Dispenser
Patent Information
- Application Number
- JP2023124574
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2023-07-31
- Publication Date
- 2025-02-13
AI Technical Summary
【0010】 本発明によれば、簡便な手入れで異なる種類の内容液を使用できる。
Smart Images

Figure 2025020934000001_ABST
Abstract
Description
[Technical field]
[0001] The present invention relates to a dispenser. [Background technology]
[0002] There is known a discharge container that includes a container body that contains a liquid, and a discharger that has a discharge port for discharging the liquid and is detachably attached to the container body. For example, the following Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration in which an additive (medicine) stored in a medicine storage chamber is put into the container body before using the discharge container (before discharging), thereby discharging a liquid to which the additive has been added. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]
[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2009-83907 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]
[0004] However, in a configuration in which an additive is directly added to a container body like the above-mentioned discharge container, for example, when an additive containing a fragrance is used that contains a fragrance different from the fragrance of the additive currently being used, the odor of the container body remains as an issue. When the odor remains in the container body, consumers have to take the time to clean the container body or have to replace the entire discharge container. Depending on the properties of the additive (such as when the properties of the mixture change with the passage of time after addition), it may be preferable to add the additive immediately before ejection.
[0005] The present invention provides a dispenser that can be used with different types of content liquids with simple maintenance. [Means for solving the problem]
[0006] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention employs the following aspects. A dispenser according to one aspect of the present invention has a stem that is biased upward and can move downward, and a cylinder whose internal pressure increases and decreases with the up and down movement of the stem, a pump that introduces a first liquid within a container body into the cylinder as the internal pressure of the cylinder decreases and pumps out the first liquid within the cylinder as the internal pressure of the cylinder increases, and a press-down head that is formed with a flow passage communicating with the inside of the cylinder and a discharge port communicating with the flow passage and that presses down the stem, the press-down head comprising: a nozzle member in which the discharge port is formed and attached to the stem; a communication port that communicates with the inside of the flow passage when attached to the nozzle member; and a cartridge that is detachably attached to the nozzle member and forms a storage space in which a second liquid is contained and that communicates with the flow passage through the communication port.
[0007] According to this aspect, when the first liquid passes through the flow passage during a push-down operation (discharge operation), negative pressure acts on the flow passage, causing the second liquid in the storage space to flow into the flow passage through the communication port. As a result, the first liquid and the second liquid are mixed in the flow passage and discharged from the discharge port. In this case, when the same product is developed into multiple types of discharge containers with different types of additives such as fragrances, the container body is filled with the first liquid (e.g., unscented liquid) that is common to each type, eliminating the need to fill the container body with different liquids for each type. This allows for a simplification of the manufacturing process. In addition, since the container body is filled with the same first liquid for each type, different types of mixed liquids can be used by simply replacing the cartridge. This reduces the amount of odor remaining in the container body when discharging liquids containing different types of fragrances. Therefore, it is possible to discharge different types of mixed liquids without having to replace the entire dispensing container, while reducing the effort required to clean the container body. Furthermore, since the second liquid, which acts as an additive, can be added to the first liquid immediately before ejection, changes in the properties of the mixed liquid can also be suppressed. As a result, it is possible to provide a dispensing container that is easy for consumers to use.
[0008] In the ejector according to the above aspect, it is preferable that the cartridge includes a cylindrical cartridge body having a bottom, and a lid portion that closes an opening of the cartridge body. According to this aspect, the second liquid can be easily contained in the cartridge.
