JP5990735B2 - Applicator manufacturing method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing an applicator for extruding and using an application material.

  As a conventional method of manufacturing an applicator, for example, the one described in Patent Document 1 is known. In the manufacturing method described in Patent Document 1, after the filling portion (filling material) is filled in the filling region in a state where the coating portion of the filling member is recessed, the filling region is restored when the coating portion is elastically restored. A space is formed on the tip side including the discharge port inside. This prevents the coating material from leaking from the discharge port even if the coating material expands due to temperature change or pressure change.

JP 2006-136774 A

  Here, in the manufacturing method of the applicator, as described above, a space is formed on the front end side in the filling region by the elastic return of the applicator. For example, depending on the shape of the applicator, the space is sufficiently It may not be formed. Therefore, in recent methods for manufacturing an applicator, it is desired to ensure a certain amount of space on the tip side in the filling region and to prevent leakage of the coating material from the discharge port.

  Then, this invention makes it a subject to provide the manufacturing method of the applicator which can prevent the leakage of the coating material from a discharge outlet reliably.

  In order to solve the above problems, a method of manufacturing an applicator according to the present invention includes a filling member having a filling region filled with a coating material, and a rear end of the filling region inserted in close contact with the filling member. A body part including an extruding part, and a manufacturing method of an applicator that discharges the coating material from a discharge port on the front end side of the filling member by advancing the extruding part, wherein the front side of the filling member is more than the rear side A process of filling the filling region of the filling member with the coating material from the rear in a state where the filling member is positioned, and after filling the coating material, a space is formed on the tip side in the filling region. The method includes a step of feeding a predetermined amount of air from the discharge port and a step of assembling the main body portion to the filling member after the air is fed.

  In the manufacturing method of the present invention, after the air is sent from the discharge port into the filling region filled with the coating material, the main body is assembled to the filling member. As a result, a certain amount of space can be reliably ensured on the tip side in the filling region, and leakage of the coating material from the discharge port can be reliably prevented by this certain amount of space.

  In the step of sending air, it is preferable to send air into the filling region by reducing the volume of the airtight space around the applicator with the discharge port positioned in the airtight space. In this case, the above-described process of sending air from the discharge port into the filling region can be suitably realized.

  Moreover, it is preferable that the front end side of a discharge port or a filling area | region has a predetermined diameter with which the coating material with which it fills in a filling area | region and a molten state does not flow down from a discharge opening. In this case, the coating material can be reliably filled in the filling region. Further, since the coating material does not flow down from the discharge port, it is possible to suitably feed air from the discharge port.

  The filling member includes a passage portion extending from the filling region to the outside of the filling member in the applicator, and in the step of assembling the main body portion, a part of the coating material flows out of the filling region through the passage portion. Is preferred. In this case, it is possible to suppress the presence of air between the coating material and the extrusion portion.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, it becomes possible to provide the applicator which can prevent the leakage of the coating material from a discharge outlet reliably.

It is a longitudinal section showing the initial state of the applicator concerning one embodiment. FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view in which the vertical cross-sectional position of FIG. 1 showing the state of the forward limit of the moving body in the applicator of FIG. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the applicator of FIG. It is sectional drawing which expands and shows the principal part in the applicator of FIG. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a partially sectioned operation tube of the applicator of FIG. 1. FIG. 6 is another perspective view showing the operation cylinder of the applicator of FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the screw cylinder of the applicator of FIG. It is sectional drawing along the VIII-VIII line of FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the ratchet member of the applicator of FIG. It is a top view which shows the ratchet member of the applicator of FIG. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the filling member of the applicator of FIG. (A) is a front view which shows the nib member in the applicator of FIG. 1, (b) is a bottom view which shows the nib member in the applicator of FIG. (A) is sectional drawing for demonstrating filling of the coating material in the applicator of FIG. 1, (b) is sectional drawing which shows the continuation of Fig.13 (a). (A) is sectional drawing which shows the continuation of FIG.13 (b), (b) is sectional drawing which shows the continuation of Fig.14 (a). (A) is sectional drawing for demonstrating the assembly | attachment of the applicator of FIG. 1, (b) is sectional drawing which shows the continuation of Fig.15 (a). (A) is sectional drawing which shows the continuation of FIG.15 (b), (b) is sectional drawing which shows the continuation of Fig.16 (a). FIG. 17A is an X-ray photograph showing the state after the application material is filled in the applicator of FIG. 1, and FIG. 17B is an X-ray photograph in which the position of the applicator of FIG. It is a radiograph which shows a part of applicator of FIG.

  DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same or equivalent elements will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted.

  FIG. 1 is a longitudinal side view showing an initial state of an applicator according to an embodiment, FIG. 2 is a longitudinal side view showing a state in which the moving body is advanced in the applicator, and FIG. 3 is an exploded view partially showing the applicator. FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a main part of the applicator of FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view in which the longitudinal sectional position in FIG. 1 is different by 90 °. As shown in FIGS. 1-3, the applicator 100 of this embodiment discharges (extrudes) the coating material M with which it was filled suitably by a user's operation.

  Examples of the coating material M include eyeliner, eye color, eye shadow, eyebrow, lip gloss, lip, lip liner, cheek color, cosmetic liquid, cosmetic stick, cleaning liquid, cleansing oil, nail enamel, nail care solution, nail remover, Various liquids such as mascara, anti-aging, hair color, hair coating material, oral care, massage oil, square plug loosening liquid, foundation, concealer, skin cream, writing utensils, etc. Gel (gel), paste, soft, mousse, kneaded, mud, semi-solid, soft solid, solid and the like can be used. In addition to pigments, oils, waxes, etc., the coating material M is blended with a volatile solvent (for example, silicon oil such as cyclopentasiloxane, or hydrocarbon oils such as isododecane and isohexadecane). Can improve the goodness. As a suitable example for the coating material M, for example, a makeup cosmetic such as a gel eyeliner, which contains a volatile component (volatile solvent) and has a high longlasting property can be used.

  Further, as the coating material M, it is preferable to use a gel or semi-solid material having high viscosity or hardness and high compressibility, and particularly preferably a coating having a hardness of about 0.1N to 0.3N. The material M can be used. The hardness of the coating material M is determined by a general measuring method used for measuring hardness in cosmetics. Here, for example, FUDOH RHEO METER [RTC-2002D.D] (manufactured by Rheotech Co., Ltd.) is used as a measuring device, and a steel rod (one adapter) of φ3 mm is used at a speed of 6 cm / min at an ambient temperature of 25 ° C. The peak force (strength) generated in the coating material M when inserted into the coating material M at a depth of about 10 mm is defined as hardness (penetration).

  The applicator 100 includes a filling member 1 that is a tip cylinder provided with a filling region 1x filled with a coating material M, and a second half portion of the filling member 1 inserted in the front half portion thereof so that the filling member 1 is an axis. A main body cylinder 2 that engages in a direction (front-rear direction) and a rotation direction around an axis (hereinafter also simply referred to as “rotation direction”) and is connected so as to be integrated with each other, and a rear end portion of the main body cylinder 2 is relatively rotatable. And an operation cylinder 3 connected in the axial direction. In addition, the filling member 1 and the main body cylinder 2 constitute a container front part, and the operation cylinder 3 constitutes a container rear part. Further, “axis” means a center line G extending in the front and rear directions of the applicator 100, and “axis direction” means a direction along the axis (hereinafter the same). Further, here, the feeding direction of the coating material M on the pen tip member 12 side to be described later in the axial direction is defined as the front (advancing direction), and the operating cylinder 3 side in the axial direction and the feeding direction of the coating material M. Is the rear (reverse direction).

