Squeeze measuring container

Abstract

To provide a squeeze measuring container capable of accurately adjusting the amount of a content liquid stored in a measuring body to a predetermined amount.SOLUTION: A squeeze measurement container comprising a container body having a squeezable barrel portion and a mouth tubular portion standing on the barrel portion, a measurement body attached to the mouth tubular portion, and a control unit configured to control a difference between an internal air pressure inside the measurement body and an external air pressure outside the squeeze measurement container, the metering body has a plurality of communication portions that communicate the inside of the container body with the inside of the metering body, the plurality of communication portions include a first communication portion that introduces the content liquid accommodated in the container body into the inside of the metering body and a second communication portion that introduces the content liquid accommodated in the metering body into the inside of the container body, and the control portion forms a part of an outermost contour of the squeeze metering container. In accordance with a state of the control unit, the content liquid flows through the first communication portion when the body portion is squeezed, and the content liquid flows through the second communication portion when the squeezing is released after the body portion is squeezed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] A squeeze measuring container is known that includes a container for storing contents and a measuring cap attached to the mouth of the container, and that can introduce the contents into the measuring cap by squeezing and deforming the container, thereby making it possible to measure the liquid contents introduced into the measuring cap (for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 5103302 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In squeeze measuring containers, it is difficult to synchronize the timing of releasing the squeeze of the container with the amount of content liquid introduced into the measuring cap, so the amount of content liquid introduced into the measuring cap is prone to variation. As a result, there are cases where a larger amount of content than the specified amount is introduced into the measuring cap. In contrast, in the above-mentioned squeeze measuring container, it is difficult to return the content liquid introduced into the measuring cap to the container, so it is difficult to accurately adjust the amount of content liquid contained in the measuring cap to the specified amount.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above points, and one of its objects is to provide a squeeze measuring container that can accurately adjust the amount of liquid contained in the measuring body to a predetermined amount. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The present invention includes the following configurations. [1] A squeeze measuring container comprising: a container body having a squeezable body and a nozzle part erected on the body; a measuring body attached to the nozzle part; and a control part that controls the difference between the internal air pressure inside the measuring body and the external air pressure outside the squeeze measuring container, wherein the measuring body has a plurality of communication parts that communicate between the interior of the container body and the interior of the measuring body, and the plurality of communication parts have a first communication part that introduces the content liquid contained in the container body into the interior of the measuring body and a second communication part that introduces the content liquid contained in the measuring body into the interior of the container body, and the control part forms a part of the outermost shell of the squeeze measuring container, and depending on the state of the control part, when the body is squeezed, the content liquid flows through the first communication part, and when the squeeze is released after squeezing the body, the content liquid flows through the second communication part. [2] The control unit is capable of opening and closing the opening of the measuring body, and the states of the control unit include a first state in which the control unit opens the opening and a second state in which the control unit closes the opening, and in the first state, when the body is squeezed, the content liquid flows through the first communication part, and in the second state, when the body is squeezed and then the squeezing is released, the content liquid flows through the second communication part. A squeeze measuring container as described in [1]. [3] The measuring body has an adjusting valve attached to the second communicating portion and closing and opening the second communicating portion, and in the second state, when the body portion is squeezed and then the squeezing is released, the adjusting valve opens the second communicating portion. [2] A squeeze measuring container as described above. [4] The squeeze measuring container according to [3], wherein the opening pressure of the regulating valve is 0.001 MPa or more and 0.007 MPa or less. [5] The adjusting valve is a slit valve having a slit in the top wall of the valve body, and the top wall has a curved shape that protrudes toward the container body. [3] or [4] A squeeze measuring container as described in [4]. [6] The squeeze measuring container according to any one of [2] to [5], wherein the measuring body has a hinge portion connected to the control unit, and in the second state, the opening force of the hinge portion is 5 N or more. [7] A squeeze measuring container according to any one of [1] to [6], wherein the measuring body has an inner cylindrical portion extending upward from the edge of the first communicating portion, the inner cylindrical portion has an opening connecting the inside of the inner cylindrical portion with the inside of the measuring body, and the ratio of the volume of the portion of the measuring body above the opening to the volume of the measuring body is 20% or more. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] The present invention can provide a squeeze measuring container that can improve the accuracy of the amount of content liquid contained in the measuring body. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a first cross-sectional view showing a squeeze measuring container according to an embodiment. FIG. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a second cross-sectional view of the squeeze measuring container of the embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the adjusting valve of the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a first cross-sectional view illustrating a squeeze measuring container in a first state according to an embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a second cross-sectional view showing the squeeze measuring container in the first state of the embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a first cross-sectional view showing the squeeze measuring container in a second state of the embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a second cross-sectional view showing the squeeze measuring container in a second state of the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The squeeze measuring container of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings, showing an example. Note that the dimensions of the drawings shown in the following description are merely examples, and the present invention is not necessarily limited thereto. Appropriate changes can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. In addition, in the following drawings, the scale and number of components may differ from the actual structure in order to make each component easier to understand.

[0010] In each drawing, the Z axis is indicated as appropriate. In this embodiment, the direction in which the Z axis extends is the vertical direction. The vertical direction is the direction in which the first axis J1, which is the central axis of the container body in the embodiment described below, extends. The first axis J1 shown in each drawing as appropriate is a virtual axis. In the following description, the side in the vertical direction toward which the arrow of the Z axis points (+Z side) will be referred to as the "upper side," and the side in the vertical direction opposite to the side toward which the arrow of the Z axis points (-Z side) will be referred to as the "lower side." In the following description, the radial direction centered on the first axis J1 will simply be referred to as the "radial direction."

[0011] In each drawing, the X axis is indicated as appropriate. In this embodiment, the direction in which the Z axis extends is the left-right direction. The left-right direction is perpendicular to the up-down direction. In the following description, the side in the left-right direction toward which the arrow of the X axis points (+X side) is referred to as the "left side," and the side in the left-right direction opposite to the side toward which the arrow of the X axis points (-X side) is referred to as the "right side." Note that the terms "upper side," "lower side," "left side," and "right side" are simply names used to describe the relative positional relationships of the various parts, and the actual positional relationships may be other than those indicated by these names.

