JP7810688B2 - container - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a container.

A known container has a container body that contains a liquid agent and a member that absorbs the liquid agent that has spilled out of the container body. A user can apply the liquid agent to a desired target by pressing the member against the target. As an example of such a container, Patent Document 1 discloses a device that has a container body that contains a cosmetic agent and an elastically compressible applicator that absorbs the cosmetic agent that has spilled out of the container body.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-180448

However, with the device disclosed in Patent Document 1, the liquid formulation is less likely to foam when applied to the desired target.

The present invention relates to a container that improves the foaming ability of liquid medication.

In order to solve the above problem, one aspect of the present invention relates to a container comprising: a surface portion having an opening formed therein; a container body located on a first direction side of the surface portion and containing a liquid agent; and a sponge located on a second direction side of the surface portion opposite the first direction and to which the liquid agent is supplied from the container body via the opening, the sponge having air bubbles and linear holes with diameters larger than the air bubbles.

As described above, the container of the present invention can improve the ease with which liquid medications foam.

1 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a container 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which a container 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention is used. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of a container body 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a support member 20 according to one embodiment of the present invention. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a cross section of the support member 20 taken along line II shown in FIG. 4. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing the cross-sectional configuration of a support member 20 and a valve member 30. FIG. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing a cross section of the sponge 40 taken along line II in FIG. 7. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing piercing processing. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a cross-sectional configuration of the container 1. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a cross-sectional configuration of the container 1 in a state where the sponge 40 is pressed against the surface to be cleaned. FIG. 10A and 10B are explanatory diagrams showing the configuration of a sponge 41 according to a first modified example. 10A and 10B are explanatory diagrams showing the configuration of a sponge 42 according to a second modified example.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that in this specification and drawings, components having substantially the same functional configuration will be designated by the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations will be omitted.

<General configuration of container>
One embodiment of the present invention relates to a container that allows a user to foam a liquid medicine when applying the liquid medicine to a desired target. Hereinafter, a schematic configuration of the container according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 and 2.

Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a container 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Figure 1, the container 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises a container body 10, a support member 20, a sponge 40, and a cap 90.

The container body 10 contains a liquid agent. There are no particular limitations on the type of liquid agent contained in the container body 10. For example, the liquid agent contained in the container body 10 may be liquid detergent, fabric softener, bleach, shampoo, rinse, conditioner, body soap, cosmetic liquid, medicine, liquid seasoning, or the like. An example of a liquid detergent is a detergent for cleaning a washbowl.

The support member 20 is detachably attached to the container body 10. The support member 20 has a support surface (support surface 211 shown in Figures 5 and subsequent figures) with an opening formed therein, and the sponge 40 is supported on this support surface. In this specification, the direction toward the container body 10 as viewed from the support surface is sometimes referred to as the first direction (Z1 direction shown in Figure 1), and the direction opposite the first direction is sometimes referred to as the second direction (Z2 direction shown in Figure 1).

The sponge 40 is a member that is elastic and has many cells. The sponge 40 is formed, for example, from ether-based urethane foam. The sponge 40 absorbs the liquid agent that has flowed out of the container body 10 through the openings in the support surface of the support member 20. The sponge may be of either a closed-cell type or an open-cell type. A closed-cell type is one in which each cell has an independent cell wall, while an open-cell type is one in which each cell is interconnected.

The cap 90 removably engages with the support member 20. When the cap 90 is engaged with the support member 20, the cap 90 separates from and covers the sponge 40. The cap 90, container body 10, and support member 20 may be made of different materials or the same material. Examples of such materials include injection-molded products made of synthetic resins such as PP (polypropylene), ABS (acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer synthetic resin), acrylic, polyester, PCT (polycyclohexylene dimethylene terephthalate), and SAN (styrene-acrylonitrile copolymer), as well as processed metals made of stainless steel or aluminum alloys.

As shown in Figure 2, the container 1 described above is used in an inclined position so that the second direction (Z2 direction) approaches the direction of gravity. When the contents of container 1 are liquid detergent, the user presses sponge 40 against the surface to be cleaned. This compresses sponge 40, and the liquid absorbed in sponge 40 is forced out onto the surface while mixing with air. The liquid becomes foam when mixed with air, and is forced out in foam form onto the surface to be cleaned. By moving container 1 while the sponge 40 is pressed against the surface to be cleaned, the user can clean the surface with sponge 40 while entangling the foam in the sponge 40.