[0009] In the ejector according to the above aspect, it is preferable that the lid portion constitutes a push-down portion of the push-down head when attached to the nozzle member, and at least a portion of the lid portion includes a thin-walled portion that is elastically deformable when pressed down. According to this aspect, when the press head is pressed down via the press part, the press part is elastically deformed, and the storage space is pressurized. This allows the second liquid in the storage space to be effectively supplied into the flow passage. Therefore, a mixed liquid in which the second liquid is sufficiently mixed with the first liquid can be ejected. Effect of the Invention
[0010] According to the present invention, different types of content liquids can be used with simple care. [Brief description of the drawings]
[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a discharge container according to the embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a discharge container according to the embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a plan view of a nozzle member according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the cartridge according to the embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 11 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a discharge container according to a modified example. [Figure 6] FIG. 11 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a discharge container according to a modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0012] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, a dispenser according to the present invention will be described by taking as an example a dispensing container in a state where the dispenser is attached to a container body. The discharge container 1 shown in Fig. 1 includes a bottomed cylindrical container body and a topped cylindrical discharger 3 detachably attached to the mouth of the container body. The container body and the discharger 3 are arranged coaxially about an axis O. Hereinafter, the direction along the axis O is referred to as the up-down direction, and in the up-down direction, the push-down head 13 side of the discharger 3 is referred to as the upper side, and the bottom (not shown) side of the container body is referred to as the lower side. In addition, the direction intersecting the axis O as viewed from the up-down direction is referred to as the radial direction, and the direction going around the axis O as viewed from the up-down direction is referred to as the circumferential direction.
[0013] The container contains a first liquid. The first liquid is preferably a liquid used as a solvent for cosmetics, medicines, deodorants, cleaning agents, etc., and is preferably a colorless, transparent, or fragrance-free liquid that does not easily transfer color or odor to the container. The first liquid may be water, alcohol, or the like.
[0014] The dispenser 3 comprises a mounting cap 11 , a pump 12 and a depression head 13 . The mounting cap 11 is formed in a topped cylindrical shape having an annular top wall 11a. The mounting cap 11 is removably attached to the mouth of the container body. In the mounting cap 11, a mounting tube 11b is formed on the top wall 11a. The mounting tube 11b has a lower surface that faces downward by projecting inward from the inner diameter of the top wall 11a. A guide tube 11c is formed on a portion of the top wall 11a that is located radially outward from the mounting tube 11b. The guide tube 11c surrounds the periphery of the mounting tube 11b.
[0015] The pump 12 is attached to the mounting cap 11. The pump 12 includes a cylinder 21, a piston 22, a biasing member 23, a cylindrical portion 24, a shaft portion 25, a sealing cylinder 26, and a stem 27. The pump 12 introduces the first liquid in the container body into the cylinder 21 as the internal pressure decreases due to an increase in the internal volume of the cylinder 21, and sends the first liquid in the cylinder 21 to the pressing head 13 as the internal pressure increases due to a decrease in the internal volume of the cylinder 21.
[0016] The cylinder 21 includes a cylinder body 21a, a valve cylinder portion 21b, a fitting cylinder 21c, and a flange portion 21d. The cylinder body 21a is formed in a cylindrical shape arranged coaxially with the axis O. The cylinder body 21a is formed with a pressure relief hole 31 and a communication hole 32 that penetrate the cylinder body 21a in the radial direction. The pressure relief hole 31 is located below the communication hole 32. A pressure relief groove 33 is formed in a portion of the inner circumferential surface of the cylinder body 21a that is located below the pressure relief hole 31. The pressure relief groove 33 is provided intermittently in the circumferential direction.
[0017] The valve cylinder portion 21b extends downward from the cylinder body 21a. The valve cylinder portion 21b is formed coaxially with the cylinder body 21a in a tapered shape in which the outer diameter gradually decreases as it extends downward. A ball valve 34 is disposed on the inner peripheral surface of the valve cylinder portion 21b so as to be movable upward. The ball valve 34 is a check valve that blocks communication between the inside of the container body and the inside of the cylinder body 21a when the inside of the cylinder body 21a is pressurized, and allows communication between the inside of the container body and the inside of the cylinder body 21a when the inside of the cylinder body 21a is depressurized.
[0018] The fitting cylinder 21c extends downward from the valve cylinder portion 21b. The upper end of the suction pipe 35 is fitted into the fitting cylinder 21c. The lower end of the suction pipe 35 is located close to the bottom of the container body.
