Trigger-type liquid ejector

Abstract

To provide a trigger type liquid spray device capable of improving component durability by suppressing concentration of a large load to an energization member as well as an engaging part of the energization member.SOLUTION: A trigger type liquid spray device comprises: a spray device body 10 attached to a container body A; and a nozzle member 11 attached to a front end part of the spray device body 10 and formed with a spray hole 11a. The spray device body 10 comprises: a vertical supply cylindrical part 20 extending in an upward-downward direction; a pump part 22 for feeding liquid toward the spray hole 11a through the vertical supply cylindrical part 20; a trigger part 18 movably provided in a front-and-rear direction in front of the vertical supply cylindrical part 20 and for operating the pump part 22; and an energization member for energizing the trigger part 18 frontward. The pump part 22 comprises a volume-variable part for increasing or decreasing an internal volume with forward and backward movement of the trigger part 18. The volume-variable part is constituted so as to be elastically deformable and energizes the trigger part 18 frontward when the trigger part 18 is moved backward.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a trigger-type liquid ejector.

Background Art

[0002] A trigger-type liquid ejector includes a vertically extending vertical supply cylinder portion, an injection cylinder portion extending forward from the upper end portion of the vertical supply cylinder portion, a nozzle member having an ejection hole disposed in front of the injection cylinder portion, a trigger portion provided to be movable back and forth in front of the vertical supply cylinder portion, and a pump portion that sends out liquid toward the ejection hole as the trigger portion moves back and forth (see, for example, Patent Document 1 below). In the configuration of Patent Document 1 below, the trigger portion is biased forward by a biasing member such as a resin spring.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in the above conventional trigger-type liquid ejector, the trigger portion is biased forward only by the biasing force of one biasing member. Therefore, when the trigger portion is operated, a large operating load concentrates on the biasing member and the locking portion of the biasing member, and there is a concern that deterioration such as sagging may occur in the biasing member portion and the locking portion.

[0005] The present invention provides a trigger-type liquid ejector that can suppress the concentration of a large load on the biasing member and the locking portion of the biasing member and improve the durability of parts.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, the present disclosure has adopted the following aspects. A trigger-type liquid dispenser according to one aspect of the present disclosure comprises a dispenser body attached to a container body for containing liquid, and a nozzle member attached to the front end of the dispenser body and having a discharge hole formed therein for discharging liquid forward, wherein the dispenser body comprises a vertical supply cylinder portion extending in the vertical direction, a pump portion that sends liquid through the vertical supply cylinder portion toward the discharge hole, a trigger portion provided in front of the vertical supply cylinder portion so as to be movable in the front-rear direction for operating the pump portion, and a biasing member that biases the trigger portion forward, wherein the pump portion has a volume variable portion that increases or decreases its internal volume in accordance with the front-rear movement of the trigger portion, the volume variable portion is configured to be elastically deformable and biases the trigger portion forward when the trigger portion moves backward.

[0007] In this configuration, the variable-volume section of the pump is configured to be elastically deformable, and when the trigger section moves backward, the variable-volume section biases the trigger section forward. Therefore, the biasing force that returns the trigger section to its initial forward position is a combination of the biasing force from the biasing member and the biasing force from the elasticity of the variable-volume section. Consequently, for example, the operating reaction force of the biasing member can be set to be small, and the biasing member can be made smaller, lighter, or made of a different material. Furthermore, with the above configuration, the operating load associated with the operation of the trigger section is supported not only by the biasing member but also by the elasticity of the variable-volume section of the pump section. Therefore, when this configuration is adopted, the input of large loads to the biasing member and its locking part when the trigger section is operated is suppressed.

[0008] The variable volume section is configured as a bellows-like shape with multiple pleats arranged in the front-to-back direction, and at least a portion of the bellows-like shape may be composed of continuous spiral pleats.

[0009] In this case, since at least a portion of the bellows shape of the volume-variable section is composed of continuous helical folds, the helical folds function as a coil spring. Therefore, while the volume-variable section performs its volume-variable function, sufficient spring reaction force (biasing force) can be applied to the trigger section. Consequently, when this configuration is adopted, the load acting on the biasing member when the trigger section is operated can be further reduced.

[0010] The variable volume section has a bellows-shaped first circumferential wall located at one end in the front-rear direction and a bellows-shaped second circumferential wall located at the other end in the front-rear direction, and the bellows shapes of the first and second circumferential walls may be such that the folds of each circumferential wall rotate and extend in opposite directions.

[0011] In this case, when the bellows shapes of the first and second circumferential walls expand and contract, twisting occurs at one end and the other end of the rotating folds of each bellows shape in a direction corresponding to the direction of expansion and contraction. In this configuration, since the direction of rotation of the folds of the bellows shapes of the first and second circumferential walls is set to be opposite, the twisting at the abutting portion of the first and second circumferential walls cancels each other out. Therefore, by adopting this configuration, excessive twisting of the first and second circumferential walls can be suppressed, and the durability of the volume-variable section can be increased.

[0012] The ejector body further comprises a passage that connects the internal space of the container body to the outside, and an opening / closing body that closes the passage when the trigger portion is at the front end position and opens the passage when the trigger portion is at the retracted position, wherein the opening / closing body may be biased by the volume variable portion in the direction of closing the passage.

