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United States Patent Application	20090200258
Kind Code	A1
Maeda; Takashi ;   et al.	August 13, 2009

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Foreign Application Data

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Date	Code	Application Number
Jul 7, 2006	JP	2006-187419

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Claims

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1. A cap locking device made such that engaging teeth provided on either a cap or a container are elastically engaged by locking teeth provided on the other when the cap is rotatingly mounted on the container, wherein locking teeth positioned at both sides of a central locking tooth of a set of three locking teeth are set at a pitch interval of an integer multiple including zero of the engaging teeth plus one-third of a pitch interval.

2. The cap locking device described in claim 1, made such that a set of three locking teeth are provided mutually separated by at least a pitch interval of an integer multiple of at least 1 pitch of the engaging teeth plus two-thirds of a pitch interval.

3. The cap locking device described in claim 1, made such that the set of three locking teeth are separated by at least four pitch intervals of an engaging tooth.

4. The cap locking device described in claim 1, made such that the number of engaging teeth is set to a multiple of 4.

5. A cap locking device made such that engaging teeth provided on either a cap or a container in a circumferential shape are elastically engaged by locking teeth provided on the other when the cap is rotatingly mounted on the container, wherein locking teeth positioned at both sides of a central locking tooth of a set of three locking teeth are set at a pitch interval of an integer multiple including zero of the engaging teeth plus one-third of a pitch interval.

6. The cap locking device described in claim 5, made such that a set of three locking teeth are provided mutually separated by at least a pitch interval of an integer multiple of at least 1 pitch of the engaging teeth plus two-thirds of a pitch interval.

7. The cap locking device described in claim 5, made such that the set of three locking teeth are separated by at least five pitch intervals of an engaging tooth.

8. The cap locking device described in claim 1, made such that the number of engaging teeth is set to a multiple of 5.

9. The cap locking device described in claim 1, made such that the locking teeth are set at substantially equal intervals.

10. The cap locking device described in claim 1, made such that the engaging teeth are set at substantially equal intervals spanning the entire circumference.

11. The cap locking device described in claim 1, made such that the locking teeth are provided at a rotational mounting end portion limited to a portion relative to the engaging teeth.

12. The cap locking device described in claim 1, made such that the engaging teeth are provided spanning the entire circumference.

13. The cap locking device described in claim 1, made such that the engaging teeth are formed into comparatively sharp-angled peaks, and the locking teeth are formed into comparatively blunt-angled peaks.

14. The cap locking device described in claim 13, made such that the engaging teeth are formed into peaks of substantially 60.degree. to substantially 110.degree..

15. The cap locking device described in claim 13, made such that the angles of the engaging teeth peaks are formed to be 10.degree. to 40.degree. smaller than the angles of the locking teeth peaks.

16. The cap locking device described in claim 13, made such that the engaging teeth are formed in peaks of substantially 90.degree., and the locking teeth are formed into peaks of substantially 110.degree..

17. The cap locking device described in claim 1, made such that the engaging teeth are formed by comparatively hard plastic, and the locking teeth are formed by comparatively soft plastic easily elastically deformed.

18. The cap locking device described in claim 1, made such that the engaging teeth are provided on a cap, and the locking teeth are provided on a container.

19. The cap locking device described in claim 18, made such that the engaging teeth are provided inside a cap skirt, and the locking teeth are provided at a container shoulder part.

20. The cap locking device described in claim 18, made such that the engaging teeth are provided integrated in a cap using injection molding, and the locking teeth are provided integrated in a container using blow molding.

21. The cap locking device described in claim 20, made such that the container comprises a squeeze tube container formed by blow molding and is squeezable up to a rotation mounting portion having a multi-thread swell-neck at the top of the shoulder portion.

22. The cap locking device described in claim 21 for providing the squeeze tube container with a narrow neck opening portion at the top of the multi-threaded swell-neck, and provided with a cap portion in a narrow neck on which a cap fits on a narrow-neck opening portion and a screw skirt portion for threading a multi-threaded portion.

23. The cap locking device described in claim 22, made such that a squeeze tube container is provided with an elastic bellows-like portion between the narrow neck opening and the multi-threaded swell-neck so that the cap top is clamped on the opening when the cap is mounted.

24. The cap locking device described in claim 23, made such that an elastic fitting skirt portion elastically fits on the bellow-like portion at the cap in the narrow neck.

25. The cap locking device described in claim 24, constructed such that a notched portion is provided on the elastic fitting skirt to elastically fit on the bellows-like portion.

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Description

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TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001]The present invention relates to a cap locking device that rotatingly mounts and locks a cap onto a container.

BACKGROUND OF THE ART

[0002]Conventionally, there are many known cap locking devices that rotatingly mount and lock a cap onto a container. Particularly, in order to lock a cap with a small rotational angle interval, it is necessary that either the cap or the container is provided with a large number engaging teeth at minute angle intervals in a circumferential shape, and the other is provided with minute locking teeth which are engaged.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0003]Precision processing technology is required for a configuration for providing a large umber of engaging teeth at minute angle intervals in a circumferential shape and engaging minute lock teeth provided on the other with said engaging teeth. Providing those teeth at a container neck or shoulder using blow modeling, for example, has the problem that a great number of difficulties in technology, labor, and cost are involved. Furthermore, because an adequate locking force is not attained with minute locking teeth and engaging teeth, there is the problem that the lock is disconnected, so reliable locking at the correct position is not possible.

