JP7696288B2 - Dispenser - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an ejector.

Conventionally, dispensers such as that shown in Patent Document 1 below have been known. This dispenser includes a body that has a pump that sucks, pressurizes, and pumps the contents of the container and is attached to the mouth of the container, a connecting member that has an opening that leads to the pump and is fixed to the tip of the body, a pressure regulating valve that regulates the pressure of the contents from the connecting member, and a nozzle that has an opening for spraying the contents from the pressure regulating valve and is held by the connecting member. An intake (vertical supply tube) is fitted and held inside the body. An annular valve seat is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the intake toward the inside in the radial direction, and a spherical check valve (ball valve) is provided that can be seated on and separated from the valve seat.

JP 2011-177630 A

However, in the conventional dispensers, depending on the type of contents, the ball valve may separate from the valve seat and stick to the inner wall surface of the flow path, preventing it from returning to the valve seat.

The present invention was made in consideration of these circumstances, and its purpose is to provide a dispenser that can stably open and close the flow path by suppressing sticking of the ball valve.

(1) The dispenser according to the present invention comprises a vertical supply tube that sucks up the contents from a container body, a nozzle member having a discharge hole that discharges the contents sucked up by the vertical supply tube, a cylinder whose interior is pressurized and depressurized with the movement of a piston and whose interior is connected to the interior of the vertical supply tube, and a switching valve that switches between communication and blocking between the vertical supply tube and the discharge hole depending on the pressurization and depressurization of the interior of the cylinder, and the switching valve comprises a valve seat provided on the opening periphery of a communication hole that connects the vertical supply tube and the discharge hole, a ball valve that is seated on the valve seat so as to be able to separate from it, a wall portion that faces the ball valve and the opening direction of the communication hole, and a group of elastic projections that include at least three projections that protrude from the wall portion toward the ball valve and that are elastically deformed at least in a radial direction that intersects with the opening direction of the communication hole by the ball valve that has been separated from the valve seat.

In the discharger according to the present invention, when the pressure inside the cylinder is increased or decreased with the movement of the piston, the ball valve moves away from the valve seat provided on the opening periphery of the communication hole that connects the vertical supply tube section and the discharge hole. The ball valve that moves away from the valve seat comes into contact with an elastic protrusion group including at least three protrusions, elastically deforming the elastic protrusion group at least in the radial direction intersecting with the opening direction of the communication hole. When the pressure or pressure inside the cylinder is released, the elastic protrusion group that was elastically deformed by contact with the ball valve returns to its original shape, and the ball valve is pushed back. This urges the ball valve toward the valve seat, and the ball valve seats on the valve seat without sticking to the inner wall surface of the flow path.

(2) The elastic projections may be formed in a spiral shape extending from one side to the other in the circumferential direction around the central axis of the communication hole as they move from the wall portion toward the ball valve.

In this case, the elastic protrusion group elastically deforms not only in the radial direction intersecting the opening direction of the communication hole, but also from one side to the other in the circumferential direction around the central axis of the communication hole, making it easier for the elastic protrusion group to elastically deform upon contact with the ball valve. Also, because the elastic protrusion group deforms not only in the radial direction but also in the circumferential direction, it is possible to prevent the elastic protrusion group from spreading too much in the radial direction upon contact with the ball valve, and it is possible to suppress an increase in the inner diameter of the flow path in which the elastic protrusion group is arranged.

(3) The elastic projections may contact half of the area of the ball valve on the wall side.

In this case, at least three protrusions of the elastic protrusion group elastically deform so as to pinch half of the area (hemispherical surface) on the wall side of the ball valve, making it easier to release the ball valve from the elastic protrusion group when the elastic protrusion group restores its deformation.

(4) The elastic projection group may have at least three contact points that contact the ball valve, and the diameter of a circle passing through the three contact points may be smaller than the diameter of the ball valve.

In this case, when the ball valve comes into contact with the elastic projection group, the elastic projection group elastically deforms so that the gaps between at least three projections are pushed apart. This causes the tip of the elastic projection group to bend radially, increasing the force biasing the ball valve toward the valve seat.

(5) The elastic projection group may have an inner surface facing radially inward and intersecting with the opening direction of the communication hole, which may be formed as a flat surface extending in the tangent direction of a circle centered on the central axis of the communication hole, or a curved surface recessed radially outward and intersecting with the opening direction of the communication hole.

In this case, the elastic projection group has at least three flat surfaces or three curved surfaces, allowing for stable contact with the ball valve.

