U.S. patent application number 10/486223 was filed with the patent office on 2004-12-09 for container with discharge flow velocity mechanism.
Invention is credited to Hagihara, Tadashi.
Application Number | 20040245290 10/486223 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 27347312 |
Filed Date | 2004-12-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040245290 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hagihara, Tadashi |
December 9, 2004 |
Container with discharge flow velocity mechanism
Abstract
A liquid container, comprising a discharge route for discharging
contents, the discharge route further comprising a flow velocity
control passage having an opening area of such a degree that it is
sealed by the contents themselves by the surface tension of the
contents under atmospheric pressure, wherein, when the contents are
discharged, the flow velocity of the contents passing the flow
velocity control passage in the direction of the passage once
becomes zero, and the contents are discharged from an outlet after
filling the main passage of the discharge route provided on the
outlet side of the flow velocity control passage.
Inventors: |
Hagihara, Tadashi; (Tokyo,
JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
ANTONELLI, TERRY, STOUT & KRAUS, LLP
1300 NORTH SEVENTEENTH STREET
SUITE 1800
ARLINGTON
VA
22209-9889
US
|
Family ID: |
27347312 |
Appl. No.: |
10/486223 |
Filed: |
February 9, 2004 |
PCT Filed: |
June 21, 2002 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/JP02/06254 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
222/207 ;
222/212 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 47/18 20130101;
B65D 47/2018 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
222/207 ;
222/212 |
International
Class: |
B65D 037/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Aug 9, 2001 |
JP |
2001-243826 |
Aug 9, 2001 |
JP |
2001-242827 |
Aug 9, 2001 |
JP |
2001-242828 |
Claims
1. An instillation container with discharge flow velocity
mechanism, wherein: a liquid container comprises a discharge route
for discharging contents of the liquid container; the discharge
route has a flow velocity control passage having an opening area
that allows surface tension of the contents to block the contents
under atmospheric pressure; and when the contents are discharged,
then the contents having passed through the flow velocity control
passage once have a flow velocity of zero in the passage direction
and then fill a main passage direction of the discharge route
provided at an outlet of the flow velocity control passage to be
subsequently discharged from an outlet.
2. The container with an instillation discharge flow velocity
mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the flow velocity control
passage is provided in the direction parallel with the main passage
of the discharge route.
3. The container with an instillation discharge flow velocity
mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the flow velocity control
passage is provided in the direction orthogonal to the main passage
of the discharge route.
4. The container with an instillation discharge flow velocity
mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the flow velocity control
passage is a hole.
5. The container with an instillation discharge flow velocity
mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the flow velocity control
passage is a clearance.
6. The container with an instillation discharge flow velocity
mechanism according to claim 1, wherein, when there are two or more
flow velocity control passages with an even number thereof, each
pair of flow velocity control passages are arranged at opposite
positions or are arranged in a radial pattern.
7. The container with an instillation discharge flow velocity
mechanism according to claim 1, wherein a means for changing the
opening area is provided so that the opening area of the flow
velocity control passage can be increased or decreased in a
stepwise or stepless manner.
8. The container with an instillation flow velocity mechanism
according to claim 1, wherein an influx inlet of the contents of
the flow velocity control passage is opened to a container body and
the contents directly flow from the container body into the flow
velocity control passage.
9. A container with an instillation discharge flow velocity
mechanism according to claim 1, wherein: an influx inlet of the
contents of the flow velocity control passage has a guide route for
guiding the contents from the container body; the guide route has
at the outlet side the influx inlet; and the contents flow via this
guide route into the flow velocity control passage.
10. A container with a discharge flow velocity mechanism, wherein:
a liquid container comprises a discharge route for discharging
contents of the liquid container; the discharge route has a flow
velocity control passage having an opening area that allows the
surface tension of the contents to block the contents under
atmospheric pressure; when the contents are discharged, then the
contents having passed through the flow velocity control passage
once have a flow velocity of zero in the passage direction and then
fill a main passage of the discharge route provided at an outlet of
this flow velocity control passage to be subsequently discharged
from an outlet; and when a discharge of the contents is completed,
then the contents in the discharge route are suctioned into a
container body to prevent the contents under a normal condition
from being retained in the discharge route.
11. The container with the discharge flow velocity mechanism
according to claim 10, wherein: the flow velocity control passage
and the container body have therebetween a cover member for
separating the flow velocity control passage in the container body;
the cover member has at the inner side a space having a desired
capacity; the space is communicated with the container body only by
a narrow tube; fluid pressure in the container has no direct
influence on the flow velocity control passage; and resistance in
the narrow tube causes the inner pressure of the container body to
be attenuated to prevent the inner pressure from directly reaching
the flow velocity control passage.
12. A fixed quantity measurement flow velocity control container,
wherein: a liquid container comprises an outlet for discharging
contents of the liquid container, via a discharge route; the
discharge route has a flow velocity control passage having an
opening area that allows the surface tension of the contents to
block the contents under atmospheric pressure; when the contents
are discharged, then the contents having passed through this flow
velocity control passage once have a flow velocity of zero in the
passage direction and then fill a main passage of the discharge
route provided at an outlet of the flow velocity control passage to
be subsequently discharged from an outlet; when discharge of the
contents is completed, then the contents in the discharge route are
suctioned into a container body to prevent the contents under a
normal condition from being retained in the discharge route; and a
measurement container having provided therein the main passage in a
protruded manner is provided.
13. The fixed quantity measurement flow velocity control container
according to claim 12, wherein, after the contents are discharged
from the outlet into the measurement container, the restitutive
force of the container causes a negative pressure in the container
to allow excessive contents equal to or larger than a fixed
quantity to be measured to be collected in the container body so
that the fixed quantity to be measured remains in the measurement
container for measurement.
14. The fixed quantity measurement flow velocity control container
according to claim 12, wherein: the fixed quantity to be measured
is determined by the height from a bottom surface of the
measurement container of the outlet provided in the measurement
container in a protruded manner; and the measurement container can
be moved in the upward and downward directions so that the height
of the outlet from the bottom surface of the measurement container
can be arbitrarily adjusted.
15. The container with the discharge flow velocity mechanism
according to claim 12, wherein: the flow velocity control passage
and the container body have therebetween a cover member for
separating the flow velocity control passage in the container body;
the cover member has at the inner side a space having a desired
capacity; the space is communicated with the container body only by
a narrow tube; fluid pressure in the container has no direct
influence on the flow velocity control passage; and resistance in
the narrow tube causes the inner pressure of the container body to
be attenuated to prevent the inner pressure from reaching the flow
velocity control passage.
16. The container with an instillation discharge flow velocity
mechanism according to claim 2, wherein the flow velocity control
passage is a hole.
17. The container with an instillation discharge flow velocity
mechanism according to claim 3, wherein the flow velocity control
passage is a hole.
18. The container with an instillation discharge flow velocity
mechanism according to claim 2, wherein the flow velocity control
passage is a clearance.
19. The container with an instillation discharge flow velocity
mechanism according to claim 3, wherein the flow velocity control
passage is a clearance.
20. The container with an instillation discharge flow velocity
mechanism according to claim 3, wherein, when there are two or more
flow velocity control passages with an even number thereof, each
pair of flow velocity control passages are arranged at opposite
positions or are arranged in a radial pattern.
21. The container with an instillation discharge flow velocity
mechanism according to claim 4, wherein, when there are two or more
flow velocity control passages with an even number thereof, each
pair of flow velocity control passages are arranged at opposite
positions or are arranged in a radial pattern.
22. The container with an instillation discharge flow velocity
mechanism according to claim 5, wherein, when there are two or more
flow velocity control passages with an even number thereof, each
pair of flow velocity control passages are arranged at opposite
positions or are arranged in a radial pattern.
23. The container with an instillation discharge flow velocity
mechanism according to claim 2, wherein a means for changing the
opening area is provided so that the opening area of the flow
velocity control passage can be increased or decreased in a
stepwise or stepless manner.
24. The container with an instillation discharge flow velocity
mechanism according to claim 3, wherein a means for changing the
opening area is provided so that the opening area of the flow
velocity control passage can be increased or decreased in a
stepwise or stepless manner.
25. The container with an instillation discharge flow velocity
mechanism according to claim 6, wherein a means for changing the
opening area is provided so that the opening area of the flow
velocity control passage can be increased or decreased in a
stepwise or stepless manner.
26. The container with an instillation flow velocity mechanism
according to claim 7, wherein an influx inlet of the contents of
the flow velocity control passage is opened to a container body and
the contents directly flow from the container body into the flow
velocity control passage.
27. The container with an instillation flow velocity mechanism
according to claim 6, wherein an influx inlet of the contents of
the flow velocity control passage is opened to a container body and
the contents directly flow from the container body into the flow
velocity control passage.
28. The container with an instillation flow velocity mechanism
according to claim 3, wherein an influx inlet of the contents of
the flow velocity control passage is opened to a container body and
the contents directly flow from the container body into the flow
velocity control passage.
29. The container with an instillation flow velocity mechanism
according to claim 2, wherein an influx inlet of the contents of
the flow velocity control passage is opened to a container body and
the contents directly flow from the container body into the flow
velocity control passage.
30. A container with an instillation discharge flow velocity
mechanism according to claim 7, wherein: an influx inlet of the
contents of the flow velocity control passage has a guide route for
guiding the contents from the container body; the guide route has
at the outlet side the influx inlet; and the contents flow via this
guide route into the flow velocity control passage.
