Container

Abstract

To improve ease with which liquid is foamed.SOLUTION: There is provided a container including: a surface portion where an opening is formed; a container body located on a first direction side of the surface portion, for storing liquid; and a sponge located on a second direction side of the surface portion, which is opposite to the first direction, and to which the liquid is supplied from the container body through the opening. The sponge has air bubbles and linear holes that are larger in diameter than the air bubbles.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 10

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a container.

Background Art

[0002] A container having a container body for accommodating a liquid agent and a member for absorbing the liquid agent flowing out from the container body is known. A user can apply the liquid agent to a desired object by pressing the member against the desired object. As an example of such a container, Patent Document 1 discloses an apparatus having a container body for accommodating a cosmetic and an applicator capable of elastic compression for absorbing the cosmetic flowing out from the container body.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in the apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1, when applying the liquid agent to a desired object, the liquid agent is difficult to foam.

[0005] The present invention relates to a container in which the foaming property of a liquid agent is improved.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, one aspect of the present invention is a container including a face portion in which an opening is formed, a container body located on the first direction side of the face portion and accommodating a liquid agent, and a sponge located on the second direction side opposite to the first direction of the face portion and supplied with the liquid agent from the container body through the opening, wherein the sponge has air bubbles and linear holes having a diameter larger than that of the air bubbles.

Effects of the Invention

[0007] As described above, according to the container of the present invention, it is possible to improve the foaming property of the liquid agent.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Figure 12

Figure 13

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this specification and the drawings, components having substantially the same functional configuration are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted.

[0010] <Schematic configuration of the container> One embodiment of the present invention relates to a container capable of foaming a liquid agent when a user applies the liquid agent to a desired target. Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the schematic configuration of the container according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0011] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a container 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the container 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a container body 10, a support member 20, a sponge 40, and a cap 90.

[0012] The container body 10 stores a liquid agent. The liquid agent stored in the container body 10 is not particularly limited. For example, the liquid agent stored in the container body 10 may be a liquid agent such as a liquid detergent, a fabric softener, a bleach, a shampoo, a conditioner, a conditioner, a body soap, a lotion, a medicine, a liquid seasoning, etc. Examples of the liquid detergent include a detergent for cleaning a washbowl.

[0013] The support member 20 is detachably attached to the container body 10. Further, the support member 20 has a support surface (support surface 211 shown from FIG. 5 onwards) in which an opening is formed, and the sponge 40 is supported on the support surface. In this specification, the direction in which the container body 10 is located as viewed from the support surface may be referred to as the first direction (Z1 direction shown in FIG. 1), and the direction opposite to the first direction may be referred to as the second direction (Z2 direction shown in FIG. 1).

[0014] The sponge 40 is a member having elasticity and many bubbles (cells). The sponge 40 is formed of, for example, an ether-based urethane foam. The sponge 40 absorbs the liquid agent that has flowed out of the container body 10 through the opening of the support surface of the support member 20. The bubble type of the sponge may be either a closed-cell type or an open-cell type. The closed-cell type is a type in which each bubble has an independent bubble wall, and the open-cell type is a type in which each bubble communicates with each other.

[0015] The cap 90 is detachably engaged with the support member 20. When the cap 90 is engaged with the support member 20, the cap 90 is separated from the sponge 40 and covers the sponge 40. Note that different materials may be used for the cap 90, the container body 10, and the support member 20, or the same material may be used. Examples of such materials include injection-molded products made of synthetic resins such as PP (polypropylene), ABS (acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer synthetic resin), acrylic, polyester, PCT (policyclohexylene dimethylene terephthalate), SAN (styrene acrylonitrile copolymer), or metal processed products made of stainless steel or aluminum alloy, etc.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 2, the above-described container 1 is used in a state where it is tilted so that the second direction (Z2 direction) approaches the gravitational direction. When the content of the container 1 is a liquid detergent, the user presses the sponge 40 against the surface to be cleaned. Then, the sponge 40 is compressed, and the liquid agent absorbed by the sponge 40 is pushed out onto the surface to be cleaned while being mixed with air. The liquid agent forms bubbles by being mixed with air and is pushed out onto the surface to be cleaned in a bubble state. The user can clean the surface to be cleaned with the sponge 40 while entangling the bubbles with the sponge 40 by moving the container 1 with the sponge 40 pressed against the surface to be cleaned.

