Application container

Abstract

This prevents the internal space of the top wall of the head from shrinking and deforming significantly when the top wall of the head is pressed against the surface to be coated. [Solution] The top wall portion of the head body 45 has a flat plate portion 45a formed in a flat plate shape extending in a direction perpendicular to the vertical direction at the center of the radial direction. The lower surface of the top wall portion of the head body comprises the lower surface of the flat plate portion, an inclined surface 51 extending radially outward from the radial outer end of the lower surface of the flat plate portion downward, a vertical surface 52 extending straight downward from the lower end of the inclined surface, and a support surface 53 extending radially outward from the lower end of the vertical surface and supported by the upper end opening edge 42c of the support cylinder 40. The discharge hole 46 has its lower end opening to the inclined surface and its upper end opening to a portion of the upper surface of the top wall portion of the head body located radially outward from the flat plate portion, and is formed in a multi-stage shape with an inner diameter that becomes smaller the higher it is located.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an application container.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, an application container for applying a content such as a chemical solution to an application part such as the scalp of a human body has been known. For example, in Patent Document 1 below, a container main body for storing a content and an application structure attached to the mouth part of the container main body are provided. The application structure is formed of an elastically deformable soft material, and has a roofed cylindrical head body in which a discharge hole for the content is formed in the roof wall part, and a support cylinder formed of a material harder than the soft material and fitted into the head body. An application container is disclosed. When using this application container, the content is discharged from the discharge hole by pressing the roof wall part of the head body against the skin surface of the body, and is applied to the application part.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003] [[ID=2)]]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, when the roof wall part of the head body is pressed against the application part, there is a possibility that the internal space of the roof wall part of the head body is greatly reduced and deformed, and the content is vigorously discharged from the discharge hole.

[0005] The present invention provides an application container capable of suppressing a large reduction and deformation of the internal space of the roof wall part of the head body when the roof wall part of the head body is pressed against the application part.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] An application container according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a container body containing a substance to be applied to a part to be applied, and an application structure attached to the mouth of the container body, wherein the application structure comprises a top-shaped cylindrical head body made of an elastically deformable soft material and having a discharge hole for the contents formed in the top wall, and a support cylinder made of a harder material than the soft material and fitted inside the head body, wherein the central part in the radial direction of the top wall of the head body is a flat plate portion formed in a direction perpendicular to the vertical direction, and the lower surface of the top wall of the head body is The head body comprises a lower surface of the flat plate portion, an inclined surface extending radially outward from the radially outer end of the lower surface of the flat plate portion, a vertical surface extending straight downward from the lower end of the inclined surface, and a support surface extending radially outward from the lower end of the vertical surface and supported by the upper end opening edge of the support cylinder. The discharge hole has its lower end opening to the inclined surface and its upper end opening to a portion of the upper surface of the top wall of the head body located radially outward from the flat plate portion, and is formed in a multi-stage shape with an inner diameter that becomes smaller the higher it is located.

[0007] Since the lower surface of the top wall of the head body has an inclined surface that extends radially inward from the upper end of the vertical plane upward, the thickness of the portion of the top wall of the head body located radially outside the inclined surface (hereinafter referred to as the corresponding portion) is ensured. When the top wall of the head body is pressed against the surface to be coated, the corresponding portion can be compressed and deformed in the thickness direction, which suppresses large contractions and deformations of the internal space of the top wall of the head body, and allows for stable dispensing of small amounts of contents. Since the discharge holes are formed in a multi-stage structure with smaller inner diameters in the upper sections, the flow resistance of the contents flowing through the upper part of the discharge holes is increased, which can suppress the forceful discharge of the contents from the discharge holes.

[0008] The radial center of the top wall of the head body is a flat plate portion, and the discharge hole opens at its lower end to an inclined surface and at its upper end to a portion of the upper surface of the top wall of the head body located radially outside the flat plate portion. If no upward-projecting protrusions are formed on the upper surface of the top wall of the head body, when applying the contents to the area to be coated, pressing the flat plate portion of the top wall of the head body against the area to be coated will stabilize the deformation shape of the top wall of the head body and prevent the discharge hole from being blocked by the area to be coated. Furthermore, if molding pins for forming ejection holes are provided separately in the cavity mold and core mold during injection molding of the head body, and these molding pins abut against the middle of the ejection hole in the vertical direction, then burrs will not be generated on the periphery of the ejection hole opening on the upper surface of the top wall of the head body.

[0009] The vertical dimension of the aforementioned vertical plane may be greater than or equal to the vertical dimension of the aforementioned inclined plane.

[0010] Since the vertical dimension of the vertical plane is greater than or equal to the vertical dimension of the inclined surface, when the top wall of the head body is pressed against the area to be coated, the internal space of the top wall of the head body can be smoothly reduced in size and deformed.

[0011] On the upper surface of the top wall of the head body, a projection is formed that protrudes upward in a portion located radially outward from the discharge hole, and a plurality of the projection and the discharge hole are provided at equal intervals in the circumferential direction, and the plurality of discharge holes may be located in the same circumferential position as the projection.

[0012] Since multiple discharge holes are located in the same circumferential direction as the protrusions, when the upper end of the protrusion is pressed against the surface to be coated, the portion of the head body's top wall that forms the discharge holes is easily elastically deformed, allowing the contents to be smoothly discharged from the discharge holes. Since the discharge hole is located radially inward from the projection that contacts the area to be coated, the contents can be easily applied to the desired position on the area to be coated.

[0013] On the upper surface of the top wall of the head body, a projection is formed that protrudes upward in a portion located radially outward from the discharge hole, and a plurality of the projection and the discharge hole are provided at equal intervals in the circumferential direction, and the plurality of discharge holes may be located at circumferential positions different from the projection.

[0014] Since multiple discharge holes are located at different circumferential positions from the protrusion, even if the protrusion is tilted when its upper end is pressed against the surface to be coated, it is possible to prevent the protrusion from covering the discharge holes. Since the discharge hole is located radially inward from the projection that contacts the area to be coated, the contents can be easily applied to the desired position on the area to be coated.