The dispenser according to the present invention can stably open and close the flow path by preventing the ball valve from sticking.

1 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a dispenser according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an elastic protrusion group according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the elastic protrusion group according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 5 is a perspective view showing elastic deformation of an elastic protrusion group according to the first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. FIG. 5 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a dispenser according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

The following describes an embodiment of the present invention with reference to the drawings.

First Embodiment
As shown in Fig. 1, the dispenser according to the first embodiment is a trigger type ejector 1. The trigger type ejector 1 includes an ejector main body 2 attached to a container body A that contains the contents, a nozzle member 3 that is attached to the ejector main body 2 and has an ejection hole 4 (ejection hole) formed therein for ejecting the contents, and a cover member 5 that covers the ejector main body 2 and the nozzle member 3. Examples of the contents that can be stored in the container body A include detergent for home use or dishwashing, deodorizers and fragrances for use in spaces or clothing, disinfectant alcohol, and the like.
Unless otherwise specified, each component part of the trigger type ejector 1 is a molded product made of synthetic resin.

The ejector main body 2 mainly includes a vertical supply tube portion 10 , a trigger mechanism 20 , an ejection tube portion 30 , and a switching valve 40 .
In the following description, the side of the container body A along the central axis O of the vertical supply tube portion 10 is referred to as the lower side, and the opposite side is referred to as the upper side, and the direction along the central axis O is referred to as the up-down direction. Also, when viewed from the up-down direction, a direction intersecting the central axis O is referred to as the radial direction, and a direction going around the central axis O is referred to as the circumferential direction. Furthermore, in a plan view viewed from the up-down direction, a direction intersecting the central axis O is referred to as the front-rear direction, and a direction perpendicular to both the up-down direction and the front-rear direction is referred to as the left-right direction.

The vertical supply tube 10 extends vertically and sucks up the contents inside the container A. The vertical supply tube 10 has a flange 11 that is placed on the upper opening edge of the mouth of the container A via a packing. The flange 11 is pressed down from above by an attachment cap 12 that is attached (screwed) to the mouth of the container A. The upper part of a pipe 13 that extends vertically and sucks up the contents from the container A is fitted into the vertical supply tube 10.

A cylinder tube 14 is provided on the front side of the vertical supply tube 10. The cylinder tube 14 protrudes forward from the vertical supply tube 10 and opens forward. A cylinder 23 is fitted into the cylinder tube 14. The cylinder 23 is formed in a bottomed tube shape that opens forward and is closed at the rear. A portion of the rear wall of the cylinder 23 is connected to the interior of the vertical supply tube 10.

The trigger mechanism 20 includes a trigger portion 21, a piston 22, a cylinder 23, and a biasing member 24. The trigger mechanism 20 is capable of distributing the contents from inside the vertical supply tube portion 10 toward the nozzle hole 4 by moving the trigger portion 21 rearward.

The trigger section 21 is disposed in front of the vertical supply tube section 10 in a forward biased state so that it can move rearward. The trigger section 21 is supported by the nozzle member 3 on the left and right sides of the injection tube section 30 so that it can swing back and forth. The trigger section 21 extends downward from the position where it is supported by the nozzle member 3, and is located in front of the piston 22 and cylinder 23.

The piston 22 is disposed inside the cylinder 23 so as to be movable in the front-rear direction. The piston 22 is movable in the front-rear direction in conjunction with the movement of the trigger portion 21. The inside of the cylinder 23 is pressurized and depressurized as the piston 22 moves in the front-rear direction. The piston 22 is formed in a topped cylindrical shape that is open at the rear and closed at the front.

The piston 22, together with the trigger portion 21, is biased forward by the biasing force of the biasing member 24. As the trigger portion 21 moves rearward, the piston 22 retreats and is pushed into the cylinder 23. When the trigger portion 21 is in the forwardmost swing position, the piston 22 is correspondingly located in the forwardmost position.

The biasing member 24 is a pair of elastic arms formed integrally with the blocking member 32 that blocks the rear end of the injection tube portion 30. The pair of elastic arms extend forward from both the left and right sides of the blocking member 32, and elastically deform so as to bend downward as they move forward, biasing the trigger portion 21 forward. By forming the biasing member 24 on the blocking member 32 in this way, it is possible to form the pair of elastic arms long from the rear end of the injection tube portion 30 toward the front, and to provide a large, gentle curved portion. The biasing member 24 may be a spring member or the like arranged between the top wall of the piston 22 and the bottom wall of the cylinder 23.

