Synthetic resin cup container

Abstract

A synthetic resin cup container including two members: a cup body having a cylindrical shape and a bottom disposed at a lower end of a round peripheral sidewall of this cup body, and a flange unit including a fitting cylinder and a brim-like flange, an inner edge portion of the flange being integrally connected to an upper end of the fitting cylinder, wherein the flange unit is detachably fitted in an upper portion of the cup body by fitting the fitting cylinder in an upper portion of the peripheral sidewall.

Claims

1. A synthetic resin cup container comprising: a cup body having a cylindrical shape and a bottom disposed at a lower end of a round peripheral sidewall of the cup body, an upper portion of the peripheral sidewall including a first peripheral ridge and a second peripheral ridge, the second peripheral ridge disposed below the first peripheral ridge, the first peripheral ridge defining an inner peripheral ridge on an inner surface of the peripheral sidewall and an outer peripheral ridge on an outer surface of the peripheral sidewall, the outer peripheral ridge being disposed at a position on the outer surface of the peripheral sidewall that corresponds to a position of the inner peripheral ridge on the inner surface of the peripheral sidewall; and a flange unit comprising a fitting cylinder and a brim-like flange, an inner edge portion of the brim-like flange being integrally connected to an upper end of the fitting cylinder, wherein: an outer peripheral surface of the fitting cylinder includes a first peripheral groove and a second peripheral groove, and the flange unit is detachably fitted in an upper portion of the cup body by fitting the fitting cylinder in the upper portion of the peripheral sidewall of the cup body such that the first peripheral ridge is in fitting engagement with the first peripheral groove and that the second peripheral ridge is in fitting engagement with the second peripheral groove.

2. The synthetic resin cup container according to claim 1, wherein a rim portion of a circular seal film is adhered to an upper surface of the brim-like flange of the flange unit to seal an upper opening of the flange unit.

3. The synthetic resin cup container according to claim 1, wherein the second peripheral ridge includes an inner peripheral ridge and an outer peripheral ridge.

4. The synthetic resin cup container according to claim 1, wherein an upper end portion of the peripheral sidewall and the fitting cylinder are engaged to each other.

5. The synthetic resin cup container according to claim 4, wherein an irregular surface pattern is put on the brim-like flange for a nonslip purpose.

6. The synthetic resin cup container according to claim 1, wherein one or more gas venting grooves is formed in an underside of the brim-like flange in the direction of an outer peripheral edge.

7. A synthetic resin cup container comprising: a cup body having a cylindrical shape and a bottom disposed at a lower end of a round peripheral sidewall of the cup body, an upper portion of the peripheral sidewall includes a peripheral ridge and a screw thread, the screw thread disposed below the peripheral ridge, the peripheral ridge defining an inner peripheral ridge on an inner surface of the peripheral sidewall and an outer peripheral ridge on an outer surface of the peripheral sidewall, the outer peripheral ridge being disposed at a position on the outer surface of the peripheral sidewall that corresponds to a position of the inner peripheral ridge on the inner surface of the peripheral sidewall and a flange unit comprising a fitting cylinder and a brim-like flange, an inner edge portion of the brim-like flange being integrally connected to an upper end of the fitting cylinder, an outer peripheral surface of the fitting cylinder includes a peripheral groove and a spiral groove, the spiral groove disposed below the peripheral groove, wherein the flange unit is detachably fitted in an upper portion of the cup body by fitting the fitting cylinder in the upper portion of the peripheral sidewall of the cup body such that the peripheral ridge is in fitting engagement with the peripheral groove and that the screw thread is in fitting engagement with the spiral groove.

8. The synthetic resin cup container according to claim 7, wherein the brim-like flange extends outward from the upper edge of the fitting cylinder.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic perspective view taken from an obliquely upward line of sight, which shows a first embodiment of the cup container of this invention.

(2) FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic perspective view of the cup container of FIG. 1, in which the flange unit is in a state detached from the cup body.

(3) FIG. 3 is an enlarged diagrammatic perspective view of an important upper portion of the cup container of FIG. 1, with a part in a vertical section.

(4) FIG. 4 is a front view, with a right half in a vertical section, of the cup container of FIG. 1.

(5) FIG. 5 is an enlarged, diagrammatic perspective view, similar to FIG. 3, of the cup container in this embodiment of this invention, but the cup container shows a different fitting engagement of the cup body with the flange unit.

(6) FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic perspective view taken from an oblique upward line of sight, which shows a second embodiment of the cup container of this invention.

(7) FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic perspective view of the cup container of FIG. 6, in which the flange unit is in a state detached from the cup body.

