Flow path opening and closing device

Abstract

To provide a passage opening / closing device improved in durability.SOLUTION: A passage opening / closing device comprises: a cylindrical part 520 having a hollow region and inserted into a spout part 70 fitted to a container body 40 forming a storing space; an engagement part 510 formed with a penetration hole 517 and engaged with the spout part 70; elastic bodies 526 provided in the hollow region of the cylindrical part 520; and a movable part 530 which is supported by the elastic bodies 526, moves from a closing position closing a passage passing through the hollow region to one side of the cylindrical part 520 in the axial direction according to pressing force so as to open the passage, and returns to the closing position according to elastic force of the elastic bodies 526 when the pressing force is released.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a flow path opening and closing device. [Background technology]

[0002] Aerosol containers are known that include an inner bag filled with a liquid and a canister containing the inner bag and a gas. The aerosol container is capable of discharging the liquid by gas pressure. Before filling the aerosol container with the liquid, a process may be performed to reduce or eliminate the remaining oxygen in the inner bag. Such a process may involve, for example, repeatedly filling the container with nitrogen and vacuuming it.

[0003] To achieve this process, a component is used that opens the flow path while nitrogen filling and vacuuming are performed and closes the flow path while neither nitrogen filling nor vacuuming is performed. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a component having a female component with a through hole that connects to the storage space for the contents and a plug that seals the through hole. When a male component for filling and dispensing fluid is inserted into the through hole, the tip of the male component engages with the connecting portion of the plug and pushes the plug out of the through hole. When the male component is pulled out, the plug seals the through hole and is detached from the male component. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-144782 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, with the component disclosed in Patent Document 1, there is a risk that the plug may be damaged due to repeated insertion and removal of the male component.

[0006] The present invention relates to a flow path opening and closing device having improved durability. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above problems, one aspect of the present invention relates to a flow path opening and closing device comprising: a tubular portion having a hollow region that is inserted into a pouring outlet portion attached to a container body that forms a storage space; an engaging portion having a through hole formed therein that engages with the pouring outlet portion; an elastic body provided within the hollow region of the tubular portion; and a movable portion that is supported by the elastic body and that, in response to a pressing force, moves from a closed position that closes the flow path that passes through the hollow region to one side in the axial direction of the tubular portion to open the flow path, and returns to the closed position in response to the elastic force of the elastic body when the pressing force is released. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] As described above, the flow path opening and closing device of the present invention can improve durability. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is an explanatory diagram showing the external configuration of a container 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the external configuration of the container 10 without the pump device 30 attached. [Figure 3] 2. FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional configuration of the bag container holder 40 obtained by cutting along line II in FIG. [Figure 4] 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a cross-sectional configuration of a pump device 30. FIG. [Figure 5] 2. The cross-sectional configuration obtained by cutting the valve cap 50 and the spout portion 70 along line II shown in FIG. 2 is shown. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the internal structure of a cylinder 520. [Figure 7] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a piston 530. [Figure 8] 1 is a plan view of the piston 530 and the cylinder 520. FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which the flow path of the valve cap 50 is closed. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which the flow passage of the valve cap 50 is open. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the cross-sectional structure of the container 10. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this specification and drawings, components having substantially the same functional configurations are designated by the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations will be omitted.

[0011] <Overall container configuration> An embodiment of the present invention relates to a container for storing a liquid material. The overall configuration of a container according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIG.

[0012] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing the external configuration of a container 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the external configuration of the container 10 without the pump device 30 attached. As shown in FIG. 1, the container 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention includes the pump device 30 and a bag container holder 40. Also, as shown in FIG. 2, the container 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention has a valve cap 50, a spout 70, a bag container 80, and a dip tube 90. As shown in FIG. 2, the bag container 80 is accommodated in the bag container holder 40, and the pump device 30 shown in FIG. 1 is attached to the valve cap 50.

[0013] Container 10 may be sold without pump device 30 attached, as shown in Figure 2. A user who purchases container 10 without pump device 30 and bag container holder 40 attached can use container 10 by attaching pump device 30 and bag container holder 40 to the container 10.

[0014] (Bag container holder 40) The bag container holder 40 is an example of an outer container that forms a storage space for storing the bag container 80. The configuration of the bag container holder 40 will be specifically described with reference to Fig. 3 .

[0015] Fig. 3 shows a cross-sectional configuration of bag container holder 40 obtained by cutting along line II in Fig. 2. As shown in Fig. 3, bag container holder 40 has a body portion 420, a top surface portion 451, a recess side wall 455, and a bottom portion 456.

[0016] Body 420 has a tubular shape. The tubular shape has a pair of opposing openings, opening 427 and insertion opening 457, and a hollow portion connecting the pair of openings. The hollow portion serves as the storage space for bag container 80. As a specific example of the tubular shape, body 420 may have a cylindrical shape or a rectangular tubular shape. In this specification, the direction parallel to the axial direction of body 420 is referred to as the up-down direction, and the side on which top surface 451 is located when viewed from body 420 is referred to as the upper side, and the opposite side may be referred to as the lower side.

[0017] Top surface 451 has a hollow donut shape and projects inward from the upper end of body 420. The hollow part of top surface 451 functions as insertion opening 457 into which spout 70 is inserted.

[0018] The recess sidewall 455 protrudes downward from the inner edge of the top surface 451. The bottom 456 is an annular region that protrudes inward from the lower end of the recess sidewall 455.

