Container and method for manufacturing the same

Abstract

This design provides a simple structure that allows for deformation when an external force is applied, while simultaneously restoring the structure to its self-supporting form once the external force is removed. [Solution] The container body is configured to be deformable from a self-supporting shape to a crushed shape when an external force is applied, and contains contents; and a restoring member is housed inside the container body separately from the contents, and while the container body can be deformed by the external force when an external force is applied to the container body, even if the container body has become a shape that cannot stand on its own due to the external force, when the external force is no longer applied to the container body, the restoring member has an elastically deformable configuration and when the external force is no longer applied to the container body, it deforms to inflate the container body from the state in which the external force was applied to the container body.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a container and a method for manufacturing the same.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, it is known to use a tube-shaped container to store fluid contents such as cosmetics and seasonings. In such a tube-shaped container, when the remaining amount of the content decreases, the container may collapse and lose its self-standing ability, making it difficult to handle. In particular, in cosmetics that store cosmetics in a tube-shaped container, when the remaining amount of the cosmetics decreases, it gives an impression of being saggy, and the luxurious feeling is impaired.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a container configured to be able to stand on its own by attaching a squeeze clamp so as to cover a soft filling container filled with a fluid material.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] In the container disclosed in Patent Document 1, a member for making the container stand on its own is attached to the outside of the container body in which the content is stored. Therefore, it can be clearly recognized from the appearance that the container has a double structure, and it is difficult to say that the shape of the container is smart. In addition, since the container body is hidden by the member for making the container stand on its own, it becomes impossible to visually recognize the logo or the like displayed on the container body.

[0006] Furthermore, Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration in which a container body, to which a component for making the container self-supporting is attached, is covered by a cover body. However, in such a configuration, the container becomes a triple-layered structure, which has the problem of complicating the overall structure.

[0007] The present invention aims to provide a container and a method for manufacturing the same that can be deformed from a self-standing shape to a crushed shape when an external force is applied to discharge the contents, while simultaneously restoring to an uncrushed shape when the external force is removed, all with a simple configuration. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] To achieve the above objective, the container of the present invention is The container body, which holds the contents, is configured to deform from a self-supporting shape to a crushed shape when an external force is applied, The container body is housed separately from the contents, and when an external force is applied to the container body, it is capable of deforming the container body into a crushed shape due to the external force, and when the external force is removed from the container body, it restores the container body to its original shape. The restoration member has an elastically deformable structure, and when the external force is no longer applied to the container body, it deforms to inflate the container body from the state in which the external force was applied.

[0009] In a container configured as described above, when an external force is applied to the container body, the container body deforms from a self-supporting shape to a collapsed shape, and the contents are discharged from the container body. Subsequently, when the external force is no longer applied to the container body, the restoration member deforms the container body to expand from the state in which the external force was applied, thereby restoring the container body to an uncollapsed shape.

[0010] As a result, the contents contained in the container are discharged, and even when the remaining amount is low, the container maintains a shape that makes it easy to stand upright. At that time, the container is restored to its uncrushed shape by a restorative member housed inside the container. This allows the container to deform into a crushed shape when an external force is applied to discharge the contents, while simultaneously restoring to its uncrushed shape once the external force is removed, all in a simple configuration.

[0011] Furthermore, the restoration member may have an annular portion that runs along the inner surface of the container body.

[0012] In this configuration, when no external force is applied to the container body, the annular portion pushes the inner surface of the container body outward, restoring the container body to its undeformed shape.

[0013] Furthermore, the container of the present invention is The container body, which holds the contents, is configured to deform from a self-supporting shape to a crushed shape when an external force is applied, The container body is housed separately from the contents, and when an external force is applied to the container body, it is capable of deforming the container body into a crushed shape due to the external force, and when the external force is removed from the container body, it is capable of restoring the container body to its original, uncrushed shape. The restoration member is a plate-shaped member that does not deform under the external force, and is housed inside the container body in such a manner that a predetermined gap is created between the opposing housing walls of the container body via the restoration member when the container body is crushed by the external force.

[0014] In a container configured as described above, when an external force is applied to the container body, the container body deforms from a self-supporting shape to a collapsed shape, and the contents are discharged from the container body. Subsequently, when the external force is no longer applied to the container body, the restoring member, which is a plate-like structure that does not deform under external force and is housed inside the container body with its flat surface facing the direction in which the container body can stand upright, restores the container body to its uncollapsed shape.

[0015] As a result, the contents stored in the container body are discharged, and even when the remaining amount thereof decreases, the container body has a shape that is easy to stand on its own. At this time, the container body is restored to a shape that is not crushed by a restoring member stored inside the container body, so that it can be deformed into a crushed shape when an external force is applied to discharge the contents from a shape that can stand on its own, but when the external force is no longer applied, a configuration that restores to a non-crushed shape is realized with a simple configuration.

[0016] Further, the restoring member may have a positioning portion that positions the restoring member at a predetermined position inside the container body.

[0017] In such a configuration, the restoring member is positioned at a predetermined position by the positioning portion inside the container body.

[0018] Further, the restoring member may have an inclination limiting portion that limits the inclination so that the inclination of the restoring member inside the container body does not change by a predetermined angle or more when an external force is applied to the container body.

[0019] In such a configuration, when an external force is applied to the container body, the inclination of the restoring member inside the container body can be prevented from changing by a predetermined angle or more.

[0020] Further, the container body may be made of an elastically deformable material.

[0021] In such a configuration, when the external force is no longer applied to the container body, the shape of the container body is restored to a certain extent to a non-crushed shape by the elastic force of the container body.

[0022] Further, the container body is a storage portion for storing the contents, and a head portion that is continuous with the storage portion and discharges the contents stored in the storage portion when an external force is applied to the storage portion, may also have a configuration.

[0023] Also, the housing portion is made of an elastically deformable material, The restoring member may be integrally formed with the head portion.

[0024] Also, as a method for manufacturing the container, A step of attaching the head portion to the housing portion, A manufacturing method having a step of housing the restoring member in the housing portion may be used.

