Bubble ejector

Abstract

To provide a squeeze-type foam discharger capable of generating a good foam body by a liquid composition of high viscosity.SOLUTION: The foam discharger includes a squeeze container, a discharge unit, a supply unit, and a foam control unit. The squeeze container is capable of containing a liquid composition. The discharge unit has a discharge head provided with a plurality of slits extending from a plurality of locations on the surroundings of a discharge port. The supply unit is configured to supply the liquid composition in the squeeze container to the discharge unit in a state where the liquid composition is mixed with air by means of a squeeze operation for the squeeze container. The foam control unit has a first foam control unit provided on the supply unit and a second foam control unit provided on a second direction side of the discharge head in the discharge unit, the first foam control unit and the second foam control unit each having a porous part through which the liquid composition mixed with air passes. The viscosity of the liquid composition at 25°C is 1 to 100 mPa-s. When an inner diameter of the discharge head is denoted as d1 and an inner diameter of the second foam control unit is denoted as d2, a relation of 1.0<d1 / d2≤2.5 is satisfied.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a squeeze-type foam discharger capable of discharging a liquid composition as foam.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a squeeze-type foam discharger (squeeze former). The squeeze former described in Patent Document 1 is configured to be able to discharge a liquid composition obtained by mixing a first agent and a second agent in a two-component hair dye or hair bleaching agent as foam by an operation of squeezing a flexible container.

[0003] Also, Patent Document 2 discloses a pump-type foam discharger (pump former). When the pump former described in Patent Document 2 discharges foam from a cylindrical portion by an operation of pushing down a nozzle portion, the foam passing through a plurality of slits provided in the cylindrical portion is twisted together to form a presentable foam structure (foam body).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] Unlike a pump former that can discharge a fixed amount of foam, in a squeeze former, the amount of foam discharged per stroke varies depending on the magnitude of the force applied during the operation of squeezing the container. For this reason, there is a need for a technique capable of generating a presentable foam body regardless of the amount of foam discharged per stroke in a squeeze former.

[0006] On the other hand, in the two-agent type hair dye or hair bleach described in Patent Document 1, the viscosity of the liquid composition obtained by mixing the first agent and the second agent becomes high. With such a high-viscosity liquid composition, it is particularly difficult to always generate a good foam with a clear contour by a squeeze former in which the discharge amount of the foam varies.

[0007] An object of the present invention relates to a squeeze-type foam discharger capable of generating good foam with a high-viscosity liquid composition.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0008] The foam discharger according to one embodiment of the present invention can discharge, as foam, a liquid composition in which a first agent containing an alkaline agent and a second agent containing hydrogen peroxide are mixed, and at least one of the first agent and the second agent contains a foaming agent. The foam discharger includes a squeeze container, a discharge part, a supply part, and a foam control part. The squeeze container can accommodate the liquid composition. The discharge part has a discharge head provided with a discharge port opened in a first direction and a plurality of slits extending along a second direction opposite to the first direction from a plurality of positions around the discharge port, and discharges the liquid composition from the discharge head as foam. The supply part is configured such that, by a squeezing operation on the squeeze container, the liquid composition in the squeeze container is supplied to the discharge part in a state of being mixed with air. The foam control part includes a first foam control part provided in the supply part and a second foam control part provided on the second direction side of the discharge head in the discharge part, each having a porous part through which the liquid composition mixed with air passes. The viscosity of the liquid composition at 25°C is 1 to 100 mPa·s. When the inner diameter of the discharge head is d1 and the inner diameter of the second foam control part is d2, the relationship 1.0 < d1 / d2 ≦ 2.5 is satisfied.

[0009] The discharge attachment according to one embodiment of the present invention is attached to a foam discharger capable of discharging, as foam, a liquid composition in which a first agent containing an alkaline agent and a second agent containing hydrogen peroxide are mixed, and at least one of the first agent and the second agent contains a foaming agent. The foam discharger includes a squeeze container, a discharge part, a supply part, and a foam control part. The squeeze container is capable of accommodating the liquid composition. The discharge part has a discharge head provided with a discharge port opened in a first direction and a plurality of slits extending along a second direction opposite to the first direction from a plurality of positions around the discharge port, and discharges the liquid composition from the discharge head as foam. The supply part is configured such that, by a squeezing operation on the squeeze container, the liquid composition in the squeeze container is supplied to the discharge part in a state of being mixed with air. The foam control part includes a first foam control part provided in the supply part and a second foam control part provided on the second direction side of the discharge head in the discharge part, each having a porous part through which the liquid composition mixed with air passes. The viscosity of the liquid composition at 25°C is 1 to 100 mPa·s. When the inner diameter of the discharge head is d1 and the inner diameter of the second foam control part is d2, the relationship 1.0 < d1 / d2 ≦ 2.5 is satisfied. The discharge part of the foam discharger is configured as a discharge attachment.

