Syringe container

Abstract

To provide a syringe container capable of changing the amount of a content of a container body sucked up from a lower end opening of a syringe tube without changing the design of a component and manufacturing them anew.SOLUTION: A syringe container comprises: a container body 2; an inner cap 50; a syringe tube 60; an outer cap 10; an actuation member 30; and an operation member 40, either the inner cap or the actuation member is provided with a sliding cylindrical part 33 whose inside forms an operation space S that communicates with an upper end opening of the syringe tube, and the other is provided with a sliding ring 80 that slides on the sliding cylindrical part to expand and contract the operation space as the operation member moves up and down relative to the inner cap, the sliding ring is fixed to a holding cylindrical part 57 provided with a gap in a radical direction between the holding cylindrical part and the sliding cylindrical part, a plurality of sets of the sliding cylindrical part and the holding cylindrical part are provided, the sliding ring is fixed to one of the plurality of holding cylindrical parts and slides on one of the plurality of sliding cylindrical parts.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a dropper container. [Background technology]

[0002] As shown in Patent Document 1, a conventional container includes a cylindrical container body with a bottom that contains contents, an inner cap that is removably attached to the mouth of the container body and is attached to and detached from the mouth as the container rotates around the axis of the container, a dropper tube that extends downward from the inner cap and has a lower opening located inside the container body, an outer cap that is attached to the inner cap so as to be rotatable around the axis of the container while being restricted from rotating around the axis of the container by more than a predetermined amount, and a dropper tube that is attached to and detached from the inner cap by being restricted from rotating around the axis of the container by more than a predetermined amount. A known dropper container includes an actuating member that moves up and down relative to the cap, and an operating member that is attached to the actuating member and defines an expandable / contractable space between the actuating member and the operating member, the expandable / contractable space communicating with the upper end opening of the dropper tube. The actuating member is provided with a sliding cylindrical portion whose inside is the operating space communicating with the upper end opening of the dropper tube. The inner cap is provided with a sliding ring that slides on the inner circumferential surface of the sliding cylindrical portion to expand and contract the operating space as the actuating member moves up and down relative to the inner cap. The sliding ring is fitted onto and fixed to a holding cylindrical portion that is inserted into the sliding cylindrical portion with a radial gap provided within it. In this dropper container, when the outer cap is first rotated around the container axis relative to the container body, the outer cap rotates relative to the inner cap within a predetermined range. At this time, the actuating member, whose rotation relative to the outer cap is restricted, also rotates and rises relative to the inner cap. This causes the sliding ring and the sliding tube to come into sliding contact with each other, and as the volume of the working space increases, a negative pressure is created within the working space. Therefore, a negative pressure is also created within the dropper tube, which is connected to the working space, allowing the contents of the container body to be drawn up through the lower end opening of the dropper tube. Because the amount of increase in the volume of the working space is determined by the amount of lift of the sliding tube relative to the sliding ring, a roughly constant amount of contents can be drawn into the dropper tube by rotating the outer cap relative to the inner cap a predetermined amount. Thereafter, when the rotation of the outer cap continues, the outer cap and the inner cap rotate together relative to the container body, the inner cap is released from the mouth of the container body, and the dropper tube is pulled out from inside the container body. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2024-41402 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the conventional dropper containers described above, the amount of content in the container body that is drawn up from the lower end opening of the dropper tube is determined based on the amount of lift of the sliding cylindrical portion relative to the sliding ring. Therefore, in order to obtain dropper containers that can draw up different amounts of content, it was necessary to redesign and newly manufacture many parts such as the inner cap, outer cap, and operating member.

[0005] The present invention provides a dropper container that allows the amount of content in the container body that can be sucked up from the lower end opening of the dropper tube to be changed without changing the design of parts and manufacturing them anew. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A dropper container according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a bottomed, cylindrical container body for accommodating contents; an inner cap detachably attached to the mouth of the container body and attached to and detached from the mouth as the container rotates about its axis; a dropper tube extending downward from the inner cap with its lower opening located within the container body; an outer cap rotatably attached to the inner cap about its axis while being restricted from rotating about the axis by a predetermined amount or more; an actuating member provided within the outer cap, which is restricted from rotating about its axis relative to the outer cap and which moves up and down relative to the inner cap as it rotates about its axis relative to the inner cap; and an upper opening of the dropper tube attached to the actuating member and disposed between the actuating member and the outer cap. and an operating member that defines an expansion / contraction space that communicates with the upper end opening of the dropper tube, wherein either one of the inner cap or the actuating member is provided with a sliding cylindrical portion whose inside serves as an operation space that communicates with the upper end opening of the dropper tube, and the other of the inner cap or the actuating member is provided with a sliding ring that slides on the sliding cylindrical portion to expand / contract the operation space as the actuating member moves up and down relative to the inner cap, the sliding ring is fixed to a holding cylindrical portion that is provided with a radial gap between it and the sliding cylindrical portion, and a plurality of sets of the sliding cylindrical portion and the holding cylindrical portion are provided, and the sliding ring is fixed to one of the plurality of holding cylindrical portions and slides on one of the plurality of sliding cylindrical portions.

