Chemical sprayer and cap

Abstract

The present invention provides a cap that can reduce manufacturing costs and prevent the chemical from clogging the spray holes, and a chemical sprayer equipped with the cap. [Solution] The cap 2 includes a mounting portion 3 that is attached to the container body 10 and a push button portion 4 that is attached to the stem 16 and is movable along the axial direction of the mounting portion 3. The push button portion 4 includes a side wall portion 5 over which the sheet material 101 is placed on the upper end 51, a recess 6 integrally formed in the side wall portion 5 such that the bottom portion 61 is located below the upper end 51 of the side wall portion 5, a connecting portion 7 integrally formed in the bottom portion 61 of the recess 6 into which the stem 16 is inserted, and a shielding portion 8 integrally formed in the bottom portion 61 of the recess 6 and protruding from the bottom portion 61 in the direction opposite to the connecting portion 7. A spray hole 9 is formed in the portion of the bottom portion 61 of the recess 6 that faces the discharge port 161 of the stem 16. The shielding portion 8 is arranged to surround the spray hole 9.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a cap attached to an aerosol container capable of spraying a chemical for sterilizing and cleaning, for example, a toilet seat, a toilet bowl, a floor, etc., and a chemical sprayer including the aerosol container and the cap.

Background Art

[0002] A device capable of spraying a chemical for sterilizing and cleaning a toilet seat or the like is installed, for example, on the wall of a tray (see, for example, Patent Document 1). This type of device includes a container for storing a chemical, a nozzle capable of discharging the chemical in the container, and a button for discharging the chemical from the nozzle by an operation of a user using the toilet. When the user sets a sheet material such as toilet paper using one hand below the nozzle and presses the button using the other hand, the chemical is sprayed from the nozzle onto the sheet material. Thereby, before using the toilet, the user can clean the toilet seat or the like using the sheet material to which the chemical adheres.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] This type of device has a problem in terms of hygiene because the user needs to touch the button with their hand when using it. In addition, since this type of device is fixed to the wall using, for example, screws or bolts, it takes time and effort to install, and holes for screwing in the screws or the like are formed in the wall. Therefore, there is a problem that it is difficult to install, for example, in a household toilet.

[0005] Therefore, the inventors considered a pesticide sprayer using an aerosol container that can be easily installed, for example, in a home toilet, and invented a cap that can be attached to the aerosol container so that the user can spray the pesticide onto toilet paper or other sheet material without directly touching the aerosol container with their hands. Furthermore, the inventors have incorporated ingenuity into this cap to reduce manufacturing costs and prevent the pesticide from clogging the spray holes.

[0006] This disclosure aims to provide a cap for use in a chemical sprayer that can be easily used, for example, in a home toilet, and that can spray chemicals onto sheet materials such as toilet paper without the user directly touching them with their hands, thereby reducing manufacturing costs and preventing the chemical from clogging the spray nozzle.

[0007] Furthermore, one of the objectives of this disclosure is to provide a drug sprayer equipped with the cap and aerosol container described above. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] A cap according to this disclosure is attached to an aerosol container comprising a container body for containing a drug and a cylindrical stem with a drug discharge port at its tip. The cap according to this disclosure comprises a cylindrical mounting portion attached to the container body and a push button portion attached to the stem and movable relative to the mounting portion along the axial direction of the mounting portion. The push button portion includes a cylindrical side wall portion over which a sheet material to be sprayed with the drug is placed; a recess integrally formed on the inside of the side wall portion such that its bottom is located below the upper end of the side wall portion; a cylindrical connecting portion integrally formed at the bottom of the recess and into which a portion of the tip side of the stem is inserted; and a cylindrical shielding portion integrally formed at the bottom of the recess and protruding from the bottom in the direction opposite to the connecting portion. A spray hole for the drug is formed in the portion of the bottom of the recess facing the discharge port of the stem. The shielding portion is arranged to surround the spray holes.

[0009] In one embodiment of the cap according to this disclosure, the vertical distance between the upper end of the side wall and the upper end of the spray hole may be 16.0 mm or more.

[0010] In one embodiment of the cap according to this disclosure, the diameter of the spray hole may be 0.8 mm or more.

[0011] In one embodiment of the cap according to the present disclosure, the bottom of the recess includes a first portion in which the spray holes are formed and a second portion surrounding the first portion and located above the first portion, wherein the shielding portion is provided in the first portion, and a groove surrounding the shielding portion may be formed on the outside of the shielding portion between it and the second portion.

[0012] In one embodiment of the cap according to the present disclosure, the side wall portion of the push button portion is provided with a projection protruding from the outer peripheral surface of the side wall portion, and the mounting portion is provided with a notch formed by cutting out a portion of the mounting portion from the upper end to the lower end of the mounting portion, and the push button portion may be rotatable along the circumferential direction of the mounting portion so as to move between a first position in which movement along the axial direction of the mounting portion is restricted by the projection being adjacent to the upper end of the mounting portion, and a second position in which movement along the axial direction of the mounting portion is permitted until the projection abuts against the notch, as the projection is positioned above the notch.