[0019] A user can attach such a bag container holder 40 to the bag container 80 by placing it over the bag container 80 through the opening 427 on the lower side of the body portion 420. At that time, the spout portion 70 attached to the bag container 80 is inserted into the insertion opening 457 formed in the top surface portion 451.

[0020] The bag container holder 40 may be an injection-molded product made of synthetic resin, such as PP (polypropylene), ABS (acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer synthetic resin), acrylic, polyester, PET (polyethylene terephthalate), or SAN (styrene-acrylonitrile copolymer). From the standpoint of moldability, the outer and inner diameters of the body 420 may gradually decrease toward the top. For example, the outer and inner peripheral surfaces of the body 420 may have a gradient of 1% relative to the axial direction.

[0021] (Bag container 80) The bag container 80 is an example of a container body that forms a storage space. The bag container 80 is a flexible packaging body, and may be, for example, a film container made of a top film, a bottom film, a front film, and a back film that are bonded together. The top film forms the top surface of the bag container 80, and an opening is formed in the top film.

[0022] The contents of such a bag container 80 may be a liquid. Examples of liquids include liquids, gels, and pastes. Liquids, gels, and pastes all have fluidity, but liquids do not have a fixed shape, while gels and pastes are semi-solid and may temporarily have a fixed shape. Specifically, the liquid contained in the bag container 80 may be liquid detergent, fabric softener, bleach, shampoo, rinse, conditioner, body soap, cosmetic liquid, hair dye, medicine, liquid seasoning, etc.

[0023] Furthermore, examples of the top film, bottom film, front film and back film include, but are not limited to, single-layer or multi-layer films or laminated sheets made of synthetic resins such as polyolefin, polyester, polyamide, etc., or combinations thereof, or laminated sheets to which a metal vapor-deposited layer such as aluminum has been added.

[0024] (Spout part 70) The spout 70 is attached to the top film of the bag container 80 and is a member that protrudes from an opening in the top film. The tip of the spout 70 is open.

[0025] (Valve cap 50) The valve cap 50 is an example of a flow path opening and closing device that opens and closes a flow path within the valve cap 50. The valve cap 50 is attached to the spout portion 70. Furthermore, a second engagement portion 514 is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the valve cap 50, and the pump device 30 is attached to the valve cap 50 by screwing into the second engagement portion 514. Since one embodiment of the present invention particularly relates to the configuration of the valve cap 50, the configuration of the valve cap 50 will be described in detail below.

[0026] (Dip Tube 90) The dip tube 90 is connected to the valve cap 50 and is present within the storage space of the bag container 80. Fluid such as a liquid flows in and out of the bag container 80 via the dip tube 90.

[0027] (Pump device 30) The pump device 30 draws liquid material from the bag container 80 and discharges the drawn-in liquid material. As shown in FIG. 1, the pump device 30 has a cap 310, a liquid dome 360, a handle 370, and a discharge port 390. The cap 310 has an upper section 311 and a lower section 312. A threaded portion (threaded portion 313 shown in FIG. 4) is formed on the inner circumferential surface of the lower section 312, and this threaded portion threadably engages with a second engagement portion 514 formed on the outer circumferential surface of the valve cap 50. The liquid dome 360 ​​is an example of an elastically deformable lid portion that forms part of a liquid pump chamber that stores liquid material. The handle 370 is a portion that is gripped by a user. The discharge port 390 is an opening that connects to the liquid pump chamber and discharges the liquid material that flows out of the liquid pump chamber. Here, the configuration of the pump device 30 will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. 4.

[0028] Fig. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing the cross-sectional configuration of pump device 30. As shown in Fig. 4, pump device 30 has cap 310, depression portion 318, cylindrical portion 320, main body portion 330, liquid dome 360, handle portion 370, and nozzle 380. As shown in Fig. 4, liquid pump chamber P is formed between main body portion 330 and liquid dome 360, and liquid stored in liquid pump chamber P flows out from liquid pump chamber P toward discharge port 390 via outflow path 333.

[0029] -Cap 310 4, the cap 310 has an upper stage portion 311 and a lower stage portion 312. The inner peripheral surface of the lower stage portion 312 is formed with a threaded portion 313 that threadably engages with a second engagement portion 514 formed on the outer peripheral surface of the valve cap 50.

[0030] The outer diameter d2 of the lower stage 312 is larger than the inner diameter d1 of the insertion opening 457 shown in Figure 3. Therefore, the lower end of the lower stage 312 abuts against the bottom 456 of the bag container holder 40, and the bottom 456 is sandwiched between the lower stage 312 and a flange 740 (described later) of the spout 70. This prevents the spout 70 and the cap 310 from rotating relative to the bag container holder 40. Furthermore, sandwiching the bottom 456 between the lower stage 312 and the flange 740 of the spout 70 also prevents the spout 70 from falling off.

[0031] The upper stage 311 has a cylindrical portion 314 and a protruding portion 316. The protruding portion 316 protrudes inward from the upper end of the cylindrical portion 314.

[0032] -Cylindrical part 320 4, the cylindrical portion 320 has an outer cylindrical portion 324, an inner cylindrical portion 325, a protruding portion 326, and a liquid suction valve 328. A gap is formed between the outer cylindrical portion 324 and the inner cylindrical portion 325, into which the main body portion 330 fits.

