Nozzle and container with nozzle

Abstract

To provide a nozzle and a container with the nozzle that can reduce the pressure required to pour out and also obtain a proper pour-out amount.SOLUTION: A nozzle comprises a cylindrical part (22) which connects a fitting part (20) and a pour-out part (21), the cylindrical part (22) comprises pressed parts (27) partially made of soft material, and the pressed part (27) is provided in a pair opposite each other across the axis (22a) of the cylindrical part (22), wherein a first rib (31) which protrudes radially inward is provided on the internal surface of one pressed part (27a) and a second rib (32) which protrudes radially inward to face the first rib (31) is provided on the internal surface of the other pressed part (27b). The first rib (31) and second rib (32) extend along the axis (22a), and the second rib is inclined to the first rib (31) to cross the first rib.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a nozzle and a container with a nozzle. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art There are known nozzle-equipped containers that include a container and a spout for pouring the contents of the container to the outside, and the contents are poured out from the spout by pressing the body of the container (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 5-20740 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In Patent Document 1, a container with a relatively high rigidity is pressed, so the force required for pressing is large, and it is difficult for people with weak strength to pour out the contents. Also, if the rigidity of the pressed part is reduced so that the pressing force is small, the amount of pressing may suddenly increase, and it is thought that the amount of pouring out may be excessive.

[0005] In view of the above, an object of the present invention is to provide a nozzle and a container with a nozzle that can reduce the pressing force required for dispensing and obtain an appropriate amount of dispensing. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The present invention is a nozzle comprising an attachment portion attached to the mouth of a container that contains contents, an outlet portion that pours the contents to the outside, and a tubular portion connecting the attachment portion and the outlet portion, wherein the tubular portion comprises a pressed portion partially formed of a soft material, a pair of the pressed portions are provided facing each other across the axis of the tubular portion, the contents are poured out from the outlet portion by pressure caused by pressing of the pressed portions, a first rib that protrudes radially inward is provided on the inner surface of one of the pressed portions, and a second rib that protrudes radially inward and faces the first rib is provided on the inner surface of the other pressed portion, the first rib and the second rib extend along the axis, and the second rib is inclined relative to the first rib so as to intersect with the first rib. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the nozzle and container with nozzle of the present invention, the pressing force required for dispensing can be reduced, and an appropriate amount of dispensing can be obtained. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a partial cross-sectional view of a nozzle-equipped container according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. [Figure 3A] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II of FIG. [Figure 3B] FIG. 3B is a perspective view of the cross section of FIG. 3A. [Figure 4] 13A and 13B are diagrams illustrating a state in which a pressed portion is being pressed. [Figure 5A] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 2 . [Figure 5B] 5B is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the pressed portion is pressed from the state of FIG. 5A. FIG. [Figure 5C] 5B is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the base portion is pressed from the state shown in FIG. 5A. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of a nozzle and a container with a nozzle according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a partial cross-sectional view of a nozzle-equipped container 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The nozzle-equipped container 10 comprises a container 11 for accommodating contents, a nozzle 12 attached to a mouth portion 11a of the container 11, and a cap 13 attached to the nozzle 12.

[0010] In FIG. 1, the nozzle-equipped container 10 is shown in an upright position in which the container 11 is placed upright so that the mouth 11a opens upward. The container 11 includes a bottom wall 11b and a peripheral wall 11c extending upward from the bottom wall 11b. The mouth 11a is cylindrical and opens upward, and is provided at the upper end of the peripheral wall 11c. A nozzle attachment portion 11d to which the nozzle 12 is attached is provided on the outer periphery of the mouth 11a. The contents contained in the container 10 are, for example, liquid medicine such as eye drops or lotion.

