Elastic structure and discharger

Abstract

To provide an elastic structure which can prevent application of excessive load on an elastic part to obtain a desired resilience force.SOLUTION: In an elastic structure 100, a plurality of compression spring members 1 made of synthetic resin are linearly aligned along a center axial line. Each of the compression spring members 1 includes a pair of annular parts 2, 3, and an elastic part 4 connecting the pair of annular parts 2, 3. One of the pair of annular parts 2, 3 includes a projection 2b on an outer end part 2a, 3a positioned on an outside in a direction along a center axial line O, and the other of the pair of annular parts 2, 3 includes a recess 3c on the outer end part 2a, 3a positioned on an outside in the direction along the center axial line O. In a state where the compression spring members 1 are linearly aligned and the projection 2b of one compression spring member 1 is fitted with the recess 3c of the other compression spring member 1, the one compression spring member 1 and the other compression spring member 1 are not movable in a radial direction with respect to the center axial line O.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1A

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an elastic structure and a dispenser. [Background technology]

[0002] A compression spring such as that disclosed in Patent Document 1 has been known for some time. The compression spring shown in Patent Document 1 is made of synthetic resin and includes a plurality of annular portions spaced apart from one another along a central axis, and a spiral elastic portion that is elastically deformable along the central axis and connects adjacent annular portions. This compression spring is used, for example, to return an operating portion of a dispenser that dispenses contents.

[0003] Various dispensers are used depending on the type of content and the amount of content to be dispensed, and various compression springs are also used depending on the dispenser. For example, a dispenser with a large stroke of the operating part that dispenses a large amount of content uses a long compression spring. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 10-73138 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Here, if one were to change the type of compression spring depending on the dispenser, for example, a mold for forming the compression spring would have to be prepared for each compression spring, which would increase the component cost of the compression spring.

[0006] In response to these problems, the inventors of the present application are studying how to configure a compression spring such as that shown in Patent Document 1 with multiple members (compression spring members) and change the number of compression spring members depending on the length, thereby enabling a compression spring member used in one dispenser to be used in other dispensers. As an example, they are studying an elastic structure in which a compression spring member having a pair of annular portions and an elastic portion connecting the annular portions shown in Patent Document 1 is prepared, and multiple such compression spring members are arranged in series along the central axis.

[0007] However, when using such an elastic structure, we found that even if each compression spring member had substantially the same shape, due to variations that occur during molding, when the elastic structure was compressed, the compression spring members could shift radially from the central axis, resulting in uneven force being applied to each compression spring member and different deformation states of the elastic portions of each compression spring member. In such cases, excessive load is applied to the elastic portions that are easily deformed, which could lead to damage, etc. Furthermore, there is a concern that if the compression spring members shift radially, the intended restoring force will not be obtained.

[0008] In view of these points, the present invention aims to propose an elastic structure that prevents excessive load from being applied to the elastic part and achieves the intended restoring force, and an ejector that uses this elastic structure. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The elastic structure of the present invention includes a plurality of compression spring members made of synthetic resin that are arranged in series along a central axis, the compression spring members comprising a pair of annular portions that extend in a direction circumferentially around the central axis and that are spaced apart in a direction along the central axis, and an elastic portion that is elastically deformable in a direction along the central axis and connects the pair of annular portions, one of the pair of annular portions having a convex portion that protrudes from the inside to the outside in a direction along the central axis, at an outer end portion that is located on the outside in a direction along the central axis, and the other of the pair of annular portions has a concave portion that is concave from the outside to the inside in a direction along the central axis, at an outer end portion that is located on the outside in a direction along the central axis, and the compression spring members are arranged in series, and when the convex portion of one of the compression spring members is fitted into the concave portion of another of the compression spring members, the one compression spring member and the other compression spring member cannot move radially relative to the central axis. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent the compression spring member from shifting radially relative to the central axis when the elastic structure is compressed, thereby preventing excessive load from being applied to the elastic portion and achieving the intended restoring force. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1A] 1 is a side view of a first embodiment of an elastic structure according to the present invention. [Figure 1B] 1B is a side view of a compression spring member of the first embodiment that constitutes the elastic structure shown in FIG. 1A. FIG. [Figure 1C] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the compression spring member of the first embodiment. [Figure 2A] FIG. 10 is a side view of a second embodiment of an elastic structure according to the present invention. [Figure 2B] 2B is a side view of a compression spring member of a second embodiment that constitutes the elastic structure shown in FIG. 2A. FIG. [Figure 2C] FIG. 10 is a plan view of a compression spring member according to a second embodiment. [Figure 3]FIG. 10 is a half cross-sectional side view of a dispenser using an elastic structure according to a modified example of the first embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] Hereinafter, elastic structures 100 and 200, which are embodiments of the elastic structure according to the present invention, and a dispenser 300, which is an embodiment of the dispenser according to the present invention, will be described with reference to the drawings. For convenience, the following description will be given in the orientation shown in the drawings, but the elastic structure and dispenser according to the present invention are not limited to use in this orientation. Furthermore, in this specification and the like, a direction perpendicular to the central axis O in a plane perpendicular to the central axis O shown in the drawings will be described as a radial direction, and a direction circumferential around the central axis O in this plane will be described as a circumferential direction.

