Discharge container

Abstract

To provide a dispensing container that can effectively suppress unintended dispensing of the agent when a dispensing device is attached to an aerosol container. [Solution] The discharge container 1 of this invention comprises a pair of aerosol containers 11 filled with a first agent and a second agent, and a discharge device 10 attached to the top of the aerosol containers 11, which discharges a mixed liquid of the first agent and the second agent. The discharge device 10 has a mixing channel FP for mixing the first agent and the second agent discharged from the stem 14 of the aerosol container 11, a nozzle channel NP connected to the discharge port 23a, and a buffer channel BP interposed between the mixing channel FP and the nozzle channel NP. The buffer channel BP has a larger channel cross-sectional area than the mixing channel FP and the nozzle channel NP.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This invention relates to a dispensing container. [Background technology]

[0002] A known type of container for containing the contents of a two-part hair dye is a dispensing container equipped with a dispensing device that dispenses the first and second components separately into two aerosol containers and simultaneously dispenses them from two adjacent outlets. For example, the applicant has previously proposed a mixing and dispensing device comprising a pair of container bodies, a mounting body assembled to the upper end of the container bodies, and a cap body having a passage block body with a dispensing passage formed inside and being assembled to a dispensing nozzle, wherein the cap body is pulled down by pressing a pair of operating pieces provided on the mounting body or the cap body (Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2003 / 002426 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0004] Dispensing devices that dispense both the first and second agents simultaneously, or dispensing a single agent, can be detachably attached to an aerosol container. Because the aerosol container is structured in such a way that the first and second agents are dispensed by pressing down a stem protruding from the top of the container, when attaching a dispensing device to an aerosol container, the stem may be unintentionally pressed down, resulting in the accidental dispensing of either or both of the first and second agents.

[0005] This invention relates to a dispensing container that can effectively suppress unintended dispensing of an agent when a dispensing device is attached to an aerosol container. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] This invention relates to a dispensing container comprising a pair of aerosol containers filled with a first agent and a second agent, and a dispensing device attached to the top of the aerosol containers, for dispensing a mixed liquid of the first agent and the second agent. In one embodiment, it is preferable that the dispensing device has a mixing channel for mixing the first agent and the second agent dispensed from the stem of the aerosol container, a nozzle channel connected to the discharge port, and a buffer channel interposed between the mixing channel and the nozzle channel. In one embodiment, it is preferable that the buffer channel has a larger cross-sectional area than the mixing channel and the channel inside the nozzle. In one embodiment, it is preferable that the first agent and the second agent, discharged from the stem of the aerosol container, pass through the mixing channel, the buffer channel, and the nozzle channel in that order, so that the mixed liquid is discharged from the discharge port. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the dispensing container of this invention, when attaching a dispensing device to an aerosol container, unintended dispensing of the agent can be effectively suppressed. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a front view showing one embodiment of the discharge container of the present invention. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of the discharge container shown in Figure 1. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II in Figure 1. [Figure 4] Figure 4 shows the state of the discharge container before the discharge operation, as shown by cross-sectional view (a) along line II-II in Figure 1 and cross-sectional view (b) along line III-III in Figure 1. [Figure 5] Figure 5 shows the state of the discharge container after the discharge operation, specifically a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II in Figure 1 (a) and a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in Figure 1 (b). [Figure 6]Figure 6 is a cross-sectional perspective view taken along line III-III in Figure 1. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a diagram corresponding to Figure 3, showing another embodiment of the discharge container of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] The discharge container of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings, based on a preferred embodiment. Figures 1 to 6 show one embodiment of the discharge container of the present invention. The description of the discharge device provided in the discharge container described below can be appropriately applied to the discharge device of the present invention. As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the discharge container 1 of this embodiment comprises a pair of aerosol containers 11, 11 having stems 14 protruding from the top surface 13t, and a discharge device 10 detachably attached to the upper part 13 of the aerosol container 11. The aerosol container 11 has a bottomed cylindrical, vertically elongated container body 12 that contains a first agent and a second agent, and the upper end opening of the container body 12 is closed by a mountain cup on which the stem 14 is provided. This mountain cup forms the top surface 13t of the aerosol container 11, and when the stem 14 is pushed down, a valve mechanism provided in the mountain cup is opened, and the first agent and the second agent are ejected together with the propellant from the opening of the stem 14.

[0010] The dispensing container 1 of this embodiment is a dispensing container for a two-part hair treatment agent consisting of a first agent and a second agent. The first agent preferably contains an alkaline agent, and the second agent preferably contains hydrogen peroxide. This hair treatment agent is used by mixing the first and second agents immediately before use. The first and second agents are separately filled into a pair of aerosol containers 11, 11.

[0011] When the discharge container 1 of the present embodiment is in a self-standing state where the bottoms of the container bodies 12 of the pair of aerosol containers 11, 11 are grounded on a horizontal plane, the central axis direction of the container body 12 coincides with the vertical direction, and the discharge device 10 attached to the upper portion 13 of the aerosol container 11 is located above in the vertical direction. Hereinafter, unless otherwise specified, the description of the discharge container 1 of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 6 shall be such a description of the self-standing state.

[0012] In the discharge container 1, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the pair of aerosol containers 11, 11 are arranged side by side in a horizontal arrangement such that the central axis directions of the container bodies 12 are parallel to each other. The discharge container 1 of the present embodiment has a horizontal direction X in which the pair of aerosol containers 11, 11 are arranged, a depth direction Y orthogonal to the horizontal direction X, and a height direction Z orthogonal to each of the horizontal direction X and the depth direction Y (see FIG. 2). The height direction Z coincides with the vertical direction.