31. A container with an instillation discharge flow velocity
mechanism according to claim 6, wherein: an influx inlet of the
contents of the flow velocity control passage has a guide route for
guiding the contents from the container body; the guide route has
at the outlet side the influx inlet; and the contents flow via this
guide route into the flow velocity control passage.
32. A container with an instillation discharge flow velocity
mechanism according to claim 3, wherein: an influx inlet of the
contents of the flow velocity control passage has a guide route for
guiding the contents from the container body; the guide route has
at the outlet side the influx inlet; and the contents flow via this
guide route into the flow velocity control passage.
33. A container with an instillation discharge flow velocity
mechanism according to claim 2, wherein: an influx inlet of the
contents of the flow velocity control passage has a guide route for
guiding the contents from the container body; the guide route has
at the outlet side the influx inlet; and the contents flow via this
guide route into the flow velocity control passage.
34. The fixed quantity measurement flow velocity control container
according to claim 13, wherein: the fixed quantity to be measured
is determined by the height from a bottom surface of the
measurement container of the outlet provided in the measurement
container in a protruded manner; and the measurement container can
be moved in the upward and downward directions so that the height
of the outlet from the bottom surface of the measurement container
can be arbitrarily adjusted.
35. The container with the discharge flow velocity mechanism
according to claim 14, wherein: the flow velocity control passage
and the container body have therebetween a cover member for
separating the flow velocity control passage in the container body;
the cover member has at the inner side a space having a desired
capacity; the space is communicated with the container body only by
a narrow tube; fluid pressure in the container has no direct
influence on the flow velocity control passage; and resistance in
the narrow tube causes the inner pressure of the container body to
be attenuated to prevent the inner pressure from reaching the flow
velocity control passage.
36. The container with the discharge flow velocity mechanism
according to claim 13, wherein: the flow velocity control passage
and the container body have therebetween a cover member for
separating the flow velocity control passage in the container body;
the cover member has at the inner side a space having a desired
capacity; the space is communicated with the container body only by
a narrow tube; fluid pressure in the container has no direct
influence on the flow velocity control passage; and resistance in
the narrow tube causes the inner pressure of the container body to
be attenuated to prevent the inner pressure from reaching the flow
velocity control passage.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to a container with an
instillation discharge flow velocity mechanism that easily allows,
when contents (liquid) are discharged from the container body, the
container body to be pressurized, for example, squeezed by hand so
that liquid can be discharged in the form of instillation.
[0002] The present invention also relates to a fixed quantity
measurement flow velocity control container that has a discharge
flow velocity control mechanism and that has a fixed quantity
measurement container for measuring a fixed quantity.
PRIOR ART
[0003] Recently, PET bottles mainly used as a drinkable water
container have been widely used on the market in various shapes.
Plastic bottles mainly used for cleaner containers have a larger
variety of container shapes than in the case of PET bottles.
Specifically, pouched containers have been widely used as
for-repacking containers in view of reduction in waste and reuse of
resources.
[0004] However, regarding conventional containers, more attention
has been paid to container body but little attention to the outlet.
Specifically, such little attention has caused accidents in which
the contents spurt out from the container, for example, when a user
attempted to tilt a PET bottle having a large capacity, the user
failed to control the discharged amount to cause the contents in
the container to overflow; or when a user attempted to repackage
the contents in a for-repacking pouched container into a plastic
bottle, the user improperly grabbed the pouched container to cause
the contents to burst out of the outlet or the container body was
bent to cause the outlet to deviate from the intended direction,
thus causing the contents to splatter onto the surroundings despite
the user's intention.
[0005] Thus, there has been a need for improving the structure of
the outlet so that the liquid in the container is prevented from
being improperly discharged from the container. To provide such an
improved structure, the present applicant suggested in Japanese
Published Unexamined Patent Application No. H10-338278 a technique
for controlling the flow velocity of liquid in the outlet.
[0006] On the other hand, there is another kind of container
(especially eye drop containers) that requires the contents in the
liquid container to be discharged in a manner of instillation. Such
a liquid requiring an instillation-like discharge includes, in
addition to eye drops, various products such as beauty products and
food additives.
[0007] A conventional instillation discharge container is designed,
as represented by the instillation discharge container for eye
drops, to simply allow the container outlet to have a reduced
diameter so that the surface tension of the liquid stops the liquid
at the outlet. In this design, the contents are forced out of the
container when the container body is squeezed by fingers or the
like to increase the inner pressure. A conventional container for
beauty products or food additives also has a similar design as that
for eye drops in which the outlet has a reduced diameter of an
outlet. Such a conventional container for beauty products or food
additives frequently had a design in which the contents of the
container are discharged by shaking the container body rather than
squeezing the container body.
[0008] However, as anyone has experienced, a force for discharging
one drop of the contents out of a container body for eye drops
proves difficult to adjust, causing a situation where two drops are
discharged even when only one drop is required. In this manner, a
conventional container body for eye drops required a user to adjust
the discharging force slightly. This prevented the container body
from having a wide selection of materials, for example, a hardness
or rigidity of the container. This has caused a condition in which
only a plastic or glass-made container having appropriate hardness
and rigidity can be used because it is very difficult for a soft
container body, for example, a laminated tube to discharge
therefrom the contents in a manner of instillation. Accordingly, it
was inevitable that only a plastic or glass container with an
appropriate hardness and rigidity was used.
[0009] In view of the above-described, the container with an
instillation discharge flow velocity mechanism according to the
present invention solves the above-described conventional problems.
This container with an instillation discharge flow velocity
mechanism allows the contents therein to be very easily discharged
in the manner of instillation. This container with an instillation
discharge flow velocity mechanism also provides fewer limitations
on the container body and has an outlet that can be applied to
various soft containers and that easily provides instillation-like
discharge.
[0010] Conventionally, pump-type resin-made bottles have been used
as a liquid container for cleaners or the like. This bottle is one
in which the resin-made bottle container body has at the upper
opening section a hand-push-type pump that is squeezed by hand if
required to allow the contents to be discharged.
[0011] The pump is a so-called plunger pump having a structure in
which, when the hand-push section is squeezed, the contents
retained in the pump are forced out of the outlet and, when the
hand is discharged from the hand-push section, then a return spring
forces back the hand-push section and the contents in the container
body are suctioned by the outlet. The pump normally has therein a
check ball that functions as a check valve for preventing the
contents once suctioned into the pump from flowing back into the
container body. The pump body also has at the lower end a narrow
tube for suctioning the contents from the bottom section of the
container body. This container is very popular and is frequently
used for liquids having a relatively high viscosity, for example,
cleaners, and shampoos.
[0012] However, since this pump requires the use of different
materials because the return spring is made of metal, this type of
pump is unrealistic in view of cost or the like, although the pump
can be technically constructed with a single material. With society
increasing demands for environmental protection, such a pump is
unrealistic also because the problem of waste must be
considered.
[0013] This type of pump has therein a check valve for preventing
the contents from flowing back. This caused a problem in which the
contents in a tube running from the pump to the discharge outlet
were retained and dried, causing the dried contents to burst out of
the discharge outlet.
[0014] Thus, the liquid container of the present invention solves
the above-described conventional problems. This liquid container
can be constructed with a single material and can have a simple
structure. In spite of the simple structure, this liquid container
controls the flow velocity to prevent discharge due to carelessness
and allows the contents in the discharge tube to be suctioned in
the container body, thus preventing the contents from being
retained and dried in the tube.
[0015] Furthermore, there have conventionally been various liquids
required to be measured such as drugs, beauty products, coating
materials, and cleaners. In most cases, a drug is measured by
pouring the drug out of a bottle into a measuring cup. There have
also been liquid containers for storing liquid used in larger
amounts than in the case of ones for drugs, for example, ones for
cleaners that have a bottle cap functioning as a measurement cup or
that are constructed to have a pump-type synthetic resin-made
bottle. In such a container having a bottle cap functioning as a
measurement cup, the measurement cup is detached from the container
body when used and a user is allowed to measure the required amount
freely. However, such a container is not suitable when an accurate
amount needs to be measured. In the container having a synthetic
resin-made bottle container body, the container body has at the
upper opening section a hand-push-type pump that is squeezed by
hand if required to discharge the contents. Inmost cases, this type
of container allows the contents to be discharged by a
one-hand-push operation in a fixed amount.
[0016] However, such a container having a measurement cup is not
suitable for accurate measurement because the container requires a
user to pour the contents from the container body while reading the
scale provided on the measurement cup. Such a container also had a
problem in which an inappropriate pouring operation causes the
contents to overflow or a loosely-tightened cap causes the contents
to be leaked from the container when the container falls.
[0017] Similarly, since the pump-type bottle requires the use of
different materials because the return spring is made of metal, the
pump-type bottle is unrealistic in view of cost or the like,
although the pump can be technically constructed with a single
material.
[0018] This type of pump has therein a check valve for preventing
the contents from flowing back. This caused a problem in which the
contents in a tube running from the pump to the discharge outlet
are retained and dried, causing the dried contents to burst out of
the discharge outlet at the next discharge.
