JP7792702B2 - Liquid applicator and inner plug - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a liquid applicator and an inner stopper.

Patent Document 1 discloses a medicinal applicator for onychomycosis that includes a liquid container, a columnar brush member formed by bundling synthetic fibers into a columnar shape, and a bottomed tubular holder that holds the columnar brush member.

Patent No. 6005344

In conventional applicators with the above-described configuration, the liquid container is sealed. When the ambient temperature and the temperature of the internal liquid are high, or when the internal liquid is highly volatile, vapor pressure causes the internal pressure of the liquid container to rise and exceed the external pressure. When the cap is opened while the internal pressure is high, the gas inside the liquid container attempts to escape to the outside. As a result, the liquid impregnated within the columnar brush element is pushed out by the gas and sprays out, creating the problem of the sprayed internal liquid leaking out of the liquid container and contaminating the liquid container.

The present invention aims to provide a liquid applicator and an inner stopper that can better prevent internal liquid from leaking to the outside.

One aspect of the present invention is
a liquid container having a mouth and capable of containing a liquid;
an applicator body having a generally rod-like shape extending in an axial direction, the applicator body having a tip end portion disposed at one end in the axial direction and a base end portion disposed at the other end;
a cylindrical inner plug attached to the mouth portion, the inner plug gripping the applicator body so that a tip end of the applicator body protrudes and is exposed toward the tip end side of the inner plug;
a cap that covers the inside plug and the applicator body and seals the mouth portion;
A liquid applicator comprising:
The inside plug is
at least one opening exposing the applicator body to the liquid container;
The gripper has an annular liquid stopping portion that is disposed radially outward from the at least one opening, protrudes toward the applicator body, and comes into contact with the applicator body when the applicator body is being gripped.

Another aspect of the present invention is
Provided is an inner plug for a liquid applicator that is attached to the mouth of a liquid container capable of containing a liquid and is configured to be able to grip a generally rod-shaped applicator body extending in the axial direction.
the inside plug is tubular, extending in the axial direction and having a tip end portion disposed at one end in the axial direction and a base end portion disposed at the other end,
The inside plug is
At least one opening exposing the application body;
The gripper has an annular liquid stopping portion that is disposed radially outward from the at least one opening, protrudes toward the applicator body, and comes into contact with the applicator body when the applicator body is being gripped.

The liquid applicator and inner plug of the present invention can better prevent internal liquid from leaking to the outside.

1 is a cross-sectional view of a liquid applicator according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a plan view of an inside plug provided in the liquid applicator of FIG. 1 . FIG. 3 is a front view of the inside plug of FIG. 2 . FIG. 3 is a right side view of the inside plug of FIG. 2 . FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the inside plug of FIG. 2 . 6 is a cross-sectional view of the inside plug of FIG. 2 taken along line VI-VI. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the inside plug of FIG. 2 taken along line VII-VII. 7 is an end view of the inside plug of FIG. 2 taken along line VII-VII. FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the liquid applicator with the cap open. FIG. 10 is a plan view of an inside plug according to a second embodiment of the present invention. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the inside plug of FIG. 10 taken along line XI-XI. FIG. 12 is a partial enlarged view of a region R1 shown in FIG. 11 . 13 is a cross-sectional view of the inside plug of FIG. 10 taken along line XIII-XIII. 13 in an assembled state in which the applicator body is inserted into the inside plug of FIG. 10. [0033]FIG. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing a first modified example of the inside plug according to the second embodiment of the present invention. 16 is a cross-sectional view of the configuration of FIG. 15 taken along line XVI-XVI. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing a second modified example of the inside plug according to the second embodiment of the present invention. 18 is a cross-sectional view of the configuration of FIG. 17 taken along line XVIII-XVIII. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing a third modified example of the inside plug according to the second embodiment of the present invention. 16 is a cross-sectional view of the configuration of FIG. 15 taken along line XX-XX. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a liquid applicator according to a third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a liquid applicator according to a modified example of the third embodiment of the present invention.

According to a first aspect of the present invention,
a liquid container having a mouth and capable of containing a liquid;
an applicator body having a generally rod-like shape extending in an axial direction, the applicator body having a tip end portion disposed at one end in the axial direction and a base end portion disposed at the other end;
a cylindrical inner plug attached to the mouth portion, the inner plug gripping the applicator body so that a tip end of the applicator body protrudes and is exposed toward the tip end side of the inner plug;
a cap that covers the inside plug and the applicator body and seals the mouth portion;
A liquid applicator comprising:
The inside plug is
at least one opening exposing the applicator body to the liquid container;
and an annular liquid stopping portion that is disposed radially outward of the at least one opening, that protrudes toward the applicator body and comes into contact with the applicator body when the applicator body is being gripped.
A liquid applicator is provided.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the liquid stopping portion contacts the periphery of the applicator body,
the inside plug further includes a liquid storage portion that is disposed between an inner surface of the inside plug and the applicator body on a distal end side of the liquid stopping portion and is capable of storing the liquid;
the opening is formed closer to the base end than the liquid stopping portion,
The length of the liquid storage portion in the axial direction is greater than the thickness of the liquid storage portion in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction.
A liquid applicator according to a first aspect is provided.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a liquid applicator as described in the second aspect, in which the axial length and thickness of the liquid storage section in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction are configured so that the axial length of the liquid storage section is greater than the distance the liquid rises within the liquid storage section due to capillary action.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a liquid applicator as described in the second or third aspect, wherein the liquid storage portion has a cylindrical shape extending axially from the liquid stopper portion to the tip end of the inner plug.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a liquid applicator described in any one of the second to fourth aspects, wherein the axial length of the liquid storage portion is greater than the axial distance between the tip of the inner plug and the tip of the applicator body.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a liquid applicator as described in any one of the second to fifth aspects, in which the axial length of the liquid storage portion is greater than the axial length of the inner plug from the tip end of the liquid stopping portion toward the base end.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a liquid applicator described in any one of the second to sixth aspects, wherein the axial length of the liquid storage portion is greater than half the axial length of the inner plug.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a liquid applicator described in any one of the second to seventh aspects, wherein the liquid stopping portion contacts the periphery of the applicator body closer to the base end than the center of the applicator body.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention,
the inside plug further has a plurality of ribs extending from the liquid stopping portion toward the tip end on an inner surface thereof closer to the tip end than the liquid stopping portion,
The plurality of ribs are spaced apart from one another in the circumferential direction.
The present invention provides a liquid applicator according to any one of the second to eighth aspects.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a liquid applicator as described in the ninth aspect, in which the tip end of each of the plurality of ribs is located closer to the base end than the tip end of the inner plug and closer to the tip end than the center of the applicator body.

According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention,
The inside plug has a cylindrical shape with a bottom,
The present invention provides a liquid applicator according to any one of second to tenth aspects, wherein the at least one opening is disposed on a side surface of the inside plug.

According to a 12th aspect of the present invention, there is provided a liquid applicator as described in the 11th aspect, wherein the at least one opening is a plurality of openings arranged at intervals from each other in the circumferential direction.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention,
The inside plug has a cylindrical shape with a bottom,
the at least one opening is disposed through a portion of the bottom of the plug;
The liquid stopping portion is arranged at the bottom of the inside plug and configured to protrude toward the tip of the inside plug.
A liquid applicator according to a first aspect is provided.

According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention,
The inside plug further has a convex portion at a bottom portion, the convex portion protruding from the bottom portion in the axial direction and arranged so as to surround the at least one opening portion in a plan view,
The liquid stopping portion is disposed on the protrusion,
A liquid applicator according to a thirteenth aspect is provided.

