Liquid coating container

Abstract

To provide a liquid coating container that can ensure smooth and reliable dispensing operation.SOLUTION: Inside a cap 4 which can be attached to a liquid container 2 containing a coating liquid, a snap member 11 provided with a claw part 11c which pulls out a movable stopper in an axial direction by engaging with an engagement groove 8d which is formed on a circumferential surface of the movable stopper 8 with the cap attached to the liquid container and removing the cap. The snap member 11 has: a holder 11a which is attached to an inner surface of the cap; and flexible members 11b whose one ends are attached to the holder and extend in the axial direction; and claw parts 11c which are attached to the other ends of the respective flexible members. Units of the flexible member and claw part are arranged annularly with respect to the holder and evenly spaced in three or more locations. Each claw part 11c is formed to protrude toward the inner surface along the circumference.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an improvement to a liquid application container in which a movable stopper is placed at the opening of a container storing a coating liquid, and the movable stopper is opened and closed by moving in the axial direction, thereby enabling the application liquid to be supplied to an application section. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, a liquid application container is known in which an application liquid such as a hair agent, cosmetic liquid, or cleanser liquid is stored in the container, and a movable stopper is placed at the opening of the container, so that a certain amount of the application liquid in the container can be dispensed to the application section by removing the cap that covers the movable stopper and pulling up the movable stopper. In this type of liquid application container, the movable stopper is opened by removing the cap and pulling up the movable stopper, thereby allowing communication between the inside of the container and the measuring chamber. In this state, the application liquid in the container is introduced into the measuring chamber, and the application liquid measured in the measuring chamber can be dispensed to the supply location (application part).

[0003] In this case, although the movable plug can be pulled up by removing the cap, when the engaged portion provided on the movable plug disengages from the cap, the reaction force pushes the movable plug down, which is a problem. When the movable stopper is pushed down in this way, it becomes close to a closed valve, which prevents the normal flow of the coating liquid from inside the container to the measuring chamber. As a result, the required amount of coating cannot be obtained at one time, and the operation becomes unstable, preventing the liquid coating container from fulfilling its intended function.

[0004] Several proposals have been made to solve the above-mentioned problems. Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration in which a cylinder is attached to the cap side and the inner peripheral wall of the cylinder surrounds a movable stopper placed at the opening of a container. The inner peripheral wall of the cylinder is formed with protruding engagement portions for engaging with the movable stopper arranged on the container side at intervals along the axial direction, and the protruding dimension of these engagement portions relative to the movable stopper side is formed so as to gradually decrease toward the opening side of the cylinder.

[0005] With this configuration, when removing the cap, the highest engaging part on the cap side engages with the annular lip formed at the tip of the movable stopper, allowing the movable stopper to be pulled out. Finally, when the cap is finally removed, the lip separates from the lowest engaging part on the cap, reducing the reaction force when the cap is separated, thereby eliminating the problem of the movable stopper being pushed down.

[0006] Patent Document 2 also discloses a configuration in which a cylindrical body is attached to the cap side, and the inner peripheral wall of the cylindrical body is attached so as to surround a movable plug placed at the opening of a container. In this example, T-shaped protruding engaging portions are provided intermittently along the inner circumferential wall of the cap.

[0007] With this configuration, when removing the cap, the wide engaging portion of the T-shaped head engages with the annular lip formed at the tip of the movable stopper, allowing the movable stopper to be pulled out. It is explained that the narrow engaging portion at the tail end of the T-shape is the last to separate from the lip of the movable stopper, eliminating the problem of the movable stopper being pushed down by a reaction force when the cap is released.

[0008] Patent Document 3 also discloses a configuration in which a cylinder is disposed on the cap side and is attached so that the inner peripheral wall of the cylinder surrounds a movable plug disposed at the opening of a container. In this example, T-shaped protruding engagement portions are provided intermittently along the inner circumferential wall of the cap side, and the lengths of the tail end portions of the T-shaped engagement portions are formed to be different in the circumferential direction.

[0009] With this configuration, when removing the cap, the wide engaging portion of the T-shaped head engages with the annular lip formed at the tip of the movable stopper, allowing the movable stopper to be pulled out. Furthermore, because the narrow engaging portion at the tail end of the T-shape has different lengths, the timing at which the lip of the movable stopper separates from the engaging portion is dispersed, which is explained to eliminate the problem of the movable stopper being pushed down by a reaction force when the cap is separated. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0010] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 5161027 [Patent Document 2] Patent No. 5220547 [Patent Document 3] Patent No. 5220548 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0011] Incidentally, the liquid application containers disclosed in the above-mentioned Patent Documents 1 to 3 all adopt a configuration in which a cylindrical body is arranged on the cap side, and an engaging portion for engaging with a movable stopper arranged on the container side is formed protruding from the inner wall of the cylindrical body. As a result, the engagement portion with the movable plug is formed along the inner wall surrounded by the cylindrical body, so the degree of deformation of the engagement portion in the axial direction is small, and the engagement portion is, so to speak, formed on a rigid body. Therefore, even if improvements are made to the shape of the engaging portion formed on the inner wall of the cylindrical body, it is fundamentally difficult to fully absorb the reaction force that the engaging portion exerts on the movable stopper when the movable stopper separates from the engaging portion.