[0011] Nozzle 12 is integrally provided with an attachment portion 20 attached to mouth portion 11a, a pouring portion 21 for pouring the contents to the outside, and a tubular portion 22 connecting attachment portion 20 and pouring portion 21. 1, the axis 22a of the cylindrical portion 22 extends in the vertical direction. The axis 22a coincides with the axis of the container 11. In the following description, unless otherwise specified, the axial direction refers to the axial direction of the axis 22a.

[0012] The attachment portion 20 and the pouring portion 21 are cylindrical and extend in the axial direction. The attachment portion 20 is provided at the base end of the nozzle 12, and the pouring portion 21 is provided at the tip end of the nozzle 12. The tubular portion 22 is cylindrical and extends in the axial direction to connect the attachment portion 20 and the pouring portion 21. The cylindrical portion 22 is a cylinder having a smaller diameter than the attachment portion 20 , and the pouring portion 21 is a cylinder having a smaller diameter than the cylindrical portion 22 .

[0013] The nozzle 12 is attached to the container 11 by engaging the inner periphery of the attachment part 20 with the nozzle attachment part 11d. In this embodiment, a female thread portion formed on the inner periphery of the attachment part 20 screws into the nozzle attachment part 11d, which is a male thread portion. The content is poured out from an opening 21a at the tip of the pouring part 21. On the outer periphery of the base end of the pouring part 21, a cap engaging part 21b with which the cap 13 engages is provided. In this embodiment, a female thread formed on the inner periphery of the cap 13 is screwed into the cap engagement portion 21b which is a male thread.

[0014] The cap 13 is formed to fit the outer shape of the nozzle 12, and covers the outer periphery of the cylindrical portion 22 and the pouring portion 21. The cap 13 also covers the opening 21a. The cap 13 is fixed to the nozzle 12 by engaging a part of the inner periphery of the cap 13 with the cap engaging portion 21b. Note that in Fig. 1, the left half of the cap 13 is shown by virtual lines.

[0015] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the nozzle 12. An inclined surface portion 22b is provided at the end of the cylindrical portion 22 of the nozzle 12 on the side of the spouting portion 21, where the diameter of the cylindrical portion 22 decreases toward the side of the spouting portion 21. The base end of the spouting portion 21 is connected to the tip of the inclined surface portion 22b. The portion of the cylindrical portion 22 between the attachment portion 20 and the inclined surface portion 22b is an operating portion 25 that is pressed by the user when pouring out the contents. The operating portion 25 is cylindrical and extends in the axial direction with a substantially uniform outer diameter.

[0016] Fig. 3A is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II of Fig. 2. Fig. 3B is a perspective view of the cross section of Fig. 3A. 1 to 3B, operating portion 25 includes base portion 26 that functions as a skeleton of operating portion 25, and pressed portion 27 that is made of a material softer than base portion 26. Pressed portion 27 is disposed at a position that differs by 90° from base portion 26 in the circumferential direction of tubular portion 22.

[0017] In detail, the base portion 26 includes a pair of base portions 26a and 26b that are disposed opposite each other across the axis 22a of the cylindrical portion 22. The pressed portion 27 includes a pair of pressed portions 27a and 27b arranged opposite each other with the axis 22a of the cylindrical portion 22 therebetween.

[0018] The base portion 26 is provided between one pressed portion 27a and the other pressed portion 27b, and connects the one pressed portion 27a and the other pressed portion 27b in the circumferential direction of the cylindrical portion 22. In this way, the tubular portion 22 is formed in a cylindrical shape by arranging the one base portion 26a, the other pressed portion 27b, the other base portion 26b, and the one pressed portion 27a in order in the circumferential direction and connecting them to each other. The material constituting the one pressed portion 27a and the other pressed portion 27b is a soft material that is softer than the material constituting the one base portion 26a and the other base portion 26b. In other words, the one pressed portion 27a and the other pressed portion 27b are parts of the tubular portion 22 that are partially constituted by a soft material.

