Discharge cap and container

Abstract

A discharge cap that is attached to a mouth section of a container so as to block the mouth section, said discharge cap having: a cylindrical section, the axial direction of which is the opening direction of the mouth section; an operation section that is provided within the cylindrical section so as to be able to move in the axial direction; and a communication section that is provided side by side with the cylindrical section and communicates the inside and outside of the container, wherein the communication section has, in one end section, a discharge port for discharging stored contents that are stored in the container, and when the operation section moves through the inside of the cylindrical section in a first direction of being pushed into the mouth section while the discharge port is facing downward, pressure is applied from inside the container toward the discharge port via the communication section.

Description

Discharge cap and container

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

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a discharge container in which when an operation of pushing downward a pressing portion made of an elastically deformable member with a finger or a hand is performed, the elastically deformable member is deformed to pressurize the inside of the container, and the content is discharged from the discharge port.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2022-156009

[0004] However, in a case where the content is discharged from the discharge port by performing an operation of pushing downward a pressing portion made of an elastically deformable member with a finger or a hand, it is difficult to adjust the discharge amount of the content, and if the pressing force due to the deformation of the elastically deformable member is high, the discharged content will spill from the hand.

[0005] Further, for example, in a container that houses cosmetics, it may not be preferable to give a cheap impression. However, as described above, in a case where the pressing portion for discharging the content from the discharge port is constituted by an elastically deformable member and the content is discharged by deforming the pressing portion, it is difficult to say that it does not give a cheap impression.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a discharge cap and a container that are easy to adjust the discharge amount of the contained substance, enable gentle discharge, and are difficult to give a cheap impression.

[0007] In order to achieve the above object, the discharge cap of the present invention is a discharge cap attached to the mouth portion of a container so as to close the mouth portion, and includes a cylindrical portion having the opening direction of the mouth portion as an axial direction, an operation portion provided movably in the axial direction within the cylindrical portion, and a communication portion provided in parallel with the cylindrical portion and communicating the inside and outside of the container. The communication portion has a discharge port at one end for discharging the contained substance accommodated in the container. When the operation portion moves in a first direction in which the operation portion can be pushed into the mouth portion within the cylindrical portion with the discharge port facing downward, pressure is applied from the inside of the container toward the discharge port through the communication portion.

[0008] In the present invention configured as described above, when an operating part, which is movable in the axial direction of the cylindrical part within the cylindrical part with the opening direction of the container's mouth as its axial direction, moves in a first direction in which the discharge port is pushed into the mouth with the discharge port facing downward, pressure is applied from inside the container toward the discharge port provided at one end of the communicating part, which is provided in parallel with the cylindrical part and connects the inside and outside of the container, and as a result the contents contained in the container are discharged from the discharge port. In this way, because the contents contained in the container are discharged from the discharge port by the movement of the operating part within the cylindrical part, the amount of contents discharged is easy to adjust, a gentle discharge is possible, and a cheap impression is less likely to be given.

[0009] Furthermore, the operating part may be provided so as to be movable within the cylindrical part in the axial direction while ensuring airtightness between it and the inner surface of the cylindrical part.

[0010] In this configuration, the operating part can be moved within the cylindrical part while ensuring airtightness between the operating part and the inner surface of the cylindrical part.

[0011] Furthermore, the operating section may be configured to have an elastic member in the portion facing the inner surface of the cylindrical portion to ensure airtightness between it and the inner surface of the cylindrical portion.

[0012] In this configuration, an elastic member can be used to ensure airtightness between the operating part and the inner surface of the cylindrical part.

[0013] Furthermore, the operating part may be biased in a second direction opposite to the first direction.

[0014] In this configuration, when the force that moves the operating part in the first direction is no longer applied, the operating part can be returned to its original position.

[0015] Alternatively, the device may have an opening / closing member that is configured to move within the communication section as the operating section moves in the axial direction, and which closes the discharge port when the operating section is not moving in the first direction, and opens the discharge port when the operating section moves in the first direction.

