Application container

Abstract

To discharge a sufficient amount of content liquid to a part to be coated from the beginning of pushing a coating plug to the part to be coated.SOLUTION: A coating container is such that: a coating part 24 and a base part 23 are provided in a coating plug 13; a circulation path X is provided between an outer peripheral surface of the coating part and an inner peripheral surface of a discharge hole 15; the coating part is formed of a material softer than a material forming the base part; the base part is provided with a plate part 25 having front and rear surfaces facing the vertical direction, and a support projection 26 extending upward from the plate part and fitted into the coating part; the upper surface of the plate part is provided with an annular seal part 13a which is abutted on an opening peripheral edge part of the discharge hole 15 in an inner surface of an inside plug 12 so as to be downward separated, and blocks communication between the circulation path and a container body 11; the support projection is provided in a part positioned in the inside in the radial direction than the annular seal part in the top surface of the plate part; and a vertical directional clearance gap communicated to the circulation path and capable of storing content liquid is provided between the part positioned in the inside in the radial direction than the annular seal part in the top surface of the plate part, and a lower end opening edge of the coating part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an application container.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, as shown in Patent Document 1 below, there is known an application container including a bottomed cylindrical container body having a mouth part, a middle plug attached to the mouth part and having a discharge hole communicating with the inside of the container body, and an application plug inserted into the discharge hole so as to be movable downward in an upwardly biased state.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In this type of application container, there has been room for improvement in discharging a sufficient amount of the content liquid onto the application part from the beginning when the application plug is pressed against the application part.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide an application container capable of discharging a sufficient amount of the content liquid onto the application part from the beginning when the application plug is pressed against the application part.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] A coating container according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a bottomed cylindrical container body having a mouth, a stopper fitted to the mouth and having a discharge hole formed therein that communicates with the inside of the container body, and a coating stopper inserted into the discharge hole so as to be movable downward in an upward biased state, wherein the coating stopper comprises a topped cylindrical coating portion inserted into the discharge hole and a base portion that supports the coating portion, a flow passage for the liquid contents inside the container body to flow between the outer circumferential surface of the coating portion and the inner circumferential surface of the discharge hole, the coating portion is made of a material softer than the material forming the base portion, and the base portion comprises a plate portion whose front and back surfaces face in the vertical direction, The container is provided with a support projection extending upward from the plate portion and fitted into the coating portion, and an annular sealing portion is provided on the upper surface of the plate portion that abuts toward the peripheral edge of the opening of the discharge hole on the inner surface of the inner stopper so as to be able to move toward the lower side toward the outer lower end opening edge of the coating portion, and a vertical gap is provided between the portion of the upper surface of the plate portion that is located radially inward from the annular sealing portion and the lower end opening edge of the coating portion that is in communication with the flow passage and can store the contents.

[0007] A vertical gap (hereinafter referred to as the storage space) is provided between the portion of the upper surface of the plate located radially inward from the annular seal portion and the lower end opening edge of the coating portion, allowing the liquid contents to be stored in a space that communicates with the flow passage. As a result, from the moment the top wall of the coating portion is pressed against the surface to be coated, not only the liquid contents of the flow passage but also the liquid contents of the storage space are discharged. This makes it easier to discharge a sufficient amount of liquid contents onto the surface to be coated from the moment the top wall of the coating portion is pressed against the surface to be coated. Furthermore, if the radial size of the flow passage is simply increased without providing a storage space, there is a risk that a large amount of the liquid contents inside the container body may flow out onto the surface to be coated when the top wall of the coating section is pressed against the surface to be coated and the flow passage and the inside of the container body are kept in communication.

[0008] In the coating portion, a flange portion is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the portion that protrudes upward from the discharge hole, protruding radially outward and extending continuously along the entire length in the circumferential direction. A vertical hole is formed in the flange portion, penetrating in the vertical direction, and the vertical hole may face the flow passage in the vertical direction.

[0009] A vertical hole is formed in the flange portion, and since the vertical hole is opposite the flow passage in the vertical direction, the liquid contents inside the container body are discharged through the flow passage and the vertical hole. As a result, even if the flange portion comes into contact with or comes close to the opening edge of the discharge hole on the outer surface of the inner stopper when the coating stopper moves downward, the liquid contents can be smoothly discharged to the area to be coated.

[0010] Multiple protrusions projecting upward are formed on the top wall of the coated portion at intervals in the circumferential direction, and in a longitudinal cross-sectional view passing through the circumferential center of the protrusion, the inner surface facing inward in the radial direction extends radially outward as it goes upward, and the gradient of the inner surface may be smaller than the gradient of the outer surface facing radially outward.

