Refill containers and preforms

Abstract

To provide a refill container which allows refill work to be easily performed, and a preform for easily obtaining the refill container.SOLUTION: A refill container 1 comprises a mouth 2 and a container body. The mouth 2 has a body 2a and a pouring cylinder 2b. An annular step part 7 forming a throttle hole A is disposed inside the body 2a. An engagement part 21 is disposed on the outer peripheral surface of the pouring cylinder 2b. The pouring cylinder 2b comprises a tapered part 22 forming a pouring port, and an arcuate part 23. The mouth 2 is arranged in an annular region R formed between a contour line L1 of the throttle hole A and an outer diameter circle L2 of the arcuate part so that the inside of the tip 22a in the tapered part 22 is separated from the contour line L1.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to refill containers and preforms. [Background technology]

[0002] A conventional refill container is a large-capacity refill container with a flat upper mouth (see, for example, Patent Document 1). With this refill container, the content liquid can be refilled in multiple batches by using a nozzle member. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2019-081593 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, when refilling the conventional refill container without using a nozzle member, the liquid content must be poured carefully, and therefore there is a demand for an easier refilling process.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a refillable container that allows for easy refilling, and a preform for easily obtaining the refillable container. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] (1) The refillable container of the present invention is a refillable container comprising a mouth and a container body arranged below the mouth, wherein the mouth has a cylindrical mouth body connected to the container body and a dispensing tube erected at the upper end of the mouth body, the inside of the mouth body is provided with an annular step forming a throttle hole, and an engaging portion is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the dispensing tube, the dispensing tube has a tapered portion forming a spout and an arc-shaped portion connected to the tapered portion, and is arranged within an annular region formed between the outline of the throttle hole and an outer diameter circle passing through the outer peripheral surface of the arc-shaped portion so that the inside of the tip of the tapered portion is separated from the outline of the throttle hole.

[0007] (2) In the refill container of (1) above, the dispensing tube may be arranged within the annular region so that the ridgeline of the tip of the tapered portion is in contact with the outer diameter circle.

[0008] (3) In the refill container of (1) above, the dispensing tube may be arranged within the annular region so that the ridgeline of the tip of the tapered portion is located inside the outer diameter circle.

[0009] (4) In any one of the refill containers (1) to (3) above, the dispensing tube may be arranged within the annular region so that a portion of the inner surface of a pair of oblique sides in the tapered portion contacts the contour line of the restriction hole.

[0010] (5) In any one of the refill containers (1) to (3) above, the dispensing tube may be arranged within the annular region so that the inner surfaces of a pair of oblique sides in the tapered portion are positioned outside the contour line of the restriction hole.

[0011] (6) In the refill container of any one of (1) to (5) above, it is preferable that the engaging portion is provided at least on the side of the tapered portion of the opening.

[0012] (7) The preform according to the present invention is a preform for forming a refillable container by stretch blow molding, and comprises a mouth portion and a main body portion arranged below the mouth portion, the mouth portion having a cylindrical mouth body connected to the main body portion and a pouring tube erected at the upper end of the mouth body, the inside of the mouth body having an annular step portion forming a throttling hole, an engaging portion being provided on the outer peripheral surface of the pouring tube, the pouring tube having a tapered portion forming a spout and an arc-shaped portion connected to the tapered portion, and the inside of the tip of the tapered portion is arranged away from the outline of the throttling hole within the annular region formed between the outline of the throttling hole and an outer diameter circle passing through the outer peripheral surface of the arc-shaped portion.

[0013] The preform of (7) above can adopt the features of the mouth of the refill container of (1) to (6) above. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a refillable container that allows for easy refilling, and a preform for easily obtaining the refillable container. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] 1 is a front view, partially in cross section, schematically illustrating a refillable container according to one embodiment of the present invention, with a cap attached to the opening of the refillable container. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an enlarged front view showing a main part of FIG. 1. [Figure 3] 2 is an enlarged front view showing the periphery of the opening of the refill container of FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a side view of FIG. 3. [Figure 5] FIG. 4 is a rear view of FIG. 3. [Figure 6] 2 is an enlarged plan view showing the periphery of the opening of the refill container of FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is a partial perspective view showing a main part of a preform according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] A refillable container 1 and a preform according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0017] 1 shows a refillable container 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention together with a cap 30. The refillable container 1 is suitable for storing liquid contents such as lotion, emulsion, liquid detergent, or fabric softener.

