Inner stopper of chemical solution application container, and chemical solution application container including the same

Abstract

To provide an inner plug used for a chemical coating container that can easily adjust the pouring amount of the chemical solution.SOLUTION: An inner plug 14 whose lower end is attached to the main body of the chemical container 12 for storing the chemical solution L and whose upper end is attached to the brush 16 for applying the chemical solution L, is composed of: a brush insertion hole 26 into which the brush 16 is inserted; and a pressure retention portion 36 formed at the lower end of the brush insertion hole 26 to hold the position of the brush 16 relative to the inner plug 14 by pressing the side circumference of the brush 16.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a middle stopper for a chemical solution application container used for, for example, a chemical solution to be applied to the skin, and a chemical solution application container including the same.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a chemical solution application container has been developed that stores a chemical solution and includes a brush for applying the chemical solution to the skin or the like (for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] Generally, when applying a chemical solution to the skin or the like using such a chemical solution application container, the user adjusts the degree of squeezing the chemical solution container body formed of a flexible material and storing the chemical solution, thereby adjusting the extraction amount of the chemical solution.

[0004] Specifically, when the chemical solution container body is strongly squeezed, the amount of the chemical solution extracted along the brush increases, and when the chemical solution container body is lightly squeezed, the amount of the chemical solution extracted along the brush decreases.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] However, the conventional chemical solution application container has a problem that it is difficult to adjust the extraction amount of the chemical solution.

[0007] For example, even if a user with a relatively small grip strength tries to adjust the extraction amount of the chemical solution, they cannot squeeze the chemical solution container body with an appropriate grip strength, and they have to put up with an amount less than the desired extraction amount, or an amount much more than the desired extraction amount may come out, resulting in waste of the chemical solution.

[0008] The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an object thereof is to provide a middle plug used for a chemical solution application container and a chemical solution application container including the middle plug, which can easily adjust the extraction amount of the chemical solution.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0009] According to one aspect of the present invention, a middle plug having a lower end attached to a chemical solution container body for storing a chemical solution, and a brush for applying the chemical solution attached to an upper end thereof, the middle plug having The chemical liquid container body attachment part attached to the chemical liquid container body, a brush insertion hole into which the brush is inserted, and a pressing and holding portion formed at a lower end of the brush insertion hole and configured to hold a position of the brush with respect to the middle plug by pressing a side circumference of the brush, wherein the pressing and holding portion is formed of a plurality of tongue pieces, and gaps extending along the brush insertion hole are formed between the plurality of tongue pieces. A middle plug for a chemical solution application container is provided.

[0011] Preferably, a vertical rib extending from a surface of a lower end of the brush insertion hole to an inner surface of the tongue piece is formed.

[0012] Preferably, a return portion toward the upper end is formed at a contact position of the tongue piece with the side circumference of the brush.

[0013] Preferably, a receiving portion that contacts a striking portion protruding from a central portion of the side circumference of the brush is formed at an upper end of the brush insertion hole.

[0014] Preferably, an engaging portion that engages with a central portion of the side circumference of the brush is formed at a central portion of the brush insertion hole.

[0015] Preferably, On the inner surface of the bristle insertion hole, a concave groove is formed from the opening end of the bristle insertion hole to the lower end where the pressing and holding portion is formed.

[0016] According to another aspect of the present invention, A chemical solution application container provided with the above-described middle plug is provided.

Advantages of the Invention

[0017] In the middle plug of the chemical solution application container according to the present invention, at the lower end of the bristle insertion hole into which the bristles are inserted, a pressing and holding portion is provided that holds the position of the bristles with respect to the middle plug by pressing the peripheral side of the bristles. Thereby, depending on how much the lower end portion of the bristles protrudes and is exposed into the chemical solution container main body from the bristle insertion hole, the amount of the chemical solution stored in the chemical solution container main body that penetrates into the lower end portion of the bristles can be adjusted.

[0018] Thereby, unlike the conventional chemical solution application container, it is not necessary to adjust the extraction amount of the chemical solution according to the degree of crushing the chemical solution container main body, and the adjustment of the extraction amount of the chemical solution can be easily performed.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0019]

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Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0020] (Configuration of the Chemical Solution Application Container 10) Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings, an example of the configuration of the chemical solution application container 10 to which the present invention is applied will be described.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 1, the chemical solution application container 10 is generally composed of a chemical solution container body 12, an inner stopper 14, a brush 16, and a cap 18.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 2, the chemical solution container body 12 is a substantially cylindrical bottomed cylindrical member, and an inner stopper insertion portion 22 into which the lower end portion of the inner stopper 14 is fitted is formed at its opening 20. Further, a male screw portion 23 to which the cap 18 is screwed is formed at the upper end portion of the chemical solution container body 12.

