Pump type discharge device

Abstract

To provide a pump type discharge device capable of discharging content fluid as in a conventional way, excellent in recyclability.SOLUTION: For a pump type discharge 100, either of a head or a cap 10 has an extended part 12f extending in a direction of the other of the head or the cap 10, the other of the head or the cap 10 has a base part and an elastic piece 10e which is connected to the base part at a root part and deflects in a direction closer to a center shaft line O by the extended part 12f when making the head advance toward the cap 10, a tip part 12g of the extended part extends in a direction closer to the center shaft line O as separating from either of the head or the cap 10, and the elastic piece 10e has a body part 10e2 extending toward either of the head or the cap 10 from the root part in a direction separating from the center shaft line O.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 moved 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 either one of the head or the cap has an extension portion that extends toward the other of the head or the cap, and the head The other of the caps has 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, and the tip portion of the extension portion which is located at the tip side of the extension portion and contacts the elastic piece extends in a direction approaching the central axis as it moves away from the other of the head and the cap, and the elastic piece extends from the root portion toward either the head or the cap in a direction away from the central axis. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the pump-type dispenser of the present invention, when the head is advanced toward the cap, the elastic piece is bent by the extension, and when the bent elastic piece returns to its original position, the head can be returned to its initial position. Furthermore, because the above-mentioned elastic piece 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, and the dispenser can be reused as a resin product as is, making it highly recyclable.

[0009] The elastic piece extends from the base toward either the head or the cap, away from the central axis of the stem, and is therefore longer than an elastic piece extending straight from the base toward either the head or the cap along the central axis. In other words, the force required to deflect the elastic piece increases at a slower rate than an elastic piece extending straight. Furthermore, the tip of the extension, located at the tip of the extension and in contact with the elastic piece, extends at an angle approaching the central axis as it moves away from either the head or the cap. Therefore, the contact point where the tip of the extension and the elastic piece contact each other moves toward the base of the elastic piece and from the tip to the base of the extension as the head advances. For example, if the point of contact between the extension and the elastic piece is edge-shaped and the contact point on the extension does not change as the head advances, the distance from the base of the elastic piece to the contact point will decrease as the head advances. On the other hand, according to the present invention, since the contact point also moves from the tip of the extension portion toward the base when the head is advanced, the decrease in the distance from the base of the elastic piece to the contact point is smaller than when the contact point remains unchanged. In other words, in this respect too, the rate of increase in the force required to deflect the elastic piece can be made gentler.

[0010] Thus, with the pump-type dispenser of the present invention, the force required to deflect the elastic piece increases gradually, so the resistance force that a finger or the like receives from the head when pressing the head increases gradually, making the feeling when pressing the head lighter and improving operability. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] 1 is a cross-sectional side view of a pump-type dispenser according to a first embodiment of the present invention, showing a state in which a head is positioned at an upper limit (retraction limit). [Figure 2] 2 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view showing the elastic piece shown in FIG. 1 in a state before being deflected. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the cap shown in FIG. [Figure 4] 2 is a cross-sectional side view of the pump-type dispenser shown in FIG. 1, with the head positioned at the lower limit (forward limit). FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional side view showing a state in which the head is positioned at the upper limit in a second embodiment of the pump-type dispenser according to the present invention. [Figure 6] 6 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view showing the elastic piece shown in FIG. 5 in a state before being deflected. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] A pump-type dispenser 100, 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, the vertical direction refers to the direction along the illustrated central axis O (the central axis of the stem 7a, described later), with the side where the pipe 4 is located being the "bottom" and the side where the head body 12 is located being the "top." In this specification, the downward movement of the head body 12 when pressed is referred to as the "advancement" of the head body 12, and the upward return movement of the pressed head body 12 is referred to as the "retraction" of the head body 12. Therefore, in the following description, the vertical direction may be referred to as the "front-rear direction." The radial direction is the direction perpendicular to the central axis O within a plane perpendicular to the central axis O, and the circumferential direction is the direction circling around the central axis O within this plane.

[0013] The pump-type dispenser 100 of this embodiment is used by being attached to the mouth of a bottle-shaped container (not shown). The liquid content to be dispensed by the pump-type dispenser 100 is, for example, a cosmetic product (such as a milky lotion or a lotion), shampoo, body soap, hand soap, or facial cleanser.

