Content ejection mechanism and aerosol product comprising the same

Abstract

The present invention minimizes contamination of the valve periphery of a rod passage portion or the like and facilitates cleaning in a content ejection mechanism having a detachable rod. The content ejection mechanism includes a detachable cylindrical rod (5) having a side opening portion (5b) through which the ejected content flows from the side and a passage portion (5a) downstream of the side opening portion; a bowl-shaped valve seat (6) whose inner surface engages with the lower end portion of the rod (5); a housing (4) that houses the valve seat (6) and through which the content of an aerosol container (1) flows; and a rod gasket (7) having a central opening through which the rod (5) passes and held on the housing (4) to exhibit valve action between the valve seat (6). The valve seat (6) includes a sheath-like inner peripheral surface (6a) formed on the inner surface thereof and in close contact with the lower end side outer peripheral surface (5c) of the end portion of the rod (5). A lower end side opening portion (5d) is provided at the rod (5) to communicate the space region between the valve seat (6) and the passage portion (5a) when the rod (5) is detached, making the detachment operation of the rod (5) easy.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a content ejection mechanism, which includes a rod, valve seat, rod washer, and housing, and other related structures for ejecting contents contained in the container body of an aerosol product into an external space.

[0002] In particular, it relates to a content injection mechanism that allows contents such as high-viscosity contents, which are difficult to pass through narrow cross-sectional passages, to be easily filled through a valve mechanism and to easily remove residual contents from the rod.

[0003] In this specification, contents containing fibrous material and exhibiting low apparent fluidity are also referred to as high-viscosity contents.

[0004] In addition, the length direction of the rod, that is, the vertical direction in each diagram, is referred to as "up" or "down". Background Technology

[0005] Conventionally, there exist contents ejection mechanisms with an annularly opening and closing ejection valve around a rod suitable for high-viscosity contents (see Patent Document 1).

[0006] Since the high-viscosity contents are difficult to separate into two layers when stored together with the propellant gas in a space of fixed capacity, they need to be stored separately in bags (inner bag 60) pressurized with gas (release gas B). In addition, due to the high viscosity, the contents cannot be directly and rapidly filled into the container from between the mounting cup (mounting cup 10) and the rod washer (rod rubber 40) or the shell (shell 20).

[0007] In this contents ejection mechanism, the contents pass around the lower end of the rod portion (columnar portion 31) when ejected or filled. However, the rod portion, which becomes a filling resistance at this time, can be removed from the valve seat (cup portion 32), thereby increasing the filling speed.

[0008] Because the contents are sprayed from the outer periphery of the detachable rod portion around the lower end and through the passage inside the rod into the external space, the rod portion can be removed after use to make cleaning of its interior easy.

[0009] Existing technical documents

[0010] Patent documents

[0011] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2005-162327 Summary of the Invention

[0012] The problem the invention aims to solve

[0013] However, in the case of the existing contents ejection mechanism described above, the problem is that when the rod is removed, the contents remaining in the internal passage are pulled out into the valve seat, resulting in a large amount of residue.

[0014] Furthermore, the problem is that, because the contents flow through the outer peripheral surface of the lower end of the rod portion and the inner peripheral surface of the valve seat and meander from the lower end to the interior, the contents extensively adhere to and remain on the outer peripheral surface of the rod portion or the inner peripheral surface of the valve seat.

[0015] Furthermore, when removed, the outer peripheral surface of the rod portion with its contents attached comes into contact with the central hole of the mounting cup (mounting cup 10) or the rod washer (rod rubber 40), which can easily contaminate the surrounding area.

[0016] Such residues, especially when the contents are food or medicine, can pose safety risks due to the presence of decaying or oxidized substances.

[0017] The purpose of this invention is to minimize contamination around valves, such as rod passages, when using high-viscosity contents and to facilitate cleaning.

[0018] means for solving problems

[0019] The present invention addresses the above problems as follows.

[0020] (1) A content ejection mechanism, comprising: a detachable cylindrical rod (e.g., rod 5, described later) having an inflow orifice (e.g., side opening 5b, described later) for content to flow in from the side of a container body (e.g., aerosol container 1, described later) and a downstream passage (e.g., passage 5a, described later); a cup-shaped valve seat (e.g., valve seat 6, described later) whose inner surface engages with the lower end of the rod; a housing (e.g., housing 4, described later) for receiving the valve seat and allowing content to flow into the container body; and a rod washer (e.g., rod washer 7, described later) having a central opening through which the rod passes and being held on the housing to provide a valve action with the valve seat, wherein the following configuration is used:

[0021] The valve seat includes: an inner peripheral surface (e.g., a sheath-shaped inner peripheral surface 6a, described later) formed on the inner surface and in close contact with the outer peripheral surface of the lower end (e.g., the lower end side outer peripheral surface 5c, described later); and an upward annular abutment portion (e.g., an annular protrusion 6b, described later) formed around the bowl-shaped opening.

