Dispenser

Abstract

To provide a discharger capable of preventing the entry of moisture from the outside of the discharger and preventing the unintended depression of a depressing head.SOLUTION: The guide cylinder part 63 is provided with first and second guide projection parts 63B and 63C, and the inner cylinder part 91 is offset in the circumferential direction from the first and second guide projection parts 63B and 63C at the regulation position to regulate the downward movement of the push-down head 14. First and second vertical guide groove parts 63B and 63C which are aligned with the first and second guide projection parts 91C and 91D in the circumferential direction at the restriction release position to release the restriction of the downward movement of the push-down head 14 are provided; A flow path P2 extending from the outside of the dispenser 1 to the inside of the pump body 12 is formed between the outer cylinder portion 92 and the guide cylinder portion 63, and the outer cylinder portion 92 is provided with a seal member 94 that closes the flow path P2 between the outer cylinder portion 92 and the guide cylinder portion 63.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a dispenser. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, foam pumps have been known as dispensers that mix internal liquid with outside air to dispense the liquid in a foamy state (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Such dispensers include a pump body having a stem that is erected in an upwardly biased state and movable downwardly from the opening of a container body that contains the liquid content, and a depression head that is disposed at the upper end of the stem and has a discharge hole formed therein for discharging the liquid content in a foamy state. The pump body of such a dispenser comprises a liquid piston connected to the stem, a liquid cylinder in which the liquid piston is housed so that it can slide up and down, an air piston connected to the stem, and an air cylinder housed inside the air piston so that it can slide up and down.The pump body also has an air-liquid mixing chamber that mixes the liquid from the liquid cylinder with the air from the air cylinder, and an air passage that leads the air in the air cylinder to the air-liquid mixing chamber. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-085984 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, when such a dispenser is used in a place where there is water, such as a hand washing area, if water enters the dispenser from outside through the air passage, the operation of the air cylinder may become unstable or the quality of the foam content formed in the gas-liquid mixing chamber may deteriorate. Furthermore, in such a dispenser, there is a demand for preventing the content liquid from being unintentionally dispensed from the dispensing hole due to the depression head being accidentally depressed.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a dispenser that can prevent water from entering the dispenser from outside and prevent the depression head from being unintentionally pressed down. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The present invention employs the following means to solve the above-mentioned problems. That is, the dispenser of the present invention is a dispenser comprising: a pump body having a stem that is erected in an upwardly biased state and that is movable downwardly at the opening of a container body containing a liquid content; a push-down head that is attached to the upper end of the stem and has a discharge hole; and an attachment that attaches the pump body to the opening of the container body and has a guide tube part that guides the up and down movement of the push-down head, wherein the push-down head is rotatable about the central axis relative to the guide tube part between a restricting position that restricts the descent of the push-down head and a releasing position that releases the restriction on the descent of the push-down head, and the push-down head is attached to an inner tube part that is movable up and down inside the guide tube part when the push-down head is in the releasing position, and the push-down head is attached to an attachment body that ... attachment body that is rotatable about the central axis relative to the guide tube part and an outer tube portion that can move up and down outside the guide tube portion when in a restriction release position, wherein the guide tube portion is provided with a first guide portion, and the inner tube portion is provided with a second guide portion that is offset from the first guide portion around the central axis at the restriction position (by misaligning the first guide portion and the second guide portion around the central axis) to restrict downward movement of the push-down head, and that is aligned with the first guide portion around the central axis at the restriction release position to release the restriction on downward movement of the push-down head, wherein a flow passage is formed between the outer tube portion and the guide tube portion, leading from the outside of the dispenser to the inside of the pump body, and wherein the outer tube portion is provided with a sealing member that closes the flow passage between the outer tube portion and the guide tube portion.

[0007] In this invention, when the push-down head is in the restricted position, the sealing member blocks the flow of water through the flow passage between the push-down head and the guide tube portion, thereby preventing water from passing through this flow passage and reaching the inside of the pump body, for example, when the container body with the dispenser attached is stored, thereby stabilizing the operation of the pump body. Furthermore, by rotating the push-down head around the central axis relative to the guide tube portion and aligning or offsetting the first guide portion and the second guide portion around the central axis, the push-down head is moved between the restricting position and the restricting release position, thereby restricting and releasing the pushing-down of the push-down head. Here, because the structure that restricts the pushing-down of the stem by the push-down head is located inside the seal member, foreign matter is more effectively prevented from adhering to this restricting structure (the guide tube portion and the inner tube portion) from outside the dispenser, and the operation of restricting and releasing the pushing-down of the stem by the restricting structure becomes more stable. Furthermore, since the depression of the push-down head is restricted when the push-down head is in the restricted position, the sealing member maintains the blocked state of the flow passage, more reliably preventing water from entering and adversely affecting the operation of the pump body.

[0008] In addition, in the present invention, the push-down head has an attachment tubular portion attached to the upper end of the stem and through which the content liquid flows, and a push-down portion attached to the attachment tubular portion and having the discharge hole communicating with the interior of the attachment tubular portion, and the push-down portion has the inner tubular portion surrounding the attachment tubular portion from the outside and the outer tubular portion, and the sealing member may be attached to the outer tubular portion. In this invention, even if the structure for restricting and releasing the depression of the press-down head is provided in the press-down head, a separate sealing member can be used.

