Patent Abstract:
A piston configured to be engaged inside a cylindrical container includes: a sliding member having an upper fluidtight portion and a lower fluidtight portion; and a support member connected to the sliding member and having concentric flexions for urging the sliding member against the inner wall of the cylindrical container. The upper and lower fluidtight portions are each constituted by at least one annular convex bump portion having a thickness which is the greatest at a point where the annular convex bump portion is in contact with the inner wall of the cylinder.

Full Description:
[0001]     This is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/872,021, field Jun. 18, 2004, which claims foreign priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 to Japanese Patent Application No. 2003-191197, filed Jul. 3, 2003, the disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     This invention relates generally to a piston engaged inside a cylindrical container, which serves as a movable bottom of the container and functions for enhancing fluidtightness inside the container.  
         [0003]     As a piston for enhancing airtightness inside a cylinder, Japanese Patent Laid-open No. 1996-280804 discloses a piston for a syringe, for example. However, a cylinder produced by injection molding, for example, often has a tapered inner wall for production process convenience, and in that case, the conventional piston could not maintain fulidtightness because an internal diameter of the cylinder changes whereas the diameter of the piston does not significantly change. Further, the conventional piston is normally designed for short term use, and the seal between the piston and the inner wall tends to be degraded with time.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0004]     In view of the above, the present invention has been achieved. In an aspect, an object of the present invention is to provide a piston capable of securing fluidtightness, and a fluid container using the same. Another object of the present invention is to provide a piston usable for a tapered cylindrical container. Still another object of the present invention is to provide a piston capable of maintaining high fluidtightness for a long period of time. Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a piston having a simple structure which achieves at least one of the above objects.  
         [0005]     The present invention is not intended to be limited by the above objects, and various objects other than the above can be accomplished as readily understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. The embodiments described below use reference numbers used in the drawings solely for easy understanding, and the reference numbers are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.  
         [0006]     In an embodiment, the present invention provides a piston (e.g.,  42 ,  42 ′) adapted to be engaged inside a cylindrical container (e.g.,  40 ,  40 ′), constituted by an elastic member comprising: (i) a sliding member (e.g.,  46 ) having an upper fluidtight portion (e.g.,  421 ) and a lower fluidtight portion (e.g.,  422 ), both of which fluidtightly and slidably contact an inner wall (e.g.,  30 ,  30 ′) of the cylindrical container; and (ii) a support member (e.g.,  45 ,  45 ′) having an upper concentric flexion (e.g.,  423   a ) and a lower concentric flexion (e.g.,  423   b ) to urge the sliding member against the inner wall of the cylindrical container.  
         [0007]     The above embodiment includes, but is not limited to, the following embodiments.  
         [0008]     The lower concentric flexion (e.g.,  423   b ) may be disposed nearly half way between the upper fluidtight portion (e.g.,  421 ) and the lower fluidtight portion (e.g.,  422 ). The upper concentric flexion (e.g.,  423   a ) may be disposed above the upper fluidtight portion. Each of the upper and lower concentric flexions may be disposed on a plane perpendicular to an axis (e.g.,  47 ) of the piston. The support member may further have at least another concentric flexion (e.g.,  423   c,    423 ′ c,    423   d ). The other concentric flexion may be arranged on a plane perpendicular to an axis (e.g.,  47 ) of the piston between a plane on which the upper concentric flexion (e.g.,  423   a ) is disposed and a plane on which the lower concentric flexion (e.g.,  423   b ) is disposed. The upper and lower fluidtight portions (e.g.,  421 ,  422 ) each may be constituted by at least one annular convex portion (e.g.,  421   a,    421   b,    422   a,    422   b ) (each fluidtight portion may include two or three annular convex portions).  
         [0009]     In another aspect, the present invention provides a fluid container (e.g.,  40 ) comprising: (a) a fluid-storing portion (e.g.,  41 ,  41 ′) for storing a fluid therein; (b) any one of the piston (e.g.,  42 ,  42 ′) of the foregoing engaged inside the fluid-storing portion, said piston serving as a bottom of the fluid-storing portion; (c) a nozzle head (e.g.,  20 ) for discharging the fluid disposed on an upper side of the fluid-storing portion; and (d) a fluid discharge pump (e.g.,  10 ) for discharging the fluid stored inside the fluid-storing portion from the nozzle head when the nozzle head is pressed.  
