Discharger

Abstract

To suppress unexpected detachment of a push-down head from a discharger body.SOLUTION: A discharger comprises: a discharge body 3; a push-down head 5 rotationally movable in a circumferential direction; and a lock mechanism 11 for regulating a descent of the push-down head 5 in a state where the push-down head 5 is located at a regulation position as one position in a circumferential direction, and for releasing regulation of the descent of the push-down head 5 in a state where the push-down head 5 is located at a releasing position as the other position in the circumferential direction. The lock mechanism 11 comprises plural sets of lock protrusion pairs 12 each provided at a position opposed to a radial direction in the push-down head 5. The descent of the push-down head 5 is regulated by engaging each of the plural sets of lock protrusion pairs 12 with the discharge body 3 in a state where the push-down head 5 is located at the regulation position. The regulation of the descent of the push-down head 5 is released by releasing engagement of each of the plural sets of lock protrusion pairs 12 with the discharge body 3 in a state where the push-down head 5 is located at the releasing position.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a dispenser. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there has been known a dispenser such as that shown in Patent Document 1. This dispenser includes a dispenser body having a stem arranged inside the mouth of a container body so as to be movable downward in an upwardly biased state, a press-down head attached to the upper end of the stem, having a nozzle hole for discharging the content liquid and rotatable in a circumferential direction, and a locking mechanism that restricts the descent of the press-down head when the press-down head is located at a restricting position which is one position in the circumferential direction, and releases the restriction on the descent of the press-down head when the press-down head is located at a releasing position which is another position in the circumferential direction. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2023-034577 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in the conventional dispensers, there is room for improvement in preventing the press-down head from unexpectedly coming off the dispenser body, for example, when the dispenser is unintentionally dropped.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and has an object to provide a dispenser that can prevent the press-down head from unexpectedly coming off from the dispenser main body. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] <1> A dispenser according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a dispenser body having a stem arranged inside a mouth of a container body so as to be able to move downward in an upwardly biased state; a press-down head attached to an upper end of the stem, having a nozzle hole for discharging the content liquid and rotatably movable in a circumferential direction; and a locking mechanism that restricts the descent of the press-down head when the press-down head is located at a restricted position which is one circumferential position, and releases the restriction on the descent of the press-down head when the press-down head is located at a release position which is another circumferential position, wherein the locking mechanism comprises multiple pairs of locking protrusions provided at positions opposite each other in the radial direction on the press-down head, and when the press-down head is located at the restricted position, each of the multiple pairs of locking protrusions engages with the dispenser body to restrict the descent of the press-down head, and when the press-down head is located at the release position, the engagement between each of the multiple pairs of locking protrusions and the dispenser body is released, thereby releasing the restriction on the descent of the press-down head.

[0007] In this dispenser, for example, the user places the push-down head in the restriction position when not discharging the content liquid. At this time, each of the pairs of locking protrusions engages with the dispenser body, restricting the descent of the push-down head. On the other hand, when discharging the content liquid, the user moves the push-down head from the restricting position to the releasing position, whereby the engagement between each of the pairs of locking protrusions and the dispenser body is released, and the restriction on the downward movement of the push-down head is released. When the user again wants to restrict the descent of the press-down head, the user rotates the press-down head from the release position to the restriction position again, whereby the pairs of locking protrusions once again engage with the dispenser body, restricting the descent of the press-down head. As described above, according to this dispenser, the depression head can be rotated in the circumferential direction to restrict the descent of the depression head and also to release this restriction. In this dispenser, the locking mechanism has not one but multiple pairs of locking protrusions. This allows the locking protrusions to be arranged over a wide range in the circumferential direction of the press-down head. Therefore, for example, in the event of an unintentional drop of the dispenser, the locking protrusions function to prevent the press-down head from coming off, thereby preventing the press-down head from coming off the dispenser body unexpectedly.

[0008] <2> the above <1> In the dispenser relating to the above, the locking mechanism may include a plurality of pairs of lock receiving portions provided at radially opposing positions on the dispenser body, each pair of the plurality of pairs of locking protrusions corresponding to one of the plurality of pairs of locking protrusions, and when the press-down head is in the restricted position, the lower ends of each of the plurality of pairs of locking protrusions engage from above with the pair of locking receiving portions corresponding to each of the pair of locking protrusions, thereby restricting the descent of the press-down head, and when the press-down head is in the released position, the engagement between the lower ends of each of the plurality of pairs of locking protrusions and the pair of locking receiving portions corresponding to each of the pair of locking protrusions is released, thereby releasing the restriction on the descent of the press-down head.

[0009] When the press-down head is in the restricted position, each of the pairs of locking protrusions engages from above with the lower ends of a pair of locking receivers corresponding to each pair of locking protrusions, thereby restricting the press-down head from descending. Therefore, for example, when the dispenser is unintentionally dropped, the impact force generated between the locking protrusions and the locking receivers can be dispersed over a wide range in the circumferential direction of the press-down head.

