Liquid containers

Abstract

The present invention provides a liquid container that allows for easy adjustment of pressing force, suppresses continuous or non-drip dispensing of liquid droplets even when used by the elderly or other vulnerable individuals, and enables dispensing at the desired location. [Solution] The liquid container LC1 is a liquid container comprising a main body portion 1a for containing liquid and a nozzle portion 2a having a dripping port 24, wherein the main body portion 1a has an annular groove 4a on the side wall 11a facing the dripping port 24, and the liquid is dripped from the dripping port 24 when the pressing area PA surrounded by the annular groove 4a is pressed inward of the main body portion 1a.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a liquid container, and more particularly to a container capable of dripping a contained liquid.

Background Art

[0002] For eye drops, gargle, reagent solutions, seasoning solutions, etc., it is important that a single drop (predetermined amount) is surely dropped. Therefore, in Patent Document 1, a dropping container having a configuration in which a floating ball having a volume corresponding to one drop of liquid and having a density smaller than that of the liquid is slidably inserted through a cylindrical portion provided between the discharge opening and the container body has been proposed.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Many conventional liquid containers have adopted a structure in which the contained liquid is dropped by pressing the side surface of the container body with a finger. In such a conventional liquid container, the finger that holds the liquid container and the finger that presses the liquid container are the same. Therefore, in the case of the elderly or the like for whom it is not easy to adjust the pressing force, there are cases where too much force is applied to the container body and the liquid drops continuously, or conversely, the pressing force is insufficient and the liquid does not drop. In addition, there are cases where the container body shakes when pressing and the liquid cannot be dropped at the desired position.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of such conventional problems, and its object is to provide a liquid container in which the pressing force can be easily adjusted, and even when used by the elderly or the like, continuous dripping or non-dripping of the liquid drops can be suppressed, and the liquid can be dropped at a desired position.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] A liquid container according to the present invention that achieves the above objective is a liquid container comprising a main body portion for containing liquid and a nozzle portion having a dripping port, wherein the main body portion has an annular groove on the side wall facing the dripping port, and the liquid is dripped from the dripping port when the pressing area surrounded by the annular groove is pressed inward of the main body portion.

[0007] In the liquid container having the above configuration, it is preferable that the maximum width of the annular groove is in the range of 1 mm to 5 mm.

[0008] Furthermore, in the liquid container having the above configuration, it is preferable that the maximum depth of the annular groove is in the range of 1 mm to 5 mm.

[0009] In the liquid container having the above configuration, the cross-sectional shape of the annular groove perpendicular to the direction of extension is preferably polygonal or arc-shaped.

[0010] Furthermore, in the liquid container having the above configuration, it is preferable that the maximum diameter of the pressing area is in the range of 10 mm to 20 mm.

[0011] Furthermore, in the liquid container having the above configuration, the liquid may be an eye drop solution. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] According to the present invention, the pressure applied to the liquid container is easily adjusted, preventing continuous or non-drip dispensing of liquid droplets, even when used by the elderly or other vulnerable individuals. Furthermore, the container body is less likely to shake when pressed, allowing for dispensing at the desired location. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0013] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view showing the usage state of a liquid container representing one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] Figure 1 is an assembly diagram of the liquid container. [Figure 3] Figure 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the bottom of the main body. [Figure 4]This is a perspective view showing the usage state of a liquid container, illustrating another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] This is an assembly diagram showing a modified example of the liquid container of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0014] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below. The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described below. In this specification, the vertical direction refers to the vertical direction shown in each figure. In this specification, numerical ranges indicated using "~" indicate a range that includes the numbers written before and after "~" as the minimum and maximum values, respectively.

[0015] (First Embodiment) Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the usage state of a liquid container representing one embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 2 is an assembly diagram. The liquid container LC1 shown in these figures comprises a main body 1a for containing liquid, a nozzle 2a having a drip opening 24, and a lid 3a.