[0011] The application portion is made of a softer material than the material forming the base, and multiple protrusions projecting upward are formed on the top wall of the application portion at circumferential intervals. Therefore, when applying the liquid to the surface to be coated, the protrusions made of the soft material are pressed against the surface to be coated, thereby enhancing the massage effect on the surface to be coated. In a longitudinal cross-sectional view passing through the circumferential center of the projection, the inner surface facing radially inward extends radially outward as it moves upward, and the gradient of the inner surface is smaller than the gradient of the outer surface facing radially outward. Therefore, when the projection is pressed against the surface to be coated, it is possible to suppress the projection from tilting radially inward. This makes it possible to suppress the elastic deformation of the circumferential wall of the coating area in response to the tilting of the projection when the projection is pressed against the surface to be coated, and prevents, for example, the vertical movement of the coating stopper or fluctuations in the flow path cross-sectional area of ​​the flow passage when the liquid contents are discharged.

[0012] A recess may be formed on the upper surface of the top wall of the coated portion, in a portion located radially inward from the projection.

[0013] Since a recess is formed on the upper surface of the top wall of the coating portion, in a portion located radially inward from the protrusion, even though the protrusion tends to tilt radially inward when pressed against the coating portion, the tilting of the protrusion is suppressed as described above, resulting in a remarkable effect. If the gate position for injection molding the coated portion is set at a location radially inward from the protrusion on the upper surface of the top wall of the coated portion, the coated portion can be easily molded. Furthermore, if a recess is formed at the gate position, even if burrs are generated at the gate position, the burrs are less likely to come into contact with the coated portion. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] According to the above embodiment of the present invention, a sufficient amount of liquid can be dispensed onto the surface to be coated from the moment the coating stopper is pressed against the surface to be coated. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0015] [Figure 1] This is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a coating container according to one embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 1 is a top view of the coated area. [Figure 3] Figure 1 is a bottom view of the coated area. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0016] An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. As shown in Figure 1, the coating container 1 according to this embodiment comprises a container body 11, an inner stopper 12, a coating stopper 13, and a cap 14.

[0017] The container body 11 is formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape having a mouth portion 11b and a bottom portion, and the middle plug 12, the application plug 13, and the cap 14 are formed in a toped cylindrical shape. The container body 11, the middle plug 12, the application plug 13, and the cap 14 are arranged coaxially with the common axis O. Hereinafter, the side of the mouth portion 11b of the container body 11 along the common axis O is referred to as the upper side, the side of the bottom portion of the container body 11 along the common axis O is referred to as the lower side, and the direction along the common axis O is referred to as the vertical direction. The direction intersecting the common axis O as viewed from the vertical direction is referred to as the radial direction, and the direction orbiting around the common axis O as viewed from the vertical direction is referred to as the circumferential direction.

[0018] On the outer peripheral surface of the mouth portion 11b of the container body 11, a fitting protrusion 11c and a male screw portion 11d are provided in this order from above downward. The middle plug 12 is undercut-fitted to the fitting protrusion 11c, whereby the middle plug 12 is attached to the mouth portion 11b. The cap 14 is detachably screwed to the male screw portion 11d. Note that the cap 14 may be detachably fitted to the mouth portion 11b, or the cap 14 may be detachably attached to the middle plug 12.

[0019] The middle plug 12 is formed in a toped cylindrical shape having a top wall 21 and a peripheral wall 22. The peripheral wall 22 is undercut-fitted to the fitting protrusion 11c. The top wall 21 is formed in an annular shape and is arranged coaxially with the common axis O. The top wall 21 is placed on the upper end opening edge of the mouth portion 11b. On the inner peripheral edge portion of the top wall 21, a discharge cylinder 16 protruding upward is formed. Among the discharge cylinder 16, the diameter of the upper portion is smaller than the diameter of the lower portion. The inside of the upper portion of the discharge cylinder 16 communicates with the inside of the container body 11 and serves as a discharge hole 15 through which the content liquid is discharged. On the inner peripheral edge portion of the top wall 21, a seal cylinder 21b protruding downward and liquid-tightly fitted into the mouth portion 11b is formed.

[0020] The application plug 13 is inserted into the discharge hole 15 so as to be movable downward in an upwardly biased state. The application plug 13 includes a toped cylindrical application portion 24 inserted into the discharge hole 15 and a base portion 23 that supports the application portion 24. A flow passage X through which the content liquid in the container body 11 flows is provided between the outer peripheral surface of the application portion 24 and the inner peripheral surface of the discharge hole 15.

