Trigger type liquid ejector

Abstract

To make it possible to perform ejection in a state that an additive is directly contained in a liquid, and to perform easy replacement of the additive without a cleaning operation and so on.SOLUTION: A trigger type liquid ejector 1 comprises: an ejector body 10 installed on a container body A in which a liquid is accommodated; a nozzle member 20 in which an ejection hole 21 is formed; and a cartridge 100 in which an additive W is accommodated, and which is detachably attached to the nozzle member. The nozzle member comprises a nozzle wall part 22 in which an ejection hole is formed, and a supply groove 110 which guides the additive toward the ejection hole when installing the cartridge. The supply groove opens toward the ejection hole in the front of the ejection hole. The cartridge comprises: a communication hole 122 which communicates with the interior of the supply groove in a state attached to the nozzle member; and a storage space S in which the additive is accommodated, and which communicates with the supply groove through the communication hole.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a trigger-type liquid ejector. [Background technology]

[0002] Trigger-type liquid ejectors are known that suck up liquid from a container by operating a trigger part and eject the liquid through an ejection hole. In this type of trigger-type liquid ejector, there is a need to add additives such as fragrances to the liquid. For example, as a technology for adding an additive, the following Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration in which an additive (drug) stored in a drug storage chamber is introduced into the container body before use (before ejection) of the ejection container, thereby ejecting 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.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a trigger-type liquid sprayer that can use different types of additives without requiring cleaning operations or the like. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] (1) A trigger-type liquid ejector according to the present invention comprises an ejector body attached to a container body containing a liquid, a nozzle member attached to the ejector body and having an ejection hole formed therein for ejecting the liquid forward, and a cartridge containing an additive and removably attached to the nozzle member, the ejector body having a vertical supply tube portion that sucks up the liquid in the container body, and a trigger portion disposed so as to be movable rearward in a forwardly biased state, and the rearward movement of the trigger portion ejects the liquid from within the vertical supply tube portion toward the ejection hole. the nozzle member comprises a nozzle wall portion in which the ejection hole is formed, and a supply groove formed on a front surface of the nozzle wall portion for guiding the additive toward the ejection hole when the cartridge is attached, the supply groove opens toward the ejection hole in front of the ejection hole, and the cartridge comprises a communication hole that communicates with the inside of the supply groove when attached to the nozzle member, and a storage space in which the additive is stored and that communicates with the supply groove through the communication hole.

[0007] According to the trigger-type liquid ejector of the present invention, by operating the trigger portion to move it rearward, the liquid can be circulated from inside the vertical supply tube portion toward the ejection hole side, thereby ejecting the liquid forward through the ejection hole of the nozzle member. Furthermore, when the operation of the trigger part is released after the liquid has been sprayed, the trigger part can be moved back to its original position forward by the biasing force, so that the liquid inside the container body can be sucked up into the vertical supply tube part, thereby preparing for the next spray.

[0008] In particular, by mounting the cartridge to the nozzle member, the additive (e.g., fragrance, etc.) contained in the storage space of the cartridge can be guided toward the nozzle hole through the communication hole and the supply groove, for example, by utilizing the capillary phenomenon in the supply groove. At this time, since the supply groove opens toward the nozzle hole in front of the nozzle hole, it is possible to guide the additive to the periphery of the nozzle hole's ejection side. Meanwhile, the periphery of the ejection side of the nozzle hole is negatively pressurized by the air flow accompanying the ejection of the liquid. Therefore, when the liquid is ejected, the additive is forcibly pulled out from the supply groove that opens toward the nozzle hole due to the influence of the negative pressure. As a result, the additive can be directly mixed into the liquid and ejected to the outside. Therefore, it is possible to eject, for example, a liquid with a fragrance.

[0009] Furthermore, since the supply groove is formed on the front surface of the nozzle wall, even when a different additive is used, for example, by replacing the cartridge, the additive does not flow inside the trigger type liquid ejector, so there is no need to clean the internal components. Therefore, unlike the conventional device, the trouble of cleaning is not required, and it is easy to use and convenient. For these reasons, it is possible to provide a trigger type liquid ejector that can use different types of additives without cleaning.

[0010] (2) The nozzle member may be disposed forward of the nozzle wall portion and provided with a locking frame defining an engagement groove between the nozzle wall portion and a front surface of the nozzle wall portion, the cartridge may be insertable into the engagement groove and provided with a locking wall portion that engages with the engagement groove, and the supply groove may be formed between the front surface of the nozzle wall portion and the locking wall portion.