[0012] This invention has been made with a focus on the above points, and aims to provide a liquid applicator container that can reliably pull up the movable stopper located on the container side when the cap is removed, and that can reliably absorb the reaction acting on the pulled-up movable stopper at the moment the cap is separated from the container side, thereby preventing the pulled-up movable stopper from returning. As a result, the main object of the invention is to provide a liquid applicator container that can ensure smooth and reliable dispensing of the application liquid. [Means for solving the problem]

[0013] The liquid application container of the present invention, which has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, comprises a liquid container for storing an application liquid, a movable stopper that is arranged at the opening of the liquid container and opens and closes by moving axially, thereby enabling the application liquid in the liquid container to be supplied to an application section, and a cap that can be attached to the liquid container while covering the movable stopper, wherein a snap member is arranged within the cap and has a claw portion that engages with an engagement groove formed on the circumferential surface of the movable stopper when the cap is attached to the liquid container and pulls out the movable stopper in the axial direction by removing the cap, and the snap member is provided with a holder that is attached to the inner surface of the cap, flexible members that have one end attached to the holder and extend in the axial direction, and the claw portion attached to the other end of each of the flexible members, and the unit of the flexible member and the claw portion is arranged in a ring shape around the holder and at equal intervals at three or more locations, and each of the claw portions is formed to protrude toward the inner surface along the periphery.

[0014] In this case, a shell portion is preferably provided which covers the movable stopper and forms a measuring chamber between the movable stopper and the shell portion to store a predetermined amount of the coating liquid, and as the movable stopper moves in the axial direction, a sliding contact portion formed in an annular shape on the movable stopper abuts and slides over the entire circumference against the inner diameter portion of the shell portion, and the sliding contact portion and the shell portion are each formed from different materials.

[0015] In addition, it is desirable that the applicator part is attached to one end of a spring body, and a base end is formed at the other end of the spring body, the applicator part and the base end are integrally molded via the spring body to form a spring unit, the applicator part is positioned so as to receive a biasing force from the spring body that causes it to protrude toward the tip end of the movable stopper, and the applicator part and the base end are symmetrical in shape.

[0016] Furthermore, it is desirable that the movable stopper has a plug member that forms part of the measuring chamber, has a communication port formed between the measuring chamber and the liquid chamber of the liquid container, and the communication port is opened and closed as the movable stopper moves in the axial direction, and that the plug member has a funnel-shaped recess formed therein, and a communication port is formed in the center of the recess that connects the measuring chamber and the liquid chamber of the liquid container, so that when the movable stopper is facing upward, the funnel-shaped recess acts as an inclined surface so that the application liquid in the measuring chamber can be guided by its own weight through the communication port into the liquid chamber of the liquid container.

[0017] In another preferred embodiment, the stopper member that is fitted into and attached to the opening of the liquid container is provided with a flange that abuts against the edge of the tip opening of the liquid container, and is integral with the stopper member.This allows the stopper member to be positioned and attached to the opening of the liquid container, and the overlapping portion between the edge of the tip opening of the liquid container and the outer tube portion that forms the flange of the stopper member is inserted into the annular space formed between the inner fitting tube and the outer fitting tube of the shell portion, thereby connecting and assembling the liquid container, stopper member, and shell portion to each other. [Effects of the Invention]

[0018] According to the liquid applicator container of this invention, when the cap attached to the liquid container is removed, the claws of the snap member attached to the cap engage with the locking grooves formed on the circumferential surface of the movable stopper, and the movable stopper is pulled up. In this case, the claws of the snap member arranged on the cap side engage with the locking grooves formed on the circumferential surface of the movable stopper, so that the movable stopper can be reliably pulled up as the cap is removed. This makes it possible to supply the application liquid in the liquid container to the applicator part.

[0019] On the other hand, the claw portion that pulls up the movable stopper is formed at the end of a flexible member that extends in the axial direction, so that the force that causes the claw portion to return to the inside (original position) at the moment when the claw portion that has engaged with the engagement groove of the movable stopper leaves the engagement groove is softened by the action of the flexible member. Therefore, the flexible member can reliably contribute to reducing the reaction force that tries to return the movable stopper to its original position when the movable stopper is pulled up.