[0019] In nozzle 12, the portions other than pressed portion 27 are formed of the same material as base portion 26. That is, pouring portion 21, inclined surface portion 22b, and mounting portion 20 are formed of the same material as base portion 26. For this reason, pouring portion 21, inclined surface portion 22b, and mounting portion 20 are harder than pressed portion 27. In the nozzle 12, the pouring portion 21, the inclined surface portion 22b, the base portion 26, the pressed portion 27, and the attachment portion 20 are integrally formed from a synthetic resin material. The base portion 26, the pouring portion 21, the inclined surface portion 22b, and the mounting portion 20 are formed of a relatively hard material such as polypropylene, polybutylene terephthalate, or polyacetal. The pressed portion 27 is made of a soft material such as rubber, elastomer, or soft polyethylene (low density polyethylene). The base portion 26 and the pressed portion 27 are integrally formed using a technique such as two-color molding or insert molding.

[0020] A first rib 31 protruding radially inward of the cylindrical portion 22 is provided on the inner surface of one pressed portion 27a, and a second rib 32 protruding radially inward and facing the first rib 31 is provided on the inner surface of the other pressed portion 27b. In Fig. 2, portions of the first rib 31 and the second rib 32 that do not appear in the cross section of Fig. 2 are shown by virtual lines.

[0021] The first rib 31 and the second rib 32 extend long in the vertical direction along the axis 22a. In detail, when viewed from the outer circumferential side of the pressed portion 27 in a direction perpendicular to the axis 22a, the first rib 31 and the second rib 32 are provided inclined with respect to the axis 22a. The second rib 32 is inclined in the opposite direction to the first rib 31 so as to intersect with the first rib 31. The first rib 31 and the second rib 32 intersect in an X-shape at the middle of the axial direction. The first rib 31 and the second rib 32 are symmetrical with respect to the axis 22a. An upper end 31a of the first rib 31 and an upper end 32a of the second rib 32 (see FIG. 2) are connected to the inclined surface portion 22b. The first rib 31 and the second rib 32 extend in the axial direction at a substantially constant height. The first rib 31 and the second rib 32 are part of the pressed portion 27, and are made of a soft material.

[0022] A third rib 33 that protrudes radially inward of the tubular portion 22 is provided on the inner surface of one base portion 26a, and a fourth rib 34 that protrudes radially inward and faces the third rib 33 is provided on the inner surface of the other base portion 26b. The fourth rib 34, which does not appear in the cross section of Fig. 2, is shown by virtual lines in Fig. 2.

[0023] The third rib 33 and the fourth rib 34 extend long in the vertical direction along the axis 22a. In detail, when viewed from the outer periphery side of the base portion 26 in a direction perpendicular to the axis 22a, the third rib 33 and the fourth rib 34 are provided inclined with respect to the axis 22a. The fourth rib 34 is inclined in the opposite direction to the third rib 33 so as to intersect with the third rib 33. The third rib 33 and the fourth rib 34 intersect in an X-shape at the axial middle portion. The third rib 33 and the fourth rib 34 are symmetrical with respect to the axis 22a. An upper end 33a of the third rib 33 and an upper end 34a of the fourth rib 34 (see FIG. 2) are connected to the inclined portion 22b. The third rib 33 and the fourth rib 34 extend in the axial direction at a substantially constant height. The third rib 33 and the fourth rib 34 are part of the base portion 26 and are made of a material harder than the pressed portion 27 .

[0024] Fig. 4 is a diagram showing a state in which the pressed portion 27 is being pressed. Fig. 5A is a VV sectional view of Fig. 2. Fig. 5B is a sectional view showing a state in which the pressed portion 27 is pressed from the state of Fig. 5A. In Fig. 4, the cap 13 is removed. As shown in FIG. 5A, when no pressing operation is performed, the first rib 31 and the second rib 32 are spaced apart in the radial direction. As shown in Figures 4 and 5B, when the pouring portion 21 is facing downward and one pressed portion 27a and the other pressed portion 27b are pressed as shown by the arrows, the pressure caused by pressing the pressed portion 27 causes the contents 29 to be poured out from the opening 21a to the outside.