[0007] According to the above aspect, multiple pairs of sliding tubes and holding tubes are provided, and the sliding ring is fixed to one of the multiple holding tubes and slides on one of the multiple sliding tubes. Therefore, by selecting the holding tube to which the sliding ring is fixed from among the multiple holding tubes and the sliding tube on which the sliding ring slides from among the multiple sliding tubes, it is possible to change the size of the working space, and to change the amount of content in the container body that is drawn up from the lower opening of the dropper tube without changing the amount of vertical movement of the sliding tube relative to the sliding ring. This makes it possible to change the amount of content in the container body that is drawn up from the lower opening of the dropper tube without having to change the design and manufacture new parts.

[0008] The holding cylindrical portion may have a circumferential groove formed therein, and the sliding ring may be an O-ring and may be fitted into the circumferential groove.

[0009] Since the sliding ring is an O-ring and is fitted into a circumferential groove formed in the retaining cylindrical portion, the sliding ring can be easily and reliably fixed to the retaining cylindrical portion while minimizing the amount of radial protrusion from the retaining cylindrical portion. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the above aspect of the present invention, the amount of the contents of the container body that can be sucked up from the lower end opening of the dropper tube can be changed without changing the design of the parts and manufacturing new parts. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] 1 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing portions of a dropper container according to the present embodiment, which are spaced 90° apart from each other around the container axis. [Figure 2A] FIG. 2 is a half-longitudinal cross-sectional view of the actuating member of FIG. 1; [Figure 2B] FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line II-II in FIG. 2A. [Figure 3A] FIG. 2 is a top view of the push button of FIG. [Figure 3B] FIG. 3B is a half-longitudinal cross-sectional view of the push button of FIG. 3A. [Figure 4A] FIG. 2 is a top view of the inner cap of FIG. [Figure 4B] FIG. 4B is a side view of the inner cap of FIG. 4A. [Figure 5] 1. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a state in which the outer cap and the like are rotated 90 degrees to the loosening side in FIG. 1, and the operating member and the actuating member are raised. [Figure 6] 1. FIG. 3 is a view showing a state in which a holding cylindrical portion on which a sliding ring is fitted is modified from that shown in FIG. [Figure 7] 7 is a diagram showing a state in which the outer cap and the like in FIG. 6 are rotated 90 degrees to the loosened side, and the operating member and the actuating member are raised. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] Hereinafter, the dropper container of this embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIG. 1, the dropper container 1 includes a container body 2, an outer cap 10, a push button 20, an actuating member 30, an operating member 40, an inner cap 50, a dropper tube 60, a squeezing tube member 70, and a sliding ring 80.

[0013] The container body 2 is formed in a cylindrical shape with a bottom, and the contents are accommodated in the container body 2. A male screw portion is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the mouth portion 2a of the container body 2. The contents may be, for example, a medicinal liquid, a liquid cosmetic, etc. The components of the dropper container 1 in this embodiment are made of a resin material. The dropper container 1 in this embodiment does not have any metal members (such as a coil spring).

[0014] The outer cap 10, the push button 20, the actuating member 30, the operating member 40, the inner cap 50, the dropper tube 60, and the sliding ring 80 constitute a dropper assembly 3 that is detachably attached to the container body 2.

