U.S. patent application number 15/842287 was filed with the patent office on 2018-08-23 for closable container.
This patent application is currently assigned to IWASAKI INDUSTRY INC.. The applicant listed for this patent is IWASAKI INDUSTRY INC.. Invention is credited to Yoshihisa IWASAKI.
Application Number | 20180237190 15/842287 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 63166407 |
Filed Date | 2018-08-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180237190 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
IWASAKI; Yoshihisa |
August 23, 2018 |
CLOSABLE CONTAINER
Abstract
Provided is a container including a container body and a cap.
The container body has a mouth part defining an opening. The cap
closes the opening. The cap includes a ring-shaped frame, a door
lid, a gasket, and a biasing member. The frame is detachably
attached to the mouth part. The door lid is coupled to the frame
and rotates between a closed position to close the opening and an
open position to open the opening. The gasket is attached to the
frame or the door lid, is composed of an elastic material, and is
interposed in a gap between the frame and the door lid so as to the
gap when the door lid is at the closed position. The biasing member
is composed of the same material as the gasket, is constituted
integrally with the gasket, and biases the door lid toward the open
position.
Inventors: |
IWASAKI; Yoshihisa;
(Yamato-koriyama-shi, JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
IWASAKI INDUSTRY INC. |
Yamato-koriyama-shi |
|
JP |
|
|
Assignee: |
IWASAKI INDUSTRY INC.
Yamato-koriyama-shi
JP
|
Family ID: |
63166407 |
Appl. No.: |
15/842287 |
Filed: |
December 14, 2017 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 55/16 20130101;
B65D 53/02 20130101; B65D 47/08 20130101; B65D 43/169 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B65D 47/08 20060101
B65D047/08; B65D 53/02 20060101 B65D053/02 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Feb 20, 2017 |
JP |
2017-029471 |
Claims
1. A closable container comprising: a container body having a mouth
part that defines an opening; and a cap configured to close the
opening, wherein the cap includes: a ring-shaped frame configured
to be detachably attached to the mouth part, a door lid that is
coupled to the frame in a hinged manner and is configured to rotate
between a closed position at which the opening is closed and an
open position at which the opening is open, a gasket that is
attached to the frame or the door lid, is composed of an elastic
material, and is interposed in a gap between the frame and the door
lid so as to seal the gap when the door lid is at the closed
position, and a biasing member that is composed of the same elastic
material as the gasket, is constituted integrally with the gasket,
and is configured to bias the door lid in a direction toward the
open position.
2. The closable container according to claim 1, wherein the gasket
is attached to the frame.
3. The closable container according to claim 2, wherein the gasket
is interposed in a gap between the mouth part and the frame so as
to seal the gap in a state in which the frame is attached to the
mouth part.
4. The closable container according to claim 1, wherein the cap
further includes a lock mechanism configured to switch between a
locked state in which the door lid is kept at the closed position,
and an unlocked state in which the locked state is canceled.
5. The closable container according to claim 2, wherein the cap
further includes a lock mechanism configured to switch between a
locked state in which the door lid is kept at the closed position,
and an unlocked state in which the locked state is canceled.
6. The closable container according to claim 3, wherein the cap
further includes a lock mechanism configured to switch between a
locked state in which the door lid is kept at the closed position,
and an unlocked state in which the locked state is canceled.
7. The closable container according to claim 4, wherein the lock
mechanism includes a first extension portion that extends from the
door lid, and a second extension portion that extends from the
frame and is configured to engage with the first extension portion
in the locked state.
8. The closable container according to claim 1, wherein the biasing
member is in contact with the door lid, and is folded so as to bias
the door lid in the direction toward the open state using an
elastic force by which the biasing member attempts to return to its
original state when the door lid is at the closed position.
9. The closable container according to claim 1, wherein the elastic
material is elastomer.
10. The closable container according to claim 1, wherein the
elastic material is silicone rubber.
11. A closable container comprising: a container that includes a
circumferential edge portion surrounding an opening; a door lid
that is coupled to the circumferential edge portion in a hinged
manner, and is configured to rotate between a closed position at
which the opening is closed and an open position at which the
opening is open; a gasket that is attached to the circumferential
edge portion or the door lid, is composed of an elastic material,
and is interposed in a gap between the circumferential edge portion
and the door lid so as to seal the gap when the door lid is at the
closed portion; and a biasing member that is composed of the same
elastic material as the gasket, is constituted integrally with the
gasket, and is configured to bias the door lid in a direction
toward the open position.