[0033] Protruding portion 326 protrudes from the upper end of outer cylindrical portion 324 toward cylindrical portion 314 of cap 310. The outer diameter of protruding portion 326 is larger than the inner diameter of protruding portion 316 of cap 310. Therefore, by pressing protruding portion 326 against protruding portion 316 of cap 310, airtightness is achieved inside cap 310.

[0034] Furthermore, a liquid suction valve 328 is provided between the upper end of inner cylinder 325 and main body 330. Liquid suction valve 328 has a cylindrical base and a plate-shaped valve body. The valve body is connected to one axial end of the base via a connecting part, and is elastically displaceable in the axial direction relative to the base.

[0035] When the internal pressure of main body 330 (liquid pump chamber P) becomes lower than the internal pressure of bag container 80 and the thrust caused by the pressure difference exceeds the elastic force of the connecting portion, the valve element of liquid suction valve 328 moves, opening liquid suction valve 328 and connecting bag container 80 to main body 330. When the internal pressure of main body 330 rises and the thrust caused by the pressure difference falls below the elastic force of the connecting portion, liquid suction valve 328 closes, returning bag container 80 and main body 330 to a state where they are separated by liquid suction valve 328. While the internal pressure of main body 330 exceeds the internal pressure of bag container 80, liquid suction valve 328 remains closed.

[0036] -Pressing part 318 The depressing portion 318 is a cylindrical member. The inner diameter of the hollow region of the depressing portion 318 may be constant. The depressing portion 318 is located inside the cylindrical portion 320 and protrudes downward beyond the lower end of the cylindrical portion 320. An opening 319 is formed near the lower end of the depressing portion 318 in at least a portion of the circumferential direction. The number of openings 319 may be one or more. The depressing portion 318 is an example of an insertion portion that is inserted into a through-hole 517 (described later) of the valve cap 50 and presses against the piston 530.

[0037] -Main body 330 As shown in FIG. 4, the main body portion 330 has a recess 331, a spring holding portion 332, an outlet channel 333, and a protrusion 336.

[0038] The recess 331 forms a part of the liquid pump chamber P that stores the liquid that flows in from the bag container 80. An intake port 331h is formed in the recess 331, and the liquid flows into the liquid pump chamber P from the bag container 80 via the intake port 331h and the liquid intake valve 328.

[0039] The spring holding portion 332 is an annular protrusion that protrudes from the bottom surface of the recess 331. The spring 342 is engaged with the outer periphery of the spring holding portion 332, thereby holding the spring.

[0040] The outflow path 333 is a flow path through which the liquid flows out from the liquid pump chamber P. An opening on the upstream side of the outflow path 333 is formed in the side wall of the recess 331.

[0041] The protruding portion 336 protrudes forward from a region surrounding the downstream opening of the outflow channel 333. The nozzle 380 fits into the protruding portion 336.

[0042] 4, a liquid outflow valve 338 is provided inside the protrusion 336, between the nozzle 380 and the downstream opening of the outflow channel 333. The liquid outflow valve 338 has a cylindrical base and a plate-shaped valve body. The valve body is connected to one axial end of the base via a connecting part, and is elastically displaceable in the axial direction relative to the base.

[0043] When the internal pressure of the main body 330 (liquid pump chamber P) becomes higher than the internal pressure of the nozzle 380 and the thrust caused by the pressure difference exceeds the elastic force of the connecting portion, the valve element of the liquid outflow valve 338 moves, opening the liquid outflow valve 338 and connecting the nozzle 380 to the main body 330. When the internal pressure of the main body 330 decreases and the thrust caused by the pressure difference falls below the elastic force of the connecting portion, the liquid outflow valve 338 closes, and the nozzle 380 and the main body 330 return to a state in which they are separated by the liquid outflow valve 338. As long as the internal pressure of the main body 330 is lower than the internal pressure of the nozzle 380, the liquid outflow valve 338 remains closed.

[0044] -Liquid Dome 360 The liquid dome 360 ​​covers the opening formed by the recess 331 and forms the liquid pump chamber P together with the recess 331. The liquid dome 360 ​​is an example of a lid and is capable of elastic deformation. In its initial state before elastic deformation, the liquid dome 360 ​​has a dome shape that bulges out on the side opposite the recess 331. The dome shape includes a curved portion obtained by, for example, cutting out a portion of a sphere. The liquid dome 360 ​​may be circular or elliptical in plan view. As shown in FIG. 4, the edge of the liquid dome 360 ​​fits into a groove formed in the main body 330, and the ring 348 fits into the groove from above the edge of the liquid dome 360. This firmly connects the liquid dome 360 ​​to the main body 330.

[0045] The liquid dome 360 ​​also has a spring holding portion 362. The spring holding portion 362 is an annular convex portion that protrudes downward from the top surface of the liquid dome 360. The spring 342 is held in place by engaging with the outer periphery of the spring holding portion 362.

[0046] Spring 342 is an example of an elastic body that expands and contracts in the vertical direction. The lower end of spring 342 abuts against the bottom surface of recess 331, and the upper end of the spring abuts against the top surface of liquid dome 360. When the user presses down on the top surface of liquid dome 360, spring 342 contracts, and when the user releases the pressure on the top surface of liquid dome 360, spring 342 expands due to its elastic force, and the shape of liquid dome 360 ​​returns to its initial shape.

[0047] -Handle 370 The handle 370 is a portion that is gripped by a user and extends rearward from the rear end of the recess 331.

