Discharge container

Abstract

To provide a discharge container from which only an outer container can be easily separated after use.SOLUTION: A discharge container 1 includes an inner container 4, an outer container 5, and a discharge plug 11. The inner container 4 includes an inner peripheral wall 7 and an outer peripheral wall 8. The inner container 4 and the outer container 5 are each provided with a threaded portion 9. The discharge plug 11 includes a fitting tube 14 that surrounds the outer peripheral wall 8 and fits the outer peripheral wall 8 internally between the discharge plug 11 and a mouth portion 5a. The inner container 4 is rotatable together with the discharge plug 11 relative to the outer container 5.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a discharge container.

Background Art

[0002] Among conventional discharge containers, there is known a discharge container in which a discharge cap is provided on a container body, and the container body is a double container including an inner container and an outer container (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The discharge container described in Patent Document 1 is provided with a screw portion on a screw-on type discharge cap in order to facilitate the sorting operation of the discharge cap when recycling the container body (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, depending on the type of the content, the container body may not be recyclable. For example, when the content contains oil, it is difficult to recycle the container body because the content adheres to the inner container.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a discharge container that can easily separate only the outer container after use.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] (1) The discharge container of the present invention includes a container body and a discharge stopper attached to the mouth of the container body. The container body includes an inner container in which a storage space for the content is formed, and an outer container in which the inner container is stored. The mouth of the container body has the mouth of the inner container as an outer mouth and the mouth of the outer container as an inner mouth. The inner container includes an inner peripheral wall disposed inside the mouth of the outer container and an outer peripheral wall disposed outside the mouth of the outer container. Threaded portions that are screwed together are provided on the inner side of the outer peripheral wall and the outer side of the mouth of the outer container, respectively. The discharge stopper includes a fitting cylinder that surrounds the outer peripheral wall and internally fits the outer peripheral wall between the outer peripheral wall and the mouth of the outer container. The inner container is rotatable with respect to the outer container together with the discharge stopper.

[0007] (2) In the discharge container of (1) above, it is preferable that the outer peripheral wall includes a pressing portion that presses the threaded portion provided on the inner container against the threaded portion provided on the outer container.

[0008] (3) In the discharge container of (1) or (2) above, vertical ribs extending in the vertical direction are provided at intervals in the circumferential direction on the inner circumferential side of the outer peripheral wall or the outer circumferential side of the mouth of the outer container, and it is preferable that the threaded portion is provided on each of the vertical ribs.

[0009] (4) In the discharge container of (2) above, it is preferable that the pressing portion includes an elastic piece partitioned on the outer peripheral wall and a bulging portion provided on the elastic piece.

[0010] (5) In any one of the discharge containers of (1) to (4) above, it is preferable that the fitting cylinder includes a retaining portion that retains the lower end of the outer peripheral wall from below the outer peripheral wall.

[0011] (6) In any one of the discharge containers of (1) to (5) above, it is preferable that the outer peripheral wall includes a retaining portion that can overcome a bead ring provided at the mouth of the outer container and retains the lower end of the bead ring.

[0012] (7) In the discharge container of (6) above, it is preferable that the holding portion holds the lower end portion of the bead ring over the entire circumference.

[0013] (8) In any one of the discharge containers of (1) to (5) above, it is preferable that the lower end of the outer peripheral wall is disposed above the bead ring provided at the mouth portion of the outer container.

[0014] (9) In the discharge container of (8) above, it is preferable that the bead ring holds the fitting cylinder over the entire circumference.

[0015] (10) In any one of the discharge containers of (1) to (9) above, it is preferable that the outer peripheral wall and the fitting cylinder each include a rotation prevention portion that fits in the circumferential direction with each other. [Advantages of the Invention]

[0016] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a discharge container that can easily separate only the outer container after use. [Brief Description of the Drawings]

[0017]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0018] Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings, a discharge container 1 which is an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0019] In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a discharge container which is an embodiment of the present invention. The discharge container 1 includes a container body 2 and a discharge cap 3 attached to the mouth portion 2a of the container body 2. However, in the following description, for the sake of simplicity of the description, the meanings of the terms are defined as follows.

[0020] Here, the "lower side" refers to the side where the container body 2 is disposed in the discharge container 1, and the "upper side" refers to the side where the discharge cap 3 is disposed in the discharge container 1, that is, the side opposite to the "lower side". The axis O is the central axis of the discharge container 1. The axis O is an axis extending in the vertical direction. In the present embodiment, the central axis of the container body 2 and the central axis of the discharge cap 3 (discharge plug 11) are coaxial with the axis O.

[0021] In the following description, the "axial direction" shall refer to the direction in which the axis O extends. Next, the "axial perpendicular direction" (also referred to as the "radial direction") shall refer to the direction perpendicular to the axial direction (vertical direction). Further, the "inside of the axial perpendicular direction" (also referred to as the "inside of the radial direction") shall refer to the side closer to the axis O, and the "outside of the axial perpendicular direction" (also referred to as the "outside of the radial direction") shall refer to the side farther from the axis O.

[0022] The container body 2 is a double container. The container body 2 includes an inner container 4 in which an accommodation space S2 for the content is formed, and an outer container 5 in which the inner container 4 is accommodated through an opening 5a. The opening 2a of the container body 2 has the opening 4a of the inner container 4 as the outer opening and the opening 5a of the outer container 5 as the inner opening.

[0023] The inner container 4 includes an annular wall 6 disposed at the upper end of the opening 5a of the outer container 5, an inner peripheral wall 7 extending downward from the inner peripheral edge of the annular wall 6 and disposed inside the opening 5a of the outer container 5, and an outer peripheral wall 8 extending downward from the outer peripheral edge of the annular wall 6 and disposed outside the opening 5a of the outer container 5.