[0010] In the hair dyeing or bleaching method according to one embodiment of the present invention, a liquid composition in which a first agent containing an alkaline agent and a second agent containing hydrogen peroxide are mixed, and at least one of the first agent and the second agent contains a foaming agent, is used with a foam discharger capable of discharging the liquid composition as foam. The foam discharger includes a squeeze container, a discharge part, a supply part, and a foam control part. The squeeze container is capable of accommodating the liquid composition. The discharging part has a discharge head provided with a discharge port opened in the first direction and a plurality of slits extending along a second direction opposite to the first direction from a plurality of positions around the discharge port, and discharges the liquid composition from the discharge head as bubbles. The supply part is configured such that, by a squeezing operation on the squeeze container, the liquid composition in the squeeze container is supplied to the discharging part in a state of being mixed with air. The foam control part respectively has a porous part through which the liquid composition mixed with air passes, and includes a first foam control part provided in the supply part and a second foam control part provided on the second direction side of the discharge head in the discharging part. The viscosity of the liquid composition at 25°C is 1 to 100 mPa·s. When the inner diameter of the discharge head is d1 and the inner diameter of the second foam control part is d2, the relationship of 1.0 < d1 / d2 ≤ 2.5 is satisfied. The liquid composition is a hair dye or a hair bleaching agent. The liquid composition is discharged directly from the discharge head onto the hair.

Advantages of the Invention

[0011] According to the foam discharger of the present invention, in a squeeze-type configuration, good foam can be generated with a high-viscosity liquid composition.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0012]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Mode for carrying out the invention

[0013] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In this specification and the drawings, substantially the same configurations are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions are omitted. Also, the notations indicating directions in the following description do not indicate directions in real space, but indicate directions based on the drawings to be referred to.

[0014] [Overall configuration] A foam discharger 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention is configured to be able to generate a foam body, which is a well - shaped foam by discharging a high - viscosity liquid composition Lm as foam in a squeezing - type configuration. Specifically, the viscosity of the liquid composition Lm to be discharged as foam by the foam discharger 1 according to the present embodiment is 1 to 100 mPa·s. As shown in FIG. 1, the foam discharger 1 includes a squeeze container 10, a supply unit 20, and a discharge unit 30. In FIG. 1, the configuration inside the squeeze container 10 is shown by a broken line. The squeeze container 10 is configured to be able to accommodate a liquid composition Lm, which is a liquid discharged as foam by the foam discharger 1, in its internal space. The squeeze container 10 is a bottomed substantially cylindrical container having flexibility, and is configured to be capable of a squeezing operation by bending the side wall portion inward so as to narrow the internal space by applying a force from the outside. The squeeze container 10 is formed of a flexible resin material such as polyethylene or polypropylene, for example.

[0015] Examples of the high-viscosity liquid composition Lm include a liquid in which the first agent L1 and the second agent L2 in a two-agent hair dye or hair bleaching agent for hair are mixed. As shown in FIG. 2, a two-agent cosmetic kit 100 can be configured using the foam discharger 1. The two-agent cosmetic kit 100 includes a bottle container 101 that is separate from the foam discharger 1. In the two-agent cosmetic kit 100 shown in FIG. 2, the first agent L1 containing an alkaline agent is housed in the bottle container 101, and the second agent L2 containing hydrogen peroxide is housed in the squeeze container 10 of the foam discharger 1. At least one of the first agent L1 and the second agent L2 contains a foaming agent that promotes foaming of the liquid composition Lm. When using the two-agent cosmetic kit 100, the first agent L1 in the bottle container 101 is put into the squeeze container 10 of the foam discharger 1, and the first agent L1 and the second agent L2 are mixed in the squeeze container 10. As a result, as shown in FIG. 1, a liquid composition Lm in which the first agent L1 and the second agent L2 are mixed is generated in the squeeze container 10.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 3, the squeeze container 10 is provided with an opening 10a that opens upward, and the supply unit 20 is provided with a cap portion 20a. The supply unit 20 closes the internal space of the squeeze container 10 and is fixed to the squeeze container 10 when the cap portion 20a is screwed onto the opening 10a of the squeeze container 10. In the foam discharger 1, the supply unit 20 and the discharge unit 30 are configured as a dispenser capable of discharging the liquid composition Lm in the squeeze container 10 as foam. In the foam discharger 1, the discharge unit 30 is attached to the supply unit 20, and the supply unit 20 constitutes a flow path through which the liquid composition Lm in the squeeze container 10 can be supplied to the discharge unit 30 as foam. In the present embodiment, in the foam discharger 1, when the liquid composition Lm is discharged from the discharge unit 30 as foam, the flow direction of the liquid composition Lm is defined as the downstream direction (first direction), and the direction opposite to the flow direction of the liquid composition Lm is defined as the upstream direction (second direction). That is, in the foam discharger 1, the discharge unit 30 is located on the upstream side of the supply unit 20.