[0048] -Nozzle 380 Nozzle 380 is attached to main body 330 by fitting into protrusion 336 of main body 330. Nozzle 380 has outlet 390, and discharges the liquid that has flowed into nozzle 380 from liquid pump chamber P via outflow path 333 and liquid outflow valve 338 from outlet 390. Note that, at the time of sale, a nozzle cap that closes outlet 390 may be attached to nozzle 380 to prevent the liquid from being discharged from outlet 390 when liquid dome 360 ​​is pressed down.

[0049] The overall configuration of the container 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention has been described above. One embodiment of the present invention particularly relates to the configuration of the valve cap 50 of the container 10. Below, after explaining the background of one embodiment of the present invention, the configuration of the valve cap 50 will be described in detail.

[0050] <Background> There are liquids whose quality or appearance changes when they come into contact with oxygen. When filling such liquids into the bag container 80, an oxygen removal process is carried out before filling the bag container 80 with the liquid to reduce or eliminate the remaining oxygen in the bag container 80. The oxygen removal process is, for example, repeated filling with nitrogen and vacuuming.

[0051] To achieve this oxygen removal process, a member is used that opens the flow path while nitrogen filling and vacuuming are performed, and closes the flow path while neither nitrogen filling nor vacuuming is performed.

[0052] However, with conventional components, there was a risk of the component being damaged or the film being caught during vacuuming.

[0053] Taking the above circumstances into consideration, the inventors of the present invention have created a valve cap 50 according to one embodiment of the present invention. The valve cap 50 according to one embodiment of the present invention achieves improved durability and does not pinch the film that constitutes the bag container 80. The configuration of such a valve cap 50 will be described in detail below.

[0054] <Valve Cap 50 Configuration> Figure 5 shows a cross-sectional configuration obtained when the valve cap 50 and the spout portion 70 are cut along line II shown in Figure 2. As shown in Figure 5, the spout portion 70 has a tubular portion 720 and a flange portion 740. The upper and lower ends of the tubular portion 720 are open. The flange portion 740 extends outward from the lower end of the tubular portion 720. The upper surface of the flange portion 740 is joined to the lower surface of the top film of the bag container 80, thereby fixing the spout portion 70 to the bag container 80.

[0055] The valve cap 50 includes an engaging portion 510 , a cylinder 520 , a spring 526 , a piston 530 , and a gasket 540 .

[0056] Engagement portion 510 is a portion that engages with spout portion 70 and pump device 30. Engagement portion 510 has a top surface 511, an engagement tubular portion 512 that extends downward from the outer edge of top surface 511, and an abutment tubular portion 515 that sandwiches spout portion 70 between engagement tubular portion 512 and spout portion 70 and abuts spout portion 70. Top surface 511 is formed with a through hole 517 and a groove 518 that surrounds through hole 517. A first engagement portion 513 that threadably engages with spout portion 70 is formed on the inner circumferential surface of engagement tubular portion 512, and a second engagement portion 514 that threadably engages with cap 310 of pump device 30 is formed on the outer circumferential surface of engagement tubular portion 512.

[0057] In the example shown in FIG. 5, the outer diameter of the contact tubular portion 515 is constant. However, the contact tubular portion 515 may have a first region and a second region having an outer diameter larger than that of the first region. The second region may be located closer to the top surface portion 511 than the first region. Furthermore, the difference in outer diameter between the second region and the first region may be 0.3 mm or less. By forming such a second region, the spout portion 70 can be more tightly sandwiched between the engagement tubular portion 512 in the second region, thereby improving the sealing performance between the outer periphery of the spout portion 70 and the contact tubular portion 515.

[0058] An annular protrusion may be formed on the underside of top surface portion 511, between engaging cylindrical portion 512 and abutting cylindrical portion 515. When this protrusion abuts against the upper end of spout portion 70, the sealing performance between spout portion 70 and top surface portion 511 can also be improved.

[0059] Cylinder 520 is an example of a cylindrical part having a hollow region that is inserted into spout 70. An annular protrusion 522 that protrudes inward is formed on the inner peripheral surface of cylinder 520. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 6, a plurality of ribs 524 that are spaced apart from one another in the circumferential direction of the inner circumference of cylinder 520 are formed on the upper side of annular protrusion 522. Each of the plurality of ribs 524 is formed along the axial direction (up-down direction) of cylinder 520. Note that while FIG. 6 shows an example in which six ribs 524 are formed at equal intervals, the number of formed ribs 524 may be five or less, or may be seven or more.

[0060] Spring 526 is an example of an elastic body provided in the hollow region of cylinder 520. The lower end of spring 526 is supported by annular protrusion 522 of cylinder 520. Spring 526 is also sandwiched between multiple ribs 524 formed on the inner circumferential surface of cylinder 520. Spring 526 is expandable and contractible along the axial direction of cylinder 520.

[0061] Piston 530 is supported by spring 526 and is an example of a movable part that can move up and down along the axial direction of cylinder 520. In FIG. 5, piston 530 abuts against gasket 540. That is, in FIG. 5, piston 530 is located in a closing position that closes the flow path that passes through the hollow region of cylinder 520. Now, with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8, the configuration of piston 530 will be described in more detail.