12. The closable container according to claim 11, further
comprising a lock mechanism configured to switch between a locked
state in which the door lid is kept at the closed position, and an
unlocked state in which the locked state is canceled.
13. The closable container according to claim 12, wherein the lock
mechanism includes a first extension portion that extends from the
door lid, and a second extension portion that extends from the
circumferential edge portion and is configured to engage with the
first extension portion in the locked state.
14. The closable container according to claim 11, wherein the
biasing member is in contact with the door lid, and is folded so as
to bias the door lid in the direction toward the open state using
an elastic force by which the biasing member attempts to return to
its original state when the door lid is at the closed position.
15. The closable container according to claim 11, wherein the
elastic material is elastomer.
16. The closable container according to claim 11, wherein the
elastic material is silicone rubber.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims a priority to Japanese Patent
Application No. 2017-029471 filed on Feb. 20, 2017, which is hereby
incorporated by reference in its entirety.
FIELD OF INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to a closable container, and
more specifically relates to a closable container that is highly
sealable and is suitable for storing food or the like.
BACKGROUND ART
[0003] Heretofore, various highly-sealable closable containers have
been known. JP 2007-204104A and JP 2007-261670A each disclose a
container that includes a container body and a cap as this type of
container. The cap includes a ring-shaped frame that is attached so
as to surround a mouth part that defines an opening of the
container body, and a door lid that is attached to the frame in a
hinged manner and closes the opening. Also, in the frame, a gasket
is disposed at a position of closing a gap between the frame and
the door lid when the door lid is closed, and the sealability of
the container is ensured by this gasket.
[0004] JP 2007-204104A and JP 2007-261670A are examples of related
art.
[0005] After locking is canceled when the door lid is to be opened,
the container of JP 2007-204104A needs to be moved by hand so as to
rotate the door lid about the axis of the hinge. In this respect,
in the container disclosed in JP 2007-261670A, a coil spring for
biasing in the direction of opening the door lid is attached to the
hinge portion coupling the door lid and the frame. Accordingly, the
door lid opens automatically when the door lid is unlocked from the
frame. However, since the container disclosed in JP 2007-261670A
requires the coil spring, the number of parts increases, the
structure is more complex, and the cost increases.
[0006] The present invention aims to provide a highly-sealable
closable container that has a simple configuration and has a door
lid that can open automatically.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] A closable container according to a first aspect of the
present invention includes a container body having a mouth part
that defines an opening and a cap that closes the opening. The cap
includes a ring-shaped frame, a door lid, a gasket, and a biasing
member. The frame is detachably attached to the mouth part. The
door lid is coupled to the frame in a hinged manner and rotates
between a closed position at which the opening is closed and an
open position at which the opening is open. The gasket is attached
to the frame or the door lid, is composed of an elastic material,
and is interposed in a gap between the frame and the door lid so as
to seal the gap when the door lid is at the closed position. The
biasing member is composed of the same elastic material as the
gasket, is constituted integrally with the gasket, and biases the
door lid in a direction toward the open position.
[0008] A closable container according to a second aspect of the
present invention is the closable container according to the first
aspect, in which the gasket is attached to the frame.
[0009] A closable container according to a third aspect of the
present invention is the closable container according to the second
aspect, in which the gasket is interposed in the gap between the
mouth part and the frame so as to seal the gap in a state in which
the frame is attached to the mouth part.
[0010] A closable container according to a fourth aspect of the
present invention is the closable container according to any of the
first aspect to the third aspect, in which the cap further includes
a lock mechanism that switches between a locked state in which the
door lid is kept at the closed position, and an unlocked state in
which the locked state is canceled.
[0011] A closable container according to a fifth aspect of the
present invention is the closable container according to the fourth
aspect, in which the lock mechanism includes a first extension
portion that extends from the door lid, and a second extension
portion that extends from the frame and engages with the first
extension portion in the locked state.