Furthermore, the container 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention has a configuration that further improves the ease with which the liquid formulation foams. Below, the configuration of the container body 10, support member 20, sponge 40, and other components of this container 1 will be described in detail.

<Configuration of container body 10>
3 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of the container body 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 3, the container body 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention has a body 120, a bottom 140, and a neck 160.

(Body portion 120)
The body 120 has a cylindrical shape with two opposing openings. In the example shown in Fig. 3, the body 120 has a cylindrical shape, but the body 120 may have other shapes such as a rectangular cylindrical shape, a conical shape, or a frustum shape.

(Bottom 140)
Bottom portion 140 is a portion that closes the opening on the first direction (Z1 direction) side of body portion 120. The space surrounded by body portion 120 and bottom portion 140 becomes a storage space for the liquid agent.

(Nose part 160)
Neck portion 160 is a hollow portion that connects to the storage space for the liquid agent. A helical convex portion 162 is formed on the outer peripheral surface of neck portion 160. Support member 20 is threadedly engaged with this helical convex portion 162, thereby detachably attaching support member 20 to container body 10. However, the engagement method between container body 10 and support member 20 is not limited to threaded engagement, and other engagement methods such as a stoppering method may also be used.

<Configuration of Support Member 20>
Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the support member 20 according to one embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a cross section of the support member 20 taken along line II shown in Fig. 4.

As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the support member 20 has a support plate portion 210, a groove 220, an outer ring portion 230, a middle ring portion 240, and an inner ring portion 250.

(Support plate part 210)
The support plate 210 has a support surface 211 that supports the sponge 40. An opening 212 that penetrates the support plate 210 is formed in the support plate 210. The opening 212 is located at the center of the support plate 210 in a plan view of the support plate 210. A diameter d1 of the opening 212 on the support surface 211 is smaller than a diameter of the opening 212 on the surface opposite the support surface 211. In other words, the opening 212 and an inner peripheral wall 212t of the support plate 210 have a tapered shape.

(Groove 220)
The groove 220 is disposed so as to surround the support surface 211. The groove 220 is formed by a groove inner wall portion 222, a protruding portion 223, and a groove outer wall portion 224. The groove inner wall portion 222 is a side wall on the inner periphery of the groove 220 and extends from the outer edge of the support plate portion 210 in the first direction (Z1 direction). The protruding portion 223 protrudes outward from the end of the groove inner wall portion 222 on the first direction (Z1 direction). The groove outer wall portion 224 is a side wall on the outer periphery of the groove 220 and extends from the protruding portion 223 in the second direction (Z2 direction). The groove 220 formed by the groove inner wall portion 222, the protruding portion 223, and the protruding portion 223 is an annular portion that is recessed in the first direction (Z1 direction) with respect to the support surface 211. The annular shape is a shape that surrounds a certain area and may be continuous or discontinuous.

In addition, the end of the groove outer wall portion 224 on the second direction (Z2 direction) side protrudes further in the second direction (Z2 direction) than the support surface 211. The inner peripheral surface of the cap 90 engages with the outer peripheral surface of the groove outer wall portion 224, thereby allowing the cap 90 to be removably attached to the support member 20.

(Outer ring part 230)
The outer ring portion 230 is a portion extending from the outer edge of the protruding portion 223 toward the first direction (Z1 direction). The outer peripheral surface of the outer ring portion 230 may have concave and convex portions alternately arranged along the circumferential direction, as shown in FIG. 4 . Such a configuration of the outer peripheral surface of the outer ring portion 230 can function as a non-slip surface for the user's fingers. For example, when a user holds the outer peripheral surface of the outer ring portion 230 and rotates the support member 20 relative to the container body 10 to attach or detach the support member 20 to or from the container body 10, the concave and convex portions on the outer peripheral surface of the outer ring portion 230 can function as a non-slip surface for the user's fingers.

(Central ring part 240)
The middle ring portion 240 is a portion that extends from the protruding portion 223 in the first direction (Z1 direction) on the inner peripheral side of the outer ring portion 230. A helical protrusion 242 is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the middle ring portion 240. The helical protrusion 242 screws into the helical protrusion 162 of the container body 10.

