Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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1
CAP UNIT FOR A BEVERAGE CONTAINER
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention
[0001]
The present invention relates to a cap unit for a beverage container.
Priority is claimed on Japanese Patent Application No. 2016-39242 filed on
March 01, 2016, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
Background
[0002]
In the related art, there are cap units (stoppers) that are attached to a neck
portion
of a container main body, the upper portion of which is open, in a detachable
manner A lid,
which opens and closes a drinking spout or a pouring spout, is attached to an
upper portion
of the cap unit so as to be capable of freely rotating using a hinge portion.
[0003]
In addition, the cap unit is provided with a lid locking mechanism that fixes
the
lid, which is biased toward a direction of opening the drinking spout or the
pouring spout
by a biasing member provided in the hinge portion, in a position that blocks
the drinking
spout or the pouring spout.
[0004]
In a beverage container provided with such a cap unit, as a result of fixing
of a lid
by a lid locking mechanism being released, a drinking spout or a pouring spout
is put into
an opened state while the lid rotates by biasing of a biasing member. Thereby,
it is
possible to drink a beverage inside the container main body.
[0005]
= _ . tik vt A.. e
= - ==AP. ra. es or r
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Other known lids include a stopper hinge structure that stabilizes a rotating
operation of a lid by providing a sliding member which slides in a rotating
shaft direction,
and a coil spring which biases the sliding member toward the rotating shaft
direction, on
the inner side of a hinge portion, and causing a pressing contact of the
sliding member
toward one side of the hinge portion by the biasing of the coil spring. In
addition,
another known lid includes a stopper hinge structure that gives a bump at a
position at
which a lid opens a liquid flow spout and maintains an open state of the lid
by engagement
of a click projection provided on one side of a hinge portion and a click
receiving portion
provided on the other side.
[0006]
Meanwhile, yet another known lid includes a stopper of a beverage container
that
stabilizes a rotating operation of a lid by providing a spring, which biases a
lid member
toward an opening direction, on the inner side of a hinge portion, and causing
a projecting
portion, which is provided in the hinge portion, to come into sliding contact
with the lid or
a shoulder member during rotation of the lid.
[0007]
In the manner mentioned above, in cap units (or, stoppers) that are used in
beverage containers, there is a demand for a compact hinge structure having
excellent
design properties by consolidating functions in a hinge portion.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008]
An object of embodiments of the invention is to provide a cap unit that has a
compact hinge structure having efficient design properties by consolidating
functions in a
hinge portion, and, optionally, a beverage container provided with such a cap
unit.
-
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[0009]
A first embodiment may include a cap unit which is configured to be attachable
and detachable to a neck portion of a container main body, an upper portion of
said
container main body is open,
the cap unit including a cap main body that blocks an upper opening of the
container main body and in which a liquid flow spout is provided in an upper
portion, and
a lid that opens and closes the liquid flow spout in a state of being attached
to the
cap main body in a rotating manner using a hinge portion,
in which a first biasing member, which biases the lid toward a rotating
direction,
and a second biasing member, which biases the lid toward a rotating shaft
direction, are
provided in the hinge portion.
[2] In a second embodiment of the cap unit, the hinge
portion may include a
first hinge bearing portion, which is provided on one of the cap main body and
the lid, a
second hinge bearing portion and a third hinge bearing portion, which are
provided on the
other of the cap main body and the lid, and a hinge shaft attached in a state
of passing
through the first, second, and third hinge bearing portions in the rotating
shaft direction in
a state in which the first hinge bearing portion is positioned between the
second hinge
bearing portion and the third hinge bearing portion,
the first biasing member is disposed on an inner side of the first hinge
bearing
portion that faces the second hinge bearing portion, and
the second biasing member is disposed on an inner side of the first hinge
bearing
portion that faces the third hinge bearing portion.
In a third embodiment of the cap unit according to the first or second
embodiments described above, the first biasing member or second biasing member
may be
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a torsion spring, coil spring, o-ring, or other biasing elements known in the
art.
In a fourth embodiment, the cap unit according to the second or third
embodiments], the hinge portion may include a click mechanism that gives a
click feeling
(to the user) at a position at which the lid opens the liquid flow spout and
maintains an
open state of the lid. Such click may be caused by the hinge rotating over the
cam
[5] In a fifth embodiment, the cap unit may have a click mechanism
that
includes a sliding member, which is disposed on the inner side of the first
hinge bearing
portion so as to be capable of freely sliding in a state of being biased by
the second biasing
member, an engagement concave portion, which is provided on a first surface
among
surfaces at which the sliding member and the third hinge bearing portion face
one another,
and an engagement convex portion, which is provided on a second surface among
surfaces
at which the sliding member and the third hinge bearing portion face one
another, and
gives a click feeling and maintains an open state of the lid by the engagement
convex
portion engaging with the engagement concave portion at a position at which
the lid opens
the liquid flow port.
In a sixth embodiment, the cap unit may have a first surface, specifically, a
surface that comes into contact with the engagement convex portion in the
rotating
direction that is upwardly inclined toward the engagement concave portion.
In a seventh embodiment, the cap unit may have, among the engagement concave
portion and the engagement convex portion, surfaces that are engaged with one
another in
the rotating direction are inclined at the same angle.
In an eight embodiment, cap unit may further include one facing surface member
that configures a surface that faces the sliding member of the third hinge
bearing portion.
In a ninth embodiment, the cap unit may have the one facing surface member
composed of a material that is different from the third hinge bearing portion.
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In a tenth embodiment, the cap unit may have the hinge portion that includes a
plurality of projecting portions that are provided on a first surface among
surfaces at
which the first hinge bearing portion and the second hinge bearing portion
face one
another, and are brought into sliding contact with a second surface.
5 In another embodiment, the cap unit may further include another facing
surface
member that, among surfaces of the second hinge bearing portion, configures a
surface
that faces the first hinge bearing portion, and
the plurality of projecting portions is provided on the other facing surface
member.
In another embodiment of the cap unit the other facing surface member is
composed of a material that is different from the second hinge bearing
portion.
In another embodiment of the cap unit the second biasing member is a coil
spring,
torsion spring, o-ring, or other biasing elements known in the art.