[0020] Furthermore, the flexible member and claw unit are arranged annularly on the holder of the snap member and at three or more equally spaced locations, so that when the movable stopper is pulled up, a pulling force can be applied evenly along the axial direction to the movable stopper, thereby providing a liquid applicator container that ensures smooth and reliable dispensing operation. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0021] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing the external configuration of a liquid applying container of a first embodiment according to the present invention, with a cap attached to the liquid container. [Figure 2] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the liquid container with the cap removed. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the liquid application container with the cap attached. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the liquid application container in the middle of removing the cap. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the liquid application container showing a state immediately before the cap is removed. [Figure 6] 6 is an enlarged perspective view of a main part of the cap shown in FIG. 5 with a part cut away. FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the liquid application container with the cap removed. [Figure 8] 8A and 8B are partial cross-sectional views of the liquid application container shown in FIG. 7, where (A) is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the portion indicated by the arrow aa in FIG. 7, and (B) is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the portion indicated by the arrow bb in FIG. [Figure 9] 1A and 1B show the individual components of the plug member, in which (A) is a perspective view seen from the front end side, (B) is a perspective view seen from the rear end side, and (C) is a central cross-sectional view taken along the axial direction. [Figure 10] The individual components of the shell are shown, with (A) being a perspective view from the front end, (B) being a perspective view from the rear end, and (C) being a central cross-sectional view along the axial direction. [Figure 11] 1A and 1B show the individual components of the first movable plug, where (A) is a perspective view seen from the front end, (B) is a perspective view seen from the rear end, and (C) is a central cross-sectional view taken along the axial direction. [Figure 12] 1A and 1B show the individual components of the second movable plug, where (A) is a perspective view seen from the front end, (B) is a perspective view seen from the rear end, and (C) is a central cross-sectional view taken along the axial direction. [Figure 13] 1A and 1B show the structure of a single spring unit, where FIG. 1A is a perspective view and FIG. 1B is a front view. [Figure 14] 1A and 1B show assembly parts of the cap, in which (A) is a perspective view seen from the rear end side, and (B) is a central cross-sectional view taken along the axial direction. [Figure 15] 1C shows the individual components of the snap member, where (A) is a perspective view seen from the rear end side, (B) is a side view, and (C) is a central cross-sectional view along the axial direction. [Figure 16] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a liquid applying container of a second embodiment according to the present invention with a cap attached. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a main part of the liquid applying container shown in FIG. [Figure 18] 10A and 10B show the individual components of the stopper member used in the liquid application container of the second embodiment, where (A) is an oblique view from the front end, (B) is an oblique view from the rear end, and (C) is a central cross-sectional view along the axial direction. [Figure 19] 10A and 10B show the individual components of the shell portion used in the liquid application container of the second embodiment, where (A) is an oblique view from the front end, (B) is an oblique view from the rear end, and (C) is a central cross-sectional view along the axial direction. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0022] A liquid applicator container according to the present invention will be described based on an embodiment shown in the drawings. In each of the figures shown below, the same or equivalent parts are indicated by the same symbols, but in the cross-sectional views showing the overall structure of the liquid application container, due to space limitations, symbols are assigned to representative parts, and more detailed structures may be explained by referring to the symbols assigned to the drawings of each individual part that makes up the liquid application container.

[0023] 1 to 15 show a liquid applicator container of the first embodiment, and of these, Figures 1 and 2 show its external configuration in perspective views. This liquid applicator container 1 comprises a liquid container 2 that stores an application liquid, a discharge unit 3 provided on the tip side of the liquid container 2, and a cap 4 that covers the discharge unit 3 and is removably attached to the liquid container 2. In this invention, the method of engaging cap 4 with liquid container 2 is not particularly limited, but in this embodiment, it is a screw-type. That is, as shown in Figure 2, a thread groove 2a is formed on the peripheral surface of the tip side of liquid container 2, and a protrusion 4a (see Figure 7) that screws into thread groove 2a is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the opposing cap 4.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 3, the liquid container 2 has a liquid chamber R1 capable of storing a large amount of application liquid, and an opening 2b is formed on the tip side thereof. A plug member 5 that constitutes a part of the discharge unit 3 is fitted into the opening 2b, and the discharge unit 3 is attached to the tip side of the liquid container 2 by fitting the plug member 5 into the opening 2b. A shell portion 6 is attached to the axial tip side of the plug member 5 to form the outer shell of the discharge unit 3, and a first movable plug 7 and a second movable plug 8 are housed within the connected plug member 5 and shell portion 6 and connected in the axial direction. The first movable plug 7 and second movable plug 8 form a movable plug that is movable in the axial direction.

[0025] In addition, a spring unit 9 is housed inside the first movable stopper 7 and the second movable stopper 8, and a valve portion 9b that serves as the application portion is formed on the tip side of this spring unit 9, and this valve portion 9b is arranged in a state where it protrudes from the tip end of the second movable stopper 8. Furthermore, a bottomed, cylindrical second cap body 4A is fitted and attached to the inner bottom of the top surface side of the cap 4. A snap member 11 is attached along the inner bottom of this second cap body 4A, and the cap 4 is attached to the liquid container 2 with a claw portion 11c (described later) formed on the snap member 11 engaging with an engaging groove 8d (described later) formed in the second movable plug 8.

[0026] Figures 4 to 8 show the sequence of how the cap 4 is removed from the liquid application container 1, and the movable stoppers 7, 8 of the discharge unit 3 are pulled up by the claw portion 11c, which will be described later, formed on the snap member 11; this operation will be described later.

[0027] 9 shows the single-item configuration of plug member 5, which is formed with a cylindrical portion 5a that fits into opening 2b of liquid container 2, and a connecting portion 5b that has a slightly smaller outer diameter than cylindrical portion 5a and is connected to shell portion 6 (described below). Ring-shaped protrusions 5c and 5d are formed on the outer circumferential surfaces of cylindrical portion 5a and connecting portion 5b, respectively, and are configured to function to prevent liquid container 2 and shell portion 6 from slipping out.

