Aerosol container spray nozzle
By designing multiple injection ports and nozzle holes in the nozzle and adopting a distribution and tributary structure, the problems of high cost and degradation of injection performance in existing nozzles when reducing noise are solved, achieving low noise and high performance injection effects.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- JP2021080455
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2021-05-11
- Publication Date
- 2025-04-30
- Estimated Expiration
- 2041-05-11
AI Technical Summary
Existing spray can injection nozzles have high costs and degraded injection performance in reducing noise, especially when using special materials and open cell pore structures.
A nozzle is designed using multiple injection ports and nozzle holes to distribute the contents into the multiple nozzle holes through distribution and tributary structures, thereby reducing noise while maintaining injection performance.
This achieves significant reduction of nozzle noise without using expensive acoustic absorbing materials while maintaining the same injection performance as conventional products.
Smart Images

Figure 0007670545000003 
Figure 0007670545000004 
Figure 0007670545000005
Abstract
Description
[Technical field]
[0001] This invention relates to a spray nozzle for use in an aerosol container that sprays the contents enclosed together with liquefied gas or compressed gas in the form of a mist using gas pressure, and in particular to a spray nozzle for aerosol containers (silent nozzle) that reduces spray noise and enhances quietness. [Background technology]
[0002] An aerosol container is a container for sealing contents including liquefied gas or compressed gas in the container and spraying the contents by gas pressure. Aerosol containers are used for products (spray products or aerosol products) for various purposes, such as coolants, deodorants, hair styling products, cosmetics, and insecticides. A typical aerosol container has a stem of a valve mechanism installed on the top of a bottle-shaped container such as a metal can. An injection button is attached to the stem, and an injection nozzle is attached to the injection button, or the injection button and the injection nozzle are molded integrally. Then, by pressing down the injection button, a stem hole formed in the stem opens to the inside of the aerosol container, and the contents in the aerosol container including pressurized liquefied gas or compressed gas are forcefully sprayed to the outside through the stem hole and the stem through the injection nozzle. Therefore, when the contents in the aerosol container are sprayed from the injection nozzle, a loud injection sound is generated. Therefore, depending on the location or situation in which an aerosol product in an aerosol container is used, the spray sound emitted from the spray nozzle may become a loud noise, which may cause discomfort to the user and those around. In addition, the noise may cause anxiety to users, which may discourage them from using the aerosol product.
[0003] In order to address such problems with conventional aerosol containers, Patent Document 1 describes an injection nozzle for an aerosol container that aims to suppress the injection sound and obtain a sufficient sound deadening effect. In the injection nozzle described in Patent Document 1, the discharge side of the stem and the injection hole at the tip of the injection nozzle are connected by a tubular flow passage. The flow passage is formed in the inner peripheral part of a cylindrical injection tube. In the injection nozzle described in Patent Document 1, the injection tube that forms the outer wall part of the flow passage as described above is formed of an open-cell porous body. The open-cell porous body is formed, for example, of a resin such as high-density polyethylene, or a sintered material using brass, ceramics, or the like. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]
[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 5342848 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]
[0005] As described above, the injection nozzle described in Patent Document 1 has an injection tube formed of an open-cell porous material. That is, the outer wall of the flow passage through which the contents in the aerosol container flow toward the injection hole is formed of an open-cell porous material. Therefore, when the contents pass through the flow passage, the vibration of the air generated by the flow of the contents is absorbed by the porous material on the outer wall of the flow passage. As a result, the injection nozzle described in Patent Document 1 suppresses the injection sound, thereby reducing the noise caused by the injection sound.
[0006] However, the injection nozzle described in the above Patent Document 1 is expensive compared to conventional general injection nozzles because it uses special materials such as foamed resin and sintered material, and an open-cell porous body formed by a special manufacturing method. In addition, when the contents pass through the flow path of the porous body during injection, the injection force is weakened, that is, the injection amount and injection force of the contents may decrease. As a result, there is a risk that the desired good injection performance may not be obtained.
[0007] This invention was devised with an eye on the above-mentioned technical problems, and aims to provide a spray nozzle for an aerosol container that can easily achieve noise reduction without using special and expensive sound-absorbing materials, while still providing good spraying performance. [Means for solving the problem]
[0008] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an aerosol container including a bottle filled with a predetermined content including a liquefied gas or a compressed gas, a stem attached to the top of the bottle to seal the content inside the bottle and, when moved toward the inside of the bottle, a first opening formed on one end side opens into the bottle, allowing the content inside the bottle to flow, and a spray button attached to the top of the stem and operated by a user (for example, by being pressed down, or pressed down via an operating lever or the like) to move the stem toward the inside of the bottle, the spray button having a spray nozzle for spraying the content into the atmosphere and a second opening (i.e., That is, in the spray nozzle for an aerosol container, the nozzle connects an opening at the tip of a stem to the spray orifice and directs the contents flowing from within the bottle (through the stem) toward the spray orifice, the nozzle has a plurality of the spray orifices, a plurality of nozzle holes, one end of which opens into each of the plurality of spray orifices, and a branching section, which opens into the second opening and the other end of each of the plurality of nozzle holes and branches the contents flowing from the stem into the plurality of nozzle holes for flow, the diameter of the spray orifice and the diameter of the nozzle hole are both 1.0 mm or more and 1.5 mm or less, and the length of the nozzle hole from the opening connected to the nozzle hole of the branching section to the tip of the spray orifice is both 10 mm or more. and the distance between the centers of two adjacent nozzles in the diametric direction is 2 mm or more and 5 mm or less. It is characterized by the above.
