Dispensing container

Abstract

To prevent an inside plug member and a dispensing cylindrical member, once removed from a mouth part, from being reattached to the mouth part.SOLUTION: A dispensing container comprises: a bottomed cylindrical container body 11 having a mouth part 21; an inside plug member 12 that is inserted inside the mouth part, and on which a communication hole 25 communicating with the inside of the container body is formed; a dispensing cylindrical member 13 that extends upward from the mouth part, and in which an upper end opening 28 communicates with the communication hole; and a ring member 31 held between an inner peripheral surface of the mouth part and an outer peripheral surface of the inside plug member. At a lower end part of the inside plug member, an engaging projection 32 projecting outward in a radial direction from a lower end opening of the ring member is formed, and force required to pull out the ring member upward from the inside of the mouth part is greater than force required to pull out the inside plug member upward from the inside of the ring member.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0005] , , ,

[0004] , , , , , , , , , , ,

[0006] ,

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

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, there is known a pouring container including a bottomed cylindrical container body having a mouth portion, and a pouring cylinder member extending upward from the mouth portion and having an upper end opening communicating with the inside of the container body.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In a conventional pouring container, when the contents are used up, the pouring cylinder member is removed from the mouth portion, the upper end opening of the mouth portion is opened, and then, for example, other contents are poured into the container body from the mouth portion. After that, the pouring cylinder member is attached to the mouth portion again and used. That is, there is a possibility that the pouring container may be reused. In particular, when the contents in the container body are a drug such as cosmetics, there is a risk that proper use such as usage and dosage may be impaired, and the above-described reuse of the pouring container is a concern.

[0005] The present invention provides a pouring container in which a pouring cylinder member once removed from the mouth portion cannot be attached to the mouth portion again.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] A dispensing container according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a bottomed cylindrical container body having a mouth; a stopper member inserted into the mouth and having a communication hole formed therein that communicates with the inside of the container body; a dispensing cylinder member extending upward from the mouth and having an upper end opening that communicates with the communication hole; and a ring member sandwiched between the inner circumferential surface of the mouth and the outer circumferential surface of the stopper member, wherein an engaging projection is formed at the lower end of the stopper member, projecting radially outward from the lower end opening of the ring member, and the force required to pull the ring member upward from inside the mouth is greater than the force required to pull the stopper member upward from inside the ring member.

[0007] Since the force required to pull the ring member upward from inside the opening is greater than the force required to pull the inner stopper member upward from inside the ring member, when the inner stopper member is pulled up relative to the container body, the ring member remains inside the opening, while the inner stopper member can be pulled out from both the ring member and the opening. Furthermore, when attempting to refit the stopper member into the ring member, an engaging projection is formed on the lower end of the stopper member, protruding radially outward from the lower end opening of the ring member. This engaging projection then abuts against the upper end opening edge of the ring member, preventing the stopper member and dispensing cylinder member, once removed from the opening, from being reattached to the opening.

[0008] The engaging projection may extend continuously along its entire length in the circumferential direction.

[0009] Since the engaging projection extends continuously along the entire length in the circumferential direction, when the inner plug member is fitted into the ring member and the ring member and inner plug member are attached to the opening, it is possible to stabilize the relative vertical position of the ring member and inner plug member along the entire length in the circumferential direction, and the ring member and inner plug member can be easily attached to the opening. Since the engaging projection extends continuously along its entire circumferential length, even if the engaging projection is formed by bending the lower end of the cylindrical stopper member so that it extends radially outward, it is possible to suppress the deformation of the engaging projection downward while simultaneously moving radially inward. This ensures that the stopper member and dispensing cylinder member, once removed from the opening, cannot be reattached to the opening.

[0010] The engaging projection may be spaced radially inward from the inner circumferential surface of the opening.

[0011] Since the engaging projection is set radially inward from the inner circumferential surface of the opening, it is possible to suppress the engaging projection from sliding along the inner circumferential surface of the opening when attaching the ring member and the inner plug member to the opening, allowing the ring member and the inner plug member to be attached to the opening easily and accurately. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] According to the above embodiment of the present invention, the inner stopper member and the dispensing cylinder member, once removed from the opening, cannot be reattached to the opening. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0013] [Figure 1] This is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing the main part of a dispensing container according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] Figure 1 shows the inner stopper member in the state after it has been pulled out from the ring member and the opening. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0014] An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. As shown in Figure 1, the dispensing container 1 of this embodiment comprises a container body 11, an inner stopper member 12, a dispensing cylinder member 13, a coating member 14, and a cap 15. The contents to be contained in the container body 11 include, for example, pharmaceuticals such as cosmetics. The container body 11 is made of, for example, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and the inner stopper member 12, dispensing cylinder member 13, and coating member 14 are made of, for example, polypropylene (PP), low-density polyethylene (LDPE), medium-density polyethylene (MDPE), and linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE). Note that the dispensing container 1 does not necessarily have to have the coating member 14 and the cap 15.

