JP7672189B2 - Squeeze container - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a squeeze container.

One type of squeeze container that has been proposed is one that comprises an elastically deformable container body in which the liquid contents are contained, and a discharge cap that is attached to the mouth of the container body and has a discharge hole for discharging the liquid contents and a communication hole that connects the discharge hole with the inside of the container body, and has a baffle plate covering the communication hole, with the baffle plate being supported so as to be elastically displaceable so as to move toward one of the discharge hole and the communication hole and away from the other (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
In such a squeeze container, the container body is compressively deformed to increase the internal pressure of the container body, thereby elastically displacing the baffle plate so that it approaches the discharge hole and moves away from the communicating hole, thereby discharging the content liquid from the discharge hole. Also, in this squeeze container, even if the squeeze container is tilted in a state in which the container body is not compressively deformed, the baffle plate covers the communicating hole, thereby preventing the content liquid from dripping from the discharge hole.

Patent No. 6205293

However, in the conventional squeeze container, the liquid contents entering the communication passage through the communication hole may collide with the baffle plate and may be scattered, and the liquid contents may be discharged from the discharge hole in a scattered state. In order to prevent such scattering, it is necessary to make the discharge hole smaller in diameter than the communication hole and guide the liquid contents flowing into the communication passage radially inward toward the small-diameter discharge hole. However, if the discharge hole is made small in diameter, the liquid contents that can be discharged from the discharge hole will be limited due to the viscosity of the liquid contents. In addition, even if a plug is provided to close the discharge hole, it is not possible to provide a sufficient space for the plug, so that it is not possible to provide a plug, or even if it is provided, there will be limitations on the structure of the plug. For example, in the above Patent Document 1, since the discharge hole is made smaller in diameter than the communication hole, it is not possible to provide a sufficient space for providing a plug to close the discharge hole, and the fitting tube part of the lid body is merely fitted inside the discharge tube part of the cap body.

Therefore, the present invention aims to provide a squeeze container that can prevent leakage of the liquid contents when the container body is tilted, and can prevent the liquid contents from splashing when discharged while increasing the diameter of the discharge hole.

The present invention employs the following means to solve the above problems. That is, the squeeze container of the present invention comprises an elastically deformable container body in which the liquid content is contained, a discharge hole that is attached to the mouth of the container body and discharges the liquid content, and a communication hole that is approximately the same diameter as the discharge hole and communicates the discharge hole with the inside of the container body, and a discharge cap that is provided with a baffle plate that covers the communication hole, and the inner surface of the communication passage that connects the discharge hole and the communication hole is provided with an annular straightening protrusion that protrudes radially inward, and both the surface of the straightening protrusion that faces the communication hole and the surface opposite to the surface are gradually tapered in diameter from the communication hole side to the discharge hole side, and the inner peripheral edge of the straightening protrusion forms an opening edge over the entire circumference.

In this invention, even if the liquid contents collide with the baffle plate and splash during discharge, the splashed liquid contents are guided along the straightening protrusions and collected before flowing through the communicating passages toward the discharge hole, so that even if the discharge hole has approximately the same diameter as the communicating hole, the liquid contents are prevented from being discharged in a splashed state from the discharge hole. In other words, the liquid contents enter the communicating passage through the communicating hole and splashed by the baffle plate are guided to gather along the surface of the straightening protrusions facing the communicating hole, so that the splashing state is at least reduced. The liquid contents then pass through the straightening protrusions and are discharged from the discharge hole, which has approximately the same diameter as the communicating hole.
This makes it possible to increase the options for the liquid contents that can be stored in the container body by making the discharge hole approximately the same diameter as the communicating hole, while also ensuring sufficient space for providing a stopper that blocks the discharge hole, thereby increasing the options for the configuration that can be applied to this stopper.
Furthermore, even if the discharge hole is enlarged, the content liquid is prevented from being discharged from the discharge hole in a scattered state, so that the amount of content liquid discharged from the discharge hole can be well controlled.

In the present invention, the discharge cap may have a cylindrical discharge portion in which the discharge hole is formed, and the baffle plate may be formed on the inside of the cylindrical discharge portion.
In addition, in the present invention, the discharge cap may have a discharge tubular portion in which the discharge hole is formed, and the baffle plate may be formed at a position closer to the communicating hole than one end of the discharge tubular portion that is closer to the communicating hole.

In the present invention, the discharge tubular portion may be formed with the flow straightening protrusion, and a blocking body that blocks the discharge tubular portion may be connected to the flow straightening protrusion via a weakened portion.
In this invention, the closing body closes the discharge tube portion, thereby improving the airtightness of the squeeze container, and the airtightness of the squeeze container can be maintained, for example, during distribution or display.

and a discharge cap which is attached to an opening of the container body and has a discharge hole for discharging the content liquid, and a communication hole which is approximately the same diameter as the discharge hole and connects the discharge hole with the inside of the container body, and which has a baffle plate covering the communication hole, wherein an inner surface of a communication passage connecting the discharge hole and the communication hole is provided with an annular flow straightening protrusion which protrudes radially inward, the discharge cap has a discharge tubular part in which the discharge hole is formed, the discharge tubular part having a lower tubular part whose inner diameter and outer diameter gradually decrease from the communication hole side to the discharge hole side, and an upper tubular part which is connected to the lower tubular part and has an inner diameter and outer diameter gradually increase from the communication hole side to the discharge hole side, the flow straightening protrusion is formed by a connection portion between the lower tubular part and the upper tubular part, and an inner peripheral edge of the flow straightening protrusion forms an opening edge over the entire circumference .
In this invention, as described above, the discharge hole is made approximately the same diameter as the communicating hole, thereby increasing the options for the liquid contents that can be contained in the container body, and sufficient space can be secured for providing a stopper that blocks the discharge hole, thereby increasing the options for the configuration that can be applied to this stopper.
Furthermore, even if the discharge hole is enlarged, the content liquid is prevented from being discharged from the discharge hole in a scattered state, so that the amount of content liquid discharged from the discharge hole can be well controlled.