The injection tube section 30 is disposed above the cylinder tube section 14 and extends forward from the upper end of the vertical supply tube section 10. The inside of the injection tube section 30 is connected to the upper end of the vertical supply tube section 10. A pressure accumulator valve 31 is disposed within the injection tube section 30. The pressure accumulator valve 31 is disposed within the injection tube section 30 so as to be movable in the front-rear direction, and closes the rear end opening of the injection tube section 30 so as to be releasable from the rear. The pressure accumulator valve 31 is formed in a topped tube shape that opens to the rear and is closed at the front.

The rear end of the injection tube 30 is blocked by a blocking member 32 that is attached from the rear of the pressure accumulator valve 31. The blocking member 32 includes a pair of elastic arms that constitute the biasing member 24 described above, and a number of elastic protrusions 33 that contact the pressure accumulator valve 31 from the rear and position the pressure accumulator valve 31.

The multiple elastic protrusions 33 contact the tapered surface of the rear end opening edge of the pressure accumulator valve 31 from the rear. When the pressure in the pressure accumulator chamber S, which is connected to the upper end of the vertical supply tube section 10, exceeds a predetermined value, the multiple elastic protrusions 33 are elastically deformed so that their tips approach each other, connecting the pressure accumulator chamber S to the front end opening of the injection tube section 30.

The nozzle member 3 is fitted from the front onto the injection tube portion 30. The nozzle member 3 comprises a cylindrical relay member 3a attached to the front end of the injection tube portion 30, and a nozzle body 3b in the shape of a closed cylinder, which is rotatably attached to the relay member 3a while being prevented from slipping out of the front of the relay member 3a. The front top wall of the nozzle body 3b is formed with an ejection hole 4 that opens forward and ejects the contents forward.

The cover member 5 is formed to cover the entire nozzle member 3 except for the nozzle body 3b, the entire vertical supply tube portion 10 except for the lower end portion, and the entire injection tube portion 30 from at least both left and right sides and above.

The switching valve 40 is provided inside the vertical supply tube 10. The vertical supply tube 10 includes an outer tube 15 and an inner tube 16 fitted into the outer tube 15. The switching valve 40 is provided in a flow path provided between the upper end position of the pipe 13 fitted into the inner tube 16 and a connection position above the upper end position of the pipe 13 where the outer tube 15 and the cylinder 23 are connected. A communication hole 17 is formed in the flow path to connect the vertical supply tube 10 and the ejection hole 4.

The switching valve 40 switches between communication and blocking between the vertical supply tube section 10 and the ejection hole 4 according to the pressurization and depressurization inside the cylinder 23. The switching valve 40 includes a valve seat 41, a ball valve 42, a wall section 43, and a group of elastic protrusions 44. The valve seat 41 is provided on the opening periphery of the communication hole 17 that connects the vertical supply tube section 10 and the ejection hole 4. The valve seat 41 protrudes radially from the inner wall surface at the upper end of the inner tube section 16, and the upper surface of the valve seat 41 gradually narrows in diameter as it extends downward.

The ball valve 42 is a sphere that can be seated on the valve seat 41 and can be separated from it. The ball valve 42 is made of, for example, a metal having a higher specific gravity than the contents contained in the container body A. The wall portion 43 faces the ball valve 42 in the opening direction of the communication hole 17. In other words, the wall portion 43 faces the valve seat 41 with a gap therebetween, sandwiching the ball valve 42, in the opening direction of the communication hole 17. The wall portion 43 is formed integrally with the outer tube portion 15. Specifically, the wall portion 43 forms the top wall of the topped cylindrical outer tube portion 15. A side wall extending upward from the wall portion 43 is formed integrally, and the injection tube portion 30 and the outer tube portion 15 are formed integrally through the side wall. A flow path that connects the pressure accumulator chamber S in the injection tube portion 30 and the cylinder 23 is formed between the lower part of the injection tube portion 30 and the side wall.

The opening direction of the communication hole 17 is the direction in which the central axis passing through the center of the communication hole 17 extends. In the first embodiment, the central axis of the communication hole 17 coincides with the central axis O of the vertical supply tube section 10. That is, in the first embodiment, the opening direction of the communication hole 17 is the vertical direction. In addition, if the switching valve 40 is located in a flow path that is bent relative to the vertical supply tube section 10, the direction in which the bent flow path extends may be the opening direction of the communication hole 17.

