SPECIFICATION
TITLE OF THE INVENTION: GLUE STICK CONTAINER, GLUE STICK, AND
REFILL
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to a glue stick container whose inside is filled
with glue, a glue stick with the container whose inside is filled with glue, and a refill
to be used for the glue stick.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] A glue stick including a cylindrical glue-filled section whose inside is filled
with glue and a circular glue outlet opening that is formed on the top of the glue-
filled section to put out the glue to the outside is known as one of this kind.
[0003] For example, when applying the glue to a margin of a square paper with
such a glue stick, it is difficult to apply the glue to a corner part of the paper.
[0004] As a coping method, it is possible to prepare another paper or the like to be
placed under the paper to which the glue is applied so that the another paper or the
like protrudes outward from the margin of the paper, and apply the glue such that
the glue overflows the margin of the paper to which the glue is applied. However,
since it is necessary to prepare the another paper other than the paper to which the
glue is applied, or the glue overflows the paper to which the glue is applied, that is
very wasteful.
[0005] By the way, as the other coping method to facilitate applying glue to a
square paper, a glue stick including a glue-filled section having a square tube shape
whose inside is filled with the glue and a square glue outlet opening on the top
thereof through which the prismatic glue is pushed out has been developed. In such
one, a cap to cover the top of the glue-filled section and a cap-attachment tube on

which the cap fits each have a square tube shape, there is one problem that such glue
stick is less airtight than a conventional one with a cylindrical cap and a cylindrical
cap-attachment tube. Specifically, though corners of the cap having the square tube
shape and comers of the cap-attachment tube are brought into close contact with and
firmly fit each other, side parts other than the corners are not, so it is difficult to
maintain high airtightness overall. Losing airtightness causes malfunctions, for
example, the glue in the glue-filled section becomes dry early so that the time limit
for use of the glue is brought forward, the glue adhering to contact areas between the
cap-attachment tube and the cap becomes dry early so that attaching and detaching
the cap is hindered.
RELATED ART DOCUMENTS
PATENT DOCUMENTS
[0006]
Patent document 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication
No. 2003-054194.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
PROBLEMS TO BE SOLVED BY THE INVENTION
[0007] It is an object of the present invention to provide a glue stick container, a
glue stick with the container whose inside is filled with glue, and a refill to be used
for the glue stick that can have high airtightness and excellent flexibility in design
with respect to the shape of a glue outlet opening.
MEANS OF SOLVING THE PROBLEMS
[0008] In order to solve the problem, the present invention employs the
configurations described below. That is, a glue stick container according to the
present invention is characterized in that the glue stick container comprises a

container body that includes a glue-filled space to be filled with glue and a non-
circular glue outlet opening on a top thereof to put out the glue to the outside, and
an opening/dosing mechanism which can be in either a closed state where
connection of the glue-filled space of the container body to the outside is blocked in
an airtight manner or an open state where the glue is able to be put out to the
outside, the opening/dosing mechanism induding a cap-attachment tube which is
provided on the container body and has a drcular engagement section on an exterior
thereof, and a detachable cap which fits over the engagement section of the cap-
attachment tube, the cap-attachment tube being formed with a mold, at least a part
of an internal surface of the cap-attachment tube facing the container body across a
gap which is open in the direction of the top.
[0009] Note that "circular" refers to a concept induding a perfect drde consisting of
points equidistant from the center, and shapes with distortion consisting of points
which are not completely equidistant from the center, for example, an ellipse near to
a perfect drde.
[0010] As a preferable mode of the container body, a configuration can be dted
such that the container body indudes a glue-filled section with the glue outlet
opening on the top, and a body which is integrally provided with the glue-filled
section and has a grip section to be held by a user.
[0011] As another preferable mode of the container body, a configuration can be
dted such that the container body indudes a glue-filled section with the glue outlet
opening on the top, and a body which endoses the glue-filled section and has a grip
section to be held by a user, the glue-filled section being detachable from the body.
[0012] It is preferable that the glue outlet opening be located ahead of a top of the
cap-attachment tube.

[0013] As a preferable mode, a configuration can be cited such that the glue outlet
opening has a polygonal shape. Note that "polygonal" refers to a concept including
shapes in which end parts of segments constituting sides are continuous with each
other smoothly, in other words, corners of the glue outlet opening may be rounded
to such an extent that the glue does not stay behind at the corners.
[0014] As a preferable mode of the cap-attachment tube, a configuration can be
cited such that the cap-attachment tube has a rib to maintain airtightness which is
provided on the whole circumference of the cap-attachment tube and constitutes the
engagement section. Note that "the whole circumference" admits any ones which
can maintain airtightness including a partly-notched rib.
[0015] As a concrete example of the cap-attachment tube, a configuration can be
cited such that the cap-attachment tube has the rib to maintain airtightness, the rib
also serves as a click stop for the cap to click into a closing position.
[0016] As another concrete example of the cap-attachment tube, a configuration can
be cited such that the cap-attachment tube has the rib to maintain airtightness, and a
protrusion which is provided separately from the rib and serves as a click stop for
the cap to click into a closing position. For example, a comparatively short
protuberance or a comparatively long ridge formed continuously is suitable to the
protrusion.
[0017] As another preferable mode of the cap-attachment tube, a configuration can
be cited such that the cap-attachment tube has a face to maintain airtightness that is
provided on the whole circumference of the cap-attachment tube, the face
constituting the engagement section.
[0018] It is preferable that the gap be filled with a material different from a material
of the cap-attachment tube in a manner where it is difficult to influence roundness of

the engagement section.
[0019] Also, a glue stick of the present invention is characterized in that glue fills
the glue-filled section of the container according to any one of claims 1 to 10.
[0020] It is preferable that the container have a glue-pushing mechanism to
gradually put out the glue through the glue outlet opening.
[0021] In addition, a refill of the present invention is characterized in that the refill
is to be used for a glue stick such that glue fills the glue-filled section of the container
according to claim 3, the refill being configured such that the glue outlet opening of
the glue-filled section filled with the glue is sealed in an openable manner, the refill
being attachable to and detachable from the body.
[0022] As a specific mode of the refill, a configuration can be cited such that the
glue outlet opening is sealed with an airtight sheet or a refill cap, the refill being
attachable to and detachable from the body in a state where the airtight sheet or the
refill cap is removed.
[0023] As another specific mode of the refill, a configuration can be cited such that
the glue outlet opening is sealed with the cap, the refill being attachable to and
detachable from the body.
EFFECTS OF THE INVENTION
[0024] The present invention configured as described above is able to provide a
glue stick container, a glue stick with the container whose inside is filled with glue,
and a refill to be used for the glue stick that can have high airtightness and excellent
flexibility in design with respect to the shape of a glue outlet opening.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0025]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a glue stick according to the first embodiment

of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an enlarged arid exploded perspective view showing a part of the
glue stick according to the embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a plan view showing an open state of the glue stick according to the
embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a plan view showing an open state of a container of the glue stick
according to the embodiment.
FIG. 5 is a cross section taken along the line X-X in FIG. 4.
FIG. 6 is a cross section taken along the line Y-Y in FIG. 5.
FIG. 7 is a cross section taken along the line Z-Z in FIG. 5.
FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of a glue stick according to the
second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of a refill according to the
embodiment.
FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of a glue stick according to the third
embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of a glue stick according to the
fourth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view of a glue stick according to the fifth
embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view of a glue stick according to the sixth
embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 14 is an enlarged and exploded perspective view showing a part of a
glue stick according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 15 is an enlarged and exploded perspective view showing a part of a

