Structure and assembly

Abstract

The present invention comprises: a first member, at least a part of which is cylindrical; a second member, at least a part of which is cylindrical; and a connection portion that connects the first member and the second member. The connection portion is configured to make the degree of deformation of the second member smaller than the degree of deformation of the first member when the first member is deformed.

Description

Structures and assemblies

[0001] The present invention relates to structures and assemblies.

[0002] In recent years, so-called refill containers have been used from the perspective of environmental issues. A refill container is removably housed in an outer container, and when the contents are emptied, it is removed from the outer container, and a new refill container is housed in the outer container. When housing a refill container in an outer container in this way, it is known to fit the refill container to the outer container using fitting parts.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for holding a refill container by snap-engaging a fitting part called a ring at the mouth of an outer container and bringing the outer surface of the refill container into contact with the inner surface of the ring.

[0004] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2023-51857

[0005] However, when a fitting part is engaged with an outer container and the inner surface of the fitting part is brought into contact with the outer surface of an inner container to hold the inner container, if the diameter of the mouth of the outer container increases due to manufacturing errors or the like, the diameter of the fitting part engaged with the outer container will increase. Then, it becomes difficult for the outer surface of the inner container to come into contact with the inner surface of the fitting part, and there is a risk that the inner container cannot be firmly fitted and held in the outer container.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a structure and an assembly that can firmly fit and hold an inner container in an outer container even when the diameter of the mouth of the outer container expands due to manufacturing errors or the like.

[0007] To achieve the above object, the structure of the present invention has: a first member at least part of which is cylindrical; a second member at least part of which is cylindrical; and a connecting portion connecting the first member and the second member, and the connecting portion is configured to make the degree of deformation of the second member smaller than the degree of deformation of the first member when the first member is deformed.

[0008] With this configuration, even if the first component deforms when attached to the outer container, the degree of deformation of the second component will be less than that of the first component due to the connection point, thus ensuring that the inner container is securely held by the second component.

[0009] For example, the configuration may be such that when the diameter of the cylindrical opening of the first member increases by 5%, the change in the length of the diameter of the cylindrical opening of the second member is less than 1%, or when the diameter of the cylindrical opening of the first member increases by 10%, the change in the length of the diameter of the cylindrical opening of the second member is less than 3%.

[0010] Furthermore, each of the first member and the second member has an expandable portion that is expandable in at least a part thereof, and the connecting portion may be configured to reduce the degree of deformation of the second member such that when the length of the expandable portion of the first member in the first direction increases by 5%, the change in the length of the expandable portion of the second member in the first direction is less than 1%, or the connecting portion may be configured to reduce the degree of deformation of the second member such that when the length of the expandable portion of the first member in the first direction increases by 10%, the change in the length of the expandable portion of the second member in the first direction is less than 3%.

[0011] Furthermore, the structure of the present invention comprises a first member which is at least partially cylindrical, a second member which is at least partially cylindrical, and a connecting portion which connects the first member and the second member, wherein the connecting portion has a thinner thickness, is more flexible, or has higher elasticity or modulus than the first member and the second member.

[0012] With this configuration, even if the first component deforms when attached to the outer container, the connection portion is thinner, more flexible, or has higher elasticity or modulus than the first and second components. As a result, the second component is less prone to deformation than the first component, and the inner container is securely held in place by the second component.

[0013] Furthermore, the structure of the present invention is a structure for holding a second container which is detachably housed inside a first container having an opening, and comprises: a first holding portion which holds a first region of the outer surface of the second container when the second container is housed inside the first container; a second holding portion which holds a second region of the outer surface of the second container which is different from the first region when the second container is housed inside the first container; and a connecting portion which connects the first holding portion and the second holding portion, wherein the first holding portion is detachably configured to be housed inside the opening of the first container, and the connecting portion is configured such that when the first holding portion is deformed, the degree of deformation of the second holding portion is less than the degree of deformation of the first holding portion.

[0014] With this configuration, even if the first retaining part deforms when attached to the first container, the degree of deformation of the second retaining part will be less than that of the first retaining part due to the connection part, so that the second container will be firmly held by the second retaining part.

[0015] Furthermore, the structure of the present invention is a structure for holding a second container which is detachably housed inside a first container having an opening, and comprises: a first holding portion which holds a first region of the outer surface of the second container when the second container is housed inside the first container; a second holding portion which holds a second region of the outer surface of the second container which is different from the first region when the second container is housed inside the first container; and a connecting portion which connects the first holding portion and the second holding portion, wherein the connecting portion has a thinner thickness, is more flexible, or has higher elasticity or modulus than the first and second holding portions.

