Resin spring, liquid ejector and liquid ejection container

Abstract

To provide a resin spring that is easily released without using a complicated structure, a liquid ejector comprising the resin spring, and a liquid ejection container.SOLUTION: A resin spring 1 comprises: a plurality of rings 2 arranged in a row so as to form one plane; a hinge connecting adjacent portions of the plurality of rings 2; and a pair of protrusions 4 that contact each other so that when the hinge 3 is bent, the two rings 2 connected by the hinge 3 have an opening angle θ between the two rings 2. The plurality of rings 2, the hinge 3, and the pair of protrusions 4 are integrally formed of resin.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a resin spring, a liquid ejector, and a liquid ejection container. [Background technology]

[0002] A conventional resin spring is known that biases the depression head of a liquid jet pump to its initial state (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Another conventional resin spring member is known that biases the trigger of a trigger-type liquid jet pump to its initial state (see, for example, Patent Document 2). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 10-17005 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 10-30667 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Such a resin spring can be molded, for example, by using a mold.

[0005] However, all of the conventional resin springs are pre-formed into a three-dimensional coil shape. Therefore, when molding the conventional resin springs, the mold used must be designed to be separable into multiple parts to prevent undercuts (a condition in which the molded product cannot be removed from the mold) during demolding. In other words, conventional resin springs require the use of molds with complex structures, which leaves room for improvement.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a resin spring that can be easily released from a mold without using a mold with a complex structure, and a liquid ejector and a liquid ejection container that include the resin spring. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] (1) The resin spring of the present invention comprises a plurality of rings arranged in a row to form a plane, a hinge connecting adjacent portions of the plurality of rings, and a pair of protrusions that contact each other when the hinge is bent so that the two rings connected by the hinge leave an acute opening angle between the two rings, and the plurality of rings, the hinge, and the pair of protrusions are integrally formed from resin.

[0008] (2) In the resin spring of (1) above, it is preferable that the plurality of rings is three or more rings, and the protruding direction of the pair of protrusions is opposite to the protruding direction of another pair of protrusions adjacent to the pair of protrusions.

[0009] (3) In the resin spring of (1) or (2) above, it is preferable that the protrusion extends across the entire width of the hinge.

[0010] (4) A liquid ejector according to the present invention includes the resin spring according to any one of (1) to (3) above, and an operating member biased to an initial state by the resin spring.

[0011] (5) A liquid ejection container according to the present invention comprises the liquid ejector of (4) above and a container body to which the liquid ejector is attached. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a resin spring that is easily releasable from a mold without using a mold with a complex structure, and a liquid ejector and a liquid ejection container that include the resin spring. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] A side view showing, in schematic partial cross section, a liquid ejection container according to one embodiment of the present invention, the liquid ejection container comprising a liquid ejector according to one embodiment of the present invention, and the liquid ejector further comprising a resin spring according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a plan view schematically showing a molded product for forming the resin spring of FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is an enlarged plan view of an area A1 in FIG. 2. [Figure 4] 3 is a cross-sectional view of the molded product of FIG. 2 taken along the XX plane. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a region A2 in FIG. 4. [Figure 6] 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a resin spring formed from the molded product of FIG. 2, the resin spring being shown in an initial state in which no external force is applied. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a region A3 in FIG. 6. [Figure 8] 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which an external force is applied to the resin spring of FIG. 6. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A resin spring, a liquid ejector and a liquid ejection container equipped with the resin spring according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0015] In Fig. 1, reference numeral 100 denotes a liquid-ejecting container according to one embodiment of the present invention. Reference numeral O denotes the central axis of the liquid-ejecting container 100. In Fig. 1, a portion of the liquid-ejecting container 100 is shown as a cross section taken along a plane including the axis O.