Means of Solving the Problems

[0004]Therefore, the present invention provides a cap locking device made such that engaging teeth provided on either a cap or a container are elastically engaged by locking teeth provided on the other when the cap is rotatingly mounted on the container, wherein locking teeth positioned at both sides of a central locking tooth of a set of three locking teeth are set at a pitch interval of an integer multiple including zero of the engaging teeth plus one-third of a pitch interval as described in claim 1.

[0005]Also, the present invention provides the cap locking device described in claim 1, made such that a set of three locking teeth are provided mutually separated by at least a pitch interval of an integer multiple of at least 1 pitch of the engaging teeth plus one-third of a pitch interval as described in claim 2.

[0006]Furthermore, the present invention provides the cap locking device described in claim 1 or 2, made such that the set of three locking teeth are separated at least 4 pitch intervals of the engaging teeth as described in claim 3.

[0007]Furthermore, the present invention provides the cap locking device described in claim 1, 2 or 3, made such that the number of engaging teeth is set to a multiple of 4 as described in claim 4.

[0008]Furthermore, the present invention provides a cap locking device made such that engaging teeth provided on either a cap or a container are elastically engaged by locking teeth provided on the other when the cap is rotatingly mounted on the container, wherein locking teeth positioned at both sides of a central locking tooth of a set of three locking teeth are set at a pitch interval of an integer multiple including zero of the engaging teeth plus two-thirds of a pitch interval as described in claim 5.

[0009]Also, the present invention provides the cap locking device described in claim 5, made such that a set of three locking teeth are provided mutually separated by at least a pitch interval of an integer multiple of at least 1 pitch of the engaging teeth plus two-thirds of a pitch interval as described in claim 6.

[0010]Furthermore, the present invention provides the cap locking device described in claim 5 or 6, made such that the set of three locking teeth are separated at least 5 pitch intervals of the engaging teeth as described in claim 7.

[0011]Furthermore, the present invention provides the cap locking device described in claim 5, 6 or 7, made such that the number of engaging teeth is set to a multiple of 5 as described in claim 8.

[0012]Also, the present invention provides the cap locking device described in any of claims 1 through 8, made such that the locking teeth are set to substantially equal intervals as described in claim 9.

[0013]Also, the present invention provides the cap locking device described in any of claims 1 through 9, made such that the locking teeth are set to substantially equal intervals spanning the entire circumference as described in claim 10.

[0014]Also, the present invention provides the cap locking device described in any of claims 1 through 10, made such that the locking teeth are provided at a rotational mounting end portion limited to a portion relative to the engaging teeth as described in claim 11.

[0015]Also, the present invention provides the cap locking device described in any of claims 1 through 11, made such that the locking teeth are provided spanning the entire circumference as described in claim 12.

[0016]Also, the present invention provides the cap locking device described in any of claims 1 through 12, made such that the engaging teeth are formed into comparatively sharp-angled peaks, and the locking teeth are formed into comparatively blunt-angled peaks as described in claim 13.

[0017]Also, the present invention provides the cap locking device described in claim 13, made such that the engaging teeth are formed into peaks of substantially 60.degree. to substantially 110.degree. as described in claim 14.

[0018]Furthermore, the present invention provides the cap locking device described in claim 13 or 14, made such that the angles of the engaging tooth peaks are formed to be 10.degree. to 40.degree. smaller than the angles of the locking tooth peaks as described in claim 15.

[0019]Also, the present invention provides the cap locking device described in claim 13, 14, or 15, made such that the engaging teeth are formed into peaks of substantially 90.degree. and the locking teeth into peaks of substantially 110.degree. as described in claim 16.

[0020]Also, the present invention provides the cap locking device described in any of claims 1 through 16, made such that the engaging teeth are formed by comparatively hard plastic and the locking teeth are formed by comparatively soft plastic easily elastically deformed as described in claim 17.

[0021]Also, the present invention provides the cap locking device described in any of claims 1 through 17, made such that engaging teeth are provided on a cap, and locking teeth are provided on a container as described in claim 18.

[0022]Also, the present invention provides the cap locking device described in claim 18, made such that engaging teeth are provided inside a cap skirt, and locking teeth are provided at a container shoulder as described in claim 19.

[0023]Also, the present invention provides the cap locking device described in claim 18 or 19, made such that engaging teeth are provided integrated in a cap using injection molding, and locking teeth are provided integrated on a container using blow molding as described in claim 20.

[0024]Also, the present invention provides the cap locking device described in claim 20, made such that the container is composed of a squeeze tube container formed with blow molding and is squeezable up to a rotation mounting portion having a multi-thread swell-neck at the top of the shoulder portion as described in claim 21.

[0025]Also, the present invention provides the cap locking device described in claim 21 for providing the squeeze tube container with a narrow neck opening at the top of the multi-threaded swell-neck, and provided with a cap portion in a narrow neck on which a cap fits on a narrow-neck opening and a screw skirt portion for threading a multi-threaded portion as described in claim 22.

[0026]Also, the present invention provides the cap locking device described in claim 22, made such that a squeeze tube container is provided with an elastic bellows-like portion between the narrow neck opening and the multi-threaded swell-neck so that the cap top is clamped on the opening when the cap is mounted as described in claim 23.

[0027]Also, the present invention provides the cap locking device described in claim 23, made such that an elastic fitting skirt portion elastically fits on the bellow-like portion on the cap in the narrow neck as described in claim 24.

[0028]Also, the present invention provides the cap locking device described in claim 24, constructed such that a notched portion is provided on the elastic fitting skirt portion to elastically fit on the bellows-like portion as described in claim 25.

EFFECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0029]According to the cap locking device of the present invention, in the cap locking device made such that engaging teeth provided on either a cap or a container are elastically engaged by locking teeth provided on the other when the cap is rotatingly mounted on the container, there is a configuration such that locking teeth positioned at both sides of a central locking tooth of a set of three locking teeth are set at a pitch interval of an integer multiple including zero of the engaging teeth plus one-third or two-thirds of a pitch interval, when one of the three locking teeth engages the center of the trough between adjacent peaks of the engaging teeth, the other two locking teeth elastically contact the oblique surfaces mid-slope along the peak with a equal pushing pressure such as to approach the center engaging tooth on both ends and the first locking tooth elastically contact the oblique surface mid-slope along the peak with a balanced pushing force so as to move away from the central engaging tooth, so the set of three locking teeth firmly lock to the engaging teeth including the central engaging tooth, holding the cap in a stopped state.

[0030]On the other hand, when the locking tooth side is forcefully rotated from this state for substantially one-third of a pitch in one direction, for example, one of the three locking teeth engages the center of the trough between adjacent peaks of the engaging teeth, and the other two locking teeth either on both sides of the central tooth or in succession elastically contact the oblique surfaces at mid-slope of the peaks with equal pushing pressure so that one of the locking teeth approaches the new central engaging tooth near the peak and the other moves away when the peak is passed, so as above, there is the effect that the set of three locking teeth, including the central engaging tooth, firmly locks the engaging tooth, placing the cap into a stopped state at one-third of a pitch interval of the engaging teeth.

[0031]Therefore, because it is possible to lock the set of three locking teeth at a minute interval of substantially one-third of a pitch of the engaging teeth, there is the effect that the cap can be locked at the minute interval of one-third of the pitch interval of the engaging teeth, and there is also the effect that it is possible to provide engaging teeth at a pitch interval 3 times wider than the cap locking interval and that a firm and secure locking relationship can be attained. Furthermore, because locking occurs after the locking tooth has passed over the peak of an engaging tooth immediately before the locking position, there is the effect of generating a clicking sensation for perceiving that locking is complete.

[0032]Furthermore, in the cap locking device described in claim 1 or 5, there is a configuration made such that a set of three locking teeth are provided mutually separated at least a pitch interval of an integer multiple of the engaging teeth plus one-third or two-thirds of a pitch interval, so the present invention has the effect that the intervals of the adjacent locking teeth can be set wide with leeway at an interval at least one pitch interval of the engaging teeth as described in claims 2 and 6.

[0033]Furthermore, in the cap locking device described in claim 1 or 2, there is a configuration made such that a plurality of sets of three locking teeth are set separated by at least a 4-pitch interval of engaging teeth, and when the first of the three locking teeth engages the center of the trough between adjacent peaks of engaging teeth, the second locking tooth thereby forms an interval of 1 pitch plus one-third of a pitch, and the third locking tooth forms an interval of one pitch plus one-third of a pitch. Then, because the interval from the first tooth to the third tooth is 2 pitches plus two-thirds of a pitch, if the first tooth of the three locking teeth of the other two sets engages the center of the trough between adjacent peaks of engaging teeth at one pitch plus one-third of a pitch interval, the interval of the locking teeth of the first one set and the locking teeth of the second set becomes 4 pitches. Therefore, there is the effect of providing the locking teeth according to the present invention with the plurality of sets of three locking teeth set separated by at least a 4-pitch interval of engaging teeth as described in claim 3.

[0034]Also, in the cap locking device described in claim 1, 2 or 3, there is a configuration made such that the number of locking teeth is set to a multiple of 4, so the present invention has the effect that the 4-pitch interval of the engaging teeth required of the set of three locking teeth is the space of four engaging teeth, so a plurality of sets of locking teeth can be provided if the total number of engaging teeth is a multiple of 4 as described in claim 4.

[0035]Furthermore, in the cap locking device described in claim 5 or 6, there is a configuration made such that a plurality of sets of three locking teeth are set separated by at least a 5-pitch interval of engaging teeth, and when the first of the three locking teeth engages the center of the trough between adjacent peaks of engaging teeth, the second locking tooth thereby forms an interval of 1 pitch plus two-thirds of a pitch, and the third locking tooth forms an interval of one pitch plus two-thirds of a pitch. Then, because the interval from the first tooth to the third tooth is 3 pitches plus one-third of a pitch, if the first tooth of the three locking teeth of the other two sets engages the center of the trough between adjacent peaks of engaging teeth at one pitch plus two-thirds of a pitch interval, the interval of the locking teeth of the first set and the locking teeth of the second set becomes 5 pitches. Therefore, there is the effect of providing the locking teeth according to the present invention with the plurality of sets of three locking teeth set separated by at least a 5-pitch interval of engaging teeth as described in claim 7.

[0036]Also, in the cap locking device described in claim 5, 6 or 7, there is a configuration made such that the number of locking teeth is set to a multiple of 5, so the present invention has the effect that the 5-pitch interval of the engaging teeth required of the set of three locking teeth is 1 pitch plus two-thirds of a pitch interval, so a plurality of sets of locking teeth can be provided with an interval of 1 pitch plus two-thirds of a pitch for a three-tooth set if the total number of engaging teeth is a multiple of 5 as described in claim 8.

[0037]Furthermore, in the cap locking device described in any of claims 1 through 8, there is a configuration made such that locking teeth are set to substantially equal intervals, so the present invention has the effect of locking a cap with locking teeth provided at equal intervals limiting the locking locations as described in claim 9.

