Cartridge intermediate, method for manufacturing cartridge intermediate, cartridge, and method for manufacturing cartridge

Abstract

To provide a cartridge intermediate capable of improving reliability of screwing, and improving assembly properties, a production method of the same, a cartridge, and a production method of the same.SOLUTION: A cartridge intermediate 15 comprises: a screw part 13 which has a grip part 13c for gripping an application body, and has on an outer periphery extending from the grip part 13c, a male screw 13b formed thereon; and a cylindrical part 12 which has a female screw 12v screwed to the male screw 13b, and extends along an axial line direction D1 which is a direction where an axial line N of the screw part 13 extends. The screw part 13 and the cylindrical part 12 are integrated and formed through a coupling part 14 which is broken when being pressed in the axial line direction D1.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a cartridge intermediate, a method for manufacturing a cartridge intermediate, a cartridge, and a method for manufacturing a cartridge. [Background technology]

[0002] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 2004-57610 describes a storage container for storing items such as lipstick or lip balm. The storage container includes a cylindrical storage body, a cradle for holding the items, a rotary operation body, a screw shaft, a pair of screw legs, and a cap. The cradle, rotary operation body, screw shaft, and pair of screw legs are stored in the cylindrical storage body. A portion of the rotary operation body is exposed from the cylindrical storage body, and the exposed portion of the rotary operation body is rotatable relative to the cylindrical storage body. The screw shaft is fixed to the rotary operation body so as to protrude from the rotary operation body.

[0003] The cradle engages non-rotatably with the cylindrical storage body above the screw shaft. The cradle is cylindrical. A pair of screw legs extend downward from the lower end of the outer periphery of the cradle. The pair of screw legs are swingable around the lower end of the outer periphery of the cradle as a fulcrum. Each screw leg has a female thread at the end opposite the cradle. This female thread screws into the male thread of the screw shaft when the screw leg swings radially inward of the cradle.

[0004] When housed in the storage container, the female threads of the pair of screw legs are threadedly engaged with the male threads of the screw shaft. The storage container has a breakage portion connecting the cradle and the screw shaft. When the rotational operating body is rotated relative to the storage cylinder, the screw shaft rotates together with the rotational operating body, and the threaded engagement between the male and female threads works, moving the cradle in a direction away from the screw shaft. As a result, the screw shaft and the cradle are broken via the breakage portion. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-57610 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] In the above-described storage container, when the cradle, the rotary driver, the screw shaft, and the pair of screw legs are stored in the storage container, the pair of screw legs must be swung radially inward of the cradle. Because the screw legs are movable relative to the screw shaft, there is room for improvement in terms of the reliability of the engagement between the male and female threads. After the pair of screw legs are swung radially inward of the cradle to store the cradle, the rotary driver, the screw shaft, and the pair of screw shafts in the cylindrical storage container, the stored items cannot be dispensed unless the rotary driver is rotated relative to the cylindrical storage container to break the breaking portion. Therefore, assembling the storage container can be complicated, there is room for improvement in terms of ease of assembly.

[0007] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a cartridge intermediate body, a method for manufacturing a cartridge intermediate body, a cartridge, and a method for manufacturing a cartridge, which can improve the reliability of threading and also improve the ease of assembly. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The cartridge intermediate according to the present disclosure includes a gripping portion for gripping an applicator body, a screw portion having a male screw formed on its outer periphery extending from the gripping portion, and a tubular portion having a female screw that screws into the male screw and extending along the axis of the screw portion. The screw portion and the tubular portion are integrally formed via a connecting portion that is broken when pressed in the axial direction.

[0009] The method for manufacturing a cartridge intermediate according to the present disclosure is a method for manufacturing a cartridge intermediate that includes a gripping portion for gripping an applicator body, a screw portion having a male screw formed on its outer periphery extending from the gripping portion, and a tubular portion that has a female screw that screws into the male screw and extends along an axial direction that is the direction in which the axis of the screw portion extends. The method for manufacturing a cartridge intermediate includes a step of integrally forming the screw portion and the tubular portion via a connecting portion, and a step of breaking the connecting portion by pushing at least one of the screw portion and the tubular portion in the axial direction.

[0010] In this cartridge intermediate and its manufacturing method, a gripping portion for gripping the applicator body and a screw portion having a male screw formed thereon are integrally formed with a tubular portion having a female screw that screws onto the male screw. The screw portion and the tubular portion extend along an axial direction, which is the direction in which the axis of the screw portion extends. The screw portion and the tubular portion are integrally formed via a connecting portion. The connecting portion is broken by pushing at least one of the screw portion and the tubular portion in the axial direction. Since the connecting portion can be broken by pushing at least one of the screw portion and the tubular portion in the axial direction, the cartridge intermediate can be easily assembled. Neither the screw portion nor the tubular portion of this cartridge intermediate has a portion that swings in the radial direction, etc. Therefore, the female screw can be reliably screwed onto the male screw after the connecting portion is broken, thereby improving assembly ease and improving threading reliability.

[0011] The female screw may have a protrusion protruding from the axial end face of the cylindrical portion. In this case, the female screw has a protrusion, which makes it possible to shorten the distance between the male screw and the female screw of the screw portion. Therefore, when at least one of the screw portion and the cylindrical portion is pushed in the axial direction, it is possible to prevent the male screw and the female screw from colliding forcefully, thereby suppressing damage to the male screw and the female screw. The female screw has a protrusion protruding from the end face of the cylindrical portion, which allows assembly to be performed while viewing the male screw and the female screw, making assembly easier and more reliably preventing defects during assembly. The female screw has a protrusion protruding from the end face of the cylindrical portion, which makes it possible to increase the axial movement distance of the screw portion relative to the cylindrical portion, thereby allowing the applicator to be advanced further.

