JP7734601B2 - Discharge pump and pump-equipped container - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a discharge pump that discharges contents filled in a container, and a pump-equipped container equipped with this discharge pump.

Discharge pumps such as the one shown in Patent Document 1 have been known for some time. This discharge pump includes a cylinder, a piston in contact with the inner surface of the cylinder, a stem that is biased upward and rises from the cylinder, and a head connected to the stem. When the head is pressed, the piston slides downward within the cylinder via the stem, increasing pressure inside the cylinder and discharging the contents within the cylinder from the discharge port in the head. When pressure on the head is released and the upwardly biased stem returns to its original position, the piston slides upward within the cylinder, reducing pressure inside the cylinder and introducing the contents filled in the container into the cylinder. By repeatedly pressing and releasing the head in this manner, the contents of the container can be repeatedly discharged.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-230316

However, conventional discharge pumps with the above-mentioned structure tend to have a large number of parts and a complex structure. Furthermore, because the piston slides against the inner surface of the cylinder in contact with it, if the contact between the two is too strong, excessive force is required to press the head, impairing operability. Furthermore, if the contact between the two is insufficient, sealing performance may be reduced, preventing proper pressurization and depressurization of the cylinder.

In light of these issues, the present invention aims to provide a discharge pump that can simplify the structure by reducing the number of parts and eliminates problems caused by the structure in which the piston slides inside the cylinder, as well as a pump-equipped container that includes this discharge pump.

The present invention relates to a discharge pump that is attached to a container having a filling space for contents, and that presses a head to discharge the contents of the filling space from a discharge port of the head, and that includes a storage space having an inlet that communicates with the filling space and an outlet that communicates with the outlet, an introduction check valve that can open and close the inlet and allows the contents to flow from the filling space toward the inlet, but prevents the contents from flowing from the inlet toward the filling space, and a discharge port that can open and close the outlet and allows the contents to flow from the storage space toward the discharge port, but prevents the contents from flowing from the discharge port toward the storage space. The discharge pump comprises a discharge check valve that prevents the flow of contents, and a partition body that partitions at least a portion of the storage space, is elastically deformable, and is connected to the head , wherein the partition body comprises a dome-shaped elastic partition wall that partitions the storage space from above and elastically deforms downward when pressed by the head, and a cylindrical connecting tube wall that extends downward from the center of the elastic partition wall, and the head comprises a cylindrical wall that extends upward from the partition body and connects the discharge outlet to the discharge outlet, and the lower end of the cylindrical wall is fitted into the connecting tube wall, thereby connecting the discharge pump to the partition body .

a base that holds the introduction check valve and is attached to the container, and a movable body that moves relative to the base,
It is preferable that the movable body has a stopper that moves away from the introduction check valve to make the introduction check valve operable when the movable body is moved away from the base, and moves close to the introduction check valve to make the introduction check valve inoperable when the movable body is moved towards the base.

It is preferable that the head has an elastic portion that is integrally formed with the head and that biases the head toward the pressing start position when the head is pressed.

It is preferable that the cylindrical wall has an internal passage communicating with the discharge port, and the discharge check valve is disposed in the internal passage and is movable along the internal passage.

The present invention also relates to a pump-equipped container comprising the above-mentioned discharge pump and a container.

The discharge pump of the present invention, configured as described above, allows for a simplified structure by reducing the number of parts. Furthermore, because the structure does not involve a piston sliding within a cylinder, it is possible to prevent problems that could occur with previous discharge pumps that adopted this structure, such as excessive contact between the cylinder and piston, which could impair head operability, or insufficient contact between the cylinder and piston, which could result in poor sealing.

1 is a partial cross-sectional side view showing one embodiment of a pump-equipped container according to the present invention. 2 is a diagram showing the movable body raised from the state of FIG. 1 to set the inlet check valve in an operable state. 3 is a diagram showing a state in which the head is pressed from the state shown in FIG. 2, causing the elastic partition wall to be elastically deformed. 2A is a cross-sectional view along A-A in the state shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 2B is a development view of the second female thread portion as seen from the side in the state shown in FIG. 1A is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A after the movable body has been rotated from the state shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 1B is a development of the second female thread portion as seen from the side after the movable body has been rotated from the state shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 1C is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B.

One embodiment of a discharge pump and pump-equipped container according to the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the up-down direction refers to the direction along the axis O shown in the drawings. The radial direction refers to the direction perpendicular to the axis O within a plane perpendicular to the axis O, and the circumferential direction refers to the direction circumferentially around the axis O within this plane.

Figure 1 shows one embodiment of a pump-equipped container according to the present invention. The pump-equipped container 1 of this embodiment is composed of a container 2 and a discharge pump 5.

Container 2 is a so-called double container (sometimes called a delaminated container or a peelable laminate container) and is composed of an inner layer 3 and an outer layer 4.

The inner layer 3 is made of a thin synthetic resin and is deformable, with a filling space S1 inside that can accommodate the contents.

The outer layer 4 has a cylindrical mouth portion 4a extending along the axis O. The outer surface of the mouth portion 4a is provided with a first externally threaded portion 4b. A hollow body portion 4c and a bottom portion (not shown) closing the lower end of the body portion 4c are provided below the mouth portion 4a, giving the outer layer 4 a bottle-like shape. In this embodiment, the outer layer 4 is made of synthetic resin, and the body portion 4c is flexible. The outer layer 4 also has an air vent that passes through it to allow outside air to enter between it and the inner layer 3.

In this embodiment, the inner layer 3 and outer layer 4 are formed by peelably laminating synthetic resins with low compatibility with each other. Examples of synthetic resins that can be used to form the inner layer 3 include nylon resin (PA), ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer resin (EVOH), modified polyolefin resin (such as "Admer" (registered trademark) manufactured by Mitsui Chemicals, Inc.), polyethylene terephthalate resin (PET), polyethylene resin (PE), and polypropylene resin (PP). Examples of synthetic resins that can be used to form the outer layer 4 include polyethylene resins (PE), such as low-density polyethylene (LDPE) and high-density polyethylene resin (HDPE), as well as polypropylene resin (PP) and polyethylene terephthalate resin (PET). The inner layer 3 and outer layer 4 may each be formed as a single layer using a single synthetic resin, or as a laminated structure using multiple synthetic resins. Such inner layer 3 and outer layer 4 can be obtained by blow molding a parison in which the synthetic resin material forming the inner layer 3 and the synthetic resin material forming the outer layer 4 are laminated together. Alternatively, a test-tube-shaped preform in which the synthetic resin material for the inner layer 3 and the synthetic resin material for the outer layer 4 are laminated together can be prepared and then biaxially stretched and blow molded from this preform, or the inner layer and outer layer can be formed separately and then the inner layer can be placed inside the outer layer.

The discharge pump 5 is composed of a base 6, a pipe 7, an inlet check valve 8, a movable body 9, a partition body 10, a connecting body 11, a discharge check valve 12, a head member 13, and a packing 14. In this embodiment, the connecting body 11 and the head member 13 correspond to the "head" in this specification. Furthermore, each of the components that make up the discharge pump 5 is basically made of a hard synthetic resin, except for those described below.

The base 6 has a cylindrical base outer wall 6a that surrounds the mouth portion 4a. The inner surface of the base outer wall 6a is provided with a first female threaded portion 6b that is female-threaded and threads into the first male threaded portion 4b, while the outer surface of the base outer wall 6a is provided with a second male threaded portion 6c that is male-threaded. By threading the first female threaded portion 6b into the first male threaded portion 4b, the base 6 can be held to the outer layer 4. Furthermore, an outward protrusion 6d that protrudes radially outward is provided above the second male threaded portion 6c on the outer surface of the base outer wall 6a, as shown in Figures 5(a) and (c).

As shown in Figure 1, the base 6 also has a top wall 6e that extends radially inward from the upper end of the base outer peripheral wall 6a. The radially inner end of the top wall 6e is connected to an annular wall (outer annular wall 6f) whose lower diameter is smaller than its upper diameter. A bottom wall 6h that extends horizontally and has an opening (inlet 6g) in the center is provided at the lower end of the outer annular wall 6f. As shown in the figure, the upper surface of the bottom wall 6h protrudes upward around the periphery of the inlet 6g, surrounding it. A cylindrical retaining wall 6j is provided on the lower surface of the bottom wall 6h.

The pipe 7 is cylindrical and extends vertically, with its lower end located near the lower end of the inner layer 3. The upper end of the pipe 7 is inserted into the inside of the retaining wall 6j and is fitted and held therein.

In this embodiment, the inlet check valve 8 is a so-called one-point or three-point valve and is made of a relatively soft material such as rubber, elastomer, or soft polyethylene (low-density polyethylene). The inlet check valve 8 comprises a plate-shaped valve element 8a, an annular base 8b located radially outward of the valve element 8a and fitted and held by the outer annular wall 6f, and an elastic piece 8c connecting the valve element 8a and base 8b. In the state shown in FIG. 1, the valve element 8a covers the inlet port 6g from above and rests on the upper surface of the bottom wall 6h, closing the inlet port 6g. The valve element 8a is elastically supported by the elastic piece 8c on the base 8b. Therefore, when an upward force is applied, the valve element 8a moves away from the upper surface of the inlet port 6g, opening the inlet port 6g.

The movable body 9 has a movable body outer wall 9a that surrounds the second male threaded portion 6c. The inner surface of the movable body outer wall 9a has a second female threaded portion 9b that is female-threaded and screws into the second male threaded portion 6c. Furthermore, above the second female threaded portion 9b on the inner surface of the movable body outer wall 9a, an inward protrusion 9c that protrudes radially inward is provided, as shown in Figures 5(a) and (c). Furthermore, the inner surface of the movable body outer wall 9a has a convex portion 9d that is spaced circumferentially from the inward protrusion 9c.

As shown in FIG. 1, the movable body 9 has an inner wall 9e that extends radially inward from the movable body outer peripheral wall 9a and then extends upward, defining an annular space that is open at the top between the inner wall 9e and the movable body outer peripheral wall 9a. An intermediate wall 9f that extends radially inward is provided at the upper end of the inner wall 9e, and an annular wall (inner annular wall 9g) that extends downward is provided at the radially inner end of the intermediate wall 9f. The inner annular wall 9g is located radially inward of the aforementioned outer annular wall 6f, and its inner peripheral surface is in liquid-tight contact with the outer peripheral surface of the outer annular wall 6f.

The movable body 9 further includes a connecting wall 9h extending radially inward from the lower end of the inner annular wall 9g. The connecting walls 9h are spaced apart circumferentially from the inner surface of the inner annular wall 9g, with a gap between adjacent connecting walls 9h. A cylindrical stopper 9j extending downward is provided at the radially inner end of the connecting wall 9h.

The partition 10 is made of a relatively soft material such as rubber, elastomer, or soft polyethylene (low-density polyethylene). The partition 10 has a retaining portion 10a that is inserted into and fitted into the annular space defined by the movable body outer wall 9a and inner wall 9e. The radially inner end of the upper surface of the retaining portion 10a is provided with an elastic partition 10b that is semicircular (dome-shaped) in side view, has an opening in the center, and is elastically deformable. The lower surface of the elastic partition 10b is provided with a cylindrical connecting tube wall 10c that extends downward to surround the opening in the center.

The connector 11 is cylindrically shaped and includes a cylindrical wall 11a whose tip is inserted into the connecting cylindrical wall 10c to fit and hold the connecting cylindrical wall 10c. The lower end of the cylindrical wall 11a is provided with a tapered portion 11b that tapers downward. The downward opening of the tapered portion 11b is referred to as the outlet 11c. The inner surface of the cylindrical wall 11a is provided with a plurality of vertical ribs 11d spaced apart circumferentially, extending from bottom to top with their upper ends protruding radially inward, with gaps between adjacent vertical ribs 11d. The passage provided inside the cylindrical wall 11a is referred to as the internal passage 11e.

When the cylindrical wall 11a is fitted and held in place by the connecting cylindrical wall 10c, a space with an inlet 6g and an outlet 11c is defined between the bottom wall 6h of the base 6 and the elastic partition wall 10b of the partition body 10. Here, this space is referred to as the storage space S2.

A flange portion 11f extending radially outward is provided at the upper part of the cylindrical wall 11a. An elastic portion 11g capable of elastic deformation in the vertical direction is provided at the outer edge of the flange portion 11f. In this embodiment, the elastic portion 11g extends downward from the flange portion 11f while bending in the horizontal direction, forming a wavy shape in a side view, and the lower end of the elastic portion 11g is supported by the upper surface of the holding portion 10a. Note that the shape of the elastic portion 11g is not limited to a wavy shape, as long as it can exert elastic force in the vertical direction. Furthermore, although multiple elastic portions 11g are provided at intervals in the circumferential direction in this embodiment, only one elastic portion 11g may be used.

In this embodiment, the discharge check valve 12 is made of a hard synthetic resin and is spherical. The discharge check valve 12 is disposed inside the internal passage 11e and is movable vertically between the reduced diameter portion 11b and the upper end of the vertical rib 11d.

The head member 13 includes a vertical cylindrical wall 13a that is inserted inside the cylindrical wall 11a to fit and hold the cylindrical wall 11a, and a nozzle 13b that is connected to the vertical cylindrical wall 13a and extends radially outward. Here, the opening at the tip of the nozzle 13b is referred to as the discharge port 13c. When the vertical cylindrical wall 13a is inserted into the cylindrical wall 11a, the discharge port 13c communicates with the internal passage 11e via the nozzle 13b and the vertical cylindrical wall 13a. The head member 13 also includes a head member outer wall 13d that surrounds the upper part of the movable body outer wall 9a.

The packing 14 is annular and made of a relatively soft material such as rubber, elastomer, or soft polyethylene (low-density polyethylene). The packing 14 is inserted into the outer annular wall 6f and is held in place by a fit therein. When the base 6 is attached to the outer layer body 4, the packing 14 is sandwiched between the opening 4a and the top wall 6e, thereby closing off the filling space S1.

The discharge pump 5 of this embodiment, which is constructed with these components, has fewer parts and a simpler structure than conventional discharge pumps that are constructed with a cylinder, piston, stem, etc. Furthermore, the discharge pump 5 of this embodiment does not use the piston and cylinder found in conventional discharge pumps, and therefore does not suffer from the deterioration in operability or reduced sealing performance that can occur with conventional discharge pumps.

Next, we will explain how to use the pump container 1 configured as described above. The state shown in Figure 1 is, for example, the state during distribution, in which the contents have not yet been ejected from the pump container 1 (the contents have not yet entered the storage space S2 or the inside of the nozzle 13b).

1, the second female thread portion 9b of the movable body 9 is fastened to the second male thread portion 6c. In other words, the movable body 9 is moving downward relative to the base 6, and the stopper 9j is moving in a direction approaching the valve body 8a. In this embodiment, the lower end surface of the stopper 9j contacts the upper surface of the valve body 8a in the state shown in FIG. 1, but the lower end surface may be slightly spaced apart from the upper surface of the valve body 8a. In other words, in this state, the valve body 8a remains seated on the upper surface of the bottom wall 6h, and the inlet port 6g is maintained closed by the valve body 8a. In other words, in this state, the inlet check valve 8 is inoperable. In this state, the contents of the filling space S1 do not flow into the storage space S2, preventing unintended discharge of the contents during distribution, etc.

To dispense the contents, the movable body 9 is rotated in a direction that loosens the second female thread portion 9b relative to the second male thread portion 6c. This causes the movable body 9 to rise relative to the base 6, separating the stopper 9j from the valve body 8a. Furthermore, by rotating the movable body 9, the inward protrusion 9c, which was in the position shown in Figure 4 before rotation, moves to the position shown in Figure 5 after rotation and comes into contact with the outward protrusion 6d. In other words, the inward protrusion 9c contacting the outward protrusion 6d prevents the movable body 9 from rotating any further, preventing it from coming off the base 6. In this state, the outward protrusion 6d is sandwiched between the outward protrusion 6d and the convex portion 9d, as shown in the partially enlarged view of Figure 5(a). This prevents the movable body 9 from accidentally rotating in a direction that tightens the second female thread portion 9b relative to the second male thread portion 6c, maintaining a state in which the contents can be dispensed.

Then, as shown in Figure 3, the head member 13 is pressed. This causes the cylindrical wall 11a to move downward along with the head member 13, and the elastic partition wall 10b connected to the cylindrical wall 11a elastically deforms and collapses downward. In other words, the volume of the storage space S2 decreases. Furthermore, because the flange portion 11f also moves downward along with the cylindrical wall 11a, the elastic portion 11g supported by the upper surface of the holding portion 10a elastically deforms.

When pressure on the head member 13 is released, the restoring force of the elastically deformed elastic partition wall 10b and elastic portion 11g causes the head member 13 to rise and return to the pressure start position shown in Figure 2. Therefore, the storage space S2, whose volume had been reduced, returns to its original state, and the storage space S2 enters a decompressed state. In this state, the discharge check valve 12 is seated on the upper surface of the reduced diameter portion 11b, so the discharge port 11c remains closed. Meanwhile, because the valve body 8a can be separated from the upper surface of the bottom wall 6h, the contents of the filling space S1 pass through the pipe 7 and are introduced into the storage space S2 from the inlet port 6g.

After that, as shown in Figure 3, when the head member 13 is pressed again, the elastic partition wall 10b elastically deforms and collapses downward, pressurizing the contents contained in the storage space S2. The pressurized contents press the valve body 8a against the upper surface of the bottom wall 6h, closing the inlet port 6g. Meanwhile, the pressurized contents cause the discharge check valve 12 to rise and move away from the upper surface of the reduced diameter portion 11b, so the contents contained in the storage space S2 pass through the discharge port 11c, the internal passage 11e, the inside of the vertical cylinder wall 13a and the nozzle 13b, and are discharged from the discharge port 13c.

After that, when the pressure on the head member 13 is released, the head member 13 automatically returns to the state shown in Figure 2 due to the restoring force of the elastic partition wall 10b and the elastic portion 11g. Thereafter, by repeatedly pressing and releasing the pressure on the head member 13, the contents of the filling space S1 can be repeatedly ejected toward the outside.

The discharge check valve 12, which rises when the contents are discharged, moves downward when the head member 13 returns to its original position. In other words, the contents that have accumulated inside the vertical cylinder wall 13a and nozzle 13b are pulled back toward the internal passage 11e when the discharge check valve 12 moves downward (suck-back effect), preventing the contents from dripping from the discharge port 13c.

In conventional discharge pumps that are composed of a cylinder, piston, stem, etc., depending on the type of contents, the cylinder or piston may swell, which can impair the sealing ability of the two, so it is necessary to pay attention to the material of the cylinder, etc. (See, for example, JP 2009-78255 A). On the other hand, the discharge pump 5 of this embodiment does not use a cylinder or piston, so it can be used without any problems even with contents that tend to swell the cylinder, etc.

It is also possible to use a metal coil spring for the elastic portion 11g or a metal spherical body for the discharge check valve 12, but in this embodiment, the elastic portion 11g and the discharge check valve 12 are made of synthetic resin, and no metal components are used in the pump-equipped container 1, making it highly recyclable.

Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to this specific embodiment, and unless otherwise specified in the above description, various modifications and variations are possible within the spirit and scope of the present invention as set forth in the claims. Furthermore, the effects of the above embodiment are merely examples of the effects that can be obtained from the present invention, and do not mean that the effects of the present invention are limited to the above-mentioned effects.

For example, if the head member 13 can be returned to its original position using the restoring force of the elastic partition wall 10b alone, the elastic portion 11g may be eliminated. Furthermore, the structure for moving the movable body 9 up and down relative to the base 6 may be a combination of a vertical groove and a protrusion that engages with the groove.

Furthermore, the container 2 is not limited to the double-layered container described above, and may also have no inner layer 3.

1: Pump-equipped container 2: Container 3: Inner layer body 4: Outer layer body 4a: Mouth portion 4b: First male thread portion 4c: Body portion 5: Discharge pump 6: Base 6a: Base outer peripheral wall 6b: First female thread portion 6c: Second male thread portion 6d: Outward protrusion 6e: Top wall 6f: Outer annular wall 6g: Inlet 6h: Bottom wall 6j: Retaining wall 7: Pipe 8: Inlet check valve 8a: Valve body 8b: Base portion 8c: Elastic piece 9: Movable body 9a: Movable body outer peripheral wall 9b: Second female thread portion 9c: Inward protrusion 9d: Convex portion 9e: Inner wall 9f: Intermediate wall 9g: Inner annular wall 9h: Connecting wall 9j: Stopper 10: Partition body 10a: Retaining portion 10b: Elastic partition wall 10c: Connecting cylinder wall 11: Connecting body (head)
11a: Cylindrical wall 11b: Diameter-reducing portion 11c: Discharge port 11d: Vertical rib 11e: Internal passage 11f: Flange portion 11g: Elastic portion 12: Discharge check valve 13: Head member (head)
13a: Vertical cylinder wall 13b: Nozzle 13c: Discharge port 13d: Head member outer peripheral wall 14: Packing O: Axis S1: Filling space S2: Storage space

Claims (5)

A discharge pump that is attached to a container having a filling space for a content, and that presses a head to discharge the content of the filling space from a discharge port of the head,
a storage space having an inlet communicating with the filling space and an outlet communicating with the discharge port;
an introduction check valve that can open and close the introduction port and allows the flow of the contents from the filling space toward the introduction port while preventing the flow of the contents from the introduction port toward the filling space;
a discharge check valve that can open and close the discharge outlet and allows the contents to flow from the storage space toward the discharge outlet while preventing the contents from flowing from the discharge outlet toward the storage space;
a partition wall that defines at least a portion of the accommodation space, is elastically deformable, and is connected to the head ;
the partition body includes a dome-shaped elastic partition wall that defines the accommodation space from above and elastically deforms downward when pressed by the head, and a cylindrical connecting tubular wall that extends downward from a center portion of the elastic partition wall,
The head has a cylindrical wall extending upward from the partition body and connecting the discharge port to the discharge port, and the lower end of the cylindrical wall is connected to the partition body by engaging with the connecting cylindrical wall . a base that holds the introduction check valve and is attached to the container, and a movable body that moves relative to the base,
2. The discharge pump according to claim 1, wherein the movable body has a stopper that moves away from the introduction check valve to make the introduction check valve operable when the movable body is moved in a direction away from the base, and moves close to the introduction check valve to make the introduction check valve inoperable when the movable body is moved in a direction toward the base. The discharge pump of claim 1 or 2, further comprising an elastic portion integrally formed with the head, which biases the head toward the pressing start position when the head is pressed. the cylindrical wall has an internal passageway that communicates with the outlet;
4. The discharge pump according to claim 1, wherein the discharge check valve is disposed in the internal passage and is movable along the internal passage. A pump-equipped container comprising the discharge pump described in any one of claims 1 to 4 and the container.