[0019] The flange portion 21d protrudes radially outward from the upper end opening edge of the cylinder body 21a. The flange portion 21d is fitted into the mounting cap 11. The flange portion 21d is sandwiched in the vertical direction between the upper end opening edge of the mouth portion and the top wall 11a via a packing. In other words, the cylinder 21 is fixed to the container body via the mounting cap 11.
[0020] The piston 22 is linked to the up and down movement of the stem 27, and is fitted in the cylinder 21 so as to be able to slide up and down. The piston 22 abuts against a portion of the inner circumferential surface of the cylinder body 21a that is located between the pressure relief hole 31 and the pressure relief groove 33. At the downward end position of the piston 22, the lower end of the piston 22 reaches the pressure relief groove 33.
[0021] The biasing member 23 is housed in a portion of the cylinder body 21a that is located below the piston 22. The biasing member 23 is interposed between the lower end of the piston 22 and the lower end of the cylinder body 21a (the boundary with the valve cylinder portion 21b), and biases the piston 22 upward. The biasing member 23 is, for example, a coil spring.
[0022] The cylindrical portion 24 is integrally formed with the piston 22. The cylindrical portion 24 is coaxial with the axis O and extends upward from the piston 22. The shaft portion 25 closes the upper end opening of the cylindrical portion 24 and protrudes upward relative to the cylindrical portion 24. The upper end of the shaft portion 25 gradually tapers upward. At least the upper end of the shaft portion 25 protrudes upward through the upper end opening of the cylinder body 21a.
[0023] The seal tube 26 is inserted into the cylinder body 21a with a part of it protruding upward from the upper end opening of the cylinder 21. Specifically, the lower end of the seal tube 26 abuts against a part of the inner circumferential surface of the cylinder body 21a that is located above the communication hole 32 at the upper end position of the seal tube 26. On the other hand, the lower end of the seal tube 26 is located between the communication hole 32 and the pressure relief hole 31 when the seal tube 26 is located at the lower end position. That is, when the seal tube 26 descends, the lower end of the seal tube 26 passes through the communication hole 32. The upper end of the seal tube 26 is located below the upper end of the shaft portion 25. A radial gap is provided between the outer circumferential surface of the seal tube 26 and the inner circumferential surface of the mounting tube 11b.
[0024] A communication passage 29 extending in the vertical direction and opening upward is formed between the inner peripheral surface of the seal cylinder 26 and the outer peripheral surfaces of the cylindrical portion 24 and the shaft portion 25. The communication passage 29 communicates with the inside of the cylindrical portion 24 through a through hole that penetrates the cylindrical portion 24 in the radial direction.
[0025] The stem 27 is supported by the shaft portion 25 so as to be movable downward while being biased upward. The stem 27 is arranged coaxially with the axis O, and is formed in a multi-stage cylindrical shape with the outer diameter of the upper portion being smaller. Specifically, the stem 27 includes a lower cylindrical portion 27a and an upper cylindrical portion 27b. The lower cylinder portion 27a is inserted between the outer peripheral surface of the seal tube 26 and the inner peripheral surface of the mounting tube 11b. The lower end opening edge of the lower cylinder portion 27a faces the upper end opening of the cylinder body 21a in the up-down direction. The outer peripheral surface of the upper end of the seal tube 26 abuts liquid-tightly against the inner peripheral surface of the lower cylinder portion 27a. A restricting protrusion 27c that protrudes radially outward is formed at the lower end of the lower cylinder portion 27a. The upward movement of the stem 27 relative to the mounting cap 11 is restricted by the restricting protrusion 27c abutting against the lower surface of the mounting tube 11b (the portion protruding from the top wall 11a).
[0026] The upper cylinder portion 27b extends upward from the lower cylinder portion 27a. The upper cylinder portion 27b is formed coaxially with the lower cylinder portion 27a and has a smaller diameter than the lower cylinder portion 27a. An inner flange portion 27d is formed at the boundary between the upper cylinder portion 27b and the lower cylinder portion 27a, and protrudes radially inward from the upper cylinder portion 27b. The upper end portion of the shaft portion 25 is in liquid-tight contact with the inner peripheral edge of the inner flange portion 27d over the entire circumference. This blocks communication between the inside of the upper cylinder portion 27b and the inside of the lower cylinder portion 27a, and the stem 27 is configured to be able to move downward in an upwardly biased state. As shown in FIG. 2, a communication groove 27e is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the upper cylinder portion 27b. The communication grooves 27e extend over the entire length of the upper cylinder portion 27b in the vertical direction, and are formed at intervals in the circumferential direction.