[0015] The container body 11 is formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape with a mouth 21 and a bottom, the inner stopper member 12 is formed in a cylindrical shape, and the dispensing cylinder member 13, coating member 14, and cap 15 are formed in a topped cylindrical shape. The container body 11, inner stopper member 12, dispensing cylinder member 13, coating member 14, and cap 15 are arranged coaxially with a common axis O. The side of the container body 11 with the opening 21 that aligns with the common axis O is called the upper side, and the side of the container body 11 with the bottom that aligns with the common axis O is called the lower side. The direction along the common axis O is called the vertical direction. The direction that intersects the common axis O when viewed from the vertical direction is called the radial direction, and the direction that circles around the common axis O when viewed from the vertical direction is called the circumferential direction.

[0016] Of the opening 21 of the container body 11, the outer circumferential surface of the upper part 21a is recessed radially inward from the outer circumferential surface of the lower part 21b, which is located below the upper part 21a. A male threaded portion is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the lower part 21b of the opening 21. A cap 15 is removably screwed onto the male threaded portion. The cap 15 may also be removably fitted onto the opening 21 or otherwise.

[0017] The middle plug member 12 is inserted into the mouth portion 21. The inside of the middle plug member 12 formed in a cylindrical shape is a communication hole 25 that communicates with the inside of the container body 11. The outer peripheral surface of the middle plug member 12 is separated radially inward from the inner peripheral surface of the mouth portion 21. A flange portion 22 that protrudes radially outward and extends continuously over the entire circumferential length is formed at the upper end portion of the middle plug member 12. The outer peripheral edge portion of the lower surface of the flange portion 22 is placed on the upper end opening edge of the mouth portion 21. A connecting cylinder 23 that protrudes upward is formed at the outer peripheral edge portion of the upper surface of the flange portion 22. The connecting cylinder 23 is arranged coaxially with the common axis O.

[0018] The pouring cylinder member 13 is formed in a toped cylindrical shape having a pouring top wall 26 and a pouring peripheral wall 27, and extends upward from the mouth portion 21.

[0019] The pouring peripheral wall 27 includes a lower cylinder 27a, an upper cylinder 27b, and a step portion 27c. The lower cylinder 27a is externally fitted to the upper portion 21a of the mouth portion 21. The step portion 27c connects the upper end portion of the lower cylinder 27a and the lower end portion of the upper cylinder 27b to each other. In the illustrated example, the step portion 27c connects, in the radial direction, the upper end edge of the lower cylinder 27a and a portion of the lower end portion of the upper cylinder 27b that is separated upward from the lower end edge of the upper cylinder 27b. A fitting groove 29 that opens downward and extends continuously over the entire circumferential length is defined by the lower surface of the step portion 27c, the inner peripheral surface of the upper end portion of the lower cylinder 27a, and the outer peripheral surface of the lower end portion of the upper cylinder 27b. The connecting cylinder 23 of the middle plug member 12 is fitted into the fitting groove 29. The pressing wall portion 15a provided in the cap 15 is pressed against the upper surface of the step portion 27c. The pressing wall portion 15a has front and back surfaces facing in the vertical direction and extends continuously over the entire circumferential length. The upper cylinder 27b is formed to have a smaller diameter than the lower cylinder 27a and extends upward from the radially inner end portion of the step portion 27c. The lower end portion of the upper cylinder 27b protrudes downward from the radially inner end portion of the step portion 27c. The pouring top wall 26 protrudes radially inward from the upper end portion of the upper cylinder 27b.

[0020] The pouring top wall 26 extends upward as it goes inward in the radial direction. A pouring hole (upper end opening) 28 communicating with the communication hole 25 is formed in the pouring top wall 26. The pouring hole 28 is arranged coaxially with the common axis O. A pouring cylinder 26a protruding upward is formed at the opening peripheral edge of the pouring hole 28 on the upper surface of the pouring top wall 26. A seal protrusion 15b provided in the cap 15 is detachably fitted over the pouring cylinder 26a. The seal protrusion 15b extends continuously over the entire circumferential length.