(8) FIG. 8(a) is an enlarged, diagrammatic perspective view of an important part of the cup container of FIG. 6, with a portion in a vertical section, taken from an obliquely upward line of sight; and FIG. 8(b) is a diagrammatic perspective view similar to FIG. 8(a), in which the container inside is in a pressurized state.

(9) FIG. 9 is an enlarged, diagrammatic perspective view of the flange unit shown in FIG. 7, taken from an obliquely upward line of sight.

(10) FIG. 10 is a front view, with a right half in a vertical section, of the cup container of FIG. 6.

(11) FIG. 11 is an enlarged, diagrammatic perspective view, similar to FIG. 8(a), of the cup container in this embodiment of this invention, but the cup container shows a different fitting engagement of the cup body with the flange unit.

(12) FIG. 12 is a front view, with a right half in a vertical section, of a conventional example of the cup container.

DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE SIGNS

(13) 1. Cup container 2. Cup body 3. Peripheral sidewall 4, 5. Inner peripheral ridge 4a, 5a. Outer peripheral ridge 6. Bottom 7. Screw thread 11. Flange unit 12. Fitting cylinder 14, 15. Peripheral groove 16. Flange 16g. Gas venting groove 17. Spiral groove 18. Irregular surface pattern (Knurling) 19. Seal film S. Gap 101. Cup container 103. Peripheral sidewall 106. Bottom 116. Flange 119. Seal film

BEST MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

(14) This invention is further described with respect to preferred embodiments, now referring to the drawings. FIGS. 1 to 4 shows a synthetic resin cup container in a first embodiment of this invention, in which FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic perspective view; FIG. 2, a diagrammatic perspective view of the cup container of FIG. 1, in which a flange unit 11 is in a state detached from a cup body 2; FIG. 3, an enlarged diagrammatic perspective view of an important upper portion of the cup container of FIG. 1, with a part in a vertical section; and FIG. 4, a front view, with a right half in a vertical section, of the cup container of FIG. 1. FIG. 4 shows the upper opening of the flange unit 11 which is sealed with a seal film 19 in such a way that a rim portion of the seal film 19 is adhered to an upper surface of a flange 16 of the flange unit 11.

(15) The cup container 1 in this first embodiment is made of a polypropylene (PP) resin, and comprises two members of the cup body 2 and the flange unit 11. The cup body 2 has a peripheral sidewall 3 in a cylindrical shape, which gradually narrows in the downward direction. A bottom 6 is disposed integrally with the peripheral sidewall 3 at its lower end. The flange unit 11 is made of a low-density polyethylene (LDPE) resin, and comprises a cylindrical fitting cylinder 12, which gradually narrows in the downward direction, and the flange 16, which has a brim shape and extends outward from an upper edge of the fitting cylinder 12.

(16) As shown in details in FIG. 3, a pair of inner and outer peripheral ridges 4, 4a is disposed on the inner and outer surfaces in the upper portion of the peripheral sidewall 3 of the cup body 2. Another pair of inner and outer peripheral ridges 5, 5a is disposed at a small distance below the peripheral ridges 4, 4a. Peripheral grooves 14, 15 are also disposed in the outer peripheral surface of the fitting cylinder 12 of the flange unit 11 at height positions opposed to the inner peripheral ridges 4 and 5 formed on the inner surface of the peripheral sidewall 3. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the flange unit 11 is fitted in the upper portion of the peripheral sidewall 3 of the cup body 2 under a condition that the inner peripheral ridges 4, 5 have been tightly engaged with the peripheral grooves 14, 15. Because of this engagement of the inner peripheral ridges 4, 5 with the peripheral grooves 14, 15, a locking function is performed to prevent the flange unit 11 tearing loose from the cup body 2 when the flange 16 is pulled upward, e.g., in the device for supplying the cup containers 1.

(17) The locking function utilizing the fitting engagement of the inner peripheral ridges 4, 5 with the peripheral grooves 14, 15 need be adjusted to a level that is strong enough to prevent the flange unit 11 from tearing loose in the cup-supplying device described above and yet is easy fit for the flange unit 11 to be removed from the cup by the force of both hands when the user take a sip of the drink. Such strength of the locking function can be adjusted by the cross-sectional shape of the ridges and the grooves, the number of them, and the positions at which they are disposed.