[0025] Also, as the above manufacturing method, After housing the restoring member in the housing portion, a step of housing the content into the housing portion from the housing opening of the housing portion, A manufacturing method having a step of closing the housing opening after housing the content in the housing portion may be used.

[0026] Also, as the above manufacturing method, Before housing the restoring member in the housing portion, a step of housing the content into the housing portion from the housing opening of the housing portion, A manufacturing method having a step of closing the housing opening after housing the restoring member in the housing portion may be used.

[0027] Also, as a method for manufacturing the container, A step of attaching the restoring member to the head portion, A manufacturing method having a step of attaching the head portion to the housing portion may be used.

Advantages of the Invention

[0028] According to the present invention, it is possible to realize, with a simple structure, a configuration that can be deformed into a crushed shape when an external force is applied to discharge the content from a self-standing shape, and can be restored to an uncrushed shape when the external force is no longer applied.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0029] [Figure 1]This is an external perspective view showing the appearance of one embodiment of the container of the present invention. [Figure 2] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the container with the lid removed. [Figure 3] This is a view of the lid shown in Figure 1, seen from an oblique angle above. [Figure 4] Figures 1 and 2 are external perspective views showing the configuration of the holder housed in the container body. [Figure 5] This figure shows the holder shown in Figure 4 housed within the container body shown in Figure 2. [Figure 6A] This is a diagram illustrating the function of the container holder. [Figure 6B] This is a diagram illustrating the function of the container holder. [Figure 7] This diagram illustrates the function of the tilt limiting plate shown in Figure 4. [Figure 8] This is a flowchart illustrating an example of a method for manufacturing the container of this embodiment. [Figure 9] This is a flowchart illustrating another example of the manufacturing method for the container of this embodiment. [Figure 10] This is a flowchart illustrating another example of the manufacturing method for the container of this embodiment. [Figure 11] This is an external perspective view showing another embodiment of the holder. [Figure 12] This is an external perspective view showing another embodiment of the holder. [Figure 13] Figure 12 is a diagram illustrating the function of the holder shown. [Figure 14] This is an external perspective view showing another embodiment of the holder. [Figure 15] Figure 14 is a diagram illustrating the function of the holder shown. [Figure 16] This is an external perspective view showing another embodiment of the holder. [Figure 17] This figure shows the manufacturing process of the holder shown in Figure 16. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0030] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0031] <Container composition> Figure 1 is an external perspective view showing the appearance of one embodiment of the container of the present invention. Figure 2 is an external perspective view showing the container 1 shown in Figure 1 with the lid 10 removed. Figure 3 is a view of the lid 10 shown in Figure 1 from diagonally above.

[0032] As shown in Figure 1, this embodiment is a container 1 having a container body 2 equipped with a lid 10, and a holder 40 (see Figure 4) housed inside the container body 2. In other words, the container body 2 is the same as the container 1 except for the holder 40.

[0033] As shown in Figure 2, the container body 2 has a lid 10, a storage section 20, and a head section 30.

[0034] The housing section 20 has a housing wall section 21 and a closing section 22. The housing wall section 21 is constructed, for example, by cutting an elastically deformable cylindrical resin sheet to the length of the housing wall section 21, and one end is heat-sealed to form the closing section 22. As a result, the housing wall section 21 has a circular cross-section in the portion continuous with the head section 30, and as it approaches the closing section 22, its cross-section becomes elliptical with the direction in which the closing section 22 extends as its major axis.

[0035] The head portion 30 has a shoulder portion 31 and an opening portion 32. The shoulder portion 31 has a donut shape, and its outer peripheral end is continuous with the end of the housing wall portion 21 opposite to the closing portion 22. The opening portion 32 has a cylindrical shape, and one end of the cylinder is continuous with the inner peripheral end of the shoulder portion 31. As a result, the opening portion 32 is continuous with the housing portion 20 via the shoulder portion 31. The opening portion 32 has a closed bottom portion 35 on the end opposite to the shoulder portion 31, and a discharge port 33 is provided in the bottom portion 35. In addition, screw threads 34 are formed on the outer peripheral surface of the opening portion 32. The head portion 30 has a rigid structure that is resistant to deformation, for example, by using a resin that is thicker than the housing portion 20.

[0036] In this configuration, the container body 2 holds contents such as cosmetics in the storage section 20, and the contents held in the storage section 20 are discharged from the discharge port 33.

[0037] As shown in Figure 3, the lid 10 has a cylindrical portion 11 and a bottom portion 12. The inner diameter of the cylindrical portion 11 is approximately the same as the outer diameter of the opening portion 32, and a screw groove 13 is formed on its inner circumferential surface. The bottom portion 12 is provided to close one end of the cylindrical portion 11. The bottom portion 12 is a flat disc shape. With the lid 10 configured in this way, the opening portion 32 is inserted from the end of the cylindrical portion 11 opposite to the bottom portion 12, and the screw groove 13 engages with the screw threads 34 of the opening portion 32, thereby covering the opening portion 32 and closing the discharge port 33.

[0038] As described above, the container body 2, having a flat disc-shaped bottom 12 of the lid 10, is able to stand on its own when the lid 10 is facing downwards, as shown in Figure 1.

[0039] <holder> Figure 4 is an external perspective view showing the configuration of the holder 40 housed in the container body 2 shown in Figures 1 and 2.

[0040] The holder 40 housed in the container body 2 shown in Figures 1 and 2 is an example of a restoring member in the present invention. The holder 40 is made of a resin such as polypropylene, polyethylene, or polyethylene terephthalate. As shown in Figure 4, the holder 40 has a base portion 41, leg portions 42, a tilt limiting plate 43, and a projection 44. The holder 40 may also be made of metal such as a coil spring.

[0041] The substrate portion 41 is configured in an elliptical plate shape. The substrate portion 41 may be elastically deformable so as to bend under external force, or it may not be deformable under external force. Whether the substrate portion 41 is deformable or not under external force can be determined, for example, by the thickness of the substrate portion 41.

