Discharge members, composite members, discharge products

Abstract

The present invention provides a dispensing member that can suppress the unnecessary dispensing of the undiluted liquid contained in the refill container. [Solution] The discharge member 30 is attached to a container body filled with a concentrate, and comprises a nozzle 37a1 for discharging the concentrate, a main passage R1 connecting the nozzle 37a1 and the inside of the container body, a mounting part for attaching a refill container, a secondary passage R2 connecting the main passage R1 and the inside of the refill container, a pump mechanism 31 for discharging the concentrate from the container body through the main passage R1 to the nozzle 37a1 and filling the refill container through the secondary passage R2, an operating member 32 for operating the pump mechanism 31, and a closing mechanism H for closing the secondary passage R2, wherein by operating the operating member 32 beyond the operating range of the pump mechanism 31, the closing mechanism H closes the secondary passage R2 which was previously open.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a discharge member that can be used not only for discharging a stock solution but also for filling a refill container with the stock solution, a composite member including the discharge member, and a discharge product.

Background Art

[0002] In FIG. 13 of Patent Document 1, there is described a discharge product that can generate a positive pressure in a pump mechanism by pulling a lever and use this pressure to discharge the stock solution from a nozzle and fill a refill container with the stock solution. In this discharge product, when the lever is held in the pulled state, so-called continuous discharge is possible, in which the stock solution filled in the refill container continues to be discharged.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the discharge product described in FIG. 13 of Patent Document 1, when it is returned to the original position before pulling the lever, the discharge of the stock solution from the refill container can be stopped. However, since the stock solution continues to be discharged from the refill container until the lever is returned to the original position, it can be said that there is room for improvement.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a discharge member that can suppress unnecessary discharge of the stock solution filled in a refill container.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The discharge member of the present invention is a discharge member 30, 30A attached to a container body 11 filled with a stock solution C, and comprises a nozzle 37a1 for discharging the stock solution C, a main passage R1 connecting the nozzle 37a1 and the inside of the container body 11, a mounting portion 36a for attaching a refill container 40, a secondary passage R2 connecting the main passage R1 and the inside of the refill container 40, a pump mechanism 31 for discharging the stock solution C from the container body 11 through the main passage R1 to the nozzle 37a1 and filling the refill container 40 through the secondary passage R2, an operating member 32 for operating the pump mechanism 31, and a closing mechanism H for closing the secondary passage R2, wherein by operating the operating member 32 beyond the operating range of the pump mechanism 31, the closing mechanism H closes the secondary passage R2 which was previously open.

[0007] In the discharge member described above, the closing mechanism H is provided with an interlocking member 37 that is linked to the operation of the operating member 32. When the operating member 32 is operated within the operating range of the pump mechanism 31, the interlocking member 37 moves to such an extent that it does not move relative to the communication port 38a1, which is the opening of the sub-passage R2 on the main passage R1 side, or does not block the communication port 38a1, thereby maintaining the open state of the sub-passage R2. When the operating member 32 is operated further beyond the operating range of the pump mechanism 31, it is preferable that the interlocking member 37 moves relative to the communication port 38a1 and blocks the communication port 38a1.

[0008] Furthermore, it is preferable that the closing mechanism H includes a restricting means K that restricts the proximity of the interlocking member 37 to the communication port 38a1 in order to maintain the open state of the sub-passage R2 within the operating range of the pump mechanism 31.

[0009] Furthermore, the pump mechanism 31 comprises a cylinder 31b, a piston 31c slidably housed within the cylinder 31b, and a biasing means 31d that biases the piston 31c in a direction that increases the volume of the pressure chamber 31e formed by the cylinder 31b and the piston 31c, and it is preferable that the force required to release the restriction by the restricting means K is greater than the biasing force of the biasing means 31d.

