Metering Dispensing Container

Abstract

To provide a measuring and dispensing container capable of measuring out multiple levels of quantity. [Solution] The first inner cylinder 30 of the measuring and dispensing container 1 has a concave cam portion 34 provided on its outer circumference, and the cam portion has a first path 34A formed along the direction of inclination, a second path formed vertically and continuous with the first path, a third path 34C formed horizontally and continuous with the first and second paths, and a fourth path 34D formed to connect the intermediate points of the first path and the intermediate points of the third path.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a metering and discharging container.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, as containers for discharging a fixed amount of content liquid, pump dispensers and trigger-type containers have been widely used. These containers can discharge a fixed amount of the content liquid contained in the container by a simple operation such as pushing down the pump head or pulling the lever.

[0003] In relation to this, for example, Patent Document 1 below discloses a configuration in which, after rotating the cap counterclockwise to raise the pump, the content liquid can be discharged by pushing down the pump head with a finger.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, in the case of the configuration disclosed in Patent Document 1, the amount of the content liquid that can be measured by rotating the cap counterclockwise is uniquely determined, and multiple levels of amounts cannot be measured.

[0006] The present invention has been invented to solve the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a metering and discharging container capable of measuring multiple levels of amounts.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] The above object of the present invention is achieved by the following means.

[0008] (1) The cap that is screwed onto the mouth of the bottle, A first inner cylinder connected to the aforementioned cap, A second inner cylinder is provided on the outer circumference of the first inner cylinder and connected to the first inner cylinder, It comprises an outer cylinder provided on the outer circumference of the second inner cylinder and connected to the second inner cylinder, The first inner cylinder has a concave cam portion provided on its outer circumference, The aforementioned cam section is It comprises a first path formed along the direction of inclination, a second path formed vertically and continuously from the first path, a third path formed horizontally and continuously from the first and second paths, and a fourth path formed connecting the intermediate points of the first path and the intermediate points of the third path. The second inner cylinder has a projection provided on its inner circumference, The projection of the second inner cylinder moves along the cam portion, forming a metering and dispensing container.

[0009] (2) The measuring and dispensing container according to (1), wherein the first path has a first convex portion arranged in a convex shape on the upstream or downstream side of the point where the fourth path intersects the first path, such that the width of the first path narrows.

[0010] (3) The measuring and dispensing container according to (1) or (2), having a second convex portion arranged convexly in the fourth path such that the width of the fourth path narrows.

[0011] (4) The first path is a metering and dispensing container according to any one of (1) to (3), having a curved shape.