[0010] <3> the above <2> In the dispenser according to the present invention, a configuration may be adopted in which, among the multiple pairs of locking protrusions, the lower ends of a first pair of locking protrusions and the lower ends of a second pair of locking protrusions are positioned differently in the up-down direction.

[0011] Among the multiple pairs of locking protrusions, the lower ends of the first pair of locking protrusions and the second pair of locking protrusions are located at different positions in the up-down direction, which can significantly achieve the effect of dispersing the impact force when dropped, for example, as described above.

[0012] <4> the above <3> In the dispenser relating to the above, a configuration may be adopted in which the lower ends of the pair of locking protrusions of the first set are positioned lower than the lower ends of the pair of locking protrusions of the second set, and among the multiple sets of pairs of lock receiving portions, the pair of lock receiving portions of the first set corresponding to the pair of locking protrusions of the first set each have a locking recess, and when the press-down head is positioned in the regulated position, the lower ends of each of the pair of locking protrusions of the first set are positioned inside the locking recess, and when the press-down head is positioned in the released position, the lower ends of each of the pair of locking protrusions of the first set are positioned outside the locking recess.

[0013] When the press-down head is in the restricted position, the lower ends of the pair of locking protrusions in the first set are disposed inside the locking recesses. At this time, the lower ends of the pair of locking protrusions in the first set are engaged with the lock receiving portions from above, and also face radially against the radially facing surfaces of the locking recesses. As a result, unexpected detachment of the press-down head from the dispenser body can be further suppressed. Effect of the Invention

[0014] According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent the press-down head from unexpectedly coming off from the ejection device main body. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a dispenser according to an embodiment of the present invention, showing a state in which the depression head is in a released position. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken along the line II-II of FIG. [Diagram 3]2 is a side view of an attachment cap included in the dispenser shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a top view of the mounting cap shown in FIG. 3. [Diagram 5] 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a depression head included in the dispenser shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the hold-down head shown in FIG. 5. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VII-VII of FIG. 2. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 1, showing a state in which the pressing head is located at a regulating position. [Figure 9] 9 is a longitudinal sectional view taken along line IX-IX of FIG. 8. [Figure 10] 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XX in FIG. 8. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0016] Hereinafter, an embodiment of a dispenser according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the dispenser 1 of this embodiment includes a pump module 2 having a stem 21, a push-down head 5 attached to the stem 21, and an attachment cap 7 for attaching the pump module 2 to the mouth portion A1 of a container body A containing the content liquid. The pump module 2 and the attachment cap 7 constitute the dispenser body 3. All of the components constituting the dispenser 1 are made of synthetic resin material.

[0017] The stem 21 and the mounting cap 7 are disposed coaxially with a common axis. Hereinafter, this common axis is referred to as the central axis O, and the side of the push-down head 5 along the central axis O is referred to as the upper side, and the bottom side of the container body A is referred to as the lower side. In addition, the direction along the central axis O is referred to as the up-down direction, and the direction intersecting the central axis O as viewed from the up-down direction is referred to as the radial direction, and the direction going around the central axis O is referred to as the circumferential direction.

[0018] The container body A is formed in a cylindrical shape with a bottom, and a male screw is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the mouth part A1. The container body A is disposed coaxially with the central axis O. The attachment cap 7 is formed in a topped cylindrical shape having an annular top wall and peripheral wall. The stem 21 is inserted inside the top wall of the attachment cap 7 so as to be movable up and down. A female thread is formed on the inner circumferential surface of the peripheral wall of the attachment cap 7 to screw into the male thread of the mouth part A1. The peripheral wall of the attachment cap 7 may be fitted into the mouth part A1, for example, by undercut fitting.

[0019] 1 to 4, the mounting cap 7 has a guide tube 73 protruding upward from the inner peripheral edge of the top wall. The guide tube 73 is disposed coaxially with the central axis O. The upper end of the guide tube 73 is provided with a peripheral rib 74, a notch 75, a first vertical groove 76, and a second vertical groove 77. 3 and 4, the circumferential rib 74 extends over the entire circumference in the circumferential direction. The circumferential rib 74 protrudes radially outward from the guide tube 73. The upper end of the circumferential rib 74 coincides with the upper end of the guide tube 73.

