Discharge container

Abstract

To provide a discharge container that can realize a function of displaying a remaining amount of contents.SOLUTION: A discharge container 1 has: a container body 4; a discharger 3 that discharges contents 15 in the container body 4; a middle dish 5 that slides to one axial side against an outer peripheral part 4a of the container body 4 toward the discharger 3 as the contents 15 are discharged; an engaging part 11 that releases the engagement with the container body 4 by elastic deformation by being pushed to the one axial side by the middle dish 5 as the contents 15 exceeding a predetermined amount are discharged; a displaying part 12 for checking a remaining amount that is provided integrally with the engaging part 11; and an energizing part 9 that energizes the displaying part 12 to move radially outward from a first position where the engaging part 11 engages with the container body 4 to a second position where the displaying part 12 protrudes radially outward from the outer peripheral part 4a of the container body 4 upon release of the engagement of the engaging part 11.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a dispensing container. [Background technology]

[0002] A known dispensing container has a dispenser that dispenses the contents inside the container body, and an inner tray that slides axially toward the dispenser on one side of the outer periphery of the container body as the contents are dispensed (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2013-35605 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] It may be convenient for the above-mentioned discharge container to have a remaining amount display function that allows the user to check when the remaining amount of the content is low.

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a dispensing container that can display the remaining amount of content. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] One aspect of the present invention is as follows.

[0007] [1] A container body; a dispenser for discharging the contents in the container body; an inner tray that slides axially toward the dispenser relative to the outer periphery of the container body as the content is dispensed; a locking portion that is elastically deformed and released from its engagement with the container body when the inner plate is pushed to one side in the axial direction as the content exceeds a predetermined amount; a display unit for checking the remaining amount, the display unit being integrally provided with the locking unit; a biasing portion that biases the display portion so as to move radially outward from a first position where the locking portion is locked to the container body to a second position where the display portion protrudes radially outward beyond the outer periphery of the container body when the locking portion is released; A discharge container having the above structure.

[0008] [2] a sliding member that is pushed by the inner plate toward one side in the axial direction as the content exceeds the predetermined amount, and that slides toward one side in the axial direction relative to the outer circumferential portion of the container body; The dispensing container described in [1], wherein the engaging portion is pushed to one side in the axial direction by the inner plate via the sliding member when the contents are dispensed in excess of the predetermined amount, thereby releasing the engagement with the container body through elastic deformation.

[0009] [3] the engaging portion has a cantilevered elastic piece extending radially inward from the display portion, the container body includes an annular step portion extending radially inward from the outer circumferential portion on one side of the axial direction relative to the sliding member, an inner cylindrical portion extending radially inward from the annular step portion on the other side of the axial direction relative to the outer circumferential portion, and a locking wall provided radially outward from the inner cylindrical portion on the other side of the axial direction relative to the annular step portion, and having the locking portion provided between the annular step portion and the inner cylindrical portion; a cylindrical opening extending from an inner peripheral edge of the annular step portion toward one side in the axial direction, the opening being adapted to have the discharge device attached thereto; and the sliding member has an inner sliding cylinder that is slidable in one axial direction relative to an outer peripheral surface of the inner cylindrical portion, The discharge container described in [2], wherein the locking wall has a cutout portion, and when the display unit is in the first position, the inner sliding tube slides toward one side in the axial direction to enter the cutout portion, thereby pushing the elastic piece that is locked to the locking wall toward one side in the axial direction, thereby releasing the locking of the locking unit.