[0012] (5) The second inner cylinder is transparent or translucent, A measuring and dispensing container according to any one of (1) to (4), wherein the outer circumference of the second inner cylinder is provided with a scale line that allows the amount of liquid inside to be visually observed. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] According to the metering and discharging container configured as described above, the amount of the protrusion metered and discharged through the first path, the second path, and the third path, and the amount of the protrusion metered and discharged through the first path, the fourth path, and the third path are different from each other. From the above, it is possible to provide a metering and discharging container capable of measuring amounts at multiple levels.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0014] [Figure 1] It is a perspective view showing a metering and discharging container according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] It is a front view showing the metering and discharging container according to this embodiment. [Figure 3] It is a front cross-sectional view showing the metering and discharging container according to this embodiment. [Figure 4] It is a perspective view showing the cap of the metering and discharging container according to this embodiment. [Figure 5] It is a front view showing the cap of the metering and discharging container according to this embodiment. [Figure 6] It is a right side view showing the cap of the metering and discharging container according to this embodiment. [Figure 7] It is a front cross-sectional view showing the cap of the metering and discharging container according to this embodiment. [Figure 8] It is a perspective view showing the first inner cylinder of the metering and discharging container according to this embodiment. [Figure 9] It is a front view showing the first inner cylinder of the metering and discharging container according to this embodiment. [Figure 10] It is a right side view showing the first inner cylinder of the metering and discharging container according to this embodiment. [Figure 11] It is a front cross-sectional view showing the first inner cylinder of the metering and discharging container according to this embodiment. [Figure 12] It is a perspective view from above showing the second inner cylinder of the metering and discharging container according to this embodiment. [Figure 13] It is a perspective view from below showing the second inner cylinder of the metering and discharging container according to this embodiment. [Figure 14] It is a front view showing the second inner cylinder of the metering and discharging container according to this embodiment. [Figure 15] This is a cross-sectional view along line 15-15 in Figure 14. [Figure 16] This is a top-down perspective view showing the outer cylinder of the measuring and dispensing container according to this embodiment. [Figure 17] This is a perspective view from below showing the outer cylinder of the measuring and dispensing container according to this embodiment. [Figure 18] This is a front view showing the outer cylinder of the measuring and dispensing container according to this embodiment. [Figure 19] This is a front cross-sectional view showing the outer cylinder of the measuring and dispensing container according to this embodiment. [Figure 20] This figure illustrates a method for using the measuring and dispensing container according to this embodiment, and is a front view showing the process of measuring a first level of quantity. [Figure 21] This figure illustrates a method for using the measuring and dispensing container according to this embodiment, and is a front cross-sectional view showing the process of measuring a first level of quantity. [Figure 22] This figure illustrates the method of using the measuring and dispensing container according to this embodiment, and is a front view showing the process of measuring a second level of quantity. [Figure 23] This figure illustrates a method for using the measuring and dispensing container according to this embodiment, and is a front cross-sectional view showing the process of measuring a second level of quantity. [Figure 24] This figure corresponds to Figure 10 of the measuring and dispensing container related to Modification 1. [Figure 25] This figure corresponds to Figure 10 of the measuring and dispensing container related to Modification 2. [Figure 26] This figure corresponds to Figure 10 of the measuring and dispensing container related to Modification 3. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0015] Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 19. In the description of the drawings, the same elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions are omitted. The dimensional ratios in the drawings are exaggerated for illustrative purposes and may differ from actual ratios.

[0016] Figures 1 to 3 show a measuring and dispensing container 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figures 4 to 7 show the cap 20 of the measuring and dispensing container 1 according to this embodiment. Figures 8 to 11 show the first inner cylinder 30 of the measuring and dispensing container 1 according to this embodiment. Figures 12 to 15 show the second inner cylinder 40 of the measuring and dispensing container 1 according to this embodiment. Figures 16 to 19 show the outer cylinder 50 of the measuring and dispensing container 1 according to this embodiment.

[0017] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the measuring and dispensing container 1 includes a bottle 10 in which the contents liquid such as detergent is stored, a cap 20 screwed onto the mouth 11 of the bottle 10, a first inner cylinder 30 connected to the cap 20, a second inner cylinder 40 provided on the outer circumference of the first inner cylinder 30, and an outer cylinder 50 provided on the outer circumference of the second inner cylinder 40. In the following specification, the horizontal plane is defined as the XY plane, and the vertical direction is defined as the Y direction.

[0018] Bottle 10 contains, for example, a liquid such as detergent. The mouth 11 of bottle 10 is provided with a screw thread 12.

[0019] <Cap 20> As shown in Figure 3, the cap 20 is screwed onto the threaded portion 12 provided on the mouth 11 of the bottle 10 and fixed to the bottle 10.

[0020] As shown in Figures 4 to 7, the cap 20 has a top portion 21 located above in the Z direction, a bottom portion 22 located below in the Z direction, and a connecting portion 23 that connects the top portion 21 and the bottom portion 22.

[0021] A threaded portion 21A is formed on the inner circumferential surface of the top portion 21. The cap 20 is fixed to the bottle 10 by screwing the threaded portion 21A formed on the inner circumferential surface of the top portion 21 with a threaded portion 12 provided on the mouth portion 11 of the bottle 10.

