JP2024066455A - Applicator - Google Patents

Abstract

[Problem] To provide an applicator with a good connection between a coating liquid tank and a front shaft. [Solution] When one end of the coating liquid tank is inserted from the coating liquid tank side opening of the through hole, a plurality of airtight ribs, which are annular projections extending in the circumferential direction, protrude from the outer wall surface of the coating liquid tank 3 and come into airtight contact with the inner wall surface of the front shaft 2 to connect the front shaft and the coating liquid tank in a press-fit state, and the airtight rib located closest to the applicator body 4 is provided continuous from the end face of the coating liquid tank on the applicator body side. [Selected Figure] Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to an applicator that supplies a coating liquid stored in a coating liquid tank to a coating destination.

Various structures have been considered for the configuration of the coating liquid tank that contains the coating liquid and its surrounding components. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an applicator that connects the two components by engaging a protrusion protruding from the outer wall surface of the coating liquid tank that contains the coating liquid with the inner wall surface of the front shaft on which the coating destination is located.

JP 2022-119608 A

In the applicator disclosed in Patent Document 1, when connecting the coating liquid tank and the front shaft, if the coating liquid adheres to the protrusions and spreads between the outer wall surface of the coating liquid tank and the inner wall surface of the front shaft at the connection part, there is a problem that the connection between the coating liquid tank and the front shaft deteriorates, causing the coating liquid to leak or impairing the appearance.

The present invention aims to provide an applicator that has a good connection between the application liquid tank and the front shaft.

The present invention is an applicator having at least a front shaft and a coating liquid tank, the front shaft having a through hole formed therein as a coating liquid flow passage penetrating in the axial direction, an applicator that applies the coating liquid being inserted into the through hole and connected to one end of the front shaft by inserting the coating liquid tank into the through hole, the coating liquid tank containing at least the coating liquid, and a plurality of airtight ribs, which are annular projections extending in the circumferential direction, protrude from the outer wall surface and are capable of connecting the front shaft and the coating liquid tank in a press-fitted state by airtight contact with the inner wall surface of the front shaft when one end of the coating liquid tank is inserted through the opening of the through hole on the coating liquid tank side, and the airtight rib located closest to the applicator is provided in a continuous manner from the end face of the coating liquid tank on the applicator side.

The applicator according to the present invention has an airtight rib located closest to the applicator body that is continuous with the applicator body-side end face of the applicator tank, so that when one end of the applicator tank is inserted through the opening of the through-hole in the front shaft on the side of the applicator tank, the applicator liquid is less likely to leak between the inner wall surface of the front shaft and the outer wall surface of the applicator tank. Even if the applicator liquid does spill over the airtight rib, the presence of a second airtight rib from the applicator body side of the applicator tank keeps the applicator liquid contained between the airtight ribs and in the gaps with the inner wall surface of the front shaft, so that the applicator liquid is less likely to spread beyond the range where the airtight rib is provided between the inner wall surface of the front shaft and the outer wall surface of the applicator tank, and the connection can be maintained in good condition.

A longitudinal sectional view of the applicator 1 FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the exterior of the front axle 2. FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of part A in FIG. FIG. 3 is an external perspective view of a relay member 7; FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the coating liquid tank 3. FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of part B in FIG. FIG. 7 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 6 according to a partially modified embodiment of the first embodiment. A longitudinal sectional view of the applicator 11. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the coating liquid tank 13. FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of part C in FIG.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the applicator according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The present invention is not limited to the embodiment, and various modifications are possible without departing from the gist of the present invention.

The applicator of the present invention can be used as writing or drawing implements such as brush pens, felt-tip pens, and marking pens, cosmetic implements such as eyeliner, eyebrow pencils, and eyeshadow, and medical implements for applying chemical solutions for sanitary disinfection, etc. The applicator of the present invention can use coating liquids of any physical properties depending on the application, and can use, for example, coating liquids with relatively low viscosity at 25°C of 1.00 mPa·s or more and 100 mPa·s or less, or coating liquids with relatively high wettability with a surface tension of 20.0 mN/m or more and 60.0 mN/m or less.

Figure 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view of an applicator 1 according to a first embodiment. The applicator 1 is an eyeliner cosmetic tool. The applicator 1 is composed of at least a front shaft 2 and an application liquid tank 3. Other components arranged in the applicator 1 include an applicator body 4, an application liquid occluder 5, an application liquid supply pipe 6, a relay member 7, a rear shaft 8, and a cap 9. The direction in which one end of the applicator body 4 protrudes from the front shaft 2 will be described as the front, and the opposite side as the rear. The direction in which the center lines of the entire applicator 1, the front shaft 2, the application liquid tank 3, etc. extend will be described as the axial direction.

