Quiz Bottle

Abstract

To provide a squeeze bottle which can achieve both a gradual rough adjustment of a discharge amount and a continuous minute fine adjustment of the discharge amount, and whose squeeze part also has a vacuum absorption function.SOLUTION: A container body 23 has a plurality of squeeze parts 25 and 26 in different positions in an axial direction of the container body as distribution means 24 for distributing a content in the container body, each of the squeeze parts 25 and 26 has a different resistance force against a pressing pressure applied to the container body during squeezing, and a discharge amount changes depending on a deformation amount of the container body 23 due to the pressing pressure, the resistance force of the small quantity squeeze part 25 is set to be larger than the resistance force of the large quantity squeeze part 26, the distribution means 24 is configured such that the discharge amount discharged during squeezing by the small amount squeeze part 25 is smaller than the discharge amount discharged during squeezing by the large amount squeeze part 26.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a squeeze bottle for squeezing out contents inside a container, and pertains to a technology that contributes to the adjustment of the discharge amount. BACKGROUND ART

[0002] Conventionally, this type of bottle includes one described in Patent Document 1. This is a multi-faced panel type plastic container for filling juice and the like, which prevents deformation caused by temperature changes. This plastic container has a squeezable panel and a vacuum panel formed on its side wall. The squeezable panel is formed on two surfaces at symmetrical positions via the axis of the container, and has a recessed portion formed of a curved surface. The vacuum panel is formed on two surfaces at symmetrical positions via the axis of the container, is a flexible panel, responds to temperature changes, and has a structure that prevents the occurrence of twisting and the like of the container.

[0003] The one described in Patent Document 2 is a fixed-quantity discharge squeeze container that squeezes and deforms the container main body to discharge a predetermined amount of content liquid from a discharge port. The container main body is provided with squeeze operation parts for performing squeeze operation at at least two positions. Each squeeze operation part consists of a squeezing surface part and a squeezing support part. In the cross-sectional shape of the container main body, the squeezing surface part does not have a mountain-shaped cross section, and a pair of inclined surface parts are arranged to intersect at an obtuse intersection angle. The squeezing support part includes an arc-shaped cross-section portion, and the arc-shaped cross-section portion is integrally joined to the skirt portion of the mountain-shaped cross section of the squeezing surface part via a ridgeline part.

[0004] When the top of the squeezing surface part is squeezed, the squeeze operation part deforms so that the intersection angle of the pair of inclined surface parts of the squeezing surface part increases, and spreads the interval between the skirt portions of the mountain-shaped cross sections on both sides at the ridgeline part of the squeezing support part. Furthermore, after the inclined surface parts are deformed until the spreading force disappears, the squeezing surface part is regulated so as not to reverse into a valley shape. For this reason, this is a fixed-quantity discharge squeeze container in which the squeeze deformation amount of the container main body due to the squeeze operation does not vary. In addition, the two squeeze operation parts have different squeeze deformation amounts caused by the squeeze operation. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] US2007 / 0090083 [Patent Document 2] Patent No. 5624838 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0006] Conventional squeeze bottles allow users to adjust the amount of liquid dispensed by varying the pressure applied during squeezing, thus relying on the user's control over the amount of force applied. Because the amount dispensed changes continuously from small to large, it was difficult for users to precisely adjust the amount to their desired level.

[0007] Furthermore, in a quantitative dispensing squeeze container equipped with at least two squeeze operation sections to prevent variations in the amount of squeeze deformation of the container body due to the squeeze operation, the dispensing volume changed in stages, making fine adjustment of the dispensing volume difficult.

[0008] Furthermore, in squeeze bottles, there is a conflict between the optimal squeezeability for dispensing the contents during use and the vacuum strength required for filling the contents during manufacturing. Prioritizing squeezeability reduces vacuum strength, making vacuum deformation more likely when the contents are heat-filled. This has resulted in limitations on the filling temperature.

[0009] Furthermore, when a vacuum absorption panel is provided as a means to prevent deformation due to reduced pressure caused by the heat filling of the contents, the vacuum absorption panel is placed separately from the squeeze section within the limited area of ​​the container's side surface. This creates a conflict between securing the area required for the squeeze section and securing the area required for the vacuum absorption panel, which becomes a design constraint.

