Dropper container

Abstract

The present invention provides a dropper container that prevents the contents of the container from being exposed to the outside air when the dropper is removed from the container body. [Solution] The dropper container 1 comprises a container body 2 having an inner container 4 and an outer container 5, an inner cap 20 screwed onto the mouth 2a of the container body 2, a dropper tube 80 extending downward from the inner cap 20, an operating member 50 defining an operating space S communicating with the dropper tube 80, an outer cap 30 rotatably fitted over the inner cap 20, an interlocking member 40 that expands and contracts the operating space S as the outer cap 30 rotates relative to the inner cap 20, an insertion tube 10 into which the dropper tube 80 can be inserted, and a check valve 90 provided inside the insertion tube 10 that allows the contents to move from inside the inner container 4 to the lower end opening of the dropper tube 80 and prevents the movement of air from the lower end opening of the dropper tube 80 into the inner container 4.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a dropper container.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, as shown in Patent Document 1, a dropper container having a dropper has been used. This dropper container has a container body provided with a mouth portion, a cap detachably attached to the mouth portion, and a dropper attached to the cap.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, in the above conventional dropper container, when the dropper is removed from the container body, the contents inside the container body come into contact with the outside air (air). If the contents dislike contact with air, there is a risk that the contents will change color, deteriorate, or degrade due to contact with air.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and its object is to provide a dropper container capable of suppressing the contents inside the container body from coming into contact with the outside air when the dropper is removed from the container body.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] (1) The dropper container according to the present invention comprises a double container having an inner container that deforms in volume as the contents contained therein decrease, and an outer container in which the inner container is housed, an inner cap that is detachably screwed onto the outside of the mouth of the double container, a dropper tube that extends downward from the inner cap and whose lower end opening is located inside the double container, an operating member that defines an operating space communicating with the upper end opening of the dropper tube, and an outer part that is rotatable around the container axis, with rotation around the container axis restricted to a predetermined amount or more, attached to the inner cap The container comprises an outer cap, an interlocking member provided inside the outer cap which restricts rotation of the outer cap around the container axis and expands and contracts the operating space in accordance with the rotation of the outer cap relative to the inner cap, an insertion tube extending from the mouth of the double container toward the inner container into which the dropper tube can be inserted, and a check valve provided inside the insertion tube which allows the contents to move from the inner container to the lower end opening of the dropper tube and prevents the movement of air from the lower end opening of the dropper tube toward the inner container.

[0007] According to the dropper container of the present invention, when the outer cap is rotated in the loosening direction relative to the inner cap, the interlocking member rises relative to the inner cap. As the interlocking member rises, the volume of the working space increases, creating negative pressure inside the dropper tube. This creates negative pressure inside the insertion tube into which the dropper tube is inserted, causing the check valve to open and the contents to be drawn up from the inner container of the container body (double-walled container) into the dropper tube. As the contents are drawn up into the dropper tube, the inner container deforms to reduce in volume as the contents decrease, so negative pressure is not created inside the container body. This suppresses the movement (intrusion) of air into the inner container when the check valve is open. Furthermore, once the contents have been drawn into the dropper tube and the negative pressure inside the dropper tube is released, the check valve closes. This prevents outside air from coming into contact with the contents inside the inner container even after the dropper is removed from the container body.

[0008] (2) The check valve may include a sealing cylinder portion that is in close contact with the outer circumferential surface of the lower end of the dropper tube when the dropper tube is inserted into the insertion tube, and a valve plate portion provided inside the sealing cylinder portion, which is elastically displaced in accordance with the pressure in the working space, and switches between communication and blockage between the inside of the inner container and the lower end opening of the dropper tube.

