Dispensing container

Abstract

The dispensing vessel comprises a vessel, a cap assembly, a tube assembly, an actuator assembly, and a suction space. The tube assembly is axially movable relative to the cap assembly between a default position and a dispensing preparation position; in the default position, the tube sheet is far from the bottom of the cap assembly, and in the dispensing preparation position, the tube sheet is adjacent to the bottom of the cap assembly; the actuator assembly is axially movable relative to the cap assembly between a bias stop position and a pressurized position, the pressurized position is closer to the vessel than the bias stop position, and the volume of the suction space at the pressurized position is smaller than the volume at the bias stop position.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a dispensing container for dispensing stored liquid contents. Background Technology

[0002] Dispensing containers that use a dropper mechanism to dispense liquid contents are commonly found on the market. However, operating a dropper mechanism requires several steps, including: first, removing the lid of the container and immersing the bottom of the dropper in the container until it touches the liquid contents; pressing the rubber bulb of the dropper to draw the liquid contents into the inside of the rubber bulb; releasing the rubber bulb to discharge the liquid contents from inside the rubber bulb onto the user's skin; and finally, closing the lid back on the container. This operation is not only inconvenient but also time-consuming. The problem to be solved

[0003] Taking into account the aforementioned disadvantages of the prior art, the objective of the present invention is to provide a dispensing container that is easy to operate. means of solving the problem

[0004] To realize the above purpose, the present invention provides a dispensing container, wherein the dispensing container comprises: a container for receiving liquid contents; a cap assembly detachably coupled to an opening of the container; a tube assembly comprising a tube sheet movably received within the cap assembly and a tube extending into the container from a lower end of the tube sheet; an actuator assembly comprising an actuator and a piston fixedly coupled to the actuator and movably received within the tube sheet; and a suction space formed within the tube assembly and located between the piston and the lower end of the tube sheet; wherein the tube assembly is axially movable with respect to the cap assembly between a default position and a dispensing preparation position; wherein, in the default position, the tube sheet is far from the lower end of the cap assembly, and in the dispensing preparation position, the tube sheet is adjacent to the lower end of the cap assembly; In the default position, the lower end of the tube sheet is restricted by a first position limiting device so that it no longer moves toward the lower end of the cap assembly, the piston is positioned in a non-suction position relative to the tube sheet, and the suction space has a first volume; in the distribution preparation position, the lower end of the tube sheet is restricted by a second position limiting device so that it no longer moves toward the lower end of the cap assembly, the piston is positioned in a suction position relative to the tube sheet, and the suction space has a second volume; the suction position is further from the lower end of the tube sheet than the non-suction position, and the second volume is larger than the first volume; the actuator assembly is axially movable relative to the cap assembly between a bias stop position and a pressurized position, the pressurized position is closer to the container than the bias stop position, and the volume of the suction space at the pressurized position is smaller than the volume at the bias stop position.

[0005] Preferably, the cap assembly comprises a compression spring having a first stage and a second stage; the first stage of the compression spring is configured to abut the actuator assembly to deflect the actuator assembly to the bias stop position; and the second stage of the compression spring is configured to abut the tube assembly to deflect the tube assembly to the distribution preparation position.

[0006] Preferably, the second position limiting device comprises a third position limiting member protruding radially from the outer surface of the tube sheet and a fourth position limiting member installed in the cap assembly; at the distribution preparation position, the third position limiting member contacts the fourth position limiting member so as not to move further toward the lower portion of the cap assembly; the third position limiting member is in the form of a flange protruding radially from the outer surface of the tube sheet; the second end of the compression spring contacts the third position limiting member protruding radially from the outer surface of the tube sheet; the first position limiting device comprises a first position limiting member formed by the lower portion of the tube sheet and a second position limiting member formed by the upper portion of the opening; and the lower portion of the tube sheet contacts the upper portion of the opening to prevent the tube sheet from moving further toward the lower portion of the cap assembly.

[0007] Preferably, the tube is configured to have a certain length such that when the tube assembly is in the default position, the lower end of the tube is located at a position adjacent to the lower end of the container.

[0008] Preferably, the cap assembly comprises an outer cap having a first hollow interior and an inner cap fixedly coupled to the lower end of the first hollow interior of the outer cap and having a threaded inner surface to be threaded into the opening of the container; and the fourth position limiting member is formed at the upper edge of the inner cap.

[0009] Preferably, the actuator is in the form of a tubular button having a second hollow interior; and the first end of the compression spring contacts the top of the second hollow interior.

[0010] Preferably, the opening is in the form of a threaded neck at the top of the container.

