Screw member and delivery container

Abstract

To provide a screw member that is hardly twisted and easy to be molded and a delivery container.SOLUTION: A female screw member 8 according to one embodiment includes: a front cylindrical part 8d having a female thread 8b; a rear cylindrical part 8f disposed separately from the front cylindrical part 8d; and a spring part 80 that connects the front cylindrical part 8d to the rear cylindrical part 8f. The spring part 80 includes a first elastic portion 81 extending helically around an axis, and a second elastic portion 82 that forms a double helix structure together with the first elastic portion 81. The first elastic portion 81 includes a first circumferential contact section 81k extending in an axial direction D1, and a first axial contact section 81f extending in the circumferential direction D2 of the front cylindrical part 8d. The second elastic portion 82 includes a second circumferential contact section 82p spaced from the first circumferential contact section 81k in the circumferential direction D2 and extending in the axial direction D1, and a second axial contact section 82h spaced from the first axial contact section 81f in the axial direction D1 and extending in the circumferential direction D2.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a screw member and a dispensing container. [Background technology]

[0002] The stick-shaped cosmetic material dispensing container described in Patent Document 1 includes a leading tube that constitutes the front of the container, and a main body tube that constitutes the rear of the container. A stick-shaped cosmetic material, a stick-shaped cosmetic material support that supports the stick-shaped cosmetic material, and a female screw member are housed inside the leading tube and the main body tube. The stick-shaped cosmetic material support has a support part that supports the stick-shaped cosmetic material, and a shaft part behind the support part. A male screw is provided on the outer circumferential surface of the shaft part.

[0003] The female screw member has a female screw portion, an elastic body, and a rotation prevention portion. The female screw portion, the elastic body, and the rotation prevention portion are arranged in this order. The female screw portion, the elastic body, and the rotation prevention portion are integrally molded. The female screw portion is provided with a female screw. The rod-shaped cosmetic support is in a state where its shaft portion enters the female screw member and the male screw screws into the female screw. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2017-209494 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] As described above, when a male screw is screwed into a female screw, a circumferential force may be applied to the female screw portion. An elastic body is provided in a position adjacent to the female screw portion. The elastic body adjacent to the female screw portion may be twisted when a circumferential force is applied to the female screw portion. When the elastic body is twisted, it may not be possible for the twisted elastic body to return to its original shape, and there is a concern that the elastic body may be plastically deformed.

[0006] The elastic body is a resin spring. The resin spring has a substantially rectangular cross section and includes a plurality of annular portions aligned along the axial direction, and a plurality of connecting portions that connect the two annular portions aligned along the axial direction to each other. The pair of connecting portions face each other in the radial direction. The annular portions have a circular ring shape. The pair of connecting portions are arranged at positions shifted by 90° around the axis with respect to another pair of connecting portions adjacent to them in the axial direction. This makes it difficult for the elastic body to twist in the rotational direction.

[0007] The elastic body described above has room for improvement in terms of elasticity. In order to increase the elasticity, it is conceivable to reduce the thickness of the annular portion and the connecting portion. However, if the thickness of the annular portion and the connecting portion is reduced, it may become difficult to form the screw member.

[0008] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a screw member and a dispensing container that are less prone to twisting and can be easily molded. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The screw member according to the present disclosure includes (1) a first cylindrical portion having a threaded portion, a second cylindrical portion arranged apart from the first cylindrical portion so as to be aligned along an axial direction in which the axis of the first cylindrical portion extends, and a spring portion connecting the first cylindrical portion to the second cylindrical portion. The spring portion has a first elastic portion extending in a spiral shape around the axis, and a second elastic portion forming a double helix structure together with the first elastic portion. The first elastic portion includes a first circumferential contact portion extending in the axial direction, and a first axial contact portion extending in the circumferential direction of the first cylindrical portion. The second elastic portion includes a second circumferential contact portion circumferentially separated from the first circumferential contact portion and extending in the axial direction, and a second axial contact portion circumferentially separated from the first axial contact portion.

[0010] In this screw member, the spring portion that connects the first cylindrical portion having the screw portion to the second cylindrical portion has a first elastic portion and a second elastic portion, and the first elastic portion and the second elastic portion form a double helix structure. Therefore, the spring portion can be contracted in the axial direction, and the elastic force can be increased. In this screw member, the first elastic portion includes a first circumferential contact portion that extends in the axial direction, and the second elastic portion includes a second circumferential contact portion that is spaced apart in the circumferential direction from the first circumferential contact portion and extends in the axial direction. Therefore, even if the first cylindrical portion rotates relative to the second cylindrical portion around the axis and the spring portion is twisted, the first circumferential contact portion comes into contact with the second circumferential contact portion, and therefore the spring portion can be prevented from twisting. The first elastic portion includes a first axial contact portion extending in the circumferential direction, and the second elastic portion includes a second axial contact portion axially spaced from the first axial contact portion and extending in the circumferential direction. Therefore, even if the spring portion contracts in the axial direction and the second tubular portion approaches the first tubular portion, the second axial contact portion contacts the first axial contact portion, so that the amount of contraction of the spring portion in the axial direction does not become too large. Therefore, even if the thickness of the first elastic portion and the second elastic portion is not reduced, the spring portion contracts appropriately in the axial direction, so that a high elastic force can be maintained. As a result, the spring portion can be easily molded.

[0011] (2) In the above (1), the screw portion may have a female screw provided inside the first cylindrical portion. In this case, a member provided with a male screw can be screwed into the first cylindrical portion.

[0012] (3) In the above (1) or (2), the screw member may be inserted into an outer tubular member located outside the screw member. The first tubular portion may have a first rotation restricting portion that restricts rotation of the screw member relative to the outer tubular member, and the second tubular portion may have a second rotation restricting portion that restricts rotation of the screw member relative to the outer tubular member. In this case, the first rotation restricting portion restricts rotation of the first tubular portion relative to the outer tubular member, and the second rotation restricting portion restricts rotation of the second tubular portion relative to the outer tubular member. This makes it possible to make the spring portion disposed between the first tubular portion and the second tubular portion less prone to twisting.

[0013] The dispensing container according to the present disclosure includes (4) the screw member in (2) or (3) above, a leading tube that houses the screw member and is rotatable synchronously with the screw member, houses a drawing material, and has an opening at a tip for making the drawing material appear, an outer tubular member connected to the leading tube on the opposite side to the opening, an inner tubular member fixed to the outer tubular member inside the outer tubular member, and a push rod that is rotatable synchronously with the inner tubular member inside the inner tubular member and has a male screw that screws into the female screw. The outer tubular member is rotatable relative to the leading tube. The relative rotation of the outer tubular member with respect to the leading tube causes a screwing action between the male screw and the female screw, causing the push rod to advance relative to the screw member.