[0023] Although the chemical solution container body 12 according to the present embodiment is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape as described above, the shape of the chemical solution container body 12 is not limited thereto. For example, it may be substantially prismatic, or may have a more complex shape. Also, the material of the chemical solution container body 12 is not particularly limited, and examples include at least one selected from the group consisting of polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), polyester (PET), and elastomer. However, when using the brush 16 to drop the chemical solution, polyethylene (PE) or elastomer is optimal, and when it is desired to allow the user to recognize the remaining amount of the chemical solution, polyethylene (PE) or polyester (PET) is suitable.

[0024] As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the middle plug 14 is a substantially cylindrical tubular member, and has a middle plug body 24 and a brush insertion hole 26 formed at the central portion in the longitudinal direction of the middle plug body 24. Further, a substantially circular flange 28 protrudes from the outer periphery of the substantially central portion of the middle plug body 24. Furthermore, the outer diameter of the middle plug body 24 is relatively thin on the upper side (the side where the brush 16 is inserted and attached) than the flange 28, and is relatively thick on the lower side (the side to be fitted into the chemical solution container body 12) than the flange 28. Note that the upper side than the flange 28 may be relatively thick and the lower side than the flange 28 may be relatively thin.

[0025] The relatively thin upper side of the middle plug body 24 is referred to as a brush attachment portion 30, and the relatively thick lower side is referred to as a chemical solution container body attachment portion 32.

[0026] Although the middle plug 14 according to the present embodiment is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape as described above, the outer shape of the middle plug 14 is not limited thereto, and for example, it may be substantially prismatic or may have a more complicated shape. Further, although the chemical solution container body attachment portion 32 of the middle plug 14 is inserted into the middle plug insertion portion 22 of the chemical solution container body 12, alternatively, the middle plug 14 may be attached to the chemical solution container body 12 such that the lower end portion of the middle plug 14 covers the upper end portion of the chemical solution container body 12. Furthermore, the material of the middle plug 14 is not particularly limited, and for example, at least one selected from the group consisting of polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), polyester (PET), and polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) may be mentioned, as long as it has a rigidity that easily inserts the brush 16 into the brush insertion hole 26 and easily inserts it into the middle plug insertion portion 22.

[0027] Inside the chemical solution container body attachment portion 32, a middle plug inner space 34 having a diameter larger than that of the brush insertion hole 26 is formed, and the lower end of the brush insertion hole 26 communicates with the middle plug inner space 34. In the present embodiment, the brush insertion hole 26 is also formed in a circular cross-sectional shape in accordance with the outer shape of the brush 16. However, as will be described later, the outer shape of the brush 16 is not limited to a cylindrical shape, and for example, it may be prismatic. Therefore, the shape of the brush insertion hole 26 can also be deformed in accordance with the outer shape of the brush 16.

[0028] Further, at the lower end of the bristle insertion hole 26, a pressing and holding portion 36 is formed so as to project into the inner space 34 of the middle plug. In the present embodiment, the pressing and holding portion 36 is composed of four tongue pieces 38 arranged on substantially the same circumference so as to surround the lower end of the bristle insertion hole 26. Further, gaps 40 extending along the bristle insertion hole 26 are formed between these four tongue pieces 38 respectively.

[0029] Note that the number of the tongue pieces 38 arranged on substantially the same circumference is not limited to four. For example, two, three, six, eight, etc. are conceivable. However, considering the ease of manufacturing the middle plug 14 and the balance when holding the bristles 16, it is preferable to use four tongue pieces 38.

[0030] These four tongue pieces 38 are each formed in a tapered shape such that the lower side approaches the center of the bristle insertion hole 26, and the circle formed by the lower ends (tips) of these tongue pieces 38 is set to be slightly smaller than the outer shape of the bristles 16 inserted into the bristle insertion hole 26. Thereby, when the lower end of the bristles 16 inserted into the bristle insertion hole 26 reaches the pressing and holding portion 36, the positions of the bristles 16 with respect to the middle plug 14 are held by pressing the side circumferences of the lower ends of the bristles 16 between these tongue pieces 38.

[0031] Furthermore, vertical ribs 44 extending from the inner surface of the bristle insertion hole 26 slightly above the base 42 of each tongue piece 38 to the inner surface of each tongue piece 38 are respectively formed.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 6, the bristles 16 are formed by bundling a bundle of synthetic fibers having a predetermined specific gravity and strength into a substantially cylindrical shape at a predetermined density. The chemical liquid L penetrating from the lower end of the bristles 16 penetrates to the upper end of the bristles 16 by capillary action, so that the chemical liquid L can be applied to a desired position by pressing the upper end against the skin or the like.

