Double container

Abstract

This invention provides a double-walled container that can regulate the airflow between the intermediate space and the external space without forming an external air intake hole in the container body. [Solution] According to the present invention, a double container is provided, comprising a container body and a cap, wherein the container body comprises an inner bag and an outer shell disposed to cover the inner bag, the cap comprises a main body member and an outside air introduction valve, the main body member is attached to the container body and comprises a discharge valve, the discharge valve is configured to allow the discharge of the liquid contents in the inner bag and to prevent outside air from entering the inner bag, the outside air introduction valve is attached to the main body member and is configured to restrict the flow of air through the gap between the outer shell and the cap, the air flow being the air flow between the intermediate space between the outer shell and the inner bag and the external space of the double container.

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a method for producing a double container by biaxial stretch blow molding.

Prior Art Literature

Patent Literature

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problem to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the double container of Patent Document 1, an outside air introduction hole is provided in the container body, and a check valve is engaged with and attached to the outside air introduction hole. This configuration suppresses leakage of air from the intermediate space between the outer shell and the inner bag when the outer shell is compressed, and regulates the air flow so as to allow air to flow from the outer space of the container into the intermediate space when the compression of the outer shell is released.

[0005] In the configuration of Patent Document 1, it is essential to form the outside air introduction hole in the container body with high precision, but forming the outside air introduction hole in the container body with high precision is not easy. Therefore, it has been desired to regulate the air flow between the intermediate space and the outer space without forming the outside air introduction hole in the container body.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and provides a double container capable of regulating the air flow between the intermediate space and the outer space without forming an outside air introduction hole in the container body.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0007] According to the present invention, the following invention is provided. [1] A double container comprising a container body and a cap, wherein the container body comprises an inner bag and an outer shell disposed to cover the inner bag, the cap comprises a main body member and an outside air intake valve, the main body member is attached to the container body and comprises a discharge valve, the discharge valve is configured to allow the discharge of the liquid contents in the inner bag and to prevent outside air from entering the inner bag, the outside air intake valve is attached to the main body member and is configured to restrict the flow of air through the gap between the outer shell and the cap, the air flow being the air flow between the intermediate space between the outer shell and the inner bag and the external space of the double container. A double-walled container according to [2][1], wherein the outside air intake valve comprises a mounting portion and a valve portion extending from the mounting portion, the mounting portion being mounted on the main body member, and the valve portion having a smaller wall thickness than the mounting portion and being configured to restrict the flow of air by deformation of the valve portion. A double-walled container as described in [3][2], wherein the main body member comprises an outer cylinder and a fitting cylinder, the fitting cylinder is positioned inside the outer cylinder and fitted to the mouth of the container body, the mounting portion is mounted on the main body member in close contact with the outer shell and a gap is provided between the mounting portion and the fitting cylinder, and the valve portion is configured to block the flow of air by being in close contact with the inner surface of the outer cylinder. A double container as described in [4][3], wherein the valve portion expands in diameter diagonally upward from the mounting portion. A double container according to any one of [5][1] to [4], wherein the mounting portion and the valve portion are each annular. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] The air intake valve for the double-walled container of the present invention restricts the flow of air through the gap between the outer shell and the cap, so it can be configured to introduce air into the intermediate space through the gap between the outer shell and the inner bag. Therefore, the process of forming the air intake hole can be omitted, and the effort required for manufacturing the double-walled container can be reduced. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This is a cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the mouth 5 of a double-walled container 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] Figure 1 is an exploded view. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] Embodiments of this disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. The various features shown in the embodiments below can be combined with each other. Furthermore, each feature constitutes an independent invention. In addition, any elements in the embodiments below that are not defined in the claims are optional and can be omitted. Any number of zeros (e.g., one or two) may be added to the end of the numerical values ​​disclosed in the following description. For example, one or two zeros may be added after "1.4" to make it "1.40" or "1.400".

