APPLICATION CONTAINER

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from Japanese Patent Application No. P2024-199248, filed on Nov. 14, 2024, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to an application container.

BACKGROUND

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2019-193698 describes a liquid cosmetic applicator. The liquid cosmetic applicator that accommodates a liquid cosmetic in an accommodation portion in a main body and includes a relay core through which the liquid cosmetic is supplied to a brush tip that is an application point arranged at a tip end of the main body, and a brush tip holding ring which focuses the brush tip. A distance between a brush tip end and a relay core tip end is 2 mm or longer and 7.5 mm or shorter. A proportion of a cross-sectional area of the relay core to a cross-sectional area of the brush tip at a tip end position of the brush tip holding ring is 0% or higher and 16% or lower.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2021-115761 describes a liquid applicator including a pen point. This pen point is a pen point obtained by focusing fibers in a longitudinal direction, bonding the fibers with a resin binder, and then press-forming the fibers into a desired shape, or a pen point obtained by mixing a large number of two or more kinds of fibers having different melting points, aligning the fibers in the longitudinal direction, bundling and compressing the fibers, and binding the fibers by thermofusion between the fibers. A cross section of the pen point has a pen point first region and a pen point second region. A total of the number of pen point first regions and the number of pen point second regions is 3 or more. A flow channel width between fibers through which a liquid in the pen point first region passes is smaller than a flow channel width between fibers through which a liquid in the pen point second region passes.

SUMMARY

In the liquid cosmetic applicator as described above, the liquid cosmetic is accommodated in the accommodation portion provided inside a container, and the liquid cosmetic is applied to an application target portion by an application point included in the container. In the liquid cosmetic applicator described above, in a case where an application body is stored facing upward, a phenomenon referred to as drain-back may occur in which the liquid cosmetic held by the application point returns to the accommodation portion due to gravity. Therefore, when the liquid cosmetic applicator is used after storage, the liquid cosmetic applied to the application target portion may fade, and the liquid cosmetic may not be sufficiently applied.

In the liquid applicator described above, the pen point including two or more kinds of fibers having different melting points is formed. In the pen point, the total of three or more pen point first regions and pen point second regions having different flow channel widths between fibers through which a liquid passes is provided. However, the flow channel width between the fibers through which the liquid in the pen point second region passes is large, thereby assuming that the liquid cannot be sufficiently held between the fibers. Therefore, there is room for improvement in terms of the holdability of a liquid.

An object of the present disclosure is to provide an application container capable of improving a holdability of a liquid content.

An application container according to the disclosure includes (1) an application body formed by bundling a plurality of fibers; a relay core adapted to supply a liquid content to the application body from one end portion of the application body; and a main body adapted to accommodate the one end portion of the application body and the relay core. At least some of the plurality of fibers in the application body are modified fibers. A first cross section of the modified fiber perpendicular to an extension direction of the modified fiber and a second cross section of the modified fiber perpendicular to the extension direction at a position separated from the first cross section in the extension direction have different shapes from each other.

In this application container, the first cross section and the second cross section of the modified fiber of the application body have different shapes from each other. In this case, when the modified fiber is viewed along a direction in which the modified fiber extends, the modified fiber has a portion in which, from one outer circumference of the first cross section and the second cross section, the other outer circumference of the first cross section and the second cross section projects. This enables the liquid content flowing along a surface of the modified fiber to be stopped at the projecting portion of the modified fiber. Thus, even when the application body is stored facing upward, the liquid content can be held by the application body by stopping the liquid content at the projecting portion. Hence, the holdability of the liquid content can be improved.

(2) According to (1), a cross section of the modified fiber may be rotated around a central axis of the modified fiber from the first cross section to the second cross section. In this case, an orientation of a normal line of the surface of the modified fiber can be changed from the first cross section to the second cross section, and the surface of the modified fiber can be a spiral continuous surface from the first cross section to the second cross section. In this case, a spiral flow channel through which the liquid content passes is formed on the surface of the modified fiber. This enables the liquid content to flow smoothly.

(3) According to (2), a cross section of the modified fiber may be continuously rotated at a constant rotation angle around the central axis from the first cross section to the second cross section. In this case, since the surface of the modified fiber can be a spiral continuous surface with a constant pitch, the liquid content can flow more smoothly through the spiral flow channel with the constant pitch.

(4) According to any one of (1) to (3), the application body may have 20 mass % or more of the modified fiber. In this case, when the application body has 20 mass % or more of the modified fiber, the holdability of the liquid content can be further improved.

(5) According to any one of (1) to (4), the liquid content may include a metal oxide. In this case, for example, even when the liquid content includes a metal oxide having a high specific gravity, the liquid content can be held by the application body when the application body is stored facing upward.

According to the disclosure, a holdability of a liquid content can be improved.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an application container according to an embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view illustrating a plurality of fibers of the application container;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the plurality of fibers;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view illustrating a modified fiber of the application body;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged side view illustrating the modified fiber of the application body;

FIG. 6A is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A illustrated in FIG. 5; and

FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B illustrated in FIG. 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Hereinafter, an embodiment of an application container according to the disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In the description of the drawings, the same or corresponding elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions thereof will be omitted as appropriate. Some of the drawings may be simplified or exaggerated for easy understanding, and a dimensional ratio or the like is not limited to that described in the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an application container 1 according to an embodiment. FIG. 1 illustrates a longitudinal section of the application container 1 along a central axis L1 of the application container 1. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the application container 1 has, for example, a rod shape (a round rod shape in one example). The application container 1 accommodates a liquid content E. The application container 1 is an application container enabling a user to apply the liquid content E with pen bristles 3 (an application body). Hereinafter, an example in which the application container 1 is a cosmetic container will be described. In this case, the application container 1 is a liquid cosmetic container.