[0013] 1A to 1C, an elastic structure 100, which is a first embodiment of the elastic structure according to the present invention, will be described. The elastic structure 100 includes a plurality of compression spring members 1 made of synthetic resin, which are arranged in series along the central axis O of the elastic structure 100. The elastic structure 100 of this embodiment is composed of four compression spring members 1, but the number of compression spring members 1 can be changed as appropriate depending on, for example, the configuration of a dispenser 300 that uses the elastic structure 100.

[0014] As shown in Figures 1B and 1C, the compression spring member 1 has a pair of annular portions (in Figure 1B, the upper annular portion is referred to as the first annular portion 2, and the lower annular portion is referred to as the second annular portion 3) that extend in a direction circumferentially around the central axis O to form a circular ring shape and are spaced apart from each other in a direction along the central axis O, and an elastic portion 4 that is elastically deformable in a direction along the central axis O and connects the first annular portion 2 and the second annular portion 3.

[0015] The first annular portion 2 has an outer end portion (first outer end portion 2a) located on the outer side in the direction along the central axis O (upper side in FIG. 1B). The first outer end portion 2a has a convex portion 2b that protrudes from the inside to the outside in the direction along the central axis O (from the bottom to the top in FIG. 1B), and a concave portion 2c that is recessed from the outside to the inside in the direction along the central axis O (from the top to the bottom in FIG. 1B) at a position offset in the circumferential direction from the convex portion 2b. In this embodiment, the convex portion 2b is a mountain-like shape that extends linearly upward and then slopes linearly downward in side view as shown in FIG. 1B. The concave portion 2c is a valley-like shape that extends linearly downward and then slopes linearly upward in side view. The convex portions 2b and the concave portions 2c are repeatedly provided in a direction circumferentially around the central axis O. In this embodiment, the convex portions 2b and the concave portions 2c are repeatedly provided around the entire circumference of the first outer end portion 2a.

[0016] In this embodiment, the second annular portion 3 is shaped to have the same shape as the first annular portion 2. Specifically, the second annular portion 3 has an outer end portion (second outer end portion 3a) located on the outer side in the direction along the central axis O (lower side in FIG. 1B). The second outer end portion 3a has a convex portion 3b that protrudes from the inside to the outside in the direction along the central axis O (from upper side to lower side in FIG. 1B), and a concave portion 3c that is recessed from the outside to the inside in the direction along the central axis O (from lower side to upper side in FIG. 1B) at a position circumferentially offset from the convex portion 3b. In this embodiment, the convex portion 3b is a mountain-like portion that extends linearly downward in a side view and then slopes linearly upward, as shown in FIG. 1B. The concave portion 3c is a valley-like portion that extends linearly upward in a side view and then slopes linearly downward. The convex portions 3b and the concave portions 3c are repeatedly provided in a direction circumferentially around the central axis, and in this embodiment, the convex portions 3b and the concave portions 3c are repeatedly provided around the entire circumference of the second outer end portion 3a.