[0042] The legs 42 constitute an example of a positioning part in the present invention. Two legs 42 extend parallel to each other in a direction away from one surface of the base plate 41. The two legs 42 are elongated plate-like in shape, and are arranged so that one surface faces the other in the direction of the minor axis of the ellipse of the base plate 41. The two legs 42 may be elastically deformable to bend under external force, or they may be resistant to deformation under external force, but it is preferable that they be resistant to deformation under external force.

[0043] The tilt limiting plate 43 is an example of a tilt limiting portion in the present invention. The tilt limiting plate 43 is provided upright on the other surface of the base plate portion 41 (the surface on which the leg portion 42 is not provided). The tilt limiting plate 43 is, for example, a rectangle having a long side that is the same length as the major axis of the ellipse of the base plate portion 41, and is positioned so that the long side overlaps with the major axis portion of the ellipse of the base plate portion 41. The tilt limiting plate 43 may be elastically deformable so as to bend when subjected to an external force, or it may be resistant to deformation when subjected to an external force, but it is preferable that it be resistant to deformation when subjected to an external force.

[0044] The projections 44 are provided on one surface of the substrate portion 41 (the surface on which the leg portion 42 is provided). For example, one projection 44 is provided from each end of the major axis portion of the ellipse of the substrate portion 41, projecting away from the substrate portion 41. The two projections 44 may be, for example, plate-shaped, with one surface facing the other in the direction of the major axis of the ellipse of the substrate portion 41.

[0045] The holder 40 configured in this way is housed inside the container body 2 to form the container 1.

[0046] Figure 5 shows the holder 40 shown in Figure 4 housed in the container body 2 shown in Figure 2. To make the housed state of the holder 40 easier to understand, the container body 2 is shown with a dashed line in Figure 5, and the lid 10 is omitted from the illustration.

[0047] The holder 40 shown in Figure 4 is housed inside the container body 2 shown in Figure 2, separately from the contents. As shown in Figure 5, the holder 40 is housed inside the container body 2 with its legs 42 facing the opening 32 and its tilt limiting plate 43 facing the closing portion 22. In this case, the holder 40 may be housed such that a portion of the outer circumference of the base plate 41 is in contact with the inner surface of the housing wall 21 of the housing portion 20. In this case, since the base plate 41 is elliptical, it is preferable that the holder 40 be housed inside the container body 2 such that the direction in which the major axis of the ellipse of the base plate 41 is oriented coincides with the direction in which the closing portion 22 of the housing portion 20 extends. Furthermore, when the holder 40 is housed inside the container body 2, the ends of the two legs 42 opposite to the base plate 41 may each be in contact with the inner surface of the shoulder portion 31 of the head portion 30.

[0048] <Function by the holder> The following describes the function of the holder 40 of the container 1 configured as described above.

[0049] Figures 6A and 6B are diagrams illustrating the operation of the holder 40 on the container 1, and show the container 1 as viewed from the direction in which the closing portion 22 extends. In Figures 6A and 6B, the container body 2 is shown with a dashed line and the lid 10 is omitted from the illustration in order to make the state of the holder 40 easier to understand.

[0050] In the container 1 shown in Figure 1, the contents, such as cosmetics, are contained inside the storage section 20. In the initial state, when the contents contained inside the storage section 20 have not been discharged to the outside, as described above, the bottom 12 of the lid 10 is a flat disc shape, and as shown in Figure 1, the lid 10 can stand upright when pointed downwards.

[0051] Subsequently, when an external force is applied, the storage section 20 deforms and collapses, reducing the internal volume of the storage section 20. As a result, the contents stored inside the storage section 20 are discharged from the discharge port 33 by the amount of the reduced internal volume.

[0052] Specifically, as shown in Figure 6A, when an external force is applied to the housing section 20 in the direction of arrow A in Figure 6A, where the two legs 42 face each other, the housing wall 21, being elastically deformable, deforms by bending. However, in this case, the holder 40 has a base plate 41 and legs 42 that are difficult to deform, so the parts of the housing wall 21 that are in contact with the base plate 41 and legs 42 do not deform. Therefore, a gap equal to the diameter of the holder 40 is created between the opposing housing wall sections 21 via the holder 40. In this way, as the housing section 20 deforms and collapses, the contents stored inside the housing section 20 are discharged from the discharge port 33 by the amount of the reduced volume inside the housing section 20. In this embodiment of the container 1, one end of the cylindrical housing wall 21 is heat-sealed to form a closed section 22. The holder 40 has two legs 42 positioned opposite each other in the direction of the minor axis of the ellipse of the base plate 41, and is housed inside the container body 2 such that the direction of the major axis of the ellipse of the base plate 41 coincides with the direction in which the closing portion 22 of the housing portion 20 extends. Therefore, when attempting to discharge the contents housed inside the housing portion 20 from the discharge port 33, intuitively, as shown in Figure 6A, an external force is often applied to the housing portion 20 in the direction of arrow A in Figure 6A, where the two legs 42 face each other.

[0053] When the storage section 20 deforms into a crushed shape in this manner, in a configuration where the holder 40 is not housed inside the storage section 20, it becomes difficult to restore the storage section 20 to its original shape. As a result, the container 1 becomes less able to stand on its own even when the lid 10 attached to the opening 32 is facing downwards. In particular, as the amount of contents stored in the storage section 20 decreases, the degree of deformation of the storage section 20 increases, making it increasingly difficult to stand on its own. Furthermore, if the storage wall 21 is deformable without elasticity, this phenomenon becomes even more pronounced. In addition, as mentioned above, in a container 1 where cosmetics are stored in the storage section 20, as the amount of contents decreases, it gives a worn-out impression, and the sense of luxury is diminished.

