Discharge container

Abstract

To provide a discharge container capable of suppressing fatigue of a vertically elastically deformable cylinder and returning an operating head to a normal position even when a circulation period is long.SOLUTION: A discharge container 1 has: a container body 2 in which contents are stored; a cylinder 4 that can communicate with an inside of the container body 2 and can be elastically deformed in a vertical direction; and an operating head 5 that is attached to an upper end portion 33 of the cylinder 4 and has a discharge hole 5a that can communicate with an inside of the cylinder 4; a first regulating portion 71 that regulates an upward movement of the operating head 5 at a first position in the vertical direction; and a second regulating portion 72 that regulates the upward movement of the operating head 5 at a second position below the first position in the vertical direction and allows the movement of the operating head 5 from the first position to the second position, wherein the cylinder 4 urges the operating head 5 upward when the operating head 5 is located in the second position.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] As a discharge container, a liquid discharger described in Patent Document 1 below is known. This liquid discharger has a push-down head fitted to the upper end of a bellows tube standing up from a mounting cap fitted to the mouth-neck portion of a container body, a suction valve provided at the base end portion inside the bellows tube, and a discharge valve body that closes the discharge valve hole from inside the bellows tube to inside the push-down head in an openable and closable manner. By moving the push-down head up and down, the liquid in the container body is sucked up and discharged from the discharge port of the push-down head.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In such a discharge container, since the initial positions of the cylinder (bellows tube) during distribution and use are the same, the longer the distribution period, the more likely the cylinder is to sag. Then, even if the cylinder elastically deformed in the vertical direction is restored, there is a problem that it is difficult for the operation head to return to the fixed position.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a discharge container that can suppress sagging of a cylinder that can be elastically deformed in the vertical direction and return an operation head to a fixed position even when the distribution period is long.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] (1) The discharge container according to the present invention comprises a container body in which contents are contained; a cylinder that can communicate with the inside of the container body and is elastically deformable in the vertical direction; an operating head attached to the upper end of the cylinder and having a discharge hole that can communicate with the inside of the cylinder; a first restricting part that restricts the upward movement of the operating head at a first position in the vertical direction; and a second restricting part that restricts the upward movement of the operating head at a second position below the first position in the vertical direction and allows the operating head to move from the first position to the second position, wherein the cylinder biases the operating head upward when the operating head is in the second position.

[0007] According to the discharge container of the present invention, the vertical position of the operating head attached to the upper end of the cylinder can be restricted in two stages. During flow, the operating head is restricted to the first position (upper stage). During use, the operating head is pushed all the way down, causing it to overcome the second restricting section and restricting the operating head to the second position (lower stage). In the second position (lower stage), the stroke length is shorter than in the first position (upper stage), and the cylinder is compressed in the vertical direction, thus improving the elastic force of the cylinder. Therefore, even if the flow period is long, cylinder fatigue is suppressed and the operating head is more likely to return to the second position (initial position during use).

[0008] (2) The cylinder may bias the operating head upward when the operating head is in the first position.

[0009] In this case, the operating head can be stably positioned in the first position during initial conditions such as distribution.

[0010] (3) The cylinder is bellows-shaped with peaks and valleys arranged alternately in the vertical direction, and the peaks and valleys may form a spiral that revolves around the container axis.

[0011] In this case, the bellows-like, spiral shape of the cylinder enhances its self-restoring performance.

[0012] (4) The container comprises a support portion that supports the lower end of the cylinder, and a mounting cap that is attached to the mouth of the container body and holds the support portion so that it can move in the vertical direction, wherein the mounting cap has an outside air introduction portion that can communicate the inside and outside of the container body, and the support portion may have a sealing portion that blocks communication between the inside and outside of the container body through the outside air introduction portion when the operating head is in the first position, and allows the communication while the operating head moves from the first position to the second position.

