Patent Publication Number: US-2012024815-A1

Title: Container with anti-loss and anti-idle-rotation cap

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to a container with an anti-loss and anti-idle-rotation cap, which maintains the coupling state of a cap body with a container body even when the cap has been opened, thus preventing the loss of the cap, and which prevents the cap from rotating downwards by gravity when contents are discharged out of the container, thus preventing the cap from touching a user&#39;s face even if he or she does not hold the cap with his or her hand, and preventing the cap from being hit by the contents when some contents come out of the container. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     Generally, a container, which is used to hold food, beverage and other liquid materials, such as potable water or milk, oil, paints, and chemical products, is provided with a container body which has a spout, and a cap which opens or closes the spout of the container body. The cap is detachably coupled to the spout to open or close it through a screw-type coupling method or a pressure-type coupling method using an elastic hooking end. 
     According to the prior art, as shown in  FIGS. 35 and 36 , a cap  130  is provided with an annular ring  133  under a cap body  131  in such a way that the annular ring is not removed from a container body  110 , enabling a user to see whether a container  100  has been opened or not. 
     The cap body  131  and the ring  133  are connected to each other via a plurality of bridges  137  which are provided in a radial direction of the cap. When the cap has been opened, the bridges  137  connecting the cap body  131  with the ring  133  are severed, thus leaving evidence that the container has been opened. 
     In such a container, after the cap body  131  is detached from the container body  110  to open the container when a user desires to take some of the contents out of the container, the cap body is coupled to the container body again. The detaching and coupling operations are repeatedly conducted. Meanwhile, when the cap body is completely removed from the ring, the cap may be contaminated or lost. Thus, in order to solve this problem, the ring  133  and the container body may be connected to each other in such a way that part of the ring is not removed from the container body. 
     However, since the ring  133  is coupled to the container body  110  in such a way as to be idly rotated, the opened cap body  131  is idly rotated together with the ring and is moved to a lower position by gravity when the contents are discharged out of the container. 
     Thus, when a user puts his or her mouth to the spout of the container body in order to drink the contents, the cap contacts his or her mouth or jaw, thus giving the user an unpleasant feeling and being cumbersome. Further, when the contents are transferred to another container, the contents flow into the cap, so that the cap becomes dirty and interferes with the discharge of the contents. 
     Further, as the cap is repeatedly opened or closed, even the one remaining bridge is severed too soon, so that the cap may be undesirably lost. 
     DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION 
     Technical Problem 
     Accordingly, the present invention has been made keeping in mind the above problems occurring in the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a container with an anti-loss and anti-idle-rotation cap, which maintains the coupling of a cap body with a container body even when the cap has been opened, thus preventing the cap from being lost, and which prevents gravity from rotating the cap downwards when contents are discharged from the container, thus preventing the cap from contacting a user&#39;s face even though the user does not hold the cap with his or her hand when he or she puts his or her mouth on the container, e.g. a beverage bottle, and drinks directly from the container, and preventing the cap from being hit by the contents when the contents come out of the container, therefore preventing the contamination of the cap and thereby affording convenience. 
     Technical Solution 
     In order to accomplish the above object, the present invention provides a container with an anti-loss and anti-idle-rotation cap, which is constructed so that a cap is fastened to a container body in a threaded manner, the container body having a ring stopping step provided under a threaded part of a spout so as to prevent removal of the cap, a support step provided under the ring stopping step to be spaced apart therefrom, and a support ring seat provided between the ring stopping step and the support step, wherein the cap includes a support ring, a cap body and a hinge part which are integrally connected to each other, the support ring being placed on the support ring seat to prevent the cap from being removed from the container body and from idly rotating, the cap body opening or closing the container body and having on an inner circumference thereof a threaded part, the hinge part coupling the support ring with the cap body. 