[0012] A closable container according to a sixth aspect of the
present invention includes a container, a door lid, a gasket, and a
biasing member. The container includes a circumferential edge
portion that surrounds an opening. The door lid is coupled to the
edge portion in a hinged manner and rotates between a closed
position at which the opening is closed and an open position at
which the opening is open. The gasket is attached to the edge
portion or the door lid, is composed of an elastic material, and is
interposed in a gap between the edge portion and the door lid so as
to seal the gap when the door lid is at the closed portion. The
biasing member is composed of the same elastic material as the
gasket, is constituted integrally with the gasket, and biases the
door lid in a direction toward the open position.
[0013] A closable container according to a seventh aspect of the
present invention is the closable container according to the sixth
aspect, further including a lock mechanism configured to switch
between a locked state in which the door lid is kept at the closed
position, and an unlocked state in which the locked state is
canceled.
[0014] A closable container according to an eighth aspect of the
present invention is the closable container according to the
seventh aspect, in which the lock mechanism includes a first
extension portion that extends from the door lid, and a second
extension portion that extends from the circumferential edge
portion and engages with the first extension portion in the locked
state.
[0015] A closable container according to a ninth aspect of the
present invention is the closable container according to any of the
first aspect to the eighth aspect, in which the biasing member is
in contact with the door lid, and is folded so as to bias the door
lid in the direction toward the open state using an elastic force
by which the biasing member attempts to return to its original
state when the door lid is at the closed position.
[0016] A closable container according to a tenth aspect of the
present invention is the closable container according to any of the
first aspect to the ninth aspect, in which the elastic material is
elastomer.
[0017] A closable container according to an eleventh aspect of the
present invention is the closable container according to any of the
first aspect to the tenth aspect, in which the elastic material is
silicone rubber.
[0018] According to the present invention, the gasket that seals
the gap between the part defining the opening of the container (the
circumferential edge portion or the frame) and the door lid, and
the biasing member that biases the door lid in the direction of
opening are integrally constituted by the same elastic material.
Accordingly, a highly-sealable closable container that has a small
number of parts, a simple structure, and a door lid that can
automatically open is provided.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] FIG. 1 is a side view of a closable container in an open
state according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
[0020] FIG. 2 is a side view of a closable container in a closed
state according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
[0021] FIG. 3 is a side view of a container body according to a
first embodiment of the present invention.
[0022] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a cap in an open state
according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
[0023] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the cap in the open
state and an upper portion of the container body, taken along line
A-A in FIG. 4.
[0024] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the cap in the closed
state and the upper portion of the container body, taken along line
A-A in FIG. 4.
[0025] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the cap in the open
state, taken along line B-B in FIG. 4.
[0026] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the cap in the closed
state, taken along line B-B in FIG. 4
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0027] Hereinafter, a closable container according to an embodiment
of the present invention will be described with reference to the
drawings.
1. Overall Configuration of Closable Container
[0028] FIGS. 1 and 2 are side views of a closable container
(hereinafter referred to simply as "container" in some cases) 1
according to the present embodiment. As shown in the drawings, the
container 1 includes a container body 2 and a cap 3 that closes an
opening S1 formed at the upper portion of the container body 2.
FIG. 1 shows an open state in which the opening S1 is open, and
FIG. 2 shows a closed state in which the opening S1 is closed. As
will be described later, the container 1 is highly sealable in the
closed state, and although there is no limitation on the
application of the container 1, the container 1 is suitable for
storing food or the like.
2. Configuration of Parts
[0029] Hereinafter, a configuration of parts will be described in
detail. Note that unless otherwise stated in particular, up, down,
front (front surface side), and rear (rear surface side) are
defined as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and left and right mean left and
right in a view from the front surface side. Also, as will be
described later, although the position of the door lid 30 of the
cap 3 is changed by rotation, unless stated otherwise, up, down,
front (front surface side), and rear (rear surface side) are
described using the closed state as a reference.
2-1. Container Body
[0030] FIG. 3 is a side view of the container body 2 alone. The
container body 2 defines an inner space S2 for containing a
contained item such as food. The container body 2 includes a bottom
surface portion 21, a tubular body portion 22 that stands upright
from the circumferential edge of the bottom surface portion 21, a
shoulder portion 23 that extends inward in the radial direction
from the upper end of the body portion 22, and a neck portion 24
that extends upward from the inner side end in the radial direction
of the shoulder portion 23. In the present embodiment, the bottom
surface portion 21 is approximately rectangular in plan view and
the body portion 22 is rectangular tube-shaped. The neck portion 24
is a cylindrical shape with a smaller diameter than the body
portion 22. The neck portion 24 surrounds the opening S1 of the
container body 2 and forms a mouth part that defines the opening
S1. Accordingly, hereinafter, the neck portion 24 is referred to as
"mouth part 24" in some cases. The opening S1 communicates with the
inner space S2.