[0016] In this configuration, when the operating unit is not moving in the first direction, it is possible to prevent the contents contained in the container from leaking out of the discharge port.

[0017] Furthermore, the communication portion may be configured to have a holding surface around the discharge port for holding the contents discharged from the discharge port.

[0018] In this configuration, the contents discharged from the discharge port can be temporarily held by the holding surface.

[0019] Furthermore, the holding surface may be formed such that the discharge port is recessed.

[0020] In this configuration, the contents discharged from the outlet are more easily held by the holding surface.

[0021] Furthermore, the operating section may have an operating surface at its end in a second direction opposite to the first direction, and the operating surface may be curved toward the first direction.

[0022] In this configuration, it becomes easier to press the operating surface with your finger when moving the operating part in the first direction.

[0023] Alternatively, the container may have the discharge cap attached to the opening.

[0024] According to the present invention, in a discharge cap and container for dispensing contents contained within a container, the amount of contents dispensed can be easily adjusted, a gentle dispensing is possible, and a cheap impression can be avoided.

[0025] This is an external perspective view showing the discharge cap attached to the container in the first embodiment. This is a partially enlarged view showing the discharge cap shown in Figure 1 attached to the container. This is an external perspective view of the discharge cap shown in Figures 1 and 2. This is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A in Figure 2. This is a diagram showing the operating surface in the state when it is pressed down in the cross-sectional view taken along line A-A in Figure 2. This is an external perspective view showing the discharge cap attached to the container in the second embodiment. This is a partially enlarged view showing the discharge cap shown in Figure 6 attached to the container. This is an external perspective view of the discharge cap shown in Figures 6 and 7. This is a cross-sectional view taken along line D-D in Figure 7. This is a diagram showing the operating surface in the state when it is pressed down in the cross-sectional view taken along line D-D in Figure 7.

[0026] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0027] (First Embodiment) <Description of Configuration> Figure 1 is an external perspective view showing the discharge cap attached to the container in the first embodiment. Figure 2 is a partially enlarged view showing the discharge cap 1 shown in Figure 1 attached to the container 2. Figure 3 is an external perspective view of the discharge cap 1 shown in Figures 1 and 2. Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A in Figure 2.

[0028] As shown in Figures 1 to 4, the discharge cap 1 in this embodiment is attached by being fitted onto the mouth 2a of the container 2. The outer circumferential surface of the mouth 2a of the container 2 has threads 2b formed thereon for attaching a cap member (not shown) that covers the mouth 2a when the discharge cap 1 is attached to the mouth 2a.

[0029] The discharge cap 1 has a cylindrical portion 20 with both ends open, with the opening direction of the mouth portion 2a (up and down direction in the figure) as the axial direction. The cylindrical portion 20 may have an upper cylindrical portion 21 and a lower cylindrical portion 22 that are continuous in the axial direction. In that case, the diameter of the upper cylindrical portion 21 and the diameter of the lower cylindrical portion 22 may be different, and the diameter of the upper cylindrical portion 21 may be larger than the diameter of the lower cylindrical portion 22. The discharge cap 1 has a support plate portion 23 at the end of the upper cylindrical portion 21 opposite to the lower cylindrical portion 22. The support plate portion 23 is a disc shape with a diameter larger than the upper cylindrical portion 21 and the lower cylindrical portion 22, and may have a part of it missing.

[0030] An operating part 10 is located inside the cylindrical part 20, and the operating part 10 is movable in a first direction (downward in the figure) as it is pushed into the opening 2a inside the cylindrical part 20. The operating part 10 has an operating surface 11 at the end in a second direction (upward in the figure), which is opposite to the first direction. The operating surface 11 is for pressing with a finger or the like when moving the operating part 110 in the first direction, as will be described later. Therefore, if a part of it is curved toward the first direction, it becomes easier to press the operating surface 11 with a finger. Furthermore, if a part of the support plate 23 is missing as described above, and the part of the operating surface 11 adjacent to the part that is curved and tilted downward (in the first direction) is missing, the support plate 23 will not come into contact with the finger when the operating surface 11 is pressed with a finger, making it easier to press the operating surface 11 with a finger.