glue stick according to the eighth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 16 is an enlarged and exploded perspective view showing a part of a
glue stick according to the ninth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 17 is a plan view showing an open state of a glue stick according to a
variation of the present invention.
FIG. 18 is a plan view showing an open state of a glue stick according to
another variation of the present invention.
FIG. 19 is a plan view showing an open state of a glue stick according to an
additional variation of the present invention.
MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0026] Described below is the first embodiment
of the present invention with reference to FIGs. 1 to 7.
[0027] A glue stick 1 according to this embodiment is configured such that glue 3
fills the inside of a container 2.
[0028] As shown in FIGs. 1 to 7, the container 2 comprises a container body 4 that
includes a glue-filled space 41 to be filled with the glue 3 and a non-circular glue
outlet opening 42 on a top 441 thereof to put out the glue 3 to the outside, an
opening/closing mechanism 5 that can be in either a closed state (C) where
connection of the glue-filled space 41 of the container body 4 to the outside is
blocked in an airtight manner or an open state (O) where the glue 3 is able to be put
out to the outside, and a glue-pushing mechanism 6 to gradually put out the glue 3
through the glue outlet opening 42.
[0029] As shown in FIGs. 1 to 7, the container body 4 includes a glue-filled section
43 with the glue outlet opening 42 on the top, and a body 44 that is integrally
provided with the glue-filled section 43 and has a grip section 446 to be held by a

user.
[0030] As shown in FIGs. 2 to 7, the glue-filled section 43 has an inner surface 431
formed into a square tube shape and is integrally molded of synthetic resin together
with the body 44. In detail, the glue-filled section 43 is integrated into an inner
circumference of the body 44, only a top tubular part 432 thereof that is formed into
the square tube shape projects forward further than the top 441 of the body 44.
[0031] As shown in FIGs. 1 to 7, the body 44 integrally encloses a part of the glue-
filled section 43 other than the top tubular part 432, a top expanding part 442 of the
body 44 expands parting from the top tubular part 432 of the glue-filled section 43.
Also, a bottom end of the body 44 is closed with a bottom wall 443, a bearing hole
444 relative to the glue-pushing mechanism 6 is bored in a center part of the bottom
wall 443. Distance L1 between an outer surface 445 of the body 44 and the inner
surface 431 of the glue-filled section 43 is approximately unified all over the
circumference, the grip section 446 is provided on the outer surface 445 formed into
a square tube shape of the body 44.
[0032] As shown in FIGs. 1 to 6, the opening/closing mechanism 5 includes a cap-
attachment tube 51 that is provided on the container body 4 and has a perfect
circular engagement section 511 on an exterior thereof, and a detachable cap 52 that
fits over the engagement section 511 of the cap-attachment tube 51.
[0033] As shown in FIGs. 2 to 6, the cap-attachment tube 51, which is molded of
synthetic resin by using a mold, specifically, is integrally formed with the top 441 of
the top expanding part 442 of the body 44. An internal surface 512 of the cap-
attachment tube 51 faces the top tubular part 432 of the container body 4 across gaps
513 that are open in the direction of the top. The cap-attachment tube 51 is like a thin
cylinder that is able to deform elastically in the radial direction and is circumscribed

about the top tubular part 432 of the glue-filled section 43. In other words, the cap-
attachment tube 51 and the glue-filled section 43 are joined up at only four comer
parts 514 of the glue-filled section 43. Hence, the gaps 513 are each divided by the
corner parts 514. The cap-attachment tube 51 has a rib 515 with a semicircular cross
section to maintain airtightness that is provided on the whole circumference of the
cap-attachment tube 51, the rib 515 constitutes the engagement section 511. In this
embodiment, the rib 515 to maintain airtightness is also a rib 516 to serve as a click
stop for the cap 52 to click into the closing position (C). The rib 515 to maintain
airtightness is formed on the outer circumference of the top part of the cap-
attachment tube 51, the cap-attachment tube 51 is designed as short as possible. The
glue outlet opening 42 is located ahead of a top 517 of the cap-attachment tube 51.
[0034] As shown in FIGs. 1, 2, 5 and 6, the cap 52 includes a peripheral wall 521
formed into a cylindrical shape and a closing wall 522 closing a top end of the
peripheral wall 521, the peripheral wall 521 is configured to be able to fit over the
outer circumference of the cap-attachment tube 51 and be detachable. The cap 52 is
integrally molded of synthetic resin, an internal rib 524 is integrated into an inner
surface 523 thereof. The internal rib 524 has a semicircular cross section. The
internal rib 524 is brought into close contact with and fit the rib 515 to maintain
airtightness after climbing over the rib 515 with elastic deformation of the members.
The top 411 of the body 44 has a contact wall 447 to come into contact with an edge
part of the cap 52 beyond the rib 515 to maintain airtightness.
[0035] As shown in FIGs. 1, 4, 5 and 7, the glue-pushing mechanism 6 includes a
screw stock 61 that is put through the bearing hole 444 of the body 44, a grip 62 for
manual operation that is fixed on an outer end of the screw stock 61, and an elevator
63 that is screwed to the screw stock 61 in the glue-filled section 43, the glue 3 filling

the glue-filled section 43 is able to be pushed out through the glue outlet opening 42
to the outside by rotating the grip 62 so as to propel the elevator 63.
[0036] With such configurations, one can hold the body 44 and apply the glue 3 to
intended papers or the like after the rotating operation of the grip 62 and exposing a
top of the glue 3 to the outside through the glue outlet opening 42. In this situation,
since the glue outlet opening 42 has a polygonal shape, the glue 3 can be applied to a
corner part of a square paper easily. In particular, since the glue outlet opening 42 is
located ahead of the top 517 of the cap-attachment tube 51 according to the
embodiment, high visibility of the top end part of the glue-filled section 43 is
obtained, one can apply verifying application area all the time.
[0037] When not in use as shown in FIGs. 1 and 5 to 7, the glue 3 filling the glue-
filled section 43 is sealed up by the cap 52 fitting over the outer circumference of the
cap-attachment tube 51, thereby change in quality owing to drying can be prevented
or restrained. In particular, since the engagement section 511 of the cap-attachment
tube 51 is formed into a perfect circle, as shown in FIG. 6, uniform close contact all
over the circumference can be obtained, the problem that partially generated gaps
make the airtightness being impaired is able to be solved.
[0038] Further, since the gaps 513 are provided between the internal surface 512 of
the cap-attachment tube 51 and an external surface 435 of the glue-filled section 43,
thickness of the cap-attachment tube 51 can be comparatively thin and uniform all
over the circumference, the engagement section 511 can be formed into the
accurately perfect circle. Therefore the airtightness can become high.
[0039] Moreover, it becomes easy for the cap-attachment tube 51 to deform
elastically in the radial direction by forming the gaps 513, thereby the cap 52 can be
opened and closed smoothly even if the fitting strength between the outer

circumference of the cap-attachment tube 51 and the inner circumference of the cap
52 is set higher. That is, causing the malfunction in that attaching and detaching the
cap is hindered can be prevented. Therefore, considering this aspect, the airtightness
can effectively become high.
[0040] Also, the gaps 513 are able to be spaces to take in the remains of the glue
adhering to the outer circumference of the glue-filled section 43 by providing the
gaps 513. Hence, the problem that the glue 3 adhering to contact areas between the
glue-filled section 43 or the body 44 and the cap 52 impairs the airtightness or
hinders the attaching and detaching of the cap 52 can be prevented.
[0041] According to the embodiment, the airtightness can be enhanced, and besides
excellent flexibility in design with respect to the shape of the glue outlet opening 42
can be obtained. Therefore both the problem of drying the glue 3 and the problem of
the difficulty in applying the glue 3 to a corner part of a paper can be solved at one
fell swoop.
[0042] According to the embodiment, the container body 4 includes the glue-filled
section 43 with the glue outlet opening 42 on the top, and the body 44 that is
integrally provided with the glue-filled section 43 and has the grip section 446 to be
held by the user, the composition of the container body .4 is simple, it is easy to
fabricate. In addition, though the glue-filled section 43 and the body 44 are
integrally molded, the existence of the gaps 513 prevents the roundness from
decreasing, the airtightness can be maintained.
[0043] Since the cap-attachment tube 51 has the rib 515 to maintain airtightness that
is provided on the whole circumference and constitutes the engagement section 511,
and besides the internal rib 524 provided on the inner surface of the cap 52 closely
fits the engagement section 511 formed on the undersurface side of the rib 515, the

