JP7589065B2 - Container with applicator, container with applicator containing coating liquid, replacement container, and replacement container containing coating liquid - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a container with an applicator, a container with an applicator containing a coating liquid, a replacement container, and a replacement container containing a coating liquid.

A container with an applicator is known that has a liquid container that contains an application liquid such as mascara or nail polish, and an applicator inserted into the liquid container. The container with an applicator disclosed in Patent Document 1 further includes a decorative metal tube that is attached to the side of the applicator opposite the side that is inserted into the liquid container.

Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 61-20973

There was a demand for a container with an applicator that, when attaching an outer cap to the applicator of the container with an applicator, allows the outer cap to be removed from the applicator while preventing the outer cap from unintentionally coming off the applicator.

The present invention was made in consideration of these circumstances, and aims to provide a container with an applicator that prevents the outer cap from unintentionally coming off the applicator.

The container with an applicator according to the present invention comprises:
a liquid container that contains a coating liquid and has an opening;
an applicator including a cap portion removably attached to an opening of the liquid container, and an applicator body extending from the cap portion attached to the opening of the liquid container into the interior of the liquid container;
an outer container removably attached to the liquid container so as to cover at least a portion of the liquid container;
an outer cap attached to the cap portion so as to cover at least a portion of the cap portion;
the cap portion has a first flexible portion having a cap portion engaging portion which is one of a first convex portion and a first concave portion;
the outer cap has an outer cap mating portion which is the other of the first convex portion and the first concave portion, and is attached to the cap portion by the outer cap mating portion mating with the cap portion mating portion;
When the outer container is attached to the liquid container and the outer cap is attached to the cap portion, a part of the outer container is located at a position that restricts bending of the first flexible portion.

In the container with an applicator according to the present invention,
the liquid container further includes a second flexible portion having a liquid container engaging portion that is one of a second protrusion and a second recess;
The outer container may have an outer container mating portion which is the other of the second convex portion and the second concave portion, and may be attached to the liquid container by the outer container mating portion mating with the liquid container mating portion.

In the container with an applicator according to the present invention,
The cap portion may be attached to the opening of the liquid container by being screwed onto the liquid container.

In the container with an applicator according to the present invention,
The outer cap may be attached to the cap portion such that relative rotation with respect to the cap portion is restricted.

In the container with an applicator according to the present invention,
The outer container may be attached to the liquid container such that relative rotation with at least the part of the liquid container to which the outer container is attached is restricted.

In the container with an applicator according to the present invention,
the liquid container has a container body that contains the coating liquid, and an intermediate member that is open at both ends, one end of which is attached to the opening of the container body and the other end of which is attached to the cap portion,
The outer container may be attached to the intermediate member such that relative rotation with respect to the intermediate member is restricted.

In the container with an applicator according to the present invention,
The liquid container has a cylindrical shape with one end closed and the other end open,
A dimension of the liquid container in an extending direction of the liquid container may be larger than a dimension of the cap portion when attached to the opening of the liquid container.

The container with an applicator according to the present invention comprises:
The liquid container may further include a squeeze part having at least a portion extending into the interior of the liquid container and through which the applicator body is inserted.

In the container with an applicator according to the present invention,
The liquid container and the applicator may be disposable.

In the container with an applicator according to the present invention,
The coating liquid may be a cosmetic product.

The container with an applicator containing an application liquid according to the present invention comprises:
The above-described container with applicator,
The coating liquid is contained in the liquid container.

The replacement container according to the present invention comprises:
A replacement container for use with the above-described applicator-equipped container,
The liquid container and the applicator are provided.

The replacement container with applicator according to the present invention comprises:
The replacement container described above;
and a coating liquid contained in the liquid container.

The present invention provides a container with an applicator that prevents the outer cap from unintentionally coming off the applicator.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the applicator-equipped container in the present embodiment. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view showing a portion of the applicator-equipped container in the present embodiment. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an intermediate member in the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an outer cap in the present embodiment. FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a portion of FIG. 2 . FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an outer container in the present embodiment. 8 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a part of a cross section taken along line VIII-VIII in FIG. 3. FIG. 11 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a part of a cross section of a container with an applicator in a modified example.

An embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a front view of a container with applicator 1. In FIG. 1, the outer container 40 and the outer cap 50, which will be described later, of the container with applicator 1 are omitted. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the container with applicator 1 taken along line II-II in FIG. 1. In FIG. 2, the outer container 40 and the outer cap 50, which will be described later but are omitted in FIG. 1, of the container with applicator 1 are also shown together with other parts. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an enlarged view of the open side of the container body 14, the intermediate member 15, and the cap portion 31 of the container with applicator 1 shown in FIG. 1. The container with applicator 1 according to this embodiment will be described below.

In the illustrated example, the applicator-equipped container 1 has an elongated outer shape. The applicator-equipped container 1 has a central axis CA. The direction parallel to the central axis CA is the axial direction d1. The direction perpendicular to the central axis CA is the radial direction d2. The inner side in the radial direction d2 means the side close to the central axis CA along the radial direction d2. The outer side in the radial direction d2 means the side away from the central axis CA along the radial direction d2. The direction along the circumference centered on the central axis CA is the circumferential direction d3. In the description of each member provided in the applicator-equipped container 1, the description of the directions is based on the state in which the applicator-equipped container 1 is assembled as shown in FIG. 2.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the container with applicator 1 comprises a liquid container 10 that contains an application liquid, an applicator 30 having a cap portion 31 that is attached to the liquid container 10, an outer container 40 that is attached to the liquid container 10, and an outer cap 50 that is attached to the cap portion 31. The cap portion 31 has a first flexible portion 32 that has a cap portion meshing portion 33, and the outer cap 50 has an outer cap meshing portion 51. The liquid container 10 of the container with applicator 1 that contains application liquid C is also referred to as a container with applicator containing application liquid. In other words, the container with applicator containing application liquid comprises the container with applicator 1 and application liquid C contained in the liquid container 10.

