Trigger type liquid ejector

Abstract

To provide a trigger type liquid ejector capable of suppressing leakage of liquid to the outside through an outside air introduction hole even in a configuration including a normal / inverted adapter.SOLUTION: A trigger type liquid ejector 3 includes a normal / inverted adapter 12. The normal / inverted adapter 12 defines a first space in which a container body 2 and the inside of a vertical supply cylinder section 14 are made to communicate with each other through an upper end opening 171a and a valve chamber 165 in which the inside of the container body 2 and the first space are made to communicate with each other through an inverted introduction port 153, and has an adapter body fitted into the vertical supply cylinder section 14. The vertical supply cylinder section 14 has a lower inner cylinder section 32 forming a relay space S3 communicating with the inside of the container body 2 between the lower inner cylinder section and the adapter body. The ejector body is formed with an outside air introduction passage so as to allow an external space to communicate with the relay space S3. The outside air introduction passage is provided with a ball valve 180 that can shut off communication between the relay space S3 and the external space when the container body 2 is inverted.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] The trigger-type liquid ejector includes a vertical supply tube through which liquid drawn up from the container flows, and a trigger mechanism having a trigger disposed in front of the vertical supply tube so as to be movable backward while being biased forward. The trigger mechanism includes a cylinder communicating with the injection tube through the vertical supply tube, and a piston connected to the trigger and sliding back and forth within the cylinder as the trigger moves back and forth.

[0003] In this type of trigger-type liquid jetting device, when the trigger is pulled backward, the piston moves backward while being guided by a piston guide formed in the cylinder. This increases pressure inside the cylinder, causing the liquid in the cylinder to be jetted from the jetting holes through the vertical supply tube. In addition, Patent Document 1 below discloses that a forward / inverted adapter provided at the bottom end of the vertical supply tube enables jetting operation in both the upright and inverted positions.

[0004] Incidentally, the trigger-type liquid ejector disclosed in Patent Document 1 below is formed with an outside air introduction passage that introduces outside air when negative pressure occurs inside the container. The outside air introduction passage is formed between the cylinder and the cylinder holding tube that holds the cylinder, and when the piston moves backward, for example, the inside of the container and the outside space are connected through the outside air introduction passage. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-103162 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] In the above-mentioned conventional technology, when the container is inverted, the liquid inside the container may flow into the outside air introduction passage. In this case, if the piston moves backward while the pressure inside the container is increased, the liquid that has flowed into the outside air introduction passage may leak to the outside.

[0007] The present invention provides a trigger-type liquid ejector that can prevent liquid from leaking to the outside through an outside air inlet hole even when equipped with an inverted forward adapter. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] a trigger mechanism for distributing liquid toward the nozzle holes by rearward movement of the trigger part; a cylindrical piston body connected to the trigger part and a sliding part connected to the piston body, the piston moving back and forth in accordance with the forward and backward movement of the trigger part; and a cylinder which is pressurized or depressurized by the sliding part sliding in accordance with the forward and backward movement of the piston. The forward and inverted adapter is connected to the container body through an upright inlet and has a vertical supply tube part through which liquid sucked up from the container body flows. the adapter body is fitted into the lower end of the vertical supply tube portion, and defines a first space that communicates with the inside of the supply tube portion, and a second space that communicates with the first space through an inverted inlet, and the adapter body is fitted into the lower end of the vertical supply tube portion; and a first switching valve that blocks the communication between the first space and the second space when the container body is upright with the sprayer body attached to the container body, and connects the first space and the second space when the container body is inverted, the vertical supply tube portion having an attachment tube into which the adapter body is fitted and which forms an intermediate space between the adapter body and the inside of the container body, the sprayer body having an outside air introduction passage that connects the external space and the intermediate space, the outside air introduction passage passing between the inner peripheral surface of a cylinder holding tube that holds the cylinder and the outer peripheral surface of the cylinder, and the outside air introduction passage is provided with a second switching valve that can block the communication between the intermediate space and the external space when the container body is inverted.

[0009] According to the first aspect, even if liquid flows into the relay space from within the container when the container is in the inverted position, the second switching valve can prevent the liquid from reaching the outside space through the outside air introduction passage. This makes it possible to prevent liquid from leaking to the outside through the relay space and the outside air introduction passage even when an inverted adapter is provided.

[0010] A trigger-type liquid sprayer according to a second aspect of the present invention is the trigger-type liquid sprayer according to the first aspect, wherein the mounting tube has a through-hole that forms part of the outside air introduction passage, and the second switching valve opens and closes the through-hole.

[0011] According to the second aspect, the valve mechanism can be provided in an existing part (mounting cylinder), and an increase in the number of parts can be suppressed, thereby reducing costs.

[0012] A trigger-type liquid jetting device according to a third aspect of the present invention may be the trigger-type liquid jetting device according to the second aspect, wherein the outside air introduction passage has an intermediate space adjacent to the opposite side of the relay space with respect to the through hole, and the mounting tube may comprise a partition wall that separates the relay space from the intermediate space and in which the through hole is formed, and a valve tube portion that protrudes upward from the opening peripheral portion of the through hole in the partition wall.