[0016] With this configuration, even if the first retaining part deforms when attached to the first container, the connecting part is thinner, more flexible, or has higher elasticity or modulus than the first and second retaining parts. As a result, the second retaining part is less likely to deform than the first retaining part, and the second container is firmly held by the second retaining part.

[0017] Furthermore, the first holding portion may be configured to further include a fitting portion that is detachably fitted to the opening of the first container.

[0018] In this configuration, the fitting portion can be securely attached to the first container by fitting it into the opening of the first container.

[0019] Furthermore, at least a portion of the second holding portion may be configured to be expandable and retractable.

[0020] In this configuration, the second holding part can hold the second container even more securely.

[0021] Furthermore, the assembly of the present invention comprises a first container having an opening, and a structure fitted into the opening of the first container, wherein the structure comprises a first member which is at least partially cylindrical, a second member which is at least partially cylindrical, and a connecting portion which connects the first member and the second member, and the connecting portion is configured such that when the first member is deformed, the degree of deformation of the second member is less than the degree of deformation of the first member.

[0022] With this configuration, even if the first member deforms when the structure is fitted into the opening of the first container, the degree of deformation of the second member will be smaller than that of the first member due to the connection point. As a result, when the second container is placed inside the first container, the second container will be firmly held in place by the second member.

[0023] Furthermore, the device may also have a lid portion that covers and is attached to the opening.

[0024] Furthermore, the structure may also have a second container that is held by the structure and housed inside the first container.

[0025] According to the present invention, even if the diameter of the opening of the outer container widens due to manufacturing errors or the like, the inner container can be securely fitted and held in the outer container.

[0026] This figure shows one embodiment of the container of the present invention. This figure shows an example of the lid configuration shown in Figure 1. This figure shows an example of the container body configuration shown in Figure 1. This figure shows an example of the inner container configuration shown in Figure 3. This figure shows an example of the outer container configuration shown in Figure 3. This figure shows an example of the fitting part configuration shown in Figure 3. This is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B in Figure 6. This figure shows a detailed configuration of the engaging portion 51b shown in Figure 7. This figure illustrates the state of fitting the inner container to the outer container by the fitting part. This figure illustrates the operation of the connection part of the fitting part. This figure illustrates the operation of the connection part of the fitting part.

[0027] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0028] <Overall Container Configuration> First, the configuration of the container and fitting parts of the present invention will be described.

[0029] Figure 1 shows one embodiment of the container of the present invention, and is a view from diagonally above.

[0030] As shown in Figure 1, the container 1 in this embodiment has a container body 20 and a lid 10. Note that the container 1 is an example of an assembly in the present invention.

[0031] The container body 20 is designed to allow the contents, such as cosmetics, to be removed. Therefore, it has an opening 33 (see Figure 3), through which the contents can be removed.

[0032] The lid 10 is an example of a lid in the present invention. The lid 10 is removably attached to the container body 20. In this case, the lid 10 is attached in a way that closes the opening 33 of the container body 20 so that the contents stored in the container body 20 do not fall out of the opening 33 of the container body 20.

[0033] In the following description, "upper" refers to the side on which the lid 10 is provided, and "lower" refers to the side on which the container body 20 is provided. The following describes each component that makes up the container 1.

[0034] <Configuration of Lid 10> Figure 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the lid 10 shown in Figure 1, and is a view from diagonally below.

[0035] As the lid 10 shown in FIG. 1, as shown in FIG. 2, it may have a top surface portion 11 and a side surface portion 12.

[0036] The top surface portion 11 is made of, for example, resin and is formed in a disc shape.

[0037] The side surface portion 12 is made of, for example, resin and is formed in a cylindrical shape continuous from the edge of the top surface portion 11. A screw structure 13 is provided on the inner surface of the side surface portion 12.

[0038] <Configuration of the container body 20> FIG. 3 is a view showing a configuration example of the container body 20 shown in FIG. 1 and is a view seen from obliquely above.

[0039] As the container body 20 shown in FIG. 1, as shown in FIG. 3, it may have an inner container 30, an outer container 40, and a fitting part 50.

[0040] The inner container 30 is an example of the second container in the present invention. The inner container 30 is made of metal and contains contents such as cosmetics. The detailed configuration of the inner container 30 will be described later.

