Double container

Abstract

To provide a double container in which a bottomed cylindrical inner container is housed in a bottomed cylindrical outer container, wherein the inner container is easily detachable from the outer container.SOLUTION: A double container 1 is composed of an outer container 20 that has a circular cross-sectional shape on an inner peripheral surface of a cylindrical body and formed of a highly rigid material, and an inner container 10 that has a non-circular cross-sectional shape on an outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical body, wherein the inner container 10 has the radius of a non-circular circumscribed circle that is larger than the radius of the inner peripheral surface of the outer container 20 and becomes elastically deformed and fitted to the inner peripheral surface of the outer container 20 when disposed in the outer container 20 with the directions of cylinder axes parallel to each other.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a double container, and more particularly to a double container including an inner container and an outer container that holds and fixes the inner container therein.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, as shown in Patent Documents 1 and 2 for example, double containers for containing contents such as cosmetics and foods are known. The double containers shown in these patent documents are composed of a bottomed cylindrical inner container that directly contains the contents, and a similarly bottomed cylindrical outer container that holds and fixes the inner container therein. In particular, Patent Document 1 proposes a structure of a double container that allows the inner container to be easily pulled out from the outer container. On the other hand, Patent Document 2 proposes a structure of a double container that allows the inner container (auxiliary container) to be firmly fitted to the outer container (container body).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, for the double container as described above, when the contents such as cosmetics contained in the inner container are used up, there is also a requirement to replace the inner container with a new one that contains the contents and continue to use the outer container. In meeting such a requirement, it can be said that the double container shown in Patent Document 1, that is, the double container that allows the inner container to be easily pulled out from the outer container, is particularly preferable.

[0005] However, the double-walled container shown in Patent Document 1 has a problem in that the inner container is provided with a rotating pressing part, and the outer container is provided with locking parts and protrusions, resulting in an overall complex structure. On the other hand, the double-walled container shown in Patent Document 2 is made by forming the outer container (container body) from an elastically deformable material, and the inner container (auxiliary container) is made from a highly rigid hard material, so that the inner container can be fitted into the outer container by elastically deforming it, and it is thought that the inner container can be removed from the outer container relatively easily. However, in this double-walled container shown in Patent Document 2, in order to elastically deform the outer container as described above, the outer container needs to be tapered, gradually decreasing in diameter from top to bottom. Furthermore, in this double-walled container, when the inner container is pushed in from top to bottom, the inner container expands in diameter to fit into contact with the inner surface of the outer container all around its circumference, so if left unattended, the inner container may pop out upwards, and to prevent this, it is essential that the outer container is provided with a fitting mechanism at the opening edge flange. For the reasons stated above, the double-walled container shown in Patent Document 2 has the problem that the outer container must be limited to a specific shape.

[0006] This invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and aims to provide a double container that has a simple structure and in which the inner container and outer container can be easily attached and detached. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] One double-walled container according to the present invention is A bottomed cylindrical container having a cylindrical body with a circular inner surface and a cross-sectional shape, and an outer container made of a high-rigidity material, A bottomed cylindrical container having a non-circular cross-sectional shape on the outer surface of the cylindrical body, wherein the radius of the non-circular circumscribed circle is greater than the radius of the inner surface of the outer container, and when the inner container is arranged inside the outer container with the cylindrical axis directions parallel to each other, it elastically deforms and a portion of it fits into the inner surface of the outer container, It is characterized by consisting of [this]. Furthermore, the term "high-rigidity material" as used above refers to a material that does not undergo elastic or plastic deformation to an easily visible degree under normal use conditions of a double-walled container.

[0008] Furthermore, in the double-walled container of the present invention having the above configuration, it is desirable that the inner container be able to be detached from the outer container by releasing the above-mentioned fitting.

[0009] Furthermore, in the double-walled container of the present invention having the above configuration, it is desirable that the inner container is made of polypropylene and the outer container is made of glass.