         [0010]     The above embodiment includes, but is not limited to, the following embodiments.  
         [0011]     The fluid-storing portion (e.g.,  40 ) may be cylindrical and has an inner wall (e.g.,  30 ) tapered toward the nozzle head (e.g.,  20 ). The gradient of the tapered wall may be in the range of about 0° to about 10°, preferably more than about 0° but less than about 7°, more preferably about 1° to about 5°. Within the above ranges, the inner wall can have uneven surfaces.  
         [0012]     The piston may have at least another concentric flexion (e.g.,  423   d ), said other concentric flexion being arranged inward of the upper concentric flexion (e.g.,  423   a ) and the lower concentric flexion (e.g.,  423   b ) with respect to an axis (e.g.,  47 ) of the piston and between the upper concentric flexion (e.g.,  423   a ) and the lower concentric flexion (e.g.,  423   b ) with respect to respective planes perpendicular to the axis of the piston. The lower concentric flexion (e.g.,  423   b ) may be arranged nearly half way between the upper and lower fluidtight portions (e.g.,  421 ,  422 ). The upper concentric flexion (e.g.,  423   a ) may be arranged above the upper fluidtight portion (e.g.,  421 ).  
         [0013]     In another embodiment, the present invention provides a piston (e.g.,  42 ,  42 ′) adapted to be engaged inside a cylindrical container (e.g.,  40 ,  40 ′), constituted by an elastic member comprising: (i) a sliding member (e.g.,  46 ) having an upper fluidtight portion (e.g.,  421 ) and a lower fluidtight portion (e.g.,  422 ), both of which fluidtightly and slidably contact an inner wall (e.g.,  30 ,  30 ′) of the cylindrical container; and (ii) a support member (e.g.,  45 ,  45 ′) having an upper flexion (e.g.,  423   a ) and a lower flexion (e.g.,  423   b ) to urge the sliding member against the inner wall of the cylindrical container, each of the upper and lower flexions being disposed on a plane perpendicular to an axis (e.g.,  47 ) of the piston.  
         [0014]     The above embodiment includes, but is not limited to, the following embodiments.  
         [0015]     A cross section of the cylindrical container, the upper flexion, and the lower flexion may have homologous shapes on a plane perpendicular to the axis. The homologous shapes mean that the shapes are nearly the same but different in size. The cylindrical container may have a cross section perpendicular to the axis which is not only a circle but also an oval or any other shape having no sharp inflection point in cross section.  
         [0016]     In the above, a distance between the upper flexion (e.g.,  423   a ) and the axis (e.g.,  47 ) may be greater than a distance between the lower flexion (e.g.,  423   b ) and the axis (e.g.,  47 ). The lower flexion (e.g.,  423   b ) may be disposed nearly half way between the upper fluidtight portion (e.g.,  421 ) and the lower fluidtight portion (e.g.,  422 ). The upper flexion (e.g.,  423   a ) may be disposed above the upper fluidtight portion (e.g.,  421 ). The support member further may have at least another homologous flexion (e.g.,  423   c,    423 ′ c,    423   d ) inward of the upper and lower flexions (e.g.,  423   a,    423   b ). The other flexion (e.g.,  423   d ) may be arranged between the upper flexion (e.g.,  423   a ) and the lower flexion (e.g.,  423   b ) with respect to respective planes perpendicular to the axis (e.g.,  47 ). The upper and lower fluidtight portions (e.g.,  421 ,  422 ) each may be constituted by at least one annular convex portion (e.g.,  421   a,    421   b,    422   a,    422   b ).  
         [0017]     In still another embodiment, the present invention provides a fluid container (e.g.,  40 ,  40 ′) comprising: (a) a fluid-storing portion (e.g.,  41 ,  41 ′) for storing a fluid therein; (b) any one of the piston (e.g.,  42 ,  42 ′) of the foregoing engaged inside the fluid-storing portion, said piston serving as a bottom of the fluid-storing portion; (c) a nozzle head (e.g.,  20 ) for discharging the fluid disposed on an upper side of the fluid-storing portion; and (d) a fluid discharge pump (e.g.,  10 ) for discharging the fluid stored inside the fluid-storing portion from the nozzle head when the nozzle head is pressed.  
