JP5185656B2 - Foam dispenser - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a foam dispenser.

As described in Patent Documents 1 and 2, the foam discharger has a head portion that can be reciprocated with respect to a cap fixed to the mouth portion of the container body, and the volume can be changed by reciprocating the head portion. The content liquid from the liquid chamber and the air from the variable volume air chamber are respectively sent to the foam generation unit, the content liquid and air are mixed and foamed by the foam generation unit, and the generated foam is discharged from the discharge port provided in the head. In this case, an air piston that expands and contracts the air chamber in conjunction with the reciprocating motion of the head is provided, the outside air is sucked into the air chamber expanded by the air piston, and the air in the air chamber contracted by the air piston is bubbled. Some are sent to the generator. In these bubble dischargers, an outside air intake chamber is provided on the back side of the air chamber of the air piston, an air intake port that connects the outside air intake chamber and the air chamber is provided in the air piston, and an air intake port provided in the air piston is provided. An intake check valve that allows the intake of air from the outside air intake chamber to the air chamber by opening and closing is provided, and a minute gap between the head and the cap serves as an outside air intake path.
JP2005-193972 JP2004-121898

  In the foam discharge devices described in Patent Documents 1 and 2, when external air is taken into the outside air taking-in chamber from the outside air taking-in path, outside water may be sucked and enter the outside-air taking-in chamber.

  The foam dispenser described in Patent Document 1 projects the outside diameter of the top surface of the skirt portion of the head into an umbrella shape covering the outside air intake port into the outside air intake chamber between the skirt portion and the outer periphery of the cap. Trying to prevent outside water from entering the room.

  Moreover, the foam discharge device described in Patent Document 2 is provided with an annular convex portion projecting inwardly at the lower end of the skirt portion of the head, and the annular convex portion is formed into an outside air intake chamber formed between the outer periphery of the cap. The outside air intake port is narrowed to prevent outside water from entering the outside air intake chamber.

  However, when the foam discharge device described in Patent Documents 1 and 2 is used in an environment where the container body is brought down or the outer periphery of the container body is washed, for example, the intrusion of outside water into the outside air intake chamber cannot be sufficiently prevented. In the foam discharge device described in Patent Documents 1 and 2, the bottom of the outside air intake chamber formed by the air piston has a generally convex shape, and an air suction port is provided at the convex central height of the air piston. Because the space between the convex center height of the piston and the outer ring portion of the piston portion is an annular recess, the outside water that has entered one end into the outside air intake chamber stays in the annular recess at the bottom of the air piston and is not sent out. May cause bacteria.

  An object of the present invention is to prevent water taken together with outside air from staying on the back surface of the air piston (on the side opposite to the air chamber of the air piston) in the foam discharger.

  The invention of claim 1 has a head portion that is reciprocally movable with respect to a cap fixed to the mouth portion of the container main body. When air is sent from the variable air chamber to the foam generation unit, the content liquid and air are mixed and foamed by the foam generation unit, and the generated foam is discharged from the discharge port provided in the head, the inside of the container body A cylinder is installed, an air piston linked to the reciprocation of the head is slidably inserted into the cylinder, outside air is drawn into the air chamber expanded by the air piston, and the air is contracted by the air piston. This is a foam discharger that sends the air in the chamber to the foam generation unit. A cylinder cover that covers the upper part of the cylinder is provided between the cylinder and the cap, and an outside air intake passage that takes in outside air into the upper space of the container body is provided in the cylinder cover. A suction check valve that is provided on the opposite side of the cylinder and allows air to be sucked into the air chamber from the upper space of the container body is provided at the air suction port formed in the cylinder so as to face the air chamber of the cylinder. .

