Liquid spray device, nozzle driver, and liquid spray method

Abstract

To provide a liquid spray device that enables suppressing generation of variation of sprayed liquid amount every operation time.SOLUTION: A liquid spray device equipped with a tank 22 for storing a liquid, and a nozzle part 23 that sprays the liquid from inside the tank 22 to the outside under one-directional pressure, includes a rotating part 12 that is manually rotated relative to the nozzle part 23, and a drive part 15 that converts the rotation of the rotating part 12 into the pressure. The liquid is a flavor component added to food.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a liquid material spraying device for spraying a liquid material, a nozzle driving device, and a liquid material spraying method. [Background technology]

[0002] A liquid spraying device that sprays flavorings onto food includes a tank that stores the flavorings and a nozzle attached to the tank. One example of a liquid spraying device sprays the flavorings in the tank from the nozzle by pushing the nozzle (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 62-204493 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] On the other hand, when spraying a fragrance from a liquid spray device, the nozzle itself is covered by a finger or the like used to press the nozzle in. The nozzle being covered by a finger or the like makes it impossible to visually grasp the amount of the nozzle being pressed in. Furthermore, an operation that makes it impossible to visually check the amount of the nozzle being pressed in causes variation in the amount of the liquid sprayed for each operation. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] A liquid material spraying device for solving the above problems includes a tank for storing a liquid material, and a nozzle unit that receives pressure in one direction and sprays the liquid material in the tank to the outside. The liquid material spraying device includes a rotating unit that is manually rotated with respect to the nozzle unit, a driving unit that converts the rotation of the rotating unit into the pressure, and a cylindrical case that is rotatably connected to the rotating unit and extends in the one direction. The cylindrical case houses the tank and the nozzle unit, the driving unit is disposed between the rotating unit and the tank in the one direction, and the tank is disposed between the driving unit and the nozzle unit in the one direction and has a columnar shape extending in the one direction.

[0006] The nozzle driving device for solving the above problem is a nozzle driving device that drives a nozzle unit that receives pressure in one direction to spray a liquid material in a tank to the outside. The nozzle driving device includes a cylindrical case that houses the nozzle unit, a rotating unit that is connected to the cylindrical case and manually rotates relative to the cylindrical case, and a driving unit that converts the rotation of the rotating unit into the pressure.

[0007] A liquid spraying method for solving the above problem includes preparing food, and using the liquid spraying device to add the liquid to the food by rotating the rotating part relative to the cylindrical case and spraying the liquid in the tank to the outside from the nozzle part.

[0008] According to each of the above embodiments, the drive unit converts the rotation of the rotating unit into a unidirectional pressure toward the nozzle unit. The nozzle unit receives the unidirectional pressure and sprays the liquid in the tank to the outside. The direction in which the rotating unit rotates is different from the direction in which the nozzle is pressed down. Therefore, the amount of pressure on the nozzle can be visually recognized as the amount of rotation of the rotating unit, so that the amount of liquid sprayed is prevented from varying from operation to operation. Furthermore, when spraying the liquid, it is possible to attract the user's interest and attention by operations other than pressing down the nozzle or pulling in the manual lever.

[0009] Furthermore, the rotating part, driving part, tank, and nozzle part are arranged in one direction in the order in which the operating force is transmitted from the rotating part to the nozzle part. This simplifies the transmission path of the operating force, making it possible to transmit the operating force smoothly. In addition, since the tank and nozzle part are housed in a single cylindrical case, maintenance of the tank and nozzle part can be easily performed at the same time.

[0010] The liquid spray device may include a bottom portion disposed below the cylindrical case, and the nozzle portion may be configured to spray the liquid downward from the bottom portion. With this configuration, the liquid is sprayed by an operation other than pushing down the nozzle or pulling in the manual lever, but the liquid is sprayed downward where the target of the spray is likely to be located. This further enhances the effect of attracting the interest and attention of users.