The cap unit may further include a lid locking mechanism that fixes the lid to
the
cap main body by resisting biasing of the first biasing member at a position
at which the
lid blocks the liquid flow port.
The cap unit may be paired with a beverage container including the cap unit
and
a container main body to which the cap unit is attached.
[0010]
In the above-mentioned manner, according to the present invention, and it is
possible to provide a cap unit that has a compact hinge structure having
efficient design
properties by consolidating functions in a hinge portion, and, optionally, a
beverage
container provided with such a cap unit.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
-
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[0011]
FIG 1 is a cross-sectional view that shows a configuration of a beverage
container and cap unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view that shows an embodiment of a cap unit in a
closed state.
FIG 3 is a cross-sectional perspective view that shows an embodiment of a cap
unit in a closed state.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view that shows an embodiment of a cap unit in an open
state.
FIG. 5 is a top view that shows an embodiment of a cap unit in the open state.
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view that shows an embodiment of a cap unit in the
open state.
FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view that shows a configuration of an
embodiment of the cap unit.
FIG. 8 is a perspective view that shows a configuration of a spout formation
member.
FIG 9 shows a configuration of a locking member, FIG 9(a) is a perspective
view
viewed from a front side thereof, and FIG 9(b) is a perspective view viewed
from a rear
side thereof.
FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view that shows a configuration of a hinge
portion of the cap unit.
FIG 11 is an exploded perspective view that shows a configuration of a first
hinge bearing portion.
FIG 12 is a plan view that shows a configuration of a second hinge bearing
portion.
_ _ _ _
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FIG 13 is a plan view that shows a torsion spring that is disposed on the
inner
side of the first hinge bearing portion.
FIG 14 is a perspective view that shows a configuration of a sliding member.
FIG. 15 is a perspective view that shows a configuration of a third hinge
bearing
portion.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0012]
In this section, embodiments of the invention will be described in detail with
reference to the drawings. However, the scope of the invention is not limited
by the exact
embodiments illustrated. Elements that have a similar or the same function (as
known by a
person having ordinary skill in the art) as those described are within the
scope of this
application.
For example, a beverage container 1 shown in FIG 1 will be described as an
embodiment of the invention. Additionally, FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view
that shows a
configuration of the beverage container 1. However, many beverage containers
may be
used with the illustrated cap unit.
[0013]
As shown in FIG 1, the beverage container 1 is provided with a container main
body 2, and a cap unit 3 that is attached to the container main body 2 in a
detachable
manner. In certain embodiments, beverage container 1 may be configured to hold
a
beverage and beverage container 1 can perform thermal insulation or cold
insulation of a
beverage (the contents) stored in the container main body 2 by the container
main body 2,
which has a vacuum thermal insulation structure.
[0014]
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More specifically, for example, the illustrated embodiment of a container main
body 2 is configured by a double-walled container that includes a bottomed
tube-shaped
outer container 4 composed of stainless steel, or the like, and an inner
container 5, and in
which respective mouth portions are joined in a state in which the inner
container 5 is
stored on the inner side of the outer container 4. In addition, a vacuum
thermal
insulation layer 6 is provided between the outer container 4 and the inner
container 5.
For example, the vacuum thermal insulation layer 6 can be formed by blocking a
deaeration hole provided in a bottom surface central portion of the outer
container 4 inside
of a chamber, which is depressurized (vacuumed) to high vacuum.
[0015]
The illustrated container main body 2 includes a substantially circular bottom
surface portion 2a, a body portion 2b that is erect in a substantially
cylindrical form from
the outer periphery of the bottom surface portion 2a, and a substantially
cylindrical neck
portion 2c that decreases in diameter on the upper portion side of the body
portion 2b.
In addition, the illustrated upper end portion of the neck portion 2c is open
in a
circular manner as an upper opening 2d of the container main body 2. In
addition, a ring
form stepped portion 7 is provided on the inner side of the neck portion 2c
projecting
throughout the entirety thereof.
[0016]
Additionally, the beverage container 1 of the present embodiment has a
substantially cylindrical external shape overall, but the external shape of
the beverage
container 1 is not particularly limited, and it is possible to add alterations
as appropriate to
match the size, the design, and the like, thereof In addition, coating,
printing, and the
like, may also be carried out on the outer peripheral surface of the container
main body 2.
[0017]
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A configuration of the cap unit 3 will be described referring to FIGs. 1 to
15.
Additionally, in the following description, a side on which a lid 9 is
attached to a cap main
body 8, which will be mentioned later, using a hinge portion 10 is set as a
"rear side" of
the beverage container 1, and a side that is opposite thereto is set as a
"front side" of the
beverage container 1.
[0018]
Additionally, FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view that shows an embodiment of the
cap unit 3 with the lid. FIG 2 is a cross-sectional view that shows an
embodiment of a cap
unit in a closed state. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional perspective view that
shows an
embodiment of a cap unit 3 in a closed state. FIG 4 is a perspective view that
shows an
embodiment of a cap unit 3 in an open state. FIG. 5 is a top view that shows
an
embodiment of a cap unit 3 in the open state. FIG 6 is a cross-sectional view
that shows
an embodiment of a cap unit 3 in the open state. FIG 7 is an exploded
perspective view
that shows a configuration of an embodiment of the cap unit 3. FIG 8 is a
perspective
view that shows a configuration of a spout formation member 13, which will be
discussed
in more detail below. FIG 9 shows a configuration of a locking member 18, FIG.
9(a) is a
perspective view viewed from a front side thereof, and FIG 9(b) is a
perspective view
viewed from a rear side thereof. FIG 10 is an exploded perspective view that
shows a
configuration of a hinge portion 10 of the cap unit 3. FIG. 11 is an exploded
perspective
view that shows a configuration of a first hinge bearing portion 45, which
will be
discussed in more detail below. FIG. 12 is a plan view that shows a
configuration of a
second hinge bearing portion 46, which will be discussed in more detail below.
FIG. 13 is
a plan view that shows a torsion spring 27 that is disposed on the inner side
of the first
hinge bearing portion 45, which will be discussed in more detail below. FIG 14
is a
perspective view that shows a configuration of a sliding member 52, which will
be
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discussed in more detail below. FIG 15 is a perspective view that shows a
configuration of
a third hinge bearing portion 47, which will be discussed in more detail
below.