[0010] Furthermore, another double container according to the present invention is, A bottomed cylindrical container having a cylindrical body with a circular cross-sectional shape on its outer surface, and an inner container made of a high-rigidity material, A bottomed cylindrical container, wherein the inner surface of the cylindrical body has a non-circular cross-sectional shape, the radius of the non-circular inscribed circle is smaller than the radius of the outer surface of the inner container, and when the outer container is arranged parallel to each other in the cylindrical axis direction to house the inner container inside, it elastically deforms and a portion of it fits onto the outer surface of the inner container, It is characterized by consisting of [this].

[0011] Furthermore, in another double-walled container of the present invention having the above configuration, it is desirable that the inner container be able to be detached from the outer container by releasing the above-mentioned fitting. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] One double-walled container according to the present invention is A bottomed cylindrical container having a cylindrical body with a circular inner surface and a cross-sectional shape, and an outer container made of a high-rigidity material, A bottomed cylindrical container, wherein the outer surface of the cylindrical body has a non-circular cross-sectional shape, the radius of the non-circular circumscribed circle is greater than the radius of the inner surface of the outer container, and when placed inside the outer container parallel to the cylindrical axis, the inner container elastically deforms and fits into the inner surface of the outer container, Since it consists of, The inner container can be elastically deformed and fitted into the outer container, and both the elastic deformation of the inner container and the release of the fit with the outer container can be easily performed. Therefore, according to this double container, the inner container and the outer container can be easily attached and detached with a simple structure. Also, another double container according to the present invention is a bottomed cylindrical container having a cross-sectional shape in which the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical body portion is circular and is formed of a high-rigidity material, and is a bottomed cylindrical container having a cross-sectional shape in which the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical body portion is non-circular, the radius of the inscribed circle of the non-circular shape is smaller than the radius of the outer peripheral surface of the inner container, and when arranged in parallel with the cylinder axis direction so as to house the inner container inside, an outer container that elastically deforms and fits onto the outer peripheral surface of the inner container, and since it consists of both the elastic deformation of the outer container and the fitting to the inner container, and the elastic deformation of the outer container and the release of the fit with the inner container can be easily performed. Therefore, according to this double container, the inner container and the outer container can be easily attached and detached with a simple structure.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0013] [Figure 1] Perspective view showing a double container according to an embodiment of the present invention [Figure 2] Front view showing the double container of FIG. 1 [Figure 3] Perspective view showing the inner container constituting the double container of FIG. 1 [Figure 4] Front view showing the inner container constituting the double container of FIG. 1 [Figure 5] Side view showing the inner container constituting the double container of FIG. 1 [Figure 6] Schematic diagram explaining the assembled state of the double container of FIG. 1 [Figure 7] Plan view showing the inner container constituting the double container of FIG. 1 [Figure 8] (1) to (4) are plan views showing examples of the shape of the inner container that can be applied in the present invention

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0014] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIGS. 1 and 2 respectively show the perspective shape and the front shape of the double container 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. This double container 1 is formed, for example, to contain a facial cream which is a cosmetic. As shown in the drawings, this double container 1 is configured by holding and fixing an inner container 10 inside an outer container 20. The inner container 10 shows the perspective shape, the front shape, and the side shape in FIGS. 3, 4, and 5 respectively. Hereinafter, referring to these FIGS. 3 to 5, the inner container 10 will be described in detail first.

[0015] The inner container 10 is generally a bottomed cylindrical member having a cylindrical body portion 11 and a bottom portion 12. At the upper end of the body portion 11, a flange-shaped collar portion 13 having a circular outer peripheral surface is formed. And two handle portions 14 extending generally downward are provided on this collar portion 13. In the present disclosure, "upper" and "lower" refer to the upper and lower sides when the double container 1 is in a posture where the bottom portion 12 is on the lower side. The two handle portions 14 are arranged at an angular pitch of 180° (degrees) from each other in the circumferential direction of the collar portion 13. On the outer surface of each handle portion 14, an elongated boss 15 extending generally in the lateral direction is formed. This boss 15 is provided for preventing slipping of a finger or the like placed on the handle portion 14. Specifically, it is formed in a convex shape serving as a finger rest or formed by performing surface roughening. The detailed shape of the cylindrical body portion will be described in detail later. The inner container 10 having the above shape is integrally formed from, for example, PP (polypropylene). Thereby, the body portion 11 can be elastically deformed well in the radial direction, that is, in the direction in which the thickness changes. As described above, a facial cream is contained in this inner container 10 as an example.

