Bubble generator and bubble generative container

Abstract

To propose a bubble generator capable of generating fine bubbles with a simpler mechanism and a bubble generative container.SOLUTION: A bubble generator 1, to be attached to a container 3 receiving content liquid, comprises a bubble generating part 1a that is positioned inside a container 3 and a hold part 1b that immovably holds the bubble generating part 1a to the container 3. The bubble generating part 1a has, on one end side, a liquid introducing port 1c to introduce the content liquid received in the container 3 and, on the other end side, a cylindrical wall 1e having a liquid passage port 1d, a groove portion 1g provided in an inner face of the cylindrical wall 1e and extending around an axis O of the cylindrical wall 1e and a mesh 2b through which a content liquid passes after passing through the liquid passage port 1d.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a foam generator and a foam generating container including the foam generator. [Background technology]

[0002] BACKGROUND ART Agitating balls used to turn a content liquid such as a lotion into fine bubbles (sometimes called nanobulbs) have been known for some time (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] This type of stirring ball is shaped like a hollow body with an internal space, and the wall that defines this internal space has multiple through-holes. When this stirring ball is placed in a container together with the liquid and the container is shaken, the stirring ball moves within the container, stirring the liquid, and the liquid passing through the through-holes and internal space generates fine bubbles. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-128240 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, because these mixing balls are hollow, they present manufacturing challenges. Specifically, to manufacture a spherical mixing ball using conventional injection molding, the mixing ball must be split into two hemispherical shells, which must then be integrated by fitting or bonding them together. Furthermore, to manufacture them using a 3D printer, the material must be layered from bottom to top, which takes time.

[0006] Thus, the manufacturing problems with the agitating ball of Patent Document 1 are fundamentally due to its shape. Therefore, to generate fine bubbles using a simpler mechanism, a different technical concept is required.

[0007] In view of the above, an object of the present invention is to propose a technique that can generate fine bubbles using a simpler mechanism. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The present invention provides a foam generator that is attached to a container that contains a liquid, comprising: a foam generating unit located inside the container; and a holding unit that holds the foam generating unit immovably relative to the container, The foam generating unit is a cylindrical wall having a liquid inlet port at one end for introducing the liquid contained in the container and a liquid passage port at the other end; a groove provided on the inner surface of the cylindrical wall and extending around the axis of the cylindrical wall; and a mesh through which the liquid content passes after passing through the liquid passage port.

[0009] The cylindrical wall preferably has a shape in which the diameter decreases from the liquid inlet port toward the liquid passage port.

[0010] The groove preferably extends from the liquid inlet port toward the liquid passage port around the axis and forms a spiral shape.

[0011] The holding portion preferably includes a return port for returning the content liquid that has passed through the mesh to the side where the liquid inlet is located.

[0012] The present invention also provides a foam generating container comprising the container, the foam generator described above, and a dispensing cap, the container has a mouth with an upper opening; the foam generator is held in the container with the mesh positioned on the upper opening side; The pouring cap also serves as a foam generating container having a pouring outlet that communicates with the upper opening and a mounting portion that is held by the mouth portion. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] According to the foam generator of the present invention, when the liquid introduced from the liquid inlet passes through the inside of the cylindrical wall toward the liquid passage port, the flow is disturbed and stirred by the grooves extending around the axis of the cylindrical wall, and when the liquid passes through a mesh in this state, fine bubbles can be generated. Furthermore, this foam generator is a simple mechanism that does not have a hollow portion like a conventional stirring ball, and is therefore easy to manufacture. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] 1 is a partial cross-sectional side view showing one embodiment of a foam generating container equipped with a foam generator according to the present invention. [Figure 2A] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the foam generator and mesh member shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 2B] 2 is a half cross-sectional side view of the foam generator and mesh member shown in FIG. 1. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] Hereinafter, an embodiment of a foam generator according to the present invention and a foam generating container equipped with this foam generator will be described with reference to the drawings. In this specification, the up-down direction refers to the direction along the illustrated axis O (the central axis of the cylindrical wall 1e described below). The radial direction refers to the direction perpendicular to the axis O in a plane perpendicular to the axis O, and the circumferential direction refers to the direction circumferentially around the axis O in this plane.