[0011] Preferably, a wiper is provided at the opening of the container, and the wiper has an inner wall that is mounted in close contact with the outer surface of the tube. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0012] FIG. 1 is an exploded view of one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is another exploded view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the tube assembly of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 when it is in the default position. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the tube assembly of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 when it is positioned at the dispensing preparation position and the cap assembly is partially joined to the container. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the tube assembly of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 when it is positioned in a dispensing preparation position and the cap assembly is completely separated from the container. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0013] As illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 5, the dispensing container (100) of the present embodiment includes a container (1), a cap assembly (2), a tube assembly (3), and an actuator assembly (4).

[0014] The container (1) is configured to contain liquid contents, such as cosmetics. The container (1) has an opening (11). In the above embodiment, the opening (11) is in the form of a threaded neck at the top portion of the container (1).

[0015] The cap assembly (2) is detachably joined to the opening (11) of the container (1). In the above embodiment, the cap assembly (2) is joined to the opening (11) of the container (1) by a screw mechanism. In other embodiments not illustrated, the cap assembly (2) may be joined to the opening (11) of the container (1) through another mechanism (e.g., a buckle mechanism). The cap assembly (2) includes an outer cap (21) and an inner cap (22). The outer cap (21) has a first hollow interior (211). The inner cap (22) is fixedly joined to the lower end of the first hollow interior (211) of the outer cap (21) and has a threaded inner surface (221) installed so as to be threaded into the threaded neck-shaped opening (11) of the container (1).

[0016] The tube assembly (3) includes a tube sheet (31) and a tube (32). The tube sheet (31) is movably received within the cap assembly (2). The tube (32) extends from the lower end of the tube sheet (31) into the container (1).

[0017] The actuator assembly (4) includes an actuator (41) and a piston (42). The piston (42) is fixedly coupled to the actuator (41) and is movably accommodated within the tube sheet (31). Within the tube assembly (3), a suction space (5) is formed between the piston (42) and the lower end of the tube sheet (31).

[0018] The tube assembly (3) is axially movable between a default position and a distribution preparation position relative to the cap assembly (2). As illustrated in FIG. 3, when the tube assembly (3) is in the default position, the tube sheet (31) is located at a position far from the bottom of the cap assembly (2). As illustrated in FIG. 5, when the tube assembly (3) is in the distribution preparation position, the tube sheet (31) is located at a position adjacent to the bottom of the cap assembly (2). As illustrated in FIG. 3, when the tube assembly (3) is in the default position, the bottom of the tube sheet (31) is restricted from moving further toward the bottom of the cap assembly (2) by a first position limiting device (6), the piston (42) is located in a non-suction position relative to the tube sheet (31), and the suction space (5) has a first volume. As illustrated in FIG. 5, when the tube assembly (3) is in the dispensing ready position, the lower end of the tube sheet (31) is restricted from moving further toward the lower end of the cap assembly (2) by the second position limiting device (7), the piston (42) is positioned in the suction position relative to the tube sheet (31), and the suction space (5) has a second volume. The suction position is further from the lower end of the tube sheet (31) than the non-suction position. The second volume is larger than the first volume. In the above embodiment, the first position limiting device (6) includes a first position limiting member (61) formed by the lower end of the tube sheet (31) and a second position limiting member (62) formed by the upper end of the opening (11) (i.e., the upper edge of the opening (11)). The second position limiting device (7) includes a third position limiting member (71) protruding radially from the outer surface of the tube sheet (31) in the form of a flange, and a fourth position limiting member (72) in the form of the upper edge of the inner cap (22) (the inner cap is installed within the cap assembly (2)). Additionally, the tube (32) is configured to have a certain length so that when the tube assembly (3) is in the default position, the lower end of the tube (32) is positioned adjacent to the lower end of the container (1).

[0019] The actuator assembly (4) is axially movable with respect to the cap assembly (2) between a bias stop position and a pressurized position. The pressurized position is closer to the container (1) than the bias stop position. The volume of the suction space (5) at the pressurized position is smaller than at the bias stop position.

[0020] A compression spring (8) is installed within the cap assembly (2), and the compression spring has a first stage (81) and a second stage (82). The first stage (81) of the compression spring (8) is configured to contact the actuator assembly (4) to deflect the actuator assembly (4) to a bias stop position. In the above embodiment, the actuator (41) is in the form of a tubular button having a second hollow interior (411). The first stage (81) of the compression spring (8) contacts the top of the second hollow interior (411). The second stage (82) of the compression spring (8) is configured to contact the tube assembly (3) to deflect the tube assembly (3) to a distribution preparation position. In the above embodiment, the second stage (82) of the compression spring (8) contacts a third position limiting member (71) in the form of a flange of the tube assembly (3).

[0021] In the above embodiment, a wiper (9) is installed in the opening (11) of the container (1). The wiper (9) has an inner wall (91) that is mounted in close contact with the outer surface (321) of the tube (32).