[0041] The outer container 40 is an example of the first container in the present invention. The outer container 40 is made of glass and houses the inner container 30. The detailed configuration of the outer container 40 will be described later.

[0042] The fitting part 50 is an example of the structure in the present invention. The fitting part 50 is configured to be stretchable and contractible by resin and fits the inner container 30 housed in the outer container 40 to the outer container 40. The detailed configuration of the fitting part will be described later.

[0043] The inner container 30 is housed in the outer container 40 and is fitted to the outer container 40 by the fitting part 50.

[0044] <Configuration of the inner container 30> FIG. 4 is a view showing a configuration example of the inner container 30 shown in FIG. 3 and is a view seen from obliquely above.

[0045] As the inner container 30 shown in FIG. 3, as shown in FIG. 4, it may be a bottomed cylindrical shape having a bottom portion 31 and a side surface portion 32. The inner container 30 is bottomed cylindrical, and the side opposite to the bottom portion 31 is an opening 33. The side surface portion 32 has a substantially cylindrical shape with a diameter wider on the opening 33 side than on the bottom portion 31 side, and a flange portion 34 is provided at the end on the opening 33 side (the side opposite to the bottom portion 31). The side surface portion 32 has a first region 32a on the outer surface on the opening 33 side (the side opposite to the bottom portion 31), and a second region 32b on the outer surface on the bottom portion 31 side of the first region 32a. Four flange portions 34 are provided at equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the side surface portion 32. The flange portions 34 are provided so as to spread outward in the radial direction of the side surface portion 32. Note that the number of the flange portions 34 is not limited to four. However, if a plurality of them are provided at equal intervals, when the inner container 30 is fitted into the outer container 40 using the fitting parts 50 described later, the inner container 30 is less likely to tilt inside the outer container 40.

[0046] In the inner container 30 configured as described above, contents such as cosmetics are stored in the space surrounded by the bottom portion 31 and the side surface portion 32. And the contents stored in the inner container 30 are taken out from the opening 33.

[0047] <Configuration of the outer container 40> FIG. 5 is a view showing a configuration example of the outer container 40 shown in FIG. 3, and is a view seen from obliquely above.

[0048] As the outer container 40 shown in FIG. 3, as shown in FIG. 5, it may be a substantially bottomed cylindrical shape having a bottom portion 41 and a side surface portion 42. The outer container 40 is bottomed cylindrical, and the side opposite to the bottom portion 41 is an opening 43.

[0049] The side surface portion 42 is composed of an upper side surface portion 42a and a lower side surface portion 42b.

[0050] The lower side surface portion 42b is continuous from the bottom portion 41, and the inner diameter and the outer diameter may increase as they depart from the bottom portion 41. Also, it may be composed of a portion where the inner diameter and the outer diameter increase from the portion continuous with the bottom portion 41, and a portion where the inner diameter and the outer diameter become constant from that portion.

[0051] The upper side portion 42a is continuous with the lower side portion 42b on the side opposite to the bottom portion 41. The upper side portion 42a has an outer diameter smaller than that of the lower side portion 42b. A threaded structure 45 is formed on its outer surface. This threaded structure 45 is threaded with the threaded structure 13 of the lid 10. Therefore, if the threaded structure 13 of the lid 10 is a male thread, the threaded structure 45 of the outer container 40 is a female thread, and if the threaded structure 13 of the lid 10 is a female thread, the threaded structure 45 of the outer container 40 is a male thread. The end of the upper side portion 42a opposite to the lower side portion 42b is the opening portion 44.

[0052] In this configuration, the inner container 30 is placed in the space between the bottom portion 41 and the side portion 42 of the outer container 40 through the opening 43. At this time, the inner container 30 is fitted into the outer container 40 by the fitting part 50, as will be described later. The lid 10 is then attached to cover the opening 44, and the screw structure 45 and the screw structure 13 of the lid 10 engage with each other, preventing the inner container 30 stored in the outer container 40 and the contents stored in the inner container 30 from falling out through the opening 43. When the screw structure 45 and the screw structure 13 of the lid 10 engage with each other, the side portion 12 of the lid 10 covers only the upper side portion 42a of the side portion 42 of the outer container 40. Therefore, by making the outer diameter of the upper side portion 42a smaller than the outer diameter of the lower side portion 42b by the thickness of the side portion 12 of the lid 10, when the screw structure 45 and the screw structure 13 of the lid 10 are screw-engaged, the outer surface of the lid 10 and the outer surface of the lower side portion 42b will be aligned.

