Syringe container

Abstract

To provide a dropper container in which leakage of contents is suppressed.SOLUTION: The eyedropper container 1 includes an operating member 30 defining an operating space S communicating with the upper end opening of the eyedropper tube 60 and expanding and contracting in accordance with vertical movement with respect to the inner cap 50, a suction cylinder 70 connected to the eyedropper tube 60 and having an upper end opening communicating with the inside of the eyedropper tube 60 and a lower end opening communicating with the container body 2, a communication hole 72 penetrating through a peripheral wall portion of the suction cylinder 70 and communicating the inside of the suction cylinder 70 with the container body 2, a ball valve 71 provided between the lower end opening of the suction cylinder 70 and the communication hole 72 and allowing the flow of the content from the inside of the suction cylinder 70 to the container body 2 and blocking the flow of the content from the container body 2 to the inside of the eyedropper tube 60, and a communication hole 72 communicating the inside of the suction cylinder 70 with the container body 2. And a self-closing valve 76 for shutting off the flow of the content from the inside of the container body 2 into the suction cylinder 70.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] BACKGROUND ART As shown in Patent Document 1, a dropper container has been known in the past in which a dropper assembly having a dropper tube, an inner cap, an outer cap, and an actuating member is detachably attached to a container body.

[0003] Specifically, the dropper container comprises a cylindrical container body with a bottom that contains the 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 its lower opening located inside the container body, an outer cap that is rotatable around the container axis while its rotation around the container axis is restricted by a predetermined amount, and an actuating member that is provided within the outer cap, whose rotation around the container axis relative to the outer cap is restricted, and that moves up and down relative to the inner cap by rotating around the container axis relative to the inner cap, and that communicates with the upper opening of the dropper tube and defines an operating space that expands and contracts as the inner cap moves up and down, and the actuating member is provided with a sliding cylindrical portion that extends in the vertical direction and forms part of the partition of the operating space, and the inner cap is provided with a piston that slides on the inner 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.

[0004] In this dropper container, when the outer cap is rotated relative to the inner cap to which the dropper tube is attached, the actuating member provided between the outer and inner caps first rotates and rises relative to the inner cap, expanding the working space. As the working space expands, a negative pressure is generated within the dropper tube, sucking the contents of the container body into the dropper tube. As the outer cap continues to rotate, the inner cap rotates and rises relative to the container body, and the dropper assembly is removed from the opening of the container body. The actuating member is then pressed down to reduce the working space, thereby expelling the contents from the dropper tube. After the contents are expelled, the actuating member descends relative to the inner cap during the process of attaching the dropper assembly to the container body. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-33056 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] Conventional dropper containers may be provided with a check valve in the container body to prevent the contents from flowing out of the dropper tube. In this case, if the inner cap is attached to the opening of the container body while the actuating member is not yet fully lowered and the contents remain in the actuating space or the dropper tube, the internal pressure of the actuating space increases when the actuating member is pressed down, causing the check valve to operate. If the internal pressure of the actuating space increases while the inner cap is attached to the opening of the container body, the seal structure of the dropper assembly may be broken, resulting in leakage of the contents.

[0007] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, the present invention provides a dropper container in which leakage of the contents is suppressed. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] A dropper container according to a first aspect of the present invention comprises a cylindrical container body with a bottom that contains contents, an inner cap that is detachably screwed onto the opening of the container body, a dropper tube that extends downward from the inner cap into the container body, an outer cap that is fitted 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, and an operating space that is provided within the outer cap, is restricted from rotating about the container axis relative to the outer cap, and rotates loosely relative to the inner cap, thereby rising relative to the inner cap, and communicates with an upper end opening of the dropper tube, and defines an operating space that expands and contracts in accordance with vertical movement relative to the inner cap. a suction tube connected to the dropper tube and having an upper end opening communicating with the inside of the dropper tube and a lower end opening communicating with the inside of the container body; a communication hole penetrating the peripheral wall of the suction tube and providing communication between the inside of the suction tube and the inside of the container body; a first valve portion provided in the suction tube between the lower end opening and the communication hole, allowing the flow of contents from the inside of the container body into the dropper tube and blocking the flow of contents from the inside of the dropper tube into the container body; and a second valve portion releasably closing the communication hole, allowing the flow of contents from the suction tube into the container body and blocking the flow of contents from the inside of the container body into the suction tube.

[0009] According to the first aspect, when the outer cap is 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, rotates relative to the inner cap. This causes the actuating peripheral wall of the actuating member and the guide tube portion of the inner cap to rotate relative to each other. When the outer cap and the actuating member are rotated loosely relative to the inner cap, the actuating member rises. This increases the volume of the actuating space, creating a negative pressure within the actuating space. Therefore, the dropper tube, which is connected to the actuating space, also becomes negative pressure, allowing the contents of the container body to be drawn up through the lower end opening of the dropper tube. Subsequently, as the outer cap continues to rotate, the outer cap and inner cap rise together while rotating relative to the container body. The inner cap then separates from the mouth of the container body, and the dropper tube is pulled out from within the container body. Then, when the actuating member is pressed down, the actuating space shrinks, discharging the contents of the dropper tube. If the inner cap is attached to the opening without the actuating member being fully depressed, the actuating space is not minimized, and the contents remain in the dropper tube. When the actuating member is depressed or otherwise lowered in this state, the pressure in the actuating space and the dropper tube increases, and the increased pressure in the dropper tube spreads into the suction tube through the upper opening of the suction tube. As the pressure in the suction tube increases, the first valve closes and the second valve opens. This allows the contents in the dropper tube to return to the container body through the communication hole. Therefore, even if the actuating member is lowered with the inner cap attached to the opening, the increase in pressure in the actuating space can be suppressed, preventing the seal structure from being broken and the contents from leaking.