The application liquid C contained in the liquid container 10 includes not only liquids in the strict sense, but also liquid substances. The application liquid C includes viscous liquids. The application liquid C also includes suspensions in which solids are dispersed in liquids. An example of the application liquid C is cosmetics. Examples of cosmetics contained in the container 1 with an applicator include mascara, eye shadow, eyebrow cream, eyeliner, concealer, lip gloss, lip liner, other makeup products, skin care products, hair care products, nail polish, nail foundation, other nail care products, oral care products, etc.

The liquid container 10 is a member that contains the coating liquid C and has an opening 10a. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the liquid container 10 has a tubular, particularly cylindrical, shape with one end 10b (the lower end in FIG. 2) closed and the other end 10c (the upper end in FIG. 2) open to form the opening 10a. The liquid container 10 also extends in the axial direction d1. Note that the tubular shape means a shape that has a hollow portion and a pair of opposing openings that open the hollow portion to the outside. The tubular shape may be longer or shorter than the width along the central axis connecting the pair of opposing openings in a direction perpendicular to the central axis. The liquid container 10 is made of, for example, resin.

In the example shown in FIG. 2, the liquid container 10 has a container body 14 that contains the coating liquid C, and an intermediate member 15 that is open at both ends and has one end 15a attached to the opening of the container body 14.

The container body 14 extends in the axial direction d1 and has a tubular, particularly cylindrical, shape with one end (the lower end in FIG. 2) closed and the other end (in FIG. 2) open.

In the example shown in FIG. 3, the container body 14 has a side portion 142 that goes around in the circumferential direction d3, and a flange portion 141 that protrudes from the side portion 142. The flange portion 141 is located between the closed end and the open other end of the container body 14. In particular, the flange portion 141 is located at a position of the container body 14 closer to the open other end than to the closed end.

The flange portion 141 is configured as an outer flange portion. That is, the flange portion 141 protrudes from the container body 14 toward the side away from the inside of the container body 14. In other words, the flange portion 141 is convex outward in the radial direction d2. The flange portion 141 is flat. In the example shown in FIG. 3, the flange portion 141 extends in the circumferential direction d3 and surrounds the side portion 142 of the container body 14. The outer shape of the flange portion 141 is circular.

The intermediate member 15 is a cylindrical member that is open at both ends. In the example shown in FIG. 2, one end 15a (the lower end in FIG. 2) of the intermediate member 15 is attached to the opening of the container body 14. The opening at the other end 15b of the intermediate member 15 becomes the opening 10a of the liquid container 10.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the intermediate member 15. In the example shown in Figure 4, the intermediate member 15 has a side portion 152 that goes around in the circumferential direction d3, and has a cylindrical shape that extends in the axial direction d1. The intermediate member 15 also has a cylindrical first portion 15c located on one end 15a, and a second portion 15d located on the other end 15b, whose dimension in the radial direction d2 is smaller than that of the first portion 15c. The intermediate member 15 is made of, for example, resin.

In the example shown in FIG. 4, the intermediate member 15 has an intermediate threaded portion 151 on the other end 15b side of the intermediate member 15. In the example shown in FIG. 4, the intermediate threaded portion 151 is provided on a portion of the side surface portion 152 of the intermediate member 15 that constitutes the second portion 15d. In the example shown in FIG. 4, the intermediate threaded portion 151 is a male thread provided on the outer periphery of the intermediate member 15.

The liquid container 10 further has a second flexible portion 12. The second flexible portion 12 has a liquid container engagement portion 13 which is one of a second convex portion and a second concave portion. In the example shown in FIG. 4, four second flexible portions 12 are provided on the intermediate member 15 of the liquid container 10.

The second flexible portion 12 is more flexible than other portions of the liquid container 10. As an example, when the second flexible portion 12 is provided on the intermediate member 15, the intermediate member 15 is more flexible than other portions of the intermediate member 15, such as the side portion 152. As another example, the second flexible portion 12 is more flexible than the outer container 40, which will be described later.

In the example shown in FIG. 4, the second flexible portion 12 is connected to the side portion 152 of the intermediate member 15 and extends in the axial direction d1. The second flexible portion 12 is connected to a portion of the side portion 152 that is closer to the one end 15a of the intermediate member 15 than the intermediate screw portion 151. Here, the second flexible portion 12 is more easily bent than other portions of the liquid container 10 because the width in the circumferential direction d3 (dimension w1 shown in FIG. 4) is limited to a small value. In addition, the second flexible portion 12 has a portion whose thickness in the radial direction d2 is smaller than the thickness in the radial direction d2 of other portions of the liquid container 10, for example, the thickness in the radial direction d2 of the side portion 152 of the intermediate member 15. It can be said that the second flexible portion 12 is more easily bent than other portions of the liquid container 10 because the thickness in the radial direction d2 is smaller.

When making the second flexible portion 12 more flexible by limiting its width, the direction in which the second flexible portion 12 extends is not particularly limited. Although not shown, the second flexible portion 12 may extend in the circumferential direction d3. In this case, the second flexible portion 12 may be more flexible by limiting its width in the circumferential direction d3 to a small value.

In the example shown in FIG. 4, the liquid container mating portion 13 is a second convex portion. In the example shown in FIG. 4, the second convex portion, which is the liquid container mating portion 13, is convex toward the outside in the radial direction d2. In addition, the second convex portion extends linearly in the circumferential direction d3.

The manner in which one end 15a of the intermediate member 15 is attached to the opening of the container body 14 will be described. The intermediate member 15 has an extension portion 153. In the example shown in FIG. 4, the extension portion 153 is connected to the side portion 152 of the intermediate member 15 and extends in the axial direction d1. The extension portion 153 is connected to a portion of the side portion 152 that is closer to the one end 15a of the intermediate member 15 than the intermediate screw portion 151. In the example shown in FIG. 4, the extension portion 153 has a third recess 154. Furthermore, in the example shown in FIG. 4, eight extension portions 153 are provided.