[0022] The inflow orifice is provided such that it protrudes from the cup-shaped opening of the valve seat, inside the annular abutment portion, when the rod is engaged with the valve seat.

[0023] The rod washer is held on the housing in such a way that its bottom surface near the outer edge of the central opening is in close contact with the annular abutment in the static mode.

[0024] (2) In (1) above, the following configuration is used:

[0025] The rod has a hole (e.g., the lower end side opening 5d described later) at its lower end that communicates with the passage portion.

[0026] (3) In (1) and (2) above, the following configuration is used:

[0027] The outer circumferential surface of the lower end is composed of a cylindrical outer circumferential surface and a tapered surface that tapers continuously below it.

[0028] The present invention focuses on a content ejection mechanism with such a structure and an aerosol product using the structure.

[0029] The effects of the invention

[0030] By employing the above structure, the present invention facilitates the cleaning of the valve periphery, such as the rod passage, when using high-viscosity contents. Attached Figure Description

[0031] Figure 1 This is an explanatory diagram showing the initial mode of the present invention.

[0032] Figure 2 This is an explanatory diagram showing the injection mode when lever 5 is pressed.

[0033] Figure 3 This indicates that the release lever 5 has been pressed and returned to its original position. Figure 1 An explanatory diagram of the static mode of the position.

[0034] Figure 4 It shows from Figure 3 The diagram illustrates the state of the rod 5 in static mode. Detailed Implementation

[0035] use Figures 1 to 4 This describes the manner in which the present invention is carried out.

[0036] In addition, the constituent elements of the following figure references with letters (e.g., minor diameter 4a) in principle represent a part of the constituent elements of the numerical part of the figure reference (e.g., housing 4).

[0037] Here, in Figures 1 to 4 middle,

[0038] 1 indicates an aerosol container that pressurizes the bag 9 described later from the outside and contains compressed gas or the like as a propellant.

[0039] 2 indicates the mounting cup installed on the upper opening of aerosol container 1;

[0040] 3 indicates the container gasket used for airtight sealing between aerosol container 1 and mounting cup 2;

[0041] 4 indicates a housing for the passage of contents, which houses the valve seat 6 and spring 8 described later and is fitted and fixed to the mounting cup 2;

[0042] 4a indicates a small diameter portion formed at the lower end of the shell 4 for the inflow of contents;

[0043] 4b indicates the rib that guides the valve seat 6 in the vertical direction and supports the lower end of the spring 8, which will be described later.

[0044] 5 indicates a cylindrical rod that is set in a manner that penetrates the central opening of the mounting cup 2 and becomes the target of the spraying operation;

[0045] 5a indicates the flow path for contents during jetting mode;

[0046] 5b indicates the side opening for the contents to flow in during jetting mode;

[0047] 5c represents the lower end outer circumferential surface, which is formed by the outer circumferential surface of the cylinder and the continuous conical surface below it.

[0048] 5d indicates the lower end opening that connects the inside and outside of rod 5 during assembly and disassembly to eliminate the pressure difference;

[0049] 5e indicates a rib that connects the upper and lower sides of the side opening 5b at the inner circumferential surface of the rod 5.

[0050] 6 indicates a valve seat with a sheath-like recess at the upper end that engages with the rod 5 and is housed in the housing 4;

[0051] 6a represents the sheath-shaped inner circumferential surface located at the upper end of the valve seat 6 and engaged with the lower end of the rod 5.

[0052] 6b indicates an annular protrusion that forms upwards in a manner that surrounds the sheath-like recess at the upper end of the housing 4 and constitutes the injection valve between it and the rod washer 7 described later;

[0053] 7 indicates a rod washer that is clamped between the mounting cup 2 and the housing 4 and forms a jet valve between the annular protrusion 6b of the valve seat 6;

[0054] 8 indicates a spring disposed between valve seat 6 and rib 4b that applies force to valve seat 6 to the closed state of its injection valve;

[0055] 9 indicates a bag formed by bonding and fusion of a resin film to the outer periphery and to hold the contents;

[0056] 10 indicates a connection port that is welded to the upper outer periphery of the bag 9 to become the outlet of the contents of the bag 9 and connected to the small diameter portion 4a of the housing 4;

[0057] 11 indicates that the contents of the bottom of the bag 9 are guided to the suction tube on the side of the connection port 10 by connecting to the lower end of the connection port 10;

[0058] A indicates the liquid level of the contents below the plunger 5 in spray mode;

[0059] B indicates the liquid level of the contents that leaks to the bottom from the lower end opening 5d of the disassembled rod 5.

