FIELD
[0001] This disclosure relates to a fluid application container for applying a fluid to
an application surface.
BACKGROUND
[0002] A conventional liquid application container includes a spatula having a tubular main
body portion, an extension portion that extends frontward in a flattened shape from
a front end portion of the main body portion, and a through hole that penetrates the
main body portion from a rear end thereof toward the extension portion such that an
applying liquid flows therethrough, wherein a cut-out recessed portion is formed in
the extension portion, the cut-out recessed portion being cut out from the front end
of the extension portion toward the through hole so as to define a front end opening
of the through hole, front end pieces are formed in positions on left and right sides
of the cut-out recessed portion so as to sandwich the cut-out recessed portion, and
a rear end portion of a lower edge of the cut-out recessed portion is positioned frontward
of a rear end portion of an upper edge thereof (see PTL 1 as mentioned below, for
example). According to this liquid application container, applying liquid discharged
through the front end opening of the through hole in the spatula can be held between
the two front end pieces of the extension portion of the spatula, and therefore, when
the front end pieces are placed on an application surface, for example an upper eyelid
near the inner corner of the eye, and the spatula is moved along the upper eyelid
toward the outer corner of the eye, the applying liquid held between the front end
pieces can be applied to the fold of the upper eyelid while the front end pieces form
a gap in the fold of the upper eyelid.
[0003] The following is the reference document.
[PTL 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No.
2015-229094 (see paragraphs 0008 and 0015 and so on, for example)
DISCLOSURE
[0004] According to this conventional fluid application container, by pressing the discharged
fluid onto an application surface such as the surface of the skin using an application
body such as the spatula so that the fluid is applied to the application surface,
the fluid can be applied to the application surface in a thin line. However, there
is desired for the provision of a fluid application container that can apply a fluid
using an application body that feels more comfortable than a conventional application
body such as that described above.
[0005] This disclosure has been designed to provide a fluid application container that can
apply a fluid using an application body that feels more comfortable than a conventional
application body.
SUMMARY
[0006] In an aspect of the present invention, a fluid application container includes a container
main body having a tank that houses a fluid; a fluid discharging body that is coupled
by a rear end portion thereof to the container main body, and that discharges the
fluid through an discharge port formed in a front end portion thereof when the fluid
flows into the interior thereof from the tank; an application body that covers the
fluid discharging body and has a lower hardness than the fluid discharging body; and
a plunger that includes an operating body and pushes the fluid in the tank into the
fluid discharging body in response to an operation of the operating body, wherein
the application body absorbs the fluid discharged through the discharge port of the
fluid discharging body, and applies the absorbed fluid to an application surface when
brought into contact with the application surface.
[0007] In the aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide a fluid application
container that can apply a fluid using an application body that feels more comfortable
than a conventional application body.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0008]
Fig. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view illustrating a fluid application container
according to a first embodiment, taken along a cross-section that includes an axis
thereof;
Fig. 2 is a view illustrating a fluid discharging body provided in the fluid application
container according to the first embodiment from the direction of a discharge port
thereof;
Fig. 3 is a sectional view illustrating the fluid discharging body of the fluid application
container according to the first embodiment from the direction of an arrow A-A, taken
along an A-A line in Fig. 2;
Fig. 4 is a view illustrating the fluid discharging body of the fluid application
container according to the first embodiment from the direction of a front end thereof;
Fig. 5 is a plan view of an applicator provided in the fluid application container
according to the first embodiment;
Fig. 6 is a sectional view illustrating the applicator of the fluid application container
according to the first embodiment from the direction of an arrow B-B, taken along
a B-B line in Fig. 5;
Fig. 7 is a view illustrating a front fitting provided in the fluid application container
according to the first embodiment from an orthogonal direction to an axial direction
thereof;
Fig. 8 is a sectional view illustrating the front fitting from the direction of an
arrow C-C, taken along a C-C line in Fig. 7;
Fig. 9 is a view illustrating the front fitting from the direction of an opening formed
in a front end portion thereof;
Fig. 10 is a longitudinal sectional view illustrating a fluid application container
according to a second embodiment, taken along a cross-section that includes an axis
thereof;
Fig. 11 is a view illustrating a fluid discharging body provided in the fluid application
container according to the second embodiment from an orthogonal direction to an axial
direction thereof;
Fig. 12 is a sectional view illustrating the fluid discharging body of the fluid application
container according to the second embodiment from the direction of an arrow D-D, taken
along a D-D line in Fig. 11; and
Fig. 13 is a view illustrating the fluid discharging body of the fluid application
container according to the second embodiment from the direction of a discharge port
formed in a front end portion thereof.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
<First Embodiment
[0009] A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference
to the figures. In this embodiment, a fluid application container 1 for applying liquid
concealer, i.e. a cosmetic material, to skin serving as an application surface will
be described. Note that a lengthwise direction central axis of the fluid application
container 1 will be referred to simply as "the axis", and an extension direction of
the axis will be referred to as "the axial direction". In the specification and figures,
constituent elements having substantially identical functions have been allocated
identical reference numerals, and duplicate description thereof has been omitted.