[0014] 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, a cover 11, a head body 12, and a lid 13. 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, and the head body 12 and the lid 13 are components that constitute the "head" 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.

[0015] 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.

[0016] 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.

[0017] In this embodiment, the base 2a is cylindrical with a lid and has an opening (not shown) through which the liquid passes after passing through the suction port 1d. The base 2a is fitted and held on the inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical wall 1b, thereby holding the valve member 2 within the cylinder 1.

[0018] The pipe 4 is hollow, and its upper end is inserted into the holding cylinder 1e and is fitted and held therein.

[0019] 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 includes a cylindrical connecting tube 5a and a bottom portion 5b that closes the lower end of the connecting tube 5a and extends radially outward. The connecting tube 5a is provided with a hole (communication port 5c) that passes through it, and the top surface of the bottom portion 5b is provided with an annular portion 5d that is located radially outward of the connecting portion with the connecting tube 5a.

[0020] 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 cylindrical wall portion 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 annular portion 5d, 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 cylindrical member 7.

[0021] 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.

[0022] 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 fitted and held on the inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical wall portion 1b. A flange 8b extending radially outward is provided at the upper end of the holder base 8a. The holder 8 prevents the internal member 5, piston 6, and cylindrical member 7 from slipping out of the cylinder 1.

[0023] The packing 9 is in the shape of an annular plate and is inserted into and fitted into the cylindrical wall 1b of the cylinder 1. When the pump-type dispenser 100 is attached to a container (not shown), the packing 9 is sandwiched between the opening of the container and the flange wall 1c. This prevents problems such as the content liquid overflowing from the opening when the container is turned over, for example.

[0024] The cap 10 has a disk-shaped top wall 10a with a central through-hole. The top wall 10a corresponds to the "base portion" in this specification. A cylindrical peripheral wall 10b extending downward is provided at the outer edge of the top wall 10a. The upper portion of the inner peripheral surface of the peripheral wall 10b bulges radially inward to fit and hold the flange wall 1c, thereby holding the cylinder 1 in the cap 10. The inner peripheral surface of the cap 10 is provided with a female threaded portion 10c that screws into a male threaded portion provided on the mouth of a container. The cap 10 can be attached to a container by screwing the male threaded portion and the female threaded portion 10c together. Furthermore, the outer peripheral surface of the peripheral wall 10b is provided with anti-rotation recesses 10d extending vertically, as shown in the partially enlarged view of FIG. 1. Multiple anti-rotation recesses 10d are provided at intervals circumferentially.

[0025] The cap 10 also includes an elastic piece 10e that is generally plate-shaped as shown in the drawings (see FIGS. 1, 2, and 3). The base of the elastic piece 10e (hereinafter referred to as the elastic piece base 10e1) is connected to the top wall 10a, and the elastic piece 10e is elastically deformable radially inward. The elastic piece 10e shown by the imaginary line in FIG. 1 and the elastic piece 10e shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate the elastic piece 10e in a state before deflection (a state in which the elastic piece 10e and an extension 12f, described below, are not in contact with each other before the cap 10 and the head body 12 are combined). In this embodiment, a total of six elastic pieces 10e are provided at equal intervals around the top wall 10a. As described below, the elastic piece 10e elastically deforms toward the central axis O when the head body 12 is pressed upon dispensing the contents, and when the pressing force on the head body 12 is released, the elastic piece 10e returns to its original position by its restoring force.