[0016] The liquid ejection container 100 comprises a liquid ejector 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention and a container body 20 to which the liquid ejector 10 is attached. In the present disclosure, the central axis of the liquid ejector 10 and the central axis of the container body 20 are the same as the central axis O of the liquid ejection container 100 (hereinafter also referred to as "axis O"). In the present disclosure, the direction extending along axis O is also referred to as the "axial direction." In the present disclosure, the direction perpendicular to the axial direction is also referred to as the radial direction. Furthermore, in the radial direction, the side toward axis O is referred to as the radial inner side, and the side away from axis O is referred to as the radial outer side.

[0017] In the present disclosure, the container body 20 is a so-called bottle container. The container body 20 includes a mouth 21, a neck 22 connected to the mouth 21, a shoulder 23 connected to the neck 22, a body 24 connected to the shoulder 23, and a bottom (not shown) connected to the body 24. The bottom closes the lower end of the body 24. A storage space S20 capable of storing a liquid is formed inside the container body 20. An opening communicating with the storage space S20 is formed inside the mouth 21. The container body 20 can be formed, for example, by blow molding using a synthetic resin. However, the method for manufacturing the container body 20 is not limited to blow molding, and various methods can be used.

[0018] In the present disclosure, the liquid ejector 10 includes a cylinder 12 disposed in the storage space S20 through the opening formed inside the mouth portion 21 of the container body 20, a cylinder cover 13 attached to the upper end of the cylinder 12, a hollow piston 14 disposed between the cylinder 12 and the cylinder cover 13 and slidable inside the cylinder 12, an inlet valve 15 capable of opening and closing the liquid inlet side of the cylinder 12, a valve plunger 16 slidable inside the hollow piston 14, and a stem 17 to which the valve plunger 16 is fixed. The valve plunger 16, together with the hollow piston 14, forms an outlet valve capable of opening and closing the liquid outlet side of the cylinder 12. In other words, in the present disclosure, the pump space S10 of the liquid ejector 10 is formed by the cylinder 12, the cylinder cover 13, the hollow piston 14, the inlet valve 15, and the valve plunger 16.

[0019] In the present disclosure, the liquid ejector 10 further includes an attachment tube 11 that can be attached to the mouth 21 of the container body 20. In the present disclosure, the attachment tube 11 can be attached to the mouth 21 of the container body 20 by screwing it onto a threaded portion formed between the attachment tube 11 and the mouth 21 of the container body 20. However, the attachment tube 11 is not limited to being attached to the mouth 21 of the container body 20 by screwing it onto the mouth 21 of the container body 20. Also, in the present disclosure, the attachment tube 11 is formed integrally with the cylinder cover 13, but it can also be provided separately from the cylinder cover 13.

[0020] Furthermore, in the present disclosure, the liquid ejector 10 includes an ejection head 18 having an ejection port A18, and a resin spring 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention. The resin spring 1 is disposed between the cylinder cover 13 and the ejection head 18. The resin spring 1 biases the ejection head 18 upward relative to the cylinder cover 13. This allows the ejection head 18 to have an upward biased state as its initial state.

[0021] The ejection head 18 includes a nozzle 18a. An ejection port A18 is formed at the tip of the nozzle 18a. In the present disclosure, the ejection head 18 is formed integrally with the stem 17. However, the ejection head 18 may be provided separately from the stem 17. Also, the ejection head 18 may omit the nozzle 18a.

[0022] FIG. 2 is a plan view schematically illustrating a molded product 1A for forming a resin spring 1. As shown in FIG. 2, the molded product 1A includes a plurality of rings 2 arranged in a row to form a single plane. In the present disclosure, the plurality of rings 2 are arranged in a straight line with a straight line L1 as a center line in a plan view, as shown in FIG. 2. As shown in FIG. 2, the straight line L1 (hereinafter also referred to as the "plan view center line L1") is a line passing through the central axis O2 of each ring 2 in a plan view (one symbol O2 is shown as a representative in FIG. 2). Adjacent portions of each of the plurality of rings 2 are connected to each other by a hinge 3. A protrusion 4 is provided between the ring 2 and the hinge 3. The protrusions 4 form a pair on either side of the hinge 3, and each of the pair of protrusions 4 protrudes in the same direction. This allows the two protrusions 4 to come into contact when one of the two protrusions 4 is brought close to the other by bending the hinge 3 sandwiched between the two protrusions 4 (see Figure 6).