[0009] In this case, since the lower end opening of the dropper tube is positioned within the space formed by the sealing cylinder and the valve plate, the flow path from the inner container of the main body to the dropper tube is limited, and contact between the outside air inside the insertion tube and the contents can be more reliably suppressed. In addition, due to the tight seal of the sealing cylinder, the contents will not adhere to the outer surface of the dropper tube other than the lower end, making it less likely to contaminate the surrounding area when inserting or removing the dropper tube. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the dropper container of the present invention, when the dropper is removed from the container body, it is possible to prevent the contents inside the container body from being exposed to the outside air. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] [Figure 1] This is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing a dropper container according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing the upper part of a dropper container according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] This is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing the configuration around the lower end of a dropper tube according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] This is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing the configuration around the lower end of the dropper tube when the contents are being drawn up according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0012] The following describes a dropper container according to one embodiment, based on the drawings.

[0013] As shown in Figure 1, the dropper container 1 comprises a bottomed cylindrical container body 2 for containing the contents, and a dropper 3 detachably attached to the mouth 2a of the container body 2. The dropper 3 comprises an inner cap 20, an outer cap 30, an interlocking member 40, an operating member 50, a piston 60, a button member 70, and a dropper tube 80. The container body 2 also comprises an insertion tube 10 and a check valve 90.

[0014] The components of the dropper container 1 in this embodiment are made of resin material. In other words, the dropper container 1 in this embodiment does not have any metal members (such as a coil spring). The container body 2 contains contents that are undesirable to contact with air. Examples of such contents include drugs applied to the human body (skin) or liquid cosmetics.

[0015] The container body 2 is a double-walled container comprising an inner container 4 that deforms in volume as the contents inside decrease, and an outer container 5 in which the inner container 4 is housed. The outer container 5 has an air intake hole (not shown) formed between the outer container 5 and the inner container 4 for drawing in outside air. The container body 2 may be a so-called delaminated container, for example, formed by blow molding, in which the outer surface of the inner container 4 is peelably laminated onto the inner surface of the outer container 5. As for blow molding, for example, a double-walled (inner and outer) laminated parison may be formed by extrusion molding, and the container body 2 may be formed by blow molding this laminated parison (extrusion blow molding).

[0016] Alternatively, preforms for the outer container and inner container may be formed separately by injection molding or the like, and the container body 2 may be formed by combining them in a double (inner and outer) configuration and integrally forming them by biaxial stretch blow molding. Furthermore, the outer container 5 may be formed by first biaxial stretch blow molding the preform for the outer container, then the preform for the inner container may be placed inside the outer container 5, and then the container body 2 may be formed by biaxial stretch blow molding the preform for the inner container. Alternatively, the container body 2 may be formed by first forming a laminated preform and then biaxial stretch blow molding this preform. Alternatively, the inner container 4 and the outer container 5 may be formed individually and then combined. Note that these molding methods are just examples and are not particularly limited.

[0017] In this embodiment, the central axes of the container body 2 and the dropper 3 lie on a common axis. Hereinafter, this common axis will be referred to as the container axis O, the bottom side of the container body 2 (the lower side in Figure 1) along the direction of the container axis will be referred to as the lower side, and the mouth portion 2a side of the container body 2 (the upper side in Figure 1) along the direction of the container axis will be referred to as the upper side. When viewed from the direction of the container axis, the direction intersecting the container axis O will be referred to as the radial direction, and the direction revolving around the container axis O will be referred to as the circumferential direction.

[0018] Furthermore, the rotational direction toward one side in the circumferential direction is sometimes referred to as the "loosening direction." The loosening direction is the direction in which the interlocking member 40 rises relative to the inner cap 20 when the outer cap 30 is rotated relative to the inner cap 20. As will be described in detail later, in this embodiment, when the outer cap 30 is rotated in the loosening direction relative to the container body 2, the interlocking member 40 rises relative to the inner cap 20, and then the inner cap 20 rotates together with the outer cap 30 in the loosening direction relative to the container body 2.

[0019] As shown in the enlarged view of FIG. 2, the inner cap 20 includes a mounting cylinder portion 21, a screwed cylinder portion 22, an annular portion 23, a connecting cylinder portion 24, a connecting tube portion 25, and a holding cylinder portion 26. The mounting cylinder portion 21 is formed in a capped cylindrical shape with an opening formed at the top, and is mounted on the mouth portion 2a of the container body 2. In the present embodiment, the female screw portion formed on the inner peripheral surface of the mounting cylinder portion 21 is screwed onto the male screw portion formed on the outer peripheral surface of the mouth portion 2a.