     Advantageous Effects 
     A container with an anti-loss and anti-idle-rotation cap according to the present invention is advantageous in that it maintains the coupling of a cap body with a container body even when the cap has been opened, thus preventing the cap from being lost, and prevents gravity from rotating the cap downwards when contents are discharged from the container, thus preventing the cap from contacting a user&#39;s face even though the user does not hold the cap with his or her hand when he or she puts his or her mouth on the container, e.g. a beverage bottle, and drinks directly from the container, and preventing the cap from being hit by the contents when the contents come out of the container, therefore preventing the contamination of the cap and thereby affording convenience. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view illustrating the construction of a container according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a view illustrating the varying state of the cap of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a view illustrating the state in which the cap of  FIG. 1  has been opened; 
         FIG. 4  is a sectional view illustrating the coupled state of the container of  FIG. 1 , in which some parts of the container are omitted; 
         FIG. 5  is a view illustrating the container which is changed from the state of  FIG. 4  to an open state; 
         FIG. 6  is a view illustrating the state in which the container of  FIG. 4  has been completely opened; 
         FIGS. 7 to 9  are views illustrating the construction of caps according to embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIG. 10  is an exploded sectional view illustrating a container according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 11  is a sectional view illustrating the coupled state of the container of  FIG. 10 ; 
         FIG. 12  is a view illustrating the state in which the cap of  FIG. 11  has been opened; 
         FIG. 13  is an exploded perspective view illustrating the construction of a container according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 14  is a vertical sectional view of  FIG. 13 ; 
         FIG. 15  is a sectional view illustrating the coupled state of the container of  FIG. 14 ; 
         FIG. 16  is a view illustrating the state in which the cap of  FIG. 15  has been opened; 
         FIG. 17  is a sectional view taken along line A-A of  FIG. 16 ; 
         FIG. 18  is a view illustrating the construction of a container according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 19  is a view illustrating the coupled state of the container of  FIG. 18 , in which a cap has been opened; 
         FIG. 20  is a view illustrating the construction of a container according to another embodiment corresponding to that of  FIG. 19 ; 
         FIG. 21  is an exploded perspective view illustrating the construction of a container according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 22  is a sectional view illustrating the state in which the cap of  FIG. 21  has been opened; 
         FIG. 23  is a view illustrating the construction of a container according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 24  is a view illustrating the state in which a cap of  FIG. 23  has been opened; 
         FIG. 25  is a view illustrating the construction of a container according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 26  is a view illustrating the state in which the cap of  FIG. 25  has been opened; 
         FIG. 27  is a perspective view illustrating a cap according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 28  is a sectional view illustrating the cap which has changed from the state of 
         FIG. 27  to an open state; 
         FIG. 29  is a perspective view illustrating a cap according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 30  is a sectional view illustrating the state in which the cap of  FIG. 29  has been opened; 
         FIG. 31  is a sectional view taken along line B-B of  FIG. 30 ; 
         FIG. 32  is a view illustrating the construction of a cap according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 33  is a sectional view illustrating the state in which the cap of  FIG. 32  is coupled to the container; 
         FIG. 34  is a view illustrating the state in which the cap of  FIG. 33  has been opened; 
         FIG. 35  is a view illustrating the construction of a conventional container; and 
         FIG. 36  is a perspective view illustrating the state in which the container of  FIG. 35  has been opened; 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE CHARACTERS OF IMPORTANT PARTS 
       1 : container with anti-loss and anti-idle-rotation cap according to the present invention 
       10 : container body  13 : stopping step 
       14 : support ring seat  14 L: long neck part 
       15 : support step  151 : locking hole 
       30 : cap  31 : cap body  33 : support ring 
       35 : hinge part  37 : bridge  39 : indication ring 
     S; locking protrusion K 1 ,K 2 : wedge 
     Mode for the Invention 
     Hereinafter, a container with an anti-loss and anti-idle-rotation cap according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
       FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view illustrating the construction of a container according to an embodiment of the present invention,  FIG. 2  is a view illustrating the varying state of a cap of  FIG. 1 ,  FIG. 3  is a view illustrating the state in which the cap of  FIG. 1  has been opened,  FIG. 4  is a sectional view illustrating the coupled state of the container of  FIG. 1 , in which some parts of the container are omitted,  FIG. 5  is a view illustrating the container which has changed from the state of  FIG. 4  to an open state, and  FIG. 6  is a view illustrating the state in which the container of  FIG. 4  has been completely opened. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1 to 6 , a container  1  with an anti-loss and anti-idle-rotation cap according to an embodiment of the present invention is constructed so that a cap  30  is fastened to a container body  10  in a threaded manner. The container body includes a ring stopping step  13  provided under a threaded part  11  of a spout so as to prevent the removal of the cap, a support step  15  provided under the ring stopping step  13  to be spaced apart therefrom, and a support ring seat  14  provided between the ring stopping step and the support step. Here, the cap  30  includes a support ring  33 , a cap body  31  and a hinge part  35  which are integrally connected to each other. The support ring is placed on the support ring seat  14  to prevent the cap from being removed from the container body  10  and from being idly rotated. The cap body opens or closes the container body  10  and has on an inner circumference thereof a threaded part  311 . The hinge part couples the support ring  33  with the cap body  31 . 
     The support ring  33  includes a cut line  34  at a position adjacent to the hinge part  35  to extend the coupling length of the supporting ring with the cap body  31 . 
     The cut line  34  is formed within the range of from 45 to 65% of the circumference of the support ring  33  around the hinge part  35 . The cut line is formed such that it is not too short or long. 
