Liquid refill container

Abstract

Regarding refillable containers for liquids, the aim is to make it easier to visually confirm the appropriate liquid volume when refilling, thereby preventing overfilling. [Solution] The liquid refill container 100 has a self-standing container body 10 for storing liquid L. The container body 10 has an opening 40 for pouring in liquid, and an indicator part 50 is provided on the inner wall surface 10a of the container body 10 at a position visible from the opening 40 to indicate when the liquid level has been reached. The indicator part 50 is a recess formed in the inner wall surface 10a, or a projection that protrudes from the inner wall surface 10a toward the inner space. The liquid refill container 100 may further include a head part 20 that can be attached to and detached from the mouth 14 of the container body 10, and the head part 20 may include a nozzle 24, a liquid suction tube 23, an actuator 22, and a pump function.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a refill container for liquids such as detergents, shampoos, or soap liquids, and particularly to a refill container for liquids that can easily visually recognize an appropriate liquid volume during liquid replenishment and prevent overfilling.

Background Art

[0002] FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a conventional liquid refill container 200. This liquid refill container 200 includes a container body 10 for storing a liquid L and a head portion 20 attached to a mouth portion 14 located at the upper end of the container body 10. The head portion 20 is of a pump type provided with a push-button type actuator 22. The bottom surface of the container body 10 is a seating surface 15 and can stand independently. Also, in the conventional liquid refill container 200, as shown by reference numeral M, a refill upper limit line M is provided on the outer surface of the container body 10.

[0003] Generally, when replenishing a liquid into a liquid refill container, a configuration in which the liquid is poured into the mouth portion of the container body is used. Also, in a pump-type liquid refill container provided with a nozzle, an actuator, etc. in the head portion, in order to be able to replenish the liquid without removing the head portion from the container body, a technique of providing a dedicated liquid replenishment port in the container body has also been proposed. For example, Japanese Utility Model Registration No. 3137485 (Patent Document 1) describes a technique in which a replenishment port is formed in a cylindrical shape and projected outward from the container body, so that the liquid can be replenished while the container is standing independently without removing the head portion.

[0004] However, in conventional refillable liquid containers 200 in which liquid L is poured in from the mouth of the container body, the user's gaze is directed towards the opening of the mouth 14, making it difficult to simultaneously check the refill limit line M provided on the outer surface of the container body 10, resulting in a problem where overfilling of liquid L is likely to occur. Furthermore, even in configurations having a cylindrical liquid refill port as described in Patent Document 1, there is a problem in that it is difficult to determine from the outside how high the liquid level inside the container has risen when pouring liquid from the liquid refill port.

[0005] In particular, in liquid refill containers equipped with a foam dispensing pump, if the liquid is overfilled and enters the air chamber, the actuator may become difficult to operate, or the liquid may be dispensed without being properly foamed. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Utility Model Registration No. 3137485 Gazette [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0007] This invention has been made in view of the above problems, and aims to provide a liquid refill container that allows the user to directly see the liquid level reached through the opening they are looking at when refilling the liquid, thereby suppressing overfilling and making it easier to refill with the appropriate amount of liquid. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The liquid refill container according to the present invention is a liquid refill container having a self-standing container body for storing liquid, wherein the container body has an opening for pouring in liquid, and the inner wall surface of the container body is provided with an indicator portion that shows when the liquid level has been reached at a position visible from the opening, wherein the indicator portion is a recess formed in the inner wall surface or a projection that protrudes from the inner wall surface toward the inner space.

[0009] With this configuration, when pouring liquid through the opening, the user can visually determine the liquid level reaching the indicator by looking into the container body through the opening. Therefore, the user can determine the timing to stop pouring the liquid without having to check the refill limit line or other indicators displayed on the outside of the container body. Furthermore, because the indicator is a recess formed on the inner wall surface or a projection that protrudes from the inner wall surface toward the inner space, it becomes easier to visually confirm that the liquid level has reached the indicator as a change in the shape of the liquid surface, ripples, or a change in the state of light reflection. As a result, the user can intuitively grasp when the liquid level has reached the indicator.

[0010] The liquid refill container according to the present invention further comprises a head portion that can be attached to and detached from the mouth of the container body, the head portion being characterized by comprising a nozzle for discharging the liquid, a suction tube that is immersed in the liquid stored in the container body, an actuator operated by the user, and a pump function that, by operating the actuator, causes the liquid drawn up through the suction tube to be discharged from the nozzle.

[0011] With this configuration, even in the liquid refill container, when refilling the liquid from the opening, it is possible to inject the liquid while knowing the position where the liquid level reaches the indicator part, thus suppressing overfilling in the liquid refill container equipped with a pump function.