[0062] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of piston 530. FIG. 8 is a plan view of piston 530 and cylinder 520. As shown in FIG. 7, piston 530 has a cylindrical portion 532 and a tubular portion 536. A plurality of protrusions 534 are formed on the side surface of cylindrical portion 532 at equal intervals. In the example shown in FIG. 7, six protrusions 534 are formed on the side surface of cylindrical portion 532, but the number of protrusions 534 may be fewer or more. The outer diameter of tubular portion 536 is smaller than the inner diameter of spring 526. Therefore, spring 526 fits around the outer periphery of tubular portion 536 as shown in FIG. 5.

[0063] Such piston 530 has a petal-like shape in plan view as shown in Fig. 8. Diameter d3 of columnar portion 532 is larger than the diameter of through-hole 517 and the inner diameter of gasket 540. Diameter d4, which is the sum of diameter d3 of columnar portion 532 and the protruding lengths of two convex portions 534, is smaller than inner diameter d5 of the upper portion of cylinder 520 (see Fig. 6).

[0064] Gasket 540 is a flexible annular member. The annular shape is a shape that surrounds a certain area, and the shape may be circular or rectangular. Gasket 540 is located between piston 530 and through-hole 517, and is fixed between the upper end of cylinder 520 and engagement portion 510. The inner diameter of gasket 540 may be the same as the diameter of through-hole 517 of engagement portion 510, or may be slightly larger than the diameter of through-hole 517 of engagement portion 510.

[0065] <Oxygen removal treatment> 9 and 10, an oxygen removal process using the above-described valve cap 50 will be described. Note that, as described above, the oxygen removal process is, for example, a process of repeatedly filling with nitrogen and vacuuming.

[0066] Fig. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which the flow path of the valve cap 50 is closed. In Fig. 9, the piston 530 is pressed against the gasket 540 by the elastic force of the spring 526. As a result, the flow path passing through the hollow region of the cylinder 520 is closed by the piston 530. With this flow path closed, no fluid flows into the bag container 80, and no fluid flows out of the bag container 80.

[0067] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which the flow path of the valve cap 50 is open. In FIG. 10, the nozzle 92 is inserted through the through-hole 517, and the tip of the nozzle 92 presses against the piston 530, forcing the piston 530 downward. This separates the piston 530 from the gasket 540, opening the flow path through the hollow region of the cylinder 520. When the flow path is open in this manner, as indicated by the arrows in FIG. 10, nitrogen can be filled into the bag container 80 through the opening 94 formed near the tip of the nozzle 92, the valve cap 50, and the dip tube 90. Furthermore, when the flow path is open, a vacuum can be applied to suck out the nitrogen filled in the bag container 80 through the opening 94 formed near the tip of the dip tube 90, the valve cap 50, and the nozzle 92.

[0068] When the nozzle 92 is removed from the through-hole 517 while the flow path is open, the pressing force on the piston 530 is released, and the piston 530 returns to the closed position in contact with the gasket 540 in response to the elastic force of the spring 526. After the oxygen removal process has been performed in this manner, the liquid is filled into the bag container 80 through the opening 94 formed near the tip of the nozzle 92, the valve cap 50, and the dip tube 90, in the same manner as when filling with nitrogen.

[0069] 11, when the pump device 30 is attached to the valve cap 50, the depressing portion 318 of the cap 310 is inserted into the through-hole 517, and the depressing portion 318 depresses the piston 530. This opens a flow path that passes through the hollow region of the cylinder 520.

[0070] Note that pressing down portion 318 may have a third region and a fourth region having an outer diameter larger than that of the third region within a region facing the inner wall of through hole 517. The third region may be located closer to piston 530 than the fourth region, and the fourth region may be located on the opposite side, on the upper surface of top panel portion 511, closer to edge 511a of through hole 517. The outer diameter of the third region is equal to or smaller than the inner diameter of through hole 517. The outer diameter of the fourth region may be equal to or larger than the inner diameter of through hole 517 before pressing down portion 318 is inserted into through hole 517. More specifically, before pressing down portion 318 is inserted into through hole 517, it is desirable that the difference between the outer diameter of the fourth region and the inner diameter of through hole 517 be 0.3 mm or less.

[0071] With this configuration, push-down portion 318 comes into stronger contact with the inner wall of through hole 517 in the fourth region, thereby improving the sealing performance between push-down portion 318 and the inner wall of through hole 517. Furthermore, by not making the outer diameter of the fourth region too large compared to the inner diameter of through hole 517, push-down portion 318 can be smoothly inserted into through hole 517.

[0072] An O-ring may be attached or formed on the outer periphery of the push-down portion 318, or an annular structure (for example, cylindrical portion 320) on the pump device 30 side may be fitted into the groove 518 of the top surface portion 511. These structures can also improve the sealing performance of the bag container 80.

[0073] Furthermore, the total area of ​​openings 319 formed at the lower end of press-down portion 318 may be equal to or greater than the cross-sectional area of ​​the hollow region of press-down portion 318. In this case, the amount of liquid taken in through openings 319 is less likely to become a bottleneck relative to the amount of liquid passing through press-down portion 318, thereby achieving smooth discharge of the liquid.

[0074] <Action and effect> The embodiment of the present invention described above provides a variety of advantageous effects. For example, in one embodiment of the present invention, the piston 530 rises and falls within the cylinder 520 in response to the elastic force of the spring 526, thereby opening and closing the flow path passing through the hollow region of the cylinder 520. This improves the durability of the flow path against repeated opening and closing. Therefore, the valve cap 50 can be recycled and replaced with the spout 70 of a new bag container 80. Furthermore, by providing a container 10 having such a valve cap 50, spout 70, bag container 80, and pump device 50, a user can dispense the liquid without removing the cap 310, preventing air from entering the bag container 80. This allows the liquid to be used in a fresh state with minimal contact with air.