  The applicator 100 includes a moving body 6 that moves in the axial direction by relative rotation of the main body cylinder 2 (or the filling member 1) and the operation cylinder 3, and a front end (tip) portion of the moving body 6. A piston 7 as an extruding portion that is mounted and inserted so as to be in close contact with the filling member 1 and constitutes (forms) the rear end of the filling region 1x, and a screw that enables the moving body 6 to move by the relative rotation. A screw cylinder 4 as a combined member and a ratchet member 5 that can relatively rotate in only one direction with respect to the screw cylinder 4 are roughly provided.

  Furthermore, the applicator 100 includes a ratchet mechanism 8 that allows the relative rotation of the main body cylinder 2 and the operation cylinder 3 in only one direction, and the movable body 6 and the And a cam mechanism 20 that moves the piston 7 back and forth (forward and backward) within a fixed stroke. The cam mechanism 20 here is a cylindrical cam mechanism including a projecting portion 20a and a guide portion 20b, and moves the moving body 6 and the piston 7 forward and backward by a constant stroke by the rotational force of relative rotation between the main body tube 2 and the operation tube 3. .

  The main body cylinder 2 is formed in a cylindrical shape, and a large number of irregularities are arranged in the circumferential direction on the inner peripheral surface of the central portion in the axial direction so as to engage the filling member 1 and the screw cylinder 4 in the rotation direction. The concavo-convex shape is provided and has a knurl 2a extending a predetermined length in the axial direction. An annular protrusion 2 b for engaging the filling member 1 in the axial direction is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the distal end portion of the main body cylinder 2. A protrusion 2c extending along the circumferential direction is formed on the inner peripheral surface on the rear side of the main body cylinder 2 to engage the operation cylinder 3 in the axial direction.

Further, on the inner peripheral surface of the main body cylinder 2, a protrusion 2d extending along the circumferential direction is formed on the front side of the protrusion 2c to engage the screw cylinder 4 in the axial direction. Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the inner peripheral surface of the main body cylinder 2 has an opening 10 _out on the side opposite to the filling area 1x side (outside the filling area 1x) in the hole 10f of the outer filling cylinder 10 described later, A wall portion (second wall portion) 2x covering the gap is formed. The wall 2x has a function of guiding a part of the coating material M flowing out from the hole 10f to the rear.

  5 and 6 are perspective views showing a part of the operation cylinder in section. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the operation cylinder 3 is an injection-molded product made of resin, and has a bottomed cylindrical shape that opens forward. The operation tube 3 includes a front end tube portion 3a having a small outer diameter on the front end side, and an outer peripheral surface of the front end tube portion 3a is engaged with the protrusion 2c of the main body tube 2 in the axial direction. An annular groove 3b is provided. A shaft body 3 c is erected at the center of the bottom of the operation cylinder 3. The shaft body 3c has a non-circular cross section (cross section orthogonal to the axial direction) having a plurality of protrusions 3d extending in the axial direction on the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical body. One of the above.

  Further, the operation cylinder 3 is provided with ridges 3e extending from the bottom toward the tip side at equal circumferential positions on the inner peripheral surface thereof. The front end surface 3f of the ridge 3e is inclined with respect to a cross section (hereinafter simply referred to as “cross section”) which is a plane orthogonal to the axial direction. Specifically, the front end surface 3f is inclined backward as it goes to the one side in the circumferential direction when viewed in the radial direction. In other words, the front end surface 3f is inclined rearward in the relative rotation direction allowed by the ratchet mechanism 8 (hereinafter referred to as “allowable rotation direction”), and is substantially the same as a rear end surface 5f described later. Parallel.

  Further, an O-ring groove 3g extending in an annular shape is provided at the rear end of the outer peripheral surface of the front end cylinder portion 3a of the operation cylinder 3 for mounting the O-ring R1. The O-ring R1 is for giving an appropriate rotational resistance during the relative rotation between the main body cylinder 2 and the operation cylinder 3, and functions as an annular elastic body that generates a predetermined rotational resistance force in the relative rotation.

  Further, the operation cylinder 3 has a pair of (a plurality of) projecting portions 20 a constituting one of the cam mechanisms 20 at the front end portion on the inner peripheral surface thereof. The protrusion 20a is guided by the guide portion 20b while sliding relative to the guide portion 20b. Thereby, the protrusion 20a functions as an original node for transmitting the rotational force when the user relatively rotates the main body cylinder 2 and the operation cylinder 3 to the guide part 20b by sliding.

  These protrusions 20a are provided at two equally spaced positions in the circumferential direction, and protrude in the radial direction by a predetermined length. Specifically, a region extending from the center of the front end tube portion 3a to the front end on the inner peripheral surface of the operation tube 3 is enlarged to form a large-diameter inner peripheral surface 3i, and a pair of protrusions 20a having a constant height The front end of the inner peripheral surface 3i is formed to face each other. Further, a hole 3h penetrating in the radial direction is formed in a region continuous with the rear side of the protrusion 20a on the large-diameter inner peripheral surface 3i as a part for forming the protrusion 20a. The hole 3h has a rectangular shape having a circumferential width equal to the protrusion 20a when viewed from the radial direction.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, the operation cylinder 3 is inserted into the main body cylinder 2 from the front end cylinder portion 3 a, and the annular groove portion 3 b is engaged with the protrusion 2 c of the main body cylinder 2. The cylinder 2 is mounted so as to be relatively rotatable and coupled in the axial direction. At this time, the O-ring R1 is fitted into the O-ring groove 3g of the operation cylinder 3, so that an appropriate rotational resistance is given to the relative rotation between the main body cylinder 2 and the operation cylinder 3. Note that the O-ring R1 (and the O-ring groove 3g) may not be provided in order to reduce the production cost.

  Such an operation cylinder 3 can be resin-molded using a mold and a core pin. Here, since the operation cylinder 3 has the hole 3h, it is possible to suitably form the protrusion 20a by using a convex portion for forming the hole 3h in the mold. . For example, when a slide core and a core pin of a mold are assembled to each other, a predetermined space corresponding to the protrusion 20a can be defined by being sandwiched in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction by the convex portion of the slide core and the core pin. As a result, when removing the core pin after molding (that is, after the protrusion 20a is formed by filling and solidifying the molten resin in the predetermined space), by sliding the protruding portion of the slide core in the direction perpendicular to the axis, The undercut part formed behind the protrusion 20a is opened, and the core pin can be easily pulled out in the axial direction.

  FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the screw cylinder, and FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line VIII-VIII in FIG. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the screw cylinder 4 is an injection-molded product made of resin and has a stepped cylindrical outer shape. The screw cylinder 4 includes a front end cylinder part 4x, a center cylinder part 4y having an outer diameter larger than that of the front end cylinder part 4x, and a rear end cylinder part 4z having an outer diameter smaller than that of the center cylinder part 4y. From the rear to the rear in this order. On the other hand, the inner peripheral surface of the screw cylinder 4 extends straight along the axial direction without a step.

  The front end cylinder portion 4x constitutes a front end portion of the screw cylinder 4, and a female screw 4e constituting one of the screwing portions (extrusion mechanisms) 9 is provided on the inner peripheral surface thereof. A fine pitch is employed as the pitch of the screwing portions 9 here, for example, 0.5 mm. On the outer peripheral surface of the front end cylinder part 4x, a flange part 4a for preventing the inner diameter of the female screw 4e from expanding near the filling member 1 (see FIG. 1) is provided at the front end part.

  The central cylinder part 4y constitutes the central part of the screw cylinder 4 and the front end of the central part, and the outer peripheral surface has a plurality of positions in the circumferential direction for engaging with the knurls 2a of the main body cylinder 2 in the rotational direction. A protrusion 4c is formed. Further, on the outer peripheral surface of the rear end portion of the central cylinder portion 4y, an annular convex portion 4d for engaging with the protrusion 2d of the main body cylinder 2 in the axial direction is formed. In addition, a pair of slits 4f penetrating in the radial direction and extending a predetermined length in the axial direction are formed on the front end cylinder portion 4x and the front end portion of the central cylinder portion 4y so as to face each other.