[0011] In the above liquid material spraying device, the bottom may be configured to be placed on a placement surface and to allow the liquid material spraying device to stand on the placement surface with the bottom placed on the placement surface and the nozzle part separated from the placement surface. With this configuration, it is possible to smoothly switch between spraying the liquid material downward from the bottom and storing the liquid material spraying device with the bottom placed on the placement surface. In addition, the hassle of maintaining the position of the liquid material spraying device using a device other than the liquid material spraying device is reduced during storage of the liquid material spraying device.

[0012] In the liquid spray device, the drive unit may include a piston that reciprocates in the one direction inside the cylindrical case, and the piston may press the nozzle unit in the one direction via the tank. With this configuration, it is possible to adopt a configuration specialized for pressing the nozzle unit.

[0013] In the liquid material spray device, the nozzle unit may include a tip portion having a spray hole, and a supply unit that receives the pressure and supplies air to the tip portion. According to this configuration, spraying caused by pressing the drive unit is achieved by the supply of air by the supply unit.

[0014] In the above liquid material spraying device, the cylindrical case has one end that is rotatably connected to the rotating part, and the liquid material spraying device further has a bottom that is detachably attached to the other end of the cylindrical case, and the cylindrical case may house the tank and the nozzle part such that the tank and the nozzle part can be replaced by removing the bottom part.

[0015] This configuration makes it easy to replenish the liquid and replace the nozzle, and since the tank and the nozzle can be replaced as a unit, the nozzle can be kept clean. In the liquid spray device, the cylindrical case may be integral with the nozzle portion and may house the tank in a replaceable manner. With this configuration, it is easier to perform the task of refilling the liquid compared to when the tank and the nozzle portion are replaced as a unit. Also, the number of components of the liquid spray device is reduced compared to when the cylindrical case and the nozzle portion are separate.

[0016] In the above liquid material spray device, the rotating part may rotate relative to the cylindrical case about a rotation axis extending in the one direction. The above liquid material spraying device may include a column upper part constituting one column extending in the one direction, and a column lower part constituting the column and connected to the column upper part so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis extending in the one direction, the column upper part including the rotating part, and the column lower part including the cylindrical case. With this configuration, the liquid material spraying device is visually recognized as one column, so that the column upper part and the column lower part are given a sense of unity, and a simple appearance is given to the liquid material spraying device that houses a complex mechanism for converting rotation into pressure.

[0017] In the above-mentioned liquid spray device, the liquid may be a flavoring ingredient to be added to food. Effect of the Invention

[0018] The liquid spray device, nozzle drive device, and liquid spray method disclosed herein suppress variation in the amount of liquid sprayed from one operation to the next, and also attract the interest and attention of users through operations other than pushing down the nozzle or pulling in a manual lever. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0019] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a side view showing the external structure of the liquid material spray device. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the internal structure of the liquid material spray device. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing the configuration of a rotating unit and a driving unit. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the operation of the liquid material spray device. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the operation of the liquid material spray device. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is an operational diagram for explaining each step of the liquid material spraying method. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0020] [Liquid spray device] As shown in FIG. 1, the liquid material spraying device includes an operating unit 10 and an actuating unit 20. The liquid material spraying device is a columnar body extending in one direction. The operating unit 10 is an example of an upper part of a column. The actuating unit 20 is an example of a lower part of a column. The liquid material spraying device is configured to stand independently on a placement surface S. The liquid material spraying device allows the operating unit 10 and the actuating unit 20 to be visually recognized as a single independent columnar body.

[0021] The liquid spraying device sprays the liquid LS in a mist. The mist liquid LS is liquid particles LM having a particle size of, for example, 10 μm or more and 50 μm or less. The object sprayed by the liquid spraying device may be a beverage such as a soft drink or alcoholic beverage, or may be a food such as an agricultural product or a processed food. The liquid LS sprayed by the liquid spraying device may be a flavoring added to the object, or may be an oil that is visually recognized as steam or cold air coming from the object. In other words, the liquid LS may contain an aroma component.