[0017] The supply unit 20 is provided with a dip tube 21, a gas-liquid mixing chamber 22, and a first bubble control unit 23 in this order from the upstream side to the downstream side. That is, in the supply unit 20, the liquid composition Lm supplied from the squeeze container 10 to the discharge unit 30 passes through the dip tube 21, the gas-liquid mixing chamber 22, and the first bubble control unit 23 in this order. The dip tube 21 extends downward within the squeeze container 10, and at least its lower end is immersed in the liquid composition Lm. In the bubble discharger 1, when a squeezing operation is performed on the squeeze container 10, the volume of the internal space of the squeeze container 10 decreases, so that the liquid composition Lm in the squeeze container 10 enters the dip tube 21 from the lower end. The liquid composition Lm that has entered the dip tube 21 from the lower end flows upward within the dip tube 21. In the supply unit 20, the liquid composition Lm that has passed through the dip tube 21 upward is further supplied to the discharge unit 30 after passing through the gas-liquid mixing chamber 22 and the first bubble control unit 23.

[0018] The gas-liquid mixing chamber 22 is provided with an air introduction part 22a that communicates with a region that accommodates air above the liquid level of the liquid composition Lm in the internal space of the squeeze container 10. Thereby, in the supply unit 20, when the liquid composition Lm passes through the gas-liquid mixing chamber 22, it is mixed with the air introduced from the air introduction part 22a along with the squeezing operation. The first bubble control unit 23 is provided with a first porous part 23a in which a plurality of through holes through which the liquid composition Lm can pass are formed. The first porous part 23a is composed of, for example, a mesh member. The first porous part 23a has the function of generating fine bubbles by passing the liquid composition Lm mixed with air through the plurality of through holes. In the supply unit 20, the liquid composition Lm mixed with air by passing through the gas-liquid mixing chamber 22 enters the first bubble control unit 23 and passes through the plurality of through holes of the first porous part 23a in the first bubble control unit 23. Thereby, in the supply unit 20, the liquid composition Lm that has passed through the first bubble control unit 23 becomes fine bubbles. In this way, in the process of supplying the liquid composition Lm in the squeeze container 10 to the discharge unit 30, the supply unit 20 can generate fine bubbles by passing the liquid composition Lm through the gas-liquid mixing chamber 22 and the first bubble control unit 23. As a result, in the bubble discharger 1, the liquid composition Lm can be supplied to the discharge unit 30 as bubbles. The aperture of the first porous part 23a is preferably 30 μm or more and 200 μm or less, more preferably 50 μm or more and 150 μm or less, in order to generate fine bubbles of the liquid composition Lm. As the first porous part 23a, for example, a 150-mesh net can be used, and in addition to the mesh member, a porous body such as a sponge or a porous sintered body can also be used. Also, a plurality of first porous parts 23a may be provided in the first bubble control unit 23. In this case, the plurality of first porous parts 23a are preferably provided at intervals from each other. Thereby, the first bubble control unit 23 can generate finer bubbles by continuously passing the liquid composition Lm through the plurality of first porous parts 23a.

[0019] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the discharge unit 30 is configured as a cylindrical discharge attachment configured as a separate member from the supply unit 20. Thereby, the discharge unit 30 can be easily formed into a complex shape as a single unit. The discharge unit 30 is attached to the downstream end of the supply unit 20 and constitutes a flow path for the continuous liquid composition Lm from the supply unit 20. The discharge unit 30 has a discharge head 31 and a second bubble control unit 32. The discharge head 31 constitutes the downstream end of the discharge unit 30 and discharges the bubbles of the liquid composition Lm. The second bubble control unit 32 is adjacent to the upstream side with respect to the discharge head 31, that is, allows the bubbles of the liquid composition Lm immediately before being discharged from the discharge head 31 to pass through.

[0020] The second bubble control unit 32 is provided with a second porous part 32a in which a plurality of through holes through which the liquid composition Lm can pass are formed. The second porous part 32a is composed of, for example, a mesh member. The second porous part 32a has the effect of generating finer bubbles by passing the fine bubbles of the liquid composition Lm through the plurality of through holes. In the discharging unit 30, the fine bubbles of the liquid composition Lm supplied from the supply unit 20 to the discharging unit 30 are further refined by passing through the second porous part 32a in the second bubble control unit 32 immediately before being discharged from the discharge head 31. Thereby, the bubble discharger 1 can discharge fine and elastic bubbles from the discharge head 31 from the high-viscosity liquid composition Lm. In the second porous part 32a, in order to further refine the fine bubbles of the liquid composition Lm generated in the first bubble control unit 23, it is preferable that the aperture is smaller than that of the first porous part 23a. Specifically, the aperture of the second porous part 32a is preferably 20 μm or more and 150 μm or less, and more preferably 40 μm or more and 100 μm or less. As the second porous part 32a, for example, a 200-mesh net can be used, and in addition to the mesh member, a porous body such as a sponge or a porous sintered body can also be used. Note that as the second porous part 32a, the same type of structure as the first porous part 23a or a different type of structure from the first porous part 23a may be used. Also, a plurality of second porous parts 32a may be provided in the second bubble control unit 32. In this case, it is preferable that the plurality of second porous parts 32a are provided at intervals from each other. Thereby, the second bubble control unit 32 can further refine the bubbles of the liquid composition Lm by continuously passing the liquid composition Lm through the plurality of second porous parts 32a.

