JP2004509817A

JP2004509817A - Container closure structure

Info

Publication number: JP2004509817A
Application number: JP2002534178A
Authority: JP
Inventors: ボアナルスキ、デイビッド、アレクサンダー
Original assignee: イノベイティブ　デザイン　シーオー　ピーティーワイ　リミテッド
Priority date: 2000-10-12
Filing date: 2001-10-09
Publication date: 2004-04-02
Also published as: US20040011790A1; CN1222444C; AU2001293518B2; MXPA03003243A; WO2002030780A1; TW577843B; EP1326785A1; AU9351801A; CN1473127A; NZ525217A; KR20030051715A; MY128453A; CA2425635A1

Abstract

容器の閉塞構造は、底面部（１３）を有する容器（１０）と、周壁面部（１５）と、前記周壁面部の上側端部を形成し、前記容器の開口部を囲繞する周縁部（１６）と、該周縁部（１６）よりも低位置の前記周壁面部と一体的に形成され、該周壁面部を囲繞するフランジ（１９）とを含む。閉塞部材（１１）は、前記容器の前記開口部を覆うように配置された中央部（２５）と囲繞部（２６、２９、３１）とを有する。前記囲繞部（２６、２９、３１）は前記中央部と一体的に形成され、前記閉塞部材を前記容器に取り付ける場合に、周縁部（１６）を囲繞して係合する構造を有する。前記閉塞部材を前記容器に取り付ける場合には、フランジ（１９）に接着されるように前記囲繞部の一部（３４）を取り付けるか、あるいは、該囲繞部の一部（５０）を上方に開口する前記フランジ（１９）の開口部（５２）に押圧して嵌合する。The container closing structure includes a container (10) having a bottom portion (13), a peripheral wall portion (15), and an upper end portion of the peripheral wall portion, and a peripheral edge portion surrounding the opening of the container ( 16) and a flange (19) integrally formed with the peripheral wall portion at a position lower than the peripheral edge portion (16) and surrounding the peripheral wall portion. The closing member (11) has a central part (25) arranged so as to cover the opening of the container and surrounding parts (26, 29, 31). The surrounding portions (26, 29, 31) are formed integrally with the central portion, and have a structure that surrounds and engages with the peripheral portion (16) when the closing member is attached to the container. When attaching the closing member to the container, a part (34) of the surrounding part is attached so as to be bonded to the flange (19), or a part (50) of the surrounding part is opened upward. To fit into the opening (52) of the flange (19).

