US20130092691A1

US20130092691A1 - Container

Info

Publication number: US20130092691A1
Application number: US13/275,916
Authority: US
Inventors: Akinori Sato; Yasuhiro Yamanaka
Original assignee: MFV Co Ltd
Current assignee: MFV Co Ltd
Priority date: 2011-10-18
Filing date: 2011-10-18
Publication date: 2013-04-18

Abstract

There is provided a container capable of preventing detachment of a cap body from a case main body before outward advancement of a drawer member when the cap body is turned in the direction for unscrewing it from the case main body. By turning all or part of the case main body or cap body except the drawer member, about the screwing axis of the external and internal threads, the drawer member is advanced outward by the cam mechanism disposed within the container. The resistance applying means is provided to impart resistance to rotation between the case main body and the cap body for prevention of rotation of the cap body in the direction for unscrewing it from the case main body before advancement of the drawer member.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a container such for example as a cosmetic bottle.
2. Discussion of the Related Art
Amongst containers each tailored for example to cosmetic application and composed of a case main body and a cap body which is openably screwed on the case main body through the engagement between an external thread and an internal thread, some are designed to have a drawer-like member formed in its case main body or cap body for free outwardly advancing motion and retracting motion. In a container of this type, as the case main body or the cap body is turned about the screwing axis of the external and internal threads, the drawer-like member is caused to advance outward by a cam mechanism attached to the container interiorly thereof. By turning the cap body in the direction for unscrewing it from the case main body, the drawer-like member is caused to advance outward, and whereafter the cap body becomes detached from the case main body (refer to Patent Literature 1).
In this case, after the drawer-like member advances outward, a user is able to use cosmetic products contained in the case main body with cosmetic tools, mirrors, and so forth put in the drawer-like member. It is thus possible to allow convenient use of cosmetic tools and so forth put in the drawer-like member.

PRIOR ART REFERENCE

Patent Literature

Patent Literature 1: Japanese Examined Patent Publication JP-B2 4564104

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A negative aspect of the container of conventional design is that a resistance in the threadable engagement between the external thread and the internal thread of the case main body and the cap body is small. In a case where a large resistance is developed when the drawer-like member is pulled, as the cap body is turned in the direction for unscrewing it from the case main body, the cap body could become detached from the case main body before the drawer-like member advances outward. This impairs the convenience of the drawer-like member in terms of the use of cosmetic tools and so forth placed therein.
The present invention has been devised in view of the problem as mentioned supra, and accordingly its object is to provide a container characterized in that, when a cap body is turned in the direction for unscrewing it from a case main body, the cap body is prevented from becoming detached from the case main body before a drawer member advances outward.
In order to solve the above technical problem, the present invention provides a container comprising: a case main body 2; a cap body 3 which is openably screwed on the case main body 2 through the engagement between an external thread 13 and an internal thread 28; and a drawer member 4 disposed in the case main body 2 or in the cap body 3 for free outwardly advancing motion and retracting motion. By turning all or part of the case main body 2 or the cap body 3, other than the drawer member 4, about the screwing axis of the external thread 13 and the internal thread 28, the drawer member 4 is caused to advance outward by a cam mechanism 39 attached to the container interiorly thereof. A technical means according to the present invention resides in the provision of resistance applying means 104 for providing resistance to rotation between the case main body 2 and the cap body 3 to restrain rotation of the cap body 3 in the direction for unscrewing it from the case main body 2 until after outward advancement of the drawer member 4.
Another technical means according to the present invention resides in the provision of advancement securing means 120 for holding the drawer member 4 securely in an outwardly-advanced position.
Still another technical means according to the present invention resides in the provision of retraction securing means 119 for holding the drawer member 4 securely in a retracted position in the case main body 2 or the cap body 3.
Yet another technical means according to the present invention resides in that the cap body 3 includes an outer cap 6 and an inner cap 7, and there is provided loading means 107A capable of loading the drawer member 4 into the cap body 3 from outside even under a condition where the outer cap 6 and the inner cap 7 are integrated with each other.
A further technical means according to the present invention resides in that the case main body 2 includes an outer case 53 and an inner case 54, and there is provided loading means 107B capable of loading the drawer member 4 into the case main body 2 from outside even under a condition where the outer case 53 and the inner case 54 are integrated with each other.
A still further technical means according to the present invention resides in that a top plate 78 is rotatably disposed on the top side of the cap body 3, and the drawer member 4 is caused to advance outward by relative rotation of the top plate 78, and that there is provided loading means 107C capable of loading the drawer member 4 into the top plate 78 from outside even under a condition where the cap body 3 and the top plate 78 are integrated with each other.
Yet a further technical means according to the present invention resides in the provision of unloading means 109A capable of ejecting the drawer member 4 loaded in the cap body 3.
Moreover, another technical means according to the present invention resides in the provision of unloading means 109B capable of ejecting the drawer member 4 loaded in the case main body 2.
Still another technical means according to the present invention resides in the provision of unloading means 109C capable of ejecting the drawer member 4 loaded in the top plate 78.
A further technical means according to the present invention resides in that, by turning the cap body 3 in the direction for screwing it on the case main body 2, the drawer member 4 in an outwardly-advanced state is caused to retract into the case main body 2 or the cap body 3, and simultaneously the cap body 3 is screwed on the case main body 2.
A still further technical means according to the present invention resides in that the case main body 2 is designed to store cosmetic products therein, and the drawer member 4 is configured as a housing case capable of accommodating a mirror, a comb, and so forth, or configured in itself as a cosmetic tool for application of cosmetic products, a mirror, a comb, or the like.
According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent without fail detachment of the cap body from the case main body before the drawer member advances outward. For example, by turning the cap body in the direction for unscrewing it from the case main body, the drawer member is caused to advance outward, and whereafter the cap body becomes detached from the case main body. After the drawer member advances outward, a user is able to use cosmetic products contained in the case main body with cosmetic tools, mirrors, and so forth put in the drawer-like member. It is thus possible to allow convenient use of cosmetic tools and so forth put in the drawer member.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a container in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, with its drawer member set in a retracted position.

FIG. 1B is a lateral sectional view of the container in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention, with its drawer member set in the retracted position.

FIG. 2A is a perspective view of the container with the drawer member set in an outwardly-advanced position.

FIG. 2B is a lateral sectional view of the container with the drawer member set in the outwardly-advanced position.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the container.

FIG. 4A is a plan sectional view showing a state where the drawer member assumes a retracted position.

FIG. 4B is a plan sectional view showing a state where the drawer member is in the middle of advancing or retracting motion.

FIG. 4C is a plan sectional view showing a state where the drawer member assumes an outwardly-advanced position.

FIG. 5A is a perspective view of the container with its drawer member set in a retracted position.

