U.S. patent application number 10/561977 was filed with the patent office on 2007-03-22 for container opening structure, container provide with the opening structure and method of manufacturing the opening structure.
This patent application is currently assigned to TOYO SEIKAN KAISHA., LTD.. Invention is credited to Tomomi Kobayashi, Kouji Nagata, Kenich Takao.
Application Number | 20070062952 10/561977 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 33556159 |
Filed Date | 2007-03-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070062952 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kobayashi; Tomomi ; et
al. |
March 22, 2007 |
Container opening structure, container provide with the opening
structure and method of manufacturing the opening structure
Abstract
An opening structure of a container easily performs the opening
and the resealing. The container continuously and integrally forms
a cap portion and a pouring portion. Due to a radial deformation of
an easy-to-break portion which is present in a boundary between the
cap portion and the pouring portion, the easy-to-break portion is
broken and hence the cap portion and the pouring portion are
separated, thus opening the container. A manufacturing method for
the novel container is also provided.
Inventors: |
Kobayashi; Tomomi;
(Kanagawa, JP) ; Takao; Kenich; (Kanagawa, JP)
; Nagata; Kouji; (Kanagawa, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BROWDY AND NEIMARK, P.L.L.C.;624 NINTH STREET, NW
SUITE 300
WASHINGTON
DC
20001-5303
US
|
Assignee: |
TOYO SEIKAN KAISHA., LTD.
3-1, Uchisaiwaicho 1-chome Chiyoda-ku
Tokyo
JP
100-8522
|
Family ID: |
33556159 |
Appl. No.: |
10/561977 |
Filed: |
June 25, 2004 |
PCT Filed: |
June 25, 2004 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/JP04/09036 |
371 Date: |
June 19, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
220/288 ;
215/252; 220/906 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B21D 51/50 20130101;
B29L 2031/565 20130101; B65D 41/34 20130101; B29C 67/0022 20130101;
B29C 57/02 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/288 ;
215/252; 220/906 |
International
Class: |
B65D 41/04 20060101
B65D041/04; B65D 51/00 20060101 B65D051/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jun 27, 2003 |
JP |
2003-185978 |
Sep 29, 2003 |
JP |
2003-338409 |
Apr 5, 2004 |
JP |
2004-111620 |
Claims
1. An opening structure of the container which continuously and
integrally forms a cap portion and a pouring portion, wherein due
to a radial deformation of an easy-to-break portion which is
present in a boundary between the cap portion and the pouring
portion, the easy-to-break portion is broken and hence, the cap
portion and the pouring portion are separated thus opening the
container.
2. The opening structure of a container according to claim 1,
wherein a deflection deformation portion is provided in the
vicinity of the easy-to-break portion, the deflection deformation
portion is deformed by pressing in the inside direction from the
outside thus generating the radial deformation of the easy-to-break
portion.
3. The opening structure of a container according to claim 1,
wherein the cap portion and the pouring portion are continuously
and integrally formed of an inner wall, an intermediate wall which
is folded back downwardly from an upper end portion of the inner
wall, and an outer wall which is folded back upwardly from a lower
end portion of the intermediate wall, and the easy-to-break portion
is formed on the outer wall.
4. The opening structure of a container according to claim 3,
wherein the deflection deformation portion is provided in a gap
defined between the outer wall and the intermediate wall and/or in
a gap defined between the intermediate wall and the inner wall.
5. The opening structure of a container according to claim 1,
wherein the cap portion includes a cylindrical cover portion which
is contiguously integrally formed with the easy-to-break portion
and a disc-like ceiling plate portion which covers an opening
portion of the pouring portion, and thread portions are formed on
the cylindrical cover portion and the pouring portion which is
contiguously formed with the cover portion.
6. The opening structure of a container according to claim 5,
wherein along with the rotation of the cap portion in the cap
opening direction from a cap-sealed state, a gap generated between
the thread grooves of the pouring portion and the thread crests of
the cap portion is gradually enlarged.
7. The opening structure of a container according to claim 6,
wherein a width of the thread grooves of the pouring portion and a
width of the thread grooves of the cap portion are gradually
decreased downwardly.
8. The opening structure of a container according to claim 6,
wherein a depth of the thread grooves of the pouring portion and a
height of the thread crests of the cap portion are gradually
decreased downwardly.
9. The opening structure of a container according to claim 6,
wherein a width of the thread grooves of the pouring portion and a
width of the thread crests of the cap portion are gradually
decreased downwardly, and a depth of the thread grooves of the
pouring portion and a height of the thread crests of the cap
portion are gradually decreased downwardly.
10. The opening structure of a container according to claim 1,
wherein the cap portion includes a cylindrical cover portion which
is contiguously integrally formed with the easy-to-break portion
and a disc-like ceiling plate portion which covers an opening
portion of the pouring portion, and an undercut portion is formed
in the cylindrical cover portion.
11. The opening structure of a container according to claim 1,
wherein a sealing material is arranged between an upper portion of
an inner surface of the cap portion and the pouring portion.
12. The opening structure of a container according to claim 1,
wherein sub scores are formed adjacent to the easy-to-break
portion.
13. The opening structure of a container according to claim 1,
wherein the deflection rigidity of the deflection deformation
portion is set non-uniform in the circumferential direction.
14. The opening structure of a container according to claim 13,
wherein the deflection deformation portion is embossed.
15. The opening structure of a container according to claim 1,
wherein an unopened guarantee material is provided to or in the
vicinity of the deflection deformation portion or to or in the
vicinity of the easy-to-break portion.
16. A container being characterized by including the opening
structure of a container described in claim 1.
17. A manufacturing method of an opening structure of a container,
an enlarged-diameter portion is formed by enlarging a diameter of a
cylindrical portion from the inside to the outside thereof, an
easy-to-break portion is formed on the enlarged-diameter portion,
the cylindrical portion is pressurized in the height direction such
that an intermediate wall expecting portion which is formed on a
center portion of the cylindrical portion in the height direction
is formed into an intermediate wall, an outer wall expecting
portion is folded back from above such that the outer wall
expecting portion is arranged on an outermost side and forms an
outer wall thus forming a projecting portion which is formed of
cylindrical triplicate walls consisting of an inner wall, an
intermediate wall and the outer wall, and a deflection deformation
portion is formed between the outer wall and the intermediate wall
and/or between the intermediate wall and the inner wall, and
engaging portions are formed on the projecting portion.
18. The manufacturing method of an opening structure of a container
according to claim 17, wherein in forming the enlarged-diameter
portion by enlarging the cylindrical portion from the inside to the
outside, a bulged annular portion is formed in the vicinity of a
boundary between the outer wall expecting portion and the
intermediate wall expecting portion, and a connecting portion
having a diameter larger than a diameter of the intermediate wall
expecting portion is provided below the bulged annular portion.
19. The manufacturing method of an opening structure of a container
according to claim 17, wherein sub scores are formed adjacent to
the easy-to-break portion.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to an opening structure of a
container, a container provided with the opening structure and a
method of manufacturing the opening structure, and more
particularly to an opening structure of a container such as a juice
can, a beer can, a carbonated drink can, a coffer drink can, a tea
drink can, an edible oil can, a seasoning can or the like, which
exhibits the excellent opening property and enables easy opening
and closing thereof, a container provided with such an opening
structure, and a method of manufacturing the opening structure.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] Conventionally, as the above-mentioned hermetically sealed
container such as the juice can, the beer can, the carbonated drink
can, the coffer drink can, the tea drink can, the edible oil can,
the seasoning can or the like, a container which seams an easily
openable lid to an opening end portion of a container body has been
popularly used. An easy-to-break portion (scores) which partitions
a lid body and the opening portion is formed in the easily openable
lid, wherein by breaking and pushing the easy-to-break portion
downward using a pinching tab which is fixedly mounted on a lid
body by riveting, a pouring portion which constitutes an outlet for
drinking is formed.