[0010] In addition, the present invention may be configured so that when the contents are sprayed from the nozzle, the spray sound measured at a position 150 cm away from the nozzle is an A-weighted noise level of 40 dB or less at 3150 Hz.
[0011] In addition, the spray nozzle for an aerosol container in this invention may have a cylindrical outer tube member that forms the outer part (of the spray nozzle) and an inner tube member that is fitted into the inner peripheral part of the outer tube member, and may be constructed by assembling the outer tube member and the inner tube member.
[0012] The aerosol container according to the present invention may be configured to have a size that allows the user to hold it in his / her hand when using it.
[0013] The contents in the present invention may also include substances intended to be sprayed directly onto the human body (for example, cooling agents, antiperspirants, poultices, hair styling products, cosmetics, insect repellent sprays, etc.).
[0014] The contents in the present invention may include a substance intended to be sprayed into the space around the user (for example, a deodorant, an aromatic, an insecticide, etc.). Effect of the Invention
[0015] The aerosol container spray nozzle of the present invention has a plurality of spray ports and a plurality of nozzle holes in order to suppress the spray sound and to achieve quieter spraying. That is, while a conventional aerosol container spray nozzle generally has one spray port, the aerosol container spray nozzle of the present invention has at least two spray ports. Also, a branching section is provided for branching or distributing the contents flowing from the second opening on the discharge side of the stem toward the above-mentioned plurality of nozzle holes and the above-mentioned plurality of spray ports. And, in the aerosol container spray nozzle of the present invention, the diameters (hole diameters) of the nozzle holes and spray ports provided as above are all formed to be values within a range of 1.0 mm or more and 1.5 mm or less. At the same time, the lengths of the plurality of nozzle holes are all formed to be values of 10 mm or more. The end of the nozzle hole on the branching section side is connected to the branching section and opens into the branching section. Meanwhile, the opening portion of the tip of the nozzle hole on the spray port side forms the spray port. Therefore, the length of the nozzle hole in this case is the distance from the opening connected to the nozzle hole of the branched portion to the tip of the nozzle. Furthermore, in the aerosol container spray nozzle of this invention, the distance between two adjacent nozzles (and two nozzle holes) among the multiple nozzles provided as described above may be formed to be a value within the range of 2 mm or more and 5 mm or less. In this case, the distance between the two nozzles is the distance between the centers of the diameters (hole diameters) of the respective nozzles. And, as a result of intensive research and experiments, the inventors of this invention have confirmed that by providing multiple nozzles and nozzle holes as described above and by specifying the shape and dimensions or arrangement intervals of the multiple nozzles and nozzle holes within the above-mentioned numerical range, a good effect of reducing the noise level of the spray sound can be obtained. It has also been confirmed that the amount of spray and the spray force of the contents can be obtained that are comparable to those of conventional products. Therefore, with the aerosol container spray nozzle of the present invention, the spray sound can be easily reduced by simply changing the number and shape dimensions of the spray nozzle and nozzle holes, without using special and expensive sound-absorbing materials that would increase costs.Moreover, good injection performance similar to that of the conventional art can be ensured. [Brief description of the drawings]
[0016] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing an example of an aerosol container and a spray nozzle for an aerosol container that are the subject of an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] 1 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a spray nozzle for an aerosol container according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing one example of an injection port of a nozzle hole formed in a spray nozzle for an aerosol container in an embodiment of the present invention (an example in which two injection ports are provided). [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing another example of an injection port of a nozzle hole formed in a spray nozzle for an aerosol container in an embodiment of the present invention (an example in which four injection ports are provided). [Diagram 5] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing another example of the nozzle orifice of the nozzle hole formed in the spray nozzle for an aerosol container in the embodiment of the present invention (an example in which eight nozzle orifices are provided). [Figure 6] FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing an example of an injection port of a nozzle hole formed in a conventional injection nozzle for an aerosol container (an example in which one injection port is provided) as a comparative example. [Figure 7] FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing another example of the nozzle orifices of the nozzle hole formed in the spray nozzle for an aerosol container in the embodiment of the present invention (an example in which four nozzle orifices are irregularly arranged). [Figure 8] FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing another example of the nozzle orifices of the nozzle hole formed in the spray nozzle for an aerosol container in the embodiment of the present invention (an example in which four nozzle orifices are irregularly arranged). [Figure 9] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing another example of the nozzle orifice of the nozzle hole formed in the spray nozzle for an aerosol container in an embodiment of the present invention (an example in which four nozzle orifices are arranged near the outer periphery of the spray nozzle). [Figure 10]FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing another example (rectangular nozzle) of the nozzle hole formed in the spray nozzle for an aerosol container in the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing another example (a triangular nozzle) of the nozzle hole formed in the spray nozzle for an aerosol container in the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing another example of a spray nozzle for an aerosol container in an embodiment of the present invention (an example in which the outer shape of the spray nozzle is formed in a rectangular shape). [Figure 13] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing another example of a spray nozzle for an aerosol container in an embodiment of the present invention (an example in which the outer shape of the spray nozzle is formed into an elliptical shape). DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0017] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the following embodiment is merely an example of a specific embodiment of the present invention, and is not intended to limit the present invention.
