Tire puncture repair fluid container and tire puncture repair kit

Abstract

Tire puncture repair fluid container (1), comprising: a container housing (10) comprising a storage section (11) for storing a tire puncture repair fluid (L) and an opening section (12) provided at one end of the storage section (11); and a closure (20) mounted on the opening section (12), the closure (20) comprising: an inlet path (30) for introducing compressed air from outside; a delivery path (40) for delivering the tire puncture repair fluid (L) to the outside; a switching valve (23) for switching between two paths, arranged between the inlet path (30) and the outlet path (40); and a changeover button (24) for actuating the changeover valve (23), wherein the changeover button (24) comprises a changeover button body (25) which is provided with a pair of nose sections (26), wherein the toggle switch body (25) has a disc-like shape and the nose sections (26) project in a thickness direction of the toggle switch body (25), and a maximum height position (P2) at which the height of the corresponding nose section (26) is at its maximum, is positioned in a radial direction of the toggle switch body (25) outside a center position (P1) of the toggle switch body (25), wherein the toggle button body (25) comprises at least one formed by a recessed section and a projecting section (25a) in the direction of rotation of the toggle button (24), and the pair of nose sections (26) comprises a projecting section or a recessed section (26a) formed in the direction of rotation of the toggle button (24), which can be attached in or to the recessed section or the projecting section (25a) of the toggle button body (25) if required, and wherein part or all of the nose sections (26) are arranged in the radial direction of the toggle switch body (25) outside an outer diameter of the toggle switch body (25).

Description

Technical area

[0001] The present invention relates to a tire puncture repair fluid container and a tire puncture repair kit, and more particularly to a tire puncture repair fluid container and a tire puncture repair kit which, by an ingenious shape of a changeover knob, allow a changeover knob to rotate smoothly during a tire puncture repair work. State of the art

[0002] For several years, when a tire mounted on a vehicle is punctured, a puncture repair fluid is injected into the tire through a tire valve to temporarily repair the puncture. Examples of a device that enables such a temporary repair include a puncture repair kit. The use of a puncture repair kit eliminates the need to equip the vehicle with a spare tire, thereby saving resources and reducing the vehicle's weight. Another advantage is that the space in the vehicle where the spare tire would be located can be used for other purposes.

[0003] Known tire puncture repair kits include, for example, a so-called pump-type tire puncture repair kit that injects a tire puncture repair fluid stored in a tire puncture repair fluid container into a tire using compressed air supplied from an air compressor or the like (see, for example, JP 2017-177389 A). A tire puncture repair fluid container used in such a pump-type tire puncture repair kit includes: a container case including a storage portion that stores the tire puncture repair fluid and an opening portion provided at one end of the storage portion; and a shutter mounted on the opening portion of the container case. Further, an introduction path that introduces compressed air from the outside and a discharge path that discharges the tire puncture repair fluid to the outside are provided at the shutter.Furthermore, in some cases, a flow path that only allows compressed air to flow between the introduction path and the discharge path, and a flow path that discharges the tire puncture repair fluid along with the compressed air, are arranged in the closure, and a switching valve that switches the two flow paths is provided. In such a tire puncture repair fluid container, a problem arises in that a switching knob for operating the switching valve is less likely to rotate when the tightness of the switching valve is high.

[0004] JP 3 212 106 U discloses a tire puncture repair agent container for easy and quick repair of a punctured tire, comprising a supply port, a connector, a valve housing suitable for switching between the two ports, an inlet port, an outlet port, four connected chambers, and a button connected to the upper end of the valve housing. The button functions to actuate the valve housing by rotation. The valve housing is configured to operate in two different states: the air-filled tire repair operating state and the independent air-filled operating state. To switch between these operating states, the valve housing must be rotated 90 degrees so that the inlet port and the outlet port are aligned with the corresponding connected chamber.In the air-filled tire repair mode, the puncture repair compound is injected into the punctured tire along with compressed air. The independent air-filled mode allows compressed air to be injected into the punctured tire without injecting the puncture repair compound.

