Discharger

Abstract

To increase a discharge quantity of a content of a discharger by one operation of a trigger lever and to enable uninterrupted discharge.SOLUTION: A discharger 1 comprises: a first piston 40A and a second piston 40B; a first cylinder 30A which accommodates the first piston 40A; a second cylinder 30B which has an inner diameter smaller than the first cylinder 30A, and accommodates the second piston 40B; a valve part 80 which permits communication between a space S1 below and a space S2 above the first piston 40A when the stem 10 moves downward, and blocks communication between the space S1 below and the space S2 above the first piston 40A when the stem 10 moves upward; a cylinder capacity change member 90 which is provided in the second cylinder 30B, increases a capacity of the second cylinder 30B in association with the downward movement and decreases the capacity of the second cylinder 30B in association with the upward movement; and an energization member 94 which energizes the cylinder capacity change member 90 upward.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a dispenser.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a dispenser described in Patent Document 1 below has been known. This dispenser includes a stem disposed so as to be movable downward in an upwardly biased state, a discharge head attached to the upper end of the stem and having a discharge hole for the content, a trigger lever for pushing down the discharge head, a cylindrical piston interlocked with the stem, and a cylinder in which the piston is slidably accommodated vertically. When the trigger lever is pulled, the piston moves downward together with the stem, and the content in the cylinder pressurized by the piston is discharged from the discharge hole through the stem.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, there is a demand for a conventional dispenser to discharge (apply, adhere) the content over a wide range or to extend the discharge time of the content. For this reason, it is required to increase the discharge amount of the content by one operation of the trigger lever and to enable a discharge that is less likely to be interrupted.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object thereof is to increase the discharge amount of the content of the dispenser by one operation of the trigger lever and to enable a discharge that is less likely to be interrupted.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] (1) The dispenser according to the present invention includes a stem disposed at the mouth of a container body for accommodating contents, the stem being movable downward in an upwardly biased state, a discharge head having a discharge hole formed therein and communicating with the inside of the stem, a trigger lever linked to the discharge head, a first piston provided on the stem, a second piston provided on the stem at a position different from the first piston in the vertical direction, a first cylinder for slidably accommodating the first piston in the vertical direction, a second cylinder connected to the first cylinder and having an interior vertically communicating with the interior of the first cylinder and a smaller inner diameter than the first cylinder, for slidably accommodating the second piston in the vertical direction, a valve portion that allows communication between the space below the first piston and the space above in the interior of the first cylinder when the stem moves downward, and blocks communication between the space below the first piston and the space above in the interior of the first cylinder when the stem moves upward, a cylinder capacity changing member disposed slidably in the vertical direction within the second cylinder, increasing the capacity of the second cylinder as it moves downward and decreasing the capacity of the second cylinder as it moves upward, and a biasing member for biasing the cylinder capacity changing member upward, wherein the cylinder capacity changing member moves downward against the biasing force of the biasing member as the pressure in the second cylinder rises.

[0007] According to the dispenser of the present invention, when the trigger lever is operated and the stem moves downward against the bias, the contents filled in the interior of the second cylinder are pressurized by the second piston and discharged to the outside through the discharge hole via the stem. When the stem moves downward, the valve portion allows communication between the space below the first piston and the space above in the interior of the first cylinder. Then, while the contents are being discharged from the interior of the second cylinder, the interior of the first cylinder, which vertically communicates with the interior of the second cylinder, is filled with the contents from the space below the first piston. When the trigger lever is released and the stem moves upward by biasing, the valve portion blocks the communication between the space below the first piston and the space above it inside the first cylinder. Then, the contents filled inside the first cylinder are pressurized by the first piston that moves upward together with the stem. Here, inside the second cylinder, although the volume increases due to the second piston moving upward together with the stem, since the inner diameter of the second cylinder is smaller than that of the first cylinder, the decrease in the volume of the first cylinder is greater than the increase in the volume of the second cylinder. As a result, the difference between the volume (internal volume) of the first cylinder and the volume (internal volume) of the second cylinder causes the contents to be discharged from the discharge hole. That is, the inside of the first cylinder and the inside of the second cylinder are in a pressurized state as a whole. Then, even when the trigger lever associated with the stem returns to its original position, the contents inside the second cylinder are pressurized, and the contents are discharged to the outside through the stem. By the way, after finishing pulling the trigger lever and while releasing the hand and the trigger lever starts to return to its original position, the supply of the contents from the second cylinder to the stem temporarily stops. However, the second cylinder is provided with a cylinder volume changing member that moves downward as the pressure in the second cylinder rises and increases the volume of the second cylinder. When the supply of the contents from the second cylinder to the stem temporarily stops, the cylinder volume changing member moves upward (returns) by the biasing force of the biasing member, whereby the volume of the second cylinder decreases and the inside of the second cylinder becomes a pressurized state. Then, even while releasing the hand after finishing pulling the trigger lever and the trigger lever starts to return to its original position, the contents inside the second cylinder are pressurized, and the contents are discharged to the outside through the stem. Thus, according to the ejector according to the present invention, not only the contents are discharged when the trigger lever is operated, but also after finishing pulling the trigger lever, until the operation of releasing the hand and the trigger lever starts to return to its original position, and further, the contents can be discharged even when the trigger lever returns to its original position. Therefore, it is possible to increase the discharge amount of the contents by one operation of the trigger lever and enable a discharge that is less likely to be interrupted.