[0017] As shown in Fig. 1C, a pair of elastic portions 4 are provided on either side of the central axis O. In the present embodiment, the elastic portion 4 extends in an arc shape in the range where the first annular portion 2 is located in a plan view (extending in an arc shape with the same radius as the first annular portion 2, which is annular as shown in Fig. 1C), and extends at an angle with respect to the central axis O in a side view as shown in Fig. 1B. To explain the shape in a plan view in detail, when the portion of the elastic portion 4 that connects to the first annular portion 2 (hereinafter referred to as the first connecting portion 4a) is located on the right side of the central axis O and the portion that connects to the second annular portion 3 (hereinafter referred to as the second connecting portion 4b) is located on the left side of the central axis O, the elastic portion 4 is provided with a first curved portion 4c that extends from the first connecting portion 4a in an arc-like curve that is convex downward, a second curved portion 4d that extends from the first curved portion 4c in an arc-like curve that is convex upward, an inclined portion 4e that extends from the second curved portion 4d in a linearly inclined downward and leftward, a fourth curved portion 4f that extends from the inclined portion 4e in an arc-like curve that is convex downward, and a fifth curved portion 4g that extends from the fourth curved portion 4f in an arc-like curve that is convex upward and connects to the second connecting portion 4b.

[0018] 1B, the shape of the elastic portion 4 in this embodiment in side view is point-symmetrical with respect to the center point P of the compression spring member 1 in side view (the center in the vertical and horizontal directions of the compression spring member 1 in side view). Furthermore, with regard to the convex portions 2b and concave portions 2c provided on the first annular portion 2 and the convex portions 3b and concave portions 3c provided on the second annular portion 3, the positions of the convex portions 2b and concave portions 2c relative to the first connecting portion 4a are the same as the positions of the convex portions 3b and concave portions 3c relative to the second connecting portion 4b. Therefore, the compression spring member 1 can be used as an elastic structure 100 regardless of the vertical direction.

[0019] In an elastic structure 100 including such compression spring members 1, when the compression spring members 1 are arranged in series as shown in FIG. 1A , the convex portion 2b of the lower compression spring member 1 fits into the concave portion 3c of the upper compression spring member 1, preventing the compression spring members 1 from shifting radially relative to the central axis O. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the convex portion 3b of the upper compression spring member 1 fits into the concave portion 2c of the lower compression spring member 1, more reliably preventing radial shifting. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the convex portions 2b and 3b are mountain-shaped with linearly inclined portions, and the concave portions 2c and 2c are valley-shaped with linearly inclined portions. Therefore, when two compression spring members 1 are arranged in series, even if the positions of the convex portions 2b and 3c, and the convex portions 3b and 2c are misaligned in the circumferential direction, the convex portions 2b and 3b can be fitted into the concave portions 3c and the concave portions 2c by sliding along the inclined portions.

[0020] In an elastic structure in which compression spring members without such convex portions 2b, 3b and concave portions 2c, 3c are arranged in series, variations that occur during molding can cause the compression spring members to shift radially relative to the central axis when the elastic structure is compressed, even if the compression spring members have substantially the same shape. In this case, uneven force is applied to the compression spring members, and excessive load is applied to the easily deformable elastic portion 4, which may lead to damage. Furthermore, radial shift of the compression spring members may prevent the intended restoring force from being obtained. In contrast, the elastic structure 100 of this embodiment, with the convex portions 2b, 3b and concave portions 2c, 3c, prevents the compression spring member 1 from shifting radially relative to the central axis O. This prevents excessive load from being applied to the elastic portion 4 and ensures the intended restoring force.

[0021] 2A is a diagram showing an elastic structure 200, which is a second embodiment of the elastic structure according to the present invention. The elastic structure 200 includes four compression spring members 11 made of synthetic resin, which are arranged in series along the central axis O of the elastic structure 200. As with the elastic structure 100, the number of compression spring members 11 in the elastic structure 200 can be changed as appropriate depending on the configuration of a dispenser 300 that uses the elastic structure 200.