[0013] A drug sprayer according to this disclosure comprises an aerosol container including a container body for containing the drug and a cylindrical stem with a drug discharge port at its tip, and a cap according to this disclosure. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] According to the cap and drug sprayer in accordance with this disclosure, the manufacturing cost of the cap can be reduced, and clogging of the drug spray holes formed in the cap can be suppressed. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0015] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a front view of a medicine sprayer. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of a cap attached to an aerosol container, showing a state where a sheet material is placed on the cap. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a perspective view of an aerosol container. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a plan view of an aerosol container. [Figure 5] Figure 14 is a perspective view of an attachment portion. [Figure 6] Figure 17 is a plan view of an attachment portion. [Figure 7] Figure 20 is a cross-sectional view of an attachment portion. [Figure 8] Figure 23 is a plan view of a push button portion. [Figure 9] Figure 26 is a bottom view of a push button portion. [Figure 10] Figure 29 is a front view of a push button portion. [Figure 11] Figure 32 is a side view of a push button portion. [Figure 12] Figure 35 is a cross-sectional view of a push button portion. [Figure 13] Figure 38 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a part of a push button portion. [Figure 14] Figure 41 is a front view of a medicine sprayer in a state where a push button portion is pushed in. [Figure 15] Figure 44 is a front view of a medicine sprayer in a state where a push button portion is pushed in.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0016] Embodiments of a medicine sprayer and a cap according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will not be repeated.

[0017] <Description of the Outline of the Medicine Sprayer> Figure 1 is a front view of a medicine sprayer 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0018] The pesticide sprayer 100 comprises an aerosol container 1 for containing the pesticide and a cap 2 attached to the aerosol container 1. In this disclosure, the direction parallel to the vertical is defined as the "up and down direction," based on the pesticide sprayer 100 being placed on a horizontal plane. Furthermore, within the up and down direction, the direction from the aerosol container 1 toward the cap 2 is defined as the "upward direction," and the opposite direction is defined as the "downward direction." It should be noted that the up and down directions are defined only for the sake of explanation, and this definition does not limit the manner in which the pesticide sprayer 100 is used.

[0019] The chemical sprayer 100 is a product that sprays a chemical from an aerosol container 1 in a mist form through a cap 2. The chemical can be liquid or powder. Examples of chemicals include liquid chemicals used to disinfect and clean toilet seats, toilet bowls, floors, etc. However, the type of chemical is not limited to the examples given above.

[0020] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the cap 2 attached to the aerosol container 1, showing the state in which the sheet material 101 is placed over the cap 2.

[0021] The chemical sprayer 100 is used to spray the chemical onto the sheet material 101 placed over the cap 2, thereby adhering the chemical to the sheet material 101. Examples of sheet material 101 include paper sheets such as toilet paper, tissue paper, kitchen paper, paper wipes, paper towels, paper napkins, paper mats, and paper linens, or fibrous sheets such as woven fabrics, knitted fabrics, and nonwoven fabrics. The type of sheet material 101 is not limited to the examples above, as long as the chemical can adhere to it.

[0022] <Description of aerosol container> Figure 3 is a perspective view of the aerosol container 1. Figure 4 is a plan view of the aerosol container 1.

[0023] The aerosol container 1 is a pressure-resistant container formed from, for example, tinplate, aluminum, or synthetic resin. The aerosol container 1 is preferably made of tinplate or aluminum, and more preferably made of aluminum. The aerosol container 1 contains the drug and the propellant. The aerosol container 1 sprays the drug in a mist by the pressure of the propellant (gas). Examples of propellants include compressed gas or liquefied gas. Examples of compressed gases include carbon dioxide, nitrogen, and nitrous oxide. Examples of liquefied gases include liquefied petroleum gas, dimethyl ether, and carbon fluoride. From the viewpoint of maintaining the force of the drug spray, it is preferable to use a liquefied gas such as liquefied petroleum gas, dimethyl ether, or carbon fluoride as the propellant, more preferable to use liquefied petroleum gas or dimethyl ether, and even more preferable to use liquefied petroleum gas.

[0024] The ratio of the drug to the propellant contained in the aerosol container 1 is not particularly limited, but for example, the ratio of the amount of drug to the amount of propellant is 1 / 5 or more and 10 or less. From the viewpoint of spraying a sufficient amount of drug while maintaining the force of the drug spray, the ratio of the amount of drug to the amount of propellant is preferably 1 or more and 5 or less, and preferably 2 or more and 4 or less.

[0025] The aerosol container 1 includes a cylindrical container body 10 having a bottom, a mounting cup 11 attached to the container body 10, and a valve 12 attached to the mounting cup 11.

[0026] <Description of the container> Referring to Figure 3, the container body 10 is a component for containing the drug and propellant. The container body 10 consists of a bottom portion 13, a body portion 14, and a top lid portion 15. The bottom portion 13, body portion 14, and top lid portion 15 may be integrated by forming separate metal plates to their respective shapes and then welding or crimping the three formed members together. Alternatively, the bottom portion 13, body portion 14, and top lid portion 15 may be integrally formed by shaping a single metal plate into a container shape, for example by drawing. The top lid portion 15 of the container body 10 has an opening located in the center of the top lid portion 15, and the drug and propellant, which will be the contents, are filled into the container body 10 through this opening.

[0027] <Description of Mounting Cups> Referring to Figures 3 and 4, the mounting cup 11 is a component for sealing the opening of the top lid 15 of the container body 10. The mounting cup 11 has an opening located in the center of the mounting cup 11, and the valve 12 is attached to the mounting cup 11 at this opening.

[0028] <Valve description> Referring to Figures 3 and 4, the valve 12 is a component for releasing the drug contained in the container body 10 to the outside. The valve 12 includes a cylindrical stem 16 that is movable axially, i.e., vertically, within the container body 10. A portion of the stem 16 protrudes upward from the mounting cup 11, while the remaining portion of the stem 16 is located within the mounting cup 11. The stem 16 has an opening located at its tip 160, which serves as the drug discharge port 161. The tip 160 of the stem 16 is the end of the portion of the stem 16 that protrudes from the mounting cup 11. The stem 16 also has a through-hole, which serves as the drug inlet. The through-hole of the stem 16 is formed in the cylindrical wall of the portion of the stem 16 located within the mounting cup 11.

