Button cap for aerosol product

Abstract

To provide an aerosol product reinforced so as not to be damaged even if a button is provided with a thin part.SOLUTION: The button cap includes a button member and a cap member detachably attached to the button member. The button member includes an inner tubular portion attached to a stem of the valve, an outer tubular portion provided outside the inner tubular portion, and a cylindrical seat portion supporting the outer tubular portion, the inner tubular portion, the outer tubular portion, and the cylindrical seat portion being integrally formed, and the outer tubular portion includes at least a pair of thin portions including a facing range for detachment operation, and a thick portion formed thicker than the thin portions.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a button and a cap that are attached to a valve of an aerosol product, and in particular to a button cap that includes a button that has a thinned portion to facilitate removal, and a cap that is attached to the button. [Background technology]

[0002] In aerosol products and pump-type products, the button for spraying the contents is attached to the stem of the valve and functions to spray the contents when pressed by the user. It is desirable that the button of such aerosol products be relatively easily detachable from the stem when checking for clogging of the passage through which the contents pass or when switching to degassing mode.

[0003] Specifically, buttons are generally made from resin molding and have an inner cylindrical portion that fits onto the valve stem and an outer cylindrical portion. To remove the button from the stem, the user grasps the outer peripheral surface of the outer cylindrical portion of the button and lifts it up.

[0004] As a specific example, Patent Document 1 discloses a content-discharging button that is easy for users to grip and that can be attached to aerosol products and pump-type products. This content-discharging button has an inner cylindrical part and an outer cylindrical part, with the inner cylindrical part attached to a stem and the outer cylindrical part having thick and thin portions formed alternately in the circumferential direction.

[0005] This results in a structure that is easily deformed by pressing the thin-walled portion, so that the user can easily remove the button member from the stem by grasping the thin-walled portion of the outer cylindrical portion, yet the cap member can be securely fixed to the button member. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-35284 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] However, the content release button described in Patent Document 1 has a problem in that the thin-walled portion is easily deformed due to its structure, making it easy to remove from the stem, but is also prone to breakage when used for a long period of time or when excessive force is applied. In other words, because the thin-walled portion of the button member is easily deformed, there is a concern that the risk of breakage increases if more force than necessary is applied even when not removing from the stem.

[0008] The present invention has been proposed to solve the above problems, and aims to provide an aerosol product that is reinforced so that even buttons with thin portions will not break. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] (1) The button cap according to the present invention comprises a button member attached to the valve of an aerosol product and having an outlet for spraying liquid, and a cap member detachably attached to the button member, the button member being integrally formed with an inner cylindrical portion attached to the stem of the valve, an outer cylindrical portion provided on the outside of the inner cylindrical portion, and a cylindrical base portion supporting the outer cylindrical portion, the outer cylindrical portion having at least a pair of thin-walled portions including opposing areas for removal operation, and a cylindrical base portion shaped thicker than the thin-walled portions. the cylindrical base portion has a base upper surface portion that is continuous with the outer cylindrical portion and a base side surface portion that is continuous with the base upper surface portion, and has a first fitting hole provided at a position corresponding to the thin-walled portion of the base upper surface portion; the cap member is formed in a shape that corresponds to the button member and comprises a button outer portion that is placed on the button member, a cap main body portion that is provided at an interval on the side circumference of the button outer portion, and a connecting hinge portion that connects the button outer portion and the cap main body portion.

[0010] Such a button cap comprises a button member and a cap member that are attached to the valve of the aerosol product, and the button member is ensured to have a predetermined strength by integrally forming an inner cylindrical portion, an outer cylindrical portion, and a cylindrical base portion that supports the outer cylindrical portion.