[0017] Furthermore, the container 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention has a configuration for further improving the foaming property of the liquid agent. Hereinafter, the configurations such as the container body 10, the support member 20, and the sponge 40 included in such a container 1 will be sequentially described in detail.

[0018] <Configuration of the container body 10> FIG. 3 is an explanatory view showing the configuration of the container body 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 3, the container body 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention has a body portion 120, a bottom portion 140, and a neck portion 160.

[0019] (Body portion 120) The body portion 120 has a cylindrical shape with two opposing openings. In the example shown in FIG. 3, the body portion 120 is cylindrical, but the body portion 120 may have other shapes such as a rectangular tube shape, a cone shape, or a frustum shape.

[0020] (Bottom portion 140) The bottom portion 140 is a portion that closes the opening on the first direction (Z1 direction) side of the body portion 120. The space surrounded by the body portion 120 and the bottom portion 140 becomes the accommodation space for the liquid agent.

[0021] (Neck portion 160) The neck portion 160 is a portion having a hollow that leads to the accommodation space for the liquid agent. A spiral convex portion 162 is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the neck portion 160. By screwing the support member 20 onto the spiral convex portion 162, the support member 20 is detachably attached to the container body 10. However, the engagement method between the container body 10 and the support member 20 is not limited to screwing, and the engagement method may be other methods such as a plugging type.

[0022] <Configuration of the support member 20> FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the support member 20 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is an explanatory view showing a cross-section taken along line I-I shown in FIG. 4 of the support member 20.

[0023] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the support member 20 has a support plate portion 210, a groove 220, an outer ring portion 230, a middle ring portion 240, and an inner ring portion 250.

[0024] (Support plate part 210) The support plate part 210 has a support surface 211 for supporting the sponge 40. An opening 212 penetrating the support plate part 210 is formed in the support plate part 210. The opening 212 is located at the center of the support plate part 210 in a plan view of the support plate part 210. The diameter d1 of the opening 212 on the support surface 211 is smaller than the diameter of the opening 212 on the surface opposite to the support surface 211. That is, the opening 212 and the inner peripheral wall 212t of the support plate part 210 have a tapered shape.

[0025] (Groove 220) The groove 220 is arranged so as to surround the support surface 211. The groove 220 is formed by a groove inner wall part 222, an overhanging part 223, and a groove outer wall part 224. The groove inner wall part 222 is a side wall on the inner peripheral side of the groove 220 and extends from the outer edge part of the support plate part 210 to the first direction (Z1 direction) side. The overhanging part 223 protrudes outward from the end part of the groove inner wall part 222 on the first direction (Z1 direction) side. The groove outer wall part 224 is a side wall on the outer peripheral side of the groove 220 and extends from the overhanging part 223 to the second direction (Z2 direction) side. The groove 220 formed by these groove inner wall part 222, overhanging part 223, and overhanging part 223 is an annular part that is concave on the first direction (Z1 direction) side with respect to the support surface 211. Annular means a shape that surrounds a certain area and may be continuous or intermittent.

[0026] Also, the end part of the groove outer wall part 224 on the second direction (Z2 direction) side protrudes to the second direction (Z2 direction) side more than the support surface 211. By engaging the inner peripheral surface of the cap 90 with the outer peripheral surface of the groove outer wall part 224, the cap 90 is detachably attached to the support member 20.