[0027] The press-down head 13 is for pressing down the pump 12. The press-down head 13 is located outside (above) the container body when the dispenser 3 is attached to the container body. The press-down head 13 includes a nozzle member 51 and a cartridge 52. The nozzle member 51 is formed in a cylindrical shape with a top that is disposed coaxially with the axis O. Specifically, the nozzle member 51 includes an insertion tube 61, a top wall portion 62, a fitting tube 63, a sealing tube 64, and an introduction tube 65.
[0028] At least the lower end of the insertion tube 61 is inserted into the guide tube 11c. The insertion tube 61 is supported from the radial outside by the guide tube 11c, thereby guiding the vertical movement of the nozzle member 51 relative to the mounting cap 11. An outlet 61a is formed in a part of the circumferential direction at the upper end of the insertion tube 61 (a part located above the guide tube 11c). The outlet 61a opens toward the radial outside. In the following description, the radial direction in which the outlet 61a opens is referred to as the front, and the opposite side to the outlet 61a is referred to as the rear. In the insertion tube 61 of this embodiment, the front half protrudes upward more than the rear half.
[0029] The top wall portion 62 protrudes radially inward from the upper opening edge of the insertion tube 61. As shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 3, the top wall portion 62 includes a lower top wall portion 62a connected to the rear half of the insertion tube 61, a top wall rising portion 62b rising upward from the front end edge of the lower top wall portion 62a, and an upper top wall portion 62c extending forward from the upper end edge of the top wall rising portion 62b. As shown in Fig. 3, the rising portion 62b is formed in a circular arc shape protruding forward.
[0030] 1 and 2, the fitting tube 63 protrudes downward from the front end of the lower top wall portion 62a. The upper end opening of the fitting tube 63 is open at the upper surface of the lower top wall portion 62a. In the illustrated example, the axis of the fitting tube 63 is located rearward of the axis O.
[0031] The seal tube 64 extends downward from the top wall portion 62 coaxially with the axis O. In a plan view, the seal tube 64 circumferentially spans the upper top wall portion 62c and the lower top wall portion 62a. Therefore, the front half of the seal tube 64 protrudes upward more than the rear half. The upper tube portion 27b is fitted liquid-tightly into the lower end portion of the seal tube 64.
[0032] The introduction tube 65 is formed in a bottomed tubular shape extending downward from the fitting tube 63. The introduction tube 65 is arranged coaxially with the axis O. The introduction tube 65 is fitted into the upper tube portion 27b. An introduction port 65a is formed in the bottom of the introduction tube 65, penetrating the bottom in the vertical direction. The inner diameter of the introduction port 65a is smaller than the inner diameter of the inner flange portion 27d. However, it is sufficient that the introduction port 65a has a larger flow path resistance than the inside of the inner flange portion 27d. In the illustrated example, a gap is provided in the vertical direction between the bottom of the introduction tube 65 and the inner flange portion 27d. In this embodiment, the gap between the bottom of the introduction tube 65 and the inner flange portion 27d functions as a merging flow path (flow passage) 70. The merging flow path 70 is connected to the communication groove 27e. The communication groove 27e may be formed on the outer circumferential surface of the introduction tube 65.
[0033] Of the inner space of the nozzle member 51, the space above the upper cylinder portion 27b and surrounded by the top wall portion 62, the fitting cylinder 63, the sealing cylinder 64, and the introduction cylinder 65 forms a communication flow path (flow passage) 72. A lower end of the communication flow path 72 communicates with the junction flow path 70 through the communication groove 27e. An upper end of the communication flow path 72 communicates with the discharge port 61a.