Figure 2 is an external perspective view of the front shaft 2, and Figure 3 is an enlarged view of part A in Figure 1. The front shaft 2 is a molded product made of polypropylene resin. The front shaft 2 is a cylindrical member, and has a through hole 2a that penetrates in the axial direction. One end of the front shaft 2 is connected by inserting an applicator 4 for applying the coating liquid L1 into the through hole 2a. The other end of the front shaft 2 is connected by inserting a coating liquid tank 3 into the through hole 2a. The through hole 2a functions as a coating liquid flow path for supplying the coating liquid L1 contained inside the coating liquid tank 3 to the applicator 4.

The applicator 4 is a member for applying the application liquid L1 to the surface to be applied. In this embodiment, the applicator 4 is composed of a brush tip 4a, a fixed tube 4b, and a relay core 4c. The brush tip 4a is a fiber bundle made of relatively soft polyamide fibers with excellent wettability and relatively hard polybutylene terephthalate fibers with excellent weather resistance, and is preferable as the applicator 4 for eyeliner, which comes into contact with human skin and requires delicate operability near the eyeball. The fixed tube 4b is a cylindrical member with both axial ends open. The fixed tube 4b is a molded product made of polypropylene resin.

The brush tip 4a is placed at the front open end of the front barrel 2 via a fixed tube 4b. An intermediate core 4c is inserted into the rear end of the brush tip 4a. The intermediate core 4c is a cylindrical fiber bundle. The brush tip 4a and intermediate core 4c have multiple paths through which the coating liquid L1 flows and is discharged. Some of these paths also function as paths for air exchange that is performed simultaneously with the discharge of the coating liquid L1. A cap 10 that protects the applicator 4 can be attached and detached to the front of the front barrel 2.

In the applicator 4, the tip 4a can be placed on the front shaft 2 via a fixed tube 4b as in this embodiment, or the tip 4a can be placed directly on the front shaft 2 without a fixed tube 4b, or a portion equivalent to the intermediate core 4c can be placed directly on the tip 4a.

The material of the brush tip 4a can be selected from known materials taking into consideration moldability, drying properties of the applied surface, writing feel, etc. As for the fiber bundle, synthetic fibers such as polyamide fiber, polyester (polybutylene terephthalate, polyethylene terephthalate, polytrimethylene terephthalate, etc.), acrylic fiber, polyurethane fiber, polyacrylonitrile fiber, and natural animal hair such as goat, sheep, horse, and squirrel can be appropriately selected. As for the porous body, urethane, sponge, etc. can be appropriately selected.

In this embodiment, the rear of the relay core 4c is inserted into the coating liquid absorbing body 5. The coating liquid absorbing body 5 is a member for supplying the coating liquid L1 from the coating liquid supply pipe 6 described below to the relay core 4c. It also functions as a buffer that temporarily holds the coating liquid L1 so that the coating liquid L1 is not excessively supplied to the relay core 4c. The coating liquid absorbing body 5 is a fiber bundle made of polyethylene terephthalate resin. The coating liquid absorbing body 5 is a cylindrical member and is housed in the through hole 2a.

The material of the coating liquid absorbing body 5 can be appropriately selected from a fiber bundle of polyester (polybutylene terephthalate, polyethylene terephthalate, polytrimethylene terephthalate, etc.) fibers, polyamide fibers, acrylic fibers, etc., or a porous body such as urethane or sponge. In addition, a film can be wrapped around the outer periphery of the coating liquid absorbing body 5. The film can be made of a material such as polypropylene resin, polyethylene resin, or polyethylene terephthalate resin.

In this embodiment, the front of the coating liquid supply pipe 6 is inserted into the coating liquid occlusion body 5. The coating liquid supply pipe 6 is a member that forms part of the coating liquid supply path that supplies the coating liquid L1 in a free state from the coating liquid tank 3 to the coating body 4. The coating liquid supply pipe 6 is a cylindrical member made of stainless steel (SUS304), and is a member that is open at both axial ends and penetrates in the axial direction.

The material of the coating liquid supply pipe 6 can be appropriately selected from metals such as stainless steel, steel, brass, and brass, polypropylene resin, polycarbonate resin, acrylic resin, polyethylene resin, polyamide resin, polybutylene terephthalate resin, polybutylene naphthalate resin, polyethylene naphthalate resin, vinyl chloride resin, ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer, polyacrylonitrile resin, fluororesin, polyacetal resin, polyethylene terephthalate resin, polystyrene resin, ABS resin, silicone resin, elastomer, and composites containing these resins, taking into consideration moldability and reactivity with the coating liquid L1.