The liquid content E is, for example, a liquid cosmetic such as an eyeliner or a lip liner. The liquid content E may include, for example, a metal oxide. Examples of the metal oxide include titanium oxide, iron oxide, ferrous oxide, chromium oxide, cobalt oxide, zinc oxide, and manganese oxide.

In terms of the dischargeability of the liquid content E from the application container 1, an average grain size of the metal oxide may be, for example, 1.0 μm or smaller, 0.1 μm or larger and 0.5 μm or smaller, and 0.15 μm or larger and 0.35 μm or smaller. The metal oxide content in the liquid content E may be, for example, 3 mass % or more and 25 mass % or less. The specific gravity of the metal oxide may be, for example, 3 g/cm³ or higher, 3 g/cm³ or higher and 6 g/cm³ or lower, and 3 g/cm³ or higher and 5 g/cm³ or lower.

The liquid content E may include, for example, an inorganic color pigment as a colorant. Examples of the inorganic color pigment include red iron oxide, yellow iron oxide, black iron oxide, cobalt oxide, chromium oxide, ultramarine blue, Prussian blue, titanium oxide, fine particle titanium oxide, zinc oxide, titanium black (titanium-titanium oxide sintered product), carbon black, barium sulfate, and pearl pigment (titanated mica, iron oxide-coated titanated mica, fine particle titanium oxide-coated titanated mica, barium sulfate-coated titanated mica, fish scale foil, bismuth oxychloride, aluminum flakes, or the like).

The average grain size of the inorganic color pigment may be, for example, 500 μm or smaller, 0.1 μm or larger and 200 μm or smaller, or 0.15 μm or larger and 100 μm or smaller. The inorganic color pigment content in the liquid content E may be, for example, 3 mass % or more and 25 mass % or less. The specific gravity of the inorganic color pigment may be, for example, 3 g/cm³ or higher, 3 g/cm³ or higher and 6 g/cm³ or lower, or 3 g/cm³ or higher and 5 g/cm³ or lower.

In a case where the liquid content E includes the titanium oxide, the titanium oxide content may be, for example, 50 mass % or more and 100 mass % or less based on the total amount of the metal oxide, and may be, for example, 50 mass % or more and 100 mass % or less based on the total amount of the inorganic color pigment.

The metal oxide and the inorganic color pigment described above may be subjected to a surface treatment for the purpose of improving usability, dispersibility, or the like. Examples of the surface treatment include a metal soap, a silicone compound, a fluorine compound, a surfactant, and an amino acid compound.

The liquid content E may be an aqueous cosmetic containing water, the above-described inorganic color pigment, a pigment dispersant, and a film-forming agent. The liquid content E may be an oil-based cosmetic containing a volatile oil agent, the above-described inorganic color pigment, a pigment dispersant, and a film-forming agent.

Examples of the pigment dispersant can include a surfactant such as a hydrophilic nonionic surfactant, an anionic surfactant, a cationic surfactant, or an amphoteric surfactant.

Examples of the film-forming agent to be blended in the aqueous cosmetic include a water-soluble polymer such as polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), or an acrylic polymer, and a film-forming polymer emulsion.

Specific examples of the film-forming polymer emulsion include an alkyl acrylate copolymer emulsion, an alkyl acrylate-styrene copolymer emulsion, and an alkyl acrylate-vinyl acetate copolymer emulsion. Note that an example of the alkyl acrylate described herein also includes alkyl methacrylate. As the film-forming polymer emulsion, one having a solid content concentration of 30 mass % or more and 60 mass % or less using water as a medium can be used.

Examples of the film-forming agent to be blended in the oil-based cosmetic include a film-forming polymer such as polymethylsilsesquioxane, trimethylsiloxysilicate, polypropylsilsesquioxane, polyphenylsilsesquioxane, (acrylate/polytrimethylsiloxy methacrylate) copolymer, (acrylate/dimethicone) copolymer, (norbornene/tris(trimethylsiloxy)silylnorbornene) copolymer, tri(trimethylsiloxy)silylpropylcarbamate pullulan, alkyl acrylate copolymer, or dextrin isostearate. Examples of the volatile oil agent include a silicone oil such as dimethicone, trisiloxane, decamethylcyclopentasiloxane, methyl trimethicone, or caprylyl methicone, and a hydrocarbon oil such as isododecane, undecane, or isoparaffin.

In a case where the liquid content E is a cosmetic, other components usually used in cosmetics, for example, a moisturizing agent, a viscosity adjusting agent, an antiseptic agent, a pH adjusting agent, a chelating agent, an ultraviolet absorber, vitamins, a beauty component, an antioxidant, a fragrance, or the like can be appropriately blended, as necessary, in addition to the components described above.

A viscosity of the liquid content E may be 50 mPa·s or lower, and may be 3 mPa·s or higher in terms of usability and a uniform line.

Note that the “viscosity” means a value measured for a sample at 25° C. under the following conditions using a Brookfield viscometer (BM type).