[0075] Furthermore, because the movement of piston 530 takes place within the range surrounded by cylinder 520, it is possible to prevent piston 530 from catching on the film of bag container 80 during vacuuming. Furthermore, because piston 530 moves up and down in response to the elastic force of spring 526, it is possible for piston 530 to return to the closed position with sufficient certainty after opening the flow path.

[0076] Moreover, in one embodiment of the present invention, a gasket 540 is provided between piston 530 and through-hole 517, and piston 530 is pressed against gasket 540 by the elastic force of spring 526. When piston 530 directly contacts engaging portion 510 made of, for example, plastic, it is difficult to ensure smoothness with plastic, and therefore sealing is likely to be insufficient. However, in one embodiment of the present invention, use of flexible gasket 540 makes it possible to improve sealing when the flow path is closed.

[0077] Furthermore, in one embodiment of the present invention, the gasket 540 is fixed between the upper end of the cylinder 520 and the engaging portion 510. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the gasket 540 from shifting out of position.

[0078] Furthermore, in one embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of ribs 524 are formed spaced apart from one another in the circumferential direction on the inner periphery of cylinder 520. Each of the plurality of ribs 524 is formed along the axial direction (vertical direction) of cylinder 520, and these plurality of ribs 524 hold spring 526 between them. Therefore, displacement of spring 526 is prevented, and it is possible to limit the movement of spring 526 to expansion and contraction in the vertical direction.

[0079] Furthermore, in one embodiment of the present invention, a first engagement portion 513 that threadably engages with the spout 70 is formed on the inner circumferential surface of the engagement cylindrical portion 512. That is, the valve cap 50 according to one embodiment of the present invention has a cap structure that can be easily attached to the spout 70. Furthermore, a second engagement portion 514 that threadably engages with the cap 310 of the pump device 30 is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the engagement cylindrical portion 512. This makes it possible to attach the pump device 30 to the valve cap 50. Therefore, it is possible to discharge a liquid material from the pump device 30 without removing the valve cap 50. Furthermore, such a valve cap 50 is easy to assemble.

[0080] Here, when the pump device 30 is attached to the valve cap 50, the depressing portion 318 of the cap 310 is inserted into the through-hole 517, and the depressing portion 318 presses down the piston 530. Therefore, the flow path passing through the hollow region of the cylinder 520 is open, and the pump device 30 can suck the liquid material from the bag container 80 through the flow path and discharge the liquid material. Furthermore, with an aerosol container, the discharge speed of the liquid material decreases as the internal pressure of the can decreases, but the discharge by the pump device 30 used in one embodiment of the present invention can maintain a generally constant discharge speed regardless of the remaining amount of liquid material in the bag container 80.

[0081] In addition, in one embodiment of the present invention, the bag container holder 40 to which the bag container 80 is attached has an opening 427 at the bottom end, so that the user can easily determine the remaining amount of liquid by visually checking the degree of crushing of the bag container 80 through the opening 427.

[0082] Furthermore, in one embodiment of the present invention, since the dip tube 90 is attached to the valve cap 50, the amount of liquid remaining at the bottom of the bag container 80 can be reduced.

[0083] Moreover, in one embodiment of the present invention, piston 530 has a columnar portion 532 having a plurality of protrusions 534 formed on its side surface. Diameter d3 of columnar portion 532 is larger than the diameter of through-hole 517 and the inner diameter of gasket 540. If diameter d3 of columnar portion 532 were smaller than the diameter of through-hole 517 and the inner diameter of gasket 540, columnar portion 532 would not completely close the flow path, allowing air to enter through gaps. In contrast, according to one embodiment of the present invention, diameter d3 of columnar portion 532 satisfies the above-mentioned condition, so that columnar portion 532 can completely close the flow path. Furthermore, diameter d4 (maximum diameter of the piston), which is the diameter obtained by adding the protruding lengths of two protrusions 534 to diameter d3 of columnar portion 532, is smaller than inner diameter d5 of the upper portion of cylinder 520. If diameter d4, which is the sum of diameter d3 of cylindrical portion 532 and the protruding lengths of two convex portions 534, is larger than inner diameter d5 of the upper portion of cylinder 520, piston 530 will not be able to fit into cylinder 520. In contrast, according to one embodiment of the present invention, diameter d4 satisfies the above condition, so that piston 530 can be assembled so as to fit into cylinder 520.

[0084] Furthermore, by forming multiple protrusions 534 on the side surface of cylindrical portion 532, it is possible to ensure a wide flow path while realizing smooth movement of piston 530 up and down within cylinder 520. More specifically, the larger the diameter of piston 530, the more likely it is that piston 530 will not tilt. However, if the diameter of piston 530 is made closer to inner diameter d5 of cylinder 520 while remaining circular, the flow path for the liquid will become narrow. In this regard, multiple protrusions 534 formed on the side surface of cylindrical portion 532 suppress tilting while ensuring a flow path for the liquid in the spaces between multiple protrusions 534. By ensuring a wide flow path, the liquid can flow smoothly into liquid pump chamber P, thereby shortening the time from when the liquid is discharged from discharge port 390 until new liquid flows into liquid pump chamber P.