[0034] The cartridge 52 contains a second liquid to be mixed as a solute into the first liquid, and is detachably attached to the nozzle member 51. The second liquid is preferably a liquid used for the same purpose as the first liquid, and contains, for example, a pigment or a fragrance. However, the second liquid is not necessarily limited to a liquid containing a pigment or a fragrance. In addition, the first liquid may be water, and the second liquid may be used for purposes such as mixing a concentrated functional additive. In the following description, the cartridge 52 will be described in detail based on the attached state in which the cartridge 52 is attached to the nozzle member 51.
[0035] The cartridge 52 includes a cartridge body 81 and a lid portion 82 that closes the opening of the cartridge body 81 . The cartridge body 81 has a bottom wall portion 84 and a peripheral wall portion 85, and is formed into a bottomed cylindrical shape disposed coaxially with the axis O. The bottom wall portion 84 is overlapped with the top wall portion 62 when attached to the nozzle member 51. The bottom wall portion 84 is formed in a stepped shape in a side view, similar to the top wall portion 62, with the portion located toward the front being higher. Specifically, the bottom wall portion 84 includes a lower bottom wall portion 84a, a bottom wall rising portion 84b extending upward from the front end edge of the lower bottom wall portion 84a, and an upper bottom wall portion 84c extending forward from the upper end edge of the bottom wall rising portion 84b.
[0036] The lower bottom wall portion 84a overlaps with the lower top wall portion 62a in a plan view. The bottom wall rising portion 84b overlaps with the top wall rising portion 62b in a front-rear view. The upper bottom wall portion 84c overlaps with the upper top wall portion 62c in a plan view.
[0037] A connecting tube 86 extending downward is formed on the lower bottom wall portion 84a. The connecting tube 86 communicates between the inside and outside of the cartridge body 81. When the connecting tube 86 is attached to the nozzle member 51, it is fitted liquid-tightly into the fitting tube 63. A notch 86a is formed on the lower end of the connecting tube 86. The notch 86a penetrates the front portion of the lower end of the connecting tube 86 in the front-rear direction. Therefore, the notch 86a opens on the lower end surface of the connecting tube 86 and also opens on the front surface of the connecting tube 86. The inside of the connecting tube 86 communicates with the inside of the introduction tube 65 through the notch 86a.
[0038] The lid portion 82 has a top wall portion 87 and a peripheral wall portion 88, and is formed in a cylindrical shape with a top disposed coaxially with the axis O. The peripheral wall portion 85 of the cartridge body 81 is fitted into the peripheral wall portion 88 of the lid portion 82. The top wall 87 closes the upper end opening of the peripheral wall 88. In the cartridge 52, a space surrounded by the cartridge body 81 and the lid 82 constitutes a storage space in which the second liquid is stored. The storage space of the cartridge 52 is constantly in communication with the junction flow path 70 through the introduction tube 65.
[0039] A seal tube 89 is formed on a portion of the top wall 87 located radially inward of the peripheral wall 88. The seal tube 89 is fitted liquid-tightly inside the peripheral wall 85. The portion of the top wall 87 located radially inward of the seal tube 89 functions as a push-down portion 87a that is operated by a finger or the like when the push-down head 13 is pushed down. In this embodiment, the push-down portion 87a is thinner than other portions of the lid 82. Therefore, the push-down portion 87a is configured to be elastically deformable in the vertical direction when the push-down operation is performed. Note that the portions of the cartridge 52 other than the push-down portion 87a have a rigidity that is not deformed when the push-down operation is performed.
[0040] 4, the cartridge 52 is sealed by an overcap 90 before being assembled to the nozzle member 51. The overcap 90 is a bottomed tubular member that covers the bottom wall portion 84 of the cartridge body 81, and the connecting tube 86 is fitted in a liquid-tight manner.