As shown in FIGs. 1 to 7, the cap unit 3 is a component that is configured as
a
stopper that blocks the upper opening 2d of the container main body 2. More
specifically,
5 the cap unit 3 may include the cap main body 8, and the lid 9, which is
attached to the cap
main body 8 in a rotating manner using the hinge portion 10.
[0019]
For example, the cap main body 8 may be composed of a heat resistant resin
such
as polypropylene (PP). The illustrated cap main body 8 includes a peripheral
wall
10 portion 8a, which is formed in a substantially cylindrical form so as to
be continuous with
the body portion 2b of the container main body 2, and an upper wall portion
8c, in which
an opening portion 8b that decreases in diameter more than the peripheral wall
portion 8a
is formed in the upper portion of the peripheral wall portion 8a.
[0020]
The cap main body 8 is attached to the neck portion 2c of the container main
body 2 in a detachable manner, for example, by screwing into complementary
threads.
Therefore, a female thread portion 11 is provided on the inner peripheral
surface of the
peripheral wall portion 8a. Meanwhile, a male thread portion 12, which is
screwed with
the female thread portion 11, is provided on the outer peripheral surface of
the neck
portion 2c. However, other methods of attachment (e.g., friction fit, bayonet
attachment, or
other methods known in the art) are also contemplated within the scope of this
embodiment.
[0021]
As shown in FIGs. 2 to 6, the spout formation member 13, in which a drinking
spout or a pouring spout (a drinking spout in the present embodiment) is
formed, is
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attached to the opening portion 8b of the cap main body 8 in a detachable
manner. For
example, the spout formation member 13 may be composed of a heat resistant
resin such
as polypropylene (PP) or other suitable material.
[0022]
The spout formation member 13 includes a bottom wall portion 13a in which a
liquid flow spout 14 is formed, a cylindrical peripheral wall portion 13b that
rises upward
from the periphery of the bottom wall portion 13a, a lower side flange portion
13c that
projects in a ring form from the lower end side of the outer peripheral
surface of the
bottom wall portion 13a, a pair of upper side flange portions 13d that
mutually project in
the left-right direction from the upper end side of the outer peripheral
surface of the
peripheral wall portion 13b up to a side that is opposite thereto, and a
drinking spout
portion 13e that projects in a diagonally cut form from the upper end of the
front side of
the peripheral wall portion 13b.
[0023]
A spout detachment mechanism 15 for attaching the spout formation member 13
to the opening portion 8b of the cap main body 8 in a detachable manner is
provided
between the cap main body 8 and the spout formation member 13. As shown in
FIGs. 8,
9(a) and 9(b), the spout detachment mechanism 15 includes a first claw portion
16 on the
front side of the spout formation member 13, and a locking member 18, in which
a second
claw portion 17 is provided, on the rear side of the spout formation member
13.
[0024]
The first claw portion 16 is provided projecting forward from the upper end
side
of the outer peripheral surface of the peripheral wall portion 13b. The
locking member
18 includes a pair of arm portions 18a, which are aligned in parallel with one
another, and
a connection portion 18b, which connects the upper end (the tip end) sides of
the pair of
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arm portions 18a. In addition, a pair of support shafts 19 are provided on the
lower end
(the base end) sides of the pair of arm portions 18a. The illustrated pair of
support shafts
19 are provided projecting from positions that mutually face the inner sides
of the pair of
arm portions 18a. An elastic piece 20 is provided projecting from the
connection portion
I 8b between the pair of arm portions 18a in a state of being aligned in
parallel with the
pair of arm portions 18a. The second claw portion 17 is provided projecting
rearward
from the upper end (the tip end) side of the locking member 18.
[0025]
As shown in FIGs. 1 to 6, the locking member 18 may be disposed along the
outer peripheral surface of the rear side of the spout formation member 13. In
addition,
the lower end (base end) portion of the locking member 18 is supported so as
to be
capable of freely rotating by a hinge portion 21 provided on the spout
formation member
13. In addition, a manipulation portion 18c (refer to FIG. 9(a)), which
has a concave
portion or a convex portion for facilitating rotating manipulation of the
locking member
18 with a user's finger, is provided in the upper end (tip end) portion of the
locking
member 18.
[0026]
As shown in FIG 8, a shaft opening 22, into which the pair of support shafts
19
are fitted, and a target abutting portion 23, against which the elastic piece
20 abuts, are
provided in the spout formation member 13. The shaft opening 22 is provided
passing
through a rib wall 13g that projects along the outer peripheral surface of the
rear side of
the spout formation member 13 from the upper surface of an intermediate flange
portion
13f, which is positioned above the lower side flange portion 13c. The target
abutting
portion 23 is formed by the rib wall 13g, which is positioned above the shaft
opening 22.
[0027]
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The hinge portion 21 supports the lower end (base end) of the locking member
18
so as to be capable of freely rotating in a state in which the rib wall 13g is
held between
the pair of arm portions 18a by the pair of support shafts 19 being fitted
into the inner side
of the shaft opening 22 from both ends of the shaft opening 22.
[0028]
In addition, when the tip end side of the locking member 18 is rotated toward
a
forward (one way in a rotating direction) side, the locking member 18 is
biased toward a
rearward (the other way in the rotating direction) side while the elastic
piece 20 becomes
elastically deformed by the elastic piece 20 abutting against the target
abutting portion 23.
Additionally, in the spout detachment mechanism 15, it is possible to adjust
the biasing
force when the above-mentioned elastic piece 20 becomes elastically deformed
by altering
the length and thickness of the elastic piece 20.
[0029]
In addition, a circumstance in which the locking member 18 becomes inclined is
prevented by extended portions 18d (refer to FIG. 9(a)), which extend from the
front sides
of the pair of arm portions 18a of the locking member 18, coming into surface
contact
with the lower surface of a step portion 13h, which projects from the rear
side of the
peripheral wall portion 13b of the spout formation member 13.
[0030]
As shown in FIGs. 2 to 6, the spout detachment mechanism 15 includes a first
target locking portion 24 on the front side of the cap main body 8, and a
second target
locking portion 25 on the rear side of the cap main body 8. The first target
locking
portion 24 and the second target locking portion 25 are composed of stepped
portions that
are respectively provided in front and rear positions along the opening
portion 8b of the
upper wall portion 8c.
