Liquid dispensers, and liquid dispensers with containers

Abstract

The present invention provides a liquid dispenser capable of forming voluminous yet fine bubbles, and a liquid dispenser with a container. [Solution] The liquid dispenser comprises a pump body, a nozzle attached to the pump body having a discharge port opening on one side in a first direction, and an operating lever attached to the pump body that acts as a trigger for discharging liquid from the nozzle. The nozzle has a nozzle opening located on the other side in the first direction from the discharge port and for discharging liquid toward the discharge port, a porous member located between the nozzle opening and the discharge port, an air intake for taking in air into the nozzle, and an air passage connected to the air intake for sending air between the nozzle opening and the porous member. The air intake is located on one side in the first direction from the porous member.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a liquid ejector and a liquid ejector with a container.

Background Art

[0002] In a turbulent flow chamber, bubbles are created as a mixture of sprayed chemicals and air, and the bubbles are made to collide with bubble increasing means disposed at the downstream end of the inner cylinder and having a lattice or mesh-like structure, thereby ejecting the bubbles. A bubble generating nozzle device is known (for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In multi-cleaners used for pre-washing oil stains around kitchen ranges, ventilation fans, dishes, etc., pre-washing before washing dishes in dishwashers, stains on dining tables and doorknobs in living rooms, stains on the collar and cuff parts of clothes, etc., the content of the surfactant with respect to the total mass of the liquid is low, for example, 1.0% by mass or less. Therefore, in a configuration where the bubble increasing means is disposed at the downstream end of the inner cylinder like the above-described bubble generating nozzle device, it was difficult to form voluminous and fine bubbles.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above points, and one of the objects is to provide a liquid ejector and a liquid ejector with a container that can form voluminous and fine bubbles.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The present invention includes the following configurations. [1] A liquid ejector comprising a pump body, a nozzle attached to the pump body and having a discharge port opening to one side in a first direction, and an operating lever attached to the pump body and acting as a trigger for ejecting the liquid from the nozzle, wherein the nozzle has a nozzle opening positioned on the other side in the first direction from the discharge port and ejecting the liquid toward the discharge port, a porous member positioned between the nozzle opening and the discharge port, an air intake port for taking in air into the nozzle, and an air passage connected to the air intake port and sending air between the nozzle opening and the porous member, wherein the air intake port is located on one side in the first direction from the porous member. [2] The liquid ejector according to [1], wherein the ratio of the distance in the first direction between the nozzle and the porous member to the distance in the first direction between the nozzle and the discharge port is 30% or more and 70% or less. [3] The liquid ejector according to [1] or [2], wherein the air intake port opens to one side in the first direction, and the ratio of the area of ​​the air intake port as viewed from the first direction to the area of ​​the porous member as viewed from the first direction is 60% or more and 130% or less. [4] The liquid ejector according to any one of [1] to [3], wherein the nozzle is cylindrical in shape extending in the first direction and has an inner cylinder that houses the porous member inside, the air passage is arranged radially outward from the inner cylinder, the inner cylinder is provided with a slit that penetrates the inner cylinder radially and extends in the first direction, the slit connects the air passage to the inside of the inner cylinder, and when viewed radially, one end of the slit in the first direction overlaps with the porous member. [5] The liquid ejector according to any one of [1] to [3], wherein the nozzle is cylindrical in shape extending in the first direction and has an inner cylinder that houses the porous member inside, the air passage is located radially outward from the inner cylinder, the inner cylinder is provided with a slit that penetrates the inner cylinder radially and extends in the first direction, the slit connects the air passage to the inside of the inner cylinder, and in the first direction, one end of the slit in the first direction is located on one side in the first direction from the porous member. [6] The liquid dispenser according to any one of [1] to [5], wherein the liquid contains a surfactant, and the ratio of the content of the surfactant to the total mass of the liquid is 0.01% by mass or more and 1.0% by mass or less. [7] The liquid ejector according to any one of items [1] to [6], wherein the mesh count of the porous member is 90 or more and 250 or less. A liquid dispenser with a container, comprising a liquid dispenser as described in any one of items [8](1) to [7], and a container for holding the liquid. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] The present invention provides a liquid dispenser capable of forming voluminous and fine bubbles, and a liquid dispenser with a container. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a side view showing a liquid dispenser with a container according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a cross-sectional view showing the nozzle of the first embodiment. [Figure 3] This is a perspective view showing the retaining member of the first embodiment. [Figure 4] This is a front view of the nozzle of the first embodiment, seen from the tip side. [Figure 5] This is a cross-sectional view showing the droplet diffusion state in the nozzle of the comparative example. [Figure 6] This is a cross-sectional view showing the droplet diffusion state in the nozzle of another comparative example. [Figure 7] This is a cross-sectional view showing the diffusion state of droplets in the nozzle of the first embodiment. [Figure 8] This is a cross-sectional view showing the nozzle of the second embodiment. [Figure 9] This is a front view of the nozzle of the second embodiment, seen from the tip side. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] The following describes an example of the liquid dispenser and liquid dispenser with a container of the present invention, based on the drawings. Note that the dimensions and other specifications in the diagrams illustrated in the following description are examples only, and the present invention is not necessarily limited to them. It can be implemented with appropriate modifications without altering the essence of the invention. Furthermore, in the following drawings, the scale and number of components in each structure may differ from the actual structure in order to make the configurations easier to understand.

[0010] In each drawing, the Z-axis is indicated as appropriate. The direction in which the Z-axis extends is the vertical direction when the liquid dispenser with a container of the embodiment described below is erected. In the following description, the side of the vertical direction in which the Z-axis arrow points (+Z side) will be referred to as the "upper side," and the side of the vertical direction opposite to the side in which the Z-axis arrow points (-Z side) will be referred to as the "lower side."

[0011] In each drawing, the first direction D1 is shown as appropriate. In this embodiment, the first direction D1 is the direction in which the central axis J, which is the central axis of the nozzle, extends. The central axis J shown as appropriate in each figure is a virtual axis. In this embodiment, the first direction D1 is oriented in a direction inclined from the vertical direction. In the following description, the side in which the arrow of the first direction D1 points (+D1 side) will be referred to as "one side of the first direction D1" or "tip side". The side opposite to the side in which the arrow of the first direction D1 points (-D1 side) will be referred to as "the other side of the first direction D1" or "base end side".

[0012] In the following explanation, the radial direction centered on the central axis J will simply be referred to as the "radial direction." The side of the radial direction that moves away from the central axis J will be referred to as the "outer radial direction," and the side of the radial direction that moves towards the central axis J will be referred to as the "inner radial direction." In the following explanation, the circumferential direction centered on the central axis J will simply be referred to as the "circumferential direction." The circumferential direction is indicated by the arrow θ in each figure.

[0013] <First Embodiment> FIG. 1 is a side view showing the liquid ejector 10 with a container according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the nozzle 30 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the holding member 40 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 4 is a front view of the nozzle 30 according to the present embodiment as viewed from the tip side (+D1 side). The liquid ejector 10 with a container according to the present embodiment shown in FIG. 1 is a liquid ejector that forms bubbles from the liquid L stored inside the container 11 and ejects such bubbles from the nozzle 30 toward the tip side. The liquid ejector 10 with a container according to the present embodiment includes a container 11 and a liquid ejector 20. The liquid ejector 20 includes a pump body 21, an operation lever 23, and a nozzle 30.

[0014] The container 11 is a bottle that stores the liquid L. The container 11 is open at the upper side. In the present embodiment, the container 11 is made of resin. As the resin constituting the container 11, polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polypropylene, or the like can be used. In the present embodiment, the container 11 is made of polyethylene. The container 11 is formed by a molding method such as blow molding, stretch blow molding, or injection blow molding. The shape of the container 11 is not particularly limited as long as it can store the liquid L, and it can have any shape.

[0015] The liquid L in this embodiment is, for example, a pre-washing detergent used when pre-washing dishes and the like. The liquid L is stored inside the container 11. After being sucked up by the pump body 21, the liquid L is mixed with air while being ejected toward the tip side (+D1 side) at the nozzle 30, becomes foam when passing through a porous member 47 described later, and is ejected toward the tip side. The liquid L of this embodiment contains water and a surfactant. The third ratio R3, which is the ratio of the content of the surfactant to the total mass of the liquid L, is preferably 0.01% by mass or more and 1.0% by mass or less. In this embodiment, the third ratio R3 is 0.1% by mass. The third ratio R3 may be less than 0.1% by mass or may be greater than 0.1% by mass. In this embodiment, as the surfactant, an anionic surfactant, a cationic surfactant, an amphoteric surfactant, or the like can be used. In this embodiment, the surfactant is an anionic surfactant. More specifically, the surfactant is sodium alkylbenzene sulfonate.