[0013] In this case, when the operating head is restricted to the first position (upper), the seal prevents communication between the inside of the container body and the outside through the outside air intake. Therefore, leakage of the contents of the container body from the outside air intake during distribution is suppressed. When the operating head is pressed down from the first position (upper) to the second position (lower) during use, the seal allows communication between the inside of the container body and the outside through the outside air intake. This allows outside air to be drawn into the container body when dispensing the contents during use. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] According to the discharge container of the present invention, even during long distribution periods, the deformation of the cylinder, which is elastically deformable in the vertical direction, is suppressed, and the operating head can be returned to its fixed position. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0015] [Figure 1] This is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a discharge container according to one embodiment of the present invention during distribution. [Figure 2] Figure 1 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing the dispensing container with its operating head pressed down. [Figure 3] This is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a discharge container according to one embodiment of the present invention during use. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0016] The discharge container 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The discharge container 1 shown in Figure 1 discharges the contents contained inside the container body 2 from the discharge hole 5a of the operating head 5. Each component of the discharge container 1 is made of, for example, synthetic resin. The discharge container 1 comprises a container body 2, a mounting cap 3, a cylinder 4, an operating head 5, and a head regulating part 6. The container body 2 is formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape and contains, for example, liquid contents. A mouth portion 2a is formed at the upper end of the container body 2.

[0017] The mounting cap 3, cylinder 4, operating head 5, and head restricting part 6 are formed coaxially with the center of the mouth 2a of the container body 2 as a common axis. Hereinafter, the common axis will be referred to as the container axis O, and the direction along the container axis O will be referred to as the vertical direction. Of the vertical directions, the direction from the bottom of the container body 2 toward the mouth will be referred to as the upward direction, and the opposite direction will be referred to as the downward direction. Furthermore, in a plan view from the vertical direction, the direction intersecting the container axis O will be referred to as the radial direction, and the direction revolving around the container axis O will be referred to as the circumferential direction.

[0018] The mounting cap 3 is formed in a top-shaped cylindrical form with the container axis O as its central axis, and is attached to the mouth portion 2a of the container body 2. The mounting cap 3 comprises a cap outer cylinder portion 11, a first cap inner cylinder portion 12, a cap top wall portion 13, a cap connecting portion 14, a second cap inner cylinder portion 15, and a guide cylinder portion 16.

[0019] The outer cap portion 11 is screwed onto the mouth portion 2a from the radially outer side. Alternatively, the outer cap portion 11 may be fitted onto the mouth portion 2a from the radially outer side. The first inner cap portion 12 is positioned radially inward of the mouth portion 2a. The cap top wall portion 13 connects the upper end of the outer cap portion 11 and the upper end of the first inner cap portion 12. The cap top wall portion 13 is formed in an annular shape. The cap top wall portion 13 is positioned on the upper opening edge of the mouth portion 2a via a sealing material 13a such as a packing.

[0020] The cap connecting portion 14 extends radially inward from the lower end portion of the first inner cylinder portion 12 of the cap. The cap connecting portion 14 is formed in an annular shape. The second inner cylinder portion 15 of the cap extends upward from the radially inner edge of the cap connecting portion 14. The second inner cylinder portion 15 of the cap is disposed radially inward of the first inner cylinder portion 12 of the cap. Also, the upper end of the second inner cylinder portion 15 is located below the upper end of the first inner cylinder portion 12 of the cap.

[0021] A sliding wall 12a is formed on the first inner cylinder portion 12 of the cap. The sliding wall 12a protrudes radially inward from the inner peripheral surface of the first inner cylinder portion 12 of the cap and extends from a position below the upper end of the second inner cylinder portion 15 of the cap to the lower end of the first inner cylinder portion 12 of the cap. An air hole 14a is provided in the cap connecting portion 14. The air hole 14a penetrates the cap connecting portion 14 in the vertical direction. A plurality of air holes 14a are formed at intervals in the circumferential direction.

[0022] An air groove 12b is connected to the air hole 14a. The air groove 12b is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the sliding wall 12a of the first inner cylinder portion 12 of the cap. The air groove 12b is, for example, a vertical groove extending in the vertical direction. The air groove 12b extends upward from the radially outer end portion in the air hole 14a. The upper end of the air groove 12b is located below the upper end of the second inner cylinder portion 15 of the cap.

[0023] The guide cylinder portion 16 extends upward from the upper surface of the cap top wall portion 13. A retaining portion 16a that protrudes radially outward is formed at the upper end portion of the guide cylinder portion 16. The retaining portion 16a is formed in an annular shape.

[0024] The cylinder 4 is formed in a cylindrical shape with the container axis O as the central axis, and its lower end portion is supported by the mounting cap 3 so as to be movable in the vertical direction. The cylinder 4 includes a support portion 20 and a cylinder main body 30. The support portion 20 supports the cylinder main body 30 from below. The support portion 20 is disposed inside the mounting cap 3 so as to be movable up and down with respect to the mounting cap 3. The support portion 20 is formed in a cylindrical shape. The inside of the support portion 20 can communicate with the inside of the container body 2.