FIG. 5B is a lateral sectional view of the container with its drawer member set in the retracted position.

FIG. 6A is a perspective view of the container with the drawer member set in an outwardly-advanced position.

FIG. 6B is a lateral sectional view of the container with the drawer member set in the outwardly-advanced position.

FIG. 7 is an exploded view of the container.

FIG. 8A is a plan sectional view showing a state where the drawer member assumes a retracted position.

FIG. 8B is a plan sectional view showing a state where the drawer member is just about to advance outward.

FIG. 8C is a plan sectional view showing a state where the drawer member assumes an outwardly-advanced position.

FIG. 9 is a lateral sectional view showing an example of modified forms of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 5A to 8C.

FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view showing another example of modified forms of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 5A to 8C.

FIG. 11A is a plan sectional view showing a state where the drawer member assumes a retracted position.

FIG. 11B is a plan sectional view showing a state where the drawer member is just about to advance outward.

FIG. 11C is a plan sectional view showing a state where the drawer member assumes an outwardly-advanced position.

FIG. 12 is a lateral sectional view showing another embodiment.

FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view of the embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a lateral sectional view showing still another embodiment.

FIG. 15 is an exploded perspective view of the embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a lateral sectional view showing yet a further embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a plan view of the case main body of the embodiment.

FIG. 18 is an exploded perspective view of the embodiment.

