Trigger-type liquid ejector

Abstract

To provide a trigger type liquid ejection device capable of continuously ejecting liquid in both upright and inverted positions while suppressing an increase in diameter of a mounting cap.SOLUTION: A trigger type liquid ejection device 1 includes an ejector body 2 mounted to a mouth part of a container body A via a mounting cap 11 and a nozzle part 3 having an ejection hole 4 formed therein. The ejector body is provided with: an adapter 50 for upright and inverted positions located inside the mounting cap and below a vertical supply cylindrical part 10; a storage cylinder 80 located below the adapter for upright and inverted positions; and a storage plunger 100 mounted in the storage cylinder for downward movement in an upward energization state. The vertical supply cylindrical part includes a first flow path R1 through which a liquid flows toward an ejection hole side by rearward movement of a trigger part 31, and a second flow path R2 in which a part of the liquid flowed through the first flow path flows toward the storage cylinder. The adapter for upright and inverted positions includes a relay flow path R3 that communicates the second flow path with the inside of the storage cylinder.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] Trigger-type liquid ejectors are known that suck up liquid from within a container by operating a trigger portion and eject the liquid through an ejection hole. One known example of this type of trigger-type liquid ejector is shown in Patent Document 1 below, which comprises a ejector body that is attached to a container body that contains liquid, and a nozzle member that has an ejection hole for ejecting the liquid.

[0003] The ejector body is equipped with a storage cylinder having an inner cylinder and an outer cylinder. The storage cylinder is disposed vertically along the container axial direction inside an attachment cap that is attached to the mouth of the container body. The inside of the inner cylinder functions as a communication passage that connects the vertical flow path with the pipe. The annular space between the inner cylinder and the outer cylinder communicates with the vertical flow path via a communication passage. An annular piston is disposed in the annular space so as to be movable up and down while being biased upward.

[0004] In the above-mentioned trigger type liquid ejector, by operating the trigger part, a part of the liquid ejected from the ejection hole is introduced from the vertical flow path through the communication passage into the annular space and is stored in the storage cylinder while pressing the annular piston. This makes it possible to eject the liquid stored in the storage cylinder from the ejection hole by the upward biasing force of the annular piston even after the trigger part is operated. This makes it possible to perform continuous ejection of the liquid. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] JP 2014-148330 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, in this type of trigger type liquid ejector, there are cases where it is required to eject liquid both in the upright position and in the inverted position. To meet such needs, a trigger type liquid ejector is known that has a forward and inverted adapter attached to the inside of the mounting cap. The forward and inverted adapter is an adapter that allows the ejection of liquid from the container body in both the upright and inverted positions of the container body.

[0007] In the trigger type liquid ejector capable of continuous ejection described in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, when ejecting liquid in both upright and inverted positions, it is necessary to provide a forward and inverted adapter in addition to the storage cylinder inside the mounting cap. However, when both the storage cylinder and the forward and inverted adapter are provided, a large space must be secured in the radial direction, which results in a large cap diameter of the mounting cap. This not only leads to an increase in the overall size of the trigger-type liquid ejector, but also tends to reduce operability when, for example, operating the trigger while holding the container body.

[0008] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and its purpose is to provide a trigger-type liquid ejector that can eject liquid in both the upright and inverted positions while preventing the cap diameter of the attached cap from becoming too large, and that can eject liquid continuously. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] (1) A trigger type liquid ejector according to the present invention comprises an ejector body attached via an attachment cap to the mouth of a container body containing liquid, and a nozzle portion attached to the ejector body and having an ejection hole for ejecting liquid, the ejector body having a vertical supply tube portion that sucks up liquid in the container body, and a trigger portion arranged so as to be movable rearward in a forward biased state, a trigger mechanism for circulating liquid from within the vertical supply tube portion toward the ejection hole by the rearward movement of the trigger portion, a forward inverted adapter that is arranged inside the attachment cap and lower along the axis of the vertical supply tube portion and connected to the vertical inverted adapter, and a storage cylinder that is arranged inside the attachment cap and lower along the axis of the forward inverted adapter and connected to the forward inverted adapter and extends in the vertical direction. the vertical supply tube portion has a first flow path through which liquid flows toward the ejection hole side by the rearward movement of the trigger portion, and a second flow path through which a portion of the liquid that has flowed through the first flow path flows toward the storage cylinder side; the upright inverted adapter has an adapter body that defines a first space that connects the inside of the container body to the inside of the first flow path through an upright inlet and a second space that connects the inside of the container body to the first space through an inverted inlet; a switching valve that blocks communication between the first space and the second space when the container body is upright with the ejector body attached to the container body and connects the first space to the second space when the container body is inverted; and a relay flow path that connects the second flow path to the inside of the storage cylinder.

[0010] According to the trigger type liquid ejector of the present invention, when the container body is upright, the trigger part is operated to move backward, so that the liquid can be circulated from the first flow path of the vertical supply tube part toward the ejection hole side. This allows the liquid to be ejected to the outside through the ejection hole of the nozzle part. Furthermore, a part of the liquid that has flowed through the first flow path can be supplied to the storage cylinder through the second flow path and the relay flow path, so that the inside of the storage cylinder can be pressurized. Therefore, the storage plunger can be moved downward against the upward biasing force. Therefore, the storage plunger can be moved downward while ejecting the liquid. Therefore, the liquid can be ejected while storing (filling) the liquid in the storage cylinder every time the trigger part is pulled.

