JP6475925B2 - Liquid applicator and liquid container used therefor - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a liquid applicator and a liquid container used therefor.

Conventionally, various proposals have been made on liquid containers containing hair growth agents and hair growth agents applied to the scalp.
For example, the container proposed in Patent Document 1 is a pen-shaped container containing a hair growth agent, and a pen tip body through which the hair growth agent penetrates is provided at the tip of the pen-shaped container body. By pressing the scalp, the nib body is moved down, and the hair growth agent oozes into the nib body.

Patent Document 2 discloses a liquid container (viscous fluid extrusion container) that can also be used as a container for a chemical solution such as a hair restorer and a hair growth agent. In this liquid container, a replenishing cylinder having a flexibility for containing a chemical solution is detachably provided in a non-flexible cylindrical body having an extrusion port for a chemical solution (viscous fluid) at the tip and an empty window on both sides. Has been inserted.
According to the liquid container, when the chemical liquid to be stored becomes empty, the chemical liquid can be replenished easily and inexpensively by replacing only the replenishing cylinder.

JP-A-9-154554 JP-A-7-125759

By the way, the nib body and the coating head disclosed in Patent Document 1 are generally formed of a material such as sponge or felt. For this reason, if the pen nib and the application head are continuously pressed against the scalp more than necessary, the hair growth / hair growth agent continues to be unnecessarily discharged, resulting in a problem of dripping.
Further, in the fluid extrusion container disclosed in Patent Document 2, if the chemical solution is exhausted, it is possible to replace and replenish only the replenishment cylinder accommodated in the cylindrical body. It is formed into a cylindrical body and is not replaced. However, since the extrusion port directly touches the human body such as the skin each time it is used, there is a risk that infection or the like may occur during long-term use.

  The present invention has been made paying attention to the above-described points, and an object of the present invention is to provide a liquid applicator that can be used hygienically while suppressing unnecessary discharge of liquid and a liquid container used therefor. And

In order to solve the above-described problems, a liquid applicator according to the present invention is provided integrally with a liquid container in which a liquid is stored, and a tip of the liquid container, and an opening for discharging the liquid is formed. A liquid applicator comprising an applicator and an applicator main body for holding the liquid container, wherein the applicator main body is formed at a front end thereof, and a front end opening into which a rear end side of the liquid container can be inserted; An engagement means is provided inside the application section main body and engageable with a rear end side of the liquid container, and the rear end side of the liquid container is inserted into the front end opening. The rear end side engages with the engagement means, the liquid container is mounted on the application section main body, and the engagement of the engagement means is released, whereby the liquid container is removed from the application section main body. In the liquid applicator, the applicator body includes the liquid container. A communication path that is formed to be movable in a direction and communicates between the inside of the liquid container and the outside air, and is configured to open and close the communication path by moving the liquid container. A first sealing unit that opens the communication path and communicates the interior of the liquid container with the outside air by moving the liquid container backward in the application unit main body. The liquid is led out to the body, and further, a rear end opening is formed on the rear end side of the liquid container, and a first valve seat communicating with the rear end opening, and held by the first valve seat. A first valve body is provided, and the coating portion main body is provided in the interior thereof, is formed in a cylindrical shape to form a part of the communication path, and a tip is fitted into a rear end opening of the liquid container. A top member, and the liquid container is connected to the applicator main body. When mounting, the top of the top member is fitted into the rear end opening of the liquid container, so that the top of the top member pushes the first valve body away from the first valve seat, and the inside of the liquid container is In addition to communicating with the communication path, the application section main body has a second valve body accommodated in a rollable manner inside the top member and an application body provided in the liquid container facing upward. And a second valve seat that seats the second valve body and closes the communication passage, and the second valve body is moved away from the second valve seat by moving the application body downward, and the communication passage is opened. It is characterized by opening the valve .

