Dispensing device and dispensing container

Abstract

To provide a discharge tool high in recyclability and simple in structure, and a discharge container using the same.SOLUTION: Provided is a discharge tool 1 comprising: a depression head 20; a fitting cap 10; a suction pipe 30 extending downward from the fitting cap 10; a cylindrical tank 40 communicated at an upper end with a nozzle 21 and communicated at a lower end with the suction pipe 30; a first check valve 50 for blocking the flow of a content from the nozzle 21 toward the tank 40; and a second check valve 60 for blocking the flow of the content from the tank 40 toward the suction pipe 30. The tank 40 extends within a range of 180 degrees or more and 360 degrees or less in a peripheral direction about an axis O between the upper end and the lower end, and is formed into a shape gradually reduced in a vertical size from a peripheral center part 44a toward peripheral both end parts 44b, and an elastic deformation part 44 elastically deformable more easily inward in a radial direction than the other part 45 of the tank 40 is provided. Also provided is a discharge container 2.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a discharging tool and a discharging container.

Background Art

[0002] As a discharging tool that is attached to the mouth of a container body and discharges the contents stored in the container body, there is a mounting cap attached to the mouth of the container body, a pressing head having a nozzle, a pump including a cylinder held by the mounting cap and a piston disposed inside the cylinder, and when the pressing head is pushed down, the pump operates and the contents stored in the container body are discharged from the nozzle. A pump type of this kind is known.

[0003] In a pump type discharging tool, it is common to use a highly rigid metal one as an elastic member for returning the pushed-down pressing head to its original position. However, when a metal one is used as the elastic member, the recyclability after use decreases, so there is room for improvement in terms of environmental response.

[0004] Therefore, in order to increase the recyclability, a product using a synthetic resin instead of a metal as the elastic member for returning the pushed-down pressing head to its original position has been developed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] However, even when a synthetic resin is used as the elastic member in a pump type discharging tool, its structure is not simplified, and there is room for improvement in this regard.

[0007] The present invention has been developed to solve such problems, and an object thereof is to provide a discharge tool having high recyclability and a simple structure, and a discharge container using the same.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0008] The discharge tool of the present invention includes a pressing head having a nozzle, a mounting cap mounted on the mouth portion of the container body, a suction tube supported by the mounting cap and extending downward from the mounting cap, a cylindrical tank portion supported by the mounting cap, communicating with the nozzle at the upper end and communicating with the suction tube at the lower end, a first check valve provided on the upper end side of the tank portion for blocking the flow of the content from the nozzle to the tank portion, and a second check valve provided on the lower end side of the tank portion for blocking the flow of the content from the tank portion to the suction tube. The tank portion extends in a range of 180 degrees or more and less than 360 degrees in the circumferential direction centered on the axis between the upper end and the lower end, and is formed in a shape in which the vertical dimension gradually decreases from the circumferential central portion to the circumferential both end portions, and is provided with an elastically deformable portion that can be easily elastically deformed inward in the radial direction compared to other portions of the tank portion.

[0009] In the discharge tool of the present invention, in the above configuration, it is preferable that the elastically deformable portion is a thin-walled portion having a thinner thickness than other portions of the tank portion.

[0010] In the discharge tool of the present invention, in the above configuration, it is preferable that the tank portion is formed of an olefin-based synthetic resin material.

[0011] In the discharge tool of the present invention, in the above configuration, it is preferable that the elastically deformable portion is formed of a material that is more flexible than other portions of the tank portion.

[0012] In the discharge tool of the present invention, in the above configuration, it is preferable that the nozzle protrudes in the same direction as the circumferential central portion of the elastically deformable portion.

[0013] The discharge container of the present invention is characterized by including the container body and any one of the discharge tools.

Effect of the Invention

[0014] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a discharge tool with high recyclability and a simple structure, and a discharge container using the same.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0015]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0016] Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings, the discharge tool 1 and the discharge container 2 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be exemplified and described in detail.

[0017] In this embodiment and the claims, the vertical direction means the vertical direction in a state where the discharge container 2 is in an upright posture.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 1, the discharge tool 1 is assembled to the container body 3. The discharge container 2 is composed of the discharge tool 1 and the container body 3.

