Applicator

Abstract

To perform appropriate liquid supply while preventing rapid liquid flow-out in an applicator having a valve opened by pressing a body.SOLUTION: An applicator includes: a shaft cylinder where an internal space is an application liquid housing part for housing an application liquid, and which is deformable by pressing a side surface; a valve mechanism housed on a tip end side of the internal space of the shaft cylinder; an application part in which a liquid passing hole for making the application liquid pass in a tip end direction is formed; a tip shaft which is attached to a tip end of the shaft cylinder while the application part is inserted; a cylindrical application part holding member which is housed between the inside of the tip shaft and the valve mechanism and holds a rear end of the application part in the tip end direction; and an air replacement groove which is formed on an outer periphery of the application part holding member and is one continuous groove while being folded at a plurality of parts.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3A

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an applicator that has a valve mechanism inside a barrel and supplies an application liquid by pressing the barrel. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, so-called valve-type applicators equipped with a valve mechanism inside the barrel have been known to open by pressing the barrel (Patent Document 1) or by knocking the rear end (Patent Document 2). However, these methods have had issues such as not being able to use soft materials such as brush tips as pen cores, and difficulty in controlling the amount of application liquid such as cosmetics dispensed. Meanwhile, applicators in which the internal valve mechanism is closed by attaching a cap have also been disclosed (Patent Document 3). Also disclosed is an applicator that prevents pressure buildup inside the container (Patent Document 4). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 6-3686 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 9-271710 [Patent Document 3] Patent Publication No. 2021-115710 [Patent Document 4] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-438 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Here, in applicators that use a highly elastic blow container as the barrel and have a mechanism that opens the valve by pressing the side of the container to allow the liquid to flow out, there have been cases where the liquid spurts out when the valve opens. Therefore, an aspect of the present disclosure aims to prevent sudden liquid outflow (sometimes called so-called dripping) in an applicator that has a valve that opens by pressing the main body, and to make it easy to control the amount of liquid discharged by varying the strength of the pressure. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The aspects of the present disclosure are as follows.

[0006] <Aspect 1> The applicator of aspect 1 includes a barrel having an internal space that serves as an application liquid storage section for storing an application liquid and that is deformable when its side surface is pressed; a valve mechanism accommodated in the inner space of the barrel at the tip end side; an application part having a liquid passage hole for passing the application liquid in a distal direction; a front barrel that is attached to the front end of the barrel while the applicator part is inserted therethrough; a cylindrical applicator part holding member that is housed between the interior of the front barrel and the valve mechanism and that holds the rear end of the applicator part in a distal direction; an air replacement groove that is a single continuous groove that is folded back at multiple locations and is formed on the outer periphery of the application part holding member; Equipped with.

[0007] According to the configuration of the applicator of Aspect 1, the air replacement groove has a structure that allows air to pass through but not the application liquid, making it possible to properly supply the liquid while preventing the liquid from being suddenly ejected.

[0008] <Aspect 2> In addition to the configuration of the first aspect, the applicator of the second aspect has the following features: an applicator insertion portion through which the applicator portion is inserted; an air replacement channel that is independent of the application part insertion part and communicates with the air replacement groove; It is equipped with:

[0009] Here, "the air replacement passage is independent of the applicator insertion part" means that there is no direct communication between the air replacement passage and the applicator insertion part. According to the configuration of the applicator of Aspect 2, by providing a separate air passage in the front barrel, replacement of air and liquid is promoted, making it possible to provide a more stable supply of liquid.

[0010] <Aspect 3> In the applicator of Aspect 3, the valve mechanism comprises: a valve retaining member; a front spring holding member attached to the tip of the valve holding member; a first valve housed in the valve holding member; a second valve built into the first valve; a rear spring retaining member attached to a tip of the first valve and abutting against a tip portion of the second valve; a first spring interposed between the front spring holding member and the rear spring holding member and biasing the first valve rearward; a second spring interposed between the first valve and the second valve and biasing the second valve forward; a stirring rod inserted into the first spring and adapted to be movable back and forth between the application part holding member and the second valve; Equipped with.