[0024] In the present embodiment, the container body 2 is a so-called squeeze container. In the present embodiment, the container body 2 is a resin bottle container that can be deformed and restored. In the present embodiment, the container body 2 includes an opening 2a, a neck portion 2b connected to the opening 2a, a shoulder portion 2c connected to the neck portion 2b, and a body portion (not shown) connected to the shoulder portion 2c. Further, in the present embodiment, a neck ring 2d is provided on the neck portion 2b. The lower end of the body portion is closed by a bottom (not shown). In the present embodiment, the outer shape of the container body 2 is mainly formed by the outer container 5. However, the opening 2a of the container body 2 is formed by using the opening 5a of the outer container 5 as the inner opening (core portion) and the annular wall 6, the inner peripheral wall 7, and the outer peripheral wall 8 of the inner container 4 that cover the opening 5a as the outer opening (covering portion).

[0025] In this embodiment, the container body 2 has flexibility. The container body 2 is elastically deformed by being squeezed (pressed). As a result, the container body 2 can, for example, dent the body portion inward in the radial direction. On the other hand, when the squeezing is released, the container body 2 can automatically restore itself from the dented state to the original shape by the elastic force (restoring force) of the container body 2. Since the container body 2 can be elastically deformed, the contents in the accommodation space S2 can be pumped to the outside through the opening of the mouth portion 2a.

[0026] Threaded portions 9 that are screwed together are provided on the inner side of the outer peripheral wall 8 and the outer side of the mouth portion 5a of the outer container 5, respectively. Specifically, a threaded portion 9a is provided on the inner side of the outer peripheral wall 8. In this embodiment, the threaded portion 9a is a "female thread" that spirally extends in the vertical direction around the axis O. On the other hand, a threaded portion 9b corresponding to the threaded portion 9a is provided on the outer side of the mouth portion 5a. In this embodiment, the threaded portion 9b is a "male thread" that spirally extends in the vertical direction around the axis O. In this embodiment, an outside air inlet A3 that penetrates in the radial direction is provided in the mouth portion 5a of the outer container 5.

[0027] In this embodiment, vertical ribs that extend in the vertical direction can be provided on the inner peripheral side of the outer peripheral wall 8 or the outer peripheral side of the mouth portion 5a of the outer container 5. In this embodiment, a plurality of vertical ribs are provided at intervals in the circumferential direction around the axis O. In this embodiment, the threaded portion 9 is provided on each of the plurality of vertical ribs.

[0028] In this embodiment, a plurality of vertical ribs 10 are provided on the inner peripheral surface of the outer peripheral wall 8. In this embodiment, the lower end of each vertical rib 10 gently slopes so that the radial protrusion height from the inner peripheral surface of the outer peripheral wall 8 gradually decreases toward the lower side. In this embodiment, the threaded portion 9a is provided at the radially inner end of the vertical rib 10. In contrast, the threaded portion 9b is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the mouth portion 5a.

[0029] In the present embodiment, the threaded portion 9a provided on the inner container 4 can be formed by fitting the inner container 4 into the mouth portion 5a of the outer container 5.

[0030] In the present embodiment, a threaded portion 9b is provided in advance at the mouth portion 5a of the outer container 5. In addition, in the present embodiment, the diameter (inner diameter of the female thread) of the inner diameter side end in the radial direction of the vertical rib 10 provided on the inner container 4 is smaller than the diameter (outer diameter of the male thread) of the outer diameter side end of the threaded portion 9b. In the present embodiment, when fitting the mouth portion 5a of the outer container 5 between the inner peripheral wall 7 and the outer peripheral wall 8 of the inner container 4, the threaded portion 9b moves to a predetermined position of the vertical rib 10 while elastically deforming the vertical rib 10 radially outward. For example, the threaded portion 9b moves the vertical rib 10 until the upper end of the mouth portion 5a of the outer container 5 contacts the annular wall 6 of the inner container 4. After fitting the mouth portion 5a of the outer container 5 between the inner peripheral wall 7 and the outer peripheral wall 8 of the inner container 4, when the fitting cylinder 14 of the discharge plug 11 is held on the outer peripheral wall 8 of the inner container 4, the threaded portion 9b bites into the vertical rib 10 from the radially outer side. As a result, a threaded portion 9a (female thread) corresponding to the threaded portion 9b (male thread) is transferred to the vertical rib 10 by plastic deformation of the vertical rib 10.

[0031] However, the threaded portion 9a of the inner container 4 can also be integrally formed with the vertical rib 10. Further, the threaded portion 9a of the inner container 4 can also be mechanically post-processed like threading with respect to the vertical rib 10.

[0032] The discharge container 1 includes a discharge plug 11 having a discharge port A2 communicating with the storage space S2. In the present embodiment, the discharge plug 11 is provided on the discharge cap 3. In the present embodiment, the discharge cap 3 includes a discharge plug 11 attached to the container body 2, a lid body 12 for opening and closing the discharge port A2, and a hinge 13 for swingably connecting the lid body 12 to the discharge plug 11.

[0033] The discharge plug 11 includes a fitting cylinder 14 that surrounds the outer peripheral wall 8 of the inner container 4 and internally fits the outer peripheral wall 8 between the outer container 5 and the mouth portion 5a. The outer peripheral wall 8 of the inner container 4 is sandwiched in the radial direction (perpendicular to the axis) between the mouth portion 5a of the outer container 5 and the fitting cylinder 14 of the discharge plug 11. Accordingly, in the present embodiment, the inner container 4 can rotate with respect to the mouth portion 5a of the outer container 5 together with the discharge plug 11. In the present embodiment, the discharge plug 11 includes the fitting cylinder 14 and a partition wall 16 that is continuous with the inner peripheral edge of the upper end of the fitting cylinder 14 and is provided with a discharge cylinder 15. In the present embodiment, a ventilation port A4 penetrating in the vertical direction is formed in the partition wall 16.