FIG. 19 is a side view of the case main body, illustrating an example of modified forms of resistance applying means.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
In FIGS. 1A to 4C, a cosmetic container 1 comprises a case main body 2, a cap body 3, and a drawer member 4. The cap body 3 includes an outer cap 6 and an inner cap 7. The case main body 2 includes a large-diameter cylindrical portion 9 formed in the shape of a cylinder of large diameter, a cylindrical mouth portion 10, and a bottom cylindrical portion 11 formed so as to expand downwardly from the mouth portion 10. A cosmetic product such as a cosmetic cream is stored inside the case main body 2 (the bottom cylindrical portion 11 and the mouth portion 10). The cosmetic product can be taken out from an opening at the upper end of the mouth portion 10. The mouth portion 10 is externally threaded, or equivalently has an external thread 13.
The outer cap 6 includes an outer top wall 15 and a cylindrical outer peripheral wall 16. The outer cap 6 has formed in its certain upper part a housing area 21 including a housing opening 18, a housing bottom wall 19, and a pair of right-hand and left-hand housing side walls 20. An annular engagement projection 22 is formed on the inner surface at the lower end of the outer peripheral wall 16. The inner cap 7 includes an inner top wall 24, a cylindrical inner peripheral wall 25, an annular inner bottom wall 26, and an upright wall 27 upstanding from the circumferential edge of the inner bottom wall 26. The inner peripheral wall 25 is internally threaded, or equivalently has an internal thread 28. An annular retention projection 29 is formed at the upper end of the upright wall 27. A sealing plate 30 is fixedly fitted to the under surface of the inner top wall 24.
The engagement projection 22 of the outer cap 6 and the retention projection 29 of the inner cap 7 engage each other, and thereby the inner cap 7 can be retained internally of the outer cap 6 for relative rotation. The inner cap 7 (the inner peripheral wall 25) is detachably screwed on the case main body 2 (the mouth portion 10) through the engagement between the external thread 13 and the internal thread 28.
The drawer member 4 is made as a housing case composed of a drawer bottom wall 33, a drawer front wall 34, a drawer rear wall 35, and a pair of right-hand and left-hand drawer side walls 36, for accommodating cosmetic tools for application of cosmetic products, mirrors, combs, and so forth. The drawer member 4 is disposed in the outer cap 6 for free outward advancement from and retraction into the housing area 21. In the drawer member 4, an external face 4 a on the drawer front wall 34 is shaped as an arcuately curved surface which becomes flush with the exterior of the outer peripheral wall 16 without any difference in level when the drawer member 4 is retracted in the housing area 21 of the outer cap 6.
A cam mechanism 39 is disposed between the inner cap 7 and the drawer member 4. The cam mechanism 39 is constructed of an engagement protrusion 40 formed protrudingly on the inner top wall 24 of the inner cap 7, and a rectilinear retention recess 41 formed on the under surface of the drawer bottom wall 33 of the drawer member 4 so as to extend in a direction from right to left or vice versa, or a right-left (horizontal) direction. The housing bottom wall 19 of the housing area 21 is formed with an arcuate insertion hole 42, through which the engagement protrusion 40 passes to engage in the retention recess 41. With this engagement, as the outer cap 6 is turned in an opening direction relative to the inner cap 7 (equal to the direction for unscrewing the cap body 3 (the inner cap 7) from the case main body 2), the engagement protrusion 40 moves in the insertion hole 42, as well as in the retention recess 41, whereupon the drawer member 4 is caused to advance outward from the outer cap 6. On the other hand, as the outer cap 6 is turned in a closing direction relative to the inner cap 7 (equal to the direction for screwing the cap body 3 (the inner cap 7) on the case main body 2), the engagement protrusion 40 moves in the insertion hole 42, as well as in the retention recess 41, whereupon the drawer member 4 in an outwardly-advanced state is caused to retract into the outer cap 6. Moreover, the rotation of the inner cap 7 relative to the outer cap 6 is limited to a specific range corresponding to the range of movement of the engagement protrusion 40 in the insertion hole 42.
As shown in FIG. 3, the mouth portion 10 of the case main body 2 has a pair of resistance protuberances 101 and 102 formed so as to be continuous with an intermediate point on the lower side of the external thread 13. The paired resistance protuberances 101 and 102 act to provide resistance to rotation between the case main body 2 and the cap body 3 for restraining rotation of the cap body 3 in the direction for unscrewing it from the case main body 2 until after the outward advancement of the drawer member 4. Thus, the paired resistance protuberances 101 and 102 constitute resistance applying means 104 for providing resistance to rotation between the case main body 2 and the cap body 3 to restrain rotation of the cap body 3 in the direction for unscrewing it from the case main body 2 until after the outward advancement of the drawer member 4.
Accordingly, in the presence of large resistance to rotation between the case main body 2 and the cap body 3, as the cap body 3 (the outer cap 6) is turned in the direction for unscrewing it from the case main body 2, at first, the outer cap 6 is turned relative to the case main body 2 and the inner cap 7. Thereby, as shown in FIGS. 4B and 4C, the drawer member 4 is caused to advance outward from the outer cap 6. After that, as the outer cap 6 and the inner cap 7 are turned relative to the case main body 2, the inner cap 7, together with the outer cap 6, becomes detached from the case main body 2. In this way, it is possible to prevent without fail detachment of the cap body 3 from the case main body 2 before the drawer member 4 advances outward.
Moreover, in the presence of large resistance to rotation between the case main body 2 and the cap body 3, as the cap body 3 (the outer cap 6) is turned in the direction for screwing it on the case main body 2, at first, the outer cap 6 is turned relative to the case main body 2 and the inner cap 7. Thereby, as shown in FIGS. 4B and 4A, the drawer member 4 in an outwardly-advanced state is retracted into the outer cap 6. After that, as the outer cap 6 and the inner cap 7 are turned relative to the case main body 2, the inner cap 7, together with the outer cap 6, is screwed on the case main body 2 for closure.
Although not shown in FIGS. 1A, 1B, 2A, and 2B, as shown in FIG. 3, in the drawer member 4, on the rear side of the drawer bottom wall 33 is formed a ramp guide face 106 so as to extend from the retention recess 41 toward the rear at a gradual upward incline. The ramp guide face 106 constitutes loading means 107A capable of loading the drawer member 4 into the cap body 3 from outside under the condition where the outer cap 6 and the inner cap 7 are integrated with each other. That is, under the condition where the inner cap 7 is retained internally of the outer cap 6 for relative rotation, with the engagement projection 22 of the outer cap 6 and the retention projection 29 of the inner cap 7 kept in engagement, as the drawer member 4 is incorporated into the housing area 21 of the outer cap 6 from outside, the engagement protrusion 40 of the cam mechanism 39 slides on the ramp guide face 106 so as to be guidedly engaged in the retention recess 41. As a result, the drawer member 4 can be loaded in the housing area 21 without being disturbed by the engagement protrusion 40.
The ramp guide face 106 also constitutes unloading means 109A capable of ejecting the drawer member 4 loaded in the cap body 3. More specifically, a side of the ramp guide face 106 located toward the retention recess 41 is made as an arcuate guide face 106 a. Under the condition where the inner cap 7 is retained internally of the outer cap 6, and the drawer member 4 is inserted in the housing area 21 of the outer cap 6, with the engagement protrusion 40 of the cam mechanism 39 kept engaged in the retention recess 41, by pulling the drawer member 4 outward with a reasonable strength, the engagement protrusion 40 is caused to cross over the arcuate guide face 106 a for disengagement from the retention recess 41, and is then slidingly moved relative to the ramp guide face 106. In this way, the drawer member 4 can be taken out.
According to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1A to 4C, the unfastening of the cap body 3 from the case main body 2 can be accomplished by turning the cap body 3 (the outer cap 6) in the opening direction relative to the case main body 2. By virtue of the resistance protuberances 101 and 102 (the resistance applying means 104), the cap body 3 is restrained from turning in the direction for unscrewing it from the case main body 2 until after the outward advancement of the drawer member 4. As shown in FIGS. 4B and 4C, at first, the drawer member 4 is caused to advance outward from the outer cap 6, and whereafter the inner cap 7, together with the outer cap 6, becomes detached from the case main body 2. After that, a user is able to use cosmetic products contained in the case main body 2 with cosmetic tools, mirrors, and so forth put in the drawer member 4. This construction is thus conducive to convenient use of cosmetic tools and so forth put in the drawer member 4.
On the other hand, the fastening of the cap body 3 to the case main body 2 can be accomplished by turning the outer cap 6 in the closing direction relative to the case main body 2 following the completion of placement of cosmetic tools and so forth in the drawer member 4. As shown in FIGS. 4B and 4A, at first, the drawer member 4 in an outwardly-advanced state is retracted into the outer cap 6, and whereafter the inner cap 7, together with the outer cap 6, is screwed on the case main body 2 for closure.