[0011] 1. Composition of the double container 1 A double-walled container 1 of one embodiment of the present invention will be described using Figures 1 and 2. In the following description, terms relating to directions such as "up" and "down" refer to the direction when the bottom of the double-walled container 1 is on the ground. In the following description, "axial direction" refers to the direction in which the central axis C (shown in Figure 2) of the opening 5 extends, for example, the direction in which the inner bag 4 is pulled out of the container body 2. "Circumferential direction" refers to the rotational direction around the central axis C of the opening 5, for example, the direction in which the inner bag 4 is rotated relative to the outer shell 3 at the opening 5. Unless otherwise specified, "clockwise" and "counterclockwise" refer to the direction as viewed from the top of the double-walled container 1.

[0012] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the double-walled container 1 of this embodiment comprises a container body 2 and a cap 6. The double-walled container 1 is a bottle-shaped container with a body, and is a squeeze-type container configured to allow the liquid contents inside the container body 2 to be discharged by compressing the body. The body is the part between the mouth 5 and the bottom. Each component will be described in detail below.

[0013] <Container body 2> The container body 2 comprises an inner bag 4 for containing the liquid contents and an outer shell 3 positioned to cover the inner bag 4. The openings of the inner bag 4 and the outer shell 3 are detachably fixed by screwing or fitting. This ensures that the inner bag 4 is not separated from the outer shell 3 when the double container 1 is in use, and that the inner bag 4 can be separated from the outer shell 3 after use. The openings of the inner bag 4 and the outer shell 3 are preferably concentric and cylindrical. The inner bag 4 has a protruding portion 4c that extends from the open end 3a of the outer shell 3, and the inner bag body 4d, excluding the protruding portion 4c, is housed inside the outer shell 3.

[0014] The protruding portion 4c of the inner bag 4 is provided with an axial engagement portion 4a to which the main body member 61 of the cap 6 can be attached. The axial engagement portion 4a engages with the cap 6 in the axial direction. The protruding portion 4c is also provided with a circumferential engagement portion 4b that engages with the main body member 61 of the cap 6 in the circumferential direction. The circumferential engagement portion 4b can be omitted if it is not needed. In this embodiment, the circumferential engagement portion 4b is provided near the open end 4e of the inner bag 4, but the circumferential engagement portion 4b may be provided in a different location. For example, the axial engagement portion 4a may be made to function as a circumferential engagement portion by providing an uneven structure in which concave and convex portions are arranged alternately along the circumferential direction. The outer shell 3 is provided with first and second flange portions 3f1 and 3f2 in order from the open end 3a side. A seal cylinder portion 3b is provided between the open end 3a and the first flange portion 3f1.

[0015] Preferably, a cam mechanism is provided between the inner bag 4 and the outer shell 3, which functions to displace the inner bag 4 in a direction that allows it to detach from the container body 2 by rotating the inner bag 4 clockwise or counterclockwise relative to the outer shell 3. In this case, twisting the inner bag 4 relative to the outer shell 3 displaces the inner bag 4 in a direction that allows it to detach from the container body 2, making it easier to pull out the inner bag 4.

[0016] <Cap 6> The cap 6 preferably includes a main body member 61, an opening / closing member 62, and an outside air introduction valve 63. The main body member 61 is a member attached to the container main body 2. In the present embodiment, the main body member 61 is attached to the inner bag 4 (more specifically, the protruding portion 4c). The main body member 61 includes a discharge port 6a for discharging the content liquid in the inner bag 4. The opening / closing member 62 is configured to be capable of opening and closing the discharge port 6a. It is preferable that the opening / closing member 62 is engageable with the main body member 61 by screwing or snap-fitting. The opening / closing member 62 can be omitted when unnecessary. The outside air introduction valve 63 is separate from the main body member 61 and is attached to the main body member 61. It is preferable that the outside air introduction valve 63 is detachable from the main body member 61.

[0017] The main body member 61 includes an outer cylinder 61a, a fitting cylinder 61b, a sealing cylinder 61c, an upper wall 61d, a discharge valve 64, and a nozzle member 65. The outer cylinder 61a and the fitting cylinder 61b are arranged outside the mouth portion 5 of the container main body 2. The fitting cylinder 61b and the sealing cylinder 61c are arranged inside the outer cylinder 61a. The sealing cylinder 61c is arranged inside the fitting cylinder 61b. The outer cylinder 61a, the fitting cylinder 61b, and the sealing cylinder 61c are connected to each other via the upper wall 61d, and are preferably coaxial.