[0019] Thus, the fixed quantity measurement flow velocity control
container of the present invention solves the above-described
conventional problems. This container can be constructed with a
single material and can have a simple structure. In spite of the
simple structure, this container controls the flow velocity to
prevent discharge due to carelessness and allows the contents in
the discharge tube to be suctioned in the container body, thus
preventing the contents from being retained and dried in the tube.
This liquid container also provides an accurate measurement of a
fixed quantity of liquid.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
[0020] In other words, the container having a discharge flow
velocity control mechanism of the present invention has the
characteristics as described below.
[0021] (1) A liquid container comprises a discharge route for
discharging the contents; this discharge route has a flow velocity
control passage having an opening area that allows the surface
tension of the contents to block the contents under atmospheric
pressure; and when the contents are discharged, then the contents
having passed through this flow velocity control passage once has a
flow velocity of zero in the passage direction and then fills the
main passage of the discharge route provided at the outlet of this
flow velocity control passage to be subsequently discharged from
the outlet.
[0022] (2) The flow velocity control passage is provided in the
direction parallel with the main passage of the above-described
discharge route.
[0023] (3) The flow velocity control passage is provided in the
direction orthogonal to the main passage of the above-described
discharge route.
[0024] (4) The flow velocity control passage is a hole.
[0025] (5) The flow velocity control passage is a clearance.
[0026] (6) When there are two or more flow velocity control
passages with an even number, each pair of flow velocity control
passages are provided at opposite positions or are arranged in a
radial pattern.
[0027] (7) A means for changing the opening area is provided so
that the opening area of the flow velocity control passage can be
increased or decreased in a stepwise or stepless manner.
[0028] (8) The influx inlet of the contents of the flow velocity
control passage is opened to the container body and the contents
directly flow from the container body into the flow velocity
control passage.
[0029] (9) The influx inlet of the contents of the flow velocity
control passage has a guide route for guiding the contents from the
container body; this guide route has at the outlet side the flux
inlet; and the contents flow via this guide route into the flow
velocity control passage.
[0030] The container with the discharge flow velocity mechanism of
the present invention has the characteristics as provided
below.
[0031] (10) A liquid container comprises a discharge route for
discharging the contents; this discharge route has a flow velocity
control passage having an opening area that allows the surface
tension of the contents to block the contents under atmospheric
pressure; when the contents are discharged, then the contents
having passed through this flow velocity control passage once have
a flow velocity of zero in the passage direction and then fill the
main passage of the discharge route provided at the outlet side of
this flow velocity control passage to be subsequently discharged
from the outlet; and when the discharge step is completed, then the
contents in the discharge route are suctioned into the container
body to prevent the contents under a normal condition from being
retained in the discharge route.
[0032] (11) The flow velocity control passage and the container
body have therebetween a cover member for separating this flow
velocity control passage in the container body; this cover member
has at the inner side a space having a desired capacity; this space
is communicated with the container body only by a narrow tube;
fluid pressure in the container has no direct influence on the flow
velocity control passage; and resistance in this narrow tube causes
the inner pressure of the container body to be attenuated to
prevent the inner pressure from reaching the flow velocity control
passage.
[0033] The fixed quantity measurement flow velocity control
container of the present invention also has the characteristics as
provided below.
[0034] (12) A liquid container, comprising an outlet for
discharging contents; the discharge route further comprising a flow
velocity control passage having an opening area of such a degree
that it is sealed by the contents themselves by the surface tension
of the contents under atmospheric pressure, wherein, when the
contents are discharged, the flow velocity of the contents passing
through the flow velocity control passage in the direction of the
passage once becomes zero, and the contents are discharged from an
outlet after filling the main passage of the discharge route
provided on the outlet side of the flow velocity control passage;
when the discharge step is completed, then the contents in the
discharge route are suctioned into the container body to prevent
the contents under a normal condition from being retained in the
discharge route; and a measurement container having therein the
above-described main passage is provided.
[0035] (13) After the contents are discharged from the outlet into
the measurement container, the restitutive force of the container
causes a negative pressure in the container to allow excessive
contents equal to or larger than a fixed quantity to be measured to
be collected in the container body so that the fixed quantity to be
measured remains in the measurement container for measurement.
[0036] (14) The fixed quantity to be measured is determined by the
height from the bottom surface of the measurement container of the
outlet provided in the measurement container in a protruded manner;
and this measurement container can be moved in the upward and
downward directions so that the height of the outlet from the
bottom surface of the measurement container can be arbitrarily
adjusted.
[0037] The flow velocity control passage and the container body
have therebetween a cover member for separating this flow velocity
control passage in the container body; this cover member has at the
inner side a space having a desired capacity; this space is
communicated with the container body only by a narrow tube; fluid
pressure in the container has no direct influence on the flow
velocity control passage; and resistance in this narrow tube causes
the inner pressure of the container body to be attenuated to
prevent the inner pressure from reaching the flow velocity control
passage.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0038] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be
described in detail.
[0039] (Embodiment 1)
[0040] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a container with
an instillation discharge flow velocity mechanism having an
instillation discharge liquid outlet. The container body 1 has at
the upper part the discharge tube 3 having the outlet 2 and the
retaining cap 4 for fixing this discharge tube 3 to the container
body 1. The retaining cap 4 has at the upper end a cap 5 for
preventing the contents from being improperly discharged when the
container is not being used and for protecting the outlet 2. This
cap 5 is designed to fit the stepped portion 6 provided at the
outer circumference of the upper end of the above-described
retaining cap 4. The cap 5 and the stepped portion 6 are both
designed to have some convex form and concave form so that they are
retained together when applied with an appropriate squeezing
force.
[0041] FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross sectional view of the main
section in the vicinity of the outlet. The bottle-like container
body 1 has at the upper part the opening 7 and the discharge tube
3. The discharge tube 3 is fixed such that the flange 8 is provided
on the upper end surface of the opening section 7 of the container
body 1 and is screwed by the retaining cap 4 to the container body
1. This container body 1 is made of relatively soft and
easily-flexible material, for example, synthetic resin. More
specifically, the container body 1 is preferably made of synthetic
resin material, for example, polypropylene, a laminated tube, and a
composite film.
[0042] The discharge tube 3 is made of a hard synthetic resin and
has a shape having the flange 8 as shown in FIG. 3 to fit the
opening section 7 of the container body 1. The discharge tube 3 is
a tube-like member that has at the center the discharge passage
(hereinafter referred to as a main passage) 9. As shown in FIG. 3,
the lower part of this main passage 9 does not penetrate the
discharge tube 3 and the lower end is blocked by the bottom section
10. The bottom section 10 has in the vicinity thereof a cross
section having micro sectional holes (hereinafter referred to as
micro passage) 12 as a flow velocity control passage that is
provided at the side wall 11 in the direction orthogonal to the
above-described main passage 9. This micro passage 12 has a
diameter that is closed by surface tension or a capillary
phenomenon of the stored liquid. When the stored liquid includes
air bubbles, then the micro passage 12 has a so-called vapor lock
condition in which the liquid under atmospheric pressure does not
easily pass through the micro passage 12. The diameter of the micro
passage 12 is desirably determined depending on the surface tension
or viscosity of the liquid and preferably is 0.3 mm to 1.5 mm when
the liquid is a water-like fluid having a low viscosity.
[0043] This micro passage 12 in FIG. 3 has a length that is the
same as the thickness of the discharge tube 3. The micro passage 12
is not limited to any particular shape and has a cross section that
may be freely selected to be circular, triangular, square or other
shapes. The micro passage 12 preferably has a sufficient length
that allows the contents at the outlet of this passage to flow out
in a stabilized manner (in a rectified manner). Specifically, the
micro passage 12 having an excessively short length causes the
contents to be diffused at the outlet, thus preventing the contents
from colliding with one another in an intended manner.
[0044] The reason will be described below.
[0045] As shown in FIG. 4, the micro passages 12 are provided so as
to oppose each other with an intention of allowing the contents
(liquid) discharged from the micro passage 12 into the main passage
9 to collide with one another almost at the center of the main
passage 9 as shown in FIG. 5 so that the discharge flow velocity is
0 (zero). This prevents the contents having a flow velocity when
the contents pass through the micro passage 12 from being
discharged from the outlet 2.
[0046] Furthermore, the more the diameter of the micro passage 12
is reduced, the greater the restriction on the amount of the
contents passing through the micro passage 12. However, this
requires more time to allow the main passage 9 to be filled with
the contents and also reduces the sensitivity of the container body
1 to an external pressure (finger squeezing force). Specifically,
this allows adjustment of the number of drips of the contents
dripped from the outlet 2 to be dependent on the length of time
during which the container body 1 is squeezed by fingers rather
than the force for squeezing the container body 1, thus providing
drip control in a very easy manner. The drip speed depends on the
flow velocity of the contents when the contents pass through the
micro passage, depending on the level of external pressure (force
for squeezing the container body 1). However, the drip control can
put emphasis either on the time during which the container body 1
is squeezed or the force for squeezing the container body 1 by
changing the effective area of the opening (hole diameter) of the
micro passage 12. The size of the opening area of the micro passage
12 can be appropriately balanced by the flexibility of the
container body 1, thus providing fine adjustment to the
characteristics of the contents stored in the container and the
drip conditions.
