Patent Publication Number: US-10781017-B2

Title: Cap and discharge container

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to a cap and a discharge container which are opened and closed by a pressure inside the container. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     Conventionally, as a discharge container for discharging stored contents, a structure including a container main body having an inner container with high flexibility and an outer container in which the inner container is furnished, and a cap which is attached to a mouth portion of the container main body and has a check valve and a discharge nozzle has been known. Such a discharge container is referred to as a so-called double container. This container has an intake valve in the outer container. Then, the outer container is deformed by a pressing force, whereby the inner container is compressed. Thus, the contents are discharged from the discharge nozzle. 
     Further, after the contents of the discharge container are discharged, since the outer container is restored, air is supplied from the intake valve to between the outer container and the inner container. Thus, restoration of the inner container of the discharge container is suppressed as much as possible. In this way, entry of air into the inner container is prevented. When a lid body provided in the cap of the discharge container is closed, a sealing ring provided in an inner surface of the lid body and an opening portion of the discharge nozzle are fitted to each other. Thus, the inner container is sealed. 
     However, in such a discharge container, when the check valve of the discharge nozzle is closed after the contents are discharged, the contents remain in the discharge nozzle. Then, the remaining contents remain at a tip end of the discharge nozzle. As a result, there is a possibility of liquid dripping from the tip end. Further, when the lid body is closed, the sealing ring is fitted with a discharge port of the discharge nozzle, and the remaining contents located at the discharge port overflow. As a result, an interior of the cap may be contaminated. 
     Therefore, as described in JP-A-2015-155333, there is known a discharge container which suppresses leakage of the contents remaining in the discharge nozzle after discharging the contents. This discharge container is provided with a valve seat on which a valve body of the check valve abuts in the discharge nozzle. At the same time, the valve seat is provided with a flow groove allowing the contents to flow therethrough. With such a structure, the contents remaining in an inner plug member returns from the flow groove into the inner container. Thus, the discharge container suppresses liquid dripping and contamination of the cap due to the contents remaining in the discharge nozzle. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In the above-described discharge container, the flow groove is provided between the valve body and the valve seat. Thus, an opening of the discharge nozzle and the flow groove are close to each other. Therefore, when the discharge container is tilted so that the discharge nozzle faces downward, there is a possibility that the contents of the inner container drips from the flow groove and the opening of the discharge nozzle. 
     Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a cap and a discharge container which can prevent liquid dripping when used. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a cross-sectional view showing a structure of a discharge container according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view showing a structure of a cap used for the discharge container. 
         FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of the cap. 
         FIG. 4  is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a structure of a main part of the cap. 
         FIG. 5  is a plan view showing the structure of the main part of the cap. 
         FIG. 6  is a plan view showing a structure of a check valve used for the cap. 
         FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view showing a structure of a discharge container according to a second embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view showing a structure of a cap used for the discharge container. 
         FIG. 9  is a plan view showing a structure of a check valve used for the cap. 
         FIG. 10  is a plan view showing a structure of a main part of the check valve. 
         FIG. 11  is a cross-sectional view showing a structure of a discharge container according to a third embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 12  is a plan view showing a structure of a base portion of a cap used for a discharge container according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 13  is a plan view showing a structure of a base portion of a cap used for a discharge container according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 14  is a plan view showing a structure of a base portion of a cap used for a discharge container according to a first modification of the present invention. 
         FIG. 15  is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a structure of a main part of a cap used for a discharge container according to a second modification of the present invention. 
         FIG. 16  is a cross-sectional view showing a structure of a discharge container according to a third modification of the present invention. 
         FIG. 17  is a plan view showing a structure of a base portion of a cap used for the discharge container. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
     First Embodiment 
     Hereinafter, a structure of a discharge container  1  according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to  FIGS. 1 to 6 . 
       FIG. 1  is a cross-sectional view partially omitting a structure of the discharge container  1  according to the first embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view showing a structure of a cap  11  used for the discharge container  1  and a state of discharging contents  100 .  FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of the cap  11  and a state after discharging the contents  100 .  FIG. 4  is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a structure of a flow port  64   d , a flow groove  64   e , and a support portion  81  of a check valve  53  of a cap main body  41  of the cap  11 . At the same time,  FIG. 4  shows an example of a flow of the contents  100  by arrows.  FIG. 5  is a plan view showing the structure of the flow port  64   d  and the flow groove  64   e  of the cap main body  41  used for the cap  11 .  FIG. 6  is a plan view showing a structure of the check valve  53  used for the cap  11 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , the discharge container  1  includes a container main body  10  and the cap  11 . The discharge container  1  stores liquid contents  100  in the container main body  10 . At the same time, the discharge container  1  is configured to discharge an appropriate amount of the contents  100  by applying a pressing force to the container main body  10  to deform the container. 
     Here, examples of the contents  100  include edible oils such as soy sauce, olive oil, and salad oil, ponzu sauce, sauce, soup stock, lotion, and liquids such as shampoo and rinse. 
     The container main body  10  is formed in a bottomed tubular shape in which the cap  11  is fixed to an opening end thereof. The container main body  10  is, for example, a so-called double container which is peelable. The container main body  10  is constituted by, for example, an exterior and an interior peelably laminated on an inner surface of the exterior, which are formed by multilayer blow molding. Specifically, the container main body  10  includes an outer container  21  having a bottomed tubular shape, and a bag-like inner container  22  which is integrally provided in the outer container  21  and partly peeled off from the outer container  21 . 
     The container main body  10  includes a body portion  31  having a bottomed tubular shape and a cylindrical mouth portion  32  integrally provided in continuation with the body portion  31 . The container main body  10  further includes an intake valve  33 . 
     The mouth portion  32  is integrally provided continuously with an end portion of the body portion  31 . The mouth portion  32  has a first protuberance  32   a  formed in a middle portion thereof and projecting outwardly in an annular shape and a second protuberance  32   b  formed slightly closer to the body portion  31  side than an end portion thereof and projecting inwardly in an annular shape toward a center thereof. 