[0033] The outer shape of the brush 16 according to this embodiment is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape as described above. However, the outer shape of the brush 16 is not limited thereto. For example, it may be substantially prismatic or may have a more complex shape. Also, the material of the brush 16 is not particularly limited. For example, at least one selected from the group consisting of polyester fibers (PET, PBT), polypropylene fibers (PP), polyamide fibers (PA), acrylic fibers (PMMA), and polyacetal fibers (POM) may be mentioned.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 7, the cap 18 is a member for avoiding the situation where the upper end of the brush 16 undesirably contacts articles or the like and the chemical solution L adheres to them, or the chemical solution L evaporates from the upper end of the brush 16 when the chemical solution application container 10 is not in use during storage.

[0035] The cap 18 according to this embodiment is formed in a substantially conical shape, and a brush accommodation space 46 for accommodating the tip of the brush 16 is formed inside. Also, at the lower end of the inner surface of the cap 18, a female screw portion 47 that engages with the male screw portion 23 of the chemical solution container body 12 is formed (see FIG. 1).

[0036] The outer shape of the cap 18 according to this embodiment is formed in a substantially conical shape as described above. However, the outer shape of the cap 18 is not limited thereto. For example, it may be substantially prismatic or cylindrical, or may have a more complex shape. Also, the material of the cap 18 is not particularly limited. For example, at least one selected from the group consisting of polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), and acrylonitrile - butadiene - styrene (ABS) may be mentioned, as long as it has the rigidity to prevent the opening torque of the cap from decreasing and does not have extremely poor moisture - proof performance.

[0037] (Assembly of the chemical solution application container 10) Returning to FIG. 1, the assembly procedure of the chemical liquid application container 10 according to the present embodiment will be briefly described. A predetermined amount of the chemical liquid L is filled in the chemical liquid container body 12 in advance. Next, the chemical liquid container body attachment portion 32 of the middle plug 14 is inserted into the opening 20 of the chemical liquid container body 12, and the middle plug 14 is fitted into the chemical liquid container body 12 until the flange 28 of the middle plug 14 abuts against the end face of the opening 20. Then, the lower end of the brush 16 is inserted into the brush insertion hole 26 of the middle plug 14, and the middle plug 14 is fitted until the outer peripheral surface of the brush 16 is pressed and held by each tongue piece 38 constituting the pressing and holding portion 36. Finally, the cap 18 is put on the tip of the brush 16, and the assembly of the chemical liquid application container 10 is completed.

[0038] The assembly procedure of the chemical liquid application container 10 is not limited to the above procedure. For example, the brush 16 may be fitted into the middle plug 14 in advance, and then the chemical liquid container body attachment portion 32 of the middle plug 14 may be inserted into the opening 20 of the chemical liquid container body 12. Further, after the middle plug 14 is attached to the chemical liquid container body 12, the chemical liquid container body 12 may be filled with the chemical liquid L through the brush insertion hole 26 of the middle plug 14.

[0039] (Features of the chemical liquid application container 10) According to the middle plug 14 of the chemical liquid application container 10 according to the present embodiment, at the lower end portion of the brush insertion hole 26 into which the brush 16 is inserted, a pressing and holding portion 36 is provided for holding the position of the brush 16 with respect to the middle plug 14 by pressing the side periphery of the brush 16. Thereby, depending on the degree to which the lower end portion of the brush 16 protrudes and is exposed into the chemical liquid container body 12 from the brush insertion hole 26, the amount of the chemical liquid L stored in the chemical liquid container body 12 that penetrates into the lower end portion of the brush 16 can be adjusted.

[0040] Thereby, it is not necessary to adjust the extraction amount of the chemical liquid L according to the degree of crushing the chemical liquid container body 12 as in the conventional chemical liquid application container, and the extraction amount of the chemical liquid L can be easily adjusted.

[0041] In addition, the pressing and holding portion 36 in the stopper 14 is formed by a plurality of tongue pieces 38, and gaps 40 extending along the brush insertion holes 26 are formed between the tongue pieces 38. Thus, even when the amount of the chemical solution L stored in the chemical solution container body 12 decreases and the chemical solution L cannot penetrate from the lower end surface of the brush 16, the chemical solution L can penetrate into the brush 16 from the outer peripheral surface of the lower end portion of the brush 16 through the gaps 40. Therefore, it is possible to provide a chemical solution application container 10 that can easily use up all the chemical solution L stored in the chemical solution container body 12.