Description

【０００１】
発明の分野
本発明は、不正開封の痕跡を残す機能を有する容器の閉塞構造に関し、状況に応じて封じ直すことが可能な容器の閉塞構造に関する。
【０００２】
従来技術の説明
本発明に関する代表的な容器の閉塞構造は、相容れ難い多くの要求を満足する必要がある。すなわち、容器の落下及び／又は荷重移動に起因する静荷重及び動荷重が発生して、前記容器の密閉シールが破壊されそうな場合であっても、閉塞状態を維持できるような容器の密閉シールを提供する必要がある。同時に、前記容器の密閉シールは十分に曲げられるものであって、必要に応じて閉塞部材を除去及び交換できる使い勝手が良いものである必要がある。また、前記容器の閉塞構造は、製品の梱包後に発生する不正開封や、梱包品をエンドユーザに配送する前に発生する不正開封の痕跡を示すことができる必要がある。しかも、このような不正開封阻止構造は、前記容器から前記閉塞部材を正当な目的で取り外す際には、取り外しの邪魔にならない程度とする必要がある。
【０００３】
そこで、これらの要求を満たすような容器の閉塞構造が、多数開発されている。
【０００４】
米国特許第５７３０３０９号公報には、玉縁部（ｂｅａｄｅｄｒｉｍ）を有する容器と、該容器の周壁を囲繞する周壁囲繞部を有する閉塞部材とが開示されている。前記周壁囲繞部は内向する受部を具備して形成され、該受部は前記周縁部に対し着脱自在に嵌合するように配置されている。また、前記周壁囲繞部は取り外し可能な切裂片を備え、該切裂片が取り外されるまでは、前記閉塞部材は前記容器から離間されることはない。米国特許第５７３０３０９号公報の閉塞構造では、閉塞部材の周壁囲繞部と容器の壁面部における接触部との間に、複数個の嵌合部が設けられている。
【０００５】
仏国特許第２５９９０４４号公報には、外側に突出する周壁面部のフランジと、周壁囲繞部を有する閉塞部材とが開示され、前記閉塞部材はその周壁面部においてフランジを具備し、該フランジは前記閉塞部材と容器とが嵌合したときに、該容器のフランジと嵌合するように該周壁囲繞部から延在して形成されている。前記周壁面部のフランジは、超音波溶接により前記閉塞部材と結合される。
【０００６】
さらに、前記閉塞部材において、前記周壁囲繞部が該閉塞部材の中央本体部に当接するような箇所には、切取線が設けられている。これにより、前記閉塞部材を前記容器から取り外し可能となる。そして、前記閉塞構造では、前記容器から前記閉塞部材が一旦取り外されると、前記容器を前記閉塞部材で再度密封することはできないような構造になっている。
【０００７】
米国特許第４４３４９０７号公報には、仏国特許第２５９９０４４号公報の閉塞方法に類似した構造が開示されている。すなわち、周壁面に突出する囲繞用フランジを有する容器と、対応する周壁面に突出する囲繞用フランジを有する閉塞部材とが開示され、前記両囲繞用フランジは、互いに嵌合されている。この構造では、線状に延びる脆弱部（ａｌｉｎｅｏｆｗｅａｋｅｎｉｎｇ）が前記容器周壁面の前記フランジに設けられ、前記容器から前記閉塞部材が分離可能とされているが、一度分離しても、前記閉塞部材を前記容器に再度取り付けることができるようになっている。この場合、前記脆弱部において前記容器が分離したままの状態で、前記囲繞部の内壁面にある玉縁部が、前記容器のフランジの残部を乗り越えて押圧される。
【０００８】
本発明の出願人による豪州特許第６８２０９６号公報には、玉縁部を有する容器が開示され、前記容器からその外側に突出する周壁面フランジが前記周縁部よりも低位置に設けられている。閉塞部材は第１の側面囲繞部を有する前記容器に取り付け可能であり、該第１の側面囲繞部は、前記周縁部の玉縁部に嵌合するように配置された該第１の周壁囲繞部に内向して設けられた受部を具備する。第２の周壁囲繞部は、折損可能なように前記第１の周壁囲繞部と結合され、その結合部分から下方に突出すると共に、前記閉塞部材が前記容器に取り付けられる際には、前記容器のフランジに形成される凹部内に該第２の周壁囲繞部の下端部が位置決め載置される。
【０００９】
発明の要旨
本発明は容器の閉塞構造を提供するものであり、前記容器の閉塞構造は、（ｉ）底面部と、周壁面部と、前記周壁面部の上端部を形成し、且つ、前記容器の開口部を囲繞する周縁部と、前記周壁面部と一体的に形成され、且つ、該周壁面部における前記周縁部下側を囲繞するフランジとを有する容器と、（ｉｉ）前記容器の前記開口部を覆う（ｏｖｅｒｆｉｔ）ように配置された中央部と、前記中央部と一体的に形成される第１の囲繞部と、前記第１の囲繞部から延在する第２の囲繞部と、必要に応じて前記第１の囲繞部から延在する第３の囲繞部と、を有する閉塞部材とを含み、前記第２の囲繞部は、前記第１の囲繞部又は前記第３の囲繞部が存在すれば、該第３の囲繞部のどちらか一方から取り外し可能か、あるいは、前記第１及び第３の囲繞部の両方から取り外し可能かのいずれかである容器の閉塞構造であって、前記容器の閉塞構造は、前記閉塞部材が前記容器に嵌合するときに、（ａ）前記第２又は第３の囲繞部の中の一方は、前記フランジに隣接した状態で、上方に開口する前記フランジの開口部内で押圧により嵌合され得るか、あるいは、（ｂ）前記第３の囲繞部が存在すれば、該第３の囲繞部は前記フランジと接合されることを特徴としている。
【００１０】
（ａ）において、前記フランジの前記開口部を上方に開口することにより、前記閉塞部材が前記容器に嵌合されると、前記一方の囲繞部も前記フランジの前記開口部に押圧して嵌合される。ここで、「押圧して嵌合」とは、しまり嵌め、スナップフィット（ａｓｎａｐｆｉｔ）及びくさび嵌めを含む概念である。その結果、前記配置では、前記容器と前記閉塞部材の前記囲繞部との間に、薄い刃型状の工具が挿入されることを阻止することができるので、容器の不正な開封から前記容器の中身を守ることが可能となる。
【００１１】
（ｂ）において、前記第３の縁部と前記容器のフランジとを接合することにより、例えば、前記容器に収容物を充たしてから前記閉塞部材を嵌合することが可能となるので、前記容器と前記閉塞部材の縁部との間に薄い刃型状の工具が挿入されることを阻止することができ、容器の不正な開封から前記容器の中身を守ることが可能となる。
【００１２】
発明の好適な特徴
（ａ）において、前記第２又は第３の囲繞部の先端部は、前記フランジの前記開口部に押圧により嵌合され、前記先端部は、突出する周縁部により画成され、その横断面において、該周縁部は、大径な頂部と、前記先端部の前記頂部に結合する狭い頚状部とを有し、前記フランジの前記開口部は、前記フランジ内に形成され、且つ、周囲に延在して上方に開口する円環状の溝部である。前記溝部は前記フランジの前記開口部において円環状の突起を有し、前記周縁部の前記頂部は、前記フランジの前記開口部を通過して、前記溝部内に嵌合され得るように押圧される。あるいは、（ｂ）において、前記第３の囲繞部は、溶接又は接着材により前記フランジに固着されるような形状に形成・配設され、前記フランジはその周囲に段部が形成され、前記第３の囲繞部は前記段部に配設されるような配置及び形状を有することが好ましい。
【００１３】
なお、（ｂ）において、前記接合は、超音波溶接処理を用いる仮付溶接処理又は連続シーム溶接処理により行うことが効果的である。
【００１４】
前記第２の囲繞部は、前記第１及び第３の囲繞部の間の相対的に狭い折損可能な結合部において前記第１及び／又は第３の囲繞部から取り外し可能であり、前記第２の囲繞部を取り外すことにより前記閉塞部材を前記容器から分離可能とすることが好ましい。
【００１５】
前記円環状の溝部は、前記フランジ内の周壁の段部に配置されることが好ましい。また、前記突出する周縁部は、前記第３の囲繞部から下方に延在し、前記円環状の溝部内にスナップフィット（ｓｎａｐ−ｆｉｔｔｅｄ）されることが好ましい。
【００１６】
また、玉縁部は、前記周縁部を囲繞するように一体的に形成されることが好ましい。また、前記第１の囲繞部は、該第１の囲繞部内に一体的に形成・配設される受部で前記玉縁部と係合することが好ましく、前記受部は前記玉縁部に係合するように位置決めされる。
【００１７】
また、前記第３の囲繞部は、前記第２の囲繞部の内周壁面よりも拡径の内周壁面を有することが好ましい。この場合、前記第２の囲繞部は下側端部を有することが好ましく、該下側端部は、前記段部の内側に配設される前記容器における前記フランジの壁面部に隣接して配設・形成されることが好ましい。
【００１８】
また、受部は、前記容器の前記周壁面部内に一体的に形成・位置決めされることが好ましい。このとき、前記閉塞部材が前記容器に嵌合し、該閉塞部材に力が作用する場合、例えば、容器を積み重ねる場合においては、該閉塞部材には、前記容器の周縁部内に位置決めされ、前記受部と係合するように配設される内側囲繞部が形成されていることが好ましい。また、前記内側囲繞部は、前記容器の前記周壁面部の内表面に隣接して配設されるか、あるいは、前記容器の前記周壁面部に対して斜方向に配設されるかのいずれかにすればよい。
【００１９】
また、前記閉塞部材の中央部は底面及び周壁を有する凹部が形成されている。この場合、前記閉塞部材は、前記凹部の前記周壁と前記内側囲繞部とを互いに接続する放射状に延在する板部が形成されていることが好ましい。
【００２０】
また、前記突出する周縁部は、（ｂ）における前記第２又は第３の囲繞部と前記容器のフランジとの接合と同様の方法により、前記容器のフランジと接合することも可能である。
【００２１】
本発明の好適な実施の形態の一例は、添付された図面を参照しながら詳細に説明されるが、本発明はその他の実施の形態も包含するものである。
【００２２】
好適な実施の形態の詳細な説明
図１及び図２に示すように、本発明に係る第１実施形態の容器の閉塞構造は、容器１０と、閉塞部材１１と、前記容器に結合して旋回自在な取手１２とを含む。前記容器及び前記閉塞部材は、ポリプロピレン又は高密度ポリエチレンから成形される。前記取手は、スチール又はプラスチック材料から形成される。前記容器は、所望の大きさに成形可能であり、その容積は、概ね、４〜２５リットル程度である。
【００２３】
容器１０は、前記閉塞部材の凹部１４内に配設されるような大きさの底面部１３を有し、閉塞構造を備えた複数個の前記容器を、互いに積み重ねることができるようになっている。前記容器は周壁面部１５を有すると共に、周縁部１６は該周壁面部１５の上端部を形成し、前記容器の開口部を囲繞している。
【００２４】
周縁部１６を囲繞するように、玉縁部１７が該周縁部１６と一体的に形成されている。前記玉縁部は、周壁面部１５の外表面と結合する下面１８を有する。
【００２５】
周壁面部１５を囲繞するように、円環状のフランジ１９が前記容器の周壁面部１５と一体的に形成されている。前記フランジは玉縁部１７の位置から垂下して配設され、２つの壁面部２０、２１を有する。壁面部２０は前記容器の周壁面部１５から傾斜し、壁面部２１は前記傾斜した壁面部の外方端部から垂下して設けられている。それぞれ放射状に延在する一連の板部（Ａｓｅｒｉｅｓｏｆｒａｄｉａｌｌｙｅｘｔｅｎｄｉｎｇｗｅｂｓ）２２は、フランジ１９と前記容器の周壁面部１５とを結合している。本発明によれば、前記フランジの中、２つの壁面部２０、２１の結合部分において、段部（ｒｅｂａｔｅ）２３が形成されている。
【００２６】
閉塞部材受部２４は前記容器の周壁面部１５内に設けられ、該周壁面部１５と一体的に形成される。該受部２４は前記閉塞部材の凹部１４の位置よりも下方に配設される。
【００２７】
閉塞部材１１は中央部２５を有し、該中央部２５は、凹部１４につながり、且つ、容器１０の前記開口部を覆う（ｏｖｅｒｆｉｔ）ような大きさに形成されている。第１の囲繞部２６は中央部２５と一体的に形成され、前記容器の玉縁部１７を囲繞して嵌合するような大きさに形成されている。円環状の玉縁受部２７は第１の囲繞部２６内に配設され、該第１の囲繞部２６と一体的に形成されている。該玉縁受部２７は、前記閉塞部材を前記容器に取り付けるときには、前記容器の玉縁部１７の下面１８に係合するように位置決めされる。