[0011] In this case, the cartridge can be stably attached to the nozzle member by inserting the locking wall into the locking groove and locking it. Therefore, the liquid can be appropriately sprayed to the targeted location while the overall posture of the trigger-type liquid ejector is stable. Furthermore, since a supply groove can be formed between the front surface of the nozzle wall and the locking wall, the supply groove can be easily set to a desired size (fine), and the additive can be appropriately guided to the ejection hole by utilizing capillary action or the like.

[0012] (3) The locking wall portion is formed with an elastic piece having an engagement protrusion that is capable of engaging with an engagement hole formed in the locking groove, and the engagement protrusion may be disengaged from the engagement hole by elastic deformation of the elastic piece, and may be engaged with the engagement hole by elastic restoration deformation of the elastic piece.

[0013] In this case, since the locking wall portion can be locked in the locking groove with the locking projection engaged with the locking hole, the cartridge can be attached to the nozzle member in a state where it is prevented from coming off. Therefore, the position of the cartridge can be further stabilized. Also, by pinching the elastic piece with, for example, fingertips, and elastically deforming it, the locking projection can be pulled out of the locking hole and the engagement can be released. This makes it easy to perform the replacement work of the cartridge, etc. Effect of the Invention

[0014] According to the present invention, a trigger-type liquid ejector capable of using different types of additives without requiring cleaning or the like can be provided. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing an embodiment of a trigger type liquid ejector according to the present invention. [Diagram 2] 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the periphery of a mounting portion of a nozzle member and a cartridge shown in FIG. 1. [Diagram 3] 2 is a front view of the nozzle member and the cartridge shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 4] 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a state in which a cartridge has been removed from the state shown in FIG. 3. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a front view of the state shown in FIG. 4. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0016] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an embodiment of a trigger type liquid ejector according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, a ejection container having a trigger type liquid ejector attached to a container body will be described as an example.

[0017] As shown in Figure 1, the trigger-type liquid sprayer 1 of this embodiment comprises a sprayer body 10 that is attached to a container body A that contains liquid, a nozzle member 20 that is attached to the sprayer body 10 and has an ejection hole 21 for ejecting the liquid, an outer cover 30 that covers the sprayer body 10 and the nozzle member 20, and a cartridge 100 that contains an additive W and is detachably attached to the nozzle member 20. Unless otherwise specified, each component part of the trigger type liquid ejector 1 is a molded product made of synthetic resin.

[0018] The liquid contained in the container body A is preferably a liquid used as a solvent for cosmetics, medicines, deodorants, cleaning agents, etc., and is preferably colorless, transparent, fragrance-free, and other liquids that do not easily transfer color or odor to the container body A. The liquid may be water, alcohol, etc., but is not limited to these. The additive W contained in the cartridge 100 is, for example, a liquid to be mixed as a solute into a liquid. Specifically, the additive W is a liquid used for the same purpose as the liquid, and is preferably one containing, for example, a pigment or a fragrance. However, the additive W is not necessarily limited to one containing a pigment or a fragrance. The liquid may be water, and the additive W may be, for example, a concentrated functional additive to be mixed therein.

[0019] (Ejector body) The ejector body 10 mainly includes a vertical supply tube portion 60, an ejection tube portion 66, a relay member 70, a trigger mechanism 80, a ball valve 90, and a storage valve 91.

[0020] In this embodiment, the central axis of the vertical supply tube portion 60 is the axis O1, the side of the container body A along this axis O1 is called the lower side, and the opposite side is called the upper side, and the direction along the axis O1 is called the up-down direction. In addition, in a plan view seen from the up-down direction, one direction intersecting the axis O1 is called the front-rear direction L1, and a direction perpendicular to both the up-down direction and the front-rear direction L1 is called the left-right direction L2. Furthermore, within the front-rear direction L1, the direction in which the ejection hole 21 ejects liquid is called the forward direction. Therefore, the trigger-type liquid ejector 1 of this embodiment ejects liquid forward.

[0021] (Vertical supply tube) 1, the vertical supply tube portion 60 extends in the vertical direction and has a function of sucking up liquid in the container body A. The vertical supply tube portion 60 is attached to the container body A by an attachment cap 65. The vertical supply tube portion 60 includes an outer tube 61 having a top and an inner tube 62 fitted into the outer tube 61. The axis O1 of the vertical supply tube portion 60 is disposed at a position closer to the rear side than the container axis that passes through the center of the mouth of the container body A in the up-down direction.

