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, a reinforcement rib 10p comprises a root side portion 10p1 and a tip side portion 10p2. A root side inner peripheral surface 10p3 and a tip side inner peripheral surface 10p4 in an initial state are linearly extending straight surfaces. The tip side inner peripheral surface 10p4 is positioned at a same position with respect to a reference virtual line L or on a reverse side of a center axis O with respect to the reference virtual line L when a head 11 is advanced to an advancement limit. When an angle between the root side inner peripheral surface 10p3 and a surface of a base part in an initial state is defined as θb and an angle between the tip side inner peripheral surface 10p4 and the surface of the base part in the initial state is defined as θt, the relationship of θb>θt is satisfied.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 attached to the mouth of a container that contains a liquid content, 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 content to the outside and is connected to the stem, and in this pump-type dispenser, the liquid content in the container is discharged from the discharge port by moving the head toward the cap, and an extension portion that extends toward the other of the head and the cap is provided on either the head or the cap. The other of the head and the cap is provided with a base portion and an elastic piece whose root portion is connected to the base portion and which is bent by the extension portion in a direction approaching the central axis of the stem when the head is advanced toward the cap, the elastic piece comprising an elastic piece main body whose outer peripheral surface is contacted by the extension portion, and a reinforcing rib which is narrower than the elastic piece main body and is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the elastic piece main body, and when the head is advanced to the advance limit with the base portion as a reference, the extension portion comes into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the elastic piece main body. When a point where a contact point between the extension and the elastic piece main body is located is defined as a front dead center position, and a virtual line that is parallel to the central axis and passes through a main body tip that is closest to the central axis when the head is advanced to the forward limit is defined as a reference virtual line, the reinforcing rib has a root side portion that is located on the base side with respect to the front dead center position in an initial state when the extension portion is not in contact with the elastic piece main body, and a tip side portion that is located on the opposite side from the base side with respect to the front dead center position in the initial state, a root-side inner peripheral surface, which is the inner peripheral surface of the root-side portion, and a tip-side inner peripheral surface, which is the inner peripheral surface of the tip-side portion, are straight surfaces extending in a straight line, and the tip-side inner peripheral surface is located at the same position with respect to the reference imaginary line or on the opposite side of the central axis with respect to the reference imaginary line when the head is advanced to its advance limit, and when an angle formed between the root-side inner peripheral surface and the surface of the base portion in the initial state is defined as θb and an angle formed between the tip-side inner peripheral surface and the surface of the base portion in the initial state is defined as θt, the following formula (1) is satisfied. θb>θt (1) [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 causes the elastic piece to bend 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 process of separating metal parts, as in conventional pump-type dispensers, is not necessary after use. Furthermore, the elastic piece can be reused as a resin product, resulting in excellent recyclability. However, repeated bending of the elastic piece can cause it to sag, reducing its resilience, which can prevent the advanced head from returning to its retracted position. While increasing the rigidity of the elastic piece can reduce sagging, the increased rigidity makes the elastic piece less likely to bend, requiring excessive force to advance the head, impairing operability. After extensive research, the inventors of the present invention have found that if the elastic piece includes an elastic piece main body and a reinforcing rib, and the reinforcing rib includes a base portion and a tip portion, and the tip-side inner peripheral surface of the tip-side portion is a straight surface extending in a straight line and satisfies the relationship with the reference imaginary line described above, interference with other components surrounding the elastic piece can be suppressed, and sufficient elastic force can be obtained from the elastic piece when the head reaches near the retraction limit, even when the elastic piece is repeatedly deflected. In other words, with the pump-type dispenser of the present invention, the head can be stably returned to the retraction limit even when the elastic piece is repeatedly deflected. Furthermore, if the base-side inner peripheral surface, which is the inner peripheral surface of the base-side portion, satisfies the above-described angular relationship with the tip-side inner peripheral surface, the thickness of the base portion does not become excessively large, so excessive force is not required when advancing the head, and operability similar to that of conventional devices can be achieved. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a cross-sectional side view of a first embodiment of a pump-type dispenser according to the present invention, in a state where a head is positioned at a fully retracted position. [Figure 2A] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the pump-type dispenser shown in FIG. [Figure 2B] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA 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 BB in FIG. [Figure 4B] FIG. 4B is a partially enlarged view of part C in FIG. 4A. [Figure 5A] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional side view of the elastic piece in an initial state. [Figure 5B] FIG. 10 is a partial cross-sectional view of the periphery of the elastic piece when the head is positioned at the forward limit. [Figure 6A] 4B is a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 4A and relating to a second embodiment of the pump-type dispenser according to the present invention. [Figure 6B] FIG. 6B is a partially enlarged view of part D in FIG. 6A. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] A pump-type dispenser 100, which is a first embodiment of the pump-type dispenser according to the present invention, will be described below 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." 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. The top wall 10a corresponds to the "base portion" in this specification. A cylindrical lower peripheral wall 10b extending downward is provided on 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 the 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. 2A and 2B. 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 also includes two vertical grooves, circumferentially offset from the first recess 10e and the second recess 10f, extending from the upper end to the lower end of the upper peripheral wall 10d, 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 5A, the cap 10 includes an elastic piece 10m extending upward from the upper surface 10a1 of the top wall 10a. Note that FIG. 5A shows 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 in a direction approaching the central axis O. The state shown in FIG. 1 is a state in which the head 11 has moved to its upper limit (rear limit), and the state shown in FIGS. 3 and 5B is a state in which the head 11 has moved to its lower limit (advance limit). The elastic piece 10m of this embodiment includes a plate-shaped elastic piece main body 10n and a reinforcing rib 10p provided on an inner circumferential surface 10n1 of the elastic piece main body 10n. As shown in Figures 2B, 4A, and 4B, a pair of reinforcing ribs 10p are provided at both circumferential ends of the elastic piece main body 10n with a circumferential gap between them. As shown in Figures 2B and 4A, a plurality of elastic pieces 10m (six in total in this embodiment) are provided at equal circumferential gaps. The elastic piece main body 10n and reinforcing ribs 10p will be described in detail later.