[0031] A rib 25 that extends along the circumferential direction is
formed on the outer circumferential surface of the neck portion 24.
More specifically, the rib 25 extends in a spiral shape along the
central axis of the neck portion 24 and screws onto a
later-described rib 45 formed on the cap 3. Accordingly, the cap 3
is detachably attached to the container body 2. The mouth part 24
is a portion to which the cap 3 is attached and is a portion that
couples with the cap 3.
[0032] Although there is no particular limitation on the material
of the container body 2, from the viewpoint of lightness, strength,
and corrosion resistance, it is preferable that the container body
2 is formed of a hard synthetic resin with no rubber elasticity,
but the container body 2 can be made of glass. In the present
embodiment, the container body 2 is made of AS (acrylonitrile
styrene resin). Also, in the present embodiment, the
above-described portions 21 to 25 are constituted integrally.
2-2. Cap
[0033] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the cap 3 in the open state.
FIGS. 5 and 6 are cross-sectional views of the cap 3 and the upper
portion of the container body 2, taken along line A-A in FIG. 4,
FIG. 5 showing an open state and FIG. 6 showing a closed state.
FIGS. 7 and 8 are cross-sectional views of the cap 3 alone, taken
along line B-B in FIG. 4, FIG. 7 showing an open state and FIG. 8
showing an open state. Hereinafter, the configuration of the cap 3
will be described in detail with reference to these drawings as
well.
[0034] As shown in FIG. 4, the cap 3 includes an approximately
circular ring-shaped frame 40, and an approximately disk-shaped
door lid 30 that is coupled to the frame 40 in a hinged manner. The
door lid 30 rotates with respect to the frame 40, between a closed
position at which the opening S1 is closed and an open position at
which the opening S1 is open. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the frame
40 is detachably attached to the mouth part 24 of the container
body 2. The frame 40 surrounds the mouth part 24 from the outer
side in a state of being attached to the mouth part 24, and forms a
circumferential edge portion that surrounds the mouth part 24 as
well as the opening S1.
[0035] As shown in FIGS. 4, 7, and 8, the door lid 30 includes an
approximately disk-shaped lid body 31, and a plate member 32 that
extends further toward the rear surface side from the rear portion
of the lid body 31. The plate member 32 is inclined slightly
downward away from the lid body 31 (see FIGS. 2 and 8). Side wall
portions 33a and 33b that extend inward in the radial direction
(extend downward in the closed state) in the state shown in FIG. 4
stand upright on the left and right end portions of the plate
member 32. Also, columnar protrusions 34 and 34 that extend outward
in the left-right direction stand upright from the outer surfaces
of the side wall portions 33a and 33b. The protrusions 34 and 34
are arranged on the same axis, which extends in the left-right
direction.
[0036] Although there is no particular limitation on the material
of the door lid 30, from the viewpoint of lightness, strength,
corrosion resistance, and the like, the material is preferably
constituted by a hard synthetic resin with no rubber elasticity. In
the present embodiment, the door lid 30 is made of saturated
polyester. Also, in the present embodiment, the door lid 30 is
formed integrally together with a later-described first extension
portion 50.
[0037] On the other hand, the frame 40 includes an approximately
circular ring-shaped base frame 41, and a left and right pair of
side wall portions 42a and 42b that extend further toward the rear
surface side from the rear portion of the base frame 41. The lower
portions of the side wall portions 42a and 42b are connected via a
lower surface portion 43 (see FIGS. 7 and 8) that similarly extends
further toward the rear surface side from the rear portion of the
base frame 41. Also, holes 44 and 44 are formed on the side wall
portions 42a and 42b. The holes 44 and 44 are arranged on the same
axis, which extends in the left-right direction.
[0038] Although there is no particular limitation on the material
of the frame 40, from the viewpoint of lightness, strength,
corrosion resistance, and the like, the material is preferably
constituted by a hard synthetic resin with no rubber elasticity. In
the present embodiment, the frame 40 is made of polypropylene.