• • 50 mPa·s or lower: BL adapter, Rotation speed of 12 rpm
  • Higher than 50 mPa·s and 500 mPa·s or lower: Rotor No. 1, Rotation speed of 12 rpm
  • Higher than 500 mPa·s and 2500 mPa·s or lower: Rotor No. 2, Rotation speed of 12 rpm

In the following description, a direction in which the pen bristles 3 project in the application container 1 may be referred to as “front”, a “front side”, or “frontward”, and an opposite direction thereto may be referred to as “rear”, a “rear side”, or “rearward”. A “radial direction” means a direction toward the central axis L1 of the application container 1 or a direction away from the central axis L1 of the application container 1 on a plane orthogonal to the central axis L1 of the application container 1. The term “radially outward” means a direction away from the central axis L1 of the application container 1 in the radial direction. The term “radially inward” means a direction toward the central axis L1 of the application container 1 in the radial direction. A “circumferential direction” means a direction along a ring around the central axis L1 of the application container 1. However, these directions are set for convenience of description, and do not limit a position, an orientation, or the like of an object.

The application container 1 includes a main body 2, a pen bristle 3, a relay core 4, and an accordion member 6. The main body 2 has a rod shape. In addition, the main body 2 has a tubular shape. The main body 2 has a tip end portion 2a. The tip end portion 2a is positioned at a front portion of the main body 2. A cross section along a radial direction of the tip end portion 2a has, for example, a circular shape. An outer diameter of the tip end portion 2a decreases toward the front.

In an extension direction of the main body 2, inner diameters of both end portions of the tip end portion 2a are larger than an inner diameter of a central portion of the tip end portion 2a. That is, the main body 2 has a first portion that is a portion in which the pen bristle 3 is accommodated, a second portion that is a portion in which the accordion member 6 is accommodated, and a third portion positioned between the first portion and the second portion, and an inner diameter of the first portion and an inner diameter of the second portion are larger than an inner diameter of the third portion.

The tip end portion 2a has an opening portion 2b. The opening portion 2b has, for example, a circular shape when viewed from the front. The opening portion 2b is positioned at a front end portion of the tip end portion 2a. The opening portion 2b is a portion allowing the pen bristle 3 to project from the main body 2. For example, the relay core 4 projects together with the pen bristle 3 from the opening portion 2b.

The tip end portion 2a has an inclined surface 2c. The inclined surface 2c is positioned behind the opening portion 2b. The inclined surface 2c is inclined with respect to the central axis L1 of the application container 1. The tip end portion 2a has a convex portion 2d. The convex portion 2d is positioned behind the inclined surface 2c. The convex portion 2d protrudes radially outward in the main body 2. The convex portion 2d is a portion on which a cap 10 to be described below is mounted.

The main body 2 has a flange portion 2e. The flange portion 2e is positioned behind the convex portion 2d. A cross section of the flange portion 2e perpendicular to the circumferential direction has, for example, a rectangular shape. The flange portion 2e protrudes radially outward in the main body 2. In a state in which the cap 10 is mounted on the main body 2, the flange portion 2e is exposed to the outside of the application container 1.

The main body 2 has an insertion portion 2f which is a portion to be inserted into an outer cylinder 30 to be described below. The insertion portion 2f has a tubular shape. The insertion portion 2f is positioned behind the tip end portion 2a and the flange portion 2e. An inner diameter of a front portion of the insertion portion 2f is smaller than an inner diameter of a rear portion of the insertion portion 2f. That is, a first region in which the accordion member 6 is arranged and a second region serving as an accommodation portion 2p to be described below are formed inside the insertion portion 2f, and an inner diameter of the first region is smaller than an inner diameter of the second region.

The insertion portion 2f has a male thread 2g. The male thread 2g is formed in a surface of the front portion of the insertion portion 2f. The male thread 2g is adjacent to a rear side of the flange portion 2e. The male thread 2g has a spiral shape along the circumferential direction. The male thread 2g is formed rearward by a certain distance from the flange portion 2e.

The main body 2 has a tail plug 2h. The tail plug 2h includes an engagement portion 2k and a lid portion 2m. The engagement portion 2k and the lid portion 2m are adjacent to each other. The engagement portion 2k has, for example, a tubular shape. The lid portion 2m has, for example, a disk shape. The engagement portion 2k engages with an inner wall of the insertion portion 2f. The tail plug 2h is attached to the rear portion of the insertion portion 2f. The engagement portion 2k extends in an axial direction D which is a direction in which the central axis L1 of the application container 1 extends. The tail plug 2h closes an end portion of the main body 2 (the insertion portion 2f) on a side opposite to the cap 10. For example, an outer diameter of the lid portion 2m is equal to an outer diameter of the insertion portion 2f.

The accordion member 6 is arranged at the front portion of the insertion portion 2f and a rear portion of the tip end portion 2a in an internal space of the main body 2. The accordion member 6 surrounds the relay core 4. The accordion member 6 has a tubular shape. The accordion member 6 is a component that controls the flow of the liquid content E. The accordion member 6 has a groove containing the liquid content E.

The main body 2 has an accommodation portion 2p. The accommodation portion 2p is formed inside the main body 2. The accommodation portion 2p is positioned at the rear portion of the insertion portion 2f. The accommodation portion 2p is surrounded by the inner wall of the insertion portion 2f, the accordion member 6, the relay core 4, and the tail plug 2h. The accommodation portion 2p accommodates the liquid content E.

A stirring element 20 is accommodated in the accommodation portion 2p. The stirring element 20 is movable in the accommodation portion 2p. The stirring element 20 is, for example, a sphere. However, the stirring element 20 may have a shape such as a polyhedral shape or a conic shape, and the shape of the stirring element 20 is not particularly limited.