[0008] (2) The cylinder capacity changing member may have a first pressure receiving portion facing the first cylinder side and a second pressure receiving portion facing the second cylinder side and having a larger pressure receiving area than the first pressure receiving portion.

[0009] In this case, the cylinder capacity changing member can be moved downward by the difference between the pressure receiving area of the pressure applied to the first cylinder side and the pressure receiving area of the pressure applied to the second cylinder side.

[0010] (3) The cylinder capacity changing member has a connecting cylinder connecting the first pressure receiving portion and the second pressure receiving portion, the inner diameter of the connecting cylinder is larger than the outer diameter of the stem, and an annular flow path through which the content can flow in the vertical direction may be formed between the connecting cylinder and the stem.

[0011] In this case, the cylinder capacity changing member can be moved in the vertical direction within the second cylinder without hindering the flow of the content.

Advantages of the Invention

[0012] According to the dispenser of the present invention, it is possible to increase the discharge amount of the content of the dispenser by one operation of the trigger lever and enable a discharge that is less likely to stop.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0013]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0014] Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings, a dispenser according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0015] The dispenser 1 shown in FIG. 1 includes a pump section 3 that discharges the contents from a bottomed cylindrical container body 2, a mounting cap 4 that mounts the pump section 3 to the mouth portion 2a of the container body 2, a trigger lever 6 linked to the pump section 3, and a support member 5 that supports the trigger lever 6. The pump section 3 includes a stem 10, a discharge head 20, a cylinder 30, a first piston 40A, and a second piston 40B.

[0016] The mounting cap 4, the stem 10, the cylinder 30, the first piston 40A, and the second piston 40B are arranged in a state where their respective central axes are located on the common axis. Hereinafter, this common axis is referred to as the container axis O, and the direction along the container axis O is referred to as the vertical direction. Also, in a plan view seen from the vertical direction, the direction intersecting the container axis O is referred to as the radial direction, and the direction circulating around the container axis O is referred to as the circumferential direction.

[0017] Also, the direction in which the discharge head 20 extends in a plan view is referred to as the front-rear direction. Along the front-rear direction, the discharge hole 3a side of the discharge head 20 is referred to as the front, and the side opposite to the discharge hole 3a of the discharge head 20 is referred to as the rear. The direction orthogonal to both the vertical direction and the front-rear direction is referred to as the left-right direction.

[0018] The mounting cap 4 is formed in a toped cylindrical shape with an opening formed at the center. On the inner peripheral surface of the mounting cap 4, a female screw is formed that screws onto the male screw formed on the outer peripheral surface of the mouth portion 2a of the container body 2.

[0019] The support member 5 is attached to the upper end of a cylinder 30 inserted through the opening of the mounting cap 4. The support member 5 includes a roofed cylindrical surrounding cylinder portion 51 externally mounted on the upper end of the cylinder 30, a guide cylinder 52 extending upward from the top wall of the surrounding cylinder portion 51, a pair of side wall portions 56 protruding rearward from the surrounding cylinder portion 51 and arranged at intervals in the left - right direction, and a rear wall portion 57 connecting the rear end edges of the side wall portions 56 in the left - right direction.

[0020] The top wall of the surrounding cylinder portion 51 is formed in an annular shape with a central opening, and the guide cylinder 52 is continuously provided at the inner peripheral edge portion of this top wall. A stem 10 is inserted through the guide cylinder 52 so as to be movable in the vertical direction. On the lower surface of the top wall of the surrounding cylinder portion 51, an inner hanging cylinder portion 54 through which the stem 10 is inserted inward and an outer hanging cylinder portion 55 arranged between the inner hanging cylinder portion 54 and the peripheral wall of the surrounding cylinder portion 51 are formed.

[0021] On the peripheral surface of the lower end portion of the peripheral wall of the surrounding cylinder portion 51, a facing portion 51a is formed so as to face the top wall portion of the mounting cap 4 in the vertical direction with a gap therebetween. The outer hanging cylinder portion 55 is fitted inside the upper end of the cylinder 30. The inner hanging cylinder portion 54 is continuously provided with the guide cylinder 52.

[0022] The pair of side wall portions 56 gradually extend upward from the front side to the rear side. At the upper ends of the pair of side wall portions 56, a shaft body 58 protrudes outward in the left - right direction. The shaft body 58 is arranged behind the stem 10. The shaft body 58 serves as the swing shaft of the trigger lever 6. On the inner surface of the rear wall portion 57, a reinforcing wall 59 is formed which protrudes upward and integrally connects the inner surfaces of the pair of side wall portions 56 in the left - right direction.

[0023] The trigger lever 6 is attached to the support member 5 via the shaft body 58. As a result, the trigger lever 6 is connected to the support member 5 so as to be swingable about an axis extending in the left - right direction. The trigger lever 6 has a top plate portion 61 that covers the discharge head 20 from above, a front plate portion 62 that gradually extends downward as it goes forward from the front edge of the top plate portion 61, and a pair of side plate portions 63 that extend downward from the side edges on both the left and right sides of the top plate portion 61 and face each other in the left - right direction.

[0024] The discharge head 20 is disposed in the internal space surrounded by the top plate portion 61 and the pair of side plate portions 63. The pair of side plate portions 63 are arranged to sandwich the discharge head 20 from the left and right directions. The top plate portion 61 has a smoothly curved shape that bulges upward, and its rear end portion is in contact with the upper end portion of the rear wall portion 57 of the support member 5 from above. As a result, the upward swing of the trigger lever 6 about the shaft body 58 is restricted.

