초록 ▼

In each of radial grooves 52 which are formed on a sealing disc portion 34 of a packing 10, low strength portions 64 are formed within a predetermined range from the center of the sealing disc portion 34 by decreasing the thickness of each of thin portions 62 by deeply cutting each of the radial gro

In each of radial grooves 52 which are formed on a sealing disc portion 34 of a packing 10, low strength portions 64 are formed within a predetermined range from the center of the sealing disc portion 34 by decreasing the thickness of each of thin portions 62 by deeply cutting each of the radial grooves 52. When the center of the sealing disc portion 34 is pressed by the pressing means, splits are formed at the low strength portions 64, and extend to curved grooves 54 and circumferential grooves 56. As a result, it is possible to obtain a plugging member in which a draining port can be opened wide with a small amount of pressing force.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A plug for a drain port in a container for holding a material, the plug comprising: a substantially flat plug plate body, of one chemical composition, adapted for mounting in said drain port and plugging said drain port when mounted therein, said plug plate body including opp

What is claimed is: 1. A plug for a drain port in a container for holding a material, the plug comprising: a substantially flat plug plate body, of one chemical composition, adapted for mounting in said drain port and plugging said drain port when mounted therein, said plug plate body including opposite surfaces having a thickness L defined between the opposite surfaces from one of said opposite surfaces to the other of said opposite surfaces, and at least one groove having one of a rectangular shape, a substantially trapezoidal shape and a substantially V-shape and formed transversely in one of said opposite surfaces, the at least one groove having at least two different depths therein, one depth being a low strength portion where strength is decreased relative to the other depth of the groove by changing a groove thickness, which is defined from a groove bottom to the other of said opposite surfaces, the low strength portion being formed within a predetermined range from a center of said plug plate body, the groove having opposing walls extending from the groove bottom to a top of the groove at said one of said opposite surfaces in which the groove is formed, the groove having a width measured from one of said opposing walls to the other of said opposing walls in a direction parallel to one of said opposite surfaces, the width at the groove top being no less than the width at the groove bottom; wherein a thickness T2, defining a thinnest one of the groove thicknesses from the bottom of the groove to the other of said opposite surfaces in which the groove is formed, ranges from 0.05 mm to 0. 7 mm, wherein the groove walls are disposed relative to one another at an angle θ measured from one opposing wall to the other of said opposing walls, the angle θ ranging from 0째 to no more than 120째, and wherein a ratio (L/T2) of the thickness L of said plug plate body to said thickness T2 is equal to or more than 2. 2. A plug according to claim 1, wherein a low strength portion is formed by decreasing the strength of said plug plate body within a predetermined range extending from a center of said plug plate body. 3. A plug according to claim 1 wherein said at least one groove comprises three or more grooves each having at least one low strength portion, the low strength portions defined by thin portions which are formed by decreasing a thickness of said plug plate body, and a portion of said thin portions are low strength portions whose strength is made lower than the other portions of said thin portions. 4. A plug according to claim 1, wherein said plug plate body is formed in a disc plate shape whose outer diameter R is not less than 0. 5 cm and not more than 5 cm. 5. A plug according to claim 2, wherein said plug plate body is formed in a disc plate shape whose outer diameter R is not less than 0. 5 cm and not more than 5 cm. 6. A plug according to claim 3, wherein a high strength portion is formed at said thin portions by increasing the strength of the thin portions outside of a predetermined range from the center of said plug plate body. 7. A plug according to claim 3, wherein said plug plate body is formed in a disc plate shape whose outer diameter R is not less than 0. 5 cm and not more than 5 cm. 8. A plug according to claim 6, wherein said plug plate body is formed in a disc plate shape whose outer diameter R is not less than 0. 