[0018] The fitting cylinder 61b is fitted to the mouth portion 5 of the container main body 2 (preferably the inner bag 4). An engaging portion 6b is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the fitting cylinder 61b. In one example, the engaging portion 6b is formed of an annular convex portion protruding radially inward from the fitting cylinder 61b. A plurality of engaging projections 61h protruding radially inward from the fitting cylinder 61b are provided between the engaging portion 6b and the upper wall 61d. The plurality of engaging projections 61h are spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction. The fitting cylinder 61b is fitted to the inner bag 4 by the engaging portion 6b being axially engaged with the axial engaging portion 4a. Further, the main body member 61 is circumferentially engaged with the protruding portion 4c by the engaging projections 61h being circumferentially engaged with the circumferential engaging portion 4b.

[0019] The main body member 61 includes an inner bag contact portion 61k that is in close contact with the inner bag 4. In this embodiment, the inner bag contact portion 61k is configured by inserting the sealing cylinder 61c into the protruding portion 4c and coming into close contact with the inner surface of the protruding portion 4c (more specifically, the inner surface of the sealing cylinder portion 4f).

[0020] The discharge valve 64 is configured to allow discharge of the content liquid in the inner bag 4 and prevent outside air from entering the inner bag 4. The discharge valve 64 includes a base portion 64a, a valve portion 64b, and a connecting portion 64c. The main body member 61 is provided with a valve seat portion 61f extending radially inward from the sealing cylinder 61c. The valve seat portion 61f is provided with a liquid passage 61g that communicates the internal space SP4 of the inner bag 4 with the external space SP2 of the double container 1. When the valve portion 64b comes into close contact with the valve seat portion 61f, the liquid passage 61g is closed, and when the valve portion 64b moves away from the valve seat portion 61f, the liquid passage 61g is opened. The connecting portion 64c has flexibility, and deformation of the connecting portion 64c causes the valve portion 64b to move in the vertical direction, enabling opening and closing of the liquid passage 61g.

[0021] The nozzle member 65 is a member having a nozzle 6c, and is attached to the upper wall 61d. The tip end of the nozzle 6c serves as a discharge port 6a. The discharge valve 64 is fixed by sandwiching the base portion 64a between the valve seat portion 61f and the nozzle member 65.

[0022] The opening / closing member 62 includes an outer cylinder 62a, a support cylinder 62b, a sealing cylinder 62c, and an upper wall 62d. The support cylinder 62b and the sealing cylinder 62c are arranged inside the outer cylinder 62a. The sealing cylinder 62c is arranged inside the support cylinder 62b. The outer cylinder 62a, the support cylinder 62b, and the sealing cylinder 62c are connected to each other via the upper wall 62d, and are preferably concentric.

[0023] When the discharge port 6a is closed by the opening / closing member 62, the sealing cylinder 62c is inserted into the nozzle 6c of the main body member 61 and is in close contact with the inner surface of the nozzle 6c. Also, the bottom surface of the support cylinder 62b abuts against the upper wall 61d of the main body member 61. From this state, by applying an upward force to the opening / closing member 62, the opening / closing member 62 can be separated from the main body member 61 and the discharge port 6a can be opened.

[0024] The outside air intake valve 63 is configured to restrict the flow of air through the gap G between the outer shell 3 and the cap 6. This airflow is the airflow between the intermediate space SP1 between the outer shell 3 and the inner bag 4 and the external space SP2 of the double-walled container 1. With this configuration, air can be introduced into the intermediate space SP1 through the gap between the outer shell 3 and the inner bag 4, so the process of forming the outside air intake hole can be omitted, and the effort required to manufacture the double-walled container can be reduced.