[0019] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, as the container body 3, for example, a blow-molded bottle made of a synthetic resin material having a cylindrical mouth portion 3a and a bottomed cylindrical body portion 3b connected to the mouth portion 3a can be used. A male screw 3c is integrally provided on the outer peripheral surface of the mouth portion 3a.

[0020] In addition, the container body 3 may have various structures with different shapes, materials, manufacturing methods, etc., as long as it has a mouth portion 3a and is configured to be able to store the content inside. For example, an inner layer body is laminated on the inside of an outer layer body so as to be peelable, and the inner layer body is configured to peel off from the outer layer body and deform with a reduction in volume as the content liquid is discharged; or a saucer (piston) is movably incorporated inside a cylindrical container body portion formed by injection molding, and the piston is configured to rise when the inside of the container body portion becomes negative pressure as the content liquid is discharged. It is preferable that the container is configured such that outside air is not taken into the internal space (storage portion) for storing the content liquid, such as a saucer-rising type container.

[0021] The discharge tool 1 includes a mounting cap 10. The mounting cap 10 is formed, for example, of a synthetic resin material into a toped cylindrical shape having a cylindrical peripheral wall 11 centered on the axis O and a top wall 12 connected to the upper end of the peripheral wall 11. A female screw 11a is integrally provided on the inner peripheral surface of the peripheral wall 11. The mounting cap 10 is detachably mounted on the mouth portion 3a of the container body 3 by screwing the female screw 11a onto the male screw 3c provided on the mouth portion 3a of the container body 3. By mounting the mounting cap 10 on the mouth portion 3a of the container body 3, the discharge tool 1 is assembled to the container body 3.

[0022] In addition, the mounting cap 10 is not limited to the configuration of being mounted on the mouth portion 3a of the container body 3 by screwing the male screw 3c and the female screw 11a. For example, it can also be configured to be mounted on the mouth portion 3a of the container body 3 by other configurations such as plugging using an undercut engagement. Further, as long as the mounting cap 10 can be mounted on the mouth portion 3a of the container body 3, its shape can also be variously changed.

[0023] Inside the mounting cap 10, a holder 13 is mounted. The holder 13 is held in the mounting cap 10 by fitting the flange portion 13a into and holding it against the peripheral wall 11 and sandwiching it between the top wall 12 and the mouth portion 3a via a sealing member 14. The holder 13 integrally has a cylindrical lower fitting portion 13b protruding downward from the flange portion 13a and a cylindrical upper fitting portion 13c protruding upward from the flange portion 13a. Further, the internal space of the lower fitting portion 13b and the internal space of the upper fitting portion 13c communicate with each other through a circulation hole 15.

[0024] The discharging tool 1 includes a pressing head 20. The pressing head 20 includes a nozzle 21 and a head body 22, and is disposed above the mounting cap 10. The nozzle 21 protrudes laterally (in a direction perpendicular to the axis O) from the head body 22, and its interior forms a discharge flow path 21a.

[0025] The discharging tool 1 includes a suction pipe 30. The suction pipe 30 has a circular cross-section, and the upper end portion is fitted and fixed inside the lower fitting portion 13b of the holder 13, so that it is supported by the mounting cap 10 via the holder 13. The suction pipe 30 extends downward from the mounting cap 10, and its lower end (not shown) is close to the bottom portion inside the container body 3.

[0026] The discharging tool 1 includes a cylindrical tank portion 40. In this embodiment, the tank portion 40 is cylindrical and extends upward from the mounting cap 10 along the axis O.

[0027] The lower end side portion of the tank portion 40 is fitted outside the upper fitting portion 13c of the holder 13, and the flange portion 41 integrally provided at the lower end is sandwiched between the top wall 12 of the mounting cap 10 and the flange portion 13a of the holder 13, so that it is supported by the mounting cap 10.

[0028] A pressing head 20 is mounted on the upper end of the tank portion 40. In the present embodiment, the pressing head 20 is fixed to the tank portion 40 by fitting the head main body 22 to the outside of the upper end portion of the tank portion 40.

[0029] An inward flange 42 is integrally provided on the inner peripheral surface of the upper end side of the tank portion 40, and the inside of the inward flange 42 is a flow hole 43.

