spray

Abstract

Even if the ambient temperature in which the spray is placed rises, the downward force required to lower the plunger body relative to the sub-cylinder of the push-down head is prevented from becoming excessively high, while the liquid contents are dispensed in a mist form. [Solution] The device comprises a main cylinder, a plunger body, a push head, an upper cylindrical body to which the push head is attached, and a lower cylindrical body in which the upper end of the plunger body is housed so as to be movable downward inward, and a sub-cylinder having a communication hole formed to connect the upper cylindrical body and the lower cylindrical body in the vertical direction. The plunger body comprises a sub-piston fitted so as to be movable downward within the lower cylindrical body, and a communication passage that connects the pressure accumulation space within the lower cylindrical body, which is partitioned by the sub-piston and has an open communication hole, with the inside of the main cylinder. The internal pressure of the pressure accumulation space when the plunger body descends relative to the sub-cylinder is 0.35 MPa or more and 0.70 MPa or less.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a spray.

Background Art

[0002] For example, as shown in Patent Document 1 below, a main cylinder that is attached to a container body that houses a content liquid, extends in the vertical direction, and has an inside that communicates with the inside of the container body, a plunger body that protrudes upward from within the main cylinder and is supported so as to be movable downward in an upwardly biased state, a pressing head provided above the plunger body and having a discharge hole through which the content liquid is discharged in a mist form, an upper cylinder to which the pressing head is attached, and a lower cylinder in which the upper end portion of the plunger body is housed so as to be movable downward inside, and a sub-cylinder in which a communication hole that vertically communicates the inside of the upper cylinder and the inside of the lower cylinder is formed. The plunger body includes a main piston that is fitted so as to be movable downward within the main cylinder, a sub-piston that is fitted so as to be movable downward within the lower cylinder, an upper valve body that closes the communication hole from below the communication hole, a pressure accumulation space that is partitioned by the sub-piston within the lower cylinder and in which the communication hole opens, and a communication path that communicates the pressure accumulation space and the inside of the main cylinder. There is known a spray provided with these components.

[0003] In this spray, when the pressing head is pushed down, the sub-cylinder and the plunger body descend with respect to the main cylinder, so that the inside of the main cylinder is pressurized, and the content liquid within the main cylinder flows into the pressure accumulation space through the communication path. Then, when the internal pressure of the pressure accumulation space reaches a predetermined value, the plunger body descends with respect to the sub-cylinder. As a result, the upper valve body opens the communication hole, and the pressure accumulation space and the discharge hole communicate with each other through the communication hole. As a result, the content liquid is discharged to the outside in a mist form through the discharge hole.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

[0005] Incidentally, with the spray described above, if the liquid to be discharged is a high-viscosity liquid, for example, 10 mPa·s or higher, it is discharged in a water-gun-like or roughly broken form, making it difficult to spray in a fine mist. On the other hand, if the internal pressure of the pressurized space required to discharge the liquid in a mist is set high, there is a risk that the downward force required to lower the plunger body relative to the sub-cylinder will become excessively high as the ambient temperature in which the spray is placed rises.

[0006] The present invention provides a spray that can dispense liquid in a mist form while preventing the downward force of the push head required to lower the plunger body relative to the sub-cylinder from becoming excessively high even when the ambient temperature in which the spray is placed rises. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A spray according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a main cylinder extending in the vertical direction, a plunger body protruding upward from within the main cylinder and supported so as to be movable downward in an upward biased state, a push head provided above the plunger body and having a discharge hole formed therein, and a sub-cylinder having an upper cylindrical body to which the push head is attached, and a lower cylindrical body in which the upper end of the plunger body is housed so as to be movable downward inward, and having a communication hole formed therein that connects the upper cylindrical body and the lower cylindrical body in the vertical direction, The plunger body comprises a main piston fitted to move downward within the main cylinder, a sub-piston fitted to move downward within the lower cylinder, an upper valve body that closes the communication hole from below, and a communication passage that connects a pressure accumulation space within the lower cylinder, which is partitioned by the sub-piston and has an open communication hole, with the inside of the main cylinder, wherein the internal pressure of the pressure accumulation space when the plunger body descends relative to the sub-cylinder is 0.35 MPa or more and 0.70 MPa or less.

