JP7479774B2 - Compression spring and discharge device for container - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a compression spring and a discharge device for a container.

A compression spring is known that includes at least one unit structure, the unit structure having two annular members that are spaced apart from each other in the axial direction and each of which is annular, and a plurality of spring members that are arranged with a phase shift in the circumferential direction, and each spring member extends in a spiral shape between the two annular members so as to connect them in a region located between the two annular members along the axial direction (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-73138

When a compression spring like the one described above expands or contracts, the load is concentrated at both ends of each spring member, making the ends susceptible to plastic deformation, which can easily cause a decrease in elasticity.

The present invention aims to solve these problems, and its objective is to provide a compression spring that is less prone to loss of elasticity and a container discharge device that is less prone to loss of repulsive force in the operating section.

The compression spring of the present invention includes at least one unit structure, the unit structure having two annular members spaced apart from each other in an axial direction along a central axis and each of which forms an annular shape centered on the central axis, and a plurality of spring members provided with a phase shift in a circumferential direction around the central axis, each of the spring members extending linearly between two end portions shifted in the circumferential direction between the two annular members so as to join the two annular members in a region located between the two annular members along the axial direction, and each of the spring members The end of each of the spring members is connected to the annular member at a second angle, when viewed radially along a straight line perpendicular to the central axis, that is greater than a first angle when it is assumed that the spring member extends in a spiral shape between the ends, and each of the spring members has two curved portions that extend in a curved manner only on one side from each of the ends toward the other end, and two reverse curved portions that extend in a curved manner only on the other side from each of the curved portions toward the other end .

In the compression spring of the present invention, in the above configuration, it is preferable that in each of the spring members, the intermediate portion connecting the two curved portions does not come into contact with either of the annular members until at least both of the curved portions come into contact with the annular member on the opposite side when the unit structure is compressed in the axial direction.

In the compression spring of the present invention, in the above configuration, it is preferable that the intermediate portion of each spring member, when viewed in a developed view, falls within a region between a straight line drawn from the base of the outer edge of one side of one curved portion to tangent to the outer edge of the other side of the other curved portion, and a straight line drawn from the base of the outer edge of one side of the other curved portion to tangent to the outer edge of the other side of the one curved portion.

In the compression spring of the present invention, in the above configuration, it is preferable that the multiple spring members do not interfere with each other when the unit structure is compressed in the axial direction.

In the above configuration, the compression spring of the present invention preferably includes at least one unit pair structure, the unit pair structure being composed of a pair of unit structures that are identical except for the winding directions of the multiple spring members, and the pair of unit structures are adjacent to each other in the axial direction and are connected together.

In the above configuration, the compression spring of the present invention preferably includes at least one unit pair continuous structure, the unit pair continuous structure being made up of a plurality of the unit pair structures, and the plurality of unit pair structures being aligned in the axial direction and connected together.

In the above configuration, the compression spring of the present invention is preferably made of synthetic resin.

The container discharge device of the present invention is characterized by having the compression spring and an operating unit that discharges the contents of the container by compressing the compression spring.

In the above-mentioned configuration of the container discharge device of the present invention, it is preferable that the operating part includes an expandable structure, the expandable structure has the compression spring built-in, and is configured to expand and contract in the axial direction by the operation and its release.

The present invention provides a compression spring that is less likely to lose its elasticity and a container discharge device that is less likely to lose the repulsive force of the operating part.

1A is a side view showing a compression spring according to a first embodiment of the present invention in a non-compressed state, and FIG. 1B is a side view showing the compression spring shown in FIG. 1A in a compressed state. FIG. 2 is a development view of the compression spring in the state shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is an enlarged view showing a part of the unit structure shown in FIG. 2 . 3A is an enlarged view showing a portion of the unit pair structure shown in FIG. 2, FIG. 3B is an enlarged view showing a state when compressed from the state shown in FIG. 3A, and FIG. 3C is an enlarged view showing a state when further compressed from the state shown in FIG. FIG. 11 is a development view showing a part of a unit pair structure of a compression spring according to a second embodiment of the present invention in an uncompressed state. 1A is an exploded view showing a portion of a unit pair structure of a compression spring according to a third embodiment of the present invention in an uncompressed state, FIG. 1B is an exploded view showing the state when compressed from the state shown in FIG. 1A, and FIG. 1C is an exploded view showing the state when further compressed from the state shown in FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a container discharge device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