[0026] The elastic piece 10e has a main body portion (hereinafter referred to as elastic piece main body portion 10e2) extending upward from an elastic piece root portion 10e1 in a direction away from the central axis O. Furthermore, a tip portion of the elastic piece 10e provided on the tip side of the elastic piece main body portion 10e2 (hereinafter referred to as elastic piece tip portion 10e3) extends in a direction approaching the central axis O as it extends upward. The elastic piece 10e of this embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 2. The elastic piece root portion 10e1 extends upward from the top wall 10a along the central axis O and is connected to the elastic piece main body portion 10e2. The elastic piece main body portion 10e2 is shaped to include a first curved portion 10h that extends in an arc-like curve in a direction convex with respect to the central axis O, and a second curved portion 10j that extends in an arc-like curve in a direction concave with respect to the central axis O with a radius larger than that of the first curved portion 10h. The elastic piece tip portion 10e3 extends linearly in a direction such that the outer circumferential surface approaches the central axis O as it extends upward. The elastic piece 10e extends with approximately the same thickness at the elastic piece root portion 10e1 and the elastic piece main body portion 10e2, while the thickness of the elastic piece tip portion 10e3 extends so that it becomes thinner toward the tip.

[0027] The elastic piece 10e has a reinforcing rib 10k on its inner circumferential surface, which is narrower (has a shorter circumferential length) than the elastic piece 10e. In this embodiment, a pair of reinforcing ribs 10k are provided on the elastic piece 10e at a circumferential interval, as shown in FIG. 3. As shown in FIG. 2, the reinforcing rib 10k extends from the elastic piece base portion 10e1 to the lower portion of the elastic piece main body portion 10e2, having a thickness slightly smaller than that of the elastic piece main body portion 10e2 and curving in an arc in a direction convex with respect to the central axis O. Thereafter, the reinforcing rib 10k extends to a thickness slightly smaller than that of the elastic piece main body portion 10e2 and curving in an arc in a direction concave with respect to the central axis O. The elastic force exerted by the elastic piece 10e can be adjusted by varying the thickness of the reinforcing rib 10k and its position.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 1, the top wall 10a also includes an inner annular wall 10m located radially inward of the elastic piece 10e. In this embodiment, the inner annular wall 10m protrudes upward and downward from the edge of a through-hole provided in the center of the top wall 10a. The inner annular wall 10m primarily functions to prevent the inclination of the elastic piece 10e from changing when the pump-type dispenser 100 is attached to a container (not shown). Specifically, when the female threaded portion 10c is tightly fastened to the male threaded portion of the container, a strong force is applied to the top wall 10a from the upper end surface of the container's mouth via the packing 9 and flange wall 1c. When the fastening is weak, the force applied to the top wall 10a is weak. Therefore, the force applied to the top wall 10a varies depending on the degree to which the female threaded portion 10c is fastened to the male threaded portion, which changes the inclination of the elastic piece 10e. On the other hand, in this embodiment, since the inner annular wall 10m is provided, the top wall 10a is less likely to deform, and fluctuations in the inclination of the elastic piece 10e can be suppressed.

[0029] The cover 11 has a cylindrical cover peripheral wall 11a. The cover peripheral wall 11a surrounds the peripheral wall 10b and the elastic piece 10e. A retaining projection 11b that protrudes radially inward and engages with the lower end of the peripheral wall 10b is provided at the lower end of the cover peripheral wall 11a. A rib 11c extending in the vertical direction is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the cover peripheral wall 11a. A lower portion of the rib 11c engages with a rotation-retaining recess 10d (see the partial enlarged view in FIG. 1), thereby preventing the cover 11 from rotating and being held by the cap 10. A middle portion of the cover peripheral wall 11a protrudes radially inward, and the lower end surface of this middle portion contacts the upper surface of the top wall 10a. As the retaining projection 11b engages with the lower end of the peripheral wall 10b as described above, the cover 11 is held by the cap 10 and prevented from rotating.

[0030] The head body 12 is cylindrical and includes a tubular portion 12a into which the stem 7a is inserted and fitted. A top portion 12b having a passage therein leading to the tubular portion 12a is provided at the top of the tubular portion 12a. A nozzle 12c is provided at the top portion 12b, which is cylindrical and extends radially outward, leading to a passage provided inside the top portion 12b. A discharge port 12d through which the content liquid is discharged by the pump-type discharger 100 is provided at the tip of the nozzle 12c. A cylindrical outer peripheral wall 12e, which has a diameter smaller than that of the cover peripheral wall 11a and extends downward, is provided at the outer edge of the head body 12.

