Dropper

Abstract

To prevent when an operation member is depressed into elastic deformation in a state where a content enters an expansion-contraction space, the operation member from adhering to an upper surface of a fit-top wall through the content.SOLUTION: A dropper comprises a dropper tube 60 that extends vertically, a fit member 100 that has a fit-top wall 32 covering an upper-end opening of the dropper tube from above and is attached to an upper end of the dropper tube, and an elastically-deformable operation member 40 that is attached to the fit member and defines an expansion-contraction space K with an upper surface of the fit-top wall. The fit-top wall is provided with a communication port 32a communicating between the expansion-contraction space and the upper-end opening of the dropper tube. In an upper surface of the fit-top wall, an adhesion-preventing portion 36 is provided to inhibit the operation member elastically deformed by a depression from adhering to the upper surface of the fit-top wall through a content.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a pipette.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, for example, as shown in Patent Document 1 below, there is a pipette tube extending in the vertical direction, a mounting top wall (top wall portion 46) covering the upper end opening of the pipette tube from above, a mounting member mounted on the upper end portion of the pipette tube, and an elastically deformable operation member (elastic squeezing portion 58) attached to the mounting member and defining a telescopic space between the operation member and the upper surface of the mounting top wall. A pipette is known in which a communication hole (vent hole 56) communicating the telescopic space and the upper end opening of the pipette tube is formed in the mounting top wall.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In this pipette, when the contents are sucked up into the pipette tube, the contents may enter the telescopic space through the communication hole. When the operation member is pressed and elastically deformed with the contents entering the telescopic space and the operation member is brought into contact with the upper surface of the mounting top wall, the operation member adheres to the mounting top wall through the contents and becomes difficult to restore its deformation. In this case, it becomes difficult to operate the operation member to discharge the contents in the pipette tube or suck up the contents in the container body.

[0005] The present invention provides a pipette capable of suppressing the operation member from adhering to the upper surface of the mounting top wall through the contents when the operation member is pressed and elastically deformed with the contents entering the telescopic space.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] A dropper according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a dropper tube extending in the vertical direction, a mounting top wall that covers the upper end opening of the dropper tube from above, a mounting member attached to the upper end of the dropper tube, and an elastically deformable operating member attached to the mounting member and defining an expandable / contractable space between itself and the upper surface of the mounting top wall, wherein a communication hole is formed in the mounting top wall that connects the expandable / contractable space and the upper end opening of the dropper tube, and an adhesion prevention portion is provided on the upper surface of the mounting top wall to prevent the operating member, which is elastically deformed by being pressed, from sticking to the upper surface of the mounting top wall via its contents.

[0007] According to the above embodiment, since an adhesion-preventing portion is provided on the upper surface of the mounting top wall, it is possible to prevent the operating member, which is pressed and elastically deformed, from sticking to the upper surface of the mounting top wall via its contents. The adhesion prevention portion may be modified as appropriate, not limited to the cylindrical body described later. For example, it may consist of multiple intersecting plates that form a cross shape when viewed from above, uneven surfaces including roughened surfaces, or a coating made of a material with higher water repellency than the material forming the mounting top wall.

[0008] The adhesion-preventing portion may be formed in a cylindrical shape that protrudes upward from the upper surface of the mounting top wall.

[0009] Since the adhesion-preventing portion is formed in a cylindrical shape that protrudes upward from the upper surface of the mounting top wall, the operating member, which is pressed down and elastically deformed, will abut against the upper end opening edge of the adhesion-preventing portion, preventing it from coming into contact with the upper surface of the mounting top wall through its contents, thereby preventing the operating member from sticking to the upper surface of the mounting top wall. This allows the pad of the finger pressing the operating component to enter the inside of the adhesive restraint portion, thereby reducing the pressure on the finger. When the operating member is pressed and elastically deformed, it abuts against the upper opening edge of the adhesive restraint portion, which suppresses the amount of elastic deformation of the operating member and allows the operating member to quickly return to its original shape.

[0010] The adhesion-preventing portion may have a through hole that extends radially and along its entire length in the vertical direction.

[0011] Since the adhesive restraint portion has a through-hole that penetrates radially and extends along its entire vertical length, the contents can easily flow radially through the cylindrical adhesive restraint portion through the through-hole, and the contents on the upper surface of the mounting top wall can be easily collected into the dropper tube through the communication hole.

[0012] The communication hole may be located radially outward from the inner circumferential surface of the adhesion restraint portion.

[0013] Since the communication hole is located radially outward from the inner circumferential surface of the adhesion-preventing part, it becomes difficult for the contents that have passed through the communication hole from inside the dropper tube to enter the adhesion-preventing part, and it becomes easier to recover these contents into the dropper tube through the communication hole.

[0014] The communication hole is located radially outward from the inner circumferential surface of the adhesion restraint portion, and the portion of the upper surface of the mounting top wall located radially inward from the adhesion restraint portion may extend downward as it moves from the radially inward to the radially outward direction.

[0015] The portion of the upper surface of the mounting top wall that is located radially inward of the adhesive restraint section extends downward from the radially inward to the radially outward direction. Therefore, even if the contents enter the cylindrical adhesive restraint section, it becomes easier to guide these contents toward the through-hole, and the contents on the upper surface of the mounting top wall can be easily collected into the dropper tube through the communication hole.

