MEDICAL SOLUTION APPLYING TOOL AND MEDICAL SOLUTION APPLYING CONTAINER INCLUDING SAME

A medical solution applying tool is composed of a brush, an inside stopper to which the brush is attached, and a cap including a fit-insertion closed-end hole into which the brush and a distal end portion of the inside stopper are fittingly inserted. The inside stopper is provided with a holding portion holding the cap such that the brush and the distal end portion of the inside stopper are fittingly inserted into the fit-insertion closed-end hole, whereas the cap is provided with a held portion held by the holding portion.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a medical solution applying tool for a medical solution applying container used for a variety of medical solutions such as the one applied to human skin and relates to a medical solution applying container including the same.

BACKGROUND ART

There has been conventionally developed a type of medical solution applying container composed of a medical solution container body for storing a medical solution and a medical solution applying tool that includes a brush for applying the medical solution to human skin or so forth, an inside stopper, and a cap (e.g., Patent Literature 1).

In general, such a medial solution applying container as described above is configured such that the cap is engaged with the outside of an opening of the medical solution container body. Because of this, in delivery of the medical solution applying container from a manufacturer thereof to a medical solution manufacturer, the medical solution applying container has been disassembled by separating the medical solution applying tool from the medical solution container body and further separating the cap from the medical solution applying tool; thereafter, in the medical solution manufacturer, the medical solution container body has been filled with the medical solution, and then, the brush (and the inside stopper) and the cap have been sequentially assembled thereto.

CITATION LIST

Patent Literature

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Technical Problem

However, when employing the procedure described above, the medical solution manufacturer has caused a defect that the brush is damaged due to interference of the cap with the distal end of the brush caused by mistake when the cap is assembled to the medical solution container body, hitting the uncovered brush against somewhere, or some kind of accident.

The present invention has been produced in view of the drawback described above. It is an object of the present invention to provide a medical solution applying tool and a medical solution applying container including the same, by which it is made possible to avoid damage of a brush from occurring when the medical solution applying tool is assembled to a medial solution container body after the medical solution container body is filled with a solution.

Solution to Problem

According to an aspect of the present invention, a medical solution applying tool is provided. The medical solution applying tool includes a brush, an inside stopper to which the brush is attached, and a cap including a fit-insertion closed-end hole into which the brush and a distal end portion of the inside stopper are fittingly inserted. The inside stopper is provided with a holding portion holding the cap such that the brush and the distal end portion of the inside stopper are fittingly inserted into the fit-insertion closed-end hole. Besides, the cap is provided with a held portion held by the holding portion.

Preferably, the holding portion is made in shape of either a male or female thread, whereas the held portion is made in shape of either a female or male thread.

Preferably, the inside stopper is provided with a cap contact surface, contacted to an inside of the cap, on an outside thereof. Besides, the cap contact surface is made in shape of a taper surface slanting from a center of the inside stopper to the outside of the inside stopper in a direction oriented from a distal end of the inside stopper, i.e., an end at which the brush is attached to the inside stopper, to an opposite side of the distal end.

Preferably, the cap is provided with an inside stopper contact surface, contacted to an outside of the inside stopper, on an inside thereof. Besides, the inside stopper contact surface is made in shape of a taper surface slanting from an outside of the cap to a center of the cap in a direction oriented from an opening of the fit-insertion closed-end hole to a closed end of the fit-insertion closed-end hole.

Preferably, the holding portion is provided in a vicinity of the cap contact surface.

Preferably, the held portion is provided in a vicinity of the inside stopper contact surface.

Preferably, the inside stopper includes a medical solution container body inserted-and-mounted opening, to which a neck portion of a medical solution container body is inserted and mounted, and that is provided in an end portion of the inside stopper located on an opposite side of the end at which the brush is attached to the inside stopper. Besides, the end portion provided with the medical solution container body inserted-and-mounted opening has an outer diameter greater than or equal to a maximum outer diameter of the cap.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a medical solution applying container is provided that includes the medical solution applying tool configured as described above and a medical solution container body storing therein a medical solution.