     An intake valve  33  capable of sucking air is formed between the outer container  21  and the inner container  22 . That is, the intake valve  33  opens when a pressure between the body portion  31  and the inner container  22  is a negative pressure lower than the atmospheric pressure. Thus, the air is supplied to a space between the body portion  31  and the inner container  22 . 
     The outer container  21  is formed of, for example, a resin material such as polyethylene and polypropylene. The outer container  21  is configured to be elastically deformable by the pressing force. 
     The inner container  22  is made of a resin material having no compatibility with the resin material constituting the outer container  21 . The inner container  22  is formed to be thinner than the outer container  21 . Therefore, the inner container  22  has high flexibility. The inner container  22  is formed in a bag shape and can contain the contents  100 . 
     The cap  11  includes a cap main body  41  and a lid body  43  connected to the cap main body  41  via a hinge  42 . A part of the cap main body  41 , the hinge  42 , and the lid body  43  of the cap  11  are integrally formed by injection molding. 
     The cap main body  41  includes a base portion  51  fixed to the mouth portion  32 , a discharge nozzle  52  provided in the base portion  51 , and the check valve  53  provided between the base portion  51  and the discharge nozzle  52 . Further, the cap main body  41  has a valve chamber  54  capable of housing the check valve  53  and allowing the check valve  53  to move between the base portion  51  and the discharge nozzle  52 . 
     The base portion  51  is integrally formed with the hinge  42  and the lid body  43 . The base portion  51 , the hinge  42 , and the lid body  43  are made of, for example, polypropylene. The base portion  51  includes a cylindrical outer tube  61 , an inner tube  62  configured to have an outer diameter smaller than an inner diameter of the outer tube  61 , an annular plate-like wall portion  63  continuous with one end portions of the outer tube  61  and the inner tube  62 , and an annular plate-like bottom wall  64  provided at the other end portion of the inner tube  62 . 
     The outer tube  61  is configured to have an inner diameter substantially equal to an outer diameter of the first protuberance  32   a  of the mouth portion  32 . The outer tube  61  has an annular protrusion  61   a  engaged with the first protuberance  32   a  on an inner peripheral surface on an opening end portion side of the outer tube  61 . The inner tube  62  has an annular recess  62   a  on an inner peripheral surface on the wall portion  63  side of the inner tube  62 . 
     The wall portion  63  has an annular protrusion  63   a  on a main surface between the outer tube  61  and the inner tube  62 . The annular protrusion  63   a  has an inner diameter substantially equal to an outer diameter of the end portion of the mouth portion  32 . The wall portion  63  has a hinge  42  provided in a part of an outer peripheral edge thereof, more specifically at a part of a ridge portion with an outer peripheral surface of the outer tube  61 . Further, the wall portion  63  has a projecting engaging portion  63   b . The engaging portion  63   b  is, for example, a protrusion projecting in an axial direction from the main surface of the wall portion  63  and having an apex portion projecting outward in a radial direction. 
     The bottom wall  64  is formed in an annular shape. The bottom wall  64  includes a discharge port  64   a  provided in the center in the radial direction, a valve seat  64   b  provided around the discharge port  64   a , a groove  64   c  provided in an outer peripheral portion adjacent to the inner tube  62 , a flow port  64   d  provided in the groove  64   c , and a flow groove  64   e  provided in the groove  64   c  and continuous with the flow port  64   d . The bottom wall  64  constitutes a valve seat portion including the valve seat  64   b.    
     In the bottom wall  64 , at least a part of a main surface or the whole main surface on the wall portion  63  side is inclined. Due to this inclination, a portion on the discharge port  64   a  side of the part of the main surface or the whole main surface is located closer to the wall portion  63  side than a portion on the groove  64   c  side thereof. That is, in the bottom wall  64 , the valve seat  64   b  and the groove  64   c  are arranged at different positions in the axial direction. More specifically, when the discharge container  1  is in a so-called upright posture in which a bottom of the container main body  10  is positioned below and the cap  11  is positioned above, the valve seat  64   b  is disposed above the groove  64   c . The valve seat  64   b  is configured, for example, so that an inner peripheral surface of the discharge port  64   a  is inclined with respect to the axial direction. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1 to 5 , the groove  64   c  is a cylindrical recess and is formed so that a bottom surface thereof is an annular flat surface. The groove  64   c  has the arcuate flow port  64   d  and the flow groove  64   e  provided in the flow port  64   d . The flow port  64   d  and the flow groove  64   e  constitute a channel for communicating the valve chamber  54  and an inside of the inner container  22  of the container main body  10 . 
     The flow port  64   d  is provided at a bottom portion of the groove  64   c  and on an inner surface side on a radial center side of the groove  64   c . For example, the flow port  64   d  is provided at a position opposite to the hinge  42  across a central axis of the cap main body  41 . The flow port  64   d  is configured to have an opening area larger than the flow groove  64   e  and to have a size not closing the opening even when burrs are generated at the time of molding the base portion  51 . For example, the flow port  64   d  is formed so that its radial width is less than the radial width of the groove  64   c.    
     The flow groove  64   e  is an inner surface on the radial center side of the groove  64   c  and is provided at a center in a circumferential direction of the flow port  64   d . The flow groove  64   e  is formed so that a depth from the main surface on the wall portion  63  side of the bottom wall  64  is deeper than that from the main surface to the bottom surface of the groove  64   c . In other words, the flow groove  64   e  extends beyond the bottom surface of the groove  64   c  to the flow port  64   d . The flow groove  64   e  constitutes the channel continuing from the valve chamber  54  to the flow port  64   d . As a specific example, the flow groove  64   e  is continuous with an opening end opening at the groove  64   c  of the flow port  64   d.    