According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention,
A fourteenth aspect provides a liquid applicator according to the fourteenth aspect, wherein the inside plug further has at least one groove provided in the convex portion on the outer side of the liquid stopping portion.

According to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention,
The present invention provides a liquid applicator according to any one of aspects 13 to 15, wherein the liquid stopping portion has a tapered shape in which the radial width gradually decreases toward the tip end of the inside plug.

According to a seventeenth aspect of the present invention,
the inside plug further has a plurality of support walls protruding radially inward on an inner surface thereof closer to the tip end than the liquid stopping portion,
The plurality of support walls adjacent in the circumferential direction are spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction.
The present invention provides a liquid applicator according to any one of the thirteenth to sixteenth aspects.

According to an eighteenth aspect of the present invention,
An inner plug for a liquid applicator, which is attached to a mouth of a liquid container capable of containing a liquid, and is configured to be able to grip a substantially rod-shaped applicator body extending in an axial direction,
the inside plug is tubular, extending in the axial direction and having a tip end portion disposed at one end in the axial direction and a base end portion disposed at the other end,
The inside plug is
At least one opening exposing the application body;
and an annular liquid stopping portion that is disposed radially outward of the at least one opening, that protrudes toward the applicator body and comes into contact with the applicator body when the applicator body is being gripped.
Provide a stopper.

A liquid applicator according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following embodiments, similar components will be given the same reference numerals and descriptions will be omitted.

(First embodiment)
Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a liquid applicator 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The liquid applicator 1 includes a liquid container 2, a stopper 3, an applicator body 4, and a cap 5. For ease of explanation, Fig. 1 shows an axis C. In the example of Fig. 1, the liquid container 2 has a bottomed cylindrical shape centered on the axis C, the stopper 3 has a cylindrical shape centered on the axis C, the applicator body 4 has a columnar shape centered on the axis C, and the cap 5 has a topped cylindrical shape centered on the axis C. The cross-sectional view of Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view of the liquid applicator 1 taken through the axis C, as viewed from a direction perpendicular to the axis C.

In this specification, the direction parallel to axis C is referred to as the axial direction, the direction perpendicular to the axial direction is referred to as the radial direction or width direction, and the circumferential direction centered on axis C is referred to as the circumferential direction. With regard to the axial direction, the upward direction into the page is considered positive. The positive axial direction is also referred to as the upward direction, forward direction, tip side, or distal direction, and the negative axial direction is also referred to as the downward direction, rearward direction, base side, or proximal direction. With regard to the radial direction, the direction away from axis C is referred to as the outward direction, and the direction toward axis C is referred to as the inward direction. Furthermore, in this specification, the radially inner side is simply referred to as the "inner side," and the radially outer side is simply referred to as the "outer side."

For ease of explanation, this specification uses terms indicating directions such as "upper," "lower," "distal," "proximal," "front," "rear," "tip end," "base end," "right," and "left," assuming normal use. However, these terms are not intended to limit the use state of the present invention.

The liquid container 2 has a mouth 21, which is a circular opening centered on the axis C, and is capable of containing the liquid 10. For example, the liquid 10 is a medicinal solution indicated for treating onychomycosis, and contains, for example, efinaconazole. The liquid 10 may further contain ethanol. The liquid 10 is not limited to the above and may be a liquid containing, for example, a compound with a boiling point lower than that of water at 1 atmosphere, a volatile organic compound, etc. The liquid container 2 may be made, for example, by blow molding, stretch blow molding, or injection blow molding using a polymeric material such as polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), low-density polyethylene (LDPE), or high-density polyethylene (HDPE). Alternatively, the liquid container 2 may be formed by multilayer blow molding using at least two materials selected from the above polymeric materials, ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer (EVOH), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyamide (PA), etc., but the materials and manufacturing method of the liquid container 2 are not limited thereto.

As shown in Figure 1, the cylindrical stopper 3 is inserted into the mouth 21 of the liquid container 2 and removably attached to the liquid container 2. The stopper 3 is integrally formed, for example, by injection molding. The stopper 3 may be formed by injection molding using one of the following materials: polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polypropylene (PP), cyclic olefin copolymer (COC), polyethylene (PE), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE), polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), polyacetal (POM), etc., or may be formed by injection molding using two or more materials. The detailed structure of the stopper 3 will be described later.

The applicator body 4 is formed by bundling a large number of synthetic fibers into a cylindrical shape. The diameter of the applicator body 4 is, for example, 1 mm to 10 mm, and the height of the applicator body 4 is, for example, 10 mm to 100 mm. The synthetic fibers are, for example, polyester, polyamide (PA), or polybutylene terephthalate (PBT). When the base end (proximal end) of the applicator body 4 comes into contact with the liquid 10, the liquid 10 is absorbed between the synthetic fibers by capillary action and reaches the tip end (distal end) of the applicator body 4. The applicator body 4 may have a single rod-like shape with the entire side surface solidified with an adhesive or the like, but the present invention is not limited to this. The applicator body 4 may have a roughly rod-like shape, and a roughly rod-like shape includes, for example, a brush-like structure in which the tip and surrounding area of the rod-shaped applicator body are not solidified with an adhesive or the like, and the fibers at the tip move flexibly relative to each other.

The structure of the inside plug 3 will be described below with reference to Figures 2 to 9 in addition to Figure 1. Figures 2 to 5 are a plan view, a front view, a right side view, and a bottom view, respectively, of the inside plug 3 provided in the liquid applicator 1 of Figure 1. Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of the inside plug 3 of Figure 2 taken along line VI-VI. Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of the inside plug 3 of Figure 2 taken along line VII-VII.

The stopper 3 has a cylindrical body 31, a bottom 32 located near the lower end of the body 31 and covering the body 31, and a brim-like flange 33 protruding outward from the outer surface of the body 31. When the stopper 3 is attached to the liquid container 2 as shown in Figure 1, the flange 33 of the stopper 3 rests on the top of the mouth 22 of the liquid container 2, and the outer surface of the body 31 of the stopper 3 contacts the inner surface of the mouth 21 of the liquid container 2. In this way, the stopper 3 is supported by the liquid container 2.

A liquid stopper 35 is formed on the inner surface of the main body 31, contacting the periphery of the applicator 4 and preventing the liquid 10 from passing between the inner surface of the main body 31 and the applicator 4. The liquid stopper 35 contacts the side of the applicator 4 along the entire circumference. In the illustrated example, as particularly shown in the end view of FIG. 8 , the inner diameter D2 of the liquid stopper 35 is equal to or less than the diameter (hereinafter referred to as "Da") of the applicator 4. The liquid stopper 35 prevents the liquid 10 in the liquid container 2 from moving distal to the liquid stopper 35 unless it passes through the applicator 4, even when the liquid applicator 1 is inverted. In this way, the liquid stopper 35 prevents the liquid 10 from leaking from the liquid applicator 1. The liquid stopper 35 contacts the periphery of the applicator 4 on the proximal side of the center or center of gravity of the applicator 4.

As shown in Figure 6, the inner diameter of the main body 31 above the liquid stopping portion 35 is larger than the inner diameter of the liquid stopping portion 35. As an example, as shown in Figure 8, the inner diameter of the main body 31 above the liquid stopping portion 35 is represented by D4. The inner diameter D4 is larger than the diameter Da of the applicator body 4 by, for example, about 0.1 mm to 5.0 mm. Therefore, as shown in Figure 1, a gap is formed between the inner surface of the main body 31 above the liquid stopping portion 35 and the applicator body 4. This gap forms a liquid storage portion 39 that can store liquid 10 in the upright position.