Effects of Invention

In the medical solution applying tool for a medical solution applying container according to the present invention, the inside stopper, composing part of the medical solution applying tool, is provided, on the outside thereof, with the holding portion holding the cap such that the brush and the distal end portion of the inside stopper are fittingly inserted into the fit-insertion closed-end hole of the cap, whereas the cap is provided, on the inside thereof, with the held portion held by the holding portion.

Accordingly, when the medical solution applying container is delivered from a manufacturer thereof to a medical solution manufacturer, while being disassembled by separating the medical solution applying tool from the medical solution container body, it is made possible to transport the medical solution applying container in a condition that the holding portion of the inside stopper and the held portion of the cap are fitted to each other, while the brush and the distal end portion of the inside stopper are fittingly inserted into the fit-insertion closed-end hole of the cap.

Therefore, it is made possible to avoid occurrence of a defect that the brush is damaged in the medical solution manufacturer due to interference of the cap with the distal end of the brush caused by mistake when the cap is assembled to the inside stopper, hitting the uncovered brush against somewhere, or some kind of accident.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

(Configuration of Medical Solution Applying Container10)

An exemplary configuration of a medical solution applying container10to which the present invention is applied will be hereinafter explained with reference to drawings.

As shown inFIGS.1and2, the medical solution applying container10is mainly composed of a medical solution container body12and a medical solution applying tool13.

The medical solution container body12is a closed-end tubular member having an approximately columnar shape and stores a medical solution L therein. The medical solution container body12is provided with a neck portion20on a distal end portion thereof. The neck portion20is configured to be inserted and mounted to a medical solution container body inserted-and-mounted opening30provided in an end portion of an inside stopper14. Besides, the medical solution container body12is provided with an opening22in the upper end of the neck portion20to pour the medical solution L therein through the opening22. The neck portion20is provided with a male thread24on the outer periphery thereof to be screwed into a female thread36provided on the inner surface of the medical solution container body inserted-and-mounted opening30(to be described) of the inside stopper14.

As described above, the medical solution container body12according to the present exemplary embodiment has the approximately columnar shape; however, the shape thereof is not limited to this, and for instance, may be approximately prismatic or may be more complex. Besides, the material of the medical solution container body12is not particularly limited as well, and for instance, may be at least one selected from the group consisting of polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), polyester (PET), and elastomer. However, polyethylene (PE) or elastomer is optimal when the medical solution applying container10is used in such a manner of dripping the medical solution from a brush16(to be described), whereas polyethylene (PE) or polyester (PET) is preferable in attempt to make a user recognize the remaining amount of the medical solution.

The medical solution applying tool13is composed of the inside stopper14, the brush16, and a cap18. Obviously, at least one member other than the members14,16, and18may be added to the constituent members of the medical solution applying tool13.

The inside stopper14is a tubular member having an approximately columnar shape and includes an inside stopper body26, a brush inserted-and-mounted through hole28provided in a lengthwise center part of a distal end portion27of the inside stopper body26, and the medical solution container body inserted-and-mounted opening30provided on an end portion thereof (base end portion38) located on the opposite side of the brush inserted-and-mounted through hole28. It should be noted that the brush inserted-and-mounted through hole28and the medical solution container body inserted-and-mounted opening30are communicated with each other inside the inside stopper body26.

Besides, the inside stopper body26is provided with an inside stopper male thread32on the outer periphery of the distal end portion27. In the present exemplary embodiment, the inside stopper male thread32corresponds to “a holding portion” holding the cap18.

Moreover, the inside stopper body26is provided with a cap contact surface34, contacted to the inside of the cap18, on the distal end of the distal end portion27in adjacent to the inside stopper male thread32. The cap contact surface34is made in shape of a taper surface slanting from the center of the inside stopper14to the outside of the inside stopper14in a direction oriented from a distal end of the inside stopper14, at which the brush16is attached to the inside stopper14, to the opposite side of the distal end (i.e., to a base end).