(Inner ring portion 250)
The inner ring portion 250 is a portion that extends from the support plate portion 210 in the first direction (Z1 direction) on the inner peripheral side of the middle ring portion 240. An annular protrusion 252 is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the inner ring portion 250. An annular recess 254 is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the inner ring portion 250.

<Configuration of valve member 30>
A valve member 30 is attached to the support member 20, and the tip of the valve member 30 is inserted into the opening 212 from the container body 10 side. The structure of the valve member 30 will be described below with reference to FIG.

Figure 6 is an explanatory diagram showing the cross-sectional configuration of the support member 20 and the valve member 30. As shown in Figure 6, the valve member 30 has a tip portion 310, a tapered portion 320, a base portion 330, and a leg portion 340. The valve member 30 is an example of an opening/closing portion that opens and closes the opening 212. The valve member 30 can be formed from a synthetic resin such as PP, ABS, acrylic, polyester, PCT, or SAN.

(Tip portion 310)
The tip portion 310 is an end portion on the second direction (Z2 direction) side of the valve member 30. The tip portion 310 passes through the opening 212 and protrudes further in the second direction (Z2 direction) than the support surface 211.

(Tapered portion 320)
The tapered portion 320 is a portion located inside the opening 212. The outer peripheral surface of the tapered portion 320 has a tapered shape and is in surface contact with the inner peripheral surface 212t of the support plate portion 210.

(Base 330)
The base portion 330 has an annular shape and is supported by a surface of the protrusion 252 of the inner ring portion 250 on the second direction (Z2 direction) side.

(Legs 340)
A plurality of legs 340 are provided between the tapered portion 320 and the base portion 330, connecting the tapered portion 320 and the base portion 330. Fig. 6 shows an example in which the circumferential position of each leg 340 is the same at any position along the first direction (Z1 direction), but each leg 340 may have a shape (for example, a spiral shape) in which the circumferential position changes as it moves in the first direction (Z1 direction).

The leg portion 340 is elastically deformable. This allows the tip portion 310 and tapered portion 320 to move in the first direction (Z1 direction) and return to their initial positions by moving in the second direction (Z2 direction).

<Configuration of sponge 40>
Next, the configuration of a sponge 40 according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described. Fig. 7 is a top view of the sponge 40. Fig. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing a cross section of the sponge 40 taken along line II-II shown in Fig. 7. In Figs. 7 and 8, for easy understanding of the configuration of one embodiment of the present invention, air bubbles are not shown, and holes H are shown schematically. That is, the size and shape of the holes H in the sponge 40 shown in Figs. 7 and 8 may differ from the size and shape of the actual holes H in the sponge 40.

In the example shown in Figures 7 and 8, the sponge 40 has a cylindrical shape. Of the two opposing surfaces of the sponge 40, the surface on the second direction (Z2 direction) side is the application surface 410, and the surface on the first direction (Z1 direction) side is the adhesive surface 420. The application surface 410 is the surface that is pressed against the surface to be cleaned, and the adhesive surface 420 is the surface that is adhered to the support surface 211 of the support member 20. The shape of the sponge 40 is not limited to a cylindrical shape, and may be other columnar shapes. The shape of the sponge 40 may also be other shapes such as a cone shape or a frustum shape.

As shown in Figure 8, the sponge 40 has linear holes H that penetrate the application surface 410 and the adhesive surface 420. In a plan view of the sponge 40, multiple linear holes H may be formed evenly over a wide area. In the example shown in Figure 7, multiple linear holes H are formed at equal intervals on an arc in each of multiple concentric circles. However, the number and arrangement of holes H are not limited to the example shown in Figure 7, and other numbers and arrangements may also be applied.

The linear holes H may be formed along a straight line, as shown in FIG. 8. The diameter d3 of the linear holes H is larger than the diameter of the air bubbles formed in the sponge 40. For example, the diameter d3 of the linear holes H may be 800 μm or more and 1100 μm or less, and the diameter of the air bubbles formed in the sponge 40 may be 430 μm or more and 520 μm or less. Furthermore, the statistical value (e.g., average value) of the diameter d3 of the linear holes H may be larger than the statistical value (e.g., average value) of the diameter of the air bubbles formed in the sponge 40.