[0027] (Outer ring part 230) The outer ring portion 230 is a portion that extends from the outer edge portion of the protruding portion 223 toward the first direction (Z1 direction). As shown in FIG. 4, concave portions and convex portions may be alternately arranged along the circumferential direction on the outer peripheral surface of the outer ring portion 230. Such a configuration of the outer peripheral surface of the outer ring portion 230 can function as an anti-slip for the user's finger. For example, when the user holds the outer peripheral surface of the outer ring portion 230 and rotates the support member 20 with respect to the container body 10 in order to detach the support member 20 from the container body 10, the concave portions and convex portions on the outer peripheral surface of the outer ring portion 230 can function as an anti-slip for the user's finger.

[0028] (Middle ring portion 240) The middle ring portion 240 is a portion that extends from the protruding portion 223 toward the first direction (Z1 direction) on the inner peripheral side of the outer ring portion 230. A spiral convex portion 242 is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the middle ring portion 240. The spiral convex portion 242 is screwed with the spiral convex portion 162 of the container body 10.

[0029] (Inner ring portion 250) The inner ring portion 250 is a portion that extends from the support plate portion 210 toward the first direction (Z1 direction) on the inner peripheral side of the middle ring portion 240. An annular convex portion 252 is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the inner ring portion 250. An annular concave portion 254 is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the inner ring portion 250.

[0030] <Configuration of the valve member 30> A valve member 30 whose tip is inserted into the opening 212 from the container body 10 side is attached to the support member 20 described above. Hereinafter, the configuration of the valve member 30 will be described with reference to FIG. 6.

[0031] FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a cross-sectional configuration of the support member 20 and the valve member 30. As shown in FIG. 6, the valve member 30 has a tip portion 310, a tapered portion 320, a base portion 330, and a leg portion 340. The valve member 30 is an example of an opening / closing portion that opens and closes the opening 212. The valve member 30 can be formed of a synthetic resin such as PP, ABS, acrylic, polyester, PCT, SAN, etc.

[0032] (Tip portion 310) The tip portion 310 is the end portion of the valve member 30 on the second direction (Z2 direction) side. The tip portion 310 passes through the opening 212 and protrudes beyond the support surface 211 on the second direction (Z2 direction) side.

[0033] (Tapered portion 320) The tapered portion 320 is the portion located inside the opening 212. The outer peripheral surface of the tapered portion 320 has a tapered shape and is in surface contact with the inner peripheral surface 212t of the support plate portion 210.

[0034] (Base portion 330) The base portion 330 has an annular shape. The base portion 330 is supported by the surface on the second direction (Z2 direction) side of the convex portion 252 of the inner ring portion 250.

[0035] (Leg portion 340) Between the tapered portion 320 and the base portion 330, a plurality of leg portions 340 connecting the tapered portion 320 and the base portion 330 are provided. In FIG. 6, an example is shown where the circumferential position of each leg portion 340 is the same at any position along the first direction (Z1 direction), but each leg portion 340 may have a shape (for example, a spiral shape) in which the circumferential position changes as it goes in the first direction (Z1 direction).

[0036] The leg portion 340 is elastically deformable. Thereby, the tip portion 310 and the tapered portion 320 can be moved in the first direction (Z1 direction) and returned to the initial position by moving in the second direction (Z2 direction).

[0037] <Configuration of the sponge 40> Subsequently, the configuration of the sponge 40 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 7 is a top view of the sponge 40. FIG. 8 is an explanatory view showing a cross-section taken along line II-II shown in FIG. 7 of the sponge 40. In FIGS. 7 and 8, for easy understanding of the configuration of an embodiment of the present invention, the air bubbles are not shown and the holes H are schematically shown. That is, the size and shape of the holes H with respect to the sponge 40 shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 may be different from the actual size and shape of the holes H with respect to the sponge 40.