[0053] <Configuration of the mating part 50> Figure 6 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the mating part 50 shown in Figure 3, and is a view from diagonally above. Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B in Figure 6. Figure 8 is a diagram showing the detailed configuration of the engaging portion 51b shown in Figure 7.

[0054] The fitting part 50 shown in Figure 3 may have a first cylindrical portion 51, a second cylindrical portion 52, and a connecting portion 53, as shown in Figures 6 and 7.

[0055] The second cylindrical portion 52 is an example of a second member or second retaining portion in the present invention. The second cylindrical portion 52 is cylindrical with both ends open. The second cylindrical portion 52 is provided with seven projections 54 at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. The projections 54 have a shape that extends in the axial direction of the second cylindrical portion 52 and protrude toward the axial center of the second cylindrical portion 52. In this example, the projections 54 protrude toward the axial center of the second cylindrical portion 52 as the second cylindrical portion 52 deforms toward the axial center of the second cylindrical portion 52. Therefore, a recessed area 55 is created on the outer surface side of the portion of the second cylindrical portion 52 where the projections 54 are provided, as the second cylindrical portion 52 deforms toward the axial center of the second cylindrical portion 52. Note that the number of projections 54 is not limited to seven. However, if multiple fitting parts are provided at equal intervals, as will be described later, when the inner container 30 is fitted into the outer container 40 using the fitting parts 50, the inner container 30 will be stored inside the outer container 40 without being misaligned.

[0056] The first cylindrical portion 51 is an example of the first member or first retaining portion in the present invention. The first cylindrical portion 51 has a cylindrical portion 51a, a contact portion 51c, and an engaging portion 51b.

[0057] The cylindrical portion 51a is cylindrical with open ends and is connected to the second cylindrical portion 52 via a connecting portion 53. The contact portion 51c is continuous with the cylindrical portion 51a on the side opposite to the connecting portion 53 and is provided to widen radially outward from the cylindrical portion 51a. The engaging portion 51b is an example of a fitting portion in the present invention. The engaging portion 51b is continuous with the contact portion 51c on the side opposite to the cylindrical portion 51a. As shown in Figure 8, the engaging portion 51b is composed of a portion 51d that extends toward the second cylindrical portion 52 from a portion continuous with the contact portion 51c, a portion 51e that extends outward in the radial direction of the cylindrical portion 51a from portion 51d, a portion 51f that extends toward the second cylindrical portion 52 from portion 51e, and a portion 51g that protrudes radially inward from the end of portion 51f opposite to portion 51e.

[0058] The first cylindrical portion 51 and the second cylindrical portion 52, configured in this way, are connected around their entire circumference by a connecting portion 53, which comprises the cylindrical portion 51a of the first cylindrical portion 51 and the second cylindrical portion 52. Here, the inner diameter of the cylindrical portion 51a is larger than the inner diameter of the second cylindrical portion 52. Therefore, the inner diameter of the connecting portion 53 on the first cylindrical portion 51 side is larger than the inner diameter on the second cylindrical portion 52 side. In other words, the connecting portion 53 is configured such that its inner diameter widens as you move from the second cylindrical portion 52 side towards the first cylindrical portion 51 side. Furthermore, the connecting portion 53 is thin-walled, with a thickness thinner than the thickness of the first cylindrical portion 51 and the second cylindrical portion 52.

[0059] <The state in which the inner container 30 is fitted to the outer container 40 by the fitting parts 50> The state in which the inner container 30 is fitted to the outer container 40 by the fitting parts 50 configured as described above will be explained below.

[0060] Figure 9 is a diagram illustrating the fitting state of the inner container 30 to the outer container 40 by the fitting part 50, and is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A in Figure 3.

[0061] The inner container 30 described above will be placed inside the outer container 40, and in doing so, the inner container 30 will be fitted into the outer container 40 by the fitting part 50.