In the present invention, the baffle plate may be formed inside the discharge cylindrical portion .

In addition, the present invention provides a liquid container comprising an elastically deformable container body containing liquid contents therein, and a discharge cap attached to an opening of the container body, the discharge cap having a discharge hole for discharging the liquid contents, and a communication hole having a diameter substantially the same as that of the discharge hole and communicating between the discharge hole and the inside of the container body, the discharge cap having a baffle plate covering the communication hole, the inner surface of a communication passage connecting the discharge hole and the communication hole being provided with an annular flow straightening protrusion protruding radially inward, the inner peripheral edge of the flow straightening protrusion forming an opening edge over the entire circumference, and the discharge cap being provided with a baffle plate covering the communication hole. the baffle plate is formed at a position closer to the communication hole than one end of the discharge tubular portion that is closer to the communication hole; the discharge cap is attached to the mouth portion and comprises a cap body having the discharge hole formed therein, and a baffle plate member attached to the cap body and having the communication hole formed therein, the baffle plate member having an attachment tubular portion attached to the cap body and the baffle plate provided inside the attachment tubular portion, and the flow straightening protrusion is formed on the inner surface of the attachment tubular portion .
In this invention, as described above, the discharge hole is made approximately the same diameter as the communicating hole, thereby increasing the options for the liquid contents that can be contained in the container body, and sufficient space can be secured for providing a stopper that blocks the discharge hole, thereby increasing the options for the configuration that can be applied to this stopper.
Furthermore, even if the discharge hole is enlarged, the content liquid is prevented from being discharged from the discharge hole in a scattered state, so that the amount of content liquid discharged from the discharge hole can be well controlled.
Furthermore, by providing the flow straightening protrusions on the baffle plate member attached to the cap body, the flow straightening protrusions can be provided without significantly modifying the structure of the cap body.

In the present invention, a surface of the flow straightening protrusion facing the communication hole may be gradually tapered in diameter from the communication hole side toward the discharge hole side.
In this invention, the liquid contents splashed by the baffle plate are more likely to collect toward the discharge hole along the surface of the straightening protrusion facing the communicating hole, thereby more reliably preventing the liquid contents from being discharged from the discharge hole in a splashed state.

In the present invention, a central portion of the baffle plate may bulge toward the discharge hole.
In this invention, the central portion of the baffle plate is bulged, so that after the content liquid is discharged, the content liquid tends to return into the container body along the surface of the baffle plate on the discharge hole side.
In the present invention, the baffle plate may be supported so as to be elastically displaceable so as to move toward one of the discharge hole and the communication hole and move away from the other.
In this invention, by displacing the baffle plate away from the communication hole, the communication hole can be opened widely, and the content liquid can be prevented from becoming difficult to flow from the communication hole into the communication passage.
In addition, in the present invention, the discharge tube portion may be formed with the straightening protrusion, and a hinge portion may be formed at a base end of the straightening protrusion, which is connected to the inner surface at the end of the discharge tube portion on the communicating hole side.
In this invention, when the discharge tubular portion is molded, the flow straightening protrusion is inclined toward the side away from the discharge hole as it moves inward, and when released from the mold, it is folded back and reversed at the hinge portion as a starting point. Therefore, the discharge tubular portion can be provided with the flow straightening portion without significantly changing the shape of the part of the mold that molds the discharge tubular portion that forms the inner surface of the discharge tubular portion.

With the squeeze container of this invention, the liquid contents that collide with the baffle plate and splash during discharging are collected by the straightening protrusions before being discharged from the discharge hole, so that the discharge hole has roughly the same diameter as the communication hole, increasing the options for the liquid contents that can be accommodated in the container body, and ensuring sufficient space for providing a plug to close the discharge hole.

FIG. 1 is an axial cross-sectional view showing a squeeze container according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an axial cross-sectional view showing the squeeze container of FIG. 1 with the lid removed. FIG. 5 is an axial cross-sectional view showing a squeeze container according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is an axial cross-sectional view showing the squeeze container of FIG. 3 with the lid removed. FIG. 11 is an axial cross-sectional view showing a squeeze container according to a third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is an axial cross-sectional view showing the squeeze container of FIG. 5 with the lid removed. FIG. 10 is an axial cross-sectional view showing a squeeze container according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. 13A is an axial cross-sectional view showing the squeeze container according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 13B is a top view showing a baffle plate and a connecting piece. FIG. 13 is an axial cross-sectional view showing a squeeze container according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 is an axial cross-sectional view showing a squeeze container according to another embodiment to which the present invention can be applied. FIG. 13 is an axial cross-sectional view showing a squeeze container according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 13 is an axial cross-sectional view showing a squeeze container according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 is an axial cross-sectional view showing a squeeze container according to another embodiment to which the present invention can be applied.

Hereinafter, a first embodiment of a squeeze container according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
As shown in FIG. 1, the squeeze container 1 of this embodiment includes an elastically deformable cylindrical container body 2 with a bottom and a cylindrical top, which is attached to a cylindrical mouth portion 3 of the container body 2 and has a discharge hole 4A for discharging the content liquid.
1, the direction from the bottom of the container body 2 toward the mouth 3 along this container axis O is referred to as the upward direction, and the opposite direction is referred to as the downward direction. In addition, the direction intersecting the container axis O in a plan view seen from the container axis O is referred to as the radial direction, and the direction going around the container axis O is referred to as the circumferential direction.

The container body 2 has a cylindrical body 5 with a top and a mouth 3 connected to the upper end of the body 5. The container body 2 is made of, for example, a synthetic resin, and the volume inside the container body 2 is reduced and pressurized by compressing and deforming (squeezing) the body 5. A first locking projection 3A that projects radially outward is formed around the entire outer periphery of the outer periphery of the upper end of the mouth 3.