5 cm and not more than 5 cm. 9. A plug for a drain port in a container, the drain port having an opening with an edge, the plug comprising: a substantially flat plug plate body adapted for mounting in the opening of the drain port and plugging the drain port when mounted therein, the plug plate body having a central portion and an external edge, and a low strength portion where strength is decreased by a plurality of radial portions formed radiating out from substantially the central portion of said plug plate body toward the external edge thereof, and a plurality of curved portions, wherein the radial portions each include an end tip, and each of said plurality of curved portions extends in an arcuate shape continuing from the end tip of each of said radial portions, respectively, each of said plurality of curved portions including an end tip, and the low strength portion including a circumferential portion extending from the end tip of each of said plurality of curved portions, respectively, in a direction along the edge of the opening of said drain port and wherein each radial portion has a length L1 in the range description="In-line Formulae" end="lead" 0≦L1≦(4/5)횞R1description="In-line Formulae" end="tail" where R1 is an inner radius of a sealing disc portion. 10. A plug according to claim 9, wherein said low strength portion is a groove which is formed by decreasing a thickness of said plug plate body in portions. 11. A container for holding a material, the container comprising: (a) a drain port; and (b) a plug of one chemical composition disposed in the drain port, the plug having a substantially flat frangible body plugging said drain port, the frangible body having opposite surfaces and a thickness L measured between the opposite surfaces from one said opposite surface to the other of said opposite surfaces, and a groove having one of a rectangular shape, a substantially trapezoidal shape and a substantially V-shape and formed transversely in one of said opposite surfaces, the groove having at least two different depths therein, one depth being a low strength portion wherein strength is decreased relative to the other depth of the groove by changing a thickness of the groove, the groove thickness being defined from a groove bottom to the other of said opposite surfaces in which the groove is formed, low strength portion being formed within a predetermined range from a center of said body, the groove having opposing walls extending from the groove bottom to a top of the groove at said one of said opposite surfaces in which is the groove is defined, the groove having a width measured from one of said opposing walls to the other of said opposing walls in a direction parallel to one of the opposite surfaces, the width at the top of the groove being no less than at the bottom of the groove; wherein a thickness T2, defining a thinnest one of the groove thicknesses from the bottom of the groove to the other of said opposite surfaces in which the groove is formed, ranges from 0.05 mm to 0. 7 mm; the opposing groove walls being disposed relative to one another at an angle θ measured from one of said opposing walls to the other of said opposing walls, the angle θ ranging from 0째 to no more than 120째; and wherein a ratio (L/T2) of the thickness L of said frangible body to said thickness T2 is equal to or more than 2. 12. A container according to claim 11, wherein said frangible body breaks along the groove when an area of concentrated pressure is applied inwardly to said frangible body when the container is inverted downwardly for permitting material in the container to flow out. 13. A container according to claim 11, wherein the material is a photographic processing chemical. 14. A container for holding a material, the container comprising: (a) a drain port; and (b) a substantially flat plug removably disposed in the drain port, the plug comprising a plug plate body adapted for mounting in the opening of the drain port and plugging the drain port when mounted therein, the plug plate body having a central portion and an external edge, and a low strength portion where strength is decreased by a plurality of radial portions formed radiating out from substantially the central portion of said plug plate body toward the external edge thereof, and a plurality of curved portions, wherein the radial portions each include an end tip, and each of said plurality of curved portions extends in an arcuate shape continuing from the end tip of each of said radial portions, respectively, each of said plurality of curved portions including an end tip, and the low strength portion including a circumferential portion extending from the end tip of each of said plurality of curved portions, respectively, in a direction along the edge of the opening of said drain port and wherein each radial portion has a length L1 in the range description="In-line Formulae" end="lead" 0≦L1≦(4/5)횞R1description="In-line Formulae" end="tail" where R1 is an inner radius of a sealing disc portion. 15. A container according to claim 14, wherein said plug plate body breaks along the low strength portion when an area of concentrated pressure is applied inwardly to said plug plate body when the container is inverted downwardly for permitting material in the container to flow out. 16. A container according to claim 14, wherein the material is a photographic processing chemical. 17. A plug according to claim 1, wherein the at least one groove is substantially V-shaped. 18. A container according to claim 11, wherein the groove is substantially V-shaped. 