[0022] As shown in Figures 4 to 7, the outer circumferential surface of the top portion 21 has a protruding convex portion 24 that projects outward. As shown in Figures 4 and 6, the convex portion 24 has a first convex portion 24A formed along the circumferential direction except for a portion, a second convex portion 24B formed downward in the Z direction from the first convex portion 24A, a third convex portion 24C formed along the Y direction from the second convex portion 24B, and a fourth convex portion 24D formed along the Z direction so as to connect the third convex portion 24C and the first convex portion 24A.

[0023] As shown in Figure 6, a flat portion 24H, which is not convex, is formed on a circumferential part of the first protrusion 24A. As shown in Figure 6, the second protrusion 24B is formed downward in the Z direction from a point moved to the left in the Y direction from one end 24E of the first protrusion 24A. The fourth protrusion 24D is formed to be continuous with the other end 24F of the first protrusion 24A. The first protrusion 24A, the second protrusion 24B, and the third protrusion 24C function as engaging portions into which the projection 32A of the first inner cylinder 30, which will be described later, engages.

[0024] As will be described later, when measuring the liquid contents with the measuring and dispensing container 1, the outer cylinder 50 is rotated counterclockwise when viewed from above in the Z direction. Because the cap 20 has the convex portion 24 as described above, when the second inner cylinder 40 rotates counterclockwise in conjunction with the rotation of the outer cylinder 50, the projection 32A of the first inner cylinder 30, as will be described later, comes into contact with the fourth convex portion 24D.

[0025] For example, if the first inner cylinder is screwed to the cap, and the torque required for the projection 46 of the second inner cylinder 40 to start moving along the first path 34A is higher than the opening torque value between the first inner cylinder and the cap, then when the outer cylinder 50 is rotated to measure, there is a risk that the first inner cylinder 30 will open from the cap 20 (hereinafter referred to as "co-rotation") before the second inner cylinder 40 moves upward in the Z direction.

[0026] In contrast, in the case of the measuring and dispensing container 1 according to this embodiment, as described above, during measuring, the projection 32A of the first inner cylinder 30 comes into contact with the fourth protrusion 24D of the cap 20, and after measuring, it can be slid upward in the Z direction to remove it. This prevents the first inner cylinder 30 from rotating together.

[0027] The bottom portion 22 is provided in a hollow cylindrical shape. On the inner circumferential surface of the bottom portion 22, an inwardly convex projection 22A is formed along the circumferential direction. Above the projection 22A, as shown in Figure 3, a ball valve 80 is positioned. Note that a slit valve made of silicone or rubber may be used instead of the ball valve 80.

[0028] The connecting portion 23 has a tapered shape that widens upward in the Z direction. As shown in Figures 4 to 6, the connecting portion 23 has four hollow portions 23A in which the inner and outer circumferential surfaces of the connecting portion 23 are in communication. Note that the number of hollow portions 23A is not limited to four.

[0029] <First inner cylinder 30> The first inner cylinder 30 is connected to the cap 20, as shown in Figure 3.

[0030] As shown in Figures 8 to 11, the first inner cylinder 30 has a top portion 31 located above in the Z direction, an enlarged diameter portion 32 located below in the Z direction and having a larger diameter than the top portion 31, and an inner circumference portion 33 located on the inner circumference of the top portion 31 and the enlarged diameter portion 32.

[0031] The top portion 31 has a hollow shape. The top portion 31 has a concave cam portion 34 provided on its outer circumference.

[0032] As shown in Figures 8 to 11, the cam portion 34 has a first path 34A formed along the inclined direction with respect to the XY plane, a second path 34B formed along the downward direction in the Z direction, continuous with the first path 34A, a third path 34C formed along the XY direction, continuous with the first path 34A and the second path 34B, and a fourth path 34D formed along the Z direction so as to connect the first path 34A and the third path 34C.