Methods for measuring the diameter d3 of the linear holes H and the diameter (cell diameter) of the air bubbles formed in the sponge 40 include the following. To measure the diameter d3 of the linear holes H, the sponge 40 is cut in a plane perpendicular to the first or second direction, and a digital microscope (product name VHX-5000; manufactured by Keyence Corporation) is used to take an enlarged image of the cut surface of the sponge 40. Ten holes H are then selected from this enlarged image, and the diameter d3 of each hole H is measured using the software of the device. The average of these measurements is calculated as the diameter d3 (μm) of the linear holes H.

The method for measuring the bubbles (cell diameter) formed in the sponge 40 is similar to the method for measuring the diameter d3 of the linear holes H: the sponge 40 is cut in a plane perpendicular to the first or second direction, and a digital microscope (product name VHX-5000; manufactured by Keyence Corporation) is used to take an enlarged image of the cut surface of the sponge 40. Ten bubbles (cells) are then selected from this enlarged image, and the bubble (cell diameter) of each is measured using the software of the device. The average value is calculated as the number-average bubble diameter (average cell diameter) (μm), which is treated as the bubble (cell diameter) formed in the sponge 40.

The cross-sectional shape of the holes H or bubbles is not limited to circular, and may be various other shapes, such as polygonal, elliptical, or rectangular. When the cross-sectional shape of the holes H or bubbles is another shape, the diameter is measured by taking the largest diameter as the diameter of the hole H or bubble (cell diameter). When the bubble type is an open-cell type, the diameter of the largest open-cell bubble is taken as the diameter of the bubble (cell diameter).

It is also possible to measure the number of cells by counting the number of cells in a linear length of 1 inch on any cross section. This measurement can be performed five times at any location to calculate the average number of cells per inch.

The linear holes H described above are formed by piercing the sponge before the holes H are formed. This piercing process will be explained with reference to Figure 9.

Figure 9 is an explanatory diagram showing the piercing process. Figure 9 shows a piercing member 70 and an unprocessed sponge 80. The piercing member 70 has a base portion 72 and multiple needles 74 protruding from the base portion 72. The needles 74 include a shaft portion 742 with a constant diameter and a tapered needle tip portion 744.

By piercing the unprocessed sponge 80 with such a piercing member 70 as indicated by the arrows in Figure 9, multiple linear holes H can be formed. Note that the diameter of the shaft portion 742 is preferably 2000 μm or more and 3500 μm or less to achieve the diameter of the holes H described above.

Returning to Figure 8, we will continue to explain the sponge 40. The length d4 of the sponge 40 along the first direction (Z1 direction) (i.e., the height of the sponge 40) is 10 mm or more and 30 mm or less, preferably 15 mm or more and 25 mm or less, and may be, for example, 20 mm, in order to ensure sufficient space for the liquid agent and air to mix to generate foam.

In addition, a recess 422 that is recessed in the second direction (Z2 direction) is formed on the adhesive surface 420 of the sponge 40. The recess 422 is located at the center of the sponge 40 when viewed from above. In other words, the recess 422 is formed at a position that corresponds to the opening 212 when the adhesive surface 420 is adhered to the support surface 211 of the support member 20.

From the viewpoint of cleaning ability and foaming, the molded density of the sponge 40 is preferably 10 kg/ ^m3 or more and 50 kg/ ^m3 or less. In particular, the molded density of the sponge 40 is more preferably 20 kg/ ^m3 or more and 40 kg/ ^m3 or less. In addition, it is desirable that the sponge 40 has antibacterial properties. Antibacterial properties can be achieved, for example, by using a material with an antibacterial agent kneaded into it.

<Assembly and Operation of Container 1>
Next, the assembled state and operation of the container 1 will be described with reference to Figures 10 and 11. Note that in Figures 10 and 11, the holes H formed in the sponge 40 are not shown.

Figure 10 is an explanatory diagram showing the cross-sectional structure of the container 1. As shown in Figure 10, the adhesive surface 420 and the support plate 210 are bonded via an adhesive layer 60. The adhesive layer 60 may, for example, have a polyester film and adhesive positioned on both sides of the polyester film. The adhesive on the sponge 40 side may be a special adhesive for rubber, and the adhesive on the support plate 210 side may be an acrylic adhesive. By bonding the adhesive surface 420 of the sponge 40 to the support plate 210 via the adhesive layer 60, the outer surface of the sponge 40 does not come into contact with other components at any position.

