Discharge device and discharge container

Abstract

To provide a dispensing tool that can be used for dispensing contents containing solids while improving recyclability, and a dispensing container using this tool.SOLUTION: A dispensing tool 1 and a dispensing container 2 according to the present invention comprise: a mounting cap 10; a head part 30; a nozzle 40 connected to an outlet 37 provided in the head part 30; a first check valve 50 disposed at the outlet 37; a second check valve 60 disposed at an inlet 11d provided in the mounting cap 10; and an elastically deformable portion 70 provided in a region of the head portion 30 extending from the rear side facing opposite the nozzle 40 to both side sides and more readily elastically deformable than other regions of a peripheral wall 32, either by being formed thinner than other regions of the peripheral wall 32 or being formed softer than other areas of the perimeter wall 32 by insert molding of soft material, wherein the elastically deformable portion 70 is configured to elastically deform inward of the peripheral wall 32 so that the head portion 30 functions as a pump.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a discharging tool and a discharging container that are attached to the mouth of a container body and discharge the contents stored in the container body.

Background Art

[0002] As a discharging tool that is attached to the mouth of a container body and discharges the contents stored in the container body, there is a pump-type one having a mounting cap attached to the mouth of the container body, a head portion provided with a nozzle, a cylinder held by the mounting cap, and a piston disposed inside the cylinder. When the head portion is pushed down, the pump operates and the contents stored in the container body are discharged from the nozzle.

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

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

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] However, while conventional pump-type dispensing devices can improve recyclability by using elastic components made of synthetic resin, they have the problem that they cannot be used for applications such as dispensing solid materials like abrasives, because the piston slides inside the cylinder.

[0007] Furthermore, using polyacetal resin presents the problem of potential formaldehyde leaching.

[0008] The present invention was developed to solve these problems, and its objective is to provide a dispensing device and a dispensing container using the same that can be used for dispensing contents containing solid matter while improving recyclability. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The discharge device of the present invention comprises a mounting cap attached to the mouth of a container body, a head portion supported by the mounting cap and having a top wall portion and a cylindrical peripheral wall, and a discharge hole communicating with an outlet provided in the head portion, a first check valve positioned at the outlet portion which prevents the flow of contents from the discharge hole toward the interior of the head portion and allows the flow of contents from the interior of the head portion toward the discharge hole, and an inlet provided in the mounting cap which prevents the flow of contents from the interior of the head portion toward the interior of the container body and allows the flow of contents from the interior of the container body The head portion has a second check valve that allows the flow of contents toward the interior of the head portion, and an elastic deformation portion provided in a region extending from the rear side toward both sides, facing away from the nozzle across the axis of the head portion, and formed to be thinner than other regions of the peripheral wall, or formed to be softer than other regions of the peripheral wall by insert molding of a soft material, thereby being able to be elastically deformed more easily than other regions of the peripheral wall, and is configured such that when the top wall portion is pushed down, the elastic deformation portion elastically deforms toward the interior of the peripheral wall, causing the head portion to function as a pump. The mounting cap has a circumferential wall portion and a top wall portion provided with ventilation holes, and comprises a cap body that is attached to the opening, a dish-shaped portion provided in connection with the cap body and elastically deformable in the vertical direction, and a support portion provided in connection with the dish-shaped portion and supporting the head portion, and being movable in a direction approaching and moving away from the cap body by the elastic deformation of the dish-shaped portion, and the head portion is provided integrally with the circumferential wall and has a cylindrical portion that abuts against the outer peripheral projection of the cap body over its entire circumference and divides a ventilation space between the cap body and the dish-shaped portion that communicates with the ventilation holes, and has a communication groove provided on the inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion that, when the top wall portion is pushed down and the support portion moves in a direction approaching the cap body, faces the outer peripheral projection and connects the ventilation space to the outside of the cylindrical portion. It is characterized by the following.