[0010] A dropper container according to a second aspect of the present invention is the dropper container according to the first aspect, wherein the second valve portion discharges the contents of the dropper tube into the container body when the actuating member is rotated toward the tightening side.

[0011] According to the second aspect, by rotating the outer cap in the tightening direction relative to the inner cap, the actuating member also rotates in the tightening direction, and the content in the dropper tube can be returned to the container body, thereby achieving the above-mentioned advantageous effects.

[0012] A dropper container according to a third aspect of the present invention is the dropper container according to the first or second aspect, wherein the actuating member has an actuating circumferential wall extending in a container axial direction, the inner cap has a guide tube portion extending in the container axial direction and radially facing the actuating circumferential wall, a first tube portion of one of the actuating circumferential wall and the guide tube portion has an engaging protrusion protruding toward a second tube portion of the other of the actuating circumferential wall and the guide tube portion, and the second tube portion has a guide groove into which the engaging protrusion is movably inserted, the guide groove having a first end and a second end, an inclined groove extending in one direction in the container axial direction as it moves from the first end to the second end in a first direction in the circumferential direction around the container axis, and a vertical recessed portion projecting from the second end of the inclined groove in the other direction in the container axial direction. and a lateral groove extending from the other end of the vertical recess in the container axis direction in the second circumferential direction and connecting to the first end of the inclined groove, wherein the second cylindrical portion has a regulating portion that allows the engaging protrusion to move in the second direction within the lateral groove and regulates entry from the inclined groove into the lateral groove, the inner surface of the vertical recess has an inclined guide surface that faces the first direction and extends in the second direction from the connection side with the second end of the vertical recess toward the other side in the container axis direction, and when the outer cap together with the operating member is rotated loosely around the container axis relative to the inner cap, the engaging protrusion is regulated by the regulating portion from entering the lateral groove, and moves within the inclined groove from the first end toward the second end, thereby lifting the operating member.

[0013] According to a third aspect, when the outer cap and the actuating member are rotated loosely relative to the inner cap, the engagement protrusion formed on the first cylindrical portion of one of the actuating peripheral wall and the guide cylindrical portion moves from the first end toward the second end within the inclined groove of the guide groove formed on the second cylindrical portion of the other of the actuating peripheral wall and the guide cylindrical portion. At this time, the engagement protrusion moves within the inclined groove while being restricted from entering the lateral groove by the restricting portion. As the engagement protrusion moves within the inclined groove from the first end toward the second end, the engagement protrusion moves in one direction in the container axial direction relative to the second cylindrical portion, causing the actuating member to rise. When the engaging protrusion is positioned at the second end of the inclined groove, the engaging protrusion can move in the other axial direction of the container within the vertical recess of the guide groove, allowing the actuating member to be depressed. Depressing the actuating member reduces the actuating space, discharging the contents from the dropper tube. Because the actuating member can be lowered without rotating relative to the inner cap, there is no need to provide a member for pressurizing the actuating space when discharging the contents. When the inner cap is attached to the mouth and the outer cap is rotated together with the actuating member in the tightening direction relative to the inner cap, the engaging protrusion moves in the second direction within the horizontal groove. At this time, the restricting portion allows the engaging protrusion to move in the second direction, so the engaging protrusion returns to the first end of the inclined groove, and the dropper container is again ready to suck up the contents when the outer cap is rotated in the loosening direction. When the actuating member is not fully depressed, the engagement protrusion is located at one end of the vertical recess in the axial direction of the container relative to the other end of the vertical recess in the axial direction. In this state, when the outer cap and the actuating member are rotated toward the tightening side relative to the inner cap, the engagement protrusion moves in the second direction within the vertical recess and contacts the inclined guide surface. When the actuating member is rotated toward the tightening side relative to the inner cap with the engagement protrusion in contact with the inclined guide surface, the engagement protrusion slides along the inclined guide surface and moves in the other and second direction of the axial direction of the container to the other end of the vertical recess in the axial direction of the container. As the engagement protrusion moves toward the other end of the axial direction of the container relative to the guide tube, the actuating member descends, reducing the operating space. This allows the actuating member to be fully lowered. Therefore, by attaching the inner cap to the mouth, the actuating member can be returned to its fully lowered position. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a dropper container in which leakage of the contents is suppressed. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a dropper container according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II in FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a side view showing a plan view of the outer peripheral surface of the guide tube portion of the first embodiment, illustrating the positional relationship between the guide groove and the engaging protrusion. [Figure 4] 2 is a view showing the dropper container of FIG. 1 in a state where the actuating member is raised. FIG. [Figure 5] 2 is a diagram showing the dropper container of FIG. 1 in a state where the inner cap is being attached to the opening of the container body and the operating member is being pressed down. FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a side view showing a plan view of the outer peripheral surface of the guide tube portion of the first embodiment, illustrating the positional relationship between the guide groove and the engaging protrusion. [Figure 7]FIG. 10 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a dropper container according to a second embodiment, showing the vicinity of the upper end of the suction barrel. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] Hereinafter, an embodiment of a dropper container according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, components having the same or similar functions will be designated by the same reference numerals. Duplicate descriptions of those components may be omitted.

