Liquid transfer aid

Abstract

A liquid transfer aid (1) has a rectangular cylindrical shape and has an opening portion (OP1) provided in a top plate (BS1) at a position closer to the periphery than to the center thereof. The liquid transfer aid (1) is used for transferring a viscous liquid from an 18-liter can (IC1) accommodating the viscous liquid to a drum can (D2) having a bottomed cylindrical shape. The liquid transfer aid (1) comprises a container holding member (11) that holds the 18-liter can (IC1), and a support member (12) that is detachably fixed to an upper vertical end portion of a side wall of the drum can (D1) in a state in which the drum can (D1) is disposed with the bottom wall thereof positioned vertically downward, the support member (12) holding the 18-liter can (C1) in an inclined posture so that the central portion of the top plate (BS1) is positioned vertically lower than the central portion of a bottom plate (BS2).

Description

Liquid transfer aid

[0001] The present invention relates to a liquid transfer aid.

[0002] A method for taking out a high-viscosity liquid in a can has been proposed, in which a paint can containing a high-viscosity liquid is opened at an end face surrounded by the edge of a paint can that has been pre-tightened, and an auxiliary opening is formed from the inside to the outside on the side of the edge. After that, the can is tilted by an inclined table frame and the paint is taken out into a required paint receiving container in a tilted posture (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 8-198390

[0004] However, in the method for taking out a high-viscosity liquid in a can described in Patent Document 1, an inclined table frame is required, so it is necessary to secure a relatively large space for storing the inclined table frame. For this reason, there has been a demand for a small jig that can maintain a high-viscosity liquid in a can in an inclined state and does not take up storage space.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a viscous liquid transfer aid that is small and does not require a large storage space.

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, the liquid transfer aid according to the present invention is a liquid transfer aid for transferring a viscous liquid from a first container that is cylindrical and has an opening provided at a position offset toward the peripheral portion side from the central portion on either one of two walls that close both ends in the cylinder axis direction, and storing the viscous liquid inside, to a second container that is bottomed cylindrical and different from the first container. The liquid transfer aid includes: a container holding member that holds the first container; and a support member that is detachably fixed to the vertical upper end portion of the side wall of the second container in a state where the second container is arranged with the bottom wall positioned vertically downward, and supports the container holding portion holding the first container in an inclined posture such that the central portion of one of the two walls provided with the opening is positioned vertically below the central portion of the other wall.

[0007] According to the present invention, the support member is detachably fixed to the vertical upper end portion of the side wall of the second container when the second container is positioned with its bottom wall vertically downward, and the container holding member holding the first container is supported in an inclined position such that the central portion of one of the two walls of the first container, where the opening is provided, is positioned vertically downward than the central portion of the other wall. As a result, compared to a configuration in which the container holding member is supported independently of the second container, the support member can be made smaller because it does not require a portion to support the container holding member in a position vertically above the vertical upper end portion of the side wall of the second container, thus enabling overall miniaturization.

[0008] This is a schematic side view showing the usage state of a liquid transfer aid according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. This is a perspective view of the liquid transfer aid according to Embodiment 1. This is a cross-sectional view of the liquid transfer aid according to Embodiment 1. This is a perspective view of a liquid transfer aid according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. This is a cross-sectional view of the liquid transfer aid according to Embodiment 2. This is a cross-sectional view of the liquid transfer aid according to Embodiment 2. This is a cross-sectional view of a modified liquid transfer aid. This is a perspective view of a modified support member. This is a plan view of a modified container holding member. This is a cross-sectional view of a modified liquid transfer aid. This is a cross-sectional view of a part of a modified liquid transfer aid. This is a cross-sectional view of a part of a modified liquid transfer aid. This is a partial cross-sectional view showing how the modified container holding member is attached to the support member. This is a partial cross-sectional view showing the state in which the modified container holding member is attached to the support member. This is a cross-sectional view of a modified liquid transfer aid. This is a cross-sectional view of a modified liquid transfer aid. This is a cross-sectional view of a modified liquid transfer aid. This is a cross-sectional view of a modified liquid transfer aid. This is a cross-sectional view of a modified liquid transfer aid. This is a cross-sectional view of a modified liquid transfer aid. This is a cross-sectional view of a modified liquid transfer aid. This is a perspective view of a part of a modified liquid transfer aid. This is a perspective view of a part of a modified liquid transfer aid. This is a perspective view of a part of the modified liquid transfer aid. This is a cross-sectional view of the modified liquid transfer aid. This is a cross-sectional view of the modified liquid transfer aid. This is a cross-sectional view of the modified liquid transfer aid. This is a cross-sectional view of the modified liquid transfer aid. This is a cross-sectional view of the modified liquid transfer aid. This is a cross-sectional view of the modified liquid transfer aid. This is a cross-sectional view of the modified liquid transfer aid.

[0009] (Embodiment 1) Hereinafter, a liquid transfer aid according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The liquid transfer aid according to this embodiment is for transferring a viscous liquid from a first container, which is cylindrical and has an opening provided at a position shifted circumferentially from the central part of either of the two walls that close both ends in the axial direction of the cylinder, to a second container, which is bottomed cylindrical and different from the first container. This liquid transfer aid comprises a container holding member that holds the first container, and a support member that is detachably fixed to the vertical upper end of the side wall of the first container when the second container is positioned with its bottom wall vertically downward, and supports the container holding member that holds the first container in an inclined position such that the central part of one of the two walls with an opening is positioned vertically downward from the central part of the other wall.

[0010] As shown in Figure 1, the liquid transfer aid 1 according to this embodiment comprises a container holding member 11 and a support member 12 that is detachably fixed to the drum can D1 and supports the container holding member 11. As shown in Figure 2, the 18-liter can IC1 is rectangular in shape, with both ends in the axial direction of the cylinder closed by a top plate BS1 and a bottom plate BS2, and contains a viscous liquid inside. Examples of viscous liquids include paint, thinner, and oil. An opening OP1 is provided at a position shifted from the center of the top plate BS1 towards the periphery. A lid CA1 is attached to the opening OP1, and the lid CA1 is removed when transferring the viscous liquid contained in the 18-liter can IC1 to the drum can D1. The drum can D1 is bottomed cylindrical, and as shown in Figure 1, an annular chime C1 is provided along the entire vertical upper end of the side wall.