The compression spring 1, which is a first embodiment of the present invention shown in Figures 1 and 2, is a synthetic resin spring including a unit pair continuous structure 4 consisting of three unit pair structures 3. Each unit pair structure 3 is made up of a pair of unit structures 2 with different winding directions. Each unit structure 2 has three spring members 5 and two annular members 6. Note that in Figures 1 and 2, the three spring members 5 and two annular members 6 are labeled for only one unit structure 2.

In this specification, the direction along the central axis O is referred to as the axial direction, the direction going around the central axis O is referred to as the circumferential direction, and the direction along a straight line perpendicular to the central axis O is referred to as the radial direction.

As shown in Figs. 1 to 3, each unit structure 2 has two annular members 6 that are spaced apart from each other in the axial direction and each of which forms an annular shape centered on a central axis O, and a plurality of spring members 5 that are arranged with a phase shift in the circumferential direction, and each spring member 5 extends linearly between two end portions 5a that are circumferentially shifted between the two annular members 6 in the region located between the two annular members 6 along the axial direction so as to connect the two annular members 6, and each end portion 5a of each spring member 5 is connected to the annular member 6 at a second angle θ2 that is larger than the first angle θ1 when it is assumed that the spring member 5 extends spirally between the end portions 5a when viewed in the radial direction. Note that the number of spring members 5 included in each unit structure 2 is three in this embodiment as described above, but it may be two or four or more. The detailed structure of each unit structure 2 will be described below.

Each annular member 6 is in the shape of a circular flat plate. The two annular members 6 are identical in shape and size. The multiple spring members 5 are identical in shape and size. The multiple spring members 5 are arranged so as not to interfere with each other when the unit structure 2 is compressed in the axial direction.

As shown in FIG. 3, each spring member 5 has two curved portions 5b that extend in an arc shape from each end 5a toward the other end 5a on only one side approaching the other end 5a. The two curved portions 5b are identical in shape and size to each other.

Each spring member 5 has two reverse curved portions 5c that extend in an arc shape from each curved portion 5b toward the other end portion 5a only on the other side. The two reverse curved portions 5c are identical in shape and size to each other.

In each spring member 5, the intermediate portion 5d connecting the two curved portions 5b is made up of two reverse curved portions 5c and a linear reverse curved portion connecting portion 5e connecting them.

In each spring member 5, the intermediate portion 5d is configured to be contained within a specific region R, which is a region between a straight line L drawn from the root of the outer edge of one side of one curved portion 5b to tangent to the outer edge of the other side of the other curved portion 5b, and a straight line L drawn from the root of the outer edge of one side of the other curved portion 5b to tangent to the outer edge of the other side of the one curved portion 5b, when viewed in an expanded view as shown in FIG. 3. Therefore, when the unit structure 2 is compressed in the axial direction, the intermediate portion 5d does not abut against any of the annular members 6 until at least both curved portions 5b abut against the annular members 6 on the opposite side (see FIGS. 4(a) to (c)).

In each spring member 5, the intermediate portion 5d is within the specific region R without contacting the two straight lines L. However, as in the second embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 5, in each spring member 5, the intermediate portion 5d may be configured to be in contact with the two straight lines L and to be within the specific region R. In the second embodiment, the intermediate portion 5d is in contact with the straight lines L at each reverse curved portion 5c. In the second embodiment, the intermediate portion 5d does not contact any of the annular members 6 when the unit structure 2 is compressed in the axial direction until at least both curved portions 5b contact the annular members 6 on the opposite side.

As shown in Figures 1 and 2, each unit pair structure 3 is made up of a pair of unit structures 2 that are identical except for the winding directions of the multiple spring members 5, and the pair of unit structures 2 are adjacent to each other in the axial direction and connected together. Note that "different winding directions" means that in one unit structure 2, each spring member 5 is axially right-handed, and in the other unit structure 2, each spring member 5 is axially left-handed.

