JP2020000663A - Compact container - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a compact container having excellent operability for a long period.SOLUTION: A compact container 10 comprises: a container body 50 having an inner container 55 and an outer container 56; a bottomed cylindrical bottom member 21 storing the container body 50 in a state that the outer container 56 is connected, and opening upward; an operation part 71 constituted so as to be movable downward in an upward energized state to the bottom member 21 in a state that the inner container 55 and the outer container 56 are connected, and having a communication path 119 communicated with the inner container 55; and a second valve 102 switching inner and outer communication and blockage of the inner container 55 through the communication path 119, and opening the communication path 119 following the rise of inner pressure of the communication path 119.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to a compact container.

  2. Description of the Related Art As a cosmetic storage container, there is known a configuration including a middle dish container containing a cosmetic and a case containing the middle dish container (for example, see Patent Document 1 below). In the cosmetic container described in Patent Literature 1 below, when the net covering the inner plate container is pressed with a puff or the like, the contents ooze through the mesh of the net. Further, in the cosmetic container described in Patent Literature 1 below, as the contents decrease, the peripheral wall of the inner dish container is deformed, so that the net descends according to the surface height of the contents. It is stated that the height of the net with respect to the surface of the content can be kept constant.

JP 2003-93145 A

  However, in the configuration of Patent Document 1 described above, the contact position between the net and the puff changes according to the remaining amount of the contents. Therefore, there is still room for improvement in providing excellent operability over a long period of time.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a compact container having excellent operability over a long period of time.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention proposes the following means.
The compact container according to the present invention has an inner container in which the contents are accommodated and the volume of which is reduced due to the decrease of the contents, an outer air introducing the inner container and introducing outside air between the inner container and the inner container. A container main body having a non-returnable deformable outer container having a hole formed therein, a check valve for switching communication between the inside and the outside of the outer container through the outside air introduction hole, and shutting off the container, accommodating the container main body, and opening upward. The bottomed cylindrical housing portion is configured to be movable downward in an upwardly biased state with respect to the housing portion in a state where the inner container and the outer container are connected, and communicates with the inner container. An operation unit having a communication passage; and a discharge valve for switching between communication between the inside and the outside of the inner container through the communication passage and shutting off, and opening the communication passage in accordance with an increase in the internal pressure of the communication passage.

According to this configuration, the container body accommodated in the accommodation unit is pushed in with the downward movement of the operation unit with respect to the accommodation unit. Then, as the pressure in the container body increases, the contents in the inner container flow into the communication passage. When the contents flow into the communication passage, the pressure in the communication passage increases, and the discharge valve is opened. This causes the contents to flow out onto the operation unit through the communication path.
By releasing the pressing force on the operation unit, the operation unit moves upward together with the container body with respect to the storage unit. At this time, since the outer container is configured to be capable of restoring deformation, the outer container attempts to restore the original shape as the operation unit moves upward. On the other hand, with the upward movement of the operation unit, the entire inner container tends to move upward together with the operation unit. That is, as the inner container moves relative to the outer container, the inside of the outer container has a negative pressure. Thereby, the check valve is opened, so that air flows into the outer container through the outside air introduction hole. As a result, the reduced volume shape of the inner container is maintained.

  As described above, according to the configuration of the present invention, regardless of the remaining amount of the contents in the inner container, the outer container when the operation unit is in the initial state (the state in which the pressing force on the operation unit is released) Can be kept constant. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the height of the operation unit from fluctuating according to the remaining amount of the contents in the inner container. As a result, excellent operability can be provided over a long period.

In the compact container according to the present invention, at least the container body, the operation unit, and the discharge valve may constitute a refill container that is integrally detachable from the storage unit.
According to this configuration, since the compact container can be used continuously without replacing the accommodating portion, the running cost required for using the compact container can be suppressed.