[0015] (direction definition) The central axes of the container body 2 and the dropper tube 60 are located on a common axis. Hereinafter, this axis will be referred to as the container axis O, the direction along the container axis O will be referred to as the vertical direction, and along the vertical direction, the mouth 2a side of the container body 2 will be referred to as the upper side, and the bottom side of the container body 2 will be referred to as the lower side. The direction intersecting the container axis O as viewed from the vertical direction will be referred to as the radial direction, and the direction going around the container axis O as viewed from the vertical direction will be referred to as the circumferential direction. One side along the circumferential direction may be referred to as the “loosening side.” When the actuating member 30 is rotated toward the loosening side relative to the inner cap 50, the actuating member 30 rises relative to the inner cap 50, and when the inner cap 50 is rotated toward the loosening side relative to the mouth portion 2a, the inner cap 50 rises relative to the mouth portion 2a. The other circumferential side may be referred to as the “fastening side.” When the actuating member 30 is rotated toward the fastening side relative to the inner cap 50, the actuating member 30 descends relative to the inner cap 50, and when the inner cap 50 is rotated toward the fastening side relative to the mouth portion 2a, the inner cap 50 descends relative to the mouth portion 2a.

[0016] 1 and 5, the figures on the right and left sides of the container axis O show vertical cross-sectional views of portions of the dropper container 1 that are spaced apart by 90° with the container axis O as the center.

[0017] 1, 4A, and 4B, the inner cap 50 is formed in a cylindrical shape with a top having an annular inner cap top wall 53 and an inner cap peripheral wall 51, and is disposed coaxially with the container axis O. The inner cap 50 is removably fitted to the mouth portion 2a, and is attached to and detached from the mouth portion 2a as the inner cap 50 rotates about the container axis O. In the illustrated example, a female thread portion is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the inner cap peripheral wall 51, which screws into a male thread portion formed on the outer peripheral surface of the mouth portion 2a. The inner cap top wall 53 is formed with a male threaded tube 54, a holding tube portion 57, and a communicating tube portion 58. The male threaded tube 54, the holding tube portion 57, and the communicating tube portion 58 are arranged coaxially with the container axis O.

[0018] The male threaded tube 54 extends upward from the inner cap top wall 53 and has a male thread formed on its outer circumferential surface. The communicating tube portion 58 extends downward from the inner circumferential edge of the inner cap top wall 53. The retaining tube portion 57 extends upward from a portion of the inner cap top wall 53 that is radially inward of the male thread tube 54. A plurality of retaining tube portions 57 are provided at intervals in the radial direction. Of the plurality of retaining tube portions 57, a first retaining tube portion 57a, which is the radially innermost portion, is provided on the inner peripheral edge of the inner cap top wall 53. Hereinafter, the retaining tube portion 57 that is radially outward of the first retaining tube portion 57a ​​will be referred to as the second retaining tube portion 57b. The upper ends of the first retaining tube portion 57a ​​and the second retaining tube portion 57b are located at the same position in the vertical direction. A circumferential groove 57c is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the upper ends of the first retaining tube portion 57a ​​and the second retaining tube portion 57b, extending continuously over the entire circumferential length. It should be noted that three or more holding cylindrical portions 57 may be provided at intervals in the radial direction.

[0019] Two release recesses 51b are formed circumferentially spaced apart on the outer peripheral surface of the upper portion of the inner cap peripheral wall 51. The release recesses 51b open to the upper surface of the inner cap top wall 53. The release recesses 51b have a rectangular shape that is elongated in the circumferential direction when viewed from the outside in the radial direction. Of the inner surfaces of the release recesses 51b, the surface facing the outside in the radial direction is located radially inward of the descent restriction portion 25, which will be described later.

[0020] Two circumferential restriction recesses 51a are formed circumferentially spaced apart on the outer peripheral surface of the lower portion of the inner cap peripheral wall 51. The circumferential centers of the circumferential restriction recess 51a and the release recess 51b are aligned with each other. The circumferential length of the circumferential restriction recess 51a is shorter than the circumferential length of the release recess 51b. The radial depth of the circumferential restriction recess 51a is shallower than the radial depth of the release recess 51b. The circumferential restriction recess 51a opens onto the upward-facing inner surface of the release recess 51b. The circumferential restriction recess 51a is provided over an angular range of approximately 90° around the container axis O.

[0021] 1, the sliding ring 80 is fitted onto and fixed to the upper end of one of the plurality of retaining cylindrical portions 57. The sliding ring 80 is an O-ring, and is fitted into the circumferential groove 57c of the retaining cylindrical portion 57. The sliding ring 80 protrudes radially outward from the outer circumferential surface of the retaining cylindrical portion 57. In the illustrated example, the sliding ring 80 is fitted onto and fixed to the first retaining cylindrical portion 57a, but is not fitted onto the second retaining cylindrical portion 57b. The sliding ring 80 may be a piston having a cylindrical body fitted onto the retaining cylindrical portion 57 and an annular sliding portion protruding radially outward from the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical body.