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[0031]
In the spout detachment mechanism 15, the spout formation member 13 is fitted
from the lower side into the inner side of the opening portion 8b of the cap
main body 8 in
a state in which the first claw portion 16 is positioned with respect to the
first target
locking portion 24. At this time, a state in which the pair of upper side
flange portions
13d abut against the lower surface of the upper wall portion 8c of the cap
main body 8 is
attained. In addition, the first claw portion 16 is locked with the first
target locking
portion 24. Furthermore, as the second claw portion 17 rides over the edge of
the
opening portion 8b while the second claw portion 17 is abutting against the
edge of the
opening portion 8b of the cap main body 8, after the tip end side of the
locking member 18
rotates toward the front, the second claw portion 17 becomes locked with the
second target
locking portion 25 at the same time as the tip end side of the locking member
18 reverts to
the original rearward position thereof.
[0032]
By this, a state in which the spout formation member 13 is mounted on the
opening portion 8b of the cap main body 8 is attained. In addition, a state in
which the
drinking spout portion 13e projects outward (upward) from the opening portion
8b of the
cap main body 8 at the same time as the spout formation member 13 is mounted
is
attained.
[0033]
Meanwhile, in the spout detachment mechanism 15, a locked state of the second
claw portion 17 with respect to the second target locking portion 25 is
released by
manipulation that rotates the tip end side of the locking member 18 forward.
By this, it is
possible to disengage the spout formation member 13 from the lower side of the
opening
portion 8b of the cap main body 8 while the locked state of the first claw
portion 16 with
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respect to the first target locking portion 24 is released.
[0034]
As shown in FIG 1, the cap main body 8 to which the spout formation member
13 is mounted blocks the upper opening 2d of the container main body 2 in a
state in
which the spout formation member 13 is fitted into the inner side of the upper
opening 2d
by being attached to the neck portion 2c of the container main body 2.
[0035]
As shown in FIGs. 1 to 6, water stop packing 26 may be attached to the lower
side flange portion 13c of the spout formation member 13 in a detachable
manner. The
water stop packing 26 is ring form sealing member for sealing the space
between the
stepped portion 7 (the container main body 2) and the spout formation member
13 (the cap
main body 8). For example, the water stop packing 26 is composed of an elastic
member
such as a rubber or an elastomer having a heat resistant property such as a
silicone rubber.
The water stop packing 26 is fitted to the outer peripheral portion of the
lower side flange
portion 13c.
[0036]
When the water stop packing 26 is fitted into the inner side of the upper
opening
2d of the container main body 2, a state in which the water stop packing 26
becomes
adhered to the stepped portion 7 of the container main body 2 while being
elastically
deformed is attained. By this, it is possible to seal the space between the
stepped portion
7 and the spout formation member 13.
[0037]
As shown in FIGs. 2 to 7, the lid 9 opens and closes the drinking spout or the
pouring spout (the liquid flow spout 14) that the spout formation member 13
forms, and
for example, may be composed of a heat resistant resin such as polypropylene
(PP). The
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illustrated lid 9 includes a peripheral wall portion 9a, which is formed in a
substantially
cylindrical form so as to be continuous with the peripheral wall portion 8a of
the cap main
body 8, a top wall portion 9b that covers a top surface of the peripheral wall
portion 9a,
and a substantially cylindrical inner wall portion 9c that falls away from the
lower surface
of the top wall portion 9b.
[0038]
The lid 9 is biased toward a direction in which the liquid flow spout 14 of
the
spout formation member 13 is opened (hereinafter, referred to as an opening
direction) by
a a first biasing member 27, such as a torsion spring or other biasing member)
which is
provided on the inner side of the hinge portion 10, which will be mentioned
later.
[0039]
Lid packing 28, which blocks the liquid flow spout 14 of the spout formation
member 13, is provided on the inner side of the lid 9. The lid packing 28 is a
stopper
form sealing member for sealing the spout formation member 13 when the lid 9
is in a
closed state.
The lid packing 28 is composed of an elastic member, and it is possible to use
the
same material as that of the above-mentioned water stop packing 26.
[0040]
As shown in FIGs. 2 to 6, the lid packing 28 may be a bottomed cylindrical
sealing member that is attached to the inner wall portion 9c of the lid 9 in a
detachable
manner. More specifically, the lid packing 28 is attached to the lower end
side of the
inner wall portion 9c in a detachable manner in a state in which the inner
wall portion 9c
is fitted into a central hole 28a on the inner side of the lid packing 28. In
addition, a
bottom surface 28b of the lid packing 28 is formed in drum form. Also, a
stepped portion
28c is provided in the outer peripheral portion of the upper portion side of
the lid packing
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17
28.
[0041]
The lid packing 28 is attached to the lid 9 in a detachable manner by tightly
fitting the inner wall portion 9c into the inner side of the central hole 28a.
By this, in the
cap unit 3, even if the inside of the container main body 2 has a negative
pressure and a
force in a direction of pulling the lid packing 28 is generated, it is
possible to prevent a
circumstance in which the lid packing 28 becomes separated from the inner wall
portion
9c when the lid 9 is opened. Conversely, even if the inside of the container
main body 2
has a positive pressure and a force in a direction of pushing the lid packing
28 is generated,
it is possible to prevent a circumstance in which the inner wall portion 9c is
penetrates
further onto the inner side of the lid packing 28 by the stepped portion 28c
of the lid
packing 28 abutting against the base end portion of the inner wall portion 9c.
[0042]
In the cap unit 3, when the lid 9 blocks the upper portion of the cap main
body 8,
a state of being adhered to the periphery of the liquid flow spout 14 while
the lid packing
28 becomes elastically deformed is attained. By this, it is possible to block
the liquid
flow spout 14 of the spout formation member 13.
[0043]
As shown in FIGs. 1 to 7, a cover member 29, which covers the upper end side
of
the inner wall portion 9c, is attached to the upper surface side of the top
wall portion 9b in
a detachable manner. The cover member 29 is formed in a substantially disk-
like form
using the same material as that of the lid 9. Meanwhile, a concave portion 30,
which
corresponds to the cover member 29, is provided on the upper surface of the
top wall
portion 9b.