[0054] On the other hand, in a configuration like this embodiment, where the holder 40 is housed inside the housing section 20, when no external force is applied and the housing section 20 attempts to return to its original state due to the restoring force of the housing wall 21, the fact that the housing wall 21 is in contact with the base portion 41 of the holder 40 makes it easier for the housing section 20 to return to its original state. As a result, the housing wall 21 expands in the direction of arrow B in Figure 6B, and the container body 2 recovers from the state in which an external force was applied to a shape that is not crushed. The recovery rate of the shape of the housing section 20 by the holder 40 may be expressed, for example, using the rate of change of the ratio of the minor axis to the major axis of the cross-section of the housing wall 21 at a position 30% from the head portion 30 of the housing section 20 with respect to the continuous length of the housing section 20 with respect to the head portion 30. For example, suppose that the ratio of the minor axis to the major axis of the cross-section of the housing wall 21 is 1:2 when no external force is applied to the housing section 20 and the housing section 20 is not crushed. Let's assume that when an external force is applied to the housing section 20 and the housing section 20 is crushed, the ratio of the minor axis to the major axis of the cross-section of the housing wall section 21 becomes 1:8. Subsequently, when the external force is no longer applied to the housing section 20, if the ratio of the minor axis to the major axis of the cross-section of the housing wall section 21 becomes 1:2, the recovery rate by the holder 40 will be 100%. Also, when the external force is no longer applied to the housing section 20, if the ratio of the minor axis to the major axis of the cross-section of the housing wall section 21 becomes 1:4, the recovery rate by the holder 40 will be 50%. In this embodiment, the recovery rate by the holder 40 is preferably 50% or more, more preferably 70% or more, and most preferably 100%.

[0055] Thus, even if the container body 2 is deformed by an external force applied to discharge the contents contained in the storage section 20 from the discharge port 33, once the external force is removed, the holder 40 makes it easier for the container body 2 to return to its original undeformed shape. As a result, even when the amount of contents remaining in the storage section 20 is small, the container body 2 can maintain its ability to stand on its own. When the container 1 is stored upright, the contact area with the ground is smaller compared to when the container 1 is stored lying down, making it easier to grasp and use the container 1.

[0056] As described above, in the container 1 of this embodiment, a simple configuration can be achieved in which the container can deform from a self-standing shape to a crushed shape when an external force is applied to discharge the contents, while simultaneously restoring to an uncrushed shape when the external force is removed.

[0057] Furthermore, because the storage section 20 remains intact even when the amount of contents stored in it is low, if the lid 10 is left upright with the lid facing downwards, the contents will fall towards the discharge port 33, making it easier to use up the contents stored in the storage section 20. For example, when the amount of contents stored in the storage section 20 is low, it becomes easier to use up the contents without having to insert a finger or the like into the storage section 20 to remove the contents.

[0058] Furthermore, even when the amount of contents stored in the storage section 20 decreases, the storage section 20 remains in a bulging shape rather than collapsing, which allows logos or other markings displayed on the outer surface of the storage wall section 21 to remain easily visible.

[0059] Furthermore, when the holder 40 is housed inside the housing 20, the ends of the legs 42 opposite to the base plate 41 are in contact with the inner surface of the shoulder portion 31 of the head portion 30, thereby positioning the holder 40 in a predetermined position within the housing 20. In order to position the holder 40 within the housing 20 using the legs 42, the length of the legs 42 is preferably 15 mm to 70 mm.

[0060] Now, let's explain the function of the tilt limiting plate 43.

[0061] Figure 7 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the tilt limiting plate 43 shown in Figure 4, and is a view of the container 1 from the direction in which the closing portion 22 extends. In Figure 7, the container body 2 is shown with a dashed line and the lid 10 is omitted from the illustration in order to make the state of the holder 40 easier to understand.

[0062] As described above, in the container 1 of this embodiment, the holder 40 is housed inside the container body 2 such that the tilt limiting plate 43 faces the closing portion 22 and the legs 42 face the opening portion 32. In this state, if an external force is applied to the storage portion 20 in a direction that causes the legs 42 to face each other in order to discharge the contents stored in the storage portion 20, there is a risk that the holder 40 will rotate inside the storage portion 20 in direction C in Figure 7.

[0063] In this embodiment, the holder 40 has two legs 42 arranged to face each other in the direction of the minor axis of the ellipse of the base plate 41. The holder 40 also has a rectangular tilt limiting plate 43 that stands upright on one surface of the base plate 41, with its long side overlapping the major axis of the ellipse of the base plate 41.

[0064] Therefore, as the holder 40 rotates in direction C in Figure 7 within the housing section 20, the long side of the tilt limiting plate 43 opposite to the base plate 41 comes into contact with the housing wall 21 of the housing section 20. As a result, the holder 40 cannot rotate any further within the container body 2, and the tilt of the holder 40 is limited so as not to change by more than a predetermined angle.

[0065] Thus, in this embodiment, the holder 40 has a configuration that includes a tilt limiting plate 43, which prevents the tilt of the holder 40 inside the container body 2 from changing by more than a predetermined angle when an external force is applied to the housing portion 20 of the container body 2.

[0066] <Method of manufacturing containers> The following describes several examples of how to manufacture the container 1 of this embodiment.

[0067] Figure 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a manufacturing method for the container 1 of this embodiment.

[0068] In this example, when manufacturing a container 1 in which a holder 40 is housed inside the container body 2, first, the head portion 30 is attached to the housing portion 20 (step ST11). As described above, the housing portion 20 is constructed by heat-sealing one end of the housing wall portion 21, which is made by cutting a cylindrical resin sheet to the length of the housing wall portion 21, to form a closed portion 22. When attaching the head portion 30 to the housing portion 2, one end of the housing wall portion 21 is not heat-sealed and therefore the closed portion 22 is not formed. Therefore, the head portion 30 is attached to the other end of the housing wall portion 21, which is made by cutting a cylindrical resin sheet to the length of the housing wall portion 21. Note that the attachment of the head portion 30 to the housing wall portion 21 may also be done using heat.