The pen bristle 3 is positioned at a front portion of the application container 1. The pen bristle 3 is formed by bundling a plurality of fibers 3a. The fibers 3a are, for example, bristles included in the pen bristle 3. The fibers 3a extend in the axial direction D of the application container 1. The fibers 3a will be described below in detail. The pen bristle 3 have a tip end portion 3b and a rear end portion 3c (one end portion).

In the embodiment, the “tip end portion” includes not only a tip end but also a portion extending rearward from the tip end by a certain length, and the “rear end portion” includes not only a rear end but also a portion extending frontward from the rear end by a certain length. Similarly, the “one end portion” includes not only one end but also a portion extending from the one end in a direction opposite to the one end by a certain length.

The tip end portion 3b is positioned in a front portion of the pen bristle 3. The tip end portion 3b projects from the opening portion 2b of the main body 2. The tip end portion 3b has a tapered shape toward the front. A front end of the tip end portion 3b is pointed to focus on the central axis L1 of the application container 1. The rear end portion 3c is positioned in a rear portion of the pen bristle 3. The rear end portion 3c is accommodated in the tip end portion 2a of the main body 2.

A hole 3d is formed inside the rear end portion 3c. The hole 3d is formed by, for example, inserting the relay core 4 from the rear of the pen bristle 3. The hole 3d has, for example, a circular shape along the circumferential direction when viewed from the rear. A diameter of the hole 3d decreases toward the front. The rear end portion 3c is divided into two portions on both sides in the radial direction with the central axis L1 as a boundary on a longitudinal section along the central axis L1 of the application container 1.

The relay core 4 supplies the liquid content E to the pen bristle 3 from the rear end portion 3c of the pen bristle 3. The relay core 4 relays the pen bristle 3 and the accommodation portion 2p of the main body 2. The relay core 4 is accommodated in the main body 2. A front portion of the relay core 4 is accommodated in the tip end portion 2a of the main body 2. A rear portion of the relay core 4 is accommodated in the front portion of the insertion portion 2f of the main body 2. The relay core 4 has a rod shape. The relay core 4 extends in the axial direction D. The front portion of the relay core 4 has a tapered shape toward the front.

The relay core 4 is arranged in the hole 3d of the pen bristle 3, an internal space of the tip end portion 2a of the main body 2, and an internal space of the accordion member 6. The front portion of the relay core 4 enters the hole 3d of the pen bristle 3. The rear portion of the relay core 4 is inserted into a tube hole of the accordion member 6 and projects to the accommodation portion 2p of the main body 2. The relay core 4 suctions up the liquid content E accommodated in the accommodation portion 2p of the main body 2 due to capillary action and supplies the liquid content E to the pen bristle 3.

The application container 1 has the outer cylinder 30. The outer cylinder 30 is a component that is touched by a user's hand when the user holds the application container 1. The outer cylinder 30 has, for example, a cylindrical shape. The outer cylinder 30 is attached to an outer circumference of the insertion portion 2f of the main body 2. In addition, the outer cylinder 30 is adjacent to the rear of the flange portion 2e.

The outer cylinder 30 has a female thread 31 inside. The female thread 31 is formed at a front portion of the outer cylinder 30. The female thread 31 is screwed on the male thread 2g formed in the surface of the insertion portion 2f of the main body 2. The outer cylinder 30 may be mountable and demountable with respect to the main body 2 by screwing the female thread 31 on the male thread 2g. The outer cylinder 30 extends rearward with respect to the tail plug 2h of the main body 2 in the state of being attached to the main body 2.

The application container 1 includes the cap 10. The cap 10 has, for example, a bottomed cylindrical shape. An inner diameter of a front portion of the cap 10 is smaller than an inner diameter of a rear portion of the cap 10. The inner diameter of the cap 10 decreases toward the front. A space S is formed inside the cap 10. The rear portion of the cap 10 engages with the convex portion 2d of the main body 2. The cap 10 is mountable on and demountable from the main body 2. When the cap 10 is mounted on the main body 2, the tip end portion 3b of the pen bristle 3 is accommodated in the space S. In this manner, the pen bristle 3 is protected.

FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view illustrating the plurality of fibers 3a of the application container 1. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the plurality of fibers 3a. As described above, the plurality of fibers 3a are bundled to form the pen bristle 3. The pen bristle 3 includes, for example, the fibers 3a made of the same material. Examples of the material of the fibers 3a include a saturated polyester resin such as PBT (polybutylene terephthalate) or a nylon resin (polyamide resin).

In a case where the fibers 3a are made of PBT, the strength of the fibers 3a can be improved. In a case where the fibers 3a are made of the nylon resin, the hydrophilicity of the fibers 3a can be improved. The pen bristle 3 may include a plurality of kinds of fibers made of different materials from each other. A diameter of the fiber 3a is, for example, 0.1 mm or larger and 0.2 mm or smaller.

At least some of the plurality of fibers 3a in the pen bristle 3 are modified fibers 5a. For example, the rest of the plurality of fibers 3a are fibers 3e and 3f different from the modified fiber 5a. A cross section of the fiber 3e perpendicular to an extension direction of the fiber 3e has, for example, a circular shape. A cross section of the fiber 3f perpendicular to an extension direction of the fiber 3f has, for example, a polygonal shape (a star shape in one example). The cross section of the fiber 3f has protrusions protruding outward and recesses recessed inward. For example, the fibers 3e and 3f have the same respective cross-sectional shapes throughout the entire length thereof.