[0031] The head main body 12 also has an extension portion 12f that extends downward from the apex 12b and the nozzle 12c on the radially inner side of the outer peripheral wall 12e and is connected to the outer peripheral wall 12e. A root portion located at the upper part of the extension portion 12f and connected to the apex 12b and the nozzle 12c extends along the central axis O, while a tip portion located at the lower part (hereinafter referred to as the extension portion tip portion 12g) extends in an arc shape in a direction approaching the central axis O as it goes from the bottom to the top in this embodiment. Note that the extension portion tip portion 12g may also extend linearly in a direction approaching the central axis O as it goes from the bottom to the top.

[0032] The lid body 13 is attached from above to the head body 12. The head body 12 has a recessed portion that opens upward between the outer peripheral wall 12e and the extending portion 12f, and when the lid body 13 is attached to the head body 12, the lid body 13 can cover and conceal this recessed portion.

[0033] In the pump-type dispenser 100 configured with such components, when the cylindrical portion 12a of the head body 12 is attached to the stem 7a, the elastic piece main body portion 10e2 of the elastic piece 10e extends upward from the elastic piece base portion 10e1 in a direction away from the central axis O, which may result in a problem in which the extending portion 12f bends the elastic piece 10e in an incorrect direction (away from the central axis O). Here, the elastic piece 10e of this embodiment has an elastic piece tip portion 10e3 that extends in a direction approaching the central axis O as the outer circumferential surface extends upward, and when the head body 12 is attached to the stem 7a, the extending portion 12f comes into contact with the elastic piece tip portion 10e3, causing the elastic piece 10e to naturally displace to the state shown in FIG. 1, thereby preventing the above-mentioned problem.

[0034] In the pump-type dispenser 100, before the head body 12 is pressed, as shown in FIG. 1, the extension tip 12g contacts the elastic piece tip 10e3 of the elastic piece 10e, causing the elastic piece 10e to bend slightly radially inward, and the head body 12 is in an uppermost (rearmost) position. The symbol P in FIG. 1 indicates the position where the extension tip 12g contacts the elastic piece 10e (hereinafter referred to as the contact point P). When the head body 12 is pressed from above to lower it (to advance it toward the cap 10), the stem 7a is pushed down together with the head body 12 (the stem 7a advances toward the cap 10 along the central axis O). As the stem 7a is pushed down, the bottom 5b also descends via the connecting tube 5a, releasing the fluid-tight contact between the annular portion 5d and the lower part of the inner sliding piece 6c. When the head body 12 is further pressed down, the piston 6 descends along with the cylindrical member 7 and internal member 5, pressurizing the interior of the cylinder 1. As a result, the liquid content in the cylinder 1 passes through the communication port 5c, passes through the connecting tube 5a, the stem 7a, the cylindrical portion 12a, the passages provided inside the top portion 12b, and the inside of the nozzle 12c, and is then discharged from the discharge port 12d to the outside. Note that when the head body 12 is pressed down and the piston 6 descends below the vent port 1f, the container (not shown) communicates with the outside via the vent port 1f. This prevents the pressure inside the container from becoming negative even if the liquid content in the container decreases, preventing the container from being deformed or crushed.

[0035] Furthermore, when the head main body 12 is pressed down, the extension tip 12g of the extension 12f, which is in contact with the elastic piece 10e, applies a pressing force to the elastic piece 10e, causing the elastic piece 10e to bend radially inward, as shown in Fig. 4. Here, as described above, the elastic piece main body 10e2 extends upward from the elastic piece base 10e1 in a direction away from the central axis O, so the length of the elastic piece 10e can be made longer than if it extended straight along the central axis O. Furthermore, since the extension tip 12g extends in a direction approaching the central axis O as it moves from below to above, the contact point P at which the extension tip 12g contacts the elastic piece 10e moves downward as the head main body 12 is advanced, and moves from near the tip of the extension 12f, as shown in Fig. 1, to near the base of the extension 12f, as shown in Fig. 4. Therefore, although moving the head body 12 forward brings the contact point P closer to the elastic piece base portion 10e1, the decrease in the distance from the elastic piece base portion 10e1 to the contact point P is smaller than when the contact point P remains unchanged. In other words, due to these effects, the rate of increase in the force required to deflect the elastic piece 10e becomes gentler, so that when pressing the head body 12, the resistance force that a finger or the like receives from the head body 12 increases gradually, making it easier to press the head body 12 and improving operability.