airtightness can be kept high. In addition, according to this configuration, the rib 515
to maintain airtightness can also function as the rib 516 to serves as the click stop for
the cap 52 to click into the closing position (C). Hence, the structure can be
simplified, a preferable feeling of use can be obtained. Furthermore, the rib 515 to
maintain airtightness is provided on the forefront of the cap-attachment tube 51, the
cap-attachment tube 51 can be shorten. Therefore it is easy to obtain the high
visibility of the top end part of the glue-filled section 43, the glue 3 can be precisely
applied to papers or the like.
[0044] The glue stick 1 employing the container 2 as described above facilitates
applying the glue 3 and can effectively prevent or restrain the drying of the glue 3.
[0045] As shown in FIGs. 8 and 9, the
container 2 of the glue stick 1 comprises the container body 4 that includes the glue-
filled space 41 to be filled with the glue 3 and the non-circular glue outlet opening 42
on a top thereof to put out the glue 3 to the outside, the opening/closing mechanism
5 that can be in either the closed state (C) where connection of the glue-filled space
41 of the container body 4 to the outside is blocked in an airtight manner or the open
state (O) where the glue 3 is able to be put out to the outside, and the glue-pushing
mechanism 6 to gradually put out the glue 3 through the glue outlet opening 42.
[0046] As shown in FIGs. 8 and 9, the container body 4 includes the glue-filled
section 43 with the glue outlet opening 42 on the top, and the body 44 that encloses
the glue-filled section 43 and has the grip section 446 to be held by the user, the glue-
filled section 43 is provided so as to be detachable from the body 44. A refill 7
applicable to the glue stick 1, which is described below, is configured such that the
glue-filled section 43 of the container 2 is filled with the glue 3.
[0047] As shown in FIG. 8, the opening/closing mechanism 5 is configured in the

same way as the first embodiment, the elements that are equivalent to the ones in the
first embodiment are given the same reference numerals, the description thereof is
omitted. The cap-attachment tube 51 of the opening/closing mechanism 5 is likewise
formed into a perfect circular shape, however, the cap-attachment tube 51 is
provided separately from the glue-filled section 43.
[0048] As shown in FIGs. 8 and 9, the glue-pushing mechanism 6 includes the
screw stock 61 that is put through the bearing hole, which is not illustrated, of the
body 44, the grip 62 for manual operation that is fixed on the outer end of the screw
stock 61, and the elevator 63 that is screwed to the screw stock 61 in the glue-filled
section 43, the glue 3 filling the glue-filled section 43 is able to be pushed out through
the glue outlet opening 42 to the outside by rotating the grip 62 so as to propel the
elevator 63. The screw stock 61 according to this embodiment has a screw stock
main body 611 that is placed in the refill 7 described below, a grip shaft 612 that is
put through the bearing hole in the body 44, and a coupling 613 to couple the grip
shaft 612 onto the screw stock main body 611 in a detachable manner. An outer end
of the grip shaft 612 is integrated with the grip 62. The coupling 613 contains a
female element 614 that is recessed on the bottom end face of the screw stock main
body 611 and has a internal gear 615 on its inner circumference, and a male element
616 that is provided on the grip shaft 612 and has an external gear 617 to be engaged
with the internal gear 615 of the female element 614 in the detachable manner.
Rotating operation force applied to the grip 62 is able to be transmitted to the screw
stock main body 611 through the coupling 613. The grip 62 and the elevator 63 are
configured in the same way as the first embodiment, the elements that are equivalent
to the ones in the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals, the
description thereof is omitted.

[0049] As shown in FIGs. 8 and 9, the refill 7 is configured such that the glue outlet
opening 42 of the glue-filled section 43 filled with the glue 3 is sealed in an openable
manner, the refill 7 is attachable to and detachable from the body 44. In detail, the
refill 7 includes the glue-filled section 43 that is formed into a square tube shape and
constitutes a refill case, the elevator 63 that is put in the glue-filled section 43 in a
slidable manner, the screw stock main body 611 that is screwed to the elevator 63,
the glue 3 that fills the glue-filled section 43 and surrounds the screw stock main
body 611, and an airtight sheet 72 that is attached to the glue outlet opening 42 in an
airtight manner. The glue outlet opening 42 formed on the top of the glue-filled
section 43 has a square shape.
[0050] A elastically engaging section 73 to hold the refill 7 stably in the body 44 is
provided between an outer circumference of a bottom end part of the refill 7 and an
inner circumference of a bottom end part of the body 44. The elastically engaging
section 73 contains a plurality of pawls 731 that project from the outer circumference
of the bottom end part of the refill 7, and step parts, which is not illustrated, that are
formed in the inner circumference of the bottom end part of the body 44. When the
refill 7 is inserted in the body 44, the pawls 731 are elastically engaged with the step
parts so that the refill 7 is stably held in the body 44. A through hole, which is not
illustrated, is bored in a center axis part of the grip shaft 612, a push rod 8 to remove
the refill is inserted into the through hole. An operation flange 81 to be pressed in
removing the refill 7 is provided on an outer end of the push rod 8.
[0051] When the refill 7 is mounted on the body 44, gaps to allow elastic
deformation of the cap-attachment tube 51, which is not illustrated, are formed
between the outer circumference of the refill 7 and the inner circumference of the
cap-attachment tube 51 that is integrally provided with the body 44.

[0052] With such configurations, the glue stick 1 can be divided into the
replaceable refill 7 and reusable other parts whenever the glue 3 is used up, therefore
the number of discarded parts is decreased to contribute to reducing an
environmental load. That is, in a situation where the glue 3 has been used up, a
release from the elastic engagement in the elastically engaging section 73 is obtained
by pressing the operation flange 81 so that the refill 7 can be pulled out of the body
44 and be discarded. Then the new refill 7 is inserted into the body 44, thereby the
female element 614 provided on the screw stock main body 611 in the refill 7 is
engaged with the male element 616 provided on the grip shaft 612, and besides the
pawls 731 provided on the outer circumference of the refill 7 are engaged with the
step parts provided in the inner circumference of the body 44, the mounting of the
refill 7 is completed as a result.
[0053] The refill 7 according to this embodiment is configured such that the glue
outlet opening 42 is sealed with the airtight sheet 72, and is attachable to and
detachable from the body 44 in a state where the airtight sheet 72 is removed. The
glue stick 1 becomes usable again as a new one by peeling the airtight sheet 72 off
the refill 7 put in the body 44 as described above.
[0054] Also, the container body 4 according to the embodiment includes the glue-
filled section 43 with the glue outlet opening 42 on the top, and the body 44 that
encloses the glue-filled section 43 and has the grip section 446 to be held by the user,
and besides the glue-filled section 43 is detachable from the body 44. The refill 7 can
be constituted by filling the glue-filled section 43 with the glue 3 and sealing the glue
outlet opening 42 with the airtight sheet 72.
[0055] On top of that, with such configurations, the gaps to allow the elastic
deformation of the cap-attachment tube 51 are formed between the internal surface