[0022] The vertical supply tube portion 60 has an internal flow path R through which liquid flows toward the ejection hole 21 of the nozzle member 20 through the ejection tube portion 66 by the rearward movement of a trigger portion 81, which will be described later. The internal flow path R is an internal space located inside the inner tube 62. The upper part of a pipe 67, which extends in the vertical direction and draws up the liquid from the container body A, is fitted into the inner tube 62.

[0023] (Injection cylinder part) An injection tube portion 66 is provided at the upper end of the vertical supply tube portion 60. The injection tube portion 66 is formed so as to extend forward with the axis O2 as the center. The injection tube portion 66 is formed in a cylindrical shape having an injection opening portion 66a that opens to the front of the ejector body 10, and communicates with a portion of the internal flow path R of the vertical supply tube portion 60 that is located above a ball valve 90, which will be described later. This allows the injection tube portion 66 to guide the liquid in the internal flow path R to the ejection hole 21.

[0024] A cylinder tube portion 68 is provided below the injection tube portion 66 and above the mounting cap 65. The cylinder tube portion 68 protrudes forward from the vertical supply tube portion 60 and is open forward.

[0025] (Relay parts) A relay member 70 that connects between the injection tube portion 66 and the nozzle member 20 is attached to the front end portion of the injection tube portion 66 . The relay member 70 is attached to the injection tube portion 66 from the front. The relay member 70 includes a partition wall portion 71 located forward of the injection opening 66a of the injection tube portion 66 and disposed opposite the injection opening 66a, a first relay tube portion 72 extending rearward from the partition wall portion 71 and fitted onto the injection tube portion 66, a second relay tube portion 73 extending forward from the partition wall portion 71, and a guide shaft 74 located inside the second relay tube portion 73 and extending forward from the partition wall portion 71.

[0026] The second relay tube portion 73 and the guide shaft 74 are disposed about an axis O3 that is eccentric downward with respect to the axis O2 of the injection tube portion 66. A communication hole 75 that communicates with the injection opening 66a of the injection tube portion 66 is formed in a portion of the partition portion 71 that is located above the guide shaft 74 and inside the second relay tube portion 73. As a result, the interior of the second relay tube portion 73 communicates with the interior of the injection tube portion 66 through the communication hole 75 and the injection opening 66a. A pair of lever support walls (not shown) extending rearward are formed in portions of the partition wall 71 located on both sides in the left-right direction L2 with the first relay tube portion 72 interposed therebetween.

[0027] 1 and 2, a first switching groove 76 extending in the front-rear direction is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the guide shaft 74. A plurality of first switching grooves 76 are formed around the axis of the guide shaft 74 at intervals.

[0028] (Trigger mechanism) 1, the trigger mechanism 80 includes a trigger portion 81, a cylinder portion 82, and a piston portion 83. The trigger mechanism 80 is capable of circulating the liquid from the internal flow path R of the vertical supply tube portion 60 through the injection tube portion 66 toward the ejection hole 21 side by the rearward swinging of the trigger portion 81.

[0029] The trigger portion 81 is disposed in front of the vertical supply tube portion 60 so as to be movable rearward in a forward biased state. The trigger portion 81 is formed so as to extend in the vertical direction, and is disposed below the injection tube portion 66. The trigger portion 81 is disposed in front of the cylinder portion 82 with an upper end portion thereof journaled to a pair of lever support walls so as to be swingable in the front-rear direction L1. The trigger portion 81 extends so as to incline forward as it goes from top to bottom, which makes it easy to hook the tip of a finger, such as an index finger, on the trigger portion 81 from the front during a spraying operation.

[0030] The cylinder portion 82 is fitted into the cylinder tube portion 68. The cylinder portion 82 is formed in a bottomed tube shape that is open at the front and closed at the rear, and communicates with a portion of the internal flow path R in the vertical supply tube portion 60 that is located above the ball valve 90. The rear wall of the cylinder portion 82 is formed with a piston guide 84 protruding forward from the center of the rear wall, and a communication hole 85 penetrating the rear wall in the front-rear direction L1 and communicating with the internal flow path R of the vertical supply tube portion 60. The communication hole 85 is formed in a portion of the rear wall located above the piston guide 84. The piston guide 84 is formed in a cylindrical shape with a closed front end, but is not limited to this case, and may be formed in, for example, a solid cylindrical shape.