【００２８】
第１の囲繞部２６は、玉縁受部２７から外方に突出する内表面２８を有する。該内表面２８は、その輪郭がゆるやかな曲線状に形成されている。前記容器から前記閉塞部材を持ち上げ可能となるように、内表面２８は人の指に対応するような形状に形成されている。また、前記閉塞部材が前記容器に押圧された際に、該閉塞部材と該容器との摺動及び係合が容易となるように、内表面２８の形状が定められている。
【００２９】
前記容器の玉縁部１７も、前記閉塞部材が前記容器に押圧された際に、該閉塞部材と該容器との摺動及び係合が円滑且つ容易となるような方法で形成されている。
【００３０】
第２の囲繞部２９は第１の囲繞部２６から突出して設けられ、一体成形された薄い結合板部３０を介して該第１の囲繞部２６から折損可能な状態で結合されている。また、第１実施形態では、第３の囲繞部３１が第２の囲繞部２９から延在して形成され、該第３の囲繞部３１は、一体成形された板部３２を介して該第２の囲繞部２９から折損可能な状態で結合されている。
【００３１】
第３の囲繞部３１はフランジ１９の段部２２内に配設されるようなサイズに形成されているので、前記容器に収容物が充たされた状態で、閉塞部材１１を容器１０に嵌合させたときに、初めて、該第３の囲繞部３１を前記容器のフランジ１９と接合させることが可能である。
【００３２】
第３の囲繞部３１とフランジ１９とは、これらの間に図示しないシーリング材を注入するか、あるいは、段部２２内に第３の囲繞部３１を溶接することにより接合してもよい。後者の方法は、仮付溶接処理あるいは連続シーム溶接により実現できる。溶接は、様々な方法で実現できる。例えば、前記容器の閉塞構造を前記容器の垂直軸を中心に回転させながら、ノズル３３から溶接されるべき箇所に対して電気加熱された空気を吹き付けてもよい。
【００３３】
第３の囲繞部３１は、第２の囲繞部２９の内周壁面３５よりも拡径の内周壁面３４を有する。その結果、第２の囲繞部２９における下側境界の端部３６は、フランジ１９の傾斜した壁面部２０の上側に位置決めされる。
【００３４】
これまで説明してきたように、第１実施形態では、第３の囲繞部３１がフランジ１９と接合されると、第１〜第３の囲繞部２６、２９、３１のいずれか、あるいはそれらのすべてと、前記容器の壁面部１５との間に、こじ開け用の刃（ｐｒｉｓｉｎｇｂｌａｄｅ）又は他の工具を挿入することが不可能となる。そのため、最初に第２の囲繞部２９を除去することによってのみ、前記閉塞部材は取り外し可能であり、これにより、前記容器から該閉塞部材を取り外す行為が行われたことを示す痕跡を残すことができる。
【００３５】
図１に示すように、第２の囲繞部２９には、切裂片として形成される切裂タブ３７が設けられる。
【００３６】
図３は図２に示す配置の一部変形例を示す。図示するように、第３の囲繞部３１には受部３８が形成され、該受部３８は段部２２の補助凹部３９内に配設されるようなサイズに形成されている。このような構造は、前記閉塞部材と前記容器との接着を不要にしたい場合、及び／又は前記閉塞部材と前記容器との間に作用する機械的結合力を強化する必要がある場合において設けられる。
【００３７】
図２に示すように、閉塞部材１１には内縁部４０が一体的に形成される。該内縁部４０は、閉塞部材１１が容器１０に取り付けられて前記閉塞部材受部の方向に荷重が掛かるときに、前記容器の周縁部１６内に位置決めされ、該容器の閉塞部材受部２４で支持されるようなサイズに形成して配設される。内縁部４０と該内縁部４０の外側にある第１の囲繞部２６とは、周縁部１６を位置決めする通路４１を形成し、該通路４１は、その一部が図示しないガスケット型の弾性シーリング材で充填される。
【００３８】
内縁部４０は、放射状に延在する板部４３により、前記閉塞部材の凹部１４における周壁面４２に結合される。
【００３９】
図４は、図２に示す構造の変形例を示し、内縁部４０は、前記閉塞部材の中央部２５と前記容器の閉塞部材受部２４との間で、斜方向に延在して形成されている。この場合、第２の内縁部４４は、通路４１の内側端部を画成し、前記容器の周壁面１５の内表面を封止するように設けられる。一方、図４で図示しない板部４３は、壁面部４２と内縁部４０及び／又は第２の内縁部４４とを結合することが可能である。
【００４０】
図５及び図６を参照しながら、前述した構成要素と同様の構成要素に同一の参照符号を付けた本発明に係る容器の閉塞構造の第２の実施形態について説明する。
【００４１】
本実施形態において、囲繞部構造体４８は、第１の囲繞部２６と第２の囲繞部２９とを有し、必要に応じて第３の囲繞部３１も有する。第２の囲繞部２９又はより好ましくは第３の囲繞部３１のいずれか一方は、下側に突出する周縁部５０を有する。さらに、段部２２が上向き面の円環状の溝部５２を画成するように形成され、周縁部５０は、留め金、しまり嵌め又はくさび嵌めのような、押し込んで嵌合させる構造により該溝部５２内に収容される。
【００４２】
特に、図６の横断面図に示すように、前記突出した周縁部５０は、拡張された先端部５４と、該先端部と第３の囲繞部３１とを係合する相対的に狭い頚状部５６とを有する。また、図６の横断面図より、前記円環状の溝部５２は、相対的に広い下方領域５８と、内方に突出する円環状の受部６０により生じる相対的に狭いフランジの開口部とを有する。前記囲繞部構造体では、図示のように、先端部５４と頚状部５６とが溝部５２内にぴったりと配置されている。前記溝部の内外に周縁部５０が着脱自在となるように、先端部５４及び／又は頚状部６０が十分に変形することが可能であれば、溝部５２内に対する周縁部５０の挿入が可能となる。この挿入を補助するために、面取りされた斜面６２を前記周縁部の下方領域に画成し、周縁部を挿入する間、受部６０が前記周縁部の下方領域に沿って拡開していればよい。周縁部５０及び受部６０のいずれか一方又は両方の変形は、典型的なスナップフィット（ｓｎａｐ−ｆｉｔ）を提供する。しかしながら、他の適切な嵌合構造として、しまり嵌め及びくさび嵌合を含むものも採用可能である。
【００４３】
第２実施形態において、前記第２及び第３の囲繞部は、単に第２の囲繞部に置き換えることができる。例えば、囲繞部構造体４８は、単に、第１の囲繞部２６と、該第１の囲繞部２６に折損可能に結合する囲繞部３１（図６参照）とを有する。しかしながら、第２の囲繞部２６は容易に除去可能である切裂片を形成するので、囲繞部構造体４８は３つの囲繞部から構成されることがより好ましい。
【００４４】
溝部５２内に周縁部５０を配設する前後に、第３の囲繞部３１とフランジ１９との間を、例えば、前記周縁部の外壁面と前記溝部の内壁面との間を接合してもよい。シーリング材、仮付溶接、加熱溶接、超音波溶接等も上記した説明において採用可能である。
【００４５】
本発明においては、複数の好適な実施形態を参照しながら説明したが、その他、多くの実施形態でも実施可能であることが理解されるであろう。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】
図１は、本発明の第１の容器の閉塞構造を示す組立斜視図である。
【図２】
図２は、図１を２−２の断面方向に見た閉塞構造を示す部分断面図である。
【図３】
図３は、図２に示される前記閉塞構造の一部改変を示す図である。
【図４】
図４は、図２に示される前記閉塞構造に別の改変を施した該構造の他の部分を示す図である。
【図５】
図５は、図２と同様に第２の容器の閉塞構造を示す組立断面図である。
【図６】
図６は、図５に示される閉塞構造の一部又は該構造の改変を示す図である。[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a container closing structure having a function of leaving a trace of unauthorized opening, and relates to a container closing structure that can be resealed according to circumstances.
[0002]
Description of the Prior Art A typical container closure structure according to the present invention needs to satisfy a number of incompatible requirements. That is, even when a static load and a dynamic load due to the drop and / or load movement of the container are generated, and the hermetic seal of the container is likely to be broken, the hermetic seal of the container can be maintained in a closed state. Need to provide. At the same time, the hermetic seal of the container must be sufficiently bendable and convenient to remove and replace the closure as needed. The closure structure of the container needs to be able to show traces of tampering that occurs after packing of the product and tampering that occurs before delivering the packed product to the end user. Moreover, such a tamper-evident structure must be such that it does not hinder removal when the closing member is removed from the container for a legitimate purpose.
[0003]
Therefore, a large number of container closing structures satisfying these requirements have been developed.
[0004]
U.S. Pat. No. 5,730,309 discloses a container having a beaded rim and a closure member having a peripheral wall surrounding portion surrounding the peripheral wall of the container. The peripheral wall surrounding portion is formed to have an inward receiving portion, and the receiving portion is disposed so as to be detachably fitted to the peripheral edge portion. Further, the peripheral wall surrounding portion is provided with a detachable cut piece, and the closing member is not separated from the container until the cut piece is removed. In the closing structure of US Pat. No. 5,730,309, a plurality of fitting portions are provided between the peripheral wall surrounding portion of the closing member and the contact portion on the wall surface of the container.
