SCREW CAP FOR BEVERAGE BOTTLE AND PROCESSING METHOD

Abstract

 A screw cap for a beverage bottle (1) including a top board portion (3), a cylindrical portion (4), and a skirt portion (6), and a processing method for cutting the handling portion (62) and the break line into the screw cap for a beverage bottle (1). The cylindrical portion (4) has a female-screw-shaped portion (4a). An upper region (60) of the skirt portion (6) is formable with a throttle portion (60a). An intermediate region (61) of the skirt portion (6) in the vertical direction is formed with a handling portion (62) by cutting for breaking the skirt portion (6). The skirt portion (6) is formed with a break line, the break line extending from a cutting end portion of the handling portion (62) and a distal end portion of the break line extending toward an upper region (60) of the skirt portion (6). The break line is shaped so as not to reach a lower end portion (6a) of the skirt portion (6).

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a screw cap for a beverage bottle mounted on a mouth portion of a beverage bottle such as wine, whisky, or Shochu (distilled spirits) bottle and a processing method of a handling portion and the like.

Description of the Related Art

[0002] Recently, for a beverage bottle such as a wine, whisky, or Shochu (alcoholic liquors) bottle, a screw cap made of metal such as aluminum has become widely used in place of a cork stopper (for instance, reference to Patent Literature 1). Such a screw cap made of metal is provided with a top board portion in a circular shape provided with a seal member on a rear face thereof, a cylindrical portion extending downward from an outer peripheral portion of the top board portion, and a skirt portion in a cylindrical shape connected to a lower end portion of the cylindrical portion through an unseal-break portion having a bridge portion being intermittent in the circumferential direction.

[0003] When the screw cap is mounted on a mouth portion of a beverage bottle, the screw cap is constituted in such a manner that the seal member is positioned so as to close an opening mouth portion of the mouth portion and also that the cylindrical portion is formed (shaped) in a female screw shape that engages with a male screw portion formed at the mouth portion immediately below the opening mouth portion.

[0004] In a screwing state in accordance with matching between the male screw portion and a female-screw-shaped portion, the seal member adheres to an opening mouth edge portion and the opening mouth portion is sealed. In a state in which the screw cap is mounted on the mouth portion of a beverage bottle, the skirt portion is constituted so as to cover a peripheral body of the neck portion that continues to the mouth portion.

[0005] The skirt portion is provided in order to have an image of high quality for a beverage product in such a manner that a liquid level of the beverage filled into a beverage bottle is not visually recognized, and is constituted so as to remain on a beverage bottle after unsealing. The unseal-break portion is provided in order to detach the cylindrical portion together with the top board portion in a state in which the skirt portion remains on a beverage bottle after breaking a bridge portion by shear force in releasing screwing by rotating the cylindrical portion screwed on the mouth portion of a beverage bottle.

[0006] A beverage bottle as above is disposed after consuming the beverage filled therein. Because it is undesirable to dispose a beverage bottle made of glass with the skirt portion made of metal remained in view of Containers and Packaging Recycling Act, a consumer is required to detach the skirt portion.

[0007] Patent Literature 1 discloses that the skirt portion, i.e. a bottom portion in Patent Literature 1, is provided with a break line that starts from a lower end portion of the skirt portion and further with a break line grasping portion, the bottom portion is broken from the break line by operating the break line grasping portion, and thereby the bottom portion is easily detached from a beverage bottle.

Citation List

Patent Literature

[0008] PTL 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication JP 2014-237 485 A

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0009] A processing margin of the break line becomes larger because the break line disclosed in Patent Literature 1 starts from the lower end of the bottom portion, which becomes a factor of impairing design performance. Because a start portion of the break line is provided on the lower end of the bottom portion, when mechanical external force by a mounting tool is added at the time of mounting on a beverage bottle, there is concern for progress in partial break from the start portion of the break line. Such progress is predicted to occur by mistake at the time of packing, conveying, and displaying at a store. When the partial break as above makes progress, a start portion of break progress is turned up, which leads to concern for harming other product or obstructing handling.

[0010] The present invention is proposed in view of the above-mentioned problems. An object of the present invention is to provide a screw cap for a beverage bottle in which the skirt portion is easily detached, the design performance is not impaired in a state in which the screw cap for a beverage bottle is mounted on the mouth portion of a beverage bottle, and there is no concern for obstructing handling of a beverage bottle filled with the beverage, and to provide a processing method of a handling portion and the like.

Means of Solving the Problems

[0011] A screw cap for a beverage bottle of a first aspect of the present invention mounted on a mouth portion of a beverage bottle and made of metal is provided with a top board portion in a circular shape provided with a seal member on a rear face thereof, a cylindrical portion extending downward from an outer peripheral portion of the top board portion, and a skirt portion in a cylindrical shape connected to a lower end portion of the cylindrical portion through an unseal-break portion having a bridge portion being intermittent in circumferential direction.

[0012] The screw cap for a beverage bottle is characterized in that the cylindrical portion has a female-screw-shaped portion that is able to match with a male screw portion of the mouth portion when the screw cap for a beverage bottle is mounted on the mouth portion, an upper region of the skirt portion is formable with a throttle portion that is fitted into an engaging peripheral groove portion of the mouth portion when the screw cap for a beverage bottle is mounted on the mouth portion, and an intermediate region of the skirt portion in the vertical direction is formed with a handling portion by cutting for breaking the skirt portion, the skirt portion is formed with a break line, the break line extending from a cutting end portion of the handling portion and a distal end portion of the break line extending toward an upper region of the skirt portion, and the break line is shaped so as not to reach a lower end portion of the skirt portion.

[0013] When the screw cap for a beverage bottle of the above aspect of the present invention is mounted on the mouth portion of the filled beverage bottle, the seal member provided on the rear face of the top board portion adhesively abuts on an opening mouth edge portion of the mouth portion and the opening mouth portion is sealed. In the mounted state as above, the female-screw-shaped portion of the cylindrical portion matches with the male screw portion formed at the mouth portion; and in a screwing state in accordance with matching between the male screw portion and the female-screw-shaped portion, the opening mouth portion is maintained in a sealed state by the seal member.

[0014] In the mounted state, the skirt portion covers a peripheral body of the neck portion of a beverage bottle and also the upper region of the skirt portion is formed (shaped) with the throttle portion that is fitted into the engaging peripheral groove portion formed at the mouth portion of a beverage bottle. For consuming the beverage, when the cylindrical portion is rotated around an axis of a beverage bottle in the opposite screwing direction, the cylindrical portion including the female-screw-shaped portion rotates with the top board portion and displaces upward.

[0015] In such a case, because the throttle portion is fitted into the engaging peripheral groove portion, upward displacement of the skirt portion is blocked and accordingly shear force is applied to the bridge portion of the unseal-break portion. By the above-mentioned shear force, the bridge portion is broken, the cylindrical portion is detached from the mouth portion of a beverage bottle, the opening mouth portion is unsealed, and the beverage is able to be poured into a glass or the like. The skirt portion remains on the mouth portion and the neck portion of a beverage bottle.

