Cap and container with cap

An object is to provide a cap that can be flexibly designed, such as a cap that can be prevented or reduced from being increased in volume when the lid member has been attached to the cap body, while at the same time providing a capability to increase the distance between the lid member and the cap body when the elastic member has been restored, as well as providing a container equipped with the cap. Provided is a cap and a container with a cap, which includes a cap body (10), a lid member (20), an elastic member (30) that couples the lid member (20) to the cap body (10), and a coupling member (40) that couples the lid member (20) to the cap body (10), in which: the elastic member (30), which has been elastically deformed, is restored during at least part of the movement of the lid member (20) away from the cap body (10), thereby enabling the lid member (20) to be held away from the cap body (10); and the coupling member (40) is connected to the cap body (10) via a first hinge mechanism (41) and connected to the lid member (20) via a second hinge mechanism (42) that has an axis parallel to an axis of the first hinge mechanism (41).

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a cap that includes a cap body, a lid member and an elastic member coupling the lid member to the cap body and is configured so that the lid member can be moved away from the cap body, and a container with the cap.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

As a cap equipped with a cap body and a lid member attached to and detached from the cap body, there is hitherto known a cap configured so that the lid member can be moved away from the cap body by an elastic member that couples the lid member to the cap body (e.g., Patent Document 1). In this cap, the cap body and the lid member have radially projecting pieces, respectively, which are connected to each other with a hinge mechanism.

When the lid member has been attached to the cap body, the elastic member is elastically deformed, and when the lid member has been detached from the cap body, the lid member is pivotally moved by restoration of the elastic member and is thereby moved away from the cap body. Thus, the lid member is held at a position away from the cap body.

PRIOR ART DOCUMENTS

Patent Documents

Patent Document 1: Japanese Utility Model Application Laid-open No. Sho-63-175047

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

Meanwhile, in order to increase the distance between the lid member and the cap body when the elastic member has been restored in the aforesaid cap, it is necessary to design the projecting pieces of the cap body and the lid member to have an increased projecting amount to be adapted to the increased distance. Accordingly, in order to increase the distance between the lid member and the cap body, the projecting pieces necessarily greatly project when the lid member has been attached to the cap body, which causes design limitation, such as the necessity to increase the volume of the cap.

In consideration of the above reason, it is an object of the present invention to provide a cap that can be flexibly designed, such as a cap that can be prevented or reduced from being increased in volume when the lid member has been attached to the cap body, while at the same time providing a capability to increase the distance between the lid member and the cap body when the elastic member has been restored, as well as providing a container equipped with the cap.

Means for Solving the Problem

According to the present invention, there is provided a cap, which includes a cap body that is fixed to a container and has a pour spout opening, through which content of the container is poured out, a lid member that is attached to and detached from the cap body to open and close the pour spout opening, and an elastic member that couples the lid member to the cap body, wherein:

the elastic member, which has been elastically deformed, is restored during at least part of the movement of the lid member away from the cap body, thereby enabling the lid member to be held away from the cap body;

the cap further comprising a coupling member that couples the lid member to the cap body, the coupling member being connected to the cap body via a first hinge mechanism and connected to the lid member via a second hinge mechanism that has an axis parallel to an axis of the first hinge mechanism.

According to the cap of the present invention, the coupling member, which couples the lid member to the cap body, is connected to the cap body via the first hinge mechanism. Thus, when the coupling member is pivotally moved by the first hinge mechanism, the coupling member and the lid member are integrally moved toward and away from the cap body. Also, the coupling member is connected to the lid member via the second hinge mechanism that has an axis parallel to an axis of the first hinge mechanism. Thus, when the lid member is pivotally moved by the second hinge mechanism, the lid member is moved toward and away from the cap body. Accordingly, for example, the cap may be configured so that, when the lid member has been attached to the cap body, the coupling member is held at a position close to the cap body.

In the cap of the present invention, it is possible to employ a configuration, in which the elastic member and the coupling member are disposed to have their ends, which are connected to the cap body, located away from each other in the direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the hinge mechanisms; and

the elastic member is elastically deformed as the lid member is detached and moved away from the cap body, and restored when the elastic member is elastically deformed beyond a predetermined limit, thereby enabling the lid member to be held away from the cap body.

According to the cap having the above configuration, the elastic member and the coupling member are disposed to have their ends, which are connected to the cap body, located away from each other in the direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the hinge mechanisms. Whereby, the elastic member is elastically deformed as the lid member is detached from and moved away from the cap body. When the elastic member is elastically deformed beyond a predetermined limit, the elastic member is restored by elastic force to urge the lid member. Thus, the lid member can be held away from the cap body.

Also, according to the configuration, in which the ends of the elastic member and the coupling member connected to the cap body are located away from each other in the direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the hinge mechanisms, it is possible to stop the lid member from being pivotally moved by the first hinge mechanism with the elastic member restored. Whereby, the lid member can be held at a position at which the elastic member and the coupling member are balanced to each other.

In the cap of the present invention, it is possible to employ a configuration, in which the elastic member is connected to the cap body via a third hinge mechanism that has an axis parallel to the axis of the hinge mechanisms and connected to the lid member via a fourth hinge mechanism that has an axis parallel to an axis of the third hinge mechanism, in order to restrain the elastic member from being elastically deformed when the lid member has been attached to the cap body.

According to the cap having the above configuration, the elastic member is connected to the cap body via the third hinge mechanism that has an axis parallel to the axis of the hinge mechanisms and connected to the lid member via the fourth hinge mechanism that has an axis parallel to the axis of the third hinge mechanism. Whereby, it is possible to restrain the lid member from being elastically deformed when the lid member has been attached to the cap body.

In the cap of the present invention, the elastic member and the coupling member may be disposed to have their ends, which are connected to the lid member, located away from each other in the direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the hinge mechanisms.

According to the cap having the above configuration, the elastic member and the coupling member are disposed to have their ends, which are connected to the lid member, located away from each other in the direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the hinge mechanisms. Whereby, it is possible to stop the lid member from being pivotally moved by the second hinge mechanism with the elastic member restored. Whereby, the lid member can be held at a position at which the elastic member and the coupling member are balanced to each other.

The cap of the present invention may further include a pivotal movement restraining device that restrains the lid member from being moved close to the coupling member beyond a predetermined limit through pivotal movement by the second hinge mechanism in order to allow the lid member to be fixed at a predetermined position by the elastic member and the coupling member.

According to the cap, in which both ends of the elastic member and both ends of the coupling member are located away from each other, respectively, in the direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the hinge mechanisms, the lid member can be held at a position at which the elastic member and the coupling member are balanced to each other. In this respect, it is to be noted that there are plural positions at which the elastic member and the coupling member are balanced to each other. However, according to the thus configured cap, even when the lid member is forced to move close to the coupling member upon pivotal movement of the second hinge mechanism beyond a predetermined limit, the pivotal movement restraining device restrains this pivotal movement. Thus, the lid member can be held at a predetermined position of the plural positions at which the elastic member and the coupling member are balanced to each other.

In the cap of the present invention, the elastic member may be elastically deformed when the lid member has been attached to the cap body, and restored when the lid member has been detached from the cap body, thereby enabling the lid member to be held away from the cap body.

According to the cap having the above configuration, the elastic member is kept elastically deformed when the lid member has been attached to the cap body. When the lid member has been detached from the cap body, the elastic member is restored to urge the lid member. Thus, the lid member can be held away from the cap body.

In the cap of the present invention, the elastic member and the coupling member may be disposed to have their ends, which are connected to the cap body, located away from each other in the direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the hinge mechanisms.

According to the cap having the above configuration, the elastic member and the coupling member are disposed to have their ends, which are connected to the cap body, located away from each other in the direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the hinge mechanisms. Whereby, it is possible to stop the lid member from being pivotally moved and allow the lid member to be held at a position at which the elastic member and the coupling member are balanced to each other, while the elastic member has been restored.