[0012] FIG. 1 is a first cross-sectional view showing a squeeze measuring container 10 of this embodiment. FIG. 2 is a second cross-sectional view showing a squeeze measuring container 10 of this embodiment. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing an adjusting valve 60 of this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the squeeze measuring container 10 of this embodiment includes a container body 20, a measuring body 30, and a control unit 50. In this embodiment, the measuring body 30 and the control unit 50 are integrally molded from a relatively hard and transparent resin material such as polypropylene resin (PP). The measuring body 30 and the control unit 50 may be different members.

[0013] The container body 20 contains a liquid content R. The liquid content R is not particularly limited, and may be a liquid such as laundry detergent, fabric softener, kitchen detergent, or bath additive. The container body 20 may be made of a synthetic resin having elasticity, such as polyethylene resin (PE), polypropylene resin (PP), polyester resin (PEs), or polyethylene terephthalate resin (PET). The container body 20 has a body portion 21 and a spout portion 23.

[0014] The body portion 21 has a cylindrical shape that extends in the vertical direction. In this embodiment, the body portion 21 has a substantially cylindrical shape centered on the first axis J1. The content liquid R is contained inside the body portion 21. The body portion 21 is squeezable. The body portion 21 has flexibility that allows it to return to its original position when the squeeze is released.

[0015] The nozzle portion 23 is tubular and stands upright from the body portion 21. In this embodiment, the nozzle portion 23 is substantially cylindrical and centered on the first axis J1. The nozzle portion 23 opens upward. The nozzle portion 23 has a nozzle main body 24 and a protrusion 25.

[0016] The mouth tube main body 24 protrudes upward from the upper end of the barrel 21. The mouth tube main body 24 is substantially cylindrical and centered on the first axis J1. A male thread portion 24a is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the mouth tube main body 24. The protrusion 25 protrudes upward from the upper end of the mouth tube main body 24. More specifically, the protrusion 25 protrudes from the top in a direction inclined radially inward. When viewed from the top-bottom direction, the protrusion 25 is cylindrical and centered on the first axis J1.

[0017] The measuring body 30 has a generally cylindrical shape extending vertically about the first axis J1. The measuring body 30 is attached to the tubular mouth portion 23. This allows the measuring body 30 to be attached to the container body 20. The measuring body 30 closes the opening of the tubular mouth portion 23 from above. The measuring body 30 has an opening 30a, a tubular portion 31, an outer tubular portion 32, a step portion 34, a lower tubular portion 36, an inner tubular portion 39, an upper plate portion 40, a hinge portion 42, and an adjusting valve 60.

[0018] The tubular portion 31 has a generally cylindrical shape extending vertically about the first axis J1. The lower portion of the tubular portion 31 surrounds the nozzle 23 from the radially outer side. An internal thread 31a is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the lower portion of the tubular portion 31. The external thread 24a is screwed into the internal thread 31a. This allows the measuring body 30 to be attached to the nozzle 23.

[0019] The outer tubular portion 32 has a generally cylindrical shape and extends vertically about the first axis J1. The outer tubular portion 32 radially surrounds the lower portion of the tubular portion 31 and the nozzle portion 23. The upper end of the outer tubular portion 32 is connected to the outer circumferential surface of the tubular portion 31.

[0020] The step portion 34 protrudes radially inward from the cylindrical portion 31. The step portion 34 has a substantially annular plate shape centered on the first axis J1. The step portion 34 is disposed above the tubular mouth portion 23. The radial inner edge of the step portion 34 is located radially inward from the tubular mouth portion 23. In the following description, the portion of the cylindrical portion 31 above the step portion 34 will be referred to as the first cylindrical portion 31b, and the portion of the cylindrical portion 31 below the step portion 34 will be referred to as the second cylindrical portion 31c. The first cylindrical portion 31b and the second cylindrical portion 31c are connected to each other in the vertical direction.

[0021] The lower cylindrical portion 36 extends downward from the radial inner edge of the step portion 34. The lower cylindrical portion 36 is approximately cylindrical and centered on the first axis J1. The lower cylindrical portion 36 opens upward. The lower cylindrical portion 36 passes vertically through the interior of the mouth cylindrical portion 23. The lower end of the lower cylindrical portion 36 is located inside the body portion 21. The protrusion 25 is fitted onto the outer peripheral surface of the lower cylindrical portion 36. This seals the gap between the mouth cylindrical portion 23 and the measuring body 30. The lower cylindrical portion 36 has a lower wall portion 37.

[0022] The lower wall portion 37 is the bottom surface of the lower cylindrical portion 36. The lower wall portion 37 is generally disk-shaped and centered on the first axis J1. The plate surface of the lower wall portion 37 faces the vertical direction. The lower wall portion 37 is located inside the body portion 21. The lower wall portion 37 has a communicating portion 38, a first retaining portion 37a, and a second retaining portion 37c. In other words, the measuring body 30 has the communicating portion 38.

[0023] The communication portion 38 is a hole that penetrates the lower wall portion 37 in the vertical direction. The communication portion 38 communicates between the interior of the container body 20 and the interior of the measuring body 30. In this embodiment, the lower wall portion 37 has a plurality of communication portions 38. That is, the measuring body 30 has a plurality of communication portions 38. The plurality of communication portions 38 include a first communication portion 38a and a second communication portion 38c.

[0024] The first communication portion 38a is a circular hole centered on the second axis J2. The center of the first communication portion 38a is located to the left (+X side) of the first axis J1. The first communication portion 38a is a hole through which the content liquid R contained in the container body 20 is introduced into the measuring body 30. In this embodiment, the second axis J2 is a virtual axis extending in the vertical direction. The second axis J2 is located to the left of the first axis J1.

