JP7416603B2 - squeeze container - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a squeeze container containing refillable contents.

In recent years, from the viewpoint of ecology and the like, it has become popular to refill products such as air fresheners, deodorants, and detergents into predetermined containers. For example, as shown in Patent Documents 1 and 2, refillable products are often distributed in a pouch and are transferred from the pouch to a predetermined container when used. In addition, refillable products are sometimes distributed in hard plastic bottles, and in this case as well, they are transferred from the plastic bottle to a predetermined container when used.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2013-106855 JP 2015-048089 Publication

When refilling the contents from the various containers mentioned above, even if the container is transparent, if the contents are spread thinly on the bottom of the original container, it may be possible that some of the contents remain. , it is difficult for the user to visually confirm this. In such a case, it becomes difficult to use up the contents contained in the original container. Furthermore, when a hard plastic bottle is used, the amount of resin used also increases.

An object of the present invention is to provide a refillable container whose contents can be easily used up to the end. Furthermore, for example, if a hard plastic bottle is not used, it is easy to use up the refillable contents to the end, and an environmentally friendly container can be provided in which the amount of resin used is reduced.

A squeeze container according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a main body having a bottom portion and defining a first space in which refillable contents are accommodated, and a handle for taking out the contents from the first space. The liquid storage device includes an outlet, and a liquid reservoir portion that is arranged to protrude outward from the bottom portion, communicates with the first space, and defines a second space having a cross section smaller in diameter than the bottom portion. The liquid reservoir is configured to be at least partially transparent or semi-transparent to such an extent that the second space can be visually recognized from the outside.

A squeeze container according to a second aspect of the present invention is the squeeze container according to the first aspect, in which the bottom portion is configured to be inclined downward toward the liquid reservoir.

The squeeze container according to the third aspect of the present invention is the squeeze container according to the first aspect or the second aspect, further comprising a stopper that seals the outlet and is removed without being resealable when opened.

A squeeze container according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the squeeze container according to any one of the first to third aspects, and further includes a flange portion disposed so as to surround the main body portion in a side view. Be prepared.

A squeeze container according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is a squeeze container according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, and the first space stores a refillable drug solution as the content.

According to the above viewpoint, a liquid reservoir portion having a cross section smaller in diameter than the bottom portion is formed at the bottom portion of the squeeze container in which the refill contents are accommodated. The liquid reservoir is configured to be at least partially transparent or translucent to such an extent that the space within the liquid reservoir can be visually recognized from the outside. Therefore, when such a bottom face is directed vertically downward, the contents remaining in the squeeze container are collected at a certain height in the space within the liquid reservoir. Therefore, if the contents remain in the squeeze container, this can be easily confirmed visually. Therefore, it becomes easy to use up the refill contents to the end. Furthermore, for example, if a hard plastic bottle is not used, the amount of resin used is reduced, which is environmentally friendly.

FIG. 1 is a side view of a squeeze container according to an embodiment of the present invention, viewed from the front side. A side view of the squeeze container seen from the left side. A top view of the squeeze container. Bottom view of the squeeze container. A diagram showing how the contents are refilled. The figure which shows the state of the refilling operation of the contents in the aspect different from FIG. 5A. FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along the line VIA-VIA in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along the line VIB-VIB in FIG. 1. A sectional view taken along the line VIC-VIC in FIG. 1. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a method for manufacturing a squeeze container according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, a squeeze container 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

<1. Schematic structure of squeeze container>
1 to 4 respectively show a front view, a left side view, a top view, and a bottom view of the squeeze container 1 according to the present embodiment. The contents for refilling are sealed in the squeeze container 1. The squeeze container 1 has a stopper 50 on the top for opening, and the contents are transferred to another container through the outlet S3, which is opened after the stopper 50 is removed. As the name suggests, the squeeze container 1 has squeezing properties and deforms when pressed with a finger or the like, thereby allowing the contents to be squeezed out. The squeeze container 1 after the contents have been taken out is discarded. In addition, unless otherwise specified, "upper", "lower", "left", "right", "front (front)" and "rear (rear)" as used herein are defined as shown in FIGS. 1 to 4. .