In addition, a sealing member 50 may be attached to the support member 20 when the container 1 is manufactured and sold. The sealing member 50 has a base 510, an outer ring portion 520 extending from the base 510 in the second direction (Z2 direction), and an inner ring portion 530 located inside the outer ring portion 520 and extending from the base 510 in the second direction (Z2 direction).

A convex portion 522 is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the outer ring portion 520, and this convex portion 522 fits into a concave portion 254 formed on the outer peripheral surface of the inner ring portion 250. The outer peripheral surface of the inner ring portion 530 is in surface contact with the inner peripheral surface of the inner ring portion 250. In other words, the seal member 50 is attached to the inner ring portion 250 by sandwiching the inner ring portion 250 between the outer ring portion 520 and the inner ring portion 530, and seals the opening on the first direction (Z1 direction) side of the inner ring portion 250.

Regarding the recess 422 of the sponge 40, the depth d5 (see Figure 8) of the recess 422 is greater than the length d2 (see Figure 6) by which the tip 310 of the valve member 30 protrudes from the support surface 211. Therefore, the bottom 422b of the recess 422 is spaced apart from the tip 310 of the valve member 30 in its natural state.

Furthermore, the diameter d6 of the recess 422 (see Figure 8) is larger than the diameter d1 (see Figure 5) of the opening 212 in the support surface 211. Therefore, the edge of the recess 422 is located on the outer periphery of the edge of the opening 212 in the support surface 211 and is spaced apart from the edge of the opening 212 in the support surface 211.

(operation)
10 , the user removes the support member 20 from the container body 10, and then removes the seal member 50 from the support member 20, and then reattaches the support member 20 to the container body 10. Thereafter, the user uses the container 1 by pressing the sponge 40 against the surface to be cleaned with the container 1 tilted so that the second direction (Z2 direction) approaches the direction of gravity, as described with reference to FIG.

Figure 11 is an explanatory diagram showing the cross-sectional configuration of the container 1 when the sponge 40 is pressed against the surface to be cleaned. As shown in Figure 11, when the sponge 40 is pressed against the surface to be cleaned, the sponge 40 is compressed, and the bottom 422b of the recess 422 presses against the tip 310 of the valve member 30. This causes the leg 340 to bend, and the tip 310 is pressed down in the first direction (Z1 direction). As a result, a gap is created between the outer surface of the tapered portion 320 and the inner wall 212t of the support plate portion 210 of the support member 20. The liquid agent contained in the container body 10 flows out through this gap toward the sponge 40 due to gravity, as indicated by the curved arrow, and is absorbed by the sponge 40.

When the force pressing the sponge 40 against the surface to be cleaned weakens, the sponge 40 expands, and the bottom 422b of the recess 422 moves in the second direction (Z2 direction). As a result, the elastic force of the valve member 30 also moves the tip 310 in the second direction (Z2 direction), and the opening 212 is closed by the valve member 30, preventing the liquid from leaking from the container body 10 onto the sponge 40.

When the sponge 40, having absorbed the liquid in this way, is pressed against the surface to be cleaned, the liquid and air mix inside the sponge 40 as it is compressed, causing the liquid to foam, which is then pushed out onto the surface to be cleaned. By moving the container 1 while the sponge 40 is pressed against the surface to be cleaned, the user can use the sponge 40 to clean the surface to be cleaned while entangling the foam in the sponge 40.

<Action and effect>
According to the embodiment of the present invention described above, a variety of effects can be obtained. For example, in the embodiment of the present invention described above, linear holes H having a diameter larger than the air bubbles in the sponge 40 are formed in the sponge 40. With this configuration, the liquid agent flowing out of the container body 10 can easily permeate a wide area of the sponge 40 through the holes H. Furthermore, the liquid agent can be more easily mixed with air when the sponge 40 is compressed, which improves the ease with which the liquid agent foams.

Furthermore, the fact that the linear holes H penetrate the application surface 410 and the adhesive surface 420, and the fact that multiple linear holes H are formed, further improves the ease with which the liquid agent permeates the sponge 40, thereby further improving the ease with which the liquid agent foams. Such linear holes H can be easily formed by piercing the unprocessed sponge 80 using the piercing member 70.