[0012] The liquid refill container according to the present invention is characterized in that the container body is provided with a liquid supply port having a cylindrical portion extending outward, the opening includes the opening of the liquid supply port, the inner wall surface includes the inner wall surface of the cylindrical portion, and the indicator portion is provided on the inner wall surface of the cylindrical portion.

[0013] With this configuration, when refilling liquid through the liquid refill port, the user can determine the liquid level relative to the indicator on the inner wall of the cylindrical part simply by looking through the opening of the liquid refill port. Therefore, while refilling liquid without removing the head part or other components, the user can determine the timing to stop pouring liquid without shifting their gaze to markings on the outside of the container, thereby preventing overfilling.

[0014] The liquid refill container according to the present invention is characterized in that the indicator portion includes a first indicator portion and a second indicator portion provided spaced apart in the height direction of the container body, and the first indicator portion and the second indicator portion are provided in positions that are visible from the opening.

[0015] With this configuration, the user can see the first and second indicator sections and grasp the position of the rising liquid level simply by looking through the opening. This allows the user to get an estimate of the amount to be injected when the liquid level reaches the first indicator section, and to stop injecting the liquid before the liquid level reaches the second indicator section, thereby preventing overfilling.

[0016] The liquid refill container according to the present invention is characterized in that the pump function is a foam discharge pump that has an air chamber located inside the container body when the head portion is attached to the container body, and discharges the liquid in a foamy state, and the indicator portion is positioned lower than the lower end of the air chamber.

[0017] According to such a configuration, the user can finish the liquid replenishment before the liquid level reaches the lower end of the air chamber by stopping the injection of the liquid using the indicator portion as a guide. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the liquid from entering the air chamber, and it is possible to suppress the occurrence of problems such as the heaviness of the pump operation, sticking, or poor bubble discharge due to overfilling.

[0018] The refill container for liquid according to the present invention is characterized in that the indicator portion is colored.

[0019] According to such a configuration, since the indicator portion is colored, the visibility of the indicator portion when viewed from the opening can be improved. As a result, it becomes easier for the user to grasp the position of the rising liquid level, and the timing of stopping the injection of the liquid can be judged more appropriately.

Effect of the Invention

[0020] According to the present invention, when looking inside from the opening during refilling, by visually recognizing the indicator portion provided on the inner wall surface of the container body, it becomes easier to grasp the arrival of the rising liquid level. As a result, the timing of stopping the injection can be judged without checking the refill upper limit line or the like displayed on the outer surface of the container body, and overfilling can be suppressed. In particular, when applied to a refill container for liquid equipped with a pump function, problems caused by overfilling can be suppressed.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0021] [Figure 1] It is a partially broken schematic side view showing a refill container for liquid according to the first embodiment of the present invention. <� [Figure 2] It is a partially broken schematic side view showing a refill container for liquid according to the second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] It is a partially broken schematic side view showing a refill container for liquid according to the third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] It is a partially broken schematic side view showing a refill container for liquid according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5]It is a schematic side view showing a refill container for liquid according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] It is a side view showing a refill container for liquid according to a conventional example.

Embodiments for Carrying out the Invention

[0022] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic side view showing a liquid refill container 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention with a part broken away, and shows a configuration including a trigger-type actuator 22 in a head portion 20. This container 100 is composed of a container body 10 for storing a liquid L and a head portion 20 attached to a mouth portion 14 located at the upper end thereof. The container body 10 has a body portion 11, a shoulder portion 12, and a neck portion 13, and the head portion 20 is detachably attached to the uppermost mouth portion 14 via a cap 21. The bottom surface of the container body 10 is a seating surface 15 and can stand independently.

[0023] From the head portion 20, a liquid suction tube 23 extending into the liquid L inside the container extends. When the user operates the actuator 22 in the direction P, the internal pump function is activated, and the liquid L sucked through the liquid suction tube 23 is discharged to the outside from the tip nozzle 24. Also, an opening 40 for pouring the liquid L is formed in the mouth portion 14.

[0024] In the liquid refill container 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, an indicator portion 50 indicating the arrival of the liquid level is provided on the inner wall surface 10a of the container body 10. In this embodiment, the indicator portion 50 is configured as a protruding portion protruding from the inner wall surface 10a toward the inner space. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the indicator portion 50 includes a lower indicator 50a as a first indicator portion and an upper indicator 50b as a second indicator portion provided at intervals in the height direction of the container body 10. These lower indicator 50a and upper indicator 50b are provided at positions visible when the user looks into the container body 10 from the opening 40.

