JP4107448B2

JP4107448B2 - Applicator

Info

Publication number: JP4107448B2
Application number: JP20712398A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 史由伎田宮
Original assignee: Sakura Color Products Corp
Current assignee: Sakura Color Products Corp
Priority date: 1998-07-06
Filing date: 1998-07-06
Publication date: 2008-06-25
Anticipated expiration: 2018-07-06
Also published as: JP2000015170A

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は、塗布液を塗布する器具に関するものである。本発明の塗布具は、マニキュアを爪に塗る用途や、マニキュアの除光液を塗布する用途、或いはワックス液、さび取り液等を塗布する用途の器具として特に好適である。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
一般にマニキュアは、ガラスの小瓶に入れられ、蓋と一体化されたはけによって爪に塗布される。またマニキュアの除光液は、瓶とは別体のはけやスポンジ、或いは脱脂綿等に含ませて使用される。これらの塗布具は、はけ等を一々瓶に差し込んで、はけ等に液を含ませる必要があり、使い勝手が悪い。そこでマニキュア等を塗布するための器具として、塗布液容器と弁及び塗布部材が一体となっていて塗布液容器から塗布液が供給される形式の塗布具が提案されている（特開昭６２−７８４８６号，特開昭６２−７８４８７号，特開昭６２−７８４８７号他）。
【０００３】
図５は、特開昭６２−７８４８６号に開示された従来技術の塗布具の断面図である。従来技術の塗布具１００では、図５の様に、塗布液容器１０１の先端に先栓１０２が取り付けられている。そして当該先栓１０２に塗布部材１０３が摺動可能に取り付けられている。塗布部材１０３は、マニキュア液等を滲み出させて、爪等に塗り付けるものである。そして塗布液容器１０１と塗布部材１０３の間には、弁１０５が設けられている。弁１０５は、枠状の支持体１０６と弁座１０７及び棒状の弁本体１１０によって構成され、弁本体１１０は、バネ１１１によって弁座１０７に向かって付勢されている。そのため弁本体１１０は、常時弁座１０７と当接し、塗布液容器１０１は弁１０５によって封鎖されている。そして上記した塗布部材１０３の後端部が、弁１０５の弁本体１１０に直接的に当接している。
【０００４】
従来技術の塗布具１００を使用して爪にマニキュア液を塗布する場合は、爪に塗布部材１０３を当接し、塗布部材１０３を押して先栓１０２の中に押し込む。すると塗布部材１０３の後端が弁本体１１０を押し、弁本体１１０を塗布液容器１０１側に移動させる。その結果、弁本体１１０が弁座１０７を離れ、塗布液容器１０１内のマニキャア液が、弁座１０７の開口を経て先栓１０２側に流れ込む。そしてマニキュア液は、塗布部材１０３に導かれ、爪に塗布される。
【０００５】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
従来技術の塗布具は、塗布液容器１０１内のマニキュア液が塗布部材１０３に流れ込むので、旧来の様に一々塗布部材を瓶に差し込む手間はいらない。しかしながら、従来技術の塗布具は、塗布部材の素材が限定され、爪に塗りにくいという不満がある。より具体的に説明すると、マニキュア液を爪に塗るには、はけ又は筆状の塗布部材を使用することが望ましいが、従来技術の構造では、このような軟質の塗布部材を採用することができない。すなわちこの種の塗布具１００では、弁体１１０が常時バネ１１１によって付勢されている。したがって使用時には、塗布部材１０３をバネ１１１に抗して先栓１０２内に押し込む必要がある。そのため従来技術の塗布具１００では、塗布部材１０３にバネ１１１の付勢力に負けないだけの剛性が要求され、はけや筆の様な軟質の塗布部材を採用することができない。すなわち従来技術の塗布具では、弁１０５を開くために、樹脂チップ等の直線方向の剛性が高い塗布部材を採用する必要があり、はけ状の塗布部材を採用した場合には、いわゆる腰折れ状態となって弁１０５を開くことができない。
【０００６】
そこで本発明は、従来技術の上記した問題点に注目し、はけや筆に代表される軟質の塗布部材を使用することができる塗布具の開発を課題とするものである。
【０００７】
そして上記した課題を解決するための請求項１に記載の発明は、塗布液を溜める塗布液容器と、塗布液容器の先端側に取り付けられた塗布部材と、所定の力で押圧することによって開く弁を有し、当該弁は塗布液容器と塗布部材の間に設けられ、塗布部材を押圧することよって弁を開き、塗布液容器内の塗布液を塗布部材に導く塗布具において、塗布部材よりも剛性が高く、且つ塗布部材の押圧方向に移動可能な筒状部材を有し、塗布部材は前記筒状部材に摺動可能に挿入されていて前記筒状部材に対して突出及び没入可能であり、さらに塗布部材は、前記弁を開くのに要する力よりも弱い付勢力を発現する付勢手段によって前記筒状部材から突出する方向に付勢され、塗布部材を押圧することにより塗布部材は筒状部材の中に没入し、さらに筒状部材を押圧することにより筒状部材が移動して弁を押圧し、塗布液容器の先端には先栓部が設けられ、筒状部材は後端部が閉塞されていると共に側面に開口が設けられ、前記筒状部材は先栓内を摺動可能であり、且つ筒状部材の側面の開口部分の周囲には塗布液吸収体が配されて前記開口が閉塞され、筒状部材が押圧されて摺動した際に、前記開口が塗布液吸収体を離れることを特徴とする塗布具である。