The elastic projection group 44 has a plurality of projections 45 that project from the wall portion 43 toward the ball valve 42. The plurality of projections 45 contact half of the area (upper half area) of the ball valve 42 on the wall portion 43 side with respect to the ball valve 42 seated on the valve seat 41. The plurality of projections 45 may be arranged spaced apart in the vertical direction with respect to the ball valve 42 seated on the valve seat 41.

2, the elastic projection group 44 has three projections 45 that project from the wall portion 43 toward the ball valve 42. The number of projections 45 may be four or more. The elastic projection group 44 is formed in a spiral shape (e.g., a counterclockwise spiral shape centered on the central axis O in a plan view) that extends from one side to the other in the circumferential direction around the central axis O of the communication hole 17 as it moves from the wall portion 43 toward the ball valve 42. In other words, the tip portion 45a of the projection 45 on the ball valve 42 side is located on the other side in the circumferential direction relative to the base portion 45b of the projection 45 on the wall portion 43 side.

As shown in the bottom view of FIG. 3, the elastic projection group 44 has an inner surface 46 that faces inward in the radial direction intersecting with the opening direction of the communication hole 17 and is curved and recessed outward in the radial direction intersecting with the opening direction of the communication hole 17. The inner surfaces 46 of the three projections 45 as a whole form a circle centered on the central axis O of the communication hole 17. The inner surface 46 of the elastic projection group 44 may be a flat surface extending in the tangent direction of a circle centered on the central axis O of the communication hole 17.

The projection 45 is formed in a substantially semi-cylindrical shape from the base 45b to just before the tip 45a. The tip 45a of the projection 45 is formed in a substantially hemispherical shape. In other words, one point on the spherical surface of the tip 45a of the projection 45 is the initial contact point P with the ball valve 42. The elastic projection group 44 has at least three contact points P that contact the ball valve 42, and the diameter D2 of the circle passing through the three contact points P is smaller than the diameter D1 of the ball valve 42. As a result, when the ball valve 42 moves away from the valve seat 41, the elastic projection group 44 is elastically deformed by the ball valve 42 so that the gaps between the three projections 45 are pushed apart.

The elastic projection group 44 is elastically deformed at least radially outwardly intersecting the opening direction of the communication hole 17 by the ball valve 42 moving away from the valve seat 41. Furthermore, as the elastic projection group 44 is formed in a spiral shape extending from one side to the other in the circumferential direction around the central axis O of the communication hole 17 as it moves from the wall portion 43 toward the ball valve 42, it elastically deforms so as to twist in the circumferential direction as shown in FIG. 4. These elastic deformations create a vertical gap between the valve seat 41 and the ball valve 42, and the vertical supply tube portion 10 and the ejection hole 4 are in communication.

Next, we will explain how to use the trigger-type ejector 1 configured as described above. It is assumed that the contents are filled in each part of the trigger-type ejector 1 and that the contents can be sucked up into the vertical supply tube part 10.

As shown in FIG. 1, when the trigger 21 is pulled backward, the piston 22 moves backward from the forwardmost position, and pressure is applied inside the cylinder 23. When pressure is applied inside the cylinder 23, the contents inside the cylinder 23 flow out into the vertical supply tube 10, and the ball valve 42 is pressed against the valve seat 41 by the flowing out contents, blocking the communication hole 17.

As a result, the contents that have flowed into the vertical supply tube section 10 can be supplied into the injection tube section 30 through the upper end of the vertical supply tube section 10. When the contents are supplied into the injection tube section 30, the pressure in the pressure accumulation chamber S increases, and when the pressure in the pressure accumulation chamber S exceeds a predetermined value, the elastic protrusion 33 elastically deforms and the pressure accumulation valve 31 opens. When the pressure accumulation valve 31 opens, the pressurized contents can be forcefully injected from the injection tube section 30 toward the relay member 3a, and can also be ejected to the outside from the ejection hole 4 of the nozzle main body 3b.

After the contents are ejected, when the trigger portion 21 is moved forward by the biasing member 24, the piston 22 moves forward in the cylinder 23 in conjunction with the trigger portion 21. This reduces the pressure inside the cylinder 23, making the pressure lower than the pressure inside the container body A. When the pressure inside the cylinder 23 is reduced in this way as the piston 22 moves, the ball valve 42 moves away from the valve seat 41 provided on the opening periphery of the communication hole 17 that connects the vertical supply tube portion 10 and the ejection hole 4.

The ball valve 42, which has moved away from the valve seat 41, comes into contact with an elastic protrusion group 44 including three protrusions 45, and elastically deforms the elastic protrusion group 44 at least in a radially outward direction intersecting with the opening direction of the communication hole 17. When the reduced pressure in the cylinder 23 is released, the elastic protrusion group 44, which has been elastically deformed by contact with the ball valve 42, returns to its original shape, and the ball valve 42 is pushed back. As a result, the ball valve 42 is biased toward the valve seat 41, and the ball valve 42 seats on the valve seat 41 without sticking to the inner wall surface of the flow passage of the vertical supply tube portion 10.
Therefore, the content in the container body A can be sucked up into the vertical supply tube portion 10 through the communication hole 17 and introduced into the cylinder 23. This makes it possible to prepare for the next ejection.

Thus, the trigger-type ejector 1 of the first embodiment comprises a vertical supply tube section 10 that sucks up the contents from the container body A, a nozzle member 3 having an ejection hole 4 through which the contents sucked up by the vertical supply tube section 10 are ejected, a cylinder 23 whose interior is pressurized and depressurized as the piston 22 moves and whose interior is in communication with the interior of the vertical supply tube section 10, and a switching valve 40 that switches between communication and blocking between the vertical supply tube section 10 and the ejection hole 4 depending on the pressurization and depressurization of the interior of the cylinder 23. The switching valve 40 is The valve seat 41 is provided on the opening periphery of the communication hole 17 that connects the vertical supply tube 10 and the ejection hole 4, the ball valve 42 is seated on the valve seat 41 so as to be able to separate from the ball valve 42, the wall portion 43 facing the ball valve 42 in the opening direction of the communication hole 17, and the elastic projection group 44 includes at least three projections 45 that protrude from the wall portion 43 toward the ball valve 42, and is elastically deformed at least radially outwardly intersecting with the opening direction of the communication hole 17 by the ball valve 42 that is separated from the valve seat 41. With this configuration, the ball valve 42 can be prevented from sticking, and the flow path can be opened and closed stably.

In the first embodiment, the elastic protrusion group 44 is formed in a spiral shape extending from one side to the other in the circumferential direction around the central axis O of the communication hole 17 as it moves from the wall portion 43 toward the ball valve 42. With this configuration, the elastic protrusion group 44 elastically deforms not only radially outwardly intersecting with the opening direction of the communication hole 17, but also from one side to the other in the circumferential direction around the central axis O of the communication hole 17, so that the elastic protrusion group 44 is easily elastically deformed by contact with the ball valve 42. In addition, since the elastic protrusion group 44 deforms not only radially but also circumferentially, it is possible to prevent the elastic protrusion group 44 from spreading too far outward in the radial direction due to contact with the ball valve 42, and it is possible to suppress an increase in the inner diameter of the flow path in which the elastic protrusion group 44 is arranged.

In addition, in the first embodiment, the elastic projection group 44 contacts half of the area of the ball valve 42 on the wall portion 43 side. With this configuration, at least three projections 45 of the elastic projection group 44 elastically deform so as to pinch half of the area (hemispherical surface) of the ball valve 42 on the wall portion 43 side, so that when the elastic projection group 44 restores its deformation, it becomes easier to release the ball valve 42 from the elastic projection group 44.

In the first embodiment, the elastic projection group 44 has at least three contact points P that come into contact with the ball valve 42, and the diameter D2 of a circle passing through the three contact points P is smaller than the diameter D1 of the ball valve 42. With this configuration, when the ball valve 42 comes into contact with the elastic projection group 44, the elastic projection group 44 elastically deforms so that the spaces between at least three projections 45 are pushed apart. As a result, the tip of the elastic projection group 44 bends radially outward, and the force urging the ball valve 42 toward the valve seat 41 becomes stronger.

In the first embodiment, the elastic projection group 44 has an inner surface 46 facing radially inward and intersecting with the opening direction of the communication hole 17, which is formed as a flat surface extending in the tangent direction of a circle centered on the central axis O of the communication hole 17, or a curved surface recessed radially outward and intersecting with the opening direction of the communication hole 17. With this configuration, the elastic projection group 44 has at least three flat surfaces or three curved surfaces, so that it can stably contact the ball valve 42.

Second Embodiment
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the following description, the same or equivalent components as those in the above-described embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be simplified or omitted.

As shown in FIG. 5, the dispenser according to the second embodiment is a push-type dispenser 100. The push-type dispenser 100 dispenses the contents filled in a container body (not shown) from a discharge hole 104 in a push-down head 103. Examples of the contents filled in the container body include treatment, body soap, hand soap, shampoo, rinse, and conditioner.

The push-type dispenser 100 comprises an attachment cap 101 that is attached to the mouth of the container body, a pump 102 having a stem 110 (vertical supply tube portion) that penetrates the attachment cap 101 and is movable downward when biased upward, a push-down head 103 (nozzle member) that is attached to the upper end of the stem 110 and has a discharge hole 104 formed therein for discharging the contents, and a regulating tube 105 to which the push-down head 103, located at the lower end position, is detachably attached and that regulates the upward movement of the push-down head 103 and the stem 110.

The attachment cap 101 is formed in a cylindrical shape with a top and an annular top wall. The inner peripheral surface of the attachment cap 101 is formed with a female thread that is screwed into the mouth of the container.

The pump 102 comprises a cylindrical stem 110 extending in the vertical direction, a piston 111 linked to the vertical movement of the stem 110, a cylinder 112 into which the piston 111 is fitted so as to be able to slide vertically, a fitting member 113 linked to the vertical movement of the stem 110 and fitted into the lower end of the cylinder 112, and a lower valve body 114 that opens and closes the lower end opening of the cylinder 112.

The central axes O of the mounting cap 101, stem 110, regulating tube 105, piston 111, and cylinder 112 are each arranged coaxially. Hereinafter, the side of the container body along this central axis O will be referred to as the lower side, and the opposite side as the upper side, and the direction along the central axis O will be referred to as the up-down direction. In addition, when viewed from the up-down direction, the direction that intersects with the central axis O will be referred to as the radial direction, and the direction going around the central axis O will be referred to as the circumferential direction.

The piston 111 extends radially outward from the lower end of the stem 110 and is in sliding contact with the inner wall surface of the cylinder 112 so as to be movable up and down. The cylinder 112 is formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape that opens at the top. An opening is formed in the center of the bottom of the cylinder 112, which extends to the bottom of the container body and into which a pipe 115 that sucks up the contents is fitted.

A flange portion 116 that protrudes radially outward is formed around the entire circumference of the outer peripheral surface of the upper end of the cylinder 112. The flange portion 116 is positioned on the upper opening edge of the mouth of the container body. The part of the cylinder 112 that is located above the flange portion 116 is inserted inside the top wall portion of the attachment cap 101. The flange portion 116 is pressed against the upper opening edge of the mouth of the container body by the top wall portion of the attachment cap 101.

The upper end of the piston biasing member 117 is disposed inside the piston 111. After the contents are discharged, the piston biasing member 117 moves the stem 110 upward to return it to its original position. The lower valve body 114 is disposed in the cylinder 112 in a portion located below the fitting portion 133. The fitting portion 133 is equipped with an upwardly convex spring bearing portion that receives the lower end of the piston biasing member 117, and legs that extend from the periphery of the spring bearing portion toward the bottom wall of the cylinder 112. The legs extend intermittently in the circumferential direction, forming gaps through which the contents can pass.

The lower valve body 114 is formed in a circular shape when viewed from the top and bottom direction. The lower valve body 114 is placed on the peripheral portion of the lower end opening on the bottom surface of the cylinder 112 so that it can be separated upward. The lower valve body 114 is disposed inside the leg of the fitting portion 133. The lower valve body 114 is hinged to the inner peripheral surface of the leg of the fitting portion 133 via an elastically deformable connecting piece.

The lower valve body 114 is a check valve that keeps the lower end opening of the cylinder 112 closed when the cylinder 112 is pressurized, and opens the lower end opening of the cylinder 112 when the cylinder 112 is depressurized. This prevents the contents in the cylinder 112 from returning to the inside of the container from the lower end opening of the cylinder 112 when the cylinder 112 is pressurized, and allows the contents in the container to flow into the cylinder 112 from the lower end opening of the cylinder 112 when the cylinder 112 is depressurized.

The pressing head 103 comprises a fitting tube 120 fitted to the upper end of the stem 110, a discharge tube 121 protruding radially outward from the fitting tube 120 and having a discharge hole 104 at its tip, and a screw tube 122 surrounding the fitting tube 120 from the radially outer side. The discharge tube 121 penetrates the screw tube 122 in the radial direction. The upper part of the fitting tube 120 protrudes upward from the upper end of the stem 110. The regulating tube 105 comprises an outer fitting tube 131 fitted to the upper end of the cylinder 112, and a male thread tube 132 into which the screw tube 122 of the pressing head 103 located at the lowered end position is screwed.