The squeeze container 1 is suitable for containing fluid contents, and can also contain granular materials, but is particularly suitable for containing liquids. In this embodiment, a medical solution is stored. The liquid medicine contained in the squeeze container 1 can be various, but typically it is an aromatic agent, a deodorant, an insect repellent, or a mixture thereof. , colorants and other additives. The solvent contained in the drug solution is appropriately selected depending on the type of additive used, and can be a hydrophilic solvent, a lipophilic solvent, or a mixture thereof. When the medicinal solution contains a fragrance, it is preferable to contain at least a lipophilic solvent as a solvent in order to increase the fragrance intensity. As the hydrophilic solvent, for example, water or ethanol, or a mixture thereof can be used. As the lipophilic solvent, for example, glycol ether or isoparaffinic solvent, or a mixture thereof can be used. Further, the chemical solution may contain a solubilizing agent in order to solubilize functional components such as fragrances, deodorant components, insect repellent components, and colorants.

<2. Composition of each part of the squeeze container>
Hereinafter, the configuration of each part of the squeeze container 1 will be explained in detail. The squeeze container 1 includes a main body 10 defining an internal space S1 in which refillable contents are accommodated, and a tubular spout 20 defining a passage S2 communicating with the internal space S1. The passage S2 has a smaller diameter than the internal space S1. A distal end portion (an end portion opposite to the internal space S1) 20A of the spout portion 20 is provided with an outlet S3 that communicates with the passage S2 and takes out the contents from the internal space S1 via the passage S2. . The outlet S3 is sealed with a stopper 50 while the contents are stored, and when opened, the stopper 50 is cut off so that it cannot be resealed.

The main body portion 10 includes a bottom portion 11 , a cylindrical body portion 12 rising upward from the outer peripheral edge of the bottom portion 11 , and a shoulder portion 13 continuous to the upper end of the body portion 12 . These parts 11 to 13 constitute a wall part that defines the interior space S1. A neck portion corresponding to the spout portion 20 is further continuous to the upper end of the shoulder portion 13 . The spout portion 20 constitutes a wall portion that defines the passage S2.

As shown in FIG. 4, in this embodiment, the bottom portion 11 has a substantially rectangular shape, and the body portion 12 has a rectangular tube shape. The body portion 12 extends through the center (centroid) of the bottom portion 11 and extends with a straight line orthogonal to the bottom portion 11 as a central axis A1. The shoulder portion 13 is configured to gradually and smoothly reduce in diameter from the bottom to the top, and has a so-called "swept shoulder" shape. As shown in FIG. 1, in side views from the front and back sides, the width of the shoulder portion 13 gradually becomes narrower from the bottom to the top. Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the width of the shoulder portion 13 gradually becomes narrower from the bottom to the top even in side view from both left and right sides rotated by 90 degrees around the central axis A1 from the above viewpoint. The shoulder portion 13 is configured to have a width that gradually becomes narrower from the bottom to the top when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the central axis A1.

Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the shoulder portion 13 has a substantially symmetrical shape along the central axis A1 in side view from both left and right sides, and the upper end (apex) P1 of the shoulder portion 13 is aligned with the central axis A1. Overlap. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 1, in side views from the front and back sides, the apex P1 of the shoulder portion 13 is shifted outward from the central axis A1, and in the example of FIG. 1, it is shifted outward to the right. However, the apex P1 of the shoulder portion 13 does not protrude outward from the body portion 12 with respect to the central axis A1. As described above, the shoulder portion 13 has a substantially oblique square pyramid shape.

The spout portion 20 extends upward from the apex P1 of the shoulder portion 13 as a starting point. Hereinafter, the reference numeral P1 may also be given to the starting point. The spout portion 20 is elongated, and the passage S2 defined by the spout portion 20 is also elongated. In this embodiment, the spout portion 20 extends upward from the apex P1 of the shoulder portion 13 at an angle to the central axis A1, as shown in FIG. Such a spout 20 reminds a user who refills the contents of a kettle, teapot, or the like. Therefore, the user can easily refill the contents in the same way as when handling a kettle, teapot, or the like. FIG. 5A is a diagram illustrating a situation during a refilling operation. In this manner, after removing the stopper 50, the user spills the contents from the outlet S3 of the spout 20 into the mouth 60 of the container to be refilled, as if pouring tea or the like into a cup. You can pour it without any hassle. Note that, depending on the user, the squeeze container 1 may not necessarily be tilted in the manner shown in FIG. 5A, but may be tilted in the manner shown in FIG. 5B. However, even in this case, the contents can be transferred as if pouring tea or the like into a cup.