[0020] When the inner cap 20 rotates around the container axis O with respect to the container body 2, the dropper 3 can be removed from the mouth portion 2a of the container body 2 or attached to the mouth portion 2a again. The mounting cylinder portion 21 is covered from the radially outer side by the cap peripheral wall 31 of the outer cap 30. The screwed cylinder portion 22 extends upward from the outer peripheral edge of the top of the mounting cylinder portion 21. A male screw is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the screwed cylinder portion 22. When the inner cap 20 and the interlocking member 40 rotate relative to each other around the container axis O, the interlocking member 40 moves up and down with respect to the inner cap 20.

[0021] The annular portion 23 extends radially inward from the lower end portion of the screwed cylinder portion 22 and is formed in an annular shape in plan view. The connecting cylinder portion 24 is connected to the annular portion 23 and extends upward from the inner edge side of the annular portion 23. The upper end portion of the connecting cylinder portion 24 is bent radially inward and is connected to the outer peripheral surface of the connecting tube portion 25.

[0022] The connecting tube portion 25 extends in the vertical direction from the connection portion with the connecting cylinder portion 24. A holding cylinder portion 26 is connected to the upper end opening edge of the connecting tube portion 25. The holding cylinder portion 26 projects upward from the inner edge side of the upper end opening edge of the connecting tube portion 25. A step is formed between the upper surface of the connecting tube portion 25 and the outer peripheral surface of the holding cylinder portion 26, and an annular piston 60 is held. The lower end opening of the connecting tube portion 25 communicates with the inside of the dropper tube 80. A fitting hole 80a that fits over the lower end portion of the connecting tube portion 25 is formed at the upper end portion of the dropper tube 80.

[0023] The outer cap 30 has a cylindrical cap circumferential wall 31 extending along the container axis O, and a cap top wall 32 extending radially inward from the upper end of the cap circumferential wall 31. The cap top wall 32 is annular in plan view. In other words, the cap top wall 32 is provided with a through hole 32a. A part of the button member 70 (button top wall 71) is located inside the through hole 32a.

[0024] The inner circumferential surface of the cap circumferential wall 31 has longitudinal ribs 33 that extend in the vertical direction. The longitudinal ribs 33 protrude radially inward from the inner circumferential surface of the cap circumferential wall 31. The longitudinal ribs 33 are formed in pairs so as to sandwich the container axis O in the radial direction. In addition, the inner circumferential surface of the cap circumferential wall 31 has undercut projections 34 that protrude radially inward from below the longitudinal ribs 33. The undercut projections 34 are undercut-fitted to the lower end of the mounting cylinder portion 21 of the inner cap 20.

[0025] The outer circumferential surface of the inner cap 20 is formed with locking projections 20a that engage with the longitudinal ribs 33 in the circumferential direction. The locking projections 20a protrude radially outward from the outer circumferential surface of the mounting cylinder portion 21. The locking projections 20a are formed in pairs so as to sandwich the container axis O in the radial direction. The longitudinal ribs 33 are movable in the circumferential direction, for example, within an angle range of approximately 90° between the pair of locking projections 20a.

[0026] When attempting to rotate the outer cap 30 relative to the inner cap 20 (container body 2) around the container axis O, the outer cap 30 rotates freely relative to the inner cap 20 within the aforementioned angle range (approximately 90°). When attempting to rotate the outer cap 30 beyond the aforementioned angle range relative to the container body 2, the vertical rib 33 contacts the side surface (circumferentially facing surface) of the locking projection 20a, thereby restricting the relative rotation between the outer cap 30 and the inner cap 20. In this way, the vertical rib 33 and the locking projection 20a are configured to allow the outer cap 30 and the inner cap 20 to rotate freely within a predetermined angle range, and to restrict their relative rotation beyond the predetermined angle.