[0010] In the discharge device of the present invention, it is preferable that the top wall portion has a curved shape that is convex upward in a cross section perpendicular to the radial direction from the nozzle toward the back surface.

[0012] The discharge container of the present invention is characterized by comprising the container body and any of the above-mentioned discharge devices. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a dispensing device and a dispensing container using the same that can be used for dispensing contents containing solid matter while improving recyclability. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0014] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view of a discharge container equipped with a discharge device according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a cross-sectional view of the dispensing part of the dispensing container shown in Figure 1. [Figure 3] Figure 1 is a perspective view of the discharge container in a state where the top wall is being pressed down to discharge the contents. [Figure 4] Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of the dispensing device portion of the dispensing container shown in Figure 1, in a state where the top wall is being pressed down to dispense the contents. [Figure 5] Figure 1 shows a cross-sectional view of the dispensing device portion of the dispensing container after the top wall has been pressed down to dispense the contents and then the pressure on the top wall has been released. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0015] Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings, a detailed example will be given of a dispensing device 1 and a dispensing container 2 according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0016] In this embodiment and in the claims, the vertical direction refers to the vertical direction when the discharge container 2 is in an upright position, as shown in Figures 1 and 2.

[0017] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the discharge tool 1 is assembled to the container body 3. The discharge container 2 is configured to include the discharge tool 1 and the container body 3.

[0018] As the container body 3, for example, a blow-molded bottle made of a synthetic resin material having a cylindrical mouth portion 3a and a bottomed cylindrical body portion 3b connected to the mouth portion 3a can be used. A male screw 3c is integrally provided on the outer peripheral surface of the mouth portion 3a.

[0019] In addition, the container body 3 may have various configurations with different shapes, materials, manufacturing methods, etc., as long as it has a mouth portion 3a and is configured to be able to store the content inside. For example, the container body 3 is a laminated peeling container in which an inner layer body is laminated on the inside of an outer layer body so as to be peelable, and the inner layer body peels off from the outer layer body and is reduced in volume and deformed as the content liquid is discharged; a saucer (piston) is movably incorporated inside a cylindrical container body portion formed by injection molding, and the piston rises when the inside of the container body portion becomes negative pressure as the content liquid is discharged. Such as a saucer rising type container, etc., it can be configured such that the internal space (storage portion) for storing the content liquid does not take in outside air.

[0020] The discharge tool 1 includes a mounting cap 10 that is mounted on the mouth portion 3a of the container body 3. As shown in FIG. 2, in this embodiment, the mounting cap 10 has a configuration in which a cap body 11, a dish-shaped portion 12, and a support body portion 13 are integrally formed of a synthetic resin material.

[0021] More specifically, the cap body 11 has a toped cylindrical shape having a cylindrical peripheral wall portion 11a and a top wall portion 11b centered on the axis O, and an internal thread 11c is integrally provided on the inner peripheral surface of the peripheral wall portion 11a. Further, an inlet 11d penetrating the top wall portion 11b in the vertical direction is provided at the axis of the top wall portion 11b, and a vent hole 11e penetrating the top wall portion 11b in the vertical direction is provided at a position deviated from the axis of the top wall portion 11b.

[0022] The cap body 11 is detachably attached to the mouth portion 3a of the container body 3 by screwing the female screw 11c thereof onto the male screw 3c provided on the mouth portion 3a of the container body 3. When the cap body 11 is attached to the mouth portion 3a of the container body 3, the dispenser 1 is assembled to the container body 3.

[0023] Note that the cap body 11 is not limited to the configuration of being attached to the mouth portion 3a of the container body 3 by screwing the male screw 3c and the female screw 11c. For example, it can also be configured to be attached to the mouth portion 3a of the container body 3 by other configurations such as plugging using an undercut engagement. Further, the shape of the cap body 11 can be variously changed as long as it can be attached to the mouth portion 3a of the container body 3.

[0024] The cap body 11 can also be configured to integrally include a tube holder 11f on the lower surface of the top wall portion 11b. The tube holder 11f is cylindrical and communicates with the inlet 11d at the upper end. A suction tube 20 is fitted and fixed to the tube holder 11f. The suction tube 20 communicates with the inlet 11d and extends downward from the tube holder 11f, and its lower end (not shown) is close to the bottom portion inside the container body 3.

[0025] The dish-shaped portion 12 is formed in a dish shape with a circular opening at the center, and is integrally continuous with the upper surface of the top wall portion 11b at its inner peripheral edge. Further, the dish-shaped portion 12 is inclined such that its outer peripheral edge is located above its inner peripheral edge, and is elastically deformable in the vertical direction so that the outer peripheral edge approaches and separates from the top wall portion 11b starting from the inner peripheral edge in the inclined posture.

[0026] The support portion 13 is cylindrical, is integrally continuous with the outer peripheral edge of the dish-shaped portion 12, and extends upward from the outer peripheral edge. The support portion 13 is movable in the direction of approaching and separating from the cap body 11 due to the elastic deformation of the dish-shaped portion 12. Note that the support portion 13 is in the position shown in FIG. 2 in the natural state and can move downward from the position shown in FIG. 2 due to the elastic deformation of the dish-shaped portion 12.

[0027] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the discharge device 1 includes a head portion 30. The head portion 30 comprises a top wall portion 31 and a cylindrical peripheral wall 32, and is supported by the mounting cap 10. In this embodiment, the peripheral wall 32 is cylindrical and coaxial with the peripheral wall portion 11a and the support portion 13. The lower end portion of the peripheral wall 32 is fitted around its entire circumference inside the support portion 13 of the mounting cap 10, thereby supporting the head portion 30 on the support portion 13 of the mounting cap 10. The lower part of the head portion 30 is closed by a dish-shaped portion 12 and a top wall portion 11b, and it functions as a tank capable of storing contents flowing in from an inlet 11d provided in the top wall portion 11b in its internal space S. The top wall portion 31 and the peripheral wall 32 of the head portion 30 can be integrally formed from, for example, polyethylene resin or polypropylene resin.

[0028] The head portion 30 may also be configured to include a cylindrical portion 33. The cylindrical portion 33 is cylindrical in diameter larger than the peripheral wall 32 and is provided integrally with the peripheral wall 32 on the outside of the lower end portion of the peripheral wall 32 via a flange-like portion 34. The cylindrical portion 33 also has the function of fitting onto the outer circumferential surface of the support portion 13 and holding the support portion 13 through undercut engagement.

[0029] As shown in Figure 2, the outer periphery of the top wall portion 11b of the cap body 11 is provided with an outer periphery projection 11g that protrudes radially outward along its entire circumference, and the lower end portion of the cylindrical portion 33 abuts against the outer periphery projection 11g along its entire circumference on its inner circumferential surface. As a result, an annular ventilation space 35 communicating with the ventilation hole 11e is formed between the cap body 11 and the dish-shaped portion 12.

[0030] Furthermore, a communication groove 36 is provided on the inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion 33. The communication groove 36 is a groove that extends vertically and has a length sufficient to straddle the outer circumferential projection 11g in the vertical direction. In the natural state shown in Figure 2, the communication groove 36 is located above the outer circumferential projection 11g. On the other hand, when the dish-shaped portion 12 elastically deforms and the support portion 13 moves from the position shown in Figure 1 toward the cap body 11, the communication groove 36 straddles the outer circumferential projection 11g and faces the outer circumferential projection 11g, connecting the ventilation space 35 to the outside of the cylindrical portion 33. At least one communication groove 36 is sufficient, but multiple grooves may be provided spaced apart in the circumferential direction.

[0031] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the lower end surface of the cylindrical portion 33 faces the upper end surface of the peripheral wall portion 11a, and the upper end surface of the peripheral wall portion 11a is provided with a plurality of protrusions 11h that abut against the lower end surface of the cylindrical portion 33 when the dish-shaped portion 12 elastically deforms and the support portion 13 moves from the position shown in Figure 1 towards the cap body 11, thereby securing a communication passage between the cylindrical portion 33 and the cap body 11 between the communication groove 36 and the outside.

[0032] As shown in Figure 2, the head portion 30 is provided with an outlet 37. The contents stored in the internal space S of the head portion 30 can flow out to the outside of the head portion 30 through the outlet 37.

[0033] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the head portion 30 is provided with a cylindrical mounting portion 38 that communicates with the outlet 37, and a nozzle 40 is attached to the mounting portion 38. The nozzle 40 has a discharge hole 41 that communicates with the outlet 37, and the contents supplied from the internal space S of the head portion 30 through the outlet 37 can be discharged to the outside through the discharge hole 41.

[0034] As shown in Figure 2, in this embodiment, the nozzle 40 is rotatable about the axis of the mounting portion 38. In the open position shown in Figure 2, the discharge hole 41 communicates with the outlet 37. However, in the closed position, which is reached by rotating 90 degrees about the axis of the mounting portion 38 from the position shown in Figure 2, the discharge hole 41 is closed by the closing projection 42. With this configuration, by closing the nozzle 40 during flow, it is possible to prevent the contents stored in the internal space S from unexpectedly leaking out from the outlet 37 and the discharge hole 41.

[0035] As shown in Figure 2, a first check valve 50 is positioned at the outlet 37. In this embodiment, the first check valve 50 has an annular retaining portion 51 that is clamped and fixed between a valve retainer 39 attached to the mounting portion 38 and the partition wall portion of the mounting portion 38 where the outlet 37 is provided, a valve body 52 that closes the outlet 37, and multiple (3) elastically deformable legs 53 that connect the retaining portion 51 and the valve body 52. ​​The first check valve 50 allows the flow of contents from the internal space S inside the head portion 30 toward the discharge hole 41, but operates to block the flow of contents from the discharge hole 41 toward the internal space S inside the head portion 30.

[0036] Furthermore, a second check valve 60 is positioned at the inlet 11d. In this embodiment, the second check valve 60 has an annular retaining portion 61 fitted and fixed in a recess provided in the top wall portion 11b, a valve body 62 that closes the inlet 11d, and multiple (3) elastically deformable legs 63 that connect the retaining portion 61 and the valve body 62. The second check valve 60 allows the flow of contents from the inside of the container body 3 toward the internal space S inside the head portion 30, but operates to block the flow of contents from the internal space S inside the head portion 30 toward the inside of the container body 3.

[0037] Note that the first check valve 50 and the second check valve 60 may be of other configurations as long as they operate in a manner that provides the above-described functions.

[0038] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the head portion 30 is provided with an elastically deformable portion 70. The elastically deformable portion 70 is provided in a region that extends from the back side of the head portion 30, facing away from the nozzle 40, across the axis O of the head portion 30, toward both sides. In this embodiment, the elastically deformable portion 70 extends from the region of the back side portion of the peripheral wall 32 toward the regions of both sides of the peripheral wall 32, and also extends diagonally upward from the back side toward the nozzle 40 in the regions of both sides.

[0039] The elastically deformable portion 70 is formed to be thinner than other areas of the peripheral wall 32, thereby allowing it to be elastically deformed more easily than other areas of the peripheral wall 32. Alternatively, the elastically deformable portion 70 may be formed from a softer material than the material forming the other areas of the peripheral wall 32, and integrated with the peripheral wall 32 by insert molding such as two-color molding or secondary molding, thereby being formed to be softer than other areas of the peripheral wall 32 and allowing it to be elastically deformed more easily than other areas of the peripheral wall 32.

[0040] The head portion 30 is provided with an elastic deformation portion 70, so that the top wall portion 31 functions as an operating portion. That is, when the top wall portion 31 is pushed downward from the state shown in Figures 1 and 2, the elastic deformation portion 70 elastically deforms inward of the peripheral wall 32, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, thereby reducing the volume of the internal space S of the head portion 30 and pressurizing it. At this time, the upper part of the top wall portion 31 is pushed downward by the elastic deformation of the elastic deformation portion 70, and it bends relative to the part where the elastic deformation portion 70 is not provided.

[0041] When the internal space S is pressurized, as shown in Figure 4, the first check valve 50 opens while the second check valve 60 remains closed, and the contents stored in the internal space S are discharged from the outlet 37 through the discharge hole 41 to the outside through the nozzle 40. In this way, the head portion 30 functions as a pump thanks to the elastic deformation portion 70.

[0042] After the contents are discharged and the downward pressure on the top wall portion 31 is released, the top wall portion 31 and the elastically deformable portion 70 return to their original shape due to the elastic force of the top wall portion 31 and the elastically deformable portion 70, as shown in Figure 5. At this time, the internal space S becomes negative pressure, so the second check valve 60 opens while the first check valve 50 remains closed, and the contents stored inside the container body 3 are filled into the internal space S through the suction tube 20 and the inlet 11d.

[0043] By repeatedly pressing down on the top wall portion 31 and releasing it, the contents can be appropriately discharged to the outside from the discharge hole 41 of the nozzle 40.

[0044] As shown in Figure 4, when the top wall portion 31 is pushed downward, the dish-shaped portion 12 elastically deforms due to the downward force, causing the cylindrical portion 33 to move downward and come into contact with the projection 11h. As a result, the ventilation space 35, in which the communication groove 36 faces the outer peripheral projection 11g and communicates with the ventilation hole 11e, communicates with the outside through the gap between the communication groove 36 and the adjacent projection 11h. Therefore, after the contents are discharged, when the downward pressure on the top wall portion 31 is released and the contents stored inside the container body 3 are filled into the internal space S through the suction tube 20 and the inlet 11d, outside air can be introduced into the container body 3 through the ventilation hole 11e, thereby suppressing the generation of negative pressure inside the container body 3.

[0045] Thus, the discharge device 1 to discharge container 2 according to this embodiment can discharge its contents by pressing down on the top wall portion 31 to elastically deform the elastic deformation portion 70. Therefore, the head portion 30 can function as a pump to discharge the contents without using a pump with a cylinder and piston or a metal spring. Accordingly, the discharge device 1 to discharge container 2 according to this embodiment can improve the recyclability of the discharge device 1 to discharge container 2 and can also be used for applications that discharge contents containing solid materials such as abrasives.

[0046] Furthermore, since the nozzle 40 does not move up or down when the top wall portion 31 is pressed down, it is possible to easily dispense the contents from the nozzle 40 to the desired position.

[0047] In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 1, it is preferable that the top wall portion 31 has a curved shape that is convex upward in a cross section perpendicular to the radial direction from the nozzle 40 toward the back of the head portion 30. In this embodiment, the top wall portion 31 has an arc shape in this cross section. With this configuration, when the top wall portion 31 is pushed downward and the elastic deformation portion 70 is elastically deformed and bent, a large elastic restoring force is generated in the top wall portion 31, so that when the downward pressure on the top wall portion 31 is released, the top wall portion 31 and the elastic deformation portion 70 can be restored to their original shape more quickly and reliably.

[0048] Furthermore, the shape of the upwardly extending tip portions on both sides of the elastic deformation portion 70 is preferably a semicircular shape with a radius of 1.5 mm or more, and more preferably a semicircular shape with a radius of 2.0 mm or more. With this configuration, when the top wall portion 31 is pushed downward and the elastic deformation portion 70 is elastically deformed, a greater elastic restoring force is generated in the elastic deformation portion 70, so that when the downward pressure on the top wall portion 31 is released, the top wall portion 31 and the elastic deformation portion 70 can be restored to their original shape more quickly and reliably.

[0049] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and it goes without saying that various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[0050] For example, in the above embodiment, the peripheral wall 32 of the head portion 30 is cylindrical, but it is not limited to this and may be elliptical or rectangular.

[0051] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the shape of the elastically deformable portion 70 can be changed in various ways, as long as it can elastically deform when the top wall portion 31 is pushed down, allowing the head portion 30 to function as a pump.

[0052] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, outside air is introduced into the container body 3 through the ventilation hole 11e by the elastic deformation of the dish-shaped portion 12 of the mounting cap 10, but a configuration without this configuration is also possible. In this case, for example, it is preferable to use a container body 3 that is configured so as to not introduce outside air into the container when the contents are discharged, such as a laminated peel-off container. [Explanation of symbols]

[0053] 1 Dispenser 2 Discharge container 3. Container body 3a Mouth 3b Torso 3c male screw 10. Mounting cap 11 Cap body 11a Peripheral wall part 11b Ceiling wall part 11c female thread 11d Inlet 11e Ventilation holes 11f Tube Holder 11g outer protrusion 11h protrusion 12 Disc part 13 Support part 20 Suction tube 30 Head section 31 Top wall 32 Peripheral wall 33 Cylindrical part 34 Flange-shaped portion 35 Ventilated space 36 Communication groove 37 Outlet 38 Mounting part 39 Valve retainer 40 nozzles 41 Discharge hole 42 Obstruction process 50 First check valve 51 Holding part 52 Valve body 53 Legs 60. Second check valve 61 Holding part 62 valve body 63 Legs 70 Elastic deformation part O axis S interior space

Claims

1. A mounting cap that is attached to the mouth of the container body, A head portion comprising a top wall and a cylindrical peripheral wall, supported by the mounting cap, A nozzle having a discharge hole that communicates with the outlet provided in the head portion, A first check valve is positioned at the outlet and prevents the flow of contents from the discharge hole toward the interior of the head portion, while allowing the flow of contents from the interior of the head portion toward the discharge hole. A second check valve is provided in the inlet of the mounting cap, which prevents the flow of contents from the inside of the head portion to the inside of the container body and allows the flow of contents from the inside of the container body to the inside of the head portion. The head portion has an elastic deformation portion provided in a region extending from the back side facing the opposite side from the nozzle, straddling the axis of the head portion, toward both sides, and formed to be thinner than other regions of the peripheral wall, or formed to be softer than other regions of the peripheral wall by insert molding of a soft material, thereby allowing for easier elastic deformation than other regions of the peripheral wall. When the top wall portion is pushed down, the elastic deformation portion is configured to elastically deform inward toward the peripheral wall, causing the head portion to function as a pump. The aforementioned mounting cap, The cap body has a peripheral wall portion and a top wall portion with ventilation holes, and is fitted to the opening. A dish-shaped portion is provided in connection with the cap body and is elastically deformable in the vertical direction, It has a support portion that is connected to the aforementioned dish-shaped portion, supports the head portion, and is movable in a direction toward and away from the cap body by the elastic deformation of the dish-shaped portion, The head portion is A cylindrical portion is provided integrally with the peripheral wall, abuts against the outer peripheral projection of the cap body over its entire circumference, and divides a ventilation space between the cap body and the dish-shaped portion that communicates with the ventilation hole, A discharge device characterized by having a communication groove provided on the inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion, which, when the top wall portion is pushed down and the support portion moves in a direction approaching the cap body, faces the outer circumferential projection and connects the ventilation space to the outside of the cylindrical portion.

2. The discharge device according to claim 1, wherein the top wall portion has a curved shape that is convex upward in a cross section perpendicular to the radial direction from the nozzle toward the back surface.

3. A dispensing container comprising the container body and the dispensing device described in claim 1 or 2.

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