[0031] The operating section 10 has a movable shaft 17 located below the operating surface 11, that is, a movable shaft 17 that is continuous with respect to the operating surface 11 in a first direction. The movable shaft 17 is an axis that extends in the axial direction of the cylindrical section 20, and moves within the cylindrical section 20 in the first direction when the operating surface 11 is pressed down.

[0032] An annular airtight member 12 is attached to the end of the movable shaft 17 opposite to the operating surface 11. The airtight member 12 is movable along with the movable shaft 17 in the axial direction of the cylindrical portion 20. The airtight member 12 is made of an elastic material, and two contact portions 12a and 12b facing the inner surface of the cylindrical portion 20 are provided along the outer circumference of the airtight member 12. Because the airtight member 12 is made of an elastic material, the positions of the outer ends of the contact portions 12a and 12b can be changed toward the movable shaft 17 by external force. As a result, the movable shaft 17 moves inside the cylindrical portion 20 while these two contact portions 12a and 12b are pressed against the inner surface of the cylindrical portion 20 by their elastic force. As a result, the operating unit 10 has an elastic member in the portion facing the inner surface of the cylindrical portion 20 to ensure airtightness between it and the inner surface of the cylindrical portion 20, and is provided so as to be movable within the cylindrical portion 20 in the axial direction of the cylindrical portion 20 while ensuring airtightness between it and the inner surface of the cylindrical portion 20.

[0033] A stopper 13 is attached to the end of the movable shaft 17 opposite to the operating surface 11. The stopper 13 abuts against the airtight member 12 and is fitted into the end of the movable shaft 17 opposite to the operating surface 11. This prevents the airtight member 12 from falling off the movable shaft 17 when the movable shaft 17 moves inside the cylindrical portion 20.

[0034] The fastener 13 is connected to the opening / closing member 15 via a connecting portion 16 on the opposite side of the movable shaft 17. The opening / closing member 15 is arranged to move in a first direction within the communication passage 31 of the communication portion 30, which will be described later, and opens and closes the discharge port 32 at its tip.

[0035] Furthermore, a coil-shaped spring 40 is arranged around the outer circumferential surface of the movable shaft 17. One end of the spring 40 is fixed to the spring fixing part 14 of the operating part 10, and the other end is fixed to the spring fixing part 24 of the cylindrical part 20. The spring 40 may be made of metal or resin. As a result, the operating part 10 is biased in the second direction.

[0036] The discharge cap 1 has a communication portion 30 parallel to the cylindrical portion 20. Part of the communication portion 30 may be covered by the upper cylindrical portion 21. The communication portion 30 has a communication passage 31 with both ends open, thereby connecting the inside and outside of the container when the discharge cap 1 is attached to the container 2. The communication passage 31 extends in the axial direction of the cylindrical portion 20, and one end of the communication passage 31 is an open discharge port 32. The discharge port 32 is positioned adjacent to the operating surface 11 of the operating section 10. The area around the discharge port 32 may have a holding surface 33 for holding the contents discharged from the discharge port 32. Furthermore, in such a configuration, as shown in Figure 3, the holding surface 33 may be configured so that the discharge port 32 is recessed, making it easier to hold the contents discharged from the discharge port 32. The end of the communication passage 31 opposite to the discharge port 32 is an open communication port 34. As a result, the contents contained in container 2 can enter the communication passage 31 through the communication opening 34.

[0037] An opening / closing member 15, which is continuous with the stopper 13 of the operating unit 10, is inserted into the connecting passage 31. The opening / closing member 15 may have the same length as the connecting passage 31, and when the operating surface 11 is not pressed, it contacts the discharge port 32 to close the discharge port 32, and when the operating surface 11 is pressed, it moves away from the discharge port 32 to open the discharge port 32.