[0047] When the container with an instillation discharge flow
velocity mechanism of Embodiment 1 thus constructed is used, the
container body 1 is reversed and applied with pressure by squeezing
the container with fingers as shown in FIG. 6. Then, the container
body 1 deforms as shown by the broken line in FIG. 6 to allow the
inner pressure of the container to increase. Then, contents
(liquid) flow from the container body 1 into the micro passage 12
as shown in FIG. 7. Then, the contents are squeezed as shown in
FIG. 5 from the micro passage 12 to the center of the main passage
9 and are discharged with the same speed and collide with one
another, thus once having a speed of 0 (zero). Thereafter, the
surface tension allows, without causing the contents to burst out
of the outlet 2, the contents to slide along the inner wall of the
main passage 9 and then to be gradually filled in the main passage
9 as shown by the broken line in FIG. 7, after which the contents
overflow and are dripped from the outlet 2.
[0048] In this manner, the contents in front of the outlet 2 are
allowed to have a discharge velocity (flow velocity) of 0 (zero).
This prevents the contents from being discharged from the outlet 2
with a flow velocity when the contents pass through the micro
passage 12. This allows the contents to flow out of the container
in a very slow manner to prevent, even when the container body 1 is
improperly applied with an external pressure, the contents from
bursting out of the outlet 2, thus providing fine adjustment of the
drip amount in a very easy manner. Specifically, the timing at
which one drop is dripped can be easily anticipated, the number of
drips can be easily counted, and the contents can be discharged
continuously.
[0049] After the contents are discharged, when the external
pressure applied to the container body 1 is removed, restitutive
force of the container body 1 allows the forced air to be suctioned
into the container body 1 and allows the contents in the discharge
route to be returned into the container body 1. This prevents the
contents from being left in the main passage 9, provides the outlet
2 with a very good ability to stop the liquid, and prevents
excessive drip.
[0050] Furthermore, the main passage 9 has no retained contents,
thus preventing the contents from flowing out of the outlet 2
unless the main passage 9 is filled with the contents, even when
the container body 1 is improperly applied with an external
pressure. The micro passage 12 has the diameter which is closed by
surface tension or capillary phenomenon or has a so-called vapor
lock condition when having therein air bubbles in which the liquid
under atmospheric pressure does not easily pass through the micro
passage 12, as above-described. The micro passage 12 also has no
retained contents by the suctioning power when the container
recovers.
[0051] The diameter of the outlet 2 may be one that allows the
contents under atmospheric pressure to remain by the capillary
phenomenon and that prevents the contents from dripping. For
example, the diameter of the outlet 2 for a water-like liquid
having a low viscosity is preferably 1.5 mm to 3 mm but may be
appropriately changed depending on the characteristics of the
contents or the application of the container. There is, of course,
no need to use the same inner diameter for the outlet 2 and the
main passage 9 and the main passage 9 may have a reduced or
increased inner diameter.
[0052] Although the number of the micro passage 12 may be one, it
then requires a means for reducing the flow velocity when there is
a spurting out of the liquid from the micro passage 12 to zero by
allowing the liquid to collide with the wall surface, for example.
However, it is desirable in an actual case to provide a plurality
of micro passages 12 so as to oppose one another, as shown in FIG.
8 and each drawing. This intends to provide, when there is a
further reduced distance from the outlet of the micro passage 12 to
a position at which the flow velocity is 0 (zero), the resistance
in the flow passage, thereby preventing the spurting out in an
improved manner. As shown in FIG. 8(b), when there are three or
more micro passages 12, the micro passages 12 may be provided in a
radial pattern so that the contents spurting out of the micro
passage 12 can collide almost at the center. Furthermore, FIG. 8(c)
illustrates the case where there are four micro passages 12. When
the number of the micro passages is an even number, pairs of micro
passages may be provided in a parallel manner, as shown in FIG.
8(a).
[0053] The micro passage 12 also may have another configuration as
shown in FIG. 9. Specifically, when the velocity at which the
liquid flow from the micro passage 12 in the influx direction is
eliminated (or reduced to zero), various cases may be assumed in
which influx of the contents from the micro passage 12 collides
with a wall or another opposing influx of the contents or the flow
direction must be changed. For example, cases as shown in FIG. 9
may be assumed in which: "(a)" denotes a case in which the influx
of the contents from the micro passage 12 of the side wall 11
collides with the opposing inner wall; "(b)" denotes a case in
which the main passage 9 has at the center of the bottom section
the collision wall 13 that is sandwiched by the direction along
which the micro passage 12 of the side wall 11 is provided so that
the influx of the contents collides with this wall in this
direction; "(c)" denotes a case in which the influx of the contents
from the micro passage 12 provided at a position not opposing to
the side wall 11 collide with the opposing inner wall of a
not-right angle and this case allows the contents to change the
flowing direction to flow along the inner wall of the main passage
9, thus causing a vortex in the main passage 9; and "(d)" denotes a
case in which the micro passage 12 is the same as that described in
"(c)" but the inner wall of the front surface to which the contents
flow has the wall 14 provided in an orthogonal direction to which
the influx of contents collides. The number "1" added to the
reference numbers of FIG. 9 denotes a longitudinal sectional view
and the number "2" denotes a transverse sectional view at the
position of the micro passage. "(e)" denotes a case in which a
position opposing the angle of the lower end edge portion of the
discharge tube 3 has a notch to provide the micro passage 12 and
this case allows, as shown in "(e)-2," the contents to flow into
the main passage 9 almost along the bottom surface and "(e)-3"
denotes a transverse sectional view at the position of the micro
passage; "(f)" denotes a case in which the micro passage 12 is
provided at a position dislocated from the opposing side wall in
the longitudinal direction; "(g)" denotes a case in which the
above-described "(b)" in which the micro passages 12 are provided
so as to be dislocated from each other in the longitudinal
direction; "(h)" denotes a case in which the micro passage 12 is
provided running from the side wall 11 to the corner of the bottom
surface of the main passage 9 in an oblique direction; and "(I)"
denotes a case in which the micro passage 12 is provided running
from the side wall 11 or the bottom surface to the inner wall in an
oblique direction. The case "(I)" desirably has the collision wall
15 as shown (I) to prevent the contents from flowing in an upward
direction when colliding with the inner wall.
[0054] (Embodiment 2)
[0055] FIG. 10 is a front surface longitudinal sectional view of
the discharge tube 3 illustrating Embodiment 2 of the container
with an instillation discharge flow velocity mechanism according to
the present invention. The method for attaching this discharge tube
3 to the upper opening section 7 of container body 1 is the same as
that in Embodiment 1. This embodiment has a structure that
simplifies the processing of the micro passage 12 in Embodiment 1.
Although Embodiment 1 described that the micro passage desirably
has a diameter of 1 mm or less, it is very difficult in an actual
manufacturing step to provide a diameter of 1 mm or less. Thus,
this embodiment improves the problem of the above-described
Embodiment 1.
[0056] Specifically, the main passage 9 of the discharge tube 3
penetrates the upper and lower ends as shown in FIG. 10 and the
bottom end surface 16 has the groove 17 providing the micro passage
12 as shown in FIG. 11. This bottom end surface 16 is fitted with
the cap 18. The cap 18 has at the side surface and at a position
engageable with the micro passage 12 the lateral hole 19 that has a
cross sectional area larger than that of the micro passage 12. The
cap 18 has the inner bottom surface 20 (FIG. 12) that is fitted so
as to have close contact with the bottom end surface 16 of the
discharge tube 3 and the close contact part is welded or adhered to
provide integration. The groove 17 is blocked by the inner bottom
surface 20 of the cap 18 to have a tube-like closed section,
thereby providing the micro passage 12. FIG. 12 is a front view
illustrating when the discharge tube 3 is separated from the cap
18.
[0057] This micro passage 12 in FIG. 10 has a length that is the
same as the thickness of the discharge tube 3. The micro passage 12
is not limited to any particular shape and has a cross section that
may be freely selected to be circular, triangular, square or other
shapes. The micro passage 12 preferably has a sufficient length
that allows the contents at the outlet of this passage to flow out
in a stabilized manner (in a rectified manner). Specifically, the
micro passage 12 having an excessively short length causes the
contents to be diffused at the outlet, thus preventing the contents
from colliding with one another in an intended manner.
[0058] The container with an instillation discharge flow velocity
mechanism of Embodiment 2 thus constructed can be used as in the
above-described Embodiment 1.
[0059] FIG. 13 is a perspective view illustrating the positional
relation between the lateral hole 19 provided in the cap 18 and the
micro passage 12. In FIG. 13, "(a)" denotes the most basic
structure; and "(b)" denotes a case in which two pairs of micro
passages are provided in an orthogonal direction as shown in FIG.
8(c). In the case where pairs of a plurality of micro passages 12
are provided in a radial pattern in this way, the above-described
pairs of micro passages are allowed to respectively have different
cross sectional areas and the cap 18 is rotatably engaged with the
bottom end surface 16 of the discharge tube 3 without being welded
or adhered thereto. This allows as shown in FIG. 13(b) the rotation
of the cap 18 to provide selection of the micro passage 12 fittable
to the lateral hole 19. This allows a step-wise change of discharge
in accordance with the number of the pairs of micro passages.
[0060] Even the case "(a)" allows the cap 18 to be rotatable to
move the lateral hole 19 to a position having no micro passage 12
so that the fit of the lateral hole 19 to the micro passage 12 can
be cancelled, thereby allowing the cap 18 to function as an inner
stopper for prohibiting discharge.