Thus, the drawer member 4 is caused to advance and retract simply by effecting the opening and closing operations of the cap body 3, and is therefore convenient to use. Moreover, since the advancement and retraction of the drawer member 4 are effected by the opening and closing operations of the cap body 3, there is no need for an extra component such as a knob used to pull the drawer member 4 carrying cosmetic tools. This makes it possible to render the external face 4 a on the drawer front wall 34 of the drawer member 4 an arcuate surface form which becomes flush with the exterior of the outer peripheral wall 16 of the outer cap 6 without any difference in level when the drawer member 4 is retracted in place. Accordingly, the container, being free of exposure of a knob or the like component at its exterior, has a very good appearance.
Meanwhile, the conventional-type container (disclosed in Patent Literature 1), being devoid of the ramp guide face 106 (the loading means 107A), poses the following problem associated with its assembly in the course of manufacture. That is, in order to incorporate the drawer member 4 into the cap body 3, at first, the drawer member 4 is directed into the outer cap 6 from outside, and subsequently the engagement protrusion 40 formed on the inner top wall 24 of the inner cap 7 needs to be fitted in the retention recess 41 of the drawer member 4 from below while pinpointing its precise location. This necessitates much expense in time and effort in assembly operation. By way of contrast, in the embodiment according to the present application, the provision of the ramp guide face 106 (the loading means 107A) allows easy incorporation of the drawer member 4 into the cap body 3.
Furthermore, the conventional-type container (disclosed in Patent Literature 1), being devoid of the ramp guide face 106 (the unloading means 109A), poses the following problem associated with sanitation. That is, once the drawer member 4 has been mounted, it can never be taken out. This makes it impossible to wipe the drawer bottom wall 33 of the drawer member 4 clean of dirt or dust with consequent uncleanness. By way of contrast, in the embodiment according to the present application, the provision of the ramp guide face 106 (the unloading means 109A) allows relatively easy ejection of the drawer member 4 from the cap body 3. Therefore, even after the mounting, the drawer member 4 can be taken out again for wipe-cleaning.
In FIGS. 5A to 8C, there is shown another embodiment. In this embodiment, the cam mechanism 39 is constructed of the engagement protrusion 40 formed protrudingly on the inner top wall 24 of the inner cap 7, and a sunken recess 46 having inclined abutment parts 45 formed by denting the drawer rear wall 35 of the drawer member 4 forwardly. The housing area 21 includes only the housing opening 18 and the paired right-hand and left-hand housing side walls 20, and the housing bottom wall 19 is omitted. A stopper 47 is protrudingly formed in the outer cap 6. In this construction, the engagement protrusion 40 is rockably moved between the stopper 47 and the housing side wall 20 of the housing area 21, and in the meantime the engagement protrusion 40 presses the inclined abutment part 45. Thereby, when the outer cap 6 is turned in the opening direction relative to the inner cap 7 (equal to the direction for unscrewing the inner cap 7 from the case main body 2), the drawer member 4 is caused to advance outward to some extent from the outer cap 6.
On the other hand, when the outer cap 6 is turned in the closing direction relative to the inner cap 7 (equal to the direction for screwing the inner cap 7 on the case main body 2), the drawer member 4 remains in an outwardly-advanced state.
The right-hand and left-hand housing side walls 20 of the housing area 21 are each formed with a rail slot 49 extending in a direction from front to rear or vice versa, or front-rear direction. In the drawer member 4, each of the right-hand and left-hand drawer side walls 36 has a sliding projection 50 formed protrudingly on the rear side thereof. In this construction, the sliding projection 50 fits in the rail slot 49 for free back-and-forth sliding movement. Thereby, the drawer member 4 is allowed to advance from and retract into the housing area 21 smoothly, and is also prevented from coming out of the housing area 21 when it is pulled.
As shown in FIG. 7, the mouth portion 10 of the case main body 2 has a pair of resistance protuberances 101 and 102 formed so as to be continuous with an intermediate point on the lower side of the external thread 13. The paired resistance protuberances 101 and 102 act to provide resistance to rotation between the case main body 2 and the cap body 3 for restraining rotation of the cap body 3 in the direction for unscrewing it from the case main body 2 until after the outward advancement of the drawer member 4. The resistance protuberances 101 and 102 constitute the resistance applying means 104 for providing resistance to rotation between the case main body 2 and the cap body 3.
Thus, in the presence of large resistance to rotation between the case main body 2 and the cap body 3, as the cap body 3 (the outer cap 6) is turned in direction for unscrewing it from the case main body 2, at first, the outer cap 6 is turned relative to the case main body 2 and the inner cap 7. Thereby, as shown in FIGS. 8A, 8B, and 8C, the drawer member 4 is caused to advance outward to some extent from the outer cap 6. After that, as the outer cap 6 and the inner cap 7 are turned relative to the case main body 2, the inner cap 7, together with the outer cap 6, becomes detached from the case main body 2. In this way, it is possible to prevent without fail detachment of the cap body 3 from the case main body 2 before the drawer member 4 advances outward.
On the other hand, as the outer cap 6 is turned in the direction for screwing it on the case main body 2, at first, the outer cap 6 is turned relative to the inner cap 7 and the case main body 2, whereupon the engagement protrusion 40 abuts against the stopper 47. After that, as the outer cap 6 and the inner cap 7 are turned relative to the case main body 2, the inner cap 7, together with the outer cap 6, is screwed on the case main body 2 for closure. At this time, the drawer member 4 remains in an outwardly-advanced state. By pressing the drawer member 4 in an outwardly-advanced state laterally inwardly, the drawer member 4 can be retracted into the outer cap 6.
In the drawer member 4, a rearwardly-extending projection piece 112 is formed on the lower side of the sunken recess 46 (the drawer rear wall 35), and the projection piece 112 is fixedly fitted at the under surface with a drawer magnet 113. The inner top wall 24 of the inner cap 7 is fixedly fitted at the top surface with spaced-apart first and second magnets 115 and 116 that are attractable to the drawer magnet 113. As the drawer member 4 is retracted into the outer cap 6, the drawer magnet 113 is brought into alignment with the first magnet 115 for mutual attraction, whereupon the drawer member 4 is securely held in a retracted position in the outer cap 6. On the other hand, as the drawer member 4 is caused to advance outward from the outer cap 6, the drawer magnet 113 is brought into alignment with the second magnet 116 for mutual attraction, whereupon the drawer member 4 is securely held in an outwardly-advanced position.
Thus, the drawer magnet 113 and the first magnet 115 constitute retraction securing means 119 for holding the drawer member 4 securely in a retracted position in the cap body 3, whereby the drawer member 4 can be held in a fully retracted position while being prevented from accidental outward advancement. Moreover, the drawer magnet 113 and the second magnet 116 constitute advancement securing means 120 for holding the drawer member 4 securely in an outwardly-advanced position, whereby the drawer member 4 can be held securely in an outwardly-advanced position while being prevented from accidental retraction.
Otherwise, this embodiment is similar in structure to the preceding embodiment shown in FIGS. 1A to 5B.
According to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 5A to 8C, the unfastening of the cap body 3 from the case main body 2 can be accomplished by turning the cap body 3 (the outer cap 6) in the opening direction relative to the case main body 2. By virtue of the resistance protuberances 101 and 102 (the resistance applying means 104), the cap body 3 is restrained from turning in the direction for unscrewing it from the case main body 2 until after the outward advancement of the drawer member 4. As shown in FIG. 8C, at first, the drawer member 4 is caused to advance outward to some extent from the outer cap 6, and whereafter the outer cap 6 and the inner cap 7 are turned relative to the case main body 2. Thereby, the inner cap 7, together with the outer cap 6, becomes detached from the case main body 2. After that, the drawer member 4 is pulled into a fully advanced position by user's fingers placed on the drawer front wall 34. Then, a user is able to use cosmetic products contained in the case main body 2 with cosmetic tools, mirrors, and so forth put in the drawer member 4. This construction is thus conducive to convenient use of cosmetic tools and so forth put in the drawer member 4.
On the other hand, in the case of fastening the cap body 3 to the case main body 2, following the completion of placement of cosmetic tools and so forth in the drawer member 4, the outer cap 6 is turned in the closing direction relative to the case main body 2. In this way, the inner cap 7, together with the outer cap 6, is screwed on the case main body 2 for closure. Then, by pressing the drawer member 4 in an outwardly-advanced state laterally inwardly with user's fingers, the drawer member 4 can be retracted into the outer cap 6.
Thus, the drawer member 4 is caused to advance by the opening operation of the cap body 3, and is thus convenient to use. Moreover, the external face on the front wall of the drawer member 4 can be made as an arcuately-curved surface which becomes flush with the exterior of the outer peripheral wall 16 of the outer cap 6 without any difference in level when the drawer member 4 is retracted in place, and there is no need for an extra component such as a knob used to pull the drawer member 4 carrying cosmetic tools. Accordingly, the container, being free of exposure of a knob or the like component at its exterior, has a very good appearance.