[0011] As shown in Figure 2, the container holding member 11 has a main piece 111 and two extension pieces 112 that are formed continuously and integrally with the main piece 111. The main piece 111 is a roughly rectangular plate shape and is curved to follow the corner portion of the side wall of the 18-liter can IC1, with the 18-liter can IC1 placed on its inner side in the thickness direction. The two extension pieces 112 each extend inward from the main piece 111, from two portions flanking the central part in a direction perpendicular to the cylindrical axis JIC1 of the main piece 111, when the 18-liter can IC1 is placed on the main piece 111 with the end of the 18-liter can IC1 on the opening OP1 side in the cylindrical axis direction of the main piece 111 aligned with one end of the main piece 111 in the cylindrical axis JIC1 direction. In addition, a rectangular notch 111a is formed in the central part of the aforementioned one end of the main piece 111 in plan view. Furthermore, the main piece 111 has a rectangular through-hole 111b in plan view, which engages with the engagement portion 125 of the support member 12, described later.

[0012] As shown in Figure 3, the support member 12 has a long, plate-like support piece 123 that supports the container holding member 11, a fixing piece 121 on which a permanent magnet 13 is provided and which is fixed to the drum can D1 by the permanent magnet 13, and a connecting piece 124 that is curved in an arc and connects the support piece 123 and the fixing piece 122. The fixing piece 121 has a rectangular plate-like first portion 1211 which faces the chime C1 of the drum can D1 from the bottom wall side of the drum can D1 and has the permanent magnet 13 fixed to the side facing the chime C1, and a plate-like second portion 1212 which extends in the thickness direction from one end in a direction perpendicular to the thickness direction of the first portion 1211. For example, a neodymium magnet can be used as the permanent magnet 13. The support piece 123 is provided with a hook-shaped engaging portion 125 that engages with a through hole 111b that penetrates the main piece 111 of the container holding member 111. Here, the engaging portion 125 engages with the through hole 111b of the main piece 111 of the container holding member 111, while the container holding member 11 is supported by the support member 12, by clamping a portion of the through hole 111b on the outer circumference opposite to the notched portion 111a. The support piece 123 assumes a position where, with the support member 12 fixed to the vertical upper end portion of the side wall of the drum D1, one end of the support piece 123 is positioned vertically downward compared to the other end which is continuous with the connecting piece 124.

[0013] Here, the method of using the liquid transfer aid 1 according to this embodiment will be described. First, the drum can D1 is placed so that its bottom wall is vertically downward. Next, the support member 12 is attached to the chime C1 of the drum can D1. At this time, the first portion 1211 of the fixing piece 121 of the support member 12 is located vertically downward on the chime C1 and is attracted and fixed to the vertically downward side of the chime C1 by the permanent magnet 13. Subsequently, as shown in Figure 2, a hole Ho1 is drilled near the corner of the top plate BS1 that is closest to the opening OP1 of the 18-liter can IC1. After that, the 18-liter can IC1 is placed inside the container holding part 11 in a position where the opening OP1 of the 18-liter can IC1 and the drilled hole Ho1 are located vertically downward on the top plate BS1. At this time, the end of the container holding part on the top plate BS1 side is in contact with the extension piece 112 of the container holding part 11. Next, the container holding member 11 is fixed to the support member 12 by engaging the engaging portion 125 provided on the support piece 123 of the support member 12 with the through hole 111b provided in the main piece 111 of the container holding member 11 on which the 18-liter can IC1 is placed. As a result, the container holding member 11, which holds the 18-liter can IC1, is in a tilted position such that the center of the top plate BS1 of the 18-liter can IC1 is located vertically below the center of the bottom plate BS2. Then, it is left undisturbed until all of the viscous liquid contained in the 18-liter can IC1 has been transferred to the drum D1.

[0014] As described above, according to the liquid transfer aid 1 of this embodiment, the support member 12 is detachably fixed to the vertical upper end portion of the side wall of the 18-liter can IC1 when the drum can D1 is positioned with the bottom wall BS2 located vertically downward. The container holding member 11 that holds the 18-liter can IC1 is supported in a tilted position such that the center of the top plate BS1 is located vertically downward from the center of the bottom plate BS2. As a result, compared to a configuration in which the support member 12 supports the container holding member 11 separately from the drum can D1, the support member 12 can be made smaller because it does not need to support the container holding member 11 in a position vertically above the vertical upper end portion of the side wall of the drum can D1, thus enabling overall miniaturization.

[0015] (Embodiment 2) The liquid transfer aid according to this embodiment differs from Embodiment 1 in that the container holding member that holds the first container has a shaft portion that extends in a direction intersecting the cylindrical axis direction of the first container while holding the first container, and the support member is detachably fixed to the vertical upper end portion of the side wall of the second container when the second container is positioned with its bottom wall vertically downward, and supports the shaft portion of the container holding member that holds the first container so as to be rotatable.

[0016] As shown in Figure 4, the liquid transfer aid 6001 according to this embodiment comprises a container holding member 6011, two support members 6012 that are detachably fixed to the drum D1 and support the container holding member 6011, a posture maintaining member 6013 that partially abuts the drum D1 and maintains the 18-liter can IC1 in a preset reference posture, and two permanent magnets 6014. Note that in Figure 4, components similar to those in Embodiment 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals as in Figure 2.

[0017] The container holding portion 6011 has a main piece 6111, two extension pieces 112 formed continuously and integrally with the main piece 6111, and a shaft 6113 which is elongated and cylindrical with both ends forming the shaft portion. The main piece 6111 is roughly rectangular in shape and curves to follow the corner portion of the side wall of the 18-liter can IC1, with the 18-liter can IC1 placed on its inner side in the thickness direction. The two extension pieces 112 each extend inward from the main piece 6111 from two portions flanking the central portion of the one end of the main piece 6111 in a direction perpendicular to the direction of the cylindrical axis JIC1, with the end of the 18-liter can IC1 on the opening OP1 side in the cylindrical axis direction of the 18-liter can IC1 aligned with one end of the main piece 6111 in the direction of the cylindrical axis JIC1. In addition, a notch 111a is formed in the central portion of the aforementioned one end of the main piece 6111. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 5, the main piece 6111 has two circular through-holes 6111b through which the shaft 6113 is inserted.