[0003] With respect to such a conventional hermetically sealed
container, however, when some beverage remains in the container
after drinking, it is unable to reseal the opening portion and
hence, there has been a drawback that it requires time and efforts
to throw away the remaining beverage or to move the beverage in the
container to a cup or the like and to preserve the beverage in a
refrigerator. Alternatively, there has been a drawback that a
foreign substance adheres to the easy-to-open lid thus easily
giving rise to an unhygienic situation.
[0004] Accordingly, there has been made the development of the
hermetic container which allows the resealing of the pouring
portion. For example, in patent document 1, there is disclosed can
container having a resealing cap in which a fragile portion is
broken in a metal-made can container and a portion surrounded by
the fragile portion is pushed to the inside of a can body thus
opening a pouring opening and, at the same time, a resin-made cap
for resealing the opened pour opening is detachably mounted on the
opening portion of a container can lid.
[0005] In the container described in patent document 1, the pouring
opening is opened such that the cap is mounted and removed by the
engagement between the opening portion of the can lid and the first
cylindrical portion of the cap. At the same time, the pushbutton
portion and the plug portion are displaced downwardly by causing
the elastic deformation of the movable connecting portion by
pushing the pushbutton portion of the cap with a finger from above.
As a result, with respect to a metal-made container which has a
substantially annular breakable fragile portion (scores) except for
one portion which constitutes a hinge portion, the fragile portion
is broken and a portion surrounded by the fragile portion is pushed
downwardly into the inside of the can body and hence, a pouring
mouth is opened. Further, in resealing the pouring portion which is
opened, the movable connecting portion is made to get over a dead
point and to turn downwardly due to the elastic deformation so that
the flange portion of the cap is brought into close contact with an
upper end surface of the opening portion of the can lid thus
enabling sealing of the pouring portion.
[0006] However, with respect to the container described in patent
document 1, the resin-made cap is constituted separately from the
container body and hence, there arises a drawback that steps for
manufacturing the container become cumbersome thus worsening the
productivity. Further, the metal-made can container and the
resin-made cap are made of materials different from each other and
hence, there arises a drawback that it is necessary to separate
them in discarding the container thus giving rise to a drawback
that the discarding operation is cumbersome and exhibits the poor
recycling property.
[0007] Further, there exists a drawback that since the cap exhibits
the poor durability during use thereof, also due to vibrations and
impacts which the container receives during the transportation
before use or the like, the cap may be removed from the container
body.
[0008] Further, there exists a drawback that since the
easy-to-break portion is opened by pushing the push button of the
cap from above with the finger at the time of opening the pouring
portion, it is difficult for an infant, an aged person or the like
who lacks the strength and shows an unsteady hand motion to open
the pouring portion and, at the same time, since a user cannot
confirm an opened state until the user removes the cap, the
container lacks the reliability of opening. Still further, there
exists a drawback that, at the time of resealing, foreign
substances such as dust or debris stay or are adhered to a joint
portion between the cap portion and the pouring portion and hence,
the container becomes unhygienic.
[0009] We have made a development to overcome the above-mentioned
drawbacks and eventually have developed an opening structure of a
container described in patent document 2 and have already filed a
patent application thereon. The opening structure of the container
described in patent document 2 is characterized in that a pouring
portion and a cap portion are continuously integrally formed and,
at the same time, an easy-to-break portion is formed.
[0010] In opening the opening structure of the container described
in patent document 2, a user grasps an outer wall of the opening
structure and rotates the opening structure so as to impart a
shearing force to the opening structure. Due to such a shearing
force, the easy-to-break portion is broken and a cap portion is
independently rotated with respect to an intermediate wall thus
opening and separating the cap portion. Further, when some beverage
remains in the container after drinking at the time of resealing
the container, the outer wall is fitted on the intermediate wall
and is rotated so as to surely fix both of the outer wall and the
intermediate wall by means of thread engaging portions respectively
formed on the outer wall and the intermediate wall thus sealing the
container.
[0011] According to the opening structure of the container
described in patent document 2, although the opening structure
exhibits the excellent productivity at the time of manufacturing
containers and the excellent durability, a finger is required to
generate a rotational force to some extent at the time of opening
the container.
[Patent Document 1]
[0012] Japanese Laid-open 2000-296866
[0013] International Publication W003/057583
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
[0014] The present invention has been made to solve the
above-mentioned drawbacks and it is an object of the present
invention to provide an opening structure of a container which
exhibits the excellent opening ability which allows easy opening
and resealing, a container provided with the opening structure, and
a manufacturing method of the opening structure.
[0015] Inventors of the present invention have made extensive
studies to obtain the above-mentioned object and have arrived at
the present invention based on a finding that the opening property
can be enhanced by adopting the opening structure of a container
which is openable due to a radial deformation of an easy-to-break
portion.
[0016] With respect to an opening structure of a container
described in claim 1, in the opening structure of the container
which continuously and integrally forms a cap portion and a pouring
portion, due to a radial deformation of an easy-to-break portion
which is present in a boundary between the cap portion and the
pouring portion, the easy-to-break portion is broken and hence, the
cap portion and the pouring portion are separated thus opening the
container.
[0017] The opening structure of a container described in claim 2
is, in the constitution described in claim 1, characterized in that
a deflection deformation portion is provided in the vicinity of the
easy-to-break portion, the deflection deformation portion is
deformed by being pushed in the inside direction from the outside
thus generating the radial deformation of the easy-to-break
portion.
[0018] The opening structure of a container described in claim 3
is, in the constitution described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in
that the cap portion and the pouring portion are continuously and
integrally formed of an inner wall, an intermediate wall which is
folded back downwardly from an upper end portion of the inner wall,
and an outer wall which is folded back upwardly from a lower end
portion of the intermediate wall, and the easy-to-break portion is
formed on the outer wall.
[0019] The opening structure of a container described in claim 4
is, in the constitution described in claim 3, characterized in that
the deflection deformation portion is provided in a gap defined
between the outer wall and the intermediate wall and/or in a gap
defined between the intermediate wall and the inner wall.
[0020] The opening structure of a container described in claim 5
is, in the constitution described in any one of claims 1 to 4,
characterized in that the cap portion includes a cylindrical cover
portion which is contiguously integrally formed with the
easy-to-break portion and a disc-like ceiling plate portion which
covers an opening portion of the pouring portion, and thread
portions are formed on the cylindrical cover portion and the
pouring portion which is contiguously formed with the cover
portion.
[0021] The opening structure of a container described in claim 6
is, in the constitution described in claim 5, characterized in that
along with the rotation of the cap portion in the cap opening
direction from a cap-sealed state, a gap generated between the
thread grooves of the pouring portion and the thread crests of the
cap portion is formed in a gradually enlarged manner.
[0022] The opening structure of a container described in claim 7
is, in the constitution described in claim 6, characterized in that
a width of the thread grooves of the pouring portion and a width of
the thread crests of the cap portion are gradually decreased
downwardly.
[0023] The opening structure of a container described in claim 8
is, in the constitution described in claim 6, characterized in that
a depth of the thread grooves of the pouring portion and a height
of the thread crests of the cap portion are gradually decreased
downwardly.
