U.S. patent application number 10/512573 was filed with the patent office on 2005-08-18 for packaging container.
Invention is credited to Nishimura, Takeshi, Shimizu, Hisayoshi, Tanahashi, Kazunari, Yamakawa, Yutaka.
Application Number | 20050181151 10/512573 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 29272373 |
Filed Date | 2005-08-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050181151 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Shimizu, Hisayoshi ; et
al. |
August 18, 2005 |
Packaging container
Abstract
A fitted body comprises a cap 20 made of a rubber elastic
material and a body 10 made of a rubber elastic material, and at
least the body 20 or the body 10 expands or contracts in accordance
with volumetric expansion or volumetric contraction of an article
received in a container 1. The container 1 is arranged so as to
enable the takeout of the article without any leakage of the
article to the outside in a state where the container is restored
to an original shape. In the body 10, a thin-film skin 12 is
disposed in its bottom to expand and contract. A flange 18 having a
notch 19 is disposed near an open end of the body 10. Cord-like
projections 17 are disposed in a circumferential direction of a
sidewall 11 near the skin 12.
Inventors: |
Shimizu, Hisayoshi;
(Fukuchiyama, JP) ; Nishimura, Takeshi;
(Fukuchiyama, JP) ; Yamakawa, Yutaka; (Matsusaka,
JP) ; Tanahashi, Kazunari; (Gifu, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
WENDEROTH, LIND & PONACK, L.L.P.
2033 K STREET N. W.
SUITE 800
WASHINGTON
DC
20006-1021
US
|
Family ID: |
29272373 |
Appl. No.: |
10/512573 |
Filed: |
January 19, 2005 |
PCT Filed: |
April 25, 2003 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/JP03/05414 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
428/34.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y10T 428/13 20150115;
A61J 3/08 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
428/034.1 |
International
Class: |
B65D 001/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Apr 26, 2002 |
JP |
2002-126849 |
Sep 24, 2002 |
JP |
2002-278228 |
Claims
1. A packaging container comprising a fitted body of a cap made of
a rubber elastic material and a body made of a rubber elastic
material, characterized in that at least the cap or the body
expands or contracts in accordance with volumetric expansion or
volumetric contraction of an article received in the container, and
the article is capable of being taken out without any leakage of
the article into the outside in a state where the article is
restored to an original shape.
2. The packaging container according to claim 1, characterized in
that a part of the body or the cap comprises a thin-film skin.
3. The packaging container according to claim 2, characterized in
that the skin is disposed in a bottom of the body and/or the cap,
and the other portion of the body comprising the skin and/or the
other portion of the cap comprising the skin is formed into a
roughly thick cylindrical shape.
4. The packaging container according to claim 3, characterized in
that a cord-like projection is disposed in a circumferential
direction of the cylindrical portion near the skin of the roughly
cylindrical portion of the body or the cap.
5. The packaging container according to claim 3, characterized in
that a flange jumping out in an outer circumferential direction
more than an open end is integrally formed near the open end of the
roughly cylindrical portion of the body or the cap.
6. The packaging container according to claim 5, characterized in
that the flange comprises a cut or a notch.
7. The packaging container according to claim 1, characterized in
that the cap and the body are fitted together through a fitting
concave and a fitting convex slightly larger than the concave.
8. The packaging container according to claim 7, characterized in
that the fitted body of the cap and the body comprises a taper
swollen from an insertion end side in the outer circumferential
direction.
9. The packaging container according to claim 1, characterized in
that one of the cap and the body is a pedestal which comprises one
or a plurality of fitting concaves to fit the opposite body or
cap.
10. The packaging container according to claim 1, characterized in
that the packaging container is for a suppository.
11. The packaging container according to claim 10, characterized in
that the open end of the body is positioned near a maximum diameter
position of a suppository received in the body, or the open end of
the cap is positioned near the maximum diameter position of a
suppository received in the cap.
12. The packaging container according to claim 1, characterized in
that the rubber elastic material is silicon rubber.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to a packaging container.
Specifically, the invention relates to a packaging container
wherein even when a shape of a received article left under a
high-temperature environment is deformed due to its melting, the
article is restored to its original shape if it is placed again
under a proper temperature, and the article can be taken out in the
original shape, and more particularly to a container suited to
packaging of material products such as suppositories used as
medicines, cosmetics and foodstuffs repeatedly liquefied/solidified
by a temperature change.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] A suppository is prepared by forming a drug (medial agent)
which is a main drug into a given shape by a base, and it is a
solid medicine administered to a rectum, a urethra, a vagina or the
like. The suppository is softened or melted at a body temperature,
or melted in a mucilaginous liquid. Then, a drug is absorbed
through a mucosa into a body.