[0018] An example of an aerosol container and a spray nozzle used in the aerosol container that are the subject of an embodiment of the present invention are shown in Fig. 1. The aerosol container 1 shown in Fig. 1 includes a bottle 2, an overcap 3, a spray button 4, and a spray nozzle 5.
[0019] The bottle 2 is a container portion in which the content 6 of the aerosol container 1 is filled. The bottle 2 is formed of a metal material such as steel or aluminum. Alternatively, the bottle 2 may be a pressure-resistant bottle made of glass or resin.
[0020] Here, the contents 6 are composed of a liquid phase portion 6a and a gas phase portion 6b. The liquid phase portion 6a is the liquid phase portion in the mixture of the target substance and the propellant. The gas phase portion 6b is the gas phase portion in the mixture of the target substance and the propellant. The target substance is a substance that is an active ingredient of an aerosol product (spray product) using the aerosol container 1. The uses of aerosol products can be broadly divided into, for example, for human use, which is used by the user spraying it directly on the human body, for daily use (household use), which is used by the user spraying it toward the surrounding space (including a predetermined target in the space), and for industrial use, which is used in industrial product manufacturing plants, construction sites, etc. Examples of target substances in aerosol products for the human body include cooling agents, antiperspirant deodorants, anti-inflammatory analgesics, cosmetics, hair styling agents, hair growth agents, insect repellent sprays, etc. Examples of target substances in aerosol products for daily use include deodorants, fragrances, waterproofing / water repellents, antistatic agents for clothing, insecticides, pest repellents, disinfectant sprays, etc. Examples of target substances for industrial aerosol products include paints, rust inhibitors, lubricants, release agents, adhesives, and cleaning agents.
[0021] On the other hand, the propellant is a medium for spraying the target substance from the aerosol container 1, and is filled into the bottle 2 as the contents 6 together with the target substance. As the propellant, a liquefied gas or a compressed gas is used. The liquefied gas has a property of being liquefied by being pressurized at room temperature, and a mixture of the pressurized liquid-phase liquefied gas (i.e., the propellant) and the target substance is filled into the bottle 2 as the contents 6. As the liquefied gas, for example, dimethyl ether (DME), liquefied natural gas (LPG), hydrofluoroolefin (HFO), etc. may be used. As the liquefied gas, any of the various gases as described above may be used alone. Alternatively, as the liquefied gas, a combination of a plurality of the various gases as described above may be used. Moreover, the compressed gas has a property of being difficult to liquefy even when pressurized at room temperature, and the compressed gas in the gas phase (i.e., the propellant) is pressurized and filled into the bottle 2 as the contents 6 together with the target substance. The compressed gas may be, for example, carbon dioxide gas (CO2), nitrogen gas (N2), nitrous oxide gas (N2O), compressed air, or the like.
[0022] The mixing ratio of the target substance and the propellant is adjusted so that the active ingredient of the target substance is appropriately sprayed. For example, the volume ratio of the target substance and the propellant is appropriately adjusted and set within the range of “5:95” to “95:5”.
[0023] As described above, the aerosol container spray nozzle in the embodiment of the present invention is intended to reduce the sound of spraying. Situations in which such a reduction in the sound of spraying is required include, for example, situations in which there are people other than the user in a relatively quiet room, such as in an office, school, or hospital, and the user is worried about the sound of the aerosol product spraying. Alternatively, for example, situations are assumed in which there are a relatively large number of people around, even outdoors, such as in a train, a park, or a ball game or stadium, and the user is worried about the sound of the aerosol product spraying. The aerosol container 1 used in such situations is assumed to be, for example, of a size that allows the user to carry it in a bag or a pocket of clothing and use it. For example, a relatively large or heavy aerosol product used in a manufacturing factory or a building or construction site may be excluded from the scope of the scope. Therefore, the aerosol container 1 in the embodiment of the present invention can be of a size that allows the user to hold it in his or her hand and use it, for example, a size that allows the user to operate it with one hand.
[0024] The overcap 3 is formed of a cylindrical member that covers the spray button 4 and the spray nozzle 5. The overcap 3 is detachably attached to the top of the bottle 2. That is, by attaching the overcap 3 to the top of the bottle 2 and covering the spray button 4 and the spray nozzle 5, the spray button 4 and the spray nozzle 5 are protected. The overcap 3 also prevents the spray button 4 from being pressed accidentally. The overcap 3 is removed from the bottle 2 when the aerosol container 1 is used.
[0025] The spray button 4 is attached to the upper part of the ejection side of a stem 7, which will be described later. The spray button 4 is configured to move the stem 7 toward the inside (bottom side) of the bottle 2 when pressed down by a user of the aerosol container 1. In addition, a spray nozzle 5 is attached to the spray button 4. Specifically, a connection path 8, which will be described later, is formed inside the spray button 4, and the spray nozzle 5 is attached to the spray button 4 so that the connection path 8 communicates with an inlet path 5a of the spray nozzle 5, which will be described later.