[0014] In this dispensing container, the male screw of the push rod is screwed into the female screw of the screw member, thereby connecting the push rod and the screw member to each other. When the male screw is screwed into the female screw, a circumferential force may be applied to the first cylindrical portion. In this screw member, the first elastic portion includes a first circumferential contact portion extending in the axial direction, and the second elastic portion includes a second circumferential contact portion that is circumferentially spaced from the first circumferential contact portion and extends in the axial direction. Therefore, even if the spring portion is twisted by relative rotation of the first cylindrical portion around the axis with respect to the second cylindrical portion, the first circumferential contact portion comes into contact with the second circumferential contact portion. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the spring portion from twisting when the push rod and the screw member are connected to each other. Effect of the Invention

[0015] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a screw member and a dispensing container that are difficult to twist and can be easily molded. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a side view showing a dispensing container according to the present embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II in FIG. [Diagram 3]Fig. 3(a) is a side view showing the inner tubular member, and Fig. 3(b) is a side view showing the inner tubular member as seen from a different direction than that in Fig. 3(a). [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV in FIG. [Diagram 5] Fig. 5(a) is a side view showing a female screw member which is an example of the screw member of this embodiment, and Fig. 5(b) is a side view showing the female screw member seen from a different direction than Fig. 5(a). [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VI-VI in FIG. [Figure 7] Fig. 7(a) is a cross-sectional view taken along line VIIa-VIIa in Fig. 5(a), Fig. 7(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line VIIb-VIIb in Fig. 5(a), Fig. 7(c) is a cross-sectional view taken along line VIIc-VIIc in Fig. 5(a), and Fig. 7(d) is a cross-sectional view taken along line VIId-VIId in Fig. 5(a). [Figure 8] 8(a), 8(b), 8(c) and 8(d) are views showing the first elastic portion and the second elastic portion when the first cylindrical portion rotates relative to the second cylindrical portion. [Figure 9] Fig. 9(a) is a diagram showing a state before the screw member is inserted into the outer tubular member, and Fig. 9(b) is a diagram showing a state in which the screw member is press-fitted into the outer tubular member. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0017] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the screw member and dispensing container according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In the description of the drawings, the same or corresponding elements are given the same reference numerals, and duplicated descriptions will be omitted as appropriate. The drawings may be partially simplified or exaggerated for ease of understanding, and the dimensional ratios and the like are not limited to those shown in the drawings.

[0018] Fig. 1 is a side view showing a dispensing container according to this embodiment. Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II in Fig. 1. As shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, the dispensing container 1 according to this embodiment is, for example, a pencil that dispenses (pushes out) drawing material M contained inside the dispensing container 1 by the user's operation.

[0019] In this embodiment, the drawing material M is a cosmetic. The "cosmetic" is, for example, lipstick, lip liner, lip gloss, eyeliner, eyebrow, eyeshadow, concealer, or beauty stick. The "cosmetic" may be a stick-shaped material containing a flexible material (for example, a semi-solid, soft, jelly, mousse, or a paste containing these). For example, the drawing material M is volatile. As an example, the drawing material M is a stick-shaped cosmetic.

[0020] The dispensing container 1 has a front tube 2 which is an outer cylindrical member that contains a drawing material M, a cap 3 which covers the front tube 2, and an outer cylindrical member 4 which is located on the opposite side of the front tube 2 from the cap 3. Some of the parts of the dispensing container 1 are cylindrical, including the front tube 2, the cap 3, and the outer cylindrical member 4. When the parts of the dispensing container 1 are assembled, the directions in which the axes L of the cylindrical parts extend are the same. Hereinafter, the direction in which this axis L extends is referred to as the axial direction D1. For example, the axial direction D1 is the same as the longitudinal direction of the dispensing container 1.

[0021] "Front", "front side", and "forward" refer to the direction from the outer cylindrical member 4 to the leading tube 2 in the axial direction D1, and "rear", "rear side", and "rearward" refer to the direction from the leading tube 2 to the outer cylindrical member 4 in the axial direction D1. "Radial direction" refers to a direction perpendicular to the axis L, and refers to a direction approaching the axis L or a direction moving away from the axis L. "Circumferential direction" refers to a direction (rotation direction) along a ring centered on the axis L. In this embodiment, the extrusion direction of the drawing material M is the forward direction (advancing direction), and the opposite direction is the rearward direction.

[0022] The front tube 2 has an opening 2b at its tip (the front end of the front tube 2) for allowing the drawing material M to appear. The front tube 2 includes a front tube portion 2A that is exposed when the cap 3 is removed, a rear tube portion 2B that is inserted inside the outer cylindrical member 4, and a flange portion 2C that is interposed between the front tube portion 2A and the rear tube portion 2B. The front tube portion 2A has an opening 2b located at one end in the axial direction D1, and a tapered surface 2c that is inclined so that the diameter of the front tube 2 increases as it moves away from the opening 2b.

[0023] The opening 2b is a portion of the front tube 2 where the drawing material M is exposed, and the drawing material M protrudes from the opening 2b for use. The tapered surface 2c extends, for example, from the opening 2b to a position beyond the center of the front tube 2 in the axial direction D1. The front tube portion 2A has a protrusion 2d located on the rear side of the tapered surface 2c. The protrusion 2d engages with a recess 3b of the cap 3, which will be described later. The cap 3 is attached to the front tube 2 in a state where an end surface 3c that defines the opening of the cap 3 faces the flange portion 2C along the axial direction D1. The flange portion 2C is exposed when the cap 3 is attached to the front tube 2.

[0024] The internal space 2f of the front tube 2 extends rearward from the opening 2b. The internal space 2f penetrates the front tube 2 in the axial direction D1. The internal space 2f accommodates the drawing material M, the piston 5, and the push rod 6. The piston 5 has, for example, a first recess 5b recessed at the front end and a second recess 5c recessed at the rear end. The drawing material M, the piston 5, and the push rod 6 are arranged in this order.

[0025] The rear cylinder portion 2B has an annular recess 2g located on the rear side of the flange portion 2C, a first annular protrusion 2h located rearward of the annular recess 2g, and a second annular protrusion 2j located rearward of the first annular protrusion 2h. The first annular protrusion 2h engages with the inner surface 4b of the outer cylindrical member 4 in the axial direction D1. This allows the front cylinder 2 to be connected to the outer cylindrical member 4 so as to be immovable in the axial direction but rotatable relative to the outer cylindrical member 4.

[0026] The cap 3 includes a cylindrical outer cap 3A with a bottom and a stepped cylindrical inner cap 3B held at the bottom of the outer cap 3A. For example, the outer cap 3A is made of PP (polypropylene), and the inner cap 3B is made of TPEE (polyester thermoplastic elastomer). However, the materials of the outer cap 3A and the inner cap 3B are not limited to the above examples.

[0027] For example, the outer cylindrical member 4 has a bottomed tube shape (as an example, a bottomed cylindrical shape). The outer cylindrical member 4 is connected to the front tube 2 on the side opposite to the opening 2b. The outer cylindrical member 4 has a side surface 4c facing a direction intersecting the axial direction D1. The outer cylindrical member 4 has a through hole 4d formed in the side surface 4c. For example, the through hole 4d extends from the center of the outer cylindrical member 4 in the axial direction D1 to the end (rear end) of the outer cylindrical member 4 in the axial direction D1.

[0028] The through hole 4d communicates between the inside and the outside of the outer cylindrical member 4. That is, the through hole 4d penetrates the outer cylindrical member 4 in the radial direction. For example, the through hole 4d has a long axis 4f extending along the axial direction D1 and a short axis 4g extending along the circumferential direction D2 of the outer cylindrical member 4. As an example, the through hole 4d has a rectangular shape with rounded corners.

[0029] The through hole 4d is defined by, for example, a straight portion 4h extending along the axial direction D1 and a pair of curved portions 4j that curve at both ends of the straight portion 4h so that the through hole 4d bulges outward. In this case, the through hole 4d is defined by a pair of straight portions 4h aligned along the circumferential direction D2 and a pair of curved portions 4j aligned along the axial direction D1.

[0030] The outer cylindrical member 4 has an opening 4r into which a part of the front tube 2 (rear tube portion 2B) fits. The outer cylindrical member 4 has, on an inner surface 4b of the outer cylindrical member 4, an annular recess 4q recessed radially outward of the outer cylindrical member 4, and an annular protrusion 4s located in front of the annular recess 4q. A first annular protrusion 2h of the front tube 2 engages with the annular recess 4q in the axial direction D1.

[0031] The dispensing container 1 has an inner cylindrical member 7 that is fixed to the outer cylindrical member 4 inside the outer cylindrical member 4. The outer cylindrical member 4 has a protrusion 4p that protrudes radially inward from an inner surface 4b of the outer cylindrical member 4. The inner cylindrical member 7 engages with the protrusion 4p in the circumferential direction. As a result, the inner cylindrical member 7 engages with the outer cylindrical member 4 so as to be synchronously rotatable.