【０００８】
本発明の塗布具は、従来技術の塗布具と同様に塗布液容器を有し、塗布液容器内の塗布液が塗布部材に導かれるものである。そして本発明の塗布具では、塗布部材よりも剛性が高い筒状部材を備え、塗布部材は、この筒状部材に対して突出及び没入可能である。また塗布部材は、弁を開くのに要する力よりも弱い付勢力を発現する付勢手段によって前記筒状部材から突出する方向に付勢されている。本発明の塗布具を使用する際には、従来技術と同様に塗布部材を爪等に押し当てる。ここで本発明の塗布具では、塗布部材は、弁を開くのに要する力よりも弱い付勢力を発現する付勢手段によって付勢されているので、弁を開くまでには至らない弱い力で筒状部材の中に没入する。したがって、一定以上の力で塗布部材を押圧すると、塗布部材は筒状部材の中に沈み、爪等には筒状部材が直接的に接する。ここで筒状部材は、塗布部材に比べて高い剛性を持つので、座屈することなく押圧力を弁に伝え、弁を開く。その結果、塗布液容器から塗布液が流れ出し、塗布部材を介して爪等に液が塗布される。すなわち本発明の塗布具は、押圧の初期段階で塗布部材が筒状部材の中に沈み、後は筒状部材が軸方向力を負担して弁を開き、塗布液容器から塗布液を導入する。
【０００９】
本発明の塗布具では、筒状部材は後端部が閉塞されていると共に側面に開口が設けられている。そして当該開口の周囲には塗布液吸収体が配されているから、開口は常時閉塞されている。ただし開口を閉塞する部材は、例えばスポンジ等の塗布液吸収体であるから、開口は、緩く閉じられているに過ぎず、厳密な液密状態ではない。そして本発明の塗布具では、塗布部材が筒状部材の中に沈んだ後、さらにこれらを押圧すると、筒状部材が先栓内で移動し、弁を押し開ける。そしてこの時、筒状部材の開口が塗布液吸収体を離れ、開放される。したがって塗布液容器内の液は、弁を経て先栓内に入り、さらに開口を経て筒状部材に入る。そして塗布液は、塗布部材から滲みだし、爪等に塗布される。また押圧をやめると、筒状部材は元の位置に復帰し、筒状部材の開口は塗布液吸収体によって閉塞される。また先栓内に残った余剰の塗布液は、塗布液吸収体に吸収される。
【００１０】
【発明の実施の形態】
以下さらに本発明の実施形態について説明する。図１は、本発明の実施形態の塗布具の断面図である。図２は、図１の塗布具のキャップを除いた先端部分の拡大断面図である。図３は、図２の塗布具の塗布部材を押圧した際における断面図である。図４は、図３の段階から更に塗布部材を押圧した際における断面図である。
【００１１】
図１〜図４において、１は本発明の実施形態の塗布具を示す。本実施形態の塗布具１は、マニキュアの除光液を塗布するものである。本実施形態の塗布具１は、塗布液容器２、先栓３、塗布部材５、筒状部材６、塗布液吸収体７、弁部材８及びキャップ９によって構成される。また他に、塗布部材５を押圧する弱いバネ５０を持つ。
【００１２】
順次説明すると、塗布液容器２は、マニキュア除光液が貯留される部位であり、溶剤に対して耐性があるガラスやアルミニウム等の無機質素材、あるいはポリエチレン樹脂等の合成樹脂によって成型されたものである。塗布液容器２の外形は、円筒形であり、後端側（図面では上部）が閉塞され、先端側が開放されている。塗布液容器２の先端部分１０は、やや細く成型され、当該部位の内面にはねじ１１が設けられている。また先端部分１０と本体部分の間には、内向きのフランジ１３が設けられ、当該部位は狭窄部となっている。本実施形態では、塗布液容器２内にマニキュア除光液が貯留される。マニキュア除光液は、具体的には、アセトン、酢酸ブチル、プロピレングリコール、オキソベンゾン等の有機溶剤である。
【００１３】
先栓３は、前記した塗布液容器２と同様の素材で作られたものであり、内部は空洞であって軸方向に貫通する。先栓３の内径及び外径は、３段階の部分に分かれており、一端から他端にかけて順次外径及び内径が小さくなっている。すなわち先栓３の後端側１２は、最も太く成型されており、当該部位の外周にはねじ１４が設けられている。また中間部１５は、中間程度の内外径を持つ。中間部１５の内部には軸方向に延びるリブ１８が設けられている。先端部分２０の内外径は最も細い。
【００１４】
塗布部材５は、はけ又は筆状の部材であり、直線状の繊維が束ねられたものである。塗布部材５の根元部分２２には、金属又は樹脂の板が設けられており、当該部分だけは相当の剛性を有する。
【００１５】
筒状部材６は、樹脂によって作られたものであり、内部は空洞であるが、一端は蓋部材２５によって閉塞されている。筒状部材６の外周には、軸方向にスリット状の開口２６が設けられている。本実施形態の塗布具では、筒状部材６は、軸方向に力を伝える作用をする部材であり、前記した塗布部材５に比べてはるかに高い剛性を持つ。
【００１６】
塗布液吸収体７は、具体的にはスポンジであり、円筒形をしていて中心部に開口２８が設けられている。
【００１７】
弁部材８は、周知構造のものであり、支持体３０、弁座部材３１、弁本体３２及びバネ３３によって構成されている。すなわち支持体３０は、ポリエチレン樹脂等によって成型された筒状の部材であり、先端部にフランジ３６が設けられている。また中間部は側面に大きな開口部３７が設けられている。さらに支持体３０の後端には穴４０が設けられている。
【００１８】
弁座部材３１は、中間部の外周面にフランジ４１が設けられた円筒体であり、その一端が弁座として機能する。
【００１９】