(18) Obviously, the locking function is not limited to the combination of peripheral ridges and grooves, but various other locking mechanisms can also be used. For example, a climbing-over locking mechanism can be used by combining ridges with ridges, while taking into consideration a difference between the direction of force acting inside the cup-supplying device and the direction of force acting in the manual insertion and removal of the flange unit. In the cup-supplying device, there acts the force that pulls out the flange unit 11 upward by way of the flange 16. In comparison, manual removal of the flange unit 11 requires turning the flange unit 11 relative to the cup body 2 or pulling the flange unit 11 upward away from the cup body 2. Thus, the locking function is designed while taking the difference in the action of force into consideration, so that the force can be balanced between the resistance of the flange unit 11 against the force pulling it upward in the cup-supplying device and the easy detachability of the flange unit 11 required when the user removes it by hands.

(19) The cup container 1 of this first embodiment utilizes contact of the upper edge of the peripheral sidewall 3 of the cup body 2 with an inward portion of the underside of the flange 16. Furthermore, the fitting of the above-described inner peripheral ridges 4, 5 with the peripheral grooves 14, 15 is used to achieve a liquid-tight seal between the cup body 2 and the flange unit 11.

(20) In having a drink, the user pulls out the flange unit 11 upward to remove it, as shown in FIG. 2. Then, the user can sip the drink smoothly, without feeling any uncomfortable touch to the lips caused by the flange.

(21) Outer peripheral ridges 4a, 5a are disposed on the outer surface of the peripheral sidewall 3 of the cup body 2 at positions corresponding to the positions of inner peripheral ridges 4, 5 disposed on the inner peripheral surface. These peripheral ridges 4, 4a, 5, and 5a perform an action and effect as peripheral ribs. At the time when the flange unit 11 is removed as shown in FIG. 2, to let the user have a drink, these ribs can prevent the upper opening of the cup body 2 from deforming. Therefore, the user can get a stable hold of the cup body 2.

(22) After each cup has been filled with a content fluid, such as coffee, the cup containers are sold in a state in which the upper opening of the flange unit 11 is generally sealed with a seal film 19 by adhering the rim portion of the seal film 19 to the upper surface of the flange 16, as shown in FIG. 4. The flange unit 11 can be removed for some sips of the drink, and then can be fitted again to the cup body 2, while the upper opening of the flange unit 11 is kept in the sealed state. Thus, the cup container having the remaining content fluid can be stored or even be carried around with ease.

(23) Like FIG. 3, FIG. 5 is an enlarged diagrammatic perspective view of an important upper portion of the cup container 1 in the first embodiment, with a part in a vertical section, but the cup container 1 shows a different fitting engagement, i.e., a screw engagement of the cup body 2 with the flange unit 11. Except for this new feature associated with the fitting engagement and an additional feature that a knurl pattern, one of irregular surface patterns 18, is formed on the end face of the flange 16, all other features of this first embodiment are similar to those of the cup container shown in FIGS. 1 to 4.

(24) A screw thread 7 is disposed on the inner surface of the peripheral sidewall 3 of the cup body 2. A pair of peripheral ridges 4, 4a is disposed in the upper portion of the peripheral sidewall 3 on both the inner and outer surfaces. A peripheral ridge 5a is also disposed on the outer surface at a position below the screw thread 7. A spiral groove 17 is disposed in the flange unit 11 so that the spiral groove 17 screws together with the screw thread 7. The engagement of the screw thread 7 with the spiral groove 17 enables the flange unit 11 to be fitted to the cup body 2 firmly in a way that the flange unit 11 cannot be pulled out. The firmly fitted flange unit 11 can be removed easily by unscrewing it. A knurl pattern, one of irregular surface patterns 18, is formed on the end face of the flange 11 for a non-slip purpose so that the screwing/unscrewing can be easily carried out.

(25) This invention has been described with respect to its preferred embodiments and their action and effects. However, this invention should not be limited to the first embodiment. In a second embodiment described below, the cup container having the above-described features is also provided with a gas venting mechanism. This feature will be described below while referring to FIGS. 6 to 11. FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic perspective view of the cup container of this second embodiment, and FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic perspective view of the same, in which the flange unit is in a state detached from the cup body 2. FIGS. 8(a) and 8(b) are enlarged, diagrammatic perspective views of an important part of the cup container of FIG. 6, with a portion in a vertical section. FIG. 9 is an enlarged, diagrammatic perspective view of the flange unit shown in FIG. 7, and FIG. 10 is a front view, with a right half in a vertical section, of the cup container of FIG. 6. FIGS. 8 and 10 show that the upper opening of the flange unit 11 has been sealed with a seal film 19 in a manner that a rim portion of the seal film 19 was adhered to the upper surface of the flange 16 of the flange unit 11.