In the cap of the present invention, the pour spout opening is disposed at a position close to a first end of the cap body, and the elastic member is connected to the cap body at a position closer to the first end of the cap body than the coupling member is.

According to the cap having the above configuration, the elastic member is connected to the cap body at a position closer to the first end of the cap body than the coupling member is, in which the cap body has the pour spout opening located at a position close to the first end. Whereby, for example, it is possible to employ a configuration, in which the elastic member is elastically deformed into a curved shape when the lid member has been attached to the cap body, and restored into a straight shape when the lid member has been detached from the cap body.

In the cap of the present invention, the pour spout opening may be disposed at a position close to a first end of the cap body, and the coupling member is connected to the cap body at a position closer to the first end of the cap body than the elastic member is.

According to the cap having the above configuration, the coupling member is connected to the cap body at a position closer to the first end of the cap body than the elastic member is, in which the cap body has the pour spout opening located at a position close to the first end. Whereby, for example, it is possible to employ a configuration, in which the elastic member is elastically deformed into a straight shape when the lid member has been attached to the cap body, and restored into a curved shape when the lid member has been detached from the cap body.

In the cap of the present invention, it is possible to employ a configuration, in which the cap body includes: an engaging stopper member that engages with the coupling member in order to stop the coupling member from being pivotally moved by the first hinge mechanism beyond a predetermined angle, when the lid member is moved close to the cap body; and the engaging stopper member includes a support part that supports the second hinge mechanism with the coupling member held in engagement with the engaging stopper member.

According to the cap having the above configuration, when the lid member is moved close to the cap body, the engaging stopper member engages with the coupling member so as to stop the coupling member from being pivotally moved by the first hinge mechanism beyond a predetermined angle. With the coupling member held in engagement with the engaging stopper member, the support part supports the second hinge mechanism. Thus, the lid member can be easily pivotally moved by the second hinge mechanism.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a container with a cap including a container that contains content and a cap that is fixed to the container, wherein:

the cap includes a cap body that has a pour spout opening, through which the content of the container is poured out, a lid member that is attached to and detached from the cap body in order to open and close the pour spout opening, an elastic member that couples the lid member to the cap body, and a coupling member that couples the lid member to the cap body;

the elastic member, which has been elastically deformed, is restored during at least part of the movement of the lid member away from the cap body, thereby enabling the lid member to be held away from the cap body; and

the coupling member is connected to the cap body via a first hinge mechanism and connected to the lid member via a second hinge mechanism that has an axis parallel to an axis of the first hinge mechanism

According to the container with the cap of the present invention, the coupling member, which couples the lid member to the cap body, is connected to the cap body via the first hinge mechanism. Thus, when the coupling member is pivotally moved by the first hinge mechanism, the coupling member and the lid member are integrally moved toward and away from the cap body. Also, the coupling member is connected to the lid member via the second hinge mechanism that has an axis parallel to the axis of the first hinge mechanism. Thus, when the lid member is pivotally moved by the second hinge mechanism, the lid member is moved toward and away from the cap body. Accordingly, for example, it is possible to employ a configuration, in which the coupling member is held at a position close to the cap body when the lid member has been attached to the cap body.

Advantage of the Invention

As described above, according to the cap and the container with the cap, it is possible to produce an excellent effect, such as an effect of enabling flexible designing of the cap and the container with the cap to enable prevention or suppression of increase in volume of the cap when the lid member has been attached to the cap body, while at the same time providing a capability to increase the distance between the lid member and the cap body when the elastic member has been restored.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Now, the description will be made for a first embodiment of a cap and a container with the cap according to the present invention with reference toFIGS. 1-7.

The container with the cap of this embodiment includes, as shown inFIG. 1, a container9that contains content (solid or liquid matter), and a cap1that is fixed to an opening portion91located at an end of the container9. In this embodiment, the container9and the cap1are integrally formed of resin or plastic, and thus are configured so that the cap1cannot be separated from the container9.

As shown inFIGS. 1-3, the cap1includes a cap body10that is coupled to the opening portion91of the container9, a lid member20that is attached to and detached from the cap body10, and a pair of elastic members30,30that couple the lid member20to the cap body10. The cap1further includes a coupling member40that couples the lid member20to the cap body10.

The coupling member40is connected to the cap body10via a first hinge mechanism41and connected to the lid member20via a second hinge mechanism42that has an axis parallel to the axis of the first hinge mechanism41. The cap1includes first and second pivotal movement restraining devices50,51that restrain the lid member20from being moved close to the coupling member40beyond a predetermined limit through pivotal movement by the second hind mechanism42.

The cap body10includes a circumferential wall portion11that has a cylindrical shape, a pour spout opening12that is located at a position close to a first end of the circumferential wall portion11in its axial direction to pour out the content of the container9, and connection pieces13,13,13, through which the elastic members30,30and the coupling member40are connected to each other. The cap body10is coupled at a position close to a second end of the circumferential wall portion11to the opening portion91of the container9.

The cap body10includes an engaging stopper member14that engages with the coupling member40when the lid member20is moved away from the cap body10. The engaging stopper member14includes a pair of engaging pieces14a,14athat project radially outwardly from the outer circumference of the circumferential wall portion11. The pair of engaging pieces14a,14aeach have a plate shape extending along the axial direction of the circumferential wall portion11and are located to face each other.

The lid member20includes a lid body21that has a tubular shape (hemispherical shape) with a first end closed, and is configured so that the pour spout opening12is opened and closed by the lid body21through attaching and detaching action of the lid member20with respect to the cap body10. The lid member20includes a sealing part22that abuts the pour spout opening12to seal the same.

The lid member20includes connection pieces23,23,23that project radially outwardly from the lid body21and connect with the elastic members30, and the coupling member40, respectively. The lid member20includes a flange portion24that is operated (hooked) by, for example, a finger when it is detached from the cap body10.

The sealing part22has a cylindrical shape protruding from the second end of the lid body21. The sealing part22is fitted onto the pour spout opening12in order to allow the lid member20to be fixed to the cap body10with the lid body21closing the pour spout opening12. Whereby, the sealing part22is tightly fitted to the pour spout opening12to thereby seal the pour spout opening12when the lid member20has been attached to the cap body10.

Each elastic member30has a band and plate shape. Each elastic member30has a width smaller than the width of the coupling member40, and a length greater than the length of the coupling member40. The pair of elastic members30,30are disposed with the coupling member40held therebetween and disposed to have the lengthwise directions thereof oriented parallel to each other.

Each elastic member30is connected to the cap body10via a third hinge mechanism31that has an axis parallel to the axes of the first and second hinge mechanisms41,42, and connected to the lid member20via a fourth hinge mechanism32that has an axis parallel to the axes of the first to third hinge mechanisms41,42,31. Whereby, it is possible to prevent or reduce elastic deformation of each elastic member30when the lid member20has been attached to the cap body10.

In this embodiment, each elastic member30has such a shape (length) as not to be elastically deformed when the lid member20has been attached to the cap body10. The third and fourth hinge mechanisms31,32each are formed by reducing the thickness of the respective end portions of the elastic members30. The axes of the pair of the third hinge mechanisms31,31are located in alignment with each other relative to the direction orthogonal to the axes, while the axes of the pair of the fourth hinge mechanisms32,32are located in alignment with each other relative to the direction orthogonal to the axes.

The coupling member40includes a coupling body43that has a straight belt shape, and an engaged member44that is engaged with the engaging stopper member14. The coupling member40is rigid and thus keeps its straight shape or is not deformed when the lid member20is moved toward and away from the cap body10. The first and second hinge mechanisms41,42are formed by reducing the thickness of the respective end portions of the coupling member40.

The engaged member44includes a pair of engaged pieces44a,44athat have a plate shape projecting from the coupling body43. The pair of the engaged pieces44a,44aare located facing each other, onto which the pair of the engaging pieces14a,14aare fitted when the lid member20has been attached to the cap body10.