[0018] The two permanent magnets 6014 are each positioned on two portions of the main piece 6111, flanking the central portion in a direction perpendicular to the cylindrical axis JIC1 direction, and attract and hold the side wall of the 18-liter can IC1 when it is placed inside the main piece 6111. Here, the direction in which the permanent magnets 6014 are fixed to the main piece 6111 is not particularly limited. For example, a through hole (not shown) slightly larger in area than the magnet and penetrating in the thickness direction may be drilled in the main piece 6111, and the permanent magnets 6014 may be fixed to the outer circumference of the through hole with the permanent magnets 6014 positioned inside the through hole. Alternatively, a recess (not shown) may be formed in the main piece 6111, and the permanent magnets 6014 may be fitted inside the recess and fixed to the main piece 6111.

[0019] As shown in Figure 5, the two support members 6012 are detachably fixed to the chime C1 at the vertical upper end of the side wall of the drum D1, with the drum D1 positioned so that its bottom wall is vertically downward. Here, the two support members 6012 pivotably support the vicinity of both ends in the longitudinal direction of the shaft 6113, which is inserted through the two through holes 6111b of the main piece 6111. As shown in Figure 6, each support member 6012 has a support member body 6121 that is positioned to cover the chime C1 vertically upward when attached to the chime C1 of the drum D1, and two leg pieces 6124 that extend vertically downward along the inner wall and outer wall of the drum D1, respectively. Each support member 6012 has a C-shape and is positioned on the opposite side of the support member body 6121 from the leg piece 6124 side. It includes a shaft support portion 6123 that supports the shaft 6113 on the inside, a support column 6122 that is continuous with the support member body 6121 at one end and continuous with the approximate center of the shaft support portion 6123 at the other end, and a screw 6125. On the side of one of the two leg pieces 6124 facing the other, a projection 6124a is provided that protrudes toward the other, and a screw hole 6124b that penetrates in the thickness direction is drilled in the portion of the other leg piece facing the projection 6124a. The shaft portion of the screw 6125 is screwed into the screw hole 6124b. The support member 6012 is then fixed to the drum can D1 by clamping the drum can D1 between the two leg pieces 6124 and the drum can D1, with the chime C1 of the drum can D1 positioned inside the two leg pieces 6124, by bringing the tip of the projection 6124a of the leg piece 6124 into contact with the inner wall of the drum can D1 and bringing the tip of the shaft of the screw 6125, which is screwed into the screw hole 6124b, into contact with the outer wall of the drum can D1.

[0020] The posture-maintaining member 6013 is fixed to the container holding part 6011. When the container holding part 6011 holds the 18-liter can IC1 and rotates around the shaft 6113, and reaches a preset reference posture in which the center of the top plate BS1 of the 18-liter can IC1 is positioned vertically below the center of the bottom plate BS2, a portion of the posture-maintaining member 6013 contacts a portion Po1 of the inner wall of the drum D1, thereby maintaining the 18-liter can IC1 in the reference posture. The posture-maintaining member 6013 has a rectangular plate shape and a fixing piece 6132 fixed to the container holding part 6011, and a main piece 6131 that is formed continuously and integrally with the fixing piece 6132 and extends vertically downward from one side of the fixing piece 6011. When the container holding part 6011 holds the 18-liter can IC1 and reaches the aforementioned reference posture, the end of the main piece 6131 opposite to the fixing piece 6132 contacts a portion Po1 of the inner wall of the drum D1.

[0021] Here, the method of using the liquid transfer aid 6001 according to this embodiment will be described. First, the drum can D1 is placed so that its bottom wall is vertically downward. Next, the two support members 6012 are attached to the chime C1 of the drum can D1. Subsequently, as shown in Figure 4, a hole Ho1 is drilled near the corner of the top plate BS1 that is closest to the opening OP1 of the 18-liter can IC1. After that, the 18-liter can IC1 is placed inside the container holder 6011 in a position where the opening OP1 of the 18-liter can IC1 and the drilled hole Ho1 are positioned vertically downward from the center of the top plate BS1. At this time, the end of the container holder on the top plate BS1 side is in contact with the extended piece 112 of the container holder 6011. Next, the longitudinal ends of the shaft 6113 of the container holder 6011 on which the 18-liter can IC1 is placed are fitted into the inside of the shaft support portions 6123 of the two support members 6012. Subsequently, the container holder 6011 on which the 18-liter can IC1 is placed is rotated around the shaft 6113 so that the main piece 6131 of the posture support member 6013 comes into contact with the inner wall of the drum D1. This maintains the 18-liter can IC1 in the aforementioned reference posture. Then, it is left undisturbed until all of the viscous liquid contained in the 18-liter can IC1 has been transferred to the drum D1.

[0022] As described above, according to the liquid transfer assist device 6001 of this embodiment, the support member 6012 is detachably fixed to the vertical upper end portion of the side wall of the 18-liter can IC1 when the drum can D1 is positioned with its bottom wall vertically downward, and the support member 6012 and the posture maintenance member 6013 maintain the 18-liter can IC1 in the aforementioned reference posture. As a result, compared to a configuration in which the container holding member 6011 is supported separately from the drum can D1 by itself, the support member 6012 does not need to support the container holding member 6011 in a position vertically above the vertical upper end portion of the side wall of the drum can D1, so the size of the support member 6012 can be reduced, and the overall size can be reduced.

[0023] Although various embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the configurations of the embodiments described above. For example, the present invention may include a container holding member 2011 and a support member 2012 as shown in Figure 7. As shown in Figure 8A, the support member 2012 has an arc-shaped, elongated plate-shaped support piece 2121 and two extension pieces 2122 that extend from both ends of the support piece 2121 in the longitudinal direction in the same direction along the radial direction of the support piece 2121. Note that in Figures 4, 8A, and 8B, components similar to those in Embodiment 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals as in Figure 3. The support piece 2121 has a slit 2121a that extends along its longitudinal direction. Permanent magnets 13 are embedded in each of the two extension pieces 2122.

[0024] As shown in Figure 7, the support piece 2121 is positioned such that its longitudinal ends face each other across the side walls of the drum D1, with the support member 2012 fixed to the vertical upper end of the drum D1. The two extension pieces 2122 extend from each of the longitudinal ends of the support piece 2121 along the side walls of the drum D1, with the support member 2012 fixed to the vertical upper end of the drum D1, and are fixed to the side walls of the drum D1 by permanent magnets 13.

