Container assembly

Abstract

Provided is a container and a container assembly, which can significantly suppress deformation of the container even when the internal pressure of the container becomes high pressure, can achieve stable liquid delivery, and can be used in cooperation with a liquid delivery device that does not have a container support tool, by a liquid delivery device, when a high-pressure gas is used to deliver a liquid, and has high versatility. A container 10 includes a body portion 12 that is substantially cylindrical, a cylinder mouth 11 that is located at one end of the body portion 12 and is open, a step portion 13 that is connected to and continuous with the other end of the body portion 12 and gradually decreases in diameter, and a circular bottom portion 15 that is connected to and continuous with the step portion 13 and expands in a direction away from the step portion 13. A series of parting lines that encompass the body portion 12, the step portion 13, and the circular bottom portion 15 are recessed at positions that do not overlap the parting lines, and a plurality of recesses 14 for engaging with a paw portion of a support table that makes the container self-standing are intermittently formed in the step portion 13.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to a container that stores a liquid, and a container assembly including the container. BACKGROUND

[0002] Industrial high-purity chemicals such as photoresists or cleaning agents used in semiconductor manufacturing and liquid crystal display manufacturing, and liquids such as food materials, are stored in containers in a high-purity state so that foreign matter does not mix in or deteriorate. These liquids are stored, transported, and discharged from the containers using a liquid delivery device.

[0003] The bottom surface of such a container is generally flat to allow the container to stand upright. A known pressure delivery method is to insert a liquid delivery tube and a gas supply tube into the container, and to deliver gas from the gas supply tube into the container. The gas increases the internal pressure of the container and delivers the liquid into the liquid delivery tube, discharging the liquid from the container. In this case, a high-pressure gas of 100 to 200 kPa is often required to deliver a liquid having a high viscosity that is difficult to flow. If the internal pressure of a container having a flat bottom surface increases due to the high-pressure gas, the bottom surface expands and bulges, causing the container to tilt. If the amount of liquid remaining in the container is small, the liquid does not reach the tip of the liquid delivery tube due to deformation of the bottom surface or tilting of the container, and it is not possible to discharge all of the liquid stored in the container from the container.

[0004] In Patent Document 1, a container having a semispherical bottom surface and a support table (support tool) that allows the container to stand upright are described. A groove is continuously provided on the outer wall of the container in the circumferential direction, and a convex portion is provided on the inner circumferential surface of the support table. The container and the support table are fitted together by engaging the groove with the convex portion. Since the bottom surface of the container is semispherical, the internal pressure of the container caused by the high-pressure gas is applied uniformly to the bottom surface. At this time, the entire bottom surface is elongated downward by the pressure of the high-pressure gas, and the groove is also elongated like the extension of a volute spring. As a result, the groove is pushed out of the convex portion of the support tool, and the engagement with the convex portion is lost. Consequently, the container falls from the support table and tilts, and it is not possible to stably perform pressure delivery.

[0005] In Patent Literature 2, there is described a liquid container provided with a container body having a circular bottom, and a support table having a through portion at the center and capable of supporting the container body so as to be upright. A surrounding groove is provided in the container body so as to engage with the support table. The liquid container is used in a liquid delivery device provided with a base having a protrusion portion fitted in the through portion of the support table and abutting against the circular bottom, and a pressing member pressing the upper end of the container body. Since the container body is sandwiched by the protrusion portion of the base and the pressing member of the liquid delivery device, even if the internal pressure of the container body is increased, the surrounding groove is not elongated, and the container body is not separated from the support table. However, the liquid container of Patent Literature 2 uses high-pressure gas to pressurize and deliver the liquid in the container, and therefore requires the liquid delivery device provided with the protrusion portion and the pressing member, and thus the liquid delivery device capable of accommodating the container is limited, and cannot be widely used.

[0006] Prior Art Patent Literature

[0007] Patent Literature 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open (JP-A) No. 58-76899

[0008] Patent Literature 2: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open (JP-A) No. 2011-098736 SUMMARY

[0009] PROBLEMS TO BE SOLVED BY THE INVENTION

[0010] The present application is to solve the foregoing problems, and provides a container and a container assembly, which can significantly suppress deformation of the container, stabilize delivery of liquid, and can be used with a liquid delivery device not provided with a container support tool, when the liquid is delivered using high-pressure gas, and thus has high versatility.

[0011] MEANS OF SOLVING THE PROBLEM

[0012] The container of the present application for housing a liquid and delivering the liquid, comprising:

[0013] a body portion in a substantially cylindrical shape;

[0014] a cylinder opening at one end of the body portion and being open;

[0015] a step portion connected to the other end of the body portion and being continuous therewith and gradually reduced in diameter; and

[0016] a circular bottom portion connected to the step portion and being continuous therewith and expanded in a direction away from the step portion,

[0017] a series of parting lines encompassing the body portion, the step portion, and the circular bottom portion are recessed at positions not overlapping the parting lines,

[0018] In the step portion, a plurality of recesses for engaging with a claw portion of a support table that stands the container are intermittently formed,

[0019] The recesses are substantially oblong in the circumferential direction of the body portion, and the total length of the plurality of recesses in the circumferential direction accounts for 20 to 50% of the outermost circumferential length of the body portion.

