Spraying operation tool for aerosol products

Abstract

To ensure convenience of a user, relating to content injection operation by reinforcing an operational ability and improving use feeling with respect to an injection operation tool for an aerosol type product, and to reuse the operation tool itself by the user as a detachable one capable of being mounted afterwards.SOLUTION: In a detachable injection operation tool 1 capable of being mounted afterwards, a rotary operation part 3a and an actuator drive part 3f guided in a form of linearly moving in a vertical direction are connected via a single link part 3k rotatably connected thereto. A connection part between the rotary operation part 3a and the link part 3k is an apex B relative to the rotation of the rotary operation part 3a for injection operation, an inferior angle θ made by a side passing a rotation center A of the rotary operation part 3a and a side passing a connection part C between the actuator drive part 3f and the link part 3k becomes larger as the rotation of the rotary operation part 3a, and a movement distance of the actuator drive part 3f becomes smaller at the time of operation end than operation start.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an injection operation tool that is additionally attached to an existing aerosol product.

[0002] Here, the aerosol product includes a container that houses the content to be injected, an injection agent, etc., a mounting cup provided with a valve mechanism above the container, and an operation button that drives the valve mechanism by a pressing operation to inject the content.

[0003] In this specification, the side of the injection port is defined as "front", and the side of the operation surface on the opposite side across the center of the container is defined as "rear". For example, in FIGS. 3 and 4, the left side is "front" and the right side is "rear", and in FIGS. 1, 2, and 5, the lower left side is "front". Also, the "upper left - lower right" direction in FIGS. 1, 2, and 5, which is substantially orthogonal to the front - rear direction, is defined as "left - right".

Background Art

[0004] Conventionally, there has been an aerosol product provided with an operation part having a force - multiplying mechanism in order to facilitate operation (see Patent Document 1).

[0005] However, such an operation part is difficult to adopt in terms of increasing production costs in small - batch - produced aerosol products with a small mass - production effect. Also, even in mass - produced aerosol products, if they are consumed by a large number of professionals, they may not be adopted due to the demand for cost reduction for a large number of disposable operation members that are discarded together with the product.

[0006] Therefore, an operation part (actuator) composed of a mechanism without a force - multiplying mechanism is widely adopted.

[0007] For example, there is an actuator 13 having only an operation surface and an injection port as shown in Fig. 5(a), and an actuator 14 having a shape adapted to the annular recess in the upper part of the mounting cup as shown in Fig. 5(b) and designed to prevent at least dropping off and coming off. In the case of the actuator 14 in Fig. 5(b), in order to reduce the amount of resin used while ensuring strength, only the lower end of the outer periphery adapted to the annular recess is made to have a large diameter, so it has an upward annular step portion 14b.

[0008] In the actuator 13 of Fig. 5(a), the material used in molding can be saved, and in the actuator 14 of Fig. 5(b), while reducing the material used, it can prevent removal by children and coming off due to being caught during use or transportation.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0009]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0010] However, since the operating force (pushing-down reaction force) for injecting the contents of the stem to which the operating part is attached is preferentially set by the contents and the propellant, it could not be set to an operating force suitable for each user with variations in the stem pushing force.

[0011] For example, if the operating force of the stem is weakened, the closing force of the valve mechanism interlocked therewith also becomes weak and the contents leak, so there was a limit to reducing the operating force of the stem.

[0012] Also, since a coil spring was exclusively adopted to bias the stem and the valve mechanism in the closing direction, the operating force was set to increase as the operating part attached to the stem was pushed in.

[0013] Therefore, it has been difficult for users with weak finger strength (such as children and the elderly) to perform the injection operation of the content or maintain the injection state.

[0014] The present invention aims at a detachable injection operation tool that can be attached later, which "reinforces" the operation force of the user to improve the convenience of the content injection operation.