[0020] The notch 75 is recessed downward from the upper end of the guide tube 73. The notch 75 opens upward. The notch 75 penetrates the upper end of the guide tube 73 in the radial direction. The notch 75 penetrates the peripheral rib 74 in the vertical direction. The nozzle tube portion 54 described later can enter the notch 75. The first vertical groove 76 is disposed on the opposite side of the cutout 75 across the central axis O. The first vertical groove 76 penetrates the circumferential rib 74 in the up-down direction. The first vertical groove 76 does not penetrate the upper end of the guide tube 73 in the radial direction. The second longitudinal grooves 77 are disposed in a portion located midway between the notch 75 and the first longitudinal groove 76 along the circumferential direction. A pair of the second longitudinal grooves 77 are provided with the central axis O therebetween. Each of the second longitudinal grooves 77 penetrates the circumferential rib 74 in the up-down direction. Each of the second longitudinal grooves 77 does not penetrate the upper end of the guide tube 73 in the radial direction.

[0021] In the following description, the direction in which the notch 75 is located relative to the central axis O is referred to as the front. The direction in which the first vertical groove 76 is located relative to the central axis O is referred to as the rear. The direction in which the central axis O, the notch 75, and the first vertical groove 76 pass is referred to as the front-rear direction. The direction in which the central axis O and the pair of second vertical grooves 77 pass is referred to as the left-right direction. The up-down direction, the front-rear direction, and the left-right direction are mutually perpendicular. In a plan view, an axis that intersects the central axis O and passes through the notch 75 and the first vertical groove 76 is referred to as the first axis L1. In a plan view, an axis that intersects the central axis O and passes through the pair of second vertical grooves 77 is referred to as the second axis L2. The central axis O, the first axis L1, and the second axis L2 are mutually perpendicular.

[0022] The circumferential ridge 74 is divided into four ridges 78 by the notches 75, the first vertical grooves 76, and the second vertical grooves 77. The four ridges 78 include a pair of first ridges 78a and a pair of second ridges 78b. The pair of first ridges 78a are arranged in positions facing each other in the radial direction. Each of the first ridges 78a is located on a first circumferential side with respect to each of the second vertical grooves 77. The pair of second ridges 78b are arranged in positions facing each other in the radial direction. Each of the second ridges 78b is located on a first circumferential side with respect to the notches 75 or the first vertical grooves 76. In the illustrated example, the first circumferential side is the clockwise side in a plan view of the dispenser 1 seen from above.

[0023] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the pump module 2 includes a stem 21, a piston guide 40, a piston 22, a cylinder 23, a lower valve body 24, a ring 41 and a biasing member 25.

[0024] Cylinder 23 is formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape having annular bottom and peripheral walls, and is disposed coaxially with central axis O. An attachment tube 27 extending downward is provided on the inner peripheral edge of the bottom wall of cylinder 23. The upper end of suction tube 28 (pipe) is fitted into attachment tube 27. The lower end opening of suction tube 28 is located within the bottom of container body A. A fixed flange portion 29 is formed at the upper end of the peripheral wall of the cylinder 23, protruding radially outward and extending circumferentially. The fixed flange portion 29 is disposed on the upper opening edge of the mouth portion A1 of the container body A via a packing 9. The lower surface of the top wall of the attachment cap 7 is disposed on the upper surface of the fixed flange portion 29. A lower valve body 24 is provided within the lower end of the peripheral wall of the cylinder 23.

[0025] The lower valve body 24 includes a fitting cylinder 31 , a valve body 32 , and a connecting piece 33 . The fitting cylinder 31 is fitted into the lower end of the peripheral wall of the cylinder 23. The valve body 32 is formed in a plate shape and is seated on the peripheral edge of an opening in the upper surface of the bottom wall of the cylinder 23, closing the inside of the bottom wall of the cylinder 23. The valve body 32 is connected to the inner peripheral surface of the fitting cylinder 31 via an elastically deformable connecting piece 33. The valve body 32 elastically displaces in the vertical direction as the connecting piece 33 elastically deforms. Lower valve body 24 serves as a check valve which keeps the inside of the bottom wall of cylinder 23 closed when pressurization occurs inside cylinder 23, and opens the inside of the bottom wall of cylinder 23 when depressurization occurs inside cylinder 23. As a result, lower valve body 24 prevents the content liquid in cylinder 23 from returning to container body A through the inside of the bottom wall of cylinder 23 when pressurization occurs inside cylinder 23, while allowing the content liquid in container body A to flow into cylinder 23 through the inside of the bottom wall of cylinder 23 when depressurization occurs inside cylinder 23.

[0026] The stem 21 is erected in the mouth A1 while being biased upward so as to be movable downward. The stem 21 is formed in a cylindrical shape. The lower end 21a of the stem 21 is housed in the cylinder 23. The lower end 21a of the stem 21 has a larger diameter than a portion of the stem 21 located above the lower end 21a. The upper part of the stem 21 is located above the upper end opening of the cylinder 23.