[0022] As shown in FIGS. 1, 2A, and 2B, the actuating member 30 is formed in a cylindrical shape with a top having an actuating top wall 32 and an actuating peripheral wall 31, and is disposed coaxially with the container axis O. An internal thread portion that screws into the external thread portion of the external threaded tube 54 of the inner cap 50 is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the actuating peripheral wall 31. As a result, the actuating member 30 moves up and down relative to the inner cap 50 by rotating around the container axis O relative to the inner cap 50. The operating top wall 32 is formed with a sealing cylinder 34, a sliding cylinder portion 33, a plurality of vent holes 32a, and a fixing groove 35. The sealing cylinder 34, the sliding cylinder portion 33, and the fixing groove 35 are arranged coaxially with the container axis O.

[0023] The sealing cylinder 34 protrudes downward from the lower surface of the operating top wall 32 and is detachably fitted in the upper end of the first holding cylinder portion 57a ​​of the inner cap 50 in a liquid-tight manner. The sliding cylinder portion 33 protrudes downward from the lower surface of the operating top wall 32 and is inserted between the sliding ring 80 and the inner peripheral surface of the male thread cylinder 54 of the inner cap 50. The retaining cylinder portion 57 is inserted into the sliding cylinder portion 33 with a radial gap provided.

[0024] The sliding cylindrical portion 33 extends downward from a portion of the operating top wall 32 that is located radially inward of the male threaded cylinder 54 of the inner cap 50. A plurality of sliding cylindrical portions 33 are provided at intervals in the radial direction. The first holding cylinder portion 57a ​​is inserted with a radial gap into the first sliding cylinder portion 33a, which is located radially innermost among the multiple sliding cylinder portions 33, and the second holding cylinder portion 57b is inserted with a radial gap into the second sliding cylinder portion 33b, which is located radially outer than the first sliding cylinder portion 33a. As a result, multiple pairs of sliding cylinder portions 33 and holding cylinder portions 57 are provided at intervals in the radial direction.

[0025] The radial gap between the inner peripheral surface of the first sliding cylindrical portion 33a and the outer peripheral surface of the first retaining cylindrical portion 57a ​​is smaller than the radial gap between the outer peripheral surface of the first sliding cylindrical portion 33a and the inner peripheral surface of the second retaining cylindrical portion 57b. The radial gap between the inner peripheral surface of the second sliding cylindrical portion 33b and the outer peripheral surface of the second retaining cylindrical portion 57b is smaller than the radial gap between the outer peripheral surface of the second sliding cylindrical portion 33b and the inner peripheral surface of the male threaded cylinder 54. The lower end of the second sliding cylindrical portion 33b is located lower than the lower end of the first sliding cylindrical portion 33a. It should be noted that three or more sliding cylindrical portions 33 may be provided at intervals in the radial direction.

[0026] In the illustrated example, a sliding ring 80 is in airtight contact with the inner circumferential surface of a first sliding cylindrical portion 33a, which is one of the plurality of sliding cylindrical portions 33, so as to be able to slide up and down. As a result, the inside of the first sliding cylindrical portion 33a forms a working space S that communicates with the upper end opening of the dropper tube 60. The working space S is a portion of the first sliding cylindrical portion 33a that is located above the sliding ring 80. Therefore, as the actuating member 30 moves up and down relative to the inner cap 50, the sliding ring 80 slides on the inner circumferential surface of the first sliding cylindrical portion 33a, expanding and contracting the working space S.

[0027] The ventilation hole 32a passes through the operating top wall 32 in the vertical direction and opens into the operating space S. The ventilation hole 32a opens toward the gap between the outer peripheral surface of the seal cylinder 34 and the inner peripheral surface of the first sliding cylinder portion 33a. The fixing groove 35 is formed on the outer peripheral edge of the upper surface of the operating top wall 32 and extends continuously over the entire circumferential length.