[0017] (First embodiment) As shown in FIG. 1, the dropper container 1 of the first embodiment includes a container body 2, an outer cap 10, an actuating member 30, an inner cap 50, a dropper tube 60, a suction tube 70, a piston 80, and a sealing member 90.

[0018] 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).

[0019] The outer cap 10, inner cap 50, dropper tube 60, suction tube 70, and piston 80 are coaxially formed with a common axis at the center of the mouth 2a of the container body 2. Hereinafter, this common axis will be referred to as the container axis O, and the direction along the container axis O will be referred to as the up-down direction. Within the up-down direction, the direction from the bottom of the container body 2 toward the mouth will be referred to as the up direction, and the opposite direction will be referred to as the down direction. Furthermore, in a plan view viewed from the up-down direction, the direction intersecting the container axis O will be referred to as the radial direction, and the direction circumferential around the container axis O will be referred to as the circumferential direction. Furthermore, one side along the circumferential direction will be referred to as the loosening side (first direction). When the inner cap 50 is rotated in the loosening direction relative to the mouth 2a, the inner cap 50 rises relative to the mouth 2a. Furthermore, the other side along the circumferential direction will be referred to as the tightening side (second direction). When the inner cap 50 is rotated in the tightening direction relative to the mouth 2a, the inner cap 50 descends relative to the mouth 2a.

[0020] The outer cap 10, the operating member 30, the inner cap 50, the dropper tube 60, and the piston 80 constitute a dropper assembly 3 that is detachably attached to the container body 2.

[0021] The sealing member 90 is formed in an annular shape and disposed coaxially with the container axis O. The sealing member 90 is disposed from above the upper end opening edge of the mouth portion 2a to a radially outer position of the mouth portion 2a. The sealing member 90 is threadedly attached to the mouth portion 2a of the container body 2. In this case, a male thread portion is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the sealing member 90, into which the female thread portion of the inner cap 50 is threadedly attached. In this embodiment, the sealing member 90 may be part of a member constituting the container body 2. Note that the connection between the sealing member 90 and the mouth portion 2a is not limited to threading.

[0022] The inner cap 50 is formed in a topped cylindrical shape having an annular inner cap top wall 53 and an inner cap peripheral wall 51. The inner cap 50 is indirectly threaded onto the mouth 2a via a seal member 90, and is attached to and detached from the mouth 2a as the inner cap 50 rotates about the container axis O. A female thread portion is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the inner cap peripheral wall 51, which threads onto a male thread portion formed on the outer peripheral surface of the seal member 90. When the seal member 90 is a component of the container body 2, the inner cap 50 is directly threaded onto the mouth of the container body 2.

[0023] The inner cap top wall 53 is formed with a guide tube portion 54, a holding tube portion 57, and a fitting tube portion 58.

[0024] The guide tube portion 54 extends upward from the inner cap top wall 53. The retaining tube portion 57 is disposed inside the guide tube portion 54 and extends upward from the inner peripheral edge of the inner cap top wall 53. The fitting tube portion 58 extends downward from the inner cap top wall 53. The fitting tube portion 58 is fitted into the inside of the seal member 90 from above.

[0025] Two circumferential direction restricting recesses 51a are formed circumferentially spaced apart on the outer peripheral surface of the inner cap peripheral wall 51. The circumferential direction restricting recesses 51a open to the upper surface of the inner cap top wall 53. The circumferential direction restricting recesses 51a have a rectangular shape that is elongated in the circumferential direction when viewed from the outside in the radial direction. The circumferential direction restricting recesses 51a are provided over an angular range of approximately 90° around the container axis O.

[0026] The piston 80 is formed in an annular shape. The piston 80 is fitted onto and fixed to the upper end of the retaining cylindrical portion 57. The piston 80 is formed with an annular sliding portion 81 that protrudes radially outward.

[0027] Actuating member 30 is formed in the shape of a closed cylinder having actuating top wall 32 and actuating peripheral wall 31, and is disposed coaxially with container axis O. Actuating peripheral wall 31 is disposed so as to surround guide tube portion 54 of inner cap 50. With actuating top wall 32 covering the upper end opening of dropper tube 60 from above, actuating member 30 seals the upper end opening of dropper tube 60.

[0028] The actuating member 30 includes a sliding cylindrical portion 33. The sliding cylindrical portion 33 protrudes downward from the lower surface of the actuating top wall 32 and is inserted between the outer peripheral surface of the piston 80 and the inner peripheral surface of the guide cylindrical portion 54 of the inner cap 50. The sliding cylindrical portion 33 forms part of a partition wall of the working space S, which communicates with the upper end opening of the dropper tube 60. In the illustrated example, the radially inner side of the sliding cylindrical portion 33 forms the working space S. A sliding contact portion 81 of the piston 80 closely contacts the inner peripheral surface of the sliding cylindrical portion 33 so as to be able to slide up and down. As a result, as the actuating member 30 moves up and down relative to the inner cap 50, the sliding contact portion 81 of the piston 80 slides along the inner peripheral surface of the sliding cylindrical portion 33, expanding and contracting the working space S. The working space S is the portion of the sliding cylindrical portion 33 located above the piston 80.