[0021] The discharge head 31 is provided with a discharge port 31a and a plurality of slits 31b as openings for discharging the bubbles of the liquid composition Lm. The discharge port 31a is located at the tip of the discharge head 31 and is open to the downstream side. The plurality of slits 31b extend in a notch shape upstream from a plurality of positions at equal intervals in the circumferential direction around the discharge port 31a. The bubble discharger 1 can generate a foam body of the liquid composition Lm on a bubble receiver (for example, the palm of a user's hand) that receives the discharge of the bubbles of the liquid composition Lm by discharging the bubbles of the liquid composition Lm from the discharge head 31. The bubble discharger 1 can generate a patterned foam body of the liquid composition Lm by the action of the slit 31b. The foam body F shown in FIG. 7 is an example of a foam body of the liquid composition Lm generated by the foam discharged from the discharge head 31. Six edges E extending radially outward from the central portion are formed in the foam body F. The six edges E in the foam body F correspond to the six slits 31b, that is, they are formed by the foam passing through the six slits 31b. In the foam body of the liquid composition Lm generated by the foam discharger 1, a good appearance is achieved by the edges corresponding to the number of slits 31b forming a radial pattern. In the foam discharger 1 according to the present embodiment, the discharge portion 30 is configured to easily generate a foam body with distinct edges regardless of the discharge amount of the foam of the liquid composition Lm.

[0022] [Detailed Configuration of Discharge Portion 30] The discharge portion 30 is configured such that when the foam of the liquid composition Lm enters the discharge head 31 from the second foam control portion 32, the flow path of the foam of the liquid composition Lm expands, that is, the flow path diameter (flow path cross-sectional area) increases. That is, in the discharge portion 30, the inner diameter d1 of the discharge head 31 and the inner diameter d2 of the second foam control portion 32 satisfy the relationship d1 / d2 > 1.0. In the foam discharger 1, the expansion of the flow path in the discharge head 31 makes it easier to generate a good foam body regardless of the discharge amount of the foam of the liquid composition Lm, which changes according to the magnitude of the force applied during the squeezing operation of the squeeze container 10. In addition, the discharge portion 30 also has the advantage that it becomes easier to extract from the mold after molding. More specifically, in the discharge portion 30, the expansion of the flow path in the discharge head 31 reduces the flow resistance of the foam of the liquid composition Lm. As a result, even when the discharge amount of the foam of the liquid composition Lm is large, the foam of the liquid composition Lm easily flows smoothly toward the discharge port 31a, and it becomes difficult for the amount of the foam of the liquid composition Lm entering the plurality of slits 31b to become excessive. Therefore, in the ejection unit 30, the bubbles of the liquid composition Lm that have passed through the adjacent slits 31b merge together outside the ejection head 31, and it is possible to prevent the periphery of the claw portion between the slits 31b from being filled with the bubbles of the liquid composition Lm. Thus, in the ejection unit 30, the function of forming the edges of the foam bodies in the plurality of slits 31b is less likely to be inhibited. Further, in the ejection unit 30, since the flow path widens in the ejection head 31, the flow velocity of the bubbles of the liquid composition Lm is alleviated. As a result, the bubbles of the liquid composition Lm can easily pass through the plurality of slits 31b smoothly, so that even when a highly viscous liquid composition Lm is used, clogging of the plurality of slits 31b due to bubbles is less likely to occur. In the ejection unit 30, in order to obtain the above effects more effectively, the inner diameter d1 of the ejection head 31 can be made larger than the inner diameter d2 of the second foam control unit 32. Specifically, in the ejection unit 30, the inner diameter d1 of the ejection head 31 and the inner diameter d2 of the second foam control unit 32 preferably satisfy the relationship of d1 / d2≧1.2, more preferably satisfy the relationship of d1 / d2≧1.4, and still more preferably satisfy the relationship of d1 / d2≧1.5.

