Cartridge for dispensing container

Abstract

This prevents accidentally attaching a new cartridge to the cap of the dispensing container when replacing it with a new one. [Solution] The cartridge 101 comprises a transmission shaft 23, a sleeve 11, and a middle plate 12, and as the sleeve rotates relative to the transmission shaft, the middle plate rotates together with it and engages with the transmission shaft, causing it to move up and down relative to the sleeve, and is attached to and detached from the operating part through the upper end opening of a bottomed cylindrical operating part, wherein the lower end of the transmission shaft is provided with a projection 24c that protrudes radially outward, and when the cartridge is attached to the operating part 10, the projection passes downward through a vertical groove 22a that extends vertically and is formed on the inner circumferential surface of the operating part.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a cartridge for a feeding container.

Background Art

[0002] As a feeding container, for example, as shown in Patent Document 1 below, it has a bottomed cylindrical operation part, a transmission shaft extending upward from the bottom wall of the operation part, a sleeve arranged to surround the outside of the transmission shaft and provided rotatable in the circumferential direction with respect to the transmission shaft, and a middle plate inserted inside the sleeve and provided movable in the vertical direction while being restricted from rotating in the circumferential direction with respect to the sleeve, and holding a rod-shaped content. A configuration is known in which, as the sleeve rotates with respect to the transmission shaft, the middle plate rotates around and engages with the transmission shaft to move up and down with respect to the sleeve. In the above feeding container, a cartridge for the feeding container having a transmission shaft, a sleeve, and a middle plate is configured to be detachably attached to the operation part through the upper end opening of the operation part. Thus, when the rod-shaped content is used up, the transmission shaft, the sleeve, and the middle plate can be detached from the operation part, and a new cartridge can be attached to the operation part.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] When replacing with a new cartridge, there is a possibility that the new cartridge may be accidentally attached to the cap for the feeding container, and the upper end of the rod-shaped content may be covered by the operation part turned upside down. In this way, when trying to replace the new cartridge, there is a possibility that the upper end of the rod-shaped content may be scratched by the concave and convex shape inside the operation part.

[0005] The present invention provides a cartridge for a dispensing container that prevents the new cartridge from being accidentally attached to the cap of the dispensing container when replacing it with a new one. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A cartridge for a dispensing container according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a transmission shaft extending vertically along the axial direction of the container, a sleeve arranged to surround the outside of the transmission shaft and rotatable circumferentially with respect to the transmission shaft, and a tray inserted inside the sleeve and movable vertically with respect to the sleeve while its rotation in the circumferential direction is restricted, and which holds a rod-shaped contents, wherein as the sleeve rotates relative to the transmission shaft, the tray rotates together with it and engages with the transmission shaft, causing it to move up and down relative to the sleeve, and the cartridge for a dispensing container is attached to and detached from the operating part through the upper end opening of a bottomed cylindrical operating part, wherein the lower end of the transmission shaft is provided with a projection projecting radially outward, and the projection passes downward through a vertical groove extending vertically formed on the inner circumferential surface of the operating part when the cartridge is attached to the operating part.

[0007] A projection is provided at the lower end of the transmission shaft, which protrudes radially outward. When the cartridge is attached to the operating section, the projection passes downward through a vertical groove extending vertically formed on the inner circumferential surface of the operating section. Therefore, when replacing with a new cartridge, even if one attempts to insert the new cartridge into the inverted cap of the dispensing container, the projection on the transmission shaft catches on the inner circumferential surface of the cap, preventing the new cartridge from being attached to the cap.

[0008] A ring portion is connected to the lower end of the sleeve via a breakable weakened portion, which protrudes radially outward and extends continuously around the entire circumference. The ring portion is provided with a rib portion that protrudes downward and extends circumferentially. The rib portion has a recessed portion that opens downward and penetrates radially, and which accommodates the projection. The ring portion and the rib portion may be housed in a circumferential groove formed at the upper end of the inner circumferential surface of the operating portion, which extends circumferentially outward from the upper end of the longitudinal groove and opens upward when the cartridge is mounted on the operating portion.