[0011] According to the configuration of the applicator of Aspect 3, by shaking the applicator back and forth before use, the vibration of the stirring rod will impact the second valve, thereby preventing the valve mechanism from solidifying due to drying of the application liquid. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, an applicator having a valve that opens when the body is pressed can appropriately supply liquid while preventing sudden liquid outflow. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1A] 1 is a front view showing the appearance of an applicator according to a first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 1B] FIG. 1B is a rear perspective view showing the applicator of FIG. 1A with the cap separated. [Figure 1C] FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view taken along line Ia-Ia in FIG. 1A. [Figure 1D] FIG. 1D is a cross-sectional view taken along line Ib-Ib in FIG. 1C. [Figure 2A] FIG. 1B is a front view showing the appearance of the applicator of FIG. 1A with the cap removed. [Figure 2B] FIG. 2B is a front perspective view of the applicator of FIG. 2A. [Figure 2C] 2B is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 2A taken along line IIa-IIa. [Figure 2D] FIG. 2D is a cross-sectional view taken along line IIb-IIb of FIG. 2C. [Figure 2E] FIG. 2E is an enlarged view of the tip portion of the applicator of FIG. 2D. [Figure 3A] FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of an applicator part holding member used in the applicator of the first embodiment. [Figure 3B] FIG. 3B is a rear perspective view of the applicator part holding member of FIG. 3A. [Figure 3C] FIG. 3B is a front view of the applicator part holding member of FIG. 3A. [Figure 3D] FIG. 3B is a side view of the applicator part holding member of FIG. 3A. [Figure 3E] 3B is a bottom view of the applicator part holding member of FIG. 3A. FIG. [Figure 3F] 3B is a plan view of the applicator part holding member of FIG. 3A. FIG. [Figure 3G] FIG. 9D is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III of FIG. 9C. [Figure 4A] FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of a valve mechanism used in the applicator of the first embodiment. [Figure 4B] FIG. 4B is a rear perspective view of the valve mechanism of FIG. 4A. [Figure 4C] FIG. 4B is a front view of the valve mechanism of FIG. 4A. [Figure 4D] FIG. 4B is a right side view of the valve mechanism of FIG. 4A. [Figure 4E] 4D is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 4C taken along line IVa-IVa. [Figure 4F] 4B is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 4E taken along line IVb-IVb. [Figure 5A] 4B is a front perspective view of the valve mechanism of FIG. 4A. FIG. [Figure 5B] 4B is a rear perspective view of the valve mechanism of FIG. 4A. FIG. [Figure 5C] A right side view of the valve mechanism in FIG. 4A is shown. [Figure 5D] A right side cross-sectional view of the parts assembly diagram of the valve mechanism of FIG. 4A is shown. [Figure 6A]FIG. 4B is a front perspective view of a valve holding member that constitutes the valve mechanism of FIG. 4A. [Figure 6B] FIG. 6B is a rear perspective view of the valve retaining member of FIG. 6A. [Figure 6C] FIG. 6B is a front view of the valve retaining member of FIG. 6A. [Figure 6D] FIG. 6B is a right side view of the valve retaining member of FIG. 6A. [Figure 6E] FIG. 6B is a plan view of the valve retaining member of FIG. 6A. [Figure 6F] FIG. 6B is a bottom view of the valve retaining member of FIG. 6A. [Figure 6G] 6D is a cross-sectional view taken along line VI-VI of FIG. 6D. [Figure 7A] 4B is a front perspective view of a first valve that constitutes the valve mechanism of FIG. 4A. [Figure 7B] 7B shows the first valve of FIG. 7A in a rear perspective view. [Figure 7C] FIG. 7B is a front view of the first valve of FIG. 7A. [Figure 7D] FIG. 7B is a right side view of the first valve of FIG. 7A. [Figure 7E] FIG. 7B is a plan view of the first valve of FIG. 7A. [Figure 7F] FIG. 7B is a bottom view of the first valve of FIG. 7A. [Figure 7G] FIG. 7B is a cross-sectional view taken along line VII-VII of FIG. 7D. [Figure 8A] FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of a front barrel used in the applicator of the first embodiment. [Figure 8B] FIG. 8B is a front view of the front barrel of FIG. 8A. [Figure 8C] FIG. 8B is a bottom view of the front barrel of FIG. 8A. [Figure 8D] FIG. 8C is a cross-sectional view taken along line VIII-VIII in FIG. 8B. [Figure 9A] FIG. 10 is a front perspective view showing the appearance of an applicator according to a second embodiment. [Figure 9B] FIG. 9B is a rear perspective view of the applicator of FIG. 9A. [Figure 9C] FIG. 9B is a front view of the applicator of FIG. 9A. [Figure 9D] FIG. 9B is a right side view of the applicator of FIG. 9A. [Figure 9E]FIG. 9B is a rear view of the applicator of FIG. 9A. [Figure 9F] FIG. 9B is a plan view of the applicator of FIG. 9A. [Figure 9G] FIG. 9B is a bottom view of the applicator of FIG. 9A. [Figure 9H] 9B is a cross-sectional view taken along line IX-IX of FIG. 9A. [Figure 9I] FIG. 9B is a front perspective view showing the applicator of FIG. 9A with the cap separated. [Figure 10A] FIG. 9B is a front perspective view showing the entire applicator of FIG. 9A with the cap removed. [Figure 10B] FIG. 10B is a rear perspective view of the applicator of FIG. 10A. [Figure 10C] FIG. 10B is a front view of the applicator of FIG. 10A. [Figure 10D] FIG. 10B is a right side view of the applicator of FIG. 10A. [Figure 10E] FIG. 10B is a rear view of the applicator of FIG. 10A. [Figure 10F] FIG. 10B is a plan view of the applicator of FIG. 10A. [Figure 10G] FIG. 10B is a bottom view of the applicator of FIG. 10A. [Figure 10H] 10C sectional view taken along the line XX. [Figure 10I] FIG. 10C is an enlarged view of the tip portion of the applicator in FIG. 10H. [Figure 11A] FIG. 9B is a front perspective view of a front barrel used in the applicator of FIG. 9A. [Figure 11B] FIG. 11B is a front view of the front barrel of FIG. 11A. [Figure 11C] FIG. 11B is a plan view of the front barrel of FIG. 11A. [Figure 11D] FIG. 11B is a bottom view of the front barrel of FIG. 11A. [Figure 11E] 11B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XIa-XIa. [Figure 11F] 11D is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 11C taken along line XIb-XIb. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] An embodiment of the present disclosure will be described below. Note that reference numerals commonly used in multiple drawings indicate common components or parts even if no specific explanation is given for each drawing. Furthermore, the dimensions and proportions of each part shown in the drawings do not necessarily correspond to the dimensions and proportions of the actual product. Furthermore, the dimensional relationships and proportions between the drawings may differ.

