Trigger-type liquid ejector

Abstract

To provide a trigger-type liquid ejector capable of suppressing unintended rotation of a stopper toward an unlocked position.SOLUTION: The trigger-type liquid ejector includes an ejector body and a nozzle member in which a discharge port is formed. The ejector body includes a trigger mechanism having a trigger part and a main pump part. The trigger part includes a rotatable stopper that moves between a locked position, which restricts rearward movement of the trigger part relative to the main cylinder, and an unlocked position, which allows such rearward movement. In the locked position, the stopper includes a restricting part that contacts the ejector body from the front to restrict rearward movement of the trigger part relative to the main cylinder, and an engaging part that engages with an engaged portion formed on the trigger part, and that can ride over the engaged portion as the stopper rotates around its axis between the locked and unlocked positions.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] A trigger-type liquid ejector is disclosed that includes a cylinder for storing liquid, a piston that can move rearward while being biased forward by a biasing member, and a trigger unit connected to the piston. With this configuration, when the trigger unit is pulled rearward, the piston pressurizes the interior of the cylinder, causing the liquid in the cylinder to flow toward the ejection hole. This causes the liquid to be ejected through the ejection hole. Meanwhile, as the trigger unit returns to its forward position, the pressure inside the cylinder is reduced, causing the liquid in the container to flow into the cylinder.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 listed below discloses a configuration including a stopper that restricts the rearward movement of a trigger when the device is not in use. The stopper is provided so as to be rotatable relative to the trigger between a locked position that restricts the rearward movement of the trigger and an unlocked position that allows the trigger to move rearward. In the locked position, the stopper has a restricting locking portion that engages with the front end of the cylinder from above. This restricts the rotation of the stopper from the locked position to the unlocked position. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2023-97524 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, in the prior art, because the restricting and locking portion of the stopper engages with the cylinder, if the trigger moves forward from the desired position due to, for example, the forward biasing force of a biasing member, the engagement between the restricting and locking portion and the cylinder may be released, which could cause the stopper to unexpectedly rotate toward the unlocked position.

[0006] The present invention provides a trigger-type liquid ejector that can prevent the stopper from unexpectedly rotating toward the unlocked position. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention employs the following aspects. A trigger-type liquid ejector according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a ejector body attached to a container body that contains liquid, and a nozzle member provided in front of the ejector body and having an ejection hole formed therein for ejecting liquid forward, the ejector body comprising a vertical supply tube section that extends in the vertical direction and through which liquid sucked up from the container body flows, a trigger section provided in front of the vertical supply tube section so as to be movable rearward in a forwardly biased state, and a trigger mechanism having a main pump section that sends liquid through the vertical supply tube section towards the ejection hole as the trigger section moves rearward, the main pump section comprising a main cylinder that communicates with the vertical supply tube section and opens forward, and a trigger mechanism that pumps liquid through the main cylinder as the trigger section moves forward and backward. and a main piston that pressurizes or depressurizes the inside of the trigger, and the trigger portion is provided with a stopper that can rotate about a stopper axis that runs along a direction intersecting the front-to-rear direction between a locked position that restricts the rearward movement of the trigger portion relative to the main cylinder and an unlocked position that allows the rearward movement of the trigger portion relative to the main cylinder, and the stopper has a restricting portion that abuts against the ejector body from the front at the locked position to restrict the rearward movement of the trigger portion relative to the main cylinder, and an engaging portion that engages with an engaged portion formed on the trigger portion at the locked position but can overcome the engaged portion as the stopper rotates about the stopper axis between the locked position and the unlocked position.

[0008] According to this configuration, since the stopper is engaged with the trigger portion in the locked position, the stopper is maintained in the locked position even if the trigger portion moves forward from the desired position due to the influence of the forward biasing force of the biasing member, etc. This makes it possible to prevent the stopper from unexpectedly moving to the unlocked position, unlike when the stopper is engaged with the ejector body.

[0009] In the trigger-type liquid ejector according to the above aspect, the main piston is provided with a sliding portion that can slide in the forward and backward directions on the inner surface of the main cylinder as the trigger portion moves in the forward and backward directions, and a linking portion that protrudes forward from the sliding portion and links to the trigger portion, and it is preferable that, in the locked position, the regulating portion abuts from the front against a portion of the ejector body that is located below the linking portion, and that, in the locked position, the rear end surface of the regulating portion is formed into an inclined surface that extends upward as it approaches the rear.

[0010] According to this aspect, if the trigger portion is moved rearward while the stopper is in the locked position, the stopper slides upward on the ejector body as the trigger portion moves rearward. This prevents the stopper from moving to the unlocked position even if the trigger portion is unexpectedly operated while the stopper is in the locked position. In this aspect, the rear end surface of the restricting portion abuts against a portion of the ejector body that is located below the linking portion, so that when the stopper moves upward from the locked position, the restricting portion abuts against the linking portion from below. This also prevents the stopper from moving upward relative to the locked position.