[0061] The structure as above-described allows the micro passage 12
to have a groove-like shape rather than a hole-like shape, thus
allowing the micro passage 12 to be formed by a mold in an easier
manner. Similarly, the lateral hole of the cap 18 also may be
larger than the cross sectional area of the micro passage 12 and
does not require strict accuracy. As a result, the lateral hole of
the cap 18 may be provided by either drilling or molding and thus
can be easily processed.
[0062] However, although both of the above-described two
embodiments are very preferable ones for an instillation-like
discharge, these two embodiments cause, when the container is
reversed, the contents to remain at the height of the influx inlet
of the micro passage 12, for example, position "WL" shown by the
broken line, as shown in FIG. 7. This causes a new problem in
which, once the contents remain in this way, the retaining cap 4
must be detached to remove the discharge tube 3 from the container
body 1 so that the contents are discharged.
[0063] (Embodiment 3)
[0064] FIG. 14 is a front view of the discharge tube 3 illustrating
Embodiment 3 of the container with an instillation discharge flow
velocity mechanism according to the present invention. In FIG. 14,
"(a)" represents a front view and "(b)" represents a center
longitudinal sectional view. The method for attaching this
discharge tube 3 to the upper opening section of the container body
is the same as that in Embodiment 1. This embodiment provides a
structure for solving the above-described problem. Specifically,
this embodiment provides a structure in which all of the contents
can be discharged while the container is being reversed.
[0065] As shown in FIG. 14(b) and FIG. 15, the main passage 9
penetrates the upper and lower ends as in Embodiment 2; the bottom
end surface 16 has the groove 17 for providing the micro passage
12; and the longitudinal groove 21 is provided that extends from
the influx inlet position of this micro passage 12 (lower end edge
portion of the discharge tube 3) to the external wall of the
discharge tube 3 and toward the upper flange 8. This longitudinal
groove 21 has a cross sectional area that is larger than that of
the micro passage 12. This bottom end surface 16 is engaged with
the cap 18 the inner bottom surface 20 of which is provided so as
to have close contact with the bottom end surface 16 of the
discharge tube 3 so that the close contact part is welded or
adhered to provide integration. The above-described groove 17 is
blocked by the inner bottom surface 20 of the cap 18 to have a
tube-like closed section, thereby providing the micro passage 12.
The inner side wall of the cap 18 has close contact with the
longitudinal groove 21 to block this, thereby providing the
tube-like passage 22 having a closed section. Then, the upper end
position 23 of the cap 18 functions as the influx inlet to the
tube-like passage 22. Thus, the change in the height of the cap 18
(depth) "h" provides the adjustment of the height of the position
at which the contents flow in.
[0066] When the container with an instillation discharge flow
velocity mechanism of Embodiment 3 thus constructed is used, the
container is reversed as in the above-described Embodiment 1 and as
shown in FIG. 6 to apply a pressure to the container body 1 by
squeezing the container body 1 by fingers. Then, the container body
1 deforms as shown by the broken line in FIG. 6 to allow the inner
pressure of the container to increase. Then, the contents (liquid)
flow as shown in FIG. 16 from the container body 1 via a position
of the discharge tube 3 in the vicinity of the flange 8 into the
tube-like passage 22 to once flow back to the tube-like passage 22
toward the container body 1 (upper direction in the drawing), after
which the contents reach the influx inlet of the micro passage 12
(lower end edge portion of the discharge tube 3). Then, the
contents flow into the micro passage 12 and are squeezed as shown
in FIG. 5 from the micro passage 12 to the center of the main
passage 9 and are discharged at the same speed and collide with one
another, thus once having a speed of 0 (zero). Thereafter, the
surface tension allows, without causing the contents to burst out
of the outlet 2, the contents to slide along the inner wall of the
main passage 9 and then to be gradually filled in the main passage
9 as shown by the broken line in FIG. 7, after which the contents
overflow and are dripped from the outlet 2.
[0067] The structure as above-described allows the contents in the
reversed container to be securely discharged without remaining in
the container.
[0068] The existence of this tube-like passage 22 additionally
provides the resistance in the tube passage, thus contributing to
more effective prevention of the spurting out of the contents due
to improper pressurization to the container body 1.
[0069] (Embodiment 4)
[0070] FIG. 17 is a center longitudinal sectional view of the
discharge tube 3 illustrating Embodiment 4 of the container with an
instillation discharge flow velocity mechanism according to the
present invention. FIG. 18 is a bottom surface view illustrating
the bottom end surface 16 of the discharge tube 3. The method for
attaching this discharge tube 3 to the upper opening section 7 of
the container body 1 is the same as that in Embodiment 1. Although
the above-described three embodiments described a case in which the
flow velocity control passage is the tube-like, this embodiment
illustrates a case where the flow velocity control passage is a
clearance. Specifically, this embodiment is the same as the
above-described Embodiment 2 except for that flow velocity control
passage is provided to have a clearance.
[0071] Specifically, the discharge tube 3 penetrates the upper and
lower ends as shown in FIG. 17 and as in Embodiment 2, and the cap
18 is fitted into the bottom end surface 16. The bottom end surface
16 has therein, in order to allow the end surfaces 16 and the
bottom surface of the cap 18 to have therebetween the clearance
passage 25 working as a flow velocity control passage, the
projection or protruded part (hereinafter projection) 24 having a
height the same as that of the clearance. This clearance passage
desirably has a height that has a cross sectional area similar to
that of the micro passage 12 in each of the above-described
embodiments. The cap 18 has at the side surface the lateral hole 19
that is provided to fit the clearance passage 25 and that has an
opening area larger than the effective area of the opening of this
clearance passage. The cap 18 is fitted so that the inner bottom
surface 20 (FIG. 12) has a close contact with the above-described
projection 24 of the discharge tube 3 and the close contact part is
welded or adhered to provide integration. The contents flow into
the main passage 9 so as to enter from the lateral hole 19 of the
cap 18 into the clearance passage 25 to exude therefrom. If the
contents flowing through the clearance passage 25 in this case have
a high flow velocity, then a structure for allowing the contents
flowing from opposing positions in the main passage 9 to collide
with one another can control the flow velocity, thus preventing the
spurting out of the contents from the outlet 2 and providing fine
adjustment of drip in an easy manner.
[0072] When a plurality of pairs of clearance passages 25 in this
case are provided to have a radial pattern as in Embodiment 2 and
as shown in FIG. 8, the above-described pairs of clearance passages
25 are allowed to respectively have different cross sectional areas
(or widths) and the cap 18 is rotatably engaged with the bottom end
surface 16 of the discharge tube 3 without being welded or adhered
thereto. This allows as shown in FIG. 13(b) the rotation of the cap
18 to provide the selection of the micro passage 12 fittable to the
lateral hole 19. This allows a step-wise change of discharge in
accordance with the number of the pairs of clearance passages.
[0073] Even in the case of FIG. 13(a) in which one pair of flow
velocity control (clearance) passages is provided, the cap 18 is
allowed to be rotatable to move the lateral hole 19 to a position
having no clearance passage 25 so that the fit of the lateral hole
19 to the clearance passage 25 can be cancelled, thereby allowing
the cap 18 to function as an inner stopper for prohibiting
discharge. When the clearance height of the clearance passage 25 is
changed in the width direction, then the opening area can be
arbitrarily changed depending on the fit condition with the
above-described lateral hole 19, thus providing a discharge control
in a stepless manner.
[0074] (Embodiment 5)
[0075] FIG. 19 is a center longitudinal sectional view of the
discharge tube 3 illustrating Embodiment 5 of the container with an
instillation discharge flow velocity mechanism according to the
present invention. FIG. 20 shows the bottom end surface 16 of the
discharge tube 3. The method for attaching this discharge tube 3 to
the upper opening section 7 of the container body 1 is as in
Embodiment 1. This embodiment is a combination of the
above-described Embodiment 3 and the above-described Embodiment
4.
[0076] Specifically, the main passage 9 penetrates the upper and
lower ends as shown in FIG. 19 and as in Embodiment 2 and the
bottom end surface 16 has the clearance passage 25 for providing a
flow velocity control passage. The longitudinal groove 21 is
provided from the influx inlet position of this clearance passage
25 (lower end edge portion of the discharge tube 3) via the
external wall of the discharge tube 3 toward the upper flange 8.
This longitudinal groove 21 has a cross sectional area that is
larger than the opening area of the clearance passage 25. This
bottom end surface 16 is engaged with the cap 18 the inner bottom
surface 20 of which is provided so as to have a close contact with
the bottom end surface 16 of the discharge tube 3 so that the close
contact part is welded or adhered to provide integration. The
above-described groove 17 is blocked by the inner bottom surface 20
of the cap 18 to have a tube-like closed section, thereby providing
the clearance passage 25. The inner side wall of the cap 18 has a
close contact with the longitudinal groove 21 to block this,
thereby providing the tube-like passage 22 having a closed
sectional area. Then, the upper end position 23 of the cap 18
functions as the influx inlet of the contents to the tube-like
passage 22. Thus, the change in the height of the cap 18 (depth)
"h" provides the adjustment of the height of the position at which
the contents flow in.