[0013] In this case, when the volume of the variable volume section expands and the trigger section is displaced forward, the opening / closing body receives a biasing force from the variable volume section and closes the passage. As a result, the internal space of the container is isolated from the outside. Furthermore, when the trigger is operated backward from this state and the volume of the variable volume section is reduced, the opening / closing body opens the passage. As a result, the internal space of the container is reconnected to the outside, and the internal pressure of the container, which is reduced as the liquid is drawn up, is returned to a pressure close to atmospheric pressure. In particular, in this configuration, when the trigger is in its initial forward position, the opening / closing part receives the elastic force of the volume variable part and reliably closes the communication passage. Therefore, it is possible to reliably prevent the liquid inside the container from leaking out through the communication passage when the container is tipped over or for other reasons. Furthermore, if the liquid contained in the container is easily vaporized, it is possible to prevent the vaporized liquid inside the container from being released to the outside through the communication passage when the trigger is not operated. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] According to an aspect of the present invention, it is possible to suppress the concentration of large loads on the biasing member and the locking portion of the biasing member, thereby improving the durability of the components. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0015] [Figure 1] This is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a trigger-type liquid dispenser according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] This is an enlarged view of part II of Figure 1 of the trigger-type liquid dispenser according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] This is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the trigger-type liquid dispenser according to the embodiment during the dispensing operation. [Figure 4] This is an enlarged view of part IV of Figure 3 of the trigger-type liquid dispenser according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] This is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a trigger-type liquid dispenser according to another embodiment. [Figure 6] This is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a trigger-type liquid dispenser during the dispensing operation according to another embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0016] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In each embodiment described below, corresponding components may be denoted by the same reference numerals and their descriptions may be omitted.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 1, the trigger-type liquid ejector 1 of the present embodiment is configured to eject the liquid accommodated in the container body A. The trigger-type liquid ejector 1 includes an ejector body 10, a nozzle member 11, and a cover 13. Each component of the trigger-type liquid ejector 1 is a molded product made of a synthetic resin such as an olefin resin, unless otherwise specified.

[0018] The ejector body 10 includes a flow path member 15 having a vertical supply cylinder portion 20, a mounting cap 16, a pipe 17, and a trigger portion 18.

[0019] Hereinafter, the direction along the axis O1 of the vertical supply cylinder portion 20 (axial direction) is defined as the vertical direction, the bottom side (not shown) of the container body A along the vertical direction is defined as the lower side, and the opposite side is defined as the upper side. When viewed from the vertical direction, the direction intersecting the axis O1 is defined as the radial direction. Among the radial directions, the direction in which the vertical supply cylinder portion 20 and the nozzle member 11 are arranged is defined as the front-rear direction. Among the front-rear directions, the side of the nozzle member 11 with respect to the vertical supply cylinder portion 20 is defined as the front side, and the opposite side is defined as the rear side. Further, among the radial directions, when viewed from the vertical direction, the direction orthogonal to the front-rear direction is defined as the left-right direction.

[0020] The flow path member 15 is a portion through which the liquid sucked up from the container body A through the pipe 17 flows toward the nozzle member 11. The flow path member 15 includes a vertical supply cylinder portion 20, a horizontal supply cylinder portion 21, and a pump portion 22. The vertical supply cylinder portion 20 sucks up the liquid in the container body A through the mouth portion A1 of the container body A. The vertical supply cylinder portion 20 is formed in a multi-stage cylindrical shape in which the diameter decreases as it is located higher. Specifically, the vertical supply cylinder portion 20 includes a small-diameter portion 20a located above, and a large-diameter portion 20c connected to the lower side of the small-diameter portion 20a via a step portion 20b. In the illustrated example, the vertical supply cylinder portion 20 has a double-cylinder structure including an outer cylinder and an inner cylinder disposed inside the outer cylinder.

[0021] The large-diameter portion 20c is provided with a flange portion 20d that protrudes outward in the radial direction. A ball valve 28 is provided in the middle of the vertical direction within the small diameter section 20a. The ball valve 28 moves toward and away from the lower valve seat 20e, which protrudes into the small diameter section 20a, from above. Within the small diameter section 20a, the ball valve 28 switches between communication and blockage between the inside of the container A and the pump section 22 via the vertical supply cylinder 20. Specifically, when the ball valve 28 is separated from the lower valve seat 20e, it allows the flow of liquid from inside the container A to the pump section 22 through the vertical supply cylinder 20. Also, when the ball valve 28 is seated on the lower valve seat 20e, it restricts the flow of liquid from the pump section 22 to inside the container A through the vertical supply cylinder 20.