[0009] Since the projection of the transmission shaft is housed in a recessed portion formed in the rib of the sleeve, when an unexpected external force is applied to the projection in the cartridge alone, causing the transmission shaft and sleeve to rotate relative to each other, the projection will come into contact with the inner surfaces of the recessed portion that are opposite each other in the circumferential direction, thereby restricting the relative rotation of the transmission shaft and sleeve. This prevents the rod-shaped contents from rising and hitting the top wall of the cartridge cap in the cartridge alone. When the cartridge is mounted on the operating section, the ring and rib portions are housed in a circumferential groove that extends outward in the circumferential direction from the upper end of a longitudinal groove formed on the upper end of the inner circumferential surface of the operating section and opens upward. Therefore, when the cartridge is inserted through the upper end opening of the operating section, the projection of the transmission shaft enters the longitudinal groove formed on the inner circumferential surface of the operating section, while the lower end surface of the rib portion abuts against the upward-facing bottom surface of the inner surface of the circumferential groove. In this state, further pushing the cartridge inward towards the operating section breaks the weakened portion, separating the ring and rib portions from the sleeve. With the ring and rib portions remaining in the circumferential groove, the sleeve can be driven inward towards the operating section and mounted. This allows for relative rotation of the transmission shaft and the sleeve.

[0010] In the sleeve, a flange portion is formed in the portion located above the ring portion, which protrudes radially outward and extends continuously around the entire circumference, and the flange portion may close the circumferential groove around the entire circumference when the cartridge is mounted on the operating portion.

[0011] The flange portion of the sleeve closes the circumferential groove all the way around when the cartridge is mounted on the operating section, so the ring portion and rib portion remain attached to the circumferential groove without detaching, making it easy to replace with a new cartridge. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent accidentally attaching a new cartridge to the cap of the dispensing container when replacing it with a new one. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0013] [Figure 1] This is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the dispensing container according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 1 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the dispensing container when in use. [Figure 3] This is a view taken along the line III-III in Figure 1. [Figure 4] This is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the cartridge according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5] This is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the dispensing container according to the second embodiment. [Figure 6] This is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the cartridge according to the second embodiment. [Figure 7] This is a cross-sectional view taken along the line VII-VII in Figure 6. [Figure 8] The section shown in the cross-sectional view along line VIII-VIII in Figure 7 is a diagram showing the part being attached to the operating unit. [Figure 9] The section shown in the cross-sectional view along the line IX-IX in Figure 7 is a diagram illustrating the process of the part being attached to the operating unit. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0014] Hereinafter, a first embodiment according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The feeding container 1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 feeds out a rod-shaped content (not shown) for use. Examples of the rod-shaped content include cosmetics (such as lipsticks, lip creams, stick eyeshadows, etc.), drugs, adhesives, and the like. Each component of the feeding container 1 is an injection-molded product made of a resin material such as an olefin resin unless otherwise specified.

[0015] The feeding container 1 includes a bottomed cylindrical operation portion 10, a transmission shaft 23, a sleeve 11, and a middle plate 12. The operation portion 10, the transmission shaft 23, the sleeve 11, and the middle plate 12 are arranged such that their respective central axes are located on a common axis.

[0016] Hereinafter, the common axis is referred to as the container axis O, and the direction along the container axis O is referred to as the vertical direction. In a plan view seen from the vertical direction, the direction intersecting the container axis O is referred to as the radial direction, and the direction orbiting around the container axis O is referred to as the circumferential direction. In the feeding container 1, the bottom wall side (bottom wall 21a of the outer cylinder 21) of the operation portion 10 along the vertical direction is referred to as the lower side, and the opposite side is referred to as the upper side. Among the circumferential directions, the direction in which the middle plate 12 is raised is referred to as the feeding direction, and the direction in which the middle plate 12 is lowered is referred to as the accommodating direction.

