermined interval in the circumferential direction, and allows liquid or gaseous substances to pass in the vertical direction. A plurality of knurls 9 extending in the vertical direction are provided on the outer peripheral surface 5 b of the side wall 5. The form of the internal thread part may be any form, and the thread may be formed continuously in the circumferential direction so that the gaseous matter or the like cannot pass therethrough.

  A plurality of bridges 10 are provided at predetermined intervals along the circumferential direction at the boundary between the cap body 2 and the tamper evidence band 3. The plurality of bridges 10 that connect the cap body 2 and the tamper evidence band 3 to each other are broken when pulled by a predetermined force. A locking portion 11 is provided inside the tamper evidence band 3. The locking part 11 is folded back inward and upward from the lower end part 3a of the tamper evidence band 3 and is intermittently formed along the circumferential direction. The locking part 11 is elastically deformable. The locking portion 11 is positioned directly below the bulging portion in a state of being attached to the mouth portion of the container, and is locked to the bulging portion by a plugging operation. In addition, the form of a latching | locking part is not limited.

  When the mounted resin cap 1 starts to be turned in the opening direction, the locking portion 11 is locked to the bulging portion of the mouth, and tensile force starts to act on the plurality of bridges 10. When the resin cap 1 is further rotated, the plurality of bridges 10 are greatly pulled and gradually become thin, leading to breakage. Thereby, the cap main body 2 which consists of the top plate 4 and the side wall 5 is isolate | separated from the tamper evidence band 3, and a container is opened.

  The tamper evidence band 3 of the present embodiment includes an annular main body portion 12 constituting a tamper evidence band main body, and a plurality of vertical ribs provided on the outer peripheral surface 12a of the main body portion 12 at predetermined intervals along the circumferential direction. 13 By these, the weight reduction structure 15 which aims at the improvement of the cooling property of the resin cap 1 and weight reduction is comprised. The improvement in cooling performance is achieved by the role of the plurality of vertical ribs 13 as cooling fins, and the weight reduction is achieved by the tamper evidence band 3 by the main body portion 12 having a predetermined thickness and the plurality of vertical ribs 13. It is achieved by configuring and reducing the amount of resin.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the open end 12 b of the main body portion 12 is widened, and the radial thickness d <b> 1 of the main body portion 12 is 0.5 to 1.8 mm. This is because when the radial thickness d1 of the main body portion 12 is less than 0.5 mm, the strength of the main body portion 12 is insufficient, and when the radial thickness d1 exceeds 1.8 mm, a sufficient lightening effect cannot be obtained. The inner side of the opening end 12b of the main body portion 12 has a two-step shape. As shown in FIG. 3, in the resin cap 1 of the present embodiment, the angle θ1 formed by two adjacent vertical ribs 13 is 6 °. Therefore, the plurality of vertical ribs 13 of the present embodiment are composed of 60 vertical ribs 13. The number of the vertical ribs 13 is not limited and can be increased or decreased as long as the effect of the present invention is obtained. Instead of arranging multiple vertical ribs at regular intervals, arrange them irregularly, or provide parts without vertical ribs, and alternate the parts with vertical ribs and parts without vertical ribs on the body part of the tamper evidence band. May be provided.

  Each vertical rib 13 is formed from the open end 12 b of the main body portion 12 to an intermediate portion in the axial direction, and has a triangular rib shape that reinforces the main body portion 12. The axial height d2 of each vertical rib 13 is preferably 3.0 to 6.0 mm. When the axial height d2 of each vertical rib 13 is less than 3.0 mm, a sufficient cooling effect cannot be obtained, the reinforcing effect of the main body portion 12 is also reduced, and the axial height d2 of each vertical rib 13 is 6. If the thickness exceeds 0 mm, each vertical rib 13 is applied to each bridge 10, and it becomes difficult to insert a uniform slit.