[0011] In the trigger-type liquid ejector of the above aspect, it is preferable that the ejector body comprises a storage cylinder that is provided between the vertical supply tube portion and the nozzle member, and into which liquid that has passed through the vertical supply tube portion is supplied by the rearward movement of the trigger portion, and a storage plunger that is arranged within the storage cylinder so as to be movable in an axial direction along the central axis of the storage cylinder, and that moves toward one side of the axial direction as liquid is supplied into the storage cylinder and is urged toward the other side of the axial direction.

[0012] In a configuration in which liquid is stored in a storage cylinder and ejected through the ejection holes, as in the trigger-type liquid ejector of this embodiment, the amount of liquid supplied to the storage cylinder must be greater than the amount of liquid ejected through the ejection holes. To achieve this, it is necessary to provide a relatively strong forward biasing force on the main piston to speed up the return (forward movement) of the trigger, which operates the main pump. In contrast, according to this aspect, since the stopper engages with the trigger portion in the locked position as described above, the stopper is maintained in the locked position even if the trigger portion moves forward from the desired position due to the influence of the forward biasing force of the biasing member, etc. Thus, even in a trigger-type liquid sprayer equipped with a reservoir pump portion, it is possible to prevent the stopper from unexpectedly moving to the unlocked position. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent the stopper from unexpectedly rotating toward the unlocked position. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] FIG. 10 is a partial cross-sectional view of the trigger-type liquid ejector showing the stopper in a locked position. [Figure 2] FIG. 10 is a partial cross-sectional view of the trigger-type liquid ejector showing the stopper in the unlocked position. [Figure 3] FIG. [Figure 4]FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, a jetting container in which a trigger-type liquid jetter 1 is attached to a container body A will be described as an example. The trigger-type liquid ejector 1 shown in Figure 1 comprises an ejector body 2 that is attached to a container body A that contains liquid, a nozzle member 3 that has ejection holes 4 formed therein for ejecting the liquid, a cover 5 that covers the ejector body 2 and the nozzle member 3, and a stopper 100 that controls the ejection of the liquid.

[0016] The ejector body 2 has a vertical supply tube portion 10, an attachment cap 11, a reservoir pump portion 12, an injection tube portion 13, and a trigger mechanism 15 having a main pump portion 14.

[0017] In this embodiment, the central axis of the vertical supply tube portion 10 is referred to as the axis O. The direction along the axis O is referred to as the vertical direction, and in the vertical direction, the container body A side is referred to as the lower side, and the opposite side is referred to as the upper side. When viewed from the vertical direction, a direction intersecting the axis O is referred to as the front-rear direction L1, and a direction perpendicular to both the up-down direction and the front-rear direction L1 is referred to as the left-right direction L2. In the front-rear direction L1, the nozzle member 3 side is referred to as the front side, and the opposite side is referred to as the rear side.

[0018] The vertical supply tube 10 is where the liquid pumped from inside the container A by the main pump 14 flows. The vertical supply tube 10 is attached to the mouth A1 of the container A by an attachment cap 11. The upper part of a pipe 16 is fitted into the lower opening of the vertical supply tube 10. When the trigger-type liquid sprayer 1 is attached to the container A, the pipe 16 extends downward inside the container A.

[0019] A ball valve 21 is provided inside the vertical supply tube 10. The ball valve 21 is provided so as to be able to approach and separate from a lower valve seat 10a provided in the vertical supply tube 10 from above the lower valve seat 10a. The ball valve 21 switches between communication and blocking between the inside of the container body A and the main pump section 14 through the inside of the vertical supply tube 10. Specifically, the ball valve 21 is a check valve that blocks communication between the inside of the container body A and the main pump section 14 when pressurizing by the main pump section 14, and allows communication between the inside of the container body A and the main pump section 14 when depressurizing by the main pump section 14.

[0020] A storage valve 26 is provided in a portion of the vertical supply tube 10 located above the ball valve 21. The storage valve 26 is provided so as to be able to move toward and away from an upper valve seat 10b provided in the vertical supply tube 10 from above the upper valve seat 10b. The storage valve 26 switches between communication between the main pump unit 14 and the storage pump unit 12 through the vertical supply tube 10 and blocking communication. Specifically, the storage valve 26 is a check valve that allows liquid to be supplied from the vertical supply tube 10 to the storage pump unit 12 (a storage cylinder 31 described below) when the main pump unit 14 is pressurized, and that restricts liquid from flowing out from the storage pump unit 12 into the vertical supply tube 10.

[0021] A connecting tube portion 29 extending forward is provided at the upper end of the vertical supply tube portion 10. The interior of the connecting tube portion 29 is connected to the interior of the vertical supply tube portion 10. A cylinder tube portion 30 is provided in the front of the vertical supply tube portion 10, in a portion located between the connecting tube portion 29 and the attachment cap 11. The cylinder tube portion 30 protrudes forward from the vertical supply tube portion 10 and is open forward.