[0041] Next, a description will be given of the operation of the dispensing container 1. In the following description, the dispensing operation of the mixed liquid will be explained, and then a method of attaching and detaching the cartridge 52 will be explained. 1 and 2, when discharging the mixed liquid, the push-down portion 87a is first pushed down. Then, the push-down portion 87a is elastically deformed downward, and the storage space is pressurized. When the storage space is pressurized, the second liquid in the storage space is supplied into the introduction tube 65 through the cutout portion 86a of the connecting tube 86 (forced discharge).
[0042] After that, by further pushing down the push-down portion 87a, the entire push-down head 13 is pushed down. At this time, the stem 27, the seal tube 26, the shaft portion 25, the tube portion 24, and the piston 22 are pushed down together with the push-down head 13 against the biasing force of the biasing member 23. The piston 22 slides downward on the inner circumferential surface of the cylinder body 21a, and the internal volume of the cylinder body 21a is reduced, so that the inside of the cylinder body 21a is pressurized. As the internal pressure of the cylinder body 21a increases, the ball valve 34 in the valve tube portion 21b blocks communication between the inside of the cylinder body 21a and the inside of the container body. As a result, the first liquid pressurized in the cylinder body 21a flows through the tube portion 24 and the communication passage 29 into the pressure accumulation space Y surrounded by the upper end of the seal tube 26, the upper end of the shaft portion 25, the lower tube portion 27a, and the inner flange portion 27d. As a result, the pressure accumulation space Y is pressurized.
[0043] In the process of the push-down head 13 descending relative to the mounting cap 11, the pressure in the cylinder body 21a and the pressure in the pressure accumulation space Y become equal. However, because the pressure-receiving area of the upper end of the sealing tube 26 is larger than the pressure-receiving area of the piston 22, the downward force that the shaft portion 25 receives from the first liquid in the pressure accumulation space Y is larger than the upward force that the shaft portion 25 receives from the first liquid in the cylinder body 21a. Then, when the downward force that the shaft portion 25 receives becomes larger than the upward biasing force of the biasing member 23, the shaft portion 25 descends relative to the stem 27. As a result, the upper end of the shaft portion 25 opens the inside of the inner flange portion 27d, and the pressure accumulation space Y communicates with the inside of the upper tube portion 27b.
[0044] When the inside of the inner flange portion 27d is opened, the first liquid in the pressure accumulation space Y flows into the junction flow passage 70 in the upper cylinder portion 27b. The first liquid that flows into the junction flow passage 70 flows into the communication flow passage 72 through the communication groove 27e. At this time, as the first liquid passes through the junction flow passage 70, negative pressure is generated in the junction flow passage 70. As the negative pressure acts on the junction flow passage 70, the second liquid in the introduction tube 65 is drawn into the junction flow passage 70 through the introduction port 65a. As a result, the first liquid and the second liquid are mixed in the junction flow passage 70. The mixed liquid of the first liquid and the second liquid flows through the communication groove 27e and the communication flow passage 72, and then is discharged to the outside through the discharge port 61a.
[0045] When the push-down head 13 is pushed down to the lower end position, the lower end of the sealing tube 26 is located between the communication hole 32 and the pressure relief hole 31, and the piston 22 faces the pressure relief groove 33 in the radial direction. Then, the piston 22 moves away from the inner circumferential surface of the cylinder body 21a. Therefore, the inside of the cylinder body 21a communicates with the inside of the container body through the pressure relief hole 31. This causes at least a part of the first liquid in the cylinder body 21a and the air in the cylinder body 21a to flow out into the container body. As a result, the residual pressure in the cylinder body 21a is released.
[0046] When the pressure in the cylinder body 21a and the pressure accumulation space Y drops, the upward biasing force of the biasing member 23 causes the shaft portion 25 to rise relative to the stem 27, and the upper end portion of the shaft portion 25 comes into contact with the inner peripheral edge of the inner flange portion 27d. This blocks communication with the inside of the lower cylindrical portion 27a and the upper cylindrical portion 27b.