[0024] The opening structure of a container described in claim 9
is, in the constitution described in claim 6, characterized in that
a width of the thread grooves of the pouring portion and a width of
the thread crests of the cap portion are gradually decreased
downwardly, and a depth of the thread grooves of the pouring
portion and a height of the thread crests of the cap portion are
gradually decreased downwardly.
[0025] The opening structure of a container described in claim 10
is, in the constitution described in any one of claims 1 to 4,
characterized in that the cap portion includes a cylindrical cover
portion which is contiguously integrally formed with the
easy-to-break portion and a disc-like ceiling plate portion which
covers an opening portion of the pouring portion, and an undercut
portion is formed in the cylindrical cover portion.
[0026] The opening structure of a container described in claim 11
is, in the constitution described in any one of claims 1 to 10,
characterized in that a sealing material is arranged between an
upper portion of an inner surface of the cap portion and the
pouring portion.
[0027] The opening structure of a container described in claim 12
is, in the constitution described in any one of claims 1 to 11,
characterized in that sub scores are formed adjacent to the
easy-to-break portion.
[0028] The opening structure of a container described in claim 13
is, in the constitution described in any one of claims 1 to 12,
characterized in that the deflection rigidity of the deflection
deformation portion is set non-uniform in the circumferential
direction.
[0029] The opening structure of a container described in claim 14
is, in the constitution described in claim 13, characterized in
that the deflection deformation portion is embossed.
[0030] The opening structure of a container described in claim 15
is, in the constitution described in any one of claims 1 to 14,
characterized in that an unopened guarantee material is provided to
or in the vicinity of the deflection deformation portion or to or
in the vicinity of the easy-to-break portion.
[0031] A container described in claim 16 is characterized by
including the opening structure of a container described in any one
of claims 1 to 15.
[0032] With respect to a manufacturing method of an opening
structure of a container described in claim 17, in the
manufacturing method of an opening structure of a container, an
enlarged-diameter portion is formed by enlarging a diameter of a
cylindrical portion from the inside to the outside thereof, an
easy-to-break portion is formed on the enlarged-diameter portion,
the cylindrical portion is pressurized in the height direction such
that an intermediate wall expecting portion which is formed on a
center portion of the cylindrical portion in the height direction
is formed into an intermediate wall, an outer wall expecting
portion is folded back from above such that the outer wall
expecting portion is arranged on an outermost side and forms an
outer wall thus forming a projecting portion which is formed of
cylindrical triplicate walls consisting of an inner wall, an
intermediate wall and the outer wall, a deflection deformation
portion is formed between the outer wall and the intermediate wall
and/or between the intermediate wall and the inner wall, and
engaging portions are formed on the projecting portion.
[0033] The manufacturing method of an opening structure of a
container according to claim 18 is, in the constitution described
in claim 17, in forming the enlarged-diameter portion by enlarging
the cylindrical portion from the inside to the outside, a bulged
annular portion is formed in the vicinity of a boundary between the
outer wall expecting portion and the intermediate wall expecting
portion, and a connecting portion having a diameter larger than a
diameter of the intermediate wall expecting portion is provided
below the bulged annular portion.
[0034] The manufacturing method of an opening structure of a
container according to claim 19 is, in the constitution described
in claim 17 or claim 18, characterized in that sub scores are
formed adjacent to the easy-to-break portion.
[0035] According to the opening structure of a container of the
present invention, the opening structure can be easily
manufactured. Further, the opening structure can achieve the
excellent recycle property, the excellent prevention of removal of
the opening structure during the transportation, the excellent
prevention of an unauthorized opening and the excellent opening
property and can easily perform the opening and the resealing.
[0036] Further, according to the manufacturing method of the
opening structure of the container of the present invention, it is
possible to easily manufacture the above-mentioned opening
structure of the above-mentioned container.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0037] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an essential part
showing an opening structure of a container of an embodiment 1 of
the present invention;
[0038] FIG. 2 is an explanatory view showing a state in which a cap
portion of the embodiment 1 is removed;
[0039] FIG. 3 is an explanatory view showing a manner of using the
opening structure of the container of the present invention;
[0040] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of an essential part
showing an opening structure of a container of an embodiment 2;
[0041] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of an essential part
showing an opening structure of a container of an embodiment 3;
[0042] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of an essential part
showing an opening structure of a container of an embodiment 4;
[0043] FIG. 7 is a partial cross-sectional view of a mode 1 of the
opening structure which forms a gas leaking passage therein;
[0044] FIG. 8 is a partial cross-sectional view of a cap-opened
state after opening a cap in the mode 1 of the opening structure
which forms the gas leaking passage therein;
[0045] FIG. 9 is a partial cross-sectional view of a mode 2 of the
opening structure which forms a gas leaking passage therein;
[0046] FIG. 10 is a partial cross-sectional view of a cap-opened
state after opening a cap in the mode 2 of the opening structure
which forms the gas leaking passage therein;
[0047] FIG. 11 is a partial cross-sectional view of a mode 3 of the
opening structure which forms a gas leaking passage therein;
[0048] FIG. 12 is a partial cross-sectional view of a cap-opened
state after opening a cap in the mode 3 of the opening structure
which forms the gas leaking passage therein;
[0049] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of an essential part
showing an opening structure of a container of an embodiment 5;
[0050] FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of an essential part in a
state that a cap portion of the opening structure of the container
of the embodiment 5 is separated;
[0051] FIG. 15 is a schematic explanatory view showing an example
of a sub score portion in the opening structure of the container of
the present invention;
[0052] FIG. 16 is a schematic explanatory view showing an example
of an embossed convex portion in the opening structure of the
container of the present invention;
[0053] FIG. 17 is a schematic explanatory view showing another
example of the embossed convex portion in the opening structure of
the container of the present invention;
[0054] FIG. 18 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an
example of a container which is provided with an opening structure
of the container of the present invention;
[0055] FIG. 19 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing another
example of the container which is provided with an opening
structure of the container of the present invention;
[0056] FIG. 20 is a schematic explanatory view showing an example
of a manufacturing method of the opening structure of the container
of the present invention;
[0057] FIG. 21 is a schematic explanatory view showing an example
of a manufacturing method of the opening structure of the container
of the present invention;
[0058] FIG. 22 is a schematic explanatory view showing an example
of a manufacturing method of the opening structure of the container
of the present invention;
[0059] FIG. 23 is a schematic explanatory view of bulge forming in
a third step;
[0060] FIG. 24 is a schematic explanatory view of the formation of
a bulged annular portion;
[0061] FIG. 25 is a schematic explanatory view of the formation of
a bulged annular portion;
[0062] FIG. 26 is a schematic explanatory view of a manufacturing
device;
[0063] FIG. 27 is a cross-sectional view of a score forming means
in the manufacturing device shown in FIG. 26; and
[0064] FIG. 28 is a schematic explanatory view of a manufacturing
device of another embodiment.