[0029] The valve 12 includes, in addition to the stem 16, a gasket (stem rubber) that functions as an opening and closing valve for the through hole (inlet) of the stem 16, a spring that pushes the downwardly moved stem 16 back upward, a housing that is fixed to the mounting cup 11, and a dip tube that is attached to the housing. The stem 16, gasket, and spring are held in place by the housing.

[0030] Normally, the through-hole (inlet) of the stem 16 of the valve 12 is sealed by a gasket. However, when the stem 16 is pushed downward and moves, the gasket flexes, exposing the through-hole (inlet) of the stem 16. As a result, the propellant (gas) pressure draws the chemical up through the dip tube, and the chemical flows into the interior of the stem 16 through the through-hole (inlet) and is released from the outlet 161 of the stem. On the other hand, when the force applied to the stem 16 is removed, the stem 16 moves upward due to the restoring force of the spring, and the through-hole (inlet) of the stem 16 is sealed again by the gasket. As a result, the release of the chemical from the outlet 161 of the stem 16 stops.

[0031] <Cap Description> Referring to Figures 1 and 2, the cap 2 is formed of, for example, synthetic resin. The cap 2 may be detachably attached to the aerosol container 1, as in this embodiment. The cap 2 includes a mounting portion 3 that is detachably attached to the container body 10 and a push button portion 4 that is detachably attached to the stem 16.

[0032] <Explanation of mounting part> Figure 5 is a perspective view of the mounting portion 3. Figure 6 is a plan view of the mounting portion 3. Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of the mounting portion 3 when it is cut by a vertical plane containing line AA in Figure 6.

[0033] The mounting portion 3 is formed in a cylindrical shape. The mounting portion 3 can be made up of a cylinder whose cross-section, when cut by a plane perpendicular to the axial direction, has a circular shape. The mounting portion 3 has a pair of openings 30 and 31 located at both ends in the vertical direction, which is the axial direction. In the mounting portion 3, the lower end 34 surrounding the lower opening 31 is provided with a plurality of protrusions 32 that protrude from the inner circumferential surface of the mounting portion 3. The number of protrusions 32 is not particularly limited, but for example, it is between 2 and 8. As will be described later, from the viewpoint of making it easy to attach the mounting portion 3 to the container body 10 and difficult to remove the mounting portion 3 from the container body 10, the number of protrusions 32 is preferably between 2 and 6, and more preferably between 2 and 4.

[0034] Referring to Figure 2, the mounting cup 11 and stem 16 of the aerosol container 1 are inserted into the mounting part 3 through the lower opening 31, and the multiple protrusions 32 of the mounting part 3 are fitted into the recesses 17 formed in the connecting portion between the body 14 and the top lid 15 of the container body 10. This allows the mounting part 3 to be detachably attached to the container body 10. With the mounting part 3 attached to the container body 10, the push button 4 can be attached to the stem 16 by inserting it into the mounting part 3 through the upper opening 30 of the mounting part 3.

[0035] Referring to Figures 1 and 5 to 7, the mounting portion 3 is provided with at least one notch 35 formed by cutting out a portion of the mounting portion 3 from the upper end 33 surrounding the upper opening 30 toward the lower end 34. The notch 35 may be elongated horizontally, extending in the circumferential direction that surrounds the mounting portion 3, as in this embodiment, and the length of the notch 35 may be greater than the depth of the notch 35. In addition, the mounting portion 3 may have multiple notches 35 formed thereon, as in this embodiment. In this embodiment, the mounting portion 3 is provided with two notches 35 facing each other.

[0036] <Explanation of the push button section> Figure 8 is a plan view of the push button section 4. Figure 9 is a bottom view of the push button section 4. Figure 10 is a front view of the push button section 4. Figure 11 is a side view of the push button section 4. Figure 12 is a cross-sectional view of the push button section 4 when cut by a vertical plane containing line AA in Figure 8. Figure 13 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a portion of the push button section 4.

[0037] The push button 4 functions as an actuator for releasing the drug from the discharge port 161 of the stem 16. Referring to Figure 2, the push button 4 is mounted on the stem 16 inside the mounting portion 3. The push button 4 is movable along the vertical direction, which is the axial direction of the mounting portion 3. When the push button 4 is pressed downward by the user, the stem 16 is pushed down by the push button 4. This causes the drug to be released from the discharge port 161 of the stem 16.

[0038] The push button portion 4 may or may not be rotatable relative to the mounting portion 3 along the circumferential direction of the mounting portion 3. In this embodiment, the push button portion 4 is rotatable relative to the mounting portion 3 along the circumferential direction of the mounting portion 3.

[0039] The push button portion 4 includes a side wall portion 5, a recess 6, a connecting portion 7, and a shielding portion 8. The side wall portion 5, recess 6, connecting portion 7, and shielding portion 8 are integrally formed, for example, by molding them together using a single material.

[0040] <Explanation of the side wall section> Referring to Figures 2 and 9 through 12, the side wall portion 5 is formed in a cylindrical shape. The side wall portion 5 can be made up of a cylinder with a circular cross-section when cut by a plane perpendicular to the axial direction. The side wall portion 5 has an opening 50 located at its lower end 52. When the push button portion 4 is attached to the stem 16, the stem 16 is inserted into the side wall portion 5 through the opening 50 located at the lower end 52 of the side wall portion 5, thereby enabling the push button portion 4 to be attached to the stem 16. A recess 6 is integrally formed at the upper end 51 of the side wall portion 5, located on the inside of the side wall portion 5. The internal space of the side wall portion 5 is covered from above by the recess 6.