[0028] A funnel-shaped recess 5e is formed on the tip side of plug member 5, and a communication port 5f is formed in the center of this recess 5e. This communication port 5f communicates between liquid chamber R1 of liquid container 2 and a measuring chamber R2 for the application liquid formed in shell portion 6, which will be described later. Furthermore, a plurality of small protrusions 5g are formed intermittently in the recess 5e near the communication opening 5f so as to surround the communication opening 5f. These small protrusions 5g function as cushions to absorb the impact of the step 7b of the first movable plug 7 that strikes the recess 5e when the first movable plug 7 (described later) moves back forcefully inside the discharge unit 3.

[0029] 10 shows the single-item configuration of the shell portion 6. An inner fitting cylinder 6a and an outer fitting cylinder 6b are formed in a double structure at the rear end of this shell portion 6. The connecting portion 5b of the plug member 5 is inserted into the inner fitting cylinder 6a, thereby connecting the shell portion 6 to the plug member 5 in the axial direction. On the other hand, the tip opening edge 2c of the liquid container 2 is inserted into the annular gap between the inner fitting tube 6a and the outer fitting tube 6b, as shown in Figure 3, so that the entire discharge unit 3 is attached to the opening 2b of the liquid container 2.

[0030] A dome portion 6c is formed in the center of the shell portion 6, and a space serving as a measuring chamber R2 capable of containing a predetermined amount of application liquid is formed inside the dome portion 6c. A first inner diameter portion 6d and a second inner diameter portion 6e are formed, the inner diameters of which decrease in a stepwise manner from the dome portion 6c toward the tip, and the second inner diameter portion 6e supports the second movable plug 8 so that it can slide in the axial direction. Furthermore, an inward projection 6f that protrudes intermittently toward the axial center is formed at a position close to the dome portion 6c of the first inner diameter portion 6d. This functions to give a certain clicking sensation to the connected movable stoppers 7, 8 when the second movable stopper 8 moves inside the shell portion 6. Note that the projection 6f may also be formed to protrude continuously.

[0031] 11 shows the individual configuration of the first movable plug 7. This first movable plug 7 functions as a valve that controls whether or not the application liquid in the liquid holder 2 is introduced into the discharge unit 3 side. A first sliding contact portion 7a is formed in an annular shape on the first movable stopper 7, the diameter of which increases slightly toward the tip. When the first movable stopper 7 moves toward the tip together with the second movable stopper 8, this first sliding contact portion 7a abuts and slides over the entire circumference against the first inner diameter portion 6d of the shell portion 6. This prevents the application liquid stored in the measuring chamber R2 from leaking between the first movable stopper 7 and the shell portion 6. It is desirable that the first sliding contact portion 7a of the first movable plug 7 and the shell portion 6 are made of different materials, and the effect of this will be explained later.

[0032] A step 7b with a reduced diameter is formed in the center of the first movable plug 7, and a second sliding contact portion 7c is formed in an annular shape with a slightly wider diameter from this step 7b toward the rear. When the first movable plug 7 moves rearward together with the second movable plug 8, this second sliding contact portion 7c abuts against the communication port 5f of the plug member 5 over its entire circumference, functioning as a valve to close the communication port 5f.

[0033] Therefore, as the first movable plug 7 moves forward toward the tip side, the second sliding contact portion 7c of the first movable plug 7 moves away from the communication port 5f of the plug member 5, opening the communication port 5f and allowing the application liquid from the liquid container 2 to be introduced into the measuring chamber R2. At this time, the first sliding contact portion 7a of the first movable plug 7 comes into contact with the first inner diameter portion 6d of the shell portion 6, so that the application liquid introduced into the measuring chamber R2 is prevented from moving toward the second movable plug 8. Meanwhile, as the first movable plug 7 moves backward toward the rear side, the second sliding contact portion 7c of the first movable plug 7 comes into contact with the communication opening 5f of the plug member 5 to close the communication opening 5f. At this time, the first sliding contact portion 7a of the first movable plug 7 moves away from the first inner diameter portion 6d of the shell portion 6, allowing the application liquid introduced into the measuring chamber R2 to move toward the second movable plug 8 side.

[0034] Furthermore, a cross-shaped rib member 7d is provided from the step portion 7b toward the rear side of the first movable plug 7. This rib member 7d is disposed in a state inserted into the opening 2b of the liquid container 2. The rib member 7d has plate ribs 7e standing radially in all directions from the axis of the rib member 7d, and the flow path of the application liquid from the liquid container 2 is divided into approximately four parts in the circumferential direction.

[0035] Therefore, the space partitioned by the plate rib 7e becomes a liquid flow path from the liquid container 2 to the discharge unit 3 side, and since the liquid flow path is divided circumferentially by the cross-shaped rib member 7e, a liquid film is less likely to form and the flow of the coating liquid can be maintained smooth. Furthermore, even if a liquid film is formed in one of the divided flow paths, the other flow paths allow the application liquid to flow smoothly toward the measuring chamber R2. A bottomed axial hole 7g is formed in the columnar portion 7f surrounded by the first sliding contact portion 7a of the first movable plug 7. This accommodates the base end portion 9d of the spring unit 9, which will be described later.