19. A plug according to claim 9, wherein the circumferential portion of the low strength portion forms a circular arc shape. 20. A container according to claim 14, wherein the circumferential portion of the low strength portion forms a circular arc shape. 21. A plug according to claim 2, wherein the strength of said low strength portion is decreased by an increasing depth of the at least one groove. 22. A plug according to claim 3, wherein the strength of the thin portions is decreased by an increasing depth of the at least one groove. 23. A plug according to claim 10, wherein the strength of said low strength portion is decreased by an increasing depth of the groove. 24. A container according to claim 11, wherein the strength of the at least one low strength portion is decreased by an increasing depth of the groove. 25. A container according to claim 14, wherein said low strength portion is a groove which is formed by decreasing a thickness of said plug plate body in portions, the strength of said low strength portion is decreased by an increasing depth of the groove. 26. A plug according to claim 9, wherein a cross-sectional shape of the circumferential portion is different from a cross-sectional shape of the radial portions and the curved portions. 27. A container according to claim 14, wherein a cross-sectional shape of the circumferential portion is different from a cross-sectional shape of the radial portions and the curved portions. 28. A plug for a container containing a photographic processing chemical, wherein the plug is for a drain port of the container, said plug comprising: a substantially flat plug plate body, having each portion thereof being formed of a same chemical composition, adapted for mounting in said drain port and plugging said drain port when mounted therein, said plug plate body including opposite surfaces having a thickness L defined between the opposite surfaces from one of said opposite surfaces to the other of said opposite surfaces, and at least one groove having one of a substantially rectangular shape, a substantially trapezoidal shape and a substantially V-shape and formed transversely in one of said opposite surfaces, the at least one groove having at least two different depths therein, one depth being a low strength portion where strength is decreased relative to the other depth of the groove by changing a groove thickness, which is defined from a groove bottom to the other of said opposite surfaces, the low strength portion being formed within a predetermined range from a center of said plug plate body, the groove having opposing walls extending from the groove bottom to a top of the groove at said one of said opposite surfaces in which the groove is formed, the groove having a width measured from one of said opposing walls to the other of said opposing walls in a direction parallel to one of said opposite surfaces, the width at the groove top being no less than the width at the groove bottom; wherein a thickness T2, defining a thinnest one of the groove thicknesses from the groove bottom to the other of said opposite surfaces in which the groove is formed, ranges from 0.05 mm to 0.7 mm, wherein groove walls are disposed relative to one another at an angle θ measured from one of said opposing walls to the other of said opposing walls, the angle θ ranging from 0째 to no more than 120째, and wherein a ratio (L/T2) of the thickness L of said plug plate body to said thickness T2 is equal to or greater than 2. 29. A plug for a container containing a photographic processing chemical, wherein the plug is for a drain port of the container, said plug comprising: a plug plate body adapted for mounting in an opening of the drain port and plugging the drain port when mounted therein, the plug plate body having a central portion and an external edge, and a low strength portion where strength is decreased by a plurality of radial portions formed radiating out from substantially the central portion of said plug plate body toward the external edge thereof, and a plurality of curved portions, wherein the radial portions each include an end tip, and each of said plurality of curved portions extends in an arcuate shape continuing from the end tip of each of said radial portions, respectively, each of said plurality of curved portions including an end tip, and the low strength portion including a circumferential portion extending from the end tip of each of said plurality of curved portions, respectively, in a direction along an edge of the opening of said drain port to form a circular arc shape and wherein each radial portion has a length L1 in the range description="In-line Formulae" end="lead" 0≦L1≦(4/5)횞R1description="In-line Formulae" end="tail" wherein groove walls are disposed relative to one another at an angle θ measured from one of said opposing walls to the other of said opposing walls, the angle θ ranging from 0째 to no more than 120째, and wherein a ratio (L/T2) of the thickness L of said plug plate body to said thickness T2 is equal to or greater than 2. 