     The flow groove  64   e  is formed so that a depth in the radial direction from the inner surface on the radial center side of the groove  64   c  is a predetermined depth. Here, the predetermined depth is a depth of the flow groove  64   e  in which the contents  100  can close a gap generated between an inner peripheral surface of the support portion  81  and the flow groove  64   e  when the support portion  81  to be described below of the check valve  53  is disposed in the groove  64   c . At this time, air flow is prevented by a surface tension of the contents  100 . Therefore, a depth in the radial direction of the flow groove  64   e  from an outer peripheral surface of the groove  64   c  is appropriately set by the contents  100  stored in the discharge container  1 . 
     The discharge nozzle  52  includes a disk-shaped top wall portion  71  having an opening at a center thereof, a cylindrical nozzle portion  72  provided at a center of an opening of one main surface of the top wall portion  71 , and a cylindrical portion  73  provided on an outer peripheral edge side of the other main surface of the top wall portion  71 . The discharge nozzle  52  is made of, for example, polyethylene. 
     An outer diameter of the top wall portion  71  is configured to have a larger diameter than an inner diameter of the inner tube  62 . An opening at a tip end of the nozzle portion  72  constitutes a discharge port of the contents  100  of the cap  11 . 
     An outer diameter of the cylindrical portion  73  is smaller than the outer diameter of the top wall portion  71  and substantially the same diameter as the inner diameter of the inner tube  62 . The cylindrical portion  73  has an annular protrusion  73   a  engaged with the recess  62   a  of the inner tube  62  on the outer peripheral surface. The cylindrical portion  73  is formed so that a length from a tip end thereof to the other main surface of the top wall portion  71  is equal to a difference between a length from the main surface of the wall portion  63  to the groove  64   c  and a length in the axial direction of the support portion  81 . In other words, the cylindrical portion  73  is configured to have a length capable of contacting an end portion of the support portion  81  disposed in the groove  64   c  when the discharge nozzle  52  is assembled to the base portion  51 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1 to 3 and 6 , the check valve  53  includes a cylindrical support portion  81 , a plurality of elastic pieces  82  extending from the inner peripheral surface of the support portion  81  toward a central axis of the support portion  81 , and a valve body  83  connected to the plurality of elastic pieces  82 . The check valve  53  is made of, for example, polyethylene. 
     The support portion  81  is formed in a cylindrical shape. A part of its inner peripheral surface and the flow groove  64   e  constitute a predetermined channel. Both end surfaces in the axial direction of the support portion  81  are held by the bottom surface of the groove  64   c  of the base portion  51  and an end surface of the cylindrical portion  73  of the discharge nozzle  52 . 
     The elastic piece  82  is formed in a strip-like small piece shape. The plurality of elastic pieces  82  are arranged at equal intervals on the inner peripheral surface of the support portion  81 . In the present embodiment, four elastic pieces  82  are provided. The plurality of elastic pieces  82  form channels of the contents  100  between the adjacent elastic pieces  82 . The plurality of elastic pieces  82  always urge the valve body  83  toward the valve seat  64   b . The plurality of elastic pieces  82  are configured such that the valve body  83  can move in a direction away from the valve seat  64   b  when an internal pressure of the container main body  10  is higher than the atmospheric pressure and a pressure at which the valve body  83  initially moves is applied to the valve body  83 . 
     The valve body  83  is formed in a circular shape and has a contact surface  83   a  which is in contact with the valve seat  64   b . A surface direction of the contact surface  83   a  is configured in the same direction as a surface direction of the valve seat  64   b.    
     The lid body  43  is integrally formed with the cap main body  41  via the hinge  42 . The lid body  43  is formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape. The lid body  43  has a protruding engaged portion  43   a  provided on an inner peripheral surface thereof and engaging with the engaging portion  63   b , and a sealing ring  43   b  provided in a main surface opposed to the discharge nozzle  52  and closing the nozzle portion  72 . The sealing ring  43   b  is formed in a cylindrical shape. Further, the sealing ring  43   b  is configured to have an outer diameter substantially equal to an inner diameter of the nozzle portion  72 . 
     Next, a method of using the discharge container  1  thus configured will be described. 
     First, the discharge container  1  filled with the contents  100  is kept, for example, in the upright posture in which the container main body  10  is below and the cap  11  is above. At the time of use, that is, when discharging the contents  100 , the user first grips the discharge container  1 , opens the lid body  43 , and directs the nozzle portion  72  to a discharge destination. Next, the user presses the outer container  21  to apply the pressing force to the outer container  21  while discharging the contents  100 . 
     Thus, the outer container  21  is elastically deformed. As the outer container  21  is elastically deformed, the air in a space between the outer container  21  and the inner container  22  is compressed. In this way, the pressing force is applied to the inner container  22 . Thus, the inner container  22  is elastically deformed. Then, a pressure in the inner container  22  increases. When the pressure in the inner container  22  becomes higher than the atmospheric pressure and the pressure at which the valve body  83  initially moves is applied to the valve body  83 , the valve body  83  is pressed by the contents  100  and separated from the valve seat  64   b . Thus, as shown by an arrow in  FIG. 2 , the contents  100  moves from the discharge port  64   a  to the valve chamber  54  through a space between the adjacent elastic pieces  82 . Then, the contents  100  are discharged from the nozzle portion  72 . As the contents  100  are discharged from the nozzle portion  72 , a volume of the inner container  22  decreases by a volume of the discharged contents  100 . 
     Next, after the desired contents  100  are discharged, the user releases pressing of the outer container  21 . The valve body  83  comes into contact with the valve seat  64   b  by restoring forces of the elastic pieces  82  by releasing the pressing of the outer container  21 . Then, the outer container  21  is restored to its original shape. At this time, the inner container  22  is slightly restored. However, a restoring force of the inner container  22  is weak due to its high flexibility. Therefore, a shape of the outer container  21  is restored in a state in which a shape of the inner container  22  is maintained in substantially the same shape. Thus, the negative pressure is generated in the space between the outer container  21  and the inner container  22 . 