[0005]
French Patent No. 2599044 discloses a flange of a peripheral wall portion protruding outward and a closing member having a peripheral wall surrounding portion, wherein the closing member has a flange at the peripheral wall portion, and the flange includes: It is formed to extend from the surrounding wall surrounding portion so as to fit with the flange of the container when the closing member and the container are fitted. The flange of the peripheral wall portion is connected to the closing member by ultrasonic welding.
[0006]
Further, in the closing member, a cut line is provided at a position where the peripheral wall surrounding portion comes into contact with the central main body of the closing member. Thereby, the closing member can be removed from the container. And, in the closing structure, once the closing member is removed from the container, the container cannot be sealed again with the closing member.
[0007]
U.S. Pat. No. 4,434,907 discloses a structure similar to the closing method of French Patent No. 2,599,044. That is, a container having a surrounding flange projecting from the peripheral wall surface and a closing member having a surrounding flange projecting from the corresponding peripheral wall surface are disclosed, and the surrounding flanges are fitted to each other. In this structure, a line-of-weakening portion (a line of weakening) extending linearly is provided on the flange on the peripheral wall surface of the container, and the closing member can be separated from the container. The closure member can be reattached to the container. In this case, while the container is kept separated at the fragile portion, the bead on the inner wall surface of the surrounding portion is pushed over the remaining portion of the flange of the container.
[0008]
Australian Patent No. 682096 by the applicant of the present invention discloses a container having a bead portion, and a peripheral wall flange projecting outward from the container is provided at a lower position than the peripheral portion. A closure member is attachable to the container having a first side surround, wherein the first side surround is arranged to fit over a bead of the periphery. A receiving portion provided inwardly at the portion. The second peripheral wall surrounding portion is coupled to the first peripheral wall surrounding portion so as to be breakable, protrudes downward from the coupling portion, and when the closing member is attached to the container, A lower end portion of the second peripheral wall surrounding portion is positioned and mounted in a concave portion formed in the flange.
[0009]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a container closing structure, in which the container closing structure forms (i) a bottom portion, a peripheral wall portion, and an upper end portion of the peripheral wall portion. And a container having a peripheral portion surrounding the opening of the container, and a flange integrally formed with the peripheral wall portion and surrounding the lower side of the peripheral portion in the peripheral wall portion; (ii) A central portion disposed to cover the opening of the container, a first surrounding portion formed integrally with the central portion, and a second extending from the first surrounding portion. A closing member having a surrounding portion and, if necessary, a third surrounding portion extending from the first surrounding portion, wherein the second surrounding portion includes the first surrounding portion or the third surrounding portion. If the third surrounding portion is present, it can be removed from one of the third surrounding portions, or A container closing structure that is either removable from both the first and third surrounding portions, wherein the container closing structure is configured such that when the closing member fits into the container, (a) One of the second or third surrounding portions can be fitted by pressing in an opening of the flange that opens upward in a state adjacent to the flange, or (b) the third When the surrounding portion is present, the third surrounding portion is joined to the flange.
[0010]
In (a), when the closing member is fitted to the container by opening the opening of the flange upward, the one surrounding portion also presses and fits into the opening of the flange. Is done. Here, “pressing and fitting” is a concept including tight fitting, snap fit, and wedge fitting. As a result, in the arrangement, it is possible to prevent a thin blade-shaped tool from being inserted between the container and the surrounding portion of the closing member. It is possible to protect the contents.
[0011]
In (b), by joining the third edge portion and the flange of the container, for example, it is possible to fill the container with contents and then fit the closing member, so that the container It is possible to prevent a thin blade-shaped tool from being inserted between the container and the edge of the closing member, and to protect the contents of the container from unauthorized opening of the container.
[0012]