[0085] <Supplementary information> Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above with reference to the accompanying drawings, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to these examples. It is clear that a person skilled in the art of the present invention can conceive of various modifications or alterations within the scope of the technical idea described in the claims, and it is understood that these also naturally fall within the technical scope of the present invention.

[0086] Furthermore, in relation to the above-described embodiment, the present invention further discloses the following flow path opening and closing device and container.

[0087] <1> a cylindrical portion having a hollow region, which is inserted into a spout portion attached to a container body that forms an accommodation space; an engaging portion having a through hole formed therein and adapted to engage with the spout portion; an elastic body provided in the hollow region of the cylindrical portion; a movable part that is supported by the elastic body, moves in response to a pressing force from a closing position at which the flow path passing through the hollow region is closed to one side in the axial direction of the cylindrical part to open the flow path, and returns to the closing position in response to the elastic force of the elastic body when the pressing force is released; A flow path opening and closing device comprising: <2> the flow path opening and closing device has an annular gasket between the movable part and the through hole, The movable portion abuts against the gasket in the closed position. <1> The flow path opening and closing device described in <3> The gasket is fixed between the end of the cylindrical portion and the engaging portion. <2> The flow path opening and closing device described in <4> The elastic body is a spring that expands and contracts along the axial direction of the cylindrical portion. <1> ~ <3> The flow path opening and closing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4. <5> An annular protrusion protruding inward is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion, The spring is supported by the annular protrusion. <4> The flow path opening and closing device described in <6> A plurality of ribs spaced apart from one another in the circumferential direction are formed on the inner periphery of the cylindrical portion, Each of the plurality of ribs is formed along the axial direction of the cylindrical portion, The plurality of ribs sandwich the spring. <4> The flow path opening and closing device described in <7> The plurality of ribs are formed at equal intervals on the inner periphery of the cylindrical portion. <6> The flow path opening and closing device described in <8> The plurality of ribs is six ribs. <6> or <7> The flow path opening and closing device described in <9> The engaging portion has an engaging cylindrical portion having a first engaging portion formed on an inner circumferential surface thereof to engage with the spout portion and a second engaging portion formed on an outer circumferential surface thereof to engage with the pump device. <1> ~ <8> The flow path opening and closing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4. <10> the engaging portion includes a contacting cylindrical portion that sandwiches the spout portion with the engaging cylindrical portion and contacts an inner circumferential surface of the spout portion, and a top surface portion that connects the engaging cylindrical portion and the contacting cylindrical portion, The abutting tubular portion has a first region and a second region having an outer diameter larger than that of the first region. <9> The container described in <11> the second region is located closer to the top surface portion than the first region; <10> The container described in <12> a difference between the outer diameter of the second region and the outer diameter of the first region is 0.3 mm or less; <10> or <11> The container described in <13> An annular protrusion is formed on the surface of the top surface portion on the side of the outlet. <10> The container described in <14> the movable portion has a cylindrical portion having a plurality of protrusions formed on a side surface thereof, The diameter of the cylindrical portion is larger than the diameter of the through hole, a diameter obtained by adding the diameter of the cylindrical portion to the protruding lengths of the two protrusions is smaller than an inner diameter of the cylindrical portion; <1> ~ <13> The flow path opening and closing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4. <15> The plurality of protrusions are formed at equal intervals on the side surface of the cylindrical portion. <14> The flow path opening and closing device described in <16> The plurality of protrusions are six protrusions. <14> or <15> The flow path opening and closing device described in <17> The aforementioned <1> ~ <16> a flow path opening and closing device according to any one of the preceding claims; a container body that forms a storage space; a pouring outlet portion attached to the container body and into which a cylindrical portion of the flow path opening and closing device is inserted; A container comprising: <18> The container further includes a pump device attached to the flow path opening and closing device, which sucks the contents of the storage space from the storage space through the flow path opening and closing device and discharges the contents. <17> The container described in <19> the pump device includes an insertion portion that is inserted into the through hole and presses the movable portion when the pump device is attached to the flow path opening and closing device; <18> The container described in <20> The insertion portion has a third region and a fourth region having an outer diameter larger than that of the third region in a region facing the inner wall of the through hole. <19> The container described in <21> an outer diameter of the fourth region is equal to or greater than an inner diameter of the through hole before the insertion portion is inserted into the through hole; <20> The container described in <22> a difference between an outer diameter of the fourth region and an inner diameter of the through hole before the insertion portion is inserted into the through hole is 0.3 mm or less; <21> The container described in <23> the third region is located closer to the movable portion than the fourth region; <20> A container according to claim 22. <24> An O-ring is attached to the outer periphery of the insertion portion. <19> The container described in <25> a groove surrounding the through hole is formed on the top surface of the engagement portion, The pump device has an annular structure that fits into the groove. <19> The container described in <26> An opening is formed in at least a part of the circumferential direction of the end of the insertion portion on the movable portion side. <19> The container described in <27> A plurality of the openings are formed at the end of the insertion portion on the movable portion side. <26> The container described in <28> the total area of ​​the openings formed at the end of the insertion portion on the movable portion side is equal to or greater than the cross-sectional area of ​​the hollow region of the insertion portion; <26> or <27> The container described in [Explanation of symbols]