[0038] The discharge cap 1, configured in this way, is attached and held in place so as to close the opening 2a, with the outer diameter of the upper cylindrical portion 21 being approximately equal to the inner diameter of the opening 2a. At the same time, the diameter of the support plate portion 23 is larger than the inner diameter of the opening 2a, so that the support plate portion 23 catches on the upper surface of the opening 2a and is held in place so as not to fall into the opening 2a.

[0039] <Explanation of operation during use> The operation of the discharge cap 1 configured as described above will be explained below.

[0040] The container 2, to which the discharge cap 1 is attached, contains a fluid, such as cosmetics. The contents are then dispensed from the discharge port 32 by pressing the operating surface 11 with a finger or the like.

[0041] First, the operation in the state where the operation surface 11 is not pressed will be described.

[0042] In the state where the operation surface 11 is not pressed, the operation unit 10 has not moved in the first direction in which it is pushed into the mouth portion 2a.

[0043] At this time, the discharge cap 1 is attached and held so as to close the mouth portion 2a because the outer diameter of the upper cylindrical portion 21 is substantially equal to the inner diameter of the mouth portion 2a, and airtightness between the discharge cap 1 and the mouth portion 2a is ensured. Also, as described above, the two contact portions 12a and 12b of the airtight member 12 of the operation unit 10 are pressed against the inner surface of the cylindrical portion 20 by their elastic force, so that airtightness inside the container 2 through the airtight member 12 is ensured. Therefore, only the discharge port 32 becomes the portion communicating the inside and outside of the container 2. However, since the diameter of the discharge port 32 is not large, the contents stored in the container 2 will not be discharged from the discharge port 32 even if the container 2 is turned upside down so that the discharge port 32 faces downward.

[0044] Also, in the state where the operation surface 11 is not pressed, as shown in FIG. 4, the end portion of the opening / closing member 15 abuts against the discharge port 32, thereby closing the discharge port 32. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the contents stored in the container 2 from leaking from the discharge port 32 in the state where the operation unit 10 has not moved in the first direction.

[0045] Next, the operation in the state where the operation surface 11 is pressed will be described.

[0046] FIG. 5 is a view showing the state where the operation surface 11 is pressed in the cross-sectional view taken along the line A - A shown in FIG. 2.

[0047] In order to discharge the contents from the discharge port 32 for use, first, the container 2 with the discharge cap 1 attached is placed in an upside-down inverted state. When the operation surface 11 is pressed by a finger with the discharge port 32 facing downward, as shown in FIG. 5, the moving shaft 17 moves in the first direction (the direction of arrow B in FIG. 5) in which it is pushed into the mouth portion 2a. Since the operation portion 10 is arranged to be movable in the axial direction of the cylindrical portion 20 within the cylindrical portion 20, when the operation surface 11 is pressed by a finger, the moving shaft 17 can move in the first direction in which it is pushed into the mouth portion 2a.

[0048] At that time, a coiled spring 40 is arranged around the outer peripheral surface of the moving shaft 17. One end of the spring 40 is fixed to the spring fixing portion 14 of the operation portion 10, and the other end is fixed to the spring fixing portion 24 of the cylindrical portion 20. Therefore, when the moving shaft 17 moves in the first direction in which it is pushed into the mouth portion 2a, the spring 40 contracts.

[0049] Here, an airtight member 12 is attached to the moving shaft 17, and the moving shaft 17 moves within the cylindrical portion 20 while the contact portions 12a and 12b of the airtight member 12 are pressed against the inner surface of the cylindrical portion 20. Thereby, while the operation portion 10 is configured to be movable within the cylindrical portion 20, the airtightness between the operation portion 10 and the inner surface of the cylindrical portion 20 is ensured, and it is possible to avoid the leakage of the contents from between the operation portion 10 and the inner surface of the cylindrical portion 20. At that time, by using an elastic member as the airtight member 12, the airtightness between the operation portion 10 and the inner surface of the cylindrical portion 20 can be ensured using the elastic member.