Each unit pair structure 3 is a plane-symmetrical structure with respect to a plane that passes through the axial center and is perpendicular to the central axis O. However, the unit pair structures 3 are not limited to plane-symmetrical structures. In other words, in each unit pair structure 3, the orientation of one unit structure 2 can be changed around the central axis O independently of the orientation of the other unit structure 2.

The unit pair continuous structure 4 is composed of a plurality of unit pair structures 3, and is a structure in which a plurality of unit pair structures 3 are lined up in the axial direction and integrally connected. As described above, the number of unit pair structures 3 included in the unit pair continuous structure 4 is three in this embodiment, but it may be two, four or more.

As described above, each unit structure 2 is a structure in which each end 5a of each spring member 5 is connected to the annular member 6 at a second angle θ2, which is greater than the first angle θ1 when it is assumed that the spring members 5 extend in a spiral shape between the ends 5a, as viewed in the radial direction. Therefore, according to this embodiment, it is possible to prevent the load from concentrating on each end 5a of each spring member 5 during expansion and contraction, making the end 5a less susceptible to plastic deformation, and thereby making it less likely that a decrease in elastic force will occur.

As described above, each unit structure 2 has a structure in which each spring member 5 has two curved portions 5b. Therefore, according to this embodiment, the concentration of load on each end 5a of each spring member 5 can be further suppressed, thereby making it even more difficult for a decrease in elastic force to occur.

In addition, each unit structure 2 has a structure in which each spring member 5 has two reverse curved portions 5c. Therefore, according to this embodiment, the two curved portions 5b can be set longer, which further suppresses the concentration of load on each end 5a of each spring member 5, thereby making it even more difficult for the elastic force to decrease.

In each unit structure 2, the intermediate portion 5d of each spring member 5 does not come into contact with any of the annular members 6 when the unit structure 2 is compressed in the axial direction until at least both curved portions 5b come into contact with the annular members 6 on the opposite side. Therefore, according to this embodiment, it is easy to ensure the amount of expansion and contraction stroke of each unit structure 2.

Each unit structure 2 has a structure in which the multiple spring members 5 do not interfere with each other when the unit structure 2 is compressed in the axial direction. Therefore, according to this embodiment, it is easy to ensure the amount of expansion and contraction stroke of each unit structure 2.

As described above, each unit pair structure 3 is composed of a pair of unit structures 2 that are identical except for the winding direction of the multiple spring members 5, and the pair of unit structures 2 are adjacent to each other in the axial direction and are connected together. Therefore, when an axial compressive force is applied to each unit pair structure 3 as shown by the thick arrow in FIG. 1(b), the annular member 6 located in the axial center of the unit pair structure 3 rotates in the circumferential direction as shown by the white arrow in FIG. 1(b), thereby allowing the multiple spring members 5 to expand in the circumferential direction instead of the radial direction. Therefore, according to this embodiment, the radial expansion of the compression spring 1 during compression can be suppressed. Note that each unit pair structure 3 can produce such an effect even if it is not a structure that is plane-symmetrical with respect to a plane that passes through the axial center and is perpendicular to the central axis O.

As described above, the unit pair continuous structure 4 is made up of multiple unit pair structures 3, and the multiple unit pair structures 3 are aligned in the axial direction and connected together. Therefore, according to this embodiment, a large expansion and contraction stroke amount equivalent to the multiple unit pair structures 3 can be ensured.

As described above, the compression spring 1 is made of synthetic resin. Therefore, according to this embodiment, it is possible to improve the recyclability of the compression spring 1 when it is used in a device made of synthetic resin.

As shown in FIG. 6, each unit structure 2 may have a structure in which each spring member 5 has an intermediate portion 5d that connects two curved portions 5b and does not have two reversely curved portions 5c, as in the third embodiment of the present invention. In the third embodiment, the intermediate portion 5d of each spring member 5 of each unit structure 2 is linear.

