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(11) | EP 2 248 438 A2 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
| published in accordance with Art. 153(4) EPC |
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| (54) | MANUALLY OPERATED DROPPER |
| (57) Disclosed herein is a hand-operated dropper configured to suction and discharge a
predetermined amount of liquid type content upon pressing an elastic button, the hand-operated
dropper including a housing, forming an external appearance of the dropper, for containing
content, a housing cap for hermetically sealing an internal space of the housing from
the outside, a tube coupled to an elastic button for suctioning content from the housing,
the elastic button hermetically coupled to the upper end of the tube, the elastic
button being also coupled to the housing cap, and a closure coupled to the housing
cap while surrounding the outside of the elastic button in such a manner that opposite
sides of the elastic button are exposed to the outside for suctioning a predetermined
amount of content while protecting the elastic button from external force. |
[Technical Field]
[0001] The present invention relates to a hand-operated dropper configured to suction and discharge a predetermined amount of liquid type content upon pressing an elastic button, and, more particularly, to a hand-operated dropper including a housing for containing content, a housing cap for hermetically sealing an internal space of the housing from the outside, a tube for suctioning content from the housing, an elastic button hermetically coupled to the upper end of the tube, and a closure coupled to the housing cap while surrounding the outside of the elastic button in such a manner that opposite sides of the elastic button are exposed to the outside.
[Background Art]
[0002] A hand-operated pump has been normally used in cosmetics containers that discharge a predetermined amount of liquid type content, such as oil and emulsion, each time because of its convenience. Especially, a hand-operated dropper has been widely used in cosmetics containers and medicine containers because of its characteristics that a predetermined amount of content can be easily discharged each time by the hand-operated dropper while the content is stored in the container, and technology related to the hand-operated dropper has been continuously developed.
[0003] A conventional hand-operated dropper is generally configured in a structure in which an assembly of an elastic button and a tube coupled to each other in the same manner as a Pasteur pipette is mounted at the upper end of a housing containing content. Upon pressing the elastic button and releasing the force applied to the elastic button, the content from the housing is suctioned into the tube, and the suctioned content is discharged out of the housing at a desired position.
[0004] However, the conventional hand-operated dropper has several problems as follows:
First, the elastic button mounted at the upper part of the dropper is exposed to the outside, with the result that unexpected operation may occur. For example, the elastic button may be arbitrarily pressed due to falling of the dropper or application of external force to the dropper, with the result that the dropper may be operated irrespective of user's intention. In order to prevent the unexpected operation of the dropper from occurring, a cap may be further mounted to the upper part of the dropper. However, it is necessary to remove the cap from the dropper upon using the dropper and to mount the cap to the dropper after using the dropper, which is troublesome. In addition, the cap may be lost.
Second, the elastic button is generally made of a soft material, such as silicone and rubber, and the elastic button is configured in a hollow structure open at the bottom thereof. The tube is connected to the open bottom of the elastic button. Therefore, when the elastic button is pressed, content from the tube is discharged to the outside, and, when the force applied to the elastic button is released, content is introduced into the tube. However, the amount of discharged content is changed depending upon the size of fingers pressing the elastic button, the pressed position of the elastic button, and how the elastic button is pressed, with the result that it is difficult to uniformly discharge a predetermined amount of content each time. This structure is not suitable particularly for a dropper containing liquid type content, such as medicine, essential oil, and aromatic oil, a predetermined amount of which is to be uniformly discharged.
[0005] Various hand-operated droppers have been developed to solve the above problems; however, there is no hand-operated dropper providing satisfactory results yet.
[Disclosure]
[Technical Problem]
[0006] Therefore, the present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and other technical problems that have yet to be resolved.
[0007] Specifically, it is an object of the present invention to provide a hand-operated dropper configured such that an elastic button is prevented from being arbitrarily pressed due to falling of the dropper or application of external force to the dropper, and a predetermined amount of content is discharged upon pressing the elastic button, thereby improving convenience and reliability.