[0031] The piston portion 83 is disposed inside the cylinder portion 82 so as to be movable in the front-rear direction L1 in conjunction with the swing (movement) of the trigger portion 81. As a result, the inside of the cylinder portion 82 is pressurized and depressurized in accordance with the swing of the piston portion 83 in the front-rear direction L1. The piston portion 83 is formed in a topped cylindrical shape that is open to the rear and closed at the front.

[0032] Piston portion 83 is urged forward together with trigger portion 81 by the elastic restoring force (urging force) of elastic plate 86. When trigger portion 81 is in the forwardmost swing position, piston portion 83 is located in the corresponding forwardmost position. Elastic plate 86 is disposed between injection tube portion 66 and trigger portion 81, and urges trigger portion 81 forward.

[0033] (ball valves, storage valves) A ball valve 90 and a storage valve 91 are provided in the inner cylinder 62 of the vertical supply cylinder portion 60. The ball valve 90 is a check valve that blocks communication between the inside of the container body A and the inside of the cylinder portion 82 through the internal flow path R when the inside of the cylinder portion 82 is pressurized, and allows communication between the inside of the container body A and the inside of the cylinder portion 82 through the inner tube 62 by displacing upward when the inside of the cylinder portion 82 is depressurized.

[0034] A storage valve 91 is disposed above the ball valve 90. The storage valve 91 is a check valve that allows the supply of liquid from the internal flow path R into the injection tube portion 66, and regulates the backflow of liquid from the injection tube portion 66 into the cylinder portion 82. As a result, the storage valve 91 has the function of regulating the liquid (and outside air) from the injection tube portion 66 side from entering the cylinder portion 82 when the pressure inside the cylinder portion 82 is reduced.

[0035] The storage valve 91 is not limited to a valve having the above-mentioned function as a check valve, and may be, for example, a pressure storage valve that opens when the pressure in the portion of the internal flow path R located above the ball valve 90 reaches a predetermined pressure, thereby allowing the supply of pressurized liquid from the internal flow path R into the injection tube portion 66.

[0036] (Exterior cover) 1, the exterior cover 30 is formed so as to cover the ejector body 10 at least from both sides in the left-right direction L2 and from above. In the illustrated example, the exterior cover 30 mainly covers the ejector body 10 except for the mounting cap 65 from both sides in the left-right direction L2 and from above. The exterior cover 30 is formed so as to bulge rearward from the vertical supply tube portion 60, and is formed so as to cover the ejector body 10 from the rear as well.

[0037] (Nozzle member) 1 and 2, the nozzle member 20 is attached to the second relay cylinder portion 73. As a result, the nozzle member 20 is attached to the ejector body 10 via the relay member 70. The nozzle member 20 of this embodiment also functions as a connecting nozzle to which the cartridge 100 is attached.

[0038] The nozzle member 20 includes a nozzle wall portion 22 in which an ejection hole 21 is formed, and an attachment tube portion 23 that extends rearward from the nozzle wall portion 22 and is fitted from the front onto the second relay tube portion 73. The attachment tube portion 23 is attached to the second relay tube portion 73 so as to be rotatable about the axis O3 in a state in which it is prevented from slipping out of the second relay tube portion 73 at the front. As a result, the nozzle member 20 is combined with the relay member 70 so as to be rotatable about the axis O3.

[0039] An inner cylinder 24 is provided protruding rearward from a portion of the nozzle wall 22 located inside the mounting cylinder 23 and fitted rotatably around the guide shaft 74. A second switching groove 25 extending along the front-rear direction L1 is formed on the inner circumferential surface of the inner cylinder 24. Furthermore, a spin chamber 26 that can be communicated with the first switching groove 76 is formed in a concave shape on a portion of the rear surface of the nozzle wall 22 located inside the inner cylinder 24.

[0040] The first switching groove 76 formed in the guide shaft 74 and the second switching groove 25 formed in the inner cylinder portion 24 are connected at a predetermined rotational position of the nozzle member 20 centered on the axis O3, and are not connected at other rotational positions. The first switching groove 76 and the second switching groove 25 communicate with each other, so that the ejection hole 21 and the inside of the second relay cylinder portion 73 communicate with each other via the spin chamber 26. Therefore, the nozzle member 20 can switch, as it rotates about the axis O3, between an ejection permissive state in which ejection of liquid from the ejection hole 21 is permitted, and an ejection restricted state in which ejection is restricted.