[0021] The base portion 23 includes an annular plate portion 25 whose front and back surfaces face in the vertical direction, and a toped cylindrical support protrusion 26 that extends upward from the inner peripheral edge portion of the plate portion 25. The plate portion 25 and the support protrusion 26 are arranged coaxially with the common axis O.

[0022] A first recess 26a is formed at the radially central portion on the upper surface of the top wall of the support protrusion 26. The first recess 26a is arranged coaxially with the common axis O. An annular seal portion 13a is provided on the upper surface of the plate portion 25 so as to be detachably abutted downward against the opening peripheral edge portion 12a of the discharge hole 15 on the inner surface of the middle plug 12, and to block the communication between the flow passage X and the inside of the container body 11. The annular seal portion 13a is provided at a portion of the upper surface of the plate portion 25 that is located radially outside the support protrusion 26. The annular seal portion 13a is provided at the outer peripheral edge portion on the upper surface of the plate portion 25. The annular seal portion 13a abuts against the inner surface of a stepped portion 16a that connects the upper and lower portions of the discharge cylinder 16 and extends radially inward as it goes upward. The lower surface of the plate portion 25 is supported by a spring member 27 that upwardly biases the application plug 13. In the illustrated example, the spring member 27 is formed integrally with the plate portion 25. The spring member 27 extends downward from the outer peripheral edge portion on the lower surface of the plate portion 25. The lower end portion of the spring member 27 is locked to the seal cylinder 21b of the middle plug 12. Note that the spring member 27 may be separate from the plate portion 25.

[0023] The application portion 24 is formed of a material that is softer than the material forming the base portion 23. For example, when the base portion 23 is formed of a hard resin material such as polypropylene, the application portion 24 is formed of a relatively soft material such as low-density polyethylene, an elastomer, or silicone rubber.

[0024] The coating portion 24 is formed in a top-shaped cylindrical form having a top wall and a circumferential wall, and is fitted and fixed onto the support projection 26 of the base portion 23. The lower surface of the top wall of the coating portion 24 is supported by the upper surface of the top wall of the support projection 26. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, a plurality of projections 17 projecting upward are formed on the top wall of the coating portion 24 at intervals in the circumferential direction. In a longitudinal section view passing through the circumferential center of the projection 17, the inner surface 17a facing radially inward extends radially outward as it goes upward, and the slope of the inner surface 17a is smaller than the slope of the outer surface 17b facing radially outward. In a longitudinal section view passing through the circumferential center of the projection 17, the outer surface 17b of the projection 17 extends radially inward as it goes upward. In the longitudinal section view, the outer surface 17b of the projection 17 may extend straight in the vertical direction. A second recess (recess) 24c is formed on the upper surface of the top wall of the coating portion 24, in a portion located radially inward from the projection 17. The second recess 24c is arranged coaxially with the common axis O. The inner diameter of the second recess 24c is larger than the inner diameter of the first recess 26a of the support projection 26.

[0025] The outer circumferential surface of the peripheral wall of the coating section 24 is in contact with or close to the inner circumferential surface of the discharge hole 15. As shown in Figures 1 and 3, multiple vertical grooves 24b extending in the vertical direction are formed on the outer circumferential surface of the peripheral wall of the coating section 24, spaced apart in the circumferential direction. Three vertical grooves 24b are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. The vertical grooves 24b open at the lower end opening edge of the peripheral wall of the coating section 24.

[0026] The radial size of the flow passage X and the circumferential size (width) of the longitudinal groove 24b are designed to ensure that when the projection 17 is pressed against the area to be coated for 1 second, more than half of the liquid content of the flow passage X is discharged. For example, the viscosity and other physical properties of the liquid content, the wettability of the material forming the coating area 24, and the wettability of the material forming the inner stopper 12 are considered to be the same. For example, the radial size of the flow passage X is 0.4 mm to 0.7 mm. The amount of liquid discharged when the projection 17 is pressed against the area to be coated for 1 second is set as appropriate, and may be adjusted, for example, based on the sum of the internal volume of the flow passage X and the internal volume of the storage space Y, which will be described later.