[0025] 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.

[0026] The head 11 also includes an extension portion 11e extending downward from the top portion 11b and the nozzle 11c, as shown in FIG. 1. 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 from top to bottom at the upper portion and slopes radially outward as it extends from top to bottom at the lower portion. The cross-sectional shape of the inner circumferential surface 11e1 is arc-shaped, as shown in FIGS. 2B, 4A, and 4B. As shown in FIGS. 1, 3, and 5B, the sloped portion of the inner circumferential surface 11e1 of the extension portion 11e contacts the outer circumferential surface 10n2 of the elastic piece main body 10n of the elastic piece 10m.

[0027] 1, 2A, and 2B, 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 circumferentially rotatable 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.

[0028] Here, the elastic piece main body 10n and reinforcing rib 10p of the cap 10, and the extension portion 11e of the head 11 will be described in detail. First, using the upper surface 10a1 of the top wall 10a of the cap 10 as a reference, the point where the extension portion 11e comes into contact with the outer peripheral surface 10n2 of the elastic piece main body when the head 11 moves to its lowermost position as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5B is defined as the front dead center position P1. In FIG. 3, the front dead center position P1 is located where line BB is located. Next, using the upper surface 10a1 of the top wall 10a as a reference, the point where the extension portion 11e comes into contact with the outer peripheral surface 10n2 of the elastic piece main body when the head 11 moves to its uppermost position as shown in FIG. 1 is defined as the rear dead center position P2. In FIG. 1, the rear dead center position P2 is located where line AA is located. 5B, when the head 11 is moved to the lower limit, a virtual line passing through the body tip 10n3 that is closest to the central axis O of the elastic piece body 10n is defined as a reference virtual line L.

[0029] As shown in Fig. 5A, in the initial state, the elastic piece main body 10n has a vertical cross-sectional shape at the inner peripheral surface 10n1 that extends linearly in the vertical direction. As shown in Fig. 4B, the cross-sectional shape of the inner peripheral surface 10n1 extends linearly in a direction perpendicular to the radial direction. As shown in Fig. 5A, in the initial state, the vertical cross-sectional shape of the outer peripheral surface 10n2 of the elastic piece main body 10n 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. 4B, the cross-sectional shape of the outer peripheral surface 10n2 of the elastic piece main body 10n is arc-shaped.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 5A , in the initial state, the reinforcing rib 10p includes a root portion 10p1 located closer to the top wall 10a than the front dead center position P1, and a tip portion 10p2 located on the opposite side of the top wall 10a than the front dead center position P1. As shown in FIG. 5A , in the initial state, a root inner surface 10p3, which is the inner surface of the root portion 10p1, is a straight surface extending linearly. Furthermore, a tip inner surface 10p4, which is the inner surface of the tip portion 10p2, is a straight surface extending linearly in the initial state, as shown in FIG. 5A . In this embodiment, the tip inner surface 10p4 extends upward relative to the back dead center position P2 in the initial state, as shown in FIG. 5A . The tip of the tip inner surface 10p4 is provided with an extended inner surface 10p5 whose longitudinal cross section is arc-shaped.