[0041] Furthermore, the nozzle member 20 includes an exterior tubular portion 27 that protrudes rearward from the nozzle wall portion 22 and surrounds the mounting tubular portion 23 from the outside. 2 to 5, when the nozzle member 20 is in the jetting permitted state, the nozzle wall portion 22 of this embodiment has a straight step portion 28 extending in the left-right direction L2 as viewed from the front, and the shape of the upper wall portion 22a located above the step portion 28 differs from the shape of the lower wall portion 22b located below the step portion 28. The step portion 28 is disposed so as to be located above the axis O3.

[0042] The nozzle wall portion 22 is formed so that the thickness (thickness in the front-rear direction L1) of the upper wall portion 22a is slightly thicker than the thickness of the lower wall portion 22b. As a result, the front surface of the nozzle wall portion 22 is formed so that there is a step at the step portion 28 so that the upper wall portion 22a is located slightly forward of the lower wall portion 22b.

[0043] A supply groove 110 is formed on the front surface of the nozzle wall portion 22 to guide the additive W from a communication hole 122 of the cartridge 100, which will be described later, to the ejection hole 21 when the cartridge 100 is attached to the nozzle member 20. Specifically, the supply groove 110 is formed on the front surface of the upper wall portion 22a of the nozzle wall portion 22. The supply groove 110 is disposed at the center of the upper wall portion 22a in the left-right direction L2, and is formed linearly along the up-down direction. The supply groove 110 is formed in a vertical groove shape that opens upward, forward, and downward. In particular, the supply groove 110 is located above the ejection hole 21, and its lower end opens into the step portion 28. Therefore, the lower end opening of the supply groove 110 opens toward the ejection hole 21.

[0044] When the cartridge 100 is attached to the nozzle member 20, the supply groove 110 is blocked from the front by a locking wall portion 133 (described later) of the cartridge 100 (see FIG. 2). As a result, the supply groove 110 is formed between the front surface of the upper wall portion 22a of the nozzle wall portion 22 and the locking wall portion 133. In particular, the width of the supply groove 110 in the left-right direction L2 and the depth from the front surface are both formed to be smaller than the diameter of the ejection hole 21. Therefore, the supply groove 110 is a minute groove. Therefore, the additive W in the cartridge 100 can be drawn into the supply groove 110 by utilizing the capillary phenomenon, and the additive W can be guided to the lower end opening toward the ejection hole 21.

[0045] Furthermore, in this embodiment, a communication groove 111 that communicates with the supply groove 110 is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the exterior tube portion 27. The communication groove 111 is formed as a groove that extends linearly in the front-rear direction L1 and opens upward. The width of the communication groove 111 in the left-right direction L2 is set to be equal to that of the supply groove 110. Furthermore, when the cartridge 100 is attached to the nozzle member 20, the communication groove 111 is blocked from above by an inner plug 121 and a connection cap 130 of the cartridge 100, which will be described later (see FIG. 2). Therefore, the communication groove 111 is a groove of a minute size, similar to the supply groove 110, and is capable of drawing in the additive W in the cartridge 100 by utilizing capillary action and guiding it into the supply groove 110.

[0046] Furthermore, a flange piece 112 is formed on the front surface of the nozzle wall portion 22, which protrudes forward and extends following the outer shape of the nozzle wall portion 22. The flange piece 112 is formed along the peripheral edge of the nozzle wall portion 22. Therefore, the flange piece 112 is formed linearly along the up-down direction on the front surface of the upper wall portion 22a of the nozzle wall portion 22, and is formed in a semicircular shape protruding downward on the front surface of the lower wall portion 22b of the nozzle wall portion 22.

[0047] Furthermore, a flange piece 112 formed on the front surface of the upper wall portion 22a of the nozzle wall portion 22 is formed with a locking frame 114 that defines a locking groove 113 between itself and the front surface. The locking frames 114 are formed so that their thickness in the front-rear direction L1 is smaller than the forward projection of the flange pieces 112, and each is formed so as to project from the front end edge of the flange pieces 112 in the left-right direction L2. In this case, the locking frames 114 are formed so as to face the front surface from the front with a predetermined gap between them and the front surface of the upper wall portion 22a of the nozzle wall portion 22. As a result, locking grooves 113 that open upward, downward, and inward in the left-right direction L2 are formed between the pair of locking frames 114 and the front surface of the upper wall portion 22a of the nozzle wall portion 22.