[0025] The user can observe when the liquid level reaches the lower indicator 50a and then approaches the upper indicator 50b by looking into the container body 10 while pouring liquid L through the opening 40. This allows the user to stop pouring liquid L before the liquid level reaches the upper indicator 50b, making it easier to time the pouring to stop and preventing overfilling. Furthermore, because the indicator part 50 is configured as a protruding part, it becomes easier to visually observe changes in the shape of the liquid level, such as ripples or changes in the light reflection state, when the liquid level reaches the indicator part 50, making it easier to grasp when the liquid level has reached the indicator part.

[0026] In the liquid refill container 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the indicator portion 50 is configured as a protrusion, but the indicator portion 50 may also be configured as a recess. Furthermore, in the illustrated example, the lower indicator 50a and the upper indicator 50b are formed continuously in the circumferential direction of the inner wall surface 10a, but they may also be formed only on a part of the circumferential direction.

[0027] Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figure 2. Figure 2 is a schematic side view of a liquid refill container 100 according to the second embodiment of the present invention, partially cut away, showing a configuration in which a pump-type actuator 22 is provided on the head portion 20, and a foam discharge pump is provided for discharging liquid L in a foamy state. Note that the same reference numerals are used for parts that are the same as or equivalent to those in the first embodiment, and redundant explanations are omitted as appropriate.

[0028] In the liquid refill container 100 according to the second embodiment, when the head portion 20 is attached to the mouth portion 14 of the container body 10, an air chamber 30 is located inside the container body 10. The air chamber 30 is designed to mix liquid L with air and discharge it as a foam, as liquid L is present below its lower end 30a. In this embodiment, the indicator portion 50 provided on the inner wall surface 10a of the container body 10 is positioned lower than the horizontal position h of the lower end 30a of the air chamber 30.

[0029] Generally, in conventional containers with foam dispensing pumps, as shown in Figure 6, a refill limit line M is provided on the outer surface of the container body to prevent overfilling of liquid L. However, when pouring liquid L from the refill port, the user's gaze is directed towards the port, making it difficult to see the refill limit line M on the outer surface of the container body. With the liquid refill container 100 according to this embodiment, the user can stop pouring liquid L by looking into the container body 10 through the opening 40, using the indicator section 50 as a guide when the liquid level reaches it. Therefore, liquid replenishment can be completed before the liquid level reaches the lower end 30a of the air chamber 30, preventing liquid L from entering the air chamber 30. This makes it possible to suppress the occurrence of problems such as heavy pump operation, sticking, or poor foam dispensing caused by overfilling.

[0030] Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figure 3. Figure 3 is a schematic side view of a liquid refill container 100 according to the third embodiment of the present invention, partially cut away, showing a configuration in which a trigger-type head portion 20 is provided and a liquid refill port 16 is provided on the container body 10. The liquid refill port 16 is provided on the shoulder portion 12 of the container body 10 and has a cylindrical portion 16a extending outward and an opening 40. An opening / closing stopper 17 is connected to the liquid refill port 16 via a string 18.

[0031] In the liquid refill container 100 according to the third embodiment, an indicator portion 50 is provided on the inner wall surface 10a of the cylindrical portion 16a of the liquid refill port 16. In this embodiment, the indicator portion 50 is provided protruding from a part of the circumferential direction of the inner wall surface 10a. With the opening / closing stopper 17 open, the user can pour liquid L into the liquid refill port 16 through the opening 40. During this pouring, the user can directly grasp the position of the liquid level relative to the indicator portion 50 by looking into the inside of the cylindrical portion 16a through the opening 40 of the liquid refill port 16.

[0032] With this configuration, the user can replenish the liquid L without removing the head unit 20 from the container body 10, while the container body 10 remains upright. Furthermore, since the indicator unit 50 is positioned to be visible from the opening 40 of the liquid replenishment port 16, the user can replenish the liquid L while keeping track of the liquid level without shifting their gaze to the upper limit line M or the like provided on the outer surface of the container body 10. Therefore, it is easier to determine the timing for stopping the injection and overfilling can be suppressed.

[0033] Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figure 4. Figure 4 is a schematic side view of a liquid refill container 100 according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention, partially cut away, showing a configuration that includes a pump-type head portion 20, a liquid refill port 16 provided on the container body 10, and a foam discharge pump. In the fourth embodiment as well, the liquid refill port 16 is provided on the shoulder portion 12 and has a cylindrical portion 16a and an opening 40 that extends outward. Furthermore, when the head portion 20 is attached to the container body 10, an air chamber 30 is located inside the container body 10.