  As shown in FIG. 1, the foam discharger 10 fixes the mounting portion 20 </ b> A of the cap 20 to the mouth portion 1 </ b> A of the container body 1 in which the content liquid such as a detergent is accommodated. The upper end portion of the large diameter portion 30A of the cylinder 30 is abutted against the inner portion of the attachment portion 20A of the cap 20, and the inner portion of the attachment portion 20A of the cap 20 and the container body together with the packing 31 at the upper end portion of the large diameter portion 30A. It is pinched and fixed between the 1 mouth part 1A. The cylinder 30 has a small diameter portion 30B connected to the large diameter portion 30A. A dip tube 32 is fitted into the small diameter portion 30B, and the dip tube 32 is inserted into the container body 1. The cylinder 30 forms an air chamber A inside the large diameter portion 30A, and forms a liquid chamber L inside the small diameter portion 30B. A stem 41 of the head 40 is inserted into the cylindrical portion 20B of the cap 20 so as to reciprocate in the vertical direction. The foam discharger 10 reciprocates the head 40 to generate the later-described foam generation in which the content liquid is supplied from the variable volume liquid chamber L and the air is supplied from the variable volume empty chamber A, respectively. The part 80 is mixed and foamed, and the generated foam is discharged from the discharge port 42 provided in the head 40.

  The content liquid such as a detergent contained in the foam dispenser 10 has antibacterial properties by adding a preservative or an antibacterial agent. Examples of the antiseptic or antibacterial agent include benzoic acid, benzoic acid pantothenyl ethyl ether, alkyldiaminoethyl glycine hydrochloride, salicylic acid, sorbic acid, dehydroacetic acid, trichlorohydroxydiphenyl ether, paraoxybenzoic acid ester, phenoxyethanol, phenol, lauryl diaminoethyl glycine Sodium, isopropylmethylphenol, benzalkonium chloride, benzethonium chloride, chlorhexidicin hydrochloride, chlorhexidine gluconate, orthophenylphenol, alkylisoquinolinium bromide, thymol, trichlorocarbanilide, halocarban, hinokitiol, 2- Methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one, 5-chloro-2-methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one, 1,2-benzisothiazoline- - can be used on, polylysine, zinc salts, one or more combinations of a silver salt.

  In the foam discharger 10, a hollow piston guide 51 is fitted and fixed to the lower end hollow portion of the stem 41 that communicates with the discharge port 42 of the head 40, and the hollow cylindrical portion 52 </ b> A of the hollow liquid piston 52 is attached to the lower end hollow portion of the piston guide 51. The outer piston portion 52B of the liquid piston 52 is slidably inserted into the inner wall of the small diameter portion 30B of the cylinder 30, and the lower end side spring receiving portion 33 of the small diameter portion 30B and the lower end valve 62 of the poppet 60 described later are inserted. A compression coil spring 53 is interposed between the upper end surface and the liquid piston 52. That is, when the head 40 is pushed, the lower end portion of the compression coil spring 53 is supported by the lower end side spring receiving portion 33 of the small diameter portion 30B, and the upper end surface of the lower end valve 62 of the poppet 60 is the lower end of the compression coil spring 53. Leave the department. When the hand is released from the head 40, the lower end portion of the compression coil spring 53 is supported by the lower end side spring receiving portion 33 of the small diameter portion 30B, and the upper end surface of the lower end valve 62 of the poppet 60 is the lower end of the compression coil spring 53. Touch the part. The bubble discharger 10 uses a hollow portion of the piston guide 51 and the liquid piston 52 as a liquid discharge passage 54 extending from the liquid chamber L, and an upper end side valve seat 51A is provided at the upper end portion of the liquid discharge passage 54 in the piston guide 51. The ball valve 55 that is opened by the pressure from the liquid discharge passage 54 is placed in close contact with the valve seat 51A.

  The foam discharger 10 has a poppet 60 extending from the small diameter portion 30 </ b> B of the cylinder 30 along the liquid piston 52 and the piston guide 51, and the upper end portion 61 of the poppet 60 is arranged on the inner periphery of the piston guide 51 and the liquid piston 52. The lower end valve 62 of the poppet 60 is placed in close contact with the lower end side valve seat 34 of the small diameter portion 30B (the reduced diameter region formed at the lower end of the small diameter portion 30B). The liquid chamber L is opened and closed. The liquid discharge path 54 is formed between the outer peripheral groove of the poppet 60 and the inner periphery of the liquid piston 52 and further between the inner peripheral groove of the piston guide 51. The poppet 60 extends to the center of the coil spring 53 in the lower end side region. The lower end valve 62 of the poppet 60 is closed by being pressed against the lower end side valve seat 34 by the liquid pressure of the liquid chamber L that is contracted and pressurized by the liquid piston 52. In the initial state of FIG. 1 in which the liquid chamber L is at the maximum extended end, the coil spring 53 is in contact with the upper end surface of the lower end valve 62 so that the poppet 60 does not move upward.

