US20080093326A1

US20080093326A1 - Container cap

Info

Publication number: US20080093326A1
Application number: US11/975,634
Authority: US
Inventors: Young Kook Cho
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-10-20
Filing date: 2007-10-18
Publication date: 2008-04-24
Also published as: KR20080035708A; WO2008048077A1

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a container cap allowing the addition of an adjunct. The container cap includes a base cap member, which is a lower cap body coupled to a neck part of a container, an operational cap member, which is an upper cap body coupled to the upper end of the base cap member, and an openable sheet, which is provided on the lower end of one selected from the base cap member and the operational cap member. The openable sheet is able to be cut to discharge the adjunct. The container cap further includes a cutting means for cutting the openable sheet. The cutting means is provided in a remaining one selected from the base cap member and the operational cap member at a position corresponding to the openable sheet. The openable sheet includes a weight member, which has a diameter less than a diameter of an arc part of the openable sheet to be cut. A connection rib is connected between the weight member and a lower edge of an adjunct receiving part of the base cap member. The openable sheet further includes an openable sealing film, which seals both the lower edge of the adjunct receiving part and the weight member.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to container caps allowing the addition of adjuncts and, more particularly, to a container cap, which includes a base cap member, which is coupled to an opening of a container and has an adjunct receiving part, an operational cap member, which is coupled to the upper end of the base cap member, and an openable sheet, which is the bottom of the adjunct receiving part and comprises a weight member having a diameter less than that of the adjunct receiving part and an openable sealing film attached to the lower surface of the weight member and to the open lower end of the adjunct receiving part.
2. Description of the Related Art
In the case of techniques disclosed in Korean Patent Application Nos. 10-2003-023243 and 10-2004-002154, there is inconvenience in which, after a band is removed, a cap is rotated in a clockwise direction to discharge an adjunct and is thereafter rotated in a counterclockwise direction to open a container. Furthermore, there is a problem in that the adjunct can undesirably solidify due to the permeation of moisture, gas pressure or physical action. In addition, there is no separate security band.
In an effort to overcome the above problems, an improved container cap was proposed. In this container cap, two operations of adding an adjunct into contents and of opening a container are conducted merely by rotating a cap in a counterclockwise direction in a single motion in the same manner as a method of opening a typical container cap. Furthermore, in this technique, because an agitating shaft and an agitating rod are provided, even if the adjunct is dried or wet, the adjunct can be smoothly discharged. In addition, even if the container cap is excessively shaken, leakage is prevented. As well, the container cap is provided with a separate security band.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of such a container cap. FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing the state of the container cap when it is marketed and sold.
Referring to the drawings, the conventional container cap includes a base cap member 100, which is coupled to an opening of a container and has an openable film 22 that prevents an adjunct from being undesirably discharged while the container is distributed and sold, an operational cap member 300, which is rotatably coupled to the base cap member 100, and an opening means. The opening means includes a cutting blade 3, which is rotated and moved upwards or downwards by the rotation of the operational cap member 300 to thus cut the openable film 22, and an agitating shaft 4 and a plurality of agitating rods 5, which agitate the adjunct when the operational cap member 300 rotates.
Furthermore, an internal thread 112, which is formed in the base cap member 100, engages with an external thread 12 of the container 13, so that the contents W1 are prevented from being undesirably discharged while distributed and sold. In addition, the inner surface of the base cap member 100 extends a predetermined length from the inner edge of a step plate 129 in an axial direction, such that the operational cap member 300 is movable upwards or downwards along the adjunct receiving part while closely contacting the inner surface of the base cap member 100. Furthermore, the openable film 22 and an openable film holder 27, which prevent the adjunct W2 from being undesirably discharged while being marketed and sold, are provided on the inner and lower end of the base cap member 100. A stop step 21 is provided on the upper surface of the step plate 129, so that, when the operational cap member 300 is moved all the way down, the operational cap member 300 is fitted over the stop step 21 and thus firmly fastened to the base cap member 100.
The operational cap member 300 includes a grip 300B, which is rotatably provided on the upper surface of the step plate 129, and an internal thread 328, which engages with an external thread 128 formed on the outer surface of the upper end of the base cap member 100.