As shown in FIG. 7, the compression spring 1 according to the first, second or third embodiment of the present invention can be used in a container discharge device 10 capable of discharging the contents of a container 11. The container discharge device 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 7 has a compression spring 1 and an operating unit 12 that discharges the contents of the container 11 by compressing the compression spring 1 in the axial direction (as described above, in the direction along the central axis O) (hereinafter also referred to as the compression operation).

All components of the container discharge device 10, including the compression spring 1, are made of synthetic resin. The container discharge device 10 is a commonly known push-down head type pump device in which the operating unit 12 includes a push-down head 13.

The operating section 12 includes an expandable structure 12a. The expandable structure 12a houses the compression spring 1 and is a structure that expands and contracts in the axial direction by compressing and releasing the compression.

The telescopic structure 12a is composed of a push-down head 13, a cylindrical stem 14 centered on a central axis O that is integrally connected to the push-down head 13, an attachment cap 15, and a stem retaining member 16 that is fixed to the container 11 by the attachment cap 15. The push-down head 13 is provided radially outward from the stem 14 and has a cylindrical peripheral wall 13a centered on the central axis O. The attachment cap 15 is provided radially outward from the stem 14 and has a cylindrical guide wall 15a centered on the central axis O that can guide the peripheral wall 13a in the axial direction.

The compression spring 1 is disposed in an annular space S surrounded by the stem 14, the peripheral wall 13a, and the guide wall 15a. The compression spring 1 is held in the axial direction by the lower surface of the push-down head 13 and the upper surface of the stem retaining member 16.

As described above, the container discharge device 10 has a compression spring 1 that is less susceptible to a decrease in elasticity. Therefore, according to this embodiment, it is possible to make it difficult for the repulsive force of the operating unit 12 to decrease.

As described above, the expandable structure 12a incorporates a compression spring 1 that does not easily expand radially when compressed. Therefore, according to this embodiment, miniaturization can be easily achieved.

As described above, all components of the container discharge device 10, including the compression spring 1, are made of synthetic resin. Therefore, according to this embodiment, the container discharge device 10 can be disposed of as a recyclable product without sorting, achieving excellent recyclability.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Therefore, the compression spring 1 and the container discharge device 10 of the above embodiment can be modified in various ways, for example as described below.

The compression spring 1 of the above embodiment includes at least one unit structure 2, and the unit structure 2 has two annular members 6 that are spaced apart from each other in the axial direction along the central axis O and each of which forms a ring shape centered on the central axis O, and a plurality of spring members 5 that are arranged with a phase shift in the circumferential direction around the central axis O, and each spring member 5 extends linearly between two end portions 5a that are circumferentially shifted between the two annular members 6 in the axial direction within the area located between the two annular members 6, and each end portion 5a of each spring member 5 is connected to the annular member 6 at a second angle θ2 that is greater than the first angle θ1 when the spring member 5 is assumed to extend in a spiral shape between the end portions 5a, as viewed in the radial direction along a straight line perpendicular to the central axis O. Various modifications are possible as long as the structure is such that the spring member 5 extends in a spiral shape between the end portions 5a.

In addition, it is preferable that each spring member 5 of the compression spring 1 has two curved portions 5b that extend from each end 5a toward the other end 5a, curving only on one side toward the other end 5a.

It is also preferable that each spring member 5 of the compression spring 1 has two reverse curved portions 5c that extend from each curved portion 5b toward the other end portion 5a only on the other side.

In each spring member 5 of the compression spring 1, it is preferable that the intermediate portion 5d connecting the two curved portions 5b does not come into contact with any of the annular members 6 until at least both curved portions 5b come into contact with the annular member 6 on the opposite side when the unit structure 2 is compressed in the axial direction.

In each spring member 5 of the compression spring 1, it is preferable that the intermediate portion 5d, when viewed in an expanded view, falls within a region (specific region R) between a straight line L drawn from the root of the outer edge of one side of one curved portion 5b to tangent to the outer edge of the other side of the other curved portion 5b, and a straight line L drawn from the root of the outer edge of one side of the other curved portion 5b to tangent to the outer edge of the other side of the one curved portion 5b.

It is preferable that the multiple spring members 5 of the compression spring 1 do not interfere with each other when the unit structure 2 is compressed in the axial direction.