[0013] According to the third aspect, since the upper opening edge of the valve cylinder portion is located above the partition wall, even if liquid flows into the intermediate space, the liquid accumulated above the partition wall can be prevented from adhering to the upper opening edge of the valve cylinder portion when the container body is in the upright position. This prevents the liquid adhering to the upper opening edge of the valve cylinder portion from drying and blocking the upper opening of the valve cylinder portion, thereby preventing the communication between the relay space and the external space from being unintentionally blocked. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] According to the present invention, even in a configuration including an inverted holder, it is possible to prevent liquid from leaking to the outside through the air inlet hole. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the ejection container according to the embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of the ejector according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of an ejector according to a modified example of the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, a jetting container configured by attaching a trigger-type liquid jetting device according to the present invention to a container body will be described. The ejection container 1 shown in FIG. 1 includes a container body 2 that contains a liquid, and a trigger-type liquid ejector (hereinafter simply referred to as ejector 3) that is detachably attached to a mouth portion 2a of the container body 2. The sprayer 3 includes a sprayer body 10, a nozzle portion 11, and an inverted forward / backward adapter 12. The liquid contained in the container body 2 of this embodiment is preferably a liquid having a viscosity similar to that of water, such as a detergent (containing a surfactant and forming foam) used in bathrooms and toilets. However, the liquid contained in the container body 2 can be changed as appropriate.

[0017] The ejector body 10 includes a vertical supply tube portion 14 , an ejection tube portion 15 , a trigger mechanism 16 , and a cover body 17 . In the following description, the direction along the first axis O1 of the vertical supply tube section 14 (the upper outer tube section 23 described later) is referred to as the vertical direction. When the ejection container 1 is in an upright position, the vertical direction toward the container body 2 is referred to as the lower side, and the direction toward the ejector 3 is referred to as the upper side. In a plan view seen from the vertical direction, the direction intersecting the first axis O1 is referred to as the radial direction. One of the radial directions is referred to as the front-to-rear direction, and the direction in which the injection tube section 15 extends from the vertical supply tube section 14 is referred to as the front side, and the opposite direction is referred to as the rear side. Furthermore, the radial direction perpendicular to the front-to-rear direction is referred to as the left-to-right direction. In the illustrated example, the first axis O1 is eccentric rearward with respect to the container axis of the container body 2. However, the first axis O1 and the container axis may be coaxial.

[0018] The vertical supply tube portion 14 receives the liquid sucked up from the container body 2. The vertical supply tube portion 14 includes an outer tube 21 and an inner tube 22. The outer cylinder 21 is formed in a multi-stage cylindrical shape with the diameter increasing toward the bottom. Specifically, the outer cylinder 21 includes an upper outer cylinder portion 23 and a lower outer cylinder portion 24 that extends downward from the upper outer cylinder portion 23. In this embodiment, both the upper outer cylinder portion 23 and the lower outer cylinder portion 24 are formed in a topped cylindrical shape.

[0019] A discharge port 26 that opens forward is formed at the upper end of the upper outer cylinder portion 23. A supply port 27 and a discharge port 28 that open forward are formed at the center in the vertical direction of the upper outer cylinder portion 23. The supply port 27 is located above the discharge port 28. However, the supply port 27 may be located below the discharge port 28.

[0020] A communicating groove 29 extending in the vertical direction is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the upper outer cylindrical portion 23. The upper end of the communicating groove 29 communicates with the discharge port 28. The lower end of the communicating groove 29 opens at the lower edge of the upper outer cylindrical portion 23. The peripheral wall of the upper outer cylindrical portion 23 penetrates the top wall of the lower outer cylindrical portion 24.

[0021] The inner cylinder 22 is fitted into the outer cylinder 21 from below. The inner cylinder 22 is formed in a multi-stage cylindrical shape with the diameter increasing as it moves downward. Specifically, the inner cylinder 22 includes an upper inner cylinder portion 31 and a lower inner cylinder portion 32 (mounting cylinder) connected to the lower side of the upper inner cylinder portion 31.

[0022] The upper inner cylinder portion 31 is disposed coaxially with the upper outer cylinder portion 23. The upper inner cylinder portion 31 is fitted into the upper outer cylinder portion 23 from below. The upper portion of the upper inner cylinder portion 31 forms a small-diameter portion 34 whose outer diameter is smaller than that of the lower portion. Therefore, a communication passage S1 is formed between the inner peripheral surface of the upper outer cylinder portion 23 and the outer peripheral surface of the small-diameter portion 34. The communication passage S1 connects the discharge port 26 and the supply port 27. The upper edge of the small-diameter portion 34 is close to or abuts against the top wall portion of the upper outer cylinder portion 23 from below the upper outer cylinder portion 23.

[0023] A valve seat 35 protrudes radially inward from the small-diameter portion 34. The valve seat 35 is formed in a tapered cylindrical shape that extends downward as it extends radially inward. Within the inner cylinder 22, the space surrounded by the small-diameter portion 34, the valve seat 35, and the ceiling wall of the upper outer cylinder portion 23 defines an accommodation space 40 in which a ball valve 41 is accommodated. The ball valve 41 is a check valve that allows liquid to flow from the vertical supply cylinder portion 14 to the injection cylinder portion 15 and regulates liquid flow from the injection cylinder portion 15 to the vertical supply cylinder portion 14. The ball valve 41 is configured to be able to move toward and away from the valve seat 35 due to the pressure within the accommodation space 40 and its own weight. Note that the ball valve 41 in this embodiment is made of a material that has a specific gravity greater than that of water or the liquid contained in the container body 2 and can seat on the valve seat 35 due to its own weight when the jetting container 1 is in the upright position. As such a material, a metal material (for example, SUS) is preferably used for the ball valve 41 of this embodiment.