[0032] The push rod 6 is rotatable synchronously with the inner cylindrical member 7 inside the inner cylindrical member 7. The push rod 6 advances relative to the inner cylindrical member 7 to push the drawing material M, causing the drawing material M to appear from the opening 2b of the front tube 2. The push rod 6 has a male screw 6b formed on the outer periphery of the push rod 6 and an engagement portion 6c that engages with the inner cylindrical member 7 in the circumferential direction D2. The male screw 6b and the engagement portion 6c are aligned along the axial direction D1. The male screw 6b is located in front of the engagement portion 6c.

[0033] The dispensing container 1 has a cylindrical female screw member 8 as a screw member. The female screw member 8 is inserted inside the front tube 2 (outer tube member) located outside the female screw member 8. More specifically, the female screw member 8 is accommodated inside the rear tube portion 2B of the front tube 2. For example, an end portion 8c of the female screw member 8 in the axial direction D1 protrudes from an opening 2p formed at one end of the front tube 2 in the axial direction D1. The female screw member 8 is rotatable synchronously with the front tube 2. The female screw member 8 has a female screw 8b therein as a screw portion. A male screw 6b of the push rod 6 is screwed into the female screw 8b. The push rod 6 and the female screw member 8 will be described in detail later.

[0034] In this embodiment, the female screw 8b constitutes the entire screw portion. However, the female screw 8b may constitute a part of the screw portion. That is, the screw portion may be the female screw 8b as in this embodiment, may have another female screw or male screw together with the female screw 8b, or may have another female screw or male screw instead of the female screw 8b.

[0035] 2, the push rod 6 is housed in the inner cylindrical member 7, which is housed in the outer cylindrical member 4. A part of the inner cylindrical member 7 is exposed from the through hole 4d of the outer cylindrical member 4.

[0036] The inner cylindrical member 7 has a transparent portion 7b. The term "transparent portion" refers to a portion or part that is transparent, and "transparent" refers to an average transmittance of visible light that is equal to or greater than a certain value. The above-mentioned "certain value" is, for example, 60%, 80%, or 90%. "Transparent" may be colorless transparent, colored transparent, or translucent. In this embodiment, the inside of the inner cylindrical member 7 is visible through the transparent portion 7b.

[0037] For example, the inner tubular member 7 is made of PET (polyethylene terephthalate). In this embodiment, the inner tubular member 7 is made of transparent parts. That is, the inner tubular member 7 is a transparent member. In this case, the transparent portion 7b is the entire inner tubular member 7. However, the transparent portion 7b may be provided in a part of the inner tubular member 7. At least the part of the inner tubular member 7 exposed from the through hole 4d is the transparent portion 7b. Therefore, the inside of the inner tubular member 7 can be seen through the transparent portion 7b.

[0038] For example, the outer cylindrical member 4 has a plurality of protrusions 4p, and the inner cylindrical member 7 has a plurality of recesses recessed radially inward of the inner cylindrical member 7. The plurality of protrusions 4p are aligned along the circumferential direction D2. The plurality of recesses are aligned along the circumferential direction D2. At least one of the plurality of protrusions 4p fits into the recesses.

[0039] The push rod 6 has a visible portion 6d that is visible from outside the inner cylindrical member 7 through the transparent portion 7b. The visible portion 6d indicates a portion of the push rod 6 that is visible from outside the inner cylindrical member 7 through the transparent portion 7b. For example, the visible portion 6d includes a part (rear portion) of the male screw 6b and an engaging portion 6c that engages with the inner cylindrical member 7.

[0040] The engagement portion 6c has multiple protrusions that protrude radially outward from the push rod 6. The multiple protrusions are aligned along the circumferential direction D2. The inner cylindrical member 7 has a protrusion 7g (see FIG. 4) that protrudes radially inward from an inner surface 7f of the inner cylindrical member 7. For example, the inner cylindrical member 7 has multiple protrusions 7g aligned along the circumferential direction D2. The protrusion 7g of the inner cylindrical member 7 fits between two protrusions of the push rod 6 that are aligned along the circumferential direction D2.

[0041] The dispensing container 1 has a ratchet mechanism 9 located at the front end of the inner tubular member 7 and at the rear end of the female screw member 8. The ratchet mechanism 9 allows relative rotation of the outer tubular member 4 with respect to the leading tube 2 in one direction, but restricts relative rotation of the outer tubular member 4 with respect to the leading tube 2 in the opposite direction.

[0042] When the outer cylindrical member 4 rotates in one direction relative to the leading tube 2, the inner cylindrical member 7 and the push rod 6 rotate together with the outer cylindrical member 4 relative to the leading tube 2 and the female screw member 8. The push rod 6 rotates relative to the female screw member 8, and the screwing action of the male screw 6b and the female screw 8b works, causing the push rod 6 to move forward relative to the female screw member 8. On the other hand, since the outer cylindrical member 4 does not rotate relative to the leading tube 2 in the opposite direction, the push rod 6 does not move backward.

[0043] As described above, the push rod 6 advances relative to the inner cylindrical member 7 to push the drawing material M. In this embodiment, the push rod 6 can only advance relative to the inner cylindrical member 7, and does not retreat relative to the inner cylindrical member 7. For example, in the initial state, that is, when the drawing material M is not being used (the drawing material M is unused), the position of the rear end 6g of the push rod 6 in the axial direction D1 coincides with the position of the rear end 4k of the through hole 4d in the axial direction D1.

[0044] Therefore, in the initial state, the entire visible portion 6d of the push rod 6 is visible through the transparent portion 7b from the through hole 4d, and the visible portion 6d is visible throughout the axial direction D1 of the transparent portion 7b. Because the entire visible portion 6d is visible through this transparent portion 7b, a user of the dispensing container 1 can tell that the push rod 6 has not moved forward and that the drawing material M is not being used.

[0045] When the push rod 6 advances and the drawing material M is used, the visible portion 6d advances in the transparent portion 7b, and the length of the visible portion 6d in the axial direction D1 decreases. By seeing the shortened length of the visible portion 6d seen through the transparent portion 7b, the user can know that the amount of drawing material M is decreasing.

[0046] When the drawing material M is further used and the drawing material M is nearly used up, the visible portion 6d advances further in the transparent portion 7b. Then, the position of the rear end 6g of the push rod 6 in the axial direction D1 coincides with the position of the front end 4t of the through hole 4d in the axial direction D1, and the visible portion 6d becomes invisible through the transparent portion 7b. Since the visible portion 6d becomes invisible through the transparent portion 7b, the user can know that the drawing material M is nearly used up.

[0047] As described above, the remaining amount of drawing material M can be grasped by visually checking the state of the visible portion 6d that is visible through the transparent portion 7b. Note that the visible portion 6d may be colored to make the display of the visible portion 6d through the transparent portion 7b easier to understand. In this case, the amount of remaining drawing material M can be displayed more clearly by visually checking the length of the colored visible portion 6d.

[0048] Next, the detailed structure of each part of the dispensing container 1 will be described. Fig. 3(a) is a side view showing the inner cylindrical member 7. Fig. 3(b) is a side view showing the inner cylindrical member 7 seen from a different direction than Fig. 3(a). Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV in Fig. 3(a). As shown in Figs. 3(a), 3(b) and 4, the inner cylindrical member 7 has a cylindrical shape extending, for example, along the axial direction D1.

[0049] The inner cylindrical member 7 has a recess 7c extending along the axial direction D1 on the outer surface 7d, and a flat surface 7h formed on the outer surface 7d. When viewed from the outside of the inner cylindrical member 7, the flat surface 7h has, for example, a rectangular shape. The flat surface 7h extends from one end 7k of the inner cylindrical member 7 in the axial direction D1 to near the other end 7q of the inner cylindrical member 7 in the axial direction D1.

[0050] The recess 7c extends from one end 7k in the axial direction D1 of the inner cylindrical member 7 to near the center of the inner cylindrical member 7 in the axial direction D1. The recess 7c has a widened portion 7j extending from the one end 7k in the axial direction D1, and a linear portion 7p extending along the axial direction D1 from an end of the widened portion 7j opposite the one end 7k. The width (length in the circumferential direction D2) of the linear portion 7p is constant, and the width of the widened portion 7j becomes wider from the linear portion 7p toward the one end 7k.