[0003] To prepare a suppository, normally, an oily base, an aqueous
base or the other proper material is used as a base, drugs are
uniformly mixed directly or by adding an additive such as an
emulsifying agent or a suspending agent as occasion demands, these
drugs are molded, sealed in or wrapped in proper skins, and formed
into proper shapes. Regarding shapes, usually rectal suppositories
are conical or spindle-shaped, vaginal suppositories are globular
or oval, and urethral suppositories are long axis.
[0004] The suppositories obtained by the molding are wrapped one by
one in, e.g., an aluminum foil, or each fills a packaging container
made of hard plastic such as polyethylene or polypropylene to be
packaged therein. Additionally, there is a case in which molding
and packaging are simultaneously carried out, e.g., a melted base
fills a packaging container made of hard plastic, and the base is
cooled to be solidified in the container.
[0005] In use, the suppository is preferably stored at a room
temperature or in a cold place to keep its shape. At a general
household or at the time of being carried, however, the suppository
is sometimes stored at a body temperature or more, causing melting
of a part or all parts of the suppository.
[0006] However, in the conventional packaging form, e.g., in the
case of packaging in an aluminum foil, there is a problem that the
melted suppository composition may leak to the outside, not only
losing a value as a medicine but also staining the surroundings.
Additionally, not only in the case of the packaging in the aluminum
foil but also in the case of using the packaging container made of
hard plastic, the suppository once melted might not return to its
initial shape of the filling and packaging, and cannot be used as
originally intended because of the shape change. The hard plastic
packaging container is normally constituted by welding two plastic
pieces together. Consequently, when the melted suppository
composition oozes to the welded portion to be solidified again,
swells (so-called flashes) or the like are generated. Besides, when
the welding is bad, the melted composition might ooze to this
portion to cause a great change in the weight of the suppository
itself. When the suppository is completely melted, the container
itself might be broken because its volume increases by 1.1 to 1.2
times.
[0007] Furthermore, in the conventional packaging form, it is
necessary to take out the suppository from the container or the
aluminum package by fingers at the time of insertion into the anus
or the like, and to directly hold the suppository by the fingers.
Consequently, there is a problem that a smooth and glistening
feeling at the time of holding by the fingers will make insertion
difficult and holding by fingers is unsanitary.
[0008] The invention has been made with the aforementioned
conventional problems in mind, and it is an object of the invention
to provide a packaging container wherein even when a part or all
parts of an article similar to a suppository in the container melts
as a result of storage under a relatively high temperature, the
article is subsequently placed under a temperature to be restored
to an original shape, and thus the article can be taken out in a
shape of a reception time, and the suppository can be inserted
sanitarily without being held by fingers.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
[0009] A packaging container of the present invention comprising a
fitted body of a cap made of a rubber elastic material and a body
made of a rubber elastic material is characterized in that at least
the cap or the body expands or contracts in accordance with
volumetric expansion or volumetric contraction of an article
received in the container, and the article can be taken out without
any is leakage of the article into the outside in a state where the
article is restored to an original shape. That is, sealing of the
packaging container of the invention is secured as a container by
making both of the cap and the body of rubber elastic materials
and, by using the nature of the elastic materials, a function is
exhibited to cool and solidify the received article a part or all
parts of which melt to expand, and to restore its original
shape.
[0010] In the packaging container, especially to deal with a large
volumetric change, a part of the body or the cap preferably
comprises a thin-film skin which easily responds volumetric
expansion of the article. The skin is preferably disposed in a
bottom of the body and/or the cap, and the other portion of the
body comprising the skin and/or the other portion of the cap
comprising the skin is preferably formed into a roughly thick
cylindrical shape.
[0011] A cord-like projection is disposed in a circumferential
direction of the cylindrical portion near the skin of the roughly
cylindrical portion of the body or the cap.
[0012] A flange jumping out in an outer circumferential direction
more than an open end is formed near the open end of the roughly
cylindrical portion of the body or the cap. The flange preferably
comprises a cut or a notch.
[0013] Further, according to the invention, the cap and the body
are preferably fitted together through a fitting concave and a
fitting convex slightly larger than the concave.
[0014] The fitted body of the cap and the body preferably comprises
a taper swollen from an insertion end side in the outer
circumferential direction.
[0015] One of the cap and the body can be a pedestal which
comprises one or a plurality of fitting concaves to fit the
opposite body or cap.
[0016] The packaging container of the invention is suitably used
for a suppository. In the case of the packaging container used for
the suppository, the open end of the body or the cap is preferably
positioned near a maximum diameter position of suppository received
in the body or the cap.