The discharge cap 4 comprises a cap body 11, which is cylindrical and has an upper end, that is attached to the mouth 3, a lid body 12, which is cylindrical and has an upper end, that is detachably attached to the cap body 11 and opens and closes the discharge hole 4A, and a cylindrical baffle member 13, which is attached to the cap body 11 and has a communication hole 13A that connects the discharge hole 4A to the inside of the container body 2. The cap body 11, the lid body 12, and the baffle member 13 are arranged coaxially with the container axis O.

The cap body 11 has a top wall portion 21 that is annular in plan view, a cylindrical inner wall portion 22 that protrudes downward from the outer periphery of the top wall portion 21, an annular wall portion 23 that protrudes radially outward from the lower end of the inner wall portion 22 and is annular in plan view, a cylindrical outer wall portion 24 that protrudes downward from the outer periphery of the annular wall portion 23, and a cylindrical discharge tube portion 25 that is connected upward from the opening edge of the top wall portion 21. The top wall portion 21, inner wall portion 22, annular wall portion 23, outer wall portion 24, and discharge tube portion 25 are arranged coaxially with the container axis O.

A cylindrical mounted tubular portion 26 that protrudes downward is provided radially outward from the opening edge of the top wall portion 21. The lower end of the mounted tubular portion 26 is located above the lower end of the inner wall portion 22, and a second locking projection 26A that protrudes radially inward is formed around the entire circumference of the lower end of the mounted tubular portion 26.
The inner wall portion 22 has an outer circumferential surface formed with a male thread portion 22A.

A cylindrical clamping tube portion 27 is provided on the inner peripheral edge of the annular wall portion 23 , protruding downward and fitted into the inside of the upper end portion of the mouth portion 3 .
A knurled rib is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the lower end portion of the outer wall portion 24. In addition, an annular member 24A having a circular ring shape in a plan view is connected to the lower end portion of the outer wall portion 24.
The annular member 24A protrudes radially outward beyond the outer wall portion 24, and a plurality of third locking protrusions 24B are formed at intervals in the circumferential direction on the inner surface of the annular member 24A, which protrude radially inward and lock onto the first locking protrusion 3A of the mouth portion 3 from below.

The annular member 24A is formed with a slit 24C extending over a predetermined range in the circumferential direction. The slit 24C extends over the entire length of the annular member 24A in the vertical direction, and a knob portion (not shown) is formed by the slit 24C. In addition, at one end of the circumferential direction of the slit 24C of the annular member 24A, the upper end of the knob portion and the upper end of the portion of the annular member 24A located radially inward from the knob portion are connected via a first thin portion 24D. Furthermore, at the connection portion between the upper end of the annular member 24A and the lower end of the outer wall portion 24, a second thin portion 24E having a reduced radial thickness is formed in a portion continuing to the slit 24C and the first thin portion 24D in the circumferential direction. That is, the slit 24C, the first thin portion 24D, and the second thin portion 24E are formed continuously in the circumferential direction. Here, the slit 24C extends over a range of, for example, about 110°, and the second thin portion 24E extends over a range of, for example, 270°.
In this way, by pinching the gripping portion and pulling it circumferentially, the annular member 24A tears the first thin-walled portion 24D, then tears the second thin-walled portion 24E, and then by pulling up the gripping portion, the cap body 11 is separated from the mouth portion 3 of the container body 2.
It should be noted that the cap body 11 does not necessarily have to have such a separation structure.

The upper end of the discharge tubular portion 25 is warped radially outward so that the inner and outer diameters gradually increase toward the upper side, and the upper end opening of the discharge tubular portion 25 is the discharge hole 4A. Note that the upper end of the discharge tubular portion 25 may not be warped radially outward, or only a portion of the circumferential direction may be warped radially outward.
A flow straightening protrusion 28, which is annular in plan view and protrudes radially inward, is formed around the entire circumference on the inner peripheral surface of the lower end of the discharge tube portion 25. The lower surface of the flow straightening protrusion 28 is inclined so as to face upward as it faces radially inward. The upper surface of the flow straightening protrusion 28 is also inclined so as to face upward as it faces radially inward, but the inclination angle of the upper surface of the flow straightening protrusion 28 with respect to a plane intersecting the container axis O is smaller than the inclination angle of the lower surface of the flow straightening protrusion 28. A bottomed cylindrical transition plug (obstruct) 30 is provided on the opening edge of the flow straightening protrusion 28 via a first weakened portion (weakened portion) 29.
The inner diameter of the discharge tube portion 25 is slightly larger in the portion above the flow straightening protrusion 28 than in the portion below the flow straightening protrusion 28. Furthermore, the flow straightening protrusion 28 may be formed at any position on the inner circumferential surface of the discharge tube portion 25.

The transition plug 30 has a bottom wall portion 31 that is circular in a plan view, and a cylindrical liftable tube portion 32 that protrudes upward from the upper surface of the bottom wall portion 31.
The upper end of the pulled up tubular portion 32 is located slightly below the upper end of the discharge tubular portion 25. A fourth locking projection 32A projecting radially inward is formed around the entire circumference on the inner circumferential surface of the upper end of the pulled up tubular portion 32. Furthermore, a plurality of anti-rotation grooves 32B extending in the up-down direction are formed at intervals in the circumferential direction on the outer circumferential surface of the pulled up tubular portion 32.

The lid body 12 has a top plate portion 41 that is circular in plan view, and a cylindrical peripheral portion 42 that protrudes downward from the outer periphery of the top plate portion 41.
The underside of the top plate portion 41 is provided with a pull-up tube portion 43 that protrudes downward, a cylindrical mating tube portion 44 that protrudes downward radially outward from the pull-up tube portion 43, and a cylindrical threaded tube portion 45 that protrudes downward from the outer circumferential edge of the top plate portion 41.
The pulling-up tube portion 43 is fitted into the radially inner side of the pulled-up tube portion 32, and a fifth locking protrusion 43A is formed around the entire circumference of the outer circumferential surface of the lower end of the pulling-up tube portion 43, which protrudes radially outward and locks with the fourth locking protrusion 32A from below.