[0009] Furthermore, in the present invention, the push-down head may have a mounting tubular portion attached to the upper end of the stem and through which the content liquid flows, and a push-down portion attached to the mounting tubular portion and having the discharge hole communicating with the interior of the mounting tubular portion, the mounting tubular portion having the inner tubular portion and the outer tubular portion, the push-down portion having an attachment tubular portion attached to the inside of the inner tubular portion, and the outer tubular portion may have the sealing member integrally formed therewith. In this invention, since the seal member is provided integrally with the outer cylindrical portion, it is possible to suppress an increase in the number of parts required to provide a sealing function.

[0010] In the present invention, the push-down portion may have a surrounding cylinder portion in which the outer cylinder portion is attached, and the inner cylinder portion may have a slit extending in the vertical direction. In this invention, it is easy to ensure an air flow path between the outside and inside of the outer tubular part through the slit. Also, when attaching the attachment tubular part to the pressing part, particularly when attaching the outer tubular part inside the surrounding tubular part, the slits make it easy for the outer tubular part to be displaced radially, making it easy to attach the outer tubular part inside the surrounding tubular part.

[0011] In addition, in the present invention, the pump body may have a liquid piston connected to the stem, a liquid cylinder in which the liquid piston is arranged so as to be able to slide up and down, an air piston connected to the stem, an air cylinder in which the air piston is arranged so as to be able to slide up and down, and an air-liquid mixing chamber that mixes the content liquid transferred from the liquid cylinder with the air transferred from the air cylinder to foam the content liquid, and the flow passage may extend from the outside of the dispenser to a part of the air cylinder that is located above the air piston. In this invention, the liquid piston and the air piston are connected by pressing down the depression head and moving the stem downward, so that the liquid content is transferred from the liquid cylinder to the gas-liquid mixing chamber and air supplied through the circulation passage is transferred from the air cylinder, and the liquid content is mixed with the air in the gas-liquid mixing chamber to foam, and the foamed liquid content is discharged from the discharge hole. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] According to the dispenser of this invention, the seal member prevents water from reaching the inside of the pump body through the flow passage and destabilizing the operation of the pump body, for example, when the container body to which the dispenser is attached is stored. Furthermore, when the push-down head is in the restricted position, the push-down head is restricted from descending relative to the attachment body, thereby preventing unintended operation of the dispenser. Furthermore, because the push-down head is restricted from being pressed down when the push-down head is in the restricted position, the seal member maintains a closed state of the flow passage, more reliably preventing the intrusion of water from adversely affecting the operation of the pump body. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] 1 is an axial cross-sectional view showing a dispenser according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 2 is a side view showing the positional relationship between a guide tube portion and an inner tube portion in FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. [Figure 4] 2 is a side view showing the positional relationship between a guide tube portion and an inner tube portion, illustrating the operating state of the dispenser of FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is an axial cross-sectional view showing a dispenser according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] 6 is a side view showing the positional relationship between the guide tube portion and the inner tube portion of FIG. 5. FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the arrow BB in FIG. 5. [Figure 8] 6 is a cross-sectional view of the press-down head of FIG. 5 taken along the arrow CC. [Figure 9] 6 is a side view showing the positional relationship between a guide tube portion and an inner tube portion, illustrating the operating state of the dispenser of FIG. 5. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] A first embodiment of a dispenser according to the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the dispenser 1 of this embodiment is attached to the mouth 3 of a cylindrical container body 2 with a bottom that contains the liquid content, and comprises a pump body 12 having a stem 11 that is erected at the mouth 3 in an upwardly biased state so as to be movable downward, a cylindrical attachment cap (attachment body) 13 that attaches the pump body 12 to the mouth 3 of the container body 2, and a push-down head 14 that is attached to the upper end of the stem 11 and has a discharge hole 14A formed therein. The liquid contained in the container body 2 may be, for example, a detergent (hand soap, etc.).

[0015] Here, the container body 2, stem 11, and attachment cap 13 are each arranged coaxially with a common axis. Hereinafter, this common axis will be referred to as the container axis O, and the direction along the container axis O will be referred to as the up-down direction. Furthermore, within the up-down direction, the direction from the bottom of the container body 2 toward the push-down head 14 will be referred to as the up direction, and the opposite direction will be referred to as the down direction. Furthermore, in a plan view seen from the up-down direction, the direction intersecting the container axis O will be referred to as the radial direction, and the direction circumferential around the container axis O will be referred to as the circumferential direction.

[0016] The pump body 12 includes an air cylinder 21, a liquid cylinder 22, a liquid valve member 23, a liquid piston 24, an air piston 25, an air valve member 26, a stem 11, a biasing member 27, a foaming member 28, and a discharge valve 29.

[0017] The air cylinder 21 has a cylindrical shape with a bottom, and the upper end of the air cylinder 21 is held inside the attachment cap 13. In this way, the air cylinder 21 is attached to the mouth portion 3 by the attachment cap 13. The liquid cylinder 22 is cylindrical, extends downward from the bottom wall of the air cylinder 21, and is formed integrally with the air cylinder 21. The lower end of the liquid cylinder 22 is formed as a tapered section 22A that gradually reduces in diameter as it extends downward. At the lower edge of the tapered section 22A, an attachment tube 22B is formed integrally with the tapered section 22A, and a suction tube 30 is fitted into the attachment tube 22B. The lower end opening of the suction tube 30 is close to the bottom of the container body 2.