[0025] The second communication portion 38c is a circular hole centered on the third axis J3. The center of the second communication portion 38c is located to the right (-X side) of the first axis J1. The second communication portion 38c is located to the right of the first communication portion 38a. The second communication portion 38c is a hole through which the content liquid R contained in the measuring body 30 is introduced into the container body 20. The positions of the first communication portion 38a and the second communication portion 38c on the lower wall portion 37 are not limited to those in this embodiment. For example, the second communication portion 38c may be located to the left of the first communication portion 38a. In this embodiment, the third axis J3 is a virtual axis extending in the up-down direction. The third axis J3 is located to the right of the first axis J1.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 3, the first retaining portion 37a protrudes upward from the edge of the second communicating portion 38c. The first retaining portion 37a is generally cylindrical and centered on the third axis J3. The first retaining portion 37a opens upward. The second retaining portion 37c protrudes downward from the lower wall portion 37. The second retaining portion 37c is generally cylindrical and centered on the third axis J3. The second retaining portion 37c opens downward. When viewed from the top-bottom direction, the second retaining portion 37c surrounds the first retaining portion 37a from the radially outer side centered on the third axis J3.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 1, the upper plate portion 40 is disk-shaped and centered on the first axis J1. The plate surface of the upper plate portion 40 faces the vertical direction. The radial outer edge of the upper plate portion 40 is connected to the upper end of the cylindrical portion 31. The upper plate portion 40 has an opening 30a. That is, the measuring body 30 has the opening 30a.

[0028] The opening 30a is a hole that penetrates the upper plate portion 40 in the vertical direction. When viewed from the vertical direction, the opening 30a has a substantially circular shape centered on the second axis J2. The opening 30a connects the inside of the measuring body 30 with the outside of the measuring body 30. The content liquid R contained inside the measuring body 30 is discharged to the outside of the squeeze measuring container 10 via the opening 30a.

[0029] The inner cylindrical portion 39 extends upward from the edge of the first communicating portion 38a of the lower wall portion 37. The inner cylindrical portion 39 is substantially cylindrical and centered on the second axis J2. The inner cylindrical portion 39 introduces the content liquid R contained in the container body 20 into the measuring body 30. The upper end of the inner cylindrical portion 39 is located above the step portion 34 and below the upper plate portion 40. A dip tube 48 is fixed to the inner peripheral surface of the inner cylindrical portion 39 by fitting. The inner cylindrical portion 39 has an opening 39a.

[0030] The dip tube 48 is cylindrical and extends in the vertical direction. The dip tube 48 is open on both the top and bottom sides. The upper part of the dip tube 48 is disposed inside the inner cylindrical portion 39 and is fixed to the inner peripheral surface of the inner cylindrical portion 39 by fitting. The dip tube 48 passes through the first communication portion 38a. Although not shown in the figure, the lower end of the dip tube 48 is located near the bottom of the container body 20.

[0031] The opening 39a is a hole that penetrates the upper portion of the inner cylindrical portion 39 in the circumferential direction centered on the second axis J2. The opening 39a connects the interior of the inner cylindrical portion 39 to the interior of the measuring body 30. This connects the interior of the container body 20 to the interior of the measuring body 30 via the dip tube 48, the inner cylindrical portion 39, and the opening 39a. In this embodiment, the content liquid R contained in the container body 20 is introduced into the measuring body 30 via the dip tube 48, the inner cylindrical portion 39, and the opening 39a. In this embodiment, the inner cylindrical portion 39 has multiple openings 39a. The openings 39a are formed at intervals in the circumferential direction centered on the second axis J2. The inner cylindrical portion 39 may have only one opening 39a. In this embodiment, the volume ratio Rv, which is the ratio of the volume of the portion of the metering body 30 above the opening 39a to the volume of the metering body 30, is 20% or more. In this embodiment, the volume of the metering body 30 is the volume of the space within the interior space of the metering body 30 surrounded by the first cylindrical portion 31b, the upper plate portion 40, the step portion 34, the lower cylindrical portion 36, and the inner cylindrical portion 39. Furthermore, the volume of the portion of the metering body 30 above the opening 39a is the volume of the portion of the metering body 30 above the lower end of the opening 39a. Note that the volume ratio Rv is preferably 20% or more and 50% or less, and more preferably 30% or more and 40% or less. If the volume ratio Rv is greater than 50%, the metering body 30 will be too large, resulting in excessively high manufacturing costs for the metering body 30.

[0032] The hinge portion 42 is provided on the right side (-X side) of the outer peripheral surface of the upper end of the cylindrical portion 31. The hinge portion 42 is connected to the control unit 50. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the control unit 50 is rotatable relative to the weighing main body 30 via the hinge portion 42. The control unit 50 is rotatable relative to the weighing main body 30 around a rotation axis that passes through the hinge portion 42 and is perpendicular to both the up-down direction and the left-right direction.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 3, the adjusting valve 60 is attached to the second communication portion 38c. The adjusting valve 60 closes and opens the second communication portion 38c. When the second communication portion 38c is closed by the adjusting valve 60, the content liquid R contained in the measuring body 30 is prevented from returning to the container body 20 via the second communication portion 38c. When the second communication portion 38c is opened by the adjusting valve 60, the content liquid R contained in the measuring body 30 returns to the container body 20 via the second communication portion 38c. The adjusting valve 60 has a valve body 61, a flange portion 62, and a support ring 63.

[0034] The valve element 61 is generally cylindrical and has its center on the third axis J3. The valve element 61 opens downward. The valve element 61 is made of a soft material such as silicone rubber or synthetic rubber. The valve element 61 is elastic. The valve element 61 passes vertically through the second communication portion 38c and the first holding portion 37a. The outer circumferential surface of the valve element 61 is fitted into the inner circumferential surface of the second communication portion 38c and the inner circumferential surface of the first holding portion 37a. This allows the adjustment valve 60 to be attached to the second communication portion 38c. The valve element 61 has a top wall portion 61a.