[0015] The present invention uses an injection operation tool that is attached later, (11) By reinforcing the operation force and improving the usability, the convenience of the user's content injection operation is achieved, (12) As a detachable type that can be attached later, the user can reuse the operation tool itself, and so on.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0016] The present invention solves the above problems as follows. (1) A detachable injection operation tool for an aerosol product, which is used by being attached to an aerosol product provided with an actuator for a pressing-down operation, and having a fixed base (for example, the fixed base 2 described later), a rotation operation part for an injection operation (for example, the rotation operation part 3a described later), and an actuator driving part (for example, the actuator driving part 3f described later), The fixed base, has a C-shaped mounting cup fitting part (for example, the mounting cup fitting part 2g described later) with a cut for detachably fitting and mounting to the mounting cup part (for example, the mounting cup 11 described later) of the aerosol product, The rotation operation unit and the actuator drive unit are connected via a single link (for example, link portion 3k described later) that is rotatably connected to each of them, The rotation operation part, is provided rotatably with respect to the fixed base, The actuator driving part, guided in a straight-line motion in the vertical direction, and contacts and presses down the actuator in conjunction with the rotation of the rotation operation part, with the connection portion between the rotation operation unit and the single link as the vertex (for example, upper hinge portion 3m, point B described later), the side passing through the rotation center of the rotation operation unit (for example, the central axis of the columnar portion 3c, point A described later), and the side passing through the connection portion between the actuator drive unit and the single link (for example, lower hinge portion 3n, point C described later), the obtuse angle (for example, opening angle θ described later) formed therebetween increases as the rotation operation unit rotates, The moving distance of the actuator driving part with respect to the rotation of the rotation operation part is smaller at the end of the operation than at the start of the operation due to the rotation coupling action between the rotation operation part and the actuator driving part. Those of the structural mode are used. (2) In the above (1), The actuator driving part a first contact surface corresponding to the top surface of the actuator (for example, the lower surface of the horizontal ceiling part 3g described later), a pair of second contact surfaces corresponding to the side step parts of the actuator at positions lower than the top surface (for example, the lower surfaces of the horizontal piece part 3h and the reinforcing part 3j described later), and a reinforcing part (for example, the reinforcing part 3j described later) connecting each of the second contact surfaces. Those of the structural mode are used.

[0017] The injection operation tool for aerosol products having such a configuration is the object of the present invention.

Effects of the Invention

[0018] By adopting the above configuration, the injection operation tool of the present invention (21) Reinforces the operating force to improve the usability, thereby enhancing the convenience for the user in the injection operation of the content. (22) Can be made into a detachable type that can be retrofitted, enabling the user to reuse the operation tool itself. And so on can be achieved.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0019]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0020] Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5.

[0021] In addition, components with the following reference numerals with alphabets (for example, U-shaped upright portion 2a) generally indicate that they are part of the component of the numerical part of the reference numeral (for example, fixed base 2).

[0022] Here, in FIGS. 1 to 4, 1 is an injection operation tool for an aerosol container in which a fixed base 2 and a movable part 3 described later are engaged and integrated. 2 is a fixed base that is engaged and fixed to a mounting cup 11 described later from a rear opening portion. 2a is a U-shaped upright portion having a U-shaped horizontal cross-section composed of a curved front upright wall and a pair of opposing side upright walls following in the circumferential direction thereof. 2b is provided outside the lower end of the U-shaped upright portion 2a, and serves as a gripping portion when attaching and detaching the aerosol-type product. In a state where it is attached to the aerosol-type product, it abuts on the user's thumb and middle finger to achieve stabilization during gripping and injection operation of the container. 2c is provided in a notch shape at the upper part of the front upright wall of the U-shaped upright portion 2a, and is a content passage portion through which the injected content passes. 2d is a vertical front rib-shaped portion provided on the inner surface of the side upright wall of the U-shaped upright portion 2a, and guides the front end of the horizontal piece portion of the actuator driving portion 3f described later. 2e is a vertical rear rib-shaped portion provided on the inner surface of the side upright wall of the U-shaped upright portion 2a, and guides the rear end of the horizontal piece portion of the actuator driving portion 3f described later. 2f is a rotation hole portion provided on the side upright wall of the U-shaped upright portion 2a. 2g is a mounting cup fitting portion provided inside the lower end of the U-shaped upright portion 2a and fitted to the outer periphery of a mounting cup 11 described later. 3 is a movable portion in which a rotation operation portion 3a, an actuator drive portion 3f, and a link portion 3k described later are integrally formed. 3a is a rotation operation portion that rotates in the vertical direction by the pressing operation of the user. 3b is the upper surface of the rear end of the rotation operation portion 3a and is a pressing operation surface that is the object of the injection operation by the user. 3c is a columnar portion that engages with the rotation hole portion 2f and serves as the rotation center (point A) of the rotation operation portion 3a. 3d is a rotation restricting portion that abuts on the upper end of the front rib-shaped portion 2d and defines the upper rotation end position of the rotation operation portion 3a. 3e is a temporary fixing portion that engages with the front rib-shaped portion 2d and holds the rotation operation portion 3a at the rotation end position. 3f is a cap-shaped actuator drive portion that slides in the vertical direction and pushes down the actuators 13 and 14 described later. 3g is a horizontal ceiling portion whose lower surface abuts on the top surfaces of the actuators 13 and 14. 3h is a pair of horizontal piece portions that protrude outward from the lower side end portion on the side of the actuator drive portion 3f. 3j is a reinforcing portion that connects the lower end portions of the actuator drive portion 3f in front. 3k is a link portion that connects between the rotation operation portion 3a and the actuator drive portion 3f. 3m is an upper hinge portion (intermediate joint, joint, hinge) that serves as the rotation center (point B) between the rotation operation portion 3a and the link portion 3k. 3n is a lower hinge portion that serves as the rotation center (point C) between the actuator drive portion 3f and the link portion 3k.