[0016] Further, the liquid L may be added with a foam booster other than the surfactant in the range of 1.0% by mass or more and 20.0% by mass or less. If the addition amount of the foam booster is less than 1.0% by mass, the effect as a foam booster may not be sufficient. If the addition amount of the foam booster is greater than 20.0% by mass, the viscosity of the liquid L becomes too high, making it difficult to increase the volume of the formed foam. As the foam booster, carboxylic acid compounds such as carboxymethyl cellulose, glycols such as polyethylene glycol and propylene glycol, and the like can be used. Also, if necessary, water-soluble magnesium and / or calcium salts such as MgCl2, MgSO4, CaCl2, and CaSO4 may be added to the detergent composition to enhance the foam boosting performance.

[0017] The pump body 21 is fixed to the upper end of the container 11. The pump body 21 sucks up the liquid L in the container 11 and pumps it to the nozzle 30. As shown in FIG. 2, the pump body 21 has a spin element 22.

[0018] The spin element 22 is cylindrical and extends in the first direction D1. In this embodiment, the spin element 22 is substantially cylindrical with respect to the central axis J. Although not shown in the figures, the surface of the spin element 22 facing the tip side (+D1 side) is provided with a plurality of notches that are recessed on the base end side (-D1 side) and open radially outward.

[0019] As shown in Figure 1, the operating lever 23 is attached to the pump body 21. The operating lever 23 acts as a trigger to eject liquid L from the nozzle 30. The pump body 21 operates in conjunction with the operation of the operating lever 23 to draw up the liquid L from the container 11 and pump it to the nozzle 30. In this embodiment, "acting as a trigger" means drawing up liquid L from the container 11 by changing the internal state (e.g., pressure state) of the pump body 21 and operating the internal mechanism of the pump body 21.

[0020] The nozzle 30 forms bubbles from the liquid L and ejects the bubbles toward the tip side (+D1 side). More specifically, the nozzle 30 ejects the liquid L as droplets D toward the tip side, and at the same time, the droplets D mixed with air collide with the porous member 47 (described later) to form bubbles, and ejects the bubbles toward the tip side from the discharge port 42a shown in Figure 2. As shown in Figure 1, the nozzle 30 is located toward the tip side of the pump body 21. The nozzle 30 is attached to the pump body 21. As shown in Figure 2, the nozzle 30 has a nozzle body 31, a holding member 40, a porous member 47, an air intake 30a, an air passage 30c, and a mixing space 30e.

[0021] The nozzle body 31 is cylindrical, extending in a first direction D1 with respect to the central axis J. The nozzle body 31 holds the holding member 40 and ejects liquid L toward the discharge port 42a. The nozzle body 31 is connected to the pump body 21. Liquid L is pumped from the pump body 21 to the nozzle body 31 in conjunction with the operation of the operating lever 23. The nozzle body 31 has a fixing part 32 and an outer cylindrical body part 35.

[0022] The fixing part 32 is fixed to the pump body 21. Thus, the nozzle 30 is attached to the pump body 21. The fixing part 32 has a side wall portion 33 and an inner cylindrical portion 34.

[0023] The side wall portion 33 is substantially disc-shaped with respect to the central axis J. The plate surface of the side wall portion 33 faces the first direction D1. The side wall portion 33 is positioned on the tip side (+D1 side) of the spin element 22. The side wall portion 33 faces the spin element 22 with a gap in the first direction D1. The side wall portion 33 is provided with an outlet 33a and a spin groove (not shown).

[0024] The nozzle 33a is a hole that penetrates the side wall 33 in a first direction D1. Viewed from the first direction D1, the nozzle 33a is approximately circular in shape with the central axis J as its center. The nozzle 33a is a hole that ejects liquid L toward the tip. In this embodiment, in conjunction with the operation of the operating lever 23, the liquid L that is pumped from the pump body 21 to the nozzle body 31 is ejected from the nozzle 33a toward the tip as a number of liquid droplets D.

[0025] A spin groove (not shown) is provided on the base end side (-D1 side) of the side wall portion 33, forming a flow path that swirls radially from the radially outer side to the radially inner side about the central axis J. The spin element 22 faces the spin groove in the first direction D1. In this embodiment, a swirling flow of liquid L can be formed by rotating the spin groove about the central axis J relative to the spin element 22 and supplying liquid L to the radial center of the spin groove. The strength of this swirling flow can be adjusted by the shape of the spin groove and the shape of the multiple notches provided in the spin element 22. This allows adjustment of the ejection angle α, which is the spread angle of the liquid L ejected from the nozzle 33a toward the tip side (+D1 side). In this embodiment, the ejection angle α is about 47°.

[0026] The inner cylindrical portion 34 of the main body is cylindrical, protruding from the radially central portion of the side wall portion 33 toward the base end (-D1 side). In this embodiment, the inner cylindrical portion 34 of the main body is substantially cylindrical with respect to the central axis J. The inner cylindrical portion 34 of the main body opens toward the base end. The spin element 22 is inserted inside the inner cylindrical portion 34 of the main body. The inner circumferential surface of the inner cylindrical portion 34 is in contact with the outer circumferential surface of the spin element 22. As a result, the inner cylindrical portion 34 of the main body supports the spin element 22 in the radial direction.

[0027] The main body outer cylinder portion 35 is cylindrical, protruding from the radial outer edge of the side wall portion 33 toward the tip side (+D1 side). In this embodiment, the main body outer cylinder portion 35 is substantially cylindrical with the central axis J as its center. The main body outer cylinder portion 35 is open toward the tip side. The main body outer cylinder portion 35 surrounds the retaining member 40 from the radial outside. The main body outer cylinder portion 35 has an inner circumferential surface 35a. The inner circumferential surface 35a is the surface facing radially inward of the main body outer cylinder portion 35, i.e., the inner circumferential surface. The retaining member 40 is attached to the inner circumferential surface 35a.

[0028] The holding member 40 holds the porous member 47. In this embodiment, the holding member 40, together with the main body outer cylinder portion 35, constitutes the air intake port 30a and the air passage 30c. The holding member 40 is substantially cylindrical, extending in a first direction D1 with respect to the central axis J. The holding member 40 is housed inside the main body outer cylinder portion 35. The holding member 40 is fixed to the main body outer cylinder portion 35. Thus, the holding member 40 is attached to the nozzle body portion 31. The holding member 40 is positioned on the tip side (+D1 side) of the side wall portion 33. The holding member 40 is positioned on the tip side of the nozzle outlet 33a. As shown in Figure 3, the holding member 40 has an inner cylinder 41 and a plurality of protrusions 45. That is, the nozzle 30 has an inner cylinder 41.

[0029] The inner cylinder 41 is cylindrical and extends in a first direction D1. In this embodiment, the inner cylinder 41 is substantially cylindrical and extends in a first direction D1 with respect to the central axis J. The inner cylinder 41 may have other shapes, such as a square cylinder. The inner cylinder 41 has openings on both the tip side (+D1 side) and the base side (-D1 side). As shown in Figure 2, the inner cylinder 41 houses a porous member 47 inside. The inner cylinder 41 faces the main body outer cylinder portion 35 with a gap in the radial direction. In the first direction D1, the position of the tip end of the inner cylinder 41 and the position of the tip end of the main body outer cylinder portion 35 are substantially the same. As shown in Figure 3, the inner cylinder 41 has a first inner cylinder portion 42, a second inner cylinder portion 43, and an inner cylinder outer circumferential surface 41a. The inner cylinder 41 is provided with a slit 41b.

