VESSEL CAP AND VESSEL ASSEMBLY HAVING SAME COUPLED THERETO

Abstract

Provided is a vessel assembly including: a vessel having a vessel inlet through which contents are stored and discharged; a vessel cap coupled to the vessel inlet; and a sealing member attached to an upper end of the vessel inlet to seal the vessel. The vessel cap includes: a side wall part having a female threaded portion formed on an inner circumferential surface of the side wall part, which is screw-coupled to a male threaded portion formed on an outer circumferential surface of the vessel inlet; an upper part integrally formed at an upper end of the side wall part; and a contact part protruding from the inner circumferential surface of the side wall part with a gap from a bottom surface of the upper part and is configured to closely adhere to the vessel inlet even after the sealing member is removed.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a vessel cap and a vessel assembly having the same coupled thereto, and more specifically, to a vessel cap coupled to a vessel inlet for containing contents and a vessel assembly having the same coupled thereto.

BACKGROUND ART

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a conventional vessel.

In general, in beverage vessels such as those for lactic acid bacteria drinks, a sealing member (114) is attached to the vessel inlet (102) to seal the contents stored in the vessel (104) and prevent unauthorized leakage of the contents to the outside. Additionally, a vessel cap (100) is placed over the vessel inlet (102) to prevent the sealing member (114) from being damaged by external impacts or contact with objects.

The vessel cap (100) has a cylindrical shape with a closed upper side, and an engagement ledge (110) is formed on the inner circumferential surface of the cap, which engages with the locking rib (108) formed on the outer circumferential surface of the container inlet (102). A handle (112) is also formed to allow the user to grip and pull the cap when separating the vessel cap (100) from the container inlet (102).

The vessel cap (100) is separated from the container inlet (102) by pulling the handle (112), after which the sealing member (114) is removed from the container inlet (102), allowing the contents stored in the container to be discharged through the container inlet (102).

Meanwhile, the vessel used for storing beverages, medicines, or the like, can be used by recoupling the vessel cap (100) after removing the sealing member (114), allowing the user to consume a portion of the contents and save the rest for later, depending on convenience.

Particularly in the case of tablet-form medicines, the vessel may be used for over a month, depending on the quantity of contents.

However, conventional vessels have the problem that, even after recoupling the vessel cap to the vessel following the removal of the sealing member (114), the sealing performance weakens, which may lead to spoilage or leakage of the contents inside the container.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

Technical Problem

To solve the above mentioned problems, the purpose of the present invention is to provide a vessel cap and a vessel assembly having the same coupled thereto, which can improve sealing performance when the vessel cap is recoupled after the removal of the sealing member.

Technical Solution

The present invention has been made to achieve the above objective, disclosed is a vessel assembly comprising: a vessel (20) having a vessel inlet (21) through which contents are stored and discharged; a vessel cap (1) coupled to the vessel inlet (21); and a sealing member (7) attached to an upper end of the vessel inlet (21) to seal the vessel (20). The vessel cap (1) includes: a side wall part (2) having a female threaded portion (2a) formed on an inner circumferential surface of the side wall part (2), which is screw-coupled to a male threaded portion (8) formed on an outer circumferential surface of the vessel inlet (21); an upper part (3) integrally formed at an upper end of the side wall part (2); and a contact part (6) protruding from the inner circumferential surface of the side wall part (2) with a gap from the bottom surface of the upper part (3). The contact part (6) is configured to maintain close contact with the vessel inlet (21) even after the sealing member (7) is removed. This structure characterizes the disclosed vessel assembly.

The present invention also discloses a vessel assembly comprising: a vessel (20) having a vessel inlet (21) through which contents are stored and discharged; and a vessel cap (1) coupled to the vessel inlet (21). The vessel cap (1) includes: a side wall part (2) having a female threaded portion (2a) formed on an inner circumferential surface of the side wall part (2), which is screw-coupled to a male threaded portion (8) formed on an outer circumferential surface of the vessel inlet (21); an upper part (3) integrally formed at an upper end of the side wall part (2); and a contact part (6) protruding from the inner circumferential surface of the side wall part (2) with a gap from the bottom surface of the upper part (3), which is configured to maintain close contact with the vessel inlet (21). This structure characterizes the disclosed vessel assembly.

An outer diameter of the sealing member (7) is formed to be smaller than an outer diameter of an upper surface (22) of the vessel inlet (21), and an upper surface (22) of the vessel inlet (21) can be covered by the sealing member (7) and the contact part (6).