[0023] Also, in FIGS. 3 and 4, A is the rotation center of the columnar portion 3c. B is the rotation center of the upper hinge portion 3m. C is the rotation center of the lower hinge portion 3n. D is the force point of the operating force applied to the pressing operation surface 3b. θ is the opening angle that is the inferior angle of ∠ABC. Each of them is shown.

[0024] Also, in FIGS. 3 to 6, 10 is an aerosol product that injects the contents and propellant accommodated by the pressing operations of the actuators 13 and 14, 11 is a mounting cup attached to the upper part of the aerosol product 10, 11a is an annular recess formed in the lower outer periphery of the mounting cup 11, 12 is a cylindrical stem that protrudes from the center of the mounting cup 11 and whose inner passage communicates with the inside of the aerosol product 10 by pressing down, 13 is a push-down operation type cylindrical actuator that is engaged and fixed to the upper end of the stem 12 and has an operation surface on the upper surface, 13a is an injection port that opens on the side surface, 14 is a push-down operation type actuator that is engaged and fixed to the upper end of the stem 12, has an operation surface on the upper surface, and is provided with a skirt portion that substantially closes the upper annular recess of the mounting cup 11, 14a is an injection port that opens on the side surface, 14b is an annular step portion at the upper part of the skirt portion, are respectively shown.

[0025] Here, the fixed base 2, the movable part 3, and the actuators 13 and 14 are made of, for example, plastic, the container part of the aerosol product 10 and the mounting cup 11 are made of, for example, metal, and the stem 12 is made of, for example, metal or plastic.

[0026] The basic features of the injection operation tool 1 for the illustrated aerosol product are (31) It is a detachable type that can be retrofitted, (32) The moving distance of the actuator drive part with respect to the rotation of the rotation operation part is smaller at the end of the operation than at the start of the operation, and so on.

[0027] FIG. 1 is the injection operation tool of the present invention, and it is distributed and sold in this state.

[0028] Figure 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a perspective state of the components of the injection operation tool. The fixed base 2 and the movable part 3 are integrally formed members respectively.

[0029] The fixed base 2 and the movable part 3 are integrated by inserting the horizontal piece part 3h from above between the front rib-shaped part 2d and the rear rib-shaped part 2e, and inserting the columnar part 3c into the rotation hole part 2f from the inside to form the injection operation tool 1 shown in FIG. 1.

[0030] Figure 3 shows the state from the side when the injection operation tool 1 is attached to the aerosol product 10. For convenience, the fixed base 2 is a cross-sectional view with the front side omitted from the center, and it is an aerosol product 10 using the actuator 14.

[0031] In this state, no operating force is applied to the actuator 14, and the contents are not ejected.

[0032] When attaching the injection operation tool 1 to the aerosol product 10, insert the mounting cup 11 of the aerosol product 10 from the rear (right side in the figure) of the injection operation tool 1, and engage the mounting cup fitting part 2g with the annular recess 11a to fix it.

[0033] At that time, if the rear surface side of the actuator drive part 3f abuts on the front surface side of the actuators 13 and 14 and it is difficult to insert, rotate the rotation operation part 3a upward to raise the actuator drive part 3f so that they do not abut, and then insert.

[0034] When the rotation operation part 3a is rotated upward to the rotation end position where the rotation restricting part 3d abuts on the front rib-shaped part 2d, the temporary fixing part 3e engages with the front rib-shaped part 2d, and the rotation operation part 3a and the actuator drive part 3f can be held in that position. Therefore, it is not necessary for the user to continuously hold the rotation operation part 3a when inserting the mounting cup 11. After insertion, rotate the rotation operation part 3a downward to release the engagement between the temporary fixing part 3e and the front rib-shaped part 2d, and then return to the state of FIG. 3.