[0025] The support portion 20 comprises a sealing portion 21, an inner cylinder portion 22, and a connecting portion 23. The sealing portion 21 is formed in a cylindrical shape. The lower end of the sealing portion 21 is positioned between the sliding wall 12a of the first inner cylinder portion 12 of the cap and the outer circumferential surface of the second inner cylinder portion 15 of the cap. The upper end of the sealing portion 21 is positioned above the upper end of the second inner cylinder portion 15 of the cap.

[0026] The inner cylinder portion 22 is located inside the second inner cylinder portion 15 of the cap. The inner cylinder portion 22 is larger than the second inner cylinder portion 15 of the cap in the vertical direction. The upper end of the inner cylinder portion 22 is located above the upper end of the second inner cylinder portion 15 of the cap. The lower end of the inner cylinder portion 22 is located below the lower end of the second inner cylinder portion 15 of the cap. In the illustrated example, an annular first valve seat 24 is provided in the vertical center of the inner cylinder portion 22. The first valve seat 24 is a valve seat for the check valve 27.

[0027] The first valve seat 24 has a first communication hole 24a that connects the inside of the container body 2 and the inside of the cylinder 4. The check valve 27 allows the contents to flow from the inside of the container body 2 to the inside of the cylinder body 30 through the first communication hole 24a. The check valve 27 also restricts the outflow of contents from the inside of the cylinder body 30 to the inside of the container body 2 through the first communication hole 24a. The check valve 27 is fitted inside the inner cylinder portion 22. The check valve 27 is seated on the first valve seat 24 so as to be able to move away from it in the vertical direction. The check valve 27 is, for example, a so-called three-point valve.

[0028] A fitting cylinder 25 is formed below the first valve seat 24 of the inner cylinder portion 22. A pipe 7 is fitted into the fitting cylinder 25. The pipe 7 extends downward from the support portion 20. The pipe 7 connects the inside of the support portion 20 to the inside of the container body 2. Note that the pipe 7 is optional.

[0029] The connecting portion 23 connects the upper end of the sealing portion 21 and the upper end of the inner cylinder portion 22. The connecting portion 23 is annular. In the illustrated example, the connecting portion 23 faces the upper end of the second inner cylinder portion 15 of the cap from above. The lower end of the sealing portion 21 restricts the downward movement of the support portion 20 by contacting the cap connecting portion 14 from above. Alternatively, the downward movement of the support portion 20 may be restricted by the connecting portion 23 contacting the upper end of the second inner cylinder portion 15 of the cap from above.

[0030] The mounting cap 3 has an outside air inlet 90 that allows communication between the inside and outside of the container body 2. The outside air inlet 90 is formed between the outer circumferential surface of the seal portion 21 and the first inner cylinder portion 12 of the cap. In this embodiment, the outside air inlet 90 includes a vertical groove formed on the outer circumferential surface of the seal portion 21. In this embodiment, the vertical groove formed on the outer circumferential surface of the seal portion 21 communicates with the air groove 12b, thereby allowing the outside air inlet 90 to communicate between the inside and outside of the container body 2. When the operating head 5 is in the first position, which will be described later, the lower end of the seal portion 21 contacts the sliding wall 12a of the first inner cylinder portion 12 of the cap, blocking the outside air inlet 90.

[0031] The cylinder body 30 is assembled above the first valve seat 24 of the inner cylinder portion 22. The inside of the cylinder body 30 is connected to the inside of the container body 2. In this embodiment, the inside of the cylinder body 30 is connected to the inside of the container body 2 through the inside of the support portion 20 and the inside of the pipe 7.

[0032] The cylinder body 30 is elastically deformable in the vertical direction. In this embodiment, the cylinder body 30 is bellows-shaped. From the viewpoint of resilience, it is preferable for the cylinder body 30 to be helical bellows-shaped, but it may also be a simple bellows shape without a helix. Here, when the cylinder body 30 is bellows-shaped with peaks 30a and valleys 30b arranged alternately in the vertical direction, the cylinder body 30 being helical bellows-shaped means that the peaks 30a and valleys 30b form a helix that circulates around the container axis O. Furthermore, the shape of the cylinder body 30 is not limited to bellows-shaped, and other shapes that are elastically deformable in the vertical direction can be appropriately adopted as the shape of the cylinder body 30.

