JP7837838B2 - container - Google Patents

Description

This invention relates to a container.

As a cosmetic container, a double-walled container consisting of an inner container and an outer container is well known. Using a glass outer container in a double-walled container creates an impression of transparency, weight, and luxury.

Such a double-walled container is disclosed, for example, in Patent Document 1. Specifically, the double-walled container disclosed in Patent Document 1 has a rotating member between the inner and outer containers. When the user rotates the rotating member, a projection on the outer circumference of the inner container slides against an inclined surface on the rotating member, causing the inner container to move upward.

Japanese Patent Publication No. 2021-123355

In the double-walled container disclosed in Patent Document 1, the rotating member needs to be exposed so that the user can rotate it. Therefore, it is difficult to provide a wall in the inner container that overlaps the outer surface of the rotating member. However, such an inner container is difficult for the user to grasp. Consequently, it is difficult for the user to insert the inner container into the outer container and to remove the inner container from the outer container.

This invention relates to a container with improved operability.

To solve the above problems, one aspect of the present invention relates to a container having an outer container, an inner container detachably housed in the outer container, and a container member positioned between the outer container and the inner container, wherein the outer container has an annular portion having an opening connected to a first space for housing the inner container, the container member has a cylindrical outer cylinder portion, the inner circumferential surface of the outer cylinder portion and the outer circumferential surface of the annular portion are fitted together, and the inner container forms a second space for housing cosmetics, comprising a cosmetic storage portion housed in the first space, an inner container flange protruding outward from the cosmetic storage portion, and a peripheral wall portion extending from the inner container flange toward the first direction, which is the depth direction side of the second space, and overlapping the outer circumferential surface side of the outer cylinder portion.

As explained above, the present invention makes it possible to improve the operability of the container.

This is an explanatory diagram showing the external configuration of a container 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention. This is an explanatory diagram showing the container 10 with the cap 40 removed. This is a cross-sectional view of the outer container 20 according to one embodiment of the present invention, taken along the line I-I shown in Figure 2. This is a perspective view of the inner container 30 according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 4 shows a cross-sectional view of the inner container 30 along the line II-II. This is a cross-sectional view of an intervening member 30 according to one embodiment of the present invention. This is a cross-sectional perspective view of an intervening member 30 according to one embodiment of the present invention. This is an explanatory diagram showing the process of installing the inner container 30. This is a cross-sectional view showing the state in which the intervening member 40 and the inner container 30 are attached to the outer container 20. This is a perspective view of the outer container 20. This is a perspective view of the intervening member 40.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the attached drawings. In this specification and the drawings, components having substantially the same functional configuration are denoted by the same reference numerals, thus omitting redundant explanations.

<Overall composition of the container>
One embodiment of the present invention relates to a container for holding cosmetic products. First, with reference to Figure 1, the overall configuration of the container according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described.

Figure 1 is an explanatory diagram showing the external configuration of a container 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the container 10 with the cap 40 removed. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the container 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention has an outer container 20, an inner container 30, an intervening member 40, and a cap 50.

The outer container 20 has a first space for housing the inner container 30. The outer container 20 may be translucent, as shown in Figures 1 and 2. A typical example of the material for such an outer container 20 is glass. However, the material of the outer container 20 is not limited to glass; other materials such as ceramics may be used. Furthermore, a cap 50 is detachably attached to the outer container 20. The cap 50 may be attached to the outer container 20 by screwing, fitting, magnetic coupling, or other means.

The inner container 30 includes a bottomed, cylindrical cosmetic storage section 32, as shown in Figure 2. The cosmetic storage section 32 forms a second space 33 for storing cosmetics. The cosmetics stored in the cosmetic storage section 32 may be, for example, a cream such as a moisturizing cream, cream foundation, or anti-aging cream. Such a cosmetic storage section 32 is housed in a first space formed in the outer container 20, as shown in Figure 2. In this specification, the depth direction of the second space 33 in which the cosmetics are stored (the direction from the opening of the second space 33 toward the bottom of the cosmetic storage section 32) is sometimes referred to as the downward direction, and the opposite direction is sometimes referred to as the upward direction. The downward direction is an example of the first direction, and the upward direction is an example of the second direction.