[0027] The piston guide 40 is attached to the stem 21 from below. The piston guide 40 is formed in a cylindrical shape with a bottom. The upper end of the piston guide 40 is fitted into a portion of the stem 21 that is located above the lower end 21a. The piston guide 40 is formed with a communication hole 34 that penetrates in the radial direction. The piston guide 40 is formed with a pedestal portion 35 that protrudes radially outward. The pedestal portion 35 is formed in a portion of the piston guide 40 that is located below the communication hole 34. The pedestal portion 35 supports the piston 22 from below the piston 22.

[0028] The piston 22 includes an outer cylinder 38 , an inner cylinder 37 , and a connecting plate 39 . The outer cylinder 38 is formed in a cylindrical shape and is provided coaxially with the central axis O. The outer cylinder 38 is fitted into the cylinder 23 so as to be vertically slidable. A through hole penetrating the cylinder 23 in the radial direction is formed in a portion of the cylinder 23 facing the outer cylinder 38 in the radial direction. The inner cylinder 37 is formed in a cylindrical shape and is arranged coaxially with the central axis O. The lower end of the inner cylinder 37 is seated on a seat portion 35 of the piston guide 40 so as to be releasable. As a result, the inner cylinder 37 switches between communication and blocking between a portion located below the piston 22 in the cylinder 23 (hereinafter referred to as the lower chamber 23a) and the communication hole 34 of the piston guide 40. Such a piston guide 40 functions as an upper valve body in the pump module 2. An upper portion of the inner cylinder 37 is fitted into the lower end portion 21a of the stem 21 so as to be vertically slidable. The connecting plate 39 connects the inner peripheral surface of the outer tube 38 and the outer peripheral surface of the inner tube 37, and extends continuously over the entire circumferential length. The upper surface of the connecting plate 39 faces the lower end opening edge (lower end portion 21a) of the stem 21 with a vertical gap therebetween.

[0029] 1, 2, 5, and 6, the press-down head 5 is formed in a cylindrical shape with a top wall portion 51 and an outer cylinder portion 52, and is disposed coaxially with the central axis O. The outer cylinder portion 52 is disposed radially outward from the guide cylinder 73 of the mounting cap 7. The lower end portion of the outer cylinder portion 52 is located lower than the upper end portion of the guide cylinder 73.

[0030] The pressing head 5 has an attachment tube portion 53 protruding downward from the top wall portion 51, a nozzle tube portion 54 extending radially outward from the attachment tube portion 53 and penetrating the outer tube portion 52 in the radial direction, and a rib 55 extending downward from the top wall portion 51. A nozzle hole 54a opening in the radial direction is formed at the tip of the nozzle tube portion 54. The inside of the nozzle tube portion 54 communicates with the inside of the attachment tube portion 53. The attachment tube portion 53 is arranged coaxially with the central axis O. The lower end of the attachment tube portion 53 is located above the lower end of the outer tube portion 52. The upper end of the stem 21 is fitted to the outside of the attachment tube portion 53. The attachment tube portion 53 is inserted into the stem 21. The radially inner end of the rib 55 is connected to the outer peripheral surface of the attachment tube portion 53. The radially outer end of the rib 55 is separated from the inner peripheral surface of the outer tube portion 52. The vertical position of the lower end of the rib 55 is the same as the vertical position of the lower end of the nozzle cylinder portion 54. The plurality of ribs 55 are arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction.

[0031] 1 and 2, the ring 41 functions as a retainer for components inside the cylinder 23, such as the piston 22. The ring 41 is attached to the upper end of the cylinder 23. The stem 21 is inserted through the ring 41. The ring 41 is disposed coaxially with the central axis O. The ring 41 includes a plate portion 42, a lower cylinder portion 43, and an upper cylinder portion 44. The plate portion 42 is an annular plate with the front and back surfaces facing the up-down direction. The outer periphery of the plate portion 42 is disposed on the fixed flange portion 29. The outer periphery of the plate portion 42 is sandwiched between the fixed flange portion 29 and the mounting cap 7 in the up-down direction. The lower cylinder portion 43 extends downward from the plate portion 42. The lower cylinder portion 43 is fitted into the upper end portion of the cylinder 23. The lower cylinder portion 43 is disposed between the upper end portion of the cylinder 23 and the lower end portion 21a of the stem 21. The upper cylinder portion 44 extends upward from the plate portion 42. The upper cylinder portion 44 covers a portion of the stem 21 located above the lower end portion 21a from the outside in the radial direction.