[0038] In the examples shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the sponge 40 has a cylindrical shape. Of the two opposing surfaces of the sponge 40, the surface on the second direction (Z2 direction) side is the application surface 410, and the surface on the first direction (Z1 direction) side is the adhesion surface 420. The application surface 410 is the surface that is pressed against the surface to be cleaned, and the adhesion surface 420 is the surface that is adhered to the support surface 211 of the support member 20. The shape of the sponge 40 is not limited to a cylindrical shape, and may be other columnar shapes. Further, the shape of the sponge 40 may be other shapes such as a cone shape or a frustum of a cone shape.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 8, the sponge 40 has linear holes H that penetrate the application surface 410 and the adhesion surface 420. In a plan view of the sponge 40, a plurality of linear holes H may be formed evenly over a wide range. In the example shown in FIG. 7, in each of a plurality of concentric circles, a plurality of linear holes H are formed at equal intervals on the arc. However, the number and arrangement of the holes H are not limited to the example shown in FIG. 7, and other numbers and arrangements may be applied.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 8, the linear holes H can be formed along a straight line. The diameter d3 of the linear holes H is larger than the diameter of the air bubbles formed in the sponge 40. For example, the diameter d3 of the linear holes H may be 800 μm or more and 1100 μm or less, and the diameter of the air bubbles formed in the sponge 40 may be 430 μm or more and 520 μm or less. Further, the statistical value (for example, the average value) of the diameter d3 of the linear holes H may be larger than the statistical value (for example, the average value) of the diameter of the air bubbles formed in the sponge 40.

[0041] Incidentally, as a method for measuring the diameter d3 of the linear hole H and the diameter (cell diameter) of the bubbles formed in the sponge 40, the following can be mentioned. As a method for measuring the diameter d3 of the linear hole H, the sponge 40 is cut along a plane orthogonal to the first direction or the second direction, and a magnified image of the cut surface of the sponge 40 is taken using a digital microscope (trade name: VHX-5000; manufactured by Keyence Corporation). Then, ten holes H are selected from this magnified photograph, and the diameter d3 of each hole H is measured using the software of the device. The average value thereof is calculated as the diameter d3 (μm) of the linear hole H.

[0042] As a method for measuring the bubbles (cell diameter) formed in the sponge 40, similar to the method for measuring the diameter d3 of the linear hole H, the sponge 40 is cut along a plane orthogonal to the first direction or the second direction, and a magnified image of the cut surface of the sponge 40 is taken using a digital microscope (trade name: VHX-5000; manufactured by Keyence Corporation). Then, ten bubbles (cells) are selected from this magnified photograph, and the diameter of each bubble (cell diameter) is measured using the software of the device. The average value thereof is calculated as the number-average bubble diameter (average cell diameter) (μm), and this is treated as the bubbles (cell diameter) formed in the sponge 40.

[0043] Incidentally, the cross-sectional shape of the hole H or the bubble is not limited to circular, and may be various other shapes, for example, polygonal, elliptical, or rectangular. When the cross-sectional shape of the hole H or the bubble is another shape, the method for measuring these diameters is to take the largest diameter as the diameter of the hole H or the bubble (cell diameter). When the bubble type is a continuous bubble type, the diameter of the largest bubble among the continuous bubbles is taken as the diameter of the bubble (cell diameter).

[0044] Incidentally, it is also possible to measure the number of cells by measuring the number of cells per linear length of 1 inch on an arbitrary cut surface. This measurement can be performed 5 times at arbitrary locations to calculate the average number of cells per inch.

[0045] The above-described linear hole H is formed by piercing the sponge before the hole H is formed. This piercing process will be described with reference to FIG. 9.

[0046] Figure 9 is an explanatory diagram showing piercing processing. In Figure 9, a piercing member 70 and a sponge 80 before processing are shown. The piercing member 70 has a base portion 72 and a plurality of needles 74 protruding from the base portion 72. The needles 74 include a shaft portion 742 having a constant diameter and a needle tip portion 744 having a tapered shape.

[0047] By piercing the sponge 80 before processing with such a piercing member 70 as indicated by the arrow in Figure 9, a plurality of linear holes H can be formed. Note that the diameter of the shaft portion 742 is desirably 2000 μm or more and 3500 μm or less in order to realize the diameter of the hole H described above.

