Application container

Abstract

We propose a dispensing container that allows the liquid to adhere to the applicator even when the amount of liquid inside is low, and is also easy to use. [Solution] The coating container 10 comprises a container 11 that holds liquid contents inside an open mouth 1c, shaft-shaped parts 4 and 5 that extend inside the mouth 1c and have an applicator 6 at their tip, lid parts 3 and 9 that support the shaft-shaped parts 4 and 5 so that they can move forward and backward in a direction along the axis O of the shaft-shaped parts 4 and 5 and so that they can rotate in a direction around the axis O, and are attached to the mouth 1c, and a spherical part 8 that is spherical, rotatably supported by the lid parts 3 and 9 and in contact with the outer circumferential surface of the shaft-shaped parts 4 and 5. When the spherical part 8 is rotated in a direction along the axis O, the shaft-shaped parts 4 and 5 move in a direction along the axis O, and when the spherical part 8 is rotated in a direction around the axis O, the shaft-shaped parts 4 and 5 rotate in a direction around the axis O.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a coating container provided with a coating tool for applying a content liquid.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, as a container for storing content liquids such as nail polish, pedicure, liquid lip cream, mascara, etc., a coating container provided with a coating tool in the shape of a brush or a pen as shown in Patent Documents 1 and 2, for example, is known. Such a coating container includes a container for storing a content liquid inside an upwardly open mouth portion, and a cap with a coating tool provided at the tip of a shaft portion extending inside the mouth portion. When the cap with the coating tool is attached to the container, the content liquid can be attached to the coating tool.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, when the remaining amount of the content liquid stored in the container decreases, it becomes difficult to attach the content liquid even to the tip of the coating tool located near the bottom of the container. In particular, the conventional coating container described above has a shaft portion that extends straight through the central portion of the mouth portion, and the tip portion of the coating tool is located near the central portion of the bottom. Therefore, it is difficult to attach the content liquid remaining around the outer edge portion of the bottom to the coating tool. For this reason, there is a problem that the content liquid stored in the container cannot be used up completely.

[0005] Furthermore, when applying the liquid contents to the application surface using the cap with the applicator removed from the container, in order to use up all the liquid contents adhering to the entire circumference of the applicator, one must change the way they hold the cap so that the circumferential position of the applicator relative to the application surface changes, which leaves room for improvement in terms of usability.

[0006] In view of these points, the present invention aims to provide an applicator that allows the liquid contents to adhere to the applicator even when the amount of liquid inside decreases, and that is also easy to use. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The present invention relates to an applicator container comprising: a container for containing liquid contents inside an open mouth; a shaft-shaped portion extending from the inside of the mouth and having an applicator at its tip; a lid portion that supports the shaft-shaped portion so as to be movable forward and backward along the axis of the shaft-shaped portion and so as to be rotatable in a direction circumferential to the axis, and is attached to the mouth; and a spherical portion that is spherical, rotatably supported by the lid portion, and in contact with the outer circumferential surface of the shaft-shaped portion, wherein when the spherical portion is rotated in a direction along the axis, the shaft-shaped portion moves in a direction along the axis, and when the spherical portion is rotated in a direction circumferential to the axis, the shaft-shaped portion rotates in a direction circumferential to the axis. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, by rotating the spherical part along its axis while the cap with the applicator attached is mounted on the container, the applicator can be brought even closer to the bottom of the container. Consequently, by bringing the applicator into contact with the bottom of the container and bending it radially outward, the tip of the applicator can be positioned around the outer edge of the bottom, allowing the liquid contents to adhere to the applicator even when the remaining amount is low. Furthermore, by rotating the spherical part in a direction that circumfers the axis, the applicator can be rotated within the container, allowing the liquid contents to adhere to the applicator effectively. Additionally, by removing the cap with the applicator attached from the container and rotating the spherical part in a direction that circumfers the axis, the applicator rotates around the axis while the lid is held with the fingers, and the liquid contents that have adhered to the entire circumference of the applicator can be applied to the application point without having to change how the lid is held, resulting in superior ease of use. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This is a cross-sectional view in an upright position showing one embodiment of a coating container according to the present invention, with a cap with a coating tool attached to the container. [Figure 2] This figure shows the state after the spherical part has been rotated along the axis, and the axial part has been advanced, starting from the state shown in Figure 1. [Figure 3] This figure shows the container with the applicator cap removed and the spherical part rotated in a direction that circles the axis. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the coating container according to the present invention, the coating container 10, will be described with reference to the drawings. In this specification, the vertical direction refers to the direction along the illustrated axis O (the central axis of the axial member 4, which will be described later). As shown in Figure 1, when the coating container 10 is in an upright position, the side where the container body 1 is located is "down", and the side where the lid body 3 is located is "up". The radial direction is the direction perpendicular to the axis O in a plane perpendicular to the axis O, and the circumferential direction is the direction that circles around the axis O in this plane.