[0024] The accommodation space 40 communicates with the communication passage S1 through a notch 42 formed on the upper edge of the small diameter portion 34. The accommodation space 40 blocks communication between the interior of the upper inner cylindrical portion 31 and the communication passage S1 when the ball valve 41 is seated on the valve seat 35. The accommodation space 40 communicates between the interior of the upper inner cylindrical portion 31 and the communication passage S1 when the ball valve 41 is separated from the valve seat 35.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 2 , the lower inner cylinder 32 is formed in a top-closed cylindrical shape having a top wall 32a (partition wall) and a peripheral wall 32b, and is fitted into the lower outer cylinder 24 from below. A first through-hole 48 is formed in the inner peripheral portion of the top wall 32a of the lower inner cylinder 32, penetrating the top wall 32a in the vertical direction. The lower end of the upper outer cylinder 23 (the portion protruding from the lower inner cylinder 32) is inserted into the first through-hole 48. The lower end of the upper outer cylinder 23 is disposed on the front side of the first through-hole 48. In other words, the upper outer cylinder 23 divides the space formed between the lower inner cylinder 32 and the lower outer cylinder 24 in the front-rear direction (radial direction). As a result, the communication groove 29 is open to the interior of the lower inner cylinder 32 through the first through-hole 48. It should be noted that the lower end of the upper outer cylinder portion 23 does not have to be inserted into the first through-hole 48 as long as the communication groove 29 is configured to communicate with the first through-hole 48 .

[0026] A second through hole 49 is formed in the top wall portion 32a in a portion located forward of the first through hole 48. The second through hole 49 communicates with a space between the lower inner cylinder portion 32 and the lower outer cylinder portion 24 that is radially outward from the upper outer cylinder portion 23. The space between the lower inner cylinder portion 32 and the lower outer cylinder portion 24 that is radially outward from the upper outer cylinder portion 23 is an intermediate space S2 adjacent to the second through hole 49. The configuration around the second through hole 49 will be described later.

[0027] An outer flange 51 that protrudes radially outward is formed on the peripheral wall portion 32b of the lower inner cylindrical portion 32. In this embodiment, the axis of the lower outer cylindrical portion 24 and the lower inner cylindrical portion 32 (hereinafter referred to as the second axis O2) is eccentric, for example, forward with respect to the first axis O1.

[0028] The ejector body 10 is provided with an attachment cap 52 that attaches the ejector 3 to the container body 2. The attachment cap 52 is formed in a cylindrical shape that extends in the vertical direction. The attachment cap 52 is attached (e.g., screwed) to the mouth portion 2a with the outer flange 51 sandwiched between the attachment cap 52 and the upper edge of the mouth portion 2a.

[0029] 1, injection tube portion 15 is integrally formed with upper outer tube portion 23. Injection tube portion 15 protrudes forward from the upper end of upper outer tube portion 23. The interior of injection tube portion 15 communicates with communication passage S1 through discharge port 26.

[0030] The trigger mechanism 16 includes a pump portion 61 having a cylinder 71 and a piston 72 , a trigger portion 63 , and an elastic plate portion 64 . The cylinder 71 is formed in a cylindrical shape with a bottom that opens forward. In the following description, the central axis of the cylinder 71 is referred to as a cylinder axis O3. The cylinder axis O3 extends along the front-rear direction.

[0031] The cylinder 71 includes a housing cylinder 77 and a piston guide 78 that extend coaxially with the cylinder axis O3, and a bottom wall portion 79 that connects the rear end edges of the housing cylinder 77 and the piston guide 78 to each other.

[0032] The housing cylinder 77 is fitted into a cylinder holding cylinder 75 formed below the injection cylinder portion 15. An outside air introduction hole 80 is formed in the housing cylinder 77 to introduce outside air into the container body 2, which is placed in a negative pressure state as the liquid flows into the cylinder 71 after the liquid in the cylinder 71 has flowed out. The cylinder holding cylinder 75 is formed integrally with the vertical supply cylinder portion 14 and the injection cylinder portion 15. The cylinder holding cylinder 75 is formed in a cylindrical shape with a bottom that opens forward. Specifically, the cylinder holding cylinder 75 has a cylindrical portion extending in the front-rear direction, and the rear end opening of the cylindrical portion is closed by a bottom wall. An outside air communication hole 82 is formed in the cylindrical portion. The outside air communication hole 82 penetrates the lower portion of the cylindrical portion in the vertical direction and communicates with the intermediate space S2. The outside air communication hole 82 is offset in a direction perpendicular to the vertical direction with respect to the second through-hole 49. In the illustrated example, the outside air communication hole 82 is located forward of the second through-hole 49 and is formed in the bottom wall of the upper outer cylinder portion 23. Both front-rear end portions of the accommodating cylinder 77 are in close contact with the inner peripheral surface of the cylinder holding cylinder 75. Meanwhile, an annular gap P1 is formed in the center in the front-rear direction between the outer peripheral surface of the accommodating cylinder 77 and the inner peripheral surface of the cylinder holding cylinder 75. The gap P1 communicates with the inside of the cylinder 71 through the outside air introduction hole 80. The gap P1 communicates with the second through-hole 49 through the outside air communication hole 82 and the intermediate space S2.