[0048] Returning to Figure 8, the description of the sponge 40 is continued. The length d4 (i.e., the height of the sponge 40) along the first direction (Z1 direction) of the sponge 40 is 10 mm or more and 30 mm or less, preferably 15 mm or more and 25 mm or less, and for example, may be 20 mm, from the viewpoint of ensuring sufficient space for the liquid agent and air to be mixed for foam generation.

[0049] Further, a concave portion 422 that is concave toward the second direction (Z2 direction) side is formed on the adhesion surface 420 of the sponge 40. The concave portion 422 is located at the center of the sponge 40 in a plan view of the sponge 40. That is, the concave portion 422 is formed at a position corresponding to the opening 212 when the adhesion surface 420 is adhered to the support surface 211 of the support member 20.

[0050] Note that the molding density of the sponge 40 is desirably 10 kg / m 3 or more and 50 kg / m 3 or less. In particular, the molding density of the sponge 40 is more desirably 20 kg / m 3 or more and 40 kg / m 3 or less. Also, the sponge 40 desirably has antibacterial properties. The antibacterial properties can be realized, for example, by using a material in which an antibacterial agent is kneaded.

[0051] <Assembly state and operation of Container 1> Subsequently, with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11, the assembly state and operation of Container 1 will be described. In FIGS. 10 and 11, the drawing of the holes H formed in the sponge 40 is omitted.

[0052] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a cross-sectional configuration of Container 1. As shown in FIG. 10, the adhesive surface 420 and the support plate portion 210 are adhered via an adhesive layer 60. The adhesive layer 60 may have, for example, an adhesive located on both sides of a polyester film and a polyester film. The adhesive on the sponge 40 side may be a special adhesive for rubber, and the adhesive on the support plate portion 210 side may be an acrylic adhesive. By adhering the adhesive surface 420 of the sponge 40 to the support plate portion 210 via the adhesive layer 60, the outer surface of the sponge 40 does not contact any other member at any position.

[0053] Also, at the time of manufacturing and selling Container 1, a seal member 50 may be attached to the support member 20. The seal member 50 has a base portion 510, an outer ring portion 520 extending from the base portion 510 in the second direction (Z2 direction), and an inner ring portion 530 located inside the outer ring portion 520 and extending from the base portion 510 in the second direction (Z2 direction).

[0054] A convex portion 522 is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the outer ring portion 520, and the convex portion 522 fits into a concave portion 254 formed on the outer peripheral surface of the inner ring portion 250. The outer peripheral surface of the inner ring portion 530 is in surface contact with the inner peripheral surface of the inner ring portion 250. That is, the seal member 50 is attached to the inner ring portion 250 by sandwiching the inner ring portion 250 between the outer ring portion 520 and the inner ring portion 530, and seals the opening on the first direction (Z1 direction) side of the inner ring portion 250.

[0055] Regarding the concave portion 422 of the sponge 40, the depth d5 (see FIG. 8) of the concave portion 422 is larger than the length d2 (see FIG. 6) by which the tip portion 310 of the valve member 30 protrudes from the support surface 211. Therefore, the bottom portion 422b of the concave portion 422 is separated from the tip portion 310 of the valve member 30 in the natural state.

[0056] Further, the diameter d6 (see FIG. 8) of the concave portion 422 is larger than the diameter d1 (see FIG. 5) of the opening 212 on the support surface 211. Therefore, the edge of the concave portion 422 is located on the outer peripheral side of the edge of the opening 212 on the support surface 211 and is separated from the edge of the opening 212 on the support surface 211.

[0057] (Operation) In the container 1 in the state shown in FIG. 10, the user removes the support member 20 from the container body 10, further removes the seal member 50 from the support member 20, and then attaches the support member 20 to the container body 10 again. After that, as described with reference to FIG. 2, the user uses the container 1 in a state where the container 1 is tilted so that the second direction (Z2 direction) approaches the gravitational direction and the sponge 40 is pressed against the surface to be cleaned.