[0069] Next, the holder 40 is housed in the housing 20 to which the head portion 30 is attached (step ST12). At this time, since the end of the housing 20 opposite to the head portion 30 is open and does not have a closing portion 22, the holder 40 is housed in from the end opposite to the head portion 30, which is the housing opening of the housing 20. The holder 40 is also housed in the housing 20 from the side of the substrate portion 41 where the tilt limiting plate 43 is provided.

[0070] Next, the contents such as cosmetics are placed inside the storage section 20 (step ST13). Similar to the holder 40, the contents are placed inside the storage section 20 from the end opposite to the head section 30, which is the storage opening. At this time, if the outer circumference of the base section 41 of the holder 40 is in contact with the inner surface of the storage wall section 21 all around, the contents cannot enter the side of the base section 41 where the tilt limiting plate 43 is provided. Therefore, depending on the viscosity of the contents, it is preferable that a part of the outer circumference of the base section 41 of the holder 40 is in contact with the inner surface of the storage wall section 21, or that the outer circumference of the base section 41 of the holder 40 is not in contact with the inner surface of the storage wall section 21. In addition, one or more holes that penetrate through the front and back surfaces of the base section 41 may be provided in the base section 41 of the holder 40.

[0071] Subsequently, the open end of the housing wall 21 is heat-sealed to form a closed portion 22, thereby sealing the housing portion 20 (step ST14).

[0072] In the example described above, the head portion 30 is housed in the housing portion 20, and then the contents are housed in the housing portion 20. However, the contents may be housed in the housing portion 20 first, and then the head portion 30 may be housed in the housing portion 20.

[0073] Figure 9 is a flowchart illustrating another example of the manufacturing method for the container 1 of this embodiment.

[0074] In this example as well, when manufacturing a container 1 in which the holder 40 is housed inside the container body 2, first, the head portion 30 is attached to the housing portion 20 (step ST21).

[0075] Next, in this example, the contents such as cosmetics are placed inside the storage section 20 to which the head section 30 is attached (step ST22). At this time, since the end of the storage section 20 opposite to the head section 30 is open and does not have a closing section 22, the contents are placed inside from the end opposite to the head section 30, which is the opening of the storage section 20.

[0076] Next, the holder 40 is housed in the housing section 20 (step ST23). Like the contents, the holder 40 is housed from the end opposite to the head section 30, which is the housing opening of the housing section 20. In this example as well, the holder 40 is housed in the housing section 20 from the side of the base plate 41 where the tilt limiting plate 43 is provided. In particular, if the size of the base plate 41 of the holder 40 is such that the outer circumference of the base plate 41 is in contact with the inner surface of the housing wall 21 around its entire circumference, depending on the viscosity of the contents, it may become difficult to house the holder 40 in the housing section 20. For this reason, for example, the holder 40 may be housed in the housing section 20 while tilting it.

[0077] Subsequently, the open end of the housing wall 21 is heat-sealed to form a closed portion 22, thereby sealing the housing portion 20 (step ST24).

[0078] In the two examples described above, the container body 2 is constructed by attaching the head portion 30 to the storage portion 20, and then the holder 40 is housed in the storage portion 20. However, the holder 40 may be integrally molded with the head portion 30, and then the storage portion 20 may be attached to the head portion 30 which is integrated with the holder 40.

[0079] Figure 10 is a flowchart illustrating another example of the manufacturing method for the container 1 of this embodiment.

[0080] In this example, when manufacturing a container 1 in which a holder 40 is housed inside the container body 2, first, the holder 40 is attached to the head portion 30 (step ST31). Note that the attachment of the holder 40 to the head portion 30 may be done, for example, by integrally molding the holder 40 to the head portion 30. In this case, the end of the holder 40 opposite to the base portion 41 of the tilt limiting plate 43 will be continuous with the head portion 30.

[0081] Next, the head portion 30, which is integrated with the holder 40, is attached to the housing portion 20 (step ST32). The head portion 30 may be attached to the housing portion 20 in the same manner as shown in Figure 8.

[0082] Next, the contents such as cosmetics are placed in the storage section 20 (step ST33). At this time, since the end of the storage section 20 opposite to the head section 30 is open and does not have a closing section 22, the contents are placed in from the end opposite to the head section 30, which is the opening of the storage section 20. Also, as shown in Figure 8, if the outer circumference of the base section 41 of the holder 40 is in contact with the inner surface of the storage wall section 21 around its entire circumference, the contents cannot enter the surface of the base section 41 where the tilt limiting plate 43 is provided. For this reason, depending on the viscosity of the contents, it is preferable that a part of the outer circumference of the base section 41 of the holder 40 is in contact with the inner surface of the storage wall section 21, or that the outer circumference of the base section 41 of the holder 40 is not in contact with the inner surface of the storage wall section 21. In addition, one or more holes that penetrate through the front and back surfaces of the base section 41 may be provided in the base section 41 of the holder 40.

[0083] Subsequently, the open end of the housing wall 21 is heat-sealed to form a closed portion 22, thereby sealing the housing portion 20 (step ST34).

[0084] In this way, a container 1 can be manufactured in which the holder 40 is housed inside the container body 2.

[0085] In this embodiment, the holder 40 was described using an example configuration in which an elliptical plate-shaped substrate portion 41 is provided with two legs 42. However, the number of legs 42 is not limited to two. For example, in addition to the two legs 42 arranged so that one surface of the plate-shaped substrate portion 41 faces each other in the direction of the minor axis of the ellipse, as shown in Figure 4, two additional legs may be provided so that one surface of the plate-shaped substrate portion 41 faces each other in the direction of the major axis of the ellipse. Furthermore, multiple legs may be provided in an octopus-leg-like manner along the periphery of the substrate portion 41.

[0086] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the containment wall portion 21 is constructed by cutting an elastically deformable cylindrical resin sheet to the length of the containment wall portion 21, thereby making it elastically deformable. However, the containment wall portion 21 may be made of a material that does not have elastic force, such as a metal tube made of aluminum, as long as it is deformable. However, if the containment wall portion 21 is elastically deformable, when no external force is applied to the container body 2, the elastic force of the containment wall portion 21 will restore the shape of the container body 2 to an undeformed shape to some extent.