In the compact container according to the present invention, the outer container may be connected to the housing.
According to this configuration, since the outer container is connected to the storage unit, the outer container attempts to restore the original shape as the operation unit moves upward. This eliminates the need to employ a configuration in which the outer container itself can be elastically deformed, so that the degree of freedom in selecting the material of the outer container can be improved.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to the compact container which concerns on this invention, excellent operability can be provided for a long term.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the compact container according to the first embodiment with a lid member removed. FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line II-II in FIG. 1. FIG. 4 is a plan view of the compact container according to the first embodiment in a state where a lid member has removed an open position. FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along the line IV-IV in FIG. 1. It is operation | movement explanatory drawing of the compact container which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is operation | movement explanatory drawing of the compact container which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is sectional drawing corresponding to FIG. 2 in the compact container which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is operation | movement explanatory drawing of the compact container which concerns on 2nd Embodiment.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following embodiments, corresponding components are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof may be omitted.
<First embodiment>
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the compact container 10 of the present embodiment is a flat container having a circular shape in plan view. The compact container 10 includes a case 11 and a refill container 12 removably accommodated in the case 11.
The case 11 includes a bottom member (accommodating portion) 21 and a lid member 22. The bottom member 21 has a bottomed cylindrical shape. The lid member 22 is in the shape of a cylinder with a top. The cover member 22 opens and closes the opening of the bottom member 21 by rotating about the rotation axis R with respect to the bottom member 21.

Hereinafter, the central axis of the case 11 (the central axis of the compact container 10) is referred to as a container axis O, and a direction along the container axis O (a direction in which the container axis O extends) is referred to as a vertical direction Z. A direction from the bottom member 21 to the lid member 22 along the up-down direction Z is referred to as upward, and a direction from the lid member 22 to the bottom member 21 is referred to as downward.
The direction that intersects the container axis O in plan view as viewed from the vertical direction Z is referred to as a radial direction. The direction approaching the container axis O along the radial direction is referred to as a radial inside, and the direction away from the container axis O is referred to as a radial outside. Of the radial directions, a direction parallel to the rotation axis R is referred to as a left-right direction Y, and a direction orthogonal to the rotation axis R is referred to as a front-rear direction X. Along the front-rear direction X, a direction from the container axis O toward the rotation axis R is referred to as rearward, and a direction from the rotation axis R toward the container axis O is referred to as front.
The direction of orbit around the container axis O is referred to as the circumferential direction.

As shown in FIG. 2, the bottom member 21 has a bottom plate 23 and a peripheral wall 24.
The bottom plate portion 23 has a disk shape disposed coaxially with the container axis O.
The peripheral wall portion 24 stands upright from the outer peripheral edge of the bottom plate portion 23. An engagement space 25 is provided at the front end of the peripheral wall 24. The engagement space 25 is open forward and upward. The engagement space 25 is defined by a rear wall portion 26 facing forward and a bottom wall portion 27 facing upward.

  A guide wall 28 projecting forward is formed at the center of the rear wall 26 in the left-right direction Y. The upper surface of the guide wall portion 28 is an inclined surface that is inclined downward as going forward. A portion of the rear wall portion 26 located above the guide wall portion 28 is formed with a first engagement portion 29 protruding forward. An escape hole 30 penetrating the rear wall 26 in the front-rear direction X is formed in a portion of the rear wall 26 located below the guide wall 28.

  An engagement plate portion 31 extending upward is formed on the bottom member 21. The plurality of engagement plate portions 31 are formed at equal intervals along the circumferential direction. The engagement plate portion 31 is arranged such that the radial direction is the plate thickness direction. At the upper end of the engagement plate portion 31, an engagement claw 31a protruding inward in the radial direction is formed.

The lid member 22 is attached to the rear end of the peripheral wall 24. The lid member 22 closes the upper end opening of the bottom member 21 so that it can be opened and closed.
The lid member 22 includes a top plate portion 33 and a peripheral wall portion.
The top plate part 33 is formed in a disk shape arranged coaxially with the container axis O. The top plate portion 33 faces the bottom plate portion 23 in the vertical direction Z. A mirror M is fixed to the lower surface of the top plate 33.
The peripheral wall portion 34 extends downward from the outer peripheral edge of the top plate portion 33.

At the front end of the peripheral wall portion 34, an engagement piece 35 is provided so as to project downward. The engagement piece 35 enters the engagement space 25 from above at the closed position of the lid member 22.
At the lower end of the engagement piece 35, a second engagement portion 36 protruding rearward is formed. The second engagement portion 36 is removably undercut fitted to the first engagement portion 29 described above. When the second engagement portion 36 engages with the first engagement portion 29 from below, the lid member 22 is locked at the closed position.