Meanwhile, the elastic members30,30and the coupling member40are disposed to have their end portions, which are connected to the cap body10, located away from each other in the direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the hinge mechanisms31,41. Specifically, each elastic member30is connected to the cap body10at a portion of the cap body10closer to the second end (lower end) in the axial direction of the cap body10(circumferential wall portion11) than the coupling member40is, and closer to the axis of the cap body10in the radial direction of the cap body10(circumferential wall portion11) than the coupling member40is.

In other words, the axis of each third hinge mechanism is located at a position away from the pour spout opening12in the axial direction of the circumferential wall portion11than the axis of the first hinge mechanism41is, and located closer to the axis of the circumferential wall portion11in the radial direction of the circumferential wall portion11than the axis of the first hinge mechanism41is. With this arrangement, each elastic member30is elastically deformed as the lid member20is detached and moved away from the cap body10, and then restored by elastic force when it has been elastically deformed beyond a predetermined limit, thereby enabling the lid member20to be held away from the cap body10.

The elastic members30,30and the coupling member40are disposed to have their ends, which are connected to the lid member20, located away from each other in the direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the hinge mechanisms32,42. Specifically, each elastic member30is connected to the lid member20at a position closer to the first end of the lid member20in the axial direction of the lid member20(lid body21) than the coupling member40is, and closer to the axis of the lid member20in the radial direction of the lid member20(lid body21) than the coupling member40is.

In other words, when the lid member20has been attached to the cap body10, the axis of each fourth hinge mechanism32is located at a position away from the cap body10in the axial direction of the lid body21than the axis of the second hinge mechanism42is, and closer to the axis of the lid body21in the radial direction of the lid body21than the axis of the second hinge mechanism42is. With this arrangement, each elastic member30is elastically deformed to elongate as the lid member20is detached and moved away from the cap body10, and then each elastic member30is elastically deformed into a straight shape. Then, the elastic force effected by this deformation causes restoration of each elastic member30into a curved shape.

The first pivotal movement restraining device50includes a pair of projections501,502that are located adjacent to each other with the second hinge mechanism42therebetween, and project outwardly from the lid member20and the coupling member40, respectively. The projection501has a plate shape projecting from an end portion of the connection piece23of the lid member20, and the projection502has a plate shape projecting from an end portion of the coupling body43of the coupling member40. The second pivotal movement restraining device51includes a projection511that projects inwardly from the lid member20. The projection511projects convexly from an end portion of the connection piece23of the lid member20.

Now, the description will be made for the function of the cap1and the container with the cap according to this embodiment, of which structure is as described above, with reference toFIG. 4.

As shown inFIG. 4(a), with the lid member20attached to the cap body10, each elastic member30is kept in a curved shape. At this moment, each elastic member30is not being elastically deformed due to the existence of the third and fourth hinge mechanisms31,32. The coupling member40is located along the circumferential wall portion11due to the existence of the first and second hinge mechanisms41,42.

As shown inFIG. 4(b), when the lid member20has been detached from the cap body10, the elastic members30is elastically deformed to elongate. At this moment, the engaged member44is engaged with the engaging stopper member14so that, while the lid member20is pivotally moved by the second hinge mechanism42, the coupling member40is not pivotally moved by the first hinge mechanism41but remains located along the circumferential wall portion11.

Furthermore, when the lid member20has been moved away from the cap body10, the pair of the projections501,502of the first pivotal movement restraining device50abut each other, thereby restraining the lid member20from contacting the coupling member40at its outer side through pivotal movement by the second hinge mechanism42. When the lid member20has been further moved from this state to be moved away from the cap body10against the force of the engaging stopper members14engaging with the engaged member44, the engaged member44can be released from the engagement with the engaging stopper member14.

Then, as shown inFIG. 4(c), the coupling member40is pivotally moved by the first hinge mechanism41and along with this, each elastic member30is elastically deformed into a further elongated shape. When each elastic member30has been elastically deformed into a straight shape, each elastic member30is restored by the elastic force. Whereby, each elastic member30urges the lid member20so that the lid member20is held away from the cap body10.

At this moment, the lid member20, the elastic members30,30and the coupling member40are integrally moved away from the cap body10. Specifically, the lid member20and the coupling member40are pivotally moved by the first hinge mechanism41, while each elastic member30is pivotally moved by the third hinge mechanism31as it is restored (deformed). Then, as shown inFIG. 4(d), when each elastic member30has been restored into a curved shape, the elastic members30,30and the coupling member40together hold the lid member20at a balanced position at which they are located away from the cap body10.

Thus, according to the cap1and the container with the cap according to this embodiment, the coupling member40, which couples the lid member20to the cap body10, is connected to the cap body10via the first hinge mechanism41, so that, when the coupling member40is pivotally moved by the first hinge mechanism41, the coupling member40and the lid member20are integrally moved toward and away from the cap body10. The coupling member40is connected to the lid member20via the second hinge mechanism42, so that, when the lid member20is pivotally moved by the second hinge mechanism42, the lid member20is moved toward and away from the cap body10.

Thus, when the lid member20has been attached to the cap body10, the coupling member40is moved toward the cap body10and hence located along the circumferential wall portion11. Whereby, in a state where each elastic member30has been restored, the distance between the lid member20and the cap body10can be increased, while at the same time, it is possible to prevent or reduce the increase in volume of the cap1, when the lid member20has been attached to the cap body10.

According to the cap1and the container with the cap of this embodiment, the end portions of the elastic members30,30and the coupling member40, which are connected to the cap body10, are located away from each other in the direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the hinge mechanisms31,41. Whereby, as the lid member20is detached and moved away from the cap body10, each elastic member30is elastically deformed. When each elastic member30is deformed into a straight shape, it is restored into a curved shape by elastic force to urge the lid member20, thereby enabling the lid member20to be held away from the cap body10.

According to the cap1and the container with the cap of this embodiment, the end portions of the elastic members30,30and the coupling member40, which are connected to the cap body10, are located away from each other in the direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the hinge mechanisms31,41, so that the lid member20can be stopped from being pivotally moved by the first hinge mechanism41in a state where each elastic member30has been restored. Whereby, the lid member20can be held at a position at which the elastic members30,30and the coupling member40are balanced to each other.

According to the cap1and the container with the cap of this embodiment, the one end of each elastic member30is connected to the cap body10via the third hinge mechanism31, and the other end of each elastic member30is connected to the lid member20via the fourth hinge mechanism32that has an axis parallel to the axis of the third hinge mechanism31. Whereby, when the lid member20has been attached to the cap body10, each elastic member30is restrained from being elastically deformed. Thus, even if the lid member20is attached to the cap body10for a long time, it is possible to prevent plastic deformation of the elastic members30,30.

According to the cap1and the container with the cap of this embodiment, the end portions of the elastic members30,30and the coupling member40, which are connected to the lid member20, are located away from each other in the direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the hinge mechanisms32,42. Whereby, in a state where the elastic members30,30have been restored, the lid member20can be stopped from being pivotally moved by the second hinge mechanism42. Thus, the lid member20can be held at a position at which the elastic members30,30and the coupling member40are balanced to each other.

Meanwhile, although the lid member20can be held at a position at which the elastic members30,30and the coupling member40are balanced to each other, such balanced position exists in plural in a cap where both end portions of each of the elastic members30,30and the both ends of the coupling member40, that is, the axes of four hinge mechanisms31,32,41,42are located away from each other in the direction orthogonal to their extending directions. The description will be made hereinafter with reference toFIG. 5.

InFIG. 5, a chain triple dashed line S represents a trajectory, through which the axis P of the second hinge mechanism42passes when the coupling member40has been pivotally moved around the axis O of the first hinge mechanism41. A chain double dashed line T represents a trajectory, through which the axis R of the fourth hinge mechanism32passes when the elastic members30,30have been pivotally moved around the axis Q of the third hinge mechanism31without being elastically deformed.