The plurality of fibers 3a may include only one of the fibers 3e and 3f. In addition, the plurality of fibers 3a may include still another fiber different from the modified fiber 5a and the fibers 3e and 3f. A cross section of the other fiber may have, for example, an oval shape, a fan shape, or a gear shape.

A cross section of the modified fiber 5a perpendicular to an extension direction of the modified fiber 5a has, for example, a polygonal shape (a hexagonal shape in one example). However, the shape of the cross section of the modified fiber 5a is not limited thereto, and may be, for example, a triangular shape. The pen bristle 3 has, for example, 20 mass % or more of the modified fiber 5a. The pen bristle 3 may include the modified fiber 5a and the fibers 3e and 3f, or may include only the modified fiber 5a.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view illustrating the modified fiber 5a of the pen bristle 3. FIG. 5 is an enlarged side view illustrating the modified fiber 5a of the pen bristle 3. The modified fiber 5a has a first cross section 5b and a second cross section 5c positioned at a location different from that of the first cross section 5b. The first cross section 5b and the second cross section 5c are cross sections of the modified fiber 5a which are perpendicular to an extension direction A of the modified fiber 5a. The second cross section 5c is a cross section of the modified fiber 5a at a position separated from the first cross section 5b in the extension direction A.

The first cross section 5b and the second cross section 5c have the polygonal shape as described above and have the hexagonal shape as an example. In this case, the first cross section 5b has a plurality of (for example, six) sides and has, in one example, a first side 5d. The first side 5d is a side positioned at an edge of the first cross section 5b. The second cross section 5c has a plurality of (for example, six) sides and has, in one example, a second side 5e. The second side 5e is a side positioned at an edge of the second cross section 5c.

In addition, the first cross section 5b has a plurality of (for example, six) vertices and has, in one example, a first vertex 5m and a second vertex 5n. The first vertex 5m is positioned at one end of the first side 5d. A second vertex 5n is positioned at the other end of the first side 5d. The second cross section 5c has a plurality of (for example, six) vertices and has, in one example, a third vertex 5p and a fourth vertex 5q. The third vertex 5p is positioned at one end of the second side 5e. The fourth vertex 5q is positioned at the other end of the second side 5e.

The modified fiber 5a has a plurality of (for example, six) ridges and has, in one example, a first ridge 5f and a second ridge 5g. The first ridge 5f and the second ridge 5g are formed between the first cross section 5b and the second cross section 5c. The first ridge 5f connects the first vertex 5m of the first cross section 5b and the third vertex 5p of the second cross section 5c. The second ridge 5g connects the second vertex 5n of the first cross section 5b and the fourth vertex 5q of the second cross section 5c.

The first ridge 5f and the second ridge 5g have, for example, a linear shape. Note that at least one of the first ridge 5f and the second ridge 5g may have a curved shape. As described above, a plurality of ridges may be formed on a surface 5r of the modified fiber 5a, and the plurality of ridges may be located at twisted positions.

The modified fiber 5a has a region 5h. The region 5h is a region surrounded by the first side 5d, the second side 5e, the first ridge 5f, and the second ridge 5g. For example, the modified fiber 5a has a plurality of (six in one example) regions 5h. For example, a part of the surface 5r of the modified fiber 5a is one region 5h. The surface 5r of the modified fiber 5a is, for example, a flat surface. Note that the surface 5r of the modified fiber 5a may include a curved surface.

The surface 5r of the modified fiber 5a is inclined from the first cross section 5b toward the second cross section 5c. A direction in which a normal line of the surface 5r of the modified fiber 5a extends changes from the first cross section 5b to the second cross section 5c. In one example, when viewed from the first cross section 5b, the direction in which the normal line of the surface 5r of the modified fiber 5a extends changes counterclockwise toward the second cross section 5c. A spiral continuous surface extending from the first cross section 5b to the second cross section 5c is formed at the surface 5r of the modified fiber 5a. The “spiral continuous surface” indicates a state in which the plurality of surfaces 5r of the modified fiber 5a are rotated around a central axis L2 of the modified fiber 5a, along the modified fiber 5a in the extension direction A of the modified fiber 5a.

FIG. 6A is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A illustrated in FIG. 5. FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B illustrated in FIG. 5. The first cross section 5b and the second cross section 5c have different shapes from each other. That “the first cross section and the second cross section have different shapes from each other” indicates that the second cross section does not coincide with the first cross section when the second cross section is superimposed on the first cross section.

That is, that “the first cross section and the second cross section have different shapes from each other” includes a state in which the shape of the first cross section itself is different from the second cross section, a state in which the shape of the first cross section itself is the same as that of the second cross section and the first cross section is rotated with respect to the second cross section, and a state in which the shape of the first cross section itself is the same as the second cross section and a size of the first cross section is different from that of the second cross section.

For example, the first cross section 5b may have a triangular shape, and the second cross section 5c may have a quadrangular shape. Further, at least one of the first cross section 5b and the second cross section 5c may have a circular shape. For example, the first cross section 5b may have a hexagonal shape, and the second cross section 5c may have an oval shape, or the first cross section 5b may have an oval shape, and the second cross section 5c may have a round shape. As described above, the shape of the first cross section 5b itself may be different from the shape of the second cross section 5c.

