Application container

Abstract

This prevents the liquid contents from dripping through the connecting passage when the application container is inverted. [Solution] The device comprises a container body 11 for containing the liquid contents, a cylindrical stopper member 12 attached to the mouth 11a of the container body, and an impregnating material 13 attached to the inside of the stopper member and capable of impregnating the liquid contents. The stopper member includes a storage cylinder 15 for housing the impregnating material with its upper end protruding. The storage cylinder is formed in the shape of a bottomed cylinder having an annular bottom wall 15a and is arranged coaxially with the impregnating material. A communication passage 21 is provided between the storage cylinder and the impregnating material, connecting the inside of the bottom wall and the upper end opening 15b of the storage cylinder to each other. The portion of the communication passage located between the inner circumferential surface of the storage cylinder and the outer circumferential surface of the impregnating material extends spirally around the central axis O of the storage cylinder and the impregnating material, respectively.

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, there has been provided an application container including a container body for storing a content liquid, a cylindrical inner stopper member attached to the mouth of the container body, and an impregnating material attached inside the inner stopper member and capable of impregnating the content liquid. The inner stopper member includes a storage cylinder for storing the impregnating material in a state where the upper end thereof protrudes. The storage cylinder is formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape having an annular bottom wall. A communication passage is provided between the inner side of the bottom wall and the upper end opening of the storage cylinder to communicate with each other.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In a conventional application container, when the viscosity of the content liquid is low, when the application container is in an inverted posture, the content liquid is likely to drip through the communication passage, and the content liquid may adhere to a location other than the application portion, for example, or may be applied to the application portion in a large amount.

[0005] The present invention provides an application container capable of suppressing the dripping of the content liquid through the communication passage when the application container is in an inverted posture.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] A coating container according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a container body for containing liquid contents, a cylindrical stopper member attached to the mouth of the container body, and an impregnating material attached to the inside of the stopper member and capable of impregnating the liquid contents, wherein the stopper member includes a storage cylinder for containing the impregnating material with its upper end protruding, the storage cylinder is formed in the shape of a bottomed cylinder having an annular bottom wall and is arranged coaxially with the impregnating material, and a communication passage is provided between the storage cylinder and the impregnating material, connecting the inside of the bottom wall and the upper end opening of the storage cylinder to each other, and the portion of the communication passage located between the inner circumferential surface of the storage cylinder and the outer circumferential surface of the impregnating material extends spirally around the central axis of the storage cylinder and the impregnating material, respectively.

[0007] In the connecting passage, the portion located between the inner surface of the containment cylinder and the outer surface of the impregnating material extends spirally around the central axis of both the containment cylinder and the impregnating material. This allows the liquid contents from the container body that enter the connecting passage through the inside of the bottom wall to flow toward the upper opening of the containment cylinder while circulating around the central axis, making it difficult for the liquid contents of the connecting passage to reach the upper opening of the containment cylinder. As a result, when the coating container is inverted, the liquid contents can be prevented from dripping through the connecting passage, and the spirally extending portion of the connecting passage is more easily filled with the liquid contents. This prevents the liquid contents from gushing out of the upper opening of the containment cylinder even when the internal pressure of the container body is high. The outer surface of the impregnating material comes into continuous contact with the inner surface of the housing cylinder over its entire circumference. This ensures that the impregnating material and the housing cylinder are reliably arranged coaxially when the impregnating material is housed in the housing cylinder, and also prevents the impregnating material from becoming misaligned with the housing cylinder when its upper end is pressed against the area to be coated.

[0008] A spiral groove extending spirally around the central axis is formed on the inner circumferential surface of the housing cylinder, and a convex portion located between adjacent spiral grooves in the vertical direction on the inner circumferential surface of the housing cylinder abuts against the outer circumferential surface of the impregnating material, and the portion of the communication passage located between the inner circumferential surface of the housing cylinder and the outer circumferential surface of the impregnating material may be defined by the inner surface of the spiral groove and the outer circumferential surface of the impregnating material.

[0009] On the inner circumferential surface of the containment cylinder, the convex portions located between adjacent spiral grooves in the vertical direction abut against the outer circumferential surface of the impregnating material. The portion of the connecting passage located between the inner circumferential surface of the containment cylinder and the outer circumferential surface of the impregnating material is defined by the inner surface of the spiral groove and the outer circumferential surface of the impregnating material. This makes it possible to suppress the straight vertical flow of the liquid contents within the spiral groove, and to ensure that the liquid contents from the container body that enter the connecting passage through the inside of the bottom wall do not flow straight vertically, but instead circulate around the central axis and flow toward the upper opening of the containment cylinder. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to one aspect of the present invention, when the coating container is in an inverted position, it is possible to suppress the dripping of the liquid contents through the connecting passage. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] [Figure 1] This is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a coating container shown as one embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0012] A coating container according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. As shown in Figure 1, the coating container 1 according to this embodiment comprises a container body 11, an inner stopper member 12, an impregnation material 13, and a cap 14. The container body 11 is formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape, the inner stopper member 12 is formed in a cylindrical shape, the impregnating material 13 is formed in a solid rod shape, and the cap 14 is formed in a topped cylindrical shape. The container body 11, the inner stopper member 12, the impregnating material 13, and the cap 14 are arranged coaxially with a common axis.