[0050] Also, a stopper 13 is attached to the tip of the moving shaft 17 on the side opposite to the operation surface 11. Therefore, when the moving shaft 17 moves in the first direction in which it is pushed into the mouth portion 2a, the stopper 13 also moves in the first direction. And when the airtight member 12 moves in the first direction together with the stopper 13, a greater pressure is applied to the inside of the container 2 compared to the state where the operation surface 11 is not pressed. This pressure is applied to the entire inside of the container 2, and the pressure is also applied to the discharge port 32 via the communication portion 30.

[0051] As the operating unit 10 moves in the first direction, being pushed into the opening 2a within the cylindrical portion 20, pressure is applied from inside the container 2 towards the discharge port 32 via the communication portion 30.

[0052] Furthermore, as described above, the opening / closing member 15 is continuous with the stopper 13 via the connecting portion 16. Therefore, when the movable shaft 17 moves in the first direction, which is pushed into the opening portion 2a, the opening / closing member 15 also moves in the first direction, as shown in Figure 5. As a result, the end of the opening / closing member 15 that was blocking the discharge port 32 when the operating surface 11 was not pressed moves away from the discharge port 32, thereby opening the discharge port 32.

[0053] In this way, when pressure is applied from inside the container 2 towards the discharge port 32 via the communication section 30 with the discharge port 32 open, the contents contained in the container 2 enter the communication passage 31 through the communication port 34 and are discharged from the discharge port 32 in the direction C in Figure 5.

[0054] As described above, in this embodiment, with the discharge port 32 facing downwards, when the operating part 10, which is provided to be movable in the axial direction of the cylindrical part 20, moves in a first direction in which it is pushed into the opening of the mouth 2a of the container 2, pressure is applied from inside the container 2 toward the discharge port 32 via the communication part 30, which is provided in parallel with the cylindrical part 20 and connects the inside and outside of the container 2, and as a result the contents contained in the container 2 are discharged from the discharge port 32. In this way, the contents contained in the container 2 are discharged from the discharge port 32 by the movement of the operating part 10 inside the cylindrical part 20, making it easy to adjust the amount of contents discharged and allowing for gentle discharge, thus avoiding a cheap impression.

[0055] Furthermore, compared to typical dispenser types, the number of parts is reduced, lowering manufacturing costs and enabling a compact design similar to a container with a stopper. In addition, since the dispensing cap 1 is attached by fitting it onto the mouth 2a of the container 2, there is no need for a screw-engagement structure between the cap 1 and the mouth 2a of the container 2.

[0056] Subsequently, when the operating surface 11 is no longer pressed down, the restoring force of the spring 40 causes the operating part 10 to move in a second direction opposite to the first direction, returning it to its original state. In this way, because the operating part 10 is biased in a second direction opposite to the first direction by the spring 40, when the force that would move the operating part 10 in the first direction is no longer applied, the operating part 10 can be returned to its original position.

[0057] Furthermore, a stopper 13 is fitted to the end of the movable shaft 17 opposite to the operating surface 11. Therefore, even if the contact portions 12a and 12b of the airtight member 12 are pressed against the inner surface of the cylindrical portion 20 as the movable shaft 17 moves in the second direction, it is possible to prevent the airtight member 12 from falling off the movable shaft 17.

[0058] Furthermore, the outlet 32 ​​is surrounded by a holding surface 33 for holding the contents discharged from the outlet 32. Therefore, when the contents contained in the container 2 are discharged from the outlet 32, the discharged contents can be temporarily held by the holding surface 33. Also, if the holding surface 33 is formed so as to be recessed around the outlet 32, it becomes easier to hold the contents discharged from the outlet 32 ​​on the holding surface 33. As a result, when the container 2 is returned from an inverted state to an upright state, the contents discharged from the outlet 32 ​​are held on the holding surface 33 and are less likely to flow down the side of the container 2. In addition, the negative pressure generated inside the container 2 when the operating surface 11 is not pressed makes it easier for the contents held on the holding surface 33 to return to the container 2.