Furthermore, the inner container 30 has an inner container flange 34 that protrudes outward from the upper end of the cosmetic container section 32. The inner container flange 34 is formed in an annular shape. An annular shape is one that surrounds a certain area; in this case, the inner container flange 34 is formed to surround the opening of the second space 33.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the inner container 30 is made of aluminum. However, the material of the inner container 30 is not limited to aluminum; the inner container 30 may be made of other metals such as stainless steel, or synthetic resins such as polyester, polystyrene, or polyolefin.

The intervening member 40 is an example of a container component interposed between the outer container 20 and the inner container 30. The intervening member 40 may be formed from, for example, a synthetic resin such as polyester, polystyrene, or polyolefin. The detailed configuration of the intervening member 40 will be described later.

The cap 50 is detachably attached to the outer container 20. When the cap 50 is attached to the outer container 20, the cap 50 and the inner container flange 34 are in close contact, thereby achieving airtightness in the second space 33 that contains the cosmetic product.

In such a container 10, when the cosmetic product in the inner container 30 is depleted, the outer container 20, intervening member 40, and cap 50 can be continuously used by replacing the inner container 30 with a new one.

(background)
Herein, the background of one embodiment of the present invention will be explained. As mentioned above, the inner container 30 may be made of synthetic resin, but since recycling synthetic resin is currently difficult, there is a concern that the inner container 30 will be discarded after the cosmetic has been used up and removed. In this regard, a method can be considered in which the cosmetic is refilled from the tube container into the inner container 30 when the cosmetic has been used up. However, with this method, the tube container is discarded after use, resulting in a large loss.

In contrast, in one embodiment of the present invention, the inner container 30 can be made of a metal such as aluminum. In this case, the only material discarded when the inner container 30 is replaced is the sealing material used to seal the inner container 30, which offers significant environmental benefits.

However, considering that the inner container 30 is formed by deforming an aluminum plate, the design possibilities for the inner container 30 are limited. For example, it is difficult to create undercuts in the inner container 30. Furthermore, if the outer container 20 is made of glass, the dimensional variations of the outer container 20 become significant. Therefore, directly fitting the glass outer container 20 and the aluminum inner container 30 raises concerns about looseness and the potential for foreign matter contamination due to shavings.

From this perspective, in one embodiment of the present invention, an intervening member 40, for example, made of synthetic resin, is provided between the outer container 20 and the inner container 30. Since the intervening member 40 has excellent moldability, it can absorb the tolerances of the glass outer container 20. Furthermore, because the intervening member 40 can be used even after the inner container 30 is replaced, it is also environmentally friendly.

It is desirable that such an intervening member 40 be stably attached to the outer container 20. Furthermore, it is desirable that the inner container 30 be easily replaced even with the intervening member 40 in place.

The inventor of this invention, focusing on the above circumstances, has created one embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment enables the stable attachment of the intervening member 40 to the outer container 20 and the easy replacement of the inner container 30. The configurations of the outer container 20, inner container 30, and intervening member 40 of the container 10 according to this embodiment will be described in detail below.

<Outer container 20 configuration>
Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the outer container 20 according to one embodiment of the present invention along the line I-I shown in Figure 2. As shown in Figure 3, the outer container 20 according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises a lower section 22, a middle section 24, and an upper section 26.

The lower section 22, middle section 24, and upper section 26 each have a cylindrical shape. The hollow regions of the lower section 22, middle section 24, and upper section 26 collectively form a first space 23 for housing the inner container 30. In the example shown in Figure 3, the lower section 22 has a bottom that does not penetrate the first space 23, but the lower section 22 does not necessarily have to have a bottom.

The outer diameter of the middle section 24 is smaller than the outer diameter of the lower section 22. A threaded portion 25 is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the middle section 24, which engages with the inner circumferential surface of the cap 50.