[0032] The urging member 25 extends upward from the ring 41. The urging member 25 is disposed outside the cylinder 23. The urging member 25 is formed in a cylindrical shape as a whole. The urging member 25 is disposed on the opposite side of the lower tube portion 43 with the plate portion 42 sandwiched therebetween in the vertical direction. The urging member 25 surrounds the stem 21 from the outside in the radial direction. The urging member 25 is disposed inside the guide tube 73. The lower end of the urging member 25 is fixed to the upper surface of the ring 41. The upper end of the urging member 25 is supported from above by the pressing head 5. The upper end surface of the urging member 25 is located at the same position in the vertical direction over the entire circumferential length and is a flat surface facing upward. The upper end surface of the urging member 25 is supported by the lower surfaces of the nozzle tube portion 54 and the rib 55. The form of the urging member 25 can be appropriately adopted as a form of a known resin spring.

[0033] As described above, the upper end of the urging member 25 is supported from above by the press-down head 5. That is, the press-down head 5 functions as the upper support part 10 that supports the upper end of the urging member 25. When the press-down head 5 is pressed down, the upper support part 10 descends and presses down the urging member 25. The urging member 25 urges the stem 21 upward against the mounting cap 7 via the upper support part 10 (press-down head 5).

[0034] The basic operation of the above-mentioned dispenser 1 will now be described.

[0035] When the press-down head 5 is pressed down, the stem 21 descends while the biasing member 25 is elastically compressed and deformed in the vertical direction, the seal between the base portion 35 of the piston guide 40 and the inner tube 37 of the piston 22 is released, and the lower chamber 23a in the cylinder 23 communicates with the communication hole 34 of the piston guide 40. When the press-down head 5 is further pressed down from this state, the lower end opening edge of the stem 21 abuts against the upper surface of the connecting plate 39 of the piston 22, and the piston 22 also moves downward together with the press-down head 5. As a result, the lower chamber 23a in the cylinder 23 is pressurized, and the content liquid in the cylinder 23 passes through the vertical gap between the base portion 35 and the piston 22, the communication hole 34, the inside of the stem 21, the inside of the mounting tube portion 53, and the inside of the nozzle tube portion 54 in this order, and is discharged from the nozzle hole 54a. At this time, the valve body 32 of the lower valve element 24 is kept seated on the peripheral edge of the opening on the upper surface of the bottom wall of the cylinder 23 .

[0036] Thereafter, when the depression of the push-down head 5 is released, the push-down head 5 moves upward together with the stem 21 due to the upward biasing force of the biasing member 25. During this process, the base portion 35 of the piston guide 40 abuts against the piston 22 from below the piston 22, sealing the gap between the base portion 35 and the inner tube 37, blocking communication between the lower chamber 23a in the cylinder 23 and the communication hole 34 of the piston guide 40. When the piston 22 continues to move upward together with the push-down head 5, the lower chamber 23a in the cylinder 23 is depressurized, and the valve body 32 of the lower valve body 24 elastically deforms the connecting piece 33 and moves upward from the opening periphery on the upper surface of the bottom wall of the cylinder 23, causing the content liquid in the container body A to flow into the cylinder 23 through the suction tube 28.

[0037] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 10, in this embodiment, the dispenser 1 further includes a locking mechanism 11. As shown in FIG. The locking mechanism 11 switches between restricting and releasing the downward movement of the upper support part 10 (push-down head 5). In the illustrated example, the locking mechanism 11 is provided on the push-down head 5 and the attachment cap 7. The push-down head 5 and the attachment cap 7 (discharger main body 3) rotate relative to each other, whereby the locking mechanism 11 switches between restricting and releasing the downward movement of the push-down head 5. The push-down head 5 may be rotatable relative to the stem 21, or may be rotatable integrally with the stem 21. The push-down head 5 may be rotatable relative to the container body A or the attachment cap 7.

[0038] 8 to 10, the locking mechanism 11 restricts the descent of the press head 5 when the press head 5 is in a restricted position, which is one position in the circumferential direction. When the press head 5 is in the restricted position, the nozzle hole 54a of the press head 5 opens in a direction shifted in the circumferential direction with respect to the front (first axis L1). 1, 2 and 7, the locking mechanism 11 releases the restriction on the downward movement of the press-down head 5 when the press-down head 5 is in the release position, which is another position in the circumferential direction. When the press-down head 5 is in the restricted position, the nozzle hole 54a of the press-down head 5 opens forward.

[0039] The lock mechanism 11 includes a lock protrusion 12 provided on the press-down head 5, and a lock receiving portion 17 provided on the mounting cap 7 (discharger main body 3).

[0040] As shown in Figs. 5 and 6, the locking protrusions 12 are provided on the inner circumferential surface of the outer tube portion 52 of the press-down head 5. The locking protrusions 12 are elongated protrusions extending in the up-down direction. A plurality of locking protrusions 12 are arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction. Two locking protrusions 12 are provided with the central axis O therebetween. A pair of locking protrusions 12 are provided on the press-down head 5 at positions facing each other in the radial direction.