[0027] The interlocking member 40 is positioned radially inward of the outer cap 30 and above the inner cap 20. The interlocking member 40 includes a screw-on cylinder portion 41, a lid portion 42, a sliding cylinder portion 43, a connecting portion 44, and an outer ring 45. The inner circumferential surface of the screw-on cylinder portion 41 has a female thread that screws into the male thread of the screw-on cylinder portion 22. The connecting portion 44 is formed in an annular shape extending radially inward from the upper end of the screw-on cylinder portion 41 and is connected to the lower end of the bottomed cylindrical lid portion 42. The sliding cylinder portion 43 extends downward from the connection portion between the connecting portion 44 and the lid portion 42.

[0028] Multiple ventilation holes 42a are formed in the bottom wall of the lid portion 42. The ventilation holes 42a penetrate the lid portion 42 in the vertical direction. The ventilation holes 42a connect the space inside the operating member 50 with the space surrounded by the interlocking member 40 and the piston 60. The sliding cylinder portion 43 extends downward from the outer peripheral edge of the lid portion 42 and is located radially inward from the screw cylinder portion 41.

[0029] An annular projection 42b (contact ring) is provided on the lower surface of the bottom wall of the lid portion 42, which abuts against the upper end surface of the inner cylinder of the piston 60. The lower surface of the lid portion 42 abuts against the upper end surface of the inner cylinder of the piston 60, thereby restricting the downward movement of the interlocking member 40. In addition, the annular projection 42b abuts against the upper end surface of the inner cylinder of the piston 60, providing a sealing effect that blocks communication between the upper end of the dropper tube 80 and the operating space S.

[0030] The outer ring 45 extends upward from the connecting portion 44. The cover portion 42 is located radially inward from the outer ring 45. The fixing portion 52 of the operating member 50 is fixed between the peripheral wall of the cover portion 42 and the outer ring 45.

[0031] Furthermore, the interlocking member 40 is equipped with a rotation restricting portion 48. The rotation restricting portion 48 protrudes radially outward from the outer circumferential surface of the interlocking member 40 and extends in the direction of the container axis. A recess is formed in the rotation restricting portion 48. The recess is recessed radially inward from the circumferential center of the outer circumferential surface of the rotation restricting portion 48. The recess is formed along the entire length of the rotation restricting portion 48 in the vertical direction. The longitudinal rib 33 is positioned inside the recess, thereby restricting the relative rotation of the outer cap 30 and the interlocking member 40 around the container axis O.

[0032] The operating member 50 has an elastic membrane 51 and a fixing part 52. The operating member 50 as a whole is made of an elastic material such as rubber or elastomer. The fixing part 52 is cylindrical and is thicker than the elastic membrane 51. The elastic membrane 51 extends upward from the fixing part 52. The elastic membrane 51 is formed in a curved shape (dome shape) that is convex upward.

[0033] The piston 60 has a sliding contact portion that slides against the inner circumferential surface of the sliding cylinder portion 43 of the interlocking member 40. An operating space S is provided above the piston 60. The operating space S includes the space enclosed by the piston 60, the sliding cylinder portion 43, and the cover portion 42, and the space inside the elastic membrane 51 which communicates with the piston 60 through the ventilation hole 42a. When the elastic membrane 51 elastically deforms downward, the volume of the operating space S decreases. Also, when the interlocking member 40 rises relative to the inner cap 20, the operating space S increases.

[0034] The button member 70 has a button top wall 71, a button peripheral wall 72, a locking cylinder portion 73, and a pressing portion 74. The button top wall 71 is disc-shaped in plan view. In the initial position, the upper surface of the button top wall 71 is flush with the upper surface of the cap top wall 32. The button peripheral wall 72 extends downward from the outer edge of the button top wall 71.