[0029] The actuating member 30 has a rotation restricting portion 37. The rotation restricting portion 37 protrudes radially outward from the outer peripheral surface of the actuating peripheral wall 31. Two rotation restricting portions 37 are provided, one on each side of the container axis O in the radial direction.

[0030] The outer cap 10 is formed in a two-stage cylindrical shape having a lower cylindrical portion 11 and an upper cylindrical portion 14. The lower cylindrical portion 11 has a peripheral wall 11a and a top wall 11b. The peripheral wall 11a is arranged to surround the inner cap peripheral wall 51. The top wall 11b is formed in an annular shape. The upper cylindrical portion 14 extends upward from the inner peripheral edge of the top wall 11b. The operating member 30 is inserted into the upper cylindrical portion 14 in a state where it can protrude upward. For example, the upper end surface of the upper cylindrical portion 14 is approximately flush with the upper surface of the operating top wall 32.

[0031] Two vertically extending vertical ribs 13 and a locking projection 15 are formed on the inner peripheral surface of the peripheral wall 11a. The vertical ribs 13 and the locking projection 15 protrude radially inward from the inner peripheral surface of the peripheral wall 11a. The locking projection 15 is located lower than the vertical ribs 13. The two vertical ribs 13 face each other across the container axis O in the radial direction.

[0032] The locking projections 15 lock the inner cap peripheral wall 51 from below the inner cap peripheral wall 51. This prevents the inner cap 50 from being separated downward from the outer cap 10. The vertical ribs 13 are inserted into the circumferential direction restricting recesses 51a of the inner cap 50.

[0033] The circumferential size of the circumferential regulating recess 51a is larger than the circumferential size of the vertical rib 13, and the vertical rib 13 is located at the tightening-side end of the circumferential end of the circumferential regulating recess 51a. As a result, when the outer cap 10 is rotated circumferentially toward the loosening side, the vertical rib 13 moves toward the loosening side within the circumferential regulating recess 51a, and the outer cap 10 rotates relative to the inner cap 50 together with the operating member 30. When the vertical rib 13 subsequently reaches the loosening-side end of the circumferential regulating recess 51a and abuts against the inner surface of the circumferential regulating 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.

[0034] Vertical grooves 14a extending in the vertical direction are formed on the inner peripheral surface of the upper cylindrical portion 14. The vertical grooves 14a are provided in the same number as the rotation restriction portions 37 of the actuating member 30 (two in this embodiment). The multiple vertical grooves 14a are provided at intervals in the circumferential direction. The vertical grooves 14a extend continuously over the entire vertical length of the upper cylindrical portion 14. The rotation restriction portions 37 of the actuating member 30 are inserted into the vertical grooves 14a so as to be movable up and down. Rotation of the actuating member 30 around the container axis O relative to the outer cap 10 is restricted.

[0035] The dropper tube 60 is formed integrally with the inner cap 50. The dropper tube 60 extends downward from the upper opening edge of the holding tube portion 57 inside the inner cap top wall 53. The lower end of the dropper tube 60 protrudes downward beyond the fitting tube portion 58 of the inner cap 50. The upper opening of the dropper tube 60 can directly communicate with the working space S.

[0036] Suction tube 70 is provided inside container body 2. Suction tube 70 is connected to the lower end of dropper tube 60, connecting the inside of dropper tube 60 to the inside of container body 2. Dropper tube 60 is inserted from above into the upper opening of suction tube 70. The upper opening of suction tube 70 connects to the inside of dropper tube 60. The lower end of dropper tube 60 fits tightly into the inner circumferential surface of suction tube 70. The lower opening of suction tube 70 is located near the bottom of container body 2, and connects directly to the inside of container body 2.

[0037] The suction tube 70 is supported by a connecting portion 75 and fixed within the container body 2. The connecting portion 75 is disposed around the dropper tube 60. The connecting portion 75 connects the inner peripheral edge of the sealing member 90 to the upper end of the suction tube 70. The connecting portion 75 extends downward from the inner peripheral edge of the sealing member 90 and connects to the upper end of the suction tube 70. In the illustrated example, the connecting portion 75 is formed in a cylindrical shape that is coaxial with the container axis O. Furthermore, the connecting portion 75 is formed in a tapered shape that reduces in diameter as it extends downward. A through-hole is formed in the connecting portion 75 to communicate between the inside and outside of the connecting portion 75.

[0038] Communication holes 72 penetrate the peripheral wall of suction tube 70. Communication holes 72 communicate between the inside of dropper tube 60 and the inside of container body 2 (outside of dropper tube 60). Communication holes 72 are formed near the upper end of suction tube 70. In this embodiment, a plurality of communication holes 72 are provided at equal intervals in the circumferential direction (see FIG. 2).

[0039] The dropper container 1 further includes a ball valve 71 (first valve portion) and a self-closing valve 76 (second valve portion). Ball valve 71 is provided inside suction tube 70. Ball valve 71 is provided between the lower end opening of suction tube 70 and communication hole 72. Ball valve 71 is a check valve that allows the flow of the contents from inside container body 2 to inside dropper tube 60 and restricts the flow of the contents from inside dropper tube 60 to inside container body 2.