[0011] The coating container 10 of this embodiment comprises a container 11 and a cap with an applicator 12. The container 11 is composed of a container body 1 and a wiping member 2. The cap with an applicator 12 is composed of a lid body 3, a shaft-shaped member 4, an outer contact member 5, an applicator 6, a stopper 7, a spherical member 8, and a cover 9. The lid body 3 and the cover 9 are components that constitute the "lid portion" in this specification, and the shaft-shaped member 4 and the outer contact member 5 are components that constitute the "shaft portion" in this specification. The outer contact member 5 is a component that corresponds to the "outer contact portion" in this specification, and the spherical member 8 is a component that corresponds to the "spherical portion" in this specification. Each of the components described above in this embodiment is basically shaped with an axis O as the center. Furthermore, among the above-mentioned components, the container body 1, lid body 3, shaft-shaped member 4, stopper 7, spherical member 8, and cover 9 are made of relatively hard, rigid synthetic resins (for example, polypropylene (PP), polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), polyacetal (POM), polyketone (POK) resin, etc.), while the wiping member 2 and outer contact member 5 are made of softer materials (for example, rubber, elastomer, polyethylene (LDPE, HDPE, foamed PE), etc.) that are less hard than the container body 1, etc. (especially the outer contact member 5, which is less hard than the material forming the inner holding portion 4c of the shaft-shaped member 4).

[0012] The container body 1 is shaped like a bottomed cylinder and includes a disc-shaped bottom 1a, a cylindrical body 1b rising upward from the edge of the bottom 1a, a cylindrical mouth 1c that is open at the top and whose lower end is connected to the body 1b, with an outer diameter smaller than that of the body 1b, and a male screw-shaped container-side engaging part 1d provided on the outer surface of the mouth 1c. Inside the mouth 1c, there is a storage space S for containing liquid contents such as nail polish.

[0013] The scraping member 2 comprises a flange portion 2a extending horizontally and a cylindrical portion 2b extending downward from the inner edge of the flange portion 2a, with its lower end extending radially inward. A through hole is provided in the center of the cylindrical portion 2b. The area around the through hole in the cylindrical portion 2b is referred to as the inner edge portion 2c. Such a scraping member 2 is inserted into the inside of the opening portion 1c and held in the container body 1 such that the flange portion 2a abuts against the upper end of the opening portion 1c and the cylindrical portion 2b abuts against the inner circumferential surface of the opening portion 1c.

[0014] As shown in Figure 1, the lid body 3 is cylindrical with a top, and its upper part has an outer periphery 3a that extends in an inclined manner. The lower part of the outer periphery 3a is cylindrical and surrounds the opening 1c, and a female threaded lid-side engaging portion 3b is provided on its inner surface. On the upper inner surface of the outer periphery 3a of the lid, there is a cylindrical rod-shaped portion 3c that is coaxial with the axis O, and a plurality of ribs 3d that are located radially outward from the rod-shaped portion 3c.