[0011] After the liquid is filled into the storage cylinder, when the operation of the trigger part is stopped, the supply of liquid into the storage cylinder stops, but the storage plunger starts to move upward to return to its original position. This allows the liquid filled in the storage cylinder to be introduced from inside the storage cylinder toward the ejection hole side and ejected from the ejection hole. This makes it possible to eject liquid continuously. In addition, since the switching valve blocks communication between the first space and the second space when the container body is upright, after the liquid is ejected, the liquid can be sucked up from inside the container body toward the first flow path through the upright inlet, and the container can be prepared for the next ejection operation.

[0012] Next, when the trigger is operated to move it backwards while the container is inverted, liquid can be continuously ejected in the same manner as when the container is upright as described above. Furthermore, when the container is inverted, the switching valve connects the first space with the second space, so that after ejection of liquid, liquid can be sucked up from inside the container through the inverted inlet toward the first flow path. This makes it possible to prepare for the next ejection operation. In this way, liquid can be continuously ejected whether the container body is in an upright position or an inverted position.

[0013] In particular, the inverted forward adapter is connected in a state in which it is disposed below the vertical supply tube portion, and the storage cylinder is connected in a state in which it is disposed below the inverted forward adapter. Therefore, the vertical supply tube portion, the inverted forward adapter, and the storage cylinder are vertically arranged in series along the axis of the vertical supply tube portion. Therefore, while both the inverted forward adapter and the storage cylinder are disposed inside the mounting cap, it is possible to prevent the cap diameter of the mounting cap from becoming large. Therefore, it is easy to miniaturize the trigger type liquid ejector, and it is possible to improve the operability when operating the trigger portion while holding the container body, for example.

[0014] (2) The vertical supply tube portion is secured by the mounting cap. The container The nozzle may include an outer tube that is attached to the mouth of the nozzle, and an inner tube that is fitted into the outer tube, wherein the first flow path is formed inside the inner tube, and the second flow path is formed between the inner tube and the outer tube.

[0015] In this case, by constructing the vertical supply tube section as a double tube using an outer tube and an inner tube, the first flow path and the second flow path can be formed simply and with each flow path appropriately partitioned, making it easy to simplify the configuration.

[0016] (3) The storage cylinder may be formed as a cylindrical shape with a top that opens downward, the storage plunger moves downward from its uppermost position due to liquid supplied into the storage cylinder as the trigger portion moves rearward, and a recovery hole that connects the inside of the storage cylinder with the inside of the container body may be formed in a cylinder wall of the storage cylinder in a portion that is lower than the storage plunger when it is at the uppermost position.

[0017] In this case, for example, when the container body is inverted, liquid that has entered the space in the storage cylinder that is located below the storage plunger can be discharged through the recovery hole. Furthermore, even if liquid remains in the storage cylinder when the container body is returned to the upright position after being inverted, air can be introduced into the container body through the recovery hole, and the remaining liquid can be discharged into the container body through the opening of the storage cylinder by utilizing air replacement. In this way, accumulation of liquid in the storage cylinder can be suppressed, making it easier to move the storage plunger smoothly. Effect of the Invention

[0018] The trigger-type liquid ejector of the present invention is capable of ejecting liquid both in the upright and inverted positions while preventing the cap diameter of the attached cap from becoming too large, and can eject liquid continuously. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0019] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing an embodiment of a trigger type liquid ejector according to the present invention, in which a container body is in an upright position. [Diagram 2] 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the periphery of the mounting cap shown in FIG. 1. [Diagram 3] 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the trigger-type liquid ejector with the container body shown in FIG. 1 held in an inverted position. [Figure 4] 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the periphery of the mounting cap shown in FIG. 3. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0020] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an embodiment of a trigger type liquid ejector according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, a ejection container having a trigger type liquid ejector attached to a container body will be described as an example.

[0021] As shown in Figure 1, the trigger-type liquid ejector 1 of this embodiment comprises a ejector body 2 that is attached to the mouth of a container body A that contains liquid, a nozzle portion 3 in which an ejection hole 4 is formed for ejecting the liquid, a relay member 5 that connects the ejector body 2 and the nozzle portion 3, and a cover body 6 that covers the ejector body 2. Unless otherwise specified, each component part of the trigger type liquid ejector 1 is a molded product made of synthetic resin.

[0022] The liquid contained in the container body A of this embodiment is preferably a detergent (containing a surfactant and forming a foam) used in bathrooms and toilets, which has a viscosity equivalent to that of water. However, the liquid is not limited to this, and may be, for example, a medicine to be applied to the body, a deodorizer to be sprayed into the air, or a liquid containing an aromatic component.

[0023] (Ejector body) The ejector body 2 mainly comprises a vertical supply tube portion 10, an attachment cap 11, an injection tube portion 20, a trigger mechanism 30, a ball valve 40, a storage valve 41, a forward / backward adapter 50, a storage cylinder 80, and a storage plunger 100. The ejector body 2 of this embodiment is capable of ejecting liquid in either an upright position in which container body A is upright as shown in Figure 1 (the mouth of container body A faces upward) or an inverted position in which container body A is inverted as shown in Figure 2 (the mouth of container body A faces downward), and is capable of performing continuous ejection in either position.