  The rear end cylinder portion 4z constitutes the rear end portion of the screw cylinder 4 and the rear end portion of the central portion, and the rear end surface 4b constitutes a ratchet mechanism 8 and is engaged with the ratchet member 5 as a ratchet tooth 8a. Are provided along the circumferential direction. Here, the ratchet teeth 8a protrude from the rear end surface 4b at positions that are equally spaced in the circumferential direction.

  These ratchet teeth 8a form a sawtooth shape (wedge shape) along the circumferential direction and protrude from the rear end surface 4b. Specifically, the side surface 8a1 of the other side in the ratchet teeth 8a in the circumferential direction (the side that contacts the ratchet teeth 8a when the main body cylinder 2 and the operation cylinder 3 are relatively rotated in one direction) has a mountain shape in the circumferential direction. It inclines with respect to the rear-end surface 4b so that it may become. On the other hand, the side surface 8a2 on one side in the circumferential direction of the ratchet teeth 8b (the side that comes into contact with the ratchet teeth 8a when the main body cylinder 2 and the operation cylinder 3 are relatively rotated in the other direction) is orthogonal to the rear end face 4b and is in the axial direction. Extending along.

  Further, the rear end cylinder part 4z has a guide part 20b constituting the other side of the cam mechanism 20 on the outer peripheral surface thereof. The guide portion 20b guides the sliding of the protruding portion 20a while relatively sliding the protruding portion 20a of the operation cylinder 3. The guide portion 20b functions as a follower to which the rotational force of the main body cylinder 2 and the operation cylinder 3 is transmitted as a straight forward force in the front-rear direction by sliding from the protrusion 20a. The front side of the guide portion 20b is defined by a raised portion 20c that is raised with respect to the outer peripheral surface of the rear end cylindrical portion 4z, and the rear side of the guide portion 20b is a protrusion that protrudes with respect to the outer peripheral surface of the rear end cylindrical portion 4z. It is defined by a plurality of guide pieces 20d.

  The raised portion 20c is provided at the front end portion of the rear end cylindrical portion 4z so as to protrude a predetermined length outward in the radial direction. The rear surface of the raised portion 20c has a sawtooth shape (wedge shape) along the circumferential direction. Further, the rear surface of the raised portion 20c is configured to slide with the protrusion 20a and includes a guide surface 20e that is inclined (intersects) with respect to the transverse section.

  The plurality of guide pieces 20d are provided at the rear end portion of the rear end cylindrical portion 4z so as to protrude a predetermined length outward in the radial direction. These guide pieces 20d are disposed behind the raised portion 20c by a distance corresponding to the predetermined stroke. The plurality of guide pieces 20d are juxtaposed along the circumferential direction with a gap wider than the circumferential width of the protrusion 20a. Here, the guide pieces 20d are provided at eight positions in the circumferential direction.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 7, the screw cylinder 4 is inserted into the main body cylinder 2, and the annular protrusion 4 d engages with the protrusion 2 d of the main body cylinder 2 so as to be movable in the axial direction. The protrusion 4c engages with the knurl 2a of the main body cylinder 2 in the rotational direction. Further, the rear end cylinder portion 4 z of the screw cylinder 4 is inserted into the operation cylinder 3. As a result, the screw cylinder 4 is engaged with the main body cylinder 2 in the rotational direction and is mounted so as to be able to rotate synchronously with the main body cylinder 2, and the protrusion 2 d of the main body cylinder 2 and the front end surface of the operation cylinder 3 Can be moved in the axial direction. At this time, the protruding portion 20a of the operation cylinder 3 enters the guide portion 20b along the axial direction from the gap D between the plurality of guide pieces 20d in the guide portion 20b, whereby the protruding portion 20a enters the guide portion 20b. The cam mechanism 20 is formed by assembling.

  Such a screw cylinder 4 can be resin-molded using a mold slide core and a core pin. Here, a four-way slide core type mold that can be divided into four in the circumferential direction is used, so that the undercut shape of the guide piece 20d provided at eight positions in the circumferential direction can be formed without difficulty. .

  FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the ratchet member, and FIG. 10 is a plan view showing the ratchet member. As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the ratchet member 5 is an injection-molded product made of resin, and is configured in a substantially cylindrical shape. On the front end surface of the ratchet member 5, a plurality of ratchet teeth 8 b that engage with the ratchet teeth 8 a of the screw cylinder 4 are provided along the circumferential direction as constituting the ratchet mechanism 8. Here, the ratchet teeth 8 b are protruded from the front end surface of the ratchet member 5 at positions that are equally spaced in the circumferential direction.

  These ratchet teeth 8b form a sawtooth shape (wedge shape) along the circumferential direction and protrude from the front end surface. Specifically, the side surface 8b1 on the one side in the circumferential direction of the ratchet teeth 8b (the side that contacts the side surface 8a1 of the ratchet teeth 8a when the main body cylinder 2 and the operation cylinder 3 are relatively rotated in one direction) Inclined with respect to the front end face to form a mountain shape. On the other hand, the side surface 8b2 on the other circumferential side of the ratchet teeth 8b (the side that contacts the side surface 8a2 of the ratchet teeth 8a when the main body tube 2 and the operation tube 3 are rotated in the other direction) is orthogonal to the front end surface and is the axis line. Extends along the direction.

  In the peripheral wall of the ratchet member 5, a substantially spiral slit 5 a is formed in a portion from the center portion to the rear end. Thereby, the ratchet member 5 has a function as the spring part 5b which urges | biases the ratchet tooth 8b toward the front which is the ratchet tooth 8a side. Further, a vertical rib 5e having a predetermined width in the circumferential direction and extending in the axial direction is provided at the front end portion of the outer peripheral surface of the ratchet member 5 so as to be engaged with the protrusion 3e of the operation cylinder 3 in the rotational direction. ing.

  The vertical ribs 5e are provided at equally spaced positions in the front end of the outer peripheral surface of the ratchet member 5. The rear end face 5f of the vertical rib 5e is inclined forward with respect to the transverse section as it goes to the other side in the circumferential direction when viewed in the radial direction. In other words, the rear end surface 5f is inclined forward as it goes in the allowable rotation direction of the ratchet member 5, and is substantially parallel to the front end surface 3f of the protrusion 3e of the operation tube 3.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 9, the ratchet member 5 is inserted into the operation cylinder 3 from the rear, and the vertical rib 5e enters between the protrusions 3e and 3e of the operation cylinder 3, and the vertical rib 5e. Is engaged with the protrusion 3e in the rotational direction. At the same time, the ratchet member 5 is abutted against the rear end side of the screw cylinder 4, and the ratchet teeth 8 b can be engaged with the ratchet teeth 8 a of the screw cylinder 4. Accordingly, the ratchet member 5 is assembled to the operation cylinder 3 in a state in which the relative rotation is restricted by the ratchet teeth 8a and 8b so that the ratchet member 5 can be relatively rotated only in the allowable rotation direction.

  Further, the ratchet member 5 is sandwiched in the axial direction by the rear end side of the screw cylinder 4 and the bottom surface of the operation cylinder 3, and a biasing force (elastic force) is generated by the spring portion 5b so that the ratchet teeth 8b are moved forward. Thus, the ratchet teeth 8a and 8b engaged with each other are brought into a click engagement state.

  When the vertical rib 5e is inserted between the protrusions 3e and 3e so as to be engaged with the protrusion 3e in the rotation direction, the positions in the rotation direction are shifted from each other so that the rear end surface 5f of the vertical rib 5e and the protrusion 3e When the front end surface 3f is brought into contact with each other, the rear end surface 5f and the front end surface 3f are the above-described inclined surfaces, so that the relative rotation of the ratchet member 5 in the allowable rotation direction is promoted, while the allowable rotation direction The relative rotation of the ratchet member 5 to the opposite side is restricted. Therefore, in this case, the ratchet member 5 is relatively rotated in the allowable rotation direction, and the vertical rib 5e enters between the protrusions 3e and 3e while being moved in the allowable rotation direction with respect to the protrusion 3e. As a result, it is possible to prevent the ratchet member 5 from being forced to rotate relative to the opposite side of the allowable rotation direction in order to engage the vertical rib 5e with the protrusion 3e, and consequently, due to excessive relative rotation. It is possible to suppress the ratchet teeth 8a, 8b and other rotation engaging portions from being damaged.

