Aerosol actuators and aerosol products

Abstract

To provide an actuator for an aerosol which can apply a content discharged from an aerosol container to an object while holding the object, and to provide an aerosol product.SOLUTION: An actuator for an aerosol is attached enclosing a stem provided at an upper part of an aerosol container and has: a body which is connected to the stem and may press down the stem. The body has a holding part which can hold an object in a manner that a content discharged from the stem can be applied to the object.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an actuator for an aerosol that can apply a content to an object previously held in a main body portion, and an aerosol product including the same.

Background Art

[0002] Normally, a toothbrush is stored by inserting it into a cup placed on a washstand or the like after use, or by inserting it into a toothbrush holder attached to the washstand. However, if a toothbrush containing moisture is left unattended, germs will multiply, which is not hygienically preferable. To solve such problems, for example, Patent Documents 1 to 3 disclose various toothbrush sterilization devices.

[0003] On the other hand, when the disinfectant for a toothbrush is filled in an aerosol container, in order to use it for disinfecting a toothbrush, it is conceivable to hold the toothbrush with one hand and discharge the disinfectant in the aerosol container onto the brush portion. However, since disinfection does not end in a short time, a sufficient disinfection effect cannot be obtained unless the toothbrush onto which the disinfectant has been discharged is placed somewhere, or the disinfectant is filled into another container and the toothbrush is stood in it. However, when directly placing it, the disinfectant may drip onto the place where it is placed, or when standing it in another container, it is necessary to prepare another container, and the appropriate amount of the disinfectant is not clearly known, which may lead to insufficient disinfection or excessive use of the disinfectant.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Patent Document 3

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] The present invention solves the above problems, and its objective is to provide an aerosol actuator and an aerosol product that can apply the contents dispensed from an aerosol container to an object while holding the object. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The aerosol actuator of the present invention is mounted around a stem provided at the top of an aerosol container and has a main body that is connected to the stem and capable of pressing down on the stem. The main body has a holding portion that can hold an object so that the contents dispensed from the stem can be applied to it. death, The main body has a roughly cup shape with one end open in the vertical direction. The main body can be switched between a state where the top is open and a state where the bottom is open. This will solve the above-mentioned problems.

[0007] The aerosol product of the present invention is characterized by comprising an aerosol container and an aerosol actuator mounted around a stem provided at the top of the aerosol container. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the aerosol actuator and aerosol product of the present invention, by having a holding part that can hold an object so that the contents dispensed from the stem can be applied to the object, the contents dispensed from the aerosol container can be applied to the object simply by pressing the main body downwards while the object is held in the holding part. As a result, it is easy for the user to operate, such as being operable with one hand, and high convenience is obtained.

[0009] Furthermore, if the main body of the aerosol actuator of the present invention is configured to be interchangeable between an open top and an open bottom, by attaching it in the open top position, the object can be held in the holding part and function as a holder. On the other hand, by attaching it to the aerosol container in the open bottom position, the main body can function as a cap, preventing the stem from being accidentally pressed down when not in use. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view showing the use of an aerosol actuator according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] Figure 1 is a partial cross-sectional view of an aerosol actuator. [Figure 3] This is a perspective view showing the aerosol actuator according to the first embodiment of the present invention when not in use. [Figure 4] Figure 3 is a partial cross-sectional view of an aerosol actuator. [Figure 5] (a) is a perspective view of the aerosol actuator shown in Figure 1, viewed from above, and (b) is a perspective view showing the aerosol actuator in (a) with an object being held in place. [Figure 6] This is a perspective view showing the use of an aerosol actuator according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] Figure 6 is a partial cross-sectional view of an aerosol actuator. [Figure 8] This is a perspective view showing an aerosol actuator according to a second embodiment of the present invention in an unused state. [Figure 9] Figure 8 is a partial cross-sectional view of an aerosol actuator. [Figure 10] (a) is a perspective view of the aerosol actuator shown in Figure 6, viewed from above, and (b) is a perspective view showing the aerosol actuator in (a) with an object being held in place. [Figure 11]It is a partial cross-sectional view showing the use of the aerosol actuator according to the third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] It is a perspective view of the aerosol actuator shown in FIG. 11 as viewed from above. [Figure 13] It is a horizontal cross-sectional view of the main body of the aerosol actuator shown in FIG. 11. [Figure 14] It is a perspective view showing the aerosol actuator according to the third embodiment of the present invention when not in use. [Figure 15] It is a cross-sectional view of the aerosol actuator shown in FIG. 14. [Figure 16] It is a perspective view showing the use of the aerosol actuator according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0011] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail. 〔First Embodiment〕 The aerosol product 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention can spray and apply the content in the aerosol container 101 while holding an object with the aerosol actuator 110. For example, by using a toothbrush as the object and a disinfectant as the content of the aerosol container 101, it can be configured to obtain a disinfection effect by the disinfectant discharged from the aerosol container 101 while holding the toothbrush. However, the object and the content of the aerosol container 101 are not limited to these. For example, the content may be a dentifrice, a cleaning agent, or a shaving agent instead of a disinfectant, the object may be a razor instead of a toothbrush, or it may be cutlery such as a fork or a spoon. Also, different objects may be simultaneously used as the application target of the content. In the following embodiments, a toothbrush will be described as the object and a disinfectant as the content of the aerosol container 101.