Furthermore, the cutting blade 3 of the opening means extends from the inner surface of the operational cap member 300 to the upper surface of the openable film 22, which is provided in the lower end of the base cap member 100. The agitating shaft 4 and the agitating rods 5 are provided in the operational cap member 300 such that, when the openable film 22 is opened by the cutting blade 3, even if the adjunct W2 is too dry or wet, the adjunct W2 can be easily discharged. The agitating shaft 4 and the agitating rods 5 are disposed at positions spaced apart from each other at angles of approximately 60°.
In addition, the agitating shaft 4 is slightly shorter than the cutting blade 3, and protrudes from the inner surface of the operational cap member 300 towards the center of the operational cap member 300. Preferably, the agitating shaft 4 is integrally formed by injection molding. When the operational cap member 300 is rotated and moved downwards, the agitating shaft 4 agitates the adjunct W2, such as powder or concentrated extract, which has dried out or been wetted, thus discharging the adjunct W2 more efficiently.
The agitating rods 5 conduct a function similar to that of the agitating shaft 4. That is, the agitating rods 5, which are rotated and moved downwards along with the operational cap member 300, extend in an inward radial direction a greater distance than does the agitating shaft 4, thus increasing the agitation range within which the adjunct, which has dried out or been wetted, is agitated.
The openable film 22 is increased in thickness from the outer edge to the center thereof. As such, the outer edge of the openable film 22 is relatively thin, so that the cutting blade 3 can easily cut the openable film 22. When the openable film 22 is cut, the adjunct W2 is easily discharged along the portion of the openable film 22 which was inclined by being cut.
The openable film holder 27, which is provided on a portion of the openable film 22, is located at a position spaced apart from the position at which the operation of cutting the openable film 22 starts by an angular amount of 330°. Furthermore, the openable film holder 27 extends from the center of the openable film 22 to the inner surface of the base cap member 100, and is relatively thick and hard. The openable film holder 27 serves to prevent the openable film 22 from being completely removed from the base cap member 100. That is, when the cutting blade 3 rotates at 330° and thus cuts the openable film 22, the rotation of the operational cam member 300 is stopped by the contact of the lower end of the operational cap member 300 with the stop step 21 of the base cap member 100. At this time, the openable film holder 27, which is coupled to the inner surface of the base cap member 100, prevents the cut openable film 22 from falling into the container. Thus, when the container cap is removed from the container, the openable film 22 is also removed along with the container cap, and thus does not inconvenience the user who drinks the contents.
In detail, to drink the contents mixed with the adjunct W2, the user removes a security band 6 from the container cap, and thereafter holds the grip 300B and rotates the operational cap member 300 in a counterclockwise direction. Then, the operational cap member 300 is rotated and moved downwards and, simultaneously, the cutting blade 3, which is provided on the lower end of the operational cap member 300, cuts the openable film 22, which is provided on the lower end of the base cap member 100. Thereby, the adjunct is mixed with the contents in the container. Because the container, such as PP, PET, etc., is transparent, the user can easily observe the mixing of the adjunct W2 with the contents W1. At this time, the user generally shakes the container to satisfy his/her impatience, thus accelerating the process of mixing the adjunct W2 with the contents W1. Here, the container cap of this technique makes it possible to mix the adjunct W2 with the contents W1 more stably in the reliably sealed state, compared to the prior container cap structures. Subsequently, the operational cap member 300 is brought into contact with the stop step 21, and is fitted over the stop step 21 such that it is fastened to the base cap member 100. When the operational cap member 300 is rotated further in a counterclockwise direction, the base cap member 100 and the operational cap member 300 are rotated and moved upwards together. As a result, the container cap is completely removed from the container 13, and the user can drink the contents mixed with the adjunct.
In addition, because the base cap member 100 is held by the container 13 through a base security band 24, the base cap member 100 is prevented from being displaced before the operational cap member 300 has completely moved downwards. When the base cap member 100 is moved upwards and removed from the container 13, the base security band 24 naturally breaks. As such, the base security band 24 of the present invention has the same function as that of a conventional security band, which is used for ensuring security.
However, in the conventional container cap described above, because an edge part of the openable film is relatively thin, and because a method, in which the thin edge part of the openable film is cut by rotation of the cutting blade of the operational cap member to add the adjunct into the contents, is used, there is the possibility of the permeation of air or moisture, which dries or wets the adjunct and thus spoils it, through the thin edge part of the openable film.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