[0010] As illustrated in Fig. 1, the fluid application container 1 according to this embodiment
includes a container main body 10 that is formed in a substantially columnar shape
and includes a tank T that stores a fluid F constituted by a cosmetic material; an
assembly 20 of a spatula 24 and an applicator 26, the spatula 24 forming a fluid discharging
body for discharging the fluid F and the applicator 26 serving as an application body
that covers the spatula 24; a front fitting 30 attached to a front end portion (a
lower side in Fig. 1) of the container main body 10; a cap 40 attached detachably
to the front fitting 30; and a plunger 50 disposed on a rear end portion of the container
main body 10 in order to push the fluid F in the tank T into the fluid discharging
body in response to rotation of a top crown 51 serving as an operating body. Hereafter,
the cap 40 disposed side of the fluid application container 1, or in other words the
lower side of Fig. 1, will be referred to as the front side of the axial direction,
the top crown 51 disposed side, or in other words the upper side of Fig. 1, will be
referred to as the rear side, respective front side end portions will be referred
to as front end portions, and respective rear side end portions will be referred to
as rear end portions. Note that in Fig. 1, for ease of illustration, a piston rod
53 alone is illustrated as seen from an orthogonal direction to the axial direction
rather than in sectional form.
(Container main body 10)
[0011] The container main body 10 is an elongated member having a substantially hollow cylindrical
shape and extending in the axial direction, and is formed from a resin material such
as polypropylene. A front end portion of the container main body 10, which is positioned
in front of the tank T housing the fluid F, is formed to have both a smaller inner
diameter and a smaller outer diameter than other parts of the container main body
10. The fluid discharge body is fitted to an inner peripheral surface of the front
end portion of the container main body 10, and the front fitting 30 is fitted to an
outer peripheral surface of the front end portion of the container main body 10. The
top crown 51 of the plunger 50 is fitted to a rear end portion of the container main
body 10 to be capable of rotating relative to the container main body 10.
(Fluid discharging body)
[0012] The fluid discharging body according to this embodiment includes a holder 22 that
forms a rear portion of the fluid discharging body and is fitted to the container
main body 10, and the spatula 24 that forms a front portion of the fluid discharging
body and is connected to a front end portion of the holder 22.
[0013] As illustrated in Figs. 2 to 4, the holder 22 is formed in a substantially hollow
cylindrical shape, and configured such that when an outer peripheral wall 221 thereof
is fitted to an inner peripheral wall of the front end portion of the container main
body 10, a rear portion flow passage 222 serving as a hollow portion of the holder
22 communicates with the tank T. Two annular projections 223, 224 projecting radially
outward so as to contact an inner peripheral surface of the front fitting 30 are formed
a predetermined distance from each other in the axial direction on an outer peripheral
surface of the holder 22 in substantially central positions in the axial direction.
An annular projection 225 that projects radially outward and is formed in a tapered
shape so as to press and latch the applicator 26 (see Fig. 1), to be described in
detail below, is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the holder 22 in front
of the annular projection 224. A connecting portion 226 that is formed to have a smaller
outer diameter than a rear portion of the holder 22 and is connected to the spatula
24 is formed in front of the annular projection 225. An annular barb 227 for preventing
the spatula 24 from dropping off frontward is formed on an edge portion of a front
end of the connecting portion 226.