In a preferred feature (a) of the invention, a tip of the second or third surrounding portion is fitted into the opening of the flange by pressing, and the tip is defined by a projecting peripheral edge. In its cross-section, the periphery has a large diameter top and a narrow neck connected to the top of the tip, the opening of the flange being formed in the flange; And it is an annular groove which extends around and opens upward. The groove has an annular protrusion at the opening of the flange, and the top of the peripheral portion is pressed to pass through the opening of the flange and fit into the groove. . Alternatively, in (b), the third surrounding portion is formed and arranged so as to be fixed to the flange by welding or an adhesive, and the flange is formed with a step around its periphery, Preferably, the surrounding portion 3 has an arrangement and a shape such that the surrounding portion is disposed on the step portion.
[0013]
In (b), it is effective that the joining is performed by tack welding using ultrasonic welding or continuous seam welding.
[0014]
The second surrounding portion is detachable from the first and / or third surrounding portion at a relatively narrow breakable connection between the first and third surrounding portions, and the second surrounding portion is detachable from the second surrounding portion. It is preferable that the closing member can be separated from the container by removing the surrounding portion.
[0015]
It is preferable that the annular groove is arranged at a step of a peripheral wall in the flange. Preferably, the protruding peripheral portion extends downward from the third surrounding portion and is snap-fitted into the annular groove.
[0016]
Preferably, the bead portion is formed integrally so as to surround the peripheral portion. Further, it is preferable that the first surrounding portion is engaged with the bead portion by a receiving portion integrally formed and arranged in the first surrounding portion, and the receiving portion is attached to the bead portion. It is positioned to engage.
[0017]
Further, it is preferable that the third surrounding portion has an inner peripheral wall surface which is larger in diameter than the inner peripheral wall surface of the second surrounding portion. In this case, it is preferable that the second surrounding portion has a lower end, and the lower end is disposed adjacent to a wall surface of the flange in the container disposed inside the step portion. Preferably, it is provided and formed.
[0018]
Further, it is preferable that the receiving portion is integrally formed and positioned in the peripheral wall portion of the container. At this time, when the closing member is fitted into the container and a force acts on the closing member, for example, when stacking containers, the closing member is positioned in the peripheral portion of the container, and Preferably, an inner surrounding portion is formed to be engaged with the portion. Further, the inner surrounding portion is disposed adjacent to an inner surface of the peripheral wall portion of the container, or is disposed obliquely to the peripheral wall portion of the container. You can do it.
[0019]
In addition, a concave portion having a bottom surface and a peripheral wall is formed at a central portion of the closing member. In this case, it is preferable that the closing member is formed with a radially extending plate portion that connects the peripheral wall of the concave portion and the inner surrounding portion to each other.
[0020]
Further, the protruding peripheral portion may be joined to the flange of the container by the same method as the joining of the second or third surrounding portion and the flange of the container in (b).
[0021]
One example of a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, but the present invention includes other embodiments.
[0022]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the container closing structure according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes a container 10, a closing member 11, and a container. And a handle 12 which can be pivoted in combination. The container and the closure are molded from polypropylene or high density polyethylene. The handle is formed from a steel or plastic material. The container can be formed into a desired size, and its volume is generally about 4 to 25 liters.
[0023]
The container 10 has a bottom portion 13 sized so as to be disposed in the recess 14 of the closing member, so that a plurality of containers having a closing structure can be stacked on each other. . The container has a peripheral wall portion 15 and a peripheral portion 16 forms an upper end portion of the peripheral wall portion 15 and surrounds an opening of the container.
[0024]
A bead portion 17 is formed integrally with the peripheral portion 16 so as to surround the peripheral portion 16. The bead has a lower surface 18 which is coupled to the outer surface of the peripheral wall 15.
[0025]