[0015] In addition, in the present disclosure, the side of the applicator where the application tip is located is referred to as the "tip," the direction toward the tip is referred to as the "forward," the opposite side is referred to as the "rear end," and the direction toward the rear end is referred to as the "rear."

[0016] (1) First embodiment 1A to 1D show the appearance of an applicator 10 according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure, in the form of a front view (FIG. 1A), a rear perspective view with the cap 13 removed (FIG. 1B), a cross-sectional view taken along line Ia-Ia in FIG. 1A (FIG. 1C), and a cross-sectional view taken along line Ib-Ib in FIG. 1C (FIG. 1D). 2A to 2E show the appearance of the applicator 10 shown in FIG. 1A with the cap removed, in the form of a front view (FIG. 1A), a front perspective view (FIG. 2B), a cross-sectional view taken along line IIa-IIa in FIG. 2A (FIG. 2C), a cross-sectional view taken along line IIb-IIb in FIG. 2C (FIG. 2D), and an enlarged view (FIG. 2E) of the tip portion of the applicator 10 shown in FIG. 2D.

[0017] In the first embodiment of the applicator 10, a front barrel 12, the rear of which has a substantially cylindrical shape and a substantially uniform diameter, is attached to the tip of a substantially cylindrical barrel 11. The tip of the front barrel 12 is further covered by a substantially cylindrical cap 13 of substantially the same diameter. As shown in FIG. 1B , front barrel 12 includes a substantially cylindrical covering portion 12A that covers the tip of barrel 11, an outer peripheral locking portion 12B located at the tip end of the covering portion 12A, which is slightly reduced in diameter and has a recess formed on the outer periphery for engaging cap 13, a tapered portion 12C that tapers forward at the tip and has an open tip, and a support tube 12F (FIGS. 1D and 2D) located inside tapered portion 12C. An air replacement hole 12E is opened at the tip of front barrel 12. An applicator portion 14, formed as a brush tip 14A made of bundled fine fibers, is exposed from the opening at the tip of tapered portion 12C.

[0018] As shown in the cross-sectional views of Figures 1C, 1D, 2C, and 2D, the barrel 11 is composed of a hollow, approximately cylindrical large-diameter portion 11A and a small-diameter portion 11B formed by tapering toward the tip. The internal space of the barrel 11 forms an application liquid storage section 11D that stores an application liquid 11C (cosmetic material). The barrel 11 is formed from a relatively soft and flexible synthetic resin (such as polypropylene resin or low-density polyethylene resin), and is deformable inward when its side is pressed. The application liquid storage section 11D also contains a stirring bar 11E, which is a metal ball and a metal rod. The number of stirring bars 11E to be stored is selected based on the properties of the application liquid 11C (cosmetic material) to be stirred, and is preferably at least one.

[0019] Covered portion 12A of front barrel 12 is screwed onto small diameter portion 11B of barrel tube 11. Applicator portion holding member 20, which will be described later, is inserted into the internal space of covered portion 12A of front barrel 12 on the tip side.

[0020] The applicator part 14 is composed of a tapered brush tip 14A made of a bundle of fine synthetic resin fibers and a flange 14B with an enlarged diameter at the rear end. The base of the brush tip 14A is fused, and a liquid passage hole 14C is formed in the center of the rear end.