[0008] As the plunger body descends relative to the sub-cylinder and the liquid contents are discharged to the outside in a mist form through the discharge port, the internal pressure of the storage space is 0.35 MPa or higher. Therefore, even high-viscosity liquid contents of, for example, 10 mPa·s or higher can be discharged in a mist form. Since the internal pressure of the storage space when the plunger body descends relative to the sub-cylinder and the liquid contents are discharged to the outside in a mist through the discharge hole is 0.70 MPa or less, even if the ambient temperature in which the spray is placed rises, it is possible to suppress the excessively high downward force required by the push-down head to lower the plunger body relative to the sub-cylinder.

[0009] The spring constant of the biasing member that supports the plunger body so that it can move downward while biased upward is set to 0.43 N / mm or more and 0.56 N / mm or less, and the biasing force of the biasing member in the initial state may be set to 4.4 N or more and 7.8 N or less.

[0010] The spring constant of the biasing member that supports the plunger body so that it can move downward while biased upward is set to 0.43 N / mm or more and 0.56 N / mm or less, and the biasing force of the biasing member in the initial state is set to 4.4 N or more and 7.8 N or less. Therefore, even if the ambient temperature in which the spray is placed rises, it is possible to reliably prevent the downward force of the push-down head required to lower the plunger body relative to the sub-cylinder from becoming excessively high.

[0011] The sub-cylinder may be made of polybutylene terephthalate (PBT).

[0012] Since the sub-cylinder is made of polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), deformation of the sub-cylinder is suppressed when the ambient temperature in which the spray is placed rises, compared to when the sub-cylinder is made of, for example, high-density polyethylene. This ensures that the downward force required by the push-down head to lower the plunger body relative to the sub-cylinder does not become excessively high even when the ambient temperature in which the spray is placed rises. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] According to the above embodiment of the present invention, even if the ambient temperature in which the spray is placed rises, the downward force required of the push-down head to lower the plunger body relative to the sub-cylinder will not become excessively high, while the liquid contents can be discharged in a mist form. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0014] [Figure 1] This is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a spray in one embodiment. [Figure 2] This is an enlarged view of the auxiliary piston in Figure 1. [Figure 3] Figure 1 is a magnified view of a portion of the push head. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0015] An embodiment of the spray will be described below with reference to Figure 1. The spray container 1 of this embodiment comprises a bottomed cylindrical container body 2 in which the liquid contents are contained, and a spray 3 that is detachably attached to the mouth portion 2a of the container body 2.

[0016] The viscosity of the liquid contents (at 25°C) may be high, for example, 10 mPa·s or more, preferably 50 mPa·s or less, and more preferably 30 mPa·s or less. Here, the viscosity is measured at 25°C using a Type B viscometer (TVB-10 viscometer, manufactured by Toki Sangyo Co., Ltd.). Viscosities less than 100 mPa·s are measured at rotor No. 1 (rotation speed) of 60 rpm for a measurement time of 1 minute. If the viscosity is 100 mPa·s or more, the rotation speed is set to 30 rpm.

[0017] The spray 3 includes a push head 11 with a discharge hole 10 formed therein for dispensing the liquid contents in a mist form, and a pump 12 for supplying the liquid contents towards the discharge hole 10.

[0018] The pump 12 mainly comprises a mounting cap 21, a main cylinder 22, a sub-cylinder 23, and a plunger body 24. The mounting cap 21, the main cylinder 22, the sub-cylinder 23, and the plunger body 24 are each formed in a cylindrical shape and are arranged with their respective central axes located on the common axis. Hereinafter, this common axis is referred to as axis O, the side of the pressing head 11 along the axis O is referred to as upward, the side of the container body 2 along the axis O is referred to as downward, and the direction along the axis O is referred to as the vertical direction. The direction intersecting the axis O as viewed from the vertical direction is referred to as the radial direction, and the direction orbiting around the axis O as viewed from the vertical direction is referred to as the circumferential direction.