[0022] 2B and 2C, the compression spring member 11 has a pair of annular portions (in FIG. 2B, the upper annular portion is referred to as the first annular portion 12, and the lower annular portion is referred to as the second annular portion 13) that extend in a circular ring shape around the central axis O and are spaced apart from each other in a direction along the central axis O, and an elastic portion 4 that is elastically deformable in a direction along the central axis O and connects the first annular portion 12 and the second annular portion 13. Note that the elastic portion 4 of the compression spring member 11 is the same as the elastic portion 4 of the compression spring member 1 described above, and therefore the same reference numerals are used in the drawings and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0023] The first annular portion 12 has an outer end portion (first outer end portion 12a) located on the outer side in the direction along the central axis O (upper side in FIG. 2B). The first outer end portion 12a has a recessed portion 12c recessed from the outer side toward the inner side in the direction along the central axis O (from upper side to lower side in FIG. 2B). In this embodiment, the recessed portion 12c is provided on the inner edge portion of the first outer end portion 12a around the entire circumference in the direction around the central axis O. The radially outer surface of the recessed portion 12c is inclined so as to decrease in diameter from the outer side toward the inner side in the direction along the central axis O (from upper side to lower side in FIG. 2B).

[0024] The second annular portion 13 has an outer end portion (second outer end portion 13a) located on the outer side in the direction along the central axis O (lower side in FIG. 2B). The second outer end portion 13a has a protrusion 13b that protrudes from the inner side toward the outer side in the direction along the central axis O (from upper side to lower side in FIG. 2B). In this embodiment, the protrusion 13b is provided on the outer edge portion of the first outer end portion 12a around the entire circumference in the direction around the central axis O. The radially outer surface of the protrusion 13b is inclined so as to decrease in diameter from the inner side toward the outer side in the direction along the central axis O (from upper side to lower side in FIG. 2B).

[0025] When constructing an elastic structure 200 using such compression spring members 11, as shown in FIG. 2A , the compression spring members 11 are arranged in series, for example, with the first annular portion 12 positioned above and the second annular portion 13 positioned below. In this state, the convex portion 13b of the upper compression spring member 11 fits into the concave portion 12c of the lower compression spring member 11, preventing the compression spring members 11 from shifting radially relative to the central axis O. That is, in the elastic structure 200, as in the elastic structure 100, excessive load is prevented from being applied to the elastic portion 4, and the intended restoring force can be obtained. In this embodiment, the concave portion 12c is provided around the entire circumference in a direction circumferentially around the central axis O. Therefore, when arranging two compression spring members 11 in series, the convex portion 13b and the concave portion 12c can be fitted together without regard to the circumferential positions of the convex portion 13b and the concave portion 12c. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the convex portion 13b is provided around the entire circumference in a direction circumferentially around the central axis O, and the convex portion 13b and the concave portion 12c are fitted together around the entire circumference, which more reliably prevents the compression spring member 11 from shifting radially relative to the central axis O. In addition, the radially outer surface of the concave portion 12c is inclined so as to reduce its diameter, and the radially outer surface of the convex portion 13b is also inclined so as to reduce its diameter, which allows the two to be easily fitted together. In this embodiment, the recessed portion 12c and the protruding portion 13b extend in a direction circling the central axis O, and therefore the vertically adjacent compression spring members 11 can rotate relatively in a direction circling the central axis O. In other words, when a load is applied to the elastic portion 4 in a direction circling the central axis O, the compression spring members 11 rotate relatively in a direction circling the central axis O, and therefore this load can be reduced.

[0026] The elastic structures according to the present invention are not limited to the above-described elastic structures 100 and 200, and may be modified as follows, for example.

[0027] For example, the convex portions 2b, 3b and the concave portions 2c, 3c provided on the compression spring member 1 are repeatedly provided around the entire circumference of the first outer end portion 2a and the second outer end portion 3a. However, the convex portions 2b, 3b and the concave portions 2c, 3c may be provided only on a portion (e.g., half the circumference) of the first outer end portion 2a and the second outer end portion 3a. A gap may be provided between the convex portions 2b, 3b and the concave portions 2c, 3c. Furthermore, there may be only one convex portion 2b, 3b and one concave portion 2c, 3c. The convex portions 2b, 3b may partially protrude from the first outer end portion 2a and the second outer end portion 3a (e.g., protrude in a cylindrical, prismatic, or hemispherical shape), and the concave portions 2c, 3c may be partially recessed from the first outer end portion 2a and the second outer end portion 3a (e.g., recessed in a cylindrical, prismatic, or hemispherical shape).

