Pump type discharger

Abstract

To provide a pump type discharger that can discharge content in a same way as before, and further, is excellent in recyclability.SOLUTION: In a pump type discharger 100, any one of a head 11 and a cap 10 is provided with an extension part 11e which is extended toward any other of the head 11 and the cap 10, and any other of the head 11 and the cap 10 is provided with an elastic piece 10m which is deflected in a direction of approaching a center axis O of a stem 7a by the extension part 11e when the head 11 is advanced toward the cap 10. A cross-sectional shape of an inner peripheral surface 11e1, which contacts the elastic piece 10m in the extension part 11e, is circular arc-shaped with the center axis O as a center, and a cross-sectional shape of an outer peripheral surface 10n2 contacting the extension part 11e in the elastic piece 10m is V-shaped with an apex 10n3 that is positioned on a radial direction outer side and contacts the inner peripheral surface 11e1 in the extension part 11e.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a pump-type dispenser. [Background technology]

[0002] A known pump-type dispenser includes a cap that is attached to the mouth of a container, a pump that is held at the mouth by the cap and is driven by the back and forth movement of a stem, and a head that is connected to the stem; the liquid contents in the container are dispensed from the head's outlet by moving the head toward the cap (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] As shown in Patent Document 1, a coil spring is provided inside such a pump-type dispenser to return the head, which has been advanced toward the cap, to its initial position. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-31950 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, while most of the components of such pump-type dispensers are made of synthetic resin, the coil spring is made of metal. Therefore, when discarded after use, the pump-type dispenser cannot be recycled as a resin product in its current state. Furthermore, in general, in this type of pump-type dispenser, the components are firmly fixed to each other, for example, by fitting, to prevent them from coming apart during normal use. Therefore, it takes time and effort to disassemble the pump-type dispenser and separate the coil spring from the other components.

[0006] The present invention aims to solve these problems and to propose a pump-type dispenser that can dispense the liquid content in the same way as conventional dispensers and that is also highly recyclable. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The pump-type dispenser of the present invention comprises a cap that is attached to the mouth of a container that contains liquid contents, a pump that is held at the mouth by the cap and is driven by the back and forth movement of a stem, and a head that has a discharge port that discharges the liquid contents to the outside and is connected to the stem, and the liquid contents in the container are discharged from the discharge port by moving the head toward the cap, and one of the head and the cap is provided with an extension portion that extends toward the other of the head and the cap, and the other of the head and the cap is provided with an elastic piece that is bent by the extension portion in a direction approaching the central axis of the stem when the head is advanced toward the cap, and the cross-sectional shape of the inner circumferential surface of the extension portion that contacts the elastic piece is an arc centered on the central axis, and the cross-sectional shape of the outer circumferential surface of the elastic piece that contacts the extension portion is V-shaped with its apex located radially outward and in contact with the inner circumferential surface of the extension portion. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the pump-type dispenser of the present invention, when the head is advanced toward the cap, the extension bends the elastic piece toward the central axis of the stem, allowing the head to return to its initial position when the bent elastic piece returns to its original position. Furthermore, because the above-described elastic piece is used instead of a metal coil spring, the separation of metal parts, as in conventional pump-type dispensers, is not required after use. Furthermore, the dispenser can be reused as a resin product, resulting in excellent recyclability. However, when the head is advanced, the extension slides against the elastic piece, which can increase or fluctuate due to various factors, impairing operability. After extensive research, the inventors of the present invention found that the sliding resistance can be reduced and the fluctuations in sliding resistance can be suppressed by forming the inner circumferential surface of the extension into an arc shape centered on the central axis and forming the outer circumferential surface of the elastic piece into a V-shape with its apex located radially outward and in contact with the inner circumferential surface of the extension. That is, according to the pump-type dispenser of the present invention, problems related to sliding resistance are suppressed, and operability equivalent to that of conventional devices can be obtained. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a cross-sectional side view of an embodiment of a pump-type dispenser according to the present invention, in which the head is positioned at its most retracted position. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the pump-type dispenser shown in FIG. [Figure 3] 2 is a cross-sectional side view of the pump-type dispenser shown in FIG. 1 with the head positioned at the forward limit. [Figure 4A] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. [Figure 4B] FIG. 4B is a partially enlarged view of part B in FIG. 4A. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional side view of the elastic piece in an initial state. [Figure 6A] FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 4A and relating to a pump-type dispenser of a comparative example. [Figure 6B]FIG. 5B is a partially enlarged view of part C in FIG. 5A. [Figure 7] 10 is a diagram showing the relationship between the moving distance of the head and the pressing force when the head is pressed. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, a pump-type dispenser 100, which is one embodiment of the pump-type dispenser according to the present invention, will be described with reference to the drawings. In this specification and the like, the up-down direction refers to the direction along the illustrated central axis O (the central axis of the stem 7a, which will be described later), with the side on which the pipe 4 is located being the "bottom" and the side on which the head 11 is located being the "top." Furthermore, the radial direction refers to a direction perpendicular to the central axis O within a plane perpendicular to the central axis O, and the circumferential direction refers to a direction circumferential around the central axis O within this plane.