[0060] Here, the housing 4, rod 5, valve seat 6, bag 9, connection port 10, and suction tube 11 are, for example, plastic components made of polypropylene, polyethylene, polyacetal, nylon, polybutylene terephthalate, etc.

[0061] Furthermore, the aerosol container 1 and the spring 9 are, for example, plastic or metal components, the mounting cup 2 is, for example, a metal component, and the container gasket 3 and the rod gasket 7 are, for example, elastic or rubber components.

[0062] Additionally, an operating part with a passage leading to the injection port is connected to the upper end of rod 5 for use (illustration omitted).

[0063] Figure 1 The aerosol product is shown in its initial state with lever 5 not pressed.

[0064] The container for this aerosol product is assembled with no contents inside bag 9.

[0065] First, the components obtained by assembling the spring 8, valve seat 6, and rod washer 7 into the housing 4 are housed inside the central columnar portion of the mounting cup 2 and riveted from the outside. The bag 9 containing the contents is formed by fusing two resin films together around the connection port 10 where the suction tube 11 is installed.

[0066] The connecting port 10 of the bag 9 is engaged with the small-diameter portion 4a of the housing 4 to form an integrated unit. This integrated component is inserted through the opening at the top of the aerosol container 1. While the aerosol container 1 is filled with compressed gas, the mounting cup 2, clamping the container gasket 3, is placed at the opening of the aerosol container 1, and the annular recess on the upper surface of the mounting cup 2 is riveted to the outside, thus securing it airtight. The compressed gas filling the aerosol container 1 is always compressed from the outside of the bag 9.

[0067] When filling the assembled container with contents, press the contents into the central hole of the mounting cup 2.

[0068] At this time, the valve seat 6 moves downward under the pressure of the filling contents, and the annular protrusion 6b at its upper end separates from the rod washer 7, thus opening the injection valve. The contents pass through it and fill the bag 9 from the small diameter portion 4a of the housing 4. The bag 9 expands as the contents fill, and the surrounding compressed gas becomes further compressed.

[0069] When the filling of the predetermined amount of contents is completed and the pressure is released, the annular protrusion 6b of the valve seat 6 abuts against the rod washer 7 by the force applied by the spring 8, and the injection valve is in the closed state.

[0070] Afterwards, the residual contents are removed by cleaning the sheath-shaped inner circumferential surface 6a of the valve seat 6 through the central hole of the mounting cup 2.

[0071] After the contents are filled, the rod 5 is installed on the valve seat 6. During this installation, the air trapped between the bottom surface of the rod 5 and the valve seat 6 is expelled through the lower end side opening 5d, thus allowing the rod 5 to be installed without pressing down the valve seat 6.

[0072] Furthermore, the lower outer peripheral surface 5c is composed of a cylindrical outer peripheral surface and a tapered surface that tapers continuously from below it. This ensures a close contact length with the sheath-like inner peripheral surface 6a while shortening the sliding portion during installation, thereby stabilizing and facilitating the fixing of the rod 5 and the valve seat 6.

[0073] In addition, when the injection valve is not in the open state and the rod 5 can be easily installed on the valve seat 6, such as when the applied force of the spring 8 or the pressure of the compressed gas is high, the valve seat 6 is fully stressed to the rod washer 7, or there is a clearance for air trapped between the bottom surface of the rod 5 and the valve seat 6, the lower end opening 5d can be omitted.

[0074] Figure 2 It shows the press Figure 1 The spraying state (spraying mode) of rod 5 of the aerosol product.

[0075] When the spring 8 presses down on the lever 5, the annular protrusion 6b separates from the lever washer 7, creating a gap. The injection valve then opens, and the interior of the housing 4 communicates with the interior of the lever 5. The contents stored in the bag 9 are compressed by compressed gas and forced into the interior of the housing 4 along the path indicated by the arrow in the diagram. The contents are then injected into the external space area through the passage 5a from the side opening 5b of the lever 5.