         [0018]     The above embodiment includes, but is not limited to, the following embodiments.  
         [0019]     The fluid-storing portion may be cylindrical and has an inner wall (e.g.,  30 ) tapered toward the nozzle head. The gradient of the tapered wall may be in the range described above.  
         [0020]     The piston may have at least another flexion (e.g.,  423   d ), said other flexion (e.g.,  423   d ) being arranged inward of the upper and lower flexions (e.g.,  423   a,    423   b ) with respect to an axis (e.g.,  47 ) of the piston and between the upper and lower flexions (e.g.,  423   a,    423   b ) with respect to respective planes perpendicular to the axis (e.g.,  47 ) of the piston. The lower flexion (e.g.,  423   b ) may be arranged nearly half way between the upper and lower fluidtight portions (e.g.,  421 ,  422 ). The upper flexion (e.g.,  423   a ) may be arranged above the upper fluidtight portion (e.g.,  421 ).  
         [0021]     The sliding member and the supporting member may preferably be configured to provide at least 4% elastic deformation evenly in a radial direction (including about 5%-about 10%), although an elastic deformation may range from about 3% to about 30% in an embodiment. The flexions and the material enable the above, so that the piston can fit in a cylindrical container having a different inner diameter, a different shape, an uneven inner wall, an slanted inner wall, etc., without degrading fluidtightness between the piston and the inner wall of the cylindrical container from the bottom position to the top position of the piston in the cylindrical container. The sliding member may basically have an outer periphery corresponding to the inner cross section of the cylindrical container, which has a larger diameter than the maximum diameter of the cylindrical container in accordance with the degree of elastic deformation of the piston and the shape of the inner wall of the cylindrical container.  
         [0022]     The piston may be constituted by any suitable material such as a resin, rubber, composite, etc. Preferably, the piston may be constituted by a resin such as polypropylene or polyethylene, a resin containing a rubber material such as silicon rubber, a mixture of the foregoing, and the like. Hardness of the material can be adjusted by adjusting a ratio of a hard resin to a soft resin. Further, in the present invention, all of the elements can be made of a resin, rubber, composite, or mixture thereof, and the hardness and elasticity of each can be adjusted depending on the function required for the element. For example, a bending or flexing portion (e.g., a valve body) can be made of a more flexible material than the other portions (e.g., a valve seat).  
         [0023]     In the present invention, the flexion may be an elbow having an acute angle or a point of turning in a cross section along the axis. Each flexion may be on a plane perpendicular to the axis. The flexions may be comprised of at least one upper flexion and one lower flexion; e.g., from the outer periphery to the center, (I) an upper flexion and an lower flexion, (II) a first upper flexion, a lower flexion, and a second upper flexion, (III) a first lower flexion, an upper flexion, and a second lower flexion, etc. In a preferable embodiment, the plane perpendicular to the axis on which the second lower flexion is arranged is closer to the upper fluidtight portion than is the plane on which the first lower flexion is arranged, so that the piston can smoothly travel upward without degrading fluidtightness as the fluid inside is used. For the same reason, as described above, in a preferable embodiment, the plane on which the first lower flexion is arranged is nearly half way between the upper fluidtight portion and the lower fluidtight portion.  
         [0024]     In all of the foregoing embodiments, any element used in an embodiment can interchangeably be used in another embodiment, and any combination of elements can be applied in these embodiments, unless it is not feasible.  
         [0025]     For purposes of summarizing the invention and the advantages achieved over the related art, certain objects and advantages of the invention have been described above. Of course, it is to be understood that not necessarily all such objects or advantages may be achieved in accordance with any particular embodiment of the invention. Thus, for example, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other objects or advantages as may be taught or suggested herein.  
         [0026]     Further aspects, features and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the detailed description of the preferred embodiments which follow. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0027]     These and other features of this invention will now be described with reference to the drawings of preferred embodiments which are intended to illustrate and not to limit the invention.  
         [0028]      FIG. 1  is a longitudinal view of a fluid container according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, where a piston is at the bottom of the container.  
         [0029]      FIG. 2  is a longitudinal view of the fluid container according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, wherein the piston is at the top of the container.  
         [0030]      FIG. 3  is an enlarged longitudinal view of the fluid discharge pump  10  the nozzle head  20  in the closed position, wherein an inflow portion  211  is not communicated with an opening portion  222 .  