A contact ring (11) protruding downward from a bottom surface of the contact part (6) may be further formed at the bottom of the contact part (6) and configured to adhere to the outer circumferential surface of the vessel inlet (21) when the vessel cap (1) is coupled to the vessel inlet (21).

The vessel inlet (21) may further include an annular protrusion (33) protruding toward the contact ring (11) to ensure close contact between the contact ring (11) and the outer circumferential surface of the vessel inlet (21) when the vessel cap (1) is coupled to the vessel inlet (21).

An upper surface (22) of the vessel inlet (21) may be formed as at least one of a flat surface and a curved surface.

The side wall part (2) may further include an auxiliary contact part (34) at its lower end, which closely adheres to the outer circumferential surface of the vessel inlet (21) when the vessel cap (1) is coupled to the vessel inlet (21).

The side wall part (2) may also include a skirt part (5) at its lower end, which engages with an engagement ledge (24) formed on an outer circumferential surface of the vessel inlet (21) when the vessel cap (1) is coupled to the vessel inlet (21), and this skirt part (5) may be connected by a plurality of bridges (4).

Advantageous Effects

The vessel cap and the vessel assembly having the same coupled thereto according to the present invention have the advantage of significantly improving sealing performance when the vessel cap is recoupled to the vessel inlet after the removal of the sealing member, by providing a contact part that closely adheres to the upper surface of the vessel inlet.

The vessel cap and the vessel assembly having the same coupled thereto according to the present invention have the advantage of allowing the contents to be safely stored for an extended period without spoilage, even after the vessel cap is opened and recoupled, due to the improved sealing performance with respect to the vessel.

Additionally, the vessel cap and the vessel assembly having the same coupled thereto according to the present invention have the advantage of being manufacturable without altering the existing dimensions of the vessel cap, meaning that it can be produced without changing the external specifications. This allows the use of existing production lines, resulting in no additional costs when applying the vessel cap and the vessel assembly according to the present invention.

Additionally, the vessel cap and the vessel assembly having the same coupled thereto according to the present invention have the advantage of significantly improving sealing performance when the vessel cap is coupled to the vessel inlet, due to the contact part being formed with a gap from the bottom surface of the upper part of the vessel cap. This design allows the contact part to utilize bending elasticity when the vessel cap is coupled to the vessel inlet, thereby enhancing the sealing effect.

Additionally, the vessel cap and the vessel assembly having the same coupled thereto according to the present invention have the advantage of significantly improving sealing performance when the vessel cap is coupled to the vessel inlet, due to the sealing ring being additionally formed on the bottom surface of the contact part, which closely adheres to the outer circumferential surface of the vessel inlet.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a conventional vessel assembly.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a vessel assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the vessel assembly taken along line III-III in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of part A in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of part B in FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a modification of the structure illustrated in FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a modification of the structure illustrated in FIG. 4.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing another modification of the structure illustrated in FIG. 4.

MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, the vessel cap and the vessel assembly having the same coupled thereto according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 8, the vessel assembly according to the present invention includes: a vessel (20) having a vessel inlet (21) through which contents are stored and discharged; a vessel cap (1) coupled to the vessel inlet (21); and a sealing member (7) attached to an upper end of the vessel inlet (21) to seal the vessel (20).

The vessel (20) is configured to store contents such as liquid substances (e.g., beverages, alcoholic drinks, engine oil, antifreeze, cooking oil, dairy products), granular substances like tablets, or powdered materials, and can have any structure as long as it includes a vessel inlet (21) for discharging the contents.

Furthermore, the vessel (20) may have various shapes, such as cylindrical or rectangular prism shapes, except for the vessel inlet (21).

The vessel (20) can be made of various materials, such as plastic, ceramic like porcelain, glass, metal, or other suitable materials. In consideration of manufacturing and breakage, it is preferable that the vessel cap (1) is made of plastic.

The vessel inlet (21) serves as an outlet through which the contents stored in the storage space (28) of the vessel (20) are discharged, and it is opened or closed by the opening or closing of the vessel cap (100). The structure of the vessel inlet (21) may vary depending on the coupling structure with the vessel cap (20).

The vessel cap (1) is made of plastic material and is configured to seal the vessel (20) when coupled to the vessel inlet (21), and it can have various configurations.

The material of the vessel cap (1) may be any plastic material that can be molded through injection molding, such as HDPE, PP, PET, PVC, or PS.

The sealing member (7) is attached to an upper end of the vessel inlet (21) of the vessel (20) to seal the vessel (20), and it can have various configurations depending on the coupling structure of the vessel cap (1).