[0035] The locking cylinder portion 73 is connected to the lower end of the button peripheral wall 72. The locking cylinder portion 73 is cylindrical in shape, having an annular top wall whose inner periphery connects to the lower end of the button peripheral wall 72. The outer diameter of the locking cylinder portion 73 is larger than the outer diameter of the button peripheral wall 72, and it is able to face the lower surface of the cap top wall 32. The locking cylinder portion 73 has a locking portion 75 into which a locking piece 46 formed on the outer circumferential surface of the outer ring 45 of the interlocking member 40 engages. The locking piece 46 engages with the locking portion 75, thereby restricting the upward movement of the button member 70 before the outer cap 30 is rotated relative to the inner cap 20.

[0036] The pressing portion 74 is a cylindrical portion that extends downward from the lower surface of the button top wall 71 and is located radially inward of the button peripheral wall 72. The lower end of the pressing portion 74 is in contact with the elastic membrane 51 of the operating member 50. When the button member 70 moves downward toward the operating member 50, the elastic membrane 51 pressed by the pressing portion 74 elastically deforms downward.

[0037] The dropper tube 80 is fitted to the lower end of the connecting cylinder portion 25 and extends vertically along the container axis O. As shown in Figure 2, the dropper tube 80 is inserted into an insertion tube 10 that extends from the mouth 2a of the container body 2 towards the inner container 4. The insertion tube 10 is equipped with a fixing flange 11 fixed to the mouth 2a of the container body 2.

[0038] The fixed flange 11 is positioned on the upper opening edge of the mouth 2a inside the container body 2 and extends radially outward from the upper opening edge of the mouth 2a. The outer edge of the fixed flange 11 is bent downward and fitted undercut to the outer surface of the mouth 2a. As shown in Figure 1, a check valve 90 is provided at the lower end of the insertion tube 10. The check valve 90 allows the contents to move from inside the inner container 4 to the lower opening of the dropper tube 80, and prevents the movement of air from the lower opening of the dropper tube 80 into the inner container 4.

[0039] As shown in Figure 3, the check valve 90 comprises a valve seat portion 91, a seal cylinder portion 92, and a valve plate portion 93. Of the check valve 90, the seal cylinder portion 92 and the valve plate portion 93 are integrally molded from an elastic material such as silicone or rubber. The valve seat portion 91 is formed in a top-cylindrical shape and is fitted from below into the lower end opening of the insertion tube 10. The valve seat portion 91 comprises a fitting cylinder portion 94 and a valve seat cylinder portion 95. The fitting cylinder portion 94 is fitted into the inner wall surface of the lower end opening of the insertion tube 10. The fitting cylinder portion 94 comprises a flange portion 94a and a plurality of protrusions 94b.

[0040] The flange portion 94a extends radially outward from the lower end of the fitting cylinder portion 94. The upper surface of the flange portion 94a abuts against the lower end opening edge of the insertion tube 10 from below. The flange portion 94a extends radially outward from the insertion tube 10. Multiple projections 94b protrude downward from the lower surface of the flange portion 94a. The multiple projections 94b are arranged on the lower surface of the flange portion 94a with circumferential gaps between them. The multiple projections 94b form circumferential gaps to prevent the inner container 4, which deforms to reduce in volume, from blocking the lower end opening of the fitting cylinder portion 94.

[0041] The valve seat cylinder portion 95 extends upward from the inner edge side of the upper end opening edge of the fitting cylinder portion 94. A valve seat 95a is formed on the upper surface of the top wall of the valve seat cylinder portion 95, on which the valve plate portion 93 is seated. The valve seat 95a has a tapered surface that decreases in diameter towards the top. A plurality of suction holes 95b are formed radially outward from the valve seat 95a, penetrating the inside and outside of the valve seat cylinder portion 95. The plurality of suction holes 95b are formed at intervals in the circumferential direction at the corners between the top wall and the circumferential wall of the valve seat cylinder portion 95.