The axial length (depth) of the liquid storage portion 39 is greater than the radial thickness of the liquid storage portion 39. In other words, the axial length of the liquid storage portion 39 is greater than the distance between the inner surface of the main body 31 and the applicator body 4. The axial length of the liquid storage portion 39 may be greater than the minimum width between the inner surfaces of the liquid stopper 35 in a direction perpendicular to the axis C. For example, the axial length of the liquid storage portion 39 is greater than the inner diameter D2 of the liquid stopper 35 (see Figure 8). The axial length of the liquid storage portion 39 may be greater than the axial length of the inner plug 3 below the upper end of the liquid stopper 35. The axial length of the liquid storage portion 39 may be greater than half the axial length of the inner plug 3.

Alternatively, the axial length and radial thickness of the liquid storage portion 39 may be configured so that the axial length of the liquid storage portion 39 is greater than the distance that the liquid 10 can rise within the liquid storage portion 39 due to capillary action. In the illustrated example, the distance (height) h that the liquid 10 can rise within the liquid storage portion 39 due to capillary action is expressed by the following equation (1):

Here, σ [N/m] represents the surface tension of liquid 10, g [m/s ² ] represents the acceleration of gravity, θ [degrees] represents the contact angle between the inner surface of inside plug 3 and liquid 10, α [degrees] represents the contact angle between applicator body 4 and liquid 10, and ρ [kg/m ³ ] represents the density of the liquid. Also, as described above, Da is the diameter of applicator body 4, and D4 is the inner diameter of main body 31 above liquid stopping portion 35.

For example, when the liquid 10 is ethanol, σ=22 mN/m and ρ=0.789 [g/cm ³ ] at 20° C. When the inner surface of the inside plug 3 is made of HDPE, θ=5°. When the applicator body 4 is wet with the liquid 10, α=0°.

In the assembled state where the applicator body 4 is inserted into the inside plug 3, the liquid storage portion 39 has a volume of 10 μL to 400 μL, for example 80 μL. That is, the liquid storage portion 39 is configured to be able to store 10 μL to 400 μL, for example 80 μL, of liquid 10 when assembled. The axial length of the liquid storage portion 39 is, for example, 1 mm to 30 mm. The axial length of the liquid storage portion 39 is, for example, 0.1 to 0.7 times the axial length of the applicator body 4. The axial length of the liquid storage portion 39 may be greater than the axial distance between the tip of the inside plug 3 and the tip of the applicator body 4. The above numerical values are merely examples, and this embodiment is not limited to these.

As shown in Figures 2, 6, 7, etc., the liquid storage portion 39 is formed with six ribs 37 extending upward from the liquid stopper portion 35. Each rib 37 protrudes inward from the inner surface of the main body 31 in the liquid storage portion 39. The ribs 37 are spaced apart from one another and aligned circumferentially. The distance D1 (see Figure 8) between opposing ribs 37 across the axis C is less than or equal to the diameter Da of the applicator body 4. Therefore, when the applicator body 4 is inserted into the inner plug 3, it is supported by being sandwiched between the ribs 37. This prevents the applicator body 4 from moving radially and wobbling when the tip of the applicator body 4 is brought into contact with an object, such as a nail, to apply the liquid 10 to the object. In this way, the ribs 37 reinforce the support of the applicator body 4.

The tip of each rib 37 is positioned below the tip of the inner plug 3. This reinforces the support of the applicator body 4 while ensuring the volume of the liquid storage section 39.

In addition, the tip of each rib 37 extends above the center or center of gravity of the applicator body 4. As a result, each rib 37 supports the center or the area above the center of gravity of the applicator body 4, thereby further reinforcing the support of the applicator body 4.

The inner wall 36 (see Figures 6 to 8), which is the inner surface of the main body 31 above the liquid stopping portion 35, also supports the applicator body 4. The inner diameter D3 (see Figure 8) of the inner wall 36 is equal to or smaller than the diameter Da of the applicator body 4.

The inner diameter of the inner wall 36 does not need to be constant, but may gradually decrease downward. For example, in Figure 8, the relationship D1 > D2 > D3 holds true between the distance D1 between the upper ends of the opposing ribs 37 across the axis C, the inner diameter D2 of the liquid stopper 35, and the inner diameter D3 of the lower end of the inner wall 36, and the cross section of the inner surface of the main body 31 shown in Figure 8 may be tapered.

As shown in FIG. 6, an opening 34 is formed in the inside plug 3 at a position facing the liquid storage portion 39 across the liquid stopper 35. In the illustrated example, the opening 34 is formed near the lower end of the main body 31 of the inside plug 3. Thus, the opening 34 is formed in the main body 31 of the inside plug 3 at a position facing the liquid storage portion 39 across the liquid stopper 35. For example, the opening 34 is formed by cutting out the lower end of the main body 31. The opening 34 connects the outside and inside of the main body 31. This allows the liquid 10 in the liquid container 2 to pass from the outside to the inside of the main body 31 of the inside plug 3 and reach the applicator 4 when the inside plug 3 is attached to the liquid container 2 as shown in FIG. 1. In the illustrated example, three openings 34 are formed, particularly as shown in FIG. 5, but the number of openings 34 is not limited to this and may be one or more. As shown in Figure 5, when the inner plug 3 has multiple openings 34, this is advantageous because it allows the liquid 10 in the liquid container 2 to reach the applicator body 4 in accordance with various positions of the liquid applicator 1 during use.

The cap 5 is a screw-type lid that is attached to the mouth 21 of the liquid container 2. The cap 5 covers the inside stopper 3 and the applicator body 4, and seals the mouth 21 of the liquid container 2. The cap 5 has a ring-shaped protrusion 51 formed as a ring-shaped member centered on the axis C that extends downward from the ceiling. The applicator body 4 is housed inside the ring-shaped protrusion 51. When the cap 5 is attached to the liquid container 2, the tip of the ring-shaped protrusion 51 comes into contact with the tip (distal end) of the inside stopper 3 over the entire circumference, preventing the liquid 10 from passing through the contact area.

In the illustrated example, a mouth corner 38 that gradually widens toward the top is formed near the top of the inner surface of the body 31 of the stopper 3. The ring-shaped protrusion 51 of the cap 5 is flexible enough to bend radially. When the cap 5 is attached to the liquid container 2, the tip of the ring-shaped protrusion 51 bends inward along the mouth corner 38 and then attempts to return outward due to its elasticity. This forces the tip of the ring-shaped protrusion 51 outward toward the top of the inner surface of the body 31 of the stopper 3. In this way, the tip of the ring-shaped protrusion 51 tightly contacts the inner surface of the body 31 of the stopper 3, making the assembled liquid applicator 1 an airtight container that prevents the intrusion of solids and liquids. The assembled liquid applicator 1 may also be a sealed container that prevents the intrusion of solids, liquids, and gases. Furthermore, the assembled liquid applicator 1 may be a container that can completely seal off air even when the internal and external pressures are different.

The operation of the liquid applicator 1 will be explained with reference to Figure 9. Figure 9 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the liquid applicator 1 with the cap 5 open. Comparing Figure 9 with Figure 1, the mouth 21 of the liquid container 2 is sealed by the cap 5 in Figure 1, whereas in Figure 9 the cap 5 has been opened and the seal has been released. Figure 9 shows the state of the liquid applicator 1 at the moment or immediately after the cap 5 is opened. In Figure 9, the flow path of the gas generated by evaporation of the liquid 10 is schematically represented by arrows.