[0034] In addition, in the present embodiment, an intermediate plug 17 is mounted inside the discharge plug 11. The intermediate plug 17 includes a partition wall 18 that is placed on the upper end of the mouth portion 2a of the container body 2. The partition wall 18 covers an opening formed inside the mouth portion 2a of the container body 2 and communicating with the accommodation space S2. A cylindrical engagement wall 19 extending upward is integrally provided on the outer peripheral edge of the partition wall 18. In the present embodiment, the upper end of the engagement wall 19 is in contact with the lower surface of the partition wall 16. Accordingly, a space is formed in the vertical direction between the partition wall 16 and the partition wall 18.

[0035] An outflow hole A1 for the content is provided in the partition wall 18. The outflow hole A1 penetrates the partition wall 18 in the vertical direction. The outflow hole A1 communicates with a discharge port A2 through the space formed between the partition wall 16 and the partition wall 18. Therefore, the discharge port A2 can cause the content accommodated in the accommodation space S2 of the container body 2 to flow out through the outflow hole A1.

[0036] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, a discharge valve 20 is incorporated in the stopper 17. The discharge valve 20 includes a valve body 21, a fixed cylinder 22, and a plurality of leg portions 23. The plurality of leg portions 23 connect the valve body 21 and the fixed cylinder 22 respectively. The valve body 21 is formed in a plate shape (circular plate shape). The valve body 21 is disposed on the upper surface of the partition wall 18. The valve body 21 closes the outflow hole A1. The fixed cylinder 22 is fitted to each of the partition wall 16 and the partition wall 18. With respect to the fixed cylinder 22, the leg portions 23 support the valve body 21 so as to be elastically deformable. Thereby, the valve body 21 can be moved in the vertical direction (the direction of approaching and separating) with respect to the upper surface of the partition wall 18. Specifically, while allowing the content to flow out from the accommodation space S2 toward the discharge port A2, the valve body 21 opens and closes the outflow hole A1 so as to prevent the inflow of the content and outside air from the discharge port A2 toward the accommodation space S2.

[0037] Note that the space between the partition wall 16 and the partition wall 18 is partitioned such that a portion radially inside the fixed cylinder 22 serves as a flow path for the content (liquid). Also, the space is partitioned such that a portion radially outside the fixed cylinder 22 serves as a flow path for outside air (gas).

[0038] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the stopper 17 includes a sack-back mechanism 24 for preventing liquid dripping from the discharge port A2. As shown in FIG. 1, the sack-back mechanism 24 is disposed on the side opposite to the hinge 13 across the outflow hole A1 in the axial direction so as to be aligned with the discharge port A2. In the present embodiment, the sack-back mechanism 24 includes a cylindrical wall 24a extending downward from the partition wall 18 and a valve body 24b. In the present embodiment, the lower end portion of the cylindrical wall 24a has a reduced diameter such that the inner diameter becomes smaller as it goes downward. Also, in the present embodiment, the valve body 24b is formed in a spherical shape (ball) from, for example, a steel material or resin. The valve body 24b is disposed inside the cylindrical wall 24a so as to be movable in the vertical direction.

[0039] When the container body 2 is in a tilted posture with the discharge port A2 facing downward, the valve body 24b moves inside the cylindrical wall 24a toward the side of the discharge port A2. Then, after the content is discharged, when the container body 2 is returned to the upright posture so that the discharge port A2 faces upward, the valve body 24b moves inside the cylindrical wall 24a toward the lower end of the cylindrical wall 24a. As a result, as shown in FIG. 1, the content remaining inside the discharge port A2 is sucked into the space surrounded by the fixed cylinder 22 between the partition wall 16 and the partition wall 18 until it moves to the position where the valve body 24b abuts against the lower end (reduced diameter portion) of the cylindrical wall 24a. Therefore, according to the sack-back mechanism 24, it is possible to reduce the remaining amount of the content remaining inside the discharge port A2 and prevent dripping from the discharge port A2. Thus, the valve body 24b functions as a sack-back mechanism for preventing dripping from the discharge port A2.

[0040] In addition, in the present embodiment, an air check valve 25 for opening and closing the vent hole A4 is integrally provided on the outer peripheral surface of the fixed cylinder 22. This air check valve 25 functions to allow the introduction of outside air from the vent hole A4 into the inside of the discharge plug 11 while preventing the outflow of air from the inside of the discharge plug 11 to the outside through the vent hole A4. Therefore, when squeezing the container body 2 to discharge the content, air can be held between the inner container 4 and the outer container 5, and the inner container 4 can be deformed with a reduced volume while peeling off from the outer container 5 (body portion) to easily extrude the content. Also, when the squeezing of the container body 2 is released after the content is discharged, outside air can be introduced between the inner container 4 and the outer container 5 through the outside air introduction port A3 from the vent hole A4 so that the outer container 5 can be restored to its original shape while the inner container 4 remains deformed with a reduced volume.

[0041] In addition, in the present embodiment, a plurality of guide ribs 33 are provided on the outer peripheral surface of the inner peripheral wall 7 of the inner container 4. The guide ribs 33 extend in the vertical direction. In the present embodiment, a plurality of guide ribs 33 are formed at intervals in the circumferential direction, communicate with the outside air inlet A3, and are arranged up to the vicinity of the neck ring 2d of the mouth portion 5b (including the vicinity below). That is, in the present embodiment, the guide rib 33 functions as a guide rib for introducing outside air, and outside air can be introduced through the space between the outer peripheral surface of the inner peripheral wall 7 of the inner container 4 and the inner peripheral surface of the mouth portion 5a of the outer container 5.

[0042] In addition, in the present embodiment, the fitting cylinder 14 of the discharge plug 11 is provided with a retaining portion 26 that holds the lower end portion of the outer peripheral wall 8 of the inner container 4 from below the outer peripheral wall 8.

