Spout

Abstract

To provide a spout capable of discharging a content liquid in a mist state by suction.SOLUTION: The spout is characterized in that the cylindrical main body is formed with a main body air hole through which outside air can flow into the cylindrical main body and a gas-liquid mixing chamber in which air flowing in through the main body air hole and a content liquid can be mixed, and a gas-liquid mixture mixed in the gas-liquid mixing chamber is ejected by suction through an opening of the cylindrical main body.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a spout that a user holds in his mouth and sucks to dispense liquid contents, and more particularly to a spout that can dispense liquid contents in the form of a mist. [Background technology]

[0002] Spouts are attached to bag-like packaging made of a plastic film or a laminate of a plastic film and a metal foil, etc., and are filled with liquid or jelly-like contents. Spouts have been widely used for a long time because they are convenient as they allow the contents to be consumed directly from the bag-like packaging, and they are also easy to reseal. A typical spout is used to suck up and consume the contents such as a beverage or jelly drink as is, but spouts that allow the contents to be discharged in droplets are also known.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 below describes an inhalation container that can supply flavored liquid into the mouth in the form of droplets and can be used as a refreshment alternative to cigarettes. The inhalation container has a container body that stores the liquid, a cylindrical mouthpiece that can be held in the user's mouth, and an outlet member that directs the liquid in the container body to the mouthpiece, with an air introduction hole formed in part of the mouthpiece.

[0004] That is, in the suction container described in Patent Document 1, the liquid content is soaked in a porous material such as a sponge as an outlet member, and is then drawn out to the mouthpiece. By holding the end of the mouthpiece above the air inlet hole and sucking, it is possible to inhale the liquid content in droplet form, which is a mixture of air and the liquid content. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2023-107139 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, in the drinking container described in Patent Document 1, the sponge serving as the outlet member must be kept constantly impregnated with the liquid content. Furthermore, since the sponge serving as the outlet member must be placed in a predetermined position within the mouthpiece, manufacturing is complicated and productivity is low. Furthermore, it is difficult to ensure sufficient sealing performance with the shape of the existing capped spout. Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a spout that does not cause the above-mentioned problems and that can discharge the liquid content in the form of droplets by suction. Another object of the present invention is to provide a capped spout provided with a resealable cap for the spout. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] According to the present invention, there is provided a spout comprising a cylindrical body and a welding portion located at the bottom of the cylindrical body and having a top plate portion and a welding surface extending downward from the periphery of the top plate portion, wherein the cylindrical body is formed with a body air hole that allows outside air to flow into the cylindrical body, and a gas-liquid mixing chamber that can mix the air that has flowed in from the body air hole with the liquid contained therein, and wherein the spout is characterized in that the gas-liquid mixture mixed in the gas-liquid mixing chamber is sprayed out by suction from the opening of the cylindrical body.

[0008] In the spout of the present invention, (1) The cylindrical main body is provided with an outer nozzle fitted inside the cylindrical main body and an inner nozzle fitted inside the outer nozzle, the outer nozzle having an outer air hole communicating with a main body air hole of the cylindrical main body, and outer seals formed axially above and below the outer air hole that fit tightly against the inner surface of the cylindrical main body, and a discharge part axially above the outer air hole, the upper part of the inner nozzle having a small diameter nozzle that serves as a flow path for the content liquid, and an outer peripheral wall on the outer side of the small diameter nozzle, the outer peripheral wall having inner air holes communicating with the air hole of the outer nozzle, and inner seals formed axially above and below the inner air hole that fit tightly against the inner surface of the outer nozzle, the gas-liquid mixing chamber being formed by the space from the discharge part of the outer nozzle to the upper end of the small diameter nozzle of the inner nozzle, and the air supplied from between the outer peripheral wall and the small diameter nozzle and the content liquid supplied from the small diameter nozzle are mixed in the gas-liquid mixing chamber. (2) The main body air hole of the cylindrical main body and the outer air hole of the outer nozzle are formed at positions offset from each other in the circumferential direction, and the outer air hole of the outer nozzle and the inner air hole of the inner nozzle are formed at positions offset from each other in the circumferential direction. (3) The outer seal portion and the inner seal portion are formed at positions that do not coincide with each other in the axial direction. (4) A plurality of pores are formed in the pouring portion, and the plurality of pores are divided by radially extending partition plates formed on the inner surface of the pouring portion of the outer nozzle. is preferred.