[0035] The top wall portion 61a is the upper portion of the valve body 61. The top wall portion 61a is located above the bottom wall portion 37. The top wall portion 61a is located above the second communication portion 38c. When viewed in the radial direction, the top wall portion 61a has a curved shape that protrudes downward. That is, the top wall portion 61a has a curved shape that protrudes toward the container body 20. The top wall portion 61a is elastically deformable in the vertical direction. The top wall portion 61a has a slit 61c. In this embodiment, the adjustment valve 60 is a slit valve. The slit 61c penetrates the top wall portion 61a in the vertical direction. Although not shown, when viewed in the vertical direction, the slit 61c has a radial shape centered on the third axis J3, such as an I-shape, an X-shape, or a Y-shape. When the top wall portion 61a is not elastically deformed in the vertical direction, the slit 61c is in a closed state. That is, when the top wall portion 61a is not elastically deformed in the vertical direction, the adjusting valve 60 closes the second communicating portion 38c, and can prevent the content liquid R contained in the measuring body 30 from returning to the container body 20. When the top wall portion 61a elastically deforms in the vertical direction, the slit 61c is opened. That is, when the top wall portion 61a elastically deforms in the vertical direction, the adjusting valve 60 opens the second communicating portion 38c, and the content liquid R contained in the measuring body 30 returns to the container body 20.

[0036] In this embodiment, the opening pressure Pa of the regulating valve 60, i.e., the pressure at which the slit 61c is open, is 0.001 MPa or more and 0.007 MPa or less. The opening pressure Pa of the regulating valve 60 is preferably 0.002 MPa or more and 0.006 MPa or less, and more preferably 0.002 MPa or more and 0.005 MPa or less.

[0037] The flange portion 62 protrudes radially outward from the lower end of the valve body 61, centered on the third axis J3. When viewed from the top-bottom direction, the flange portion 62 has a generally annular plate shape centered on the third axis J3. The flange portion 62 is fitted onto the inner peripheral surface of the second retaining portion 37c. The upward surface of the flange portion 62 contacts the downward surface of the lower wall portion 37 in the top-bottom direction. This determines the vertical position of the regulating valve 60 relative to the metering main body 30. In this embodiment, the flange portion 62 and the valve body 61 are molded integrally.

[0038] The support ring 63 is substantially cylindrical and centered on the third axis J3. The support ring 63 is open on both the upper and lower sides. The support ring 63 is fitted onto the inner peripheral surface of the second holding portion 37c. The upward surface of the support ring 63 contacts the downward surface of the flange portion 62 in the vertical direction. This determines the vertical position of the regulating valve 60 relative to the metering main body 30.

[0039] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the control unit 50 forms part of the outermost shell of the squeeze measuring container 10. As described above, the control unit 50 is rotatable via the hinge 42. As a result, the control unit 50 can close the opening 30a of the measuring body 30 as shown in FIG. 1, and can open the opening 30a as shown in FIG. 2. That is, the control unit 50 can open and close the opening 30a. In this embodiment, the control unit 50 has a first state S1 in which the control unit 50 opens the opening 30a as shown in FIG. 2, and a second state S2 in which the control unit 50 closes the opening 30a as shown in FIG. 1. The control unit 50 has a control body 51, an outer fitting cylinder 53, and an inner fitting cylinder 54. In the following description, the configuration of the control unit 50 will be described in the second state S2 shown in FIG. 1 unless otherwise specified.

[0040] In this embodiment, the opening force of the hinge portion 42 in the second state S2 is 5 N or more. The opening force of the hinge portion 42 is preferably 5 N or more and 40 N or less, and more preferably 10 N or more and 30 N or less. The opening force of the hinge portion 42 is measured, for example, using a Tensilon universal material testing machine RTC-1250A manufactured by A&D Co., Ltd.

[0041] As shown in Fig. 1, the control main body 51 is generally cylindrical and protrudes in the vertical direction about the first axis J1. The control main body 51 opens downward. In the second state S2, the control main body 51 is located above the measuring body 30. The control main body 51 has a peripheral wall 51a and a top plate 51c.

[0042] The peripheral wall portion 51a is generally cylindrical and protrudes in the vertical direction about the first axis J1. In the second state S2, the lower end of the peripheral wall portion 51a contacts the upper end of the cylindrical portion 31 in the vertical direction. The top plate portion 51c is disc-shaped and is centered on the first axis J1. The radial outer edge of the top plate portion 51c is connected to the upper end of the peripheral wall portion 51a. The top plate portion 51c is located above the upper plate portion 40.

[0043] The outer fitting tube 53 protrudes downward from the top plate 51c. The outer fitting tube 53 is substantially cylindrical and centered on the second axis J2. In the second state S2, the outer fitting tube 53 is fitted into the opening 30a. As a result, in the second state S2, the control unit 50 closes the opening 30a, sealing the interior of the measuring body 30. Therefore, in the second state S2, when the body 21 is squeezed and the internal air pressure P2 inside the measuring body 30 increases, the internal air pressure P2 inside the measuring body 30 can be maintained higher than the external air pressure P0 outside the squeeze measuring container 10. As shown in FIG. 2, in the first state S1, the outer fitting tube 53 is disengaged from the opening 30a, so that the interior of the measuring body 30 is open to the outside of the squeeze measuring container 10. Therefore, in the first state S1, even if the body 21 is squeezed, the internal air pressure P2 inside the measuring body 30 is the same as the external air pressure P0 outside the squeeze measuring container 10. As a result, the control unit 50 controls the difference between the internal air pressure P1 inside the measuring body 30 and the external air pressure P0 outside the squeeze measuring container 10 according to the state of the control unit 50.

[0044] As shown in FIG. 1, in the second state S2, the inner fitting cylinder 54 protrudes downward from the top plate portion 51c. The inner fitting cylinder 54 is substantially cylindrical and has a center on the second axis J2. The inner fitting cylinder 54 is located radially inward of the outer fitting cylinder 53. In the second state S2, the inner fitting cylinder 54 is fitted into the upper portion of the inner cylinder portion 39. As a result, in the second state S2, the inner fitting cylinder 54 blocks communication between the opening 39a and the interior of the measuring body 30. As shown in FIG. 2, in the first state S1, the inner fitting cylinder 54 is detached from the inner cylinder portion 39, so that the opening 39a and the interior of the measuring body 30 are in communication.

[0045] Fig. 4 is a first cross-sectional view showing the squeeze measuring container 10 in the first state S1 of this embodiment. More specifically, Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the squeeze measuring container 10 when the body portion 21 is squeezed in the first state S1. Fig. 5 is a second cross-sectional view showing the squeeze measuring container 10 in the first state S1 of this embodiment. More specifically, Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the squeeze measuring container 10 after the squeeze of the body portion 21 is released in the second state S2.