[0022] The operation of the dispensing container (100) of the present embodiment is as follows:

[0023] Initially, the cap assembly (2) is completely joined to the opening (11) of the container (1). More specifically, the threaded inner surface (221) of the inner cap (22) of the cap assembly (2) is threaded into the threaded neck-shaped opening (11) of the container (1) to completely cover the opening. When the tube assembly (3) is in the default position, the tube sheet (31) is far from the bottom of the cap assembly (2). In the default position, the first position limiting member (61) formed by the lower end of the tube sheet (31) contacts the second position limiting device (62) formed by the upper end of the opening (11) (i.e., the upper edge of the opening (11)) (in the above embodiment, since the wiper (9) is assembled to the opening (11) of the container (1), the upper edge of the wiper (9) is interposed between the two), thereby restricting the lower end of the tube sheet (31) from moving further toward the lower end of the cap assembly (2), the piston (42) is positioned in a non-suction position relative to the tube sheet (31), and the suction space (5) has a first volume. Additionally, the lower end of the tube (32) is positioned adjacent to the lower end of the container (1).

[0024] When a user wishes to withdraw liquid contents from the container (1), the user rotates the cap assembly (2) from the opening (11) of the container (1) to open it and separates the cap assembly (2) from the container (1). When the cap assembly (2) is separated from the opening (11) of the container (1) and moves upward, the first position limiting member (61) formed by the lower end of the tube sheet (31) moves downward relative to the cap assembly (2) by the compression spring (8) until it reaches the second position limiting member (62) formed by the upper end of the opening (11) (i.e., the upper edge of the opening (11)), after which the lower end of the tube sheet (31) moves downward relative to the cap assembly (2) when the cap assembly (2) is partially joined to the opening (11) of the container (1); Subsequently, when a third position limiting member (71) in the form of a flange protruding radially from the outer surface of the tube sheet (31) comes into contact with a fourth position limiting member (72) in the form of an upper edge of the inner cap (22), the lower end of the tube sheet (31) is restricted from moving further toward the lower end of the cap assembly (2); at this time, the tube assembly (3) reaches a dispensing preparation position, and the cap assembly (2) is subsequently completely separated from the container (1). When the actuator (41) is not operated, the position of the piston (42) relative to the cap assembly (2) is fixed, so the downward movement of the tube sheet (31) relative to the cap assembly (2) changes the position of the piston (42) relative to the tube sheet (31) from a non-suction position to a suction position further away from the bottom of the tube sheet (31), and accordingly, the volume of the suction space (5) increases from a first volume to a second volume, so that the liquid contents in the container (1) are sucked into the suction space (5).

[0025] When the user needs to apply liquid contents to the skin, the user presses the actuator (41) downward to operate the actuator assembly (4), causing the piston (42) to move downward along the tube sheet (31) from the bias stop position to the pressurized position; accordingly, the volume of the suction space (5) is reduced, and the liquid contents previously sucked into the suction space (5) are discharged to the user's skin through the tube (32). When the user stops the pressurization of the actuator (41), the actuator (41) is deflected by the compression spring (8) and returns to the bias stop position.

[0026] After the user applies the liquid contents to the skin, when the cap assembly (2) is turned back to close the opening (11) of the container (1), the tube assembly (3) moves downward toward the opening (11) of the container (1), and the tube assembly (3) moves from the dispensing preparation position to the default position, at which time the lower end of the tube sheet (31) is restricted from moving further toward the lower end of the cap assembly (2) through the first position limiting device (6), and the cap assembly (2) is completely joined to the opening (11) of the container (1). When the actuator (41) is not operated, the position of the piston (42) relative to the cap assembly (2) is fixed, so the upward movement of the tube sheet (31) relative to the cap assembly (2) changes the position of the piston (42) relative to the tube sheet (31) from the suction position to a non-suction position closer to the lower end of the tube sheet (31), and accordingly, the volume of the suction space (5) is reduced to the first volume.

[0027] Through the present invention, the operation of the dispensing container (100) becomes convenient. When the user separates the cap assembly (2) from the container (1), the liquid contents inside the container (1) are automatically sucked into the suction space (5), so there is no need to tilt the dropper tube to insert it into the container and press the rubber bulb of the dropper tube, as with a conventional dropper bottle. The user can directly operate the actuator assembly (4) to dispense the liquid contents onto the skin.

[0028] In addition, since the route by which the tube assembly (3) moves from the default position to the distribution preparation position is fixed by the first position limiting device (6) and the second position limiting device (7), whenever the user separates the cap assembly (2) from the container (1), a fixed volume of liquid contents sucked from the container (1) into the suction space (5) can be guaranteed, thereby enabling accuracy of the volume.