[0058] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing a cross-sectional configuration of the container 1 in a state where the sponge 40 is pressed against the surface to be cleaned. As shown in FIG. 11, when the sponge 40 is pressed against the surface to be cleaned, the sponge 40 is compressed, and the bottom portion 422b of the concave portion 422 presses the tip portion 310 of the valve member 30. As a result, the leg portion 340 bends, and the tip portion 310 is pushed downward toward the first direction (Z1 direction). As a result, a gap is formed between the outer peripheral surface of the tapered portion 320 and the inner peripheral wall 212t of the support plate portion 210 of the support member 20. The liquid agent stored in the container body 10 flows out toward the sponge 40 through the gap as indicated by the curved arrow due to gravity and is absorbed by the sponge 40.

[0059] When the force with which the sponge 40 is pressed against the surface to be cleaned weakens, the sponge 40 expands, and the bottom portion 422b of the concave portion 422 moves toward the second direction (Z2 direction). As a result, the tip portion 310 also moves toward the second direction (Z2 direction) by the elastic force of the valve member 30, and the opening 212 is closed by the valve member 30, so that the liquid agent does not flow out from the container body 10 to the sponge 40.

[0060] When the sponge 40 is further pressed against the surface to be cleaned in the state where the sponge 40 has absorbed the liquid agent, when the sponge 40 is compressed, the liquid agent and air are mixed inside the sponge 40, so that the liquid agent becomes foam and is extruded onto the surface to be cleaned in a foamed state. The user can clean the surface to be cleaned with the sponge 40 while entangling the foam in the sponge 40 by moving the container 1 with the sponge 40 pressed against the surface to be cleaned.

[0061] <Function and effect> According to an embodiment of the present invention described above, various functions and effects can be obtained. For example, in an embodiment of the present invention described above, linear holes H having a diameter larger than that of the air bubbles in the sponge 40 are formed in the sponge 40. According to such a configuration, the liquid agent flowing out from the container body 10 easily permeates a wide range of the sponge 40 through the holes H. Furthermore, since the mixability of the liquid agent and air during compression of the sponge 40 is also improved, the foaming property of the liquid agent is improved.

[0062] In addition, each of the fact that the linear holes H penetrate through the coating surface 410 and the adhesive surface 420, and the fact that a plurality of linear holes H are formed further improves the ease of permeation of the liquid agent in the sponge 40, so that the foaming property of the liquid agent is further improved. Such linear holes H can be easily formed by a piercing process using a piercing member 70 on the pre-processed sponge 80.

[0063] Moreover, the support member 20 according to an embodiment of the present invention has a groove 220 arranged so as to surround the support surface 211. According to such a configuration, since the groove 220 can hold the liquid agent flowing out from the sponge 40, it is possible to suppress the liquid agent from leaking to the outside of the support member 20.

[0064] Furthermore, the end portion on the second direction (Z2 direction) side of the groove outer wall portion 224 protrudes to the second direction (Z2 direction) side more than the support surface 211. With such a configuration, it is expected that the leakage of the liquid agent is further suppressed by returning to the sponge 40 supported by the support surface 211 before the liquid agent held by the groove 220 exceeds the end portion on the second direction (Z2 direction) side of the groove outer wall portion 224.

[0065] Further, since the end portion of the groove outer wall portion 224 on the second direction (Z2 direction) side protrudes to the second direction (Z2 direction) side from the support surface 211, it is possible to suppress the sponge 40 from being excessively compressed by pressing, and accordingly, the tip portion 310 of the valve member 30 from being damaged.

[0066] Further, the container 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention has a valve member 30 whose tip is inserted into the opening 212 from the container body 10 side. When the tip portion 310 is pressed, the tip portion 310 moves in the first direction (Z1 direction), and the opening 212 is opened. Further, when the sponge 40 is pressed against the surface to be cleaned, the tip portion 310 is pressed by the sponge 40. Therefore, the user can cause the liquid agent to flow out from the container body 10 to the sponge 40 by pressing the sponge 40 against the surface to be cleaned.