[0025] The outside air intake valve 63 comprises a mounting portion 63a and a valve portion 63b extending from the mounting portion 63a. The mounting portion 63a is mounted on the main body member 61. Preferably, the mounting portion 63a is mounted on the main body member 61 such that it is in close contact with the outer shell 3 at the outer shell contact portion 63d and a gap 6d is provided between the mounting portion 63a and the fitting cylinder 61b. Preferably, the gap 6d is formed by a groove provided in the fitting cylinder 61b or the mounting portion 63a. A sealed space SP3 is formed between the inner bag contact portion 61k and the outer shell contact portion 63d. In this embodiment, the outer shell contact portion 63d is formed by the outer peripheral surface of the mounting portion 63a being in close contact with the inner peripheral surface of the outer shell 3 (more specifically, the seal cylinder portion 3b).

[0026] The mounting portion 63a is preferably mounted on the fitting cylinder 61b. The fitting cylinder 61b is preferably provided with an engaging portion 63a1 that can engage with the mounting portion 63a. The engagement of the fitting cylinder 61b and the mounting portion 63a at the engaging portion 63a1 prevents the mounting portion 63a from falling off the fitting cylinder 61b.

[0027] The valve portion 63b has a smaller wall thickness than the mounting portion 63a and is configured to restrict airflow by deforming. Unless otherwise specified, "wall thickness" refers to the average wall thickness. The outside air intake valve 63 is preferably made of a soft resin such as low-density polyethylene or elastomer. The mounting portion 63a and the valve portion 63b are preferably annular in shape.

[0028] If the thickness of the mounting portion 63a (i.e., the average thickness of the mounting portion 63a) is T1 and the thickness of the valve portion 63b is T2, then T2 / T1 is, for example, 0.5 or less (0.13 in this embodiment), and preferably 0.3 or less. T2 / T1 is, for example, 0.01 to 0.5, specifically, for example 0.01, 0.05, 0.10, 0.15, 0.20, 0.25, 0.30, 0.35, 0.40, 0.45, 0.50, and may be in the range between any two of the values ​​exemplified here, or less than or equal to either of them. The thickness T2 of the valve portion 63b is, for example, 0.05 to 0.5 mm (0.14 mm in this embodiment), and preferably 0.1 to 0.2 mm. The wall thickness T2 is specifically, for example, 0.05, 0.10, 0.15, 0.20, 0.25, 0.30, 0.35, 0.40, 0.45, or 0.50 mm, and may also be within a range of any two of the values ​​exemplified here.

[0029] If the length of the valve portion 63b is L, then T2 / L is, for example, 0.01 to 0.5 (0.05 in this embodiment), and preferably 0.02 to 0.2. Specifically, T2 / L is, for example, 0.01, 0.02, 0.05, 0.10, 0.15, 0.20, 0.25, 0.30, 0.35, 0.40, 0.45, 0.50, and may be in the range between any two of the values ​​exemplified here. The length L is, for example, 1.5 to 5.0 mm (2.5 mm in this embodiment), and specifically, for example, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, 3.0, 3.5, 4.0, 4.5, 5.0 mm, and may be in the range between any two of the values ​​exemplified here.

[0030] Preferably, the valve portion 63b (preferably the tip 63c of the valve portion 63b) is configured to block the airflow when it is in close contact with the inner surface of the outer cylinder 61a, and to allow the airflow when the valve portion 63b is separated from the inner surface of the outer cylinder 61a. The valve portion 63b expands in diameter diagonally upward from the mounting portion 63a (preferably from the upper side of the mounting portion 63a, and more preferably from the outer side of the upper end of the mounting portion 63a). With such a configuration, the valve portion 63b can easily come into close contact with the outer cylinder 61a.

[0031] If D1 is the outer diameter at the base of the valve portion 63b, D2 is the outer diameter at the tip 63c of the valve portion 63b, and Dd is (D2-D1), then Dd / T2 is, for example, 1.0 to 15.0 (10.7 in this embodiment), preferably 5.0 to 14.0, and more preferably 9.0 to 12.0. Specifically, Dd / T2 may be, for example, 1.0, 2.0, 3.0, 4.0, 5.0, 6.0, 7.0, 8.0, 9.0, 10.0, 11.0, 12.0, 13.0, 14.0, 15.0, or within the range of any two of the values ​​exemplified here.