[0030] At the upper end of the tank portion 40, its inner space communicates with the nozzle 21, that is, the discharge flow path 21a of the nozzle 21 through the flow hole 43. Also, at the lower end of the tank portion 40, its inner space communicates with the suction pipe 30 through the flow hole 15.

[0031] A first check valve 50 is provided on the upper end side of the tank portion 40. In the present embodiment, the first check valve 50 includes an annular holding portion 51 that is fitted and fixed inside the tank portion 40 above the inward flange 42, a valve body 52 that abuts on the upper surface of the inward flange 42 to close the flow hole 43, and a plurality (three) of elastically deformable leg portions 53 that connect the holding portion 51 and the valve body 52. The first check valve 50 operates to allow the flow of the content from the tank portion 40 toward the nozzle 21, but to block the flow of the content from the nozzle 21 toward the tank portion 40.

[0032] A second check valve 60 is provided on the lower end side of the tank portion 40. In the present embodiment, the second check valve 60 includes an annular holding portion 61 that is fitted and fixed inside the upper fitting portion 13c, a valve body 62 that abuts on the upper surface of the flange portion 13a to close the flow hole 15, and a plurality (three) of elastically deformable leg portions 63 that connect the holding portion 61 and the valve body 62. The second check valve 60 operates to allow the flow of the content from the suction pipe 30 toward the tank portion 40, but to block the flow of the content from the tank portion 40 toward the suction pipe 30.

[0033] The portion between the first check valve 50 and the second check valve 60 of the tank portion 40 is a tank chamber S capable of storing the content inside.

[0034] The tank portion 40 is provided with an elastically deformable portion 44 between its upper end and lower end (between the first check valve 50 and the second check valve 60). The elastically deformable portion 44 extends in a range of 180 degrees or more and less than 360 degrees in the circumferential direction centered on the axis O between the upper end and the lower end of the tank portion 40, and is formed in a shape in which the vertical dimension gradually decreases from the circumferential central portion 44a toward the circumferential both end portions 44b. It can be more easily elastically deformed toward the radially inner side than other portions 45 of the tank portion 40 other than the elastically deformable portion 44.

[0035] In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the nozzle 21 protrudes in the same direction as the circumferential central portion 44a of the elastically deformable portion 44 with respect to the axis O. And the elastically deformable portion 44, in a side view seen from a direction shifted 90 degrees around the axis O with respect to the protruding direction of the nozzle 21, the upper edge portion 44c extends linearly obliquely downward at an angle inclined 45 degrees with respect to the axis O from the circumferential central portion 44a toward the circumferential both end portions 44b, and the lower edge portion 44d extends linearly obliquely upward at an angle inclined 45 degrees with respect to the axis O from the circumferential central portion 44a toward the circumferential both end portions 44b, forming an upper and lower symmetric triangular shape. Note that the circumferential both end portions 44b are each preferably arc-shaped, particularly an arc shape with a radius of 2 mm or more. Thereby, when the tank portion 40 is bent into a U shape as described later, it is possible to suppress the plastic deformation of the circumferential both end portions 44b of the tank portion 40 and the loss of elastic force.

[0036] Also, in the present embodiment, the elastically deformable portion 44 is a thin-walled portion that is thinner than other portions 45 of the tank portion 40. Thereby, the elastically deformable portion 44 can be more easily elastically deformed toward the radially inner side than other portions 45 of the tank portion 40. In this case, since the tank portion 40 can be formed such that the elastically deformable portion 44 is integrally formed with other portions 45, the tank portion 40 can be easily formed by injection molding or the like, and the cost of the discharge tool 1 or the discharge container 2 can be reduced.

[0037] On the other hand, the portion of the other part 45 of the tank part 40 between the circumferential direction both end parts 44b of the elastic deformation part 44 has a length of 180 degrees or less in the circumferential direction.

[0038] With such a configuration, the tank part 40 can be easily bent in a U shape toward the protruding direction of the nozzle 21 while elastically deforming the elastic deformation part 44 radially inward with the portion of the other part 45 of the tank part 40 between the circumferential direction both end parts 44b of the elastic deformation part 44 as a fulcrum.

