Pay-out container

Abstract

To operate a middle tray part safely and smoothly.SOLUTION: A delivery container includes an engagement thread part 54 formed so as to elongate spirally with a prescribed peripheral width along an inner peripheral surface of a movable cylindrical part 51, and engaged with a spiral groove. In the delivery container, on a flank 62 facing downward in the thread of the engagement thread part, a cut surface 65 hollowed upward is formed over the top 63 of the thread, and the cut surface is formed on a circumferential direction intermediate part between a starting end and a terminal 61 in the engagement thread part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] As this type of feeding container, for example, in Patent Document 1 below, there are a middle dish part for holding the contents, an operation cylinder part, a sleeve surrounding the middle dish part from the radially outer side, a rotation restricting shaft whose rotation around the container axis with respect to the sleeve is restricted, an engagement cylinder part integrally formed with the middle dish part, a spiral cylinder part in which a first spiral groove is formed, and a columnar part in which a second spiral groove is formed. A feeding container is known. The rotation of the spiral cylinder part around the container axis with respect to the engagement cylinder part is restricted. The columnar part is located radially inside the spiral cylinder part, and the rotation around the container axis with respect to the operation cylinder part is restricted. Further, a first engagement part that engages with the first spiral groove is formed on the inner peripheral surface at the lower end of the engagement cylinder part. A second engagement part that engages in the second spiral groove is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the spiral cylinder part.

[0003] According to the feeding container configured in this way, by relatively rotating the sleeve and the operation cylinder part around the container axis, a first operation in which the first spiral groove and the first engagement part engage, or a second operation in which the second spiral groove and the second engagement part engage can be performed. Therefore, by using a double helix, the middle dish part can be raised. As a result, the contents can be fed upward and the contents can be used.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] In the above-described conventional feeding container, it is important that each of the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion smoothly moves along the first spiral groove and the second spiral groove when the middle dish portion is lifted (raised) and lowered (lowered). In particular, the second engaging portion formed on the engaging cylinder portion in the middle dish portion not only functions to move along the second spiral groove but also functions to regulate the uppermost position of the middle dish portion.

[0006] Under such circumstances, each component of the feeding container is mainly a molded product injection-molded from a synthetic resin material. Therefore, the middle dish portion including the engaging cylinder portion formed with the second engaging portion is also a molded product using a molding die. When injection-molding the middle dish portion, a first molding die (female die) for molding the outer shape of the middle dish portion and a second molding die (male die) for molding the inner shape of the middle dish portion are mainly used. A part of the second molding die functions as a so-called insert (core) disposed inside the engaging cylinder portion. Then, the entire middle dish portion is formed by solidifying the molten resin injected into the cavity formed between the first molding die and the second molding die.

[0007] However, when separating the first molding die and the second molding die, especially when pulling out the second molding die from the inside of the engaging cylinder portion (core pulling), the second molding die expands and deforms the diameter of the engaging cylinder portion outward in the radial direction and slides over the second engaging portion to come out. At this time, the second molding die is likely to be caught by a part of the second engaging portion, and a so-called thread mark (so-called screw thread mark) is likely to occur in which a part of the second engaging portion deforms convexly so as to hang downward. In this case, the convex thread mark suppresses the movement of the second engaging portion along the second spiral groove, preventing the stable and smooth operation of the middle dish portion. Furthermore, it becomes difficult to stably regulate the middle dish portion at the uppermost position.

[0008] The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and its object is to provide a feeding container capable of operating the middle dish portion stably and smoothly.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0009] (1) The payout container according to the present invention has an operation cylinder portion rotatable around a container axis, a spiral shaft formed with a spiral groove extending around the container axis, and a payout member fixed to the operation cylinder portion in a state where rotation around the container axis with respect to the operation cylinder portion is restricted. A sleeve that surrounds the spiral shaft from the outside in the radial direction, extends upward from the operation cylinder portion, and is provided rotatable around the container axis with respect to the spiral shaft, and is disposed inside the sleeve and is vertically movable with respect to the sleeve. The middle plate portion includes a middle plate main body that holds the contents, a movable cylinder portion that extends downward from the middle plate main body, surrounds the spiral shaft from the outside in the radial direction, and is restricted from rotating around the container axis with respect to the sleeve, and projects radially inward from the inner peripheral surface of the movable cylinder portion. An engaging screw portion is formed so as to extend spirally along the inner peripheral surface of the movable cylinder portion with a predetermined circumferential width and engage with the spiral groove. A cut surface that is recessed upward across the top of the thread is formed on the flank of the thread of the engaging screw portion that faces downward. The cut surface is formed at a circumferential intermediate portion between a start end located on one side in the circumferential direction and an end end located on the other side in the circumferential direction of the engaging screw portion.

[0010] According to the payout container of the present invention, by relatively rotating the operation cylinder portion and the sleeve around the container axis, the payout member whose rotation is restricted with respect to the operation member and the middle plate portion whose rotation is restricted with respect to the sleeve can be relatively rotated around the container axis. As a result, the engaging screw portion of the movable cylinder portion engaged with the spiral groove of the spiral shaft in the payout member can be moved along the spiral groove. Thereby, the entire middle plate portion can be moved upward, and the contents can be fed out above the sleeve. As a result, the contents can be used. After using the contents, by relatively rotating the operation cylinder portion and the sleeve in the reverse direction around the container axis, the middle plate portion can be moved downward by the above-described reverse operation, and the contents can be accommodated in the sleeve.