[0030] The first inner cylinder portion 42 is substantially cylindrical, extending in a first direction D1 with respect to the central axis J. The first inner cylinder portion 42 is the tip side (+D1 side) of the inner cylinder 41. As shown in Figure 2, the first inner cylinder portion 42 has a discharge port 42a. That is, the nozzle 30 has a discharge port 42a. The discharge port 42a opens towards the tip side, i.e., one side in the first direction D1. In this embodiment, the discharge port 42a is an opening that ejects the foamy liquid L toward the tip side. The discharge port 42a is located toward the tip side than the nozzle 33a. That is, the nozzle 33a is located toward the base side (-D1 side), i.e., the other side in the first direction D1, toward the discharge port 42a. As described above, the nozzle 33a ejects the liquid L toward the tip side. Therefore, the nozzle 33a ejects the liquid L toward the discharge port 42a.

[0031] As shown in Figure 3, the second inner cylinder portion 43 is substantially cylindrical, extending in a first direction D1 with respect to the central axis J. The second inner cylinder portion 43 is the base end (-D1 side) portion of the inner cylinder 41. The second inner cylinder portion 43 is connected to the first inner cylinder portion 42 in the first direction D1. As shown in Figure 2, the inner diameter of the second inner cylinder portion 43 is smaller than the inner diameter of the first inner cylinder portion 42. The outer diameter of the second inner cylinder portion 43 is smaller than the outer diameter of the first inner cylinder portion 42. The outer diameter of the second inner cylinder portion 43 may be larger than the outer diameter of the first inner cylinder portion 42, or it may be the same size as the outer diameter of the first inner cylinder portion 42. The base end of the second inner cylinder portion 43 is in contact with the side wall portion 33 in the first direction D1. The base end of the second inner cylinder portion 43 may face the side wall portion 33 in the first direction D1 with a gap in between.

[0032] As shown in Figure 3, the outer circumferential surface 41a of the inner cylinder is the surface facing radially outward of the inner cylinder 41. In this embodiment, the outer circumferential surface 41a includes the outer circumferential surface of the first inner cylinder portion 42 and the outer circumferential surface of the second inner cylinder portion 43. As shown in Figure 2, the outer circumferential surface 41a of the inner cylinder faces the inner circumferential surface 35a of the main body with a gap in the radial direction. In the first direction D1, the position of the tip end (+D1 side) of the outer circumferential surface 41a of the inner cylinder and the tip end of the inner circumferential surface 35a of the main body are approximately the same.

[0033] As shown in Figure 3, the slit 41b is a hole that penetrates the inner cylinder 41 radially. Viewed radially, the slit 41b is substantially rectangular in shape, with its longer side extending in the first direction D1. In this embodiment, the slit 41b extends to the base end (-D1 side) of the second inner cylinder portion 43. As a result, the slit 41b in this embodiment is open to the base end. The slit 41b does not have to be open to the base end. As shown in Figure 2, the first end 41c, which is the tip end (+D1 side) of the slit 41b, is located closer to the base end than the tip end of the second inner cylinder portion 43. As shown in Figure 3, in this embodiment, the inner cylinder 41 is provided with a plurality of slits 41b. More specifically, the inner cylinder 41 is provided with four slits 41b. The number of slits 41b provided in the inner cylinder 41 may be three or fewer, or five or more. Each slit 41b is provided at approximately equal intervals along the circumferential direction.

[0034] Each of the multiple protrusions 45 is a projection that extends radially outward from the outer circumferential surface of the first inner cylinder portion 42. In this embodiment, the retaining member 40 has four protrusions 45. The number of protrusions 45 on the retaining member 40 may be three or fewer, or five or more. Each protrusion 45 is arranged at approximately equal intervals along the circumferential direction. As shown in Figure 2, the radially outward-facing surface of each protrusion 45 is fitted into the inner circumferential surface 35a of the main body outer cylinder portion 35. In this way, the retaining member 40 is attached to the nozzle body portion 31.

[0035] The air intake port 30a is an opening that draws air from outside the nozzle 30 into the nozzle 30. In this embodiment, the air intake port 30a is formed by the tip end (+D1 side) of the inner circumferential surface 35a of the main body and the tip end of the outer circumferential surface 41a of the inner cylinder. The air intake port 30a opens to the tip side, i.e., to one side in the first direction D1. As shown in Figure 4, in this embodiment, the nozzle 30 has four air intake ports 30a. Each air intake port 30a extends circumferentially with respect to the central axis J. Each air intake port 30a is spaced apart from each other along the circumferential direction. A projection 45 is positioned between adjacent air intake ports 30a in the circumferential direction. Viewed from the first direction D1, the central angle of each air intake port 30a is approximately 70°. The air intake ports 30a surround the discharge port 42a from the radially outside.

[0036] The air passage 30c shown in Figure 2 is an air passage that sends air taken into the nozzle 30 from the air intake 30a to the mixing space 30e, that is, the space between the outlet 33a and the porous member 47. In this embodiment, the air passage 30c is composed of the inner circumferential surface 35a of the main body and the outer circumferential surface 41a of the inner cylinder. The air passage 30c is located radially outward from the inner cylinder 41. Although not shown in the figure, when viewed from the first direction D1, the air passage 30c is substantially annular with respect to the central axis J. The air passage 30c extends in the first direction D1. The tip end (+D1 side) of the air passage 30c is connected to the air intake 30a. The base end (-D1 side) of the air passage 30c is connected to the inside of the second inner cylinder portion 43 via each slit 41b.

[0037] The mixing space 30e shown in Figure 2 is a space where the liquid L ejected from the nozzle 33a and the air taken in from the air intake 30a are mixed. The mixing space 30e is a space enclosed by the second inner cylinder portion 43, the porous member 47, and the side wall portion 33. The mixing space 30e is connected to the air passage 30c via each slit 41b. In other words, each slit 41b connects the air passage 30c to the inside of the inner cylinder 41. As a result, the air passage 30c sends air between the nozzle 33a and the porous member 47 via each slit 41b.

[0038] The arrow AF shown in Figure 2 indicates the flow of air taken into the mixing space 30e via the air intake 30a. As described above, in conjunction with the operation of the operating lever 23, the liquid L is ejected from the nozzle 33a as numerous droplets D toward the tip side (+D1 side). When the liquid L is ejected from the nozzle 33a, the Venturi effect creates negative pressure around the liquid L. Therefore, the air pressure in the mixing space 30e becomes lower than the air pressure outside the nozzle 30. As a result, outside air from the nozzle 30 is sent to the mixing space 30e via the air intake 30a, the air passage 30c, and the multiple slits 41b.

[0039] The porous member 47 forms bubbles from the liquid L ejected from the nozzle 33a toward the tip side (+D1 side), and is a mesh through which the bubbles pass toward the tip side. In this embodiment, the mesh count of the porous member 47 is 90 or more and 250 or less. As shown in Figure 4, when viewed from the first direction D1, the porous member 47 has a substantially circular shape centered on the central axis J. As shown in Figure 2, the porous member 47 is arranged inside the inner cylinder 41. The porous member 47 is attached to the tip end of the inner circumferential surface of the second inner cylinder portion 43. In the first direction D1, the porous member 47 is positioned between the nozzle 33a and the discharge port 42a. As a result, bubbles that have passed through the porous member 47 are ejected from the discharge port 42a toward the tip side. In this embodiment, the first ratio R1, which is the ratio of the second distance L2 (the distance in the first direction D1 between the nozzle 33a and the porous member 47) to the first distance L1 (the distance in the first direction D1 between the nozzle 33a and the discharge port 42a), is 30% or more and 70% or less. In this embodiment, when viewed from the radial direction, the first end 41c of the slit 41b, that is, one end of the slit 41b in the first direction D1, overlaps with the porous member 47. This allows air to be supplied through the slit 41b to the space near the porous member 47 in the mixing space 30e.

[0040] In this embodiment, the air intake port 30a is located on the tip side (+D1 side) of the porous member 47, i.e., on one side in the first direction D1. Therefore, in the air passage 30c, the air flows toward the base end side (-D1 side). Consequently, the air that flows from the air passage 30c into the mixing space 30e through each slit 41b flows in a direction inclined from the radially inward side toward the base end side. That is, the direction of movement of the air that flows into the mixing space 30e has a component that is directed toward the base end side.