[0013] The discharge container 1 of the present embodiment includes a connecting member 6 attached to the upper portions of the pair of aerosol containers 11, 11 (see FIG. 2). The connecting member 6 connects the aerosol containers 11, 11 to each other in the horizontal direction X and attaches the discharge device​​​​​The connecting member 6 of the present embodiment has a top surface covering plate 63 arranged on the top surface portion 13t of the aerosol container 11 and a connecting cylindrical main body 60 arranged around the upper portion 13 of the aerosol container 11 (see FIG. 2). The top surface covering plate 63 is a substantially elliptical plate-shaped portion corresponding to the planar shape of the pair of horizontally arranged aerosol containers 11, 11, and is formed with a stem through-hole 63a through which the stem 14 is inserted and a plate insertion hole 63b through which an insertion plate 52 described later is inserted. The connecting cylindrical main body 60 is a cylindrical portion surrounding the top surface covering plate 63, and has an upper cylindrical portion 61 protruding upward from the peripheral edge of the top surface covering plate 63, a lower cylindrical portion 62 protruding downward from the peripheral edge of the top surface covering plate 63, and a flexible piece 64 described later. The connecting member 6 forms a fitting recess that opens downward and is formed by the top surface covering plate 63, the lower cylindrical portion 62, and the flexible piece 64, into which the upper portions 13 of the pair of aerosol containers 11, 11 are fitted. By inserting the upper portions 13 into the lower cylindrical portion 62, the connecting member 6 is attached to the pair of aerosol containers 11, 11.

[0015] The connecting member 6 of the present embodiment has a pair of flexible pieces 64, 64 connected to both sides in the lateral direction X of the connecting cylindrical main body 60 and a pair of operation arrangement portions 65, 65 connected to both sides in the depth direction Y of the connecting cylindrical main body 60 (see FIGS. 2 and 5). A projecting piece 64a is formed at the upper end portion of the flexible piece 64 (see FIGS. 4 and FIG. 6). The projecting piece 64a projects outward in the lateral direction X from the outer surface. The projecting piece 64a is inserted into an opening 29r of a lower portion 28 of a cap described later.

[0016] The operation arrangement portion 65 is a wall surface portion with its main surface facing in the depth direction Y. In a front view of the discharge container 1 viewed from one side in the depth direction Y (hereinafter, also simply referred to as "front view"), the operation arrangement portion 65 is located at the central portion in the lateral direction X so as to divide the connecting cylindrical main body 60 into left and right in the lateral direction X. In a mounted state where the discharge device 10 is attached to the connecting member 6 (hereinafter, also simply referred to as "mounted state"), a pressing operation portion 32 of an operation main body portion 31 described later is arranged on the operation arrangement portion 65. The connecting member 6 of the present embodiment has an opposing portion facing the inner surface of the pressing operation portion 32 in the discharge container 1. The above-described operation arrangement portion 65 corresponds to the opposing portion.

[0017] As shown in Figure 2, the discharge device 10 comprises a cap 2, a pressing member 5 that pushes down the stem 14, a discharge operation unit 3 that pushes down the pressing member 5 toward the stem 14, and a composite inner member 4 having a mixing member 43. The cap 2 has an upper cap portion 21, a cover body portion 25, and a lower cap portion 28. The upper cap portion 21, the cover body portion 25, and the lower cap portion 28 have continuous outer surfaces. The cover body portion 25 is a cylindrical body with a top, the upper cap portion 21 is attached to the upper end of the cover body portion 25, and the cylindrical lower cap portion 28 hangs down from the lower end peripheral edge of the cover body portion 25. The cover body portion 25 and the lower cap portion 28 are in communication internally.

[0018] The upper part 21 of the cap has a buffer channel upper forming part 22 that partially forms a buffer channel BP for the mixed liquid of the first agent and the second agent, and a cylindrical nozzle part 23 that protrudes upward from the top surface part 22a of the buffer channel upper forming part 22 (see Figure 3). The buffer channel upper forming part 22 has an elliptical top surface part 22a in plan view and a peripheral wall part 22b that protrudes downward from the periphery of the top surface part 22a. The internal space enclosed by the top surface part 22a and the peripheral wall part 22b of the buffer channel upper forming part 22 is a buffer space S that includes the buffer channel BP.

[0019] The cover body portion 25 has a buffer channel lower forming portion 26 that partially forms a buffer channel BP, a rectangular parallelepiped first connecting channel forming portion 27 that protrudes upward from the substrate portion 26a of the buffer channel lower forming portion 26, a peripheral wall portion 25a that protrudes downward from the periphery of the substrate portion 26a, and a cylindrical mixing insertion portion 24 that protrudes downward from the central portion of the substrate portion 26a (see Figure 3). The lower buffer channel forming section 26 has a substrate section 26a and a peripheral wall section 26b that protrudes upward from the substrate section 26a. The outer dimensions of the peripheral wall section 26b of the lower buffer channel forming section 26 correspond to the inner dimensions of the peripheral wall section 22b of the upper buffer channel forming section 22 in the upper cap section 21. The first connecting channel forming section 27 has a top surface 27a and a pair of through holes 27b, 27b located on both sides of the top surface 27a in the lateral direction X and penetrating in the height direction. The interiors of the pair of through holes 27b, 27b in the first connecting channel forming section 27 are in communication with the upper second space BP2.

[0020] The inside of the mixing insertion section 24 is in communication with the inside of the first connecting channel forming section 27, and in the installed state, the mixing member 43 is inserted into the inside of the mixing insertion section 24 (see Figure 3). The mixing insertion section 24 has a large inner diameter cylindrical section 24a and a small inner diameter cylindrical section 24b (see Figure 3). The mixing insertion section 24 has different inner diameters in the height direction Z, with the inner diameter of the large inner diameter cylindrical section 24a being larger than that of the small inner diameter cylindrical section 24b. The inner dimensions of the large inner diameter cylindrical section 24a correspond to the outer dimensions of the second connecting channel forming section 46, which will be described later, and a fitting projection is formed on the inner circumferential surface of the large inner diameter cylindrical section 24a that fits onto the outer circumferential surface of the second connecting channel forming section 46. In the installed state, the lower end of the large inner diameter cylindrical section 24a abuts against the top surface 44a of the lateral channel forming section 44.

[0021] The lower part of the cap 28 is located below the main body of the cover 25 (see Figures 2 and 3). The lower part of the cap 28 has a cylindrical wall portion 29. The cylindrical wall portion 29 has a missing portion in the center in the lateral direction X, and is divided into left and right halves in the lateral direction X by this missing portion (see Figure 2). An opening 29r is formed in the cylindrical wall portion 29 along the depth direction Y (see Figures 2 and 3). The opening 29r consists of an opening that penetrates the cylindrical wall portion 29. When installed, the projection 64a of the connecting member 6 is inserted into the opening 29r (see Figure 3).