     Thus, the air is sucked into the space between the outer container  21  and the inner container  22  from the intake valve  33  of the outer container  21 . As a result, in a state in which the shape of the inner container  22 , in other words, the volume of the inner container  22  is maintained at substantially the same volume, strictly speaking, in a state in which the volume of the inner container  22  slightly increases due to slight restoration of the inner container  22 , the atmospheric pressure and a pressure in the space between the outer container  21  and the inner container  22  become the same. 
     Here, the slight restoration of the inner container  22  occurs due to a phenomenon that suction of the air from the intake valve  33  to the space between the outer container  21  and the inner container  22  does not catch up with a restoration speed of the outer container  21  at the time of restoration of the outer container  21 . 
     Further, due to the slight restoration of the inner container  22 , as indicated by arrows in  FIG. 3 , the contents  100  remaining in the valve chamber  54  and the nozzle portion  72  move from the valve chamber  54  to the inner container  22  side through the flow groove  64   e  and the flow port  64   d . The contents  100  remaining in the valve chamber  54  and the nozzle portion  72  remain at least in the flow groove  64   e  by an amount of sealing the flow groove  64   e  by the surface tension. In this way, liquid suction occurs in which only the contents  100  are sucked into the inner container  22  without sucking the air. 
     Here, the flow groove  64   e  is provided on the inner side on the radial center side of the groove  64   c , and extends beyond the bottom surface of the groove  64   c  to the flow port  64   d . Further, the flow groove  64   e  is not provided up to an opening end on the inner container  22  side of the flow port  64   d . Therefore, when an example of movement of the contents  100  is described in detail, as indicated by arrows in  FIG. 4 , the contents  100  first move toward the inner container  22  through the flow groove  64   e . At the same time, the contents  100  move in the radial direction at an end portion of the flow groove  64   e . Thereafter, the contents  100  move toward the inner container  22  along the flow port  64   d . That is, the contents  100  move toward the inner container  22  substantially in the axial direction of the outer container  21 . At the same time, the contents  100  move in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction on the way. However, the contents  100  again move substantially in the axial direction and return to the inner container  22 . 
     With the discharge container  1  structured as described above, the contents  100  remaining in the valve chamber  54  after discharging the contents  100  move to the inner container  22  side through the flow groove  64   e  and the flow port  64   d  due to the negative pressure of the inner container  22 , which is generated by the slight restoration of the shape of the inner container  22  in accordance with the restoration of the outer container  21 . 
     Thereafter, the contents  100  in an amount capable of sealing the flow groove  64   e  remain at least around the flow groove  64   e  in the valve chamber  54 . Thus, the air is prevented from entering the inner container  22 . For example, when the contents  100  in the valve chamber  54  are sucked by the liquid suction, the contents  100  remain only in the flow groove  64   e . Then, the flow groove  64   e  is sealed by the surface tension of the contents  100 . Thus, the air is prevented from entering the inner container  22 . When the contents  100  remain in the valve chamber  54 , the flow groove  64   e  is covered with the contents  100 . Therefore, the air is prevented from entering the inner container  22 . 
     As described above, the discharge container  1  can prevent the suction of the air at the time of the liquid suction, and the contents  100  are positioned in the flow groove  64   e  after the liquid suction, so that it is possible to prevent the air from entering the inner container  22  during storage. 
     Further, the discharge container  1  is hermetically sealed by the contents  100  remaining in the flow groove  64   e . As a result, it is possible to prevent the air from entering the inner container  22  from the flow groove  64   e  during discharge and storage of the contents  100 . 
     Further, the flow port  64   d  and the flow groove  64   e  are provided in an outer peripheral edge of the bottom wall  64 , in other words, on an outer peripheral edge side of the valve chamber  54 . Furthermore, the groove  64   c  is positioned lower than the valve seat  64   b  in an upright state of the discharge container  1 . Thus, when the discharge container  1  is returned to the upright posture after discharging the contents  100 , since the groove  64   c  is positioned below the valve chamber  54 , the contents  100  remaining in the valve chamber  54  remain in the flow groove  64   e.    
     As a result, even after the liquid suction, the discharge container  1  can seal the flow groove  64   e  by the surface tension of the contents  100 . In the upright state of the discharge container  1 , the groove  64   c  is formed in the outer peripheral portion lower than a central portion of the bottom wall  64 . Therefore, the contents  100  remaining in the valve chamber  54  after the liquid suction accumulate in the vicinity of the groove  64   c  in the upright state. Therefore, even when the nozzle portion  72  faces downward, the contents  100  remaining in the valve chamber  54  move from the vicinity of the groove  64   c  far from the nozzle portion  72  toward the nozzle portion  72 . Thus, it is possible to prevent the contents  100  remaining in the valve chamber  54  from dripping from the nozzle portion  72  before the next contents  100  are discharged from the nozzle portion  72 . 
     In addition, the valve chamber  54  is constituted by the bottom wall  64  of the base portion  51 , the top wall portion  71  and cylindrical portion  73  of the discharge nozzle  52 , and the support portion  81  of the check valve  53 . That is, the valve chamber  54  is a space having an inner diameter larger than the discharge port  64   a  and an opening of the nozzle portion  72 . Therefore, when the discharge container  1  is in a posture in which the nozzle portion  72  is inclined downward, even if the contents  100  leak from the flow port  64   d  to the space of the valve chamber  54  through the flow groove  64   e , the leaked contents  100  do not immediately drip from the nozzle portion  72  to the outside. 
     Further, the discharge container  1  is configured such that the flow port  64   d  and the flow groove  64   e  are provided at positions opposite to the hinge  42  across the central axis of the cap  11 . In general, when using the discharge container  1 , the nozzle portion  72  is directed to a discharge target, while the hinge  42  faces upward and the flow port  64   d  and the flow groove  64   e  face downward. Thus, it is possible to reliably position the contents  100  remaining in the valve chamber  54  in the flow port  64   d  and the flow groove  64   e . Therefore, when the outer container  21  is restored, it is possible to reliably suck the contents  100  remaining after discharge. 