[0025] A through - hole 64 that penetrates the top plate portion 61 is formed in the front - side portion of the top plate portion 61. The through - hole 64 is formed in the central portion of the top plate portion 61 in the left - right direction and opens forward. As a result, the front - side portion of the top plate portion 61 has a bifurcated shape in the left - right direction. The front plate portion 62 gradually extends downward as it goes forward from the front edge of the bifurcated top plate portion 61.

[0026] The nozzle cylinder portion 22 of the discharge head 20 is inserted into the through - hole 64. The nozzle cylinder portion 22 projects forward from the front plate portion 62 through the through - hole 64. The pair of side plate portions 63 of the trigger lever 6 sandwich the upper portions of the pair of side wall portions 56 of the support member 5 in the left - right direction. The lower - side portion of the front plate portion 62 is a finger - hanging portion for hanging a fingertip.

[0027] The trigger lever 6 has an engagement groove formed at the lower end of a plate portion that projects inward in the left - right direction from a pair of side plate portions 63 and engages with the shaft portion 23 of the discharge head 20. In the above configuration, when the trigger lever 6 swings downward around the shaft body 58, the shaft portion 23 of the discharge head 20 is pushed downward by the trigger lever 6, and the stem 10 moves downward.

[0028] The stem 10 is formed in a cylindrical shape extending in the vertical direction and is provided inside the guide cylinder 52 so as to be movable downward in an upward - biasing state. A piston guide 11 is fitted onto the stem 10 from below. The piston guide 11 extends downward beyond the lower end portion of the stem 10. The piston guide 11 is a part of the components of the stem 10. When the discharge head 20 is a separate part from the stem 10 and is attached to the upper end portion of the stem 10, the stem 10 and the piston guide 11 may be integrally formed.

[0029] A communication hole 12 is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the piston guide 11 that extends downward from the stem 10. The communication hole 12 communicates the inside of the stem 10 with the inside of the cylinder 30 through the inside of the piston guide 11. An attachment groove 13 for attaching the first piston 40A is formed in an annular shape on the peripheral surface at the lower end portion of the piston guide 11.

[0030] The piston guide 11 includes a rod portion 14 that extends downward beyond the first piston 40A. The lower end portion of the rod portion 14 is positioned directly above a valve body 33, which will be described later, when the stem 10 is at the lower - end position. Thereby, it restricts the valve body 33 from disengaging upward from the regulating projection 31e.

[0031] At the upper end of the stem 10, a discharge head 20 having a discharge hole 3a formed therein is provided. On the outside of the discharge head 20, a shaft portion 23 protruding in the left - right direction is formed. The discharge head 20 includes a cylindrical nozzle tube portion 22 protruding forward from the upper end portion of the stem 10. Inside the nozzle tube portion 22, a supply hole 22a for communicating the flow path inside the nozzle tube portion 22 in the front - rear direction is formed. At the rear end portion of the nozzle tube portion 22, a stopper 70 for restricting the downward movement of the stem 10 can be locked.

[0032] The stopper 70 is provided so as to be swingable around a rotation axis 71 and restricts the downward movement of the discharge head 20. The stopper 70 is movably disposed between a regulation position for restricting the downward movement of the discharge head 20 and a regulation release position in which it swings backward around the rotation axis 71 with respect to the regulation position and allows the downward movement of the discharge head 20. Both left - right ends of the rotation axis 71 are pivotally supported by a surrounding cylinder portion 51.

[0033] The stopper 70 has an operation main surface 72, a pair of operation side surfaces 73 continuously provided on the operation main surface 72, and a regulation plate portion 74 provided on the pair of operation side surfaces 73 and capable of being interposed between the discharge head 20 and the guide cylinder 52. The pair of operation side surfaces 73 are formed in a fan - shape when viewed from the left - right direction, and the rotation axis 71 is disposed at the center - angle portion thereof. The regulation plate portion 74 is formed in a semi - cylindrical shape with the front side open.

[0034] When the stopper 70 is brought close to the stem 10 to be in a locked state, the regulation plate portion 74 restricts the downward pressing of the discharge head 20. And when the stopper 70 is separated from the stem 10 to be in an unlocked state, the downward - pressing regulation by the regulation plate portion 74 is released. According to this configuration, it becomes possible to provide the operation main surface 72 of the stopper 70 at a position (rear) outside the support member 5, and since the stopper 70 can be made into a large configuration, the stopper 70 that is easy to operate can be obtained.

[0035] Ahead of the supply hole 22a in the nozzle cylinder part 22, a mandrel body 25 extending in the front-rear direction and a nozzle tip 26 having a top-shaped cylindrical shape attached to the front end of the mandrel body 25 are provided. On the outer peripheral surface of the mandrel body 25, a plurality of flow path grooves are formed that extend in the front-rear direction and allow the flow of the content between the inner peripheral surface of the nozzle cylinder part 22.