[0033] The lower end portion 31 of the cylinder body 30 is fitted into the inner cylindrical portion 22 of the support portion 20. The lower end portion 31 of the cylinder body 30 and the bellows portion, including the peaks 30a and valleys 30b, are connected via an annular flange 31a located on the connecting portion 23 of the support portion 20. A head restricting portion 6 (described later) is installed inside the lower end portion 31 of the cylinder body 30, protruding to the bellows portion of the cylinder body 30.

[0034] The operating head 5 is mounted on the upper end 33 of the cylinder body 30. The operating head 5 has a nozzle 61 that can communicate with the inside of the cylinder 4. The nozzle 61 has a discharge hole 5a formed therein for discharging contents to the outside. The operating head 5 is supported from below by the cylinder 4. The operating head 5 comprises a head base 50 and a nozzle operating section 60. The head base 50 and the nozzle operating section 60 are molded separately and assembled together.

[0035] The head base 50 is formed in a cylindrical shape. The head base 50 is attached to the upper end portion 33 of the cylinder body 30. The head base 50 comprises a head outer cylinder portion 51, a head first inner cylinder portion 52, a head first connecting portion 53, a head second inner cylinder portion 54, a head second connecting portion 55, and a second valve seat 56. The upper end portion 33 of the cylinder body 30 is fitted to the outer circumferential surface of the head first inner cylinder portion 52 between the head outer cylinder portion 51 and the head first inner cylinder portion 52.

[0036] The head outer cylinder portion 51 is positioned radially outward of the guide cylinder portion 16. The head outer cylinder portion 51 is movable vertically along the outer circumferential surface of the guide cylinder portion 16. A protrusion 51a is formed at the lower end of the head outer cylinder portion 51, projecting radially inward. The protrusion 51a is located below the retaining portion 16a and is positioned circumferentially so as to be able to face the retaining portion 16a in the vertical direction. An annular step portion 51b is formed on the outer circumferential side of the upper end of the head outer cylinder portion 51, with which the circumferential wall portion 63 of the nozzle operating portion 60 engages.

[0037] The first inner cylinder portion 52 of the head is positioned radially inward of the outer cylinder portion 51 of the head. The first connecting portion 53 of the head connects the upper end of the outer cylinder portion 51 of the head to the upper end of the first inner cylinder portion 52 of the head. The first connecting portion 53 of the head is formed in an annular shape.

[0038] The second head connecting portion 55 extends radially inward from the lower end of the first head inner cylinder portion 52. The second head connecting portion 55 is formed in an annular shape. The second head inner cylinder portion 54 extends upward from the radially inward end edge of the second head connecting portion 55. The second head inner cylinder portion 54 is positioned radially inward from the first head inner cylinder portion 52. Furthermore, the upper end of the second head inner cylinder portion 54 is located below the upper end of the first head inner cylinder portion 52.

[0039] The second valve seat 56 extends downward from the radial inner edge of the second head connecting portion 55. The inner circumferential surface of the second valve seat 56 becomes smaller in diameter as it extends downward. The second valve seat 56 is a valve seat for the poppet valve 8. The second valve seat 56 has a second communication hole 50a that connects the inside of the cylinder 4 to the discharge hole 5a.

[0040] The poppet valve 8 switches between opening and closing the communication between the inside of the cylinder 4 and the discharge port 5a. As shown in Figure 1, when the operating head 5 is in the raised position (first position (see Figure 1) or second position (see Figure 3)), the poppet valve 8 closes the communication between the inside of the cylinder 4 and the discharge port 5a. When the operating head 5 is lowered from the raised position (see Figure 2), the poppet valve 8 opens the communication between the inside of the cylinder 4 and the discharge port 5a.

[0041] As shown in Figure 1, the poppet valve 8 is positioned within the cylinder body 30 so as to be able to move up and down. In the illustrated example, the poppet valve 8 is a bottomed cylindrical shape. However, the poppet valve 8 may also be, for example, a solid rod shape. The upper and lower ends of the poppet valve 8 are larger in diameter than the center of the poppet valve 8.

[0042] The upper end of the poppet valve 8 is inserted into the second communication hole 50a of the head base 50. The upper end of the poppet valve 8 sits on the second valve seat 56 from above. The lower end of the poppet valve 8 is inserted into the head restrictor 6. A locking claw 81 is formed on the lower end of the poppet valve 8 to engage with the head restrictor 6.