For example, the sealing member (7) may include a metal sheet layer (not shown) and a first resin layer and a second resin layer respectively bonded to the upper and lower surfaces of the metal sheet layer.

On the lower surface of the second resin layer, at a location corresponding to an upper surface (22) of the vessel inlet (21), an adhesive layer may be formed to adhere to an upper surface (22) of the vessel inlet (21) via a heating method such as induction (induced heating) or conduction.

Meanwhile, the vessel cap (1) may include a side wall part (2) having a female threaded portion (2a) formed on an inner circumferential surface of the side wall part (2) that is screw-coupled to a male threaded portion (8) formed on an outer circumferential surface of the vessel inlet (21); an upper part (3) integrally formed at an upper end of the side wall part (2); and a contact part (6) protruding from the inner circumferential surface of the side wall part (2) with a gap from a bottom surface of the upper part (3) and which is configured to maintain close contact with the vessel inlet (21) even after the sealing member (7) is removed.

The side wall part (2) is structured with a female threaded portion (2a) that is screw-coupled to the male threaded portion (8) of the vessel inlet (21), and various configurations are possible depending on the coupling structure with the vessel inlet (21).

The side wall part (2) is integrally formed with the upper part (3), described below, and constitutes the vessel cap (1), which can have any structure that allows it to be screw-coupled with the vessel inlet (21).

Meanwhile, the side wall part (2) may further include an auxiliary contact part (34) at its lower end, which closely adheres to the outer circumferential surface of the vessel inlet (21) when the vessel cap (1) is coupled to the vessel inlet (21).

The auxiliary contact part (34) is formed at a lower end of the side wall part (2) to closely contact the outer circumferential surface of the vessel inlet (21) when the vessel cap (1) is coupled to the vessel inlet (21), and it can have various configurations.

Particularly, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the auxiliary contact part (34) may protrude from a lower end of the side wall part (2).

For example, the auxiliary contact part (34) may have a wedge-shaped cross-section, where the radial thickness decreases toward the lower end, to add elasticity such as bending force when it adheres to the outer circumferential surface of the vessel inlet (21).

At this time, a contact area (35) may be formed on an outer circumferential surface of the vessel inlet (21), shaped like a slanted surface or similar, to closely adhere to the auxiliary contact part (34) when the vessel cap (1) is coupled to the vessel inlet (21).

When the vessel cap (1) is coupled to the vessel inlet (21), the auxiliary contact part (34) adheres closely to the outer circumferential surface of the vessel inlet (21), providing a secondary sealing portion to further seal the vessel (20).

Meanwhile, the side wall part (2) may be connected with a skirt part (5), which engages with an engagement ledge (24) formed on an outer circumferential surface of the vessel inlet (21) when the vessel cap (1) is coupled to the vessel inlet (21). The skirt part (5) is connected with the side wall part (2) by a plurality of bridges (4).

When the vessel cap (1) is separated from the vessel inlet (21), the bridges (4) are broken, leaving the skirt part (5) attached to the vessel inlet (21), allowing the user to verify whether the cap has been previously opened.

Meanwhile, the auxiliary contact part (34), as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, may be positioned on at least one of inside or outside of the skirt part (5).

The vessel cap (1) may also include an outer wall part (9) that extends downward from the upper part (3) and is spaced apart from the outer surface of the side wall part (2).

The skirt part (5) may be formed on one of the side wall part (2) and the outer wall part (9), and the auxiliary contact part (34) may be formed on the other one of the side wall part (2) and the outer wall part (9).

Alternatively, both the skirt part (5) and the auxiliary contact part (34) may be respectively formed on the side wall part (2) and the outer wall part (9).

Moreover, the side wall part (2) may have a plurality of knurls (15) formed on its outer circumferential surface to allow the user to grip and easily rotate the vessel cap (1).

The knurls (15) may be vertically elongated protrusions on the outer surface of the side wall part (2), or any structure that facilitates the user's ability to rotate the vessel cap (1) relative to the vessel inlet (21).

The upper part (3) is integrally formed at an upper end of the side wall part (2) and may have various shapes, such as a circular plate shape, corresponding to the shape of the vessel inlet (21).

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the contact part (6) protrudes from the inner circumferential surface of the side wall part (2) with a gap from a bottom surface of the upper part (3) and is configured to closely adhere to the vessel inlet (21) even after the sealing member (7) is removed. Various configurations of the contact part (6) are possible.

For example, the contact part (6) may be formed as a ring-shaped structure protruding from the outer surface of the side wall part (2) with a gap from the bottom surface of the upper part (3), forming an elastic space (17) between the upper part (3) and the contact part (6).