[0020] The recesses of the container are at four positions of 20 to 45° from the parting line on the central axis of the body portion, and the four positions are symmetrically sandwiching the parting line, or at six positions of 60° from the parting line, and the six positions are symmetrically sandwiching the parting line.

[0021] The container assembly of the present application has a body portion including a barrel portion; a neck portion provided near the spout and having a smaller diameter than the barrel portion, and a handle fitted and / or screwed to the outside of the neck portion.

[0022] The container assembly includes any of the above containers; and

[0023] A support table that stands the container includes an opening that fits the circular bottom portion, and a claw portion that extends from the periphery of the opening and engages with the recesses.

[0024] Effects of the Invention

[0025] The container and the container assembly of the present application can stably perform liquid pressure feeding without the support table falling off the container, even if the container is under high pressure during liquid pressure feeding, because the recesses for engaging with the claw portion of the support table are intermittently formed at specific positions and do not elongate or deform due to pressure.

[0026] Further, the container and the container assembly can correspond to various liquid feeding devices and have high versatility, because the container itself does not elongate in the central axis direction during liquid pressure feeding, and the liquid feeding device does not need a container support tool to suppress deformation of the container. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0027] Figure 1 is a front view and a cross-sectional view along the A-A direction of the container of the present application;

[0028] Figure 2 is a perspective view and an exploded perspective view of the container assembly of the present application;

[0029] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of another example of the container of the present application;

[0030] Figure 4 is a sectional view of the container of Comparative Example 1 of the present application;

[0031] Figure 5 is a perspective view of the containers of Comparative Examples 2 and 4 of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] Hereinafter, a specific embodiment of the present application will be described in detail, but the scope of the present application is not limited thereto.

[0033] Figure 1 represents an example of the container 10 of the present application. Figure 1 (a) is a front view of the container 10, Figure 1 (b) is a sectional view along the A-A direction in Fig. (a). The container 10 houses a liquid and is a pressure-feed container capable of withstanding a maximum pressure of 200 kPa. The container 10 includes a body portion 12 in a cylindrical shape, a spout 11 at an upper end of the body portion and opened, a step portion 13 connected to a lower end of the body portion 12, and a circular bottom portion 15 extending in a direction away from the step portion 13 and bulging downward to be substantially hemispherical. An inner space of the container 10 is communicated with the outside via the spout 11. The opening is provided opposite to a lower end of an inner wall of the circular bottom portion 15.

[0034] The body portion 12 further includes an upper end portion 12a in which the spout 11 is formed, a neck portion 12b extending from a lower end of the upper end portion 12a, and a trunk portion 12c further extending downward from a lower end of the neck portion 12b. The trunk portion 12c is gradually reduced in diameter toward the neck portion 12b. Male threads 12a1, 12b1 are respectively provided on outer peripheral surfaces of the upper end portion 12a and the neck portion 12b.

[0035] The container 10 is manufactured using a resin and formed by direct blow molding. In the direct blow molding, first, a tubular resin material, which is called a parison and is extruded while being melted at a high temperature, is gripped using a split mold carved with a desired shape, and a pinch-off portion is formed by crushing and cutting the lower end of the parison with the mold. The crushed and cut portion becomes the bottom of the container. Next, compressed air is sent into the parison by a blow pin, and the parison is pushed and attached to the inner wall of the mold while being expanded, thereby forming the container. A parting line PL of the fitting interface trace of the split mold is formed continuously from the upper end portion 12a, the neck portion 12b, the trunk portion 12c, the step portion 13, and the circular bottom portion 15.

[0036] Since the container 10 is a direct blow molded product, the wall thickness near the parting line PL at the step portion 13 directly continuous with the circular bottom portion 15 is thicker than the wall thickness of other portions on the same circumference. This thick wall portion increases rigidity, making it difficult for the container to deform.

[0037] As Figure 1 (a) shown in the front view, from the lower end of the body portion 12 to the step portion 13, at four positions across the parting line PL, and the four positions are symmetrically sandwiching the parting line PL, recessed portions 14 are formed toward the central axis direction of the container 10 from the outside of the container 10 at the four positions. The four recessed portions 14 do not overlap the parting line PL, and at the step portion 13, are formed side by side in the circumferential direction of the container 10. The recessed portions 14 engage with the claw portions 21 (refer to Figure 2 ) of the support table 20 described later. The container 10 is thereby connected with the support table 20, and the container 10 is made to stand upright. The four recessed portions 14 are all the same shape, and are slightly longer circular shapes in which the length H in the circumferential direction of the body portion 12 (circumferential direction length H) is longer than the length V in the central axis direction of the body portion 12 (central axis direction length V), that is, the central axis direction of the container 10.

[0038] The center point h of the length H in the circumferential direction of the recessed portion 14 is located at a position apart from the boundary θ angle of the parting line PL of the body portion 12 and the step portion 13. That is, in the cross section at the boundary of the body portion 12 and the step portion 13 of the container 10, it can be seen that the four recessed portions 14 are each disposed apart at the smallest angle θ with the baseline Y connecting the two parting lines PL with a straight line passing through the central axis C of the container 10 as a reference. In Figure 1 (b), the angle θ is 30°.