[0011] In particular, among the threads of the engaging screw portion that engages with the spiral groove, a cut surface is formed upward across the top of the thread on the downward-facing flank (lower surface). Moreover, this cut surface is formed at the circumferential intermediate portion between the start end and the end end of the engaging screw portion. The circumferential intermediate portion of the engaging screw portion has a large protrusion amount radially inward from the inner circumferential surface of the movable cylinder portion and is thick, and is circumferentially separated from the start end and the end end. Therefore, when the mold for molding is removed after the entire middle plate portion is injection molded, the circumferential intermediate portion of the engaging screw portion is likely to be convexly warped due to the pulling out of the mold for molding.

[0012] However, since the cut surface is formed at the circumferential intermediate portion of the engaging screw portion, even if the mold for molding rides over while sliding with respect to the circumferential intermediate portion of the engaging screw portion during the pulling out of the mold for molding, a part of the mold for molding is less likely to be caught by the cut surface. Therefore, the mold for molding can be pulled out with less resistance, and convex warping at the circumferential intermediate portion of the engaging screw portion can be suppressed. Therefore, the engaging screw portion can be smoothly moved along the spiral groove with less resistance, and the middle plate portion can be stably and smoothly operated (moved up and down). Therefore, a feeding container with excellent operability can be obtained.

[0013] (2) The cut surface is formed to be recessed in a spherical shape along a virtual circle having a predetermined radius around a virtual point located radially inside and below the engaging screw portion, and further, the cut surface may be formed to extend in the circumferential direction with a predetermined circumferential width in a plan view seen from the container axial direction.

[0014] In this case, while forming the cut surface in a concave spherical shape that is recessed in a spherical shape, it is formed to extend in the circumferential direction with a predetermined circumferential width. Therefore, the mold for molding is even less likely to be caught by the cut surface, and the mold for molding can be pulled out with even less resistance. Therefore, convex warping at the circumferential intermediate portion of the engaging screw portion can be effectively suppressed.

[0015] (3) The engaging screw portions are formed in a pair so as to be intermittently arranged in the circumferential direction at regular intervals on the inner peripheral surface of the movable cylinder portion, and the cut surface is formed centered at a position angularly separated by 70 to 110 degrees in the circumferential direction from the center of the circumferential direction of the intermittent region located between a pair of the engaging screw portions adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction in a plan view seen from the axial direction of the container.

[0016] In this case, since the pair of engaging screw portions can be moved along the spiral groove, there is little rattling, and the middle plate portion can be moved up and down more stably. Therefore, the contents can be fed out more smoothly and it is easy to use. Furthermore, the cut surface is formed centered at a position angularly separated by 70 to 110 degrees in the circumferential direction from the center of the circumferential direction of the intermittent region located between a pair of the engaging screw portions adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction in a plan view seen from the axial direction of the container. This position is a portion where convex burrs are likely to occur due to being caught or the like particularly when the molding die is pulled out. Therefore, since the cut surface is formed at this position, even when a pair of engaging screw portions are formed, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of convex burrs on the engaging screw portions.

Advantages of the Invention

[0017] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a feeding container capable of operating the middle plate portion stably and smoothly.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0018]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0019] Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the feeding container according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIG. 1, the feeding container 1 of the present embodiment includes an operation cylinder portion 2 rotatable around the container axis O, a feeding member 3 fixed to the operation cylinder portion 2, a sleeve 4 rotatably provided around the container axis O, a middle plate portion 5 for holding the content (not shown), and a capped cylindrical cap 6.

[0020] The content is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include cosmetics (such as lipstick, lip cream, stick eyeshadow, etc.), drugs, and stick-shaped contents such as glue. However, the content is not limited to this case and may be changed as appropriate.

[0021] In the present embodiment, the axis passing through the center of the operation cylinder portion 2 is referred to as the container axis O, and the direction along the container axis O is referred to as the vertical direction. Further, in a plan view seen from the container axis O direction, the direction intersecting the container axis O is referred to as the radial direction, and the direction orbiting around the container axis O is referred to as the circumferential direction. Furthermore, in the feeding container 1, the side of the cap 6 (not shown) on the top wall side in the vertical direction is referred to as the upper side, and the opposite side is referred to as the lower side. Further, in the circumferential direction, the direction in which the content is raised is referred to as the feeding direction.

[0022] The feeding container 1 of the present embodiment can move the middle dish portion 5 upward as shown in FIG. 2 by relatively rotating the operation cylinder portion 2 and the sleeve 4 around the container axis O, and can raise and feed out the contents.

[0023] (Operation cylinder portion) As shown in FIG. 1, the operation cylinder portion 2 constitutes an exterior portion of the feeding container 1. The operation cylinder portion 2 of the present embodiment includes a bottomed cylindrical exterior body 10 arranged coaxially with the container axis O, and an interior member 20 combined inside the exterior body 10.

[0024] The exterior body 10 includes a peripheral wall 11 formed in a cylindrical shape around the container axis O, and a bottom wall 12 closing the lower end opening of the peripheral wall 11. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, a fitting cylinder 13 extending upward is formed on the bottom wall 12 so as to be arranged coaxially with the container axis O. At the upper end portion of the fitting cylinder 13, a slit 14 extending in the vertical direction and penetrating the fitting cylinder 13 in the radial direction is formed. In the illustrated example, a plurality of slits 14 are arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction and are formed to open upward.

[0025] In FIG. 3, in a plan view seen from the container axis O direction, one of the two directions orthogonal to the radial direction is defined as the first direction L1, and the other direction is defined as the second direction L2. In the illustrated example, four slits 14 are formed at intervals in the circumferential direction. Specifically, the four slits 14 are composed of two circumferentially adjacent slits 14a in a region on one side of the first direction L1 and two circumferentially adjacent slits 14b in a region on the other side of the first direction L1. The intervals between two circumferentially adjacent slits 14a and between two circumferentially adjacent slits 14b are formed to be narrower than the intervals between circumferentially adjacent slits 14a and 14b.