512 of the cap-attachment tube 51 and the external surface 435 of the container body
4, in other words, between the internal surface 512 of the cylindrical cap-attachment
tube 51 provided on the body 44 and the external surface 435 of the square tubular
glue-filled section 43 provided on the refill 7. Hence, the basic effects with respect to
ease to apply and the airtightness are obtained in the same way as the first
embodiment described above.
[0056] Since the glue outlet opening 42 is located ahead of the top 517 of the cap-
attachment tube 51 when the glue-filled section 43 of the refill 7 is mounted on the
body 44, the high visibility of the top end part of the glue-filled section 43 is
obtained.
[0057] Next, the glue stick 1 according to the third
embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 10.
[0058] As shown in FIG. 10, the container 2 of the glue stick 1 comprises the
container body 4 that includes the glue-filled space 41 to be filled with the glue 3 and
the non-circular glue outlet opening 42 on the top thereof to put out the glue 3 to the
outside, the opening/closing mechanism 5 that can be in either the closed state (C)
where connection of the glue-filled space 41 of the container body 4 to the outside is
blocked in an airtight manner or the open state (O) where the glue 3 is able to be put
out to the outside, and the glue-pushing mechanism 6 to gradually put out the glue 3
through the glue outlet opening 42. Only the structure of the refill 7 is different from
the one in the second embodiment described above.
[0059] As shown in FIG. 10, the refill 7 includes the glue-filled section 43 that is
formed into a square tube shape and constitutes a refill case, the elevator 63 that is
put in the glue-filled section 43 in a slidable manner, the screw stock main body 611
that is screwed to the elevator 63, the glue 3 that fills the glue-filled section 43 and

surrounds the screw stock main body 611, and a refill opening/closing mechanism 74
that can be in either the closed state (C) where connection of the glue-filled space 41
of the glue-filled section 43 to the outside is blocked in an airtight manner or the
open state (O) where the glue 3 is able to be put out to the outside. The elements that
are equivalent to the ones in the second embodiment are given the same reference
numerals, the description thereof is omitted.
[0060] As shown in FIG. 10, the refill opening/closing mechanism 74 includes a
refill-cap-attachment tube 75 that is provided on the glue-filled section 43 and has a
perfect circular engagement section 751 on an exterior thereof, and a detachable refill
cap 76 that fits over the engagement section 751 of the refill-cap-attachment tube 75.
[0061] As shown in FIG. 10, the refill-cap-attachment tube 75, which is molded of
synthetic resin by using a mold, specifically, is integrally formed with a top of the
top expanding part 433 of the glue-filled section 43. An internal surface of the refill-
cap-attachment tube 75 faces the outer circumference of the glue-filled section 43
across gaps 753 that are open in the direction of the top. The refill-cap-attachment
tube 75 is like a thin cylinder that is able to deform elastically in the radial direction
and is circumscribed about the top tubular part 432 of the glue-filled section 43. In
other words, the refill-cap-attachment tube 75 and the glue-filled section 43 are
joined up at only four corner parts 754 of the glue-filled section 43. Hence, the gaps
753 are each divided by the corner parts 754. The refill-cap-attachment tube 75 has a
rib 755 with a semicircular cross section to maintain airtightness that is provided on
the whole circumference of the refill-cap-attachment tube 75, the rib 755 constitutes
the engagement section 751. In this embodiment, the rib 755 to maintain airtightness
is also a rib 756 to serve as a click stop for the cap 52 to click into the closing position
(C). The glue outlet opening 42 is located ahead of a top 757 of the refill-cap-

attachment tube 75.
[0062] As shown in FIG. 10, the refill cap 76 includes a peripheral wall 761 formed
into a cylindrical shape and a closing wall 762 closing a top end of the peripheral
wall 761, the peripheral wall 761 is configured to be able to fit over the outer
circumference of the refill-cap-attachment tube 75 and be detachable. The refill cap
76 is integrally molded of synthetic resin, an internal rib 764 is integrated into an
inner surface 763 thereof. The internal rib 764 has a semicircular cross section, the
internal rib 764 is brought into close contact with and fit the rib 755 to maintain
airtightness after climbing over the rib 755 with elastic deformation of the members.
The glue-filled section 43 has a contact wall 434 to come into contact with an edge
part of the refill cap 76 beyond the rib 755 to maintain airtightness.
[0063] When the refill 7 is mounted on the body 44, gaps to allow elastic
deformation of the cap-attachment tube 51, which is not illustrated, are formed
between the outer circumference of the refill 7 and the inner circumference of the
cap-attachment tube 51 that is integrally provided with the body 44.
[0064] With such configurations of the glue stick 1, the number of discarded parts
is decreased to contribute to reducing an environmental load in the same way as the
second embodiment. That is, in a situation where the glue 3 has been used up, a
release from the elastic engagement in the elastically engaging section 73 is obtained
by pressing the operation flange 81 so that the refill 7 can be pulled out of the body
44 and be discarded.
[0065] The' refill 7 according to this embodiment is configured such that the glue
outlet opening 42 is sealed with the refill cap 76, and is attachable to and detachable
from the body 44 in a state where the refill cap 76 is removed. The glue stick 1
becomes usable again as a new one by removing the refill cap 76 of the refill 7 put in

the body 44 as described above. The refill cap 76 removed from the glue outlet
opening 42 may be discarded without reuse.
[0066] Also, the container body 4 according to the embodiment includes the glue-
filled section 43 with the glue outlet opening 42 on the top, and the body 44 that
encloses the glue-filled section 43 and has the grip section 446 to be held by the user,
and besides the glue-filled section 43 is detachable from the body 44. The refill 7 can
be constituted by filling the glue-filled section 43 with the glue 3 and sealing the glue
outlet opening 42 with the refill cap 76.
[0067] On top of that, with such configurations, the gaps to allow the elastic
deformation of the cap-attachment tube 51 are formed between the internal surface
512 of the cap-attachment tube 51 and the external surface 435 of the container body
4, in other words, between the internal surface 512 of the cylindrical cap-attachment
tube 51 provided on the body 44 and the external surface 435 of the square tubular
glue-filled section 43 provided on the refill 7. Hence, the basic effects with respect to
ease to apply and the airtightness are obtained in the same way as the first
embodiment described above.
[0068] Since the glue outlet opening 42 is located ahead of the top 517 of the cap-
attachment tube 51 when the glue-filled section 43 of the refill 7 is mounted on the
body 44, the high visibility of the top end part of the glue-filled section 43 is
obtained.
[0069] Further, with such configurations as this embodiment, the refill 7 includes
the glue-filled section 43 having the glue-filled space 41 to be filled with the glue 3
and the non-circular glue outlet opening 42 on the top thereof to put out the glue 3 to
the outside, and the refill opening/closing mechanism 74 that can be in either the
closed state (C) where connection of the glue-filled space 41 of the glue-filled section

43 to the outside is blocked in the airtight manner or the open state (O) where the
glue 3 is able to be put out to the outside. Therefore the airtightness as the refill 7
can be maintained until the refill cap 76 is removed.
[0070] Next, the glue stick 1 according to the
fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
11.
[0071] As shown in FIG. 11, the container 2 of the glue stick 1 comprises the
container body 4 that includes the glue-filled space 41 to be filled with the glue 3 and
the non-circular glue outlet opening 42 on the top thereof to put out the glue 3 to the
outside, the opening/dosing mechanism 5 that can be in either the closed state (C)
where connection of the glue-filled space 41 of the container body 4 to the outside is
blocked in an airtight manner or the open state (O) where the glue 3 is able to be put
out to the outside, and the glue-pushing mechanism 6 to gradually put out the glue 3
through the glue outlet opening 42. Only the structure of the refill 7 is different from
the one in the second embodiment described above.
[0072] As shown in FIG. 11, the refill 7 includes the glue-filled section 43 that is
formed into a square tube shape and constitutes a refill case, the elevator 63 that is
put in the glue-filled section 43 in a slidable manner, the screw stock main body 611
that is screwed to the elevator 63, the glue 3 that fills the glue-filled section 43 and
surrounds the screw stock main body 611, and the opening/closing mechanism 5 to
close the glue outlet opening 42 of the glue-filled section 43 airtightly. The elements
that are equivalent to the ones in the second embodiment are given the same
reference numerals, the description thereof is omitted.
[0073] As shown in FIG. 11, the opening/dosing mechanism 5 indudes a cap-
attachment tube 51 that is provided on the container body 4 and has the perfect