[0022] The reservoir pump section 12 includes a reservoir cylinder 31 , a reservoir plunger 32 , and a biasing member 33 . The storage cylinder 31 is provided above the vertical supply tube section 10. The storage cylinder 31 is formed in a topped cylindrical shape that opens to the rear. Liquid pumped by the main pump section 14 is supplied into the storage cylinder 31 through the vertical supply tube section 10 and the connecting tube section 29. In this embodiment, the central axis of the storage cylinder 31 is called the axis O1. In this embodiment, the axis O1 extends in the front-rear direction L1. That is, in this embodiment, the front-rear direction L1 corresponds to the axial direction along the axis O1. In this embodiment, the rear side corresponds to one side of the axial direction. Also, in this embodiment, the front side corresponds to the other side of the axial direction. However, the axial direction does not have to coincide with the front-rear direction L1.

[0023] The storage plunger 32 is provided so as to be movable in the front-to-rear direction L1 within the storage cylinder 31. The storage plunger 32 is formed in a cylindrical shape with a top that opens rearward. The storage plunger 32 slides tightly in the front-to-rear direction within the storage cylinder 31. At the forward-most position, the storage plunger 32 blocks communication between the interior of the vertical supply tube section 10 and the ejection hole 4 (inside the injection tube section 13). When the storage plunger 32 moves rearward from the forward-most position, it opens communication between the interior of the vertical supply tube section 10 and the ejection hole 4 (inside the injection tube section 13). In the storage cylinder 31, the space located forward of the storage plunger 32 functions as a storage space 31a.

[0024] The storage space 31a is always in communication with the interior of the vertical supply tube 10 through the connecting tube 29, but can also be in communication with the interior of the injection tube 13 by the movement of the storage plunger 32. The storage space 31a stores liquid that has passed through the vertical supply tube 10. The storage space 31a expands as the storage plunger 32 moves rearward due to the supply of liquid into the storage cylinder 31. When the storage plunger 32 is in the forward-most position, the storage space 31a is cut off from communication with the interior of the injection tube 13. When the storage plunger 32 retracts from the forward-most position, the storage space 31a is in communication with the interior of the injection tube 13.

[0025] The biasing member 33 is provided behind the storage plunger 32. The biasing member 33 is interposed between the storage plunger 32 and the storage cylinder 31, and biases the storage plunger 32 forward. The biasing member 33 is, for example, a metal coil spring.

[0026] The injection tube portion 13 extends forward from the storage cylinder 31. The interior of the injection tube portion 13 can communicate with the storage space 31a. In this embodiment, the central axis of the injection tube portion 13 is referred to as the axis O2. The axis O2 extends in the front-rear direction L1 parallel to the axis O1. However, the axis O2 may be disposed coaxially with the axis O1. Furthermore, the axial direction along the axis O2 does not have to coincide with the front-rear direction L1.

[0027] The trigger mechanism 15 includes a main pump portion 14 and a trigger portion 40 . The main pump unit 14 stores and pumps the liquid in the container body A in response to the operation of the trigger unit 40. The main pump unit 14 includes a main cylinder 41 and a main piston 42.

[0028] The main cylinder 41 is fitted into the cylinder tubular portion 30 from the front of the cylinder tubular portion 30. The main cylinder 41 includes a cylinder body 41a, a piston guide 41b, and a flange portion 41c. The cylinder body 41a is formed in a cylindrical shape with a bottom that opens forward and is centered on a pump axis O3 along the front-rear direction L1. The main cylinder 41 communicates with a portion of the vertical supply cylindrical section 10 that is located above the ball valve 21. In the following description, the direction that intersects with the pump axis O3 when viewed from the front-rear direction L1 is referred to as the pump radial direction, and the direction that rotates around the pump axis O3 is referred to as the pump circumferential direction.

[0029] The piston guide 41b protrudes forward from the bottom of the cylinder body 41a and is formed in a cylindrical shape that is disposed coaxially with the pump axis O3. The flange portion 41c protrudes radially outward from the front opening edge of the cylinder body 41a and is in close proximity to or in contact with the front edge of the cylinder tubular portion 30 from the front of the cylinder tubular portion 30.

[0030] 1 and 2, the main piston 42 is provided in the main cylinder 41 so as to be movable in the front-rear direction L1. The main piston 42 includes a linking portion 42a and a sliding portion 42b. The linking portion 42a is arranged coaxially with the pump axis O3 and is formed in a cylindrical shape with a top that opens rearward. The linking portion 42a is supported by the piston guide 41b so as to be movable forward and backward. A biasing member 43 is interposed between the linking portion 42a and the piston guide 41b. The biasing member 43 biases the main piston 42 forward via the linking portion 42a. This allows the main piston 42 to move rearward while being biased forward. The biasing member 43 is, for example, a metal coil spring.

[0031] The sliding portion 42b is connected to the rear end of the linking portion 42a. The sliding portion 42b is formed in a cylindrical shape and is arranged coaxially with the pump axis O3. The sliding portion 42b surrounds the periphery of the linking portion 42a. The sliding portion 42b is in close contact with the inner circumferential surface of the main cylinder 41. The sliding portion 42b slides closely on the inner circumferential surface of the main cylinder 41 as the main piston 42 moves back and forth relative to the main cylinder 41.