         [0031]      FIG. 4  is a longitudinal view of the fluid discharge pump  10  the nozzle head  20  in the open position, wherein the inflow portion  211  is communicated with the opening portion  222 .  
         [0032]     FIGS.  5 ( a )-( c ) are a side view, cross sectional view, and bottom view, respectively, showing an inflow valve seat member  111  in an embodiment comprising an inflow valve mechanism  11  in the fluid discharge pump  10 .  
         [0033]     FIGS.  6 ( a )-( c ) are a side view, cross sectional view, and bottom view, respectively, showing an inflow valve member  112  in an embodiment comprising the inflow valve mechanism  11  in the fluid discharge pump  10 .  
         [0034]     FIGS.  7 ( a )-( c ) are a top view, cross sectional view, and bottom view, respectively, showing an outflow valve seat member  121  in an embodiment comprising the outflow valve mechanism  12  in the fluid discharge pump  10 .  
         [0035]     FIGS.  8 ( a )-( c ) are a top view, side view, and bottom view, respectively, showing an outflow valve member  122  in an embodiment comprising the outflow valve mechanism  12  in the fluid discharge pump  10 .  
         [0036]      FIG. 9  is an explanatory view showing dismantling the nozzle head  20  in a closed position in an embodiment.  
         [0037]      FIG. 10  is an explanatory view showing dismantling the nozzle head  20  in an open position in an embodiment.  
         [0038]      FIG. 11  is a front view of the nozzle head  20  in the closed position.  
         [0039]      FIG. 12  is a front view of the nozzle head  20  in the open position.  
         [0040]      FIG. 13  is an enlarged longitudinal view showing the fluid discharge pump  10  and the nozzle head  20  in the open position, where the nozzle head is pressed.  
         [0041]      FIG. 14  is an enlarged longitudinal view showing the fluid discharge pump  10  and the nozzle head  20  in the open position, wherein the nozzle head is released.  
         [0042]     FIGS.  15 ( a )-( c ) are a top view, side view, and cross sectional view of A-A line, respectively, showing a piston member  42  in an embodiment comprising the fluid-storing portion  40 .  
         [0043]     FIGS.  16 ( a )-( c ) are a top view, side view, and cross sectional view of A-A line, respectively, showing the piston member  42  in an alternative embodiment.  
         [0044]      FIG. 17  is a longitudinal view showing a fluid container according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention, where a piston is at the bottom of the container.  
         [0045]      FIG. 18  is a longitudinal view showing the fluid container according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention, wherein the piston is at the top of the container. 
     
    
       [0046]     Explanation of symbols used is as follows:  10 : Fluid discharge pump;  11 : Inflow valve mechanism;  12 : Outflow valve mechanism;  16 : Bellows member;  16   a:  Inflow opening;  16   b:  Outflow opening;  17 : Packing;  20 : Nozzle head;  21 : Tubular member;  22 : Guiding member;  40 : Fluid-storing portion;  41 : Cylinder member;  42 : Piston member;  43 : Inner lid;  43   a:  Air vent;  43   b:  Upper side of the bottom;  44 : Outer lid;  44   a:  Hole;  111 : Inflow valve seat member;  111   a:  Opening portion;  111   b:  Joined portion;  112 : Inflow valve member;  112   a:  Valve body;  112   b:  Supporting portion;  112   c:  Coupling portion;  121 : Outflow valve seat member;  121   a:  Opening portion;  121   b:  Joined portion;  121   c:  Inflow portion;  122 : Outflow valve member;  122   a:  Valve body;  122   b:  Base portion;  211 : Inflow portion;  212 : Outflow portion;  213 : Convex portion;  214 : Engaging portion;  215 : Knob portion;  221 : Pushing portion;  222 : Opening portion;  223 : Guiding portion;  223   a:  First regulating portion;  223   b:  Second regulating portion;  224 : Groove portion;  421 : Fluidtight portion;  421   a:  Convex portion;  421   b:  Convex portion;  422 : Fluidtight portion;  422   a:  Convex portion;  422   b:  Convex portion;  423 :  423 : Flexion.  
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0047]     As explained above, the present invention can be accomplished in various ways including, but not limited to, the foregoing embodiments. The present invention will be explained in detail with reference to the drawings, but the present invention should not be limited thereto.  