Note that since the spout 20 extends upward at an angle with respect to the central axis A1, the user can normally hold the squeeze container 1 naturally when refilling the contents, even if he or she is not specifically taught how to hold it. The squeeze container 1 is held by hand using either the method shown in FIG. 5A or FIG. 5B. On the contrary, it is difficult to imagine that the user would orient the squeeze container 1 at an angle rotated by 90 degrees around the central axis A1 from the state shown in FIG. 5A or 5B when refilling the contents. Thereby, the user does not have to worry about which direction to hold the squeeze container 1 when refilling the contents. Moreover, it is possible to prevent refilling work in an unexpected manner, and further reduce the possibility of spilling the contents.

Furthermore, since the spout portion 20 is formed to be elongated as described above, gravity F1 acts on the droplet trying to flow out from the outlet S3 as shown in FIG. 5A, and a tensile force due to surface tension F2 also works. As a result, the tensile force F2 acts as a resistance against the gravity F1, making it difficult for the contents to easily flow out to the outside, and preventing the contents from spilling unexpectedly. Note that when refilling the contents in the manner as shown in FIG. 5B, the tensile force F2 due to surface tension acts in the same manner, and the same effect is expected.

Further, as is clear from the above, the starting point P1 of the spout portion 20 is located at a position eccentric from the central axis A1 in the shoulder portion 13. In this embodiment, the starting point P1 is located near the outline of the main body 10 in plan view, as shown in FIG. As described above, when the squeeze container 1 is tilted as shown in FIG. 5A during the refilling operation, the spout 20 is connected to the main body 10 at a position that is biased vertically upward from the central axis A1. . Therefore, unless the squeeze container 1 is tilted greatly from the state where the central axis A1 is parallel to the vertical direction and the outlet S3 is facing vertically upward (in other words, unless the angle α in FIG. 5A is increased) ), the contents do not flow into the spout 20. Therefore, also in this respect, the contents do not easily flow out to the outside, and a situation where the contents unexpectedly spill is suppressed.

Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the tip 20A of the spout 20 is arranged at a position that does not protrude from the outline of the main body 10 in plan view. More specifically, the spout portion 20 extends upward from the apex P1 of the shoulder portion 13 so as to approach the central axis A1. In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the tip 20A of the spout 20 is located near the central axis A1. By the way, when the user tilts the squeeze container 1 in the manner shown in FIG. 5B instead of the manner shown in FIG. Connected to position. Therefore, unlike the case in FIG. 5A, the contents easily flow into the spout 20. However, even in such a case, as shown in FIG. 5B, since the spout part 20 is bent vertically upward, the contents do not easily flow out from the spout part 20, and the contents still This prevents unexpected spills.