[0012] The outer peripheral surface of the protrusion may be curved. In this case, a large contact area between the male screw and the female screw of the screw portion can be ensured, which can reduce the impact caused by the female screw colliding with the male screw when pressed in the axial direction. Therefore, damage to the male and female screws can be more reliably prevented.

[0013] In the integral forming step in the method for manufacturing the cartridge intermediate described above, the screw portion and the tubular portion are integrally formed via a connecting portion using a mold. The method for manufacturing the cartridge intermediate may include the steps of: arranging a core pin of the mold so as to extend in the axial direction; arranging a pair of slides of the mold so as to contact the axial tip of the core pin and be aligned along the width direction of the core pin; and pouring resin into a space in the mold defined by the mold including the core pin and the pair of slides, and hardening the resin to form the tubular portion. In this case, a tubular body having a female screw formed therein and having a protrusion protruding from an end face in the axial direction can be manufactured by resin molding using the core pin and the pair of slides.

[0014] The cartridge according to the present disclosure is a cartridge including: a screw portion having a gripping portion for gripping an applicator body and having a male screw formed on its outer periphery extending from the gripping portion; a tubular portion having a female screw that screws into the male screw and extending along the axial direction of the screw portion; and a sleeve that houses at least a portion of the screw portion and the tubular portion. At least one of the screw portion and the tubular portion has a fracture trace, and the fracture trace is a trace formed when the screw portion and the tubular portion, which were formed integrally, were separated.

[0015] The method for manufacturing a cartridge according to the present disclosure is a method for manufacturing a cartridge including: a screw portion having a gripping portion for gripping an applicator body and having a male screw formed on its outer periphery extending from the gripping portion; a tubular portion having a female screw that screws onto the male screw and extending along an axial direction that is the direction in which the axis of the screw portion extends; and a sleeve that houses at least a portion of the screw portion and the tubular portion. The method for manufacturing the cartridge includes the steps of forming the screw portion and the tubular portion integrally via a connecting portion, housing at least a portion of the screw portion and the tubular portion inside the sleeve, and pushing at least one of the screw portion and the tubular portion in the axial direction to break the connecting portion.

[0016] In this cartridge and cartridge manufacturing method, a gripping portion for gripping the applicator body and a screw portion having a male screw are integrally formed with a tubular portion having a female screw that screws onto the male screw inside the sleeve. In the cartridge and cartridge manufacturing method, the connection portion is broken by pushing at least one of the screw portion and the tubular portion in the axial direction, and a fracture trace is formed in at least one of the screw portion and the tubular portion. In this way, the connection portion can be broken by pushing at least one of the screw portion and the tubular portion in the axial direction, making it easy to assemble the cartridge. In this cartridge, none of the screw portion, the tubular portion, or the sleeve has any parts that swing in the radial direction, etc. Therefore, the female screw can be reliably screwed onto the male screw after the connection portion is broken, improving assembly ease and threading reliability.

[0017] In the step of accommodating at least a portion of the screw portion and the tubular portion, the screw portion may be engaged with the sleeve so as to be synchronously rotatable. The method for manufacturing a cartridge may include the steps of gripping the applicator body with the gripping portion, and rotating the tubular portion relative to the sleeve, thereby threading the screw portion back into the tubular portion through the threading action of the male and female screws. In this case, after accommodating the screw portion and the tubular portion in the sleeve, the applicator body is gripped by the gripping portion of the screw portion, and the tubular portion rotates relative to the sleeve, which rotates synchronously with the screw portion, thereby threading the screw portion back into the tubular portion. Therefore, the series of assembly steps up to accommodating the applicator body inside the sleeve can be performed more efficiently. [Effects of the Invention]

[0018] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to improve the reliability of screwing and also improve the ease of assembly. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0019] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing an application container equipped with a cartridge according to the embodiment. [Figure 2] 2(a) is a cross-sectional view showing the cartridge according to the embodiment, and FIG. 2(b) is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the applicator body of the cartridge shown in FIG. 2(a) has reached its forward limit. [Figure 3] 3(a) is a side view showing the cartridge intermediate body according to the embodiment, and FIG. 3(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. [Figure 4] 4(a) is a side view of the cartridge intermediate body according to the embodiment, seen from a different direction than in FIG. 3(a), and FIG. 4(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. [Figure 5] 10 is a perspective view showing a connection portion between a screw portion and a cylindrical portion in a cartridge intermediate body according to an embodiment. FIG. [Figure 6] 6 is a perspective view showing a tubular part having a fracture trace formed by breaking the connection part of FIG. 5. FIG. [Figure 7] 6A to 6C are diagrams for explaining the manufacturing process of the cylindrical body of FIG. 5. [Figure 8] 5A and 5B are diagrams illustrating steps in a method for manufacturing a cartridge according to an embodiment. [Figure 9] 5A and 5B are diagrams illustrating steps in a method for manufacturing a cartridge according to an embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0020] Hereinafter, embodiments of a cartridge intermediate, a method for manufacturing a cartridge intermediate, a cartridge, and a method for manufacturing a cartridge according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In the description of the drawings, identical or corresponding elements are designated by the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations will be omitted as appropriate. Furthermore, the drawings may be partially simplified or exaggerated for ease of understanding, and the dimensional ratios and the like are not limited to those shown in the drawings.