The upper section 26 is an example of an annular section having an opening connected to the first space 23. The outer diameter of the upper section 26 is smaller than the outer diameter of the middle section 24. A continuous convex portion 27 is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the upper section 26.

<Configuration of the inner container 30>
Figure 4 is a perspective view of the inner container 30 according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the inner container 30 along the line II-II shown in Figure 4. As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the inner container 30 according to one embodiment of the present invention has a cosmetic container portion 32, an inner container flange 34, and a peripheral wall portion 36.

As described above, the cosmetic storage section 32 has a bottomed cylindrical shape. The cosmetic storage section 32 forms a second space 33 for storing cosmetics. One or more protrusions 35 are formed on the outer circumferential surface of the cosmetic storage section 32. These one or more protrusions 35 may, for example, be three protrusions formed at equal intervals at the same height.

The inner container flange 34 protrudes outward from the upper end of the cosmetic container section 32. The peripheral wall portion 36 extends downward from the outer edge of the inner container flange 34.

<Configuration of the intervening member 40>
Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of an intervening member 30 according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 7 is a cross-sectional perspective view of an intervening member 30 according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Figures 6 and 7, the intervening member 30 according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises an inner cylindrical portion 42, a member flange 44, and an outer cylindrical portion 46.

The inner cylinder portion 42 is located on the inner circumference side of the outer container 20. Multiple thickened sections 420 and ribs 425 are formed on the inner circumferential surface of the inner cylinder portion 42. The ribs 425 are formed along the vertical direction. The thickened sections 420 have a stepped section 421 facing upward and inclined with respect to the circumferential direction, and a stepped section 423 located on one side of the ribs 425 and formed facing downward. Note that the stepped section 423 is an example of a first stepped section, and the stepped section 421 is an example of a second stepped section. These multiple thickened sections 420 and ribs 425 contribute to the easy installation of the inner container 30. A detailed explanation follows with reference to Figure 8.

Figure 8 is an explanatory diagram showing the process of installing the inner container 30. As shown in Figure 8, when a user attempts to install the inner container 30 into the outer container 20 with the intervening member 40 installed, the projection 35 formed on the outer circumferential surface of the inner container 30 contacts the stepped portion 421 of the intervening member 40 (position P1). The user then proceeds to insert the inner container 30 by rotating it relative to the intervening member 40 and the outer container 20 so that the projection 35 slides along the stepped portion 421.

When the projection 35 disengages from the stepped portion 421 and reaches position P2, the user rotates the inner container 30 relative to the intervening member 40 and the outer container 20 so that the projection 35 moves over the rib 425. This causes the projection 35 to reach position P3. At position P3, the upward movement of the projection 35 is restricted because the stepped portion 423 is formed on the upper side, thus preventing the inner container 30 from coming loose. Position P3, where the upward movement of the projection 35 is restricted, may be on the counterclockwise or clockwise side of the rib 425 in a plan view when the intervening member 40 is viewed from above, as shown in Figure 8.

When removing the inner container 30, the user should rotate the inner container 30 relative to the intervening member 40 and outer container 20 so that the projection 35 overcomes the rib 425, and then pull the inner container 30 out from the intervening member 40 and outer container 20 after the projection 35 has overcome the rib 425.

Returning to the explanation of the configuration of the intervening member 40 with reference to Figures 6 and 7, the member flange 44 of the intervening member 40 extends outward from the upper end of the inner cylinder portion 42 (i.e., extends inward from the upper end of the outer cylinder portion 46) and faces the upper end surface of the upper section 26 of the outer container 20. An upper rib 44U is formed on the upper surface of the member flange 44, and a lower rib 44L is formed on the lower surface of the member flange 44. The upper rib 44U and the lower rib 44L are annular ribs. In the example shown in Figures 6 and 7, there is one upper rib 44U and one lower rib 44L, but multiple upper ribs 44U and multiple lower ribs 44L spaced radially apart may be formed.