[0028] The operating member 30 has a restricting protrusion 36 a and a rotation restricting portion 37 . The restricting protrusions 36a protrude radially outward from the outer peripheral surface of the upper end of the operating peripheral wall 31. Two restricting protrusions 36a are provided, one on each side of the container axis O in the radial direction. The rotation restricting portions 37 protrude radially outward from the outer peripheral surface of the actuation peripheral wall 31. Two rotation restricting portions 37 are provided, one on each side of the container axis O in the radial direction. An actuation vertical groove 37a is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the rotation restricting portion 37, extending continuously over the entire length in the vertical direction. The restricting protrusion 36a and the rotation restricting portion 37 are disposed at different circumferential positions from each other. The restricting protrusion 36a and the rotation restricting portion 37 are provided at positions spaced apart by approximately 90° around the container axis O.

[0029] The operating member 40 has an elastic membrane 41 and a fixing portion 42, and is formed from an elastic body such as rubber or elastomer. The fixing portion 42 is formed in an annular shape and is thicker than the elastic membrane 41. The fixing portion 42 is fitted into and fixed to the fixing groove 35 of the actuating member 30. The elastic membrane 41 is formed in an upwardly convex curved shape (dome-shaped) and bulges upward from the fixing portion 42. The elastic membrane 41 covers the upper surface of the actuating top wall 32. As described above, operating member 40 is attached to actuating member 30, and defines, between actuating member 30 and operating member 30, an expansion / contraction space K that communicates with the upper end opening of dropper tube 60. The expansion / contraction space K communicates with the upper end opening of dropper tube 60 through vent hole 32a and operating space S.

[0030] As shown in FIGS. 1, 3A, and 3B, the push button 20 is formed in the shape of a cylinder with a top having a button top wall 21 and a button peripheral wall 24, and is disposed coaxially with the axis O of the container. A cylindrical pressing portion 23 extending downward is formed on the lower surface of the button top wall 21. The lower end of the pressing portion 23 abuts against the upper surface of the elastic membrane 41 of the operating member 40. The inner and outer diameters of the lower portion of the button peripheral wall 24 are larger than those of the upper portion. A vertical button groove 24a extending continuously over the entire length in the vertical direction is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the lower portion of the button peripheral wall 24. Two vertical button grooves 24a are provided, one on each side of the container axis O in the radial direction.

[0031] The button peripheral wall 24 has an engagement hole 24b and a slit 24c formed in the lower portion thereof. The engagement holes 24b and the slits 24c penetrate the button peripheral wall 24 in the radial direction. Two engagement holes 24b and two slits 24c are provided, one on each side of the container axis O in the radial direction. The slits 24c extend downward from the circumferential middle of the engagement holes 24b. The circumferential width of the slits 24c is smaller than the circumferential width of the engagement holes 24b. The vertical button groove 24a, the engagement hole 24b, and the slit 24c are arranged at different circumferential positions from each other. The vertical button groove 24a, the engagement hole 24b, and the slit 24c are arranged at positions spaced 90° apart from each other around the container axis O.

[0032] The actuation peripheral wall 31 of the actuation member 30 is inserted into the lower part of the button peripheral wall 24 so as to be movable up and down. A restricting protrusion 36a provided on the actuation peripheral wall 31 is inserted into the engagement hole 24b so as to be movable up and down. The restricting protrusion 36a abuts against or is close to the upward-facing lower edge of the inner circumferential surface of the engagement hole 24b. In the vertical direction, the dimension of the engagement hole 24b is larger than the dimension of the restricting protrusion 36a.

[0033] The push button 20 has two descent restriction portions 25 spaced apart in the circumferential direction. The descent restriction portions 25 protrude downward from the lower opening edge of the button peripheral wall 24 and extend in the circumferential direction. The two descent restriction portions 25 face each other in the radial direction. The lower edges of the descent restriction portions 25 abut against or are close to the upper surface of the inner cap top wall 53. This restricts the push button 20 from moving downward relative to the inner cap 50. The descent restriction portions 25 are located circumferentially away from the button vertical groove 24a, the engagement hole 24b, and the slit 24c.

[0034] The outer cap 10 is formed in a cylindrical shape with a top, and has an outer cap peripheral wall 11 and an outer cap top wall 12. The outer cap 10 is disposed coaxially with the axis O of the container. The outer cap top wall 12 is formed in an annular shape. A button top wall 21 is inserted into the outer cap top wall 12. The outer cap peripheral wall 11 surrounds the push button 20, the operating member 30, and the inner cap 50 from the outside in the radial direction. Two vertically extending vertical ribs 13 and a locking protrusion 14 are formed on the inner peripheral surface of the outer cap peripheral wall 11. The vertical ribs 13 and the locking protrusion 14 protrude radially inward from the inner peripheral surface of the outer cap peripheral wall 11. The locking protrusion 14 is located below the vertical ribs 13. The two vertical ribs 13 face each other across the container axis O in the radial direction.