  Returning to FIG. 1, the moving body 6 is formed in a cylindrical shape, and includes a male screw 6 b constituting the other of the screwing portion 9 on the outer peripheral surface extending from the rear side to the rear end portion from the front end portion. Further, on the inner circumferential surface of the moving body 6, at the position of six equal intervals in the circumferential direction, a protrusion 6 c that protrudes inward in the radial direction and extends in the axial direction is configured as the other of the rotation stop portions of the moving body 6. Is provided. The movable body 6 is inserted into the shaft body 3 c of the operation cylinder 3 and inserted into the screw cylinder 4, and the male screw 6 b is screwed with the female screw 4 e of the screw cylinder 4. At the same time, the moving body 6 is mounted with its protrusion 6c engaged between the protrusions 3d and 3d (see FIG. 5) of the shaft 3c, and is movable in the axial direction to the operating cylinder 3 and engaged in the rotational direction. Has been.

  The piston 7 is made of TPEE (polyester elastomer), TPU (polyurethane elastomer), PP (polypropylene), HDPE (high density polyethylene), LLDPE (straight chain) having a color tone (for example, white) different from the color tone of the coating material M. Shaped low-density polyethylene). The outer shape of the piston 7 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape, and the front end surface thereof forms a flat shape perpendicular to the axial direction, and the concave portion is formed in the rear end surface. That is, the piston 7 has a flat front surface and a U-shape that opens rearward in a longitudinal sectional view. An annular protrusion 7b is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the recess so as to be movable by a predetermined length in the axial direction with respect to the moving body 6.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the outer surface of the piston 7 is provided with a convex portion 7 c that is in contact (close contact) with the filling member 1 and hermetically seals the filling region 1 x as a region that is in close contact with the filling member 1. Yes. Such a piston 7 is extrapolated to the front end portion of the moving body 6, and its annular protrusion 7 b engages with the moving body 6 in the axial direction so that it can move in the axial direction with respect to the moving body 6 (predetermined range). It can be moved inside).

  FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view showing the filling member. As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 11, the filling member 1 is made of, for example, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), polycyclohexanedimethylene terephthalate (PCTA), polypropylene having excellent permeation resistance of volatile solvents. The outer filling cylinder 10 is formed of an injection molded plastic such as (PP) and the like, the inner filling cylinder 11 defining the filling region 1x inside the outer filling cylinder 10, and the filling member 1. And a pen tip member 12 for forming the tip portion and applying the coating material M.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the outer filling cylinder 10 is made of a coloring material (for example, black), and has a cylindrical main body 10a and a tapered portion 10b continuous to the front side of the main body 10a. doing. The main body 10 a has an annular recess 10 c that engages with the annular protrusion 2 b of the main body cylinder 2 in the axial direction at the center in the axial direction on the outer peripheral surface thereof. The main body 10a is provided with an annular flange 10d that abuts against the front end surface of the main body cylinder 2 on the front side of the annular recess 10c on the outer peripheral surface thereof. In the outer peripheral surface of the main body portion 10a, the rear end portion is engaged with the knurl 2a of the main body cylinder 2 in the rotational direction, and a large number of uneven shapes are arranged in the circumferential direction, and the uneven shapes are predetermined in the axial direction. A long knurl 10e is provided.

The main body 10a serves as a passage portion (second passage portion) that passes a part of the air and the coating material M, and for checking the filling position of the coating material M and engaging the inner filling cylinder 11. As shown in FIG. The holes 10f have a rectangular cross section, and a pair is formed at positions facing each other on the peripheral wall of the rear end portion of the main body 10a. These holes 10f extend in the radial direction and penetrate the inside and outside of the peripheral wall. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 11, the rear end portion of the inner peripheral surface of the main body portion 10 a has an enlarged portion formed so that the inner diameter is enlarged. Enlargements, the opening _{11 out} of the opposite side of the filling region 1x side of the hole portion 11e of the inner filling tube 11 to be described later (filling region 1x outside) wall portion covering a gap (first wall portion) 10x Configure. The wall 10x has a function of guiding a part of the coating material M flowing out from the hole 11e to the rear.

  The tapered portion 10b has a tapered truncated cone shape, and the outer cross-sectional shape is a flat circular shape. An opening 10g (see FIG. 1) having a flat circular cross section is formed at the front end of the tapered portion 10b. Further, an annularly extending O-ring groove 10h (see FIG. 1) is provided on the front side of the flange portion 10d on the outer peripheral surface of the main body 10a, and this O-ring groove 10h is provided in a cap C1 described later. An O-ring R2 that functions as an annular elastic body that enhances airtightness and fitting stability is fitted and mounted.

  The inner filling cylinder 11 is formed of a transparent material, and has a light transmission property such that the coating material M in the filling region 1x inside thereof can be seen through. The inner filling cylinder 11 includes a cylindrical main body portion 11a, a tapered portion 11b that continues to the front side of the main body portion 11a, and a front end portion 11d that continues to the front side of the tapered portion 11b via a step. ing.

  The main body portion 11a has a hole portion 11e as a passage portion (first passage portion) that allows air in the filling region 1x and a part of the coating material M to pass outside the filling region 1x. A pair of hole portions 11e are formed at positions facing each other on the peripheral wall of the rear end portion of the main body portion 11a, and extend in the radial direction to penetrate the inside and outside of the peripheral wall. Moreover, these hole parts 11e are arrange | positioned in the circumferential direction at the same position as the said hole part 10f. The hole portion 11e has a long oval cross section in the axial direction, in other words, a cross section track shape extending a predetermined length in the axial direction. On the rear side of the hole portion 11e on the outer peripheral surface of the main body portion 11a, a convex portion 11f that engages with the hole portion 10f of the outer filling cylinder 10 in the axial direction is provided.

  The taper portion 11b has a tapered truncated cone shape whose outer cross-sectional shape is a flat circular shape. The front end portion 11d has a cylindrical shape whose outer cross-sectional shape is a flat circular shape. As shown in FIG. 1, the inner filling cylinder 11 is inserted and attached to the outer filling cylinder 10. At this time, a gap 11h is formed between the front end of the inner filling cylinder 11 and the outer filling cylinder 10, and the gap 11h constitutes an engagement groove for engaging a plug C2 described later.

  12A is a front view showing the pen tip member in the applicator of FIG. 1, and FIG. 12B is a bottom view showing the pen tip member of the applicator of FIG. As shown in FIG. 12, the nib member 12 is for applying the coating material M, and is formed of a soft material. As the soft material, for example, a thermosetting general rubber that is heated and molded by vulcanization, or a thermoplastic elastomer that is a kind of plastic and is plasticized by heat and poured into a mold can be used. .

  General rubbers include nitrile rubber (NBR), butyl rubber (IIR), ethylene propylene rubber (EPDM), and silicon rubber (Si). Among them, nitrile rubber is particularly excellent in oil resistance against the volatile solvent described above. The thermoplastic elastomer mainly includes polyester elastomer (TPEE), olefin elastomer (TPO), and urethane elastomer (TPU). Among them, in the urethane-based elastomer, the hard segment can be polyurethane and the soft segment can be any of polyester type or polyether type. For the coating material M, the soft segment has a polyether type. Especially suitable.

  Moreover, as for the pen point member 12, the hardness by the type A durometer prescribed | regulated by JISK6253 is made into 40-80 as preferable. As the nib member 12, any application part such as a soft nib can be used. As shown in the drawing, the pen tip member 12 includes a pointed pen tip 13 on the tip end side and a base end portion 16 that continues to the base end side of the pen tip 13 via a stepped portion 14.