[0087] Furthermore, in this embodiment, an example was described in which an external force is applied to the storage section 20, causing it to deform into a crushed shape, and the contents stored in the storage section 20 to be discharged from the discharge port 33. However, even in containers where the head section 30 is a so-called pump type, there are configurations in which the storage section 20 deforms into a crushed shape when the contents stored in the storage section 20 are discharged. Therefore, the container may also be a pump type in which the contents stored in the storage section 20 are discharged when the pump is pressed down.

[0088] (Other embodiments) Figure 11 is an external perspective view showing another embodiment of the holder.

[0089] The holder housed inside the container body 2 shown in Figure 2 may be a holder 140 as shown in Figure 11. In this embodiment, the holder 140 consists only of a base plate portion 141. The base plate portion 141 is an elliptical plate-shaped member that has a flat surface and does not deform under external force. Therefore, the base plate portion 141 may be made of a material that is not easily deformed, such as metal, in addition to resin.

[0090] The holder 140 shown in Figure 11 is housed inside the housing section 20 shown in Figure 2. In this case, the holder 140 is housed in the housing section 20 such that the plane of the base plate 141 faces the direction of the bottom 12 of the lid 10, so that the plane of the base plate 141 faces in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the container body 2 is crushed by external force.

[0091] Even when the holder 140 is housed inside the storage section 20 shown in Figure 2, if the storage section 20 is crushed by an external force, a gap equal to the diameter of the holder 140 is created between the opposing storage walls 21 via the holder 140. This allows the storage section 20 to deform into a crushed shape due to an external force, but when the external force is removed, the storage section 20 can easily return to its original, uncrushed shape. Furthermore, even when the amount of contents remaining decreases, the holder 140 prevents the pressure inside the storage section 20 from decreasing, maintaining a shape that makes it easy for the container body 2 to stand upright. As a result, even if the container body 2 is deformed into a crushed shape due to an external force, when the external force is removed, the shape of the container body 2 will restore to its uncrushed shape and return to a state where it can easily stand upright.

[0092] Although the holder 140 shown in Figure 11 consists only of a base portion 141 of an elliptical plate-shaped member having a flat surface, the base portion may be a plate-shaped member having a curved surface, such as a spoon shape. Furthermore, the orientation in which the holder 140 is housed in the container body 2 is not limited to an orientation in which the flat or curved surface of the base portion is perpendicular to the direction in which the container body 2 is crushed by an external force. The orientation may be slightly inclined from the direction perpendicular to the direction in which the container body 2 is crushed by an external force, as long as a predetermined gap is created between the opposing housing walls 21 of the container body 2 via the holder 140 when the container body 2 is crushed by an external force.

[0093] Figure 12 is an external perspective view showing another embodiment of the holder.

[0094] The holder housed inside the container body 2 shown in Figure 2 may be a holder 240 as shown in Figure 12.

[0095] The holder 240 in this embodiment has an annular portion 241 and a leg portion 242. The annular portion 241 is composed of four plate portions 241a to 241d, and the leg portion 242 is composed of two vertical plate portions 242a and a horizontal plate portion 242b.

[0096] The four plate sections 241a to 241d that make up the annular section 241 are each made up of a long plate that is curved in a semi-elliptical shape. Two plate sections 241a and 241b are spaced apart so that their semi-ellipses overlap each other, and two plate sections 241c and 241d are also spaced apart so that their semi-ellipses overlap each other. Plate sections 241a and 241b and plate sections 241c and 241d are arranged so that only the major axis of the ellipse overlaps, and the semi-elliptical portions do not overlap. In other words, plate sections 241a and 241b and plate sections 241c and 241d are arranged so that their curved inner surfaces face each other.

[0097] The leg portion 242 constitutes an example of a positioning portion in the present invention. The two vertical plate portions 242a constituting the leg portion 242 are elongated plate-shaped and are arranged parallel to each other so that their planes face the same direction and are side by side. The horizontal plate portion 242b constituting the leg portion 242 is also elongated plate-shaped and is continuous with one end of each of the two vertical plate portions 242a, so that the leg portion 242 has a shape in which the two vertical plate portions 242a are connected via the horizontal plate portion 242b.

[0098] An annular portion 241 is attached to the leg portion 242 configured in this way. Specifically, a plate portion 241a is attached to the end of each of the two vertical plate portions 242a that make up the leg portion 242a, opposite to the horizontal plate portion 242b. One end of the plate portion 241a is attached to one of the two vertical plate portions 242a, and the other end is attached to the other of the two vertical plate portions 242a. In addition, a plate portion 241c is attached to the area adjacent to the portion of the two vertical plate portions 242a to which the plate portion 241a is attached. At this time, the plate portions 241a and 241c are arranged so that only the major axis portions of the ellipse overlap, and the semi-ellipse portions do not overlap, so that they are attached in a direction that bulges outwards on opposite sides of the vertical plate portion 242a. In addition, a plate portion 241b is attached to the area adjacent to the portion of the two vertical plate portions 242a to which the plate portion 241c is attached. In this configuration, plate sections 241b and 241c are positioned so that only the major axis portions of the ellipse overlap, while the semi-elliptical portions do not overlap, and are attached to the vertical plate section 242a in a direction that bulges outwards on opposite sides. Additionally, plate section 241d is attached to the region adjacent to the portion of the two vertical plate sections 242a to which plate sections 241b are attached. In this configuration, plate sections 241b and 241d are positioned so that only the major axis portions of the ellipse overlap, while the semi-elliptical portions do not overlap, and are attached to the vertical plate section 242a in a direction that bulges outwards on opposite sides. With the four plate sections 241a to 241d constituting the annular section 241 attached to the two vertical plate sections 242a in this way, the annular section 241 has an elliptic annular shape when viewed from the direction in which the two vertical plate sections 242a extend. Furthermore, the vertical plate portion 242a and the horizontal plate portion 242b that constitute the leg portion 242 have their planes oriented in the direction in which the minor axis of the ellipse of the annular portion 241 extends. The annular portion 241 is made of resin or the like, and is configured to be elastically deformable so as to curve in the direction of arrow D in Figure 12.