[0015] The discharge holes may be located in the circumferential center between adjacent protrusions in the circumferential direction.

[0016] Since the discharge hole is located in the circumferential center between adjacent protrusions in the circumferential direction, even if the protrusion is tilted when its upper end is pressed against the surface to be coated, it is possible to reliably prevent the protrusion from covering the discharge hole.

[0017] The central portion of the upper end surface of the projection is located radially outward from the inclined surface, and the innermost radial end of the lower end of the projection may be located in the same radial position as the inclined surface.

[0018] Of the lower ends of the protrusion, the innermost radial end is located at the same radial position as the inclined surface, while the central part of the upper end surface of the protrusion is located radially outward from the inclined surface. Therefore, when the upper end of the protrusion is pressed against the surface to be coated, it is possible to suppress the large contraction and deformation of the internal space at the top wall of the head body, and to stabilize the contraction and deformation shape of this internal space, thereby enabling the contents to be dispensed stably in small amounts.

[0019] The coating structure comprises: an inner stopper member fitted to the mouth of the container body and having a first communication hole formed therein that communicates with the inside of the container body; a measuring cylinder member between the inner stopper member and the measuring chamber, having a measuring chamber formed therein that communicates with the inside of the container body through the first communication hole, and having a second communication hole formed at its top that communicates with the measuring chamber; and a coating stopper provided in the measuring chamber, wherein the coating stopper blocks communication between the second communication hole and the measuring chamber, and provides a measuring position that allows communication between the measuring chamber and the first communication hole. The support cylinder is arranged to be movable in the vertical direction between a coating position located below the metering position, blocking communication between the metering chamber and the first communication hole, and allowing communication between the second communication hole and the metering chamber. The support cylinder is provided with a mounting portion attached to the coating plug and a fitting cylinder fitted inside the head body. A third communication hole may be formed which communicates with the fitting cylinder and, at the coating position, communicates with the metering chamber through the second communication hole.

[0020] When the dispensing stopper is in the measuring position and the dispensing container is placed in an inverted position, the contents inside the container body flow into the measuring chamber through the first communication hole, while the contents that have flowed into the measuring chamber do not flow out through the second communication hole. Next, when the top wall of the head body is pressed against the area to be coated, the head body moves toward the coating position together with the support cylinder and the coating plug, blocking communication between the metering chamber and the first communication hole, while opening communication between the second communication hole and the metering chamber. As a result, no further contents from the container body flow into the weighing chamber, and only the contents corresponding to the volume of the weighing chamber are weighed. At the same time, since the second communication hole and the weighing chamber are connected, the weighed contents in the weighing chamber flow into the internal space of the top wall of the head body through the second communication hole, the third communication hole, and the fitting cylinder of the support cylinder. Then, by pressing the top wall of the head body against the area to be coated, the top wall of the head body elastically deforms, causing the internal space to shrink and deform, and the contents are discharged from the discharge hole. As described above, since it becomes possible to discharge the measured content, when the top wall portion of the head body is pressed against the application portion, it is possible to suppress a large reduction deformation of the internal space of the top wall portion of the head body, and the effect of stably discharging the content little by little is remarkably achieved.

Effect of the Invention

[0021] According to one aspect of the present invention, when the top wall portion of the head body is pressed against the application portion, it is possible to suppress a large reduction deformation of the internal space of the top wall portion of the head body.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0022] [Figure 1] It is a longitudinal sectional view of the application container of the first embodiment when the application plug is in the application position. [Figure 2] It is a longitudinal sectional view of the application container of the first embodiment when the application plug is in the measurement position. [Figure 3] It is a longitudinal sectional view showing the head body of the application container of the second embodiment. [Figure 4] It is a top view of the head body of FIG. 3. [Figure 5] It is a longitudinal sectional view showing the head body of the application container of the third embodiment. [Figure 6] It is a top view of the head body of FIG. 5.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0023] Hereinafter, the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. The application container 1 includes a container body 2, an application structure 39, and a cap body 10. The container body 2 is formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape, and the cap body 10 is formed in a capped cylindrical shape. The central axes of the container body 2 and the cap body 10 are arranged on a common axis. Hereinafter, this common axis will be referred to as the container axis O. In the directions along the container axis O, the bottom side of the container body 2 (the lower side in Figure 1) will be called the lower direction, the mouth side of the container body 2 (the upper side in Figure 1) will be called the upper direction, and the direction along the container axis O will be called the vertical direction. When viewed from the vertical direction, the direction that intersects the container axis O will be called the radial direction, and the direction that circles around the container axis O will be called the circumferential direction.

[0024] The container body 2 contains the contents to be applied to the area to be treated. Examples of contents include hair growth stimulants, minoxidil-containing hair regrowth agents, and other medicinal liquids to be applied to the scalp or skin of the user. The opening 3 of the container body 2 has a smaller diameter than the rest of the container body 2. A male thread is formed on the outer surface of the opening 3. The male thread may be, for example, a double-start thread. The outer diameter of the upper end of the opening 3, located above the male thread, is smaller than the outer diameter of the part located below the upper end.

[0025] The coating structure 39 is attached to the opening 3 of the container body 2. The coating structure 39 comprises a stopper member 4, a measuring cylinder member 7, a coating stopper 9, a support cylinder 40, and a head body 45.

[0026] The inner stopper member 4 is fitted into the mouth 3 of the container body 2 and has a first communication hole 5 that communicates with the inside of the container body 2. The inner stopper member 4 comprises a mounting cylinder 13 fitted into the mouth 3 of the container body 2, a bottomed cylindrical cylinder 12 provided inside the mounting cylinder 13, and a support 11 protruding upward from the bottom wall of the cylinder 12. The mounting cylinder 13, the cylinder 12, and the support 11 are arranged coaxially with the container axis O and are integrally formed. The inner stopper member 4 is made of a hard resin material (for example, polypropylene).