EXPLANATION OF SYMBOLS
[0065] 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80: opening structure of
container of embodiment [0066] 11, 21, 31, 41, 51, 63:
easy-to-break portion [0067] 12, 22, 32, 42, 52: inner wall [0068]
13, 23, 33, 43, 53: intermediate wall [0069] 14, 24, 34, 44, 54:
outer wall [0070] 11a: breaking end [0071] 11b: sub score [0072]
12a: upper end portion [0073] 13a: lower end portion [0074] 14a:
lower close-contact portion [0075] 14b: embossed portion [0076] 15,
25, 35: deflection deformation portion [0077] 15a: pushing portion
[0078] 16a: cover portion [0079] 16b: ceiling plate portion [0080]
17, 47: thread engaging portion [0081] 18: sealing material [0082]
19: opening portion [0083] 24b, 34b: lower portion [0084] 51a:
undercut portion [0085] 56: recessed portion [0086] 90: score
forming means [0087] 91: main score forming blade [0088] 92: sub
score forming blade [0089] 93, 96: holding and moving means [0090]
94, 97: restricting means [0091] 95, 98: drive means [0092] 99a,
99b: holding means [0093] 100: container [0094] 101: curling
portion [0095] 102: drum portion of container [0096] 103: sealing
material [0097] 110: container [0098] 112: drum portion of
container [0099] 113: bottom lid [0100] 170: can drum [0101] 171:
seam portion [0102] A, 62, 72, 82: cap portion [0103] B, 61, 71,
81: pouring portion [0104] C: cylindrical portion [0105] C1: outer
wall expecting portion [0106] C2: intermediate wall expecting
portion [0107] C3: inner wall expecting portion [0108] D1: outer
thread forming roll [0109] D2: inner thread forming roll [0110] E:
mandrel [0111] E1: blade-like roll [0112] E2: rotary mandrel [0113]
F: enlarged-diameter portion [0114] F1: bulged annular portion
[0115] F2: connecting portion [0116] F3: cylindrical wall portion
[0117] F4: stepped portion [0118] H1, H2, H3: depth of thread
grooves, height of thread crests [0119] P: metal plate [0120] Q:
cylindrical cup [0121] R: pressurizing tool [0122] S: gap [0123] U:
resilient body [0124] V: split mold [0125] W1, W2, W3: width of
thread grooves, width of thread crests [0126] Arrow X: inner
direction [0127] Arrow Y: outer direction [0128] Arrow Z: vertical
direction
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0129] Hereinafter, container opening structures, a container and a
manufacturing method of the opening structure according to
embodiments of the present invention are explained in detail in
conjunction with drawings.
Embodiment 1
[0130] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an essential part of the
opening structure of the container of an embodiment 1 of the
present invention. FIG. 2 is an explanatory view showing a state in
which a cap portion of the opening structure of the container is
removed. As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the opening structure 10 of
the container of the embodiment 1 of the present invention is
characterized in that, in the opening structure of the container in
which a cap portion A and a pouring portion B are continuously and
integrally formed, due to a radial deformation of an easy-to-break
portion 11 which is present in a boundary between the cap portion A
and the pouring portion B, the easy-to-break portion 11 is broken
so as to separate the cap portion A and the pouring portion B
whereby the container is opened.
[0131] In the opening structure 10 of the container of the
embodiment 1 of the present invention, the cap portion A and the
pouring portion B are continuously and integrally formed by way of
an inner wall 12, an intermediate wall 13 and an outer wall 14.
That is, the intermediate wall 13 is formed by being folded back
downwardly from an upper end portion 12A of the inner wall 12, the
outer wall 14 is formed by being folded back upwardly from a lower
end portion 13A of the intermediate wall 13, and the cap portion A
and the pouring portion B include a triplicate cylindrical
structure which is integrally formed of these triplicate walls.
[0132] Further, in the opening structure of the container of the
embodiment 1 of the present invention, by way of the easy-to-break
portion 11 which is formed on a lower end close-contact portion 14a
between the outer wall 14 and the intermediate wall 13, the outer
wall 14 is arranged separably from the intermediate wall 13, and a
deflection deforming portion 15 is formed between an outer wall 14
and the intermediate wall 13. Due to such a structure, the outside
of the pouring portion B is positioned inside the container before
the container is opened and hence, there is no possibility that the
outside of the pouring portion is contaminated whereby even when a
user drinks beverage by bringing his/her mouth to the pouring
portion B (so-called straight drinking from bottle), he/she does
not have a sense of uncleanliness.
[0133] Here, the easy-to-break portion 11 constitutes a portion
which is broken at the time of opening the container and at which
the opening structure is separated into a cap portion A and a
pouring portion B. In this embodiment 1, the easy-to-break portion
11 is formed on a lower-end close-contact portion 14a between the
outer wall 14 and the intermediate wall 13. By breaking the
easy-to-break portion 11 and separating the cap portion A, it is
possible to pour out content from the container and, at the same
time, it is possible to make use of the separated cap portion A for
resealing again.
[0134] Further, since the easy-to-break portion 11 is formed on the
lower-end close-contact portion 14a, a broken end 11a which appears
when the cap portion A and the pouring portion B are separated is
in a state that the broken end 11a is brought into close contact
with the intermediate wall 13, whereby it is possible to ensure the
safety such that even when a user's finger, lip, tongue or the like
is brought into contact with the broken end 11a, there is no
possibility that his/her finger, lip, tongue or the like is
cut.
[0135] The easy-to-break portion 11 may, provided that the
easy-to-break portion 11 is easily broken at the time of opening
the opening structure, not be particularly formed, and may be
formed of a thin-wall groove shape (score) or either one of a
hole-like or notched partial through hole (slit). By forming the
easy-to-break portion 11 with the score, it is possible to surely
and easily form the easy-to-break portion 11. Further, by forming
the easy-to-break portion 11 with the slit, it is possible to
obtain an advantageous effect that the opening property can be
enhanced.
[0136] When the easy-to-break portion 11 is formed of the score,
the easy-to-break portion 11 is formed by partially plastically
deforming a portion of a thick wall portion in an annular shape or
in an inner stitched pattern using a blade-like roll to have a thin
wall thickness or by decreasing a wall thickness by cutting.
Further, when the easy-to-break portion 11 is formed of the slit, a
portion of a wall thickness is partially cut in a stitched pattern
using a blade-like roll thus forming penetrating portions.
[0137] Here, the easy-to-break portion 11 being openable by the
radial deformation implies that, as shown in FIG. 3, by pushing a
side surface of the cap inwardly with a finger, the easy-to-break
portion 11 is broken thus facilitating the opening of the
container. That is, by pushing a pushing portion 15a on a side
surface (outer wall 14) of the cap portion A in the inward
direction (arrow X), the outer wall 14 is deflected in an
elliptical shape. Here, by deforming the easy to brake portion 11
in the radial direction (the easy-to-break portion 11 being
deformed in the direction of the arrow X at the portion which is
pushed with the finger and being deformed in the direction of an
arrow Y in the direction perpendicular to the portion which is
pushed with the finger), a crack is generated in the easy-to-break
portion 11 in the vicinity of the pushing portion 15a or a crack is
generated in the vertical direction (arrow Z) in the easy-to-break
portion 11 which is deformed in the outer direction (arrow Y) thus
facilitating the separation of the cap portion A and the pouring
portion B.
[0138] The generation of the cracks in the easy-to-break portion 11
can be, in the opening structure of the container of the embodiment
1, performed more reliably due to the presence of a deflection
deformation portion 15 described below.
[0139] In the cap portion A, by providing the deflection
deformation portion 15 which constitutes a gap (space) in the
vicinity of the easy-to-break portion 11, that is, to a boundary
between the outer wall 14 and the intermediate wall 13, by pushing
the deflection deformation portion 15a of a side surface (outer
wall 14) of the above-mentioned cap portion A in the direction
indicated by the arrow X from the outside, the deflection
deformation portion 15 is deflected thus enhancing the deformation
of the easy-to-break portion 11 which is provided in the vicinity
of the deflection deformation portion 15 whereby the easy-to-break
portion 11 is broken more easily.