[0032] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the trigger unit 40 is located in front of the vertical supply tube unit 10 and below the injection tube unit 13, and includes a rotating base unit 50 and a finger grip unit 51. The rotary base 50 is located at the upper end of the trigger unit 40. The rotary base 50 is formed in a box shape that opens upward and rearward. A trigger shaft 52 is formed on the rotary base 50 and protrudes from the rotary base 50 toward both sides in the left-right direction L2. The trigger shaft 52 is supported by a bearing 55 provided below the injection tube 13 so as to be rotatable about an axis O4 along the left-right direction L2. This allows the trigger unit 40 to move in the front-rear direction L1 about the axis O4.

[0033] The finger hook 51 extends forward while facing downward from the rotating base 50. The finger hook 51 includes a finger hook main body 61, an upper partition wall 62, a lower partition wall 63, a stopper shaft portion 64, and a push-in protrusion 65. The finger hook body 61 is formed in a box shape that opens toward the rear. A through-hole 61b is formed in the center in the up-down direction of the front wall 61a of the finger hook body 61. The through-hole 61b penetrates a portion of the front wall 61a that is located below the pump axis O3 in the front-to-rear direction L1.

[0034] The upper partition wall 62 is provided in a portion of the finger hook body 61 that is located above the through-hole 61b. In a cross-sectional view, the upper partition wall 62 protrudes rearward from the upper opening edge of the through-hole 61b. The lower partition wall 63 is provided in a portion of the finger hook main body 61 that is located below the through-hole 61b. In a cross-sectional view, the lower partition wall 63 protrudes rearward from a position on the front wall portion 61a that is spaced downward from the through-hole 61b. The partition walls 62, 63 each divide the inner space of the finger hook main body 61 in the vertical direction. In this embodiment, the portion of the inner space of the finger hook main body 61 that is surrounded by the upper partition wall 62 and the lower partition wall 63 forms a stopper accommodating section 66. An engaging protrusion 62a that protrudes downward is formed at the rear end of the upper partition wall 62.

[0035] A pair of stopper shafts 64 are provided at the upper end of the accommodation space 66. Specifically, the stopper shafts 64 protrude inward in the left-right direction L2 from each of a pair of side wall portions 61c that face each other in the left-right direction L2 of the finger hook main body 61. Each stopper shaft 64 is disposed at a position that overlaps with the through hole 61b in a front view.

[0036] The pushing protrusion 65 protrudes rearward from a portion of the front wall portion 61a that is located above the upper partition wall 62. The pushing protrusion 65 is close to or abuts against the front end portion of the linking portion 42a from the front of the linking portion 42a. As the trigger portion 40 rotates rearward, the pushing protrusion 40b pushes the linking portion 42a rearward. As a result, as the trigger portion 40 rotates rearward, the main piston 42 moves rearward relative to the main cylinder 41.

[0037] Nozzle member 3 is assembled to injection tube portion 13 from the front. Nozzle member 3 is formed in the shape of a cylinder with a top that opens toward the rear. The interior of nozzle member 3 is in communication with the interior of injection tube portion 13. An ejection hole 4 is formed in the top wall portion of nozzle member 3. Ejection hole 4 penetrates the top wall portion of nozzle member 3 in the front-to-rear direction L1.

[0038] The cover 5 is formed in a T-shape in a side view and in a box shape that opens forward and downward. The cover 5 surrounds the ejector body 2 and the nozzle member 3 from above, behind, and sides, with the ejection holes 4 exposed to the front.

[0039] 2 to 4, the stopper 100 is supported by the trigger portion 40 so as to be rotatable about a stopper axis O5 extending in the left-right direction L2 along the stopper shaft portion 64 between a locked position P1 (see FIG. 2) that restricts movement of the trigger portion 40 in the front-rear direction relative to the main cylinder 41, and an unlocked position P2 (see FIG. 1) that allows movement of the trigger portion 40 in the front-rear direction relative to the main cylinder 41. In the following explanation, unless otherwise specified, the configuration of the stopper 100 will be described when the stopper 100 is in the locked position P1.

[0040] The stopper 100 is formed in a T-shape in a plan view and includes a base portion 101, a restricting portion 102, a protruding portion 103, and an operating portion 104. The base portion 101 is a portion supported by the finger hook portion 51 and is formed in a block shape. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, an accommodating recess 101a is formed at each end of the base portion 101 in the left-right direction L2. The accommodating recess 101a is a U-shaped groove in a side view, and is open outward and downward in the left-right direction L2. A stopper shaft portion 64 is accommodated in each accommodating recess 101a. As a result, the stopper 100 is supported by the trigger portion 40 so as to be rotatable about a stopper axis O5.

[0041] A retaining protrusion 101b is formed on the inner surface (bottom surface) of each accommodating recess 101a in a portion located near the lower end opening. The retaining protrusion 101b protrudes outward in the left-right direction L2 from the inner surface of each accommodating recess 101a and extends across each accommodating recess 101a in the front-rear direction L1. The height of the retaining protrusion 101b is smaller than the depth of each accommodating recess 101a. Therefore, the stopper shaft 64 can climb over the retaining protrusion 101b when inserting the stopper shaft 64 into each accommodating recess 101a through the lower end opening of each accommodating recess 101a. Meanwhile, the retaining protrusion 101b engages with the stopper shaft 64 accommodated in each accommodating recess 101a from below, thereby holding the stopper shaft 64 within each accommodating recess 101a.