Also, in the present embodiment, the frame 40 is formed integrally
together with a later-described second extension portion 60.
[0039] The side wall portions 33a and 33b of the door lid 30 are
arranged between the side wall portions 42a and 42b such that the
outer surfaces of the side wall portions 33a and 33b face the inner
surfaces of the side wall portions 42a and 42b of the frame 40.
Also, the protrusions 34 and 34 of the door lid 30 are inserted
into the holes 44 and 44 of the side wall portions 42a and 42b. For
this reason, the protrusions 34 and 34 form a rotation axis of a
hinge mechanism 4 that couples the door lid 30 and the frame 40,
and the holes 44 and 44 form bearings that receive the rotation
axis. In other words, the hinge mechanism 4 is formed by the plate
member 32, the side wall portions 33a and 33b, the protrusions 34
and 34, the side wall portions 42a and 42b, the holes 44 and 44,
and the lower surface portion 43. Accordingly, the door lid 30 is
coupled to the frame 40 in a hinged manner and can rotate with
respect to the frame 40. The circumferential edge portion of the
lid body 31 is received at the upper end portion 41b of the base
frame 41 in the closed state (note that, as shown in FIG. 2, a
slight gap exists between the two), and at this time, the lid body
31 covers the opening S1 from above.
[0040] As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, the base frame 41 includes a
circumferential wall portion 41a with an approximately constant
thickness. A rib 45 that extends along the circumferential
direction is formed on the inner circumferential surface of the
circumferential wall portion 41a. More specifically, the rib 45
extends in the form of a spiral along the central axis of the
circumferential wall portion 41a and screws onto the rib 25 that is
formed on the above-described mouth part 24.
[0041] The upper end portion 41b of the base frame 41 is located
above the circumferential wall portion 41a and protrudes inward
with respect to the inner circumferential surface of the
circumferential wall portion 41a. In other words, in a view from
the inside of the base frame 41, a level difference is formed on
the upper portion of the base frame 41. Also, a circular
ring-shaped gasket 70 is attached to the base frame 41 so as to be
caught on the level difference.
[0042] As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, the gasket 70 includes a circular
ring-shaped main body portion 71, and a circular ring-shaped upper
portion 72 that extends upward from the vicinity of the center of
the upper surface of the main body portion 71. The main body
portion 71 has a vertical cross-section that is approximately
rectangular. Also, the gasket 70 includes a circular ring-shaped
inner-side lower portion 73 that extends downward from the
inner-side end in the radial direction of the main body portion 71,
and a circular ring-shaped outer-side lower portion 74 that extends
downward from the outer side end in the radial direction of the
main body portion 71. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the level
difference formed by the main body portion 71 and the upper portion
72 (level difference facing outward in the radial direction) is
arranged so as to engage with the level difference formed by the
upper end portion 41b and the circumferential wall portion 41a of
the base frame 41, and the engagement surfaces come into secure
contact with each other. Also, the outer circumferential surfaces
of the main body portion 71 and the outer-side lower portion 74
come into secure contact with the inner circumferential surface of
the circumferential wall portion 41a. Also, with the frame 40
attached to the container body 2, the lower surface of the main
body portion 71 comes into secure contact with the upper end
portion of the mouth part 24 of the container body 2. In this
manner, in the state in which the frame 40 is attached to the
container body 2, the gasket 70 is interposed in the gap formed
between the mouth part 24 and the base frame 41, fills the gap, and
seals the gap.
[0043] Also, as shown in FIG. 6, when the door lid 30 is at the
closed position, the gasket 70 is interposed in the gap between the
base frame 41 and the door lid 30 and seals the gap. More
specifically, the door lid 30 includes a circular ring-shaped leg
portion 35 that hangs down from the lower surface of the lid body
31. The leg portion 35 is located slightly inward of the outer
circumferential edge of the lid body 31. Also, in the closed state,
the level difference formed by the main body portion 71 and the
upper portion 72 (level difference facing inward in the radial
direction) engages with the level difference formed by the lid body
31 and the leg portion 35 (level difference facing outward in the
radial direction) and the engagement surfaces come into secure
contact with each other.