[0016] When a beverage bottle is disposed after consuming, the handling portion formed at the skirt portion is set to be caught and pulled up by fingers, thereby detaching the skirt portion from a beverage bottle by breaking along the break line thereafter. Specifically, when the handling portion is broken along the break line until an upper end portion of the skirt portion, the throttle portion is also broken. Thereby, engaging of the throttle portion relative to the engaging peripheral groove portion is able to be released by laterally opening the throttle portion.

[0017] In such a case, because the break line is shaped so as not to reach the lower end portion of the skirt portion, the skirt portion lower than the break line is maintained in an annular shape and the skirt portion remains on a beverage bottle. When engaging of the throttle portion relative to the engaging peripheral groove portion is released by laterally opening the throttle portion, the skirt portion is not restrained by a beverage bottle. Thereafter, by pulling the skirt portion upward, the skirt portion is able to be detached from the mouth portion of a beverage bottle. The detached skirt portion and a beverage bottle are separated from each other and are disposed.

[0018] Because the break line is shaped in such a manner that the distal end portion does not reach the lower end portion of the skirt portion, break is not progressed by mistake from the lower end portion of the skirt portion due to mechanical external force when the screw cap for a beverage bottle is mounted or at the time of packing, conveying, and displaying at the store in the mounted state. There is no concern for adverse effect by a progress in break or obstruction in handling. By a formation of the handling portion and upper and lower break lines continuing to the handling portion, a processing margin becomes smaller and impairment of design performance is able to be suppressed.

[0019] In the screw cap for a beverage bottle of the above aspect of the present invention, the break line can be constituted by an upper break line and a lower break line, the upper break line extending from an upper side end portion that is one side of the cutting end portion of the handing portion and a distal end portion extending toward the upper region of the skirt portion, the lower break line extending from a lower side end portion that is the other side of the cutting end portion of the handling portion so that a distal end portion remains within the intermediate region without reaching the lower end portion of the skirt portion.

[0020] In eliminating the skirt portion, the handling portion is set to be caught and pulled up by fingers, thereby detaching the skirt portion from a beverage bottle by breaking along the upper and lower break lines thereafter. Specifically, when the handling portion is broken until the upper end portion of the skirt portion along the upper break line, the throttle portion is also broken. Thereby, engaging of the throttle portion relative to the engaging peripheral groove portion is able to be released by laterally opening the throttle portion. On the other hand, break along the lower break line is also progressed in association with break along the upper break line. Thereby, break along the upper break line is smoothly progressed.

[0021] However, because the lower break line is formed so as to remain within the intermediate region of the skirt portion, break along the lower break line does not reach the lower end portion of the skirt portion, the skirt portion lower than the lower break line is maintained in the annular shape in which the handling portion is integrally formed, and the skirt portion remains on a beverage bottle. When engaging of the throttle portion relative to the engaging peripheral groove portion is released by laterally opening the throttle portion, the skirt portion is not restrained by a beverage bottle.

[0022] Thereafter, by pulling the skirt portion upward with the handling portion caught by fingers, the skirt portion is able to be detached from the mouth portion of a beverage bottle. The detached skirt portion and a beverage bottle are separated from each other and are disposed. Because the lower break line is formed in such a manner that the distal end portion remains within the intermediate region without reaching the lower end portion of the skirt portion, break is not progressed by mistake from the lower end portion of the skirt portion due to mechanical external force when the screw cap for a beverage bottle is mounted or at the time of packing, conveying, and displaying at the store in the mounted state.

[0023] Therefore, there is no concern for adverse effect by the progress in break or obstruction in handling. By the formation of the handling portion and the upper and lower break lines continuing to the handling portion, the processing margin becomes smaller and impairment of design performance is able to be suppressed.

[0024] In the screw cap for a beverage bottle of the above aspect of the present invention, the upper break line can be formed so as to reach a region corresponding to the throttle portion of the skirt portion.

[0025] When break by the upper break line reaches the region corresponding to the throttle portion, engaging of the throttle portion relative to the engaging peripheral groove portion is released, and the skirt portion is easily detached from the mouth portion of a beverage bottle.

[0026] In the screw cap for a beverage bottle of the above aspect of the present invention, the upper break line can be formed so as to vertically traverse the region corresponding to the throttle portion of the skirt portion.

[0027] Because break by the upper break line entirely goes through the region corresponding to the throttle portion, engaging of the throttle portion relative to the engaging peripheral groove portion is entirely released, and the skirt portion is easily detached from the mouth portion of a beverage bottle.

[0028] In the screw cap for a beverage bottle of the above aspect of the present invention, the upper break line can be formed in such a manner that the distal end portion of the upper break line reaches an upper end portion of the skirt portion.

[0029] When break reaching the upper end portion of the skirt portion by the upper break line is surely performed and the skirt portion is opened laterally, the skirt portion is able to be detached promptly from the mouth portion of a beverage bottle.

[0030] A processing method of a second aspect of the present invention for cutting the handling portion and the break line into the screw cap for a beverage bottle is characterized in that a processing device including a die, a punch, and a processing blade is prepared, the die being in a cylindrical shape, the punch being in a cylindrical shape, the processing blade being provided so as to form the handling portion and the break line on at least one of outer peripheral faces of the die and the punch, the die is arranged at an inner peripheral portion of the skirt portion to be processed of the screw cap for a beverage bottle, the punch is arranged at an outer peripheral portion of the skirt portion, and the die is axially rotated with the punch pressed on the die through the skirt portion and a cutting processing is executed at a predetermined position of the skirt portion by the processing blade.

[0031] By the processing method of the above aspect of the present invention, when the die is axially rotated with the punch pressed on the die through the skirt portion to be processed of the screw cap for a beverage bottle, a predetermined cutting processing is executed easily at a predetermined position of the skirt portion by the processing blade provided for the die and/or the punch.

[0032] Another processing method of the second aspect of the present invention for cutting the handling portion and the break line into the screw cap for a beverage bottle is characterized in that a processing device including a first metal mold, a second metal mold, and a processing blade is prepared, the first metal mold having a convex mold portion in an arc shape, the second metal mold having a concave mold portion in an arc shape, the processing blade being provided so as to form the handling portion and the break line on at least one of surfaces of the convex mold portion of the first metal mold and the concave mold portion of the second metal mold, the first metal mold is arranged at the inner peripheral portion of the skirt portion to be processed of the screw cap for a beverage bottle, the second metal mold is arranged at the outer peripheral portion of the skirt portion in such a manner that the concave mold portion of the second metal mold faces the convex mold portion of the first metal mold, and the cutting processing is executed at a predetermined position of the skirt portion by the processing blade in such a manner that the concave mold portion of the second metal mold is combined so as to engage with the convex mold portion of the first metal mold through the skirt portion.