[0027] A vertical gap (hereinafter referred to as storage space Y) is provided between the lower end opening edge of the peripheral wall of the coating section 24 and the portion of the upper surface of the plate section 25 located radially inward from the annular seal section 13a, which is in communication with the flow passage X and capable of storing the contents. The storage space Y is connected to the lower end opening of the vertical groove 24b. The storage space Y is connected over the entire radial area of ​​the lower end opening of the flow passage X. The storage space Y extends continuously over the entire length in the circumferential direction. The storage space Y protrudes radially inward from the flow passage X. The storage space Y has the inner circumferential surface of the discharge hole 15 as part of its inner surface.

[0028] A flange portion 32 is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the portion of the coating section 24 that protrudes upward from the discharge hole 15, projecting radially outward and extending continuously along its entire circumferential length. The flange portion 32 is provided at the upper end of the coating section 24. The lower surface of the flange portion 32 is a flat surface.

[0029] A vertical hole 32a is formed in the flange portion 32, extending vertically. The vertical hole 32a is provided across the entire radial area of ​​the flange portion 32. Multiple vertical holes 32a (four in the illustrated example) are provided at intervals in the circumferential direction. The vertical hole 32a faces the flow passage X in the vertical direction. The vertical hole 32a faces the peripheral opening of the discharge hole 15 on the outer surface of the inner plug 12 in the vertical direction. The lower end opening of the vertical hole 32a faces the upper end opening of the discharge cylinder 16 in the vertical direction and is connected to the upper end opening of the vertical groove 24b.

[0030] Of the inner surfaces of the vertical hole 32a, the inner end surface located at the radial inner end and facing radially outward extends radially outward as it extends upward. The upper end of the inner end surface of the vertical hole 32a is located at the same radial position as the lower end of the outer surface 17b of the projection 17. The lower end of the inner end surface of the vertical hole 32a is vertically connected to the upper end of the inner end surface located at the radial inner end of the vertical groove 24b and facing radially outward. The circumferential size of the vertical hole 32a is smaller than the circumferential size of the vertical groove 24b. In the illustrated example, of the three vertical grooves 24b, two vertical holes 32a are opened in one vertical groove 24b, and one vertical hole 32a is opened in each of the remaining two vertical grooves 24b.

[0031] The cap 14 is formed in a top-shaped cylindrical form having a top wall portion 28 that covers the coating stopper 13 from above. A female threaded portion 29a is formed on the inner surface of the peripheral wall portion 29 of the cap 14. The female threaded portion 29a is screwed into the male threaded portion 11d of the mouth portion 11b of the container body 11. The cap 14 is equipped with a sealing cylinder 31 that extends downward from the top wall portion 28. The sealing cylinder 31 is located radially inside the peripheral wall portion 29 and surrounds the coating plug 13 and the discharge cylinder 16 from radially outside. The lower end opening edge of the sealing cylinder 31 is in liquid-tight contact with the upper surface of the top wall 21 of the inner plug 12. The lower end of the sealing cylinder 31 is connected to the portion of the inner circumferential surface of the peripheral wall portion 29 of the cap 14 that is located above the female thread portion 29a.

[0032] As described above, in the coating container 1 according to this embodiment, a storage space Y is provided between the portion of the upper surface of the plate portion 25 located radially inward from the annular seal portion 13a and the lower end opening edge of the coating portion 24, which is in communication with the flow passage X and capable of storing the liquid contents. Therefore, from the moment the projection 17 is pressed against the area to be coated, not only the liquid contents of the flow passage X but also the liquid contents of the storage space Y are discharged. This makes it easier to discharge a sufficient amount of liquid contents onto the area to be coated from the moment the projection 17 is pressed against the area to be coated. Furthermore, if the storage space Y is not provided and the radial size of the flow passage X is simply increased, there is a risk that when the projection 17 is pressed against the area to be coated and the flow passage X and the inside of the container body 11 are kept in communication, a large amount of the liquid contents inside the container body 11 may flow out onto the area to be coated.

[0033] A vertical hole 32a is formed in the flange portion 32, and since the vertical hole 32a is opposite the flow passage X in the vertical direction, the liquid contents inside the container body 11 are discharged through the flow passage X and the vertical hole 32a. As a result, even if the flange portion 32 comes into contact with or comes close to the opening edge of the discharge hole 15 on the outer surface of the inner stopper 12 when the coating stopper 13 moves downward, the liquid contents can be smoothly discharged to the area to be coated.