[0027] The first communication hole 5 is formed in the cylinder 12, and the inside of the cylinder 12 communicates with the container body 2 through the first communication hole 5. The first communication hole 5 is integrally formed on the outer peripheral edge of the bottom wall of the cylinder 12 and on the lower end of the peripheral wall of the cylinder 12. Multiple first communication holes 5 are provided at intervals in the circumferential direction. The upper end of the mounting cylinder 13 protrudes above the mouth portion 3 of the container body 2 and is positioned at the upper opening edge of the mouth portion 3. The upper end of the support 11 is located above the upper ends of the mounting cylinder 13 and the cylinder cylinder 12.

[0028] The measuring cylinder member 7 forms a measuring chamber 6 between itself and the stopper member 4, which communicates with the inside of the container body 2 through a first communication hole 5. The measuring cylinder member 7 is made of a hard resin material (for example, polypropylene). The measuring cylinder member 7 comprises a base cylinder portion 18 attached to the mouth portion 3 of the container body 2, a vertically extending cylindrical top portion 19 located above the base cylinder portion 18 with a second communication hole 8 on its inside, and a connecting cylinder portion 20 located between the base cylinder portion 18 and the top portion 19, connecting the base cylinder portion 18 and the top portion 19. In the illustrated example, the measuring cylinder member 7 gradually decreases in diameter from bottom to top, in the order of base cylinder portion 18, connecting cylinder portion 20, and top portion 19.

[0029] The base cylinder portion 18 is fitted onto the upper end of the mouth portion 3 of the container body 2 and the upper end of the mounting cylinder 13 of the inner stopper member 4. The measuring chamber 6 is defined by at least the connecting cylinder portion 20 of the measuring cylinder member 7 and the connection portion between the mounting cylinder 13 and the cylinder cylinder 12 of the inner plug member 4. A protective tube 21 extending upward is formed in the connecting tube portion 20. The upper end of the protective tube 21 is located below the upper end of the top portion 19.

[0030] The coating plug 9 is provided in the measuring chamber 6. The coating plug 9 is arranged to be movable in the vertical direction between a measuring position (for example, the position shown in Figure 2) that blocks communication between the second communication hole 8 and the measuring chamber 6 and allows communication between the measuring chamber 6 and the first communication hole 5, and a coating position (for example, the position shown in Figure 1) that is located below the measuring position, blocks communication between the measuring chamber 6 and the first communication hole 5, and allows communication between the second communication hole 8 and the measuring chamber 6. In this context, "to connect" includes both the meanings of "to connect" and "to make it possible to connect."

[0031] The coating plug 9 comprises a sealing cylinder 24 disposed within the measuring cylinder member 7, and a top-mounted cylindrical external fitting 25 connected to the upper and lower intermediate portion of the sealing cylinder 24 and surrounded radially from the outside by the sealing cylinder 24. The coating plug 9 is made of a rigid resin material (for example, high-density polyethylene). The sealing cylinder 24 and the external mounting cylinder 25 are arranged coaxially with the container axis O and are integrally formed.

[0032] The upper end of the seal cylinder 24 is tightly fitted into the second communication hole 8 so as to be able to slide up and down when the coating plug 9 is in the metering position, and disengages downward from the second communication hole 8 when the coating plug 9 is in the coating position. The lower end of the seal cylinder 24 is tightly fitted into the portion of the peripheral wall of the cylinder cylinder 12 located above the first communication hole 5 so as to be able to slide up and down when the coating plug 9 is in the coating position, and disengages upward from the peripheral wall of the cylinder cylinder 12 when the coating plug 9 is in the metering position. The upper end of the seal cylinder 24 expands in diameter as it goes upward, and the lower end of the seal cylinder 24 expands in diameter as it goes downward.

[0033] A stopper projection 24a is formed on the seal cylinder 24, projecting radially outward. The stopper projection 24a is located in the middle of the vertical direction on the outer circumferential surface of the seal cylinder 24. The stopper projection 24a is located slightly below the connection point between the seal cylinder 24 and the overlay cylinder 25. The stopper projection 24a extends continuously along its entire circumferential length.

[0034] The stopper projection 24a abuts from below against the opening periphery of the second communication hole 8 inside the measuring cylinder member 7 when the coating plug 9 is in the metering position. In the illustrated example, when the coating plug 9 is in the metering position, the stopper projection 24a abuts from below against the connecting portion between the top portion 19 and the connecting cylinder portion 20 inside the measuring cylinder member 7. In this way, when the coating plug 9 is in the metering position, the stopper projection 24a of the coating plug 9 abuts from below against the opening periphery of the second communication hole 8 inside the measuring cylinder member 7, so that even if an external force acts to move the coating plug 9 upward relative to the measuring chamber 6, the coating plug 9 is prevented from moving any further upward.

[0035] The external cylinder 25 is externally fitted onto the support 11 of the inner plug member 4 so as to be able to move relative to it in the vertical direction. In the illustrated example, the lower end of the external cylinder 25 is located below the lower end of the seal cylinder 24. The upper end of the external cylinder 25 is located above the upper end of the seal cylinder 24. When the coating plug 9 is in the coating position, the upper end of the external cylinder 25 is located below the upper opening edge of the top 19 of the measuring cylinder member 7 and is located inside the top 19. The lower end opening edge of the external cylinder 25 is separated above the upper surface of the bottom wall of the cylinder 12 when the coating plug 9 is in the coating position. At this time, a vertical gap is provided between the upper end surface of the support 11 and the inner surface of the external cylinder 25.

[0036] The support cylinder 40 is provided with a mounting portion 41 and a fitting cylinder 42, and has a third communication hole 43 formed therein. The support cylinder 40 is made of a rigid resin material (for example, high-density polyethylene).

[0037] The mounting portion 41 is formed in a cylindrical shape and is fitted onto the upper part of the outer tube 25. This allows the support tube 40 to be attached to the coating plug 9. In the illustrated example, the mounting portion 41 is undercut fitted onto the upper part of the outer tube 25. The mounting portion 41 is inserted into the second communication hole 8 with a radial gap between it and the inner circumferential surface of the second communication hole 8. The upper end of the mounting portion 41 is located above the upper end of the outer tube 25. The support cylinder 40 may be formed integrally with the coating plug 9.