[0031] 5B, when the head 11 is advanced to the lower limit, the tip inner peripheral surface 10p4 is positioned at the same position as the reference imaginary line L or on the opposite side (radially outward) from the central axis O with respect to the reference imaginary line L. In this embodiment, the tip inner peripheral surface 10p4 is positioned at the same position as the reference imaginary line L.

[0032] Here, the angle between the root side inner circumferential surface 10p3 and the upper surface 10a1 of the top wall 10a in the initial state is defined as θb, and the angle between the tip side inner circumferential surface 10p4 and the upper surface 10a1 of the top wall 10a in the initial state is defined as θt. The root side inner circumferential surface 10p3 and the tip side inner circumferential surface 10p4 are arranged so that the angles θb and θt satisfy the relationship of the following formula (1). θb>θt (1)

[0033] As described above, the pump-type dispenser 100 of this embodiment specifically defines the configuration of the reinforcing rib 10p of the elastic piece 10m. In this regard, the inventors of the present application examined other pump-type dispensers similar to the pump-type dispenser 100 and found that if the reinforcing rib does not satisfy the above configuration, repeated deflection of the elastic piece can cause sagging and reduce recovery, which could prevent the pressed head from returning to its upper limit. Furthermore, increasing the rigidity of the elastic piece to prevent sagging can require excessive force to advance the head, impairing operability. On the other hand, when the reinforcing rib 10p is configured as described above, interference with other components (e.g., the cylindrical portion 11a, etc.) surrounding the elastic piece 10m is suppressed. It was also confirmed that even when the elastic piece 10m is repeatedly deflected, sufficient elastic force can be obtained from the elastic piece 10m when the head 11 approaches its upper limit, and excessive force is not required to press the head 11. That is, according to the pump-type dispenser 100 of this embodiment, even if the elastic piece 10m is repeatedly bent, the head 11 can be stably returned to the upper limit, and operability similar to that of conventional pump-type dispensers can be obtained.

[0034] Here, when the tip-side inner peripheral surface 10p4 extends above the back dead center position P2 in the initial state as shown in FIG. 5A, the elastic force of the elastic piece 10m is reinforced by the reinforcing rib 10p until the head 11 reaches its upper limit, so that the effect of stably returning the head 11 to its upper limit can be more reliably achieved.

[0035] After extensive research, the inventors of the present application have found that in order to stably return the head 11 to its upper limit and to more stably achieve the effect of obtaining operability equivalent to that of conventional devices, it is preferable that the angle θt formed between the tip inner surface 10p4 and the upper surface 10a1 of the top wall 10a in the initial state satisfies the following formula (2). 77°≦θt≦83° (2) It is more preferable that the angle θt satisfy the following formula (2a). 78°≦θt≦82° (2a) In this embodiment, the angle θt formed between the tip-end inner peripheral surface 10p4 and the upper surface 10a1 of the top wall 10a in the initial state is set to 80°.

[0036] In the initial state described above, the angle θb formed between the base-side inner circumferential surface 10p3 and the upper surface 10a1 of the top wall 10a preferably satisfies the following formula (3). 84°≦θb≦90° (3) It is more preferable that the angle θb satisfy the following formula (3a). 85°≦θb≦89° (3a) In this embodiment, the angle θb formed between the tip-end inner circumferential surface 10p4 and the upper surface 10a1 of the top wall 10a in the initial state is set to 87°.