[0010] Furthermore, a transmission member 38 is provided between the interlocking member 37 and the pump mechanism 31 to transmit force from the operating member 32 to the pump mechanism 31. Either the interlocking member 37 or the transmission member 38 comprises a body portion 37c and a sealing material 37d attached to the outer circumferential surface of the body portion 37c, while the other has a cylindrical portion 38a that slidably accommodates the body portion 37c. The communication opening 38a1 is opened in the cylindrical portion 38a, and it is preferable that the body portion 37c slides inside the cylindrical portion 38a when the operating member 32 is operated, causing the sealing material 37d to come into contact with the communication opening 38a1 and thus closing the sub-passage R2.

[0011] The composite member of the present invention is characterized by comprising the above-mentioned discharge members 30, 30A and a refill container 40 connected to the sub-passage R2.

[0012] The discharge product of the present invention is characterized by comprising the composite member 20, a container body 11, and a stock liquid C filled in the container body 11. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] The discharge member, composite member, and discharge product of the present invention block the sub-passage by further operating the operating member beyond the operating range of the pump mechanism, thereby suppressing the unwanted discharge of the undiluted liquid filled in the refill container. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0014] [Figure 1] This is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing the dispensed product in an unoperated state. [Figure 2] Figure 2A shows the dispensing of the concentrate by the pump mechanism and filling into the refill container, while Figure 2B is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the dispensing product showing the state in which the dispensing of the concentrate from the refill container is stopped by the closing mechanism. [Figure 3] This is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing the idle state of other dispensing products. [Figure 4] Figure 4A shows the dispensing of the concentrate by the pump mechanism and filling into the refill container, while Figure 4B is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the dispensing product showing the state in which the dispensing of the concentrate from the refill container is stopped by the closing mechanism.

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0015] (Overall Outline) As shown in FIG. 1, the ejection product 1 includes an ejection container 10 and a stock solution C. The ejection container 10 includes a container body 11 filled with the stock solution C and a composite member 20. The composite member 20 includes an ejection member 30 attached to the opening 11a of the container body 11 and a refill container 40 detachably attached to the ejection member 30. Hereinafter, each component will be described.

[0016] (Container Body) The container body 11 is a so-called bottle, and the opening 11a is located at the upper end of the neck portion 11b. An external male thread 11b1 for attaching the ejection member 30 is provided on the outer periphery of the neck portion 11b.

[0017] (Stock Solution) The stock solution C is a liquid such as a finger disinfectant, a cleaning agent, an antiperspirant, a deodorant, an aromatic agent, an insecticide, a pest repellent, a pollen remover, or an antibacterial agent.

[0018] (Outline of Ejection Member) The ejection member 30 includes a nozzle 37a1 for ejecting the stock solution C, a main passage R1 (see FIG. 2A) connecting the nozzle 37a1 and the inside of the container body 11, a mounting portion 36a for detachably attaching the refill container 40, a sub-passage R2 (see FIG. 2A) connecting the main passage R1 and the inside of the refill container 40, a pump mechanism 31 for ejecting the stock solution C in the container body 11 from the nozzle 37a1 through the main passage R1 and filling the refill container 40 through the sub-passage R2, an operation member 32 for operating the pump mechanism 31, and a closing mechanism H for closing the sub-passage R2.

[0019] (Other Members Constituting the Ejection Member) This discharge member 30 further includes a screw cap 33 that is screwed onto the male screw 11b1 of the container body 11, a pump housing 34 that is attached to the upper part of the screw cap 33 and houses the pump mechanism 31, a plug body 35 for fixing the pump mechanism 31 to the pump housing 34, a base body 36 that is attached to the pump housing 34 and extends forward to support the operation member 32, an interlocking member 37 that is connected to the operation member 32, a transmission member 38 that is provided between the interlocking member 37 and the pump mechanism 31 and transmits the force from the operation member 32 to the pump mechanism 31, and a flexible tube 39 that connects the transmission member 38 and the mounting portion 36a.