[0015] A hole 3e is provided in the vertical middle portion of the outer circumference 3a of the lid, which penetrates the outer circumference 3a radially. A cylindrical tube portion (support tube portion 3f) is provided on the outer surface of the outer circumference 3a of the lid, surrounding the hole 3e and projecting radially outward.

[0016] The shaft-shaped member 4 is cylindrical and includes a cylindrical shaft 4a that extends inside the opening 1c. The lower end of the cylindrical shaft 4a is provided with a concave portion 4b that is recessed from bottom to top. The upper end of the cylindrical shaft 4a is provided with a cylindrical inner holding portion 4c. The rod-shaped portion 3c is inserted inside the inner holding portion 4c. A small gap is provided between the outer circumferential surface of the inserted rod-shaped portion 3c and the inner circumferential surface of the inner holding portion 4c. The outer circumferential surface of the inner holding portion 4c is provided with a plate-like wall 4d that extends radially outward and has a circular outer edge. A small gap is provided between the inner circumferential surface of the outer circumferential portion 3a of the lid and the outer edge of the plate-like wall 4d.

[0017] In this embodiment, the outer contact member 5 is formed in a cylindrical shape. As shown in the figure, the outer contact member 5 is inserted into the inner holding portion 4c until the lower end portion contacts the plate-like wall 4d. In this state, the outer contact member 5 is fitted and held by the inner holding portion 4c.

[0018] The applicator 6 includes an application portion 6a for applying the content liquid, and a columnar applicator holding portion 6b that is inserted into the concave portion 4b and holds the applicator 6 on the shaft member 4. The application portion 6a is provided, for example, in a brush shape, a sponge shape, or a pen shape, and an optimal one is appropriately selected according to the type of the content liquid and the site where the content liquid is to be applied.

[0019] In this embodiment, the stopper 7 is a member formed in a ring plate shape. The stopper 7 is fitted and held on the inner peripheral surface of the outer peripheral portion 3a of the lid body with the cylindrical shaft 4a inserted into the inner through hole.

[0020] The spherical member 8 is a spherical member. The spherical member 8 of this embodiment is formed with an outer diameter slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the support cylinder portion 3f and is rotatably supported with respect to the support cylinder portion 3f.

[0021] The cover 9 includes a cylindrical mounting cylinder portion 9a and an end wall portion 9b that is formed in a disc shape and connected to the end of the mounting cylinder portion 9a. A circular opening 9c that penetrates the end wall portion 9b is provided at the center of the end wall portion 9b. When the spherical member 8 is disposed inside the support cylinder portion 3f and the support cylinder portion 3f is inserted inside the mounting cylinder portion 9a, the mounting cylinder portion 9a is fitted and held by the support cylinder portion 3f, and the spherical member 8 is prevented from coming off by the end wall portion 9b. In this state, the spherical member 8 is exposed from the opening 9c.

[0022] In the cap 12 with an applicator constituted by the above-described lid body 3 and the like, the rod-shaped portion 3c is inserted into the inside of the inner holding portion 4c with a slight gap, and the plate-shaped wall 4d is positioned inside the outer peripheral portion 3a of the lid body with a slight gap. That is, the shaft-like member 4 is supported so as to be able to move forward and backward along the axis O with respect to the lid body 3, and is also supported so as to be able to rotate in the direction of orbiting the axis O. In the shaft-like member 4 in the present embodiment, when moving forward (when moving downward in the direction shown in FIGS. 1 and 2), it can move until the plate-shaped wall 4d contacts the stopper 7 as shown in FIG. 2, and when moving backward (when moving upward in the direction shown in FIGS. 1 and 2), it can move until the outer contact member 5 contacts the rib 3d as shown in FIG. 1, and it can rotate without limitation in the direction of orbiting the axis O.