[0016] (Main body) The main body 1a has a disc-shaped bottom 11a, a cylindrical large-diameter portion 12 extending upward from the outer circumference of the bottom 11a, a reduced-diameter portion 13 extending inward from the upper end of the large-diameter portion 12, and a cylindrical small-diameter portion 14 extending upward from the inner end of the reduced-diameter portion 13. The interiors of the large-diameter portion 12 and the small-diameter portion 14 are in communication. A circular annular groove 4a is formed in the bottom 11a facing the drip opening 24 of the nozzle portion 2a. The area enclosed by the annular groove 4a becomes the pressing area PA. The annular groove 4a will be described in detail later. A male screw portion 15 for detachably attaching the lid portion 3a is provided on the outer circumference of the small-diameter portion 14.

[0017] The main body 1a is typically made of a resin such as polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), or polyethylene terephthalate (PET). Preferably, the bottom 11a, the large diameter section 12, the reduced diameter section 13, and the small diameter section 14 are molded together as a single unit.

[0018] (Annular groove) Fig. 3 shows a vertical cross-sectional view of the bottom 11a of the main body 1a. The annular groove 4a formed in the bottom 11a has a function that when a pressing force is applied from the outside to the inside in the pressing region PA, the pressing region PA is deformed in a concave shape inward by a predetermined amount, and when the pressing force is released, it easily returns to its original shape by elasticity. The cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the extending direction of the annular groove 4a is a square shape. The width W of the annular groove 4a is not particularly limited as long as it functions to facilitate the elastic deformation of the pressing region PA, but usually, a range of 1 mm to 5 mm is preferable. Similarly, the depth Dp of the annular groove 4a is not particularly limited as long as it exhibits the above function, but usually, a range of 1 mm to 5 mm is preferable. Note that the cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the extending direction of the annular groove 4a is not limited to a square shape, and may be a polygonal shape such as a triangular shape or a pentagonal shape, or an arc shape.

[0019] (Pressing region PA) The maximum diameter D of the pressing region PA is not particularly limited as long as it is a length that can be pressed by the user's finger, and may be appropriately determined in consideration of the material of the main body 1a and the like so that the content liquid has a predetermined dropping amount. Usually, a range of 10 mm to 20 mm is preferable.

[0020] (Nozzle part 2a) In Fig. 2, the nozzle part 2a has a cylindrical fitting part 21 that fits inside the small-diameter part 14 of the main body 1a, a disc-shaped flange part 22 formed at the upper peripheral edge of the fitting part 21, and a frustum-shaped part 23 formed at the center of the upper surface of the flange part 22. The outer diameter of the fitting part 21 is substantially the same as the inner diameter of the small-diameter part 14 of the main body 1a. The frustum-shaped part 23 has a through-hole 25 that penetrates in the axial direction and communicates with the inside of the fitting part 21. The upper opening of the through-hole 25 serves as the dropping port 24.

[0021] (Cover part 3a) The cover part 3a has a frustum shape, a concave part 31 facing upward is formed on the lower surface, and a plurality of arc-shaped grooves 32 extending in the vertical direction are continuously formed in the circumferential direction on the side peripheral surface. A female screw part 33 corresponding to the male screw part 15 of the main body 1a is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the concave part 3l.

[0022] (Assembly of the liquid container) As shown in Figure 2, the fitting portion 21 of the nozzle portion 2a is inserted into the upper opening of the small diameter portion 14 of the main body portion 1a until the lower surface of the flange portion 22 abuts against the periphery of the upper opening of the small diameter portion 14, thereby attaching the nozzle portion 2a to the main body portion 1a. The lid portion 3a is detachably attached to the main body portion 1a by screwing the female thread portion 33 of the recess 31 into the male thread portion 15 of the small diameter portion 14 of the main body portion 1a. The lid portion 3a is removed from the main body portion 1a when the liquid container LC1 is in use, and attached to the main body portion 1a when not in use to prevent spillage and evaporation of the contained liquid.