[0048] Further, an engagement hole 115 is formed in the engagement groove 113. Specifically, the engagement hole 115 is formed in each of the flange pieces 112 connected to the pair of engagement frames 114 so as to penetrate the flange pieces 112 in the left-right direction L2.

[0049] (cartridge) As shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, the cartridge 100 is a replacement container that contains an additive W therein, and is replaceably attached to the nozzle member 20 as required. The cartridge 100 comprises a topped cylindrical bottle 120 having a storage space S in which an additive W is contained, an inner stopper 121 attached to the inside of the mouth of the bottle 120, and a connection cap 130 attached to the mouth of the bottle 120.

[0050] When the cartridge 100 is in commercial distribution or unused state, a sealing cap is attached to the mouth of the bottle 120 with the inner plug 121 removed, in place of the connecting cap 130. This makes it possible to store the cartridge 100 with the additive W sealed in the storage space S.

[0051] The inside plug 121 is formed with a communication hole 122 for discharging the additive W to the outside. The connection cap 130 is formed in a topped cylindrical shape having a cap peripheral wall 131 that surrounds the mouth of the bottle 120 and a cap top wall 132 that is connected to the cap peripheral wall 131 and covers the inside plug 121 except for the communication hole 122. In the illustrated example, the cap peripheral wall 131 is screwed onto the mouth of the bottle 120 by a screw connection, but this is not limited to this case, and it may be attached by, for example, an undercut fitting.

[0052] A locking wall portion 133 is erected on the connection cap 130. The locking wall portion 133 has a constant thickness in the front-rear direction L1, and is formed to have a rectangular outer shape in a front view from the front. The locking wall portion 133 is formed integrally with the cap peripheral wall 131 and the cap top wall 132. Furthermore, in a front view from the front, the locking wall portion 133 is formed to be wider in the left-right direction L2 than the connection cap 130 and the bottle 120, and is formed to extend outward from the cap top wall 132 in the up-down direction.

[0053] The thickness of the locking wall portion 133 in the front-rear direction L1 is set to be equal to the length of the locking groove 113 in the front-rear direction L1. The length of the locking wall portion 133 in the left-right direction L2 is set to be equal to the length in the left-right direction L2 between the flange pieces 112 formed on the front surface of the upper wall portion 22a of the nozzle wall portion 22. Furthermore, the protruding length of the locking wall portion 133 from the cap top wall 132 is set to be equal to the depth of the locking groove 113. This makes it possible to insert the locking wall portion 133 into the locking groove 113 and lock the locking wall portion 133 to the locking groove 113. The cartridge 100 is attached to the nozzle member 20 by inserting the locking wall portion 133 into the locking groove 113. Furthermore, when the cartridge 100 is attached, the cap top wall 132 comes into close contact with the exterior cylindrical portion 27 of the nozzle member 20, closing the communication groove 111 from above.

[0054] The locking wall portion 133 is formed so as to be located forward of the communication hole 122. The lower end portion of the locking wall portion 133 is cut obliquely so that the inclined surface faces forward. This design makes it easy to insert the locking wall portion 133 into the locking groove 113.

[0055] A slit hole 134 penetrating the locking wall portion 133 in the front-rear direction L1 is formed in a portion of the locking wall portion 133 located outside the cap peripheral wall 131 in the left-right direction L2. The slit hole 134 is formed in a vertically elongated shape extending along the up-down direction. As a result, the portion of the locking wall portion 133 located outside the slit hole 134 in the left-right direction L2 functions as an elastic piece 135 that is elastically deformable in the left-right direction L2. The elastic piece 135 has an engagement protrusion 136 formed thereon, which protrudes outward in the left-right direction L2 and is engageable with an engagement hole 115 formed in the locking groove 113. The engagement protrusion 136 is released from engagement with the engagement hole 115 by elastic deformation of the elastic piece 135, and is engaged with the engagement hole 115 by elastic restoration deformation of the elastic piece 135.