[0024] 1, in this embodiment, the central axis of the vertical supply tube portion 10 is the first axis O1, the container body A side along the first axis O1 is called the lower side, the opposite side is called the upper side, and the direction along the first axis O1 is called the up-down direction. Furthermore, in a plan view seen from the up-down direction, one direction intersecting the first axis O1 is called the front-rear direction L1, and a direction perpendicular to both the up-down direction and the front-rear direction L1 is called the left-right direction L2. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the central axis of the injection tube portion 20 is the second axis O2. In this embodiment, the second axis O2 extends in the front-rear direction L1. Furthermore, in the front-rear direction L1, the direction from the vertical supply tube portion 10 toward the injection tube portion 20 is the front, and the opposite direction is the rear.

[0025] (Vertical supply tube) The vertical supply tube portion 10 extends in the vertical direction and has a function of sucking up the liquid in the container body A. The vertical supply tube portion 10 is attached to the container body A by an attachment cap 11. The vertical supply tube portion 10 includes an outer tube 12 having a top and an inner tube 13 fitted into the outer tube 12.

[0026] 1 and 3, the outer cylinder 12 includes a large diameter portion 12a, a small diameter portion 12b that is disposed above the large diameter portion 12a and has smaller inner and outer diameters than the large diameter portion 12a, and a flange portion 12c that connects the upper end of the large diameter portion 12a to the lower end of the small diameter portion 12b. The upper end opening of the small diameter portion 12b is closed by a top wall portion 12d. The inner cylinder 13 includes a large diameter portion 13a, a small diameter portion 13b disposed above the large diameter portion 13a and having smaller inner and outer diameters than the large diameter portion 13a, and a flange portion 13c connecting an upper portion of the large diameter portion 13a and a lower portion of the small diameter portion 13b. The flange portion 13c of the inner cylinder 13 is located lower than the flange portion 12c of the outer cylinder 12.

[0027] A ring-shaped flange 13d that protrudes radially outward is formed on the large-diameter portion 13a of the inner cylinder 13 at a portion located below the large-diameter portion 12a of the outer cylinder 12. The flange 13d is disposed on the upper opening edge of the mouth A1 of the container body A via a packing 14, and is sandwiched vertically between the flange 13d and the upper opening edge of the mouth A1 by the mounting cap 11 that is attached to the mouth A1 of the container body A by, for example, screwing. As a result, the entire ejector body 2 is attached to the mouth of the container body A via the mounting cap 11.

[0028] An outer through hole 15 penetrating the small diameter portion 12b in the front-rear direction L1 is formed in a portion located on the front side of the upper end of the small diameter portion 12b of the outer cylinder 12. Furthermore, an inner through hole 16 penetrating the small diameter portion 13b in the front-rear direction L1 and located rearward of the outer through hole 15 is formed in the upper end of the small diameter portion 13b of the inner cylinder 13. Furthermore, a first through hole 17 is formed in the upper end of the small diameter portion 13b of the inner tube 13, in a portion located rearward of the inner through hole 16 across the first axis O1, and penetrating the small diameter portion 13b in the front-rear direction L1.

[0029] The first axis O1 of the vertical supply tube portion 10 configured as described above is disposed at a position closer to the rear side than the container axis passing through the center of the mouth portion A1 of the container body A in the up-down direction. Furthermore, the vertical supply tube section 10 has an internal flow path (first flow path) R1 through which liquid flows toward the outlet hole 4 of the nozzle section 3 through the injection tube section 20 as a result of the rearward movement of the trigger section 31 described later, and an external flow path (second flow path) R2 through which a portion of the liquid that has flowed through the internal flow path R1 flows toward the storage cylinder 80.

[0030] The internal flow path R1 is an internal space located inside the inner cylinder 13. The external flow path R2 is formed between the small diameter portion 12b of the outer cylinder 12 and the small diameter portion 13b of the inner cylinder 13. Specifically, the external flow path R2 is formed in a portion located rearward of the small diameter portion 12b between the small diameter portion 12b of the outer cylinder 12 and the small diameter portion 13b of the inner cylinder 13, and is formed so as to extend along the up-down direction. The external flow passage R2 communicates with the internal flow passage R1 through a first communication hole 17 formed in the inner cylinder 13. Furthermore, the external flow passage R2 communicates with a second communication hole 18 formed so as to penetrate the flange portion 13c of the inner cylinder 13 in the up-down direction.

[0031] (Injection cylinder part) As shown in FIG. 1, an injection cylinder portion 20 extending forward along a second axis O2 is connected to the upper end portion of the vertical supply cylinder portion 10 configured as described above. The injection tube portion 20 is formed in a cylindrical shape having a front opening that opens to the front of the ejector body 2, and is connected through the outer through hole 15 and the inner through hole 16 to a portion of the internal flow path R1 of the vertical supply tube portion 10 that is located above the ball valve 40 described later.

[0032] A cylinder tube portion 25 is provided below the injection tube portion 20 and above the mounting cap 11. The cylinder tube portion 25 protrudes forward from the vertical supply tube portion 10 and opens forward.

[0033] (Trigger mechanism) The trigger mechanism 30 includes a trigger portion 31, a main cylinder 32, and a main piston 33. The trigger mechanism 30 is capable of circulating the liquid from the internal flow path R1 of the vertical supply tube portion 10 through the injection tube portion 20 toward the ejection hole 4 side by the rearward swinging of the trigger portion 31.

[0034] The main cylinder 32 is fitted into the cylinder tube portion 25. The main cylinder 32 is formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape that is open at the front and closed at the rear, and communicates with a portion of the internal flow path R1 in the vertical supply tube portion 10 that is located above a ball valve 40 described later.