[0077] According to such a structure as above-described, the
contents flow from the container body 1 via a position of the
discharge tube 3 in the vicinity of the flange 8 into the tube-like
passage 22 to once flow back to the tube-like passage 22, after
which the contents reach the influx inlet of the clearance passage
25. The existence of this tube-like passage 22 additionally
provides the resistance in the tube passage, thus contributing to
more effective prevention of spurting out of the contents due to
improper pressurization to the container body 1.
[0078] (Embodiment 6)
[0079] FIG. 21 is a center longitudinal sectional view of the
discharge tube 3 illustrating Embodiment 6 of the container with an
instillation discharge flow velocity mechanism according to the
present invention. The method for attaching this discharge tube 3
to the upper opening section 7 of the container body 1 is as in
Embodiment 1.
[0080] As shown in FIG. 21, the main passage 9 penetrates the upper
and lower ends and the main passage 9 has a diameter that is
enlarged in the vicinity of the lower end. The stopper 27 engaged
with this enlarged section 26 is provided. The stopper 27 has at
the side surface the longitudinal groove 28 as shown in FIG. 22(a)
for providing a micro passage. The stopper 27 is sized and provided
so that the stopper 27 has some clearance when the upper end bumps
against the stepped portion of the enlarged section 26 of the
above-described discharge tube 3. Then, the longitudinal groove 28
has a cross sectional area that is almost the same as the cross
sectional area of the tubular micro passage 12 having a diameter of
1 mm or less in each of the above-described embodiments.
[0081] Specifically, the longitudinal groove and the micro passage
28 are provided from the lower end edge portion of the discharge
tube 3 to be parallel with the main passage 9 and then to reach via
the orthogonal clearance to the main passage 9.
[0082] As shown in FIG. 22(b), the stopper 27 has therein the
longitudinal groove 28 and has at the upper end the lateral groove
29. In this case, the lateral groove 29 may be used as a flow
velocity control passage and the longitudinal groove 28 may have a
cross sectional area larger than that of the lateral groove 29.
Alternatively, the longitudinal groove 28 and the lateral groove 29
may be both used as a flow velocity control passage if resistance
in the tube passage needs to be strong. The reference numeral "30"
in FIG. 22(b) denotes a dent functioning a chamber in which the
liquid collides. This dent is desirably provided and is applicable
to all embodiments of the present invention.
[0083] When the structure as above-described is used, the contents
(liquid) having been pressurized when the container body 1 is
squeezed flow into the above-described longitudinal groove 28 in a
limited amount due to the large resistance in the tube passage.
Additional resistance is provided by the ending point of the
longitudinal groove 28 bent at a right angle and another resistance
is added by the flow velocity control passage or a clearance from
the ending point to the main passage 9. After passing through these
clearance and/or flow velocity control passage, the liquid collides
in the main passage 9 to once have a zero flow velocity, after
which the liquid is filled in the main passage 9 and is dripped
from the outlet 2.
[0084] FIG. 23 is a schematic diagram illustrating Embodiment 7 of
the present invention. In Embodiment 7, the container body is
called the tube container 31. Specifically, the upper end opening
section 7 of the tube container 31 is fixed with the discharge tube
3 by the retaining cap 4, as shown in each of the above-described
embodiments. The discharge tube 3 also has at the upper
circumference the screw 32 to which the cap 5 is screwed and fixed
to protect the outlet 2.
[0085] In this manner, the discharge tube 3 of the instillation
discharge flow velocity control of the present invention also can
be applied to a soft container. Specifically, the discharge tube 3
also can be applied to the pouched container.
[0086] (Embodiment 7)
[0087] FIG. 24 is a perspective view illustrating the container
with discharge flow velocity mechanism of the present invention.
The container body 1 has at the upper part the outlet cap 34 having
the outlet 33 and the retaining cap 4 for fixing the discharge tube
3 into which this outlet cap 34 is engaged to the container body
1.
[0088] FIG. 25 is an enlarged cross sectional view of the main part
in the vicinity of the outlet. The bottle-like container body 1 has
at the upper part the opening 7 and the discharge tube 3. The
discharge tube 3 is fixed such that the flange 8 is provided on the
end surface of the opening section 7 of the container body 1 and is
screwed by the retaining cap 4 to the container body 1. This
container body 1 is provided by a relatively-flexible material, for
example, synthetic resin. More specifically, this container body 1
is preferably made of synthetic resin material, for example,
polypropylene, polyethylene, or a laminate tube.
[0089] The flange 8 of the discharge tube 3 has at the lower part a
cover member 35 for covering the lower part that is provided to
isolate this discharge tube 3 in the container body. The lower end
edge portion of the cover member 35 is inserted with the narrow
tube 36. The cover member 35 and the discharge tube 3 have there
between the space 37 having a desired capacity. This space 37 is
communicated with the interior of the container body only via this
narrow tube 36. The lower end edge portion of this narrow tube 36
reaches as shown in FIG. 24 the bottom section of the container
body 1 in order to suction the contents from the bottom
section.
[0090] The structure as above-described prevents the fluid pressure
in the container from directly influencing on the micro passage
(which is described later); allows the inner pressure of the
container to be attenuated by resistance in the tube passage of the
narrow tube 36; and the existence of the inner space 37 of the
cover member 35 (which has no retained contents under a normal
condition) prevents spurting out of the contents from the outlet 33
even when the container body 1 is improperly squeezed strongly to
cause the inner pressure to rapidly increase. Even when the
container body 1 is caused to fall or to tumble, the lower end edge
portion of the narrow tube 36 is allowed to be placed above the
fluid level, thus preventing the pressure of the contents from
being applied to the micro passage and preventing spurting out or
leakage of the contents.
[0091] The discharge tube 3 is a tube-like member that has an
external shape having the flange 8 as shown in FIG. 26(a) in order
to fit to the opening section 7 of the container and that has at
the center the main passage (hereinafter referred to as main
passage) 9. As shown in FIG. 26, this main passage 9 does not
penetrate the upper end. The upper end has at the side surface the
discharge opening 2 to which the outlet cap 34 is engaged. This
outlet cap 34 is engaged in a rotatable manner and can be provided
to a position fittable with the discharge passage inlet 38 and the
above-described discharge opening 2. Thus, the discharge opening
cap 34 when not being used can be rotated to cancel the fitting
relation between the discharge passage inlet 38 and the discharge
opening 2, thereby preventing the contents from flowing out.
[0092] On the other hand, the lower end is blocked by the bottom
cap 18. The bottom end surface 16 and the bottom cap 18 of the
discharge tube 3 have at the interface the cross section micro
holes (hereinafter referred to as micro passage) 12 functioning as
a micro passage in the direction orthogonal to the above-described
main passage 9. This micro passage 12 has a size or the like that
is the same as that of the above-described Embodiment 1. As shown
in FIG. 26(b), the method as shown in the above-described
Embodiment 2. is used in which the discharge tube 3 forms at the
lower end surfaces 16 the groove 17 so that the groove 17 is closed
by the bottom cap 18 to provide the tube-like passage 12. The
arrangement and operation of the tube-like passage 12 are similar
to the above-described Embodiment 1.
[0093] When the liquid container of Embodiment 7 thus constructed
is used, the container body 1 is applied with pressure by squeezing
the container body 1 with fingers as shown in FIG. 27. Then, the
container body 1 deforms to allow the inner pressure of the
container to increase. Then, the contents (liquid) flow from the
bottom section of the container body 1 via the narrow tube 36 into
the space in the cover member 35 and then flow into the micro
passage 12, as shown in FIG. 28. Then, the contents are squeezed as
shown in FIG. 5 from the micro passage 12 to the center of the main
passage 9 and are discharged at the same speed and collide with one
another, thus once having a speed of 0 (zero). Thereafter, the
surface tension allows, without causing the contents to burst out
of the outlet 33, the contents to slide along the inner wall of the
main passage 9 and then to be gradually filled in the main passage
9 as shown by the broken line in FIG. 5, after which the contents
overflow and is leaked from the outlet 33.
[0094] In this manner, the contents in front of the outlet 33 are
allowed to have a discharge velocity (flow velocity) of 0 (zero).
This allows the contents to flow out of the outlet 33 in a very
slow manner to prevent, even when the container body 1 is
improperly applied with an unexpected external pressure, the
contents from bursting out of the outlet 33, thus providing fine
adjustment of the drip amount in a very easy manner.
[0095] When the discharge is completed, a hand is separated from
the container body 1 to allow the restitutive force of the
container body 1 to cause the interior of the container body to
have a negative pressure. Then, the negative pressure allows as
shown in FIG. 29 the contents in all of the passages from the
outlet 33 to the narrow tube 36 to be returned into the container
body 1. A tube having a diameter similar to that of this micro
passage originally retains the liquid by the capillary phenomenon.
However, Embodiment 7 allows the contents to be returned into the
container body 1 without being retained by the negative pressure in
the container body. To be accurate, the lower end edge portion of
the narrow tube 36 even in this case has therein a small amount of
retained contents due to the capillary phenomenon, depending on the
balance between the atmosphere pressure and the inner pressure of
the container.
[0096] As a result, most of the discharge route running from the
outlet 33 to the lower end edge portion of the narrow tube 36 under
a normal condition has no retained contents. This prevents,
although the contents in the container body 1 reaches the outlet 33
with a slightly-increased time when the container body 1 is
squeezed by hand, the spurting out of the contents even when the
container body 1 is improperly applied with an external
pressure.