[0044]
=,
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A cover detachment mechanism 31 for attaching the cover member 29 to the
concave portion 30 in a detachable manner is provided between the top wall
portion 9b
and the cover member 29. The cover detachment mechanism 31 includes a third
claw
portion 32 on the front side of the cover member 29, and a stopper 34, in
which a fourth
claw portion 33 is provided, on the rear side of the cover member 29.
[0045]
The third claw portion 32 is positioned in the lower end portion on the front
side
of the cover member 29, and is provided projecting further than the tip end of
the cover
member 29. The stopper 34 is provided projecting downward from the rear side
of the
cover member 29. The fourth claw portion 33 is provided on the tip end of the
stopper
34 projecting forward.
[0046]
The cover detachment mechanism 31 includes a third target locking portion 35
on
the front side of the concave portion 30, and a fourth target locking portion
36 on the rear
side of the concave portion 30. The third target locking portion 35 and the
fourth target
locking portion 36 are composed of hole portions that are respectively
provided in front
and rear positions of the bottom surface of the concave portion 30.
[0047]
In the cover detachment mechanism 31, the cover member 29 is fitted into the
inner side of the concave portion 30 in a state in which the third claw
portion 32 is
inserted into the third target locking portion (hole portion) 35. At this
time, the fourth
claw portion 33 is locked with the top wall portion 9b in a state in which the
stopper 34 is
inserted into the fourth target locking portion (hole portion) 36.
[0048]
By this, a state in which the cover member 29 is mounted on the inner side of
the
CA 2959270 2017-02-28
19
concave portion 30 is attained. In addition, the cover member 29 covers the
upper end
side of the inner wall portion 9c at the same time as the cover member 29 is
mounted.
[0049]
Meanwhile, in the cover detachment mechanism 31, a locked state of the fourth
claw portion 33 and the fourth target locking portion 36 is release by pushing
the fourth
claw portion 33, which is provided on the stopper 34, upward inside the lid 9,
that is, by
pushing the fourth claw portion 33 from the lower side to upper side in FIG 2
or 3. By
this, it is possible to disengage the cover member 29 from the concave portion
30 while
the locked state of the third claw portion 32 with respect to the third target
locking portion
35 is released. In addition, since the cover detachment mechanism 31 is
positioned on
the outer side of the inner wall portion 9c, it is possible to visually
recognize the fact that
the inner wall portion 9c passes through the up-down direction by disengaging
the cover
member 29.
[0050]
In this manner, the cover member 29 has a structure that is separated by being
pushed in a separation direction from the inner surface of the lid 9.
Accordingly, in a
state in which the lid 9 of the cap unit 3 is closed, it is not possible to
disengage (or
minimal likelihood to disengage) the cover member 29. In addition, since the
stopper 34
is disposed on the outer side of the inner wall portion 9c, it is not
necessary to disengage
the lid packing 28 when the cover member 29 is disengaged.
[0051]
Additionally, the cover member 29 is not limited to a component made of the
same material as the lid 9, and a component having a different material or
color, or the like,
may also be used, or a component composed of a transparent material may also
be used.
In this case, it is possible to configure a cap unit 3 having excellent,
efficient design. In
CA 2959270 2017-02-28
addition, by a three-dimensional structure being disposed, engraved, or the
like, on the
upper portion of the cover member 29, it is possible to customize the cap unit
3 and
beverage container 1 including the cap unit 3 to match the preferences of a
user.
[0052]
5 In addition, the cap unit 3 is not limited to the above-mentioned
configuration in
which the cover member 29 is set to be detachable from the lid 9, and it is
also possible to
provide a grip such as a handle on the cover member 29 by setting a
configuration in
which a fitting amount of the cover member 29 is adjusted to be snug, or
setting a
configuration in which the cover member 29 is fixed to the lid 9 using an
adhesive, or the
10 like.
[0053]
The cap unit 3 is provided with a lid locking mechanism 37 that fixes the lid
9 to
the container main body 2 resisting the biasing of the torsion spring 27 in a
position
(hereinafter, referred to as a blocking position) at which the lid 9 blocks
the liquid flow
15 spout 14.
[0054]
More specifically, as shown in FIGs. 1 to 6, the lid locking mechanism 37
includes a locking member 39 that is attached to the cap main body 8 in a
freely rotating
manner using a hinge portion 38, and a ring stopper 40 that is attached to the
cap main
20 body 8 in a freely rotating manner using the hinge portion 38.
[0055]
The locking member 39 is supported so as to be capable of freely rotating in
the
up-down direction by the hinge portion 38, which is provided on the front side
of the cap
main body 8 (the peripheral wall portion 8a). The locking member 39 includes a
first
arm portion 39a that extends upward from the hinge portion 38, and a second
arm portion
CA 2959270 2017-02-28
21
39b that extends downward from the hinge portion 38.
[0056]
A hook portion 41 is provided at the tip end of the first arm portion 39a (the
upper
end of the locking member 39) projecting rearward. An elastic member 42 is
disposed
between the second arm portion 39b and the peripheral wall portion 8a.
Additionally, for
example, a spring member such as a coil spring may be used in place of the
elastic
member 42.
[0057]
The ring stopper 40 is composed of a ring form member in which a portion is
open, and both ends thereof are supported so as to be capable of freely
rotating on the
outer side of the hinge portion 38. By this, the ring stopper 40 is capable of
rotating in
the up-down direction.
[0058]
Meanwhile, the lid locking mechanism 37 includes a lock bearing portion 43
with
which the hook portion 41 of the locking member 39 locks, and a stopper
bearing portion
44 onto which the ring stopper 40 latches. The lock bearing portion 43 is
composed of a
claw portion that projects forward from the lower end portion of the front
side of the lid 9
(the peripheral wall portion 9a). The stopper bearing portion 44 is composed
of a wall
portion that projects forward from a position that surrounds the periphery of
the lock
bearing portion (the claw portion) 43 in a shape that corresponds to the inner
side of the
ring stopper 40.