[0099] Figure 13 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the holder 240 shown in Figure 12.

[0100] The holder 240 shown in Figure 12 is housed inside the housing section 20 shown in Figure 2. At this time, the holder 240 is housed inside the housing section 20 with the annular portion 241 facing the opening portion 32. After the holder 240 is housed inside the housing section 20, the legs 242 come into contact with the closing portion 22 of the housing wall 21, thereby positioning the holder 240 in a predetermined position within the housing section 20. In order for the legs 242 to position the holder 240 inside the housing section 20, it is preferable that the length of the legs 242 be such that the distance from the plate portion 241d constituting the annular portion 241 to the horizontal plate portion 242d constituting the legs 242 is between 15 mm and 70 mm.

[0101] When the holder 240 is housed inside the housing section 20 shown in Figure 2, the annular portion 241 conforms to the inner surface of the housing wall 21, which is the inner surface of the container body 2. If an external force is applied in this state to crush the housing section 20, the housing wall 21 deforms. Furthermore, since the annular portion 241 of the holder 240 is elastically deformable, the annular portion 241 also deforms together with the housing wall 21, as shown in Figure 13. As a result, the contents housed in the housing section 20 are discharged from the discharge port 33.

[0102] Subsequently, when the external force is removed, the elastically deformed annular portion 241 attempts to return to its original state, deforming in such a way that it pushes the inner surface of the containment wall portion 21 outward. As a result, the containment portion 20 expands and returns to its original, uncollapsed shape, restoring the container body 2 to a self-supporting shape. In other words, when the external force is removed, the holder 240 deforms in such a way that it expands the container body 2.

[0103] In this embodiment, the elliptical annular portion 241 is formed by four plate portions 241a to 241d, which are formed by curving a long plate in a semi-elliptical shape. However, the elliptical annular portion may also be formed by rolling a single long plate into an elliptical shape.

[0104] Furthermore, the annular portion 241 may not be elliptical, but rather semicircular or C-shaped. Moreover, it may not be circular, but have corners.

[0105] Figure 14 is an external perspective view showing another embodiment of the holder.

[0106] The holder housed inside the container body 2 shown in Figure 2 may be a holder 340 as shown in Figure 14.

[0107] The holder 340 in this embodiment has an M-shaped portion 341 and leg portions 342. The M-shaped portion 341 is composed of a base portion 341a, two side portions 341b, two slanted portions 341c, and a base portion 341d. The leg portion 342 is composed of two vertical plate portions 342a and a horizontal plate portion 342b. These base portions 341a, 341d, the two side portions 341b, the two slanted portions 341c, the two vertical plate portions 342a, and the horizontal plate portion 342b are each elongated plate shapes.

[0108] The two side portions 341b that constitute the M-shaped portion 341 are arranged parallel to each other with their planes facing each other, and are connected via the base portions 341a, with a base portion 341a attached to one end of each. One of the two side portions 341b is attached to one end of the base portion 341a, and the other of the two side portions 341b is attached to the other end. The two slanted portions 341c are each continuous with the end of the side portion 341b opposite to the base portion 341a. They extend diagonally away from the side portion 341b from the end attached to the side portion 341b and are continuous with the end of the base portion 341d. The base portion 341d is arranged parallel to the base portion 341a, with one of the two slanted portions 341c continuous with one end, and the other of the two slanted portions 341c continuous with the other end. Of these, the base portion 341a, 341d, the two side portions 341b, and the two slanted portions 341c, the base portion 341a, the two side portions 341b, and the two slanted portions 341c are continuous in shape as if a single long plate were bent into an approximately M shape. That is, when viewed from the direction in which the M shape is visible, each of the planes is not visible. Only the base portion 341a is oriented so that its plane is visible when viewed from the direction in which the M shape is visible.

[0109] The leg portion 342 constitutes an example of a positioning portion in the present invention. The two vertical plate portions 342a constituting the leg portion 342 are elongated plate-shaped and are arranged parallel to each other with their planes facing each other. The horizontal plate portion 342b constituting the leg portion 342 is also elongated plate-shaped and is continuous with one end of each of the two vertical plate portions 342a, so that the leg portion 342 is a shape in which the two vertical plate portions 342a are connected via the horizontal plate portion 342b. These two vertical plate portions 342a and the horizontal plate portion 342b are continuous in a shape as if a single elongated plate were bent. That is, the horizontal plate portion 342b is placed on each of the two vertical plate portions 342a, which are arranged with their planes facing each other, with its plane facing upward, and is positioned to bridge the two vertical plate portions 342a.

[0110] The M-shaped section 341 is attached to the leg section 242 configured in this way. Specifically, the base section 341a is attached to the horizontal plate section 342b in a direction perpendicular to the horizontal plate section 342b. The M-shaped section 341 is made of resin or the like, and is configured to be elastically deformable so that the side sections 341b and the slanted sections 341c curve in the direction of arrow E in Figure 14 and the opposite direction. The base section 341d is also configured to be elastically deformable so that it curves in the direction of arrow F in Figure 14.

[0111] Figure 15 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the holder 340 shown in Figure 14.

[0112] The holder 240 shown in Figure 14 is housed inside the housing section 20 shown in Figure 2. At that time, the holder 340 is housed inside the housing section 20 with the M-shaped portion 341 facing the opening portion 32. After the holder 340 is housed inside the housing section 20, the leg portion 342 comes into contact with the inner surface of the closing portion 22 of the housing wall portion 21, thereby positioning the holder 340 in a predetermined position within the housing section 20.