[0026] Among the fitting cylinders 13, the portion located between four adjacent slits 14 in the circumferential direction constitutes a tongue piece portion 15. These tongue piece portions 15 are formed to be elastically deformable in the radial direction. The tongue piece portion 15 includes a first tongue piece portion 15a located between two slits 14a and between two slits 14b, and a second tongue piece portion 15b located between the slits 14a and 14b.

[0027] Therefore, the first tongue piece portion 15a is arranged to face each other in the first direction L1 with the container axis O interposed therebetween. The second tongue piece portion 15b is arranged to face each other in the second direction L2 with the container axis O interposed therebetween. Note that the circumferential width of the first tongue piece portion 15a is formed to be narrower than the circumferential width of the second tongue piece portion 15b. However, the interval between the slits 14 and the circumferential width of the tongue piece portion 15 may be appropriately changed. Furthermore, the slit 14 is not an essential configuration and may not be provided.

[0028] A first engaging portion 16 protruding radially inward is formed on the first tongue piece portion 15a. The first engaging portion 16 is, for example, a vertical rib extending in the vertical direction. A first locking protrusion 17 protruding radially outward is formed at the upper end portion of the second tongue piece portion 15b. The first locking protrusion 17 extends over the entire circumferential length of the second tongue piece portion 15b. Note that the first locking protrusion 17 may be formed on the first tongue piece portion 15a.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 1, the inner member 20 is formed in a cylindrical shape disposed inside the exterior body 10 and is arranged coaxially with the container axis O. The inner member 20 is fitted inside the peripheral wall 11 of the exterior body 10 and is integrally combined with the exterior body 10. The inner member 20 is fitted inside the upper end portion of the peripheral wall 11 and is formed to protrude above the peripheral wall 11. Furthermore, the inner member 20 has an annular flange portion 21 protruding radially outward. The flange portion 21 is in contact with the upper end opening edge of the peripheral wall 11 from above. As a result, the inner member 20 is integrally combined with the exterior body 10 in a state where the vertical positioning with respect to the exterior body 10 is performed by the flange portion 21.

[0030] (Pay-out member) The pay-out member 3 has a spiral shaft 30 arranged coaxially with the container axis O, and is combined with the operation cylinder portion 2 in a state where the rotation around the container axis O with respect to the operation cylinder portion 2 is restricted. The pay-out member 3 is placed on the bottom wall 12 of the exterior body 10 and is arranged inside the peripheral wall 11, and supports the entire middle dish portion 5 so as to be vertically movable. The pay-out member 3 includes a pay-out body 31 having an inner spiral shaft 32 and an outer spiral shaft 33 that surrounds the inner spiral shaft 32 from the outside in the radial direction. Note that the inner spiral shaft 32 and the outer spiral shaft 33 constitute the spiral shaft 30 as the pay-out member 3.

[0031] The pay-out body 31 is combined with the exterior body 10 so as not to be rotatable in the circumferential direction. Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the pay-out body 31 includes an outer connecting cylinder 35, a pedestal portion 36, an inner spiral shaft 32, and an inner connecting cylinder 37.

[0032] The outer connecting cylinder 35 is formed in a cylindrical shape that surrounds the fitting cylinder 13 of the exterior body 10 from the outside in the radial direction and is arranged coaxially with the container axis O. Inside the outer connecting cylinder 35, a second locking projection 38 that projects inward in the radial direction is formed. In the illustrated example, the second locking projection 38 is formed over the entire circumference on the inner peripheral surface of the outer connecting cylinder 35. The second locking projection 38 is locked from below to the first locking projection 17 formed on the fitting cylinder 13 of the exterior body 10. As a result, the outer connecting cylinder 35 is undercut-fitted to the fitting cylinder 13. Therefore, the entire pay-out member 3 is combined with the exterior body 10 in a state where it is prevented from coming off upward.

[0033] At the lower end of the outer connecting cylinder 35, an annular protruding portion 39 protruding radially outward is formed. On the outer peripheral surface of the upper end of the outer connecting cylinder 35, a circumferential groove 35a is formed. The circumferential groove 35a opens radially outward and extends over the entire circumference of the outer connecting cylinder 35.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 1, a sliding ring 34 is provided so as to be embedded inside the circumferential groove 35a. The sliding ring 34 is provided over the entire circumference of the circumferential groove 35a. The sliding ring 34 is made of a softer material than the material of the feeding body 31, such as polypropylene (PP), etc., has a higher elastic modulus than the feeding body 31, and is formed of a material with a higher coefficient of friction than the feeding body 31. The sliding ring 34 is fixed inside the circumferential groove 35a, for example, by two-color molding of a thermoplastic resin such as an elastomer together with the feeding body 31.

[0035] However, the sliding ring 34 is not limited to being formed by two-color molding. For example, the sliding ring 34 may be fixed inside the circumferential groove 35a by insert molding nitrile rubber, butyl rubber, or silicone rubber, etc. as an insert into the feeding body 31. Further, the sliding ring 34 may be interposed between the sleeve 4 and the peripheral wall 11 of the exterior body 10.