[0033] By the processing method of the above aspect of the present invention, when the concave mold portion of the second metal mold is combined so as to engage with the convex mold portion of the first metal mold through the skirt portion to be processed of the screw cap for a beverage bottle, a predetermined cutting processing is executed easily at a predetermined position of the skirt portion by the processing blade provided for the convex mold portion of the first metal mold and/or the concave mold portion of the second metal mold.

Effects of the Invention

[0034] By the screw cap for a beverage bottle of the present invention, the skirt portion is easily detached, design performance is not impaired in the mounted state on a beverage bottle, and there is no concern for obstructing handling of a beverage bottle filled with the beverage. By the processing method of the present invention, a processing for cutting the handling portion and the like is easily performed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0035] 

FIG. 1

is a schematic front view illustrating a first embodiment of the screw cap for a beverage bottle of the present invention.

FIG. 2

is a front view illustrating a state in which the screw cap for a beverage bottle of the embodiment is mounted on the mouth portion of a beverage bottle.

FIG. 3

is a longitudinal sectional view illustrating the state in which the screw cap for a beverage bottle of the embodiment is mounted on the mouth portion of a beverage bottle.

FIG. 4

is a front view illustrating a state in which the cylindrical portion of the screw cap for a beverage bottle is broken and eliminated.

FIG. 5

is a view similar to FIG. 2 and illustrates a second embodiment of the screw cap for a beverage bottle of the present invention.

FIG. 6

is a view similar to FIG. 2 and illustrates a third embodiment of the screw cap for a beverage bottle of the present invention.

FIG. 7

is a view similar to FIG. 2 and illustrates a fourth embodiment of the screw cap for a beverage bottle of the present invention.

FIG. 8

is a view similar to FIG. 2 and illustrates a fifth embodiment of the screw cap for a beverage bottle of the present invention.

FIGS. 9A, 9B

are views that schematically illustrate an example of the processing method of the present invention.

FIG. 9A

is a schematic plane view and

FIG. 9B

is a schematic front view.

FIG. 10A

is a sectional enlarged view taken along an arrowed line A-A of FIG. 9B.

FIG. 10B

is a sectional enlarged view taken along an arrowed line B-B of FIG. 9B.

FIG. 10C

is a sectional enlarged view taken along an arrowed line C-C of FIG. 9B.

FIG. 11

is a plan view schematically illustrating another example of the processing method of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0036] An embodiment of the present invention is explained below based on drawings. FIGS. 1 to 4 illustrate a first embodiment of the screw cap for a beverage bottle of the present invention. A screw cap for a beverage bottle 1 in figures is made of metal such as aluminum, and includes a top board portion 3 in a circular shape provided with a seal member 2 (reference to FIG. 3) on a rear face thereof, a cylindrical portion 4 extending downward from an outer peripheral portion of the top board portion 3, and a skirt portion 6 in a cylindrical shape connected to a lower end portion of the cylindrical portion 4 through an unseal-break portion 5 having a bridge portion 5a intermittent in the circumferential direction.

[0037] The screw cap for a beverage bottle 1 is mounted, for instance, from a mouth portion 11 to a neck portion 12 of a beverage bottle 10 made of glass, reference to FIGS. 2 and 3. The cylindrical portion 4 has a female-screw-shaped portion 4a that is able to match with a male screw portion 11a (reference to FIGS. 3 and 4) of the mouth portion 11 when the screw cap for a beverage bottle 1 is mounted on the mouth portion 11 of a beverage bottle 10. An upper region 60 of the skirt portion 6 is formable with a throttle portion 60a that is fitted into an engaging peripheral groove portion 11b (reference to FIG. 3) of the mouth portion 11 when the screw cap for a beverage bottle 1 is mounted on the mouth portion 11 of a beverage bottle 10.

[0038] A handling portion 62 for breaking the skirt portion 6 is formed by cutting at an intermediate region 61 of the skirt portion 6 in vertical direction. The handling portion 62 is constituted by an arc-shaped portion 62c; an upper side end portion 62a, i.e. one cutting end portion; and a lower side end portion 62b, i.e. the other cutting end portion. The arc-shaped portion 62c is directed to the circumferential direction of the skirt portion 6. The upper side end portion 62a and the lower side end portion 62b, both in a linear shape, are respectively connected to an upper end and a lower end of the arc-shaped portion 62c in the opposite direction to the arc-shaped portion 62c.

[0039] In the skirt portion 6, an upper break line 63 and a lower break line 64 are formed by cutting; a distal end portion 63a of the upper break line 63 extends from the upper side end portion 62a of the handling portion 62 toward the upper region 60 of the skirt portion 6; and a distal end portion 64a of the lower break line 64 extends from the lower side end portion 62b of the handling portion 62 so as to remain within the intermediate region 61 without reaching a lower end portion 6a of the skirt portion 6.

[0040] Namely, in the embodiment, a break line is constituted by the upper break line 63 and the lower break line 64. A hollowed-out portion 620 is formed on a side of the arc-shaped portion 62c of the handling portion 62 of the intermediate region 61 of the skirt portion 6 for facilitating catching of the handling portion 62 including the arc-shaped portion 62c.

[0041] A lower portion of a region of the cylindrical portion 4 formed with the female-screw shaped portion 4a is formed with a knurl portion 4b for preventing a slip of a grasp finger of an unsealing person at the time of unsealing, to be mentioned below. For reinforcing so as to prevent a twist of the cylindrical portion 4 when the cylindrical portion 4 is rotated around an axis and is detached from the skirt portion 6 by break, a first annular protrusion portion 4c is formed between the knurl portion 4b of the cylindrical portion 4 and the unseal-break portion 5.

[0042] An adjacent portion to the unseal-break portion 5 of the skirt portion 6 is formed with a second annular protrusion portion 6b for reinforcing so as to prevent a twist of the upper region 60 of the skirt portion 6 by intercepting propagation of rotational force through the unseal-break portion 5 into the skirt portion 6 at the time of unsealing. In addition, a third annular protrusion portion 6c is formed for cushioning at the time of forming the throttle portion 60a, the third annular protrusion portion 6c being adjacent to a lower side portion of a forming region of the throttle portion 60a of the upper region 60 of the skirt portion 6.

[0043] The unseal-break portion 5 is constituted in such a manner that a plurality of bridge portions 5a connecting the cylindrical portion 4 and the skirt portion 6 and a plurality of slit portions 5b between the bridge portions 5a are arranged intermittently in the circumferential direction. The number and space, i.e. a circumferential direction length of the slit portion 5b, of the bridge portions 5a are appropriately set according to unseal maintaining strength, easiness in unsealing, or the like.

[0044] The handling portion 62 of the embodiment is formed in a completely cut line that penetrates through a front face and a rear face at the intermediate region 61 of the skirt portion 6 along with the upper side end portion 62a and the lower side end portion 62b. The upper side end portion 62a and the lower side end portion 62b are formed parallel to each other and directed to the circumferential direction of the skirt portion 6. The upper break line 63 and the lower break line 64 are formed in a half-cut state on an inner face side or an outer face side of the skirt portion 6 so as to respectively continue from the upper side end portion 62a and the lower side end portion 62b.