  A push piece 37 is provided in the engagement space 25. The push piece 37 releases the engagement between the first engagement portion 29 and the second engagement portion 36 with the rearward movement in the engagement space 25. The above-described push piece 37 is not an essential component. The engagement between the first engagement portion 29 and the second engagement portion 36 is released by, for example, deforming the lower end portion of the engagement piece 35 so as to slightly bend forward with a fingertip or the like. The lock of the closed state of the member 22 may be released.

The refill container 12 has a container main body 50, an exterior body 51, and an inner lid 52.
The container main body 50 is a so-called double container in which the outer container 56 and the outer peripheral edges of the outer container 56 are joined together in a state where the inner container 55 is housed in the outer container 56. The inner container 55 is configured so as to be able to reduce the volume as the content decreases. In the inner container 55, a content having fluidity (for example, liquid, gel, jelly, etc.) is stored. In the present embodiment, for example, a cosmetic such as a liquid foundation is used as the content.

  The outer container 56 is configured to be deformable as the inner lid 52 moves. An outer air introduction hole 57 is formed in the outer container 56 for communicating the inside and the outside of the outer container 56. In the present embodiment, the outside air introduction holes 57 are respectively formed in portions of the outer container 56 which are located on the upper and lower sides with the inner container 55 interposed therebetween. On the inner peripheral surface of the outer container 56, check valves 59 for switching between communication and shutoff between the inside and the outside of the outer container 56 through the outside air introduction hole 57 are provided. The check valve 59 allows air to be introduced into the outer container 56 through the outside air introduction hole 57, and regulates outflow of air to the outside of the outer container 56 through the outside air introduction hole 57.

In addition, the container main body 50 of this embodiment is formed by the following method, for example. As the inner container 55, a lower inner film constituting the lower half of the inner container 55 and an upper inner film constituting the upper half are prepared. As the outer container 56, a lower outer film constituting the lower half of the outer container 56 and a lower outer film constituting the upper half are prepared.
The lower inner film and the upper outer film are each formed in a circular shape in plan view. The upper inner film and the upper outer film are each formed in a ring shape having an opening at a radially central portion.
Then, in a state where the lower outer film, the lower inner film, the upper inner film, and the upper outer film are overlapped with each other, the outer peripheral edges of these four films are joined (for example, welded or the like). Thereby, the container main body 50 described above is formed.

  In the above-described container body 50, by forming the outside air introduction holes 57 on both the upper and lower sides of the outer container 56, air can be introduced into each of the upper space and the lower space with respect to the joint portion of the film. Can be smoothly reduced in volume. The number, position, shape, and the like of the outside air introduction holes 57 can be appropriately changed. For example, when the outside air introduction hole 57 is formed in either the upper outer film or the lower outer film, the film can be simplified. However, in the case where the outside air introduction hole 57 is formed on the upper or lower side of the outer container 56, it is preferable to provide the outer air introduction hole 57 in the lower portion of the outer container 56 in order to smoothly reduce the volume of the inner container 55.

The exterior body 51 is housed inside the bottom member 21. The exterior body 51 is formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape that opens upward. The bottom wall 60 of the exterior body 51 is disposed on the above-described bottom plate 23. The outer peripheral surface of the container body 50 (outer container 56) is connected to the upper surface of the bottom wall portion 60 via a bonding material 67 (for example, a double-sided tape or the like). That is, in the present embodiment, a part of the outer container 56 is connected to the case 11 via the exterior body 51. The outer container 56 only needs to have a portion that cannot be moved relative to the exterior body 51 and the bottom member 21.
The peripheral wall 61 of the exterior body 51 extends upward from the outer peripheral edge of the bottom wall 60. An engagement recess 63 is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the peripheral wall 61. The above-mentioned engaging claw 31a is engaged with the engaging concave portion 63. Thus, the refill container 12 is detachably accommodated in the case 11 (the bottom member 21).

  The upper edge of the peripheral wall 61 of the bottom member 21 is located higher than the upper edge of the peripheral wall 24 of the bottom member 21. At the upper end of the peripheral wall 61, a locking projection 64 is formed that protrudes inward in the radial direction. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, at the upper end of the peripheral wall 61, a positioning recess 65 is formed at a part in the circumferential direction. The positioning recess 65 is opened at the upper end surface of the peripheral wall 61 and penetrates the peripheral wall 61 in the radial direction. Note that the positioning recess 65 may be open at least upward.