[0018] The liquid valve member 23 is disposed within the liquid cylinder 22 so as to be able to move up and down, and switches between communication and cut-off between the interior of the container body 2 and the interior of the liquid cylinder 22. The liquid valve member 23 extends in the vertical direction within the liquid cylinder 22, and the upper end of the liquid valve member 23 protrudes upward from the liquid cylinder 22. The liquid valve member 23 includes a lower valve body 31 and an upper valve body 32.

[0019] The lower valve element 31 is formed at the lower end of the liquid valve member 23. The lower valve element 31 is configured to be able to come into contact with and separate from the inner peripheral surface of the tapered portion 22A in accordance with the up and down movement of the liquid valve member 23. The lower valve element 31 is a check valve that comes into contact with the inner peripheral surface of the tapered portion 22A to keep the lower end opening of the tapered portion 22A closed when the liquid cylinder 22 is pressurized, and moves away from the inner peripheral surface of the tapered portion 22A to open the lower end opening of the tapered portion 22A when the liquid cylinder 22 is depressurized. The upper valve body 32 is formed at the upper end of the liquid valve member 23 .

[0020] The liquid piston 24 is configured to be movable up and down within the liquid cylinder 22 in conjunction with the stem 11. The liquid piston 24 includes a sliding cylindrical portion 33 and a base cylindrical portion . The sliding cylindrical portion 33 surrounds the liquid valve member 23 inside the liquid cylinder 22. The sliding cylindrical portion 33 slides on the inner circumferential surface of the liquid cylinder 22 as the liquid piston 24 moves up and down. The base tubular portion 34 has a cylindrical shape extending upward from the vertical center of the sliding tubular portion 33. The upper valve body 32 moves from above toward and away from the edge of the upper opening of the base tubular portion 34. This allows the upper valve body 32 to function as a seal when the dispenser 1 is in commercial distribution. Furthermore, when the content liquid is dispensed, the upper valve body 32 moves away from the edge of the upper opening of the base tubular portion 34, opening the upper opening of the base tubular portion 34.

[0021] The air piston 25 is configured to be movable up and down within the air cylinder 21 in conjunction with the stem 11. The air piston 25 divides the interior of the air cylinder 21 into an upper chamber 21a and a lower chamber 21b, and has a configuration in which an outer peripheral cylinder 41 and an inner peripheral cylinder 42 are connected by a connecting portion 43. The outer cylinder 41 is configured to be able to slide up and down on the inner peripheral surface of the air cylinder 21 . The inner peripheral cylinder 42 is disposed inside the outer peripheral cylinder 41 and coaxial with the axis O. The connecting portion 43 connects the outer peripheral cylinder 41 and the inner peripheral cylinder 42. A communication hole 43A is formed in the connecting portion 43. The communication hole 43A passes through the connecting portion 43 in the up-down direction.

[0022] The air valve member 26 switches between communication and blocking between the upper chamber 21a and the lower chamber 21b of the air cylinder 21 through the communication hole 43A. The air valve member 26 is attached to the lower part of the inner circumferential cylinder 42 (a part located below the connecting portion 43). The air valve member 26 opens and closes the communication hole 43A. The air valve member 26 allows air to flow from the upper chamber 21a to the lower chamber 21b. The air valve member 26 restricts air from flowing from the lower chamber 21b to the upper chamber 21a. The air valve member 26 opens when the lower chamber 21b is depressurized and closes when the lower chamber 21b is pressurized.

[0023] The stem 11 is disposed in the mouth 3 of the container body 2 in an upwardly biased state so as to be movable downward. The stem 11 extends vertically from within the liquid cylinder 22, through the air cylinder 21, and into a guide tube portion 63 (described later) of the attachment cap 13. A base tube portion 34 is fitted into the lower portion of the stem 11 from below. Therefore, the liquid piston 24 moves up and down integrally with the stem 11. The vertical middle portion of the stem 11 is surrounded by an inner tube 42. The inner tube 42 is configured so as to be movable up and down relative to the stem 11.

[0024] The stem 11 includes a base portion 51 and a seat portion 52 . The seat portion 51 protrudes radially outward from a portion of the stem 11 that is located below the inner circumferential cylinder 42. The seat portion 51 is configured to be able to move toward and away from the lower edge of the inner circumferential cylinder 42 as the stem 11 and the air piston 25 move relative to each other. The seat 52 protrudes radially inward from the upper portion of the stem 11 .

[0025] The biasing member 27 is disposed inside the liquid cylinder 22. The biasing member 27 biases the stem 11 upward via the liquid piston 24. The biasing member 27 is disposed between a vertical rib protruding from the inner peripheral surface of the tapered portion 22A and the lower end of the base tubular portion 34.

[0026] The foaming member 28 is attached inside the upper end of the stem 11. The foaming member 28 protrudes upward from the stem 11. The inside of the foaming member 28 forms a gas-liquid mixing chamber S1 in which the content liquid transferred from the liquid cylinder 22 and the air transferred from the air cylinder 21 are mixed. The foaming member 28 mixes the content liquid and air in the gas-liquid mixing chamber S1 to foam them.