[0018] In Figure 1, the refillable container 1 is shown in an upright position. That is, in Figure 1, the mouth 2 of the refillable container 1 is positioned on the upper side, and the bottom 5 of the refillable container 1 is positioned on the lower side. However, in this embodiment, the upper side may refer to the side where the mouth 2 is located, and the lower side may refer to the side where the bottom 5 is located.

[0019] The symbol O denotes the central axis of the refillable container 1. In this embodiment, the direction in which the central axis O of the refillable container 1 (hereinafter simply referred to as "axis O") extends is also referred to as the "axial direction." Also, in this embodiment, the circumferential direction around the axis O is also simply referred to as the "circumferential direction." Furthermore, in this embodiment, the direction perpendicular to the axis O is referred to as the "radial direction." In particular, in this embodiment, the side in the radial direction closer to the axis O is referred to as the "radially inner side." Also, in this embodiment, the side in the radial direction farther from the axis O is referred to as the "radially outer side." Note that in this embodiment, the axis O refers to the axis that serves as the reference for the refillable container 1, and does not necessarily refer to the axis of symmetry of the refillable container 1.

[0020] The refill container 1 comprises a mouth 2 and a container body arranged below the mouth 2. The mouth 2 has a cylindrical mouth body 2a connected to the container body, and a dispensing tube 2b erected at the upper end of the mouth body 2a.

[0021] In this embodiment, the container body comprises a shoulder 3 connected to the lower end of the mouth body 2a, a body 4 connected to the lower end of the shoulder 3, and a bottom 5 closing the lower end of the body 4. A storage space S is formed inside the refillable container 1 to store the liquid content (not shown). The storage space S is connected to the outside through an internal passage formed inside the mouth 2. The refillable container 1 is shaped like a bottle. However, it is sufficient that the container body is composed of at least the body 4 and the bottom 5.

[0022] FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of FIG.

[0023] As shown in Fig. 2, an annular step 7 that forms a throttle hole A is provided inside the mouth body 2a. In this embodiment, a neck ring 6 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the mouth body 2a.

[0024] An engagement portion 21 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the dispensing tube 2b.

[0025] In this embodiment, the cap 30 can be removably engaged with the mouth portion 2. In this embodiment, the engaging portion 21 is a male threaded portion that extends spirally in the axial direction around the axis O. In this embodiment, the cap 30 is removably attached to the mouth portion 2 by threadingly engaging a female threaded portion (engaging portion 34) provided on the cap 30. However, the engaging portion 21 may be any portion that removably engages the cap 30. For example, instead of the male threaded portion, the engaging portion 21 can be an annular protrusion provided on the outer peripheral surface of the dispensing tube 2b. The annular protrusion extends annularly in the circumferential direction on the outer peripheral surface of the dispensing tube 2b. In this case, the cap 30 can be removably attached to the mouth portion 2 by tapping and engaging the cap 30.

[0026] In this embodiment, the cap 30 includes a peripheral wall 31 that covers the dispensing tube 2b from the radial outside, a top wall 32 that closes the upper end of the peripheral wall 31, and a packing 33 that is arranged on the back side of the top wall 32. The packing 33 seals the upper end 24 of the dispensing tube 2b when the cap 30 is attached to the dispensing tube 2b. The engagement portion 34 is provided on the inner circumferential surface of the peripheral wall 31.

[0027] In this embodiment, the orifice A is a orifice formed in the mouth body 2a. More specifically, in this embodiment, the orifice A is located at a position equal to the lower end of the pouring tube 2b. In this embodiment, the step portion 7 bulges the inner periphery side of the mouth body 2a radially inward and extends annularly in the circumferential direction. In this embodiment, the orifice A is a perfect circle. However, the orifice A may not be a perfect circle.