[0014] An outer peripheral surface of a rear portion 242 of the spatula 24 is formed in
a substantially tubular shape having an outer diameter that decreases gently toward
the front, and an inner peripheral groove is formed in an inner peripheral surface
thereof. The inner peripheral groove in the rear portion 242 of the spatula 24 is
connected to the barb 227 of the holder 22 to prevent the spatula 24 from falling
off. A front portion flow passage 241 into which the fluid F flows from the rear portion
flow passage 222 of the holder 22 is formed in the interior of the spatula 24. A front
portion 243 of the spatula 24 is formed in a tapered plate shape having two curved
surfaces 244a, 244b such that a thickness X (see Fig. 3) thereof decreases steadily
toward the front. The curved surfaces 244a, 244b are formed such that the reduction
in the thickness X is comparatively rapid at the rear, or in other words in the vicinity
of the rear portion 242, and comparatively gentle at the front. A discharge port 245
that communicates with the front portion flow passage 241 is formed in a front side
of the curved surface 244a. In accordance with the shapes of the rear portion 242
and the front portion 243, the front portion flow passage 241 is likewise formed such
that the flow passage narrows steadily toward the front.
[0015] According to the configuration described above, the spatula 24 discharges the fluid
F pushed forward by the plunger 50 through the discharge port 245 via the flow passages
222, 241. By forming the discharge port 245 in only one surface in this manner, the
fluid F is discharged in a larger amount onto one of the applying surfaces from which
the fluid F is applied to the application surface than onto the other applying surface,
as will be described in detail below, and as a result, a larger amount of the fluid
F can be absorbed by one of the applying surfaces than by the other applying surface.
Accordingly, the amount of fluid F that is applied to the application surface can
be adjusted by spreading the fluid F, absorbing the fluid F, and so on using the side
of the other applying surface (the curved surface 244b) that has absorbed a comparatively
small amount of the fluid F.
[0016] The spatula 24 is formed from an elastic material possessing elasticity, and a hardness
of the elastic material is set to be lower than a hardness of the holder 22. According
to this configuration, when the fluid F is applied, the spatula 24 supported by the
holder 22 can be bent while the spatula 24 supports the applicator 26, which has an
even lower hardness, as will be described in detail below, and as a result, a comfortable
feeling on the skin and a comfortable use feeling can be imparted to a user. The spatula
24 is preferably formed from an elastic body such as a thermoplastic elastomer, and
the holder 22 is preferably formed from a resin material such as polypropylene. In
terms of type A durometer hardness defined by ISO 18517, for example, the hardness
of the spatula 24 is preferably within a range of 10 to 100, more preferably within
a range of 15 to 80, and even more preferably within a range of 15 to 50. In this
embodiment, the holder 22 and the spatula 24 having different materials and different
hardnesses to each other are formed integrally by composite molding (two-color molding
or double molding). By employing this configuration, the holder 22 and the spatula
24 can be joined efficiently and securely. Note that in another embodiment, the spatula
24 may be fitted and attached to a connecting portion 226 of the holder 22.
(Applicator 26)
[0017] As illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6, the applicator 26 serving as the application body
of this embodiment is formed in a bag shape by joining two plate materials each having
a substantially elliptical planar form such that an interior space 262 into which
the spatula 24 can be inserted is formed in the interior thereof. The applicator 26
according to this embodiment is formed in a bag shape by joining respective peripheral
edges of the two plate materials by welding. However, the number of joined plate materials
is not limited to two, and in another embodiment, the applicator may be formed in
a bag shape by joining another desired plurality of plate materials. By forming the
bag-shaped applicator 26 such that the spatula 24 can elastically deform freely in
the interior thereof, a more favorable feeling on the skin can be imparted to the
user than in a case where the fluid F is applied using the spatula 24 or the applicator
26 alone. The applicator 26 is formed from a porous material that can be impregnated
with the fluid F, and is configured to have a predetermined elasticity and a lower
hardness than the spatula 24. Sponge, for example, may be used as the porous material
forming the applicator 26, and urethane sponge, which is durable and capable of imparting
a comfortable feeling on the skin and a comfortable use feeling to the user, is particularly
preferable. By configuring the applicator 26, which is formed in a bag shape and has
a comparatively low hardness, to be capable of applying the fluid F while being supported
by the spatula 24, which is formed in a tapered plate shape and has a comparatively
high hardness, a comfortable feeling on the skin, as if the fluid F were being applied
to the application surface by a human finger, can be imparted to the user. Further,
one plate material of the applicator 26 that covers the discharge port 245 of the
spatula 24 is preferably configured to be distinguishable from the other plate material.