  The pen tip 13 has a flat cross-sectional outer shape and is formed in a blade shape in a side view. In the flat circle of the cross-sectional outline here, the vertical direction in FIG. 12A is the major axis direction, and the vertical direction in FIG. 12B is the minor axis direction. In the pen tip 13, an application surface S that is in contact with an application target such as a user's skin is formed by the tip surface thereof. The application surface S is a flat circular curved surface that swells forward and is elongated in the front-rear direction, and a vertex P is formed at the tip thereof. In addition, by rounding the vertex P as a small spherical vertex (by making the vertex P have a spherical surface with a small radius (R)), it is also possible to adjust so as to reduce the contact with the skin 50 that is the application portion. .

  Further, on both side surfaces of the pen tip 13, tapered surfaces 17 are formed so as to be tapered toward the application surface S side in regions extending from the outer edge of the application surface S to the base end side of a predetermined length. A penetrating hole 18 having a circular cross section extending along the axial direction is formed at the axial position of the pen tip 13. An opening portion of the coating surface S in the through hole 18 forms a discharge port 18 a for discharging the coating material M. The discharge port 18a is so small that the molten coating material M filled in the filling region 1x does not flow down from the discharge port 18a, and has a predetermined diameter here.

  The proximal end portion 16 has a flat circular cylindrical shape whose outer cross-sectional shape is larger than that of the pen tip 13. On the outer peripheral surface of the base end portion 16, a tapered surface 19 is formed so as to be tapered so as to be engaged with the tapered portion 10 b of the outer filling cylinder 10 in a region extending from the front end to the center.

  As shown in FIGS. 1, 11, and 12, the pen tip member 12 has a base end portion 16 which is extrapolated to a front end portion 11 d of the inner filling tube 11 and is engaged with the inner filling tube 11 in the rotational direction. Has been in close contact. In this state, the pen tip member 12 is mounted so that the pen tip 13 is inserted into the opening 10 g of the outer filling tube 10 and engaged with the outer filling tube 10 in the rotational direction. That is, by assembling the nib member 12 to the inner filling cylinder 11 and assembling it to the outer filling cylinder 10, the outer filling cylinder 10, the inner filling cylinder 11 and the nib member 12 are attached to each other as the filling member 1. The nib member 12 has a stepped portion 14 engaged with the front end of the outer filling tube 10 in the axial direction and a rear end surface of the base end portion 16 engaged with the inner filling tube 11 in the axial direction. Thus, the outer filling cylinder 10 and the inner filling cylinder 11 are sandwiched and held in the axial direction.

  The filling member 1 is inserted into the main body cylinder 2 from the rear side thereof, and the annular recess 10c of the outer filling cylinder 10 is engaged with the annular protrusion 2b of the main body cylinder 2, and the knurling of the outer filling cylinder 10 is performed. By engaging the knurl 2 a of the main body cylinder 2 with 10 e, the main body cylinder 2 is engaged with and attached to the main body cylinder 2 in the axial direction and the rotation direction, and is integrated with the main body cylinder 2. At the same time, as will be described in detail below, in the filling member 1 filled with the coating material M, the piston 7 is inserted and attached so that the piston 7 is in airtight contact with the rear end portion of the inner filling cylinder 11. ing.

  In addition, the stopper C2 is fitted into the discharge port 18a of the nib member 12 of the filling member 1 so as to be detachable, whereby the filling region 1x is sealed (airtight). Further, the cap C1 is screwed (removably attached) to the outer filling cylinder 10 of the filling member 1 via the O-ring R2, thereby bringing the inside of the cap C1 into an airtight state. The screw cylinder 4 is inserted so that the flange portion 4a (see FIG. 7) of the screw cylinder 4 is close to the inner surface of the outer filling cylinder 10 of the filling member 1, whereby the inner diameter of the female screw 4e is reduced. It is prevented from spreading. Further, the volatilization of the coating material M can be further suppressed by attaching a cylindrical inner cap in the cap C1 and reducing the space in the cap C1.

  Next, an example of filling and assembling of the application material M in the applicator 100 (a method for manufacturing the applicator 100) will be described in detail.

  13 and 14 are cross-sectional views for explaining application material filling of the applicator. As shown in FIG. 13A, when filling the coating material M into the filling region 1x, first, a filling jig 50 is prepared. The filling jig 50 includes a cylinder 51 in which a concave portion 51a having a circular cross section that opens upward, and a cylindrical piston 52 that is slidably inserted into the concave portion 51a from above. A convex portion 51b inserted into the piston 52 is formed at the center of the bottom surface of the concave portion 51a. The convex portion 51b has a cylindrical outer shape and protrudes upward. An annular convex portion 51c is formed on the side surface of the convex portion 51b.

  Subsequently, a state in which a predetermined gap is formed between the bottom surface of the concave portion 51 a of the cylinder 51 and the lower end of the piston 52, that is, the annular convex portion 51 c projects to the lower end portion of the piston 52. In a state where the portion 51b is inserted, the filling member 1 is inserted into the piston 52 from above. At this time, the filling member 1 is in a standing posture in which the front end is positioned below (the front side is positioned below the rear side), and the front end is positioned so as to be closer to the lower center of the piston 52. The O-ring R <b> 2 of the filling member 1 is in airtight contact with the upper inner surface of the piston 52, and the filling member 1 is fixed to the upper end portion of the piston 52.

  Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 13 (b), the coating material M that has been melted by being raised to a temperature of about 80 ° C. is quantified into the inner filling cylinder 11 from behind the inner filling cylinder 11 through the nozzle 53. inject. As a result, the filling material 1 is filled in the filling region 1x, and an airtight space V in which the discharge port 18a is located is formed around the filling member 1 (applicator 100) in the piston 52. In consideration of the flow delay caused by the viscosity of the coating material M, the coating material M may be left for a predetermined time immediately after being filled. In this case, the coating material M can be reliably spread within the filling region 1x.

  Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 14A, the piston 52 is slid downward relative to the cylinder 51 to be relatively moved. Specifically, the piston 52 to which the filling member 1 is fixed is pushed downward until the lower end of the piston 52 contacts the bottom surface of the recess 51 a of the cylinder 51. Thereby, the volume of the airtight space V is reduced and the inside of the airtight space V is pressurized. As a result, a predetermined amount of air in the airtight space V enters the filling region 1x via the discharge port 18a, and accordingly, the coating material M in the filling region 1x is pushed upward. That is, a certain amount of air is sent from the discharge port 18a into the filling region 1x so that a space O is formed on the leading end side (the discharge port 18a side) in the filling region 1x.

  In consideration of the flow delay due to the viscosity of the coating material M, the piston 52 may be left for a predetermined time immediately after being pushed in. In this case, the space O can be reliably formed in the filling region 1x. Incidentally, here, as a result of air being fed into the filling region 1x so as to form a certain amount of space O, for example, the coating material M is raised up to the middle (center) of the hole 11e in the axial direction. Yes. The certain amount can be set as appropriate according to the specification or the like, and can also be set as appropriate based on, for example, the correlation between the change in ambient temperature or atmospheric pressure and the expansion coefficient of the coating material M.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 14B, the main body cylinder 2, the operation cylinder 3, the screw cylinder 4, the ratchet member 5, the moving body 6, and the piston 7 are moved backward from the filling member 1. Wear from. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 15A, the piston 7 is advanced from the rear of the inner filling cylinder 11 so that the convex portion 7 c of the piston 7 abuts on the inner peripheral surface of the inner filling cylinder 11. The piston 7 is inserted into the inner filling cylinder 11 and attached.