The mouth 21 of the liquid container 2 is sealed by the cap 5. When the liquid applicator 1 is sealed, the liquid container 2 is hermetically sealed. Therefore, when the temperature of the liquid 10 is high or the liquid 10 is highly volatile, the internal pressure of the liquid container 2 rises due to vapor pressure and becomes higher than the external pressure. When the cap 5 is opened while the internal pressure is elevated, the gas within the liquid container 2 attempts to escape to the outside, forcing the liquid 10 impregnated within the applicator body 4 out and accumulating within the liquid storage section 39. In Figure 9, the outlined arrows schematically show how the liquid level of the liquid 10 rises within the liquid storage section 39 at or immediately after the cap 5 is opened.

In conventional technology that does not have a liquid storage section 39, there is a problem in that liquid spurts out of the applicator body when the cap is opened, leaking to the outside of the liquid applicator. In contrast, the liquid applicator 1 according to the present embodiment has a liquid storage section 39, which makes it possible to contain the liquid 10 that seeps out of the applicator body 4 within the liquid storage section 39. When the difference between the internal pressure and the external pressure becomes small, the liquid 10 that has accumulated within the liquid storage section 39 returns to the applicator body 4 or liquid container 2 due to gravity. In this way, by having a liquid storage section 39, the liquid applicator 1 can prevent the liquid 10 from leaking to the outside of the liquid applicator 1.

As mentioned above, the height h to which the liquid 10 can rise within the liquid storage portion 39 due to capillary action is expressed by equation (1). If liquid 10 remains within the liquid storage portion 39, even if the liquid storage portion 39 is inverted to apply the liquid 10 to an object, a volume of liquid 10 corresponding to the height h within the liquid storage portion 39 will be retained within the liquid storage portion 39 by capillary force. In this way, the liquid storage portion 39 can retain the liquid 10 that is pushed out by the increased internal pressure by capillary force, reducing the risk of the liquid 10 spilling without passing through the applicator body 4.

As described above, the liquid applicator 1 according to this embodiment comprises a liquid container 2 having a mouth 21 and capable of containing liquid 10, an applicator body 4, a stopper 3, and a cap 5. The applicator body 4 has a generally rod-like shape extending axially, with a tip end located at one axial end and a base end located at the other axial end. The stopper 3 has a cylindrical shape that is attached to the mouth 21. The stopper 3 grips the applicator body 4 so that the tip end of the applicator body 4 protrudes distally from the stopper 3 and is exposed. The cap 5 covers the stopper 3 and the applicator body 4 and seals the mouth 21. The stopper 3 has an annular liquid stopper 35 that contacts the periphery of the applicator body 4, a liquid storage portion 39, and at least one opening 34. The liquid storage portion 39 is located between the inner surface of the stopper 3 and the applicator body 4, on the tip side of the liquid stopper 35, and is configured to be able to store liquid 10. At least one opening 34 is disposed closer to the base end than the liquid stopping portion 35, and exposes the applicator body 4 to the inside of the liquid container 2. The axial length of the liquid storage portion 39 is greater than the minimum width between the inner surfaces of the liquid stopping portion 35 in a direction perpendicular to the axis C. For example, the axial length of the liquid storage portion 39 is greater than the inner diameter D2 of the liquid stopping portion 35.

With this configuration, the liquid applicator 1 can contain the liquid 10 that seeps out from the applicator body 4 within the liquid storage section 39 when the cap 5 is opened. Because the axial length of the liquid storage section 39 is greater than the minimum width between the inner surfaces of the liquid stopping section 35, a sufficient contact area can be secured between the liquid 10 accumulated within the liquid storage section 39 and the applicator body 4. Because the liquid 10 that comes into contact with the applicator body 4 is absorbed into the applicator body 4, the liquid applicator 1 can prevent the liquid 10 from leaking outside the liquid applicator 1. Furthermore, because the liquid applicator 1 does not require a mechanism for moving a member to open and close the flow path of the liquid 10 when the cap 5 is open, the above effects can be achieved without increasing the number of parts.

The axial length and thickness perpendicular to the axial direction of the liquid storage section 39 may be configured so that the axial length of the liquid storage section 39 is greater than the distance that the liquid 10 rises within the liquid storage section 39 due to capillary action.

As with the above, this configuration also ensures a sufficient contact area between the liquid 10 stored in the liquid storage section 39 and the applicator body 4, preventing the liquid 10 from leaking outside the liquid applicator 1 without increasing the number of parts.

The liquid storage portion 39 may have a cylindrical shape extending axially from the liquid stopping portion 35 to the tip of the inner plug 3.

With this configuration, liquid 10 that overflows from the tip of the applicator body 4 can enter the liquid storage section 39 without leaking to the outside, and ultimately return to the liquid container 2.

The axial length of the liquid storage portion 39 may be greater than the axial distance between the tip of the inner plug 3 and the tip of the applicator body 4.

As with the above, this configuration also ensures a sufficient contact area between the liquid 10 stored in the liquid storage section 39 and the applicator body 4, preventing the liquid 10 from leaking outside the liquid applicator 1 without increasing the number of parts.

The axial length of the liquid storage portion 39 may be greater than the axial length of the inner plug 3 from the tip end of the liquid stopping portion 35 toward the base end.

As with the above, this configuration also ensures a sufficient contact area between the liquid 10 stored in the liquid storage section 39 and the applicator body 4, preventing the liquid 10 from leaking outside the liquid applicator 1 without increasing the number of parts.

The axial length of the liquid storage section 39 may be greater than half the axial length of the inner plug 3.

As with the above, this configuration also ensures a sufficient contact area between the liquid 10 stored in the liquid storage section 39 and the applicator body 4, preventing the liquid 10 from leaking outside the liquid applicator 1 without increasing the number of parts.

The liquid stopping portion 35 may contact the periphery of the applicator body 4 closer to the base end than the center of the applicator body 4.

As with the above, this configuration also ensures a sufficient contact area between the liquid 10 stored in the liquid storage section 39 and the applicator body 4, preventing the liquid 10 from leaking outside the liquid applicator 1 without increasing the number of parts.

The inside plug 3 may further have a plurality of ribs 37 extending from the liquid stopper 35 toward the tip end on the inner surface of the inside plug 3 toward the tip end. The plurality of ribs 37 are arranged circumferentially at intervals from one another.

This configuration prevents the applicator body 4 from moving widthwise and wobbling when the tip of the applicator body 4 is brought into contact with an object such as a nail to apply the liquid 10 to the object. In this way, the multiple ribs 37 reinforce the support of the applicator body 4.

The tip of each of the multiple ribs 37 may be located closer to the base end than the tip of the inner plug 3 and closer to the tip than the center of the applicator body 4.

By positioning the tips of the multiple ribs 37 closer to the base end than the tip of the inner plug 3, it is possible to reinforce support for the applicator body 4 while ensuring the volume of the liquid storage section 39. Furthermore, by positioning the tips of the multiple ribs 37 closer to the tip than the center of the applicator body 4, the multiple ribs 37 can support the applicator body 4 more firmly.

The inner plug 3 has a cylindrical shape with a bottom 32, and at least one opening 34 may be provided on the side of the inner plug 3.

By having the bottom 32, when inserting the applicator 4 into the stopper 3, the applicator 4 can be pressed against the bottom 32 to stop it in place, thereby positioning the applicator 4. Even with the bottom 32, the liquid 10 in the liquid container 2 can reach the applicator 4 via at least one opening 34 provided on the side of the stopper 3. Furthermore, because at least one opening 34 is provided on the side of the stopper 3, the dimensions of the opening 34 can be set more flexibly than when an opening is provided on the bottom 32.

