Re-pressurization system, re-pressurization method of discharge container

Abstract

To improve a re-pressurization system.SOLUTION: The re-pressurization system includes a discharge container 100 comprising: a container body 110 filled with raw liquid C and a pressurizing agent P for discharging raw liquid C; a housing 160; a stem 180 that is housed within the housing 160 and is movable up and down; and a piston member 190 that is housed within the housing 160, capable of moving up and down and follows the downward movement of the stem 180, along with a valve 120 that can switch between aerosol discharge and pump discharge, which is attached to the container body 110. The re-pressurization system also includes a re-pressurizing device 500 connected to the valve 120, which sends the pressurizing agent into the container body 110. By connecting the re-pressurizing device 500 to the stem 180, a discharge path RP that does not communicate with the outside air is formed, allowing communication from the housing 160 to the container body 110.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a repressurization system including a discharge container and a repressurization device, and a method for repressurizing a discharge container. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a repressurization system that repressurizes a discharge container and is capable of switching between aerosol discharge, which discharges concentrate by the pressure of a pressurizing agent, and pump discharge, which discharges concentrate by the pressure generated by compressing the concentrate in a housing with a piston member. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2023-107058 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the repressurization system of Patent Document 1, the filling passage from the outside to the inside of the container body is opened by moving the stem downward and the piston member following it downward, and the pressurizing agent can be filled from the outside. However, when a consumer refills the concentrate into the container body, attaches a valve, and repressurizes from the repressurization device, or when repressurizing to strengthen the force of aerosol discharge, if the concentrate is in the housing, the pressurizing agent is not filled into the discharge container, and repressurization is not possible. In other words, when an attempt is made to repressurize with the concentrate in the housing, the tip of the stem is closed, and further, the bottom of the housing is also closed by the check valve, so that the concentrate is not discharged from the housing even if the stem is pressed down. As a result, it was found that the piston member cannot be moved downward, the filling passage is not opened, and the pressurizing agent cannot be filled.

[0005] The present invention is directed to an improvement in repressurization systems. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The re-pressurization system of the present invention comprises a container body 110 filled with a concentrate C and a pressurizing agent P for discharging the concentrate C, a housing 160, a stem 180 accommodated within the housing 160 so as to be able to move up and down, a piston member 190 accommodated within the housing 160 so as to be able to move up and down and following the downward movement of the stem 180, and a discharge container 100 equipped with a valve 120 capable of switching between aerosol discharge and pump discharge and attached to the container body 110, and re-pressurization devices 500, 500A connected to the valve 120 and for sending pressurizing agent into the container body 110, and is characterized in that by connecting the re-pressurization devices 500, 500A to the stem 180, an exhaust path RP is formed that communicates from within the housing 160 to the inside of the container body 110 and does not communicate with the outside air.

[0007] In the above-mentioned re-pressurization system, the valve 120 has a discharge passage DP for discharging the concentrate C, and also constitutes part of a filling passage FP for sending a pressurizing agent from the re-pressurization device 500, 500A into the container body 110, and it is preferable that a part of the discharge passage RP communicates with the discharge passage DP and the filling passage FP.

[0008] Also, it is preferable that a part of the discharge passage RP is constituted by a horizontal hole 180b provided in the vicinity of the tip of the stem 180.

[0009] Alternatively, a portion of the discharge passage RP is preferably configured by a gap G formed by connecting the recompression device 500A to the stem 180.

[0010] The repressurization method of the discharge container of the present invention includes a container body 110 filled with a concentrate C and a pressurizing agent P for discharging the concentrate C, a housing 160, a stem 180 accommodated in the housing 160 so as to be movable up and down, and a piston member 190 accommodated in the housing 160 so as to be movable up and down and following the downward movement of the stem 180. The repressurization method of the discharge container of the present invention includes a valve 120 attached to the container body 110 and capable of switching between aerosol discharge and pump discharge. By connecting re-pressurizing devices 500, 500A that send a pressurizing agent into the container body 110 to the housing 160, a discharge path RP that communicates from inside the housing 160 to the inside of the container body 110 and does not communicate with the outside air is formed, and the stock solution C in the housing 160 is pressurized by the piston member 190 that follows the downward movement of the stem 180 and discharged through the discharge path RP while moving the stem 180 downward, and then the pressurizing agent is sent from the re-pressurizing devices 500, 500A into the container body 110. Effect of the Invention

[0011] In the repressurization system and the repressurization method of the discharge container of the present invention, a discharge path that is not in communication with the outside air is formed by connecting the repressurization device to the stem, so that even if the concentrate remains in the housing, the concentrate in the housing can be discharged from the discharge path and the container body can be repressurized by the repressurization device. When repressurizing from the repressurization device after that, since the discharge path is not in communication with the outside air, the supply of the concentrate from the container body to the housing is suppressed, making it easy to pressurize.