[0026] More specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, the aerosol container 1 includes the bottle 2, the spray button 4, the spray nozzle 5, and the like, as well as a stem 7 and a connection path 8. The stem 7 constitutes a valve mechanism (not shown) of the bottle 2, and is attached to the upper part of the bottle 2 (the discharge side, the upper side in FIG. 2). The stem 7 is formed of a cylindrical member. The stem 7 has a stem hole 7a and a discharge port 7b. The stem hole 7a is an opening formed on one end side (the lower end side in FIG. 2) of the stem 7, and corresponds to the "first opening" in the embodiment of this invention. The stem hole 7a is connected to a housing (not shown) in which the valve mechanism is provided. The valve mechanism operates and opens when the stem 7 moves toward the inside of the bottle 2 (the bottom side, the lower side in FIG. 2), opening the stem hole 7a into the inside of the bottle 2. The discharge port 7b is an opening at the tip of the stem 7 formed on the other end side (the upper end side in FIG. 2) of the stem 7, and corresponds to the "second opening" in the embodiment of the present invention. Therefore, the stem 7 seals the content 6 filled in the bottle 2, and when the ejection button 4 is pressed down and the stem 7 moves into the bottle 2, it opens into the bottle 2 and allows the content 6 in the bottle 2 to flow toward the discharge port 7b. In other words, the stem 7 functions as a part of a valve mechanism that opens and closes the discharge portion of the bottle 2.
[0027] The connection path 8 is formed inside the jet button 4. Alternatively, the connection path 8 is formed inside the jet button 4 and integrally with the jet button 4. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the connection path 8 and the jet button 4 are formed integrally inside the jet button 4. Note that in FIG. 2, the jet button 4 is shown with a cross section partially omitted. The connection path 8 communicates the stem 7 and the jet nozzle 5. Specifically, the connection path 8 is such that the jet button 4 is attached to the stem 7, so that one stem opening 8a (opening downward in FIG. 2) of the connection path 8 is connected to the outlet 7b of the stem 7. In addition, the connection path 8 is such that the jet button opening 8b (opening leftward in FIG. 2) of the connection path 8 is connected to the inlet 5a of the jet nozzle 5 described later, so that the jet nozzle 5 is attached to the jet button 4. Therefore, the stem 7 and the jet nozzle 5 are communicated via the connection path 8.
[0028] The injection nozzle 5 in the embodiment of the present invention has an inflow passage 5a, a branching portion 5b, a nozzle hole 5c, and an injection port 5d. As shown in FIG. 2, the injection nozzle 5 is formed of a cylindrical member. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, an inflow passage 5a is formed in a protrusion 5e protruding from one end of the injection nozzle 5 (the end on the right side in FIG. 2). The inflow passage 5a is a flow path that penetrates from the tip of the protrusion 5e (the end on the right side in FIG. 2) to a branching portion 5b described later. The protrusion 5e of the injection nozzle 5 is fitted into a recess (not shown) formed in the injection button 4 corresponding to the protrusion 5e, whereby the injection nozzle 5 is attached to the injection button 4. Then, by attaching the injection nozzle 5 to the injection button 4 as described above, the opening portion of one end (the end on the right side in FIG. 2) of the inflow passage 5a and the injection button opening 8b of the connection path 8 are communicated.
[0029] The branching portion 5b is formed inside the injection nozzle 5 and communicates the inflow passage 5a with a nozzle hole 5c described later. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the branching portion 5b is formed by a space hollowed out in a flat cylindrical shape inside the injection nozzle 5. The other end (left end in FIG. 2) of the inflow passage 5a opens at one end (right end in FIG. 2) of the branching portion 5b. A plurality of nozzle holes 5c described later open at the other end (left end in FIG. 2) of the branching portion 5b. Therefore, the branching portion 5b communicates the inflow passage 5a with the plurality of nozzle holes 5c, and causes the contents 6 flowing from inside the bottle 2 to flow by branching them to the plurality of nozzle holes 5c.
[0030] In addition, the injection nozzle 5 in the embodiment of the present invention is formed with a plurality of nozzle holes 5c and injection ports 5d, i.e., at least two nozzle holes 5c and injection ports 5d. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, two nozzle holes 5c and two injection ports 5d are formed. One end (the end on the right side in FIG. 2) of each nozzle hole 5c is connected to the branching portion 5b and opens. The other end (the end on the left side in FIG. 2) of each nozzle hole 5c is connected to the injection port 5d and opens to the outside. In other words, the opening portion at the tip of each nozzle hole 5c forms the injection port 5d. Each injection port 5d injects the contents 6 flowing from inside the bottle 2 into the atmosphere. Therefore, the injection nozzle 5 communicates the discharge port 7b of the stem 7 with the plurality of nozzle holes 5c through the connection path 8, the inflow path 5a, and the branching portion 5b, and causes the contents 6 flowing from inside the bottle 2 to flow toward the injection port 5d.
[0031] In addition, the injection nozzle 5 in the embodiment of the present invention may be configured to be formed by assembling a plurality of members. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 2, the injection nozzle 5 is formed by assembling two members, an outer cylinder member 5f and an inner cylinder member 5g.