[0038]Furthermore, in the cap locking device described in any of claims 1 through 9, there is a configuration made such that locking teeth are set to substantially equal intervals spanning the entire circumference, so the present invention has the effect of equally locking a cap with locking teeth provided at equal intervals spanning the entire circumference as described in claim 10.

[0039]Furthermore, in the cap locking device described in any of claims 1 through 10, there is a configuration made such that engaging teeth are set limited to portions relative to locking teeth at the rotational mounting end portions, so the present invention has the effect of limiting the setting positions of engaging teeth and locking teeth to specific places by setting the engaging teeth and locking teeth only near those end portions when the end portions of the rotational mounting of the cap to the container is fixed as described in claim 11.

[0040]Furthermore, in the cap locking device described in any of claims 1 through 11, the present invention has a configuration made such that engaging teeth are provided spanning the entire circumference, so the end portions of the rotation of the cap can be freely set, and the locking teeth setting positions have a degree of freedom as described in claim 12.

[0041]Furthermore, in the cap locking device described in any of claims 1 through 12, there is a configuration made such that the engaging teeth are formed to comparatively sharp-angled peaks, and the locking teeth are formed to comparatively blunt-angled peaks, so the present invention has the effect that locking is possible by providing many continuous engaging teeth in a sharp-angled form and a small number of locking teeth with blunt angles at wide intervals as described in claim 13.

[0042]Furthermore, in the cap locking device described in claim 13, there is a configuration made such that the engaging teeth are formed into peaks of substantially 60.degree. to substantially 110.degree., so the present invention has the effect of fitting blunt-angled locking teeth peaks into the troughs of comparatively sharp-angled engaging teeth as described in claim 14.

[0043]Furthermore, in the cap locking device described in claim 13 or 14, there is a configuration made such that the angles of the engaging teeth shapes are formed into substantially 10.degree. to substantially 40.degree. of the angle of the locking teeth shapes, so the present invention has the effect of fitting blunt-angled locking teeth peaks into the troughs of sharp-angled engaging teeth as described in claim 15.

[0044]Furthermore, in the cap locking device described in any of claims 13, 14, and 15, there is a configuration made such that the engaging teeth are formed into peaks of substantially 90.degree. and the locking teeth are formed into peaks of substantially 110.degree., so the present invention has the effect of fitting blunt-angled locking teeth peaks into the troughs of comparatively sharp-angled engaging teeth as described in claim 16.

[0045]Furthermore, in the cap locking device described in any of claims 1 through 16, there is a configuration made such that the engaging teeth are formed by a comparatively hard plastic and the locking teeth are formed of a comparatively soft plastic that is easily elastically deformed, so the present invention has the effect of precisely forming firm engaging teeth with narrow intervals between the teeth using a comparatively hard plastic, and of forming locking teeth for extensively creating a comparatively wide interval using a comparatively soft plastic that easily elastically deforms as described in claim 17.

[0046]Furthermore, in the cap locking device described in any of claims 1 through 17, there is a configuration made such that engaging teeth are provided on a cap, and locking teeth are provided on a container, so the present invention has the effects of firmly providing a cap for which the processing of many individual engaging teeth is easy and making them hard is preferred, and of providing a container for which it the processing of locking teeth is difficult and few are required as described in claim 18.

[0047]Furthermore, in the cap locking device described in claim 18, there is a configuration made such that engaging teeth are provided inside the cap skirt, and locking teeth are provided on a container shoulder, so the present invention has the effect of locking the cap by the engaging teeth provided inside the cap skirt and the locking teeth provided on the container shoulder as described in claim 19.

[0048]Furthermore, in the cap locking device described in claim 18 or 19, there is a configuration made such that engaging teeth are integrated in the cap using injection molding, and the locking teeth are integrated in the container using blow molding, so the present invention has the effects of precisely providing many engaging teeth with a small number in a cap using injection molding, and of providing a small number of elastically deformable locking teeth on a container at wide intervals with blow molding as described in claim 20.

[0049]Furthermore, in the cap locking device described in claim 20, there is a configuration composed of a squeeze tube container formed using blow molding squeezable up to a rotation mounting portion having a multi-threaded swell-neck at the top of the shoulder portion, so the present invention has the effects of configuring a firm rotational mounting portion with a multi-threaded swell-neck, and of providing a plastic squeeze tube container squeezable up to the neck made using blow molding as described in claim 21.

[0050]Furthermore, in the cap locking device described in claim 21, there is a configuration for providing a squeeze tube container with a narrow-neck opening at the top of a multi-threaded swell-neck, and provided with a cap portion inside a narrow neck that fits on the narrow-neck opening and a screw skirt portion for threading onto the multi-threaded portion, so the present invention has the effect of attaining a firm cap mounting by means of the multi-threaded portion of the container swell-neck and the cap screw skirt portion and the effect that the narrow opening of the container is securely covered by the narrow-neck cap as described in claim 22.

[0051]Furthermore, in the cap locking device described in claim 22, there is a configuration made such that the squeeze tube container is provided with an elastic bellows-like portion between the narrow neck opening and the multi-threaded swell-neck so that the cap top clamps on the opening when the cap is mounted, so the present invention has the effect of clamping and closing the container opening with the cap top by means of the elastic force of the bellows-shaped portion as described in claim 23.