[0036] The pedestal portion 36 is formed in an annular shape and is coaxially arranged above the outer connecting cylinder 35 with respect to the container axis O. The pedestal portion 36 is formed such that the outer peripheral edge protrudes radially outward from the outer connecting cylinder 35 and the inner peripheral edge protrudes radially inward from the inner connecting cylinder 37. The upper end of the outer connecting cylinder 35 and the upper end of the inner connecting cylinder 37 are integrally formed with the pedestal portion 36. Note that the lower surface of the pedestal portion 36 is close to the upper end edge of the fitting cylinder 13. Note that the lower surface of the pedestal portion 36 may be in contact with the upper end edge of the fitting cylinder 13.

[0037] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the inner connecting cylinder 37 is formed in a cylindrical shape, is disposed radially inward of the fitting cylinder 13 of the exterior body 10, and is disposed coaxially with the container axis O. A second engaging portion 37a protruding radially outward is formed on the inner connecting cylinder 37. The second engaging portion 37a is a vertical rib extending in the vertical direction. A plurality of second engaging portions 37a are formed on the outer peripheral surface of the inner connecting cylinder 37 at intervals in the circumferential direction, and are provided, for example, in a serrated shape.

[0038] Note that the number of the second engaging portions 37a is larger than the number of the first engaging portions 16 formed on the fitting cylinder 13. Therefore, in a state where the fitting cylinder 13 is fitted inside the outer connecting cylinder 35, the first engaging portion 16 is disposed between adjacent second engaging portions 37a in the circumferential direction. Therefore, the first engaging portion 16 and the second engaging portion 37a are engaged with each other in the circumferential direction. Thereby, the entire feeding member 3 is combined in a state where relative rotation with respect to the operation cylinder portion 2 is restricted.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 1, the inner spiral shaft 32 is formed in a cylindrical shape disposed coaxially with the container axis O, and extends upward from the inner peripheral edge portion of the pedestal portion 36. An inner spiral groove (spiral groove) 32a extending around the container axis O is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the inner spiral shaft 32. Specifically, the inner spiral groove 32a spirally extends upward as it goes in the feeding direction. In the present embodiment, two inner spiral grooves 32a are formed. However, the inner spiral groove 32a is not limited to this case, and may be one, or three or more.

[0040] The outer spiral shaft 33 is formed in a cylindrical shape surrounding the inner spiral shaft 32 from the radially outer side over the entire length. A first engaging screw portion 33a protruding radially inward is formed at the lower end portion of the outer spiral shaft 33. The first engaging screw portion 33a is, for example, an intermittent screw portion and is engaged in the inner spiral groove 32a. As a result, as the outer spiral shaft 33 rotates circumferentially with respect to the inner spiral shaft 32, the first engaging screw portion 33a moves spirally within the inner spiral groove 32a, enabling the outer spiral shaft 33 to move vertically with respect to the inner spiral shaft 32. In this embodiment, two first engaging screw portions 33a are provided at intervals in the circumferential direction corresponding to the number of the inner spiral grooves 32a (two).

[0041] An outer spiral groove 33b extending around the container axis O is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the outer spiral shaft 33. Specifically, the outer spiral groove 33b extends spirally upward as it goes in the feeding direction. Note that the outer spiral groove 33b is formed in two, similar to the inner spiral groove 32a. However, the outer spiral groove 33b is not limited to this case and may be formed in one or three or more.

[0042] (Sleeve) As shown in FIG. 1, the sleeve 4 surrounds the spiral shaft 30 (inner spiral shaft 32, outer spiral shaft 33) from the outside in the radial direction, extends upward from the operation cylinder portion 2, and is provided so as to be rotatable around the container axis O with respect to the spiral shaft 30 (inner spiral shaft 32, outer spiral shaft 33). The sleeve 4 is disposed inside the operation cylinder portion 2 and is also disposed so as to be relatively rotatable with respect to the operation cylinder portion 2. The sleeve 4 is formed in a double cylindrical shape including a sleeve main body 40 and a movable sleeve 45 disposed radially inside the sleeve main body 40, and is disposed coaxially with the container axis O.

[0043] The sleeve main body 40 is disposed inside the middle member 20 and is inserted inside the exterior body 10 of the operation cylinder portion 2. Among the sleeve main body 40, the portion inserted inside the exterior body 10 surrounds the pedestal portion 36 and the sliding ring 34 from the outside in the radial direction. Further, the lower edge of the sleeve main body 40 is in contact with the overhanging portion 39 of the feeding member 3 from above. As a result, the sleeve main body 40 is supported from below by the overhanging portion 39. The upper edge of the sleeve body 40 is disposed above the operation cylinder portion 2 and the middle tool 20 and is inclined with respect to, for example, the container axis O. Note that the sleeve body 40 may be formed of a synthetic resin material or may be formed of a metal material or the like.

[0044] The sleeve body 40 is formed with a lower protruding portion 41 and an upper protruding portion 42. The lower protruding portion 41 is formed so as to protrude radially inward from the lower end portion of the sleeve body 40. In the illustrated example, the lower protruding portion 41 is formed so as to protrude hemispherically radially inward. A part of the lower protruding portion 41 is in close contact with the sliding ring 34 fixed in the circumferential groove 35a from the outside in the radial direction. Thereby, the sleeve body 40 is supported by the feeding body 31 so as to be rotatable about the container axis O in a state where the vertical movement with respect to the operation cylinder portion 2 is restricted by the frictional resistance with the sliding ring 34. The upper protruding portion 42 is formed so as to protrude radially inward from the portion of the sleeve body 40 located inside the middle tool 20. In the illustrated example, the upper protruding portion 42 is formed so as to protrude hemispherically radially inward.