[0046] As shown in FIG. 4, when the body portion 21 is squeezed in the first state S1, the liquid R contained in the container body 20 is introduced into the measuring body 30 via the dip tube 48, the inner cylindrical portion 39, and the opening 39a. That is, when the body portion 21 is squeezed in the first state S1, the liquid R flows through the first communication portion 38a. At this time, the internal air pressure P11 within the container body 20 becomes higher than the internal air pressure before the body portion 21 was squeezed by an amount of pressure required for the liquid R to flow through the dip tube 48 and the inner cylindrical portion 39. The internal air pressure P21 within the measuring body 30 is maintained at the external air pressure P0 outside the squeeze measuring container 10. That is, an increase in the internal air pressure P21 within the measuring body 30 can be suppressed. In the first state S1, when the body portion 21 is squeezed, the difference between the internal air pressure P11 inside the container body 20 and the internal air pressure P21 inside the measuring body 30 is small, and therefore the pressure applied to the regulating valve 60 is small. Therefore, the slit 61c in the top wall portion 61a is maintained in a closed state, and the regulating valve 60 closes the second communication portion 38c. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the content liquid R contained in the measuring body 30 from returning to the container body 20 via the second communication portion 38c.

[0047] As shown in FIG. 5 , when the squeeze of the body 21 is released after squeezing in the first state S1, the introduction of the content liquid R into the measuring body 30 stops. As described above, the body 21 has flexibility that allows for restoring displacement, so when the squeeze is released, the body 21 returns to its original shape. At this time, the internal air pressure P12 inside the container body 20 gradually returns to the internal air pressure inside the container body 20 before the body 21 was squeezed. The internal air pressure P22 inside the measuring body 30 is maintained at the external air pressure P0 outside the squeeze measuring container 10. In other words, an increase in the internal air pressure P21 inside the measuring body 30 can be suppressed. When the squeeze of the body 21 is released in the first state S1, the difference between the internal air pressure P12 inside the container body 20 and the internal air pressure P22 inside the measuring body 30 is small, and therefore the pressure applied to the regulating valve 60 is small. Therefore, the slit 61c of the top wall portion 61a is maintained in a closed state, and the adjusting valve 60 closes the second communication portion 38c. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the content liquid R contained in the measuring body 30 from returning to the container body 20 via the second communication portion 38c.

[0048] Fig. 6 is a first cross-sectional view showing the squeeze measuring container 10 in the second state S2 of this embodiment. More specifically, Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing the squeeze measuring container 10 when the body portion 21 is squeezed in the second state S2. Fig. 7 is a second cross-sectional view showing the squeeze measuring container 10 in the second state S2 of this embodiment. More specifically, Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing the squeeze measuring container 10 when the squeeze of the body portion 21 is released in the second state S2.

[0049] As described above, when the body 21 is squeezed in the first state S1, the content liquid R flows through the first communication portion 38a and is introduced into the measuring body 30. However, it is difficult to synchronize the timing of releasing the squeeze on the body 21 with the amount of content liquid R introduced into the measuring body 30. As a result, the amount of content liquid R contained in the measuring body 30 may be greater than the predetermined amount. In this case, in this embodiment, by squeezing and releasing the squeeze on the body 21 after setting the state of the control unit 50 to the second state S2, a portion of the content liquid R contained in the measuring body 30 can be returned to the inside of the container body 20 via the second communication portion 38c. As a result, in the squeeze measuring container 10 of this embodiment, the amount of content liquid R contained in the measuring body 30 can be adjusted to a predetermined amount.

[0050] As shown in FIG. 6 , in the second state S2, the inner fitting tube 54 blocks communication between the opening 39a and the inside of the measuring body 30. Therefore, in the second state S2, even if the body 21 is squeezed, the content liquid R contained in the container body 20 is not introduced into the measuring body 30 through the first communication portion 38a. When the body 21 is squeezed, the internal air pressure within the container body 20 becomes higher than the internal air pressure before the body 21 was squeezed. As a result, the internal air pressure within the container body 20 becomes higher than the internal air pressure of the measuring body 30. Therefore, an upward pressure is applied to the top wall portion 61a of the regulating valve 60, so the slit 61c is opened and the second communication portion 38c is released. As described above, the top wall portion 61a has a curved shape that protrudes toward the container body 20. Therefore, the top wall portion 61a is unlikely to elastically deform upward, and the opening amount of the slit 61c is very small. Therefore, a portion of the air AF in container body 20 moves into measuring body 30 via adjustment valve 60 so that the internal air pressure in container body 20 and the internal air pressure in measuring body 30 become the same pressure, but adjustment valve 60 can prevent content liquid R contained in measuring body 30 from returning to container body 20. In second state S2, the internal air pressure P13 in container body 20 and the internal air pressure P23 in measuring body 30 at the time when squeezing of barrel portion 21 ends are approximately the same pressure, and both the internal air pressure P13 in container body 20 and the internal air pressure P23 in measuring body 30 are higher than the external air pressure P0 outside squeeze measuring container 10. This allows the internal air pressure P23 in measuring body 30 to be increased.

[0051] 7, when the squeezed state of the body 21 is released after squeezing in the second state S2, the body 21 returns to its original shape. At this time, the internal air pressure P14 within the container body 20 is reduced and becomes lower than the internal air pressure P13 within the container body 20 before the squeeze was released. Furthermore, the internal air pressure within the measuring body 30 is maintained at the internal air pressure P23 within the measuring body 30 before the squeeze was released. As a result, when the squeeze of the body 21 is released in the second state S2, the internal air pressure P23 within the measuring body 30 becomes higher than the internal air pressure P14 within the container body 20, and the pressure difference becomes large. Therefore, a large downward pressure is applied to the top wall portion 61a of the regulating valve 60, so that the slit 61c is opened and the second communicating portion 38c is released. As described above, because the top wall 61a has a curved shape that protrudes toward the container body 20, the top wall 61a is easily elastically deformed downward, and the opening of the slit 61c is large. Therefore, a portion of the content liquid R contained in the measuring body 30 is introduced into the container body 20 via the adjustment valve 60. In other words, in the second state S2, when the body 21 is squeezed and then the squeezing is released, the content liquid R flows through the second communication portion 38c. This allows a portion of the content liquid R contained in the measuring body 30 to be returned to the inside of the container body 20.