[0045] The upper break line 63 extends in an upward curved line from the upper side end portion 62a and the distal end portion 63a of the upper break line 63 reaches the bridge portion 5a of the unseal-break portion 5 that is an upper end portion 6d of the skirt portion 6. The lower break line 64 straightly extends from the lower side end portion 62b of the handling portion 62 into the circumferential direction and is formed in such a manner that the distal end portion 64a remains within the intermediate region 61 without reaching the lower end portion 6a of the skirt portion 6. In addition, the distal end portion 64a of the lower break line 64 and the distal end portion 63a of the upper break line 63 are formed so as to match with each other in the circumferential direction.

[0046] An upper end portion of the cylindrical portion 4 is integrally formed with the top board portion 3 in the circular shape and the rear face of the top board portion 3 (facing an inner portion of the cylindrical portion 4) is attached to the seal member 2. The seal member 2 is made of a cork sheet, a resin sheet, a rubber sheet, or the like. The seal member 2 is held on the rear face of the top board portion 3 at a peripheral edge portion by a constriction portion 4d in an annular shape formed at the upper end portion of the cylindrical portion 4 as in the figures and/or held so as to be adherently integrated on the rear face of the top board portion 3 by glue or the like.

[0047] The figures illustrate an example in which the upper break line 63 and the lower break line 64 are formed in the half-cut state. However, the upper break line 63 and the lower break line 64 can be formed in a perforation shape, i.e. a dash line shape, by completely cutting from the upper side end portion 62a and the lower side end portion 62b respectively.

[0048] In the embodiment, a vertical direction distance "a" from the upper side end portion 62a of the handling portion 62 to an upper side portion 60aa of a region corresponding to the throttle portion 60a is equal to or less than a vertical direction distance "b" from the lower side end portion 62b of the handling portion 62 to the lower end portion 6a of the skirt portion 6. A vertical direction distance "c" from the lower side end portion 62b of the handling portion 62 to the upper side portion 60aa of the region corresponding to the throttle portion 60a is smaller than the vertical direction distance "b" from the lower side end portion 62b of the handling portion 62 to the lower end portion 6a of the skirt portion 6.

[0049] Further, a vertical direction distance "d" from the lower side end portion 62b of the handling portion 62 to the upper end portion 6d of the skirt portion 6 is smaller than the vertical direction distance "b" from the lower side end portion 62b of the handling portion 62 to the lower end portion 6a of the skirt portion 6.

[0050] The screw cap for a beverage bottle 1 constituted as above is mounted so as to reach part of the neck portion 12 from the mouth portion 11 of a beverage bottle 10 in a state in which a beverage bottle 10 is filled with a beverage L, reference to FIG. 3. A dedicated tool is used for mounting as above, and a region of the cylindrical portion 4 corresponding to the male screw portion 11a of a beverage bottle 10 is formed into the female-screw-shaped portion 4a by shaping so as to match with the male screw portion 11a by fastening force of the tool in mounting.

[0051] Thereby, the male screw portion 11a and the female-screw-shaped portion 4a are in a screwed state. In the screwed state as above, an upper end opening mouth edge portion 11c of a beverage bottle 10 adheres to the seal member 2 mounted on the rear face of the top board portion 3 and an opening mouth portion of the mouth portion 11 is sealed. A region of the upper region 60 of the skirt portion 6 corresponding to the engaging peripheral groove portion 11b of a beverage bottle 10 is formed into the throttle portion 60a that fits into the engaging peripheral groove portion 11b by shaping so as to swage into the engaging peripheral groove portion 11b by the fastening force of the tool in mounting.

[0052] In such a case, because the third annular protrusion portion 6c is formed adjacent to a lower side portion of the throttle portion 60a, i.e. a lower edge portion 60b of the upper region, the third annular protrusion portion 6c acts like a swaging margin absorbing a strain or the like in the vicinity of the throttle portion 60a in accordance with a diameter reduction in throttle forming; and the throttle portion 60a is formed with a good appearance without generating a crease or the like in the vicinity of the throttle portion 60a.

[0053] The skirt portion 6 covers a peripheral body from the mouth portion 11 to the neck portion 12 of a beverage bottle 10. Thus, in the state in which the screw cap for a beverage bottle 1 is mounted on a beverage bottle 10, the opening mouth portion of the mouth portion 11 is sealed and a liquid level of the beverage L filled is covered with the skirt portion 6 so as not to be visually recognized.

[0054] An example is shown in which the female-screw-shaped portion 4a is shaped so as to match with the male screw portion 11a by fastening force of the tool when the screw cap for a beverage bottle 1 is mounted. However, the female-screw-shaped portion 4a can be constituted to be formed before mounting and to be screwed with the male screw portion 11a.

[0055] Before consuming the beverage L in a beverage bottle 10 for a first time, by grasping a body portion, not shown in the figures, of a beverage bottle 10 and the cylindrical portion 4 of the screw cap for a beverage bottle 1, the body portion and the cylindrical portion 4 are relatively rotated around the axis of a beverage bottle 10 in the direction for relaxing the screwing between the male screw portion 11a and the female-screw-shaped portion 4a, i.e. the opposite screwing direction. By a screwing releasing action in accordance with such a rotation, the cylindrical portion 4 tends to be displaced upward.

[0056] By rotational force of the cylindrical portion 4 and upward displacement attempting force, shear force is applied to the bridge portions 5a of the unseal-break portion 5. Because the throttle portion 60a is fitted into and engaged with the engaging peripheral groove portion 11b, the skirt portion 6 is not displaced upward. Therefore, the shear force concentrates on the bridge portions 5a, the bridge portions 5a are broken, the cylindrical portion 4 is separated from the skirt portion 6 and detached from a beverage bottle 10. FIG. 4 illustrates a state in which the cylindrical portion 4 is detached from a beverage bottle 10, i.e. an unsealed state.

[0057] Thereby, the cylindrical portion 4 of a main constituent of the cap is detached from a beverage bottle 10 and the beverage L in a beverage bottle 10 is able to be poured into a glass or the like with the skirt portion 6 remained on a beverage bottle 10. Until completely consuming the beverage, the opening mouth portion of a beverage bottle 10 is able to be sealed every time by screwing the cylindrical portion 4 with the male screw portion 11a of a beverage bottle 10 through the female-screw-shaped portion 4a.

[0058] After consuming the beverage in a beverage bottle 10, the skirt portion 6 is detached from a beverage bottle 10, and the skirt portion 6 and a beverage bottle 10 are separately disposed. In such a case, the skirt portion 6 is able to be detached from a beverage bottle 10 in such a manner that the handling portion 62 formed at the skirt portion 6 is set to be caught and pulled up by fingers, the skirt portion 6 is broken along the upper break line 63 in a spiral shape, the skirt portion 6 is broken along the lower break line 64 in the circumferential direction, and is opened laterally.