The outer cylinder portion 46 has a cylindrical shape and extends downward from the member flange 44. A continuous convex portion 47 is formed on the inner circumferential surface of the outer cylinder portion 46 along the circumferential direction.

<In the state of being worn>
Next, referring to Figure 9, the state in which the intervening member 40 and the inner container 30 are attached to the outer container 20 will be described.

Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view showing the state in which the intervening member 40 and inner container 30 are mounted on the outer container 20. In this state, the inner cylindrical portion 42 of the intervening member 40 is inserted into the first space 23 of the outer container 20, the member flange 44 of the intervening member 40 abuts against the upper end surface of the upper portion 26 of the outer container 20, and the outer circumferential surface of the upper portion 26 of the outer container 20 and the inner circumferential surface of the outer cylindrical portion 46 of the intervening member 40 are fitted together. Specifically, the protrusion 27 formed on the outer circumferential surface of the upper portion 26 and the protrusion 47 formed on the inner circumferential surface of the outer cylindrical portion 36 are undercut fitted together. Here, a gap is provided between the inner circumferential surface of the outer container 20 and the outer circumferential surface of the inner cylindrical portion 42 of the intervening member 40. The radial length d of this gap is 0.7 mm or more.

Furthermore, in the state shown in Figure 9, the cosmetic container portion 32 of the inner container 30 is inserted into the inner circumference of the inner cylindrical portion 42 of the intervening member 40, and the inner container flange 34 of the inner container 30 is in contact with the member flange 44 of the intervening member 40. Also, the peripheral wall portion 36 of the inner container 30 overlaps the outer circumference of the outer cylindrical portion 46 of the intervening member 40. The lower end of the peripheral wall portion 36 is located below the lower end of the outer cylindrical portion 46.

<Effects and Effects>
According to the embodiment of the present invention described above, a variety of effects can be obtained. For example, according to the embodiment of the present invention, an intervening member 40 is provided between the outer container 20 and the inner container 30. Even when a glass outer container 20 is used, the intervening member 40 absorbs the effects of the dimensional tolerances of the outer container 20, thus increasing the freedom of the material used for the inner container 30. For example, by making the inner container 30 out of a metal such as aluminum, the amount of synthetic resin waste can be reduced. The intervening member 40 can be used continuously even after the inner container 30 is replaced. On the other hand, since the intervening member 40 can be removed from the outer container 20, it can be separated when disposing of the container 10.

In particular, the length d of the gap between the inner circumferential surface of the outer container 20 and the outer circumferential surface of the inner cylindrical portion 42 of the intervening member 40 is designed to be 0.7 mm or more. When a glass outer container 20 is used, the inner diameter tolerance is expected to be around 0.5 mm. In this case, the intervening member 40 can be attached to the outer container 20 without being affected by the inner diameter tolerance of the outer container 20.

Furthermore, by providing an intervening member 40 between the outer container 20 and the inner container 30, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of rattle in the inner container 30 even when the dimensional tolerance of the outer container 20 is large. In particular, according to one embodiment of the present invention, an upper rib 44U is formed on the upper surface of the member flange 44, and a lower rib 44L is formed on the lower surface of the member flange 44. The upper rib 44 abuts against the inner container flange 34, and the lower rib 44L abuts against the upper end surface of the upper portion 27 of the outer container 20, thereby further suppressing the occurrence of rattle in the inner container 30.

Furthermore, according to one embodiment of the present invention, the inner container 30 has a peripheral wall portion 36 that extends downward from the outer edge of the inner container flange 34. Since the user can attach and detach the inner container 30 while holding the peripheral wall portion 36, the operability of attaching and detaching the inner container 30 is improved.

Furthermore, the peripheral wall portion 36 overlaps the outer circumferential surface of the outer cylinder portion 46 of the intervening member 40. This configuration prevents the lower end of the outer cylinder portion 46 of the intervening member 40 from spreading outward, thus preventing the outer cylinder portion 46 from disengaging from the outer container 20 due to outward spreading of the outer cylinder portion 46. This effect is even more pronounced when the lower end of the peripheral wall portion 36 is located at the same height as the lower end of the outer cylinder portion 46, or lower than the lower end of the outer cylinder portion 46.