[0140] In this manner, since the cap portion A and the pouring
portion B are continuously and integrally formed and hence, the
sealing property of the cap portion after filling a content is
completely guaranteed and, at the same time, it is possible to
provide the opening structure of a container which exhibits the
excellent productivity at the time of manufacturing containers and
the excellent durability during the transportation or the like.
Still further, since the container body and the cap portion are
constituted of a single material and hence, it is unnecessary to
separate the container body and the cap portion at the time of
discarding them thus also exhibiting the excellent recycling
property and the disposal easiness.
[0141] Further, an upper end portion 12a of the pouring portion B
which is exposed by opening the container has a curvature of
holding back of the inner wall and the intermediate wall and hence,
the content is smoothly poured out from the pouring opening and, at
the same time, even when a user drinks with his/her mouth in direct
contact with the pouring portion (so-called straight drinking),
there is no possibility that his/her mouth is injured thus allowing
the opening structure to possess the excellent safety.
[0142] Further, the easy-to-break portion 11 is formed on the outer
wall 14 and hence, the easy-to-break portion 11 can be confirmed
with naked eyes from the outside of the container even before the
container is opened, whereby even when an infant or an aged person
can surely open the container while observing the broken state and,
at the same time, the container opening structure exhibits the
excellent tamper evident property. Still further, at the time of
resealing, the cap portion can be easily mounted on the pouring
portion thus maintaining the opening portion hygienically.
[0143] Further, in the opening structure 10 of a container of the
embodiment 1 of the present invention, the cap portion A includes a
cylindrical cover portion 16a which is contiguously and integrally
extended from the easy-to-break portion 11 and a disc-like ceiling
plate portion 16b which covers an opening portion 19 of the pouring
portion B, wherein thread engaging portions 17 are formed on the
cylindrical cover portion 16a and the pouring portion B which is
connected with the cover portion 16a. To be more specific, fittable
thread grooves are respectively formed in the outer wall 14, the
inner wall 12 and the intermediate wall 13. In the thread engaging
portion 17, a shape of the thread is not particularly limited and
hence, the direction of thread crests may be projected either
outwardly or inwardly. Further, the number of leads of threads may
be either one lead or a plurality of leads.
[0144] By forming the thread engaging portions 17, the inner wall
12, the intermediate wall 13 and the outer wall 14 are engaged with
each other by thread engagement and hence, even after the opening
of the container, it is possible to detachably mount the opening
structure whereby even when some beverage remains in the container
after drinking, it is possible to hold the remaining beverage
hygienically thus ensuring the resealing function. Further, it is
sufficient to only simply thread the cap portion A into the pouring
portion B at the time of resealing and hence, the opening structure
requires no particular tool thus exhibiting the excellent handling
property.
[0145] Further, in the opening structure 10 of a container of the
embodiment 1 of the present invention, it is desirable that a
sealing material 18 is arranged between an upper portion 16b of the
inner surface of the cap portion A and the pouring portion. The
sealing material 18 is preferable from a view point that the
sealing material 18 can enhance the sealing property at the time of
resealing. That is, the sealing material 18 can enhance the sealing
property of the cap portion A at the time of resealing the pouring
portion B, and even when the container body is tilted or becomes
upside down or is being transported, there is no possibility that
some beverage remaining in the container after drinking leaks out
thus maintaining the container hygienically.
[0146] As a material of the sealing material 18, it is preferable
to use a thin-wall-thickness donut disc-like material formed of a
resilient body or a plastic body made of rubber, synthetic resin or
the like which is adhered to or fitted in the ceiling plate portion
16b for ensuring the hermetic property. Such a sealing material 18
may be arranged in a state that the sealing material 18 is fitted
in or adhered to the ceiling plate portion 16b to cover the ceiling
plate portion 16b arranged inside the cap portion A or the sealing
material 18 may be preliminarily applied to or adhered to an inner
peripheral surface of a lower end portion of a thin-wall-thickness
center portion C3 of a cylindrical cup Q in a forming step
described later. Due to such a constitution, in a later step, the
sealing material 18 is positioned below the ceiling plate portion
16b and is interposed between the ceiling plate portion 16b and the
opening portion 19 of the powering portion to perform a role of a
seal.
[0147] Alternatively, it is also possible to use a resin coated
metal material such as a coated aluminum plate, a laminate aluminum
plate or the like having an inner surface side to which organic
coating is preliminarily applied. Due to such a constitution, at
the time of covering the pouring portion B with the cap portion A
which is broken and separated from the easy-to-break portion 11,
the opening portion 19 of the pouring portion B and the
above-mentioned organic coating of the ceiling plate portion 16b
are brought into close contact with each other thus effectively
preventing the leaking out of a liquid in the inside of the
container.
[0148] Sizes of the opening structure 10 of the embodiment 1 of the
present invention are not particularly limited. However, in
general, heights of the pouring portion B, the intermediate wall 13
and the cap portion A which are contiguously and integrally formed
are set to approximately 5 to 50 mm, while a diameter of the cap
portion A is set to 10 to 100 mm.
[0149] Further, a material of the opening structure may be formed
of a coated metal plate which forms an organic film on at least one
surface of a metal material or a metal plate such as aluminum alloy
or a steel or a plastic material made of polyolefin, polyester or
the like. With the use of the metal material, preferably the metal
material which exhibits the excellent formability, it is possible
to easily perform the folding back forming to form a triplicate
wall consisting of the inner wall, the intermediate wall and the
outer wall thus obtaining the opening structure of the container
which exhibits the excellent durability and the excellent leaking
resistance. Further, when the plastic material is used as the
material of the opening structure, it is possible to apply a
molding method such as injection mold, the extrusion molding or the
like whereby a manufacturing cost for manufacturing a large number
of opening structure can be reduced.
Embodiment 2
[0150] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of an essential part of an
opening structure of a container of an embodiment 2 of the present
invention. In the opening structure 20 of a container of the
embodiment 2, an easy-to-break portion 21 is formed on a lower
portion 24b of an outer wall 24 and the lower-end close-contact
portion 14a between the outer wall 14 and the intermediate wall 13
which is provided in the above-mentioned embodiment 1 is not
formed. With respect to other constitutional points including a
point that a deflection deformation portion 25 is provided in a gap
defined between the outer wall 24 and an intermediate wall 23, this
embodiment is substantially equal to the embodiment 1 of the
present invention.
Embodiment 3
[0151] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of an essential part of a
container which includes an opening structure of a container of an
embodiment 3 of the present invention. In the opening structure 30
of a container of the embodiment 3, an outer wall 34 and an
intermediate wall 33 are continuously connected over whole portions
ranging from upper ends to lower ends thereof, and an easy-to-break
portion 31 is formed in a lower portion 34b of the outer wall 34.
Further, a deflection deformation portion 35 is provided in a space
defined between an inner wall 32 and the intermediate wall 33. With
respect to other constitutional points, the embodiment 3 is
substantially equal to the embodiment 1 of the present
invention.
Embodiment 4
[0152] Further, FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of an essential
part of a container which includes an opening structure of a
container of an embodiment 4 of the present invention. In the
opening structure 40 of a container of the embodiment 4, in the
same manner as the above-mentioned embodiment 3, an outer wall 44
and an intermediate wall 43 are continuously connected over whole
portions ranging from upper ends to lower ends thereof, and an
easy-to-break portion 41 is formed on a lower portion of a thread
engaging portion 47 formed on a cap portion A. With respect to
other constitutional points, the embodiment 4 is substantially
equal to the embodiment 1 of the present invention.