The fitting tube portion 44 is fitted to the inside of the upper end portion of the discharge tube portion 25. A plurality of anti-rotation ribs 44A extending in the up-down direction and protruding radially inward are formed at intervals in the circumferential direction on the inner peripheral surface of the fitting tube portion 44. The anti-rotation ribs 44A are engaged in the anti-rotation groove portion 32B in the circumferential direction.
A female thread portion 45A that screws into the male thread portion 22A of the inner wall portion 22 is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the lower end portion of the threaded cylindrical portion 45.
The inner and outer diameters at the upper end of the peripheral cylinder portion 42 gradually increase as they extend downward. A ring 47 having a circular shape in plan view is connected to the lower end of the peripheral cylinder portion 42 via a plurality of third thin-walled portions 46 formed at intervals in the circumferential direction, and the lower end of the ring 47 is close to the upper surface of the lower end of the outer wall portion 24, forming a slight gap between the upper end of the ring 47 and the upper end of the annular member 24A. A knurled rib is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the ring 47, which engages with a knurled rib provided on the outer peripheral surface of the outer wall portion 24 in the circumferential direction.

The baffle plate member 13 has a cylindrical mounting tube portion 51 that is fitted into the mounting tube portion 26 of the cap body 11, and an elastic displacement portion 52 that is connected to the lower end of the mounting tube portion 51 and has a circular shape in a planar view.
The inner diameter of the mounting tube portion 51 is slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the portion of the discharge tube portion 25 below the flow straightening protrusion 28, and the lower end opening edge of the mounting tube portion 51 is formed as a communication hole 13A. The communication hole 13A and the discharge hole 4A are defined by the inner peripheral surface of the mounting tube portion 51 and the inner peripheral surface of the discharge tube portion 25 and are connected by a communication passage 53 extending in the vertical direction, and the communication hole 13A faces the discharge hole 4A from below.

The lower end of the mounting tube 51 is provided with multiple legs 54 that extend downward and are spaced apart in the circumferential direction. The legs 54 protrude slightly downward from the lower end of the inner wall 22. Furthermore, a sixth locking protrusion 51A that locks from above onto the second locking protrusion 26A of the mounted tube 26 is formed around the entire circumference of the outer circumferential surface of the vertical middle part of the mounting tube 51. This allows the mounting tube 51 to be mounted inside the mounted tube 26.

The elastic displacement portion 52 is located in the center of the communication hole 13A and includes a baffle plate 55 that is circular in plan view, and an elastic connecting piece 56 that connects the outer peripheral edge of the baffle plate 55 to the lower end of the mounting tube portion 51.
The baffle plate 55 has a shape with a center bulging upward and covers the communication hole 13 A. The baffle plate 55 may be formed in another shape, such as a flat plate.
A plurality of elastic connecting pieces 56 are arranged in the circumferential direction and extend in the substantially circumferential direction. One end of the elastic connecting piece 56 is connected to the outer periphery of the baffle plate 55, and the other end of the elastic connecting piece 56 is connected to the lower end of the mounting tube portion 51. The baffle plate 55, the elastic connecting piece 56, and the lower end of the mounting tube portion 51 are connected to each other via a second weakened portion 57 and a third weakened portion 58. The second weakened portion 57 and the third weakened portion 58 are V-shaped grooves whose width gradually narrows from top to bottom, and the elastic connecting piece 56 is partitioned by the second weakened portion 57 and the third weakened portion 58.

In addition, in this baffle plate member 13, the second weakened portion 57 and the third weakened portion 58 are broken by pushing the baffle plate 55 upward against the mounting tube portion 51 before the baffle plate member 13 is attached to the cap body 11. Therefore, the baffle plate 55 rests on or is caught by the burrs generated by breaking the second weakened portion 57 and the third weakened portion 58. Therefore, the baffle plate 55 is prevented from being displaced downward from the communication hole 13A. In this way, since the baffle plate 55 rests on or is caught by the burrs described above, it does not completely block the communication hole 13A. Note that the baffle plate 55 may be configured to completely block the communication hole 13A, or may be configured to form a slight gap between the baffle plate 55 and the elastic connecting piece 56 from the beginning without providing the second weakened portion 57 or the third weakened portion 58.

Next, a method of using the squeeze container 1 having the above-mentioned configuration will be described.
First, the lid body 12 is rotated in the opening direction relative to the container body 2. When the lid body 12 is rotated, the male screw portion 22A formed on the inner wall portion 22 and the female screw portion 45A formed on the screw tube portion 45 are screwed together, so that the lid body 12 rises relative to the container body 2 and the cap body 11. Here, the pulling tube portion 43 is fitted inside the pulled-up tube portion 32 of the transition plug 30, and the fourth locking protrusion 32A and the fifth locking protrusion 43A are locked to each other, so that the transition plug 30 rises together with the lid body 12 relative to the discharge tube portion 25. Therefore, the first weakened portion 29 is broken, and the transition plug 30 is separated from the discharge tube portion 25. At almost the same time, the knurled rib on the outer peripheral surface of the outer wall portion 24 and the knurled rib on the inner peripheral surface of the ring 47 mesh in the circumferential direction, causing the third thin portion 46 to break and the ring 47 to fall, making it possible to visually confirm that the discharge cap 4 has been opened. As a result, the discharge hole 4A is opened as shown in FIG. 2.

Then, the container body 2 is compressed and deformed while the squeeze container 1 is tilted. When the container body 2 is compressed, the internal pressure of the container body 2 rises, and the baffle plate 55 is elastically displaced upward, moving away from the communication hole 13A and approaching the discharge hole 4A. The liquid content in the container body 2 flows into the communication passage 53 through the communication hole 13A. At this time, the liquid content collides with the baffle plate 55, so that the liquid content flows into the communication passage 53 in a scattered state. The liquid content that flows into the communication passage 53 is guided radially inward by the straightening protrusion 28. This alleviates the scattered state of the liquid content. After passing through the straightening protrusion 28, the liquid content flows into the part of the communication passage 53 above the straightening protrusion 28, and is discharged to the outside through the discharge hole 4A. Since the liquid content is discharged from the discharge hole 4A in a state where the liquid content is suppressed from scattering, the discharge amount of the liquid content is well controlled. As the liquid content is discharged, the internal pressure of the container body 2 decreases, and the baffle plate 55 elastically displaces downward.