[0059] Namely, when the skirt portion 6 is broken along the upper break line 63 until the upper end portion 6d of the skirt portion 6, because the throttle portion 60a is also broken, engaging of the throttle portion 60a relative to the engaging peripheral groove portion 11b is able to be released by laterally opening the throttle portion 60a, i.e. expanding a diameter thereof. On the other hand, break along the lower break line 64 is also progressed in association with break along the upper break line 63. Thereby, break along the upper break line 63 is smoothly progressed.

[0060] However, because the lower break line 64 is formed so as to remain within the intermediate region 61 of the skirt portion 6, break along the lower break line 64 does not reach the lower end portion 6a of the skirt portion 6, the skirt portion 6 lower than the lower break line 64 is maintained in an annular shape in which the handling portion 62 is integrally formed, and the skirt portion 6 remains on a beverage bottle 10.

[0061] When engaging of the throttle portion 60a relative to the engaging peripheral groove portion 11b is released by laterally opening the throttle portion 60a, the skirt portion 6 is not restrained by a beverage bottle 10. Thereafter, by pulling the skirt portion 6 upward with the handling portion 62 caught by fingers, the skirt portion 6 is able to be detached from the mouth portion 11 of a beverage bottle 10.

[0062] In the embodiment, because the hollowed-out portion 620 is formed around a catching end of the handling portion 62, catching of the handling portion 62 is facilitated. In the upper break line 63 extending from the upper side end portion 62a of the handling portion 62, because the distal end portion 63a of the upper break line 63 reaches the bridge portion 5a of the unseal-break portion 5, break reaching the upper end portion 6d of the skirt portion 6 by the upper break line 63 is surely performed, and the skirt portion 6 is laterally opened and thereby detached promptly from the mouth portion 11 of a beverage bottle 10.

[0063] As a result, engaging of the throttle portion 60a relative to the engaging peripheral groove portion 11b is released and lateral opening of the skirt portion 6 is effectively performed. In the embodiment, because the lower break line 64 is formed in such a manner that the position in the circumferential direction of the distal end portion 64a matches with the position in the circumferential direction of the distal end portion 63a of the upper break line 63, if breaking is stopped after break by the upper break line 63 reaches the upper end portion 6d, i.e. the bridge portion 5a, of the skirt portion 6, the skirt portion 6 lower than the lower break line 64 is maintained in the annular shape.

[0064] With the handling portion 62 caught, engaging of the throttle portion 60a relative to the engaging peripheral groove portion 11b is released by laterally opening so as to pull the throttle portion 60a upward, the handling portion 62 is pulled upward, and the skirt portion 6 is able to be removed upward easily from the neck portion 12 and the mouth portion 11 of a beverage bottle 10.

[0065] After break by the upper break line 63 reaches the upper end portion 6d of the skirt portion 6, by continuing break along the lower break line 64 along the circumferential direction over the entire circumference, an upper part of the skirt portion 6 from the lower break line 64 is able to be detached from a beverage bottle 10. In this case, although a lower part of the skirt portion 6 from the lower break line 64 remains so as to be fitted to the neck portion 12 of a beverage bottle 10, the remaining part is able to be removed upward easily from the neck portion 12 and the mouth portion 11 of a beverage bottle 10.

[0066] Although such a detaching way of the skirt portion 6 is appropriately chosen by a consumer, the former detaching way rather has a merit that breaking is reduced and performed in a short time.

[0067] Because the lower break line 64 is formed in such a manner that the distal end portion 64a remains within the intermediate region 61 without reaching the lower end portion 6a of the skirt portion 6, break is not progressed by mistake from the lower end portion 6a of the skirt portion 6 due to mechanical external force when the screw cap for a beverage bottle 1 is mounted or at the time of packing, conveying, and displaying of a beverage bottle at the store in the mounted state.

[0068] Therefore, there is no concern for adverse effect by a progress in break or obstruction in handling. By a formation of the handling portion 62 and the upper and lower break lines 63, 64 continuing to the handling portion 62, a processing margin becomes smaller and impairment of design performance is able to be suppressed.

[0069] Because processed parts of the handling portion 62 and the upper and lower break lines 63, 64 continuing to the handling portion 62 do not exist in a lower-half part of the intermediate region 61 of the skirt portion 6, product information such as logos or characteristics of products is able to be printed on the lower part without being interrupted by the processed parts.

[0070]  Magnitude relation of the vertical direction distance "a" from the upper side end portion 62a of the handling portion 62 to the upper side portion 60aa of the region corresponding to the throttle portion 60a, the vertical direction distance "b" from the lower side end portion 62b of the handling portion 62 to the lower end portion 6a of the skirt portion 6, the vertical direction distance "c" from the lower side end portion 62b of the handling portion 62 to the upper side portion 60aa of the region corresponding to the throttle portion 60a, and the vertical direction distance "d" from the lower side end portion 62b of the handling portion 62 to the upper end portion 6d of the skirt portion 6 is set as above.

[0071] Therefore, a breaking amount by the upper break line 63 is able to be reduced and break reaching the upper end portion 6d of the skirt portion 6 is performed promptly. Such setting of the magnitude relation of "a", "b", "c", and "d" is not shown in the figures, but is adopted similarly in the embodiment as follows.

[0072] FIG. 5 is a second embodiment of the screw cap for a beverage bottle of the present invention and illustrates the state in which the screw cap for a beverage bottle is mounted on the mouth portion of a beverage bottle. The embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the distal end portion 63a of the upper break line 63 is the upper end portion 6d of the skirt portion 6 and reaches the slit portion 5b of the unseal-break portion 5.

[0073] In the embodiment, because the distal end portion 63a of the upper break line 63 reaches the slit portion 5b of the unseal-break portion 5, break reaching the upper end portion 6d of the skirt portion 6 by the upper break line 63 is surely performed, and the skirt portion 6 is laterally opened and thereby detached promptly.
Other structures are the same as the first embodiment, common portions are allotted with the same reference numerals, and explanation for the common portions is omitted.

[0074] FIG. 6 is a third embodiment of the screw cap for a beverage bottle of the present invention and illustrates the state in which the screw cap for a beverage bottle is mounted on the mouth portion of a beverage bottle. The embodiment is different from the first and the second embodiments in that the upper break line 63 traverses vertically and completely the throttle portion 60a, the distal end portion 63a is formed so as to reach a lower portion of the second annular protrusion portion 6b, i.e. an intermediate portion of the upper region 60, and the lower break line 64 is formed so as to extend obliquely downward from midway.

[0075] In the embodiment, because the upper break line 63 traverses vertically and completely the throttle portion 60a and is formed in such a manner that the distal end portion 63a reaches the lower portion of the second annular protrusion portion 6b, at the time of break along the upper break line 63, engaging of the throttle portion 60a relative to the engaging peripheral groove portion 11b, reference to FIG. 3, is completely released.