[0022] The cap 2 has a pair of support plates 29a, 29a hanging down from the upper end of the peripheral wall portion 25a inside both sides of the cover body portion 25 in the lateral direction X (see Figure 2). These support plates 29a are provided inside the cover body portion 25 with their main surfaces facing the depth direction Y, and hang down to the lower end of the lower part 28 of the cap. A fitting recess is formed at the lower end of the support plate 29a, which fits with a fitting projection 39 described later. This fitting recess is recessed outward in the lateral direction X from the inner edge of the support plate 29a in the lateral direction X.

[0023] The discharge operation unit 3 has a cylindrical push-down section 35 and a pair of operation body sections 31, 31 connected to the front and rear surface walls of the push-down section 35 along the lateral direction X. The push-down portion 35 in this embodiment has an elliptical shape in which the major axis direction coincides with the horizontal direction X in a plan view. The internal dimensions of the push-down portion 35 in the major axis direction correspond to the external dimensions of the outer frame wall portion 53, which will be described later. The push-down portion 35 has fitting projections 39 formed on the outer surfaces of both ends in the horizontal direction X that fit with the inner surface of the cylindrical wall portion 29.

[0024] Each pair of operating body sections 31, 31 has a support piece 34 extending downward from the push-down section and a pressing operating section 32 connected to the support piece 34 (see Figure 2). More specifically, the operating body section 31 has a support piece 34 hanging down from the side wall of the push-down section 35 and a pressing operating section 32 connected to the lower end of the support piece 34. The pressing operation section 32 has an elliptical shape in which the major axis direction coincides with the height direction Z when viewed from the front, and a recess is formed on the outer surface that is recessed inward in the depth direction Y (see Figure 1).

[0025] Each pressing operation part 32 in this embodiment is provided with a downward projection 33 that protrudes inward in the depth direction Y, and one edge 33a of the downward projection 33 is a sliding inclined portion [see Figures 4(a) and 5(a)]. More specifically, in a side view of the discharge container 1 viewed from one side in the lateral direction X (hereinafter also simply referred to as "side view"), the downward projection 33 has a triangular shape, and the upper edge (one edge) of the projection 33 is an inclined edge 33a that is inclined with respect to the inner surface of the pressing operation part 32 and the height direction Z. In the installed state, the inclined edge 33a abuts against the lower end edge of the operation placement part 65. The sliding inclined section causes the operating body 31 to descend through the discharge operation described later.

[0026] The pressing member 5 of this embodiment has a pressing base plate 50 facing the top surface 13t of the aerosol container 11, an outer frame wall portion 53 rising upward from the periphery of the pressing base plate 50, and a lower flow path forming portion 54 protruding upward from the upper surface of the pressing base plate 50 (see Figure 2). The pressing member 5 also has an insertion plate 52 protruding downward from the lower surface of the pressing base plate 50 (see Figure 2) and a pair of stem insertion cylinder portions 56, 56 (see Figure 3). The pressing substrate 50 has an elliptical shape in which its long axis coincides with the horizontal direction X (see Figure 2). The outer frame wall portion 53 has a missing portion in the center of the horizontal direction X, and is divided into left and right halves in the horizontal direction X by this missing portion. On the outer surface of the wall portion of the outer frame wall portion 53 along the horizontal direction X, an extended fitting portion 55 is formed that extends outward in the horizontal direction X and fits into the push-down portion 35. A recess corresponding to the thickness of the extended fitting portion 55 is formed on the inner surface of the push-down portion 35 of the discharge operation portion 3, and the pressing member 5 can be fixed to the discharge operation portion 3 by fitting the extended fitting portion 55 into this recess.

[0027] The lower channel forming section 54 is located laterally inward (X) and inward in depth (Y) than the outer frame wall section 53. In plan view, the lower channel forming section 54 has a peripheral wall section 54a that is approximately elliptical in shape, and a central partition wall 54b that divides the area enclosed by the peripheral wall section in two and extends in depth (Y) (see Figures 2 and 3). The outer circumferential surface of this peripheral wall section 54a has a fitting projection that fits with the peripheral wall section 44b of the lateral channel forming section 44, which will be described later. The internal space enclosed by the peripheral wall section 54a and the central partition wall 54b of the lower channel forming section 54 partially forms a channel for the first or second agent (see Figure 3).

[0028] The pair of stem insertion tubes 56, 56 are spaced apart in the lateral direction X, corresponding to the position of the stem 14 (see Figure 3). Each of the pair of stem insertion tubes 56, 56 is a cylindrical portion having a through hole into which the stem 14 is inserted. The through hole of the stem insertion tube 56 continuously penetrates the pressing substrate 50 (see Figure 3). This through hole is located within the region surrounded by the lower flow path forming portion 54 in a plan view. As a result, the inside of the stem insertion tube 56 communicates with the internal space (flow path) formed by the lower flow path forming portion 54 and the lateral flow path forming portion 44, which will be described later. The insertion plate 52 is located between a pair of stem insertion cylinders 56, 56 in the lateral direction X, and is a plate portion that hangs down from the lower surface of the pressing substrate 50 (see Figure 3).

[0029] The discharge device 10 of this embodiment comprises a composite inner member 4 which integrates a mixing member 43 and a lateral flow path forming part 44 that partially forms a flow path for the mixed liquid (see Figure 2). The composite inner member 4 has a top-cylindrical lateral channel forming section 44 and a cylindrical second connecting channel forming section 46 that protrudes upward from the top surface 44a of the lateral channel forming section 44. The lateral channel forming section 44 has an elliptical top surface 44a and a peripheral wall 44b that protrudes downward from the periphery of the top surface 44a. The internal dimensions of the peripheral wall 44b of the lateral channel forming section 44 correspond to the external dimensions of the peripheral wall 54a of the lower channel forming section 54. The second connecting channel forming section 46 has a top surface on which the shaft 41 of the mixing member 43 is erected, and a pair of through holes 46a, 46a located on both sides of the top surface in the lateral direction X and penetrating in the height direction Z (see Figure 3). The interiors of the pair of through holes 46a, 46a in the second connecting channel forming section 46 are in communication with the interior of the lateral channel forming section 44 (see Figure 3).