[0011] The pump-type dispenser 100 of this embodiment is used by being attached to a container 50. The container 50 is shaped like a bottle and has a cylindrical mouth 50a at the top. A male thread 50b is provided on the outer periphery of the mouth 50a. A storage space S defined inside the container 50 stores liquid contents such as cosmetics (e.g., emulsion or lotion), shampoo, body soap, hand soap, or facial cleanser.

[0012] The pump-type dispenser 100 is composed of a cylinder 1, a valve member 2, a pipe 4, an internal member 5, a piston 6, a tubular member 7, a holder 8, a packing 9, a cap 10, and a head 11. The cylinder 1, the valve member 2, the internal member 5, the piston 6, the tubular member 7, and the holder 8 are components that constitute the "pump" in this specification. Of the above components, the valve member 2, the piston 6, and the packing 9 are made of a soft, elastic synthetic resin (e.g., polyethylene (LDPE, HDPE, foamed PE)), while the other components are made of a hard synthetic resin (e.g., polypropylene (PP), polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), polyacetal (POM), polyketone (POK) resin, etc.). Each component of the pump-type dispenser 100 is essentially shaped around a central axis O.

[0013] Cylinder 1 has a disk-shaped bottom wall 1a with an upwardly protruding central portion, a cylindrical tube wall 1b rising from the outer edge of bottom wall 1a, and a flange wall 1c extending radially outward from the top of tube wall 1b. A through-hole (suction port 1d) is provided in the protruding central portion of bottom wall 1a. A cylindrical holding tube 1e is provided on the underside of bottom wall 1a, surrounding suction port 1d and extending downward to hold pipe 4. A through-hole (vent hole 1f) is provided in tube wall 1b.

[0014] The valve member 2 includes a base 2a, a valve body 2b that covers the suction port 1d inside the base 2a and sits on the upper surface of the bottom wall 1a, and an elastically deformable connecting piece 2c that connects the base 2a and the valve body 2b. The valve member 2 functions as a check valve, and when the pressure inside the cylinder 1 is reduced, the valve body 2b that had been closing the suction port 1d moves away from the bottom wall 1a, opening the suction port 1d.

[0015] In this embodiment, the base 2a is cylindrical with a lid and has a shape in which the central portion of the top surface protrudes upward, and has an opening (not shown) through which the liquid content passes after passing through the suction port 1d. The base 2a is fitted and held on the inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical wall portion 1b, thereby holding the valve member 2 within the cylinder 1.

[0016] The pipe 4 is hollow, and its upper end is inserted into the holding cylinder 1e and is fitted and held therein.

[0017] The internal member 5 is disposed inside the cylinder 1 and is a member that moves up and down relative to the cylinder 1. The internal member 5 is cylindrical and includes a connecting tube 5a with a closed lower end. As shown in FIG. 1, the lower portion of the connecting tube 5a protrudes radially outward. The internal member 5 also includes a lower end 5b that extends downward from the connecting tube 5a and then radially outward. The connecting tube 5a is provided with a hole (communication port 5c) that passes through it, and the lower end 5b is provided with a hole (lower end communication port 5d) that passes through it.