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 cap in which a weight member and an openable sealing film, which constitute an openable sheet, are coupled to the lower end of an adjunct receiving part that stores an adjunct, the weight member having a diameter less than that of the adjunct receiving part, so that superior sealing ability is ensured, and the openable sheet can be easily cut through a band-shaped space defined between the weight member and the adjunct receiving part, and in which, because the weight member and the openable sealing film are integrated with each other, the openable sealing film is prevented from being cut to shreds, thus enhancing the reliability of the product.
In order to accomplish the above object, the present invention provides a container cap allowing addition of an adjunct, and including a base cap member, which is a lower cap body coupled to a neck part of a container, an operational cap member, which is an upper cap body coupled to an upper end of the base cap member, an openable sheet provided on a lower end of one selected from the base cap member and the operational cap member, the openable sheet being cut to discharge the adjunct, and cutting means for cutting the openable sheet, the cutting means being provided in a remaining one selected from the base cap member and the operational cap member at a position corresponding to the openable sheet, wherein the openable sheet includes: a weight member having a diameter less than a diameter of an arc part of the openable sheet to be cut, with a connection rib connected between the weight member and a lower edge of an adjunct receiving part of the base cap member; and an openable sealing film for sealing both the lower edge of the adjunct receiving part and the weight member.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a conventional container cap allowing the addition of an adjunct;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing the assembled container cap of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing the operation of the container cap of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing the operation of the container cap of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view illustrating a container cap, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of a critical part of the container cap of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.
FIG. 5 is a sectional view illustrating a container cap according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a sectional view of a critical part of the container cap of the present invention.
As shown in the drawings, the container cap of the present invention includes a base cap member 100, which is coupled to an opening of a container, an operational cap member 300, which is coupled to the upper end of the base cap member 100 and a cutting blade 3, and an openable sheet, which is the bottom of an adjunct receiving part 77-3. The openable sheet includes a weight member 77, which has a diameter less than that of an arc part, along which the bottom of the adjunct receiving part 77-3 is cut, at least one connection rib 77-2, which connects the weight member 77 to the lower edge of the adjunct receiving part 77-3, and an openable sealing film 777, which seals both the lower edge of the adjunct receiving part 77-3 and the weight member 77.
Furthermore, a band-shaped space 77-1 is defined between the lower edge of the adjunct receiving part 77-3 and the circumferential outer edge of the weight member 77, so that the cutting blade 3 of the operational cap member 300 is moved along the band-shaped space 77-1 without resistance when a cutting process is conducted.
The connection rib 77-2, which is connected between the lower edge of the adjunct receiving part 77-3 and the circumferential outer edge of the weight member 77, is provided in the band-shaped space 77-1.
Preferably, the weight member 77 has an appropriate weight such that, when the openable sheet is opened, the weight member is integrally rotated downwards along with the openable sealing film 777 around the connection rib 77-2, which serves as a hinge. Of course, because the openable sealing film 777 is integrated with the weight member 77, the openable sealing film 777 is prevented from being cut to shreds, thereby preventing part of the openable sealing film 777 from falling into the contents in the container.
In the present invention having the above-mentioned construction, when a user moves the cutting blade 3, which is integrally coupled to the operational cap member 300, downwards using the operational cap member 300, the openable sealing film 77, which is exposed through the band-shaped space 77-1, defined between the weight member 77 and the lower edge of the adjunct receiving part 77-3 of the base cap member 100, is easily cut by the cutting blade 3. As such, because the openable sealing film 777 can be easily cut using only a relatively small force, an old person or a child can easily use the container cap of the present invention.
Furthermore, when the cutting blade 3 cuts the openable sealing film 777, which is attached to the weight member 77, along the band-shaped space 77-1, as shown in FIG. 7, the weight member 77 and the openable sealing film 777 are rotated together downwards around the connection rib 77-2, serving as the hinge, so that the adjunct falls outside the adjunct receiving part 77-3 through the opened band-shaped space 77-1 and is added into the contents in the container.
As such, because the openable sealing film 777 is integrally attached to the weight member 77, when the part of the openable sealing film 777 that corresponds to the band-shaped space 77-1 is cut, even if it is cut to shreds, the cut shreds of the openable sealing film 777 maintain the state in which they are attached to the weight member 77, thus preventing the cut shreds of the openable sealing film 777 from falling into the contents in the container and preventing the user from drinking foreign substances.
In addition, when cutting the openable sealing film 777, the weight member 77 is rotated downards along with the openable sealing film 777 around the connection rib 77-2 as the hinge. In other words, thanks to the weight member 77, serving as a weight, the openable sheet is smoothly opened, thereby the adjunct can be easily discharged from the adjunct receiving part 77-3.
Meanwhile, in the present invention, only one connection rib 77-2, which connects the weight member 77 to the lower edge of the adjunct receiving part 77-3, need be provided in the band-shaped space 77-1. Alternatively, several connection ribs 77-2 may be provided at adjacent positions spaced apart from each other at regular angular intervals. That is, it is preferable that one or more connection ribs 77-2 be selectively provided, as necessary.
As described above, in a container cap according to the present invention, an openable sheet, which closes the open lower end of an adjunct receiving part, includes a weight member, which has a diameter less than the inner diameter of the adjunct receiving part such that a band-shaped space is coaxially defined between the weight member and the adjunct receiving part. Furthermore, both the weight member and the lower edge of the adjunct receiving part, which define the band-shaped space therebetween, are sealed by a separate openable sealing film, such as an aluminum film, thus providing the superior sealing ability unique to aluminum.
In addition, the present invention is constructed such that the adjunct receiving part is opened by cutting part of the openable sealing film, which is exposed through the band-shaped space defined by the difference between the diameter of the weight member and the inner diameter of the adjunct receiving part. Therefore, the adjunct receiving part can be easily opened by only a relatively small force, so that even children can easily use the present invention. In other words, the present invention can be easily used without limitation of users.
Furthermore, although the separate openable sealing film, such as an aluminum film, is used in the present invention, because the openable sealing film is integrally attached at the central portion thereof to the weight member, the openable sealing film is prevented from being cut into shreds, thus fundamentally preventing the user from suffering displeasure attributable to the presence of foreign substances when drinking the contents of the container, thereby ensuring the reliability of the product.
Moreover, in the present invention, when the adjunct receiving part is opened to add the adjunct into the contents, the weight member and the openable sealing film, which are integrated with each other, are rotated downwards around the connection rib, which serves as a hinge. Thus, the user can directly observe the process of adding the adjunct into the contents. Therefore, the present invention stimulates the curiosity of consumers, thus arousing consumers' interest.
Although the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying claims.