30. A plug for a drain port in a container for holding a material, the plug comprising: a substantially flat plug plate body, having each portion thereof being formed of a same chemical composition, adapted for mounting in said drain port and plugging said drain port when mounted therein, said plug plate body including opposite surfaces having a thickness L defined between the opposite surfaces from one of said opposite surfaces to the other of said opposite surfaces, and at least one groove having one of a substantially rectangular shape, a substantially trapezoidal shape and a substantially V-shape and formed transversely in one of said opposite surfaces, the at least one groove having at least two different depths therein, one depth being a low strength portion where strength is decreased relative to the other depth of the groove by changing a groove thickness, which is defined from a groove bottom to the other of said opposite surfaces, the low strength portion being formed within a predetermined range from a center of said plug plate body, the groove having opposing walls extending from the groove bottom to a top of the groove at said one of said opposite surfaces in which the groove is formed, the groove having a width measured from one of said opposing walls to the other of said opposing walls in a direction parallel to one of said opposite surfaces, the width at the top of the groove being no less than the width at the groove bottom; wherein a thickness T2, defining a thinnest one of the groove thicknesses from the groove bottom to the other of said opposite surfaces in which the groove is formed, ranges from 0.05 mm to 0.7 mm, groove is formed, ranges from 0.05 mm to 0.7 mm, and a ratio (L/T2) of the thickness L of said plug plate body to said thickness T2 is equal to or greater than 2. 31. A container for holding a material, the container comprising: (a) a drain port; and (b) a plug having each portion thereof being formed of a same chemical composition, disposed in the drain port, the plug having a substantially flat frangible body plugging said drain port, the frangible body having opposite surfaces and a thickness L measured between the opposite surfaces from one of said opposite surfaces to the other of said opposite surfaces, and including at least two grooves having different groove thicknesses, each thickness is defined from a bottom of the groove to one of said opposite surfaces which does not include the groove, at least one of said grooves having one of a substantially rectangular shape, a substantially trapezoidal shape and a substantially V-shape and formed transversely in one of said opposite surfaces, the at least one groove having opposing walls extending from the bottom of the groove to a top of the groove at said one of said opposite surfaces in which the groove is formed, the at least one groove having a width measured from one of said opposing wall to the other of said opposing walls in a direction parallel to one of the opposite surfaces, the width at the top of the groove being no less than at the bottom of the groove; wherein a thickness T2, defining a thinnest one among all of the groove thicknesses from the bottom of the groove to the other of said opposite surfaces in which the groove is formed, ranges from 0.05 mm to 0.7 mm; at least one set of opposing groove walls being disposed relative to one another at an angle θ measured from one of said opposing walls to the other of said opposing walls, the angle θ ranging from 0째 to no more than 120째, and wherein a ratio (L/T2) of the thickness L of said frangible body to said thickness T2 is equal to or greater than 2. 32. A plug for a container containing a photographic processing chemical, wherein the plug is for a drain port of the container, said plug comprising: a substantially fiat plug plate body, having each portion thereof being formed of a same chemical composition, adapted for mounting in said drain port and plugging said drain port when mounted therein, said plug plate body including opposite surfaces having a thickness, L defined between the opposite surfaces from one of said opposite surfaces to the other of said opposite surfaces, and including at least two grooves having different groove thicknesses, each thickness is defined from a bottom of the groove to one of said opposite surfaces which does not include the groove, at least one of the grooves having one of a substantially rectangular shape, a substantially trapezoidal shape and a substantially V-shape and formed transversely in one of said opposite surfaces, the at least one groove having opposing walls extending from the bottom of the groove to a top of the groove at said one of said opposite surfaces in which the groove is formed, the at least one groove having a width measured from one of said opposing walls to the other of said opposing walls in a direction parallel to one of said opposite surfaces, the width at the top of the groove being no less than the width at the bottom of the groove; wherein a thickness T2, defining a thinnest one of the groove thicknesses from the bottom of the groove to the other of said opposite surfaces in which the groove is formed, ranges from 0.05 mm to 0. 