[0062] As shown in Figure 9, the fitting part 50 is attached to the outer container 40 with the second cylindrical portion 52 facing downwards. In this case, the outer diameter of the second cylindrical portion 52 of the fitting part 50 is smaller than the inner diameter of the opening 44 of the outer container 40. Therefore, the second cylindrical portion 52 of the fitting part 50 can be inserted into the interior of the outer container 40 from the opening 44 of the outer container 40. In addition, the outer diameter of the engaging portion 51b of the fitting part 50 is larger than the outer diameter of the opening 44 of the outer container 40. Furthermore, as described above, the engaging portion 51b is composed of a portion 51d extending toward the second cylindrical portion 52 from a portion continuous with the contact portion 51c, a portion 51e extending outward in the radial direction of the cylindrical portion 51a from portion 51d, a portion 51f extending toward the second cylindrical portion 52 from portion 51e, and a portion 51g protruding inward in the radial direction of the cylindrical portion 51a from the end of portion 51f opposite to portion 51e. The inner diameter of portion 51f of the engaging portion 51b is approximately the same as the outer diameter of the mouth portion 44 of the outer container 40. Therefore, with the portion of the engaging portion 51b that extends outward in the radial direction of the cylindrical portion 51a in contact with the upper surface of the mouth portion 44, the inner circumferential surface of the portion of the engaging portion 51b that extends toward the second cylindrical portion 52 on the opposite side of the contact portion 51c can be hooked onto the outer surface of the mouth portion 44. In this case, if the first cylindrical portion 51 is expandable and contractible with a certain tensile modulus, the first cylindrical portion 51 can be extended radially, and the inner circumferential surface of the portion of the engaging portion 51b that extends toward the second cylindrical portion 52 on the opposite side of the contact portion 51c can be hooked onto the outer surface of the mouth portion 44.

[0063] In this way, the fitting part 50 can be fixedly attached to the outer container 40 by inserting the second cylindrical portion 52 of the fitting part 50 into the interior of the outer container 40 through the opening 44 of the outer container 40, and then fitting and engaging the engaging portion 51b around the entire circumference of the opening 44. That is, the fitting part 50 is attached to the opening 44 by the portion 51g of the engaging portion 51b undercutting into the recess 46 provided in the opening 44. This undercut engagement allows the first cylindrical portion 51 of the fitting part 50 to be firmly engaged with the opening 44. As a result, the fitting part 50 is in a state where the engaging portion 51b is detachably fitted to the opening 44 of the outer container 40.

[0064] In this way, the inner container 30 is placed inside the outer container 40 to which the fitting part 50 is attached. As shown in Figure 9, the inner container 30 is placed inside the outer container 40 from the opening 44 with the bottom 31 facing downwards. At this time, the inner diameter of the second cylindrical part 52 of the fitting part 50, including the height of the projection 54, is the same as or slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the side part 32 of the inner container 30. Therefore, when the inner container 30 is placed inside the outer container 40 to which the fitting part 50 is attached, the outer surface of the side part 32 of the inner container 30 comes into contact with the projection 54 and is held in place by the fitting part 50. At this time, the second region 32b of the outer surface of the side part 32 of the inner container 30 is held by the second cylindrical part 52 of the fitting part 50, and the first region 32a of the outer surface of the side part 32 of the inner container 30 faces the first cylindrical part 51 of the fitting part 50. Furthermore, if the inner diameter of the second cylindrical portion 52 of the fitting part 50, including the height of the projection 54, is slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the side portion 32 of the inner container 30, when the inner container 30 is placed in the outer container 40 to which the fitting part 50 is attached, the projection 54 will elastically deform by coming into contact with the outer surface of the side portion 32 of the inner container 30. Then, the restoring force of the projection 54 will press the projection 54 against the side portion 32 of the inner container 30, thereby holding the inner container 30 even more securely. In addition, since at least a part of the second cylindrical portion 52 is configured to be expandable and contractible, the inner container 30 will be held even more securely.

[0065] Furthermore, as described above, the projection 54 has a shape that extends in the axial direction of the second cylindrical portion 52. Therefore, when the inner container 30 is placed in the outer container 40, the outer surface of the side portion 32 of the inner container 30 comes into contact with the projection 54 in the direction in which the projection 54 extends, thereby providing a smooth feel when the inner container 30 is placed in the outer container 40.

[0066] In this way, the inner container 30, which is placed inside the outer container 40 to which the fitting part 50 is attached, has a flange portion 34 at the end of the side portion 32 opposite to the bottom portion 31. The flange portion 34 is provided so as to widen radially outward from the side portion 32. Therefore, as the inner container 30 is placed inside the outer container 40 to which the fitting part 50 is attached, as shown in Figure 9, the lower surface of the flange portion 34 comes into contact with the contact portion 51c of the fitting part 50, and the flange portion 34 rests on the contact portion 51c. This prevents the inner container 30 from going any further into the outer container 40. At that time, because there are four flange portions 34 provided at equal intervals, when the lower surface of the flange portion 34 is in contact with the contact portion 51c of the fitting part 50, the inner container 30 is less likely to tilt inside the outer container 40.