[0028] Fig. 3 shows an enlarged front view of the area around the mouth 2 of the refillable container 1. Fig. 4 is a side view of Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a rear view of Fig. 3. Furthermore, Fig. 6 shows an enlarged plan view of the area around the mouth 2 of the refillable container 1 from above. In the following description, the "front side" refers to the side on which the tip 22a of the tapered portion 22, which will be described later, is located, as shown in Fig. 6, and the "rear side" refers to the side opposite the side on which the tip 22a of the tapered portion 22 is located, across the axis O.

[0029] In this embodiment, the mouth body 2a is configured with a peripheral wall that extends along the axis O and also extends annularly in the circumferential direction. In this embodiment, the mouth body 2a has a completely cylindrical shape that is a perfect circle, similar to the orifice A. However, similar to the orifice A, the mouth body 2a may also have a shape that is not a completely cylindrical shape that is a perfect circle.

[0030] Next, in this embodiment, the dispensing tube 2b is also configured with a peripheral wall that extends in the axial direction and also extends annularly in the circumferential direction. However, as will be described later, the dispensing tube 2b is not a perfect cylindrical shape consisting of a perfect circle.

[0031] The pouring tube 2b has a tapered portion 22 that forms a spout, and an arc-shaped portion 23 that continues to the tapered portion 22.

[0032] In this embodiment, the arc-shaped portion 23 of the dispensing tube 2b extends along an arc centered on the axis O in a plan view as shown in Fig. 6. In this embodiment, the outer peripheral surface of the arc-shaped portion 23 has a contour line that is an outer diameter circle L2 of diameter D2 centered on the axis O in a plan view as shown in Fig. 6. Also, in this embodiment, the throttle hole A has a contour line that is a circle of diameter D1 (D2>D1) centered on the axis O in a plan view as shown in Fig. 6.

[0033] In this embodiment, the tapered portion 22 of the pouring tube 2b has a pair of oblique sides 22b. In this embodiment, the two oblique sides 22b each have an arc-shaped portion side end 22c that is continuous with the circumferential end of the arc-shaped portion 23. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, when viewed along line XX that passes through the axis O and divides the arc-shaped portion 23 into two regions, the front side and the back side, the two arc-shaped portion side end 22c are located in the front side region. The two oblique sides 22b extend so as to approach each other as they move away from the arc-shaped portion 23. The tip end 22a of the tapered portion 22 is formed by the joining of the two oblique sides 22b.

[0034] As shown in Figure 6, the dispensing tube 2b is positioned within an annular region R formed between the contour line L1 of the orifice A and an outer diameter circle L2 passing through the outer surface of the arc-shaped portion 23, so that the inside of the tip 22a of the tapered portion 22 is separated from the contour line L1 of the orifice A.

[0035] An example of a method for refilling the liquid content into a repeatedly used continuous container (not shown; hereinafter also referred to as "main container") using the refill container 1 is as follows.

[0036] 1, when refilling the liquid content of the refill container 1 into the main container, the cap 30 is turned to release the threaded engagement between the cap 30 and the dispensing tube 2b, allowing the cap 30 to be removed from the dispensing tube 2b.

[0037] 3, for example, with the dispensing tube 2b exposed, the refillable container 1 is tilted from an upright position in which the upper end 24 of the dispensing tube 2b is directed upward, so that the tip 22a of the dispensing tube 2b abuts against the upper end of the mouth of the main container, and the refillable container 1 is further tilted while lifting the bottom 5 of the refillable container 1 using the abutment point between the dispensing tube 2b and the main container as a fulcrum, so that the tip 22a of the tapered portion 22 of the dispensing tube 2b is inserted into the mouth of the main container. Then, by abutting the engagement portion 21 of the dispensing tube 2b against the upper end of the mouth of the main container, the position of the refillable container 1 is stabilized relative to the main container, and the main container can be refilled with the liquid content by the liquid content being dispensed from the tip 22a of the tapered portion 22 of the refillable container 1.