The extension portion 153 may be a third flexible portion that is more flexible than other portions of the intermediate member 15. As an example, the third flexible portion is more flexible than the side portion 152 of the intermediate member 15.

In the example shown in FIG. 4, the third flexible portion is more easily bent than other portions of the intermediate member 15 by limiting the width in the circumferential direction d3 (dimension w2 shown in FIG. 4) to a small value. When limiting the width of the third flexible portion to a small value to make the third flexible portion more easily bent, the direction in which the third flexible portion extends is not particularly limited. Although not shown, the third flexible portion may extend in the circumferential direction d3. In this case, the third flexible portion may be more easily bent by limiting the width in the circumferential direction d3 to a small value. Also, although not shown, the third flexible portion may be more easily bent than other portions of the liquid container 10 by having a portion with a small thickness in the radial direction d2.

In the example shown in FIG. 4, the third recess 154 is recessed outward in the radial direction d2. The third recess 154 also extends linearly in the circumferential direction d3.

As shown in FIG. 3, the intermediate member 15 shown in FIG. 4 has one end 15a of the intermediate member 15 attached to the opening of the container body 14 by engaging the third recess 154 with the flange portion 141 of the container body 14, which is convex outward in the radial direction d2. In this case, since the extension portion 153 is the third flexible portion, the intermediate member 15 can be removed from the container body 14 by bending the third flexible portion to release the engagement between the third recess 154 and the flange portion 141.

Although not shown, the container body 14 may have a recess that is recessed inward in the radial direction d2, and the extension portion 153 may have a protrusion that is protruding inward in the radial direction d2. In this case, the protrusion of the extension portion 153 and the recess of the container body engage with each other, so that one end 15a of the intermediate member 15 is attached to the opening of the container body 14.

In the example shown in FIG. 4, multiple extensions 153 are arranged in the circumferential direction d3, and the second flexible portions 12 are provided in the gaps between adjacent extensions 153 in the circumferential direction d3. In the example shown in FIG. 4, eight extensions 153 are arranged in the circumferential direction d3, so there are eight gaps between adjacent extensions 153. A second flexible portion 12 is provided in every other gap between the eight extensions 153. This results in a total of four second flexible portions 12. In addition, the extensions 153 extend further in the axial direction d1 than the second flexible portions 12 to a position on the closed end 10b side of the liquid container 10 (the lower side in FIG. 2).

In the example shown in FIG. 2, the liquid container 10 further includes an O-ring 16. The O-ring 16 is a member having an annular shape. The O-ring 16 is fitted into the annular groove 155 of the intermediate member 15 shown in FIG. 4, and contacts the other open end of the container body 14 when the intermediate member 15 is attached to the container body 14. The O-ring 16 provides a seal between the container body 14 and the intermediate member 15.

The applicator 30 has a cap portion 31 that is removably attached to the opening 10a of the liquid container 10, and an applicator body 34 that extends into the interior of the liquid container 10 from the cap portion 31 when attached to the opening 10a of the liquid container 10. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the cap portion 31 is attached to the other end 15b of the intermediate member 15, thereby being attached to the opening 10a of the liquid container 10.

As an example, the cap portion 31 is attached to the opening 10a of the liquid container 10 by being screwed to the liquid container 10. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the cap portion 31 is removably attached to the opening 10a of the liquid container 10 by being screwed to the intermediate screw portion 151 of the intermediate member 15 of the liquid container 10. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the cap portion 31 has a cap screw portion 311 that is screwed to the intermediate screw portion 151 of the intermediate member 15. The cap portion 31 shown in FIG. 2 further has a cylindrical side portion 312 that goes around in the circumferential direction d3 and a bottom portion 313 that extends perpendicularly to the axial direction d1. The intermediate screw portion 151 is provided in a portion of the side portion 312 that is located closer to one end 10b of the liquid container 10 (lower side in FIG. 2) than the bottom portion 313 in the axial direction d1.

In the example shown in FIG. 2, the intermediate thread portion 151 is male threaded, and the cap thread portion 311 is female threaded. The cap portion 31 is attached to the opening 10a, as shown in FIG. 2, to close the opening 10a. The cap portion 31 is made of, for example, resin.

The cap portion 31 further has a first flexible portion 32. The first flexible portion 32 has a cap portion meshing portion 33, which is one of the first convex portion and the first concave portion. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the cap portion 31 has two first flexible portions 32 each having a cap portion meshing portion 33.

The first flexible portion 32 is more flexible than other portions of the cap portion 31, such as the side portion 312. As an example, the first flexible portion 32 is more flexible than the outer cap 50, which will be described later.

In the example shown in FIG. 2, the first flexible portion 32 is connected to the side portion 312 of the cap portion 31 and extends in the axial direction d1.

The first flexible portion 32 is connected to a portion of the side portion 312 that is closer to one end 10b of the liquid container 10 (the lower side in FIG. 2) than the cap screw portion 311. Here, the first flexible portion 32 is more easily bent than other portions of the cap portion 31 by being limited to a small width in the circumferential direction d3 (dimension w3 shown in FIG. 3). Also, the first flexible portion 32 shown in FIG. 2 has a portion whose thickness in the radial direction d2 is smaller than the thickness in the radial direction d2 of other portions of the cap portion 31, for example, the thickness of the side portion 312 in the radial direction d2. It can be said that the first flexible portion 32 is more easily bent than other portions of the cap portion 31 because of its smaller thickness in the radial direction d2.

When the first flexible portion 32 is made more flexible by limiting its width to a small value, the direction in which the first flexible portion 32 extends is not particularly limited. Although not shown, the first flexible portion 32 may extend in the circumferential direction d3. In this case, the first flexible portion 32 may be made more flexible by limiting its width in the circumferential direction d3 to a small value.