According to such a configuration, since the application body is integrally provided in the liquid container, the application body becomes new each time the liquid container is replaced, and can be used in a sanitary manner.
In use, the application body provided in the liquid container is pressed against the scalp and the like, and the liquid container is pushed into the application section main body (moves backward), so that outside air flows into the communication path and the liquid is applied from the application body. Is discharged. Further, by pushing the liquid container to the maximum extent with respect to the application body, the communication path is blocked from the outside air, and the amount of liquid discharged for one knock stroke is limited. That is, unnecessary discharge of liquid can be suppressed.
The liquid is preferably a hair growth / hair growth agent.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, while suppressing the unnecessary discharge of a liquid, the liquid applicator which can be used hygienically by a pharmaceutical, foodstuff, etc., and the liquid container used therefor can be obtained. It is particularly desirable to use the container as a container containing a hair growth / hair growth agent for applying the application part downward.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a liquid applicator according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the liquid applicator of FIG. 3A to 3C are a perspective view, a cross-sectional view, and a rear view, respectively, of a top member provided in the liquid applicator of FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the liquid applicator of FIG. 1 during knocking. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the liquid applicator of FIG. 1 knocked to the maximum (at the time of full knock). FIGS. 6A and 6B are cross-sectional views showing a state in which the cartridge (hair growth / hair growth agent container) of the liquid applicator of FIG. 1 is removable, and a new cartridge (hair growth) of the liquid applicator of FIG. -It is sectional drawing of the state before mounting | wearing (hair growth agent container).

Hereinafter, embodiments of a liquid applicator according to the present invention and a liquid container used therefor will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a hair growth / hair growth agent applicator 1 to which a liquid applicator according to the present invention is applied, and FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view.
The hair-growth / hair-growth applicator 1 according to this embodiment includes a cartridge 2 as a hair-growth / hair-growth agent container as shown in FIGS. With.
The cartridge 2 has a cylindrical container body 3 filled with a hair growth / hair growth agent (hereinafter also referred to as a chemical solution) and a joint member 4 fitted to the rear end opening when not in use. ing. The container body 3 is formed of a hard material, for example, a hard plastic such as polycarbonate, and an application portion 3a (application body) that is substantially closed in a hemispherical shape (dome shape) is provided at the tip thereof. . A discharge hole 3b (opening) is formed in the center of the application part 3a, and the inside of the container communicates with the outside air from the joint member 4 side so that the chemical solution can be discharged from the discharge hole 3b. In the following description, a path that communicates the outside air and the inside of the cartridge container 3 in the application unit main body 5 is referred to as a communication path.

Further, when the hair growth / hair growth agent applicator 1 is not used, the cap 6 is put on the application portion 3a to prevent clogging of the discharge holes 3b due to the drying of the chemical solution and unnecessary discharge of the chemical solution. ing.
Specifically, a groove is formed on the peripheral surface on the distal end side of the container body 3 and a cap fitting portion 3c is provided. On the other hand, a cap projection 6a that can be inserted into the discharge hole 3b is formed on the back surface side of the cap 6, and a rib-shaped projection 6b is formed in the circumferential direction on the back surface edge side.
As shown in FIG. 2, when the cap 6 is put on the application part 3a, the cap 6 is fixed by inserting the plug protrusion 6a into the discharge hole 3b and fitting the rib-like protrusion 6b into the cap fitting part 3c. It has become so.

Further, in the cartridge 2, the joint member 4 includes a cylindrical insertion portion 4a that is inserted into the rear end opening of the container body 3, a flange portion 4b that determines the insertion depth of the insertion portion 4a, and a rear side from the flange portion 4b. It consists of the substantially cylindrical seal part 4c extended. A rear end opening into which a front end of a later-described piece member 11 is fitted is formed at the rear end of the seal portion 4c. In addition, a seal ball 7 (first valve body) made of a metal ball is accommodated inside the seal portion 4c, and held as a valve seat for holding the seal ball 7 on the inner peripheral surface of the pipe. A protrusion 4d (first valve seat) is formed. In a state where the seal ball 7 is held by the holding projection 4d, the valve is closed, and the internal chemical solution (hair growth / growing agent) is sealed.
In addition, a tapered protrusion 4e is formed on the outer peripheral surface side of the rear end of the seal portion 4c. The tapered projection 4e serves as an engagement means when the cartridge 2 is mounted on the application unit main body 5 side.

On the other hand, the applicator body 5 includes a cylindrical outer cylinder 10 that opens forward and backward, and the outer cylinder 10 is configured by connecting a front cylinder 10A and a rear cylinder 10B. More specifically, the outer peripheral surface of the rear portion of the front cylinder 10 </ b> A is connected by fitting the inner peripheral surface of the front portion of the rear cylinder 10 </ b> B to constitute a cylindrical outer cylinder 10. Further, a tail plug member 18 is fitted on the rear end side of the outer cylinder 10 (rear end side of the rear cylinder 10B), and the front end opening 10Aa into which the cartridge 2 is inserted on the front end side (front end side of the front cylinder 10A). Is formed.
In the outer cylinder 10, a cylindrical piece member 11 for connecting to the cartridge 2 and a cylindrical spring holding member 13 connected to the rear side of the piece member 11 are accommodated movably in the axial direction. ing.
A cylindrical receiving seat member 16 is fixedly provided in the rear cylinder 10B, and the front portion of the receiving seat member 16 has a diameter smaller than that of the rear portion. The spring holding member 13 is movable in the axial direction within the receiving seat member 16, but the forward movement of the receiving seat member 16 is limited by the reduced diameter.