[Technical Solution]
[0008] In accordance with the present invention, the above and other objects can be accomplished by the provision of a hand-operated dropper configured to suction and discharge a predetermined amount of liquid type content upon pressing an elastic button, the hand-operated dropper including (a) a housing, forming the external appearance of the dropper, for containing content, (b) a housing cap for hermetically sealing an internal space of the housing from the outside, (c) a tube coupled to an elastic button for suctioning content from the housing, (d) the elastic button hermetically coupled to the upper end of the tube, the elastic button being also coupled to the housing cap, and (e) a closure coupled to the housing cap while surrounding the outside of the elastic button in such a manner that opposite sides of the elastic button are exposed to the outside for suctioning a predetermined amount of content while protecting the elastic button from external force.
[0009] In the hand-operated dropper with the above-stated construction according to the present invention, when the elastic button is pressed, the elastic button is deformed. At this time, air or content present in the elastic button and the tube is discharged through the lower end of the tube. On the other hand, when the force applied to the elastic button is released, the elastic button returns to its original state due to elastic force thereof. At this time, internal pressure of the elastic button and the tube is lowered, with the result that a predetermined amount of liquid type content from the housing is introduced into the tube.
[0010] The closure is coupled to the housing cap in a structure to surround the outside of the elastic button, and therefore, it is possible for the closure to prevent the elastic button from being arbitrarily pressed due to external force and, in addition, to restrict the pressed position and deformed size of the elastic button upon pressing the elastic button or upon releasing the force applied to the elastic button. Consequently, it is possible to suction a predetermined amount of content and to discharge the suctioned content to a desired position. In addition, a unique shape of the closure surrounding the outside of the elastic button may provide the hand-operated dropper with an aesthetically pleasing appearance.
[0011] In a preferred example, the closure may be configured in an arch-shaped structure in vertical section. Therefore, it is possible for the closure to prevent the elastic button from being pressed due to falling of the dropper or unexpected application of external force to the dropper. In addition, the closure exhibits a predetermined strength, and therefore, it is possible for the closure to minimize the damage to the elastic button.
[0012] The exposed shape of the closure is not particularly restricted as long as it is possible for a user to easily press exposed regions of the elastic button using fingers. For example, the closure may be exposed in an elliptical shape in vertical section.
[0013] Specifically, opposite sides of the closure are smoothly cut into an elliptical shape such that the opposite sides of the closure are exposed to the outside. Therefore, it is possible for a user to easily press the exposed sides of the elastic button using fingers.
[0014] The tube is configured in a hollow tube shape for suctioning and containing content. The tube may have a relatively small inner diameter at a region adjacent to the lower end thereof for efficiently suctioning content.
[0015] In this structure, in which the region adjacent to the lower end of the tube has a smaller inner diameter than other regions of the tube, introduction speed of liquid type content is increased at the lower end of the tube when the force applied to the elastic button is released, and the liquid type content introduced into the upper end of the tube is prevented from being discharged to the outside until the elastic button is pressed.
[0016] As previously described, the tube and the elastic button are coupled to each other. This coupling may be achieved in the following manner. For example, the tube may be provided at the outer circumference of the upper end thereof with an annular protrusion extending outward, the elastic button may be provided at the lower part of the inner circumference thereof with a coupling groove corresponding to the annular protrusion, and coupling between the tube and the elastic button may be achieved by the insertion of the annular protrusion of the tube into the coupling groove of the elastic button.
[0017] Meanwhile, the coupling between the elastic button and the housing cap may be achieved in the following manner. For example, the elastic button may be provided at the outer circumference of the lower part thereof with a depressed groove, the housing cap may be provided at the inner circumference of the upper part thereof with a protrusion corresponding to the depressed groove, and coupling between the elastic button and the housing cap may be achieved by the engagement between the protrusion of the housing cap and the depressed groove of the elastic button when the elastic button is inserted downward into the housing cap.
[0018] The coupling between the closure and the housing cap may be achieved through various molding processes as needed. For example, the coupling between the closure and the housing cap may be achieved by undercuts.
[0019] For reference, undercuts indicate parts, such as holes, protrusions, or depressions, of a molded product that cannot be removed by a motion carried out in the direction in which an injection mold is opened in terms of function or usage of the molded product. An undercut formed at the inside of the molded produced is referred to as an inside undercut, and an undercut formed at the outside of the molded produced is referred to as an outside undercut.
[0020] The coupling between the housing and the housing cap may be achieved, for example, in a screw type structure that is capable of easily performing the engagement and disengagement between the housing and the housing cap and preventing content in the housing from being discharged out of the dropper.