[0016] The mounting member comprises an inner cap that is detachably attached to the mouth of the container body and is attached to and detached from the mouth as the dropper tube rotates around its central axis, and an operating member that moves up and down relative to the inner cap by rotating around its central axis relative to the inner cap, the upper end of the dropper tube being fixed to the inner cap, the operating member being formed in a top-top cylindrical shape having an operating peripheral wall attached to the inner cap and the mounting top wall, the mounting top wall being provided with a sealing projection that seals the upper end opening of the dropper tube and opens the upper end opening of the dropper tube when the operating member rises relative to the inner cap, and the inner cap and Either of the aforementioned operating members is provided with a sliding cylinder portion that extends vertically and forms part of the partition wall of the operating space that communicates with the upper end opening of the dropper tube, and the other of the inner cap and the operating member is provided with a piston that slides on the inner or outer surface of the sliding cylinder portion to expand or contract the operating space as the operating member moves up and down relative to the inner cap, and the inner cap is provided with an outer cap that is rotatable around the central axis while restricting rotation around the central axis by a predetermined amount or more, and the operating member is provided with an outer cap that is rotatable around the central axis while restricting rotation around the central axis.

[0017] When the outer cap is rotated relative to the container body in the loosening direction along the central axis, the outer cap rotates relative to the inner cap within a predetermined range. At this time, the operating member, whose rotation relative to the outer cap is restricted, also rises by rotating relative to the inner cap in the loosening direction along the central axis. As a result, the sealing projection on the mounting top wall opens the upper end opening of the dropper tube, and the piston and sliding cylinder come into sliding contact with each other, creating negative pressure in the operating space as the volume of the operating space increases. Therefore, the inside of the dropper tube, which is in communication with the operating space, also becomes negative pressure, and the contents of the container body can be drawn up from the lower end opening of the dropper tube. In this case, the amount of increase in the volume of the operating space is determined based on the relative vertical displacement of the piston and sliding cylinder, so that approximately a certain amount of contents can be drawn up into the dropper tube by rotating the outer cap by a predetermined amount relative to the inner cap. Subsequently, if the rotation of the outer cap is continued, the outer cap and inner cap will rotate together relative to the container body, the inner cap will detach from the mouth of the container body, and the dropper tube will be pulled out from inside the container body. Then, by operating the operating member to reduce the volume of the expansion / contraction space, the air in the expansion / contraction space will flow into the upper end opening of the dropper tube through the communication hole and the operating space, causing the contents held inside the dropper tube to be discharged from the lower end opening of the dropper tube.

[0018] In the configuration described above, where the sealing projection on the mounting top wall opens the upper end opening of the dropper tube as the operating member rises relative to the inner cap, and the upper end opening of the dropper tube and the expansion / contraction space communicate through the communication hole, the operating member, which has been pressed and elastically deformed, is stuck to the upper surface of the mounting top wall. After the dropper is attached to the container body, as the operating member rises relative to the inner cap, the sealing projection opens the upper end opening of the dropper tube, releasing the operating member from sticking, and the operating member returns to its original shape. In this case, in addition to the contents caused by the negative pressure in the operating space, excess contents caused by the return deformation of the operating member are drawn into the dropper tube. However, according to the above embodiment, as mentioned above, when the operating member is pressed and elastically deformed while the contents have entered the expansion / contraction space, it is possible to suppress the operating member from sticking to the upper surface of the mounting top wall via the contents. Therefore, when the operating member rises relative to the inner cap, the suction of excess contents caused by the restorative deformation of the operating member is suppressed, and a specified amount of contents can be drawn into the dropper tube. [Effects of the Invention]

[0019] According to the above embodiment of the present invention, when the operating member is pressed and elastically deformed while contents are present in the expansion / contraction space, it is possible to prevent the operating member from sticking to the upper surface of the mounting top wall via the contents. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0020] [Figure 1] This is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a dropper according to one embodiment. [Figure 2] It is a cross-sectional view taken along the arrow II-II of FIG. 1. [Figure 3] It is a cross-sectional view taken along the arrow III-III of FIG. 1. [Figure 4] In FIG. 1, it is a view showing a state in which the outer cap etc. is rotated about 90° to the loosening side, and the operation member and the actuating member are raised.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0021] Hereinafter, the dropper container having a dropper according to the present embodiment will be described based on the drawings. As shown in FIG. 1, the dropper container 1a includes a container body W, a mounting member 100, an outer cap 10, a packing 20, an operation member 40, a dropper tube 60, a squeegee cylinder member 70, a piston 80, a sliding member 90, and a sealing material 101.

[0022] The container body W is formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape, and the contents are accommodated therein. A male screw portion is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the mouth portion W1 of the container body W. Examples of the contents include a chemical solution and a liquid cosmetic. The components of the dropper container 1a in the present embodiment are formed of a resin material. The dropper container 1a of the present embodiment does not have a metal member such as a coil spring.

[0023] The mounting member 100, the outer cap 10, the packing 20, the operation member 40, the dropper tube 60, the piston 80, the sliding member 90, and the sealing material 101 constitute a dropper 1 that is detachably attached to the container body W.