[0010] [4] a restricting portion attached to the container body so as to restrict the display portion from slipping outward in the radial direction from the second position by contacting the display portion; a breakable separation portion that separates the restricting portion and the display portion by breaking them; The discharge container according to any one of [1] to [3], comprising: [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a dispensing container that can realize a function of displaying the remaining amount of content. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a state at the start of use of the discharge container of the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the locking wall shown in FIG. 2. [Figure 4] This is view AA of Figure 2. [Figure 5] This is a B-B diagram of Figure 2. [Figure 6] 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a state when the display member is attached before the state shown in FIG. 2 is achieved. FIG. [Figure 7] 7 is a plan view of the display member in the state shown in FIG. 6 as viewed from the circumferential direction. [Figure 8] 7 is a plan view of the indicator member in the state shown in FIG. 6 as seen from the radially inner side. [Figure 9] 7 is a plan view of the display member in the state shown in FIG. 6 as seen from the radially outer side. [Figure 10] 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a state when use of the discharge container shown in FIG. 1 has ended. FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a partially enlarged view of FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0014] As shown in FIG. 1, in one embodiment of the present invention, a dispensing container 1 includes a container 2 and a dispenser 3 .

[0015] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, the container 2 includes a container body 4, an inner tray 5, a sliding member 6, a display member 7, a restricting member 8, a biasing member 9 (compression spring), and a bottom cover 10. The display member 7 includes a locking member 11, a display member 12 for checking the remaining amount, and a spring holding projection 13. As shown in FIGS. 6 to 9, the display member 7 and the restricting member 8 are integrally molded, for example, from resin, so as to be connected to each other via a breakable separation portion 14 that separates the restricting member 8 and the display member 12 upon breaking. The container body 4, the inner tray 5, the sliding member 6, and the bottom cover 10 are each integrally molded, for example, from resin. Note that the above components are not limited to being integrally molded, and may be configured by assembling multiple components. While the biasing member 9 is configured as a compression spring separate from the display member 7, this is not limiting and the biasing member 9 may be provided integrally with the display member 7, for example.

[0016] 1, the container body 4 has a cylindrical outer peripheral portion 4a centered on the central axis O, an annular step portion 4b extending radially inward from the outer peripheral portion 4a on one axial side (upper) of the sliding member 6, a cylindrical inner tube portion 4c extending radially inward from the inner peripheral edge of the annular step portion 4b on the other axial side (lower) of the outer peripheral portion 4a and centered on the central axis O, a locking wall 4d provided radially outward from the inner tube portion 4c and below the annular step portion 4b, and having a locking portion 11 between it and the annular step portion 4b, and a cylindrical mouth portion 4e extending upward from the inner peripheral edge of the annular step portion 4b and centered on the central axis O. Note that the outer peripheral portion 4a and the inner tube portion 4c are not limited to being cylindrical, and may have a cylindrical shape other than a cylindrical shape, such as a rectangular tube shape.

[0017] For ease of explanation, the axial direction along the central axis O is also referred to as the up-down direction, one axial side along the central axis O from the bottom cover 10 toward the opening 4e is also referred to as the upside, and the other axial side opposite to that is also referred to as the downside. The radial direction is the direction along a straight line perpendicular to the central axis O, the circumferential direction is the direction going around the central axis O, and the longitudinal cross section is a cross section that includes the central axis O.

[0018] 1, the dispenser 3 has an attachment cap 3a attached to the mouth 4e of the container body 4, a nozzle head 3b that is pressed down against an upward biasing force, and a delivery mechanism 3c that sends the contents 15 of the container body 4 to the nozzle head 3b and dispenses them by raising and lowering the nozzle head 3b. Note that the delivery mechanism 3c is not limited to the configuration shown in the figure and can be configured as appropriate.

[0019] The inner plate 5 has an upper surface facing the storage space S for the contents 15, and slides upward relative to the outer periphery 4a of the container body 4 toward the dispenser 3 as the contents 15 are dispensed. The inner plate 5 has a sliding cylinder 5a that is in close contact with the outer periphery 4a of the container body 4, and a bottom wall 5b that is integrally connected to the sliding cylinder 5a and closes the radially inner side of the sliding cylinder 5a. The sliding cylinder 5a is narrowed at its vertical middle portion, and both its upper and lower ends are capable of sliding upward relative to the inner circumferential surface of the outer periphery 4a of the container body 4. As the contents 15 are dispensed by the dispenser 3, a negative pressure is created in the storage space S, and this negative pressure causes the inner plate 5 to rise.