[0028] The convex portion 13b and the concave portion 12c provided on the compression spring member 11 are provided around the entire circumference of the first outer end portion 12a and the second outer end portion 13a in a direction circling the central axis O, but the portion where the convex portion 13b and the concave portion 12c are provided may be only a part (e.g., half the circumference) of the first outer end portion 12a and the second outer end portion 13a.

[0029] Furthermore, the elastic portion 4 is not limited to being point-symmetric about the center point P of the compression spring member 1 in a side view as shown in FIG. 1B, but may be shaped asymmetric about the center point P.

[0030] Next, a dispenser 300, which is one embodiment of a dispenser according to the present invention, will be described with reference to Fig. 3. Dispenser 300 of this embodiment uses elastic structure 100A, which is a modified example of the above-described elastic structure 100. Here, elastic structure 100A uses six of the above-described compression spring members 1 arranged in series.

[0031] The dispenser 300 is attached to a container (not shown) and dispenses the contents stored in the container to the outside. The dispenser 300 of this embodiment includes a base cap 21, a pump 22, a pressure head 40, a gasket 50, and a stopper 51. The pump 22 is composed of the elastic structure 100A described above, a cylinder 23, an inner cylinder 24, a pipe 25, a contents check valve 26, a contents piston 27, a stem 28, an air piston 29, and an air check valve 30. The pressure head 40 is composed of a head body 41, a holder 42, and a foam member 43. The pressure head 40 corresponds to the "operation unit" in this specification. Each component of the dispenser 300 is made of synthetic resin.

[0032] The base cap 21 includes a cylindrical cap peripheral wall 21a that surrounds the mouth of a container (not shown), a female thread portion 21b that is provided on the inner surface of the cap peripheral wall 21a and that screws into a male thread portion provided on the mouth of the container, and an upper wall 21c that is connected to the upper end of the cap peripheral wall 21a. The upper wall 21c is shaped to extend radially inward from the upper end of the cap peripheral wall 21a, then extend further upward, then extend radially inward, and then extend downward.

[0033] The cylinder 23 has a bottom 23b with a through-hole (content inlet 23a) in the center. The bottom 23b extends horizontally radially outward, then extends upward and downward, and further extends horizontally from the lower end. A cylindrical fitting wall 23c that fits and holds the pipe 25 is provided on the underside of the bottom 23b. A cylindrical lower cylindrical wall 23d is provided on the outer edge of the bottom 23b, and an upper cylindrical wall 23e that is larger in diameter than the lower cylindrical wall 23d is provided above the lower cylindrical wall 23d. An attachment portion 23f that is U-shaped in cross section and fits and holds the base cap 21 is provided on the upper end of the upper cylindrical wall 23e.

[0034] The internal cylinder 24 has a cylindrical shape and is provided radially inside the lower cylindrical wall 23d of the cylinder 23. The space inside the internal cylinder 24 is connected to the content inlet 23a. A lower flange 24a, which extends radially outward and on which the elastic structure 100A is placed, is provided at the lower end of the internal cylinder 24. When placed on the lower flange 24a, the elastic structure 100A is located radially outside the internal cylinder 24 and radially inside the lower cylindrical wall 23d.

[0035] The pipe 25 is tubular, with its upper end fitted and held in the fitting wall 23c, and its lower end located near the bottom of a container (not shown).

[0036] The contents check valve 26 is in the form of a so-called three-point valve. The contents check valve 26 is equipped with a valve body 26a that covers the contents inlet 23a and sits on the upper surface of the bottom 23b. The valve body 26a normally sits on the upper surface of the bottom 23b to close the contents inlet 23a, but when the space inside the internal cylinder 24 becomes a reduced-pressure atmosphere, it moves away from the upper surface of the bottom 23b to open the contents inlet 23a.