[0009] The present invention also provides a capped spout consisting of the above-mentioned spout and a cap that engages with the spout, characterized in that a flange portion is formed on the outer surface of the cylindrical body, below the body air hole, which is in tight contact with the inner surface of the cap when in a closed state.

[0010] The capped spout of the present invention preferably further comprises a flange portion axially above the main body air hole, the flange portion having a radial notch formed therein. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] The spout of the present invention is capable of stably ejecting the liquid contents in a mist (droplets) form even with a force similar to that of suction through the mouth, and while air taken in from outside the spout is mixed with the liquid contents and ejected in a mist (droplets), leakage of the liquid contents from the air hole is effectively prevented. Furthermore, by molding the spout by combining separate components, namely the cylindrical body, outer nozzle, and inner nozzle, it is possible to easily form the gas-liquid mixing chamber, resulting in excellent productivity, and it is also possible to ensure a long air flow path from the outside of the spout to the gas-liquid mixing chamber, eliminating the risk of residual liquid in the gas-liquid mixing chamber leaking. Furthermore, by providing a flange portion below the main body air hole formed in the cylindrical body of the spout and combining it with a cap having an inner surface that can be sealed tightly to this flange portion, it is possible to provide a capped spout that has excellent sealing properties when closed, with no risk of leakage of the contents. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an example of a cylindrical body of the spout of the present invention. [Figure 2] 2 is a perspective view showing an example of an outer nozzle to be combined with the cylindrical main body shown in FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 3] 2 is a perspective view showing an example of an inner nozzle to be combined with the cylindrical main body shown in FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 4] 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 1 of a spout formed by combining the cylindrical body shown in FIG. 1, the outer nozzle shown in FIG. 2, and the inner nozzle shown in FIG. [Figure 5] 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB in FIG. 1 of a spout formed by combining the cylindrical body shown in FIG. 1, the outer nozzle shown in FIG. 2, and the inner nozzle shown in FIG. [Figure 6] 4 is a partially cross-sectional perspective view illustrating the cross-sectional structure of a spout formed by combining the cylindrical body shown in FIG. 1, the outer nozzle shown in FIG. 2, and the inner nozzle shown in FIG. 3. FIG. [Figure 7]4 is a side cross-sectional view showing a state in which a cap is applied to a spout formed by combining the cylindrical body shown in FIG. 1, the outer nozzle shown in FIG. 2, and the inner nozzle shown in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] The spout of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. An example of a spout of the present invention shown in Figures 1 to 6 is roughly composed of three components: a cylindrical main body 1 shown in Figure 1, an outer nozzle 2 shown in Figure 2, and an inner nozzle 3 shown in Figure 3, which are combined as shown in Figures 4 and 5. As shown in Figure 1, the cylindrical main body 1 comprises a cylindrical tubular portion 11 and, below the tubular portion 11, a top plate portion 12 and a welding portion 13 having a welding surface 13a extending downward from the periphery of the top plate portion. The inner passage extending from the upper end of the tubular portion 11 to the lower end of the welding portion 13 has an axially straight (without any irregularities) shape that allows the outer nozzle 2 to be fitted into it. The outer surface of the cylindrical portion 11 is formed with a threaded portion 14 for threadably engaging with the cap 4 (see FIG. 7), and an upper flange 15 and a lower flange 16 below the threaded portion 14. The upper flange 15 has radial notches 15a formed at regular intervals, and a main body air hole 17 is formed directly below the notches 15a and above the top surface of the lower flange 16. The presence of the upper flange 15 effectively prevents the main body air hole 17 from being covered, as it is common for the mouth to hold the portion above the upper flange 15, and does not impede the inflow of air from outside the spout. Even if the upper flange 15 is covered with the lips, the presence of the notches 15a ensures that air can still flow in from outside the spout. Furthermore, the lower flange 16, located below the main body air hole 17, adheres tightly to the cap as described below to ensure airtightness during resealing.