[0025] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 8B, the container holding member 2011 has a main piece 2111 and two extension pieces 112 that are continuously and integrally formed with the main piece 2111. On the outside of the main piece 2111, there are two engaging portions 2113 that engage with the slit 2121a of the support piece 2121 of the support member 2012. Each of the two engaging portions 2113 has a leg piece 2113a that protrudes from the outer surface of the support piece 2121 and a tongue piece 2113b that extends away from each other from the tip of the leg piece 2113a. Here, the direction in which the two engaging portions 2113 are aligned is inclined with respect to the central axis JC1 along the longitudinal direction of the support piece 2121. Furthermore, the width W1 between the opposite sides of the two leg pieces 2113a is narrower than the width of the aforementioned slit 2121a, while the width W2 between the tips of the tongue pieces 2112b is wider than the width of the slit 2121a.

[0026] Here, the method of using the liquid transfer aid 2001 according to this modified example will be explained. First, the drum can D1 is placed so that its bottom wall is vertically downward. Next, the support member 12 is attached to the chime C1 of the drum can D1. At this time, as shown in Figure 7, the support member 12 is attached to the drum can D1 so that the two extension pieces 2122 of the support member 12 sandwich the vertical upper end portion of the supported drum can D1. At this time, the two extension pieces 2122 are fixed to the side wall of the drum can D1 by the permanent magnet 13. Subsequently, as described in the embodiment, after drilling a hole Ho1 in the 18-liter can IC1, the 18-liter can IC1 is placed inside the container holding part 11 in a position where the opening OP1 of the 18-liter can IC1 and the drilled hole Ho1 are located vertically downward from the center of the top plate BS1. Subsequently, the tongue piece 2113b of the engaging portion 2113 is inserted into the slit 2121a in a position where the alignment direction of the engaging portion 2113 provided on the main piece 2111 of the container holding portion 2011 on which the 18-liter can IC1 is placed is aligned with the extension direction of the slit 2121a. Next, the container holding member 2011 is rotated so that the central axis JC1 of the container holding member 2011 coincides with the extension direction of the slit 2121a. As a result, the two engaging portions 2113 engage with the slit 2121a of the support member 2012. Subsequently, the engaging portion 2113 of the container holding member 11 that holds the 18-liter can IC1 is moved to the end located inside the drum can D1 in the slit 2121a. As a result, the 18-liter can IC1 is held in a position where the center of the top plate BS1 of the 18-liter can IC1 is located vertically below the center of the bottom plate BS2. Then, leave it undisturbed until all of the viscous liquid contained in the 18-liter can IC1 has been transferred to the drum D1.

[0027] With this configuration, the engagement position of the engagement portion 2113 when supporting the container holding member 2011 on the support member 2012 can be any location along the length of the slit 2121a, making it easier to engage the container holding member 2011 with the support member 2012. Therefore, the workability of the process of supporting the container holding member 2011 on the support member 2012 can be improved.

[0028] In Embodiment 1, an example was described in which a through hole 111b is provided in the main piece 111 of the container holding member 11, and a hook-shaped engaging portion 125 that engages with the aforementioned through hole 111b is provided in the support piece 123 of the support member 12. However, the invention is not limited to this, and for example, as shown in Figure 9 of the liquid transfer aid 3001, a through hole 3123a may be provided in the support piece 3123 of the support member 3012. Note that in Figure 9, components similar to those in the embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as in Figure 3. Furthermore, the main piece 3111 of the container holding member 3011 may be provided with a hook-shaped engaging portion 3113 that engages with the through hole 3123a provided in the support piece 3123 of the support member 3012. Here, the engaging portion 3113 engages with the through hole 3123a of the support piece 3123 of the support piece 3123 of the support piece 3012 while the container holding member 3011 is supported by the support member 3012, by clamping a portion of the through hole 3123a on the outer circumference opposite to the connecting piece 124 side.

[0029] In Embodiment 1, for example, as shown in Figure 10A, the container holding member 4011 may have an anchor member 4114. The anchor member 4114 has a long main shaft 41141, two long anchor portions 41143, and an anchor support portion 41142 that pivotally supports the base ends of the two anchor portions 41143, which are fixed to the tip of the main shaft 41141, via a shaft portion 41142a. Here, the shaft body 41141a of the main shaft 41141 is inserted through a through hole 4111a that penetrates the main piece 4111 of the container holding member 4011. The opening diameter of the through hole 4111a is set to be smaller than the diameter of the head portion 41141b of the main shaft 41141. In this case, the support member 4012 may have a support piece 4123 through which a long slit 4123a is penetrated, as shown in Figure 10B. Here, the slit 4123a extends along the longitudinal direction of the support piece 4123. The longitudinal length L4121 of the slit 4123a is longer than the distance L4111 between the tips of the two anchor portions 41143 when they are open, as shown in Figure 10A. On the other hand, the short-side length L4122 of the slit 4123a shown in Figure 10B is shorter than the distance L4111 between the tips of the two anchor portions 41143 when they are open, as shown in Figure 10A. The short-side length L4122 of the slit 4123a is set to be approximately the same as the diameter L4112 of the shaft body 41141a of the main shaft 41141. Here, the length of the anchor portion 41143 can be set to, for example, about 11 mm. Furthermore, the distance L4111 can be set to approximately 22 mm, and the distance L4112 to approximately 19 mm. In addition, the length of the shaft body 41141a can be set to approximately 18 mm, for example.

[0030] Here, we will explain how to use the liquid transfer aid according to this modified example. First, with the container holding member 4011 and the main shaft 41141 of the anchor member 4114 inserted through the through hole 4111a that penetrates the main piece 4111, the two anchor parts 41143 are rotated around the shaft part 41142a so that the tips of the two anchor parts 41143 are brought closer to each other, as shown in Figure 11A. In this state, as shown by arrow AR41, the two anchor parts 41143 are inserted through the slit 4123a that penetrates the support piece 4123 of the support member 4012. When the entire two anchor parts 41143 have passed through the slit 4123a, the two anchor parts 41143 are in an open state, as shown in Figure 11B. As a result, the container holding member 4011 is attached to the support member 4012 with the main piece 4111 engaged with the support piece 4123 by the head 41141a of the main shaft 41141 and the two anchor portions 41143. When detaching the container holding member 4011 from the support member 4012, the container holding member 4011 is rotated around the main shaft 41141 so that the alignment of the tips of the two open anchor portions 41143 coincides with the extending direction of the slit 4123a. Then, by inserting the two open anchor portions 41143 through the slit 4123a, the container holding member 4011 can be detached from the support member 4012.