[0067] Then, as described above, the inner container 30 is held securely inside the outer container 40 by the side portion 32 contacting the second cylindrical portion 52 of the fitting part 50.

[0068] In the container 1 configured as described above, the inner container 30 may be provided as a refill. In that case, for example, the contents such as cosmetics are stored in the space enclosed by the bottom 31 and the side portion 32 of the inner container 30, and the end of the side portion 32 on the opening 33 side is covered with a lid material such as a film or seal. Then, when using, the aluminum seal is peeled off and the inner container 30 is placed in the outer container 40 to which the fitting part 50 is attached, as described above.

[0069] <Function of the connecting portion 53> The function of the connecting portion 53 of the fitting part 50 will be explained below.

[0070] As described above, the fitting part 50 is attached to the outer container 40 such that the engaging portion 51b hooks onto the outer surface of the opening 44. If the outer container 40 is made of glass, it can give the container 1 a high-class feel, but the manufacturing tolerances for dimensions will be large. If the diameter of the opening 44 widens due to the use of a material with large manufacturing tolerances, such as glass, for the outer container 40, the fitting part 50, being made of resin, can use its elastic force to hook the engaging portion 51b onto the outer surface of the opening 44 as described above, but its diameter will widen to follow the diameter of the opening 44.

[0071] On the other hand, the fitting part 50 firmly holds the inner container 30 by contacting the outer surface of the side portion 32 of the inner container 30 housed in the outer container 40. Therefore, if the diameter of the fitting part 50 widens, it may become difficult for the side portion 32 of the inner container 30 to contact the fitting part 50, and there is a risk that the inner container 30 will not be able to be firmly fitted and held in the outer container 40.

[0072] Therefore, in this embodiment, the fitting part 50 has a first cylindrical portion 51 having an engaging portion 51b that engages with the mouth portion 44 of the outer container 40, a second cylindrical portion 52 that holds the inner container 30 by contacting the side portion 32 of the inner container 30, and a connecting portion 53 that connects the first cylindrical portion 51 and the second cylindrical portion 52.

[0073] Figures 10 and 11 are diagrams illustrating the operation of the connecting portion 53 of the fitting part 50. Figure 10 shows the state in which the diameter of the opening 44 of the outer container 40 is not widened, and Figure 11 shows the state in which the diameter of the opening 44 of the outer container 40 is widened. Figures 10 and 11 are simplified versions of the cross-sectional view shown in Figure 9 for easier understanding.

[0074] When the inner container 30 is housed in the outer container 40 to which the fitting part 50 is attached, and the diameter of the opening 44 is not widened, as shown in Figure 10, the inner diameter of the cylindrical part 51a of the first cylindrical part 51, in which the engaging part 51b is undercut engaged with the opening 44, is defined as R1. On the other hand, the inner diameter of the second cylindrical part 52, which holds the inner container 30 by contacting the outer surface of the side portion 32 of the inner container 30, is defined as R2.

[0075] Then, if the diameter of the opening 44 expands in the direction of arrow C in Figure 11 due to manufacturing errors or the like, the inner diameter of the cylindrical portion 51a of the first cylindrical portion 51, to which the engaging portion 51b is undercut engaged with the opening 44, expands from R1 to R3 in accordance with the expansion of the diameter of the opening 44.

[0076] As described above, the first cylindrical portion 51 and the second cylindrical portion 52 are connected by a connecting portion 53 around their entire circumference, with the cylindrical portion 51a constituting the first cylindrical portion 51 and the second cylindrical portion 52 being connected. The inner diameter of the cylindrical portion 51a is larger than the inner diameter of the second cylindrical portion 52, so the connecting portion 53 is configured such that its inner diameter widens as it moves from the second cylindrical portion 52 side towards the first cylindrical portion 51 side. Furthermore, the connecting portion 53 is thinner than the thickness of the first cylindrical portion 51 and the second cylindrical portion 52, so it has a certain tensile modulus and is easily bent.

[0077] Therefore, the second cylindrical portion 52, which holds the inner container 30 by contacting the outer surface of the side portion 32 of the inner container 30, acts to lift the second cylindrical portion 52 upward when the diameter of the opening 44 expands in the direction of arrow C in Figure 11 due to manufacturing errors or the like. As a result, the second cylindrical portion 52 does not expand to follow the diameter of the first cylindrical portion 51 while its inner diameter remains R2, but moves in the direction of arrow D in Figure 11 on the side of the first cylindrical portion 51.