[0052] If the amount of content liquid R contained in measuring body 30 does not decrease to the predetermined amount by squeezing and releasing body 21 once, the amount of content liquid R contained in measuring body 30 can be adjusted to the predetermined amount by repeatedly squeezing and releasing body 21 until the amount of content liquid R contained in measuring body 30 reaches the predetermined amount. Therefore, in this embodiment, the amount of content liquid R contained in measuring body 30 can be accurately adjusted to the predetermined amount.

[0053] In the present embodiment, as described above, in the first state S1 in which the control unit 50 opens the opening 30a of the measuring body 30, when the body 21 is squeezed, the liquid R flows through the first communicating portion 38a. Also, as described above, in the second state S2 in which the control unit 50 closes the opening 30a of the measuring body 30, when the body 21 is squeezed and then the squeezing is released, the liquid R flows through the second communicating portion 38c. Therefore, in the present embodiment, depending on the state of the control unit 50, when the body 21 is squeezed, the liquid R flows through the first communicating portion 38a, and when the body 21 is squeezed and then the squeezing is released, the liquid R flows through the second communicating portion 38c.

[0054] According to this embodiment, the squeeze measuring container 10 comprises a container body 20 having a squeezable trunk portion 21 and a cylindrical opening portion 23 erected on the trunk portion 21, a measuring body 30 attached to the cylindrical opening portion 23, and a control unit 50 that controls the difference between the internal air pressure within the measuring body 30 and the external air pressure outside the squeeze measuring container 10. The measuring body 30 has a plurality of communication portions 38 that communicate between the interior of the container body 20 and the interior of the measuring body 30, and the plurality of communication portions 38 have a first communication portion 38a that introduces the content liquid R contained in the container body 20 into the interior of the measuring body 30, and a second communication portion 38c that introduces the content liquid R contained in the measuring body 30 into the interior of the container body 20. The control unit 50 forms part of the outermost shell of the squeeze measuring container 10. Depending on the state of the control unit 50, when the body 21 is squeezed, the content liquid R flows through the first communication portion 38a, and when the body 21 is squeezed and then the squeeze is released, the content liquid R flows through the second communication portion 38c. Therefore, as described above, by linking the state of the control unit 50 during a series of operations of squeezing and releasing the squeeze of the body 21, it is possible to either increase the internal air pressure within the measuring body 30 or suppress an increase in the internal air pressure within the measuring body 30. As a result, by squeezing the body 21 after appropriately selecting the state of the control unit 50, the content liquid R contained in the container body 20 can be introduced into the measuring body 30 via the first communication portion 38a, and by squeezing the body 21 and then releasing the squeeze, the content liquid R contained in the measuring body 30 can be returned to the inside of the container body 20 via the second communication portion 38c. As a result, as described above, even if the amount of content liquid R contained in the measuring body 30 exceeds the predetermined amount, the content liquid R contained in the measuring body 30 can be returned to the inside of the container body 20 via the second communication part 38c. This allows the amount of content liquid R contained in the measuring body 30 to be adjusted to a predetermined amount. Therefore, the amount of content liquid R contained in the measuring body 30 can be accurately adjusted to a predetermined amount. For this reason, the squeeze measuring container 10 can be suitably used as a container for dispensing content liquid R after it has been measured.

[0055] According to this embodiment, the control unit 50 can open and close the opening 30a of the measuring body 30. The states of the control unit 50 include a first state S1 in which the control unit 50 opens the opening 30a and a second state S2 in which the control unit 50 closes the opening 30a. In the first state S1, when the body 21 is squeezed, the liquid R flows through the first communicating portion 38a. In the second state S2, when the body 21 is squeezed and then released, the liquid R flows through the second communicating portion 38c. Therefore, in the second state S2, the opening 30a is closed by the control unit 50. As described above, squeezing the body 21 in the second state S2 increases the internal air pressure P23 within the measuring body 30. As a result, when the internal air pressure within the container body 20 decreases by releasing the squeeze on the body 21, the internal air pressure P23 within the measuring body 30 becomes higher than the internal air pressure P14 within the container body 20. Therefore, in the second state S2, by the simple operation of squeezing and then releasing the squeeze on the body 21, the content liquid R contained in the measuring body 30 can be returned to the container body 20 via the second communication portion 38c, as described above. Therefore, the amount of content liquid R contained in the measuring body 30 can be easily adjusted to a predetermined amount with high precision.

[0056] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as described above, the opening 30a is open in the first state S1, and therefore, squeezing the body 21 in the first state S1 can prevent the internal air pressure P21 in the measuring body 30 from increasing. Therefore, when the body 21 is squeezed in the first state S1 to introduce the content liquid R into the measuring body 30, the content liquid R contained in the measuring body 30 can be prevented from returning to the inside of the container body 20 via the second communication part 38c.

[0057] The measuring body 30 has an adjusting valve 60 attached to the second communicating portion 38c that closes and opens the second communicating portion 38c, and when the body 21 is squeezed and then released in the second state S2, the adjusting valve 60 opens the second communicating portion 38c. Therefore, in the second state S2, the content liquid R contained in the measuring body 30 can be returned to the container body 20 by the simple operation of squeezing the body 21 and then releasing the squeeze. Therefore, the amount of content liquid R contained in the measuring body 30 can be easily adjusted, and the amount of content liquid R contained in the measuring body 30 can be accurately adjusted to a predetermined amount.

[0058] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as described above, when the body 21 is squeezed in the first state S1, the adjusting valve 60 closes the second communicating portion 38c. Therefore, when the body 21 is squeezed in the first state S1 to introduce the content liquid R into the measuring body 30, it is possible to suitably prevent the content liquid R introduced into the measuring body 30 from returning to the inside of the container body 20 via the second communicating portion 38c. This makes it possible to more suitably improve the accuracy of the amount of content liquid R contained in the measuring body 30.