[0052]Furthermore, in the cap locking device described in claim 23, there is a configuration provided with an elastically fitting skirt portion for elastically fitting on the bellows-like portion on the cap inside the narrow neck, so the present invention has the effect of firmly fitting the elastically fitting skirt portion on the bellows-shaped portion, and the effect of generating a clicking sensation for perceiving that the cap lock is complete when fitting as described in claim 24

[0053]Furthermore, in the cap locking device described in claim 24, there is a configuration provided with a notched portion on the elastically fitting skirt portion to elastically fit on the bellows-like portion, so the present invention has the effect of securely fitting the cap as described in claim 25.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0054]The present invention is described below using embodiments illustrated below.

Embodiment 1

[0055]In a cap locking device wherein engaging teeth 1 provided in a circumferential shape provided on either a cap or a container are elastically engaged by locking teeth 2 equipped on the other when the cap is rotatingly mounted onto the container, the cap locking device according to the present invention of the embodiment of FIG. 11 has a configuration made such that locking teeth B and C positioned on both sides of a central locking tooth A of a set of three locking teeth A, B and C are set to a locking interval substantially one-third of a pitch P compared to one pitch P of the engaging teeth, and when the tooth A of the three locking teeth thereby engages a center T1 of the trough between adjacent peaks of the engaging teeth 1, the other two locking teeth B and C elastically contact equally spaced oblique surfaces T2 and T3 at mid-slope of the peaks so that the engaging teeth 1 on both sides move away from the central engaging tooth A, and therefore the set of three locking teeth A, B, and C, including the central engaging tooth, firmly lock the engaging tooth 1, holding the cap in a stopped state.

[0056]When the locking tooth 2 side is forcefully rotated substantially one-third of a pitch to the right, for example, the locking tooth B of the three locking teeth 2 engages the center of the trough midway between adjacent peaks of the engaging tooth 1, and the locking tooth A of the other two teeth engages the engaging tooth 1 adjacently to the right such as to move away from the locking tooth B, and the locking tooth C adjacent on the right engages such as to approach the engaging tooth 1, thereby canceling the action of the locking tooth A and making the contact force balanced.

[0057]When the locking tooth 2 side is forcefully rotated from the illustrated state substantially one-third of a pitch to the left, the locking tooth C of the three locking teeth engages the center of the trough between adjacent peaks of the engaging teeth 1, and the other locking teeth A and B act to mutually counteract the rotary force applied to the engaging teeth 1 so the engaging teeth and the locking teeth are maintained in a fastened state.

Embodiment 2

[0058]In FIG. 12, a set of three locking teeth A, B, and C has a configuration made such that locking teeth B and C positioned on both sides of the mutually center locking tooth A are set such as to have a locking interval substantially two-thirds of a pitch P compared to one pitch P of the engaging teeth, and when the tooth A of the three locking teeth 2 engages a center T1 of the trough between the adjacent peaks of the engaging teeth 1, the other two locking teeth B and C thereby elastically contact equally spaced oblique surfaces T2 and T3 at mid-slope of the peaks so that the engaging teeth 1 on both sides approach the mutually central locking tooth A, so the set of three locking teeth A, B, and C, including the central engaging tooth to the engaging tooth 1, firmly lock the engaging teeth 1, holding the cap in a stopped state.

[0059]When the locking tooth 2 side is forcefully rotated from this state substantially one-third of a pitch to the right, for example, the locking tooth C of the three locking teeth engages the center of the trough between adjacent peaks of the engaging teeth 1, the locking tooth A of the other two teeth engages the engaging tooth 1 adjacent on the left so as to approach the locking tooth C, and the locking tooth B adjacent on the left engages the engaging tooth 1 such as to move away from the locking tooth C and cancel the action of the locking tooth A at the point when the locking tooth B passes over one peak.

[0060]When the locking tooth 2 side is forcefully rotated substantially one-third of a pitch to the left, the locking tooth B of the three locking teeth engages the center of the trough between adjacent peaks of the engaging teeth 1, and the other two locking teeth A and C act to mutually counteract the rotary force applied to the engaging teeth 1, so the engaging teeth and the locking teeth are maintained in a fastened state.

[0061]In this way, in the cap locking device wherein engaging teeth 1 in a circumferential shape provided on either a cap or a container are elastically engaged by locking teeth 2 provided on the other when the cap is rotatingly mounted onto the container, the set of three locking teeth A, B, and C for the cap locking device of the present invention described in embodiment 1 and in embodiment 2 has a configuration made such that the locking teeth B and C positioned on both sides of a mutually central locking tooth A are set to a locking interval of substantially one-third or two-thirds of a pitch P compared to the one pitch P of the engaging teeth, making it possible for the set of three locking teeth to lock at the minute interval of substantially one-third of a pitch. Therefore, there is the effect that the cap can be locked at a minute interval of one-third of a pitch of the engaging teeth, and moreover, the engaging teeth can be set at a pitch interval 3 times larger than the cap locking interval, and a firm locking relationship can be attained.

[0062]Furthermore, because one of the three locking teeth 2 passes over the peak of an engaging tooth 1 immediately before the locking position, there is the effect of generating a clicking sensation when the peak is passed making it possible to perceive that the locking is complete.

Embodiment 3

[0063]In the embodiment of FIG. 11, the locking teeth B and C have an interval of 0 pitches of the engaging teeth and one-third of a pitch to the locking tooth A at the center T1 in the set of three locking teeth A, B, and C, but even if only the locking tooth B or both of the locking teeth B and C on one or both sides of the locking tooth A are set such that the locking interval is an integer multiple of the pitch interval P at least 1 pitch of the engaging teeth 1 plus substantially one-third of a pitch in the embodiment of FIG. 11, a similar locking relationship is attained with the same principle as the embodiment of FIG. 11.