[0031] In the modified example described using Figure 10A, instead of the two anchor portions 41143, a single anchor member (not shown) made of an elastic material and having a substantially V-shape overall similar to the state when the two anchor portions 41143 are open may be fixed to the end of the main portion 41141 opposite to the head portion 41141b. In this case, the anchor portion of the anchor member is pressed against the slit 4123a that penetrates the support piece 4123 of the support member 4012, and the slit 4123a is inserted while the anchor portion is bent so that both ends approach the main shaft 41141. Then, once the entire anchor portion has passed through the slit 4123a, it opens due to the restoring force.

[0032] In Embodiment 1, for example, as shown in Figure 12, the liquid transfer aid 5001, the connecting piece 5124 of the support member 5012 is formed from a flexible elastic material, and the support member 5012 is fixed to the drum D1 and the container holding member 11 is not attached, and the tip of the support piece 123 opposite to the connecting piece 5124 is maintained in a position where it is vertically above the base end of the support piece 123 that is continuous with the connecting piece 5124. In this case, the container holding member 11 holding the 18-liter can IC1 is first attached to the support member 5012 with the 18-liter can IC1 in a position where its opening OP1 is vertically above its bottom. Then, by curving the connecting piece 5124, the viscous liquid stored in the 18-liter can IC1 can be transferred to the drum D1 in a position where its opening OP1 is vertically above its bottom.

[0033] In the modified example described using Figure 12, the connecting piece 5124 may be made of a non-flexible material. In this case, the orientation of the container holding member 11 can be changed by changing the direction of attraction of the magnet 13 to the chime C1.

[0034] In Embodiment 1, permanent magnets (not shown) may be arranged on each of the two portions that sandwich the central part of the main piece 111 of the container holding member 11 in a direction perpendicular to the cylindrical axis JIC1 direction. In this case as well, the direction in which the permanent magnets are fixed to the main piece 111 is not particularly limited. For example, a through hole (not shown) slightly larger in area than the magnet and penetrating in the thickness direction may be drilled in the main piece 111, and the permanent magnets may be fixed to the outer circumference of the through hole with the permanent magnets positioned inside. Alternatively, a recess (not shown) may be formed in the main piece 111, and the permanent magnets may be fitted inside and fixed to the main piece 111. With this configuration, when the 18-liter can IC1 is placed inside the main piece 111 of the container holding member 11, the two permanent magnets attract and hold the side walls of the 18-liter can IC1, thereby preventing the 18-liter can IC1 from moving unintentionally relative to the container holding member 11.

[0035] In Embodiment 2, for example, as shown in Figure 13, the support member 7012 may have a support member body 7121 that is positioned to cover the chime C1 vertically above when attached to the chime C1 of the drum can D1, and two arms 7122 that extend from the side opposite to the two leg pieces 6124 of the support member body 7121. In Figure 13, components similar to those in Embodiment 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals as in Figure 5. Here, the tip of each of the two arms 7122 is provided with a shaft support portion 6123 as described in Embodiment 2.

[0036] With this configuration, the container holding portion 6011 can be pivotably supported by a single support member 7012, thereby reducing the number of parts in the liquid transfer assist device 7001.

[0037] In Embodiment 2, for example, as shown in Figure 14A, the support member 8012 of the liquid transfer aid 8001 may have a rotating connecting part 8125 provided on the side opposite to the leg piece 6124 on the support member body 6121, which rotatably connects the support column 6122 and the support body 6121 as shown by arrow AR801. Note that in Figure 14A, components similar to those in Embodiment 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals as in Figure 5. The rotating connecting part 8125 may be a bearing having an outer ring fixed to the support body 6121 in a position where its cylindrical shaft is aligned with the rotation axis of the support column 6122, an inner ring which is cylindrical with an outer diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the outer ring and is positioned inside the outer ring in a position where its cylindrical shaft is aligned with the rotation axis of the support column 6122, with the end of the support column 6122 opposite to the shaft support part 6123 fixed to the inside, and rolling elements interposed between the outer ring and the inner ring.

[0038] With this configuration, even if the two support members 8012 are mounted at relatively far distances from each other, the posture of the shaft support portion 6123 can be adjusted to a posture suitable for holding the shaft 6113. This suppresses the application of bending force to the shaft 6113 and prevents the shaft 6113 from bending.

[0039] Furthermore, in the modified example described using Figure 13, for example, as shown in Figure 14B, the liquid transfer assist device 9001 may have a rotating connecting portion 9125 provided at the end of each of the two arms 7122 opposite to the support member body 7121, which rotatably supports the shaft support portion 6123 as shown by arrow AR901. Note that in Figure 14B, the same reference numerals as in Figure 13 are used for components similar to those in the modified example described using Figure 13. The rotating connecting portion 9125 may be a bearing having an outer ring which is cylindrical and fixed to the tip of the arm 7122 in a position where the cylindrical shaft is aligned with the rotation axis of the shaft support portion 6123, an inner ring which is cylindrical with an outer diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the outer ring and is positioned inside the outer ring in a position where the cylindrical shaft is aligned with the rotation axis of the shaft support portion 6123, with a part of the shaft support portion 6123 fixed to the inside, and rolling elements interposed between the outer ring and the inner ring.

[0040] With this configuration, by changing the alignment direction of the two shaft support parts 6123, the relative position of the 18-liter can IC1 with respect to the drum can D1 can be appropriately changed according to the user's preference, thereby improving the user's work efficiency.

[0041] In Embodiment 2, for example, as shown in Figure 15, the posture maintenance member 9013 may have an L-shaped main body portion 9131, a posture adjustment screw 9132, and a permanent magnet 9133. In Figure 15, components similar to those in Embodiment 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals as in Figure 6. Here, the main body portion 9131 has a rectangular plate-shaped fixing piece 6132 fixed to the container holding portion 6011, and a main piece 91311 that is formed continuously and integrally with the fixing piece 6132 and extends vertically downward from one side of the fixing piece 6011. A screw hole 91311a is drilled through the main piece 91311 at the end opposite to the fixing piece 6011, penetrating in the thickness direction. The tip of the posture adjustment screw 9132 is in contact with a part Po1 of the inner wall of the drum can D1 with its shaft screwed into the screw hole 91311a of the main piece 91311. The permanent magnet 9133 is attracted to and fixed to the inner wall of the drum D1, and attracts and holds the tip of the shaft of the attitude adjustment screw 9132. Alternatively, the permanent magnet 9133 may be attracted to the portion of the outer wall of the drum D1 that corresponds to the portion Po1 that the attitude adjustment screw 9132 contacts. In this case, the permanent magnet 9133 biases the tip of the shaft of the attitude adjustment screw 9132 toward the inner wall of the drum D1 from the outside of the drum D1.