[0045] The movable sleeve 45 is combined with the sleeve body 40 so as to be vertically movable with the relative rotation restricted with respect to the sleeve body 40. The movable sleeve 45 is formed in a cylindrical shape that surrounds the movable cylinder portion 51 of the middle plate portion 5 described later from the outside in the radial direction and is arranged coaxially with the container axis O. The entire length of the movable sleeve 45 along the vertical direction is shorter than the entire length of the sleeve body 40. When the movable sleeve 45 is in the lowest position shown in FIG. 1, it is close to or in contact with the outer peripheral edge portion of the pedestal portion 36 from above. Further, the upper end portion of the movable sleeve 45 is disposed above the upper protruding portion 42.

[0046] As shown in FIGS. 1, 5, and 6, a first regulating groove 46 that is recessed radially inward and open upward is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the movable sleeve 45. The first regulating groove 46 is formed so as to extend in the vertical direction at a portion of the outer peripheral surface of the movable sleeve 45 that faces the upper protruding portion 42 in the radial direction. Further, a pair of the first regulating grooves 46 are formed so as to face each other in the radial direction with the container axis O interposed therebetween. In the first regulating groove 46 configured as described above, the upper protruding portion 42 is accommodated from the outside in the radial direction. Thereby, the movable sleeve 45 guides the movement in the vertical direction while restricting the movement of the upper protruding portion 42 in the circumferential direction by utilizing the first regulating groove 46.

[0047] Note that the first regulating groove 46 is open upward but not open downward. Therefore, when the movable sleeve 45 moves upward, the upper protruding portion 42 abuts against the lower end surface of the first regulating groove 46 from above. Thereby, it is possible to restrict the upper protruding portion 42 from dropping out of the first regulating groove 46 (see FIG. 2).

[0048] A first stopper protrusion 47 that protrudes radially inward is formed at the upper end portion of the movable sleeve 45. In the illustrated example, the first stopper protrusion 47 is formed so as to extend in the circumferential direction so as to be arcuate in plan view. Furthermore, a vertically long second regulating groove 48 that is recessed radially outward and open in the vertical direction is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the movable sleeve 45. A pair of the second regulating grooves 48 are formed so as to face each other in the radial direction with the container axis O interposed therebetween. Note that the second regulating groove 48 is formed at a position that is circumferentially separated from the first regulating groove 46 by 90 degrees around the container axis O in a plan view as viewed from, for example, the direction of the container axis O.

[0049] (Middle dish portion) As shown in FIGS. 1, 7, and 8, the middle dish portion 5 is disposed inside the sleeve 4 so as to be movable in the vertical direction with respect to the sleeve 4. The middle dish portion 5 includes a middle dish main body 50 and a movable cylinder portion 51 that extends downward from the middle dish main body 50.

[0050] The middle dish body 50 is formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape and is arranged coaxially with the container axis O. The middle dish body 50 is arranged inside the sleeve body 40 and is positioned above the spiral shaft 30 (outer spiral shaft 33, inner spiral shaft 32). The inside of the middle dish body 50 is filled with the contents. Note that the contents are filled in a state of protruding above the middle dish body 50.

[0051] The movable cylinder part 51 is formed in a cylindrical shape extending downward from the bottom wall of the middle dish body 50 and is arranged between the outer spiral shaft 33 and the movable sleeve 45. As a result, the movable cylinder part 51 is inserted inside the movable sleeve 45 in a state of surrounding the outer spiral shaft 33 from the radially outer side. Note that the lower end part of the movable cylinder part 51 is in contact with or close to the pedestal part 36 of the feeding member 3 from above.

[0052] On the outer peripheral surface of the movable cylinder part 51, a regulating rib 52 protruding outward in the radial direction is formed. The regulating rib 52 is a vertical rib extending in the vertical direction over substantially the entire length of the movable cylinder part 51, and a pair of them are formed so as to face each other with the container axis O interposed therebetween. The regulating rib 52 is accommodated in the second regulating groove 48 formed in the movable sleeve 45 from the radially inner side and is locked to the second regulating groove 48 in the circumferential direction. As a result, the movable cylinder part 51 is restricted from relative rotation with respect to the movable sleeve 45 in a state where vertical movement with respect to the movable sleeve 45 is allowed. Therefore, the entire middle dish part 5 is movable in the vertical direction in a state where rotation around the container axis O with respect to the sleeve 4 is restricted.

[0053] Furthermore, a second stopper protrusion 53 protruding outward in the radial direction is formed at the lower end part of the movable cylinder part 51. The second stopper protrusion 53 is formed at a position facing the first stopper protrusion 47 formed in the movable sleeve 45 in the vertical direction. As shown in FIG. 2, when the middle dish part 5 reaches the uppermost position, the second stopper protrusion 53 approaches a position close to the first stopper protrusion 47 from below (see FIG. 2). Thereby, it plays a role of preventing the middle dish part 5 from rising beyond the uppermost position.

[0054] Furthermore, on the inner peripheral surface of the lower end portion of the movable cylinder portion 51, a second engaging screw portion (the engaging screw portion according to the present invention) 54 that protrudes radially inward is formed. As shown in FIGS. 1, 8, and 9, the second engaging screw portion 54 is an intermittent screw portion that extends around the container axis O with a predetermined circumferential width along the inner peripheral surface of the movable cylinder portion 51, and is accommodated in the outer spiral groove 33b. Thereby, as the movable cylinder portion 51 rotates with respect to the outer spiral shaft 33, the second engaging screw portion 54 moves spirally in the outer spiral groove 33b, so that the movable cylinder portion 51 moves up and down with respect to the outer spiral shaft 33.