[0020] (Nozzle, main passage) The nozzle 37a1 opens at the tip of the interlocking member 37. The main passage R1 connecting the nozzle 37a1 and the inside of the container body 11 passes through the interlocking member 37, the transmission member 38, the pump mechanism 31, the pump housing 34, and the screw cap 33. A dip tube 50 for sucking out the stock solution C in the container body 11 is attached to the screw cap 33, and the main passage R1 communicates with the dip tube 50.

[0021] (Base body, refill container) The mounting portion 36a is substantially cylindrical and opens at the rear of the base body 36, and can be attached so that the refill container 40 can be inserted. The refill container 40 functions as a pressure accumulator for performing continuous discharge such as continuously discharging the stock solution C from the nozzle 37a1 even after the operation of the operation member 32 is stopped and the pressurization is completed by temporarily accumulating a part of the pressure generated by the pump mechanism 31. As a pressure accumulation mechanism, the refill container 40 includes a filling chamber 41, a pressurizing chamber 42, and a movable wall 43 that separates the filling chamber 41 and the pressurizing chamber 42. When the stock solution C is filled into the filling chamber 41 through the sub-passage R2, the movable wall 43 moves (moves backward in the figure), the volume of the pressurizing chamber 42 decreases, and the pressure in the pressurizing chamber 42 rises (pressure accumulates). This refill container 40 includes a valve mechanism (so-called aerosol valve) 44, and can be used as an aerosol product alone if removed from the discharge member 30.

[0022] (Sub-aisle) When the refill container 40 with the above configuration is attached to the mounting part 36a, the valve mechanism 44 automatically opens, and the refill container 40 and the sub-passage R2 are in communication. The sub-passage R2 passes through the flexible tube 39. This sub-passage R2 branches off from the main passage R1 between the nozzle 37a1 and the pump mechanism 31. Specifically, the opening of the sub-passage R2 on the main passage R1 side (communication port 38a1) is provided in the transmission member 38, and communicates with the main passage R1 which passes through the transmission member 38.

[0023] (Operating component) The operating member 32 is a lever pivotally supported at the front of the base 36, capable of swinging in the front-rear direction, and is operated by pulling it backward. A roughly rod-shaped interlocking member 37 is connected to this operating member 32, with its axial direction oriented in the front-rear direction (the operating direction of the operating member 32), and the force used to operate the operating member 32 is directly transmitted to the interlocking member 37. In short, the interlocking member 37 is linked to the operation of the operating member 32, and when the operating member 32 is pulled in, it moves backward.

[0024] (Interlocking component) As shown in Figure 2A, the interlocking member 37 comprises a tip portion 37a from which the nozzle 37a1 opens, a shaft portion 37b extending rearward from the tip portion 37a, a cylindrical body portion 37c located at the rear end of the shaft portion 37b and having a larger diameter than the shaft portion 37b, and an annular sealing material (O-ring) 37d attached to the outer circumferential surface of the body portion 37c. Two sealing materials 37d are provided spaced apart in the operating direction. This interlocking member 37 is connected to the transmission member 38 in a manner that allows it to transmit force from the operating member 32 to the transmission member 38.

[0025] (Transmission member) The transmission member 38 has a cylindrical portion 38a that slidably accommodates the body portion 37c of the interlocking member 37 in the operating direction. The communication opening 38a1 is open on the side of the cylindrical portion 38a, and when the operating member 32 is operated, the body portion 37c slides backward inside the cylindrical portion 38a, and the sealing material 37d comes into contact with the communication opening 38a1. Specifically, when the communication opening 38a1 is positioned between two sealing materials 37d, the sub-passage R2 is closed (see Figure 2B). The transmission member 38 is provided with a connection portion 38b at the rear of the cylindrical portion 38a for connecting to the pump mechanism 31.