[0078] As a result of this effect, even if the diameter of the opening 44 of the outer container 40 widens due to manufacturing errors or the like, the inner diameter of the second cylindrical portion 52, which holds the inner container 30 by contacting the outer surface of the side portion 32 of the inner container 30, is less likely to widen. This allows the inner container 30 to be securely fitted and held in the outer container 40. In this case, the configuration may be such that when the diameter of the opening portion of the first cylindrical portion 51, which is an example of the first direction, becomes 10% longer, the change in the length of the diameter of the opening portion of the second cylindrical portion 52 is less than 3%. Alternatively, the configuration may be such that when the diameter of the opening portion of the first cylindrical portion 51, which is an example of the first direction, becomes 5% longer, the change in the length of the diameter of the opening portion of the second cylindrical portion 52 is less than 1%.

[0079] In this embodiment, when the first cylindrical portion 51 expands radially, the second cylindrical portion 52 is made less likely to expand radially by the connecting portion 53. However, it is also possible that when the first cylindrical portion 51 deforms axially, the second cylindrical portion 52 is made less likely to deform axially by the connecting portion 53.

[0080] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the connecting portion 53 is more flexible because its thickness is thinner than that of the first cylindrical portion 51 and the second cylindrical portion 52. However, it is sufficient if the connecting portion 53 is configured such that when the first cylindrical portion 51 deforms, the degree of deformation of the second cylindrical portion 52 is less than the degree of deformation of the first cylindrical portion 51. For example, the connecting portion 53 may be configured to have higher elasticity or elastic modulus than the first cylindrical portion 51 and the second cylindrical portion 52.

[0081] Furthermore, the first cylindrical portion 51 and the second cylindrical portion 52 may each have an expandable portion that is partially expandable. In such a configuration, the connecting portion 53 may be configured such that when the diameter of the opening portion of the first cylindrical portion 51 increases by 10%, the change in the length of the diameter of the opening portion of the second cylindrical portion 52 is less than 3%, and the connecting portion 53 may be configured such that when the diameter of the opening portion of the opening portion of the first cylindrical portion 51 increases by 5%, the change in the length of the diameter of the opening portion of the second cylindrical portion 52 is less than 1%.

[0082] (Other Embodiments) In the embodiments described above, the first cylindrical portion 51 and the second cylindrical portion 52 are connected by a connecting portion 53 around the entire circumference of the cylindrical portion 51a constituting the first cylindrical portion 51 and the second cylindrical portion 52. By making the thickness of the connecting portion 53 thinner than the thickness of the first cylindrical portion 51 and the second cylindrical portion 52, the connecting portion 53 is made more flexible, and when the diameter of the opening 44 expands, the connecting portion 53 is made to bend relative to the first cylindrical portion 51 and the second cylindrical portion 52.

[0083] However, the connecting portion may be composed of a plurality of linear members connecting the first cylindrical portion 51 and the second cylindrical portion 52. The linear members may be made of the same material as the first cylindrical portion 51 and the second cylindrical portion 52, or they may be made of a different material, as long as they are more flexible than the first cylindrical portion 51 and the second cylindrical portion 52.

[0084] Even with this configuration, the connection part is more flexible than the first cylindrical part 51 and the second cylindrical part 52. Therefore, when the diameter of the opening 44 expands, the connection part flexes relative to the first cylindrical part 51 and the second cylindrical part 52. As a result, the second cylindrical part 52 moves toward the first cylindrical part 51 without expanding its inner diameter R2, allowing the inner container 30 to be securely fitted and held in the outer container 40.

[0085] Furthermore, the connecting portion is not limited to a linear member; it can be a corrugated, bellows-shaped, folded shape, honeycomb structure, net-like, lattice-like, or any other shape or structure that, when the first cylindrical portion 51 deforms, reduces the degree of deformation of the second cylindrical portion 52 to less than the degree of deformation of the first cylindrical portion 51. Alternatively, an elastic material such as rubber or elastomer may be used, and depending on the material, it may reduce the degree of deformation of the second cylindrical portion 52 to less than the degree of deformation of the first cylindrical portion 51 when the first cylindrical portion 51 deforms.