For example, the first cross section 5b may have a polygonal shape, and the second cross section 5c may have a polygonal shape different from the polygonal shape of the first cross section 5b. In one example, the first cross section 5b may have a hexagonal shape, and the second cross section 5c may have a hexagonal shape different from the hexagonal shape of the first cross section 5b. In this case, a polygon of the second cross section 5c may be rotated with respect to a polygon of the first cross section 5b, or may be larger than the polygon of the first cross section 5b. As described above, the shape of the first cross section 5b itself may be the same as that of the second cross section 5c, and the first cross section 5b may be rotated with respect to the second cross section 5c. In addition, the shape of the first cross section 5b itself may be the same as that of the second cross section 5c, and a size of the first cross section 5b may be different from that of the second cross section 5c.

The cross section of the modified fiber 5a is rotated around the central axis L2 (illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5) of the modified fiber 5a from the first cross section 5b to the second cross section 5c. The shape of the second cross section 5c is changed with respect to the shape of the first cross section 5b. For example, the second cross section 5c is rotated counterclockwise with respect to the first cross section 5b. The second cross section 5c has, for example, a hexagonal shape rotated by 30° with respect to the hexagonal shape of the first cross section 5b. A rotation angle of the cross section of the modified fiber 5a may or may not be constant between the first cross section 5b and the second cross section 5c.

For example, a rotation angle per unit length of the cross section of the modified fiber 5a in a portion including the first cross section 5b and a rotation angle per unit length of the cross section of the modified fiber 5a in a portion including the second cross section 5c may be different from each other. The “unit length” is, for example, 1 mm. The “rotation angle per unit length” means an angle at which the cross section of the modified fiber 5a is rotated along the modified fiber 5a by a certain distance in the extension direction A of the modified fiber 5a. In a case where the rotation angle per unit length of the modified fiber 5a varies depending on a region of the modified fiber 5a, the surface 5r of the modified fiber 5a has a non-uniformly twisted shape.

The cross section of the modified fiber 5a may be continuously rotated at a constant rotation angle around the central axis L2 of the modified fiber 5a from the first cross section 5b to the second cross section 5c. In this case, the rotation angle per unit length of the cross section of the modified fiber 5a in the portion including the first cross section 5b and the rotation angle per unit length of the cross section of the modified fiber 5a in the portion including the second cross section 5c are equal to each other. At this time, the surface 5r of the modified fiber 5a has a uniformly twisted shape.

Next, the shape of the modified fiber 5a will be further described with reference to FIG. 3 again. In the embodiment, when the modified fiber 5a is viewed along the direction in which the modified fiber 5a extends (the extension direction A), a projecting portion 5k is formed in which, from one outer circumference of the first cross section 5b and the second cross section 5c, the other outer circumference of the first cross section 5b and the second cross section 5c projects.

The projecting portion 5k is, for example, a portion in which the second side 5e of the second cross section 5c is viewed to project from the first side 5d of the first cross section 5b. The projecting portion 5k is a part of the surface 5r (the region 5h) of the modified fiber 5a. The projecting portion 5k has, for example, a polygonal shape (a triangular shape in one example). The projecting portion 5k is, for example, a portion surrounded by a part of the first side 5d and the two second sides 5e.

Next, effects obtained from the application container 1 according to the embodiment will be described. In the application container 1, the first cross section 5b and the second cross section 5c of the modified fiber 5a of the pen bristle 3 have different shapes from each other. This enables the liquid content E flowing along the surface 5r of the modified fiber 5a to be stopped at the projecting portion 5k formed on the surface 5r of the modified fiber 5a. Thus, even when the pen bristle 3 is stored facing upward, the liquid content E can be held by the pen bristle 3 by stopping the liquid content E at the projecting portion 5k. In the embodiment, that “the pen bristle 3 is stored facing upward” indicates that the application container 1 is stored in a state in which the application container 1 is set upright with the cap 10 facing upward. As described above, even when the application container 1 is stored, the amount of the liquid content E returning from the pen bristle 3 to the accommodation portion 2p can be reduced, and the holdability of the liquid content E in the pen bristle 3 can be improved.

In the embodiment, the cross section of the modified fiber 5a is rotated around the central axis L2 of the modified fiber 5a from the first cross section 5b to the second cross section 5c. In this case, an orientation of the normal line of the surface 5r of the modified fiber 5a can be changed from the first cross section 5b to the second cross section 5c, and the surface 5r of the modified fiber 5a can be the spiral continuous surface from the first cross section 5b to the second cross section 5c. In this case, a spiral flow channel through which the liquid content E passes is formed along the surface 5r of the modified fiber 5a. This enables the liquid content E to flow smoothly.

In the embodiment, the cross section of the modified fiber 5a is continuously rotated at a constant rotation angle around the central axis L2 from the first cross section 5b to the second cross section 5c. In this case, since the surface 5r of the modified fiber 5a can be the spiral continuous surface with a constant pitch, the liquid content E can flow more smoothly through the spiral flow channel with the constant pitch.

In the embodiment, the pen bristle 3 has 20 mass % or more of the modified fiber 5a. In this case, when the pen bristle 3 has 20 mass % or more of the modified fiber 5a, the holdability of the liquid content E can be further improved.

In the embodiment, the liquid content E includes the metal oxide. In this case, for example, even when the liquid content E includes a metal oxide having a high specific gravity, the liquid content E can be held by the pen bristle 3 when the pen bristle 3 is stored facing upward. Examples of the metal oxide include titanium oxide.