[0023] On the other hand, in the ejection unit 30, if the inner diameter d1 of the ejection head 31 is made too large compared to the inner diameter d2 of the second foam control unit 32, for example, when the ejection amount of the bubbles of the liquid composition Lm is small, the bubbles of the liquid composition Lm may not pass through the plurality of slits 31b appropriately, and distinct edges are less likely to be formed in the foam body. Also, in the ejection unit 30, when the inner diameter d1 of the ejection head 31 is increased, the claw portion between the slits 31b increases accordingly. In the ejection unit 30, if the claw portion between the slits 31b becomes too large, the claw portion between the slits 31b is likely to crack, and as a whole, it gives an unbalanced appearance and the design is likely to be impaired. Therefore, it is not preferable that d1 / d2 is too large in the ejection unit 30. Specifically, the inner diameter d1 of the ejection head 31 and the inner diameter d2 of the second foam control unit 32 satisfy the relationship of d1 / d2≦2.5, preferably satisfy the relationship of d1 / d2≦2.2, and more preferably satisfy the relationship of d1 / d2≦2.0. Furthermore, in the foam ejector 1, in order to generate good foam with the highly viscous liquid composition Lm, it is preferable that the length L of the slit 31b is 4 mm or more and 8 mm or less, the width W of the slit 31b is 1 mm or more and 2.5 mm or less, d1 / L is 0.625 or more and 3.25 or less, and L / W is 1.6 or more and 8 or less.

[0024] [Other Embodiments of the Discharge Unit 30] The discharge unit 30 is not limited to the above configuration and can be determined variously according to the shape of the foam of the target liquid composition Lm and the like. For example, the number of slits 31b in the discharge head 31 can be appropriately determined according to the number of edges formed in the foam of the liquid composition Lm. Further, the width W of the slit 31b in the discharge head 31 can be appropriately determined within a range that can ensure sufficient strength at the claw portion between the slits 31b. Also, in the discharge unit 30, the inner diameter d1 of the discharge head 31 does not have to be constant, and the inner diameter d2 of the second foam control unit 32 does not have to be constant. In this case, the inner diameter d1 of the discharge head 31 and the inner diameter d2 of the second foam control unit 32 can be defined in the vicinity of the stepped portion formed at the connection portion between the discharge head 31 and the second foam control unit 32. Furthermore, the discharge unit 30 does not have to be configured as a separate member from the supply unit 20 and be a discharge attachment attached to the supply unit 20. That is, in the foam ejector 1, the supply unit 20 and the discharge unit 30 may be configured as a single integrally formed member. Also, in the foam ejector 1, the supply unit 20 may be composed of a plurality of members.

[0025] Furthermore, in the discharge unit 30, in order to provide the second porous portion 32a in the second foam control unit 32, as shown in FIG. 8, a holder R for holding the second porous portion 32a can be used. The holder R shown in FIG. 8 is formed in a ring shape and is inserted into the second foam control unit 32 while holding the second porous portion 32a at one end thereof. Further, in the discharge unit 30, as shown in FIG. 9, by holding the second porous portions 32a at both ends of the holder R respectively, two second porous portions 32a can be provided in the second foam control unit 32. In this case, in the second foam control unit 32, the distance between the two second porous portions 32a can be appropriately controlled according to the dimensions of the holder R. Furthermore, in the discharge unit 30, as shown in FIG. 10, by using a plurality of holders R, a plurality of second porous portions 32a can also be provided in the second foam control unit 32. Although FIG. 10 shows an example in which two second porous portions 32a are provided in the second foam control unit 32, the number of second porous portions 32a provided in the second foam control unit 32 may be three or more.

[0026] [Detailed Configuration of Liquid Composition Lm] The hair dye and the hair bleach, which are the liquid compositions Lm to be discharged as foam by the foam discharger 1 according to the present embodiment, will be described in detail. The difference between the hair dye and the hair bleach is that the first agent L1 contains a dye in the hair dye, while the hair bleach does not contain a dye. It is preferable that the main solvent constituting the first agent L1 and the second agent L2 is water in both cases. The liquid composition Lm is not limited to a configuration in which only the first agent L1 and the second agent L2 are mixed. The liquid composition Lm may be, for example, a configuration in which a third agent is mixed in addition to the first agent L1 and the second agent L2. Examples of the third agent to be mixed in the liquid composition Lm include liquids or powders containing substances such as persulfates.

[0027] As the alkali agent constituting the first agent L1, ammonia, alkanolamines such as monoethanolamine, sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, etc. can be used. The concentration of the alkali agent constituting the first agent L1 can be determined, for example, so that the pH of the liquid composition Lm is preferably 8 to 12, more preferably 9 to 11. Also, additives such as a buffer may be added to the first agent L1 as necessary. As the buffer to be added to the first agent L1, for example, ammonium salts such as ammonium bicarbonate and ammonium chloride, and carbonates such as potassium carbonate and sodium bicarbonate can be used. The concentration of hydrogen peroxide in the second agent L2 is preferably 1 to 9% by mass, more preferably 3 to 6% by mass, and the hydrogen peroxide concentration of the liquid composition Lm can be determined so as to be preferably 1 to 6% by mass, more preferably 2 to 5% by mass. The pH of the second agent L2 is preferably 2 to 6, more preferably 2.5 to 4, in order to suppress the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide.