[0022] [Apparatus exterior structure] The operation unit 10 includes an operation case 11. The operation case 11 has a cylindrical shape extending in one direction. The operation case 11 may be large enough to be held between fingers or in a hand. The operation case 11 defines an internal space extending in the operating direction DL. The internal space of the operation case 11 is closed at an upper end of the operation case 11. The internal space of the operation case 11 is open at a lower end of the operation case 11.

[0023] Hereinafter, one direction in which the operating case 11 extends is the operating direction DL. The axis extending in the operating direction DL is the rotation axis A. The direction of rotation about the rotation axis A is the operating direction DR. The upper end of each component in the liquid material spraying device is the upper end when the operating direction DL is set vertically downward. The lower end of each component in the liquid material spraying device is the lower end when the operating direction DL is set vertically downward.

[0024] The actuation unit 20 includes a cylindrical case 21 and a bottom 24. The cylindrical case 21 has a cylindrical shape extending in the actuation direction DL. The cylindrical case 21 is arranged coaxially with the operation case 11. The outer diameter of the cylindrical case 21 is approximately equal to the outer diameter of the operation case 11. The outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical case 21 is connected to the outer peripheral surface of the operation case 11 along the actuation direction DL.

[0025] The upper end of the cylindrical case 21 is connected to the lower end of the operation case 11. The cylindrical case 21 is connected to the operation case 11 so as to be rotatable relative to the operation direction DR and non-translatable in the actuation direction DL. The operation case 11 is rotated manually. The operation case 11 rotates on the same axis as the cylindrical case 21. The connection between the cylindrical case 21 and the operation case 11 keeps the outer circumferential surface of the operation case 11 connected to the outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical case 21 while the operation case 11 is rotating. Connecting the outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical case 21 to the outer circumferential surface of the operation case 11 creates a sense of unity between the operation unit 10 and the actuation unit 20 in the appearance of the liquid material spray device.

[0026] The cylindrical case 21 defines an accommodation space 21A (see FIG. 2) extending in the actuation direction DL. The accommodation space 21A of the cylindrical case 21 is open at an upper end of the cylindrical case 21. The accommodation space 21A of the cylindrical case 21 is open at a lower end of the cylindrical case 21.

[0027] The outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical case 21 is provided with a display portion 21H extending in the operating direction DL. The display portion 21H is a hole that penetrates between the external space of the cylindrical case 21 and the storage space 21A of the cylindrical case 21. The display portion 21H makes the storage space 21A of the cylindrical case 21 visible from the external space of the cylindrical case 21.

[0028] The bottom part 24 is connected to the lower end of the cylindrical case 21. The bottom part 24 is placed on a placement surface S such as a table. The bottom part 24 is configured so that the liquid material spray device can stand on the placement surface S by itself, with the bottom part 24 as the lower end and the operation part 10 as the upper end.

[0029] [Device internal structure] 2, the liquid spray device includes a rotating unit 12, a driving unit 15, a tank 22, and a nozzle unit 23. The rotating unit 12, the driving unit 15, the tank 22, and the nozzle unit 23 are arranged in this order in the operating direction DL. The driving unit 15 is disposed between the rotating unit 12 and the tank 22 in the operating direction DL. The tank 22 is disposed between the driving unit 15 and the nozzle unit 23 in the operating direction DL.

[0030] The operation case 11 houses the rotating unit 12 and the driving unit 15. The cylindrical case 21 defines a housing space 21A that penetrates the cylindrical case 21. The housing space 21A extends in the operating direction DL and is expanded in the operating direction DL. The housing space 21A has an upper small diameter portion and a lower large diameter portion. The cylindrical case 21 houses a tank 22 and a nozzle portion 23 in the housing space 21A.