[0012] In the above-mentioned re-pressurization system, when the valve has a discharge passage for discharging the concentrate and constitutes part of a filling passage for sending a pressurizing agent from the re-pressurization device into the container body, and part of the discharge passage connects the discharge passage with the filling passage, the concentrate remaining in the housing can be easily discharged into the container body via the discharge passage, the discharge passage and the filling passage.

[0013] In addition, if part of the discharge path is constituted by a horizontal hole provided near the tip of the stem, or by a gap formed by connecting a re-pressurizing device to the stem, it is easy to discharge the concentrate inside the housing. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a recompression system according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. [Diagram 3] 3A is a cross-sectional view of the valve mechanism when not in use (closed state), and FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view of the valve mechanism when an aerosol is being discharged. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the valve mechanism, showing a pump discharge state. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a discharge product. [Figure 6] 6A and 6B are cross-sectional views showing a process of re-pressurizing a discharge container by a re-pressurizing device, in which FIG. 6A shows a connecting step and FIG. 6B shows a concentrate discharging step. [Figure 7] 7A and 7B are cross-sectional views showing a process of re-pressurizing a discharge container by a re-pressurizing device, in which FIG. 7A shows a fixing step and FIG. 6B shows a re-pressurizing step. [Figure 8] 8A and 8B are cross-sectional views showing a process of re-pressurizing a discharge container by another re-pressurizing device, in which FIG. 8A shows a connecting step and FIG. 8B shows a closed space forming step. [Figure 9] 9A and 9B are cross-sectional views showing a process of re-pressurizing a discharge container by another re-pressurizing device, in which FIG. 9A shows the concentrate discharging process and FIG. 9B shows the re-pressurizing process. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0015] Next, a re-pressurization system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. As shown in Fig. 1, the re-pressurization system 1 includes a discharge container 100 and a re-pressurization device 500 for re-pressurizing the discharge container 100.

[0016] The discharge container 100 includes a container body 110 and a valve 120 that is detachably attached to an opening 111 of the container body 110. The discharge container 100 is filled with the concentrate C and the pressurizing agent P, and a discharge member 3 such as a push button is attached as necessary to form a discharge product 2 (see FIG. 5).

[0017] The container body 110 is a pressure-resistant container for filling the concentrate C and the pressurizing agent P for discharging the concentrate C, and as shown in FIG. 1, includes a bottom 112, a body 113 rising from the outer circumferential end of the bottom 112, a shoulder 114 extending upward from the upper end of the body 113 while gradually reducing in diameter, and a neck 115 extending upward from the upper end of the shoulder 114. An opening 111 is formed at the top of the neck 115. In addition, a male screw portion 116 for screwing in a cap 140 described later is formed on the outer periphery of the neck 115. The container body 110 is made of, for example, synthetic resin such as polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene, polypropylene, or metal such as aluminum or tinplate, but is not particularly limited and can be made of various materials.

[0018] The valve 120 can be switched between aerosol discharge and pump discharge. The valve 120 includes a valve mechanism 130 and a cap 140 for fixing the valve mechanism 130 to the container body 110. The valve 120 also includes a discharge passage DP for discharging the concentrate C (see Figs. 3B and 4). The valve 120 also constitutes a part of a filling passage FP for feeding a pressurizing agent from the re-pressurizing device 500 into the container body 110 (see Fig. 7B).

[0019] The valve mechanism 130 includes a dip tube 150 inserted into the concentrate C in the container body 110, a housing 160 through which the concentrate C passes from the dip tube 150, a check valve 170 that prevents the concentrate C in the housing 160 from returning to the container body 110, a stem 180 having a discharge port 180a that discharges the concentrate C in the housing 160 to the outside of the discharge container 100, and a piston member 19 that compresses the inside of the housing 160 while opening the discharge passage DP as the stem 180 is pressed down. 0, a spring member 200 that urges the stem 180 upward to maintain the closed state of the discharge passage DP, a stem rubber 260 that fits around the stem 180 to maintain the closed state of the filling passage FP, a passage member 220 that surrounds the outer periphery of the stem 180 and constitutes part of the filling passage FP, and a lid body 210 that holds the stem 180, piston member 190, spring member 200, stem rubber 260, and passage member 220 contained within the housing 160 within the housing 160.

[0020] When the housing 160 reaches the liquid phase, the dip tube 150 is not necessary. Also, the passage member 220 and the lid body 210 may be an integrally molded product, or, for example, the housing 160 may be provided with the functions of the passage member 220 and the lid body 210, and the dip tube 150 may be omitted.