[0076] Furthermore, because the lower break line 64 is formed so as to extend obliquely downward from midway, at the time of break along the lower break line 64, break is progressed in a downward spiral shape and reaches the lower end portion 6a of the skirt portion 6, lateral opening of the skirt portion 6 is precisely performed, and thereby detaching of the skirt portion 6 from the mouth portion 11 of a beverage bottle 10 is further facilitated.

[0077] Other structures are the same as the first and the second embodiments, common portions are allotted with the same reference numerals, and explanation for the common portions is omitted.

[0078] FIG. 7 is a fourth embodiment of the screw cap for a beverage bottle of the present invention and illustrates the state in which the screw cap for a beverage bottle is mounted on the mouth portion of a beverage bottle. The embodiment is different from the first and the second embodiments in that the upper break line 63 continuing to the handling portion 62 vertically traverses the throttle portion 60a and is formed in such a manner that the distal end portion 63a reaches to the upper side portion 60aa of the throttle portion 60a and in such a manner that the position in the circumferential direction of the distal end portion 64a of the lower break line 64 reaches a tip side in the circumferential direction further than the position in the circumferential direction of the distal end portion 63a of the upper break line 63.

[0079] In the embodiment, because break by the upper break line 63 completely goes through the region corresponding to the throttle portion 60a, at the time of break along the upper break line 63, engaging of the throttle portion 60a relative to the engaging peripheral groove portion 11b, reference to FIG. 3, is completely released and detaching of the skirt portion 6 from the mouth portion 11 of a beverage bottle 10 is further facilitated, reference to FIGS. 3 and 4.

[0080] In the embodiment, because the distal end portion 64a of the lower break line 64 is positioned in such a manner that the position in the circumferential direction thereof reaches the tip side in the circumferential direction further than the position in the circumferential direction of the distal end portion 63a of the upper break line 63, at the time of breaking, the distal end portion 63a of the upper break line 63 promptly reaches the upper end portion 6d of the skirt portion 6.

[0081] Therefore, after break by the upper break line 63 reaches the upper end portion 6d of the skirt portion 6, by laterally opening and pulling upward the throttle portion 60a, the skirt portion 6 is able to be detached promptly from the mouth portion 11 of a beverage bottle 10.

[0082] Other structures are the same as the third embodiment, common portions are allotted with the same reference numerals, and explanation for the common portions is omitted.

[0083] FIG. 8 is a fifth embodiment of the screw cap for a beverage bottle of the present invention and illustrates the state in which the screw cap for a beverage bottle is mounted on the mouth portion of a beverage bottle. The embodiment is different from the fourth embodiment in that the upper break line 63 does not vertically traverse the throttle portion 60a and the distal end portion 63a of the upper break line 63 reaches the lower edge portion 60b of the upper region 60, i.e. an upper side portion of the third annular protrusion portion 6c.

[0084] Also in the embodiment, because the upper break line 63 extends into the upper region 60 of the skirt portion 6 and reaches the lower side portion of the throttle portion 60a, i.e. the lower edge portion 60b of the upper region, break is able to be progressed easily until the throttle portion 60a, following break of the upper break line 63. Of course, also in the first and the second embodiments, the position in the circumferential direction of the distal end portion 64a of the lower break line 64 is able to be located on the tip side further than the position in the circumferential direction of the distal end portion 63a of the upper break line 63.
In each of the first to fourth embodiments, the structure of the lower break line 63 in the other embodiments is also adoptable. Other structures are the same as the fourth embodiment, common portions are allotted with the same reference numerals, and explanation for the common portions is omitted.

[0085] In the examples illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 8, although the arc-shaped portion 62c of the handling portion 62 is formed by cutting so as to be directed to the circumferential direction of the skirt portion 6, the arc-shaped portion 62c can be formed downward obliquely or along the shaft direction of the skirt portion 6.

[0086] Although the upper side end portion 62a and the lower side end portion 62b are straight-shaped parts that respectively continue from the upper and lower end portions of the arc-shaped portion 62c into the opposite direction to the arc-shaped portion 62c, the upper and lower end portions of the arc-shaped portion 62c can respectively be the upper side end portion 62a and the lower side end portion 62b without the straight-shaped parts.

[0087] Furthermore, in the examples, the break line 64 extending from the other side of the cutting end portions of the arc-shaped portion 62c is provided but is not required necessarily. In addition, when the break line 64 is provided, the break line 64 is preferably formed so as to be directed in the circumferential direction or downward, which includes an example in which the break line 64 is formed so as to be directed upward.

[0088] But, when the break line 64 is formed so as to be directed upward and both break lines 63, 64 are provided so as to reach the upper end portion 6d of the skirt portion 6, at the time of breaking by catching the handling portion 62, the handling portion 62 is sometimes separated from the skirt portion 6 along with a part between both break lines 63, 64.

[0089] Therefore, most of the skirt portion 6 remains on a beverage bottle 10 with a break face exposed; because the remaining skirt portion 6 is not able to be detached by using the handling portion 62, there is no choice but to pull the throttle portion 60a upward after laterally opening with fingers, which leads to inconvenience in detaching and is not preferable.

[0090] In the examples illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 8, although the cylindrical portion 4 has the construction portion 4d immediately below the top board portion 3, when the seal member 2 is fixed to the rear face of the top board portion 3 by glue or the like, other shapes are adoptable in place of the constriction portion 4d. Furthermore, the first annular protrusion portion 4c, the second annular protrusion portion 6b, and the third annular protrusion portion 6c are not required necessarily, and are appropriately chosen and adopted in accordance with predetermined specifications in view of the functionality, the design performance, or the like.

[0091] In addition, the whole shape of the screw cap for a beverage bottle 1 and the shape of each component are not limited to those in figures, and can be other types if functionally equivalent to those in the figures. A beverage bottle to which the screw cap for a beverage bottle 1 of the present invention is applied is not limited to a wine or whisky bottle, and is able to be of course applied to the bottle for Sake (rice wine), Shochu (distilled spirits), or other soft drinks.

[0092] An example of the processing method for cutting the handling portion, the upper break line, and the lower break line into the skirt portion, in which the handling portion and the like are unprocessed, of the screw cap for a beverage bottle is explained below.
FIG. 9 and FIG. 10 are views illustrating a first processing method of a second aspect of the present invention. A processing device 100 used for the first processing method includes a die 101, i.e. a die roll, in a cylindrical shape, a punch 102, i.e. a punch roll, in a cylindrical shape, and a processing blade 103 that is provided on an outer peripheral face of either the die roll 101 or the punch roll 102 so as to form the handling portion 62, the upper break line 63, i.e. the break line, and the lower break line 64, i.e. the break line, of the screw cap for a beverage bottle 1 illustrated in each of the embodiments.