[0025] The amount of contents 29 dispensed from opening 21a can be adjusted by the amount of pressure applied to pressed portion 27. If the amount of pressure applied to pressed portion 27 is small, the amount of dispensed is small, and if the amount of pressure applied to pressed portion 27 is large, the amount of dispensed is large. FIG. 5B shows a state in which pressed portion 27 is pressed halfway. When one pressed portion 27a and the other pressed portion 27b are pressed, the first rib 31 and the second rib 32 are displaced radially inward. When one pressed portion 27a and the other pressed portion 27b are pressed to the maximum, the tip surface 31b of the first rib 31 and the tip surface 32b of the second rib 32 come into contact with each other, and one pressed portion 27a and the other pressed portion 27b cannot be displaced further radially inward. In this state, the user can sense that the pressing amount of the pressed portion 27 has reached its limit due to an increase in the reaction force from one pressed portion 27a and the other pressed portion 27b. In this way, the amount of pressing operation of one pressed portion 27a and the other pressed portion 27b is regulated by the first rib 31 and the second rib 32. As a result, the amount of content 29 dispensed by the operation of the pressed portion 27 is also regulated to a constant amount.

[0026] The first rib 31 and the second rib 32 are arranged to intersect in an X-shape, so that even if the pressing direction against one pressed portion 27a and the other pressed portion 27b shifts in the axial direction or circumferential direction of the tubular portion 22, the first rib 31 and the second rib 32 can abut at the intersecting portion. Since base portion 26 is formed of a material harder than pressed portion 27, base portion 26 hardly deforms even when pressed portion 27 is operated, as shown in FIG. 5B.

[0027] FIG. 5C is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which base portion 26 is pressed from the state shown in FIG. 5A. With the spout 21 facing downward, when one base 26a and the other base 26b are pressed as shown by the arrows in FIG. 5C, the pressure caused by pressing the base 26 causes the contents 29 to be poured out from the opening 21a. Although the base 26 is formed of a relatively hard material, one base 26a and the other base 26b are connected in the circumferential direction by the pressed portion 27 formed of a soft material. As a result, when the base 26 is pressed, the pressed portion 27 elastically deforms, making the base 26 more easily deformable and allowing the user to press the base 26. When the base 26 is pressed, the pressed portion 27 elastically deforms radially outward as shown in FIG. 5C.

[0028] The amount of contents 29 dispensed from opening 21a can be adjusted by the amount of pressure applied to base 26. The greater the amount of pressure applied to base 26, the greater the amount of contents dispensed. When the one base portion 26a and the other base portion 26b are pressed, the third rib 33 and the fourth rib 34 are displaced radially inward. When the one base portion 26a and the other base portion 26b are pressed to the maximum, the tip surface 33b of the third rib 33 and the tip surface 34b of the fourth rib 34 come into contact with each other, and the tip surface 34b of the fourth rib 34 and the other base portion 26b cannot be displaced further radially inward. In this state, the user can sense that the amount of pressing of the base portion 26 has reached its limit due to an increase in the reaction force from the one base portion 26a and the other base portion 26b. In this way, the amount of pressing operation of one base portion 26a and the other base portion 26b is regulated by the third rib 33 and the fourth rib 34. As a result, the amount of content 29 dispensed by operating the base portion 26 is also regulated to a constant amount.