A compressed section 5a is formed inside the coating liquid absorbing body 5. The compressed section 5a is formed by inserting the rear of the relay core 4c, which constitutes the rear of the coating body 4, and the front of the coating liquid supply pipe 6 into the coating liquid absorbing body 5, and pressing the coating liquid absorbing body 5 against the rear end face of the relay core 4c and the front end face of the coating liquid supply pipe 6. The compressed section 5a is a place where the fibers are denser than other places in the coating liquid absorbing body 5, so that a higher capillary force acts there than in places other than the compressed section 5a, and the coating liquid L1 can be supplied from the coating liquid supply pipe 6 to the relay core 4c.

Figure 4 is an external perspective view of the relay member 7. The relay member 7 is disposed between the coating liquid tank 3 and the coating liquid occlusion body 5 and coating liquid supply pipe 6. The relay member 7 is a cylindrical member made of polypropylene resin. The relay member 7 is a member having a through hole 7a formed therein, which forms a part of the coating liquid supply path that supplies the coating liquid L1 in a free state from the coating liquid tank 3 to the application body 4 side. The through hole 7a is formed by opening both axial ends of the relay member 7 and penetrating in the axial direction. The relay member 7 is inserted from the rear open end of the front axle 2 and is connected to the front axle 2 in a press-fit relationship. Two airtight ribs, which are annular protrusions extending in the circumferential direction, are provided on the inner wall surface near the opening in the front axle 2 into which the relay member 7 is inserted, and the front axle 2 and the relay member 7 are connected in a press-fit relationship, so that the inner wall surface of the front axle 2 and the outer wall surface of the relay member 7 are so-called airtight. The relay member 7 can also be molded integrally with the coating liquid supply pipe 6 to form a coating liquid supply path in one part.

The rear axle 8 is connected to the rear end of the front axle 2. The rear axle 8 is a molded product made of polypropylene resin. The rear axle 8 is a cylindrical member with one axial end closed and the other end open and bottomed. A flange, which is an annular protrusion extending in the circumferential direction, is provided in the axial middle of the outer wall of the front axle 2. In addition, a front axle 2 side fitting portion, which is a circumferential protrusion, is provided on the outer wall surface of the front axle 2 behind the flange. The inner wall surface of the rear axle 8 is provided with a rear axle 8 side fitting portion, which is an annular protrusion extending in the circumferential direction. The rear of the front axle 2 is inserted from the open end of the rear axle 8, and the front axle 2 side fitting portion and the rear axle 8 side fitting portion pass over each other to complete the fitting, and the front axle 2 and the rear axle 8 are joined. At this time, the end face of the open end of the rear axle 8 abuts against the flange of the front axle 2, allowing the axial positioning of both members. The front axle 2 and rear axle 8 can be connected as appropriate by a so-called jump fit as in this embodiment, as well as by other methods such as press fitting or screw threading.

Figure 5 is an external perspective view of the coating liquid tank 3, and Figure 6 is an enlarged view of part B in Figure 1. From the outer wall surface of the coating liquid tank 3, an airtight rib 3a, which is a circumferentially extending annular protrusion, protrudes. When one end of the coating liquid tank 3 is inserted from the coating liquid tank side opening of the through hole 2a, it comes into airtight contact with the inner wall surface of the front shaft 2, making it possible to connect the front shaft 2 and the coating liquid tank 3 in a press-fit state. Multiple airtight ribs 3a are provided, and in this embodiment, two are provided. Three or more airtight ribs 3a can also be provided.

The airtight rib 3aa located at the most forward position (applicator body 4 side) among the airtight ribs 3aa is provided in a continuous manner from the front end surface (applicator body 4 side) of the coating liquid tank 3. Therefore, when one end of the coating liquid tank 3 is inserted into the through hole 2a, the airtight rib 3aa comes into contact with the inner wall surface of the front axle 2 quickly, and the coating liquid L1 is less likely to leak between the inner wall surface of the front axle 2 and the outer wall surface of the coating liquid tank 3, which is preferable. Even if the coating liquid L1 goes over the airtight rib 3aa, the airtight rib 3ab located at the second row from the applicator body 4 side among the airtight ribs 3a exists, so the coating liquid L1 is contained in the gap between the airtight ribs 3 and the inner wall surface of the front axle 2, and the coating liquid L1 is less likely to spread beyond the range where the airtight rib 3 is provided between the inner wall surface of the front axle 2 and the outer wall surface of the coating liquid tank 3, which is preferable.