[0042] The restricting portion 102 extends in a cantilevered manner rearward from the base portion 101. In the illustrated example, the restricting portion 102 is inclined upward as it extends rearward. The rear end portion of the restricting portion 102 approaches or abuts against the piston guide 41b from below. In the locked position P1, the rear end surface of the restricting portion 102 functions as a restricting surface 102a that approaches or abuts against the front end surface of the main cylinder 41 from the front. In the illustrated example, the restricting surface 102a faces a portion of the front end surface of the flange portion 41c that is located below the piston guide 41b in the front-to-rear direction L1. The stopper 100 restricts the rearward movement of the trigger portion 40 relative to the vertical supply tube portion 10 by the restricting surface 102a abutting against the front end surface of the flange portion 41c from the front.

[0043] The restricting surface 102a is formed as an inclined surface that slopes rearward as it extends upward. In the illustrated example, the restricting surface 102a forms an obtuse angle with the lower surface of the restricting portion 102. Note that even if the restricting surface 102a is formed perpendicular to the lower surface of the restricting portion 102 or at an acute angle, it is sufficient that the restricting surface 102a is inclined rearward in the up-down direction at the locked position P1. However, the restricting surface 102a may extend linearly in the up-down direction or be inclined forward at the locked position P1.

[0044] The pair of overhanging portions 103 overhangs from the rear end of the restricting portion 102 toward both sides in the left-right direction L2. An entrance groove 103a is formed in each overhanging portion 103. The entrance groove 103a opens downward and penetrates the overhanging portion 103 in the front-rear direction L1. When the stopper 100 is in the unlocked position P2, the entrance grooves 103a accommodate the side wall portions 61c of the finger hook main body 61 that face each other around the stopper axis O5. Note that, in the unlocked position P2, the restricting portion 102 is accommodated in the stopper accommodating portion 66.

[0045] The operating portion 104 is used to rotate the stopper 100. The operating portion 104 is connected to the rear portion of each of the extension portions 103 on the outside in the left-right direction L2. Each operating portion 104 is formed in a circular shape when viewed in the left-right direction L2. Each operating portion 104 is located on the outside in the left-right direction L2 with respect to the finger hook main body 61.

[0046] As shown in FIG. 2, the base portion 101 is formed with a lock position engaging portion 110, a rotation restricting portion 111, and a release position engaging portion 112. The lock position engaging portion 110 protrudes obliquely downward and forward from the base portion 101. When viewed from the side, the lock position engaging portion 110 is formed in a triangular shape with a rounded tip.

[0047] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, when the stopper 100 rotates between the locked position P1 and the unlocked position P2, the lower opening edge of the through-hole 61b is located on the rotation trajectory of the lock position engaging portion 110. At the locked position P1, the lock position engaging portion 110 engages with the lower opening edge of the through-hole 61b from one side (rear) around the stopper axis O5. That is, the lower opening edge of the through-hole 61b functions as the engaged portion 61d with which the lock position engaging portion 110 engages. The lock position engaging portion 110 abuts against the engaged portion 61d from the rear, thereby restricting rotation to the unlocked position P2 due to, for example, the weight of the stopper 100 or an impact when dropped. Meanwhile, the lock position engaging portion 110 is configured to ride over the engaged portion 61d around the stopper axis O5 during switching between the locked position P1 and the unlocked position P2. In addition, at the unlocked position P2 shown in FIG. 1, the lock position engaging portion 110 is accommodated within the through-hole 61b.

[0048] The rotation restricting portion 111 protrudes forward from a portion of the base portion 101 that is located on the other side (forward) of the lock position engaging portion 110 around the stopper axis O5. The rotation restricting portion 111 is disposed within the through-hole 61b at the locked position P1. That is, the rotation restricting portion 111 is in proximity to or in contact with the engaged portion 61d from above at the locked position P1. When the stopper 100 attempts to rotate to one side around the stopper axis O5 relative to the locked position P1, the rotation restricting portion 111 abuts against the engaged portion 61d, thereby restricting the rotation of the stopper 100. Note that at the unlocked position P2 shown in FIG. 1, the rotation restricting portion 111 is housed within the through-hole 61b.

[0049] The release position engaging portion 112 protrudes forward from a portion of the base portion 101 that is located on the other side (upper) of the rotation restricting portion 111 around the stopper axis O5. In a side view, the release position engaging portion 112 is formed in a triangular shape with a rounded tip. When the stopper 100 rotates between the locked position P1 and the unlocked position P2, the engaging protrusion 62a is located on the rotation trajectory of the lock position engaging portion 110. At the unlocked position P2 shown in FIG. 1, the release position engaging portion 112 engages with the engaging protrusion 62a from the other side (rear) around the stopper axis O5. At the unlocked position P2, the release position engaging portion 112 abuts against the engaging protrusion 62a from the other side (rear) around the stopper axis O5, thereby restricting rotation to the locked position P1 due to, for example, the weight of the stopper 100 or an impact when dropped. On the other hand, the release position engaging portion 112 is configured to be able to ride over the engaging protrusion 62a around the stopper axis O5 during switching between the unlocked position P2 and the locked position P1. Note that, at the locked position P1 shown in FIG. 1, the release position engaging portion 112 is accommodated within the through-hole 61b.