In application containers of the related art, particularly in a case where the liquid content E contains titanium oxide, the specific gravity of titanium oxide is high, and the liquid content E is likely to return to the accommodation portion when the pen bristle is directed upward, thereby making it difficult to supply the liquid content E to the tip end of the pen bristle when the application container is used. On the other hand, in the pen bristle 3 of the embodiment, since at least some of the fibers 3a are the modified fibers 5a, the liquid content E is held by the pen bristle 3 such that the amount of the liquid content E returning to the accommodation portion 2p can be reduced, and the liquid content E can be easily supplied to the tip end of the pen bristle 3.

EXAMPLES

Hereinafter, the invention will be described more specifically with reference to Examples. Note that the invention is not limited to the following Examples.

<Application Body>

Examples 1 to 8 and Comparative Examples 1 and 2

A modified fiber and fibers including at least one having a circular cross section and a star-shaped cross section were mixed at a proportion (mass %) shown in Table 1, and the application body was formed. A material of each of the fibers included in the application body is the saturated polyester resin such as PBT. In Table 1, a “circular cross section” indicates a fiber having a circular cross section (the above-described fiber 3e), a “star-shaped cross section” indicates a fiber having a star-shaped cross section (the above-described fiber 3f), and a “modified fiber” indicates a fiber having a first cross section and a second cross section different from each other (the above-described modified fiber 5a). The “diameter” indicates a diameter of the cross section in the case of the “circular cross section” and indicates a value twice a distance from a center of each of cross sections to the outermost point of each of the cross sections in the case of the “star-shaped cross section” and the “modified fiber”.

An “application body 1” in Table 1 is an application body including the modified fiber having a diameter of 0.15 mm by 100%.

An “application body 2” in Table 1 is an application body including a fiber having the circular cross section with a diameter of 0.10 mm to 0.15 mm by 20%, a fiber having the star-shaped cross section and a diameter of 0.15 mm by 30%, and a modified fiber having a diameter of 0.15 mm by 50%.

An “application body 3” in Table 1 is an application body including a fiber having the circular cross section with a diameter of 0.10 mm to 0.15 mm by 70% and a modified fiber having a diameter of 0.15 mm by 30%.

An “application body 4” in Table 1 is an application body including a fiber having the circular cross section with a diameter of 0.10 mm to 0.15 mm by 40%, a fiber having the star-shaped cross section with a diameter of 0.15 mm by 30%, and a modified fiber having a diameter of 0.15 mm by 30%.

An “application body 5” in Table 1 is an application body including a fiber having the circular cross section with a diameter of 0.10 mm to 0.15 mm by 60%, a fiber having the star-shaped cross section and a diameter of 0.15 mm by 20%, and a modified fiber having a diameter of 0.15 mm by 20%.

An “application body 6” in Table 1 is an application body including fibers having the circular cross section with a diameter of 0.10 mm to 0.15 mm by 100% without including modified fiber.

An “application body 7” in Table 1 is an application body including fibers having the star-shaped cross section with a diameter of 0.15 mm by 100% without including the modified fiber.

TABLE 1
		Application	Application	Application	Application	Application	Application	Application
Fiber	Diameter	body 1	body 2	body 3	body 4	body 5	body 6	body 7
shape	[mm]	[mass %]	[mass %]	[mass9%]	[mass %]	[mass %]	[mass %]	[mass %]

Circular	0.10 to	0	20	70	40	60	100	0
cross	0.15
section
Star-	0.15	0	30	0	30	20	0	100
shaped
cross
section
Modified	0.15	100	50	30	30	20	0	0
fiber

<Manufacturing of Aqueous Liquid Cosmetic>

The components shown in Table 2 were mixed in the proportion (mass %) shown in Table 2 by a dispersion stirrer, and aqueous liquid cosmetics according to Formulas 1 to 4 were prepared.

TABLE 2
	Specific
	gravity	Functions of	Formula 1	Formula 2	Formula 3	Formula 4
Component name	[g/cm3]	components	[mass %]	[mass %]	[mass9%]	[mass %]

Titanium oxide	3.5 to 4.2	Colorant	15	10.5	13	0
Yellow iron oxide	3.4 to 4.1	Colorant	0	4.5	0	4
Black iron oxide	4.5 to 5.5	Colorant	0	0	0	0.5
Red iron oxide	4.2 to 5.2	Colorant	0	0	0	4.5
Titanium black	3.9 to 4.3	Colorant	0	0	2	4
1,3-butylene glycol	—	Moisturizing	5	5	5	5
		agent
Phenoxyethanol	—	Antiseptic	0.3	0.3	0.3	0.3
		agent
Beheneth-30	—	Nonionic	0.5	0.5	0.5	0.5
		dispersant
Water	—	Solvent	Remaining	Remaining	Remaining	Remaining
			amount	amount	amount	amount
Polyaspartic acid Na	—	Anionic	0.5	0.5	0.5	0.5
		dispersant
Anhydrous ethanol	—	Solvent	3	3	3	3
PVP	—	Film-forming	0.3	0.3	0.3	0.3
		agent
Acrylates copolymer	—	Film-forming	6	6	6	6
		agent
(Styrene/acrylates)	—	Film-forming	3	3	3	3
copolymer		agent
Citric acid	—	pH adjusting	0.04	0.04	0.04	0.04
		agent

<Viscosity of Aqueous Liquid Cosmetic>

The viscosity was measured for a sample at 25° C. under the following conditions using the Brookfield viscometer (BM type). Note that a measurement time was one minute.

• • 50 mPa·s or lower: BL adapter, Rotation speed of 12 rpm Higher than 50 mPa·s and 500 mPa·s or lower: Rotor No. 1, Rotation speed of 12 rpm
  • Higher than 500 mPa·s and 2500 mPa·s or lower: Rotor No. 2, Rotation speed of 12 rpm

The measurement results of the viscosity according to Formulas 1 to 4 were as follows.