Furthermore, the support member 20 according to one embodiment of the present invention has a groove 220 arranged to surround the support surface 211. With this configuration, the groove 220 can retain the liquid agent that has flowed out of the sponge 40, thereby preventing the liquid agent from leaking outside the support member 20.

Furthermore, the end of the groove outer wall 224 on the second direction (Z2 direction) side protrudes further in the second direction (Z2 direction) than the support surface 211. With this configuration, the liquid agent held in the groove 220 returns to the sponge 40 supported by the support surface 211 before it exceeds the end of the groove outer wall 224 on the second direction (Z2 direction), which is expected to further prevent leakage of the liquid agent.

In addition, because the end of the groove outer wall portion 224 on the second direction (Z2 direction) side protrudes further in the second direction (Z2 direction) than the support surface 211, it is possible to prevent the sponge 40 from being excessively compressed by pressure and the resulting damage to the tip portion 310 of the valve member 30.

The container 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention has a valve member 30 whose tip is inserted into the opening 212 from the container body 10 side, and when the tip 310 is pressed, the tip 310 moves in the first direction (Z1 direction), opening the opening 212. When the sponge 40 is pressed against the surface to be cleaned, the tip 310 is pressed by the sponge 40. Therefore, the user can cause the liquid agent to flow from the container body 10 into the sponge 40 by pressing the sponge 40 against the surface to be cleaned.

Here, a recess 422 that is recessed in the second direction (Z2 direction) is formed on the adhesive surface 420 of the sponge 40 at a position corresponding to the opening 212. With this configuration, when the sponge 40 is in its natural, uncompressed state, the force with which the bottom 422b of the sponge 40 presses against the tip 310 can be reduced or eliminated, thereby preventing the liquid from leaking out of the container body 10. In particular, when the bottom 422b of the recess 422 is spaced apart from the tip 310 of the valve member 30 in its natural state, it is possible to more reliably prevent the liquid from leaking out of the container body 10.

Furthermore, the edge of the recess 422 is located on the outer periphery of the edge of the opening 212 on the support surface 211 and is spaced apart from the edge of the opening 212 on the support surface 211. If the edge of the recess 422 is located at the same position as the edge of the opening 212 or further inward than the edge of the opening 212, there is a concern that friction between the sponge 40 and the tip 310 may prevent the tip 310 from moving in the first direction (Z1 direction) and returning in the second direction (Z2 direction). On the other hand, if the edge of the recess 422 is too far outward from the edge of the opening 212, there is a concern that the sponge 40 may not press sufficiently against the tip 310 when pressed against the surface to be cleaned. For this reason, it is desirable that the length between the edge of the recess 422 and the edge of the opening 212 be 0.5 mm or more and less than 2.0 mm.

In addition, in one embodiment of the present invention, the adhesive surface 420 and the support plate portion 210 are bonded via an adhesive layer 60. This makes it possible to realize a design in which the outer surface of the sponge 40 does not come into contact with other components at any position. As a result, it is possible to ensure a long amount of compression of the sponge 40 in the first direction (Z1 direction) and a wide range over which foam is extruded from the sponge 40.

Furthermore, in one embodiment of the present invention, the sponge 40 may have antibacterial properties. This configuration makes it easier to maintain the hygiene of the sponge 40, allowing the container 1 to be used for a longer period of time when used to clean a washbasin or the like.

<Modification>
An embodiment of the present invention has been described above. Below, several modified examples of the above-described embodiment will be described. Note that each modified example described below may be applied alone to the above-described embodiment, or may be applied in combination with the above-described embodiment. Furthermore, each modified example may be applied in place of the configuration of the above-described embodiment, or may be applied in addition to the configuration of the above-described embodiment.

(First Modification)
Although the example in which the linear hole H penetrates the application surface 410 and the adhesive surface 420 has been described above, the form of the linear hole H is not limited to this example. As a first modified example, the linear hole H may not penetrate through the application surface 410 and the adhesive surface 420.

Figure 12 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of a sponge 41 according to a first modified example. As shown in Figure 12, the sponge 41 has non-penetrating linear holes Hx formed from the application surface 410 side, and non-penetrating linear holes Hy formed from the adhesive surface 420 side. For example, the depth of the linear holes Hx and Hy may be more than half the height of the sponge 41. With this configuration, it is possible to improve the ease with which the liquid agent foams, as in the above-described embodiment.