[0035] The trigger portion 31 is disposed in front of the vertical supply tube portion 10 so as to be movable rearward in a forward biased state. The trigger portion 31 is formed to extend in the vertical direction and is disposed below the injection tube portion 20. The upper end portion of the trigger portion 31 is journaled to the injection tube portion 20 so as to be swingable in the front-rear direction L1, and the lower end portion is disposed in front of the main cylinder 32.

[0036] The main piston 33 is disposed inside the main cylinder 32 so as to be movable in the front-rear direction L1. The main piston 33 is movable in the front-rear direction L1 in conjunction with the swinging of the trigger portion 31. As a result, the inside of the main cylinder 32 is pressurized and depressurized as the main piston 33 moves in the front-rear direction L1. The main piston 33 is formed in a topped cylindrical shape that is open to the rear and closed at the front.

[0037] The main piston 33 is biased forward together with the trigger portion 31 by the elastic restoring force (biasing force) of the elastic plate 34. As the trigger portion 31 swings backward, the main piston 33 moves backward and is pushed into the main cylinder 32. When the trigger portion 31 is in the forwardmost swing position, the main piston 33 is located in the corresponding forwardmost position. Elastic plate 34 is disposed between injection tube portion 20 and trigger portion 31, and biases trigger portion 31 forward.

[0038] (ball valves, storage valves) A ball valve 40 and a storage valve 41 are provided in the small diameter portion 13b of the inner cylinder 13 in the vertical supply cylinder portion 10. The ball valve 40 serves as a check valve that blocks communication between the inside of the container body A and the inside of the main cylinder 32 through the internal flow path R1 when the inside of the main cylinder 32 is pressurized, and allows communication between the inside of the container body A and the inside of the main cylinder 32 through the inner tube 13 by displacing upward when the inside of the main cylinder 32 is depressurized.

[0039] A storage valve 41 is disposed above the ball valve 40. The storage valve 41 is disposed inside the upper end of the small diameter portion 13b of the inner cylinder 13, and serves as a check valve that allows the supply of liquid from the internal flow path R1 to the injection tube portion 20 and the external flow path R2, and regulates the backflow of liquid from the external flow path R2 to the inside of the main cylinder 32. Furthermore, the storage valve 41 also has the function of regulating the liquid (and outside air) from the injection tube portion 20 side from entering the main cylinder 32 when the pressure inside the main cylinder 32 is reduced. The storage valve 41 is not limited to a valve having the above-mentioned function as a check valve, and may be, for example, a pressure storage valve that opens when the pressure in the portion of the internal flow path R1 located above the ball valve 40 reaches a predetermined pressure, thereby allowing the supply of pressurized liquid from the internal flow path R1 to the injection tube portion 20 and the external flow path R2.

[0040] (Inverted stand adapter) 1 and 3, the inverted normal adapter 50 is disposed inside the mounting cap 11, and is disposed below the vertical supply tube portion 10 along the first axis O1, and is connected to the inner tube 13 of the vertical supply tube portion 10. As a result, the inverted normal adapter 50 is disposed inside the mounting cap 11 in a state where it is integrally assembled below the vertical supply tube portion 10.

[0041] The upright and inverted adapter 50 is an adapter that enables the liquid in the container body A to be ejected when the container body A is in either the upright position or the inverted position. The inverted upright adapter 50 includes an adapter body 53 which defines a first space S1 which connects the inside of the container body A with the inside of the internal flow path R1 of the inner cylinder 13 through an upright inlet 51, and a second space S2 which connects the inside of the container body A with the first space S1 through an inverted inlet 52, and a ball valve (switching valve) 54 which blocks communication between the first space S1 and the second space S2 when the container body A is in the upright position with the ejector body 2 attached to the container body A, and which connects the first space S1 and the second space S2 when the container body A is inverted.

[0042] Explain in detail. 3, the adapter body 53 includes a first adapter 60 and a second adapter 70 that are assembled in the vertical direction. The first adapter 60 is disposed above the second adapter 70, and includes a first cylindrical portion 61 disposed inside the small diameter portion 13b of the inner cylinder 13, a second cylindrical portion 62 disposed inside the large diameter portion 13a of the inner cylinder 13, and a connecting wall portion 63 that connects the first cylindrical portion 61 and the second cylindrical portion 62.

[0043] The first cylindrical portion 61 is disposed coaxially with the first axis O1 and is formed in a cylindrical shape that opens both upward and downward. The upper end of the first cylindrical portion 61 is fitted into the inside of the small diameter portion 13b of the inner cylinder 13. As a result, the first adapter 60 is combined integrally with the vertical supply cylindrical portion 10. Furthermore, the inside of the first cylindrical portion 61 is connected to the inside of the internal flow path R1 of the inner cylinder 13. The lower end of the first cylindrical portion 61 is located lower than the lower end of the small diameter portion 13 b of the inner cylinder 13 and is also located lower than the connecting wall portion 63 .

[0044] The connecting wall portion 63 radially connects the outer peripheral surface of the first cylindrical portion 61 and the inner peripheral surface of the second cylindrical portion 62. The connecting wall portion 63 is disposed below the flange portion 13c of the inner cylinder 13 so as to face each other in the vertical direction with a gap therebetween. A connecting hole 64 that penetrates the connecting wall portion 63 in the vertical direction is formed in a portion of the connecting wall portion 63 that is located rearward of the first cylindrical portion 61.