At least one opening 34 may be a plurality of openings spaced apart from one another in the circumferential direction.

This configuration allows the liquid 10 in the liquid container 2 to reach the applicator body 4 in response to various postures of the liquid applicator 1.

(Modification of the first embodiment)
Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, these descriptions are merely examples of the present invention. Various improvements and modifications can be made to the above exemplary embodiments. For example, the following modifications are possible. The following modifications can be combined as appropriate.

In the first embodiment described above, the stopper 3 has a cylindrical shape with a bottom, but the shape of the stopper 3 is not limited to this and may be, for example, a polygonal cylindrical shape. The stopper 3 may also have a cylindrical shape without a bottom.

In the first embodiment described above, an opening 34 that connects the outside and inside of the main body 31 of the inside plug 3 was described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the opening 34 may be an opening that penetrates the bottom 32 of the inside plug 3. Even with this configuration, as in the first embodiment described above, when the inside plug 3 is attached to the liquid container 2 as shown in FIG. 1, the liquid 10 in the liquid container 2 can pass through the opening 34 and reach the applicator body 4.

Second Embodiment
Fig. 10 is a plan view of an inside plug 203 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the inside plug 203 of Fig. 10 taken along line XI-XI. Fig. 12 is a partial enlarged view of region R1 shown in Fig. 11. Fig. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the inside plug 203 of Fig. 10 taken along line XIII-XIII.

The inside plug 203 shown in Figures 10 to 13 has a cylindrical shape with a bottom 32 and an opening 234 that penetrates a portion of the bottom 32. While the opening 34 in the first embodiment penetrates the side of the main body 31 of the inside plug 3, in the second embodiment the opening 234 penetrates the bottom 32 of the inside plug 203. The diameter of the opening 234 is smaller than the diameter of the applicator body 4. For example, the diameter of the opening 234 is set to 0.2 mm to 5 mm.

As shown in FIG. 12, the inside plug 203 has a protrusion 235 that protrudes upward from the bottom 32. As shown in FIG. 10, the protrusion 235 has a circular shape that surrounds the opening 234 in a plan view. However, this embodiment is not limited to this. The protrusion 235 may be an annular protrusion that protrudes upward from the bottom 32 around its entire circumference, and may have a shape other than a circle in a plan view, such as an ellipse or polygon.

The inner plug 203 has a liquid stopper 236 that protrudes upward from the convex portion 235. As shown in FIG. 10, the liquid stopper 236 has a circular shape in a plan view, similar to the convex portion 235. The diameter of the liquid stopper 236 is set to be smaller than the diameter of the applicator body 4. If the side surface of the applicator body 4 is hardened with adhesive, the diameter of the liquid stopper 236 only needs to be smaller than the inner diameter of the adhesive layer of the applicator body 4. However, this embodiment is not limited to this. The liquid stopper 236 may have a shape other than a circle in a plan view, such as an oval or polygon.

12, the liquid stopper 236 has a tapered (wedge-shaped) shape in which its radial width gradually decreases upward. In the first embodiment, the liquid stopper 35 is provided on the inner surface of the main body 31 so as to contact the side of the applicator body 4 along its entire circumference, whereas in the second embodiment, the liquid stopper 236 is provided on the bottom 32 of the inner plug 203. In the illustrated example, the liquid stopper 236 has an upwardly pointed wedge shape, and is therefore firmly pressed into the bottom surface of the applicator body 4 when the applicator body 4 is inserted into the inner plug 203 and assembled. Therefore, even if the applicator body 4 is tilted or the dimensions of the applicator body 4 vary, a gap can be prevented from forming between the liquid stopper 236 and the bottom surface of the applicator body 4, stabilizing the tight contact of the liquid stopper point and ensuring more reliable liquid stoppage.

In the illustrated example, the liquid stopping portion 236 has an upwardly pointed wedge shape, but this embodiment is not limited to this, and the liquid stopping portion 236 may be a protrusion that protrudes upward from the bottom 32 of the inner plug 203. By protruding upward from the bottom 32, it is possible to prevent a gap from forming between the liquid stopping portion 236 and the bottom surface of the applicator body 4 even if the applicator body 4 is tilted or the dimensions of the applicator body 4 vary.

As shown in Figures 10 and 12, the convex portion 235 has six grooves 208 formed on the outside of the liquid stopper portion 236, each extending radially. The grooves 208 serve as gas flow paths when the applicator body 4 is inserted into the inner plug 203 and in the assembled state, ensuring a gas flow path below the applicator body 4. In the example shown in Figure 10, the circumferential width of each groove 208 is smaller than the circumferential distance between adjacent grooves 208 in the circumferential direction.

As shown in Figures 10, 11, and 13, six support walls 204 that protrude radially inward are formed on the inner surface of the inner plug 203. The distance between opposing support walls 204 across the axis C is less than or equal to the diameter Da of the applicator body 4. Therefore, when the applicator body 4 is inserted into the inner plug 203, it is supported by being sandwiched between the support walls 204.

Circumferentially adjacent support walls 204 are spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction. Therefore, as shown in Figure 10, a sidewall groove 206 extending in the axial direction is formed between adjacent support walls 204. The sidewall groove 206 serves as a gas flow path when the applicator body 4 is inserted into the inner plug 203 in the assembled state, ensuring a gas flow path around the applicator body 4. In the example shown in Figure 10, the circumferential width of each sidewall groove 206 is smaller than the circumferential distance between circumferentially adjacent sidewall grooves 206.

As shown in Figures 10, 11, and 13, ribs 237 extending upward from each sidewall groove 206 are formed on the inner surface of the inner stopper 203. Each rib 237 protrudes inward from the inner surface of the main body 31. The distance between opposing ribs 237 across the axis C is equal to or less than the diameter Da of the applicator 4. Therefore, when the applicator 4 is inserted into the inner stopper 203, it is sandwiched and supported by the ribs 237. This prevents the applicator 4 from moving radially and wobbling when the tip of the applicator 4 is brought into contact with an object, such as a nail, to apply liquid to the object. In this way, the ribs 237 reinforce the support of the applicator 4 and prevent wobbling of the applicator 4. This prevents gaps from forming between the liquid stopper portion 236 and the bottom surface of the applicator 4 during use, for example, and stabilizes the tight contact of the liquid stopper portion, resulting in more reliable liquid stoppage.

The tip of each rib 237 is positioned below the axial center position of the inner plug 203. This ensures sufficient volume for the liquid storage section 39 while reinforcing support for the applicator body 4. However, this embodiment is not limited to this, and the tip of each rib 237 may also be positioned above the axial center position of the inner plug 203.

As shown in Figures 11 and 13, three of the six support walls 204 have lower protrusions 205 that protrude inward. Support walls 204 with lower protrusions 205 and support walls 204 without lower protrusions 205 are arranged alternately in the circumferential direction. The inward protruding lower protrusions 205 enable the support walls 204 to support the applicator body 4 more firmly.

In addition, three of the six ribs 237 are also formed with upper protrusions 238 that protrude inward. The inward protrusions 238 allow the ribs 237 to more firmly support the applicator body 4. The ribs 237 with upper protrusions 238 are arranged on support walls 204 that do not have lower protrusions 205. The ribs 237 arranged on support walls 204 that have lower protrusions 205 do not have upper protrusions 238. This configuration has the advantage of dispersing the force that occurs when the inside plug 3 is forcibly removed when it is integrally formed by injection molding.