[0035] The inner cap peripheral wall 51 is engaged with the engaging projection 14 from below the inner cap peripheral wall 51. This prevents the inner cap 50 from separating downward from the outer cap 10. The vertical rib 13 is integrally inserted into the button vertical groove 24a of the push button 20, the actuation vertical groove 37a of the actuation member 30, and the circumferential restricting recess 51a of the inner cap 50. Of these, the vertical rib 13, button vertical groove 24a, and actuation vertical groove 37a have the same circumferential size. This restricts the rotation of the push button 20 and actuation member 30 around the container axis O relative to the outer cap 10. The vertical rib 13 is inserted into the button vertical groove 24a and actuation vertical groove 37a so as to be able to move up and down. The circumferential size of the circumferential restricting recess 51a is larger than the circumferential size of the vertical rib 13, and the vertical rib 13 is located at the tightening end of the circumferential end of the circumferential restricting recess 51a. As a result, when the outer cap 10 is rotated toward the loosening side along the circumferential direction, the vertical rib 13 moves toward the loosening side within the circumferential restricting recess 51a along the circumferential direction, and the outer cap 10 rotates relative to the inner cap 50 together with the push button 20 and the actuating member 30. When the vertical rib 13 subsequently reaches the loosening side end of the circumferential restricting recess 51a along the circumferential direction and abuts against the inner surface of the circumferential restricting recess 51a in the circumferential direction, rotation of the outer cap 10 relative to the inner cap 50 is restricted. In other words, the outer cap 10 is mounted on the inner cap 50 so as to be rotatable about the container axis O, with rotation about the container axis O restricted by a predetermined amount or more.

[0036] Dropper tube 60 extends downward from inner cap 50, with its lower end opening located inside container body 2. Communication tube portion 58 of inner cap 50 is fitted into the upper end of dropper tube 60. The upper end opening of dropper tube 60 is capable of communicating with operating space S and expansion / contraction space K through communication tube portion 58 and first holding tube portion 57a. A flange portion 61 that protrudes radially outward is formed at the upper end of dropper tube 60. Flange portion 61 is fitted into and fixed to the upper part of inner cap peripheral wall 51.

[0037] The squeezing tube member 70 is fixed to the mouth portion 2a, and the dropper tube 60 is inserted into the squeezing tube member 70. A radial gap is provided between the inner peripheral surface of the squeezing tube member 70 and the outer peripheral surface of the dropper tube 60. The inner peripheral surface of the squeezing tube member 70 is formed with a squeezing projection 71 that protrudes radially inward and abuts against the outer peripheral surface of the dropper tube 60. The squeezing projection 71 is formed at the lower end of the squeezing tube member 70. The squeezing projection 71 may extend continuously in the circumferential direction, or may be provided intermittently in the circumferential direction. In the illustrated example, the squeezing projection 71 has two ridges that extend spirally approximately 180° around the container axis O. The two ridges are provided with no gap between them in the circumferential direction, with a gap between them in the vertical direction. The portion of the inner peripheral surface of the squeezing tube member 70 below the squeezing projection 71 extends radially inward as it extends upward.

[0038] The squeezing protrusion 71 is located at the same vertical position as the lower end of the inner cap peripheral wall 51, and a large volume is ensured for the portion X (hereinafter referred to as the liquid collection space) located above the squeezing protrusion 71 in the gap between the inner peripheral surface of the squeezing tube member 70 and the outer peripheral surface of the dropper tube 60. As a result, when the dropper tube 60 is inserted into the container body 2, even if the contents adhering to the outer peripheral surface of the dropper tube 60 are squeezed by the squeezing protrusions 71 and collected in the liquid collection space X above the squeezing protrusions 71, it becomes easy to ensure an air flow path between the squeezing protrusions 71 adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction.

[0039] Next, the operation of the dropper container 1 configured as above will be described.

[0040] When the outer cap 10 is rotated toward the loosening side along the circumferential direction relative to the container body 2, the push button 20 and the actuating member 30 rotate together with the outer cap 10 relative to the container body 2 because the vertical rib 13 is inserted into the button vertical groove 24a and the actuating vertical groove 37a. At this time, the outer cap 10 rotates idly relative to the inner cap 50 until the vertical rib 13 reaches the loosening side end of the circumferential regulating recess 51a of the inner cap 50 along the circumferential direction. As a result, the outer cap 10, the push button 20, and the actuating member 30 rotate relative to the inner cap 50 until the vertical rib 13 reaches the loosening side end of the circumferential regulating recess 51a of the inner cap 50 along the circumferential direction.