Meanwhile, the conventional-type container (disclosed in Patent Literature 1), being devoid of the retraction securing means 119 for holding the drawer member 4 securely in a retracted position in the cap body 3, poses the following portability problem. That is, if the container 1 is subjected to a lurch or gets snagged on something while being carried around, the drawer member 4 could accidentally be pulled open. By way of contrast, in this embodiment, by virtue of the retraction securing means 119 for holding the drawer member 4 securely in a retracted position, the drawer member 4 can be held in a retracted position while being prevented from accidental outward advancement. This results in the solution of the problem with the conventional art.
Furthermore, the conventional-type container (disclosed in Patent Literature 1), being devoid of securing means for holding the drawer member 4 securely in an outwardly-advanced position, viz., a use position, poses the following usability problem. That is, the drawer member 4 in an advanced position could inconveniently be moved in the direction for housing it inside the container 1. By way of contrast, in this embodiment, by virtue of the advancement securing means 120 for holding the drawer member 4 securely in an outwardly-advanced position, the drawer member 4 can be held in an outwardly-advanced position while being prevented from accidental retraction. This results in the solution of the problem with the conventional art.
In FIG. 9, there is shown an example of modified forms of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 5A to 8C. In this construction, a convex drawer engagement portion 122 is formed on the under surface of the projection piece 112, and a first concave retention portion 123 and a second concave retention portion 124, which disengageably engage the drawer engagement portion 122, are formed on the top surface of the inner top wall 24 of the inner cap 7. The retraction securing means 119 for holding the drawer member 4 securely in a retracted position in the cap body 3 is constructed of, instead of the drawer magnet 113 and the first magnet 115 described previously, the drawer engagement portion 122 and the first retention portion 123 which is engageable therewith. Thereby, the drawer member 4 held in a retracted position is prevented from accidental outward advancement. Moreover, the advancement securing means 120 for holding the drawer member 4 securely in an outwardly-advanced position is constructed of, instead of the drawer magnet 113 and the second magnet 116 described previously, the drawer engagement portion 122 and the second retention portion 124 which engages it for free disengagement. Thereby, the drawer member 4 held in an outwardly-advanced position is prevented from accidental retraction. Otherwise, this modification example is similar in structure to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 5A to 8C.
It is noted that, in the construction shown in FIG. 9, the drawer engagement portion 122 is convexly shaped, whereas the first and second retention portions 123 and 124 are concavely shaped. Alternatively, the drawer engagement portion 122 may be concavely shaped, whereas the first and second retention portions 123 and 124 may be convexly shaped.
In FIGS. 10, 11A, 11B, and 11C, there is shown another example of modified forms of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 5A to 8C. In this construction, the sunken recess 46 (the drawer rear wall 35) of the drawer member 4 is formed with a rearwardly-extending engagement hook 127, and the outer cap 6 has a downwardly-extending retention hook 128 formed at the rear of the under surface of the outer top wall 15. When the drawer member 4 is retracted into the outer cap 6, the engagement hook 127 disengageably engages the retention hook 128, whereupon the drawer member 4 is held securely in a retracted position in the outer cap 6.
Moreover, in the drawer member 4, each of the paired drawer side walls 36 has, on the outer surface at its rear side, an engagement projected rim 130 formed so as to extend in a direction from top to bottom or vice versa, or top-bottom (vertical) direction, and a slit 131 is formed on both sides of the engagement projected rim 130 in the front-rear direction. As the drawer member 4 is caused to advance outward from the outer cap 6, the engagement projected rim 130 engages in the opening edge of the housing side wall 20 of the housing area 21, whereupon the drawer member 4 is held securely in an outwardly-advanced state.
Thus, the engagement hook 127 and the retention hook 128 constitute the retraction securing means 119 for holding the drawer member 4 securely in a retracted position in the cap body 3, whereby the drawer member 4 can be held in a fully retracted position while being prevented from accidental outward advancement. Moreover, the engagement projected rims 130 constitute the advancement securing means 120 for holding the drawer member 4 securely in an outwardly-advanced position, whereby the drawer member 4 can be held securely in an outwardly-advanced position while being prevented from accidental retraction. Otherwise, this modification example is similar in structure to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 5A to 8C.
In FIGS. 12 and 13, there is shown still another embodiment. In this embodiment, the cosmetic container 1 comprises a case main body 2, a cap body 3, and a drawer member 4. The case main body 2 includes an outer case 53, an inner case 54, and a refill case 55. The cap body 3 includes an outer cap 6 and an inner cap 7.
The outer case 53 includes an outer bottom-wall part 57 and a cylindrical outer peripheral-wall part 58. An annular retention projection 59 is formed on the upper inner surface of the outer peripheral-wall part 58. On the lower side of the outer case 53 is formed a housing area 21 comprising a housing opening 18 and a pair of right-hand and left-hand restraint pieces 60, wherein the drawer member 4 is retained for free outward advancement and retraction. The paired right-hand and left-hand restraint pieces 60 control side-to-side movement of the drawer member 4.
The drawer member 4 is made as a housing case composed of a drawer bottom wall 33, a drawer front wall 34, a drawer rear wall 35, and a pair of right-hand and left-hand drawer side walls 36. The drawer rear wall 35 is formed with a projection piece 62. In the drawer member 4, an external face 4 a on the drawer front wall 34 is shaped as an arcuately curved surface which becomes flush with the exterior of the outer peripheral-wall part 58 of the outer case 53 without any difference in level when the drawer member 4 is retracted in place.
The inner case 54 includes an inner bottom-wall part 64 and a cylindrical inner peripheral-wall part 65. The inner peripheral-wall part 65 is provided intermediate its ends with an outwardly-extending annular wall part 66. The annular wall part 66 is formed with an annular drooping wall 67. The annular drooping wall 67 has an engagement projection 68 formed annularly on its bottom side. Through the engagement between the engagement projection 68 and the retention projection 59, the inner case 54 is retained in an upwardly-extending state internally of the outer case 53 for relative rotation. The inner peripheral-wall part 65 of the inner case 54 is, at its upper side, externally threaded, or equivalently formed with an external thread 13. The refill case 55 is detachably retained internally of the inner case 54.
The outer cap 6 includes an outer top wall 15 and an outer peripheral wall 16. The inner cap 7, which includes an inner top wall 24 and an inner peripheral wall 25, is fixed internally of the outer cap 6. The inner peripheral wall 25 is internally threaded, or equivalently has an internal thread 28. The inner cap 7 is detachably screwed on the inner case 54 through the engagement between the external thread 13 and the internal thread 28.
A cam mechanism 39 is disposed between the inner case 54 and the drawer member 4. The cam mechanism 39 is constructed of a downwardly-extending engagement protrusion 40 formed on the inner bottom-wall part 64 of the inner case 54, and a rectilinear insertion hole 69 formed in the projection piece 62 of the drawer member 4 so as to extend in the horizontal direction. In the outer case 53, an arcuate retention slot 70 is formed on the top surface of the outer bottom-wall part 57. The engagement protrusion 40 engages in the retention slot 70 through the insertion hole 69. In this state, as the inner case 54 is turned in an opening direction relative to the outer case 53 (equal to the direction for unscrewing the cap body 3 (the inner cap 7) from the case main body 2), the engagement protrusion 40 moves in the insertion hole 69, as well as in the retention slot 70, whereupon the drawer member 4 is caused to advance outward from the outer case 53. On the other hand, as the inner case 54 is turned in a closing direction relative to the outer case 53 (equal to the direction for screwing the cap body 3 (the inner cap 7) on the case main body 2), the engagement protrusion 40 moves in the insertion hole 69, as well as in the retention slot 70, whereupon the drawer member 4 in an outwardly-advanced state is caused to retract into the outer case 53. Moreover, the rotation of the inner case 54 relative to the outer case 53 is limited to a specific range corresponding to the range of movement of the engagement protrusion 40 in the retention slot 70.
Thus, as the cap body 3 (the outer cap 6) is turned in the direction for unscrewing it from the case main body 2, at first, the inner case 54, together with the cap body 3, is turned relative to the outer case 53, whereupon the drawer member 4 is caused to advance outward from the outer case 53. After that, the inner cap 7, together with the outer cap 6, is turned relative to the inner case 54, so that the outer cap 6, together with the inner cap 7, becomes detached from the case main body 2 (the inner case 54).