Here, the switching valve 40 is provided inside the stem 110 and the fitting cylinder 120. The upper end of the stem 110 is formed with a communication hole 17 that connects the stem 110 to the discharge hole 104. The switching valve 40 switches between communication and blocking between the stem 110 and the discharge hole 104 according to the pressure increase and decrease inside the cylinder 112. As described above, the switching valve 40 includes a valve seat 41, a ball valve 42, a wall portion 43, and a group of elastic protrusions 44. The valve seat 41 is provided on the opening periphery of the communication hole 17 that connects the stem 110 to the discharge hole 104. The valve seat 41 protrudes radially from the inner wall surface at the upper end of the inner cylinder portion 16, and the upper surface of the valve seat 41 gradually narrows in diameter as it approaches downward.

The ball valve 42 is a sphere that is seated on the valve seat 41 and can be separated from it. The ball valve 42 is made of, for example, a metal or the like having a higher specific gravity than the contents contained in the container body A. The wall portion 43 is suspended downward from the top surface of the push-down head 103 and faces the ball valve 42 in the opening direction of the communication hole 17. In other words, the wall portion 43 faces the valve seat 41 with a gap therebetween, sandwiching the ball valve 42, in the opening direction of the communication hole 17. The wall portion 43 is formed integrally with the push-down head 103.

The elastic projection group 44 has at least three projections 45 that project from the wall portion 43 toward the ball valve 42. The elastic projection group 44 contacts half of the area (upper half area) of the ball valve 42 on the wall portion 43 side with respect to the ball valve 42 seated on the valve seat 41. The elastic projection group 44 may be arranged spaced apart in the vertical direction with respect to the ball valve 42 seated on the valve seat 41. The detailed structure of the elastic projection group 44 is as described in the first embodiment above.

The following describes how to use the push-type dispenser 100 configured as described above.

When the pressing head 103 is pressed down to move the stem 110 downward, the piston 111 also moves downward and the contents in the cylinder 112 are pressurized. As a result, the contents in the cylinder 112 flow into the stem 110, the ball valve 42 that blocks the communication hole 17 moves away from the valve seat 41, and the contents are discharged from the discharge hole 104.

In this way, when the inside of the cylinder 112 is pressurized with the movement of the piston 111, the ball valve 42 moves away from the valve seat 41 provided on the opening periphery of the communication hole 17 that communicates the stem 110 and the discharge hole 104. The ball valve 42 that moves away from the valve seat 41 comes into contact with the elastic protrusion group 44 including three protrusions 45, and elastically deforms the elastic protrusion group 44 at least radially outwardly intersecting with the opening direction of the communication hole 17. When the pressure in the cylinder 112 is released, the elastic protrusion group 44 that has been elastically deformed by contact with the ball valve 42 returns to its original shape, and the ball valve 42 is pushed back. As a result, the ball valve 42 is urged toward the valve seat 41, and the ball valve 42 sits on the valve seat 41 without sticking to the inner wall surface of the flow passage of the stem 110 or the fitting tube 120.

Next, when the depression of the press-down head 103 is released, the stem 110, the piston 111, and the press-down head 103 rise together due to the upward biasing force of the piston biasing member 117. This reduces the pressure inside the cylinder 112. When the pressure inside the cylinder 112 is reduced, the lower valve body 114 opens the lower end opening of the cylinder 112, and the contents inside the container flow into the cylinder 112 through the pipe 115.
Therefore, the content inside the container can be sucked up into the stem 110 via the communication hole 17 and introduced into the cylinder 112. This makes it possible to prepare for the next ejection.

Thus, the push-type dispenser 100 of the second embodiment includes a stem 110 that sucks up the contents from the container body, a push-down head 103 having a discharge hole 104 through which the contents sucked up by the stem 110 are discharged, a cylinder 112 whose interior is pressurized and depressurized as the piston 111 moves and whose interior is in communication with the interior of the stem 110, and a switching valve 40 that switches between communication and blocking between the stem 110 and the discharge hole 104 depending on the pressure and pressure inside the cylinder 112. 0 includes a valve seat 41 provided on the opening periphery of the communication hole 17 that communicates the stem 110 and the discharge hole 104, a ball valve 42 that is seated on the valve seat 41 so as to be able to separate from it, a wall portion 43 that faces the ball valve 42 in the opening direction of the communication hole 17, and a group of elastic protrusions 44 that includes at least three protrusions 45 that protrude from the wall portion 43 toward the ball valve 42 and that elastically deform at least radially outwardly intersecting the opening direction of the communication hole 17 due to the ball valve 42 that has separated from the valve seat 41. With this configuration, the ball valve 42 can be prevented from sticking, and the flow path can be opened and closed stably.

The technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

For example, in the above embodiment, the elastic projection group 44 is configured to extend in a spiral shape from one side to the other in the circumferential direction around the central axis O of the communication hole 17 as it moves from the wall portion 43 toward the ball valve 42. However, the elastic projection group 44 may extend in a straight line from the wall portion 43 toward the ball valve 42.

In addition, for example, in the above-described embodiment, the elastic projection group 44 has an inner surface 46 facing radially inward and intersecting with the opening direction of the communication hole 17, which is formed as a flat surface extending in the tangent direction of a circle centered on the central axis O of the communication hole 17, or as a curved surface recessed radially outward and intersecting with the opening direction of the communication hole 17. However, the inner surface 46 of the elastic projection group 44 need not be convex toward the central axis O of the communication hole 17.

In addition, for example, in the above-described embodiment, the elastic protrusion group 44 is configured to elastically deform radially outwardly, intersecting with the opening direction of the communication hole 17, due to the ball valve 42 moving away from the valve seat 41, but it is also acceptable for some of the protrusions to elastically deform radially inward.

For example, the first embodiment uses a trigger-type ejector 1, and the second embodiment uses a push-type ejector 100 that ejects the contents in droplets, but the ejector is not limited to this configuration. The ejector of the present invention may be, for example, a push-type ejector (spray type) that sprays the contents in a mist, or a push-type foamer pump that ejects the contents in a foam form.

In addition, the components in the above embodiments may be replaced with well-known components as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

1... trigger type ejector, 2... ejector body, 3... nozzle member, 3a... relay member, 3b... nozzle body, 4... ejection hole, 5... cover member, 10... vertical supply tube portion, 11... flange, 12... mounting cap, 13... pipe, 14... cylinder tube portion, 15... outer tube portion, 16... inner tube portion, 17... communication hole, 20... trigger mechanism, 21... trigger portion, 22... piston, 23... cylinder, 24... biasing member, 30... ejection tube portion, 31... pressure accumulator valve, 32... obstruction member, 33... elastic protrusion, 40... switching valve, 41... valve seat, 42... ball valve, 43... wall portion, 44... elastic protrusion group, 45... protrusion, 45a...tip, 45b...base, 46...inner surface, 100...push-type dispenser, 101...mounting cap, 102...pump, 103...pressing head, 104...discharge hole, 105...regulating tube, 110...stem, 111...piston, 112...cylinder, 113...fitting member, 114...lower valve body, 115...pipe, 116...flange portion, 117...piston biasing member, 120...fitting tube, 121...discharge tube, 122...screwed tube, 131...outer fitting tube, 132...male thread tube, 133...fitting portion, A...container body, D1...diameter, D2...diameter, O...center axis, P...contact point, S...pressure accumulator

Claims (4)

A vertical supply tube portion for sucking up the contents from the container body;
a nozzle member having a discharge hole for discharging the content sucked up by the vertical supply tube portion;
a cylinder whose inside is pressurized and depressurized with the movement of a piston and whose inside is in communication with the inside of the vertical supply tube portion;
a switching valve that switches between communication and blocking between the vertical supply tube portion and the discharge hole in response to pressure increase and decrease inside the cylinder,
The switching valve is
a valve seat provided at an opening periphery of a communication hole that communicates the vertical supply tube portion and the discharge hole; and a ball valve that is removably seated on the valve seat.
a wall portion facing the ball valve and the communication hole in an opening direction;
a group of elastic projections including at least three projections projecting from the wall portion toward the ball valve, and elastically deforming at least in a radial direction intersecting an opening direction of the communication hole by the ball valve separated from the valve seat ;
The group of elastic protrusions is formed in a spiral shape extending from one side to the other in a circumferential direction around a central axis of the communicating hole as it moves from the wall portion toward the ball valve . 2. The dispenser according to claim 1 , wherein the elastic projections contact a half area of the ball valve on the wall side. The elastic projection group has at least three contact points that contact the ball valve,
3. The dispenser according to claim 1 , wherein a diameter of a circle passing through the three contact points is smaller than a diameter of the ball valve. The ejector according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the inner surface of the group of elastic protrusions facing radially inward and intersecting with the opening direction of the communicating hole is formed as a flat surface extending in the tangent direction of a circle centered on the central axis of the communicating hole, or as a curved surface recessed radially outward and intersecting with the opening direction of the communicating hole .

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