[0056] (Function of trigger-type liquid ejector) Next, a case where the trigger type liquid ejector 1 configured as described above is used will be described. Note that by operating the trigger part 81 shown in Fig. 1 multiple times, each part of the trigger type liquid ejector 1 is filled with liquid, and the liquid can be sucked up into the vertical supply tube part 60.

[0057] 1, it is assumed that a cartridge 100 is attached to the nozzle member 20. Here, the attachment of the cartridge 100 will be briefly described. When mounting the cartridge 100, as shown in Fig. 4, the locking wall portion 133 is inserted from above into the locking groove 113 with the locking wall portion 133 facing downward. Then, as shown in Fig. 2, the cartridge 100 is pushed downward until the locking wall portion 133 is fully inserted into the locking groove 113 and the inner plug 121 and the connection cap 130 come into contact with the exterior cylindrical portion 27. This allows the cartridge 100 to be assembled with the nozzle member 20.

[0058] During the process of inserting the cartridge 100, the engaging projections 136 come into contact with the upper edges of the pair of flange pieces 112, causing the elastic pieces 135 to elastically deform inward in the left-right direction L2. As the cartridge 100 is further inserted, the elastic pieces 135 undergo elastic restoration deformation, causing the engaging projections 136 to engage with the engaging holes 115. As a result, as shown in FIG. 3, with the engaging projections 136 engaged with the engaging holes 115, the engaging wall portions 133 can be engaged in the engaging grooves 113. Therefore, the cartridge 100 can be attached to the nozzle member 20 in a state in which it is prevented from coming off.

[0059] Furthermore, by mounting the cartridge 100, the communication groove 111 and the supply groove 110 are defined. As a result, as shown by the arrow F1 in Fig. 2, the additive W accommodated in the accommodation space S of the cartridge 100 can be drawn from the communicating hole 122 through the communication groove 111 into the supply groove 110 by utilizing capillary action or the like, and can also be guided through the supply groove 110 toward the ejection hole 21. In particular, since the supply groove 110 opens toward the ejection hole 21 in front of the ejection hole 21, the additive W can be guided to the periphery of the ejection side of the ejection hole 21. The additive W waits in this state.

[0060] Next, after the cartridge 100 is mounted, as shown in Fig. 1, the trigger portion 81 is pulled backward against the biasing force of the elastic plate 86, whereby the piston portion 83 can be moved backward from the frontmost position in conjunction with the trigger portion 81. This makes it possible to pressurize the inside of the cylinder portion 82. Therefore, the liquid in the cylinder portion 82 can be supplied to the inside of the inner cylinder 62 of the vertical supply tube portion 60, i.e., into the internal flow path R, and the ball valve 90 can be pressed downward and the storage valve 91 can be pushed upward.

[0061] Therefore, the liquid in the internal flow path R can be circulated through the ejection tube portion 66 toward the ejection hole 21 of the nozzle member 20. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 2, the liquid can be ejected from the ejection tube portion 66 toward the inside of the second relay tube portion 73 through the ejection opening portion 66a, and can also be guided to the ejection hole 21 through the first switching groove 76, the second switching groove 25, and the spin chamber 26, and can be ejected from the ejection hole 21 to the outside. As a result, the liquid can be ejected forward from the ejection hole 21.

[0062] 1 is released after the liquid is ejected, the trigger portion 81 can be biased forward by the elastic restoring force of the elastic plate 86, so that the trigger portion 81 can be restored. Therefore, in conjunction with the trigger portion 81, the piston portion 83 can be restored forward within the cylinder portion 82. Therefore, the pressure inside the cylinder portion 82 can be reduced to a pressure lower than the pressure inside the container body A, and the ball valve 90 can be raised. Therefore, the liquid inside the container body A can be sucked up into the internal flow path R and can be sucked into the cylinder portion 82. This makes it possible to prepare for the next ejection.

[0063] In particular, when the liquid is ejected, the surroundings of the ejection side of the ejection hole 21 are subjected to negative pressure due to the air flow accompanying the ejection of the liquid. Therefore, as shown by the arrow F2 in FIG. 2, the additive W can be forcibly pulled out from the supply groove 110 that opens toward the ejection hole 21 due to the influence of the negative pressure when the liquid is ejected. This allows the additive W to be directly contained in the liquid and ejected to the outside. Therefore, it is possible to eject, for example, a liquid containing a fragrance.