[0039] Therefore, the plurality of recessed portions 14 are not connected integrally, but are intermittently disposed, so that when the liquid accommodated in the container 10 is pressure fed, the pressure of the introduced high pressure gas can also suppress the elongation of the recessed portions 14 toward the central axis direction length V, maintain the engagement between the recessed portions 14 and the claw portions 21, and the support table 20 will not fall off from the container 10. Also, since the recessed portions 14 will not elongate due to the high pressure, the container 10 will also not elongate in the central axis direction ( Figure 1 ) in (a), and the overall height of the container 10 will hardly change under normal pressure and under high pressure. Therefore, the container 10 can be used in various types of liquid feeding devices regardless of the presence or absence of a container support tool for suppressing deformation of the container, and thus has high versatility. As described above, the container 10 of the present application will not elongate the surrounding groove continuously recessed along the outer circumference of the container as in the conventional known container, will not cause the support table to fall off from the container under high pressure, or will not increase the overall height, and does not require a container support tool for the liquid feeding device.

[0040] When the container 10 has four recesses 14, the angle θ is preferably selected to be 20 to 45°, further preferably 20 to 40°, more preferably 20 to 30°, and most preferably 30°. Also, preferably, the plurality of angles θ are all the same. If the angle θ falls within this range, the recesses 14 can be disposed in the vicinity of the parting line PL where the wall thickness is thick and deformation is difficult.

[0041] As Figure 1 (b) shown, the four recesses 14 are disposed in point symmetry with the center axis C as the point of symmetry, in line symmetry with the base line Y as the axis, and / or in line symmetry with the base line X that perpendicularly intersects the base line Y and the center axis C as the axis, the high pressure at the time of pressure feeding is applied equally to each of the recesses 14, and thus the elongation of the container 10 can be effectively suppressed. In addition, when the claw portion 21 of the support table 20 disposed at a position corresponding to each of the recesses 14 engages with the recess 14, it is only necessary to align the positions of the pair of the recess 14 and the claw portion 21, and the container 10 can be coupled to the support table 20.

[0042] The total of the circumferential direction length H of the recess 14 with respect to the outermost circumferential length D of the body portion 12 (the longest circumference in the outer circumference of the body portion 12, refer to Figure 2 (a)), that is, the occupancy ratio of the circumferential direction length H of the recess 14 in the outermost circumferential length D of the body portion 12 is represented by the occupancy ratio = (H x N / D) x 100 if the number of the recesses 14 is N. The occupancy ratio is preferably 10 to 90%, further preferably 15 to 75%, and more preferably 20 to 50%. If the occupancy ratio falls within this range, the recess 14 and the claw portion 21 can be securely engaged, and the elongation of the recess 14 due to the high pressure applied to the inside of the container 10 can be suppressed. The circumferential direction length H is the outer circumferential length of the body portion 12 that is partially missing due to the presence of the recess 14.

[0043] The outermost circumferential length of the body portion 12 is determined in accordance with the outer diameter of the body portion 12, and the outer diameter of the body portion 12 can be arbitrarily set in accordance with the required capacity of the container 10. The capacity of the container 10 is specifically 3 to 20 L, and more specifically 3 to 10 L. The outer diameter of the body portion 12 is, for example, set to 120 to 360 mm. In addition, the center axis direction length V of the recess 14 is not particularly limited, and is set to 4 to 15 mm.

[0044] When the liquid is sent by the pressure, the liquid sending pipe (not shown) is inserted straight from the mouth 11 to the circular bottom 15, and the liquid sending pipe is positioned so that a slight gap is present between the front end thereof and the inner wall surface of the top of the circular bottom 15. As the liquid in the container 10 is discharged by the pressure, the liquid remaining in the container 10 is accumulated on the top of the circular bottom 15 which is slightly hemispherical. Since the front end of the liquid sending pipe is positioned near the top of the circular bottom 15, the amount of liquid remaining can be significantly reduced.

[0045] Also, even if the high pressure gas introduced into the container 10 during the pressure causes high pressure in the container 10, since the bottom surface of the container 10 is slightly hemispherical, the pressure applied to the inner wall surface of the circular bottom 15 is dispersed, thereby suppressing deformation of the bottom surface. The radius of curvature of the inner wall surface of the circular bottom 15 is preferably 1 to 5 times, further preferably 1 to 4 times, and more preferably 1 to 3 times the value obtained by dividing the outermost length D by 2π (i.e., the radius of the body portion 12c).

[0046] Figure 2 (a) is a perspective view of the container assembly 100 of the present application, Figure 2 (b) is an exploded perspective view of the container assembly 100. The container assembly 100 is composed of the container 10, the support stand 20, and the handle 30. The support stand 20 and the handle 30 are each made of the same resin as the container 10.