[0017] The operation portion 10 is formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape and constitutes the lower outer portion of the feeding container 1. The operation portion 10 includes an outer cylinder 21 and an inner member 22.

[0018] The outer cylinder 21 is formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape. A fitting portion 21b extending upward is formed on the bottom wall 21a (bottom wall of the operation portion) of the outer cylinder 21. The fitting portion 21b is formed in a cylindrical shape and is disposed coaxially with the container axis O. The inner part 22 is formed in a cylindrical shape and is fitted and fixed inside the outer cylinder 21. The upper end of the inner part 22 protrudes upward from the outer cylinder 21. The lower end of the inner part 22 is separated upward from the bottom wall 21a of the outer cylinder 21. The outer circumferential shape of the inner part 22 is rectangular in plan view, but it may be circular or the like. The inner circumferential shape of the inner part 22 is circular in plan view. As shown in Figures 1 and 3, vertical grooves 22a extending in the vertical direction are formed on the inner circumferential surface of the inner part 22. The vertical grooves 22a are provided along the entire length in the vertical direction on the inner circumferential surface of the inner part 22 and open to both the top and bottom. Multiple vertical grooves 22a are provided at intervals in the circumferential direction (in the illustrated example, two are provided at equal intervals). The inner component 22 may be formed integrally with the outer cylinder 21.

[0019] The transmission shaft 23 is located inside the outer casing 21 and supports the inner plate 12 so that it can move up and down. The lower end of the transmission shaft 23 is detachably fixed to the bottom wall 21a of the outer casing 21. The transmission shaft 23 comprises a fixed shaft member 23a and an outer transmission shaft 23b.

[0020] The fixed shaft member 23a is provided so as to be circumferentially immobile relative to the outer cylinder 21. The fixed shaft member 23a is formed in a cylindrical shape and is arranged coaxially with the container shaft O. An inner helical groove 26a is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the fixed shaft member 23a. The inner helical groove 26a extends spirally upward as it is directed toward the dispensing direction. The inner helical groove 26a is formed in two grooves. However, the inner helical groove 26a may be one groove or three or more grooves.

[0021] A flange-shaped base portion 25 is formed at the lower end of the fixed shaft member 23a, projecting radially outward and extending continuously around its entire circumference. The base portion 25 is arranged coaxially with the container shaft O. A lower cylindrical portion 27 extending downward is formed on the lower surface of the base portion 25. The lower cylindrical portion 27 is arranged coaxially with the container axis O. The lower cylindrical portion 27 is inserted into the fitting portion 21b of the operating portion 10. The outer circumferential surface of the lower cylindrical portion 27 and the inner circumferential surface of the fitting portion 21b are provided with interlocking grooves and protrusions that engage with each other in the circumferential direction. The interlocking of the grooves and protrusions of the lower cylindrical portion 27 and the fitting portion 21b in the circumferential direction restricts the relative rotation of the fixed shaft member 23a with respect to the operating portion 10. Here, the lower end of the lower cylindrical portion 27 is located below the lower end of the internal component 22, and the upper end of the fitting portion 21b is located above it. A fitting portion 24 extending downward is formed on the outer peripheral edge of the base portion 25. The fitting portion 24 is arranged coaxially with the container shaft O. A fitting portion 21b is detachably undercut fitted inside the fitting portion 24. This restricts the vertical movement of the fixed shaft member 23a relative to the operating portion 10. A circumferential groove 24b extending continuously around the entire circumference is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the upper part of the fitting portion 24. An overhang portion 24a protruding radially outward is provided at the lower end of the fitting portion 24. The overhang portion 24a extends continuously around the entire circumference. Note that the overhang portion 24a is not required. As shown in Figures 1 and 3, a projection 24c protruding radially outward is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the overhang portion 24a. Multiple projections 24c are provided at intervals in the circumferential direction (in the illustrated example, two are provided at equal intervals). The projection 24c is located below and opposite the lower end opening of the vertical groove 22a of the operating section 10. The projection 24c is formed to be able to pass through the vertical groove 22a in the vertical direction.