[0036] The nozzle tip 26 is arranged coaxially with the mandrel body 25 and is formed in a top-shaped cylindrical shape into which the front end of the mandrel body 25 is inserted. The peripheral wall of the nozzle tip 26 is fitted into the nozzle cylinder part 22. The top wall of the nozzle tip 26 is in contact with the front end surface of the mandrel body 25. On the rear surface of the top wall of the nozzle tip 26 that contacts the front end surface of the mandrel body 25, a spin flow path communicating with the flow path groove of the mandrel body 25 is formed. At the central portion of the top wall of the nozzle tip 26, a discharge hole 3a communicating with the spin flow path opens forward.

[0037] The rear end opening of the nozzle cylinder part 22 is closed by a lid member 24. Behind the supply hole 22a of the nozzle cylinder part 22, a pressure accumulation valve 101 is arranged. The pressure accumulation valve 101 is provided in the nozzle cylinder part 22 and blocks the communication between the inside of the stem 10 and the discharge hole 3a. The pressure accumulation valve 101 is provided in the nozzle cylinder part 22 so as to be movable back and forth and is biased forward (toward the discharge hole 3a) by a valve biasing member 102. When the internal pressure in the rear part of the nozzle cylinder part 22 exceeds a predetermined value, the pressure accumulation valve 101 moves backward (opposite to the discharge hole 3a) against the biasing force of the valve biasing member 102, so that the inside of the stem 10 and the discharge hole 3a communicate with each other, and the content is discharged from the discharge hole 3a.

[0038] According to this configuration, since the pressure at which the content is discharged can be adjusted to a predetermined value by the pressure accumulation valve 101, the discharge state (discharge pattern, etc.) of the content when the trigger lever 6 is operated and when the trigger lever 6 returns to its original position can be made the same. As the pressure accumulation valve 101, a configuration can also be adopted in which the pressure accumulation valve 101 moves backward due to the difference between the pressure receiving area on the discharge hole 3a side and the pressure receiving area on the side that opens the discharge hole 3a.

[0039] The first piston 40A is attached to the mounting groove 13 of the piston guide 11 of the stem 10. The first piston 40A includes a base portion 41A, a sliding portion 42A, a seal cylinder portion 43A, and a spring receiving portion 44A. The base portion 41A is formed in a disc shape in a plan view and extends radially outward from the piston guide 11.

[0040] The sliding portion 42A extends upward in a cylindrical shape from the outer peripheral edge of the base portion 41A. The sliding portion 42A is formed in an inverted conical shape that expands in diameter and gradually decreases in thickness as it goes upward. The upper end portion of the sliding portion 42A is easily elastically deformed in the radial direction and is slidably in contact with the inner wall surface of the first cylinder 30A (described later) in the vertical direction. The sliding portion 42A forms a valve portion 80 (described later).

[0041] The seal cylinder portion 43A extends upward in a cylindrical shape from the central portion on the upper surface of the base portion 41A. The inner peripheral surface of the seal cylinder portion 43A is in close contact with the outer peripheral surface of the piston guide 11. The spring receiving portion 44A is vertically provided from the lower surface of the base portion 41A. A step for receiving the upper end portion of the coil spring 34 is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the spring receiving portion 44A.

[0042] The second piston 40B is provided above the first piston 40A on the stem 10. The second piston 40B includes a continuous cylinder portion 41B and a cylindrical sliding portion 42B. The continuous cylinder portion 41B is formed in an annular shape that extends radially outward from the outer peripheral surface of the piston guide 11.

[0043] The cylindrical sliding portion 42B is continuously provided at the radially outer end portion of the continuous cylinder portion 41B and extends vertically from that portion. The upper end portion of the cylindrical sliding portion 42B faces the lower end portion of the inner hanging cylinder portion 54 and the seal member 50 in the vertical direction with the seal member 50 interposed therebetween. The lower end portion of the cylindrical sliding portion 42B is slidably in contact with the inner wall surface of the second cylinder 30B (described later) in the vertical direction. Note that the continuous cylinder portion 41B is located above the communication hole 12 on the outer peripheral surface of the piston guide 11.

[0044] The cylinder 30 includes an outer cylinder member 31 and an inner cylinder member 32 assembled inside the outer cylinder member 31. The outer cylinder member 31 is formed in a multi-stage cylindrical shape. The outer cylinder member 31 includes an upper cylinder portion 31a extending in the vertical direction, a lower cylinder portion 31b extending downward from the lower end portion of the upper cylinder portion 31a and having an inner diameter and an outer diameter smaller than those of the upper cylinder portion 31a, and a connection cylinder portion 31c extending downward from the lower end portion of the lower cylinder portion 31b and having an inner diameter and an outer diameter smaller than those of the lower cylinder portion 31b.

[0045] The inner cylinder member 32 is fitted inside the upper cylinder portion 31a. The lower end portion of the inner cylinder member 32 abuts against the upper surface of the stepped portion between the upper cylinder portion 31a and the lower cylinder portion 31b. A first air hole 31g communicating the inside and outside of the upper cylinder portion 31a is formed in the upper portion of the upper cylinder portion 31a. An annular support plate portion 31f protruding outward in the radial direction is formed at the upper end portion of the upper cylinder portion 31a. The lower surface of the top wall portion of the mounting cap 4 abuts against the outer peripheral portion of the upper surface of the support plate portion 31f.

[0046] A packing material 35 is disposed between the support plate portion 31f and the upper end opening edge of the mouth portion 2a of the container body 2. By screwing the mouth portion mounting portion 11b of the mounting cap 4 to the mouth portion 2a, the support plate portion 31f and the packing material 35 are fixed between the top wall of the mounting cap 4 and the mouth portion 2a.