[0043] The locking claw 81 is formed in an annular shape on the outer circumferential surface of the lower end of the poppet valve 8. The upper surface 81a of the locking claw 81 is a plane perpendicular to the container axis O. The lower surface 81b of the locking claw 81 is a tapered surface that decreases in diameter as it goes downwards. The upper surface 81a of the locking claw 81 locks with the head restricting portion 6 in the vertical direction, thereby preventing the poppet valve 8 from coming out upward from the head restricting portion 6.

[0044] The nozzle operating section 60 is formed in a top-cylindrical shape. The nozzle operating section 60 comprises a nozzle 61, a top wall portion 62, a circumferential wall portion 63, a sliding cylinder 64, and longitudinal ribs 65. The nozzle 61 penetrates the circumferential wall portion 63 in the radial direction. The inside of the nozzle 61 communicates with the inside of the sliding cylinder 64. The tip of the nozzle 61 is a discharge hole 5a. The discharge hole 5a communicates with the inside of the cylinder 4 through the inside of the nozzle 61 and the inside of the sliding cylinder 64.

[0045] The top wall portion 62 is formed in a disc shape and closes the upper end opening of the cylindrical head base portion 50. The peripheral wall portion 63 is formed in a cylindrical shape and extends downward from the radial outer edge of the top wall portion 62. The peripheral wall portion 63 is positioned on the annular stepped portion 51b of the head outer cylinder portion 51 and has an outer diameter approximately equal to the outer diameter of the head outer cylinder portion 51.

[0046] The sliding cylinder 64 has a smaller diameter than the peripheral wall portion 63 and is positioned radially inward of the peripheral wall portion 63. The sliding cylinder 64 is suspended downward from the lower surface of the top wall portion 62. The lower end of the sliding cylinder 64 is located below the lower end of the peripheral wall portion 63. The sliding cylinder 64 is rotatably engaged with the second inner cylinder portion 54 of the head base portion 50 around the container axis O.

[0047] Multiple annular protrusions 64a are formed on the outer circumferential surface of the sliding cylinder 64. The multiple annular protrusions 64a engage with multiple recesses 54a formed on the inner circumferential surface of the second inner cylinder portion 54 of the head, thereby preventing the nozzle operating portion 60 from coming out upward relative to the head base 50. The gap between the sliding cylinder 64 and the second inner cylinder portion 54 of the head is sealed by the overlap portion on the outer circumferential surface of the lower end of the sliding cylinder 64 relative to the inner circumferential surface of the second inner cylinder portion 54 of the head. The frictional force between the sliding cylinder 64 and the second inner cylinder portion 54 of the head is smaller than the frictional force between the first inner cylinder portion 52 of the head and the upper end portion 33 of the cylinder 4. As a result, the nozzle operating portion 60 can rotate relative to the head base 50 (cylinder 4) around the container axis O.

[0048] The vertical ribs 65 are provided inside the sliding cylinder 64. The vertical ribs 65 protrude radially inward from the inner circumferential surface of the sliding cylinder 64. The vertical ribs 65 are provided in the sliding cylinder 64 on the opposite side of the nozzle 61, with the container axis O in between. The upper end of the vertical ribs 65 is connected to the top wall portion 62. The lower end of the vertical ribs 65 is located above the lower end of the sliding cylinder 64.

[0049] The head restricting section 6 is formed in a cylindrical shape within the cylinder body 30. The head restricting section 6 includes a first restricting section 71 that restricts the upward movement of the operating head 5 at a first position in the vertical direction (see Figure 1), and a second restricting section 72 that restricts the upward movement of the operating head 5 at a second position below the first position in the vertical direction (see Figure 3), while also allowing the operating head 5 to move from the first position to the second position.

[0050] Below the second restricting portion 72, a flow path hole 70 is formed. The flow path hole 70 penetrates the head restricting portion 6 radially. The first restricting portion 71 is formed in the shape of a claw at the upper end of the head restricting portion 6, protruding radially inward from the inner circumferential surface of the head restricting portion 6. The lower surface of the first restricting portion 71 is a plane perpendicular to the container axis O. The first restricting portions 71 are provided in pairs, facing each other with the container axis O in between.

[0051] The second restricting portion 72 is formed in the shape of a claw that protrudes radially inward from the inner circumferential surface of the head restricting portion 6, which is located below the first restricting portion 71. The lower surface of the second restricting portion 72 is a plane perpendicular to the container axis O. In other words, the second restricting portion 72 is formed in such a way that the locking claw 81 cannot move over it from above. As a result, the locking claw 81 does not move above the second restricting portion 72 again after moving over it from above, and the operating head 5 can be stably held in the second position (the raised end position during use).