[0012] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the aerosol product 100 of this embodiment consists of an aerosol container 101 that extends vertically and an aerosol actuator 110 (hereinafter also simply referred to as "actuator") that is mounted around the stem 102 of a valve mechanism that protrudes upward from the aerosol container 101. The aerosol container 101 is filled with a disinfectant composition containing a disinfectant component and a propellant component. The disinfectant is designed to be, for example, a mist when sprayed from the stem 102, but it can also be a foam, paste, or cream. If the contents are in a form that retains shape well, such as a foam, paste, or cream, the appropriate amount of contents discharged from the stem 102 of the aerosol container 101 can be determined by determining the discharge amount of the contents based on the volume of the storage space in the main body 120, as will be described later. In this embodiment, the aerosol container 101 is preferably one that is tall enough so that the held toothbrush does not come into contact with the ground surface, considering that the actuator 110 also functions as a toothbrush holder. For example, a container with a diameter of 50 mm and a height of about 150 mm can be used, but is not limited to this.

[0013] An aerosol actuator 110 according to the first embodiment of the present invention is attached to the upper stem 102 of an aerosol container 101 and has a main body portion 120 that is connected to the stem 102 of the aerosol container 101 and capable of pressing the stem 102, and a button member 140 that is interposed between the main body portion 120 and the stem 102 and capable of pressing the stem 102. The main body portion 120 is provided with a holding portion 150 (see Figure 5) that can hold a toothbrush so that it can apply the disinfectant dispensed from the stem 102.

[0014] The button member 140 has a roughly cylindrical tubular portion 141 that extends vertically and has a closed upper end, and a flange portion 142 that supports a main body portion 120 that extends radially outward at the lower part of the tubular portion 141. A nozzle 143 is formed at the tip of the button member 140, and a flow path 144 is formed inside the tubular portion 141 of the button member 140 to guide the contents discharged from the tip of the stem 102 (discharge port 104) to the nozzle 143. The nozzle 143 is formed in such a way that it sprays the contents radially into the upper side wall of the tubular portion 141. The lower part of the flow path 144 has a larger diameter than the upper part and an inner diameter that matches the outer diameter of the stem 102, and the stem 102 is fitted into the flow path 144 at the lower part of the button member 140, thereby fixing them together. In this specification, "up" and "down" refer to directions generally recognized by the user, and "vertical direction" refers to the direction with the stem side of the aerosol container facing "up". Furthermore, "circumferential direction" refers to the direction of rotation around the axis of the "vertical direction", and "radial direction" refers to the direction toward the axis in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the "vertical direction".

[0015] The main body 120 has a bottom wall 126 and a peripheral wall 125 extending vertically from the outer edge of the bottom wall 126, and is roughly cup-shaped with one end open in the vertical direction. It has a notch 130 that extends in the vertical direction. The notch 130 has a rectangular recess 131 that extends radially inward and is formed in the bottom wall 126 at a position corresponding to the holding portion 150, and a groove 132 that divides the peripheral wall 125 in the circumferential direction. The recess 131 and the groove 132 are in communication, so that the notch extends in the vertical direction. The notch 130 has a shape that is continuously open to the open end of the peripheral wall 125 (the upper end in Figure 1). The distance of the recess 131 from the insertion hole 121 should be sufficient to support at least the brush portion of the toothbrush in the bottom wall 126, and the size of the recess 131 in the radial and circumferential directions can be, for example, large enough to accommodate and hold the handle of a toothbrush in the recess 131. A protruding plate 127 is installed at the radial inner end of the recess 131 to prevent disinfectant dripping from the toothbrush from spilling outside the main body 120. The main body 120 can be switched between a state where the top is open and a state where the bottom is open. By attaching it to the button member 140 in the state where the top is open, the holding part 150 can hold the object (toothbrush) in a position where the brush part is facing upwards, allowing it to function as a holder. On the other hand, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, by attaching it to the aerosol container 101 in the state where the bottom is open so that it abuts against the mountain cup 103 and shoulder 105, it can function as a cap for the aerosol container 101 when not in use, such as during sale.