[0013] Hereinafter, this common axis will be referred to as the container axis (central axis) O, the side of the container body 11 with its opening 11a that lies along the container axis O will be referred to as the upper side, the side with its bottom 11b that lies along the container axis O will be referred to as the lower side, and the direction along the container axis O will be referred to as the vertical direction. The direction that intersects the container axis O when viewed from the vertical direction will be referred to as the radial direction, and the direction that circles around the container axis O when viewed from the vertical direction will be referred to as the circumferential direction.

[0014] The liquid contents are contained within the container body 11. The liquid contents are not particularly limited, but examples include hair growth agents, antifungal medications, cosmetics, and other liquids applied to the body or skin. A male threaded portion is formed on the outer surface of the opening 11a of the container body 11. The cap 14 is detachably attached to the opening 11a. The cap 14 has a female thread that screws onto the male thread of the opening 11a. Alternatively, the cap 14 may be detachably fitted onto the opening 11a. The inner surface of the cap 14 is in liquid-tight contact with the upper end of the inner stopper member 12.

[0015] The impregnating material 13 is installed inside the inner stopper member 12. Examples of the impregnating material 13 include porous materials such as sponges, or fibrous materials in which synthetic fibers are solidified with a resin solution and can be impregnated with the liquid contents using capillary action. However, it is not limited to these cases, as long as it can impregnate with the liquid contents.

[0016] The inner stopper member 12 is attached to the mouth portion 11a of the container body 11. The inner stopper member 12 comprises a receiving cylinder 15 and a mounting cylinder 16.

[0017] The lower part of the mounting cylinder 16 is liquid-tightly fitted into the opening 11a. The upper part of the mounting cylinder 16 protrudes upward from the opening 11a. The mounting cylinder 16 has a flange portion 12b that protrudes radially outward and extends continuously around its entire circumference. The flange portion 12b is positioned at the upper end opening edge of the opening 11a. The upper end of the mounting cylinder 16 is connected to the middle part of the housing cylinder 15 in the vertical direction.

[0018] The storage cylinder 15 is located above the mouth portion 11a. The impregnating material 13 is stored in the storage cylinder 15. The upper end portion of the impregnating material 13 protrudes upward from the storage cylinder 15.

[0019] The storage cylinder 15 is formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape having an annular bottom wall 15a. A plurality of support ribs 17 protruding upward are formed at intervals in the circumferential direction on the inner peripheral edge portion of the bottom wall 15a. The lower end surface of the impregnating material 13 is supported on the upper surface of the support rib 17. The bottom wall 15a extends upward as it goes inward in the radial direction. The gap between the inner peripheral surface of the storage cylinder 15 and the outer peripheral surface of the impregnating material 13, and the gap between the upper surface of the bottom wall 15a of the storage cylinder 15 and the lower end surface of the impregnating material 13 constitute a communication passage 21 that connects the inside of the bottom wall 15a of the storage cylinder 15 and the upper end opening 15b of the storage cylinder 15 to each other. The former gap in the communication passage 21 extends spirally around the container axis O.

[0020] In the illustrated example, a spiral groove 18 extending spirally around the container axis O is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the storage cylinder 15. The spiral groove 18 is formed over substantially the entire vertical length of the inner peripheral surface of the storage cylinder 15. The lower end portion of the spiral groove 18 is located below the lower end portion of the impregnating material 13. Incidentally, the lower end portion of the spiral groove 18 may be located at the same vertical position as the lower end portion of the impregnating material 13.

[0021] Convex portions located between adjacent spiral grooves 18 in the vertical direction on the inner peripheral surface of the storage cylinder 15 are in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the impregnating material 13. The convex portion呈 a protruding curved shape toward the inside in the radial direction in a longitudinal sectional view along the vertical direction. Incidentally, the convex portion may extend straight in the vertical direction in the longitudinal sectional view. Two spiral grooves 18 are provided, but three or more may be provided, or only one may be provided. The number of spiral grooves 18 may be appropriately set according to the properties of the content liquid and the like.