[0010] The present invention aims to solve the above problems by providing a squeeze bottle that enables both gradual, rough adjustment of the discharge volume and continuous, fine adjustment of the discharge volume, while also having a squeeze section that incorporates a vacuum absorption function. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] To achieve the above objective, the squeeze bottle according to the present invention has a cap on the mouth of the container body, the cap has a discharge hole communicating with the mouth of the container, the container body has a plurality of squeeze parts that form a distribution means for distributing the contents inside the container body, the plurality of squeeze parts are arranged at different positions in the axial direction of the container body, each squeeze part has the shape of a panel recessed radially inward of the container body, and the pressing pressure applied radially to the container body during squeezing This causes deformation in the container body, and the compressive force and the resistance force of the panel that cause the same amount of deformation in the container body differ at each squeeze point. The amount of deformation of the container body due to pressing pressure differs according to the resistance of the panel, and the amount of deformation of the container body and the amount of discharge change continuously according to the pressing pressure during squeezing, and the amount of resistance of the small-volume squeeze section on one side in the axial direction of the container body is set to be greater than the resistance of the large-volume squeeze section on the other side, thereby configuring a distribution means in which the amount of discharged when the small-volume squeeze section is squeezed is less than the amount of discharged when the large-volume squeeze section is squeezed.

[0012] In the squeeze bottle according to the present invention, The small squeeze area is The discharge volume adjustment means is characterized by operating within a discharge volume adjustment range smaller than the discharge volume adjustment range of the large-volume squeeze section.

[0013] In the squeeze bottle according to the present invention, each squeeze portion is Panel It is characterized by having different resistance forces depending on the difference in rigidity.

[0014] In the squeeze bottle according to the present invention, each squeeze portion is By varying the length of the axial span of the container body, panels with different resistance forces are formed, and the small squeeze section is, It is characterized by having panels with a shorter span in the axial direction of the container body compared to the panels in the large-volume squeeze section.

[0015] The squeeze bottle according to the present invention is characterized in that the panel of the small-volume squeeze portion and the panel of the large-volume squeeze portion have the same recess depth toward the radially inner side of the container body.

[0016] In the squeeze bottle according to the present invention, each squeeze portion By varying the thickness of the panels, panels with different resistance forces are formed, and the small squeeze area is, is characterized by being formed of a panel thicker than the panel of the large-volume squeeze portion.

[0017] The squeeze bottle according to the present invention is characterized in that the panel of the small-volume squeeze portion and the panel of the large-volume squeeze portion have different panel areas, and the small-volume squeeze portion has a panel area smaller than the panel area of the large-volume squeeze portion.

[0018] The squeeze bottle according to the present invention is characterized in that, in the container body, the panels of the respective squeeze portions are located symmetrically with respect to the axis of the container body, and each panel also serves as a reduced pressure absorption panel.

[0019] The squeeze bottle according to the present invention is characterized in that the small-volume squeeze portion and the large-volume squeeze portion are arranged at positions in series in the axial direction of the container body, or are arranged at different positions around the axis of the container body.

[0020] The squeeze bottle according to the present invention is characterized in that the container body has an annular rib extending around the axis of the container body at a position separating the small-volume squeeze portion and the large-volume squeeze portion in the axial direction of the container body. Advantageous Effects of the Invention

[0021] With the above configuration, the drag force of the small-volume squeeze portion is larger than the drag force of the large-volume squeeze portion, and a distribution means is provided in which the discharge amount discharged when the small-volume squeeze portion is squeezed is smaller than the discharge amount discharged when the large-volume squeeze portion is squeezed, and the discharge amount of each squeeze portion changes according to the deformation amount of the container body, so that both stepwise rough adjustment of the discharge amount and continuous fine adjustment of a minute discharge amount can be achieved at the same time.

[0022] That is, regardless of the user's applied force, by selecting the squeezing portion, the discharge amount changes stepwise according to the application, and the discharge amount changes continuously in both the small-volume squeezing portion and the large-volume squeezing portion, so the discharge amount can be easily adjusted to the amount intended by the user. Furthermore, since the small-volume squeezing portion constitutes a discharge amount adjusting means that operates within a discharge amount adjustment range smaller than that of the large-volume squeezing portion, highly precise adjustment of a minute discharge amount is enabled.