[0023] And the spherical member 8 is rotatably supported with respect to the support cylinder portion 3f, contacts the outer peripheral surface of the outer contact member 5 through the hole portion 3e provided in the outer peripheral portion 3a of the lid body on the side facing the outer contact member 5, and is exposed from the opening portion 9c on the opposite side. That is, when the shaft-like member 4 to which the outer contact member 5 is attached rotates the spherical member 8 exposed at the opening portion 9c, it moves according to the movement. Specifically, when the spherical member 8 is rotated in the direction along the axis O, the shaft-like member 4 moves in the vertical direction, and when the spherical member 8 is rotated in the direction of orbiting the axis O, the shaft-like member 4 rotates around the axis O.

[0024] The cap 12 with an applicator may be configured such that the outer contact member 5 is omitted and the spherical member 8 directly contacts the shaft-like member 4, but it is more preferable to contact the spherical member 8 with the outer contact member 5. That is, since the outer contact member 5 is formed of a soft material having a lower hardness than the material forming the inner holding portion 4c, the outer contact member 5 adheres closely to the outer peripheral surface of the spherical member 8 and becomes difficult to slip. Therefore, when the spherical member 8 is operated, it becomes easier to move the applicator 6 as intended.

[0025] In this configuration, as shown in Figure 1, the coating container 10 is held in place by inserting the applicator 6 and cylindrical shaft 4a into the inside of the cylindrical part 2b, moving the lid body 3 downward relative to the container body 1, and then rotating the lid body 3 relative to the container body 1 to engage the lid-side engaging part 3b with the container-side engaging part 1d. In this state, the flange part 2a of the wiping member 2 is held between the upper end surface of the opening 1c and the lower surface of the stopper 7, so that the containment space S is sealed from the outside. In other words, contact between the liquid contents contained in the containment space S and the outside air can be suppressed, thus preventing problems such as evaporation of the liquid contents and deterioration due to contact with the outside air.

[0026] Furthermore, in this coating container 10, when the spherical member 8 is rotated while the lid body 3 is held in place by the container body 1, the applicator 6 provided on the axial member 4 moves inside the container body 1. That is, by rotating the spherical member 8 in a direction along the axis O from the state shown in Figure 1, the axial member 4 is advanced (moved downward), bringing the tip of the applicator 6 even closer to the bottom 1a. Therefore, even when the amount of liquid content contained in the storage space S decreases and the tip of the applicator 6 no longer reaches the liquid surface in the state shown in Figure 1, the liquid content can still be applied to the applicator 6 by manipulating the spherical member 8. In this embodiment, when the spherical member 8 is rotated along the axis O, the axial member 4 can be moved until the plate-shaped wall 4d contacts the stopper 7, as shown in Figure 2. At this time, the applicator 6 contacts the bottom 1a and bends radially outward, so that even the small amount of liquid content accumulated around the outer edge of the bottom 1a can be attached to the applicator 6. Furthermore, when the spherical member 8 is rotated in a direction circumferential to the axis O in this state, the applicator 6 rotates inside the container body 1, and the liquid content attached to the upper surface of the bottom 1a is scraped off by the applicator 6, so that the liquid content can be effectively attached to the applicator 6. When the spherical member 8 is rotated while the lid body 3 is held in place by the container body 1, the inner edge 2c of the wiping member 2 continues to contact the cylindrical axis 4a of the axial member 4, applying appropriate resistance, thus providing a free-stop function. Therefore, whether the spherical member 8 is rotated to move the axial member 4 forward or backward, or rotated in a direction that circles the axis O, the axial member 4 can be held in any position. Furthermore, because the inner edge 2c is in contact with the cylindrical shaft 4a, it is possible to prevent the axial member 4 from moving downward due to its own weight or from being unintentionally moved by simply touching the spherical member 8.

[0027] To apply the liquid contents to the application surface, the cap 12 with the applicator is removed from the container 11 by rotating the lid body 3 relative to the container body 1 in a direction that loosens the engagement between the container-side engaging part 1d and the lid-side engaging part 3b. Then, as shown in Figure 3, the liquid contents attached to the applicator 6 can be applied to the application surface by holding the lid body 3 with your fingers and moving the applicator 6 relative to the application surface.