The configurations of the lower protrusion 205 and the upper protrusion 238 are not limited to those described above. For example, the lower protrusion 205 may be provided on one or more of the six support walls 204, for example, all of the support walls 204. The upper protrusion 238 may also be provided on one or more of the six ribs 237, for example, all of the ribs 237. The upper protrusion 238 may be provided on a rib 237 arranged above a support wall 204 having the lower protrusion 205. Furthermore, protrusions such as the lower protrusion 205 and the upper protrusion 238 may not be provided on any of the support walls 204 or ribs 237.

Figure 14 is a cross-sectional view showing the cross section of the inner stopper 203 corresponding to Figure 13 in the assembled state where the applicator body 4 is inserted into the inner stopper 203. In the assembled state, the liquid stopper 236 is pressed into the bottom of the applicator body 4. A liquid storage section 39 is formed between the inner surface of the main body 31 and the applicator body 4.

In Figure 14, it can be seen that the upper protrusion 238 and the lower protrusion 205 grip the applicator body 4. In this way, by gripping the applicator body 4 with the upper protrusion 238 and the lower protrusion 205, which are located at different positions in the axial direction (the longitudinal direction), the axis can be extended, allowing the applicator body 4 to be positioned more concentrically with the inner plug 203, and the protruding direction of the liquid stopping portion 236 and the bottom surface of the applicator body 4 to be closer to perpendicular. As a result, in the assembled state, the liquid stopping portion 236 is firmly pressed into the bottom surface of the applicator body 4 around its entire circumference. Therefore, even if the applicator body 4 is tilted or the dimensions of the applicator body 4 vary, it is possible to prevent gaps from occurring between the liquid stopping portion 236 and the bottom surface of the applicator body 4, stabilizing the tight contact of the liquid stopping point and more reliably stopping the liquid.

In the first embodiment, when the cap 5 is opened while the internal pressure is elevated, the gas in the liquid container 2 attempts to escape to the outside, forcing the liquid impregnated in the applicator body 4 out and accumulating in the liquid storage portion 39 (see Figure 9). Thus, in the first embodiment, the liquid stopper 35 contacts the entire periphery of the side of the applicator body 4, so the gas has no choice but to pass through the interior of the applicator body 4. In contrast, in the present embodiment, gas attempting to escape to the outside through the opening 234 enters the applicator body 4 from its bottom surface, then escapes via the liquid stopper 236 to the groove 208 and between the bottom surface of the applicator body 4 and the bottom 32 of the inner stopper 203. This is due to the nature of gas, which tends to pass through paths with fewer barriers, such as objects and liquids. The gas that travels through the groove 208 and between the bottom surface of the applicator body 4 and the bottom 32 of the inner stopper 203 further escapes through the sidewall groove 206 to the liquid storage portion 39. Therefore, in this embodiment, the gas passing through the applicator body 4 reduces the pushing out of the liquid impregnated in the applicator body 4, thereby preventing the liquid from leaking from the liquid applicator 1.

As described above, in the liquid applicator 1 according to this embodiment, the inner plug 203 has a cylindrical shape with a bottom 32. The opening 234 is arranged to penetrate a portion of the bottom 32 of the inner plug 203. The liquid stopper 236 is arranged at the bottom 32 of the inner plug 203 and is configured to protrude toward the tip of the inner plug 203.

With this configuration, gas that attempts to escape to the outside when the cap 5 is opened enters the applicator body 4 from the bottom surface of the applicator body 4, and then escapes between the bottom surface of the applicator body 4 and the bottom 32 of the inner plug 203 via the liquid stopper 236. This reduces the amount of gas passing through the applicator body 4 and pushing out the liquid impregnated within it, preventing liquid from leaking from the liquid applicator 1.

The inside plug 203 may further have a protrusion 235 on the bottom 32 that protrudes axially from the bottom 32 and is arranged to surround the opening 234 in a plan view. The liquid stopper 236 is arranged on the protrusion 235.

With this configuration, the convex portion 235 can secure a space between the bottom surface of the applicator body 4 and the bottom 32 of the inner plug 203. This allows gas to escape into the space between the bottom surface of the applicator body 4 and the bottom 32 of the inner plug 203, reducing the amount of gas passing through the applicator body 4 and pushing out the liquid impregnated within the applicator body 4, and preventing liquid from leaking from the liquid applicator 1.

The inner plug 203 may further have at least one groove provided in the convex portion 235 on the outside of the liquid stopping portion 236.

With this configuration, the groove 208 becomes a gas flow path when the applicator body 4 is inserted into the inner plug 203 in the assembled state, ensuring a gas flow path below the applicator body 4.

The liquid stopping portion 236 may have a tapered shape in which the radial width gradually decreases toward the tip of the inner plug 203.

With this configuration, the liquid stopping portion 236 is firmly pressed into the bottom surface of the applicator body 4 when the applicator body 4 is inserted into the inner plug 203 and assembled, thereby more reliably stopping the liquid.

The inner plug 203 may further have a plurality of support walls 204 that protrude radially inward on the inner surface closer to the tip end than the liquid stopping portion 236. The plurality of support walls 204 that are adjacent in the circumferential direction are arranged circumferentially at intervals from each other.

This configuration allows the multiple support walls 204 to support the applicator body 4. Furthermore, the side wall grooves 206 formed between circumferentially adjacent support walls 204 become gas flow paths when the applicator body 4 is inserted into the inner plug 203 and assembled, ensuring a gas flow path around the applicator body 4.

The inner plug 203 may have a liquid storage section 39 capable of storing liquid, which is located between the inner surface of the inner plug 203 and the applicator body 4, closer to the tip than the liquid stopping section 236. The axial length of the liquid storage section 39 is greater than the thickness of the liquid storage section 39 in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction. The axial length and thickness of the liquid storage section 39 in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction are configured so that the axial length of the liquid storage section 39 is greater than the distance that the liquid rises within the liquid storage section 39 due to capillary action.

The liquid applicator 1 can contain within the liquid storage portion 39 any liquid that seeps out from the applicator body 4 when the cap 5 is opened. Because the liquid in the liquid storage portion 39 that comes into contact with the applicator body 4 is absorbed into the applicator body 4, the liquid applicator 1 can prevent the liquid from leaking outside the liquid applicator 1. As mentioned above, the height h to which the liquid 10 can rise within the liquid storage portion 39 due to capillary action is expressed by equation (1). If liquid remains within the liquid storage portion 39, even if the liquid storage portion 39 is inverted to apply the liquid to an object, a volume of liquid corresponding to the height h within the liquid storage portion 39 will be retained within the liquid storage portion 39 by capillary force. In this way, the liquid storage portion 39 can retain the liquid that is pushed out by the increased internal pressure by capillary force, reducing the risk of the liquid spilling without passing through the applicator body 4.

(Modification of the second embodiment)
FIGS. 15 and 16 are schematic diagrams illustrating a first modified example of the inside plug 203 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 15 is a partially enlarged view illustrating a portion of the bottom 32 of the inside plug 203, in comparison with FIG. 10 . FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of the configuration shown in FIG. 15 taken along line XVI-XVI. In the second embodiment described above, an example was described in which the inside plug 203 had one opening 234 penetrating a portion of the bottom 32. However, this embodiment is not limited to this, and the number of openings penetrating a portion of the bottom 32 may be two or more. For example, as shown in FIGS. 15 and 16 , the inside plug 203 may have two openings 234a and 234b penetrating a portion of the bottom 32. With multiple openings, even if one opening is blocked by liquid, air can pass through the other openings. Therefore, this modified example reduces the pulsation of the liquid caused by air returning to the liquid container 2 through a narrow path when applying liquid to an object such as a nail, allowing the user to perform the application operation more smoothly.