An annular flange 19 is formed integrally with the peripheral wall portion 15 of the container so as to surround the peripheral wall portion 15. The flange is suspended from the position of the bead portion 17 and has two wall portions 20 and 21. The wall portion 20 is inclined from the peripheral wall portion 15 of the container, and the wall portion 21 is provided to hang down from the outer end of the inclined wall portion. A series of radially extending webs 22 each extending radially connect the flange 19 to the peripheral wall 15 of the container. According to the present invention, a step 23 is formed at the joint of the two wall portions 20 and 21 in the flange.
[0026]
The closing member receiving portion 24 is provided in the peripheral wall portion 15 of the container, and is formed integrally with the peripheral wall portion 15. The receiving portion 24 is disposed below the position of the concave portion 14 of the closing member.
[0027]
The closure member 11 has a central portion 25, which is sized to connect to the recess 14 and to cover the opening of the container 10. The first surrounding portion 26 is formed integrally with the central portion 25 and is sized so as to surround and fit the bead portion 17 of the container. The annular bead receiving portion 27 is provided in the first surrounding portion 26 and is formed integrally with the first surrounding portion 26. The bead receiving portion 27 is positioned so as to engage with the lower surface 18 of the bead 17 of the container when the closing member is attached to the container.
[0028]
The first surrounding portion 26 has an inner surface 28 protruding outward from the bead receiving portion 27. The inner surface 28 is formed in a gentle curved shape. The inner surface 28 is shaped to correspond to a human finger so that the closure member can be lifted from the container. The shape of the inner surface 28 is determined so that when the closing member is pressed against the container, the closing member and the container can easily slide and engage with each other.
[0029]
The bead 17 of the container is also formed in such a way that when the closing member is pressed against the container, the sliding and engagement between the closing member and the container is smooth and easy.
[0030]
The second surrounding portion 29 is provided so as to protrude from the first surrounding portion 26, and is connected to the first surrounding portion 26 in a breakable state via an integrally formed thin connecting plate portion 30. In the first embodiment, the third surrounding portion 31 is formed to extend from the second surrounding portion 29, and the third surrounding portion 31 is connected to the third surrounding portion 31 via the integrally formed plate portion 32. The two surrounding portions 29 are connected so as to be breakable.
[0031]
Since the third surrounding portion 31 is formed in such a size as to be disposed in the step portion 22 of the flange 19, the closing member 11 is fitted to the container 10 in a state where the container is filled with the contents. Only when joined can the third surrounding part 31 be joined to the flange 19 of the container.
[0032]
The third surrounding portion 31 and the flange 19 may be joined to each other by injecting a sealing material (not shown) therebetween or by welding the third surrounding portion 31 to the inside of the step portion 22. The latter method can be realized by tack welding or continuous seam welding. Welding can be achieved in various ways. For example, while the container closing structure is being rotated about the vertical axis of the container, electrically heated air may be blown from the nozzle 33 to a portion to be welded.
[0033]
The third surrounding portion 31 has an inner circumferential wall surface 34 whose diameter is larger than the inner circumferential wall surface 35 of the second surrounding portion 29. As a result, the end 36 of the lower boundary of the second surrounding portion 29 is positioned above the inclined wall portion 20 of the flange 19.
[0034]
As described above, in the first embodiment, when the third surrounding portion 31 is joined to the flange 19, any one of the first to third surrounding portions 26, 29, and 31, or all of them. And between the container and the wall 15 of the container, it becomes impossible to insert a prying blade or other tool. Thus, the closure can only be removed by first removing the second surrounding part 29, thereby leaving a trace indicating that the act of removing the closure from the container has been performed. it can.
[0035]
As shown in FIG. 1, the second surrounding portion 29 is provided with a tear tab 37 formed as a tear piece.
[0036]
FIG. 3 shows a partially modified example of the arrangement shown in FIG. As shown in the drawing, a receiving portion 38 is formed in the third surrounding portion 31, and the receiving portion 38 is formed in such a size as to be disposed in the auxiliary recess 39 of the step portion 22. Such a structure is provided when it is necessary to eliminate the need for adhesion between the closing member and the container, and / or when it is necessary to increase the mechanical coupling force acting between the closing member and the container. .
[0037]