[0019] In the mounting cap 21, an annular plate portion 32 protruding toward the inner side in the radial direction is formed at the upper end of the mounting cylinder 31 externally fitted to the mouth portion 2a of the container body 2. The annular plate portion 32 faces the upper end opening edge of the mouth portion 2a in the vertical direction over the entire circumference. A guide cylinder 34 extending upward is formed at the inner peripheral edge of the annular plate portion 32. The guide cylinder 34 is formed in a double-cylindrical shape having an outer cylinder and an inner cylinder. The outer cylinder extends upward from the annular plate portion 32, and a locking projection 38 protruding toward the inner side in the radial direction and continuously extending over the entire circumference is formed at the upper end portion of the inner cylinder. The upper end portions of the outer cylinder and the inner cylinder are connected to each other in the radial direction.

[0020] The main cylinder 22 is disposed inside the container body 2, and the lower end opening communicates with the inside of the container body 2. The main cylinder 22 has a cylinder tube 35 extending in the vertical direction and a mounting flange 36 protruding outward in the radial direction from the upper end portion of the cylinder tube 35 and continuously extending over the entire circumference. The mounting flange 36 is disposed at the upper end opening edge of the mouth portion 2a via a packing. The upper surface of the mounting flange 36 abuts against the lower surface of the annular plate portion 32 of the mounting cap 21. The cylinder tube 35 has a base tube portion 41, a valve seat portion 42, and a connecting tube portion 43.

[0021] The base cylinder portion 41 is formed in a multi-stage cylindrical shape, with the diameter decreasing towards the lower section. A rod 45 extending in the vertical direction is housed inside the base cylinder portion 41. The outer diameter of the rod 45 is smaller than the inner diameter of the base cylinder portion 41. Multiple ribs 46 projecting radially are formed at circumferential intervals at the lower end of the rod 45. The valve seat portion 42 extends downward from the lower end of the base cylinder portion 41, and as it extends downward, it extends radially inward. The lower valve body 51 is housed within the valve seat portion 42, and the lower valve body 51 is in contact with the inner circumferential surface of the valve seat portion 42 so as to be able to move away from it. The lower valve body 51 is formed in a spherical shape. The lower valve body 51 switches between communication and isolation between the inside of the main cylinder 22 and the inside of the container body 2 in accordance with the internal pressure of the main cylinder 22. The connecting cylinder portion 43 extends straight downward from the lower end of the valve seat portion 42. The upper end of the suction cylinder 55 is fitted inside the connecting cylinder portion 43. The lower end of the suction cylinder 55 is located inside the bottom of the container body 2.

[0022] The plunger body 24 has a first plunger 61 and a second plunger 62 arranged coaxially with axis O. The first plunger 61 and the second plunger 62 are made of, for example, low-density polyethylene (LDPE).