When the discharge of the content liquid is completed, the baffle plate 55 elastically displaces downward to cover the communication hole 13A. When the squeeze container 1 is tilted with the baffle plate 55 covering the communication hole 13A, the baffle plate 55 does not completely close the communication hole 13A, so that the content liquid in the container body 2 may pass through the gap between the communication hole 13A and the baffle plate 55, but leakage of the content liquid from the discharge hole 4A is sufficiently suppressed compared to the case where the baffle plate 55 is not provided.
The squeeze container 1 is used in the above manner. After the liquid content in the container body 2 has been used up, as described above, the knob portion of the annular member 24A is pinched and pulled in the circumferential direction to tear the first thin-walled portion 24D and the second thin-walled portion 24E, and then the knob portion is pulled up to separate the cap body 11 from the mouth portion 3 of the container body 2. This allows the cap body 11 to be easily separated from the container body 2.

As described above, according to the squeeze container 1 of this embodiment, even if the liquid contents collide with the baffle plate 55 and splash when being discharged, the liquid contents can be discharged from the discharge hole 4A after the liquid contents are guided radially inward by the straightening protrusion 28 to suppress the scattering of the liquid contents. Therefore, even if the liquid contents are not suitable for being contained in the container body 2 in terms of the viscosity of the liquid contents, if the discharge hole 4A has a small diameter, it can be applied as the liquid contents of the squeeze container 1 of the present invention, thereby increasing the options for the liquid contents. In addition, by making the discharge hole 4A approximately the same diameter as the communication hole 13A, it is possible to secure sufficient space to provide the transition stopper 30 that blocks the discharge hole 4A in the cap body 11, which increases the airtightness of the discharge hole 4A and maintains the airtightness of the squeeze container 1, for example, during distribution or display.

Next, a second embodiment of the squeeze container according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The embodiment described here has the same basic configuration as the embodiment described above, with additional elements added to the embodiment described above. Therefore, in the following drawings, the same components as those in the above drawings will be given the same reference numerals, and their description will be omitted.

In the discharge cap 101 of the squeeze container 100 according to this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 3 and Fig. 4, the baffle plate member 102 is provided with a straightening protrusion 103. The straightening protrusion 103 protrudes radially inward over the entire circumference on the inner peripheral surface of the upper end of the mounting tube portion 104 of the baffle plate member 102. The lower surface of the straightening protrusion 103 is inclined so as to face upward as it faces radially inward. The upper surface of the straightening protrusion 103 is also inclined so as to face upward as it faces radially inward, but the inclination angle of the upper surface of the straightening protrusion 103 with respect to a plane intersecting the container axis O is smaller than the inclination angle of the lower surface of the straightening protrusion 103. The vertical position of the upper end of the straightening protrusion 103 is approximately the same as the vertical position of the upper end of the mounting tube portion 104. The inner diameter of the mounting tube portion 104 is slightly larger than the inner diameter of the discharge tube portion 106 at a portion below the first weakened portion 107 .
A bottom wall portion 109 of a transition plug 108 is connected to the inner peripheral surface of the vertical middle portion of the discharge tube portion 106 of the cap body 105 via a first weakened portion 107 .

The method of using the squeeze container 100 having such a configuration is similar to that of the squeeze container 1 according to the first embodiment described above.
Further, the squeeze container 100 having such a configuration also provides the same functions and effects as the above-described embodiment.

Next, a third embodiment of the squeeze container according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The embodiment described here has the same basic configuration as the above-mentioned embodiment, with additional elements added to the above-mentioned embodiment. Therefore, in the following drawings, the same components as those in the above-mentioned drawings will be given the same reference numerals, and their description will be omitted.

In the discharge cap 111 of the squeeze container 110 according to this embodiment, as shown in Figs. 5 and 6, a straightening protrusion 114 is provided at the lower end of the discharge tube portion 113 of the cap body 112. The straightening protrusion 114 protrudes radially inward over the entire circumference on the inner peripheral surface of the lower end of the discharge tube portion 113. The lower surface of the straightening protrusion 114 is inclined so as to face upward as it faces radially inward, and the upper surface of the straightening protrusion 114 is also inclined so as to face upward as it faces radially inward. In this straightening protrusion 114, the inclination angle of the upper surface of the straightening protrusion 114 with respect to a plane intersecting the container axis O is equal to the inclination angle of the lower surface of the straightening protrusion 114. In addition, a hinge portion 115 with a reduced thickness is formed at the base end of the straightening protrusion 114. As shown by the phantom lines in Figures 5 and 6, the flow straightening protrusion 114 is inclined downward so as to move radially inward from the top to the bottom during molding of the cap body 112, and is inverted and deformed by folding back upward from the hinge portion 115 after the cap body 112 is released from the mold. Also, the inner diameter of the discharge tube portion 25 below the first weakened portion 107 is slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the mounting tube portion 51.

The method of using the squeeze container 110 having such a configuration is similar to that of the squeeze containers 1 and 100 according to the first and second embodiments described above.
Further, the squeeze container 110 having such a configuration also provides the same functions and effects as those of the above-described embodiment.

Next, a fourth embodiment of the squeeze container according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the embodiment described here has the same basic configuration as the above-mentioned embodiment, with additional elements added to the above-mentioned embodiment. Therefore, in the following drawings, the same components as those in the above-mentioned drawings will be given the same reference numerals, and their description will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 7, the discharge cap 121 of the squeeze container 120 according to this embodiment includes a cap body 122 having a cylindrical shape with a top that fits inside the mouth 3, and a lid body 123 having a cylindrical shape with a top that is formed integrally with the cap body 122 and is removably attached to the cap body 122. The cap body 122 and the lid body 123 are arranged coaxially with the container axis O.