[0052] The second restricting portion 72 is formed in pairs so as to face each other across the container axis O. It is preferable that the circumferential positions of the first restricting portion 71 and the second restricting portion 72 do not coincide from the viewpoint of molding the head restricting portion 6. For example, the circumferential positions of the first restricting portion 71 and the second restricting portion 72 may be arranged at a 90-degree angle to each other around the container axis O in a plan view.

[0053] Furthermore, a removable stopper may be provided between the upper surface of the cap top wall portion 13 and the lower end of the head outer cylinder portion 51. When the stopper is attached, the operating head 5 is positioned in the first position (the raised end position during flow), which facilitates the attachment of the stopper.

[0054] Next, we will explain how to use the dispensing container 1. As shown in Figure 1, when the discharge container 1 is in operation, the operating head 5 is in the first position. At this time, the check valve 27 blocks communication between the inside of the container body 2 and the inside of the cylinder 4. Also, the locking claw 81 of the poppet valve 8 is locked to the first regulating part 71, and the upper end of the poppet valve blocks communication between the inside of the cylinder 4 and the inside of the nozzle 61. Furthermore, the lower end of the sealing part 21 of the support part 20 blocks communication between the inside of the container body 2 and the outside through the outside air introduction part 90.

[0055] When the user dispenses contents from the discharge container 1, the user presses down the operating head 5. As shown in Figure 2, the support part 20 descends together with the operating head 5, and the sealing part 21 allows communication between the inside and outside of the container body 2 through the outside air introduction part 90. Specifically, when the lower end of the sealing part 21 descends below the sliding wall 12a, the outside of the cylinder 4 communicates with the air groove 12b. As a result, the inside and outside of the container body 2 communicate through the air hole 14a, the air groove 12b, the gap between the cylinder 4 and the guide cylinder part 16, and the gap between the guide cylinder part 16 and the head outer cylinder part 51.

[0056] After the downward movement of the support portion 20 is restricted by the cap connecting portion 14, when the operating head 5 descends further from its upper end position, the cylinder body 30 is elastically compressed between the operating head 5 and the support portion 20. At this time, the poppet valve 8 opens first, and the inside of the cylinder body 30 and the discharge hole 5a communicate through the inside of the sliding cylinder 64 and the inside of the nozzle 61. Meanwhile, the check valve 27 remains closed, and the internal pressure of the cylinder body 30 increases. Therefore, if the cylinder body 30 is filled with contents, the contents inside the cylinder body 30 are sent into the nozzle 61 and discharged from the discharge hole 5a.

[0057] In this embodiment, as the cylinder body 30 is compressed, the longitudinal ribs 65 of the operating head 5 come into contact with the poppet valve 8. If the user further pushes down on the operating head 5 in this state, the poppet valve 8 descends together with the operating head 5. At this time, the locking claw 81 of the poppet valve 8 is made more likely to overcome the second restricting portion 72 by its lower surface 81b (tapered surface), and the locking claw 81 moves below the second restricting portion 72. When the upper end of the guide cylinder portion 16 comes into contact with the flange that protrudes radially outward formed on the upper end portion 33 of the cylinder body 30, the descent of the operating head 5 is restricted. At this time, the operating head 5 is in the lowered end position, and the cylinder body 30 is in its most compressed state.

[0058] After the contents are dispensed, the user releases the pressure on the operating head 5. As shown in Figure 3, the cylinder body 30 extends due to its elastic restoring force. At this time, the operating head 5 rises, the second valve seat 56 of the operating head 5 engages with the upper end of the poppet valve 8, and the poppet valve 8 seats on the second valve seat 56.

[0059] As the cylinder body 30 extends further, the internal pressure of the cylinder body 30 decreases, and this negative pressure acts on the check valve 27 through the support portion 20, causing the check valve 27 to open. As a result, the contents of the container body 2 are drawn into the cylinder body 30, while outside air is drawn into the container body 2 through the air groove 12b and air hole 14a. Furthermore, the locking claw 81 of the poppet valve 8 engages with the second restricting portion 72 by its upper surface 81a, thereby restricting the raised end position of the operating head 5 to the second position (changed to the lower position).

[0060] If the cylinder body 30 is not filled with contents in the initial state, the contents will not be discharged during the operation process so far, but at this time the contents in the container body 2 will be drawn into the cylinder body 30 and the cylinder body 30 will be filled with contents. Therefore, the contents will be discharged during the next operation.