[0023] The first plunger 61 is formed in a topped cylindrical shape having a top and a cylindrical portion. The lower part of the cylindrical portion of the first plunger 61 is housed within the main cylinder 22, and the plunger 61 protrudes upward from within the main cylinder 22. The cylindrical portion of the first plunger 61 is formed in a multi-stage cylindrical shape, with the diameter increasing towards the lower section. The upper part of the rod 45 described above is inserted into the lower part of the cylindrical portion of the first plunger 61. The first plunger 61 is provided so as to be movable in the vertical direction relative to the main cylinder 22 and the rod 45. A through hole 63 is formed at the upper end of the cylindrical portion of the first plunger 61, extending radially through the first plunger 61. A main piston 65 is formed at the lower end of the cylindrical portion of the first plunger 61. The main piston 65 extends radially outward as it is directed downward. The main piston 65 is fitted into the base cylindrical portion 41 of the main cylinder 22 so as to be movable downward. Here, within the main cylinder 22, a biasing member 66 is provided in the portion located between the first plunger 61 and the aforementioned rib 46, which biases the first plunger 61 upward. As a result, the plunger body 24 is supported so as to be movable downward while being biased upward relative to the main cylinder 22. The spring constant of the biasing member 66 is set to be between 0.43 N / mm and 0.56 N / mm, and the biasing force of the biasing member 66 in the initial state is set to be between 4.4 N and 7.8 N. In the illustrated example, the spring constant of the biasing member 66 is set to 0.43 N / mm, and the biasing force of the biasing member 66 in the initial state is set to 4.4 N. The top of the first plunger 61 is formed in the shape of a rod extending in the vertical direction. An upper valve body 71, which is cone-shaped and pointed upwards, is formed at the upper end of the top of the first plunger 61. The upper valve body 71 closes the communication hole 85 of the sub-cylinder 23, which will be described later, from below the communication hole 85. On the outer circumferential surface of the portion of the top of the first plunger 61 located below the upper valve body 71, a communication groove 70 is formed that connects the through hole 63 and the inside of the sub-cylinder 23. The communication groove 70 is recessed radially inward and extends vertically. The lower end of the communication groove 70 faces the through hole 63 radially. The upper end of the communication groove 70 opens upward, radially adjacent to the lower edge of the upper valve body 71.

[0024] The second plunger 62 is formed in a cylindrical shape. The second plunger 62 is fitted onto the first plunger 61, protrudes upward from within the upper end of the main cylinder 22, and is located below the upper end of the upper valve body 71. A sub-piston 72 is provided at the upper end of the second plunger 62, extending radially outward from the second plunger 62. The sub-piston 72 is made of, for example, low-density polyethylene (LDPE). The sub-piston 72 is located below the upper end of the upper valve body 71. The sub-piston 72 is fitted so as to be movable downward within the lower cylindrical body 74 of the sub-cylinder 23, which will be described later.

[0025] As shown in Figure 2, the sub-piston 72 comprises an upper seal cylinder portion 13, a lower seal cylinder portion 14, and a plurality of longitudinal ribs 15. The plurality of longitudinal ribs 15 suppress deformation of the sub-piston 72, thereby stabilizing the degree of pressure accumulation in the pressure accumulation space Y, which will be described later.

[0026] The upper seal cylinder portion 13 extends radially outward from bottom to top. The lower seal cylinder portion 14 extends radially outward from top to bottom. In a vertical cross-sectional view along the vertical direction, the length of the upper seal cylinder portion 13 is longer than the length of the lower seal cylinder portion 14. The outer circumferential surface of the upper end 13a of the upper seal cylinder portion 13 and the outer circumferential surface of the lower end 14a of the lower seal cylinder portion 14 each extend linearly in the vertical direction in the aforementioned vertical cross-sectional view. The outer diameters of the upper end 13a of the upper seal cylinder portion 13 and the lower end 14a of the lower seal cylinder portion 14 are larger than the inner diameter of the lower cylinder 74 of the sub-cylinder 23, which will be described later. The outer circumferential surface of the portion of the sub-piston 72 located between the upper end 13a of the upper seal cylinder portion 13 and the lower end 14a of the lower seal cylinder portion 14 exhibits a curved shape that is recessed radially inward in the aforementioned vertical cross-sectional view.