         [0048]     Preferred embodiments of the present invention are described by reference to drawings. FIGS.  1  to  2  are longitudinal cross-sections of the fluid container according to an embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0049]     This fluid container may be used as a container for beauty products for storing gels such as hair gels and cleansing gels, creams such as nourishing creams and cold creams or liquids such as skin lotions used in the cosmetic field. Additionally, this fluid container also can be used as a container for medicines, solvents or foods, etc. In this specification, high-viscosity liquids, semifluids, gels that sol solidifies to a jelly, and creams and regular liquids are all referred to as fluids. Preferably, the fluid is a flowable or dischargable substance including a liquid phase, a liquid and solid mixed phase, a solid and gas mixed phase, a liquid, solid, and gas mixed phase when being stored in the container. Preferably, fluidtightness is liquidtightness.  
         [0050]     The fluid container according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises a fluid pump  10 , a nozzle head  20  switchable between an open position enabling a fluid to pass through between inside and outside the fluid container and a closed position shutting off passage of the fluid, and a fluid-storing portion storing the fluid therein.  
         [0051]     Additionally, in this specification, upward and downward directions in  FIGS. 1 and 2  are defined as upward and downward directions in the fluid container. In other words, in the fluid container according to the embodiment of the present invention, the side of the nozzle head  20  shown in  FIG. 1  is defined as the upward direction; the side of a piston member  42  is defined as the downward direction.  
         [0052]     The fluid-storing portion  40  has a tubelike cylinder member  41 , a piston member traveling inside the cylinder member  41  up and down, an inner lid  43  in which multiple air vents  43   a  are formed, and an outer lid  44 . The cylinder member  41  in the fluid-storing portion  40  and the fluid discharge pump  10  are connected fluidtightly via packing  17 . Additionally, if an inflow valve mechanism  11  connected with the cylinder member of the fluid discharge pump  10  is adequately elastic, the packing  17  can be omitted.  
         [0053]     The outer lid  44  is attached to the lower portion of the cylinder member  41  in a position in which the outer lid  44  holding the inner lid  43  between the outer lid  44  and the lower portion of the cylinder member  41 . In the inner lid  43 , the upper side of the bottom  43   b  for positioning the tail end of the piston member  42  inside the fluid-storing container is formed. By changing a height of this upper side of the bottom  43   b,  a storable fluid amount inside the fluid-storing container can be changed.  
         [0054]     Additionally, a hole  44   a  is formed in the central portion of the outer lid  44 . Because of this hole, the air can pass through between outside of the fluid container and the air vents  43   a  formed in the inner lid  43 .  
         [0055]     The piston member  42  may require a configuration allowing the piston member  42  to travel smoothly inside the cylinder member while achieving high liquidtightness. A configuration of the piston member  42  for serving this purpose is described in detail later.  
         [0056]     In this fluid container, by reciprocating the piston member  42  up and down by pressing the nozzle head  20  switched over to the open position, a fluid stored inside the fluid-storing portion  40  is discharged from the nozzle head  20  by the action of the fluid discharge pump  10  described in detail later. As a fluid amount inside the fluid-storing portion  40  decreases, the piston member  42  travels toward the nozzle head  20  inside the cylinder member  41  as shown in  FIG. 2 .  
         [0057]      FIG. 3  is a longitudinal cross section showing the fluid discharge pump  10  and the nozzle head  20  in the closed position;  FIG. 4  is a longitudinal cross section showing he fluid discharge pump  10  and the nozzle head  20  in the open position.  
         [0058]     The fluid discharge pump  10  may comprise a resinous bellows member  16  having an inflow opening  16   a  and an outflow opening  16   b,  a resinous inflow valve mechanism  11  fixed in the inflow opening  16   b  of the bellows member  16 , and the resinous outflow valve mechanism  12  fixed in the outflow opening  16   b  of the bellows member. The inflow valve mechanism  11  here may be used for letting a fluid stored inside the fluid-storing portion  40  flow into the fluid discharge pump  10  as the bellows member  16  stretches; the outflow valve mechanism  12  may be used for letting the fluid having flowed into the fluid discharge pump flow out to the nozzle head as the bellows member  16  folds up.  