[0038] After refilling the liquid content, the cap 30 can be attached by threading the engaging portion 34 of the cap 30 back onto the engaging portion 21 of the dispensing cylinder 2b, thereby closing the opening 2.

[0039] As described above, according to the refillable container 1, the upper end 24 of the mouth portion 2 (dispensing tube 2b) is flat, so that it is possible to attach a cap 30 with a packing 33 as shown in Fig. 1. In other words, the entire periphery of the upper end 24 of the mouth portion 2 (dispensing tube 2b) abuts against the top wall of the cap 30 (packing 33 in this embodiment), so that a liquid-tight seal between the cap 30 and the mouth portion 2 can be achieved with a simple sealing structure.

[0040] In recent years, large-capacity refill containers that can be refilled multiple times have been manufactured and sold. In these large-capacity refill containers, the diameter of the mouth must be increased in accordance with the increase in the diameter of the body from the standpoint of moldability. For this reason, it is becoming increasingly difficult to make the outer diameter of the mouth of a conventional refill container smaller than the inner diameter of the mouth of the container itself. Therefore, even in the case of large-capacity refill containers, there is a demand for a refill container that allows the content liquid to be easily poured into the container even when the mouth of the refill container is increased in diameter.

[0041] In contrast, the refillable container 1 has a mouth 2 made up of a mouth main body 2a and a dispensing tube 2b, and furthermore, a throttle hole A is provided inside the mouth main body 2a, so that the mouth main body 2a can be made larger in diameter while the dispensing tube 2b can be formed with a tapered portion 22 having a tip 22a. Therefore, with the refillable container 1, it is possible to easily pour the liquid content into the container even if the mouth 2 is made larger in diameter.

[0042] In this embodiment, the dispensing cylinder 2b is arranged in the annular region R so that the ridge line L3 of the tip end 22a of the tapered portion 22 is in contact with the outer diameter circle L2 in a plan view as shown in FIG.

[0043] However, the dispensing tube 2b can be disposed within the annular region R so that the ridge line L3 of the tip portion 22a of the tapered portion 22 is located inside the outer diameter circle L2 in a plan view.

[0044] 6, the dispensing tube 2b is disposed in the annular region R so that, in plan view, a part of the inner surface of a pair of oblique sides 22b of the tapered portion 22 (reference symbol P1 in FIG. 6) is in contact with the contour line L1 of the throttle hole A. In this case, the base of each of the two oblique sides 22b is in contact with the edge of the opening of the step portion 8 (the throttle hole A).

[0045] However, the dispensing tube 2b can be disposed within the annular region R so that, in a plan view, the inner surfaces of a pair of oblique sides 22b of the tapered portion 22 are positioned outside the contour line L1 of the throttle hole A. In this case, the bases of the two oblique sides 22b are each spaced apart from the opening of the step portion 8 (the throttle hole A).

[0046] In this embodiment, the oblique side 22b extends in a curved manner radially inward. Referring to Fig. 6, the oblique side 22b is provided such that the portion between the tip 22a of the tapered portion 22 and the end 22c of the tapered portion 22 on the arc-shaped portion side extends in a convex curved manner toward the throttle hole A. However, the oblique side 22b may also be provided so as to extend in a straight line. Referring to Fig. 6, the oblique side 22b may also be provided such that the portion between the tip 22a of the tapered portion 22 and the end 22c of the tapered portion 22 on the arc-shaped portion side extends in a straight line.

[0047] In this embodiment, the engagement portion 21 provided on the dispensing tube 2b is provided at least on the side of the tapered portion 22 of the dispensing tube 2b, as shown in Figure 6. In this case, as described above, the engagement portion 21 of the dispensing tube 2b can be brought into contact with the upper end of the opening of the main container, thereby stabilizing the position of the refill container 1 and allowing the liquid content to be refilled.