[0021] In the present disclosure, the term "applicator body" refers to an object that is applied to a target area. The "applicator body" may be, for example, a cosmetic product, a cosmetic applicator such as a puff, sponge, tip, impregnated body, or brush, or a drawing material such as a writing brush or stationery. In this embodiment, an example in which the applicator body is a cosmetic product will be described.

[0022] Examples of "cosmetics" include eyeliner, eyebrow pencil, eyeshadow, lipstick, lip liner, lip gloss, concealer, dial pen, and beauty stick. "Cosmetics" may also be a stick-shaped product containing a flexible material (e.g., semi-solid, soft, jelly, mousse, or a paste containing any of these).

[0023] In an embodiment, the application container includes a cartridge. "Cartridge" refers to a replaceable part. In an embodiment, the "cartridge" is detachable from the application container. "Cartridge intermediate" refers to a part that constitutes the cartridge. The "cartridge intermediate" has a screw portion, a cylindrical portion, and a connecting portion that connects the screw portion and the cylindrical portion to each other. The "cartridge intermediate" includes both the cartridge intermediate before the connecting portion is broken and the cartridge intermediate after the connecting portion is broken.

[0024] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an applicator container 1 equipped with a cartridge 10 according to an embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the applicator container 1 has a round rod shape. The applicator container 1 is, for example, an applicator body dispensing container that dispenses an applicator body M contained therein by operation by a user. As an example, the applicator body M is a stick-shaped cosmetic material. The applicator container 1 also allows the applicator body M to be retracted.

[0025] The coating container 1 extends along an axial direction D1, which is the direction in which the axis L of the coating container 1 extends. In this embodiment, the "axis" refers to the axis of the coating container, for example, the center line of the coating container extending along the longitudinal direction of the coating container. The "axial direction" refers to, for example, the longitudinal direction of the coating container, and refers to the direction along the axis, i.e., the direction in which the axis extends.

[0026] The application container 1 includes a cap 2, a cartridge 10 that holds the application body M, and a main body 20 to which the cartridge 10 is detachable. The cap 2 is detachable from the main body 20. The cartridge 10 can be removed from the main body 20 after, for example, the application body M has been used up. In addition, a new cartridge 10 can be attached to the main body 20.

[0027] In this embodiment, the direction in which the cartridge 10 is provided as viewed from the main body 20 and the direction in which the applicator M is advanced will be described as "front", "front side" or "forward", and the direction in which the main body 20 is provided as viewed from the cartridge 10 and the direction in which the applicator M is retracted will be described as "rear", "rear side" or "rear".

[0028] The cap 2 extends, for example, along the axial direction D1. The cap 2 has, for example, a cylindrical shape with a bottom. The cap 2 has an opening 2b through which the cartridge 10 is inserted along the axial direction D1, and an inner circumferential surface 2c facing the outer circumferential surface of the cartridge 10 inserted into the opening 2b. An annular recess 2d and an annular protrusion 2f with which the main body 20 engages in the axial direction D1 are formed on the inner circumferential surface 2c, and the annular protrusion 2f is located closer to the opening 2b of the cap 2 than the annular recess 2d. The main body 20 engages with the annular recess 2d and annular protrusion 2f of the cap 2 along the axial direction D1, thereby attaching the cap 2 to the main body 20.

[0029] The main body 20 includes, for example, an outer cylinder 21 and a center cylinder 22 housed in the outer cylinder 21. The outer cylinder 21 has an opening 21b into which the cartridge 10 and the center cylinder 22 are inserted, and an inner peripheral surface 21c facing the outer peripheral surface of the center cylinder 22 inserted into the opening 21b. A center cylinder engaging portion 21d with which the center cylinder 22 engages, and a cartridge engaging portion 21f with which the cartridge 10 engages are formed on the inner peripheral surface 21c.

[0030] The center cylinder engaging portion 21d has an annular recessed portion 21g and an annular protruding portion 21h with which the center cylinder 22 engages in the axial direction D1. The annular protruding portion 21h is provided at a position closer to the opening 21b of the outer cylinder 21 than the annular recessed portion 21g. The cartridge engaging portion 21f is provided on the opposite side of the center cylinder engaging portion 21d from the opening 21b. The cartridge engaging portion 21f has a plurality of protruding portions 21j with which the cartridge 10 engages in the circumferential direction of the outer cylinder 21. The plurality of protruding portions 21j are aligned along the circumferential direction of the outer cylinder 21.

[0031] The center cylinder 22 has a first opening 22b located at one end in the axial direction D1 of the center cylinder 22 and a second opening 22c located at the other end in the axial direction D1 of the center cylinder 22. The first opening 22b faces forward, and the second opening 22c faces rearward. A part of the cartridge 10 (a sleeve 11 described below) is inserted into the first opening 22b.

[0032] The middle cylinder 22 has a first annular protrusion 22d with which the cap 2 engages in the axial direction D1, a second annular protrusion 22f that fits into the opening 21b of the outer cylinder 21, and a third annular protrusion 22g that engages in the axial direction D1 with the middle cylinder engaging portion 21d of the outer cylinder 21. The first annular protrusion 22d, the second annular protrusion 22f, and the third annular protrusion 22g are aligned in this order along the axial direction D1.