[0041] When the actuating member 30 rotates relative to the inner cap 50, the actuating peripheral wall 31 of the actuating member 30 is threadedly engaged with the male threaded tube 54 of the inner cap 50, causing the actuating member 30 to rise relative to the inner cap 50. At this time, the operating member 40, which is fixed to the actuating member 30, pushes up the pressing portion 23 of the push button 20, causing the push button 20 to also rise. As a result, as shown in FIG. 5 , the button top wall 21 protrudes upward from the outer cap top wall 12, and the seal tube 34 of the actuating member 30 moves upward from within the first retaining tube portion 57a ​​of the inner cap 50. Furthermore, as the first sliding tube portion 33a of the actuating member 30 rises while sliding against the sliding ring 80, the volume of the actuating space S increases, creating a negative pressure within the actuating space S. As a result, the contents in the container body 2 are drawn up through the lower end opening of the dropper tube 60. The amount of content drawn up into dropper tube 60 is determined by the amount of lift of first sliding cylindrical portion 33a relative to sliding ring 80. Therefore, dropper container 1 can draw up a substantially fixed amount of content into dropper tube 60. At this time, the threaded state between operating peripheral wall 31 and male threaded cylinder 54 of inner cap 50 is maintained.

[0042] When the vertical rib 13 reaches the loosened end of the circumferential restricting recess 51a of the inner cap 50 along the circumferential direction, the descent restricting portion 25 of the push button 20 faces up and down the release recess 51b of the inner cap 50. As a result, when the push button 20 is pressed down, the descent restricting portion 25 enters the release recess 51b, allowing the push button 20 to move downward relative to the inner cap 50.

[0043] When outer cap 10 is further rotated toward the loosening side in the circumferential direction relative to container body 2 from a state in which vertical rib 13, which has reached the end of circumferentially loosening side of circumferential regulating recess 51a, is brought into circumferential contact with the inner surface of circumferential regulating recess 51a, inner cap 50 rotates together with outer cap 10. As a result, inner cap 50 rotates toward the loosening side in the circumferential direction relative to container body 2, allowing dropper assembly 3 to be removed upward from container body 2. When dropper assembly 3 is then pulled up relative to container body 2, squeezing protrusion 71 formed on the inner peripheral surface of squeezing tube member 70 comes into sliding contact with the outer peripheral surface of dropper tube 60, thereby squeezing out the contents adhering to the outer peripheral surface of dropper tube 60.

[0044] After removing dropper assembly 3 from container body 2, for example, if button top wall 21 is pressed while gripping outer cap 10, pressing portion 23 presses elastic membrane 41 downward. Operating member 40 is sandwiched vertically between pressing portion 23 and actuating member 30, elastic membrane 41 elastically deforms downward, and the volume of expansion / contraction space K decreases. As a result, air in expansion / contraction space K flows into the upper opening of dropper tube 60 through air vent 32a and actuating space S, causing the contents held in dropper tube 60 to be expelled from the lower opening of dropper tube 60.

[0045] As described above, according to the dropper container 1 of this embodiment, multiple pairs of sliding tube portions 33 and holding tube portions 57 are provided, and the sliding ring 80 is fitted onto one of the multiple holding tube portions 57 and slides on the inner circumferential surface of one of the multiple sliding tube portions 33. Therefore, by selecting the holding tube portion 57 onto which the sliding ring 80 is fitted from among the multiple holding tube portions 57 and selecting the sliding tube portion 33 on which the sliding ring 80 slides from among the multiple sliding tube portions 33, it is possible to change the size of the working space, and the content of the container body 2 drawn up from the lower opening of the dropper tube 60 can be changed without changing the amount of lift of the sliding tube portion 33 relative to the sliding ring 80. This makes it possible to change the amount of content of the container body 2 drawn up from the lower opening of the dropper tube 60 without changing the design of parts and manufacturing new parts.