On the other hand, as the cap body 3 (the outer cap 6) is turned in the direction for screwing it on the case main body 2, at first, the inner case 54, together with the cap body 3, is turned relative to the outer case 53, whereupon the drawer member 4 in an outwardly-advanced state is retracted into the outer case 53. After that, the cap body 3 (the outer cap 6 and the inner cap 7) is turned relative to the case main body 2, so that the cap body 3 (both the outer cap 6 and the inner cap 7) is screwed on the case main body 2 for closure.
In the inner case 54, a pair of resistance protuberances 101 and 102 is formed on the upper outer surface of the inner peripheral-wall part 65 so as to be continuous with an intermediate point of the external thread 13. The paired resistance protuberances 101 and 102 act to provide resistance to rotation between the case main body 2 and the cap body 3 for restraining rotation of the cap body 3 in the direction for unscrewing it from the case main body 2 until after the outward advancement of the drawer member 4. The resistance protuberances 101 and 102 constitute resistance applying means 104 for providing resistance to rotation between the case main body 2 and the cap body 3.
Moreover, in the drawer member 4, the projection piece 62 is formed with an insertion slot 133 communicating with the insertion hole 69. The insertion slot 133 constitutes loading means 107B capable of loading the drawer member 4 into the case main body 2 from outside under the condition where the outer case 53 and the inner case 54 are integrated with each other. That is, upon the engagement projection 68 and the retention projection 59 engaging each other, the inner case 54 is retained in an upwardly-extending state internally of the outer case 53 for relative rotation. In this state, as the drawer member 4 is directed into the housing area 21 of the outer case 53 from outside, the engagement protrusion 40 of the cam mechanism 39 passes through the insertion slot 133 so as to be guidedly engaged in the insertion hole 69. As a result, the drawer member 4 can be loaded in the housing area 21 without being disturbed by the engagement protrusion 40.
Further, the insertion slot 133 also constitutes unloading means 109B capable of ejecting the drawer member 4 loaded in the case main body 2. More specifically, under the condition where the inner case 54 is retained internally of the outer case 53 and the drawer member 4 is inserted in the housing area 21 of the outer case 53, with the engagement protrusion 40 of the cam mechanism 39 kept engaged in the insertion hole 69, by pulling the drawer member 4 outward with a reasonable strength, the engagement protrusion 40 is disengaged from the insertion hole 69 through the insertion slot 133. In this way, the drawer member 4 can be taken out.
According to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the unfastening of the cap body 3 from the case main body 2 can be accomplished by turning the cap body 3 (the outer cap 6) in the opening direction relative to the case main body 2. By virtue of the resistance protuberances 101 and 102 (the resistance applying means 104), the cap body 3 is restrained from turning in the direction for unscrewing it from the case main body 2 until after the outward advancement of the drawer member 4. At first, the drawer member 4 is caused to advance outward from the outer case 53, and whereafter the inner cap 7, together with the outer cap 6, becomes detached from the case main body 2. After that, a user is able to use cosmetic products contained in the case main body 2 with cosmetic tools, mirrors, and so forth put in the drawer member 4. This construction is thus conducive to convenient use of cosmetic tools and so forth put in the drawer member 4.
On the other hand, the fastening of the cap body 3 to the case main body 2 can be accomplished by turning the outer cap 6 in the closing direction relative to the case main body 2 following the completion of placement of cosmetic tools and so forth in the drawer member 4. At first, the drawer member 4 in an outwardly-advanced state is retracted into the outer case 53, and whereafter the cap body 3 (both the outer cap 6 and the inner cap 7) is screwed on the case main body 2 for closure.
Thus, the drawer member 4 is caused to advance and retract simply by effecting the opening and closing operations of the cap body 3, and is therefore convenient to use. Moreover, since the advancement and retraction of the drawer member 4 are effected by the opening and closing operations of the cap body 3, there is no need to dispose an extra component such as a knob used to pull the drawer member 4 carrying cosmetic tools on the outer side surface or outer top surface of the container. This makes it possible to render the external face 4 a on the drawer front wall 34 of the drawer member 4 an arcuate surface form which becomes flush with the exterior of the outer peripheral-wall part 58 of the outer case 53 without any difference in level when the drawer member 4 is retracted in place. Accordingly, the container, being free of exposure of a knob or the like component at its outer side surface or outer top surface, has a very good appearance.
In FIGS. 14 and 15, there is shown a further embodiment. In this embodiment, the cosmetic container 1 comprises a case main body 2 and a cap body 3. The case main body 2 includes a large-diameter cylindrical portion 73 formed in the shape of a cylinder of large diameter and a cylindrical mouth portion 10. A cosmetic product such as a cosmetic cream is stored inside the case main body 2 (the large-diameter cylindrical portion 73 and the mouth portion 10). The cosmetic product can be taken out from an opening at the upper end of the mouth portion 10. The mouth portion 10 is externally threaded, or equivalently has an external thread 13.
The cap body 3 includes a top wall 75 and a cylindrical peripheral wall 76. The peripheral wall 76 is internally threaded, or equivalently has an internal thread 28. A sealing plate 30 is fixedly fitted to the under surface of the top wall 75. A top plate 78 is disposed on the top wall 75 of the cap body 3. The top wall 75 has a fitting recess 79 formed at its periphery, and the top plate 78 has an annular fitting jut 81 formed at the lower end of its periphery. Through the fit between the fitting recess 79 and the fitting jut 81, the top plate 78 can be rotatably fitted on the top side of the cap body 3. The cap body 3 is detachably screwed on the mouth portion 10 of the case main body 2 through the engagement between the external thread 13 and the internal thread 28.
The top plate 78 is formed with a housing area 21 having a housing opening 18. The drawer member 4 is shaped like a plate constituting a mirror, a comb, a cosmetic tool, or the like. The top plate 78 has its peripheral surface made flush with the peripheral surface of the cap body 3. An external face 4 a at the forward end of the drawer member 4 is shaped as an arcuately curved surface which becomes flush with the peripheral surface of the top plate 78 without any difference in level when the drawer member 4 is retracted in the housing area 21 of the top plate 78.
A cam mechanism 39 is disposed between the cap body 3 and the drawer member 4. The cam mechanism 39 is constructed of an engagement protrusion 40 formed protrudingly on the top wall 75 of the cap body 3, and a rectilinear retention hole 84 formed in the drawer member 4 so as to extend in the horizontal direction. In the top plate 78, the housing bottom wall 19 of the housing area 21 is formed with an arcuate insertion hole 42, through which the engagement protrusion 40 passes to engage in the retention hole 84. With this engagement, as the top plate 78 is turned in an opening direction relative to the cap body 3 (equal to the direction for unscrewing the cap body 3 from the case main body 2), the engagement protrusion 40 moves in the insertion hole 42, as well as in the retention hole 84, whereupon the drawer member 4 is caused to advance outward from the top plate 78. On the other hand, as the top plate 78 is turned in a closing direction relative to the cap body 3 (equal to the direction for screwing the cap body 3 on the case main body 2), the engagement protrusion 40 moves in the insertion hole 42, as well as in the retention hole 84, whereupon the drawer member 4 in an outwardly-advanced state is caused to retract into the housing area 21 of the top plate 78.
Thus, by turning the top plate 78 in the opening direction relative to the case main body 2, at first, the top plate 78 is turned relative to the case main body 2 and the cap body 3, whereupon the drawer member 4 is caused to advance outward from the top plate 78. After that, the top plate 78 and the cap body 3 are turned relative to the case main body 2, so that the top plate 78, together with the cap body 3, becomes detached from the case main body 2.
On the other hand, by turning the top plate 78 in the closing direction relative to the case main body 2, at first, the top plate 78 is turned relative to the cap body 3 and the case main body 2, whereupon the drawer member 4 in an outwardly-advanced state is retracted into the housing area 21 of the top plate 78. After that, the top plate 78 is turned relative to the cap body 3 and the case main body 2, so that the cap body 3 is screwed on the case main body 2 for closure.
The mouth portion 10 of the case main body 2 has a pair of resistance protuberances 101 and 102 formed so as to be continuous with an intermediate point on the lower side of the external thread 13. The paired resistance protuberances 101 and 102 act to provide resistance to rotation between the case main body 2 and the cap body 3 for restraining rotation of the cap body 3 in the direction for unscrewing it from the case main body 2 until after the outward advancement of the drawer member 4. The resistance protuberances 101 and 102 constitute resistance applying means 104 for providing resistance to rotation between the case main body 2 and the cap body 3.