[0005] JP 3 202 129 U discloses a sealant applicator for tire repair, comprising: a container with an opening filled with a chemical sealant, a lid mounted over the opening of the container, a valve seat for controlling an air inlet channel, and a rotating element. The rotating element is designed as a bayonet lock. Brief description of the inventionTechnical problem

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a tire puncture repair fluid container and a tire puncture repair kit which, by an ingenious shape of a changeover knob, allow a changeover knob to rotate easily during a tire puncture repair work. Solution to the problem

[0007] To achieve the above-mentioned object, a tire puncture repair fluid container includes: a container body including a storage portion for storing tire puncture repair fluid and an opening portion provided at one end of the storage portion; and a shutter mounted on the opening portion, the shutter including: an introduction path for introducing compressed air from the outside; a discharge path for discharging the tire puncture repair fluid to the outside; a switching valve for switching two paths, arranged between the introduction path and the discharge path; and a switching knob for operating the switching valve.The toggle knob includes a toggle knob body provided with a pair of protrusions. The toggle knob body has a disc-like shape, and the protrusions protrude in a thickness direction of the toggle knob body. A maximum height position at which a height of the corresponding protrusion is maximum is positioned outside a center position of the toggle knob body in a radial direction of the toggle knob body. The toggle knob body includes at least one of a recessed portion and a protrusion formed in the rotational axis direction of the toggle knob, and the pair of protrusions includes a protrusion or a recessed portion formed in the rotational axis direction of the toggle knob, which can be mounted in or on the recessed portion or the protrusion of the toggle knob body as needed.A part or all of the nose portions are arranged outside an outer diameter of the toggle button body in the radial direction of the toggle button body.

[0008] To achieve the above-mentioned object, a tire puncture repair kit includes: the above-described container in which a tire puncture repair fluid is stored; a hose for introducing the tire puncture repair fluid into a tire, the hose being connected to the container; and a compressor for supplying compressed air to supply the tire puncture repair fluid in the container through the hose. Advantageous effects of the invention

[0009] In the present invention, a changeover knob body constituting the changeover knob is provided with a nose portion protruding in the thickness direction of the changeover knob body. Thus, when the changeover knob is operated during a tire puncture repair work, the changeover knob can be easily rotated by gripping the nose portion provided on the changeover knob. Here, a structure in which the maximum height position of the nose portion is located at the center position of the changeover knob body or the height of the nose portion is constant is disadvantageous in gripping the nose portion for rotating the changeover knob. Thus, the nose portion is provided such that the maximum height position of the nose portion in the radial direction of the changeover knob body is positioned outside the center position of the changeover knob body.This makes it more likely that a force to rotate the nose section will be transmitted to the toggle button, allowing the toggle button to be easily rotated.

[0010] In the present invention, part or all of the nose portion is arranged outside an outer diameter of the toggle knob body in the radial direction of the toggle knob body. Generally, when the toggle knob itself is enlarged, the toggle knob is easy to grip, which is advantageous when rotating the toggle knob. However, when the toggle knob itself is enlarged, storage and cost performance tend to deteriorate. Thus, with the nose portion thus configured, a force for rotating the nose portion can be effectively transmitted to the toggle knob while suppressing deterioration in storage and cost performance. Thus, the toggle knob can be rotated more easily.