The compression spring 1 includes at least one unit pair structure 3, and the unit pair structure 3 is preferably made up of a pair of unit structures 2 that are identical except for the winding directions of the multiple spring members 5, and the pair of unit structures 2 are preferably adjacent to each other in the axial direction and integrally connected.

The compression spring 1 includes at least one unit pair continuous structure 4, and it is preferable that the unit pair continuous structure 4 is made up of a plurality of unit pair structures 3, and that the plurality of unit pair structures 3 are aligned in the axial direction and connected together.

The compression spring 1 is preferably made of synthetic resin.

The container discharge device 10 of the above embodiment can be modified in various ways as long as it has a compression spring 1 and an operating unit 12 that discharges the contents of the container 11 by compressing the compression spring 1.

In addition, it is preferable that the operating part 12 of the container discharge device 10 includes an expansion and contraction structure 12a, which incorporates the compression spring 1 and is structured to expand and contract in the axial direction by the above-mentioned operation and its release.

In addition, it is preferable that the container discharge device 10 is a push-down head type pump device in which the operating unit 12 includes a push-down head 13.

It is preferable that all components of the container discharge device 10, including the compression spring 1, are made of synthetic resin.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 compression spring 2 unit structure 3 unit pair structure 4 unit pair continuous structure 5 spring member 5a end of spring member 5b curved portion 5c reverse curved portion 5d middle portion 5e reverse curved portion connecting portion 6 annular member 10 container discharge device 11 container 12 operation portion 12a telescopic structure 13 push-down head 13a peripheral wall 14 stem 15 mounting cap 15a guide wall 16 stem removal prevention member L straight line O central axis R specific region S annular space θ1 first angle θ2 second angle

Claims (9)

Contains at least one unit structure,
the unit structure has two annular members spaced apart from each other in an axial direction along a central axis and each forming an annular shape centered on the central axis, and a plurality of spring members provided with a phase shift in a circumferential direction around the central axis, wherein each of the spring members extends linearly between two ends shifted in the circumferential direction between the two annular members in a region located between the two annular members along the axial direction so as to connect the two annular members, and each end of each of the spring members is connected to the annular member at a second angle larger than a first angle when the spring member is assumed to extend in a spiral shape between the ends, as viewed in a radial direction along a straight line perpendicular to the central axis,
A compression spring, characterized in that each of the spring members has two curved portions that extend from each of the ends toward the other end, curving only on one side toward the other end, and two reverse curved portions that extend from each of the curved portions toward the other end, curving only on the other side . 2. The compression spring of claim 1, wherein in each of the spring members, an intermediate portion connecting the two curved portions does not abut against either of the annular members until at least both of the curved portions abut against the opposite annular member when the unit structure is compressed in the axial direction. 3. The compression spring according to claim 2, wherein in each of the spring members, when viewed in an expanded view, the intermediate portion falls within a region between a straight line drawn from a root of an outer edge on the one side of one of the curved portions so as to be tangent to the outer edge on the other side of the other curved portion, and a straight line drawn from a root of the outer edge on the one side of the other curved portion so as to be tangent to the outer edge on the other side of the one of the curved portions. The compression spring according to claim 1 , wherein the plurality of spring members do not interfere with each other when the unit structure is compressed in the axial direction. At least one unit pair structure,
The compression spring according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the unit pair structure is composed of a pair of unit structures that are identical except for the winding directions of the multiple spring members, and the pair of unit structures are adjacent to each other in the axial direction and integrally connected. At least one unit pair structure is included,
6. The compression spring according to claim 5 , wherein the unit pair continuous structure is made up of a plurality of the unit pair structures, the plurality of unit pair structures being aligned in the axial direction and integrally connected together. The compression spring according to any one of claims 1 to 6 , which is made of synthetic resin. A compression spring according to any one of claims 1 to 7 ;
and an operating portion for discharging the contents of the container by compressing the compression spring. The operation unit includes an extendable structure,
The container discharge device according to claim 8 , wherein the expansion and contraction structure has the compression spring built therein and expands and contracts in the axial direction by the operation and its release.

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