[0041] Referring to Figures 8 and 12, the upper end 51 of the side wall portion 5 may be provided with an outer flange portion 53 that protrudes outward and an inner flange portion 54 that protrudes inward, as in this embodiment. As shown in Figure 2, the sheet material 101, which is the target of the chemical spray, is placed over the upper end 51 of the side wall portion 5. In other words, the sheet material 101 is installed on the upper end 51 of the side wall portion 5 so that the opening 60 located at the upper end 68 of the connecting portion 65, which is the upper end of the recess 6, is covered by the sheet material 101. At this time, because the outer flange portion 53 and the inner flange portion 54 are provided on the upper end 51 of the side wall portion 5, a wide annular plane 55 is formed on the upper end 51 of the side wall portion 5. Therefore, the sheet material 101 is easier to install on the upper end 51 of the side wall portion 5. Furthermore, either the outer flange portion 53 or the inner flange portion 54 may be provided on the upper end 51 of the side wall portion 5, or neither may be provided on the upper end 51 of the side wall portion 5.

[0042] Referring to Figures 2 and 12, it is preferable that the upper end 51 of the side wall portion 5 is located above the upper end of the spray hole 9 formed in the bottom 61 of the recess 6. The upper end of the spray hole 9 refers to the upper surface of the portion in the bottom 61 of the recess 6 where the spray hole 9 is formed (the surface opposite to the surface facing the discharge port 161 of the stem 16).

[0043] The chemical released from the outlet 161 of the stem 16 of the aerosol container 1 is sprayed towards the sheet material 101 through the spray holes 9 formed in the bottom 61 of the recess 6. At this time, the chemical is released radially upward from the outlet 161 of the stem 16, so if the upper end 51 of the side wall 5 is located far above the spray holes 9, the chemical sprayed from the spray holes 9 will spread widely horizontally when it reaches the upper end 51 of the side wall 5. As a result, the chemical adheres to a wide area of ​​the sheet material 101 placed on the upper end 51 of the side wall 5.

[0044] The vertical distance L1 between the upper end 51 of the side wall portion 5 and the upper end of the spray hole 9 is not particularly limited, but is preferably 16.0 mm or more and 30.0 mm or less, and more preferably 16.5 mm or more and 25.0 mm or less. This allows the chemical agent to adhere over a wide area to the sheet material 101 installed on the upper end 51 of the side wall portion 5.

[0045] Referring to Figures 1, 10, and 11, the side wall portion 5 may be provided with at least one protrusion 56 that extends from the outer circumferential surface of the side wall portion 5, as in this embodiment. In this embodiment, the protrusion 56 is connected to a portion of the outer flange portion 53. Also, as in this embodiment, the protrusion 56 may extend long in the circumferential direction, which is the direction surrounding the side wall portion 5, and may be formed in a horizontally elongated shape where the length of the protrusion 56 is greater than the height of the protrusion 56. Also, as in this embodiment, the side wall portion 5 may have multiple protrusions 56 formed in the mounting portion 3, corresponding to the number of notches 35 formed in the mounting portion 3. In this embodiment, the side wall portion 5 is provided with two protrusions 56 facing each other.

[0046] Referring to Figures 1, 14, and 15, when the protrusion 56 on the side wall 5 is in a first position adjacent to the upper end 33 of the mounting portion 3, the movement of the push button portion 4 along the axial direction of the mounting portion 3 is restricted because the protrusion 56 abuts against the upper end 33 of the mounting portion 3. In other words, downward movement of the push button portion 4 is restricted. On the other hand, when the protrusion 56 on the side wall 5 is in a second position above the notch 35 of the mounting portion 3 due to rotation along the circumferential direction of the mounting portion 3, movement along the axial direction of the mounting portion 3 is permitted. In other words, downward movement of the push button portion 4 is permitted. Downward movement of the push button portion 4 is permitted until the protrusion 56 on the side wall 5 abuts against the notch 35. Thus, the push button portion 4 is rotatable along the circumferential direction of the mounting portion 3 so as to move between a first position in which movement along the axial direction of the mounting portion 3 is restricted because the protrusion 56 provided on the side wall portion 5 is adjacent to the upper end 33 of the mounting portion 3, and a second position in which movement along the axial direction of the mounting portion 3 is permitted until the protrusion 56 abuts against the notch 35 because the protrusion 56 provided on the side wall portion 5 is located above the notch 35.

[0047] <Explanation of the recessed area> Referring to Figures 2, 8, 9, 12, and 13, the recess 6 is integrally formed with the side wall 5 on the inside of the side wall 5. The recess 6 includes a bottom portion 61 located below the upper end 51 of the side wall 5, and a connecting portion 65 that connects the upper end 51 of the side wall 5 and the bottom portion 61. The bottom portion 61 is formed in a circular plate shape in plan view. The connecting portion 65 is formed in a cylindrical shape rising from the outer peripheral edge of the bottom portion 61, with the lower end 69 on the side connected to the bottom portion 61 and the upper end 68 on the opposite side connected to the upper end 51 of the side wall 5, which in this embodiment is connected to the inner flange portion 54.