[0022] The outer transmission shaft 23b is formed in a cylindrical shape and is arranged coaxially with the container shaft O. The portion of the fixed shaft member 23a located above the base portion 25 and provided with an inner helical groove 26a is inserted into the inner side of the outer transmission shaft 23b. A first engaging projection 31 is formed at the lower end of the outer transmission shaft 23b, projecting radially inward. The first engaging projection 31 is housed within the inner helical groove 26a of the fixed shaft member 23a. As the outer transmission shaft 23b rotates circumferentially relative to the fixed shaft member 23a, the first engaging projection 31 moves helically within the inner helical groove 26a, causing it to move up and down relative to the fixed shaft member 23a. Two first engaging projections 31 are provided, spaced apart circumferentially to match the number of grooves in the inner helical groove 26a. Each first engaging projection 31 extends along the inner helical groove 26a. An outer helical groove 32 is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the outer transmission shaft 23b. The outer helical groove 32 extends upward as it is directed in the direction of dispensing. The outer helical groove 32 is formed in two grooves. However, the outer helical groove 32 may be one groove or three or more grooves.

[0023] The sleeve 11 is positioned to surround the outside of the transmission shaft 23 and is rotatably mounted circumferentially with respect to the transmission shaft 23 and the operating part 10. The lower part of the sleeve 11 is inserted into the inside of the operating part 10. The upper part of the sleeve 11 protrudes upward from the operating part 10. The lower end of the sleeve 11 is inserted into the radial gap between the inner circumferential surface of the operating part 10 and the outer circumferential edge of the base part 25. The lower end opening edge of the sleeve 11 is supported by the upper surface of the overhang 24a. The upper end opening surface of the sleeve 11 is inclined with respect to a horizontal plane perpendicular to the vertical direction. A downward projection 42 is formed at the lower end of the sleeve 11, projecting radially inward. The downward projection 42 engages with the upper and lower edges of the circumferential groove 24b of the transmission shaft 23 while being housed within the groove 24b. As a result, the sleeve 11 is supported on the transmission shaft 23 so as to be rotatable in the circumferential direction, while its vertical movement relative to the operating part 10 is restricted. Multiple downward projections 42 are formed at intervals in the circumferential direction (for example, four). Alternatively, the downward projections 42 may be formed continuously around the entire circumference of the sleeve 11. An upper projection 43 is formed on the lower part of the sleeve 11, projecting radially inward. The upper projection 43 is located above the lower projection 42. Multiple upper projections 43 are formed at intervals in the circumferential direction (for example, two).

[0024] The inner tray 12 is inserted inside the sleeve 11 and is provided to be movable in the vertical direction while its rotation in the circumferential direction is restricted relative to the sleeve 11, and it holds the rod-shaped contents. The inner tray 12 comprises an outer movable cylinder 51 and an inner tray body 52.

[0025] The inner tray body 52 comprises a contents holding section 55 and an inner movable cylinder 56. The contents holding section 55 and the inner movable cylinder 56 are integrally formed.

[0026] The contents holding section 55 is formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape and is arranged coaxially with the container axis O. The contents holding section 55 is housed inside the sleeve 11 in a portion located above the transmission axis 23. A rod-shaped contents are held inside the contents holding section 55. The rod-shaped contents are held in a state where they protrude upward from the contents holding section 55.

[0027] The inner movable cylinder 56 extends downward from the bottom wall of the contents holding section 55 and is arranged coaxially with the container axis O. The inner movable cylinder 56 surrounds the outside of the outer transmission shaft 23b. The inner movable cylinder 56 has a projection 56a that protrudes radially outward and extends vertically. The lower end of the inner movable cylinder 56 has an inner stopper projection 56b that protrudes radially outward. The circumferential positions of the inner stopper projection 56b and the projection 56a are different from each other. A second engaging projection 56c is formed at the lower end of the inner movable cylinder 56, projecting radially inward. The second engaging projection 56c is housed within the outer helical groove 32. As the inner movable cylinder 56 rotates circumferentially with respect to the outer transmission shaft 23b, the second engaging projection 56c moves spirally within the outer helical groove 32, causing it to move up and down relative to the outer transmission shaft 23b. Two second engaging projections 56c are provided, spaced apart circumferentially to match the number of grooves in the outer helical groove 32. Each second engaging projection 56c extends along the outer helical groove 32.