Further, as described above, in this embodiment, the diameter of the shoulder portion 13 gradually decreases from the body portion 12 toward the spout portion 20. Therefore, when the squeeze container 1 is tilted, the contents slowly flow from the body 12 to the spout 20, and then slowly flow out from the outlet S3 of the spout 20. Therefore, also from this point of view, the contents can be poured into the mouth 60 of the container to be refilled without spilling.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, not only the shoulder portion 13 but also the spout portion 20 are configured to gradually reduce in diameter from the bottom to the top. As shown in FIG. 1, the width of the spout portion 20 gradually becomes narrower from the bottom to the top in side views from the front and back sides. Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the width of the spout portion 20 gradually becomes narrower from the bottom to the top even in side view from both left and right sides rotated by 90° around the central axis A1 from the above viewpoint. In this way, like the shoulder portion 13, the spout portion 20 is also configured to have a width that gradually becomes narrower from the bottom to the top when viewed from the direction perpendicular to the central axis A1. Similar to the case of the shoulder part 13, this structure of the spout part 20 also allows the contents to flow from the internal space S1 to the passage S2 and then to the outside from the outlet S3 when the squeeze container 1 is tilted. Contributes to slow flow. Therefore, also from this point of view, the contents can be poured into the mouth 60 of the container to be refilled without spilling.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the squeeze container 1 includes a flange portion 30. The flange portion 30 is arranged so as to surround the main body portion 10 and the spout portion 20 in side view from the front and back sides. Note that the flange portion 30 is arranged so as to also surround a liquid reservoir portion 40, which will be described later. Therefore, the flange portion 30 surrounds the spout portion 20 in a plane parallel to the direction in which the spout portion 20 extends. Therefore, when trying to align the spout 20 and the mouth 60 of the container to be refilled during refilling, the spout 20 will naturally be positioned as shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B. Matched. That is, due to the presence of the flange portion 30, particularly the portion disposed near the tip 20A of the spout portion 20, a space is created inward from the inner wall of the spout 60 in the spout 60 of the container to be refilled. The outlet S3 is naturally aligned with the position. Therefore, the spout 20 and the mouth 60 of the container to be refilled can be appropriately aligned without the user being overly conscious, and the contents are further prevented from spilling.

Based on the various ideas described above, the squeeze container 1 is configured so that the contents are unlikely to spill out unexpectedly during refilling operations. Therefore, the risk of wasting the contents and staining hands and the surrounding environment is reduced, and refilling of the contents can be easily performed.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 4, a liquid reservoir portion 40 that protrudes outward from the bottom portion 11 is arranged in the bottom portion 11. In this embodiment, the liquid reservoir portion 40 is formed in a cylindrical shape. The liquid reservoir portion 40 defines a liquid reservoir space S4 that communicates with the internal space S1 and has a cross section with a smaller diameter than the bottom surface portion 11. In this embodiment, the entire squeeze container 1 is formed to be transparent or translucent, so that the inside of the internal space S1 and the liquid reservoir space S4, in other words, the state of the contents, can be visually recognized from the outside. Note that illustration of the contents is omitted in FIGS. 1 to 6B.

As described above, when refilling the contents, after pouring out most of the contents from the squeeze container 1, if the bottom part 11 is turned vertically downward, the small amount of contents remaining in the squeeze container 1 will be removed from the liquid reservoir. They are gathered at a certain height within the space S4. Therefore, if a trace amount of contents remains in the squeeze container 1, this can be easily confirmed visually. Therefore, when refilling the contents, it becomes easy to use up the contents to the end.

From the viewpoint of fulfilling the above-mentioned role, when the cross-sectional area of the liquid reservoir space S4 is a1 and the area of the bottom part 11 is a2, it is preferable that a1≦(1/2)・a2, and a1≦ It is more preferable that (1/3)・a2, it is even more preferable that a1≦(1/4)・a2, it is more preferable that a1≦(1/5)・a2, and a1≦(1 /6)・a2, more preferably a1≦(1/7)・a2, more preferably a1≦(1/8)・a2, a1≦(1/9 )・a2 is more preferable, and a1≦(1/10)・a2 is more preferable.

In the present embodiment, the liquid reservoir portion 40 is arranged approximately at the center of the bottom portion 11, and the central axis of the liquid reservoir portion 40 approximately coincides with the central axis A1 of the body portion 12. Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the bottom surface portion 11 is configured to be inclined downward from its outer periphery toward the liquid reservoir portion 40 approximately in the center thereof. Therefore, when the bottom part 11 is directed vertically downward, the contents remaining in the squeeze container 1 are more easily collected in the liquid reservoir space S4, making it easier to check the remaining amount of contents. becomes easier.

Further, the liquid pool portion 40 is formed when moisture contained in the outside air enters the oil-based chemical solution in the internal space S1 when the bottom portion 11 is directed vertically downward before the stopper 50 is opened. It can contain water balls, which are droplets. Thereby, even if a water ball is formed inside the squeeze container 1, it becomes difficult to visually recognize it from the outside, and the appearance is excellent. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the flange portion 30 is embossed, as will be described later. The water ball can be visually blended into the embossed decoration applied to the flange portion 30, and in this respect as well, it is difficult to see from the outside and has an excellent appearance.