[0033] A communication port 81 is formed in the upper part of the bottom wall portion 79. The communication port 81 communicates with the supply port 27. The piston guide 78 protrudes forward from the inner peripheral edge of the bottom wall portion 79. The piston guide 78 is formed in the shape of a closed-topped cylinder that opens rearward. The rear end opening of the piston guide 78 communicates with the discharge port 28. The top wall portion of the piston guide 78 is formed with a through-hole 83 that penetrates the top wall portion in the front-to-rear direction. The rear end portion of the piston guide 78 is formed with recessed portions 84 that are recessed toward the cylinder axis O3. The recessed portions 84 are formed intermittently in the circumferential direction. However, the recessed portions 84 may be formed around the entire circumference of the piston guide 78.

[0034] The piston 72 is accommodated in the accommodation cylinder 77 so as to be movable back and forth. The piston 72 includes a piston body 91, an inner sliding portion 92, and an outer sliding portion 93. The piston body 91 is formed in a cylindrical shape with a top that opens rearward. The piston guide 78 is inserted inside the piston body 91.

[0035] The inner sliding portion 92 extends rearward from the rear end opening edge of the piston body 91 toward the cylinder axis O3. The rear end of the inner sliding portion 92 is configured to be able to slide on the outer peripheral surface of the piston guide 78 as the piston 72 moves back and forth. The inner sliding portion 92 moves away from the outer peripheral surface of the piston guide 78 when the piston 72 reaches its rearmost position. This allows communication between the inside of the piston body 91 and the inside of the cylinder 71 through the inner sliding portion 92 and the recessed portion 84.

[0036] The outer sliding portion 93 is connected to the rear end of the piston body 91. The outer sliding portion 93 surrounds the periphery of the piston body 91. The outer sliding portion 93 is formed in a tapered cylindrical shape whose diameter gradually increases from the center in the front-to-rear direction toward the front and rear. Both front and rear ends of the outer sliding portion 93 are configured to be able to slide on the inner circumferential surface of the housing cylinder 77 as the piston 72 moves back and forth. The outer sliding portion 93 closes the above-mentioned outside air introduction hole 80 when the piston 72 is at the frontmost position. On the other hand, the outer sliding portion 93 opens the outside air introduction hole 80 when the piston 72 moves rearward from the frontmost position.

[0037] The trigger portion 63 extends downward while curving forward. The upper end of the trigger portion 63 is connected to the injection tube portion 15 via an upper plate member 65 attached to the upper surface of the injection tube portion 15 so as to be rotatable about an axis C1 extending in the left-right direction. The upper plate member 65 includes an upper surface plate 65a fixed along the upper surface of the injection tube portion 15 and a pair of bearing portions 65b projecting downward from both left-right ends of the upper plate 65a. The pair of bearing portions 65b rotatably support the upper end of the trigger portion 63. The central portion of the trigger portion 63 in the up-down direction is connected to the front end of the piston body 91 so as to be rotatable about an axis C2 extending in the left-right direction and movable in the front-rear direction. The piston 72 moves forward and backward relative to the cylinder 71 as the trigger portion 63 rotates about the axis C1.

[0038] Elastic plate portion 64 protrudes downward from both left and right end portions of upper surface plate 65a of upper plate member 65. Elastic plate portion 64 is interposed between injection tube portion 15 and trigger portion 63. Elastic plate portion 64 biases trigger portion 63 forward about axis C1. In this embodiment, upper surface plate 65a, pair of bearing portions 65b, and pair of elastic plate portions 64 are integrally formed, but they may also be formed as separate bodies.

[0039] Nozzle portion 11 protrudes forward from injection tube portion 15. Nozzle portion 11 includes a connecting member 100, a nozzle body 101, and a pressure accumulator valve . The connecting member 100 is formed in a cylindrical shape extending in the front-rear direction. The front end of the injection tube portion 15 is fitted into the rear end of the connecting member 100 from the rear of the connecting member 100.

[0040] The nozzle body 101 is formed in a cylindrical shape with a top that opens to the rear. The front end of the connecting member 100 is fitted inside the nozzle body 101. An ejection hole 101a is formed in the front end of the nozzle body 101.

[0041] The accumulator valve 102 is housed in a space (hereinafter referred to as the pressure accumulator chamber 115) surrounded by the nozzle main body 101 and the connecting member 100, and is urged forward by a coil spring 120 and is movable rearward. The accumulator valve 102 is seated on the front wall of the nozzle main body 101 and closes the ejection hole 101a. A small-diameter piston portion 102a is formed in the rear half of the accumulator valve 102, and a large-diameter piston portion 102b is formed in the front half of the accumulator valve 102. The accumulator valve 102 applies the pressure of the liquid introduced into the pressure accumulator chamber 115 through the connecting member 100 to both piston portions 102a, 102b. When this pressure reaches a certain level or higher, the accumulator valve 102 moves backward due to the difference in pressure-receiving area between the piston portions 102a, 102b, and opens the ejection hole 101a.