[0026] (Pump mechanism) The pump mechanism 31 is a so-called manual pump mechanism 31, comprising a stem 31a connected to the connection portion 38b of the transmission member 38, a cylinder 31b with its axial direction oriented in the operating direction, a piston 31c slidably housed within the cylinder 31b and slid in the operating direction by the stem 31a, a biasing means (spring) 31d that biases the piston 31c in a direction that increases the volume of the pressure chamber 31e formed by the cylinder 31b and the piston 31c (forward), and a check valve (ball valve) 31f (see Figure 1) provided to prevent the positive pressure generated when the piston 31c is slid in a direction that decreases the volume of the pressure chamber 31e (rearward) from being applied to the container body 11 (to prevent the undiluted liquid C from flowing back into the container body 11).

[0027] (Mechanism of the pump) The stem 31a extends in the operating direction and is equipped with a first flange 31a1 and a second flange 31a2 spaced apart in the operating direction. The piston 31c is positioned between the first flange 31a1 and the second flange 31a2 with play in the operating direction. When the operating member 32 is pulled in, the interlocking member 37 moves backward first, then the transmission member 38 moves backward as if pushed by the interlocking member 37, and then the stem 31a moves backward as if pushed by the transmission member 38. The piston 31c is then slid backward by the first flange 31a1, and at this time, a gap of play is created between the piston 31c and the second flange 31a2, and this gap becomes part of the main passage R1, allowing the undiluted liquid C in the pressure chamber 31e to be sent downstream.

[0028] As shown by the arrows in Figure 2A, a portion of the dispensed liquid C is discharged from the nozzle 37a1, and the remainder (the portion exceeding the pressure required to discharge the liquid C from the nozzle 37a1) flows into the sub-passage R2 from the communication port 38a1 and fills the refill container 40. The filled liquid C is discharged after the pressure downstream of the communication port 38a1 has fallen below the pressure inside the refill container 40 (the internal pressure of the pressurizing chamber 42). As a result, it is discharged later than the retraction operation of the operating member 32, and as a result, it can continue to discharge for a longer period of time compared to a discharge member without a refill container 40, i.e., continuous discharge is possible.

[0029] When the retraction operation is stopped, such as by releasing the hand from the operating member 32, the biasing means 31d moves the stem 31a forward. At this time, the second flange 31a2 comes into contact with the piston 31c, eliminating the gap and closing the main passage R1. As a result, the pressure chamber 31e becomes negatively pressurized as the piston 31c returns to its original position, causing the check valve 31f to open and drawing the undiluted liquid C from the upstream side into the pressure chamber 31e. Since the discharge of undiluted liquid C from the refill container 40 continues even while suction is in progress, the discharge of undiluted liquid C from the nozzle 37a1 also continues. After suction is complete, the retraction operation can be performed again to repeat the discharge of undiluted liquid C from the nozzle 37a1 and the filling of the refill container 40. This pump operation is usually repeated multiple times.

[0030] By the way, when the refill container 40 is attached to the mounting section 36a, it maintains the open state of the valve mechanism 44. Therefore, if nothing is done, the discharge of the undiluted liquid C from the refill container 40 will continue until all of the undiluted liquid C in the filling chamber 41 has been discharged. For this reason, the discharge member 30 of the present invention is provided with a closing mechanism H to stop the discharge of the undiluted liquid C from the refill container 40.

[0031] As shown in Figure 2B, the closing mechanism H functions by pulling the operating member 32 further beyond the operating range of the pump mechanism 31, in other words, by pulling it further when the piston 31c has moved to its bottom dead center. Specifically, the sealing material 37d of the interlocking member 37 moves relative to the communication port 38a1, blocking the communication port 38a1 and stopping the discharge of the undiluted liquid C from the refill container 40.

[0032] Furthermore, within the operating range of the pump mechanism 31, in other words, until the piston 31c reaches its bottom dead center, even if the operating member 32 is pulled in, the interlocking member 37 does not move relative to the communication port 38a1, or moves only to an extent that does not block the communication port 38a1, and the open state of the sub-passage R2 is maintained. To realize this mechanism, the closing mechanism H is equipped with a restricting means K that restricts the proximity of the sealing material 37d of the interlocking member 37 to the communication port 38a1. The interlocking member 37 and the transmission member 38 are also components of the closing mechanism H.