[0044] The opening S1 is completely closed by the gasket 70 with
the configuration above when the door lid 30 is at the closed
position, and the inner space S2 of the container body 2 is sealed
off from the outside. Also, in the present embodiment, one gasket
70 seals the gap between the container body 2 and the frame 40, in
addition to the gap between the frame 40 and the door lid 30.
Accordingly, a highly sealable container 1 that has a small number
of parts and a simple configuration is achieved.
[0045] As shown in FIGS. 4, 7, and 8, the cap 3 includes a lock
mechanism 5 for keeping the door lid 30 at the closed position. The
lock mechanism 5 is constituted by a first extension portion 50
that extends from the lid body 31 and a second extension portion 60
that extends from the base frame 41. The first extension portion 50
includes a protruding portion 51 that protrudes slightly toward the
front surface side from the front portion of the lid body 31, and a
plate member 52 that extends downward from the front surface side
of the protruding portion 51. A claw 53 is formed in the vicinity
of the center in the left-right direction on the front surface of
the plate member 52. On the other hand, the second extension
portion 60 includes a protruding portion 61 that protrudes slightly
toward the front surface side from the front portion of the base
frame 41, and a plate member 62 that extends upward from the
protruding portion 61. Also, the second extension portion 60
includes a pressing button 63 that is continuous with the upper end
of the plate member 62. A claw 64 is formed in the vicinity of the
center in the left-right direction on the rear surface of the
pressing button 63. Also, the second extension portion 60 includes
a circumferential wall portion 65 that is continuous with the front
portion of the base frame 41 and surrounds the above-described
portions 61 to 64. The circumferential wall portion 65 is arranged
at a position at which it does not interfere with the portions 61
to 64.
[0046] When the door lid 30 falls forward from the open position
and approaches the closed position, the plate member 52 is inserted
into the space between the plate member 62 and the base frame 41.
At this time, the claw 53 pushes the claw 64, whereby the plate
member 62 deforms elastically and falls slightly forward. Then,
when the plate member 52 proceeds deeper from this state, the claw
53 surpasses the claw 64. At this time, the plate member 62 returns
to its original position due to an elastic force, and the two claws
64 and 53 engage with each other. Accordingly, the claw 53 catches
on the claw 64 and a locked state in which the door lid 30 is kept
at the closed position is formed.
[0047] When a user presses the pressing button 63 in the locked
state with his or her finger, the plate member 62 once again
deforms elastically and falls forward. Accordingly, the locked
state in which the claw 53 and the claw 64 are engaged with each
other is canceled, and the unlocked state is entered. As described
above, the locking mechanism 5 can switch between the locked state
and the unlocked state.
[0048] When the locked state is canceled, the door lid 30
automatically rotates about the rotation axis 34 and returns to the
open position. More specifically, as shown in FIGS. 4, 7, and 8,
the cap 3 further includes a biasing member 80 that cooperates with
the above-described hinge mechanism 4. The biasing mechanism 80
biases the door lid 30 in the direction toward the open position.
Note that in the present embodiment, the door lid 30 stands upright
in the approximate vertical direction when it is at the open
position.
[0049] The biasing member 80 is composed of the same material as
the gasket 70 and is formed integrally with the gasket 70. The
biasing member 80 and the gasket 70 are composed of elastic
materials and have rubber elasticity. The biasing member 80 and the
gasket 70 are typically constituted by elastomer (rubber or
thermoplastic elastomer), and in the present embodiment, they are
made of silicone rubber. Since the gasket 70 and the biasing member
80 are soft and deform easily, they can be removed from the other
parts of the cap 2.
[0050] The biasing member 80 includes a protruding portion 81 that
is continuous with the rear portion of the gasket 70 and protrudes
slightly toward the rear surface side from the rear portion of the
gasket 70. Note that although the upper end portion 41b of the base
frame 41 and the upper portion of the circumferential wall portion
41a extend over approximately the entire circumference as shown in
FIG. 4, a portion is cut out at the rear portion. The protruding
portion 81 passes through this cut-out and reaches the outer side
from the inner side in the radial direction of the base frame
41.