[0031] The rotating part 12 has a two-stage cylindrical shape. The upper end of the rotating part 12 is fixed to the operation case 11. The lower end of the rotating part 12 is rotatably connected to the upper end of the cylindrical case 21 in an operating direction DL and undetachably connected to the upper end of the cylindrical case 21. Rotation of the operation case 11 in the operating direction DR rotates the rotating part 12 in the operating direction DR.

[0032] The driving part 15 protrudes in the operating direction DL from the rotating part 12. The part of the driving part 15 that protrudes from the rotating part 12 is a pressing part 15B (see FIG. 3). The pressing part 15B is inserted into the upper end part of the cylindrical case 21.

[0033] [Operating part 20] The bottom portion 24 is detachably attached to the lower end portion 21T of the cylindrical case 21. The bottom portion 24 has a truncated cone shape extending in the opposite direction to the operating direction DL. The upper end portion of the bottom portion 24 is an insertion hole 24H. The insertion hole 24H is accommodated in the large diameter portion of the accommodation space 21A.

[0034] The tank 22 is a colorless and transparent cylinder. The tank 22 stores the liquid material LS. The position of the tank 22 in the operating direction DL overlaps with the position of the display unit 21H in the operating direction DL. The display unit 21H makes the inside of the tank 22 visible from the external space of the cylindrical case 21. The display unit 21H displays the remaining amount of the liquid material LS in the tank 22.

[0035] The upper end of the tank 22 closes the internal space of the tank 22. The upper end of the tank 22 is a pressed surface that is pressed by the pressing portion 15B. The lower end of the tank 22 is connected to the nozzle portion 23. The tank 22 is accommodated in the small diameter portion of the accommodation space 21A so as to be able to translate in the operating direction DL. The tank 22 translates in the operating direction DL when pressed in the operating direction DL by the drive portion 15.

[0036] The nozzle portion 23 is connected to the tank 22. The nozzle portion 23 includes a tip portion 23T and a supply portion 23A. The tip portion 23T is inserted into an insertion hole 24H, which is the upper end portion of the bottom portion 24. The tip portion 23T includes a spray hole communicating with the tank 22. The lower end portion of the tip portion 23T is disposed inside the bottom portion 24 so as not to protrude in the operating direction DL beyond the lower end portion of the bottom portion 24. Disposing the tip portion 23T inside the bottom portion 24 increases the cleanliness of the tip portion 23T by providing a gap between the tip portion 23T and the placement surface S, and enables the liquid spray device to stand on its own.

[0037] Supply unit 23A is configured to be extendable and retractable in operating direction DL. Lower end 23P of supply unit 23A is accommodated in the large diameter portion of accommodation space 21A. It abuts against insertion opening 24H of bottom 24. The abutment of lower end 23P of supply unit 23A against bottom 24 allows supply unit 23A to contract when pressed by drive unit 15.

[0038] Supply unit 23A receives pressure in the operating direction DL from drive unit 15 through tank 22. Supply unit 23A contracts due to the pressure received from drive unit 15 and supplies air to tip portion 23T. Tip portion 23T receives a supply of air from supply unit 23A and sprays the liquid material LS in tank 22 in the operating direction DL. When the pressure from drive unit 15 is released, supply unit 23A releases its contraction.

[0039] Removing the bottom 24 from the cylindrical case 21 allows maintenance of the inside of the cylindrical case 21. The shape of the storage space 21A allows the tank 22 and the nozzle portion 23 to be extracted from the storage space 21A by removing the bottom 24 from the cylindrical case 21. The shape of the storage space 21A allows a new tank 22 and nozzle portion 23 to be inserted into the storage space 21A by removing the bottom 24 from the cylindrical case 21. The tank 22 and the nozzle portion 23 are configured to be replaceable as a unit. Replacing the tank 22 and the nozzle portion 23 as a unit increases the cleanliness of the nozzle portion 23.

[0040] The nozzle driving device includes a cylindrical case 21 that houses the nozzle portion 23, a rotating portion 12 that is manually rotated relative to the cylindrical case 21, and a driving portion 15 that converts the rotation of the rotating portion 12 into pressure.