[0037] After further investigation, the inventors of the present application have found that the above-mentioned effects can be more reliably obtained by defining the thickness at the point where the root portion 10p1 in the initial state connects with the upper surface 10a1 of the top wall 10a as T1 (if an R-shape is provided where the root portion 10p1 and the upper surface 10a1 connect as shown in FIG. 5A, the thickness does not include this R-shape) (if an R-shape is provided where the root portion 10p1 and the upper surface 10a1 connect as shown in FIG. 5A, the thickness does not include this R-shape), and defining the thickness at the point where the elastic piece main body 10n in the initial state connects with the upper surface 10a1 as T2 (if an R-shape is provided where the elastic piece main body 10n and the upper surface 10a1 connect as shown in FIG. 5A, the thickness does not include this R-shape). 0.6×T2≦T1≦1.2×T2 (4) The thickness T1 and the thickness T2 more preferably satisfy the following formula (4a), and further preferably satisfy the following formula (4b). 0.7×T2≦T1≦1.1×T2 (4a) 0.8×T2≦T1≦1.0×T2 (4b) In this embodiment, T1 is set to 0.9×T2.

[0038] Next, a method of using the pump-type dispenser 100 will be described. When using the pump-type dispenser 100, the head 11 is first rotated circumferentially relative to the cap 10 to set it in the state shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B (pressible state). Here, in the state before the head 11 is rotated circumferentially (the head 11 is rotated clockwise with respect to the state shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, and the first protrusion 11f and the second protrusion 11g are fitted in the first recess 10e and the second recess 10f), as described above, the first recess 10e and the second recess 10f are provided near the upper end of the upper peripheral wall 10d 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 (non-pressible 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, etc., which prevents the head 11 from being unintentionally rotated in the circumferential direction. When the head 11 is set in the state shown in Figures 2A and 2B and the first protrusion 11f and the second protrusion 11g are fitted in the first longitudinal groove 10g and the second longitudinal groove 10h, the first longitudinal groove 10g and the second longitudinal groove 10h extend from the upper end to the lower end of the upper peripheral wall 10d, so that the head 11 can be pressed down.

[0039] 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.

[0040] 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.

[0041] 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.

[0042] Next, a pump-type dispenser 100A, which is a second embodiment of the pump-type dispenser according to the present invention, will be described with reference to FIGS. 6A and 6B. FIGS. 6A and 6B correspond to FIGS. 4A and 4B. The pump-type dispenser 100A has the same shape as the pump-type dispenser 100, except that the cross-sectional shape of the outer peripheral surface 10n4 of the elastic piece main body 10n, as shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, is different from the cross-sectional shape of the outer peripheral surface 10n2 of the elastic piece main body 10n shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B. As shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the cross-sectional shape of the outer peripheral surface 10n4 is V-shaped with the vertex 10n5 located radially outward. Specifically, the outer peripheral surface 10n4 extends linearly from one of both circumferential ends of the elastic piece main body 10n toward the vertex 10n5, and also extends linearly from the other circumferential end of the elastic piece main body 10n toward the vertex 10n5, with the lengths of these two linearly extending portions being equal.

[0043] When an investigation was conducted using such a pump-type dispenser 100A, it was found that because 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 10n4 of the elastic piece main body 10n is V-shaped, the width of contact between the extension portion 11e and the elastic piece 10m is reduced, thereby reducing the sliding resistance between them and also preventing the change in the area where they slide (if the width is wide, the sliding area changes slightly if the extension portion 11e and the elastic piece 10m are slightly tilted relative to each other), thereby suppressing fluctuations in sliding resistance. In other words, because the sliding resistance is reduced, it is possible to reduce the pressing force when pressing the head 11, and because the fluctuations in sliding resistance are suppressed, it is possible to suppress fluctuations in the resistance force received from the head 11 while pressing the head 11, thereby improving operability.

[0044] 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.

[0045] 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.Furthermore, 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.

[0046] 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.

[0047] (Addendum) In one aspect, the present specification discloses the following technology.