[0036] 12 shows the individual structure of second movable plug 8. As described above, second movable plug 8 is connected to the tip end side of first movable plug 7 and moves integrally with it in the axial direction. A short-axis shaped cylindrical portion 8a is formed on the rear end side of this second movable plug 8, and a large-diameter portion 8b with a slightly larger diameter is formed next to this cylindrical portion 8a, and a ring-shaped protrusion 8c is formed on the inner surface of the cylindrical portion 8a. Cylindrical portion 8a and large-diameter portion 8b are inserted into the annular gap formed between first sliding contact portion 7a and columnar portion 7f formed on first movable plug 7. At this time, ring-shaped protrusion 8c climbs over the ring-shaped protrusion formed on columnar portion 7f of first movable plug 7, allowing the first and second movable plugs 7, 8 to be joined by fitting together.

[0037] Meanwhile, an annular locking groove 8d is formed along the outer circumferential surface of the tip end of second movable plug 8. This locking groove 8d is engaged with a claw portion 11c of a snap member 11 (described later) disposed inside cap 4, and acts to pull out in the axial direction. The inner diameter of the inner surface of second movable plug 8, on which locking groove 8d is formed, is made slightly smaller to form coating liquid discharge hole 8e. In addition, a cylindrical surface 8f of approximately the same diameter is formed along the axial direction between the locking groove 8d and the large diameter portion 8b, and this cylindrical surface 8f is supported axially slidably along the second inner diameter portion 6e formed in the shell portion 6.

[0038] Furthermore, a plurality of axially long coating liquid inlet holes 8g (for example, four as shown in the figure) are formed intermittently around the circumference in the rear half of the cylindrical surface 8f. These inlet holes 8g act to introduce the coating liquid from the measuring chamber R2 in the shell portion 6 into the second movable plug 8 when the first movable plug 7 and the second movable plug 8 retract and the first sliding contact portion 7a of the first movable plug 7 separates from the first inner diameter portion 6d of the shell portion 6.

[0039] 13 shows the single-item configuration of spring unit 9. This spring unit 9 has an applicator part 9b attached to the tip side of a meandering central spring body 9a via a flange part 9c, and a base end part 9d attached to the rear end side of spring body 9a via a flange part 9e, and these are integrally molded from a resin material. This spring unit 9 is housed inside the connected first movable stopper 7 and second movable stopper 8, and is positioned so that the tip of valve portion 9b, which serves as the applicator, protrudes from applicator liquid discharge hole 8e of second movable stopper 8 due to the biasing force of spring body 9a. In addition, base end portion 9c on the rear end side is housed in axial hole 7g formed in first movable stopper 7.

[0040] The application portion 9b and the base end portion 9d are each formed to form a cross shape when viewed in the axial direction, and the unit of the application portion 9b and the flange portion 9c and the unit of the base end portion 9d and the flange portion 9e are symmetrical in shape. Therefore, the application portion 9b and the base end portion 9d can be used without distinction, which contributes to simplifying parts management.

[0041] 14 shows the assembled state of the cap, and as already explained, a bottomed, cylindrical second cap body 4A is fitted and attached to the inner bottom of the top surface side of cap 4. A cylindrical portion 4b is molded integrally with second cap body 4A at the inner bottom, and when cap 4 is attached to liquid container 2, cylindrical portion 4b accommodates applicator part 9b within cylindrical portion 4b, and the end of cylindrical portion 4b faces the tip of second movable stopper 8, acting to set movable stoppers 7, 8 in a retracted state. A snap member 11 is attached to the inner bottom of the second cap body 4A so as to surround the cylindrical portion 4b.

[0042] 15 shows the individual configuration of snap member 11. This snap member 11 includes an annular holder 11a disposed on the inner bottom surface of second cap body 4A attached to cap 4, flexible members 11b each having one end attached to holder 11a and extending in the axial direction, and a claw portion 11c attached to another step portion of flexible member 11b. The flexible member 11b and claw portions 11c are arranged in a circular shape around the holder 11a at equal intervals, and each claw portion 11c is formed to protrude toward the inner surface along the periphery.

[0043] 15, five units each consisting of a flexible member 11b and a claw portion 11c are provided, and are arranged at equal intervals on the holder 11a and are integrally molded with the holder 11a using a resin material. It is desirable that these units each consisting of a flexible member 11b and a claw portion 11c be formed at equal intervals in three or more places. A ring-shaped protrusion 11d is formed along the outer periphery of the annular holder 11a. This protrusion 11d fits over a ring-shaped protrusion formed inside the second cap body 4A, thereby preventing the snap member 11 from coming off the second cap body 4A.

[0044] 3 to 8 show the process of loosening the screws of cap 4 attached to liquid container 2 and removing cap 4 from liquid container 2. FIG. 3, as already explained, shows the state in which the cap 4 is attached to the liquid container 2, and in this state, the second sliding contact portion 7c of the movable plug 7 closes the communication port 5f of the plug member 5. Therefore, the application liquid in the liquid container 2 is prevented from flowing toward the discharge unit 3.

[0045] 4 shows the state in which the cap 4 is being rotated to remove it from the liquid container 2. In this state, the movable plugs 7, 8 are pulled up toward the tip by the claw portions 11c of the snap members 11, and the second sliding contact portion 7c of the movable plug 7 keeps closing the communication port 5f of the plug member 5, while the first sliding contact portion 7a of the movable plug 7 comes into contact with the first inner diameter portion 6d of the shell portion 6.

[0046] 5 and 6 show the state immediately before the cap 4 is removed, in which the movable stoppers 7, 8 are further pulled up, and the second sliding contact portion 7c of the movable stopper 7 opens the communication port 5f of the plug member 5. Meanwhile, the first sliding contact portion 7a of the movable stopper 7 comes into contact with the first inner diameter portion 6d of the shell portion 6, and the large diameter portion 8b of the movable stopper 8 engages with the boundary between the first inner diameter portion 6d and the second inner diameter portion 6e of the shell portion 6. As a result, the pulled-up positions of the movable stoppers 7, 8 reach the uppermost positions. In this state, the protruding portion 4a of the cap 4 is disengaged from the thread groove 2a of the liquid container 2, so that the cap 4 can be separated from the liquid container 2 as shown in FIG.

[0047] Therefore, by turning the discharge unit 3 downward in this state, the application liquid in the liquid chamber R1 of the liquid container 2 flows into the measuring chamber R2 formed in the discharge unit 3 through the communication port 5f of the plug member 5. This causes the application liquid to fill the measuring chamber R2. In this manner, when the discharge unit 3 of the metered discharge container 1 is facing downward and the valve portion 9b is pressed against the supply portion (applied surface) together with the movable stoppers 7 and 8, the movable stoppers 7 and 8 retract and the second sliding contact portion 7c closes the communication port 5f.

[0048] That is, when the communication port 5f from the liquid container 2 is closed by the first movable plug 7, the application liquid is measured by the measuring chamber R2. Furthermore, when the valve portion 9b is pressed against the supply portion (surface to be coated) together with the movable stoppers 7, 8, the coating liquid in the measuring chamber R2 flows into the movable stoppers 7, 8 through the coating liquid inlet hole 8g. Then, by pressing the valve portion 9b against the movable stoppers 7, 8, the coating liquid in the movable stoppers 7, 8 is discharged onto the surface to be coated.

[0049] Figure 8 shows the state of the application part (valve part 9b) at this time, where Figure 8(A) is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the part indicated by arrow aa in Figure 7, and Figure 8(B) is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the part indicated by arrow bb in Figure 7. As already explained, the valve portion 9b constituting the applicator portion has a cross-shaped cross section perpendicular to the axis, and a flange portion 9c is disposed at the rear of the valve portion 9b. The valve portion 9b is disposed so as to protrude from the applicator liquid discharge hole 8e of the movable plug 8.

[0050] Therefore, when the valve portion 9b is pressed into the coating liquid discharge hole 8e, a gap is formed between the flange portion 9c located at the rear of the valve portion 9b and the coating liquid discharge hole 8e, and the coating liquid is discharged from this gap. As a result, the coating liquid is discharged through four discharge holes formed along the axial direction between the valve portion 9b, which has a cross-shaped cross section, and the coating liquid discharge hole 8e.

[0051] As described above, when the discharge of the application liquid from the movable stoppers 7 and 8 is completed and the cap 4 is replaced and closed, the claw portion 11c on the cap 4 side engages with the engaging groove 8d of the second movable stopper 8. When the cap 4 is then removed again, the movable stoppers 7 and 8 are pulled up, opening the flow path from the liquid chamber R1 of the liquid container 2 to the measuring chamber R2, and the application liquid can be supplied to the measuring chamber R2.

[0052] However, as explained at the beginning, in this type of liquid applicator container 1, the moment the cap 4 is removed from the liquid container 2, a problem can occur in which the movable stoppers 7, 8 that have already been pulled up are pushed down by a reaction force. Therefore, the liquid application container 1 of the present invention, which employs the snap member 11 described above, can reliably reduce the reaction force pushing down the movable stoppers 7, 8, and its function will be explained below.

[0053] 15, the snap member 11 has a configuration in which a claw portion 11c is provided on a holder 11a via a flexible member 11b. That is, the flexible member 11b is formed in a strip shape with a relatively thin wall thickness and is arranged along the axial direction of the holder 11a. 15(C), snap member 11 can withstand a large force in the direction of arrow Y when claw portion 11c pulls up movable stoppers 7, 8. Furthermore, the force (reaction force) in the direction of arrow X when cap 4 is removed from liquid container 2 and claw portion 11c returns to its original state is reduced by the action of thin flexible member 11b.

[0054] Therefore, when the movable stoppers 7, 8 are pulled up, they can be pulled up to their upper limit position by the force acting in the direction of arrow Y in Figure 15(C). Furthermore, the reaction force when the claws 11c are released from the locking grooves 8d of the movable stoppers 8 and return to their original state is kept small, so that the force pushing down the pulled-up movable stoppers 7, 8 can be reliably reduced.