[0038] The fitting cylinder 42 is provided on the outside of the measuring cylinder member 7. The fitting cylinder 42 is formed in a multi-stage cylindrical shape in which the inner and outer diameters decrease as it goes upwards. The upper part of the fitting cylinder 42 is located above the measuring cylinder member 7 and the mounting portion 41. The upper end opening edge 42c of the fitting cylinder 42 abuts against the inner surface of the head body 45 in the vertical direction. The lower part of the fitting cylinder 42 is externally mounted on the top portion 19 of the measuring cylinder member 7 so as to be vertically slidable. The lower part of the fitting cylinder 42 always abuts radially around the entire circumference of the outer circumferential surface of the top portion 19, regardless of whether the coating plug 9 is in the coating position or the measuring position. A sealing projection is formed on either the inner circumferential surface of the lower part of the fitting cylinder 42 or the outer circumferential surface of the top portion 19 of the measuring cylinder member 7, which abuts against the other to seal the space between the inner circumferential surface of the lower part of the fitting cylinder 42 and the outer circumferential surface of the top portion 19. The upper and lower intermediate portion of the fitting cylinder 42 is formed in an annular plate shape with its front and back surfaces facing the upper and lower directions and arranged coaxially with the container axis O. The upper and lower intermediate portion of the fitting cylinder 42 is connected to the upper end of the mounting portion 41, straddling the upper end opening edge 19a of the top portion 19 in the radial direction. When the coating plug 9 is in the coating position, the downward-facing inner surface of the upper and lower intermediate portion of the fitting cylinder 42 abuts against the upper end opening edge 19a of the top portion 19 in the vertical direction. This restricts the coating plug 9, which is in the coating position, from moving further downward. Of the inner surface of the upper and lower intermediate portion of the fitting cylinder 42, the portion that abuts against the upper end opening edge 19a of the top portion 19 is a flat surface that extends in the radial and circumferential directions. The inner circumferential edge of the upper and lower intermediate portion of the fitting cylinder 42 protrudes radially inward from the upper end opening edge 19a of the top portion 19 and extends downward as it moves radially inward. The lower end portion 42d of the fitting cylinder 42 protrudes downward from the peripheral wall portion of the head body 45. The lower end portion 42d of the fitting cylinder 42 has a flange portion that protrudes radially outward, and its upper surface abuts against or is close to the lower end opening edge of the peripheral wall portion of the head body 45.

[0039] The lower end portion 42d of the fitting cylinder 42 and the lower end portion of the peripheral wall of the head body 45 are surrounded radially from the outside by the protective cylinder 21 of the measuring cylinder member 7 when the application plug 9 is in the application position. This prevents the application plug 9 from being pulled up to the measuring position by pinching the lower end portion 42d of the fitting cylinder 42 or the lower end portion of the peripheral wall of the head body 45 while applying the contents to the application area, or after the application has been started, by pressing the top wall portion of the head body 45 against the area to be applied, such as the skin of the body. The inner surface of the protective cylinder 21 is radially separated from the lower end portion 42d of the fitting cylinder 42 and the lower end portion of the peripheral wall of the head body 45.

[0040] The third communication hole 43 is formed at the upper end of the mounting portion 41 and communicates with the upper part of the fitting cylinder 42. The third communication hole 43 penetrates the mounting portion 41 radially and opens at the upper end opening edge of the mounting portion 41. When the coating plug 9 is in the coating position, the third communication hole 43 is located within the second communication hole 8 and communicates with the measuring chamber 6 through the second communication hole 8. Here, the outer circumferential surface of the mounting portion 41 faces the inner circumferential surface of the second communication hole 8 with a radial gap between them. As a result, when the coating plug 9 is in the coating position, the contents of the measuring chamber 6 flow through this gap and further through the third communication hole 43 into the upper part of the fitting cylinder 42.

[0041] The fitting cylinder 42 of the support cylinder 40 is fitted inside the head body 45. The top wall of the head body 45 closes the upper end opening 42b of the fitting cylinder 42. The head body 45 is formed in a top-cylindrical shape from an elastically deformable soft material. Examples of soft materials include elastically deformable rubber-like materials such as nitrile rubber, butyl rubber, silicone rubber, and elastomers, as well as elastically deformable resin materials such as low-density polyethylene. Among these, silicone rubber with a hardness of 35 to 75 (durometer hardness test (type A durometer) in accordance with JIS K 6253:2006) is preferably used, for example, a hardness of 50 manufactured by Kanae Sangyo Co., Ltd. The head body 45 is formed from a material softer than the material forming the support cylinder 40. When the top wall of the head body 45 is pressed against the area to be coated, the support cylinder 40 does not deform, while the top wall of the head body 45 elastically deforms. The head body 45 may be opaque or transparent (semi-transparent), but if it is transparent (semi-transparent), the remaining amount of the contents to be coated can be seen, allowing for more reliable application of the desired amount.

[0042] In the top wall portion of the head body 45, the radial central portion is formed as a flat plate portion 45a that extends in a direction perpendicular to the vertical direction. The flat plate portion 45a has a circular shape when viewed from above. The upper surface and lower surface of the flat plate portion 45a are located at the same radial position and have the same length to each other when viewed in a vertical cross-section along the vertical direction. Of the upper surface of the top wall portion of the head body 45, the outer peripheral portion located radially outside the flat plate portion 45a, in a vertical cross-sectional view along the vertical direction, extends downward as it moves radially outward and exhibits a curved shape that protrudes diagonally upward.

[0043] The lower surface of the top wall of the head body 45 includes the lower surface of the flat plate portion 45a, an inclined surface 51 extending radially outward from the radial outer end of the lower surface of the flat plate portion 45a, a vertical surface 52 extending straight downward from the lower end of the inclined surface 51, and a support surface 53 extending straight radially outward from the lower end of the vertical surface 52 and supported by the upper end opening edge 42c of the fitting cylinder 42 (the upper end opening edge of the support cylinder 40). The vertical dimension of the vertical plane 52 is greater than or equal to the vertical dimension of the inclined surface 51. The radial center of the lower surface of the top wall of the head body 45 is the lower surface of the flat plate portion 45a, and the outer peripheral edge of the lower surface of the top wall of the head body 45 is the support surface 53. The lower surface of the flat plate portion 45a and the support surface 53 are flat surfaces extending in a direction perpendicular to the vertical direction.