[0037] The content piston 27 is in slidable contact with the inner peripheral surface of the inner cylinder 24 and pressurizes the space inside the inner cylinder 24 by moving downward.

[0038] The stem 28 is cylindrical and is provided above the content piston 27. The stem 28 has an upper flange 28a that contacts the upper end of the elastic structure 100A.

[0039] Air piston 29 includes a cylindrical guide wall 29a located radially outward of stem 28, a connecting wall 29b extending radially outward from guide wall 29a and then extending downward, and a piston portion 29c provided radially outward of connecting wall 29b and in slidable contact with the inner circumferential surface of upper cylindrical wall 23e. An air inlet port 29d penetrating connecting wall 29b is provided at the connecting portion between guide wall 29a and connecting wall 29b.

[0040] The air check valve 30 includes a cylindrical base 30a that is fitted and held in the guide wall 29a, and a valve element 30b that is annular and has one end connected to the base 30a and the other end seated on the underside of the connecting wall 29b. The valve element 30b normally seats on the underside of the connecting wall 29b to close the air inlet port 29d, but when the space inside the connecting wall 29b becomes a reduced-pressure atmosphere, it moves away from the underside of the connecting wall 29b to open the air inlet port 29d.

[0041] The head body 41 is cylindrical and includes a head tubular wall 41a fitted and held on the stem 28, a nozzle portion 41b communicating with the head tubular wall 41a, and an outer peripheral wall 41c surrounding the head tubular wall 41a.

[0042] The holder 42 is cylindrical, with its lower portion inserted into the stem 28 and its upper portion inserted into the head cylindrical wall 41a and fitted thereto for retention.

[0043] The foam member 43 has a shape in which a mesh is provided at one end of a cylindrical member. In this embodiment, two foam members 43 are provided.

[0044] The packing 50 is in the shape of an annular plate and is fitted and held in the upper cylindrical wall 23e. When the dispenser 300 is attached to a container (not shown), the packing 50 is sandwiched between the mouth of the container and the attachment part 23f to seal the inside of the container.

[0045] The stopper 51 is a member that is detachably held on the upper wall 21c of the base cap 21. When the stopper 51 is attached to the upper wall 21c, it is interposed between the base cap 21 and the outer peripheral wall 41c of the head main body 41, and prevents the head main body 41 from being inadvertently pushed down.

[0046] In addition, between the above-mentioned stem 28 and guide wall 29a, between the stem 28 and head cylindrical wall 41a, and between the stem 28 and the lower part of the holder 42, air passages through which air inside the cylinder 23 passes are provided.

[0047] Dispenser 300 constructed with these components is attached to a container, and when stopper 51 is removed and pressure head 40 is pressed down, stem 28, content piston 27, and air piston 29 are also pressed down along with pressure head 40. As content piston 27 moves downward, the content contained in internal cylinder 24 and stem 28 is pressurized. As air piston 29 moves downward, air in cylinder 23 is pressurized and supplied into stem 28 through the above-mentioned air passage. The content and air mixed in stem 28 then pass through foaming member 43, foaming, and are discharged from the tip of nozzle portion 41b.

[0048] At this time, elastic structure 100A is pressed down and compressed by upper flange 28a of stem 28, causing elastic deformation of elastic portion 4 shown in Fig. 1B. Therefore, when the pressing force applied to pressing head 40 is released, elastic portion 4 returns to its original state, allowing pressing head 40 to move upward via stem 28 and return to its original position.

[0049] When the pressing head 40 is moved upward, the content piston 27 and the air piston 29 also move upward. As the content piston 27 moves upward, the volume of the internal cylinder 24 increases, creating a reduced pressure atmosphere inside the internal cylinder 24 and a pressure difference with the interior of the container. As a result, the content in the container passes through the pipe 25, moving the valve element 26a of the content check valve 26 away from the bottom 23b and being introduced into the internal cylinder 24 through the content inlet 23a. As the air piston 29 moves upward, the volume inside the upper cylindrical wall 23e increases, creating a reduced pressure atmosphere inside the upper cylindrical wall 23e and a pressure difference with the exterior space. As a result, air from the exterior space moves the valve element 30b of the air check valve 30 away from the connecting wall 29b and is introduced into the upper cylindrical wall 23e through the air inlet 29d. When the pressing head 40 is then pressed down, the foamed content can again be discharged from the tip of the nozzle portion 41b.