[0048] The refill container 1 can be made of synthetic resin, such as polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), or polyethylene terephthalate (PET). The refill container 1 is preferably an environmentally friendly thin-walled container. However, the refill container 1 is not limited to a thin-walled container. For example, the refill container 1 can also be a thick-walled container that has higher rigidity than a thin-walled container.

[0049] In this embodiment, the refill container 1 is integrally molded from synthetic resin. Here, "integrally molded" refers to molding as a single unit within a mold, and includes molding as a single unit by insert molding, two-color molding, etc. However, "integrally molded" here does not include integrating separate components (for example, components molded in separate molds) through a post-process such as bonding that does not involve resin molding.

[0050] The refillable container 1 can be formed, for example, by biaxial stretch blow molding. Biaxial stretch blow molding uses a preform that has been integrally molded by injection molding or the like. When forming the refillable container 1 using the preform, for example, the lower surface of the neck ring of the preform is abutted against the reference surface of the blow molding mold to fix it to the mold, and biaxial stretch blow molding is performed by supplying pressurized fluid into the interior of the preform while stretching the main body of the preform in the axial direction with a stretch rod. In this case, the mouth portion 2, shoulder portion 3, body portion 4, and bottom portion 5 shown in FIG. 1 are formed by blow molding, which stretches only the main body portion of the preform in the axial and radial directions, thereby forming the refillable container 1.

[0051] FIG. 7 is an enlarged perspective view of the main part showing the periphery of the mouth portion 12 of the preform 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0052] The preform 10 according to this embodiment comprises a test-tube-shaped body 11 (the bottom of the body 11 is omitted) and a mouth 12 formed integrally with the upper end of the body 11. The mouth 12 is substantially unchanged during biaxial stretch blow molding, and therefore has substantially the same shape as the mouth 2 of the refillable container 1.

[0053] Specifically, the mouth portion 12 has a cylindrical mouth portion main body 12a connected to the main body portion 11 and a pouring tube 12b erected at the upper end of the mouth portion main body 12a, and an annular step portion 17 forming a throttle hole A is provided inside the mouth portion main body 12a. The throttle hole A1, the mouth portion main body 12a, the pouring tube 12b, and the step portion 17 are substantially identical to the throttle hole A, the mouth portion main body 2a, and the pouring tube 2b in the refillable container 1, respectively. The neck ring 16 of the mouth portion main body 12a is also substantially identical to the neck ring 6 of the refillable container 1. However, a portion of the step portion 17 is stretched during biaxial stretch blow molding, as will be described later.

[0054] Furthermore, the outer peripheral surface of the dispensing tube 12b is provided with an engaging portion 121. The engaging portion 121 is also substantially the same as the engaging portion 21 of the refill container 1.

[0055] Furthermore, the dispensing tube 12b has a tapered portion 122 that forms a spout, and an arc-shaped portion 123 that continues to the tapered portion 122. The tapered portion 122 and the arc-shaped portion 123 are also substantially identical to the tapered portion 22 and the arc-shaped portion 23, respectively, of the refillable container 1.

[0056] Furthermore, the dispensing tube 12b is arranged within an annular region (R) formed between the contour line (L1) of the orifice A and an outer diameter circle (L2) passing through the outer peripheral surface of the arc-shaped portion 123, such that the inside of the tip 122a of the tapered portion 122 is spaced apart from the contour line (L1) of the orifice A. The outer diameter circle (L2) passing through the contour line (L1) of the orifice A and the outer peripheral surface of the arc-shaped portion 123 is also substantially the same as the outer diameter circle L2 passing through the contour line L1 of the orifice A and the outer peripheral surface of the arc-shaped portion 123 in the refillable container 1.

[0057] The tapered portion 122 also has a pair of oblique sides 122b. The two oblique sides 122b have arc-shaped portion side end portions 122c that connect to the arc-shaped portion 123 and join at the tip portion 122a. The tip portion 122a, oblique sides 122b, and arc-shaped portion side end portions 122c are also substantially identical to the tip portion 22a, oblique sides 22b, and arc-shaped portion side end portions 22c of the refillable container 1, respectively.