[0033] The first path 34A is configured with an inclination of approximately 30 degrees with respect to the XY plane, for example, but the inclination angle is not particularly limited. The first path 34A is formed in a straight line along the direction of inclination. From an intermediate point 35A of the first path 34A, the fourth path 34D is provided along the downward direction. From the end point 35B of the first path 34A, the second path 34B is provided along the downward direction.

[0034] In this embodiment, the fourth path 34D is arranged to connect the center of the first path 34A and the center of the third path 34C.

[0035] As described above, the cam section 34 is configured in such a way that, when the projection 46 of the second inner cylinder 40 passes through the first path 34A and the second path 34B, and when the projection 46 of the second inner cylinder 40 passes through the intermediate point 35A of the first path 34A and the fourth path 34D, different levels of volume can be measured and dispensed.

[0036] The enlarged diameter portion 32 has a hollow shape. The inner circumferential surface of the enlarged diameter portion 32 is provided with an inwardly convex projection 32A. The projection 32A is circular in shape. As described above, when the second inner cylinder 40 rotates counterclockwise as the outer cylinder 50 rotates, the projection 32A of the first inner cylinder 30 comes into contact with the fourth convex portion 24D, thereby preventing the first inner cylinder 30 from rotating together.

[0037] The inner circumference 33 extends from above the top portion 31 in the Z direction to below the enlarged diameter portion 32 in the Z direction. The inner circumference 33 functions as a path through which the contents move when the measuring and dispensing container 1 measures.

[0038] <Second inner cylinder 40> The second inner cylinder 40 is connected to the first inner cylinder 30, as shown in Figure 3. The second inner cylinder 40 has a planar portion 41 extending in the XY plane and a vertical wall portion 42 rising from the periphery of the planar portion 41, as shown in Figures 12 to 15.

[0039] As shown in Figure 15, the vertical wall portion 42 has a recessed shape in the center and comprises a first vertical wall portion 43 on the outer circumferential surface side and a second vertical wall portion 44 on the inner circumferential surface side.

[0040] The first vertical wall portion 43 has a projection 45 provided on its outer circumferential surface and a projection 46 provided on its inner circumferential surface. The projection 45 is rectangular in shape, and the projection 46 is circular in shape.

[0041] The projection 45 engages with the groove 51A of the outer cylinder 50, which will be described later. As a result, the second inner cylinder 40 rotates along with the rotation of the outer cylinder 50.

[0042] The projection 46 can move along the cam portion 34 described above.

[0043] The second inner cylinder 40 is preferably transparent or translucent, and graduation lines are provided on the outer circumference of the second inner cylinder 40, as shown in Figures 20 and 22. In Figures 20 and 22, graduation lines are provided every 3 mL, but the method is not limited to this.

[0044] <Outer cylinder 50> As shown in Figure 3, the outer cylinder 50 is connected to the second inner cylinder 40.

[0045] As shown in Figures 16 to 19, the outer cylinder 50 has a top portion 51 located above in the Z direction and a bottom portion 52 located below in the Z direction.

[0046] The top portion 51 has a hollow shape. A groove 51A is formed on the inner circumferential surface of the top portion 51. The groove 51A of the top portion 51 engages with the projection 45 of the second inner cylinder 40. As a result, the second inner cylinder 40 rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the outer cylinder 50.

[0047] The outer circumference of the top portion 51 has a convex protrusion 51B that extends in the circumferential direction. The protrusion 51B is the part that the user grips when rotating the outer cylinder 50. For this reason, it is preferable that the protrusion 51B has a rounded shape.

[0048] As shown in Figure 3, the top portion 51 is positioned to cover the second inner cylinder 40. As shown in Figure 3, the bottom portion 52 is positioned to cover the enlarged diameter portion 32 of the first inner cylinder 30.

[0049] The configuration of the measuring and dispensing container 1 according to this embodiment has been described above. Next, the method of using the measuring and dispensing container 1 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 2, 3, 10, and 20 to 23.