circular engagement section 511 on the exterior thereof, and the detachable cap 52
that fits over the engagement section 511 of the cap-attachment tube 51.
[0074] As shown in FIG. 11, the cap-attachment tube 51, which is molded of
synthetic resin by using a mold, specifically, is integrally formed with the top of the
top expanding part 433 of the glue-filled section 43. The internal surface 512 of the
cap-attachment tube 51 faces the outer circumference of the glue-filled section 43
across gaps 513 that are open in the direction of the top. The cap-attachment tube 51
is like a thin cylinder that is able to deform elastically in the radial direction and is
circumscribed about the top tubular part 432 of the glue-filled section 43. In other
words, the cap-attachment tube 51 and the glue-filled section 43 are joined up at only
four comer parts 514 of the glue-filled section 43. Hence, the gaps 513 are each
divided by the corner parts 514. The cap-attachment tube 51 has the rib 515 with a
semicircular cross section to maintain airtightness that is provided on the whole
circumference of the cap-attachment tube 51, the rib 515 constitutes the engagement
section 511. In this embodiment, the rib 515 to maintain airtightness is also the rib
516 to serve as the click stop for the cap 52 to click into the closing position (C). The
rib 515 to maintain airtightness is formed on the outer circumference of the top part
of the cap-attachment tube 51, the cap-attachment tube 51 is designed as short as
possible. The glue outlet opening 42 is located ahead of the top 517 of the cap-
attachment tube 51.
[0075] As shown in FIG. 11, the cap 52 is configured in the same way as the first
embodiment, the elements that are equivalent to the ones in the first embodiment are
given the same reference numerals, the description thereof is omitted. The glue-
filled section 43 has the contact wall 434 to come into contact with the edge part of
the cap 52 beyond the rib 515 to maintain airtightness.

[0076] With such configurations of the glue stick 1, the number of discarded parts
is decreased to contribute to reducing an environmental load in the same way as the
second embodiment. That is, in a situation where the glue 3 has been used up, a
release from the elastic engagement in the elastically engaging section is obtained by
pressing the operation flange 81 so that the refill 7 can be pulled out of the body 44
and be discarded.
[0077] The refill 7 according to this embodiment is configured such that the glue
outlet opening 42 is sealed with the cap 52, and is attachable to and detachable from
the body 44. The glue stick 1 becomes usable again as a new one by putting the refill
7 in the body 44 as described above. The cap 52 attached to the refill 7 can be used as
the cap 52 of the new glue stick 1.
[0078] Also, the container body 4 according to the embodiment includes the glue-
filled section 43 with the glue outlet opening 42 on the top, and the body 44 that
encloses the glue-filled section 43 and has the grip section 446 to be held by the user,
and besides the glue-filled section 43 is detachable from the body 44. The refill 7 can
be constituted by filling the glue-filled section 43 with the glue 3 and sealing the glue
outlet opening 42 with the cap 52.
[0079] On top of that, with such configurations, the gaps 513 to allow the elastic
deformation of the cap-attachment tube 51 are formed between the internal surface
512 of the cap-attachment tube 51 and the external surface 435 of the container body
4, in other words, between the internal surface 512 of the cylindrical cap-attachment
tube 51 provided on the refill 7 and the external surface 435 of the square tubular
glue-filled section 43 provided on the refill 7. Hence, the basic effects with respect to
ease to apply and the airtightness are obtained in the same way as the first
embodiment described above.

[0080] Further, with such configurations as this embodiment, the refill 7 includes
the glue-filled section 43 having the glue-filled space 41 to be filled with the glue 3
and the non-circular glue outlet opening 42 on the top thereof to put out the glue 3 to
the outside, and the opening/closing mechanism 5. that can be in either the closed
state (C) where connection of the glue-filled space 41 of the glue-filled section 43 to
the outside is blocked in the airtight manner or the open state (O) where the glue 3 is
able to be put out to the outside. Therefore the airtightness as the refill 7 can be
maintained until the cap 52 is removed.
[0081] Next, the glue stick 1 according to the fifth
embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 12.
[0082] As shown in FIG. 12, the container 2 of the glue stick 1 comprises the
container body 4 that includes the glue-filled space 41 to be filled with the glue 3 and
the non-circular glue outlet opening 42 on the top thereof to put out the glue 3 to the
outside, the opening/closing mechanism 5 that can be in either the closed state (C)
where connection of the glue-filled space 41 of the container body 4 to the outside is
blocked in an airtight manner or the open state (O) where the glue 3 is able to be put
out to the outside, and the glue-pushing mechanism 6 to gradually put out the glue 3
through the glue outlet opening 42. Only the structure of the refill 7 is different from
the one in the second embodiment described above.
[0083] As shown in FIG. 12, the container body 4 includes the glue-filled section 43
with the glue outlet opening 42 on the top, and the body 44 that encloses the glue-
filled section 43 and has the grip section 446 to be held by the user, the glue-filled
section 43 is provided so as to be detachable from the body 44. The refill 7 applicable
to the glue stick 1, which is described below, is configured such that the glue-filled
section 43 of the container 2 is filled with the glue 3.

[0084] As shown in FIG. 12, the opening/closing mechanism 5 is configured in the
same way as the first embodiment, the elements that are equivalent to the ones in the
first embodiment are given the same reference numerals, the description thereof is
omitted. The cap-attachment tube 51 of the opening/closing mechanism 5 is likewise
formed into a perfect circular shape, however, the cap-attachment tube 51 is
provided separately from the glue-filled section 43.
[0085] As shown in FIG. 12, the glue-pushing mechanism 6 includes the screw
stock 61 that is put through the bearing hole, which is not illustrated, of the body 44,
the grip 62 for manual operation that is fixed on the outer end of the screw stock 61,
and the elevator 63 that is screwed to the screw stock 61 in the glue-filled section 43,
the glue 3 filling the glue-filled section 43 is able to be pushed out through the glue
outlet opening 42 to the outside by rotating the grip 62 so as to propel the elevator
63. The screw stock 61, the grip 62 and the elevator 63 in this embodiment are
configured in the same way as the first embodiment, the elements that are equivalent
to the ones in the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals, the
description thereof is omitted.
[0086] As shown in FIG. 12, the refill 7 is configured such that the glue outlet
opening 42 of the glue-filled section 43 filled with the glue 3 is sealed in an openable
manner, the refill 7 is attachable to and detachable from the body 44. In detail, the
refill 7 includes the glue-filled section 43 that is formed into a square tube shape and
constitutes a refill case, the elevator 63 that is put in the glue-filled section 43 in a
slidable manner, the glue 3 that fills the glue-filled section 43, and the airtight sheet
72 that is attached to the glue outlet opening 42 in an airtight manner. A bottom side
of the glue 3 is fixed to the elevator 63. The glue outlet opening 42 formed on the top
of the glue-filled section 43 has a square shape.