[0059] According to this embodiment, the opening pressure Pa of the regulating valve 60 is equal to or greater than 0.001 MPa and equal to or less than 0.007 MPa. In particular, when the viscosity of the content liquid R is high, if the opening pressure Pa of the regulating valve 60 is less than 0.001 MPa, there is a risk that the regulating valve 60 will open when the content liquid R contained in the container body 20 is introduced into the measuring body 30 via the first communicating portion 38a by squeezing the body 21 in the first state S1. In this case, air within the container body 20 will leak into the measuring body 30 via the second communicating portion 38c, making it difficult to increase the internal air pressure within the container body 20 and potentially reducing the flow rate of the content liquid R introduced into the measuring body 30 via the first communicating portion 38a. Furthermore, if the opening pressure Pa of the regulating valve 60 is less than 0.001 MPa, there is a risk that too much content liquid R will return to the inside of the container body 20 when the squeeze of the body 21 is released after squeezing in the second state S2. Furthermore, if the opening pressure Pa is greater than 0.007 MPa, the difference between the internal air pressure P23 inside the measuring body 30 and the internal air pressure P14 inside the container body 20, which is necessary to open the adjusting valve 60 in the second state S2, becomes too large. Therefore, there is a risk that the squeezing force applied to the barrel 21 will be too large when returning the content liquid R contained in the measuring body 30 to the inside of the container body 20. Therefore, there is a risk that it will be difficult to return the content liquid R contained in the measuring body 30 to the inside of the container body 20. In contrast, in this embodiment, as described above, the opening pressure Pa of the adjusting valve 60 is 0.001 MPa or more and 0.007 MPa or less, so that the adjusting valve 60 is prevented from opening when the content liquid R contained in the container body 20 is introduced into the measuring body 30 via the first communicating portion 38a. This prevents a decrease in the flow rate of the content liquid R introduced into the measuring body 30 via the first communicating portion 38a in the first state S1, and prevents an excessive amount of the content liquid R returning to the inside of the container body 20 when the squeeze of the body 21 is released in the second state S2. Furthermore, it prevents the squeeze force applied to the body 21 from becoming too large. These features improve the handleability of the squeeze measuring container 10.

[0060] According to this embodiment, the regulating valve 60 is a slit valve in which a slit 61c is provided in the top wall 61a of the valve element 61, and the top wall 61a has a curved shape that protrudes toward the container body 20. Therefore, as described above, the top wall 61a is prone to elastic deformation downward but is difficult to elastically deform upward. Therefore, when the body 21 is squeezed in the first state S1, even if the internal air pressure P11 in the container body 20 becomes greater than the internal air pressure P21 in the measuring body 30 and an upward pressure is applied to the top wall 61a, the slit 61c is prevented from opening. Therefore, when the content liquid R contained in the container body 20 is introduced into the measuring body 30, the second communicating portion 38c is prevented from opening. Furthermore, when the barrel 21 is squeezed and then released in the second state S2, if the internal air pressure P23 within the measuring body 30 becomes greater than the internal air pressure P14 within the container body 20, downward pressure is applied to the top wall 61a, making it easy for the slit 61c to open. Therefore, in the second state S2, the content liquid R contained in the measuring body 30 can be easily returned to the inside of the container body 20.

[0061] According to this embodiment, the measuring body 30 has a hinge 42 connected to the control unit 50, and in the second state S2, the opening force of the hinge 42 is 5 N or more. Therefore, even if the internal air pressure P23 inside the measuring body 30 becomes higher than the external air pressure P0 outside the squeeze measuring container 10 by squeezing the body 21 in the second state S2, the control unit 50 can be prevented from coming off the measuring body 30. As a result, the internal air pressure P23 inside the measuring body 30 can be stably increased by squeezing the body 21 in the second state S2. Therefore, the content liquid R contained in the measuring body 30 can be more stably returned to the inside of the container body 20 by the simple operation of squeezing the body 21 in the second state S2 and then releasing the squeeze.

[0062] According to this embodiment, the measuring body 30 has an inner cylindrical portion 39 extending upward from the edge of the first communication portion 38a. The inner cylindrical portion 39 has an opening 39a connecting the interior of the inner cylindrical portion 39 to the interior of the measuring body 30. The volume ratio Rv, which is the ratio of the volume of the portion of the measuring body 30 above the opening 39a to the volume of the measuring body 30, is 20% or more. Therefore, when the content liquid R is contained in the measuring body 30, the compressed volume of the air inside the measuring body 30 can be prevented from becoming too small. As a result, by squeezing the body 21 in the second state S2, the internal air pressure P23 inside the measuring body 30 can be suitably increased. Therefore, by the simple operation of squeezing the body 21 in the second state S2 and then releasing the squeeze, the content liquid R contained in the measuring body 30 can be more stably returned to the inside of the container body 20. Therefore, the amount of the content liquid R contained in the measuring body 30 can be more stably adjusted.

[0063] The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to examples. However, the present invention is not limited to the following examples and can be practiced with appropriate modifications within the scope of the present invention.

[0064] (Examples 1 to 5, Comparative Examples 1 to 3) In accordance with the specifications shown in Table 1, squeeze measuring containers differing in at least one of the opening pressure Pa of the above-mentioned regulating valve and the volume ratio Rv, which is the ratio of the volume of the portion above the opening to the volume of the measuring body, were used as samples for Examples 1 to 5 and Comparative Examples 1 to 3. The opening pressure Pa of each sample was measured using a compound pressure meter TA141DM manufactured by Ichinen TASCO Co., Ltd.

[0065] The material constituting the container body of each sample was polyethylene resin (PE), and the material constituting the measuring body of each sample was polypropylene resin (PP).