[0021] The closure may be made of Surlyn, polycarbonate, acrylic resin, or metal, which exhibits a predetermined strength or elasticity, and the housing cap may be made of polypropylene (PP) or metal. Surlyn is a styrene acrylonitrile compound resin, which exhibits high elasticity and chemical resistance. Therefore, Surlyn is particularly suitable for a material of the closure.
[Description of Drawings]
[0022] The above and other objects, features and other advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a hand-operated dropper according to an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a structure in which a housing is separated from the hand-operated dropper of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a side view of the hand-operated dropper of FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a vertical sectional view typically illustrating the coupling between an elastic button and a tube; and
FIG. 5 is a front see-through view of the hand-operated dropper of FIG. 1.
[Best Mode]
[0023] Now, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted, however, that the scope of the present invention is not limited by the illustrated embodiments.
[0024] FIG. 1 is a perspective view typically illustrating a hand-operated dropper according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a perspective view typically illustrating a structure in which a housing is separated from the hand-operated dropper of FIG. 1.
[0025] Referring to these drawings, a hand-operated dropper 100 includes a housing 110 for containing 15 to 20 ml of content, a housing cap 120 for hermetically sealing the internal space of the housing 110, a tube 130 coupled to an elastic button 140 for suctioning content from the housing 110, the elastic button 140 hermetically coupled to the upper end of the tube 130, the elastic button 140 being also coupled to the housing cap 120, and a closure 150 coupled to the housing cap 120 for surrounding the outside of the elastic button 140.
[0026] The housing 110 is a hollow type container for containing liquid type content. The upper end of the housing 110 is open. The housing cap 120 is coupled to the upper part of the housing 110 for hermetically sealing the internal space of the housing 110 from the outside. The coupling between the housing 110 and the housing cap 120 may be achieved in various manners. For example, a screw thread may be formed at the outside of an upper end protrusion part of the housing 110, and a screw groove corresponding to the screw thread may be formed at the inside of the housing cap 120. According to circumstances, the housing 110 and the housing cap 120 may be coupled to each other in a vertical engagement and disengagement manner, by which the coupling and separation between the housing 110 and the housing cap 120 may be much more easily achieved.
[0027] The elastic button 140 is formed of rubber exhibiting high elasticity. The lower end of the elastic button 140 and the upper end of the tube 130 are coupled to each other in a hermetically sealed structure.
[0028] When force is applied to the elastic button 140 such that the shape of the elastic button 140 is deformed, therefore, air present in the elastic button 140 and the tube 130 is discharged through a lower end inlet port 132 of the tube 130. When the force applied to the elastic button 140 is released, the elastic button 140 returns to its original shape due to elastic force thereof. At this time, internal pressure of the elastic button 140 and the tube 130 is lowered, with the result that a predetermined amount of content from the housing 110 is introduced into the tube 130. In this state, the housing 110 is separated from the dropper 100, as shown in FIG. 2, and then the elastic button 140 is pressed to discharge the content to a desired position.
[0029] The closure 150 is coupled to the housing cap 120 while surrounding the outside of the elastic button 140 in such a manner that opposite sides of the elastic button 140 are exposed to the outside for suctioning a predetermined amount of content while protecting the elastic button 140 from external force.
[0031] Referring to FIG. 3, the closure 150 is configured in an arch-shaped structure in vertical section corresponding to the outside of the elastic button 140. Also, the closure 150 is cut out in an elliptical shape 152 such that each side of the elastic button 140 is exposed to the outside. Therefore, it is possible for a user to easily press the exposed regions of the elastic button 140 at the sides thereof using fingers.
[0032] FIG. 4 is a vertical sectional view typically illustrating the coupling between the elastic button and the tube.
[0033] Referring to FIG. 4, an annular protrusion 134 is formed at the outer circumference of the upper end of the tube 130 such that the annular protrusion 134 extends outward, and a coupling groove 144 is formed at the lower part of the inner circumference of the elastic button 140. The annular protrusion 134 of the tube 130 is inserted into the coupling groove 144 of the elastic button 140, thereby achieving the coupling between the tube 130 and the elastic button 140. That is, when the upper part of the tube 130 is inserted into the elastic button 140 in a state in which the lower part of the elastic button 140, which exhibits elasticity, is forcibly widened, and then the force applied to the elastic button 140 is released, the coupling groove 144 of the elastic button 140 is engaged with the annular protrusion 134 of the tube 130 due to restoring force of the elastic button 140, thereby achieving the coupling between the tube 130 and the elastic button 140.