The cap body 122 has a top wall portion 131 that is annular in plan view, a cylindrical outer fitting tube portion 133 that is connected to the outer periphery of the top wall portion 131 via a circular connecting portion 132, a cylindrical inner fitting tube portion 134 that protrudes downward from the radially inner side of the outer periphery of the top wall portion 131, a cylindrical mounting tube portion 135 that protrudes upward from the outer periphery of the top wall portion 131, a cylindrical discharge tube portion 136 that is connected upward from the opening edge of a communication hole 131A formed in the top wall portion 131 and has an upper end opening as a discharge hole 136A, and a baffle plate 137 that inhibits the flow of the content liquid through the communication hole 131A. The top wall portion 131, the outer fitting tube portion 133, and the inner fitting tube portion 134 are arranged coaxially with the container axis O.

The top wall portion 131 is placed on the upper edge of the mouth portion 3, and a communication hole 131A of the top wall portion 131 is formed radially outward from the container axis O.
The outer fitting tube portion 133 is undercut fitted into the mouth portion 3 of the container body 2. A slit groove portion 133A is formed on the radially inner peripheral surface of the upper end portion of the outer fitting tube portion 133, extending from the upper end of the outer fitting tube portion 133 to the connecting portion with the connecting portion 132. The slit groove portion 133A forms a weakened portion for the cap body 122 together with the connecting portion 132, and is provided to release the fitting state of the outer fitting tube portion 133 with the mouth portion 3. In this way, the discharge cap 121 has the function of separating and separating the discharge cap 121 from the container body 2.
The inner fitting cylinder portion 134 is fitted into the inside of the mouth portion 3 .
The inner peripheral surface of the mounting cylinder portion 135 is inclined so as to gradually decrease in diameter as it extends upward. Also, a fitting groove portion 135A is formed around the entire outer peripheral surface of the mounting cylinder portion 135, into which a peripheral cylinder portion 142 (described later) of the lid body 123 is undercut and fitted.

The central axis of the discharge tube portion 136 is shifted radially outward from the container axis O. Hereinafter, the direction intersecting the central axis of the discharge tube portion 136 in a plan view from above is referred to as the discharge tube radial direction, and the direction rotating around the central axis is referred to as the discharge tube circumferential direction. The upper end of the discharge tube portion 136 is warped outward in the discharge tube radial direction so that the inner and outer diameters gradually increase toward the upper side, and the upper end opening of the discharge tube portion 136 is a discharge hole 136A. In addition, the upper edge of the discharge tube portion 136 is inclined downward from the part located on the radial outside toward the part located on the radial inside.
A flow straightening protrusion 138, which is annular in plan view and protrudes inward in the radial direction of the discharge tube, is formed around the entire circumference of the discharge tube on the inner peripheral surface of the vertical middle part or the lower end part of the discharge tube part 136. The flow straightening protrusion 138 is inclined so as to face upward as it approaches the radially inward of the discharge tube.

The baffle plate 137 is located in the center of the communication hole 131A and has a circular shape in a plan view. The baffle plate 137 has a shape that bulges upward at the center and covers the communication hole 131A. The outer periphery of the baffle plate 137 is connected to the lower end of the discharge tube portion 136 via an elastic connecting piece 139.
A plurality of elastic connecting pieces 139 are arranged in the circumferential direction and extend in the substantially circumferential direction. One end of the elastic connecting piece 139 is connected to the outer periphery of the baffle plate 137, and the other end is connected to the lower end of the discharge tube portion 136. Since the baffle plate 137 elastically displaces in the vertical direction, it is preferable that the baffle plate 137 is spaced apart from the flow straightening protrusion 138 to such an extent that it does not come into contact with the flow straightening protrusion 138 when the content liquid is discharged.

The lid body 123 has a top plate portion 141 that is circular in a plan view, and a cylindrical peripheral portion 142 that protrudes downward from the outer periphery of the top plate portion 141.
The bottom surface of the top plate portion 141 is provided with a cylindrical fitting tube portion 143 that protrudes downward, and a cylindrical surrounding tube portion 144 that surrounds the fitting tube portion 143 .
The fitting cylinder portion 143 is fitted to the inside of the upper end portion of the discharge cylinder portion 136 .
The lower end of the surrounding tube portion 144 is close to the upper surface of the top wall portion 131. Note that the lower end of the surrounding tube portion 144 may abut against the upper surface of the top wall portion 131.

A fitting protrusion 142A that engages with the fitting groove 135A is formed around the entire circumference of the lower end of the peripheral cylinder 142. The opposite side of the lower end of the peripheral cylinder 142 that sandwiches the container axis O between the central axis of the discharge cylinder 136 in the radial direction is connected to the outer fitting cylinder 133 via a hinge-shaped connecting portion 145. Furthermore, a knob 146 protrudes radially outward from the opposite side of the lower end of the peripheral cylinder 142 that sandwiches the container axis O between the hinge-shaped connecting portion 145 in the radial direction.

The method of using the squeeze container 120 having such a configuration is similar to that of the squeeze containers 1, 100, and 110 according to the first to third embodiments described above.
The squeeze container 120 having such a configuration also provides the same functions and effects as those of the above-described embodiment, but by integrating the baffle plate 137 with the cap body 122, the number of parts can be reduced, leading to cost reduction. In this embodiment, the central axis of the discharge tube portion 136 may be coaxial with the container axis O. Furthermore, the cap body 122 and the lid body 123 may be separate bodies.

Next, a fifth embodiment of the squeeze container according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The embodiment described here has the same basic configuration as the above-mentioned embodiment, with additional elements added to the above-mentioned embodiment. Therefore, in the following drawings, the same components as those in the above-mentioned drawings will be given the same reference numerals, and their description will be omitted.