[0028] Furthermore, if the liquid contents are attached to the entire circumference of the applicator 6 and you want to apply all of it to the application surface, you can change the grip of the lid body 3 so that the circumferential position of the applicator 6 relative to the application surface changes. However, as shown in Figure 3, if you rotate the spherical member 8 in a direction that circles the axis O, the applicator 6 will rotate together with the shaft member 4 around the axis O, eliminating the need to change the grip of the lid body 3. Also, if you rotate the spherical member 8 as described above while the applicator 6 is in contact with the application surface (e.g., eyelashes), you can achieve the effect of curling the eyelashes while evenly applying the liquid contents attached to the applicator 6. Furthermore, when the lid body 3 is held in the container body 1, the inner edge 2c of the wiping member 2 is not in contact with the cylindrical axis 4a of the shaft member 4, so the spherical member 8 can be easily rotated, resulting in good operability.

[0029] Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above with reference to the drawings, this embodiment may be modified as follows.

[0030] For example, in this embodiment, the outer contact member 5 is described as being fitted and held in the inner holding portion 4c of the shaft-shaped member 4, but the shaft-shaped member 4 and the outer contact member 5 may be integrally formed by insert molding or the like.

[0031] (Note) This specification discloses the following technologies in one aspect. The reference numerals listed below correspond to those used in the accompanying drawings, but are provided as examples only and are not intended to limit the inventions of this application.

[0032] (Technology 1) A container (11) for holding liquid contents inside the opening (1c) which is open at the top, The inside of the opening (1c) is extended to form shaft-shaped portions (4, 5) having an applicator (6) at its tip, The shank portion (4, 5) is supported so as to be able to move forward and backward in a direction along the axis (O) of the shank portion (4, 5), and the shank portion (4, 5) is supported so as to be able to rotate in a direction that circles the axis (O), and the lid portion (3, 9) is attached to the opening portion (1c), It comprises a spherical part (8) which is spherical in shape, rotatably supported by the lid part (3, 9) and in contact with the outer circumferential surface of the shaft part (4, 5), A coating container (10) in which, when the spherical part (8) is rotated in a direction along the axis (O), the axial parts (4, 5) move in a direction along the axis (O), and when the spherical part (8) is rotated in a direction that circles the axis (O), the axial parts (4, 5) rotate in a direction that circles the axis (O).

[0033] This technology allows the applicator to be brought closer to the bottom of the container by rotating the spherical part along its axis while the applicator cap is attached to the container. Consequently, by bringing the applicator into contact with the bottom of the container and bending it radially outward, the tip of the applicator can be positioned around the outer edge of the bottom, allowing the liquid to adhere to the applicator even when the remaining amount is low. Furthermore, rotating the spherical part in a direction that circumfers the axis allows the applicator to rotate within the container, effectively adhering the liquid to the applicator. When applying the liquid attached to the applicator to the application target, removing the applicator cap from the container and rotating the spherical part in a direction that circumfers the axis allows the applicator to rotate around the axis while holding the lid with your fingers. In other words, the liquid attached to the entire circumference of the applicator is applied to the application target without having to change your grip on the lid, making it very convenient to use.

[0034] (Technology 2) The coating container (10) according to Technical 1, wherein the shaft-shaped portion (4, 5) has an inner holding portion (4c) and an outer contact portion (5) that is held by the inner holding portion (4c), contacts the spherical portion (8), and is made of a soft material with lower hardness than the inner holding portion (4c).

[0035] This technology allows the outer contact surface to adhere closely to the outer surface of the spherical part, making it less likely to slip, thus making it easier to move the applicator as intended when manipulating the spherical part.