[0034] The tube 130 has a relatively small inner diameter at a region 136 adjacent to the lower end thereof for efficiently suctioning liquid type content from the housing 110 (see FIG. 1) and preventing the content from being discharged in a state in which the elastic button 140 is not pressed.
[0035] FIG. 5 is a front see-through view typically illustrating the hand-operated dropper of FIG. 1.
[0036] Referring to FIG. 5, a depressed groove 142 is formed at the outer circumference of the lower part of the elastic button 140, and a protrusion 122 corresponding to the depressed groove 142 of the elastic button 140 is formed at the inner circumference of the upper part of the housing cap 120.
[0037] When the elastic button 140 is inserted downward into the housing cap 120, therefore, the protrusion 122 of the housing cap 120 is engaged with the depressed groove 142 of the elastic button 140, thereby easily achieving the coupling between the elastic button 140 and the housing cap 120.
[0038] Also, an outside undercut 126 is formed at the upper end of the housing cap 120 in the lateral direction, and an inside undercut 156 corresponding to the outside undercut 126 of the housing cap 120 is formed at the lower end of the closure 150. Consequently, the coupling between the housing cap 120 and the closure 150 is achieved by the undercuts.
[0039] Meanwhile, the housing 110 and the housing cap 120 are coupled to each other in a screw type structure 115, which provides high sealability, to prevent content in the housing 110 from being discharged to the outside.
[Industrial Applicability]
[0040] As is apparent from the above description, the hand-operated dropper according to the present invention is configured such that the elastic button is prevented from being arbitrarily pressed by external force, a predetermined amount of content is suctioned upon pressing the elastic button, and the suctioned content is discharged upon releasing the force applied to the elastic button, greatly improving convenience and reliability.
[0041] Although the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying claims.
1. A Hand-perated dropper configured to suction and discharge a predetermined amount
of liquid type content upon pressing an elastic button, the hand-operated dropper
comprising:
(a) a housing, forming an external appearance of the dropper, for containing content;
(b) a housing cap for hermetically sealing an internal space of the housing from an outside;
(c) a tube coupled to an elastic button for suctioning content from the housing;
(d) the elastic button hermetically coupled to an upper end of the tube, the elastic button being also coupled to the housing cap; and
(e) a closure coupled to the housing cap while surrounding an outside of the elastic button in such a manner that opposite sides of the elastic button are exposed to an outside for suctioning a predetermined amount of content while protecting the elastic button from external force.
2. The hand-operated dropper according to claim 1, wherein the closure is configured
in an arch-shaped structure in vertical section.
3. The hand-operated dropper according to claim 1, wherein the closure is exposed in
an elliptical shape in vertical section.
4. The hand-operated dropper according to claim 1, wherein the tube has a relatively
small inner diameter at a region adjacent to a lower end thereof.
5. The hand-operated dropper according to claim 1, wherein the tube is provided at an
outer circumference of an upper end thereof with an annular protrusion extending outward,
the elastic button is provided at a lower part of an inner circumference thereof with
a coupling groove corresponding to the annular protrusion, and coupling between the
tube and the elastic button is achieved by the insertion of the annular protrusion
of the tube into the coupling groove of the elastic button.
6. The hand-operated dropper according to claim 1, wherein the elastic button is provided
at an outer circumference of a lower part thereof with a depressed groove, the housing
cap is provided at an inner circumference of an upper part thereof with a protrusion
corresponding to the depressed groove, and coupling between the elastic button and
the housing cap is achieved by the engagement between the protrusion of the housing
cap and the depressed groove of the elastic button when the elastic button is inserted
downward into the housing cap.
7. The hand-operated dropper according to claim 1, wherein the coupling between the closure
and the housing cap is achieved by undercuts.
8. The hand-operated dropper according to claim 1, wherein the closure is made of Surlyn,
and the housing cap is made of polypropylene (PP).