[0024] (Direction Definition) The central axis of each of the container body W and the dropper tube 60 is located on a common axis. Hereinafter, this axis is referred to as axis O, the direction along the axis O is referred to as the vertical direction, and along the vertical direction, the mouth portion W1 side of the container body W is the upper side, and the bottom portion side of the container body W is the lower side. The direction intersecting the axis O as viewed from the vertical direction is referred to as the radial direction, and the direction orbiting around the axis O as viewed from the vertical direction is referred to as the circumferential direction. The side along the circumferential direction is sometimes referred to as the "loosening side X". When the operating member 30 is rotated relative to the inner cap 50 on the loosening side X, the operating member 30 rises relative to the inner cap 50, and when the inner cap 50 is rotated relative to the opening W1 on the loosening side X, the inner cap 50 rises relative to the opening W1. The other side along the circumferential direction is sometimes referred to as the "tightening side Y". When the operating member 30 is rotated in the tightening side Y relative to the inner cap 50, the operating member 30 descends relative to the inner cap 50, and when the inner cap 50 is rotated in the tightening side Y relative to the opening W1, the inner cap 50 descends relative to the opening W1.

[0025] The mounting member 100 is attached to the upper end of the dropper tube 60. The mounting member 100 comprises an inner cap 50 and an operating member 30.

[0026] The inner cap 50 is formed in a topped cylindrical shape having an annular inner cap top wall 53 and an inner cap circumferential wall 51, and is arranged coaxially with axis O. The inner cap 50 is detachably mounted on the opening W1 and is attached to and detached from the opening W1 as it rotates around axis O. In the illustrated example, a female thread is formed on the inner circumferential surface of the inner cap circumferential wall 51, which screws into a male thread formed on the outer circumferential surface of the opening W1.

[0027] The inner cap top wall 53 has a male threaded cylinder 54 and a retaining cylinder portion 57 formed thereon. The male threaded cylinder 54 and the retaining cylinder portion 57 are arranged coaxially with axis O. The male threaded cylinder 54 extends upward from the inner cap top wall 53 and has a male threaded portion formed on its outer circumferential surface. The retaining cylinder portion 57 extends upward from the inner peripheral edge of the inner cap top wall 53. The lower end of the retaining cylinder portion 57 protrudes downward from the inner peripheral edge of the inner cap top wall 53. Multiple internal restricting protrusions 51a are formed on the outer circumferential surface of the inner cap peripheral wall 51, projecting radially outward and spaced apart in the circumferential direction. The internal restricting protrusions 51a are formed in a ridge-like shape extending in the vertical direction. Four internal restricting protrusions 51a are provided, spaced equally apart in the circumferential direction.

[0028] The operating member 30 is formed in a top-shaped cylindrical form having an operating top wall (mounting top wall) 32 and an operating peripheral wall 31, and is arranged coaxially with the axis O. The operating circumferential wall 31 is mounted on the inner cap 50. A female threaded portion is formed on the inner circumferential surface of the operating circumferential wall 31, which screws into the male threaded portion of the male threaded cylinder 54 of the inner cap 50. As a result, the operating member 30 rotates around axis O relative to the inner cap 50, thereby moving up and down relative to the inner cap 50. The operating top wall 32 covers the upper end opening of the dropper tube 60 from above. The operating top wall 32 is provided with a sealing projection 34, a sliding cylinder portion 33, a plurality of communication holes 32a, and a fixing groove 35.

[0029] The seal projection 34 protrudes downward from the lower surface of the working top wall 32, is formed in an annular shape extending circumferentially, and is arranged coaxially with axis O. The inner circumferential surface of the seal projection 34 is located radially inward from the inner circumferential surface of the upper end of the dropper tube 60. The outer circumferential surface of the seal projection 34 presses against the connection portion between the upper surface and the inner circumferential surface of the seal material 101. The outer circumferential surface of the seal projection 34 extends radially inward as it extends downward, and in a vertical cross-sectional view along the vertical direction, it exhibits a curved shape that protrudes radially outward. The sliding cylinder portion 33 protrudes downward from the lower surface of the operating top wall 32 and is inserted between the outer circumferential surface of the piston 80 and the inner circumferential surface of the male threaded cylinder 54 of the inner cap 50. The sliding cylinder portion 33 forms part of the partition wall of the operating space S that communicates with the upper end opening of the dropper tube 60. In the illustrated example, the radially inner side of the sliding cylinder portion 33 is the operating space S. The sliding contact portion 81 of the piston 80 is in airtight contact with the inner circumferential surface of the sliding cylinder portion 33 so as to be able to slide up and down. As a result, as the operating member 30 moves up and down relative to the inner cap 50, the sliding contact portion 81 of the piston 80 slides along the inner circumferential surface of the sliding cylinder portion 33, expanding and contracting the operating space S. The operating space S is the portion of the sliding cylinder portion 33 located above the piston 80. The communication hole 32a penetrates the operating top wall 32 in the vertical direction and opens into the operating space S. The communication hole 32a is located between the sealing projection 34 and the inner circumferential surface of the sliding cylinder portion 33. The fixing groove 35 is formed on the upper surface of the working top wall 32, in a portion located radially outward from the communication hole 32a, and extends continuously along its entire circumferential length.