[0088] 10 containers 30 Pumping equipment 94 Aperture 310 Cap 311 Upper section 312 Lower section 313 Threaded joint 314 Cylinder part 316 Overhang 318 Pressing down part 319 Aperture 320 Cylindrical part 324 Outer cylinder 325 Inner cylinder 326 Overhang 328 Liquid intake valve 330 Main body 331 recess 331h Inlet 332 Spring retainer 333 Outflow channel 336 Protrusion 338 Liquid Outlet Valve 342 Spring 348 Ring 360 Liquid Dome 362 Spring retainer 370 Toride 380 nozzle 390 Discharge port 40 Bag Container Holder 420 Torso 427 Aperture 451 Top section 455 Recess wall 456 Bottom 457 Insertion port 50 Valve Cap 510 Engagement part 511 Top section 511a Edge 512 Engagement tube 513 First engagement part 514 Second engagement part 515 Contact cylinder part 517 Through hole 518 Groove 520 cylinder 522 Annular convex part 524 Ribs 526 Spring 530 Piston 532 Cylinder 534 Convex 536 Cylinder part 540 Gasket 92 nozzles 70 Spout part 720 Cylinder part 740 flange 80 bag containers 90 Dip Tube P liquid pump chamber d1 Insertion hole inner diameter d2 Lower part outer diameter d3 Cylindrical part diameter d4 Maximum piston diameter d5 Cylinder inner diameter

Claims

1. a cylindrical portion having a hollow region, which is inserted into a spout portion attached to a container body that forms an accommodation space; an engaging portion having a through hole formed therein and adapted to engage with the spout portion; an elastic body provided in the hollow region of the cylindrical portion; a movable part that is supported by the elastic body, moves in response to a pressing force from a closing position at which the flow path passing through the hollow region is closed to one side in the axial direction of the cylindrical part to open the flow path, and returns to the closing position in response to the elastic force of the elastic body when the pressing force is released; a ring-shaped gasket between the movable portion and the through hole; Equipped with the movable portion abuts against the gasket in the closed position; The gasket is fixed between the end of the cylindrical portion and the engaging portion.

2. A cylindrical portion having a hollow region, which is inserted into a pouring outlet portion attached to a container body that forms a storage space; an engaging portion having a through hole formed therein and adapted to engage with the spout portion; an elastic body provided in the hollow region of the cylindrical portion; a movable part that is supported by the elastic body, moves in response to a pressing force from a closing position at which the flow path passing through the hollow region is closed to one side in the axial direction of the cylindrical part to open the flow path, and returns to the closing position in response to the elastic force of the elastic body when the pressing force is released; Equipped with The engagement portion has an engagement cylindrical portion having a first engagement portion formed on its inner surface that engages with the spout portion and a second engagement portion formed on its outer surface that engages with the pump device.

3. A cylindrical portion having a hollow region, which is inserted into a pouring outlet portion attached to a container body that forms a storage space; an engaging portion having a through hole formed therein and adapted to engage with the spout portion; an elastic body provided in the hollow region of the cylindrical portion; a movable part that is supported by the elastic body, moves in response to a pressing force from a closing position at which the flow path passing through the hollow region is closed to one side in the axial direction of the cylindrical part to open the flow path, and returns to the closing position in response to the elastic force of the elastic body when the pressing force is released; Equipped with the movable portion has a cylindrical portion having a plurality of protrusions formed on a side surface thereof, The diameter of the cylindrical portion is larger than the diameter of the through hole, a diameter of the columnar portion plus the protruding lengths of the two protrusions is smaller than an inner diameter of the tubular portion.

4. the flow path opening and closing device has an annular gasket between the movable part and the through hole, The flow path opening and closing device according to claim 2 , wherein the movable portion abuts against the gasket when in the closed position.

5. The flow path opening and closing device according to claim 4 , wherein the gasket is fixed between the end of the cylindrical portion and the engaging portion.

6. 6. The flow path opening and closing device according to claim 1, wherein the elastic body is a spring that expands and contracts along the axial direction of the cylindrical portion.

7. A plurality of ribs spaced apart from one another in the circumferential direction are formed on the inner periphery of the cylindrical portion, Each of the plurality of ribs is formed along the axial direction of the cylindrical portion, The flow path opening and closing device according to claim 6 , wherein the plurality of ribs sandwich the spring.

8. 4. The flow path opening and closing device according to claim 1, wherein the engaging portion has an engaging cylindrical portion having a first engaging portion formed on an inner surface thereof that engages with the spout portion and a second engaging portion formed on an outer surface thereof that engages with the pump device.

9. the movable portion has a cylindrical portion having a plurality of protrusions formed on a side surface thereof, The diameter of the cylindrical portion is larger than the diameter of the through hole, The flow path opening and closing device according to claim 1 , wherein a diameter of the columnar portion plus a protruding length of the two protrusions is smaller than an inner diameter of the cylindrical portion.

10. A flow path opening and closing device according to any one of claims 1 to 9; a container body that forms a storage space; a pouring outlet portion attached to the container body and into which a cylindrical portion of the flow path opening and closing device is inserted; A container comprising:

11. The container according to claim 10, further comprising a pump device attached to the flow path opening and closing device, which sucks the contents of the storage space from the storage space via the flow path opening and closing device, and discharges the contents.

12. The container according to claim 11 , wherein the pump device includes an insertion portion that is inserted into the through hole and presses the movable portion when the pump device is attached to the flow path opening and closing device.

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