[0020] The sliding member 6 has a lower surface facing the storage space S for the contents 15, and is pushed upward by the inner plate 5 as more than a predetermined amount of contents 15 is dispensed, thereby sliding upward relative to the outer circumferential surface 4a of the container body 4, as shown in Figure 10. The sliding member 6 has an inner sliding cylinder 6a that can slide upward relative to the outer circumferential surface of the inner cylinder 4c, an outer sliding cylinder 6b that is in close contact with the outer circumferential surface 4a of the container body 4, and an annular wall 6c that integrally connects the lower end of the inner sliding cylinder 6a and the outer sliding cylinder 6b. The outer sliding cylinder 6b has a narrowed central portion in the vertical direction, and is capable of sliding upward relative to the inner circumferential surface of the outer circumferential surface 4a of the container body 4 at both its upper and lower ends.

[0021] 10, when the content 15 exceeds the predetermined amount, the upper end of the sliding cylinder 5a of the inner plate 5 can push up the lower end of the outer sliding cylinder 6b of the sliding member 6. Note that the sliding member 6 may be pushed up by a part of the sliding cylinder 5a of the inner plate 5 other than the upper end.

[0022] The contents 15 are accommodated in the accommodation space S within the container body 4. The contents 15 are a highly viscous liquid. However, the contents 15 are not limited to this, and may be a low-viscosity liquid such as water, or may be a non-liquid.

[0023] As shown in Fig. 2, the locking portion 11 has a cantilevered elastic piece 11a extending radially inward from the display portion 12. The locking wall 4d has a cutout portion 16, and as shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the elastic piece 11a has a locking protrusion 17 that fits into the cutout portion 16 of the locking wall 4d and is locked to the locking wall 4d when the display portion 12 is in the first position. The locking protrusion 17 protrudes downward from the tip of the elastic piece 11a. The first position refers to the position where the locking portion 11 is locked to the container body 4 in this way.

[0024] When the display unit 12 is in the first position, the inner sliding tube 6a slides upward into the cutout portion 16, thereby pushing upward the locking protrusion 17 of the elastic piece 11a, which is locked to the locking wall 4d, causing the elastic piece 11a to elastically deform upward and releasing the lock of the locking portion 11 (locking protrusion 17).

[0025] When the locking portion 11 is released, the urging portion 9 urges the display portion 12 to move radially outward from the first position to a second position where the display portion 12 protrudes radially outward beyond the outer periphery 4a of the container body 4, as shown in Figures 10 to 11.

[0026] The restricting portion 8 is attached to the container body 4 by fitting so as to abut against the display portion 12 and restrict the display portion 12 from slipping outward in the radial direction from the second position. As shown in Figs. 6 to 9, the restricting portion 8 has an annular shape centered on the axis P of the display portion 12 in the molded state. Note that the restricting portion 8 is not limited to an annular shape, and may have an annular shape other than an annular shape, such as a rectangular annular shape.

[0027] As shown in FIGS. 6 to 9 , the display unit 12 has a columnar shape centered on an axis P, and is disposed so that the axis P is aligned radially with respect to the central axis O. The display unit 12 may be configured so that the axis P is inclined relative to the radial direction of the central axis O. An abutment protrusion 18 that protrudes radially outward from the axis P is provided at an end of the display unit 12 that is radially inward from the central axis O. The abutment protrusion 18 abuts against the restricting portion 8 from the radially inner side when the display unit 12 is in the second position, thereby restricting the display unit 12 from slipping out radially outward from the second position. The abutment protrusion 18 forms a ring that is continuous in the circumferential direction of the axis P, but is not limited to this, and may be provided intermittently in the circumferential direction.