[0028] The outer movable cylinder 51 is provided so as to be able to move up and down relative to the sleeve 11, with its rotation in the circumferential direction restricted. The outer movable cylinder 51 is arranged coaxially with the container axis O. The outer movable cylinder 51 is inserted between the outer circumferential surface of the inner movable cylinder 56 and the inner circumferential surface of the sleeve 11. The lower end opening edge of the outer movable cylinder 51 is in contact with or close to the upper surface of the base portion 25. A first restricting groove 51a extending in the vertical direction is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the outer movable cylinder 51. The upper projection 43 of the sleeve 11 is housed in the first restricting groove 51a so as to be movable in the vertical direction, while its movement in the circumferential direction is restricted. The upper end of the first restricting groove 51a is open upward, and the lower end of the first restricting groove 51a is closed. The upward movement of the outer movable cylinder 51 relative to the sleeve 11 is restricted by the upper projection 43 contacting the lower end surface of the first restricting groove 51a. An outer stopper projection 51b is formed at the upper end of the outer movable cylinder 51, projecting radially inward. The outer stopper projection 51b faces the inner stopper projection 56b of the inner movable cylinder 56 in the vertical direction. The inner stopper projection 56b contacts the lower end surface of the outer stopper projection 51b, thereby restricting the upward movement of the inner tray body 52 relative to the outer movable cylinder 51. A second restricting groove 51c extending in the vertical direction is formed on the inner circumferential surface of the outer movable cylinder 51. The circumferential positions of the outer stopper projection 51b and the second restricting groove 51c are different from each other. Both ends of the second restricting groove 51c in the vertical direction are open in the vertical direction. The projection 56a of the inner movable cylinder 56 is housed within the second restricting groove 51c so as to be movable in the vertical direction while its circumferential movement is restricted. As a result, the inner tray body 52 is provided so as to be movable in the vertical direction relative to the outer movable cylinder 51 while its circumferential movement is restricted.

[0029] Next, the operation of the dispensing container 1 described above will be explained. When using the dispensing container 1, first grasp the sleeve 11 and the operating part 10, respectively, and rotate the sleeve 11 and the operating part 10 relative to each other in the dispensing direction. At this time, since the inner part 22 and the fixed shaft member 23a are attached to the outer cylinder 21 so as not to rotate relative to each other, the outer cylinder 21, the inner part 22, and the fixed shaft member 23a rotate together as a single unit. On the other hand, since the sleeve 11 and the outer movable cylinder 51, and the outer movable cylinder 51 and the inner tray body 52 are each provided so as not to rotate relative to each other, the sleeve 11 and the inner tray 12 rotate together as a single unit.

[0030] When the operating section 10 and the sleeve 11 are rotated relative to each other, at least one of the following occurs: the fixed shaft member 23a and the outer transmission shaft 23b rotate together with respect to the inner movable cylinder 56, or the fixed shaft member 23a rotates with respect to the outer transmission shaft 23b.

[0031] When the fixed shaft member 23a and the outer transmission shaft 23b rotate together relative to the inner movable cylinder 56, the second engaging projection 56c moves spirally within the outer helical groove 32, causing the inner movable cylinder 56 (middle pan body 52) to rise relative to the transmission shaft 23. This operation, in which the middle pan body 52 rises due to the relative rotation of the transmission shaft 23 and the inner movable cylinder 56 in the payout direction, is referred to as the "first operation" in this specification.