Furthermore, a chain dashed line U represents a trajectory, through which the axis R of the fourth hinge mechanism32passes when the lid member20is pivotally moved around the axis P of the second hinge mechanism42. When the coupling member40is pivotally moved by the first hinge mechanism41and the axis P of the second hinge mechanism42is located at a predetermined position, the elastic members30and the coupling member40are balanced to each other, provided that the axis R of the fourth hinge mechanism32is located at a position, at which the chain dashed line U when the axis P of the second hinge mechanism42is located at a predetermined position crosses the chain double dashed line T.

Thus, the elastic members30and the coupling member40are balanced to each other in any of the cases where: the lid member20is attached to the cap body10(the axial position P1of the second hinge mechanism42, the axial position R1of the fourth hinge mechanism32); and the lid member20is moved away from the cap body10and is kept held by the elastic members30,30and the coupling member40(the axial position P2of the second hinge mechanism42, the axial position R2of the fourth hinge mechanism32).

Thus, according to the cap1and the container with the cap according to this embodiment, the engaged member44of the coupling member40is engaged with the engaging stopper member14of the cap body10. Whereby, the lid member20is first pivotally moved by the second hinge mechanism42, and once the pair of projections501,502of the first pivotal movement restraining device50abut each other, the coupling member40starts to be pivotally moved by the first hinge mechanism41. Thus, when the coupling member40is moved away from the cap body10through the pivotal movement by the first hinge mechanism41, the lid member20is located sufficiently away from the coupling member40on the inward side (cf.,FIG. 4(c)).

When each elastic member30is restored by elastic force and thus the lid member20is moved away from the cap body10from the above position, the lid member20is held at a position at which the lid member20is located away from the cap body10(the axial position P2of the second hinge mechanism42, the axial position R2of the fourth hinge mechanism32) and at which the elastic members30,30and the coupling member40are balanced to each other. Thus, it is possible to prevent the lid member20from causing obstruction when the content is poured out from the container9.

On the contrary, with the arrangement where there are no engaging stopper member14and no engaged member44, the coupling member40is pivotally moved away from the cap body10by the first hinge mechanism41in a state where the lid member20is located insufficiently away from the coupling member40on the inward side. Thus, as shown inFIG. 6(c), the lid member10is held at a position at which the lid member20is located close to the cap body10(the axial position P2of the second hinge mechanism42, the axial position R2′ of the fourth hinge mechanism32) and at which the elastic members30,30and the coupling member40are balanced to each other. As a result, the lid member20causes obstruction when the content is poured out from the container9.

According to the cap1and the container with the cap of this embodiment, even when the lid member20, which is pivotally moved by the second hinge mechanism42, is forced to move close to the coupling member40beyond a predetermined limit, the first and second pivotal movement restraining devices50,51restrain the pivotal movement. Whereby, even when there are plural positions, at which the elastic members30,30and the coupling member40are balanced to each other, the lid member20can be held at a predetermined position.

Specifically, as shown inFIG. 7(a), when the position of the axis P of the second hinge mechanism42is located at a position, such as the axial position P3located between the axial position P1(the position at which the lid member20is attached to the cap body10) and the axial position P2(the position at which the lid member20is held at a predetermined position), the projection511of the second pivotal movement restraining device51abuts the coupling member40as shown inFIG. 7(b), or the projections501,502of the first pivotal movement restraining device50abut each other as shown inFIG. 7(c), although the elastic members30and the coupling member40are to be balanced to each other.

Thus, at the axial position P3, the pivotal movement restraining devices50,51cause the elastic members30to be brought into elastically deformed state, so that the elastic members30and the coupling member40cannot be balanced to each other. Whereby, even when there are plural positions at which the elastic members30,30and the coupling member40are balanced to each other, the lid member20can be held at a predetermined position.

Now, the description will be made for the second embodiment of the cap and the container with the cap according to the present invention, with reference toFIGS. 8-12.

The cap of this embodiment is made of resin (e.g., plastic). As shown inFIGS. 8-11, the cap includes a cap body100that is attached to the opening portion91and has a pour spout opening102afor pouring out the content of the container9, a lid member200that is attached to and detached from the cap body100to open and close the pour spout opening102a, and an elastic member300that couple the lid member200to the cap body100. In addition to the elastic member300, the cap further includes a pair of coupling members400,400that couple the lid member200to the cap body100.

The cap is configured so that: when the lid member200has been attached to the cap body100, the elastic member300is elastically deformed; and when the lid member200has been detached from the cap body100, the elastic member300is restored, thereby causing the lid member200to be moved away from the cap body100. The coupling members400,400are connected to the cap body100, respectively via first hinge mechanisms400aand connected to the lid member200via second hinge mechanisms400bthat have an axis parallel to the axis of the first hinge mechanisms400a.

The cap body100includes a circumferential wall portion101, to which the elastic member300and the coupling members400,400are connected, and a pour spout portion102that has the pour spout opening102alocated at a position close to a first end of the circumferential wall portion101. The cap body100includes a engaging stopper member103that engages with the coupling members400,400when the lid member200is moved close to the cap body100.

The circumferential wall portion101has a cylindrical shape and is connected at its circumferential portion to the elastic member300and the coupling members400,400. The circumferential wall portion101has a threaded portion on the inner circumferential portion, through which the circumferential wall portion101is threaded into the opening portion91of the container9to be attached to the opening portion91of the container9.

The pour spout portion102extends from the position close to the first end of the circumferential wall portion101along the axial direction of the circumferential wall portion101. The pour spout portion102has the pour spout opening102alocated at a position close to its tip end (the first end), and has an engaging stopper member102blocated at a position close to its base end, which engages with the lid member200to fix the lid member200in position when the lid member200closes the pour spout opening102a. The overall shape of the pour spout portion102is conical, which decreases in diameter towards the tip end side, and, on the portion of the engaging stopper member102b, increases in diameter towards the tip end side.

The pour spout portion102provides communication between the inside of the circumferential wall portion101and the outside of the cap body100(circumferential wall portion101) via the pour spout opening102a. Specifically, the pour spout portion102provides communication between the inside and outside of the container9when the cap body100has been attached to the container9.

The engaging stopper member103projects from the outer peripheral edge of the first end of the circumferential wall portion101in the axial direction, and has a curved plate shape standing upright. With this, the engaging stopper member103is configured so as to stop the coupling members400,400from being pivotally moved by the first hinge mechanism400abeyond a predetermined angle. The engaging stopper member103includes a support part103aat its leading end to support the second hinge mechanism400band thereby enable the lid member200to be easily pivotally moved by the second hinge mechanism400bin a state where the engaging part103keeps engaging with the coupling members400,400.

The lid member200includes a housing201having a cylindrical shape to house the pour spout portion102, and a sealing part202that abuts the pour spout opening102ato seal the pour spout opening102a. The lid member200includes a connection piece203, to which the elastic member300and the coupling members400,400are connected, and a flange part204that is operated (hooked) when the lid member200is to be detached from the cap body100.

The housing201allows the pour spout portion102to be placed thereinto, or fit over the pour spout portion102, thereby housing the pour spout portion102. The housing201includes an engaged part201a, with which the engaging stopper member102bof the pour spout portion102engages, thereby allowing the lid member200(sealing part202) to be fixed to the cap body100(the pour spout portion102) when the lid member200(sealing part202) is to close the pour spout opening102a. The housing201has a diameter smaller than the circumferential wall portion101of the cap body100. The engaged part201ais formed at a distal end of the housing201and projects radially inwardly.

The sealing part202is formed at a proximal end of the housing201and projects inwardly. The sealing part202is brought into tight contact with an inner periphery of the pour spout opening102ato seal (close) the pour spout opening102awhen the housing201has been fixed to the pour spout portion102.

The connection piece203radially projects from the housing201and has a plate shape. The connection piece203is configured so that, when the housing201has been fixed to the pour spout portion102, the end portion of the connection piece203, to which the elastic member300and the coupling members400,400are connected, is substantially matched in position with the outer peripheral edge of the circumferential wall portion101in the axial direction of the circumferential wall portion101(housing201).