[0023] (How to use) When liquid is dispensed from the liquid container LC1, first the lid 3a is removed from the main body 1a. The circumferential surface of the main body 1a is held between the user's thumb and middle finger, causing it to be held almost inverted. Then, the user's index finger presses the pressing area PA of the bottom 11a of the main body 1a upward (towards the inside of the main body 1a). This increases the internal pressure of the main body 1a, causing the liquid to drip from the dispensing port 24 of the nozzle 2a.

[0024] Unlike conventional liquid containers, the liquid container LC1 according to this invention uses different fingers to grip the container LC1 and to press the main body 1a. This makes it easier to adjust the pressure applied to the main body 1a, and also reduces vibration of the main body 1a during pressing, allowing for dripping to the desired location. In addition, with the liquid container LC1, the pressing area PA surrounded by the annular groove 4a formed on the bottom 11a opposite the drip opening 24 is pressed. This allows for a smaller required pressing force, making it easier for elderly people to adjust the pressing force and preventing continuous or no-dropping of liquid droplets.

[0025] (Second Embodiment) Figure 4 shows a perspective view illustrating the usage state of the liquid container LC2 of the second embodiment according to the present invention. The liquid container LC2 shown in this figure differs from the liquid container LC1 of the first embodiment shown in Figure 1 in the shape of the main body 1b, including the pressing area PA, and the attachment / detachment structure between the main body 1b and the lid 3b. The differences will be explained below in detail.

[0026] (Main body) The main body portion 1b is approximately hexagonal in shape when viewed from the front. A small diameter portion 14 is provided at the top of the main body portion 1b, and an oval-shaped annular groove 4b is formed at the bottom portion 11b. An annular projection 16 is provided on the outer circumferential surface of the small diameter portion 14. The cross-sectional shape, width, and depth of the annular groove 4b are exemplified here as in the first embodiment. The maximum diameter D of the oval-shaped pressing area PA surrounded by the annular groove 4b is also exemplified here as in the first embodiment. The minimum diameter of the pressing area PA is not particularly limited as long as it is long enough for the user to press with their finger, but it is usually preferable that it be in the range of 1 / 3 to 2 / 3 of the maximum diameter D of the pressing area PA.

[0027] (Lid) The lid portion 3b is trapezoidal in front view and is a hollow body with an open bottom. Two arc-shaped locking pieces 34a and 34b extend downward from the center of the upper inner surface of the lid portion 3b, facing each other. The two locking pieces 34a and 34b have circumferentially extending protrusions 35a and 35b on their opposing sides.

[0028] (Attaching and detaching the lid) When the lid 3b is attached to the main body 1b, the lid 3b is positioned relative to the main body 1b such that the locking pieces 34a, 34b of the lid 3b and the small-diameter portion 14 of the main body 1b face each other in the vertical direction. The lid 3b is moved relative to the main body 1b in a vertical direction, and the small-diameter portion 14 of the main body 1b is inserted between the locking pieces 34a, 34b of the lid 3b. When the annular projection 16 of the small-diameter portion 14 comes into contact with the protrusions 35a, 35b of the locking pieces 34a, 34b of the lid 3b, the annular projection 16 pushes the locking pieces 34a, 34b apart. Then, when the annular projection 16 overcomes the protrusions 35a, 35b, the locking pieces 34a, 34b return to their original state by elasticity. In this way, the lid 3b is attached to the main body 1b.

[0029] When the lid 3b is removed from the main body 1b, the lid 3b is moved relative to the main body 1b in a direction that separates it vertically. When the annular projection 16 of the small diameter portion 14 comes into contact with the protrusions 35a and 35b of the locking pieces 34a and 34b of the lid 3b, the annular projection 16 pushes the locking pieces 34a and 34b apart. Then, when the annular projection 16 overcomes the protrusions 35a and 35b, the lid 3b detaches from the main body 1b, and the locking pieces 34a and 34b of the lid 3b return to their original state by elasticity.