In the example shown in FIG. 3, the cap portion meshing portion 33 is a first convex portion. In the example shown in FIG. 3, the first convex portion, which is the cap portion meshing portion 33, is convex toward the outside in the radial direction d2. Also, in the example shown in FIG. 3, the first convex portion is a spherical crown-shaped protrusion. Note that the shape of the first convex portion is preferably spherical crown-shaped, but may also be a convex rib shape with width, etc.

The applicator 34 is made of, for example, resin. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the applicator 34 is integrally molded with the cap portion 31 and extends from the cap portion 31. The applicator 34 also extends from the bottom portion 313 of the cap portion 31. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the applicator 34 passes through the intermediate member 15 and extends into the inside of the container body 14.

The applicator 34 has an applicator tip 34a that holds the application liquid C, and an applicator shaft 34b that connects the applicator tip 34a to the cap portion 31. The shape of the applicator tip 34a is not particularly limited as long as it is a shape that can hold and apply the application liquid C. As an example, the applicator tip 34a may be a brush or a sponge. The applicator shaft 34b may be formed as a solid or hollow structure.

As shown in FIG. 2, the container 1 with applicator further includes a squeezing part 60, at least a portion of which extends into the interior of the liquid container 10 and into which the applicator body 34 is inserted. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the squeezing part 60 has a cylindrical shape, and a portion of the squeezing part 60 is located inside the intermediate member 15. The squeezing part 60 has an annular first flange 61 and an annular second flange 62. The first flange 61 and the second flange 62 sandwich the intermediate member 15 in the axial direction d1, and each of the first flange 61 and the second flange is in contact with the intermediate member 15, so that the squeezing part 60 is fixed to the intermediate member 15 of the liquid container 10. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the squeezing part 60 has a valve-shaped scraping portion 63. A portion of the squeezing part 60, including the scraping part 63, extends into the liquid container 10 in the axial direction d1 beyond the intermediate member 15 to one end 10b of the liquid container 10 (the lower side in FIG. 2). The applicator 34 is inserted between the scraping parts 63 of the squeezing part 60.

The squeezing part 60 is made of rubber, for example. The squeezing part 60 shown in FIG. 2 is made of rubber, which provides the following effects. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the second flange 62 of the squeezing part 60 is sandwiched between the liquid container 10 and the cap part 31 and is in contact with the liquid container 10 and the cap part 31. In particular, the second flange 62 is sandwiched between the intermediate member 15 of the liquid container 10 and the bottom part 313 of the cap part 31 in the axial direction d1 and is in contact with the intermediate member 15 and the bottom part 313. The rubber squeezing part 60 can be used to seal the gap between the liquid container 10 and the cap part 31, thereby preventing leakage of the coating liquid C. The squeezing part 60 may be made of resin.

The outer cap 50 is a member that is attached to the cap part 31 so as to cover at least a part of the cap part 31. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the outer cap 50 covers the cap part 31 when attached to the cap part 31. Also, in the example shown in FIG. 2, the outer cap 50 covers a part of the liquid container 10, particularly a part of the intermediate member 15. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the outer cap 50. As shown in FIG. 5, the outer cap 50 has a cylindrical side part 52 that goes around the periphery of the cap part 31 and the intermediate member 15, and a bottom part 53 that closes one end of the cylindrical side part 52. In the illustrated example, the bottom part 53 of the outer cap 50 and the bottom part 43 of the outer container 40 described later have a circular shape. Also, the side part 52 of the outer cap 50 and the side part 42 of the outer container 40 described later have a cylindrical shape. However, the appearance of the outer cap 50 and the outer container 40 is not limited to this. For example, the outer cap 50 and the outer container 40 may have corners. More specifically, the bottom surface 53 of the outer cap 50 and the bottom surface 43 of the outer container 40 may have a polygonal shape, for example, a rectangular shape. In this case, the side surface 52 of the outer cap 50 and the side surface 42 of the outer container 40 have outer surfaces that connect to the sides of the polygonal bottom surface 53 of the outer cap 50 and the bottom surface 43 of the outer container 40.

The outer cap 50 further has an outer cap meshing portion 51. The outer cap meshing portion 51 is the other of the first convex portion and the first concave portion, which is different from the cap portion meshing portion 33. For example, if the cap portion meshing portion 33 is the first convex portion, the outer cap meshing portion 51 is the first concave portion. Also, if the cap portion meshing portion 33 is the first concave portion, the outer cap meshing portion 51 is the first convex portion. In the example shown in FIG. 5, the outer cap meshing portion 51 is the first concave portion. The first concave portion, which is the outer cap meshing portion 51, is an annular concave portion provided on the inner circumferential portion of the side portion 52 of the outer cap 50 and recessed outward in the radial direction d2.

Figure 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the cross-section shown in Figure 2, showing the periphery of the outer cap interlocking portion 51. The outer cap 50 is attached to the cap portion 31 by the outer cap interlocking portion 51 interlocking with the cap portion interlocking portion 33, as shown in Figure 6. Here, because the cap portion interlocking portion 33 is provided as part of the first flexible portion 32, the interlocking between the cap portion interlocking portion 33 and the outer cap interlocking portion 51 can be released by bending the first flexible portion 32.

In this embodiment, the outer cap 50 is attached to the cap part 31 so that the relative rotation with respect to the cap part 31 is restricted. The outer cap 50 shown in FIG. 5 has a linear recess 54 provided on the inner peripheral part of the side part 52 and extending in the axial direction d1. In the example shown in FIG. 5, the outer cap 50 has a plurality of linear recesses 54. Also, the cap part 31 shown in FIG. 3 has a linear protrusion 314 provided on the outer peripheral part of the side part 312 and extending in the axial direction d1. In the example shown in FIG. 3, the cap part 31 has a plurality of linear protrusions 314. In this way, when the outer cap 50 has the linear recess 54 and the cap part 31 has the linear protrusion 314, the linear recess 54 and the linear protrusion 314 mesh with each other, thereby restricting the relative rotation of the outer cap 50 with respect to the cap part 31.