• • Formula 1:15 mPa·s
  • Formula 2:16.5 mPa·s
  • Formula 3:15.5 mPa·s
  • Formula 4:14 mPa·s

<Evaluation of Aqueous Liquid Cosmetic>

(Color Appearance of Aqueous Liquid Cosmetic)

[Test Method]

With the aqueous liquid cosmetic in accordance with any one of Formulas 1 to 4, accommodation portions of application containers of respective Examples 1 to 8 and Comparative Examples 1 and 2 below were filled.

In the application container according to Example 1, the application body 1 was used as the application body, and the aqueous liquid cosmetic in accordance with Formula 1 was used as the aqueous liquid cosmetic.

In the application container according to Example 2, the application body 2 was used as the application body, and the aqueous liquid cosmetic in accordance with Formula 1 was used as the aqueous liquid cosmetic.

In the application container according to Example 3, the application body 3 was used as the application body, and the aqueous liquid cosmetic in accordance with Formula 1 was used as the aqueous liquid cosmetic.

In the application container according to Example 4, the application body 4 was used as the application body, and the aqueous liquid cosmetic in accordance with Formula 1 was used as the aqueous liquid cosmetic.

In the application container according to Example 5, the application body 5 was used as the application body, and the aqueous liquid cosmetic in accordance with Formula 1 was used as the aqueous liquid cosmetic.

In the application container according to Example 6, the application body 3 was used as the application body, and the aqueous liquid cosmetic in accordance with Formula 2 was used as the aqueous liquid cosmetic.

In the application container according to Example 7, the application body 3 was used as the application body, and the aqueous liquid cosmetic in accordance with Formula 3 was used as the aqueous liquid cosmetic.

In the application container according to Example 8, the application body 3 was used as the application body, and the aqueous liquid cosmetic in accordance with Formula 4 was used as the aqueous liquid cosmetic.

In the application container according to Comparative Example 1, the application body 6 was used as the application body, and the aqueous liquid cosmetic in accordance with Formula 1 was used as the aqueous liquid cosmetic.

In the application container according to Comparative Example 2, the application body 7 was used as the application body, and the aqueous liquid cosmetic in accordance with Formula 1 was used as the aqueous liquid cosmetic.

The application containers filled with the aqueous liquid cosmetics, respectively, were fixed such that the application bodies of the respective application containers faced upward. In this state, the individual application containers were stored at room temperature for 28 days. In this manner, the individual application containers were stored for 28 days, and the aqueous liquid cosmetics were used in drawing on cardboard by the application body every day from the day when the application containers started to be stored, and then color appearances of the aqueous liquid cosmetics were evaluated every day until 28 days elapsed from the day when the application containers started to be stored. Drawing conditions related to the drawing with the aqueous liquid cosmetics on the cardboard and evaluation criteria of the color appearances of the aqueous liquid cosmetics are as follows. Table 3 shows the evaluation results of the color appearances of the aqueous liquid cosmetics.

[Drawing Conditions]

• • Width of Drawn Line: 2 mm
  • Length of Drawn Line: 4 cm
  • Number of Drawn Lines: 3 lines/day

[Evaluation Criteria]

• • A: A color of an aqueous liquid cosmetic sufficiently appears.
  • B: A color of an aqueous liquid cosmetic is slightly lighter, but there arises no problem in the color appearance of the aqueous liquid cosmetic.
  • C: A color of an aqueous liquid cosmetic is lighter, and the color of the aqueous liquid cosmetic is not easy to appear.
  • D: An aqueous liquid cosmetic is not discharged from the beginning.

TABLE 3
	Example 1	Example 2	Example 3	Example 4	Example 5	Example 6
Application	Application	Application	Application	Application	Application	Application
bodies	body 1	body 2	body 3	body 4	body 5	body 3
Aqueos	Formula	Formula	Formula	Formula	Formula	Formula
liquid	1	1	1	1	1	2
cosmetic
Proportion	100%	50%	30%	30%	20%	30%
of modified
fiber in
application
body
Evaluation	A	A	A	A	B	A

				Comparative	Comparative
		Example 7	Example 8	Example 1	Example 2
	Application	Application	Application	Application	Application
	bodies	body 3	body 3	body 6	body 7
	Aqueos	Formula	Formula	Formula	Formula
	liquid	3	4	1	1
	cosmetic
	Proportion	30%	30%	0%	0%
	of modified
	fiber in
	application
	body
	Evaluation	A	A	D	C

By the application container according to Comparative Example 2 in which the application body did not include the modified fiber, the color of the aqueous liquid cosmetic was not easy to appear while the drawing was performed for 28 days. By the application container of Comparative Example 1 in which the application body included only the fibers having the circular cross section, discharging was not performed from the beginning. On the other hand, by the application containers of Examples 1 to 8 in which the application bodies included the respective modified fibers, it was confirmed that there was no problem in the color appearance of the aqueous liquid cosmetics even when the drawing was continued for 28 days. Further, it was confirmed that the color of the aqueous liquid cosmetic was slightly lightened in 28 days by the application container according to Example 5 in which the application body included the modified fiber by 20%, whereas the color of the aqueous liquid cosmetic sufficiently appeared by the application containers according to Examples 1 to 4 and 6 to 8 in which the application body included the modified fiber by 30% or more even when the drawing was continued for 28 days.