[0153] As described above, in case of embodiments 1 to 4 of the
present invention shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. 6, a user grasps a side
surface of the outer wall (cap portion A) of the opening structure
and applies a pushing pressure to the inside. Accordingly, the cap
portion A is deflected elliptically and hence, the radial
deformation is generated in the easy-to-break portion whereby the
easy-to-break portion is broken. Then, by independently rotating
and separating the cap portion A with respect to the intermediate
wall, the container can be opened whereby the user can pour
beverage in the inside of the container into a cup through the
pouring portion B or the user can directly drink the beverage from
the container. When some beverage remains in the container, the
pouring portion B is covered with the cap portion A and the cap
portion A is rotated to be engaged with the pouring portion B by
the thread engagement and hence, the cap portion A and the pouring
portion B are surely fixed to each other thus completing the
sealing.
[0154] FIG. 7 to FIG. 12 are partial cross-sectional views of the
opening structures for forming gas removing gaps for discharging
gas in the inside of a container which becomes a cause of the
blowout of content or the scattering of the cap when the container
in which beverage such as beer, a carbonated drink or the like is
filled and sealed is opened by gradually enlarging a gap formed
between the thread grooves formed in the cap portion and the thread
crests formed on the pour portion along with the rotation of the
cap portion A in the cap opening direction from the cap closed
state.
(Mode 1 of the Opening Structure)
[0155] FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 are the partial cross-sectional views of
the mode 1 of the opening structure which forms a gas removal
passage therein, wherein FIG. 7 shows a sealed state before opening
the container and FIG. 8 shows a state in which the cap is opened
after opening the container. According to the mode 1, in the
opening structure 60 of the container, a width of thread grooves of
a pouring portion 61 and a width of thread crests of the cap
portion 62 are gradually decreased downwardly (W1>W2>W3),
wherein at the time of opening the container, by cutting an
easy-to-break portion 63 which is arranged at a lower end of the
cap portion 62 and, thereafter, by rotating the cap portion 62 in
the cap opening direction, the gas removal gap S is formed between
the above-mentioned thread grooves and thread crests.
(Mode 2 of the Opening Structure)
[0156] FIG. 9 and FIG. 10 are the partial cross-sectional views of
the mode 2 of the opening structure which forms a gas removal
passage therein, wherein FIG. 9 shows a sealed state before opening
the container and FIG. 10 shows a state in which the cap is opened
after opening the container. The opening structure 70 of the
container of the mode 2 differs from the opening structure 70 of
the above-mentioned model with respect to following points.
[0157] That is, a depth of thread grooves of a pouring portion 71
and a height of thread crests of the cap portion 72 are gradually
decreased downwardly (H1>H2>H3), wherein by rotating the cap
portion 72 in the cap opening direction, a container-body-inner-gas
removal gap S is formed between the above-mentioned thread grooves
and thread crests and hence, a gas removal can be easily performed
at the time of opening the cap.
(Mode 3 of the Opening Structure)
[0158] FIG. 11 and FIG. 12 are the partial cross-sectional views of
the mode 3 of the opening structure which forms a gas removal
passage therein, wherein FIG. 11 shows a sealed state before
opening the container and FIG. 12 shows a state in which the cap is
opened after opening the container. The opening structure 80 of the
container of the mode 3 differs from the opening structures 60, 70
of the above-mentioned modes 1, 2 with respect to following
points.
[0159] That is, a width of thread grooves formed in a pouring
portion 81 and a width of thread crests in a cap portion 82, a
depth of the thread grooves in the pouring portion 81 and a height
of the thread crests in the cap portion 82 are gradually decreased
downwardly (W1>W2>W3 and H1>H2>H3), wherein by rotating
the cap portion 82 in the cap opening direction, container body
inner gas removal space S is formed between the thread grooves and
the thread crests whereby a gas removal can be easily performed at
the time of opening the cap.
[0160] With respect to the opening structure of the container of
this mode 3, by adopting the structure which combines the widths of
the thread grooves and thread crests, and the depth of the thread
grooves and the height of the thread crests, it is possible to
ensure the gas removal gap S in a more effective manner.
[0161] Here, with respect to the opening structures shown in FIG. 7
to FIG. 12, the opening structure is bonded to a can drum 170 which
is partially illustrated in the drawing by way of a double seamed
portion 171.
Embodiment 5
[0162] FIG. 13 and FIG. 14 are cross-sectional views of essential
parts of the opening structure of a container of the embodiment 5
of the present invention. Although the opening structure 50 of a
container of the embodiment 5 is basically equal to the opening
structure 10 of the above-mentioned embodiment 1, the opening
structure 50 differs from the opening structure 10 of the
embodiment 1 with respect to a point that an undercut portion 51a
is formed in a cap portion A and a pouring portion B which is
connected to the cap portion A in place of the thread engaging
portion 17.
[0163] The undercut portion 51a is a concave/convex portion which
allows the cap portion A to be detachably engaged with the
intermediate wall 53 of the pouring portion B after opening the
container. In the embodiment 5, a concave indentation or a convex
projection which can be fitted in or on the outer wall 54, the
inner wall 52 and the intermediate wall 53 respectively is
formed.
[0164] By simply pushing the cap portion A provided with the
undercut portion 51a to the intermediate wall 52 with a one-touch
manipulation, the cap can be easily mounted and dismounted thus
allowing even an infant or an aged person to easily handle the
opening structure of the container. Accordingly, the opening
structure of the container of this embodiment is preferable.
[0165] Here, after breaking the easy-to-break portion 51, a
diameter of the intermediate wall 53 is resiliently enlarged and
hence, a recessed portion 56 formed in the intermediate wall 53 and
the undercut portion 51a of the cap portion A are resiliently
engaged with each other.
[0166] According to the opening structure of the embodiment 5, by
pulling out the cap portion A upwardly and vertically after the
easy-to-break portion 51 is broken, it is possible to separate the
cap portion A and the pouring portion B so as to open the container
as shown in FIG. 14.
[0167] Here, according to the opening structure of the present
invention, when the easy-to-break portion 11 is formed of the score
as shown in FIG. 15, sub scores 11b which are shallower than the
above-mentioned score may be formed adjacent to the above-mentioned
easy-to-break portion 11. In this embodiment, when the sub scores
are formed, the easy-to-break portion is referred to as a main
score with respect to the sub scores. By forming sub scores 11b, an
impact which is generated when the container falls on a floor
inadvertently is absorbed by a portion of the sub score 11b and
hence, an impact which is applied to the score 11 arranged adjacent
to the sub score 11b can be alleviated thus giving rise to an
advantageous effect that the cracking of score attributed to a fall
or the like can be prevented. Here, the sub scores 11b may be
formed on both sides (upper and lower sides) such that the sub
scores 11b sandwich the main score 11 or the sub score 11b may be
formed on only one side.
[0168] Further, in the opening structure of the present invention,
as shown in FIG. 16, embossed convex portions 14b or the like may
be formed such that the deflection rigidity of the outer wall
becomes non uniform in the circumferential direction. By forming
these embossed convex portions 14b, in the deformation by pushing
of the deflection deformation portion in the direction from the
outside to the inside, the deflection rigidity is concentrated on
relatively weak portions on the circumference and hence, such
portions or the vicinity of such portions become starting points of
cracks of the main score whereby the opening of the container is
further facilitated.