The plug 50 that seals the outlet S3 is disposed within a plane in which the flange portion 30 extends, and is continuous with the flange portion 30. More specifically, the stopper 50 covers the tip 20A of the spout 20 from above, and the flange 30 covers the main body 10, the spout 20, and the liquid reservoir 40, except for the position of the stopper 50. It surrounds all around. The plug 50 is integrally formed from the same material as the flange portion 30 through the same processing. However, processing is performed between the plug 50 and the flange portion 30 so that the two can be easily separated. More specifically, a cut L1 is formed between the two, and the user can cut the stopper 50 from the flange portion 30 along the cut L1 when opening the package. In addition, in this embodiment, the stopper 50 and the flange part 30 are configured so that the boundary between the two cannot be confirmed and cannot be distinguished unless there is the cut L1.

The material constituting the squeeze container 1 is not particularly limited, but typically resin can be used. In this embodiment, the squeeze container 1 is made of a synthetic material that is made of a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) layer, a polyethylene (PE) layer, and an ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer (EVOH) layer as a barrier layer, which are laminated from the outside to the inside. Although it is made of a resin material, it can also be made of a synthetic resin material such as polypropylene. In this case, the squeeze container 1 can be manufactured at low cost and can be easily disposed of. Although not limited thereto, in the present embodiment, the entire squeeze container 1 including the main body 10, the spout 20, the flange 30, the stopper 50, and the liquid reservoir 40 is integrally made of the same material. There is.

The spout portion 20 is configured to be thicker than the main body portion 10. More specifically, the spout portion 20 is configured to be thicker than the shoulder portion 13, and the shoulder portion 13 is configured to be thicker than the body portion 12. Accordingly, the squeeze container 1 is provided with a thicker spout portion 20 and a thinner body portion 10. Therefore, a certain degree of hardness is ensured in the spout portion 20, so deformation such as unintentional bending of the spout portion 20 does not occur, and the contents are less likely to spill during refilling operations. On the other hand, since a certain degree of softness is ensured in the main body 10, the main body 10 can be pressed with a finger or the like to deform and drain the contents without applying too much force to the main body 10. Therefore, the contents for refilling can be poured out stably without spilling, and the squeeze container 1 can be easily handled.

From the viewpoint of fulfilling the above-mentioned role, the thickness (average) of the body portion 12 is preferably 0.01 mm to 2.70 mm, more preferably 0.03 mm to 0.90 mm, and 0.01 mm to 2.70 mm, more preferably 0.03 mm to 0.90 mm. More preferably, it is 10 mm to 0.30 mm. The thickness (average) of the spout portion 20 is preferably 0.03 mm to 3.60 mm, more preferably 0.10 mm to 1.20 mm, and more preferably 0.30 mm to 0.40 mm. is even more preferable. The thickness (average) of the liquid reservoir 40 is preferably 0.03 mm to 3.60 mm, more preferably 0.10 mm to 1.20 mm, and more preferably 0.30 mm to 0.40 mm. is even more preferable.

The flange portion 30 and the stopper 50 are configured to be thicker than the main body portion 10, the spout portion 20, and the liquid reservoir portion 40. Further, although not particularly illustrated, the flange portion 30 and the plug 50 are embossed. With these measures, the flange portion 30 and the stopper 50 are harder than the main body portion 10, the spout portion 20, and the liquid reservoir portion 40, and serve to maintain the shape of the main body portion 10, which is soft and has squeeze properties.

From the viewpoint of fulfilling the above-mentioned role, the thickness (average) of the flange portion 30 is preferably 0.07 mm to 9.0 mm, more preferably 0.20 mm to 3.0 mm, and 0.07 mm to 9.0 mm, more preferably 0.20 mm to 3.0 mm. More preferably, the length is 60 mm to 1.0 mm. Further, when the thickness (average) of the body portion 12 is w1 and the thickness (average) of the flange portion 30 is w2, it is preferable that 0 mm<(w2-w1)≦6.30 mm, and 0.17 mm≦( It is more preferable that w2-w1)≦2.10 mm, and even more preferable that 0.50 mm≦(w2-w1)≦0.70 mm. The same applies to the stopper 50.