[0030] The mixing member 43 has a shaft portion 41 extending in the height direction Z and a screw blade 42 helically attached around the shaft portion 41. When installed, the mixing member 43 is positioned in the flow path within the mixing insertion portion 24. This mixing member 43 is a static mixer, and by passing the first agent and the second agent through the flow path provided inside the static mixer, the first agent and the second agent can be mixed without the need for a motor or other drive. Instead of the configuration with a shaft portion 41 and screw blades 42 shown in Figures 2 and 3, the mixing member 43 may be a static mixer in which a spiral screw (screw groove) is formed on the outer surface of a round rod-shaped shaft to form a spiral flow path.

[0031] The discharge device 10 of this embodiment is constructed by assembling a cap 2, a discharge operation unit 3, a composite inner member 4, and a pressing member 5. In this embodiment, first, the composite inner member 4 and the pressing member 5 are assembled. Specifically, the inner surface of the peripheral wall of the lateral flow path forming unit 44 is placed on the outer surface side of the peripheral wall 54a of the lower flow path forming unit 54, and the peripheral wall portions 54a and 44b of these flow path forming units 54, 44 are fitted together. This creates an internal space defined by the peripheral wall portion 54a and the central partition wall 54b of the lower flow path forming unit 54, and the top surface portion 44a and the peripheral wall portion 44b of the lateral flow path forming unit 44 (see Figure 3). This internal space communicates with the through hole of the stem insertion cylinder portion 56 and becomes a flow path for the first agent and the second agent.

[0032] The pressing member 5 and the composite inner member 4 are assembled to the discharge operation unit 3. Specifically, the extended fitting portion 55 of the pressing member 5 is positioned in a recess formed on the inner surface of the push-down portion 35 in the discharge operation unit 3, and the outer frame wall portion 53 and the push-down portion 35 are fitted together. In this fitted state, the push-down portion 35 is positioned to surround the pressing member 5.

[0033] The discharge operation unit 3, to which the pressing member 5, composite inner member 4, and connecting member 6 are assembled, is attached to the cap 2. Specifically, the mixing member 43 is inserted into the mixing insertion part 24, and the fitting projection 39 of the pressing part 35 is inserted into the fitting recess of the support plate 29a to fit the two together (see Figure 3). As a result, the pressing member 5, composite inner member 4, and connecting member 6 are housed in the internal space of the cap 2. In this way, the dispensing device 10 is obtained by assembling the cap 2, the dispensing operation unit 3, the composite inner member 4, and the pressing member 5.

[0034] The discharge device 10 has a mixing channel FP and a nozzle channel NP. In the discharge device 10 of this embodiment, the internal space of the mixing insertion section 24 forms the mixing channel FP, and the internal space of the nozzle section 23 forms the nozzle channel NP. The mixing channel FP is a channel that extends in the height direction Z and in which the mixing member 43 is arranged. The discharge device 10 also has an introduction channel that connects to the mixing channel FP. In this embodiment, the introduction channel consists of a space defined by the lower channel forming section 54 and the lateral channel forming section 44, and is connected to the mixing channel FP via through holes 46a, 46a of the second connecting channel forming section 46.

[0035] In the discharge device 10 of this embodiment, the cap 2 has a buffer space S defined by the lower buffer channel forming section 26 (substrate section 26a and peripheral wall section 26b) and the top surface section 22a of the upper buffer channel forming section 22. The buffer space S is divided into two spaces BP1 and S2 by the first connecting channel forming section 27. More specifically, the buffer space S is divided into a first space BP1, which is the internal space of the connecting channel forming section 27, and a second space S2, which is defined by the first connecting channel forming section 27 and the top surface section 22a of the upper buffer channel forming section 22. The second space S2 consists of an upper second space BP2 located between the first connecting channel forming section 27 and the top surface section 22a of the upper buffer channel forming section 22 in the height direction Z, and a pair of lateral outward second spaces T, T located laterally outward from the first connecting channel forming section 27 in the lateral direction X. The pair of lateral outward second spaces T,T sandwich the upper second space BP2 in the lateral direction X, and overlap with the first space BP1 and the upper second space BP2 in the height direction Z. The first space BP1 is in communication with the second space S2 through through holes 27b, 27b formed in the top surface portion 27a of the first connecting channel forming portion 27.

[0036] The discharge device 10 has a buffer channel BP interposed between the mixing channel FP and the nozzle channel NP. The buffer channel BP is a channel that forms a flow in which the fluid (mixture) flows from the mixing channel FP toward the nozzle channel NP. That is, in the buffer space S, the lateral outward second space T, which is the part that does not form the flow, does not constitute the buffer channel BP. Therefore, in the discharge device 10 of this embodiment, the buffer channel BP is composed of a first space BP1 and an upper second space BP2 located on the nozzle channel NP side of the first space BP1. In this way, the buffer channel BP is divided into multiple spaces BP1 and BP2, which further suppresses the force of the mixed liquid during discharge, as will be described later. This buffer channel BP is connected to the nozzle channel NP, which is connected to the discharge port 23a.

[0037] In this embodiment, the discharge device 10 has a through hole in the stem insertion cylinder portion 56, an internal space (inlet channel) formed by the lower channel forming portion 54 and the lateral channel forming portion 44, and through holes 46a, 46a in the second connecting channel forming portion 46 that are in communication with each other, and is configured so that the first agent and the second agent flow into the mixing channel FP. Furthermore, the mixing channel FP is connected to the buffer channel BP, and the mixed liquid of the first agent and the second agent flows into the nozzle internal channel NP via the buffer channel BP (see Figure 3).