[0029] The third rib 33 and the fourth rib 34 are arranged to intersect in an X-shape, so that even if the pressing direction against one base 26a and the other base 26b shifts in the axial direction or circumferential direction of the tubular portion 22, the third rib 33 and the fourth rib 34 can abut at the intersecting portion. The third rib 33 and the fourth rib 34 also function as reinforcing ribs for the cylindrical portion 22. This ensures high rigidity of the nozzle 12 and suppresses deformation of the nozzle 12. For this reason, for example, when attaching the cap 13 to the nozzle 12 via the cap engaging portion 21b, it is possible to suppress the deformation of the nozzle 12 from making the attachment difficult.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 3A, in the radial direction of the tubular portion 22, a height H1 of the first rib 31 and the second rib 32 is smaller than a height H2 of the third rib 33 and the fourth rib . That is, in the radial direction of the tubular portion 22, the distance between the first rib 31 and the second rib 32 is greater than the distance between the third rib 33 and the fourth rib . As a result, the maximum amount by which the pressed portion 27 can be pressed is greater than the maximum amount by which the base 26 can be pressed. Therefore, when the user wishes to increase the amount of dispensed, the user presses the pressed portion 27, and when the user wishes to decrease the amount of dispensed, the user presses the base 26.

[0031] As described above, according to the embodiment to which the present invention is applied, nozzle 12 includes attachment portion 20 attached to mouth portion 11a of container 11 that contains the contents, pouring portion 21 that pours the contents to the outside, and tubular portion 22 that connects attachment portion 20 and pouring portion 21. Cylindrical portion 22 includes pressed portions 27 partially formed of a soft material, and pressed portions 27 are provided in pair to face each other across axis 22a of tubular portion 22, and the contents are poured out from pouring portion 21 by the pressure caused by pressing pressed portion 27. A first rib 31 protruding radially inward is provided on the inner surface of one pressed portion 27a, and a second rib 32 protruding radially inward and facing the first rib 31 is provided on the inner surface of the other pressed portion 27b, the first rib 31 and the second rib 32 extending along the axis 22a, and the second rib 32 is inclined relative to the first rib 31 so as to intersect with the first rib 31. According to this configuration, the pressed portion 27 can be easily deformed because the cylindrical portion 22 is partially formed of a soft material, and the pressing force required for pouring is small. In addition, the first rib 31 and the second rib 32 provided on the inner surface of the pressed portion 27 can regulate the amount of pressing of the pressed portion 27. Since the first rib 31 and the second rib 32 cross each other, the first rib 31 and the second rib 32 can be easily brought into contact with each other, and the amount of pressing of the pressed portion 27 can be regulated. Therefore, an appropriate amount of pouring can be obtained.

[0032] Further, the cylindrical portion 22 includes a base portion 26 that circumferentially connects one pressed portion 27a and the other pressed portion 27b, and the base portions 26 are provided as a pair facing each other across the axis 22a, and the pressed portions 27 are formed of a material softer than the base portions 26. A third rib 33 that protrudes radially inward is provided on the inner surface of one base portion 26a, and a fourth rib 34 that protrudes radially inward and faces the third rib 33 is provided on the inner surface of the other base portion 26b. According to this configuration, the pressed portion 27 is made of a softer material than the base 26, so the pressing force required for pouring is smaller. In addition, the third rib 33 and the fourth rib 34 provided on the inner surface of the base 26 can increase the rigidity of the tubular portion 22, so that the strength of the nozzle 12 can be maintained even if the pressed portion 27 is made of a soft material. Furthermore, the content can be poured from the pouring portion 21 by pressing the base 26. The amount of pressing the base 26 can be regulated by the third rib 33 and the fourth rib 34, so that an appropriate amount of pouring can be obtained.

[0033] The third rib 33 and the fourth rib 34 extend along the axis 22a, and the fourth rib 34 is inclined with respect to the third rib 33 so as to intersect with the third rib 33. According to this configuration, the third rib 33 and the fourth rib 34 intersect with each other, so that the third rib 33 and the fourth rib 34 can be easily brought into contact with each other, and the amount of pressure applied to the base 26 can be regulated. Therefore, an appropriate amount of pouring can be obtained. Furthermore, in the radial direction of the tubular portion 22, the height H1 of the first rib 31 and the second rib 32 is smaller than the height H2 of the third rib 33 and the fourth rib . According to this configuration, the amount of pressure applied to the pressed portion 27 by the first rib 31 and the second rib 32 is regulated less than the amount of pressure applied to the base 26 by the third rib 33 and the fourth rib 34. Therefore, when it is desired to increase the amount of pouring, it is sufficient to press the pressed portion 27, and when it is desired to decrease the amount of pouring, it is sufficient to press the base 26, making it easy to control the amount of pouring.