[0027] Multiple vertical ribs 15 connect the outer circumferential surfaces of the portion of the upper seal cylinder portion 13 located below the upper end 13a and the outer circumferential surfaces of the portion of the lower seal cylinder portion 14 located above the lower end 14a in the vertical direction, and are arranged with spacing in the circumferential direction. The vertical ribs 15 are connected to the outer circumferential surface of the sub-piston 72 along the entire length in the vertical direction. Sixteen vertical ribs 15 are provided at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. In a cross-sectional view along the radial direction, the vertical ribs 15 have a triangular shape that tapers outward in the radial direction. The vertical ribs 15 are formed in a triangular prism shape that extends in the vertical direction. The spacing between adjacent vertical ribs 15 in the circumferential direction is greater than the circumferential size of the vertical rib 15. The radial distance between the radial outer end of the vertical rib 15 and the axis O is less than or equal to the radius of the inner circumferential surface of the lower cylinder 74 of the sub-cylinder 23, which will be described later. The vertical ribs 15 are located radially inward from the upper end 13a of the upper seal cylinder portion 13 and the lower end 14a of the lower seal cylinder portion 14. The vertical ribs 15 are separated vertically from the upper end 13a of the upper seal cylinder portion 13 and the lower end 14a of the lower seal cylinder portion 14.

[0028] As shown in Figure 1, the sub-cylinder 23 comprises a lower cylindrical body 74, a closing plate 75 extending radially inward from the lower cylindrical body 74, and an upper cylindrical body 76 extending upward from the closing plate 75. The sub-cylinder 23 is made of, for example, polybutylene terephthalate (PBT).

[0029] The upper end of the plunger body 24 is housed within the lower cylindrical body 74 so as to be movable downward. The lower cylindrical body 74 is inserted into the guide cylinder 34 so as to be movable vertically, with its upper part protruding upward from the guide cylinder 34. A retaining portion 82 is formed at the lower end of the lower cylindrical body 74, protruding radially outward. The retaining portion 82 engages with the locking projection 38 of the guide cylinder 34 from below the locking projection 38. This restricts further upward movement of the sub-cylinder 23.

[0030] The closure plate 75 protrudes radially inward from the middle of the vertical direction on the inner circumferential surface of the lower cylindrical body 74. A communication hole 85 is formed in the radial center of the closure plate 75, penetrating the closure plate 75 vertically. The communication hole 85 is arranged coaxially with axis O. The communication hole 85 connects the inside of the upper cylindrical body 76 and the inside of the lower cylindrical body 74 in the vertical direction. The outer circumferential surface of the upper valve body 71, described above, is in separation-allowable contact with the opening periphery of the communication hole 85 on the lower surface of the closure plate 75. The upper valve body 71 switches between communication and blockage between the pressure accumulation space Y and the discharge hole 10, depending on the internal pressure of the pressure accumulation space Y within the lower cylindrical body 74, which is partitioned by the sub-piston 72 and through which the communication hole 85 is opened. When the plunger body 24 descends relative to the sub-cylinder 23 and the upper valve body 71 moves downward away from the peripheral opening of the communication hole 85 on the lower surface of the closing plate 75, the internal pressure of the pressure accumulation space Y (hereinafter referred to as the pressure accumulation level) is between 0.35 MPa and 0.70 MPa. The pressure level can be measured, for example, by attaching a pressure sensor (Keyence AP-13) to the part of the main cylinder 22 located between the rod 45 and the lower valve body 51 in a 23°C atmosphere, and measuring the maximum value of the pressure sensor's reading during the process of pressing down the push head 11 while the main cylinder 22 is not filled with liquid.

[0031] The upper end of the communication groove 70 provided in the plunger body 24 opens into the pressure accumulation space Y. As a result, the pressure accumulation space Y communicates with the main cylinder 22 through the communication groove 70, the through hole 63, and the cylindrical portion of the first plunger 61. These communication groove 70, the through hole 63, and the cylindrical portion of the first plunger 61 constitute a communication passage R provided in the plunger body 24 that connects the pressure accumulation space Y with the main cylinder 22.

[0032] The push head 11 is attached to the upper cylindrical body 76. The inside of the upper cylindrical body 76 is in communication with the discharge hole 10. The upper cylindrical body 76 extends upward from the portion of the closing plate 75 that is radially outside the communication hole 85. The upper end opening edge of the upper cylindrical body 76 is located above the upper end opening edge of the lower cylindrical body 74.