         [0059]      FIG. 5 ( a ) is a front view of an inflow valve seat member  111  comprising the inflow valve mechanism  11  in the fluid discharge pump  10 ;  FIG. 5 ( b ) is a lateral cross section of the same;  FIG. 5 ( c ) is a backside view of the same.  FIG. 6 ( a ) is a front view of the inflow valve member  112  comprising the inflow valve mechanism  11  in the fluid discharge pump  10 ;  FIG. 6 ( b ) is a cross section of the same;  FIG. 6 ( c ) is a backside view of the same.  
         [0060]     As shown in FIGS.  5 ( a )-( c ), the inflow valve seat member  111  may comprise an opening portion  111   a  for letting a fluid inside the fluid-storing portion  40  flow in, and a joined portion  111   b  to be joined with the inflow valve member  112  described later.  
         [0061]     As shown in FIGS.  6 ( a )-( c ), the inflow valve member  112  may comprise a valve body  112   a  having a shape corresponding to a shape of the opening portion  111   a  of the inflow valve seat member  111 , a supporting portion  112   b  fixed in the joined portion  111   b  of the inflow valve seat member  111 , and four coupling portions  112   c  for coupling the valve body  112   a  and the supporting portion  112   b.  The respective four coupling portions  112   c  may have one pair of flexions  112   d,  hence adequate flexibility is provided.  
         [0062]      FIG. 7 ( a ) is a plane view showing an outflow valve seat member  121  comprising an outflow valve mechanism  12  in the fluid discharge pump  10 ;  FIG. 7 ( b ) is a lateral view of the same;  FIG. 7 ( c ) is a backside view of the same.  FIG. 8 ( a ) is a plane view showing an outflow valve member  122  comprising then outflow valve mechanism  12  in the fluid discharge pump  10 ;  FIG. 8 ( b ) is a lateral view of the same;  FIG. 8 ( c ) is a backside view of the same.  
         [0063]     As shown in FIGS.  7 ( a )-( c ), the outflow valve seat member  121  may comprise an opening portion  121   a,  a joined portion  121   b  joined with the outflow valve member  122  described later, and an inflow portion  121   c  for letting a fluid inside the fluid discharge pump  10  flow in.  
         [0064]     As shown in FIGS.  8 ( a )-( c ), the outflow valve member  122  may comprise a nearly dish-shaped flexible valve portion  121   a  contacting an inner surface of the opening portion  121   a  of the outflow valve seat member  121 , and a base portion  122   b  joined with the joined portion  121   b  of the outflow valve seat member  12 . In the base portion  122   b,  a passage groove  122   c  for letting the fluid flow in is formed.  
         [0065]      FIG. 9  is an explanatory cutaway view showing a portion of the nozzle head  20  in the closed position;  FIG. 10  is an explanatory cutaway view showing a portion of the nozzle head  20  in the open position.  
         [0066]     The nozzle head  20  may comprise a tubular member  21  and a guiding member  22 . The tubular member  21  may have an inflow portion  211  for letting the fluid flow in from the outflow valve mechanism  12  in the fluid discharge pump described later, an outflow portion  212  for letting the fluid having flowed in from the inflow portion  211  flow out, a convex portion  213  guided by the guiding member  22 , and an engaging portion  214 .  
         [0067]     The guiding member  22  may have a pushing portion  221 , an opening portion  222  communicated with the inflow portion  211  of the tubular member  21  in an open position, a guiding portion  223  guiding a switchover between an open position and a closed position of the tubular member  21  described later, and a groove portion  224  having a shape corresponding to the engaging portion  214  of the tubular member  21 .  
         [0068]     The engaging portion  214  of the tubular member  21  may be fitted in the groove portion  224  in the guiding member  22 . By this, the tubular member  21  can be supported rotatably on its shaft center against the guiding member.  
         [0069]     With the above-mentioned configuration provided, it is possible to switch the nozzle head  20  between the open position and the closed position: In the open position, the inflow portion  211  of the tubular member  21  and the opening portion  222  of the guiding member  22  are communicated, and fluid passage between the inflow portion  211  of the tubular member  21  and the outflow valve mechanism described later is enabled; in the closed position, fluid passage between the inflow portion  211  and the outflow valve mechanism  12  is shut off. Consequently, when the nozzle head  20  is switched over to the closed position, it becomes possible to fully prevent leaking out of the fluid from the fluid container.  