[0042] The ejector 3 of this embodiment is equipped with a lid 130 as a blocking means for blocking communication between the outside and the inside of the nozzle portion 11 through the ejection holes 101a. The lid 130 is disposed on the nozzle portion 11 and closes the ejection holes 101a from the front in an openable and closable manner. The upper end of the lid 130 is attached to the front wall of the nozzle portion 11 so as to be rotatable about an axis extending in the left-right direction.

[0043] 2, the forward / inverted adapter 12 is attached to the lower end of the vertical supply tube portion 14. The forward / inverted adapter 12 enables the liquid in the container body 2 to be sprayed when the ejection container 1 is in either an upright position (with the mouth portion 2a facing upward) or an inverted position (with the mouth portion 2a facing downward).

[0044] The inverted forward adapter 12 includes a first mounting member 140 and a second mounting member 141 assembled in the vertical direction, and a partition member 142 separating the first mounting member 140 and the second mounting member 141. The first mounting member 140, the second mounting member 141, and the partition member 142 constitute the adapter main body of this embodiment.

[0045] The first mounting member 140 is formed in a multi-stage cylindrical shape with the diameter decreasing toward the top. Specifically, the first mounting member 140 has a small diameter portion 145, a medium diameter portion 146, and a large diameter portion 147.

[0046] The small diameter portion 145 is disposed coaxially with the first axis O1. An upper portion of the small diameter portion 145 is fitted into the upper inner cylindrical portion 31. A first flange 150 that protrudes radially outward is formed in a portion of the small diameter portion 145 that is located above the lower end edge thereof.

[0047] The medium diameter portion 146 extends downward from the outer peripheral edge of the first flange 150. The medium diameter portion 146 is disposed coaxially with the second axis O2. The medium diameter portion 146 is fitted into the lower inner cylindrical portion 32 from below the lower inner cylindrical portion 32. This closes the lower end opening of the lower inner cylindrical portion 32. The space surrounded by the first mounting member 140 and the lower inner cylindrical portion 32 functions as an intermediate space S3. The intermediate space S3 is separated from the intermediate space S2 by the top wall portion 32a. The intermediate space S3 is adjacent to the opposite side of the intermediate space S2 with respect to the second through hole 49. A second flange 152 is formed on the lower end edge of the medium diameter portion 146, protruding radially outward. The second flange 152 is in close proximity to or abuts the lower end edge of the lower inner cylindrical portion 32 (circumferential wall portion 32b).

[0048] A communication groove (not shown) is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the medium diameter portion 146 and the upper surface of the second flange 152. The communication groove extends from the outer peripheral surface of the medium diameter portion 146 to the upper surface of the second flange 152. The upper end opening of the communication groove communicates with the relay space S3. The lower end opening of the communication groove communicates with the inside of the container body 2. In other words, the relay space S3 communicates with the inside of the container body 2 through the communication groove.

[0049] The large diameter portion 147 extends downward from the outer circumferential edge of the second flange 152. An inverted introduction port 153 is formed in the front portion (forward of the second axis O2) of the large diameter portion 147. The inverted introduction port 153 penetrates the large diameter portion 147 in the radial direction and communicates with the inside of the container body 2.

[0050] As shown in FIG. 2, the partition member 142 has a first communication cylinder 160 and a second communication cylinder 161. First communicating cylinder 160 is disposed coaxially with first axis O1. The lower end of small diameter portion 145 (the portion that protrudes downward beyond first flange 150) is fitted into first communicating cylinder 160 from above. The second communicating cylinder 161 is connected to the front of the first communicating cylinder 160. The diameter of the second communicating cylinder 161 gradually decreases as it extends downward. In this embodiment, the space defined between the second communicating cylinder 161 and the first mounting member 140 constitutes a valve chamber 165 (second space). The valve chamber 165 is connected to the inside of the container body 2 through the inverted introduction port 153. A ball valve 164 (first switching valve) is housed in the valve chamber 165. The ball valve 164 opens and closes the lower end opening of the second communicating cylinder 161 by moving toward and away from the edge of the lower end opening of the second communicating cylinder 161.

[0051] The second mounting member 141 has a blocking portion 170 and a fixed cylinder 171 . The closing portion 170 is formed in a cylindrical shape with a bottom that opens upward. The closing portion 170 is fitted into the large diameter portion 147 with the partition member 142 sandwiched therebetween. The fixed cylinder 171 penetrates the bottom wall of the closing part 170 in the vertical direction at the rear of the closing part 170 (at a position coaxial with the first axis O1). A suction pipe 175 is fitted into the lower part of the fixed cylinder 171. An upper end opening 171a (upright introduction port) of the fixed cylinder 171 communicates with the inside of the first communicating cylinder 160. Therefore, the first communicating cylinder 160 communicates with the inside of the container body 2 through the fixed cylinder 171. On the other hand, the second communicating cylinder 161 communicates with the inside of the container body 2 through the inverted introduction port 153.