[0023] In addition, the panels of each squeezing portion are located symmetrically with respect to the axis of the container body, and each panel also serves as a vacuum absorption panel, making it possible to realize a squeeze bottle in which the squeezing portion also has a vacuum absorption function.

[0024] Accordingly, in the squeeze bottle, it is possible to simultaneously achieve the vacuum strength required to prevent vacuum deformation caused by hot filling of the contents and optimal squeezability, and design constraint requirements can be relaxed.

[0025] In addition, the container body has an annular rib separating the small-volume squeezing portion and the large-volume squeezing portion, which can suppress the deformation of the container generated when one squeezing portion is squeezed from affecting the other squeezing portion, improve the independence of the container deformation in each squeezing portion, and enhance the accuracy of discharge amount adjustment by each squeezing portion. [Brief Description of the Drawings]

[0026] [Figure 1] A perspective view from obliquely above showing the container body and the cap of the squeeze bottle according to the embodiment of the present invention [Figure 2] A perspective view from obliquely above showing the squeeze bottle in an opened state according to the same embodiment [Figure 3] A perspective view from obliquely above showing the squeeze bottle in a closed state according to the same embodiment [Figure 4] A side view of the squeeze bottle according to the same embodiment [Figure 5] A rear view of the squeeze bottle according to the same embodiment [Mode for Carrying Out the Invention]

[0027] Hereinafter, embodiments of the squeeze bottle according to the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 5. In Figures 1 to 5, the hinge cap 1 is integrally injection-molded, comprising a cap body 3 that is attached to the mouth 21 of the container 2, and an upper lid portion 6 that is integral with the cap body 3 via a center hinge 4 and side hinges 5.

[0028] The cap body 3 has a main body 7 that surrounds the mouth 21 of the container 2 around the center of the container, and a top surface 8 that covers the opening 22 of the mouth 21. The top surface 8 has a cylindrical dispensing part 9, and the dispensing part 9 has a dispensing hole 10 that connects the inside and outside of the cap body 3. The dispensing part 9 also has a water drain 11 that forms an annular shape around the center of the cap body 3 at the opening edge of the dispensing hole 10.

[0029] The top cover portion 6 has a flange portion 12 on its outer circumferential surface that extends radially outward from the top cover portion 6, and the flange portion 12 is located in the radial direction of the top cover portion 6 opposite the center hinge 4. The top cover portion 6 also has a plug body 13 on its inner surface that is inserted into the discharge hole 10 of the discharge portion 9.

[0030] The cap body 3 has a finger rest 14 on its outer surface at a position corresponding to the flange 12 of the top lid 6.

[0031] The container body 23 of container 2 has a distribution means 24 for distributing the contents inside the container body 23. The distribution means 24 has a plurality of squeeze sections 25, 26. Here, two are shown as an example: a small-volume squeeze section 25 and a large-volume squeeze section 26, but there may be three or more squeeze sections.

[0032] The small squeeze section 25 and the large squeeze section 26 are positioned at different locations in the axial direction of the container body 23. In this case, the small squeeze section 25 is located on one side of the container body 23, closer to the opening 21, while the large squeeze section 26 is located on the other side of the container body 23, closer to the bottom.

[0033] The container body 23 has an annular rib 27 along its axis at a position separating the small squeeze section 25 and the large squeeze section 25 in the axial direction of the container body 23, and the rib 27 is formed by a groove recessed radially inward of the container body 23.

[0034] Each of the squeeze sections 25 and 26 exerts a different resistance to the radial pressure applied to the container body 23 by the user's finger during squeezing. Each of the squeeze sections 25 and 26 acts as a discharge volume adjustment means, where the discharge volume changes according to the amount of deformation of the container body 23 due to the pressure applied. In this case, each of the squeeze sections 25 and 26 forms different resistance forces due to differences in rigidity.

[0035] In other words, the resistance of the small-volume squeeze section 25 located on one side of the container body 23 in the axial direction is set to be greater than the resistance of the large-volume squeeze section 26 located on the other side, and the distribution means 24 is configured such that the amount discharged when the small-volume squeeze section 25 is squeezed is less than the amount discharged when the large-volume squeeze section 26 is squeezed.