Figures 17 and 18 are schematic diagrams showing a second modified example of the inside plug 203 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Figure 17 is a partially enlarged view illustrating a portion of the bottom 32 of the inside plug 203 in comparison with Figure 10. Figure 18 is a cross-sectional view of the configuration of Figure 17 taken along line XVIII-XVIII. Compared to the first modified example of Figures 15 and 16, the second modified example of Figures 17 and 18 differs in the axial positions (heights) of the openings 234a and 234b. Specifically, the inside plug 203 has a protrusion 210 that protrudes upward from the convex portion 235 beyond the upper end of the liquid stopper 236, and the opening 234a is configured to penetrate from the upper end of the protrusion 210 to the bottom surface of the inside plug 203. In contrast, the inside plug 203 has a protrusion 211 that protrudes downward from the bottom surface, and the opening 234b is configured to penetrate from the upper end of the convex portion 235 to the lower end of the protrusion 211. In the assembled state, protrusion 210 is inserted into the lower end of applicator body 4. As openings 234a, 234b are different in height, the pressure of the liquid at openings 234a, 234b differs, and this allows for smooth exchange of the liquid and air when the liquid is applied to a target object such as a nail.

Figures 19 and 20 are schematic diagrams showing a third modified example of the inside plug 203 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Figure 19 is a partially enlarged view illustrating a portion of the bottom 32 of the inside plug 203 in comparison with Figure 10. Figure 20 is a cross-sectional view of line XX-XX of the configuration of Figure 19. Compared to the first modified example of Figures 15 and 16, in the third modified example of Figures 19 and 20, the diameters of the openings 234a and 234b are different from each other. In addition, the inside plug 203 has a protrusion 211 protruding downward from the bottom surface, and the opening 234a is configured to penetrate from the upper end of the convex portion 235 to the lower end of the protrusion 211. In the third modified example, a liquid stopper 236a surrounding the opening 234a and a liquid stopper 236b surrounding the opening 234b are provided separately.

In the above embodiment, the liquid container 2 has been described as having a cylindrical shape with a bottom. However, the liquid container 2 may also have a flat shape with a depth smaller than its width and height. For example, the depth of a flat liquid container 2 is smaller than both 0.6 times its width and 0.6 times its height. By making the liquid container 2 flat, a user can easily deform the liquid container 2 by pressing it, even if the liquid container 2 is not made of a soft material. Therefore, even if the diameter of the opening 234 is small (e.g., 0.8 mm or less), a sufficient amount of liquid for application can be supplied from the opening 234 to the applicator body 4 by the user pressing the liquid container 2. Furthermore, by reducing the diameter of the opening 234, the amount of liquid passing through the opening 234 can be kept small even when the liquid applicator 1 is inverted, preventing liquid from leaking from the liquid applicator 1.

(Third embodiment)
Figure 21 is a cross-sectional view of a liquid applicator 301 according to a third embodiment of the present invention. The inside plug 203 has a configuration similar to that of the second embodiment shown in Figure 14. In the example shown in Figure 21, the flange portion 33 is provided below the opening 234 in the axial direction, but it may also be provided in the center of the inside plug 203, as in Figure 14.

The liquid applicator 301 has a roughly cylindrical grip portion 24 that surrounds the liquid container 2 from the outside. The user grips the grip portion 24 to hold the liquid applicator 301 and applies the liquid 10 to an object, such as a fingernail, by bringing the tip of the applicator body 4 into contact with the object. A heat insulating portion 25, which is a gap, is provided between the liquid container 2 and the grip portion 24 in the radial direction. The liquid container 2 is formed, for example, by injection molding. Injection molding makes it easier to form the liquid container 2 with a thick wall than blow molding. A thick liquid container 2 can prevent liquids such as ethanol from passing through the liquid container 2 and leaking to the outside.

As described above, the insulating section 25 is provided between the liquid container 2 and the handle 24, so even when the user holds the handle 24 with the container inverted for application, the temperature of the user's hand is less likely to be transferred to the liquid 10 in the liquid container 2. Therefore, with the liquid applicator 301 of this embodiment, an increase in the temperature of the liquid 10 and/or the gas in the liquid container 2 increases the internal pressure of the liquid container 2, reducing the likelihood of the liquid 10 in the liquid container 2 being pushed out and impregnated into the applicator body 4, thereby preventing liquid leakage.

As an example, providing the insulating portion 25 between the liquid container 2 and the grip portion 24 is particularly advantageous when the liquid 10 is a highly volatile medicinal liquid indicated for treating onychomycosis. It may be preferable to apply medicinal liquids indicated for onychomycosis immediately after bathing. If a user holds the liquid container 2 inverted for application and grips it with warm hands immediately after bathing, the temperature inside the liquid container 2 would rise rapidly, and the internal pressure of the liquid container 2 would rise rapidly if the insulating portion 25 were absent. This rapid rise in internal pressure is more pronounced when there is only a small amount of liquid remaining in the liquid container 2. In this embodiment, the insulating portion 25 is provided between the liquid container 2 and the grip portion 24, so even if the grip portion 24 is gripped with hot hands, the temperature of the hand is less likely to be transferred to the liquid 10 in the liquid container 2. Therefore, the liquid applicator 301 according to this embodiment can prevent liquid leakage, as described above.

The liquid applicator 301 also has the advantage that the temperature of the user's hands is not easily transferred to the liquid 10 and/or the gas in the liquid container 2, preventing leakage of the liquid even when the volume of the liquid container 2 is large. That is, when the volume of the liquid container 2 is large, the volume of the gas chamber in which gas accumulates in the liquid container 2 also increases, particularly when the liquid 10 is consumed and the remaining amount decreases, and the degree of increase in internal pressure due to temperature rise is greater than in the case of a small volume. Therefore, liquid applicators for particularly volatile liquids typically contain a small amount of volatile liquid, such as a few mL to 5 mL, and the volume of the liquid container is also small. In contrast, in this embodiment, the temperature of the user's hands is not easily transferred to the liquid container 2. Therefore, even when the user holds the handle 24 in an inverted position for application, the effect of the increase in internal pressure due to temperature rise on the dispensed liquid 10 is reduced, preventing leakage of the liquid 10 even when the volume of the liquid container 2 is large.

Furthermore, the liquid applicator 301 has the advantage that the temperature of the user's hands is not easily transferred into the liquid container 2, and therefore has the effect of preventing leakage of the liquid 10 even if the opening area of the opening 234 is increased. For example, to increase the amount of application, it is effective to increase the opening area of the opening that dispenses the liquid from the liquid container and increase the amount of liquid dispensed per unit time. However, if the opening area is increased, the liquid is more likely to be pushed out by an increase in internal pressure within the container, and therefore more likely to leak. In contrast, in this embodiment, the temperature of the user's hands is not easily transferred into the liquid container 2, so even if the user holds the handle 24 in an inverted position to apply the liquid, the effect of an increase in internal pressure due to an increase in temperature on the dispensed liquid 10 can be reduced, and leakage of the liquid 10 can be prevented even if the opening area is increased.

Furthermore, the liquid applicator 301 has a double wall consisting of the liquid container 2 and the grip portion 24, which provides high light-blocking properties. Therefore, the liquid container 2 of the liquid applicator 301 is suitable for storing medicinal liquids whose efficacy is easily impaired by light.