[0042] Furthermore, since the vertical ribs 44 extending from the surface of the lower end portion of the brush insertion hole 26 to the inner surface of the tongue piece 38 are formed, the degree of deflection of the tongue piece 38 is small at the root portion (near the lower end portion of the brush insertion hole 26) and large at the tip portion (the lower end portion of the tongue piece 38). Therefore, even when the surface hardness of the brush 16 used is not constant due to differences in material and density, the pressing and holding force on the brush 16 can be appropriately maintained.

[0043] (Modification 1) In the above-described embodiment, the pressing and holding portion 36 of the stopper 14 is formed by arranging a plurality of tongue pieces 38 on substantially the same circumference. Instead, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the pressing and holding portion 36 may be formed in a single substantially cylindrical shape without dividing the tongue pieces 38.

[0044] (Modification 2) Also, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, a return portion 48 that extends toward the upper end portion of the brush 16 may be formed at the contact position of the tongue piece 38 with the side circumference of the brush 16.

[0045] By forming such a return portion 48, a state can be configured in which the return portion 48 slightly bites into the side circumference of the lower end portion of the brush 16. Therefore, when the user uses the chemical solution application container 10, it is preferable in that it can prevent the brush 16 from undesirably entering deeply into the stopper 14 when the tip portion of the brush 16 is pressed against the skin or the like.

[0046] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 12, by forming a step 50 on the side circumference of the lower end portion of the brush bristles 16, as shown in FIG. 13, the return portion 48 formed on the middle plug 14 engages with this step 50. Thus, the fitting degree of the brush bristles 16 with respect to the middle plug 14 can be accurately determined, and it is preferable in that it can more reliably prevent the brush bristles 16 from undesirably entering deeply into the middle plug 14.

[0047] (Modification 3) Also, as shown in FIG. 14, a contact portion 52 protruding from a substantially central portion on the side circumference of the brush bristles 16 is formed, and as shown in FIG. 15, the upper end of the brush bristle insertion hole 26 in the middle plug 14 (the upper end surface of the brush bristle mounting portion 30) is made into a receiving portion 54 that abuts against the contact portion 52. Thus, the fitting degree of the brush bristles 16 with respect to the middle plug 14 can be accurately determined, and it is preferable in that it can more reliably prevent the brush bristles 16 from undesirably entering deeply into the middle plug 14.

[0048] (Modification 4) Also, as shown in FIG. 16, an engaging portion 56 that engages with the central portion on the side circumference of the brush bristles 16 may be formed at the central portion of the brush bristle insertion hole 26 in the middle plug 14.

[0049] Specifically, a protrusion protruding inward from the brush bristle insertion hole 26 may be formed on the entire circumference of the central portion of the brush bristle insertion hole 26 in the middle plug 14 and used as the engaging portion 56. As shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, it is conceivable to form a recess 58 that engages with the protrusion on the entire circumference of the substantially central portion of the brush bristles 16 corresponding to the engaging portion 56.

[0050] Conversely, a recess may be formed on the entire circumference of the central portion of the brush bristle insertion hole 26 in the middle plug 14 and used as the engaging portion 56, and a protrusion protruding outward from the entire circumference of the substantially central portion of the brush bristles 16 corresponding to the engaging portion 56 may be formed.

[0051] Thereby, the fitting degree of the brush bristles 16 with respect to the middle plug 14 can be accurately determined, and it is preferable in that it can reliably prevent the brush bristles 16 from undesirably entering deeply into the middle plug 14 or undesirably coming out of the middle plug 14.

[0052] (Modification Example 5) Also, as shown in FIGS. 19 and 20, a plurality of protrusions 60 protruding from the inner surface of the brush insertion hole 26 toward the center of the brush insertion hole 26 may be provided on the pressing and holding portion 36 of the middle plug 14 so as to block a part of the brush insertion hole 26. In this case, as shown in FIG. 21, the shape of the lower end portion of the brush 16 is also configured to fit into the gap between the pressing and holding portion 36 (protrusion 60) and the brush insertion hole 26 while avoiding the pressing and holding portion 36 (protrusion 60) that blocks a part of the brush insertion hole 26.

[0053] This is preferable in that it can prevent the brush 16 from rotating undesirably with respect to the middle plug 14.

[0054] As a variation of this Modification Example 5, as shown in FIGS. 22 and 23, the pressing and holding portion 36 may be provided between the inner surfaces of the brush insertion hole 26 so as to cross the center of the cross section of the brush insertion hole 26.