[0021] The applicator part holding member 20 is a cylindrical member that holds the rear end of the applicator part 14 in the forward direction. A front insertion hole 27 (see FIG. 2E) that opens forward is formed at the axis of the applicator part holding member 20. The rear end portion of an intermediate core 30 is inserted into the front insertion hole 27, while the front end portion of this intermediate core 30 is inserted into the liquid passage hole 14C of the applicator part 14. The intermediate core 30 is formed of a porous material such as a fiber bundle, and by being inserted into the front insertion hole 27 and the liquid passage hole 14C, it connects the applicator part holding member 20 and the applicator part 14. The tip portion of a stirring rod 90, which will be described later, is loosely fitted into a rear insertion hole 29 (see FIG. 2E) that opens rearward. The viscosity of the application liquid 11C, which serves as the cosmetic liquid to be contained, was measured at a shear rate of 383 s using a cone-plate viscometer (VISCOMETER TV-20, manufactured by TOKIMEC Corporation). -1It is preferable that the viscosity is 5 to 80 mPa·s when measured at 25°C by a method described above. Specific components include, for example, at least Prussian blue, a water-soluble basic substance that is at least one selected from ammonia, compounds having an amino group, and alkali metal hydroxides, and water, and it is preferable to use a cosmetic in which the mass ratio of the water-soluble basic substance is in the range of 0.025 to 0.25 when the amount of Prussian blue added is taken as 1. Furthermore, viscosity adjusters, chelating agents, dispersants, pH adjusters, etc. may also be added as needed.

[0022] 1C and 1D, cap 13 has a configuration in which a cylindrical outer tube 13A that is open at the rear is fitted with a smaller-diameter inner tube 13B that is also open at the rear, and cap spring 13C is interposed between the front end face of outer tube 13A and a step near the rear end of inner tube 13B. A circumferential ridge is formed on the inner peripheral surface at the rear end of outer tube 13A, and this forms inner peripheral locking portion 13D that engages with outer peripheral locking portion 12B of front barrel 12 (see FIG. 2A).

[0023] The valve mechanism 40 built into the tip side of the barrel 11 is composed of a valve holding member 50, a first valve 60, a second spring 44, a second valve 80, a rear spring holding member 43, a first spring 42, a front spring holding member 41, and a stirring rod 90. The valve mechanism 40 will be described in detail later.

[0024] 3A to 3G show the applicator part-holding member 20 in a front perspective view (FIG. 3A), a rear perspective view (FIG. 3B), a front view (FIG. 3C), a side view (FIG. 3D), a plan view (FIG. 3E), a bottom view (FIG. 3F), and a cross-sectional view (FIG. 3G) taken along line III-III of FIG. 3D. The applicator part-holding member 20 has a structure in which a substantially cylindrical outer wall 21 located on the outside and a substantially cylindrical inner wall 22 located on the inside are connected by connecting portions 23 that are evenly spaced at eight positions.

[0025] Of the through holes in inner wall 22, the relatively small-diameter space on the front side is front insertion hole 27, and the relatively large-diameter space on the rear side is rear insertion hole 29. Six ribs 25 protrude radially inward from the inside of front insertion hole 27. As described above, the rear end portion of relay core 30 is inserted into front insertion hole 27, and the front end portion of stirring rod 90 is loosely fitted into rear insertion hole 29 (see FIG. 2E). The front edge of inner wall 22 is slightly recessed rearward from the front edge of outer wall 21, and this space forms front recess 28. Flange 14B at the rear end edge of applicator part 14 is accommodated in front recess 28. As a result, flange 14B is held sandwiched between the step between covering portion 12A and outer periphery locking portion 12B inside front barrel 12 and the front end of inner wall 22 of applicator part holding member 20 (see FIG. 2E).

[0026] Air replacement groove 26, which is a single continuous shallow groove, is formed on the outer periphery of outer wall 21. Air replacement groove 26 is a single groove that has inlet 26A, which is a short longitudinal groove located on the front end side, and outlet 26D, which is a short longitudinal groove located on the rear end side, and is connected by circular paths 26B, which are multiple circumferential horizontal grooves connected by multiple folds 26C.

[0027] Figures 4A to 4F show valve mechanism 40 used in the applicator of the first embodiment in a front perspective view (Figure 4A), a rear perspective view (Figure 4B), a front view (Figure 4C), a right side view (Figure 4D), a sectional view IVa-IVa of Figure 4C (Figure 4E), and a sectional view IVb-IVb of Figure 4E (Figure 4F). Figures 5A to 5D show a parts assembly diagram of the valve mechanism of Figure 4A in a front perspective view (Figure 5A), a rear perspective view (Figure 5B), a right side view (Figure 5C), and a right side sectional view (Figure 5D).