[0067] Here, a concave portion 422 that is concave toward the second direction (Z2 direction) is formed at a position corresponding to the opening 212 on the adhesion surface 420 of the sponge 40. In such a configuration, in the natural state where the sponge 40 is not compressed, the outflow of the liquid agent from the container body 10 can be suppressed by reducing or making zero the force with which the tip portion 310 is pressed by the bottom portion 422b of the sponge 40. In particular, when the bottom portion 422b of the concave portion 422 is separated from the tip portion 310 of the valve member 30 in the natural state, it is possible to more reliably suppress the outflow of the liquid agent from the container body 10.

[0068] Further, the edge of the recess 422 is located on the outer peripheral side of the edge of the opening 212 in the support surface 211 and is separated from the edge of the opening 212 in the support surface 211. If the edge of the recess 422 is located at the same position as the edge of the opening 212 or inside the edge of the opening 212, there is a concern that the movement of the tip portion 310 in the first direction (Z1 direction) and the return in the second direction (Z2 direction) may be hindered due to the friction between the sponge 40 and the tip portion 310. On the other hand, if the edge of the recess 422 is too far separated from the edge of the opening 212 to the outside, there is also a concern that the sponge 40 may not sufficiently press the tip portion 310 when the sponge 40 is pressed against the surface to be cleaned. For this reason, it is desirable that the length between the edge of the recess 422 and the edge of the opening 212 is 0.5 mm or more and less than 2.0 mm.

[0069] Also, in one embodiment of the present invention, the adhesive surface 420 and the support plate portion 210 are adhered via an adhesive layer 60. Thereby, it is possible to realize a design in which the outer surface of the sponge 40 does not contact other members at any position. As a result, it is possible to ensure a long compression amount of the sponge 40 in the first direction (Z1 direction), and to ensure a wide range in which bubbles are extruded from the sponge 40.

[0070] Also, in one embodiment of the present invention, the sponge 40 may have antibacterial properties. According to such a configuration, since the hygienic state of the sponge 40 is easily maintained, the container 1 can be used for a longer period even when the container 1 is used for cleaning a washbowl or the like.

[0071] <Modification Example> Above, one embodiment of the present invention has been described. Hereinafter, some modification examples of the above-described embodiment will be described. Each modification example described below may be applied to the above-described embodiment alone or in combination. Further, each modification example may be applied in place of the configuration of the above-described embodiment, or may be additionally applied to the configuration of the above-described embodiment.

[0072] (First Modification Example) In the above description, an example in which the linear hole H penetrates the coating surface 410 and the adhesion surface 420 has been described, but the form of the linear hole H is not limited to this example. As a first modification example, the linear hole H may be non-penetrating.

[0073] FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of the sponge 41 according to the first modification example. As shown in FIG. 12, the sponge 41 has a linear hole Hx formed from the coating surface 410 side and being non-penetrating, and a linear hole Hy formed from the adhesion surface 420 side and being non-penetrating. For example, the depths of the linear hole Hx and the linear hole Hy may be half or more of the height of the sponge 41. Even in such a configuration, as in the above-described embodiment, it is possible to improve the foamability of the liquid agent.

[0074] (Second Modification Example) In the above description, an example in which the linear hole H is formed parallel to the height direction of the sponge 40 has been described, but the form of the linear hole H is not limited to this example. As a second modification example, the linear hole H may be formed along other directions.

[0075] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of the sponge 42 according to the second modification example. As shown in FIG. 13, the sponge 42 has a plurality of linear holes H, and each linear hole H is formed along a different direction. More specifically, each linear hole H is connected to the recess 422 from the coating surface 410 or the outer surface of the sponge 42, and the linear hole H that is connected to the recess 422 from a more outer position in plan view is formed along a direction in which the angle formed with the adhesion surface 420 is smaller. According to such a configuration, it is expected that the liquid agent flowing out from the container body 10 will more effectively penetrate into the sponge 42, further improving the foamability of the liquid agent.