[0016] The foam generating container 10 of this embodiment shown in Figure 1 is composed of a foam generator 1 (see also Figures 2A and 2B), a mesh member 2 provided in the foam generator 1, a container 3, and a dispensing cap 4.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 1, the foam generator 1 includes a foam generating section 1a located inside the container 3, and a holding section 1b that holds the foam generating section 1a immovably relative to the container 3.

[0018] The foam generating section 1a is cylindrical about the axis O and includes a cylindrical wall 1e having a liquid inlet 1c at one end and a liquid passage 1d at the other end. The cylindrical wall 1e in this embodiment is generally conical, and is formed with a diameter that decreases from the liquid inlet 1c toward the liquid passage 1d. In this specification, the term "cylindrical" means that the cylindrical wall 1e has openings at one end and the other end, and may be formed in the shape of a cylinder, a rectangular tube, or a pyramidal shell.

[0019] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2B , the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical wall 1e is provided with a stepped portion 1f that is stepped in cross section, and a groove portion 1g is provided inside the stepped portion 1f. In this embodiment, the stepped portion 1f extends spirally from the liquid inlet 1c toward the liquid passage port 1d around the axis O. That is, the groove portion 1g extends spirally from the liquid inlet 1c toward the liquid passage port 1d around the axis O. The stepped portion 1f and the groove portion 1g may also extend circumferentially around the axis O. In this case, it is preferable that the stepped portion 1f and the groove portion 1g are configured such that multiple circumferential portions are provided from the liquid inlet 1c toward the liquid passage port 1d. Specifically, for example, when the cylindrical wall 1e is cylindrical, it is preferable that the stepped portion 1f and the groove portion 1g are configured such that multiple circumferentially extending portions are provided along the axis O. In addition, when providing multiple circumferentially extending portions in a direction along the axis O, the circumferentially extending portions may be provided with gaps between them in a direction along the axis O, or may be provided with close gaps between them.

[0020] The foam-generating portion 1a also includes a cylindrical holding wall 1h extending from the upper end of the cylindrical wall 1e along the axis O. The holding wall 1h is a portion that holds the mesh member 2 as shown in FIG.

[0021] As shown in Figures 2A and 2B, the retaining portion 1b includes a connecting wall 1j whose one end is connected to the retaining wall 1h, which increases in diameter as it extends upward from there, and then extends upward while maintaining the same diameter, and a flange 1k extending radially outward from the upper end of the connecting wall 1j. A hole (return port 1m) penetrating the connecting wall 1j is provided in the portion of the connecting wall 1j where the diameter increases. In this embodiment, a total of four return ports 1m are provided at intervals in the circumferential direction, as shown in Figure 2A.

[0022] The mesh member 2 has a cylindrical base 2a and a mesh 2b provided at one end of the base 2a. The mesh 2b is a mesh sheet made of, for example, synthetic resin fiber. The foam generator 1 of this embodiment has a total of two mesh members 2 as shown in FIG. 1,

[0023] The container 3 has a body 3a whose lower portion is closed by a bottom portion (not shown). In this embodiment, the body 3a is cylindrical, with its upper portion extending radially inward. A cylindrical mouth 3b is provided at the upper end of the body 3a. A male thread 3c is provided on the outer periphery of the mouth 3b. Here, the upper opening of the mouth 3b is referred to as the upper opening 3d, and the space located inside the container 3 is referred to as the storage space S. The storage space S stores a liquid content, such as a cosmetic product.

[0024] The dispensing cap 4 has an attachment part 4a that is held by the mouth part 3b. In this embodiment, the attachment part 4a has a cylindrical attachment tube 4b that surrounds the mouth part 3b, and a female thread part 4c that is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the attachment tube 4b.

