Mouth cap for liquid container

Inventors

Yoshimura, Seiji • Mihashi, Hirokazu • Uetake, Yorihisa

Assignees

Rohto Nitten Co Ltd • Taisei Kako Co Ltd

Abstract

A plug member integrally includes a base portion (35a) attached to a plug holder (31) to be mounted on a mouth portion of a container, a plug (34) engaged with an engagement portion (31c) provided in an outlet passage of the plug holder (31), and a resilient connection portion (35b) resiliently connecting the plug (34) to the base portion (35a). Before the first use, the outlet passage is closed with the plug member. In the first use, the container is squeezed to increase the internal pressure of the container. Thus, the plug (34) is disengaged from the engagement portion (31c) by the internal pressure. The outlet passage is thereafter constantly kept open.

Core Innovation

A liquid container mouth cap is described that uses a plug member to seal an outlet passage before first use, thereby preventing leakage of a highly osmotic medicinal liquid to a filter that would otherwise become air-locked. The mouth cap includes a plug holder attached to a mouth portion, and an outlet passage through which the content liquid is discharged. The plug engages an engagement portion to close the outlet passage and is allowed to pop out from the engagement portion by an increased internal pressure of the liquid container.

In the first use, squeezing the container increases internal pressure to disengage the plug from the engagement portion so the outlet passage is kept open thereafter with reduced discharge force. The described structures include an integrally molded plug member having a base portion and a resilient connection portion that applies an urging force for urging the plug downstream. The urging force is smaller than the predetermined force at which the plug is engaged with the engagement portion, so the plug remains in a disengaged position after the first discharge.

Alternative embodiments describe a plug member structure with a flange/base and a connector sleeve resilient member that provides restoration support and includes communication channels for uniform flow when disengaged. Additional embodiments add a cover with an attachment recess and an outlet nozzle portion to enable reliable engagement and simplified mass attachment after filling. Variations include a hinged/openable cap and bellows-shaped containers where user-assisted disengagement is described.

Claims Coverage

The partial content provides one independent claim and one dependent claim. The independent claim includes three main inventive features related to an engagement portion that is closed by a plug and can pop out by increased internal pressure, a plug member with a base portion and a resilient connection portion that applies a downstream urging force smaller than the engagement force, and force generation behavior defined by pushing the plug upstream after attaching the base portion.

The claims center on a mouth cap where an outlet passage is closed by a plug that pops out due to increased internal pressure, and a plug member integrally formed with a base portion and resilient connection portion that applies a downstream urging force smaller than the predetermined engagement force, with an added cover including an attachment recess and an outlet nozzle portion.

Stated Advantages

Documented Applications