[0011] The outer cylindrical portion has a thin-walled portion that includes an opposing area for removal, and a thick-walled portion that is thicker than the thin-walled portion. The thin-walled portion is easily deformed by pressure, facilitating button removal. Meanwhile, the cylindrical base has a fitting hole at a position corresponding to the thin-walled portion on the top surface of the base. The fitting portion on the cap member fits into the fitting hole, protecting the thin-walled portion of the button and preventing excessive force from being applied to the button cap. This allows the button, even with a thin-walled portion, to be reinforced to prevent damage and securely fasten the cap member to the button.

[0012] (2) In the above-mentioned button cap, the outer cylindrical portion has the thin-walled portions on both sides of the nozzle in front, and has the fitting holes at positions corresponding to each thin-walled portion, and the cap member has the fitting portions corresponding to each fitting hole.

[0013] Such a button cap has thin-walled portions and fitting holes on both the left and right sides with the nozzle at the front, making it easy to grasp and deform the thin-walled portions.However, by fitting the fitting portions of the cap member into each fitting hole, the thin-walled portions of the button member are protected, excessive force is prevented from being applied to the button cap, and the cap member can be securely fixed to the button member.

[0014] (3) The above-mentioned button cap further has an extremely thin portion that is thinner than the thin portion, and the extremely thin portion is provided on both sides of the circumference of each thin portion, and the thick portion is provided on both sides of the extremely thin portion in the circumference.

[0015] With this type of button cap, extremely thin portions are provided on both circumferential sides of each thin portion, making the outer cylindrical portion even more susceptible to deformation, and the button member being held is also more susceptible to deformation, making it easier to remove from the stem.However, the fitting portion provided on the cap member fits into the fitting hole, protecting the thin portion of the button member and preventing excessive force from being applied to the button cap, allowing the cap member to be securely fixed to the button member.

[0016] (4) In the above-described button cap, a plurality of connecting ribs are provided between the upper portion of the inner cylindrical portion and the upper portion of the outer cylindrical portion.

[0017] With this button cap, multiple connecting ribs are provided between the upper part of the inner tubular portion and the upper part of the outer tubular portion, which increases the strength of the button member while allowing the lower part of the button member to be easily deformed when gripped, making it easier to remove from the stem.

[0018] (5) In the above-described button cap, the connecting ribs connect the inner cylindrical portion to the respective thin-walled portions of the outer cylindrical portion at approximately the center in the circumferential direction.

[0019] With this button cap, the connecting ribs are connected from both sides of the inner cylindrical portion to approximately the middle of the circumferential direction of each thin-walled portion of the outer cylindrical portion, thereby increasing the strength of the button member while allowing the lower part of the button member to be easily deformed when gripped, making it easy to remove from the stem.

[0020] (6) The aerosol product according to the present invention comprises a pressure-resistant container, a valve attached to the pressure-resistant container and having a stem, a button member attached to the valve and having an outlet for injecting liquid, and a cap member detachably attached to the button member, wherein the button member comprises an integrally formed inner cylindrical portion attached to the stem of the valve, an outer cylindrical portion provided on the outside of the inner cylindrical portion, and a cylindrical base portion supporting the outer cylindrical portion, and the outer cylindrical portion is attached to the stem of the valve, and a cap member detachably attached to the button member. The cap member has at least one pair of thin-walled portions including opposing areas for removal operation, and a thick-walled portion formed thicker than the thin-walled portions, the cylindrical base portion having a base top surface portion continuous with the outer cylindrical portion and a base side surface portion continuous with the base top surface portion, and a fitting hole provided at a position corresponding to the thin-walled portion of the base top surface portion, and the cap member has the main body portion that covers the button member, a fitting portion that fits into the fitting hole, and a connecting hinge portion that connects the main body portion and the fitting portion.

[0021] This aerosol product includes a button and a cap that are attached to the valve of the aerosol product. The button integrally comprises an inner tubular portion, an outer tubular portion, and a cylindrical base that supports the outer tubular portion. The outer tubular portion has a thin-walled portion that includes an opposing area for removal, and a thick-walled portion that is thicker than the thin-walled portion. The thin-walled portion is easily deformed by pressure, making it easy to remove the button.