(Modification of the third embodiment)
22 is a cross-sectional view of a liquid applicator 401 according to a modification of the third embodiment of the present invention. In this modification, a substantially cylindrical handle 24 that surrounds the liquid container 2 from the outside extends from the side surface of the main body 31 of the inside plug 403 and is formed integrally with the inside plug 403. The handle 24 surrounds part or all of the liquid container 2 from the outside. To prevent the temperature of the user's hands from being transferred to the liquid 10 in the liquid container 2, the handle 24 preferably surrounds most of the liquid container 2 from the outside. A heat insulating portion 25, which is a gap, is provided between the liquid container 2 and the handle 24 in the radial direction.

The outside of the inner stopper 403 is provided with a cap attachment portion 431, which is an external thread that screws into the internal thread of the cap 5. Furthermore, the inside of the grip portion 24 is provided with a container attachment portion 432 for attaching the inner stopper 403 to the liquid container 2. The container attachment portion 432 may be an internal thread, or may be a recess that fits onto an outward protrusion of the liquid container 2.

Cylindrical or polygonal tubular legs 26 are provided around the bottom of the liquid container 2 to support the liquid applicator 401 so that it can stand on its own. If the legs 26 have a polygonal tubular shape, the liquid applicator 401 can be prevented from rolling.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1,301,401 Liquid applicator 2 Liquid container 3,203,403 Inner plug 4 Applicator body 5 Cap 10 Liquid 21 Mouth 22 Mouth top 24 Grip 25 Heat insulating part 26 Leg 31 Main body 32 Bottom 33 Flange 34 Opening 35 Liquid stopping part 36 Inner wall 37 Rib 38 Mouth corner 39 Liquid containing part 51 Ring-shaped protrusion 204 Support wall 205 Lower protrusion 206 Side wall groove 208 Groove 210, 211 Protrusion 234 Opening 235 Convex part 236 Liquid stopping part 237 Rib 238 Upper protrusion 431 Cap mounting part 432 Container mounting part 433 Outer cylinder 434 Gap

Claims (12)

a liquid container having a mouth and capable of containing a liquid;
an applicator body having a generally rod-like shape extending in an axial direction, the applicator body having a tip end portion disposed at one end in the axial direction and a base end portion disposed at the other end;
a cylindrical inner plug attached to the mouth portion, the inner plug gripping the applicator body so that a tip end of the applicator body protrudes and is exposed toward the tip end side of the inner plug;
a cap that covers the inside plug and the applicator body and seals the mouth portion;
A liquid applicator comprising:
The inside plug is
at least one opening exposing the applicator body to the liquid container;
an annular liquid stopping portion that is disposed radially outward of the at least one opening, that protrudes toward the applicator body and comes into contact with the applicator body when the applicator body is being gripped;
The inside plug has a cylindrical shape with a bottom,
the at least one opening is disposed through a portion of the bottom of the plug;
the liquid stopping portion is arranged at the bottom of the inside plug and is configured to protrude toward the tip of the inside plug;
the inside plug further includes a liquid storage portion that is disposed between an inner surface of the inside plug and the applicator body on a distal end side of the liquid stopping portion and is capable of storing the liquid;
the length of the liquid storage portion in the axial direction is greater than the thickness of the liquid storage portion in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction,
the axial length of the liquid storage portion and the thickness in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction are configured so that the axial length of the liquid storage portion is greater than the distance that the liquid rises in the liquid storage portion due to capillary action;
Liquid applicator. the liquid stopping portion contacts the periphery of the applicator body ,
the at least one opening is disposed closer to the base end than the liquid stopping portion ;
The liquid applicator according to claim 1. The liquid applicator according to claim 1 , wherein the liquid storage portion has a cylindrical shape extending in the axial direction from the liquid stopping portion to the tip end of the inside plug. The liquid applicator according to claim 1 , wherein the axial length of the liquid storage portion is greater than the axial distance between the tip end of the inside plug and the tip end of the applicator body. The liquid applicator according to claim 1 , wherein the liquid stopping portion contacts the periphery of the applicator body at a position closer to the base end than the center of the applicator body. the inside plug further has a plurality of ribs extending from the liquid stopping portion toward the tip end on an inner surface thereof closer to the tip end than the liquid stopping portion,
The plurality of ribs are arranged in the circumferential direction at intervals from one another,
a tip end portion of each of the plurality of ribs is located closer to the base end portion than the tip end portion of the inside plug and closer to the tip end portion than the center of the applicator body;
The liquid applicator according to any one of claims 1 to 5 . a liquid container having a mouth and capable of containing a liquid;
an applicator body having a generally rod-like shape extending in an axial direction, the applicator body having a tip end portion disposed at one end in the axial direction and a base end portion disposed at the other end;
a cylindrical inner plug attached to the mouth portion, the inner plug gripping the applicator body so that a tip end of the applicator body protrudes and is exposed toward the tip end side of the inner plug;
a cap that covers the inside plug and the applicator body and seals the mouth portion;
A liquid applicator comprising:
The inside plug is
at least one opening exposing the applicator body to the liquid container;
an annular liquid stopping portion that is disposed radially outward of the at least one opening, that protrudes toward the applicator body and comes into contact with the applicator body when the applicator body is being gripped ;
The inside plug has a cylindrical shape with a bottom,
the at least one opening is disposed through a portion of the bottom of the plug;
the liquid stopping portion is arranged at the bottom of the inside plug and is configured to protrude toward the tip of the inside plug;
The inside plug further has a convex portion at a bottom portion, the convex portion protruding from the bottom portion in the axial direction and arranged so as to surround the at least one opening portion in a plan view,
The liquid stopping portion is disposed on the protrusion ,
Liquid applicator. The liquid applicator according to claim 7 , wherein the inside plug further has at least one groove provided in the convex portion on the outer side of the liquid stopping portion. The liquid applicator according to any one of claims 1 to 8 , wherein the liquid stopping portion has a tapered shape in which the radial width gradually decreases toward the tip end of the inside plug. the inside plug further has a plurality of support walls protruding radially inward on an inner surface thereof closer to the tip end than the liquid stopping portion,
The plurality of support walls adjacent in the circumferential direction are spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction.
The liquid applicator according to any one of claims 1 to 9 . a gripping portion that surrounds the liquid container from the radially outer side;
a heat insulating portion provided between the liquid container and the gripping portion;
The liquid applicator according to any one of claims 1 to 10 , further comprising: An inner plug for a liquid applicator, which is attached to a mouth of a liquid container capable of containing a liquid, and is configured to be able to grip a substantially rod-shaped applicator body extending in an axial direction,
the inside plug is tubular, extending in the axial direction and having a tip end portion disposed at one end in the axial direction and a base end portion disposed at the other end,
The inside plug is
At least one opening exposing the application body;
an annular liquid stopping portion that is disposed radially outward of the at least one opening, that protrudes toward the applicator body and comes into contact with the applicator body when the applicator body is being gripped;
The inside plug has a cylindrical shape with a bottom,
the at least one opening is disposed through a portion of the bottom of the plug;
the liquid stopping portion is arranged at the bottom of the inside plug and is configured to protrude toward the tip of the inside plug;
the inside plug further includes a liquid storage portion that is disposed between an inner surface of the inside plug and the applicator body on a distal end side of the liquid stopping portion and is capable of storing the liquid;
the length of the liquid storage portion in the axial direction is greater than the thickness of the liquid storage portion in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction,
the axial length of the liquid storage portion and the thickness in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction are configured so that the axial length of the liquid storage portion is greater than the distance that the liquid rises in the liquid storage portion due to capillary action;
Inner stopper.