A cylindrical resin molded product with a bottom, such as the coating liquid tank 3, can be molded by inserting and/or placing a cylindrical pin with a diameter smaller than the cavity of the cavity, pouring liquid resin between the cavity and the pin, and pulling out the pin after the resin has hardened. If the airtight rib 3aa is formed in a shape that is continuous with the front end face of the coating liquid tank 3, the end face of the cavity, where burrs such as so-called parting lines and steps may occur, can be matched as the part that molds the radial top of the coating liquid tank 3 in the airtight rib 3aa. Even if a ring-shaped parting line extending circumferentially occurs at the top of the airtight rib 3aa, the airtight rib 3aa itself is molded with a design value that ensures the length necessary to express the airtight effect from the outer wall surface of the coating liquid tank 3 toward the radial outside, and the radial length for the parting line is simply added to it, so that the airtight effect is not hindered, which is preferable.

The coating liquid L1 contained inside the coating liquid tank 3 can be stored in a free state as in this embodiment, or it can be stored by impregnating it into an occlusion body made of bundled fibers. Also, the coating liquid tank 3 containing the coating liquid L1 can be used as a cartridge of a so-called cartridge-type applicator that can be attached and detached to the front shaft 2.

The coating liquid tank 3 in which the coating liquid L1 is stored in a free state can also accommodate an agitator 9. The agitator 9 in this embodiment is a sphere made of stainless steel (SUS304). In addition, a rib 3b extending in the longitudinal direction of the coating liquid tank 3 can be protruded from the inner wall surface of the coating liquid tank 3. By providing the rib 3b on the inner wall surface of the coating liquid tank 3, the agitator 9 is less likely to adhere to the inner wall surface of the coating liquid tank 3, and the coating liquid L1 in the free state can be sufficiently agitated. Therefore, since the composition and viscosity of the coating liquid L1 are less likely to be biased, the fluidity of the coating liquid L1 can be stabilized, the coating liquid L1 is less likely to leak from the coating liquid tank 3, and the connection state of both components can be maintained in a good state, which is preferable. In addition, by providing the rib 3b on the inner wall surface of the coating liquid tank 3, the surface area of the inner wall surface of the coating liquid tank 3 is increased, so that the coating liquid L1 is less likely to remain on the inner wall surface of the coating liquid tank 3, and the liquid is easily cut off. Therefore, the fluidity of the coating liquid L1 can be more stabilized, which is preferable.

In this embodiment, four ribs 3b are provided on the inner wall surface of the coating liquid tank 3. Each rib 3b is arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. The number of ribs 3b, their longitudinal length, width (circumferential length), length of projection from the inner wall surface of the coating liquid tank 3, shape, etc. can be designed as desired.

It is preferable that the airtight rib 3a and the rib 3b do not form the same cross section in a cross section perpendicular to the axial direction of the coating liquid tank 3. When the airtight rib 3a and the rib 3b are in such a relationship, no part protruding from both the inner wall surface and the outer wall surface at the same location of the coating liquid tank 3 and becoming locally thick is generated. Therefore, so-called sink marks are less likely to occur in the airtight rib 3a, and the airtight rib 3a can be brought into sufficiently close contact with the inner wall surface of the front axle 2, which is preferable as it makes it less likely for the coating liquid L1 to leak.

For example, as in this embodiment, the front end of the rib 3b can be positioned so as not to reach the position where the airtight rib 3ab is provided on the outer wall surface of the coating liquid tank 3, or the rib 3b can be interrupted to avoid the area where the airtight rib 3ab and the airtight rib 3aa are provided on the outer wall surface of the coating liquid tank 3, and further rib 3b can be provided in the area where the airtight rib 3ab and the airtight rib 3aa are not provided.

It is preferable that the rib 3b does not form the same cross section in a cross section perpendicular to the axial direction of the coating liquid tank 3 over the entire area of the airtight rib 3a. It is also permissible for the front end of the rib 3b to slightly reach a position on the inner wall surface of the coating liquid tank 3 where it forms the same cross section as the rear inclined surface portion that forms the airtight rib 3a. It is sufficient that the rib 3b does not form the same cross section as the top of the airtight rib 3a, the part that bites into the inner wall surface of the front axle 2 the most and contributes to the realization of the airtight effect.