[0036] Each of the squeeze sections 25 and 26 is a discharge volume adjustment means that changes the discharge volume according to the amount of deformation of the container body 23 during squeezing, and the small-volume squeeze section 25 is a discharge volume adjustment means that operates within a discharge volume adjustment range smaller than the discharge volume adjustment range of the large-volume squeeze section 26.

[0037] Each of the squeeze sections 25 and 26 has the shape of panels 25a and 26a that are recessed radially inward of the container body 23. The small-volume squeeze section 25 consists of a panel 25a with a shorter span S2 in the axial direction of the container body 23 compared to the span S1 of the panel 26a of the large-volume squeeze section 26. The length of the spans S1 and S2 in the axial direction of the container body 23 determines the panels 25a and 26a with different rigidities. In this embodiment, the panel 25a of the small-volume squeeze section 25 and the panel 26a of the large-volume squeeze section 26 have the same amount of recess L facing radially inward of the container body 23.

[0038] Furthermore, it is possible to make the thickness of panel 25a in the small-volume squeeze section 25 greater than the thickness of panel 26a in the large-volume squeeze section 26, thereby forming panels 25a and 26a with different rigidities due to the difference in their thicknesses.

[0039] Furthermore, another factor determining the squeezeability of each squeeze section 25 and 26 is the length of the panels 25a and 26a in the radial direction of the container body 23, and here, differences in squeezeability are created by adjusting the lengths of these two panels.

[0040] In other words, the panel 25a of the small-volume squeeze section 25 and the panel 26a of the large-volume squeeze section 26 have different panel areas. The small-volume squeeze section 25 has a smaller panel area than the large-volume squeeze section 26, and it is possible to achieve a difference in squeezing ability through this area difference. The large-volume squeeze section 26 has a larger area, which allows for squeezing with less pressing pressure, thus enabling both large and small-volume discharge.

[0041] Furthermore, the container body 23 has panels 25a and 26a of each squeeze section 25 and 26 positioned symmetrically with respect to the axis of the container body 23, and each panel 25a and 26a also serves as a panel for absorbing reduced pressure.

[0042] In this embodiment of the squeeze bottle, the small-volume squeeze section 25 and the large-volume squeeze section 26 are arranged in series along the axial direction of the container body 23. However, it is also possible to arrange them at different positions around the axis of the container body 23, for example, at positions twisted by 90 degrees.

[0043] The operation of the above configuration is described below. In the squeeze bottle according to this embodiment, when squeezing to dispense the contents, the user applies pressure to the squeeze parts 25 and 26 in the radial direction of the container body 23 with their fingers, compressing the container body 23 and dispensing the contents from the discharge hole 10. The user selects the small-volume squeeze part 25 when intending to dispense a small amount, and the large-volume squeeze part 26 when intending to dispense a large amount.

[0044] The dispensing means 24 of the squeeze bottle in this embodiment exhibits a dispensing function in which the resistance force of the small-volume squeeze section 25 is greater than the resistance force of the large-volume squeeze section 26, and the amount dispensed when the small-volume squeeze section 25 is squeezed is less than the amount dispensed when the large-volume squeeze section 26 is squeezed. Furthermore, since the amount dispensed by each squeeze section 25, 26 changes according to the amount of deformation of the container body 23, it is possible to achieve both a stepwise, rough adjustment of the dispensed amount and a continuous, minute adjustment of the dispensed amount.

[0045] In other words, regardless of the force applied by the user, by selecting the squeeze sections 25 and 26, the discharge volume changes in stages according to the application, with the large discharge volume being 2 to 5 times that of the small discharge volume. This difference in discharge volume can be controlled by adjusting the difference in drag, that is, by adjusting the difference in rigidity, wall thickness distribution, area difference, etc.

[0046] Moreover, since the discharge volume changes continuously in both the small-volume squeeze section 25 and the large-volume squeeze section 26, the user can easily adjust it to their desired discharge volume. Furthermore, since the small-volume squeeze section 25 acts as a discharge volume adjustment means operating within a smaller discharge volume adjustment range than that of the large-volume squeeze section 26, it becomes possible to adjust minute discharge volumes with high precision.