As shown in FIG. 2, a flange portion 62 that protrudes radially outward is formed in a portion of the peripheral wall portion 61 located below the locking projection 64. The flange portion 62 is placed on the upper edge of the peripheral wall portion 24 when the refill container 12 is held by the bottom member 21.
A regulating rib 66 is formed on a portion of the inner peripheral surface of the peripheral wall portion 61 located below the flange portion 62. The restricting rib 66 protrudes radially inward from the peripheral wall 61 and extends in the up-down direction Z. A plurality of regulating ribs 66 are formed at intervals in the circumferential direction.

The inner lid 52 is configured to be movable downward in an upwardly biased state in the exterior body 51 and to be rotatable around the container axis O. Specifically, the inner lid 52 includes a connecting member 70 and an operation unit 71.
The connecting member 70 connects the container body 50 and the operation unit 71. The connecting member 70 includes an inner spout 72 joined to the inner container 55 and an outer spout 73 joined to the outer container 56.
The inner spout 72 is formed in a cylindrical shape coaxial with the container axis O. The inner spout 72 has a flange portion 72a that protrudes radially outward at a lower end portion. The periphery of the mouth of the inner container 55 (upper inner film) is joined to the lower surface of the flange portion 72a. The periphery of the mouth (upper outer film) of the outer container 56 is joined to the upper surface of the flange portion 72a. The upper end of the inner spout 72 protrudes upward with respect to the mouth of the inner container 55.

The outer spout 73 is formed in a ring shape coaxial with the container axis O. Specifically, the outer spout 73 has an inner cylinder 81, an outer cylinder 82, and a connecting portion 83 that connects the lower ends of the inner cylinder 81 and the outer cylinder 82.
The inner cylinder 81 is formed with a fitting recess 85 that opens downward. The above-described inner spout 72 is fitted in the fitting recess 85. Thereby, the outer container 56 is sandwiched between the inner spout 72 and the outer spout 73.

  An outer flange portion 90 that protrudes radially outward is formed on the upper end edge of the outer cylinder 82. A surrounding cylinder 91 is formed on the outer peripheral edge of the outer flange portion 90. The surrounding cylinder 91 surrounds the outer cylinder 82. The surrounding cylinder 91 projects upward and downward with respect to the outer flange portion 90. At the lower end of the surrounding cylinder 91, a retaining projection 94 protruding outward in the radial direction is formed. The retaining protrusion 94 is locked to the above-described locking protrusion 64 of the exterior body 51 from below the locking protrusion 64. Thus, the upward movement of the inner lid 52 with respect to the exterior body 51 is restricted.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, at the upper end of the surrounding cylinder 91, a restriction protrusion 97 that protrudes radially outward is formed at a part in the circumferential direction. The regulating protrusion 97 is configured to be accommodated in the positioning recess 65 described above. That is, when the regulating protrusion 97 and the positioning concave portion 65 are displaced in the circumferential direction (unused position), the inner cover 52 approaches or contacts the upper end edge of the surrounding wall portion 61 from above the surrounding wall portion 61. . Thereby, the downward movement of the inner lid 52 with respect to the exterior body 51 is regulated. On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, when the restricting projection 97 and the positioning recess 65 coincide with each other in the circumferential direction (use position), the restricting projection 97 enters the positioning recess 65. Thereby, the downward movement of the inner lid 52 with respect to the exterior body 51 is allowed. Note that the positions and the numbers of the regulating protrusions 97 and the positioning recesses 65 can be changed as appropriate.

As shown in FIG. 2, the operation unit 71 is formed in a ring shape coaxial with the container axis O. Specifically, the operation unit 71 includes a push plate unit 100, a valve housing unit 101, a first valve (discharge valve) 102, and a second valve (discharge valve) 103.
The push plate portion 100 covers the connecting member 70 from above. In the present embodiment, the push plate portion 100 is disposed inside the surrounding tube 91 with the outer peripheral portion placed on the upper surface of the outer flange portion 90 and the inner peripheral portion placed on the upper surface of the inner tube 81. ing. At the outer peripheral portion of the push plate portion 100, a mounting tube portion 104 is formed downward. The mounting cylinder 104 is undercut fitted to the inner peripheral surface of the outer cylinder 82. Note that the mounting cylinder 104 may be connected to the connecting member 70 by a method other than undercut fitting (for example, screwing).