[0076] Note that, although an example in which the linear hole H is linear has been described so far, the linear hole H may have other shapes such as a meandering shape or a curved shape. When the hole H is formed along a direction different from the height direction of the sponge 42, in the method for measuring the diameter of the hole H described above, the cutting surface of the sponge 42 may be changed. That is, the diameter of the hole H can be measured by using the cutting surface obtained by cutting the sponge 42 in a plane orthogonal to the direction along which the hole H extends and conforming to the above-described measuring method.

[0077] (Third Modification Example) In the above, a configuration in which the liquid agent flows out from the container body 10 to the sponge 40 when the user presses the sponge 40 against the surface to be cleaned has been described, but other configurations may be applied for the outflow of the liquid agent. For example, it is also possible to apply a configuration in which the liquid agent flows out to the sponge 40 by squeezing the container body 10.

[0078] <Supplementary Note> As described above, the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, but the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to such examples. It is obvious that those having ordinary knowledge in the technical field of the present invention can conceive of various modification examples or correction examples within the scope of the technical idea described in the claims, and it is naturally understood that these also belong to the technical scope of the present invention.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0079] 1 Container 10 Container Body 120 Barrel Portion 140 Bottom Portion 160 Neck Portion 162 Spiral Protrusion 20 Support Member 210 Support Plate Portion 211 Support Surface 212 Opening 212t Opening Side Surface 220 Groove 222 Groove Inner Wall Portion 223 Overhanging Portion 224 Groove Outer Wall Portion 230 Outer Ring Portion 240 Central part 242 Spiral convex part 250 Inner ring part 252 Convex part 254 Concave part 30 Valve member 310 Tip part 320 Tapered part 330 Base part 340 Leg part 40, 41, 42 Sponge 410 Coating surface 420 Adhesive surface 422 Concave part 422b Bottom part 50 Seal member 510 Base part 520 Outer ring part 522 Convex part 530 Inner ring part 60 Adhesive layer 70 Piercing member 72 Base part 74 Needle 742 Shaft part 744 Needle tip part 80 Sponge before processing 90 Cap

Claims

1. A face portion in which an opening is formed, A container body located on the first direction side of the face portion and accommodating a liquid agent, A sponge located on the second direction side, which is the direction opposite to the first direction of the face portion, and into which the liquid agent is supplied from the container body through the opening, comprising, The sponge has bubbles and linear holes having a diameter larger than that of the bubbles, and the container.

2. The container according to claim 1, wherein the holes penetrate between the first direction side surface and the second direction side surface of the sponge.

3. The container according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the sponge has a plurality of the holes.

4. The container according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the holes are formed by piercing the sponge before the holes are formed.

5. The container according to claim 1, which is arranged so as to surround the face portion and has a groove portion that is concave on the first direction side.

6. The container according to claim 5, wherein the side wall on the outer peripheral side of the groove portion protrudes to the second direction side more than the face portion.

7. The container further includes an opening / closing portion whose tip is inserted into the opening from the container body side, The container according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein when the tip of the opening / closing portion is pressed, the tip moves to the first direction side and the opening is opened.

8. The container according to claim 7, wherein a concave portion that is concave on the second direction side is formed at a position corresponding to the opening on the first direction side surface of the sponge.

9. The container according to claim 8, wherein the edge of the concave portion is located on the outer peripheral side of the edge of the opening and is separated from the edge of the opening.

10. The container according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the bottom surface of the recess is separated from the tip of the opening / closing part in the natural state of the sponge.

11. The container according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein an adhesive layer for attaching the sponge to the face part is provided between the sponge and the face part.

12. The liquid agent is a liquid agent for cleaning, The container according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the sponge has antibacterial properties.

Images