Besides, the medical solution container body inserted-and-mounted opening30of the inside stopper14is configured to receive the neck portion20of the medical solution container body12inserted and mounted thereto as described above; hence, the medical solution container body inserted-and-mounted opening30is provided with the female thread36on the inner surface thereof such that the male thread24, provided on the outer periphery of the neck portion20of the medical solution container body12, is screwed therein.

As described above, the inside stopper14according to the present exemplary embodiment has the approximately columnar shape; however, the outer shape thereof at the base end portion38provided with the medical solution container body inserted-and-mounted opening30is not limited to this, and, for instance, may be approximately prismatic or may be more complex. Furthermore, the material of the inside stopper14is not particularly limited as well, and for instance, may be at least one selected from the group consisting of polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), polyester (PET), and polybutylene terephthalate (PBT). The material of the inside stopper14is herein only required to have a stiffness that enables the brush16to be easily inserted into the brush inserted-and-mounted through hole28and enables the inside stopper14to be easily assembled to the medical solution container body12.

The brush16is formed by collectively pressing a bundle of synthetic fibers having predetermined specific gravity and strength in an approximately columnar shape with a predetermined density. In the drawings, the medical solution L permeates the lower end portion of the brush16and is drawn to the upper end portion of the brush16by capillary action; hence, the medical solution L is configured to be applicable to a desired position on the skin or so forth by pressing the upper end portion of the brush16thereto.

As described above, the outer shape of the brush16according to the present exemplary embodiment has the approximately columnar shape; however, the outer shape thereof is not limited to this, and for instance, may be approximately prismatic or may be more complex. Besides, the material of the brush16is not particularly limited as well, and for instance, may be at least one selected from the group consisting of polyester (PET, PBT) fiber, polypropylene (PP) fiber, polyamide (PA) fiber, acrylic (PMMA) fiber, and polyacetal (POM) fiber.

The cap18is a member for avoiding occurrences of the followings when the medical solution applying container10is stored without being used: damage of the brush16and/or attachment of the medical solution L to an object or so forth due to undesired contact of the upper end of the brush16therewith; and natural evaporation or so forth of the medical solution L through the upper end of the brush16.

The cap18according to the present exemplary embodiment has an approximately conical shape and is provided with a fit-insertion closed-end hole40on the inner side thereof such that the brush16and the distal end portion27of the inside stopper14are fittingly inserted thereto. Besides, the fit-insertion closed-end hole40(the inside of the cap18) is provided with a cap female thread42on the inner surface thereof. In the present exemplary embodiment, the cap female thread42corresponds to “a held portion” held by the inside stopper14.

Furthermore, the cap18is provided with an inside stopper contact surface44, contacted to the cap contact surface34of the inside stopper14, on the inside thereof. The inside stopper contact surface44is made in shape of a taper surface slanting from the outside of the cap18to the center of the cap18in a direction oriented from an opening of the fit-insertion closed-end hole40(the side to which the brush16and the distal end portion27of the inside stopper14are inserted) to the closed end of the fit-insertion closed-end hole40.

As described above, the outer shape of the cap18according to the present exemplary embodiment has the approximately conical shape; however, the outer shape thereof is not limited to this, and for instance, may be approximately prismatic or columnar, or alternatively, may be more complex. Besides, the maximum outer diameter of the cap18is preferably set to be less than the outer diameter of the inside stopper14at the base end portion38provided with the medical solution container body inserted-and-mounted opening30(in other words, the outer diameter of the base end portion38provided with the medical solution container body inserted-and-mounted opening30is greater than or equal to the maximum outer diameter of the cap18).

It should be noted that the material of the cap18is not particularly limited as well, and for instance, may be at least one selected from the group consisting of polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), and acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS). The material of the cap18is herein only required not to be extremely inferior in moisture-proofing performance and in stiffness for preventing reduction in torque for opening the cap18.