  On the upper surface of the push plate 100, a supply recess 105 is formed at a portion located forward of the opening. The supply recess 105 is formed in a semicircular shape projecting forward in a plan view as viewed from above and below. The supply recess 105 is recessed downward from the upper surface of the push plate 100 in a vertical cross-sectional view along the vertical direction. The rear end of the supply recess 105 communicates with the opening of the pressing plate 100. The supply recess 105 gradually becomes shallower toward the front. A puff P (applicator) is provided on the upper surface of the pressing plate 100. Note that the supply recess 105 may be open on the upper surface of the pressing plate 100.

The valve housing portion 101 is formed to be depressed downward with respect to the push plate portion 100. Specifically, the valve housing portion 101 includes a housing cylinder portion 110 extending downward from an opening edge of the push plate portion 100, and a valve seat portion 111 extending radially inward from a lower edge of the housing cylinder portion 110. I have.
The housing cylinder 110 is fitted in the inner cylinder 81 described above.
A portion located radially inward with respect to the valve seat portion 111 forms a communication hole 115 that allows communication between the inside of the inner container 55 and the inside of the valve housing portion 101. In the present embodiment, a portion extending from the communication hole 115 to the supply concave portion 105 forms a communication passage 119 that allows the contents in the inner container 55 to flow to the upper surface of the push plate portion 100.

The first valve 102 switches the communication between the inside of the inner container 55 and the communication path 119 through the communication hole 115 and the cutoff. The first valve 102 is a so-called three-point valve. The first valve 102 includes a valve cylinder 120 and a valve main body 121.
The valve cylinder 120 is fitted in the housing cylinder part 110.

  The valve body 121 is arranged inside the valve cylinder 120. The valve body 121 is connected to a lower end of the valve cylinder 120 via a connecting piece 122. The valve main body 121 comes into contact with and separates from the upper surface of the valve seat 111 in the vertical direction Z according to the pressure fluctuation in the inner container 55. That is, the valve main body 121 closes the communication hole 115 in a state where the valve main body 121 is in contact with the upper surface of the valve seat 111. On the other hand, as the pressure in the inner container 55 rises, the valve body 121 is separated upward from the valve seat 111 to open the communication hole 115.

The second valve 103 switches the communication between the inside of the communication passage 119 through the supply recess 105 and the outside of the refill container 12 and the cutoff. The second valve 103 includes a valve base 130 and a movable part 131.
The valve base 130 is formed in a topped cylindrical shape. The tubular portion 132 of the valve base 130 is fitted in the housing tubular portion 110. The top wall 133 of the valve base 130 closes the upper end opening of the tubular portion 132. In the top wall portion 133, a portion located outside of the cylindrical portion 132 in the radial direction is in close contact with the upper end edge of the housing cylindrical portion 110 from above the housing cylindrical portion 110. In the present embodiment, a communication groove 134 extending in the container axis O direction is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the housing cylinder portion 110. The communication groove 134 communicates between the inside of the valve base 130 or the valve cylinder 120 and the rear end of the supply recess 105 through a through hole (not shown) formed in the valve base 130 or the valve cylinder 120.

  The movable section 131 extends forward from the top wall section 133. The movable section 131 is formed to be thinner than the top wall section 133. The movable section 131 covers the supply recess 105 from above the supply recess 105. The movable portion 131 is configured to be capable of coming into contact with and separating from the opening edge of the supply concave portion 105 by bending and deforming in the vertical direction in accordance with the pressure fluctuation in the communication passage 119. That is, the movable portion 131 closes the supply recess 105 in a state where the movable portion 131 contacts the opening edge of the supply recess 105. On the other hand, as the pressure in the communication passage 119 rises, the movable section 131 separates upward from the opening edge of the supply recess 105 to open the supply recess 105. Note that the upper surface of the second valve 103 is arranged flush with the upper surface of the push plate unit 100.

  An urging member 139 is interposed between the exterior body 51 and the operation unit 71. The biasing member 139 surrounds the periphery of the container body 50 in the exterior body 51. The lower end of the urging member 139 is supported by the bottom wall 60 of the exterior body 51. The upper end of the urging member 139 is in contact with the lower surface of the outer flange portion 90. Accordingly, the inner lid 52 (the operation unit 71) is supported so as to be movable downward in an upwardly biased state with respect to the exterior body 51.