[0064]In the case of the embodiment described in FIG. 13, in a cap locking device in which engaging teeth 1 in a circumferential shape provided on either a cap or a container are elastically engaged by locking teeth 2 provided on the other when the cap is rotatingly mounted onto the container, the cap locking device according to the present invention is made such a set of three locking teeth A1, B1, and C1 are set such that the locking teeth B1 and C1 positioned on both sides of the mutually central locking tooth A1 have a pitch interval P of the engaging teeth and a locking interval of substantially one-third of a pitch interval.

[0065]In that case, in the same way as the embodiment described for FIG. 11, when one locking tooth A1 of the three locking teeth engages the center T1 of the trough between the adjacent peaks of engaging teeth 1, the other two locking teeth B1 and C1 elastically contact the oblique surfaces T2 and T3 mid-slope of the equally spaced peaks so that the engaging teeth 1 on both sides mutually move away from the central locking tooth A1 so the set of three locking teeth A1, B1, and C1, including the central locking tooth, are firmly locked and the cap is maintained in a locked state.

[0066]When the locking tooth 2 side is forcefully rotated from this state substantially one-third of a pitch to the right, for example, the locking tooth B1 of the three locking teeth engages the center of the trough between adjacent peaks of the engaging teeth, and the locking tooth A1 of the other two locking teeth engages the engaging tooth 1 adjacent to the right such as to move away from the locking tooth B1, and the locking tooth C1 adjacent to the right engages the engaging tooth 1 such as to cancel the action of the locking tooth A1.

[0067]Conversely, when the locking tooth 2 side is forcefully rotated substantially one-third of a pitch to the left, the locking tooth C1 of the three locking teeth engages the center of the trough between adjacent peaks of the engaging teeth 1, and the other locking teeth A1 and B1 act to mutually counteract the rotary force applied to the engaging teeth 1, so the engaging teeth and the locking teeth are maintained in a fastened state.

Embodiment 4

[0068]Next, even if one or both of the locking teeth B and C on one or both sides of the locking tooth A at the center T1 in the set of three locking teeth A, B, and C are set such that the locking interval is an integer multiple of the pitch interval P at least 1 pitch of the engaging teeth 1 plus substantially one-third of a pitch in the embodiment of FIG. 12, a similar locking relationship is attained with the same principle as the embodiment of FIG. 12.

[0069]In the case of the embodiment described in FIG. 13, in a cap locking device in which engaging teeth 1 in a circumferential shape provided on either a cap or a container are elastically engaged by locking teeth 2 provided on the other when the cap is rotatingly mounted onto the container, the cap locking device according to the present invention has a configuration such that a set of three locking teeth A1, B1, and C1 are set such that the locking teeth B1 and C1 positioned on both sides of the mutually central locking tooth A1 have a pitch interval P at least 1 pitch of the engaging teeth and a locking interval of substantially two-thirds of a pitch interval.

[0070]In that case, in the same way as the embodiment described for FIG. 12, when one locking tooth A1 of the three locking teeth engages the center T1 of the trough between the adjacent peaks of engaging teeth 1, the other two locking teeth B1 and C1 elastically contact the oblique surfaces T2 and T3 mid-slope of the equally spaced peaks so that the engaging teeth 1 on both sides mutually approach the central locking tooth A1 so the set of three locking teeth A1, B1, and C1, including the central engaging tooth, are firmly locked and the cap is maintained in a locked state.

[0071]When the locking tooth 2 side is forcefully rotated from the illustrated state substantially one-third of a pitch to the left, for example, the locking tooth B1 of the three locking teeth engages the center of the trough between adjacent peaks of the engaging teeth, and the locking tooth A1 of the other two locking teeth engages the engaging tooth 1 adjacent to the right so as to approaching the locking tooth B1, and the locking tooth C1 engages in a direction moving the engaging tooth 1 away such as to cancel the action of the locking tooth A1 when the locking tooth C1 passes over the peak. Conversely, when the locking tooth 2 side is forcefully rotated from the illustrated state substantially one-third of a pitch to the right, the locking tooth C1 of the three locking teeth engages the center of the trough between adjacent peaks of the engaging teeth 1, and the other two locking teeth A1 and B1 act to mutually counteract the rotary force applied to the engaging teeth 1, so the engaging teeth 1 and the locking teeth 2 are maintained in a fastened state.

[0072]Therefore, in the embodiments of FIGS. 11 and 12, even if one or both of the locking teeth B and C on one or both sides of the locking tooth A at the center T1 in the set of three locking teeth A, B, and C are set such that the locking interval is an integer multiple of the pitch interval P at least 1 pitch of the engaging teeth 1 plus substantially one-third or two-thirds of a pitch, a similar locking relationship is attained with the same principle as the embodiments of FIGS. 11 and 12.

[0073]Not only that, but because the set of three locking teeth A1, B1, and C1 are mutually set to a locking interval substantially one-third or two-thirds of pitch and spaced at least one pitch P of the engaging teeth, there is the effect that the intervals of the adjacent locking teeth A1, B1, and C1 can be set wide with leeway at an interval at least one pitch interval P of the engaging teeth 1.