弁本体３２は、円錐形の閉止部４５を有し、その両端に軸部材４６，４７が設けられたものである。すなわち閉止部４５の円錐先端側には、軸部材４６が設けられており、当該軸部材４６は中空状であり、その先端部分は平坦である。一方、閉止部４５の後方に設けられた軸部材４７は先端が尖っている。
【００２０】
そして前記した支持体３０の内部に弁座部材３１が装着され、さらに弁本体３２の閉止部４５が、弁座部材３１の後端部と支持体３０の後端によって形成される空間に配されている。また弁本体３２の先端側の軸部材４６は、弁座部材３１の内部に配され、後端側の軸部材４７は、支持体３０の後端の穴４０に挿通されている。したがって弁本体３２は、弁座部材３１の後端部と支持体３０の後端によって形成される空間内を軸方向に移動可能である。
【００２１】
また後端側の軸部材４７には、バネ３３が同軸状に装着されており、当該ばねの一端は、支持体３０の後端部と係止し、他端は弁本体３２の閉止部４５と係止している。したがって、弁本体３２は弁座部材３１の端部に常時押圧されており、弁座部材３１の開口を閉塞している。
【００２２】
キャップ９は、公知のそれと同一であり、一端が閉塞した筒状体であり、先栓３部分に装着される。
【００２３】
次に、上記した各部材の組み立て構造について説明する。すなわち塗布液容器２の本体部分と先端部分１０の中間部位に、弁部材８が装着されている。弁部材８は、上記した支持体３０のフランジ３６と、弁座部材３１のフランジ４１が重ねられ、さらにこれらが塗布液容器２のフランジ１３と重ねられている。また塗布液容器２の先端部分１０の内側に先栓３の後端側１２が挿入されている。塗布液容器２の先端部分１０と先栓３は、両者に設けられたねじ１１，１４によって結合されている。そしてさらに先栓３の後端部は、前記した弁部材８の二つのフランジ３６，４１を、塗布液容器２のフランジ１３に押圧し、弁部材８と、塗布液容器２間の液封を確保している。
【００２４】
また前記した先栓３の中には、筒状部材６が軸方向に摺動可能に装着されている。なお、筒状部材６の外周部と先栓３の内面との間には、図示しない係止部が設けられており、筒状部材６が先栓３から抜け落ちることはなく、筒状部材６は先栓３から一部が突出した状態で停止する。筒状部材６の内側端部に設けられた蓋部材２５は、弁本体３２の軸部材４６の先端と当接している。また筒状部材６の周囲に塗布液吸収体７が配され、当該塗布液吸収体７によって、筒状部材６の開口２６が閉塞されている。
【００２５】
さらに上記した筒状部材６の内部には、塗布部材５が摺動自在に配されている。塗布部材５は、筒状部材６の先端から突出及び没入可能である。ただし塗布部材５と筒状部材６の間についても、図示しない係止部が設けられており、塗布部材５が筒状部材６から抜け落ちることはない。
【００２６】
そして塗布部材５の根元部分２２と、筒状部材６の後端たる蓋部材２５の間には、バネ５０が設けられており、塗布部材５は常時、筒状部材６から突出する方向に付勢されている。そしてここで特記するべき事項は、塗布部材５を押圧するバネ５０の強さである。すなわち塗布部材５を押圧するバネ５０は、前記した弁部材８のバネ３３に比べて極めて弱い。より具体的に説明すると、塗布部材５をバネ５０に抗して押圧し、全体が筒状部材６の内部に完全に没入するまで移動させても、当該押圧力によって弁部材８は開口せず、閉塞状態を維持する。
【００２７】
次に本実施形態の塗布具１の作用を、段階を追って説明する。本実施形態の塗布具１を使用する際には、公知の塗布具と同様に、キャップ９を外し塗布部材５を塗布しようとする爪等に押し当てる。塗布具１のキャップ９を外した時の状態は、図２の通りであり、塗布部材５はバネ５０に押圧されて筒状部材６の先端から突出し、筒状部材６は、弁部材８のバネ３３に押されて先端だけが先栓３から突出している。そして塗布部材５を塗布しようとする爪等に押し当てると、塗布部材５は、図２の様に、筒状部材６から突出した状態であったものが、押圧力によって内側に押され、図３の様に筒状部材６の内部に没する。ここで塗布部材５は、バネ５０によって筒状部材６から突出する方向に押圧されているが、当該バネ５０は、弁部材８のバネ３３に比べて極めて弱い力しか発現しえないものであるから、塗布部材５は座屈することなく、軸方向に移動し、筒状部材６の内部に没入する。
【００２８】
その結果、塗布部材５の先端は、筒状部材６の先端と一致する位置まで後退し、以後の押圧力は、直接的に筒状部材６に負荷される。すなわち塗布具１をさらに爪等に押しつけると、爪等に筒状部材６が直接的に当接し、塗布部材５に負荷は掛からない。そのため以後の軸方向力は、直接筒状部材６から弁部材８に伝わる。そして塗布具１をさらに爪等に押しつけると、図４に示すように、弁部材８のバネ３３に抗して筒状部材６と、弁本体３２が一体的に移動し、弁本体３２の閉止部４５が弁座部材３１を離れ、弁部材８が開放される。その結果、塗布液容器２内のマニキュア除光液は、弁本体３２の閉止部４５と弁座部材３１の間を空隙を経て流れ、先栓３内に入る。
【００２９】
また筒状部材６の移動によって、筒状部材６の開口２６が軸方向に移動し、塗布液吸収体７の装着部位を離れ、開口２６が開放される。その結果、先栓３内のマニキュア除光液が筒状部材６の内に流れ込む。そして当該マニキュア除光液は、はけ又は筆状の塗布部材５に含浸される。塗布具１の押圧力を緩めると、はけ又は筆状の塗布部材５はバネ５０に押されて再び筒状部材６から突出する。そして当該塗布部材５によって爪等を撫でると、爪にマニキュア除光液が塗られる。またこの時、弁部材８の弁本体３２が、バネ３３に押圧されて弁座部材３１と当接し、弁部材８が閉塞される。さらに弁本体３２の前進に伴って、これと当接する筒状部材６も前進し、元の位置に復帰する。そのため筒状部材６の開口２６は、塗布液吸収体７によって閉塞される。さらに先栓内に残った、余剰のマニキュア除光液は、塗布液吸収体７に吸収される。したがって、本実施形態の塗布具１によると、マニキュア除光液を爪に塗る際に、マニキュア除光液がぼたつくことはない。
【００３０】
塗布部材５に含まれるマニキュア除光液が減少すると、再度塗布部材５を押圧し、塗布部材５を筒状部材６内に没入させ、筒状部材６を直接的に押圧して軸方向に摺動し、弁部材８を開いて新たにマニキュア除光液を補充する。以後、この作業を繰り返して、所望の塗布を行う。
【００３１】
以上説明した実施形態では、筒状部材６の側面にスリット状の開口２６を設け、さらに当該開口２６を塗布液吸収体７で閉塞する構成を採用した。当該構成は、塗布部材５に過度のマニキュア除光液が送られることを防止し、特にはけ状の塗布部材５を採用する場合の様に、塗布部材５の液体保有能力が低い場合に好適である。しかしながら、本発明はこの構成にこだわるものではなく、塗布液吸収体７を略してもよく、また円筒体の後端部から直接的にマニキュア除光液を導入する構成としてもよい。また上記した実施形態では、弁部材８は、バネ３３によって円錐状の弁本体３２を付勢するものを例示したが、他の付勢部材によって弁本体を付勢する構造の弁部材であってもよい。さらに弁本体の様な押圧部材を持たない構成の弁部材の採用も可能である。すなわち本発明では、弁部材は、所定の押圧によって開放され、押圧力が解けると閉塞される機能を持てば足りる。また上記した実施形態では、塗布部材５を付勢する部材としてバネ５０を採用したが、これをゴム等の他の付勢部材によって置き換えることも可能である。上記した実施形態では、マニキュア除光液を爪に塗る器具を本発明の具体例として取り上げたが、もちろん本発明は、他の用途の塗布具としても広く採用することができる。
【００３２】
【発明の効果】
本発明の塗布具は、塗布液容器内の塗布液が塗布部材に導かれるものであり、旧来の様に、塗布の際に、一々瓶に塗布部材を差し込む必要がなく、使い勝手がよい。また本発明の塗布具では、弁は剛性の高い筒状部材によって開かれ、塗布部材は筒状部材によって保護される。そのため本発明の塗布具では、塗布部材が座屈する心配はない。したがって本発明では、塗布部材にはけ又は筆状のものを採用することができ、塗布液が塗りやすい。
【００３３】
また請求項２に記載の塗布具では、弁が開かれて先栓内に入った塗布液は、さらに筒状部材の開口を経て筒状部材に入る。そのため塗布部材に塗布液が過度に供給されることが防止される。そのため本発明の塗布具は、ぼたつきが少ない効果がある。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明の実施形態の塗布具の断面図である。
【図２】図１の塗布具のキャップを除いた先端部分の拡大断面図である。
【図３】図２の塗布具の塗布部材を押圧した際における断面図である。
【図４】図３の段階から更に塗布部材を押圧した際における断面図である。
【図５】従来技術の塗布具の断面図である。
【符号の説明】
１塗布具
２塗布液容器
３先栓
５塗布部材
６筒状部材
７塗布液吸収体
８弁部材
５０バネ[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a device for applying a coating liquid. The applicator of the present invention is particularly suitable as an instrument for applying nail polish to nails, applying nail polish removal liquid, or applying wax liquid, rust removal liquid, or the like.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Typically, the nail polish is placed in a glass vial and applied to the nails by a brush integrated with the lid. Further, the nail polish remover is used by being included in a brush, sponge, or absorbent cotton which is separate from the bottle. These applicators are inconvenient because it is necessary to insert a brush or the like into the bottle one by one to contain the liquid in the brush or the like. Therefore, as a device for applying nail polish or the like, there has been proposed an applicator of a type in which a coating solution container, a valve, and a coating member are integrated and a coating solution is supplied from the coating solution container (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 62-62). 78486, JP-A-62-78487, JP-A-62-78487, etc.).
[0003]
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a conventional applicator disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 62-78486. In the prior art applicator 100, a tip plug 102 is attached to the tip of the application liquid container 101 as shown in FIG. An application member 103 is slidably attached to the tip plug 102. The applicator member 103 exudes nail polish etc. and applies it to the nails. A valve 105 is provided between the coating solution container 101 and the coating member 103. The valve 105 is constituted by a frame-shaped support body 106, a valve seat 107, and a rod-shaped valve main body 110, and the valve main body 110 is urged toward the valve seat 107 by a spring 111. Therefore, the valve main body 110 is always in contact with the valve seat 107, and the coating liquid container 101 is sealed by the valve 105. The rear end portion of the application member 103 is in direct contact with the valve body 110 of the valve 105.
[0004]
When the nail polish liquid is applied to the nail using the conventional applicator 100, the application member 103 is brought into contact with the nail, and the application member 103 is pushed into the tip plug 102. Then, the rear end of the application member 103 pushes the valve main body 110 and moves the valve main body 110 to the application liquid container 101 side. As a result, the valve main body 110 leaves the valve seat 107, and the manicure liquid in the coating liquid container 101 flows into the tip plug 102 side through the opening of the valve seat 107. Then, the nail polish is guided to the application member 103 and applied to the nail.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In the conventional applicator, since the nail polish in the application liquid container 101 flows into the application member 103, there is no need to insert the application member into the bottle as in the past. However, the applicator of the prior art has a complaint that the material of the applicator member is limited and it is difficult to apply to the nails. More specifically, in order to apply nail polish to the nail, it is desirable to use a brush or brush-like application member. However, in the structure of the prior art, it is possible to employ such a soft application member. Can not. That is, in this type of applicator 100, the valve body 110 is always urged by the spring 111. Thus in use, it is necessary to push the application member 103 in the tip plug 10 in 2 against the spring 111. Therefore, in the conventional applicator 100, the applicator member 103 is required to have rigidity sufficient to resist the biasing force of the spring 111, and a soft applicator member such as a brush or brush cannot be employed. That is, in the applicator of the prior art, in order to open the valve 105, it is necessary to employ an applicator member having a high linear rigidity such as a resin chip. Thus, the valve 105 cannot be opened.
[0006]
Accordingly, the present invention focuses on the above-described problems of the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to develop an applicator that can use a soft applicator member represented by brush and brush.
[0007]
The invention described in claim 1 for solving the above-described problem is opened by pressing with a predetermined force a coating solution container for storing a coating solution, a coating member attached to the tip side of the coating solution container, and the like. In the applicator that is provided between the coating liquid container and the coating member, opens the valve by pressing the coating member, and guides the coating liquid in the coating liquid container to the coating member. Has a cylindrical member that has high rigidity and is movable in the pressing direction of the application member, and the application member is slidably inserted into the cylindrical member and can protrude and immerse into the cylindrical member. Further, the application member is urged in a direction protruding from the cylindrical member by an urging means that expresses an urging force weaker than the force required to open the valve, and the application member is pressed by pressing the application member. Immerse it in the tubular member and Presses the valve to move the tubular member by pressing the cylindrical member, the tip of the coating solution vessel provided with tip plug portion, the tubular member is opened to the side with a rear end portion is closed The cylindrical member is slidable in the tip plug, and a coating liquid absorber is disposed around the opening portion on the side surface of the cylindrical member so that the opening is closed. upon pressed by sliding, said opening is a applicator, characterized in Rukoto leave a coating solution absorber.
[0008]
The applicator of the present invention has an application liquid container as in the prior art applicator, and the application liquid in the application liquid container is guided to the application member. And the applicator of this invention is provided with the cylindrical member whose rigidity is higher than an application member, and an application member can protrude and immerse with respect to this cylindrical member. The applicator member is urged in a direction protruding from the tubular member by an urging means that develops an urging force weaker than the force required to open the valve. When using the applicator of the present invention, the applicator member is pressed against the nail or the like as in the prior art. Here, in the applicator of the present invention, the applicator member is energized by the energizing means that develops an energizing force that is weaker than the force required to open the valve. Immerse in the tubular member. Therefore, when the application member is pressed with a certain force or more, the application member sinks into the cylindrical member, and the cylindrical member comes into direct contact with the claws or the like. Here, since the cylindrical member has higher rigidity than the application member, the pressing force is transmitted to the valve without buckling, and the valve is opened. As a result, the coating liquid flows out from the coating liquid container, and the liquid is applied to the nails and the like via the coating member. That is, in the applicator of the present invention, the application member sinks into the cylindrical member at the initial stage of pressing, and thereafter the cylindrical member bears an axial force to open the valve and introduce the application liquid from the application liquid container. .
[0009]
In the applicator of the present invention, the cylindrical member is closed at the rear end and has an opening on the side surface. Since the coating liquid absorber is disposed around the opening, the opening is always closed. However, since the member that closes the opening is, for example, a coating liquid absorber such as a sponge, the opening is only loosely closed and is not in a strictly liquid-tight state. And in the applicator of this invention, if these are further pressed after an application member sinks in a cylindrical member, a cylindrical member will move in a tip stopper and will open a valve. At this time, the opening of the cylindrical member leaves the coating liquid absorber and is opened. Accordingly, the liquid in the coating liquid container enters the tip stopper through the valve, and further enters the cylindrical member through the opening. The coating liquid oozes out from the coating member and is applied to the nails and the like. When the pressing is stopped, the cylindrical member returns to the original position, and the opening of the cylindrical member is closed by the coating liquid absorber. Moreover, the excess coating liquid remaining in the tip stopper is absorbed by the coating liquid absorber.
[0010]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention will be further described below. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an applicator according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the tip portion excluding the cap of the applicator of FIG. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view when the application member of the applicator of FIG. 2 is pressed. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view when the application member is further pressed from the stage of FIG.
[0011]
1-4, 1 shows the applicator of embodiment of this invention. The applicator 1 of this embodiment applies a nail polish remover. The applicator 1 according to the present embodiment includes an application liquid container 2, a tip plug 3, an application member 5, a cylindrical member 6, an application liquid absorber 7, a valve member 8, and a cap 9. In addition, a weak spring 50 that presses the application member 5 is provided.
[0012]
To explain sequentially, the coating liquid container 2 is a part for storing a nail polish removing liquid, and is formed of an inorganic material such as glass or aluminum resistant to a solvent, or a synthetic resin such as polyethylene resin. is there. The outer shape of the coating liquid container 2 is cylindrical, the rear end side (upper part in the drawing) is closed, and the front end side is opened. The tip portion 10 of the coating liquid container 2 is formed slightly thin, and a screw 11 is provided on the inner surface of the portion. Further, an inward flange 13 is provided between the tip portion 10 and the main body portion, and the portion is a narrowed portion. In the present embodiment, the nail polish removing liquid is stored in the coating liquid container 2. Specifically, the nail polish removing liquid is an organic solvent such as acetone, butyl acetate, propylene glycol, oxobenzone.
[0013]
The tip plug 3 is made of the same material as that of the coating solution container 2 described above, and the inside thereof is hollow and penetrates in the axial direction. The inner diameter and outer diameter of the tip plug 3 are divided into three stages, and the outer diameter and inner diameter are gradually reduced from one end to the other end. That is, the rear end side 12 of the tip plug 3 is most thickly molded, and a screw 14 is provided on the outer periphery of the part. The intermediate portion 15 has an inner and outer diameter that is about the middle. A rib 18 extending in the axial direction is provided inside the intermediate portion 15. The inner and outer diameters of the tip portion 20 are the thinnest.
[0014]
The application member 5 is a brush or brush-like member, and is a bundle of linear fibers. The base portion 22 of the application member 5 is provided with a metal or resin plate, and only the portion has a considerable rigidity.
[0015]
The cylindrical member 6 is made of resin and has a hollow inside, but one end is closed by a lid member 25. A slit-shaped opening 26 is provided on the outer periphery of the cylindrical member 6 in the axial direction. In the applicator of this embodiment, the cylindrical member 6 is a member that acts to transmit force in the axial direction, and has a much higher rigidity than the application member 5 described above.
[0016]
The coating liquid absorber 7 is specifically a sponge, has a cylindrical shape, and has an opening 28 at the center.
[0017]
The valve member 8 has a well-known structure, and includes a support 30, a valve seat member 31, a valve main body 32, and a spring 33. That is, the support 30 is a cylindrical member molded of polyethylene resin or the like, and a flange 36 is provided at the tip. The middle part is provided with a large opening 37 on the side surface. Further, a hole 40 is provided at the rear end of the support 30.
[0018]
The valve seat member 31 is a cylindrical body provided with a flange 41 on the outer peripheral surface of an intermediate portion, and one end thereof functions as a valve seat.
[0019]
The valve body 32 has a conical closing portion 45 and shaft members 46 and 47 are provided at both ends thereof. That is, the shaft member 46 is provided on the conical tip side of the closing portion 45, the shaft member 46 is hollow, and its tip portion is flat. On the other hand, the shaft member 47 provided behind the closing portion 45 has a sharp tip.
[0020]
The valve seat member 31 is mounted inside the support 30 described above, and the closing portion 45 of the valve body 32 is disposed in a space formed by the rear end of the valve seat member 31 and the rear end of the support 30. ing. The shaft member 46 on the front end side of the valve body 32 is disposed inside the valve seat member 31, and the shaft member 47 on the rear end side is inserted through the hole 40 on the rear end of the support 30. Accordingly, the valve main body 32 is movable in the axial direction in a space formed by the rear end portion of the valve seat member 31 and the rear end of the support body 30.
[0021]
A spring 33 is coaxially mounted on the shaft member 47 on the rear end side. One end of the spring is engaged with the rear end portion of the support 30, and the other end is a closing portion 45 of the valve body 32. And is locked. Therefore, the valve body 32 is always pressed against the end of the valve seat member 31 and closes the opening of the valve seat member 31.
[0022]
The cap 9 is the same as that known in the art, is a cylindrical body with one end closed, and is attached to the tip plug 3 portion.
[0023]
Next, the assembly structure of each member described above will be described. That is, the valve member 8 is attached to an intermediate portion between the main body portion and the tip portion 10 of the coating liquid container 2. In the valve member 8, the flange 36 of the support 30 described above and the flange 41 of the valve seat member 31 are overlapped, and further, these are overlapped with the flange 13 of the coating liquid container 2. Further, the rear end side 12 of the tip plug 3 is inserted inside the front end portion 10 of the coating liquid container 2. The distal end portion 10 and the tip plug 3 of the coating liquid container 2 are coupled by screws 11 and 14 provided on both. Further, the rear end portion of the tip plug 3 presses the two flanges 36 and 41 of the valve member 8 against the flange 13 of the coating liquid container 2 to seal the liquid seal between the valve member 8 and the coating liquid container 2. Secured.
[0024]
A cylindrical member 6 is mounted in the tip plug 3 so as to be slidable in the axial direction. Note that a locking portion (not shown) is provided between the outer peripheral portion of the cylindrical member 6 and the inner surface of the tip plug 3, so that the cylindrical member 6 does not fall out of the tip plug 3, and the cylindrical member 6 Stops with a part protruding from the tip 3. The lid member 25 provided at the inner end of the tubular member 6 is in contact with the tip of the shaft member 46 of the valve body 32. A coating liquid absorber 7 is disposed around the cylindrical member 6, and the opening 26 of the cylindrical member 6 is closed by the coating liquid absorber 7.
[0025]
Inside the cylindrical member 6 described above in further, the application member 5 is arranged slidably. The application member 5 can protrude and immerse from the tip of the cylindrical member 6. However, a locking portion (not shown) is also provided between the application member 5 and the cylindrical member 6, so that the application member 5 does not fall out of the cylindrical member 6.
[0026]
A spring 50 is provided between the root portion 22 of the application member 5 and the lid member 25 which is the rear end of the cylindrical member 6, and the application member 5 is always attached in a direction protruding from the cylindrical member 6. It is energized. The matter to be specially mentioned here is the strength of the spring 50 that presses the application member 5. That is, the spring 50 that presses the application member 5 is extremely weaker than the spring 33 of the valve member 8 described above. More specifically, even if the application member 5 is pressed against the spring 50 and moved until it is completely immersed in the tubular member 6, the valve member 8 is not opened by the pressing force. Maintain the occluded state.
[0027]
Next, the operation of the applicator 1 of this embodiment will be described step by step. When using the applicator 1 of the present embodiment, the cap 9 is removed and the applicator member 5 is pressed against a nail or the like to be applied, as in a known applicator. The state when the cap 9 of the applicator 1 is removed is as shown in FIG. 2, and the applicator member 5 is pressed by the spring 50 and protrudes from the tip of the tubular member 6. Only the tip protrudes from the tip plug 3 by being pushed by the spring 33. Then, when the coating member 5 is pressed against a nail or the like to be coated, the coating member 5 protrudes from the cylindrical member 6 as shown in FIG. 3 is submerged inside the cylindrical member 6. Here, the application member 5 is pressed in a direction protruding from the tubular member 6 by the spring 50, but the spring 50 can express only a very weak force compared to the spring 33 of the valve member 8. Therefore, the application member 5 moves in the axial direction without buckling and immerses inside the cylindrical member 6.
[0028]
As a result, the tip of the application member 5 is retracted to a position coinciding with the tip of the cylindrical member 6, and the subsequent pressing force is directly applied to the cylindrical member 6. That is, when the applicator 1 is further pressed against a nail or the like, the cylindrical member 6 directly contacts the nail or the like, and no load is applied to the application member 5. Therefore, the subsequent axial force is directly transmitted from the tubular member 6 to the valve member 8. When the applicator 1 is further pressed against a nail or the like, the tubular member 6 and the valve main body 32 move integrally against the spring 33 of the valve member 8 as shown in FIG. The part 45 leaves the valve seat member 31 and the valve member 8 is opened. As a result, the nail polish removing liquid in the coating liquid container 2 flows through the gap between the closing portion 45 of the valve body 32 and the valve seat member 31 and enters the tip plug 3.
[0029]
Further, the movement of the tubular member 6 moves the opening 26 of the tubular member 6 in the axial direction, leaves the mounting portion of the coating liquid absorber 7 and opens the opening 26. As a result, the nail polish removing liquid in the tip plug 3 flows into the cylindrical member 6. The nail polish removing liquid is impregnated in the brush or brush-like application member 5. When the pressing force of the applicator 1 is loosened, the brush or brush-like applicator member 5 is pushed by the spring 50 and protrudes from the tubular member 6 again. Then, when the nail or the like is boiled with the application member 5, the nail polish remover is applied to the nail. At this time, the valve main body 32 of the valve member 8 is pressed by the spring 33 and comes into contact with the valve seat member 31 to close the valve member 8. Further in accordance with the forward movement of the valve body 32, which the tubular member 6 abuts also advanced to return to the original position. Therefore, the opening 26 of the cylindrical member 6 is closed by the coating liquid absorber 7. Further, the excess nail polish removing liquid remaining in the tip stopper is absorbed by the coating liquid absorber 7. Therefore, according to the applicator 1 of the present embodiment, the nail polish remover does not become sticky when the nail polish remover is applied to the nail.
[0030]
When the nail polish removing liquid contained in the application member 5 decreases, the application member 5 is pressed again, the application member 5 is immersed in the cylindrical member 6, and the cylindrical member 6 is pressed directly to slide in the axial direction. Then, the valve member 8 is opened to newly replenish the nail polish removing liquid. Thereafter, this operation is repeated to perform desired application.
[0031]
In the embodiment described above, a configuration in which the slit-like opening 26 is provided on the side surface of the cylindrical member 6 and the opening 26 is closed with the coating liquid absorber 7 is employed. This configuration prevents an excessive amount of nail polish removing liquid from being sent to the application member 5, and is particularly suitable when the liquid holding capacity of the application member 5 is low, such as when a brush-like application member 5 is employed. It is. However, the present invention is not particularly concerned with this configuration, and the coating liquid absorber 7 may be omitted, or a configuration in which the nail polish removing liquid is directly introduced from the rear end portion of the cylindrical body may be employed. In the above-described embodiment, the valve member 8 exemplifies the one that urges the conical valve body 32 by the spring 33. However, the valve member 8 is a valve member having a structure that urges the valve body by another urging member. Also good. Further, it is possible to employ a valve member having a configuration that does not have a pressing member such as a valve body. That is, in the present invention, it is sufficient that the valve member has a function of being released by a predetermined pressing and being closed when the pressing force is released. In the above-described embodiment, the spring 50 is employed as a member for urging the application member 5. However, it is possible to replace this with another urging member such as rubber. In the above-described embodiment, the instrument for applying the nail polish removing liquid to the nail has been taken as a specific example of the present invention, but the present invention can of course be widely used as an applicator for other purposes.
[0032]
【The invention's effect】
In the applicator of the present invention, the application liquid in the application liquid container is guided to the application member, and it is not necessary to insert the application member into the bottle one by one at the time of application as in the past. In the applicator of the present invention, the valve is opened by a highly rigid cylindrical member, and the applicator member is protected by the cylindrical member. Therefore, in the applicator of the present invention, there is no concern that the applicator member buckles. Therefore, in this invention, a brush or a brush-like thing can be employ | adopted for an application member, and a coating liquid is easy to apply.
[0033]
Moreover, in the applicator according to claim 2, the coating liquid that has entered the tip plug after the valve is opened further enters the cylindrical member through the opening of the cylindrical member. For this reason, the application liquid is prevented from being excessively supplied to the application member. Therefore, the applicator of the present invention has an effect that there is little stickiness.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an applicator according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a tip portion excluding a cap of the applicator of FIG.
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the applicator of FIG. 2 when an application member is pressed.
4 is a cross-sectional view when the application member is further pressed from the stage of FIG. 3. FIG.
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a conventional applicator.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Applicator 2 Application liquid container 3 Tip plug 5 Application member 6 Tubular member 7 Application liquid absorber 8 Valve member 50 Spring

Claims

A coating liquid container for storing the coating liquid, an application member attached to the tip side of the coating liquid container, and a valve that is opened by pressing with a predetermined force. The valve is provided between the coating liquid container and the coating member. In the applicator that opens the valve by pressing the application member and guides the application liquid in the application liquid container to the application member, the cylindrical member has higher rigidity than the application member and is movable in the pressing direction of the application member The application member is slidably inserted into the cylindrical member and can protrude and immerse into the cylindrical member, and the application member is weaker than the force required to open the valve By urging means that expresses the urging force, the urging means is urged in a direction protruding from the cylindrical member, and by pressing the application member, the application member is immersed in the cylindrical member, and further by pressing the cylindrical member. the tubular member by moving pushes the valve A tip stopper is provided at the tip of the coating liquid container, the cylindrical member is closed at the rear end, and an opening is provided in the side, the cylindrical member is slidable in the tip stopper, and the periphery of the opening portion of the side surface of the tubular member is closed the opening is arranged for the coating solution absorber, when the tubular member is slid by being pressed, Rukoto the opening leaves a coating solution absorber An applicator characterized by.