[0043] In the present embodiment, a radially outer protrusion 27 that protrudes radially outward from the lower end portion of the outer peripheral wall 8 of the inner container 4 is provided on the outer peripheral wall 8 of the inner container 4. In addition, in the present embodiment, the fitting cylinder 14 of the discharge plug 11 is provided with a retaining portion 26. In the present embodiment, the retaining portion 26 is a radially inner protrusion that protrudes radially inward from the lower end portion of the fitting cylinder 14. As shown in FIG. 1, in the present embodiment, the retaining portion 26 is hooked on the lower end portion of the radially outer protrusion 27 provided on the outer peripheral wall 8 of the inner container 4 in a state where the discharge plug 11 is attached to the mouth portion 2a of the container body 2. Thereby, the inner container 4 and the discharge cap 3 are prevented from coming off in the vertical direction.

[0044] On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the outer peripheral wall 8 of the inner container 4 is provided with a holding portion 29 that can overcome the bead ring 28 provided at the mouth portion 5a of the outer container 5 and holds the lower end of the bead ring 28 from below the bead ring 28. The bead ring 28 is disposed below the threaded portion 9b and protrudes radially outward from the threaded portion 9b. The bead ring 28 extends over the entire circumference in the circumferential direction around the axis O.

[0045] In this embodiment, a holding portion 29 is provided on the outer peripheral wall 8 of the inner container 4. In this embodiment, the holding portion 29 is a radially inner protrusion protruding radially inward from the inner peripheral surface of the outer peripheral wall 8 of the inner container 4. In this embodiment, the holding portion 29 functions as a retaining portion for detachably preventing the inner container 4 and the outer container 5 from separating in the vertical direction. As shown in FIG. 1, in this embodiment, in a state where the inner container 4 is attached to the outer container 5, the holding portion 29 is detachably hooked on the lower end of a bead ring 28 provided at the mouth portion 5a of the outer container 5. Thereby, the inner container 4 and the outer container 5 are detachably prevented from separating in the vertical direction.

[0046] In addition, in this embodiment, the outer peripheral wall 8 of the inner container 4 and the fitting cylinder 14 of the discharge plug 11 each include an anti-rotation portion 31 that fits with each other in the circumferential direction.

[0047] In this embodiment, an anti-rotation portion 31a is provided on the outer peripheral wall 8 of the inner container 4. The anti-rotation portion 31a is a spline protrusion protruding radially outward from the outer peripheral surface of the outer peripheral wall 8 of the inner container 4. In this embodiment, the anti-rotation portion 31a is disposed above the radially outer protrusion 27. In this embodiment, the anti-rotation portion 31a extends in the vertical direction. On the other hand, in this embodiment, an anti-rotation portion 31b is provided on the fitting cylinder 14 of the discharge plug 11. The anti-rotation portion 31b is a spline groove recessed radially outward from the inner peripheral surface f14 of the fitting cylinder 14 of the discharge plug 11. In this embodiment, the anti-rotation portion 31b also extends in the vertical direction. As shown in FIG. 1, in this embodiment, in a state where the discharge plug 11 is attached to the mouth portion 2a of the container body 2, the anti-rotation portion 31b fits with the anti-rotation portion 31a provided on the outer peripheral wall 8 of the inner container 4 in the circumferential direction. Examples of such anti-rotation portions 31 include spline fitting. Thereby, the inner container 4 and the discharge cap 3 can be integrally rotated in the circumferential direction. The anti-rotation portion 31a and the anti-rotation portion 31b are not particularly limited as long as they are a combination capable of anti-rotation and have a shape that can function as anti-rotation, such as concavo-convex fitting.

[0048] In FIG. 2, the discharge container 1 is schematically shown in a partial other cross section.

[0049] As shown in FIG. 2, on the outer peripheral wall 8 of the inner container 4, there is provided a pressing portion 32 that presses a screw-shaped portion 9a provided on the outer peripheral wall 8 against a screw-shaped portion 9b provided on the mouth portion 5a in a state where the outer peripheral wall 8 is internally fitted into the fitting cylinder 14 of the discharge plug 11. Thereby, the outer peripheral wall 8 of the inner container 4 is pressed radially inward with respect to the mouth portion 5a of the outer container 5 together with the discharge plug 11 and is rotatable circumferentially around the axis O with respect to the mouth portion 5a of the outer container 5.

[0050] As shown in FIG. 2, in the present embodiment, the pressing portion 32 is sandwiched in the radial direction (axis perpendicular direction) by the mouth portion 5a of the outer container 5 and the fitting cylinder 14 of the discharge plug 11. The pressing portion 32 can be, for example, a portion where the maximum thickness in the radial direction of the pressing portion 32 is set to be larger than the radial gap between the mouth portion 5a of the outer container 5 and the fitting cylinder 14. In this case, on the portion of the outer peripheral wall 8 of the inner container 4 where the pressing portion 32 is provided, when the discharge plug 11 is attached to the mouth portion 2a of the container body 2, a reaction force directed radially inward from the fitting cylinder 14 of the discharge plug 11 is generated. As a result, the pressing portion 32 is pressed against the mouth portion 5a of the outer container 5 toward the radially inner side. Thereby, the inner container 4 is pressed radially with respect to the outer container 5 together with the discharge plug 11 and is rotatable circumferentially around the axis O with respect to the outer container 5.

[0051] In the present embodiment, the pressing portion 32 includes an elastic piece 32a partitioned on the outer peripheral wall 8 of the inner container 4 and a bulging portion 32b provided on the elastic piece 32a.