[0030] The piston 80 is provided in the inner cap 50. The piston 80 is formed in an annular shape and is fitted and fixed to the upper end of the retaining cylinder portion 57. The piston 80 has an annular sliding contact portion 81 that protrudes radially outward.

[0031] The operating member 40 has an elastic membrane 41 and a fixing portion 42, and is made of a soft material such as rubber or elastomer. The fixing portion 42 is formed in an annular shape and is thicker than the elastic membrane 41. The fixing portion 42 is fitted into and fixed in the fixing groove 35 of the operating member 30. The elastic membrane 41 is formed to be elastically deformable, bulges upward from the fixing portion 42, and covers the upper surface of the operating top wall 32. As described above, the operating member 40 is attached to the operating member 30, and an expansion / contraction space K is defined between the operating member 30 and the operating member 30, which communicates with the upper end opening of the dropper tube 60. The expansion / contraction space K communicates with the upper end opening of the dropper tube 60 through the communication hole 32a and the operating space S.

[0032] The dropper tube 60 extends vertically. The upper end of the dropper tube 60 is fixed to the inner cap 50. The upper end of the dropper tube 60 is fitted into the retaining cylinder portion 57 of the inner cap 50. The lower end opening of the dropper tube 60 is located inside the container body W. The upper end opening edges of the dropper tube 60 and the retaining cylinder portion 57 are located in the same vertical position. The upper end opening of the dropper tube 60 is able to communicate with the working space S and the expansion / contraction space K. A flange portion 61 is formed at the upper end of the dropper tube 60, projecting radially outward. The lower end opening edge of the retaining cylinder portion 57 abuts against the upper surface of the flange portion 61.

[0033] The sealing material 101 is provided between the lower surface of the working top wall 32 and the upper end opening of the dropper tube 60, and is pressed downward by the sealing projection 34 to seal the upper end opening of the dropper tube 60. The sealing material 101 is made of a material softer than the material forming the operating member 30. The material forming the sealing material 101 is, for example, an elastomer mainly composed of polypropylene. The main material of the material forming the sealing material 101 is the same as the material forming the operating member 30. The seal material 101 is formed integrally with the piston 80. The seal material 101 is annular in shape and protrudes radially inward from the piston 80. The inner circumferential surface of the seal material 101 extends radially inward from top to bottom. The seal material 101 is positioned at the upper opening edges of the dropper tube 60 and the retaining cylinder portion 57. A fitting projection 101a is formed at the radial inner end of the seal material 101, protruding downward and fitted into the upper end of the dropper tube 60.

[0034] The stripping tube member 70 is fixed to the opening W1, and the dropper tube 60 is inserted inside the stripping tube member 70. The stripping tube member 70 is fitted into the opening W1. The upper end portion 72 of the stripping tube member 70 protrudes radially outward and is positioned at the upper opening edge of the opening W1. A radial gap is provided between the inner circumferential surface of the stripping tube member 70 and the outer circumferential surface of the dropper tube 60. A stripping projection 71 is formed on the inner circumferential surface of the stripping cylinder member 70, projecting radially inward and contacting the outer circumferential surface of the dropper tube 60. The stripping projection 71 is formed to be elastically deformable. The stripping projection 71 extends along its entire length in the circumferential direction. Multiple through holes 73 are formed in the stripping projection 71 at intervals in the circumferential direction, penetrating in the vertical direction.

[0035] The packing 20 is formed in an annular shape and is fitted onto and fixed to the dropper tube 60. The upper surface of the radially inner portion of the packing 20 is in contact with or close to the lower surface of the flange portion 61 of the dropper tube 60. The radially outer portion of the packing 20 is compressed and deformed vertically by being sandwiched between the upper surface of the upper end portion 72 of the squeezing cylinder member 70 and the lower surface of the inner cap top wall 53. A recess is formed on the upper surface of the radially outer portion of the packing 20, and a projection is formed on the lower surface located directly below the recess.

[0036] The outer cap 10 is formed in a topped cylindrical shape having an outer cap peripheral wall 11 and an outer cap top wall 12. The outer cap 10 is arranged coaxially with axis O. The outer cap top wall 12 is formed in an annular shape and presses against the upper surface of the fixing portion 42 of the operating member 40. The elastic membrane 41 of the operating member 40 is inserted into the outer cap top wall 12. The outer cap periphery wall 11 surrounds the operating member 30 and the inner cap 50 from the radial outside. The operating member 30 is fitted inside the outer cap periphery wall 11 in a state where its vertical movement is restricted.

[0037] Multiple external restricting protrusions 11a are formed on the inner circumferential surface of the outer cap peripheral wall 11, projecting radially inward and spaced apart in the circumferential direction. The external restricting protrusions 11a are formed in a ridge-like shape extending in the vertical direction. Two external restricting protrusions 11a are provided, spaced equally apart in the circumferential direction. As shown in Figure 2, the two external restricting protrusions 11a are in contact with or close to the surface of the inner restricting protrusion 51a of the inner cap 50 that faces the loosening side X in the circumferential direction. As a result, when the outer cap 10 is rotated toward the loosening side X along the circumferential direction, the outer restricting projection 11a moves toward the loosening side X along the circumferential direction, causing the outer cap 10 to rotate relative to the inner cap 50. Subsequently, when the outer restricting projection 11a abuts against the surface of the other inner restricting projection 51a facing the tightening side Y along the circumferential direction, the rotational movement of the outer cap 10 relative to the inner cap 50 is restricted. In other words, the outer cap 10 is externally mounted on the inner cap 50 so as to be rotatable around axis O, while its rotation around axis O beyond a predetermined amount is restricted.