[0011] In the present invention, the toggle knob body includes at least one of a recessed portion and a protruding portion, and the nose portion includes a protruding portion or a recessed portion that is snugly fitted in or to the recessed portion or the protruding portion of the toggle knob main body. Thus, the nose portion can be attached as needed. Furthermore, inadvertent rotation of the toggle knob during storage can be prevented. Brief description of the drawings Fig. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an example of a tire puncture repair fluid container according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the tire puncture repair fluid container in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is an enlarged view of an area at or near a closure, illustrating an example of a state in which a first flow path of the tire puncture repair fluid container in Fig. 1 is released. Fig. Fig. 4 is an enlarged view of the area at or near the closure, illustrating an example of a state in which a second flow path of the tire puncture repair fluid container in Fig. 1 is released. Fig. 5 is a plan view showing a switching button of the tire puncture repair fluid container in Fig. 1 illustrates. Fig. 6A and Fig. 6B are side views of modification examples illustrating the switching button of the tire puncture repair fluid container according to the embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 7 illustrates another modification example of the switching knob of the tire puncture repair fluid container according to the embodiment of the present invention, in which the upper part is a plan view of the switching knob and the lower part is a cross-sectional view taken along a radial direction of the switching knob. Fig. 8 illustrates another modification example of the switching knob of the tire puncture repair fluid container according to the embodiment of the present invention, in which the upper part is a plan view of the switching knob and the lower part is a cross-sectional view taken along the radial direction of the switching knob. Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view illustrating another modification example of the switching button of the tire puncture repair fluid container according to the embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 10A and Fig. 10B illustrate an example of a tire puncture repair kit according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which Fig. 10A is a plan view and Fig. 10B is a cross-sectional view taken along an extending direction of the tire puncture repair kit. Description of embodiments

[0012] Configurations of embodiments of the present invention and a comparative example for better understanding of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Fig. 1 to Fig. 4 illustrate a tire puncture repair fluid container and provide a comparative example for better understanding of the present invention. Fig. 5 illustrates a switching button of the tire puncture repair fluid container and represents a comparative example for better understanding of the present invention.

[0013] As in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, a tire puncture repair fluid container 1 (hereinafter referred to as "container 1") includes a container case 10 and a closure 20. A hose connecting the container 1 to a high-pressure air supply device and a hose connecting the container 1 to a tire are not particularly limited in the present invention, and therefore, a detailed description thereof is given in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 omitted.

[0014] As in Fig. 1 and Fig. As illustrated in Fig. 2, the container body 10 includes: a storage portion 11 having a cylindrical shape that stores a tire puncture repair fluid L containing, for example, rubber latex; and an opening portion 12 having a cylindrical shape that is positioned on a side of an upper part of the storage portion 11 when the container body 10 stands upright and that discharges the tire puncture repair fluid L during use. When the container body 10 stands upright, a bottom surface of the storage portion 11 is positioned on a side opposite to the opening portion 12. In the present embodiment, a screw thread is formed on an outer peripheral surface of the opening portion 12, enabling engagement with a screw thread on the closure 20 described later.The storage portion 11 and the opening portion 12 are integrally formed from, for example, a synthetic resin such as polypropylene or polyethylene. The opening portion 12 may be welded, for example, with a lining (not shown) before the closure 20 is mounted to prevent deterioration of the tire puncture repair fluid L and leakage from the opening portion 12.

[0015] The closure 20 includes a closure body 21, a mounting portion 22, a switching valve 23, and a switching knob 24. The closure body 21, having a substantially cylindrical shape, is provided with an introduction path 30 that introduces compressed air from outside the container 1 and a discharge path 40 that discharges the tire puncture repair fluid L in the container 1. The mounting portion 22 has a substantially cylindrical shape with the same outer diameter as that of the closure body 21, and the screw thread that engages with the screw thread on the opening portion 12 is formed on an inner peripheral surface.

[0016] The introduction path 30 is a flow path extending in the closure body 21 in a direction perpendicular to an axis of the container 1. The introduction path 30 has an opening end 30a opening to the outside of the container 1 and an opening end 30b opening to the inside of the closure 20 (the closure body 21). The opening end 30a of the introduction path 30 protrudes from the closure body 21 and has a shape that allows coupling with the hose for connecting the container 1 to the supply device.

[0017] The discharge path 40 is a flow path extending in the closure body 21 in the direction perpendicular to the axis of the container 1. The discharge path 40 has an opening end 40a opening to the outside of the container 1 and an opening end 40b opening to the inside of the closure 20 (the closure body 21). The opening end 40a of the discharge path 40 protrudes from the closure body 21 and has a shape that allows coupling with the hose for connecting the container 1 to the tire.