[0050] Next, a description will be given of the operation of the above-mentioned trigger-type liquid ejector 1. In the following description, the state in which the stopper 100 is in the lock position P1 will be described as the initial state. First, the stopper 100, which is in the locked position P1, is moved to the unlocked position P2. Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the stopper 100 is pulled down while the operating portion 104 is pinched from both sides in the left-right direction L2. This causes the stopper 100 to rotate toward the other side (downward) around the stopper axis O5. This causes the restricting portion 102 (restricting surface 102a) to retreat downward relative to the flange portion 41c. As a result, the main piston 42 is permitted to move backward relative to the main cylinder 41. The stopper 100 is pushed into the accommodation space 66. This causes the side wall portion 61c of the finger hook main body 61 to enter the entrance groove 103a, and the restricting portion 102 is accommodated in the accommodation space 66. As a result, the stopper 100 moves to the unlocked position P2. In the process of the stopper 100 moving to the unlocked position P2, the release position engaging portion 112 moves over the engaging protrusion 62a from one side (front) around the stopper axis O5, and thereby the release position engaging portion 112 engages with the engaging protrusion 62a from behind. This prevents the stopper 100, which is in the unlocked position P2, from accidentally rotating toward the locked position P1.

[0051] Next, to spray liquid from the trigger-type liquid sprayer 1, a user places their hand around the attachment cap 11 and hooks their finger on the trigger portion 40 (finger hook portion 51). While gripping the trigger-type liquid sprayer 1, the user pulls the trigger portion 40 backward. This pushes the main piston 42 backward via the trigger portion 40, causing the trigger portion 40 and the main piston 42 to move backward. As a result, the inside of the main cylinder 41 is pressurized. The liquid in the main cylinder 41 is then supplied into the vertical supply tube portion 10. The liquid supplied into the vertical supply tube portion 10 presses the ball valve 21 downward and pushes the storage valve 26 upward. As a result, the storage valve 26 moves upward away from the upper valve seat portion 10b, with the ball valve 21 in contact with the lower valve seat portion 10a.

[0052] The liquid in the vertical supply tube portion 10 is supplied into the storage cylinder 31 (storage space 31a) through the connecting tube portion 29. When the liquid is supplied into the storage space 31a, the storage space 31a is pressurized. This causes the storage plunger 32 to move rearward against the biasing force of the biasing member 33. As a result, the liquid is stored in the storage space 31a.

[0053] As the storage plunger 32 moves rearward, the storage space 31a and the inside of the injection tube 13 communicate with each other. This causes the liquid stored in the storage space 31a to flow through the injection tube 13 toward the ejection hole 4. The liquid that passes through the injection tube 13 is then ejected to the outside through the ejection hole 4. When the trigger 40 is released, the main piston 42 returns to its original position forward within the main cylinder 41 due to the biasing force of the biasing member 43, and the trigger 40 also returns to its original position forward. As a result, the pressure inside the main cylinder 41 is reduced. This causes the ball valve 21 to float up from the lower valve seat 10a, and the inside of the container body A and the main cylinder 41 communicate with each other through the vertical supply tube 10. Meanwhile, the storage valve 26 remains seated on the upper valve seat 10b, thereby blocking communication between the inside of the main cylinder 41 and the inside of the storage cylinder 31 through the vertical supply tube 10. As a result, the liquid in the container body A is sucked up into the vertical supply tube portion 10. The liquid that has flowed into the vertical supply tube portion 10 is introduced into the main cylinder 41, thereby making it possible to prepare for the next ejection operation.

[0054] In a configuration including storage pump unit 12 as in this embodiment, each time trigger unit 40 is operated, a portion of the liquid supplied from main cylinder 41 is ejected through ejection hole 4, and a portion of the liquid is stored in storage space 31a. Therefore, when operation of trigger unit 40 is stopped, the supply of liquid to storage space 31a stops, but the storage plunger 32 moves forward due to the biasing force of biasing member 33, so that the liquid stored in storage space 31a is continuously supplied to injection tube unit 13. This allows liquid to be continuously ejected through ejection hole 4.

[0055] When the operation of the trigger portion 40 is released, the trigger portion 40 and the main piston 42 move forward to a position where the biasing member 43 is at its natural length, for example. This state is the frontmost position of the trigger portion 40 (main piston 42).