[0036] In this embodiment, even when the head body 12 moves from the upper limit (rear limit) position shown in Fig. 1 to the lower limit (advance limit) position shown in Fig. 4, the outer peripheral surface of the elastic piece main body portion 10e2 is located radially outward of the outer peripheral surface of the elastic piece root portion 10e1. In other words, if the elastic piece 10e is configured to bend until the outer peripheral surface of the elastic piece main body portion 10e2 is located radially inward of the outer peripheral surface of the elastic piece root portion 10e1, the load applied to the elastic piece root portion 10e1 increases, making it more likely that the elastic piece 10e will sag when repeatedly flexed. However, by configuring it as described above, the load applied to the elastic piece root portion 10e1 can be reduced, thereby preventing sag.

[0037] Thereafter, when the pressure on head body 12 is released, the elastic force of elastic piece 10e, which has been elastically deformed, acts on head body 12, causing head body 12 to begin to rise. As a result, annular portion 5d 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. As a result, valve body 2b moves away from bottom wall 1a, opening suction port 1d and allowing the liquid content within the container to be sucked into cylinder 1 through pipe 4. If head body 12 is then pressed, the liquid content will again be discharged from discharge port 12d.

[0038] 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 Figures 5 and 6. The pump type dispenser 100A includes a cap 10A, a head body 14, and a head inner member 15, instead of the cap 10, head body 12, and lid body 13 of the pump type dispenser 100 shown in Figure 1. The head body 14 and head inner member 15 of this embodiment are members that constitute the "head" in this specification. The head body 14 and head inner member 15 are made of the hard synthetic resin described above.

[0039] The cap 10A includes an elastic piece 10p instead of the above-described elastic piece 10e. As shown in the figure, the elastic piece 10p is generally plate-shaped. The root portion of the elastic piece 10p (hereinafter referred to as elastic piece root portion 10p1) is connected to the top wall 10a, and the elastic piece 10p is elastically deformable radially outward. Note that the elastic piece 10p shown by the imaginary line in FIG. 5 and the elastic piece 10p shown in FIG. 6 are views showing the elastic piece 10p in a state before deflection (a state in which the elastic piece 10p is not in contact with an extension portion 15a, which will be described later). Although not shown in the figure, a total of six elastic pieces 10p in this embodiment are provided on the top wall 10a at equal intervals in the circumferential direction, similar to the elastic pieces 10e.

[0040] The elastic piece 10p has a main body portion (hereinafter referred to as elastic piece main body portion 10p2) extending upward from an elastic piece root portion 10p1 in a direction approaching the central axis O. Furthermore, a tip portion of the elastic piece 10p provided on the tip side of the elastic piece main body portion 10p2 (hereinafter referred to as elastic piece tip portion 10p3) extends in a direction away from the central axis O as it extends upward. The elastic piece 10p of this embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 6. The elastic piece root portion 10p1 extends upward from the top wall 10a along the central axis O and is connected to the elastic piece main body portion 10p2. The elastic piece main body portion 10p2 is shaped to include a first curved portion 10s extending in an arc-like curve in a direction concave with respect to the central axis O, and a second curved portion 10t extending in an arc-like curve in a direction convex with respect to the central axis O with a larger radius than the first curved portion 10s. The elastic piece tip portion 10p3 extends linearly in a direction away from the central axis O as the inner circumferential surface moves upward. The elastic piece 10p extends with approximately the same thickness at the elastic piece root portion 10p1 and the elastic piece main body portion 10p2, while the thickness of the elastic piece tip portion 10p3 extends so that it becomes thinner toward the tip.

[0041] The elastic piece 10p has a reinforcing rib 10u on its inner circumferential surface that is narrower (has a shorter circumferential length) than the elastic piece 10p. Although not shown, the reinforcing ribs 10u of this embodiment are provided in pairs spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction of the elastic piece 10p, similar to the reinforcing rib 10k shown in Fig. 3. As shown in Fig. 6, the reinforcing rib 10u extends from the elastic piece base portion 10p1 to the lower part of the elastic piece main body portion 10p2, curving in an arc in a direction concave with respect to the central axis O with a thickness slightly smaller than that of the elastic piece main body portion 10p2. Thereafter, the reinforcing rib 10u extends in an arc in a direction convex with respect to the central axis O with a thickness slightly smaller than that of the elastic piece main body portion 10p2.