[0027] The discharge valve 29 is provided inside the stem 11 in a portion located between the seating portion 52 and the foaming member 28. The discharge valve 29 is seated above the seating portion 52 so as to be able to separate. The discharge valve 29 switches between communication between the inside of the stem 11 and the inside of the foaming member 28 (gas-liquid mixing chamber S1) through the inside of the seating portion 52 and blocking the communication. The discharge valve 29 functions as a check valve, moving away from the seating portion 52 to open the seating portion 52 when the inside of the liquid cylinder 22 is pressurized, and coming into contact with the seating portion 52 to close the seating portion 52 when the inside of the liquid cylinder 22 is depressurized.

[0028] The mounting cap 13 has a disk-shaped top wall 61 with an insertion hole 61A formed in the center, a cylindrical mounting wall 62 extending downward from the outer periphery of the top wall 61, and a guide tube 63 extending upward from the outer periphery of the insertion hole 61A in the top wall 61. A female screw is formed on the inner periphery of the mounting wall 62, and this female screw is screwed into a male screw formed on the outer periphery of the mouth portion 3.

[0029] A first seal projection 63A projecting radially outward is formed around the entire circumference at the upper end of the guide tube portion 63. Furthermore, first and second guide projections (first guide portions) 63B, 63C projecting radially inward are formed at a circumferential distance apart at the upper end of the guide tube portion 63. The circumferential length of the first guide projection 63B is longer than the circumferential length of the second guide projection 63C. The attachment cap 13 is detachably attached to the mouth 3 of the container body 2 by screwing, but may be attached to the mouth 3 of the container body 2 by other attachment methods such as snap fitting. Also, the attachment cap 13 may be attached to the mouth 3 of the container body 2 so that it cannot be removed.

[0030] The push-down head 14 has a cylindrical mounting tube portion 71 extending in the vertical direction, and a push-down portion 72 that is mounted to the mounting tube portion 71 so as not to be rotatable around the container axis O and has a discharge hole 14A that communicates with the inside of the mounting tube portion 71. The mounting tube portion 71 is inserted radially inside the guide tube portion 63 of the mounting cap 13 so as to be movable up and down. The mounting tube portion 71 has a cylindrical upper tube portion 81 and a cylindrical lower tube portion 82 connected to the lower end edge of the upper tube portion 81 and having the stem 11 fitted therein.

[0031] The upper end of the foam member 28 is fitted inside the lower end of the upper cylindrical portion 81. The inner circumferential surface of the portion of the upper cylindrical portion 81 above the foam member 28 protrudes radially inward more than the other portions, and this protruding portion engages with the upper end of the foam member 28 from above, restricting upward movement of the foam member 28. In addition, a plurality of anti-rotation grooves 81A are formed at intervals in the circumferential direction on the outer circumferential surface at the upper end of the upper cylindrical portion 81, restricting rotation of the push-down portion 72 around the container axis O relative to the mounting cylindrical portion 71. The upper end of the stem 11 is attached to the inside of the lower cylindrical portion 82. The inner diameter of the lower end of the lower cylindrical portion 82 is larger than the inner diameter of the portion above this lower end, and a gap S2 is defined by the inner surface of the lower end of the lower cylindrical portion 82, the upper edge of the protruding portion of the stem 11, and the upper end surface of the inner cylindrical portion 42.

[0032] A plurality of mounting grooves 82A extending vertically and opening downward are formed on the inner peripheral surface of the portion of the lower cylindrical portion 82 to which the upper end of the stem 11 is attached. These mounting grooves 82A radially straddle the upper end opening of the stem 11 and communicate with the gap S2. In this manner, the stem groove 11A formed on the outer peripheral surface of the stem 11, the mounting groove 82A, the foaming element groove 28A formed in the foaming element 28, and the gap S2 constitute an air passage P1 that connects the interior of the air cylinder 21 with the gas-liquid mixing chamber S1. Note that, in the standby state before the push-down head 14 is pressed down, communication between the gas-liquid mixing chamber S1 and the interior of the air cylinder 21 through the air passage P1 is blocked when the lower end of the inner cylindrical portion 42 of the air piston 25 abuts against the base portion 51.

[0033] The push-down portion 72 has a cylindrical inner cylinder portion 91, a cylindrical outer cylinder portion 92 that surrounds the inner cylinder portion 91 from the outside in the radial direction, and a nozzle cylinder portion 93 that has a discharge hole 14A formed at the tip. An upper end opening of the inner cylinder portion 91 communicates with a base end opening formed at the base end of the nozzle cylinder portion 93. This base end opening opens downward, and the inner cylinder portion 91 and the nozzle cylinder portion 93 are connected to form an L-shape in vertical cross section.

[0034] First and second circumferential guide grooves 91A, 91B extending in the circumferential direction are formed at a distance from each other on the outer peripheral surface of the lower end of the inner cylindrical portion 91. Also, first and second vertical guide grooves (second guide portions) 91C, 91D extending upward from one circumferential end of the first and second circumferential guide grooves 91A, 91B along the container axis O are formed on the outer peripheral surface of the inner cylindrical portion 91. The first and second vertical guide grooves 91C, 91D are formed over the entire length of the inner cylindrical portion 91 in the vertical direction. In addition, on the inner surface of the upper end of the inner tube portion 91, multiple anti-rotation ribs 91E are formed at intervals in the circumferential direction, which are arranged between adjacent anti-rotation groove portions 81A in the circumferential direction and regulate the rotation of the push-down portion 72 around the container axis O relative to the mounting tube portion 71.