[0047] A coil spring 34 is disposed inside the lower cylinder portion 31b. The upper end portion of the coil spring 34 extends from the lower cylinder portion 31b into the upper cylinder portion 31a and abuts against the spring receiving portion 44A of the first piston 40A. Thereby, the stem 10 receives an upward biasing force from the coil spring 34 via the first piston 40A and the piston guide 11.

[0048] A tapered valve seat 31d having a gradually decreasing inner diameter is formed at the lower end portion of the lower cylinder portion 31b. A valve body 33 is seated on the valve seat 31d so as to be detachable upward. The valve body 33 is a so-called ball valve formed in a spherical shape. Note that the valve body 33 may be a check valve using various valve bodies instead of the ball valve.

[0049] On the inner peripheral surface of the lower cylindrical portion 31b, a regulating projection 31e that gradually extends upward is protruding from the outer side in the radial direction toward the inner side. The inner diameter at the upper end of the regulating projection 31e is smaller than the outer diameter of the valve body 33. This regulates the valve body 33 from separating upward from the regulating projection 31e. Note that a gap that interrupts the circumferential extension is formed in the regulating projection 31e.

[0050] The connecting cylindrical portion 31c communicates with the lower end portion of the lower cylindrical portion 31b via the valve body 33. A pipe attachment 113 is attached to the connecting cylindrical portion 31c. The pipe attachment 113 includes a pipe member 114 that extends to the vicinity of the bottom of the container body 2, and communicates the lower end opening of the outer cylindrical member 31 and the upper end opening of the pipe member 114. Note that a positive and inverted dual-purpose adapter (not shown) for supplying the content into the cylinder 30 when the cylinder 30 is in a negative pressure state both when the ejector 1 is upright and inverted may be connected to the connecting cylindrical portion 31c.

[0051] The inner cylindrical member 32 includes a first cylinder forming portion 32a, a second cylinder forming portion 32b, a first regulating portion 32c, a flange portion 32d, a standing cylindrical portion 32e, a second air hole 32f, an annular groove 32g, a third air hole 32h, a second regulating portion 32i, and a guide cylindrical portion 32j. The first cylinder forming portion 32a forms the lower end portion of the inner cylindrical member 32. The first cylinder forming portion 32a is formed in a cylindrical shape extending in the vertical direction and is fitted inside the upper cylindrical portion 31a of the outer cylindrical member 31. Note that the first air hole 31g of the upper cylindrical portion 31a is located above the fitting position of the first cylinder forming portion 32a.

[0052] The first cylinder forming portion 32a forms a first cylinder 30A that houses the first piston 40A. An annular groove 32g that is recessed outward in the radial direction is formed in the lower portion of the inner wall surface of the first cylinder forming portion 32a. When the stem 10 is at the descending end position, the upper end portion of the sliding portion 42A of the first piston 40A is disposed in the annular groove 32g.

[0053] The second cylinder forming portion 32b extends upward from the upper end portion of the first cylinder forming portion 32a. The second cylinder forming portion 32b has a smaller inner diameter and outer diameter than the first cylinder forming portion 32a. The second cylinder forming portion 32b forms a second cylinder 30B that houses the second piston 40B.

[0054] At the upper part of the second cylinder forming portion 32b, a second air hole 32f that communicates the inside and outside of the second cylinder forming portion 32b is formed. The second air hole 32f communicates with the first air hole 31g through a gap (annular space) with the upper cylinder portion 31a outside the second cylinder forming portion 32b. The second air hole 32f is open and not blocked by the cylindrical sliding portion 42B of the second piston 40B when the stem 10 is at the upper end position.

[0055] At the lower part of the second cylinder forming portion 32b, a third air hole 32h that communicates the inside and outside of the second cylinder forming portion 32b is formed. The third air hole 32h communicates with the first air hole 31g and the second air hole 32f through a gap (annular space) with the upper cylinder portion 31a outside the second cylinder forming portion 32b. Note that the third air hole 32h is covered by a cylinder capacity changing member 90 described later from the inside of the second cylinder forming portion 32b.

[0056] The first restricting portion 32c is provided at the step portion between the first cylinder forming portion 32a and the second cylinder forming portion 32b. The lower surface of the first restricting portion 32c abuts against the upper end of the sliding portion 42A when the stem 10 is at the upper end position, and restricts the upward movement of the first piston 40A that is urged upward by the coil spring 34. The inner end edge on the radially inner side of the first restricting portion 32c is continuously provided on the outer peripheral surface of a guide cylinder portion 32j that extends in the vertical direction.

[0057] The second restricting portion 32i protrudes radially inward from the inner peripheral surface between the second air hole 32f and the third air hole 32h of the second cylinder forming portion 32b. The upper surface of the second restricting portion 32i abuts against the lower end of the cylindrical sliding portion 42B when the stem 10 is at the lower end position, and restricts the downward movement of the second piston 40B.

[0058] The flange portion 32d protrudes radially outward from the upper end portion of the second cylinder forming portion 32b and is disposed on the upper end opening edge of the upper cylinder portion 31a. The flange portion 32d is fixed on the upper end opening edge of the upper cylinder portion 31a by the surrounding cylinder portion 51 of the support member 5. On the upper surface of the flange portion 32d, an upright cylinder portion 32e extending upward is formed. The upright cylinder portion 32e forms the upper end portion of the cylinder 30. That is, the surrounding cylinder portion 51 is externally mounted on the outside of the upright cylinder portion 32e, and the outer hanging cylinder portion 55 is fitted inside the upright cylinder portion 32e.