[0047] The support stand 20 is a flat cylindrical body having an opening at the upper end thereof. Also, the outer diameter of the support stand 20 is the same as the outermost diameter of the body portion 12 of the container 10. At the peripheral portion of the opening of the support stand 20, a claw portion 21 is provided at a position corresponding to the recessed portion 14, and the claw portion 21 extends upward from the side wall portion of the support stand 20. The claw portion 21 is curved hook-like toward the central axis of the support stand 20. Since the support stand 20 is made of resin, the claw portion 21 has a slight flexibility. Therefore, when the container 10 is coupled to the support stand 20, the claw portion 21 comes into abutment with the upper end of the circular bottom 15, is bent, and slightly expands outward from the side of the support stand 20, and is engaged in the recess of the recessed portion 14. The container 10 and the support stand 20 are coupled only by the engagement between the claw portion 21 and the recessed portion 14, and therefore, can be easily attached and detached as needed. Also, the outer diameter of the support stand 20 can be smaller than the outermost diameter of the body portion 12.

[0048] The handle 30 includes a ring-shaped portion 31 that is ring-shaped and has a circular opening and is mounted at the neck portion 12b in a manner surrounding the neck portion 12b, and a grip portion 32 that is a portion of the outer periphery of the ring-shaped portion 31 and is elongated in the diametrical direction of the ring-shaped portion 31. The ring-shaped portion 31 includes a mounting hole 31a through the neck portion 12b, and a female screw 31b provided on the inner wall surface of the ring-shaped portion 31. A round opening for a finger through hook hole 32a is provided in the grip portion 32. The openings of the mounting hole 31a and the finger through hook hole 32a are perpendicular to each other. The handle 30 is detachably mounted to the container 10 by screwing the male screw 12b1 and the female screw 31b to each other. The handle 30 is mounted to the container 10 as needed, for example, when an operator is carrying the container 10, the operator carries the container assembly 100 by inserting fingers through the finger through hook hole 32a and picking up the container assembly 100.

[0049] The handle 30 is not integrally formed with the container 10, but is a member independent of the container 10. Therefore, the container 10 is point-symmetrical about the central axis thereof (except for the male screws 12a1 and 12b1). As a result, when the container 10 is manufactured by direct blow molding, the deviation of the wall thickness of the container 10 can be prevented (except for the bottom portion 15 and the pinch-off portion formed in the vicinity thereof), and the deformation at the time of pressure feeding can be effectively suppressed.

[0050] In Figure 1 and Figure 2 , although the case in which the recesses 14 are four is shown, the number of the recesses 14 can be plural, and specifically, can be two to six. In Figure 3 (a), an example in which the recesses 14 are two is shown, in Figure 3 (b), an example in which the recesses 14 are three is shown, in Figure 3 (c), an example in which the recesses 14 are five is shown, and in Figure 3 (d), an example in which the recesses 14 are six is shown. These drawings are end surface views in which the body portion 12 and the step portion 13 of the container 10 are cut, and the end surface of the step portion 13 is shown emulating Figure 1 (b).

[0051] In the two recesses 14 in Figure 3 (a), the recesses 14 are provided at angles θ = 45° from the parting line PL at the boundary between the body portion 12 and the step portion 13, and at positions point-symmetrical about the central axis C of the container 10. In Figure 3 (b), the three recesses 14 are arranged at angles θ1 = 120° from each other, and are provided symmetrically with respect to a base line X perpendicular to a base line Y. In Figure 3The recesses 14 in (c) are each arranged at an angle θ1 = 72° apart from each other and are disposed at positions symmetrically opposite with respect to the base line X. In Figure 3 The recesses 14 in (d) are each arranged at an angle θ1 = 60° apart from each other and are disposed at positions symmetrically opposite with respect to the base lines X and Y. In either case, the recesses 14 are intermittently disposed at equal or unequal intervals in the horizontal direction of the container 10 and do not overlap the parting line PL.

[0052] The material of the container 10 is a thermoplastic resin. The container 10 can be a single-layer structure or a multi-layer structure. In either the single-layer structure or the multi-layer structure, preferably, the thermoplastic resin of the container 10 has a flexural modulus of at least 700 MPa. When the container 10 has a multi-layer structure, it is sufficient that the entire resin forming the multi-layer structure has the above-described flexural modulus. The container 10 formed of the thermoplastic resin having a flexural modulus of at least 700 MPa is capable of pressurizing a liquid with a gas of at most 200 kPa without causing breakage or substantial deformation of the container. The flexural modulus can be found in accordance with JIS K7171 (2016).

[0053] The thicker the wall thickness of the container 10, the higher the strength of the container. On the other hand, if the wall thickness is too thick, not only more raw materials are required, but also the weight of the container becomes too heavy. Therefore, as long as the container 10 can be formed using a resin material having a flexural modulus of at least 700 MPa and the necessary strength can be ensured, the wall thickness of the container 10 is preferably thin. As an example, the wall thickness of the body portion 12c of the container 10 can be 0.8 to 4 mm.