In a discharge cap 151 of a squeeze container 150 according to this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8( a ), a baffle plate 153 of a cap body 152 is not supported so as to be elastically displaceable.
The baffle plate 153 is cone-shaped with the center bulging upward and covers the communication hole 131A. As shown in Fig. 8(b) , the outer periphery of the baffle plate 153 is connected to the lower end of the discharge tube portion 136 via a cylindrical connecting piece 154 having a plurality of flow holes 154A formed at equal intervals in the circumferential direction.

The method of using the squeeze container 150 having such a configuration is similar to that of the squeeze containers 1, 100, 110, and 120 according to the first to fourth embodiments described above.
The squeeze container 150 having such a configuration also provides the same functions and effects as those of the above-described embodiment. In this embodiment, the central axis of the discharge tube portion 136 may be coaxial with the container axis O.

Next, a sixth embodiment of the squeeze container according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The embodiment described here has the same basic configuration as the above-mentioned embodiment, with additional elements added to the above-mentioned embodiment. Therefore, in the following drawings, the same components as those in the above-mentioned drawings will be given the same reference numerals, and their description will be omitted.

In the discharge cap 161 of the squeeze container 160 according to this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9, a straightening protrusion 163 is formed around the entire inner circumferential surface of the discharge tube portion 136 of the cap body 162, and is inclined downward as it approaches the inside of the discharge tube in the radial direction.

The method of using the squeeze container 160 having such a configuration is similar to that of the squeeze containers 1, 100, 110, 120, and 150 according to the first to fifth embodiments described above.
The squeeze container 160 having such a configuration also provides the same functions and effects as the above-described embodiment.
In this embodiment, for example, as shown in Fig. 10, the amount of radial inward projection of the flow straightening projection 163' may be changed. Similarly to the baffle plate 153 according to the fifth embodiment, the baffle plate 137 does not have to be supported so as to be elastically displaceable. Furthermore, the central axis of the discharge cylindrical portion 136 may be coaxial with the container axis O.

Next, a seventh embodiment of the squeeze container according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The embodiment described here has the same basic configuration as the above-mentioned embodiment, with additional elements added to the above-mentioned embodiment. Therefore, in the following drawings, the same components as those in the above-mentioned drawings will be given the same reference numerals, and their description will be omitted.

In the discharge cap 171 of the squeeze container 170 according to this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11 , a flow straightening protrusion 173 protruding toward the inside in the radial direction of the discharge tube is formed on the inner circumferential surface of the discharge tube portion 136 of the cap body 172 over the entire circumferential direction of the discharge tube.
The straightening protrusion 173 has a triangular shape in an axial cross section that protrudes toward the radially inward direction of the discharge tube, and the upper surface of the straightening protrusion 173 is inclined to face downward as it proceeds toward the radially inward direction of the discharge tube, while the lower surface of the straightening protrusion 173 is inclined to face upward as it proceeds toward the radially inward direction of the discharge tube.

The method of using the squeeze container 170 having such a configuration is similar to that of the squeeze containers 1, 100, 110, 120, 150, and 160 according to the first to sixth embodiments described above.
The squeeze container 170 having such a configuration also provides the same functions and effects as those of the above-described embodiment. In this embodiment, the baffle plate 137 does not have to be supported so as to be elastically displaceable, as in the case of the baffle plate 153 according to the fifth embodiment. Furthermore, the central axis of the discharge cylindrical portion 136 may be coaxial with the container axis O.

Next, an eighth embodiment of the squeeze container according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The embodiment described here has the same basic configuration as the above-mentioned embodiment, with additional elements added to the above-mentioned embodiment. Therefore, in the following drawings, the same components as those in the above-mentioned drawings will be given the same reference numerals, and their description will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 12, in a discharge cap 181 of a squeeze container 180 according to this embodiment, a cap body 182 has a discharge tube portion 183 whose vertical middle portion is recessed radially inward.
The discharge tubular portion 183 has a lower tubular portion 184 whose inner and outer diameters decrease toward the top, and an upper tubular portion 185 connected to the upper end of the lower tubular portion 184 and whose inner and outer diameters increase toward the top. The connection between the lower tubular portion 184 and the upper tubular portion 185 forms a flow straightening protrusion 186. The amount of radial inward protrusion of the flow straightening protrusion 186 can be changed as appropriate.

The method of using the squeeze container 180 having such a configuration is similar to that of the squeeze containers 1, 100, 110, 120, 150, 160, and 170 according to the first to seventh embodiments described above.
The squeeze container 180 having such a configuration also provides the same functions and effects as the above-described embodiment.
In this embodiment, the shape of the discharge tube portion 183 may be changed as appropriate. For example, as shown in Fig. 13, the discharge tube portion 191 has a lower tube portion 192 whose inner and outer diameters decrease toward the upper side, an intermediate tube portion 193 connected to the upper end of the lower tube portion 192 and whose inner and outer diameters are substantially constant over the entire length in the vertical direction, and an upper tube portion 194 connected to the upper end of the intermediate tube portion 193 and whose inner and outer diameters increase toward the upper side. The intermediate tube portion 193 forms a flow straightening protrusion. The amount of protrusion of the intermediate tube portion 193 toward the inside in the radial direction may be changed as appropriate.
Also in this embodiment, the baffle plate 137 does not have to be supported so as to be elastically displaceable, like the baffle plate 153 according to the fifth embodiment. Furthermore, the central axis of the discharge cylindrical portion 183, 191 may be coaxial with the container axis O.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.
For example, the discharge hole has a slightly larger diameter than the communication hole, but it is sufficient if they are the same or may be slightly smaller.
The straightening protrusion may have a lower surface that slopes upward as it extends radially inward, or may have other configurations, such as an upper surface that extends along a plane that intersects the container axis or that slopes downward as it extends radially inward.
The baffle plate members according to the first to third embodiments may be formed integrally with the cap body like the baffles according to the fourth to eighth embodiments. Similarly, the baffles according to the fourth to eighth embodiments may be formed separately from the cap body.
The baffle plate according to the fourth to eighth embodiments is formed at the lower end of the discharge tubular portion, but it is sufficient that it is formed below the flow straightening projection, and it may be formed below the lower end of the discharge tubular portion or on the flow straightening projection side of the lower end of the discharge tubular portion. Here, when the baffle plate is formed below the discharge tubular portion, a configuration such as a cage-like tube shape is preferable.
The lid body may be configured to be screwed onto the cap body or may be configured as a hinge cap, but may have other configurations, such as a configuration in which the lid body is hinged to the cap body, as long as the lid body can be detachably attached to the cap body. Also, the lid body may be configured such that it cannot be reattached to the cap body, or no lid body may be provided.
In the first to third embodiments, the cap body is provided with a transition plug that blocks the discharge hole, but a plug of another structure, such as a plug provided with a pull ring, may be provided, or no plug may be provided. Similarly, in the fourth to eighth embodiments, the cap body is not provided with a plug, but a plug may be provided as appropriate, such as the transition plug according to the first to third embodiments or a plug provided with a pull ring.
In describing the shape of each component, such as the cap body and the lid, it is described as being "cylindrical", but it may be any other shape, such as a polygonal cylinder or an elliptical cylinder, as appropriate.