[0086] Furthermore, in the embodiments described above, the fitting part 50 was described as having a cylindrical first cylindrical part 51 and a cylindrical second cylindrical part 52 connected via a connecting part 53. However, the fitting part may also be of a so-called octopus-leg structure. In that case, each of the first and second cylindrical parts has a cylindrical part, and the remaining area has a shape in which the cylindrical part is divided into multiple parts in the circumferential direction. Alternatively, the second cylindrical part may not have a cylindrical part, but rather have a shape in which the cylindrical part is divided into multiple parts in the circumferential direction. Note that the term "cylindrical" is not limited to those with a circular cross-section. For example, it also includes those with an elliptical or rectangular cross-section.

[0087] Furthermore, in the embodiment described above, the fitting part 50 is fixedly attached to the outer container 40 by fitting and engaging the engaging portion 51b of the fitting part 50 with the opening 44 around its entire circumference. However, for example, the fitting part may be fixedly attached to the outer container by making a part of the opening of the outer container thinner and fitting and engaging the fitting part only with that part. With such a configuration, it is possible to avoid the fitting part attached to the outer container rotating in the cylindrical radial direction relative to the outer container.

[0088] This application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-230750, filed on 26 December 2024, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0089] 1 Container 10 Lid 11 Top surface 12, 32, 42 Side surface 13, 45 Screw structure 20 Container body 30 Inner container 31, 41 Bottom 32a First area 32b Second area 33, 43 Opening 34 Flange 40 Outer container 42a Upper side surface 42b Lower side surface 44 Mouth 46, 55 Recess 50 Fitting part 51 First cylindrical part 51a Cylindrical part 51b Engaging part 51c Contact part 51d-51g Part 52 Second cylindrical part 53 Connecting part 54 Projection

Claims

1. A structure comprising: a first member which is at least partially cylindrical; a second member which is at least partially cylindrical; and a connecting portion which connects the first member and the second member, wherein the connecting portion is configured such that when the first member is deformed, the degree of deformation of the second member is less than the degree of deformation of the first member.

2. The structure according to claim 1, wherein when the diameter of the cylindrical opening of the first member increases by 5%, the change in the length of the diameter of the cylindrical opening of the second member is less than 1%.

3. The structure according to claim 1, wherein each of the first member and the second member has an expandable portion that is expandable in at least a part thereof, and the connecting portion reduces the degree of deformation of the second member such that when the length of the expandable portion of the first member in the first direction increases by 5%, the change in the length of the expandable portion of the second member in the first direction becomes less than 1%.

4. A structure comprising a first member which is at least partially cylindrical, a second member which is at least partially cylindrical, and a connecting portion which connects the first member and the second member, wherein the connecting portion is thinner in thickness, more flexible, or has higher elasticity or modulus of elasticity than the first member and the second member.

5. A structure for holding a second container which is detachably housed inside a first container having an opening, comprising: a first holding portion which faces a first region of the outer surface of the second container when the second container is housed inside the first container; a second holding portion which holds a second region of the outer surface of the second container which is different from the first region when the second container is housed inside the first container; and a connecting portion which connects the first holding portion and the second holding portion, wherein the first holding portion is detachably configured to be housed inside the opening of the first container, and the connecting portion is configured such that when the first holding portion is deformed, the degree of deformation of the second holding portion is less than the degree of deformation of the first holding portion.

6. A structure for holding a second container which is detachably housed inside a first container having a mouth, comprising: a first holding portion which faces a first region of the outer surface of the second container when the second container is housed inside the first container; a second holding portion which holds a second region of the outer surface of the second container which is different from the first region when the second container is housed inside the first container; and a connecting portion which connects the first holding portion and the second holding portion, wherein the connecting portion is thinner in thickness, more flexible, or has higher elasticity or modulus than the first and second holding portions.

7. The structure according to claim 6, wherein the first retaining portion further has a fitting portion that is detachably fitted to the opening of the first container.

8. The structure according to claim 6, wherein at least a portion of the second holding portion is configured to be expandable and contractible.

9. An assembly comprising a first container having an opening, and a structure fitted into the opening of the first container, wherein the structure comprises a first member which is at least partially cylindrical, a second member which is at least partially cylindrical, and a connecting portion which connects the first member and the second member, the connecting portion being configured such that when the first member is deformed, the degree of deformation of the second member is less than the degree of deformation of the first member.

10. The assembly according to claim 9, further comprising a lid portion that covers and is fitted over the opening portion.

11. The assembly according to claim 9, further comprising a second container held by the structure and housed inside the first container.

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