[0059] The shape of the discharge port 32 may be circular, rectangular, star-shaped, or any other shape. Furthermore, there may be more than one discharge port 32. In this case, each of the multiple discharge ports may be connected to a separate connecting passage and port, or multiple discharge ports may be connected to a single common connecting passage and port.

[0060] (Second Embodiment) <Description of Configuration> Figure 6 is an external perspective view showing the discharge cap attached to the container in the second embodiment. Figure 7 is a partially enlarged view showing the discharge cap 101 shown in Figure 6 attached to the container 2. Figure 8 is an external perspective view of the discharge cap 101 shown in Figures 6 and 7. Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line D-D in Figure 7.

[0061] As shown in Figures 6 to 9, the discharge cap 101 in this embodiment is attached to the mouth 2a of the container 2. The outer circumferential surface of the mouth 2a of the container 2 has threads 2b formed thereon for attaching a cap member (not shown) that covers the mouth 2a when the discharge cap 1 is attached to the mouth 2a.

[0062] The discharge cap 101 has a cylindrical portion 120 with both ends open, with the opening direction of the mouth portion 2a (up and down direction in the figure) as the axial direction. The cylindrical portion 120 may have an upper cylindrical portion 121 and a lower cylindrical portion 122 that are continuous in the axial direction. In that case, the diameter of the upper cylindrical portion 121 and the diameter of the lower cylindrical portion 122 may be different, and the diameter of the upper cylindrical portion 121 may be larger than the diameter of the lower cylindrical portion 122. The discharge cap 101 has a support plate portion 123 at the end of the upper cylindrical portion 121 opposite to the lower cylindrical portion 122. The support plate portion 123 is disc-shaped and has a diameter larger than that of the upper cylindrical portion 121 and the lower cylindrical portion 122.

[0063] An operating part 110 is located inside the cylindrical part 120, and the operating part 110 is movable in a first direction, being pushed into the opening 2a within the cylindrical part 120. The operating part 110 is cylindrical in shape. The operating part 110 has a donut-shaped operating surface 111 at the end in a second direction (upward in the figure), which is opposite to the first direction (downward in the figure). The operating surface 111 is for pressing down with a finger or the like when moving the operating part 110 in the first direction, as will be described later.

[0064] The operating section 110 has a movable cylinder 117 located below the operating surface 111, that is, continuous with respect to the operating surface 111 in a first direction. The movable cylinder 117 is a cylinder extending in the axial direction of the cylindrical section 120, and moves within the cylindrical section 120 in the first direction when the operating surface 111 is pressed down.

[0065] The end of the movable cylinder 117 opposite to the operating surface 111 is a contact portion 116. An opening / closing member 115 is in contact with the contact portion 116. The opening / closing member 115 is arranged to be movable in a first direction within the communication passage 131 of the communication portion 130, which will be described later, and opens and closes the discharge port 132 at its tip.

[0066] Furthermore, a coil-shaped spring 140 is arranged around the outer surface of the movable cylinder 117. One end of the spring 140 is fixed to the spring fixing part 114 of the operating part 110, and the other end is fixed to the spring fixing part 124 of the cylindrical part 120. The spring 140 may be made of metal or resin. As a result, the operating part 110 is biased in the second direction.

[0067] The discharge cap 101 has a communication section 130 that is surrounded by the movable cylinder 117 of the operating section 110. As a result, the communication section 130 is arranged in parallel with the cylindrical section 120. The communication section 130 has a communication passage 131 that is open at both ends, and as a result, when the discharge cap 101 is attached to the container 2, it communicates the inside and outside of the container through the communication passage 131. The communication passage 131 extends in the axial direction of the cylindrical section 120, and one end of the communication passage 131 is an open discharge port 132. The discharge port 132 is arranged to be surrounded by the operating surface 111 of the operating section 110. The end of the communication passage 131 opposite to the discharge port 132 is an open communication port 134. In addition, a hole (not shown) is provided in part on the side surface of the movable cylinder 117. As a result, the contents contained in container 2 can enter the communication passage 131 through the hole and communication opening 134 provided in the moving cylinder 117.