This invention has been found to have industrial applicability with respect to a squeeze container that can prevent leakage of the liquid contents when the container body is tilted, and can prevent the liquid contents from scattering when discharged while enlarging the discharge hole.

1,100,110,120,150,160,170,180 squeeze container, 2 container body, 3 mouth, 4,101,111,121,151,161,171 discharge cap, 4A,136A discharge hole, 11,105,112,122,152,162,172,182 cap body, 13,102 baffle plate member, 13A,131A communication hole, 28,103,114,138,163,163',173,186 straightening protrusion, 29 first weakened portion (weakened portion), 30 transition plug (obstruction body), 51 mounting tube portion, 53 communication passage, 55,137,153 baffle plate, 115 hinge portion, 193 Intermediate cylinder part (rectifier protrusion)

Claims (9)

An elastically deformable container body in which a liquid content is accommodated;
a discharge cap that is attached to the mouth of the container body and has a discharge hole for discharging the liquid content, and a communication hole that is substantially the same diameter as the discharge hole and communicates the discharge hole with the inside of the container body, the discharge cap having a baffle plate that covers the communication hole;
Equipped with
an annular flow straightening protrusion protruding radially inward is provided on an inner surface of a communication passage connecting the discharge hole and the communication hole,
a surface of the flow straightening protrusion facing the communication hole and a surface opposite to the surface of the flow straightening protrusion are gradually tapered in diameter from the communication hole side toward the discharge hole side,
A squeeze container, characterized in that an inner peripheral edge portion of the flow straightening projection forms an opening edge portion over the entire circumference. the discharge cap has a discharge tube portion in which the discharge hole is formed,
2. The squeeze container according to claim 1 , wherein the baffle plate is formed inside the discharge tube portion. the discharge cap has a discharge tube portion in which the discharge hole is formed,
2. The squeeze container according to claim 1 , wherein the baffle plate is formed at a position closer to the communication hole than one end of the discharge cylindrical portion that is closer to the communication hole. The flow straightening protrusion is formed on the discharge tube portion,
4. The squeeze container according to claim 2 , wherein a blocking body for blocking the discharge tube portion is connected to the flow straightening projection via a weakened portion. An elastically deformable container body in which a liquid content is accommodated;
a discharge cap that is attached to the mouth of the container body and has a discharge hole for discharging the liquid content, and a communication hole that is substantially the same diameter as the discharge hole and communicates the discharge hole with the inside of the container body, the discharge cap having a baffle plate that covers the communication hole;
Equipped with
an annular flow straightening protrusion protruding radially inward is provided on an inner surface of a communication passage connecting the discharge hole and the communication hole,
the discharge cap has a discharge tube portion in which the discharge hole is formed,
the discharge tubular portion has a lower tubular portion whose inner diameter and outer diameter gradually decrease from the communication hole side toward the discharge hole side, and an upper tubular portion connected to the lower tubular portion and whose inner diameter and outer diameter gradually increase from the communication hole side toward the discharge hole side,
the flow straightening protrusion is formed by a connection portion between the lower cylindrical portion and the upper cylindrical portion,
A squeeze container, characterized in that an inner peripheral edge portion of the flow straightening projection forms an opening edge portion over the entire circumference. 6. The squeeze container according to claim 5, wherein the baffle plate is formed inside the discharge tube portion. An elastically deformable container body in which a liquid content is accommodated;
a discharge cap that is attached to the mouth of the container body and has a discharge hole for discharging the liquid content, and a communication hole that is substantially the same diameter as the discharge hole and communicates the discharge hole with the inside of the container body, the discharge cap having a baffle plate that covers the communication hole;
Equipped with
an annular flow straightening protrusion protruding radially inward is provided on an inner surface of a communication passage connecting the discharge hole and the communication hole,
The inner peripheral edge of the flow straightening protrusion forms an opening edge over the entire circumference,
the discharge cap has a discharge tube portion in which the discharge hole is formed,
the baffle plate is formed at a position closer to the communication hole than one end of the discharge cylindrical portion that is closer to the communication hole,
the discharge cap is attached to the mouth portion and includes a cap body in which the discharge hole is formed, and a baffle member attached to the cap body and in which the communication hole is formed,
The baffle member has a mounting tubular portion attached to the cap body and the baffle plate provided inside the mounting tubular portion,
A squeeze container, characterized in that the flow straightening protrusion is formed on an inner surface of the mounting tube portion. 8. The squeeze container according to claim 7 , wherein a surface of the flow straightening projection facing the communication hole has a diameter that gradually decreases from the communication hole side toward the discharge hole side. 9. The squeeze container according to claim 1 , wherein a central portion of the baffle plate bulges toward the discharge hole.

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