[0042] A fitting groove 95c is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the valve seat cylinder portion 95 below the multiple suction holes 95b, into which the seal cylinder portion 92 fits. The fitting groove 95c is formed in an annular shape on the outer circumferential surface of the valve seat cylinder portion 95. A fitting projection 92a is formed at the lower end of the seal cylinder portion 92, which fits into the fitting groove 95c. The fitting projection 92a protrudes radially inward from the inner wall surface of the lower end of the seal cylinder portion 92.

[0043] The upper end of the seal cylinder portion 92 is provided with a contact portion 92b that closely contacts the outer circumferential surface of the lower end of the dropper tube 80 over its entire circumference. The contact portion 92b protrudes annularly from the inner wall surface of the upper end of the seal cylinder portion 92 radially inward. A valve plate portion 93 is provided in conjunction with the inner wall surface of the seal cylinder portion 92 below the contact portion 92b and above the fitting projection 92a. The valve plate portion 93 extends radially inward from the inner wall surface of the seal cylinder portion 92 and is seated relative to the valve seat 95a so as to be able to move upward away from it.

[0044] The valve plate portion 93 is tapered with a communication hole 93a formed in the center. The valve plate portion 93 elastically displaces in response to the pressure in the working space S, as shown in Figure 4, switching between communication and blockage between the inside of the inner container 4 and the lower end opening of the dropper tube 80. Specifically, when the working space S becomes negative pressure, the valve plate portion 93 moves upward away from the valve seat 95a, and connects the inside of the inner container 4 and the lower end opening of the dropper tube 80 through the communication hole 93a.

[0045] Furthermore, when the negative pressure in the working space S is released, the valve plate portion 93 seats on the valve seat 95a, blocking communication between the inside of the inner container 4 and the lower end opening of the dropper tube 80 via the communication hole 93a. This prevents air flowing out from the lower end opening of the dropper tube 80 from entering the inner container 4, even when the working space S is contracted and pressure is applied with the lower end of the dropper tube 80 inserted into the sealing cylinder portion 92.

[0046] Next, we will explain the operation of the dropper container 1 configured as described above.

[0047] Before using the dropper container 1, as shown in Figure 3, the lower end of the dropper tube 80 is located inside the sealing cylinder portion 92, and the lower end of the dropper tube 80 is sealed all around. To use this dropper container 1, first, the outer cap 30 shown in Figure 2 is rotated relative to the inner cap 20 in the loosening direction around the container axis O. When this is done, the outer cap 30 rotates freely relative to the inner cap 20 within a predetermined angular range (approximately 90° in this embodiment).

[0048] Within the above angular range, the interlocking member 40 and the button member 70 rotate relative to the inner cap 20 together with the outer cap 30. Specifically, when the outer cap 30 rotates relative to the inner cap 20, the interlocking member 40, whose rotation is restricted relative to the vertical rib 33 by the rotation restricting part 48, rotates relative to the inner cap 20.

[0049] When the interlocking member 40 rotates relative to the inner cap 20, the interlocking member 40, which is screwed onto the outside of the screw-in cylinder portion 22, is screwed upward, causing the interlocking member 40 to rise relative to the inner cap 20. At this time, the operating member 50 fixed to the interlocking member 40 pushes up the pressing portion 74 of the button member 70, causing the button member 70 to rise as well. As a result, the top wall 71 of the button member 70 protrudes upward from the outer cap 30.

[0050] When the interlocking member 40 rises, the sliding cylinder portion 43 slides upward relative to the piston 60, increasing the volume of the working space S, which creates negative pressure inside the dropper tube 80. As a result, negative pressure is created inside the seal cylinder portion 92 via the lower end opening of the dropper tube 80, and as shown in Figure 4, the valve plate portion 93 moves upward away from the valve seat 95a. This creates communication between the inside of the inner container 4 and the lower end opening of the dropper tube 80 via the communication hole 93a, and the contents are drawn up from the inner container 4.