[0054] The material of the container 10 can be a high-purity thermoplastic resin. When the container 10 has a multi-layer structure, at least the material of the inner surface can be a high-purity thermoplastic resin. The container 10 formed of a high-purity thermoplastic resin is suitable for containing a liquid such as a semiconductor material, a semiconductor manufacturing liquid, and a food material, which requires a high degree of cleanliness. The so-called high-purity thermoplastic resin is a resin in which the number of impurity particles that are eluted into a liquid contained in the container 10 does not exceed a specific reference value. As an index representing the reference value, there is known a cleanliness. The cleanliness is a degree of quality deterioration of a liquid caused by elution of impurity particles into the liquid contained in the container over a long period of time. The cleanliness is obtained by finding the number of particles present in 1 mL of the contained liquid after the container containing ultrapure water or a resist liquid is inspected for a certain period of time. The particles as the object are particles having a particle size of 0.3, 0.2, 0.1, and / or 0.06 μm or more. Specifically, it is defined by the following mathematical expression (1).

[0055] [Expression 1]

[0056]

[0057] In the mathematical expression (1), a is the volume of the inspection container, and b is the amount of the sample liquid taken from the inspection container. First, the sample liquid for measuring the initial cleanliness is taken as follows. In the inspection container of volume a (mL), half of the volume, i.e., a / 2 (mL) of ultrapure water or resist liquid is charged, and shaking is performed for 15 seconds, and after standing for 24 hours, the sample is taken. The sample liquid for measuring the cleanliness after storage is taken after the container is installed with a stopper after the initial cleanliness measurement, and is left to stand for a certain period, and after the container is rotated 3 times in a manner that no bubbles are generated, the sample is taken. c is the value counted by the particle counter for the particles contained in the entire amount of the sample liquid. Based on this value, the initial and the cleanliness after storage for a certain period are calculated from the expression (1). The lower the value of the cleanliness, the better the quality of the resist liquid. If the cleanliness is not more than 100 particles / mL, it means that the storage has not caused the quality of the resist liquid to deteriorate. Such a resist liquid does not cause the quality and yield of semiconductor or liquid crystal display (LCD) to deteriorate.

[0058] As the high-purity thermoplastic resin forming the container 10, when the container 10 is selected as the inspection container for cleanliness measurement, a resin satisfying a specific cleanliness is selected. When the resist liquid is stored, a resin having a cleanliness of not more than 100 particles / mL (one example of a specific reference value) is used. In other words, the high-purity thermoplastic resin means a resin in which the impurity particles exuded into the liquid do not exceed a specific reference value. Depending on the applicable specifications, a resin having a cleanliness of not more than 200 particles / mL can also be used. Furthermore, a resin having a cleanliness of not more than 50 particles / mL, not more than 10 particles / mL, not more than 5 particles / mL, or not more than 3 particles / mL can also be used. In addition, the stopper (not shown) of the container is preferably formed of a high-purity thermoplastic resin.

[0059] Furthermore, in addition to the cleanliness, the degree of exudation of the impurity particles can also be specified in terms of the degree of reduction in the transparency of the liquid (another example of a specific reference value).

[0060] The resin forming the container 10 is, for example, a polyolefin such as polyethylene and polypropylene, a polyamide, a polyvinyl alcohol, a poly(ethylene-co-vinyl alcohol), a polyester, a polyphenylene ether, or the like. One or two or more kinds of these resins can be used to form a single-layer container, or a plurality of kinds of these resins can be used to form a multilayer container. Of these, polyethylene is preferred. Specifically, linear polyethylene (LLDPE) of a copolymer of ethylene and an α-olefin, and high-density polyethylene (HDPE) can be mentioned. From the viewpoints of rigidity and cleanliness, it is more preferred that the container 10 be formed of high-density polyethylene. Furthermore, from the viewpoint of environmental protection, it is more preferred that a resin capable of material recycle be used.

[0061] The melt flow rate of the high-density polyethylene is preferably 0.01 to 3.0 g / 10 minutes, and further preferably 0.05 to 2.0 g / 10 minutes. Furthermore, the density thereof is preferably 0.940 to 0.970 g / cm3, and further preferably 0.950 to 0.960 g / cm3. In addition, the melt flow rate can be found according to JIS K6760 (1995).

[0062] The surface of at least the inner wall of the container 10 can be made of a resin of polyethylene or an ethylene-α-olefin copolymer having a density of 0.940 to 0.970 g / cm3. More preferably, the resin has a weight average molecular weight of 10 x 104 to 30 x 104 as measured by gel permeation chromatography, and a content of a polymer having a molecular weight of 1 x 103 or less is not more than 2.5% by mass, and the content of a neutralizing agent, an antioxidant, and a light-resistant stabilizer as quantified by liquid chromatography is each not more than 0.01% by mass. Here, preferably, the α-olefin can be at least one selected from the group consisting of propylene, butene-1, 4-methyl-pentene-1, hexene-1, and octene-1. If these resins are used, a container 10 having high mechanical strength, excellent handling properties, and little elution of impurity particles of a liquid contained therein can be obtained.