  The foam discharger 10 has a piston guide 51 and a liquid piston 52 that move up and down in the liquid chamber L in conjunction with the vertical reciprocation of the head 40, and the lower end valve 62 of the poppet 60 is connected to the piston guide 51 and the liquid piston. The liquid in the container body 1 is sucked into the liquid chamber L which is separated from the valve seat 34 in conjunction with the upward movement of the liquid 52 and expanded by the upward movement of the liquid piston 52, and the lower end valve 62 of the poppet 60 is connected to the piston guide 51 and A ball opened in contact with the valve seat 34 in conjunction with the downward movement of the liquid piston 52 and separated from the valve seat 51A via the liquid discharge path 54 for the liquid in the liquid chamber L contracted by the downward movement of the liquid piston 52. It discharges from the valve | bulb 55 to the foam production | generation part 80 mentioned later.

  That is, the foam discharger 10 has a liquid piston 52 that moves up and down in the liquid chamber L in conjunction with the up and down reciprocation of the head 40, and the top of the liquid piston 52 in the suction stroke in which the head 40 moves up. The liquid chamber L that is expanded by movement sucks the antibacterial content liquid of the container body 1, and the content of the liquid chamber L is contracted by the downward movement of the liquid piston 52 in the discharge stroke in which the head 40 is pushed down. The liquid is discharged to a foam generation unit 80 described later.

  In the bubble discharger 10, the hollow cylindrical portion 70 </ b> A of the air piston 70 is loosely inserted on the outer periphery of the piston guide 51, and the outer peripheral ring portion 70 </ b> C of the piston portion 70 </ b> B of the air piston 70 is slidable on the inner wall of the large diameter portion 30 </ b> A. Insert into. In the present embodiment, when the upper end portion of the cylindrical portion 70A of the air piston 70 is inserted into the lower end stepped inner peripheral hole of the stem 41 of the head portion 40, and the head portion 40 is moved slightly downward from the initial state of FIG. Furthermore, after a certain time difference in which the step surface of the inner peripheral hole of the stem 41 hits the upper end surface of the cylindrical portion 70A of the air piston 70, the air piston is moved downward by the downward movement of the head 40 (the piston guide 51 and the liquid piston 52 are also integrated). 70 is also moved down. Accordingly, the air piston 70 is slightly movable up and down along the outer periphery of the piston guide 51, and an air delivery port 73A described later can be formed between them (FIG. 2).

  As shown in FIG. 6, the foam discharger 10 is provided with a cylinder cover 100 that covers the upper portion of the large-diameter portion 30 </ b> A of the cylinder 30 between the cylinder 30 and the cap 20 (that is, between the air piston 70 and the cap 20. The outside air intake path 71 for taking outside air into the upper space of the container body 1 is provided on the opposite side of the cylinder cover 100 with respect to the cylinder 30 and allows the air to be sucked into the air chamber A from the upper space of the container body 1. A check valve 72 is provided in an air inlet 72A formed in the large-diameter portion 30A of the cylinder 30 so as to face the air chamber A of the cylinder 30. In the present embodiment, the air inlet 72A is formed in the bottom of the large diameter portion 30A of the cylinder 30 where the small diameter portion 30B continues, and the intake check valve 72 that opens and closes the suction port 72A is provided at the bottom of the large diameter portion 30A. Provided on the side facing room A.