[0059]
In the lid locking mechanism 37, when the lid 9 blocks the upper portion of
the
cap main body 8, the state in which the lid 9 blocks the upper portion of the
cap main
body 8 is maintained by the hook portion 41 of the locking member 39 locking
with the
¨õ .40 40 N01, -
CA 2959270 2017-02-28
22
lock bearing portion 43. From the state, the locked state of the hook portion
41 with
respect to the lock bearing portion 43 is released by performing pressing
manipulation of
the second arm portion 39b side of the locking member 39 while elastically
deforming the
elastic member 42. By this, it is possible to rotate the lid 9 in the opening
direction by
the biasing of the torsion spring 27 inside the hinge portion 10.
[0060]
Meanwhile, in the lid locking mechanism 37, when the lid 9 blocks the upper
portion of the cap main body 8, rotation of the lid 9 in the opening direction
is prevented
by the ring stopper 40 latching onto the stopper bearing portion 44. By this,
in the lid
locking mechanism 37, it is possible to prevent or at least minimize a
circumstance in
which the lid 9 opens by unintentional manipulation of the locking member 39.
[0061]
Incidentally, the cap unit 3 has a compact hinge structure having excellent,
efficient design properties by consolidating functions in the hinge portion
10. More
specifically, as shown in FIGs. 7, 10, 11 and 13, the hinge portion 10
includes the first
hinge bearing portion 45, which is provided on the cap main body 8, the second
hinge
bearing portion 46 and the third hinge bearing portion 47, which are provided
on the lid 9,
and a hinge shaft 48 attached in a state of passing through the first, second,
and third hinge
bearing portions 45, 46 and 47 in a state in which the first hinge bearing
portion 45 is
positioned between the second hinge bearing portion 46 and the third hinge
bearing
portion 47.
[0062]
As shown in FIGs. 10 and 13, the first hinge bearing portion 45 is formed in a
substantially cylindrical form including a shaft opening 45a that passes
therethrough in a
rotating shaft direction, and is provided projecting from a rear side central
portion of the
CA 2959270 2017-02-28
23
cap main body 8. In addition, a first storage concave portion 45b, in which a
surface side
that faces the second hinge bearing portion 46 is recessed in a substantially
cylindrical
form in the rotating shaft direction, is provided in the first hinge bearing
portion 45. In
addition, a first arm bearing portion 45c, in which a surface side that faces
the second
hinge bearing portion 46 is recessed to correspond to the shape of a first end
side of the
torsion spring 27, is provided in the first hinge bearing portion 45.
[0063]
As shown in FIGs. 7 and 12, the second hinge bearing portion 46 is provided
projecting from one side of the rear side central portion of the lid 9 so as
to have a shape
that is continuous with the first hinge bearing portion 45 including a shaft
opening 46a that
passes therethrough in the rotating shaft direction. The second hinge bearing
portion 46
includes a first facing surface member (the other facing surface member) 49
that
configures a surface that faces the first hinge bearing portion 45.
[0064]
The first facing surface member 49 is attached in a state of being fitted into
the
inner side of a first fitting concave portion (the other fitting concave
portion) 46b, which is
provided in the second hinge bearing portion 46. A component made of a
material that
differs from that of the second hinge bearing portion 46, for example,
component (a POM
in the present embodiment) made of a material having superior wear resistance
to the
second hinge bearing portion 46, such as a polyacetal (POM), an acrylonitrile
butadiene
styrene (ABS), a metal, or any other suitable material known in the art, is
used in the first
facing surface member 49.
[0065]
In the cap unit 3 of the present embodiment, by configuring the first facing
surface member 49 having excellent wear resistance as a separate body to that
of the
, , 44 ___
"4.****Ø.. ,444=40,.. Aitl 4.4.11/44.
=
CA 2959270 2017-02-28
24
second hinge bearing portion 46, it is possible to achieve an improvement in
the durability
of the hinge portion 10. Additionally, the second hinge bearing portion 46 is
not
necessarily limited to a component in which the first facing surface member 49
is
configured as a separate body, and a configuration in which the first facing
surface
member 49 is set to be integral may also be used.
[0066]
Among the surfaces of the first facing surface member 49, a plurality (four in
the
present embodiment) of projecting portions 50, which come into sliding contact
with the
first hinge bearing portion 45, are provided on a surface (a first surface)
that faces the first
hinge bearing portion 45. In addition, among surfaces of the first facing
surface member
49, a second arm bearing portion 49a, which is recessed to correspond to the
shape of the
second end side of the torsion spring 27, is provided on a surface that faces
the first hinge
bearing portion 45.
[0067]
The plurality of projecting portions 50 are provided projecting in a
substantially
hemispherical form in order to decrease friction resistance when coming into
sliding
contact with the first hinge bearing portion 45. In addition, the plurality of
projecting
portions 50 are provided aligned in a radial manner (possibly at equally
spaced intervals)
at the periphery of the shaft opening 45a, which is configured by the first
facing surface
member 49. Additionally, regarding the number of the projecting portions 50,
certain
embodiments include at least three protecting portions 50.
[0068]
Meanwhile, as shown in FIGs. 10 and 13, among the surfaces of the first hinge
bearing portion 45, a sliding contact surface 45d, which comes into sliding
contact with
the plurality of projecting portions 50, is provided on a surface (a second
surface) that
CA 2959270 2017-02-28
faces the first facing surface member 49. The sliding contact surface 45d is
formed in a
substantially toric form at the periphery of the first storage concave portion
45b and the
first arm bearing portion 45c.
[0069]
5 The torsion spring 27 is disposed on the inner side of the first hinge
bearing
portion 45. More specifically, the illustrated torsion spring 27 includes a
wind around
portion 27a that is wound in coil form, a first arm portion 27b that extends
from a first end
side of the wind around portion 27a, and a second arm portion 27c that extends
from the
second end side of the wind around portion 27a. =
10 [0070]
The torsion spring 27 is disposed in a state in which the wind around portion
27a
is stored on the inner side of the first storage concave portion 45b, the
first arm portion
27b is engaged with the first arm bearing portion 45c of the first hinge
bearing portion 45
side, and the second arm portion 27c is engaged with the second arm bearing
portion 49a
15 of the second hinge bearing portion 46 side.