[0017] The packaging container is preferably made of silicon rubber
in consideration of hygiene.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a packaging container
according to a first embodiment of the present invention;
[0019] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing a used state
of the packaging container of FIG. 1;
[0020] FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing an exploded state of the
packaging container;
[0021] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing a used state
of a packaging container according to another embodiment of the
invention;
[0022] FIG. 5 is a sectional view showing an exploded state of the
packaging container of FIG. 4;
[0023] FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing an exploded state of a
packaging container according to yet another embodiment of the
invention;
[0024] FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a packaging container
according to yet another embodiment of the invention;
[0025] FIG. 8 is a sectional view showing an exploded state of the
packaging container of FIG. 7;
[0026] FIG. 9 is a plan view of a body of the packaging container
of FIG. 7 seen from an open end;
[0027] FIG. 10 is a plan view of a body of a packaging container
seen from an open end according to yet another embodiment of the
invention; and
[0028] FIG. 11 is a sectional view of a body of a packaging
container cut along a horizontal surface according to yet another
embodiment of the invention.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0029] Next, the present invention will be described in detail with
reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective
view showing a packaging container 1 according to a first
embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is an exploded
perspective view showing a used state of the packaging container 1;
and FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing an exploded state of the
packaging container 1.
[0030] The packaging container 1 shown in FIG. 1 is a container for
a suppository, and such containers can be carried one by one. The
packaging container 1 comprises a body 10 which receives a body
portion of a suppository 2, and a cap 20 which fits the body 10. In
FIGS. 1 to 3, the cap 20 is drawn to cap the body 10 from above.
Each of the cap 20 and the body 10 is made of a rubber elastic
material. Rubber elasticity means a large elastic deformation
behavior observed in the case of a high molecular material of a
rubber state, and the rubber elastic material means a material
which exhibits such an elastic deformation behavior. As rubber
elastic materials used in the invention, for example, in addition
to natural rubber and silicon rubber, there can be cited
thermosetting types such as styrene-butadiene rubber, chloroprene
rubber, urethane rubber, n-butyl rubber, chlorinated butyl rubber,
fluorine-containing rubber, and polybutadiene rubber, and
thermoplastic elastomer such as styrene elastomer (TPS), olefin
elastomer (TPO), vinyl chloride elastomer (TPVC), urethane
elastomer (TPU), and polyester elastomer (TPEE). Specifically, the
material is selected from these types in accordance with an article
to be received. From the standpoint of hygiene and takeout from the
container, the silicon rubber is suitably used for the container
for the suppository. Among others, a rubber elastic material having
rubber hardness of 25 to 95.degree. (JIS K-6253, International
Rubber Hardness by a hardness testing method of vulcanized rubber
and thermoplastic rubber) is especially preferable. The cap 20 and
the body 10 are formed by a general molding method in which the
received article is a prototype.
[0031] The packaging container 1 of the invention is characterized
in that at least one of the body 10 and the cap 20 expands or
contracts in accordance with volumetric expansion or volumetric
contraction of the suppository 2 (article) received in the
packaging container 1, and the suppository 2 can be taken out
without leakage of the melted article to the outside in a state
where the article is restored to an original shape. That is, the
packaging container 1 of the invention is constituted in such a
manner that even when the suppository 2 received therein reversibly
expands or contracts and melts to increase its internal volume, no
damage or liquid leakage occurs and, when the internal volume
contracts due to cooling and solidifying, the article is restored
to its original shape. In other words, the packaging container 1 of
the invention is formed such that an internal shape thereof is
almost similar to that of the suppository at a proper temperature,
and the container received article (suppository 2) and the inside
of the container are almost bonded together. Then, even when the
article is melted once by a temperature increase and then cooled to
be solidified at a proper temperature, the suppository 2 and the
packaging container 1 are almost bonded together as in the case of
the receiving time to restore the original shape of the suppository
2. Besides, volumetric expansion by the melting of the suppository
2 due to the temperature increase is accompanied by expansion of
the packaging container 1 itself. However, no liquid leakage occurs
from the fitting portions 13, 22 of the body 10 and the cap 20.
Thus, according to the invention, the volume increased when the
suppository 2 melts is absorbed by the expansion of the body 10
and/or the cap 20, and the liquid leakage through the fitting
portions 13, 22 is prevented by a fitting concave and a fitting
convex 23, 14 of the cap 20 and the body 10.
[0032] The packaging container 1 shown in each drawing employs a
constitution that the body 10 mainly expands to absorb the volume
increase of the article. A constitution may also be employed in
which the body 10 and the cap 20 are set equal in rubber hardness
and thickness, the cap 20 also expands itself, and the volume
increase of the article is absorbed by both of the body 10 and the
cap 20. However, if both of the body 10 and the cap 20 expand,
liquid leakage from the fitting portions 13, 22 thereof may occur.
Therefore, it is preferred to realize a structure of little
expansion by using the cap 20 which is equal to, or larger in
rubber hardness, and/or equal to, or larger in thickness than the
body 10. Incidentally, in the explanation, one to cover is the cap
20, and one to be covered is the body 10. However, one to cover may
be the body 10, and one to be covered may be the cap 20.