[0034] Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiment, and various modifications and changes are possible within the scope of the spirit of the present invention described in the claims unless otherwise specifically limited in the above description. For example, the configuration of the above-mentioned embodiment can be appropriately added or deleted, and the configuration of one embodiment can be applied to another embodiment. Furthermore, the effects of the above-mentioned embodiment are merely examples of the effects resulting from the present invention, and do not mean that the effects of the present invention are limited to the above-mentioned effects. In the above embodiment, the first rib 31 and the second rib 32 are described as being inclined with respect to the axis 22a, but the present invention is not limited to this. As long as the first rib 31 and the second rib 32 intersect with each other, for example, the first rib 31 may extend parallel to the axis 22a. In the above embodiment, the third rib 33 and the fourth rib 34 are inclined with respect to the axis 22a, but the present invention is not limited to this. As long as the third rib 33 and the fourth rib 34 intersect with each other, for example, the third rib 33 may extend parallel to the axis 22a. Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the tip surface 31b of the first rib 31 and the tip surface 32b of the second rib 32 are described as being in contact with each other, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the tip surface 31b and the tip surface 32b may regulate the pressing amount of the pressed portion 27 in a state where the tip surface 31b and the tip surface 32b do not directly contact each other, but the third rib 33 and the fourth rib 34 are sandwiched between the tip surface 31b and the tip surface 32b. [Explanation of symbols]

[0035] 10: Container with nozzle 11: Container 11a: Mouth 12: Nozzle 20: Mounting part 21: Pour part 22: Cylindrical part 22a: Axis 26: Base 26a: One base 26b: The other base 27: Pressed part 27a: One of the pressed parts 27b: The other pressed part 31: First Rib 32: Second Rib 33: The third rib 34: The Fourth Rib H1:Height H2:Height

Claims

1. A nozzle including an attachment part that is attached to a mouth part of a container that contains a content, a pouring part that pours the content to the outside, and a cylindrical part that connects the attachment part and the pouring part, The cylindrical portion includes a pressed portion partially formed of a soft material, the pressed portions are provided in pairs so as to face each other across the axis of the cylindrical portion, and the contents are poured out from the pouring portion by the pressure caused by the pressing of the pressed portions, A first rib protruding radially inward is provided on an inner surface of one of the pressed portions, and a second rib protruding radially inward and facing the first rib is provided on an inner surface of the other pressed portion, The first rib and the second rib extend along the axis, The nozzle, wherein the second rib is inclined relative to the first rib so as to intersect with the first rib.

2. The cylindrical portion includes a base portion that connects the pair of pressed portions in a circumferential direction, and the base portion is provided in a pair so as to face each other across the axis line, The pressed portion is formed of a material softer than the base portion, 2. The nozzle according to claim 1, wherein an inner surface of one of the base portions is provided with a third rib protruding radially inward, and an inner surface of the other of the base portions is provided with a fourth rib protruding radially inward and facing the third rib.

3. The third rib and the fourth rib extend along the axis, The nozzle of claim 2 , wherein the fourth rib is angled relative to the third rib so as to intersect with the third rib.

4. The nozzle according to claim 2 , wherein a height of the first rib and the second rib in a radial direction of the cylindrical portion is smaller than a height of the third rib and the fourth rib.

5. A nozzle-equipped container comprising the nozzle according to any one of claims 1 to 4 attached to the container.

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