[0032] When the fixed shaft member 23a rotates relative to the outer transmission shaft 23b, the first engaging projection 31 moves spirally within the inner helical groove 26a, causing the outer transmission shaft 23b to rise relative to the fixed shaft member 23a. At this time, the second engaging projection 56c is pushed up via the inner surface of the outer helical groove 32, causing the inner pan body 52 to rise together with the outer transmission shaft 23b. In this specification, the operation in which the inner pan body 52 rises together with the outer transmission shaft 23b due to the relative rotation of the fixed shaft member 23a and the outer transmission shaft 23b in the payout direction is referred to as the "second operation".

[0033] In other words, when the operating unit 10 and the sleeve 11 are rotated relative to each other in the dispensing direction, the inner tray body 52 rises due to at least one of the first and second actions. This causes the rod-shaped contents to be dispensed upward from the sleeve 11. Which of the first and second actions occurs is determined by the frictional resistance between each component, etc. Note that both the first and second actions may occur simultaneously.

[0034] In the initial stage when the inner tray body 52 rises due to the first or second operation, the inner tray body 52 rises relative to the outer movable cylinder 51 (first rising process). In the first upward movement, the projection 56a of the inner movable cylinder 56 is guided by the second restricting groove 51c of the outer movable cylinder 51, thereby restricting the relative rotation of the outer movable cylinder 51 and the inner tray body 52. ​​The inner stopper projection 56b then contacts the lower end surface of the outer stopper projection 51b as the inner tray body 52 rises relative to the outer movable cylinder 51.

[0035] After the first upward movement, if the inner tray body 52 attempts to rise further due to the first or second movement, the outer movable cylinder 51 is pushed upward via the inner stopper projection 56b and the outer stopper projection 51b. As a result, the inner tray body 52 rises relative to the sleeve 11 together with the outer movable cylinder 51 (second upward movement). During the second upward movement, the upper projection 43 of the sleeve 11 is housed within the first regulating groove 51a, so the relative rotation of the sleeve 11 and the outer movable cylinder 51 is restricted. The outer movable cylinder 51 rises relative to the sleeve 11 until the lower end surface of the first regulating groove 51a contacts the upper projection 43. In this embodiment, a configuration in which the second rising process occurs after the first rising process has been described, but the first rising process may occur after the second rising process, or the first and second rising processes may occur simultaneously.

[0036] When lowering the inner tray 12, the operating section 10 and the sleeve 11 are rotated relative to each other in the housing direction. As a result, the inner tray body 52 descends relative to the sleeve 11, either by the fixed shaft member 23a and the outer transmission shaft 23b rotating together relative to the inner movable cylinder 56, or by the fixed shaft member 23a rotating relative to the outer transmission shaft 23b. As the inner tray body 52 descends, the outer movable cylinder 51 descends together with the inner tray body 52 due to its own weight, etc. Then, the lower end opening edge of the outer movable cylinder 51 comes into contact with the upper surface of the base portion 25, restricting the descent of the outer movable cylinder 51 relative to the sleeve 11. Subsequently, as the inner tray body 52 descends further, the inner tray body 52 descends relative to the sleeve 11 and the outer movable cylinder 51.

[0037] In the dispensing container 1 described above, a cartridge 101 for the dispensing container, which consists of a sleeve 11, a tray 12, and a transmission shaft 23, as shown in Figure 4, is detachably attached to the operating section 10, which consists of an outer cylinder 21 and an inner component 22.

[0038] To assemble the cartridge 101 to the operating unit 10, the cartridge 101 is inserted into the operating unit 10 through the upper end opening of the central part 22 of the operating unit 10, and the fitting part 21b is fitted into the fitting part 24 by undercutting, thereby mounting the cartridge 101 to the operating unit 10. In this process, the projection 24c of the transmission shaft 23 enters the vertical groove 22a of the operating section 10 from the upper end opening of the vertical groove 22a and passes through the vertical groove 22a downwards. At this time, before the projection 24c passes through the vertical groove 22a downwards, the lower cylinder portion 27 enters the fitting portion 21b of the operating section 10, and the protrusions and recesses provided on the outer circumferential surface of the lower cylinder portion 27 and the inner circumferential surface of the fitting portion 21b, respectively, begin to engage with each other in the circumferential direction. As a result, when assembling the cartridge 101 to the operating section 10, the relative movement of the cartridge 101 and the operating section 10 in the circumferential direction is restricted.