[0022] The cylindrical base has a fitting hole at a position corresponding to the thin-walled portion on the top surface of the base, and the fitting portion on the cap member fits into the fitting hole, protecting the thin-walled portion of the button member and preventing excessive force from being applied to the button cap. This reinforces the button to prevent damage even with a thin-walled portion, and allows the cap member to be securely fixed to the button member.

[0023] (7) In the aerosol product described above, the cap member has a capping portion and is attached by fitting onto the pressure-resistant container or the valve.

[0024] In such an aerosol product, the cap member is stably attached to the button member because the capping portion is fitted onto the pressure-resistant container or the valve, thereby preventing damage to the button member or the cap member and ensuring that the cap member is securely fixed to the button member. [Effects of the Invention]

[0025] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a button cap for an aerosol product or an aerosol product that is reinforced to prevent breakage by securely fixing a cap member to a button member, even if the button has a thin-walled portion. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0026] [Figure 1] 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a container portion of an aerosol product according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 1 is a top perspective view of a button cap for an aerosol product according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. [Figure 3] 3 is a perspective view showing a button member of the button cap shown in FIG. 2. FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a bottom view showing the button member shown in FIG. 3. [Figure 5] 3 is a top perspective view showing a cap member of the button cap shown in FIG. 2. FIG. [Figure 6] 3 is a bottom perspective view showing a cap member of the button cap shown in FIG. 2. FIG. [Figure 7] 1 is a bottom perspective view of a button cap for an aerosol product according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0027] An aerosol product P according to an embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, the spray direction of the nozzle 11d is referred to as the forward direction, the direction opposite to the spray direction is referred to as the rearward direction, and the direction perpendicular to the front-to-rearward direction is referred to as the lateral or left-right direction.

[0028] <About Aerosol Product P> 1 and 2, the aerosol product P according to this embodiment comprises a pressure-resistant container C filled with the contents to spray the contents, a valve B attached to the opening of the pressure-resistant container C, and a button cap BC attached to the valve B. The pressure-resistant container C and the valve B are sealed.

[0029] As shown in Figure 1, a pressure vessel C is filled with a liquid content (not shown) at a predetermined pressure together with a propellant (not shown) such as pressurized gas, as is well known in the art. The pressure vessel C has a vessel opening O to which a valve B is attached, and the vessel opening O is provided with a seat D that is tightly attached to and fixed to a valve body U (described later).

[0030] As is well known in the art, the valve B is configured to release the contents in a controlled manner and includes a valve body U, a dip tube R, a stem S, and a seal gasket G. The valve body U fits into a seat D of the container opening O of the pressure-resistant container C to form the outer shape of the valve B.

[0031] The dip tube R is attached to the lower end of the stem S and pulls the contents up from the bottom of the pressure vessel C to the stem S. The stem S forms the stem flow path Sr through which the contents pass. The seal gasket G is a rubber sealing member that is placed around the stem S to prevent the contents from leaking.

[0032] When the button member 10 of the button cap BC (details of which will be described later) is pressed, the stem S of the aerosol product P is lowered and the seal gasket G is pushed down. This creates a gap between the stem S of the closed valve body U and the stem S, which serves as a passage for the contents. At this time, the contents are expelled from the dip tube R by the pressure of the filling gas through the stem flow path Sr of the stem S and out of the outlet 11d of the button member 10.

[0033] <About Button Cap BC> As shown in Fig. 2, the button cap BC comprises a button member 10 attached to the stem S of the valve B and a cap member 20 detachably mounted on the button member 10. The button member 10 fits onto the stem S and is detachably attached to the valve B. In particular, the button member 10 can be easily detached from the valve B by grasping and pulling upward a pair of thin-walled portions 121a (described later) (see Fig. 3).