[0052] FIG. 3 schematically shows the pressing portion 32 provided on the outer peripheral wall 8 of the inner container 4 expanding from the radially outer side. As shown in FIG. 3, in the present embodiment, the elastic piece 32a is an elastic piece partitioned by a slit 32c formed in the outer peripheral wall 8 of the inner container 4. In the present embodiment, the slit 32c penetrates the outer peripheral wall 8 in the radial direction (axial direction). In the present embodiment, the slit 32c is formed in a U-shape convex downward. Thereby, the elastic piece 32a, and thus the pressing portion 32, functions as a cantilever support piece with the upper side as the fixed end 32e. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 2, in the present embodiment, in a state where the discharge plug 11 is attached to the container body 2, the pressing portion 32 can be elastically deformed radially inward with the fixed end 32e as a base point via the bulging portion 32b by the reaction force radially inward from the fitting cylinder 14 of the discharge plug 11. Thereby, the threaded portion 9a provided on the outer peripheral wall 8 of the inner container 4 can be firmly and easily pressed against the threaded portion 9b provided on the mouth portion 5a of the outer container 5. Therefore, as in the present embodiment, if the pressing portion 32 is an elastic piece 32a having a bulging portion 32b, the tightening margin of the outer peripheral wall 8 of the inner container 4 radially inward with respect to the mouth portion 5a of the outer container 5 can be increased by a simple method.

[0053] Here, an example of a method for manufacturing a discharge container for obtaining the discharge container 1A will be described.

[0054] FIG. 4 schematically shows a state before attaching the discharge cap 3 to the mouth portion 2a of the container body 2, which is an example of a manufacturing method for obtaining the discharge container 1A. Further, FIG. 5 schematically shows a state in which the discharge cap 3 is attached to the mouth portion 2a of the container body 2 following the state before attaching the discharge cap 3 shown in FIG. 4.

[0055] For example, referring to FIG. 4, in the present embodiment, the container body 2 is a blow molded product formed by blow molding a preform assembly. The preform assembly includes an outer preform for forming the outer container 5 and an inner preform for forming the inner container 4. The preform assembly has a double structure in which the inner preform is incorporated inside the outer preform.

[0056] The outer preform includes, for example, an inner mouth portion having the same shape as the mouth portion 5a of the outer container 5, and a bottomed cylindrical extending portion connected to the lower end of the inner mouth portion. The outer preform is formed into a substantially test tube shape, for example, by injection molding using an injection mold (not shown).

[0057] On the other hand, the inner preform includes an outer mouth portion having substantially the same shape as the mouth portion 2a (the annular wall 6, the inner peripheral wall 7, and the outer peripheral wall 8) of the container body 2, and a bottomed cylindrical extending portion connected to the lower end of the outer mouth portion. The inner preform is formed into a substantially test tube shape, like the outer preform, for example, by injection molding using an injection mold (not shown).

[0058] The container body 2 can be formed, for example, by blow molding the preform assembly in which the outer mouth portion of the inner preform is fitted into the inner mouth portion of the outer preform and the inner preform is housed inside the outer preform. In the present embodiment, biaxial stretch blow molding is adopted as the blow molding.

[0059] The threaded portion 9a of the inner container 4 can be provided at the time of molding the inner preform. Further, the threaded portion 9a of the inner container 4 can be provided by mechanical processing after the inner preform is molded. Furthermore, the threaded portion 9a of the inner container 4 can also be provided by transfer using the threaded portion 9b provided on the outer preform.

[0060] The discharge cap 3 is attached to the mouth portion 2a of the container body 2 by screwing. In the present embodiment, the fitting cylinder 14 of the discharge plug 11 is provided with a retaining portion 26. As shown in FIG. 5, when the discharge cap 3 is screwed onto the mouth portion 2a of the container body 2, the retaining portion 26 is undercut engaged with a radially outer protrusion 27 provided on the outer peripheral wall 8 of the inner container 4, and the discharge cap 3 is retained against coming off with respect to the mouth portion 2a of the container body 2. Thereby, the discharge cap 3 is attached to the outer peripheral wall 8 of the inner container 4 in a state where it is difficult to pull out by screwing it onto the mouth portion 2a of the container body 2.

[0061] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, when the discharge cap 3 is screwed onto the mouth portion 2a of the container body 2, the fitting cylinder 14 of the discharge plug 11 moves downward while radially inwardly pushing back a bulging portion 32b provided on the pressing portion 32 of the inner container 4. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 5, the pressing portion 32 swings radially inwardly with the fixed end 32e of the pressing portion 32 as a base point. As shown in FIG. 6, in the axial direction view, in the state before screwing, the bulging portion 32b provided on the pressing portion 32 is arranged at a position where it interferes with the fitting cylinder 14 of the discharge plug 11 in the radial direction. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 7, the pressing portion 32 after screwing moves (swings) radially inwardly compared to other portions of the outer peripheral wall 8. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 5, according to the present embodiment, as the pressing portion 32 moves radially inwardly, the tightening margin by which the pressing portion 32 tightens the mouth portion 5a of the outer container 5 radially inwardly can be increased. The increase in the tightening margin firmly presses the discharge plug 11, and thus the discharge cap 3, against the mouth portion 2a of the container body 2, while improving the screw propulsion force when the discharge cap 3 is rotated circumferentially around the axis O with respect to the mouth portion 5a of the outer container 5.

[0062] When separating the outer container 5, for example, the following method can be used.

[0063] For example, referring to FIG. 1, after the discharge container 1A is used up, the user removes the discharge cap 3 from the mouth portion 2a of the container body 2 and rotates it in the removal rotation direction (one side of the circumferential direction around the axis O). According to the present embodiment, since the pressing portion 32 provided on the inner container 4 increases the tightening margin with respect to the mouth portion 5a of the outer container 5, the screw propulsion force at the screw-shaped portion 9 is improved. As a result, the inner container 4 can be easily rotated in the removal rotation direction with the discharge cap 3 with respect to the outer container 5.