[0028] As described above, the valve mechanism 40 is formed by inserting the first valve 60, the second spring 44, the second valve 80, the rear spring holding member 43, the first spring 42, the front spring holding member 41, and the stirring rod 90 in this order from the rear end of the valve holding member 50 (see Figures 5A to 5D). In other words, the valve mechanism 40 comprises a valve holding member 50, a front spring holding member 41 attached to the tip of the valve holding member 50, a first valve 60 built into the valve holding member, a second valve 80 built into the first valve 60, a rear spring holding member 43 attached to the tip of the first valve 60 and abutting against the tip portion of the second valve 80, a first spring 42 interposed between the front spring holding member 41 and the rear spring holding member 43 and urging the first valve 60 rearward, a second spring 44 interposed between the first valve 60 and the second valve 80 and urging the second valve 80 forward, and a stirring rod 90 inserted into the first spring 42 and abutting against the tip of the second valve 80 (see Figure 4E).

[0029] 4E, the front spring retaining member 41 has a tubular portion 41B that is inserted into the tip of the valve retaining member 50, and a flange 41A that protrudes outward from the front end of the tubular portion 41B. A first front retaining step 41C, which is a circumferential protrusion, is formed in the internal space of the tubular portion 41B. The first front retaining step 41C supports the first spring 42 on the tip side.

[0030] 6A to 6G are a front perspective view (FIG. 6A), a rear perspective view (FIG. 6B), a front view (FIG. 6C), a left side view (FIG. 6D), a plan view (FIG. 6E), a bottom view (FIG. 6F), and a cross-sectional view (FIG. 6G) of FIG. 6D taken along line VI-VI. The valve holding member 50 includes a flange-shaped leading edge 51, a cylindrical housing portion 52 having a smaller diameter at its rear, a cylindrical liquid-passing portion 53 having a smaller diameter at its rear, and a circular crown portion 54 having a smaller diameter at its rear. Three first inlet holes 55 are evenly spaced on the side of the cylindrical liquid-passing portion 53. The valve holding member 50 is hollow, and its internal space forms a housing hole 56 in which a first valve 60 is housed. The inner surface of the cylindrical housing portion 52 forms a first liquid-passing surface 57. A step is formed on the leading edge of the first fluid passage surface 57, which serves as fluid passage step 58. The flange 41A (FIG. 4E) of the front spring holding member 41 abuts against the leading edge of the valve holding member 50 and is fixed thereto.

[0031] 7A to 7G are a front perspective view (FIG. 7A), a rear perspective view (FIG. 7B), a front view (FIG. 7C), a left side view (FIG. 7D), a plan view (FIG. 7E), a bottom view (FIG. 7F), and a cross-sectional view (FIG. 7G) taken along line VII-VII of FIG. 7D of the first valve 60. The first valve 60 includes a front tubular portion 61 located at the front, a fluid passage surface 62 tapering in diameter toward the rear thereof, a rear tubular portion 63 having a smaller diameter toward the rear thereof, and a crown-shaped portion 64 having an annular shape and a smaller diameter toward the rear thereof. A pair of second inlet holes 65 are formed in the side surface of the rear tubular portion 63. An insertion hole 66 is formed in the axial center of the crown-shaped portion 64, through which the rear end portion of the second valve 80 is inserted. A second rear support step 67 is formed at the leading edge of the crown-shaped portion 64 to support the rear end of the second spring 44.

[0032] The second valve 80 is a member housed inside the first valve 60. As shown in Fig. 4E, the second valve 80 includes a substantially cylindrical tubular portion 81, a ventilation surface 82 that tapers in diameter toward the tip end, and a small-diameter rod-shaped portion 83 that protrudes rearward from the tubular portion 81. The step between the tubular portion 81 and the rod-shaped portion 83 forms a second front support step 84 that supports the tip end of the second spring 44.

[0033] As shown in Fig. 4E, the first spring 42 is a coil spring composed of an intermediate portion 42A and a leading end portion 42B and a trailing end portion 42C, both of which are located at both ends of the intermediate portion 42A and have smaller diameters. The first spring 42 is supported by the first front support step 41C at the step between the intermediate portion 42A and the leading end portion 42B, and is supported by the first rear support step 43C at the step between the intermediate portion 42A and the trailing end portion 42C. On the other hand, as shown in Fig. 4E, the second spring 44 is a coil spring whose intermediate portion has a smaller diameter. The leading end of the second spring 44 is supported by the second front support step 84, and the trailing end is supported by the second rear support step 67.

[0034] 5A to 5D, the stirring rod 90 is a cylindrical member. As shown in FIG. 4E, the stirring rod 90 is loosely fitted inside the first spring 42 so as to be movable in the front-rear direction. When the stirring rod 90 moves rearward, the rear end of the stirring rod 90 abuts against the front end of the second valve 80.