[0039] When the rod-shaped contents have been used up, etc., and the cartridge 101 is to be removed from the operating unit 10, the cartridge 101 is pulled up relative to the operating unit 10, the fitting between the fitted portion 24 and the fitted portion 21b is released, the projection 24c enters the vertical groove 22a from the lower end opening of the vertical groove 22a and passes upward through the vertical groove 22a, and the cartridge 101 is removed from inside the operating unit 10 through the upper end opening of the internal fitting 22 of the operating unit 10.

[0040] As described above, according to the cartridge 101 of this embodiment, a projection 24c is provided at the lower end of the transmission shaft 23, which protrudes radially outward. When the cartridge 101 is attached to the operating section 10, the projection 24c passes downward through the vertical groove 22a formed on the inner circumferential surface of the operating section 10, which extends vertically. Therefore, when replacing with a new cartridge 101, even if one attempts to insert the new cartridge 101 into the inverted cap of the dispensing container, the projection 24c of the transmission shaft 23 catches on the inner circumferential surface of the cap, preventing the new cartridge 101 from being attached to the cap of the dispensing container.

[0041] Next, the dispensing container 2 and cartridge 102 according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 5 to 9. 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.

[0042] In the cartridge 102 of this embodiment, a ring portion 44 that protrudes radially outward and extends continuously around the entire circumference is connected to the lower end of the sleeve 61 via a breakable weakened portion 45. The ring portion 44 is provided with a cylindrical rib portion 46 that protrudes downward and extends in the circumferential direction. The rib portion 46 has a recessed portion 48 that opens downward and penetrates radially, accommodating the projection 24c of the transmission shaft 23.

[0043] A hole 47 is formed at the lower end of the sleeve 61, extending radially and opening downward. The circumferential positions of the hole 47 and the recessed portion 48 are different from each other. The upper end of the ring portion 44 is connected to the upper end of the opening periphery of the hole 47 on the outer circumferential surface of the sleeve 61 via a weakened portion 45. The upper end surface of the inner surface of the hole 47 extends upward from the radial outside to the inside. The outer circumferential surfaces of the ring portion 44, the rib portion 46, and the projection 24c are located at the same radial position. In the sleeve 61, a flange portion 62 is formed in the portion located above the ring portion 44, projecting radially outward and extending continuously around the entire circumference. However, it is not necessary to form the flange portion 62 on the sleeve 61.

[0044] In the operating section 20 of this embodiment, a circumferential groove 49 is formed around the entire circumference of the inner surface of the central component 41. This groove extends outward from the upper end of the vertical groove 22a in the circumferential direction and opens upward. The vertical size of the circumferential groove 49 is greater than or equal to the vertical size of the ring portion 44 and the rib portion 46. In the dispensing container 2 of this embodiment, the ring portion 44 and the rib portion 46 are housed in the circumferential groove 49 of the operating portion 20. The flange portion 62 closes the circumferential groove 49 around its entire circumference. The radial outer end of the flange portion 62 abuts against the upper opening edge of the inner fitting 41.

[0045] As described above, in the cartridge 102 according to this embodiment, the projection 24c of the transmission shaft 23 is housed in the recessed portion 48 formed in the rib portion 46 of the sleeve 61. Therefore, when an unexpected external force is applied to the projection 24c of the cartridge 102 alone, causing the transmission shaft 23 and sleeve 61 to rotate relative to each other, the projection 24c will come into contact with the inner surfaces of the recessed portion 48 that are opposite to each other in the circumferential direction, thereby restricting the relative rotation of the transmission shaft 23 and sleeve 61. This prevents the rod-shaped contents from rising and hitting the top wall of the cartridge cap in the cartridge 102 alone.