For example, by forming one plate material covering the discharge port 245 in a different
color to the other plate material so as to be visually distinguishable, the user can
easily ascertain the position of the discharge port 245 of the spatula 24 inside the
bag-shaped applicator 26.
(Front fitting 30)
[0018] As illustrated in Fig. 7, the front fitting 30 is formed in a substantially hollow
cylindrical shape, and an outer peripheral surface thereof is tapered toward the front
end side so that the cap 40 can be fitted favorably thereon. An annular groove 301
recessed radially inward so as to be fitted to an annular projection formed on an
inner peripheral surface of the cap 40 is formed in an outer peripheral surface of
a rear portion of the front fitting 30. Two annular projections 302, 303 projecting
radially inward are formed on an inner peripheral surface of the rear portion of the
front fitting 30 so as to be fitted to annular grooves formed in an outer peripheral
surface of the front end portion of the container main body 10. Annular grooves 304,
305 into which the two annular projections 223, 224 of the holder 22 are respectively
fitted are formed in the inner peripheral surface of the front fitting 30 in front
of the annular projection 303.
[0019] When the fluid discharging body is fitted into the container main body 10 (see Fig.
1), the front fitting 30 fixes the holder 22 of the fluid discharging body such that
the spatula 24 covered by the applicator 26 projects frontward from a front end opening
306 in the front fitting 30. At this time, a rear portion of the applicator 26 is
clamped in the radial direction between an inner peripheral surface 308 of a front
end portion 307 of the front fitting 30 and the annular projection 225 of the holder
22 so as to be latched thereby. The applicator 26 can thus be prevented from falling
off the spatula 24 frontward.
(Cap 40)
[0020] The cap 40 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape having a lid plate on a
front end thereof (see Fig. 1), and is configured to be capable of housing the applicator
26 in the interior thereof so as to protect the applicator 26 when fitted to the front
fitting 30. An annular projection 402 projecting radially inward is formed on an inner
peripheral surface of a rear portion of the cap 40, and by fitting the annular projection
402 to the annular groove 301 of the front fitting 30, the cap 40 is attached detachably
to the front fitting 30.
(Plunger 50)
[0021] The plunger 50 includes the top crown 51, which is latched to the container main
body 10 to be capable of rotating relative thereto, a piston 52 that can move forward
by sliding through the tank T, the piston rod 53, which has an external screw 532
formed on an outer peripheral surface thereof and pushes the piston 52 forward, a
rotation stopper 54 that has an internal screw formed on an inner peripheral surface
thereof, the internal screw being screwed to the external screw 532 of the piston
rod 53, and is fitted by an outer peripheral surface thereof to an inner peripheral
surface of the container main body 10, and a top plug 55 serving as a lid that is
fitted to a rear end opening of the top crown 51.