[0064] Moreover, since the supply groove 110 is formed on the front surface of the nozzle wall portion 22, even when a different additive W is used, for example, by replacing the cartridge 100, the additive W does not flow inside the trigger-type liquid ejector 1. Therefore, unlike the conventional art, there is no need to take the time to clean the internal components, and the device is easy to use and convenient.

[0065] As described above, according to the trigger type liquid sprayer 1 of the present embodiment, it is possible to spray the liquid with the additive W directly contained therein, and it is also possible to easily replace the additive W without the need for cleaning work, etc. In other words, it is possible to provide a trigger type liquid sprayer 1 that can use different types of additives W without the need for cleaning work, etc.

[0066] Furthermore, by inserting and locking the locking wall portion 133 into the locking groove 113, the cartridge 100 can be stably attached to the nozzle member 20. Therefore, the liquid can be appropriately sprayed to a targeted location with the overall posture of the trigger-type liquid ejector 1 being stable. Furthermore, since the supply groove 110 can be formed between the front surface of the nozzle wall portion 22 and the locking wall portion 133, the supply groove 110 can be easily set to a desired size (fine), and the additive W can be appropriately guided to the ejection hole 21 by utilizing the capillary phenomenon.

[0067] Furthermore, since the locking wall portion 133 can be locked in the locking groove 113 with the locking projection 136 fitted in the locking hole 115, the cartridge 100 can be attached to the nozzle member 20 in a state where it is prevented from coming off. Therefore, the attitude of the cartridge 100 can be further stabilized. In addition, by pinching the elastic piece 135 with, for example, the fingertips, etc., and elastically deforming it, the engaging protrusion 136 can be removed from the engaging hole 115, thereby releasing the engagement. This makes it easy to perform the replacement work of the cartridge 100, etc.

[0068] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. The embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. The embodiments and their modifications include, for example, those that can be easily imagined by a person skilled in the art, those that are substantially the same, those that are within the scope of the equivalents, and the like.

[0069] For example, in the above embodiment, a trigger-type liquid ejector 1 that ejects liquid forward from the ejection hole 21 was described, but this is not limited to this case, and the trigger-type liquid ejector 1 may also eject liquid in a direction other than forward, such as upward or to the left. [Explanation of symbols]

[0070] A…Container body S: Storage space W…Additives 1...Trigger-type liquid ejector 10...Ejector body 20...Nozzle member 21...Blowout hole 22…Nozzle wall 60…Vertical supply tube 80...Trigger mechanism 81…Trigger section 100…Cartridge 122...Communication hole 110…Supply groove 113...Latching groove 114...Lock frame 115...Engagement hole 133... Locking wall portion 135…Elastic piece 136…Engagement protrusion

Claims

1. An ejector body that is attached to a container that contains a liquid; a nozzle member attached to the ejector body and having an ejection hole formed therein for ejecting liquid forward; a cartridge in which an additive is accommodated and which is removably attached to the nozzle member; The ejector body includes: A vertical supply tube portion that sucks up the liquid in the container body; a trigger mechanism having a trigger portion arranged to be movable rearward in a forward biased state, the trigger portion moving rearward to cause liquid to flow from inside the vertical supply tube portion toward the nozzle hole, The nozzle member is a nozzle wall portion in which the ejection hole is formed; a supply groove formed on a front surface of the nozzle wall portion, for guiding the additive toward the nozzle hole when the cartridge is attached; the supply groove opens toward the ejection hole in front of the ejection hole, The cartridge comprises: a communication hole that communicates with the supply groove when the nozzle member is attached to the nozzle member; a storage space in which the additive is stored and which communicates with the supply groove through the communication hole, said trigger type liquid ejector comprising:

2. 2. The trigger type liquid ejector according to claim 1, the nozzle member includes a locking frame disposed forward of the nozzle wall portion and defining a locking groove between the nozzle member and a front surface of the nozzle wall portion; the cartridge is insertable into the locking groove and includes a locking wall portion that is locked to the locking groove; A trigger-type liquid ejector, wherein the supply groove is formed between a front surface of the nozzle wall portion and the locking wall portion.

3. 3. The trigger type liquid ejector according to claim 2, The locking wall portion is formed with an elastic piece having an engagement protrusion that can be engaged with an engagement hole formed in the locking groove, The engagement projection is disengaged from the engagement hole by elastic deformation of the elastic piece, and is engaged with the engagement hole by elastic restoration deformation of the elastic piece.

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