[0033] The center cylinder 22 has, for example, an elastically deformable spring portion 22h. The spring portion 22h has a cylindrical shape with a slit 22j formed therein that connects the inside and outside of the spring portion 22h. By forming the slit 22j in this manner, the spring portion 22h can exert a biasing force in the axial direction D1 while maintaining appropriate strength. The spring portion 22h is deformable in the axial direction D1 when pressed in the axial direction D1. The center cylinder 22 has an inner circumferential surface 22k that faces the outer circumferential surface of the cartridge 10 inserted through the first opening 22b. The center cylinder 22 has an annular protrusion 22p on the inner circumferential surface 22k that engages with the cartridge 10 in the axial direction D1.

[0034] Next, we will explain the cartridge 10. Figures 2(a) and 2(b) are cross-sectional views showing the cartridge 10. As shown in Figures 1, 2(a), and 2(b), in the cartridge 10, the applicator body M can be advanced and retracted when the cap 2 is removed from the main body 20.

[0035] The cartridge 10 includes a cylindrical sleeve 11 and a cartridge intermediate body 15. The cartridge intermediate body 15 includes a cylindrical portion 12 that is inserted into the sleeve 11, and a screw portion 13 that moves inside the cylindrical portion 12 along the axial direction D1.

[0036] Sleeve 11 has a first opening 11b through which applicator M is exposed and a second opening 11c through which tubular portion 12 is inserted. First opening 11b faces forward, and second opening 11c faces backward. Sleeve 11 has a tapered portion 11d extending from first opening 11b, and an insertion portion 11f that is inserted into middle cylinder 22. Tapered portion 11d is located in front of insertion portion 11f.

[0037] The sleeve 11 has a step portion 11g located between the tapered portion 11d and the insertion portion 11f. The diameter of the tapered portion 11d increases from the first opening 11b toward the step portion 11g. The step portion 11g is a portion that faces the front end 22q of the center cylinder 22 along the axial direction D1 when the sleeve 11 is inserted into the center cylinder 22.

[0038] The insertion portion 11f has a cylindrical shape. For example, the insertion portion 11f has a cylindrical shape with a diameter smaller than the diameter of the sleeve 11 at the stepped portion 11g. An annular recess 11h is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the insertion portion 11f, with which the annular protrusion 22p of the middle tube 22 engages in the axial direction D1. The annular recess 11h is formed between the second opening 11c and the stepped portion 11g. The sleeve 11 has an inner peripheral surface 11j facing the tubular portion 12. An annular protrusion 11k and an annular recess 11p are formed on the inner peripheral surface 11j, with which the tubular portion 12 engages in the axial direction D1. The annular protrusion 11k is located closer to the second opening 11c than the annular recess 11p.

[0039] The cylindrical portion 12 has an insertion portion 12b that is inserted into the sleeve 11 and an exposed portion 12c that is exposed to the outside of the cartridge 10 when the insertion portion 12b is inserted into the sleeve 11. The insertion portion 12b extends forward from the exposed portion 12c. For example, the outer diameter of the exposed portion 12c is larger than the outer diameter of the insertion portion 12b.

[0040] Fig. 3(a) is a side view showing the cartridge intermediate body 15. Fig. 3(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in Fig. 3(a). Figs. 3(a) and 3(b) show the cartridge intermediate body 15 in a state before it is attached to the main body portion 20. When it is attached to the main body portion 20, part of the screw portion 13 is inserted into the cylindrical portion 12.

[0041] The cartridge intermediate 15 has a cylindrical portion 12, a screw portion 13, and a connecting portion 14 that connects the cylindrical portion 12 and the screw portion 13 to each other. Before being attached to the main body 20, the screw portion 13 does not enter the cylindrical portion 12, and the screw portion 13 is connected to the cylindrical portion 12 via the connecting portion 14. The connecting portion 14 is a portion that is broken when at least one of the cylindrical portion 12 and the screw portion 13 is pressed in the axial direction D1. Before being attached to the main body 20, the cylindrical portion 12 and the screw portion 13 are integrally formed via the connecting portion 14.

[0042] The screw portion 13 has an axis N corresponding to the rotation axis of the screw portion 13, and the cylindrical portion 12 extends along the axis N. When the cartridge intermediate 15 is attached to the sleeve 11, the axis N of the screw portion 13 coincides with the axis L described above. The cylindrical portion 12 has, for example, a main body engaging portion 12d that engages with the main body 20.

[0043] The main body engaging portion 12d is provided on the exposed portion 12c. The main body engaging portion 12d has a plurality of protrusions 12f arranged along the circumferential direction of the cylindrical portion 12. Each of the plurality of protrusions 12f fits between two protrusions 21j arranged along the circumferential direction, thereby engaging the main body engaging portion 12d with the outer tube 21 in the circumferential direction.

[0044] The insertion portion 12b has, for example, a stepped cylindrical shape. The insertion portion 12b has an outer peripheral surface 12g that faces the inner peripheral surface of the sleeve 11. The outer peripheral surface 12g is formed with an engagement portion 12h that engages with the sleeve 11 in the axial direction D1 and an abutment portion 12j that abuts against the inner peripheral surface of the sleeve 11.

[0045] The engaging portion 12h has an inclined surface 12k that is inclined so that the diameter of the cylindrical portion 12 increases toward the rear, and an annular protrusion 12p located at the rear of the inclined surface 12k. The cylindrical portion 12 engages with the sleeve 11 in the axial direction D1 as the inclined surface 12k and the annular protrusion 12p ride over the annular protrusion 11k and fit into the annular recess 11p.