[0051] The inner cylindrical member 7 has a protrusion 7g extending from one end 7k along the axial direction D1 on the inner surface 7f, and a convex portion 7r extending from the other end 7q toward the one end 7k. The protrusion 7g extends linearly. The inner cylindrical member 7 has a plurality of convex portions 7r, which are aligned along the circumferential direction D2. The plurality of convex portions 7r constitute a ratchet mechanism 9. The function of the ratchet mechanism 9 will be described in detail later.

[0052] Fig. 5(a) is a side view showing the female screw member 8. Fig. 5(b) is a side view showing the female screw member 8 seen from a different direction from Fig. 5(a). Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VI-VI in Fig. 5(b). As shown in Figs. 5(a), 5(b) and 6, the female screw member 8 includes a front side cylindrical portion 8d which is a first cylindrical portion, a rear side cylindrical portion 8f which is a second cylindrical portion arranged apart from the front side cylindrical portion 8d so as to be aligned along the axial direction D1 which is the direction in which the axis of the front side cylindrical portion 8d extends, and a spring portion 80 which connects the front side cylindrical portion 8d to the rear side cylindrical portion 8f.

[0053] The front side tube portion 8d has, for example, a cylindrical shape. The female screw 8b of the female screw member 8 described above is formed, for example, inside the front side tube portion 8d. The front side tube portion 8d has a protrusion 8j (first rotation restricting portion) that protrudes from the outer surface 8h of the front side tube portion 8d radially outward of the female screw member 8 and extends along the axial direction D1. The protrusion 8j engages with the inner surface 2q (see FIG. 2) of the front tube 2 in the circumferential direction D2. As a result, the protrusion 8j functions as a first rotation restricting portion that restricts the rotation of the female screw member 8 relative to the front tube 2. The female screw member 8 engages with the front tube 2 so as to be synchronously rotatable and movable in the axial direction D1 relative to the front tube 2.

[0054] The front cylinder portion 8d has a plurality of protruding portions 8j arranged along the circumferential direction D2. For example, the plurality of protruding portions 8j include a first protruding portion 8k and a second protruding portion 8p having a length in the axial direction D1 shorter than that of the first protruding portion 8k. The front end of the second protruding portion 8p is disposed rearward of the front end of the first protruding portion 8k. The first protruding portions 8k and the second protruding portions 8p are disposed so as to be alternately arranged along the circumferential direction D2.

[0055] The front cylinder portion 8d is provided with a slit 8e formed along the axial direction D1 so as to be aligned with the second protrusion portion 8p. The slit 8e includes an extension portion 8e1 extending from the front end of the female screw member 8 along the axial direction D1, and an extension portion 8e2 connected to the rear end of the extension portion 8e1. The extension portion 8e1 extends linearly along the axial direction D1. The extension portion 8e2 has, for example, a circular shape. The length of the extension portion 8e2 in the circumferential direction D2 is longer than the length of the extension portion 8e1 in the circumferential direction D2. The rear end of the extension portion 8e2 is connected to the front end of the second protrusion portion 8p.

[0056] The rear cylinder portion 8f has, for example, a cylindrical shape. The rear cylinder portion 8f has a protrusion 8t (second rotation restricting portion) that protrudes from an outer surface 8s of the rear cylinder portion 8f radially outward of the female screw member 8 and extends along the axial direction D1. The protrusion 8t engages with the inner surface 2q (see FIG. 2) of the front cylinder 2 in the circumferential direction D2, similar to the above-mentioned protrusion 8j. The protrusion 8t functions as a second rotation restricting portion that restricts the rotation of the female screw member 8 relative to the front cylinder 2. The rear cylinder portion 8f has, for example, a plurality of protrusions 8t aligned along the circumferential direction D2.

[0057] The female screw member 8 has a protrusion 8v formed at one end in the axial direction D1. For example, the female screw member 8 has a plurality of protrusions 8v, and each protrusion 8v protrudes in the axial direction D1 at the rear cylinder portion 8f. The protrusion 8v is formed by an inclined surface 8w inclined with respect to both the axial direction D1 and the circumferential direction D2, and a contact surface 8x extending in the axial direction D1 and in the radial direction of the female screw member 8.

[0058] The multiple protrusions 8v are aligned along the circumferential direction D2. The abutment surface 8x extends forward from the rear end of the inclined surface 8w. The multiple protrusions 8v engage with the multiple convex portions 7r (see FIG. 4) of the inner cylindrical member 7 described above. The multiple protrusions 8v constitute a ratchet mechanism 9 together with the multiple convex portions 7r.

[0059] When the inner cylindrical member 7 rotates relative to the female screw member 8 in a direction (one direction) in which the convex portion 7r contacts the inclined surface 8w of the protrusion 8v, the convex portion 7r climbs over the inclined surface 8w in the circumferential direction D2, and the inner cylindrical member 7 and the push rod 6 rotate relative to the female screw member 8. At this time, the push rod 6 advances relative to the female screw member 8 due to the aforementioned screwing action, and the drawing material M is pushed by the push rod 6 and delivered from the opening 2b of the front tube 2.

[0060] In contrast, when the inner cylindrical member 7 attempts to rotate relative to the female screw member 8 in a direction (opposite direction) in which the convex portion 7r contacts the abutment surface 8x of the protrusion 8v, the convex portion 7r does not climb over the abutment surface 8x, and therefore the inner cylindrical member 7 does not rotate relative to the female screw member 8. Therefore, in this embodiment, the push rod 6 does not retract relative to the female screw member 8, and the drawing material M does not retract either. As described above, the ratchet mechanism 9 allows the inner cylindrical member 7 to rotate relative to the female screw member 8 in one direction, and restricts the inner cylindrical member 7 from rotating relative to the female screw member 8 in the opposite direction.

[0061] The spring portion 80 has, for example, a tubular shape (for example, a cylindrical shape). The spring portion 80 has a first elastic portion 81 that extends in a spiral shape around an axis line, and a second elastic portion 82 that forms a double spiral structure together with the first elastic portion 81. For example, the first elastic portion 81 has the same shape as the second elastic portion 82. Each of the first elastic portion 81 and the second elastic portion 82 has a circular shape when viewed from the axial direction D1. For example, the outer diameter of the first elastic portion 81 when viewed from the axial direction D1 is equal to the outer diameter of the second elastic portion 82 when viewed from the axial direction D1. The first elastic portion 81 and the second elastic portion 82 are twisted, for example, clockwise when viewed from the front side tube portion 8d. The first elastic portion 81 and the second elastic portion 82 are arranged at positions that are point symmetric with respect to the axis (axis L) of the front side tube portion 8d.

[0062] The first elastic portion 81 includes first axial extending portions 81a, 81b, and 81c whose lengths in the axial direction D1 are longer than their lengths in the circumferential direction D2, and first circumferential extending portions 81d and 81e whose lengths in the circumferential direction D2 are longer than their lengths in the axial direction D1. For example, the first axial extending portions 81a, 81b, and 81c are rectangular. For example, the corners of each of the first axial extending portions 81a, 81b, and 81c are rounded.

[0063] The first axial extension portion 81a is connected to the rear end of the front side cylinder portion 8d. The first axial extension portion 81c is connected to the front end of the rear side cylinder portion 8f. The first axial extension portion 81b is disposed between the first axial extension portion 81a and the first axial extension portion 81c in the axial direction D1. In the axial direction D1, the front end of the first axial extension portion 81b is spaced apart from the rear end of the first axial extension portion 81a. In the axial direction D1, the rear end of the first axial extension portion 81b is spaced apart from the front end of the first axial extension portion 81c.