The elastic member300is connected to the cap body100via a third hinge mechanism300athat has an axis parallel to the axes of the hinge mechanisms400a,400b. The elastic member300has a band shape and is formed to have a length greater than the coupling members400,400. The elastic member300and the coupling members400,400are disposed to have their end portions, which are connected to the cap body100, located away from each other in the direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the hinge mechanisms300a,400a,400b.

Specifically, the elastic member300is connected to the cap body100(circumferential wall portion101) at a position closer to a first end (pour spout portion102) than the coupling members400,400are. With this, the elastic member300is elastically deformed into a curved shape when the lid member200has been attached to the cap body100, and is restored into a straight shape when the lid member200has been detached from the cap body100. The third hinge mechanism300ais formed by reducing the thickness of an end portion of the elastic member300.

Each coupling member400has rigidity and has a straight band shape. The pair of the coupling members400,400are aligned to each other with the elastic member300therebetween. Each coupling member400is located along the circumferential wall portion101when the lid member200has been attached to the cap body100. The hinge mechanisms400a,400bare formed by reducing the thickness of the respective end portions of each coupling member400.

Each coupling member400is connected to the cap body100via the first hinge mechanism400ato be able to be moved toward and away from the cap body100integrally with the lid member200. Each coupling member400is connected to the lid member200via the second hinge mechanism400bto enable the lid member200to be moved toward and away from the cap body100. Each coupling member400maintains its straight shape, that is, is not deformed when it is pivotally moved via the hinge mechanisms400a,400b.

The cap and the container with the cap according to this embodiment have the configurations as described above, and now the description will be made for the function of the cap and the container with the cap according to this embodiment with reference toFIG. 12.

First, the description will be made for the case where the lid member200is detached from the cap body100. As shown inFIG. 12(a), when the lid member200is attached to the cap body100, the elastic member300is elastically deformed into a curved shape. Each coupling member400is located along the circumferential wall portion101.

When the lid member200has been detached from the cap body100, the elastic member300is restored to allow the connection piece203of the lid member200and the end portion of the elastic member300to be aligned in straight line, as shown inFIG. 12(b), since the elastic member300is connected to the lid member200without the hinge mechanisms. At this moment, the lid member200is pivotally moved by the second hinge mechanism400b.

Then, as shown inFIG. 12(c), the lid member200, the elastic member300and the coupling members400,400are integrally moved away from the cap body100due to the restoration force of the elastic member300, which causing the elastic member300to be restored entirely into a straight shape. At this moment, the lid member200and each coupling member400are pivotally moved by the first hinge mechanism400a, and the elastic member300is pivotally moved by the third hinge mechanism300awhile it is being restored or deformed.

As shown inFIG. 12(d), when the elastic member300is restored into a straight shape, the elastic member300and the coupling members400,400together hold the lid member200at a balanced position. That is, the elastic member300and the coupling members400,400together hold the lid member200at a position at which the lid member200is located away from the cap body100.

Now, the description will be made for the case where the lid member200is attached to the cap body100. As shown inFIG. 12(d), when the lid member200is urged from the position at which the elastic member300and the coupling members400,400together hold the lid member200, the lid member200, the elastic member300and the coupling members400,400are integrally moved toward the cap body100, as shown inFIG. 12(c).

At this moment, the elastic member300is pivotally moved by the third hinge mechanism300awhile it is elastically deformed, and the lid member200and each coupling member400is pivotally moved by the first hinge mechanism400a. Accordingly, as shown inFIG. 12(b), the engaging part103engages with each coupling member400so that each coupling member400is stopped from being pivotally moved by the first hinge mechanism400a. Along with this, the lid member200and the elastic member300are also stopped from being pivotally moved by the first hinge mechanism400aand the third hinge mechanism300a, respectively.

Then, when the lid member200is further urged, the lid member200is pivotally moved by the second hinge mechanism400bwhile the support part103aof the engaging part103supports the second hinge mechanism400b. Accordingly, as shown inFIG. 12(a), the elastic member300is further elastically deformed into a curved shape so that the lid member200is attached to the cap body100while each coupling member400is located along the circumferential wall portion101.

Thus, according to the cap and the container with the cap of this embodiment, each coupling member400is connected to the cap body100via the first hinge mechanism400aso that, when each coupling member400is pivotally moved by the first hinge mechanism400a, the lid member200, the elastic member300and each coupling member400are integrally moved toward and away from the cap body100. Also, each coupling member400is connected to the lid member200via the second hinge mechanism400bso that, when the lid member200is pivotally moved by the second hinge mechanism400b, the lid member200is moved toward and away from the cap body100. Whereby, the lid member200is moved toward and away from the cap body100by being pivotally moved by the two different axes.

Furthermore, it is configured so that, when the lid member200has been attached to the cap body100, each coupling member400is held at a position close to the cap body100. Thus, when the elastic member300has been restored, the distance between the lid member200and the cap body100can be increased, while at the same time, it is possible to prevent or reduce the increase in volume of the cap, when the lid member200has been attached to the cap body100.

According to the cap and the container with the cap of this embodiment, the end portions of the elastic member300and the coupling members400,400are located away from each other in the axial direction of the circumferential wall portion101. Whereby, when the elastic member300is in a restored position, the elastic member300and the coupling members400,400together stop the lid member200from being pivotally moved so as to stably hold the lid member200at a balanced position.

According to the cap and the container with the cap of this embodiment, the elastic member300is connected to the circumferential wall portion101of the cap body100at a portion closer to a first end of the circumferential wall portion101than the coupling members400,400are. Whereby, the elastic member300is elastically deformed into a curved shape when the lid member200has been attached to the cap body100, and restored into a straight shape when the lid member200has been detached from the cap body100.

According to the cap and the container with the cap of this embodiment, when the lid member200is moved toward the cap body100, the engaging part103engages with each coupling member400, so that the engaging part103stops each coupling member400from being pivotally moved by the first hinge mechanism400abeyond a predetermined angle. Also, when the engaging part103is engaging with each coupling member400, the support part103aprovided at the leading end of the engaging part103supports the second hinge mechanism400bso that the lid member200can be easily pivotally moved by the second hinge mechanism400b.

According to the cap and the container with the cap of this embodiment, the elastic member300is connected to the circumferential wall portion101of the cap body100via the third hinge mechanism300a. Whereby, the end portion of the elastic member300is prevented from being locally deformed. Thus, it is possible to prevent plastic deformation of the elastic member300.

Now, the description will be made for a third embodiment of the cap and the container with the cap according to the present invention with reference toFIGS. 13-15. InFIGS. 13-15, parts or members, to which the same reference numerals are allocated, represent the same constructions or elements as those of the second embodiment.

The cap of this embodiment is made of resin (e.g., plastic). As shown inFIGS. 13 and 14, the cap includes a cap body110that has a pour spout opening112a, a lid member120that is attached to and detached from the cap body110to open and close the pour spout opening112a, an elastic member130that couples the lid member120to the cap body110, and a pair of coupling members140,140that couple the lid member120to the cap body110.

Each coupling member140is connected to the cap body110via a first hinge mechanism141, and is connected to the lid member120via a second hinge mechanism142having an axis parallel to the axis of the first hinge mechanism141. The elastic member130is connected to the cap body110via a third hinge mechanism131having an axis parallel to the axes of the hinge mechanisms141,142.

The cap body110includes a circumferential wall portion111that is connected to the elastic member130and the coupling members140,140, and a pour spout portion112that has the pour spout opening112alocated at a position close to the first end of the circumferential wall portion111. The cap body110includes an engaging stopper member113that engages with the coupling members140,140when the lid member120is moved toward the cap body110, and projecting engagement portions114,114,114that are located around the pour spout portion112to engage with the lid member120to fix the same when the lid member120closes the pour spout opening112a.