  The cylinder 30 and the cylinder cover 100 are fixed to the back side of the cap 20, and an outside air intake path 71 is formed between the cap 20 and the cylinder cover 100. The outside air intake path 71 includes a minute annular gap between the stem 41 of the head 40 and the cylinder portion 20B of the cap 20 and a minute gap between the cap 20 and the cylinder cover 100, and an outside air intake port is formed on the upper end side of the cylinder portion 20B of the cap 20. 71A is provided, and an outside air intake hole 71B into the upper space of the container body 1 is provided at the upper end portion of the large diameter portion 30A of the cylinder 30. In the outside air intake path 71 of the present embodiment, the outside air intake check valve 71C that opens and closes the outside air intake hole 71B and allows the outside air to be taken into the upper space of the container body 1 is provided at the upper end of the large-diameter portion 30A of the cylinder 30. It is provided on the side facing the upper space of the main body 1.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the cylinder cover 100 has a substantially truncated cone shape with the central hole portion 102 as an upper surface (upper bottom) edge, and is formed on the upper surface (side surface of the truncated cone) of the truncated cone forming the outside air intake path 71. The outer edge rising wall 101 is raised at the outer edge. The cylinder cover 100 is configured so that the rising inner surface of the outer edge rising wall 101 is fitted to the inner surface convex portion 20C of the cap 20, and the upper and lower surfaces of the outer edge rising wall 101 are connected to the inner surface of the cap 20 and the upper end portion of the large diameter portion 30A of the cylinder 30. It is sandwiched between and fixed. The cylinder cover 100 allows the lower end of the stem 41 of the head 40 to be inserted into the central hole 102. At a plurality of locations in the circumferential direction of the outer edge rising wall 101 of the cylinder cover 100, notches 101A that constitute a part of the outside air intake path 71 are provided. Thereby, the upper surface of the side surface of the truncated cone forming the outside air intake passage 71 of the cylinder cover 100 forms a downward slope along the outside air flow direction of the outside air intake passage 71.

  Therefore, in the foam discharger 10, as shown in FIG. 6, the outside air taken in from the outside air intake port 71 </ b> A on the upper end side of the cylinder part 20 </ b> B of the cap 20 is converted into the cylinder part 20 </ b> B of the cap 20 and the stem 41 of the head 40. The container main body 1 passes through the outside air intake path 71 formed by the minute gap between the cap 20 and the cylinder cover 100, the outside air intake hole 71B provided in the upper end portion of the large diameter portion 30A of the cylinder 30, and the outside air intake check valve 71C. Led to the upper space. The water mixed in the outside air introduced into the upper space of the container body 1 (the same as foreign matter such as dust) falls into the container body 1 due to the action of gravity and is separated, and the air from which the water is separated is large. It turns from the side of the side portion of the diameter portion 30A to below the bottom portion, and is taken into the air chamber A through the air inlet 72A and the suction check valve 72 provided at the bottom portion of the large diameter portion 30A.

  The foam discharger 10 has an air delivery path that extends between the outer peripheral groove of the piston guide 51 and the inner periphery of the cylindrical portion 70A of the air piston 70, and further between the outer periphery of the piston guide 51 and the inner peripheral groove of the stem 41. 73, an intermediate flange portion 51B of the piston guide 51 and a lower end of the cylindrical portion 70A of the air piston 70 form an on-off valve 74 that opens and closes the air outlet 73A. The on-off valve 74 separates the intermediate flange portion 51B of the piston guide 51 that moves downward together with the head portion 40 when the head portion 40 is moved downward from the lower end of the cylindrical portion 70A of the air piston 70, and provides an air outlet 73A therebetween. Opening (FIG. 3), the intermediate flange portion 51B of the piston guide 51 that moves up together with the head portion 40 when the head portion 40 moves upward is brought into contact with the lower end of the cylinder portion 70A of the air piston 70 from below, and the space between the lower ends thereof. The air outlet 73A is closed (FIG. 4).

  The head 40 suspends the cylindrical cover 75, surrounds the upper region of the stem 41 and the cylindrical portion 20 </ b> B of the cap 20 with the cover 75, and forms a minute gap around the cylindrical portion 20 </ b> B of the cap 20 with the lower end of the cover 75. Form. The cover 75 makes it difficult for the outside water to enter the outside air intake path 71.