[0028] The foaming agent included in at least one of the first agent L1 and the second agent L2 has the effect of making it easier for the liquid composition Lm to generate foam and maintaining the generated foam in a stable state. As the foaming agent, it can be arbitrarily selected from those that exhibit the foaming property of the liquid composition Lm, but it is preferable to use a surfactant. Specifically, examples of the surfactant that can be used as the foaming agent include nonionic surfactants, anionic surfactants, cationic surfactants, amphoteric surfactants, semi-polar surfactants, and the like. Among these, it is preferable to use an anionic surfactant as the foaming agent, and it is more preferable to further use an amphoteric surfactant in combination. As the anionic surfactant, for example, alkyl sulfates, polyoxyethylene alkyl ether sulfates, etc. can be used. As the amphoteric surfactant, for example, fatty acid amide propyl betaine, alkyl dimethyl amine oxide, alkyl carboxymethyl hydroxyethyl imidazolinium betaine, alkyl dimethyl amino acetic acid betaine, sulfobetaine, etc. can be used.

[0029] In addition, when the first agent L1 contains ammonia or carbonate and has a high ionic strength, etc., it is preferable to contain a nonionic surfactant such as polyoxyethylene alkyl ether, alkyl polyglucoside, or alkyl alkanolamide in the first agent L1 for solubilizing the dye or improving the feel. Among them, alkyl polyglucoside or polyoxyethylene alkyl ether is preferable. More specifically, preferable alkyl polyglucosides include those having an alkyl group with 8 to 14 carbon atoms and an average degree of condensation of glucoside of 1 to 2. In addition, preferable polyoxyethylene alkyl ethers include those having an alkyl group with 10 to 18 carbon atoms and an average degree of polymerization of polyoxyethylene of 5 to 40. In addition, for the second agent L2 as well, nonionic surfactants such as polyoxyethylene alkyl ether, alkyl polyglucoside, and alkyl alkanolamide, and cationic surfactants such as alkyltrimethylammonium chloride and dialkyldimethylammonium chloride can be used to improve the feel.

[0030] When the liquid composition Lm is a hair dye, examples of the dye contained in the first agent L1 include oxidation dyes or direct dyes. Examples of these oxidation dyes include dye precursors such as paraphenylenediamine, para-aminophenol, toluene-2,5-diamine, N,N-bis(2-hydroxyethyl)paraphenylenediamine, 2-(2-hydroxyethyl)paraphenylenediamine, 4-amino-3-methylphenol, 6-amino-3-methylphenol, ortho-aminophenol, 1-hydroxyethyl-4,5-diaminopyrazole, and couplers such as resorcinol, 2-methylresorcinol, metap-aminophenol, para-aminoorthocresol, 5-(2-hydroxyethylamino)-2-methylphenol, metaphenylenediamine, 2,4-diaminophenoxyethanol, and 1-naphthol. Examples of direct dyes include paranitroorthophenylenediamine, paranitrometaphenylenediamine, Basic Yellow 87, Basic Orange 31, Basic Red 12, Basic Red 51, Basic Blue 99, Acid Orange 7, etc.

[0031] In addition, at least one of the first agent L1 and the second agent L2 preferably contains a higher alcohol in order to improve the foam retention of the liquid composition Lm and suppress the collapse of the foam and the occurrence of dripping after applying the foam to the hair. As the higher alcohol, those having 14 to 24 carbon atoms are preferred, and examples thereof include myristyl alcohol, cetyl alcohol, stearyl alcohol, behenyl alcohol, isostearyl alcohol, oleyl alcohol and the like. These can be used in combination of two or more, and are contained in an amount of 0.01 to 3% by mass, preferably 0.1 to 2% by mass, more preferably 0.2 to 1% by mass, and most preferably 0.3 to 0.8% by mass based on the total hair dyeing composition after mixing the first agent L1 and the second agent L2. In addition, the first agent L1 and the second agent L2 can be those containing various additives as required. For example, in order to prevent the scalp from being irritated due to the evaporation of moisture and the concentration of irritating components such as hydrogen peroxide after applying the liquid composition Lm to the hair, those added with non-volatile hydrophilic solvents such as polyols and their lower alkyl ethers are preferred. In addition, those containing an amphoteric or cationic polymer, or silicones, etc. in order to impart a conditioning effect to the hair are also preferred. Those appropriately containing a fragrance, an ultraviolet absorber, a sequestering agent such as edetic acid, a bactericide, a preservative such as methyl paraoxybenzoate, a stabilizer such as dibutylhydroxytoluene, 1-hydroxyethane-1,1-diphosphonic acid, and oxyquinoline sulfate, an organic solvent such as ethanol, benzyl alcohol, and benzyloxyethanol, a water-soluble polymer compound such as hydroxyethyl cellulose, a humectant, etc. can also be used.