[0068] An opening / closing member 115, which is in contact with the contact portion 116 of the operating portion 110, is inserted into the connecting passage 131. When the operating surface 111 is not pressed down, the tip of the opening / closing member 115 contacts the discharge port 132, thereby closing the discharge port 132. When the operating surface 111 is pressed down, the tip of the opening / closing member 115 moves away from the discharge port 132, thereby opening the discharge port 132.

[0069] The discharge cap 101, configured in this way, is attached and held in place so as to close the opening 2a, with the outer diameter of the upper cylindrical portion 121 being approximately equal to the inner diameter of the opening 2a. At the same time, the diameter of the support plate portion 123 is larger than the inner diameter of the opening 2a, so that the support plate portion 123 catches on the upper surface of the opening 2a and is held in place so as not to fall into the opening 2a.

[0070] <Explanation of operation during use> The operation of the discharge cap 101 configured as described above will be explained below.

[0071] The container 2, to which the discharge cap 101 is attached, contains a fluid, such as cosmetics. The contents are then dispensed from the discharge port 132 by pressing the operating surface 111 with a finger or the like.

[0072] First, we will explain the operation when the operating surface 111 is not pressed.

[0073] When the operating surface 111 is not pressed, the operating part 110 does not move in the first direction towards being pushed into the opening 2a.

[0074] In this case, the discharge cap 101 is attached and held in place so as to close the opening 2a, with the outer diameter of the upper cylindrical portion 121 being approximately equal to the inner diameter of the opening 2a, and airtightness is ensured between it and the opening 2a. Therefore, although the discharge port 132 is the only part that connects the inside and outside of the container 2, the diameter of the discharge port 132 is not large, so even if the container 2 is turned upside down so that the discharge port 132 faces downwards, the contents contained in the container 2 will not be discharged from the discharge port 132.

[0075] Furthermore, when the operating surface 111 is not pressed, as shown in Figure 9, the tip of the opening / closing member 115 abuts against the discharge port 132, thereby closing the discharge port 132. This prevents the contents contained in the container 2 from leaking out of the discharge port 132 when the operating unit 110 is not moving in the first direction.

[0076] Next, we will explain the operation when the operating surface 111 is pressed.

[0077] Figure 10 shows the state in which the operating surface 111 is pressed down in the cross-sectional view D-D shown in Figure 7.

[0078] To use the contents by discharging them from the discharge port 132, first, the container 2 to which the discharge cap 101 is attached is placed upside down, and with the discharge port 132 facing downwards, when the operating surface 111 is pressed down with a finger, the movable cylinder 117 moves in a first direction (direction of arrow E in Figure 10) into the opening 2a, as shown in Figure 10. Since the operating part 110 is arranged to move within the cylindrical part 120 in the axial direction of the cylindrical part 120, when the operating surface 111 is pressed down with a finger, the movable cylinder 117 can move in the first direction into the opening 2a.

[0079] In this configuration, a coil-shaped spring 140 is positioned around the outer circumferential surface of the movable cylinder 117. One end of the spring 140 is fixed to the spring fixing part 114 of the operating part 110, and the other end is fixed to the spring fixing part 124 of the cylindrical part 120. Therefore, when the movable cylinder 117 moves in the first direction, being pushed into the opening 2a, the spring 140 compresses.

[0080] Furthermore, since the opening / closing member 115 is in contact with the contact portion 116 of the operating portion 110, when the moving cylinder 117 moves in the first direction, which is pushed into the opening portion 2a, the opening / closing member 115 also moves in the first direction. As a result, a greater pressure is applied inside the container 2 compared to when the operating surface 111 is not pressed. This pressure is applied throughout the entire container 2, and pressure is also applied to the discharge port 132 via the communication portion 130.

[0081] As the operating unit 110 moves in the first direction, being pushed into the opening 2a within the cylindrical portion 120, pressure is applied from inside the container 2 towards the discharge port 132 via the connecting portion 130.