Next, the operation of the compact container 10 will be described. When the compact container 10 is not used, the communication path 119 is filled with, for example, air. In the following description, the raised end position of the inner lid 52 (the position where the locking projection 64 and the retaining projection 94 are engaged) is set as an initial state.
First, the push piece 37 is operated to move the lid member 22 to the open position. Subsequently, as shown in FIGS. 1, 3, and 4, the inner lid 52 is rotated around the container axis O, and the regulating protrusion 97 and the positioning recess 65 are aligned in the circumferential direction.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 5, the inner lid 52 is pushed downward through a puff P or the like. Then, the inner lid 52 moves downward with respect to the exterior body 51 against the urging force of the urging member 139. Thereby, when the container main body 50 is pushed in, the container main body 50 (the inner container 55 and the outer container 56) is reduced in volume and deformed, and the pressure in the inner container 55 is increased. When the pressure in the inner container 55 increases, the valve body 121 of the first valve 102 is pushed upward by the contents. Thereby, the communication hole 115 is opened, and the contents in the inner container 55 flow into the communication passage 119 through the communication hole 115. When the pressure in the communication passage 119 increases with the inflow of the contents into the communication passage 119, the movable portion 131 is pushed up by the pressure in the communication passage 119. As a result, the supply recess 105 is opened, and a part of the air filled in the communication passage 119 is discharged from the supply recess 105. The downward movement of the inner lid 52 is restricted by the lower end edge of the surrounding cylinder 91 abutting on the restriction rib 66.

  As shown in FIG. 2, when the pressing force applied to the inner lid 52 is released, the inner lid 52 moves upward to the initial position by the urging force of the urging member 139. In the present embodiment, both the inner container 55 and the outer container 56 are connected to the operation unit 71 via the connecting member 70 at the upper part, while only the outer container 56 is connected to the bottom wall by the bonding material 67 at the lower part. It is joined to the part 60. Therefore, as the inner lid 52 moves upward, the outer container 56 attempts to restore its original shape, but the inner container 55 moves upward together with the inner lid 52 as a whole. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 6, the inside of the outer container 56 (the space between the outer container 56 and the inner container 55) has a negative pressure. When the pressure inside the outer container 56 becomes negative, the check valve 59 opens, so that air flows into the outer container 56 through the outside air introduction hole 57. As a result, the reduced volume shape of the inner container 55 is maintained. The check valve 59 is closed when the pressure in the outer container 56 rises to the atmospheric pressure.

  Then, by repeating the above-described vertical movement of the inner lid 52, the air is discharged from the communication path 119, and the communication path 119 is filled with the contents. That is, the content that has flowed into the valve housing portion 101 flows into the communication groove 134 through a through hole formed in the valve base 130 or the valve cylinder 120. After that, the contents in the communication groove 134 reach the inside of the supply recess 105. Also in this case, the volume of the inner container 55 is reduced as the content flows into the communication passage 119. On the other hand, when the inner lid 52 returns to the initial state, the outer container 56 maintains the original shape.

  If the inner lid 52 is moved downward again while the inside of the communication path 119 is filled with the contents, the pressure in the communication path 119 increases due to the inflow of the contents from the inner container 55 into the communication path 119. As a result, the supply recess 105 is opened, and the contents flow out to the upper surface of the operation unit 71 through the supply recess 105. In this state, by wiping the upper surface of the operation unit 71 with the puff P or the like, the contents can be attached to the puff P or the like and used. In addition, even if the inner container 55 is reduced in volume with the use of the contents, the outer container 56 maintains the original shape by returning the inner lid 52 to the initial state.

After the use of the compact container 10, the inner lid 52 is rotated around the container axis O such that the circumferential positions of the regulating protrusion 97 and the positioning recess 65 are shifted. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the contents from unexpectedly flowing out.
When the contents are used up, the refill container 12 is replaced. Specifically, the engagement between the engagement concave portion 63 and the engagement claw 31a is released, and the refill container 12 is removed from the bottom member 21. After that, a new refill container 12 is attached to the bottom member 21.