[0042] According to this configuration, the tilt of the 18-liter can IC1 held by the container holder 6011 can be adjusted by changing the length of the portion of the shaft of the attitude adjustment screw 9132 that is located on the inner wall side of the drum can D1, rather than the main piece 91311.

[0043] In Embodiment 2, for example as shown in Figure 16, the container holding portion 10011 may have two rectangular plate-shaped main pieces 10111 that are continuous along one side in the longitudinal direction, two outer flange portions 10118 extending away from each other from the end of each of the two main pieces 10111 opposite to the other main piece 10111, a locking piece 10112, and a shaft 6113. In Figure 16, components similar to those in Embodiment 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals as in Figure 4. For example, a pail can IC2 on a bottomed cylindrical surface is placed on the two main pieces 10111. In addition, each of the main pieces 10111 has two circular through holes 10111b in plan view through which the shaft 6113 is inserted. Furthermore, a notch 10111a is formed at the end on the locking piece 10112 side of the boundary portion between the two main pieces 10111. The locking piece 10112 is arc-shaped in plan view, and both ends are fixed to the main piece 10111. The pail can IC2 placed on the two main pieces 10111 may be fixed to the container holding part 10011 by a band (not shown) formed in an annular shape from an elastic material such as rubber or elastomer and fitted onto the container holding part 10011.

[0044] Further, in Embodiment 2, for example, as shown in FIG. 17, the container holding portion 11011 may have two main pieces 11111 that are rectangular plate-shaped and continuous along one side in the longitudinal direction, two extending pieces 11118 that extend away from each other from ends on the side opposite to the other main piece 11111 side in each of the two main pieces 11111, support pieces 11114 that extend in the thickness direction of the extending pieces 11118 from ends on the side opposite to the main piece 11111 side in the two extending pieces 11118, a locking piece 10111, and a shaft 6113. In FIG. 17, the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 16 are given to the same configurations as the modification example described in FIG. 16. On the two main pieces 11111, for example, a pallet can IC2 on a bottomed cylinder is placed. Further, a notch 11111a is formed at an end on the locking piece 10112 side in the boundary portion between the two main pieces 10111. In each of the support pieces 11114, two circular through-holes 11111b through which the shaft 6113 is inserted are formed in a plan view. The pallet can IC2 placed on the two main pieces 11111 may be fixed to the container holding portion 11011 by a band (not shown) formed in a ring shape from an elastic material such as rubber or elastomer and externally fitted to the container holding portion 11011.

[0045] In Embodiment 2, for example, as shown in FIG. 18, the container holding portion 12011 may have a holding portion main body 12111 that holds a pallet can IC2 or the like, a shaft 12113 that is long and has a screw formed on its side wall, and two nuts 12115 that abut against the holding portion main body 12111 in a state of being screwed onto the shaft 12113. Here, the holding portion main body 12111 has a cylindrical portion 121111 that is cylindrical and has a slit formed along the cylinder axis direction in a part thereof, and two support pieces 121112 that extend in the same direction from the outer peripheral portions of the slits of the cylindrical portion 12111. In each of the two support pieces 121112, a through-hole 121112a that penetrates the support piece 121112 in the thickness direction and through which the shaft 12113 is inserted inside is formed. The two nuts 12115 abut against the sides opposite to the surfaces facing each other in the two support pieces 121112, respectively.

[0046] In the case of this modification example, after inserting the pale can IC2 inside the cylindrical portion 121111 of the container holding portion 12011, the nut 12115 is rotated with respect to the shaft 12113 so as to move in a direction approaching each other. By doing so, the distance between the two support pieces 121112 becomes smaller. Along with this, the inner diameter of the cylindrical portion 121111 becomes smaller, and the inner wall of the cylindrical portion 121111 comes into contact with the outer wall of the pale can IC2 to sandwich the pale can IC2.

[0047] According to this configuration, since the pale can IC2 can be firmly held, it is possible to suppress the unintentional movement of the pale can IC2 during the transfer of the viscous liquid.

[0048] In the second embodiment, for example, like the liquid transfer assist tool 13001 shown in FIG. 19, the container holding portion 13011 may include a main piece 13111, two columns 13116 that are long and one end portion in the longitudinal direction is fixed to the main piece 13111, and a shaft 13113 that is slender and cylindrical and the other end portions of the two columns 13116 are fixed thereto. In FIG. 19, the same components as those in the second embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 5. In this case, the one-can IC1 placed on the main piece 13111 can be held in a state where the outer wall of the one-can IC1 is in surface contact with the main piece 13111.

[0049] In the second embodiment, for example, like the liquid transfer assist tool 14001 shown in FIGS. 20 and 21, it may include two container holding portions 14011, two support members 14012, a slender and cylindrical shaft 14016, and a posture maintaining member 14013. In FIGS. 20 and 21, the same components as those in the second embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in FIGS. 4 and 5. Each of the two container holding portions 14011 includes a container holding portion main body 14111 and a suction portion 14112 for sucking the container holding portion main body 14111 to the one-can IC1. The suction portion 14112 may be a permanent magnet or a member formed of an adhesive material. Further, a recess 14111a into which the shaft 14016 is fitted is formed on the side of the container holding portion main body 14111 opposite to the suction portion 14112 side.

[0050] Each of the two support members 14012 comprises a support member body 14121, two leg pieces 6124 extending from the support member body 14121, and a screw 6125. On the side of the support member body 14121 opposite to the leg pieces 6124, a recess 141121a is formed into which the shaft 14016 is fitted.

[0051] The posture-maintaining member 14013 has an L-shaped main body portion 14131 and an adsorption portion 14132 that adheres to the outer wall of the 18-liter can IC1. The adsorption portion 14132 may be a permanent magnet or a member made of an adhesive material. The main body portion 14131 has a rectangular plate-shaped fixing piece 141312 on which the adsorption portion 14132 is provided, and a main piece 141311 that is formed continuously and integrally with the fixing piece 141312 and extends vertically downward from one side of the fixing piece 141312.