[0021] 2, the housing 160 is a cylindrical member with upper and lower ends open, and its internal space is separated into a first space S1 and a second space S2 by a piston member 190 (see FIG. 3A). The first space S1 is a space through which the concentrate C taken in from the container body 110 passes or is temporarily stored, and is formed below the piston member 190. The second space S2 is a space through which the pressurizing agent sent from the re-pressurizing device 500 passes, and is formed above the piston member 190.

[0022] 2, a flange portion 161 extending radially outward is provided around the upper end of the housing 160. The flange portion 161 is a portion for suspending the housing 160 from the upper end of the neck portion 115 of the container body 110. It is also a portion for clamping the stem rubber 260 with the passage member 220. A guide tube 161a for fixing the lateral position of the stem rubber 260 extends upward from the flange portion 161.

[0023] A spring support portion 163 having a smaller diameter than the body portion 162 of the housing 160 is formed at the bottom of the housing 160 so that the spring member 200 can be supported simply by inserting it therein. An insertion portion 164 for connecting the dip tube 150 is formed below the spring support portion 163. The spring support portion 163 and the insertion portion 164 are in communication with each other through a liquid phase communication hole 165. This liquid phase communication hole 165 is closed by a check valve 170 in a closed state in which the concentrate C is not discharged.

[0024] A gas introduction hole 166 is formed on the side of the housing 160, which communicates the second space S2 with the inside of the container body 110 and sends the pressurizing agent from the re-pressurizing device 500 into the container body 110. The gas introduction hole 166 is always covered by a cylindrical packing 230 that covers the outer periphery of the housing 160, and is blocked from the inside of the container body 110 by the packing 230 except when re-pressurizing. This packing 230 functions as a valve that opens when a predetermined pressure is applied. Specifically, when the pressurizing agent is supplied to the second space S2, a gap is formed between the outer surface of the housing 160 and the packing 230 opens, allowing the pressurizing agent to flow into the container body 110 (see the arrow in FIG. 7B), while functioning as a check valve that always restricts the flow of the raw liquid C or the pressurizing agent P from the container body 110 into the second space S2. Moreover, the upper part of the packing 230 is located between the upper end of the neck part 115 of the container body 110 and the flange part 161 of the housing 160, forming a seal between the two.

[0025] The check valve 170 is formed by dropping a ball valve 171 into a tapered portion 167 formed by decreasing the diameter of the inner circumferential surface in the vicinity of the boundary between the spring support portion 163 and the insertion portion 164 toward the bottom. When the valve 120 is opened as shown in FIG. 3B to communicate the first space S1 with the outside air, the ball valve 171 is lifted by the pressure of the pressurizing agent P in the container body 110, and communicates the first space S1 with the container body 110. On the other hand, when the stem 180 is moved downward as shown in FIG. 4 to discharge the stock solution C, and the piston member 190 is moved downward, the ball valve 171 closes the liquid phase communication hole 165, and restricts the return of the stock solution C from the first space S1 to the container body 110. In short, the check valve 170 is a valve mechanism (ball valve mechanism) that takes in the stock solution C in one direction from the container body 110 to the first space S1.

[0026] Stem 180 is accommodated in housing 160 so as to be vertically movable. Stem 180 is divided into a lower stem 181, most of which is accommodated in housing 160, and an upper stem 182, which is attached to the upper part of lower stem 181 and part of which protrudes from the upper end of housing 160. Lower stem 181 and upper stem 182 are provided coaxially.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 2, the lower stem 181 includes a shaft portion 183 extending in the vertical direction, and a protruding portion 184 protruding radially outward from the outer periphery of the shaft portion 183 with its tip facing upward. No passage is provided inside the lower stem 181 for passing the raw liquid C, and the raw liquid C flows into the upper stem 182 through a gap between the outer periphery of the lower stem 181 and the inner periphery of the piston member 190 (see FIG. 3B and FIG. 4). In order to ensure a passage for the raw liquid C, a groove 185 is provided on the inner surface of the outer fitting portion 187 of the upper stem 182, which is fitted onto the shaft portion 183 of the lower stem 181, from the side to the upper end. The raw liquid C flowing through the groove 185 is discharged to the outside through a tubular portion 186 of the upper stem 182, which will be described later.

[0028] The upper stem 182 is generally cylindrical and includes a cylindrical portion 186 extending in the vertical direction, an outer fitting portion 187 extending from the lower end of the cylindrical portion 186, and a skirt portion 188 extending from the lower end of the outer fitting portion 187 and abutting against the piston member 190. A discharge port 180a opens at the upper end of the cylindrical portion 186. A horizontal hole 180b is provided near the tip of the cylindrical portion 186. The distance from the tip of the cylindrical portion 186 to the horizontal hole 180b is shorter than the length of a connecting portion 555 of the re-pressurization device 500 described later, and when the tip of the cylindrical portion 186 is completely inserted into the connecting portion 555, the horizontal hole 180b is closed by the connecting portion 555. This horizontal hole 180b constitutes a part of a discharge path RP described later.