[0041] In this embodiment, the second ratio R2, which is the ratio of the area Si of the air intake port 30a as viewed from the first direction D1 to the area Sp of the porous member 47 as viewed from the first direction D1, is 60% or more and 130% or less. It is more preferable that the second ratio R2 is 80% or more and 130% or less. In this embodiment, the "area Si of the air intake port 30a as viewed from the first direction D1" is the sum of the areas of each of the four air intake ports 30a shown in Figure 4 as viewed from the first direction D1. In other words, the "area Si of the air intake port 30a as viewed from the first direction D1" is the total area of ​​the openings that take in air into the inside of the nozzle 30.

[0042] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the diffusion state of droplet D in nozzle 130 of the comparative example. Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view showing the diffusion state of droplet D in nozzle 131 of another comparative example. Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view showing the diffusion state of droplet D in nozzle 30 of this embodiment. In nozzle 130 of the comparative example, the first ratio R1 is less than 30%. In nozzle 131 of the other comparative example, the first ratio R1 is greater than 70%. As described above, in nozzle 30 of this embodiment, the first ratio R1 is 30% or more and 70% or less. Other configurations of nozzle 130 and nozzle 131 are the same as those of nozzle 30. The arrows VI shown in Figures 5 to 7 indicate the movement speed of droplet D in the first direction D1 ejected from the nozzle 33a toward the tip side (+D1 side). The thickness of arrow VI indicates the movement speed of droplet D in the first direction D1; the thicker the arrow VI, the faster the movement speed of droplet D in the first direction D1. The speed of the droplet D in the first direction D1 slows down as it moves from the nozzle 33a towards the tip due to resistance from the air, etc. Also, the ejection angle α is approximately 47° for each of the nozzles 30, 130, and 131. The density of the droplet D ejected from the nozzle 33a decreases as it moves towards the tip.

[0043] As shown in Figure 5, when the first ratio R1 is less than 30%, the second distance L2, which is the distance in the first direction D1 between the nozzle 33a and the porous member 47, becomes too short. As a result, when the liquid L collides with the porous member 47, the droplet D does not diffuse sufficiently. Consequently, it is difficult to mix the droplet D with the air, making it difficult to bring the liquid L into contact with the porous member 47 in an optimal state of mixing between the droplet D and the air. This makes it difficult to form voluminous and fine bubbles. As shown in Figure 6, when the first ratio R1 is greater than 70%, the second distance L2 becomes too long. As a result, the movement speed of the droplet D in the first direction D1 when the liquid L collides with the porous member 47 becomes too slow. Consequently, the bubbles formed by the porous member 47 have difficulty passing through it, making it difficult to improve the straightness of the bubbles ejected from the discharge port 42a. In contrast to these, in this embodiment, as shown in Figure 7, the first ratio R1 is 30% or more, which prevents the second distance L2 from becoming too short. Therefore, the sufficiently diffused droplet D and air can be mixed before the liquid L collides with the porous member 47. Thus, the liquid L can collide with the porous member 47 in an optimal state of mixing between the droplet D and air. This makes it possible to form a voluminous and fine-textured foam. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the first ratio R1 is 70% or less, which prevents the second distance L2 from becoming too long. This prevents the movement speed of the droplet D in the first direction D1 from becoming too slow when the liquid L collides with the porous member 47. Therefore, the straightness of the foam ejected from the discharge port 42a can be improved.

[0044] In this embodiment, the ejection angle α is preferably 20° or more and 70° or less, and more preferably 30° or more and 50° or less. When the ejection angle α is less than 20°, the diffusion of droplet D is insufficient, making it difficult to mix droplet D with air. Therefore, watery bubbles are more likely to form. When the ejection angle α is greater than 70°, the swirling flow of the liquid L ejected from the nozzle 33a is too strong, making it difficult to increase the movement speed of the droplet D in the first direction D1. Therefore, it is difficult to increase the straightness of the bubbles ejected from the discharge port 42a. Also, because it is difficult to increase the movement speed of the droplet D in the first direction D1, it is difficult to sufficiently mix the droplet D with air. As a result, it is difficult to make the liquid L collide with the porous member 47 in an optimal state of mixing between the droplet D and air. Consequently, it is difficult to form bubbles that are both voluminous and fine-textured. In contrast to these, as described above, in this embodiment, the ejection angle α is 20° or more, so that the droplet D can be diffused more sufficiently. This allows the liquid L to collide with the porous member 47 in a more optimal state of mixing between the droplet D and air. Therefore, it is possible to form bubbles that are more voluminous and more finely textured. Also, in this embodiment, since the ejection angle α is 70° or less, the movement speed of the droplet D in the first direction D1 can be more favorably increased. Therefore, the straightness of the bubbles ejected from the discharge port 42a can be more favorably increased.

[0045] In this embodiment, the third ratio R3, which is the ratio of the slit area Ss (the sum of the areas of each slit 41b viewed from the radial direction) to the area Sg of the outer circumferential surface of the second inner cylinder portion 43, is preferably 5% or more and 40% or less, and more preferably 10% or more and 30% or less. When the third ratio R3 is less than 5%, the pressure loss when air passes through the slit 41b increases, making it difficult to increase the amount of air supplied to the mixing space 30e. As a result, it is difficult to cause the liquid L to collide with the porous member 47 in an optimal state of mixing between the droplet D and air. Therefore, it is difficult to form voluminous and fine bubbles with the porous member 47. When the third ratio R3 is greater than 40%, the flow velocity of the air entering the mixing space 30e becomes too slow, making it difficult to mix the droplet D with the air. As a result, it is difficult to cause the liquid L to collide with the porous member 47 in an optimal state of mixing between the droplet D and the air. Therefore, it is difficult to form voluminous and fine bubbles. In contrast to these, in this embodiment, the third ratio R3 is 5% or more, which allows for a suitable increase in the amount of air supplied to the mixing space 30e. Also, in this embodiment, the third ratio R3 is 40% or less, which allows for a suitable increase in the flow velocity of the air flowing into the mixing space 30e. As a result, the liquid L can be brought into contact with the porous member 47 in an optimal state of mixing between the droplet D and the air. Therefore, the porous member 47 can form bubbles that are voluminous and more preferably fine-grained.

[0046] According to this embodiment, the liquid ejector 20 comprises a pump body 21, a nozzle 30 attached to the pump body 21 and having a discharge port 42a that opens on the tip side (+D1 side), i.e., one side in the first direction D1, and an operating lever 23 attached to the pump body 21 that acts as a trigger to eject liquid L from the nozzle 30. The nozzle 30 has a nozzle opening 33a located on the base end side (-D1 side), i.e., the other side in the first direction, which ejects liquid L toward the discharge port 42a, a porous member 47 positioned between the nozzle opening 33a and the discharge port 42a, an air intake port 30a that takes in air into the nozzle 30, and an air passage 30c connected to the air intake port 30a that sends air between the nozzle opening port 33a and the porous member 47. The air intake port 30a is located on the tip side of the porous member 47. In a liquid dispenser configured with a porous member 47 positioned at the discharge port 42a, the second distance L2 becomes too long, making it difficult to cause the liquid L to collide with the porous member 47 in an optimal state of mixing between the droplet D and air. Therefore, when using a liquid L with a small surfactant content relative to its total mass, it was not possible to form voluminous and fine bubbles. In contrast, in this embodiment, the porous member 47 is positioned between the nozzle 33a and the discharge port 42a. This allows the porous member 47 to be positioned closer to the nozzle 33a, enabling mixing of the droplet D in an appropriate diffusion state with air. As a result, the liquid L can collide with the porous member 47 in an optimal state of mixing between the droplet D and air. Therefore, voluminous and fine bubbles can be formed. Furthermore, as described above, because the porous member 47 can be positioned closer to the nozzle 33a, the speed at which the droplet D moves toward the tip when colliding with the porous member 47 can be increased. Therefore, the straightness of the foam ejected from the discharge port 42a can be improved.

[0047] In a liquid dispenser configured such that the air intake port 30a is located on the base end side (-D1 side) of the porous member 47, the liquid droplet D immediately after being ejected from the nozzle port 33a is easily mixed with air. Therefore, it is difficult to mix the sufficiently diffused liquid droplet D with air, making it difficult to bring the liquid L into contact with the porous member 47 in an optimal state of mixture between the liquid droplet D and air. Consequently, it was difficult to form foam with volume and fine texture. In contrast, in this embodiment, since the air intake port 30a is located on the tip side (+D1 side) of the porous member 47, it is easy to mix the liquid droplet D and air just before the porous member 47. As a result, the sufficiently diffused liquid droplet D and air can be mixed, allowing the liquid L to collide with the porous member 47 in a more optimal state of mixture between the liquid droplet D and air. Consequently, foam with volume and fine texture can be formed more favorably.