[0045] The second cylindrical portion 62 comprises an upper cylindrical portion 62a arranged inside the large diameter portion 13a of the inner tube 13, and a lower cylindrical portion 62b connected to the lower end of the upper cylindrical portion 62a, formed with a larger diameter than the upper cylindrical portion 62a, and formed to extend downward from the lower end of the upper cylindrical portion 62a. As a result, the second cylinder portion 62 is formed into a two-stage cylinder shape with different outer diameters. An upwardly facing annular step portion 62c is formed at the connection portion between the upper cylinder portion 62a and the lower cylinder portion 62b. The step portion 62c contacts the lower end portion of the large diameter portion 13a of the inner cylinder 13 from below. The lower cylinder portion 62b is disposed below the large diameter portion 13a of the inner cylinder 13.

[0046] The outer diameter of the lower cylinder portion 62b is smaller than the inner diameter of the mouth of the container body A. This ensures a predetermined gap between the outer peripheral surface of the lower cylinder portion 62b and the inner peripheral surface of the mouth of the container body A. Furthermore, an inverted introduction port 52 that penetrates the first cylinder portion 61 in the radial direction is formed in a portion of the lower cylinder portion 62b that is located forward of the first cylinder portion 61. This makes it possible to introduce the liquid in the container body A into the inside of the first adapter 60 through the inverted introduction port 52.

[0047] The second adapter 70 comprises a cylindrical sealing portion 71 with a top that is fitted into the inside of the lower cylindrical portion 62b of the first adapter 60, and a first communicating cylindrical portion 72, a second communicating cylindrical portion 73, and an intermediate cylindrical portion 74 that are integrally formed with the top wall of the sealing cylindrical portion 71.

[0048] The first communicating tube portion 72 is formed in a cylindrical shape that penetrates the top wall of the sealing tube portion 71 in the vertical direction, and is arranged coaxially with the first axis O1. The upper end portion of the first communicating tube portion 72 is fitted into the inside of the first tube portion 61 of the first adapter 60. As a result, the first adapter 60 and the second adapter 70 are combined in the vertical direction. Furthermore, the entire normal inverted adapter 50 is combined integrally with the vertical supply tube portion 10.

[0049] Furthermore, the inside of the first communicating tube portion 72 communicates with the inside of the internal flow path R1 of the inner tube 13 through the inside of the first tube portion 61 of the first adapter 60. The lower opening of the first communicating tube portion 72 functions as the upright introduction port 51. Furthermore, the inside of the first communicating tube portion 72 functions as the first space S1 that communicates between the inside of the container body A and the inside of the internal flow path R1 through the upright introduction port 51.

[0050] The second communicating tubular portion 73 is formed in a portion of the top wall of the sealing tubular portion 71 that is located forward of the first communicating tubular portion 72, and is formed in a tubular shape that penetrates the top wall in the vertical direction. The second communicating tubular portion 73 gradually reduces in diameter as it extends downward. The space defined between the second communicating cylinder portion 73, the first communicating cylinder portion 72, and the first adapter 60 functions as a second space S2 (so-called valve chamber) that communicates with the inside of the container body A through the inverted introduction port 52. A ball valve 54 is housed in the second space S2.

[0051] The ball valve 54 is seated removably on the edge of the lower end opening of the second communicating tube 73, and opens and closes the lower end opening of the second communicating tube 73. Specifically, when the container body A is in an upright position, the ball valve 54 closes (closes) the lower end opening of the second communicating tube 73, thereby blocking communication between the first space S1 and the second space S2. Furthermore, when the container body A is in an inverted position, the ball valve 54 moves away from the edge of the lower end opening of the second communicating tube 73, thereby opening (opening) the lower end opening, thereby connecting the first space S1 and the second space S2 (see FIG. 2).

[0052] The relay tube portion 74 is formed in a portion of the top wall of the sealing tube portion 71 that is located rearward of the first communicating tube portion 72, and is formed in a topped tube shape that vertically penetrates the top wall of the sealing tube portion 71. In the example shown in the figure, the relay tube portion 74 is disposed rearward of the first communicating tube portion 72 so as to be aligned with the first communicating tube portion 72. Therefore, a portion of the peripheral wall of the relay tube portion 74 is formed integrally with the first communicating tube portion 72.

[0053] The peripheral wall of the relay tube part 74 is formed so as to extend downward from the upright introduction port 51. A storage cylinder 80 is combined with the lower end of the peripheral wall of the relay tube part 74. As a result, the internal space of the relay tube part 74 is partitioned from the upright introduction port 51 and the first space S1. A communication tube 75 is formed on the top wall of the relay tube portion 74, which fits into the inside of the connection hole 64 formed in the connection wall portion 63 of the first adapter 60. As a result, the internal space of the relay tube portion 74 communicates with the external flow path R2 through the second communication hole 18, and also functions as a relay flow path R3 that communicates with the inside of the storage cylinder 80.

[0054] (storage cylinder, storage plunger) 1 and 3, the storage cylinder 80 is disposed inside the mounting cap 11, and is disposed below the above-mentioned normal inversion adapter 50 along the first axis O1, and is connected to the normal inversion adapter 50. As a result, the storage cylinder 80 is disposed inside the mounting cap 11 in a state where it is integrally assembled below the normal inversion adapter 50.