[0033] The restoration to the original shape according to the
invention does not strictly mean physical restoration of an
original shape but simply means practical or product-value
restoration of an original shape. That is, in an actual product,
very small concaves and convexes may exist on the surface due to a
manufacturing process or so-called flashes may be generated during
product manufacturing. According to the invention, however, there
will be no problem even if such very small concaves and convexes or
flashes on the product surface cannot be reproduced. The very small
concaves and convexes or flashes are generated in the manufacturing
process of the article, and lost when the article melts. Very small
concaves and convexes formed at the time of resolidification may be
a problem of manufacturing accuracy (accuracy of container inner
surface) of the packaging container 1. Restoration accuracy of such
a level is permitted as a restoration error. In other words, the
invention does not guarantee the original accuracy of the
conventional manufacturing process. In this regard, in the case of
the packaging container made of hard plastic, the internal volume
thereof is made larger than the article in consideration of the
expansion of the article, and there is almost no restoration to the
original shape even at the time of resolidification.
[0034] The proper temperature in the above explanation is decided
by a relation with an article to be received, and it means a
temperature range in a general living environment, a manufacturing
environment, and a storage environment, specifically a range of
approximately 0 to 30.degree. C., a temperature range in which the
article can keep its given shape within a normally intended use
temperature range. However, within the intended use temperature
range, strictness that the article must always have a given shape
at any temperatures is unnecessary. The article only needs to have
a given shape approximately within the temperature range. The
proper temperature is used in meaning that the shape of the article
itself is changed when the temperature range is exceeded. For
example, the suppository 2 is used at a room temperature,
approximately 0 to 30.degree. C. which is a general living
environment, and it must have a given shape at the room
temperature. However, the suppository or the like becomes soft when
this temperature range is exceeded, and completely melts, e.g.,
near 40.degree. C. over a body temperature. Thus, a temperature
zone which enables keeping of a given shape is referred to as a
proper temperature, which varies from article to article. In the
above example of the suppository, the room temperature is a proper
temperature. However, as a specific temperature, it is not
necessary to discriminate 0 to 30.degree. C. from 1 to 31.degree.
C., but it is enough to consider both to be proper temperatures for
the suppository according to the invention. Even at the room
temperature, depending on a composition, there may be a suppository
2 which melts at a temperature near 30.degree. C. lower than the
body temperature to lose a given shape. A proper temperature for
such a suppository 2 means not a room temperature but a low
temperature before the start of the melting.
[0035] To repeat, the invention is suitably used for the article
which has a given shape within the intended use environment, cannot
keep the shape when this range is exceeded (irrespective of upper
and lower limits), and for example softened or melted to change its
shape and whose shape at the time of use is important. Especially,
in the case of melting or expanding, the invention is suitably used
for an article whose volume increase rate per temperature is large.
In the case of the above suppository 2, a given shape is kept until
about 35.degree. C. However, when the suppository starts to melt at
35 to 37.degree. C. and completely melts near 40.degree. C., the
volume increases by about 1.1 to 1.2 as described above. Thus, the
packaging container 1 of the invention is suitably used for the
article which is a solid in the normal use and storage states, and
melts to change its shape outside the proper temperature, and to
increase the volume. By applying the container to such an article,
even when the article is placed at storage conditions outside the
proper temperature to lose its shape, the original shape can be
restored by returning the temperature without losing its shape.
Thus, at the proper temperature, the article can always be taken
out in the shape of the packaging time (at the time of filling the
container), and used in a proper shape.
[0036] The body 10 shown in FIG. 1 comprises a roughly cylindrical
and slightly thick sidewall 11, and a thin-film skin 12 which
becomes a bottom of the body 10. A fitting portion 13 is disposed
in an open end of the body 10. The packaging container 1 absorbs
the volumetric expansion of the article by the body 10 as described
above. In the body 10, the skin 12 mainly expands, and the
volumetric expansion is absorbed by this portion. Needless to say,
the bottom of the body 10 may be set equal in thickness to the
sidewall 11, the entire body 10 may be uniformly made thick, and
the entire portion thereof may expand. In such a case, however, the
expansion of the article increases a risk of damaging the body 10,
and liquid may leak from the fitting portions 22, 13 of both
depending on rubber hardness of the cap 20 and the body 10. The
slightly thick formation of the sidewall 11 facilitates pushing-out
of the suppository 2 which is a received article. Incidentally, a
thickness of the skin 12 is approximately 0.03 to 0.3 mm,
preferably 0.1 to 0.15 mm, and a thickness of the sidewall 11 is
approximately 0.4 to 2 mm, preferably 1.0 to 1.5 mm. However, these
ranges are in no way limitative.
[0037] The skin 12 is roughly formed into a mountain shape when it
is seen from the side face, which matches the shape of the
suppository 2 to be received. However, the shape is not limited to
such and, for example, it may be semispherical.