  That is, the bubble discharger 10 slidably inserts an air piston 70 that moves up and down in the air chamber A in conjunction with the up and down reciprocation of the head 40 into the large diameter portion 30A of the cylinder 30 to External air is sucked into the air chamber A which is expanded by the upward movement of the air piston 70 in the intake stroke in which the portion 40 moves upward, and contracts by the downward movement of the air piston 70 in the discharge stroke in which the head 40 is pushed down. The air in the air chamber A to be sent is sent to the bubble generation unit 80 described later.

  The foam discharger 10 includes a foam generation unit 80 at the discharge port 42 of the head 40. The foam generation unit 80 mixes and foams the air and the content liquid by the jet ring 81 provided in the meeting area of the liquid discharge path 54 and the air delivery path 73 (immediately above the ball valve 55). Fine bubbles are generated by passing the mesh 82A attached to the mesh ring 82 disposed on the upper side of the jet ring 81, and can be discharged from the discharge port 42.

The foam dispenser 10 operates as follows.
(Operation 1) (Fig. 2)
(1) When the head 40 is pushed from the initial state of FIG. 1, the piston guide 51, the piston 52, and the poppet 60 are lowered downward integrally with the head 40 first.

  (2) The lower end valve 62 of the poppet 60 hits the valve seat 34 of the small diameter portion 30B of the cylinder 30 (IA portion), and the liquid chamber L is closed.

  (3) Since the air piston 70 does not move at this point (the gap between the head 40 and the upper end of the air piston 70 becomes narrower) (IB portion), the lower end of the cylindrical portion 70A of the air piston 70 and the intermediate flange of the piston guide 51 A gap is formed between the portions 51B and becomes the air outlet 73A of the air chamber A (IC portion).

(Operation 2) (FIG. 3)
(1) When the head 40 is further pushed, the piston guide 51, the piston 52, and the air piston 70 are lowered downward together with the head 40.

  (2) The air in the air chamber A passes through the air delivery path 73, and the liquid in the liquid chamber L passes through the liquid discharge path 54 and is mixed in the jet ring 81 portion of the foam generating unit 80 to become bubbles. The bubbles pass through the mesh 82A attached to the mesh ring 82 and are discharged as fine bubbles from the discharge port 42 of the head 40.

  (3) The outside air intake check valve 71C of the outside air intake passage 71 formed by the cylinder cover 100 is opened, and the outside air is introduced into the container body 1.

(Operation 3) (FIG. 4)
(1) When the pressing of the head 40 is stopped and the hand is released from the head 40, the piston guide 51, piston 52, and poppet 60 are lifted by the spring force of the coil spring 53 together with the head 40.

  (2) The lower end of the poppet 60 is separated from the valve seat 34 of the small diameter portion 30B of the cylinder 30 to form a gap (IIIA portion), and the liquid chamber L is opened.

  (3) Since the air piston 70 does not move at this time (the gap between the head 40 and the upper end of the air piston 70 becomes wider) (IIIB portion), the lower end of the cylindrical portion 70B of the air piston 70 and the intermediate flange of the piston guide 51 The gap between the portions 51B is closed, and the air outlet 73A is closed (IIIC portion).

(Operation 4) (FIG. 5)
(1) When the head 40 further rises, the piston guide 51, the piston 52, and the air piston 70 rise together with the head 40.

  (2) Since the air chamber A has a negative pressure, the suction check valve 72 is opened, and the outside air introduced into the container body 1 is sucked into the air chamber A through the air suction port 72A. Since the liquid chamber L also has a negative pressure, the content liquid in the container body 1 is introduced into the liquid chamber L through the dip tube 32. At this time, the outside air intake check valve 71 </ b> C of the outside air intake passage 71 formed by the cylinder cover 100 is opened, and the outside air is introduced into the container body 1.

  (3) Return to the initial state of FIG.