[0093] In the figures, the processing blade 103 is provided for the die roll 101 and further constituted by a first processing blade 103a for the handing portion 62, a second processing blade 103b for the upper break line 63, and a third processing blade 103c for the lower break line 64. The first processing blade 103a is provided so as to form the upper side end portion 62a and the lower side end portion 62b of the handling portion 62, and an inner peripheral edge portion of the hollowed-out portion 620. As illustrated in FIG. 10A, a blade height "h1" of the first processing blade 103a is set to be greater than a thickness "t" of the skirt portion 6 of the screw cap for a beverage bottle.

[0094] As illustrated in FIG. 10B, blade heights "h2" of the second processing blade 103b and the third processing blade 103c are set to be smaller than the thickness "t" of the skirt portion 6. A part of the punch roll 102 relative to the first processing blade 103a is formed with a receiving groove portion 102a having a shape that matches with the first processing blade 103a. A depth "D" of the receiving groove portion 102a is set to be greater than the blade height "h1" of the first processing blade 103a.

[0095] The die roll 101 is driven to rotate around the axis in the arrow "e" direction by a drive source not illustrated in figures. The punch roll 102 is set to be attachable to and detachable from the die roll 101 as illustrated in an arrow "f". In the figures, although the punch roll 102 is constituted so as to be driven by axial rotation of the die roll 101 and so as to rotate around the axis in the arrow "e1" direction, the punch roll 102 itself can be set to synchronize with the die roll 101 by the drive source not illustrated in the figures and be driven to rotate in the arrow "e1" direction.

[0096] In executing the processing by the processing device 100 constituted as above, the die roll 101 is arranged at an inner peripheral portion of the skirt portion 6 which is unprocessed of the screw cap for a beverage bottle 1, and the punch roll 102 is arranged at an outer peripheral portion of the skirt portion 6. And the die roll 101 is rotated around the axis with the punch roll 102 pressed on the die roll 101 along the arrow "f' direction through the skirt portion 6.

[0097] By the rotation, the screw cap for a beverage bottle 1 rotates in the same direction as the arrow "e" in a compressed state between the die roll 101 and the punch roll 102, and the punch roll 102 is driven and rotates in the arrow "e1" direction. When the first processing blade 103a reaches a part between the die roll 101 and the punch roll 102, the first processing blade 103a cuts into the skirt portion 6 from the inside.

[0098] Because the punch roll 102 is formed with the receiving groove portion 102a that matches with the first processing blade 103a and the blade height "h1" of the first processing blade 103a is set to be greater than the thickness "t" of the skirt portion 6, the first processing blade 103a penetrates the skirt portion 6 in the thickness direction and a blade edge of the first processing blade 103a is received into the receiving groove portion 102a.

[0099] Thereby, the completely cutting processing is executed in the upper side end portion 62a and the lower side end portion 62b, and the hollowed-out portion 620 that constitute the handing portion 62. In such a case, because the blade edge of the first processing blade 103a is received into the receiving groove portion 102a, the blade edge of the first processing blade 103a does not abut on a surface of the punch roll 102, thereby preventing the blade from a chip.

[0100] By continuous axial rotation of the die roll 101, when the second processing blade 103b and the third processing blade 103c reach the part between the die roll 101 and the punch roll 102, the second processing blade 103b and the third processing blade 103c cut into the skirt portion 6 from the inside. Because the blade heights "h2" of the second processing blade 103b and the third processing blade 103c are set to be smaller than the thickness "t" of the skirt portion 6, the second processing blade 103b and the third processing blade 103c do not penetrate the skirt portion 6 in the thickness direction.

[0101] Thereby, from the inside of the skirt portion 6, the cutting processing is executed in the upper break line 63 and the lower break line 64 which are in the half-cut state. The cutting processing is executed in the handling portion 62 constituted by the hollowed-out portion 620 in a penetrated state and by the upper side end portion 62a and the lower side end portion 62b in the completely cut state, and in the upper break line 63 and the lower break line 64 in the half-cut state when the punch roll 102 is moved away from the die roll 101, and the screw cap for a beverage bottle 1 is able to be taken out.

[0102] FIG. 11 is a view that illustrates a second processing method of the second aspect of the present invention. A processing device 200 used for the second processing method includes a first metal mold 201, a second metal mold 202, and a processing blade 203. The first metal mold 201 has a convex mold portion 201a in an arc shape, the second metal mold 202 has a convex mold portion 202a in an arc shape, and the processing blade 203 is provided so as to form the handling portion 62, the upper break line 63, i.e. the break line, and the lower break line 64, i.e. the break line, on the rear face of the convex mold portion 201a of the first metal mold 201.

[0103] The processing blade 203 in the figures is constituted by a first processing blade 203a for the handling portion 62, a second processing blade 203b for the upper break line 63, and a third processing blade 203c for the lower break line 64, reference to FIG. 9B. The first processing blade 203a is provided so as to form the upper side end portion 62a and the lower side end portion 62b of the handling portion 62, and the inner peripheral edge portion of the hollowed-out portion 620. A blade height of the first processing blade 203a, and blade heights of the second processing blade 203b and the third processing blade 203c are set in a similar manner to the example illustrated in FIG. 10.

[0104] A radius of curvature of the convex mold portion 201a of the first metal mold 201 is set substantially similar to that of an inner peripheral face of the skirt portion 6; and a radius of curvature of the concave mold portion 202a of the second metal mold 202 is set substantially similar to that of an outer peripheral face of the skirt portion 6. The first metal mold 201 and the second metal mold 202 are arranged in such a manner that the convex mold portion 201a and the concave mold portion 202a are positioned so as to face each other. Further, the second metal mold 202 is set to be attachable to and detachable from the first metal mold 201 as illustrated in an arrow "g".

[0105] In executing the processing by the processing device 200 constituted as above, the screw cap for a beverage bottle 1 is arranged in such a manner that the first metal mold 201 is positioned at the inner peripheral portion of the unprocessed skirt portion 6 and that the second metal mold 202 is positioned at the outer peripheral portion of the skirt portion 6. In a state in which the second metal mold 202 is positioned adjacent to the first metal mold 201 along the arrow "g" with the skirt portion 6 interposed therebetween, the concave mold portion 202a of the second metal mold 202 is combined so as to engage with the convex mold portion 201a of the first metal mold 201.

[0106] The above combining is made in such a manner that the first processing blade 203a of the processing blade 203 penetrates the skirt portion 6 from the inside in the thickness direction and that the second processing blade 203b and the third processing blade 203c cut the skirt portion 6 without penetrating therethrough. Thereby, from the inside of the skirt portion 6, the cutting processing is executed at the same time in the hollowed-out portion 620, the upper side end portion 62a, and the lower side end portion 62b, which constitute the handling portion 62, and in the upper break line 63 and the lower break line 64 in the half-cut state.

[0107] The cutting processing is executed in the handling portion 62 constituted by the hollowed-out portion 620 in the penetrated state and by the upper side end portion 62a and the lower side end portion 62b in the completely cut state, and in the upper break line 63 and the lower break line 64 in the half-cut state when the second metal mold 202 is moved away from the first metal mold 201, and the screw cap for a beverage bottle 1 is able to be taken out.