[0018] The piston 6 is inserted into the connecting tube 5a and disposed inside the cylinder 1. The piston 6 in this embodiment has an annular base 6a. An outer sliding piece 6b extending upward and downward from the base 6a is provided on the outer edge of the base 6a. The outer sliding piece 6b slidably and liquid-tightly contacts the inner circumferential surface of the tube wall 1b. An inner sliding piece 6c extending upward and downward from the base 6a is provided on the inner edge of the base 6a. A lower part of the inner sliding piece 6c liquid-tightly contacts the lower part of the connecting tube 5a that protrudes radially outward, and an upper part of the inner sliding piece 6c slidably and liquid-tightly contacts the inner circumferential surface of an expanded diameter portion 7b (described later) of the tubular member 7.

[0019] The tubular member 7 is a member having an overall tubular shape. The tubular member 7 includes a cylindrical stem 7a and an expanded diameter portion 7b that is connected to the lower end of the stem 7a and has a larger diameter than the stem 7a. When the connecting tube 5a is inserted into the stem 7a, the two are fitted together, and the internal member 5 and the tubular member 7 move integrally relative to the cylinder 1.

[0020] The holder 8 has a portion located radially outward of the stem 7a and a portion located radially outward of the expanded diameter portion 7b, and is equipped with a holder base 8a that is inserted into the inside of the cylindrical wall portion 1b. The outer peripheral surface of the holder base 8a is configured to be fitted and held by the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical wall portion 1b, and fitting the holder base 8a into the cylindrical wall portion 1b prevents the internal member 5, piston 6, and cylindrical member 7 from slipping out of the cylinder 1. A flange 8b extending radially outward is provided at the upper end of the holder base 8a, and when the holder base 8a is inserted into the inside of the cylindrical wall portion 1b, the flange 8b comes into contact with the upper surface of the flange wall 1c, preventing the holder base 8a from being inserted excessively.

[0021] The packing 9 is in the shape of an annular plate and is inserted into and fitted into the cylindrical wall portion 1b of the cylinder 1. When the pump-type dispenser 100 is attached to the container 50, the packing 9 is sandwiched between the opening portion 50a and the flange wall 1c. This prevents problems such as the content liquid overflowing from the opening portion 50a when the container 50 is turned over, for example.

[0022] The cap 10 has a disk-shaped top wall 10a with a through-hole in the center. A cylindrical lower peripheral wall 10b extends downward from the outer edge of the top wall 10a. The upper portion of the inner peripheral surface of the lower peripheral wall 10b bulges radially inward to fit and hold a flange wall 1c, thereby holding the cylinder 1 in the cap 10. The inner peripheral surface of the lower peripheral wall 10b is provided with a female threaded portion 10c that screws into a male threaded portion 50b provided on the opening portion 50a. The cap 10 can be attached to the container 50 by screwing the male threaded portion 50b into the female threaded portion 10c.

[0023] The cap 10 also includes a cylindrical upper peripheral wall 10d extending upward from the outer edge of the top wall 10a. The inner peripheral surface of the upper peripheral wall 10d is provided with two recesses, each recessed radially outward, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4A. The recess with a smaller circumferential length is referred to as the first recess 10e, and the recess with a larger circumferential length is referred to as the second recess 10f. The first recess 10e and the second recess 10f are located near the upper end of the upper peripheral wall 10d and function as stoppers to prevent downward movement of the first protrusion 11f and the second protrusion 11g, which will be described later. The inner peripheral surface of the upper peripheral wall 10d is also provided with two vertical grooves, extending from the upper end to the lower end of the upper peripheral wall 10d, circumferentially offset from the first recess 10e and the second recess 10f, as shown in FIG. 1. Here, the vertical groove having approximately the same circumferential length as the first recess 10e is referred to as the first vertical groove 10g, and the vertical groove having approximately the same circumferential length as the second recess 10f is referred to as the second vertical groove 10h. Furthermore, the inner circumferential surface of the upper peripheral wall 10d is provided with a first connecting portion 10j connecting the first recess 10e and the first vertical groove 10g, and a second connecting portion 10k connecting the second recess 10f and the second vertical groove 10h. Like the first recess 10e and the second recess 10f, the first connecting portion 10j and the second connecting portion 10k are provided near the upper end of the upper peripheral wall 10d, and their vertical lengths are the same as those of the first recess 10e, etc., but the inner circumferential surfaces of the first connecting portion 10j and the second connecting portion 10k are located radially inward of the inner circumferential surfaces of the first recess 10e, etc.