[0041] In this embodiment, the locking mechanism 11 has a plurality of pairs of locking protrusions 12. As the pairs of locking protrusions 12, the locking mechanism 11 has a first pair of locking protrusions 12 and a second pair of locking protrusions 12. Hereinafter, the locking protrusions 12 belonging to the first set are also referred to as first locking protrusions 12a. The locking protrusions 12 belonging to the second set are also referred to as second locking protrusions 12b. The pair of locking protrusions 12 in the first set is a pair of first locking protrusions 12a, and the pair of locking protrusions 12 in the second set is a pair of second locking protrusions 12b.

[0042] An upper end of each of the pair of first locking protrusions 12a and an upper end of each of the pair of second locking protrusions 12b are connected to the top wall portion 51 or the nozzle cylinder portion 54. In this embodiment, an upper end of each of the pair of first locking protrusions 12a and an upper end of the second locking protrusion 12b located at the rear of the pair of second locking protrusions 12b are connected to the top wall portion 51. An upper end of the second locking protrusion 12b located at the front of the pair of second locking protrusions 12b is connected to the nozzle cylinder portion 54.

[0043] The lower ends of the pair of first locking protrusions 12a and the lower ends of the pair of second locking protrusions 12b are located above the lower end of the outer tube portion 52. The lower ends of the pair of first locking protrusions 12a and the lower ends of the pair of second locking protrusions 12b are located at different positions in the up-down direction. The lower ends of the pair of first locking protrusions 12a are located at the same positions in the up-down direction. The lower ends of the pair of second locking protrusions 12b are located at the same positions in the up-down direction. The lower ends of the pair of first locking protrusions 12a are located below the lower ends of the pair of second locking protrusions 12b. The pair of first locking protrusions 12a are longer in the up-down direction than the pair of second locking protrusions 12b.

[0044] In the illustrated example, the circumferential sizes (widths) of the pair of first locking protrusions 12a are different from each other. The circumferential sizes (widths) of the pair of second locking protrusions 12b are equal to each other. However, the circumferential sizes (widths) of the pair of first locking protrusions 12a may be equal to each other. The circumferential sizes (widths) of the pair of second locking protrusions 12b may be different from each other.

[0045] 3 and 4, the lock receiving portion 17 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the guide tube 73 of the attachment cap 7. A plurality of lock receiving portions 17 are arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction. Two lock receiving portions 17 are provided with the central axis O therebetween. A pair of lock receiving portions 17 are provided in the dispenser body 3 at positions facing each other in the radial direction.

[0046] In this embodiment, the lock mechanism 11 includes a plurality of pairs of lock receiving portions 17. Each pair of the plurality of pairs of lock receiving portions 17 corresponds to one of the plurality of pairs of lock protrusions 12. The lock mechanism 11 includes a first pair of lock receiving portions 17 and a second pair of lock receiving portions 17 as the pairs of lock receiving portions 17. The first pair of lock receiving portions 17 corresponds to the first pair of lock protrusions 12 (a pair of first lock protrusions 12a). The second pair of lock receiving portions 17 corresponds to the second pair of lock protrusions 12 (a pair of second lock protrusions 12b). Hereinafter, the lock receiving portion 17 belonging to the first set will also be referred to as a first lock receiving portion 17a. The lock receiving portion 17 belonging to the second set will also be referred to as a second lock receiving portion 17b. The pair of lock receiving portions 17 in the first set is a pair of first lock receiving portions 17a, and the pair of lock receiving portions 17 in the second set is a pair of second lock receiving portions 17b.

[0047] Each lock receiving portion 17 includes one of the protrusions 78. In this embodiment, each of the first lock receiving portions 17a includes one of the first protrusions 78a, and each of the second lock receiving portions 17b includes one of the second protrusions 78b.

[0048] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the pair of first lock receiving portions 17a each include a lock recess 13. The lock recess 13 is a circumferential groove provided in the first protrusion 78a. A plurality of lock recesses 13 are provided in the circumferential direction to correspond to the lock protrusions 12. In this embodiment, two lock recesses 13 (a pair) are provided with the central axis O therebetween. The lock recess 13 is a groove extending from the upper end of the notch 75 or the upper end of the first vertical groove 76 to a first side in the circumferential direction. Both locking recesses 13 are open upward but not open downward. In other words, both locking recesses 13 have bottom surfaces 14 located below each locking recess 13. The bottom surfaces 14 face upward. Both locking recesses 13 also have side surfaces 15 facing radially outward and end surfaces 16 facing a second side (opposite to the first side) in the circumferential direction. Both locking recesses 13 are also not open on the first side in the circumferential direction. A step portion 15a is provided on the side surface 15. The step portion 15a is provided on a portion of the side surface 15 located on the second side in the circumferential direction. The first locking protrusion 12a engages (comes into) the step portion 15a so as to be able to climb over it in the circumferential direction.