[0035] The inner diameter of the outer tube portion 92 is larger than the outer diameter of the guide tube portion 63, and the inner surface of the outer tube portion 92 faces radially opposite the outer surface of the guide tube portion 63 when the press-down head 14 is pressed down. A cylindrical seal member 94 is fitted inside the lower end of the outer tubular portion 92. A second seal projection 94A is formed around the entire circumference of the lower end of the seal member 94, protruding radially inward and facing closely to the first seal projection 63A in the radial direction. The second seal projection 94A may abut against the first seal projection 63A. This allows the seal member 94 to prevent water from passing through the flow passage P2 that passes between the outer tubular portion 92 and the guide tubular portion 63. In addition, the lower end of the seal member 94 protrudes radially outward, and the upper surface of this protruding portion abuts or is close to the lower edge of the outer tubular portion 92.

[0036] Next, a method of using the dispenser 1 having the above-described configuration will be described. First, when an attempt is made to press down the pressing head 14 in the restricted position, as shown in FIG. 2, the first and second guide protrusions 63B, 63C of the guide tube portion 63 and the first and second vertical guide groove portions 91C, 91D formed in the inner tube portion 91 are offset in the circumferential direction, so that the downward movement of the pressing portion 72 and therefore the pressing head 14 is restricted. Furthermore, when the push-down head 14 is in the restricting position, the second seal projection 94A of the seal member 94 faces the first seal projection 63A of the guide tube portion 63 in the radial direction, and the inner peripheral edge of the second seal projection 94A is close to or abuts against the outer peripheral edge of the first seal projection 63A. This restricts the intrusion of water through the flow passage P2 between the inner peripheral edge of the second seal projection 94A and the outer peripheral edge of the first seal projection 63A.

[0037] Next, the push-down head 14 is rotated around the container axis O relative to the container body 2. When the push-down head 14 is rotated around the container axis O relative to the container body 2, as shown in FIG. 4 , the first and second guide protrusions 63B, 63C of the guide tube portion 63 move circumferentially along the first and second circumferential guide grooves 91A, 91B formed in the inner tube portion 91 of the push-down section 72. Here, first and second positioning protrusions 91F, 91G are formed separately on the outer circumferential surface of the inner tube portion 91 in the portions that define the first and second circumferential guide grooves 91A, 91B. Therefore, the first and second guide protrusions 63B, 63C overcome the first and second positioning protrusions 91F, 91G in the circumferential direction when moving circumferentially along the first and second circumferential guide grooves 91A, 91B, and the push-down head 14 is positioned circumferentially at the restricted position and the released position.

[0038] The first and second guide protrusions 63B, 63C are aligned circumferentially with the first and second vertical guide grooves 91C, 91D, respectively. When the press-down head 14 is pressed down against the container body 2 in this state, the first and second guide protrusions 63B, 63C move relatively upward along the first and second vertical guide grooves 91C, 91D, respectively, and the press-down head 14 is pressed down into the guide tube 63.

[0039] When the push-down head 14 is pressed down, the push-down head 14, stem 11, foaming member 28, and liquid piston 24 move downward together relative to the air piston 25. At this time, the base tubular portion 34 of the liquid piston 24 moves downward away from the upper valve body 32, thereby connecting the liquid cylinder 22 and the stem 11 through the gap between the upper valve body 32 and the base tubular portion 34. In this state, when the liquid piston 24 moves further downward together with the stem 11, the liquid cylinder 22 is pressurized. At this time, the lower valve body 31 maintains a state in which communication between the liquid cylinder 22 and the container body 2 is blocked. As a result, the liquid in the liquid cylinder 22 enters the stem 11 through the gap between the upper valve body 32 and the base tubular portion 34. The liquid that has entered the stem 11 flows upward within the stem 11 and flows upward through the inside of the seating portion 52, pushing up the discharge valve 29. This causes the discharge valve 29 to move away from the seat 52. As a result, the internal liquid flows through the gap between the seat 52 and the discharge valve 29, and then flows into the foaming member 28, i.e., into the gas-liquid mixing chamber S1.

[0040] Meanwhile, as the stem 11 and other components move downward relative to the air piston 25, the inner circumferential tube 42 moves upward away from the base portion 51. This opens the air cylinder 21 through the gap between the inner circumferential tube 42 and the base portion 51. In this state, if the stem 11 and other components are moved further downward, the lower end of the inner circumferential tube portion 91 comes into contact with the inner circumferential tube 42 from above. As a result, the air piston 25 is pushed down by the inner circumferential tube portion 91 via the inner circumferential tube 42, and the air piston 25 moves downward together with the stem 11 and other components. This causes the inside of the air cylinder 21 to be pressurized. At this time, the air valve member 26 maintains a state in which communication between the upper chamber 21a and the lower chamber 21b through the communication hole 43A is blocked. As a result, the air in the air cylinder 21 flows upward through the air passages P1 located between the inner circumferential cylinder 42 and the base portion 51, between the inner circumferential cylinder 42 and the stem 11, and between the inner tubular portion 91 and the stem 11. The air then flows around the upper edge of the stem 11, passes between the stem 11 and the foaming member 28, and flows into the stem 11, and then into the foaming member 28, i.e., into the gas-liquid mixing chamber S1.