[0082] Furthermore, when the opening / closing member 115 moves in the first direction, as shown in Figure 10, the tip of the opening / closing member 115, which was blocking the discharge port 132 when the operating surface 111 was not pressed, moves away from the discharge port 132, thereby opening the discharge port 132.

[0083] When pressure is applied from inside the container 2 towards the discharge port 132 via the communication section 130, the contents contained inside the container 2 enter the communication passage 131 through the communication port 134 and are discharged from the discharge port 132 in the direction of F in Figure 10.

[0084] As described above, in this embodiment, when the operating part 110, which is provided to be movable in the axial direction of the cylindrical part 120, moves in a first direction in which it is pushed into the opening 2a of the mouth 2a of the container 2, pressure is applied from inside the container 2 toward the discharge port 132 via the communication part 130, which is provided in parallel with the cylindrical part 120 and connects the inside and outside of the container 2, and as a result the contents contained in the container 2 are discharged from the discharge port 132. In this way, the contents contained in the container 2 are discharged from the discharge port 132 by the movement of the operating part 110 inside the cylindrical part 120, making it easy to adjust the amount of contents discharged and allowing for gentle discharge, thus avoiding a cheap impression.

[0085] Subsequently, when the operating surface 111 is no longer pressed down, the restoring force of the spring 140 causes the operating part 110 to move in a second direction opposite to the first direction, returning it to its original state. In this way, because the operating part 110 is biased in a second direction opposite to the first direction by the spring 140, when the force that would move the operating part 110 in the first direction is no longer applied, the operating part 110 can be returned to its original position.

[0086] This application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-171305, filed on 30 September 2024, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0087] 1, 101 Discharge cap 2 Container 2a Mouth 2b Thread 10, 110 Operating part 11, 111 Operating surface 12 Airtight member 12a, 12b, 116 Contact part 13 Fastener 14, 24, 114, 124 Spring fixing part 15, 115 Opening / closing member 16 Connecting part 17 Moving shaft 20 Cylindrical part 21, 121 Upper cylindrical part 22, 122 Lower cylindrical part 23, 123 Support plate part 30, 130 Communication part 31, 131 Communication passage 32, 132 Discharge port 33 Holding surface 34, 134 Communication port 40, 140 Spring 117 Moving cylinder

Claims

1. A discharge cap that is attached to the mouth of a container so as to close the mouth, comprising: a cylindrical portion whose axial direction is the direction of the opening of the mouth; an operating portion provided so as to be movable within the cylindrical portion in the axial direction; and a communicating portion provided in parallel with the cylindrical portion and communicating the inside and outside of the container, wherein the communicating portion has a discharge port at one end for discharging contents contained in the container, and when the operating portion is moved within the cylindrical portion in a first direction that is pushed into the mouth with the discharge port facing downward, pressure is applied from inside the container toward the discharge port via the communicating portion.

2. The discharge cap according to claim 1, wherein the operating part is provided so as to be movable within the cylindrical part in the axial direction while ensuring airtightness between it and the inner surface of the cylindrical part.

3. The discharge cap according to claim 2, wherein the operating part has an elastic member in the portion facing the inner surface of the cylindrical part to ensure airtightness between it and the inner surface of the cylindrical part.

4. The discharge cap according to claim 1, wherein the operating section is biased in a second direction opposite to the first direction.

5. The discharge cap according to claim 4, comprising an opening / closing member configured to move within the communication portion as the operating portion moves in the axial direction, which closes the discharge port when the operating portion is not moving in the first direction, and opens the discharge port when the operating portion moves in the first direction.

6. The discharge cap according to claim 1, wherein the communication portion has a retaining surface around the discharge port for holding the contents discharged from the discharge port.

7. The discharge cap according to claim 6, wherein the retaining surface is formed such that the discharge port is recessed.

8. The discharge cap according to claim 1, wherein the operating portion has an operating surface at its end in a second direction opposite to the first direction, and the operating surface is curved toward the first direction.

9. A container having the discharge cap described in claim 1 attached to the opening.

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