[0016] An insertion hole 121 for inserting the button member 140 is formed in the center of the bottom wall 126 of the main body 120. This insertion hole 121 is sized so that the cylindrical portion 141 of the button member 140 can be inserted through it, but the flange portion 142 cannot. The main body 120 is positioned such that the cylindrical portion 141 of the button member 140 is inserted through this insertion hole 121, the nozzle 143 of the button member 140 faces the holding portion 150 inside the main body 120, and the main body 120 engages with the flange portion 142 of the button member 140, resting on the flange portion 142. In this way, the main body 120 is supported by the button member 140 in a state where the button member 140 and the stem 102 integrally fitted thereto can be pressed by pressing the main body 120 downwards. Multiple engagement recesses 122 are formed in the insertion hole 121 of the main body 120, extending radially and continuously from the insertion hole 121. Engagement protrusions 145 (see Figure 5) are formed on the flange portion 142 of the button member 140, corresponding to the engagement recesses 122. These engagement recesses 122 of the main body 120 and engagement protrusions 145 of the button member 140 engage with each other, restricting the circumferential rotation of the main body 120. Alternatively, without forming the engagement protrusions 145, and without restricting the circumferential rotation of the main body 120, the disinfectant agent may be sprayed for each of the multiple toothbrushes held by the multiple holding portions 150 by rotating the main body 120 to bring each toothbrush toward the spray nozzle 143 and pressing the main body 120 downward each time.

[0017] As shown in Figure 5, there are multiple, for example, four, holding parts 150, which are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction along the inner surface of the peripheral wall 125. That is, they are arranged at equal distances in all four directions around the insertion hole 121 within the main body 120. Because the multiple holding parts 150 are arranged in this way, when a toothbrush is held in each of the holding parts 150, the center of gravity is near the center, resulting in excellent balance and preventing problems such as tipping over when the holder is in use. The holding portion 150 is specifically formed by two parallel partition plates 123 and a notch 130. The two partition plates 123 of one holding portion 150 are shaped to support both sides of the brush portion of a toothbrush, and specifically protrude inward radially from the inner surface of the peripheral wall 125 of the main body portion 120 and are suspended from the bottom wall 126. The main body portion 120 of the actuator 110 according to this embodiment has eight partition plates 123, with one set of adjacent partition plates 123 that together form one holding portion 150 being arranged in parallel, and the other set of adjacent partition plates 123 that form adjacent holding portions 150 being arranged at right angles. Two adjacent partition plates 123 arranged at right angles to each other are integrally formed to be continuous by an auxiliary leg plate 124 with a circular arc cross-section along the peripheral wall 125, which contacts the mountain cup 103 of the aerosol container 101 and supports the main body portion 120 when the main body portion 120 is functioning as a cap. The vertical height of the partition plate 123 should be lower than the auxiliary leg plate 124 and should be high enough to support the toothbrush so that the brush head does not shift from side to side. Each divided wall 125a, separated by the groove 132 in the peripheral wall 125, has a height that allows it to contact the shoulder 105 of the aerosol container 101 and support the main body 120 when the main body 120 is used as a cap.

[0018] The operation and function of the aerosol product 100 of the present invention, configured as described above, will now be explained. When a user hooks a toothbrush into the notch 130 of the holding part 150 with the brush part facing upward, and presses the main body part 120 downward in this state, the stem 102 is pushed down via the button member 140, which opens a valve mechanism (not shown) inside the mountain cup 103, and the contents (disinfectant) are sprayed radially outward from the nozzle 143 of the button member 140. The disinfectant is sprayed directly onto the brush part of the toothbrush, applying the disinfectant to the toothbrush and exerting a disinfecting effect. On the other hand, when the user stops pressing the main body part 120, the stem 102 automatically returns to its original position due to the elastic force of the spring built into the valve, and the button member 140 and the main body part 120 also return to their original positions. In this state, the main body part 120 functions as a toothbrush holder, so that the toothbrush can be stored hygienically after use. Furthermore, the notch 130 in the main body 120 prevents moisture from accumulating inside the main body 120, making it easier to dry the toothbrush, and thus allowing for more hygienic storage of the toothbrush.