[0041] The air and liquid content that have flowed into the gas-liquid mixing chamber S1 join together in the gas-liquid mixing chamber S1. As a result, the air and liquid content are mixed in the gas-liquid mixing chamber S1. The liquid content mixed with the air foams and becomes foamy. The foamy liquid content is discharged from the discharge hole 14A through the inner tube portion 91 and the nozzle tube portion 93 of the push-down head 14. After the content liquid has been discharged, the depression of the push-down head 14 is released. The stem 11 and other components are pushed up by the upward biasing force of the biasing member 27. As a result, the push-down head 14, stem 11, foaming member 28, and liquid piston 24 move upward together relative to the air piston 25. When the discharge valve 29 comes into contact with the seating portion 52, communication between the inside of the stem 11 and the inside of the foaming member 28 through the inside of the seating portion 52 is blocked. Furthermore, when the base portion 51 abuts against the inner cylinder 42 from below, communication between the base portion 51 and the inner cylinder 42 is blocked.

[0042] Thereafter, the push-down head 14, stem 11, foaming member 28, liquid piston 24, and air piston 25 move upward together. As a result, the liquid cylinder 22 is depressurized, which pulls up the liquid valve member 23, connecting the liquid cylinder 22 to the container body 2. As a result, the liquid content in the container body 2 is sucked up through the suction tube 30 and flows into the liquid cylinder 22. Furthermore, when the air cylinder 21 (lower chamber 21b) is depressurized, the air valve member 26 opens, and the upper chamber 21a and the lower chamber 21b communicate with each other. As a result, the air in the upper chamber 21a flows into the lower chamber 21b through the communication hole 43A. Note that air also flows into the upper chamber 21a through the communication hole 43A and the like.

[0043] Here, when the pressing head 14 etc. rises, the first and second guide protrusions 63B, 63C descend relatively along the first and second vertical guide groove portions 91C, 91D, respectively, and the pressing head 14 rises until the second seal protrusion 94A of the sealing member 94 faces the first seal protrusion 63A of the guide tube portion 63 radially. Thereafter, when the user again wishes to restrict the downward movement of the press-down head 14, the user rotates the press-down head 14 in the opposite direction relative to the container body 2 around the container axis O. As shown in FIG. 2, the first and second guide protrusions 63B, 63C of the guide tube portion 63 move circumferentially along the first and second circumferential guide grooves 91A, 91B formed in the inner tube portion 91 of the press-down section 72. The first and second guide protrusions 63B, 63C are then offset circumferentially from the first and second up-down guide grooves 91C, 91D. This positions the press-down head 14 again at the restricted position, restricting its downward movement. The dispenser 1 is used in the above manner.

[0044] As described above, according to the dispenser 1 of this embodiment, when the depression head 14 is in the restricted position, the sealing member 94 blocks the flow of water through the flow passage P2, thereby preventing water from passing through this flow passage P2 and reaching the inside of the pump body 12, such as the air cylinder 21, when the container body 2 to which the dispenser 1 is attached is stored, thereby stabilizing the operation of the pump body 12 and the foam quality of the foamy content liquid that is formed. Furthermore, by rotating the push-down head 14 around the container axis O relative to the guide tube portion 63 and aligning the first and second guide protrusions 63B, 63C with the first and second vertical guide grooves 91C, 91D in the circumferential direction, the push-down of the push-down head 14 is restricted and released, thereby preventing unintended operation of the dispenser 1. Here, the first and second guide protrusions 63B, 63C and the first and second vertical guide grooves 91C, 91D, which restrict and release the push-down of the push-down head 14, are located inside the seal member 94, which prevents foreign matter from adhering to the first and second guide protrusions 63B, 63C and the first and second vertical guide grooves 91C, 91D, and makes it possible to more steadily restrict and release the push-down of the push-down head 14. Furthermore, when the push-down head 14 is in the restricted position, the pushing down of the push-down head 14 is restricted, and the push-down head 14 is prevented from moving up and down relative to the guide tube portion 63, so the P-blocking state of the flow passage by the sealing member 94 is maintained, and adverse effects on the operation of the pump body 12 due to the intrusion of water can be more reliably prevented. Furthermore, since the seal member 94 is attached to the outer cylindrical portion 92 of the push-down portion 72 as a separate member from the push-down portion 72, the seal member 94 can be reused.

[0045] Next, a second embodiment of a dispenser according to the present invention will be described. Note that the dispenser 100 according to the second embodiment has a similar configuration to the dispenser 100 according to the first embodiment, and therefore the same components as those of the dispenser 1 according to the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals and their description will be omitted. As shown in Figures 5 to 8, the push-down head 101 of the dispenser 100 of this embodiment has a cylindrical mounting tube portion 102 extending in the vertical direction, and a push-down portion 103 that is mounted to the mounting tube portion 102 so as not to be rotatable around the container axis O and has a discharge hole 103A that communicates with the interior of the mounting tube portion 102.