[0040] The self-closing valve 76 is provided on the outside of the suction tube 70. The self-closing valve 76 elastically closes the communication hole 72 so as to be openable from the outside in the radial direction. The self-closing valve 76 includes an attachment portion 77 and a valve plate 78. The attachment portion 77 is formed in an annular shape coaxial with the suction tube 70. The attachment portion 77 is located above the communication hole 72 and is attached to the outer circumferential surface of the suction tube 70. The attachment portion 77 is in close contact with the outer circumferential surface of the suction tube 70 around its entire circumference. The valve plate 78 is formed in a cylindrical shape coaxial with the suction tube 70. The valve plate 78 is formed integrally with the attachment portion 77. The upper edge of the valve plate 78 is connected to the attachment portion 77 around its entire circumference. The valve plate 78 is formed in a tapered shape whose diameter decreases downward from its upper edge to its lower edge. The valve plate 78 is positioned to surround all of the communication holes 72. The lower edge of the valve plate 78 is in close contact with the entire outer periphery of the suction tube 70 so as to be able to be separated. When the pressure inside the valve plate 78 increases, the valve plate 78 elastically deforms so as to form a small gap between the lower edge of the valve plate 78 and the outer periphery of the suction tube 70. In this way, the self-closing valve 76 allows the flow of contents from the suction tube 70 into the container body 2, and blocks the flow of contents from the container body 2 into the suction tube 70.

[0041] An engagement protrusion 31a is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the operating peripheral wall 31. The engagement protrusion 31a is formed at a position facing the guide tube portion 54. The engagement protrusion 31a protrudes radially inward toward the guide tube portion 54. For example, the engagement protrusion 31a is cylindrical. The multiple engagement protrusions 31a are formed at intervals in the circumferential direction. In this embodiment, a pair of engagement protrusions 31a are formed at equal intervals in the circumferential direction.

[0042] Guide grooves 40, into which the engaging protrusions 31a are movably inserted, are formed on the outer circumferential surface of the guide tube portion 54. A plurality of guide grooves 40 are formed in one-to-one correspondence with the engaging protrusions 31a.

[0043] As shown in FIG. 3 , the guide groove 40 includes an inclined groove 41, a vertical recess 42, and a horizontal groove 43. The inclined groove 41 has a first end 41a and a second end 41b located above the first end 41a and on the loosening side. The inclined groove 41 extends upward from the first end 41a to the second end 41b toward the loosening side. Note that a portion of the inclined groove 41 may extend parallel to the circumferential direction. In the illustrated example, the first end 41a and the second end 41b each extend parallel to the circumferential direction over a certain distance. The engagement protrusion 31a is inserted into the first end 41a. The inner surface of the inclined groove 41 defines the inclined groove 41 from the loosening side and includes a first guide surface 41c extending upward toward the loosening side. The first guide surface 41c is capable of sliding contact with the engagement protrusion 31a from below.

[0044] The vertical recess 42 protrudes downward from the second end 41b of the inclined groove 41. The vertical recess 42 widens toward the tightening side as it extends downward. The vertical recess 42 has at least a portion that extends downward from the second end 41b of the inclined groove 41 to the lower end of the vertical recess 42. In other words, the vertical recess 42 has a portion that extends downward from the second end 41b of the inclined groove 41 and a portion that protrudes toward the tightening side from the portion that extends downward from the second end 41b. When viewed from the radial direction, the vertical recess 42 is formed in the shape of a right triangle with two sides that form a right angle extending in the vertical and circumferential directions. The lower end 42a of the vertical recess 42 is located at approximately the same position as the first end 41a of the inclined groove 41 in the vertical direction.

[0045] The side wall surface of the inner surface of the vertical recess 42 that defines the vertical recess 42 from the tightening side includes a second guide surface 42b (inclined guide surface). The second guide surface 42b faces the loosening side and extends downward from the connection side of the vertical recess 42b with the second end 41b of the inclined groove 41 toward the tightening side. The second guide surface 42b can slide against the engagement protrusion 31a from above and the tightening side. The second guide surface 42b extends continuously over substantially the entire length of the side wall surface. In this embodiment, the upper end of the second guide surface 42b extends so that the inclination angle with respect to the up-down direction increases downward as viewed from the radial direction. Furthermore, the inclination angle with respect to the up-down direction is constant in portions of the second guide surface 42b other than the upper end. Note that a portion extending parallel to the up-down direction may be provided at the upper end of the side wall surface. In other words, the upper end of the second guide surface 42b may be located below the upper edge of the vertical recess 42.

[0046] The lateral groove 43 extends from the lower end 42 a of the vertical recess 42 toward the tightening side and connects to the first end 41 a of the inclined groove 41 .

[0047] An attachment groove 45 communicating with the guide groove 40 is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the guide tube portion 54. The attachment groove 45 extends upward from the inclined groove 41 and opens at the upper end surface of the guide tube portion 54. The attachment groove 45 is connected to the middle portion of the inclined groove 41. The engagement protrusion 31a can pass through the attachment groove 45 in the vertical direction. The engagement protrusion 31a enters the guide groove 40 by passing downward through the attachment groove 45 from its upper end opening.