[0029] The piston member 190 is accommodated within the housing 160 so as to be able to move up and down, and follows with some play the downward movement of the stem 180. The piston member 190 includes an inner cylindrical portion 191, an outer cylindrical portion 192 provided on the outside of the inner cylindrical portion 191, and a connecting portion 193 that connects the inner cylindrical portion 191 and the outer cylindrical portion 192.

[0030] 3A, the upper part of the inner cylindrical part 191 abuts against the inner peripheral surface of the skirt part 188 to form a seal, always separating the first space S1 from the second space S2. The lower part of the inner cylindrical part 191 abuts against the protruding part 184 to form a seal in the closed state in which the concentrate C is not discharged, and restricts the flow of the concentrate C into the upper stem 182, and in the aerosol discharge state or the pump discharge state, the seal is released to allow the concentrate C to flow into the upper stem 182, as shown in FIGS.

[0031] The lower part of the outer cylindrical part 192 abuts against the inner peripheral surface of the body part 162 of the housing 160 to form a seal, always separating the first space S1 from the second space S2. In addition, in the closed state, the upper part of the outer cylindrical part 192 abuts against the lower surface of the stem rubber 260 to form a seal, and together with the seal at the lower part of the outer cylindrical part 192, covers the gas introduction hole 166. However, it is not necessarily required to cover it.

[0032] As the material for the piston member 190, synthetic resins such as polyolefins, such as polyethylene and polypropylene, polyamides, such as nylon, and polyesters, such as polyethylene terephthalate, silicone resins, and elastomers are preferable because they facilitate the formation of a sliding seal.

[0033] 3A, the lower end of the spring member 200 is inserted into the spring support portion 163, and the upper end of the spring member 200 is in contact with the lower surface of the protruding portion 184 of the lower stem 181.

[0034] The passage member 220 is interposed between the inside of the guide tube 161a of the housing 160 and the outer circumferential surface of the upper stem 182. The passage member 220 has a cylindrical connected portion 221 that is connected to a connecting portion 555 (described later) of the repressurization device 500, and an extending portion 222 that is provided radially outward from the lower end of the connected portion 221. The extending portion 222 holds the stem rubber 260 between itself and the upper surface of the flange portion 161 of the housing 160. The passage member 220 positions the stem 180 in the upward and lateral directions. Specifically, the stem 180, which is biased upward by the spring member 200, is held at a constant height and is positioned concentrically with the housing 160.

[0035] The lid body 210 is annular and fixed to the housing 160. This lid body 210 prevents the stem 180, the piston member 190, the spring member 200, the stem rubber 260, and the passage member 220 from coming off upward. To fix the lid body 210 to the housing 160, a fixing groove 211 that fits with the guide tube 161a of the housing 160 is provided on the underside of the lid body 210.

[0036] As shown in Figures 3B and 4, the valve mechanism 130 configured as described above can be switched between an aerosol discharge state in which the concentrate C is discharged by the pressure of the pressurizing agent P, and a pump discharge state in which the concentrate C is discharged by the pressure generated by compressing the first space S1 by operating the piston member 190.

[0037] To achieve the aerosol discharge state, as shown in FIG. 3B, the stem 180 is pushed down slightly, specifically within the range of the vertical play provided between the skirt portion 188 of the stem 180 and the connecting portion 193 of the piston member 190. Then, the piston member 190 does not follow the downward movement of the stem 180, and the seal between the overhanging portion 184 and the lower portion of the inner cylindrical portion 191 of the piston member 190 is released. When the seal is released, the concentrate C is lifted by the pressure of the pressurizing agent P and discharged to the outside through the discharge passage DP consisting of the first space S1 of the housing 160, between the overhanging portion 184 and the piston member 190, the recessed groove 185, and the cylindrical portion 186. As shown in FIG. 5, if the discharge member 3 is attached to the stem 180 to block the horizontal hole 180b, the concentrate C can be discharged from the discharge member 3. When the downward pressure on the stem 180 is released, the spring member 200 pushes the stem 180 upward and returns it to its original position before being pushed down, and a seal is again formed between the projection 184 and the lower part of the inner cylindrical portion 191 of the piston member 190.