(Assemblage of Medical Solution Applying Container10)

A procedure for manufacturing the medical solution applying container10according to the present exemplary embodiment will be briefly explained. First, the brush16is attached to the inside stopper14by gradually inserting the lower end of the brush16into the brush inserted-and-mounted through hole28of the inside stopper14. Subsequently, the brush16and the distal end portion27of the inside stopper14are fittingly inserted into the fit-insertion closed-end hole40of the cap18; then, the cap18is turned with respect to the inside stopper14. Accordingly, the inside stopper male thread32of the inside stopper14and the cap female thread42of the cap18are screwed with each other, whereby the cap18is held by the inside stopper14. In this phase, assemblage of the medical solution applying tool13is completed.

Next, the medical solution container body12, which has been preliminarily filled with a predetermined amount of the medical solution L, is assembled to the medical solution applying tool13by fittingly inserting the neck portion20thereof to the medical solution container body inserted-and-mounted opening30of the inside stopper14such that the male thread24, provided on the neck portion20, is screwed into the female thread36provided on the surface of the medical solution container body inserted-and-mounted opening30of the inside stopper14. Accordingly, manufacturing of the medical solution applying container10is completed.

(Features of Medical Solution Applying Container10)

In the medical solution applying tool13for the medical solution applying container10according to the present exemplary embodiment, the inside stopper14, composing part of the medical solution applying tool13, is provided, on the outside thereof, with the inside stopper male thread32(holding portion) holding the cap18such that the brush16and the distal end portion27of the inside stopper14are fittingly inserted into the fit-insertion closed-end hole40of the cap18, whereas the cap18is provided, on the inside thereof, with the cap female thread42(held portion) held by the inside stopper male thread32(holding portion).

Accordingly, in such a situation that the medical solution applying container10is delivered from the manufacturer thereof to the manufacturer of the medical solution L, while being disassembled by separating the medical solution applying tool13from the medical solution container body12, it is made possible to transport the medical solution applying container10in a condition that the inside stopper male thread32(holding portion) of the inside stopper14and the cap female thread42(held portion) of the cap18are fitted to each other, while the brush16and the distal end portion27of the inside stopper14are fittingly inserted into the fit-insertion closed-end hole40of the cap18.

Therefore, it is made possible to avoid occurrence of a defect that the brush16is damaged in the manufacturer of the medical solution L due to interference of the cap18with the distal end of the brush16caused by mistake when the cap18is assembled to the inside stopper14, hitting the uncovered brush16against somewhere, or some kind of accident.

Besides, the inside stopper14is provided, on the outside thereof, with the cap contact surface34contacted to the inside of the cap18. The cap contact surface34is made in shape of the taper surface slanting from the center of the inside stopper14to the outside of the inside stopper14in the direction oriented from the distal end of the inside stopper14, at which the brush16is attached to the inside stopper14, to the opposite side of the distal end.

Furthermore, the cap18is provided, on the inside thereof, with the inside stopper contact surface44contacted to the outside of the inside stopper14. The inside stopper contact surface44is made in shape of the taper surface slanting from the outside of the cap18to the center of the cap18in the direction oriented from the opening of the fit-insertion closed-end hole40to the closed end of the fit-insertion closed-end hole40.

Thus, each of the cap contact surface34of the inside stopper14and the inside stopper contact surface44of the cap18is made in shape of the taper surface, whereby airtightness made by contact between the inside stopper14and the cap18can be enhanced and a space enclosing the brush16in the fit-insertion closed-end hole40is made airtight; hence, it is made possible to avoid occurrence of a situation that the medical solution L undesirably evaporates or leaks from the distal end of the brush16during preservation. Besides, the cap contact surface34is made in shape of the taper surface slanting from the center of the inside stopper14to the outside of the inside stopper14in the direction oriented from the distal end of the inside stopper14, at which the brush16is attached, to the inside stopper14, to the opposite side of the distal end, and is pushed toward the center by the inside stopper contact surface44, whereby it is made possible to enhance a holding force exerted by the inside stopper14to hold the brush16inserted and mounted to the brush inserted-and-mounted through hole28.