[0046] 6 and 7, instead of the above embodiment, when the sliding ring 80 is fitted into the circumferential groove 57c of the second holding cylindrical portion 57b and is brought into airtight contact with the inner circumferential surface of the second sliding cylindrical portion 33b so as to be slidable up and down, the inside of the second sliding cylindrical portion 33b, which has an inner diameter larger than the outer diameter of the first sliding cylindrical portion 33a, becomes the working space S. The internal volume of this working space S includes the outside of the first sliding cylindrical portion 33a, and is larger than the working space S when the sliding ring 80 is fitted into the circumferential groove 57c of the first holding cylindrical portion 57a ​​as shown in FIGS.

[0047] The sliding ring 80 is an O-ring and is fitted into a circumferential groove 57c formed on the outer peripheral surface of the retaining cylindrical portion 57, so that the sliding ring 80 can be easily and reliably fixed to the retaining cylindrical portion 57 while minimizing the amount of radial protrusion from the outer peripheral surface of the retaining cylindrical portion 57.

[0048] The technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0049] For example, the sliding cylinder 33 may be provided on the inner cap 50 , and the retaining cylinder 57 and the sliding ring 80 may be provided on the actuating member 30 . The sliding cylindrical portion 33 may be inserted into the retaining cylindrical portion 57 with a radial gap provided, and the sliding ring 80 may be fitted into the retaining cylindrical portion 57, and the sliding ring 80 may be slid on the outer peripheral surface of the sliding cylindrical portion 33 to expand or contract the operating space S.

[0050] A plurality of sliding rings 80 may be fitted onto one of the plurality of holding cylindrical portions 57 at intervals in the vertical direction. The actuating member 30 may not have the sealing tube 34 . The inner cap 50 does not necessarily need to be provided with the release recess 51b.

[0051] The sliding ring 80 may be fitted onto the first sliding cylindrical portion 33a, and the sliding ring 80 of the first sliding cylindrical portion 33a may slide on the inner circumferential surface of the second retaining cylindrical portion 57b as the actuating member 30 moves up and down relative to the inner cap 50. That is, the first sliding cylindrical portion 33a may be used as the retaining cylindrical portion recited in the claims, and the second retaining cylindrical portion 57b may be used as the sliding cylindrical portion recited in the claims. In this case, the first sliding cylindrical portion 33a serves as both the sliding cylindrical portion and the retaining cylindrical portion, and the first sliding cylindrical portion 33a, the first retaining cylindrical portion 57a, and the second retaining cylindrical portion 57b constitute two sets of sliding cylindrical portions and retaining cylindrical portions.

[0052] In addition, it is possible to replace the components in the above-described embodiments with well-known components as appropriate, and the above-described embodiments and variations may be combined as appropriate, without departing from the spirit of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0053] 1 dropper container 2 Container body 2a Mouth 10 Outer cap 30 Actuating member 33 Sliding cylinder 40 Operating member 50 Inner Cap 57 Holding cylinder part 57c Circumferential groove 60 Dropper tube 80 Sliding ring K Expanding Space O Container axis S Working space

Claims

1. a cylindrical container body with a bottom for accommodating contents; an inner cap that is detachably attached to the mouth of the container body and that is attached to and detached from the mouth as the container rotates around the axis of the container; a dropper tube extending downward from the inner cap and having a lower end opening located within the container body; an outer cap attached to the inner cap so as to be rotatable about the container axis while being restricted from rotating about the container axis by a predetermined amount or more; an actuating member provided in the outer cap, the actuating member being restricted in its rotation about the container axis relative to the outer cap, and being movable up and down relative to the inner cap by rotating about the container axis relative to the inner cap; an operating member attached to the actuating member and defining an expansion / contraction space between the actuating member and the operating member, the expansion / contraction space communicating with an upper end opening of the dropper tube; a sliding cylindrical portion is provided on one of the inner cap and the actuating member, the inside of which forms an operating space communicating with an upper end opening of the dropper tube, and a sliding ring is provided on the other of the inner cap and the actuating member, which slides on the sliding cylindrical portion to expand and contract the operating space as the actuating member moves up and down relative to the inner cap; the sliding ring is fixed to a holding cylindrical portion provided with a radial gap between the holding cylindrical portion and the sliding ring; A plurality of pairs of the sliding cylindrical portion and the holding cylindrical portion are provided, The slide ring is fixed to one of the plurality of holding tube portions and slides on one of the plurality of sliding tube portions.

2. A circumferential groove is formed in the holding cylindrical portion, 2. The dropper container according to claim 1, wherein the sliding ring is an O-ring and is fitted into the circumferential groove.

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