         [0070]      FIG. 11  is a front view of the nozzle head  20  in the closed position;  FIG. 12  is a front view of the nozzle head  20  in the open position.  
         [0071]     Switching over of the nozzle head  20  between the open position and the closed position may be achieved by rotating the tubular member  21  on its shaft center against the guiding member  22 . At this time, the convex portion  21  of the tubular member  21  may be guided by the guiding portion  223  of the guiding member  22 .  
         [0072]     Additionally, the guiding member  22  may have a first regulating portion  223   a  and a second regulating portion  223   b.  The first regulating portion  223   a  stops a rotation of the tubular member by contacting the convex portion  213  of the tubular member  21  in the open position; the second regulating portion stops a rotation of the tubular member by contacting the convex position  213  of the tubular member  21  in the closed position. By these first regulating portion  223   a  and second regulating portion  223   b,  a switchover between the open position and the closed position can be achieved easily.  
         [0073]     Fluid discharge actions in the above-mentioned fluid container are described below.  
         [0074]      FIGS. 13 and 14  are longitudinal cross sections showing the fluid discharge pump  10  and the nozzle head  20  in the open position. Of these,  FIG. 13  shows a position in which, with the pushing portion  221  in the nozzle head  20  being pressed, the bellows member  16  is deforming to a folded-up position in which it holds a relatively small amount of fluid from a stretched position in which it holds a relatively large amount of fluid inside it;  FIG. 14  shows a position in which, with a pressure applied to the pushing portion  221  in the nozzle head  20  removed, the bellows member  16  is deforming back to the stretched position again.  
         [0075]     As shown in  FIG. 13 , when the pushing portion  221  in the nozzle head  20  is pressed, a capacity of the bellows member  16  may reduce and inside the fluid discharge pump  10  may be pressurized. By this, the valve body  112   a  of the inflow valve member  112  can be disposed in a position in which it contacts the opening portion  111   a  of the inflow valve seat member  111  and the opening portion  11   a  is closed; simultaneously, the valve body  122   a  of the outflow valve member  122  can be disposed in a position in which it separates from the opening portion  121   a  of the outflow valve seat member  121  and the opening portion  121   a  is open. Consequently, the fluid inside the fluid discharge pump  10  flows out to the outflow portion  212  of the nozzle head  20  in the open portion.  
         [0076]     As shown in  FIG. 14 , when a pressure applied to the pushing portion  221  in the nozzle head  20  is removed, a capacity of the bellows member  16  may expand by the resilience of the bellows member  16  and inside the fluid discharge pump may be depressurized. By this, the valve body  112   a  of the inflow valve member  112  may be disposed in a position in which it separates from the opening portion  111   a  of the inflow valve seat member; simultaneously, the valve body  122   a  of the outflow valve member  122  may be disposed in a position in which it contacts the opening portion  121   a  of the outflow valve seat member  121 . Consequently, the fluid stored inside the fluid-storing portion  40  can flow into the fluid discharge pump  10 .  
         [0077]     A configuration of the fluid-storing portion  40  is described below.  
         [0078]     The cylinder member  41  used for this fluid-storing portion  40  may be made of an injection molded resin. Consequently, as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , for production process convenience, etc., a tip of the cylinder member  41  may have a tapered shape.  
         [0079]      FIG. 15 ( a ) is a plane view showing the piston member  42  comprising the fluid-storing portion  40 ;  FIG. 15 ( b ) is a front view of the same;  FIG. 15 ( c ) is a cross section showing an A-A section in  FIG. 15 ( a ).  
         [0080]     On the upper side of this piston member  42 , a fluidtight portion  421  contacting an inner circumference of the cylinder member  41  may be formed; on the underside of the piston member  42 , a fluidtight portion  422  contacting an inner circumference of the cylinder member  41  may be formed. In other words, on an outer peripheral surface of the piston member  42 , a pair of fluidtight portions  421 ,  422  respectively contacting an inner circumference of the cylinder member  41  may be disposed apart from each other at a certain distance.  
         [0081]     A contacting portion in the fluidtight portion  421 , which contacts an inner circumference of the cylinder member  41 , may comprise a pair of convex portions  421   a,    421   b  disposed adjacently. A contacting portion in the fluidtight portion  422 , which contacts an inner circumference of the cylinder member  41 , may comprise a pair of convex portions  422   a,    422   b  disposed adjacently.  