[0032] The viscosity of the first agent L1 at 25°C is preferably 1 to 50 mPa·s, more preferably 3 to 40 mPa·s, and still more preferably 5 to 30 mPa·s. The viscosity of the second agent L2 at 25°C is preferably 1 to 300 mPa·s, more preferably 3 to 200 mPa·s, and most preferably 5 to 100 mPa·s. The viscosity of the liquid composition Lm at 25°C is 1 to 100 mPa·s, preferably 3 to 50 mPa·s, and more preferably 5 to 30 mPa·s. The viscosity value is the value after rotating the rotor for 1 minute using a B-type rotational viscometer (model TV-10) manufactured by Tokimec, Inc. with rotor No. 1. When the measurement target is 100 mPa·s or less, the rotational speed is 60 rpm; when it is 100 to 200 mPa·s, the rotational speed is 30 rpm; and when it is 200 to 500 mPa·s, the rotational speed is 12 rpm. The viscosity of the first agent L1, the second agent L2, and the liquid composition Lm shall all be measured in a thermostatic bath at 25°C. In the case of a mixed solution, it shall be measured immediately after mixing, and the temperature change due to the heat of reaction shall be ignored. By setting the viscosity of the mixed solution within the above range, it is possible to mix the mixed solution homogeneously without foaming, and furthermore, it is easy to apply to the hair, has good foam compatibility with the hair, and a homogeneous foam that is less likely to cause dripping after application to the hair can be obtained. In order to adjust the viscosities of the first agent L1, the second agent L2, and the liquid composition Lm to the above ranges, a water-soluble solvent such as ethanol can be added to the first agent L1 and the second agent L2, or the types and addition amounts of the above-mentioned surfactants, polyols, or higher alcohols can be appropriately adjusted.

[0033] [Method for Dyeing or Bleaching Hair] In the method for dyeing or bleaching hair using the foam discharger 1 according to this embodiment, a hair dye or a hair bleaching agent is used as the liquid composition Lm, and the hair dye or the hair bleaching agent is applied to the hair as foam of the liquid composition Lm. The foam of the liquid composition Lm can be applied to the hair as a foam body formed on a foam receptor such as the palm of the user's hand or a hairbrush by the foam discharger 1. In addition to this, the foam discharger 1 can also preferably apply the foam of the liquid composition Lm to the hair by discharging the liquid composition Lm directly onto the hair without forming the foam of the liquid composition Lm. Specifically, in the foam discharger 1, by bringing the discharge head 31 into contact with the head and performing a squeezing operation, the foam of the liquid composition Lm can be discharged directly onto the hair. At this time, in the foam discharger 1, the claw portion between the slits 31b enters between the hairs, and thus the foam of the liquid composition Lm is discharged from the discharge port 31a and the slits 31b at a position close to the root portion of the hairs. Thereby, in the hair dyeing or bleaching method using the foam discharger 1, the foam of the liquid composition Lm can be sufficiently applied up to the root of the hair.

[0034] [Examples] As Examples 1 to 6 of the present invention, the configuration of the discharge portion 30 in the foam discharger 1 and the discharge amount of the foam of the liquid composition Lm discharged by the foam discharger 1 were changed to generate a foam body. As the liquid composition Lm, in any of Examples 1 to 6, a two-component hair dye having a viscosity of 7 mPa·s after mixing the first agent L1 and the second agent L2 was used. In Examples 1 to 6, each dimension and ratio of the discharge portion 30 were as shown in Table 1. Each dimension of the discharge portion 30 was common in Examples 1 to 3 and common in Examples 4 to 6. In Examples 4 to 6, compared with Examples 1 to 3, the inner diameter d2 of the second foam control portion 32 was common, and the inner diameter d1 of the discharge head 31 was large, that is, d1 / d2 was large. In addition, as the first porous portion 23a of the first foam control portion 23, one 150-mesh net was used in any of Examples 1 to 6. As the second porous portion 32a of the second foam control portion 32, one 200-mesh net was used in Examples 1 and 4, and two 200-mesh nets were used in Examples 2, 3, 5, and 6. Furthermore, in Examples 1, 2, 4, and 5, the foam body was generated with the discharge amount of the foam of the liquid composition Lm being 1 g, which is a standard amount. In Examples 3 and 6, the foam body was generated with the discharge amount of the foam of the liquid composition Lm being 3 g, which is more than the standard amount. Table 1 shows the results of evaluating the foam bodies obtained in Examples 1 to 6 according to the following criteria as (A) to (D). (A) The edge of the foam body can be particularly clearly visually recognized (B) The edge of the foam can be clearly visualized. (C) The edge of the foam can be visualized. (D) The edge of the foam cannot be visualized.