Moreover, the drawer member 4 has formed at its rear an insertion slot 133 communicating with the retention hole 84. The insertion slot 133 constitutes loading means 107C capable of loading the drawer member 4 into the top plate 78 from outside under the condition where the cap body 3 and the top plate 78 are integrated with each other. That is, with the fit of the fitting jut 81 in the fitting recess 79, the top plate 78 can be rotatably fitted to the top side of the cap body 3. In this state, as the drawer member 4 is directed into the housing area 21 of the top plate 78 from outside, the engagement protrusion 40 of the cam mechanism 39 passes through the insertion slot 133 so as to be guidedly engaged in the retention hole 84. As a result, the drawer member 4 can be loaded in the housing area 21 without being disturbed by the engagement protrusion 40.
Further, the insertion slot 133 also constitutes unloading means 109C capable of ejecting the drawer member 4 loaded in the top plate 78. More specifically, under the condition where the top plate 78 is fitted to the cap body 3 and the drawer member 4 is inserted in the housing area 21 of the top plate 78, with the engagement protrusion 40 of the cam mechanism 39 kept engaged in the retention hole 84, by pulling the drawer member 4 outward with a reasonable strength, the engagement protrusion 4C is disengaged from the retention hole 84 through the insertion slot 133. In this way, the drawer member 4 can be taken out.
According to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, the unfastening of the cap body 3 from the case main body 2 can be accomplished by turning the top plate 78 in the opening direction relative to the case main body 2. By virtue of the resistance protuberances 101 and 102 (the resistance applying means 104), the cap body 3 is restrained from turning in the direction for unscrewing it from the case main body 2 until after the outward advancement of the drawer member 4. At first, the drawer member 4 is caused to advance outward from the top plate 78, and whereafter the top plate 78 and the cap body 3 are turned relative to the case main body 2, so that the cap body 3 becomes detached from the case main body 2. After that, a user is able to use cosmetic products contained in the case main body 2 with the drawer member 4. This construction is thus conducive to convenient use of the drawer member 4.
On the other hand, the fastening of the cap body 3 to the case main body 2 can be accomplished by turning the top plate 78 in the closing direction relative to the case main body 2. At first, the top plate 78 is turned relative to the case main body 2 and the cap body 3, whereupon the drawer member 4 in an outwardly-advanced state is retracted into the outer cap 6. After that, the cap body 3, together with the top plate 78, is turned so as to be screwed on the case main body 2 for closure.
Thus, the drawer member 4 is caused to advance and retract simply by effecting the opening and closing operations of the cap body 3, and is therefore convenient to use. Moreover, since the advancement and retraction of the drawer member 4 are effected by the opening and closing operations of the cap body 3, there is no need for an extra component such as a knob used to pull the drawer member 4 serving as a cosmetic tool. This makes it possible to render the external face 4 a at the forward end of the drawer member 4 an arcuate surface form which becomes flush with the peripheral surface of the top plate 78 without any difference in level when the drawer member 4 is retracted in the housing area 21 of the top plate 78. Accordingly, the container, being free of exposure of a knob or the like component at its exterior, has a very good appearance.
In FIGS. 16 to 18, there is shown yet a further embodiment. In this embodiment, the inner cap 7 has a stopper piece 135 formed at its inner bottom wall 26, and the case main body 2 has a stopper crossover piece 136 and a stopper retainer piece 137 formed so as to extend outward from the lower end of its mouth portion 10. In place of the resistance protuberances 101 and 102 as described previously, the stopper piece 135, the stopper crossover piece 136, and the stopper retainer piece 137 act to provide resistance to rotation between the case main body 2 and the cap body 3 for restraining rotation of the cap body 3 in the direction for unscrewing it from the case main body 2 until after the outward advancement of the drawer member 4. That is, the stopper piece 135, the stopper crossover piece 136, and the stopper retainer piece 137 constitute resistance applying means 104 for providing resistance to rotation between the case main body 2 and the cap body 3 to restrain rotation of the cap body 3 in the direction for unscrewing it from the case main body 2 until after the outward advancement of the drawer member 4.
In this case, with the cap body 3 kept screwed on the case main body 2 through the engagement between the external thread 13 and the internal thread 28, the stopper piece 135 crosses over the stopper crossover piece 136 so as to fit in the region between the stopper crossover piece 136 and the stopper retainer piece 137. In this state, in the presence of large resistance to rotation between the case main body 2 and the cap body 3, as the cap body 3 (the outer cap 6) is turned in the direction for unscrewing it from the case main body 2, at first, the outer cap 6 is turned relative to the case main body 2 and the inner cap 7, whereupon the drawer member 4 is caused to advance outward from the outer cap 6. After that, the stopper piece 135 crosses over the stopper crossover piece 136 to thereby allow the outer cap 6 and the inner cap 7 to turn relative to the case main body 2, so that the inner cap 7, together with the outer cap 6, becomes detached from the case main body 2. In this way, it is possible to prevent without fail detachment of the cap body 3 from the case main body 2 before the drawer member 4 advances outward. Otherwise, this embodiment is similar in structure to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1A to 4C.
In the foregoing embodiments, the resistance applying means 104, which provides resistance to rotation between the case main body 2 and the cap body 3 to restrain rotation of the cap body 3 in the direction for unscrewing it from the case main body 2 until after the outward advancement of the drawer member 4, is constructed of a pair of the resistance protuberances 101 and 102 or a group of the stopper piece 135, the stopper crossover piece 136, and the stopper retainer piece 137. It is however to be noted that the form of the resistance applying means 104 is not so limited. For example, as shown in FIG. 19, the resistance applying means 104 may be constructed by decreasing the angles of inclination of, respectively, the external thread 13 of the case main body 2 and its counterpart internal thread 28 of the cap body 3.
More specifically, as indicated by the chain double-dashed line in FIG. 19, an increase in the angles of inclination of the external thread 13 and its counterpart internal thread 28 permits a reduction in the resistance to rotation between the case main body 2 and the cap body 3. In contrast, as indicated by the solid line, a decrease in the angles of inclination of the external thread 13 and the internal thread 28 permits an increase in the resistance to rotation between the case main body 2 and the cap body 3. With this in view, by exploiting the effect of a decrease in the angles of inclination of the external thread 13 and the internal thread 28, it is possible to construct the resistance applying means 104 for providing resistance to rotation between the case main body 2 and the cap body 3 to restrain rotation of the cap body 3 in the direction for unscrewing it from the case main body 2 until after the outward advancement of the drawer member 4.
Moreover, the constituent of the resistance applying means 104 is not limited to a pair of the resistance protuberances 101 and 102, but may be a single resistance protuberance or three or more resistance protuberances.
Further, in the foregoing embodiments, in the case of fastening the cap body 3 to the case main body 2, at first, the drawer member 4 in an outwardly-advanced state is retracted, and whereafter the cap body 3 is screwed on the case main body 2 for closure. As an alternative, the following workings may be adopted. That is, in the case of fastening the cap body 3 to the case main body 2, at first, the cap body 3 is screwed on the case main body 2 for closure, and whereafter the drawer member 4 in an outwardly-advanced state is retracted, or, the retraction of the drawer member 4 in an outwardly-advanced state and the screwing of the cap body 3 on the case main body 2 are effected concurrently.
Still further, in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, the top plate 78 is rotatably attached to the top side of the cap body 3, and the drawer member 4 is disposed in the top plate 78. The drawer member 4 is caused to advance outward and retract by the turning operation of the top plate 78. As an alternative, the following structures may be adopted. That is, a bottom plate is rotatably attached to the under side of the case main body 2, and the drawer member 4 is disposed in the bottom plate. The drawer member 4 is caused to advance outward and retract by the turning operation of the bottom plate. Also, the top plate 78 or a bottom plate is attached to the top side of the cap body 3 or the under side of the case main body 2, and the drawer member 4 is caused to advance outward and retract by turning the top plate 78 or the bottom plate in one direction. In this case, just as is the case with the embodiment shown in FIGS. 5A to 8C, the drawer member 4 is so configured that it is restrained from retraction when the top plate 78 or the bottom plate is turned in the other direction.
In addition, according to the foregoing embodiments, the present invention has been carried into practice as the cosmetic container 1. However, the application of the present invention is not limited to the cosmetic container 1, but may be to containers of other types.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A container comprising:

a case main body;

a cap body which is openably screwed on the case main body through an engagement between an external thread and an internal thread; and

a drawer member disposed in the case main body or in the cap body for free outwardly advancing motion and retracting motion, the drawer member being caused to advance outward by a cam mechanism attached to the container interiorly thereof when all or part of the case main body or the cap body, other than the drawer member, is turned about a screwing axis of said external thread and internal thread, and further comprising:

resistance applying means for providing resistance to rotation between the case main body and the cap body to restrain rotation of the cap body in a direction for unscrewing it from the case main body until after outward advancement of the drawer member.

2. A container according to claim 1, further comprising:

advancement securing means for holding the drawer member securely in an outwardly-advanced position.

3. A container according to claim 1, further comprising:

retraction securing means for holding the drawer member securely in a retracted position in the case main body or the cap body.

4. A container according to claim 1,

wherein said cap body includes an outer cap and an inner cap,

and wherein loading means is further provided to allow the drawer member to be loaded into the cap body from outside even under a condition where the outer cap and the inner cap are integrated with each other.

5. A container according to claim 1,

wherein said case main body includes an outer case and an inner case,

and wherein loading means is further provided to allow the drawer member to be loaded into the case main body from outside even under a condition where the outer case and the inner case are integrated with each other.

6. A container according to claim 1,

wherein a top plate is rotatably disposed on a top side of the cap body, and the drawer member is caused to advance outward by relative rotation of the top plate,

and wherein loading means is further provided to allow the drawer member to be loaded into the top plate from outside even under a condition where the cap body and the top plate are integrated with each other.

7. A container according to claim 1, further comprising:

unloading means capable of ejecting the drawer member loaded in said cap body.

8. A container according to claim 1, further comprising:

unloading means capable of ejecting the drawer member loaded in said case main body.

9. A container according to claim 1, further comprising:

unloading means capable of ejecting the drawer member loaded in said top plate.

10. A container according to claim 1,

wherein, by turning the cap body in a direction for screwing it on the case main body, the drawer member in an outwardly-advanced state is caused to retract into the case main body or the cap body, and simultaneously the cap body is screwed on the case main body.

11. A container according to claim 1,

wherein said case main body is designed to store cosmetic products therein, and said drawer member is configured as a housing case capable of accommodating a mirror or a comb, or configured in itself as a cosmetic tool for application of cosmetic products, a mirror, or a comb.