[0050] Figures 2 and 3 show the state before use. Figures 20 and 21 show the process of measuring the first level of quantity. Figures 22 and 23 show the process of measuring the second level of quantity. Here, the second level of quantity is approximately half the amount of the first level of quantity.

[0051] First, the user prepares the measuring and dispensing container 1 as shown in Figures 2 and 3. The method of using the device to measure and dispense the first level of volume will be explained below with reference to Figures 20 and 21.

[0052] The user, for example, holds the bottle 10 with their left hand while rotating the outer cylinder 50 counterclockwise with their right hand, viewing it from above in the Z direction. As the outer cylinder 50 rotates counterclockwise, the second inner cylinder 40 connected to the outer cylinder 50 also rotates counterclockwise.

[0053] Then, when the first inner cylinder 30, which is connected to the second inner cylinder 40, rotates slightly counterclockwise, the projection 32A of the first inner cylinder 30 comes into contact with the fourth protrusion 24D of the cap 20, and the rotation of the first inner cylinder 30 stops.

[0054] Then, the user rotates the outer cylinder 50 further, moving the projection 46 of the second inner cylinder 40, which rotates together with the outer cylinder 50, along the first path 34A to the end point 35B. At this time, as shown in Figures 20 and 21, the second inner cylinder 40 moves upward in the Z direction by a predetermined distance.

[0055] The user then removes the outer cylinder 50, the second inner cylinder 40, and the first inner cylinder 30 from the bottle 10 and dispenses the measured liquid into, for example, a washing machine. As a result, a first level of volume can be measured and dispensed.

[0056] Next, referring to Figures 22 and 23, we will explain how to use the device when measuring and dispensing the second level of quantity.

[0057] The user, for example, holds the bottle 10 with their left hand while rotating the outer cylinder 50 counterclockwise with their right hand, viewing it from above in the Z direction. As the outer cylinder 50 rotates counterclockwise, the second inner cylinder 40 connected to the outer cylinder 50 also rotates counterclockwise.

[0058] Then, when the first inner cylinder 30, which is connected to the second inner cylinder 40, rotates slightly counterclockwise, the projection 32A of the first inner cylinder 30 comes into contact with the fourth protrusion 24D of the cap 20, and the rotation of the first inner cylinder 30 stops.

[0059] The user then rotates the outer cylinder 50 further, moving the projection 46 of the second inner cylinder 40, which rotates together with the outer cylinder 50, along the first path 34A to an intermediate point 35A. At this time, as shown in Figures 22 and 23, the second inner cylinder 40 moves upward in the Z direction by half the distance it traveled when measuring the amount at the first level.

[0060] The user then removes the outer cylinder 50, the second inner cylinder 40, and the first inner cylinder 30 from the bottle 10 and dispenses the measured liquid into, for example, a washing machine. As a result, a second level of volume can be measured and dispensed.

[0061] As described above, the measuring and dispensing container 1 according to this embodiment includes a cap 20 screwed onto the mouth 11 of the bottle 10, a first inner cylinder 30 connected to the cap 20, a second inner cylinder 40 provided on the outer circumference of the first inner cylinder 30 and connected to the first inner cylinder 30, and an outer cylinder 50 provided on the outer circumference of the second inner cylinder 40 and connected to the second inner cylinder 40. The first inner cylinder 30 has a concave cam portion 34 provided on its outer circumference. The cam portion 34 includes a first path 34A formed along the inclined direction, a second path 34B formed vertically and continuous with the first path 34A, a third path 34C formed horizontally and continuous with the first path 34A and the second path 34B, and a fourth path 34D formed to connect the intermediate points of the first path 34A and the intermediate points of the third path 34C. The second inner cylinder 40 has a projection 46 provided on its inner circumference, and the projection 46 of the second inner cylinder 40 moves along the cam portion 34. With the measuring and dispensing container 1 configured in this way, the amount measured and dispensed by the projection 46 via the first path 34A, the second path 34B, and the third path 34C is different from the amount measured and dispensed by the projection 46 via the first path 34A, the fourth path 34D, and the third path 34C. From the above, it is possible to provide a measuring and dispensing container 1 that can measure out multiple levels of quantity.