It is preferable that the maximum outer diameter portion of the agitator 9 in the radial direction of the coating liquid tank 3 (broken line portion in FIG. 6) and the rib 3b form the same cross section in a cross section perpendicular to the axial direction of the coating liquid tank 3. The outer wall surface of the maximum outer diameter portion of the agitator 9 in the radial direction of the coating liquid tank 3 has the smallest distance between it and the inner wall surface of the coating liquid tank 3, so the surface tension applied to the coating liquid L1 present between the outer wall surface of the agitator 9 and the inner wall surface of the coating liquid tank 3 becomes large, making it easier for a liquid film of the coating liquid L1 to temporarily occur. If the rib 3b is present in a range that forms the same cross section as the maximum outer diameter portion of the agitator 9, the circumferential distance of the inner wall surface of the coating liquid tank 3 can be increased by the amount of the rib 3b, and it is considered that the surface tension applied to the coating liquid L1 present between the outer wall surface of the agitator 9 and the inner wall surface of the coating liquid tank 3 can be reduced. Therefore, it is easier to prevent the occurrence of a liquid film of the coating liquid L1, so the fluidity of the coating liquid L1 can be stabilized, and the coating liquid L1 is less likely to leak from the coating liquid tank 3, which is preferable.

In this embodiment, the rib 3b is not extended to the end of the coating body 4 side on the inner wall surface of the coating liquid tank 3, but the two protrusions 7b protruding from the relay member 7 connected to the opening end of the coating liquid tank 3 toward the inside of the coating liquid tank 3 limit the range in which the agitator 9 can move axially forward inside the coating liquid tank 3, so that the rib 3b and the maximum outer diameter part of the agitator 9 in the radial direction of the coating liquid tank 3 always form the same cross section in a cross section perpendicular to the axial direction of the coating liquid tank 3 within the range where the axial range in which the rib 3b is provided inside the coating liquid tank 3 overlap with the axial range in which the maximum outer diameter part of the agitator 9 in the radial direction of the coating liquid tank 3 can reach inside the coating liquid tank 3. In addition, since the protrusions 7b can limit the range in which the agitator 9 can move forward inside the coating liquid tank 3, it is not necessary to extend the front end of the rib 3b too far forward on the inner wall surface of the coating liquid tank 3, and it is also possible to achieve a positional relationship in which the airtight rib 3ab is not reached on the outer wall surface of the coating liquid tank 3, which is preferable.

Figure 7 is a view equivalent to Figure 6, but showing an embodiment in which the first embodiment is partially modified. Specifically, this is an embodiment in which the agitator 9 is cylindrical. The agitator 9 can be spherical, cylindrical, prismatic, or other shapes. In the case of a cylindrical agitator 9, the maximum outer diameter portion in the radial direction of the coating liquid tank 3 changes depending on the orientation of the agitator 9 that the agitator 9 can take inside the coating liquid tank 3. When the diameter inside the coating liquid tank 3 is larger than the longitudinal distance of the agitator 9, the agitator 9 can rotate so that the top and bottom surfaces are interchangeable, so the maximum outer diameter of the agitator 9 in the radial direction of the coating liquid tank 3 is the longitudinal distance of the agitator 9. When the agitator 9 cannot rotate so that the top and bottom surfaces are interchangeable as in Figure 7, the maximum outer diameter of the coating liquid tank 3 in the radial direction is between the dashed lines shown in Figure 7. It is preferable that the rib 3 is provided within the range in which the maximum outer diameter portion of the agitator 9 in the radial direction of the coating liquid tank 3 can move inside the coating liquid tank 3.

In the first embodiment, the airtight rib 3aa, which is located further forward (towards the applicator 4), contacts the inner wall surface of the front axle 2 with a greater force than the airtight rib 3ab. Therefore, while the airtight effect is reliably exerted between the inner wall surface of the front axle 2 and the outer wall surface of the coating liquid tank 3, the airtight rib 3a as a whole does not contact the inner wall surface of the front axle 2 with an excessively large force, which is preferable as it makes it easier to insert one end of the coating liquid tank 3 into the through hole 2a.

In this embodiment, the inner diameter of the front axle 2 (diameter of the cross section of the through hole 2a) is gradually increased from the applicator 4 side toward the open end where one end of the coating liquid tank 3 is inserted, at the axial middle of the front axle 2, from the position where the end of the coating liquid tank 3 reaches. The outer diameter of the coating liquid tank 3, which is the axial range where the airtight rib 3a is provided, is the same size, and the protruding lengths of the airtight rib 3aa and the airtight rib 3ab from the outer wall surface of the coating liquid tank 3 are also the same. Therefore, when one end of the coating liquid tank 3 is inserted into the through hole 2a, the airtight rib 3aa located closer to the applicator 4 contacts the inner wall surface of the front axle 2 with a greater force than the airtight rib 3ab. In addition, by making the inner diameter of the front axle 2 constant in the axial direction and gradually increasing the outer diameter of the coating liquid tank 3 toward the end on the applicator 4 side, or by making the length of the airtight rib 3aa protruding from the outer wall surface of the coating liquid tank 3 greater than the length of the airtight rib 3ab protruding from the outer wall surface of the coating liquid tank 3, the outer diameter of the position where the airtight rib 3aa is provided is made larger than the outer diameter of the position where the airtight rib 3ab is provided, so that the airtight rib 3aa located closer to the applicator 4 can be brought into contact with the inner wall surface of the front axle 2 with a greater force than the airtight rib 3ab.