[0033] The push head 11 is formed in a top-cylindrical shape and is located above the plunger body 24. The push head 11 has a nozzle tip 26 in which a discharge hole 10 is formed, from which the liquid contents are discharged in a mist. As shown in Figure 3, an annular groove 25 is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the peripheral wall of the push head 11. This groove is an annular shape when viewed from the radially outside and recesses radially inward. The radially inner end of the annular groove 25 communicates with the inside of a fitting cylinder 87, which will be described later. A nozzle tip 26, formed in a horizontally oriented, top-cylindrical shape, is fitted into the annular groove 25. A discharge hole 10 is formed on the top wall portion of the nozzle tip 26, located at the radially outer end. The discharge hole 10 is circular when viewed from the radially outside in a front view. A flow path 27 is formed between the annular groove 25 and the inner surface of the nozzle tip 26 for discharging the liquid contents in a mist-like manner from the discharge hole 10. A fitting cylinder 87 extending downward is formed in the radial center of the top wall portion of the pressing head 11. The fitting cylinder 87 is fitted onto the upper cylindrical body 76 described above.

[0034] Next, I will explain the action of spray 3 as described above.

[0035] When the push head 11 is pushed down, the sub-cylinder 23 and the plunger body 24 are pushed down together with the push head 11. At this time, the main piston 65 slides downward within the base cylinder portion 41 of the cylinder barrel 35, thereby pressurizing the base cylinder portion 41, the communication passage R, and the pressure accumulation space Y within the lower cylinder 74 as a whole.

[0036] When the internal pressure of the pressure accumulation space Y reaches the aforementioned pressure level, the plunger body 24 descends relative to the sub-cylinder 23 against the upward biasing force of the biasing member 66 and the sliding resistance of the main piston 65 and the sub-piston 72. At this time, the upper valve body 71 moves downward away from the opening periphery of the communication hole 85 on the lower surface of the closing plate 75, thereby opening the communication hole 85. As a result, the pressure accumulation space Y communicates with the discharge hole 10 through the communication hole 85 and the upper cylindrical body 76, and the liquid contents of the pressure accumulation space Y are discharged to the outside in a mist form through the discharge hole 10.

[0037] As the push head 11 reaches its lowered end position, if the internal pressure of the pressure storage space Y falls below the aforementioned pressure level due to the discharge of the liquid contents, the upward biasing force of the biasing member 66 causes the plunger body 24 to rise relative to the sub-cylinder 23, and the upper valve body 71 comes into contact with the opening periphery of the communication hole 85 on the lower surface of the closing plate 75 from below the closing plate 75, thereby closing the communication hole 85.

[0038] When the push-down head 11 is released, the upward biasing force of the biasing member 66 pushes the plunger body 24 upward together with the sub-cylinder 23 and the push-down head 11. During the process of the plunger body 24 being pushed up, the main piston 65 slides upward within the base cylinder 41, causing the pressure inside the main cylinder 22 to decrease. As a result, the lower valve body 51 moves upward away from the inner circumferential surface of the valve seat 42, creating communication between the inside of the main cylinder 22 and the inside of the container body 2 through the suction cylinder 55. This allows the liquid contents of the container body 2 to flow into the main cylinder 22 through the suction cylinder 55. Subsequently, the pressure inside the main cylinder 22 is released, the lower valve body 51 seats on the inner circumferential surface of the valve seat 42, and the communication between the inside of the main cylinder 22 and the inside of the container body 2 is blocked.

[0039] As explained above, with the spray 3 of this embodiment, since the accumulated pressure is 0.35 MPa or higher, even a highly viscous liquid can be dispensed in a mist. However, if the accumulated pressure is less than 0.35 MPa, the liquid will not easily become a mist. Since the accumulated pressure is 0.70 MPa or less, even if the ambient temperature in which the spray 3 is placed rises, it is possible to suppress the excessively high downward force of the push head 11 required to lower the plunger body 24 relative to the sub-cylinder 23. If the accumulated pressure is greater than 0.70 MPa, the downward force will be high, making it difficult to push down.