[0046] The contact portion 12j has a U-shaped slit 12q that penetrates the cylindrical portion 12 in the radial direction and a protrusion 12r that protrudes radially outward from the cylindrical portion 12. The slit 12q is composed of a pair of first slits 12s that extend in the axial direction D1 and are aligned along the circumferential direction of the cylindrical portion 12, and a second slit 12t that extends circumferentially of the cylindrical portion 12 at the rear ends of the pair of first slits 12s. The protrusion 12r is provided between the pair of first slits 12s. In other words, the protrusion 12r is provided inside the U-shaped slit 12q. Therefore, the protrusion 12r has elasticity in the radial direction of the cylindrical portion 12.

[0047] The screw portion 13 has a male screw 13b extending from the cylindrical portion 12 along the axial direction D1, and a gripping portion 13c that grips the applicator body M at the end opposite the cylindrical portion 12 as viewed from the male screw 13b. The male screw 13b is formed on the outer periphery of the screw portion 13 extending from the gripping portion 13c. The male screw 13b is a thread that extends helically on the outer periphery of the screw portion 13.

[0048] The gripping portion 13c has, for example, a base 13d to which the male screw 13b is connected, and a plurality of claws 13f extending from the base 13d to the opposite side of the male screw 13b. The base 13d engages with a protrusion 11q formed on the inner peripheral surface of the sleeve 11 in the circumferential direction of the sleeve 11. For ease of understanding, the protrusion 11q is shown by a dashed line in Figure 2 and other figures. The gripping portion 13c functions as a rotation stopper for the screw portion 13 relative to the sleeve 11. Therefore, the screw portion 13 engages with the sleeve 11 so as to be synchronously rotatable.

[0049] The gripping portion 13c has a plurality of claws 13f arranged along the circumferential direction of the screw portion 13. Each claw 13f extends forward from the base portion 13d. For example, the thickness of the claws 13f becomes thinner toward the front. In the gripping portion 13c, the applicator M is gripped in the space inside the plurality of claws 13f arranged along the circumferential direction of the screw portion 13.

[0050] Fig. 4(a) is a side view showing cartridge intermediate body 15 as viewed from a different direction than Fig. 3(a). Fig. 4(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in Fig. 4(a). As shown in Fig. 4(b), protrusions 13g extending along axial direction D1 are formed on the radially inner side of claw portions 13f. In gripping portion 13c, protrusions 13g of each claw portion 13f dig into applicator body M, making it possible to more firmly grip applicator body M.

[0051] The cylindrical portion 12 has a female screw 12v that screws into the male screw 13b of the screw portion 13. The cylindrical portion 12 has, for example, a plurality of (for example, two) female screws 12v. The plurality of female screws 12v are, for example, lined up along the radial direction of the cylindrical portion 12. However, the number and arrangement of the female screws 12v are not limited to the above example.

[0052] 3(b), the female screw 12v has a spherical shape when viewed from the front. The female screw 12v has, for example, a protruding portion 12x that protrudes from an end face 12w of the cylindrical portion 12 in the axial direction D1. The female screw 12v protrudes forward from the end face 12w and also protrudes radially inward from the end face 12w. The outer peripheral surface of the female screw 12v is, for example, a curved surface.

[0053] When the sleeve 11 and the screw portion 13 rotate relative to the cylindrical portion 12, the male screw 13b moves helically relative to the female screw 12v, causing the screw portion 13 to move in the axial direction D1 relative to the cylindrical portion 12. This causes the applicator M held by the holding portion 13c of the screw portion 13 to move in the axial direction D1, making it possible to pay out and pay back the applicator M.

[0054] As described above, before the cartridge intermediate 15 is attached to the sleeve 11, the cylindrical portion 12 and the screw portion 13 are integrally formed via the connecting portions 14. Fig. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of the periphery of the end surface 12w of the cylindrical portion 12. As shown in Figs. 3(b) and 5, the cartridge intermediate 15 has, for example, a plurality of connecting portions 14.

[0055] For example, a plurality of connection portions 14 are arranged in a line along the circumferential direction of the cylindrical portion 12. As an example, a connection portion 14 is arranged between a pair of female screws 12v in the circumferential direction of the cylindrical portion 12. For example, the cartridge intermediate body 15 may have four connection portions 14, and the four connection portions 14 may be arranged radially in a cross section perpendicular to the axial direction D1. The thickness of the connection portions 14 in the circumferential direction of the cylindrical portion 12 becomes thinner as they go radially outward of the cylindrical portion 12. For example, the connection portions 14 have a trapezoidal shape whose width becomes narrower as they go radially outward of the cylindrical portion 12.

[0056] 5 and 6, the connection portion 14 breaks when an external force is applied to the tubular portion 12 and the screw portion 13 in a direction that causes them to approach each other along the axial direction D1. At least one of the tubular portion 12 and the screw portion 13 has a fracture trace 16, which is a trace formed when the connection portion 14 breaks. The fracture trace 16 is a trace formed when the screw portion 13 and the tubular portion 12, which were formed integrally, are separated. FIG. 6 shows the fracture trace 16 formed in the tubular portion 12.

[0057] For example, the fracture trace 16 is formed by breaking a narrowed portion of the trapezoidal connecting portion 14. As an example, the fracture trace 16 has a rectangular shape with long sides extending along the axial direction D1 and short sides extending along the circumferential direction of the tubular portion 12. With the connecting portion 14 thus fractured and the fracture trace 16 formed, the tubular portion 12 and the screw portion 13 are separated from each other.