[0169] A shape of the embossed convex portions 14b is not limited
to the shape shown in FIG. 16 and various shapes illustrated in
FIG. 17(a) to FIG. 17(f), for example, may be applicable as the
shape of the embossed convex portions 14b. By forming the embossed
convex portion 14b, the embossed convex portions 14b also function
as marks which indicate optimum portions for pushing at the time of
breaking the main score by pushing. Further, the embossed convex
portions 14b prevent slipping at the time of opening the cap
portion A and the pouring portion B after breaking the main score
and at the time of resealing after opening the container, a finger
catching operation can be enhanced.
[0170] Further, with respect to the opening structure of the
present invention, although not shown in the drawing, an unopened
guarantee material may be provided to the deflection deformation
portion or in the vicinity of the deflection deformation portion or
to the main score or in the vicinity of the main score. The
unopened guarantee material is configured such that a visual change
is irreversibly generated on the unopened guarantee material when a
fixed stress (pressure) or strain or more is generated in the
unopened guarantee material and, a material which is generally
referred to as a pressure sensitive material, stress paint (strain
paint) or like may be exemplified.
[0171] As the pressure sensitive material, for example, a
non-carbon copying paper is popularly used, wherein microcapsules
in which a coloring agent is filled are broken due to pressure and
the coloring agent in the microcapsules is absorbed by a developer
thus discoloring the pressure sensitive agent by a chemical
reaction. By adjusting the coloring agent such that the pressure
sensitive material is discolored with a pushing force which can
open the container, it is possible to visually confirm the presence
or the non-presence of the opening of the container (tamper evident
property).
[0172] On the other hand, when the stress paint is used, a crack is
generated on the coated film with a fixed stress or more, whereby
by adjusting the stress such that a crack is generated with a
pushing force which can open the container, it is also possible to
visually confirm the presence or the non-presence of the opening of
the container (tamper evident property) in the same manner.
(Container)
[0173] FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view of an essential part of a
container which includes the opening structure of the container of
the present invention. The container 100 of the present invention
includes the either one of the above-mentioned opening structures
of the container. In the container 100, the opening structure of
the container is seamed and fixed to an upper end portion of a
container drum portion 102 by a curled portion 101 which is formed
on a lower peripheral portion. Here, a fixing means is not limited
to the above-mentioned seaming and a joining method such as
adhesion, melting, welding or the like can be considered.
[0174] Although the container drum portion 102 is mainly formed
using a metal material such as aluminum alloy, steel or the like as
a main material, it is also possible to use aplastic material such
as polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate.
[0175] Further, various forming methods such as deep drawing,
ironing, extrusion molding, injection molding and various materials
can be selectively used corresponding to an application, a
manufacturing cost and the like. For example, when the container
drum portion 102 is formed of the metal material, by selecting the
metal material which exhibits the excellent formability, it is
possible to form the container drum portion 102 by applying the
deep drawing, the ironing or the like thus forming the container
drum portion 102 which exhibits the excellent durability against an
impact and the excellent leak resistance. On the other hand, when
the whole container drum portion 102 is formed of the plastic
material, a known technique such as injection molding, extrusion
molding, sheet forming, blow forming or the like can be applied
whereby a manufacturing cost at the time of manufacturing the
opening structure of the container on a mass production basis can
be lowered.
[0176] The container 110 shown in FIG. 19 is another example of the
container provided with the opening structure of the container of
the present invention, wherein the opening structure and a
container drum portion 112 are integrally formed and a bottom lid
113 is seamed and fixed to a lower end portion of the
above-mentioned container drum portion 112.
(Manufacturing Method)
[0177] One embodiment of the manufacturing method of the opening
structure of the container of the present invention is described
hereinafter. The manufacturing method of the above-mentioned
opening structure of the container which is fixed to the upper end
portion of the container drum portion 102 in the container 100
shown in FIG. 18 is explained in conjunction with FIG. 20 to FIG.
23.
(First Step)
[0178] First of all, a cylindrical cup Q is formed by drawing a
metal plate P such as an aluminum plate.
(Second Step)
[0179] The cylindrical cup Q has a diameter thereof narrowed
several times by redrawing when necessary until a diameter of a
cylindrical portion becomes a diameter of the pouring portion thus
forming a cylindrical portion C. At this point of time, the curling
portion 101 which is seamed and fixed to the upper end portion of
the container drum portion of the container is formed on an outer
peripheral portion of the cylindrical cup Q or the cylindrical
portion C and, at the same time, although not shown in the drawing,
in a suitable step after this step, a sealing agent 103 is applied
to the inside of the curling portion 101 to ensure the sealing
property of the seaming.
[0180] Further, in a final stage of redrawing to form the
cylindrical cup Q into the cylindrical portion C, ironing is
combined to the redrawing to make the wall thickness distribution
different in the longitudinal direction (height direction) of the
cylindrical portion C. That is, dividing the cylindrical portion C
into the outer wall expecting portion C1, the intermediate wall
expecting portion C2 and the inner wall expecting portion C3, a
wall thickness of the intermediate wall expecting portion C2 is set
smaller than the wall thicknesses of other portions. By making the
wall thickness of the intermediate wall expecting portion C2
smaller than the wall thicknesses of other portions, it is possible
to favorably perform a folding step performed later.
(Third Step)
[0181] Next, a diameter of the cylindrical portion C is enlarged
from the inside to the outside with a means which uses an inner
pressure such as bulging forming thus forming an enlarged-diameter
portion F. For example, a split mold V (an outer mold) of the
cylindrical portion C is arranged, a resilient body U made of
urethane (see FIG. 23) is inserted into the inside of the
cylindrical portion C, and a pressure is applied to the resilient
body U by a pressurizing tool R so as to deform the resilient body
U. A formed enlarged portion F becomes the outer wall 14 after
being molded as the opening structure. Here, by allowing an inner
surface shape of the split mold V to conform to a shape which
corresponds to a shape of an embossed convex portion 14b, it is
possible to form the embossed convex portion 14b on the outer wall
in the forming process (see FIG. 17).
(Fourth Step)
[0182] The easy-to-break portion 11 is formed in the
enlarged-diameter portion F of the cylindrical portion C using a
blade roll E1 and a rotary mandrel E2.
(Fifth Step)
[0183] Next, the cylindrical portion C is pressurized in the height
direction such that the intermediate wall expecting portion C2
which is formed at a center portion in the height direction of the
cylindrical portion C is formed into the intermediate wall 13, the
outer wall expecting portion C1 is arranged at the outermost side
and is folded back from above to form the outer wall 14 thus
forming a projecting portion consisting of cylindrical triplicate
walls consisting of an inner wall 12, an intermediate wall 13 and
an outer wall 14.
(Sixth Step)
[0184] Next, an outer thread forming roll D1 and an inner thread
forming roll D2 are brought into pressure contact with the outside
and the inside of the projecting portion and the projecting portion
is rotated to form the thread engaging portion 17 thus completing
the opening structure of the embodiment 1 shown in FIG. 1. Here, in
the above-mentioned third step, at the time of forming the
enlarged-diameter portion F by enlarging the diameter of the
cylindrical portion C from the inside to the outside, when the
bulged annular portion F1 is formed in the vicinity of the boundary
between the outer wall expecting portion C1 and the intermediate
wall expecting portion C2 and the connecting portion F2 having a
diameter larger than the diameter of the intermediate wall
expecting portion C2 is formed below the bulged annular portion F1,
in the folding-back forming in the fifth step, it is possible to
easily form the triplicate wall.