     Further, even when a function of the check valve  53  is reduced with use or aging due to a structure in which the flow groove  64   e  is provided in the groove  64   c  in which the support portion  81  is disposed, reduction of functions of the liquid suction and leakage does not occur. 
     More specifically, for example, in the case where the flow groove  64   e  is provided in the valve seat  64   b , when an elastic force of the elastic piece  82  is reduced or the elastic piece  82  is deformed due to use or aging variation, a contact force of the valve body  83  to the valve seat  64   b  is reduced. In this case, when the discharge container  1  is in a posture in which the nozzle portion  72  faces downward, the check valve  53  becomes slightly opened due to own weight of the contents  100 . As a result, there is a possibility that an amount of liquid leakage from the flow groove increases. However, by providing the flow groove  64   e  in the groove  64   c  as in the present embodiment, it is possible to maintain constant liquid suction and leakage without being affected by reduction of the function of the check valve  53  due to such use or aging variation. 
     As described above, according to the discharge container  1  according to the first embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to prevent liquid dripping during use by providing the flow port  64   d  and the flow groove  64   e  communicating in the valve chamber  54  and the container main body  10  in the groove  64   c  provided in the outer peripheral edge of the bottom wall  64  constituting the valve chamber  54 . 
     Second Embodiment 
     Next, a structure of a discharge container  1 A according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to  FIGS. 7 to 10 . 
       FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of the discharge container  1 A according to the second embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view showing a structure of a cap  11 A used for the discharge container  1 A and a state after the contents  100  are discharged.  FIG. 9  is a plan view showing a structure of a check valve  53 A used for the cap  11 A.  FIG. 10  is an enlarged plan view showing a flow groove  81   b  of the check valve  53 A. In the structure of the discharge container  1 A according to the second embodiment, the same reference numerals are given to the same components as those of the discharge container  1  according to the first embodiment described above. Then, a detailed description thereof will be omitted. 
     As shown in  FIG. 7 , the discharge container  1 A includes the container main body  10  and the cap  11 A. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , the cap  11 A includes a cap main body  41 A and the lid body  43  connected to the cap main body  41 A via the hinge  42 . A part of the cap main body  41 A, the hinge  42 , and the lid body  43  of the cap  11 A are integrally formed by injection molding. 
     The cap main body  41 A includes a base portion  51 A fixed to the mouth portion  32 , the discharge nozzle  52  provided in the base portion  51 A, and the check valve  53 A provided between the base portion  51 A and the discharge nozzle  52 . Further, the cap main body  41 A has the valve chamber  54  capable of housing the check valve  53 A and allowing the check valve  53 A to move between the base portion  51  and the discharge nozzle  52 . 
     The base portion  51 A is integrally formed with the hinge  42  and the lid body  43 . The base portion  51 A, the hinge  42 , and the lid body  43  are made of, for example, polypropylene. The base portion  51 A includes the outer tube  61 , the inner tube  62 , the wall portion  63 , and an annular plate-like bottom wall  64 A provided at the other end portion of the inner tube  62 . 
     The bottom wall  64 A is formed in an annular shape. The bottom wall  64 A includes the discharge port  64   a , the valve seat  64   b , the groove  64   c , and the flow port  64   d . That is, the bottom wall  64 A is different from the bottom wall  64  of the cap  11  according to the first embodiment in that the bottom wall  64 A does not have the flow groove  64   e  of the bottom wall  64 . 
     Regarding the bottom wall  64 A, similarly to the bottom wall  64  according to the first embodiment, the part or the whole of the main surface at least on the wall portion  63  side is inclined to the wall portion  63  side as it goes from the groove  64   c  to the discharge port  64   a.    
     The flow port  64   d  is provided at the bottom portion of the groove  64   c  and opposite to the hinge  42  across the central axis of the cap main body  41 . For example, the flow port  64   d  is formed so that its radial width is less than the radial width of the groove  64   c.    
     As shown in  FIGS. 7 to 10 , the check valve  53 A includes a cylindrical support portion  81 A, the plurality of elastic pieces  82  extending from an inner peripheral surface of the support portion  81 A toward the central axis of the support portion  81 A, and the valve body  83  connected to the plurality of elastic pieces  82 . 
     The support portion  81 A is formed in a cylindrical shape. The support portion  81 A is formed so that an outer diameter thereof is slightly larger than an inner diameter of the groove  64   c . The support portion  81 A has a plurality of spacer portions  81   a  integrally provided in an end surface opposed to the cylindrical portion  73  of the discharge nozzle  52 , and one or a plurality of flow grooves  81   b  provided in an outer peripheral surface thereof. Further, the support portion  81 A is provided at a ridge portion between an end surface of an end portion contacting the groove  64   c  and the outer peripheral surface. The support portion  81 A has a chamfered portion formed with a curved surface having a predetermined radius of curvature over the entire circumference in the circumferential direction. This makes it possible to form a channel for communicating the flow groove  81   b  and the flow port  64   d  between the ridge portion and a corner portion radially outward of the groove  64   c . Thus, the support portion  81 A forms an annular channel over the entire circumference, which communicates the flow groove  81   b  and the flow port  64   d  together with the corner portion of the groove  64   c  at the ridge portion on the outer peripheral surface side. 
     The plurality of spacer portions  81   a  are provided at equal intervals in the circumferential direction on an end surface of the support portion  81 A. A surface direction of a main surface of the spacer portion  81   a  is the same direction as a surface direction of the end surface of the support portion  81 A. The main surface of the spacer portion  81   a  contacts the end surface of the cylindrical portion  73 . The plurality of spacer portions  81   a  form channels of the contents  100  between adjacent spacer portions  81   a.    