[0048] Furthermore, in this embodiment, since the air intake port 30a is located on the tip side (+D1 side) of the porous member 47, as described above, the air flowing from the air passage 30c into the mixing space 30e flows in a direction inclined from the radially inward side toward the base end side (-D1 side). That is, the direction of movement of the air flowing into the mixing space 30e has a component that is directed toward the base end side. This makes it possible to increase the relative velocity between the air flowing into the mixing space 30e and the liquid L being ejected toward the tip side. As a result, the droplet D and air can be mixed more favorably, and the liquid L can be brought into contact with the porous member 47 in a more optimal state of mixing between the droplet D and air. Therefore, it is possible to form bubbles that are more favorably voluminous and more favorably fine-textured.

[0049] According to this embodiment, the first ratio R1, which is the ratio of the second distance L2 (the distance in the first direction D1 between the nozzle 33a and the porous member 47) to the first distance L1 (the distance in the first direction D1 between the nozzle 33a and the discharge port 42a), is 30% or more and 70% or less. Therefore, as described above, it is possible to suppress the second distance L2 from becoming too short, so that the liquid L can collide with the porous member 47 in an optimal state of mixing between the droplet D and air. Consequently, it is possible to form bubbles that are more preferably voluminous and more preferably fine-textured. Furthermore, since it is possible to suppress the second distance L2 from becoming too long, it is possible to suppress the movement speed of the droplet D in the first direction D1 when the liquid L collides with the porous member 47 from becoming too slow. Consequently, the straightness of the bubbles ejected from the discharge port 42a can be more preferably improved.

[0050] According to this embodiment, the air intake port 30a opens on the tip side (+D1 side), that is, on one side in the first direction D1, and the second ratio R2, which is the ratio of the area Si of the air intake port 30a as viewed from the first direction D1 to the area Sp of the porous member 47 as viewed from the first direction D1, is 60% or more and 130% or less. If the second ratio R2 is less than 60%, the area Si of the air intake port 30a becomes too small. As a result, the amount of air supplied to the mixing space 30e through the air intake port 30a becomes too small. Therefore, it is difficult to cause the liquid L to collide with the porous member 47 in an optimal state of mixing between the droplet D and the air. Consequently, it is difficult to form voluminous and fine bubbles. If the second ratio is greater than 130%, the area of ​​the protrusion 45 as viewed from the first direction D1 becomes too small. In this case, the strength of the protrusion 45 becomes too low, which is undesirable. In contrast to these, in this embodiment, since the second ratio R2 is 60% or more, it is possible to prevent the amount of air supplied to the mixing space 30e from becoming too small. This allows the liquid L to collide with the porous member 47 in a more optimal state of mixing between the droplet D and air. Therefore, it is possible to form bubbles that are more preferably voluminous and more preferably fine-grained. Furthermore, in this embodiment, since the second ratio R2 is 130% or less, it is possible to prevent the area of ​​the protrusion 45 viewed from the first direction D1 from becoming too small. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the strength of the protrusion 45 from becoming too weak.

[0051] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as described above, the air intake port 30a opens towards the tip side (+D1 side), and the air intake port 30a surrounds the discharge port 42a from the radially outside. Therefore, the flow of outside air entering the air passage 30c through the air intake port 30a can suppress the spreading of bubbles discharged from the discharge port 42a radially outward. Thus, the straight-line propagation of bubbles ejected from the discharge port 42a can be more effectively improved.

[0052] According to this embodiment, the nozzle 30 is cylindrical in shape extending in a first direction D1 and has an inner cylinder 41 that houses a porous member 47 inside. The air passage 30c is located radially outward from the inner cylinder 41. The inner cylinder 41 is provided with a slit 41b that penetrates the inner cylinder 41 radially and extends in the first direction D1. The slit 41b connects the air passage 30c to the inside of the inner cylinder 41, and the first end 41c, which is the tip end (+D1 side) of the slit 41b when viewed radially, overlaps with the porous member 47. Therefore, as described above, air can be supplied to the space near the porous member 47 within the mixing space 30e. As a result, the sufficiently diffused liquid droplets D and air can be mixed more effectively, and the liquid L can be brought into contact with the porous member 47 in a more optimal state of mixing between the liquid droplets D and air. Consequently, bubbles with more volume and finer texture can be formed.

[0053] When the holding member 40 does not have a second inner cylinder portion 43, that is, when the air passage 30c and the mixing space 30e are connected over the entire circumferential direction, the flow velocity of the air flowing into the mixing space 30e becomes slower. As a result, the relative velocity between the liquid droplet D and the air becomes smaller, making it difficult to sufficiently mix the liquid droplet D and the air. In contrast, in this embodiment, the slit 41b provided in the inner cylinder 41 connects only a portion of the circumferential direction of the air passage 30c and the mixing space 30e, thereby increasing the flow velocity of the air flowing into the mixing space 30e. This increases the relative velocity between the liquid droplet D and the air in the mixing space 30e, allowing for more favorable mixing of the liquid droplet D and the air. Consequently, the liquid L can be brought into contact with the porous member 47 in a more optimal state of mixing between the liquid droplet D and the air. Therefore, bubbles with more volume and finer texture can be formed.

[0054] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the flow velocity of the air flowing into the mixing space 30e can be changed by changing the dimensions of the slit 41b in the circumferential direction and in the first direction D1. This allows the flow velocity of the air flowing into the mixing space 30e to be changed so that the mixing state between the liquid droplet D and the air becomes more optimal.

[0055] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the distance between the air intake 30a and the first end 41c of the slit 41b can be easily shortened. Therefore, the pressure loss of air in the air passage 30c can be easily reduced. As a result, the amount of air supplied to the mixing space 30e can be increased, allowing the liquid L to collide with the porous member 47 in a more optimal state of mixing between the droplet D and the air. Consequently, bubbles with more volume and finer texture can be formed.

[0056] Liquid L contains a surfactant, and the third ratio R3, which is the ratio of the surfactant content to the total mass of liquid L, is between 0.01% by mass and 1.0% by mass. Therefore, even if liquid L has a low surfactant content, it can form voluminous and fine bubbles.

[0057] According to this embodiment, the mesh count of the porous member 47 is 90 or more and 250 or less. If the mesh count of the porous member 47 is less than 90, the mesh opening of the porous member 47 is too large, resulting in a coarse foam quality. If the mesh count of the porous member 47 is greater than 250, the opening size of the porous member 47 is too small, resulting in excessive resistance for the bubbles as they pass through the porous member 47. This reduces the movement speed of the bubbles in the first direction D1 after passing through the porous member 47, thus reducing the straight-line movement of the bubbles ejected from the discharge port 42a. In contrast to these, in this embodiment, since the mesh count of the porous member 47 is 90 or more, it is possible to suppress the size of the mesh opening of the porous member 47 from becoming too large. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the coarseness of the foam formed. Also, in this embodiment, since the mesh count of the porous member 47 is 250 or less, it is possible to suppress the size of the mesh opening of the porous member 47 from becoming too small. This prevents the resistance when the foam passes through the porous member 47 from becoming too large. Therefore, the movement speed of the foam in the first direction D1 after passing through the porous member 47 can be more favorably increased, and the straightness of the foam ejected from the discharge port 42a can be more favorably increased.

[0058] According to this embodiment, the liquid dispenser 10 with a container comprises a liquid dispenser 20 and a container 11 for holding liquid L. As described above, in this embodiment, the liquid dispenser 20 can position the porous member 47 close to the nozzle 33a, so that the liquid L can collide with the porous member 47 in an optimal state of mixing between the liquid droplet D and air. Therefore, it is possible to form voluminous and fine bubbles.

[0059] <Second Embodiment> Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view showing the nozzle 230 of this embodiment. Figure 9 is a front view of the nozzle 230 of this embodiment as seen from the tip side (+D1 side). In this embodiment, the liquid dispenser with a container 210 comprises a container 11 (see Figure 1) and a liquid dispenser 220. The liquid dispenser 220 comprises a pump body 21 (see Figure 1), an operating lever 23 (see Figure 1), and a nozzle 230. In the following description, components that are the same as those in the first embodiment described above are denoted by the same reference numerals, and their descriptions are omitted.