[0016] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the outer container 20 is also a bottomed cylindrical member having a cylindrical body 21 and a bottom 22. A roughly cylindrical neck 23, smaller in diameter than the body 21, is integrally formed on the upper part of the body 21. A male screw 24 for screwing on a cap (not shown) is formed on the outer surface of the neck 23. The neck 23 also has two recesses 25 for fitting the handle portion 14 of the inner container 10. More specifically, these recesses 25 are portions that are partially thinned by carving out the outer surface of the neck 23 to a degree equal to the thickness of the handle portion 14, so that when the handle portion 14 is fitted, the outer surface of the neck 23 other than the recesses 25 and the outer surface of the handle portion 14 are approximately flush.

[0017] The outer container 20, as shaped as described above, is integrally formed from glass, which is an example of a high-rigidity material. This "high-rigidity material" refers to a material that, under normal use conditions of a double-walled container, does not undergo elastic or plastic deformation to a degree that is easily visible.

[0018] Here, Figure 6(1) shows a schematic cross-sectional shape of the body portion 11, and Figure 6(2) shows a schematic cross-sectional shape of the body portion 21 and the body portion 11 held therein. This cross-section refers to the cross-section in a plane perpendicular to the cylindrical axis direction of the body portions 11 and 21. Showing only the body portion 11, it is the cross-section including the portion indicated by the dashed line C in Figure 3.

[0019] As shown in Figures 6(1) and (2), the body 11 of the inner container 10 has a roughly equilateral triangle cross-sectional shape with rounded vertices and sides, resembling a rice ball. In contrast, the body 21 of the outer container 20 has a normal cylindrical cross-sectional shape, as shown in Figure 6(2). The diameter D of the circumscribed circle of the cross-section of the body 11 of the inner container 10 (shown by a dashed line in Figure 6(1)) is slightly larger than the maximum inner diameter of the body 21 of the outer container 20. To give a specific example, if the maximum inner diameter of the body 21 of the outer container 20 is about 45 mm, the diameter D of the circumscribed circle is about 0.2 mm larger than that maximum inner diameter. This "maximum inner diameter" will be explained in detail later.

[0020] When combining an inner container 10 and an outer container 20, the sizes of the body sections 11 and 21 of which are in the relationship described above, the inner container 10 is first placed inside the outer container 20 with their cylindrical axes parallel to each other. The cross-sectional view in Figure 6(2) shows the body sections 11 and 21 at this point. Next, when the inner container 10 is pushed in with a certain amount of force, as shown in Figure 6(2), the portion of the inner container 10 between the three tops of the body section 11 undergoes elastic deformation and expands in diameter as shown by the dashed line in the figure, that is, it expands outward in diameter, and the inner container 10 is elastically and firmly fitted into the outer container 20. Figures 1 and 2 show the double-walled container 1 in this state. The outer container 20, which can be seen from the outside, is made of high-rigidity glass as described above, so it does not deform and maintains its beautiful appearance.

[0021] Glass components generally have relatively large tolerances, and the outer container 20 is no exception. The "maximum inner diameter" mentioned earlier regarding the body 21 of the outer container 20 refers to the maximum possible inner diameter of the body 21, taking this tolerance into consideration. However, as described above, if the elastic deformation of the inner container 10 is used to fit and integrate it with the outer container 20, then even if the tolerance of the outer container 20 is relatively large, the fitting and integration of the inner container 10 and the outer container 20 can be reliably achieved.