[0041] [Operation unit 10] As shown in FIG. 3, the rotating part 12 includes a connecting part 13 and a holding case 14. The connecting portion 13 is a resin member having a two-stage cylindrical shape extending in the actuation direction DL. The upper stage of the connecting portion 13 is a small diameter portion of the connecting portion 13 and has a cylindrical shape extending in the actuation direction DL. The upper stage of the connecting portion 13 is fixed to the operation case 11.

[0042] The lower stage of the connecting portion 13 is a large diameter portion of the connecting portion 13 and is provided with a face gear 13T on the lower surface thereof, the face gear 13T being connected in the operation direction DR. The face gear 13T has teeth protruding in the actuation direction DL connected in the operation direction DR.

[0043] The holding case 14 is a resin member having a cylindrical shape extending in the actuation direction DL. The holding case 14 is housed in the operation case 11. The internal space of the holding case 14 is open at an upper end 14H of the holding case 14. The internal space of the holding case 14 is open at a lower end of the holding case 14. The holding case 14 has an upper portion of the connecting portion 13 protruding from the upper end 14H of the holding case 14.

[0044] An upper end 14H of the holding case 14 prevents the lower part of the connecting part 13 from slipping out of the holding case 14. The holding case 14 accommodates the face gear 13T of the connecting part 13 so that it can rotate but cannot translate in the actuation direction DL. Rotation of the operation case 11 in the operation direction DR rotates the face gear 13T in the operation direction DR inside the holding case 14.

[0045] The driving part 15 is a resin member having a two-stage cylindrical shape extending in the actuation direction DL. The upper stage of the driving part 15 has a face gear 15T on the upper surface thereof, which is connected to the operation direction DR. The face gear 15T has teeth protruding in the actuation direction DL connected to the operation direction DR. The face gear 15T has a shape that meshes with the face gear 13T.

[0046] The lower part of the drive part 15 is the pressing part 15B, which has a columnar shape extending in the operating direction DL. The pressing part 15B has a shape in which a part of the outer circumferential surface of a cylinder is cut out by a plane extending in the operating direction DL. The pressing part 15B is inserted into the accommodation space 21A from the upper end part of the cylindrical case 21 so as to abut against the pressed surface of the tank 22. The upper end part of the cylindrical case 21 has an opening corresponding to the outer circumferential surface of the pressing part 15B, which disables the pressing part 15B from rotating along the operating direction DR.

[0047] 4, the retaining case 14 accommodates the face gear 15T of the driving unit 15 so as to be non-rotatable and translatable in the operating direction DL. The pressing unit 15B has a coil spring 16 fitted thereon. The coil spring 16 is disposed between the face gear 15T and the cylindrical case 21. The coil spring 16 biases the face gear 15T toward the face gear 13T.

[0048] In the internal space of the retaining case 14, the face gear 15T biased by the coil spring 16 meshes with the face gear 13T. The tooth pitch PR of the face gears 13T and 15T may be large enough to arrange multiple gear teeth in the operation direction DR, or may be large enough to arrange one gear tooth extending in the operation direction DR.

[0049] As shown in Fig. 5, the rotating part 12 rotates in the operation direction DR by a rotation amount R in response to the rotation of the operation case 11. Then, the face gear 13T, whose translation in the operation direction DL is restricted, presses down the face gear 15T, whose translation in the operation direction DL is permitted and whose rotation in the operation direction DR is restricted, by an operation amount L in the operation direction DL against the bias of the coil spring 16. The pressing part 15B of the drive part 15 presses down the tank 22 in the operation direction DL by the operation amount L. As a result, the rotation of the operation case 11 is converted by the drive part 15 into a pressing force against the nozzle part 23, and the liquid material LS is sprayed from the nozzle part 23.