[0047] When the pressing head 13 is released from the depressed state, the piston 22, the cylinder portion 24, the shaft portion 25, and the seal cylinder 26 rise together with the stem 27 due to the upward biasing force of the biasing member 23. In this process, the piston 22 slides on the inner circumferential surface of the cylinder body 21a, increasing the internal volume of the cylinder body 21a (the volume of the portion surrounded by the inside of the cylinder body 21a and the inside of the cylinder portion 24), and the pressure inside the cylinder body 21a is reduced. Due to the decrease in the internal pressure of the cylinder body 21a, the ball valve 34 moves upward away from the inner circumferential surface of the valve cylinder portion 21b, connecting the inside of the cylinder body 21a to the inside of the container, and the first liquid inside the container is sucked up into the cylinder body 21a. This makes it possible to prepare for the next discharge.
[0048] Next, a method for attaching and detaching the cartridge 52 will be described. After the second liquid inside the cartridge 52 has been used up, the cartridge 52 is removed from the nozzle member 51. Specifically, when the cartridge 52 is pulled up, the connecting tube 86 is pulled out from the fitting tube 63. As a result, the cartridge 52 is removed from the nozzle member 51.
[0049] To attach a new cartridge 52 to the nozzle member 51, first remove the overcap 90 from the cartridge 52. After that, bring the cartridge 52 close to the nozzle member 51 so as to insert the connecting tube 86 into the fitting tube 63. Then, push the cartridge 52 in until the lower edge of the connecting tube 86 abuts against the upper edge of the introduction tube 65, thereby completing the attachment to the nozzle member 51.
[0050] Thus, in this embodiment, the press-down head 13 is configured to include a nozzle member 51 attached to the stem 27 and having an ejection port 61a formed therein, a communication port (the lower end opening and cutout portion 86a of the connecting tube 86) that communicates with the flow passage (the junction flow passage 70, the communication groove 27e and the connecting flow passage 72) when attached to the nozzle member 51, and a cartridge 52 that is detachably attached to the nozzle member 51 and forms a storage space in which the second liquid is contained and that communicates with the flow passage through the communication port. According to this configuration, when the first liquid passes through the flow passage during the pressing operation (discharging operation) of the pressing head 13, negative pressure acts on the flow passage, causing the second liquid in the storage space to flow into the flow passage through the communication port and the inlet 65a. As a result, the first liquid and the second liquid are mixed in the flow passage and discharged from the outlet 61a. In this case, when the same product is developed into multiple types of discharge containers 1 by changing the type of additive such as fragrance, the container body is filled with the first liquid (e.g., unscented liquid) that is common to each type, so that it is not necessary to fill the container body with liquid for each type. This can simplify the manufacturing process. In addition, since the container body is filled with the first liquid common to each type, different types of mixed liquids can be used by replacing only the cartridge 52. This reduces the amount of odor remaining in the container body when discharging liquids containing different types of flavorings. Therefore, it is possible to discharge different types of mixed liquids without replacing the entire dispensing container 1, while reducing the effort required for cleaning the container body. Furthermore, since the second liquid, which acts as an additive, can be added to the first liquid immediately before ejection, changes in the properties of the mixed liquid can also be suppressed. As a result, it is possible to provide a dispensing container 1 that is easy for consumers to use.
[0051] In this embodiment, the cartridge 52 is configured to include a cartridge body 81 having a cylindrical shape with a bottom, and a lid portion 82 that closes the opening of the cartridge body 81. According to this configuration, the second liquid can be easily contained in the cartridge 52.
[0052] In this embodiment, the lid portion 82 constitutes the pressing portion 87a of the pressing head 13 when attached to the nozzle member 51, and at least a portion of the lid portion 82 includes a thin portion that is elastically deformable during a pressing operation. According to this configuration, when the press head 13 is pressed down via the press part 87a, the press part 87a is elastically deformed, and the storage space is pressurized. This allows the second liquid in the storage space to be effectively supplied into the flow passage. Therefore, a mixed liquid in which the second liquid is sufficiently mixed with the first liquid can be ejected.
[0053] Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments. Addition, omission, substitution, and other modifications of the configuration are possible without departing from the spirit of the present invention. The present invention is not limited by the above description, but is limited only by the scope of the attached claims. In the above-described embodiment, a configuration in which all of the flow passages are formed in the nozzle member 51 has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. At least a portion of the flow passage may be formed in the cartridge 52, or may be formed between the nozzle member 51 and the cartridge 52.