     The flow groove  81   b  is provided in the outer peripheral surface of the support portion  81 A across both axial end surfaces of the support portion  81 A. The flow groove  81   b  is provided at a position which is the outer peripheral surface of the support portion  81 A and is opposed to the flow port  64   d  in the circumferential direction. Or, the plurality of flow grooves  81   b  are provided at equal intervals on the outer peripheral surface of the support portion  81 A. In the present embodiment, eight flow grooves  81   b  are provided in the outer peripheral surface of the support portion  81 A. Note that the number of the flow grooves  81   b  is not limited as long as the flow grooves  81   b  are configured to be fluidically continuous with the flow port  64   d  through a channel formed by the corner portion of the groove  64   c  and the ridge portion of the support portion  81 A. That is, the flow groove  81   b  constitutes the channel continuing from the valve chamber  54  to the flow port  64   d.    
     The flow groove  81   b  is formed so that a depth in the radial direction from the outer peripheral surface of the groove  64   c  is a predetermined depth. Here, the predetermined depth is a depth in which the contents  100  can close a gap generated between the inner peripheral surface of the support portion  81 A and the flow groove  81   b  when the support portion  81 A to be described below of the check valve  53 A is disposed in the groove  64   c . At this time, the air flow is prevented by the surface tension of the contents  100 . The flow groove  81   b  is formed, for example, so that an end portion on the cylindrical portion  73  side of the support portion  81 A has an opening sectional area in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction larger than the other portions. In other words, the flow groove  81   b  is formed so that a depth in the radial direction from the outer peripheral surface of the support portion  81 A at the end portion on the cylindrical portion  73  side is less than the depth at the other portions. 
     With the discharge container  1 A structured as described above, a channel is formed from the valve chamber  54  to the inner container  22  of the container main body  10  through between the adjacent spacer portions  81   a , the flow groove  81   b , a channel between the corner portion of the groove  64   c  and the ridge portion of the support portion  81 A, and the flow port  64   d . In this way, similarly to the above-described discharge container  1 , the discharge container  1 A is provided with the flow port  64   d  and the flow groove  81   b  for communicating the valve chamber  54  and an inside of the container main body  10 , in the groove  64   c  provided in the outer peripheral edge of the bottom wall  64 A constituting the valve chamber  54  and the support portion  81 A of the check valve  53 A. This makes it possible to prevent liquid dripping during use. 
     Further, the discharge container  1 A is configured such that the flow groove  81   b  is provided in the outer peripheral surface of the support portion  81 A and in a part between a side surface of the groove  63   c  and the outer peripheral surface of the support portion  81 A. Furthermore, the discharge container  1 A is configured such that the outer diameter of the support portion  81 A is slightly larger than the inner diameter of the groove  64   c . With this configuration, the outer peripheral surface of the support portion  81 A excluding the flow groove  81   b  is brought into close contact with the inner peripheral surface of the groove  64   c . Thus, with this configuration, it is easy to manage a channel cross-sectional area of the flow groove  81   b . Accordingly, it is possible to easily obtain a desired channel cross-sectional area in the flow groove  81   b.    
     As a result, the discharge container  1 A can reliably and stably suck the contents  100  remaining in the valve chamber  54  from the flow groove  81   b . Further, in the discharge container  1 A, it is easy to set the depth of the flow groove  81   b  depending on characteristics of the contents  100 . Further, air suction can be prevented as much as possible. Furthermore, the discharge container  1 A can prevent liquid leakage from the flow groove  81   b  as much as possible in a posture in which the nozzle portion  72  is positioned downward. 
     Third Embodiment 
     Next, a structure of a discharge container  1 B according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to  FIG. 11 . 
       FIG. 11  is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of the discharge container  1 B according to the third embodiment of the present invention. In the structure of the discharge container  1 B according to the third embodiment, the same reference numerals are given to the same components as those of the discharge container  1  according to the first embodiment and those of the discharge container  1 A according to the second embodiment, which are described above. Then, a detailed description thereof will be omitted. 
     As shown in  FIG. 11 , the discharge container  1 B includes the container main body  10  and a cap  11 B. 
     The cap  11 B includes a cap main body  41 B and the lid body  43  connected to the cap main body  41 B via the hinge  42 . A part of the cap main body  41 B, the hinge  42 , and the lid body  43  of the cap  11 B are integrally formed by injection molding. 
     The cap main body  41 B includes a base portion  51 B fixed to the mouth portion  32 , the discharge nozzle  52  provided in the base portion  51 B, and a check valve  53 B provided between the base portion  51 B and the discharge nozzle  52 . The cap main body  41 B has the valve chamber  54  capable of housing the check valve  53 B and allowing the check valve  53 B to move between the base portion  51 B and the discharge nozzle  52 . 
     The base portion  51 B is integrally formed with the hinge  42  and the lid body  43 . The base portion  51 B, the hinge  42 , and the lid body  43  are made of, for example, polypropylene. The base portion  51 B includes the outer tube  61 , an inner tube  62 B, the wall portion  63 , and the annular plate-like bottom wall  64 A provided at the other end portion of the inner tube  62 B. 
     The inner tube  62 B has a flow groove  62   b  at a side surface opposed to a support portion  81 B to be described below of the check valve  53 B and at a position adjacent to the flow port  64   d  of the bottom wall  64 A. The flow groove  62   b  is provided from the groove  64   c  to an upper end of the support portion  81 B. The flow groove  62   b  is fluidically continuous with the flow port  64   d.    
     The flow groove  62   b  constitutes a channel for communicating from the valve chamber  54  to the flow port  64   d . The flow groove  62   b  is formed so that a depth in the radial direction from an inner peripheral surface of the inner tube  62 B is a predetermined depth. Here, the predetermined depth is a depth of the flow groove  62   b  in which the contents  100  can close a gap generated between an inner peripheral surface of the support portion  81 B and the flow groove  62   b  when the support portion  81 B of the check valve  53 B is disposed in the groove  64   c . At this time, the air flow is prevented by the surface tension of the contents  100 . 