[0113] When an external force is applied to crush the housing section 20 while the holder 340 is housed inside the housing section 20 shown in Figure 2, the housing wall 21 deforms. Furthermore, because the M-shaped portion 341 of the holder 340 is elastically deformable, as shown in Figure 15, the two side portions 341b and the slanted side portion 341c bend together with the housing wall 21, so that the ends opposite to the bottom portion 341a move closer to each other. As a result, the contents housed in the housing section 20 are discharged from the discharge port 33.

[0114] Subsequently, when the external force is removed, the elastically deformed M-shaped portion 341 attempts to return to its original state, causing the two side portions 341b and the slanted portion 341c to deform in such a way that they push the inner surface of the housing wall portion 21 outward. As a result, the housing portion 20 expands and returns to its original shape, restoring the container body 2 to a self-supporting shape.

[0115] Figure 16 is an external perspective view showing another embodiment of the holder. Figure 17 is a diagram showing the manufacturing process of the holder 440 shown in Figure 16.

[0116] The holder housed inside the container body 2 shown in Figure 2 may be a holder 440 as shown in Figure 16.

[0117] The holder 440 in this embodiment is configured to have a cylindrical portion 441 and two leg portions 442. The cylindrical portion 441 is cylindrical with both ends open and is elastically deformable. The two leg portions 442 extend in the axial direction of the cylindrical portion 441 and are attached to the cylindrical portion 441 facing each other so as to protrude from one end of the cylindrical portion 441.

[0118] The holder 440 configured in this way can be manufactured from a single sheet of resin. As shown in Figure 17, a single sheet is processed into a shape in which the cylindrical portion 441 to which the legs 442 are attached is open, and then the sheet is rolled up to form the cylindrical portion 441 into a cylindrical shape. In this way, the holder 440 can be manufactured as a sheet molded product.

[0119] In this embodiment, the holder 440 is housed and used inside the housing section 20 shown in Figure 2. In this case, the cylindrical portion 441 may be housed so as to be in contact with the inner surface of the housing wall 21.

[0120] When an external force is applied to crush the housing section 20 while the holder 440 is housed inside the housing section 20 shown in Figure 2, the housing wall 21 deforms. Furthermore, because the cylindrical portion 441 of the holder 440 is elastically deformable, it deforms together with the housing wall 21. As a result, the contents housed in the housing section 20 are discharged from the discharge port 33.

[0121] Subsequently, when the external force is removed, the elastically deformed cylindrical portion 441 attempts to return to its original state, deforming in such a way that it pushes the inner surface of the containment wall portion 21 outward. As a result, the containment portion 20 expands and returns to its original shape, restoring the container body 2 to a self-supporting shape.

[0122] The holder has been described above with reference to several embodiments. However, as long as the holder can deform into a crushed shape when an external force is applied while it is housed in the container body 2, and restore the container body 2 to its original, uncrushed shape when the external force is removed, various shapes of holders can be applied. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0123] 1 container 2. Container body 10 Lid 11,441 Cylindrical part 12,35 bottom 13 Screw grooves 20 Storage Units 21 Containment wall section 22 Closing part 30 Head section 31 Shoulder 32 Mouth 33 Discharge port 34 screw threads 40,140,240,340,440 holder 41,141 Circuit board section 42,242,342,442 Legs 43. Inclination limiting plate 44 Protrusion 241 Ring section 242a,342a Vertical plate part 242b,342b Horizontal plate part 341 M-shaped section 341a, 341d Base 341b Side part 341c hypotenuse

Claims

1. The container body, which holds the contents, is configured to deform from a self-supporting shape to a crushed shape when an external force is applied, The container body is housed separately from the contents, and when an external force is applied to the container body, it is capable of deforming the container body into a crushed shape due to the external force, and when the external force is removed from the container body, it is capable of restoring the container body to its original, uncrushed shape. The container wherein the restoration member has an elastically deformable structure, and when the external force is no longer applied to the container body, it deforms to inflate the container body from the state in which the external force was applied.

2. The container according to claim 1, wherein the restoration member has an annular portion that follows the inner surface of the container body.

3. The container body, which holds the contents, is configured to deform from a self-supporting shape to a crushed shape when an external force is applied, The container body is housed separately from the contents, and when an external force is applied to the container body, it is capable of deforming the container body into a crushed shape due to the external force, and when the external force is removed from the container body, it is capable of restoring the container body to its original, uncrushed shape. The container is a plate-shaped member that does not deform under the external force, and is housed inside the container body in such a way that a predetermined gap is created between the opposing housing walls of the container body via the restoration member when the container body is crushed by the external force.

4. The container according to claim 1 or claim 3, wherein the restoration member has a positioning portion for positioning the restoration member in a predetermined position within the container body.

5. The container according to claim 1 or claim 3, wherein the restoring member has a tilt limiting portion that limits the tilt of the restoring member within the container body so that the tilt of the restoring member within the container body does not change by more than a predetermined angle when the external force is applied to the container body.

6. The container according to claim 1 or claim 3, wherein the container body is made of an elastically deformable material.

7. The container body is A storage section in which the contents are contained, The container according to claim 1 or claim 3, further comprising a head portion continuous with the storage portion, which discharges the contents stored in the storage portion when an external force is applied to the storage portion.

8. The aforementioned housing is made of an elastically deformable material, The container according to claim 7, wherein the restoration member is integrally molded with the head portion.

9. A method for manufacturing a container according to claim 8, The steps include attaching the head portion to the housing portion, A method for manufacturing a container, comprising the step of housing the restoration member in the housing section.

10. After housing the restoration member in the housing section, the process involves housing the contents into the housing section through the housing opening of the housing section. A method for manufacturing a container according to claim 9, comprising the step of closing the storage opening after storing the contents in the storage section.

11. Before housing the restoration member in the housing section, the process involves housing the contents into the housing section through the housing opening of the housing section, A method for manufacturing a container according to claim 9, comprising the step of closing the storage opening after housing the restoration member in the storage section.

12. A method for manufacturing a container according to claim 7, The steps include attaching the restoration member to the head portion, A method for manufacturing a container, comprising the step of attaching the head portion to the storage portion.

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