[0051] The amount of contents drawn into the dropper tube 80 is determined by the amount the sliding cylinder portion 43 rises relative to the piston 60. Therefore, the dropper container 1 can hold approximately a fixed amount of contents in the dropper tube 80. When contents are drawn into the dropper tube 80, the inner container 4 deforms in volume as the contents decrease. As a result, outside air is drawn in between the inner container 4 and the outer container 5 through an air intake hole (not shown), suppressing the creation of negative pressure inside the container body 2. This prevents air from moving (entering) into the inner container 4 when the check valve 90 is open.

[0052] From this state, if the outer cap 30 is further rotated in the loosening direction relative to the container body 2, the inner cap 20 rotates together with the outer cap 30. This is because the vertical rib 33 comes into contact with the circumferentially facing side surface of the locking projection 20a. As the inner cap 20 rotates in the loosening direction relative to the container body 2, the dropper 3 detaches upward from the container body 2. Then, when the dropper 3 is pulled up, the contents adhering to the outer circumferential surface of the lower end of the dropper tube 80 are scraped off by the sealing cylinder portion 92. This suppresses the scattering of contents when the dropper 3 is pulled up.

[0053] After removing the dropper 3 from the container body 2, for example, by holding the outer cap 30 and pressing the top wall 71 of the button, the pressing part 74 presses the elastic membrane 51 downward. As a result, the operating member 50 is sandwiched between the pressing part 74 and the interlocking member 40, causing the elastic membrane 51 to elastically deform downward, and the volume of the operating space S decreases. Consequently, the contents held in the dropper tube 80 are discharged from the lower end opening of the dropper tube 80. As mentioned above, approximately a certain amount of contents is held in the dropper tube 80. Therefore, the user can apply approximately a certain amount of contents to the desired location by performing the above operation.

[0054] As described above, in the dropper container 1 of this embodiment, when the outer cap 30 is rotated in the loosening direction relative to the inner cap 20, the interlocking member 40 rises relative to the inner cap 20. As the interlocking member 40 rises, the volume of the working space S increases, creating negative pressure inside the dropper tube 80. This creates negative pressure in the space surrounded by the seal cylinder portion 92 into which the dropper tube 80 is inserted, causing the check valve 90 to open and the contents to be drawn up from the inner container 4 of the container body 2 into the dropper tube 80. As the contents are drawn up into the dropper tube 80, the inner container 4 deforms in volume as the contents decrease, thus suppressing the creation of negative pressure inside the container body 2. This suppresses the movement (intrusion) of air into the inner container 4 when the check valve 90 is open. Then, when the negative pressure inside the dropper tube 80 is released after the contents have been drawn up into the dropper tube 80, the check valve 90 closes, so that even if the dropper is removed from the container body 2, outside air (air) inside the insertion tube 10 does not come into contact with the contents inside the inner container 4.

[0055] Thus, the dropper container 1 comprises a container body 2 (double-walled container) having an inner container 4 that deforms in volume as the contents inside decrease, and an outer container 5 in which the inner container 4 is housed; an inner cap 20 that is detachably screwed onto the outside of the mouth 2a of the container body 2; a dropper tube 80 that extends downward from the inner cap 20 and whose lower end opening is located inside the container body 2; an operating member 50 that defines an operating space S communicating with the upper end opening of the dropper tube 80; and the inner cap 20, which is rotatable around the container axis O while its rotation around the container axis O is restricted to a predetermined amount or more. The container comprises an outer cap 30, an interlocking member 40 provided inside the outer cap 30 which restricts rotation of the outer cap 30 around the container axis O and expands and contracts the working space S in accordance with the rotation of the outer cap 30 relative to the inner cap 20, an insertion tube 10 extending from the mouth 2a of the container body 2 toward the inner container 4 into which a dropper tube 80 can be inserted, and a check valve 90 provided inside the insertion tube 10 which allows the contents to move from the inner container 4 to the lower end opening of the dropper tube 80 and prevents the movement of air from the lower end opening of the dropper tube 80 toward the inner container 4. With this configuration, when the dropper is removed from the container body 2, it is possible to prevent the contents inside the container body 2 from being exposed to the outside air.