[0034] In the liquid refill container 100 according to the fourth embodiment, the indicator part 50 provided on the inner wall surface 10a of the cylindrical part 16a of the liquid refill port 16 is positioned lower than the horizontal position h of the lower end 30a of the air chamber 30. Therefore, the user can stop pouring liquid L before the liquid level reaches the lower end 30a of the air chamber 30 by checking the indicator part 50 while pouring liquid L from the opening 40 of the liquid refill port 16. This prevents liquid L from entering the air chamber 30, making it easier to prevent a decrease in foam discharge performance and deterioration of operability.

[0035] Next, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figure 5. Figure 5 is a schematic side view showing a liquid refill container 100 according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention, and shows the configuration of a general liquid refill container that does not have a head, nozzle, suction tube, actuator, and pump function. The liquid refill container 100 according to this embodiment has a container body 10 for storing liquid L, and an opening 40 for pouring liquid L is formed at its upper end. The container body 10 has a torso portion 11, and its bottom is a seat surface 15, making it self-standing. Furthermore, the torso portion 11 is formed in a flattened shape with a depth dimension smaller than the width shown in the figure, making it easy for the user to grasp and making it easy to see the indicator portion 50 when looking inside through the opening 40. Note that this flattened shape is not shown in Figure 5.

[0036] In the liquid refill container 100 according to the fifth embodiment, an indicator portion 50 is provided on the inner wall surface 10a of the container body 10 to indicate when the liquid level has reached the indicator portion. In the example shown in Figure 5, the indicator portion 50 is configured as a protrusion that extends from the inner wall surface 10a toward the inner space. The user can determine when the liquid level has reached the indicator portion 50 by looking into the container body 10 while pouring liquid L through the opening 40. This makes it easier to determine when to stop pouring liquid L, even in a typical liquid refill container, without having to shift one's gaze to any markings on the outer surface of the container body 10, thereby suppressing overfilling.

[0037] It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. For example, the indicator portion 50 may be formed as a recess instead of a protrusion. Also, the indicator portion 50 may be formed over the entire circumference, or only on a part of the circumference. Furthermore, the indicator portion 50 may be colored, which can improve the visibility of the indicator portion 50 even when the inside of the container body 10 or the cylindrical portion 16a is dark.

[0038] As described above, with this invention, when refilling, the liquid level can be determined based on the indicator part 50 simply by looking inside through the opening 40 on the mouth part 14 side or the opening 40 on the liquid supply port 16 side. This allows the timing of stopping the injection to be determined without having to check the refill limit line M etc. displayed on the outer surface of the container body 10, thereby suppressing overfilling. In particular, when applied to a foam discharge pump, injection can be stopped before the liquid level reaches the lower end 30a of the air chamber 30, thus suppressing problems caused by liquid L entering the air chamber 30. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0039] 10 Container body 10a Inner wall surface 11 Torso 12 Shoulder 13 Neck 14 Mouth 40 openings 15 Seat 16 Liquid fill port 16a Cylindrical part 17 Opening and closing the valve 18 string 20 Head section 21 caps 22 Actuators 23. Absorption tube 24 nozzles 30 air chambers 30a bottom end 50 Index section 50a Lower indicator (1st indicator part) 50b Upper indicator (second indicator part) 100 liquid refill containers 200 Conventional liquid refill containers L liquid M upper limit line P direction (operation direction) h horizontal position

Claims

1. A liquid refill container having a self-standing container body for storing liquid, The container body has an opening formed therein for pouring liquid into it. An indicator mark is provided on the inner wall surface of the container body at a position visible from the opening to show when the liquid level has reached the target. A liquid refill container characterized in that the indicator portion is a recess formed on the inner wall surface, or a projection that protrudes from the inner wall surface toward the inner space.

2. The container body further has a head portion that can be attached to or detached from the mouth of the container body, The liquid refill container according to claim 1, characterized in that the head portion comprises a nozzle for discharging the liquid, a suction tube immersed in the liquid stored in the container body, an actuator operated by the user, and a pump function that, by operating the actuator, causes the liquid drawn up through the suction tube to be discharged from the nozzle.

3. The container body is provided with a liquid supply port having a cylindrical portion that extends outward, The opening includes the opening of the liquid supply port, The inner wall surface includes the inner wall surface of the cylindrical portion, The liquid refill container according to claim 2, characterized in that the indicator portion is provided on the inner wall surface of the cylindrical portion.

4. The indicator portion includes a first indicator portion and a second indicator portion that are spaced apart in the height direction of the container body, The liquid refill container according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that the first indicator section and the second indicator section are provided in positions that are visible from the opening.

5. The pump function is a foam discharge pump that includes an air chamber located inside the container body when the head portion is attached to the container body, and discharges the liquid in a foamy state. The liquid refill container according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the indicator portion is positioned lower than the lower end of the air chamber.

6. The liquid refill container according to claim 1, characterized in that the indicator portion is colored.

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