[0035] 8A to 8D show front barrel 12 used in the applicator of the first embodiment in a front perspective view (FIG. 8A), a front view (FIG. 8B), a bottom view (FIG. 8C), and a cross-sectional view (FIG. 8D) taken along the line VIII-VIII of FIG. 8B. As described above, front barrel 12 includes covering portion 12A, which is generally cylindrical and covers the distal end of barrel tube 11; outer peripheral locking portion 12B, which is located distally of covering portion 12A and has a slightly reduced diameter and a recess formed on its outer periphery for engaging cap 13; and tapered portion 12C, which tapers forward at its distal end and has an open distal end. Air replacement hole 12E opens at the distal end of front barrel 12. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 8D, a cylindrical support tube 12F is formed within tapered portion 12C of front barrel 12. The internal space of support tube 12F serves as applicator insertion portion 12H, through which applicator portion 14 is inserted. The space between the inner surface of the tapered portion 12C and the outer surface of the support cylinder 12F forms an air replacement passage 12D that communicates with the air replacement hole 12E.

[0036] The valve mechanism 40 shown in FIGS. 4A to 4E is constructed as follows. First, the second valve 80, with the second spring 44 mounted on the rod-shaped portion 83, is inserted into the first valve 60 from the front. Next, the cylindrical portion 43B of the rear spring holding member 43 is inserted into the first valve 60 from the front, until the flange 43A abuts against the front edge of the first valve 60. Then, the first valve 60 in this state is inserted into the valve holding member 50 from the front. Furthermore, the first spring 42 is inserted into the valve holding member 50 from the front. Next, the cylindrical portion 41B of the front spring holding member 41 is inserted into the valve holding member 50 from the front, until the flange 41A abuts against the front edge of the valve holding member 50. Finally, the stirring rod 90 is inserted into the first spring 42. This completes the valve mechanism 40 shown in FIGS. 4A to 4E.

[0037] 4E, the first valve 60 is biased rearward by the first spring 42, which causes the liquid passage step 58 of the valve holding member 50 to abut and closely contact the liquid passage surface 62 of the first valve 60. In addition, the second valve 80 is biased forward by the second spring 44, which causes the air passage step 43D of the front spring holding member 41 to abut and closely contact the air passage surface 82 of the second valve 80.

[0038] Then, valve mechanism 40 in the state shown in FIG. 4E is inserted from the tip of barrel 11, which contains application liquid 11C and stirring bar 11E. Meanwhile, tip 14A of applicator part 14, to which relay core 30 is attached, is inserted into applicator part insertion portion 12H inside support barrel 12F of front barrel 12, which is in the state shown in FIG. 8D, and applicator part holding member 20 is further inserted from the rear end. By threading front barrel 12 in this state onto small diameter portion 11B of barrel 11, applicator 10 in the state shown in FIGS. 2A to 2D is formed. In this state, the tip of tip 14A protrudes from the tip edge of front barrel 12. Then, by attaching cap 13 to applicator 10 in this state as shown in FIG. 1B, applicator 10 in the state shown in FIGS. 1A, 1C, and 1D is formed.

[0039] That is, applicator 10 of the present embodiment comprises barrel 11, the internal space of which is application liquid storage section 11D that stores application liquid 11C, and which can be deformed by pressing its side surface; valve mechanism 40 housed at the tip end of the internal space of barrel 11; applicator 14, which is formed with liquid passage hole 14C for passing application liquid 11C toward the tip end; front barrel 12, through which applicator 14 is inserted and which is attached to the tip end of barrel 11; tubular applicator part holding member 20, which is housed between the inside of front barrel 12 and valve mechanism 40 and which holds the rear end of applicator part 14 toward the tip end; and air displacement groove 26, which is a single continuous groove that is formed on the outer periphery of applicator part holding member 20 and folds back at multiple points.

[0040] Furthermore, in applicator 10 of the present embodiment, front barrel 12 is equipped with applicator part insertion portion 12H, through which applicator part 14 is inserted, and air replacement passage 12D, which is independent of applicator part insertion portion 12H and communicates with air replacement groove 26. In other words, air replacement passage 12D and applicator part insertion portion 12H are not in direct communication.

[0041] Furthermore, in the applicator 10 of this embodiment, the valve mechanism 40 comprises a valve holding member 50, a front spring holding member 41 attached to the tip of the valve holding member 50, a first valve 60 built into the valve holding member 50, a second valve 80 built into the first valve 60, a rear spring holding member 43 attached to the tip of the first valve 60 and abutting against the tip portion of the second valve 80, a first spring 42 interposed between the front spring holding member 41 and the rear spring holding member 43 and urging the first valve 60 rearward, a second spring 44 interposed between the first valve 60 and the second valve 80 and urging the second valve 80 forward, and a stirring rod 90 inserted into the first spring 42 and adapted to be movable back and forth between the applicator part holding member 20 and the second valve 80.