[0038] The buffer channel BP is a channel that weakens the force of the mixed liquid entering from the mixing channel FP. The buffer channel BP has a larger channel cross-sectional area than the mixing channel FP and the nozzle channel NP (see Figure 3). The mixed liquid that has moved into the buffer channel BP diffuses within the buffer channel BP, particularly into the first space BP1 where the cross-sectional area is enlarged in the direction perpendicular to the central axis of the mixing channel FP, thus reducing its pressure and force.

[0039] From the viewpoint of further suppressing the force of the mixed liquid entering from the mixing channel FP, it is preferable that the buffer channel BP is divided into a first space BP1 and a second space S2 having a space (upper second space BP2) located on the nozzle channel NP side of the first space BP1 by a partition portion 27a having communicating portions 27b, 27b. In this embodiment, the partition portion 27a is the top surface portion 27a of the first connecting channel forming portion 27 provided in the buffer space S, and the communicating portion of the partition portion is the through hole 27b of the top surface portion 27a (see Figure 3). In the discharge device 10 of this embodiment, the mixed liquid that flows from the mixing channel FP into the buffer channel BP flows in the order of the first space BP1, the communication section 27b, and the second space S2. In the buffer channel BP, in the first space BP1, the mixed liquid flows away from the central axis of the mixing channel FP, and in the second space S2, it flows towards the central axis of the nozzle channel NP and flows into the nozzle channel NP. This flow of the mixed liquid in the buffer channel BP makes it possible to further suppress the force of the mixed liquid flowing into the nozzle channel NP.

[0040] In this embodiment, the buffer channel BP is in communication with the lateral outward second space T, and the mixed liquid that enters the buffer channel BP can be temporarily stored in the lateral outward second space T. The buffer channel BP does not necessarily have to be in communication with a space that does not constitute the channel BP, such as the lateral outward second space T.

[0041] The cross-sectional area of ​​the buffer channel BP is the maximum area of ​​the cross-section along the orthogonal direction perpendicular to the central axis of the channel BP. In this embodiment, when the buffer channel BP is composed of multiple spaces BP1 and BP2, the cross-sectional area of ​​the space with the larger maximum area of ​​the cross-section along the orthogonal direction is taken as the cross-sectional area of ​​the buffer channel BP.

[0042] In the discharge device 10, a pair of operating body parts 31, 31 protrude outward in the depth direction Y from a missing portion in the cylindrical wall portion 29 of the cap 2 (see Figures 1 and 6). The operating body part 31 has at least the upper end of the support piece 34 covered by the lower part 28 of the cap, while the pressing operating part 32 is exposed from the lower edge of the lower part 28 of the cap (see Figure 1).

[0043] In the discharge device 10, the pressing member 5 is positioned inside the upper cylindrical portion 61 of the connecting member 6 so as to close the upper opening of the upper cylindrical portion 61 (see Figure 2). The connecting member 6 is attached to the discharge device 10 by fitting into the cylindrical wall portion 29. Such fitting is achieved by the opening 29r of the cylindrical wall portion 29 and the projection 64a provided on the flexible piece 64. In the dispensing container 1, a push-down section 35, a composite inner member 4, a pressing member 5, and a connecting member 6 are arranged inside the cap 2, and the operating body sections 31, 31 are arranged on the outer surface side of the operating arrangement sections 65, 65 (see Figure 6). This operating arrangement section 65 faces the inner surface of the pressing operating section 32. An insertion plate 52 is inserted into the gap between the upper parts 13 of the pair of aerosol containers 11, 11.

[0044] In the discharge container 1, the operating body 31 is arranged around the pair of aerosol containers 11, 11, the lower part of the pressing operating part 32 is located below the operating arrangement part 65, and the inclined edge 33a (sliding inclined part) of the pull-down projection 33 faces the lower end of the operating arrangement part 65 (see Figure 4(a)). In the discharge container 1, the push-down portion 35 is located inside the cap 2 and above the pressing member 5 (on the opposite side from the stem 14). The stem insertion cylinder portion 56 is located below the pressing base plate 50. In the state before the discharge operation, the stem insertion cylinder portion 56 is at a height that does not push down the stem 14 (see Figure 4(b)).

[0045] In this embodiment, the discharge container 1 can discharge the mixed liquid from the discharge port 23a of the nozzle section 23 by performing a discharge operation on the operating body section 31. The dispensing operation in this embodiment involves pressing the pressing operation portion 32 of each of the pair of operating body portions 31, 31 with a finger, pushing the pressing operation portion 32, 32 inward in the depth direction Y (i.e., toward the aerosol container 11) [see Figure 5(a)]. When the pressing operation portions 32 of both operating body portions 31, 31 are pressed simultaneously, the inclined edge portion 33a comes into contact with the lower end of the operating position portion 65, and the downward projection 33 slides along the inclined edge portion 33a, causing the pressing operation portion 32 to slide downward [see Figure 5(a)]. As this sliding downward occurs, the operating body portion 31 descends, and together with the downward pressing portion 35 to which the support piece 34 is attached, the pressing base plate 50 is pushed down, and the stem insertion cylinder portion 56 on the lower side of the pressing base plate 50 is also pushed down [see Figure 5(b)]. In other words, the dispensing device 10, through the aforementioned dispensing operation, causes the operating body 31, the push-down part 35, and the pressing member 5 to move downward relative to the cap 2.

[0046] When the pressing member 5 descends relative to the cap 2, the stem 14 is pushed down by the stem insertion cylinder portion 56, and the first and second agents are discharged from the opening of the stem 14. The discharged first and second agents pass through independent channels until they reach the mixing channel FP, where they are mixed by the mixing member 43 to form a mixed liquid. The mixed liquid then passes through the buffer channel BP and the nozzle internal channel NP in that order and is discharged from the discharge port 23a (see Figure 3).