[0024] Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, the cap 10 includes an elastic piece 10m extending upward from the upper surface of the top wall 10a. Note that FIG. 5 illustrates the elastic piece 10m in an initial state in which an extension portion 11e (described later) is not in contact with the elastic piece 10m. When the extension portion 11e is in contact with the elastic piece 10m as shown in FIG. 1, the elastic piece 10m is bent toward the central axis O. In this embodiment, the elastic piece 10m includes a plate-shaped elastic piece main body 10n and a reinforcing rib 10p provided on the inner peripheral surface 10n1 of the elastic piece main body 10n. As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, a pair of reinforcing ribs 10p are provided at both circumferential ends of the elastic piece main body 10n, spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction. As shown in FIG. 4A, multiple elastic pieces 10m (a total of six in this embodiment) are provided at equal intervals in the circumferential direction.

[0025] The longitudinal cross-sectional shape of the inner peripheral surface 10n1 of the elastic piece main body 10n in the initial state is a shape that extends linearly in the vertical direction, as shown in FIG. 5. The cross-sectional shape of the inner peripheral surface 10n1 is a shape that extends linearly in a direction perpendicular to the radial direction, as shown in FIG. 4B. The longitudinal cross-sectional shape of the outer peripheral surface 10n2 of the elastic piece main body 10n in the initial state is a shape that extends linearly in the vertical direction except for the tip, and the tip extends in a shape that slopes radially inward as it extends upward, as shown in FIG. 5. The cross-sectional shape of the outer peripheral surface 10n2 of the elastic piece main body 10n is a V-shape with the vertex 10n3 located radially outward, as shown in FIG. 4B. More specifically, it extends linearly from one of both circumferential ends of the elastic piece main body 10n toward the vertex 10n3, and also extends linearly from the other circumferential end of the elastic piece main body 10n toward the vertex 10n3, with the lengths of these two linearly extending portions being equal.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 5, the reinforcing rib 10p includes a root portion 10p1 located at the root side and connected to the top wall 10a, an intermediate portion 10p2 whose thickness gradually decreases from the root portion 10p1 toward the tip of the reinforcing rib 10p, and a tip portion 10p3 extending from the intermediate portion 10p2 toward the tip of the reinforcing rib 10p. As shown in the figure, the vertical cross-sectional shape of the inner peripheral surface of the root portion 10p1 extends in the vertical direction, and the thickness (radial length) of the root portion 10p1 is approximately the same as the thickness of the elastic piece main body 10n. The vertical cross-sectional shape of the inner peripheral surface of the tip portion 10p3 extends in the vertical direction and is thinner than the root portion 10p1. The vertical cross-sectional shape of the inner peripheral surface of the intermediate portion 10p2 extends in a curved shape such that the thickness of the intermediate portion 10p2 gradually decreases from the root portion 10p1 toward the tip portion 10p3. By providing the intermediate portion 10p2, the thickness of the reinforcing rib 10p gradually changes from the tip portion 10p3 toward the base portion 10p1, so that the flexibility of the elastic piece 10m does not suddenly decrease in the vertical direction.