  The circumferential width d3 of each vertical rib 13 is preferably 0.3 to 3.0 mm (see FIG. 3). When the circumferential width d3 of each vertical rib 13 is less than 0.3 mm, the reinforcing effect of the main body portion 12 is reduced. When the circumferential width d3 of each vertical rib 13 is more than 3.0 mm, a sufficient weight reduction effect is obtained. This is because it becomes difficult to obtain. The maximum outer diameter d10 of the resin cap 1 is 28 to 42 mm, and the maximum radial dimension d4 of each vertical rib 13 is preferably 0.3 to 1.3 mm (see FIG. 2). If the maximum radial dimension d4 of each vertical rib 13 is less than 0.3 mm, the cooling performance cannot be improved, and the reinforcing effect of the main body portion 12 is also reduced. The maximum radial dimension d4 of each vertical rib 13 is 1.3 mm. If the upper limit is exceeded, since the maximum outer diameter d10 of the resin cap 1 is determined, the radial thickness d1 of the main body portion 12 becomes relatively small, resulting in insufficient strength. Furthermore, each vertical rib 13 has a great influence on the opening-opening functionality, and by setting the radial maximum dimension d4 of each vertical rib 13 in the above range, an excellent opening-opening functionality that has never been obtained can be obtained. be able to.

  Furthermore, since the straight portion 16 that is linear in the vertical direction is formed on the outer periphery of the skirt of the tamper evidence band 3, the maximum outer diameter constituted by the outer peripheral ends of the plurality of vertical ribs 13 is the maximum of the resin cap 1. The outer diameter is not exceeded. The vertical dimension d8 of the straight portion 16 is 0.5 to 2.0 mm. Thereby, it is possible to prevent a decrease in transportability of the resin cap 1 due to the presence of the plurality of vertical ribs 13.

  As can be seen from FIG. 3, the outer portion 13a of each vertical rib 13 is narrowed in the radially outward direction, and the angle θ2 formed by both sides of the outer portion 13a is 20 ° in this embodiment. Yes. The shape of each vertical rib 13 is not limited and can be changed as long as each of the above dimensions is satisfied. The circumferential position of each knurl 9 of the cap body 2 and the circumferential position of each vertical rib 13 coincide.

  FIG. 4 is a side view of a resin cap 21 according to the second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 5 is a sectional view thereof. In the resin cap 21 of the present embodiment, the vertical rib group 201 composed of 11 vertical ribs 20 is arranged in the circumferential direction at a predetermined interval. Similar to these vertical rib groups 201, a knurl group 91 composed of 11 knurls 9 is arranged in the circumferential direction at a predetermined interval, and the circumferential position of each knurl 9 and the circumferential direction of each vertical rib 20. The position matches.

  The locking portion 50 of the present embodiment is formed in a bellows shape that is continuous in the circumferential direction, and an inner protrusion 51 that is folded in a U-shape is configured. Inside the top plate 4, a packing 52 for sealing a container such as a beverage bottle is provided. The packing 52 includes a disc-shaped main body portion 53, an annular side seal portion 54 that bends downward from the outer periphery of the main body portion 53, and a cylindrical middle foot portion 55 that extends downward from the lower surface of the main body portion 53. Have. The side seal portion 54 enters between the mouth portion and the side wall 5, and the middle foot portion 55 is in close contact with the inner surface of the mouth portion. The sealing structure by these seals the mouth well, so that the airtightness inside the container is maintained high.

  In the case of the resin caps 1 and 21 of the present embodiment, the tamper evidence band 3 of the resin caps 1 and 21 has a light weight structure composed of an annular main body portion 12 and a plurality of vertical ribs 13. As a result, not only can the weight be reduced sufficiently, but also the cooling performance during molding of the resin caps 1 and 21 can be improved. Thereby, sufficient weight reduction effect is acquired and productivity can be improved.

  Since the plurality of vertical ribs 13 are provided on the outer peripheral surface 12a of the annular main body portion 12 as the lightening structure 15, not only the knurling 9 of the cap main body 2 but also the tamper evidence band 3 does not slide fingers. ing. Thereby, the opening functionality can be remarkably improved.

  Since the plurality of vertical ribs 13 are formed from the open end portion 12b of the main body portion 12 to the midway portion in the axial direction, the outer diameter of the tamper evidence band 3 is not excessively increased, and the resin caps 1 and 21 A plurality of vertical ribs 13 and 20 can be provided without changing the maximum diameter. Therefore, the conventional manufacturing line can be used as it is, and it can produce without cost by constructing a new manufacturing line.

  Further, since the plurality of vertical ribs 13 and 20 are triangular ribs that reinforce the main body portion 12, the main body portion 12 is reinforced thereby, and the strength of the tamper evidence band 3 can be maintained or improved. . Furthermore, since the radial maximum dimension d4 of each vertical rib 13 is set to 0.3 to 1.3 mm, not only a sufficient cooling effect can be obtained, but also the opening-opening functionality can be improved.