[0058] The shape of the preform 10 according to this embodiment can also be formed by injection molding, as described above. In the biaxial stretch blow molding using the preform 10 according to this embodiment, the step portion 17 of the preform 10 is partially stretched on the lower side (container body side).

[0059] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a refillable container 1 that allows for easy refilling, and a preform for easily obtaining the refillable container 1.

[0060] Although the refillable container and preform according to one embodiment of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment and can be modified in various ways within the scope of the claims. For example, as shown in Figure 6, the tip 22a (122a) of the tapered portion 22 (122) is made rounded by extending in a convex curved shape toward the radially outward direction, but it can also be made into a shape with corners by butting two oblique sides 22b (122b). [Explanation of symbols]

[0061] 1: refill container, 2: mouth, 2a: mouth body, 2b: dispensing tube, 3: shoulder, 4: body, 5: bottom, 6: neck ring, 7: step, 10: preform, 12: mouth, 12a: mouth body, 12b: dispensing tube, 13: shoulder, 14: body, 15: bottom, 16: neck ring, 17: step, 21: engagement part, 22: tapered part, 22a: tip, 22b: oblique side, 23: arc-shaped part, 24: upper end, 30: cap, 31: peripheral wall, 32: top wall, 33: gasket, 121: engagement part, 122: tapered part, 122a: tip, 122b: oblique side, 123: arc-shaped part 124: Upper end, A: Orifice hole, A1: Orifice hole, L1: Contour line of orifice hole, L2: Outer diameter circle, L3: Ridge line, O: Central axis line, R: Annular region, S: Storage space

Claims

1. A refillable container comprising a mouth portion and a container body disposed below the mouth portion, the mouth portion has a cylindrical mouth portion main body connected to the container main body and a pouring tube provided upright at an upper end of the mouth portion main body, and an annular step portion forming a throttle hole is provided on the inside of the mouth portion main body, An engaging portion is provided on the outer circumferential surface of the pouring cylinder, The dispensing tube has a tapered portion that forms a spout and an arc-shaped portion that is continuous with the tapered portion, and is positioned within an annular region formed between the contour line of the restriction hole and an outer diameter circle that passes through the outer peripheral surface of the arc-shaped portion, such that the inside of the tip of the tapered portion is spaced apart from the contour line of the restriction hole.

2. The refillable container according to claim 1 , wherein the dispensing tube is disposed within the annular region so that a ridgeline of the tip of the tapered portion is in contact with the outer diameter circle.

3. 2. The refillable container according to claim 1, wherein the dispensing tube is disposed within the annular region such that a ridgeline of the tip of the tapered portion is positioned inside the outer diameter circle.

4. The refill container according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the dispensing tube is arranged within the annular region so that a portion of the inner surface of a pair of oblique sides in the tapered portion is in contact with the outline of the throttle hole.

5. The refill container according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the dispensing tube is arranged within the annular region so that the inner surfaces of a pair of oblique sides in the tapered portion are positioned outside the contour line of the restriction hole.

6. 4. The refillable container according to claim 1, wherein the engaging portion is provided at least on the side of the tapered portion of the opening.

7. 1. A preform for forming a refillable container by stretch blow molding, comprising: The container has a mouth portion and a main body portion disposed below the mouth portion, the mouth portion has a cylindrical mouth portion main body connected to the main body portion and a pouring tube provided upright at an upper end of the mouth portion main body, and an annular step portion forming a throttle hole is provided on the inside of the mouth portion main body, An engaging portion is provided on the outer circumferential surface of the pouring cylinder, The pouring tube has a tapered portion that forms a spout and an arc-shaped portion that is continuous with the tapered portion, and is positioned within an annular region formed between the contour line of the orifice and an outer diameter circle that passes through the outer peripheral surface of the arc-shaped portion, such that the inside of the tip of the tapered portion is spaced apart from the contour line of the orifice.

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