[0066] [Evaluation method] For each sample of Examples 1 to 5 and Comparative Examples 1 to 3, 10 experts evaluated the correlation between the squeeze force applied to the body and the amount of liquid content introduced from the container body to the measuring body (hereinafter referred to as the amount of liquid content introduced) and the amount of liquid content returning from the measuring body to the container body (hereinafter referred to as the amount of liquid content returned) using the following criteria, and the average score of the 10 experts was recorded as the evaluation result. 7 points: Very good The amount of liquid introduced is very suitable, and the liquid returns to the container body with a weak squeeze. 6 points: Fairly good The amount of liquid introduced is very suitable, and the liquid returns to the container body with a weak squeeze. 5 points: Fairly good The amount of liquid introduced is appropriate, and the liquid returns to the container body with a moderately strong squeeze. 4 points: Neither good nor bad. The amount of liquid introduced is appropriate, and the liquid returns to the container body with a strong squeeze. The amount of liquid returned is appropriate. 3 points: Somewhat poor. The amount of liquid introduced is appropriate, and the liquid returns to the container body with a strong squeeze, but the amount of liquid returning is small. 2 points: Very poor. The amount of liquid introduced is small, and the liquid returns to the container body with a weak squeeze. The amount of liquid returned is appropriate. 1 point: Very poor The amount of liquid introduced is small, and even with strong squeezing force, the amount of liquid returning is small.

[0067] [Table 1]

[0068] As shown in Table 1, for Examples 1 to 5 in which the opening pressure Pa was 0.001 MPa or more and 0.007 MPa or less, good results of 4.7 points or more were obtained in terms of the linkage between the squeeze force and the amount of content liquid introduced and the amount of content liquid returned.

[0069] In contrast, Comparative Example 1, in which the opening pressure Pa was less than 0.001 MPa, received an evaluation result of 2.4 points, which was not a good result. This is because the opening pressure Pa was too small, causing the adjusting valve to open when the body was squeezed in the first state, which in turn reduced the flow rate of the content liquid introduced into the metering body via the first communicating part, as described above, and therefore reduced the amount of content liquid introduced.

[0070] In Comparative Examples 2 and 3, in which the opening pressure Pa was greater than 0.007 MPa, the evaluation results were 4.1 points or less, and favorable results were not obtained. This is because the opening pressure Pa was too high, and the squeezing force applied to the body, which was necessary to return the content liquid to the inside of the container body, became too large.

[0071] In Example 2, in which the opening pressure Pa was 0.002 MPa, better results were obtained than in Example 1, in which the opening pressure Pa was 0.001 MPa. This is because the opening of the adjusting valve when the body is squeezed in the first state can be more effectively prevented, and therefore the amount of content liquid introduced is more effectively increased.

[0072] Example 3, in which the opening pressure Pa was 0.005 MPa, gave better results than Example 4, in which the opening pressure Pa was 0.007 MPa. This is because the squeeze force applied to the body, which is necessary to return the content liquid to the inside of the container body, was suitably reduced.

[0073] Example 5, in which the volume ratio Rv was 40%, gave better results than Example 2, in which the volume ratio Rv was 20%. This is because the air compression volume within the measuring body was large, so that the internal air pressure within the measuring body could be suitably increased by squeezing the body, which suitably reduced the squeezing force applied to the body required to return the content liquid to the inside of the container body, while suitably increasing the amount of returned content liquid.

[0074] While the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to these examples, and as long as the liquid contained in the measuring body can be easily returned to the container body and the amount of liquid contained in the measuring body can be accurately adjusted to a predetermined amount, a person skilled in the art can achieve the above-mentioned effects based on this guideline. Furthermore, the shapes and combinations of the components shown in the above examples are merely examples, and various modifications can be made based on design requirements, etc., within the scope of the gist of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0075] DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10...Squeeze measuring container, 20...Container body, 21...Body portion, 23...Mouth portion, 30...Measuring body, 30a...Opening portion, 38...Communication portion, 38a...First communication portion, 38c...Second communication portion, 39...Inner cylinder portion, 39a...Opening, 42...Hinge portion, 50...Control portion, 60...Adjusting valve, 61...Valve body, 61a...Top wall portion, 61c...Slit, R...Content liquid, S1...First state, S2...Second state

Claims

1. a container body having a squeezable body and a nozzle extending from the body; a measuring body attached to the nozzle portion; a control unit that controls the difference between the internal air pressure in the measuring body and the external air pressure outside the squeeze measuring container; A squeeze measuring container comprising: the measuring body has a plurality of communication parts that communicate the interior of the container body with the interior of the measuring body, The plurality of communication portions include a first communication portion for introducing the liquid contained in the container body into the measuring body; a second communication portion that introduces the content liquid contained in the measuring body into the inside of the container body; and the control unit forms a part of the outermost shell of the squeeze measuring container, A squeeze measuring container in which, depending on the state of the control unit, when the body is squeezed, the liquid content flows through the first communicating part, and when the squeeze is released after squeezing the body, the liquid content flows through the second communicating part.

2. the control unit is capable of opening and closing the opening of the measuring body, The state of the control unit is a first state in which the control unit opens the opening; a second state in which the control unit closes the opening; Including, In the first state, when the body portion is squeezed, the content liquid flows through the first communication portion, The squeeze measuring container according to claim 1 , wherein in the second state, when the body portion is squeezed and then the squeezing is released, the content liquid flows through the second communication portion.

3. the measuring body has an adjustment valve attached to the second communication part and configured to close and open the second communication part, The squeeze measuring container according to claim 2 , wherein in the second state, when the squeeze of the body portion is released after being squeezed, the adjusting valve opens the second communication portion.

4. 4. The squeeze measuring container according to claim 3, wherein the opening pressure of the regulating valve is 0.001 MPa or more and 0.007 MPa or less.

5. The regulating valve is a slit valve having a slit provided in a top wall portion of a valve body, The squeeze measuring container according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the top wall portion has a curved shape that protrudes toward the container body.

6. The measuring body has a hinge portion connected to the control portion, The squeeze measuring container according to claim 2 , wherein in the second state, an opening force of the hinge portion is 5 N or more.

7. the measuring body has an inner cylindrical portion extending upward from an edge portion of the first communication portion, the inner cylindrical portion has an opening that connects the inside of the inner cylindrical portion to the inside of the measuring body, The squeeze measuring container according to claim 1 , wherein a ratio of a volume of the portion of the measuring body above the opening to a volume of the measuring body is 20% or more.

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