         [0082]     In this piston member  42 , by the action of a pair of fluidtight portions  421 ,  422 , which are disposed apart from each other at a certain distance, the shaft center of the piston member  42  and the shaft center of the cylinder member  41  always can be brought in line regardless of a direction of stress applied to the piston member  42 . Consequently, it becomes possible for the piston member  42  to smoothly travel inside the cylinder member  41 .  
         [0083]     Additionally, in the piston member  42 , concentric flexions  423   a,    423   b,    423   c  with the fluidtight portions  421 ,  422 , which serve as contacting portions contacting the inner circumference of the cylinder member  41 , may be formed in a plane perpendicular to a traveling direction of the piston member inside the cylinder member  41 . The piston member  42 , therefore, may have momentum from the central portion to an outer perimeter in a plane perpendicular to a traveling direction of the piston member inside the cylinder member  41  and may be configured to be capable of expanding and contracting according to a shape of the inner circumference of the cylinder member  41 . Consequently, in the case of the cylinder member  41  having a tapered shape toward a nozzle direction or the cylinder member  41  having a low accuracy, i.e., having an uneven internal surface, it becomes possible to secure adequate liquidtightness for the cylinder member  41  and the piston member  42 , not by altering an inside diameter of the cylinder  41 .  
         [0084]     Furthermore, because more flexions are formed above the central portion of the piston member  42  than below the central portion, as shown in  FIG. 2 , it becomes possible to get relatively a small amount of the fluid remaining inside the fluid-storing portion  40  when the piston member  42  travels to the most elevated position inside the cylinder member  41 .  
         [0085]     FIGS.  16 ( a )-( c ) are explanatory views each showing the piston member  42 ′ in an alternative embodiment. While three flexions  423   a,    423   b,    423   c  are formed in the piston member  42  in the fluid container according to Embodiment 1, five flexions  423   a,    423   b,    423 ′ c,    423   d,    423   e  also can be formed in this embodiment as shown in FIGS.  16 ( a )-( c ). Additionally, the number of flexions formed can be other than five, or it can be a single one.  
         [0086]      FIGS. 17 and 18  are longitudinal cross sections showing the fluid container according to a further alternative embodiment (Embodiment 2). While a cylinder member  41  in the fluid container according to the embodiments previously described has a tapered inner surface  30 , even when the cylinder member having a non-tapered inner surface  30 ′ as shown as a cylinder member  41 ′ of a container  40 ′ in  FIGS. 17 and 18  is used, the piston member  42  shown in FIGS.  15 ( a )-( c ) and  16 ( a )-( c ) also can be used.  
         [0087]     According to an embodiment of the present invention, when the piston comprises an elastic member in which a concentric flexion with an outer perimeter is formed in a plane perpendicular to a traveling direction of the piston inside the cylinder and has momentum from the central portion in an outer peripheral direction, it becomes possible to secure airtightness even when a cylinder diameter changes.  
         [0088]     According to another embodiment of the present invention, when in the fluid container possessing a fluid discharge pump for discharging a fluid stored inside a fluid-storing portion from a nozzle head disposed on the upper side of the fluid-storing portion by pressing the nozzle head, the fluid-storing portion possesses a cylinder member, and a piston engaged inside the cylinder member, which comprises an elastic member in which a concentric flexion with an outer perimeter is formed in a plane perpendicular to a traveling direction of the piston inside the cylinder member, and has momentum from the central portion in an outer peripheral direction, it becomes possible to secure airtightness even when a cylinder diameter changes.  
         [0089]     According to still another embodiment of the present invention, when the cylinder member has a tapered shape toward the nozzle head, throughput of the cylinder member is improved; simultaneously it becomes possible to secure airtightness even when a cylinder diameter changes.  
         [0090]     According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, when within a contacting surface of the piston, which contacts the cylinder, more flexions are formed in a tapered direction of the cylinder member, it becomes possible to get relatively a small amount of the fluid remaining inside the fluid-storing portion  40  when the piston member  42  travels to the most elevated position inside the cylinder member  41 .  
         [0091]     It will be understood by those of skill in the art that numerous and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Therefore, it should be clearly understood that the forms of the present invention are illustrative only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

Technology Classification (CPC): 1