[0074]Also, in the cap locking device described above, in the embodiment described in FIG. 13, when another set of three locking teeth A2, B2, and C2 of locking teeth 2 is provided adjacent to the set of three locking teeth A1, B1 and C1 of the locking teeth 2, in the interval between the locking teeth A1 and A2 when the first of the three locking teeth A1 is engaged with the center T1 of the trough between the adjacent peaks of the engaging teeth, the interval to the second locking tooth C1 is 1 pitch plus one-third of a pitch, and the interval to the third locking tooth B2 from the first locking tooth A1 is 2 pitches plus two-thirds of a pitch. Therefore, the first locking tooth A1 of the second set of locking teeth engages the center T4 of the trough between adjacent peaks of locking teeth 2 over an interval of 1 pitch and one-third of a pitch, so the interval between T1 and T4 from the locking tooth A1 of the first set to the locking tooth A2 of the second set of the locking teeth is 4 pitches, and accordingly, if a plurality of sets of three locking teeth 2 are set separated by at least 4 pitches of the engaging teeth, the locking teeth according to the present invention can be provided.

[0075]Also, in the embodiment of FIG. 13, as described above, because it is possible to lock the engaging teeth 1 having a 4-pitch interval with the set of three locking teeth 2, if the number of locking teeth is set to a multiple 3S of 3, the number of engaging teeth 1 corresponding thereto may be at least the number of teeth 4S found as an S multiple of 4 because there are four engaging teeth per set.

[0076]Therefore, in the embodiment of FIG. 13, if the total number of engaging teeth is an integer multiple 4S of 4, then it is possible to provide a maximum number locking teeth 3S in a plurality of sets whose number is that multiple S.

[0077]Also, in the cap locking device described above, in the embodiment described in FIG. 14, when another set of three locking teeth A2, B2, and C2 of locking teeth 2 is provided adjacent to the set of three locking teeth A1, B1 and C1 of the locking teeth 2, in the interval between the locking teeth A1 and A2 when the first of the three locking teeth A1 is engaged with the center T1 of the trough between the adjacent peaks of the engaging teeth, the interval to the second locking tooth C1 is 1 pitch plus two-thirds of a pitch, and the interval to the third locking tooth B2 from the first locking tooth A1 is 3 pitches plus one-third of a pitch. Therefore, the first locking tooth A1 of the second set of locking teeth engages the center T4 of the trough between adjacent peaks of locking teeth 2 over an interval of 1 pitch and two-thirds of a pitch, so the interval between T1 and T4 from the locking tooth A1 of the first set to the locking tooth A2 of the second set is 5 pitches, and accordingly, if a plurality of sets of three locking teeth 2 are set separated by at least 5 pitches of the engaging teeth, the locking teeth according to the embodiment of FIG. 14 invention can be provided.

[0078]Also, in the embodiment of FIG. 14, as described above, because it is possible to lock the engaging teeth 1 having a 5-pitch interval with the set of three locking teeth 2, if the number of locking teeth is set to a multiple 3S of 3, the number of engaging teeth 1 corresponding thereto may be at least the number of teeth 5S found as an S multiple of 5 because there are five engaging teeth per set.

[0079]Therefore, in the embodiment of FIG. 14, if the total number of engaging teeth is an integer multiple 5S of 5, then it is possible to provide a maximum number locking teeth 3S in a plurality of sets whose number is that multiple S.

Embodiment 5

[0080]In the embodiment described in FIG. 1, 10 is a cap, and 48 engaging teeth 1 are provided inside of a skirt portion 11 of the cap 10. Therefore, the pitch P of the engaging teeth is P=360.degree./48=7.5.degree..

[0081]In contrast, 20 is a tube container, and there are three sets of three locking teeth 2 or a total of 9 locking teeth 2 provided at equal intervals at a container shoulder portion 21. Therefore, the tooth intervals for each of the 9 locking teeth 2 is 40.degree..

[0082]In FIG. 1, a set of three locking teeth C1, A1, and B2 is provided, of which the tooth C1 positioned in the 3 o'clock direction engages the center of a trough between adjacent peaks of engaging teeth; the locking tooth A1 separated therefrom by 40.degree. is positioned at 7.5.degree.'5+2.5.degree., in other words, at the position 5P+(1/3) P, where it presses the right side of the sixth engaging tooth; and the locking tooth B1 in the same way is positioned at 7.5.degree.'5+2.5.degree., separated therefrom by 40.degree., in other words, at the position 5P+(1/3) P, where it presses the left side of the eleventh engaging tooth at 10P+(2/3) P from the first locking tooth C1. Of the set of the three locking teeth C1, A1 and B1, C1 fits in the engaging teeth, and B1 and C1 pressing in mutually opposite directions, maintaining a stopped state.

[0083]In the same way, of two other sets of three teeth C2, A2, and B2 and C3, A3, and B3; C2 and C3 each fit in engaging teeth, and B2 and B3 as well as C2 and C3 press in mutually opposite directions, maintaining the stopped state.

[0084]When the cap 10 is rotated (1/3) P, in other words, 2.5.degree. in the clockwise direction in FIG. 1 from that state, each of the locking teeth A1, A2, and A3 of three sets of three locking teeth fit in engaging teeth, while B1, B2, and B3 press in the feed direction, and C1, C2, and C3 press in the return direction, engaging and maintaining a stopped state. Therefore, the pitch P of the engaging teeth 1 of the cap 10 is 7.5.degree. from the locking teeth 2 of the tube container 20, but it is possible to stop the cap 10 at one-third of a pitch, an interval of 2.5.degree. of (1/3) P.