Furthermore, the intervening member 40 according to one embodiment of the present invention has multiple thickened portions 420 and ribs 425 formed thereon. A projection 35 formed on the outer circumferential surface of the inner container 30 moves while sliding along the stepped portion 421 due to user operation, overcoming the ribs 425 and reaching position P3. At position P3, the upward movement of the projection 35 is restricted, thus preventing the inner container 30 from coming loose.

Furthermore, the position P3 where the upward movement of the projection 35 is restricted may be on the counterclockwise side of the rib 425 in a plan view when the intervening member 40 is viewed from above, as shown in Figure 8. When the user opens the cap 50, the cap 50 rotates counterclockwise, and the force of this rotation can be transmitted to the inner container 30 that is in contact with the cap 50. At this time, even if the inner cylinder portion 30 tries to rotate in the same counterclockwise direction as the cap 50, the rib 425 is located on the clockwise side, thus preventing the projection 35 from going over the rib 425. In other words, it is possible to prevent the inner container 30 from unintentionally detaching from the intervening member 40.

<Supplement>
Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail with reference to the attached drawings, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to these examples. It is clear to any person with ordinary skill in the art of the present invention that various modifications or alterations can be conceived within the scope of the technical idea described in the claims, and these are also understood to naturally fall within the technical scope of the present invention.

For example, the outer container 20 and the intervening member 40 may have a mechanism to prevent the intervening member 40 from rotating relative to the outer container 20. A specific example of this mechanism will be described below with reference to Figures 10 and 11.

Figure 10 is a perspective view of the outer container 20. Figure 11 is a perspective view of the intervening member 40. As shown in Figure 10, an anti-rotation rib 28 may be formed on the outer circumferential surface of the upper portion 26 of the outer container 20, extending in the vertical direction. This anti-rotation rib 28 protrudes outward from the convex portion 27. Also, as shown in Figure 11, an anti-rotation groove 48 may be formed on the inner circumferential surface of the outer cylindrical portion 46 of the intervening member 40, extending in the vertical direction. By fitting the anti-rotation rib 28 of the outer container 20 into the anti-rotation groove 48 of the intervening member 40, it is possible to prevent the intervening member 40 from rotating relative to the outer container 20. Note that multiple anti-rotation ribs 28 and anti-rotation grooves 48 may be formed at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. Furthermore, the anti-rotation groove may be formed on the outer container 20 side, and the anti-rotation rib may be formed on the intervening member 40 side.

Furthermore, with respect to the embodiments described above, the present invention further discloses the following containers.
<1>
A container having an outer container, an inner container detachably housed in the outer container, and a container member positioned between the outer container and the inner container,
The outer container has an annular portion having an opening that connects to a first space for housing the inner container,
The container member has a cylindrical outer cylinder portion, and the inner circumferential surface of the outer cylinder portion and the outer circumferential surface of the annular portion are fitted together.
The aforementioned inner container is
A second space for storing cosmetics is formed, and a cosmetic storage section is housed in the first space,
The inner container flange of the cosmetic container portion, which protrudes outward,
A peripheral wall portion extends from the inner container flange toward the first direction, which is the depth direction side of the second space, and overlaps with the outer peripheral surface side of the outer cylinder portion,
A container equipped with [the necessary features/features].