[0076] The lower end opening 5d of the rod 5 is blocked by the valve seat 6, thus creating a closed loop. This results in air accumulation that prevents the contents from entering, and the contents, being highly viscous, only penetrate to the liquid surface A. Even for contents with low viscosity, the step formed by the inner circumferential surface of the rod 5 or the inner bottom surface around the lower end opening 5d hinders the contents from sagging and prevents them from entering the lower end opening 5d.

[0077] Furthermore, since the lower end outer peripheral surface 5c of the rod 5 is in close contact with the sheath-like inner peripheral surface 6a of the valve seat 6, the contents will not seep into the gap.

[0078] Furthermore, since the outer circumferential surface of rod 5 is in close contact with the upper circumferential surface of the central hole of rod washer 7, the contents will not leak out into the external space area.

[0079] Figure 3 The release was shown Figure 2 The aerosol product's lever 5 is pressed and lever 5 returns to its original position. Figure 1 The static state of the position (static mode).

[0080] When the pressure on lever 5 is released, lever 5 moves upward under the force of spring 8 until the annular protrusion 6b abuts against lever washer 7, the injection valve closes, and the inflow of contents from the side opening 5b into lever 5 stops. Figure 2 The state is roughly the same, with air accumulating around the liquid surface A and remaining inside rod 5.

[0081] In addition, since the side opening 5b is sealed by the inner circumferential surface of the rod washer 7, the contents will not leak out into the external space area from here.

[0082] Figure 4 It shows from Figure 3 The aerosol product is in the state of having rod 5 removed.

[0083] First, when rod 5 is pulled upward from valve seat 6, a negative pressure space is created between the bottom surface of rod 5 and valve seat 6, and the accumulated air flows out into this space from the lower end opening 5d. Then, as rod 5 is pulled out, the contents flow out to liquid surface B after the air, as the negative pressure space expands.

[0084] The lower end outer peripheral surface 5c is composed of a cylindrical outer peripheral surface and a tapered surface that tapers continuously from below. When the cylindrical outer peripheral surface separates from the sheath-like inner peripheral surface 6a, the tapered surface separates, allowing the negative pressure space region and the external space region to connect and release the negative pressure. Therefore, the outflow of contents from the lower end opening 5d immediately stops.

[0085] By utilizing the lower side opening 5d to reduce the cross-sectional area, the resistance to the passage of air or contents can be increased, thereby reducing the outflow of contents.

[0086] Because there is a time difference between when the bottom surface of the rod 5 separates from the valve seat 6 and when the contents flow out from the lower end opening 5d, the contents will not adhere to the inner bottom surface of the valve seat 6.

[0087] At this time, the contents remaining inside the rod 5 are pulled downwards as a whole, and the contents near the injection valve (inside the annular protrusion 6b) are also pulled in through the side opening 5b, which can minimize the residue of contents on the valve seat 6 or rod washer 7 around the rod 5.

[0088] Even when cleaning the valve seat 6 or the rod washer 7 is required, it can be done easily because there is minimal residue of contents and no contents adhering to the inner bottom surface of the valve seat 6, which is difficult to clean thoroughly.

[0089] When the cleaning rod 5 is installed on the valve seat 6, it becomes Figure 1 The state.

[0090] This invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and may also include...

[0091] (21) Instead of providing a lower end side opening 5d on the bottom surface of the rod 5, a hole is provided in the form of an intermediate hole at the position between the bottom surface and the side opening 5b.

[0092] (22) Integrate lever 5 and various operating parts.

[0093] As aerosol products applicable to this invention, there are products for various uses such as cleaning agents, sweeping agents, coolants, muscle anti-inflammatory agents, hair growth agents, hair dyes, hair styling agents, hair care agents, sunscreens, lotions, makeup removers, antiperspirants, cosmetics, shaving foams, food, droplet-shaped products (vitamins, etc.), pharmaceuticals, quasi-pharmaceuticals, horticultural agents, insecticides, insect repellents, animal deodorants, deodorants, detergents, fire extinguishers, coatings, adhesives, lubricants, and polyurethane foams.

[0094] As the contents contained in aerosol containers, various forms such as liquid, cream, and gel are used. Components included in the contents may include powders, oils, alcohols, surfactants, polymers, active ingredients depending on the application, and water.

[0095] As a powder, metal salt powders, inorganic powders, or resin powders are used. For example, talc, kaolin, aluminum hydroxychloride (aluminum salt), calcium alginate, gold powder, silver powder, mica, carbonates, magnesium chloride, silicon dioxide, zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, zeolite, nylon powder, barium sulfate, cellulose, and mixtures thereof are used.