It should be noted that in the present exemplary embodiment, each of the cap contact surface34and the inside stopper contact surface44is made in shape of the taper surface; however, at least either of the cap contact surface34and the inside stopper contact surface44is only required to be made in shape of the taper surface.

Besides, the inside stopper14is provided with the inside stopper male thread32(holding portion) in the vicinity of the cap contact surface34; hence, when the cap female thread42(held portion) of the cap18is strongly tightened onto the inside stopper male thread32(holding portion), the cap contact surface34and the inner surface of the cap18are strongly pressed against each other, whereby it is made possible to further enhance the airtightness described above.

Furthermore, the inside stopper14is provided with the medical solution container body inserted-and-mounted opening30, to which the neck portion20of the medical solution container body12is inserted and mounted, on the end portion thereof (the base end portion38) located on the opposite side of the side to which the brush16is attached; besides, the base end portion38, provided with the medical solution container body inserted-and-mounted opening30, is set to have an outer diameter greater than or equal to the maximum outer diameter of the cap18. Therefore, not the outer peripheral surface of the cap18but that of the base end portion38of the inside stopper14is supposed to be held when the medical solution applying tool13is assembled to the medical solution container body12and when the medical solution applying container10is used by the user.

Because of the above, when the medical solution applying tool13is assembled to the medical solution container body12, it is made possible to reliably attach the inside stopper14(the medical solution applying tool13) to the medical solution container body12. On the other hand, when the medical solution applying container10is used by the user, the outer peripheral surface of the base end portion38of the inside stopper14is held by the user, whereby it is made possible to reduce chances that the temperature of the medical solution L in the medical solution container body12is undesirably increased by the body temperature of the user.

In the exemplary embodiment described above, the neck portion20of the medical solution container body12is configured to be fittingly inserted into the medical solution container body inserted-and-mounted opening30provided in the base end portion38of the inside stopper14; alternatively, as shown inFIGS.3and4, the base end portion38of the inside stopper14may be configured to be inserted and mounted to the upper end portion of the medical solution container body12.

Besides, in the exemplary embodiment described above, the inside stopper14is provided with the inside stopper male thread32as the holding portion, whereas the cap18is provided with the cap female thread42as the held portion; however, each of the holding portion and the held portion is not required to be made in shape of a thread. For example, the inside stopper14may be provided with a recess (or protrusion) on the outer surface thereof, whereas the cap18may be provided with a protrusion (or recess) on the inner surface thereof in correspondence to the recess (or protrusion).

Furthermore, in the exemplary embodiment described above, the inside stopper14is provided with the inside stopper male thread32(holding portion) and the cap contact surface34on the distal end portion27; alternatively, as shown inFIGS.5and6, the inside stopper14may be provided with the inside stopper male thread32and the cap contact surface34in a position different from the distal end portion27(a middle portion of the inside stopper14in the drawings).

Obviously, the cap18is herein provided with the cap female thread42and the inside stopper contact surface44in a position shifted toward the opening of the fit-insertion closed-end hole40in accordance with the position of the inside stopper male thread32and the cap contact surface34of the inside stopper14.

In the exemplary embodiment described above, the inside stopper14is provided with the inside stopper male thread32as the holding portion, whereas the cap18is provided with the cap female thread42as the held portion; contrarily, the inside stopper14may be provided with an inside stopper female thread as the holding portion, whereas the cap18may be provided with a cap male thread as the held portion.

It should be understood that the embodiment herein disclosed is illustrative only and is not restrictive in all aspects. It is intended that the scope of the present invention is indicated by the appended claims rather than the explanation described above and encompasses all the changes that come within the meaning and the range of equivalents of the appended claims.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST