Trigger-type liquid sprayer

Abstract

To provide a trigger type liquid ejection device which can change continuous ejection time of liquid.SOLUTION: A trigger type liquid ejection device 1 includes: an ejection device body 2 which can continuously eject liquid; and a nozzle member 3 which is mounted in the ejection device body 2 and in which an ejection hole 4 is formed. The ejection device body 2 has a storage cylinder 40 into which liquid is supplied, a storage plunger 50 which is movably disposed in an axial direction along an axis line O2 of the storage cylinder 40 in the storage cylinder 40 and moves toward one side of the axial direction involved in the supply of liquid into the storage cylinder 40, a plunger biasing member 60 which biases the storage plunger 50 toward the other side in the axial direction; and a biasing force adjustment member 140 which is disposed on one side in the axial direction of the plunger biasing member 60, moves in the axial direction with respect to the storage cylinder 40, and can adjust biasing force of the plunger biasing member 60.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a trigger-type liquid ejector. [Background technology]

[0002] There is known a trigger-type liquid ejector that sucks up liquid from a container by operating a trigger part and ejects the liquid through an ejection hole. The trigger-type liquid ejector described in Patent Document 1 below includes a piston that moves back and forth as the trigger part moves, a cylinder whose interior is pressurized and depressurized as the piston moves and whose interior is connected to the vertical supply tube part, and a biasing member that is arranged inside the cylinder and biases the trigger part forward via the piston.

[0003] Furthermore, the trigger-type liquid ejector described in Patent Document 1 below comprises a storage cylinder into which liquid that has passed through the vertical supply tube section is supplied as the trigger section moves rearward, and a storage plunger disposed within the storage cylinder that moves toward one side of the axial direction as liquid is supplied into the storage cylinder and is urged toward the other side, thereby enabling continuous ejection of liquid. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-159841 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In the trigger-type liquid ejector capable of continuous ejection, the duration of continuous ejection of liquid when the trigger is operated once is fixed. Therefore, there is a demand for a variable duration of continuous ejection of liquid.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a trigger-type liquid ejector that can change the continuous ejection time of liquid. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] (1) A trigger-type liquid ejector according to the present invention comprises an ejector body attached to a container body containing a liquid, and a nozzle member attached to the ejector body and having an ejection hole formed therein for ejecting the liquid, the ejector body having a vertical supply tube portion that sucks up the liquid in the container body, and a trigger portion arranged so as to be movable rearward in a forward biased state, the trigger portion moving rearward causes the liquid to flow from inside the vertical supply tube portion toward the ejection hole side, and the trigger portion moving rearward causes the liquid to flow from inside the vertical supply tube portion toward the ejection hole side. The storage cylinder includes a storage cylinder into which liquid that has passed through a cylindrical portion is supplied; a storage plunger that is arranged within the storage cylinder so as to be movable in an axial direction along the central axis of the storage cylinder and that moves toward one side in the axial direction as liquid is supplied into the storage cylinder; a biasing member that biases the storage plunger toward the other side in the axial direction; and a biasing force adjustment member that is arranged on one side of the biasing member in the axial direction, moves in the axial direction relative to the storage cylinder, and can adjust the biasing force of the biasing member.

[0008] According to the trigger-type liquid ejector of the present invention, by operating the trigger portion and moving it rearward, liquid can be circulated from the vertical supply tube portion toward the ejection hole. This allows the liquid to be ejected to the outside through the ejection hole of the nozzle member. Furthermore, liquid can be supplied from the vertical supply tube portion into the storage cylinder, pressurizing the storage cylinder. Therefore, the storage plunger can be pressed toward one axial side against the biasing force toward the other axial side, and the storage plunger can be moved toward one axial side while ejecting liquid. Therefore, each time the trigger portion is pulled, the storage plunger can be moved toward one axial side, allowing the liquid to be ejected while storing (filling) the liquid in the storage cylinder. After filling the storage cylinder with liquid, if the trigger operation is stopped, the supply of liquid into the storage cylinder through the vertical supply tube stops, but the storage plunger begins to return to its original position toward the other axial direction. This allows the liquid filled in the storage cylinder to be pushed out from the storage cylinder toward the nozzle hole, causing it to be sprayed from the nozzle hole. This makes it possible to continuously spray liquid.

[0009] In the ejector main body, a biasing force adjusting member is disposed on one axial side of the biasing member that biases the storage plunger toward the other axial side. The biasing force adjusting member changes the compression rate of the biasing member by moving axially relative to the storage cylinder, thereby adjusting the biasing force of the biasing member. This changes the time it takes for the storage plunger to return to its original position toward the other axial side, thereby changing the continuous ejection time of the liquid.

[0010] (2) The biasing force adjusting member may move in the axial direction relative to the storage cylinder by rotating about the central axis of the storage cylinder.

[0011] In this case, the continuous ejection time of the liquid can be changed by rotating the biasing force adjusting member, which improves operability.

[0012] (3) A spiral groove portion extending from one side to the other in a circumferential direction around the central axis may be formed on the outer peripheral surface of the storage cylinder, and an engaging piece may be formed on the force adjustment member that engages with the groove portion and is movable along the groove portion.

[0013] In this case, when the force adjustment member is rotated relative to the storage cylinder, the engaging piece formed on the force adjustment member moves along the spiral groove formed on the outer surface of the storage cylinder, allowing the force adjustment member to move axially.

[0014] (4) A recognition mechanism may be provided that enables recognition of the axial position of the biasing force adjustment member relative to the storage cylinder.

[0015] In this case, it becomes easier for the user to recognize the amount of operation of the biasing force adjustment member. In other words, the biasing force adjustment member changes the compression rate of the biasing member by moving axially relative to the storage cylinder, and changes the continuous liquid ejection time, so by providing a recognition mechanism, it becomes easier to recognize that the biasing force adjustment member has moved to a position that changes the continuous liquid ejection time. [Effects of the Invention]

[0016] According to the trigger type liquid ejector of the present invention, the continuous ejection time of the liquid can be changed. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a trigger-type liquid ejector according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the rear end of the storage cylinder according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a rear view of the storage cylinder according to one embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from the rear. [Figure 4] 1 is a front view of a biasing force adjusting member according to an embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from the front. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a biasing force adjusting member according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] 10A to 10C are diagrams illustrating the operation of the biasing force adjusting member according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] 1 is a diagram illustrating the operation of a recognition mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of a trigger-type liquid ejector according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, a ejection container having a trigger-type liquid ejector attached to a container body will be described as an example.

[0019] As shown in Figure 1, the trigger-type liquid ejector 1 of this embodiment comprises an ejector body 2 that is attached to a container body 200 that contains liquid, a nozzle member 3 that is attached to the ejector body 2 and has ejection holes 4 that eject the liquid, and a cover body 5 that covers the ejector body 2 and the nozzle member 3. Unless otherwise specified, each component part of the trigger-type liquid ejector 1 is a molded product made of synthetic resin.

[0020] (Ejector body) The ejector body 2 mainly comprises a vertical supply tube portion 10, a connecting tube portion 20, an attachment cap 30, a storage cylinder 40, a storage plunger 50, a plunger actuation member 60, an injection tube portion 70, a trigger mechanism 80, a ball valve 90, and a storage valve 91.

[0021] In this embodiment, the central axis of the vertical supply tube portion 10 is defined as an axis O1, the container body 200 side along this axis O1 is defined as the lower side, the opposite side is defined as the upper side, and the direction along the axis O1 is defined as the up-down direction. In addition, in a plan view seen from the up-down direction, a direction intersecting the axis O1 is defined as the front-rear direction, and a direction perpendicular to both the up-down direction and the front-rear direction is defined as the left-right direction.

[0022] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the central axis of the storage cylinder 40 is defined as an axis O2. In this embodiment, the axis O2 extends in the front-rear direction. Therefore, in this embodiment, the front-rear direction corresponds to the axial direction along the central axis of the storage cylinder 40. In this embodiment, the rear corresponds to one side of the axial direction along the central axis of the storage cylinder 40, and the front corresponds to the other side of the axial direction along the central axis of the storage cylinder 40. However, the axial direction along the axis O2 does not have to coincide with the front-to-rear direction.

[0023] The vertical supply tube portion 10 extends in the vertical direction and has the function of sucking up liquid inside the container body 200. The vertical supply tube portion 10 is attached to the container body 200 by an attachment cap 30. The upper part of a pipe 11 that extends in the vertical direction and sucks up liquid from the container body 200 is fitted into the vertical supply tube portion 10.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 1, the vertical supply tube 10 has an upper end provided with a connecting tube 20 extending forward. The connecting tube part 20 is formed in a cylindrical shape with an opening 21 that opens to the front of the ejector body 2, and is connected to the inside of the vertical supply tube part 10. A blocking plug 100 is attached to the opening 21 of the connecting tube part 20 to block (seal) the opening 21.

[0025] A cylinder tube portion 110 is provided below the connecting tube portion 20 and above the mounting cap 30. The cylinder tube portion 110 protrudes forward from the vertical supply tube portion 10 and is open forward. A main cylinder 82 is fitted into the cylinder tube portion 110. The main cylinder 82 is formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape that is open forward and closed at the rear. The interior of the main cylinder 82 is connected to the interior of the vertical supply tube portion 10.

[0026] The storage cylinder 40 is disposed above the vertical supply tube portion 10 and the connecting tube portion 20 . In this embodiment, the lower end of the storage cylinder 40 is integrally formed with the upper end of the vertical supply tube portion 10 and the upper end of the connecting tube portion 20 . The liquid that has passed through the vertical supply tube portion 10 and the connecting tube portion 20 is supplied to the inside of the storage cylinder 40 (a storage space 40a described later) by the rearward swing of the trigger portion 81. Specifically, a supply hole 41A that communicates with the inside of the connecting cylindrical portion 20 is formed in the lower portion of the front end of the storage cylinder 40. The supply hole 41A opens to a portion located rearward of the occluding plug 100. This allows the liquid that has passed through the vertical supply cylindrical portion 10 and the connecting cylindrical portion 20 to be supplied to the storage cylinder 40 through the supply hole 41A.

[0027] The storage plunger 50 is disposed within the storage cylinder 40 so as to be movable in the front-rear direction along the axis O2. This allows the storage plunger 50 to slide tightly within the storage cylinder 40 in the front-rear direction. The storage plunger 50 moves rearward as liquid is supplied into the storage cylinder 40. The storage plunger 50 blocks communication between the interior of the vertical supply cylinder 10 and the ejection holes 4 through the interior of the connecting cylinder 20, and allows communication between the interior of the vertical supply cylinder 10 and the ejection holes 4 through the interior of the connecting cylinder 20 when it moves rearward. That is, when the storage plunger 50 is in the forward most position, it blocks communication between the interior of the vertical supply cylinder 10 and the ejection hole 4 (inside the injection cylinder 70) through the interior of the connecting cylinder 20, and when it moves rearward from the forward most position, it allows communication between the interior of the vertical supply cylinder 10 and the ejection hole 4 (inside the injection cylinder 70) through the interior of the connecting cylinder 20. In the storage cylinder 40, the space located forward of the storage plunger 50 functions as a storage space 40a.

[0028] The storage space 40a stores the liquid that passes through the vertical supply tube portion 10 and the connecting tube portion 20 and also passes through the supply hole 41A. The storage space 40a expands as the storage plunger 50 moves rearward due to the supply of liquid. The storage space 40a can also communicate with the inside of the injection tube portion 70, which will be described later.

[0029] The plunger biasing member 60 biases the storage plunger 50 forward. The plunger biasing member 60 is disposed rearward of the storage plunger 50 within the storage cylinder 40. In the initial state before the trigger portion 81 is operated, the plunger biasing member 60 biases the storage plunger 50 forward. As a result, the storage plunger 50 is located at the frontmost position. The plunger biasing member 60 is a metal coil spring that is disposed coaxially with the axis O2 in a compressed state so as to exert a predetermined biasing force. However, for example, a resin spring or other elastic members may also be used as the plunger biasing member 60.

[0030] In the storage cylinder 40 and storage plunger 50 configured as described above, it is possible to pressurize the liquid in the storage space 40a until the storage plunger 50 moves rearward. Thereafter, when the liquid pressure in the storage space 40a reaches a predetermined value, the storage plunger 50 moves rearward against the plunger biasing member 60. This makes it possible to supply the liquid in the storage space 40a to the ejection hole 4 side. Therefore, the storage plunger 50 can function as a pressure accumulator valve. The vertical supply tube portion 10 is provided with a recovery passage 36 that connects the inside of the storage cylinder 40 to the inside of the container body 200 when the storage plunger 50 moves rearward. According to this configuration, the storage cylinder 40 and the recovery passage 36 communicate with each other, so that the liquid stored in the storage cylinder 40 is returned to the container body 200 through the recovery passage 36, and it is possible to prevent the internal pressure of the storage cylinder 40 from becoming excessively high.

[0031] The injection tube portion 70 extends forward from the storage cylinder 40. The injection tube portion 70 is in communication with the interior of the vertical supply tube portion 10 through the interior of the storage cylinder 40 (storage space 40a) and the interior of the connecting tube portion 20. This enables the injection tube portion 70 to guide the liquid that has passed through the interior of the vertical supply tube portion 10, the interior of the connecting tube portion 20, and the interior of the storage cylinder 40 (storage space 40a) to the ejection hole 4.

[0032] The trigger mechanism 80 includes a trigger portion 81, a main cylinder 82, a main piston 83, and a piston biasing member 84. The trigger mechanism 80 is capable of causing the liquid to flow from inside the vertical supply tube portion 10 through the connecting tube portion 20 toward the ejection holes 4 side by swinging the trigger portion 81 backward.

[0033] The trigger portion 81 is arranged in front of the vertical supply tube portion 10 so as to be movable rearward in a forward biased state. The trigger portion 81 is formed to extend in the vertical direction and is arranged below the injection tube portion 70. The upper end portion of the trigger portion 81 is journaled to the nozzle member 3 so as to be swingable in the front-rear direction, and the lower end portion is arranged in front of the main cylinder 82.

[0034] The main piston 83 is disposed inside the main cylinder 82 so as to be movable in the front-rear direction. The main piston 83 is movable in the front-rear direction in conjunction with the swing of the trigger portion 81. As a result, the inside of the main cylinder 82 is pressurized and depressurized as the main piston 83 moves in the front-rear direction. The main piston 83 is formed in a cylindrical shape with a top that is open at the rear and closed at the front.

[0035] The main piston 83 is biased forward by the biasing force of a piston biasing member 84. As the trigger part 81 swings rearward, the main piston 83 moves rearward and is pushed into the main cylinder 82. When the trigger part 81 is at the forward-most swing position, the main piston 83 is correspondingly located at the forward-most position.

[0036] The piston biasing member 84 is, for example, a metal coil spring. The piston biasing member 84 is disposed coaxially with the main piston 83 and the main cylinder 82, and biases the trigger portion 81, to which the main piston 83 is connected, forward. The piston biasing member 84 is disposed inside the main cylinder 82, and biases the trigger portion 81 forward via the main piston 83. However, the material of the piston biasing member 84 is not limited to metal, and for example, a resin spring or the like may be used.

[0037] The ball valve 90 and the storage valve 91 are provided in the vertical supply tube portion 10 . The ball valve 90 is a check valve that blocks communication between the inside of the container body 200 and the inside of the main cylinder 82 through the inside of the vertical supply tube section 10 when the inside of the main cylinder 82 is pressurized, and displaces upward when the inside of the main cylinder 82 is depressurized, thereby allowing communication between the inside of the container body 200 and the inside of the main cylinder 82 through the inside of the vertical supply tube section 10.

[0038] A storage valve 91 is disposed above the ball valve 90. The storage valve 91 is a check valve that allows the supply of liquid from the vertical supply tube portion 10 through the connecting tube portion 20 into the storage cylinder 40, and also restricts the outflow of liquid from the storage cylinder 40 through the connecting tube portion 20 into the vertical supply tube portion 10.

[0039] The cover body 5 is formed to cover the entire vertical supply tube portion 10 except for the lower end portion, the entire injection tube portion 70, and the entire storage cylinder 40 from at least both left and right sides and above.

[0040] (Nozzle member) The nozzle member 3 is assembled to the ejector body 2 by mainly engaging with the injection tube portion 70 . Nozzle member 3 includes an attachment tube portion 120 fitted onto the injection tube portion 70 from the front, and a nozzle portion 130 attached to the front end portion of attachment tube portion 120. Nozzle portion 130 is formed with ejection holes 4 that open to the front and eject liquid forward.

[0041] A biasing force adjusting member 140 capable of adjusting the biasing force of the plunger biasing member 60 is attached to the rear end of the storage cylinder 40 of the trigger-type liquid ejector 1 configured as above. The biasing force adjusting member 140 and its surrounding structure will be described in detail below with reference to Figs. 2 to 7.

[0042] 2, a first groove portion 41 and a second groove portion 42 are formed in the rear end portion of the storage cylinder 40. An axis O2, which is the central axis of the storage cylinder 40, extends along the front-to-rear direction, and in a front view seen from the direction of the axis O2, a direction intersecting the axis O2 is referred to as a radial direction, and a direction going around the axis O2 is referred to as a circumferential direction.

[0043] The first groove portion 41 is formed on the cylindrical outer peripheral surface 40A of the storage cylinder 40. The first groove portion 41 is formed on the outer peripheral surface 40A in a spiral shape extending from one side to the other in the circumferential direction around the axis O2 (for example, counterclockwise in a rear view seen from the direction of the axis O2).

[0044] When the first groove portion 41 rotates counterclockwise in a rear view seen from the direction of the axis O2, it approaches the rear end surface 40B of the storage cylinder 40. The first groove portion 41 is formed in a pair symmetrically about a point on the outer peripheral surface 40A of the storage cylinder 40. In other words, the first groove portion 41 forms two spiral grooves.

[0045] Of the pair of axially opposing side surfaces of the first groove portion 41, the side surface facing forward (the other axial side) is formed with a first inclined surface portion 41a and a first flat surface portion 41b (flat surface portion).

[0046] The first flat surface portion 41b forms a flat surface extending in a direction perpendicular to the axis O2. A plurality of first flat surface portions 41b (three in this embodiment) are formed at intervals in the circumferential direction in the first groove portion 41. A pair of first protrusions 43 are formed on the first flat surface portion 41b, spaced apart in the circumferential direction and protruding forward. The first protrusions 43 are substantially semicircular when viewed from the radial direction.

[0047] The first flat surface portion 41b (second flat surface portion) adjacent to the first flat surface portion 41b (first flat surface portion) in the counterclockwise circumferential direction in a rear view seen from the direction of the axis O2 is located rearward of the first flat surface portion. The first inclined surface portion 41a connects the first flat surface portions 41b adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction with an inclined surface.

[0048] The second groove portion 42 is a groove that is formed forward from the rear end surface 40B of the storage cylinder 40 and is open radially outward (toward the outer circumferential surface 40A). The second groove portion 42 is formed in a generally stepped shape that decreases in depth in the front-to-rear direction from one side to the other in the circumferential direction around the axis O2 (for example, counterclockwise in a rear view seen from the direction of the axis O2).

[0049] A bottom surface of the second groove portion 42 facing rearward (one side in the axial direction) approaches the rear end surface 40B of the storage cylinder 40 when rotated counterclockwise in a rear view seen from the direction of the axis O2. The second groove portion 42 is formed in a pair symmetrically about a point along the outer peripheral edge of the rear end surface 40B of the storage cylinder 40, as shown in FIG.

[0050] A pair of third grooves 45 are formed between the pair of second grooves 42, and are continuous with the pair of first grooves 41 in the front-rear direction. The third grooves 45 are grooves into which a pair of engagement pieces 143 (see FIG. 2), which will be described later, are inserted when assembling the biasing force adjustment member 140. The radial depth of the third grooves 45 is shallower than the radial length (projection amount) of the engagement pieces 143, so that the engagement pieces 143 pass through the third grooves 45 while the peripheral wall portion 142 of the biasing force adjustment member 140 is elastically deformed.

[0051] 2, a second inclined surface 42a and a second flat surface 42b are formed on the bottom surface facing rearward (one axial side) of the second groove portion 42. The second flat surface 42b forms a plane extending in a direction perpendicular to the axis O2. A pair of second protrusions 44 that are spaced apart in the circumferential direction and protrude rearward are formed on the second flat surface 42b.

[0052] 3, the second protrusion 44 has a substantially rectangular shape when viewed from the axial direction. A plurality of second flat surface portions 42b (two in this embodiment) are formed at intervals in the circumferential direction in the second groove portion 42. The second flat surface portion 42b (second flat surface portion) adjacent to the second flat surface portion 42b in the counterclockwise circumferential direction in a rear view seen from the direction of the axis O2 is located rearward of the first flat surface portion.

[0053] The second inclined surface portion 42a approaches the rear end surface 40B of the storage cylinder 40 as it moves counterclockwise in a rear view seen from the direction of the axis O2. The second inclined surface portion 42a connects the second flat surface portions 42b adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction with an inclined surface. Furthermore, the second inclined surface portion 42a connects the rearmost second flat surface portion 42b and the rear end surface 40B with an inclined surface.

[0054] 2, the biasing force adjustment member 140 has a central axis O2 and is formed in a cylindrical shape with a bottom that opens forward. The biasing force adjustment member 140 is provided with a bottom plate portion 141 that faces the rear end surface 40B of the storage cylinder 40 in the axial direction and closes the rear end opening of the storage cylinder 40, and a peripheral wall portion 142 that stands forward from the outer peripheral edge of the bottom plate portion 141 and faces the outer peripheral surface 40A of the storage cylinder 40 in the radial direction. One axial end of the plunger biasing member 60 abuts against the bottom plate portion 141.

[0055] Engagement pieces 143 that engage with the first groove portions 41 are provided on the inner peripheral surface of the peripheral wall portion 142 and protrude radially inward. The engagement pieces 143 are formed in pairs corresponding to the pair of first groove portions 41. As shown in FIG. 4, a pair of molding holes 141a for molding the pair of engagement pieces 143 are formed in the bottom plate portion 141 so as to penetrate in the axial direction.

[0056] A plate portion 144 to be placed in the second groove portion 42 is provided on the front-facing surface of the bottom plate portion 141 so as to protrude forward (to the other axial side) as shown in Fig. 5. The plate portion 144 is a pillar member having a rectangular shape when viewed from the front in the direction of the axis O2 as shown in Fig. 4. The circumferential thickness of the plate portion 144 is smaller than the radial width, and the tip portion thereof is easily elastically deformed in the circumferential direction.

[0057] The plate portions 144 are formed in pairs corresponding to the pair of second groove portions 42 (see FIG. 3). The pair of engagement pieces 143 and the pair of plate portions 144 are formed point-symmetrically about the axis O2, but are shifted in circumferential phase from each other by approximately 30°. The engagement pieces 143 can be engaged in the axial direction on the first flat portion 41b of the first groove portion 41. In addition, a pair of first protrusions 43 are formed on the first flat portion 41b. The pair of first protrusions 43 suppress circumferential movement of the engagement pieces 143 engaged with the first flat portion 41b, thereby maintaining the circumferential position of the biasing force adjustment member 140.

[0058] The radial position of the plate portion 144 coincides with the radial position of the pair of second protrusions 44 formed on the second flat surface portion 42b of the second groove portion 42. As a result, when the biasing force adjustment member 140 is rotated around the axis O2, the plate portion 144 collides with and overcomes at least one of the pair of second protrusions 44. The impact sound generated at this time makes it easier for the user to recognize the amount of operation (amount of rotation) of the biasing force adjustment member 140.

[0059] In this embodiment, by rotating the biasing force adjustment member 140 about the axis O2, the biasing force of the plunger biasing member 60 can be adjusted in three stages as shown in Figures 6(a) to 6(c). For convenience of explanation, Figures 6(a) to 6(c) are not the same cross section, but are shown at different cross section angles about the axis O2.

[0060] As shown in Figure 6(a), when the engagement piece 143 of the force adjusting member 140 engages with the first flat portion 41b located axially furthest forward in the first groove portion 41, the force of the plunger force applying member 60 is "large," and the continuous ejection time of the liquid by one operation of the trigger portion 81 can be changed to, for example, 1 second.

[0061] As shown in Figure 6(b), when the engagement piece 143 of the force adjusting member 140 engages with the first flat portion 41b located at the axially intermediate position in the first groove portion 41, the force of the plunger force applying member 60 is "medium," and the continuous liquid ejection time by one operation of the trigger portion 81 can be changed to, for example, 2 seconds.

[0062] As shown in Figure 6(c), when the engagement piece 143 of the force adjusting member 140 engages with the first flat portion 41b, which is located at the axial rearmost position in the first groove portion 41, the force of the plunger force applying member 60 is "small," and the continuous ejection time of the liquid by one operation of the trigger portion 81 can be changed to, for example, 3 seconds.

[0063] In the state shown in Fig. 6(a), the plate portion 144 of the biasing force adjustment member 140 is located between the pair of second protrusions 44 of the second flat surface portion 42b that is located most forward in the axial direction in the second groove portion 42, as shown in Fig. 7(a). In the state shown in Fig. 6(b), the plate portion 144 of the biasing force adjustment member 140 is located between the pair of second protrusions 44 of the second flat surface portion 42b that is located most rearward in the axial direction in the second groove portion 42, as shown in Fig. 7(b).

[0064] 6(c), the plate portion 144 of the biasing force adjustment member 140 is located rearward of the rear end surface 40B of the storage cylinder 40, so no impact noise is generated with the pair of second protrusions 44. Also, in this state, the pair of engagement pieces 143 of the biasing force adjustment member 140 are engaged with the rear ends of the pair of first groove portions 41, and the rear ends are not connected to the third groove portion 45 in the axial direction, so the biasing force adjustment member 140 will not slip rearward relative to the storage cylinder 40.

[0065] (The action of the trigger-type liquid jet) Next, we will explain how to use the trigger-type liquid sprayer 1 configured as described above. First, from the state shown in Figure 1, the trigger part 81 is pulled backward against the biasing force of the piston biasing member 84 (see Figure 1). Note that by operating the trigger part 81 multiple times, liquid is filled into each part of the trigger-type liquid sprayer 1, and the liquid is now able to be sucked up into the vertical supply tube part 10.

[0066] When the trigger portion 81 is pulled rearward against the biasing force of the piston biasing member 84, the main piston 83 moves rearward from the forwardmost position, and pressure is applied inside the main cylinder 82. As a result, the liquid inside the main cylinder 82 is supplied to the vertical supply tube portion 10. The liquid supplied to the vertical supply tube portion 10 presses the ball valve 90 downward and also pushes the storage valve 91 upward.

[0067] This allows the liquid in the vertical supply tube portion 10 to be supplied to the storage space 40a of the storage cylinder 40 through the connecting tube portion 20 and the supply hole 41A, thereby pressurizing the storage space 40a. Therefore, as the storage space 40a is pressurized, the storage plunger 50 can be moved rearward from its most forward position against the biasing force of the plunger biasing member 60, allowing the liquid to be stored (filled) in the storage space 40a. As the storage plunger 50 moves rearward, the pressurized liquid in the storage space 40a can be guided through the injection tube portion 70 to the ejection hole 4. This allows the liquid to be ejected forward from the ejection hole 4.

[0068] As described above, each time the trigger portion 81 is pulled rearward, liquid can be ejected from the ejection hole 4, and the storage plunger 50 can be moved rearward to store liquid in the storage space 40a.

[0069] Thereafter, when the trigger portion 81 is released, the trigger portion 81 moves forward in a restoring manner due to the elastic restoring force (biasing force) of the piston biasing member 84, and accordingly the main piston 83 connected to the trigger portion 81 also moves forward in a restoring manner within the main cylinder 82. As a result, the pressure within the main cylinder 82 can be reduced to a pressure lower than the pressure within the container body 200, and the ball valve 90 can be raised with the storage valve 91 remaining closed. Therefore, the liquid within the container body 200 can be sucked up into the vertical supply tube portion 10 and introduced into the main cylinder 82. This allows preparation for the next eruption.

[0070] Furthermore, when the rearward operation of the trigger portion 81 is stopped, the supply of liquid to the storage space 40a through the vertical supply tube portion 10 and the connecting tube portion 20 stops, but the storage plunger 50 begins to move forward toward the most forward position due to the biasing force of the plunger biasing member 60. At this time, the outflow of the liquid from the storage space 40a into the vertical supply tube portion 10 is restricted by the storage valve 91.

[0071] This allows the liquid stored in the storage space 40a to be guided through the inside of the injection tube portion 70 to the ejection hole 4, and the liquid can be continuously ejected forward through the ejection hole 4. In this way, liquid can be ejected not only when the trigger portion 81 is pulled backward, but also when the trigger portion 81 is not operated, and liquid can be ejected continuously.

[0072] As described above, the trigger-type liquid ejector 1 of this embodiment can eject liquid not only when the trigger portion 81 is pulled backward, but also when the trigger portion 81 is not operated, and can eject liquid continuously. The trigger portion 81 has its upper end (fulcrum) pivotally supported by the nozzle member 3 so as to be able to swing, and the main piston 83 is connected to the middle portion (point of application) of the trigger portion 81, so that by operating the lower end portion (point of application) of the trigger portion 81, for example, the so-called principle of leverage can be used to efficiently move the main piston 83. This improves the operability of the trigger portion 81.

[0073] Furthermore, according to the trigger-type liquid ejector 1 of this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 1, in the ejector main body 2, a biasing force adjustment member 140 is disposed on one axial side of the plunger biasing member 60 that biases the storage plunger 50 toward the other axial side. By moving axially relative to the storage cylinder 40, the biasing force adjustment member 140 changes the compression rate of the plunger biasing member 60 and adjusts the biasing force of the plunger biasing member 60, as shown in Fig. 5. This changes the time it takes for the storage plunger 50 to move back to its original position toward the other axial side, and makes it possible to change the continuous ejection time of the liquid.

[0074] As described above, the trigger-type liquid ejector 1 according to this embodiment comprises an ejector main body 2 that is attached to a container body 200 that contains a liquid, and a nozzle member 3 that is attached to the ejector main body 2 and has ejection holes 4 that eject the liquid. The ejector main body 2 has a vertical supply tube portion 10 that sucks up the liquid in the container body 200, and a trigger portion 81 that is arranged so that it can move rearward in a forward-biased state, and the trigger mechanism 80 causes the liquid to flow from inside the vertical supply tube portion 10 toward the ejection holes 4 side as the trigger portion 81 moves rearward. the reservoir cylinder 40 into which the liquid that has passed through is supplied, a reservoir plunger 50 that is disposed within the reservoir cylinder 40 so as to be movable in the axial direction along the axis O2 that is the central axis of the reservoir cylinder 40 and that moves toward one side in the axial direction as the liquid is supplied into the reservoir cylinder 40, a plunger biasing member 60 that biases the reservoir plunger 50 toward the other side in the axial direction, and a biasing force adjustment member 140 that is disposed on one side of the plunger biasing member 60 in the axial direction and moves axially relative to the reservoir cylinder 40, and that can adjust the biasing force of the plunger biasing member 60. With this configuration, a trigger-type liquid ejector 1 that can change the continuous ejection time of the liquid can be obtained.

[0075] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the biasing force adjustment member 140 moves in the axial direction relative to the storage cylinder 40 by rotating about the axis O2, which is the central axis of the storage cylinder 40. According to this configuration, the continuous liquid ejection time can be changed by rotating the biasing force adjustment member 140, thereby improving operability.

[0076] Moreover, in this embodiment, a spiral first groove portion 41 (groove portion) extending from one side to the other in the circumferential direction around the axis O2 is formed on the outer peripheral surface 40A of the storage cylinder 40, and an engagement piece 143 is formed on the biasing force adjustment member 140 that engages with the first groove portion 41 and is movable along the first groove portion 41. According to this configuration, when the biasing force adjustment member 140 is rotated relative to the storage cylinder 40, the engagement piece 143 formed on the biasing force adjustment member 140 moves along the spiral first groove portion 41 formed on the outer peripheral surface 40A of the storage cylinder 40, and the biasing force adjustment member 140 can move in the axial direction.

[0077] In this embodiment, a plurality of first flat portions 41b (flat portions) extending in a direction perpendicular to the axis O2 are formed at intervals in the circumferential direction on the side surface facing the other axial direction of the first groove portion 41. According to this configuration, the engaging piece 143 is engaged in the axial direction by the first flat portion 41b of the spiral first groove portion 41, so that the continuous ejection time of the liquid can be changed in multiple stages.

[0078] Furthermore, this embodiment is provided with a plate portion 144 (recognition mechanism) that enables the axial position of the biasing force adjustment member 140 relative to the storage cylinder 40 to be recognized by a collision sound. This configuration makes it easier for the user to recognize the amount of operation of the biasing force adjustment member 140. In other words, the biasing force adjustment member 140 changes the compression rate of the plunger biasing member 60 by moving axially relative to the storage cylinder 40, and changes the continuous ejection time of the liquid. Therefore, by providing the plate portion 144 (recognition mechanism), it becomes easier to recognize that the biasing force adjustment member 140 has moved to a position that changes the continuous ejection time of the liquid.

[0079] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. The embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. The embodiments and their modifications include, for example, those that can be easily imagined by a person skilled in the art, those that are substantially the same, and those that are equivalent.

[0080] For example, in the above embodiment, the biasing force adjustment member 140 is attached to the rear end of the storage cylinder 40 and moves in the axial direction, but the invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, the biasing force adjustment member 140 may be attached to the cover body 5 and move in the axial direction.

[0081] For example, in the above embodiment, the first flat portion 41b is formed in the spiral first groove portion 41, and a configuration in which the biasing force of the plunger biasing member 60 is adjusted in three stages has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, a configuration in which the first flat portion 41b is not provided and the biasing force of the plunger biasing member 60 is adjusted in two stages, at the start and end of the spiral first groove portion 41, may be adopted. Alternatively, a configuration in which three or more first flat portions 41b are formed and the biasing force of the plunger biasing member 60 is adjusted in three or more stages may be adopted.

[0082] For example, in the above embodiment, a configuration has been described in which the plate portion 144 formed on the biasing force adjustment member 140 collides with the pair of second protrusions 44 formed on the storage cylinder 40 as the recognition mechanism, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, a dial mark may be provided on the rearward-facing surface of the bottom plate portion 141 of the biasing force adjustment member 140 to allow the user to recognize the amount of operation (amount of rotation) of the biasing force adjustment member 140.

[0083] In addition, within the scope of the spirit of the present invention, it is possible to replace the components in the above-described embodiments with well-known components as appropriate, and the above-described embodiments and the above-described variations may be combined as appropriate.

[0084] The aspects of the present invention are as follows, for example. <1> an ejector body attached to a container containing a liquid; a nozzle member attached to the ejector body and having an ejection hole for ejecting the liquid; The ejector body includes: a vertical supply tube portion for sucking up the liquid in the container body; a trigger mechanism having a trigger portion arranged so as to be movable rearward in a forward biased state, and causing the liquid to flow from inside the vertical supply tube portion toward the ejection hole side by the rearward movement of the trigger portion; a storage cylinder into which the liquid that has passed through the vertical supply tube portion is supplied by rearward movement of the trigger portion; a storage plunger disposed in the storage cylinder so as to be movable in an axial direction along a central axis of the storage cylinder, and moving toward one side in the axial direction as liquid is supplied into the storage cylinder; a biasing member that biases the storage plunger toward the other side in the axial direction; a force adjusting member disposed on one side of the urging member in the axial direction, movable in the axial direction relative to the storage cylinder, and capable of adjusting the urging force of the urging member. <2> The biasing force adjusting member moves in the axial direction relative to the storage cylinder by rotating about the central axis of the storage cylinder. <1> The trigger-type liquid ejector according to claim 1. <3> A spiral groove portion extending from one side to the other in the circumferential direction around the central axis is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the storage cylinder, The biasing force adjusting member has an engaging piece formed thereon that engages with the groove and is movable along the groove. <1> or <2> The trigger-type liquid ejector according to claim 1. <4> a recognition mechanism that enables recognition of the axial position of the biasing force adjustment member relative to the storage cylinder; <1> from <3> 10. A trigger-type liquid ejector according to any one of the preceding claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0085] 1...Trigger-type liquid sprayer, 2...Sprayer body, 3...Nozzle member, 4...Spray hole, 5...Cover body, 10...Vertical supply tube portion, 11...Pipe, 20...Connecting tube portion, 21...Opening, 30...Mounting cap, 40...Storage cylinder, 40a...Storage space, 40A...Outer peripheral surface, 40B...Rear end surface, 41...First groove portion (groove portion), 41a...First inclined surface portion, 41A...Supply hole, 41b...First flat surface portion (flat surface portion), 42...Second groove portion, 42a...Second inclined surface portion, 42b...Second flat surface portion, 43...First protrusion portion, 44...Second protrusion portion, 45...Third Groove portion, 50...storage plunger, 60...plunger biasing member, 70...injection tube portion, 80...trigger mechanism, 81...trigger portion, 82...main cylinder, 83...main piston, 84...piston biasing member, 90...ball valve, 91...storage valve, 100...blocking plug, 110...cylinder tube portion, 120...mounting tube portion, 130...nozzle portion, 140...bias adjustment member, 141...bottom plate portion, 141a...molding hole, 142...circumferential wall portion, 143...engagement piece, 144...plate portion (recognition mechanism), 200...container body, O1...axis, O2...axis

Claims

1. an ejector body attached to a container containing a liquid; a nozzle member attached to the ejector body and having an ejection hole for ejecting the liquid; The ejector body includes: a vertical supply tube portion for sucking up the liquid in the container body; a trigger mechanism having a trigger portion arranged so as to be movable rearward in a forward biased state, and causing the liquid to flow from inside the vertical supply tube portion toward the ejection hole side by the rearward movement of the trigger portion; a storage cylinder into which the liquid that has passed through the vertical supply tube portion is supplied by rearward movement of the trigger portion; a storage plunger disposed in the storage cylinder so as to be movable in an axial direction along a central axis of the storage cylinder, and moving toward one side in the axial direction as liquid is supplied into the storage cylinder; a biasing member that biases the storage plunger toward the other side in the axial direction; A biasing force adjusting member is provided on one side of the biasing member in the axial direction, and moves in the axial direction relative to the storage cylinder by rotation about the central axis of the storage cylinder, and can adjust the biasing force of the biasing member. A spiral groove portion extending from one side to the other in the circumferential direction around the central axis is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the storage cylinder, The biasing force adjusting member is formed with an engagement piece that engages with the groove and is movable along the groove, a sloped surface portion and a flat surface portion are formed on a side surface of the groove portion facing the other side in the axial direction, the side surface being one of a pair of side surfaces opposed to each other in the axial direction; The flat surface portion is formed with a pair of protrusions that are spaced apart in the circumferential direction and protrude to the other side in the axial direction, and are engageable with the engaging piece.

2. The trigger-type liquid ejector according to claim 1 , further comprising a recognition mechanism that enables recognition of the axial position of the biasing force adjustment member relative to the storage cylinder.

Images