[0038] As shown in Figure 1, anti-rotation projections 13 are separately formed on the inner circumferential surface of the outer cap circumferential wall 11 and the outer circumferential surface of the operating circumferential wall 31, respectively, which engage with each other in the circumferential direction to restrict the relative rotation of the outer cap 10 and the operating member 30 in the circumferential direction. The anti-rotation projections 13 are formed as ridges that protrude radially from the inner circumferential surface of the outer cap circumferential wall 11 and the outer circumferential surface of the operating circumferential wall 31, respectively, and extend vertically. The anti-rotation projections 13 are provided above the outer restricting projections 11a and the inner restricting projections 51a.

[0039] The sliding member 90 is provided between the inner circumferential surface of the outer cap circumferential wall 11 and the outer circumferential surface of the opening W1. The sliding member 90 is formed in an annular shape and is fitted into the outer cap circumferential wall 11 in a manner that restricts its movement in the vertical direction. Here, the opening W1 comprises an upper part to which the inner cap peripheral wall 51 is screwed, and a lower part located below the upper part and having a larger outer diameter than the upper part. The sliding member 90 is slidably fitted to the lower part of the opening W1. In the process of rotating the outer cap 10 in the circumferential direction, the sliding member 90 slides along the outer circumferential surface of the lower part of the opening W1 both when the outer cap 10 rotates relative to the inner cap 50 and when the outer cap 10 rotates together with the inner cap 50. The sliding member 90 comprises an annular hard portion 91 fitted within the outer cap peripheral wall 11, and an annular soft portion 92 made of a softer material than the hard portion 91 (for example, elastomer, etc.) and formed to be elastically deformable, which contacts the outer peripheral surface of the opening W1 in an elastically deformed state.

[0040] In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 1 and 3, an adhesion-preventing portion 36 is provided on the upper surface of the operating top wall 32 to prevent the operating member 40, which is elastically deformed by being pressed, from sticking to the upper surface of the operating top wall 32 via its contents. The adhesion-preventing portion 36 is formed in a cylindrical shape and protrudes upward from the upper surface of the operating top wall 32. The adhesion-preventing portion 36 is formed in a cylindrical shape and is arranged coaxially with axis O. A recessed portion 32b is formed on the upper surface of the working top wall 32 in a portion located radially inward from the fixing groove 35, and the adhesive restraint portion 36 protrudes upward from the bottom surface of the recessed portion 32b. The adhesive restraint portion 36 is located below the upper end opening of the recessed portion 32b.

[0041] The adhesion restraint portion 36 has through holes 36a that extend radially and along the entire length in the vertical direction. The through holes 36a are elongated holes that extend in the vertical direction. Multiple through holes 36a are provided at intervals in the circumferential direction. In the illustrated example, four through holes 36a are provided at equal intervals in the circumferential direction.

[0042] Here, a communication hole 32a is provided on the bottom surface of the recessed portion 32b in a portion radially adjacent to the through hole 36a. The communication hole 32a is located radially outward from the inner circumferential surface of the adhesive restraint portion 36. The radial inner end of the communication hole 32a is located at the same radial position as the outer circumferential surface of the adhesive restraint portion 36. Of the upper surface of the working top wall 32, the portion located radially inward of the adhesion restraint portion 36 extends downward as it moves from the radially inward to the radially outward direction.

[0043] The adhesion restraint portion 36 has multiple ribs 36b that protrude radially outward and are spaced apart in the circumferential direction. The ribs 36b are formed in a plate shape with their front and back surfaces facing the circumferential direction. The upper end surface of the ribs 36b is seamlessly connected to the upper end opening edge of the adhesion restraint portion 36. The lower end of the ribs 36b is connected to the upper surface of the operating top wall 32. The ribs 36b are provided between adjacent through holes 36a in the circumferential direction. The radial outer end of the ribs 36b is located radially inward from the radial outer end of the communication hole 32a.

[0044] Next, we will explain the operation of the dropper container 1a configured as described above.

[0045] When the outer cap 10 is rotated relative to the container body W in the loosening direction X along the circumferential direction, anti-rotation projections 13 that engage with each other in the circumferential direction are separately formed on the inner circumferential surface of the outer cap peripheral wall 11 and the outer circumferential surface of the operating peripheral wall 31, so that the operating member 30 rotates together with the outer cap 10 relative to the container body W. At this time, the outer cap 10 rotates freely relative to the inner cap 50 until the outer restricting projection 11a of the outer cap 10 abuts against the surface of the inner restricting projection 51a of the inner cap 50 that faces the tightening direction Y along the circumferential direction. As a result, the outer cap 10 and the operating member 30 rotate relative to the inner cap 50 until the outer restricting projection 11a abuts against the surface of the inner restricting projection 51a that faces the tightening direction Y along the circumferential direction.