[0014] 2, the outer nozzle 2 has a roughly cylindrical shape, with an upper annular rib 22a and a lower annular rib 22b formed at an interval on the outer peripheral wall 21. The upper annular rib 22a and the lower annular rib 22b form an outer seal by coming into close contact with the inner surface of the cylindrical main body 1, and an outer air hole 24 is formed between the upper annular rib 22a and the lower annular rib 22b. This prevents air flowing in from the main body air hole 17 from leaking outside the air flow passage 23 formed between the upper annular rib 22a and the lower annular rib 22b, and allows air to flow from the outer air hole 24 into the air flow passage 33. A flange portion 25 that covers the open end 18 of the cylindrical body 1 shown in Fig. 1 is formed at the upper end of the outer nozzle 2, and a pouring portion 26 for adjusting the amount of content liquid poured out is formed on the inner surface below this flange portion 25. This pouring portion 26 consists of a flat plate portion 26a that closes the inner passage of the outer nozzle, and a plurality of pouring holes 26b formed in this flat plate portion 26a. As is clear from Fig. 6, radially extending partition plates 26c are formed on the inner surface of the flat plate portion 26a of the pouring portion 26 so as to separate each of the plurality of pouring holes 26b. Furthermore, the diameter of the inner wall 27 of the outer nozzle 2 increases below the axial distance L from the dispensing portion 26, forming a step 28. When the tip of the inner nozzle 3, which will be described later, abuts against this step 28, the section of distance L becomes a gas-liquid mixing chamber 29 for the content liquid and air.

[0015] As shown in Fig. 3, the inner nozzle 3 has a roughly cylindrical shape, and an upper annular rib 32a and a lower annular rib 32b are formed at an interval on the outer peripheral wall 31. The upper annular rib 32a and the lower annular rib 32b are in close contact with the inner surface of the outer nozzle 2 to form an inner seal, and an inner air hole 34 is formed between the upper annular rib 32a and the lower annular rib 32b. As shown in Fig. 4, the upper annular rib 32a and the lower annular rib 32b are formed at an interval in positions that sandwich the air hole 24 of the outer nozzle 2 from above and below. This prevents air flowing in from the outer air hole 24 from leaking outside the air flow passage 33 formed between the upper annular rib 32a and the lower annular rib 32b, and allows air to flow from the inner air hole 34 into the air flow passage 36, allowing air to efficiently flow into the gas-liquid mixing chamber. A small-diameter nozzle 35 is formed at the top of the inner nozzle 3, inside the outer peripheral wall 31, and serves as a flow path for the content liquid from the inner surface of the outer peripheral wall 31 via the annular connecting part 30. As is clear from Fig. 5, this small-diameter nozzle 35 is formed below the inner air hole 34 and from a position corresponding to the lower annular rib 32b to the upper end of the inner nozzle 3. As a result, air that has flowed in from the inner air hole 34 passes through an air flow path 36 formed by the inner surface of the outer peripheral wall 31 and the outer surface of the inner nozzle, and is supplied to the gas-liquid mixing chamber 29.

[0016] An example of a spout of the present invention consisting of a cylindrical main body, an outer nozzle, and an inner nozzle shown in Figures 1 to 3 is produced by combining an outer nozzle 2 inside the cylindrical main body 1 and an inner nozzle 3 inside the outer nozzle 2, as shown in Figures 4 and 5. In this case, it is preferable that the main body air hole 17 formed in the cylindrical main body 1 and the outer air hole 24 of the outer nozzle 2 are formed at positions offset in the circumferential direction, and that the outer air hole 24 of the outer nozzle 2 and the inner air hole 34 of the inner nozzle 3 are formed at positions offset in the circumferential direction. In other words, because these are not located on the same radius when viewed from above the spout, the flow paths of the air holes of adjacent members can be made longer in the circumferential direction, and therefore, even if the content liquid remaining in the gas-liquid mixing chamber 29 flows back through the air flow path 36, leakage of the content liquid to the outside of the spout can be suppressed. It is also preferable that the outer seal portion formed by the annular ribs 22a, 22b of the outer nozzle 2 and the inner seal portion formed by the annular ribs 32a, 32b of the inner nozzle are formed at positions that do not coincide with each other in the axial direction. This makes it possible to easily assemble the components while maintaining the sealing properties of the outer seal portion and the inner seal portion.