[0028] The radially outer end of the locking portion 11 (elastic piece 11a) is integrally connected to the radially inner end of the display unit 12 with respect to the central axis O. The spring holding protrusion 13 is cylindrical and protrudes radially inward from the radially inner end of the display unit 12 with respect to the central axis O, above the locking portion 11. The spring holding protrusion 13 is inserted into the urging portion 9, which is made of a compression spring, and holds the urging portion 9. In this state, the urging portion 9 can expand and contract in the radial direction of the central axis O.

[0029] The display portion 12 and the restricting portion 8 are integrally connected by a break-split portion 14 during molding. In this state, the restricting portion 8 is attached to the outer periphery 4a of the container body 4. At this time, a gap G is formed between the display member 7 and the inner tubular portion 4c. This allows the display member 7 to be pushed radially inward about the central axis O, breaking the break-split portion 14 and moving the display member 7 radially inward about the central axis O against the biasing force of the biasing portion 9, thereby allowing the locking portion 11 to lock onto the locking wall 4d. Note that the break-split portion 14 is composed of multiple connecting pieces spaced apart circumferentially about the axis P, but is not limited to this. The restricting portion 8 is attached to the container body 4 via positioning irregularities 19 that determine the position of the display member 7 about the axis P. The configuration that includes the break-split portion 14 can simplify the manufacturing process and reduce costs by reducing the number of parts.

[0030] 1, the bottom lid 10 is integrally attached to the outer periphery 4a of the container body 4 below the inner plate 5, forming the bottom of the container 2. The bottom lid 10 has a bottom plate portion 10a that fits into the outer periphery 4a of the container body 4 at its outer periphery, and a support cylinder portion 10b that protrudes upward from the center of the bottom plate portion 10a and is centered on a central axis O and can support the underside of the inner plate 5. However, the configuration of the bottom lid 10 is not limited to this.

[0031] According to this embodiment, when the remaining amount of contents 15 in container body 4 becomes low and contents 15 are discharged (i.e., when a predetermined amount of contents 15 is discharged), inner tray 5 pushes up sliding member 6, inner sliding cylinder 6a of sliding member 6 pushes up locking portion 11 to release the locking from locking wall 4d, and biasing portion 9 moves display unit 12 from the first position to the second position. Therefore, the change in appearance caused by display unit 12 moving to the second position makes it possible to clearly notify the user that the remaining amount of contents 15 is low.

[0032] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

[0033] Therefore, the dispensing container 1 of the above-mentioned embodiment can be modified as long as it is a dispensing container 1 having a container body 4, a dispenser 3 that dispenses the contents 15 in the container body 4, a middle plate 5 that slides axially in one direction relative to the outer periphery 4a of the container body 4 toward the dispenser 3 as the contents 15 are dispensed, a locking portion 11 that is pushed axially in one direction by the middle plate 5 as the contents 15 exceed a predetermined amount and is thereby released from its engagement with the container body 4 by elastic deformation, a display portion 12 for checking the remaining amount that is formed integrally with the locking portion 11, and a biasing portion 9 that biases the display portion 12 radially outward when the locking portion 11 is released from a first position where the locking portion 11 engages with the container body 4 to a second position where the display portion 12 protrudes radially outward beyond the outer periphery 4a of the container body 4.

[0034] For example, the position where the locking protrusion 17 of the locking portion 11 is provided is not limited to the tip of the elastic piece 11a. The radial position of the notch 16 provided in the locking wall 4d and the radial position of the upper end of the inner sliding cylinder 6a provided in the sliding member 6 can be set appropriately depending on the radial position of the locking protrusion 17, etc. A configuration may be adopted in which the locking protrusion 17 is provided on the upper surface of the locking wall 4d and a hole that fits into the locking protrusion 17 is provided on the lower surface of the tip or the like of the elastic piece 11a.