6A is a sectional view taken along the line VIA-VIA in FIG. 1, FIG. 6B is a sectional view taken along the line VIB-VIB in FIG. 1, and FIG. 6C is a sectional view taken along the line VIC-VIC in FIG. As shown in these figures, grooves V1 are formed on the inner surfaces of the liquid reservoir section 40, the main body section 10, and the spout section 20. The groove V1 extends continuously from the bottom of the liquid reservoir 40 through the liquid reservoir 40, the bottom surface 11, the body 12, the shoulder 13, and the spout 20 to the outlet S3. The groove V1 extends along the flange portion 30, and more specifically, along the boundaries between the flange portion 30 and these portions 40, 11, 12, 13, and 20. As a result, even after the contents in the squeeze container 1 are running low, they are efficiently guided to the outlet S3 along the groove V1. As a result, the refill contents can be easily dispensed to the end. Furthermore, since the grooves V1 are formed on both the left and right sides of the squeeze container 1, the contents cannot be guided to the outlet S3 even when refilling is performed in either of the modes shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B. can.

In this embodiment, the longitudinal cross section of the spout portion 20 has a flat shape, more specifically, a substantially elliptical shape, as shown in FIG. 6A. Thereby, after refilling the contents, the spout part 20 can be easily crushed, bent, or folded, and the squeeze container 1 can be disposed of without taking up bulk.

The squeeze container 1 described above is superior in that it does not bend easily like a pouch, and therefore reduces the risk of the contents spilling during refilling operations. In addition, conventional hard plastic bottles that contain refillable contents have a bottle body, a lid, and in some cases an inner stopper that is attached to the mouth of the bottle body, and have many parts and are expensive. be. In this respect, the above-described squeeze container 1 has a small number of parts and uses a small amount of resin, so it is low in cost and has a reduced environmental burden.

<3. Manufacturing method of squeeze container＞
Next, a method for manufacturing the squeeze container 1 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 7. In this embodiment, the squeeze container 1 is manufactured by blow-fill molding. The following series of steps C1 to C10 are performed using a predetermined blow-fill molding machine.

First, a roll on which a resin sheet constituting the squeeze container 1 is wound is prepared (step C1). This is set in a predetermined blow-fill molding machine, and the sheet is fed out from the roll and cut into a predetermined length. Next, this is folded in half and the two sheets are made to face each other (Step C2). Furthermore, linear cuts are formed at predetermined positions on the two sheets. This cut ultimately becomes a cut L1 for cutting off the stopper 50. Next, a partition plate is inserted between the two facing sheets, and the two sheets are sandwiched between the two heating plates from the outside to preheat the two sheets (Step C3).

Thereafter, the two facing sheets are pasted together by heat-sealing them while avoiding predetermined portions (step C4). At this time, two heating plates are used, and heat is applied to the two sheets by sandwiching the two sheets from the outside between the two heating plates. Each heating plate has a notch formed in the shape of a combination of a liquid reservoir portion 40, a main body portion 10, and a spout portion 20. Further, each heating plate has a plurality of cutouts arranged at intervals. More specifically, each cutout has an extension portion that extends a portion corresponding to the liquid reservoir portion 40 slightly downward. Then, the extensions of the plurality of cutouts are aligned along the edges of the two facing sheets that are separated from each other. In the two sheets pasted together by the heating plate as described above, a predetermined portion corresponding to each notch is formed as a non-sealed area that is not heat-sealed, and there is a space between the two sheets in the non-sealed area. A gap is formed. The gap communicates with the external space via a portion corresponding to the above-described extension. Hereinafter, the opening that communicates the gap with the external space will be referred to as a filling port.

In this embodiment, the two heating plates are formed with irregularities corresponding to the embossing to be performed on the flange portion 30. Therefore, after the heat sealing in step C4, the heat sealed portions of the two sheets are embossed.

Subsequently, air is filled into the gap between the two sheets in the non-sealed area through the above filling port (step C5). At this time, a predetermined air nozzle advances near the filling port. Then, air is blown from this air nozzle through the filling port into the gap between the two sheets in the non-sealed area. As a result, the non-sealed region expands three-dimensionally, forming an internal space S1 for accommodating the contents, and also forming a passage S2 and a liquid reservoir space S4.