[0052] The space defined by the closing portion 170, the fixed barrel 171, and the second communicating barrel 161 constitutes a connecting flow path 177 that connects the valve chamber 165 and the fixed barrel 171. The connecting flow path 177 communicates with the interior of the fixed barrel 171 through a slit 178 formed in the fixed barrel 171. The space extending from the connecting flow path 177 through the slit 178 to the small diameter portion 145 constitutes the first space in this embodiment.

[0053] The relay space S3 communicates with the intermediate space S2 through the second through hole 49. In this embodiment, the second through hole 49, the intermediate space S2, the external air communication hole 82, the gap P1, and the external air introduction hole 80 form an external air introduction passage. The external air introduction passage allows communication between the relay space S3 and the outside space. The relay space S3 also communicates with the communication groove 29 through the first through hole 48. In this embodiment, the first through hole 48, the communication groove 29, the discharge port 28, the inside of the piston guide 78, and the portion leading to the through hole 83 of the piston guide 78 form a recovery passage. The recovery passage allows communication between the inside of the cylinder 71 and the relay space S3. The external air introduction passage and the recovery passage communicate with the inside of the container body 2 through the communication groove formed in the first mounting member 140.

[0054] The configuration around the second through-hole 49 will be described. A valve cylinder portion 181 is provided in the lower inner cylinder portion 32. The valve cylinder portion 181 protrudes from the opening periphery of the second through-hole 49 on both the upper and lower sides. However, the valve cylinder portion does not have to protrude downward from the opening periphery of the second through-hole 49. The upper end opening of the valve cylinder portion 181 connects the intermediate space S2 to the second through-hole 49. The lower end opening of the valve cylinder portion 181 connects the relay space S3 to the second through-hole 49. In other words, the valve cylinder portion 181 connects the intermediate space S2 to the relay space S3. The valve cylinder portion 181 has a valve seat portion 182. The valve seat portion 182 has an inner circumferential surface formed in a tapered cylindrical shape whose diameter decreases upward. The valve seat portion 182 is provided at an upper portion 181a of the valve cylinder portion 181. An upper portion 181a of the valve cylinder portion 181 protrudes upward from the top wall portion 32a so that the upper end opening of the valve cylinder portion 181 is located above the upper surface of the top wall portion 32a. The outer peripheral surface of the upper portion 181a of the valve cylinder portion 181 gradually expands in diameter from the edge of the upper end opening of the valve cylinder portion 181 downward, and connects to the upper surface of the top wall portion 32a.

[0055] A ball valve 180 (second switching valve) is housed inside the valve cylinder portion 181 so as to be movable up and down. The ball valve 180 opens and closes the upper end opening of the valve cylinder portion 181 by moving toward and away from a valve seat portion 182. The ball valve 180 seats on the valve seat portion 182 by its own weight when the jetting container 1 is in the inverted position. By sitting on the valve seat portion 182, the ball valve 180 blocks communication between the intermediate space S2 and the relay space S3, and regulates the flow of fluid from the relay space S3 to the intermediate space S2. The ball valve 180 moves away from the valve seat portion 182 by its own weight when the jetting container 1 is in the upright position. Furthermore, when the jetting container 1 is in the inverted position, negative pressure is generated in the relay space S3 relative to the intermediate space S2, causing the ball valve 180 to move away from the valve seat portion 182. The ball valve 180 separates from the valve seat portion 182 to connect the intermediate space S2 and the relay space S3, thereby allowing the fluid to flow from the intermediate space S2 to the relay space S3.

[0056] Next, the operation of the jetting container 1 will be described with reference to Figures 1 and 2. First, the jetting operation in the upright position will be described. When the jetting container 1 is in the upright position, the ball valve 41 is seated on the valve seat 35 by its own weight, and the ball valve 164 is seated on the lower end opening edge of the second communication tube 161 by its own weight.

[0057] When the ejection container 1 is in an upright position, to eject the liquid in the container body 2, the trigger portion 63 is pulled rearward against the biasing force of the elastic plate portion 64. As the trigger portion 63 moves rearward, the piston 72 moves backward, pressurizing the inside of the cylinder 71. When the inside of the cylinder 71 is pressurized, the liquid in the cylinder 71 flows into the accommodation space 40 through the communication passage S1, and the ball valve 41 is pressed against the valve seat portion 35. This blocks communication between the inside of the container body 2 and the communication passage S1. Therefore, the liquid in the cylinder 71 is introduced into the injection tube portion 15 through the communication passage S1. The liquid introduced into the injection tube portion 15 passes through the nozzle portion 11 and is ejected from the ejection hole 101a.

[0058] When the trigger 63 is released, the supply of liquid from the cylinder 71 to the injection tube 15 through the communication passage S1 of the vertical supply tube 14 is stopped. The trigger 63 then moves forward due to the elastic restoring force of the elastic plate 64. The forward movement of the trigger 63 causes the piston 72 to advance, generating negative pressure within the cylinder 71. At this time, the negative pressure generated within the cylinder 71 causes the liquid in the container 2 to flow into the inverted forward adapter 12 through the suction pipe 175. The liquid that has flowed into the inverted forward adapter 12 then flows through the inner tube 22, pushing up the ball valve 41. This separates the ball valve 41 from the valve seat 35, and the liquid is introduced into the cylinder 71 through the communication passage S1 and the communication port 81 (supply port 27). This prepares the cylinder for the next injection.