[0060] As shown in Figure 8, the nozzle 230 of this embodiment has a nozzle body 31, a holding member 240, a porous member 47, an air intake 230a, an air passage 230c, and a mixing space 30e.

[0061] The retaining member 240 holds the porous member 47. In this embodiment, the retaining member 240 constitutes the air intake port 230a and the air passage 230c. The retaining member 240 is substantially cylindrical in shape and extends in a first direction D1 with respect to the central axis J. The retaining member 240 is attached to the nozzle body 31. The retaining member 240 has an inner cylinder 241, an outer cylinder 249, and a plurality of protrusions 245. That is, the nozzle 30 has an inner cylinder 241.

[0062] The inner cylinder 241 is cylindrical and extends in a first direction D1. In this embodiment, the inner cylinder 241 is substantially cylindrical and extends in a first direction D1 with respect to the central axis J. The inner cylinder 241 has openings on both the tip side (+D1 side) and the base side (-D1 side). The inner cylinder 241 houses a porous member 47 inside. The inner cylinder 241 has a first inner cylinder portion 42, a second inner cylinder portion 43, and an inner cylinder outer circumferential surface 41a. The inner cylinder 241 is provided with a slit 241b.

[0063] The slit 241b is a hole that penetrates the inner cylinder 241 radially. Although not shown in the figure, when viewed radially, the slit 241b is substantially rectangular in shape with its longer side extending in the first direction D1. The slit 241b is open on the base end side (-D1 side). The first end 241c, which is the tip end (+D1 side) of the slit 241b, is located on the base end side of the first inner cylinder portion 42. In the first direction D1, the first end 241c is located on the tip side of the porous member 47. In this embodiment, the inner cylinder 241 is provided with a plurality of slits 241b. More specifically, the inner cylinder 241 is provided with four slits 241b. Each slit 241b is provided at substantially equal intervals along the circumferential direction. Each slit 241b connects the air passage 230c to the inside of the inner cylinder 241.

[0064] The outer cylinder 249 is substantially cylindrical, extending in a first direction D1 with respect to the central axis J. The outer cylinder 249 has openings on both the tip side (+D1 side) and the base side (-D1 side). The outer cylinder 249 is positioned radially outward from the inner cylinder 241. The outer cylinder 249 faces the inner cylinder 241 with a radial gap between them. The radially outward-facing surface of the outer cylinder 249 is fitted into the inner circumferential surface 35a of the main body outer cylinder portion 35. In this way, the retaining member 240 is attached to the nozzle body portion 31. The outer cylinder 249 has an inner circumferential surface 249a. The inner circumferential surface 249a is the radially inward-facing surface of the outer cylinder 249.

[0065] As shown in Figure 9, each of the multiple protrusions 245 is a projection that extends radially outward from the outer circumferential surface of the first inner cylinder portion 42. The radially outer end of each protrusion 245 is connected to the inner circumferential surface 249a of the outer cylinder 249. In this embodiment, the retaining member 240 has four protrusions 245. Each protrusion 245 is arranged at approximately equal intervals along the circumferential direction. Other configurations of the retaining member 240 in this embodiment are the same as those of the retaining member 240 in the first embodiment described above.

[0066] The air intake port 230a shown in Figure 8 is an opening that takes in air from outside the nozzle 230 into the nozzle 230. In this embodiment, the air intake port 230a is formed by the tip end (+D1 side) of the inner circumferential surface 249a of the outer cylinder and the tip end of the outer circumferential surface 41a of the inner cylinder. The air intake port 230a opens towards the tip. As shown in Figure 9, in this embodiment, the nozzle 230 has four air intake ports 230a. Each air intake port 230a extends circumferentially with respect to the central axis J. Each air intake port 230a is spaced apart from each other along the circumferential direction. A projection 245 is positioned between adjacent air intake ports 230a in the circumferential direction. When viewed from the first direction D1, the central angle of each air intake port 230a is approximately 70°. The air intake ports 230a surround the discharge port 42a from the radially outside.

[0067] The air passage 230c shown in Figure 8 is an air passage that sends air taken into the nozzle 230 from the air intake 230a to the mixing space 30e. In this embodiment, the air passage 230c is composed of the inner circumferential surface 249a of the outer cylinder and the outer circumferential surface 41a of the inner cylinder. The air passage 230c is located radially outward from the inner cylinder 241. The tip end (+D1 side) of the air passage 230c is connected to the air intake 230a. The base end (-D1 side) of the air passage 230c is connected to the inside of the inner cylinder 241 via each slit 241b. More specifically, the air passage 230c is connected via the slit 241b to the space tipward from the mixing space 30e and the porous member 47.

[0068] The arrow AF in Figure 8 indicates the flow of air taken into the inner cylinder 241 via the air intake 230a. Outside air from the nozzle 230 is sent to the mixing space 30e via the air intake 230a, the air passage 230c, and the multiple slits 241b. In this embodiment, outside air from the nozzle 230 is also sent to the space inside the inner cylinder 241 on the tip side (+D1 side) of the porous member 47 via the air intake 230a, the air passage 230c, and the multiple slits 241b. This allows for the formation of an airflow radially outward of the bubbles after they have passed through the porous member 47.

[0069] In this embodiment, the air intake port 230a is located on the tip side (+D1 side) of the porous member 47. Therefore, in the air passage 230c, the air flows toward the base end side (-D1 side). Consequently, the air that flows from the air passage 230c into the mixing space 30e through each slit 241b flows in a direction inclined from the radially inward side toward the base end side. That is, the direction of movement of the air that flows into the mixing space 30e has a component that is directed toward the base end side.

[0070] In this embodiment, the second ratio R2, which is the ratio of the area Si of the air intake port 230a as viewed from the first direction D1 to the area Sp of the porous member 47 as viewed from the first direction D1, is 60% or more and 130% or less. It is more preferable that the second ratio R2 is 80% or more and 130% or less. In this embodiment, the "area Si of the air intake port 230a as viewed from the first direction D1" is the sum of the areas of the four air intake ports 230a as viewed from the first direction D1. In other words, the "area Si of the air intake port 230a as viewed from the first direction D1" is the total area of ​​the openings that take in air into the inside of the nozzle 230. Other configurations of the nozzle 230 in this embodiment are the same as other configurations of the nozzle 30 in the first embodiment described above. Other configurations of the liquid dispenser 220 in this embodiment are the same as other configurations of the liquid dispenser 20 in the first embodiment described above.

[0071] According to this embodiment, the nozzle 230 is cylindrical in shape extending in a first direction D1 and has an inner cylinder 241 that houses the porous member 47 inside. The air passage 230c is located radially outward from the inner cylinder 241. The inner cylinder 241 is provided with a slit 241b that penetrates the inner cylinder 241 radially and extends in the first direction D1. The slit 241b connects the air passage 230c to the inside of the inner cylinder 241. In the first direction D1, the tip end (+D1 side) of the slit 241b, i.e., one end in the first direction D1, is located on the tip side of the porous member 47. Therefore, as described above, an airflow can be formed radially outward from the bubbles after they have passed through the porous member 47. This suppresses the diffusion of bubbles radially outward after they have passed through the porous member 47, thereby more effectively improving the straightness of the bubbles ejected from the discharge port 42a.

[0072] Furthermore, in this embodiment, similar to the first embodiment described above, air can be supplied to the space near the porous member 47 within the mixing space 30e. Therefore, the sufficiently diffused liquid droplets D and air can be mixed more effectively, and the liquid L can be brought into contact with the porous member 47 in a more optimal state of mixing between the liquid droplets D and air. Consequently, a voluminous and fine-textured foam can be formed.

[0073] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the porous member 47 is positioned between the nozzle 33a and the discharge port 42a. This allows the porous member 47 to be positioned close to the nozzle 33a, similar to the first embodiment described above, so that the liquid L can collide with the porous member 47 in an optimal state of mixing between the droplet D and air. Therefore, it is possible to form voluminous and fine bubbles.