[0059] The inner cylinder member 32 is formed by an upper cylinder member 111 and a lower cylinder member 112. The upper cylinder member 111 constitutes the upper side portion of the inner cylinder member 32. The upper cylinder member 111 forms the above-described second cylinder forming portion 32b, flange portion 32d, upright cylinder portion 32e, second air hole 32f, third air hole 32h, and second regulating portion 32i. The lower cylinder member 112 constitutes the lower side portion of the inner cylinder member 32. The lower cylinder member 112 forms the above-described first cylinder forming portion 32a and first regulating portion 32c, annular groove 32g, and guide cylinder portion 32j. A fitting groove portion 112a into which the lower end portion of the upper cylinder member 111 is fitted is formed at the upper end portion of the lower cylinder member 112.

[0060] In the ejector 1 having the above configuration, there are formed a first cylinder 30A that accommodates the first piston 40A so as to be vertically slidable, and a second cylinder 30B that is connected to the upper end of the first cylinder 30A and whose interior communicates vertically with the interior of the first cylinder 30A and has a smaller inner diameter than the first cylinder 30A and that accommodates the second piston 40B so as to be vertically slidable.

[0061] A valve portion 80 is provided at a sliding portion 42A of the first piston 40A with the first cylinder 30A. When the stem 10 moves downward, the valve portion 80 elastically deforms radially inward to allow communication between a space S1 below the first piston 40A and a space S2 above it inside the first cylinder 30A. Also, when the stem 10 moves upward, the valve portion 80 restores and deforms radially outward to block the communication between the space S1 below the first piston 40A and the space S2 above it inside the first cylinder 30A.

[0062] Inside the second cylinder 30B, a cylinder capacity changing member 90 is disposed so as to be vertically slidable. The cylinder capacity changing member 90 increases the capacity of the second cylinder 30B as it moves downward and decreases the capacity of the second cylinder 30B as it moves upward. The cylinder capacity changing member 90 includes a first pressure receiving portion 91 facing the first cylinder 30A side, a second pressure receiving portion 92 facing the second cylinder 30B side, and a connecting cylinder 93 connecting the first pressure receiving portion 91 and the second pressure receiving portion 92.

[0063] The first pressure receiving portion 91 is provided so as to be vertically slidable along the inner wall surface of the guide cylinder portion 32j. The second pressure receiving portion 92 is provided so as to be vertically slidable along the inner wall surface of the second cylinder forming portion 32b. The second pressure receiving portion 92 has a larger diameter than the first pressure receiving portion 91 and has a larger pressure receiving area from the contents than the first pressure receiving portion 91. The second pressure receiving portion 92 is formed in an inverted conical shape, and its upper end portion faces the lower surface of the second restricting portion 32i in the vertical direction. When the upper end portion of the second pressure receiving portion 92 abuts against the lower surface of the second restricting portion 32i, the upward movement of the cylinder capacity changing member 90 is restricted.

[0064] The connecting cylinder 93 is formed in a cylindrical shape extending in the vertical direction. The first pressure receiving portion 91 is continuously provided at the lower end portion of the connecting cylinder 93. The second pressure receiving portion 92 is continuously provided at the upper end portion of the connecting cylinder 93. A piston guide 11 is inserted inside the connecting cylinder 93. The inner diameter of the connecting cylinder 93 is larger than the outer diameter of the piston guide 11, and an annular flow path through which the contents can flow in the vertical direction is formed between the connecting cylinder 93 and the piston guide 11.

[0065] Further, the outer diameter of the connecting cylinder 93 is smaller than the inner diameter of the second cylinder forming portion 32b, and an annular space communicating with the third air hole 32h is formed between the connecting cylinder 93 and the second cylinder forming portion 32b. This annular space is closed at the top and bottom by the first pressure receiving portion 91 and the second pressure receiving portion 92, and is a space into which the contents do not flow from the second cylinder 30B. An urging member 94 that urges the cylinder capacity changing member 90 upward is disposed in this annular space.

[0066] The upper end portion of the urging member 94 is in contact with the lower surface of the second pressure receiving portion 92. Further, the lower end portion of the urging member 94 is in contact with the upper end opening edge of the guide cylinder portion 32j. The cylinder capacity changing member 90 is in contact with the second regulating portion 32i by the urging force of the urging member 94. The cylinder capacity changing member 90 moves downward against the urging of the urging member 94 as the pressure in the second cylinder 30B rises. When the cylinder capacity changing member 90 moves up and down, the air in the annular space where the urging member 94 is disposed enters and exits through the third air hole 32h. Note that the urging member 94 is a metal coil spring. However, for example, a resin spring may be used as the urging member 94, or other elastic members may be used.

[0067] When using the ejector 1 configured as described above, first, the stopper 70 is swung from the restricting position to the restricting release position to make the trigger lever 6 and the stem 10 movable downward. Next, as shown in FIG. 2, the trigger lever 6 is rotated downward about the shaft body 58.

[0068] At this time, while hanging the fingertips on the finger-hooking portion of the front plate portion 62 of the trigger lever 6, the trigger lever 6 is rotated downward. When the trigger lever 6 is rotated downward, the stem 10 moves downward against the urging force. When the stem 10 moves downward, the inside of the cylinder 30 is pressurized with the valve body 33 seated on the valve seat 31d.