[0033] The restricting means K is a spring positioned between the interlocking member 37 and the transmission member 38, restricting the interlocking member 37 from approaching the transmission member 38. Force is transmitted between the interlocking member 37 and the transmission member 38 via the restricting means K. The force required to release the restriction by the restricting means K is greater than the biasing force of the biasing means 31d. Therefore, until the piston 31c reaches the bottom dead center, the biasing means (spring) 31d compresses, and the positional relationship between the seal material 37d and the communication opening 38a1 does not change, or the movement is limited to such an extent that the seal material 37d does not block the communication opening 38a1. When the piston 31c reaches the bottom dead center, a force greater than the biasing force of the biasing means 31d can be applied to the restricting means K, so the restricting means (spring) K compresses, and consequently the seal material 37d moves toward the communication opening 38a1 and blocks the communication opening 38a1 (see Figure 2B).

[0034] Thus, the dispensing member 30 of the present invention can suppress the unnecessary dispensing of the undiluted liquid C from the refill container 40. In particular, the sub-passage R2 is blocked when the operating member 32 is operated beyond the operating range of the pump mechanism 31. In other words, the closure operation of the sub-passage R2 can be performed as an extension of the dispensing operation. Therefore, compared to systems where the closure operation is performed separately from the dispensing operation, the dispensing of the undiluted liquid C from the refill container 40 can be stopped immediately.

[0035] Furthermore, if the closing operation is stopped by releasing the operating member 32, the interlocking member 37 and the transmission member 38 separate from each other due to the repulsive force of the regulating means K, returning to their original relative positions before being pushed in. This releases the blockage of the communication opening 38a1 by the sealing material 37d, and the sub-passage R2 and the main passage R1 become connected again. Consequently, the discharge of the undiluted liquid C from the refill container 40 resumes.

[0036] If the refill container 40 is removed from the dispensing member 30 before stopping the closing operation, the valve mechanism 44 will automatically close, and a refill container 40 filled with the undiluted liquid C will be obtained.

[0037] (Other excavated products) Figure 3 shows another dispensing product 1A. The dispensing member 30A of this dispensing product 1A is equipped with a storage container 51 for housing a refill container 40. The storage container 51 comprises a bottomed cylindrical storage member 51a and a lid 51b that is attached to the upper end opening of the storage member 51a. When the lid 51b is attached with the refill container 40 placed inside the storage member 51a, the valve mechanism 44 of the refill container 40 is kept open. The lid 51b also has an upward-extending insertion portion 51b1, which constitutes part of the sub-passage R2 that connects the main passage R1 and the inside of the refill container 40. The storage container 51 is attached by inserting the tip of the insertion portion 51b1 into a mounting portion 38c provided on the transmission member 38. By attaching the storage container 51 to the transmission member 38, the main passage R1 and the inside of the refill container 40 are connected.

[0038] The other components are the same as those of the discharge member 30 in Figure 1. That is, the mechanisms of the closing mechanism H and the restricting means K are the same, and the sub-passage R2 can be blocked by operating the operating member 32 beyond the operating range of the pump mechanism 31 (see Figures 4A and 4B). Therefore, the same reference numerals are used and detailed explanations are omitted.

[0039] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments and can be implemented with various modifications within the scope of the present invention. For example, although the interlocking member 37 is provided with a body portion 37c and a sealing material 37d, and the transmission member 38 is provided with a cylindrical portion 38a and a communication opening 38a1, the interlocking member 37 may be provided with a cylindrical portion 38a and a communication opening 38a1, and the transmission member 38 may be provided with a body portion 37c and a sealing material 37d. In this case as well, the operation of the operating member 32 causes the body portion 37c to slide inside the cylindrical portion 38a, and the sealing material 37d comes into contact with the communication opening 38a1, thereby closing the sub-passage R2.