[0035] The rotation operation part 3a in Fig. 3 is positioned horizontally at the rear. In this state, with point A as the reference, the direction of point B is approximately 24.4 degrees clockwise and downward from the horizontal, and points A and C are arranged substantially vertically. The distances between each point are approximately 17.3 mm between A and D, approximately 6.52 mm between A and B, and approximately 12.1 mm between B and C.

[0036] The actuator drive part 3f is restricted by the front and rear surfaces of the horizontal piece part 3h by the front rib-shaped part 2d and the rear rib-shaped part 2e respectively, and the left and right end surfaces of the horizontal piece part 3h are restricted by the inner surface of the U-shaped upright part 2a, and is guided in a vertically movable manner.

[0037] When the rotation operation part 3a in Fig. 3 is rotated approximately 30 degrees clockwise, the actuator drive part 3f moves downward approximately 3.21 mm via the link part 3k to reach the state shown in Fig. 4.

[0038] At this time, since the lower surface of the horizontal ceiling part 3g is in contact with the top surface of the actuator 14, or the lower surfaces of the horizontal piece part 3h and the reinforcing part 3j are in contact with the annular step part 14b, the actuator 14 also moves downward approximately 3.21 mm due to the movement of the actuator drive part 3f. Even when the actuator 13 is used, the lower surface of the horizontal ceiling part 3g is in contact with the top surface of the actuator 13 and moves it in the same way.

[0039] When the actuator drive part 3f moves downward, point B approaches the straight line connecting points A and C, and θ increases from approximately 88.3 degrees to approximately 125 degrees and approaches 180 degrees.

[0040] Accordingly, the increase in the movement amount of the actuator drive part 3f with respect to the increase in the operation angle of the rotation operation part 3a decreases.

[0041] For example, in the vicinity of the rotation operation part 3a shown in Fig. 3, the actuator drive part 3f moves downward approximately 0.126 mm per 1-degree rotation operation (0.302 mm depression at point D), and in the vicinity of the rotation operation part 3a shown in Fig. 4, the actuator drive part 3f moves downward approximately 0.097 mm per 1-degree rotation operation.

[0042] Accordingly, in addition to the leverage effect of the lever structure of the rotation operation part 3a, the setting combining the leverage effect of the link part 3k is increased from about 2.39 times at the start of the operation to about 3.11 times at the end of the operation, so as to cancel the upward return force of the actuators 13 and 14 that increases with the downward operation and make it easier to perform the pressing-down operation.

[0043] Note that when the operating force is released after the operation is completed, the range of θ is set to be less than 180 degrees so that the return force of the actuators 13 and 14 can rotate the rotation operation part 3a counterclockwise via the actuator drive part 3f and the link part 3k.

[0044] Of course, the injection operation tool for the aerosol product of the present invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiment. For example, (41) The mounting cup 11 is engaged from the front so that the front of the fixed base 2 becomes an opening part, and the reinforcing part 3j is connected at the rear. (42) Instead of integrally molding the movable part 3, it is divided by the upper hinge part 3m and the lower hinge part 3n and each is rotatably connected. (43) Instead of the rotation hole part 2f and the columnar part 3c, a member that can be bent or twisted is used to integrally mold the fixed base 2 and the movable part 3. It may be done in this way.

[0045] Note that the numerical values of the above-mentioned angles, distances, etc. are only examples of the injection operation tool of the present invention.

[0046] Examples of the aerosol products to which the injection operation tool of the present invention is attached include cleaning agents, detergents, antiperspirants, coolants, muscle anti-inflammatory agents, hair styling agents, hair treatment agents, hair dyes, hair growth agents, cosmetics, shaving foams, foods, droplet-like substances (such as vitamins), pharmaceuticals, quasi-drugs, paints, gardening agents, repellents (insecticides), cleaners, deodorants, laundry starch, urethane foam, fire extinguishers, adhesives, lubricants, etc. for various uses.

[0047] As the contents to be contained in the container body, those in various forms such as liquid, cream, gel, etc. are used. The components formulated in the contents are, for example, powdery substances, oil components, alcohols, surfactants, polymer compounds, active ingredients according to each use, water, etc.

[0048] As the powdery substances, metal salt powders, inorganic powders, resin powders, etc. are used. For example, talc, kaolin, aluminum hydroxy chloride (aluminum salt), calcium alginate, gold powder, silver powder, mica, carbonate, barium sulfate, cellulose, mixtures thereof, etc. are used.

[0049] As the oil components, silicone oil, palm oil, eucalyptus oil, camellia oil, olive oil, jojoba oil, paraffin oil, myristic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid, linoleic acid, linolenic acid, etc. are used.