[0055] (Modification Example 6) Also, as shown in FIGS. 24 and 25, the position of the tongue piece 38 constituting the pressing and holding portion 36 in the middle plug body 24 may be set in the upper direction in the figure, that is, in the direction in which the vertical dimension of the brush insertion hole 26 becomes shorter. For example, in this Modification Example 6, the position of the pressing and holding portion 36 (tongue piece 38) is set above the flange 28.

[0056] Also in the case of the middle plug 14 according to this Modification Example 6, as shown in FIG. 26, the brush 16 is inserted into the brush insertion hole 26 of the middle plug 14 from the lower end, and the middle plug 14 is fitted until the outer peripheral surface of the brush 16 is pressed and held by each tongue piece 38 constituting the pressing and holding portion 36.

[0057] Thereby, the amount of the chemical solution L penetrating into the lower end portion of the brush 16 can be adjusted by the degree to which the lower end portion of the brush 16 protrudes and is exposed to the side of the chemical solution container body 12 from the lower end of the brush insertion hole 26 (that is, the lower end of the tongue piece 38).

[0058] (Modification Example 7) Also, as shown in FIGS. 27 and 28, a vertical concave groove 62 may be formed on the inner surface of the bristle insertion hole 26 in the stopper 14 from the open end [upper side in the figure] of the bristle insertion hole 26 into which the bristles 16 are inserted to the bottom end [lower side in the figure] where the tongue piece 38 (pressing and holding portion 36) is formed. Note that the number of these concave grooves 62 may be one or a plurality. Also, the shape of the concave groove 62 may be linear as shown in the figure, or may be bent or curved.

[0059] When assembling and using the chemical solution application container 10, the chemical solution L in the chemical solution container body 12 is allowed to penetrate from the lower end portion to the tip of the bristles 16 and the chemical solution L is applied to the skin or the like. At this time, since the vertical concave groove 62 is formed on the inner surface of the bristle insertion hole 26 from the open end to the bottom end, external air can easily enter the chemical solution container body 12 through the concave groove 62, and more chemical solution L can penetrate to the tip of the bristles 16.

[0060] The embodiments disclosed this time should be considered as illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is shown not by the above description but by the claims, and it is intended that all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims are included.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0061] 10... Chemical solution application container, 12... Chemical solution container body, 14... Stopper, 16... Bristles, 18... Cap, 20... Opening, 22... Stopper insertion portion, 23... Male screw portion, 24... Stopper body, 26... Bristle insertion hole, 28... Flange, 30... Bristle attachment portion, 32... Chemical solution container body attachment portion, 34... Inner space of the stopper, 36... Pressing and holding portion, 38... Tongue piece, 40... Gap, 42... Root, 44... Vertical rib, 46... Bristle accommodation space, 47... Female screw portion, 48... Return portion, 50... Step, 52... Contact portion, 54... Receiving portion, 56... Engaging portion, 58... Concave portion, 60... Protrusion, 62... Concave groove L... Chemical solution

Claims

1. A stopper having a lower end attached to a chemical solution container body for storing a chemical solution, and a brush for applying the chemical solution attached to an upper end thereof, the stopper comprising: a chemical solution container body attachment portion attached to the chemical solution container body; a brush insertion hole into which the brush is inserted; and a pressing and holding portion formed at a lower end of the brush insertion hole and configured to hold a position of the brush with respect to the stopper by pressing a side circumference of the brush. The pressing and holding portion is formed of a plurality of tongue pieces, and gaps extending along the brush insertion hole are formed between the plurality of tongue pieces. A stopper for a chemical solution application container.

2. A longitudinal rib extending from a surface of a lower end portion of the brush insertion hole to an inner surface of the tongue piece is formed. The stopper according to Claim 1.

3. A return portion directed toward the upper end is formed at a contact position of the tongue piece with the side circumference of the brush. The stopper according to Claim 1 or 2.

4. A receiving portion that contacts a striking portion protruding from a central portion of the side circumference of the brush is formed at an upper end of the brush insertion hole. The stopper according to any one of Claims 1 to 3.

5. An engaging portion that engages with a central portion of the side circumference of the brush is formed at a central portion of the brush insertion hole. The stopper according to any one of Claims 1 to 4.

6. A concave groove is formed on an inner surface of the brush insertion hole from an opening end of the brush insertion hole to a lower end at which the pressing and holding portion is formed. The stopper according to any one of Claims 1 to 5.

7. A chemical solution application container comprising: a chemical solution container body for storing a chemical solution; the stopper according to any one of Claims 1 to 6, attached to the chemical solution container body; and a brush attached to the stopper for applying the chemical solution. ​

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