[0019] [Second Embodiment] Figure 6 is a perspective view showing the aerosol actuator of the second embodiment of the present invention in use, Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of the aerosol actuator of Figure 6, Figure 8 is a perspective view showing the aerosol actuator of the second embodiment of the present invention in a non-use state, Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view of the aerosol actuator of Figure 8, Figure 10(a) is a perspective view of the aerosol actuator of Figure 6 viewed from above, and Figure 10(b) is a perspective view showing the aerosol actuator of Figure 10(a) with an object being held. The aerosol actuator 210 according to the second embodiment has the same configuration as the aerosol actuator 110 according to the first embodiment, except that the specific shapes of the peripheral wall 225 and the bottom wall 226 of the main body 220 are different. Components having the same configuration as the aerosol actuator 110 according to the first embodiment are indicated by the same reference numerals. The main body 220 has a bottom wall 226 and a peripheral wall 225 extending vertically from the outer edge of the bottom wall 226, and is substantially cup-shaped with one end open in the vertical direction. The height of the peripheral wall 225 is the same all around, and it does not have a notch 130 like the aerosol actuator 110 of the first embodiment.

[0020] Multiple holding parts 250 are formed, for example, four of them, and these multiple holding parts 250 are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction along the inner surface of the peripheral wall 225. That is, they are arranged within the main body 220 at equal distances in all four directions from the insertion hole 121. Because the multiple holding parts 250 are arranged in this way, when a toothbrush is held in each of the holding parts 250, the center of gravity is near the center, resulting in excellent balance and preventing problems such as tipping over when the holder is in use. Specifically, the holding section 250 is formed by being surrounded by two parallel partition plates 123 and a peripheral wall 225. The two partition plates 123 of one holding section 150 are shaped to support both sides of the brush portion of the toothbrush, and specifically, they protrude radially inward from the inner surface of the peripheral wall 225 of the main body 220 and are suspended from the bottom wall 226 to support the toothbrush in an inverted position. The vertical height of the partition plates 123 should be lower than the auxiliary leg plate 124 and should be high enough to support the toothbrush in an inverted position. The peripheral wall 225 has a height that contacts the shoulder 105 of the aerosol container 101 and supports the main body 220 when the main body 220 is used as a cap, and the height of the peripheral wall 125 is the same all around. Since the peripheral wall 125 is the same height all around, the inside of the main body 120 can function as a storage space for the contents.

[0021] The main body 220, like the main body 120 of the actuator 110 according to the first embodiment, is also interchangeable between a state where the top is open and a state where the bottom is open. By attaching it to the button member 140 in the state where the top is open, the holding part 250 can hold the object (toothbrush) in an inverted position with the brush part facing downwards, allowing it to function as a holder. On the other hand, by attaching it to the aerosol container 101 in the state where the bottom is open so that it contacts the mountain cup 103 and shoulder 105, it can function as a cap for the aerosol container 101 when not in use, such as during sale. The main body 220 of the actuator 210 in this embodiment can prevent the stem from being pressed down when not in use when functioning as a cap, and can also prevent dust and other debris from entering around the stem 102 of the aerosol container 101 and into the main body 220.

[0022] In this embodiment, the aerosol container 101 is preferably low in height, taking into consideration that the actuator 110 also functions as a toothbrush holder. For example, a container with a diameter of 50 mm and a height of about 100 mm can be used, but is not limited to this.

[0023] In an aerosol product having the actuator 210 configured as described above, when a user inverts a toothbrush in the holder 250 with the brush part facing downwards, and presses the main body 220 downwards in this state, the stem 102 is pushed down via the button member 140, opening a valve mechanism (not shown) inside the mountain cup 103, and the contents (disinfectant) are sprayed radially outward from the nozzle 143 of the button member 140. The disinfectant is applied to the brush part of the toothbrush by spraying it, or by immersing the brush part of the toothbrush in the disinfectant stored in the main body 220, causing the toothbrush to come into contact with the disinfectant and exert its disinfecting effect. On the other hand, when the user stops pressing the main body 220, the stem 102 automatically returns to its original position due to the elastic force of the spring built into the valve, and the button member 140 and the main body 220 also return to their original positions. In this state, the main body 220 functions as a toothbrush holder, so that the toothbrush can be stored hygienically after use.