[0023] FIG. 3 is an enlarged plan view of region A1 in FIG. 2. Referring to FIG. 3, the protrusion 4 extends along the hinge width direction. Here, the hinge width direction is the direction in which the hinge width W3 extends. The hinge width W3 refers to the width between two side surfaces 3f of the hinge 3, as shown in FIG. 3. In the present disclosure, the protrusion 4 extends along the hinge width direction and extends across the entire hinge width W3. Furthermore, in the present disclosure, the protrusion 4 has a flat contact surface F4 formed thereon. In the present disclosure, the contact surface F4 also extends along the hinge width direction and extends across the entire hinge width W3.

[0024] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the molded article 1A of FIG. 2 when viewed along the XX plane. Here, the XX plane is a plane including the central axis O2 of each ring 2. In the present disclosure, the XX plane coincides with the planar view centerline L1 in a planar view, as shown in FIG. 2. Also, referring to FIG. 4, in the present disclosure, the multiple rings 2 are arranged in a straight line with the straight line L2 as the centerline in a side view. As a result, in the present disclosure, the multiple rings 2 are arranged linearly along the YY plane to form the YY plane. In other words, in the present disclosure, the molded article 1A includes multiple rings 2 arranged in a row to form the same plane. Here, the YY plane is a plane perpendicular to the XX plane. The YY plane is a plane including the straight line L2 (hereinafter also referred to as the "side view centerline L2"). In other words, in the present disclosure, the YY plane coincides with the side view centerline L2 in a side view, as shown in FIG. 4.

[0025] Fig. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of region A2 in Fig. 4. As shown in Fig. 5, hinge 3 is formed of a thin-walled portion that is thinner than ring 2. In the present disclosure, hinge 3 is disposed at a position close to the axial end face of ring 2 as shown in Fig. 5. Specifically, hinge 3 is disposed at a position closer to protrusion 4 than side view center line L2 as shown in Fig. 5 in side view. In other words, hinge 3 is disposed on the side closer to the bending direction when hinge 3 is bent.

[0026] In addition, the contact surfaces F4 of the protrusions 4 are inclined surfaces that slope toward each other across the hinge 3. As a result, when the hinge 3 is bent so that the two protrusions 4 approach each other and the contact surfaces F4 of the two protrusions 4 are brought into contact with each other, the angle (opening angle) θ between the two rings 2 on the bending side becomes an acute angle (see, for example, FIG. 6).

[0027] Incidentally, when three or more rings 2 are connected in a linear row by hinges 3, as in molded product 1A, the number of hinges 3 is also multiple. That is, the number of pairs of protrusions 4 corresponding to the number of hinges 3 is also multiple. For example, referring to FIG. 4 , in the present disclosure, molded product 1A includes three or more rings 2. Therefore, the number of hinges 3 is multiple, and the number of pairs of protrusions 4 is also multiple. In this case, as shown in FIG. 4 , the protruding direction of a pair of protrusions 4 arranged on either side of the hinge 3 is opposite to the protruding direction of another pair of protrusions 4 adjacent to the pair of protrusions 4. Referring to FIG. 4 , the pair of protrusions 4 arranged at the upper position in the drawing protrudes toward the right side of the drawing, while the other pair of protrusions 4 arranged below the pair of protrusions 4 protrudes toward the left side of the drawing. That is, in the present disclosure, the directions in which a pair of protrusions 4 arranged on either side of the hinge 3 protrude relative to the YY plane are sequentially opposite along the longitudinal extension direction of the molded product 1A (the center line L2 in a side view or the center line L1 in a plan view). As a result, the molded product 1A in Fig. 4 can be folded alternately so that an acute opening angle (θ) remains between two rings 2.