[0021] The application member 14 includes an application plug 35 and a spring member 36. The application member 14 is formed of a resin material and is integrally formed with the middle plug member 12.

[0022] <X The spring member 36 extends upward from the inner peripheral surface of the upper end portion of the communication hole 25. The application plug 35 is formed in a toped cylindrical shape having an application top wall 35a and an application peripheral wall, and extends upward from the upper end portion of the spring member 36. The application plug 35 is inserted into the pouring hole 28 and the pouring cylinder 26a so as to be movable downward in an upward biasing state. The application top wall 35a protrudes upward from within the pouring cylinder 26a. Among the application peripheral wall, the diameter of the lower end portion is larger than the diameter of the upper portion located above the lower end portion, and a second stepped portion 35b facing upward is formed at the connection portion between the lower end portion and the upper portion of the outer peripheral surface of the application peripheral wall. The second stepped portion 35b extends downward as it goes outward in the radial direction. The second stepped portion 35b is detachably abutted downward against the opening peripheral edge of the pouring hole 28 on the lower surface of the pouring top wall 26, blocking the communication between the communication hole 25 and the pouring hole 28.

[0023] And in the present embodiment, a ring member 31 is provided between the inner peripheral surface of the mouth portion 21 and the outer peripheral surface of the middle plug member 12. The ring member 31 is liquid-tightly fitted within the upper portion 21a of the mouth portion 21 and is liquid-tightly fitted over the middle plug member 12. The inner diameter of the ring member 31 is the same over the entire vertical length. The inner plug member 12 may be loosely fitted or tightly fitted into the ring member 31. The space between the lower surface of the flange portion 22 and the upper opening edge of the mouth portion 21 may be sealed.

[0024] An engaging projection 32 is formed at the lower end of the inner plug member 12, projecting radially outward from the lower end opening of the ring member 31. The engaging projection 32 is formed by bending the lower end of the inner plug member 12 so that it extends radially outward as it goes downward. As it extends downwards, it extends radially outward. The engaging projection 32 extends continuously along its entire circumferential length. The engaging projection 32 is radially separated inward from the inner circumferential surface of the mouth 21.

[0025] The engaging projection 32 is formed, for example, as follows. First, the ring member 31 is fitted onto the inner plug member 12, which extends straight vertically along its entire vertical length before the engaging projection 32 is formed. Then, the lower end of the inner plug member 12 is bent outward in the radial direction to form the engaging projection 32. After that, the ring member 31 is fitted into the opening 21.

[0026] The force required to pull the ring member 31 upward from inside the opening 21 is greater than the force required to pull the inner plug member 12 upward from inside the ring member 31. In the illustrated example, a first projection 33 is formed on either the inner circumferential surface of the opening 21 or the outer circumferential surface of the ring member 31, which presses against the other. The first projection 33 extends continuously along the entire length in the circumferential direction and is provided in multiples at intervals in the vertical direction. The first projection 33 is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the ring member 31, but it may also be formed on the inner circumferential surface of the opening 21. A second projection 34 is formed on either the inner circumferential surface of the ring member 31 or the outer circumferential surface of the plug member 12, which presses against the other. The second projection 34 extends continuously along the entire length in the circumferential direction and is provided in multiples at intervals in the vertical direction. The second projection 34 is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the plug member 12, but it may also be formed on the inner circumferential surface of the ring member 31. The quantity of the first protrusion 33 is greater than the quantity of the second protrusion 34.

[0027] The force required to pull the dispensing cylinder member 13 upward relative to the inner stopper member 12 and to pull the connecting cylinder 23 out of the fitting groove 29 is greater than the force required to pull the inner stopper member 12 upward from inside the ring member 31. Furthermore, the former's power may be less than or equal to the latter's power. In this case, when the dispensing tube member 13 is pulled up relative to the inner stopper member 12, the inner stopper member 12 remains inside the ring member 31 while the dispensing tube member 13 is pulled out from the inner stopper member 12. Therefore, after removing the dispensing tube member 13, the upper opening of the mouth 21 cannot be opened unless the inner stopper member 12 is pulled out again. This makes it easier to discourage the user from pouring other contents into the container body 11 through the mouth 21 when the contents inside the container body 11 have been used up (refill deterrent effect).