[0064] For example, the position of the first axial extension portion 81a in the radial direction of the spring portion 80 is the same as the position of the first axial extension portion 81c in the radial direction of the spring portion 80. That is, the first axial extension portion 81a and the first axial extension portion 81c are aligned along the axial direction D1. For example, the direction from the axis L toward the first axial extension portion 81a is opposite to the direction from the axis L toward the first axial extension portion 81b. That is, when viewed along the axial direction D1, the first axial extension portion 81a and the first axial extension portion 81b are aligned along the radial direction of the spring portion 80.

[0065] The first circumferential extending portion 81d is arranged in a stepped manner together with the first axial extending portion 81a. The first circumferential extending portion 81d is connected to a portion extending in the circumferential direction D2 from the rear portion of the first axial extending portion 81a, and extends rearward from that portion. The first circumferential extending portion 81d connects the first axial extending portion 81a to the first axial extending portion 81b. For example, the front end of the first circumferential extending portion 81d is located approximately in the center of the first axial extending portion 81a. The rear end of the first circumferential extending portion 81d is located forward of the center of the first axial extending portion 81b.

[0066] The first circumferential extending portion 81e connects the first axial extending portion 81b to the first axial extending portion 81c. The front end of the first circumferential extending portion 81e is located rearward of the center of the first axial extending portion 81b. The rear end of the first circumferential extending portion 81e is located approximately in the center of the first axial extending portion 81c. The first circumferential extending portion 81d and the first circumferential extending portion 81e are aligned along the radial direction of the spring portion 80.

[0067] In the first elastic portion 81, the first axial extension portion and the first circumferential extension portion are alternately arranged along the axial direction D1. Specifically, the first axial extension portion 81a, the first circumferential extension portion 81d, the first axial extension portion 81b, the first circumferential extension portion 81e, and the first axial extension portion 81c are arranged in this order along the axial direction D1. The first axial extension portion 81b is connected to a portion extending from the rear portion of the first circumferential extension portion 81d in the circumferential direction D2, the first circumferential extension portion 81e is connected to a portion extending from the rear portion of the first axial extension portion 81b in the circumferential direction D2, and the first axial extension portion 81c is connected to a portion extending from the rear portion of the first circumferential extension portion 81e in the circumferential direction D2. With the first axially extending portions 81a, 81b, 81c and the first circumferentially extending portions 81d, 81e disposed in the above-described positional relationship, the first elastic portion 81 has a spiral shape.

[0068] For example, the angle between a first imaginary line extending from the axis L to the center of the first axially extending portion 81a and a second imaginary line extending from the axis L to the center of the first circumferentially extending portion 81d is 90°. The angle between the second imaginary line and a third imaginary line extending from the axis L to the center of the first axially extending portion 81b is 90°. The angle between the third imaginary line and a fourth imaginary line extending from the axis L to the center of the first circumferentially extending portion 81e is 90°. The angle between the fourth imaginary line and a fifth imaginary line extending from the axis L to the center of the first axially extending portion 81c is 90°. The first elastic portion 81 is spirally shaped so as to rotate 90° from the first axial extending portion 81a toward the first circumferential extending portion 81d, rotate 90° from the first circumferential extending portion 81d toward the first axial extending portion 81b, rotate 90° from the first axial extending portion 81b toward the first circumferential extending portion 81e, and rotate 90° from the first circumferential extending portion 81e toward the first axial extending portion 81c.

[0069] When an external force is applied in a direction in which the front cylinder portion 8d and the rear cylinder portion 8f approach each other, the first elastic portion 81 is elastically deformed as a whole, causing the first axial extending portions 81a and 81c to approach the first axial extending portion 81b. When the front cylinder portion 8d rotates relative to the rear cylinder portion 8f around the axis of the spring portion 80, the first elastic portion 81 is elastically deformed as a whole.

[0070] An example of a case in which the front side cylinder portion 8d rotates relative to the rear side cylinder portion 8f is when the push rod 6 is screwed into the female screw member 8 in the process of manufacturing the dispensing container 1. When the rear side cylinder portion 8f is held and the male screw 6b of the push rod 6 is screwed into the female screw 8b of the female screw member 8, a force is applied to the front side cylinder portion 8d in the circumferential direction D2. This allows the front side cylinder portion 8d to rotate relative to the rear side cylinder portion 8f, which is not subjected to a force in the circumferential direction D2.

[0071] The second elastic portion 82 has second axial extension portions 82a, 82b, and 82c similar to the first axial extension portions 81a, 81b, and 81c, respectively, and second circumferential extension portions 82d and 82e similar to the first circumferential extension portions 81d and 81e, respectively. The second axial extension portion 82a is aligned with the first axial extension portion 81a along the radial direction of the spring portion 80. The second axial extension portion 82b is aligned with the first axial extension portion 81b along the radial direction of the spring portion 80. The second axial extension portion 82c is aligned with the first axial extension portion 81c along the radial direction of the spring portion 80. The second circumferential extension portion 82d is aligned with the first circumferential extension portion 81d along the radial direction of the spring portion 80. The second circumferential extending portion 82e is aligned with the first circumferential extending portion 81e along the radial direction of the spring portion 80. The behavior of the second elastic portion 82 when it elastically deforms in each of the axial direction D1 and the circumferential direction D2 is similar to that of the first elastic portion 81, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0072] The first axial extension portion 81a, the second axial extension portion 82b, and the first axial extension portion 81c are arranged in this order along the axial direction D1. The first axial extension portion 81a includes a first axial contact portion 81f extending in the circumferential direction D2 at the rear end of the first axial extension portion 81a. The first axial extension portion 81c includes a first axial contact portion 81g extending in the circumferential direction D2 at the front end of the first axial extension portion 81c. The second axial extension portion 82b includes a second axial contact portion 82h extending in the circumferential direction D2 at the front end of the second axial extension portion 82b, and a second axial contact portion 82j extending in the circumferential direction D2 at the rear end of the second axial extension portion 82b. The second axial contact portion 82h faces the first axial contact portion 81f while being spaced apart from the first axial contact portion 81f in the axial direction D1. The second axial contact portion 82j faces the first axial contact portion 81g while being spaced apart from the first axial contact portion 81g in the axial direction D1. For example, the sum of the distance from the first axial contact portion 81f to the second axial contact portion 82h and the distance from the first axial contact portion 81g to the second axial contact portion 82j is greater than the length of the contact surface 8x in the axial direction D1.

[0073] The second axial extension portion 82a, the first axial extension portion 81b, and the second axial extension portion 82c are arranged in this order along the axial direction D1. The second axial extension portion 82a includes a second axial contact portion 82f extending in the circumferential direction D2 at the rear end of the second axial extension portion 82a. The second axial extension portion 82c includes a second axial contact portion 82g extending in the circumferential direction D2 at the front end of the second axial extension portion 82c. The first axial extension portion 81b includes a first axial contact portion 81h extending in the circumferential direction D2 at the front end of the first axial extension portion 81b, and a first axial contact portion 81j extending in the circumferential direction D2 at the rear end of the first axial extension portion 81b. The first axial contact portion 81h faces the second axial contact portion 82f while being spaced from the second axial contact portion 82f in the axial direction D1. The first axial contact portion 81j faces the second axial contact portion 82g while being spaced from the second axial contact portion 82g in the axial direction D1. The sum of the distance from the first axial contact portion 81h to the second axial contact portion 82f and the distance from the first axial contact portion 81j to the second axial contact portion 82g is greater than the length of the contact surface 8x in the axial direction D1.

[0074] When the rear cylinder portion 8f is pushed in so as to approach toward the front cylinder portion 8d, the first axial extension portion 81c approaches the second axial extension portion 82b, and the second axial extension portion 82b approaches the first axial extension portion 81a. Then, the second axial extension portion 82c approaches the first axial extension portion 81b, and the first axial extension portion 81b approaches the second axial extension portion 82a. When the first axial extension portion 81c approaches the second axial extension portion 82b and the second axial extension portion 82b approaches the first axial extension portion 81a, the first axial contact portion 81g contacts the second axial contact portion 82j, and the second axial contact portion 82h contacts the first axial contact portion 81f.