[0055] The storage cylinder 80 of this embodiment is formed integrally with a bottomed cylindrical closing tube portion 90 that closes the lower tube portion 62b of the second adapter 70 in the inverted forward adapter 50 from below. The closing tube portion 90 is tightly fitted inside the lower end portion of the lower tube portion 62b. This causes the lower tube portion 62b of the second adapter 70 to be closed from below. Furthermore, a fixed tube portion 91 extending downward is integrally formed on a portion of the bottom wall of the closing tube portion 90 that is located on the front side. The fixed tube portion 91 is formed in a cylindrical shape that extends in the vertical direction and is open on both the top and bottom sides.

[0056] The upper end of a pipe 92, whose lower opening (not shown) is located inside the container body A, is fitted into the lower end of the fixed cylinder part 91. This allows communication between the upright inlet 51 and the inside of the container body A through the fixed cylinder part 91 and the pipe 92. Therefore, when the container body A is upright, the liquid inside the container body A can be led to the upright inlet 51.

[0057] The storage cylinder 80 is integrally formed in a portion of the bottom wall of the above-mentioned closing tube portion 90 that is located rearward of the fixed tube portion 91. As a result, the fixed tube portion 91 and the storage cylinder are arranged inside the mounting cap 11 in a state where they are aligned in parallel in the front-rear direction L1. The storage cylinder 80 is disposed so that the third axis O3, which is the central axis of the storage cylinder 80, is shifted slightly rearward from the first axis O1. However, this is not limited to this case, and the storage cylinder 80 may be formed so that, for example, the first axis and the third axis O3 are disposed coaxially.

[0058] The storage cylinder 80 is formed in a cylindrical shape with a top that opens downward, and is disposed so that its upper wall portion is close to the lower end of the relay tube portion 74 of the inverted forward adapter 50. A supply tube portion 81 that is tightly fitted inside the relay tube portion 74 is formed on the upper wall portion of the storage cylinder 80. As a result, the inside of the storage cylinder 80 and the inside of the relay tube portion 74 (relay flow path R3) are in communication through the supply tube portion 81. Therefore, by swinging the trigger portion 31 rearward, it is possible to supply the liquid that has passed through the relay flow path R3 to the inside of the storage cylinder 80 (a storage space S3 described later).

[0059] The storage plunger 100 is disposed so as to be movable in the vertical direction along the third axis O3 within the storage cylinder 80. This allows the storage plunger 100 to slide closely within the storage cylinder 80 in the vertical direction. The storage plunger 100 moves downward as liquid is supplied into the storage cylinder 80. Note that in the storage cylinder 80, a space located above the storage plunger 100 functions as a storage space S3.

[0060] The storage space S3 is stored by supplying a portion of the liquid that has passed through the internal flow path R1 of the inner cylinder 13 through the first communication hole 17, the external flow path R2, the second communication hole 18, and the relay flow path R3. The storage space S3 expands as the storage plunger 100 moves downward due to the supply of liquid.

[0061] A biasing member (coil spring) 101 is disposed in a portion of the storage cylinder 80 that is located below the storage plunger 100. The biasing member 101 biases the storage plunger 100 upward. In an initial state before the trigger portion 31 is operated, the biasing member 101 biases the storage plunger 100 upward. As a result, the storage plunger 100 is located at the uppermost position.

[0062] The biasing member 101 is a metallic coil spring disposed coaxially with the third axis O3. However, for example, a resin spring or other elastic members may be used as the biasing member 101.

[0063] Furthermore, a recovery hole 83 is formed in the cylinder wall 82 of the storage cylinder 80 at a portion located below the storage plunger 100 when the storage cylinder 80 is located at the uppermost position, the recovery hole 83 penetrating the cylinder wall 82 in the radial direction. As a result, the inside of the storage cylinder 80 and the inside of the container body A are in communication with each other through the recovery hole 83.

[0064] (Relay parts) As shown in Fig. 1, the relay member 5 is disposed in front of the ejector main body 2 configured as described above. The relay member 5 is attached to the injection tube portion 20, so that the relay member 5 protrudes forward from the ejector main body 2. The relay member 5 includes a partition wall 5a that covers the front opening of the injection tube portion 20 from the front, an outer fitting tube portion 5b that extends rearward from the partition wall 5a and is fitted on the injection tube portion 20, and an attachment tube portion 5c that extends forward from the partition wall 5a and to which the nozzle portion 3 is attached. The partition wall 5a has a communication hole 5e that communicates with the inside of the injection tube portion 20.

[0065] (Nozzle part) The nozzle part 3 is attached to the ejector main body 2 via the relay member 5. Specifically, the nozzle part 3 is combined with the relay member 5 by being attached to the mounting tube part 5c. The nozzle part 3 is disposed in front of the ejector main body 2 and protrudes forward beyond the relay member 5. The nozzle section 3 is formed in a cylindrical shape with a top that opens to the rear. A nozzle hole 4 is formed in the front wall of the nozzle section 3, penetrating the front wall in the front-rear direction L1. Furthermore, a lid section 110 that closes the nozzle hole 4 from the front and closes it is connected to the front wall of the nozzle section 3 via a hinge section. The lid section 110 can open and close the nozzle hole 4 by rotating about the hinge section.

[0066] (Cover body) The cover body 6 is formed to cover the vertical supply tube portion 10, the injection tube portion 20, the main cylinder 32, etc. from above, behind, and in the left-right direction L2, and is assembled to the outer tube 12 of the vertical supply tube portion 10, etc.