[0047] The discharge container 1 has a buffer channel BP with a larger cross-sectional area than the mixing channel FP and the nozzle channel NP. Because the cross-sectional area of ​​the buffer channel BP is larger than that of the mixing channel FP, the mixed liquid flows into the buffer channel BP, and as the cross-sectional area of ​​the channel increases, the pressure and force decrease. As a result, even if the stem is unintentionally pushed down when the discharge device 10 is attached to the connecting member 6, the mixed liquid can be kept in the buffer channel BP, and the discharge of the mixed liquid from the discharge port can be suppressed. Furthermore, the cross-sectional area of ​​the buffer channel BP is larger than that of the nozzle channel NP. This allows for the reduction of pressure and velocity of the mixed liquid flowing into the nozzle section 23, even when the diameter of the nozzle channel NP is small, i.e., when the nozzle section 23 is narrow in diameter. Thus, with the discharge container 1, even if a discharge operation is performed due to unintended actions by the user when attaching the discharge device to an aerosol container, for example, the pressure and force (flow velocity) of the mixed liquid can be reduced, thereby suppressing the discharge of the mixed liquid to the outside from the discharge port 23a.

[0048] From the viewpoint of reducing the flow velocity of the mixed liquid flowing from the mixing channel FP and further suppressing unintended discharge, it is preferable that the buffer channel BP, mixing channel FP, and nozzle channel NP of this embodiment have the following configurations. The flow path cross-sectional area of the buffer flow path BP is preferably at least 2 times, more preferably at least 4 times, still more preferably at least 6 times, and even more preferably at least 8 times that of the mixing flow path FP, and is preferably at most 20 times, more preferably at most 15 times, still more preferably at most 12 times, and even more preferably at most 10 times, and is preferably at least 2 times and at most 20 times, more preferably at least 4 times and at most 15 times, still more preferably at least 6 times and at most 12 times, and even more preferably at least 8 times and at most 10 times. The flow path cross-sectional area of the buffer flow path BP is preferably at least 2 times, more preferably at least 4 times, still more preferably at least 10 times, and even more preferably at least 20 times that of the nozzle internal flow path NP, and is preferably at most 80 times, more preferably at most 70 times, still more preferably at most 60 times, and even more preferably at most 50 times, and is preferably at least 2 times and at most 80 times, more preferably at least 4 times and at most 70 times, still more preferably at least 10 times and at most 60 times, and even more preferably at least 20 times and at most 50 times. The flow path cross-sectional area of the nozzle internal flow path NP is preferably at least 0.1 times, more preferably at least 0.15 times that of the mixing flow path FP, and is preferably at most 2 times, more preferably at most 1 times, and is preferably at least 0.1 times and at most 2 times, more preferably at least 0.15 times and at most 1 times. The flow path cross-sectional area of the buffer flow path BP is preferably 10 mm 2 or more and 2000 mm 2 or less, more preferably 15 mm 2 or more and 1000 mm 2 or less. The flow path cross-sectional area of the mixing flow path FP is preferably 3 mm 2 or more and 600 mm 2 or less, more preferably 12.5 mm 2 or more and 175 mm 2 or less. The flow path cross-sectional area of the nozzle internal flow path NP is preferably 0.1 mm 2 or more and 315 mm 2 or less, more preferably 1 mm 2 or more and 80 mm 2 or less. The cross-sectional area of ​​each channel, FP (mixing channel) and NP (nozzle channel), is the maximum area of ​​the cross-section along the direction perpendicular to the central axis of the channel.

[0049] The buffer channel BP has a buffer wall that defines the channel BP, and it is preferable that the buffer wall intersects with the extension of the central axis of the mixing channel FP. The buffer wall is the part that defines the buffer channel BP, and in this embodiment, the top surface 27a of the first connecting channel forming part 27 corresponds to the buffer wall. This top surface 27a defines the first space BP1 connected to the mixing channel FP and extends in a direction perpendicular to the central axis (height direction Z) of the mixing channel FP. As a result, even if the mixed liquid flows vigorously into the first space BP1, the mixed liquid collides with the top surface 27a, which is the buffer wall, so the force of the mixed liquid can be further reduced. From the viewpoint of more reliably achieving this effect, in a plan view of the discharge device 10, it is preferable that the outlet of the mixing channel FP overlaps with the buffer wall at least partially, and it is more preferable that the entire outlet of the mixing channel FP overlaps with the buffer wall. The outlet of the mixing channel FP is an opening in the mixing channel FP that connects to the buffer channel BP. In this embodiment, the top surface 27a of the first connecting channel forming portion 27 is a buffer wall portion. However, if the cap 2 does not have the first connecting channel forming portion 27, the top surface 22a of the buffer channel upper forming portion 22 may be a buffer wall portion. The buffer wall portion may be formed extending in a direction intersecting the through-direction (outflow direction of the mixed liquid) at the outlet of the mixing channel. In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 3, the buffer wall portion (top surface portion 27a) extends in a direction perpendicular (approximately perpendicular) to the through-direction at the outlet of the mixing channel.

[0050] In this embodiment, the nozzle portion 23 has its central axis direction coincide with the height direction Z, and its inner and outer diameters are formed to be substantially constant. The plan view shape of the discharge port 23a of the nozzle portion 23 may be a perfect circle or an ellipse. In the latter case, the tip of the nozzle portion 23 may be cut at an angle to the horizontal direction. From the viewpoint of making it easier to apply the mixed solution near the roots of the hair, the horizontal cross-section of the discharge port 23a is preferably circular. In this case, from the viewpoint of achieving a better balance between discharge volume and application, the dimensions of the discharge port 23a are preferably within the following range. The outer diameter D1 of the discharge port 23a (see Figure 1) is preferably 1.0 mm or more and 25.0 mm or less, more preferably 2.0 mm or more and 15.0 mm or less. The inner diameter D2 of the discharge port 23a (see Figure 1) is preferably 0.5 mm or more and 20.0 mm or less, more preferably 1.0 mm or more and 10 mm or less. When the horizontal cross-section of the discharge port 23a is described as circular, this does not mean a perfectly circular shape, but also includes an ellipse that is close to a circle. For an ellipse that is close to a circle, for example, the ratio of the major axis to the minor axis is preferably 2.0 or less, more preferably 1.5 or less, and even more preferably 1.1 or less. The diameter of the ellipse is the equivalent diameter of a circle, converted to the diameter of a perfect circle with the same cross-sectional area.