[0022] A switching valve 29 is provided at the upper end of the small-diameter section 20a (the portion located above the ball valve 28). The switching valve 29 is integrally formed from an elastically deformable material such as LDPE (low-density polyethylene). The switching valve 29 is fitted into the small-diameter section 20a so as to be movable upward when biased downward. The switching valve 29 moves toward and away from the upper valve seat 20f that protrudes into the small-diameter section 20a from above. Within the small-diameter section 20a, the switching valve 29 switches between communication and blockage between the pump section 22 and the horizontal supply section 21 through the vertical supply section 20. Specifically, when the switching valve 29 is separated upward from the upper valve seat 20f, it allows the flow of liquid from the pump section 22 to the horizontal supply section 21 through the vertical supply section 20. Furthermore, when the switching valve 29 is seated on the upper valve seat portion 20f, it restricts the flow of liquid from the horizontal supply cylinder portion 21 to the pump portion 22 through the vertical supply cylinder portion 20.

[0023] In front of the small-diameter portion 20a, there is a mounting recess 20g to which a telescopic cylinder unit 34, described later, is attached. The mounting recess 20g is formed in the shape of a bottomed cylinder that opens forward. At the peripheral wall portion 20p of the mounting recess 20g, a part of the lower end is connected to the stepped portion 20b. At the peripheral wall portion 20p of the mounting recess 20g, the upper end is connected to the lateral supply cylinder portion 21 (injection cylinder portion 31, described later) via a vertical rib 20h. The vertical rib 20h extends in the front-rear direction, with the left-right direction being the thickness direction.

[0024] As shown in an enlarged view in Figure 2, a through-hole 40 is provided in the lower region of the peripheral wall portion 20p of the mounting recess 20g, passing radially through the peripheral wall portion 20p. The lower side of the through-hole 40 communicates with the internal space of the container body A through a communication space 41 provided in the large-diameter portion 20c of the flow path member 15. The upper side of the through-hole 40 communicates with the outside (atmosphere) through a gap 42 between the peripheral wall portion 20p and the telescopic cylinder unit 34. This gap 42, the through-hole 40, and the communication space 41 constitute a communication passage 43 that connects the internal space of the container body A to the outside.

[0025] The horizontal supply cylinder section 21 is the portion through which the liquid that has passed through the vertical supply cylinder section 20 flows toward the nozzle member 11. The horizontal supply cylinder section 21 extends linearly forward from the upper end of the vertical supply cylinder section 20. The horizontal supply cylinder section 21 comprises an injection cylinder section 31 and a relay member 32. The injection cylinder portion 31 is integrally formed with the vertical supply cylinder portion 20 (outer cylinder portion). The injection cylinder portion 31 extends forward from a portion located above the upper valve seat portion 20f at the upper end of the vertical supply cylinder portion 20. The relay member 32 connects the injection cylinder portion 31 and the nozzle member 11. The relay member 32 is assembled to the injection cylinder portion 31 from the front.

[0026] The pump unit 22 operates in accordance with the movement of the trigger unit 18 (it sucks in the liquid inside container A and discharges the sucked-in liquid). The pump unit 22 is equipped with a telescopic cylinder unit 34, which is a variable-volume unit. The telescopic cylinder unit 34 is equipped with peripheral walls 44f and 44r that can expand and contract in the front-rear direction. The telescopic cylinder unit 34 increases or decreases its internal volume in accordance with the expansion and contraction movement of the peripheral walls 44f and 44r in the front-rear direction. The telescopic cylinder unit 34 is formed as a top-shaped cylinder, and a connecting piece 45 is provided on the top wall located at the front end, which is rotatably connected to the trigger unit 18. In this embodiment, the peripheral walls 44f and 44r constitute the first and second peripheral walls of the variable-volume unit. The rear end of the telescopic cylinder unit 34, which opens toward the rear, is fitted and fixed to a fitting portion 20r formed on the bottom wall portion 20q side of the inner circumferential surface of the mounting recess 20g.

[0027] A communication passage 36 is formed in the bottom wall portion 20q of the mounting recess 20g. The communication passage 36 connects the inside of the telescopic cylinder unit 34 to the position between the ball valve 28 and the switching valve 29 in the small diameter portion 20a of the vertical supply cylinder portion 20. The inside of the telescopic cylinder unit 34 is depressurized as it moves in the extending direction and pressurized as it moves in the retracting direction. Further details of the structure of the telescopic cylinder unit 34 will be described later.

[0028] The mounting cap 16 is formed in a cylindrical shape that extends vertically. The mounting cap 16 is detachably fastened to the mouth A1 of the container body A, with the flange portion 20d sandwiched between it and the upper opening edge of the mouth A1 via a packing. Note that the method of fixing the mounting cap 16 to the mouth A1 may be other than screws (for example, fitting).

[0029] The pipe 17 is inserted into the vertical supply cylinder section 20 through the inside of the large-diameter section 20c and fitted into the small-diameter section 20a from below. When the trigger-type liquid dispenser 1 is attached to the container body A, the pipe 17 extends downward inside the container body A.

[0030] The nozzle member 11 is attached to the relay member 32 from the front. The nozzle member 11 is formed in a top-opening cylindrical shape that opens to the rear. An ejection hole 11a extending in the front-rear direction is formed in the top wall (front wall) of the nozzle member 11. The ejection hole 11a communicates with the injection cylinder 31 through the inside of the nozzle member 11 and the inside of the relay member 32.

[0031] The cover 13 surrounds the portion of the sprayer body 10 located above the mounting cap 16 from above, behind, and from the sides. The cover 13 is attached to the sprayer body 10 when the sprayer body 10 is inserted from the front.