[0034] The coating portion 24 is made of a softer material than the material forming the base portion 23, and multiple protrusions 17 projecting upward are formed on the top wall of the coating portion 24 at circumferential intervals. Therefore, when applying the liquid to the area to be coated, the protrusions 17 made of the soft material are pressed against the area to be coated, thereby enhancing the massage effect on the area to be coated. In a longitudinal cross-sectional view passing through the circumferential center of the projection 17, the inner surface 17a facing radially inward extends radially outward as it goes upward, and the slope of the inner surface 17a is smaller than the slope of the outer surface 17b facing radially outward. Therefore, when the projection 17 is pressed against the surface to be coated, it is possible to suppress the projection 17 from tilting radially inward. This makes it possible to suppress the elastic deformation of the circumferential wall of the coating section 24 in response to the tilting of the projection 17 when the projection 17 is pressed against the surface to be coated, and prevents, for example, the vertical movement of the coating stopper 13 from being hindered or the flow path cross-sectional area of ​​the flow path X from fluctuating when the liquid contents are discharged.

[0035] Since a second recess 24c is formed on the upper surface of the top wall of the coating portion 24 in a portion located radially inward from the projection 17, even though the projection 17 tends to tilt radially inward when pressed against the coating portion, the tilting of the projection 17 is suppressed as described above, thus providing a remarkable effect. If the portion of the top wall of the coating portion 24 located radially inward from the projection 17 is used as the gate position when injection molding the coating portion 24, the coating portion 24 can be easily molded. Furthermore, if a second recess 24c is formed at the gate position, even if burrs are generated at the gate position, the burrs are less likely to come into contact with the coating portion.

[0036] Furthermore, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[0037] For example, it is not necessary to form a protrusion 17 on the top wall of the coating portion 24. On the upper surface of the top wall of the coating portion 24, the second recess 24c may not be formed in the portion located radially inward from the projection 17, and this portion may be made flat. It is not necessary to form a vertical hole 32a in the flange portion 32 of the coating portion 24, nor is it necessary to form a flange portion 32 on the coating portion 24. It is not necessary to form vertical grooves 24b on the outer surface of the peripheral wall of the coated portion 24. It is not necessary to form a discharge pipe 16 on the top wall 21 of the inner plug 12.

[0038] Furthermore, without departing from the spirit of the present invention, the components in the above embodiments may be replaced with well-known components as appropriate, and the above embodiments and modifications may be combined as appropriate. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0039] 1. Application container 11 Container body 11b Mouth 12 Inner stopper 13. Applicator plug 13a Annular seal portion 14 caps 15 Discharge hole 17 Protrusion 17a Inner surface 17b External surface 23 Base 24 Coating area 24c Second recess (recess) 25 Board part 26 Support protrusion 32 Flange section 32a vertical hole X Distribution path Y storage space

Claims

1. A cylindrical container body with a bottom and an opening, An inner stopper is fitted to the opening and has a discharge hole formed therein that communicates with the inside of the container body, The system comprises a coating plug inserted into the discharge hole so as to be movable downward while biased upward, The aforementioned coating plug has, The top cylindrical coating part inserted into the discharge hole, The system includes a base that supports the coating portion, A flow passage is provided between the outer circumferential surface of the coating portion and the inner circumferential surface of the discharge hole, through which the liquid contents inside the container body flow. The coating portion is formed of a material softer than the material forming the base portion. The base portion is provided with a plate portion whose front and back surfaces face in the vertical direction, and a support projection that extends upward from the plate portion and is fitted into the coating portion. An annular sealing portion is provided on the upper surface of the plate portion, which abuts toward the peripheral edge of the opening of the discharge hole on the inner surface of the inner stopper so as to be able to move away from it toward downward, thereby blocking communication between the flow passage and the inside of the container body. The support projection is provided on the upper surface of the plate portion, in a portion located radially inward from the annular seal portion. A coating container wherein a vertical gap is provided between the upper surface of the plate portion located radially inward from the annular sealing portion and the lower end opening edge of the coating portion, and the gap is in communication with the flow passage and allows for the storage of the liquid contents.

2. Of the coating portion, a flange portion is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the portion that protrudes upward from the discharge hole, protruding radially outward and extending continuously along the entire length in the circumferential direction. A vertical hole is formed in the flange portion, which penetrates in the vertical direction. The coating container according to claim 1, wherein the vertical hole is opposite the flow passage in the vertical direction.

3. Multiple protrusions projecting upward are formed on the top wall of the coating portion, spaced apart in the circumferential direction. The coating container according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, in a longitudinal cross-sectional view passing through the circumferential center of the projection, the inner surface facing radially inward extends radially outward as it extends upward, and the gradient of the inner surface is smaller than the gradient of the outer surface facing radially outward.

4. The coating container according to claim 3, wherein a recess is formed on the upper surface of the top wall of the coating portion in a portion located radially inward from the projection.

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