[0032] Preferably, when no external force is applied to the valve portion 63b, the tip 63c of the valve portion 63b is in close contact with the outer cylinder 61a, and the valve portion 63b is not in contact with the outer cylinder 61a at any other point on the valve portion 63b. In this case, interference between the tip 63c and the outer cylinder 61a by the other points on the valve portion 63b is suppressed, which would make it difficult for the tip 63c to come into close contact with the outer cylinder 61a.

[0033] <Attaching Cap 6> The cap 6 can be attached to the opening 5 while supporting the first flange portion 3f1 or the second flange portion 3f2. The cap 6 is preferably of the press-fit type, and while supporting the first flange portion 3f1 or the second flange portion 3f2, the cap 6 is placed over the protrusion 4c, and when a downward force is applied to the cap 6 in this state, the engaging portion 6b overcomes the axial engaging portion 4a, and the engaging portion 6b engages with the axial engaging portion 4a, allowing the cap 6 to be attached to the opening 5. At this time, the engaging projection 61h engages with the circumferential engaging portion 4b, causing the main body member 61 to engage with the protrusion 4c in the circumferential direction.

[0034] <Operation of Double Container 1> When the user presses the body of the container 2 to dispense the liquid contents from the double-walled container 1, the outer shell 3 is compressed. When the outer shell 3 is compressed, the valve portion 63b deforms so as to be pressed against the outer cylinder 61a, thereby blocking the flow of air through the gap G. As a result, the pressure in the intermediate space SP1 increases with the compression of the outer shell 3, making it easier for the compressive force applied to the outer shell 3 to be transmitted to the inner bag 4. Then, as the outer shell 3 is compressed, the inner bag 4 is compressed as positive pressure is created inside the inner bag 4, the discharge valve 64 opens, and the liquid contents inside the inner bag 4 are discharged. The inner bag 4 is contracted by the discharge of the liquid contents. After the liquid contents are discharged, the discharge valve 64 closes, so outside air does not enter the inner bag 4, and the inner bag 4 remains contracted.

[0035] When the compression of the outer shell 3 is released, the outer shell 3 attempts to return to its original shape due to its own restoring force, causing the intermediate space SP1 to become negatively pressurized. As the intermediate space SP1 becomes negatively pressurized, the valve portion 63b deforms so as to move away from the outer cylinder 61a, allowing air to flow through the gap G, and outside air is introduced into the intermediate space SP1, as shown by arrow A in Figure 1. As the negative pressure in the intermediate space SP1 is reduced due to the introduction of outside air, the valve portion 63b returns to its original shape, and the airflow through the gap G is blocked.

[0036] <Pulling out inner bag 4> The cap 6 is engaged with the protrusion 4c of the inner bag 4 in the circumferential and axial directions, and is configured to rotate relative to the outer shell 3 so that the inner bag 4 twists as the cap 6 rotates. Furthermore, a cam mechanism provided between the inner bag 4 and the outer shell 3 causes the inner bag 4 to move in a direction that allows it to detach from the container body 2 as it rotates. In addition, at the body and bottom of the double container 1, the inner bag 4 is less likely to rotate relative to the outer shell 3 compared to the opening 5, so when the inner bag 4 is rotated relative to the outer shell 3 at the opening 5, the inner bag 4 is twisted.

[0037] With this configuration, by rotating the cap 6, the inner bag 4 can be twisted and moved in a direction that allows it to be removed from the container body 2, and then by pulling the cap 6, the inner bag 4 can be pulled out from the container body 2.

[0038] In this embodiment, the sealed space SP3 communicates with the intermediate space SP1 through the gap between the open end 3a of the outer shell 3 and the protruding portion 4c of the inner bag 4. Therefore, there is no need to provide an opening in the outer shell 3 for air circulation.