[0059] Next, the ejection operation in the inverted position will be described. When the ejection container 1 is in the inverted position, the ball valve 41 is separated from the valve seat 35 due to its own weight, and the ball valve 164 is separated from the lower end opening edge of the second communication tube 161 due to its own weight (see the chain line in Figure 2). Even when the ejection container 1 is in an inverted position, the inside of the cylinder 71 is pressurized by pulling the trigger portion 63 backward. Then, the liquid inside the cylinder 71 and the communication passage S1 is introduced into the injection tube portion 15 and the accommodation space 40. At this time, the gap is set so that the flow resistance when passing through the injection tube portion 15 is smaller than the flow resistance when passing through the gap between the ball valve 41 and the valve seat portion 35. Therefore, by actively introducing the liquid into the injection tube portion 15, the liquid is ejected from the ejection hole 101a as described above.

[0060] On the other hand, when the trigger portion 63 returns to the forward position after the liquid is ejected, negative pressure is generated inside the cylinder 71, just as in the upright position described above. Then, the liquid that has flowed into the valve chamber 165 through the inverted introduction port 153 flows into the first communication cylinder 160 through the lower end opening of the second communication cylinder 161, the connection flow path 177, and the slit 178. The liquid that has flowed into the first communication cylinder 160 flows through the inner cylinder 22, and is then introduced into the cylinder 71 through the communication passage S1 and the communication port 81 (supply port 27). This makes it possible to prepare for the next ejection.

[0061] When the liquid in the container body 2 is sucked up through the suction pipe 175, negative pressure is generated in the container body 2. The negative pressure in the container body 2 acts on the relay space S3. When the piston 72 is positioned rearward of the front-most position, the outside air introduction hole 80 communicates with the outside space through the cylinder 71. At this time, the ball valve 180 communicates between the intermediate space S2 and the relay space S3. Specifically, when the jetting container 1 is in the upright position, the ball valve 180 moves away from the valve seat 182 due to its own weight, thereby communicating between the intermediate space S2 and the relay space S3. When the jetting container 1 is in the inverted position, the ball valve 180 is seated on the valve seat 182 due to its own weight, but moves away from the valve seat 182 due to the pressure difference between the intermediate space S2 and the relay space S3, thereby communicating between the intermediate space S2 and the relay space S3. Therefore, the negative pressure inside the container body 2 acts from the relay space S3 to the outside air introduction passage (the space leading to the second through-hole 49, the intermediate space S2, the outside air communication hole 82, the gap P1 and the outside air introduction hole 80). As a result, outside air is introduced into the container body 2 through the outside air introduction passage and the relay space S3 (air replacement).

[0062] Incidentally, in the ejector 3 having the pressure accumulator valve 102, the air discharged from the cylinder 71 during priming (discharging the air in the cylinder 71 and introducing the liquid into the cylinder 71) may not be completely discharged through the ejection holes 101a, and may travel between the inside of the cylinder 71 and the inside of the vertical supply tube portion 14 or the inside of the injection tube portion 15. In this case, it is difficult to smoothly introduce the liquid into the cylinder 71.

[0063] In contrast, in this embodiment, when the trigger portion 63 is moved to the rearmost position, the inside of the piston main body 91 and the inside of the cylinder 71 communicate with each other through the inner sliding portion 92 and the recessed portion 84. Therefore, the inside of the cylinder 71 and the inside of the container body 2 communicate with each other through the recovery passage (the first through-hole 48, the communication groove 29, the discharge port 28, the inside of the piston guide 78, and the space leading to the through-hole 83 of the piston guide 78), the relay space S3, and the communication groove (not shown). Therefore, during priming, air present in the cylinder 71 is discharged into the container body 2 through the recovery passage, the relay space S3, and the communication groove. As a result, liquid can be smoothly introduced into the cylinder 71.

[0064] Here, in the ejector 3 of this embodiment, a ball valve 180 is provided in the outside air introduction passageway, which can block communication between the relay space S3 and the outside space when the container body 2 is inverted. With this configuration, even if liquid flows from inside the container body 2 into the relay space S3 when the container body 2 is in the inverted position, the ball valve 180 can prevent the liquid from reaching the outside space through the outside air introduction passageway. As a result, even when the normal inversion adapter 12 is provided, it is possible to prevent the liquid from leaking to the outside through the relay space S3 and the outside air introduction passageway.

[0065] The ball valve 180 opens and closes the second through-hole 49 formed in the lower inner cylindrical portion 32. With this configuration, a valve mechanism can be provided in an existing part (the lower inner cylindrical portion 32), which prevents an increase in the number of parts and reduces costs.

[0066] The lower inner cylinder portion 32 separates the relay space S3 from the intermediate space S2 and includes a top wall portion 32a in which the second through hole 49 is formed, and a valve cylinder portion 181 that protrudes upward from the periphery of the opening of the second through hole 49 in the top wall portion 32a. With this configuration, the upper end opening of the valve cylinder portion 181 is located higher than the top wall portion 32a. Therefore, even if liquid flows into the intermediate space S2, liquid that has accumulated above the top wall portion 32a when the container body 2 is in the upright position can be prevented from adhering to the upper end opening edge of the valve cylinder portion 181. This prevents liquid that has adhered to the upper end opening edge of the valve cylinder portion 181 from drying and blocking the upper end opening of the valve cylinder portion 181, thereby preventing unintended blocking of communication between the relay space S3 and the external space.