     The check valve  53 B includes a cylindrical support portion  81 B, a plurality of elastic pieces  82  extending from the inner peripheral surface of the support portion  81 B toward the central axis of the support portion  81 B, and the valve body  83  connected to the plurality of elastic pieces  82 . 
     The support portion  81 B is formed in a cylindrical shape. The support portion  81 B has a plurality of spacer portions  81   a  integrally provided in the end surface opposed to the cylindrical portion  73  of the discharge nozzle  52 . That is, the check valve  53 B is configured not to have the flow groove  81   b  of the check valve  53 A. 
     With the discharge container  1 B structured as described above, a channel is formed from the valve chamber  54  to the inner container  22  of the container main body  10  through between the adjacent spacer portions  81   a , the flow groove  62   b , and the flow port  64   d . In this way, the discharge container  1 B is provided with the flow port  64   d  and the flow groove  62   b  for communicating the valve chamber  54  and the inside of the container main body  10 , in the groove  64   c  provided in the outer peripheral edge of the bottom wall  64 A constituting the valve chamber  54  and the support portion  81 B of the check valve  53 B. This makes it possible to prevent liquid dripping during use similarly to the above-described discharge containers  1  and  1 A. 
     Fourth Embodiment 
     Next, a structure of a base portion  51 C used in the discharge container  1  according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to  FIG. 12 . 
       FIG. 12  is a plan view partially showing the structure of the base portion  51 C used in the discharge container  1  according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. In the structure of the discharge container  1  according to the fourth embodiment, the same reference numerals are given to the same components as those of the discharge container  1  according to the first embodiment described above. Then, a detailed description thereof will be omitted. Further, only the structure of the base portion  51 C is different between the discharge container  1  according to the fourth embodiment and the discharge container  1  according to the first embodiment. Therefore, a detailed description of the other structure will be omitted. 
     As shown in  FIG. 12 , the base portion  51 C used for the discharge container  1  includes the outer tube  61 , the inner tube  62 , the wall portion  63 , an annular plate-like bottom wall  64 C provided at the other end portion of the inner tube  62 . 
     The bottom wall  64 C is formed in an annular shape. The bottom wall  64 C includes the discharge port  64   a , the valve seat  64   b , the groove  64   c , the flow port  64   d , and a plurality of, for example, three flow grooves  64   e  continuous with the flow port  64   d . That is, the base portion  51 C according to the fourth embodiment is provided with three flow grooves  64   e . In this respect, the base portion  51 C is different from the base portion  51  according to the first embodiment having one flow groove  64   e  provided in one flow port  64   d.    
     The three flow grooves  64   e  are arranged in the inner surface on the radial center side of the groove  64   c  and at equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the flow port  64   d . The flow grooves  64   e  are formed so that the depth from the main surface on the wall portion  63  side of the bottom wall  64  is more than that from the main surface to the bottom surface of the groove  64   c . In other words, the flow grooves  64   e  extend beyond the bottom surface of the groove  64   c  to the flow port  64   d.    
     The flow groove  64   e  constitutes the channel continuous from the valve chamber  54  to the flow port  64   d . The flow groove  64   e  is formed so that the depth in the radial direction from the inner surface on the radial center side of the groove  64   c  is a predetermined depth. Here, the predetermined depth is the depth of the flow groove  64   e  in which the contents  100  can close the gap generated between the inner peripheral surface of the support portion  81  and the flow groove  64   e  when the support portion  81  to be described below of the check valve  53  is disposed in the groove  64   c . At this time, the air flow is prevented by the surface tension of the contents  100 . Therefore, the depth in the radial direction of the flow groove  64   e  from the outer peripheral surface of the groove  64   c  is appropriately set by the contents  100  stored in the discharge container  1 . 
     Similarly to the discharge container  1  having the base  51  according to the first embodiment, the discharge container  1  having the base portion  51 C structured as described above can prevent liquid dripping during use. In addition, a total opening area of the flow groove  64   e  is increased. Thus, it is possible to reliably suck the contents  100 . 
     Fifth Embodiment 
     Next, a structure of a base portion  51 D used in the discharge container  1  according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to  FIG. 13 . 
       FIG. 13  is a plan view partially showing the structure of the base portion  51 D used in the discharge container  1  according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention. In the structure of the discharge container  1  according to the fifth embodiment, the same reference numerals are given to the same components as those of the discharge container  1  according to the first embodiment described above. Then, a detailed description thereof will be omitted. Further, only the structure of the base portion  51 D is different between the discharge container  1  according to the fifth embodiment and the discharge container  1  according to the first embodiment. Therefore, the detailed description of the other structure will be omitted. 
     As shown in  FIG. 13 , the base portion  51 D used for the discharge container  1  includes the outer tube  61 , the inner tube  62 , the wall portion  63 , an annular plate-like bottom wall  64 D provided at the other end portion of the inner tube  62 . 
     The bottom wall  64 D is formed in an annular shape. The bottom wall  64 D includes the discharge port  64   a , the valve seat  64   b , the groove  64   c , a plurality of, for example, three flow ports  64   d , and a plurality of, for example, three flow grooves  64   e  respectively provided in a plurality of flow ports  64   d . That is, the base portion MD according to the fifth embodiment is provided with three flow ports  64   d  and three flow grooves  64   e . In this respect, the base portion MD is different from the base portion  51  according to the first embodiment having one flow groove  64   e  provided in one flow port  64   d.    
     The three flow ports  64   d  are provided adjacent to each other. For example, the flow ports  64   d  and the flow grooves  64   e  are arranged at positions opposite to the hinge  42  across the central axis of the cap  11 . 