[0018] The switching valve 23 is a valve for switching the two flow paths, which is arranged between the introduction path 30 and the discharge path 40. The switching valve 23 includes a valve body 23a having a columnar shape and a seal body 23b having a cylindrical shape that exerts sealability. An annular groove is provided in an outer peripheral surface of the valve body 23a so that the seal body 23b is fitted therein. The seal body 23b is fitted into this groove to obtain the switching valve 23. Rubber is exemplified as the material of the seal body 23b. A first flow path 50 and a second flow path 60 are provided on the valve body 23a and the seal body 23b, respectively. Both the first flow path 50 and the second flow path 60 pass through the valve body 23a and the seal body 23b.

[0019] The first flow path 50 is a flow path for sending the tire puncture repair fluid L together with compressed air between the introduction path 30 and the discharge path 40. As shown in Fig. As illustrated in Fig. 3, the first flow path 50 includes straight portions 51 and 53 extending in the direction perpendicular to the axis of the container 1; and branch portions 52 and 54 extending from ends of the straight portions 51 and 53 in the axial direction of the container 1. The other ends of the straight portions 51 and 53 have a shape that allows coupling with the opening end 30b of the introduction path 30 and the opening end 40b of the discharge path 40, respectively. The branch portion 54 extends to the inside of the container case 10 and reaches an area at or near the bottom surface of the container case 10 (the storage portion 11). In the tire puncture repair work, the tire puncture repair fluid L is sent to the discharge path 40 via the branch portion 54.Furthermore, instead of causing the branch portion 54 to extend to the area at or near the bottom surface of the container body 10, a pipe may be mounted that extends to the inside of the container body 10. In this case, the material of the pipe is not particularly limited, and polyvinyl chloride and soft polyethylene are exemplified.

[0020] The second flow path 60 is a flow path that only allows compressed air to flow between the inlet path 30 and the outlet path 40. As shown in Fig. As illustrated in Figure 4, the second flow path 60 is a flow path extending in the valve body 23a and the seal body 23b in the direction perpendicular to the axis of the container 1. The second flow path 60 has one end that can be coupled to the opening end 30b of the introduction path 30 and the other end that can be coupled to the opening end 40b of the discharge path 40.

[0021] The switching button 24 is a gripping member for operating the switching valve 23. The switching button 24 includes a switching button body 25 having a disc-like shape and a nose portion 26. The nose portion 26 protrudes upward when the container housing 10 is upright. As shown in Fig. 5, in the nose portion 26, the center position of the switch button body 25 is designated P1, and the maximum height position at which a height h of the nose portion 26 (see Fig. 2) is maximized is indicated by P2. In this case, the maximum height position P2 of the nose portion 26 in the radial direction of the toggle button body 25 is positioned outside the center position P1 of the toggle button body 25. That is, the height h of the nose portion 26 at the center position P1 of the toggle button body 25 is smaller than the maximum height. Specifically, the maximum height position P2 may be positioned outside a position that is 25% of an outer diameter R of the toggle button body 25 in the radial direction with the center position P1 as a reference point. The height h of the nose portion 26 is preferably set in a range of 10 mm to 15 mm so that the nose portion 26 can be easily gripped. Note that the height h of the nose portion 26 is a height from an upper end surface of the toggle button body 25 to an upper end of the nose portion 26.

[0022] When the container 1 is used to perform a tire puncture repair work, the nose portion 26 provided on the switching knob 24 is operated to rotate the switching valve 23. Thus, switching between the first flow path 50 and the second flow path 60 can be performed. That is, switching between a state in which the first flow path 50 is released (the state in Fig. 3), and a state in which the second flow path 60 is released (the state in Fig. 4) is performed. During storage of the container 1, the second flow path 60 remains open. Thus, during tire puncture repair work, the nose portion 26 is actuated to open the first flow path 50. This allows the tire puncture repair fluid L to be sent to the discharge path 40 along with compressed air.