[0055] In the present embodiment, two (a pair) of the second engaging screw portions 54 are provided so as to be intermittently arranged at regular intervals in the circumferential direction corresponding to the number of the outer spiral grooves 33b (two). The second engaging screw portion 54 will be described in detail later.

[0056] As shown in FIGS. 7 to 9, the movable cylinder portion 51 is formed with a slit groove 55 that penetrates the movable cylinder portion 51 in the radial direction. The slit groove 55 is formed to be vertically long and extend in the vertical direction, and is formed to open downward. A pair of slit grooves 55 are formed so as to face each other in the radial direction with the container axis O interposed therebetween. Specifically, the slit groove 55 is formed at a position 90 degrees away from the regulating rib 52 around the container axis O in a plan view seen from the container axis O direction. Thereby, the movable cylinder portion 51 is in a state of being divided into two in the circumferential direction by the slit groove 55, and is formed to be easily elastically deformed outward in the radial direction when the molding die is released. Thereby, it is designed to be easy to pull out the molding die disposed inside the movable cylinder portion 51.

[0057] (Cap) As shown in Fig. 1, the cap 6 is formed in a toped cylindrical shape and is arranged coaxially with the container axis O. The cap 6 is detachably attached to a portion of the middle member 20 that is located above the flange portion 21. Thereby, the cap 6 is attached to the middle member 20 so as to cover the sleeve body 40 from above.

[0058] (Second engagement thread portion) In the feeding container 1 configured as described above, the second engagement thread portion 54 formed in the middle dish portion 5 will be described in detail. As shown in Fig. 1, the middle dish portion 5 including the second engagement thread portion 54 is a molded product formed by injection molding using a molding die (not shown). Therefore, the entire middle dish portion 5 is made of synthetic resin.

[0059] As shown in Figs. 8 and 9, the two second engagement thread portions 54 are formed on the inner peripheral surface of the movable cylinder portion 51, excluding the slit groove 55, so as to face each other in the radial direction with the container axis O interposed therebetween. The second engagement thread portion 54 inclines while extending in the circumferential direction along the helix of the outer spiral groove 33b. A portion of the second engagement thread portion 54 located on one end side in the circumferential direction is a starting end 60 with a small protruding amount toward the inner side in the radial direction. A portion of the second engagement thread portion 54 located on the other side in the circumferential direction is a terminal end 61 with a protruding amount toward the inner side in the radial direction larger than that of the starting end 60. Note that the end face at the terminal end 61 is a flat stopper surface 61a parallel to the radial direction in a plan view seen from the container axis O direction. As shown in Fig. 2, the stopper surface 61a contacts the terminal end portion of the outer spiral groove 33b when the middle dish portion 5 is moved to the uppermost position by the feeding member 3, and plays a role of restricting further upward movement of the middle dish portion 5.

[0060] As described above, the second engagement thread portion 54 inclines while extending in the circumferential direction along the helix of the outer spiral groove 33b from the starting end 60 to the terminal end 61. Further, as shown in Figs. 8 to 10, a cut surface 65 that is recessed upward across the top 63 of the thread crest is formed in the flange 62 facing downward among the thread crests of the second engagement thread portion 54. The cut surface 65 is formed in a circumferential intermediate portion located between the start end 60 and the end end 61 of the second engagement screw portion 54 in a plan view seen from the direction of the container axis O, and is formed so as to extend in the circumferential direction with a predetermined circumferential width.

[0061] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 10, the cut surface 65 is located radially inside the second engagement screw portion 54 and is formed in a concave spherical shape that is recessed in a spherical shape along a virtual circle S having a predetermined radius R with a virtual point C located below the second engagement screw portion 54 as the center. The two-dot chain line shown in FIG. 10 is illustrated with reference to the outer shape of the second engagement screw portion 54 when the cut surface 65 is not formed. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 9, in a plan view seen from the direction of the container axis O, the cut surface 65 is formed centered at positions separated by angles θ1 and θ2 within a range of 70 to 110 degrees in the circumferential direction from the circumferential center P of the intermittent region E located between the circumferentially adjacent second engagement screw portions 54 about the container axis O.

[0062] In the illustrated example, one cut surface 65 is formed centered at a position separated by an angle θ1 of approximately 80 degrees in the circumferential direction from the circumferential center P of the intermittent region E about the container axis O. The other cut surface 65 is formed centered at a position separated by an angle θ2 of approximately 100 degrees in the circumferential direction from the circumferential center P of the intermittent region E about the container axis O. However, it is not limited to this case. Furthermore, it is preferable that both cut surfaces 65 are formed centered at positions separated by an angle of approximately 90 degrees in the circumferential direction from the circumferential center P of the intermittent region E about the container axis O.

[0063] (Operation of the feeding container) Next, the operation of the feeding container 1 configured as described above will be described. When using the feeding container 1, the cap 6 shown in FIG. 1 is removed from the operation cylinder portion 2. Next, the sleeve main body 40 and the outer body 10 of the operation cylinder portion 2 are each gripped, and the sleeve main body 40 and the operation cylinder portion 2 are relatively rotated in the feeding direction about the container axis O.

[0064] At this time, since the inner tool 20 and the feeding main body 31 are respectively combined with the exterior body 10 in a non-rotatable manner, the inner tool 20 and the feeding main body 31 can be integrally rotated together with the exterior body 10. Further, the sleeve main body 40 and the movable sleeve 45 are combined in a non-rotatable manner, and the movable sleeve 45 and the movable cylinder portion 51 of the middle plate portion 5 are combined in a non-rotatable manner. Thereby, the entire middle plate portion 5 can be integrally rotated together with the sleeve main body 40.