[0071]
By this, in the hinge portion 10, when the lid 9 is rotated toward a side
(hereinafter, referred to as a closing direction) that is opposite to the
opening direction
from a position (hereinafter, referred to as an opening position) at which the
lid 9 opens
20 the liquid flow spout 14, by being elastically deformed in a direction
in which the opening
angle of the first arm portion 27b and the second arm portion 27c of the
torsion spring 27
is reduced, it is possible to bias the lid 9 toward the opening direction with
respect to the
cap main body 8 due to a counter force thereof.
[0072]
25 As shown in FIGs. 7, 10, 11, and 14, a second storage concave portion
45e, in
=
CA 2959270 2017-02-28
26
which a surface side that faces the third hinge bearing portion 47 is recessed
in a
substantially cylindrical form in the rotating shaft direction, is provided in
the first hinge
bearing portion 45. A coil spring (or other embodiment of a second biasing
member) 51,
which biases the lid 9 toward the rotating shaft direction, is disposed on the
inner side of
the second storage concave portion 45e. In addition, the sliding member 52 is
disposed
on the inner side of the second storage concave portion 45e so as to be
capable of freely
sliding in the rotating shaft direction in a state of being biased by the coil
spring 51.
[0073]
The sliding member 52 is formed in a substantially bottomed cylindrical form,
and includes a shaft opening 52a that is formed in a central portion of a
bottom wall, and a
notched portion 52b in which a portion of a side wall is cut out in the
rotating shaft
direction. Meanwhile, a guiding convex portion 45f that is inserted into the
inner side of
the notched portion 52b is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the
second storage
concave portion 45e extending in the rotating shaft direction. By the guiding
convex
portion 45f being inserted on the inner side of the notched portion 52b, it is
possible for
the sliding member 52 to slide in the rotating shaft direction without
rotating around the
rotating shaft on the inner side of the second storage concave portion 45e.
[0074]
The third hinge bearing portion 47 is provided projecting from the other side
of
the rear side central portion of the lid 9 so as to include a shaft opening
47a that passes
therethrough in the rotating shaft direction, and thereby have a shape that is
continuous
with the first hinge bearing portion 45. The third hinge bearing portion 47
includes a
second facing surface member (the one facing surface member) 53 that
configures a
surface that faces the first hinge bearing portion 45.
[0075]
CA 2959270 2017-02-28
27
As shown in FIGs. 10 and 15, the second facing surface member 53 is attached
in
a state of being fitted into the inner side of a second fitting concave
portion (the one fitting
concave portion) 47b, which is provided in the third hinge bearing portion 47.
A
component, possibly made of a material that differs from that of the third
hinge bearing
portion 47, for example, component (a POM in the present embodiment) made of a
material having superior wear resistance to the third hinge bearing portion
47, such as a
polyacetal (POM), an acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), a metal, or other
suitable
material, is used in the second facing surface member 53.
[0076]
In the cap unit 3 of the present embodiment, by configuring the second facing
surface member 53 having excellent wear resistance as a separate body to that
of the third
hinge bearing portion 47, it is possible to achieve an improvement in the
durability of the
hinge portion 10. Additionally, the third hinge bearing portion 47 is not
necessarily
limited to a component in which the second facing surface member 53 is
configured as a
separate body, and a configuration in which the second facing surface member
53 is set to
be integral may also be used.
[0077]
As shown in FIGs. 7, 10, and 11, the hinge shaft 48 is attached in a state of
passing through the first, second, and third hinge bearing portions 45, 46 and
47 in the
rotating shaft direction by being inserted through the shaft openings 45a,
46a, and 47a of
the first, second, and third hinge bearing portions 45, 46 and 47.
[0078]
The hinge portion 10 includes a click mechanism 54 that gives a click feeling
at
the opening position and maintains an open state of the lid 9. More
specifically, the click
mechanism 54 includes an engagement concave portion 55 on a surface (a first
surface),
CA 2959270 2017-02-28
28
among surfaces of the sliding member 52, that faces the second facing surface
member 53,
and an engagement convex portion 56 on a surface (a second surface), among
surfaces of
the second facing surface member 53, that faces the sliding member 52.
[0079]
As shown in FIGs. 7, 10, 11, 14, and 15, the engagement concave portion 55 is
provided in a concave form to correspond to the position of the first surface
at which the
lid 9 opens the liquid flow spout 14. In addition, an inclined surface 57,
which guides
the engagement convex portion 56 to the engagement concave portion 55 in the
rotating
direction, is provided on the first surface. The inclined surface 57 is a
surface that comes
into contact with the engagement convex portion 56, and is upwardly inclined
toward the
engagement concave portion 55.
[0080]
Meanwhile, as shown in FIGs. 10 and 15, the engagement convex portion 56 is
provided projecting from the second surface. In addition, in the engagement
concave
portion 55 and the engagement convex portion 56, surfaces (hereinafter
referred to as
engagement surfaces) 55a and 56a, which engage with one another in the
rotating
direction, may be inclined at the same angle as one another.
[0081]
The sliding member 52 is biased toward a direction of approaching the third
hinge bearing portion 47 by the coil spring 51, which is compressed inside the
second
storage concave portion 45e. By this, a state in which the engagement convex
portion 56
is pressed against the sliding member 52 is attained.
[0082]
Conversely, the first hinge bearing portion 45 is biased toward a direction of
approaching the second hinge bearing portion 46 by the coil spring 51, which
is
eNn...+- = . . . . = =
CA 2959270 2017-02-28
29
compressed inside the second storage concave portion 45e. By this, a state in
which the
plurality of projecting portions 50 are pressed against the sliding contact
surface 45d is
attained.
[0083]
In the hinge portion 10, when the lid 9 is rotated by a predetermined amount
toward the opening direction from the blocking position, a state in which the
engagement
convex portion 56, which configures the click mechanism 54, engages with the
engagement concave portion 55 is attained.
By this, it is possible to give a click feeling to the user at the opening
position and
maintains an open state of the lid 9 due to engagement of the engagement
convex portion
56 and the engagement concave portion 55. In this case, when drinking a
beverage
inside the container main body 2, it is possible to incline the container main
body 2 with
the open state of the lid 9 being retained as before. In addition, in
comparison with a
case in which the open state of the lid 9 is retained by a biasing force of
the torsion spring
27 in the manner of the related art, it is possible to stabilize and maintain
the open state of
the lid 9 without being dependent on the biasing force of the torsion spring
27.