[0046] The mounting tube portion 102 has a cylindrical inner tube portion 111 having a lower end portion into which the stem 11 is fitted, and a cylindrical outer tube portion 112 disposed radially outward from the inner tube portion 111. The inner cylindrical portion 111 has a cylindrical upper cylindrical portion 121 and a cylindrical lower cylindrical portion 122 into which the stem 11 is fitted. First and second circumferential guide grooves 121A and 121B, and first and second vertical guide grooves 121C and 121D respectively continuing to the first and second circumferential guide grooves 121A and 121B, are formed on the outer circumferential surface of the upper cylindrical portion 121. Furthermore, a plurality of anti-rotation grooves 121E are formed at intervals in the circumferential direction on the inner circumferential surface of the upper end portion of the upper cylindrical portion 121. An annular restricting flange 121F that protrudes radially inward and restricts the upward movement of the foam member 28 is formed around the entire inner circumferential surface of the connecting portion between the upper cylindrical portion 121 and the lower cylindrical portion 122.

[0047] As shown in Figure 8, the outer tube portion 112 has multiple outer leg portions 123 (four in Figure 8) arranged circumferentially spaced apart radially outward from the inner tube portion 111, and a cylindrical sealing member 124 arranged at the lower end of the outer leg portions 123. The upper end of the outer leg portion 123 is connected to the upper end of the inner cylinder portion 111 via a connecting portion 125. A slit 123A is formed between two outer leg portions 123 adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction.

[0048] The seal member 124 is formed integrally with the outer leg portions 123 so as to circumferentially connect the lower ends of the outer leg portions 123, which are arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction. A second seal projection 124A is formed around the entire periphery of the lower end of the seal member 124, protruding radially inward and facing closely to the first seal projection 63A in the radial direction. The second seal projection 124A may abut against the first seal projection 63A. In addition, the lower end of the second seal projection 124A protrudes radially outward, and the upper surface of this protruding portion abuts or is close to the lower edge of a surrounding tube portion 132 (described later) of the push-down portion 103.

[0049] The push-down section 103 has a cylindrical mounting tube section 131, a cylindrical surrounding tube section 132 that surrounds the mounting tube section 131 from the outside in the radial direction, and a nozzle tube section 133 that has a discharge hole 103A formed at the tip. The mounting cylinder 131 is fitted inside the upper cylinder 121 of the inner cylinder 111. An anti-rotation rib 131A is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the upper end of the mounting cylinder 131 so as to protrude radially inward. The anti-rotation rib 131A extends downward from the upper edge of the mounting cylinder 131 and is disposed between adjacent anti-rotation grooves 121E in the circumferential direction to restrict rotation of the push-down portion 103 around the container axis O relative to the mounting cylinder 102. The outer leg portion 123 and the seal member 124 are fitted inside the surrounding cylinder portion 132 .

[0050] In the dispenser 100 configured as described above, similarly to the dispenser 1 according to the first embodiment described above, when an attempt is made to press down the push-down head 101 in the restricted position, the downward movement of the push-down part 103 and therefore the push-down head 101 is restricted because the first and second guide protrusions 63B, 63C of the guide tube part 63 are offset circumferentially from the first and second up-down guide groove parts 121C, 121D, respectively, as shown in FIG. 6.

[0051] Furthermore, when the pressing head 101 is in the restricting position, the second sealing projection 124A of the sealing member 124 faces the first sealing projection 63A of the guide tube portion 63 in the radial direction, and the inner peripheral edge of the second sealing projection 124A is close to or abuts against the outer peripheral edge of the first sealing projection 63A. This restricts the intrusion of water through the flow passage P2 between the inner peripheral edge of the second sealing projection 124A and the outer peripheral edge of the first sealing projection 63A.

[0052] Next, the press-down head 101, which is in the regulated position, is rotated around the container axis O relative to the container body 2. When the press-down head 101 is rotated around the container axis O relative to the container body 2, as shown in FIG. 9 , the first and second guide protrusions 63B, 63C of the guide tube portion 63 move circumferentially along the first and second circumferential guide grooves 121A, 121B formed in the lower tube portion 122 of the mounting tube portion 102. The first and second guide protrusions 63B, 63C are then aligned circumferentially with the first and second up-down guide grooves 121C, 121D. When the press-down head 101 is pressed down against the container body 2 in this state, the first and second guide protrusions 63B, 63C move relatively upward along the first and second up-down guide grooves 121C, 121D, respectively, and the press-down head 14 is pressed down into the guide tube portion 63. The subsequent discharge operation of the content liquid is the same as that of the discharger 1 according to the first embodiment, and the operation of restricting the descent of the press-down head 101 is also the same. The dispenser 100 is used in the above manner.

[0053] As described above, the dispenser 100 according to this embodiment also achieves the same functions and effects as the dispenser 1 according to the first embodiment described above, but since the sealing member 124 is formed integrally with the mounting tubular portion 102, an increase in the number of parts can be suppressed. Moreover, the outer cylinder 112 has a plurality of outer legs 123 arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction, and the slits 123A extending in the up-down direction are formed between the outer legs 123, which makes it easier to ensure a passage for air to pass through the slits 123A between the outside and inside of the outer cylinder 112. Furthermore, by forming the slits 123A between the outer legs 123, when the outer cylinder 112 is attached to the inside of the surrounding cylinder 132 of the push-down section 103, the outer legs 123 are elastically displaced radially inward, making it easier to attach the outer cylinder 112 inside the surrounding cylinder 132.