[0069] Specifically, when the trigger lever 6 is operated and the stem 10 moves downward against the biasing force, the contents filled inside the second cylinder 30B are pressurized by the second piston 40B, rise within the stem 10 through the communication hole 12 of the piston guide 11, are introduced into the discharge head 20, and are discharged from the discharge hole 3a.

[0070] When this stem 10 moves downward, as shown in FIG. 3(b), the valve portion 80 elastically deforms radially inward, allowing communication between the space S1 below the first piston 40A and the space S2 above it inside the first cylinder 30A. Then, while the contents are being discharged from inside the second cylinder 30B, the inside of the first cylinder 30A that vertically communicates with the inside of the second cylinder 30B is filled with the contents from the space S1 below the first piston 40A.

[0071] When the trigger lever 6 is released and the stem 10 moves upward by the biasing force, the valve portion 80 restores and deforms, as shown in FIG. 3(a), blocking the communication between the space S1 below the first piston 40A and the space S2 above it inside the first cylinder 30A. Then, the contents filled inside the first cylinder 30A are pressurized by the first piston 40A that moves upward together with the stem 10.

[0072] Here, inside the second cylinder 30B, as shown in FIG. 1, although the volume increases due to the second piston 40B that moves upward together with the stem 10, since the inner diameter of the second cylinder 30B is smaller than the inner diameter of the first cylinder 30A, the decrease in the volume of the first cylinder 30A is greater than the increase in the volume of the second cylinder 30B. As a result, the difference between the volume (inner volume) of the first cylinder 30A and the volume (inner volume) of the second cylinder 30B causes the contents to be discharged from the discharge hole 3a through the stem 10. That is, the inside of the first cylinder 30A and the inside of the second cylinder 30B are in a pressurized state as a whole.

[0073] Then, when the trigger lever 6 associated with the stem 10 returns from the state shown in FIG. 2 to its original position shown in FIG. 1, the contents inside the second cylinder 30B are pressurized, and the contents are discharged to the outside through the discharge hole via the stem 10.

[0074] When the stem 10 moves upward by biasing force from the state shown in FIG. 2, the space S1 below the first piston 40A becomes a negative pressure, the valve body 33 disengages upward from the valve seat 31d, and the contents in the container body 2 are sucked into the cylinder 30. During this time, the first air hole 31g, the second air hole 32f, and the gap between the stem 10 and the guide cylinder 52 communicate with each other, outside air is taken into the container body 2, and the negative pressure in the container body 2 is released.

[0075] By the way, after finishing pulling the trigger lever 6 and before releasing the hand and starting to return the trigger lever 6 to its original position, the supply of the contents from the second cylinder 30B to the stem 10 temporarily stops. However, in the second cylinder 30B, while pulling the trigger lever 6, the cylinder capacity changing member 90 moves downward as the pressure in the second cylinder 30B increases, increasing the capacity of the second cylinder. Specifically, when the pressure in the second cylinder 30B increases, the cylinder capacity changing member 90 moves downward against the bias of the biasing member 94 due to the difference between the pressure receiving area of the pressure applied to the first pressure receiving portion 91 and the pressure receiving area of the pressure applied to the second pressure receiving portion 92.

[0076] When the supply of the contents to the second cylinder 30B temporarily stops, as shown in FIG. 4, the cylinder capacity changing member 90 moves upward (restoring movement) by the biasing force of the biasing member 94, whereby the capacity of the second cylinder 30B decreases and the inside of the second cylinder 30B becomes a pressurized state. Then, after finishing pulling the trigger lever 6 and before releasing the hand and starting to return the trigger lever 6 to its original position, the contents inside the second cylinder 30B are pressurized, and the contents are discharged to the outside through the discharge hole 3a via the stem 10.

[0077] Thus, according to the ejector 1 according to the present embodiment, not only the content is ejected when the trigger lever 6 is operated, but also after the trigger lever 6 is fully pulled and the hand is released until the operation for the trigger lever 6 to return to the original position starts, and further, the content can also be ejected when the trigger lever 6 returns to the original position. Therefore, it is possible to increase the discharge amount of the content by one operation of the trigger lever 6 and enable a discharge that is less likely to be interrupted.

[0078] As described above, the ejector 1 according to the present embodiment includes a stem 10 disposed at the mouth portion 2a of the container body 2 in which the content is accommodated so as to be movable downward in an upwardly biased state, a discharge head 20 in which a discharge hole 3a communicating with the inside of the stem 10 is formed, a trigger lever 6 linked to the discharge head 20, a first piston 40A provided on the stem 10, a second piston 40B provided at a position different from the first piston 40A in the vertical direction on the stem 10, a first cylinder 30A that slidably accommodates the first piston 40A vertically, a second cylinder 30B that is connected to the first cylinder 30A and whose inside communicates vertically with the inside of the first cylinder 30A and has a smaller inner diameter than the first cylinder 30A and slidably accommodates the second piston 40B vertically, a valve portion 80 that allows communication between a space S1 below the first piston 40A and a space S2 above the first piston 40A inside the first cylinder 30A when the stem 10 moves downward, and blocks communication between the space S1 below the first piston 40A and the space S2 above the first piston 40A inside the first cylinder 30A when the stem 10 moves upward, a cylinder capacity changing member 90 that is disposed vertically slidably inside the second cylinder 30B and increases the capacity of the second cylinder 30B as it moves downward and decreases the capacity of the second cylinder 30B as it moves upward, and a biasing member 94 that biases the cylinder capacity changing member 90 upward. According to this configuration, it is possible to increase the discharge amount of the content of the ejector 1 by one operation of the trigger lever 6 and enable a discharge that is less likely to be interrupted.