[0067] (The action of the trigger-type liquid ejector) Next, a case will be described where the trigger type liquid ejector 1 configured as described above is used. It is assumed that liquid is filled into each part of the trigger type liquid ejector 1 by operating the trigger part 31 multiple times.

[0068] (Ejection operation in upright position) The ejection operation in the upright position will be described. In the upright position, as shown in Figures 1 and 3, the ball valve 54 of the inverted normal adapter 50 is seated on the lower end opening edge of the second communicating tube portion 73. Therefore, the communication between the first space S1 and the second space S2 is blocked by the ball valve 54.

[0069] When the trigger portion 31 is pulled backward against the biasing force of the elastic plate 34 while the container body A is in the upright position, the main piston 33 moves backward from the frontmost position, and the inside of the main cylinder 32 is pressurized. As a result, the liquid in the main cylinder 32 is supplied to the inside of the inner cylinder 13 of the vertical supply tube portion 10, i.e., into the internal flow path R1. Specifically, the liquid in the main cylinder 32 is supplied to a portion of the internal flow path R1 that is located above the ball valve 40. As a result, the supplied liquid presses the ball valve 40 downward and pushes up the storage valve 41.

[0070] Therefore, the liquid in the internal flow path R1 can be circulated toward the ejection hole 4 side of the nozzle portion 3 through the ejection tube portion 20. Therefore, the liquid can be ejected from the ejection hole 4 forward. Furthermore, a portion of the liquid that has flowed through the internal flow path R1 can be supplied to the external flow path R2 through the first flow hole 17. This allows the liquid supplied into the external flow path R2 to be supplied to the storage space S3 of the storage cylinder 80 through the second flow hole 18 and the relay flow path R3, and the storage space S3 can be pressurized. Therefore, as the storage space S3 is pressurized, the storage plunger 100 can be moved downward from the uppermost position against the biasing force of the biasing member 101, and the liquid can be stored (filled) in the storage space S3. Therefore, every time the trigger portion 31 is pulled rearward, the liquid can be ejected from the ejection hole 4 and stored in the storage space S3 of the storage plunger 100.

[0071] When the trigger portion 31 is released after the liquid is filled into the storage space S3, the trigger portion 31 can be moved forward by the elastic restoring force (biasing force) of the elastic plate 34. Furthermore, the main piston 33 moves forward in the main cylinder 32 in association with the restoring movement of the trigger portion 31, so that the pressure inside the main cylinder 32 can be reduced to a pressure lower than the pressure inside the container body A. Therefore, the ball valve 40 can be raised while the storage valve 41 is kept closed.

[0072] Then, the ball valve 40 rises, and the first space S1 can be made negative pressure. At this time, as described above, the ball valve 54 blocks communication between the first space S1 and the second space S2. Therefore, by creating a negative pressure in the first space S1, the liquid in the container body A can be sucked up into the internal flow path R1 through the pipe 92, the upright inlet 51, and the first space S1 as shown by the arrow F1 in Fig. 3, and can be introduced into the main cylinder 32. This makes it possible to prepare for the next ejection.

[0073] Furthermore, when the operation of the trigger portion 31 toward the rear is stopped, the supply of liquid to the storage space S3 through the external flow path R2 stops, but the storage plunger 100 begins to move back upward toward the uppermost position due to the biasing force of the biasing member 101. As a result, the liquid stored in the storage space S3 can be introduced into the injection tube portion 20 through the relay flow path R3 and the external flow path R2, and can be guided to the ejection hole 4. This allows the liquid to continue to be ejected through the ejection hole 4. Note that when the liquid is introduced from the external flow path R2 toward the injection tube portion 20, the storage valve 41 is closed, so that the liquid can be smoothly guided through the injection tube portion 20 toward the ejection hole 4 without backflowing through the internal flow path R1.

[0074] In this way, liquid can be ejected not only when the trigger portion 31 is pulled rearward, but also when the trigger portion 31 is not operated, and liquid can be ejected continuously.

[0075] (Ejection operation in inverted position) Next, the ejection operation in the inverted position will be described. In the inverted position, the ball valve 54 of the normal inverted adapter 50 is separated from the lower end opening edge of the second communicating tube portion 73 as shown in Figures 2 and 4. Therefore, communication between the first space S1 and the second space S2 is permitted.

[0076] Similarly, when spraying liquid with container body A in the inverted position, trigger portion 31 is pulled backward against the biasing force of elastic plate 34. This allows liquid to be sprayed continuously by the same action as in the upright position described above.

[0077] When the trigger part 31 moves forward in its restoration state in the inverted posture of the container body A, the first space S1 and the second space S2 are allowed to communicate with each other, so that the liquid in the container body A can be sucked up into the second space S2 through the inverted introduction port 52 by the negative pressure in the main cylinder 32 and the first space S1, as shown by the arrow F2 in Fig. 4. Therefore, the liquid can be sucked up from the second space S2 through the first space S1 into the internal flow path R1, and can be introduced into the main cylinder 32. This makes it possible to prepare for the next ejection.

[0078] As described above, according to the trigger-type liquid ejector 1 of this embodiment, liquid can be ejected not only when the trigger portion 31 is pulled backward, but also when the trigger portion 31 is not operated, and liquid can be ejected continuously. Moreover, liquid can be continuously ejected whether the container body A is in an upright position or an inverted position.