[0050] When the rotation amount R of the operation case 11 reaches the tooth pitch PR, the bias of the coil spring 16 pushes up the face gear 15T by the tooth height of the face gear 13T. As a result, the face gear 15T meshes with the face gear 13T again. Then, every time the rotation amount R of the operation case 11 reaches the tooth pitch PR, the nozzle portion 23 sprays the liquid material LS.

[0051] [Liquid spraying method] As shown in FIG. 6, the liquid spraying method includes preparing a food product F and adding a liquid product LS to the food product F.

[0052] The food F may be a beverage such as a soft drink or alcoholic beverage, a processed food, or a fresh food. The food F may be contained in a cup C, a bowl-shaped container, or a plate-shaped container.

[0053] Adding the liquid material LS to the food F includes rotating the operation case 11 relative to the cylindrical case 21. The rotation of the operation case 11 may be performed by a user of the liquid material spray device. The user of the liquid material spray device may hold the cylindrical case 21 with one hand and hold the operation case 11 with the other hand, and then rotate the operation case 11 relative to the cylindrical case 21 in the operation direction DR.

[0054] At this time, the user of the liquid spray device rotates the operation case 11 in the operation direction DR by a distance greater than the tooth pitch PR. Each time the rotation amount R of the operation case 11 reaches the tooth pitch PR, the biasing force of the coil spring 16 alternately increases and decreases. Each time the biasing force of the coil spring increases and decreases, the nozzle portion 23 sprays the liquid material LS as liquid particles LM. The sprayed liquid particles LM are added to the food F. During this time, the user of the liquid spray device visually grasps the rotation amount R of the cylindrical case 21 and grasps the amount of liquid material sprayed. In addition, each time the biasing force of the coil spring 16 increases and decreases, the user of the liquid spray device tactilely grasps that the rotation amount R of the cylindrical case 21 has reached the tooth pitch PR, that is, that the liquid material LS has been sprayed only once.

[0055] [effect] As described above, according to one embodiment of the liquid material spray device and nozzle drive device, the following effects can be obtained.

[0056] (1) The operation direction DR in which the operation unit 10 rotates is the direction around the rotation axis A, which is different from the direction in which the nozzle is pressed down or the manual lever is pulled in. This makes it possible to suppress variation in the amount of liquid material LS sprayed for each operation, which is caused by the amount of pressure applied to the nozzle being invisible.

[0057] In particular, when the liquid material LS is a flavoring component, variations in the size of the liquid particles LM or variations in the sprayed weight of the liquid material LS have a significant effect on the flavor of the food F. Keeping the size of the liquid particles LM constant or the sprayed weight of the liquid material LS constant for each operation makes it easier to impart the food F with the flavor intended by the user.

[0058] When spraying the liquid LS, it is possible to attract the user's interest and attention by performing operations other than pushing down the nozzle or pulling in the manual lever. (2) When the liquid LS is sprayed from the bottom 24 downward, where the target of the spray, such as a beverage or food, is likely to be placed, the effect equivalent to (1) above is further enhanced.

[0059] (3) When the liquid material spray device is configured to be self-supporting, the hassle of having to maintain the position of the liquid material spray device using a device other than the liquid material spray device is reduced when storing the liquid material spray device.

[0060] (4) When the liquid spraying device is configured to be self-supporting with the bottom 24 as the lower end, switching between spraying the liquid LS downward from the bottom 24 and storing the liquid spraying device with the bottom 24 placed on the support surface S can be smoothly performed.

[0061] (5) When the rotating unit 12, the driving unit 15, the tank 22, and the nozzle unit 23 are arranged in the operating direction DL in the order in which the operating force is transmitted from the rotating unit 12 to the nozzle unit 23, the transmission path of the operating force is simpler than when the transmission order is different from the arrangement order. Therefore, the operating force is smoothly transmitted from the rotating unit 12 to the nozzle unit 23.

[0062] (6) When the tank 22 and the nozzle portion 23 are housed in a single cylindrical case 21, maintenance of the tank 22 and the nozzle portion 23 is likely to be performed at the same time. (7) When the tank 22 and the nozzle portion 23 can be replaced as a unit by removing the bottom portion 24, refilling with the liquid material LS and replacing the nozzle portion 23 are easy, and the nozzle portion 23 is easier to clean.