Figure 8 is a vertical cross-sectional view of an applicator 11 according to the second embodiment. Like applicator 1, applicator 11 is a cosmetic eyeliner. Applicator 11 is at least composed of a front shaft 12 and an application liquid tank 13. Other components arranged in the applicator 11 include an applicator body 14, an application liquid occlusion body 15, an application liquid supply pipe 16, a relay member 17, a rear shaft 18, and a cap 19. The following mainly describes the parts that are different from the first embodiment.

Figure 9 is an external perspective view of the coating liquid tank 13, and Figure 10 is an enlarged view of part C in Figure 8. From the outer wall surface of the coating liquid tank 13, an airtight rib 13a, which is a circumferentially extending annular protrusion, protrudes. When one end of the coating liquid tank 13 is inserted from the opening of the through-hole 12a on the coating liquid tank 13 side, it comes into airtight contact with the inner wall surface of the front shaft 12, and can connect the front shaft 12 and the coating liquid tank 13 in a press-fit state. Multiple airtight ribs 13a are provided, and two are provided in this embodiment. Three or more airtight ribs 13a can also be provided.

On the outer wall surface of the coating liquid tank 13, on the opposite side of the applicator 14 side from the airtight rib 13a (rear of the airtight rib 13ab), a protrusion 13b is provided to maintain the radial distance between the outer wall surface of the coating liquid tank 13 and the inner wall surface of the front shaft 12 within a certain range. When one end of the coating liquid tank 13 is inserted into the through hole 12a, the outer wall surface of the coating liquid tank 13 and the inner wall surface of the front shaft 12 repeatedly come into contact and separate with the airtight rib 13 as a fulcrum, but by the protrusion 13b coming into contact with the inner wall surface of the front shaft 2, the radial distance between the outer wall surface of the coating liquid tank 13 and the inner wall surface of the front shaft 12 can be maintained within a certain range, reducing the rattle and maintaining a good connection state between the two components, which is preferable.

In this embodiment, the protrusion 13b is an annular protrusion extending in the circumferential direction of the coating liquid tank 13, and since the length of the protrusion from the outer wall surface of the coating liquid tank 13 is constant over the entire circumference, it is preferable that the rattle of the coating liquid tank 13 in all radial directions relative to the inner wall surface of the front shaft 2 can be reduced. In addition, in this embodiment, the protrusion 13b is in constant contact with the inner wall surface of the front shaft 2 when one end of the coating liquid tank 13 is inserted into the through hole 12a, so that when the coating liquid tank 13 and the front shaft 2 are connected, no gap is generated between the inner wall surface of the front shaft 2 and the top of the protrusion 13b, and rattle is not generated or can be greatly reduced, which is preferable. Alternatively, the protrusion 13b may not be continuous over the circumferential direction, but may be scattered at multiple locations. In this case, all the protrusions 13b may be provided on the same cross section of the coating liquid tank 13, or each may be provided at a position that does not constitute the same cross section of the coating liquid tank 13. In addition, even if the length of the projection 13b protruding from the outer wall surface of the coating liquid tank 13 is such that a small gap is created between the inner wall surface of the front shaft 2 and the top of the projection 13b when the coating liquid tank 13 and the front shaft 2 are connected, this reduces the amount of displacement of the coating liquid tank 3 and reduces rattling, which is preferable.

The coating liquid tank 13, in which the coating liquid L2 is stored in a free state, can also accommodate an agitator 19. In this embodiment, the agitator 19 is a sphere made of stainless steel (SUS304). In addition, a rib 13c extending in the axial direction can be protruded from the inner wall surface of the coating liquid tank 13. By providing the rib 13c on the inner wall surface of the coating liquid tank 13, the agitator 19 is less likely to adhere to the inner wall surface of the coating liquid tank 13, and the coating liquid L2 in the free state can be sufficiently agitated. Therefore, since the composition and viscosity of the coating liquid L2 are less likely to become biased, the fluidity of the coating liquid L2 can be stabilized, and the coating liquid L2 is less likely to leak from the coating liquid tank 13, which is preferable.