[0039] 1-2. Manufacturing method of double-walled container 1 The container body 2 can be manufactured by biaxial stretch blow molding of a preform. Furthermore, a double-walled container 1 can be manufactured by attaching a cap 6 to the container body 2. Such a preform can be formed by covering an inner preform, which will become the inner bag 4, with an outer preform, which will become the outer shell 3.

[0040] The inner and outer preforms can be formed from thermoplastic resins such as polyester (e.g., PET) or polyolefins (e.g., polypropylene, polyethylene). The inner and outer preforms can be formed by direct blow molding or injection molding.

[0041] 2. Other Embodiments In the above embodiment, the cap 6 is attached to the inner bag 4 by engaging the main body member 61 with the inner bag 4 in the axial direction. However, it may also be attached to the outer shell 3 by engaging the main body member 61 with the outer shell 3 in the axial direction. In the above embodiment, the cap 6 is attached to the container body 2 by a press-fitting mechanism, but it may also be attached to the container body 2 by a screw-on mechanism. In the above embodiment, the fitting cylinder 61b is fitted into the inner bag 4, but the fitting cylinder 61b may be omitted and the outer cylinder 61a may be fitted into the inner bag 4 instead. In the above embodiment, the outside air intake valve 63 is attached to the fitting cylinder 61b, but the outside air intake valve 63 may be attached to another part of the main body member 61. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0042] 1:Double container 2: Container body 3: Outer shell 3a: Open end 3b: Seal cylinder 3f1: First flange section 3f2: Second flange section 4: Inner bag 4a: Axial engagement part 4b: Circumferential engagement part 4c:Protrusion 4d: Inner bag body 4e: Open end 4f: Seal cylinder part 5: Mouth 6: Cap 6a:Discharge port 6b: Engagement part 6c: Nozzle 6d: Gap 61: Main body components 61a: Outer cylinder 61b: Fitting tube 61c: Closed envelope 61d: Upper wall 61f: Valve seat 61g:Liquid passage 61h: Engagement protrusion 61k: Inner bag tight seal 62: Opening / closing member 62a: Outer cylinder 62b: Support tube 62c: Closed envelope 62d: Upper wall 63: Outdoor air intake valve 63a: Mounting part 63a1: Engagement part 63b: Valve part 63c: Tip 63d: Outer shell close contact area 64: Discharge valve 64a: Base section 64b: Valve part 64c: Connecting part 65: Nozzle component C: Central axis G: Gap SP1: Intermediate space SP2: External space SP3: Sealed space SP4: Interior space

Claims

1. A double-walled container comprising a container body and a cap, The container body comprises an inner bag and an outer shell positioned to cover the inner bag. The aforementioned cap comprises a main body member and an outside air intake valve. The main body member is attached to the container body and is equipped with a discharge valve. The discharge valve is configured to allow the discharge of the liquid contents inside the inner bag and to prevent outside air from entering the inner bag. The aforementioned outside air intake valve is mounted on the main body member and configured to restrict the flow of air through the gap between the outer shell and the cap. The airflow is the airflow between the intermediate space between the outer shell and the inner bag and the external space of the double container, in a double container.

2. A double-walled container according to claim 1, The aforementioned outside air intake valve comprises a mounting portion and a valve portion extending from the mounting portion. The mounting portion is attached to the main body member, A double-walled container wherein the valve portion has a smaller wall thickness than the mounting portion and is configured to restrict the flow of air by deforming.

3. A double container according to claim 2, The main body member comprises an outer cylinder and a fitting cylinder, The fitting cylinder is positioned inside the outer cylinder and fitted into the mouth of the container body. The mounting portion is attached to the main body member such that it is in close contact with the outer shell and a gap is provided between the mounting portion and the fitting cylinder. A double container configured such that the airflow is blocked when the valve portion is in close contact with the inner surface of the outer cylinder.

4. A double container according to claim 3, The valve portion is a double-walled container that widens in diameter diagonally upward from the mounting portion.

5. A double-walled container according to any one of claims 1 to 4, The mounting portion and the valve portion are each annular double-walled containers.

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