[0038] The body 10 is manufactured so that the open end of the body
10 will be almost positioned in a maximum diameter position of the
received suppository 2. That is, the open end of the body 10 is
positioned in a most swollen place of the suppository 2. The body
10 is manufactured to be a size so that a so-called head of the
suppository 2 can be exposed when the cap 20 is removed from the
body 10. Most of suppositories are spindle-shaped or circular
conic. Accordingly, by positioning the open end near the maximum
diameter, the cap 20 can be surely removed in a state in which the
suppository 2 is received in the body 10 without leaving the
suppository 2 in the cap 20 side. Since a structure is employed in
which an inner diameter of the body 10 is enlarged toward the open
end of the body 10, the suppository 2 is easily pushed out by
holding the portion near the bottom of the body 10 by fingers.
Thus, by applying the head of the suppository 2 to the anus or the
like without taking out the suppository 2 from the body 10, then
the suppository 2 is easily inserted into the anus only by pushing
out the suppository 2 from the body 10. Therefore, in contrast to
the conventional packaging form, the process of the takeout of the
article from the packaging container 1 to insertion can be carried
out without directly touching the suppository 2 by fingers.
Moreover, since the cap 20 and the body 10 are fitted together in
this position, a stronger fit state can be obtained. Needless to
say, the suppository 2 can be taken out by pinching the body 10
even without positioning the open end in the maximum diameter
position. A shape is not limited to a spindle shape, and the
invention can be applied to a linear suppository such as a urethral
suppository. In such a case, the open-end position of the body 10
is set so that a portion to be received in the cap 20 is not
large.
[0039] In an outer peripheral portion of the open end of the body
10, a fitting convex 14 is formed to constitute the fitting portion
13 of the body 10 side. The fitting convex 14 prevents liquid
leakage between itself and a fitting concave 23 of the cap 20, and
constitutes a sealing structure which uses rubber elasticity of the
body 10 and the cap 20. The fitting convex 14 is formed slightly
larger than the fitting concave 23, and surely prevents liquid
leakage caused by expansion of the body 10 or the cap 20. For
example, as shown in FIG. 3, the fitting convex 14 comprises a
flange 14a disposed near the open end of the sidewall of the body
10, and an R portion 14b projected from a tip of the flange 14a to
a closed end side of the body 10.
[0040] The cap 20 shown in FIG. 1 is roughly formed into a hat
shape. The entire cap 20 is formed thick, and it has almost no
expansion characteristics. There is no limitation on an appearance
shape of the cap 20 as in the case of the body 10, but its shape is
decided in consideration of design or portability. The cap 20
comprises a receiving concave 21 almost bonded to the head of the
suppository 2 exposed from the body 10. In an inner surface of the
cap side more than the receiving concave 21, a groove-shaped
fitting concave 23 is disposed to fit the fitting convex 14 of the
body 10, constituting a fitting portion 22 of the cap 20 side. The
body 10 is fitted to the cap 20 to obtain a fitted body,
constituting a sealed space in the packaging container which is
almost bonded to receive the suppository 2.
[0041] When the suppository 2 is packaged in such a packaging
container 1, even if the suppository 2 melts to change its shape as
a result of being left under bad storage conditions such as at a
high temperature, e.g., 40.degree. C. or higher, the suppository 2
is restored to the original shape by returning the temperature to a
room temperature. The packaging container 1 is made of a rubber
elastic material. Thus, even when it is carried in a bag or the
like, the packaging container 1 is not broken up different from the
case of packaging in a hard plastic container, a soft feeling is
provided when it is touched by hand, and thus the container 1 is
very convenient for carrying. Further, even when the suppository
melts in the bag or the like, the article does not leak to stain
the inside thereof. Besides, while the cap 20 is removed and the
suppository 2 is received in the body 10, the suppository can be
inserted without directly touching it by fingers. Apparently, the
packaging container 1 of the invention has many advantages. By
using the packaging container 1, it is possible to provide a very
hygienic and highly convenient suppository product.
[0042] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing a used state
of a packaging container 1 according to another embodiment of the
present invention, and FIG. 5 is a sectional view showing an
exploded state of the packaging state. A cap 20 of the packaging
container 1 is formed into a so-called pedestal shape, and
comprises a plurality of fitting concaves 23, five fitting concaves
23 as shown. For the cap 20, a plurality of bodies 10 can be fitted
to one cap 20, and a plurality of suppositories 2 can be supplied
by one product form (package). For example, the cap 20 is mounted
on a desk, and holds the body 10 substantially in a vertically
erected state. According to the embodiment, the bodies 10 are
removed one by one from the cap 20 to be used.