In this embodiment, four ribs 13c are provided on the inner wall surface of the coating liquid tank 13. Each rib 13c is arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. The number of ribs 13c, their axial length, width (circumferential length), length of projection from the inner wall surface of the coating liquid tank 13, shape, etc. can be designed as desired.

It is preferable that the airtight rib 13a and the rib 13c do not form the same cross section in a cross section perpendicular to the axial direction of the coating liquid tank 13. When the airtight rib 13a and the rib 13c are in such a relationship, no part protruding from both the inner wall surface and the outer wall surface at the same location of the coating liquid tank 13 and becoming locally thick is generated. Therefore, so-called sink marks are less likely to occur in the airtight rib 13a, and the airtight rib 13a can be brought into sufficiently close contact with the inner wall surface of the front axle 12, which is preferable as it makes it less likely for the coating liquid L2 to leak.

For example, as in this embodiment, the front end of rib 13c may pass the position where protrusion 13b is provided on the outer wall surface of coating liquid tank 13, but may not reach the position where airtight rib 13ab is provided, or rib 13c may be interrupted to avoid the area where airtight rib 13ab and airtight rib 13aa are provided on the outer wall surface of coating liquid tank 13, and further rib 13c may be provided in the area where airtight rib 13ab and airtight rib 13aa are not provided.

It is preferable that the maximum outer diameter portion of the agitator 19 in the radial direction of the coating liquid tank 13 (broken line portion in FIG. 11) and the rib 13c form the same cross section in a cross section perpendicular to the axial direction of the coating liquid tank 13. The outer wall surface of the maximum outer diameter portion of the agitator 19 in the radial direction of the coating liquid tank 13 has the smallest distance between it and the inner wall surface of the coating liquid tank 13, so the surface tension on the coating liquid L2 present between the outer wall surface of the agitator 19 and the inner wall surface of the coating liquid tank 13 becomes large, making it easier for a liquid film of the coating liquid L2 to temporarily occur. However, if the rib 13c is present in a range that forms the same cross section as the maximum outer diameter portion of the agitator 19, the circumferential distance of the inner wall surface of the coating liquid tank 13 can be increased by the amount of the rib 13c, and it is considered that the surface tension on the coating liquid L2 present between the outer wall surface of the agitator 19 and the inner wall surface of the coating liquid tank 13 can be reduced. This makes it easier to prevent the formation of a liquid film of the coating liquid L2, which stabilizes the fluidity of the coating liquid L2 and makes it less likely for the coating liquid L2 to leak from the coating liquid tank 13, which is preferable.

In this embodiment, too, the airtight rib 13aa, which is located further forward (towards the applicator 14), contacts the inner wall surface of the front shaft 12 with a greater force than the airtight rib 13ab. Therefore, while the airtight effect is reliably exerted between the inner wall surface of the front shaft 12 and the outer wall surface of the coating liquid tank 13, the airtight rib 13a as a whole does not contact the inner wall surface of the front shaft 12 with an excessively large force, which is preferable because it makes it easier to insert one end of the coating liquid tank 13 into the through hole 12a.

In this embodiment, the inner diameter of the front shaft 12 (diameter of the cross section of the through hole 12a) is gradually increased from the applicator 14 side toward the open end where one end of the coating liquid tank 13 is inserted, at the axial middle of the front shaft 12. The outer diameter of the coating liquid tank 13, which is the axial range in which the airtight rib 13a is provided, is the same size, and the protruding lengths of the airtight rib 13aa and the airtight rib 13ab from the outer wall surface of the coating liquid tank 13 are also the same. Therefore, when one end of the coating liquid tank 13 is inserted into the through hole 12a, the airtight rib 13aa located closer to the applicator 14 contacts the inner wall surface of the front shaft 12 with a greater force than the airtight rib 13ab. In addition, the inner diameter of the front shaft 12 is constant in the axial direction, and the outer diameter of the coating liquid tank 13 is gradually increased toward the end on the applicator 14 side, or the length of the airtight rib 13aa protruding from the outer wall surface of the coating liquid tank 13 is made greater than the length of the airtight rib 13ab. In this way, the outer diameter of the coating liquid tank 13 at the position where the airtight rib 13aa is provided is made greater than the outer diameter at the position where the airtight rib 13ab is provided, so that the airtight rib 13aa located closer to the applicator 14 can be brought into contact with the inner wall surface of the front shaft 12 with a greater force than the airtight rib 13ab.