[0040] The viscosity of the liquid contents (at 25°C) is preferably 50 mPa·s or less. If the liquid contents to be discharged are, for example, highly viscous liquids with a viscosity of 10 mPa·s or more, conventional sprays would discharge the liquid in a water gun-like or coarse, broken form, making it difficult to spray in a fine mist. In particular, as the ambient temperature in which the spray is placed decreases, the viscosity of the liquid contents tends to increase further, making it difficult to discharge in a mist and potentially resulting in a water gun-like discharge. In contrast, when the viscosity of the liquid contents is kept low, as in this embodiment, even if the ambient temperature in which the spray 3 is placed rises, it is possible to reliably discharge the liquid contents in a mist while reliably preventing the downward force of the push head 11 required to lower the plunger body 24 relative to the sub-cylinder 23 from becoming excessively high.

[0041] The spring constant of the biasing member 66 that supports the plunger body 24 so that it can move downward in an upward biased state is set to 0.43 N / mm or more and 0.56 N / mm or less, and the biasing force of the biasing member 66 in the initial state is set to 4.4 N or more and 7.8 N or less. Therefore, even if the ambient temperature in which the spray 3 is placed rises, it is possible to reliably prevent the downward force of the push head 11 required to lower the plunger body 24 relative to the sub-cylinder 23 from becoming excessively high.

[0042] Since the sub-cylinder 23 is made of polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), when the ambient temperature in which the spray 3 is placed rises, deformation of the sub-cylinder 23 is suppressed compared to when it is made of, for example, high-density polyethylene. This ensures that even when the ambient temperature in which the spray 3 is placed rises, the downward force required by the push head 11 to lower the plunger body 24 relative to the sub-cylinder 23 does not become excessively high.

[0043] Next, I will explain the verification test.

[0044] As an example, sprays 3 (discharge hole 10 diameter 0.45 mm, land length 0.15 mm) shown in Figures 1 and 2 were selected with different pressure levels within the range of 0.35 MPa to 0.70 MPa as described above. As a comparative example, sprays with a pressure level lower than 0.35 MPa and sprays with a pressure level higher than 0.70 MPa were also selected. All of these sprays were fitted into a container body filled with the same liquid (viscosity 16 mPa·s at 25°C, viscosity 28 mPa·s at 5°C).

[0045] (Pressure test) The pressing speed (40 mm / s) of the pressing head was set to be the same for all cases, and the pressing force applied to the pressing head to bring it to its lowest position was measured. The temperature of the liquid contents inside the container was varied to 5°C, room temperature (approximately 23°C, RT), and 40°C, and the sample size (N) for both the example and the comparative example was set to 3 for each temperature. When the downward force exceeds 40N, it becomes considerably difficult even for an adult male to push down the push head to its lowest position. The results are shown in Table 1. In the spray example 3, where the accumulated pressure was between 0.35 MPa and 0.70 MPa, it was confirmed that the downward force was less than 40 N, as shown in Table 1. In the comparative example spray, where the accumulated pressure was higher than 0.70 MPa, it was confirmed that the downward force may exceed 40 N.

[0046] (Sprayability test) The pattern of the liquid content appearing on the discharge surface was visually evaluated when the liquid content was discharged from the discharge hole toward a discharge surface at a certain distance. The speed at which the push-down head was pressed down (40 mm / s) was kept constant during liquid discharge, while the temperature of the liquid content inside the container body was varied to 5°C and 40°C. For each temperature, the sample size (N) for both the example and the comparative example was set to 3. The results are shown in Table 1. A circular pattern was indicated as good (○), while a pattern other than a circle, such as being divided into multiple regions (cracks), or if the pressing force exceeded 40N and the liquid could not be dispensed, was indicated as ×. In the aforementioned spray example 3, where the accumulated pressure was between 0.35 MPa and 0.70 MPa, it was confirmed that the pattern was circular, as shown in Table 1. In the comparative example spray with an accumulated pressure lower than 0.35 MPa, it was confirmed that the pattern was sometimes divided into multiple regions (cracks). In the comparative example spray with an accumulated pressure higher than 0.70 MPa, it was confirmed that the downward force exceeded 40 N, making it impossible to dispense the liquid contents.