[0042] 4E, when the barrel 11 is pressed to pressurize the interior of the application liquid storage portion 11D, the positive pressure relative to the external air pressure overcomes the rearward biasing force of the first spring 42, compressing it and moving the first valve 60 forward. As a result, the liquid passage step 58 of the valve holding member 50 and the liquid passage surface 62 of the first valve 60 are separated, allowing the application liquid 11C to flow between them. That is, the application liquid 11C in the application liquid storage portion 11D flows into the valve holding member 50 from the first inlet hole 55, passes between the liquid passage step 58 and the liquid passage surface 62, then passes through the clearance between the outer peripheral surface of the front tubular portion 61 of the first valve 60 and the first liquid passage surface 57 of the valve holding member 50, further passes between the leading edge of the rear spring holding member 43 and the rear end edge of the front spring holding member 41, and reaches the application portion holding member 20 as shown by the solid arrow in FIG. 2E. From here, the application liquid 11C further reaches the application part 14 via the relay core 30, and can be applied to the application target surface by the brush tip 14A.

[0043] In other words, when the internal pressure of the application liquid storage section 11D becomes positive relative to the external air pressure, the first spring 42 is pressed forward by the first valve 60, allowing the application liquid 11C to flow through the gap created between the valve holding member 50 and the first valve 60.

[0044] At this time, the coating liquid 11C is subjected to flow resistance due to narrow gaps, such as the gap between the liquid passage step 58 and the liquid passage surface 62, the clearance with the first liquid passage surface 57 of the valve holding member 50, and the gap between the leading edge of the rear spring holding member 43 and the rear edge of the front spring holding member 41. In addition, the coating liquid 11C that has reached the coating part holding member 20 must further pass through the porous relay core 30, and is subjected to flow resistance here as well. These prevent the coating liquid 11C from dripping from the coating part 14.

[0045] When the pressure on the barrel 11 is released from this state, the volume of the air in the coating liquid storage section 11D increases by the amount lost due to consumption of the coating liquid 11C, and the pressure inside the coating liquid storage section 11D becomes negative relative to the external atmospheric pressure. This generates a force that tends to move the second valve 80 rearward. When this force overcomes the biasing force of the second spring 44, the second valve 80 moves rearward while compressing the second spring 44. This separates the ventilation step 43D of the rear spring holding member 43 from the ventilation surface 82 of the second valve 80, allowing air to flow between them.

[0046] At this time, as shown by the dashed arrow in Fig. 2E, external air enters air replacement channel 12D from air replacement hole 12E in front barrel 12 and reaches air replacement groove 26 formed on the outer peripheral surface of applicator portion holding member 20. That is, as shown by the dashed arrow in Fig. 3C and Fig. 3D, the air flows from inlet 26A on the tip side along the longitudinal direction, changes direction along circumferential path 26B at multiple turning points 26C, passes through outlet 26D on the rear side along the longitudinal direction, and reaches application liquid storage portion 11D via valve mechanism 40 as shown in Fig. 2E.

[0047] When using the applicator 10 of this embodiment, the barrel 11 is shaken back and forth, causing the stirring bar 11E to stir the application liquid 11C contained in the application liquid container 11D. At this time, as the stirring rod 90 in the valve mechanism 40 moves back and forth, it presses the abutting second valve 80 backward. This forcibly changes the relative position of the second valve 80 with respect to the valve holding member 50 inside the valve mechanism 40, stirring the application liquid 11C inside the valve mechanism 40, and thus preventing the application liquid 11C from solidifying inside the valve mechanism 40.

[0048] (2) Second embodiment 9A to 9I show the appearance of an applicator 10 of a second embodiment of the present disclosure in a front oblique view (FIG. 9A), a rear oblique view (FIG. 9B), a front view (FIG. 9C), a right side view (FIG. 9D), a rear view (FIG. 9E), a plan view (FIG. 9F), a bottom view (FIG. 9G), a cross-sectional view taken along line IX-IX of FIG. 9C (FIG. 9H), and a front oblique view with the cap 13 separated (FIG. 9I). 10A to 10I show the appearance of the applicator 10 of Fig. 9A with the cap removed, in a front perspective view (Fig. 10A), a rear perspective view (Fig. 10B), a front view (Fig. 10C), a right side view (Fig. 10D), a rear view (Fig. 10E), a plan view (Fig. 10F), a bottom view (Fig. 10G), a cross-sectional view taken along line XX of Fig. 10C (Fig. 10H), and an enlarged view (Fig. 10I) of the tip portion of the applicator of Fig. 10H. Figs. 11A to 11F show the front perspective view (Fig. 11A), a front view (Fig. 11B), a plan view (Fig. 11C), a bottom view (Fig. 11D), a cross-sectional view taken along line XIa-XIa of Fig. 11B (Fig. 11E), and a cross-sectional view taken along line XIb-XIb of Fig. 11C (Fig. 11F).

[0049] The configuration of the applicator 10 of the second embodiment is the same as that of the applicator 10 of the first embodiment, except that the rear end of the large diameter portion 11A of the barrel 11 is approximately hemispherical in shape, most of the large diameter portion 11A of the barrel 11 is covered with an approximately cylindrical decorative tube 15, the applicator portion 14 is formed of a porous synthetic resin and does not have a flange 14B, and the shape of the front barrel 12 is different.