[0084]
In addition, in the hinge portion 10, when the lid 9 is rotated toward the
opening
position from the above-mentioned blocking position, the engagement convex
portion 56
is guided to the engagement concave portion 55 while coming into contact (come
into
sliding contact) with the inclined surface 57, which is upwardly inclined. At
this time, a
pressurizing force (friction resistance) of the engagement convex portion 56
with respect
to the inclined surface 57 increases. By this, it is possible to suppress the
rotation rate of
the lid 9, which is rotated in the opening direction by the biasing of the
torsion spring 27.
By this, it is possible to prevent a circumstance in which the lid 9 is
rotated vigorously by
CA 2959270 2017-02-28
release of the above-mentioned lid locking mechanism 37.
[0085]
In addition, in the click mechanism 54, in a state in which the above-
mentioned
engagement convex portion 56 is engaged with the engagement concave portion
55, the
5 surfaces 55a and 56a, which engage with one another, are inclined at the
same angle. In
this case, since an unnecessary force is not applied between the surfaces 55a
and 56a,
which engage with one another, it is possible to keep wear and damage to the
engagement
concave portion 55 and the engagement convex portion 56 low.
[0086]
10 In this manner, in the cap unit 3 of the present embodiment, it is
possible to
obtain a compact hinge structure having excellent design properties by
consolidating
functions in the above-mentioned hinge portion 10.
[0087]
That is, in the cap unit 3 of the present embodiment, by the torsion spring
(the
15 first biasing member) 27 and the coil spring (the second biasing member)
51, which have
mutually different biasing directions, being disposed on the inner side of the
hinge portion
10 aligned in the rotating shaft direction, it is possible to dispose the
biasing members 27
and 51 inside the hinge portion 10 in a consolidated manner.
[0088]
20 In addition, in the cap unit 3 of the present embodiment, it is
possible to dispose a
mechanism for rotating the lid 9 in the opening direction due to the biasing
of the torsion
spring 27, a mechanism (the click mechanism 54) for giving the user a click
feeling at the
opening position and maintaining the open state of the lid 9, and a mechanism
for pressing
the engagement convex portion 56 against the sliding member 52 and pressing
the
25 plurality of projecting portions 50 against the sliding contact surface
45d due to the
=k=TV,, ¨ 7
________________________________________________________ .1110, Pe =
.4WWW,K.~.191105MSNIOW~94....
CA 2959270 2017-02-28
31
biasing of the coil spring 51, in the hinge portion 10 in a consolidated
manner.
[0089]
In addition, in the cap unit 3 of the present embodiment, due to a
configuration in
which the plurality of projecting portions 50 on the second hinge bearing
portion 46 side
come into sliding contact with the sliding contact surface 45d of the first
hinge bearing
portion 45 side, it is possible to keep friction resistance, which is
generated in the hinge
portion 10 when the lid 9 is rotated with respect to the cap main body 8,
which is generally
lower than that of the related art. By this, it is possible to make the
biasing forces of the
torsion spring 27 and the coil spring 51 relatively weak. By this, it is
possible to achieve
a further improvement in the durability of the hinge portion 10 by keeping
wear that is
generated between the first hinge bearing portion 45, the second hinge bearing
portion 46,
and the third hinge bearing portion 47 low.
[0090]
Additionally, the invention is not necessarily limited to the configurations
of the
above-mentioned embodiment, and various alterations can be added within a
range that
does not depart from the gist of the invention.
More specifically, in the hinge portion 10, the above-mentioned configuration
in
which the first hinge bearing portion 45 is provided on the cap main body 8
side, and the
second hinge bearing portion 46 and the third hinge bearing portion 47 are
provided on the
lid 9 side is used, but the invention is not limited to such a configuration,
and a
configuration in which the first hinge bearing portion 45 is provided on the
lid 9 side, and
the second hinge bearing portion 46 and third hinge bearing portion 47 are
provided on the
cap main body 8 side may also be used. In addition, in the hinge portion 10,
it is also
possible to mutually exchange and disposed the configuration of the second
hinge bearing
portion 46 side and the configuration of the third hinge bearing portion 47
side.
-
CA 2959270 2017-02-28
32
[0091]
In addition, in the hinge portion 10, a configuration in which, among surfaces
of
the first facing surface member 49, the plurality of projecting portions 50
are provided on
the surface side that faces the first hinge bearing portion 45 is used, but a
configuration in
which, among surfaces of the first hinge bearing portion 45, the plurality of
projecting
portions 50 are provided on the surface side that faces the first facing
surface member 49
may also be used.
[0092]
In addition, in the hinge portion 10, a configuration in which the engagement
concave portion 55 is provided on a surface, among surfaces of the sliding
member 52,
that faces the second facing surface member 53 and in which the engagement
convex
portion 56 is provided on a surface, among surfaces of the second facing
surface member
53, that faces the sliding member 52 is used, but a configuration in which the
engagement
convex portion 56 is provided on a surface, among surfaces of the sliding
member 52, that
faces the second facing surface member 53 and in which the engagement concave
portion
55 is provided on a surface, among surfaces of the second facing surface
member 53, that
faces the sliding member 52 may also be used.
[0093]
Additionally, the above-mentioned beverage container 1 is not limited to a
beverage container having the above-mentioned external shape, and it is
possible to add
alterations as appropriate to match the size, the function, the design, and
the like, thereof.
[0094]
In addition, the invention can be suitably applied to the beverage container 1
provided with heat insulation and cold insulation functions by the container
main body 2,
which has the above-mentioned vacuum heat insulation structure, but is not
necessarily
CA 2959270 2017-02-28
33
limited to a beverage container that uses the container main body 2 having the
above-mentioned vacuum heat insulation structure. That is, the invention can
be applied
broadly to beverage containers in which a cap unit is attached to a neck
portion of a
container main body in a detachable manner, and cooking pots having pot lids
that are
attached to a wide opening portion such as a pot in a detachable manner.
While preferred embodiments of the invention have been described and
illustrated above, it should be understood that these are exemplary of the
invention and are
not to be considered as limiting. Additions, omissions, substitutions, and
other
modifications can be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the
present
invention. Accordingly, the invention is not to be considered as being limited
by the
foregoing description, and is only limited by the scope of the appended
claims.