[0044] The upper end opening edge 42c of the fitting cylinder 42 is in close contact with the support surface 53. At least a portion of the radial direction of the contact area between the upper end opening edge 42c of the fitting cylinder 42 and the support surface 53, and the contact area between the inner surface of the fitting cylinder 42 and the upper end opening edge 19a of the top portion 19 at the coating position, are located on the same straight line extending vertically in a vertical cross-sectional view along the vertical direction. In the illustrated example, the radial dimensions of the contact portions of the former and the latter are the same. The entire radial area of ​​the contact portions of the former and the latter lies on the same straight line extending vertically in a vertical cross-sectional view along the vertical direction. Furthermore, the radial size and radial position of the former contact portion and the latter contact portion may be made different from each other.

[0045] A locking groove 47 is formed on the inner circumferential surface of the peripheral wall portion of the head body 45, recessed radially outward and extending around its entire circumference, and a locking projection 48 is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the fitting cylinder 42, which fits into the locking groove 47. The locking projection 48 protrudes radially outward from the outer circumferential surface of the middle portion of the fitting cylinder 42 in the vertical direction and extends around its entire circumference. The locking groove 47 and the locking projection 48 are located below the upper end opening edge 42c of the fitting cylinder 42.

[0046] Discharge holes 46 for the contents are formed in the top wall of the head body 45. The discharge holes 46 penetrate the top wall of the head body 45 in the vertical direction. The discharge holes 46 open toward the upper end opening 42b of the fitting cylinder 42. Multiple discharge holes 46 (for example, three or more) are provided at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. The discharge hole 46 opens at its lower end to the inclined surface 51 on the lower surface of the top wall of the head body 45, and at its upper end to a portion of the upper surface of the top wall of the head body 45 located radially outward from the flat plate portion 45a. It is formed in a multi-stage shape, with the inner diameter decreasing towards the upper portion. The discharge hole 46 extends straight in the vertical direction. In the illustrated example, a downward-facing step is provided between the upper part and the lower part of the discharge hole 46.

[0047] When injection molding the head body 45, molding pins that form the ejection holes 46 are provided separately in the cavity mold and the core mold. By abutting these molding pins against the middle of the ejection holes 46 in the vertical direction, burrs are not generated on the opening periphery of the ejection holes 46 on the upper surface of the top wall of the head body 45. By positioning the abutting portions of the molding pins of the cavity mold and the molding pins of the core mold at the stepped portion of the ejection holes 46, these molding pins can be abutted straight in the vertical direction.

[0048] The cap body 10 is detachably attached to the container body 2 or the coating structure 39 and covers the head body 45. The cap body 10 is formed in a top-cylindrical shape having a top wall 28 and a peripheral wall 29.

[0049] A female threaded portion is formed on the inner surface of the peripheral wall 29, which screws into the male threaded portion of the opening 3. The female thread portion may be, for example, a double thread. Instead of forming a male thread portion on the opening 3, the male thread portion may be formed on the outer circumferential surface of the base cylinder portion 18 of the measuring cylinder member 7 of the coating structure 39, and the female thread portion of the peripheral wall 29 may be screwed onto this male thread portion. The cap body 10 may be modified as appropriate, instead of being detachably screwed onto the opening 3 or the coating structure 39, for example, by having the smooth outer circumferential surface of the opening 3 or the coating structure 39 detachably fitted onto the smooth inner circumferential surface of the cap body 10, or by having the cap body 10 detachably undercut-fitted onto the opening 3 or the coating structure 39.

[0050] The cap body 10 is equipped with a lifting cylinder 31 that surrounds the lower end 42d of the fitting cylinder 42 from the radial outside. The lifting cylinder 31 is arranged coaxially with the container axis O and protrudes downward from the top wall 28 of the cap body 10. The lifting cylinder 31 is inserted into the gap between the inner circumferential surface of the protective cylinder 21 and the outer circumferential surfaces of the lower end 42d of the fitting cylinder 42 and the lower end of the peripheral wall portion of the head body 45. The lower end of the lifting cylinder 31 is undercut fitted into the flange portion formed on the lower end 42d of the fitting cylinder 42. As a result, as the cap body 10 moves upward relative to the mouth portion 3 and the measuring cylinder member 7, the support cylinder 40, the head body 45 and the dispensing plug 9 are lifted, and the dispensing plug 9 moves to the measuring position.

[0051] The operation of the coating container 1 of this embodiment will be described below.

[0052] When applying the contents of the container body 2 to the area to be coated, first, the cap body 10 is moved upward to detach it from the mouth 3 of the container body 2, exposing the head body 45. Here, when the cap body 10 is detached, the lower end of the lifting cylinder 31 is undercut fitted into the flange portion formed on the lower end 42d of the fitting cylinder 42 of the support cylinder 40. As the cap body 10 rises, the support cylinder 40, the head body 45, and the coating plug 9 are all lifted up, and as shown in Figure 2, the coating plug 9 moves to the measuring position.

[0053] In this case, if the male thread portion of the mouth 3 and the female thread portion of the cap body 10 are double-start threads, the thread lead is larger compared to a single-start thread configuration. Therefore, the amount of vertical displacement of the cap body 10 with respect to the amount of circumferential rotation can be increased. As a result, the support cylinder 40, the head body 45, and the coating plug 9 can be quickly moved upward, and the cap body 10 can be quickly detached from the mouth 3 of the container body 2.

[0054] Even when the coating stopper 9 rises to the measuring position, the lower part of the fitting cylinder 42 remains in radial contact with the outer circumferential surface of the top portion 19 of the measuring cylinder member 7 over its entire circumference. Since the space between the inner circumferential surface of the lower part of the fitting cylinder 42 and the outer circumferential surface of the top portion 19 is sealed, even if some contents remain, such as adhering to the inside of the head body 45 and the fitting cylinder 42, these contents will not leak out from between the inner circumferential surface of the lower part of the fitting cylinder 42 and the outer circumferential surface of the top portion 19.