[0046] When the operating member 30 rotates in the loosening direction X relative to the inner cap 50, the operating peripheral wall 31 of the operating member 30 is screwed onto the male threaded cylinder 54 of the inner cap 50. As shown in Figure 4, the operating member 30 rises relative to the inner cap 50 together with the outer cap 10 and the operating member 40. At this time, the sealing projection 34 of the operating member 30 moves upward away from the sealing material 101, opening the upper end opening of the dropper tube 60. Also, as the sliding cylinder portion 33 of the operating member 30 rises while sliding against the sliding contact portion 81 of the piston 80, the volume of the operating space S increases, and negative pressure is created inside the operating space S. As a result, the contents of the container body W are drawn up from the lower end opening of the dropper tube 60. The amount of contents drawn up into the dropper tube 60 is determined by the amount the sliding cylinder portion 33 rises relative to the piston 80. Therefore, the dropper container 1a can draw up a substantially fixed amount of contents into the dropper tube 60. At this time, the screwed state between the operating peripheral wall 31 and the male threaded cylinder 54 of the inner cap 50, as well as the fitted state of the lower part of the opening W1 into the sliding member 90, are maintained.

[0047] When the outer cap 10 is rotated from the state in which the outer restricting projection 11a abuts against the tightening side Y of the inner restricting projection 51a along the circumferential direction, toward the loosening side X along the circumferential direction relative to the container body W, the inner cap 50 rotates together with the outer cap 10. As a result, the inner cap 50 rotates toward the loosening side X along the circumferential direction relative to the container body W, and the dropper 1 becomes detachable upward from the container body W. When the dropper 1 is pulled up relative to the container body W, the scraping projection 71 formed on the inner circumferential surface of the scraping cylinder member 70 slides against the outer circumferential surface of the dropper tube 60, scraping off any contents adhering to the outer circumferential surface of the dropper tube 60.

[0048] After removing the dropper 1 from the container body W, for example, if the elastic membrane 41 of the operating member 40 is pressed while gripping the outer cap 10, the elastic membrane 41 elastically deforms downward, as shown by the dashed line in Figure 4, and the volume of the expansion / contraction space K decreases. At this time, the elastic membrane 41 abuts against the upper end of the adhesion-preventing portion 36. As a result, the air in the expansion / contraction space K flows into the upper end opening of the dropper tube 60 through the communication hole 32a and the operating space S, and the contents held inside the dropper tube 60 are discharged from the lower end opening of the dropper tube 60. Furthermore, if the consumer feels that the amount dispensed is insufficient, the lower end of the dropper tube 60 may be immersed in the contents inside the container body W without attaching the dropper 1 to the container body W, and the elastic membrane 41 of the operating member 40 may be elastically deformed to draw the contents into the dropper tube 60, after which the contents may be dispensed from the lower end opening of the dropper tube 60 in the same manner as described above.

[0049] When reattaching the dropper 1 to the container body W, the outer cap 10 is rotated to the tightening side Y along the circumferential direction relative to the container body W. The outer cap 10 rotates freely relative to the inner cap 50 until the outer regulating projection 11a abuts against the surface of the inner regulating projection 51a facing the loosening side X along the circumferential direction. As a result, the outer cap 10 and the operating member 30 rotate and descend relative to the inner cap 50 until the outer regulating projection 11a abuts against the surface of the inner regulating projection 51a facing the loosening side X along the circumferential direction. At this time, the volume of the operating space S decreases, but until the sealing projection 34 of the operating top wall 32 contacts the sealing material 101, air in the operating space S flows into the dropper tube 60, suppressing the rise in internal pressure of the operating space S and the expansion / contraction space K.

[0050] Subsequently, when the outer cap 10 is further rotated relative to the container body W toward the tightening side Y along the circumferential direction, the outer restricting projection 11a abuts against the surface of the inner restricting projection 51a facing the loosening side X along the circumferential direction, and the inner cap 50 also rotates relative to the container body W toward the tightening side Y along the circumferential direction, and the dropper 1 is attached to the container body W.

[0051] As described above, in the dropper 1 of this embodiment, since the adhesive-preventing portion 36 is provided on the upper surface of the operating top wall 32, it is possible to prevent the operating member 40, which is pressed and elastically deformed, from sticking to the upper surface of the operating top wall 32 via its contents.

[0052] Since the adhesion-preventing portion 36 is formed in a cylindrical shape that protrudes upward from the upper surface of the operating top wall 32, the operating member 40, which is pressed and elastically deformed, will abut against the upper end opening edge of the adhesion-preventing portion 36, preventing it from coming into contact with the upper surface of the operating top wall 32 through its contents, thereby preventing the operating member 40 from sticking to the upper surface of the operating top wall 32. This allows the pad of the finger pressing the operating member 40 to enter the inside of the adhesive restraint portion 36, thereby reducing the discomfort to the finger. When the operating member 40 is pressed and elastically deformed, it abuts against the upper end opening edge of the adhesive restraint portion 36, thereby suppressing the amount of elastic deformation of the operating member 40 and allowing the operating member 40 to quickly return to its original shape.