[0063] (8) When the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical case 21 is joined to the outer peripheral surface of the operation case 11, the operation unit 10 and the working unit 20 appear as one unit in the external appearance of the liquid spray device. The above-described embodiment can be modified as follows.

[0064] [Operation unit 10] The operation unit 10 may include an operation handle rotatably connected to the operation case 11. In this case, the operation handle rotates relative to the operation case 11 about a central axis different from the rotation axis A. Alternatively, the operation unit 10 may include an operation handle rotatably connected to the rotating unit 12. In this case, the operation handle rotates relative to the rotating unit 12 about a central axis different from the rotation axis A.

[0065] The central axis of the operating handle may extend in the actuation direction DL or in a direction different from the actuation direction DL. When the central axis of the operating handle extends in the actuation direction DL, the central axis of the operating handle is offset from the rotation axis A. According to this modification, in addition to the effects equivalent to those of (1) to (7) above, the operating handle rolls around the rotation axis A of the rotating part 12, so that the user feels an improved sense of operation when rotating the rotating part 12.

[0066] When the central axis of the operating handle extends in a direction different from the actuation direction DL, the operating unit 10 further includes a conversion mechanism that converts rotation of the operating handle into rotation of the rotating unit 12. In this modified example, in addition to the effects equivalent to those of (1) to (7) above, the operating handle rolls about an axis inclined with respect to the rotation axis A, so that the user feels a greater sense of operation when rotating the rotating unit 12.

[0067] [Operation Case 11] The operation case 11 may have an elliptical cylindrical shape, a rectangular cylindrical shape, a polygonal cylindrical shape, or a cylindrical shape other than these. In this case, the cylindrical case 21 may have a shape in which the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical case 21 is connected to the outer peripheral surface of the operation case 11. Connecting the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical case 21 to the outer peripheral surface of the operation case 11 creates a sense of unity between the operation unit 10 and the actuation unit 20 in the appearance of the liquid material spray device.

[0068] The operation case 11 may have a geometric shape other than a cylindrical shape, or may have an irregular shape suitable for being pinched by fingers or gripped by hand, as long as it has a shape that rotates around the rotation axis A relative to the nozzle part 23. Even in this modification, the effects equivalent to those of (1) to (7) above can be obtained.

[0069] [Cylindrical case 21] The cylindrical case 21 may be configured integrally with the bottom portion 24, or may be configured integrally with the nozzle portion 23. In this case, the cylindrical case 21 may define the storage space 21A and an upper end portion so that the tank 22 can be removed from and inserted into the upper end portion of the cylindrical case 21.

[0070] According to this modification, the effects equivalent to those of (1) to (5) above can be obtained. Also, compared to the case where the tank 22 and the nozzle part 23 are replaced as a unit, it is easier to perform the work of refilling the liquid material LS. Also, compared to the case where the cylindrical case 21 and the nozzle part 23 are separate, the number of components of the liquid material spray device is reduced.

[0071] [Display section 21H] The display unit 21H may be equipped with a color filter. The color filter converts the reflected or transmitted light by the liquid LS into a color to display the remaining amount of the liquid LS. The color converted by the display unit 21H may enhance empathy with the scent or flavor of the liquid LS. For example, if the liquid LS has a citrus scent, the display unit 21H may convert the colorless liquid LS into yellow. If the liquid LS is a fragrance that gives a refreshing feeling, the display unit 21H may convert the colorless liquid LS into blue.

[0072] The function of converting the reflected light by the liquid material LS into a color may be provided in the tank 22. That is, the tank 22 may be colored and transparent. In this case, the display unit 21H may be formed of a hole penetrating the outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical case 21 without including a color filter.