[0022] The rotation stopper 54 is formed in a substantially tubular shape such that a front
end portion outer peripheral surface thereof has a slightly smaller diameter than
a rear end portion outer peripheral surface, and an internal screw 542 is formed on
an inner peripheral surface of the front end portion thereof. Contact surfaces 534
constituted by a pair of planes extending in the axial direction are formed at 180-degree
circumferential direction intervals on an outer peripheral surface of the piston rod
53 so as to divide the internal screw 532 of the piston rod 53 into two in the circumferential
direction. The top crown 51 is formed in a substantially tubular shape such that a
front portion thereof has a smaller outer diameter than a rear portion, and the front
portion is fitted into the rear end portion of the rotation stopper 54 and the rear
end portion of the container main body 10 so as to be capable of rotating relative
to each thereof. Contact surfaces 512 are formed opposite the contact surfaces 534
of the piston rod 53 on an inner peripheral surface of the front portion of the top
crown 51 so as to contact the contact surfaces 534 slidably, with the result that
the piston rod 53 is engaged to the top crown 51 so as to be capable of sliding in
the axial direction relative thereto and rotating in the circumferential direction
integrally therewith. An annular projection 514 that is fitted to an annular groove
formed in an inner peripheral surface of the rear end portion of the container main
body 10 so as to be capable of rotating relative thereto is formed on an outer peripheral
surface of a rear end portion of a front portion of the top crown 51, with the result
that the top crown 51 is engaged to the container main body 10 so as to be capable
of rotating relative thereto in the circumferential direction but incapable of moving
relative thereto in the axial direction.
(Assembly)
[0023] Assembly of the fluid application container 1 will now be described. The front end
portion of the piston rod 53 is press-fitted into the piston 52, whereupon the rotation
stopper 54 is screwed to the piston rod 53 such that the front end of the rotation
stopper 54 contacts the rear end of the piston 52. Next, the rotation stopper 54,
to which the piston rod 53 is screwed, is press-fitted into the container main body
10 from the rear such that the rotation stopper 54 is incapable of rotating relative
to the container main body 10. Next, the top crown 51 having the top plug 55 fitted
into the rear end thereof is fitted into the container main body 10 from the rear,
whereupon the annular projection 514 of the top crown 51 is fitted to the annular
groove in the container main body 10. When the contact surfaces 512 of the top crown
51 and the contact surfaces 534 of the piston rod 53 are engaged, the plunger 50 is
incorporated into the container main body 10.
[0024] Next, the fluid F is injected into the tank T of the container main body 10 from
the front, whereupon the fluid discharging body (the holder 22 and the spatula 24)
is press-fitted into the front end opening of the container main body 10. Next, the
front portion of the fluid discharging body (the holder 22 and the spatula 24) is
covered by the applicator 26, whereupon the front fitting 30 is fitted into the front
end portion outer periphery of the container main body 10 from the front. As a result,
the applicator 26 is incorporated into the container main body 10. Finally, the cap
40 is fitted to the front fitting 30 from the front, whereby the fluid application
container 1 is assembled.
[0025] Note that in another embodiment, other desired attachment structures such as screws
may be employed to attach the respective constituent elements described above instead
of fitting together projections and grooves and press-fitting components, as in this
embodiment.
(Method of use)
[0026] A method of using the fluid application container 1 will now be described. When the
top crown 51 is rotated relative to the container main body 10, the top crown 51 and
the piston rod 53 rotate integrally relative to the container main body 10. Accordingly,
the piston rod 53 rotates relative to the rotation stopper 54 fitted to the container
main body 10 so as to move forward together with the piston 52, and as a result, the
fluid F is pushed forward. The pushed fluid F is discharged through the discharge
port 245 via the rear portion flow passage 222 in the holder 22 and the front portion
flow passage 241 in the spatula 24, and absorbed by one of the plate materials of
the bag-shaped applicator 26 formed by joining the two plate materials.
[0027] After a rotation operation is executed repeatedly on the top crown 51 as appropriate
such that an appropriate amount of the fluid F is absorbed by the applicator 26, the
user can apply the fluid F to the application surface by bringing the applicator 26
into contact with the application surface and stroking the application surface therewith.
If a user needs so, the application amount can be adjusted by additionally stroking
the application surface with the other plate material that absorbs a comparatively
small amount of the fluid F, among the two plate material that are joined to form
the bag-shaped applicator 26, so that the applied fluid F is spread over a wider application
range, or by using the other plate material to absorb fluid F that has been applied
excessively.