[0050] According to such a dispenser 300, the elastic structure 100A and other components are made of synthetic resin, and basically no metal components are used, so there is no need for separation when disposing of the dispenser, making it highly recyclable. Furthermore, when using another dispenser with a different stroke length of the pressing head 40, there is no need to prepare compression springs with a short stroke length as in the past, and it is only necessary to change the number of compression spring members 1 that make up the elastic structure 100A, thereby reducing costs.

[0051] The above description has been given with reference to dispenser 300 as one embodiment of a dispenser according to the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. For example, the elastic structure 100A described above uses the compression spring member 1 shown in FIG. 1B, but it may also use the compression spring member 11 shown in FIG. 2B. Furthermore, the pump 22 described above is merely an example, and cases in which other types of pumps are used are also included in the present invention.

[0052] The dispenser 300 described above dispenses the contents in foam form, but it may also be a dispenser that dispenses the contents without foaming them. Also, the dispenser 300 dispenses the contents by pressing down the pressure head 40, but it may also be a dispenser that dispenses the contents by pulling an operating lever, for example.

[0053] (Addendum) In one aspect, the present specification discloses the following technology.

[0054] (Technology 1) An elastic structure (100) in which a plurality of compression spring members (1) made of synthetic resin are arranged in series along a central axis (O), The compression spring member (1) is a pair of annular portions (2, 3) extending in a direction circumferentially around the central axis (O) and spaced apart from each other in a direction along the central axis (O); an elastic portion (4) that is elastically deformable in a direction along the central axis (O) and connects the pair of annular portions (2, 3), One of the pair of annular portions (2, 3) has a protrusion (2b) that protrudes from the inside toward the outside in the direction along the central axis (O) at an outer end portion (2a, 3a) located on the outside in the direction along the central axis (O), The other of the pair of annular portions (2, 3) has a recess (3c) recessed from the outside toward the inside in a direction along the central axis (O) at an outer end portion (2a, 3a) located on the outside in a direction along the central axis (O), The elastic structure (100) is configured such that the compression spring members (1) are arranged in series, and when the convex portion (2b) of one of the compression spring members (1) is fitted into the concave portion (3c) of another of the compression spring members (1), the one of the compression spring members (1) and the other of the compression spring members (1) cannot move radially relative to the central axis (O).

[0055] This technology prevents the compression spring member from shifting radially relative to the central axis when the elastic structure is compressed, thereby preventing excessive load from being applied to the elastic part and achieving the intended restoring force.

[0056] (Technology 2) The elastic structure (100) according to Technology 1, wherein the pair of annular portions (2, 3) are each formed such that the convex portions (2b, 3b) and the concave portions (2c, 3c) are repeatedly provided in a direction circumferentially around the central axis (O).

[0057] With this technique, a convex portion and a concave portion are provided on each of the pair of annular portions of the compression spring member, so that the compression spring member can be more reliably prevented from shifting radially relative to the central axis.

[0058] (Technology 3) In the elastic structure (100) described in Technology 2, when a portion where the elastic portion (4) is connected to one of the pair of annular portions (2, 3) is defined as a first connecting portion (4a) and a portion where the elastic portion (4) is connected to the other of the pair of annular portions (2, 3) is defined as a second connecting portion (4b), the positions of the convex portion (2b) and the concave portion (2c) relative to the first connecting portion (4a) are the same as the positions of the convex portion (3b) and the concave portion (3c) relative to the second connecting portion (4b).

[0059] This technology eliminates the need to distinguish between the directions along the central axis of the compression spring member (for example, whether one of the pair of annular portions is positioned downward or the other, the positions of the pair of annular portions and the elastic portion do not change), making it easy to arrange the compression spring members in series.

[0060] (Technology 4) The elastic structure (100) according to Technology 1, wherein the recess (12c) extends in a direction circumferentially around the central axis (O).

[0061] This technique simplifies the shape of the recess, making it more suitable for mass production, and facilitating the realization of the present invention.