(26) Like the cup container 1 in the above described first embodiment, the cup container 1 of this second embodiment, too, comprises two members of the cup body 2 and the flange unit 11. Not only that, but a gas venting groove 16g is found to be notched in the underside of the flange 16 of this second embodiment, extending in a direction from a point of flange base toward the peripheral end face.

(27) FIG. 8(b) is diagrammatic perspective view, similar to FIG. 8(a), of a cup container product, which has been obtained by preparing a cup container 1 comprising the cup body 2 and the flange unit 11 of this second embodiment, filling the cup container 1 with a content fluid, such as coffee, and sealing the upper opening of the flange unit 11 with the seal film 19, as shown in FIG. 10, but the inside of the cup has been pressurized by heating the content fluid with a heater.

(28) As shown in this FIG. 8(b), the peripheral sidewall 3 of the cup body 2 expands due to a rise in the internal pressure. This expansion creates a gap S between the peripheral sidewall 3 and the fitting cylinder 12 of the flange unit 11 which is fitted into the upper portion of this peripheral sidewall 3 and also between the inner peripheral ridge 4 and the peripheral groove 14. As shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 8(b), the gas inside the container can escape through this gap S and the gas venting groove 16g formed in the underside of the flange 16, and thus, the rise in the pressure inside the container can be effectively controlled. Although a gas venting groove 16g is formed in this second embodiment, the cross-sectional shape and number of the groove can be appropriately selected. Furthermore, this gas venting groove 16g can be extended, if necessary, so as to include a length ranging from the base of the flange 16 to a lower end position on the outer-surface side of the fitting cylinder 12.

(29) FIG. 11 is an enlarged, diagrammatic perspective view of the cup container in the second embodiment of this invention, but the cup container shows a different fitting engagement, in which the cup body 2 is in a screw engagement with the flange unit 11. Like FIG. 8(a), FIG. 11 is a diagrammatic perspective view of an important part in the upper portion of the cup container 1. This second embodiment has the same features as shown in FIGS. 6 to 10, except for a different engagement feature and the end face of the flange 16 that has a knurl pattern, one of the irregular surface patterns 18.

(30) A screw thread 7 is disposed on the inner surface of the peripheral sidewall 3 of the cup body 2. A pair of peripheral ridges 4, 4a is disposed at the upper edge of the peripheral sidewall 3 on both the inner and outer surface sides. In addition, a peripheral ridge 5a is disposed at a position under the screw thread 7 on the outer surface of the peripheral sidewall 3. The flange unit 11 is provided with a spiral groove 17 to engage with the screw thread 7. This screw engagement of the screw thread 7 with the spiral groove 17 allows the flange unit 11 to be fitted tightly to the upper portion of the cup body 2 in a manner unable to pull away the flange unit 11. And yet the tightly fitted flange unit 11 can be unscrewed to remove it easily from the cup body 2. A knurl pattern, one of the irregular surface patterns 18, is formed on the end face of the flange 16 for a nonslip purpose so as to facilitate the screwing or unscrewing operations. Even in the case where the flange unit 11 is fitted to the cup body 2 by the screw engagement, the gas inside the container that has been pressurized can be escaped through a gap between the screw thread 7 and the spiral groove 17, through a gap S formed with the expansion of the peripheral sidewall 3 between the inner peripheral ridge 4 and the peripheral groove 14, and through the gas venting groove 16g.

(31) This invention has been described with respect to its embodiments and action-and-effects, but this invention should not be construed as limitative to these embodiments. In the above-described embodiments, the cup body 2 is made of a PP resin, and the flange unit 11 is made of a LDPE resin. However, other synthetic resins, such as a polystyrene resin, a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) resin, and the like, can be utilized, giving consideration to the seal property of the cup body 2 and the flange unit 11, the seal property of the seal film 19, the rigidity of the container, and other factors.

(32) There is also no limitation in the method of liquid-tight sealing between the peripheral sidewall 3 and the fitting cylinder 12 and in the method of fitting the flange unit 11 to the cup body 2. Various sealing methods and fitting methods can be selected arbitrarily, taking into consideration the resistance to pullout and the detachability of the flange unit 11.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

(33) As described above, the cup container of this invention has been designed to solve such problems as the difficulty in swallow and uncomfortable touch to the lips caused by the flange, and these problems have been solved by a feature that the cup container comprises two members of a cup body and a removable flange unit. This new cup container is expected to have a wide range of applications of use in the field of foods and beverages, including coffee, juice, yogurt, and the like. If the flange is provided with one or more gas venting grooves, the cup container of this invention can effectively control a rise in pressure inside the container. Because of this gas escape function, the cup container can be used safely and reliably, and thus is expected to have a wide range of application of use in the field where the content fluids are heated before use.