Further, a predetermined gap is formed between the inner peripheral surface of the receiving member 16 and the outer peripheral surface of the spring holding member 13, and outside air passes through the rear end opening of the spring holding member 13 from this gap. It passes through the spring holding member 13 and the top member 11 (that is, through the communication path) and flows into the cartridge 2.
Here, an O-ring 17 is provided on the peripheral surface of the spring holding member 13, and the O-ring 17 is moved to the front (the receiving seat member 16 side) so that the O-ring 17 receives the receiving member 16. The gap is sealed (blocked). The spring holding member 13, the O-ring 17 and the receiving seat member 16 constitute a first sealing means.

The spring holding member 13 accommodates the front side of the coil spring 12 from the rear end opening, and supports the front end. On the other hand, the rear side of the coil spring 12 is supported by the tail plug member 18 fitted into the rear end opening of the rear cylinder 10B.
That is, the coil spring 12 is provided between the spring holding member 13 and the tail plug member 18 so as to be compressible and expandable in the axial direction. The tail plug member 18 extends in the form of a thin shaft from the center in the cylinder, and the coil spring 12 is disposed so as to surround the periphery in a spiral shape.
Further, an O-ring 19 is provided on the tail plug member 18 side, and when the spring holding member 13 moves to the rearmost (tail plug member 18 side), the rear end abuts on the O-ring 19 and the tail plug The rear end opening of the spring holding member 13 is sealed (blocked) by the member 18 and the O-ring 19. The tail plug member 18, the O-ring 19, and the spring holding member 13 constitute second sealing means.

With such a configuration, when the hair-growth / hair-growth applicator 1 is not used, the spring holding member 13 is moved to the receiving member 16 side by the urging force of the coil spring 12, and the O-ring 17 is received. Abutting on the seat member 16, the gap between the spring holding member 13 and the receiving seat member 16 is sealed to block outside air (state of FIG. 2).
On the other hand, when the cartridge 2 is pushed into the applicator main body 5 during use (this operation is called knocking), the spring holding member 13 moves rearward while the coil spring 12 is compressed, and the O-ring is moved from the receiving member 16. 17 leaves. Thereby, the clearance gap between the spring holding member 13 and the receiving seat member 16 opens, and external air flows in into a communicating path (state of FIG. 4).
Further, when the cartridge 2 is pushed into the application portion main body 5 while compressing the coil spring 12, the rear end of the spring holding member 13 comes into contact with the O-ring 19, the rear end opening of the spring holding member 13 is sealed, and the outside air is discharged. It is cut off (state shown in FIG. 5).

3A is a perspective view of the piece member 11, FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view of the piece member 11, and FIG. 3C is a rear view of the piece member 11.
As shown in FIGS. 3A to 3C, the top member 11 is formed in a cylindrical shape and is provided with a communication passage 11a therein. The diameter of the piece member gradually decreases toward the tip. Yes. A cylindrical needle portion 11e is formed at the tip of the top member 11, and when the needle portion 11e is inserted into the joint member 4 of the cartridge 2, the seal ball 7 held by the holding protrusion 4d is pushed out. The inside of the cartridge 2 communicates with the communication path on the application unit main body 5 side.

  Further, on the outer peripheral surface of the top member 11, a pair of rotating shaft forming portions 11b formed in a wing shape is provided. On the front and back surfaces of the pair of rotating shaft forming portions 11b, a rotating shaft portion 11c is provided in a protruding shape, and an operation member 14 is rotatably attached to the rotating shaft portion 11c. The operation member 14 includes a pressing portion 14a for a user to press with a finger, and a collar portion 14b (engaging means) provided at the tip. In addition, the application part main body 5 and the cartridge 2 are made into a connection state because this collar part 14b and the taper-shaped protrusion 4e of the coupling member 4 in the cartridge 2 engage.

  Further, an opening 10Ba is formed on the peripheral surface of the rear cylinder 10B, and the pressing portion 14a of the operation member 14 is exposed to the outside of the rear cylinder 10B through the opening 10Ba. In addition, outside air communicates with the gap between the spring holding member 13 and the receiving member 16 through the opening 10Ba.