[0025] The pouring cap 4 also has a top wall 4d that covers the upper opening 3d and is connected to the attachment tube 4b. The top wall 4d has a pouring outlet 4e that is positioned above the upper opening 3d and penetrates the top wall 4d. The top wall 4d also has an annular sealing wall 4f that extends downward from the underside of the top wall 4d. An outer peripheral wall 4g that extends downward outside the attachment tube 4b is provided at the outer edge of the top wall 4d.

[0026] The pouring cap 4 further includes a lid portion 4j connected to the outer peripheral wall 4g via a hinge 4h. In this embodiment, the lid portion 4j is cylindrical with a lid, and when the lid portion 4j is in the closed state as shown in FIG. 1, the top wall 4d is covered by the lid portion 4j. A cylindrical pouring outlet seal portion 4k is provided on the underside of the lid portion 4j, and is inserted into the pouring outlet 4e when the lid portion 4j is in the closed state. A knob portion 4m that protrudes radially outward is provided on the side of the lid portion 4j opposite the side where the hinge 4h is located. Although not shown in the figure, when a force is applied from below to above the knob portion 4m, the lid portion 4j rotates around the hinge 4h and enters the open state, exposing the pouring outlet 4e to the outside.

[0027] Next, an example of a procedure for assembling the above components as shown in FIG. 1 will be described. First, two mesh members 2 are attached to the foam generator 1. In this embodiment, one mesh member 2 is inserted into the retaining wall 1h with its mesh 2b facing the liquid passage port 1d, and the other mesh member 2 is inserted into the retaining wall 1h with its mesh 2b positioned on the opposite side from the first mesh member 2. As a result, the two mesh members 2 are fitted and held by the retaining wall 1h. The foam generator 1 holding the mesh members 2 is then attached to the container 3 with the foam generating portion 1a positioned inside the opening 3b and the flange 1k in contact with the upper end of the opening 3b, as shown in FIG. 1. The female threaded portion 4c is then threadedly engaged with the male threaded portion 3c, thereby holding the pouring cap 4 to the container 3. When the female threaded portion 4c is threadedly engaged with the male threaded portion 3c, the flange 1k is clamped between the opening 3b and the top wall 4d.

[0028] To use this foam-generating container 10, the liquid is placed in the storage space S and the container 3 is shaken up and down several times with the dispensing cap 4 closed, as shown in FIG. 1. This action causes a portion of the liquid in the storage space S to flow through the liquid inlet 1c into the cylindrical wall 1e and toward the liquid passage 1d. The inner surface of the cylindrical wall 1e is provided with a groove 1g extending around the axis O. As the liquid flows from the liquid inlet 1c toward the cylindrical wall 1e along the axis O, it overcomes the groove 1g, causing turbulence and agitation. The agitated liquid then passes through the liquid passage 1d and passes through the mesh 2b, generating fine bubbles. The lid 4j is then opened to tilt the container 3, and the body 3a is pressed as needed to dispense the liquid containing the fine bubbles from the dispensing outlet 4e.

[0029] In this embodiment, the grooves 1g formed on the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical wall 1e are spiral-shaped. Therefore, the content liquid within the cylindrical wall 1e flows in a swirling (vortex-like) manner while being disturbed by the spiral grooves 1g, resulting in a further agitated state. Furthermore, the cylindrical wall 1e of this embodiment has a shape that narrows in diameter from the liquid inlet 1c toward the liquid passage 1d. Therefore, the flow rate of the content liquid increases as it flows from the liquid inlet 1c toward the liquid passage 1d. Furthermore, the holding portion 1b of this embodiment is provided with a return port 1m. That is, the content liquid that has passed through the two mesh members 2 passes through the return port 1m and moves downward in the container 3. Then, by shaking the container 3 up and down, it is again introduced into the cylindrical wall 1e through the liquid inlet 1c. Therefore, with the foam-generating container 10 of this embodiment, these effects enable the stable generation of finer foam.