[0052] In the preceding description, an example was given in which the container holding part body 14111 is fixed to the 18-liter can IC1 by suction using the suction part 14112. However, the method of fixing the container holding part body 14111 to the 18-liter can IC1 is not limited to this. For example, the container holding part body 14111 may be fixed by screw fastening with screws that are screwed through the side wall of the 18-liter can IC1.

[0053] This configuration makes it possible to miniaturize the container holding part 14011.

[0054] In Embodiment 2, for example, as shown in Figure 22, the posture maintenance member 15013 may have a fixing piece 15132 fixed to the container holding portion 6011, a main piece 15131 formed in a continuous and integral manner with the fixing piece 15132, and a swivel piece 15133 which is a long rectangular plate and is rotatably connected to the main piece 15131 via a hinge 15134 at the end of the main piece 15131 opposite to the fixing piece 15132. In Figure 22, components similar to those in Embodiment 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals as in Figure 6. The posture maintenance member 15013 also has a stopper 15135 that restricts the swivel of the swivel piece 15133 to a posture in which its longitudinal direction forms a certain angle with respect to the longitudinal direction of the main piece 15131. Then, when the container holding part 6011 is in the aforementioned reference position with the 18-liter can IC1 in place, the end of the swivel piece 15133 opposite to the main piece 15131 comes into contact with a part Po1 of the inner wall of the drum can D1.

[0055] This configuration allows for an increase in the variations in the posture of the 18-liter can IC1 when maintaining it in a fixed position, enabling users to set the posture of the 18-liter can IC1 more precisely.

[0056] In Embodiment 2, for example, as shown in Figure 23, the support member 16012 of the liquid transfer aid 16001 includes an extendable support section 16128 provided on the side opposite to the leg piece 6124 of the support member body 6121, which extends and retracts to support the support column 16122 and the support member body 16121 as shown by arrow AR1602, and a rotatable connecting section 16125 interposed between the extendable support section 16128 and the support column 16122, which connects the two so that the support column 16122 can rotate relative to the extendable support section 16128. Note that in Figure 23, components similar to those in Embodiment 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals as in Figure 5. The expandable support portion 16128 includes a cylindrical base portion 161281, a columnar movable member 161282 supported on the base portion 161281 so as to be movable in the direction of the cylindrical axis of the base portion 16128 as shown by arrow AR1602, and a fixing portion (not shown) for fixing the movable member 161282 to the base portion 161281. The rotating connecting portion 16125 may be a bearing having an outer ring fixed to the tip of the movable member 161282 in a position where the cylindrical shaft is aligned with the rotation axis of the support column 16122, an inner ring which is cylindrical with an outer diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the outer ring and is positioned inside the outer ring in a position where the cylindrical shaft is aligned with the rotation axis of the support column 16122, with the end of the support column 16122 opposite to the shaft support portion 16123 side fixed to the inside, and rolling elements interposed between the outer ring and the inner ring. Furthermore, the shaft support portion 16123 is annular in shape, and the shaft 6113 is inserted through its inner side.

[0057] Furthermore, for the support members shown in Figures 13, 14A and 14B, 15, 19 and 22, an annular shaft support portion through which the shaft 6113 is inserted may be used instead of the U-shaped shaft support portion 6123.

[0058] With this configuration, even if the two support members 16012 are mounted at relatively far distances from each other, the posture of the shaft support portion 16123 can be adjusted to a posture suitable for holding the shaft 6113. This suppresses bending forces applied to the shaft 6113 and prevents the shaft 6113 from bending. Furthermore, with this configuration, because the shaft support portion 16123 is annular, it is possible to prevent the shaft 6113 from falling off the shaft support portion 16123.

[0059] In Embodiment 2, for example, the liquid transfer assist device 17001 shown in Figure 24 may include a support member 17012 that can be installed on the ground F1 and a posture maintenance member 17013. The support member 17012 may include a support member body 17121 installed on the ground F1, an extendable support part 17128 provided at the tip of the support member body 6121 and interposed between the support column 17122 and the support member body 17121, and a rotatable connecting part 17125 interposed between the extendable support part 17128 and the support column 17122, connecting the two so that the support column 17122 can rotate relative to the extendable support part 17128. Note that in Figure 24, components similar to those in Embodiment 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals as in Figure 5. The telescopic support portion 17128 includes a cylindrical base portion 171281, a columnar movable member 171282 supported on the base portion 171281 so as to be movable in the direction of the cylindrical axis of the base portion 171281, and a fixing portion (not shown) for fixing the movable member 171282 to the base portion 171281. The rotating connecting portion 17125 may be a bearing having an outer ring fixed to the tip of the movable member 171282 in a position where the cylindrical shaft is aligned with the rotation axis of the support column 17122, an inner ring which is cylindrical in shape with an outer diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the outer ring and is positioned inside the outer ring in a position where the cylindrical shaft is aligned with the rotation axis of the support column 17122, with the end of the support column 17122 opposite to the shaft support portion 17123 side fixed to the inside, and rolling elements interposed between the outer ring and the inner ring. Furthermore, the shaft support portion 17123 is U-shaped, and the shaft 6113 is positioned inside it.

[0060] The posture support member 17013 includes a posture maintenance member body 17131 installed on the ground F1, an extendable support part 17138 provided at the tip of the posture maintenance member body 17131 and interposed between the support column 17132 and the posture maintenance member body 17131, and a rotating connecting part 17135 interposed between the extendable support part 17138 and the support column 17132, connecting the two so that the support column 17132 can rotate relative to the extendable support part 17138. The extendable support part 17138 includes a cylindrical base part 171381 fixed to the tip of the posture support member body 17131, a columnar movable member 171382 supported by the base part 171381 so as to be movable in the cylindrical axis direction of the base part 171331, and a fixing part (not shown) for fixing the movable member 171382 to the base part 171381. The rotating coupling portion 17135 may be a bearing comprising: an outer ring fixed to the tip of the movable member 171382 in a position where the cylindrical shaft is aligned with the rotation axis of the support column 17132; an inner ring which is cylindrical in shape with an outer diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the outer ring, is positioned inside the outer ring in a position where the cylindrical shaft is aligned with the rotation axis of the support column 17132, and has the end of the support column 17132 opposite to the container holding member 6011 fixed to the inside; and rolling elements interposed between the outer ring and the inner ring. Furthermore, a holding portion 17133 for holding the container holding member 6011 is provided at the tip of the support column 17132. The holding portion 17133 is, for example, a plate bent into a V shape.