[0108] In the processing method of the second aspect of the present invention, the example is shown in which the cutting processing is executed in the upper break line 63 and the lower break line 64 so as to be the half-cut state. However, the completely cutting processing can be executed in such a manner that the upper break line 63 and the lower break line 64 become the perforation shape so as to penetrate the skirt portion 6 in the thickness direction. In the first processing method, the processing blade 103 is provided for the die roll 101, but can be provided for the punch roll 102.

[0109] In such a case, the cutting processing is executed from the outer peripheral portion of the skirt portion 6. Further, in the first processing method, the processing blade 103 is provided for the die roll 101, but can be provided both for the die roll 101 and for the punch roll 102. A case is exemplified in which the first processing blade 103a is provided for the punch roll 102 and the second processing blade 103b and the third processing blade 103c are provided for the die roll 101.

[0110] Each processing blade 103 is appropriately chosen to be provided for the die roll 101 or the punch roll 102 depending on cutting specifications such as the completely cut and the half cut on the front or the rear. Also in the second processing method, the processing blade 203 is appropriately chosen to be provided for the first metal mold 201 or the second metal mold 202 similarly depending on the cutting specifications such as the completely cut and the semi cut on the front or the rear. Further, in the first and the second processing methods, the processing of the handling portion 62 and the processing of the upper break line 63 and the lower break line 64 are executed in one single process but can be executed in plural processes.

List of Reference Signs

[0111] 

1

screw cap for beverage bottle

2s

eal member

3

top board portion

4

cylindrical portion

4a

female-screw-shaped portion

5

unseal-break portion

5a

bridge portion

5b

slit portion

6

skirt portion

6a

lower end portion

6d

upper end portion

60

upper region

60a

throttle portion

60aa

upper side portion

61

intermediate region

62

handling portion

62a

upper side end portion (one cutting end portion)

62b

lower side end portion (other cutting end portion)

63

upper break line (break line)

63a

distal end portion

64

lower break line (break line)

64a

distal end portion

10

beverage bottle

11

mouth portion

11a

male screw portion

100

processing device

101

die

102

punch

103

processing blade

200

processing device

201

first metal mold

201a

convex mold portion

202

second metal mold

202a

concave mold portion

203

processing blade

Claims

1. A screw cap for a beverage bottle (1) mounted on a mouth portion (11) of a beverage bottle (10) and made of metal, comprising:

- a top board portion (3) in a circular shape provided with a seal member (2) on a rear face thereof;

- a cylindrical portion (4) extending downward from an outer peripheral portion of the top board portion (3); and

- a skirt portion (6) in a cylindrical shape connected to a lower end portion of the cylindrical portion (4) through an unseal-break portion (5) having a bridge portion (5a) being intermittent in circumferential direction,

characterized in that
the cylindrical portion (4) has a female-screw-shaped portion (4a) that is able to match with a male screw portion (11a) of the mouth portion (11) when the screw cap for a beverage bottle (1) is mounted on the mouth portion (11),
an upper region (60) of the skirt portion (6) is formable with a throttle portion (60a) that is fitted into an engaging peripheral groove portion (11b) of the mouth portion (11) when the screw cap for a beverage bottle (1) is mounted on the mouth portion (11), and an intermediate region (61) of the skirt portion (6) in the vertical direction is formed with a handling portion (62) by cutting for breaking the skirt portion (6),
the skirt portion (6) is formed with a break line, the break line extending from a cutting end portion of the handling portion (62) and a distal end portion of the break line extending toward an upper region (60) of the skirt portion (6), and the break line is shaped so as not to reach a lower end portion (6a) of the skirt portion (6).

2. The screw cap for a beverage bottle (1) as set forth in claim 1,
wherein the break line is constituted by an upper break line (63) and a lower break line (64), the upper break line (63) extending from an upper side end portion (62a) that is one side of the cutting end portion of the handing portion (62) and a distal end portion (63a) extending toward the upper region (60) of the skirt portion (6); the lower break line (64) extending from a lower side end portion (62b) that is the other side of the cutting end portion of the handling portion (62) so that a distal end portion (64a) remains within the intermediate region (61) without reaching the lower end portion (6a) of the skirt portion (6).

3. The screw cap for a beverage bottle (1) as set forth in claim 2,
wherein the upper break line (63) is formed so as to reach a region corresponding to the throttle portion (60a) of the skirt portion (6).

4. The screw cap for a beverage bottle (1) as set forth in claim 2,
wherein the upper break line (63) is formed so as to vertically traverse the region corresponding to the throttle portion (60a) of the skirt portion (6).

5. The screw cap for a beverage bottle (1) as set forth in claim 2,
wherein the upper break line (63) is formed in such a manner that the distal end portion (63a) of the upper break line (63) reaches an upper end portion (6d) of the skirt portion (6).

6. A processing method for cutting the handling portion (62) and the break line into the screw cap for a beverage bottle (1) as set forth in any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that
a processing device (100) including a die (101), a punch (102), and a processing blade (103) is prepared, the die (101) being in a cylindrical shape, the punch (102) being in a cylindrical shape, the processing blade (103) being provided so as to form the handling portion (62) and the break line on at least one of outer peripheral faces of the die (101) and the punch (102),
the die (101) is arranged at an inner peripheral portion of the skirt portion (6) to be processed of the screw cap for a beverage bottle (1),
the punch (102) is arranged at an outer peripheral portion of the skirt portion (6), and
the die (101) is axially rotated with the punch (102) pressed on the die (101) through the skirt portion (6) and a cutting processing is executed at a predetermined position of the skirt portion (6) by the processing blade (103).

7. The processing method for cutting the handling portion (62) and the break line into the screw cap for a beverage bottle (1) as set forth in any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that
a processing device (200) including a first metal mold (201), a second metal mold (202), and a processing blade (203) is prepared, the first metal mold (201) having a convex mold portion (201a) in an arc shape, the second metal mold (202) having a concave mold portion (202a) in an arc shape, the processing blade (203) being provided so as to form the handling portion (62) and the break line on at least one of surfaces of the convex mold portion (201a) of the first metal mold (201) and the concave mold portion (202a) of the second metal mold (202),
the first metal mold (201) is arranged at the inner peripheral portion of the skirt portion (6) to be processed of the screw cap for a beverage bottle (1),
the second metal mold (202) is arranged at the outer peripheral portion of the skirt portion (6) in such a manner that the concave mold portion (202a) of the second metal mold (202) faces the convex mold portion (201a) of the first metal mold (201), and
the cutting processing is executed at a predetermined position of the skirt portion (6) by the processing blade (203) in such a manner that the concave mold portion (202a) of the second metal mold (202) is combined so as to engage with the convex mold portion (201 a) of the first metal mold (201) through the skirt portion (6).

Drawing