[0097] This also prevents the contents in the discharge route from
being retained and dried. This prevents the spurting out of the
contents fixed to the outlet 33 even when the container once used
is reused. Furthermore, unnecessary dripping of the contents also
can be prevented.
[0098] In addition, the diameter of the outlet 33 may be one that
allows the contents under atmospheric pressure to be retained by
the capillary phenomenon and prevents the contents from being
dripped. For example, the diameter of the outlet 33 for a
water-like liquid having a low viscosity is preferably 1.5 mm to 3
mm but may be appropriately changed depending on the
characteristics of the contents or the application of the
container.
[0099] (Embodiment 8)
[0100] FIG. 30(a) is a center longitudinal sectional view of the
discharge tube 3 illustrating Embodiment 8 of the container with
discharge flow velocity mechanism of the present invention. FIG.
30(b) illustrates the bottom end surface of the discharge tube 3.
The method for attaching this discharge tube 3 to the upper opening
section of the container body 1 is as in Embodiment 7. The
above-described Embodiment 7 showed a case in which the micro
passage is tube-like. This embodiment shows a case in which the
micro passage is a clearance.
[0101] As shown in FIG. 30(a), the main passage penetrates the
upper and lower ends and the cap 18 is fitted into the bottom end
surface 16. The bottom end surface 16 has therein, in order to
allow this end surfaces 16 and the inner bottom surface of the cap
18 to form therebetween the clearance passage 25 working as a micro
passage, the projection or protruded part (hereinafter projection)
24 having a height identical to the clearance. The size, layout and
operation of this clearance passage 25 are the same as those in the
above-described Embodiment 4.
[0102] (Embodiment 9)
[0103] FIG. 31 is a front surface longitudinal sectional view of
the discharge tube illustrating the container with discharge flow
velocity mechanism of Embodiment 9 of the present invention. The
method for attaching this discharge tube to the upper opening
section of the container body 1 is as in Embodiment 7.
[0104] As shown in FIG. 31, the main passage 9 of the discharge
tube 3 penetrates the upper and lower ends and the main passage 9
has a diameter that is provided to be enlarged in the vicinity of
the lower end. This enlarged section 26 is engaged with the stopper
27. The stopper 27 has a structure as shown in FIG. 22(a) that is
the same as that of the above-described Embodiment 6.
[0105] (Embodiment 10)
[0106] FIG. 32 is a perspective view illustrating the fixed
quantity measurement flow velocity control container of the present
invention. The container body 1 has at the upper part the discharge
opening 2; the retaining cap 4 for fixing the discharge tube 3
having this discharge opening 2 to the container body 1; and the
measurement container 42.
[0107] FIG. 33 is an enlarged cross sectional view of the main part
in the vicinity of the measurement container. The bottle-like
container body 1 has at the upper part the opening section 7 and
the discharge tube 3. The discharge tube 3 and the container body 1
have structures the same as those of the above-described Embodiment
7 but differ in that the discharge opening 2 is directed directly
above.
[0108] The discharge tube 3 is equipped with the tube-like section
43 having a desired length as shown in FIG. 33 the tip end of which
is provided as the discharge opening 2. This tube-like section 43
is axially inserted into the measurement container 42. The upper
end of the measurement container 42 is provided at a position
higher than this discharge opening 2. FIG. 34(a) is a center
longitudinal sectional view of the discharge tube 3 and FIG. 34(b)
is a bottom surface view of the discharge tube 3.
[0109] When the fixed quantity measurement flow velocity control
container of Embodiment 10 thus constructed is used, then the
container body 1 is applied with pressure by squeezing the
container body 1 with fingers as shown in FIG. 35. Then, the
container body 1 deforms to allow the inner pressure of the
container to increase. Then, the contents (liquid) flow from the
bottom section of the container body 1 via the narrow tube 36 into
the space in the cover member 35 and then flow into the micro
passage 12, as shown in FIG. 36. Then, the contents are forced as
shown in FIG. 5 from the micro passage 12 to the center of the main
passage 9 and are discharged at the same speed and collide with one
another, thus once having a speed of 0 (zero). Thereafter, the
surface tension allows, without causing the contents to burst out
of the discharge opening 2, the contents to slide along the inner
wall of the main passage 9 and then to be gradually filled in the
main passage 9 as shown by the broken line in FIG. 5, after which
the contents overflow and are dripped from the discharge opening
2.
[0110] According to a conventional concept, when the contents are
discharged from the protruded discharge tube 43 in the measurement
container, the discharge opening 2 must collide with the inner wall
of the measurement container 42 as shown in FIG. 37 because the
discharge of the contents toward the opening section of the
measurement container 42 causes a risk of spurting out of the
contents.
[0111] However, the fixed quantity measurement flow velocity
control container of the present invention allows the contents in
front of the discharge opening 2 to once have a discharge velocity
(flow velocity) of 0 (zero). This prevents the contents from being
discharged from the discharge opening 2 with a flow velocity when
the contents pass through the micro passage 12. This allows the
contents to flow in a very slow manner to prevent, even when the
container body 1 is improperly applied with an unexpected external
pressure, the contents from bursting out of the discharge opening
2, thus providing fine adjustment of the discharge amount in a very
easy manner. Specifically, the discharge amount of the contents can
be easily adjusted even when the contents are discharged slowly.
This perfectly prevents the spurting out of the contents even when
the opening of the measurement container 42 is directed in the
upward direction as shown in FIG. 36.
[0112] As shown in FIG. 36, the contents discharged from the
discharge opening 2 overflow in the measurement container to raise
the water level WL higher than the height of this discharge opening
2. When a user releases force by hand after grabbing the container
body 1 in this condition, then the restitutive force of the
container body 1 allows container body 1 to have therein a negative
pressure. Then, the negative pressure allows as shown in FIG. 38
the contents having a water level higher than the height of this
discharge opening 2 to be suctioned again into the discharge
opening 2, thus the contents in all of the passages to the narrow
tube 36 are returned into the container body 1. The water level WL
is determined by the height of the discharge opening 2. A tube
having a diameter similar to that of this micro passage originally
retains the liquid by the capillary phenomenon. However, Embodiment
10 allows the contents to be returned into the container body 1
without being retained by the negative pressure in the container
body 1.
[0113] As a result, this allows the contents retained (remained) in
the measurement container to always have a fixed amount and
prevents the contents from being influenced by the discharge amount
or discharge velocity from the container body 1.
[0114] Also, the discharge route running from the discharge opening
2 to the lower end edge portion of the narrow tube 36 under a
normal condition has therein no retained contents. This prevents,
even when the container is tilted to discharge the measured
contents from the measurement container, excessive contents from
flowing out of the discharge opening 2 and also prevents the
contents from being discharged even when the container 1 falls
unexpectedly.
[0115] This also prevents the contents in the discharge route from
being retained and dried. This prevents the spurting out of the
contents fixed to the discharge opening 2 even when the container
once used is reused.
[0116] In addition, the diameter of the discharge opening 2 may be
one that allows the contents under atmospheric pressure to be
retained by the capillary phenomenon and prevents the contents from
being dripped. For example, the diameter of the discharge opening 2
for a water-like liquid having a low viscosity is preferably 1.5 mm
to 3 mm but may be appropriately changed depending on the
characteristics of the contents or the application of the
container.
[0117] (Embodiment 11)
[0118] FIG. 39 is a perspective view illustrating the fixed
quantity measurement flow velocity control container of Embodiment
2 of the present invention. The method for discharging the contents
from the container body 1 and the basic structure of the discharge
route are the same as those of the above-described Embodiment
10.
[0119] As shown in FIG. 40 and FIG. 41, this embodiment allows the
measurement container 42 to be movable in the upward and downward
directions. Specifically, almost the entire lower part of the
tube-like section 43 of the discharge tube 3 is screwed with the
screw 44 and the measurement container 42 is screwed with the screw
45 fitted for the screw 44 of this tube-like section 43. The upper
end of the screw section 45 of the measurement container 42 has at
the center a cap-like shape having an opening. This opening is
inserted with the tube-like section 43. The opening has at a part
making a contact with tube-like section 43 at the O-ring 46 for
preventing the contents in the measurement container from being
leaked.
[0120] The structure as above-described allows the measurement
container 42 to move in the upward and downward directions while
being rotated. A fixed quantity to be measured in the measurement
container is determined by the height h from the bottom of the
measurement container 42 to the discharge opening 2, that is, to
the water level WL. Thus, when the measurement container 42 is
raised to the upper limit as shown in FIG. 40, the minimum fixed
quantity to be measured is provided. On the other hand, when the
measurement container 42 is lowered to the lower limit as shown in
FIG. 41, then the maximum fixed quantity to be measured is
provided. Thus, the length of the tube-like section 43 and the
screw sections 44 and 45 and the inner diameter and height of the
measurement container 42 can be appropriately changed to measure
various capacities.
[0121] In addition, the tube-like section 43 has at the exterior
the scale 49 as shown in FIG. 39, thereby arbitrarily determining
the fixed quantity to be measured.
[0122] Also, a means for moving the measurement container 42 in the
upward and downward directions is not limited to the screw as
above-described. This means may be the method for merely sliding
the measurement container 42 unless the method is one for
preventing the contents from being leaked without moving the
measurement container 42 without careful consideration.