[0032] The trigger section 18 is provided in front of the vertical supply cylinder section 20 so as to be movable backward. The trigger section 18 comprises an operating arm 18a with a substantially U-shaped or U-shaped cross-section that extends in the longitudinal direction (up and down direction) and opens to the rear, and a pair of left and right support pieces 18b that extend upward from the left and right side walls of the operating arm 18a. The left and right support pieces 18b are provided with pivot shafts 46 that protrude outward in the left and right direction. On the other hand, the left and right side walls of the relay member 32 are provided with shaft support pieces 47 that have a substantially U-shape when viewed from the side. The shaft support piece 47 opens toward the rear, and the pivot shafts 46 of the left and right support pieces 18b are rotatably received on the inner arc surface thereof. Therefore, the operating arm 18a of the trigger section 18 is rotatably supported by the relay member 32 with the left and right pivot shafts 46 received by the shaft support pieces 47.

[0033] Furthermore, spring plate portions 48 extending downward and backward in an arc shape are provided on the left and right side walls of the intermediate member 32 at a position forward of the shaft support piece 47. The spring plate portions 48 have an arc-shaped elongated hole that penetrates in the left-right direction. The spring plate portions 48 are designed to bend and deform (elastically deform) in a direction perpendicular to the left-right direction, centered on the base end (connection point) which is connected to the main body portion of the intermediate member 32. Engaging claws 49 extending linearly downward are provided at the lower ends of each of the left and right spring plate portions 48. The engaging claws 49 are inserted from above into pocket portions 50 provided on the left and right side walls of the operating arm 18a of the trigger portion 18. The pocket portions 50 are concave shapes that open upward and backward, and the engaging claws 49 are inserted so as to be slidable in the vertical direction.

[0034] Here, when a retractive operating force is applied to the operating arm 18a, the trigger portion 18 rotates rearward (counterclockwise in the figure) around the center of the arc on the inner circumference of the shaft support piece 47 of the intermediate member 32. At this time, the spring plate portion 48, whose lower end is engaged with the pocket portion 50 by the engaging claw 49, attempts to rotate around the base end (connection point) of the intermediate member 32, which is forward of the shaft support piece 47. As a result of the misalignment of the rotation centers of the trigger portion 18 and the spring plate portion 48, the spring plate portion 48 deforms by bending in a direction perpendicular to the left-right direction around the base end (connection point), and the engaging claw 49 slides within the pocket portion 50. Consequently, a biasing force due to the bending deformation of the spring plate portion 48 acts on the trigger portion 18 toward the front. In this embodiment, the spring plate portion 48 constitutes a biasing member that biases the trigger portion 18 forward.

[0035] Furthermore, a vertically elongated connecting cylinder 51 is provided in the middle of the operating arm 18a in the longitudinal direction (up and down direction) (approximately the same position as the pocket portion 50), extending rearward from the front wall of the operating arm 18a. Connecting shafts 52 are provided on the left and right inner surfaces of the rear end of the connecting cylinder 51, protruding inward in the left and right direction. The left and right connecting shafts 52 are rotatably connected to the connecting piece 45 at the front end of the telescopic cylinder unit 34. The movement of the operating arm 18a of the trigger portion 18 (movement in the front and back direction) is transmitted to the telescopic cylinder unit 34 through the connecting shafts 52.

[0036] Next, the detailed structure of the telescopic cylinder unit 34 in the pump section 22 will be described. The telescopic tube unit 34 comprises a top-cylindrical first tube 34A and a cylindrical second tube 34B. The first tube 34A has a circumferential wall 44f, and the second tube 34B has a circumferential wall 44r. The first cylinder 34A has the aforementioned connecting piece 45 integrally provided on the outside (front) side of its top wall, and a cylindrical outer guide cylinder 55 integrally provided on the inside (rear) side of its top wall. The outer guide cylinder 55 extends in the front-rear direction from the center of the inner surface (rear) of the top wall toward the rear. A cylindrical inner guide cylinder 60 protrudes forward from the center of the bottom wall portion 20q of the mounting recess 20g. The inner guide cylinder 60 extends in the front-rear direction from the front of the bottom wall portion 20q, and its tip is slidably inserted into the outer guide cylinder 55 from the rear. The inclination of the first cylinder 34A during operation is restricted by the outer guide cylinder 55 being guided by the inner guide cylinder 60. Furthermore, the rear end of the peripheral wall 44f of the first cylinder 34A is provided with a connecting cylinder portion 44c that is fitted and fixed to the front end of the second cylinder 34B.

[0037] The main part of the circumferential wall 44f of the first cylinder 34A has a bellows shape in which multiple pleats are arranged in the front-to-back direction. The first cylinder 34A is elastically deformable in the front-to-back direction due to the bellows shape of the circumferential wall 44f. The bellows shape of the circumferential wall 44f is composed of continuous helical pleats 53 (see Figures 2 and 4). The continuous helical shape of the circumferential wall 44f functions as a coil spring. In this embodiment, the folds 53 of the peripheral wall 44f are formed in a wave-like shape when viewed in cross-section from the left and right directions.