In this embodiment, the spout portion 20 does not protrude from the outline of the main body portion 10 when viewed from the direction in which the central axis A1 extends, and its tip portion 20A extends toward the central axis A1. Therefore, the air filled from the liquid reservoir portion 40 side is efficiently sent into the spout portion 20, and the tip portion 20A also swells stably. Therefore, molding defects of the spout portion 20 are less likely to occur.

By the way, as shown in FIG. 2, the body portion 12, the shoulder portion 13, and the spout portion 20 have larger widths in the front-rear direction in this order. Therefore, in the process of expanding the non-sealed region by filling with air, the body 12, shoulder 13, and spout 20 become thinner and wider in this order. Therefore, the body portion 12, the shoulder portion 13, and the spout portion 20 are finally formed to become thicker in this order. Similarly, the liquid reservoir portion 40 is also formed to be thicker than the body portion 12 and shoulder portion 13. Furthermore, since the flange portion 30 and the stopper 50 are constructed by pasting two sheets together, they are constructed to be thicker than the body portion 12, and are typically more than twice as thick as the body portion 12. has.

In addition, in the process of expanding the non-sealed area by filling with air, as shown in FIGS. 6A to 6C, the main body part 10, the spout part 20, and the liquid reservoir part 40 move in the front-rear direction with respect to the flange part 30 and the stopper 50. stand up. At this time, since the two sheets separate into the front and back and stand up from the flange portion 30 and the plug 50, the boundary between the main body portion 10, the spout portion 20, and the liquid reservoir portion 40, and the flange portion 30 and the plug 50. A groove V1 is formed in the vicinity.

Subsequently, the air nozzle is retracted from the vicinity of the filling port, and in its place, a predetermined liquid nozzle advances and is inserted into the filling port. Then, the contents (medicinal solution) to be stored in the squeeze container 1 are filled from this liquid nozzle through the filling port into the internal space S1 communicating with the filling port (step C6).

The fill port is then closed by a heat seal. More specifically, the portion of the two sheets corresponding to the filling port is sandwiched between two heating plates from the outside, and the same portion is preheated (step C7). Subsequently, the parts of the two sheets corresponding to the filling port are heat-sealed and pasted together (step C8). At this time, two heating blocks are used, and heat is applied to the two sheets by sandwiching the two sheets from the outside between the two heating blocks. As described above, the contents are sealed in each internal space S1 included in the two sheets. Subsequently, instead of the heating block, the portion heat-sealed in step C8 is sandwiched between unheated cooling blocks to cool the portion (step C9). Note that both the heating block and the cooling block are elongated blocks, and simultaneously heat and cool portions of the two sheets corresponding to the plurality of filling ports.

Thereafter, the two sheets are cut along the outer periphery of the portion that is not heat-sealed (that is, the portion where the liquid reservoir portion 40, the main body portion 10, and the spout portion 20 that communicate with each other are combined) (Step C10). As a result, a plurality of squeeze containers 1 are punched out from the two sheets. At this time, the two sheets are cut along the outer periphery with a space between them and the outer periphery of the portion that is not heat sealed. As described above, the squeeze container 1 is formed into a shape having the main body part 10, the spout part 20, the liquid reservoir part 40, and the flange part 30 arranged so as to surround these parts 10, 20, and 40. Ru.

<4. Modified example>
Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various changes can be made without departing from the spirit thereof. For example, the following changes are possible: Furthermore, the gist of the following modifications can be combined as appropriate.

<4-1>
The contents accommodated in the squeeze container 1 are not limited to those mentioned above, and for example, liquid or granular detergent, etc. can be accommodated in the squeeze container 1.

<4-2>
In the embodiment described above, the pouring spout 20 extends from a position eccentric from the central axis A1 in the shoulder 13, but the position of the apex P1 of the shoulder 13 is not eccentric with respect to the central axis A1, and the pouring The mouth portion 20 may extend from a position overlapping the central axis A1. Further, the spout portion 20 may extend parallel to (including substantially parallel to) the central axis A1.