[0123] (Embodiment 12)
[0124] FIG. 42(a) is a front surface longitudinal sectional view of
the discharge tube illustrating the fixed quantity measurement flow
velocity control container of Embodiment 12 of the present
invention. FIG. 42(b) shows the bottom end surface of the discharge
tube.
[0125] The method for attaching this discharge tube to the upper
opening section of the container body 1 is as in Embodiment 1.
Although the above-described Embodiment 1 described a case in which
the micro passage is the tube-like, this embodiment describes a
case in which the micro passage is a clearance.
[0126] (Embodiment 13)
[0127] FIG. 43 is a front surface longitudinal sectional view of
the discharge tube illustrating Embodiment 13 of the liquid
container of the present invention. This discharge tube 3 uses the
stopper structure of the above-described Embodiment 6. The method
for attaching the discharge tube 3 to the upper opening section of
the container body 1 is as in Embodiment 12.
[0128] Another structure also may be provided as shown in FIG. 44
in which the measurement container 42 is rotated to block the
discharge opening 2. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 44(a), the
upper end of the tube-like section 43 of the discharge tube 3 is
closed, the main passage 9 does not penetrate the upper and lower
ends, and the discharge opening 2 is provided in the side wall.
Specifically, the contents are discharged in the lateral direction,
as shown in FIG. 37. The measurement container 42 has at the inner
side the projected opening 46 that has the slit 51 at a position
corresponding to this lateral discharge opening 2.
[0129] The structure as above-described allows the measurement
container 42 to be rotated so that the position of the discharge
opening 2 is fitted to the position of the slit 51 as shown in FIG.
44(a). This allows the contents to flow from the discharge opening
2. After the measurement container 42 is used, then the measurement
container 42 is appropriately rotated to cancel the fitting
relation between the slit 51 and the discharge opening 2 as shown
in FIG. 44(b), thereby preventing the contents from flowing out of
the discharge opening 2. The tube-like section 43 and a part having
no slit 51 have therebetween a seal for preventing the contents
from being leaked from the measurement container. This prevents
cleaning liquid or water from entering the discharge opening 2 when
the measurement container 42 is to be washed, for example.
Industrial Applicability
[0130] The container with an instillation discharge flow velocity
mechanism according to the present invention constructed as
above-described can be applied to various containers so long as the
container is a flexible liquid container and provides the
instillation-like discharge of the contents easily.
[0131] Specifically, in the case of a conventional instillation
discharge container a representative example of which is a
container for eye drops, the container has a problem in which a
force added to the container for instillation discharge requires to
be cautiously adjusted. However, the container with an instillation
discharge flow velocity mechanism according to the present
invention provides a flow velocity control to control the discharge
flow velocity. This reduces the sensitivity of the container body
to the pressurization due to carelessness. This allows the drip
discharge amount to be adjusted very easily. This also prevents the
spurting out of the contents from the outlet.
[0132] Thus, one drop can be discharged without having a cautious
attitude. A user is also allowed to count a few drops while
discharging the contents in an easy manner.
[0133] The present invention does not necessarily require a hard
container as in a conventional instillation container and also can
be applied to a flexible container, for example, tube
container.
[0134] The present invention also can be applied to various
containers so long as the container is a flexible liquid container,
thus providing adjustment of the discharge amount of the contents
in an easy manner.
[0135] The present invention also prevents the contents under a
normal condition from being retained in the discharge route. This
prevents the contents from being discharged even when the container
body is pressurized due to carelessness.
[0136] Also, when the discharge is completed, the restitutive force
of the container body causes a negative pressure in the container
body to allow the contents in the discharge route to be suctioned
into the container body. This prevents the contents from being
retained or fixed to the outlet, thus preventing the spurting out
of the fixed contents even when the contents are discharged at the
next discharge.
[0137] Furthermore, any flexible liquid container can be used to
provide an easy measurement while adjusting the discharge amount of
the contents in an easy manner.
[0138] Also, the combination of such a discharge control container
with the measurement container allows the fixed quantity to be
measured to be determined by the height of the outlet in the
measurement container. This securely provides the measurement of a
fixed quantity while being perfectly blocked by the influence of
the discharge amount or the discharge velocity.
[0139] The contents under a normal condition are prevented from
being retained in the discharge route. This prevents the contents
from being discharged even when the container body is pressurized
due to carelessness. This prevents an excessive discharge larger
than the measured amount from being discharged, thus providing a
higher measurement accuracy.
[0140] After the discharge is completed, the restitutive of the
container body causes a negative pressure in the container body to
allow the contents in the discharge route to be suctioned into the
container body. This prevents the contents from being retained or
fixed to the outlet, thus preventing the spurting out of the fixed
contents even when the contents are discharged at the next
discharge.
[0141] Furthermore, the measurement container can be detached and
washed, thus the container is made hygienic.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0142] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating the container with
an instillation discharge flow velocity mechanism according to the
present invention.
[0143] FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross sectional view of the main part
in the vicinity of the outlet.
[0144] FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view illustrating the
discharge tube.
[0145] FIG. 4 is a transverse sectional view taken at the line A-A
in FIG. 3.
[0146] FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross sectional view of the main part
illustrating the flow velocity control liquid passage.
[0147] FIG. 6 is a perspective views illustrating when the
container is used.
[0148] FIG. 7 is a longitudinal sectional view of the main part of
the container being used.
[0149] FIG. 8(a) to FIG. 8(c) are bottom surface views of the
discharge tube illustrating the pattern of the flow velocity
control liquid passage.
[0150] FIG. 9(a) to FIG. 9(I) are cross sectional views
illustrating the structure of the micro passage.
[0151] FIG. 10 is an enlarged cross sectional view of the main part
illustrating Embodiment 2.
[0152] FIG. 11 shows the bottom surface of the discharge tube.
[0153] FIG. 12 is an assembly diagram illustrating the structure of
the discharge tube.
[0154] FIG. 13(a) and FIG. 13(b) are perspective views illustrating
the cap attached to the container.
[0155] FIG. 14(a) and FIG. 14(b) area front view and a longitudinal
sectional view illustrating the discharge tube of Embodiment 3,
respectively.
[0156] FIG. 15 shows a bottom surface of the discharge tube.
[0157] FIG. 16 is a longitudinal sectional view of the main part of
the discharge tube being used.
[0158] FIG. 17 is a longitudinal sectional view of the main part
illustrating Embodiment 4.
[0159] FIG. 18 shows the bottom surface of the discharge tube.
[0160] FIG. 19 is a longitudinal sectional view of the main part
illustrating Embodiment 5.
[0161] FIG. 20 shows the bottom surface of the discharge tube.
[0162] FIG. 21 is a longitudinal sectional view of the main part
illustrating Embodiment 6.
[0163] FIG. 22(a) and FIG. 22(b) are perspective views illustrating
an exemplary structure of the stopper.
[0164] FIG. 23 is a perspective view illustrating Embodiment 7.
[0165] FIG. 24 is a perspective view illustrating the container
with discharge flow velocity mechanism of the present
invention.
[0166] FIG. 25 is an enlarged cross sectional view of the main part
in the vicinity of the outlet.
[0167] FIG. 26(a) is a longitudinal sectional view illustrating the
discharge tube and FIG. 26(b) is a bottom surface view illustrating
the discharge tube.
[0168] FIG. 27 is a perspective view illustrating the container
being used.
[0169] FIG. 28 is a longitudinal sectional view of the main part
illustrating the container being used (during discharge).
[0170] FIG. 29 is a longitudinal sectional view of the main part
illustrating the container being used (while the contents are being
suctioned).
[0171] FIG. 30(a) is a longitudinal sectional view illustrating the
discharge tube of Embodiment 2 and FIG. 30(b) is a bottom surface
view illustrating the discharge tube of Embodiment 2.
[0172] FIG. 31 is a longitudinal sectional view illustrating the
discharge tube of Embodiment 3. FIG. 31 is a perspective view
illustrating the fixed quantity measurement flow out control
container of the present invention.
[0173] FIG. 32 is an enlarged cross sectional view of the main part
in the vicinity of the outlet.
[0174] FIG. 33(a) is a longitudinal sectional view illustrating the
discharge tube and FIG. 33(b) is a bottom surface view illustrating
the discharge tube.
[0175] FIG. 34 is an enlarged cross sectional view of the main part
illustrating the micro passage.
[0176] FIG. 35 is a perspective view illustrating the container
being used.
[0177] FIG. 36 is a longitudinal sectional view of the main part
illustrating the container being used (during discharge).
[0178] FIG. 37 is a cross sectional view illustrating the
conventional concept.
[0179] FIG. 38 is a longitudinal sectional view of the main part
illustrating the container being used (while the contents are
suctioned).
[0180] FIG. 39 is a perspective view illustrating Embodiment 2.
[0181] FIG. 40 is an enlarged cross sectional view of the main part
in the vicinity of the outlet illustrating the measurement
container at the upper limit.
[0182] FIG. 41 is an enlarged cross sectional view of the main part
in the vicinity of the outlet illustrating the measurement
container at the lower limit.
[0183] FIG. 42(a) and FIG. 42(b) are a longitudinal sectional view
and a bottom surface view illustrating the discharge tube of
Embodiment 3, respectively.
[0184] FIG. 43 is a longitudinal sectional view illustrating the
discharge tube of Embodiment 4.
[0185] FIG. 44 is a perspective view illustrating the structure for
closing the outlet.
* * * * *