[0050] As the alcohols, monohydric lower alcohols such as ethanol, monohydric higher alcohols such as lauryl alcohol, polyhydric alcohols such as ethylene glycol, glycerin, 1,3 - butylene glycol, etc. are used.

[0051] As the surfactants, anionic surfactants such as sodium lauryl sulfate, non - ionic surfactants such as polyoxyethylene oleyl ether, amphoteric surfactants such as lauryldimethylaminoacetic acid betaine, cationic surfactants such as alkyltrimethylammonium chloride, etc. are used.

[0052] As the polymer compounds, methyl cellulose, gelatin, starch, casein, hydroxyethyl cellulose, xanthan gum, carboxyvinyl polymer, etc. are used.

[0053] As the active ingredients according to each use, anti-inflammatory and analgesic agents such as methyl salicylate and indomethacin, disinfectants such as sodium benzoate and cresol, pest repellents such as pyrethroid and diethyltoluamide, antiperspirants such as zinc paraphenolsulfonate, cooling agents such as camphor and menthol, anti-asthmatic drugs such as ephedrine and adrenaline, sweeteners such as sucralose and aspartame, adhesives and paints such as epoxy resin and urethane, dyes such as paraphenylenediamine and aminophenol, oxidizing agents such as hydrogen peroxide solution, fire extinguishing agents such as ammonium dihydrogen phosphate and sodium potassium bicarbonate, etc. are used.

[0054] Furthermore, suspensions, ultraviolet absorbers, emulsifiers, moisturizers, antioxidants, sequestering agents, etc. other than the above contents can also be used.

[0055] As the gas for ejecting the contents in the aerosol-type product, compressed gases such as carbon dioxide gas, nitrogen gas, compressed air, oxygen gas, rare gas, and mixed gases thereof, and liquefied gases such as liquefied petroleum gas, dimethyl ether, and fluorocarbon are used.

Explanation of symbols

[0056] (Figs. 1 to 4) 1: Injection operation tool for aerosol container 2: Fixed base 2a: U-shaped upright portion 2b: Flange portion 2c: Contents passage portion 2d: Longitudinal front rib-like portion 2e: Longitudinal rear rib-like portion 2f: Rotation hole portion 2g: Mounting cup fitting portion 3: Movable part 3a: Rotation operation portion 3b: Pressing operation surface 3c: Cylindrical portion 3d: Rotation restricting portion 3e: Temporary fixing portion 3f: Actuator driving portion 3g: Horizontal ceiling portion 3h: Pair of horizontal piece portions 3j: Reinforcing part 3k: Link part 3m: Upper hinge part 3n: Lower hinge part

[0057] (Fig. 3, Fig. 4) A: Rotation center of the cylindrical part 3c B: Rotation center of the upper hinge part 3m C: Rotation center of the lower hinge part 3n D: Force point of the operating force θ: Opening angle

[0058] (Figs. 3 - 5) 10: Aerosol product 11: Mounting cup 11a: Annular recess 12: Cylindrical stem 13: Actuator 13a: Injection port 14: Actuator 14a: Injection port 14b: Annular stepped part

Claims

1. A detachable injection operation tool for an aerosol product, which is attached to an aerosol product having an actuator for a pressing-down operation and is provided with a fixed base, a rotation operation part for an injection operation, and an actuator driving part, wherein the fixed base, has a C-shaped mounting cup fitting part with a notch that is detachably fitted to the mounting cup part of the aerosol product, the rotation operation part and the actuator driving part are connected via a single link that is rotatably connected to each of them, the rotation operation part, is provided rotatably with respect to the fixed base, the actuator driving part, is guided in a manner of linearly moving in the vertical direction, and abuts and presses down the actuator in conjunction with the rotation of the rotation operation part, with the connecting part between the rotation operation part and the single link as the vertex, the obtuse angle formed by the side passing through the rotation center of the rotation operation part and the side passing through the connecting part between the actuator driving part and the single link increases as the rotation operation part rotates, the moving distance of the actuator driving part with respect to the rotation of the rotation operation part is smaller at the end of the operation than at the start of the operation due to the rotational connection action between the rotation operation part and the actuator driving part,

2. The actuator driving part, has a first contact surface corresponding to the top surface of the actuator, a pair of second contact surfaces corresponding to the side step parts of the actuator at positions lower than the top surface, and a reinforcing part connecting each of the second contact surfaces, The injection operation tool for an aerosol product according to claim 1, characterized in that.

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