[0058] Next, a method for manufacturing the cartridge intermediate 15 and a method for manufacturing the cartridge 10 according to this embodiment will be described. First, in the method for manufacturing the cartridge intermediate 15, the tubular portion 12 is manufactured (a process for manufacturing the tubular portion). FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the tubular portion 12, schematically illustrating a method for manufacturing the tubular portion 12. The tubular portion 12 is, for example, injection molded using a mold B including a core pin B1 and a slide B2. In FIG. 7, for ease of explanation, the tubular portion 12 is depicted with a solid line, and the mold B is depicted in a simplified manner with a dashed line. In addition, a pair of slide molds separate from the slide B2 are provided on both sides of the tubular portion 12 in the width direction D2. The slide molds may be integral with the slide B2 or may be separate from the slide B2. Note that, for ease of explanation, the pair of slide molds are not shown in FIG. 7.

[0059] First, the core pin B1 of the mold B is positioned so as to extend in the axial direction D1 (a step of positioning the core pin). Next, a pair of slides B2 are positioned so as to contact the tip B11 of the core pin B1 and to be aligned along the width direction D2 of the core pin B1 (a step of positioning the pair of slides). Then, molten resin is poured into the internal space of the mold B defined by the core pin B1, the pair of slides B2, and the pair of slide molds described above, and the molten resin is hardened to form the cylindrical portion 12 (a step of forming the cylindrical portion).

[0060] At this time, the internal space of the mold B defined by the core pin B1 and the slide B2 also has an area for resin molding of the screw portion 13 and the connection portion 14, so the tubular portion 12 and the screw portion 13 are formed integrally via the connection portion 14 (integral forming process).

[0061] Next, a manufacturing method of the cartridge 10 will be described. As shown in FIGS. 8(a) and 8(b), the cartridge intermediate 15 is inserted into the sleeve 11. That is, the screw portion 13 and the cylindrical portion 12 are housed inside the sleeve 11 (a step of housing at least a portion of the screw portion and the cylindrical portion). At this time, the screw portion 13 is inserted from the rear of the sleeve 11, and the gripping portion 13c engages with the protrusion 11q formed on the inner circumferential surface of the sleeve 11 in the circumferential direction of the cylindrical portion 12. Then, the front end of the base 13d is brought into contact with the protrusion 11r formed on the inner circumferential surface of the sleeve 11, and the position of the screw portion 13 relative to the sleeve 11 is set to the forward limit. At this time, the front end 12y of the exposed portion 12c of the cylindrical portion 12 is separated from the rear end 11s of the sleeve 11.

[0062] Next, at least one of the screw portion 13 and the tubular portion 12 is pushed in the axial direction D1 to break the connection portion 14. For example, as shown in Figures 8(b) and 9(a), the tubular portion 12 is pushed in the axial direction D1 (forward, as an example) to break the connection portion 14 (step of breaking the connection portion).

[0063] At this time, a fracture trace 16 is formed in the cylindrical portion 12 and the cylindrical portion 12 separates from the screw portion 13, allowing the cylindrical portion 12 and the screw portion 13 to move independently of each other. In addition, the exposed portion 12c of the cylindrical portion 12 advances relative to the sleeve 11, and the front end 12y of the exposed portion 12c comes into contact with the rear end 11s of the sleeve 11.

[0064] Then, the applicator body M is gripped by the gripping portion 13c of the screw portion 13 (a step of gripping the applicator body). Specifically, the applicator body M is inserted between the plurality of claw portions 13f of the gripping portion 13c, and the applicator body M is held by the gripping portion 13c. Note that, for the sake of convenience, the applicator body M is not shown in Figures 9(a) and 9(b).

[0065] Thereafter, the cylindrical portion 12 is rotated relative to the sleeve 11 and the screw portion 13, thereby engaging the male screw 13b with the female screw 12v and threading the screw portion 13 back into the cylindrical portion 12 (step of threading back the screw portion). Through the above steps, the series of steps in the method for manufacturing the cartridge intermediate 15 and the method for manufacturing the cartridge 10 are completed.

[0066] Next, the effects obtained from the cartridge intermediate 15, cartridge 10, manufacturing method of the cartridge intermediate 15, and manufacturing method of the cartridge 10 according to this embodiment will be described. In the cartridge intermediate 15 and the manufacturing method of the cartridge intermediate 15, the screw portion 13, which has a gripping portion 13c for gripping the applicator body M and a male screw 13b formed thereon, is integrally formed with a tubular portion 12 having a female screw 12v that screws into the male screw 13b. The screw portion 13 and the tubular portion 12 extend along an axial direction D1, which is the direction in which the axis N of the screw portion 13 extends. The screw portion 13 and the tubular portion 12 are integrally formed via a connecting portion 14. When at least one of the screw portion 13 and the tubular portion 12 is pressed in the axial direction D1, the connecting portion 14 breaks.

[0067] Since the connecting portion 14 can be broken by pushing at least one of the screw portion 13 and the cylindrical portion 12 in the axial direction D1, the cartridge intermediate body 15 can be easily assembled. The cartridge intermediate body 15 does not have any part that swings in the radial direction or the like on either the screw portion 13 or the cylindrical portion 12. Therefore, after the connecting portion 14 is broken, the female screw 12v can be reliably screwed onto the male screw 13b, thereby improving the ease of assembly and the reliability of the screwing.

[0068] As described above, the female screw 12v may have a protruding portion 12x that protrudes from the end face 12w in the axial direction D1 of the cylindrical portion 12. In this case, the female screw 12v having the protruding portion 12x makes it possible to shorten the distance between the male screw 13b of the screw portion 13 and the female screw 12v.