[0051] It is preferable that the central axes of the mixing channel FP, the buffer channel BP, and the nozzle channel NP are aligned with the height direction Z of the discharge container. This allows for smoother movement of the mixed liquid in each channel during discharge, effectively reducing residual liquid in the channels and improving the discharge performance of the mixed liquid from the discharge port 23a and the ease of discharge. Furthermore, since the internal structure of the discharge device 10 can be simplified, the manufacturing design of the components forming each channel (for example, the design of the mold removal direction) becomes easier, improving manufacturing efficiency and enabling miniaturization and cost reduction of the entire manufacturing device. In the discharge device 10 of this embodiment, the central axes of the mixing channel FP, the buffer channel BP, and the nozzle channel NP are aligned with the height direction Z of the discharge container.

[0052] From the viewpoint of facilitating the discharge of the mixed solution to the hair roots, the length L1 of the nozzle channel NP (see Figure 3) is preferably 10 mm to 100 mm, more preferably 15 mm to 60 mm, and even more preferably 20 mm to 50 mm. The length L1 of the nozzle channel NP is the length of the channel NP along the height direction Z (see Figure 3).

[0053] In this embodiment, the operating section 65 is an opposing section of the connecting member 6 that faces the inner surface of the pressing operating section 32. Preferably, a pair of guide protrusions 66, 66 extending in the height direction Z are formed near the opposing section of the aerosol container 11 or the opposing section of the connecting member 6 (in this embodiment, the operating section 65) (see Figures 2 and 6). In this embodiment, the operating section 65 has a pair of guide protrusions 66, 66 on both side edges that extend in the height direction Z. This pair of guide protrusions 66, 66 are protrusions that project from the outer surface of the opposing section and are arranged along both side edges of the support piece 34 in the dispensing device. In other words, the support piece 34 is sandwiched between the pair of guide protrusions 66, 66. When the support piece 34 comes into contact with the guide projection 66, the movement of the support piece 34 in the circumferential direction (lateral direction X in this embodiment) of the dispensing device is restricted. This stabilizes the dispensing operation, improves the user experience, and makes it easier to maintain uniformity in the amount of mixed liquid dispensed.

[0054] The aerosol container 11 is preferably a so-called double-walled aerosol container, having a shape-retaining outer container and a flexible inner bag inside the outer container. This configuration suppresses contact between the first and second agents and the outside air, thereby further suppressing oxidation of the first and second agents and preventing quality deterioration.

[0055] The aerosol container 11 of this embodiment comprises an inner bag 111 containing the first or second agent, and an outer container 121 that houses the inner bag 111. The outer container 121 is shape-retaining, and the inner bag 111 is flexible (see Figure 1). In each aerosol container 11,11, the outer container 121,121 is filled with gas that pressurizes the inner bag 111,111. The inner bag 111 is constantly pressurized by the gas, and by deforming as if being crushed by the gas pressure, the first and second components can be discharged to the outside.

[0056] From the viewpoint of enabling stable discharge of the first and second agents, and from the viewpoint of suppressing excessive scattering of the first and second agents, the internal pressure of the outer container is preferably 0.2 MPa to 0.9 MPa, more preferably 0.4 MPa to 0.7 MPa.

[0057] The outer container 121 can be constructed from materials such as metals like aluminum, steel plates, or stainless steel, or resins like PET. From the viewpoint of further improving the airtightness and barrier properties of the outer container 121, it is preferable to use metal materials as the constituent material of the outer container 121.

[0058] It is preferable to use a thermoplastic resin as the constituent resin of the inner bag 111. Examples of thermoplastic resins include polypropylene resin (PP resin), polyester resin, polyolefin resin, nylon resin, polycarbonate resin (PC resin), cycloolefin copolymer resin (COC resin), cycloolefin polymer resin (COP resin), and ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer resin (EVOH resin). From the viewpoint of further improving the preservation and durability of the contents, it is preferable to use a polyolefin resin as the constituent resin of the inner bag 111. From the viewpoint of improving the retention of the first and second components and the deformability of the inner bag 111, the thickness of the inner bag 111 is preferably 0.1 mm to 3 mm, more preferably 0.1 mm to 1 mm.

[0059] The discharge device 10 and connecting member 6 of this embodiment are molded products made of synthetic resin. As the synthetic resin, various known materials such as polyolefins such as polypropylene and polyethylene, polyesters such as polyethylene terephthalate, and polyamides such as nylon can be used.

[0060] Furthermore, from the viewpoint of easily confirming the discharge of the first and second agents, it is preferable that the cap 2 and the composite inner member 4 each have at least a portion of a transparent part that allows the inside to be seen. In this case, it is more preferable that the upper part 21 of the cap and the main body part 25 each have a transparent part. Such a configuration is effective in that the flow path of the mixed liquid can be seen through the transparent part. The transparent part is a portion made of transparent or translucent resin.

[0061] Next, another embodiment of the discharge container according to the present invention will be described. In the following, the components of the other embodiment will be described mainly in terms of components that differ from those of the embodiments shown in Figures 1 to 6, and similar components will be denoted by the same reference numerals and their description will be omitted. For components that are not specifically described, the descriptions of the embodiments shown in Figures 1 to 6 will be applied as appropriate.

[0062] In the above-described embodiment, the central axis CL2 of the buffer channel BP of the discharge container 1 (discharge device 10) coincided with the central axis CL1 of the mixing channel FP and the central axis CL3 of the nozzle channel NP, but the invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, as shown in the discharge container 1a in Figure 7, the central axis CL2 of the buffer channel BP may be at an angle with respect to the central axis CL1 of the mixing channel FP and the central axis CL3 of the nozzle channel NP. The central axis CL1 of the mixing channel FP is in the direction along the shaft portion 41 of the mixing member 43. By having the central axis CL2 of the buffer channel BP at an angle with respect to the central axis CL1 of the mixing channel FP and the central axis CL3 of the nozzle channel NP, when the nozzle portion 23 is used facing the scalp, the area to be applied is prevented from becoming difficult to see due to the nozzle portion 23, making the application operation easier. From the viewpoint of further improving such effects, the inclination angle θ1 of the central axis CL2 of the buffer channel BP with respect to the central axis CL1 of the mixing channel FP is preferably 1° to 89°, more preferably 5° to 45°. From a similar viewpoint, the inclination angle θ2 of the central axis CL2 of the buffer channel BP with respect to the central axis CL3 of the nozzle channel NP is preferably 1° to 89°, more preferably 5° to 45°.