  The opening cap functionality was evaluated for the resin cap of the present invention. The resin cap of the first embodiment was manufactured and attached to the mouth of the container, and a total of 15 men, 8 women and 8 women, opened the resin cap. Table 1 shows the results of comparing hand pain and ease of hand slipping with conventional products that do not have a lightweight structure. It was expressed as a 5-point score.

  The same evaluation score as that of the conventional product is 3, whereas the average evaluation score of the resin cap of the present invention is: hand pain: 3.3 points, hand slipperiness: 3.5 points Met. For each evaluation item, more than 80% of respondents answered that they are equivalent to or higher than conventional products. In this resin cap, high evaluation has been obtained particularly with respect to ease of hand slipping.

  Furthermore, the resin cap of the second embodiment was manufactured and attached to the mouth of the container, and a total of 15 men, 8 women and 8 women, opened the resin cap. Table 2 shows the results of comparing hand pain and ease of hand slipping with conventional products that do not have a lightweight structure. It was expressed as a 5-point score.

  The same evaluation score as that of the conventional product is 3, whereas the average evaluation score of the resin cap of the present invention is: hand pain: 3.5 points, hand slipperiness: 3.5 points Met. More than 80% of respondents answered that each evaluation item was equivalent to or better than the conventional product.

  The resin cap of each embodiment disclosed above is an example, and the shape, dimensions, constituent resin, molding method, and the like of each part are appropriately changed. You may change the number of bridge | bridging, an engaging part, a shape, etc. The container to which the resin cap of the present invention is applied is not limited, and the shape of the mouth is not limited. You may provide another structural part other than a main-body part and a vertical rib in a weight reduction structure.

  FIG. 6 is a side view of a resin cap 30 according to the third embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA. The main difference of the resin cap 30 of the present embodiment from the above embodiment is that the weight reduction structure 31 further communicates two adjacent vertical ribs 32 of the plurality of vertical ribs 32 on the open end side. This is a point having a portion 33.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the weight reduction structure 31 of the tamper evidence band 34 in this embodiment includes a main body portion 35, a plurality of vertical ribs 32, and a communication portion 33 that connects the two vertical ribs 32 to each other on the opening end side. It consists of and. Each vertical rib 32 is formed from the opening end portion 35a of the main body portion 35 to the midway portion in the axial direction, and has a square cross section. The number of the plurality of vertical ribs 32 arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction is 8 to 120, the axial height d6 is 3.0 to 6.0 mm, and the circumferential width d7 is 0.3. -3.0 mm.

  The connecting portion 33 that connects the two vertical ribs 32 has a semicircular shape, and the two vertical ribs 32 and the connecting portion 33 are combined to form a U shape in a side view. An angle θ3 formed by two adjacent connecting portions 33 is 3 to 45 °. By adopting such a light weight structure 31, the main body portion 35 and the vertical ribs 32 are more difficult to deform, and the strength of the tamper evidence band 34 can be improved. The connecting portion 33 is not limited to the shape shown in FIG. 6, and the connecting portion may have an angular shape or a shape such as a mountain shape having a convex central portion in the circumferential direction.

1, 21, 30 Resin cap 2 Cap body 3, 34 Tamper evidence band 9 Knurl 11 Locking portion 12, 35 Body portion 12a, 35a Open end portion 13, 20, 32 Vertical rib 13a Outer portion 15, 31 Lightweight structure 16 Straight part 33 Contact part

Claims (6)

A cap body mounted on the mouth of the container, and a tamper evidence band connected to the opening end of the cap body via a plurality of breakable bridges, and the plurality of bridges are broken by an opening operation. A resin cap,
A resin cap, wherein the tamper-evidence band has a lightening structure for improving the cooling performance at the time of molding the resin cap and reducing the weight.   The lightening structure has an annular main body part constituting a tamper evidence band main body, and a plurality of vertical ribs arranged at predetermined intervals along the circumferential direction on the outer peripheral surface of the main body part. The resin cap according to claim 1.   3. The resin cap according to claim 2, wherein the plurality of vertical ribs are formed from an opening end portion of the main body portion to an intermediate portion in the axial direction.   4. The resin-made product according to claim 2, wherein an opening end portion of the main body portion is widened, and the plurality of vertical ribs have a triangular rib shape that reinforces the main body portion. cap.   5. The light weight structure according to claim 2, further comprising a connecting portion that connects two adjacent vertical ribs among the plurality of vertical ribs on the opening end side. The resin cap described.   The resin-made cap according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein a maximum radial dimension of each vertical rib is 0.3 to 1.3 mm.

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