[0087] The elastically engaging section 73 to hold the refill 7 stably in the body 44 is
provided between the outer circumference of the bottom end part of the refill 7 and
the inner circumference of the bottom end part of the body 44. The elastically
engaging section 73 is configured in the same way as the second embodiment, the
elements that are equivalent to the ones in the second embodiment are given the
same reference numerals, the description thereof is omitted. A release from the
elastic engagement of the pawls 731 with the step parts may be obtained with a part
to unmount the refill, which is not illustrated, like the push rod 8 to unmount the
refill in the second embodiment.
[0088] When the refill 7 is mounted on the body 44, the gaps to allow elastic
deformation of the cap-attachment tube 51, which is not illustrated, are formed
between the outer circumference of the refill 7 and the inner circumference of the
cap-attachment tube 51 that is integrally provided with the body 44.
[0089] With such configurations of the glue stick 1, the number of discarded parts
is decreased to contribute to reducing an environmental load in the same way as the
second embodiment.
[0090] The refill 7 according to this embodiment is configured in the same way as
the second embodiment such that the glue outlet opening 42 is sealed with the
airtight sheet 72, and is attachable to and detachable from the body 44 in a state
where the airtight sheet 72 is removed. The glue stick 1 becomes usable again as a
new one by peeling the airtight sheet 72 off the refill 7 put in the body 44 as
described above.
[0091] On top of that, with such configurations, the gaps to allow the elastic
deformation of the cap-attachment tube 51 are formed between the internal surface
512 of the cap-attachment tube 51 and the external surface 435 of the container body

4, in other words, between the internal surface 512 of the cylindrical cap-attachment
tube 51 provided on the body 44 and the external surface 435 of the square tubular
glue-filled section 43 provided on the refill 7. Hence, the basic effects with respect to
ease to apply and the airtightness are obtained in the same way as the first
embodiment described above.
[0092] Here, modes as described below, which is not illustrated, are available.
[0093] Next, the glue stick 1 according to the sixth
embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 13.
[0109] As shown in FIG. 13, the container 2 of the glue stick 1 comprises the
container body 4 that includes the glue-filled space 41 to be filled with the glue 3 and
the non-circular glue outlet opening 42 on the top thereof to put out the glue 3 to the
outside, the opening/closing mechanism 5 that can be in either the closed state (C)
where connection of the glue-filled space 41 of the container body 4 to the outside is
blocked in an airtight manner or the open state (O) where the glue 3 is able to be put
out to the outside, and the glue-pushing mechanism 6 to gradually put out the glue 3
through the glue outlet opening 42. Only the structure of the refill 7 is different from
the one in the second embodiment described above.
[0110] As shown in FIG. 13, the container body 4 includes the glue-filled section 43
with the glue outlet opening 42 on the top, and the body 44 that encloses the glue-
filled section 43 and has the grip section 446 to be held by the user, the glue-filled
section 43 is provided so as to be detachable from the body 44. The refill 7 applicable
to the glue stick 1, which is described below, is configured such that the glue-filled
section 43 of the container 2 is filled with the glue 3.
[0111] As shown in FIG. 13, the opening/closing mechanism 5 is configured in the
same way as the first embodiment, the elements that are equivalent to the ones in the
first embodiment are given the same reference numerals, the description thereof is
omitted. The cap-attachment tube 51 of the opening/closing mechanism 5 is likewise
formed into a perfect circular shape, however, the cap-attachment tube 51 is
provided separately from the glue-filled section 43.
[0112] As shown in FIG. 13, the glue-pushing mechanism 6 includes the screw

stock 61 that is put through the bearing hole, which is not illustrated, of the body 44,
the grip 62 for manual operation that is fixed on the outer end of the screw stock 61,
and the elevator 63 that is screwed to the screw stock 61 in the glue-filled section 43,
the glue 3 filling the glue-filled section 43 is able to be pushed out through the glue
outlet opening 42 to the outside by rotating the grip 62 so as to propel the elevator
63. The screw stock 61, the grip 62 and the elevator 63 in this embodiment are
configured in the same way as the first embodiment, the elements that are equivalent
to the ones in the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals, the
description thereof is omitted.
[0113] As shown in FIG. 13, the refill 7 is configured such that the glue outlet
opening 42 of the glue-filled section 43 filled with the glue 3 is sealed in an openable
manner, the refill 7 is attachable to and detachable from the body 44. In detail, the
refill 7 includes the glue-filled section 43 that is formed into a square tube shape and
constitutes the refill case, the elevator 63 that is put in the glue-filled section 43 in a
slidable manner, the grip 62 to operate the elevator 63 in the slidable manner, the
screw stock 61 that is fixed to the grip 62, the glue 3 that fills the glue-filled section 43
and surrounds the screw stock 61, and the airtight sheet 72 that is attached to the
glue outlet opening 42 in an airtight manner. The glue outlet opening 42 formed on
the top of the glue-filled section 43 has a square shape.
[0114] The elastically engaging section 73 to hold the refill 7 stably in the body 44 is
provided between the outer circumference of the bottom end part of the refill 7 and
the inner circumference of the bottom end part of the body 44. The elastically
engaging section 73 is configured in the same way as the second embodiment, the
elements that are equivalent to the ones in the second embodiment are given the
same reference numerals, the description thereof is omitted. A release from the

elastic engagement of the pawls 731 with the step parts may be obtained with a part
to unmount the refill, which is not illustrated, like the push rod 8 to unmount the
refill in the second embodiment.
[0115] When the refill 7 is mounted on the body 44, the gaps to allow elastic
deformation of the cap-attachment tube 51, which is not illustrated, are formed
between the outer circumference of the refill 7 and the inner circumference of the
cap-attachment tube 51 that is integrally provided with the body 44.
[0116] With such configurations of the glue stick 1, the number of discarded parts
is decreased to contribute to reducing an environmental load in the same way as the
second embodiment.
[0117] The refill 7 according to this embodiment is configured in the same way as
the second embodiment such that the glue outlet opening 42 is sealed with the
airtight sheet 72, and is attachable to and detachable from the body 44 in a state
where the airtight sheet 72 is removed. The glue stick 1 becomes usable again as a
new one by peeling the airtight sheet 72 off the refill 7 put in the body 44 as
described above.
[0118] On top of that, with such configurations, the gaps to allow the elastic
deformation of the cap-attachment tube 51 are formed between the internal surface
512 of the cap-attachment tube 51 and the external surface 435 of the container body
4, in other words, between the internal surface 512 of the cylindrical cap-attachment
tube 51 provided on the body 44 and the external surface 435 of the square tubular
glue-filled section 43 provided on the refill 7. Hence, the basic effects with respect to
ease to apply and the airtightness are obtained in the same way as the first
embodiment described above.
[0119] Here, modes as described below, which is not illustrated, are available.

[0120] Next, the glue stick 1 according to the
seventh embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to
FIG. 14.

[0136] As shown in FIG. 14, the container 2 of the glue stick 1 according to this
embodiment comprises the container body 4 that includes the glue-filled space 41 to
be filled with the glue 3 and the non-circular glue outlet opening 42 on the top
thereof to put out the glue 3 to the outside, the opening/dosing mechanism 5 that
can be in either the closed state (C) where connection of the glue-filled space 41 of
the container body 4 to the outside is blocked in an airtight manner or the open state
(O) where the glue 3 is able to be put out to the outside, and the glue-pushing
mechanism 6 to gradually put out the glue 3 through the glue outlet opening 42.
Only the structure of the opening/closing mechanism 5 is different from the one in
the first embodiment described above.
[0137] As shown in FIG. 14, the opening/closing mechanism 5 includes the cap-
attachment tube 51 that is provided on the container body 4 and has the perfect
circular engagement section 511 on the exterior thereof, and the detachable cap 52
that fits over the engagement section 511 of the cap-attachment tube 51.
[0138] As shown in FIG. 14, the cap-attachment tube 51, which is molded of
synthetic resin by using a mold, specifically, is integrally formed with the top 441 of
the top expanding part 442 of the body 44. The internal surface of the cap-
attachment tube 51 faces the top tubular part 432 of the container body 4 across the
gaps 513 that are open in the direction of the top. The cap-attachment tube 51 is like
a thin cylinder that is able to deform elastically in the radial direction and is
circumscribed about the top tubular part 432 of the glue-filled section 43. In other
words, the cap-attachment tube 51 and the glue-filled section 43 are joined up at only
four corner parts 514 of the glue-filled section 43. Hence, the gaps 513 are each
divided by the corner parts 514. The cap-attachment tube 51 has the rib 515 with a
semicircular cross section to maintain airtightness that is provided on the whole