[0048] (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); a base portion (10a) and an elastic piece (10m) whose root portion is connected to the base portion (10a) and which is bent by the extension portion (11e) in a direction approaching the central axis (O) of the stem (7a) when the head (11) is advanced toward the cap (10), are provided on the other of the head (11) and the cap (10); The elastic piece (10m) includes an elastic piece main body (10n) whose outer peripheral surface (10n2) is in contact with the extension portion (11e), and a reinforcing rib (10p) that is narrower than the elastic piece main body (10n) and is provided on the inner peripheral surface (10n1) of the elastic piece main body (10n), When the front dead center position (P1) is defined as the contact point where the extension portion (11e) comes into contact with the outer peripheral surface (10n2) of the elastic piece main body (10n) when the head (11) is advanced to the forward limit, using the base portion (10a) as a reference, and when the head (11) is advanced to the forward limit, a virtual line that is parallel to the central axis (O) and passes through the main body tip portion (10n3) of the elastic piece main body (10n) that is closest to the central axis (O) when the head (11) is advanced to the forward limit is defined as a reference virtual line (L), The reinforcing rib (10p) includes a base portion (10p1) located on the base portion (10a) side with respect to the front dead center position (P1) in an initial state when the extension portion (11e) is not in contact with the elastic piece main body (10n), and a tip portion (10p2) located on the opposite side of the base portion (10a) with respect to the front dead center position (P1) in the initial state, In the initial state, a root-side inner peripheral surface (10p3) that is the inner peripheral surface of the root-side portion (10p1) and a tip-side inner peripheral surface (10p4) that is the inner peripheral surface of the tip-side portion (10p2) are straight surfaces that extend linearly, When the head (11) is advanced to its forward limit, the tip-side inner peripheral surface (10p4) is positioned at the same position as the reference imaginary line (L) or on the opposite side of the reference imaginary line (L) from the central axis (O), A pump-type discharger (100) that satisfies the following formula (1): where the angle formed between the root-side inner circumferential surface (10p3) and the surface of the base portion (10a) in the initial state is defined as θb, and the angle formed between the tip-side inner circumferential surface (10p4) and the surface of the base portion (10a) in the initial state is defined as θt. θb>θt (1)

[0049] With this technology, when the head is pressed, the extension bends the elastic piece, and the bent elastic piece 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 is required with conventional pump-type dispensers. Furthermore, the head can be reused as a resin product, making it highly recyclable. Furthermore, even if the elastic piece is repeatedly bent, the head can be stably returned to its retracted position, providing the same operability as conventional pump-type dispensers.

[0050] (Technology 2) When the contact point where the extension portion (11e) comes into contact with the outer peripheral surface (10n2) of the elastic piece main body (10n) when the head (11) is retracted to the retraction limit with respect to the base portion (10a) is defined as the rear dead center position (P2), The pump-type discharger (100) according to Art 1, wherein the tip-side inner peripheral surface (10p4) extends to a side opposite the base portion (10a) with respect to the rear dead center position (P2) in the initial state.

[0051] This technology ensures that the head is returned to its maximum lift in a stable manner.

[0052] (Technology 3) The pump-type discharger (100) according to technique 1, wherein the angle θt satisfies the following formula (2): 77°≦θt≦83° (2)

[0053] According to this technology, the head can be returned to the upper limit more stably, and the effect of obtaining operability equivalent to that of a conventional pump-type dispenser can be more stably exhibited.

[0054] (Technology 4) The pump-type discharger (100) according to technique 1, wherein the angle θb satisfies the following formula (3): 84°≦θb≦90° (3)

[0055] This technology also makes it possible to more stably return the head to its upper limit, and more stably exert the effect of obtaining operability equivalent to that of a conventional pump-type dispenser.

[0056] (Technology 5) When the thickness at which the root side portion (10p1) in the initial state connects with the base portion (10a) is defined as T1 and the thickness at which the elastic piece main body (10n) in the initial state connects with the base portion (10a) is defined as T2, the pump-type discharger (100) described in Technology 1 satisfies the following formula (4): 0.6×T2≦T1≦1.2×T2 (4)

[0057] This technology allows the head to be returned to its upper limit more stably, and the effect of obtaining operability equivalent to that of a conventional pump-type dispenser can be more reliably obtained.

[0058] (Technology 6) The pump-type discharger (100) according to Art 1, wherein the reinforcing ribs (10p) are provided in pairs at a distance from each other in a direction circumferentially around the central axis (O) on the elastic piece main body (10n).

[0059] This technology allows the elastic pieces to bend evenly in the circumferential direction, so that the desired performance can be achieved even when the head is pressed obliquely, for example.

[0060] (Technology 7) The cross-sectional shape of the inner peripheral surface (11e1) of the extension portion (11e) that contacts the elastic piece main body (10n) is an arc shape centered on the central axis (O), The pump-type discharger (100) according to Art 1, wherein the cross-sectional shape of the outer peripheral surface (10n4) of the elastic piece main body (10n) that contacts the extension portion (11e) is V-shaped with an apex (10n5) located radially outward and in contact with the inner peripheral surface (11e1) of the extension portion (11e).