[0064] The inner container 4 starts to rise with respect to the outer container 5 while rotating along the screw-shaped portion 9b provided at the mouth portion 5a of the outer container 5 together with the discharge cap 3 due to the rotation of the discharge cap 3. However, according to the present embodiment, the holding portion 29 of the inner container 4 is locked to the bead ring 28. Therefore, in order to raise the inner container 4 together with the discharge cap 3, it is necessary to rotate the discharge cap 3 with a stronger force until the holding portion 29 of the inner container 4 gets over the bead ring 28 of the outer container 5. Thereby, even when the discharge cap 3 is accidentally rotated with a strong force, an unintended separation between the inner container 4 and the outer container 5 can be prevented.

[0065] After the holding portion 29 gets over the bead ring 28, if the discharge cap 3 is further rotated in the removal rotation direction, the inner container 4 can be removed from the inside of the outer container 5 through the mouth portion 5a of the outer container 5 together with the discharge cap 3. Thereby, even when the discharge cap 3 is plugged into the mouth portion 2a of the container body 2, only the outer container 5 without the content adhering thereto can be easily separated.

[0066] According to the discharge container 1A, the discharge plug 11 internally fits the outer peripheral wall 8 of the inner container 4 between the mouth portion 5a of the outer container 5. As a result, the outer peripheral wall 8 of the inner container 4 is clamped in the radial direction (perpendicular to the axis) between the mouth portion 5a of the outer container 5 and the fitting cylinder 14 of the discharge plug 11. Thus, in this embodiment, the inner container 4 can rotate with respect to the mouth portion 5a of the outer container 5 together with the discharge plug 11. Additionally, according to the discharge container 1A, by providing it on the pressing portion 32, while firmly pressing the discharge cap 3 radially inward with respect to the mouth portion 2a of the container body 2, the screw propulsion force when rotating the discharge cap 3 with respect to the mouth portion 5a of the outer container 5 can be improved. Therefore, according to the discharge container 1A, by simply operating to rotate the discharge cap 3, the inner container 4 and the discharge cap 3 that come into contact with the content and the outer container 5 that does not come into contact with the content can be easily separated. For example, according to the discharge container 1A, while reducing the number of members to be discarded due to contact with the content, recyclable members can be recycled. Therefore, according to the discharge container 1A, it is possible to easily separate only the outer container 5 after use.

[0067] Also, in this embodiment, the screw-shaped portion 9 is provided on a plurality of vertical ribs 10 arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction. The vertical ribs 10 arranged intermittently in the circumferential direction have a shape that is easy to deform. In particular, the radially inner end of the vertical rib 10 is easy to deform. For this reason, if the screw-shaped portion 9 is provided at the radially inner end of the vertical rib 10, the screw-shaped portion 9 can be easily transferred to the vertical rib 10. Further, when providing the screw-shaped portion 9 on the vertical rib 10, while ensuring the screw propulsion force at the screw-shaped portion 9, for example, the resistance generated when fitting the mouth portion 5a of the outer container 5 between the inner peripheral wall 7 and the outer peripheral wall 8 of the inner container 4 can be suppressed, or the resistance generated when rotating the inner container 4 with respect to the mouth portion 5a of the outer container 5 can be suppressed. Therefore, in this case, while ensuring the screw propulsion force at the screw-shaped portion 9, the assemblability during the assembly operation of the inner container 4 and the outer container 5, or the separability during the separation operation of the inner container 4 and the outer container 5 is improved.

[0068] In addition, in the present embodiment, the pressing portion 32 includes an elastic piece 32a partitioned on the outer peripheral wall 8 of the inner container 4 and a bulging portion 32b provided on the elastic piece 32a. In this case, the pressing portion 32 has a simple structure in which a part of the outer peripheral wall 8 is partitioned by a slit 32c so as to include the bulging portion 32b provided on the outer peripheral wall 8. Also, in this case, since the pressing portion 32 is constituted by the elastic piece, the assemblability between the inner container 4 and the outer container 5 is further improved.

[0069] In addition, in the present embodiment, the fitting cylinder 14 of the discharge plug 11 includes a retaining portion 26 that holds the lower end portion of the outer peripheral wall 8 of the inner container 4 from below the outer peripheral wall 8. In this case, the integrity between the inner container 4 and the discharge plug 11, and thus the integrity between the inner container 4 and the discharge cap 3, is improved. Therefore, in this case, the inner container 4 can be more reliably separated from the outer container 5 together with the discharge cap 3.

[0070] In addition, in the present embodiment, the outer peripheral wall 8 of the inner container 4 includes a holding portion 29 that holds the lower end of a bead ring 28 provided at the mouth portion 5a of the outer container 5 so as to be able to overcome the bead ring 28. In this case, in order to raise the inner container 4 together with the discharge cap 3, when the retaining portion 29 overcomes the bead ring 28, it is necessary to rotate the discharge cap 3 with a stronger force. Therefore, in this case, even when the discharge cap 3 is accidentally rotated with a strong force, an unintentional separation between the inner container 4 and the outer container 5 can be prevented.

[0071] In addition, in the present embodiment, the holding portion 29 holds the lower end portion of the bead ring 28 over the entire circumference. The holding portion 29 extends circumferentially around the axis O over the entire circumference. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the holding portion 29 seals the outer peripheral surface of the bead ring 28 by contacting (more preferably, pressing) the lower end portion of the bead ring 28. As a result, in the present embodiment, the holding portion 29, together with the bead ring 28, also functions as an air seal portion for preventing air from escaping through the gap formed between the inner container 4 and the outer container 5 at a position above the lower end of the outer peripheral wall 8 of the inner container 4. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the holding portion 29, together with the bead ring 28, can seal the gap formed between the inner container 4 and the outer container 5 so that air does not escape through it.