[0040] The operating member 32 is not limited to a lever; various types can be used, such as a push button, as long as they can operate the pump mechanism 31 and the closing mechanism H, specifically, any device that can push the interlocking member 37 and the stem 31a together. Note that the discharge operation and closing operation are performed by pulling the lever in the case of a lever, but by pushing the push button in the case of a push button.

[0041] The restricting means K is not limited to a spring (coil spring), but can be any type of spring such as a leaf spring or a cylindrical elastic body (rubber, elastomer), as long as it can restrict the proximity of the interlocking member 37 to the communication opening 38a1. The sealing material 37d is not limited to an O-ring, but may be an annular rib. The refill container does not necessarily need to be detachable from the dispensing members 30 and 30A, and may remain attached. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0042] 1, 1A discharge product C stock solution 10 Discharge container 11 Container body 11a opening 11b Neck 11b1 Male screw 20 Composite Members 30, 30A Discharge Member R1 main passage R2 sub-aisle 31 Pump mechanism 31a Stem 31a1 First flange 31a2 Second flange 31b Cylinder 31c piston 31d Biasing means 31e Pressure Chamber 31f Check valve 32 Operating member H Closing mechanism K Regulatory measures 33 Screw cap 34 Pump housing 35 Plug body 36 Base 36a Mounting part 37 Interlocking member 37a Tip 37a1 spout 37b Shaft 37c Torso 37d sealant 38 Transmission member 38a Cylinder part 38a1 Communication port 38b Connection section 38c Mounting part 39 Flexible Tube 40 refill containers 41 Filling room 42 Pressurized chamber 43 Movable wall 44 Valve mechanism 50 Dip Tubes 51 Containment container 51a Housing member 51b Lid body 51b1 Insertion part

Claims

1. A dispensing member attached to the container body filled with the undiluted liquid, A nozzle that dispenses the undiluted liquid, The main passage connecting the nozzle and the inside of the container body, A mounting section for attaching the refill container, A secondary passage connects the main passage and the inside of the refill container, A pump mechanism for discharging the undiluted liquid from the container body through the main passage to the nozzle and filling the refill container through the secondary passage, An operating member for operating the pump mechanism, A closing mechanism to block the secondary passageway, It is equipped with, A discharge member in which, by operating the operating member beyond the operating range of the pump mechanism, the closing mechanism closes the previously open auxiliary passage.

2. The closing mechanism includes an interlocking member that is linked to the operation of the operating member. When the operating member is operated within the operating range of the pump mechanism, the interlocking member moves to such an extent that it does not move relative to the communication opening, which is the opening on the main passage side of the secondary passage, or does not block the communication opening, thereby maintaining the secondary passage in an open state. If the operating member is operated beyond the operating range of the pump mechanism, the interlocking member moves relative to the communication opening and closes the opening. The discharge member according to claim 1.

3. The closing mechanism includes a restricting means that restricts the proximity of the interlocking member to the communication port in order to maintain the open state of the secondary passage within the operating range of the pump mechanism. The discharge member according to claim 2.

4. The pump mechanism comprises a cylinder, a piston slidably housed within the cylinder, and a biasing means for biasing the piston in a direction that increases the volume of the pressure chamber formed by the cylinder and the piston. The force required to revoke the regulation by regulatory means is greater than the biasing force of the biasing means. The discharge member according to claim 3.

5. A transmission member is further provided between the interlocking member and the pump mechanism for transmitting force from the operating member to the pump mechanism. Either the interlocking member or the transmission member comprises a body portion and a sealing material attached to the outer surface of the body portion, while the other has a cylindrical portion that slidably houses the body portion, and the communication opening is located in the cylindrical portion. The operating member causes the body to slide inside the cylindrical section, and the sealing material comes into contact with the communication opening, thereby blocking the secondary passage. The discharge member according to any one of claims 2 to 4.

6. The discharge member according to claim 1, A composite component comprising a refill container connected to a secondary passage.

7. The composite member according to claim 6, The container body and A dispensing product comprising a container filled with a concentrated liquid.

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