[0022] Furthermore, by pulling the inner container 10 out of the outer container 20 with a certain amount of force, it is easy to remove it from the outer container 20 while it elastically deforms to reduce its diameter. Therefore, the double container 1 of this embodiment can be suitably used for so-called refills. That is, when the contents of the inner container 10, such as face cream, are used up, the empty inner container 10 can be removed from the outer container 20, and a new inner container 10 filled with contents can be held and fixed in the outer container 20, allowing the double container 1 to be used continuously without discarding the outer container 20. The outer container 20, which is visible from the outside, is usually beautifully printed or has a nice seal attached, and is generally expensive. Therefore, not having to discard such an outer container 20 provides an economic advantage to the user and also has the effect of reducing the burden on the environment.

[0023] Next, the function and effect of the handle portion 14 will be explained. As mentioned above, when applying a refill, it is desirable that the inner container 10 does not move in the rotational direction of the cap when opening the cap to remove the contents from the inner container 10. If the handle portion 14 is provided in a state where it fits into the recess 25 of the outer container 20 as described above, the inner container 10 is reliably prevented from moving in the rotational direction of the cap.

[0024] Furthermore, in order to facilitate the user's operation of placing their fingertips, etc., on the handle portion 14, it is undesirable for the handle portion 14 to be tightly fitted into the recess 25. Therefore, it is desirable to set the sizes of both so that there is a slight gap between them, more specifically between the left and right ends and the lower end of the handle portion 14 and the edge of the recess 25, and between the recess 25 of the outer container 20 and the handle portion 14 of the inner container 10.

[0025] In the double-walled container of the present invention, the cross-sectional shape of the body of the inner container is not limited to the shape of the inner container 10 in the embodiment described above. Examples of cross-sectional shapes that can be adopted for this body will be described below. Figure 7 shows the plan view of the inner container 10 when viewed from above. The shape of the body 11 shown here is the same as its cross-sectional shape. On the other hand, Figures 8(1) to (4) similarly show four examples of the cross-sectional shape of the body 11 when viewed from above. In Figures 7 and 8, 13 is the flange as described above.

[0026] As shown in Figure 8, the cross-sectional shape of the body portion 11 may be, for example, a teardrop or egg shape in the inner container 40 (1), an ellipse in the inner container 50 (2), a rounded square in the inner container 60 (3), or a rounded pentagon in the inner container 70 (4). Furthermore, it may also be a cross-sectional shape other than those listed above.

[0027] Furthermore, in contrast to the double-walled container 1 of this embodiment, the double-walled container can also be composed of an inner container, which is a bottomed cylindrical container having a circular cross-sectional shape on the outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical body and is made of a high-rigidity material, and an outer container, which is a bottomed cylindrical container having a non-circular cross-sectional shape on the inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical body, the radius of the non-circular inscribed circle being smaller than the radius of the outer circumferential surface of the inner container, and when arranged parallel to each other in the cylindrical axis direction to house the inner container inside, it elastically deforms and a part of it fits onto the outer circumferential surface of the inner container. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0028] 1 double container 10, 40, 50, 60, 70 inner container 11. Body of the inner container 12 Bottom of the inner container 13. Rim of the inner container 14 Handle portion of the inner container 15 Bosses 20 Outer container 21 Body of the outer container 22 Bottom of the outer container 23. Neck of the outer container 24 Male threads on the outer container 25 Recesses in the outer container

Claims

1. A bottomed cylindrical container having a cylindrical body with a circular inner surface and a cross-sectional shape, and an outer container made of a high-rigidity material, An elastically deformable bottomed cylindrical container, wherein the outer surface of the cylindrical body has a non-circular cross-sectional shape, the radius of the non-circular circumscribed circle is greater than the radius of the inner surface of the outer container, and when the inner container is arranged inside the outer container with the cylindrical axis directions parallel to each other, it elastically deforms and a portion of it fits into the inner surface of the outer container, It consists of, The inner container is a double-walled container used as a refill, and when pulled out from the outer container, it elastically deforms to reduce its diameter, releasing the fitting and allowing it to be detached from the outer container.

2. The double-walled container according to claim 1, wherein the inner container is made of polypropylene and the outer container is made of glass.

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