[0032] The outer cylinder member 5f is a member that forms the outer shape of the injection nozzle 5 and the inflow passage 5a, and is formed by a cylindrical member with one end (the end on the right side in FIG. 2) closed by the bottom 5h. The above-mentioned protrusion 5e is formed so as to protrude from the bottom 5h. The above-mentioned inflow passage 5a is formed by penetrating the protrusion 5e and the bottom 5h. The inner peripheral portion of the outer cylinder member 5f is formed so that the inner cylinder member 5g is fitted into it. That is, the inner diameter of the inner peripheral portion of the outer cylinder member 5f is appropriately set in accordance with the outer shape of the inner cylinder member 5g.
[0033] The inner cylinder member 5g is a member that forms the branched portion 5b of the injection nozzle 5, the multiple nozzle holes 5c, and the multiple injection ports 5d, and is formed of a cylindrical member. The outer diameter of the outer peripheral portion of the inner cylinder member 5g is appropriately set in accordance with the inner peripheral shape of the outer cylinder member 5f. One end face of the inner cylinder member 5g (the end face on the right side in FIG. 2) is hollowed out in a portion equivalent to the volume of the branched portion 5b (for example, is countersunk in a circular shape). Therefore, the inner cylinder member 5g is fitted into the inner peripheral portion of the outer cylinder member 5f, and one end face of the inner cylinder member 5g is abutted against the bottom portion 5h of the outer cylinder member 5f to form the branched portion 5b. Therefore, the branched portion 5b opens to the discharge port 7b (i.e., the "second opening") of the stem 7 via the inflow path 5a and the above-mentioned connection path 8.
[0034] In addition, the above-mentioned multiple nozzle holes 5c are formed so as to penetrate from the portion where one end face of the inner cylinder member 5g is hollowed out to the other end face of the inner cylinder member 5g (the end face on the left side in FIG. 2). Therefore, multiple injection ports 5d are formed at the portions where the multiple nozzle holes 5c open from the other end face of the inner cylinder member 5g. Therefore, by fitting the inner cylinder member 5g into the inner peripheral portion of the outer cylinder member 5f and assembling the outer cylinder member 5f and the inner cylinder member 5g, a branching portion 5b is formed inside, and an injection nozzle 5 having an inflow passage 5a and multiple nozzle holes 5c each opening into the branching portion 5b, and multiple injection ports 5d opening from the multiple nozzle holes 5c is formed. Therefore, the injection nozzle 5 has a branching portion 5b inside that opens to the other end (the end opposite to the injection port 5d) of the multiple nozzle holes 5c.
[0035] The above-mentioned injection button 4 and injection nozzle 5 are manufactured, for example, using resin as a material. The material of the injection button 4 and the material of the injection nozzle 5 may be the same. Alternatively, different materials may be appropriately selected and used according to the respective applications and conditions of use. Also, in FIG. 2, an example is shown in which the injection button 4 and the injection nozzle 5 are molded separately and assembled, but the injection button 4 and the injection nozzle 5 may be molded integrally as one member. Also, as described above, when the injection nozzle 5 is configured with two pieces, the outer cylinder member 5f and the inner cylinder member 5g, for example, the outer cylinder member 5f and the injection button 4 may be molded integrally as one member, and the inner cylinder member 5g may be fitted and assembled into the outer cylinder member 5f integral with the injection button 4 to form the injection nozzle 5.
[0036] When using an aerosol product contained in the aerosol container 1 configured as above, the user first removes the overcap 3 from the bottle 2 to expose the spray button 4 and the spray nozzle 5. Next, the user holds the bottle 2 in one hand and presses down the spray button 4 with the fingers of the hand holding the bottle 2. As the spray button 4 is pressed down, the stem 7 is pushed into the bottle 2. When the stem 7 moves toward the inside of the bottle 2, the stem hole 7a of the stem 7 opens into the bottle 2. As a result, the inside of the bottle 2 is opened to the outside (atmosphere) through the stem 7. Since the pressure inside the bottle 2 is high due to the propellant, the target substance filled inside the bottle 2 together with the propellant as the contents 6 is forcefully sprayed from the spray port 5d together with the propellant through the stem 7 and the spray nozzle 5.
[0037] As described above, the conventional aerosol container spray nozzle generates a loud spray sound when spraying the contents in the aerosol container as described above. Therefore, depending on the location and situation where the aerosol product in the aerosol container is used, the spray sound generated from the spray nozzle may become a noise and cause discomfort to the user and people around. Alternatively, there is a risk that the use of the aerosol product may be noticed by people around. In response to this, as in the spray nozzle for aerosol containers described in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, there is a conventional technology in which an open-cell porous body is provided inside the spray nozzle, and the air vibration generated by the flow of the contents during spraying is absorbed by the porous body, thereby suppressing the spray sound. However, the use of a special material such as an open-cell porous body leads to an increase in the cost of the spray nozzle. In addition, when the contents pass through the flow path of the porous body, the momentum of the spray of the contents may be weakened while absorbing the air vibration as described above. As a result, there is a possibility that the desired spray performance cannot be obtained.