[0056] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the check valve 90 includes a sealing cylinder portion 92 that closely contacts the outer circumferential surface of the lower end of the dropper tube 80 when the dropper tube 80 is inserted into the insertion tube 10, and a valve plate portion 93 provided inside the sealing cylinder portion 92, which elastically displaces in accordance with the pressure in the working space S and switches between communication and blockage between the inside of the inner container 4 and the lower end opening of the dropper tube 80. With this configuration, since the lower end opening of the dropper tube 80 is positioned within the space formed by the sealing cylinder portion 92 and the valve plate portion 93, the flow path connecting the inside of the inner container 4 of the container body 2 to the inside of the dropper tube 80 is limited, and contact between the outside air (air) inside the insertion tube 10 and the contents can be more reliably suppressed. In addition, due to the close contact of the sealing cylinder portion 92, the contents do not adhere to the outer circumferential surface of the dropper tube 80 other than the lower end, so the surroundings are less likely to get dirty when the dropper tube 80 is inserted or removed.

[0057] The technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[0058] For example, the device may be configured so that the user directly presses the operating member 50 with their finger or the like, in which case the button member 70 does not need to be provided.

[0059] Furthermore, without departing from the spirit of the present invention, the components in the above-described embodiments may be replaced with well-known components as appropriate, and the above-described embodiments and modifications may be combined as appropriate. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0060] 1 Dropper container 2. Container body 2a Mouth 2b Bottom 3. Dropper 4 Inner container 5 Outer container 10 Insertion tube 11 Fixed flange 20 Inner cap 20a Locking projection 21 Mounting cylinder 22 Threaded tube part 23 Ring section 24 Continuous cylinder part 25 Connecting cylinder section 26 Holding cylinder part 30 outer cap 31 Cap surrounding wall 32 Cap top wall 32a through hole 33 Vertical Ribs 34 Undercut protrusions 40 Interlocking member 41 Threaded tube part 42 Lid 42a Ventilation holes 42b Annular projection 43 Sliding cylinder section 44 Connecting part 45 Outer ring 46 Locking piece 48 Rotation Restriction Section 50 Operating member 51 Elastic membrane 52 Fixed part 60 pistons 70 Button components 71 Button Top Wall 72 Button surrounding wall 73 Locking cylinder 74 Pressing part 75 Locked part 80 Dropper tubes 80a Fitting hole 90 Check valve 91 Valve seat 92 Seal cylinder section 92a Fitting protrusion 92b Close contact area 93 Valve plate part 93a Communication hole 94 Fitting cylinder part 94a Flange section 94b Protrusion 95 Valve seat cylinder 95a Valve seat 95b Suction port 95c fitting groove O Container axis S Working space

Claims

1. A double container comprising an inner container that deforms in volume as the contents it holds decrease, and an outer container in which the inner container is housed, An inner cap is detachably screwed onto the outside of the mouth of the double container, A dropper tube extending downward from the inner cap, with its lower end opening located inside the double container, An operating member that defines an operating space communicating with the upper end opening of the dropper tube, The inner cap is fitted with an outer cap that is rotatable around the container axis, while rotation around the container axis is restricted to a predetermined amount or less. An interlocking member provided inside the outer cap, whose rotation around the container axis relative to the outer cap is restricted, and which expands and contracts the operating space in accordance with the rotation of the outer cap relative to the inner cap, An insertion tube extending from the mouth of the double container toward the inner container, into which the dropper tube can be inserted, The system includes a check valve provided within the insertion tube, which allows the contents to move from the inner container to the lower end opening of the dropper tube and prevents the movement of air from the lower end opening of the dropper tube into the inner container. Dropper container.

2. The aforementioned check valve is, When the dropper tube is inserted into the insertion tube, a sealing cylinder portion is in close contact with the outer circumferential surface of the lower end of the dropper tube, The device includes a valve plate provided inside the sealing cylinder portion, which elastically displaces in response to the pressure in the operating space, and switches between communication and isolation between the inside of the inner container and the lower end opening of the dropper tube. The dropper container according to claim 1.

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