[0028] Fig. 6 shows a resin spring 1 formed using a molded product 1A. In the present disclosure, the resin spring 1 is formed by bending the hinge 3 so that a pair of protrusions 4 arranged on either side of the hinge 3 come into contact with each other. As a result, the resin spring 1 has a shape in which multiple rings 2 are folded in a zigzag pattern when viewed from the side, as shown in Fig. 6.

[0029] Returning to FIG. 4 , the molded product 1A of the present disclosure has six rings 2. In this case, the molded product 1A has five hinges 3, and the number of pairs of protrusions 4 arranged on either side of the hinges 3 is also five. Therefore, by using the molded product 1A of FIG. 4 , the five hinges 3 can be folded until the pairs of protrusions 4 arranged on either side of the hinges 3 come into contact with each other, thereby forming a resin spring 1 in which six rings 2 are folded in a zigzag pattern, as shown in FIG. 6 . In particular, as shown in FIG. 6 , one of the pair of protrusions 4 sandwiching the hinge 3 comes into contact with the other of the pair of protrusions 4 by bending the hinge 3. As a result, the resin spring 1 has a shape in which six rings 2 are folded in a zigzag pattern, leaving an opening angle θ between the two rings 2. In this way, using the molded product 1A, the resin spring 1 can be easily formed by simply bending the five hinges 3 so that the pairs of protrusions 4 come into contact with each other.

[0030] That is, the resin spring 1 includes a plurality of rings 2 arranged in a line to form a single plane, a hinge 3 connecting adjacent portions of the plurality of rings 2, and a pair of protrusions 4 that contact each other when the hinge 3 is bent, leaving an acute opening angle θ between the two rings 2. The plurality of rings 2, the hinge 3, and the pair of protrusions 4 are integrally formed from resin. This allows the resin spring 1 to be molded in a flat state with a plurality of rings 2 lined up, as in the molded product 1A shown in FIG. 2. Therefore, the mold structure for molding the resin spring 1 can be simple, for example, with an upper mold and a lower mold, and the mold release can be performed by top and bottom removal. Therefore, according to the present invention, a resin spring 1 that is easy to release from the mold, and a liquid ejector 10 and a liquid ejection container 100 equipped with the resin spring 1 can be provided without using a mold with a complex structure. Note that, in the arrangement of the plurality of rings 2, "to form a single plane" preferably means "to form the same plane," but is not limited thereto. Here, "so as to form one plane" means that the molded product 1A for forming the resin spring 1 may be a plate-like molded product that is easy to release from the mold. Therefore, the molded product 1A is not limited to a completely flat molded product as in this embodiment. The molded product 1A may be, for example, a molded product in which there is a bend between the two rings 2 or a molded product in which a step is formed between the two rings 2, as long as it is easy to release from the mold by punching from above and below.

[0031] In addition, one of the pair of protrusions 4 comes into contact with the other of the pair of protrusions 4 by bending the hinge 3. In this case, the pair of protrusions 4 that come into contact with each other can function as one rigid body.

[0032] Fig. 7 is an enlarged view of region A3 in Fig. 6. In the present disclosure, each of the pair of protrusions 4 has a contact surface F4 that can come into contact with each other, and the contact surface F4 is a flat, inclined surface. Therefore, the two contact surfaces F4 can come into closer contact with each other by bending the hinge 3, as shown in Fig. 7.

[0033] A conventional resin spring has a three-dimensional shape, for example, with a bent portion formed between two rings 2, connecting the two rings. When the resin spring expands or contracts due to an external force, the deformation caused by the expansion or contraction of the resin spring is concentrated at the bent portion. Therefore, when the conventional resin spring is repeatedly operated, the bent portion is prone to sagging (permanent deformation). For this reason, conventional resin springs have room for improvement in terms of durability.