     The three flow grooves  64   e  are provided in the inner surface on the radial center side of the groove  64   c  and at the center in the circumferential direction of the flow port  64   d . The flow grooves  64   e  are formed so that the depth from the main surface on the wall portion  63  side of the bottom wall  64  is more than that from the main surface to the bottom surface of the groove  64   c . In other words, the flow grooves  64   e  extend beyond the bottom surface of the groove  64   c  to the flow port  64   d.    
     Similarly to the discharge container  1  having the base  51  according to the first embodiment, the discharge container  1  having the base portion  51 D structured as described above can prevent liquid dripping during use. In addition, with the discharge container  1  having the base portion MD, the total opening area of the flow groove  64   e  is increased similarly to the discharge container  1  having the base portion  51  according to the fourth embodiment described above. Thus, it is possible to reliably suck the contents  100 . 
     It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. In the above example, the container main body  10  is described as a double container having an outer container  21  and an inner container  22 . However, the container main body  10  is not limited to this example. The container main body  10  may be, for example, a tube container or the like made of a resin material having a small restoring force. That is, the container main body  10  may have a restoring force in which when the outer container  21  is restored after deformation by the pressing force, the container main body  10  does not suck the air from any of the flow port  64   d , the flow grooves  64   e ,  81   b , and  62   b , but can suck only the contents  100  from the flow port  64   d , the flow grooves  64   e ,  81   b , and  62   b , and further, the flow grooves  64   e ,  81   b , and  62   b  can be sealed by the surface tension of the contents  100 . 
     Further, in the above-described example, the flow port  64   d  is formed so that its radial width is less than the radial width of the groove  64   c . Further, the flow port  64   d  is formed to be provided on the outer peripheral surface side of the groove  64   c . However, the flow port  64   d  is not limited to this example. The flow port  64   d  may be appropriately set to have the opening area larger than the flow groove  64   e  and have the size not closing the opening even when the burrs are generated at the time of molding the base portion  51 , and further set such that the contents  100  sucked from the flow groove  64   e  can be moved to the inner container  22 . 
     Further, in the above-described example, in the first embodiment, the structure has been described in which the flow groove  64   e  continuous with the opening end opened at the groove  64   c  of the flow port  64   d  is provided at the center in the circumferential direction of the flow port  64   d  on the outer peripheral surface of the groove  64   c . Further, in the fourth embodiment, the structure has been described in which the three flow grooves  64   e  are provided at equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the flow port  64   d . Furthermore, in the fifth embodiment, the structure has been described in which one flow groove  64   e  is provided in each of the three flow ports  64   d . However, the flow groove  64   e  is not limited to these examples. For example, the flow grooves  64   e  may be provided on both circumferential end portion sides of the flow port  64   d . That is, the flow groove  64   e  may be configured to suck the contents  100  remaining in the valve chamber  54  when the outer container  21  is restored, and to have the channel cross-sectional area in which the air does not enter the container main body  10  by sealing the flow groove  64   e  by the surface tension of the contents  100  when the restoration of the outer container  21  is completed. The position, shape, size, and the like of the flow groove  64   e  can be appropriately set within a range having the above function depending on the characteristics of the contents  100  and characteristics of the container main body  10 . 
     As a specific example, like a bottom wall  64 E of a base portion  51 E according to a first modification shown in  FIG. 14 , the bottom wall  64  may include four flow ports  64   d  and flow grooves  64   e  respectively provided in the flow ports  64   d.    
     Further, like a bottom wall  64 F of a base portion  51 F according to a second modification shown in  FIG. 15 , the flow groove  64   e  may not be continuous with the opening end opened at the groove  64   c  of the flow port  64   d . That is, the flow groove  64   e  may be continuous with the opening end opened at the inner container  22  of the flow port  64   d . In such a bottom wall  64 F, as shown by arrows, a portion of the contents  100  sucked from the flow groove  64   e  can move linearly from the groove  64   c  to the inner container  22 . At the same time, the other portion of the contents  100  can move to spread radially at the flow port  64   d . Thus, in the discharge container  1 , the contents  100  smoothly move during liquid suction. As a result, the movement of the contents  100  is not hindered. 
     In the above-described example, the cap  11  of the discharge container  1  includes the cap main body  41  and the lid body  43  connected to the cap main body  41  via the hinge  42 . However, the cap  11  is not limited to this example. For example, as shown in  FIGS. 16 and 17  as a third modification, a cap  11 G may not to have the hinge  42 . For example, a cap main body  41 G may be provided with an annular engaging portion  63   b  projecting in the radial direction on an outer peripheral surface thereof. Further, the lid body  43 G may be provided with an annular engaged portion  43   a  projecting in the radial direction, which is engaged with the engaging portion  63   b , on the inner peripheral surface thereof. 
     Further, with respect to the cap  11 G having such a structure, a direction in which the discharge container  1 G is inclined at the time of use cannot be specified. Therefore, as shown in  FIG. 17 , a base portion  51 G may be provided with four flow ports  64   d  at equal intervals, for example, at 90° intervals, and the flow groove  64   e  may be provided in each of the flow ports  64   d , so that the liquid suction of the contents  100  uniformly occurs in the groove  64   c . By providing such a base portion  51 G, even when the direction of inclination of the discharge container  1  cannot be specified, it is possible to suck liquid contents  100  from any one of the flow ports  64   d  and the flow grooves  64   e.    
     The structure of the cap  11  is not limited to the third modification described above. For example, the cap  11  not having the hinge  42  may be configured such that the lid body  43  is fixed to the cap main body  41  by screwing a male screw provided on the cap main body  41  into a female screw provided on the lid body  43 . 
     It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. At an implementation stage, various modifications can be made without departing from the gist thereof. Further, respective embodiments may be appropriately combined as much as possible and implemented. In that case, a combination effect is obtained. Furthermore, the above embodiments include inventions at various stages. Therefore, various inventions can be extracted from suitable combinations of a plurality of disclosed constituent features.