<4-3>
In the above embodiment, the entire squeeze container 1 is configured to be transparent or semitransparent, but the squeeze container 1 may be configured to be partially transparent or semitransparent. In this case, from the viewpoint of facilitating confirmation of the remaining amount of the contents described above, the liquid reservoir section 40 is configured to be at least partially transparent or translucent to the extent that the liquid reservoir space S4 can be visually recognized from the outside. It is preferable.

<4-4>
In the above embodiment, the flange portion 30 seamlessly surrounds the entire circumference of the main body portion 10, the spout portion 20, and the liquid reservoir portion 40, except for the position of the stopper 50, in side view from the front side and the back side. It was configured as follows. However, the flange portion 30 may be configured to intermittently surround the main body portion 10, the spout portion 20, and the liquid reservoir portion 40 except for the position of the stopper 50 when viewed from the same side. However, the flange portion 30 is preferably arranged so as to at least partially surround the periphery of the spout portion 20 when viewed from the same side, and in particular, the flange portion 30 is preferably arranged at least near the tip portion 20A of the spout portion 20. It is preferable. In such a case, as described above, it becomes easier to align the spout 20 with the mouth 60 of the container to be refilled. Further, the flange portion 30 can also be omitted.

<4-5>
In the embodiment described above, the groove V1 extends continuously from the bottom of the liquid reservoir 40 toward the outlet S3, but may extend intermittently. Further, the grooves do not need to be formed in all of the liquid reservoir part 40, the main body part 10, and the spout part 20; for example, the grooves may be formed only in the main body part 10, or the grooves can be formed only in the spout part 20. Alternatively, it may be formed only in the main body part 10 and the spout part 20. Further, the groove V1 can also be omitted.

<4-6>
In the embodiment described above, the shoulder portion 13 is configured to have a "swept shoulder" shape, but it may be bent at a substantially right angle.

<4-7>
The method for manufacturing the squeeze container 1 is not limited to that described above, and methods such as injection molding and direct blow molding can also be used, for example.

A squeeze container similar to the above embodiment was manufactured, and a test was conducted to evaluate the ease with which the contents spilled. The contents contained a medicinal solution (fragrance). More specifically, 60 female subjects between the ages of 20 and 69 (including 8 left-handed people and 2 people with hand injuries or difficulty moving their hands) were asked to use a manufactured squeeze container into a designated container. I had them perform the work of transferring the chemical solution. The diameter of the mouth of the container to be refilled was 2.2 cm. The diameter of the outlet at the tip of the spout of the squeeze container was 2.8 mm. As a result, not one person out of 60 spilled the contents.

1 Squeeze container 10 Body part 11 Bottom part 12 Body part 13 Shoulder part 20 Spout part 20A Tip part 30 Flange part 40 Liquid reservoir part 50 Stopper A1 Central axis S1 Internal space (first space)
S2 Passage S3 Outlet S4 Liquid reservoir space (second space)
P1 Starting point V1 Groove

Claims (5)

a main body having a bottom surface and defining a first space in which refill contents are accommodated;
an elongated tubular spout defining an elongated passage communicating with the first space;
an outlet disposed at the tip of the spout portion for taking out the contents from the first space;
a liquid reservoir portion that is arranged to protrude outward from the bottom portion, communicates with the first space, and defines a second space having a cross section smaller in diameter than the bottom portion;
The liquid reservoir is configured to be at least partially transparent or translucent to the extent that the second space is visible from the outside,
The starting point of the spout portion is located at a position eccentric from the central axis of the main body portion,
The outlet is located near the central axis,
The liquid reservoir portion is arranged approximately at the center of the bottom portion,
The central axis of the liquid reservoir portion substantially coincides with the central axis of the main body portion.
squeeze container. The bottom portion is configured to be inclined downward toward the liquid pool portion.
A squeeze container according to claim 1. further comprising a stopper that seals the outlet and is removed without being resealable when opened;
The squeeze container according to claim 1 or 2. Further comprising a flange portion arranged to surround the main body portion in side view;
A squeeze container according to any one of claims 1 to 3. The first space accommodates a refillable medical solution as the content.
A squeeze container according to any one of claims 1 to 4.