[0035]

Table 1

[0036] In all of Examples 1 to 6, foams with visible edges were obtained. Comparing Examples 1 to 3 with Examples 4 to 6, better results were obtained for Examples 4 to 6 that satisfy the relationship d1 / d2 ≥ 1.5. Also, comparing Examples 1 and 2, and Examples 4 and 5, better results were obtained when the number of the second porous parts 32a in the second foam control part 32 was 2 rather than 1. Furthermore, in Examples 5 and 6 that satisfy the relationship d1 / d2 ≥ 1.5 and have 2 second porous parts 32a in the second foam control part 32, good foams with particularly clearly visible edges were obtained. In particular, in Example 6, good foams were obtained despite the fact that the discharge amount of the bubbles of the liquid composition Lm was larger than the standard amount.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0037] 1... Foam discharger 10... Squeeze container 20... Supply part 21... Dip tube 22... Gas-liquid mixing chamber 23... First foam control part 23a... First porous part 30... Discharge part 31... Discharge head 31a... Discharge port 31b... Slit 32... Second foam control part 32a... Second porous part Lm... Liquid composition

Claims

1. A foam discharger capable of discharging, as foam, a liquid composition in which a first agent containing an alkaline agent and a second agent containing hydrogen peroxide are mixed, and at least one of the first agent and the second agent contains a foaming agent, a squeeze container capable of accommodating the liquid composition, a discharge head provided with a discharge port opened in a first direction and a plurality of slits extending along a second direction opposite to the first direction from a plurality of positions around the discharge port, and a discharge unit that discharges the liquid composition as foam from the discharge head, a supply unit configured such that, by a squeezing operation on the squeeze container, the liquid composition in the squeeze container is supplied to the discharge unit in a state of being mixed with air, a plurality of foam control units each having a porous part through which the liquid composition mixed with air passes, including a first foam control unit provided in the supply unit and a second foam control unit provided on the second direction side of the discharge head in the discharge unit, comprising, the viscosity of the liquid composition at 25°C is 1 to 100 mPa·s, when the inner diameter of the discharge head is d1 and the inner diameter of the second foam control unit is d2, the relationship 1.5 ≤ d1 / d2 ≤ 2.5 is satisfied, the second foam control unit has a plurality of porous parts foam discharger.

2. The discharge unit is configured as a discharge attachment The foam discharger according to claim 1.

3. When the length of the plurality of slits is L, d1 / L is 0.625 or more and 3.25 or less The foam discharger according to claim 1 or 2.

4. When the length of the plurality of slits is L and the width of the plurality of slits is W, L / W is 1.6 or more and 8 or less The foam discharger according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. A discharge attachment to be attached to a foam discharger capable of discharging, as foam, a liquid composition in which a first agent containing an alkaline agent and a second agent containing hydrogen peroxide are mixed, and at least one of the first agent and the second agent contains a foaming agent, the foam discharger includes a squeeze container capable of accommodating the liquid composition, a discharge head provided with a discharge port opened in a first direction and a plurality of slits extending along a second direction opposite to the first direction from a plurality of positions around the discharge port, and a discharge unit that discharges the liquid composition as foam from the discharge head, A supply unit configured such that, by a squeezing operation on the squeeze container, the liquid composition in the squeeze container is supplied to the discharge unit in a state of being mixed with air; A plurality of foam control units including a first foam control unit provided in the supply unit, each having a porous part through which the liquid composition mixed with air passes, and a second foam control unit provided on the second direction side of the discharge head in the discharge unit; It has; The viscosity of the liquid composition at 25°C is 1 to 100 mPa·s; When the inner diameter of the discharge head is d1 and the inner diameter of the second foam control unit is d2, the relationship of 1.5 ≤ d1 / d2 ≤ 2.5 is satisfied; The second foam control unit has a plurality of porous parts; The discharge part of the foam discharger is configured as a discharge attachment Discharge attachment.

6. A method for dyeing or bleaching hair using a foam discharger capable of discharging a liquid composition in which a first agent containing an alkaline agent and a second agent containing hydrogen peroxide are mixed and at least one of the first agent and the second agent contains a foaming agent as foam, The foam discharger is A squeeze container capable of accommodating the liquid composition; A discharge head provided with a discharge port opened in a first direction and a plurality of slits extending along a second direction opposite to the first direction from a plurality of positions around the discharge port, and a discharge part for discharging the liquid composition from the discharge head as foam; A supply unit configured such that, by a squeezing operation on the squeeze container, the liquid composition in the squeeze container is supplied to the discharge unit in a state of being mixed with air; A plurality of foam control units including a first foam control unit provided in the supply unit, each having a porous part through which the liquid composition mixed with air passes, and a second foam control unit provided on the second direction side of the discharge head in the discharge unit; It has; The viscosity of the liquid composition at 25°C is 1 to 100 mPa·s; When the inner diameter of the discharge head is d1 and the inner diameter of the second foam control unit is d2, the relationship of 1.5 ≤ d1 / d2 ≤ 2.5 is satisfied; The second foam control unit has a plurality of porous parts; The liquid composition is a hair dye or a bleaching agent; Dyeing or bleaching method of directly discharging the liquid composition from the discharge head to the hair Dyeing or bleaching method.

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