[0038] Therefore, in the injection nozzle 5 of the aerosol container 1 in the embodiment of the present invention, as described above, a plurality of injection ports 5d and nozzle holes 5c (two in the embodiment shown in FIG. 2) are formed. The injection ports 5d and nozzle holes 5c are each formed so that the diameter D of each of the injection ports 5d and nozzle holes 5c is 1.0 mm or more and 1.5 mm or less, and the length L of each of the nozzle holes 5c is 10 mm or more. As shown in FIG. 2, the diameter D is the aperture of the injection port 5d and the hole diameter of the nozzle hole 5c. The length L of the nozzle hole 5c is the distance from the opening portion connected to the nozzle hole 5c of the branch portion 5b to the tip of the injection port 5d.
[0039] Furthermore, in the injection nozzle 5 according to the embodiment of the present invention, the injection port 5d and the nozzle hole 5c are formed such that the interval P between two adjacent injection ports 5d and nozzle holes 5c is 2 mm or more and 5 mm or less. As shown in Fig. 3, the interval P is the distance between the centers of the diameters (hole diameters) D of the injection ports 5d and the nozzle holes 5c adjacent to each other.
[0040] In order to define the number, shape and dimensions, and arrangement interval of the injection ports 5d and nozzle holes 5c of the injection nozzle 5 in the embodiment of the present invention within the above-mentioned numerical ranges, an evaluation test was carried out. The specifications of the example and the specifications of a comparative example in which a similar evaluation test was carried out to confirm the effects of the example are summarized in Table 1 below. [Table 1] In all examples and comparative examples, an "aerosol container" (bottle and spray button) of the product name "Dry Cool Air Smooth Touch" manufactured by Kiribai Chemical Industry Co., Ltd. was used. The "bottle" was made of steel, and the "spray button" was made of resin. The "bottle" was cylindrical, measuring 20 cm in height and 5 cm in diameter. The "contents" were a "target substance" (medicine): a cooling agent, and a "propellant": liquefied natural gas (LPG). The internal pressure of the "bottle" was approximately 0.40 MPa at 25°C.
[0041] In Example 1, the "injection nozzle" attached to the above product was changed to an injection nozzle 5 having a length L of the nozzle hole 5c of 12.2 mm, as shown in Table 1, two injection ports 5d, a diameter D of the injection ports 5d and the nozzle hole 5c of 1.2 mm, and a spacing P between the multiple injection ports 5d of 3.6 mm, as shown in FIG. 3. The injection nozzle 5 of Example 2 is similar to the injection nozzle 5 of Example 1 above, except that the length L of the nozzle hole 5c is 30.5 mm. The injection nozzle 5 of Example 3 is similar to the injection nozzle 5 of Example 2 above, except that the diameter D of the injection ports 5d and the nozzle hole 5c is 1.4 mm. The injection nozzle 5 of Example 4 is similar to the injection nozzle 5 of Example 2 above, except that the number of injection ports 5d is three. The injection nozzle 5 of Example 5 is similar to the injection nozzle 5 of Example 4 above, except that the diameter D of the injection ports 5d and the nozzle hole 5c is 1.0 mm. The injection nozzle 5 of Example 6 is similar to the injection nozzle 5 of Example 1, except that the number of injection ports 5d is four, as shown in FIG. 4. The injection nozzle 5 of Example 7 is similar to the injection nozzle 5 of Example 2, except that the number of injection ports 5d is four, as shown in FIG. 4. The injection nozzle 5 of Example 8 is similar to the injection nozzle 5 of Example 2, except that the number of injection ports 5d is eight, as shown in FIG. 5. The injection nozzle 5 of Example 9 is similar to the injection nozzle 5 of Example 2, except that the interval P between the multiple injection ports 5d is 2.4 mm. And the injection nozzle 5 of Example 10 is similar to the injection nozzle 5 of Example 2, except that the interval P between the multiple injection ports 5d is 4.8 mm.
[0042] On the other hand, in Comparative Example 1, the "jet nozzle" (the length of the "nozzle hole" is 6.1 mm, the number of "jet ports" is one as shown in FIG. 6, and the diameter D of the "jet port" and the "nozzle hole" is 1.2 mm) attached to the above product was used as is. The "jet nozzle" of Comparative Example 2 is similar to the "jet nozzle" of Comparative Example 1 above, except that the length L of the "nozzle hole" is 12.2 mm. The "jet nozzle" of Comparative Example 3 is similar to the "jet nozzle" of Comparative Example 1 above, except that the length L of the "nozzle hole" is 30.5 mm. In Comparative Examples 1, 2, and 3 above, the distance from the jet button opening 8b of the connection path 8 to the tip of the "jet port" was taken as the length L of the "nozzle hole". The "jet nozzle" of Comparative Example 4 is similar to the "jet nozzle" of Comparative Example 3 above, except that the number of "jet ports" is two and the diameter D of the "jet port" and the "nozzle hole" is 0.8 mm. The "injection nozzle" of Comparative Example 5 is similar to the "injection nozzle" of Comparative Example 4 above, except that the diameter D of the "injection port" and the "nozzle hole" is 1.7 mm. The "injection nozzle" of Comparative Example 6 is similar to the injection nozzle 5 of Example 2 above, except that the interval P between the multiple injection ports 5d is 1.7 mm. The "injection nozzle" of Comparative Example 7 is similar to the injection nozzle 5 of Example 2 above, except that the interval P between the multiple injection ports 5d is 5.5 mm.