[0034] As shown in Figures 3, 4 and 7, the button member 10 comprises an inner tubular portion 11 that fits onto the stem S, an outer tubular portion 12 that is provided outside the inner tubular portion 11 at a distance, an upper surface portion 13 that connects the upper end of the inner tubular portion 11 to the upper end of the outer tubular portion 12 so as to cover the upper end of the inner tubular portion 11, a pair of first connecting ribs 14 that extend from the upper portion of the outer peripheral surface of the inner tubular portion 11 to connect the upper portion of the inner peripheral surface of the outer tubular portion 12, a second connecting rib 15 that extends from the upper portion of the outer peripheral surface of the inner tubular portion 11 to connect the lower portion of the inner peripheral surface of the outer tubular portion 12, and a cylindrical base portion 16 that connects to the lower end of the outer peripheral surface of the outer tubular portion 12.

[0035] The inner cylindrical portion 11 has a roughly cylindrical inner cylindrical portion 11a and a protruding portion 11b that protrudes to one side from the inner cylindrical portion 11a and is provided with an ejection port 11d. The inner cylindrical portion 11a has a receiving hole 11c shaped to correspond to the shape of the stem S and is fitted onto the stem S so as to cover it. The protruding portion 11b protrudes forward to near the radial end of the inner cylindrical portion 11 and has an ejection port 11d on its protruding end surface. The inner cylindrical portion 11 also has a button portion flow path 11e that is connected downstream of the stem flow path Sr and allows the content to pass through to the ejection port 11d.

[0036] The outer cylindrical portion 12 includes an outer cylindrical portion 12a, which surrounds the inner cylindrical portion 11. The outer cylindrical portion 12a has a pair of thin-walled portions 121a formed in a predetermined width area facing each other in the circumferential direction of the outer cylindrical portion 12a, very thin-walled portions 122a provided at both ends of each thin-walled portion 121a, and thick-walled portions 123a connected to the very thin-walled portions 122a. In other words, the thin-walled portions 121a, 121a, and thick-walled portions 123a are continuous to form the circumferential surface of the outer cylindrical portion 12a.

[0037] The first connecting rib 14 extends linearly in the left-right direction from the upper part of the inner cylindrical portion 11 and connects to the upper part of the outer cylindrical portion 12. The first connecting rib 14 connects from both the left and right sides of the inner cylindrical portion 11 to approximately the middle of each thin-walled portion 121a of the outer cylindrical portion 12 in the circumferential direction.

[0038] The second connecting rib 15 extends linearly from the upper portion of the inner cylindrical portion 11 to the rear (opposite the ejection port 11d) and connects from the upper portion to the lower portion of the outer cylindrical portion 12. The second connecting rib connects from the rear of the inner cylindrical portion 11 to approximately the middle in the circumferential direction of the thick-walled portion 123a of the outer cylindrical portion 12.

[0039] The upper surface portion 13 covers the upper end of the inner cylindrical portion 11 and forms the upper surface of the button member 10 so as to connect the upper portion of the outer peripheral surface of the inner cylindrical portion 11 with the upper portion of the inner peripheral surface of the outer cylindrical portion 12, and this upper surface functions as a pressing operation surface when activating the aerosol product P. The upper surface portion 13 forms a curved surface that follows the finger, descending from the front and both left and right sides to the rear.

[0040] The cylindrical base 16 includes a base upper surface 16a that is continuous with the outer cylindrical portion 12, and a base side surface 16b that is continuous with the base upper surface 16a. The base upper surface 16a extends outward in an annular shape that is continuous with the outer cylindrical portion 12, and has a pair of first fitting holes 16d at positions corresponding to the thin-walled portion 121a of the outer cylindrical portion 12, and a second fitting hole 16e on the side opposite the ejection port 11d.

[0041] Each of the first fitting holes 16d is provided in a range that extends to the thin portion 121a and the extremely thin portions 122a at both ends of the thin portion 121a in top view. The second fitting holes 16e are provided at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction from each of the first fitting holes 16d.