[0038] The second cylinder 34B is provided with a connecting cylinder portion 44d at the front end of its peripheral wall 44r, which is fitted and fixed to the connecting cylinder portion 44c of the first cylinder 34A. As shown in Figures 2 and 4, the connecting cylinder portion 44d has an annular groove 56 that opens to the front, and the connecting cylinder portion 44c of the first cylinder 34A is fitted into this annular groove 56. The connecting cylinder portions 44c and 44d of the first cylinder 34A and the second cylinder 34B maintain mutual airtightness when fitted together. The two connecting cylinder portions 44c and 44d may also be joined by welding, adhesive, or other means.

[0039] Furthermore, the second cylinder 34B is provided with a fitting cylinder portion 44e at the rear end of the peripheral wall 44r, which is fitted and fixed into the fitting portion 20r of the mounting recess 20g. The main part of the peripheral wall 44r of the second cylinder 34B has a bellows shape in which multiple pleat shapes are arranged in the front-to-back direction. Similar to the first cylinder 34A, the second cylinder 34B is elastically deformable in the front-to-back direction due to the bellows shape of the peripheral wall 44r. Similar to the first cylinder 34A, the bellows shape of the peripheral wall 44r is composed of continuous helical pleats 53 (see Figures 2 and 4). The pleats 53 of the peripheral wall 44r are formed in a wave shape when viewed in cross-section from the left and right directions. However, the direction in which the helix extends of the pleats 53 of the peripheral wall 44r of the second cylinder 34B is opposite to the direction in which the helix extends of the pleats 53 of the peripheral wall 44f of the first cylinder 34A. In the case of the peripheral wall 44r of the second cylinder 34B, the continuous helix formed by the pleats 53 functions as a coil spring.

[0040] Here, as shown in Figures 2 and 4, the pleats 53 of the peripheral walls 44f and 44r of the first cylinder 34A and the second cylinder 34B are formed with a thin wall in the corrugated bent portion and a thicker wall in the portion connecting the bent portions (straight portion). Therefore, with this configuration, the bent portions of the peripheral walls 44f and 44r of the first cylinder 34A and the second cylinder 34B are more easily deformed when compressed.

[0041] Furthermore, the rear surface of the connecting cylinder portion 44d of the second cylinder 34B is provided with a plurality of projections 57 that protrude toward the rearward side at a position radially outward from the peripheral wall 44r. A gap is provided between adjacent projections 57. The tip of each projection 57 faces the front surface 70 of the outer peripheral edge of the fitting cylinder portion 44e. The projections 57 directly transmit the load required to push the fitting cylinder portion 44e into the fitting portion 20r on the mounting recess 20g when assembling the telescopic cylinder unit 34 into the mounting recess 20g. Specifically, when the telescopic cylinder unit 34 is assembled, the second cylinder 34B is inserted into the mounting recess 20g, and in this state, an axial pressing load is applied from the first cylinder 34A to the connecting cylinder portion 44d of the second cylinder 34B. This causes the peripheral wall 44r of the second cylinder 34B to deform in the compression direction, and the tip of the projection 57 comes into contact with the front surface 70 of the fitting cylinder portion 44e. If a further pressing load is applied in this state, the load is directly transmitted from the projection 57 to the fitting cylinder portion 44e. As a result, the fitting cylinder portion 44e of the telescopic cylinder unit 34 is easily fitted and fixed to the fitting portion 20r on the mounting recess 20g side.

[0042] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 2 and 4, an annular inner bulge 58 that bulges radially inward is provided on the inner circumferential surface near the front end of the mounting recess 20g. In contrast, an annular outer bulge 59 that bulges radially outward is provided on the outer circumferential surface of the connecting cylinder portion 44d of the second cylinder 34B. The outer bulge 59 of the connecting cylinder portion 44d is positioned behind the inner bulge 58 in the mounting recess 20g after the telescopic cylinder unit 34 is assembled into the mounting recess 20g. The outer bulge 59 and the inner bulge 58 have overlapping bulge heights in the radial direction. The outer bulge 59 is designed to contact the inner bulge 58 from the rear side by receiving the elastic force of the circumferential wall 44r of the second cylinder 34B. In its initial state, when the outer bulge 59 is not subjected to a retractable cylinder unit 34 from the trigger 18, it is in contact with the inner bulge 58 due to the elastic force of the peripheral wall 44r (see Figure 2). On the other hand, when the outer bulge 59 is subjected to a retractable cylinder unit 34 from the trigger 18, it separates from the inner bulge 58 due to the compressive deformation of the peripheral wall 44r (see Figure 4). This creates a gap between the outer bulge 59 and the inner bulge 58 that allows air to circulate. In this embodiment, the outer bulge 59 of the second cylinder 34B constitutes an opening and closing body that opens and closes the communication passage 43. The outer bulge 59, which is the opening and closing body, is biased in the direction of closing the communication passage 43 by the elasticity of the peripheral wall 44r of the telescopic cylinder unit 34 (variable volume section). When the retraction operation of the trigger part 18 is released, the spring plate part 48 acts to pull the telescopic cylinder unit 34 forward via the trigger part 18, so the biasing force of the spring plate part 48 also contributes to the force that closes the communication passage 43 on the outer bulge 59.