Particularly when the sealing member (7) is removed and the user rotates the vessel cap (1) to firmly engage it with the vessel inlet (21), the contact part (6) adheres tightly to an upper surface (22) of the vessel inlet (21) by the bending elasticity toward the elastic space (17). The bending elasticity toward the elastic space (17) ensures that the vessel cap (1) is more securely coupled to the vessel inlet (21).

Furthermore, the strong contact between the contact part (6) and an upper surface (22) of the vessel inlet (21) significantly enhances the sealing performance for the interior of the vessel (20).

It is also preferable that the contact part (6) is configured to closely contact to an upper surface (22) of the vessel inlet (21) even when the sealing member (7) is installed, as shown in FIG. 4.

In relation to the formation of the contact ring (11), an outer diameter of the sealing member (7) may be smaller than an outer diameter of an upper surface (22) of the vessel inlet (21). An upper surface (22) of the vessel inlet (21) can thus be covered by both the sealing member (7) and the contact part (6).

An upper surface (22) of the vessel inlet (21), where the sealing member (7) adheres and the contact part (6) closely contacts, may be composed of at least one of a flat surface and a curved surface.

Additionally, to further enhance the sealing performance of the vessel (20) when coupled with the vessel cap (1), the outer circumference of an upper surface (22) of the vessel inlet (21) may have one or more steps (32) formed, as shown in FIG. 7.

The one or more steps (32) may be formed on the outer circumference of an upper surface (22) of the vessel inlet (21). Here the vessel cap (1) may be provided with coupling steps (34) that engage with the step (32), thereby providing an additional sealing effect when the vessel cap (1) is coupled to the vessel inlet (21).

As shown in FIG. 8, except the contact part (6), sealing performance can be achieved through the combination of the contact ring (11) and the step (32). Therefore, the vessel assembly can be configured using only the contact ring (11) and the edges (32), excluding the contact part (6), if desired.

Additionally, on a bottom surface of the contact part (6), a contact ring (11) may be formed that protrudes downward and adheres to the outer circumferential surface of the vessel inlet (21) when the vessel cap (1) is coupled to the vessel inlet (21).

The contact ring (11) is formed to protrude downward from a bottom surface of the contact part (6) and is configured to adhere to the outer circumferential surface of the vessel inlet (21) when the vessel cap (1) is coupled to the vessel inlet (21). By closely contacting to the outer circumferential surface of the vessel inlet (21), the contact ring (11) provides additional sealing performance for the vessel (20).

For example, the contact ring (11) may be shaped like a wedge, where its thickness in the radial direction decreases toward the bottom.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the contact ring (11) may be formed with a gap from the inner circumferential surface of the side wall part (2).

The contact ring (11) extends from a bottom surface of the contact part (6) and, when the vessel cap (1) is coupled to the vessel inlet (21), it bends along with the contact part (6) toward the outer circumferential surface of the vessel inlet (21), providing additional sealing performance for the vessel (20).

Additionally, the contact ring (11) may also extend downward from the upper part (3) of the vessel cap (1).

Specifically, the contact ring (11) may be located outside of the elastic space (17) formed by the contact part (6), with respect to the radial direction of the vessel cap (1).

The vessel inlet (21), when the vessel cap (1) is coupled to it, may further include one or more annular protrusions (33) that protrudes toward the contact ring (11) to ensure close contact between the contact ring (11) and the outer circumferential surface of the vessel inlet (21).

These annular protrusions (33) may have various shapes and structures to facilitate contact with the contact ring (11) and are formed on the vessel inlet (21).

The annular protrusion (33) is positioned above the male threaded portion (8) formed on an outer circumferential surface of the vessel inlet (21), ensuring close contact with the contact ring (11) when the vessel cap (1) is coupled to the vessel inlet (21).

In the present invention, the vessel assembly has been described with the sealing member (7) as an essential component; however, the vessel assembly can also provide sufficient sealing performance without the installation of the sealing member (7).

Therefore, it can be used without the sealing member (7).

In this case, the contact part (6) can closely adhere to the entire upper surface (22) of the vessel inlet (21).

In a second embodiment of the present invention, the vessel assembly includes a vessel (20) having a vessel inlet (21) through which contents are stored and discharged, and a vessel cap (1) coupled to the vessel inlet (21).

The vessel cap (1) includes: a side wall part (2) having a female threaded portion (2a) formed on an inner circumferential surface of the side wall part (2), which is screw-coupled to a male threaded portion (8) formed on an outer circumferential surface of the vessel inlet (21); an upper part (3) integrally formed at an upper end of the side wall part (2); and a contact part (6) protruding from the inner circumferential surface of the side wall part (2) with a gap from a bottom surface of the upper part (3) and is configured to closely adhere to the vessel inlet (21).