[0028] As described above, with the dispensing container 1 according to this embodiment, the force required to pull the ring member 31 upward from inside the mouth 21 is greater than the force required to pull the inner stopper member 12 upward from inside the ring member 31. Therefore, when the inner stopper member 12 is pulled up relative to the container body 11, the ring member 31 remains inside the mouth 21, while the inner stopper member 12 can be pulled out from both the ring member 31 and the mouth 21. Then, when attempting to refit the stopper member 12 into the ring member 31, the engaging projection 32, which protrudes radially outward from the lower end opening of the ring member 31, is formed on the lower end of the stopper member 12. As a result, the engaging projection 32 abuts against the upper end opening edge of the ring member 31, preventing the stopper member 12 and the dispensing cylinder member 13, once removed from the mouth 21, from being reattached to the mouth 21.

[0029] Since the engaging projection 32 extends continuously along its entire length in the circumferential direction, when the ring member 31 and the inner plug member 12 are fitted into the ring member 31 and the ring member 31 and the inner plug member 12 are attached to the opening 21, it is possible to stabilize the relative vertical position of the ring member 31 and the inner plug member 12 along its entire length in the circumferential direction, and the ring member 31 and the inner plug member 12 can be easily attached to the opening 21.

[0030] Since the engaging projection 32 extends continuously along its entire circumferential length, even if the engaging projection 32 is formed by bending the lower end of the cylindrical stopper member 12 so that it extends radially outward, it is possible to suppress the deformation of the engaging projection 32 downward while moving radially inward. This ensures that the stopper member 12 and the dispensing cylinder member 13, once removed from the opening 21, cannot be reattached to the opening 21.

[0031] Since the engaging projection 32 is spaced radially inward from the inner circumferential surface of the opening 21, it is possible to suppress the engaging projection 32 from sliding along the inner circumferential surface of the opening 21 when attaching the ring member 31 and the inner plug member 12 to the opening 21, thereby enabling easy and accurate attachment of the ring member 31 and the inner plug member 12 to the opening 21.

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

[0033] For example, the engaging projection 32 may be provided at only one location in the circumferential direction on the inner plug member 12, or it may be provided intermittently in the circumferential direction. The engaging projection 32 may abut against the inner circumferential surface of the mouth portion 21. A fitting groove 29 may be formed in the inner stopper member 12, and a connecting cylinder 23 may be formed in the dispensing cylinder member 13. Alternatively, the fitting groove 29 and the connecting cylinder 23 may not be provided, and the inner stopper member 12 may not be held inside the dispensing cylinder member 13. In the latter case, the aforementioned refill deterrent effect can be achieved. It is not necessary to form a dispensing tube 26a on the top wall 26 of the dispensing nozzle.

[0034] The configuration that makes the force required to pull the ring member 31 upward from inside the opening 21 greater than the force required to pull the inner plug member 12 upward from inside the ring member 31 may be appropriately modified, for example, by making the interference fit between the inner circumferential surface of the opening 21 and the outer circumferential surface of the ring member 31 greater than the interference fit between the inner circumferential surface of the ring member 31 and the outer circumferential surface of the inner plug member 12, or by making the surface roughness of the outer circumferential surface of the ring member 31 greater than the surface roughness of the inner circumferential surface of the ring member 31.

[0035] Furthermore, without departing from the spirit of the present invention, the components in the above embodiments may be replaced with well-known components as appropriate, and the above embodiments and modifications may be combined as appropriate. [Explanation of symbols]

[0036] 1 Dispensing container 11 Container body 12. Inner plug member 13 Dispensing cylinder member 21 Mouth 25 Communication hole 28 Dispensing hole (opening at the top) 31 Ring member 32 Engagement protrusion

Claims

1. A cylindrical container body with a bottom and an opening, An inner stopper member is inserted into the opening and has a communication hole formed therein that communicates with the container body, A dispensing cylinder member extending upward from the aforementioned opening, with its upper end opening communicating with the aforementioned communication hole, The system comprises a ring member sandwiched between the inner circumferential surface of the opening and the outer circumferential surface of the stopper member, An engaging projection is formed at the lower end of the plug member, projecting radially outward from the lower end opening of the ring member. A dispensing container in which the force required to pull the ring member upward from the opening is greater than the force required to pull the stopper member upward from the ring member.

2. The dispensing container according to claim 1, wherein the engaging projection extends continuously along the entire length in the circumferential direction.

3. The dispensing container according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the engaging projection is spaced radially inward from the inner circumferential surface of the opening.

Images