The engaging stopper member113has a curved plate shape standing upright, and is configured to stop the coupling members140,140from being pivotally moved by the first hinge mechanisms141beyond a predetermined angle. The engaging stopper member113includes a support part113aat its leading end to support the second hinge mechanism142and thereby enable the lid member120to be easily pivotally moved by the second hinge mechanism142.

The lid member120includes a housing121that has a cylindrical shape to house the pour spout portion112, and a sealing part122that seals the pour spout opening112a. The lid member120includes a connection piece123that radially projects from the housing121and connects with an elastic member3and coupling members4,4, and a flange part124to be operated when the lid member120is detached from the cap body110. The housing121includes an engaged part121athat radially inwardly projects to be engaged with the projecting engagement portions114,114, when the housing121houses the pour spout portion112and the projecting engagement portions114,114,114.

The elastic member130has a band shape and a length greater than the coupling members140,140. The elastic member130and the coupling members140,140are disposed to respectively have end portions, which are connected to the circumferential wall portion111of the cap body110, located away from each other in the direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the hinge mechanisms131,141,142.

The elastic member130is connected to the cap body110(circumferential wall portion111) at a position closer to a second end of the cap body110than each coupling member140is. Specifically, each coupling member140is connected to the cap body110at a position closer to a first end (pour spout portion112) of the cap body110than the elastic member130is. Whereby, the elastic member130is elastically deformed into a straight shape when the lid member120has been attached to the cap body110, and restored into a curved shape to project inwardly when the lid member120has been detached from the cap body110.

Each coupling member140has rigidity and formed into a band shape. The pair of the coupling members140,140are aligned to each other with the elastic member130therebetween. Each coupling member140is elastically deformed into a linear shape so as to be located along the circumferential wall portion111when the lid member120has been attached to the cap body110.

The cap and the container with the cap according to this embodiment have the configurations as described above, and now the description will be made for the function of the cap and the container with the cap according to this embodiment with reference toFIG. 15.

First, the description will be made for the case where the lid member120is detached from the cap body110. As shown inFIG. 15(a), when the lid member120is attached to the cap body110, the elastic member130is elastically deformed into a straight shape. The elastic member130and each coupling member140are located along the circumferential wall portion111.

When the lid member120has been detached from the cap body110, the elastic member130is restored into a curved shape to project inwardly or toward the cap body110(circumferential wall portion111). Whereby, as shown inFIG. 15(b), the lid member120is pivotally moved by the second hinge mechanisms142, while, at the same time, the elastic member130and the coupling members140,140are integrally pivotally moved since the elastic member130pushes the circumferential wall portion111.

Then, as shown inFIG. 15(c), the lid member120, the elastic member130and the coupling members140,140are integrally and pivotally moved away further from the cap body110due to the restoration force of the elastic member130, which causes the elastic member to be restored entirely into a curved shape. As shown inFIG. 15(d), when the elastic member130has been restored into a curved shape, the elastic member130and the coupling members140,140together hold the lid member120at a balanced position. That is, the elastic member130and the coupling members140,140together hold the lid member120at a position at which the lid member120is located away from the cap body110.

Now, the description will be made for the case where the lid member120is attached to the cap body110. As shown inFIG. 15(d), when the lid member120is urged from the position at which the elastic member130and the coupling members140,140together hold the lid member120, the lid member120, the elastic member130and the coupling members140,140are integrally moved toward the cap body110, as shown inFIG. 15(c).

Accordingly, as shown inFIG. 15(b), the engaging stopper member113engages with the coupling members140,140to stop the coupling members140,140from being pivotally moved by the first hinge mechanisms141. When the lid member120is further urged, the lid member120is pivotally moved by the second hinge mechanisms142with the support part113aof the locking member113kept supporting the second hinge mechanisms142.

Accordingly, as shown inFIG. 15(a), the lid member120is attached to the cap body110with the elastic member130, which has been elastically deformed into a straight shape, and the coupling members140,140located along the circumferential wall portion111.

As described above, according to the cap and the container with the cap of this embodiment, each coupling member140is connected to the cap body110via the first hinge mechanism141so that the lid member120, the elastic member130and the coupling members140,140are integrally moved toward and away from the cap body110. Each coupling member140is connected to the lid member120via the second hinge mechanism142so that the lid member120is moved toward and away from the cap body110.

Whereby, it is configured so that, when the lid member120has been attached to the cap body110, each coupling member140is held at a position close to the cap body110. Thus, when the elastic member130has been restored, the distance between the lid member120and the cap body110can be increased, while, at the same time, it is possible to prevent or reduce the increase in volume of the cap, when the lid member120has been attached to the cap body110.

Furthermore, according to the cap and the container with the cap of this embodiment, each coupling member140is connected to the circumferential wall portion111of the cap body110at a position closer to a first end of the circumferential wall portion111than the elastic member130is. Whereby, the elastic member130can be elastically deformed into a straight shape when the lid member120has been attached to the cap body110, and can be restored into a curved shape when the lid member120has been detached from the cap body110.

The cap and the container with the cap according to the present invention are not necessarily limited to the above embodiments and it is a mater of course that they may be subjected to various modifications within the scope of the present invention. The structures of any of the above plural embodiments or methods may be arbitrarily employed (that is, the structure or method of one embodiment may be applied to the structure or method of another embodiment). Furthermore, it is matter of course that the structure or method of each of the various modified examples may be arbitrarily selected to be used as the structure or method of each of the above embodiments.

For the cap1and the container with the cap according to the first embodiment, the description was made by taking, for example, the case where the elastic members30is elastically deformed to elongate as the lid member20is moved away from the cap body10. This is not essential. For example, as shown inFIGS. 16 and 17, an elastic member301may be elastically deformed to shrink as the lid member20is moved away from the cap body10.

A cap as shown inFIGS. 16 and 17includes the elastic member301that is connected to the cap body10via a third hinge mechanism301aand connected to the lid member20via a fourth hinge mechanism301b, and a pair of coupling members401,401that are connected to the cap body10via a first hinge mechanism401aand connected to the lid member20via a second hinge mechanism401b. Furthermore, the cap includes a pivotal movement restraining device501that includes a pair of projections501a,501b, which restrains the lid member20from being moved close to the coupling members401,401beyond a predetermined limit through pivotal movement by the second hinge mechanism401b.

The elastic member301and the coupling members401,401are disposed to have their end portions, which are connected to the cap body10, located away from each other in the direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the hinge mechanisms301a,401a. Specifically, each coupling member401is connected to the cap body10at a position closer to a second end (lower end) of the cap body10in the axial direction of the cap body10than the elastic member301is, and closer to the axis of the cap body10in the radial direction of the cap body10than the elastic member301is.

The elastic member301and the coupling members401,401are disposed to have their ends, which are connected to the lid member20, located away from each other in the direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the hinge mechanisms301b,401b. Specifically, each coupling member401is connected to the lid member20at a position closer to a first end of the lid member20in the axial direction of the lid member20than the elastic member301is, and closer to the axis of the lid member20in the radial direction of the lid member20than the elastic member301is. The function of the thus configured cap will be hereinafter described with reference toFIG. 17.

First, as shown inFIG. 17(a), with the lid member20attached to the cap body10, the elastic member301is kept in a curved shape. At this moment, the elastic member301is not elastically deformed due to the existence of the third and fourth hinge mechanisms301a,301b. Then, as shown inFIG. 17(b), when the lid member20is detached from the cap body10, the elastic member301is elastically deformed to shrink, and then each coupling member401is pivotally moved by the first hinge mechanism401aso that the lid member20is moved away from the cap body10.

Accordingly, along with the movement of the lid member20away from the cap body10, as shown inFIG. 17(c), the elastic member301is further elastically deformed to shrink. Then, when the elastic member301is elastically deformed beyond a predetermined limit, the elastic member301is restored by elastic force or deformed to elongate, thereby urging the lid member20. Thus, the lid member20is held away from the cap body10. As shown inFIG. 17(d), when the elastic member301has been restored, the elastic member301and the coupling members401,401together hold the lid member20at a balanced position at which the lid member20is located away from the cap body10.