[0048] In this embodiment, a portion of the connecting portion 65 on the lower end 69 side (hereinafter referred to as "the lower part of the connecting portion 65") is formed to curve inward as it approaches the lower end 69, and the lower part of the connecting portion 65 is connected to the bottom portion 61 in a rounded manner. The lower part of the connecting portion 65 may also be formed to hang down vertically, and the lower part of the connecting portion 65 may be connected to the bottom portion 61 at a right angle.

[0049] The bottom portion 61 may be configured to include a first portion 62 located in the center of the bottom portion 61, and a second portion 63 located around the first portion 62 and above the first portion 62, as in this embodiment. The second portion 63 has a cylindrical third portion 64 connected to its inner periphery, rising from the outer periphery of the first portion 62, and the lower end 69 of a connecting portion 65 connected to its outer periphery. In this way, a small recess 66, formed by the first portion 62 and the third portion 64, is formed in the center of the recess 6 so as to be lower than the surrounding second portion 63.

[0050] <Explanation of the connection part> Referring to Figures 2, 8, 9, 12, and 13, the connecting portion 7 is the part to which the stem 16 is attached in the push button portion 4. The connecting portion 7 is formed in a cylindrical shape. The connecting portion 7 can be made up of a cylinder whose cross-section, when cut by a plane perpendicular to the axial direction, has a circular shape. The connecting portion 7 protrudes downward from the bottom portion 61 of the recess 6. The connecting portion 7 is provided, for example, in the center of the bottom portion 61. In this embodiment, the connecting portion 7 is provided in the first portion 62 of the bottom portion 61.

[0051] The connecting portion 7 has an opening 70 located at its lower end 71, through which the stem 16 can be inserted into the connecting portion 7. A portion of the stem 16 on the tip 160 side is inserted into the connecting portion 7 through the opening 70. As a result, the push button portion 4 is attached to the stem 16, and the push button portion 4 and the stem 16 are integrated, allowing the push button portion 4 and the stem 16 to move together in the vertical direction. Furthermore, the push button portion 4 is rotatable around the stem 16 as its axis of rotation and can rotate along the circumferential direction of the mounting portion 3.

[0052] In this embodiment, a portion of the connection portion 7 on the lower end 71 side (hereinafter referred to as "the lower part of the connection portion 7") is formed such that its thickness decreases towards the lower end 71, and the inner circumferential surface of the lower part of the connection portion 7 widens so that its diameter increases towards the lower end 71. The inner circumferential surface of the lower part of the connection portion 7 widens so that its diameter increases towards the lower end 71. The inner circumferential surface of the lower part of the connection portion 7 may widen in a straight line in cross-sectional view, like the side surface of a frustocone, or it may widen in a curved shape. Furthermore, the lower part of the connection portion 7 may be formed so that its thickness does not change up to the lower end 71, that is, the diameter of the inner circumferential surface of the lower part of the connection portion 7 is constant up to the lower end 71.

[0053] <Explanation of spray holes> Referring to Figures 2, 8, 9, 12, and 13, a through-hole is formed in the bottom 61 of the recess 6, which serves as a spray hole 9 for the drug, penetrating the bottom 61 in the thickness direction. The spray hole 9 is formed in the bottom 61 of the recess 6 in the portion facing the outlet 161 of the stem 16. The drug released from the outlet 161 of the stem 16 is sprayed upward from the spray hole 9.

[0054] In this embodiment, the bottom portion 61 includes a first portion 62 and a second portion 63, and the spray holes 9 are formed in the first portion 62, which is a lower, recessed part of the bottom portion 61. As a result, the vertical distance L1 between the upper end 51 of the side wall portion 5 and the upper end of the spray holes 9 is increased. Therefore, the chemical agent adheres to a wide area of ​​the sheet material 101 installed on the upper end 51 of the side wall portion 5.

[0055] The spray holes 9 can be formed, for example, such that the cross-sectional shape obtained by cutting the bottom portion 61 with a plane perpendicular to the thickness direction is circular. The diameter D of the spray holes 9 is not particularly limited, but is preferably 0.8 mm or more and 1.3 mm or less, and more preferably 0.9 mm or more and 1.1 mm or less. In the aerosol container 1, the chemical is discharged radially upward from the outlet 161 of the stem 16. By having a diameter D of 0.8 mm or more for the spray holes 9, a sufficient amount of chemical can be sprayed horizontally over a wide area from the spray holes 9. In addition, by having a diameter of 1.3 mm or less for the spray holes 9, the force of the chemical spray can be maintained.

[0056] The portion of the bottom 61 of the recess 6 in which the spray holes 9 are formed may be formed to be less thick than other portions, as in this embodiment. The thickness T of the portion of the bottom 61 of the recess 6 in which the spray holes 9 are formed is not particularly limited, but is preferably 0.1 mm or more and 4.0 mm or less, more preferably 0.2 mm or more and 3.0 mm or less, and even more preferably 0.3 mm or more and 1.0 mm or less. This allows the force of the spray of the chemical to be maintained.

[0057] <Explanation of the shielding section> Referring to Figures 2, 8, 12, and 13, the shielding portion 8 is formed in a cylindrical shape and protrudes upward from the bottom 61 of the recess 6 in the opposite direction to the connecting portion 7. The shielding portion 8 can be made up of a cylinder with a circular cross-section when cut by a plane perpendicular to the axial direction. The shielding portion 8 is positioned to surround the spray hole 9. The chemical released from the discharge port 161 of the stem 16 is sprayed upward from the spray hole 9, passes through the opening 80 located at the upper end of the shielding portion 8, and is then sprayed onto the sheet material 101 installed at the upper end 51 of the side wall portion 5.