According to the present embodiment, the following operational effects can be obtained.
(a) The foam discharger 10 is provided with a cylinder cover 100 that covers the upper surface of the cylinder 30 between the cylinder 30 and the cap 20 (between the air piston 70 and the cap 20), and outside air is placed in the upper space of the container body 1. An intake air intake path 71 for intake is provided on the opposite side of the cylinder cover 100 to the cylinder 30 so that an intake check valve 72 that allows the intake of air from the upper space of the container body 1 to the air chamber A faces the air chamber A of the cylinder 30. The air intake port 72A formed in the cylinder 30 is provided. Therefore, after the outside air is guided from the outside air intake path 71 formed by the cylinder cover 100 to the upper space of the container body 1, the outside air passes through the air inlet 72 </ b> A and the suction check valve 72 provided in the cylinder 30. Is taken in. In this process, the water mixed in the outside air is guided into the upper space of the container body 1 and then falls into the container body 1 by the action of gravity. The water dropped into the container body 1 is discharged together with the content liquid, and the content liquid is generally added with an antibacterial agent, and the outside water into which the antibacterial agent has been dropped into the content liquid is added. It also has antibacterial action.

  (b) In the foam discharger 10, the cylinder 30 and the cylinder cover 100 are fixed to the back side of the cap 20, and an outside air intake path 71 is formed between the cap 20 and the cylinder cover 100. The outside air intake path 71 can be easily formed by the cylinder cover 100.

  (c) In the foam discharger 10, the upper surface of the cylinder cover 100 that forms the outside air intake passage 71 has a downward slope along the outside air flow direction of the outside air intake passage 71. The water mixed in the outside air is smoothly guided to the upper space of the container body 1 on the descending upper surface of the cylinder cover 100 that forms the outside air intake path 71, and the water does not stay.

  (d) In the foam discharger 10, an outside air intake check valve 71 </ b> C that allows outside air to be taken into the upper space of the container body 1 is provided in the outside air intake passage 71. Therefore, when the container main body 1 falls from the upright state, the content liquid inside the container main body 1 can be prevented from flowing back through the outside air intake path 71 and flowing out.

  It should be noted that foreign matter such as dust mixed in the outside air also falls into the inside of the container body 1 due to the action of gravity when guided from the outside air intake path 71 to the upper space of the container body 1 and enters the suction check valve 72 and the like. There is no biting and the like, and the suction / delivery function of the air piston 70 is stably maintained.

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an initial state of the foam discharger. FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing a discharge start state of the foam discharger. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing an intermediate discharge state of the foam discharger. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a discharge completion / inhalation start state of the foam discharger. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing an intermediate suction state of the foam discharger. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing a structure for introducing outside air into the air chamber. FIG. 7 is a schematic view showing a cylinder cover.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Container body 1A Mouth part 10 Foam discharger 20 Cap 30 Cylinder 40 Head part 42 Discharge port 52 Liquid piston 70 Air piston 71 Outside air intake path 71C Outside air intake check valve 72 Intake check valve 72A Air inlet 80 Bubble generating part 100 Cylinder cover A Air chamber L Liquid chamber

Claims (4)

It has a head that can be reciprocated with respect to a cap fixed to the mouth of the container body. By reciprocating the head, the liquid content can be changed from the volume variable liquid chamber and the air from the volume variable air chamber. In addition, each foam is sent to the foam generation unit, this content liquid and air are mixed and foamed in the foam generation unit, and when the generated foam is discharged from the discharge port provided in the head,
A cylinder is installed inside the container body, an air piston that is linked to the reciprocation of the head is slidably inserted into the cylinder, and external air is drawn into the air chamber that is expanded by the air piston. A foam discharger for sending air in the air chamber contracted by the foam generation unit,
A cylinder cover that covers the upper part of the cylinder is provided between the cap and the cylinder, and an outside air intake path for taking outside air into the upper space of the container body is provided on the opposite side of the cylinder cover to the cylinder, and air from the upper space of the container body to the air chamber is provided. A bubble discharger provided at an air suction port formed in the cylinder so as to face an air chamber of the cylinder with a suction check valve that allows suction of the air.   The foam discharger according to claim 1, wherein the cylinder and the cylinder cover are fixed to a back side of the cap, and an outside air intake path is formed between the cap and the cylinder cover.   The foam discharger according to claim 1 or 2, wherein an upper surface of the cylinder cover that forms an outside air intake passage forms a downward slope along an outside air flow direction of the outside air intake passage.   The foam discharger according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein an outside air intake check valve that allows the outside air to be taken into the upper space of the container body is provided in the outside air intake path.

Images