Here, as shown in FIG. 15 (b), since when the front end surface of the piston 7 is approached to the rear end E _R of the opening 11 _in the hole 11e, the air A between the coating material M and the piston 7 Then, it is positively pushed out of the filling region 1x through the hole 11e. That is, since the front end of the piston 7 becomes a state of being arranged in front of the rear end E _R of the opening 11 _in, air A between the coating material M and the piston 7 to the filling region 1x outside through the holes 11e It is actively discharged (exhaust). For example, at least a part of the air A that has passed through the hole 11e is guided by the wall 10x to flow backward between the inner filling cylinder 11 and the outer filling cylinder 10, and further passes through the hole 10f to be outside the filling member 1. Will be actively discharged.

Further, as shown in FIG. 16A, after the front end surface of the piston 7 reaches the middle of the opening 11 _{in in} the axial direction and the piston 7 comes into contact with the coating material M, the coating material M forms the hole 11e. Through the filling area 1x. That is, after the air A is not interposed between the coating material M and the piston 7, the coating material M actively flows out of the filling region 1x through the hole 11e. For example, the coating material M that has passed through the hole 11e is guided by the wall 10x and flows backward between the inner filling cylinder 11 and the outer filling cylinder 10.

  Part of the coating material M that flows backward flows into the screw cylinder 4 through the slit 4f (see FIG. 7) of the screw cylinder 4, reaches the screwing portion 9, and the other part of the coating material M is: It further flows out of the filling member 1 through the hole 10f. The coating material M that has passed through the hole 10f is guided by the wall 2x and flows backward between the outer filling cylinder 10 and the main body cylinder 2, and a part of the coating material M is also passed through the slit 4f of the screw cylinder 4. Then, it flows into the screw cylinder 4 and reaches the screwing portion 9.

Further, the convex portion 7c of the piston 7 is arranged forwardly beyond the opening 11 _in, since when the protrusion 7c in front of the opening 11 _in the close contact abuts the inner circumferential surface of the inner filling cylinder 11, filling region 1x And the hole 11x are not communicated with each other, whereby the rear end of the filling region 1x is further hermetically sealed.

  As described above, as shown in FIG. 16B, when the piston 7 is completely mounted and the piston 7 is positioned at the backward limit (the rearmost position in the movable range) as an initial state, A part will flow out of the filling region 1x through the hole 11e. Here, a part of the coating material M is present at least in the holes 11e and 10f, between the filling cylinders 10 and 11, between the main body cylinder 2 and the filling member 1, and around the threaded portion 9 in the container. doing.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, after the air is sent from the discharge port 18 a into the filling region 1 x filled with the coating material M, the main body portion 55 is assembled to the filling member 1. As a result, a certain amount of space O can be reliably ensured on the tip side in the filling region 1x, and even if the coating material M expands due to a change in temperature or a change in atmospheric pressure, the discharge port 18a unintentionally. It is possible to reliably prevent the coating material M from leaking by a certain amount of space O. As a result, for example, a product test for determining whether or not the coating material M has leaked out in an ambient environment of 50 ° C. can be reliably passed.

  In addition, as a conventional method of filling the coating material M into the filling region 1x, the filling member 1 with the pen tip member 12 detached and the main body portion 55 are assembled in advance, and the rear end side is in a standing posture. There is also a method of filling the filling region 1x with the coating material M from the front end side and then mounting the pen tip member 12 thereon. However, in this case, the space formed on the front end side of the filling region 1x becomes too large, and the piston 7 must be greatly advanced during initial use, which is complicated. On the other hand, in the applicator 100 according to the present embodiment, an appropriate space O can be secured on the tip side of the filling region 1x.

  Incidentally, the nib-type applicator 100 having the nib member 12 as an application part and the brush-type applicator having a brush bundled with fibers as an applicator are structurally located on the tip side of the filling region 1x. It is difficult to form the space O. In this regard, in this embodiment, even in these types of applicators (regardless of the type of applicator), a certain amount of space O can be reliably ensured on the tip side in the filling region 1x.

  In the present embodiment, as described above, the filling jig 50 is used when filling the coating material M in the filling region 1x, and the volume of the airtight space V around the applicator 100 is reduced to reduce the volume in the filling region 1x. Air is being sent to Thereby, the said process of sending air into the filling area | region 1x from the discharge outlet 18a can be implement | achieved suitably.

  Further, as described above, the discharge port 18a of the present embodiment has a predetermined diameter that prevents the molten coating material M from flowing down from the discharge port 18a. Therefore, the coating material M can be reliably filled in the filling region 1x. Further, since the coating material M does not flow down from the discharge port 18a, this configuration is particularly effective in sending air from the discharge port 18a.

  Moreover, in this embodiment, the hole parts 10f and 11e as a channel | path part which leads out of the filling member 1 in the applicator 100 from the filling area | region 1x are provided. Therefore, as described above, when assembling the piston 7 to the filling member 1, for example, until a part of the coating material M reaches the outside of the filling region 1x through the holes 10f and 11e, The piston 7 is inserted and attached to the filling member 1 while the air A between the piston 7 is reliably discharged out of the filling region 1x through the holes 10f and 11e. Therefore, it can suppress more reliably that the air A intervenes between the coating material M and the piston 7.

  As a result, it is possible to suppress a significant increase in the internal pressure of the filling region 1x due to a temperature change or the like, and further prevent the coating material M from spontaneously leaking from the discharge port 18a. At the same time, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of a time lag as the air A becomes a cushion when the coating material M is pushed out. Furthermore, the coating material M that has flowed out of the holes 10f and 11e can be used as a lubricant for a sliding portion such as the screwing portion 9 in the applicator 100 using the oil. Further, since the excess coating material M is discharged from the holes 10f and 11e, the variation in the filling amount of the coating material M can be absorbed, and the volume variation in the filling region 1x due to the container size, assembly error, and the like. Can be absorbed.

  By the way, in a general filling method in which the air A between the coating material M and the piston 7 is not exhausted outside the filling region 1x when the piston 7 is assembled to the filling member 1, there is a distance from the filling opening to the piston 7. In particular, when the coating material M having a high viscosity is filled, air is entangled in the vicinity of the piston 7 and filling of the coating material M is likely to be difficult. Also in this respect, the above-described effects according to the present embodiment are remarkable.

  FIG. 17 is an X-ray photograph of the applicator shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 17, in the applicator 100 manufactured according to the present embodiment, a certain amount of space O is reliably secured on the tip side in the filling region 1x filled with the coating material M in the initial state. Can be confirmed.

  FIG. 18 is an X-ray photograph showing a part of the applicator of FIG. As shown in FIG. 18, in the applicator 100 manufactured according to the present embodiment, in the initial state where the piston 7 is positioned at the retreat limit, a part of the coating material M flows out of the filling region 1x from the hole 11e, As a result, it has reached the screwing part 9, and it can be confirmed that the interposition of the air A between the coating material M and the piston 7 is reliably suppressed.

  In the present embodiment, the following effects are also exhibited.

That is, in this embodiment, as described above, the opening 11 _out of the hole 11e is covered with the wall 10x, and the coating material M that has flowed out of the hole 11e is guided backward. Further, the opening 10 _out of the hole 10f is covered with the wall 2x, and the coating material M flowing out from the hole 10f is guided backward. Therefore, it is possible to positively and effectively exert the above-described effect of causing the coating material M to function as a lubricant for the sliding portion in the applicator 100.

Further, as described above, at least part of the piston 7 located retraction limit, compared rear E _R of the inside of the opening 11 _in the holes 11e, it is arranged in front. Therefore, when the piston 7 is assembled to the filling member 1, the air A between the coating material M and the piston 7 can be discharged more reliably through the hole 11e to the outside of the filling region 1x.

As described above, when the state in which the piston 7 is positioned at the retreat limit, the convex portion 7c of the piston 7 is arranged in front beyond the opening 11 _in the holes 11e. Therefore, it is possible to reliably ensure the airtightness of the filling region 1x. Such an effect is particularly effective when the coating material M is volatile as in the present embodiment, since the volatilization of the coating material M can be suitably suppressed.