The outer cap 50 may have a linear protrusion provided on the inner circumferential portion of the side surface portion 52 and extending in the axial direction d1, and the cap portion 31 may have a linear recess provided on the outer circumferential portion of the side surface portion 312 and extending in the axial direction d1. In this case, the linear protrusion of the outer cap 50 and the linear recess of the cap portion mesh with each other, thereby restricting the relative rotation of the outer cap 50 with respect to the cap portion 31.

The outer container 40 is a member that is removably attached to the liquid container 10 so as to cover at least a portion of the liquid container 10. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the outer container 40 covers the container body 14 of the liquid container 10 when attached to the liquid container 10. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the outer container 40 covers a portion of the intermediate member 15 of the liquid container 10. As shown in FIG. 2, the outer container 40 has a cylindrical side portion 42 that runs around the container body 14 and a portion of the intermediate member 15, and a bottom portion 43 that closes one end of the cylindrical side portion 42, and the other end of the side portion 42 is open.

The outer container 40 further has an outer container meshing portion 41. The outer container meshing portion 41 is the other of the second convex portion and the second concave portion, which is different from the liquid container meshing portion 13. For example, if the liquid container meshing portion 13 is the second convex portion, the outer container meshing portion 41 is the second concave portion. Also, if the liquid container meshing portion 13 is the second concave portion, the outer container meshing portion 41 is the second convex portion. FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a part of the other end side of the outer container 40 that is open. In the example shown in FIG. 7, the outer container meshing portion 41 is the second concave portion. The second concave portion that is the outer container meshing portion 41 is an annular concave portion that is provided on the inner peripheral portion of the side portion 42 of the outer container 40 and is concave toward the outside in the radial direction d2.

Figure 8 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line VIII-VIII in Figure 3, showing an enlarged view of the periphery of the outer container mating portion 41. The outer container 40 is attached to the liquid container 10 by the outer container mating portion 41 mating with the liquid container mating portion 13, as shown in Figure 8. Here, because the liquid container mating portion 13 is provided as part of the second flexible portion 12, the liquid container mating portion 13 and the outer container mating portion 41 can be disengaged by bending the second flexible portion 12. The outer container 40 attached to the liquid container 10 can be removed from the liquid container 10 by disengaging the liquid container mating portion 13 and the outer container mating portion 41.

In this embodiment, the outer container 40 is attached to the liquid container 10 so that the relative rotation with respect to at least the part of the liquid container 10 to which the outer container 40 is attached is restricted. In particular, the outer container 40 is attached to the liquid container 10 so that the relative rotation with respect to at least the part of the liquid container 10 to which the cap portion 31 is attached is restricted. In this embodiment, the cap portion 31 is attached to the intermediate member 15 of the liquid container 10. Then, the outer container 40 is attached to the intermediate member 15 so that the relative rotation with respect to the intermediate member 15 is restricted. The outer container 40 shown in FIG. 7 has a recess 44 provided on the inner peripheral portion of the side portion 42. In the example shown in FIG. 7, the outer container 40 has a plurality of recesses 44. In this case, a portion of the extension portion 153 of the intermediate member 15 is inserted into the recess 44. In particular, the portion of the extension 153 that is located closer to the closed end 10b of the liquid container 10 (the lower side in FIG. 6) in the axial direction d1 than the second flexible portion 12 is inserted into the recess 44. By inserting a portion of the extension 153 into the recess 44, the relative rotation of the outer container 40 with respect to the intermediate member 15 is restricted.

In addition, although not shown, the intermediate member 15 may have one of a linear convex portion and a linear concave portion provided on the outer periphery of the side portion 152 and extending in the axial direction d1, and the outer container 40 may have the other of a linear convex portion and a linear concave portion provided on the outer periphery of the side portion 42 and extending in the axial direction d1. In this case, the linear convex portion and the linear concave portion mesh with each other, thereby restricting the relative rotation of the outer container 40 with respect to the intermediate member 15.

Here, when the outer container 40 is attached to the liquid container 10 and the outer cap 50 is attached to the cap part 31, a part of the outer container 40 is located at a position that restricts the first flexible part 32 from bending. In the example shown in FIG. 6, when the outer container 40 is attached to the liquid container 10 and the outer cap 50 is attached to the cap part 31, a part of the outer container 40 is located inside the first flexible part 32 in the radial direction d2. This restricts the first flexible part 32 from bending inward in the radial direction d2. In the example shown in FIG. 6, a part of the outer container 40 contacts the first flexible part 32 from the inside of the first flexible part 32 in the radial direction d2. This more effectively restricts the bending of the first flexible part 32. In addition, a part of the outer container 40 and a part of the outer cap 50 may sandwich a part of the first flexible part 32 in the radial direction d2. This more effectively restricts the bending of the first flexible portion 32.

In the example shown in FIG. 6, the outer container 40 has an outer container inclined surface 40a inclined with respect to the axial direction d1 at the end located on the side where the outer container 40 is opened (upper side of FIG. 6). The cap part 31 has a cap part inclined surface 31a inclined with respect to the axial direction d2 at the end located on the closed end 10b side of the liquid container 10 (lower side of FIG. 6). When the outer container 40 is attached to the liquid container 10 and the outer cap 50 is attached to the cap part 31, the outer container inclined surface 40a contacts the cap part inclined surface 31a from the inside in the radial direction d2. In particular, the outer container inclined surface 40a contacts a portion of the cap part inclined surface 31a that constitutes the tip of the first flexible part 32. This restricts the bending of the first flexible part 32.