[0063] The material of the container 10 is preferably a resin composition containing polyethylene or ethylene-α-olefin copolymer having a density of 0.940 to 0.970 g / cm3, a neutralizing agent, an antioxidant, and a light-resistant stabilizer, a light-shielding pigment containing inorganic and / or organic pigments, and a dispersant of an olefin polymer having a number average molecular weight of 2 x 103 or more. The resin preferably has a weight average molecular weight of 10 x 104 to 30 x 104 as measured by gel permeation chromatography, and has a molecular weight of 1 x 103 or less in an amount of not more than 5 mass%. The neutralizing agent, the antioxidant, and the light-resistant stabilizer are preferably contained in the resin composition in an amount of not more than 0.01 mass% each. As the inorganic pigment, at least one selected from titanium oxide, carbon black, and iron oxide (bengala) can be used, and as the organic pigment, at least one selected from phthalocyanine, quinacridone, and azo organic pigments can be used. The light-shielding pigment is preferably contained in the resin composition in an amount of 0.01 to 5 mass%. The dispersant of the olefin polymer is preferably contained in an amount of not more than 5 mass%. These resin compositions make it possible to obtain the container 10 that exhibits high mechanical strength, has excellent handling properties, contains very few impurity particles that can be eluted into a liquid to be stored, and prevents deterioration of the liquid due to light. Such a container 10 is suitable for use with a liquid chemical for semiconductor manufacturing and the above-described solvent for pharmaceutical manufacturing.

[0064] The container 10 can have a layer structure of an inner layer, an intermediate layer, and an outer layer. In this case, the inner layer is preferably made of a high-purity resin containing at least one selected from the group consisting of an olefin polymer exemplified by ethylene, propylene, butene-1, 4-methyl-pentene-1, hexene-1, and octene-1, and a copolymer of ethylene and an olefin other than ethylene, a neutralizing agent, an antioxidant, and a light-resistant stabilizer. In this case, the neutralizing agent, the antioxidant, and the light-resistant stabilizer are preferably contained in an amount of not more than 0.01 mass% each. The intermediate layer preferably contains a solvent barrier resin containing an ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer. Further, a bonding resin layer made of maleic acid-modified polyethylene or the like can be provided between the inner layer and the intermediate layer and / or between the intermediate layer and the outer layer. The outer layer preferably contains a resin composition containing a light-shielding substance. In the resin composition, a pigment dispersant of an olefin polymer such as polyethylene and polypropylene having a number average molecular weight of 2 x 103 or more can be contained in an amount of not more than 5 mass%, and a light-shielding pigment containing inorganic and / or organic pigments can be contained in an amount of 0.01 to 5 mass%. An ultraviolet absorber can also be contained in an amount of not more than 2.5 mass%. With the above-described layer structure, it is possible to obtain a container 10 that maintains the quality of a high-purity liquid and is difficult to break and lightweight because no particles or metal ions are eluted from the container 10 during storage and transportation of the liquid.

[0065] The material of the support table 20 and the handle 30 is not particularly limited and can be the same as or different from the material of the container 10. For example, at least one of a single polymer and / or a copolymer and / or a polymer blend of a group consisting of low-density polyethylene, medium-density polyethylene, high-density polyethylene, linear low-density polyethylene, polypropylene, polybutylene, polystyrene, polyvinyl acetate, polymethyl methacrylate, polyethyl methacrylate, polyacrylic acid, cyclic polyolefin, polyacrylonitrile, polyamide (nylon), polyethylene terephthalate, and polybutylene terephthalate, polyester, polyurethane, polycarbonate, polyimide, polyphenylene sulfide, and polyvinyl chloride.

[0066] As a method of manufacturing the container 10, although direct blow molding (extrusion blow molding) is exemplified, instead of this method, known blow molding such as injection blow molding, multilayer extrusion blow molding, and stretch blow molding can be used. Also, the method of manufacturing the support table 20 and the handle 30 is preferably injection molding.

[0067] As a liquid to be accommodated in the container 10, for example, a liquid chemical such as methanol, ethanol, isopropyl alcohol, isobutyl alcohol, ethylene glycol, acetone, ethyl acetate, toluene, dimethylformamide, ethylene glycol acetate, methoxypropyl acetate, and butyl cellosolve, a photoresist liquid, a cleaning liquid, a manufacturing liquid for a semiconductor or a liquid crystal device, a disinfectant, an infusion, a dialysis liquid, a pharmaceutical raw material, a medical liquid, a perfume, a concentrate, and a food additive can be exemplified.

[0068] [EMBODIMENT]

[0069] Hereinafter, the present application will be described in more detail by exemplifying embodiments, but the present application is not limited to these embodiments.

[0070] (EMBODIMENT 1)

[0071] A high-density polyethylene resin (melt flow rate 0.3 g / 10 minutes, density 0.951 g / cm3, flexural modulus of elasticity 1370 MPa) as a material of the container 10 was hot melted and extruded by an extruder to form a parison. The parison was clamped by a two-part mold and the container 10 of Embodiment 1 was directly blow molded. The container 10 had four recesses 14 each having a circumferential length H of 25 mm and a central axis direction length V of 6 mm and disposed at 30° apart from each other from a boundary position between the body portion 12 and the step portion 13 on the parting line PL. The outermost circumferential length D of the body portion 12 was 160π mm and the proportion of the circumferential length H of the four recesses 14 to the outermost circumferential length D, i.e., the occupancy rate (H x N / D x 100) was 20%.