[0079] 1, in the trigger type liquid ejector 1 of this embodiment, the forward inversion adapter 50 is connected in a state in which it is disposed below the vertical supply tube portion 10, and the storage cylinder 80 is connected in a state in which it is disposed below the forward inversion adapter 50. Therefore, the vertical supply tube portion 10, the forward inversion adapter 50, and the storage cylinder 80 are vertically arranged in series along the first axis O1. Therefore, while both the inverted normal adapter 50 and the storage cylinder 80 are disposed inside the mounting cap 11, it is possible to prevent the cap diameter of the mounting cap 11 from becoming large. Therefore, it is easy to reduce the size of the trigger type liquid ejector 1, and it is possible to improve the operability when operating the trigger part 31 while holding the container body A, for example.

[0080] Furthermore, according to the trigger-type liquid ejector 1 of this embodiment, the vertical supply tube section 10 is configured as a double tube using the outer tube 12 and the inner tube 13, so that the internal flow path (first flow path) R1 and the external flow path (second flow path) R2 can be formed simply and with each flow path appropriately partitioned, making it easy to simplify the configuration.

[0081] Furthermore, according to the trigger type liquid ejector 1 of this embodiment, a recovery hole 83 is formed in the cylinder wall 82 of the storage cylinder 80. Therefore, for example, when the container body A is inverted, the liquid that has entered the storage cylinder 80 can be discharged through the recovery hole 83. Furthermore, even if liquid remains in the storage cylinder 80 when the container body A is turned upside down and then returned to the upright position, air can be introduced from within the container body A through the recovery hole 83, and the remaining liquid can be discharged into the container body A through the lower end opening of the storage cylinder 80 by utilizing air replacement. In this way, accumulation of liquid within the storage cylinder 80 can be suppressed, making it easier to move the storage plunger 100 smoothly.

[0082] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. The embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. The embodiments and their modifications include, for example, those that can be easily imagined by a person skilled in the art, those that are substantially the same, those that are within the scope of the equivalents, and the like.

[0083] For example, in the above embodiment, the lid portion 110 is provided on the nozzle portion 3 via a hinge portion, but the lid portion 110 is not essential and may not be provided. Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the liquid is ejected from the ejection hole 4, it may be configured to be ejected in various ejection patterns, such as a line shape or a mist shape. Furthermore, a pressure accumulator valve may be provided within the nozzle portion 3 so that the liquid is sprayed in a pressurized state. [Explanation of symbols]

[0084] A: Container body O1: First axis (central axis of vertical supply tube) O3: Third axis (central axis of storage cylinder) R1: Internal flow path (first flow path) R2: External flow path (second flow path) R3: Relay flow path S1…first space S2…Second space 1...Trigger-type liquid ejector 2...Ejector body 3…Nozzle section 4…Blowout hole 10…Vertical supply tube 11...Attachment cap 30…Trigger mechanism 31…Trigger section 50…Inverted stand adapter 51...Upright inlet 52…Inverted inlet 53…Adapter body 54...Ball valve (switching valve) 80…Storage cylinder 83...Recovery hole 100…Storage plunger

Claims

1. A sprayer body that is attached to the mouth of a container body containing a liquid via an attachment cap; a nozzle portion attached to the ejector body and having an ejection hole for ejecting liquid; The ejector body includes: A vertical supply tube portion that sucks up the liquid in the container body; a trigger mechanism including a trigger portion that is arranged to be movable rearward in a forward biased state, and that causes liquid to flow from inside the vertical supply tube portion toward the nozzle hole side by the rearward movement of the trigger portion; an inverted adapter disposed inside the mounting cap, disposed below the vertical supply tube portion along the axis of the vertical supply tube portion, and connected to the vertical supply tube portion; A storage cylinder that is disposed inside the mounting cap, disposed below the inverted adapter along the axis, and is connected to the inverted adapter and extends in the vertical direction; A storage plunger is provided in the storage cylinder and is movable downward in an upward biased state, The vertical supply tube portion includes a first flow path through which liquid flows toward the ejection hole side as the trigger portion moves rearward, and a second flow path through which a portion of the liquid that has flowed through the first flow path flows toward the storage cylinder side, The inverted adapter is an adapter body defining a first space that communicates between the inside of the container body and the inside of the first flow path through an upright inlet and a second space that communicates between the inside of the container body and the first space through an inverted inlet; a switching valve that blocks communication between the first space and the second space when the container body is upright in a state in which the ejector main body is attached to the container body, and that connects the first space and the second space when the container body is inverted; A trigger type liquid ejector comprising: a relay flow passage that connects the second flow passage with the inside of the storage cylinder.

2. 2. The trigger type liquid ejector according to claim 1, The vertical supply tube portion includes an outer tube that is attached to the mouth of the container body by the attachment cap, and an inner tube that is fitted into the outer tube, The first flow path is formed inside the inner cylinder, The second flow path is formed between the inner cylinder and the outer cylinder.

3. The trigger type liquid ejector according to claim 1 or 2, The storage cylinder is formed in a cylindrical shape with a top that opens downward, The storage plunger is moved downward from a top position by the liquid supplied into the storage cylinder as the trigger portion moves rearward, A trigger-type liquid sprayer in which a recovery hole is formed in the cylinder wall of the storage cylinder in a portion located below the storage plunger when it is located at the most raised position, the recovery hole connecting the inside of the storage cylinder with the inside of the container body.

Images