[0029] Additionally, when the tube assembly (3) is in the default position, the lower end of the tube (32) is positioned adjacent to the lower end of the container (1), so that the tube (32) can continuously draw liquid contents from the lower end of the container (1) into the suction space (5), thereby ensuring that there is no residue or waste of liquid contents within the container (1).

[0030] It should be understood that the above embodiments are exemplary embodiments of the present invention and that the present invention is not limited to the described embodiments. All changes, modifications, replacements, combinations, and simplifications provided that they do not deviate from the essence and principles of the present invention shall be regarded as equivalent alternative embodiments and likewise fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

Claim 1 A dispensing container comprises: a container for receiving liquid contents; a cap assembly detachably joined to an opening of the container; a tube assembly including a tube sheet movably received within the cap assembly and a tube extending from a lower end of the tube sheet into the container; an actuator assembly having an actuator and a piston fixedly coupled to the actuator and movably received within the tube sheet; and a suction space formed within the tube assembly and located between the piston and the lower end of the tube sheet; wherein the tube assembly is axially movable with respect to the cap assembly between a default position and a dispensing preparation position; wherein, in the default position, the tube sheet is far from the lower end of the cap assembly, and in the dispensing preparation position, the tube sheet is adjacent to the lower end of the cap assembly; wherein, in the default position, the lower end of the tube sheet is restricted by a first position limiting device so as not to move further toward the lower end of the cap assembly, the piston is located in a non-suction position with respect to the tube sheet, and the suction space has a first volume; A dispensing container characterized in that, at the dispensing preparation position, the lower portion of the tube sheet is restricted by a second position limiting device so as not to move further toward the lower portion of the cap assembly, the piston is positioned at a suction position relative to the tube sheet, and the suction space has a second volume; the suction position is further from the lower portion of the tube sheet than the non-suction position, and the second volume is larger than the first volume; the actuator assembly is axially movable relative to the cap assembly between a bias stop position and a pressurized position, the pressurized position is closer to the container than the bias stop position, and the volume of the suction space at the pressurized position is smaller than the volume at the bias stop position. Claim 2 A distribution container according to claim 1, wherein the compression spring having a first stage and a second stage is provided within the cap assembly; the first stage of the compression spring is configured to contact the actuator assembly to bias the actuator assembly to the bias stop position; and the second stage of the compression spring is configured to contact the tube assembly to bias the tube assembly to the distribution preparation position. Claim 3 A distribution container according to claim 2, wherein the second position limiting device comprises a third position limiting member protruding radially from the outer surface of the tube sheet and a fourth position limiting member installed in the cap assembly; and wherein, when the tube assembly is in the distribution preparation position, the third position limiting member contacts the fourth position limiting member so as not to move further toward the lower portion of the cap assembly. Claim 4 A distribution container according to paragraph 3, wherein the third position limiting member is in the form of a flange protruding radially from the outer surface of the tube sheet. Claim 5 A distribution container according to paragraph 3, wherein the second end of the compression spring contacts the third position limiting member protruding radially from the outer surface of the tube sheet. Claim 6 A dispensing container according to paragraph 2, wherein the first position limiting device comprises a first position limiting member formed by the lower end of the tube sheet and a second position limiting member formed by the upper end of the opening; and wherein, when the tube assembly is in the default position, the lower end of the tube sheet contacts the upper end of the opening, thereby preventing the tube sheet from moving further toward the lower end of the cap assembly. Claim 7 A distribution container according to claim 1, wherein the tube has a certain length such that when the tube assembly is in the default position, the lower end of the tube is located in a position adjacent to the lower end of the container. Claim 8 A dispensing container according to claim 1, wherein the cap assembly comprises: an outer cap having a first hollow interior; and an inner cap fixedly coupled to the lower end of the first hollow interior of the outer cap and having a threaded inner surface to be threadedly coupled to the opening of the container. Claim 9 A dispensing container according to claim 8, wherein the second position limiting device comprises a third position limiting member protruding radially from the outer surface of the tube sheet and a fourth position limiting member installed within the cap assembly; when the tube assembly is in the dispensing preparation position, the third position limiting member contacts the fourth position limiting member so as not to move further toward the lower portion of the cap assembly; and the fourth position limiting member is formed at the upper edge of the inner cap. Claim 10 A distribution container according to paragraph 2, wherein the actuator is in the form of a tubular button having a second hollow interior; and the first end of the compression spring contacts the upper end of the second hollow interior. Claim 11 A distribution container according to claim 1, characterized in that the opening is in the form of a threaded neck at the top portion of the container. Claim 12 A distribution container according to claim 1, wherein a wiper is installed within the opening of the container; and the wiper has an inner wall mounted in close contact with the outer surface of the tube.

Images