  Further, as described above, the front end surface of the piston 7 has a flat shape, so that when the piston 7 pushes out the air A and the coating material M between the coating material M from the hole 11e, the air A and The coating material M can be smoothly circulated (the flow is inhibited from being hindered due to the shape of the piston 7), and the air A is more reliably interposed between the coating material M and the piston 7. Can be suppressed.

Further, in the present embodiment, since the hole portion 11e is formed in an elongated shape in the axial direction, in the case of filling a coating material M inside the filling tube 11 to the middle of the opening 11 _in the hole 11e, the The allowable range of the filling amount can be increased, and the coating material M can be easily injected. That is, even when the filling amount of the coating material M varies, it is possible to reliably fill the coating material M halfway through the opening 11 _in of the hole 11e.

  Further, the coating material M as in this embodiment is generally filled in a jar type glass container and used in a cosmetic brush. In this case, however, the wide-mouthed jar type container has a problem that, for example, the coating material M is volatilized quickly and the coating material M is likely to change, and the brush tip is hard to use. In this respect, this embodiment can seal the coating material M in a double and triple manner with a resin material having a small open portion and a high barrier property, so that the coating material M containing a large amount of volatile components is used. It will be advantageous.

  Here, in the applicator 100 in the initial state configured as described above and shown in FIG. 1, the cap C <b> 1 and the plug C <b> 2 are removed by the user, and the main body cylinder 2 and the operation cylinder 3 are in the feeding direction. When rotating relative to each other, the screwing portion 9 including the female screw 4e of the screw cylinder 4 and the male screw 6b of the moving body 6, and the rotation stopping portion including the protrusion 3d of the operating cylinder 3 and the protrusion 6c of the moving body 6 , The moving body 6 and the piston 7 move forward, and the coating material M filled in the filling region 1x of the filling member 1 is discharged from the discharge port 18a of the pen point member 12 (see FIG. 2).

  Further, when the main body cylinder 2 and the operation cylinder 3 are relatively rotated in one direction in this way, the ratchet teeth 8b are urged forward in the axial direction by the elastic force of the spring portion 5b of the ratchet member 5, so that the ratchet The engagement and disengagement (meshing and meshing release) of the ratchet teeth 8a and 8b in the mechanism 8 are repeated. That is, the side surface 8a1 (see FIG. 7) of the ratchet tooth 8a is engaged with the side surface 8b1 (see FIG. 9) of the ratchet tooth 8b in the rotational direction, and the ratchet tooth 8a slides up the side surface 8b1 of the ratchet tooth 8b. To do. Then, after the ratchet teeth 8a get over the ratchet teeth 8b and the engagement is released, the side surface 8a1 is again engaged with the side surface 8b1 in the rotational direction. As a result, a click feeling is given to the user each time the ratchet teeth 8a and 8b are engaged and released. Here, a click feeling is generated once when the main body cylinder 2 and the operation cylinder 3 are relatively rotated by 1/8 (45 °) in one direction.

  On the other hand, even if the main body cylinder 2 and the operation cylinder 3 try to rotate relative to each other in the retraction direction, the side surface 8a2 (see FIG. 7) of the ratchet tooth 8a contacts the side surface 8b2 (see FIG. 9) of the ratchet tooth 8b. The relative rotation of the screw cylinder 4 and the ratchet member 5 is restricted so that the screw cylinder 4 and the ratchet member 5 do not rotate relative to each other. As a result, the main body cylinder 2 and the operation cylinder 3 are not relatively rotated in the other direction.

  As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the applicator 100 includes the cam mechanism 20. The cam mechanism 20 causes the movable body 6 and the piston 7 to move forward by a fixed stroke and then move backward by a fixed stroke by the relative rotation of the main body cylinder 2 and the operating cylinder 3 in one direction by a fixed rotation amount. Here, every time the main body cylinder 2 and the operation cylinder 3 are rotated relative to each other by 1/8 (every time the click feeling is generated once), the movable body 6 and the piston 7 are moved forward and backward by 1.2 mm. As described above, the cam mechanism 20 includes the protruding portion 20a and the guide portion 20b including the raised portion 20c and the guide piece 20d, and the protruding portion 20a is relatively guided by the guide portion 20b. The protrusion 20a relatively moves along a relative locus along the sine curve.

  The cam mechanism 20 converts the rotational force of the relative rotation into a straight traveling force along the axial direction every time the main body cylinder 2 and the operation cylinder 3 are relatively rotated by a certain amount of rotation, thereby moving the moving body 6 and the piston 7 by a certain stroke. Advance and retreat. Specifically, when the main body cylinder 2 and the operation cylinder 3 are relatively rotated in one direction, first, the protrusion 20a is relatively moved to one side in the circumferential direction, and the rear sliding surface 20a2 of the protrusion 20a is guided. It slides in contact with the guide surface 20f of the piece 20d. Thereby, since the guide piece 20d (screw cylinder 4) is movable in the axial direction with respect to the main body cylinder 2 and is engaged in the rotation direction, the guide piece 20d is pushed backward by the protrusion 20a, and the guide piece 20d moves backward. Therefore, the screw cylinder 4 moves backward, the moving body 6 screwed into the screw cylinder 4 by the screwing portion 9 moves backward, and as a result, the piston 7 moves backward. As a result, the filling region 1x is expanded, and the internal pressure of the filling region 1x is automatically reduced.

  When the relative rotation continues in one direction, the protrusion 20a continues to relatively move toward one side in the circumferential direction, the screw cylinder 4, the moving body 6 and the piston 7 continue to retreat, and one side in the circumferential direction of the guide surface 20f. When the protrusion 20a relatively moves to a position in contact with the edge of the protrusion, the sliding of the protrusion 20a with the guide surface 20f is finished, and the screw cylinder 4, the moving body 6 and the piston 7 are located at the rearmost position in the cam mechanism 20. Reach. At this time (when reaching the rearmost position of the cam mechanism 20), the ratchet teeth 8a get over the ratchet teeth 8b, the ratchet teeth 8a, 8b are disengaged and engaged, and a click feeling is generated (see FIG. 1). .

  When the relative rotation continues in one direction, the protrusion 20a relatively moves to one side in the circumferential direction, and the front sliding surface 20a1 of the protrusion 20a slides in contact with the guide surface 20e of the raised portion 20c. . Thereby, the protruding portion 20c is pushed forward by the protruding portion 20a, and the protruding portion 20c advances. Therefore, the screw cylinder 4 moves forward, and the moving body 6 and the piston 7 move forward. As a result, the filling region 1x is contracted, and the coating material M in the filling region 1x is pushed out and discharged from the discharge port 18a.

  When the relative rotation is further continued in one direction, the protrusion 20a continues to further move relative to one side in the circumferential direction, the screw cylinder 4, the moving body 6 and the piston 7 continue to advance, and the circumferential direction of the guide surface 20e. When the protrusion 20a relatively moves to a position in contact with the edge on one side, the sliding of the protrusion 20a with the guide surface 20e ends, and the screw cylinder 4, the moving body 6, and the piston 7 are the most advanced in the cam mechanism 20. Reach position. As described above, the movable body 6 and the piston 7 are moved forward and backward by a constant stroke.

  Therefore, the applicator 100 of the present embodiment further exhibits the following operational effects. That is, the main body cylinder 2 and the operation cylinder 3 are relatively rotated in one direction by a certain amount of rotation, and the movable body 6 and the piston 7 are advanced and retracted by a constant stroke by the cam mechanism 20, thereby not only discharging the coating material M but also the filling region The inside of 1x can be automatically decompressed. Since the inside of the filling region 1x can be automatically reduced in this way, leakage of the coating material M, that is, for example, dripping the coating material M from the discharge port 18a over time, for example, can be easily and reliably suppressed. can do. Moreover, it becomes possible to suppress the change of the coating material M due to pressure.