[0027] As shown in Fig. 1, the head 11 has a cylindrical tubular portion 11a into which the stem 7a is inserted and fitted and held. The upper part of the tubular portion 11a is provided with a top portion 11b whose upper surface is shaped so as to be concave downward and which has a passage therein that leads to the tubular portion 11a. The top portion 11b is provided with a cylindrical nozzle 11c that extends radially outward and leads to a passage provided inside the top portion 11b. The tip of the nozzle 11c is provided with a discharge port 11d through which the content liquid is discharged by the pump-type dispenser 100.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 1, the head 11 also includes an extension portion 11e extending downward from the top portion 11b and the nozzle 11c. In this embodiment, the extension portion 11e is cylindrical and centered on the central axis O. As shown in FIG. 1, the vertical cross-sectional shape of the inner circumferential surface 11e1 of the extension portion 11e extends linearly downward at the upper portion and slopes radially outward as it extends downward at the lower portion. The cross-sectional shape of the inner circumferential surface 11e1 is arc-shaped as shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B. As shown in FIG. 1, the sloped portion of the inner circumferential surface 11e1 of the extension portion 11e contacts the outer circumferential surface 10n2 (see FIG. 5) of the elastic piece main body 10n of the elastic piece 10m. The state shown in FIG. 1 indicates that the head 11 has moved to its upper limit (rearward limit), and the elastic piece 10m is bent toward the central axis O by the contacting extension portion 11e. The state shown in FIG. 3 is a state in which the head 11 has moved to its lower limit (forward limit).

[0029] 1, 2, and 4A, the head 11 further includes two protrusions protruding radially outward from the lower end of the extension 11e. Here, the protrusion having a smaller circumferential length is referred to as the first protrusion 11f, and the protrusion having a larger circumferential length is referred to as the second protrusion 11g. The head 11 is configured to be rotatable in the circumferential direction relative to the cap 10, with the first protrusion 11f moving circumferentially between the first recess 10e, the first connecting portion 10j, and the first longitudinal groove 10g, and the second protrusion 11g moving circumferentially between the second recess 10f, the second connecting portion 10k, and the second longitudinal groove 10h.

[0030] When using the pump-type dispenser 100 configured with these components, the head 11 is rotated circumferentially relative to the cap 10 to set it in the state shown in FIGS. 2 and 4A (a pressable state). Before the head 11 is rotated circumferentially (i.e., the head 11 is rotated clockwise relative to the state shown in FIGS. 2 and 4A , and the first protrusion 11f and the second protrusion 11g are fitted into the first recess 10e and the second recess 10f), the first recess 10e and the second recess 10f are located near the upper end of the upper peripheral wall 10d as described above and function as stoppers that prevent the first protrusion 11f and the second protrusion 11g from moving downward, thereby preventing the head 11 from being inadvertently pressed down (a non-pressable state). Furthermore, the inner circumferential surfaces of the first connecting portion 10j and the second connecting portion 10k are located radially inward of the inner circumferential surfaces of the first recess 10e and the like, thereby preventing the head 11 from being inadvertently rotated circumferentially. When the head 11 is set in the state shown in Figures 2 and 4A and the first protrusion 11f and the second protrusion 11g are contained in the first vertical groove 10g and the second vertical groove 10h, the first vertical groove 10g and the second vertical groove 10h extend from the upper end to the lower end of the upper peripheral wall 10d, so that the head 11 can be pushed down.

[0031] When the head 11 is pressed from above to lower it (to move it forward toward the cap 10), the stem 7a is pressed down together with the head 11 (the stem 7a moves toward the cap 10 along the central axis O), as shown in FIG. 3. As the stem 7a is pressed down, the connecting tube 5a also descends, releasing the liquid-tight contact between the radially outward protruding lower portion of the connecting tube 5a and the lower portion of the inner sliding piece 6c of the piston 6. When the head 11 is pressed down further, the piston 6 also descends along with the tubular member 7 and internal member 5, pressurizing the interior of the cylinder 1. As a result, the liquid in the cylinder 1 passes through the lower end communication port 5d and the communication port 5c, passes through the connecting tube 5a, the stem 7a, the tubular portion 11a, the passages provided inside the top portion 11b, and the inside of the nozzle 11c, and is discharged to the outside from the discharge port 11d. When the head 11 is pressed and the piston 6 descends below the vent hole 1f, the container 50 communicates with the outside world via the vent hole 1f. This prevents the pressure inside the container 50 from becoming negative even if the liquid contained in the container 50 decreases, preventing the container 50 from being deformed or crushed.