[0054] In the above embodiment, the configuration in which the entire push-down portion 87a is formed as an elastically deformable thin portion has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the entire push-down portion 87a may be formed to the same thickness as other portions of the lid portion 82 and configured to be incapable of elastic deformation during a push-down operation. In this case, the second liquid in the storage space can be merged into the flow passage by the negative pressure generated by the first liquid passing through the flow passage. By making the push-down portion 87a incapable of elastic deformation, the push-down head 13 can be reliably pushed down via the push-down portion 87a. 6, a portion of the push-down portion 87a may be an elastically deformable thin-walled portion, and the remainder may be non-elastically deformable. In this case, the presence or absence of forced ejection can be selected depending on the position to which the push-down portion is pressed down, improving operability. In the example shown in FIG. 6, the thin-walled portion is recessed from the top surface of the push-down portion 87a, making it easier to distinguish the thin-walled portion from the other portions.
[0055] In the above embodiment, the cartridge 52 is attached to the nozzle member 51 from above, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. The cartridge 52 may be attached to the nozzle member 51 in the front-rear direction, for example. In the above embodiment, the cartridge 52 is attached by being fitted into the nozzle member 51, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration.
[0056] In the above embodiment, the configuration in which the press-down head 13 is pressed down via the cartridge 52 has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. It is sufficient that the cartridge 52 constitutes at least a part of the press-down head 13. In this case, the press-down head 13 may be configured to be pressed down via the nozzle member 51. In the above-described embodiment, the case has been described in which the top wall portion 87 (depression portion 87a) of the cartridge 52 constitutes the entire top wall of the press-down head 13, but this is not limited to the configuration. For example, the top wall portion 87 and the upper ceiling wall portion 62c may be provided flush with each other. In this case, the press-down head 13 may be pressed down via the press-down portion 87a to elastically deform the press-down portion 87a and forcibly eject the second liquid, or the press-down head 13 may be pressed down via the upper ceiling wall portion 62c to supply the second liquid only by the negative pressure generated in the junction flow channel 70. In the above embodiment, the cutout portion 86a is formed as a communication port in addition to the opening at the lower end of the connecting tube 86, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. The communication port may be formed only from the opening at the lower end of the connecting tube 86.
[0057] 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]
[0058] 3:Dispenser 12: Pump 13: Pressing head 21: Cylinder 27: Stem 27e: Communication groove (flow path) 51: Nozzle member 52: Cartridge 61a: Discharge port 70: Confluence channel (circulation channel) 72: Communication channel (circulation channel) 81: Cartridge body 82: Lid 86a: Notch (communication port) 87a: Press down part
Claims
1. a pump having a stem that is arranged to be able to move downward in an upward biased state, and a cylinder whose internal pressure increases or decreases with the up and down movement of the stem, wherein a first liquid in a container body is introduced into the cylinder as the internal pressure of the cylinder decreases, and the pump pumps out the first liquid in the cylinder as the internal pressure of the cylinder increases; a press-down head that presses down the stem and that has a flow passage communicating with the inside of the cylinder and a discharge port communicating with the flow passage formed therein; The pressing head comprises: a nozzle member in which the discharge port is formed and which is attached to the stem; an ejector comprising: a communication port that communicates with the flow passage when attached to the nozzle member; and a cartridge that is detachably attached to the nozzle member and that contains a second liquid and forms a storage space that communicates with the flow passage through the communication port.
2. The cartridge comprises: A cartridge body having a cylindrical shape with a bottom; The dispenser according to claim 1 , further comprising a lid portion for closing an opening of the cartridge body.
3. the cover portion constitutes a pressing portion of the pressing head when attached to the nozzle member, 3. The dispenser according to claim 2, wherein at least a portion of the lid portion includes a thin portion that is elastically deformable when the lid portion is pushed down.
Citation Information
Patent Citations
Spouting vessel
JP2009083907A