[0023] In the tire puncture repair fluid container described above, the switching knob body 25 constituting the switching knob 24 is provided with the protrusion portion 26 protruding in the thickness direction of the switching knob body 25. Thus, when the switching knob 24 is operated during a tire puncture repair work, the switching knob 24 can be easily rotated by grasping the protrusion portion 26 provided on the switching knob 24. Here, a structure in which the maximum height position P2 of the nose portion 26 is located at the center position P1 of the changeover knob body 25 or the height h of the nose portion 26 is constant is disadvantageous in gripping the nose portion 26 to rotate the changeover knob 24. Thus, the nose portion 26 is provided such that the maximum height position P2 of the nose portion 26 is positioned outside the center position P1 of the changeover knob body 25 in the radial direction of the changeover knob body 25.This makes it more likely that a force for rotating the nose portion 26 is transmitted to the switching knob 24, whereby the switching knob 24 can be easily rotated.

[0024] In the above Fig. 1 to Fig. In the embodiment described in Figure 5, the example is given in which the nose portion 26 has a substantially M-like shape with a recess in the center of the nose portion 26 in a cross-sectional view. However, the shape of the nose portion 26 is not particularly limited. In addition to the Fig. 1 to Fig. 5, a pair of nose portions 26 each having a triangular shape, as in Fig. 6A, and a pair of nose portions 26 each having a semicircular distal end, as in Fig. 6B illustrated.

[0025] Fig. 7 illustrates another modification example of the switching button of the tire puncture repair fluid container according to the embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Fig. As illustrated in FIG. 7, each pair of the nose portions 26 is arranged partially outside the outer diameter of the toggle knob body 25 in the radial direction of the toggle knob body 25. That is, the parts of the nose portions 26 protrude outward from the toggle knob body 25 in the radial direction. With the nose portion 26 thus configured, a force for rotating the nose portion 26 can be effectively transmitted to the toggle knob 24 while suppressing deterioration in storage and cost performance. Thus, the toggle knob 24 can be rotated more easily. Further, the pair of nose portions 26 can be arranged at positions that are point-symmetrical to each other with the center of the toggle knob body 25 as a reference.

[0026] Fig. 8 illustrates another modification example of the switching button of the tire puncture repair fluid container according to the embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Fig. As illustrated in Figure 8, a pair of receiving portions 27 for receiving a pair of the nose portions 26 is provided in the toggle button body 25. The receiving portions 27 are provided as recessed portions in the surface of the toggle button body 25, and a rotating mechanism 28 rotatable about an axis of the nose portions 26 is provided. The nose portions 26 can be received in the toggle button body 25. It should be noted that Fig. 8 illustrates a state in which the pair of nose portions 26 are received in the receiving portions 27, or a state usable for tire puncture repair work.

[0027] Fig. 9 illustrates a tire puncture repair fluid container switching button according to the invention. As in Fig. 9, a recessed section or protruding section 25a (in Fig. 9 the recessed portion) is provided on the surface of the switch button body 25. At the same time, a projecting portion or recessed portion 26a (in Fig. 9, the protruding portion) fixed to or in the recessed portion or protruding portion 25a of the changeover knob body 25 is provided on the nose portion 26. The nose portion 26 includes two distal ends that protrude upward when the container case 10 stands upright, and each of the distal ends has a semicircular shape. With the changeover knob body 25 and nose portion 26 thus configured, the nose portion 26 is attachable as needed. At the same time, inadvertent rotation of the changeover knob 24 during storage can be prevented.