[0058] In this embodiment, the shielding portion 8 is formed so that its thickness does not change up to the upper end 81. However, the shielding portion 8 may be formed so that its thickness increases towards the upper end 81, that is, so that the outer circumferential surface of the shielding portion 8 widens so that its diameter increases towards the upper end 81. In addition, the shielding portion 8 may have a flange that protrudes outward at the upper end 81.

[0059] When the chemical is sprayed from the spray holes 9 onto the sheet material 101, some of it adheres to the sheet material 101, while some of it bounces back from the sheet material 101. To prevent the chemical that bounces back from the sheet material 101 from clogging the spray holes 9 and obstructing the spraying of the chemical from the spray holes 9, a shielding portion 8 is provided around the spray holes 9. The shielding portion 8 prevents the chemical that bounces back from the sheet material 101 from adhering to the shielding portion 8, or from traveling along the bottom 61 of the recess 6 to the spray holes 9, thereby preventing the chemical that bounces back from the sheet material 101 from reaching the spray holes 9 and clogging them.

[0060] The vertical distance L2 between the upper end 81 of the shielding portion 8 and the upper end of the spray hole 9 is not particularly limited, but is preferably 5.0 mm or more and 10.0 mm or less, and more preferably 6.0 mm or more and 8.0 mm or less. This effectively prevents the chemical sprayed from the spray hole 9 from adhering to the shielding portion 8, while also effectively preventing the chemical bounced back from the sheet material 101 from clogging the spray hole 9.

[0061] In this embodiment, the shielding portion 8 is provided in the first portion 62, which is a lower, recessed part at the bottom 61. This increases the vertical distance L3 between the upper end 51 of the side wall portion 5 and the upper end 81 of the shielding portion 8. This widens the spray range of the chemical. The distance L3 is not particularly limited, but is preferably 5.0 mm to 20.0 mm, more preferably 7.0 mm to 15.0 mm, and even more preferably 8.0 mm to 12.0 mm.

[0062] Furthermore, as in this embodiment, since the shielding portion 8 is provided in the first portion 62 of the bottom portion 61, a groove 67 surrounding the shielding portion 8 is formed on the outside of the shielding portion 8 between it and the second portion 63. In other words, a small recess 66 is formed in the center of the recess 6, and the shielding portion 8 is provided in the first portion 62 within this recess 66, protruding above the second portion 63. As a result, an annular groove 67 is formed in the recess 66 between the shielding portion 8 and the third portion 64.

[0063] Because a groove 67 is formed in the bottom 61 of the recess 6, the chemical that bounces back from the sheet material 101 and travels along the bottom 61 of the recess 6 flows into the groove 67. This prevents the chemical that bounces back from the sheet material 101 and travels along the bottom 61 of the recess 6 from overflowing the shielding portion 8 and reaching the spray holes 9.

[0064] The depth H of the groove 67 is not particularly limited, but is preferably 1.0 mm or more and 5.0 mm or less, and more preferably 2.0 mm or more and 4.0 mm or less.

[0065] <Explanation of action / effect> The pesticide sprayer 100 according to the embodiment of this disclosure comprises an aerosol container 1 including a container body 10 for containing the pesticide and a cylindrical stem 16 with a pesticide discharge port 161 at its tip, and a cap 2 according to this disclosure that is attached to the aerosol container 1. The cap 2 according to the embodiment of this disclosure comprises a cylindrical mounting portion 3 that is attached to the container body 10, and a push button portion 4 that is attached to the stem 16 and is movable along the axial direction of the mounting portion 3. The push button portion 4 includes a cylindrical side wall portion 5 over which the sheet material 101 to be sprayed with the drug is placed at its upper end 51; a recess 6 integrally formed on the inside of the side wall portion 5 such that its bottom portion 61 is located below the upper end 51 of the side wall portion 5; a cylindrical connecting portion 7 integrally formed on the bottom portion 61 of the recess 6 and into which a portion of the tip 160 side of the stem 16 is inserted; and a cylindrical shielding portion 8 integrally formed on the bottom portion 61 of the recess 6 and protruding from the bottom portion 61 in the direction opposite to the connecting portion 7. A drug spray hole 9 is formed in the portion of the bottom portion 61 of the recess 6 that faces the discharge port 161 of the stem 16, and the shielding portion 8 is arranged to surround the spray hole 9.

[0066] In the pesticide sprayer 100 and cap 2 according to the embodiment of this disclosure, the pesticide adheres to the sheet material 101 by pressing down the push button portion 4 of the cap 2 while the sheet material 101 is placed over the cap 2. Therefore, according to the pesticide sprayer 100 and cap 2 according to the embodiment of this disclosure, the user does not need to directly touch the cap 2 and aerosol container 1 with their hands in order to adhere the pesticide to the sheet material 101.

[0067] Furthermore, in the drug sprayer 100 and cap 2 according to the embodiment of this disclosure, the push button portion 4 includes a side wall portion 5, a recess 6, a connecting portion 7, and a shielding portion 8, which are integrally formed, and the drug spray hole 9 is formed in the recess 6. Thus, according to the drug sprayer 100 and cap 2 according to the embodiment of this disclosure, since the push button portion 4 of the cap 2 is made up of a single component, the manufacturing cost of the cap 2 is reduced compared to the case where the drug spray nozzle is a separate component from the push button portion 4 and the cap is made up of the push button portion 4 combined with the spray nozzle.