     As an embodiment of the present invention, as shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , the hinge part  35  comprises a foldable hinge which has a foldable line  351  to extend a length between the cap body  31  and the supporting ring  33  when the cap  30  has been opened. 
     The foldable hinge is folded by the foldable line  351  when the cap is closed, and is unfolded when the cap is opened, thus ensuring a length which allows the cap body  31  to be separated from the container body. 
     The hinge part  35  may comprise two or more hinges (see  FIG. 9 ). 
     In the present invention constructed as described above, the cap body  31  is connected to the support ring  33  via the hinge part  35 . The support ring  33  is fitted somewhat tightly over the container body  10  so as to prevent the removal and idle rotation of the cap. Thereby, the loss and idle rotation of the cap can be prevented without using a wedge. 
     Further, in order to separate the cap body  31  from the container body when the cap is opened, a spacing length from the support ring  33  is required. To this end, the cut line  34  or the foldable hinge is provided on the support ring  33 . 
     The cap  30  of the present invention is manufactured through injection molding, in the state where the hinge part  35  is unfolded between the support ring  33  and the cap body  31  (see  FIGS. 3 and 7 ). 
     According to an embodiment of the present invention, as shown in  FIGS. 10 to 12 , the support ring seat  14  of the container body  10  comprises a long neck part  14 L such that the support ring is movable up and down. The cap body  31  includes a step receiving end  313  under the threaded part  311 . The inner diameter of the step receiving end is larger than that of the threaded part  311  to allow the step receiving end to pass over the ring stopping step  13  of the container body. 
     Here, the long neck part  14 L includes a smaller diameter part  141  and a larger diameter part  143 . The smaller diameter part is provided on the lower portion of the long neck part, the outer diameter of the smaller diameter part being formed to be smaller than the inner diameter of the support ring to permit the free rotation of the support ring  33 . The larger diameter part is provided above the smaller diameter part  141  to prevent the support ring  33  from rotating as long as external force is not applied. 
     Further, the outer diameter of the support ring seat  14  is set to prevent the support ring  33  from rotating as long as external force is not applied. In other words, the support ring  33  is fitted somewhat tightly over the support ring seat  14 , thus preventing the idle rotation of the cap. 
     Since the support ring seat  14  comprises the long neck part  14 L as such, the support ring  33  can move vertically in a predetermined range while being coupled to the cap body  31  when the cap is opened, thus maintaining the coupled state of the cap body  31  with the support ring  33 . Further, as long as external force, namely, the rotating force for opening or closing the cap is not applied, the rotation of the support ring  33  relative to the support ring seat  14  is prevented, thus preventing the rotation of the cap by gravity. That is, the support ring  33  is movable up and down along the support ring seat  14  of the container body. Thus, when the cap is opened, the support ring is moved up along the cap body. The opening of the cap is performed while the coupling state is maintained by the hinge part  35 . 
     Further, the support ring seat  14  provided on the spout of the container body  10  is constructed so that the smaller diameter part  141  is provided on the lower portion of the support ring seat to cause the support ring to be loosely fitted, and the larger diameter part  143  is provided on the upper portion of the support ring seat to cause the support ring to be tightly fitted. In this construction, as long as external force is not applied when the support ring  33  is moved up to the larger diameter part  143 , the cap does not rotate, thus preventing the rotation of the cap by gravity when the cap is opened. In the case where the entire portion of the support ring seat  14  is formed to have the same diameter as the larger diameter part  143 , the support ring  33  is rotated and moved up while pressure is applied to rotate and open the cap because the container body  10  and the cap  30  are made of a resin material having elasticity. Meanwhile, when external force is not present, the rotation of the cap is prevented regardless of position. 
     According to an embodiment of the present invention, the cap  30  includes a plurality of bridges  37  which are connected integrally between the cap body  31  and the support ring  33  and are severed when the cap has been opened (see  FIGS. 10 to 13 ). The bridges allow a user to see whether the container has been opened or not. 
     According to an embodiment of the present invention, as shown in  FIGS. 13 to 20 , the support ring  33  has on an inner circumference thereof locking protrusions S for preventing the idle rotation of the cap. 
     The locking protrusions S may comprise steps which are formed to allow the support ring  33  to be easily fitted over the container body and prevent the removal of the support ring in cooperation with the ring stopping step  13 . The locking protrusions may comprise radial wings S 1  (see  FIGS. 13 to 17 ) which protrude inwards in a radial direction and are locked by locking grooves  147  formed in a corresponding portion of the container body. 
     The locking protrusions S and the locking grooves  147  may be vertically formed as shown in  FIGS. 13 to 17 , or may comprise horizontal locking protrusions S 2  and locking grooves  147  as shown in  FIGS. 18 and 19 . 