[0038] To achieve the pump discharge state, as shown in FIG. 4, the stem 180 is further pushed down to move the piston member 190 downward. When the pressure in the first space S1 becomes higher than the pressure in the container body 110, the liquid phase communication hole 165 is blocked by the ball valve 171. As a result, the pressure in the first space S1 increases due to the further downward movement of the piston member 190, and the concentrate C in the first space S1 is discharged to the outside by the pressure. The route through which the concentrate C passes is the same as in the aerosol discharge state. When the downward pressure of the stem 180 is stopped, the spring member 200 pushes up the stem 180 and the piston member 190, and they return to their positions before being pushed down. At this time, the pressure in the first space S1 decreases, so the check valve 170 opens and the concentrate C is supplied into the first space S1. If the stem 180 is pushed down again, the concentrate C is similarly discharged.

[0039] The cap 140 is cylindrical, and covers the valve mechanism 130 and the neck 115 of the container body 110 as shown in Fig. 1. The inner circumferential surface is provided with a female screw portion 141 that screws into the male screw portion 116 of the neck 115. In addition to screwing with a screw, various known fixing methods can be used to fix the valve 120 to the container body 110 as long as they are detachable. As shown in Fig. 2, an upper cylinder portion 143 is provided via a step portion 142 from the lower portion where the female screw portion 141 is provided. This upper cylinder portion 143 functions as a portion that guides the vertical movement of the discharge member 3.

[0040] The re-pressurizing device 500 is a manual piston pump, and as shown in FIG. 1, includes a fixed member 550 that covers the cap 140, and a pressurizing member 540 that is attached to the fixed member 550 so as to be movable up and down.

[0041] The fixing member 550 includes a cup-shaped main body 551 that covers the cap 140, and a guide portion 552 that is provided on the outer periphery of the main body 551 and guides the up and down movement of the pressurizing member 540. A cylindrical connecting portion 555 is provided on the top surface 553 of the main body 551 and is connected to the cylindrical portion 186 of the stem 180 and the connected portion 221 of the passage member 220 when the re-pressurizing device 500 is connected to the valve 120 (see Figs. 6A, 6B, and 7A). When fitted onto the stem 180, the connecting portion 555 always blocks the discharge port 180a. When the stem 180 is inserted into the connecting portion 555 to a certain extent, the horizontal hole 180b is blocked. The connecting portion 555 functions as a pushing member that moves the piston member 190 downward. Furthermore, when the connecting part 555 is fitted into the connected part 221, a closed space ES that is not in communication with the outside air is formed around the outer periphery of the stem 180 (see FIG. 6B). An O-ring 556 is provided around the outer periphery of the connecting part 555 to seal between the connecting part 221 and the connecting part 221. This closed space ES constitutes a part of the discharge path RP described later. A communication hole 554 that communicates the closed space ES with the inside of the pressurizing member 540 is provided in the wall of the connecting part 555.

[0042] Pressurizing member 540 is cup-shaped, and slidably fitted onto main body 551 of fixed member 550. A flange seal portion 541 guided by guide portion 552 is provided around the lower opening. Pressurizing member 540 is molded from a soft material such as synthetic resin, such as polyethylene or polypropylene, or silicone resin, so that flange seal portion 541 is easily bent when pressing member 540 is pulled up, and outside air can be easily taken into pressing member 540.

[0043] The concentrate C may be used in skin products such as face washes, hand washes, hand disinfectants, bath additives, moisturizers, cleansing agents, sunscreens, lotions, shaving agents, antiperspirants, pest repellents, anti-inflammatory analgesics, and antipruritics, hair products such as treatment agents, styling agents, and hair dyes, food products such as whipped cream and olive oil, household products such as deodorants, fragrances, insecticides, insect repellents, pollen removers, antibacterial agents, cleaning agents, and gardening fertilizers, and industrial products such as lubricants, etc. However, the uses are not limited to these.

[0044] The pressurizing agent P may be compressed air compressed by the re-pressurizing device 500, and is filled by operating the pressurizing member 540 so that the pressure inside the discharge container at 25° C. is 0.2 to less than 1.0 MPa.

[0045] Next, a method of repressurizing the discharge container 100 will be described. As shown in FIG. 6A, first, the main body 551 of the fixing member 550 is fitted onto the cap 140. At this time, the stem 180 of the discharge container 100 is inserted into the connection part 555 to block the discharge port 180a of the stem 180. As a result, even if the stock solution C or the pressurizing agent P remains in the discharge container 100, it will not be discharged from the discharge port 180a. In this connection step, the side hole 180b is not blocked and is in an open state. It is preferable that the force for inserting the stem 180 into the connection part 555 is greater than the downward force for discharging the stock solution C from the housing 160 so that the side hole 180b is not blocked until the discharging step described later is completed.