[0068] Furthermore, in the agent sprayer 100 and cap 2 according to the embodiment of this disclosure, a shielding portion 8 is provided around the agent spray hole 9 formed in the bottom 61 of the recess 6. When the agent is sprayed from the spray hole 9 onto the sheet material 101, a portion adheres to the sheet material 101, but a portion bounces back from the sheet material 101. According to the agent sprayer 100 and cap 2 according to the embodiment of this disclosure, the shielding portion 8 is provided around the spray hole 9, preventing the agent bounced back from the sheet material 101 from reaching the spray hole 9 and clogging it. As a result, clogging of the spray hole 9 by the agent bounced back from the sheet material 101 and obstruction of agent spraying from the spray hole 9 is suppressed.

[0069] Furthermore, in the chemical sprayer 100 and cap 2 according to the embodiment of this disclosure, the vertical distance L1 between the upper end 51 of the side wall 5 and the upper end of the spray hole 9 is 16.0 mm or more. As a result, with the chemical sprayer 100 and cap 2 according to the embodiment of this disclosure, the chemical spreads widely horizontally before it reaches the sheet material 101 installed on the upper end 51 of the side wall 5 from the spray hole 9. Therefore, the chemical adheres to a wide area of ​​the sheet material 101 installed on the upper end 51 of the side wall 5.

[0070] Furthermore, in the pesticide sprayer 100 and cap 2 according to the embodiment of this disclosure, the diameter D of the spray hole 9 is 0.8 mm or more. As a result, with the pesticide sprayer 100 and cap 2 according to the embodiment of this disclosure, the pesticide can be sprayed from the spray hole 9 over a wide area in the horizontal direction. Therefore, the pesticide adheres over a wide area to the sheet material 101 installed on the upper end 51 of the side wall portion 5.

[0071] Furthermore, in the pesticide sprayer 100 and cap 2 according to the embodiment of this disclosure, the bottom 61 of the recess 6 includes a first portion 62 in which the spray holes 9 are formed, and a second portion 63 that surrounds the first portion 62 and is located above the first portion 62. The shielding portion 8 is provided on the first portion 62, and a groove 67 surrounding the shielding portion 8 is formed on the outside of the shielding portion 8 between it and the second portion 63. As a result, according to the pesticide sprayer 100 and cap 2 according to the embodiment of this disclosure, the pesticide that bounces back from the sheet material 101 and travels along the bottom 61 of the recess 6 flows into the groove 67, thereby preventing the pesticide from overflowing the shielding portion 8 and reaching the spray holes 9.

[0072] Furthermore, in the drug sprayer 100 and cap 2 according to the embodiment of this disclosure, the side wall portion 5 of the push button portion 4 is provided with a projection 56 that protrudes from the outer peripheral surface of the side wall portion 5. The mounting portion 3 is provided with a notch 35 formed by cutting out a portion of the mounting portion 3 from the upper end 33 to the lower end 34 of the mounting portion 3. The push button portion 4 is rotatable along the circumferential direction of the mounting portion 3 so as to move between a first position (see Figure 1) in which the projection 56 is adjacent to the upper end 33 of the mounting portion 3 and its movement along the axial direction of the mounting portion 3 is restricted, and a second position (see Figure 14) in which the projection 56 is positioned above the notch 35 and its movement along the axial direction of the mounting portion 3 is permitted until the projection 56 abuts against the notch 35. As a result, according to the drug sprayer 100 and cap 2 of the embodiment of this disclosure, the user can spray the drug onto the sheet material 101 by moving the push button 4 to the second position and pressing down the push button 4. On the other hand, the user can prevent the push button 4 from being accidentally pressed down and the drug being released from the discharge port 161 of the stem 16 by moving the push button 4 to the first position.

[0073] <Variation> The bottom 61 of the recess 6 does not necessarily have to be configured to include a first portion 62 located in the center of the bottom 61 and a second portion 63 located around the first portion 62 and above the first portion 62; the first portion 62 may be flush with the second portion 63. In other words, the recess 6 does not necessarily have to have a small indentation 66 formed therein. Even in this case, an annular groove 67 can be formed around the shielding portion 8 in the bottom 61 of the recess 6.

[0074] The side wall portion 5 and mounting portion 3 of the push button portion 4 do not necessarily need to have a protrusion 56 and a notch 35, respectively. In this case, the push button portion 4 may not be rotatable relative to the mounting portion 3 along the circumferential direction of the mounting portion 3.

[0075] The embodiments disclosed herein should be understood to be illustrative in all respects and not restrictive in any way. The scope of the invention is defined not by the foregoing description but by the claims, and all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims are intended. [Examples]

[0076] The following describes in more detail the chemical sprayer and cap according to this disclosure based on the examples. However, the chemical sprayer and cap according to this disclosure are not limited to the following examples.

[0077] After attaching the cap, shaped as described in the above embodiment, to an aerosol container containing the drug and propellant, a paper wiper was placed over the cap as a sheet material, and the drug from the aerosol container was sprayed onto the paper wiper. The drug was in liquid form, and its components are as shown in Table 1 below. For the propellant, 100g of liquefied petroleum gas, which liquefies when pressurized at 0.29 MPa at a temperature of 20°C, was used.

[0078] [Table 1]

[0079] The diameter D of the spray hole in the push button portion of the cap, and the vertical distance L1 between the upper end of the side wall and the upper end of the spray hole were set as shown in Examples 1 to 6 in Table 2 below. For each of Examples 1-6, the amount of chemical adhering to the paper wiper after spraying the chemical for 10 seconds, and the area of ​​chemical adhesion on the paper wiper after spraying the chemical for 1 second and waiting 5 seconds were measured. The results are shown in Table 2. The results shown in Table 2 are the average values ​​of three measurements.