[0050] The rear end portion on the front side of the decorative tube 15 has a cutout 15A that is shaped like it has been cut off at an angle. The rear end portion of the barrel 11 is exposed from this cutout 15A.

[0051] The front barrel 12 used in the applicator 10 of the second embodiment includes a generally cylindrical covering portion 12A that covers the distal end of the barrel tube 11, an outer peripheral locking portion 12B located at the distal end of the covering portion 12A and having a recess formed on its periphery for engaging the cap 13, and a tapered portion 12C that tapers forward at its distal end and opens to the distal end. An air replacement hole 12E opens inside the distal end of the front barrel 12. Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 11C and 11E, a cylindrical support tube 12F is formed inside the tapered portion 12C of the front barrel 12. The inner surface of the tapered portion 12C and the outer surface of the support tube 12F are connected by four equally spaced connecting ribs 12G. The internal space of the support tube 12F forms an applicator insertion portion 12H through which the applicator 14 is inserted. The space between the inner surface of the tapered portion 12C and the outer surface of the support cylinder 12F forms an air replacement passage 12D that communicates with the air replacement hole 12E.

[0052] In the applicator 10 of the second embodiment, the flow of the application liquid 11C, prevention of dripping of the application liquid 11C, replacement of air, and stirring of the application liquid 11C inside the valve mechanism 40 by the stirring rod 90 are the same as those in the applicator 10 of the first embodiment. Note that the relay core 30 may be integral with the application part 14, or may not be provided. [Industrial Applicability]

[0053] The present disclosure can be used as an applicator that applies a cosmetic material stored therein to a target surface such as the human body. [Explanation of symbols]

[0054] 10 Applicator 11 barrel 11A large diameter portion 11B small diameter portion 11C Coating liquid 11D Coating liquid storage section 11E Stirring bar 12 front barrel 12A covering portion 12B outer periphery locking portion 12C Tapered section 12D Air exchange passage 12E Air exchange hole 12F Support tube 12G Connecting rib 12H Applicator insertion part 13 Cap 13A Outer tube 13B Inner tube 13C Cap spring 13D Inner circumference locking part 14 Application part 14A Brush tip 14B Flange 14C Liquid hole 15 Decorative tube 15A Cutout 20 application part holding member 21 outer wall 22 inner wall 23 Connection 25 Rib 26 Air displacement groove 26A Inlet 26B Circulation path 26C Return Exit 26D 27 Front insertion hole 28 Front recess 29 Rear insertion hole 30 Relay core 40 Valve mechanism 41 Front spring retaining member 41A Flange 41B Cylindrical portion 41C First front holding step 42 First spring 42A Middle part 42B Tip part 42C Rear end 43 Rear spring retaining member 43A Flange 43B Cylindrical portion 43C First rear support step 43D Ventilation step 44 Second Spring 50 valve holding member 51 tip edge 52 housing cylinder portion 53 Liquid cylinder part 54 Crown part 55 First inflow hole 56 Receiving hole 57 First liquid passage surface 58 Liquid passage step 60 first valve 61 front tube portion 62 liquid passage surface 63 Rear cylindrical part 64 Coronal part 65 Second inflow hole 66 Insertion hole 67 Second rear holding step 80 second valve 81 cylindrical portion 82 ventilation surface 83 rod-shaped portion 84 second front holding step 90 Stirring rod

Claims

1. an inner space of the barrel serving as a coating liquid storage section for storing the coating liquid, and the barrel being deformable when a side surface of the barrel is pressed; a valve mechanism accommodated in the inner space of the barrel at the tip end side; an application part having a liquid passage hole for passing the application liquid in a distal direction; a front barrel that is attached to the front end of the barrel while the applicator part is inserted therethrough; a cylindrical applicator part holding member that is housed between the interior of the front barrel and the valve mechanism and that holds the rear end of the applicator part in a distal direction; an air replacement groove that is a single continuous groove that is folded back at multiple locations and is formed on the outer periphery of the application part holding member; An applicator comprising:

2. The front shaft is an applicator insertion portion through which the applicator portion is inserted; an air replacement channel that is independent of the application part insertion part and communicates with the air replacement groove; The applicator according to claim 1 , comprising:

3. The valve mechanism includes: a valve retaining member; a front spring holding member attached to the tip of the valve holding member; a first valve housed in the valve holding member; a second valve built into the first valve; a rear spring retaining member attached to a tip of the first valve and abutting against a tip portion of the second valve; a first spring interposed between the front spring holding member and the rear spring holding member and biasing the first valve rearward; a second spring interposed between the first valve and the second valve and biasing the second valve forward; a stirring rod inserted into the first spring and adapted to be movable back and forth between the application part holding member and the second valve; The applicator according to claim 1 or claim 2, comprising:

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