[0039] In the present embodiment, the tank part 40 can be formed of an olefin-based synthetic resin material such as polypropylene. Thereby, while holding the pressing head 20 stably with the tank part 40 having a predetermined rigidity, by providing the thin-walled elastic deformation part 44, the tank part 40 can be made easily elastically deformable in a U shape.

[0040] In the discharging tool 1 or the discharging container 2 having the above configuration, when the portion of the head main body 22 of the pressing head 20 from the nozzle 21 is pressed downward, as shown in FIG. 3, the elastic deformation part 44 elastically deforms radially inward, and the tank part 40 bends in a U shape toward the protruding direction of the nozzle 21. When the tank part 40 bends in a U shape and the elastic deformation part 44 elastically deforms radially inward, the tank part 40 is in a recessed state and the volume of the tank chamber S is narrowed by the elastic deformation part 44, so the inside of the tank chamber S is pressurized. Then, when the inside of the tank chamber S is pressurized, the first check valve 50 is opened by the pressure while the second check valve 60 is held in a closed state, and the content stored in the tank chamber S is pressure-fed from the tank chamber S through the flow hole 43 to the nozzle 21 and discharged to the outside from the tip of the nozzle 21.

[0041] When the pressing-down operation of the pressing-down head 20 is released, the tank portion 40 returns from the bent shape to the original straight shape (the state shown in FIG. 2) by its own elastic force. At this time, as the volume of the tank chamber S expands, the inside of the tank chamber S becomes a negative pressure. When the inside of the tank chamber S becomes a negative pressure, the second check valve 60 is opened by the negative pressure while the first check valve 50 is held in the closed state, and the content stored inside the container body 3 is filled into the tank chamber S through the suction pipe 30 and the circulation hole 15. Note that after releasing the pressing-down operation of the pressing-down head 20, the tank portion 40 may be returned from the bent shape to the original straight shape manually instead of by its own elastic force.

[0042] By repeating the same operation as described above, the content can be discharged in small portions from the nozzle 21.

[0043] As described above, according to the discharging tool 1 to the discharging container 2 according to the present embodiment, the content can be discharged by pressing down the pressing-down head 20 to bend the tank portion 40 into a U-shape. Thereby, the discharging tool 1 can be made of a configuration that can operate without using metal parts, enhancing its recyclability and making it more suitable for environmental response.

[0044] Further, according to the discharging tool 1 to the discharging container 2 according to the present embodiment, the discharging tool 1 can be made of a simple configuration in which only an elastically deformable portion 44 is provided in a part of the tank portion 40 without using a cylinder and a piston. Thereby, the cost of the discharging tool 1 to the discharging container 2 can be reduced.

[0045] Furthermore, according to the discharging tool 1 to the discharging container 2 according to the present embodiment, since the discharging tool 1 does not have a sliding portion such as between a pump-type cylinder and a piston, even when the container body 3 stores a content containing a solid such as an abrasive as the content, the content can be discharged by the discharging tool 1.

[0046] In the case shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, in the tank portion 40, the elastically deformable portion 44 is integrally formed of the same material as the other portion 45 of the tank portion 40 and is made thinner than the other portion 45 so that it can be easily elastically deformed inward in the radial direction more than the other portion 45. However, the tank portion 40 may be configured such that the elastically deformable portion 44 is formed of a material softer than the other portion 45 of the tank portion 40, so that it can be easily elastically deformed inward in the radial direction more than the other portion 45.

[0047] In this case, for example, as shown in FIG. 4, by two-color molding, the elastically deformable portion 44 formed of a soft material such as an elastomer is integrated with the other portion 45 of the tank portion 40 formed of a synthetic resin material harder than the soft material at its upper edge portion 44c and lower edge portion 44d. With such a configuration, while the other portion 45 of the tank portion 40 has a predetermined rigidity and the pressing head 20 is stably held by the other portion 45, the elastically deformable portion 44 is made of a soft material and is more easily elastically deformable inward in the radial direction, so that the tank portion 40 can be more easily elastically deformed into a V shape.