     Further, as shown in  FIG. 20 , the locking protrusions S may comprise screw-type wings S 3  which are inclined in one direction to interfere with the cap only when it is rotated in a cap opening direction. As such, the locking protrusions may have various shapes. 
     In the case of applying external force, the locking protrusions S allow the support ring  33  or an indication ring  39  to be rotatable with respect to the container body  10 . In contrast, when there is no external force, the locking protrusions prevent the support ring or indication ring from rotating, thus preventing the idle rotation of the cap. Especially, the screw-type wings S 3  are folded and closed when the cap is rotated in a closure direction, thus enabling the smooth rotation of the cap. Meanwhile, the screw-type wings are unfolded and opened when the cap is rotated in a direction distant from the container body, thus interfering with the rotation of the cap, therefore preventing the idle rotation of the cap. 
     According to an embodiment of the present invention, uneven coupling parts  321  and  322  are provided on the cap body  31  and the support ring  33  and are coupled to each other at a position adjacent to the hinge part  35  so that the cap body  31  is bent and secured to the support ring  33  when the cap has been opened (see  FIGS. 13 and 16 ). 
     According to an embodiment of the present invention, as shown in  FIGS. 21 to 28 , a wedge K 1  is provided on the cap  30  to be positioned above the hinge part  35 . The wedge K 1  passes over the support ring  33  to be supported by the support step  15  when the cap has been opened, thus straining the cap so as to prevent the support ring  33  from being idly rotated. 
     Here, a locking hole  151  having the shape of a concentric circle is formed in the upper or lower surface of the support step  15 , and the wedge K 1  protrudes in the form of a hook which is fitted into the locking hole  151 . 
     The locking hole  151  may be formed in both upper and lower surfaces of the support step. The wedge K 1  is inclined upwards (see  FIG. 24 ) or downwards (see  FIGS. 25 to 27 ) to correspond to the locking hole  151 . 
     In this case, the support ring  33  is loosely coupled to the container body  10 , so that the idle rotation of the cap is possible. As the wedge K 1  is supported by the ring stopping step  13 , the wedge is pulled to one side and tension for preventing the rotation of the cap is generated, thus supporting the cap  30  and preventing the idle rotation of the cap. 
     As such, when the locking hole  151  is formed in the support step  15  and the wedge K 1  is formed in the shape of a hook, a projection of the wedge is fitted into the locking hole  151 , so that the cap is more firmly supported. 
     According to an embodiment of the present invention, as shown in  FIGS. 29 to 31 , a wedge K 2  is provided on the hinge part  35  and is supported by the ring stopping step  13  when the cap has been opened so as to prevent the cap from rotating. 
     Here, the hinge part  35  is formed to be longer than a general length. A portion of the hinge part  35  is cut and protruded, thus providing the wedge K 2 . 
     In the construction having the wedge K 2 , the outer diameter of the entire portion of the support ring seat  14  is set to have the same diameter as the smaller diameter part  141  which allows the support ring  33  to be loosely rotated. 
     The wedge K 2  is formed to be pushed into the support ring  33 . Thus, when the cap body  31  is bent backwards, the wedge is caught between the container body  10  and the support ring  33 , so that the cap is held on the container body. The wedge K 2  may comprise a plurality of wedges. 
     According to an embodiment of the present invention, as shown in  FIGS. 32 to 34 , the cap  30  further includes an indication ring  39  under the support ring  33 . The indication ring is integrally coupled to the support ring via the bridges  37  which are severed when the cap is opened. 
     Further, the indication ring  39  may have on the inner circumference thereof a locking protrusion for preventing the idle rotation of the cap. 
     As such, the present invention provides a container with an anti-loss and anti-idle-rotation cap, which maintains the coupling state of a cap body with a container body even when the cap has been opened, thus preventing the loss of the cap, and which prevents gravity from rotating the cap downwards when contents are discharged out of the container, thus preventing the cap from touching a user&#39;s face when the user drinks directly from the container even if he or she does not hold the cap with his or her hand, and preventing the cap from being hit by the contents when some contents come out of the container, therefore preventing the contamination of the cap and thereby affording convenience. 
     INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY 
     As described above, the present invention provides a container with an anti-loss and anti-idle-rotation cap, which maintains the coupling of a cap body with a container body even when the cap has been opened, thus preventing the cap from being lost, and which prevents gravity from rotating the cap downwards when contents are discharged from the container, thus preventing the cap from contacting a user&#39;s face even though the user does not hold the cap with his or her hand when he or she puts his or her mouth on the container, e.g. a beverage bottle, and drinks directly from the container, and preventing the cap from being hit by the contents when the contents come out of the container, therefore preventing the contamination of the cap and thereby affording convenience.