circumference of the cap-attachment tube 51, the rib 515 constitutes the engagement
section 511. In this embodiment, the cap-attachment tube 51 has the rib 515 to
maintain airtightness, and protrusions 518 that are provided separately from the rib
515 and serve as a click stop for the cap 52 to click into the closing position (C). The
protrusions 518 to serve as the click stop are provided at positions closer to the top
end than the rib 515 to maintain airtightness, the protrusions 518 to serve as the click
stop and the rib 515 to maintain airtightness are formed on the outer circumference
of the top part of the cap-attachment tube 51. According to the embodiment, a
plurality of protrusions 518 with a semicircular cross section are arranged at
intervals along the circumferential direction. The glue outlet opening 42 is located
ahead of the top 517 of the cap-attachment tube 51.
[0139] As shown in FIG. 14, the cap 52 includes the peripheral wall 521 formed into
a cylindrical shape and the closing wall 522 closing the top end of the peripheral wall
521, the peripheral wall 521 is configured to be able to fit over the outer
circumference of the cap-attachment tube 51 and be detachable. The cap 52 is
integrally molded of synthetic resin, an internal rib 525 to maintain airtightness and
an internal rib 526 to serve as the click stop are integrated into the inner surface 523
thereof. The internal rib 525 to maintain airtightness has a semicircular cross section.
The internal rib 525 is brought into close contact with and fit the rib 515 to maintain
airtightness after climbing over the rib 515 with elastic deformation of the members.
The internal rib 526 to serve as the click stop is provided adjacently to the internal rib
525 to maintain airtightness, and has a semicircular cross section. The internal rib
526 is brought into close contact with and fit the protrusions 518 to serve as the click
stop after climbing over the protrusions 518 with elastic deformation of the
members. The top 411 of the body 44 has the contact wall 447 to come into contact

with the edge part of the cap 52 beyond the rib 515 to maintain airtightness.
[0140] As described above, since the cap-attachment tube 51 has the rib 515 to
maintain airtightness that is provided on the whole circumference and constitutes
the engagement section 511, and besides the internal rib 525 to maintain airtightness
provided on the inner surface of the cap 52 closely fits the engagement section 511
formed on the undersurface side of the rib 515, the airtightness can be kept high. In
addition, the cap-attachment tube 51 has the rib 515 to maintain airtightness, and the
protrusions 518 that are provided separately from the rib 515 and serves as the click
stop for the cap 52 to click into the closing position (C). Hence, the cap 52 can click
into the closing position (C) when the internal rib 526 to serve as the click stop climbs
over the protrusions 518 to serve as the click stop simultaneously with enhancing the
airtightness by engaging the rib 515 to maintain airtightness with the internal rib 525
to maintain airtightness, a preferable feeling of use can be obtained.
[0141] Further, with such configurations, the gaps 513 to allow the elastic
deformation of the cap-attachment tube 51 are formed between the internal surface
of the cap-attachment tube 51 and the external surface 435 of the container body 4 in
the same way as the first embodiment, therefore the basic effects with respect to ease
to apply and the airtightness are obtained.
[0142] Of course, the configurations of the opening/dosing mechanism 5 in this
embodiment can be employed in the second to sixth embodiments described above.
Also, the shape and position of the protrusions 518 to serve as the click stop can be
changed variously. For example, a protrusion to serve as a click stop may be
provided at a position closer to the bottom end than the rib to maintain airtightness.
[0143] Next, the glue stick 1 according to the
eighth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

15.
[0144] As shown in FIG. 15, the container 2 of the glue stick 1 according to this
embodiment comprises the container body 4 that includes the glue-filled space 41 to
be filled with the glue 3 and the non-circular glue outlet opening 42 on the top
thereof to put out the glue 3 to the outside, the opening/closing mechanism 5 that
can be in either the closed state (C) where connection of the glue-filled space 41 of
the container body 4 to the outside is blocked in an airtight manner or the open state
(O) where the glue 3 is able to be put out to the outside, and the glue-pushing
mechanism 6 to gradually put out the glue 3 through the glue outlet opening 42.
Only the structure of the cap-attachment tube 51 in the opening/dosing mechanism 5
is different from the one in the seventh embodiment described above.
[0145] As shown in FIG. 15, the opening/closing mechanism 5 includes the cap-
attachment tube 51 that is provided on the container body 4 and has the perfect
circular engagement section 511 on the exterior thereof, and the detachable cap 52
that fits over the engagement section 511 of the cap-attachment tube 51.
[0146] As shown in FIG. 15, the cap-attachment tube 51, which is molded of
synthetic resin by using a mold, specifically, is integrally formed with the top 441 of
the top expanding part 442 of the body 44. The internal surface of the cap-
attachment tube 51 faces the top tubular part 432 of the container body 4 across the
gaps 513 that are open in the direction of the top. The cap-attachment tube 51 is like
a thin cylinder that is able to deform elastically in the radial direction and is
circumscribed about the top tubular part 432 of the glue-filled section 43. In other
words, the cap-attachment tube 51 and the glue-filled section 43 are joined up at only
four corner parts 514 of the glue-filled section 43. Hence, the gaps 513 are each
divided by the corner parts 514. The cap-attachment tube 51 has the rib 515 with a

semicircular cross section to maintain airtightness that is provided on the whole
circumference of the cap-attachment tube 51, the rib 515 constitutes the engagement
section 511. In this embodiment, the cap-attachment tube 51 has the rib 515 to
maintain airtightness, and a protrusion 518 that is provided separately from the rib
515 and serves as a click stop for the cap 52 to click into the closing position (C). The
protrusion 518 to serve as the click stop is provided at a position closer to the top end
than the rib 515 to maintain airtightness, the protrusion 518 to serve as the click stop
and the rib 515 to maintain airtightness are formed on the outer circumference of the
top part of the cap-attachment tube 51. According to the embodiment, the
protrusion 518 is a ridge with a semicircular cross section formed continuously along
the circumferential direction. The glue outlet opening 42 is located ahead of the top
517 of the cap-attachment tube 51.
[0147] The cap 52 includes a peripheral wall 521 formed into a cylindrical shape
and the closing wall 522 closing the top end of the peripheral wall 521, the elements
that are equivalent to the ones in the seventh embodiment are given the same
reference numerals, the description thereof is omitted.
[0148] As described above, the cap-attachment tube 51 has the rib 515 to maintain
airtightness, and the protrusion 518 that is provided separately from the rib 515 and
serves as the click stop for the cap 52 to click into the closing position (C). Hence, the
effects can be obtained in the same way as the seventh embodiment.
[0149] Further, with such configurations, the gaps 513 to allow the elastic
deformation of the cap-attachment tube 51 are formed between the internal surface
of the cap-attachment tube 51 and the external surface 435 of the container body 4 in
the same way as the first embodiment, therefore the basic effects with respect to ease
to apply and the airtightness are obtained.

[0150] Of course, the configurations of the opening/dosing mechanism 5 in this
embodiment can be employed in the second to sixth embodiments described above.
Also, the shape and position of the protrusion 518 to serve as the click stop can be
changed variously. For example, a protrusion, to serve as a click stop may be
provided at a position closer to the bottom end than the rib to maintain airtightness.
[0151] Next, the glue stick 1 according to the ninth
embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 16.
[0152] As shown in FIG. 16, the container 2 of the glue stick 1 according to this
embodiment comprises the container body 4 that includes the glue-filled space 41 to
be filled with the glue 3 and the non-circular glue outlet opening 42 on the top
thereof to put out the glue 3 to the outside, the opening/dosing mechanism 5 that
can be in either the dosed state (C) where connection of the glue-filled space 41 of
the container body 4 to the outside is blocked in an airtight manner or the open state
(O) where the glue 3 is able to be put out to the outside, and the glue-pushing
mechanism 6 to gradually put out the glue 3 through the glue outlet opening 42.
Only the structure of the opening/dosing mechanism 5 is different from the one in
the seventh embodiment described above.
[0153] As shown in FIG. 16, the opening/dosing mechanism 5 indudes the cap-
attachment tube 51 that is provided on the container body 4 and has the perfect
drcular engagement section 511 on the exterior thereof, and the detachable cap 52
that fits over the engagement section 511 of the cap-attachment tube 51.
[0154] As shown in FIG; 16, the cap-attachment tube 51, which is molded of
synthetic resin by using a mold, specifically, is integrally formed with the top 441 of
the top expanding part 442 of the body 44. The internal surface of the cap-
attachment tube 51 faces the top tubular part 432 of the container body 4 across the