[0063] In a plan view, the central axes of the mixing channel FP and the nozzle channel NP in the dispensing container 1a do not coincide. This prevents the target area for application from becoming difficult to see when the nozzle 23 is directed towards the scalp, making the application operation easier.

[0064] This invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and can be modified as appropriate. Furthermore, the embodiments described above may be combined. For example, the dispensing container in the embodiment described above comprises a pair of aerosol containers 11, 11, but there may be only one aerosol container. In this case, the dispensing device and the connecting member 6 are each attached to one aerosol container.

[0065] Furthermore, although the above-described embodiment illustrates a configuration in which a sliding inclined portion (inclined edge portion 33a) is provided on the inner surface of the pressing operation portion 32, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, instead of the inner surface of the pressing operation portion 32, a sliding inclined portion (inclined surface) that inclins downward toward the aerosol container 11 may be provided on the opposing portion of the aerosol container 11 or the opposing portion of the connecting member 6 (operation arrangement portion 65 in the above-described embodiment). Even with such a configuration, when dispensing to the operation body portion 31, pushing the pressing operation portion 32 toward the aerosol container causes the pressing operation portion 32 to slide smoothly downward along the sliding inclined portion on the operation arrangement portion 65 side, and the operation body portion 31 and the push-down portion 35 can be lowered accordingly. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0066] 1 Discharge container 1a Discharge container 2 caps 3 Discharge operation section 4. Composite inner member 5 Pressing member 6. Connecting Members 10 Discharge device 11 Aerosol container 12 Container body 14 Stem 21 Upper part of the cap 22 Upper buffer flow forming part 22a Top section 22b Peripheral wall part 23 Nozzle section 23a Discharge port 24 Mixing insertion section 24a Large inner diameter cylinder part 24b Small inner diameter cylinder part 25 Cover body 26 Lower buffer channel forming section 27 First connecting channel forming section 28 Lower part of the cap 29 Cylindrical wall section 31 Operating Unit 32 Press operation section 41 Shaft 42 Screw blades 43 Mixing components 44 Horizontal flow path forming part 46 Second connecting channel forming section 50 Pressing substrate 52 Insertion plate 53 Outer frame wall section 54 Lower flow path forming part 56 Stem insertion tube section 60 Connected cylindrical body 65 Operation arrangement section 66 Guide protrusion 111 Inner bag 121 Outer container BP buffer channel FP mixing flow path NP nozzle internal flow path X horizontal direction Y (depth direction) Z (height direction)

Claims

1. A dispensing container comprising a pair of aerosol containers filled with a first agent and a second agent, and a dispensing device attached to the top of the aerosol containers, for dispensing a mixed liquid of the first agent and the second agent, The dispensing device has a mixing channel for mixing the first and second components dispensed from the stem of the aerosol container, a nozzle channel connected to the discharge port, and a buffer channel interposed between the mixing channel and the nozzle channel. The buffer channel has a larger cross-sectional area than the mixing channel and the nozzle channel. A dispensing container in which the first agent and the second agent, dispensed from the stem of the aerosol container, pass through the mixing channel, the buffer channel, and the nozzle channel in that order, thereby dispensing the mixed liquid from the dispensing port.

2. The discharge container according to claim 1, wherein the cross-sectional area of ​​the buffer channel is 2 times or more and 20 times or less the cross-sectional area of ​​the mixing channel.

3. The discharge container according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the cross-sectional area of ​​the buffer channel is 2 times or more and 80 times or less the cross-sectional area of ​​the channel inside the nozzle.

4. The aerosol container is a double-walled aerosol container comprising an inner bag containing a first or second agent and an outer container containing the inner bag, wherein the outer container is filled with a gas that pressurizes the inner bag. The discharge container according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the internal pressure of the outer container is 0.2 MPa or more and 0.9 MPa or less.

5. The discharge container according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the central axes of the mixing channel, the buffer channel, and the nozzle channel are aligned with the height direction of the discharge container.

6. The discharge container according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the central axis of the buffer channel is at an angle with respect to the central axes of the mixing channel and the nozzle channel.

7. The discharge container according to claim 6, wherein the mixing channel and the nozzle channel do not coincide in terms of their central axis positions in a plan view.

8. The discharge container according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the buffer channel has a buffer wall that defines the channel, and the buffer wall intersects with the extension of the central axis of the mixing channel.

9. The discharge container according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the mixing channel extends in the height direction of the discharge container and a mixing member is arranged therein.

10. The discharge container according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the length of the flow path inside the nozzle is 10 mm or more and 100 mm or less.

11. The buffer channel is divided by a partition having a communication portion into a first space and a second space located on the nozzle internal channel side of the first space. The first space and the second space are in communication with each other via the aforementioned connecting portion. The mixed liquid that flows from the mixing channel into the buffer channel flows through the first space, the communication section, and the second space in that order. The discharge container according to claim 1 or 2, wherein in the first space, the mixed liquid flows away from the central axis of the mixing channel, and in the second space, it flows towards the central axis of the channel inside the nozzle and flows into the channel inside the nozzle.

12. The dispensing device includes a pressing member that pushes down the stem of the aerosol container, and a dispensing operation unit that pushes the pressing member down toward the stem. The pressing member has a stem insertion cylinder portion into which the stem is inserted. The discharge operation unit has a push-down part assembled to the pressing member and an operation body connected to the push-down part, and the operation body has a support piece extending downward from the push-down part and a pressing operation unit connected to the support piece. The aerosol container or the connecting member has a portion that faces the inner surface of the pressing operation portion, The inner surface of the pressing operation part, or the opposing part, is provided with a sliding inclined portion that slopes downward toward the aerosol container. The dispensing container according to claim 1 or 2, wherein when a dispensing operation is performed on the operating body, the pressing operating part is pushed toward the aerosol container, causing the pressing operating part to slide downward along the sliding inclined part, and as a result the operating body descends, and the stem insertion cylinder is pushed down in conjunction with the push-down part.

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