[0043] Next, we will explain the case in which the trigger-type liquid dispenser 1 described above is attached to container body A and used. It is assumed that by operating the trigger unit 18 multiple times, liquid is filled into each part of the trigger-type liquid dispenser 1, and the liquid can be drawn up into the vertical supply cylinder 20.

[0044] In the initial state where the trigger unit 18 is not operated backward, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, the telescopic cylinder unit 34 of the pump unit 22 has its peripheral walls 44f and 44r extended in the front-rear direction, and its internal volume is at its maximum. In this state, the outer bulge 59, which is the opening and closing part of the second cylinder 34B, is in close contact with the inner bulge 58 of the mounting recess 20g. As a result, the communication passage 43 is closed.

[0045] When the operating arm 18a of the trigger unit 18 is pulled backward from this state, as shown in Figure 3, the operating arm 18a moves backward starting from the support part at the upper end. At this time, the spring plate portion 48, which is a biasing member, elastically deforms and acts a biasing force toward the operating arm 18a toward the forward side. On the other hand, when the operating arm 18a moves backward, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, the front end portion (connecting piece 45) of the telescopic cylinder unit 34 connected to the operating arm 18a is pushed backward. As a result, the peripheral walls 44f and 44r of the telescopic cylinder unit 34 elastically deform to shorten their axial length. At this time, a reaction force (biasing force) corresponding to the backward displacement of the operating arm 18a acts from the peripheral walls 44f and 44r of the telescopic cylinder unit 34 to the operating arm 18a. Therefore, when the trigger portion 18 is operated, the operating arm 18a is biased forward by a combined force of the biasing force of the spring plate portion 48 and the elastic reaction force of the peripheral walls 44f and 44r of the telescopic cylinder unit 34.

[0046] Furthermore, when the peripheral wall 44r of the telescopic cylinder unit 34 elastically deforms in the contraction direction, the outer bulge 59, which is the opening and closing body of the second cylinder 34B, moves away from the inner bulge 58 of the mounting recess 20g towards the rear. As a result, the communication passage 43 is opened to the outside, and the internal space of the container body A comes into contact with the outside (outside air).

[0047] As the trigger unit 18 moves backward, the peripheral walls 44f and 44r of the telescopic cylinder unit 34 deform in the contraction direction, and the liquid inside the telescopic cylinder unit 34 is pressurized as a result of this deformation. This causes the liquid inside the telescopic cylinder unit 34 to be supplied to the vertical supply cylinder section 20 (small diameter section 20a) through the communication passage 36. Then, the pressure of the liquid supplied to the small diameter section 20a pushes the ball valve 28 toward the lower valve seat section 20e, thereby blocking communication between the inside of container body A and the inside of the vertical supply cylinder section 20. As a result, the liquid inside the small diameter section 20a flows upward through the vertical supply cylinder section 20.

[0048] As liquid flows into the small-diameter section 20a, the space within the small-diameter section 20a enclosed by the ball valve 28 and the switching valve 29 is pressurized. This pushes the switching valve 29 upward, causing it to separate from the upper valve seat 20f. As a result, the small-diameter section 20a and the injection cylinder section 31 are connected, and the liquid in the small-diameter section 20a flows toward the injection cylinder section 31. The liquid flowing through the injection cylinder section 31 reaches the nozzle member 11 via the relay member 32 and is ejected through the ejection hole 11a.

[0049] On the other hand, when the trigger unit 18 is released, the operating arm 18a moves forward due to the restoring force of the spring plate unit 48 and the peripheral walls 44f, 44r of the telescopic cylinder unit 34. Consequently, the inside of the telescopic cylinder unit 34 is depressurized. As a result, the ball valve 28 lifts off the lower valve seat 20e, and the inside of the telescopic cylinder unit 34 communicates with the inside of container body A through the small diameter section 20a. Meanwhile, the switching valve 29 maintains its seated position on the upper valve seat 20f, thereby blocking communication between the telescopic cylinder unit 34 and the inside of the injection cylinder section 31 through the small diameter section 20a. As a result, the liquid inside container body A is drawn up into the vertical supply cylinder section 20. The liquid that has flowed into the vertical supply cylinder section 20 is introduced into the telescopic cylinder unit 34 through the communication passage 36, preparing it for the next ejection operation. Furthermore, when the trigger unit 18 is released, the liquid inside container A is drawn up into the vertical supply cylinder 20, allowing outside air to flow into container A through the communication passage 43. This prevents negative pressure from forming inside container A.

[0050] As described above, in this embodiment, the trigger-type liquid dispenser 1 has an elastically deformable telescopic cylinder unit 34 (volume variable part) of the pump section 22, and when the trigger section 18 moves backward, the telescopic cylinder unit 34 biases the trigger section 18 forward. Therefore, the biasing force that returns the trigger section 18 to its initial forward position is a combination of the biasing force of the spring plate section 48 (biasing member) and the elastic biasing force of the telescopic cylinder unit 34 (volume variable part). Consequently, when the trigger-type liquid dispenser 1 of this embodiment is adopted, the operating reaction force of the spring plate section 48 can be set to be small, and the spring plate section 48 can be made smaller and lighter. Furthermore, with the above configuration, the operating load associated with the operation of the trigger unit 18 is supported not only by the spring plate unit 48 (biasing member) but also by the elasticity of the telescopic cylinder unit 34 of the pump unit 22. Therefore, when the trigger-type liquid dispenser 1 of this embodiment is adopted, the input of large loads to the spring plate unit 48 and its locking part (engaging claw 49, etc.) when the trigger unit 18 is operated is suppressed, and the durability of the parts is improved.