As shown in FIG. 2, an inner edge portion 40 is formed integrally with the closing member 11. The inner edge portion 40 is positioned within the peripheral portion 16 of the container when the closing member 11 is attached to the container 10 and a load is applied in the direction of the closing member receiving portion. It is formed and arranged in a size to be supported. The inner edge portion 40 and the first surrounding portion 26 outside the inner edge portion 40 form a passage 41 for positioning the peripheral portion 16, and the passage 41 is partially formed of a gasket-type elastic sealing material (not shown). Filled with.
[0038]
The inner edge portion 40 is joined to the peripheral wall surface 42 of the recess 14 of the closing member by a plate portion 43 extending radially.
[0039]
FIG. 4 shows a modification of the structure shown in FIG. 2, wherein an inner edge portion 40 is formed to extend obliquely between the central portion 25 of the closing member and the closing member receiving portion 24 of the container. ing. In this case, the second inner edge 44 defines an inner end of the passage 41 and is provided to seal the inner surface of the peripheral wall 15 of the container. On the other hand, the plate portion 43 not shown in FIG. 4 can connect the wall surface portion 42 to the inner edge portion 40 and / or the second inner edge portion 44.
[0040]
With reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, a second embodiment of the container closing structure according to the present invention in which components similar to those described above are denoted by the same reference numerals will be described.
[0041]
In the present embodiment, the surrounding portion structure 48 has the first surrounding portion 26 and the second surrounding portion 29, and also has the third surrounding portion 31 as necessary. Either the second surrounding portion 29 or more preferably the third surrounding portion 31 has a peripheral edge portion 50 protruding downward. Further, the step 22 is formed so as to define an annular groove 52 having an upwardly facing surface, and the peripheral edge 50 is formed by a push-fitting structure such as a clasp, a close fit or a wedge fit. Housed within.
[0042]
In particular, as shown in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 6, the protruding perimeter 50 has an enlarged distal end 54 and a relatively narrow neck that engages the distal end with the third surrounding portion 31. A portion 56. 6, the annular groove 52 has a relatively wide lower region 58 and a relatively narrow flange opening formed by the annular receiving portion 60 protruding inward. Have. In the surrounding part structure, the tip part 54 and the neck part 56 are arranged exactly in the groove part 52 as shown in the figure. If the distal end portion 54 and / or the neck portion 60 can be sufficiently deformed so that the peripheral portion 50 can be detachably attached to the inside and outside of the groove portion, the peripheral portion 50 can be inserted into the groove portion 52. Become. To assist in this insertion, a chamfered slope 62 is defined in the area below the peripheral edge, and during insertion of the peripheral edge, the receiving portion 60 expands along the area below the peripheral edge. Just fine. Deformation of either or both the perimeter 50 and the receiver 60 provides a typical snap-fit. However, other suitable mating structures including tight fits and wedge fits may be employed.
[0043]
In the second embodiment, the second and third surrounding portions can be simply replaced with a second surrounding portion. For example, the surrounding portion structure 48 simply includes the first surrounding portion 26 and the surrounding portion 31 (see FIG. 6) that is breakably coupled to the first surrounding portion 26. However, the surrounding structure 48 is more preferably composed of three surroundings, since the second surrounding portion 26 forms a tear piece that can be easily removed.
[0044]
Before and after arranging the peripheral edge portion 50 in the groove portion 52, the space between the third surrounding portion 31 and the flange 19, for example, between the outer wall surface of the peripheral edge portion and the inner wall surface of the groove portion may be joined. Good. Sealing materials, tack welding, heat welding, ultrasonic welding, and the like are also applicable in the above description.
[0045]
Although the present invention has been described with reference to a plurality of preferred embodiments, it will be understood that many other embodiments are possible.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG.
FIG. 1 is an assembled perspective view showing the first container closing structure of the present invention.
FIG. 2
FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view showing the closing structure when FIG. 1 is viewed in the cross-sectional direction of 2-2.
FIG. 3
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a partial modification of the closing structure shown in FIG.
FIG. 4
FIG. 4 is a view showing another part of the closed structure shown in FIG. 2 in which another modification is made.
FIG. 5
FIG. 5 is an assembled sectional view showing the closing structure of the second container similarly to FIG.
FIG. 6
FIG. 6 is a view showing a part of the occlusion structure shown in FIG. 5 or a modification of the structure.