[0062] (Technology 5) The protrusion (12b) extends around the entire circumference of the central axis (O), The elastic structure (100) according to technique 4, wherein the recess (12c) extends over the entire circumference in a direction circumferentially around the central axis (O).

[0063] This technology allows two compression spring members to be arranged in series and fitted together without having to worry about the circumferential position of the convex and concave portions. In addition, because the convex and concave portions fit together around the entire circumference, it is possible to more reliably prevent the compression spring members from shifting radially from the central axis.

[0064] (Technology 6) A dispenser (300) attached to a container containing a content, A dispenser (300) comprising: an elastic structure (100A) according to any one of techniques 1 to 5; and an operating part (40) that discharges the content from the container by compressing the elastic structure (100A) and returns to its original state by the elastic force of the compressed elastic structure (100A).

[0065] This technology prevents excessive load from being applied to the elastic structure when the operating part is operated to compress the elastic structure. Furthermore, when using other dispensers with different stroke lengths for the operating part, it is only necessary to change the number of compression spring members that make up the elastic structure, thereby reducing costs.

[0066] Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to this specific embodiment, and unless otherwise limited in the above description, various modifications and variations are possible within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined in the claims. For example, the configurations of the above-described embodiment may be added or deleted as appropriate, and the configurations of one embodiment may be incorporated into other embodiments. Furthermore, the effects of the above-described embodiment are merely examples of the effects that can be obtained from the present invention. In other words, the effects of the present invention are not limited to the above-described effects, and additional effects may be obtained in addition to the above-described effects. [Explanation of symbols]

[0067] 1: Compression spring member 2: First annular section (annular section) 2a: First outer end (outer end) 2b: Convex part 2c: Recess 3: Second annular section (annular section) 3a: Second outer end (outer end) 3b: Convex part 3c: Recess 4: Elastic part 4a: First connection part 4b: Second connection part 11: Compression spring member 12: First annular section (annular section) 12a: First outer end (outer end) 12c: Recess 13: Second annular section (annular section) 13a: Second outer end (outer end) 13b: Convex part 40: Pressing head (operating part) 100, 100A, 200: Elastic structure 300: Dispenser O: Central axis

Claims

1. An elastic structure in which a plurality of compression spring members made of synthetic resin are arranged in series along a central axis, The compression spring member is a pair of annular portions extending in a direction circumferentially around the central axis and spaced apart from each other in a direction along the central axis; an elastic portion that is elastically deformable in a direction along the central axis and connects the pair of annular portions, one of the pair of annular portions has a protrusion at an outer end portion located on the outside in a direction along the central axis line, the protrusion protruding from the inside toward the outside in a direction along the central axis line, the other of the pair of annular portions has, at an outer end portion located on the outer side in a direction along the central axis, a recess recessed from the outer side toward the inner side in a direction along the central axis, An elastic structure in which the compression spring members are arranged in series, and when the convex portion of one of the compression spring members is fitted into the concave portion of another of the compression spring members, the one of the compression spring members and the other of the compression spring members cannot move radially relative to the central axis.

2. The elastic structure according to claim 1 , wherein the pair of annular portions each have the convex portion and the concave portion repeatedly provided in a direction circumferentially around the central axis.

3. 3. The elastic structure of claim 2, wherein when a portion where the elastic portion connects to one of the pair of annular portions is defined as a first connection portion and a portion where the elastic portion connects to the other of the pair of annular portions is defined as a second connection portion, the positions of the convex portion and the concave portion relative to the first connection portion are the same as the positions of the convex portion and the concave portion relative to the second connection portion.

4. The elastic structure according to claim 1 , wherein the recess extends in a direction circumferentially around the central axis.

5. The protrusion extends around the entire circumference in a direction circumferentially around the central axis, The elastic structure according to claim 4 , wherein the recess extends over the entire circumference in a direction circumferentially around the central axis.

6. A dispenser attached to a container that contains contents, A dispenser comprising: an elastic structure according to any one of claims 1 to 5; and an operating part that discharges contents from the container by compressing the elastic structure, and returns to its original position by the elastic force of the compressed elastic structure.

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