[0048] The guide tube portion 54 includes a restricting portion 55 that is provided in the lateral groove 43 and protrudes into the lateral groove 43, and a retraction recess 56 that retracts the restricting portion 55. The retraction recess 56 is in communication with the lateral groove 43. The retraction recess 56 opens onto the inner surface of the lateral groove 43 that faces the operating peripheral wall 31 in the radial direction (outward). In this embodiment, the retraction recess 56 penetrates the guide tube portion 54 in the radial direction.

[0049] The restricting portion 55 is arranged so as to be able to come into contact with the engaging protrusion 31a. The restricting portion 55 is elastically deformable so as to retreat from within the lateral groove 43 to a side away from the operating peripheral wall 31. The restricting portion 55 is formed in a plate shape with its front and back surfaces facing radially. The restricting portion 55 is connected to the opening edge of the retreat recess 56 and is formed in a lever shape that is cantilevered with the connection portion with the opening edge of the retreat recess 56 as its base end. The extending direction of the lateral groove 43 is the longitudinal direction of the restricting portion 55, and the end on the vertical recess 42 side (loosening side) is connected to the opening edge of the retreat recess 56.

[0050] The restricting portion 55 includes an inclined surface 55a, a top surface 55b, and a side surface 55c. The inclined surface 55a faces the operating peripheral wall 31 in the radial direction (radially outward). The inclined surface 55a extends radially toward the operating peripheral wall 31 from the lower end 42a of the vertical recess 42 toward the tightening side. The inclined surface 55a is directly connected to the lower end 42a of the vertical recess 42. The top surface 55b extends parallel to the circumferential direction and faces the operating peripheral wall 31. The top surface 55b extends toward the tightening side from the tightening side edge of the inclined surface 55a. The side surface 55c faces the tightening side and upward. The side surface 55c is located on the opposite side of the inclined surface 55a from the top surface 55b and extends radially inward from the edge of the top surface 55b. The side surface 55c extends toward the loosening side as it extends upward. The side surface 55c forms a part of the first guide surface 41c of the inclined groove 41. The side surface 55c defines the first end portion 41a of the inclined groove 41 from the loose side.

[0051] The operation of the dropper container 1 configured as above will now be described. 1, when the outer cap 10 is rotated around the container axis O relative to the container body 2, the outer cap 10 rotates relative to the inner cap 50 within a predetermined range. At this time, the actuating member 30, whose rotation relative to the outer cap 10 is restricted, rotates relative to the inner cap 50. As a result, the actuating peripheral wall 31 of the actuating member 30 and the guide tube portion 54 of the inner cap 50 rotate relative to each other.

[0052] As shown in FIG. 3 , when the outer cap 10 together with the actuating member 30 is rotated toward the loosening side relative to the inner cap 50, the engaging protrusion 31a formed on the actuating peripheral wall 31 slides along the first guide surface 41c of the inclined groove 41 formed in the guide tube portion 54 and moves within the inclined groove 41 from the first end 41a to the second end 41b. At this time, the engaging protrusion 31a is prevented from entering the lateral groove 43 by the restricting portion 55, and slides along the side surface 55c of the restricting portion 55 while pressing the restricting portion 55 toward the loosening side, moving upward within the inclined groove 41 toward the loosening side. As the engaging protrusion 31a moves within the inclined groove 41 from the first end 41a to the second end 41b, the engaging protrusion 31a moves upward relative to the guide tube portion 54, raising the actuating member 30 and expanding the actuating space S (see FIG. 4 ). As a result, the volume of the actuating space S increases, creating a negative pressure within the actuating space S. Therefore, the pressure inside dropper tube 60, which is in communication with operating space S, also becomes negative, and ball valve 71 opens, allowing the content of container body 2 to be sucked up from the lower end opening of dropper tube 60. At this time, operating member 30 protrudes upward from the inside of upper cylindrical portion 14 of outer cap 10.

[0053] Thereafter, as the rotation of the outer cap 10 continues, the vertical rib 13 of the outer cap 10 engages with the circumferential direction restricting recess 51a of the inner cap 50 with the engaging protrusion 31a positioned within the second end 41b of the inclined groove 41, and the outer cap 10 and the inner cap 50 rise together while rotating relative to the container body 2. Then, the inner cap 50 is released from the opening 2a of the container body 2, and the dropper tube 60 is pulled out from within the container body 2.

[0054] 3 and 4, when engagement projection 31a is positioned at second end 41b of inclined groove 41, engagement projection 31a is able to move downward within vertical recess 42 of guide groove 40, and thus can press down operating member 30. When operating member 30, which protrudes upward from outer cap 10, is pressed down, operating space S contracts and the contents in dropper tube 60 are dispensed. In this way, because operating member 30 can be lowered without rotating relative to inner cap 50, there is no need to provide a member for pressurizing operating space S when dispensing the contents.

[0055] When inner cap 50 is attached to opening 2a and outer cap 10 is rotated together with actuating member 30 toward the tightening side relative to inner cap 50, engaging protrusion 31a moves toward the tightening side within horizontal groove 43, as shown in Fig. 3. At this time, engaging protrusion 31a slides along inclined surface 55a of restricting portion 55, and moves toward the tightening side while pushing restricting portion 55 away from actuating peripheral wall 31. In this way, restricting portion 55 allows engaging protrusion 31a to move toward the tightening side, so engaging protrusion 31a returns to first end 41a of inclined groove 41, and the dropper container 1 is again able to suck up the contents when outer cap 10 is rotated toward the loosening side.