[0047] When dispensing a high-viscosity liquid with a viscosity of 10 mPa·s or higher, if the diameter of the nozzle tip's discharge hole was 0.30 mm or less, the discharge did not spread sufficiently, and if the diameter of the discharge hole was 0.60 mm or more, the discharge spread became too large. The optimal discharge spread of the liquid was achieved when the diameter of the discharge hole was between 0.35 mm and 0.55 mm. Furthermore, when the diameter of the discharge hole was between 0.35 mm and 0.55 mm, the discharge spread became too large if the land length of the nozzle tip was less than 0.10 mm, the discharge spread was poor if it was longer than 0.20 mm, and the optimal discharge spread of the liquid was achieved when the land length was between 0.10 mm and 0.20 mm.

[0048] [Table 1]

[0049] Based on the above, it was confirmed that if the aforementioned pressure level is between 0.35 MPa and 0.70 MPa, even if the ambient temperature in which the spray is placed rises, the downward force required to lower the plunger body relative to the sub-cylinder of the push-down head will not become excessively high, and the liquid contents can be atomized and discharged in a circular shape on the discharge surface.

[0050] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above with reference to the drawings, the specific configuration is not limited to these embodiments, and design modifications and the like are also included within the scope of the spirit of the present invention. In other words, it is possible to replace the components in the above-described embodiments with well-known components as appropriate, without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0051] For example, the spring constant of the biasing member 66 may be greater than 0.56 N / mm, or less than 0.43 N / mm, and the material of the sub-cylinder 23, etc., may be changed as appropriate. For example, in this embodiment, polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) is used as the material for the sub-cylinder 23, but it is not limited to this, and other polyester resins such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), or olefin resins such as polyethylene (high density, medium density, low density, etc.) or polypropylene may be used, depending on the suitability with the liquid inside. [Explanation of symbols]

[0052] 1… Spray container 2…Container body 3…Spray 10…Discharge hole 11... Press head 22... Main cylinder 23... Sub-cylinder 24…Plunger body 65... Main piston 66… Biasing member 71…Upper valve body 72... Sub-piston 74...Lower cylinder 76...Upper cylinder 85...Communication hole R…Communication path Y... Accumulation space

Claims

1. A main cylinder extending in the vertical direction, A plunger body protrudes upward from within the main cylinder and is supported so as to be movable downward while biased upward, A push head is provided above the plunger body and has a discharge hole formed therein, The sub-cylinder comprises an upper cylindrical body to which the pressing head is attached, and a lower cylindrical body in which the upper end of the plunger body is housed so as to be movable downward inward, and a communication hole formed therein that connects the upper cylindrical body and the lower cylindrical body in the vertical direction, The plunger body is A main piston is fitted into the main cylinder so as to be movable downward, A sub-piston is fitted into the lower cylindrical body so as to be movable downward, An upper valve body that closes the communication hole from below the communication hole, The lower cylinder body comprises a pressure accumulation space partitioned by the sub-piston and having an open communication hole, and a communication passage connecting it to the inside of the main cylinder, A sprayer in which the internal pressure of the pressure accumulation space when the plunger body descends relative to the sub-cylinder is 0.35 MPa or more and 0.70 MPa or less.

2. The spray according to claim 1, wherein the spring constant of the biasing member that supports the plunger body so as to be movable downward in an upwardly biased state is 0.43 N / mm or more and 0.56 N / mm or less, and the biasing force of the biasing member in the initial state is 4.4 N or more and 7.8 N or less.

3. The spray according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the sub-cylinder is made of polybutylene terephthalate (PBT).

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