[0055] When the coating plug 9 rises to the metering position, the stopper projection 24a of the coating plug 9 abuts against the opening periphery of the second communication hole 8 inside the metering cylinder member 7, the upper end of the seal cylinder 24 fits tightly into the second communication hole 8, and the lower end of the seal cylinder 24 detaches upward from the peripheral wall of the cylinder cylinder 12. As a result, communication between the second communication hole 8 and the metering chamber 6 is blocked, while communication between the metering chamber 6 and the first communication hole 5 is established. From this state, the cap body 10 moves further upward relative to the opening 3 of the container body 2, releasing the undercut fitting between the lower end of the lifting cylinder 31 of the cap body 10 and the lower end 42d of the fitting cylinder 42 of the support cylinder 40, and the cap body 10 is removed from the container body 2, the support cylinder 40, and the head body 45.

[0056] Next, with the coating stopper 9 in the metering position, when the coating container 1 is turned upside down, the contents inside the container body 2 flow into the metering chamber 6 through the first communication hole 5, while the contents that have flowed into the metering chamber 6 do not flow out through the second communication hole 8.

[0057] Next, when the top wall of the head body 45 is pressed against the area to be coated, the head body 45 moves toward the coating position together with the support cylinder 40 and the coating plug 9. During this process, the upper and lower intermediate portion of the fitting cylinder 42, which is formed in an annular plate shape with its front and back surfaces facing vertically and arranged coaxially with the container axis O, abuts vertically against the upper end opening edge 19a of the top portion 19, the upper end of the seal cylinder 24 detaches downward from the second communication hole 8, and the lower end of the seal cylinder 24 fits tightly into the cylinder cylinder 12.

[0058] As a result, communication between the measuring chamber 6 and the first communication hole 5 is blocked, so that no further contents from the container body 2 flow into the measuring chamber 6, and the contents corresponding to the volume of the measuring chamber 6 are measured. Meanwhile, since the second communication hole 8 and the measuring chamber 6 are in communication, the measured contents in the measuring chamber 6 flow into the upper part of the fitting cylinder 42 through the second communication hole 8 and the third communication hole 43. At this time, the space between the inner circumferential surface of the lower part of the fitting cylinder 42 and the outer circumferential surface of the top 19 of the measuring cylinder member 7 is sealed, so that the contents that have flowed into the upper part of the fitting cylinder 42 do not leak out from between the inner circumferential surface of the lower part of the fitting cylinder 42 and the outer circumferential surface of the top 19 of the measuring cylinder member 7. Then, by pressing the flat plate portion 45a of the top wall of the head body 45 against the area to be coated, the top wall of the head body 45 elastically deforms to reduce its internal space, and the contents of the internal space of the top wall of the head body 45 are pressurized and discharged from the discharge hole 46. In this way, the user can apply the contents to the area to be coated.

[0059] After application is complete, the head body 45 is inserted into the inside of the lifting cylinder 31 of the cap body 10, and the female thread portion of the cap body 10 is screwed onto the male thread portion of the mouth 3 of the container body 2. This causes the lower end of the lifting cylinder 31 to pass downwards over the peripheral wall of the head body 45, and it is fitted with an undercut to the lower end 42d of the fitting cylinder 42 of the support cylinder 40, thereby attaching the cap body 10 to the mouth 3 of the container body 2.

[0060] As described above, according to the coating container 1 of this embodiment, the lower surface of the top wall of the head body 45 has an inclined surface 51 that extends radially inward from the upper end of the vertical plane 52 upward. As a result, the thickness of the portion of the top wall of the head body 45 located radially outside the inclined surface 51 (hereinafter referred to as the corresponding portion) is ensured. When the top wall of the head body 45 is pressed against the object to be coated, the corresponding portion can be compressed and deformed in the thickness direction. This suppresses large contractions and deformations of the internal space of the top wall of the head body 45, and allows for stable dispensing of small amounts of contents. Since the discharge hole 46 is formed in a multi-stage shape with a smaller inner diameter in the upper part, the flow resistance of the contents flowing over the upper part of the discharge hole 46 is increased, and the forceful discharge of the contents from the discharge hole 46 can be suppressed.

[0061] In this embodiment, no projections protruding upward are formed on the upper surface of the top wall of the head body 45. The radial central portion of the top wall of the head body 45 is a flat plate portion 45a, and the discharge hole 46 opens at its lower end to the inclined surface 51 and at its upper end to a portion of the upper surface of the top wall of the head body 45 located radially outside the flat plate portion 45a. Therefore, when applying the contents to the area to be coated, pressing the flat plate portion 45a of the top wall of the head body 45 against the area to be coated stabilizes the deformation shape of the top wall of the head body 45 and prevents the discharge hole 46 from being blocked by the area to be coated.

[0062] Since the vertical dimension of the vertical plane 52 is greater than or equal to the vertical dimension of the inclined surface 51, when the top wall of the head body 45 is pressed against the area to be coated, the internal space of the top wall of the head body 45 can be smoothly reduced in size and deformed.

[0063] The coating structure 39 comprises a stopper member 4, a measuring cylinder member 7, and a coating stopper 9. The support cylinder 40 is provided with a mounting portion 41 and a fitting cylinder 42, and a third communication hole 43 is formed therein, allowing the measured contents to be discharged. As a result, when the top wall of the head body 45 is pressed against the surface to be coated, the large reduction and deformation of the internal space of the top wall of the head body 45, as described above, is suppressed, and the contents can be discharged stably in small amounts, which is a remarkably effective effect.

[0064] Next, a coating container 100 according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 3 and 4. In this second embodiment, the same reference numerals are used for parts that are the same as those in the first embodiment, and their descriptions are omitted. Only the differences will be described.