[0028] As described above, the spatula 24 covered by the applicator 26, which is formed
from a soft material having the lowest hardness, is formed from a soft material having
a lower hardness than the holder 22, and therefore the spatula 24 covered by the applicator
26 can bend to an appropriate degree so to impart to the user a comfortable feeling
on the skin. The holder 22, which has the highest hardness among the holder 22, the
spatula 24, and the applicator 26, can clamp and latch the applicator 26 in the radial
direction together with the front fitting 30, and as a result, the applicator 26 can
be fixed securely.
<Second Embodiment>
[0029] In the first embodiment, the fluid discharging body of the fluid application container
1 includes the spatula 24 having a substantially flat plate-shaped front end. This
disclosure is not limited thereto, however, and a fluid application container according
to another embodiment may include a fluid discharging body of another desired shape,
such as a cylindrical shape, a triangular pyramid shape, or a prism shape. Similarly
to the shape of the fluid discharging body, the applicator covering the fluid discharging
body may also be formed in a desired shape. Furthermore, in the first embodiment,
the plunger 50 pushes the fluid F when operated by rotating the top crown 51. However,
the plunger 50 is not limited to this configuration, and in another embodiment, the
top crown may be provided with a clicking body as the operating body, and the fluid
may be discharged by pushing down the clicking body. A fluid application container
according to a second embodiment, which includes a cylindrical fluid discharging body
and a plunger having a clicking body, will be described below.
[0030] As illustrated in Fig. 10, a fluid application container 1' according to this embodiment
includes an assembly 20' of an applicator 26' and a fluid discharging body, and a
plunger 60.
(Fluid discharging body)
[0031] The fluid discharging body according to this embodiment includes a holder 22' that
is fitted into the front end opening of the container main body 10, and a discharge
pipe 28 joined to a front end of the holder 22'. The applicator 26' covers a front
end portion of the holder 22' and the discharge pipe 28.
[0032] As illustrated in Figs. 11 to 13, the holder 22' differs from the first embodiment
in that the holder 22' does not include the annular projection 223 of the holder 22
according to the first embodiment, and instead, the outer peripheral wall 221 of the
holder 22' includes an outer wall that is fitted to an inner peripheral wall of the
front end portion of the container main body 10, and an inner wall that defines the
rear portion flow passage 222. The holder 22' may thus be configured differently to
the configuration described in the first embodiment. Apart from these differences,
the holder 22' is configured similarly to the holder 22 according to the first embodiment,
and therefore duplicate description thereof has been omitted.
[0033] The discharge pipe 28 is formed in a substantially hollow cylindrical shape having
a front end plate, and a front portion flow passage 282 that communicates with the
rear portion flow passage 222 of the holder 22' is formed in the interior thereof.
An inner peripheral groove that is fitted to the barb 227, which is formed on an outer
peripheral surface of the front portion of the holder 22', is formed in an inner peripheral
surface of a rear portion of the discharge pipe 28. A recessed surface 284 is formed
in a front end of the discharge pipe 28 so as to extend in an orthogonal direction
to the axial direction thereof, and a plurality of holes that communicate with the
front portion flow passage 282 and function as the discharge ports 286 for discharging
the fluid F are formed in the recessed surface 284.
[0034] In this embodiment, the discharge pipe 28, similarly to the spatula 24 of the first
embodiment, is formed from an elastic material possessing elasticity, and the hardness
of the elastic material is set to be lower than the hardness of the holder 22'. According
to this configuration, when the fluid F is applied, the discharge pipe 28 supported
by the holder 22' can be bent while the discharge pipe 28 supports the applicator
26', which has an even lower hardness, as will be described in detail below, and as
a result, a comfortable feeling on the skin and a comfortable use feeling can be imparted
to the user. The discharge pipe 28 thus configured is preferably formed from an elastic
body such as a thermoplastic elastomer, similarly to the spatula 24, and the hardness
thereof is preferably set to be equal to the hardness of the spatula 24. In another
embodiment, however, the discharge pipe 28 may be formed from an identical material
to the holder 22' so as to be formed integrally therewith.
(Applicator 26')
[0035] As illustrated in Fig. 10, in the applicator 26' serving as the application body
according to this embodiment, an outer peripheral surface serving as the applying
surface of the applicator 26' is formed in a substantially spherical shape, and a
space into which the discharge pipe 28 can be inserted is formed in the interior thereof.