(Second Modification)
Although the example in which the linear holes H are formed parallel to the height direction of the sponge 40 has been described above, the form of the linear holes H is not limited to this example. As a second modification, the linear holes H may be formed along another direction.

Figure 13 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of a sponge 42 according to a second modified example. As shown in Figure 13, the sponge 42 has multiple linear holes H, each formed along a different direction. More specifically, each linear hole H connects to the recess 422 from the application surface 410 or the outer surface of the sponge 42, and the linear hole H that connects to the recess 422 from a more outer position in a plan view is formed along a direction that forms a smaller angle with the adhesive surface 420. With this configuration, the liquid agent flowing out of the container body 10 will permeate the sponge 42 more effectively, which is expected to further improve the ease with which the liquid agent foams.

While the linear hole H has been described as being linear, the linear hole H may have other shapes, such as a serpentine or curved shape. If the hole H is formed in a direction different from the height direction of the sponge 42, the diameter of the hole H can be measured using a different cut surface of the sponge 42 in the above-described method for measuring the diameter of the hole H. In other words, the diameter of the hole H can be measured by following the above-described measurement method using a cut surface of the sponge 42 cut perpendicular to the direction of the hole H.

(Third Modification)
Although the above describes a configuration in which the liquid agent flows from the container body 10 to the sponge 40 when the user presses the sponge 40 against the surface to be cleaned, other configurations for causing the liquid agent to flow may also be applied. For example, it is also possible to apply a configuration in which the liquid agent flows into the sponge 40 when the container body 10 is squeezed.

<Additional Information>
Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above with reference to the accompanying drawings, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to these examples. It is clear that a person skilled in the art of the present invention can conceive of various modifications or alterations within the scope of the technical idea described in the claims, and it is understood that these also naturally fall within the technical scope of the present invention.

1 Container 10 Container body 120 Body 140 Bottom 160 Neck 162 Spiral convex portion 20 Support member 210 Support plate 211 Support surface 212 Opening 212t Opening side surface 220 Groove 222 Groove inner wall 223 Protruding portion 224 Groove outer wall 230 Outer ring 240 Middle ring 242 Spiral convex portion 250 Inner ring 252 Convex portion 254 Concave portion 30 Valve member 310 Tip 320 Tapered portion 330 Base 340 Leg 40, 41, 42 Sponge 410 Application surface 420 Adhesive surface 422 Concave portion 422b Bottom 50 Sealing member 510 Base 520 Outer ring portion 522 Convex portion 530 Inner ring portion 60 Adhesive layer 70 Piercing member 72 Base portion 74 Needle 742 Shank portion 744 Needle tip portion 80 Unprocessed sponge 90 Cap

Claims (8)

a surface portion having an opening formed therein;
a container body located on a first direction side of the surface portion and configured to contain a liquid agent;
a sponge located on a second direction side of the surface portion, the second direction being opposite to the first direction, and to which the liquid agent is supplied from the container body through the opening;
an opening/closing part whose tip is inserted into the opening from the container body side;
Equipped with
the sponge has bubbles and linear holes having diameters larger than the bubbles;
When the tip of the opening/closing part is pressed, the tip moves in the first direction and the opening is opened.
a recessed portion that is recessed toward the second direction side is formed on a surface of the sponge on the first direction side at a position corresponding to the opening,
A container , wherein the edge of the recess is located on the outer circumferential side of the edge of the opening and is spaced apart from the edge of the opening . The container described in claim 1, wherein the hole penetrates between the first side surface and the second side surface of the sponge. The container of claim 1, wherein the sponge has a plurality of the holes. The container according to claim 1, further comprising a groove portion that is arranged to surround the surface portion and is recessed toward the first direction. The container according to claim 4 , wherein a side wall on an outer periphery of the groove protrudes further in the second direction than the surface portion. The container according to claim 1 , wherein the bottom surface of the recess is spaced apart from the tip of the opening/closing portion when the sponge is in its natural state. The container of claim 1, wherein an adhesive layer is provided between the sponge and the surface portion to attach the sponge to the surface portion. The liquid is a cleaning liquid,
The container according to any one of claims 1 to 7 , wherein the sponge has antibacterial properties.