[0042] As shown in Figures 5, 6, and 7, the cap member 20 comprises a button outer portion 21 that covers the upper surface portion 13 and outer tubular portion 12 of the button member 10, a cap main body portion 22 that is provided at an interval around the side circumference of the button outer portion 21, and a connecting hinge portion 23 that connects the button outer portion 21 and the cap main body portion 22.

[0043] The button outer portion 21 comprises a generally cylindrical cap tubular portion 21a adapted to the outer shape of the button member 10 and a cap lid portion 21b that covers the cap tubular portion 21a, and an injection window 21c is formed in part of the cap tubular portion 21a at a position corresponding to the injection nozzle of the button member 10. The cap lid portion 21b forms a curved surface that follows the finger so as to slope down from the injection nozzle side and both left and right sides to the opposite side of the injection nozzle.

[0044] The lower end of the cap cylindrical portion 21a has a first fitting portion 21d corresponding to the pair of first fitting holes 16d of the button member 10, and a second fitting portion 21e corresponding to the second fitting hole 16e. The tips of the first fitting portion 21d and the second fitting portion 21e are folded back in the radial direction to engage with the first fitting hole 16d and the second fitting hole 16e.

[0045] The cap body 22 is composed of a crowning portion 22a that is crowned on the valve body U and a pair of side walls 22b that extend upward from the crowning portion 22a. The button outer portion 21 is disposed between the side walls 22b.

[0046] The connecting hinge portion 23 connects the front lower end of the button outer portion 21 to the crowning portion 22 a, and the connecting hinge portion 23 allows the outer button portion to move up and down relative to the cap body portion 22 .

[0047] Although the button member 10 can be easily removed by deformation of the thin-walled portion 121a, it is protected by the cap portion and therefore can be prevented from being damaged during use or when removing the cap member 20. In other words, the button member 10 is structured so that it can be easily deformed by pressing the thin-walled portion 121a, so the user can easily remove the button member from the stem by grasping the thin-walled portion 121a of the outer cylindrical portion 12.

[0048] In this embodiment, the button cap BC is attached to the valve body U of the valve B. However, the button cap BC may be attached to the pressure-resistant container C by fitting.

[0049] In the present embodiment, the spout 11d is provided at one end of the button flow path, but the spout 11d may be provided midway through the button flow path.

[0050] In the present embodiment, the outer cylindrical portion 12 of the button member 10 has been described as having extremely thin portions 122a on both the left and right circumferential sides of the thin portion 121a, and having thick portions 123a on the circumferential outside of the extremely thin portions 122a. However, as long as the outer cylindrical portion 12 of the button member 10 has opposing thin portions 121a, it may not have the extremely thin portions 122a, and may have thick portions 123a formed on both the left and right sides of the thin portion 121a, or may have extremely thick portions that are even thicker than the thick portions 123a.

[0051] In this embodiment, the button member 10 has one second fitting hole 16e at the rear. However, the button member 10 does not have to have the second fitting hole 16e, or may have multiple second fitting holes 16e.

[0052] In the present embodiment, the first fitting portion 21d or the second fitting portion 21e has a configuration in which the lower end extends linearly. However, the first fitting portion 21d or the second fitting portion 21e may have a folded portion at the lower end that engages with the corresponding fitting hole.

[0053] In the present embodiment, the cap member 20 has been described as having the connecting hinge portion 23 provided at the front. However, the cap member 20 may have hinge portions provided at the rear or on both the left and right sides.