[0053] Since the adhesive restraint portion 36 has a through-hole 36a that penetrates radially and extends along its entire vertical length, the contents can easily flow radially through the cylindrical adhesive restraint portion 36 via the through-hole 36a, and the contents on the upper surface of the operating top wall 32 can be easily collected into the dropper tube 60 via the communication hole 32a.

[0054] Since the communication hole 32a is located radially outward from the inner circumferential surface of the adhesion-preventing portion 36, it becomes difficult for the contents that have passed through the communication hole 32a from inside the dropper tube 60 to enter the adhesion-preventing portion 36, and it becomes easier to recover these contents into the dropper tube 60 through the communication hole 32a.

[0055] Of the upper surface of the operating top wall 32, the portion located radially inward of the adhesive restraint portion 36 extends downward from the radially inward to the radially outward direction. Therefore, even if the contents enter the cylindrical adhesive restraint portion 36, it becomes easier to guide these contents toward the through hole 36a, and the contents on the upper surface of the operating top wall 32 can be easily collected into the dropper tube 60 through the communication hole 32a.

[0056] In this embodiment, as the operating member 30 rises relative to the inner cap 50, the sealing projection 34 on the operating top wall 32 opens the upper end opening of the dropper tube 60, and the upper end opening of the dropper tube 60 communicates with the expansion / contraction space K through the communication hole 32a. When the operating member 40, which has been pressed and elastically deformed, is attached to the upper surface of the operating top wall 32, and the dropper 1 is attached to the container body W, the sealing projection 34 opens the upper end opening of the dropper tube 60 during the process in which the operating member 30 rises relative to the inner cap 50. When the operating member 40 is released from its adherence, the operating member 40 returns to its original shape. In this case, in addition to the contents due to the negative pressure in the operating space S, excess contents due to the return deformation of the operating member 40 are sucked into the dropper tube 60. However, according to this embodiment, as described above, when the operating member 40 is pressed down and elastically deformed while the contents have entered the expansion / contraction space K, it is possible to suppress the operating member 40 from sticking to the upper surface of the operating top wall 32 via the contents. Therefore, when the operating member 30 rises relative to the inner cap 50, the suction of excess contents caused by the restorative deformation of the operating member 40 is suppressed, and a specified amount of contents can be drawn into the dropper tube 60.

[0057] 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.

[0058] For example, the sliding cylinder portion 33 may be provided on the inner cap 50, and the piston 80 may be provided on the operating member 30. Alternatively, as the operating member 30 moves up and down relative to the inner cap 50, the piston 80 may slide along the outer surface of the sliding cylinder portion 33. The operating member 30 does not necessarily have to have a sealing projection 34.

[0059] The dropper 1 may have no outer cap 10, piston 80, and sliding cylinder portion 33, but rather an inner cap 50 and operating member 30 that are integrally formed.

[0060] The adhesion-preventing portion 36 may be modified as appropriate, not limited to a cylindrical shape, for example, by employing multiple plates that intersect each other to form a cross shape when viewed from above, uneven portions including roughened surfaces, or a coating made of a material with higher water repellency than the material forming the operating top wall 32. The adhesion restraint portion 36 may be composed of a plurality of cylindrical bodies arranged coaxially with axis O. It is not necessary to form a through hole 36a in the adhesion restraint portion 36. The portion of the upper surface of the working top wall 32 that is located radially inward of the adhesion restraint portion 36 may be formed as, for example, a flat surface.

[0061] Furthermore, without departing from the spirit of the present invention, the components in the above-described embodiments may be replaced with well-known components as appropriate, and the above-described embodiments and modifications may be combined as appropriate.

[0062] Examples of the present invention are as follows: <1> A dropper tube extending in the vertical direction, A mounting member having a mounting top wall that covers the upper end opening of the dropper tube from above, and attached to the upper end of the dropper tube, The mounting member is attached to the mounting member and comprises an elastically deformable operating member that defines an expandable / contractable space between itself and the upper surface of the mounting top wall, A communication hole is formed in the mounting top wall that connects the expansion / contraction space and the upper end opening of the dropper tube. A dropper is provided on the upper surface of the mounting top wall with an adhesion-preventing portion that prevents the operating member, which is elastically deformed when pressed, from sticking to the upper surface of the mounting top wall via its contents. <2> The aforementioned adhesion restraint portion is formed in a cylindrical shape that protrudes upward from the upper surface of the mounting top wall, <1> The dropper described. <3> The aforementioned adhesion restraint portion has a through hole that extends radially and along the entire length in the vertical direction, <2> The dropper described. <4> The communication hole is located radially outward from the inner circumferential surface of the adhesion restraint portion, <2> or <3> The dropper described. <5> The communication hole is located radially outward from the inner circumferential surface of the adhesion restraint portion. Of the upper surface of the mounting top wall, the portion located radially inward of the adhesion restraint portion extends downward from the radially inward to the radially outward, <2> from <4> A dropper as described in one of the following. <6> The aforementioned mounting member is An inner cap is detachably attached to the mouth of the container body and is attached to and detached from the mouth as the dropper tube rotates around its central axis, The device comprises an operating member that rotates around the central axis relative to the inner cap, thereby moving up and down relative to the inner cap, The upper end of the dropper tube is fixed to the inner cap. The operating member is formed in a top-shaped cylindrical form having an operating peripheral wall attached to the inner cap and a mounting top wall, The mounting top wall is provided with a sealing projection that seals the upper end opening of the dropper tube and opens the upper end opening of the dropper tube when the operating member rises relative to the inner cap. Either the inner cap or the operating member is provided with a sliding cylinder portion that extends vertically and forms part of the partition wall of the operating space that communicates with the upper end opening of the dropper tube, and the other of the inner cap or the operating member is provided with a piston that slides along the inner or outer surface of the sliding cylinder portion to expand or contract the operating space as the operating member moves up and down relative to the inner cap. The inner cap is externally mounted so as to be rotatable around the central axis, with rotation around the central axis restricted by a predetermined amount or more, and the operating member is provided with an outer cap externally mounted so as to be restricted from rotation around the central axis, <1> from <5> A dropper as described in one of the following. [Explanation of symbols]