[0042] The head body 14 has a cylindrical shape and includes a tubular portion 14a into which the stem 7a is inserted and fitted. The upper portion of the tubular portion 14a is provided with a top portion 14b having an internal passageway leading to the tubular portion 14a. The top portion 14b is provided with a cylindrical nozzle 14c extending radially outward and leading to a passageway provided inside the top portion 14b. The tip of the nozzle 14c is provided with a discharge port 14d through which the content liquid is discharged by the pump-type dispenser 100A. The outer peripheral portion of the head body 14 is provided with a cylindrical outer peripheral wall 14e extending downward and having a smaller diameter than the cover peripheral wall 11a. Furthermore, a circular outer fitting wall 14f and an inner fitting wall 14g extending downward are provided radially inward of the outer peripheral wall 14e. The inner peripheral surface of the outer fitting wall 14f is provided with a claw-shaped engagement portion.

[0043] The head inner member 15 is provided with an extension portion 15a that is cylindrical overall. A claw-shaped engagement portion is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the upper portion of the extension portion 15a. The upper portion of the extension portion 15a is inserted between the outer fitting wall 14f and the inner fitting wall 14g, and the engagement portion of the head main body 14 is engaged with the engagement portion of the head inner member 15, thereby holding the head inner member 15 to the head main body 14. When the head inner member 15 is held to the head main body 14, the extension portion 15a extends downward, and the lower tip of the extension portion 15a (hereinafter referred to as the extension tip portion 15b) extends in an arc shape in a direction away from the central axis O as it moves from bottom to top in this embodiment. Note that the extension tip portion 15b may also extend linearly in a direction away from the central axis O as it moves from bottom to top.

[0044] In the pump-type dispenser 100A constructed with such components, when the head main body 14 with the head inner member 15 attached is attached to the stem 7a, the elastic piece 10p has an elastic piece main body portion 10p2 that extends upward from the elastic piece base portion 10p1 in a direction approaching the central axis O, and therefore there is a risk that the extension portion 15a will bend the elastic piece 10p in an abnormal direction (a direction approaching the central axis O). However, the elastic piece 10p has an elastic piece tip portion 10p3 that extends in a direction away from the central axis O as it extends upward, and when the head main body 14 is attached to the stem 7a, the extension portion 15a comes into contact with the elastic piece tip portion 10p3 and the elastic piece 10p is naturally displaced to the state shown in Figure 5, thereby preventing the above-mentioned problem.

[0045] When the head body 14 is pushed down, the content liquid can be discharged from the discharge port 14d, similar to the pump-type dispenser 100 described above. Furthermore, by pushing down the head body 14, the extension tip 15b of the extension 15a, which contacts the elastic piece 10p, applies a pressing force to the elastic piece 10p, causing the elastic piece 10p to bend radially outward. Because the elastic piece 10p extends upward from the elastic piece base 10p1 in a direction approaching the central axis O, as described above, the length of the elastic piece 10p can be made longer than if it were to extend straight along the central axis O. Furthermore, because the extension tip 15b extends in a direction away from the central axis O as it moves from below to above, the contact point P at which the extension tip 15b contacts the elastic piece 10p shown in FIG. 5 moves downward as the head body 12 is advanced, moving from a position close to the tip of the extension 15a to a position close to the base of the extension 15a. Therefore, although moving the head body 14 forward brings the contact point P closer to the elastic piece base portion 10p1, the decrease in the distance from the elastic piece base portion 10p1 to the contact point P is smaller than when the contact point P remains unchanged. In other words, due to these effects, the rate of increase in the force required to deflect the elastic piece 10p becomes gentler, so that when pressing the head body 14, the resistance force that a finger or the like receives from the head body 14 increases gradually, making it easier to press the head body 14 and improving operability.