Further, in the top member 11, a backflow prevention ball 15 (second valve body) as a valve body made of a metal ball is rotatably accommodated in the communication passage 11a.
A ball receiving portion 11d is formed in a protruding shape on the front side of the communication passage 11a. When the application portion 3a is directed downward, a gap is generated even if the backflow prevention ball 15 is locked to the ball receiving portion 11d. The communication path 11f shown in FIG. 3B is secured.
On the other hand, a front end portion of the spring holding member 13 is fitted from the rear end side of the top member 11, and the front end portion functions as a valve seat (second valve seat) of the backflow prevention ball 15. That is, when the application portion 3a side is directed upward, the backflow prevention ball 15 moves rearward and is closed by being locked to the tip of the spring holding member 13, thereby preventing backflow. Yes.

In the hair growth / growing agent applicator 1 configured as described above, in order to mount the cartridge 2 on the application unit main body 5 as shown in FIG. The joint member 4 of the cartridge 2 is inserted and pushed in from 10Aa.
As a result, the needle portion 11e at the tip of the top member 11 is inserted from the rear end opening of the joint member 4, and the seal ball 7 held by the holding projection 4d is pushed out. As a result, the inside of the cartridge 2 communicates with the communication path on the application unit main body 5 side. Further, the tapered protrusion 4e of the joint member 4 and the flange portion 14b of the operation member 14 are engaged with each other and connected to each other to be in a mounted state. That is, both the connection and the release of the seal are simultaneously performed only by pushing in the cartridge 2.

In order to use the hair-growth / hair-growth applicator 1 to which the cartridge 2 is mounted as described above, the cap 6 covering the application part 3a is first removed. When not knocked, the gap between the spring holding member 13 and the seat member 16 is sealed by the O-ring 17 as shown in FIG. 2, and air does not flow into the communication path from the outside. The ink is not discharged from the discharge hole 3b.
In use, when the application portion 3a at the tip of the cartridge 2 is pressed against the scalp while holding the application portion main body 5 (when knocked), the cartridge 2 is pushed into the application portion main body 5 as shown in FIG. The spring holding member 13 moves rearward while being compressed.
And the clearance gap between the O-ring 17 and the seat member 16 is open | released, external air flows in into the communicating path 11a, and a chemical | medical solution is discharged from the discharge hole 3b.

Further, as shown in FIG. 5, when the cartridge 2 is fully pushed into the application unit main body 5 (when the cartridge 2 is moved to the rearmost position), the O-ring 19 on the tail plug member 18 side is brought into contact with the O-ring 19. The rear end of the spring holding member 13 abuts, the rear end opening of the spring holding member 13 is sealed, and the communication path is blocked from outside air.
Thereby, the discharge of the chemical solution from the discharge hole 3b is stopped, the discharge amount by one knock stroke is limited, and unnecessary discharge and dripping are prevented.
In addition, since the discharge amount by one knock is determined, the discharge amount can be adjusted by the number of knocks and the speed of the knock. Further, the design side can control the time for the outside air to flow into the communication path by adjusting the friction during sliding and the resistance of the coil spring 12 and the like.

Further, when the chemical solution in the cartridge 2 becomes empty, it is replaced with a new cartridge 2. In this replacement, first, an operation of removing the empty cartridge 2 from the application unit main body 5 is performed. In removing the cartridge 2, as shown in FIG. 6B, the pressing portions 14a of the pair of operation members 14 are pinched with fingers from both sides and are slid rearwardly within the opening 10Ba, and the pressing portion 14a is pushed in. As a result, the operation member 14 rotates in the direction in which the flange portion 14 b at the tip thereof floats, the engagement with the tapered protrusion 4 e of the joint member 4 is released, and the cartridge 2 can be pulled out from the application portion main body 5. Become.
When the finger is released from the pressing portion 14a of the operation member 14, the compressed spring 12 extends, and the operation member 14 moves forward and returns to the original position.

As described above, according to the embodiment of the present invention, since the application part 3a is provided in the cartridge 2, the application part 3a is renewed each time the cartridge 2 is replaced, and can be used in a sanitary manner.
When the hair growth / hair growth agent applicator 1 is used, the application portion 3 a provided at the tip of the cartridge 2 is pressed against the scalp or the like, and the cartridge 2 is pushed into the application portion main body 5 so that outside air is introduced into the communication passage 11 a. It flows in and a chemical solution (hair growth / hair growth agent) is discharged from the discharge hole 3b of the application part 3a. Further, by pushing the cartridge 2 to the maximum extent with respect to the application part main body 5, the communication path 11a is blocked from the outside air, and the discharge amount of the chemical liquid for one knock stroke is limited. That is, unnecessary discharge of the chemical liquid can be suppressed.
In addition, when a small amount of hair growth / hair growth agent for one time, one day, or one week is accommodated, the container of the hair growth / hair growth agent container can be made smaller than conventional containers. It is possible to carry a travel tube.