gaps 513 that are open in the direction of the top. The cap-attachment tube 51 is like
a thin cylinder that is able to deform elastically in the radial direction and is
circumscribed about the top tubular part 432 of the glue-filled section 43. In other
words, the cap-attachment tube 51 and the glue-filled section 43 are joined up at only
four comer parts 514 of the glue-filled section 43. Hence, the gaps 513 are each
divided by the corner parts 514. The cap-attachment tube 51 has a face 515 to
maintain airtightness that is provided on the whole circumference of the cap-
attachment tube 51, the face 519 constitutes the engagement section 511. The face 519
to maintain airtightness is formed on the outer circumference of the top part of the
cap-attachment tube 51, the cap-attachment tube 51 is designed as short as possible.
The glue outlet opening 42 is located ahead of a top 517 of the cap-attachment tube
51.
[0155] As shown in FIG. 16, the cap 52 includes the peripheral wall 521 formed into
a cylindrical shape and the closing wall 522 closing the top end of the peripheral wall
521, the peripheral wall 521 is configured to be able to fit over the outer
circumference of the cap-attachment tube 51 and be detachable. The cap 52 is
integrally molded of synthetic resin, the inner surface 523 thereof is formed to be
brought into close contact with and fit the face 519 to maintain airtightness.
[0156] As described above, the cap-attachment tube 51 has the face 519 to maintain
airtightness on the whole circumference thereof, the face 519 constitutes the
engagement section 511. Therefore the airtightness can be kept high. Further, with
such configurations, the gaps 513 to allow the elastic deformation of the cap-
attachment tube 51 are formed between the internal surface of the cap-attachment
tube 51 and the external surface 435 of the container body 4 in the same way as the
first embodiment, the basic effects with respect to ease to apply and the airtightness

are obtained.
[0157] Of course, the configurations of the opening/dosing mechanism 5 in this
embodiment can be employed in the second to sixth embodiments described above.
[0158] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments.
[0159] For example, the shape of the glue outlet opening may be a regular triangle
as shown in FIG. 17, a regular hexagon as shown in FIG. 18, a rectangle or other
polygon, which is not illustrated, besides a square in a plan view. In addition, the
glue outlet opening having a shape with at least one corner part can solve the
problem with respect to ease to apply as described above. Therefore a sector can be
cited as a good example of the shape of the glue outlet opening. Also, as shown in
FIG. 19, the corners may be rounded to such an extent that the glue does not stay
behind, an ellipse or other shape, which is not illustrated, is available. With such
configurations, the gaps exist in the same way as the first embodiment, the basic
effects with respect to ease to apply and the airtightness are obtained. In FIGs. 17,18
and 19, the elements that are equivalent to the ones in the above embodiments are
given the same reference numerals, the description thereof is omitted.
[0160] Though the external form of the engagement section of. the cap-attachment
tube is a perfect circle in the above embodiments, the external form thereof is
variable as long as the cap can come into uniform close contact with the cap-
attachment tube all over the circumference. Of course, it may be an ellipse near to a
perfect circle or other round shape except a perfect circle.
[0161] Though the gaps described above are spaces filled with air, the gaps may be
filled with a material different from a material of the cap-attachment tube in a
manner where it is difficult to influence roundness of the engagement section. The
method of filling the gaps with the different material from the material of the cap-

attachment tube is variable as long as it is difficult to cause deformation of the cap-
attachment tube owing to mold shrinkage what is called sink marks. For example,
putting the material in the gaps separately after molding the gaps, molding the cap-
attachment and the material integrally by what is called two-color molding, or the
like are available.
[0162] The airtight sheet or the refill cap does not have to be removed after
mounting the refill on the body, of course, it can be removed before mounting the
refill on the body.
[0163] The configurations can be changed in various ways without departing from
the gist of the present invention.
DESCRIPTION-OF THE REFERENCE NUMERAL
[0164] :
1 glue stick
2 container
3 glue
4 container body

41 glue-filled space
42 glue outlet opening
43 gluerfilled section
44 body
441 top
446 grip section
5 opening/closing mechanism
(C) closed state
(O) open state

51 cap-attachment tube
511 engagement section
512 internal surface
513 gap

515 rib to maintain airtightness
516 rib to serve as a click stop
517 top
518 protrusion to serve as a click stop
519 face to maintain airtightness
52 cap
(C) closing position
6 glue-pushing mechanism
7 refill
72 airtight sheet
76 refill cap

CLAIMS
1. A glue stick container characterized in that
the glue stick container comprises a container body that includes a glue-
filled space to be filled with glue and a non-circular glue outlet opening on a top
thereof to put out the glue to the outside, and an opening/closing mechanism that
can be in either a closed state where connection of the glue-filled space of the
container body to the outside is blocked in an airtight manner or an open state where
the glue is able to be put out to the outside,
the opening/closing mechanism including a cap-attachment tube that is
provided on the container body and has a circular engagement section on an exterior
thereof, and a detachable cap that fits over the engagement section of the cap-
attachment tube,
the cap-attachment tube being formed with a mold,
at least a part of an internal surface of the cap-attachment tube facing the
container body across a gap that is open in the direction of the top.
2. The glue stick container according to claim 1,
wherein the container body includes a glue-filled section with the glue
outlet opening on the top, and a body that is integrally provided with the glue-filled
section and has a grip section to be held by a user.
3. The glue stick container according to claim 1,
wherein the container body includes a glue-filled section with the glue
outlet opening on the top, and a body that encloses the glue-filled section and has a

grip section to be held by a user,
the glue-filled section being detachable from the body.
4. The glue stick container according to claim 1,2 or 3,
wherein the glue outlet opening is located ahead of the top of the cap-
attachment tube.
5. The glue stick container according to claim 1, 2, 3 or 4,
wherein the glue outlet opening has a polygonal shape.
6. The glue stick container according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5,
wherein the cap-attachment tube has a rib to maintain airtightness that is
provided on the whole circumference of the cap-attachment tube and constitutes the
engagement section.
7. The glue stick container according to claim 6,
wherein the cap-attachment tube has the rib to maintain airtightness,
the rib also serves as a click stop for the cap to click into a closing position.
8. The glue stick container according to claim 6,
wherein the cap-attachment tube has the rib to maintain airtightness, and a
protrusion that is provided separately from the rib and serves as a click stop for the
cap to click into a closing position.
9. The glue stick container according to claim 1, 2, 3,4 or 5,

wherein the cap-attachment tube has a face to maintain airtightness that is
provided on the whole circumference of the cap-attachment tube,
the face constituting the engagement section.
10. The glue stick container according to claim 1,2, 3,4,5, 6, 7, 8 and 9,
wherein the gap is filled with a material different from a material of the cap-
attachment tube in a manner where it is difficult to influence roundness of the
engagement section.
11. A glue stick characterized in that
glue fills the glue-filled section of the container according to any one of
claims 1 to 10.
12. The glue stick according to claim 11,
wherein the container has a glue-pushing mechanism to gradually put out
the glue through the glue outlet opening.
13. A refill characterized in that
the refill is to be used for a glue stick such that glue fills the glue-filled
section of the container according to claim 3,
. the refill being configured such that the glue outlet opening of the glue-
filled section filled with the glue is sealed in an openable manner,
the refill being attachable to and detachable from the body.
14. The refill according to claim 13,

wherein the glue outlet opening is sealed with an airtight sheet or a refill
cap,
the refill being attachable to and detachable from the body in a state where
the airtight sheet or the refill cap is removed.
15. The refill according to claim 13,
wherein the glue outlet opening is sealed with the cap,
the refill being attachable to and detachable from the body.