  Note that the pressing direction of the inner lid 52 does not have to match the vertical direction. For example, the inner lid 52 may be pressed downward by using the puff P to stroke the inner lid 52 from a direction intersecting the vertical direction. Also in this case, in the present embodiment, since the inner lid 52 is surrounded by the peripheral wall portion 61 of the exterior body 51, the rattling of the inner lid 52 in the radial direction is suppressed. Therefore, the inner lid 52 can be effectively pressed downward.

As described above, in the present embodiment, as the operation unit 71 moves downward, the pressure in the communication body 119 increases due to the increase in the pressure in the container body 50, and the second valve 103 is opened. As a result, the contents flow out through the communication passage 119.
By releasing the pressing force on the operation unit 71, the operation unit 71 moves upward together with the container body 50. At this time, since the outer container 56 is connected to the case 11 via the exterior body 51, the outer container 56 attempts to restore the original shape as the operation unit 71 moves upward. On the other hand, as the operation unit 71 moves upward, the entire inner container 55 attempts to move upward together with the operation unit 71. That is, when the inner container 55 moves relative to the outer container 56, the inside of the outer container 56 becomes a negative pressure. Thereby, air flows into the outer container 56 through the outside air introduction hole 57. As a result, the reduced volume shape of the inner container 55 is maintained.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the volume of the outer container 56 when the operation unit 71 is in the initial state can be kept constant regardless of the remaining amount of the contents in the inner container 55. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the height of the operation unit 71 from fluctuating according to the remaining amount of the contents in the inner container 55. As a result, excellent operability can be provided over a long period.

In the present embodiment, at least the container body 50, the operation unit 71, and the second valve 103 constitute the refill container 12 that is integrally attached to and detached from the case 11.
Therefore, since the compact container 10 can be used continuously without replacing the case 11, the running cost required for using the compact container 10 can be suppressed.

In the present embodiment, the outer container 56 of the container body 50 is configured to be connected to the bottom member 21 via the exterior body 51.
According to this configuration, as the inner lid 52 moves upward, the outer container 56 attempts to restore the original shape. This eliminates the need to employ a configuration in which the outer container 56 itself can be elastically deformed, so that the degree of freedom in selecting the material of the outer container 56 can be improved.

<Second embodiment>
The present embodiment is different from the above-described first embodiment in that the operation unit 71 is supported via an elastic support member 200.
As shown in FIG. 7, the elastic support member 200 is disposed inside the exterior body 51 so as to be movable downward in an upwardly biased state. The elastic support member 200 is formed in a ring shape coaxial with the container axis O. Specifically, the elastic support member 200 includes an outer support tube 201, an inner support tube 202, and a connecting portion 203.

  The outer support cylinder 201 is formed with a retaining projection 210 protruding outward in the radial direction. The retaining projection 210 is locked to the locking projection 64 of the exterior body 51 from below the locking projection 64. Thus, upward movement of the elastic support member 200 with respect to the exterior body 51 is restricted.

The inner support tube 202 is arranged radially inward of the outer support tube 201 and coaxial with the outer support tube 201. An engagement portion 212 (for example, a female screw portion) is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the inner support cylinder 202.
The connection portion 203 connects the upper end portions of the outer support tube 201 and the inner support tube 202 to each other. An urging member 139 is in contact with the lower surface of the connection portion 203.

The refill container 12 of the present embodiment includes a container body 50, a connecting member 70, and an operation unit 71. That is, the exterior body 51 of the present embodiment, together with the bottom member 21, constitutes a storage section according to the present invention.
The outer container 56 is connected to the bottom wall 60 of the exterior body 51 via a bonding material 67 such as a double-sided tape. In the bonding material 67 of the present embodiment, the bonding strength with the outer container 56 is set to be weaker than the bonding strength with the exterior body 51.

  In addition, the container main body 50 of this embodiment is formed by the following method, for example. A band-shaped inner film is prepared as the inner container 55. A belt-shaped outer film is prepared as the outer container 56. Then, in a state where the inner film and the outer film are overlapped, both ends in the longitudinal direction are folded back toward the center in the longitudinal direction. Both ends of the inner film and the outer film in the longitudinal direction are joined to the inner spout 72 described above. On the other hand, of the outer peripheral edges of the inner film and the outer film, both ends in the short direction are joined to each other.

The push plate unit 100 of the operation unit 71 is supported by the connection unit 203 at an outer peripheral portion.
An engaged part 220 (for example, a male screw part) to be engaged with the engaging part 212 is formed in the mounting cylinder part 104 of the operation part 71. The operation unit 71 may be engaged with the elastic support member 200 by a method other than screwing.