For the cap1and the container with the cap according to the first embodiment, the description was made by taking, for example, the case where the elastic members30and the coupling member40are disposed to have their ends, which are connected to the lid member20, located away from each other in the direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the hinge mechanisms32,42. This is not essential. For example, as shown inFIGS. 18 and 19, elastic members730,730and a coupling member740may be disposed to have their ends, which are connected to a lid member720, located at the same position in the direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the hinge mechanisms732,742.

The cap shown inFIGS. 18 and 19includes a pair of elastic members730,730that are connected to the cap body710via a third hinge mechanism731and connected to the lid member720via a fourth hinge mechanism732, and a coupling member740that is connected to the cap body710via a first hinge mechanism741and connected to the lid member720via a second hinge mechanism742. Furthermore, the cap includes a pivotal movement restraining device750that includes a pair of projections751,752in order to restrain the lid member720from being moved close to the coupling member740beyond a predetermined limit through further pivotal movement by the second hinge mechanism742.

The elastic members730,730and the coupling member740are disposed to have their ends, which are connected to the cap body710, located away from each other in the direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the hinge mechanisms731,741. Specifically, each elastic member730is connected to the cap body710at a position closer to the second end (lower end) of the cap body710in the axial direction of the cap body710than the coupling member740is, and closer to the axis of the cap body710in the radial direction of the cap body710than the coupling member740is. The function of the thus configured cap will be hereinafter described with reference toFIGS. 18 and 19.

First, as shown inFIGS. 18(a) and18(b), with the lid member720attached to the cap body710, the elastic member730is kept in a curved shape. At this moment, the elastic members730,730are not elastically deformed due to the existence of the third and fourth hinge mechanisms731,732. Then, as shown inFIGS. 18(c) and18(d), the lid member720is detached from the cap body710, and the lid member720is pivotally moved by the second and fourth hinge mechanisms742,732so that the cap body710is moved away from the cap body710.

At this moment, as shown inFIG. 19(a), the lid member720is pivotally moved by the second and fourth hinge mechanisms742,732, while each elastic member730is not elastically deformed before the pair of the projections751,752of the pivotal movement restraining device750abut each other. When the pair of the projections751,752abut each other, the lid member720and the coupling member740are pivotally moved by the first hinge mechanism741. Accordingly, along with the movement of the lid member720away from the cap body710, each elastic member730is elastically deformed to elongate.

Furthermore, as shown inFIG. 19(b), when each elastic member730has been elastically deformed to elongate into a straight shape, each elastic member730is restored by elastic force or deformed to shrink, thereby urging the lid member720, so that the lid member720is held away from the cap body710. Then, as shown inFIGS. 19(c) and19(d), when each elastic member730has been restored, the elastic members730,730and the coupling member740together hold the lid member720at a balanced position at which the lid member720is located away from the cap body710.

For the cap1and the container with the cap according to the first embodiment, the description was made by taking, for example, the case where the pair of the elastic members30,30are located with the one coupling member40therebetween. This is not essential. For example, one elastic member, or three or more elastic members may be provided. Or, two or more coupling members may be provided.

For the cap1and the container with the cap according to the first embodiment, the description was made by taking, for example, the case where the width of the elastic members30,30is smaller than the width of the coupling member40. This is not essential. For example, the width of the elastic member may be greater than the width of the coupling member. Or, the width of the elastic member may be equal to the width of the coupling member.

For the cap1and the container with the cap according to the first embodiment, the description was made by taking, for example, the case where the pour spout opening12is an opening end located at a position close to the first end of the cylindrical circumferential wall portion11. This is not essential. For example, as shown inFIGS. 18-19andFIG. 20, a pour spout opening712aor812amay be located at a distal end portion of a pour spout portion712or812, which projects from the first end of a circumferential wall portion711or811.

In each of the caps shown inFIGS. 18-19andFIG. 20, the lid member720or820is attached to the cap body710or810so that the pour spout portion712or812is housed in a lid body721or821, and the pour spout opening712aor812ais sealed by a sealing part722or822.

For the cap1and the container with the cap according to the first embodiment, the description was made by taking, for example, the case where, when the lid member20is detached from the cap body10, the flange portion24of the lid member20is operated. This is not essential.

For example, as shown inFIGS. 18 and 19, it is possible to employ a configuration, in which an engaging stopper member715engages with a engaged member725in order to allow the lid member720to be fixed to the cap body710. From this position, operational portions716,716of the cap body710are pressed, thereby displacing the cap body710and the lid member720relative to each other and thus enabling the engaging stopper member715and the engaged member725to be brought into a position, where they are released from engagement with each other. The function of the thus configured cap will be hereinafter described with reference toFIG. 18.

Specifically, as shown inFIGS. 18(a) and18(b), with the engaged member725held in engagement with the engaging stopper member715, a pair of the operational portions716,716coupled to the circumferential wall portion711of the cap body710are radially inwardly pressed, which causes elastic deformation of the operational portions716,716. Whereby, guide portions717,717, which have a tapered shape projecting from each operational portion716, guide guided portions726,726, which have a tapered shape projecting from the lid member720.

Accordingly, as shown inFIGS. 18(c) and18(d), the lid member720is displaced upward relative to the cap body710. Whereby, the engaged member725is displaced relative to the engaging stopper member715, thus enabling the engaged member725to be switched into a position, where the engaged member725is released from engagement with the engaging stopper member715. Providing of the two operation portions716,716is not necessarily, while it is possible to provide only one operational portion716.

For the cap1and the container with the cap according to the above first embodiment, the description was made by taking, for example, the case where the elastic members30is elastically deformed into a straight shape, while being restored into a curved shape (specifically, a curved shape having one concave or convex, that is, an arc shape). This is not essential. For example, an elastic member may be elastically deformed into a curved shape having plural recesses and projections, while being restored into a straight shape by elastic force. Also, as shown inFIG. 20, an elastic member830is elastically deformed into a straight shape, while being elastically restored into a wave shape having plural recesses and projections by elastic force.

For the cap1and the container with the cap according to the above first embodiment, the description was made by taking, for example, the case where the first pivotal movement restraining device50includes the projection501that projects from the lid member20and the projection502that projects from the coupling member40; and the second pivotal movement restraining device51includes the projection511that projects from the lid member20. This is not essential.

For example, as shown inFIG. 20, a pivotal movement restraining device850may include a projection851that projects from the elastic member830. According to this configuration, the projection851abuts a lid member820to restrain the lid member820from being moved close to a coupling member840beyond a predetermined limit through pivotal movement by a second hinge mechanism842. Furthermore, the hinge mechanisms each are formed by reducing the thickness of the corresponding end portion of each of the elastic member30and the coupling member40, which are made of resin. Thus, for example, it is possible to employ a configuration, in which each hinge mechanism has elastic force so that each hinge mechanism itself possesses a pivotal movement restraining function by elastic force.

For the cap1and the container with the cap according to the above first embodiment, the description was made by taking, for example, the case where each elastic member30is not elastically deformed when the lid member20has been attached to the cap body10. This is not essential. For example, as shown inFIGS. 20(a) and20(c), the elastic member830may be slightly elastically deformed to such an extent as not to cause plastic deformation, by abutment of the lid member820with the projection851of the pivotal movement restraining device when the lid member820has been attached to the cap body810.

For the cap and the container with the cap according to the above third embodiment, the description was made by taking, for example, the case where the elastic member130is restored into a curved shape to project inwardly when the lid member120has been detached from the cap body110. This is not essential. Specifically, as shown inFIGS. 21 and 22, it is possible to employ a configuration, in which an elastic member130′ is connected to the cap body110via a hinge mechanism131′, and is restored into a curved shape to project outwardly when the lid member120has been detached from the cap body110.