[0051] As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the biasing member 80 further
includes a wall portion 82 that extends downward from the rear
portion of the protruding portion 81 and a sheet portion 83 that
bends from the lower portion of the wall portion 82 and extends
rearward. The inner surface in the radial direction of the wall
portion 82 comes into secure contact with the outer circumferential
wall of the base frame 41. On the other hand, the outer surface of
the sheet portion 83 comes into secure contact with the upper
surface of the lower surface portion 43 that extends rearward from
the base frame 41 and with the inner surface of the plate member 32
that extends rearward from the lid body 31. A protrusion 36 is
formed on the inner surface of the plate member 32. On the other
hand, the sheet portion 83 is approximately rectangular, but a
cut-out for receiving the protrusion 36 is formed on the leading
end thereof. Also, the position of the sheet portion 83 is fixed
due to the protrusion 36 being inserted into the cut-out. In this
state, the sheet portion 83 comes into secure contact with the
protrusion 36.
[0052] As shown in FIG. 8, when the door lid 30 is at the closed
position, the sheet portion 83 is folded and contained in the space
between the plate member 32 and the lower surface portion 43.
However, when the locked state is canceled, the folded sheet
portion 83 presses the plate member 32 using the elastic force by
which the folded sheet portion 83 attempts to return to its
original flatter shape. Accordingly, the lid body 31 coupled to the
plate member 32 automatically rotates in the direction of opening.
As described above, the container 1 is of a one-push open type
according to which the door lid 30 can be opened by merely pressing
the pressing button 63, and thus the container 1 has excellent
operability. Note that when the door lid 30 rotates to a
predetermined angle, the side wall portions 33a and 33b of the door
lid 30 come into contact with the lower surface portion 43 of the
frame 40 and further rotation is restricted.
[0053] The sheet portion 83 has a flat shape in the state in which
the gasket 70 and the biasing member 80 are removed from the other
portions of the cap 3. Also, the sheet portion 83 curves not only
when it is folded in the closed state, but in the open state as
well, as shown in FIG. 7. For this reason, the biasing member 80
further applies a force to the door lid 30 in the direction of
opening the door lid 30 also in the open state. Accordingly, for
example, even if the container 1 is tilted or the like during use,
the door lid 30 is not likely to fall over under its own weight.
Accordingly, the door lid 30 does not flutter significantly during
use and the container 1 has excellent user-friendliness.
[0054] Also, as shown in FIGS. 4, 7, and 8, a thick portion 84 is
partially formed on the inner surface of the sheet portion 83. The
thick portion 84 can increase the elastic force with which the
sheet portion 83 attempts to return to its original shape. Also,
the thick portion 84 encourages the sheet portion 83 to always
deform to a similar shape in the open state, the closed state, and
states between the open and closed states. Accordingly, it is
possible to realize an open state and a closed state that are
always the same.
3. Modified Examples
[0055] Although an embodiment of the present invention was
described above, the present invention is not limited to the
above-described embodiment, and various modifications are possible
without departing from the gist thereof. For example, the following
modifications are possible. Also, the gists of the following
modified examples can be combined as appropriate.
3-1
[0056] In the above-described embodiment, the gasket 70 had a role
of sealing both the gap between the container body 2 and the frame
40 and the gap between the frame 40 and the door lid 30, but
gaskets for filling the gaps may be provided separately. In this
case, the gasket that fills the gap between the frame 40 and the
door lid 30 may be attached not to the base frame 41 but to the lid
body 31. Also, the gasket that seals the gap between the container
body 2 and the frame 40 can be omitted.
3-2
[0057] The structure for attaching the cap 3 to the container body
2 is not limited to that described above (screwing), and it is
possible to employ any structure, such as a fitting-in scheme.
Also, it is possible to use a configuration in which the door lid
30 is coupled to the mouth part 24 of the container body 2 directly
in a hinged manner, instead of using a configuration in which the
cap 3 is attached to the container body 2.
3-3
[0058] In the above-described embodiment, the mouth part 24 and the
frame 40 were formed into circular ring shapes, but the mouth part
24 and the frame 40 can also be formed into rectangular ring
shapes.
LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS
[0059] 1 Closable container
[0060] 2 Container body
[0061] 3 Cap
[0062] 4 Hinge mechanism
[0063] 5 Lock mechanism
[0064] 24 Mouth part
[0065] 30 Door lid
[0066] 40 Frame
[0067] 50 First extension portion
[0068] 60 Second extension portion
[0069] 70 Gasket
[0070] 80 Biasing member
[0071] S1 Opening
* * * * *