<2>
The container according to <1>, wherein the end of the peripheral wall portion on the first direction side is located on the first direction side of the outer cylinder portion.
<3>
The container member has an inner cylindrical portion located on the inner circumference side of the annular portion,
The container according to <1> or <2>, wherein a gap exists between the inner cylindrical portion and the annular portion.
<4>
The container according to <3>, wherein the radial length of the gap is 0.7 mm or more.
<5>
The container according to any one of the above <1> to <4>, wherein the container member extends inward from the end on the second direction side opposite to the first direction side of the outer cylinder portion, and has a member flange facing the end face on the second direction side of the annular portion.
<6>
The container according to <5>, wherein an annular rib is formed on the surface of the member flange on the first direction side.
<7>
The container according to <5> or <6>, wherein an annular rib is formed on the second-direction side surface of the member flange.
<8>
A protrusion is formed on the outer surface of the cosmetic container portion of the inner container.
The inner circumferential surface of the inner cylinder portion is
The ribs that the projections overcome when the inner container rotates relative to the container member,
On one side of the rib, a first stepped portion restricts the movement of the projection toward the second direction.
A container according to <3> or <4>, having the above.
<9>
The container according to <8>, wherein one side of the rib is the counterclockwise side when the container member is viewed from the second direction side.
<10>
The container according to <8> or <9>, wherein the inner circumferential surface of the inner cylinder portion has a second stepped portion that faces the second direction and is inclined with respect to the circumferential direction.
<11>
The container according to any one of the above <1> to <10>, wherein the outer container and the container member have a mechanism for preventing the container member from rotating relative to the outer container.
<12>
As the aforementioned mechanism,
The outer circumferential surface of the annular portion of the outer container is formed with anti-rotation ribs along the depth direction of the second space.
The container according to <11>, wherein the inner circumferential surface of the outer cylindrical portion of the container member has an anti-rotation groove formed along the depth direction of the second space into which the anti-rotation rib fits.

10 Container 20 Outer container 22 Lower section 23 First space 24 Middle section 26 Upper section 27 Protrusion 28 Anti-rotation rib 30 Inner container 32 Cosmetic material storage section 33 Second space 34 Inner container flange 36 Peripheral wall section 40 Intervening member 42 Inner cylinder section 420 Thick section 421 Stepped section 423 Stepped section 425 Rib 44 Member flange 44U Upper rib 44L Lower rib 46 Outer cylinder section 47 Protrusion 48 Anti-rotation groove

Claims (9)

A container having an outer container, an inner container detachably housed in the outer container, and a container member positioned between the outer container and the inner container,
The outer container has an annular portion having an opening that connects to a first space for housing the inner container,
The container member has a cylindrical outer cylinder portion, and the inner circumferential surface of the outer cylinder portion and the outer circumferential surface of the annular portion are fitted together.
The aforementioned inner container is
A second space for storing cosmetics is formed, and a cosmetic storage section is housed in the first space,
The inner container flange of the cosmetic container portion, which protrudes outward,
A peripheral wall portion extends from the inner container flange toward the first direction, which is the depth direction side of the second space, and overlaps with the outer peripheral surface side of the outer cylinder portion,
Equipped with,
A container in which the end of the peripheral wall portion on the first direction side is located on the first direction side of the outer cylinder portion . The container member has an inner cylindrical portion located on the inner circumference side of the annular portion,
The container according to claim 1 , wherein a gap exists between the inner cylindrical portion and the annular portion. The container according to claim 2 , wherein the radial length of the gap is 0.7 mm or more. The container member extends inward from the end of the outer cylindrical portion on the second direction side, which is opposite to the first direction side, and has a member flange facing the end face of the annular portion on the second direction side, according to claim 1. The container according to claim 4 , wherein an annular rib is formed on the surface of the member flange on the first direction side. The container according to claim 4 or 5 , wherein an annular rib is formed on the second-direction side surface of the member flange. A protrusion is formed on the outer surface of the cosmetic container portion of the inner container.
The inner circumferential surface of the inner cylinder portion is
The ribs that the projections overcome when the inner container rotates relative to the container member,
On one side of the rib, a first stepped portion is provided to restrict the movement of the projection toward the second direction, which is opposite to the first direction.
The container according to claim 2 , having the following features. The container according to claim 7 , wherein one side of the rib is the counterclockwise side when the container member is viewed from the second direction side. The container according to claim 7 or 8 , wherein the inner circumferential surface of the inner cylinder portion has a second stepped portion that faces the second direction and is inclined with respect to the circumferential direction.