[0043] As shown in FIG. 5, a fitting portion 13 of the body 10
comprises a taper swollen from an insertion end side in an outer
circumferential direction, i.e., a taper 15 swollen from an open
end of the body 10 toward a closed end in the outer circumferential
direction, and it is formed as a fitting convex 14 roughly
trapezoidal or triangular in section. The insertion end side means
the open-end side of the body 10 in which the fitting convex 14 is
formed. In a fitting concave 23, the body is swollen toward the
insertion end side (open end side of the cap 20) in the outer
circumferential direction. Thus, the fitting portion 13 of the body
10 side is easily inserted into a fitting portion 22 (fitting
concave 23) of the cap 20 side. Accordingly, automatic loading by a
machine is facilitated without adversely affecting prevention of
liquid leakage. Near the fitting portion 13 shown in FIG. 5, in a
sidewall 11 on the closed end side more than the fitting portion
13, a grip 16 is formed to be thicker than the other sidewall 11.
This grip 16 is used for chucking in the case of automatic loading
by the machine. The thick formation thereof enables stable holding
and inserting.
[0044] Therefore, by forming a plurality of fitting concaves 23
(receiving concaves 21) for one cap 20, a plurality of
suppositories 2 can be supplied all at once by one packaging form.
Besides, the cap 20 becomes relatively larger compared with the cap
20 for each loading of the first embodiment to be handled more
easily. Additionally, since removal from the cap 20 is easy,
operability is greatly improved. Furthermore, since the suppository
10 can be brought to an application position such as an anus in the
state of being inserted in the body 10 after the body 10 is removed
from the cap 20, it is very hygienic as in the previous case.
[0045] FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing an exploded state of a
packaging container 1 according to yet another embodiment of the
present invention. According to the invention, a fitting portion 13
of a body 10 and a fitting portion 22 of a cap 20 are only required
to surely prevent liquid leakage when an internal volume expands,
especially when the body 10 expands, and thus there is no
limitation on a constitution. In the packaging container 1 shown in
FIG. 6, the fitting portion 13 of the body 10 side comprises a
taper 15 swollen from an open end of the body 10 to a closed end in
an outer circumferential direction, and a fitting convex 14 roughly
semicircular in section is disposed on a closed end side of the
taper 15. A thick grip 16 is formed on a closed end side of the
fitting convex 14. By such a constitution of the fitting portion
13, the object of the invention can be achieved.
[0046] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a packaging container
according to yet another embodiment of the present invention. FIG.
8 is a sectional view showing an exploded state of the packaging
container, and FIG. 9 is a plan view of a body 10 of the packaging
container 1 seen from an open end. This body 10 comprises a roughly
cylindrical and slightly thick sidewall 11, a flange 18 jumping out
in an outer circumferential direction more than the open end, and
cord-like projections 17 arranged in a circumferential direction of
the sidewall 11. On the other hand, a cap 20 is formed to be
uniformly thick as a whole, and a portion around a fitting portion
22 is formed to jump out by an amount equivalent to a formed
fitting concave 23.
[0047] The flange 18 is disposed near the open end of the sidewall
11, and mainly designed to prevent erroneous insertion of the body
10 into an anus or a vagina at the time of inserting a suppository.
As long as this object can be achieved, there is no particular
limitation on shapes. For example, a shape similar to a guard used
for a sword, a shape similar to a visor of a cap, or a shape
jumping out in a cord shape may be employed. Preferably, the shape
jumping out in the outer circumferential direction more than the
fitting portion 13 of the body 10 is disposed. Additionally, the
flange 18 only needs to be disposed partially in the
circumferential direction of the shown sidewall 11, and may be
disposed all around the sidewall 11 as described later. The flange
18 is formed integrally with the body 10.
[0048] The shown flange 18 comprises a notch 19. The notch 19 tears
the flange 18 left and right, and subsequently triggers tearing of
the sidewall 11 of the body 10. When the suppository 2 received in
the packaging container 1 melts and is solidified again, the
suppository 2 is bonded to the body 10, and the suppository 2 may
not be taken out from the body 10 by pinching the body 10 to push
out the same. This packaging container 1 enables the takeout of the
suppository 2 by tearing the body 10 in such a case.
[0049] As long as the notch 19 tears the flange 18 left and right
to trigger tearing of the body 10, there is no limitation on a
shape. A shape may not be a notch 19 but a simple linear cut, or a
composite shape having a linear cut directed from an intersection
of the notch 19 to the sidewall 11 may be employed. However, the
sidewall-tip of the notch 19 or the sidewall-tip of the cut must
not reach the sidewall 11. It is because if the sidewall-tips reach
the sidewall 11, strength of the sidewall 11 is reduced to increase
a risk of rupture from this portion when the received suppository 2
melts.