[0051] Furthermore, by adopting this configuration, the deformation of the spring plate portion 48 (biasing member) can be suppressed, allowing the use of low-cost, highly moldable materials such as olefin resins for the spring plate portion 48 (biasing member). Therefore, compared to cases where a hard resin material such as POM (polyacetal) is used for the spring plate portion 48 (biasing member), the degree of freedom in material selection is improved, and a trigger-type liquid dispenser 1 with low cost and excellent shape accuracy can be provided. In addition, by using olefin resin for the biasing member as in this embodiment, the entire trigger-type liquid dispenser 1 can be formed from olefin resin, thereby reducing the environmental impact.

[0052] Furthermore, the trigger-type liquid dispenser 1 of this embodiment employs a telescopic cylinder unit 34 (variable volume section) in the pump section 22, which has the advantage of eliminating the need for lubricant to maintain the sliding properties of the sliding parts, compared to pumps of the type in which a piston slides inside a cylinder.

[0053] Furthermore, in the trigger-type liquid dispenser 1 of this embodiment, the peripheral walls 44f and 44r of the telescopic cylinder unit 34 are bellows-shaped, and the bellows shape is composed of continuous spiral folds 53. As a result, the spiral folds of the peripheral walls 44f and 44r of the telescopic cylinder unit 34 function as coil springs. Therefore, when this configuration is adopted, the telescopic cylinder unit 34 can exert a variable volume function while also being able to apply sufficient spring reaction force (biasing force) to the trigger part 18. Thus, when this configuration is applied, the load acting on the spring plate part 48 and its locking part (engaging claw 49) when the trigger part 18 is operated can be further reduced. Furthermore, in this configuration, since the peripheral walls 44f and 44r of the expandable cylinder unit 34 are composed of continuous spiral folds 53, when forming the first cylinder 34A and the second cylinder 34B by mold molding, the mold can be easily removed by rotating the mold while removing it from the molded body. Therefore, when this configuration is adopted, the molding of the expandable cylinder unit 34 becomes easier. In this embodiment, the entire area of ​​the peripheral walls 44f and 44r is composed of spiral folds 53, but the spiral folds 53 may be formed only on a part of the peripheral walls 44f and 44r.

[0054] Furthermore, in the case of the trigger-type liquid dispenser 1 of this embodiment, the bellows-shaped pleats 53 formed on the peripheral wall 44f of the first cylinder 34A and the bellows-shaped pleats 53 formed on the peripheral wall 44r of the second cylinder 34B are set to rotate in opposite directions. When the peripheral walls 44f and 44r of the first cylinder 34A and the second cylinder 34B expand and contract in conjunction with the operation of the trigger unit 18, twisting is likely to occur at one end and the other end of the spirally rotated pleats 53 of each peripheral wall 44f and 44r, corresponding to the direction of expansion and contraction. However, in the trigger-type liquid dispenser 1 of this embodiment, as described above, the direction of rotation of the pleats 53 of each peripheral wall 44f and 44r is set to opposite directions, so the twisting at the abutting portion of the two peripheral walls 44f and 44r cancels each other out. Therefore, by adopting this configuration, excessive twisting of the peripheral walls 44f and 44r can be suppressed, and the durability of the telescopic cylinder unit 34 can be increased. In addition, since the rotational load due to the twisting of the peripheral walls 44f and 44r is less likely to act on the fitting cylinder portion 44e of the second cylinder 34B, it is possible to prevent the telescopic cylinder unit 34 from coming off the mounting recess 20g and prevent liquid leakage from around the fitting cylinder portion 44e.

[0055] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the trigger-type liquid dispenser 1 has a second cylinder 34B of the telescopic cylinder unit 34 positioned in the middle of a communication passage 43 that connects the internal space of the container body A to the outside. The outer bulge 59 formed on the connecting cylinder portion 44d of the second cylinder 34B moves away from the inner bulge 58 on the mounting recess 20g side depending on the operating position of the trigger portion 18. The outer bulge 59, which is the opening and closing body, is biased by the peripheral wall 44r of the telescopic cylinder unit 34 in the direction of closing the communication passage 43. Therefore, when the trigger portion 18 is displaced to its front end, the connecting cylinder portion 44d receives a biasing force from the peripheral wall 44r of the telescopic cylinder unit 34, causing the outer bulge 59 of the connecting cylinder portion 44d to come into contact with the inner bulge 58, thereby reliably closing the communication passage 43. Therefore, if container A tips over, etc., it is possible to reliably prevent the liquid inside container A from leaking out to the outside through the communication passage 43. Also, if the liquid contained in container A is a liquid that easily vaporizes, it is possible to prevent the vaporized liquid inside container A from being released to the outside through the communication passage 43 when the trigger unit 18 is not operated.