[0048] Also, for example, as shown in FIG. 5, after only the other portion 45 of the tank portion 40 is formed of a synthetic resin material, an elastically deformable portion 44 formed of a film is attached to the other portion 45 by adhesion or the like so as to cover the notch portions corresponding to the upper edge portion 44c and lower edge portion 44d of the elastically deformable portion 44 of the other portion 45. With such a configuration as well, while the other portion 45 of the tank portion 40 has a predetermined rigidity and the pressing head 20 is stably held by the other portion 45, the elastically deformable portion 44 is formed of a film and is more easily elastically deformable inward in the radial direction, so that the tank portion 40 can be more easily elastically deformed into a V shape.

[0049] It goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and can be variously modified without departing from the gist thereof.

[0050] For example, in the above-described embodiment, the tank portion 40 is cylindrical, but it is not limited thereto, and it may be elliptical or rectangular.

[0051] Further, in the above-described embodiment, in a side view seen from a direction shifted by 90 degrees around the axis O with respect to the protruding direction of the nozzle 21, the upper edge portion 44c of the elastic deformation portion 44 linearly extends obliquely downward at an angle inclined 45 degrees with respect to the axis O from the circumferential center portion 44a toward the circumferential both end portions 44b, and the lower edge portion 44d linearly extends obliquely upward at an angle inclined 45 degrees with respect to the axis O from the circumferential center portion 44a toward the circumferential both end portions 44b, and it is a triangular shape symmetric about the vertical axis. However, it is not limited thereto, and between the upper end and the lower end of the tank portion 40, as long as it extends in a range of 180 degrees or more and less than 360 degrees in the circumferential direction centered on the axis O and the vertical dimension gradually decreases from the circumferential center portion 44a toward the circumferential both end portions 44b, for example, in a side view, the upper edge portion 44c and the lower edge portion 44d may extend in various shapes such as a curved shape, a stepped shape, a shape combining a plurality of straight lines with different inclination angles with respect to the axis O, a shape combining a plurality of curves with different curvatures, and a shape combining a straight line and a curve. As long as the tank portion 40 can be bent, it can have various shapes.

Explanation of Signs

[0052] 1 Discharging tool 2 Discharging container 3 Container body 3a Mouth portion 3b Body portion 3c Male thread 10 Mounting cap 11 Peripheral wall 11a Female thread 12 Top wall 13 Holder 13a Flange portion 13b Lower fitting portion 13c Upper fitting portion 14 Sealing member 15 Flow hole 20 Pushing head 21 Nozzle 21a Discharge flow path 22 Head body 30 Suction pipe 40 Tank section 41 Flange section 42 Inward flange 43 Flow hole 44 Elastic deformation section 44a Central circumferential part 44b Both circumferential ends 44c Upper edge 44d Lower edge 45 Other part 50 First check valve 51 Holding section 52 Valve body 53 Leg 60 Second check valve 61 Holding section 62 Valve body 63 Leg S Tank chamber

Claims

1. A pressing head having a nozzle, A mounting cap mounted on the mouth of the container body, A suction pipe supported by the mounting cap and extending downward from the mounting cap, A cylindrical tank portion supported by the mounting cap, communicating with the nozzle at the upper end and communicating with the suction pipe at the lower end, A first check valve provided on the upper end side of the tank portion to block the flow of the content from the nozzle toward the tank portion, A second check valve provided on the lower end side of the tank portion to block the flow of the content from the tank portion toward the suction pipe, and having, The tank portion extends between the upper end and the lower end in a range of 180 degrees or more and less than 360 degrees in the circumferential direction centered on the axis, and is formed in a shape in which the vertical dimension gradually decreases from the central portion in the circumferential direction toward both end portions in the circumferential direction, and is provided with an elastically deformable portion that can be elastically deformed more easily toward the inner side in the radial direction than other portions of the tank portion. The discharging tool is characterized by this.

2. The discharging tool according to claim 1, wherein the elastically deformable portion is a thin-walled portion having a thickness thinner than other portions of the tank portion.

3. The discharging tool according to claim 2, wherein the tank portion is formed of an olefin-based synthetic resin material.

4. The discharging tool according to claim 1, wherein the elastically deformable portion is formed of a material softer than other portions of the tank portion.

5. The discharging tool according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the nozzle protrudes in the same direction as the central portion in the circumferential direction of the elastically deformable portion.

6. A discharging container, comprising the container body and the discharging tool according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

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