[0075] When the second axial extending portion 82c approaches the first axial extending portion 81b and the first axial extending portion 81b approaches the second axial extending portion 82a, the second axial contact portion 82g contacts the first axial contact portion 81j, and the first axial contact portion 81h contacts the second axial contact portion 82f. In this manner, when the first axial contact portion and the second axial contact portion are in contact with each other, the female screw member 8 does not contract any further.

[0076] FIG. 7(a) is a cross-sectional view taken along line VIIa-VIIa in FIG. 5(a). As shown in FIG. 7(a), the first axial extension 81a, the first circumferential extension 81d, the second axial extension 82a, and the second circumferential extension 82d are arranged in this order along the circumferential direction D2. The first axial extension 81a has a first circumferential contact portion 81k located at an end opposite to the first circumferential extension 81d. The first circumferential extension 81d has a first circumferential contact portion 81p located at an end opposite to the first axial extension 81a. The second axial extension 82a has a second circumferential contact portion 82k located at an end opposite to the second circumferential extension 82d. The second circumferential extension 82d has a second circumferential contact portion 82p located at an end opposite to the second axial extension 82a.

[0077] The first circumferential contact portion 81k faces the second circumferential contact portion 82p while being spaced apart from the second circumferential contact portion 82p in the circumferential direction D2. The first circumferential contact portion 81p faces the second circumferential contact portion 82k while being spaced apart from the second circumferential contact portion 82k in the circumferential direction D2. The first circumferential contact portions 81k, 81p and the second circumferential contact portions 82k, 82p extend in the axial direction D1 (a direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. 7).

[0078] FIG. 7(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line VIIb-VIIb in FIG. 5(a). As shown in FIG. 7(b), the first circumferential extending portion 81d, the first axial extending portion 81b, the second circumferential extending portion 82d, and the second axial extending portion 82b are arranged in this order along the circumferential direction D2. The first axial extending portion 81b has a first circumferential contact portion 81s located at an end opposite to the first circumferential extending portion 81d. The first circumferential extending portion 81d has a first circumferential contact portion 81n located at an end opposite to the first axial extending portion 81b. The second axial extending portion 82b has a second circumferential contact portion 82s located at an end opposite to the second circumferential extending portion 82d. The second circumferential extending portion 82d has a second circumferential contact portion 82n located at an end opposite to the second axial extending portion 82b.

[0079] The first circumferential contact portion 81n faces the second circumferential contact portion 82s while being spaced apart from the second circumferential contact portion 82s in the circumferential direction D2. The first circumferential contact portion 81s faces the second circumferential contact portion 82n while being spaced apart from the second circumferential contact portion 82n in the circumferential direction D2. The first circumferential contact portions 81n, 81s and the second circumferential contact portions 82n, 82s extend in the axial direction D1.

[0080] FIG. 7(c) is a cross-sectional view taken along line VIIc-VIIc in FIG. 5(a). As shown in FIG. 7(c), the first axial extension 81b, the first circumferential extension 81e, the second axial extension 82b, and the second circumferential extension 82e are arranged in this order along the circumferential direction D2. The first axial extension 81b has a first circumferential contact portion 81t located at an end opposite to the first circumferential extension 81e. The first circumferential extension 81e has a first circumferential contact portion 81q located at an end opposite to the first axial extension 81b. The second axial extension 82b has a second circumferential contact portion 82t located at an end opposite to the second circumferential extension 82e. The second circumferential extension 82e includes a second circumferential contact portion 82q located at an end opposite to the second axial extension 82b.

[0081] The first circumferential contact portion 81q faces the second circumferential contact portion 82t while being spaced apart from the second circumferential contact portion 82t in the circumferential direction D2. The first circumferential contact portion 81t faces the second circumferential contact portion 82q while being spaced apart from the second circumferential contact portion 82q in the circumferential direction D2. The first circumferential contact portions 81q, 81t and the second circumferential contact portions 82q, 82t extend in the axial direction D1.

[0082] Fig. 7(d) is a cross-sectional view taken along line VIId-VIId in Fig. 5(a). As shown in Fig. 7(d), the first circumferential extending portion 81e, the first axial extending portion 81c, the second circumferential extending portion 82e, and the second axial extending portion 82c are arranged in this order along the circumferential direction D2. The first axial extending portion 81c has a first circumferential contact portion 81m located at an end opposite to the first circumferential extending portion 81e. The first circumferential extending portion 81e has a first circumferential contact portion 81r located at an end opposite to the first axial extending portion 81c. The second axial extending portion 82c has a second circumferential contact portion 82m located at an end opposite to the second circumferential extending portion 82e. The second circumferential extending portion 82e has a second circumferential contact portion 82r located at the end opposite to the second axially extending portion 82c.

[0083] The first circumferential contact portion 81m faces the second circumferential contact portion 82r while being spaced apart from the second circumferential contact portion 82r in the circumferential direction D2. The first circumferential contact portion 81r faces the second circumferential contact portion 82m while being spaced apart from the second circumferential contact portion 82m in the circumferential direction D2. The first circumferential contact portions 81m, 81r and the second circumferential contact portions 82m, 82r extend in the axial direction D1.

[0084] 8(a), 8(b), 8(c) and 8(d) are referenced to describe the operation of the first elastic portion 81 and the second elastic portion 82 when the front side cylinder portion 8d rotates relative to the rear side cylinder portion 8f around the axis and counterclockwise as viewed from the front side cylinder portion 8d. FIGS. 8(a), 8(b), 8(c) and 8(d) are views showing the first elastic portion 81 and the second elastic portion 82 when the front side cylinder portion 8d rotates relative to the rear side cylinder portion 8f. When the front side cylinder portion 8d rotates relative to the rear side cylinder portion 8f, the first circumferential extension portion 81d and the second circumferential extension portion 82d approach each other, and the first circumferential extension portion 81e and the second circumferential extension portion 82e approach each other. For example, when the external force in the circumferential direction D2 applied to the first elastic portion 81 is greater than the external force in the circumferential direction D2 applied to the second elastic portion 82, the first circumferential extending portions 81d, 81e approach the second circumferential extending portions 82d, 82e. Conversely, when the external force in the circumferential direction D2 applied to the second elastic portion 82 is greater than the external force in the circumferential direction D2 applied to the second elastic portion 82, the second circumferential extending portions 82d, 82e approach the first circumferential extending portions 81d, 81e.

[0085] When the first circumferential extending portion 81d and the second circumferential extending portion 82d approach each other, the first circumferential contact portion 81p and the second circumferential contact portion 82k approach each other, and the first circumferential contact portion 81k and the second circumferential contact portion 82p approach each other. Then, the first circumferential contact portion 81s and the second circumferential contact portion 82n approach each other, and the first circumferential contact portion 81n and the second circumferential contact portion 82s approach each other. As shown in FIG. 8(a) and FIG. 8(b), the first circumferential contact portion 81p and the second circumferential contact portion 82k come into contact with each other, and the first circumferential contact portion 81k and the second circumferential contact portion 82p come into contact with each other. Then, the first circumferential contact portion 81s and the second circumferential contact portion 82n come into contact with each other, and the first circumferential contact portion 81n and the second circumferential contact portion 82s come into contact with each other. The first circumferential extending portion 81d and the second circumferential extending portion 82d each stop.

[0086] When the first circumferential extending portion 81e and the second circumferential extending portion 82e approach each other, the first circumferential contact portion 81t and the second circumferential contact portion 82q approach each other, and the first circumferential contact portion 81q and the second circumferential contact portion 82t approach each other. Then, the first circumferential contact portion 81r and the second circumferential contact portion 82m approach each other, and the first circumferential contact portion 81m and the second circumferential contact portion 82r approach each other. As shown in FIG. 8(c) and FIG. 8(d), the first circumferential contact portion 81t and the second circumferential contact portion 82q come into contact with each other, and the first circumferential contact portion 81q and the second circumferential contact portion 82t come into contact with each other. Then, the first circumferential contact portion 81r and the second circumferential contact portion 82m come into contact with each other, and the first circumferential contact portion 81m and the second circumferential contact portion 82r come into contact with each other. The first circumferential extending portion 81e and the second circumferential extending portion 82e each stop.