[0063] 1. Dropper 1a Dropper container 10 Outer cap 30 Operating member 31 Working peripheral wall 32. Operating top wall (mounted top wall) 32a Communication hole 33 Sliding cylinder section 34 Seal protrusions 36 Adhesion restraint part 36a Through hole 40 Operating member 50 Inner cap 60 Dropper tubes 80 pistons 100 Mounting member K-scaling space O axis line (center axis line) S Working space W Container Body W1 Mouth

Claims

1. A dropper tube extending in the vertical direction, A mounting member having a mounting top wall that covers the upper end opening of the dropper tube from above, and attached to the upper end of the dropper tube, The mounting member is attached to the mounting member and comprises an elastically deformable operating member that defines an expandable / contractable space between itself and the upper surface of the mounting top wall, A communication hole is formed in the mounting top wall that connects the expansion / contraction space and the upper end opening of the dropper tube. The upper surface of the mounting top wall is provided with an adhesion prevention portion that prevents the operating member, which is elastically deformed when pressed, from sticking to the upper surface of the mounting top wall via the contents. The aforementioned adhesion-preventing portion is formed in a cylindrical shape that protrudes upward from the upper surface of the mounting top wall, The aforementioned adhesive restraint portion has a through hole formed therein that penetrates radially and extends along the entire length in the vertical direction, which is the characteristics of the dropper.

2. The communication hole is located radially outward from the inner circumferential surface of the adhesion restraint portion. The dropper according to claim 1, wherein the portion of the upper surface of the mounting top wall located radially inward of the adhesion restraint portion extends downward from radially inward to radially outward.

3. A dropper tube extending in the vertical direction, A mounting member having a mounting top wall that covers the upper end opening of the dropper tube from above, and attached to the upper end of the dropper tube, The mounting member is attached to the mounting member and comprises an elastically deformable operating member that defines an expandable / contractable space between itself and the upper surface of the mounting top wall, A communication hole is formed in the mounting top wall that connects the expansion / contraction space and the upper end opening of the dropper tube. The upper surface of the mounting top wall is provided with an adhesion prevention portion that prevents the operating member, which is elastically deformed when pressed, from sticking to the upper surface of the mounting top wall via the contents. The aforementioned adhesion-preventing portion is formed in a cylindrical shape that protrudes upward from the upper surface of the mounting top wall, The aforementioned communication hole is located radially outward from the inner circumferential surface of the adhesive restraint portion of the dropper.

4. A dropper tube extending in the vertical direction, A mounting member having a mounting top wall that covers the upper end opening of the dropper tube from above, and attached to the upper end of the dropper tube, The mounting member is attached to the mounting member and comprises an elastically deformable operating member that defines an expandable / contractable space between itself and the upper surface of the mounting top wall, A communication hole is formed in the mounting top wall that connects the expansion / contraction space and the upper end opening of the dropper tube. The upper surface of the mounting top wall is provided with an adhesion prevention portion that prevents the operating member, which is elastically deformed when pressed, from sticking to the upper surface of the mounting top wall via the contents. The aforementioned mounting member is An inner cap is detachably attached to the mouth of the container body and is attached to and detached from the mouth as the dropper tube rotates around its central axis, The device comprises an operating member that rotates around the central axis relative to the inner cap, thereby moving up and down relative to the inner cap, The upper end of the dropper tube is fixed to the inner cap. The operating member is formed in a top-shaped cylindrical form having an operating peripheral wall attached to the inner cap and a mounting top wall, The mounting top wall is provided with a sealing projection that seals the upper end opening of the dropper tube and opens the upper end opening of the dropper tube when the operating member rises relative to the inner cap. Either the inner cap or the operating member is provided with a sliding cylinder portion that extends vertically and forms part of the partition wall of the operating space that communicates with the upper end opening of the dropper tube, and the other of the inner cap or the operating member is provided with a piston that slides along the inner or outer surface of the sliding cylinder portion to expand or contract the operating space as the operating member moves up and down relative to the inner cap. A dropper having an outer cap that is externally mounted on the inner cap so as to be rotatable around the central axis, with rotation around the central axis restricted to a predetermined amount or more, and an outer cap externally mounted on the operating member, with rotation around the central axis restricted.

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