[0046] Next, the fixing member 550 is pushed down. When the fixing member 550 is pushed down to a certain extent, as shown in FIG. 6B, the connecting portion 555 is connected to the connected portion 221, and the closed space ES is formed. The closed space ES may be formed before the fixing member 550 is pushed down, that is, at the time when the connecting portion 555 is inserted into the stem 180. As the fixing member 550 is pushed down, the stem 180 and the piston member 190 are also pushed down, and the concentrate C in the housing 160 is pressurized. However, since the horizontal hole 180b is in an open state and communicates with the closed space ES, the concentrate C in the housing 160 can be discharged to the closed space ES through the horizontal hole 180b as shown by the arrow (concentrate discharge process). Therefore, the concentrate C in the housing 160 does not interfere with the pushing down of the stem 180, and the fixing member 550 can be smoothly pushed down. In addition, since the closed space ES is not in communication with the outside air, the pressure in the closed space ES is maintained higher than the outside air pressure, and new supply of concentrate C into the housing 160 is suppressed. If the pressure in the closed space ES is maintained equal to or higher than the pressure in the container body 110, new supply of concentrate C into the housing 160 can be completely prevented.

[0047] If the fixing member 550 continues to be pressed down even after the stem 180 reaches the bottom dead center, the stem 180 is further inserted into the connecting portion 555, and the horizontal hole 180b is blocked by the connecting portion 555, as shown in Fig. 7A. The fixing member 550 also fits into the cap 140, and the fixing member 550 is fixed to the cap 140 (fixing step). Fixation may be by friction or by recess-projection fitting. By fixing the fixing member 550, the stem 180 is also fixed at the bottom dead center.

[0048] In this state, as shown in FIG. 7B, the pressurizing member 540 is pushed down to compress the air in the pressurizing member 540, and the compressed air (pressurizing agent) is filled into the container body 110 through the filling passage FP consisting of the communication hole 554, the closed space ES, and the gas introduction hole 166 (re-pressurizing step). The filling passage FP and the discharge passage DP are separated from each other by blocking the discharge port 180a and the horizontal hole 180b, so the pressurizing agent does not flow into the discharge passage DP. Even if the pressure in the container body 110 increases due to re-pressurization, the raw liquid C is not discharged to the outside. The raw liquid C discharged into the closed space ES returns to the container body 110 together with the pressurizing agent. In short, the closed space ES functions as a part of the discharge passage RP that communicates from the inside of the housing 160 to the inside of the container body 110 and does not communicate with the outside air. In other words, the closed space ES is formed, and the horizontal hole 180b and the gas introduction hole 166 are connected to form a discharge path RP that communicates from inside the housing 160 to inside the container body 110. The discharge path RP is composed of the stem 180, the horizontal hole 180b, the closed space ES, and the gas introduction hole 166, and a part of it (the closed space ES, the gas introduction hole 166) overlaps with the filling path FP. The discharge container 100 can be re-pressurized by moving the pressurizing member 540 up and down multiple times as necessary.

[0049] In addition, the stem rubber 260 is present in the middle of the filling passage FP, but when the piston member 190 moves downward, the upper part of the outer cylindrical part 192 is separated from the lower surface of the stem rubber 260, and since the support on the inner edge side is lost, it is easily bent by the filling pressure of the pressurizing agent, and filling is not hindered. As shown in FIG. 7B, when the piston member 190 is pushed down below the gas introduction hole 166, it becomes easy to fill the pressurizing agent, but filling is possible if the upper end of the outer cylindrical part 192 of the piston member 190 is separated from the lower surface of the stem rubber 260. The packing 230 forms a gap between the outer surface of the housing 160 by receiving the filling pressure of the pressurizing agent from the gas introduction hole 166, so that the pressurizing agent can be filled into the container body 110 through this gap. The packing 230 functions as a check valve after the pressurizing agent is filled, so the pressurizing agent does not flow back through the filling passage FP.

[0050] After the re-pressurization is completed, the re-pressurization device 500 is removed from the discharge container 100, and the discharge member 3 is attached to the stem 180 as necessary, and used as the discharge product 2.

[0051] In this way, in the re-pressurization system 1 of the present invention, by connecting the re-pressurization device 500 to the stem 180, a discharge path RP is formed that communicates from inside the housing 160 to inside the container body 110 and is not connected to the outside air, so that the raw liquid C in the housing 160 can be discharged to the discharge path RP and the discharged raw liquid C can be returned to the container body 110.

[0052] Next, another re-pressurization device 500A will be described. This re-pressurization device 500A includes a gas can 510 and a connection member 520 that connects the gas can 510 and the stem 180, as shown in FIG.