The applicator 26' is formed by applying a flocked finish to a base material molded
integrally into a bag shape, but in another embodiment, a bag-shaped base material
may be formed by joining a plurality of, i.e. two or more, plate-shaped base materials.
The base material of the applicator 26' is formed from a porous material that can
be impregnated with the fluid F, and a material having a predetermined elasticity
and a lower hardness than the material forming the discharge pipe 28. Sponge, for
example, may be used as the porous material forming the base material of the applicator
26', and urethane sponge, which is durable and capable of imparting to the user a
comfortable feeling on the skin and a comfortable use feeling, is particularly preferable.
In this embodiment, a flocked finish 264 covering the base material of the applicator
26' is applied to the surface of the base material, and the hardness of the surface
of the applicator 26' is set to be even lower than the hardness of the base material.
By employing this configuration, the hardness of the applicator can be set to be lower
than the hardness of the fluid discharging body even more easily such that a comfortable
feeling on the skin and a comfortable use feeling can be imparted to the user.
(Plunger 60)
[0036] As illustrated in Fig. 10, the plunger 60 includes a clicking body 61, a piston 62
that can move forward by sliding through the tank T, a piston rod 63 having an external
screw formed on an outer peripheral surface thereof, a rotation cam 64 having an internal
screw that is screwed to the external screw of the piston rod 63 formed on an inner
peripheral surface thereof, whereby the rotation cam 64 is screwed to the piston rod
63 to be capable of rotating relative thereto, a swing cam 65 configured to be capable
of swinging in order to drive the rotation cam 64 to rotate in a single rotational
direction, a top crown 66 attached to the rear end portion of the container main body
10 in order to support the plunger 60, a return spring 67 that biases the clicking
body 61 rearward, and a slide cam 68 coupled to the clicking body 61 so as to be attached
to the swing cam 65.
[0037] The respective constituent elements of the plunger 60, as well as procedures for
assembling these elements, will now be described in further detail. The rotation cam
64 has a frontward-projecting ratchet tooth on a front surface thereof, and a plurality
of cam ridges extending in the circumferential direction are formed on a rear surface
thereof. The swing cam 65 has a frontward-projecting ratchet tooth on a front surface
thereof, and is attached to the rotation cam 64 so that the rear surface of the rotation
cam 64 engages with the ratchet tooth of the swing cam 65, whereby the rotation cam
64 is driven in only one rotational direction. The return spring 67 and an assembly
of the clicking body 61 and the slide cam 68, which is biased rearward relative to
the swing cam 65 by the return spring 67, are also attached to the swing cam 65 attached
to the rotation cam 64. The swing cam 65 and the slide cam 68 are attached in a mutually
cam-engaged condition so that the slide cam 68 executes a reciprocating motion in
the axial direction in conjunction with a reciprocating rotary motion executed by
the swing cam 65 in the circumferential direction. An assembly obtained by assembling
the clicking body 61, the rotation cam 64, the swing cam 65, the return spring 67,
and the slide cam 68 in the manner described above serves as a clicking set.
[0038] Next, the clicking set is attached to the top crown 66 by being fitted into the rear
end opening of the top crown 66 from the rear. A plurality of cam ridges extending
in the circumferential direction are formed on a front portion inner peripheral surface
of the top crown 66, and the plurality of cam ridges engage with the ratchet tooth
of the rotation cam 64 so as to allow the rotation cam 64 to rotate in one rotational
direction while preventing the rotation cam 64 from rotating in the other rotational
direction. The piston 62 is fitted to a front end portion of the piston rod 63. Contact
surfaces constituted by a pair of planes extending in the axial direction are formed
at 180-degree circumferential direction intervals on an outer peripheral surface of
the piston rod 63 so as to divide the external screw of the piston rod 63 into two
in the circumferential direction. Contact surfaces are formed opposite the contact
surfaces of the piston rod 63 on an inner peripheral surface of a front portion opening
of the top crown 66 so as to contact the contact surfaces of the piston rod 63. When
the contact surfaces of the top crown 66 contact the contact surfaces of the piston
rod 63, the piston rod 63 is supported to be incapable of rotating but capable of
moving in the axial direction relative to the top crown 66. The external screw of
the piston rod 63 is screwed to the internal screw of the rotation cam 64. Thus, the
plunger 60 is assembled.