[0043] The results of the evaluation tests conducted on each of the Examples and Comparative Examples shown in Table 1 above, and the pass / fail judgment results for the aerosol container spray nozzle that aims to reduce the spray noise (i.e., a "silent nozzle") based on the test results, are summarized in Table 2 below. [Table 2] The evaluation method for the spray noise was to measure the sound pressure level (noise level) at 3150 Hz with A-weighting at a position 150 cm from the tip of the spray nozzle in an atmosphere of normal temperature, normal humidity, and normal pressure. The distance from the tip of the spray nozzle (150 cm) is assumed to be the average distance between the user of the aerosol product in the aerosol container and the person nearby the user. As a guideline, if the noise level measured under such conditions is less than 40 dB, the evaluation of the spray noise is passed (○), and if it is 40 dB or more, the evaluation of the spray noise is failed (×). The evaluation method for the cooling temperature was, as described above, to measure the cooling temperature of the contents 6 sprayed for 5 seconds at a position 25 cm from the tip of the spray nozzle, assuming that the contents 6 are filled with a cooling agent. The distance from the tip of the spray nozzle (25 cm) is assumed to be the average distance when a user sprays the product toward any part of their body. If the cooling temperature of the contents 6 measured under such conditions was within a range of ±5°C of the cooling temperature (-40°C) when the current product ("Dry Cool Air Smooth Touch") described above was used, the cooling temperature was evaluated as pass (○); otherwise, the cooling temperature was evaluated as fail (×). The dripping evaluation method was as follows: if no dripping was observed at the tip of the spray nozzle after the contents 6 was sprayed for 5 seconds, the dripping evaluation was passed (○); if there was no dripping but a certain amount of the contents (cooling agent) was attached to the tip of the spray nozzle, or if dripping occurred at the tip of the spray nozzle, the dripping evaluation was failed (×). If all of the evaluation results for the above three items were pass (○), the overall evaluation was passed; if any one of the items was fail (×), the overall evaluation was failed. For the evaluation tests for each of the above items, measurements were performed three times, and the average value of the three measurements was used for the evaluation.
[0044] In the case where the number of "jet orifices" and "nozzle holes" is only one, as in the "jet nozzles" shown in Comparative Examples 1 to 3 in Table 2 above, the noise level of the jet sound did not become less than 40 dB even if the length L of the "nozzle hole" was increased. Also, as shown in Comparative Examples 4 and 5 in Table 2, even if the number of "jet orifices" and "nozzle holes" is two, the noise level of the jet sound did not become less than 40 dB if the diameter D of the "jet orifice" and the "nozzle hole" was out of the range of 1.0 mm to 1.4 mm. On the other hand, in the case where the number of jet orifices 5d and nozzle holes 5c is two or more, as in the jet nozzles 5 shown in Examples 1 to 10 in Table 2 above, the noise level of the jet sound became less than 40 dB when the length L of the nozzle hole 5c was 10 mm or more and the diameter D of the jet orifice 5d and the nozzle hole 5c were both within the range of 1.0 mm to 1.4 mm. The appropriate range of the interval P between the multiple injection ports 5d is 2 mm or more and 5 mm or less. For example, as in the injection nozzles 5 shown in Comparative Examples 6 and 7 in Table 2, if the interval P between the multiple injection ports 5d is out of the range of 2 mm or more and 5 mm or less, the noise level of the injection sound exceeds 40 dB.
[0045] Based on the test results of the evaluation test as described above and the evaluation results of the test results, in the aerosol container spray nozzle in the embodiment of the present invention, the number of the spray orifices 5d and the nozzle holes 5c is two or more, and the spray nozzle 5 is formed so that the diameter D of each of the spray orifices 5d and the nozzle holes 5c is a value within a range of 1.0 mm or more and 1.5 mm or less. At the same time, the spray nozzle 5 is formed so that the length L of each of the nozzle holes 5c is a value of 10 mm or more. Furthermore, in the aerosol container spray nozzle in the embodiment of the present invention, the spray nozzle 5 is formed so that the interval P between two adjacent spray orifices 5d and nozzle holes 5c among the multiple spray orifices 5d and nozzle holes 5c provided as described above is a value within a range of 2 mm or more and 5 mm or less.
[0046] As a result, in the aerosol container spray nozzle of the embodiment of the present invention, by providing a plurality of spray ports 5d and nozzle holes 5c as described above, and by defining the shape and dimensions or the arrangement interval of the plurality of spray ports 5d and the plurality of nozzle holes 5c within the above-mentioned numerical range, a good effect of reducing the noise level of the spray sound is obtained. In addition, the spray performance of the contents 6 is also ensured to be equivalent to that of the conventional product. Therefore, according to the aerosol container spray nozzle of the embodiment of the present invention, the spray sound can be easily silenced by simply changing the number and shape and dimensions of the spray ports 5d and nozzle holes 5c without using special and expensive sound absorbing materials that cause cost increases. In addition, good spray performance similar to that of the conventional product can be ensured.