[0053] The gas can 510 is a so-called aerosol can, and the propellant filled inside can be discharged by pushing the stem 511. The discharged propellant is used as a pressurizing agent P for repressurizing the discharge container 100. Examples of the propellant include liquefied gas and compressed gas. Examples of the liquefied gas include normal butane, isobutane, propane, and mixtures thereof such as liquefied petroleum gas, dimethyl ether, hydrofluoroolefin, and mixtures thereof. Examples of the compressed gas include nitrogen, oxygen, hydrogen, carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, compressed air, and the like, and the gas is filled so that the pressure at 25°C is less than 0.2 to 1.0 MPa. In addition, a high-pressure container provided with a fixed-volume discharge mechanism is filled with liquefied carbon dioxide gas, and the liquefied carbon dioxide gas is vaporized in the sealed space ES to form carbon dioxide gas. When liquefied gas is used as the propellant, the gas can 510 is preferably provided with a fixed-volume discharge mechanism that discharges a fixed amount of liquefied gas with one push-in operation. In this case, a certain amount of liquefied gas vaporizes when passing through filling passage FP, and the inside of container body 110 is filled with the vaporized gas. An example of a constant-volume discharge mechanism is a so-called constant-volume valve, which is provided with a constant-volume chamber that communicates with the inside of the can before stem 511 is pushed in, and that is cut off from communication with the inside of the can and communicates with the outside when stem 511 is pushed in. Gas can 510 is attached to connecting member 520 with stem 511 facing downward (see FIG. 8A).

[0054] The connecting member 520 includes a connecting pipe 521 and a protruding portion 522 that protrudes radially outward from the approximate center of the connecting pipe 521 in the axial direction. The upper portion of the connecting pipe 521 is an insertion port 523 into which the stem 511 of the gas canister 510 is inserted, and the lower portion of the connecting pipe 521 is a connecting portion 555 that is connected to the tube portion 186 of the stem 180 of the discharge container 100 and the connected portion 221 of the passage member 220, respectively. When the connecting portion 555 is fitted into the connected portion 221, a closed space ES that is not in communication with the outside air is formed outside the stem 180 (see FIG. 8B). An O-ring 556 that seals the connecting portion 555 and the connected portion 221 is provided on the outer periphery of the connecting portion 555. A passage groove 524 that communicates with the closed space ES is formed on the inner surface of the connecting portion 555. Therefore, even when the tube portion 186 is inserted into the connecting portion 555, the discharge port 180a is not blocked, and a gap G through which the concentrate C can pass is formed between the two. This gap G constitutes a part of the discharge path RP. The stem 180 is pushed down by the connecting portion 555. Therefore, the connecting portion 555 functions as a pushing member that moves the piston member 190 downward.

[0055] Next, a method for re-pressurizing the discharge container 100 using the re-pressurizing device 500A will be described. As shown in Fig. 8A, first, the stem 511 of the gas canister 510 is inserted into the insertion port 523, and the connecting part 555 is connected to the tube part 186 (connecting step). When the gas canister 510 is pressed down in this state, the connecting part 555 is connected to the connected part 221, as shown in Fig. 8B, and the closed space ES is formed. Note that the closed space ES may be formed before the gas canister 510 is pressed down, that is, at the time when the connecting part 555 is inserted into the stem 180.

[0056] As the gas canister 510 is pushed down, the stem 180 and the piston member 190 are pushed down, but because the gap G connects the discharge port 180a to the closed space ES, the concentrate C in the housing 160 can be discharged through the gap G to the closed space ES as shown by the arrow in FIG. 9A (concentrate discharge step). Therefore, the concentrate C in the housing 160 does not interfere with the downward movement of the stem 180, and the gas canister 510 can be smoothly pushed down. In addition, because the closed space ES does not communicate with the outside air, the pressure in the closed space ES is maintained higher than the outside air pressure, and the supply of new concentrate C into the housing 160 is suppressed. If the pressure in the closed space ES is maintained at the same pressure as or higher than the pressure in the container body 110, the supply of new concentrate C into the housing 160 can be completely prevented. It is preferable not to discharge the propellant from the gas canister 510 until the concentrate discharge step is completed. Therefore, it is preferable that the stem opening load of gas canister 510 is greater than the downward force required to discharge concentrate C within housing 160.

[0057] Just before or after stem 180 reaches the bottom dead center, protrusion 522 abuts against the upper end of cap 140, and connection member 520 cannot be pushed down any further. If gas can 510 is further pushed down in this state, stem 511 of gas can 510 is pushed in as shown in FIG. 9B, and propellant is discharged from gas can 510. This discharged propellant is filled into container body 110 as a pressurizing agent through connection pipe 521, gap G, closed space ES, and filling passage FP consisting of gas introduction hole 166 (re-pressurizing process). Stock solution C discharged into closed space ES returns to container body 110 together with the pressurizing agent. In short, closed space ES functions as a part of discharge path RP that communicates from inside housing 160 to inside container body 110 and does not communicate with the outside air. In other words, the formation of closed space ES connects gap G and gas introduction hole 166, and a discharge path RP that communicates from inside housing 160 to inside container body 110 is formed. The discharge passage RP is composed of a stem 180, a gap G, a closed space ES, and a gas introduction hole 166, and a portion of it (the gap G, the closed space ES, and the gas introduction hole 166) overlaps with the filling passage FP.