7 mm, at least one set of opposing groove walls are disposed relative to one another at an angle e measured from one of said opposing walls to the other of said opposing walls, the angle θ ranging from 0째 to no more than 120째, and wherein a ratio (L/T2) of the thickness L of said plug plate body to said thickness T2 is equal to or greater than 2. 33. A plug for a drain port in a container for holding a material, the plug comprising: a substantially flat plug plate body, having each portion thereof being formed of a same chemical composition, adapted for mounting in said drain port and plugging said drain port when mounted therein, said plug plate body including opposite surfaces having a thickness L defined between the opposite surfaces from one of said opposite surfaces to the other of said opposite surfaces, and at least two grooves having a difference in one of a) shape of cross-section and b) size of the shape of the cross-section; wherein a thickness T2, defining a thinnest one among all groove thicknesses from a bottom of the groove to the other of said opposite surfaces in which the where R1 is an inner radius of a sealing disc portion. 34. A container for holding a material, the container comprising: (a) a drain port; and (b) a plug having each portion thereof being formed of a same chemical composition, disposed in the drain port, the plug having a substantially flat frangible body plugging said drain port, the frangible body having opposite surfaces and a thickness L measured between the opposite surfaces from one of said opposite surfaces to the other of said opposite surfaces, and at least two grooves having a difference in one of a) shape of cross-section and b) size of the shape of the cross-section; wherein a thickness T2, defining a thinnest one among all groove thicknesses from a bottom of the groove to the other of said opposite surfaces in which the groove is formed, ranges from 0.05 mm to 0. 7 mm, and a ratio (L/T2) of the thickness L of said frangible body to said thickness T2 is equal to or greater than 2. 35. A plug for a container containing a photographic processing chemical, wherein the plug is for a drain port of the container, said plug comprising: a substantially flat plug plate body, having each portion thereof being formed of a same chemical composition, adapted for mounting in said drain port and plugging said drain port when mounted therein, said plug plate body including opposite surfaces having a thickness L defined between the opposite surfaces from one of said opposite surfaces to the other of said opposite surfaces, and at least two grooves having a difference in one of a) shape of cross-section and b) size of the shape of the cross-section; wherein a thickness T2, defining a thinnest one among all groove thicknesses from a bottom of the groove to the other of said opposite surfaces in which the groove is formed, ranges from 0.05 mm to 0. 7 mm, and a ratio of the thickness L of said plug plate body to said thickness T2 is equal to or greater than 2. 36. A plug according to claim 9, wherein a radius of curvature R2 of the curved portion and an internal circumference R1 of the sealing disc portion satisfies the following relationship: description="In-line Formulae" end="lead" R1/5≦R2.description="In-line Formulae" end="tail" 37. A container according to claim 14, wherein a radius of curvature R2 of the curved portion and an internal circumference R1 of the sealing disc portion satisfies the following relationship: description="In-line Formulae" end="lead" R1/5≦R2.description="In-line Formulae" end="tail" 38. A plug for a container according to claim 29, wherein a radius of curvature R2 of the curved portion and an internal circumference R1 of the sealing disc portion satisfies the following relationship: description="In-line Formulae" end="lead" R1/5≦R2.description="In-line Formulae" end="tail" 39. A plug according to claim 9, further comprising at least one thin portion which is provided along an internal circumference of the sealing disc portion. 40. A container according to claim 14, further comprising at least one thin portion which is provided along an internal circumference of the sealing disc portion. 41. A plug for a container according to claim 29, further comprising at least one thin portion which is provided along an internal circumference of the sealing disc portion. 42. A plug according to claim 39, wherein the at least one thin portion is formed to have a substantially arcuate shape as seen from a plan view. 43. A container according to claim 40, wherein the at least one thin portion is formed to have a substantially arcuate shape as seen from a plan view. 44. A plug for a container according to claim 41, wherein the at least one thin portion is formed to have a substantially arcuate shape as seen from a plan view. 45. A plug according to claim 30, wherein one of the at least one groove(s) is a thin portion formed to have a substantially arcuate shape as seen from a plan view. 46. A container according to claim 31, wherein one of the at least one groove(s) is a thin portion formed to have a substantially arcuate shape as seen