Embodiment 6

[0085]Note that in the embodiment described in FIG. 1, even if the locking teeth B and C on both sides of the locking tooth A at the center of the set of three locking teeth of the locking teeth 2 of the tube container 20 are provided at an integer multiple of pitch P of the engaging teeth plus an interval of two-thirds of a pitch with respect to 48 engaging teeth of the skirt portion 11 of the cap 10, the cap 10 can be locked at a 2.5.degree. interval of one-third of a pitch to the pitch P=360.degree./48=7.5.degree. of the engaging teeth 1.

Embodiment 7

[0086]Furthermore, if the locking teeth B and C on both sides of the locking tooth A at the center of the set of three locking teeth of the locking teeth 2 of the tube container 20 are provided at an integer multiple of pitch P of the engaging teeth plus an interval of two-thirds of a pitch with respect to 5' 12 or 60 engaging teeth of the skirt portion 11 of the cap 10, the cap 10 can be locked at a 2.degree. interval of one-third of a pitch to the pitch P 360 .degree./60=6.degree. of the engaging teeth 1.

[0087]Here, if three sets of a set of three locking teeth 2, or a total of nine locking teeth 2, are provided at equal intervals at the container shoulder portion 21 of the tube container 20, the intervals between each of the 9 locking teeth 2 is 40 and the mutual intervals of the locking teeth 2 is 6 pitches=36.degree. and two-thirds of a pitch=4.degree..

Embodiment 8

[0088]FIGS. 2 through 4 show an embodiment of the cap 10, produced as one piece by injection molding of comparatively hard plastic, and provided with 48 engaging teeth 1 on the inner side of the skirt portion 11. 12 is a multi-threaded screw threadable at a rotation of substantially 90.degree. provided directly above the locking teeth 2; 13 is a top portion; and 14 is a cap portion inside the neck elastically fittable on a bellows-shaped portion 24 of the tube container 20 accompanying a clicking sensation by a notched portion 15.

Embodiment 9

[0089]FIGS. 5 through 7 show an embodiment of the tube container 20, a squeeze tube container produced by blow molding of comparatively soft plastic and provided with 9 integrated locking teeth 2 at equal intervals on the container shoulder portion 21. 22 is a multi-threaded portion provided on a swell-neck portion, provided for threading with the multi-threaded screw 12 of the cap 10 above. 23 is a narrow-necked opening, provided with an elastically deformable bellows-shaped portion 24 in the vertical direction between the opening 23 and the multi-threaded portion 22 such as to contact the top and clamp onto the opening 23 when the cap is mounted. The cap portion 14 inside the neck of the cap 10 is provided to fit onto the opening 23 including the bellows-shaped portion 24. It is preferable that the tube container 20 is formed by a transparent plastic material allowing the contents to be seen, that it contains the material up to the swell-neck provided with the multi-threaded portion 22, and that it can squeeze out the contents by squeezing up to the swell-neck when in use.

[0090]FIG. 8 is an enlarged schematic view of the essential portion showing the state of engagement of the engaging teeth 1 of the cap 10 and the locking teeth 2 of the container 20.

Embodiment 10

[0091]FIG. 9 shows the form of the engaging tooth 1, and the angle forming the peaks is set to 90.degree. but it is possible to form them into comparatively sharp angles of substantially 60.degree. to substantially 110.degree..

[0092]FIG. 10 shows the form of the locking tooth 2, and the angle forming the peaks is set to substantially 110.degree., but it is possible to set the difference of the angle of the sharp peaks of the engaging teeth 1 and the angle of the comparatively blunt peaks of locking teeth 2 between substantially 10.degree. and substantially 40.degree.. The constitution is such that the peaks of the blunt locking teeth can fit in the troughs of the sharp-edged engaging teeth.

[0093]Note that when engaging the engaging teeth 1 of the hard cap by elastically deforming the locking teeth 2 of the container, the cap engaging teeth 1 are not limited to being made of plastic, and implementation is course possible with manufacture with another hard material such as glass, ceramics or metal.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0094]FIG. 1 A schematic explanatory view of an embodiment of the present invention.

[0095]FIG. 2 A front view of the essential part of the embodiment of the present invention.

[0096]FIG. 3 A bottom view of the essential part.

[0097]FIG. 4 A front view, central longitudinal view of the essential part.

[0098]FIG. 5 A partially expanded front view of the other essential parts of the embodiment of the present invention.

[0099]FIG. 6 A plan view of the essential part.

[0100]FIG. 7 A schematic front explanatory view showing the essential part overall.

[0101]FIG. 8 A partially expanded sectional view of an essential part of an embodiment of the present invention.

[0102]FIG. 9 A partially expanded explanatory view of an essential part of an embodiment of the present invention.

[0103]FIG. 10 A partially expanded explanatory view of the other essential parts of an embodiment of the present invention.

[0104]FIG. 11 An explanatory view of the principal of an embodiment of the present invention.

[0105]FIG. 12 An explanatory view of the principal of another embodiment of the present invention.

[0106]FIG. 13 An explanatory view of the principal of another embodiment of the present invention.

[0107]FIG. 14 An explanatory view of the principal of another embodiment of the present invention.

EXPLANATION OF REFERENCES

[0108]1 Engaging Teeth [0109]2 Locking Teeth [0110]10 Cap [0111]11 Skirt Portion [0112]12 Multi-threaded Portion [0113]13 Top Portion [0114]14 Inside of Cap [0115]15 Notched Portion [0116]20 Squeeze Container [0117]21 Container Shoulder [0118]22 Multi-threaded Portion [0119]23 Opening [0120]24 Bellows-shaped Portion

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