In the above-described embodiment, one discharge hole 3b is formed on the distal end side of the container body 3, and this is used as an opening. However, the present invention is not limited to this form. A plurality of discharge holes 3b can be drilled, and these can be combined into an opening.
Further, the application body is not limited to the application part 3a in which the discharge hole 3b is perforated. For example, a porous sintered body (not shown) is provided on the tip side of the container body 3, and this is used. It is good also as an application body. In this case, the plurality of pores formed in the porous sintered body serve as openings for discharging the chemical solution. Moreover, if comprised in that way, since the said multi-pore is used as a derivation | leading-out flow path of a chemical | medical solution, a chemical | medical solution does not flow out more than necessary, but dripping can be suppressed more.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the collar part 14b which the operation member 14 has was demonstrated to the example as an engaging means by the side of the application | coating part main body 5 engaged with the coupling member 4 of the cartridge 2, it is limited to the form. It is not a thing. For example, a hook-shaped portion (not shown) may be provided on the outer peripheral surface of the top member 11 and may be engaged with the joint member 4 of the cartridge 2 as an engaging means.

  The present invention can be suitably used particularly for a hair growth / hair growth agent applicator for applying a hair growth / hair growth agent to the scalp and a hair growth / hair growth agent container containing the hair growth / hair growth agent used therefor. In addition, pharmaceuticals and quasi-drugs (wounds, itching prevention, anti-inflammatory agents, wipes / acne medicines, athlete's foot medicine, delicate zone coatings, sunscreens, antiperspirants, deodorants), cosmetics (makeup Basic cosmetics such as water, milky lotion, and cosmetic liquid, makeup remover, point hair dye) and the like are housed in a liquid container, and can be suitably used as a liquid applicator that is used with the application part facing downward.

1 Hair growth / hair growth agent applicator (liquid applicator)
2 Cartridge (liquid container)
3 Container body 3a Application part (application body)
4 Joint member 4d Holding projection (valve seat)
5 Application body 6 Cap 7 Seal ball (valve)
10 outer cylinder 10A front cylinder 10B rear cylinder 11 frame member 11a communication path 12 coil spring 13 spring holding member (first sealing means, second sealing means)
14 operation member 14a pressing part 14b collar part (engagement means)
15 Backflow prevention ball (second valve body)
16 Seat member (first sealing means)
17 O-ring (first sealing means)
18 Tail plug member (second sealing means)
19 O-ring (second sealing means)

Claims (1)

A liquid application comprising: a liquid container that contains a liquid; an application body that is integrally provided at a distal end of the liquid container and has an opening for discharging the liquid; and an application unit main body that holds the liquid container Tools,
The applicator main body is formed at the front end of the applicator body, and a front end opening into which the rear end side of the liquid container can be inserted, and an engagement provided in the applicator main body and engageable with the rear end side of the liquid container. A combination means,
By inserting the rear end side of the liquid container into the front end opening, the rear end side of the liquid container and the engaging means are engaged, and the liquid container is attached to the applicator main body,
In the liquid applicator in which the liquid container is removed from the applicator main body by releasing the engagement of the engaging means,
The application unit main body holds the liquid container movably in the axial direction, is formed inside the application unit main body, and communicates with the inside of the liquid container and outside air, and the movement of the liquid container And a first sealing means capable of opening and closing the communication path.
By moving the liquid container backward in the application unit main body, the first sealing means opens the communication path, the inside of the liquid container communicates with the outside air, and the liquid is led out to the application body. ,
Furthermore, a rear end opening is formed on the rear end side of the liquid container, and a first valve seat communicating with the rear end opening and a first valve body held by the first valve seat are provided. The applicator main body is provided therein, and is formed in a cylindrical shape to form a part of the communication path, and includes a top member whose front end is fitted into the rear end opening of the liquid container,
When the liquid container is attached to the applicator main body, the top end of the top member is fitted into the rear end opening of the liquid container, so that the top end of the top member causes the first valve body to move to the first valve seat. The liquid container communicates with the communication path,
In addition, the application section main body is configured such that the second valve body is seated by directing the second valve body, which is rotatably accommodated inside the top member, and the application body provided in the liquid container upward. And a second valve seat for closing the communication passage,
The liquid applicator characterized in that the second valve body is separated from the second valve seat to open the communication passage by directing the applicator downward.

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