[0087] When the first circumferential extending portion 81d and the second circumferential extending portion 82d are stopped and the first circumferential extending portion 81e and the second circumferential extending portion 82e are stopped, the front side cylindrical portion 8d no longer rotates relative to the rear side cylindrical portion 8f.

[0088] Next, a description will be given of the action and effect obtained from the dispensing container 1 and the female screw member 8 according to this embodiment. In the female screw member 8, the spring portion 80 that connects the front side cylinder portion 8d having the female screw 8b to the rear side cylinder portion 8f has a first elastic portion 81 and a second elastic portion 82, and the first elastic portion 81 and the second elastic portion 82 form a double helix structure. Therefore, the spring portion 80 can be contracted in the axial direction D1, thereby increasing the elastic force.

[0089] In the female screw member 8, for example, the first elastic portion 81 includes a first circumferential contact portion 81k extending in the axial direction D1, and the second elastic portion 82 includes a second circumferential contact portion 82p spaced apart from the first circumferential contact portion 81k in the circumferential direction D2 and extending in the axial direction D1. Therefore, even if the front cylinder portion 8d rotates relative to the rear cylinder portion 8f about the axis and the spring portion 80 is twisted, the first circumferential contact portion 81k comes into contact with the second circumferential contact portion 82p, and therefore, the twisting of the spring portion 80 can be suppressed.

[0090] The first elastic portion 81 includes a first axial contact portion 81f extending in the circumferential direction D2, and the second elastic portion 82 includes a second axial contact portion 82h spaced apart from the first axial contact portion 81f in the axial direction D1 and extending in the circumferential direction D2. Therefore, even if the spring portion 80 shrinks in the axial direction D1 and the rear side cylinder portion 8f approaches the front side cylinder portion 8d, the second axial contact portion 82h contacts the first axial contact portion 81f, so that the amount of shrinkage of the spring portion 80 in the axial direction D1 does not become too large. Therefore, even if the thickness of the first elastic portion 81 and the thickness of the second elastic portion 82 are not reduced, the spring portion 80 can maintain a high elastic force because it shrinks moderately in the axial direction D1. As a result, the spring portion 80 can be easily molded.

[0091] The female screw member 8 has a female screw 8b provided inside the front cylindrical portion 8d as a screw portion. In this case, the push rod 6, which is a member provided with a male screw, can be screwed into the front cylindrical portion 8d.

[0092] The female screw member 8 is inserted into the front tube 2, which is an outer tube member located outside the female screw member 8. The front tube portion 8d has a convex portion 8j that restricts the rotation of the female screw member 8 relative to the front tube 2. The rear tube portion 8f has a convex portion 8t that restricts the rotation of the female screw member 8 relative to the front tube 2. In this case, the convex portion 8j restricts the rotation of the front tube portion 8d relative to the front tube 2, and the convex portion 8t restricts the rotation of the rear tube portion 8f relative to the front tube 2. Since the rotation of the front tube portion 8d and the rear tube portion 8f relative to the front tube 2 is restricted, the front tube portion 8d is restricted from rotating relative to the rear tube portion 8f. Therefore, the spring portion 80 arranged between the front tube portion 8d and the rear tube portion 8f can be made less likely to twist.

[0093] In the dispensing container 1, the male screw 6b of the push rod 6 is screwed into the female screw 8b of the female screw member 8, whereby the push rod 6 and the female screw member 8 are connected to each other. When the male screw 6b is screwed into the female screw 8b, a force in the circumferential direction D2 may be applied to the front side cylinder portion 8d. In the female screw member 8, the first elastic portion 81 includes a first circumferential contact portion 81k extending in the axial direction D1, and the second elastic portion 82 includes a second circumferential contact portion 82p spaced apart from the first circumferential contact portion 81k in the circumferential direction D2 and extending in the axial direction D1. Therefore, even if the spring portion 80 is twisted by the relative rotation of the front side cylinder portion 8d about the axis with respect to the rear side cylinder portion 8f, the first circumferential contact portion 81k comes into contact with the second circumferential contact portion 82p. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the spring portion 80 from being twisted when the push rod 6 and the female screw member 8 are connected to each other.

[0094] The female screw member 8 according to this embodiment has not only the first circumferential contact portion 81k, the second circumferential contact portion 82p, the first axial contact portion 81f, and the second axial contact portion 82h, but also a plurality of first circumferential contact portions, a plurality of second circumferential contact portions, a plurality of first axial contact portions, and a plurality of second axial contact portions, so that the above-mentioned effects become more pronounced.

[0095] The above describes the embodiments of the screw member and the dispensing container according to the present disclosure. However, the screw member and the dispensing container according to the present disclosure are not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments, and may be further modified within the scope of the gist described in the claims. In other words, the shape, size, material, number and arrangement of each part of the screw member and the dispensing container according to the present disclosure can be appropriately changed within the scope of the gist described above. For example, the screw member may be a male screw member having a male screw provided on the outer periphery as a screw part, instead of a female screw member 8 having a female screw 8b inside.

[0096] A dispensing container according to a modified example will be described with reference to Fig. 9(a) and Fig. 9(b). Fig. 9(a) is a diagram showing a state before a screw member 98 is inserted into an outer tube member 92. Fig. 9(b) is a diagram showing a state in which the screw member 98 is press-fitted into the outer tube member 92. The dispensing container according to the modified example includes an outer tube member 92 and a screw member 98 to be inserted into the outer tube member 92. The outer tube member 92 has a tubular shape (e.g., a cylindrical shape) with an open front end in the axial direction D1 and a closed rear end. The outer tube member 92 has a large diameter portion 92a extending rearward from the front end of the outer tube member 92, and a small diameter portion 92b having an inner diameter smaller than that of the large diameter portion 92a. The small diameter portion 92b extends rearward from the large diameter portion 92a and extends to the rear end of the outer tube member 92. The large diameter portion 92a has an inner diameter of a constant size along the axial direction D1. The small diameter portion 92b has a constant size along the axial direction D1 and has an inner diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the large diameter portion 92a.

[0097] The screw member 98 has a rear side tubular portion 98f, a spring portion 80, and an annular portion 98d. The rear side tubular portion 98f has a cylindrical shape with an open front end and a closed rear end. The rear side tubular portion 98f has a plurality of protrusions 98t formed on an outer peripheral surface 98s of the rear side tubular portion 98f. The protrusions 98t differ from the protrusions 8t in that the length (width) of the protrusions 98t in the circumferential direction D2 is shorter than that of the protrusions 8t described above. The number of protrusions 98t that the rear side tubular portion 98f has is greater than the number of protrusions 8t that the rear side tubular portion 98f has. That is, the number of protrusions 98t that the rear side tubular portion 98f has is greater than four. The outer diameter of the rear side tubular portion 98f at the portion where the protrusions 98t are formed is slightly greater than the inner diameter of the small diameter portion 92b. The length of the rear cylindrical portion 98f in the axial direction D1 is longer than the length of the small diameter portion 92b in the axial direction D1.

[0098] The annular portion 98d has, for example, a circular ring shape when viewed from the axial direction D1. The outer diameter of the annular portion 98d is larger than the outer diameter of the spring portion 80 and smaller than the outer diameter of the rear cylinder portion 98f. The outer diameter of the annular portion 98d is smaller than the inner diameter of the large diameter portion 92a. The annular portion 98d has an end face 98a located opposite to the side to which the spring portion 80 is connected. The end face 98a extends in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction D1.