[0065] Therefore, the second engaging screw portion 54 of the movable cylinder portion 51 engaged (accommodated) with the outer spiral groove 33b of the outer spiral shaft 33 in the feeding member 3 can be moved along the outer spiral groove 33b. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 2, the entire middle plate portion 5 can be moved upward, and the contents can be fed out above the sleeve main body 40.

[0066] This point will be described in detail. When the operation cylinder portion 2 and the sleeve main body 40 are relatively rotated, at least one of the operations of the inner spiral shaft 32 and the outer spiral shaft 33 rotating integrally with respect to the movable cylinder portion 51 or the inner spiral shaft 32 rotating with respect to the outer spiral shaft 33 occurs.

[0067] When the inner spiral shaft 32 and the outer spiral shaft 33 rotate integrally with respect to the movable cylinder portion 51, the second engaging screw portion 54 moves spirally in the outer spiral groove 33b in a state of being engaged in the outer spiral groove 33b. Thereby, the entire middle plate portion 5 including the movable cylinder portion 51 can be moved upward with respect to the feeding member 3. In this way, the operation in which the middle plate portion 5 moves upward due to the relative rotation of the inner spiral shaft 32 and the outer spiral shaft 33 and the movable cylinder portion 51 in the feeding direction is referred to as the "first operation" in the present embodiment.

[0068] On the other hand, when the inner spiral shaft 32 rotates with respect to the outer spiral shaft 33, the outer spiral shaft 33 rises with respect to the inner spiral shaft 32 by moving spirally within the inner spiral groove 32a in a state where the first engaging screw portion 33a is engaged within the inner spiral groove 32a. At this time, the entire middle plate portion 5 moves upward together with the outer spiral shaft 33 as the second engaging screw portion 54 is pushed up through the outer spiral groove 33b. In this way, the operation in which the middle plate portion 5 moves upward together with the outer spiral shaft 33 when the inner spiral shaft 32 and the outer spiral shaft 33 rotate relative to each other in the feeding direction is referred to as the "second operation" in the present embodiment.

[0069] Therefore, as shown in FIG. 2, when the operation cylinder portion 2 and the sleeve main body 40 are rotated relative to each other in the feeding direction, the middle plate portion 5 can be moved upward by at least one of the first operation and the second operation. As a result, the contents can be fed out above the sleeve main body 40 and the contents can be used. Note that which of the first operation and the second operation occurs varies depending on the frictional resistance between members and the like. However, even if either the first operation or the second operation is preferentially performed, the contents can be fed out. Therefore, the user can use the contents. Note that both the first operation and the second operation may occur simultaneously.

[0070] In the initial stage where the middle plate portion 5 rises by the first operation or the second operation, the middle plate portion 5 moves upward with respect to the movable sleeve 45 (first rising process). Specifically, in the first rising process, the regulating rib 52 is guided by the second regulating groove 48. Therefore, the middle plate portion 5 can be moved upward with respect to the movable sleeve 45 while restricting the rotation of the middle plate portion 5 with respect to the movable sleeve 45. Further, in the first rising process, the second stopper protrusion 53 of the middle plate portion 5 comes into contact with the first stopper protrusion 47 of the movable sleeve 45 from below. Thereby, the upward movement of the middle plate portion 5 with respect to the movable sleeve 45 can be restricted.

[0071] After the first ascending process, when the middle plate portion 5 further moves upward by the first operation or the second operation, the movable sleeve 45 can be pushed upward via the first stopper projection 47 and the second stopper projection 53. As a result, the middle plate portion 5 moves upward with respect to the sleeve main body 40 together with the movable sleeve 45 (second ascending process).

[0072] In the second ascending process, the upward projection 42 is accommodated in the first regulating groove 46. Therefore, the movable sleeve 45 moves upward with respect to the sleeve main body 40 while the rotation of the movable sleeve 45 with respect to the sleeve main body 40 is regulated. Further, in the second ascending process, the stopper surface 61a of the end 61 of the second screw portion contacts the outer spiral groove 33b to regulate further upward movement of the middle plate portion 5. Thereby, the middle plate portion 5 can be positioned at the uppermost position.

[0073] In addition, in the present embodiment, the configuration in which the second ascending process occurs after the first ascending process has been described, but it is not limited to this case. For example, the first ascending process may occur after the second ascending process, or the first ascending process and the second ascending process may occur simultaneously.

[0074] After using the contents, by relatively rotating the operation cylinder portion 2 and the sleeve main body 40 in the reverse direction around the container axis O, the middle plate portion 5 can be moved downward by the reverse operation described above, and the contents can be accommodated in the sleeve 4 (see FIG. 1).

[0075] Particularly, according to the dispensing container 1 of the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, on the flank 62 facing downward among the threads of the second engaging screw portion 54 engaged with the outer spiral groove 33b, a cut surface 65 that is recessed spherically upward across the top 63 of the thread is formed. Moreover, the cut surface 65 is formed so as to extend in the circumferential direction with a predetermined circumferential width at the circumferential intermediate portion between the start end 60 and the end 61 of the second engaging screw portion 54. Since the circumferential intermediate portion of the second engaging screw portion 54 has a large protruding amount radially inward from the inner peripheral surface of the movable cylinder portion 51 and is thick, and is separated in the circumferential direction from the starting end 60 and the ending end 61, deformation in the vertical direction or the like is likely to occur. Therefore, when the mold for molding is removed after the entire middle plate portion 5 is injection molded, the circumferential intermediate portion of the second engaging screw portion 54 is likely to develop convex sink marks due to the drawing of the mold for molding.