[0050] The flange 18 shown in FIG. 10 comprises a brim 18a of a cap
shown in FIG. 9, and a sword guard 18b almost all around the
sidewall 11 except for the brim 18a. The brim 18a of the cap has a
notch 19. In the flange 18, the guard 18b almost all around the
sidewall 11 functions as a holding (fixing) member of a loading
device used at the time of loading and packaging the suppository 2
and enables sure automatic loading. Only for the purpose of
triggering tearing of the sidewall 11 of the body 10, the partially
disposed flange 18 shown in FIG. 9 is more preferable than the
flange 18 all around the sidewall 11. It is because the flange 18
can be pinched more easily, and torn left and right more easily.
Thus, the sword guard 18b only may be cut off from the sidewall 11
after the suppository 2 is loaded. When the brim 18a and the sword
guard 18b almost all around the sidewall 11 are combined together
as shown in FIG. 10, the sword guard 18b is preferably caused to
jump out in an outer circumferential direction more than the brim
18a. It is because griping and tearing are easier.
[0051] Thus, the flange 18 having the notch 19 not only serves to
prevent erroneous insertion of the body 10 but also facilitates
insertion of the suppository 2 by tearing the body 10. Besides,
since the flange 18 is disposed near the open end of the sidewall
11, when the body 10 is torn, a portion near the open end of the
sidewall 11 is torn while a portion near the skin 12 is not torn to
be left, and the suppository 2 can be inserted without direct
touching by fingers as in the previous case. The flange 18 of the
sword guard shape disposed almost all around the sidewall 11
functions as a holding portion by mechanical loading.
[0052] Two cord-like projections 17 are disposed all around the
sidewall 11 near the skin 12 of the sidewall 11. The cord-like
projection 17 functions as a skid when the suppository 2 is pushed
out by the fingers. That is, because of the presence of the
cord-like projection 17, the suppository 2 can be pushed out
without slipping-off of the body 10 through the pinching fingers.
Moreover, since the two cord-like projections 17 are arranged, a
sure skidding function is exhibited.
[0053] An arranging place of the cord-like projection 17 is near
the skin 12, preferably a position in which the suppository 2 is
most easily pushed out. More specifically, for example, if a
roughly mountain-shaped skin 12 is disposed, the cord-like
projection is arranged on an open-end side slightly more than a
bottom of the skin 12 (position which is a boundary between the
skin 12 and the sidewall 11 and nearest the open end). By disposing
the cord-like projection in this position, the suppository 2 can be
pushed out by a small force. Incidentally, this position varies
depending on a shape or the like of an article.
[0054] Accordingly, as long as the object can be achieved, a
thickness, the number, and intervals of cord-like projections are
not a problem, and the cord-like projection needs not always be
disposed all around. For example, as shown in FIG. 11, the
cord-like projection may be disposed in a part of the sidewall 11.
In such a case, it is advisable to dispose the cord-like projection
17 in a position to be always pinching by two fingers. In the above
example, more preferably, the cord-like projection is disposed in a
position in which the bottom of the skin 12 is nearest the open
end. Such a position becomes an eyemark to indicate a position of
pinching the cord-like projection 17, whereby usability of the
packaging container 1 is improved more.
[0055] The cord-like projection 17 is not necessarily connected as
a line. Dots may be linearly arrayed, or a broken line in which
short lines are linearly arrayed may be employed. Incidentally, the
lines, the dots, and the short lines are not planar lines but have
swells. The cord-like projection 17 may be formed roughly
semicircular or rectangular in section preferably.
[0056] The embodiment has been described mainly by way of the
suppository 2 as an article to be packaged. However, the packaging
container 1 of the invention can be applied to various articles
other than the suppository 2, and suitably used for an article
which has a given shape at a given temperature (proper
temperature), and partially or entirely melts by a temperature
change to increase a volume, or does not melt but increases the
volume. For example, the container can be applied to a foodstuff
such as chocolate. The chocolate has a composition similar to that
of the suppository 2, and keeps a given shape at a normal
temperature. However, the chocolate melts to lose its shape at a
higher temperature, and is solidified in the broken shape upon a
return to the normal temperature. On the other hand, when the
packaging container 1 of the invention is used, even if the
chocolate melts therein, the chocolate can be taken out in a shape
before the melting (shape at a receiving time) by cooling and
solidifying the packaging container 1 without opening it. Moreover,
the container can be applied to articles such as cosmetics.
[0057] The packaging container 1 of the invention needs to expand
in accordance with expansion of an article therein, and be restored
to an original shape in accordance with contraction. When the
received article contracts from the original shape, it is not
always necessary for the packaging container 1 to accordingly
contract. That is, in the packaging container 1 of the invention,
the receiving space thereof only needs have a given shape in a
normal state of the article, and there will be no problem even if a
form change of the article causes a reduction in a volume occupied
by the article and forms an aperture in the container. For example,
ice cream or ice causes a volume reduction when it melts. However,
by receiving such an article, the packaging container 1 does not
contract itself, but an aperture is formed therein. Needless to
say, the packaging container 1 may contract to be deformed.