[0030] (How to use) When liquid is dispensed from a liquid container LC2 configured in this way, similar to the liquid container LC1 of the first embodiment, the lid 3b is removed from the main body 1b, and the opposing sides of the main body 1b are held between the user's thumb and middle finger, causing it to be held almost inverted. Then, the user's index finger presses the pressing area PA of the bottom 11b of the main body 1b upward (towards the inside of the main body 1b). This increases the internal pressure of the main body 1b, causing the liquid to dispense from the dispensing port 24 of the nozzle 2a. The same operation and effect as the liquid container LC1 of the first embodiment can be obtained with the liquid container LC2.

[0031] (Other variations) Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments. Additions, omissions, substitutions, and other modifications to the configuration are possible without departing from the spirit of the present invention. The present invention is not limited by the above description, but is limited only by the attached utility model claims.

[0032] For example, in the above embodiment, the nozzle portion 2a was attached to the main body portions 1a and 1b by internally fitting the cylindrical fitting portion 21 of the nozzle portion 2a into the small diameter portion 14 of the main body portions 1a and 1b. Also, although the lid portions 3a and 3b were attached to the main body portions 1a and 1b, the nozzle portion 2b may be screwed to the main body portion 1a and the lid portion 3a may be screwed to the nozzle portion 2b, as in the liquid container LC3 shown in Figure 5.

[0033] Specifically, the nozzle portion 2b is attached to the main body portion 1a by providing a rotating portion 26 on the nozzle portion 2b, which is cylindrical and has a female threaded portion (not shown) formed on its inner circumference, instead of a fitting portion 21, and screwing the female threaded portion of the nozzle portion 2b onto the male threaded portion 15 of the main body portion 1a to attach the nozzle portion 2b to the main body portion 1a. The lid portion 3a is attached to the nozzle portion 2b by providing a male threaded portion 28 on the outer circumference of the cylindrical portion 27 of the nozzle portion 2b and screwing the female threaded portion 33 (shown in Figure 1) of the lid portion 3a onto the male threaded portion 28 of the cylindrical portion 27 to attach the lid portion 3a to the nozzle portion 2b. In the case of a liquid container LC3 with such a structure, the nozzle portion 2b can be easily attached to and detached from the main body portion 1a, and the liquid contained in the main body portion 1a can be easily refilled.

[0034] Furthermore, the number of annular grooves formed is not limited to one; there may be two or more. When two or more annular grooves are formed, it is preferable that they be formed concentrically. In this case, the maximum diameter of the annular grooves refers to the maximum diameter of the outermost annular groove. [Industrial applicability]

[0035] According to the present invention, the pressure applied by the liquid container is easily adjusted, preventing continuous or no dripping of liquid even when used by the elderly or others. Furthermore, the container body does not shake when pressed, allowing the liquid to be dispensed at the desired location. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0036] 1a, 1b Main body 2a, 2b Nozzle section 3a,3b Lid 24 Dropper opening LC1,LC2,LC3 Liquid container 4a,4b Ring groove 11a, 11b Bottom (side wall opposite the drip opening) PA pressing area

Claims

1. A liquid container comprising a main body for containing liquid and a nozzle having a dropper opening, The main body portion has an annular groove on the side wall facing the dripping port, A liquid container characterized in that the pressing area surrounded by the annular groove is pressed inward toward the main body, causing the liquid to drip out from the dripping port.

2. The liquid container according to claim 1, wherein the maximum width of the annular groove is in the range of 1 mm to 5 mm.

3. The liquid container according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the maximum depth of the annular groove is in the range of 1 mm to 5 mm.

4. The liquid container according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the cross-sectional shape of the annular groove perpendicular to the direction of extension is polygonal or arc-shaped.

5. The liquid container according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the maximum diameter of the pressing area is in the range of 10 mm or more and 20 mm or less.

6. The liquid container according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the liquid is an eye drop solution.

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