[0076] However, in the present embodiment, since the cut surface 65 is formed in the circumferential intermediate portion of the second engaging screw portion 54, even if the mold for molding slides over the circumferential intermediate portion of the second engaging screw portion 54 during drawing, a part of the mold for molding is less likely to be caught by the cut surface 65. Moreover, since the movable cylinder portion 51 in which the second engaging screw portion 54 is formed is easily elastically deformed so as to open radially outward by the slit groove 55, the above-mentioned catching is less likely to occur. Therefore, the mold for molding can be drawn out with less resistance, and the occurrence of convex sink marks in the circumferential intermediate portion of the second engaging screw portion 54 can be suppressed.

[0077] Therefore, the second engaging screw portion 54 can be smoothly moved along the outer spiral groove 33b with less resistance, and the middle plate portion 5 can be operated (moved up and down) stably and smoothly. Therefore, the feeding container 1 with excellent operability can be obtained.

[0078] As described above, according to the feeding container 1 of the present embodiment, since the occurrence of convex sink marks in the second engaging screw portion 54 can be suppressed, the middle plate portion 5 can be operated stably and smoothly, and the contents can be easily used.

[0079] Furthermore, since the cut surface 65 is formed in a concave spherical shape, the mold for molding is even less likely to be caught by the cut surface 65, and the mold for molding can be drawn out with even less resistance. Therefore, the occurrence of convex sink marks in the circumferential intermediate portion of the second engaging screw portion 54 can be effectively suppressed.

[0080] In addition, the cut surface 65 is formed centered at positions separated by angles θ1 and θ2 within a range of 70 to 110 degrees in the circumferential direction about the container axis O from the circumferential center P of the intermittent region E located between the second engagement screw portions 54 adjacent in the circumferential direction in a plan view seen from the direction of the container axis O. The above positions are portions where convex macules are likely to occur due to catching or the like particularly when the molding die is pulled out. Therefore, since the cut surface 65 is formed at these positions, it is possible to more effectively suppress the occurrence of convex streak macules on the second engagement screw portion 54.

[0081] As described above, the embodiments of the present invention have been explained, but the present embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. The present embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and in addition to being able to make various omissions, replacements, and changes without departing from the gist of the invention, modification examples in each embodiment may be appropriately combined. Furthermore, the present embodiments and their modification examples include, for example, those that can be easily assumed by those skilled in the art, those that are substantially the same, and those within an equivalent range.

[0082] In the above embodiment, the configuration in which the feeding member 3 includes the inner spiral shaft 32 and the outer spiral shaft 33 has been described, but it is not limited to this case. For example, the feeding member 3 may have at least the inner spiral shaft 32. In this case, the second engagement screw portion 54 may be engaged with the inner spiral groove 32a of the inner spiral shaft 32.

[0083] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the configuration in which the operation cylinder portion 2 includes the exterior body 10 and the inner member 20 has been described, but it is not limited to this case. For example, the operation cylinder portion 2 may include only the exterior body 10.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0084] C... Virtual point S... Virtual circle E... Intermittent region 1... Feeding container 2... Operation cylinder portion 3... Feeding member 4… Sleeve 5… Middle plate part 30… Screw shaft 33b… Outer spiral groove (spiral groove) 50… Middle plate body 51… Movable cylinder part 54… Second engaging thread part (engaging thread part) 60… Starting end of the engaging thread part 61… Ending end of the engaging thread part 62… Flank of the thread 63… Crest of the thread 65… Cut surface

Claims

1. An operating cylinder portion rotatable about the container axis, having a spiral shaft formed with a spiral groove extending around the container axis, and a feeding member fixed to the operating cylinder portion while rotation of the operating cylinder portion about the container axis is restricted, a sleeve that surrounds the spiral shaft from the outside in the radial direction, extends upward from the operating cylinder portion, and is provided rotatable about the container axis with respect to the spiral shaft, and a middle dish portion disposed inside the sleeve and arranged to be movable in the vertical direction with respect to the sleeve, The middle dish portion includes a middle dish body for holding contents, a movable cylinder portion that extends downward from the middle dish body, surrounds the spiral shaft from the outside in the radial direction, and is restricted in rotation about the container axis with respect to the sleeve, and an engaging screw portion that protrudes radially inward from the inner peripheral surface of the movable cylinder portion and is formed to extend spirally along the inner peripheral surface of the movable cylinder portion with a predetermined circumferential width and engages with the spiral groove, A cut surface that is recessed upward across the top of the thread crest is formed on the flank of the thread of the engaging screw portion that faces downward, The cut surface is formed at a circumferential intermediate portion between a start end located on one side in the circumferential direction and an end end located on the other side in the circumferential direction of the engaging screw portion. A feeding container characterized by this.

2. In the feeding container according to claim 1, the cut surface is located radially inside the engaging screw portion and is formed to be recessed in a spherical shape along a virtual circle having a predetermined radius with a virtual point located below the engaging screw portion as the center, Further, the cut surface is formed to extend in the circumferential direction with a predetermined circumferential width in a plan view seen from the container axis direction. A feeding container.

3. In the feeding container according to claim 1 or 2, The engaging screw portions are formed in a pair so as to be intermittently arranged in the circumferential direction at regular intervals on the inner peripheral surface of the movable cylinder portion. The cut surface is formed around a position separated by an angle within a range of 70 degrees to 110 degrees in the circumferential direction with respect to the center of the container axis from the center in the circumferential direction of an intermittent region located between a pair of the engaging screw portions adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction in a plan view seen from the container axis direction. A dispensing container.

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