[0047] Furthermore, since the panels 25a and 26a of each squeeze section 25 and 26 are positioned symmetrically with respect to the axis of the container body 23, and each panel 25a and 26a also serves as a pressure absorption panel, a squeeze bottle can be realized in which the squeeze sections 25 and 26 also have a pressure absorption function.

[0048] In other words, the panels 25a and 26a absorb the depressurization that occurs when the temperature of the heat-filled contents drops, and when the container is opened, the negative pressure inside the container body 23 is released, causing the panels 25a and 26a to return to their original state.

[0049] Therefore, in a squeeze bottle, it is possible to simultaneously achieve the necessary pressure-reducing strength to prevent deformation caused by heat filling of the contents and optimal squeezeability, thereby relaxing design constraints.

[0050] Furthermore, the container body 23 has an annular rib 27 that separates the small-volume squeeze section 25 and the large-volume squeeze section 26. This prevents deformation of the container body 23 that occurs when squeezing, for example, the small-volume squeeze section 25, from affecting the large-volume squeeze section 26. This improves the independence of deformation of the container body 23 in each squeeze section 25 and 26, and improves the accuracy of adjusting the discharge volume by each squeeze section 25 and 26. [Explanation of symbols]

[0051] 1 cap 2 containers 3. Cap body 4 Center hinge 5. Side hinges 6. Top lid 7 Main body 8 Top section 9 Discharge part 10 Discharge hole 11. Drain 12 Guard section 13 Plug body 14. Recessed area 21 Mouth 22 Aperture 23 Container body 24 Means of distribution 25 Small squeeze section 26 Mass Squeeze Club 25a, 26a panels 27 Ribs S1, S2 span

Claims

1. The container body has a cap at the opening. The cap has a dispensing hole that communicates with the opening of the container. The container body has multiple squeeze sections that serve as distribution means for distributing the contents within the container body, and the multiple squeeze sections are arranged at different positions in the axial direction of the container body. Each squeeze section has the shape of a panel recessed radially inward of the container body, and the pressing pressure applied radially to the container body during squeezing causes deformation of the container body. The pressing pressure that causes the same amount of deformation to the container body and the resistance force of the panel differ in each squeeze section, and the amount of deformation of the container body due to the pressing pressure differs according to the resistance force of the panel, thus providing a discharge volume adjustment means in which the amount of deformation of the container body and the discharge volume change continuously according to the pressing pressure during squeezing. A squeeze bottle characterized by configuring a distribution means such that the resistance of a small-volume squeeze section on one side in the axial direction of the container body is set to be greater than the resistance of a large-volume squeeze section on the other side, so that the amount dispensed when the small-volume squeeze section is squeezed is less than the amount dispensed when the large-volume squeeze section is squeezed.

2. The squeeze bottle according to claim 1, characterized in that the small-volume squeeze section is a discharge volume adjustment means that operates within a discharge volume adjustment range smaller than the discharge volume adjustment range of the large-volume squeeze section.

3. The squeeze bottle according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that each squeeze section has a different resistance force depending on the difference in panel rigidity.

4. The squeeze bottle according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that each squeeze section forms panels with different resistance forces depending on the length of the span in the axial direction of the container body, and the small-volume squeeze section consists of panels with a shorter span in the axial direction of the container body compared to the panels of the large-volume squeeze section.

5. The squeeze bottle according to claim 4, characterized in that the panel for the small squeeze section and the panel for the large squeeze section have the same amount of recess facing radially inward of the container body.

6. A squeeze bottle according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that each squeeze section forms panels with different resistance due to differences in panel thickness, and the small-volume squeeze section consists of panels that are thicker than the panels in the large-volume squeeze section.

7. A squeeze bottle according to any one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that the panel of the small squeeze section and the panel of the large squeeze section have different panel areas, and the panel of the small squeeze section has a smaller panel area than the panel area of ​​the large squeeze section.

8. The squeeze bottle according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the container body has panels for each squeeze section positioned symmetrically with respect to the axis of the container body, and each panel also serves as a panel for absorbing reduced pressure.

9. A squeeze bottle according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the small squeeze section and the large squeeze section are arranged in series in the axial direction of the container body, or at different positions around the axis of the container body.

10. The squeeze bottle according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the container body has an annular rib along the axis of the container body at a position separating the small squeeze section and the large squeeze section in the axial direction of the container body.

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