[0072] A straight-chain low-density polyethylene resin (melt flow rate 4.0 g / 10 min, density 0.938 g / cm3) was used to injection-mold the support 20 and the handle 30. The container assembly 100 was produced by joining the support 20 to the container 10 and screwing the handle 30 to the container 10.

[0073] (Measurement of shape change at high pressure)

[0074] The length of the container 10 from the upper end of the body portion 12 to the lower end of the circular bottom portion 15 was measured as the overall height of the container 10 at normal pressure using a height gauge (manufactured by MITUTOYO Corporation). A pressurizing device was installed at the spout 11 and the upper end portion 12a, and the internal pressure of the container 10 was increased to 200 kPa, and this state was maintained for 1 hour. The overall height of the container 10 was measured again at the time point after 1 hour, and the overall height at high pressure was recorded. The ratio of the overall height at high pressure to the overall height at normal pressure of the container 10 was calculated as the overall height change rate, and the result was 0.61%.

[0075] (Measurement of residual liquid amount)

[0076] Tap water was contained in the container 10 at 2 L, and a liquid delivery tube (not shown) was inserted straight into the container 10 from the spout 11, and the liquid delivery tube was fixed so that the tip thereof was located near the inner wall surface of the circular bottom portion 15. The container 10 was pressurized to 0.05 MPa, and the tap water was discharged from the container 10, and when the tap water was no longer discharged from the liquid delivery tube, the pressurization was stopped, and the amount of the tap water remaining in the container 10 was measured, and the result was 0.3 mL.

[0077] (Example 2)

[0078] The circumferential length H of the recess 14 was changed to 35 mm, and the occupancy rate of the four recesses 14 was changed to 28%, and otherwise the same operation as in Example 1 was performed to produce the container 10 of Example 2. Also, the same support 20 and handle 30 as in Example 1 were produced. The container assembly 100 was produced by joining the support 20 to the container 10 and screwing the handle 30 to the container 10. The same operation as in Example 1 was performed for the container 10, and the shape change at high pressure was measured, and the overall height change rate was calculated to be 0.69%.

[0079] (Example 3)

[0080] The recesses 14 were provided at 60° intervals at 60° from each other, and the occupancy ratio was changed to 30%, and other than that, the operation was performed in the same manner as in Example 1, and the container 10 of Example 3 was produced. Also, the support stand 20 and the handle 30 were produced in the same manner as in Example 1. By joining the support stand 20 to the container 10, and screwing the handle 30 to the container 10, the container assembly 100 was produced. The operation was performed in the same manner as in Example 1 for the container 10, and the shape change at high pressure was measured, and the overall height change ratio was found to be 0.69%.

[0081] (Example 4)

[0082] The circumferential direction length H of the recesses 14 was changed to 35 mm, and the occupancy ratio of the six recesses 14 was changed to 42%, and other than that, the operation was performed in the same manner as in Example 3, and the container 10 of Example 4 was produced. Also, the support stand 20 and the handle 30 were produced in the same manner as in Example 1. By joining the support stand 20 to the container 10, and screwing the handle 30 to the container 10, the container assembly 100 was produced. The operation was performed in the same manner as in Example 1 for the container 10, and the shape change at high pressure was measured, and the overall height change ratio was found to be 0.86%.

[0083] (Example 5)

[0084] The outermost circumferential length D was changed to 360π mm, and the circumferential direction length H of the recesses 14 was set to 50 mm, and the occupancy ratio of the six recesses 14 was changed to 27%, and the center axis direction length V was changed to 10 mm, and other than that, the operation was performed in the same manner as in Example 3, and the container 10 of Example 5 was produced. Also, the support stand 20 and the handle 30 were produced in the same manner as in Example 1. By joining the support stand 20 to the container 10, and screwing the handle 30 to the container 10, the container assembly 100 was produced. The operation was performed in the same manner as in Example 1 for the container 10, and the shape change at high pressure was measured, and the overall height change ratio was found to be 1.03%. Also, the operation was performed in the same manner as in Example 1, and the residual liquid amount was measured, and the result was 0.6 mL.

[0085] (Comparative Example 1)

[0086] As Figure 4As shown, a recess 14 is positioned at an angle θ = 90° from the boundary between the body portion 12 and the stepped portion 13 on the parting line PL, and the occupancy of the recess 14 is changed to 5%. Otherwise, the operation is the same as in Embodiment 1, and a container 10 of Comparative Example 1 is manufactured. Furthermore, a support platform 20 and a handle 30 are manufactured in the same manner as in Embodiment 1. A container assembly 100 is manufactured by connecting the support platform 20 to the container 10 and screwing the handle 30 onto the container 10. The container 10 is operated in the same manner as in Embodiment 1, and the internal pressure of the container 10 is increased to 200 kPa. As a result, the container 10 detaches from the support platform 20. Therefore, the overall height change rate is not measured.