[0055] Incidentally, according to the values ​​obtained by analysis, it was verified that the force (as indicated by the arrow Y) required to pull up the movable stoppers 7, 8 of the prototype liquid application container 1 is 10 N or more, and that the movable stoppers 7, 8 will not be pushed down if the force is 4 N or less. According to a structural analysis of the prototype snap member 11, the force (the force acting as the arrow Y) when the claw portion 11c opens and disengages from the locking groove 8d of the movable plug 8 is: 3.25 N per claw 11c × 5 claws = 16.25 N (Equation 1) The force acting to return the claw portion 11c to its original position after it has been released from the locking groove 8d of the movable plug 8 (the force acting as the arrow X) is as follows: 0.8 N per claw 11c × 5 claws = 4 N (Equation 2) The following results were obtained.

[0056] From the results of this analysis, it can be seen that by utilizing the snap member 11 of the above-described configuration, it is possible to provide a liquid application container that can reliably pull up the movable stoppers 7, 8 when the cap 4 is removed, and that can reliably reduce the reaction force that tries to return the movable stoppers 7, 8 to the pulled-up movable stoppers 7, 8.

[0057] In the snap member 11 used in this embodiment, the flexible member 11b and claw portion 11c units are arranged at equal intervals at five locations along the holder 11a. However, by arranging these units at equal intervals at three or more locations, it is possible to apply a pulling force evenly along the axial direction to the movable stoppers 7, 8 when the movable stoppers 7, 8 are pulled up. This makes it possible to provide a liquid applicator container that can ensure smooth and reliable operation.

[0058] Most of the components of the liquid applicator container 1 described above can be molded from a resin material. In this case, it is desirable that the first movable plug 7 having the first sliding contact portion 7a be formed from different materials, and the shell portion 6. That is, the first sliding contact portion 7a acts to abut and slide against the first inner diameter portion 6d of the shell portion 6 over the entire circumference, thereby preventing the application liquid stored in the measuring chamber R2 from leaking between the first movable plug 7 and the shell portion 6.

[0059] In this case, it is desirable that the shell portion 6 is molded from, for example, polypropylene (PP), and the first movable plug 7 (first sliding contact portion 7a) is molded from, for example, polyethylene (PE), which is softer than PP. This allows the first sliding contact portion 7a of the movable plug 7 to flexibly deform and slide against the material forming the shell portion 6 while adhering closely to it, thereby avoiding the problem of the coating liquid in the measuring chamber R2 leaking from parts other than the tip coating portion (valve portion 9b), which would reduce the product value.

[0060] In this embodiment, the plug member 5 is formed with a funnel-shaped recess 5e, and a communication port 5f is formed in the center of the recess 5e. The funnel-shaped recess 5e formed in the stopper member 5 acts as an inclined surface when the discharge unit 3 (movable stoppers 7, 8) is turned upward, and guides the application liquid in the measuring chamber R2 by its own weight through the communication port 5f into the liquid chamber R2 of the liquid container 2.

[0061] With this configuration, for example, as shown in Figure 7, when the movable stoppers 7, 8 are pulled up and the movable stoppers 7, 8 are facing downwards and the coating liquid is introduced into the measuring chamber R2, if the coating operation is stopped in this state and the liquid coating container 1 is placed on a desk or the like, the coating liquid in the measuring chamber R2 is quickly returned into the liquid chamber R1 of the liquid container 2 by the inclined surface of the recessed portion 5e. This makes it possible to avoid the problem of a small amount of coating liquid remaining in the measuring chamber R2.

[0062] 16 to 19 show a liquid applicator container according to a second embodiment, with Fig. 16 showing a cross-sectional view of the overall configuration of the liquid applicator container 1 with the cap 4 attached. This corresponds to Fig. 3 showing the liquid applicator container 1 of the first embodiment already described, and Fig. 17 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the main part of the liquid applicator container 1 shown in Fig. 16. Furthermore, Figs. 18 and 19 show the individual configurations of the plug member 5 and shell part 6 employed in the liquid applicator container 1 of the second embodiment, and the configurations of these respective components will be described first. In Figures 16 to 19, parts corresponding to the various parts of the liquid application container 1 of the first embodiment are indicated by the same symbols, and therefore detailed explanations and explanations of their functions and effects will be omitted. In the following, the unique configuration and functions and effects of the liquid application container 1 of the second embodiment will mainly be explained.

[0063] In the plug member 5 employed in this second embodiment, as shown particularly in the cross-sectional view of Figure 18(C), a cylindrical outer tube portion 5j is molded continuous with the tubular portion 5a in a substantially flush state along the axial direction of the plug member 5, and this tubular portion 5a and outer tube portion 5j are fitted into and attached to the opening 2b of the liquid container 2. That is, the outer tube portion 5j is formed to surround the connecting portion 5b to the shell portion 6, and is configured to fit and support the inner fitting tube 6a of the shell portion 6 by the annular groove 5k formed between the outer tube portion 5j and the connecting portion 5b. In addition, a ring-shaped flange portion 5m is integrally formed on the front end portion of the outer tube portion 5j, facing outward, and the flange portion 5m abuts against the tip opening edge 2c of the liquid container 2, thereby positioning the stopper member 5 axially relative to the liquid container 2.