[0056] Here, as shown in FIG. 5, a case will be described in which the dropper assembly 3 is attached to the mouth portion 2a when the actuating member 30 is not fully depressed. When the actuating member 30 is not fully depressed, the actuating space S is not minimized, and the contents remain in the dropper tube 60. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 6, when the actuating member 30 is not fully depressed, the engaging protrusion 31a is located above the lower end 42a of the vertical recess 42. When the dropper assembly 3 is attached to the mouth portion 2a in this state, the outer cap 10 together with the actuating member 30 rotates toward the tightening side relative to the inner cap 50, and the engaging protrusion 31a moves toward the tightening side within the vertical recess 42 and contacts the second guide surface 42b of the vertical recess 42. When the actuating member 30 is rotated toward the tightening side relative to the inner cap 50 with the engaging protrusion 31a in contact with the second guide surface 42b, the engaging protrusion 31a slides along the second guide surface 42b and moves downward and toward the lower end 42a of the vertical recess 42. When the engaging projection 31a moves within the vertical recess 42 toward the lower end 42a, the engaging projection 31a moves downward relative to the guide tube portion 54, causing the operating member 30 to move downward, and the operating space S to become smaller.

[0057] As the working space S contracts, the pressure in the working space S and the dropper tube 60 increases, and the increased pressure in the dropper tube 60 spreads into the suction tube 70 through the upper opening of the suction tube 70. When the pressure in the suction tube 70 increases, the ball valve 71 closes and the self-closing valve 76 opens. This causes the contents in the dropper tube 60 to return to the container body 2 through the communicating hole 72. This prevents the pressure in the working space S from increasing and prevents the seal structure from being broken, resulting in leakage of the contents. The actuating member 30 then fully descends, and the dropper assembly 3 returns to the state shown in FIG. 1 . Note that the inner cap 50 may, for example, rotate with the actuating member 30 in the tightening direction relative to the opening 2a while the engaging projection 31a is in contact with the second guide surface 42b, or may rotate with the actuating member 30 in the tightening direction relative to the opening 2a after the engaging projection 31a has fully descended.

[0058] (Second embodiment) In the first embodiment shown in Fig. 1 etc., the valve plate 78 of the self-closing valve 76 is in close contact with the outer peripheral surface of the suction tube 70 while being separable from it. In contrast, the second embodiment shown in Fig. 7 differs from the first embodiment in that the valve plate 178 of the self-closing valve 176 is in close contact with the inner peripheral surface of the surrounding tube 179 that surrounds the communication hole 72 while being separable from it. Note that the configuration other than that described below is the same as that of the first embodiment.

[0059] As shown in FIG. 7 , the dropper container of the second embodiment includes a suction tube 170 and a self-closing valve 176 instead of the suction tube 70 and self-closing valve 76 of the first embodiment. The suction tube 170 has a configuration in which a surrounding tube 179 is added to the suction tube 70 of the first embodiment. In this embodiment, the portion of the suction tube 170 that corresponds to the suction tube 70 of the first embodiment is referred to as the suction tube main body 70A. The surrounding tube 179 is formed in a cylindrical shape that is coaxial with the container axis O. The surrounding tube 179 extends downward from the upper end of the suction tube main body 70A around the suction tube main body 70A. The surrounding tube 179 surrounds all of the communication holes 72. A gap is formed in the radial direction between the surrounding tube 179 and the outer circumferential surface of the suction tube main body 70A. The surrounding cylinder 179 forms an annular space directly communicating with the communication hole 72 between itself and the suction cylinder main body 70A.

[0060] The self-closing valve 176 is provided on the outside of the suction tube main body 70A. The self-closing valve 176 includes an attachment portion 177 and a valve plate 178. The attachment portion 177 is formed in an annular shape coaxial with the suction tube 170. The attachment portion 177 is located below the communication hole 72 and is attached to the outer circumferential surface of the suction tube main body 70A. The attachment portion 177 is in close contact with the outer circumferential surface of the suction tube main body 70A around its entire circumference. The valve plate 178 is formed in a cylindrical shape coaxial with the suction tube 170. The valve plate 178 is formed integrally with the attachment portion 177. The upper edge of the valve plate 178 is connected to the upper edge of the attachment portion 177 around its entire circumference. The valve plate 178 is formed in a tapered shape that increases in diameter downward from its upper edge to its lower edge. Valve plate 178 defines an annular space inside surrounding cylinder 179 from below. The lower edge of valve plate 178 is in close contact with the inner circumferential surface of surrounding cylinder 179 all around, but is separable from it. When the pressure in the annular space inside surrounding cylinder 179 increases, valve plate 178 elastically deforms so that a small gap is formed between the lower edge of valve plate 178 and the inner circumferential surface of surrounding cylinder 179. As a result, self-closing valve 176 allows the flow of contents from inside suction cylinder 170 into container body 2, and blocks the flow of contents from container body 2 into suction cylinder 170.

[0061] As described above, according to this embodiment, when the pressure inside the suction tube 170 increases, the self-closing valve 176 opens, so even if the operating member 30 is pressed down with the inner cap 50 attached to the mouth portion 2a, the increase in pressure in the operating space S can be suppressed, and the sealing structure can be prevented from being broken and the contents from leaking.