[0072] Further, in the present embodiment, the outer peripheral wall 8 of the inner container 4 and the fitting cylinder 14 of the discharge plug 11 are each provided with an anti-rotation portion 31 that fits with each other in the circumferential direction. In this case, the inner container 4 can be reliably rotated together with the discharge cap 3. Therefore, in this case, the separation workability is improved. According to the discharge container 1A, the discharge cap 3 can be screwed onto the mouth portion 2a of the container body 2, that is, the outer peripheral wall 8 of the inner container 4, instead of capping.

[0073] Incidentally, in the present embodiment, the inner container 4 or the outer preform can be formed of, for example, polypropylene (PP) resin (regardless of whether it is a homopolymer, a random copolymer, or a block copolymer). The outer container 5 or the outer preform can be formed of a biaxially stretchable polyethylene terephthalate (PET) resin.

[0074] Examples of the biaxially stretchable PET resin include homopolymer PET, etc., but other PETs such as IPA (isophthalic acid) modified PET or CHDM modified PET may also be used.

[0075] Also, in this embodiment, the outer container 5 or the outer preform is not limited to PET resin, and may be formed of other resin materials such as, for example, polypropylene (PP) resin or polyethylene (PE) resin. The inner preform is also not limited to polypropylene resin, and may be formed by appropriately selecting a material that allows the inner container 4 to be separable from the outer container 5. For example, it may be formed of polyethylene (PE) resin or biaxially stretchable PET resin. The inner container 4 (inner preform) and the outer container 5 (outer preform) may be made of different materials or the same material. The inner container 4 (outer preform) and the outer container 5 (inner preform) may each have a multi-layer structure that includes not only a main material layer but also one or more functional layers that improve functions such as barrier properties, rather than being limited to a single-layer structure.

[0076] By the way, in the discharge container 1A, the holding portion 29 of the inner container 4 holds the bead ring 28 of the outer container 5, thereby ensuring airtightness between the inner container 4 and the outer container 5 and detachably preventing the inner container 4 and the outer container 5 from coming off.

[0077] On the other hand, there is room for consideration in the operability when trying to remove the inner container 4 from the outer container 5 together with the discharge cap 3 in the discharge container 1A.

[0078] For example, in the discharge container 1A, the lower end of the outer peripheral wall 8 of the inner container 4 is disposed below the bead ring 28 of the outer container 5. When the lower end of the outer peripheral wall 8 of the inner container 4 is disposed below the bead ring 28 of the outer container 5 as in the discharge container 1A, the outer peripheral wall 8 of the inner container 4 mainly interferes with both the threaded portion 9b and the bead ring 28 of the outer container 5 on the inner side in the radial direction with respect to the mouth portion 5a of the outer container 5. In addition, when the fitting cylinder 14 of the discharge stopper 11 is attached to the outer peripheral wall 8 of the inner container 4 so as to surround the entire outer peripheral wall 8 of the inner container 4 as in the discharge container 1A, the outer peripheral wall 8 of the inner container 4 is radially inwardly constrained by the fitting cylinder 14 of the discharge stopper 11 at the portion where it interferes with the bead ring 28. For this reason, the outer peripheral wall 8 of the inner container 4 according to the discharge container 1A cannot expand radially outward at the portion where it interferes with the bead ring 28. Therefore, even when the outer container 5 is removed by loosening the screw of the discharge cap 3 as in the discharge container 1A, it is necessary to rotate with a stronger force in order to get over the holding portion 29 of the inner container 4 from the bead ring 28 of the outer container 5. As described above, the need for a temporarily strong force for the removal operation of the outer container 5 is effective in preventing an unexpected separation between the inner container 4 and the outer container 5, while the operability needs to be considered.

[0079] On the other hand, FIG. 8 shows a discharge container 1B which is another embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, the outer peripheral wall 8 of the inner container 4 is sandwiched in the radial direction (axis perpendicular direction) between the mouth portion 5a of the outer container 5 and the fitting cylinder 14 of the discharge stopper 11, similarly to the discharge container 1A. Thereby, in the present embodiment, the inner container 4 can be rotated with respect to the mouth portion 5a of the outer container 5 together with the discharge stopper 11. However, according to the discharge container 1B, a pressing portion 32 as in the discharge container 1A can be provided on the outer peripheral wall 8 of the inner container 4.

[0080] In the present embodiment, the lower end of the outer peripheral wall 8 of the inner container 4 is disposed above the bead ring 28 provided at the mouth portion 5a of the outer container 5. If the outer peripheral wall 8 is disposed above the bead ring 28 as in the present embodiment, the outer peripheral wall 8 of the inner container 4 mainly interferes only with the threaded portion 9b of the outer container 5 at a position where it is radially inwardly constrained by the fitting cylinder 14 of the discharge plug 11. That is, if the outer peripheral wall 8 of the inner container 4 is disposed above the bead ring 28 as in the present embodiment, there is no portion (for example, the holding portion 29 of the discharge container 1A) for getting over the bead ring 28 of the outer container 5 on the outer peripheral wall 8 of the inner container 4 in a state of being radially inwardly constrained by the fitting cylinder 14 of the discharge plug 11. For this reason, the discharge container 1B can separate the outer container 5 with a force suppressed more than that of the discharge container 1A.

[0081] Therefore, according to the discharge container 1B, the operability when trying to remove the inner container 4 together with the discharge cap 3 from the outer container 5 is improved as compared with the discharge container 1A.