The vessel assembly of the second embodiment is substantially the same as the previously described structure, except for the exclusion of the sealing member (7), so further detailed explanation is omitted.

Moreover, the vessel assemblies according to various embodiments of the present invention can be used with different types of vessel caps, such as one-piece one-touch caps, two-piece one-touch caps, glass caps, metal caps, and containers coupled with them. These vessel caps and containers can be independently installed on various bottles and containers, or applied to other devices, machinery, or structures.

The above descriptions are merely illustrative of one preferred embodiment of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of the present invention should not be interpreted as being limited to the described embodiments. All technical ideas and concepts that share the spirit and foundation of the present invention should be considered as included within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A vessel assembly comprising:

vessel having a vessel inlet through which contents are stored and discharged;

a vessel cap coupled to the vessel inlet;

a sealing member attached to an upper end of the vessel inlet to seal the vessel;

wherein the vessel cap includes:

a side wall part having a female threaded portion formed on an inner circumferential surface of the side wall part, which is screw-coupled to a male threaded portion formed on an outer circumferential surface of the vessel inlet;

an upper part integrally formed at an upper end of the side wall part; and

a contact part protruding from the inner circumferential surface of the side wall part with a gap from a bottom surface of the upper part and is configured to closely adhere to the vessel inlet even after the sealing member is removed.

2. The vessel assembly according to claim 1,

wherein an outer diameter of the sealing member is smaller than an outer diameter of an upper surface of the vessel inlet, and

an upper surface of the vessel inlet is covered by the sealing member and the contact part.

3. The vessel assembly according to claim 1,

wherein a contact ring protruding downward from a bottom surface of the contact part is further formed at the bottom of the contact part and is configured to adhere to the outer circumferential surface of the vessel inlet when the vessel cap is coupled to the vessel inlet.

4. The vessel assembly according to claim 3, wherein the vessel inlet further includes at least one annular protrusion protruding toward the contact ring to ensure close contact between the contact ring and the outer circumferential surface of the vessel inlet when the vessel cap is coupled to the vessel inlet.

5. (canceled)

6. The vessel assembly according to claim 1,

wherein an upper surface of the vessel inlet is composed of at least one of a flat surface and a curved surface.

7. The vessel assembly according to claim 1,

wherein an auxiliary contact part is further formed at a lower end of the side wall part to adhere to the outer circumferential surface of the vessel inlet when the vessel cap is coupled to the vessel inlet.

8. The vessel assembly according to claim 1,

wherein the side wall part further includes a skirt part at its lower end, which engages with an engagement ledge formed on an outer circumferential surface of the vessel inlet when the vessel cap is coupled to the vessel inlet, and the skirt part is connected by a plurality of bridges.

9. A vessel assembly comprising:

a vessel having a vessel inlet through which contents are stored and discharged;

a vessel cap coupled to the vessel inlet;

wherein the vessel cap includes:

a side wall part having a female threaded portion formed on an inner circumferential surface of the side wall part, which is screw-coupled to a male threaded portion formed on an outer circumferential surface of the vessel inlet;

an upper part integrally formed at an upper end of the side wall part; and

a contact part protruding from the inner circumferential surface of the side wall part with a gap from a bottom surface of the upper part and is configured to closely adhere to the vessel inlet.

10. The vessel assembly according to claim 9,

wherein a contact ring protruding downward from a bottom surface of the contact part is further formed at the bottom of the contact part and is configured to adhere to the outer circumferential surface of the vessel inlet when the vessel cap is coupled to the vessel inlet.

11. The vessel assembly according to claim 10,

wherein the vessel inlet further includes at least one annular protrusion protruding toward the contact ring to ensure close contact between the contact ring and the outer circumferential surface of the vessel inlet when the vessel cap is coupled to the vessel inlet.

12. The vessel assembly according to claim 9,

wherein an upper surface of the vessel inlet is composed of at least one of a flat surface and a curved surface.

13. The vessel assembly according to claim 9,

wherein an auxiliary contact part is further formed at a lower end of the side wall part to adhere to the outer circumferential surface of the vessel inlet when the vessel cap is coupled to the vessel inlet.

14. The vessel assembly according to claim 9,

wherein the side wall part further includes a skirt part at its lower end, which engages with an engagement ledge formed on an outer circumferential surface of the vessel inlet when the vessel cap is coupled to the vessel inlet, and the skirt part is connected by a plurality of bridges.