[0074] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the air intake port 230a is located on the tip side (+D1 side) of the porous member 47. Therefore, similar to the first embodiment described above, the direction of movement of the air flowing from the air passage 230c into the mixing space 30e has a component that is directed toward the base end side (-D1 side). This makes it possible to increase the relative velocity between the air flowing into the mixing space 30e and the liquid L being ejected toward the tip side. As a result, the droplet D and the air can be mixed more favorably, and the liquid L can be brought into contact with the porous member 47 in a more optimal state of mixing between the droplet D and the air. Consequently, it is possible to form bubbles that are more favorably voluminous and more favorably fine-textured.

[0075] [Examples] The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to examples, but the present invention is not limited to the following examples and can be implemented with appropriate modifications without departing from its essence.

[0076] (Examples 1-11, Comparative Examples 1-4) Examples 1 to 11 and Comparative Examples 1 to 4 were sample liquid dispensers with containers that differed in at least one of the following: the position of the porous member, the first ratio (ratio of the distance between the nozzle and the porous member in the first direction to the distance between the nozzle and the discharge port in the first direction): R1, the second ratio (ratio of the area of ​​the air intake as viewed from the first direction to the area of ​​the porous member as viewed from the first direction D1): R2, the position of the slit tip, and the number of meshes of the porous member, according to the specifications shown in [Table 1]. In the column for the position of the porous member in [Table 1], A is a configuration in which the porous member is positioned between the discharge port and the nozzle, i.e., the porous member is positioned closer to the base end than the discharge port, and B is a configuration in which the porous member is positioned at the discharge port. In the column for the position of the slit tip in [Table 1], C is a configuration in which the slit tip overlaps with the porous member when viewed from the radial direction, and D is a configuration in which the slit tip is positioned closer to the tip than the porous member in the first direction.

[0077] [Table 1]

[0078] In each sample, a solution was used, consisting of water and a surfactant. The third ratio R3, which is the ratio of surfactant content to the total mass of the liquid, was set to 0.1%. Alkyl (C10-14) benzenesulfonate sodium was used as the surfactant. The following can be used as surfactants. Examples of anionic surfactants include carboxylic acid-type anionic surfactants such as linear alkylbenzene sulfonic acid or its salt (LAS), α-olefin sulfonic acid or its salt (AOS), linear or branched alkyl sulfate ester or its salt (AS), polyoxyalkylene alkyl ether sulfate ester or its salt (AES), polyoxyalkylene alkenyl ether sulfate ester or its salt, alkyl group-containing alkane sulfonic acid or its salt, α-sulfo fatty acid ester or its salt (MES), internal olefin sulfonic acid or its salt (IOS), hydroxyalkane sulfonic acid or its salt, alkyl ether carboxylic acid or its salt, polyoxyalkylene ether carboxylic acid or its salt, alkylamide ether carboxylic acid or its salt, alkenylamide ether carboxylic acid or its salt, acylaminocarboxylic acid or its salt; and phosphate ester-type anionic surfactants such as alkyl phosphate ester or its salt, polyoxyalkylene alkyl phosphate ester or its salt, polyoxyalkylene alkylphenyl phosphate ester or its salt, glycerin fatty acid ester monophosphate ester or its salt. Anionic surfactants may be used individually or in combination of two or more types. Examples of cationic surfactants include long-chain aliphatic amide alkyl tertiary amines or their salts, such as caprylic acid dimethylaminopropylamide, capric acid dimethylaminopropylamide, laurate dimethylaminopropylamide, myristate dimethylaminopropylamide, palmitate dimethylaminopropylamide, stearate dimethylaminopropylamide, behenate dimethylaminopropylamide, and oleate dimethylaminopropylamide; aliphatic ester alkyl tertiary amines or their salts, such as palmitate ester propyldimethylamine and stearate ester propyldimethylamine; palmitate diethanolaminopropylamide and stearate diethanolaminopropylamide; tetra-short-chain (C1-C4 alkyl) ammonium salts, such as tetramethylammonium salt, tetraethylammonium salt, tetrapropylammonium salt, and tetrabutylammonium salt; and octyltrimethylammonium Long-chain (C8-C18 alkyl) tri- and short-chain (C1 or C2 alkyl) ammonium salts such as ammonium salts, decyltrimethylammonium salt, dodecyltrimethylammonium salt, tetradecyltrimethylammonium salt, lauryltrimethylammonium salt, cetyltrimethylammonium salt, palmityltrimethylammonium salt, stearyltrimethylammonium salt, octyldimethylethylammonium salt, decyldimethylethylammonium salt, dodecyldimethylethylammonium salt, tetradecyldimethylethylammonium salt, lauryldimethylethylammonium salt, cetyldimethylethylammonium salt, stearyldimethylethylammonium salt, octyldiethylmethylammonium salt, decyldiethylmethylammonium salt, dodecyldiethylmethylammonium salt, tetradecyldiethylmethylammonium salt, cetyldiethylmethylammonium salt, stearyldiethylmethylammonium salt, etc.Dioctyldimethylammonium salt, didecyldimethylammonium salt, N,N-didecyl-N-methyl-poly(oxyethyl)ammonium salt, didodecyldimethylammonium salt, ditetradecyldimethylammonium salt, dicetyldimethylammonium salt, distearyldimethylammonium salt, dioctylmethylethylammonium salt, didecylmethylethylammonium salt, didodecylmethylethylammonium salt, ditetradecylmethylethylammonium salt, dicetylmethylethylammonium salt, distearylmethylethylammonium salt, and other long-chain (C8-C18 alkyl) dioctyldimethylammonium salts. Examples of cationic surfactants include short-chain (C1 or C2 alkyl) ammonium salts; long-chain (C8-C18 alkyl) dishort-chain (C1 or C2 alkyl) hydroxyalkyl (C1 or C2) ammonium salts such as stearyldimethylhydroxyethylammonium; dishort-chain (C1 or C2 alkyl) long-chain (C8-C18 alkyl) ammonium salts having a trialkoxysilylalkyl group (C4-C10) such as [3(trimethoxysilyl)]propyl(dimethyl)octadecylammonium salt; amine nitrates; benzyltrimethylammonium salts; benzalkonium salts; and benzethonium salts. Examples of cationic surfactant salt forms include alkali metal salts (sodium salts, potassium salts, etc.), alkaline earth metal salts (magnesium salts, etc.), and alkanolamine salts (monoethanolamine salts, diethanolamine salts, etc.). Cationic surfactants may be used individually or in combination of two or more types. Examples of amphoteric surfactants include alkylbetaine type, alkylamidebetaine type, imidazoline type, alkylaminosulfone type, alkylaminocarboxylic acid type, alkylamidecarboxylic acid type, amide amino acid type, and phosphate type amphoteric surfactants. Amphoteric surfactants may be used individually or in combination of two or more types.

[0079] [Evaluation Method] For each sample, with the container standing upright, foam was sprayed onto an acrylic plate placed 15 cm away from the nozzle towards the tip. The volume and fineness of the foam on the acrylic plate were visually inspected. Straightness was assessed by visually observing the trajectory of the foam sprayed from the nozzle.

[0080] Each sample from Examples 1-11 and Comparative Examples 1-4 was evaluated according to the following criteria. <Volume of foam> 7 points: Very good (The volume of foam is very good) 6 points: Quite good (The volume of foam is satisfactory) 5 points: Fairly good (The volume of foam is somewhat satisfactory) 4 points: Neither good nor bad. 3 points: Slightly poor (not enough foam volume) 2 points: Quite poor (only a small portion foams up, and the volume of foam is very small) 1 point: Very poor (no foam formed) <Fineness of foam> 7 points: Very good (The fineness of the foam is excellent) 6 points: Quite good (The fineness of the foam is excellent) 5 points: Fairly good (The fineness of the foam is somewhat preferable) 4 points: Neither good nor bad. 3 points: Slightly poor (coarse foam) 2 points: Quite poor (only a small portion foams up, and the foam is watery) 1 point: Very poor (no foam formed) <Straight-line movement> 7 points: Very good (Excellent straight-line tracking) 6 points: Quite good (good straight-line tracking). 5 points: Fairly good (Straight-line tracking is somewhat favorable) 4 points: Neither good nor bad. 3 points: Slightly poor (flight distance is only about 10cm) Points 2: Quite poor (the distance is only about 5cm) 1 point: Very bad (it doesn't spray forward but drips vertically from the nozzle) Then, the average score from the evaluations of the 10 expert panelists was calculated, and this average score was used as the evaluation result.