[0032] Furthermore, when the head 11 is pressed down, the extension 11e applies a pressing force to the elastic piece 10m, so that the elastic piece 10m can be bent radially inward as shown in FIG.

[0033] Thereafter, when the pressure on head 11 is released, the elastic force of elastic piece 10m, which has been elastically deformed, acts on head 11, causing head 11 to begin to rise. Accordingly, the radially outwardly protruding lower portion of connecting tube 5a and the lower portion of inner sliding piece 6c once again come into liquid-tight contact, and piston 6 rises together with internal member 5, reducing the pressure inside cylinder 1. This causes valve body portion 2b to move away from bottom wall portion 1a, opening suction port 1d and allowing the liquid content in container 50 to be sucked into cylinder 1 through pipe 4. By subsequently pressing down head 11, the liquid content can be discharged again from discharge port 11d to the outside world.

[0034] Incidentally, the inventors of the present application have studied the pump-type dispenser 100 of this embodiment and other pump-type dispensers similar to the pump-type dispenser 100 of this embodiment, and have found that in the other similar pump-type dispensers, operability is impaired when the head 11 is pressed down (for example, excessive pressing force is required, or the resistance force received from the head 11 varies during pressing). After further study into this point, it has been found that one of the factors is the sliding resistance when the extension portion 11e slides against the elastic piece 10m when the head 11 is pressed down. This point will be explained with reference to the drawings.

[0035] 6A and 6B are views showing an elastic piece 20m provided in another pump-type dispenser similar to the pump-type dispenser 100 (hereinafter referred to as a comparative pump-type dispenser). Note that FIGS. 6A and 6B correspond to FIGS. 4A and 4B. The elastic piece 20m is basically similar in shape to the elastic piece 10m described above, but differs in that the shape of the outer peripheral surface 10n2 of the elastic piece main body 10n provided in the elastic piece 10m is different from the shape of the outer peripheral surface 20n2 of the elastic piece main body 20n provided in the elastic piece 20m. As shown in FIG. 6B, the cross-sectional shape of the outer peripheral surface 20n2 is arc-shaped.

[0036] 7 is a graph showing the relationship between the moving distance of the head 11 and the pressing force when the head 11 is pressed using a pump-type dispenser of the comparative example equipped with the elastic piece 20m and the pump-type dispenser 100 of the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 7, in the pump-type dispenser of the comparative example, as the head 11 is pressed, the pressing force fluctuates, resulting in fine undulating changes. On the other hand, in the pump-type dispenser 100 of the present embodiment, such fine fluctuations in the pressing force are hardly observed when the head 11 is pressed. Furthermore, the pressing force when pressing the head 11 in the pump-type dispenser 100 of the present embodiment is smaller than that in the pump-type dispenser of the comparative example. After extensive investigation into this point, it was found that the cross-sectional shape of the inner peripheral surface 11e1 of the extension portion 11e is arc-shaped, and the cross-sectional shape of the outer peripheral surface 10n2 of the elastic piece main body 10n is V-shaped with the vertex 10n3 located radially outward, thereby reducing the width of contact between the extension portion 11e and the elastic piece 10m, thereby reducing sliding resistance and preventing the sliding points from changing (if the width is wide, the sliding points will change slightly if the extension portion 11e and the elastic piece 10m are slightly tilted relative to each other), thereby suppressing fluctuations in sliding resistance. Regarding the elastic piece 20m shown in Figures 6A and 6B, it is possible to reduce the contact width with the extension portion 11e by providing small protrusions on the outer peripheral surface 20n2 of the elastic piece main body 20n, but there is a risk that these small protrusions will wear out with increased frequency of use. Therefore, like the elastic piece 10m of this embodiment, it is preferable to configure the outer peripheral surface 10n2 of the elastic piece main body 10n so that the cross section has a V-shape.

[0037] While one embodiment of the present invention has been described above with reference to the drawings, this embodiment may be modified as follows: For example, the pump described above is merely an example, and the present invention also includes cases in which other types of pumps are used.