[0064] On the other hand, the shell portion 6 shown in Figure 19, which is used in this liquid application container 1, is formed in a double structure of an inner fitting tube 6a and an outer fitting tube 6b, and in particular, the outer fitting tube 6b is formed longer toward the rear end side compared to the outer fitting tube 6b in the first embodiment shown in Figure 10. This allows the outer fitting tube 6b of the shell part 6 to contact the liquid container 2 at a relatively long distance from the tip opening edge 2c along the opening circumferential surface of the liquid container 2, thereby contributing to stabilizing the attachment of the shell part 6 to the liquid container 2. The shell portion 6 is attached to the liquid container 2 and the stopper member 5 by inserting the overlapping portion of the tip opening edge 2c of the liquid container 2 and the outer tube portion 5j of the stopper member 5 into the annular space 6g formed between the inner fitting tube 6a and the outer fitting tube 6b of the shell portion 6.

[0065] The overall configuration of the liquid application container 1 of the second embodiment is shown in Figure 16, and the cap 4 and second cap body 4A side shown in Figure 16 are shown rotated 90 degrees axially from the state shown in Figure 3. 17, the flange 5m formed on the plug member 5 is engaged with the leading end opening edge 2c of the liquid container 2, and the plug member 5 is positioned and attached to the liquid container 2. That is, the cylindrical portion 5a and the outer cylindrical portion 5j of the plug member 5 are inserted into and fitted with the opening 2b of the liquid container 2, and the flange 5m is engaged with the leading end opening edge 2c of the liquid container 2, thereby positioning the plug member 5 in the axial direction with respect to the liquid container 2.

[0066] The inner fitting tube 6a of the shell portion 6 is inserted into the annular groove 5k of the plug member 5, and the overlapping portion of the tip opening edge 2c of the liquid container 2 and the outer tube portion 5j of the plug member 5 is inserted into the annular space 6g formed between the inner fitting tube 6a and the outer fitting tube 6b of the shell portion 6, thereby connecting and assembling the liquid container 2, plug member 5, and shell portion 6 to each other. This configuration improves the positional accuracy between the liquid container 2, the plug member 5, and the shell portion 6, thereby improving the accuracy of measuring the application liquid by the measuring chamber R2 formed in the shell portion 6.

[0067] In addition, in this liquid applying container 1, as shown in FIG. 17, a first annular protrusion 2d and a second annular protrusion 2e are formed on the upper and lower sides of the liquid container 2 near the opening edge 2c, and protrude outward in an annular shape. The first annular protrusion 2d contacts the inner surface of the base end side of the outer fitting cylinder 6b of the shell portion 6, and the second annular protrusion 2e contacts the inner surface of the rear opening of the outer fitting cylinder 6b. That is, in the liquid applicator container 1 of the second embodiment, the axial length dimension of the outer fitting cylinder 6b of the shell portion 6 is made longer compared to the liquid applicator container 1 of the first embodiment, and the outer fitting cylinder 6b of the shell portion 6 is supported at two locations, the first annular protrusion 2d and the second annular protrusion 2e, which are formed near the opening edge 2c of the liquid container 2 and spaced a predetermined distance apart. This configuration improves the problem of the shell part 6 easily coming off the liquid container 2 when a so-called prying force is applied to the outer fitting tube 6b of the shell part 6, for example, with the tip of a screwdriver tool, and makes it possible to provide a liquid application container with improved attachment strength of the shell part 6 to the liquid container 2.

[0068] 16, the length of the locking groove 8d formed in the second movable plug 8 is set to be larger than that of the liquid applicator container 1 of the first embodiment shown in, for example, Fig. 3. Accordingly, the length of the applicator portion 9b and the base end portion 9d of the spring unit 9 is increased, and the axial length of the cylindrical portion 4b formed on the inner bottom of the second cap body 4A is reduced. 16, with the cap 4 attached to the liquid container 2, the claw portion 11c of the snap member 11 disposed in the cap 4 reaches the position of the locking groove 8d of the second movable plug 8 with ease. Therefore, when the cap 4 is removed from the liquid container 2, the locking action of the claw portion 11c of the snap member 11 ensures that the movable plugs 7, 8 are raised to the uppermost position. This makes it possible to reliably measure the coating liquid by filling the measuring chamber R2 with the coating liquid from the liquid container 2, thereby ensuring the reliability of the measuring operation of this type of liquid applying container 1. [Explanation of symbols]

[0069] 1 Liquid application container 2 liquid container 2b opening 2c Tip opening edge 2d 1st annular process 2e Second annular protrusion 3 Discharge unit 4 Cap 4A Second cap body 5 Plug member 5a Cylindrical body part 5b Connecting part 5e Funnel-shaped depression 5f communication port 5j outer barrel 5k Circular Groove 5m Tsubabe 6 Shell part 6a Inner fitting tube 6b Outer fitting tube 6c Dome section 6d First inner diameter section 6e Second inner diameter section 6g Annular space 7 1st movable stopper (movable stopper) 7a 1st sliding contact part 7c 2nd sliding contact part 7d Rib member 7e Plate Rib 8 2nd movable stopper (movable stopper) 8d locking groove 8e Coating liquid discharge hole 8g Coating liquid inlet 9 Spring unit 9a Spring body 9b Application part (valve part) 9d proximal end 11 Snap member 11a Holder 11b Flexible member 11c Claw part R1 liquid chamber R2 Weighing room

Claims

[Claim 1] The invention described herein.

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