[0017] When the spout of the present invention is sucked with the mouth, the liquid content passes through the small-diameter nozzle 35 of the inner nozzle 3 and is supplied to the gas-liquid mixing chamber 29. At the same time, air flowing in from the main body air hole 17 of the cylindrical main body 1 passes through the air hole 24 of the outer nozzle 2, the air hole 34 of the inner nozzle 3, and then through the air flow path 36 to be supplied to the gas-liquid mixing chamber 29. At this time, the air flowing in from the main body air hole 17 to the air flow path 23 flows out from the outer air hole 24 to the air flow path 33 without leaking anywhere other than the air flow path 23 because an outer seal is formed by the annular ribs 22a, 22b of the outer nozzle, and the air flowing in from the outer air hole 24 to the air flow path 33 flows out from the inner air hole 34 to the air flow path 36 without leaking anywhere other than the air flow path 33 because an inner seal is formed by the annular ribs 32a, 32b of the inner nozzle, and is supplied to the gas-liquid mixing chamber. The content liquid and air simultaneously supplied to gas-liquid mixing chamber 29 formed by the annular rib of the inner nozzle are mixed together, and can be discharged as a mist from dispensing hole 26b. In particular, in the specific example shown in the figure, partition plate 26c is formed on the inner surface of dispensing part 26 to separate multiple dispensing holes 26b, and the mixture of air and content liquid hits partition plate 26c and scatters, making it possible to discharge the content liquid as a finer mist.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 7, the spout of the present invention can provide liquid-tightness to the container by covering it with a cap 4 having a threaded portion that can be threaded onto the threaded portion 14 of the spout. That is, the cap, generally designated by the numeral 4, consists of a top plate portion 41 and a skirt portion 42 hanging down from the top plate portion 41, and on the inner surface of the top plate portion 41 there is formed an annular protrusion 43 which abuts against the upper surface of the flange portion 25 of the outer nozzle 2 when the cap is closed, and an inner ring 44 which fits tightly against the upper part of the inner wall 27 of the outer nozzle 2, and by fitting these together in tight contact, leakage of the contents from the spout's outlet hole can be reliably prevented. Furthermore, a threaded portion 45 is formed on the inner surface of the skirt portion 42 to engage with the threaded portion 14 formed on the outer wall of the cylindrical body 1 of the spout. A stepped portion 46 is formed at the bottom of the skirt portion 42, which can form a seal in the radial and axial directions with the lower flange portion 16 of the cylindrical body 1. In this way, the lower flange 16 and the stepped portion 46 form a seal below the main body air hole 17 formed in the cylindrical body 1, so that even if the container body is accidentally pressed hard and the remaining liquid in the gas-liquid mixing chamber flows back through the air flow passage, the content liquid is effectively prevented from leaking out of the cap. Furthermore, in the spout of the present invention, by sucking with the mouth, air is taken in from outside the spout and the liquid content is taken in from inside the container. Therefore, when the spout is in the closed state with the cap on, no air flows in from outside the spout, so even if there is residual liquid in the gas-liquid mixing chamber, no backflow will occur from the air flow path.

[0019] The spout of the present invention can be used by welding a container to the welding portion of the cylindrical body. Since the container is designed to draw in the liquid content through suction with the mouth and air through the spout, the volume of the container is reduced. Therefore, it is important that the container is flexible, and a flexible pouch or a thin-walled container that can be easily deformed is suitable. Furthermore, these containers preferably have a multi-layer structure in which the innermost layer is made of a resin that can be heat-sealed to the spout, and it is desirable for the container to have a multi-layer structure in which other layers are appropriately included depending on the type of contents.

[0020] The spout of the present invention is not limited to the specific example described above, and various modifications are possible. 1 to 7, the cylindrical main body, outer nozzle, and inner nozzle are molded as separate members and then assembled, but they do not necessarily have to be separate members as long as they are able to form an air hole that allows outside air to flow in and a gas-liquid mixing chamber that allows the air flowing in from this air hole to mix with the content liquid. For example, a spout with similar functionality can be molded by integrally molding the outer nozzle and inner nozzle shown in Fig. 4 and combining the air holes formed in the outer nozzle and inner nozzle so that they communicate with the gas-liquid mixing chamber. In addition, in the specific example shown in the figure, the air holes formed in each component are formed in two places, but this is not limited to this and can be changed as appropriate depending on the diameter and length of the spout, the size of the air holes, etc.