[0056] Next, other embodiments shown in Figures 5 and 6 will be described. Figure 5 shows the initial state in which the trigger is not operated, and Figure 6 shows the state when the trigger is operated backward. The embodiment shown in Figures 5 and 6 differs from the above embodiment only in the structure of the telescopic cylinder unit 134 of the pump section. The telescopic cylinder unit 134 in this embodiment is composed entirely of a single component.

[0057] In other words, the telescopic tube unit 134 of this embodiment is formed in an overall top-shaped tube. The telescopic tube unit 134 has a front circumferential wall 144f and a rear circumferential wall 144r that are integrally connected via an intermediate flange 80. Both the front circumferential wall 144f and the rear circumferential wall 144r are composed of spirally extending pleats 53. A connecting piece 45 is integrally formed on the front side of the top wall that closes the front end of the front circumferential wall 144f, and an outer guide tube 55 is integrally formed on the rear side of the top wall. Furthermore, a fitting tube portion 144e is integrally formed on the rear part of the rear circumferential wall 144r, which is fitted and fixed into the fitting portion 20r of the mounting recess 20g.

[0058] The intermediate flange 80 protrudes radially outward from the front circumferential wall 144f and the rear circumferential wall 144r, and an outer bulge 59 is formed on its outer circumferential surface that can move toward and away from the inner bulge 58 on the mounting recess 20g side. In addition, a projection 57 is provided on the rear surface of the intermediate flange 80 that can abut against the front surface 70 of the fitting cylinder portion 144e.

[0059] Since the basic configuration of the trigger-type liquid dispenser of this embodiment is the same as that of the embodiment described above, it can obtain almost the same basic effects as the embodiment described above. However, since the entire telescopic cylinder unit 134 of the trigger-type liquid dispenser of this embodiment is made up of a single part, it has the further advantage of reducing the number of parts and thus reducing the assembly time of the parts.

[0060] Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments. Additions, omissions, substitutions, and other modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the present invention. The present invention is not limited by the above description, but only by the appended claims. In the embodiment described above, the trigger portion 18 was configured to be rotatable with its upper end as a pivot point, but the configuration is not limited to this. The trigger portion 18 may be configured to be slidable as long as it is movable in the front-rear direction. In the embodiment described above, an arc-shaped spring plate portion 48 is used as the biasing member that biases the trigger portion 18, but the configuration is not limited to this. The biasing member can be of any shape or material as long as it can bias the trigger portion 18 forward. In the embodiment described above, a retractable cylinder unit 34 (134) is used as the volume variable part of the pump section 22, in which spirally continuous folds 53 are provided on the peripheral walls 44f, 44r (144f, 144r). However, the configuration is not limited to this. The volume variable part can have any shape as long as it is elastically deformable and can accumulate elastic reaction force as its volume decreases. For example, the volume variable part may be balloon-shaped. However, in this case, it is desirable to add a guide part to restrict the deformation of the volume variable part. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0061] 1: Trigger-type liquid dispenser 10: Squirt body 11: Nozzle component 11a:Blowout hole 18: Trigger section 20: Vertical supply cylinder section 22: Pump section 34,134: Telescopic cylinder unit (variable volume section) 43:Communication path 44f: Peripheral wall (1st peripheral wall) 44r: Peripheral wall (second peripheral wall) 48: Spring plate section (biasing member) 53: Pleats 59: Outer bulge (opening / closing body) A: Container

Claims

1. an ejector body attached to a container body that contains a liquid; a nozzle member attached to a front end of the ejector body and having an ejection hole formed therein for ejecting the liquid forward, The ejector body includes: a vertical supply tube portion extending in the vertical direction; a pump unit that sends liquid toward the nozzle through the vertical supply tube unit; a trigger portion provided in front of the vertical supply tube portion and movable in a front-rear direction, the trigger portion operating the pump portion; a biasing member that biases the trigger portion forward, The pump portion has a volume variable portion that increases or decreases an internal volume in accordance with the forward or backward movement of the trigger portion, The volume variable portion is configured to be elastically deformable, and biases the trigger portion forward when the trigger portion moves backward.

2. the volume variable section is formed in a bellows shape with a plurality of pleats arranged in the front-rear direction, 2. The trigger-type liquid ejector according to claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the bellows shape is formed by continuous spiral pleats.

3. The volume variable section is a bellows-shaped first peripheral wall disposed on one end side in the front-rear direction; a bellows-shaped second peripheral wall disposed on the other end side in the front-rear direction, 3. The trigger-type liquid ejector according to claim 2, wherein the pleats of each of the bellows shapes of the first peripheral wall and the second peripheral wall extend in opposite directions.

4. The ejector body includes: a communication passage that communicates the interior space of the container body with the outside; an opening / closing body that closes the communication passage when the trigger portion is in a front end position and opens the communication passage when the trigger portion is in a retracted position, 4. The trigger-type liquid ejector according to claim 1, wherein the opening / closing body is biased by the volume variable portion in a direction to close the communication passage.

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