from a plan view. 47. A plug for a container according to claim 32, wherein one of the at least one groove is a thin portion formed to have a substantially arcuate shape as seen from a plan view. 48. A plug according to claim 33, wherein one of the at least one groove(s) is a thin portion formed to have a substantially arcuate shape as seen from a plan view. 49. A container according to claim 34, wherein one of the at least one groove(s) is a thin portion formed to have a substantially arcuate shape as seen from a plan view. 50. A plug for a container according to claim 35, wherein one of the at least one groove is a thin portion formed to have a substantially arcuate shape as seen from a plan view. 51. A plug for a drain port in a container for holding a material, the plug comprising: a substantially flat plug plate body, having each portion thereof being formed of a same chemical composition, adapted for mounting in said drain port and plugging said drain port when mounted therein, said plug plate body including opposite surfaces having a thickness L defined between the opposite surfaces from one of said opposite surfaces to the other of said opposite surfaces, and having thin portions, with reduced strength, at a circumferential portion and at a central portion of a plane of the plug plate body, the thin portions at the circumferential portion and the thin portions at the central portion being different in one of a) thickness, b) shape of cross-section and c) size of the shape of the cross-section; wherein one of the thin portions at the central portion is formed linearly with a straight line, a curved line or combination of the straight line and the curved line extending toward an external edge from an essential center portion of the plug plate body when seen from a plan view, wherein one of the thin portions at the circumferential portion is formed to have a substantially arcuate shape as seen from a plan view, and wherein a thickness T2, defining a minimum thickness of the thin portions, ranges from 0.05 mm to 0.7 mm, and a ratio (L/T 2) of the thickness L of said plug plate body to said thickness T 2 is equal to or greater than 2. 52. A container for holding a material, the container comprising: (a) a drain port; and (b) a plug having each portion thereof being formed of a same chemical composition, disposed in the drain port, the plug having a substantially flat frangible body plugging said drain port, the frangible body having opposite surfaces and a thickness L measured between the opposite surfaces from one of said opposite surfaces to the other of said opposite surfaces, and having thin portions, with reduced strength, at a circumferential portion and at a central portion of a plane of the plug plate body, the thin portions at the circumferential portion and the thin portions at the central portion being different in one of a) thickness, b) shape of cross-section and c) size of the shape of the cross-section; wherein one of the thin portions at the central portion is formed linearly with a straight line, a curved line or combination of the straight line and the curved line extending toward an external edge from an essential center portion of the plug plate body when seen from a plan view, wherein one of the thin portions at the circumferential portion is formed to have a substantially arcuate shape as seen from a plan view, and wherein a thickness T2, defining a minimum thickness of the thin portions, ranges from 0.05 mm to 0.7 mm, and a ratio (L/T 2) of the thickness L of said frangible body to said thickness T 2 is equal to or greater than 2. 53. A plug for a container containing a photographic processing chemical, wherein the plug is for a drain port of the container, said plug comprising: a substantially flat plug plate body, having each portion thereof being formed of a same chemical composition, adapted for mounting in said drain port and plugging said drain port when mounted therein, said plug plate body including opposite surfaces having a thickness L defined between the opposite surfaces from one of said opposite surfaces to the other of said opposite surfaces, and having thin portions, with reduced strength at a circumferential portion and at a central portion of a plane of the plug plate body, the thin portions at the circumferential portion and the thin portions at the central portion being different in one of a) thickness, b) shape of cross-section and c) size of the shape of the cross-section; wherein one of the thin portions at the central portion is formed linearly with a straight line, a curved line or combination of the straight line and the curved line extending toward an external edge from an essential center portion of the plug plate body when seen from a plan view, wherein one of the thin portions at the circumferential portion is formed to have a substantially arcuate shape as seen from a plan view, and wherein a thickness T2, defining a minimum thickness of the thin portions, ranges from 0.05 mm to 0.7 mm, and a ratio (L/T 2) of the thickness L of said plug plate body to said thickness T 2 is equal to or greater than 2.