For the cap and the container with the cap according to each of the second and third embodiments, the description was made by taking, for example, the case where the elastic member300or130and the coupling member400or140are disposed to have their ends, which are connected to the cap body100or110, located away from each other in the direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the hinge mechanisms300a,400a,400b, or131,141,142, and have their ends, which are connected to the lid member200or120, located at the same position in the direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the hinge mechanism300a,400a,400b, or131,141,142.

For example, an elastic member and a coupling member may be disposed to have their first ends matched in position to their second ends, or may be disposed to have their first ends matched in position to each other, while having second ends located away from each other. In a case where the first ends are matched in position to the second ends, an elastic member is preferably connected to the cap body and the lid member without a hinge mechanism.

Furthermore, as shown inFIGS. 23 and 24, an elastic member230and each coupling member240may be disposed to have not only first ends, which are connected to a cap body210, located away from each other in the direction orthogonal to the cap body210, but also second ends, which are connected to a lid member220, located away from each other in the direction orthogonal to hinge mechanisms231,241,242. According to the thus configured cap, a circumferential wall portion211of the cap body210functions as an engaging part213, while an upper end of the circumferential wall portion211(engaging part213) functions as a support part213a.

In addition, as shown inFIG. 25, it is possible to employ a configuration, in which there are provided an elastic member330, a pair of first coupling members340,340aligned to each other with the elastic member330therebetween, and a pair of second coupling members350,350aligned to each other with the first coupling members340,340therebetween, in which the first coupling members340,340and the second coupling members350,350are disposed to have not only their first ends, which are connected to the cap body310, but also the second ends, which are connected to the lid member320, located away from each other in the direction orthogonal to the hinge mechanisms331,341,342,351,352.

For the cap and the container with the cap according to each of the above second and third embodiments, the description was made by taking, for example, the case where the elastic members300or130and the coupling member400or140have the same width. This is not essential. For example, the elastic member may have a width greater than the width of the coupling member. Also, as shown inFIG. 26, a coupling member440that couples a lid member420to a cap body410may have a width greater than the width of elastic members430,430. The elastic members430,430and the coupling member440may be provided at their first and second ends with hinge mechanisms431,432,441,442.

For the cap and the container with the cap according to each of the above second and third embodiments, the description was made by taking, for example, the case where the pair of the coupling members400,400, or140,140are aligned to each other with the elastic member300or130therebetween. This is not essential. For example, as shown inFIG. 26, a pair of elastic members430,430may be aligned to each other with a coupling member440therebetween. In summary, no limitation is intended to the number of elastic members or coupling members, and the arrangements thereof.

For the cap and the container with the cap according to each of the above second and third embodiments, the description was made by taking, for example, the case where the pour spout portion102or112projects from the circumferential wall portion101or111. This is not essential. As shown inFIG. 27, a cap body510may be configured so that a pour spout opening512ais located at a first end of a circumferential wall portion511. That is, the pour spout opening512amay not be located at a projecting pour spout portion.

As shown inFIG. 27(a), the pour spout opening512ais sealed by a lid member520that is coupled to the cap body510via an elastic member530and a coupling member540. In the thus configured cap, the circumferential wall portion511of the cap body510functions as an engaging stopper member513.

For the cap and the container with the cap according to each of the above second and third embodiments, the description was made by taking, for example, the case where the flange part204or124of the lid member200or120is operated when the lid member200or120is detached from the cap body100or110. This is not essential.

For example, as the cap explained with reference toFIGS. 23 and 24, it may be configured so that the circumferential wall portion211of the cap body210is pressed in a state where an engaged part221ais engaged with an engaging part212bof the cap body210, thereby causing the cap body210to be displaced relative to the lid member220to bring the engaging part212bto a position at which it releases the engaged part221afrom the engagement therewith.

Specifically, as shown inFIG. 24, with the engaged part221aengaged with the engaging part212b, when the circumferential wall portion211of the cap body210is pressed radially inwardly (in a direction represented by an arrow J inFIG. 24(a)), the circumferential wall portion211of the cap body210is deformed. Whereby, a guide portion214that has a tapered shape projecting from the cap body210guides a guided portion224that has a tapered shape projecting from the lid member220. Thus, the lid member220is displaced upward relative to the cap body210.

Accordingly, the engaging part212bis displaced relative to the engaged part221aso that the engaging part212bis brought into a position at which it releases the engaged part221afrom the engagement therewith. Thus, as shown inFIG. 24(b), the elastic member230, which has been elastically deformed, is restored, and the lid member220is moved away from the cap body210, which is coupled to the lid member220via the coupling members240.

Furthermore, as shown inFIG. 28, it is possible to employ a configuration, which enables switching the operational position into a position at which an engaging part614of a cap body610engages with an engaged part621aof a lid member620, and into a position at which the engaging part614releases the engaged part621afrom the engagement therewith by the displacement of the engaging part relative to the engaged part621a.

Specifically, as shown inFIG. 28(a), with the engaged part621aengaged with the engaging part614, when a circumferential wall portion611of a cap body610is pressed radially inwardly (in a direction represented by an arrow K inFIG. 28(a)), the circumferential wall portion611of the cap body610is deformed. Whereby, the engaging part614is displaced relative to the engaged part621aso that the engaging part614is switched into a position at which it releases the engaged part621afrom the engagement therewith. Thus, as shown inFIG. 28(b), an elastic member630, which has been elastically deformed, is restored and the lid member620is moved away from the cap body610, to which the lid member620is coupled via a coupling member640.

For the cap and the container with the cap according to each of the above second and third embodiments, the description was made by taking, for example, the case where the elastic member300is elastically deformed into a curved shape (specifically, a curved shape having one concave or convex) and restored into a straight shape. Also, for the cap and the container with the cap according to the third embodiment, the description was made by taking, for example, the case where the elastic member130is elastically deformed into a straight shape and restored into a curved shape. These are not essential. For example, an elastic member may be elastically deformed into a curved shape such as a wave shape having plural concaves and convexes or restored into such a shape, and furthermore, an elastic member may be elastically deformed and restored into such a shape.

For the cap1and the container with the cap according to each of the above first to third embodiments, the description was made by taking, for example, the case where the coupling member40,400or140has a straight shape. This is not essential. For example, a coupling member may have a curved shape or arc shape. In summary, a coupling member essentially has rigidity so as not to be deformed even when it is pivotally moved by each hinge mechanism, or a lid member is detached from a cap body.

For the cap1and the container with the cap according to each of the above first to third embodiments, the description was made by taking, for example, the case where the hinge mechanisms31,32,41,42,300a,400a,400b, or131,141,142are formed by reducing the thickness of corresponding end portions of the elastic member30,300or130, or corresponding end portions of the coupling member40,400or140. This is not essential. For example, each hinge mechanism may be achieved by employing a separate hinge member (a hinge).

For the container with the cap according to each of the above first to third embodiments, the description was made by taking, for example, the case where the cap1is made of resin or plastic. This is not essential. For example, a cap may be entirely made of metal, or formed by combining plural materials together. Especially, an elastic member is preferably made of a material (e.g., liquid crystal plastic), which has a large elastic force (restoration force) to be exerted when the elastic member has been elastically deformed, and is unlikely to cause plastic deformation when the elastic member has been elastically deformed.

For the container with the cap according to each of the above first to third embodiments, the description was made by taking, for example, the case where the container9is made of resin or plastic. This is not essential. For example, a container may be made of glass or metal (e.g., aluminium or steel).

For the container with the container with the cap according to the above first embodiment, the description was made by taking, for example, the case where the cap1is formed integrally with the container9. For the container with the cap according to each of the above second and third embodiments, the description was made by taking, for example, the case where the cap is detachably attached to the container by the screw mechanism. This is not essential. For example, a cap may be detachably attached to a container by a different fixing means, or a cap may be configured so as not to be detached once the cap has been fixed to the container.

Description Of Reference Numbers