[0062] It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and can be modified in various ways within the scope of the claims.

[0063] For example, in the embodiment described above, nothing was placed on the first path 34A. However, as shown in Figure 24, the first path 34A may have a first convex portion 35F positioned convexly on the upstream side of the intermediate point 35A where the fourth path 34D intersects, so as to narrow the width of the first path 34A. Also, as shown in Figure 25, the first path 34A may have a first convex portion 35G positioned convexly on the downstream side of the intermediate point 35A where the fourth path 34D intersects, so as to narrow the width of the first path 34A. With this configuration, the sensation before and after crossing the steps of the first convex portions 35F and 35G can be felt as touch and hearing, and the projection 46 of the second inner cylinder 40 can be suitably moved to the fourth path 34D.

[0064] Furthermore, in the embodiment described above, nothing was placed on the fourth path 34D. However, as shown in Figure 26, the fourth path 34D may have a second protrusion 35H that is convexly arranged so as to narrow the width of the fourth path 34D. With this configuration, the vertical movement of the second inner cylinder 40 is restricted by the resistance of the second protrusion 35H. As a result, it becomes possible to dispense small amounts of the liquid contents.

[0065] Furthermore, in the embodiment described above, the first path 34A had a straight shape. However, the first path may have a curved shape. The curved shape may be convex downwards or convex upwards. With this configuration, even if the rotation angle of the outer cylinder 50 is the same, the upward speed of the second inner cylinder 40 can be adjusted by the difference in the degree of curvature of the first path 34A.

[0066] Furthermore, in the embodiment described above, the fourth path 34D was arranged to connect the center of the first path 34A and the center of the third path 34C, but it does not have to be at the center. Also, a path connecting the first path 34A and the third path 34C may be provided. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0067] 1 metering dispensing container, 10 bottles, 11 Mouth; 20 caps, 30 First inner cylinder, 34 Cam section, 34A Route 1, 34B Second route, 34C Third Route, 34D Route 4, 35A halfway point, 35F First protrusion, 35G First protrusion, 35H Second protrusion, 40 Second inner cylinder, 46 Protrusion, 50 Outer cylinder.

Claims

1. The cap that is screwed onto the mouth of the bottle, A first inner cylinder connected to the aforementioned cap, A second inner cylinder is provided on the outer circumference of the first inner cylinder and connected to the first inner cylinder, It comprises an outer cylinder provided on the outer circumference of the second inner cylinder and connected to the second inner cylinder, The first inner cylinder has a concave cam portion provided on its outer surface, The aforementioned cam section is It comprises a first path formed along the direction of inclination, a second path formed vertically and continuously from the first path, a third path formed horizontally and continuously from the first and second paths, and a fourth path formed connecting the intermediate points of the first path and the intermediate points of the third path. The second inner cylinder has a projection provided on its inner circumference, The projection of the second inner cylinder moves along the cam portion, forming a metering and dispensing container.

2. The measuring and dispensing container according to claim 1, further comprising a first convex portion arranged in a convex shape on the upstream or downstream side of the point where the fourth path intersects the first path, such that the width of the first path narrows.

3. The measuring and dispensing container according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a second convex portion arranged in a convex shape in the fourth path such that the width of the fourth path narrows.

4. The first path has a curved shape, as described in claim 1 or 2 of the measuring and dispensing container.

5. The second inner cylinder is transparent or translucent, The measuring and dispensing container according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the outer circumference of the second inner cylinder is provided with a scale line that allows the amount of liquid inside to be visually observed.

Images