[0069] Therefore, when at least one of the screw portion 13 and the cylindrical portion 12 is pushed in the axial direction D1, the male screw 13b and the female screw 12v can be prevented from colliding forcefully, thereby preventing damage to the male screw 13b and the female screw 12v. Furthermore, since the female screw 12v has the protrusion 12x protruding from the end face 12w of the cylindrical portion 12, assembly can be performed while viewing the male screw 13b and the female screw 12v, making assembly easier and more reliably preventing defects during assembly. Furthermore, since the female screw 12v has the protrusion 12x protruding from the end face 12w of the cylindrical portion 12, the movement distance of the screw portion 13 in the axial direction D1 relative to the cylindrical portion 12 can be increased, allowing the applicator M to be advanced a longer distance.

[0070] As described above, the outer peripheral surface of the protrusion 12x may be curved. In this case, a wide contact area between the female screw 12v and the male screw 13b of the screw portion 13 can be ensured, thereby mitigating the impact caused by the female screw 12v colliding with the male screw 13b when pressed in the axial direction D1. Therefore, damage to the male screw 13b and the female screw 12v can be more reliably prevented.

[0071] In the integrally forming step in the manufacturing method of the cartridge intermediate 15 described above, the screw portion 13 and the tubular portion 12 are integrally formed via the connecting portion 14 by a mold B. The manufacturing method of the cartridge intermediate 15 may include the steps of: arranging a core pin B1 of the mold B so as to extend in the axial direction D1; arranging a pair of slides B2 of the mold B so as to contact a tip B11 of the core pin B1 in the axial direction D1 and to be aligned along a width direction D2 of the core pin B1; and pouring resin into a space defined by the mold B including the core pin B1 and the pair of slides B2, and hardening the resin to form the tubular portion 12. In this case, the tubular portion 12 having a female screw 12v formed therein and having a protruding portion 12x protruding from an end face 12w in the axial direction D1 can be manufactured by resin molding using the core pin B1 and the pair of slides B2.

[0072] In the cartridge 10 and the manufacturing method for the cartridge 10 according to the present embodiment, a screw portion 13 having a gripping portion 13c for gripping the applicator body M and a male screw 13b formed therein is formed integrally with a tubular portion 12 having a female screw 12v that screws onto the male screw 13b inside the sleeve 11. In the cartridge 10 and the manufacturing method for the cartridge 10, at least one of the screw portion 13 and the tubular portion 12 is pushed in the axial direction D1, whereby the connection portion 14 is broken and a fracture trace 16 is formed in at least one of the screw portion 13 and the tubular portion 12.

[0073] In this way, the connecting portion 14 can be broken by pushing at least one of the screw portion 13 and the cylindrical portion 12 in the axial direction D1, which facilitates assembly of the cartridge 10. The cartridge 10 has no parts that swing in the radial direction or the like on any of the screw portion 13, the cylindrical portion 12, and the sleeve 11. Therefore, after breaking the connecting portion 14, the female screw 12v can be reliably screwed onto the male screw 13b, which improves ease of assembly and reliability of screwing.

[0074] As described above, in the step of accommodating the screw portion 13 and the tubular portion 12, the screw portion 13 may be engaged with the sleeve 11 so as to be synchronously rotatable. The manufacturing method of the cartridge 10 may include the steps of: gripping the applicator M with the gripping portion 13c; and rotating the tubular portion 12 relative to the sleeve 11, thereby threading the screw portion 13 back into the tubular portion 12 by the threading action of the male screw 13b and the female screw 12v. In this case, after accommodating the screw portion 13 and the tubular portion 12 in the sleeve 11, the applicator M is gripped by the gripping portion 13c of the screw portion 13, and the tubular portion 12 rotates relative to the sleeve 11, which rotates synchronously with the screw portion 13, thereby threading the screw portion 13 back into the tubular portion 12. Therefore, the series of assembly steps up to the accommodating of the applicator M inside the sleeve 11 can be performed more efficiently.

[0075] The above describes embodiments of the cartridge intermediate, the method for manufacturing the cartridge intermediate, the cartridge, and the method for manufacturing the cartridge according to the present disclosure. However, the cartridge intermediate, the method for manufacturing the cartridge intermediate, the cartridge, and the method for manufacturing the cartridge according to the present disclosure are not limited to the above-described embodiments, and may be modified or applied to other things within the scope of the gist of each claim. In other words, the configuration, shape, size, number, materials, and arrangement of the components constituting the cartridge intermediate or the cartridge, as well as the content and order of the steps in the method for manufacturing the cartridge intermediate or the method for manufacturing the cartridge, are not limited to the above-described embodiments and may be modified as appropriate.

[0076] For example, in the above-described embodiment, the cartridge 10 is described as being attached to the main body 20 having the outer tube 21 and the inner tube 22. However, the structure of the main body to which the cartridge is attached is not limited to having the outer tube 21 and the inner tube 22 and can be modified as appropriate. In the above-described embodiment, the cartridge 10 is described as constituting the applicator container 1, which is an applicator body dispensing container that dispenses the applicator body M contained therein by operation by the user. However, the cartridge may also constitute an applicator container other than an applicator material dispensing container. For example, the cartridge may constitute an applicator container equipped with a mechanical extrusion mechanism such as a knock-type, or may constitute an applicator container equipped with a squeeze-type extrusion mechanism.