[0061] For the next operation, the raised end position of the operating head 5 is changed to the second position (lower position) by the second restricting unit 72. Therefore, the operating head 5 moves between the second position shown in Figure 3 and the lowered end position (fully pressed position). During this use, the seal unit 21 allows communication between the inside of the container body 2 and the outside through the outside air introduction unit 90, and outside air can be drawn into the container body 2 when the contents are discharged.

[0062] In this way, the discharge container 1 allows the vertical position of the operating head 5, which is attached to the upper end 33 of the cylinder 4, to be restricted in two stages. During flow, the operating head 5 is restricted to the first position (upper stage). During use, the operating head 5 is pushed all the way down, causing it to overcome the second restricting section 72 and restricting the operating head 5 to the second position (lower stage). In the second position (lower stage), the stroke length is shorter than in the first position (upper stage), and the cylinder 4 is compressed in the vertical direction, thus improving the elastic force of the cylinder 4. Therefore, even if the flow period is long, wear of the cylinder 4 is suppressed, and the operating head 5 is more likely to return to the second position (initial position during use).

[0063] As described above, the discharge container 1 of this embodiment includes a container body 2 in which the contents are contained, a cylinder 4 that can communicate with the inside of the container body 2 and is elastically deformable in the vertical direction, an operating head 5 attached to the upper end 33 of the cylinder 4 and having a discharge hole 5a that can communicate with the inside of the cylinder 4, a first restricting part 71 that restricts the upward movement of the operating head 5 at a first position in the vertical direction, and a second restricting part 72 that restricts the upward movement of the operating head 5 at a second position below the first position in the vertical direction, while also allowing the operating head 5 to move from the first position to the second position. The cylinder 4 biases the operating head 5 upward when the operating head 5 is in the second position. With this configuration, even if the distribution period is long, the deformation of the cylinder 4, which is elastically deformable in the vertical direction, is suppressed, and the operating head 5 can be returned to the upper end position (second position) used during use.

[0064] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the cylinder 4 biases the operating head 5 upward when the operating head 5 is in the first position. With this configuration, the operating head 5 can be stably positioned in the first position in the initial state, such as during flow.

[0065] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the cylinder 4 has a bellows-like shape with peaks 30a and valleys 30b arranged alternately in the vertical direction, and the peaks 30a and valleys 30b form a spiral that circulates around the container axis. With this configuration, the bellows-like shape of the cylinder 4, which forms a spiral, enhances the recovery performance of the cylinder 4.

[0066] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the container body 2 is equipped with a support portion 20 that supports the lower end of the cylinder 4 and a mounting cap 3 that is attached to the mouth portion 2a of the container body 2 and holds the support portion 20 so that it can move vertically. The mounting cap 3 has an outside air inlet 90 that allows communication between the inside and outside of the container body 2, and the support portion 20 has a sealing portion 21 that blocks communication between the inside and outside of the container body 2 through the outside air inlet 90 when the operating head 5 is in a first position, and allows such communication while the operating head 5 moves from the first position to a second position. With this configuration, in this case, when the operating head 5 is restricted in the first position (upper position), the sealing portion 21 blocks communication between the inside and outside of the container body 2 through the outside air inlet 90. Therefore, leakage of the contents of the container body 2 from the outside air inlet 90 during distribution is suppressed. When the operating head 5 is pressed from the first position (upper) to the second position (lower) during use, the sealing portion 21 allows communication between the inside of the container body 2 and the outside through the outside air intake portion 90. This allows outside air to be drawn into the container body 2 when the contents are dispensed during use.

[0067] It should be noted that 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.

[0068] For example, the nozzle operating section 60 does not necessarily have to be rotatable relative to the head base 50 (cylinder 4) around the container axis O. For example, the nozzle operating section 60 and the head base 50 may be integrally formed. Furthermore, the shape, number, and arrangement of the locking claw 81, the first restricting section 71, and the second restricting section 72 are not limited to this embodiment, and it is sufficient if the upper end position of the operating head 5 can be restricted in two stages.

[0069] Furthermore, for example, the second restricting portion 72 may be formed to be able to move over the locking claw 81 upwards. For example, the user may move the operating head 5 from the second position to the first position by pulling it upwards from the second position. This reduces further wear of the cylinder 4, even if it is not used for a long period of time after use, and also allows for the reattachment of the stopper if one is to be installed.