[0185] A shape of the above-mentioned connecting portion F2 is, as
shown in FIG. 24, a shape which imparts an angular change to the
connecting portion F2 such that the bulged annular portion F1 is
directly connected to the intermediate wall expecting portion C2 of
the cylindrical portion C. Further, as shown in FIG. 25, a
cylindrical wall portion F3 having a diameter larger than a
diameter of the intermediate wall expecting portion C2 and a
stepped portion F4 are provided to form a connecting portion F2,
and the connecting portion F2 may be connected to the intermediate
wall expecting portion C2 of the cylindrical portion C. By forming
the connecting portion F2 or the cylindrical wall portion F3 and
the stepped portion F4 shown in FIG. 24 and FIG. 25, it is possible
to provide the opening structure in which the easy-to-break portion
11 formed in the outer wall 14 is brought into close contact with
the intermediate wall 13 after the fold-back operation, wherein
after the cap is opened, there exists no gap between an edge of the
easy-to-break portion 11 and the intermediate wall 13 and hence, a
user is hardly injured by the edge thus enhancing the safety of the
opening structure.
[0186] Further, when the opening structure is formed of the plastic
material or the like, the cylindrical portion C which forms the
enlarged-diameter portion F in the above-mentioned third step is
formed by the injection molding or the like, and after the
formation of the easy-to-break portion 11 in the fourth step, at a
softening temperature which allows the molding, the folding-back
operation in the fifth step and the formation of the thread
engaging portion are performed thus providing the opening structure
of the container.
(Manufacturing Device)
[0187] FIG. 26 is a schematic side view of the manufacturing device
of the opening structure of the container of the present invention,
and FIG. 27 is a score forming means in the above-mentioned
manufacturing device. As shown in FIG. 26, the manufacturing device
is constituted of a rotary-roll-shaped score forming means 90 which
includes a main score forming blade 91 and a sub score forming
blade 92, a slide-plate-like holding and moving means 93 which
holds and moves the score forming means 90, a block-like
restricting means 94 which restricts the movement of the
slide-plate-like holding and moving means 93, and a mandrel E which
is inserted into the cap portion C, wherein the slide-plate-like
holding and moving means 93 is moved by a drive means 95 which is
shown in a simplified form.
[0188] Here, although not shown in the drawing, it is also possible
to provide a holding means which holds a positional relationship
between the cap portion and the mandrel E.
[0189] The rotary-roll-shaped score forming means 90 is rotatably
mounted on the holding and moving means 93, while the holding and
moving means 93 is movable in the direction of the restricting
member 94.
[0190] The main score and the sub score are formed in the opening
member C as follows. First of all, the rotary mandrel E is inserted
into the cylindrical cap portion C and is brought into contact with
the cap portion C from the inside. Thereafter, the holding and
moving means 93 is moved toward the restricting means 94 from a
state shown in FIG. 26(a) to a state shown in FIG. 26(b) so as to
bring the score forming means 90 into pressure contact with the
opening member C and, at the same time, to rotate the score forming
means 90 relative to the opening member C. Next, the formation of
the circumferential main score 11 is started with the main score
forming blade 91 of the score forming means 90 and, finally, the
before the formation of the main score 11 is finished, the
formation of the circumferential sub score 11b is started with the
above-mentioned sub score forming blade 92 of the score forming
means 90.
[0191] Then, as shown in FIG. 26(b), when the holding and moving
means 93 is brought into contact with the restricting means 94, the
pressure contact of the score forming means 90 mounted on the
above-mentioned holding and moving means 93 with the opening member
C is interrupted and hence, the formation of the main score 11 and
the sub score 11b by the main score forming blade 91 and the sub
score forming blade 92 of the score forming means 90 is finished as
shown in FIG. 27.
[0192] Here, the number of the sub score forming blades 92 in the
score forming means 90 may be set such that at least one sub score
forming blade 92 is formed either above or below the main score
forming blade 91 or one, two or more sub score forming blade 92 are
formed above and below the main score forming blade 91. Further,
the number of sub score forming blades 92 may differ between above
and below the main score forming blade 91.
[0193] Further, although the main score forming blade 91 and the
sub score forming blade 92 of the score forming means 90 may be
formed in a straight blade shape, a blade-like roll which forms the
main score forming blade 91 having a large diameter and the sub
score forming blade 92 having a small diameter on one roll, or a
blade-shaped roll which is formed by assembling the sub score
forming blade 92 having a small diameter to the main score forming
blade 91 having a large diameter in a coaxially overlapped manner
is preferable in view of the formability, the productivity, the
maintenance and the like of the score.
[0194] Further, although the slide-plate-like holding and moving
means 93 is illustrated as the holding and moving means which holds
and moves the score forming means 90, it is possible to apply a
tiltable arm as another example as an example. Further, although
the block-like restricting means 94 is illustrated as the
restricting means, it is possible to apply a link mechanism, a cam
mechanism, an electromagnetic brake, a combined mechanism of these
mechanisms or the like can be applied as another example.
[0195] FIG. 28 is a schematic side view of the manufacturing device
showing another embodiment. As shown in FIG. 28, the manufacturing
device of this embodiment is constituted of a rotary-roll-shaped
score forming means 90 which includes a main score forming blade 91
and a sub score forming blade 92, an arm-like holding and moving
means 96 which holds the score forming means 90, a link-like
restricting means 97 which restricts the movement (tilting) of the
holding and moving means 96, and a mandrel E which is inserted into
the cap portion C. Although the holding and moving means 96 is
shown in a simplified form, the holding and moving means 96 is
moved (tilted) by the arm-shaped drive means 98 which is connected
to a center portion of the holding and moving means 96.
[0196] Further, the holding and moving means 96 has a proximal end
portion thereof fixed to a holding member 99a, while the
restricting member 97 has a proximal end portion thereof fixed to
the holding member 99b and a distal end thereof fixed to the
arm-shaped holding member 96.
[0197] The main score and the sub score are formed in the cap
portion member C as follows. First of all, the rotary mandrel E is
inserted into the cylindrical cap portion C and is brought into
contact with the cap portion C from the inside. Thereafter, the
holding and moving means 96 and the score forming means 90 are
moved (tilted) by the drive means 98 in the right direction in the
drawing from a state shown in FIG. 28(a) to a state shown in FIG.
28(b) so as to bring the score forming means 90 into pressure
contact with a side wall of the cap portion C and, at the same
time, to rotate the score forming means 90 relative to the cap
portion C.
[0198] Then, as shown in FIG. 28(b), at point of time that the
restricting means 97 assumes a linear posture, the pressure contact
of the score forming means 90 mounted on the holding and moving
means 96 with the cap portion C is interrupted and hence, as shown
in FIG. 27, the formation of the main score 11 and the sub score
11b by the main score forming blade 91 and the sub score forming
blade 92 of the score forming means 90 is finished.
[0199] The opening structure of the present invention is the cap
structure which is applicable to a sealed container such as a juice
can, a beer can, a carbonated drink can, a coffer drink can, a tea
drink can, an edible oil can, a seasoning can or the like, wherein
the metal material, the metal material such as aluminum alloy or
steel which has an inner surface or an outer surface covered with a
resin layer or the like, or the plastic material is preferably
applied to the opening structure as the material thereof, and a
profile such as a columnar shape, a prism-like shape or the like is
preferably applied as a shape of the container.
* * * * *