[0054] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, the press-down head includes a press-down portion and a mounting tube portion that are configured as separate bodies, but they may be formed integrally. Also, in the first embodiment, the seal member is formed as a separate body from the press-down portion, but the seal member may be formed integrally with the press-down portion, similar to the seal member in the second embodiment. In the second embodiment, the seal member and the mounting tube portion may also be formed as separate bodies. The mechanism that regulates the depression of the press head is composed of a pair of guide protrusions formed on the guide tube portion and a pair of guide groove portions formed on the press head, but it is sufficient that there is at least one guide protrusion and one guide groove portion, and the mechanism that regulates the depression of the press head may also be composed of other mechanisms, such as a pair of guide groove portions formed on the guide tube portion and a pair of guide protrusions formed on the press head. The pump body is configured as a foam pump, but may be a pump body other than a foam pump. The container body, the pressing head, etc. may have other shapes as appropriate. [Industrial Applicability]

[0055] According to the present invention, the dispenser that can prevent water from entering from the outside of the dispenser and prevent the depression head from being unintentionally pressed down is found to have industrial applicability. [Explanation of symbols]

[0056] 1,100 Discharger, 2 Container body, 3 Mouth portion, 11 Stem, 12 Pump body, 13 Mounting cap (mounting body), 14, 101 Push-down head, 14A, 103A Discharge hole, 21 Air cylinder, 22 Liquid cylinder, 24 Liquid piston, 25 Air piston, 63 Guide tube portion, 63B First guide protrusion (first guide portion), 63C Second guide protrusion (first guide portion), 71, 102 Mounting tube portion, 72, 103 Push-down portion, 91, 111 Inner tube portion, 91C, 121C First vertical guide groove portion (second guide portion), 91D, 121D Second vertical guide groove portion (second guide portion), 92, 112 Outer tube portion, 94, 124 Seal member, 123A Slit, 131 Mounting tube portion, 132 Surrounding cylinder, O container shaft, P2 circulation passage, S1 gas-liquid mixing chamber

Claims

1. a pump body having a stem that is erected in an upwardly biased state and movable downwardly from the opening of a container body that contains the liquid; a push-down head attached to the upper end of the stem and having a discharge hole; a mounting body for mounting the pump body to the opening of the container body and having a guide tube portion for guiding the up and down movement of the pressing head; A dispenser comprising: the presser head is rotatable around the central axis relative to the guide tube portion between a restricting position that restricts the descent of the presser head and a restricting release position that releases the restriction on the descent of the presser head, the press-down head has an inner cylindrical portion that is movable up and down inside the guide cylindrical portion when the press-down head is in the restriction release position, and an outer cylindrical portion that surrounds the inner cylindrical portion from the outside in the radial direction and is movable up and down outside the guide cylindrical portion when the press-down head is in the restriction release position, The guide tube portion is provided with a first guide portion, the inner cylinder portion is provided with a second guide portion that is offset from the first guide portion around the central axis at the restricting position to restrict downward movement of the presser head, and that is aligned with the first guide portion around the central axis at the restricting release position to release the restriction on downward movement of the presser head, a flow passage extending from the outside of the discharger to the inside of the pump body is formed between the outer cylindrical portion and the guide cylindrical portion, The dispenser is characterized in that the outer cylindrical portion is provided with a seal member that closes the flow passage between the outer cylindrical portion and the guide cylindrical portion.

2. The push-down head a cylindrical attachment portion attached to the upper end of the stem and through which the liquid flows; a depression portion attached to the cylindrical mounting portion and having the discharge hole formed therein, the discharge hole communicating with the interior of the cylindrical mounting portion; and the push-down portion has the inner cylindrical portion surrounding the mounting cylindrical portion from the outside and the outer cylindrical portion, 2. The dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the seal member is attached to the outer cylindrical portion and is separate from the outer cylindrical portion.

3. The push-down head a cylindrical attachment portion attached to the upper end of the stem and through which the liquid flows; a depression portion attached to the cylindrical mounting portion and having the discharge hole formed therein, the discharge hole communicating with the interior of the cylindrical mounting portion; and the mounting tube portion has the inner tube portion and the outer tube portion, the push-down portion has an attachment tube portion attached to the inside of the inner tube portion, 2. The dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the sealing member is integrally provided on the outer cylindrical portion.

4. the push-down portion has a surrounding cylinder portion in which the outer cylinder portion is attached, 4. The dispenser according to claim 3, wherein the inner cylindrical portion is formed with a slit extending in the vertical direction.

5. The pump body a liquid piston associated with the stem; a liquid cylinder in which the liquid piston is disposed so as to be vertically slidable; an air piston associated with the stem; an air cylinder in which the air piston is provided so as to be able to slide up and down; an air-liquid mixing chamber in which the liquid transferred from the liquid cylinder and the air transferred from the air cylinder are mixed to foam the internal liquid; and 5. The dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the flow passage extends from the outside of the dispenser to a portion of the air cylinder located above the air piston.

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