[0047] In addition, the injection nozzle for aerosol containers in the embodiment of the present invention is not limited to the number, arrangement, and shape of the injection nozzle 5 described above with respect to the injection nozzle 5. For example, as shown in FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, the injection nozzle 5 may have four injection ports 5d and four nozzle holes 5c irregularly arranged. Also, as shown in FIG. 9, the injection nozzle 5 may have four injection ports 5d and four nozzle holes 5c arranged near the outer edge of the injection nozzle 5. Also, the injection ports 5d and the nozzle holes 5c are not limited to being circular, and may be, for example, an injection nozzle 5 having a rectangular injection port 5d as shown in FIG. 10. For example, when the injection port 5d is square, the diameter of the circumscribing circle of the square may be the diameter D of the injection port 5d and the nozzle hole 5c in the embodiment of the present invention. Also, an appropriate numerical range corresponding to the rectangular injection port 5d may be separately defined. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 11, the injection nozzle 5 may have a triangular injection port 5d. For example, when the shape of the injection port 5d is an equilateral triangle, the diameter of the circumscribing circle of the equilateral triangle may be set as the diameter D of the injection port 5d and the nozzle hole 5c in the embodiment of the present invention. Also, an appropriate numerical range corresponding to the triangular injection port 5d may be separately defined. Furthermore, the outer shape of the injection nozzle 5 is not limited to a circle, and may be, for example, an injection nozzle 5 having an outer shape formed in a rectangular shape as shown in FIG. 12. Or, an injection nozzle 5 having an outer shape formed in an elliptical shape as shown in FIG. 13. [Explanation of symbols]
[0048] 1. Aerosol container 2 bottles 3. Overcap 4 Injection button 5. Injection nozzle 5a (Inlet passage of injection nozzle) 5b (Injection nozzle) branch 5c (injection nozzle) nozzle hole 5d (Injection nozzle) nozzle 5e (Injection nozzle) protrusion 5f (Injection nozzle) outer cylinder member 5g (Injection nozzle) inner cylinder part 5h (Bottom of the outer cylinder of the injection nozzle) 6 Contents 6a Liquid phase (in the contents) 6b Gas phase (in the contents) 7. Stem 7a (Stem) Stem hole (first opening) 7b (Stem) outlet (second opening) 8 Connection Path 8a Stem opening (connection path) 8b (Connection path) injection button opening D Diameter of the nozzle orifice and hole L Nozzle hole length P is the distance between two adjacent nozzle holes
Claims
1. A bottle filled with a predetermined content including a liquefied gas or a compressed gas; a stem that is attached to an upper portion of the bottle, seals the contents in the bottle, and when moved toward the inside of the bottle, a first opening formed on one end side opens into the bottle, allowing the contents in the bottle to flow; an injection button attached to an upper portion of the stem and operated by a user to move the stem toward inside the bottle; The aerosol container is provided with a spray nozzle for an aerosol container, the spray nozzle having an outlet for spraying the content into the atmosphere, the nozzle being connected to a second opening formed on the other end side of the stem, and the nozzle directing the content flowing from within the bottle toward the nozzle, A plurality of the injection ports; a plurality of nozzle holes each having one end opening to the plurality of jet ports; a branching portion that opens to the second opening portion and the other end portion of the plurality of nozzle holes, respectively, and branches the content flowing from the stem to the plurality of nozzle holes to flow therethrough; having The diameter of the injection port and the diameter of the nozzle hole are both 1.0 mm or more and 1.5 mm or less; the length of the nozzle hole from an opening portion of the branch portion connected to the nozzle hole to a tip of the injection port is 10 mm or more in each case; and The distance between the centers of two adjacent injection ports in the diametric direction is 2 mm or more and 5 mm or less.
1. A spray nozzle for an aerosol container.
2. The spray nozzle for an aerosol container according to claim 1, When the contents are sprayed from the nozzle, the sound of the spray measured at a position 150 cm away from the nozzle is 40 dB or less at a noise level of 3150 Hz with A-weighting.
1. A spray nozzle for an aerosol container.
3. The spray nozzle for an aerosol container according to claim 1 or 2, A cylindrical outer tube member that forms an outer shape of the housing; an inner cylindrical member that is fitted into an inner peripheral portion of the outer cylindrical member; having The outer cylindrical member and the inner cylindrical portion are assembled together.
1. A spray nozzle for an aerosol container.
4. The spray nozzle for an aerosol container according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The aerosol container is sized to be handheld by the user.
1. A spray nozzle for an aerosol container.
5. The spray nozzle for an aerosol container according to any one of claims 1 to 4, The contents include substances intended to be sprayed directly on the human body.
1. A spray nozzle for an aerosol container.
6. The spray nozzle for an aerosol container according to any one of claims 1 to 4, The contents include a substance intended to be sprayed into the space around the user.
1. A spray nozzle for an aerosol container.
Citation Information
Patent Citations
Current limiting circuit for two wire type transmitter
JP1978042848A
Push button for aerosol
JP2003311192A
Jetting button for aerosol container
JP2004161339A
Cap unit and aerosol atomizer
JP2007145350A
Aerosol product
JP2010100342A