[0058] After the re-pressurization is completed, the re-pressurization device 500A is removed from the discharge container 100, and the discharge member 3 is attached to the stem 180 as necessary, and used as the discharge product 2.

[0059] In this way, even in the re-pressurization system 1 that uses the re-pressurization device 500A, by connecting the re-pressurization device 500A to the stem 180, a discharge path RP that communicates from inside the housing 160 to the inside of the container body 110 and is not connected to the outside air is formed, so that the raw liquid C in the housing 160 can be discharged to the discharge path RP and the discharged raw liquid C can be returned to the container body 110.

[0060] Other configurations are similar to those of the re-pressurization system 1 in FIG. 1, so the same reference numerals are used and detailed description is omitted.

[0061] Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the present invention. For example, since the valve 120 is detachably attached to the container body 110, the valve 120 may be removed from the container body 110 in the absence of the pressurizing agent P, and the concentrate C may be filled. After that, the concentrate C can be aerosol-discharged by repressurizing the container body 110 with the repressurizing device 500, 500A.

[0062] Furthermore, although the connecting portion 555 is fitted inside the connected portion 221, it may be fitted outside the connected portion 221. In this case, it is preferable to provide an O-ring 556 on the outer periphery of the connected portion 221. [Explanation of symbols]

[0063] 1 Repressurization System 2 Discharge product 3 Discharge member C stock solution P Pressurizing agent 100 Discharge container 110 Container body 111 Opening 112 Bottom 113 Torso 114 Shoulder 115 Neck 116 Male thread 120 Valve 130 Valve mechanism 140 Cap 141 Female thread 142 Multilayered section 143 Upper cylinder part 150 Dip Tube 160 Housing 161 Flange part 161a Guide tube 162 Torso 163 Spring support 164 Insertion section 165 Liquid phase communication hole 166 Gas inlet 167 Tapered section 170 Check valve 171 Ball valve 180 stem 180a outlet 180b horizontal hole 181 Lower stem 182 Upper stem 183 Shaft 184 Overhang 185 Groove 186 Cylinder part 187 External fitting part 188 Skirt Club 190 Piston parts 191 Inner cylindrical part 192 Outer cylindrical part 193 Connecting part 200 Spring material 210 Lid 211 Fixed groove 220 Passageway parts 221 Connected Part 222 Extension 230 Gasket 260 Stem Rubber 500, 500A Repressurization Device 510 Gas Can 511 Stem 520 Connection parts 521 Connecting Pipe 522 Protrusion 523 Outlet 524 Passage groove 540 Pressure Member 541 Flange seal part 550 Fixing member 551 Main body 552 Guide part 553 Top section 554 Communication hole 555 Connection 556 O-ring DP discharge passage FP filling passage RP outlet ES closed space S1 1st space S2 2nd space G Gap

Claims

1. A container body filled with the concentrate and a pressurizing agent for discharging the concentrate; a discharge container including a housing, a stem housed in the housing so as to be vertically movable, and a piston member housed in the housing so as to be vertically movable and following the downward movement of the stem, the valve being attached to the container body and capable of switching between aerosol discharge and pump discharge; A re-pressurizing device connected to the valve for feeding a pressurizing agent into the container body, A repressurization system in which a repressurization device is connected to the stem to form a discharge path that communicates from inside the housing to inside the container body and is not connected to the outside air.

2. The valve has a discharge passage for discharging the concentrate and constitutes a part of a filling passage for feeding a pressurizing agent from the re-pressurizing device into the container body, 2. The repressurization system of claim 1, wherein a portion of the exhaust passage communicates with the discharge passage and the fill passage.

3. 3. The recompression system according to claim 1, wherein the drain passage is formed in part by a lateral hole provided near the tip of the stem.

4. 3. The recompression system of claim 1 or 2, wherein a portion of the discharge passage is constituted by a gap formed by connecting the recompression device to the stem.

5. A container body filled with a concentrate and a pressurizing agent for discharging the concentrate; A method for re-pressurizing a discharge container, comprising: a housing; a stem housed within the housing so as to be able to move up and down; a piston member housed within the housing so as to be able to move up and down and following the downward movement of the stem; and a valve attached to the container body and capable of switching between aerosol discharge and pump discharge; a re-pressurization device that sends a pressurizing agent into the container body is connected to the stem of the discharge container, thereby forming an exhaust path that connects from inside the housing to the inside of the container body but is not connected to the outside air; the stock liquid in the housing is pressurized by the piston member and discharged through the exhaust path while the stem is moved downward; and then the pressurizing agent is sent from the re-pressurization device into the container body.

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