[0034] In contrast, when the resin spring 1 is compressed by an external load, for example, as shown in FIG. 8, a pair of protrusions 4 arranged on either side of the hinge 3 come into close contact with each other. As a result, the pair of protrusions 4, which are in close contact with each other and correspond to the bent portions of conventional resin springs, function like a single rigid body. In other words, the resin spring 1 can exert a repulsive force against compression by bending the ring 2 itself, rather than the portion corresponding to the bent portion of conventional resin springs. In this way, the resin spring 1 can distribute the load caused by deformation of the resin spring 1 by bending the ring 2 itself, rather than the portion corresponding to the bent portion of conventional resin springs. Therefore, the resin spring 1 can reduce settling (permanent deformation) due to repeated use.

[0035] In particular, in the resin spring 1, the multiple rings 2 are three or more rings 2, and the protruding direction of one pair of protrusions 4 is opposite to the protruding direction of another pair of protrusions 4 adjacent to the said pair of protrusions 4. In this case, the resin spring 1 has a shape similar to that of a coil spring, as shown in Figure 6, and is therefore a resin spring with excellent practicality.

[0036] In addition, in the present disclosure, each of the pair of protrusions 4 extends across the entire hinge width W3, as shown in Fig. 3. In this case, the settling (permanent deformation) of the resin spring 1 due to repeated use can be further reduced.

[0037] The liquid ejector 10 also includes a resin spring 1 and an operating member that is biased to an initial state by the resin spring 1. In the present disclosure, the operating member is an ejection head 18. However, the liquid ejector 10 may be a trigger-type liquid ejector. In this case, the operating member is a trigger.

[0038] Furthermore, in the present disclosure, the liquid ejection container 100 is described as comprising a liquid ejector 10 equipped with an ejection head 18 and a container body 20 to which the liquid ejector 10 is attached, but as described above, the liquid ejector 10 can also be comprised of a trigger-type liquid ejector equipped with a trigger and a container body 20 to which the trigger-type liquid ejector is attached.

[0039] The above describes a resin spring, a liquid sprayer including the resin spring, and a liquid spray container according to several embodiments of the present invention. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments and can be modified in various ways within the scope of the claims. Examples of resins that form the resin spring include synthetic resins such as polypropylene (PP) and polyacetal (POM). While the liquid sprayer 10 is described as a type that ejects liquid directly, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the liquid sprayer 10 can also be a spray-type liquid sprayer that ejects liquid in a mist or a foam-type liquid sprayer that ejects liquid in a foam form. Specific examples of the liquid filled in the container body 20 include liquid soap, shampoo, conditioner, cosmetics, detergent, and medicine. [Explanation of symbols]

[0040] 1: Resin spring, 2: Ring, 3: Hinge, 4: Protrusion (pair of protrusions), F4: Contact surface, 10: Liquid jetting device, 20: Container body, 100: Liquid jetting container, θ: Opening angle

Claims

1. A resin spring comprising a plurality of rings arranged in a row to form a single plane, a hinge connecting adjacent portions of the plurality of rings, and a pair of protrusions that contact each other when the hinge is bent so that the two rings connected by the hinge leave an acute angle between the two rings, wherein the plurality of rings, the hinge, and the pair of protrusions are integrally formed from resin.

2. 2. The resin spring according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of rings is three or more rings, and the protruding direction of the pair of protrusions is opposite to the protruding direction of another pair of protrusions adjacent to the pair of protrusions.

3. The resin spring according to claim 1 , wherein the protrusion extends across the entire width of the hinge.

4. A liquid ejector comprising: the resin spring according to any one of claims 1 to 3; and an operating member biased to an initial state by the resin spring.

5. A liquid ejection container comprising: the liquid ejector according to claim 4; and a container body to which the liquid ejector is attached.

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