[0039] Assembly of the fluid application container 1' will now be described further. The
plunger 60 is incorporated into the container main body 10 by being press-fitted from
the rear, whereupon the fluid F is injected into the tank T from the front of the
container main body 10 and the fluid discharging body (the holder 22' and the discharge
pipe 28) is press-fitted into the container main body 10 from the front. Next, the
front portion of the fluid discharging body (the holder 22' and the discharge pipe
28) is covered by the applicator 26', whereupon the front fitting 30 is fitted into
the outer peripheral surface of the front end portion of the container main body 10
from the front. As a result, the fluid discharging body (the holder 22' and the discharge
pipe 28) and the applicator 26' are incorporated into the container main body 10.
Finally, the cap 40 is fitted to the front fitting 30 from the front, whereby the
fluid application container 1' is assembled.
[0040] Note that in another embodiment, other desired attachment structures such as screws
may be employed to attach the respective constituent elements described above instead
of fitting together projections and grooves and press-fitting components, as in this
embodiment.
(Method of use)
[0041] A method of using the fluid application container 1' according to this embodiment
will now be described. When the user removes the cap 40 from the front fitting 30
and pushes down the clicking body 61 against the biasing force of the return spring
67, the slide cam 68 coupled to the clicking body 61 moves forward relative to the
swing cam 65. In response to this movement, the swing cam 65, which is cam-engaged
to the slide cam 68, rotates in the circumferential direction, whereby the rotation
cam 64 is driven to rotate in a single rotational direction. When the rotation cam
64 rotates, the piston rod 63 screwed to the rotation cam 64 moves forward, thereby
pushing the piston 62 and the fluid F forward. The pushed fluid F is discharged through
the discharge port 286 via the rear portion flow passage 222 in the holder 22' and
the front portion flow passage 282 in the discharge pipe 28, and absorbed by the applicator
26'.
[0042] After a push-down operation is executed repeatedly on the clicking body 61 as appropriate
such that an appropriate amount of the fluid F is absorbed by the applicator 26',
the user can apply the fluid F by bringing the applicator 26' into contact with the
application surface.
[0043] As described above, the discharge pipe 28 covered by the applicator 26', which is
formed from a soft material having the lowest hardness, is formed from a soft material
having a lower hardness than the holder 22', and therefore the discharge pipe 28 covered
by the applicator 26' can bend to an appropriate degree so to impart to the user a
comfortable feeling on the skin. Moreover, by applying the flocked finish 264 to the
applicator 26', as in this embodiment, an even more comfortable feeling on the skin
can be imparted to the user.
[0044] Note that in the embodiments described above, the fluid F housed in the tank T is
a cosmetic material, but in another embodiment, another desired fluid, such as a fluid
for stationery, may be housed in the tank T and discharged. In this case, the desired
fluid can be applied to the application surface favorably, without damaging the application
surface. The fluid may be any desired liquid, gel, or the like.
[0045] The present invention may be implemented in various other forms without departing
from the spirit or the main features thereof. Therefore, the above embodiments are
in all respects merely examples, and are not to be interpreted as limiting the present
invention. The scope of the present invention is defined by the claims, and not restricted
by the body of the specification. Moreover, all modifications and various amendments,
substitutions, and improvements within a scope that is equivalent to the scope of
the claims are assumed to be within the scope of the present invention.
REFERENCE SIGNS LIST
[0046]
- 1, 1'
- Fluid application container
- 10
- Container main body
- 20, 20'
- Assembly of fluid discharging body and application body
- 22, 22'
- Holder (fluid discharging body)
- 24
- Spatula (fluid discharging body)
- 245
- Discharge port
- 26, 26'
- Applicator (application body)
- 28
- Discharge pipe (fluid discharging body)
- 286
- Discharge port
- 30
- Front fitting
- 50, 60
- Plunger
- 51
- Top crown
- 61
- clicking body
- T
- Tank
- F
- Fluid