[0062] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment explained with reference to the drawings, and various modifications are possible within the technical scope of the present invention. For example, in each of the above embodiments, the engaging projection 31a is provided on the operating peripheral wall 31 and the guide groove 40 is formed in the guide tube portion 54, but this configuration is not limited thereto. That is, the engaging projection may be provided on the guide tube portion and the guide groove may be formed on the operating peripheral wall. In this case, the inclined groove extends downward from the first end toward the second end toward the tightening side, the vertical recessed portion extends upward from the second end of the inclined groove, and the horizontal groove extends from the upper end of the vertical recessed portion toward the loosening side and connects to the first end of the inclined groove.

[0063] The dropper containers of the above embodiments are configured so that the actuating member rises when rotated toward the loosening side, and the actuating member is directly pressed down when the contents are dispensed. However, the dropper containers to which the present invention is applicable are not limited to the configurations of the above embodiments. For example, the dropper container may be configured so that the actuating member moves up and down when rotated, and the actuating member is provided with an elastic membrane for expanding and contracting the working space, and the content is dispensed by compressing the elastic membrane.

[0064] In the above embodiment, the second guide surface 42b of the vertical recess 42 extends continuously over substantially the entire length of the side wall surface of the vertical recess 42, but this configuration is not limited to this. The second guide surface of the vertical recess may be provided on only a portion of the side wall surface. However, in order to smoothly guide the engagement protrusion sliding on the second guide surface to the lateral groove, it is desirable that the second guide surface be provided at least on the lower end of the side wall surface.

[0065] In addition, it is possible to replace the components in the above-described embodiments with well-known components as appropriate, without departing from the spirit of the present invention, and the above-described embodiments and variations may be combined as appropriate. [Explanation of symbols]

[0066] DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1...Droplet container 2...Container body 2a...Mouth portion 10...Outer cap 30...Operating member 31...Operating peripheral wall (first cylindrical portion) 31a...Engaging protrusion 40...Guide groove 41...Inclined groove 41a...First end portion 41b...Second end portion 42...Vertical recess 42b...Second guide surface (Inclined guide surface) 43...Horizontal groove 50...Inner cap 54...Guide cylindrical portion (second cylindrical portion) 55...Restricting portion 60...Droplet tube 70, 170...Suction tube 72...Communicating hole 71...Ball valve (first valve portion) 76...Self-closing valve (second valve portion) O...Container axis S...Operating space

Claims

1. a cylindrical container body with a bottom that accommodates contents; an inner cap detachably screwed onto the opening of the container body; a dropper tube extending downward from the inner cap into 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 within the outer cap, the actuating member being restricted in its rotation about the container axis relative to the outer cap, and being raised relative to the inner cap by rotating in a loosening direction relative to the inner cap, the actuating member communicating with the upper end opening of the dropper tube, and defining an actuating space which expands and contracts in accordance with the up-and-down movement relative to the inner cap; a suction tube connected to the dropper tube and having an upper end opening communicating with the inside of the dropper tube and a lower end opening communicating with the inside of the container body; a communication hole that penetrates a peripheral wall portion of the suction tube and communicates between the inside of the suction tube and the inside of the container body; a first valve portion provided between the lower end opening of the suction barrel and the communication hole, the first valve portion allowing the flow of the contents from inside the container body to inside the dropper tube and blocking the flow of the contents from inside the dropper tube to inside the container body; a second valve portion that releasably closes the communication hole, allowing the contents to flow from the suction tube into the container body, and blocking the contents from flowing from the container body into the suction tube; A dropper container comprising:

2. the second valve portion discharges the content in the dropper tube into the container body when the actuating member is rotated toward the tightening side; The dropper container according to claim 1 .

3. The actuating member has an actuating peripheral wall extending in the container axial direction, the inner cap has a guide tube portion extending in the container axial direction and facing the operating peripheral wall in the radial direction, a first cylindrical portion, which is one of the operating peripheral wall and the guide cylindrical portion, has an engagement projection that projects toward a second cylindrical portion, which is the other of the operating peripheral wall and the guide cylindrical portion; The second cylindrical portion is formed with a guide groove into which the engaging protrusion is movably inserted, The guide groove is an inclined groove having a first end and a second end, the inclined groove extending in one direction of the container axis from the first end toward the second end in a first direction in the circumferential direction around the container axis; a vertical recess extending from the second end of the inclined groove to the other side in the container axial direction; a lateral groove extending in a second circumferential direction from the other end of the longitudinal recess in the container axial direction and connecting to the first end of the inclined groove; Equipped with the second tubular portion has a restricting portion that allows the engaging projection to move in the lateral groove in the second direction and restricts the engaging projection from entering the lateral groove from the inclined groove, an inner surface of the vertical recessed portion has an inclined guide surface that faces the first direction and extends in the second direction from a connection portion side of the vertical recessed portion with the second end portion toward the other side in the container axial direction, When the outer cap together with the actuating member is rotated around the container axis relative to the inner cap in the loosening direction, the engagement protrusion is prevented from entering the lateral groove by the restricting portion, and moves within the inclined groove from the first end toward the second end, thereby lifting the actuating member. The dropper container according to claim 1 or 2.

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