[0081] As shown in [Table 1], in Examples 1 to 11, which have a porous member, where the porous member is positioned on the base end side of the discharge port, and the first ratio R1 is 70% or less, the average scores for foam volume, foam fineness, and straightness were 4.5 points or higher, indicating good results for each of the foam volume, foam fineness, and straightness.

[0082] In contrast, Comparative Examples 2 and 3, which did not have a porous member, had average scores of less than 1.5 for both foam volume and foam fineness, indicating that satisfactory results were not obtained. This is because the droplets ejected from the nozzle did not collide with the porous member before being ejected from the discharge port, preventing the formation of good foam.

[0083] Furthermore, in Comparative Example 4, where the porous member is placed at the discharge port, the average score for straight-line movement was 1.7, indicating that a satisfactory result was not obtained. In Comparative Example 4, the second distance, i.e., the distance in the first direction between the discharge port and the porous member, becomes too long. Therefore, as described above, the movement speed of the droplet in the first direction when the liquid collides with the porous member becomes too slow, resulting in reduced straight-line movement.

[0084] Furthermore, in Comparative Example 1, which had a smaller mesh count compared to Comparative Example 4, the average score for straight-line propagation was 6.6, indicating good results. This is because the larger mesh size of the porous member reduces the resistance when bubbles pass through the porous member, thereby suppressing a decrease in straight-line propagation. However, in Comparative Example 1, the average scores for bubble volume and bubble fineness were less than 2.3, indicating that good results were not obtained. This is because, as mentioned above, the larger mesh size of the porous member results in a coarser foam quality.

[0085] In Example 1, where the first ratio R1 was 30% or more, better results were obtained in terms of foam volume and foam fineness compared to Example 2, where the first ratio R1 was 20%. This is because, as mentioned above, in Example 1, it is possible to prevent the second distance L2 from becoming too short, allowing the liquid to collide with the porous member in an optimal state of mixing between the droplet D and air.

[0086] In Example 1, where the first ratio R1 was 50%, better results were obtained in terms of foam volume and foam fineness compared to Example 3, where the first ratio R1 was 30%. This is because, in Example 1, the second distance can be suitably made longer than in Example 2, allowing the liquid to collide with the porous member in a more optimal state of mixing between the droplet and air.

[0087] In Example 1, where the first ratio R1 is 50%, better results were obtained in terms of straight-line propagation compared to Example 8, where the first ratio R1 is 70%. This is because, in Example 1, the second distance can be suitably shortened compared to Example 8, which allows for a more favorable increase in the movement speed of the droplet in the first direction when the liquid collides with the porous member.

[0088] In Example 1, where the second ratio R2 was 60% or higher, better results were obtained in terms of foam volume and foam fineness compared to Example 4, where the second ratio R2 was 30%. This is because, as mentioned above, in Example 1, it was possible to prevent the amount of air supplied to the mixing space from becoming too small, allowing the liquid to collide with the porous member in an optimal state of mixing between droplets and air.

[0089] In Example 1, where the second ratio R2 was 110%, better results were obtained in terms of foam volume and foam fineness compared to Example 5, where the second ratio R2 was 60%. This is because, in Example 1, a suitable amount of air can be supplied to the mixing space compared to Example 5, allowing the liquid to collide with the porous member in a more optimal state of mixing between droplets and air.

[0090] In Example 1, where the second ratio R2 was 110%, and in Example 7, where the second ratio R2 was 130%, good results were obtained regarding foam volume, foam fineness, and straightness. Furthermore, in Example 1, compared to Example 7, it was possible to suppress the area of ​​the protrusion viewed from the first direction from becoming too small, and thus suppress the strength of the protrusion from becoming too small.

[0091] In Example 6, where the tip of the slit is located further forward than the porous member in the first direction, better results were obtained in terms of straight-line propagation compared to Example 1, where the tip of the slit overlaps with the porous member when viewed from the radial direction. This is because, as described above, an airflow can be formed radially outward of the bubbles after they have passed through the porous member, thereby suppressing the diffusion of the bubbles radially outward after they have passed through the porous member.

[0092] In Example 1, where the mesh count was 90 or higher, better results were obtained in terms of foam volume and foam fineness compared to Example 9, where the mesh count was 45. This is because, as mentioned above, in Example 1, it is possible to suppress the size of the opening of the porous member from becoming too large, thereby suppressing the coarseness of the foam that is formed.

[0093] In Example 1, which had a mesh count of 200, better results were obtained in terms of foam volume and foam fineness compared to Example 10, which had a mesh count of 90. This is because, in Example 1, the mesh opening size of the porous member can be suitably reduced compared to Example 10, which allows for a more favorable suppression of the coarseness of the foam formed.

[0094] In Example 1, which has a mesh count of 200, better results were obtained in terms of straight-line movement compared to Example 11, which has a mesh count of 250. This is because, in Example 1, the mesh opening size of the porous member can be suitably increased compared to Example 11, which can suitably reduce the resistance when bubbles pass through the porous member and suitably increase the movement speed of the bubbles in the first direction after passing through the porous member.

[0095] Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the attached drawings, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to these examples, and those skilled in the art can obtain the above-mentioned effects based on this indicator as long as the porous member is placed between the discharge port and the nozzle. The various shapes and combinations of the constituent members shown in the above-described examples are merely examples, and can be modified in various ways based on design requirements, etc., without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0096] For example, the inner cylinder and the side wall may face each other with a gap in the radial direction. In such a configuration, the inner cylinder may or may not have a slit. [Explanation of symbols]

[0097] 10,210…Liquid dispenser with container, 11…Container, 20,220…Liquid dispenser, 21…Pump body, 23…Operating lever, 30,230…Nozzle, 30a,230a…Air intake, 30c,230c…Air passage, 33a…Spray outlet, 41,241…Inner cylinder, 41b,241b…Slit, 42a…Discharge port, 47…Porous member, D1…First direction, L…Liquid, L1…First distance (distance in the first direction between the spray outlet and the discharge port), L2…Second distance (distance in the first direction between the spray outlet and the porous member)

Claims

1. The pump body and A nozzle attached to the pump body, having a discharge port opening on one side in the first direction, An operating lever attached to the pump body, which acts as a trigger for ejecting liquid from the nozzle, Equipped with, The aforementioned nozzle is A nozzle is located on the other side in the first direction from the aforementioned discharge port, and ejects the liquid toward the aforementioned discharge port, A porous member is disposed between the nozzle and the discharge port, The nozzle has an air intake port for taking in air, A duct is connected to the aforementioned air intake and provides air between the aforementioned nozzle and the porous member, It has, The liquid dispenser wherein the air intake is located on one side in the first direction relative to the porous member.

2. The liquid ejector according to claim 1, wherein the ratio of the distance in the first direction between the nozzle and the porous member to the distance in the first direction between the nozzle and the discharge port is 30% or more and 70% or less.

3. The air intake port opens to one side in the first direction, The liquid ejector according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the ratio of the area of ​​the air intake port as viewed from the first direction to the area of ​​the porous member as viewed from the first direction is 60% or more and 130% or less.

4. The nozzle is cylindrical in shape extending in the first direction and has an inner cylinder that houses the porous member inside. The aforementioned air passage is arranged radially outward from the inner cylinder. The inner cylinder is provided with a slit that penetrates the inner cylinder radially and extends in the first direction. The aforementioned slit connects the air passage and the inside of the inner cylinder. The liquid ejector according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, when viewed from the radial direction, one end of the slit in the first direction overlaps with the porous member.

5. The nozzle is cylindrical in shape extending in the first direction and has an inner cylinder that houses the porous member inside. The aforementioned air passage is arranged radially outward from the inner cylinder. The inner cylinder is provided with a slit that penetrates the inner cylinder radially and extends in the first direction. The aforementioned slit connects the air passage and the inside of the inner cylinder. The liquid ejector according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, in the first direction, one end of the slit in the first direction is located to one side in the first direction of the porous member.

6. The aforementioned liquid contains a surfactant, The liquid dispenser according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the ratio of the surfactant content to the total mass of the liquid is 0.01% by mass or more and 1.0% by mass or less.

7. The liquid ejector according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the mesh count of the porous member is 90 or more and 250 or less.

8. A liquid ejector according to claim 1 or 2, A container for holding the aforementioned liquid, A liquid dispenser with a container, equipped with [features / equipment].

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