[0046] As shown in Figures 5 and 8, when the cartridge 102 is mounted on the operating section 20, the ring portion 44 and the rib portion 46 are housed in a circumferential groove 49 that extends outward in the circumferential direction from the upper end of the vertical groove 22a formed on the upper end of the inner circumferential surface of the operating section 20 and opens upward. Therefore, when the cartridge 102 is inserted through the upper end opening of the operating section 20, the projection 24c of the transmission shaft 23 enters the vertical groove 22a formed on the inner circumferential surface of the operating section 20, and the lower end surface of the rib portion 46 abuts against the upward-facing bottom surface of the inner surface of the circumferential groove 49. In this state, by further pushing the cartridge 102 inward towards the operating section 20, the weakened portion 45 is broken, the ring portion 44 and the rib portion 46 are separated from the sleeve 61, and the sleeve 61 can be mounted by moving it inward towards the operating section 20 while the ring portion 44 and the rib portion 46 remain in the circumferential groove 49. This allows for relative rotation of the transmission shaft 23 and the sleeve 61.

[0047] When the cartridge 102 is mounted on the operating section 20, the flange portion 62 of the sleeve 61 closes the circumferential groove 49 around its entire circumference. This makes it possible to leave the ring portion 44 and rib portion 46 in place relative to the circumferential groove 49, allowing for easy replacement with a new cartridge 102.

[0048] While preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments. Additions, omissions, substitutions, and other modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the invention. The present invention is not limited by the above description, but only by the appended claims.

[0049] In the embodiments described above, a configuration was described in which the transmission shaft 23 comprises a fixed shaft member 23a and an outer transmission shaft 23b, but the configuration is not limited to this. The transmission shaft 23 only needs to have at least a fixed shaft member 23a. In the embodiment described above, the inner tray body 52 was described as being formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape. However, the inner tray body 52 may have any configuration, such as one without a bottom wall, as long as it is capable of accommodating the lower end of a rod-shaped contents.

[0050] 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. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0051] 1, 2 Dispensing containers 10, 20 Operation section 11, 61 sleeves 12 medium plates 22a Vertical groove 23 Transmission shaft 24c protrusion 44 Ring section 45 Weakened part 46 Rib section 48 Recessed section 49 Circumferential groove 62 Flange section 101, 102 cartridges O Container axis

Claims

1. A transmission shaft extending vertically along the container axis, A sleeve is arranged to surround the outside of the transmission shaft and is rotatable in the circumferential direction relative to the transmission shaft, It includes an inner tray that is inserted inside the sleeve, is provided to be movable in the vertical direction while its rotation in the circumferential direction is restricted relative to the sleeve, and holds a rod-shaped contents, As the sleeve rotates relative to the transmission shaft, the intermediate plate rotates with it and engages with the transmission shaft, causing it to move up and down relative to the sleeve. A cartridge for a dispensing container that is attached to and detached from the operating part through the upper end opening of the bottomed cylindrical operating part, The lower end of the transmission shaft is provided with a projection that extends radially outward. The projection is a cartridge for a dispensing container, which passes downward through vertical grooves extending in the vertical direction formed on the inner circumferential surface of the operating part when the cartridge is mounted on the operating part.

2. A ring portion is connected to the lower end of the sleeve, projecting radially outward and extending continuously around its entire circumference, via a breakable weakened portion. The ring portion is provided with rib portions that protrude downward and extend in the circumferential direction. The rib portion has a recessed portion that opens downward and extends radially, and which accommodates the projection. The cartridge for a dispensing container according to claim 1, wherein the ring portion and the rib portion are housed in a circumferential groove formed at the upper end of the inner circumferential surface of the operating portion, which extends outward in the circumferential direction from the upper end of the vertical groove and opens upward when the cartridge is mounted on the operating portion.

3. In the sleeve, a flange portion is formed in the portion located above the ring portion, which protrudes radially outward and extends continuously around the entire circumference. The flange portion closes the circumferential groove over its entire circumference when the cartridge is mounted on the operating section, as described in claim 2 for a dispensing container.

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