[0022] The inner surface of the spiral groove 18 has a curved shape that is recessed radially outward in the longitudinal cross-sectional view. In the longitudinal cross-sectional view, the radius of curvature of the inner surface of the spiral groove 18 is larger than the radius of curvature of the convex portion. Note that in the longitudinal cross-sectional view, the radius of curvature of the inner surface of the spiral groove 18 may be less than or equal to the radius of curvature of the convex portion. Among the communication passages 21, the portion located between the inner peripheral surface of the storage cylinder 15 and the outer peripheral surface of the impregnating material 13 is defined by the inner surface of the spiral groove 18 and the outer peripheral surface of the impregnating material 13.

[0023] As described above, according to the coating container 1 of the present embodiment, since the portion of the communication passage 21 located between the inner peripheral surface of the storage cylinder 15 and the outer peripheral surface of the impregnating material 13 extends spirally around the container axis O, the content liquid in the container body 11 that has entered the communication passage 21 through the inside of the bottom wall 15a can be made to flow toward the upper end opening 15b side of the storage cylinder 15 while circulating around the container axis O, making it difficult for the content liquid in the communication passage 21 to reach the upper end opening 15b of the storage cylinder 15. As a result, when the coating container 1 is in an inverted posture, it is possible to suppress the dripping of the content liquid through the communication passage 21, and the content liquid is likely to fill the spirally extending portion of the communication passage 21. Even when the internal pressure of the container body 11 is high, it is possible to suppress the content liquid from blowing out from the upper end opening 15b of the storage cylinder 15.

[0024] The outer peripheral surface of the impregnating material 13 comes into continuous contact with the inner peripheral surface of the storage cylinder 15 over the entire circumference. When the impregnating material 13 is housed in the storage cylinder 15, the impregnating material 13 and the storage cylinder 15 can be reliably arranged coaxially, and when the upper end portion of the impregnating material 13 is pressed against the coated portion, it is possible to suppress the impregnating material 13 from being misaligned with respect to the storage cylinder 15.

[0025] On the inner circumferential surface of the storage cylinder 15, the convex portion located between adjacent spiral grooves 18 in the vertical direction abuts against the outer circumferential surface of the impregnating material 13. The portion of the communication passage 21 located between the inner circumferential surface of the storage cylinder 15 and the outer circumferential surface of the impregnating material 13 is defined by the inner surface of the spiral groove 18 and the outer circumferential surface of the impregnating material 13. This makes it possible to suppress the flow of the liquid contents in the spiral groove 18 in a straight line in the vertical direction. As a result, the liquid contents in the container body 11 that enter the communication passage 21 through the inside of the bottom wall 15a can be prevented from flowing straight in the vertical direction, and instead reliably made to circulate around the container axis O while flowing toward the upper end opening 15b of the storage cylinder 15.

[0026] Furthermore, 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.

[0027] For example, the stopper member 12 may have a connecting tube that extends downward from the bottom wall 15a of the housing cylinder 15.

[0028] Furthermore, without departing from the spirit of the present invention, the components in the above embodiments may be replaced with well-known components as appropriate, and the above embodiments and modifications may be combined as appropriate. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0029] 1. Application container 11 Container body 11a Mouth 12. Inner plug member 13 Impregnation material 15. Storage tube 15a Bottom wall 15b Top opening 18 Spiral groove 21 Communication path

Claims

1. A container body for holding the liquid contents, A cylindrical stopper member attached to the mouth of the container body, The system comprises an impregnating material that is fitted inside the inner stopper member and capable of impregnating the liquid contents, The aforementioned plug member comprises a receiving cylinder that houses the impregnating material with its upper end protruding, The aforementioned containment cylinder is formed in the shape of a bottomed cylinder having an annular bottom wall and is arranged coaxially with the impregnating material. A communication passage is provided between the containment cylinder and the impregnation material, connecting the inside of the bottom wall and the upper end opening of the containment cylinder to each other. A coating container in which the portion of the aforementioned connecting passage located between the inner surface of the containment cylinder and the outer surface of the impregnating material extends spirally around the central axis of the containment cylinder and the impregnating material, respectively.

2. A spiral groove extending spirally around the central axis is formed on the inner circumferential surface of the aforementioned housing cylinder. Of the inner circumferential surface of the aforementioned housing cylinder, the convex portion located between adjacent spiral grooves in the vertical direction comes into contact with the outer circumferential surface of the impregnating material. The coating container according to claim 1, wherein the portion of the communication passage located between the inner surface of the housing cylinder and the outer surface of the impregnating material is defined by the inner surface of the spiral groove and the outer surface of the impregnating material.

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