Claims

1. A container cap allowing addition of an adjunct, and comprising a base cap member, which is a lower cap body coupled to a neck part of a container, an operational cap member, which is an upper cap body coupled to an upper end of the base cap member, an openable sheet provided on a lower end of one selected from the base cap member and the operational cap member, the openable sheet being cut to discharge the adjunct, and cutting means for cutting the openable sheet, the cutting means being provided in a remaining one selected from the base cap member and the operational cap member at a position corresponding to the openable sheet, wherein

the openable sheet comprises: a weight member having a diameter less than a diameter of an arc part of the openable sheet to be cut, with a connection rib connected between the weight member and a lower edge of an adjunct receiving part of the base cap member; and an openable sealing film for sealing both the lower edge of the adjunct receiving part and the weight member.

2. The container cap as set forth in claim 1, wherein a band-shaped space is defined between the lower edge of the adjunct receiving part and a circumferential outer edge of the weight member, so that a cutting blade of the operational cap member is moved along the band-shaped space.

3. The container cap as set forth in claim 2, wherein the connection rib comprises a plurality of connection ribs disposed adjacent to each other in the band-shaped space to connect the lower edge of the adjunct receiving part and the circumferential outer edge of the weight member to each other.

4. The container cap as set forth in claim 1, wherein the weight member comprises a weight body having a predetermined weight such that, when the openable sheet is cut, the openable sheet is rotated downwards around the connection rib, which serves as a hinge.