[0070] 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-described modifications may be combined as appropriate.

[0071] Examples of the present invention are as follows: <1> The container body in which the contents are contained, A cylinder that can communicate with the container body and is elastically deformable in the vertical direction, An operating head is attached to the upper end of the cylinder and has a discharge hole that can communicate with the inside of the cylinder, A first restricting unit that restricts the upward movement of the operating head at a first position in the vertical direction, It has a second restricting section that restricts the upward movement of the operating head at a second position below the first position in the vertical direction, and allows the operating head to move from the first position to the second position, The cylinder biases the operating head upward when the operating head is in the second position. Discharge container. <2> The cylinder biases the operating head upward when the operating head is in the first position. The aforementioned <1> The discharge container described above. <3> The cylinder has a bellows-like shape with peaks and valleys arranged alternately in the vertical direction. The aforementioned peaks and valleys form a spiral that revolves around the container axis. The aforementioned <1> or <2> The discharge container described above. <4> A support portion that supports the lower end of the cylinder, The container body is fitted with a mounting cap that is attached to the mouth of the container body and holds the support portion so that it can move in the vertical direction, The aforementioned mounting cap is formed with an outside air inlet that allows communication between the inside and outside of the container body. The support portion is formed with a sealing portion that, when the operating head is in the first position, blocks communication between the inside of the container body and the outside through the outside air intake portion, and allows the communication while the operating head moves from the first position to the second position. The aforementioned <1> from <3> A dispensing container as described in any one of the following. [Explanation of symbols]

[0072] 1…Discharge container, 2…Container body, 2a…Mouth, 3…Mounting cap, 4…Cylinder, 5…Operating head, 5a…Discharge hole, 6…Head regulating part, 7…Pipe, 8…Poppet valve, 11…Cap outer cylinder, 12…Cap first inner cylinder, 12a…Sliding wall, 12b…Air groove, 13…Cap top wall, 13a…Sealing material, 14…Cap connecting part, 14a…Air hole, 15…Cap second inner cylinder, 16…Guide cylinder, 16a…Stop, 20…Support part, 21…Seal part, 22…Inner cylinder, 23…Connecting part, 24…First valve seat, 24a…First communication hole, 25…Fitting cylinder, 27…Check valve, 30…Cylinder body, 30 a... Peak section, 30b... Valley section, 31... Lower end section, 31a... Flange, 33... Upper end section, 50... Head base section, 50a... Second communication hole, 51... Head outer cylinder section, 51a... Convex section, 51b... Annular step section, 52... Head first inner cylinder section, 53... Head first connecting section, 54... Head second inner cylinder section, 54a... Recess, 55... Head second connecting section, 56... Second valve seat, 60... Nozzle operating section, 61... Nozzle, 62... Top wall section, 63... Peripheral wall section, 64... Sliding cylinder, 64a... Annular projection, 65... Longitudinal rib, 70... Flow path hole, 71... First regulating section, 72... Second regulating section, 81... Locking claw, 81a... Top surface, 81b... Bottom surface, 90... Outside air introduction section, O... Container shaft

Claims

1. The container body in which the contents are contained, A cylinder that can communicate with the container body and is elastically deformable in the vertical direction, An operating head is attached to the upper end of the cylinder and has a discharge hole that can communicate with the inside of the cylinder, A first restricting unit that restricts the upward movement of the operating head at a first position in the vertical direction, It has a second restricting section that restricts the upward movement of the operating head at a second position below the first position in the vertical direction, and allows the operating head to move from the first position to the second position, The cylinder biases the operating head upward when the operating head is in the second position. Discharge container.

2. The cylinder biases the operating head upward when the operating head is in the first position. The discharge container according to claim 1.

3. The cylinder has a bellows-like shape with peaks and valleys arranged alternately in the vertical direction. The aforementioned peaks and valleys form a spiral that revolves around the container axis. The discharge container according to claim 1 or 2.

4. A support portion that supports the lower end of the cylinder, The container body is fitted with a mounting cap that is attached to the mouth of the container body and holds the support portion so that it can move in the vertical direction, The aforementioned mounting cap is formed with an outside air inlet that allows communication between the inside and outside of the container body. The support portion is formed with a sealing portion that, when the operating head is in the first position, blocks communication between the inside of the container body and the outside through the outside air intake portion, and allows the communication while the operating head moves from the first position to the second position. The discharge container according to claim 1 or 2.

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