[0056] To move the stopper 100 to the locked position P1 after the ejection operation is completed, with the trigger 40 in the forwardmost position, the stopper 100 is pulled up toward the locked position P1 via the operating unit 104. Then, the release position engaging portion 112 moves over the engaging protrusion 62a to one side (forward) around the stopper axis O5, causing the stopper 100 to move out of the accommodation space 66. Then, the lock position engaging portion 110 moves over the engaged portion 61d to one side (downward) around the stopper axis O5. As a result, the stopper 100 moves to the locked position P1 with the lock position engaging portion 110 engaged with the engaged portion 61d from one side around the stopper axis O5. At the locked position P1, the restricting surface 102a is in close proximity to or in contact with the front end surface of the main cylinder 41 from the front. As a result, even if the trigger portion 40 attempts to move rearward, the restricting surface 102a abuts against the front end surface of the flange portion 41c from the front, thereby restricting the rearward movement of the trigger portion 40 relative to the vertical supply tube portion 10. As a result, it is possible to prevent the liquid from being unexpectedly ejected through the ejection hole 4.

[0057] In this way, in the trigger-type liquid ejector 1 of this embodiment, the stopper 100 engages with the engaged portion 61d formed on the trigger portion 40 at the lock position P1, while being configured to have a lock position engaging portion (engaging portion) 110 that can overcome the engaged portion 61d as it rotates around the stopper axis O5 between the lock position P1 and the unlock position P2. According to this configuration, since the stopper 100 is engaged with the trigger portion 40 at the locked position P1, the stopper 100 is maintained at the locked position P1 even if the trigger portion 40 moves forward from the desired position due to the influence of the forward biasing force of the biasing member 43. This makes it possible to prevent the stopper 100 from unexpectedly moving to the unlocked position P2, unlike when the stopper 100 is engaged with the ejector body 2 such as the main cylinder 41.

[0058] In the trigger-type liquid ejector 1 of this embodiment, the main piston 42 has a sliding part 42b that is slidable in the front-rear direction on the inner circumferential surface of the main cylinder 41 (cylinder body 41a), and a linking part 42a that protrudes forward from the sliding part 42b and links to the trigger part 40. In the locked position P1, the restricting part 102 abuts from the front against a part of the main cylinder 41 that is located below the linking part 42a, and in the locked position P1, the restricting surface 102a is formed as an inclined surface that extends upward as it goes rearward. According to this configuration, if the trigger portion 40 is moved rearward while the stopper 100 is in the locked position P1, the stopper 100 slides upward on the front end surface of the flange portion 41c as the trigger portion 40 moves rearward. This prevents the stopper 100 from moving to the unlocked position P2, even if the trigger portion 40 is unexpectedly operated while the stopper 100 is in the locked position P1. In this embodiment, the restricting surface 102a abuts against a portion of the main cylinder 41 that is located below the linking portion 42a. Therefore, when the stopper 100 moves upward from the locked position P1 (to one side around the stopper axis O5), the restricting portion 102 abuts against the linking portion 42a from below. This also prevents the stopper 100 from moving upwardly relative to the locked position P1.

[0059] Moreover, in this embodiment, the stopper shaft 64 is formed in a position on the finger hook main body 61 that overlaps with the through-hole 61b in a front view. Therefore, when molding the trigger portion 40, the stopper shaft 64 can be molded by moving a mold from both the front and rear sides through the through-hole 61b. This makes it easy to ensure the length of the stopper shaft 64 in the left-right direction L2. Meanwhile, the installation recess 101a of the stopper 100 is formed in a U-shape that opens downward as well as outward in the left-right direction L2. Therefore, when molding the stopper 100, the installation recess 101a can be molded by moving a mold through the lower end opening of the installation recess 101a. This makes it easy to ensure the depth of the installation recess 101a in the left-right direction L2. That is, by ensuring the length of the stopper shaft 64 and the depth of the accommodating recess 101a, a fitting margin between the stopper shaft 64 and the accommodating recess 101a can be ensured, thereby preventing the stopper 100 from falling off the trigger portion 40.

[0060] The trigger-type liquid ejector 1 of this embodiment is configured to include a rotation restriction portion 111 that restricts rotation around the stopper axis O5 to one side (the side opposite to the unlocked position P2) when the stopper 100 is in the locked position P1. According to this configuration, when the stopper 100 is in the locked position P1 and attempts to rotate in one direction about the stopper axis O5, the rotation restricting portion 111 engages with the engaged portion 61d, thereby preventing the stopper 100 from disengaging upward from the locked position P1.

[0061] In a configuration in which liquid is stored in the storage cylinder 31 and ejected through the ejection holes 4, such as the trigger-type liquid ejector 1 of this embodiment, the amount of liquid supplied to the storage cylinder 31 must be greater than the amount of liquid ejected through the ejection holes 4. To achieve this, it is necessary to provide a relatively strong forward biasing force on the main piston 42 to speed up the return (forward movement) of the trigger unit 40, which operates the main pump unit 14. To ensure the biasing force of the main piston 42, it is preferable to use a metal coil spring for the biasing member 43. However, when a metal coil spring is used, the main piston 42 is directly biased by the biasing member 43, which can easily cause variations in the forward end position of the trigger unit 40 (main piston 42) (it is likely to be positioned further forward than the desired position).

[0062] Therefore, in this embodiment, as described above, the stopper 100 engages with the trigger portion 40 at the locked position P1, so even if the trigger portion 40 moves forward from the desired position due to the influence of the forward biasing force of the biasing member 43, the stopper 100 is maintained at the locked position P1. Even in a trigger-type liquid sprayer 1 that includes the storage pump portion 12, the stopper 100 can be prevented from unexpectedly moving to the unlocked position P2.