[0087] (Comparative Example 2)

[0088] like Figure 5 As shown in (a), instead of the recess 14, a surrounding groove 44 was provided on the outer periphery of the lower end of the body portion 42, and the occupancy of the surrounding groove 44 was changed to 100%. The container 40 and handle 40a were integrally formed. Otherwise, the operation was performed in the same manner as in Example 1, and the container 40 of Comparative Example 2 was manufactured. The support platform 20 was manufactured in the same manner as in Example 1 and connected to the container 40 to create a container assembly 100. The container 40 was operated in the same manner as in Example 1, and the shape change under high pressure was measured. The overall height change rate was determined to be 5.11%. Furthermore, the residual liquid volume was measured in the same manner as in Example 1, and the result was 2.2 mL.

[0089] (Comparative Example 3)

[0090] The outermost circumference length D was changed to 360π mm. Otherwise, the same procedures were followed as in Comparative Example 2, and the container 40 of Comparative Example 3 was manufactured. The support platform 20, manufactured in the same manner as in Comparative Example 2, was connected to the container 40 to form the container assembly 100. The container 40 was operated in the same manner as in Example 1, and its shape change under high pressure was measured. The overall height change rate was determined to be 7.37%.

[0091] (Comparative Example 4)

[0092] like Figure 5 As shown in (b), the recess 14 is omitted, and a flat bottom 45 is formed instead of the round bottom 15. Otherwise, the same procedure as in Comparative Example 2 is followed to produce a container 40 of Comparative Example 4 that can stand upright without a support platform. The same procedure as in Example 1 is performed on container 40, and the internal pressure of the container is increased to 200 kPa. As a result, the flat bottom 45 expands and bulges, and container 40 collapses. The overall height change rate for the collapsed container 40 is calculated to be 4.10%.

[0093] The results of the configuration of the container 10 in Examples 1 to 5 and the containers in Comparative Examples 1 to 4, and the shape change measurement and residual liquid amount measurement at high pressure are collectively shown in Table 1.

[0094] Table 1:

[0095]

[0096] As can be seen from Table 1, the containers 10 of Examples 1 to 5 did not elongate at all, and thus, even if the containers 10 were under high pressure, and a container support tool for suppressing the change in the overall height of the container 10 was not used, the overall height of the containers 10 hardly changed. On the other hand, in Comparative Example 1, since the recess 14 was only one, the engagement between the container 10 and the support table 20 was unstable, and thus, the container 10 fell off the support table 20. Also, in Comparative Examples 2 and 3 in which a continuous circumferential groove 44 was provided instead of the recess 14 on the entire outer periphery of the container 40, the circumferential groove 44 elongated and expanded like a volute spring due to the increase in pressure in the container 40, and thus, the overall height of the container significantly elongated.

[0097] Industrial Applicability

[0098] The container and the container assembly of the present application can be applied to the pressure feeding of a liquid in the fields of the manufacture of semiconductor and liquid crystal devices, the field of pharmaceutical products, and the field of food in which a liquid of high purity is required.

[0099] Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0100] 10: container

[0101] 11: barrel mouth

[0102] 12: body portion

[0103] 12a: upper end portion

[0104] 12a1: male screw

[0105] 12b: neck portion

[0106] 12b1: male screw

[0107] 12c: barrel portion

[0108] 13: step portion

[0109] 14: recess

[0110] 15: circular bottom portion

[0111] 20: support table

[0112] 21: claw portion

[0113] 30: handle

[0114] 31: ring portion

[0115] 31a: mounting hole

[0116] 31b: female screw

[0117] 32: grip portion

[0118] 32a: hook finger hole

[0119] 40: container

[0120] 40a: handle

[0121] 42: body portion

[0122] 44: encircling groove

[0123] 45: flat bottom portion

[0124] 100: container assembly

[0125] C: center axis

[0126] D: outermost peripheral length

[0127] H: circumferential direction length

[0128] h: center point

[0129] PL: parting line

[0130] V: center axis direction length

[0131] X, Y: base line

[0132] Θ, Θ1: angle

Claims

1. A container assembly comprising: a container for containing and dispensing a liquid, the container comprising: a body portion in a substantially cylindrical shape; a mouth portion at one end of the body portion and open; a step portion connected to and continuous with the other end of the body portion and gradually reduced in diameter; and a circular bottom portion connected to and continuous with the step portion and expanded in a direction away from the step portion, a series of parting lines covering the body portion, the step portion and the circular bottom portion are recessed at positions not overlapping the parting lines, a plurality of recesses for engaging with a claw portion of a support stand for supporting the container are intermittently formed in the step portion, and the recesses are substantially oblong in a circumferential direction of the body portion, the total length of the plurality of recesses in the circumferential direction accounts for 20 to 50% of the outermost circumferential length of the body portion; and a support stand for supporting the container upright, the support stand comprising an opening for fitting the circular bottom portion and a claw portion extending from the periphery of the opening and engaging with the recesses.

2. The container assembly according to claim 1, wherein the recesses are at four positions of 20 to 45° from the parting lines on a central axis of the body portion and the four positions are symmetrically sandwiching the parting lines, or six positions of 60° from the parting lines and the six positions are symmetrically sandwiching the parting lines.

3. The container assembly according to claim 1, wherein the body portion of the container comprises a trunk portion, a neck portion provided near the mouth portion and reduced in diameter more than the trunk portion, and a handle fitted and / or screwed to the outside of the neck portion.

Images