Claims

In the closed structure of the container,
(I) a bottom portion, a peripheral wall portion, an upper edge portion of the peripheral wall portion, and a peripheral edge portion surrounding the opening of the container; and a peripheral edge portion formed integrally with the peripheral wall portion; A container having a flange surrounding the lower side of the peripheral portion in the peripheral wall portion,
(Ii) a central portion arranged to cover the opening of the container, a first surrounding portion formed integrally with the central portion, and extending from the first surrounding portion. A closing member having a second surrounding portion, and a third surrounding portion extending from the first surrounding portion as necessary,
The first surrounding portion surrounds the peripheral portion when the closing member fits into the container,
The second surrounding portion can be separated from either the first surrounding portion or the third surrounding portion, if the third surrounding portion exists, or the first and third surrounding portions can be separated from each other. A container closure structure that is either separable from both of the surrounding parts,
The closing structure of the container, when the closing member is fitted to the container,
(A) one of the second or third surrounding portions is fitted into the opening of the flange which opens upward by pressing in a state adjacent to the flange, or
(B) The container closing structure, wherein if the third surrounding portion exists, the third surrounding portion is joined to the flange.

The container closure structure according to claim 1,
The container closing structure according to (a), wherein a distal end of the second or third surrounding portion is fitted by being pressed into the opening of the flange.

The container closure structure according to claim 2,
The tip is defined by a projecting perimeter, and in cross-section, the perimeter has a large diameter top and a narrow neck connected to the top of the tip;
The opening of the flange is an annular groove formed in the flange, extending around and opening upward,
The groove includes an annular protrusion at the opening of the flange,
The container closing structure, wherein the top portion of the peripheral portion is pressed so as to pass through the opening of the flange and fit into the groove in the opening.

The container closure structure according to claim 1,
(B) wherein the third surrounding portion is formed and arranged in a shape to be fixed to the flange by welding or an adhesive, and is disposed.

The container closure structure according to claim 4,
A stepped portion is formed around the flange, and the third surrounding portion has an arrangement and a shape such that the third surrounding portion is disposed on the stepped portion.

The container closure structure according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
The second surrounding portion is detachable from the first and / or third surrounding portion at a relatively narrow breakable connection between the first and third surrounding portions, and the second surrounding portion is detachable from the second surrounding portion. Characterized in that the surrounding member can be removed so that the closing member can be separated from the container.

The container closing structure according to claim 3,
A stepped portion of a peripheral wall on which the annular groove is provided, is formed in the flange, wherein the container is closed.

The container closure structure according to claim 3 or 7,
The projecting peripheral portion extends downward from the third surrounding portion and is snap-fitted into the annular groove.

The container closure structure according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
A bead portion is integrally formed so as to surround the peripheral edge portion, and the first surrounding portion has a receiving portion integrally formed and disposed in the first surrounding portion,
The container closing structure, wherein the receiving portion is positioned so as to engage with the bead portion, and the first surrounding portion is engaged with the bead portion in the receiving portion.

The container closure structure according to claim 5 or 7,
When the third surrounding portion is present, the third surrounding portion has an inner peripheral wall surface that is larger in diameter than the inner peripheral wall surface of the second surrounding portion,
The second surround has a lower end,
The container closing structure, wherein the lower end portion is formed to be disposed adjacent to a wall portion of the flange in the container disposed inside the step portion.

The container closure structure according to any one of claims 1 to 10,
A receiving portion integrally formed in the peripheral wall portion of the container is provided,
When the closing member is fitted to the container and a force acts on the closing member, the closing member is positioned within the peripheral portion of the container and is disposed to engage with the receiving portion. A closed structure for a container, wherein an inner surrounding portion is formed.

The container closing structure according to claim 11,
The inner surrounding portion is either disposed adjacent to the inner surface of the peripheral wall portion of the container or disposed obliquely to the peripheral wall portion of the container. A container closing structure characterized by the above-mentioned.

The container closing structure according to claim 11 or 12,
A concave portion having a bottom surface and a peripheral wall is formed at a central portion of the closing member, and the closing member is formed with a radially extending plate portion that connects the peripheral wall and the inner surrounding portion of the concave portion to each other. A container closing structure, characterized in that:

The container closing structure according to claim 3,
The projecting peripheral portion is joined to the flange of the container by the same method as the joining of the second or third surrounding portion and the flange of the container in (b). Construction.