[0061] With this configuration, it becomes unnecessary to fix the liquid transfer aid 17001 to the drum can D1.

[0062] In the second embodiment, a bushing (not shown) formed in a cylindrical shape from rubber, elastomer, or the like may be fitted into the through hole 6111b of the container holding member 6011. In this case, the shaft 6113 should be inserted inside the bushing. This configuration prevents the shaft 6113 from falling out of the main piece 6111 of the container holding portion 6011.

[0063] In each embodiment, the 18-liter can IC1 may be fixed to the container holding portion 6011 by an annular elastic member such as an annular rubber band.

[0064] Although embodiments and variations of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited thereto. The present invention includes embodiments and variations that are appropriately combined, and those that are appropriately modified thereto.

[0065] This application is based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-206767, filed on 27 November 2024. The entire specification, claims, and drawings of Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-206767 are incorporated herein by reference.

[0066] This invention is suitable as an auxiliary tool for transferring viscous liquids, such as waste paint, contained in a 18-liter can to a drum.

[0067] 1, 2001, 3001, 5001, 6001, 7001, 8001, 9001, 13001, 14001, 16001, 17001: Liquid transfer aid, 11, 2011, 3011, 4011, 6011, 7011, 10011, 11011, 12011, 14011: Container holding member, 12, 2012, 3012, 4012, 6012, 7012, 14012, 16012, 17012: Support member, 13, 6014, 9133: Permanent magnet, 111, 2111, 3111, 4111, 6111, 6131, 10111, 111 11, 15132, 91311: Main piece, 111a: Notch, 111b, 3123a, 4111a, 6111b: Through hole, 112, 11118: Extension piece, 121, 6132, 15132: Fixing piece, 123, 2121, 11114, 121112: Support piece, 124, 5124: Connecting piece, 125, 2113, 3113: Engaging part, 1211: First part, 1212: Second part, 2113a: Leg piece, 2113b: Tongue piece, 2121a, 4123a: Slit, 4114: Anchor member, 6013, 9013, 14013, 15013, 17 013: Posture-maintaining member, 6113, 12113: Shaft, 6121, 7121, 17121: Support member body, 6122, 16122, 17122, 17132: Support column, 6123, 16123: Shaft support part, 6124: Leg piece, 6124a: Projection, 6124b: Screw hole, 6125: Screw, 8125, 9125, 16125, 17125, 17135: Rotating connecting part, 9131: Main body part, 9132: Posture adjustment screw, 10112: Locking piece, 10118: Outer flange part, 15133: Swivel piece, 15134: Hinge, 15135: Stopper ,16128,17128,17138: Telescopic support part, 17131: Posture-maintaining member body, 17133: Holding part, 41141: Main shaft, 41142: Anchor support part, 41141a,41142a: Shaft part, 41141b: Head part, 41143: Anchor part, 121111: Cylindrical part, 161281,171281,171381: Base part, 161282,171282,171382: Moving member, BS1: Top plate, BS2: Bottom plate, C1: Chime, D1: Drum can, IC1: 18-liter can, IC2: Pail can, OP1: Opening, JIC1: Cylindrical shaft

Claims

1. A liquid transfer aid for transferring a viscous liquid from a first container, which is cylindrical and has an opening provided at a position offset to the circumferential side of the central part of either of the two walls that close both ends in the axial direction of the cylinder, to a second container, which is cylindrical with a bottom and different from the first container, comprising: a container holding member for holding the first container; and a support member that is detachably fixed to the vertical upper end portion of the side wall of the second container when the second container is positioned with its bottom wall vertically downward, and supports the container holding member that holds the first container in an inclined position such that the central part of one of the two walls, where the opening is provided, is positioned vertically downward than the central part of the other wall.

2. The liquid transfer aid according to claim 1, wherein the container holding member has a plate-like shape, a first main piece that curves along the side wall of the first container and on which the first container is placed on the inner side in the thickness direction, and a first extension piece that extends inward from each of two portions flanking the central portion in a direction perpendicular to the cylindrical direction of the one end of the main piece, with the first container placed on the main piece with the end of the first container on the opening side in the cylindrical direction aligned with one end of the main piece in the cylindrical direction, and a notch is formed in the central portion of the one end of the main piece.

3. A second permanent magnet for adsorbing and holding the first container is fixed to the first main piece, the liquid transfer aid according to claim 2.

4. The liquid transfer aid according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the support member comprises a support piece which is a long plate shape and supports the container holding member, a fixing piece which is provided with a first permanent magnet and fixed to the first container by the first permanent magnet, and a connecting piece which connects the support piece and the fixing piece, and a through hole which penetrates in the thickness direction is provided in either the main piece or the support piece, and an engaging portion which engages with the through hole is provided in the other, and the support piece is in a position where, with the support member fixed to the first container, the other end is positioned vertically downward compared to the one end which is continuous with the connecting piece.

5. The liquid transfer aid according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the support member has a long, curved plate shape with a slit extending along its longitudinal direction, and when the support member is fixed to the second container, both ends in the longitudinal direction are positioned to face each other across the side wall of the second container; and two second extension pieces in which a first permanent magnet is embedded, and when the support member is fixed to the second container, they extend from each of the ends in the longitudinal direction of the main piece along the side wall of the second container and are fixed to the side wall of the first container by the first permanent magnet, and the first main piece of the container holding member is provided with an engaging piece that engages with the slit.

6. A liquid transfer aid for transferring a viscous liquid from a first container, which is cylindrical and has an opening at a position offset from the center of either of the two walls that close both ends in the direction of the cylinder axis, to a second container, which is bottomed and different from the first container, comprising: a container holding member that holds the first container and has a shaft portion that extends in a direction intersecting the direction of the cylinder axis of the first container while holding the first container; and a support member that is detachably fixed to the vertical upper end portion of the side wall of the second container when the second container is positioned with its bottom wall vertically downward, and that pivotably supports the shaft portion of the container holding member that holds the first container. A liquid transfer assist device comprising: a posture-maintaining member fixed to the container holding portion, which rotates about the axis portion while the container holding portion is holding the first container, and when the first container is tilted to a preset reference position in which the central part of one of the two walls, where the opening is provided, is located vertically below the central part of the other wall, a portion of which contacts the second container to maintain the first container in the reference position.

Images