The outer container 40 and the outer cap 50 are exposed as part of the outer container as shown in FIG. 2. The outer container 40 and the outer cap 50 are held by the user when in use. The outer surfaces of the outer container 40 and the outer cap 50 may be decorated. For example, figures, patterns, designs, colors, pictures, photographs, characters, marks, pictograms, letters, numbers, and other designs may be provided on the outer surfaces of the outer container 40 and the outer cap 50 as designs to improve the aesthetic appearance. In addition to or instead of the design, a description of the function or use may be provided on the outer surfaces of the outer container 40 and the outer cap 50. The decoration on the outer surfaces of the outer container 40 and the outer cap 50 may be expressed by various methods without being particularly limited. Specifically, the decoration on the outer surfaces of the outer container 40 and the outer cap 50 may be expressed by a display such as printing, or may be expressed by unevenness formed by embossing. Since the container with applicator 1 has an outer container 40 and an outer cap 50, the appearance and feel of the portion of the container with applicator 1 covered by the outer container 40 and the outer cap 50 can be made preferable by selecting the materials of the outer container 40 and the outer cap 50. The outer container 40 and the outer cap 50 are made of, for example, resin or metal.

An example of a method for applying the application liquid C contained in the liquid container 10 using the container 1 with applicator according to this embodiment will be described. A user of the container 1 with applicator first removes the cap portion 31 attached to the opening 10a of the liquid container 10 from the liquid container 10. In this embodiment, the cap portion 31 is attached to the opening 10a of the liquid container 10 by being screwed to the liquid container 10. In this case, a user of the container 1 with applicator grasps the outer cap 50 and the outer container 40, and rotates the outer cap 50 relative to the outer container 40. This unscrews the cap portion 31 to which the outer cap 50 is attached from the liquid container 10 to which the outer container 40 is attached.

The outer cap 50 is attached to the cap part 31 in such a way that its relative rotation with respect to the cap part 31 is restricted. Therefore, by rotating the outer cap 50 relative to the outer container 40, it is possible to cause the cap part 31 to rotate relative to the liquid container 10 without causing relative rotation between the outer cap 50 and the cap part 31. This allows the cap part 31 to be efficiently unscrewed from the liquid container 10.

The outer container 40 is attached to the liquid container 10 in such a way that relative rotation with at least the portion of the liquid container 10 to which the outer container 40 is attached is restricted. Therefore, by rotating the outer cap 50 relative to the outer container 40, it is possible to cause relative rotation of the cap portion 31 with respect to the liquid container 10 without causing relative rotation between the outer container 40 and the portion of the liquid container 10 to which the outer container 40 is attached. This allows the cap portion 31 to be efficiently unscrewed from the liquid container 10.

In particular, the outer container 40 is attached to the liquid container 10 such that relative rotation with respect to at least the part of the liquid container 10 to which the cap portion 31 is attached is restricted. In this case, even if the liquid container 10 is composed of multiple members, such as the container body 14 and the intermediate member 15, relative rotation between the members that make up the liquid container 10 can be suppressed when the outer cap 50 is rotated relative to the outer container 40. This makes it possible to suppress a decrease in the efficiency of unscrewing the cap portion 31 from the liquid container 10, which is caused by relative rotation between the members that make up the liquid container 10.

In particular, in this embodiment, the cap portion 31 is attached to the intermediate member 15 of the liquid container 10, and the outer container 40 is attached to the liquid container 10 so that the relative rotation with respect to the intermediate member 15 is restricted. In this case, by providing the intermediate member 15 with a mechanism for restricting the relative rotation between the outer container 40 and the liquid container 10, such as the extension portion 153 in FIG. 4, the efficiency of removing the cap portion 31 from the liquid container 10 can be suppressed from decreasing. This eliminates the need to provide the container body 14 with a mechanism for restricting the relative rotation between the outer container 40 and the liquid container 10. This improves the degree of freedom in designing the shape of the container body 14. For example, the shape of the container body 14 can be made easier for the user to grasp. When the shape of the container body 14 is made easier for the user to grasp, it is possible to facilitate the work of disassembling the applicator-equipped container 1 by the method described below.

By releasing the screw fastening of the cap portion 31 to the intermediate member 15, the applicator 34 extending from the cap portion 31 can be removed from inside the liquid container 10 while still holding the coating liquid C, and the applicator 34 can be used to apply the coating liquid C. When removing the applicator 34 from inside the liquid container 10 through the intermediate member 15, the scraping portion 63 of the squeezing part 60 can be used to scrape off the coating liquid C held by the applicator 34, and the amount of coating liquid C to be applied can be adjusted.

After removing the applicator body 34, the user can, for example, grasp the outer cap 50 and manipulate the applicator body 34 extending from the cap portion 31 to which the outer cap 50 is attached, to apply the application liquid C.

The container 1 with applicator according to this embodiment can also be disassembled for the purpose of replacing some of the components while reusing the other components, or for separating and disposing of components made of different materials. In one example, the liquid container 10 and the applicator 30 are disposable. In this case, the squeezing part 60 may be disposable together with the liquid container 10 and the applicator 30. In this case, when the coating liquid C contained in the liquid container 10 is consumed, the container 1 with applicator is disassembled and the liquid container 10 is replaced with one containing the coating liquid C. The applicator 30 is also replaced together with the liquid container 10. In the container 1 with applicator, the container used to replace the liquid container 10 and the applicator 30 is also referred to as the replacement container 70. In addition, the liquid container 10, the applicator 30, and the squeezing part 60 do not have to be disposable. For example, the coating liquid C may be contained again inside the liquid container 10 from which the coating liquid C has been consumed, and this may be reused. In addition, only some of the components of the liquid container 10, applicator 30, and wiping part 60 may be replaced, and the remaining parts may be reused.

When the applicator 30 including the cap portion 31 attached to the opening 10a of the liquid container 10 is disposable together with the liquid container 10, that is, when the replacement container 70 includes the applicator 30 together with the liquid container 10, the following effects can be obtained. When replacing a liquid container 10 in which the application liquid C has been consumed with one containing the application liquid C, the opening 10a of the liquid container 10 is closed by the cap portion 31, and the liquid container 10 can be replaced with the application body 34 contained inside the liquid container 10. Therefore, when replacing the liquid container 10, the liquid container 10 can be replaced without the application liquid C contained in the liquid container 10 or the application liquid C attached to the application body 34 leaking out of the liquid container 10.