[0077] In the above embodiment, an example was described in which the applicator body M was a stick-shaped cosmetic product. However, the applicator body may be something other than a stick-shaped cosmetic product. For example, the applicator body may be a brush, writing brush, sponge, or the like impregnated with a liquid such as a liquid cosmetic product. Furthermore, the applicator container may be a container other than a cosmetic container, such as a writing instrument, design pencil, or stationery that includes a drawing material as the applicator body. In this way, the applicator body of the cartridge according to the present disclosure can be applied to various containers. [Explanation of symbols]

[0078] 1... application container, 2... cap, 2b... opening, 2c... inner peripheral surface, 2d... annular recess, 2f... annular protrusion, 10... cartridge, 11... sleeve, 11b... first opening, 11c... second opening, 11d... tapered portion, 11f... insertion portion, 11g... step portion, 11h... annular recess, 11j... inner peripheral surface, 11k... annular protrusion, 11p... annular recess, 11q... protrusion, 11r... protrusion, 1 1s...rear end, 12...cylindrical portion, 12b...insertion portion, 12c...exposed portion, 12d...main body engaging portion, 12f...protruding portion, 12g...outer peripheral surface, 12h...engaging portion, 12j...contact portion, 12k...inclined surface, 12p...annular protruding portion, 12q...slit, 12r...protruding portion, 12s...first slit portion, 12t...second slit portion, 12v...female screw, 12w...end surface, 12x...protruding portion, 12y... Front end, 13...screw portion, 13b...male screw, 13c...gripping portion, 13d...base, 13f...claw portion, 13g...protrusion, 14...connection portion, 15...cartridge intermediate body, 16...fracture trace, 20...main body portion, 21...outer cylinder, 21b...opening, 21c...inner peripheral surface, 21d...middle cylinder engaging portion, 21f...cartridge engaging portion, 21g...annular recess, 21h...annular protrusion, 21j...protrusion, 2 2...middle cylinder, 22b...first opening, 22c...second opening, 22d...first annular convex portion, 22f...second annular convex portion, 22g...third annular convex portion, 22h...spring portion, 22j...slit, 22k...inner surface, 22p...annular convex portion, 22q...front end, B...mold, B1...core pin, B2...slide, B11...tip, D1...axial direction, D2...width direction, L...axis, M...applicator body, N...axis.

Claims

1. a screw portion having a grip portion for gripping the applicator body and having a male screw formed on an outer periphery extending from the grip portion; a cylindrical portion having a female screw that screws onto the male screw and extending along an axial direction that is the direction in which the axis of the screw portion extends; Equipped with the screw portion and the cylindrical portion are integrally formed via a connection portion that is broken by being pushed in the axial direction. Cartridge intermediate.

2. The female screw has a protruding portion protruding from an end surface of the cylindrical portion in the axial direction. The cartridge intermediate of claim 1 .

3. The outer circumferential surface of the protrusion is a curved surface. The cartridge intermediate of claim 2 .

4. a screw portion having a grip portion for gripping the applicator body and having a male screw formed on an outer periphery extending from the grip portion; a cylindrical portion having a female screw that screws onto the male screw and extending along an axial direction that is the direction in which the axis of the screw portion extends; A method for manufacturing a cartridge intermediate comprising: forming the screw portion and the cylindrical portion integrally via a connecting portion; breaking the connection portion by pushing at least one of the screw portion and the cylindrical portion in the axial direction; A method for manufacturing a cartridge intermediate comprising:

5. In the integrally forming step, the screw portion and the cylindrical portion are integrally formed via the connecting portion by a mold, a step of disposing a core pin of the mold so as to extend in the axial direction; a step of arranging a pair of slides of the mold so as to contact the tip of the core pin in the axial direction and to be aligned along the width direction of the core pin; a step of pouring a resin into a space of the mold defined by the mold including the core pin and the pair of slides, and hardening the resin to form the tubular portion; Including, A method for producing the cartridge intermediate according to claim 4.

6. a screw portion having a grip portion for gripping the applicator body and having a male screw formed on an outer periphery extending from the grip portion; a cylindrical portion having a female screw that screws onto the male screw and extending along an axial direction that is the direction in which the axis of the screw portion extends; a sleeve that accommodates the screw portion and at least a portion of the cylindrical portion; A cartridge comprising: At least one of the screw portion and the cylindrical portion has a fracture trace, The fracture trace is a trace formed when the screw portion and the tubular portion, which were integrally formed, are separated. cartridge.

7. a screw portion having a grip portion for gripping the applicator body and having a male screw formed on an outer periphery extending from the grip portion; a cylindrical portion having a female screw that screws onto the male screw and extending along an axial direction that is the direction in which the axis of the screw portion extends; a sleeve that accommodates the screw portion and at least a portion of the cylindrical portion; A method for manufacturing a cartridge comprising: forming the screw portion and the cylindrical portion integrally via a connecting portion; accommodating at least a portion of the screw portion and the cylindrical portion inside the sleeve; breaking the connection portion by pushing at least one of the screw portion and the cylindrical portion in the axial direction; A method for manufacturing a cartridge comprising:

8. In the step of accommodating at least a portion of the screw portion and the cylindrical portion, the screw portion is engaged with the sleeve so as to be synchronously rotatable, a step of holding the applicator body with the holding portion; a step of rotating the cylindrical portion relative to the sleeve, thereby threading the screw portion back into the cylindrical portion by a threading action of the male screw and the female screw; The method for manufacturing a cartridge according to claim 7, comprising:

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