[0067] As shown in FIG. 3 , a groove 183 may be formed between the outer peripheral surface of the upper portion of the valve cylinder portion 181 and the upper surface of the top wall portion 32a. The groove 183 extends so as to surround the upper portion of the valve cylinder portion 181. The groove 183 may extend continuously around the entire periphery of the valve cylinder portion 181, or may be provided intermittently around the periphery of the valve cylinder portion 181. By providing the groove 183 around the upper portion of the valve cylinder portion 181 in this manner, liquid that has flowed into the intermediate space S2 is collected in the groove 183 when the container body 2 is in the upright position, making it even less likely to adhere to the upper opening edge of the valve cylinder portion 181. Furthermore, by providing the groove 183, molding defects (sink marks) in the valve seat portion 182 on which the ball valve 180 seats can be suppressed when the container body 2 is in the inverted position.

[0068] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment explained with reference to the drawings, and various modifications are possible within the technical scope of the present invention. For example, in the above embodiment, the piston body 91 and the cylinder 71 communicate with each other through the recess 84 when the piston 72 reaches the rearmost position, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. The position of the piston 72 is not limited as long as the piston body 91 and the cylinder 71 communicate with each other at least partially. For example, the piston body 91 and the cylinder 71 may communicate with each other through a groove formed in the piston guide 78 or the inner sliding portion 92.

[0069] In the above embodiment, the ball valve 180 is provided in the outside air introduction passage as the second switching valve that can block communication between the relay space S3 and the outside space when the container body 2 is inverted, but the configuration of the second switching valve is not limited to this. For example, the second switching valve may be a check valve such as a three-point valve that opens and closes the second through-hole formed in the mounting tube.

[0070] In addition, it is possible to replace the components in the above-described embodiments with well-known components as appropriate, without departing from the spirit of the present invention, and the above-described embodiments and their variations may be combined as appropriate. [Explanation of symbols]

[0071] DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 2...Container body 3...Sprayer (trigger-type liquid sprayer) 10...Sprayer main body 11...Nozzle portion 12...Forward and inverted adapter 14...Vertical supply tube portion 16...Trigger mechanism 32...Lower inner tube portion (mounting tube) 32a...Top wall portion (partition wall) 49...Second through-hole (through-hole) 63...Trigger portion 71...Cylinder 72...Piston 75...Cylinder holding tube 91...Piston main body 101a...Spray hole 140...First mounting member (adapter main body) 141...Second mounting member (adapter main body) 142...Partition member (adapter main body) 153...Inverted inlet 164...Ball valve (first switching valve) 165...Valve chamber (second space) 171a...Upper end opening (forward inlet) 180...Ball valve (second switching valve) 181...Valve tube portion S2...Intermediate space S3: Relay space

Claims

1. a sprayer body attached to the container body, the sprayer body having a vertical supply tube portion extending in the vertical direction and through which the liquid sucked up from the container body flows; a nozzle portion provided in front of the ejector body and having an ejection hole for ejecting liquid; an inverted forward adapter attached to a lower end of the vertical supply tube; Equipped with The ejector body includes: a trigger mechanism including a trigger portion disposed in front of the vertical supply tube portion so as to be movable rearward in a forward biased state, the trigger portion moving rearward to cause the liquid to flow toward the nozzle; a piston having a cylindrical piston body connected to the trigger portion and a sliding portion connected to the piston body, the piston moving back and forth in accordance with the back and forth movement of the trigger portion; a cylinder in which the sliding portion slides in accordance with the back and forth movement of the piston, thereby pressurizing or depressurizing the cylinder; Equipped with The inverted adapter is an adapter body that defines a first space that communicates between the container body and the interior of the vertical supply tube portion through an upright inlet and a second space that communicates between the container body and the first space through an inverted inlet, and is fitted into a lower end of the vertical supply tube portion; a first switching valve that blocks communication between the first space and the second space when the container body is upright in a state in which the ejector main body is attached to the container body, and that allows communication between the first space and the second space when the container body is inverted; Equipped with the vertical supply tube portion has an attachment tube into which the adapter body is fitted, and which forms an intermediate space between the attachment tube and the adapter body and which communicates with the inside of the container body; The ejector body is formed with an outside air introduction passage that connects an external space with the relay space, the outside air introduction passage passes between an inner peripheral surface of a cylinder holding tube that holds the cylinder and an outer peripheral surface of the cylinder, a second switching valve that can block communication between the relay space and the external space when the container body is inverted is provided in the outside air introduction passage; Trigger-type liquid squirt.

2. The mounting tube is formed with a through hole that constitutes a part of the outside air introduction passage, The second switching valve opens and closes the through hole. The trigger-type liquid ejector according to claim 1 .

3. the outside air introduction passage has a middle space adjacent to the through hole on the opposite side of the relay space, The mounting tube is a partition wall that separates the relay space from the intermediate space and has the through hole formed therein; a valve cylinder portion protruding upward from an opening peripheral edge portion of the through hole in the partition wall; Equipped with The trigger-type liquid ejector according to claim 2.

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