[0073] [Drive unit 15] The driving unit 15 may be composed of two or more transmission elements. For example, the driving unit 15 may include a conversion unit that converts the rotation of the rotating unit 12 into translation in the operating direction DL, and a piston that reciprocates so as to press the tank by the translation of the conversion unit, as separate bodies. According to this modification, each function of the driving unit 15 is performed by a separate member, which makes it easy to adopt a structure specialized for each mechanism.

[0074] The driving unit 15 may be accommodated in the accommodation space 21A of the cylindrical case 21. When the tank 22 and the nozzle unit 23 are arranged with a gap between them in the operating direction DL, the rotating unit 12 and the driving unit 15 may be arranged between the tank 22 and the nozzle unit 23. [Explanation of symbols]

[0075] A…Rotation axis DL…Operation direction DR…Operation direction S…Placement surface 10...Operation unit 11…Operation case 12...Rotating part 15...Drive unit 20...Operating part 21...Cylindrical case 22. Tank 23…Nozzle section 23T…Tip 24...bottom

Claims

1. A tank for storing a liquid material; a nozzle portion that sprays the liquid material in the tank to the outside when pressed in one direction; A liquid spray device comprising: A rotating part that is manually rotated relative to the nozzle part; A drive unit that converts the rotation of the rotating unit into the pressing force; a cylindrical case rotatably connected to the rotating portion and extending in the one direction; Equipped with the cylindrical case accommodates the tank and the nozzle portion, the drive unit is disposed between the rotation unit and the tank in the one direction, the tank is disposed between the drive unit and the nozzle unit in the one direction, The columnar shape extends in the one direction. Liquid spray device.

2. A bottom portion is disposed below the cylindrical case, The nozzle portion is configured to spray the liquid material downward from the bottom portion. The liquid material spray device according to claim 1.

3. The bottom portion is configured to be placed on a placement surface and to allow the liquid material spray device to stand on the placement surface in a state in which the nozzle portion is separated from the placement surface. The liquid material spray device according to claim 2.

4. The drive unit is a piston that reciprocates in the cylindrical case in the one direction, The piston presses the nozzle portion in the one direction via the tank. The liquid material spray device according to claim 1.

5. The nozzle portion is A tip portion having a spray hole; A supply unit that receives the pressure and supplies air to the tip portion, The liquid material spray device according to claim 1.

6. the cylindrical case has one end rotatably connected to the rotating portion, The liquid material spray device further includes a bottom portion detachably attached to the other end portion of the cylindrical case, the cylindrical case accommodates the tank and the nozzle unit in a manner that allows the tank and the nozzle unit to be replaced by removing the bottom portion; The liquid material spray device according to claim 1.

7. the cylindrical case is integral with the nozzle portion and houses the tank in a replaceable manner; The liquid material spray device according to claim 1.

8. The rotating portion rotates with respect to the cylindrical case about a rotation axis extending in the one direction. The liquid material spray device according to claim 1.

9. A column upper portion constituting one column body extending in the one direction; a column lower part that is rotatably connected to the column upper part around a rotation axis extending in the one direction and that constitutes the column body, The pillar upper portion includes the rotating portion, The pillar lower portion includes the cylindrical case. The liquid material spray device according to claim 1.

10. The liquid contains an aroma component to be added to food. The liquid material spray device according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

11. Preparing food; and 10. The method of claim 1, further comprising: rotating the rotating part relative to the cylindrical case to spray the liquid in the tank from the nozzle part to the outside, thereby adding the liquid to the food. A method for spraying liquid material.

12. The food product is a beverage, and the liquid contains an aroma component. The liquid material spraying method according to claim 11.

13. A nozzle driving device that drives a nozzle portion that sprays a liquid material in a tank to the outside by receiving pressure in one direction, A cylindrical case that houses the nozzle portion; a rotating part that is connected to the cylindrical case and that is manually rotated relative to the cylindrical case; A drive unit converts the rotation of the rotating unit into the pressing force. Nozzle drive device.

Images