[0046] In this embodiment, the elastic piece 10p is configured so that, while the head body 14 moves from the upper limit (rear limit) shown in Figure 5 to the lower limit (forward limit) not shown, the outer surface of the elastic piece main body portion 10p2 is located radially inward of the outer surface of the elastic piece root portion 10p1.This reduces the load applied to the elastic piece root portion 10p1, and therefore prevents the elastic piece 10p from becoming worn even when it is repeatedly flexed.

[0047] Thereafter, when the pressure on head body 14 is released, the elastic force of elastic piece 10p, which has been elastically deformed, acts on head body 14, causing head body 14 to rise, so that the liquid content in the container can be sucked into cylinder 1 through pipe 4. Therefore, by pressing head body 14, the liquid content can be discharged again from discharge port 14d.

[0048] 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.

[0049] The number of elastic pieces 10e, 10p 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 10k, 10u and their positions are not limited to those in the above-described embodiment and can be changed as appropriate.

[0050] In the above-described embodiment, the elastic piece 10e is provided on the cap 10 and the extending portion 12f is provided on the head main body 12, but the extending portion 12f may be provided on the cap 10 and the elastic piece 10e may be provided on the head main body 12. Similarly, the elastic piece 10p provided on the cap 10A may be provided on the head main body 14 or the head inner member 15, and the extending portion 15a provided on the head inner member 15 may be provided on the cap 10A.

[0051] (Addendum) In one aspect, the present specification discloses the following technology.

[0052] (Technology 1) A pump-type dispenser (100) comprising: a cap (10) to be attached to the mouth of a container that contains liquid; a pump that is held at the mouth by the cap (10) and is driven by the back and forth movement of a stem (7a); and heads (12, 13) that have a discharge port (12d) for discharging the liquid to the outside and are connected to the stem (7a), wherein the liquid in the container is discharged from the discharge port (12d) by moving the heads (12, 13) toward the cap (10), one of the head (12, 13) and the cap (10) has an extension (12f) extending toward the other of the head (12, 13) and the cap (10); the other of the head (12, 13) and the cap (10) has a base portion (10a) and an elastic piece (10e) whose root portion (10e1) is connected to the base portion (10a) and which is bent by the extension portion (12f) in a direction approaching the central axis (O) of the stem (7a) when the head (12, 13) is advanced toward the cap (10); an extension tip (12g) located at the tip side of the extension (12f) and contacting the elastic piece (10e) extends in a direction approaching the central axis (O) as it moves away from either the head (12, 13) or the cap (10), The elastic piece (10e) has a main body portion (10e2) extending from the root portion (10e1) toward either the head (12, 13) or the cap (10) in a direction away from the central axis (O).

[0053] This technology reduces the rate at which the force required to bend the elastic piece increases, so that the resistance force that a finger or the like receives from the head when pressing the head increases gradually, making the feeling when pressing the head lighter and improving operability.

[0054] (Technology 2) The pump-type discharger (100) according to Art 1, wherein the outer peripheral surface of the main body portion (10e2) is located farther from the central axis (O) than the outer peripheral surface of the base portion (10e1) when the heads (12, 13) move between their backward and forward limits.

[0055] This technology can reduce the load applied to the base of the elastic piece, thereby preventing the elastic piece from becoming worn when repeatedly flexed.

[0056] (Technology 3) The pump-type dispenser (100) according to Art 1, wherein the tip (10e3) of the elastic piece (10e) extends in a direction approaching the central axis (O) as it moves toward either the head (12, 13) or the cap (10).

[0057] This technique prevents the elastic piece from being bent in an incorrect direction when assembling the pump-type dispenser, improving ease of assembly.

[0058] (Technology 4) A pump-type dispenser (100A) comprising: a cap (10A) to be attached to the mouth of a container that contains liquid; a pump that is held at the mouth by the cap (10A) and is driven by the back and forth movement of a stem (7a); and a head (14, 15) that has a discharge port (14d) for discharging the liquid to the outside and is connected to the stem (7a), wherein the liquid in the container is discharged from the discharge port (14d) by moving the head (14, 15) toward the cap (10A), one of the head (14, 15) and the cap (10A) has an extension (15a) extending toward the other of the head (14, 15) and the cap (10A); the other of the head (14, 15) and the cap (10A) has a base portion (10a) and an elastic piece (10p) whose root portion (10p1) is connected to the base portion (10a) and which is bent by the extension portion (15a) in a direction away from the central axis (O) of the stem (7a) when the head (14, 15) is advanced toward the cap (10); an extension tip (15b) located at the tip side of the extension (15a) and contacting the elastic piece (10p) extends in a direction away from the central axis (O) as it moves away from either the head (14, 15) or the cap (10A), The elastic piece (10p) has a main body portion (10p2) extending from the base portion (10p1) toward either the head (14, 15) or the cap (10A) in a direction approaching the central axis (O).