[0079] Also, in the present embodiment, the cylinder capacity changing member 90 has a first pressure receiving portion 91 facing the first cylinder 30A side and a second pressure receiving portion 92 facing the second cylinder 30B side and having a larger pressure receiving area than the first pressure receiving portion 91. According to this configuration, the cylinder capacity changing member 90 can be moved downward by the difference between the pressure receiving area of the pressure applied to the first cylinder 30A side and the pressure receiving area of the pressure applied to the second cylinder 30B side.

[0080] Also, in the present embodiment, the cylinder capacity changing member 90 has a connecting cylinder 93 connecting the first pressure receiving portion 91 and the second pressure receiving portion 92. The inner diameter of the connecting cylinder 93 is larger than the outer diameter of the piston guide 11 of the stem 10, and an annular flow path through which the content can flow in the vertical direction is formed between the connecting cylinder 93 and the piston guide 11. According to this configuration, the cylinder capacity changing member 90 can be moved in the vertical direction within the second cylinder 30B without inhibiting the flow of the content.

[0081] Note that the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0082] In addition, within the scope not departing from the spirit of the present invention, it is possible to appropriately replace the components in the above embodiment with well-known components.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0083] 1 Ejector 2 Container body 2a Mouth portion 3 Pump portion 3a Discharge hole 4 Mounting cap 5 Support member 6 Trigger lever 10 Stem 11 Piston guide 11b Mouth portion mounting portion 12 Communication hole 13 Mounting groove 14 Rod portion 20 Discharge head 22 Nozzle cylinder part 22a Supply hole 23 Shaft part 24 Cover member 25 Mandrel body 26 Nozzle tip 30 Cylinder 30A First cylinder 30B Second cylinder 31 Outer cylinder member 31a Upper cylinder part 31b Lower cylinder part 31c Connecting cylinder part 31d Valve seat 31e Regulation protrusion 31f Support plate part 31g First air hole 32 Inner cylinder member 32a First cylinder forming part 32b Second cylinder forming part 32c First regulation part 32d Flange part 32e Standing cylinder part 32f Second air hole 32g Annular groove 32h Third air hole 32i Second regulation part 32j Guide cylinder part 33 Valve body 34 Coil spring 35 Packing material 40A First piston 40B Second piston 41A Base part 41B Connecting cylinder part 42A Sliding part 42B Cylindrical sliding part 43A Seal cylinder part 44A Spring receiving part 50 Seal member 51 Surrounding cylinder part 51a Opposing part 52 Guide cylinder 54 Inner hanging cylinder part 55 Outer hanging cylinder part 56 Side wall part 57 Rear wall part 58 Shaft body 59 Reinforcing wall 61 Top plate part 62 Front plate part 63 Side plate part 64 Through hole 70 Stopper 71 Rotation axis 72 Main operation surface 73 Operation side surface 74 Regulation plate part 80 Valve part 90 Cylinder capacity changing member 91 First pressure receiving part 92 Second pressure receiving part 93 Connection cylinder 94 Biasing member 101 Accumulator valve 102 Valve biasing member 111 Upper cylinder member 112 Lower cylinder member 112a Fitting groove part 113 Pipe attachment 114 Pipe member O Container axis S1 Space S2 Space

Claims

1. a stem disposed movably downward in an upwardly biased state at the mouth of a container body for containing a content, a discharge head having a discharge hole formed therein and communicating with the inside of the stem, a trigger lever associated with the discharge head, a first piston provided on the stem, a second piston provided on the stem at a position different from the first piston in the vertical direction, a first cylinder for slidably accommodating the first piston in the vertical direction, a second cylinder connected to the first cylinder, having an interior vertically communicating with the interior of the first cylinder and having a smaller inner diameter than the first cylinder, and slidably accommodating the second piston in the vertical direction, a valve portion that allows communication between a space below the first piston and a space above the first piston inside the first cylinder when the stem moves downward, and blocks communication between the space below the first piston and the space above the first piston inside the first cylinder when the stem moves upward, a cylinder capacity changing member slidably disposed in the second cylinder, increasing the capacity of the second cylinder as it moves downward and decreasing the capacity of the second cylinder as it moves upward, and a biasing member that biases the cylinder capacity changing member upward, wherein the cylinder capacity changing member moves downward against the bias of the biasing member as the pressure in the second cylinder increases, a dispenser.

2. The cylinder capacity changing member has a first pressure receiving portion facing the first cylinder side and a second pressure receiving portion facing the second cylinder side and having a larger pressure receiving area than the first pressure receiving portion, The dispenser according to claim 1.

3. The cylinder capacity changing member has a connecting cylinder connecting the first pressure receiving portion and the second pressure receiving portion, the inner diameter of the connecting cylinder is larger than the outer diameter of the stem, and an annular flow path through which the content can flow in the vertical direction is formed between the connecting cylinder and the stem, The dispenser according to claim 2.

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