[0065] In this embodiment, the coating container 100 differs from the coating container 1 of the first embodiment only in the configuration of the head body 55. On the upper surface of the top wall of the head body 55, a projection 56 is formed that protrudes upward in a portion located radially outward from the discharge hole 46. Multiple projections 56 are provided at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. The multiple discharge holes 46 are located in the same circumferential position as the projections 56. The number of projections 56 is greater than the number of discharge holes 46, but the number of projections 56 may be less than or equal to the number of discharge holes 46. In the former case, the massage effect is higher than in the latter case. In the illustrated example, there are three discharge holes 46 and six protrusions 56, each arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction, with three protrusions 56 located at the same circumferential positions as the discharge holes 46. The number of protrusions 56 is twice the number of discharge holes 46. The number of discharge holes 46 and protrusions 56 is not limited to this configuration. For example, there may be three discharge holes 46 and three protrusions 56, with their respective circumferential positions coinciding.

[0066] The central portion of the upper end surface of the projection 56 is located radially outward from the inclined surface 51. The innermost lower end of the projection 56, which is located radially inward from the vertical plane 52, is located in the same radial position as the inclined surface 51. In a vertical cross-sectional view along the vertical direction, the vertical distance between the upper end surface of the projection 56 and the upper surface of the flat plate portion 45a is 1.5 times or less the vertical size of the inclined surface 51, but the former may be larger than 1.5 times the latter.

[0067] In the coating container 100 of this embodiment, when applying the contents to the area to be coated, the upper end of the projection 56 is pressed against the area to be coated, causing the top wall of the head body 55 to elastically deform, and pressurizing the contents in the internal space of the top wall of the head body 45, which are then discharged from the discharge hole 46.

[0068] As described above, in the coating container 100 of this embodiment, since the multiple discharge holes 46 are located in the same circumferential position as the protrusions 56, when the upper end of the protrusion 56 is pressed against the area to be coated, the portion of the top wall of the head body 55 in which the discharge holes 46 are formed is easily elastically deformed, and the contents can be smoothly discharged from the discharge holes 46. Since the discharge hole 46 is located radially inward from the projection 56 that contacts the area to be coated, the contents can be easily applied to the desired position on the area to be coated.

[0069] Of the lower ends of the projection 56, the inner end 56a, which is located most radially inward, is located at the same radial position as the inclined surface 51. However, the central part of the upper end surface of the projection 56 is located radially outward from the inclined surface 51. Therefore, when the upper end of the projection 56 is pressed against the surface to be coated, it is possible to suppress a large contraction and deformation of the internal space at the top wall of the head body 55, and to stabilize the contraction and deformation shape of this internal space, thereby enabling the contents to be dispensed stably in small amounts. In a vertical cross-sectional view along the vertical direction, the vertical distance between the upper end surface of the projection 56 and the upper surface of the flat plate portion 45a is 1.5 times or less the vertical size of the inclined surface 51, so that the contents can be reliably and stably dispensed in small amounts.

[0070] Next, a coating container 110 according to the third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 5 and 6. In this third embodiment, the same reference numerals are used for parts that are identical to those in the second embodiment, and their descriptions are omitted. Only the differences will be described.

[0071] In this embodiment, the coating container 110 differs from the coating container 100 of the second embodiment only in the configuration of the head body 65. Multiple discharge holes 46 are located at different circumferential positions from the projections 56. Discharge holes 46 are provided between adjacent projections 56 in the circumferential direction. Discharge holes 46 are located in the circumferential center between adjacent projections 56 in the circumferential direction. Discharge holes 46 and projections 56 are spaced apart in the circumferential direction. The number of discharge holes 46 and projections 56 are the same (4) but they may be different, and may be an even or odd number. For example, there may be two discharge holes 46 and four projections 56, or the discharge holes 46 may be positioned offset from the circumferential center between adjacent projections 56, provided that their circumferential positions are different.

[0072] As described above, according to the coating container 110 of this embodiment, since the multiple discharge holes 46 are located at different circumferential positions from the protrusions 56, even if the protrusions 56 are tilted when the upper end of the protrusion 56 is pressed against the area to be coated, it is possible to prevent the protrusions 56 from covering the discharge holes 46. Since the discharge hole 46 is located radially inward from the projection 56 that contacts the area to be coated, the contents can be easily applied to the desired position on the area to be coated.

[0073] Since the discharge hole 46 is located in the circumferential center between adjacent protrusions 56 in the circumferential direction, even if the protrusion 56 is tilted when the upper end of the protrusion 56 is pressed against the surface to be coated, it is possible to reliably prevent the protrusion 56 from covering the discharge hole 46.

[0074] It should be noted that the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[0075] For example, in the above embodiment, locking grooves 47 are formed on the inner surfaces of the head bodies 45 and 55, and locking protrusions 48 are formed on the outer surface of the fitting cylinder 42, but the locking grooves 47 and locking protrusions 48 do not need to be provided. The lower end of the fitting cylinder 42 may be located above the top portion 19 at the measuring position. One or more projections projecting upwards may be provided on the upper surface of the flat plate portion 45a of the head bodies 45, 55, and 65. The upper end of these projections may be located above the upper end of projection 56.

[0076] Furthermore, without departing from the spirit of the present invention, the components in the above-described embodiments may be replaced with well-known components as appropriate, and the above-described embodiments and modifications may be combined as appropriate.