[0038] The number of elastic pieces 10m and their positions are not limited to those in the above-described embodiment and can be changed as appropriate. Similarly, the number of reinforcing ribs 10p and their positions are not limited to those in the above-described embodiment and can be changed as appropriate. Furthermore, the reinforcing rib 10p may not have an intermediate portion 10p2, but may have a tip portion 10p3 that is inclined so that its thickness increases from top to bottom and is directly connected to the base portion 10p1.

[0039] In the above-described embodiment, the cap 10 is provided with the elastic piece 10m and the head 11 is provided with the extension portion 11e, but the cap 10 may be provided with the extension portion 11e and the head 11 with the elastic piece 10m.

[0040] (Addendum) In one aspect, the present specification discloses the following technology.

[0041] (Technology 1) A pump-type dispenser (100) comprising: a cap (10) attached to the opening (50a) of a container (50) containing liquid; a pump held in the opening (50a) by the cap (10) and driven by the back-and-forth movement of a stem (7a); and a head (11) connected to the stem (7a) and having a discharge port (11d) for discharging the liquid to the outside, wherein the liquid in the container (50) is discharged from the discharge port (11d) by moving the head (11) toward the cap (10), an extension portion (11e) extending toward the other of the head (11) and the cap (10) is provided on either the head (11) or the cap (10); an elastic piece (10m) is provided on the other of the head (11) and the cap (10), the elastic piece (10m) being bent by the extension (11e) in a direction approaching the central axis (O) of the stem (7a) when the head (11) is advanced toward the cap (10); The cross-sectional shape of an inner peripheral surface (11e1) of the extension portion (11e) that contacts the elastic piece (10m) is an arc shape centered on the central axis (O), A pump-type discharger (100) in which the cross-sectional shape of the outer peripheral surface (10n2) of the elastic piece (10m) that contacts the extension portion (11e) is V-shaped with an apex (10n3) located radially outward and in contact with the inner peripheral surface (11e1) of the extension portion (11e).

[0042] With this technology, when the head is pressed, the extension bends the elastic piece, which then returns to its original position. Furthermore, because the elastic piece described above is used instead of a metal coil spring, there is no need to separate the metal parts after use, as was done with conventional pump-type dispensers. Furthermore, the resin parts can be reused as they are, making the device highly recyclable. Furthermore, since excessive pressure is not required when pressing the head, and the resistance force received from the head does not fluctuate significantly during pressing, the device offers the same operability as conventional pump-type dispensers.

[0043] (Technology 2) The pump-type discharger (100) according to Art 1, wherein a plurality of the elastic pieces (10m) are provided at equal intervals in a direction circumferentially around the central axis (O) on the other of the head (11) and the cap (10).

[0044] This technology allows the elastic force from the elastic pieces to be applied evenly to the head in the circumferential direction, so good operability can be achieved even when the head is pressed obliquely, for example.

[0045] 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]

[0046] 7a:Stem 10: Cap 10m: Elastic piece 10n2: Outer surface of elastic piece (elastic piece body) 10n3: Vertex 11: Head 11d: Discharge port 11e: Extension part 11e1: inner peripheral surface of extension 50: Container 50a: Mouth 100: Pump type dispenser O: Central axis

Claims

1. A pump-type dispenser comprising: a cap attached to the mouth of a container that contains liquid; a pump that is held at the mouth by the cap and is driven by the back and forth movement of a stem; and a head that has a discharge port that discharges the liquid to the outside and is connected to the stem, wherein the liquid in the container is discharged from the discharge port by moving the head toward the cap, an extension portion extending toward the other of the head and the cap is provided on one of the head and the cap; an elastic piece is provided on the other of the head and the cap, the elastic piece being bent by the extension portion in a direction approaching the central axis of the stem when the head is advanced toward the cap; a cross-sectional shape of an inner circumferential surface of the extension portion that contacts the elastic piece is an arc shape centered on the central axis line, A pump-type discharger in which the cross-sectional shape of the outer peripheral surface of the elastic piece that contacts the extension portion is V-shaped with the apex located radially outward and contacting the inner peripheral surface of the extension portion.

2. 2. The pump-type dispenser according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of said elastic pieces are provided at equal intervals in a direction circumferentially around said central axis on the other of said head and said cap.

Images