[0054] The above describes the button cap BC for an aerosol product and the aerosol product P according to the embodiment of the present invention. However, the button cap BC and the aerosol product P are not limited to the above embodiment and may have other configurations as long as the object of the invention is achieved. [Industrial Applicability]

[0055] The present invention can be used for button caps on aerosol products or aerosol products. [Explanation of symbols]

[0056] B: Valve BC: Button cap C: Pressure vessel D: Seat part G: Seal gasket O: Container opening P: Aerosol products R: Dip tube S: Stem Sr: stem channel U: Valve body 10: Button parts 11: Inner cylindrical part 11a: Inner cylindrical part 11b:Protrusion 11c: Receiving hole 11d: spout 11e: Button flow path 12: Outer cylindrical part 12a: outer cylindrical part 13:Top part 14: First connecting rib 15: Second connecting rib 16: Cylindrical base 16a: Top surface of base 16b: Side of base 16d: First fitting hole 16e: Second mating hole 20: Cap member 21: Button outer part 21a: cylindrical cap part 21b: Cap lid 21c: Injection window 21d: First fitting portion 21e: Second fitting portion 22: Cap body 22a: Crown fitting part 22b: Side wall part 23: Connection hinge part 121a: Thin wall part 122a: Extremely thin flesh 123a: Thick flesh portion

Claims

1. a button member attached to a valve of the aerosol product and having an ejection port for ejecting liquid; a cap member detachably attached to the button member, The button member is integrally formed with the valve and includes an inner cylindrical portion attached to the stem of the valve, an outer cylindrical portion provided on the outside of the inner cylindrical portion, and a cylindrical base portion supporting the outer cylindrical portion. the outer cylindrical portion has at least a pair of thin-walled portions including opposing areas for a removal operation, and a thick-walled portion formed to be thicker than the thin-walled portions, the cylindrical base portion includes a base upper surface portion continuous with the outer cylindrical portion and a base side surface portion continuous with the base upper surface portion, and has a fitting hole provided at a position corresponding to the thin-walled portion of the base upper surface portion, the cap member is formed in a shape corresponding to the button member and includes a button outer portion that is fitted onto the button member, a cap main body portion that is provided on a side periphery of the button outer portion at an interval, and a connecting hinge portion that connects the button outer portion and the cap main body portion; A button cap, characterized in that the button outer portion has a fitting portion that fits into the fitting hole.

2. The button cap according to claim 1, wherein the outer cylindrical portion has the thin-walled portions on both sides of the nozzle in front, and the fitting holes are provided at positions corresponding to each thin-walled portion, and the cap member has the fitting portions corresponding to each fitting hole.

3. The button cap according to claim 1, further comprising an extremely thin portion thinner than the thin portion, the extremely thin portion being provided on both circumferential sides of each thin portion, and the thick portion being provided on both circumferential sides of the extremely thin portion.

4. The button cap according to claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of connecting ribs provided between the upper portion of the inner cylindrical portion and the upper portion of the outer cylindrical portion.

5. The button cap according to claim 3 , wherein the connecting ribs connect the inner cylindrical portion to respective thin-walled portions of the outer cylindrical portion at approximately midpoints in the circumferential direction.

6. A pressure vessel; a valve attached to the pressure vessel and having a stem; a button member attached to the valve and having an injection port for injecting liquid; a cap member detachably attached to the button member, the button member is integrally formed with an inner cylindrical portion attached to the stem of the valve, an outer cylindrical portion provided on the outside of the inner cylindrical portion, and a cylindrical base portion supporting the outer cylindrical portion; the outer cylindrical portion has at least a pair of thin-walled portions including opposing areas for a removal operation, and a thick-walled portion formed to be thicker than the thin-walled portions, the cylindrical base portion includes a base upper surface portion continuous with the outer cylindrical portion and a base side surface portion continuous with the base upper surface portion, and has a fitting hole provided at a position corresponding to the thin-walled portion of the base upper surface portion, An aerosol product, characterized in that the cap member comprises a main body portion that covers the button member, a fitting portion that fits into the fitting hole, and a connecting hinge portion that connects the main body portion and the fitting portion.

7. The cap member has a crown portion and is fitted onto the pressure-resistant container or the valve, in an aerosol product.

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