[0063] Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments. Addition, omission, substitution, and other modifications of the configuration are possible within the scope of the spirit of the present invention. The present invention is not limited by the above description, but is limited only by the appended claims. In the above-described embodiment, the trigger-type liquid jetter 1 is configured to include the reservoir pump section 12, but the configuration is not limited to this. The trigger-type liquid jetter 1 according to the present invention may also be configured so that the liquid delivered from the main pump section 14 is jetted without being stored.

[0064] In the above-described embodiment, the stopper 100 abuts against the front end surface of the flange portion 41c to restrict the rearward movement of the trigger portion 40, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. The stopper 100 can be provided in a portion of the ejector body 2 other than the main cylinder 41. In the above-described embodiment, the configuration in which the restricting surface 102a abuts against a portion of the main cylinder 41 that is located below the linking portion 42a has been described, but the configuration is not limited to this. The restricting surface 102a may also be configured to abut against a portion of the main cylinder 41 that is located above the linking portion 42a. In this case, the restricting surface 102a may be formed as an inclined surface that extends forward as it extends upward.

[0065] In the above-described embodiment, the stopper 100 is configured to rotate about a stopper axis O5 along the left-right direction, but the configuration is not limited to this. The stopper 100 may be configured to rotate about an axis along the up-down direction, for example, as long as it is configured to rotate about an axis along a direction intersecting the front-rear direction L1. In the above-described embodiment, the biasing member 43 is provided between the main cylinder 41 and the main piston 42, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. The biasing member may be connected to the trigger portion.

[0066] In the above-described embodiment, the engaging portion 61d is formed on the lower opening edge of the through-hole 61b, but this is not limiting. The engaging portion 61d may be formed on a portion of the front wall 61a of the finger hook main body 61 other than the through-hole 61b, or may be formed on the side wall 61c, etc.

[0067] In addition, within the scope of the spirit of the present invention, it is possible to replace the components in the above-described embodiments with well-known components as appropriate, and the above-described modified examples may be combined as appropriate. [Explanation of symbols]

[0068] 1: Trigger-type liquid sprayer 2: Squirt body 3: Nozzle material 4:Blowout hole 10: Vertical supply tube 14: Main pump section 15: Trigger mechanism 31: Storage cylinder 32: Reservoir plunger 40: Trigger section 41: Main cylinder 42: Main piston 42a: Liaison Department 42b: Sliding part 61b: Engaged part 100: Stopper 102: Regulation Department 102a: Restriction surface (rear end surface of restriction portion) 110: Lock position engagement portion (engagement portion) A: Container body O1: Axis line (center axis line) O5: Stopper axis P1: Lock position P2: Unlock position

Claims

1. an ejector body attached to a container body that contains a liquid; a nozzle member provided in front of the ejector body and having an ejection hole formed therein for ejecting the liquid forward, The ejector body includes: a vertical supply tube portion extending in a vertical direction and through which the liquid drawn up from the container body flows; a trigger mechanism including a trigger unit provided in front of the vertical supply tube unit so as to be movable rearward in a forward biased state, and a main pump unit that sends liquid through the vertical supply tube unit toward the ejection holes by the rearward movement of the trigger unit, The main pump section a main cylinder communicating with the vertical supply tube portion and opening forward; a main piston that pressurizes or depressurizes the main cylinder in accordance with the forward and backward movement of the trigger portion, The trigger portion is provided with a stopper that can rotate around a stopper axis along a direction intersecting the front-rear direction between a lock position that restricts rearward movement of the trigger portion relative to the main cylinder and an unlock position that allows rearward movement of the trigger portion relative to the main cylinder, The stopper is a restricting portion that, in the locked position, contacts the ejector body from the front and restricts rearward movement of the trigger portion relative to the main cylinder; A trigger-type liquid ejector having an engaging portion that engages with an engaged portion formed on the trigger portion in the locked position, and that can overcome the engaged portion as the trigger portion rotates around the stopper axis between the locked position and the unlocked position.

2. The main piston is a sliding portion that is slidable in the front-rear direction on an inner peripheral surface of the main cylinder in accordance with movement of the trigger portion in the front-rear direction; a linking portion that protrudes forward from the sliding portion and links to the trigger portion, a rear end surface of the restricting portion abutting from the front against a portion of the ejector main body that is positioned below the linking portion in the locked position; 2. The trigger-type liquid ejector according to claim 1, wherein, in the locked position, the rear end surface of the restricting portion is formed as an inclined surface that extends upward toward the rear.

3. The ejector body includes: a storage cylinder provided between the vertical supply tube portion and the nozzle member, into which the liquid that has passed through the vertical supply tube portion is supplied as the trigger portion moves rearward; 3. A trigger-type liquid ejector as described in claim 1 or claim 2, comprising: a storage plunger that is arranged within the storage cylinder so as to be movable in an axial direction along the central axis of the storage cylinder, and that moves toward one side of the axial direction as liquid is supplied into the storage cylinder and is urged toward the other side of the axial direction.

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