In the compact container 10 of the present embodiment, when the operation unit 71 is pushed downward, the operation unit 71 moves downward together with the elastic support member 200. As a result, the pressure in the container body 50 increases, and the contents flow out of the supply recess 105 as in the first embodiment described above.
On the other hand, when the pressing force on the operation unit 71 is released, the operation unit 71 is pushed up by the elastic support member 200, and the operation unit 71 moves upward together with the container body 50. Thus, similarly to the first embodiment, the inside of the outer container 56 becomes a negative pressure, and air flows into the outer container 56 through the outside air introduction hole 57.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, in addition to the same operation and effect as the above-described first embodiment, the following operation and effect are obtained. That is, since the elastic support member 200 is provided separately from the refill container 12, the number of components of the refill container 12 can be reduced. Thereby, the cost of the refill container 12 can be reduced, and the running cost can be further reduced when the compact container 10 is used.

  In the embodiment described above, the configuration in which the elastic support member 200 is supported by the case 11 via the exterior body 51 has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. The elastic support member 200 may be directly supported by the case 11.

The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, but the present invention is not limited to these embodiments. Additions, omissions, substitutions, and other modifications of the configuration can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. The present invention is not limited by the above description, but is limited only by the appended claims.
In the above-described embodiment, the configuration in which the opening of the container body 50, the communication path 119, and the like are located on the container axis O has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. The mouth of the container main body 50, the communication path 119, and the like may be arranged at positions shifted radially with respect to the container axis O.
In the above-described embodiment, the container main body 50 is configured as the refill container 12 so as to be detachable from the case 11, but is not limited to this configuration. The container main body 50 may have a configuration that cannot be replaced.

In the above-described embodiment, the configuration in which the compact container 10 is formed in a circular shape in plan view has been described, but the configuration is not limited to this configuration. As long as the compact container has at least a flat shape (a shape in which the thickness in the vertical direction is shorter than the length in the radial direction), the shape in plan view can be appropriately changed.
In the above-described embodiment, the configuration in which the first valve 102 and the second valve 103 are disposed in the communication passage 119 as the discharge valve according to the present invention has been described. However, if at least one discharge valve is disposed. Good. For example, when only the second valve 103 is used (when the first valve 102 is not provided), the second valve 103 is brought into close contact with the push plate portion 100 and in accordance with the pressure fluctuation in the communication passage 119. It is preferable to select a material that can be easily elastically deformed (for example, a rubber member).

  In the above-described embodiment, the configuration in which the outer container 56 is restored and deformed by joining the outer container 56 to the housing portion (exterior body 51) via the joining material 67 has been described, but is not limited to this configuration. . For example, if the outer container 56 itself is configured to be elastically deformable, the outer container 56 may not be connected to the housing.

  In addition, it is possible to appropriately replace the components in the above-described embodiment with well-known components without departing from the spirit of the present invention, and the above-described modifications may be appropriately combined.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Compact container 11 ... Case 12 ... Refill container 50 ... Container main body 55 ... Inner container 56 ... Outer container 57 ... External air introduction hole 59 ... Check valve 71 ... Operating part 102 ... First valve 103 ... Second valve 119 ... Connection aisle

Claims (3)

An inner container in which contents are accommodated and whose volume is reduced and deformed as the contents are reduced, and which can be restored and deformed in which the inner container is installed and an outside air introduction hole for introducing outside air is formed between the inner container and the inner container. An outer container, and a container body having a check valve that switches communication and shutoff between inside and outside of the outer container through the outside air introduction hole,
While accommodating the container body, a bottomed cylindrical accommodating portion that opens upward,
An operation unit having a communication passage configured to be movable downward in an upwardly biased state with respect to the storage unit in a state where the inner container and the outer container are connected, and a communication passage communicating with the inner container;
A discharge valve configured to switch between communication between the inside and the outside of the inner container through the communication passage and between the inside and the outside, and to open the communication passage in accordance with an increase in the internal pressure of the communication passage.   2. The compact container according to claim 1, wherein at least the container body, the operation unit, and the discharge valve constitute a refill container that is integrally detachable from the storage unit. 3.   The compact container according to claim 1, wherein the outer container is connected to the storage unit.

Images