[0049] In this lock mechanism 11, as shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 7, when the press head 5 is in the release position, the engagement between each of the pairs of locking protrusions 12 and the dispenser body 3 is released, and the restriction on the descent of the press head 5 is released. At this time, the engagement between the lower end of each of the pairs of locking protrusions 12 and the pair of lock receiving portions 17 corresponding to each pair of locking protrusions 12 is released, and the restriction on the descent of the press head 5 is released. In this embodiment, the lower end of the first locking protrusion 12a is disposed outside the lock recess 13 of the first lock receiving portion 17a and is located in the second vertical groove 77. The lower end of the second locking protrusion 12b is located in the notch 75 or the first vertical groove 76. In other words, the position of each of the pairs of locking protrusions 12 in the circumferential direction is shifted with respect to the pair of lock receiving portions 17 corresponding to each pair of locking protrusions 12. When the press head 5 is in the release position, the press head 5 is allowed to descend. When the press-down head 5 is pressed down in the release position, the locking protrusion 12 descends while being guided in the vertical direction by the notch 75, the first vertical groove 76, and the second vertical groove 77.

[0050] On the other hand, as shown in Figs. 8 to 10, when the press-down head 5 is located at the restricted position, each of the pairs of locking protrusions 12 engages with the dispenser body 3, thereby restricting the descent of the press-down head 5. At this time, the lower ends of each of the pairs of locking protrusions 12 engage from above with a pair of lock receiving portions 17 corresponding to each pair of locking protrusions 12, thereby restricting the descent of the press-down head 5. In this embodiment, the lower end of the first locking protrusion 12a is disposed inside the lock recess 13 of the first lock receiving portion 17a and engages with the bottom surface 14 from above. The lower end of the second locking protrusion 12b engages with the upper end surface 79 of the second protrusion 78b of the second lock receiving portion 17b from above. In other words, each of the pairs of locking protrusions 12 overlaps with the pair of lock receiving portions 17 corresponding to each pair of locking protrusions 12 in the circumferential direction. As a result, when the presser head 5 is in the restricted position, the lower end of the locking protrusion 12 of the presser head 5 contacts (engages) with the locking surface of the lock receiving portion 17 (the bottom surface 14 of the locking recess 13 or the upper end surface 79 of the second protrusion 78b), thereby restricting the descent of the presser head 5.

[0051] Next, the operation of this dispenser 1, focusing mainly on the lock mechanism 11, will be described.

[0052] In this dispenser 1, when a user restricts the descent of the press-down head 5, for example, when not discharging the content liquid, the user rotates the press-down head 5 from the release position shown in Figures 1, 2 and 7 to the restricting position (first side in the circumferential direction) shown in Figures 8 to 10. At this time, the first locking protrusion 12a rides over the step 15a to the first side in the circumferential direction.

[0053] When the first locking protrusion 12a climbs over the step portion 15a and is disposed in the locking recess 13 (i.e., when the pressing head 5 is located in the restricted position), the first locking protrusion 12a engages with (the bottom surface 14 of) the locking recess 13, and the second locking protrusion 12b engages with (the upper end surface 79 of) the second ridge 78b. This restricts the lowering of the pressing head 5. Furthermore, at this time, the rotational movement of the pressing head 5 from the restricted position toward the release position is restricted by the step portion 15a. In this embodiment, the first locking protrusion 12a engages with the step portion 15a from the second side in the circumferential direction, restricting the rotation of the pressing head 5 toward the second side in the circumferential direction. Furthermore, at this time, the further rotation of the pressing head 5 toward the first side is restricted by the first locking protrusion 12a engaging with (the end surface 16 of) the locking recess 13.

[0054] On the other hand, when discharging the content liquid, the user rotates the press head 5 from the restricted position to the released position (second side in the circumferential direction). At this time, the first locking protrusion 12a climbs over the step portion 15a to the second side in the circumferential direction. Then, the locking protrusion 12 and the lock receiving portion 17 are disengaged from each other, and the restriction on the descent of the press head 5 is released. At this time, the first locking protrusion 12a is disposed in the second vertical groove 77, and the second locking protrusion 12b is disposed in the notch 75 or the first vertical groove 76. Further rotation of the press head 5 to the second side is restricted by the first locking protrusion 12a engaging with the second ridge 78b.

[0055] As described above, according to the dispenser 1 of this embodiment, the depression of the press-down head 5 can be restricted and the restriction can be released by rotating the press-down head 5 in the circumferential direction. Therefore, in order to restrict and release the depression of the press-down head 5, it is not necessary to reuse the stopper member removed from the dispenser main body 3 as in the conventional technology. This can improve the convenience of the dispenser 1.