[0059] This technology also reduces the rate at which the force required to bend the elastic piece increases, so that the resistance force that a finger or the like receives from the head when pressing the head increases gradually, making the feeling when pressing the head lighter and improving operability.

[0060] (Technology 5) The pump-type discharger (100A) according to Art 4, wherein the inner circumferential surface of the main body portion (10p2) is located closer to the central axis (O) than the inner circumferential surface of the base portion (10p1) when the head (14, 15) moves between the backward limit and the forward limit.

[0061] This technique also prevents the load applied to the base of the elastic piece from becoming excessively large, making it possible to suppress the occurrence of settling that occurs when the elastic piece is repeatedly flexed.

[0062] (Technology 6) A pump-type dispenser (100A) according to Art 4, wherein the tip (10p3) of the elastic piece (10p) extends in a direction away from the central axis (O) as it moves toward either the head (14, 15) or the cap (10A).

[0063] This technique also prevents the elastic piece from being bent in an incorrect direction when assembling the pump-type dispenser, improving the ease of assembly.

[0064] (Technology 7) The pump-type dispenser (100, 100A) according to Art 1 or 4, wherein a plurality of the elastic pieces (10e, 10p) are provided at equal intervals in a direction circumferentially around the central axis (O) on the other of the head (12, 13, 14, 15) and the cap (10, 10A).

[0065] 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.

[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] 7a:Stem 10: Cap 10A: Cap 10a: Ceiling wall (base part) 10e: Elastic piece 10e1: Elastic piece base part (base part) 10e2: Elastic piece main body (main body) 10e3: Elastic piece tip (tip) 10p: Elastic piece 10p1: Elastic piece base part (base part) 10p2: Elastic piece main body (main body) 10p3: Elastic piece tip (tip) 12: Head body (head) 12d: Discharge port 12f: Extension part 12g: Tip of extension part 13: Lid (head) 14: Head body (head) 14d: Discharge port 15: Head inner part (head) 15a: Extension part 15b: Tip of extension part 100: Pump type dispenser 100A: Pump type discharger 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, one of the head and the cap has an extension portion extending toward the other of the head and the cap; the other of the head and the cap has 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, a tip end of the extension portion that is located at a tip end side of the extension portion and contacts the elastic piece extends in a direction approaching the central axis as it moves away from the other of the head and the cap, The elastic piece has a main body portion extending from the base portion toward either the head or the cap in a direction away from the central axis.

2. 2. The pump-type dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the outer peripheral surface of the main body is located farther from the central axis than the outer peripheral surface of the base when the head moves between the backward limit and the forward limit.

3. 2. The pump-type dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the tip of the elastic piece extends in a direction approaching the central axis as it approaches either the head or the cap.

4. 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, one of the head and the cap has an extension portion extending toward the other of the head and the cap; the other of the head and the cap has 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 away from the central axis of the stem when the head is advanced toward the cap, a tip end of the extension portion that is located at a tip end side of the extension portion and contacts the elastic piece extends in a direction away from the central axis as it moves away from the other of the head and the cap, The elastic piece has a main body portion extending from the base portion toward either the head or the cap in a direction approaching the central axis.

5. 5. The pump-type dispenser according to claim 4, wherein the inner circumferential surface of the main body is located closer to the central axis than the inner circumferential surface of the base when the head moves between its rearward limit and its forward limit.

6. 5. The pump-type dispenser according to claim 4, wherein the tip of the elastic piece extends in a direction away from the central axis as it approaches either the head or the cap.

7. 5. The pump-type dispenser according to claim 1, 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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