[0028] Furthermore, in the embodiment in Fig. 9, the example is given in which the depressed portion is formed in the changeover knob body 25 and the projecting portion is formed on the nose portion 26, but the present invention is not limited to this. A projecting portion may be provided on the changeover knob body 25, and a depressed portion fixed to the projecting portion of the changeover knob body 25 may be provided in the nose portion 26. Note that the number and shape of the depressed portion or the projecting portion 25a of the changeover knob body 25 are not particularly limited, and a number and shape can be freely selected.

[0029] Fig. 10A and Fig. 10B illustrate an example of a tire puncture repair kit according to an embodiment of the present invention. As in Fig. 10A and Fig.10B, a tire puncture repair kit 2 includes: a hose 3 connected to the container 1 via the discharge path 40 and introducing the tire puncture repair fluid L into a tire; and a compressor 4 that supplies compressed air for supplying the tire puncture repair fluid L through the hose 3. The compressor 4 is integrally installed within a housing 5. A pressure gauge 4b ​​and a switch 4a of the compressor 4 are arranged on the upper part of the housing 5, and a power cable 4c connected to the compressor 4 and supplying electric power is arranged on a side surface of the housing 5. Further, a bottle receiving portion 5a for receiving the container 1 and a lid portion 5b for covering the container 1 are formed on the housing 5. The lid portion 5b is pivotally mounted on the housing 5 and has a through hole 5c at a position corresponding to the switching knob 24.Furthermore, in a state of being accommodated in the bottle accommodating portion 5a, the container 1 is connected to the compressor 4 via the introduction path 30.

[0030] In the present embodiment, when the container 1 is accommodated in the bottle receiving portion 5a, the nose portion 26 protrudes from the through hole 5c of the lid portion 5b. Thus, during a tire puncture repair work, the nose portion 26 can be operated to rotate the switching valve 23. It is required that the nose portion 26 be reduced in size as much as possible to obtain the tire puncture repair kit 2 with a compact structure. Due to the ingenious structure of the nose portion 26, the operation of the switching valve 23 can be performed easily. List of reference symbols 1 tire puncture repair fluid container 10 container housings 11 Storage section 12 Opening section 20 closure 21 closure body 22 Assembly section 23 Changeover valve 24 Toggle button 25 Toggle switch body 26 Nose section 30 Introductory path 40 Delivery path 50 First flow path 60 Second flow path

Claims

[1] Tire puncture repair fluid container (1), comprising: a container housing (10) comprising a storage portion (11) for storing a tire puncture repair fluid (L) and an opening portion (12) provided at one end of the storage portion (11); and a closure (20) mounted on the opening portion (12), the closure (20) comprising: an inlet path (30) for introducing compressed air from outside; a discharge path (40) for discharging the tire puncture repair fluid (L) to the outside; a switching valve (23) for switching between two paths, which is arranged between the introduction path (30) and the discharge path (40); and a changeover button (24) for actuating the changeover valve (23), the changeover button (24) comprising a changeover button body (25) provided with a pair of nose portions (26), wherein the switch button body (25) has a disc-like shape and the nose portions (26) protrude in a thickness direction of the switch button body (25), and a maximum height position (P2) at which a height of the corresponding nose portion (26) is maximum is positioned in a radial direction of the switch button body (25) outside a center position (P1) of the switch button body (25), wherein the changeover knob body (25) comprises at least one of a recessed portion and a projecting portion (25a) formed in the rotational axis direction of the changeover knob (24), and the pair of nose portions (26) comprises a projecting portion or a recessed portion (26a) formed in the rotational axis direction of the changeover knob (24), which can be fastened in or to the recessed portion or the projecting portion (25a) of the changeover knob body (25) as needed, and wherein a part or all of the nose portions (26) are arranged outside an outer diameter of the changeover button body (25) in the radial direction of the changeover button body (25). [2] Tire puncture repair kit (2), comprising: a container (1) for storing a tire puncture repair fluid (L) according to claim 1; a hose (3) for introducing the tire puncture repair fluid (L) into a tire, the hose being connected to the container (1); and a compressor (4) which supplies compressed air to supply the tire puncture repair fluid (L) in the container (1) through the hose.

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