The replacement container 70 used in the container with applicator 1 will be described. The replacement container 70 has a liquid container 10 and an applicator 30 similar to those in the container with applicator 1. The replacement container 70 in this embodiment also has a squeezing part 60. The appearance of the replacement container 70 is the same as that of the container with applicator 1, with the outer cap 50 and outer container 40 omitted, as shown in Figure 1.

The replacement container 70 containing the coating liquid C in the liquid container 10 is also referred to as a coating liquid-containing replacement container. In other words, the replacement container containing the coating liquid includes the replacement container 70 and the coating liquid C contained in the liquid container 10.

An example of a method for disassembling the container 1 with applicator shown in FIG. 2 and replacing the liquid container 10 and applicator 30 using a replacement container 70 will be described. As an example, a case where the wiping part 60 is replaced along with the liquid container 10 and applicator 30 will be described.

First, the user of the applicator-equipped container 1 grasps the outer cap 50 and the outer container 40 and pulls them apart in the axial direction d1. At this time, the force pulling the outer cap 50 and the outer container 40 is increased so that a certain amount of force or more is applied to the second flexible portion 12.

8, a gap is provided in the radial direction d2 inside the portion of the second flexible portion 12 where the liquid container engaging portion 13 is located. The size of the width w4 of the gap in the radial direction d2 is such that the second flexible portion 12 is allowed to bend so that the liquid container engaging portion 13 and the outer container engaging portion 41 can be disengaged. Due to this gap, by pulling the outer cap 50 and the outer container 40, the second flexible portion 12 can be bent to disengage the liquid container engaging portion 13 and the outer container engaging portion 41, and the outer container 40 can be removed from the liquid container 10.

In addition, in the container with applicator 1 according to this embodiment, when the outer container 40 is attached to the liquid container 10 and the outer cap 50 is attached to the cap portion 31, a part of the outer container 40 is located in a position that restricts the first flexible portion 32 from bending. Therefore, even if the outer cap 50 and the outer container 40 are pulled apart in the axial direction d1 in the state shown in FIG. 2, the first flexible portion 32 is restricted from bending and disengaging the cap portion meshing portion 33 and the outer cap meshing portion 51. Therefore, by pulling the outer cap 50 and the outer container 40, the meshing between the liquid container meshing portion 13 and the outer container meshing portion 41 is preferentially disengaged over the meshing between the cap portion meshing portion 33 and the outer cap meshing portion 51. As a result, the outer container 40 is removed from the liquid container 10 without removing the outer cap 50 from the cap portion 31.

Next, the user of the applicator-equipped container 1 grasps the outer cap 50 and the liquid container 10 that is exposed when the outer container 40 is removed, and pulls the outer cap 50 and the liquid container 10 apart in the axial direction d1. At this time, the force pulling the outer cap 50 and the liquid container 10 is increased so that a certain amount of force or more is applied to the first flexible portion 32. This bends the first flexible portion 32, disengaging the cap portion engaging portion 33 from the outer cap engaging portion 51, and the outer cap 50 can be removed from the cap portion 31.

Next, the removed outer cap 50 is attached to the cap portion 31 of the replacement container containing the coating liquid, which comprises the liquid container 10, the applicator 30, and the coating liquid C contained in the liquid container 10. The removed outer container 40 is also attached to the liquid container 10 of the replacement container containing the coating liquid. As a result, the liquid container 10 from which all the coating liquid C has been consumed is replaced with a liquid container 10 containing the coating liquid C, and the applicator 30 and the squeezing part 60 are also replaced.

In the container with applicator 1 according to this embodiment, the cap part engagement portion 33 of the first flexible portion 32 of the cap part 31 engages with the outer cap engagement portion 51 of the outer cap 50, thereby attaching the outer cap 50 to the cap part 31. Therefore, the engagement of the outer cap 50 with the outer cap engagement portion 51 prevents the outer cap 50 from being unintentionally removed from the applicator 30, and the outer cap 50 can be removed from the applicator 30 by bending the first flexible portion 32.

In particular, since the cap portion 31 has the first flexible portion 32, it is not necessary to provide the outer cap 50 with a flexible portion. This increases the degree of freedom in selecting the material and shape of the outer cap 50. Therefore, the material and shape of the outer cap 50 can be selected so that the outer cap 50 has a favorable appearance and feel. In addition, the material and shape of the outer cap 50 can be selected so that the user can easily grip the outer cap 50. In addition, the material and shape of the outer cap 50 can be selected so that it has sufficient strength. Furthermore, by increasing the strength of the outer cap 50, it is possible to prevent the outer cap 50 from bending and unintentionally disengaging the cap portion engagement portion 33 and the outer cap engagement portion 51 when an impact is applied to the outer cap 50 from the outside.

In addition, in the container with applicator 1 according to this embodiment, when the outer container 40 is attached to the liquid container 10 and the outer cap 50 is attached to the cap portion 31, a part of the outer container 40 restricts the first flexible portion 32 from bending. As a result, while the outer container 40 is attached to the liquid container 10, it is not possible to remove the outer cap 50 from the cap portion 31 by bending the first flexible portion 32. This provides the following effects.

In the container 1 with applicator, the liquid container 10 tends to have a shape that is easier to grip with a human hand than the cap portion 31. For example, the liquid container 10 tends to have a larger dimension than the cap portion 31 because it needs to contain the application liquid C, which makes it easier to grip. In addition, the cap portion 31 tends to have a smaller dimension than the liquid container 10, and may be required to have a mechanism for restricting relative rotation with respect to the outer cap 50, such as the linear convex portion 314 shown in FIG. 3. In this case, it becomes necessary to provide the mechanism for restricting relative rotation with respect to the outer cap 50 in a concentrated manner in a narrow range. By providing a mechanism for restricting relative rotation, such as the linear convex portion 314, the cap portion 31 may have a shape that is more difficult to grip.