  In particular, in the applicator 100, as described above, the cam mechanism 20 can advance and retract the movable body 6 and the piston 7 only by the rotational force of the relative rotation, regardless of the biasing force of an elastic body such as a spring. Since the urging force of the elastic body may be insufficient with respect to the force required to move the moving body 6 and the piston 7 back and forth, according to the present embodiment, the leakage of the coating material M is further ensured. Can be suppressed. Moreover, since the piston 7 that defines the filling region 1x can be advanced and retracted by the cam mechanism 20, the filling region 1x can be directly and suitably reduced in pressure.

  Further, in the applicator 100, as described above, the movable body 6 and the piston 7 advance and retreat by a fixed stroke each time the main body cylinder 2 and the operation cylinder 3 are relatively rotated and a click feeling is generated once. Therefore, not only can the user sense the degree of relative rotation and the degree of ejection of the coating material M, but also the advance and retreat of the movable body 6 and the piston 7 can be sensed by the click feeling.

  Further, as described above, in the applicator 100, the ratchet mechanism 8 restricts the relative rotation of the main body cylinder 2 and the operation cylinder 3 in the other direction and allows only the relative rotation of the main body cylinder 2 and the operation cylinder 3 in one direction. It becomes possible to do.

  Further, in the applicator 100, as described above, when a click feeling is generated, the screw cylinder 4 is positioned at the rearmost position of the cam mechanism 20, and the filling region 1x is decompressed to the maximum. Therefore, since the user usually stops the relative rotation based on the click feeling (ends the use), the used applicator 100 is likely to be in a state where the inside of the filling region 1x is decompressed. In this regard, the present embodiment that can reduce the pressure in the filling region 1x of the application tool 100 after use to the maximum is particularly beneficial because the coating material M is particularly likely to leak from the discharge port 18a during storage after use. I can say that.

  In addition, in the applicator 100, the inner filling cylinder 11 is made transparent so that the piston 7 can be visually recognized when part of the outer filling cylinder 10 (the piston 7 is at the position shown in FIG. A window may be formed at any position. In this case, it is possible to check the color tone and presence / absence of the filled coating material M by removing the cap C1 at the time of sale or use. For example, when the coating material M is pushed out to the end by forming the piston 7 in white and the piston 7 reaches the position of the window formed in the outer filling cylinder 10, the color visually recognized from this window is the coating material M. Since the color changes from white to white, it can be recognized that there is no remaining amount, which is a signal of the end of use. In addition, by making the color of the pen tip 13 different from the color of the coating material M, the usage status of the coating material M can be easily recognized by visual recognition.

  The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments. The present invention is modified without departing from the gist described in each claim or applied to other embodiments. It may be a thing.

  For example, in the above embodiment, the discharge port 18a has a predetermined diameter that prevents the molten coating material M from flowing down from the discharge port 18a, but the front end side (exit side) of the filling region 1x (filling member 1) is narrowed. For example, the front end portion 11d of the inner filling cylinder 11 may have a cylindrical hole with a predetermined diameter. In this case, since it is not necessary for the discharge port 18a to have a predetermined diameter, it is possible to make the discharge port 18a into a shape with good usability.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although air was sent into the filling area | region 1x via the discharge outlet 18a by reducing the volume of the airtight space V in the piston 52, it is not limited to this. For example, by supplying compressed air (pressurized air) from the outside to the airtight space V, air may be sent into the filling region 1x via the discharge port 18a.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the case where the one applicator 100 was manufactured was illustrated for convenience of explanation, you may manufacture the some applicator 100 simultaneously in parallel. In this case, the filling jig 50 includes a cylinder 51 in which a plurality of recesses 51a are formed, and a plurality of pistons 52 that are slidably inserted in the respective recesses 51a.

  In the above embodiment, a pair of oblong hole portions 11e are provided as the passage portions, but the passage portions may have a circular (perfect circle) shape or a polygonal shape, or one or three or more. You may have. Further, the passage portion is not limited to a hole that penetrates the peripheral wall of the inner filling tube 11, and is a groove portion (concave portion) that is formed on the inner circumferential surface of the inner filling tube 11 and extends to the rear end surface of the inner filling tube 11. ). In this case, the bottom surface of the groove part can exhibit the function of the wall part 10x (that is, the function of guiding the coating material M backward). The passage portion may include a hole portion and a groove portion.

Moreover, in the said embodiment, in the state in which the space O was formed in the filling area | region 1x, although the coating material M will be filled _in the middle of the opening 11in of the hole 11e in the inner filling cylinder 11, The coating material M may be filled up to the back beyond the opening 11 _in of the hole 11e in the cylinder 11, or the coating material M may be filled up to the front not reaching the opening 11 _in .

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the rotational type by the screwing part 9 is employ | adopted as an extrusion mechanism, it is not limited to this, For example, mechanical extrusion mechanisms, such as a knock type, and a squeeze type extrusion mechanism are used. It is also possible to adopt. Further, instead of or in addition to pushing out the coating material M by moving the moving body 6 and the piston 7 forward, the coating material M may be pulled back (retracted) by moving the moving body 6 and the piston 7 backward. In the above embodiment, the piston 7 having a flat front end surface is used as the extruding part. However, a bell-shaped piston tapering forward may be used, and various extruding parts may be used. it can. Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the cylindrical cam mechanism is employ | adopted as the cam mechanism 20, of course, it is also possible to employ | adopt another cam mechanism.

  Further, the male screw and the female screw described above are not only a screw thread or a screw groove, but also a thread group or a screw groove such as an intermittently arranged protrusion group or a spiral and intermittently disposed protrusion group. It may be one that performs a similar function. Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the spring part 5b is provided integrally with the ratchet member 5, this spring part 5b may be provided separately from the ratchet member 5. FIG. In the above description, the ratchet mechanism 8 also serves as a click mechanism, and the ratchet teeth 8a and 8b correspond to a pair of click protrusions (click teeth). In addition, the ratchet teeth 8a and 8b of the above embodiment are set to the number of clicks at which a click feeling is generated 8 times by one relative rotation of the container front part and the container rear part, but the coating material M is discharged more finely. In order to achieve this, the number of clicks that cause a click feeling such as 12 times or 18 times in one rotation of the relative rotation may be increased.

  In the above embodiment, the present invention has been described as a method for manufacturing the applicator 100. However, the present invention can be understood as a filling method for filling the applicator 100 with the coating material M or an assembling method for assembling the applicator 100. You can also. Furthermore, this invention can also be caught as the applicator 100 manufactured by the said manufacturing method.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Filling member, 1x ... Filling area, 7 ... Piston (extrusion part), 10f, 11e ... Hole part (passage part), 18a ... Discharge port, 55 ... Main-body part, 100 ... Applicator, M ... Coating material, O ... space, V ... airtight space.

Claims (4)

A filling member having a filling region filled with a coating material; and a main body unit including an extrusion part that is inserted in close contact with the filling member to form a rear end of the filling region, and the extrusion unit. A method of manufacturing an applicator that discharges the coating material from a discharge port on the front end side of the filling member by advancement of
Filling the application material into the filling region of the filling member from the back in a state where the front side of the filling member is positioned below the rear side;
A step of feeding a predetermined amount of air from the discharge port into the filling region so that a space is formed on the tip side in the filling region after filling the coating material;
And a step of assembling the main body portion to the filling member after feeding the air.   In the step of sending air, the air is sent into the filling region by reducing the volume of the airtight space around the applicator with the discharge port positioned in the airtight space. The manufacturing method of the applicator of Claim 1.   The applicator according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the discharge port or the front end side of the filling region has a predetermined diameter that prevents the application material in a molten state filled in the filling region from flowing down from the discharge port. Manufacturing method. The filling member includes a passage portion extending from the filling region so as to communicate with the outside of the filling member in the applicator,
The method of manufacturing an applicator according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein in the step of assembling the main body, a part of the coating material is caused to flow out of the filling region through the passage portion.