[0021] Furthermore, in the specific example shown in the figure, the dispensing port consists of six holes, but of course it is not limited to this and can be changed appropriately depending on the type of content, the size of the dispensing part, etc., and a partition plate is not essential. Also, by making the dispensing port into a mesh shape, it becomes possible to discharge the content liquid in the form of foam.

[0022] The spout of the present invention is made of a resin such as polyethylene or polypropylene that can be bonded to a container such as a pouch by heat welding, and therefore can be easily joined and integrated with the container. The spout can be formed by injection molding or the like. In the specific example shown in the figure, the cylindrical body, outer nozzle, and inner nozzle are each formed by injection molding, and then the spout can be easily formed by combining the outer nozzle and inner nozzle with the cylindrical body. [Explanation of symbols]

[0023] 1 cylindrical main body, 2 outer nozzle, 3 inner nozzle, 4 cap, 11 cylindrical portion, 12 top plate portion, 13 welded portion, 14 screw portion, 15 upper flange, 16 lower flange, 17 main body air hole, 18 open end, 21 outer peripheral wall, 22a upper annular rib, 22b lower annular rib, 23 air flow passage, 24 outer air hole, 25 flange portion, 26 outlet portion, 27 inner wall, 28 step portion, 29 gas-liquid mixing chamber, 30 annular connecting portion, 31 outer peripheral wall, 32a upper annular rib, 32b lower annular rib, 33 air flow passage, 34 inner air hole, 35 small diameter nozzle, 36 air flow passage, 41 top plate portion, 42 skirt portion, 43 annular protrusion, 44 inner ring, 45 screw portion, 46 step portion

Claims

1. A spout comprising a cylindrical body and a welding portion located at a lower portion of the cylindrical body and having a top plate portion and a welding surface extending downward from a peripheral edge of the top plate portion, The cylindrical main body is formed with a main body air hole that allows outside air to flow into the cylindrical main body, and an air-liquid mixing chamber that allows the air flowing in from the main body air hole to mix with the content liquid, A spout characterized in that the gas-liquid mixture mixed in the gas-liquid mixing chamber is ejected by suction through the opening of the cylindrical body.

2. the cylindrical main body includes an outer nozzle fitted inside the cylindrical main body and an inner nozzle fitted inside the outer nozzle, The outer nozzle has an outer air hole communicating with the main body air hole of the cylindrical main body, and outer seal portions formed axially above and below the outer air hole to be in close contact with the inner surface of the cylindrical main body, and also has a discharge portion axially above the outer air hole and having at least one fine hole. an upper portion of the inner nozzle has a small-diameter nozzle serving as a flow path for the content liquid, and an outer peripheral wall located on the outer peripheral side of the small-diameter nozzle, the outer peripheral wall having an inner air hole communicating with the air hole of the outer nozzle, and inner seal portions that come into close contact with the inner surface of the outer nozzle formed above and below the inner air hole in the axial direction; the gas-liquid mixing chamber is formed by a space from the outlet of the outer nozzle to an upper end of the small-diameter nozzle of the inner nozzle, 2. The spout according to claim 1, wherein air supplied between the outer peripheral wall and the small-diameter nozzle and the liquid content supplied from the small-diameter nozzle are mixed in the gas-liquid mixing chamber.

3. 3. The spout according to claim 2, wherein the main body air hole of the cylindrical main body and the outer air hole of the outer nozzle are formed at positions offset from each other in the circumferential direction, and the outer air hole of the outer nozzle and the inner air hole of the inner nozzle are formed at positions offset from each other in the circumferential direction.

4. The spout according to claim 2 , wherein the outer seal portion and the inner seal portion are formed at positions that do not coincide with each other in the axial direction.

5. 3. The spout according to claim 2, wherein a plurality of fine holes are formed in the dispensing portion, and the plurality of fine holes are divided by radially extending partition plates formed on the inner surface of the dispensing portion of the outer nozzle.

6. A capped spout comprising the spout according to claim 1 or 2 and a cap that engages with the spout, characterized in that a flange portion is formed on the outer surface of the cylindrical body below the body air hole, which is in tight contact with the inner surface of the cap when in a closed state.

7. 7. The spout with cap according to claim 6, further comprising a flange portion having a radial notch formed therein, the flange portion being axially above the main body air hole.

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