As described above, in the container with applicator 1 according to this embodiment, the outer cap 50 cannot be removed unless the outer container 40 is removed first. This prevents the outer cap 50 from coming off before the outer container 40, exposing the cap portion 31, which is difficult to grip, and forcing the user to grip the cap portion 31 to remove the outer container 40. The disassembly procedure is limited to removing the outer container 40 before the outer cap 50 to expose one end 10b of the liquid container 10, and then gripping the outer cap 50 and the liquid container 10 to remove the outer cap 50, making the disassembly easier.

From the viewpoint of making it easier to grasp the outer cap 50 and the liquid container 10 and remove the outer cap 50, it is preferable that the shape of the liquid container 10 is easy to grasp with a human hand. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the liquid container 10 has a cylindrical shape with one end 10b closed and the other end 10c open, and extends in the axial direction d1. In this case, in the axial direction d1, which is the extension direction of the liquid container 10, the dimension w5 of the liquid container 10 is larger than the dimension w6 of the cap portion 31 when attached to the opening 10a of the liquid container 10. Since the dimension w5 is larger than the dimension w6, the liquid container 10 is easier to grasp, especially compared to the cap portion 31.

As described above, one embodiment has been described with reference to specific examples, but the above-mentioned specific examples are not intended to limit the one embodiment. The above-mentioned one embodiment can be implemented with various other specific examples, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the embodiment.

Below, an example of a modification will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description and the drawings used in the following description, parts that can be configured similarly to the specific example described above will be designated by the same reference numerals as those used for the corresponding parts in the specific example described above, and duplicate descriptions will be omitted.

(Modification)
In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the bending of the first flexible part 32 is restricted by the outer container inclined surface 40a contacting a portion of the cap part inclined surface 31a that constitutes the tip of the first flexible part 32. However, the manner in which the bending of the first flexible part 32 is restricted is not limited to this. FIG. 9 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing the periphery of the outer cap engagement part 51 of the applicator-equipped container 1 in the modified example. In the example shown in FIG. 9, the outer container 40 does not have the outer container inclined surface 40a, and the cap part 31 does not have the cap part inclined surface 31a. Then, a surface of the outer container 40 parallel to the axial direction d1 contacts a surface of the cap part 31 parallel to the axial direction d1. Even in this case, a part of the outer container 40 is located inside the first flexible part 32 in the axial direction d1, so that the bending of the first flexible part 32 is restricted. In particular, the bending of the first flexible portion 32 is restricted by a surface of the outer container 40 parallel to the axial direction d1 coming into contact with a surface of the cap portion 31 parallel to the axial direction d1 from the inside in the radial direction d2.

The aspects of the present invention are not limited to the individual embodiments described above, but include various modifications that may be conceived by a person skilled in the art, and the effects of the present invention are not limited to the above. In other words, various additions, modifications, and partial deletions are possible within the scope that does not deviate from the conceptual idea and intent of the present invention derived from the contents defined in the claims and their equivalents.

1 Container with applicator 10 Liquid container 10a Opening 12 Second flexible portion 13 Liquid container engagement portion 14 Container body 15 Intermediate member 151 Intermediate screw portion 153 Extension portion 30 Applicator 31 Cap portion 311 Cap screw portion 32 First flexible portion 33 Cap portion engagement portion 34 Applicator body 40 Outer container 41 Outer container engagement portion 50 Outer cap 51 Outer cap engagement portion 60 Squeezing part 70 Replacement container

Claims (13)

a liquid container that contains a coating liquid and has an opening;
an applicator including a cap portion removably attached to an opening of the liquid container, and an applicator body extending from the cap portion attached to the opening of the liquid container into the interior of the liquid container;
an outer container removably attached to the liquid container so as to cover at least a portion of the liquid container;
an outer cap attached to the cap portion so as to cover at least a portion of the cap portion;
the cap portion has a first flexible portion having a cap portion engaging portion which is one of a first convex portion and a first concave portion;
the outer cap has an outer cap mating portion which is the other of the first convex portion and the first concave portion, and is attached to the cap portion by the outer cap mating portion mating with the cap portion mating portion;
A container with an applicator, wherein when the outer container is attached to the liquid container and the outer cap is attached to the cap portion, a portion of the outer container is positioned in a position that restricts bending of the first flexible portion. the liquid container further includes a second flexible portion having a liquid container engaging portion that is one of a second protrusion and a second recess;
The container with applicator according to claim 1, wherein the outer container has an outer container mating portion which is the other of the second convex portion and the second concave portion, and is attached to the liquid container by the outer container mating portion mating with the liquid container mating portion. The container with applicator according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the cap is attached to the opening of the liquid container by being screwed to the liquid container. The container with applicator according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the outer cap is attached to the cap portion so that its relative rotation with respect to the cap portion is restricted. The container with applicator according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the outer container is attached to the liquid container such that relative rotation with respect to at least the part of the liquid container to which the outer container is attached is restricted. the liquid container has a container body that contains the coating liquid, and an intermediate member that is open at both ends, one end of which is attached to the opening of the container body and the other end of which is attached to the cap portion,
The applicator-equipped container according to claim 5 , wherein the outer container is attached to the intermediate member such that relative rotation with respect to the intermediate member is restricted. The liquid container has a cylindrical shape with one end closed and the other end open,
The container with applicator according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the dimensions of the liquid container in the extension direction of the liquid container are larger than the dimensions of the cap portion when attached to the opening of the liquid container. The container with applicator according to any one of claims 1 to 7, comprising a squeezing part, at least a portion of which extends into the interior of the liquid container and through which the applicator is inserted. The container with applicator according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the liquid container and the applicator are disposable. The container with applicator according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the application liquid is a cosmetic. A container with an applicator according to any one of claims 1 to 10,
The application liquid is contained in the liquid container. A replacement container for use with the applicator-equipped container according to any one of claims 1 to 11,
A replacement container comprising the liquid container and the applicator. A replacement container according to claim 12;
and a coating liquid-containing replacement container comprising the coating liquid contained in the liquid container.