In each embodiment, the material of each resin molded product can be appropriately selected from polypropylene resin, polycarbonate resin, acrylic resin, polyethylene resin, polyamide resin, polybutylene terephthalate resin, polybutylene naphthalate resin, polyethylene naphthalate resin, vinyl chloride resin, ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer, polyacrylonitrile resin, fluororesin, polyacetal resin, polyethylene terephthalate resin, polystyrene resin, ABS resin, silicone resin, elastomer, or composite materials containing these resins, taking into consideration moldability and reactivity with the coating liquid L. In addition, various coatings and printing can be applied to the inner wall surface and/or outer wall surface of each member, taking into consideration reactivity and permeability depending on the coating liquid L used.

LIST OF SYMBOLS 1 Applicator 2 Front shaft 2a Through hole 3 Coating liquid tank 3a Air tight rib 3aa Air tight rib 3ab Air tight rib 3b Rib 4 Applicator body 4a Brush tip 4b Fixed tube 4c Relay core 5 Coating liquid occluder 5a Compression section 6 Coating liquid supply pipe 7 Relay member 7a Through hole 7b Protrusion 8 Rear shaft 9 Stirring body 10 Cap 11 Applicator 12 Front shaft 12a Through hole 13 Coating liquid tank 13a Air tight rib 13aa Air tight rib 13ab Air tight rib 13b Protrusion 13c Rib 14 Applicator body 14a Brush tip 14b Fixed tube 14c Relay core 15 Coating liquid occluder 15a Compression section 16 Coating liquid supply pipe 17 Relay member 17a Through hole 17b Protrusion 18 Rear shaft 19 Stirring body 20 Cap
L1 Coating solution
L2 Coating solution

Claims (12)

An applicator having at least a front shaft and a coating liquid tank, the front shaft having a through hole formed therein as a coating liquid flow passage that penetrates in the axial direction, an applicator that applies the coating liquid is inserted into the through hole to connect it, and the other end of the applicator is connected to the coating liquid tank by inserting it into the through hole, the coating liquid tank contains at least the coating liquid, and from the outer wall surface, a number of airtight ribs, which are annular projections extending in the circumferential direction, protrude so that when one end of the coating liquid tank is inserted from the opening of the through hole on the coating liquid tank side, the airtight rib protrudes, which makes airtight contact with the inner wall surface of the front shaft and can connect the front shaft and the coating liquid tank in a press-fitted state, and the airtight rib located closest to the applicator is provided in a continuous manner from the end face of the coating liquid tank on the applicator side. The applicator according to claim 1, wherein the coating liquid tank contains at least the coating liquid in a free state and a stirring body, and a rib extending in the axial direction protrudes from the inner wall surface of the coating liquid tank. The applicator according to claim 2, wherein the airtight rib on the outer wall surface and the rib on the inner wall surface of the coating liquid tank do not form the same cross section in a cross section perpendicular to the axial direction of the coating liquid tank. The applicator according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the maximum outer diameter portion of the stirring body in the radial direction of the coating liquid tank and the rib on the inner wall surface of the coating liquid tank form the same cross section in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the coating liquid tank. The applicator according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the airtight rib contacts the inner wall surface of the front shaft with a greater force as the airtight rib is located closer to the applicator body. The applicator according to claim 4, wherein the airtight ribs contact the inner wall surface of the front shaft with a greater force as the airtight ribs are positioned closer to the applicator body. The applicator according to claim 1, wherein a protrusion is provided on the outer wall surface of the coating liquid tank, on the opposite side of the applicator body from the airtight rib, for maintaining the radial distance between the outer wall surface of the coating liquid tank and the inner wall surface of the front shaft within a certain range. The applicator according to claim 7, wherein at least the free-state coating liquid and a stirring body are contained inside the coating liquid tank, and a rib extending in the axial direction protrudes from the inner wall surface of the coating liquid tank. The applicator according to claim 8, wherein the airtight rib on the outer wall surface and the rib on the inner wall surface of the coating liquid tank do not form the same cross section in a cross section perpendicular to the axial direction of the coating liquid tank. The applicator according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the maximum outer diameter portion of the stirring body in the radial direction of the coating liquid tank and the rib on the inner wall surface of the coating liquid tank form the same cross section in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the coating liquid tank. The applicator according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the airtight ribs contact the inner wall surface of the front shaft with a greater force as the airtight rib is positioned closer to the applicator body. The applicator according to claim 10, wherein the airtight ribs contact the inner wall surface of the front shaft with a greater force as the airtight ribs are positioned closer to the applicator body.

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