However, if the packaging container 1 is cooled together with the
article after melting, the article is solidified again therein to
return to its original shape. It is because at the time of
receiving the article in the packaging container 1, the article is
received to be bonded to an inner surface thereof. Thus, the
packaging container 1 of the invention can be used as a container
for an article which melts to reduce a volume. Incidentally, in
this case, packaging is carried out under conditions which enable
the ice cream or ice to keep a given shape.
[0058] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments. As
long as the object of the invention can be achieved, there is no
limitation on an appearance shape of the packaging container 1, a
shape of the article or the like. For example, the body 10 and the
cap 20 can both be constituted to expand/contract. In this case,
portions around the fitting portion 13 of the body 10 and the
fitting portion 22 of the cap 20 may be formed thick to prevent
liquid leakage therefrom.
[0059] As described above, the packaging container of the invention
comprises the fitted body of the cap made of the rubber elastic
material and the body made of the rubber elastic material, at least
the cap or the body expands or contracts in accordance with
volumetric expansion or volumetric contraction of the article
received in the container, and the article can be taken out without
any leakage of the article into the outside in a state where the
article is restored to an original shape. Accordingly, even when
the article similar to the suppository is placed at a higher
temperature than a proper temperature, and melts to lose its shape,
the suppository as the received article is restored to its original
shape by cooling the container with the article. As a result,
within a range in which the article is not altered, the article
never becomes unusable even if it melts to lose its shape, but the
article can always be used in a proper shape. Storage conditions
can be softened from cold place storage to room temperature
storage, contributing to a reduction in storage costs and
suppressing defects caused by bad storage conditions. The container
is made of the rubber elastic material, and thus its portability
can be improved compared with the conventional hard plastic
container.
[0060] In the case of using the suppository, by positioning the
open end of the body (cap) near the maximum diameter position of
the suppository received therein, the cap and the body are fitted
together in a strongest place to surely prevent liquid leakage when
melting occurs. Moreover, in the case of a spindle-shaped
suppository, pushing-out from the body can be facilitated, further
improving handling.
[0061] Furthermore, according to the invention, the thin-film skin
disposed in a part of the body or the cap, e.g., in the bottom
thereof, to expand/contract absorbs the expansion of the article,
whereby the object of the invention can be achieved without any
loosening of the fitting between the cap and the body. If the other
portion of the body (cap) comprising the skin is formed into a
roughly cylindrical thick shape, the cap (body) can be removed in a
state in which the article is received in the body (cap), and the
article can be pushed out by pinching it from the cap (body).
Accordingly, when the container is used for a suppository, the
suppository can be inserted into an applied location without
directly touching it by fingers, whereby a very hygienic and highly
convenient suppository product can be provided.
[0062] The cord-like projection disposed in the circumferential
direction near the skin of the roughly cylindrical potion of the
body or the cap exhibits the skidding function from the fingers,
and prevents pulling-off of the body or the cap through the fingers
when the article is pushed out. Additionally, the cord-like
projection becomes an eyemark of a pinching pushing out position,
improving usability more.
[0063] Further, the flange jumping out in the outer circumferential
direction more than the open end integrally formed near the open
end of the roughly cylindrical portion of the body or the cap
functions as, e.g., an erroneous insertion preventing member to the
anus or the like when the suppository is used, whereby a product
with consideration given to safety is provided.
[0064] The cut or the notch formed in the flange triggers tearing
of the roughly cylindrical body or cap. Thus, the article can be
taken out by tearing the body or the cap from the cut or the like.
Especially, this becomes effective means when resolidification
causes bonding of the article to the container. Moreover, since the
flange is formed near the open end of the cap or the body, the
portion gripped by the fingers is left without being torn, and the
suppository can be inserted into the anus or the like without
dirtying the fingers.
[0065] If the cap and the body are fitted together by a fitting
concave and a fitting convex slightly larger than the concave, it
is possible to surely prevent liquid leakage.
[0066] Further, the taper swollen from the insertion end side
disposed in the fitted body of the cap and the body in the outer
circumferential direction facilitates insertion into the opposite
side body or cap, whereby automatic packaging by a machine can be
carried out.
[0067] If one of the cap and the body is formed into a pedestal
shape which comprises one or a plurality of fitting concaves to fit
the opposite body or cap, the cap or the body is enlarged to
improve handling. In association, a plurality of suppositories are
provided by one packaging form or one package.
[0068] As apparent from the foregoing, according to the invention,
it is possible to not only soften storage conditions of an article
such as a suppository which easily melts near a room temperature,
especially an article whose physical shape is particularly
necessary, but also to take out the article without directly
touching it. The packaging container of the invention is especially
suitable for a suppository, and provides a suppository product
excellent in hygiene and handling.
* * * * *