[0035] The locking portion 11 is not limited to a configuration having a cantilevered elastic piece 11a. The sliding member 6 is not limited to a configuration in which the locking portion 11 is released by pushing up the locking portion 11 with the inner sliding cylinder 6a. The restricting portion 8 is not limited to a configuration in which it is connected to the display portion 12 by the breakable separation portion 14 during molding, and may be molded separately from the display portion 12.

[0036] The dispensing container 1 is not limited to a configuration having a sliding member 6. For example, the inner tray 5 may be provided with a cylindrical or other protruding portion, such as an inner sliding tube 6a, which enters the cutout portion 16 as the inner tray 5 slides in response to the dispensing of contents 15 exceeding a predetermined amount, thereby releasing the engagement of the engagement portion 11. The container 2 is not limited to a configuration having a bottom lid 10. The dispenser 3 is not limited to a nozzle head 3b type, and may be configured as a trigger type in which the contents 15 are discharged by pulling a trigger, for example. [Explanation of symbols]

[0037] 1 Discharge container 2 containers 3 Dispenser 3a Mounting cap 3b Nozzle head 3c Delivery mechanism 4 Container body 4a Outer periphery 4b Annular step 4c Inner cylinder part 4d locking wall 4e Mouth 5 medium plates 5a Sliding tube 5b Bottom wall 6. Sliding member 6a Inner sliding tube 6b Outer sliding tube 6c Circular Wall 7 Display components 8. Regulatory Department 9. Actuating section 10 Bottom lid 10a Bottom plate part 10b Support cylinder part 11 Locking part 11a Elastic piece 12 Display section 13 Spring retaining protrusion 14 Breaking separation section 15 Contents 16 Cutout 17 Locking protrusion 18 Contact protrusion 19 Uneven part G Gap O center axis P axis center S Storage space

Claims

1. A container body; a dispenser for discharging the contents in the container body; an inner tray that slides axially toward the dispenser relative to the outer periphery of the container body as the content is dispensed; a locking portion that is elastically deformed and released from its engagement with the container body when the inner plate is pushed to one side in the axial direction as the content exceeds a predetermined amount; a display unit for checking the remaining amount, the display unit being integrally provided with the locking unit; a biasing portion that biases the display portion so as to move radially outward from a first position where the locking portion is locked to the container body to a second position where the display portion protrudes radially outward beyond the outer periphery of the container body when the locking portion is released; A discharge container having the above structure.

2. a sliding member that is pushed by the inner plate toward one side in the axial direction as the content exceeds the predetermined amount, and that slides toward one side in the axial direction relative to the outer circumferential portion of the container body; The dispensing container according to claim 1, wherein the engaging portion is pushed to one side of the axial direction by the inner plate via the sliding member when the contents exceed the predetermined amount, thereby releasing the engagement with the container body through elastic deformation.

3. the engaging portion has a cantilevered elastic piece extending radially inward from the display portion, the container body has an annular step portion extending radially inward from the outer circumferential portion on one axial side of the sliding member, an inner cylindrical portion extending radially inward from the annular step portion on the other axial side of the outer circumferential portion, an engaging wall provided radially outward of the inner cylindrical portion on the other axial side of the annular step portion, and having the engaging portion provided between the engaging wall and the annular step portion, and a cylindrical mouth portion extending from an inner peripheral edge portion of the annular step portion on the one axial side of the container body and to which the dispenser is attached, the sliding member has an inner sliding cylinder that is slidable in one axial direction relative to an outer peripheral surface of the inner cylindrical portion, 3. The discharge container according to claim 2, wherein the locking wall has a cutout portion, and when the display unit is in the first position, the inner sliding cylinder slides toward one side in the axial direction to enter the cutout portion, thereby pushing the elastic piece that is locked to the locking wall toward one side in the axial direction, thereby releasing the locking of the locking unit.

4. a restricting portion attached to the container body so as to restrict the display portion from slipping outward in the radial direction from the second position by contacting the display portion; a breakable separation portion that separates the restricting portion and the display portion by breaking them; The discharge container according to any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising:

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