[0056] In this dispenser 1, the locking mechanism 11 has not one but multiple pairs of locking protrusions 12. As a result, the locking protrusions 12 are arranged over a wide range in the circumferential direction of the press-down head 5. Therefore, for example, when the dispenser 1 is unintentionally dropped, the locking protrusions 12 function to prevent the press-down head 5 from coming off, thereby preventing the press-down head 5 from coming off unexpectedly from the dispenser body 3.

[0057] When the press-down head 5 is in the restricted position, each of the pairs of locking protrusions 12 engages from above with the lower ends of a pair of locking receivers 17 corresponding to each pair of locking protrusions 12, thereby restricting the descent of the press-down head 5. Therefore, for example, when the dispenser 1 is unintentionally dropped, the impact force generated between the locking protrusions 12 and the locking receivers 17 can be dispersed over a wide range in the circumferential direction of the press-down head 5.

[0058] Among the multiple pairs of locking protrusions 12, the lower ends of the pair of first locking protrusions 12a and the lower ends of the pair of second locking protrusions 12b are located at different positions in the up-down direction. Therefore, for example, the above-mentioned operational effect of dispersing the impact force when dropped can be significantly achieved.

[0059] When the press-down head 5 is in the restricted position, the lower end of each of the pair of first locking protrusions 12a is disposed inside the locking recess 13. At this time, each of the lower ends of the pair of first locking protrusions 12a is engaged with the lock receiving portion 17 (the bottom surface 14 of the locking recess 13) from above, and also faces the side surface 15 of the locking recess 13 facing in the radial direction from the radial direction. As a result, unexpected detachment of the press-down head 5 from the dispenser body 3 can be further suppressed.

[0060] 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.

[0061] The configuration of the lock mechanism 11 is not limited to the configuration shown in the above embodiment. For example, the lock protrusion 12 may be on the outer circumferential surface of the outer tube portion 52 of the press-down head 5, or may be on another configuration of the press-down head 5. Similarly, the lock recess 13 may be configured differently from the mounting cap 7 of the dispenser body 3. All of the parts constituting the dispenser 1 do not have to be made of synthetic resin.

[0062] In addition, within the scope of the invention, the components in the above-described embodiments may be replaced with well-known components, and the above-described modified examples may be combined as appropriate. [Explanation of symbols]

[0063] 1 Dispenser 3 Dispenser body 5 Pressing head 11 Locking mechanism 12 Lock protrusion 13 Lock recess 17 Lock receiving part 21 Stem 54a Nozzle hole A Container body A1 Mouth

Claims

1. a dispenser body having a stem disposed inside a mouth of a container body so as to be movable downward in an upward biased state; A press-down head attached to an upper end of the stem, having a nozzle hole for discharging the content liquid and rotatable in a circumferential direction; a locking mechanism that restricts the downward movement of the presser head when the presser head is located at a restriction position that is one position in the circumferential direction, and releases the restriction on the downward movement of the presser head when the presser head is located at a release position that is another position in the circumferential direction, The locking mechanism includes a pair of locking protrusions provided at radially opposing positions on the pressing head, When the press-down head is located at the regulating position, each of the pairs of locking protrusions is engaged with the dispenser body, thereby regulating the descent of the press-down head, When the push-down head is positioned in the release position, the engagement between each of the pairs of locking protrusions and the ejector body is released, thereby releasing the restriction on the descent of the push-down head.

2. The lock mechanism includes a pair of lock receiving portions provided at positions facing each other in a radial direction on the dispenser body, Each pair of the lock receiving portions corresponds to one of the pairs of the lock protrusions, When the pressing head is in the restricted position, the lower ends of the pairs of locking protrusions of each of the plurality of sets are engaged from above with the pair of locking receiving portions corresponding to each of the pairs of locking protrusions, thereby restricting the descent of the pressing head, The dispenser of claim 1, wherein when the push-down head is positioned in the release position, the lower ends of each of the multiple pairs of locking protrusions are disengaged from the pair of locking receiving portions corresponding to each of the pair of locking protrusions, thereby releasing the restriction on the descent of the push-down head.

3. The dispenser according to claim 2, wherein, among the plurality of pairs of locking protrusions, the lower ends of a first pair of locking protrusions and the lower ends of a second pair of locking protrusions are positioned differently in the up-down direction.

4. a lower end of the pair of locking protrusions of the first set is located lower than a lower end of the pair of locking protrusions of the second set, Among the plurality of pairs of lock receiving portions, the pair of lock receiving portions of a first set corresponding to the pair of lock protrusions of the first set each include a lock recess, When the pressing head is in the regulating position, the lower ends of the pair of locking protrusions of the first set are disposed inside the locking recesses, The dispenser according to claim 3 , wherein when the depression head is in the release position, a lower end of each of the pair of locking protrusions of the first set is disposed outside the locking recess.

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