[0096] As oil components, silicone oils such as dimethyl polysiloxane, ester oils such as isopropyl myristate, oils such as palm oil, eucalyptus oil, camellia oil, olive oil, jojoba oil, hydrocarbon oils such as liquid paraffin, and fatty acids such as myristic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid, linoleic acid, and linolenic acid are used.

[0097] As alcohols, they include monobasic lower alcohols such as ethanol, monobasic higher alcohols such as lauryl alcohol and cetyl alcohol, ethylene glycol, 1,3-butanediol and polyols such as glycerol.

[0098] As surfactants, anionic surfactants such as sodium lauryl sulfate, nonionic surfactants such as polyoxyethylene alkyl ethers or polyglycerol fatty acid esters, amphoteric surfactants such as lauryl dimethylaminoacetic acid betaine, and cationic surfactants such as alkyl trimethylammonium chloride are used.

[0099] As polymeric compounds, hydroxyethyl cellulose, methyl cellulose, gelatin, starch, casein, xanthan gum, carboxyvinyl polymers, etc. are used.

[0100] As active ingredients corresponding to various uses, these include dyes such as p-phenylenediamine and aminophenol, oxidants such as hydrogen peroxide, fixatives such as acrylic resins or waxes, ultraviolet absorbers such as 2-ethylhexyl p-methoxycinnamate, vitamins such as retinol or d1-α-tocopherol, moisturizers such as hyaluronic acid, anti-inflammatory and analgesic agents such as methyl salicylate and indomethacin, antibacterial agents such as sodium benzoate and cresol, insect repellents such as pyrethroids and diethylformamide, antiperspirants such as zinc hydroquinone sulfonate, cooling agents such as camphor and menthol, anti-asthmatic drugs such as ephedrine and adrenaline, sweeteners such as sucralose and aspartame, adhesives or coatings such as epoxy resins and carbamates, dyes such as p-phenylenediamine and aminophenol, oxidants such as hydrogen peroxide, and fire extinguishing agents such as ammonium dihydrogen phosphate and sodium / potassium bicarbonate.

[0101] In addition, suspending agents, emulsifiers, antioxidants, metal ion blocking agents, etc., other than those mentioned above, can also be used.

[0102] As the injection gas, liquefied gases such as liquefied petroleum gas, dimethyl ether, hydrofluoroolefins, carbon dioxide, nitrogen, compressed air, nitrous oxide, oxygen, rare gases, and their mixtures are used.

[0103] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0104] 1. Aerosol container

[0105] 2 Installation Cups

[0106] 3. Container gaskets

[0107] 4. Shell

[0108] 4a Small diameter section

[0109] 4b Rib

[0110] 5 strokes

[0111] 5a Channel Section

[0112] 5b Side opening

[0113] 5c Lower end outer peripheral surface

[0114] 5d Lower end side opening

[0115] 5e Rib

[0116] 6 Valve seat

[0117] 6a Sheath inner circumferential surface

[0118] 6b Annular protrusion

[0119] 7-bar washer

[0120] 8 springs

[0121] 9 bags

[0122] 10 Connection Ports

[0123] 11. Extraction tube

[0124] A liquid level

[0125] B. Liquid level.

Claims

1. A content ejection mechanism, comprising: A detachable cylindrical rod having an inlet orifice for the contents of the container body to flow in from the side and a passage on its downstream side; The container comprises: a bowl-shaped valve seat whose inner surface engages with the lower end of the rod; a housing that receives the valve seat to allow the contents of the container body to flow in; and a rod washer having a central opening through which the rod passes and being held in the housing to provide a valve-like action with the valve seat. The valve seat includes: an inner circumferential surface formed on the inner surface and in close contact with the outer circumferential surface of the lower end; and an upward-facing annular abutment portion formed around the bowl-shaped opening. The inflow orifice is provided such that it protrudes from the cup-shaped opening of the valve seat, inside the annular abutment portion, when the rod is engaged with the valve seat. The rod washer is held on the housing in such a way that its bottom surface near the outer edge of the central opening is in close contact with the annular abutment in the static mode. The lower end of the rod has a hole that communicates with the passage portion. The outer circumferential surface of the lower end is composed of a cylindrical outer circumferential surface and a tapered surface that tapers continuously below it.

2. An aerosol product, characterized in that, It has the contents ejection mechanism as described in claim 1, and contains contents of an ejector and a concentrate.

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