[0099] In the dispensing container according to the modified example, the screw member 98 is inserted into the outer barrel member 92 with the rear barrel portion 98f facing the large diameter portion 92a. When the rear barrel portion 98f reaches the front end of the small diameter portion 92b, the screw member 98 is pressed rearward using a press-fitting jig T so that the rear barrel portion 98f enters the small diameter portion 92b. At this time, the press-fitting jig T presses against the end face 98a of the annular portion 98d, thereby forcing the rear barrel portion 98f into the small diameter portion 92b.

[0100] When the end face 98a of the annular portion 98d is pressed by the press-fitting jig T, a force that causes the spring portion 80 to contract in the axial direction D1 is applied to the spring portion 80 located between the annular portion 98d and the rear side cylinder portion 98f. If the spring portion of the screw member does not have the first axial contact portion 81f and the second axial contact portion 82h, the spring portion may be plastically deformed or broken when the screw member is press-fitted into the small diameter portion 92b. In contrast, in the screw member 98 having the spring portion 80, the first elastic portion 81 includes the first axial contact portion 81f, and the second elastic portion 82 includes the second axial contact portion 82h. Therefore, even if a force that causes the spring portion 80 to contract is applied to the spring portion 80, the amount by which the spring portion 80 contracts in the axial direction D1 does not become too large. Therefore, it is possible to avoid problems such as the spring portion 80 being plastically deformed or broken due to the amount of contraction of the spring portion 80 in the axial direction D1 becoming too large.

[0101] In the above-described embodiment, the dispensing container 1 has a ratchet mechanism 9 that allows the outer tubular member 4 to rotate relative to the front tube 2 in only one direction, and the push rod 6 that moves forward only can be visually observed. However, the dispensing container may not have a ratchet mechanism 9. The dispensing container may also be a dispensing container that allows the outer tubular member to rotate relative to the front tube in one direction and the opposite direction, and the push rod that moves forward and backward can be visually observed. In this case as well, by viewing the position of the push rod through the transparent portion when the tip of the drawing material is exposed at the opening of the front tube, the same effects as those of the above-described embodiment can be obtained.

[0102] In the embodiment described above, the dispensing container 1 has a through hole 4d, making the push rod 6 visible. However, the dispensing container may not have a through hole 4d. In other words, the dispensing container may have a dispensing container in which the push rod 6 is not visible.

[0103] In the above embodiment, the dispensing container 1 is described that includes the drawing material M, which is a cosmetic. However, the drawing material may be something other than a cosmetic. For example, the drawing material may be a core material used in writing implements such as crayons. In this way, the dispensing container according to the present disclosure is not limited to cosmetics, and can be applied to various drawing materials such as writing implements or stationery.

[0104] In the above-described embodiment, the dispensing container 1 has been described in which the front cylinder portion 8d has a protrusion 8j as the first rotation restricting portion, and the rear cylinder portion 8f has a protrusion 8t as the second rotation restricting portion. However, instead of having the protrusion 8j, the front cylinder portion 8d may have a groove recessed inward from the outer surface 8h of the front cylinder portion 8d as the first rotation restricting portion. Also, instead of having the protrusion 8t, the rear cylinder portion 8f may have a groove recessed inward from the outer surface 8s of the rear cylinder portion 8f as the second rotation restricting portion. In this case, the front cylinder 2 may have a protrusion that protrudes inward on the inner surface 2q and fits into the groove. [Explanation of symbols]

[0105] Reference Signs List 1...Dispensing container, 2...Front tube (outer tube member), 2A...Front tube portion, 2B...Rear tube portion, 2C...Flange portion, 2b...Opening, 2c...Tapered surface, 2d...Convex portion, 2f...Internal space, 2g...Annular recess, 2h...First annular protrusion, 2j...Second annular protrusion, 2p...Opening, 2q...Inner surface, 3...Cap, 3A...Outer cap, 3B...Inner cap, 3b...Concave, 3c...End surface, 4...Outer tubular member, 4b...Inner surface, 4c...Side surface, 4d...Through hole, 4f...Long axis, 4g...Short axis, 4h...Straight portion, 4j...Curved portion, 4k...Rear end, 4p...Protrusion, 4r...Opening, 4t...Front end, 4q...annular recess, 4s...annular protrusion, 5...piston, 5b...first recess, 5c...second recess, 6...push rod, 6b...male screw, 6c...engagement portion, 6d...visible portion, 6g...rear end, 7...inner cylindrical member, 7b...transparent portion, 7c...recess, 7d...outer surface, 7f...inner surface, 7g...projection, 7h...flat surface, 7j...widened portion, 7k...one end, 7p...straight portion, 7q...other end, 7r...protrusion, 8...female screw member (screw member), 8b...female screw (screw portion), 8c...end, 8d...front cylindrical portion (first cylindrical portion), 8e...slit, 8e1...extension portion, 8e2...extension portion , 8f... rear side cylindrical portion (second cylindrical portion), 8h... outer surface, 8j... convex portion (first rotation restricting portion), 8k... first convex portion, 8p... second convex portion, 8s... outer surface, 8t... convex portion (second rotation restricting portion), 8v... protrusion, 8w... inclined surface, 8x... contact surface, 9... ratchet mechanism, 80... spring portion, 81... first elastic portion, 81a, 81b, 81c... first axial extension portion, 81d, 81e... first circumferential extension portion, 81f, 81g, 81h, 81j... first axial contact portion, 81k, 81m, 81n, 81p, 81q, 81r, 81s, 81t... first circumferential contact Contact portion, 82...second elastic portion, 82a, 82b, 82c...second axial extending portion, 82d, 82e...second circumferential extending portion, 82f, 82g, 82h, 82j...second axial contact portion, 82k, 82m, 82n, 82p, 82q, 82r, 82s, 82t...second circumferential contact portion, 92...outer tube member, 92a...large diameter portion, 92b...small diameter portion, 98...screw member, 98a...end surface, 98d...annular portion, 98f...rear tube portion, 98s...outer peripheral surface, 98t...convex portion, D1...axial direction, D2...circumferential direction, L...axis, M...drawing material, T...press-fitting jig.

Claims

1. A first cylindrical portion having a screw portion; a second cylindrical portion arranged apart from the first cylindrical portion so as to be aligned along an axial direction in which an axis of the first cylindrical portion extends; A spring portion connecting the first cylindrical portion to the second cylindrical portion; Equipped with the spring portion has a first elastic portion extending in a spiral shape around the axis and a second elastic portion forming a double spiral structure together with the first elastic portion, the first elastic portion includes a first circumferential contact portion extending in the axial direction and a first axial contact portion extending in a circumferential direction of the first cylindrical portion, the second elastic portion includes a second circumferential contact portion spaced apart in the circumferential direction from the first circumferential contact portion and extending in the axial direction, and a second axial contact portion spaced apart in the axial direction from the first axial contact portion and extending in the circumferential direction.

2. The screw member according to claim 1 , wherein the screw portion has a female screw provided inside the first cylindrical portion.

3. The screw member is inserted into an outer cylinder member located outside the screw member, the first cylindrical portion has a first rotation restricting portion that restricts rotation of the screw member relative to the outer cylindrical member, The screw member according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the second cylindrical portion has a second rotation restricting portion that restricts rotation of the screw member relative to the outer cylindrical member.

4. The screw member according to claim 2 , a front tube that houses the screw member and is rotatable synchronously with the screw member, houses a drawing material, and has an opening at a front end for allowing the drawing material to appear; an outer tubular member connected to the front tube on the opposite side to the opening; an inner tubular member fixed to the outer tubular member within the outer tubular member; a push rod that is rotatable synchronously with the inner cylindrical member within the inner cylindrical member and has a male screw that screws into the female screw; Equipped with The outer cylindrical member is rotatable relative to the front tube, a push rod that moves forward relative to the screw member by a screw-engagement action between the male screw and the female screw caused by a relative rotation of the outer cylindrical member with respect to the front tube; Dispensing container.

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