[0061] This technology makes it possible to reduce the pressure applied when pressing the head, and also to suppress fluctuations in the resistance force received from the head while pressing the head, thereby improving operability.

[0062] (Technology 8) The pump-type discharger (100) according to Art 7, 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).

[0063] 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.

[0064] 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]

[0065] 7a:Stem 10: Cap 10a: Ceiling wall (base part) 10m: Elastic piece 10n: Elastic piece body 10n1: Inner surface of elastic piece body 10n2: Outer surface of elastic piece body 10n3: Main body tip 10n4: Outer surface of elastic piece body 10n5: Vertex 10p: Reinforcement rib 10p1: Base part 10p2: Tip side part 10p3: Inner surface of base 10p4: Inner surface of tip 11: Head 11d: Discharge port 11e: Extension part 11e1: Inner surface 50: Container 50a: Mouth 100, 100A: Pump type discharger L: Reference virtual line O: Central axis P1: Front dead center position P2: After dead center position

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; a base portion and an elastic piece having a root portion connected to the base portion and bent by the extension portion in a direction approaching the central axis of the stem when the head is advanced toward the cap, the elastic piece includes an elastic piece main body, the outer peripheral surface of which is in contact with the extension portion, and a reinforcing rib, which is narrower than the elastic piece main body and is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the elastic piece main body, When the front dead center position is defined as the contact point where the extension portion comes into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the elastic piece main body when the head is advanced to the forward limit, using the base portion as a reference, and when the head is advanced to the forward limit, a virtual line that is parallel to the central axis and passes through the main body tip portion that is closest to the central axis of the elastic piece main body when the head is advanced to the forward limit is defined as a reference virtual line, the reinforcing rib includes a root side portion located on the base side with respect to the front dead center position in an initial state when the extension portion is not in contact with the elastic piece main body, and a tip side portion located on the opposite side from the base portion with respect to the front dead center position in the initial state, a root-side inner peripheral surface that is an inner peripheral surface of the root-side portion in the initial state and a tip-side inner peripheral surface that is an inner peripheral surface of the tip-side portion are straight surfaces that extend linearly, when the head is advanced to its forward limit, the tip-side inner peripheral surface is positioned at the same position as the reference imaginary line or on the opposite side of the central axis line with respect to the reference imaginary line, When the angle formed between the root side inner circumferential surface and the surface of the base portion in the initial state is defined as θb, and the angle formed between the tip side inner circumferential surface and the surface of the base portion in the initial state is defined as θt, the pump-type dispenser satisfies the following formula (1): θb>θt...(1)

2. When the position where the extension portion comes into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the elastic piece main body when the head is retracted to the retraction limit is defined as the rear dead center position with respect to the base portion, 2. The pump-type discharger according to claim 1, wherein the tip-side inner peripheral surface extends to a side opposite the base portion with respect to the rear dead center position in the initial state.

3. The pump-type discharger according to claim 1, wherein the angle θt satisfies the following formula (2): 77°≦θt≦83° (2)

4. 2. The pump-type discharger according to claim 1, wherein the angle θb satisfies the following formula (3): 84°≦θb≦90° (3)

5. 2. The pump-type dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the thickness at the point where the root side portion in the initial state connects to the base portion is defined as T1, and the thickness at the point where the elastic piece main body in the initial state connects to the base portion is defined as T2, and the following formula (4) is satisfied: 0.6 × T2 ≦ T1 ≦ 1.2 × T2 (4)

6. 2. The pump-type discharger according to claim 1, wherein the reinforcing rib is provided in a pair at a distance from the elastic piece body in a direction circumferentially around the central axis.

7. The cross-sectional shape of the inner circumferential surface of the extension portion that contacts the elastic piece main body is an arc shape centered on the central axis line, 2. The pump-type discharger according to claim 1, wherein the cross-sectional shape of the outer peripheral surface of the elastic piece main body that contacts the extension portion is V-shaped with its apex located radially outward and in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the extension portion.

8. 8. The pump-type dispenser according to claim 7, wherein a plurality of the elastic pieces are provided at equal intervals in a direction circumferentially around the central axis on the other of the head and the cap.

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