[0036] (Technology 3) The aforementioned lid portions (3, 9) are The lid body (3) has an outer periphery of the lid (3a) that surrounds the opening (1c) and has a lid-side engaging portion (3b) that engages with a container-side engaging portion (1d) provided on the outer circumferential surface of the opening (1c), a hole (3e) that penetrates the outer periphery of the lid (3a), and a support cylinder portion (3f) that surrounds the hole (3e), protrudes outward from the outer periphery of the lid (3a), and supports the spherical portion (8) on its inner circumferential surface, A coating container (10) according to Technology 1 or 2, comprising: a cover (9) having a mounting cylinder portion (9a) that surrounds the support cylinder portion (3f) and is attached to the support cylinder portion (3f); an end wall portion (9b) connected to the end of the mounting cylinder portion (9a) to prevent the spherical portion (8) from coming out of the support cylinder portion (3f); and an opening (9c) that penetrates the end wall portion (9b) to expose the spherical portion (8).

[0037] This technology makes the lid structure more suitable for mass production, facilitating the realization of the present invention.

[0038] Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to such specific embodiments, and unless otherwise specifically limited in the above description, various modifications and changes are possible within the scope of the spirit of the present invention as described in the claims. For example, the configuration of the above-described embodiment can be added or deleted as appropriate, and the configuration of one embodiment can be provided in other embodiments. Furthermore, the effects in the above-described embodiment are merely illustrative of the effects that may result from the present invention. In other words, the effects of the present invention are not limited to the above-described effects, and additional effects may also be produced in addition to the above-described effects. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0039] 1: Container body 1a: bottom 1b: Torso 1c: Mouth 1d: Container-side engaging part 2: Squeezing member 2a: Flange section 2b: Cylindrical part 2c: Inner edge 3: Lid body (lid section) 3a: Outer periphery of the lid 3b: Lid side engaging part 3c: Rod-shaped part 3D: Rib 3e: Hole 3f: Support cylinder part 4: Shaft-shaped member (shaft-shaped part) 4a: Cylinder axis 4b: Concave part 4c: Inner holding part 4d: Plate-like wall 5: Outer contact member (shaft-shaped part, outer contact part) 6: Applicator 6a: Coating area 6b: Applicator holder 7: Stopper 8: Spherical member (spherical part) 9: Cover (lid part) 9a: Mounting tube part 9b: End wall section 9c: opening 10: Application container 11: Container 12: Cap with applicator O: Axis line S: Containment space

Claims

1. A container that holds liquid inside an opening that is open at the top, The inside of the opening is extended to form a shaft-like portion having an applicator at its tip, The axial portion is supported so as to be able to move forward and backward in a direction along the axis of the axial portion and so as to be able to rotate in a direction around the axis, and the lid portion is attached to the opening, It comprises a spherical portion that is rotatably supported on the lid and in contact with the outer circumferential surface of the shaft portion, A coating container in which, when the spherical part is rotated in a direction along the axis, the axial part moves in a direction along the axis, and when the spherical part is rotated in a direction that circles the axis, the axial part rotates in a direction that circles the axis.

2. The coating container according to claim 1, wherein the axial portion comprises an inner holding portion and an outer contact portion that is held by the inner holding portion, contacts the spherical portion, and is made of a soft material with lower hardness than the inner holding portion.

3. The aforementioned lid portion is, A lid body having an outer periphery of the lid that surrounds the opening and has a lid-side engaging portion that engages with a container-side engaging portion provided on the outer circumferential surface of the opening, a hole that penetrates the outer periphery of the lid, and a support cylinder portion that surrounds the hole, protrudes outward from the outer periphery of the lid, and supports the spherical portion on its inner circumferential surface, The coating container according to claim 1 or 2, comprising: a mounting cylinder portion that surrounds the support cylinder portion and is attached to the support cylinder portion; an end wall portion connected to the end of the mounting cylinder portion and preventing the spherical portion from coming out of the support cylinder portion; and an opening that penetrates the end wall portion and exposes the spherical portion.

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