[0080] As a comparative example, a nozzle was placed above the spray hole of the push button, and the agent was sprayed from the nozzle's discharge port toward a paper wiper. The nozzle had a single first discharge port that discharged the agent vertically upward, and five second discharge ports arranged at equal intervals around the first discharge port, which discharged the agent at a 45° angle to the vertical upward direction, thus spraying the agent radially upward in the vertical direction. The diameter of the first discharge port was 0.3 mm, and the diameter of the second discharge ports was 0.4 mm. The vertical distance between the upper end of the side wall and the upper end of the nozzle's discharge port (corresponding to L1 in the example) was 10.5 mm. For the comparative example as well, the area of ​​agent adhesion on the paper wiper was measured after spraying the agent on the paper wiper for 1 second and waiting for 5 seconds. The results are shown in Table 2. The results shown in Table 2 are the average values ​​of three measurements each.

[0081] [Table 2]

[0082] Comparing Examples 3-6 with the Comparative Example, it can be seen that if the diameter D of the spray hole for the agent formed in the push button is 0.8 mm or more, the same amount of agent can be sprayed onto the sheet material as with a push button equipped with a nozzle of a general shape. Furthermore, comparing Examples 4-5 with the Comparative Example, it can be seen that the vertical distance L1 between the upper end of the side wall of the push button and the upper end of the spray hole is 16.0 mm or more if the diameter D of the spray hole is 0.9 mm or more, allowing the agent to be sprayed onto the sheet material over an area of ​​similar width as with a push button equipped with a nozzle of a general shape, and 17.0 mm or more if the diameter D of the spray hole is 0.8 mm or more, allowing the agent to be sprayed onto the sheet material over an area of ​​similar width as with a push button equipped with a nozzle of a general shape. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0083] 1 Aerosol container, 2 Cap, 3 Mounting part, 4 Push button part, 5 Side wall part, 6 Recess, 7 Connection part, 8 Shielding part, 9 Spray hole, 10 Container body, 11 Mounting cup, 12 Valve, 13 Bottom of container body, 14 Body of container body, 15 Top lid of container body, 16 Stem, 17 Recess, 30 Opening of mounting part, 31 Opening of mounting part, 32 Projection, 33 Upper end of mounting part, 34 Lower end of mounting part, 35 Notch, 50 Opening of side wall part, 51 Upper end of side wall part, 52 Lower end of side wall part, 53 Outer flange part, 54 Inner flange part, 55 Annular plane, 56 Convex part, 60 Opening of recess, 61 Bottom of recess, 62 First part of bottom, 63 Second part of bottom, 64 Third part of bottom, 65 66 Connecting part, 67 Recess, 68 Groove, 68 Upper end of connecting part, 69 Lower end of connecting part, 70 Opening of connecting part, 71 Lower end of connecting part, 80 Opening of shielding part, 81 Upper end of shielding part, 100 Chemical sprayer, 101 Sheet material, 160 Tip of stem, 161 Discharge port, L1 Vertical distance between the upper end of the side wall and the upper end of the spray hole, L2 Vertical distance between the upper end of the shielding part and the upper end of the spray hole, L3 Vertical distance between the upper end of the side wall and the upper end of the shielding part, D Diameter of spray hole, T Thickness of the part where the spray hole is formed at the bottom of the recess, H Depth of groove

Claims

1. A cap to be attached to an aerosol container, which includes a container body for containing a drug and a cylindrical stem with a drug discharge port at its tip, A cylindrical mounting portion attached to the container body, A push button portion is attached to the stem and is movable along the axial direction of the mounting portion relative to the mounting portion, Equipped with, The aforementioned push button section is, A cylindrical side wall portion is placed over the upper end of the sheet material to which the aforementioned chemical is to be sprayed, A recess integrally formed on the inside of the side wall such that the bottom is located below the upper end of the side wall, A cylindrical connecting portion is integrally formed at the bottom of the recess, into which a portion of the tip of the stem is inserted, A cylindrical shielding portion is integrally formed with the bottom of the recess and protrudes from the bottom in the direction opposite to the connecting portion, Includes, A spray hole for the drug is formed in the portion of the bottom of the recess that faces the discharge port of the stem. The shielding portion is a cap positioned to surround the spray hole.

2. The cap according to claim 1, wherein the vertical distance between the upper end of the side wall and the upper end of the spray hole is 16.0 mm or more.

3. The cap according to claim 1, wherein the diameter of the spray hole is 0.8 mm or more.

4. The bottom of the recess includes a first portion in which the spray holes are formed, and a second portion that surrounds the first portion and is located above the first portion. The cap according to claim 1, wherein the shielding portion is provided on the first portion, and a groove surrounding the shielding portion is formed on the outside of the shielding portion between it and the second portion.

5. The side wall portion of the push button is provided with a protrusion that extends from the outer circumferential surface of the side wall portion. The mounting portion is provided with a notch formed by cutting out a portion of the mounting portion from the upper end to the lower end. The cap according to claim 1, wherein the push button portion is rotatable along the circumferential direction of the mounting portion so as to move between a first position in which the protrusion is adjacent to the upper end of the mounting portion and its movement along the axial direction of the mounting portion is restricted, and a second position in which the protrusion is positioned above the notch and its movement along the axial direction of the mounting portion is permitted until the protrusion abuts against the notch.

6. An aerosol container comprising a container body for containing the drug, and a cylindrical stem with a drug discharge port at its tip, A cap according to any one of claims 1 to 5, which is attached to the aerosol container, A chemical sprayer equipped with the following features.

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