[0082] In addition, in the discharge container 1B, the bead ring 28 holds the fitting cylinder 14 over the entire circumference. In the present embodiment, the bead ring 28 also extends over the entire circumference in the circumferential direction around the axis O, similar to the discharge container 1A. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, the bead ring 28 seals the inner peripheral surface of the fitting cylinder 14 by contacting (more preferably, pressing) the inner peripheral surface of the fitting cylinder 14. Thereby, in the present embodiment, the bead ring 28 can also function as an air seal portion for preventing air from escaping through the gap formed between the inner container 4 and the outer container 5 at a position below the lower end of the outer peripheral wall 8 of the inner container 4 together with the inner peripheral surface of the fitting cylinder 14 of the discharge cap 3. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the bead ring 28 can seal together with the fitting cylinder 14 so that air does not escape through the gap formed between the inner container 4 and the outer container 5. Thereby, according to the present embodiment, an air seal portion for preventing air from escaping through the gap formed between the inner container 4 and the outer container 5 can be secured without providing the holding portion 29 on the outer peripheral wall 8 of the inner container 4.

[0083] Note that the fitting cylinder 14 of the discharge plug 11 is provided with a holding portion 30 that holds the lower end of the bead ring 28. In the present embodiment, the holding portion 30 is a radially inner protrusion that protrudes radially inward from the inner peripheral surface of the fitting cylinder 14 of the discharge plug 11. The holding portion 30 is a protrusion smaller in size than the retaining portion 26. In the present embodiment, the holding portion 30 can overcome the bead ring 28. As shown in FIG. 8, the holding portion 30 holds the lower end of the bead ring 28, making it difficult for the discharge plug 11 to separate from the outer container 5. Note that in the present embodiment, the holding portion 30 extends in the circumferential direction over the entire circumference around the axis O. Thereby, in the present embodiment, the holding portion 30 holds the lower end portion of the bead ring 28 over the entire circumference. However, the holding portion 30 can also be provided at least one in the circumferential direction around the axis О.

[0084] What has been described above is an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment and can be variously modified within the scope described in the claims. For example, the anti-rotation portion 31a can be provided on the outer surface of the pressing portion 32. Further, the double container of the container body 2 is not limited to a laminated peeling container (so-called delamination container). Further, the discharge cap 3 can be a screw cap in which the lid 12 is screwed onto the discharge plug 11. Furthermore, for the discharge plug 11, a discharge plug omitting the discharge valve 20 can be used. Examples of the content include cosmetics such as lotion, shampoo, conditioner, liquid soap (detergent), food seasonings, drugs, and the like.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0085] 1A: Discharge container, 1B: Discharge container, 2: Container body (double container), 2a: Mouth part of the container body, 3: Discharge cap, 4: Inner container, 4a: Mouth part of the inner container (outer mouth part of the container body), 5: Outer container, 5a: Mouth part of the outer container (inner mouth part of the container body), 6: Annular wall, 7: Inner peripheral wall, 8: Outer peripheral wall, 9: Threaded shape part, 9a: Threaded shape part (female thread), 9b: Threaded shape part (male thread), 10: Vertical rib, 11: Discharge plug, 12: Cover body, 13: Hinge, 14: Fitting cylinder, 15: Discharge cylinder, 16: Partition wall, 17: Middle plug, 18: Partition wall, 19: Engaging wall, 20: Discharge valve, 21: Valve body, 22: Fixed cylinder, 23: Leg part, 24: Sack-back mechanism, 24a: Cylindrical wall, 24b: Valve body, 26; Anti-disengagement part, 27: Radial outer protrusion, 28: Bead ring, 29: Holding part (inner container side), 30: Holding part (discharge plug side), 31; Anti-rotation part, 31a: Anti-rotation part (spline protrusion), 31b: Anti-rotation part (spline groove), 32: Pressing part, 32a: Elastic piece, 32b: Bulging part, 32c: Slit, 32e: Fixed end, 33: Guide rib, A1: Outflow hole, A2: Discharge port, A3: Outside air inlet, A4: Vent hole, S2: Accommodation space

Claims

1. A discharge container comprising a container body and a discharge stopper attached to the mouth of the container body, wherein the container body includes an inner container in which a storage space for the content is formed and an outer container in which the inner container is stored, and the mouth of the container body has the mouth of the inner container as an outer mouth and the mouth of the outer container as an inner mouth, the inner container includes an inner peripheral wall disposed inside the mouth of the outer container and an outer peripheral wall disposed outside the mouth of the outer container, threaded portions that are screwed together are provided on the inside of the outer peripheral wall and the outside of the mouth of the outer container, respectively, the discharge stopper includes a fitting cylinder that surrounds the outer peripheral wall and internally fits the outer peripheral wall between the outer peripheral wall and the mouth of the outer container, the inner container is rotatable with respect to the outer container together with the discharge stopper.

2. The discharge container according to claim 1, wherein the outer peripheral wall includes a pressing portion that presses the threaded portion provided on the inner container against the threaded portion provided on the outer container.

3. The discharge container according to claim 1, wherein vertical ribs extending in the vertical direction are provided at intervals in the circumferential direction on the inner circumferential side of the outer peripheral wall or the outer circumferential side of the mouth of the outer container, and the threaded portions are provided on respective ones of the vertical ribs.

4. The discharge container according to claim 2, wherein the pressing portion includes an elastic piece partitioned on the outer peripheral wall and a bulging portion provided on the elastic piece.

5. The discharge container according to claim 1, wherein the fitting cylinder includes a retaining portion that retains the lower end portion of the outer peripheral wall from below the outer peripheral wall.

6. The discharge container according to claim 1, wherein the outer peripheral wall includes a holding portion that holds the lower end of a bead ring provided at the mouth of the outer container so as to be able to overcome the bead ring.

7. The discharge container according to claim 6, wherein the holding portion holds the lower end portion of the bead ring over the entire circumference.

8. The discharge container according to claim 1, wherein the lower end of the outer peripheral wall is disposed above a bead ring provided at the mouth of the outer container.

9. The discharge container according to claim 8, wherein the bead ring holds the fitting cylinder over the entire circumference.

10. The discharge container according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the outer peripheral wall and the fitting cylinder each include an anti-rotation portion that fits with each other in the circumferential direction.

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