[0077] Examples of the present invention are as follows: <1> A container body containing the contents to be applied to the area to be coated, The container body comprises a coating structure attached to the mouth of the container body, The aforementioned coating structure is A top-shaped cylindrical head body made of an elastically deformable soft material, with a discharge hole for the contents formed in the top wall, It comprises a support cylinder made of a material harder than the aforementioned soft material and fitted inside the head body, In the top wall portion of the head body, the central portion in the radial direction is formed as a flat plate portion that extends in a direction perpendicular to the vertical direction. The lower surface of the top wall portion of the head body is, The lower surface of the flat plate portion, An inclined surface extending radially outward from the radial outer end of the lower surface of the flat plate portion, A vertical plane extending straight downward from the lower end of the aforementioned inclined surface, It comprises a support surface that extends radially outward from the lower end of the vertical plane and is supported by the upper end opening edge of the support cylinder, The discharge hole is formed in a multi-stage manner, with its lower end opening to the inclined surface and its upper end opening to a portion of the top wall of the head body located radially outward from the flat plate portion, and the inner diameter decreasing towards the upper portion. <2> The vertical dimension of the aforementioned vertical plane is greater than or equal to the vertical dimension of the aforementioned inclined plane. <1> The application container described above. <3> On the upper surface of the top wall of the head body, a projection is formed in a portion located radially outward from the discharge hole, projecting upward. Multiple protrusions and discharge holes are provided at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. Multiple discharge holes are located in the same circumferential position as the projection, <1> or <2> The application container described above. <4> On the upper surface of the top wall of the head body, a projection is formed in a portion located radially outward from the discharge hole, projecting upward. Multiple protrusions and discharge holes are provided at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. Multiple discharge holes are located at circumferential positions different from the projections, <1> or <2> The application container described above. <5> The discharge hole is provided in the circumferential center between the adjacent protrusions in the circumferential direction, <4> The application container described above. <6> The central portion of the upper end surface of the projection is located radially outward from the inclined surface. The innermost end of the lower end of the projection, which is located most radially inward, is located in the same radial position as the inclined surface. <3> from <5> A coating container as described in any one of the following. <7> The aforementioned coating structure is An inner stopper member is attached to the mouth of the container body and has a first communication hole formed therein that communicates with the inside of the container body, A measuring cylinder member is formed between the stopper member and the measuring cylinder member, with a measuring chamber that communicates with the container body through the first communication hole, and a second communication hole that communicates with the measuring chamber formed at the top of the cylinder member. The measuring chamber is provided with a coating plug, The aforementioned coating plug is A measuring position that blocks communication between the second communication hole and the measuring chamber, and allows communication between the measuring chamber and the first communication hole, and a coating position located below the measuring position, that blocks communication between the measuring chamber and the first communication hole, and allows communication between the second communication hole and the measuring chamber, are arranged to be movable in the vertical direction between these positions. The support cylinder is provided with a mounting portion attached to the coating plug and a fitting cylinder fitted inside the head body, and a third communication hole is formed which communicates with the inside of the fitting cylinder and communicates with the measuring chamber through the second communication hole at the coating position, <1> from <6> A coating container as described in any one of the following. [Explanation of symbols]

[0078] 1, 100, 110 application containers 2. Container body 3 Mouth 4. Inner plug member 5 1st communication hole 6 Weighing room 7 Measuring cylinder member 8 2nd communication hole 9. Applicator plug 19 Top 19a Upper end opening edge of the apex 39. Coated Structure 40 Support tube 41 Mounting part 42 Fitting cylinder 42c Upper opening edge of the fitting cylinder (upper opening edge of the support cylinder) 43 Third communication hole 45, 55, 65 Head Body 45a Flat plate part 46 Discharge hole 51 Slope 52 Vertical plane 53 Support surface 56 Protrusion 56a Inner end

Claims

1. A container body containing the contents to be applied to the area to be coated, The container body comprises a coating structure attached to the mouth of the container body, The aforementioned coating structure is A top-shaped cylindrical head body made of an elastically deformable soft material, with a discharge hole for the contents formed in the top wall, It comprises a support cylinder made of a material harder than the aforementioned soft material and fitted inside the head body, In the top wall portion of the head body, the central portion in the radial direction is formed as a flat plate portion that extends in a direction perpendicular to the vertical direction. The lower surface of the top wall portion of the head body is, The lower surface of the flat plate portion, An inclined surface extending radially outward from the radial outer end of the lower surface of the flat plate portion, A vertical plane extending straight downward from the lower end of the aforementioned inclined surface, It comprises a support surface that extends radially outward from the lower end of the vertical plane and is supported by the upper end opening edge of the support cylinder, The discharge hole is formed in a multi-stage manner, with its lower end opening to the inclined surface and its upper end opening to a portion of the top wall of the head body located radially outward from the flat plate portion, and the inner diameter decreasing towards the upper portion.

2. The coating container according to claim 1, wherein the vertical dimension of the vertical surface is greater than or equal to the vertical dimension of the inclined surface.

3. On the upper surface of the top wall of the head body, a projection is formed in a portion located radially outward from the discharge hole, projecting upward. Multiple protrusions and discharge holes are provided at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. The coating container according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of discharge holes are located in the same circumferential position as the projection.

4. On the upper surface of the top wall of the head body, a projection is formed in a portion located radially outward from the discharge hole, projecting upward. Multiple protrusions and discharge holes are provided at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. The coating container according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of discharge holes are located at circumferential positions different from the projections.

5. The coating container according to claim 4, wherein the discharge hole is provided in the circumferential center between adjacent protrusions in the circumferential direction.

6. The central portion of the upper end surface of the projection is located radially outward from the inclined surface. The coating container according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the innermost end of the lower end of the projection, which is located most radially inward, is located in the same radial position as the inclined surface.

7. The aforementioned coating structure is An inner stopper member is attached to the mouth of the container body and has a first communication hole formed therein that communicates with the inside of the container body, A measuring cylinder member is formed between the stopper member and the measuring cylinder member, with a measuring chamber that communicates with the container body through the first communication hole, and a second communication hole that communicates with the measuring chamber formed at the top of the cylinder member. The measuring chamber is provided with a coating plug, The aforementioned coating plug is A measuring position that blocks communication between the second communication hole and the measuring chamber, and allows communication between the measuring chamber and the first communication hole, and a coating position located below the measuring position, that blocks communication between the measuring chamber and the first communication hole, and allows communication between the second communication hole and the measuring chamber, are arranged to be movable in the vertical direction between these positions. The coating container according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the support cylinder is provided with a mounting portion attached to the coating plug and a fitting cylinder fitted inside the head body, and a third communication hole is formed which communicates with the inside of the fitting cylinder and communicates with the measuring chamber through the second communication hole at the coating position.

Images