[0030] Below, some of the confirmation tests conducted to confirm the effects of the present invention are described. In this test, the foam generating container 10 shown in FIG. 1 was used as an example. The mesh 2b used was 90 mesh (90 openings per inch). After shaking the foam generating container 10 up and down a predetermined number of times, the foam generating container 10 was left in an upright position for a predetermined time, and the contents of the foam generating container 10 were extracted with a dropper and the state of the foam was confirmed under a microscope. In addition, as Comparative Example 1, a foam generating container 10 shown in FIG. 1 with the foam generator 1 removed was prepared, and as Comparative Example 2, a container 3 with a stirring ball as described in Patent Document 1 and a dispensing cap 4 attached was prepared. The state of the foam was also confirmed for Comparative Examples 1 and 2 under the same conditions as those for the example.

[0031] In Comparative Example 1, almost no bubbles were observed under a microscope. On the other hand, in the Example, fine bubbles were observed under a microscope. Fine bubbles were also observed in Comparative Example 2. The fineness of the bubbles in the Example was equivalent to that of Comparative Example 2.

[0032] Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiment, and unless otherwise limited in the above description, various modifications and variations are possible within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined in the claims. For example, the configurations of the above-described embodiment may be added or deleted as appropriate, and the configurations of one embodiment may be incorporated into other embodiments. Furthermore, the effects of the above-described embodiment are merely examples of the effects resulting from the present invention, and do not mean that the effects of the present invention are limited to the above-described effects.

[0033] For example, in the above-described embodiment, there are two meshes 2b, and one mesh 2b is positioned relative to the foam generator 1 so that it faces the liquid passage 1d and the other mesh member 2 faces the outlet 4e, but the number and position relative to the foam generator 1 can be changed as appropriate. Furthermore, the position of the foam generating unit 1a relative to the container 3 is not limited to the inside of the mouth 3b as shown in the figure, but may be inside the body 3a. Furthermore, the orientation of the foam generating unit 1a is not limited to that shown in the figure, but may be tilted relative to the axis O. [Explanation of symbols]

[0034] 1: Foam generator 1a: Foam generation part 1b: Holding part 1c:Liquid inlet 1d:Liquid passage port 1e: Cylindrical wall 1F: Step 1g:Groove 1h: Holding wall 1j: Connecting wall 1k: flange 1m: Return port 2: Mesh material 2a: base 2b:Mesh 3: Container 3a: Torso 3b: Mouth 3c: Male thread 3d: Upper opening 4: Dispensing cap 4a: Mounting part 4b: Mounting tube 4c: Female thread 4d: Ceiling wall 4e: Pour spout 4th floor: Seal wall 4g: Outer wall 4h: Hinge 4j: Lid 4k: Spout seal 4m: knob 10: Foam generating container O: Axis line S: Containment space

Claims

1. A foam generator attached to a container for containing a liquid content, A foam generating unit is located inside the container, and a holding unit is configured to hold the foam generating unit immovably relative to the container, The foam generating unit includes: a cylindrical wall having a liquid inlet port at one end for introducing the liquid contained in the container and a liquid passage port at the other end; a groove portion provided on an inner surface of the cylindrical wall and extending around an axis of the cylindrical wall; A foam generator comprising: a mesh through which the content liquid passes after passing through the liquid passage port.

2. The foam generator according to claim 1 , wherein the cylindrical wall has a shape tapering in diameter from the liquid inlet port toward the liquid passage port.

3. The foam generator according to claim 1 , wherein the groove portion extends around the axis from the liquid inlet port toward the liquid passage port to form a spiral shape.

4. The foam generator according to claim 1 , wherein the holding portion is provided with a return port for returning the content liquid that has passed through the mesh to a side where the liquid inlet port is located.

5. A foam generating container comprising the container, the foam generator according to any one of claims 1 to 4, and a dispensing cap, The container has a mouth with an upper opening; The foam generator is held in the container with the mesh positioned on the upper opening side, The pouring cap is a foam generating container having a pouring outlet communicating with the upper opening and an attachment portion held by the mouth portion.

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