[0024] [Third Embodiment] Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view showing the aerosol actuator of the third embodiment of the present invention in use, Figure 12 is a perspective view of the aerosol actuator of Figure 11 viewed from above, Figure 13 is a horizontal cross-sectional view of the main body of the aerosol actuator of Figure 11, Figure 14 is a perspective view showing the aerosol actuator of the third embodiment of the present invention when not in use, and Figure 15 is a cross-sectional view of the aerosol actuator of Figure 14. The aerosol actuator 310 according to the third embodiment has the same configuration as the aerosol actuator 110 according to the first embodiment, except that the main body does not have an insertion hole formed therein, and a button member is formed integrally with the main body at that position. Components having the same configuration as the aerosol actuator 110 according to the first embodiment are indicated by the same reference numerals.

[0025] The main body 320 has a bottom wall 326 and a peripheral wall 125 extending vertically from the outer edge of the bottom wall 326, and is roughly cup-shaped with one end open in the vertical direction and having a notch 130 extending in the vertical direction. A roughly cylindrical button member 340 is integrally and continuously projected from the center of the bottom wall 326, extending in the same direction as the peripheral wall 125 and having a closed upper end. As shown in Figures 12 and 13, multiple nozzles 343 are formed at the tip of the button member 340, facing each of the multiple (four) holding parts 150, and a flow path 344 is formed inside the button member 340 to guide the contents discharged from the tip of the stem 102 (discharge port 104) to the nozzles 343. The nozzles 343 are formed to spray the contents radially into the upper side wall of the button member 340. The lower part of the flow path 344 has a larger diameter than the upper part and an inner diameter that matches the outer diameter of the stem 102. By fitting the stem 102 into the flow path 344 at the bottom of the button member 340, the main body 320 can be attached to the aerosol container 101. This supports the main body 320 in a state where pressing the main body 320 downwards will allow the fitted stem 102 to be pressed down.

[0026] The main body 320 can be attached to the stem 102 with the top open, or reattached so that it contacts the mountain cup 103 and shoulder 105 of the aerosol container 101 with the bottom open. When attached with the top open, the holding part 150 can hold the object (toothbrush) with the brush part facing upwards, allowing it to function as a holder. On the other hand, as shown in Figures 14 and 15, when attached with the bottom open, it can function as a cap for the aerosol container 101 when not in use, such as at the time of sale.

[0027] [Fourth Embodiment] Figure 16 is a perspective view showing the use of an aerosol actuator according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. The aerosol actuator 410 according to the fourth embodiment has the same configuration as the aerosol actuator 110 according to the first embodiment, except that the specific shape of the peripheral wall 425 of the main body portion 420 is different. Components having the same configuration as the aerosol actuator 110 according to the first embodiment are indicated by the same reference numerals. The peripheral wall portion 425 of the main body portion 420 does not have a shape in which the notch 130 is continuously open to the open end of the peripheral wall 125, as in the aerosol actuator 110 of the first embodiment. Instead, the open end sides of the circumferentially divided walls 425a are integrally connected in the circumferential direction by a bridge portion 425b, thereby forming an insertion opening 430 into which an object is inserted, instead of a notch 130. The insertion opening 430 has the same configuration as the notch 130 of the first embodiment, except that its open end is not open. The height of the peripheral wall 425 is the same all around. With this type of aerosol actuator 410, the bridge portion 425b integrally connects the divided walls 425a, and the insertion opening 430 is not notched, resulting in high strength in the main body 420. When the main body 420 is used as a cap, even when subjected to a load from above, the main body 420 (cap) is prevented from moving downward, and the gap between the divided walls 425a is prevented from widening, thus preventing damage to the divided walls 425a. As a result, high durability is achieved. Furthermore, when used as a holder, even if the user repeatedly applies the contents by pressing the main body 420 downward, damage to the divided walls 425a of the main body 420 is prevented, resulting in high durability.

[0028] Although the aerosol actuators according to each embodiment of the present invention have been described in detail above, the embodiments of the aerosol actuators are not limited to the examples described above, and various modifications can be made. For example, the number of holding parts is not limited to four, but can be increased or decreased as appropriate depending on the size of the object, etc. Furthermore, for example, the configuration of the main body and the configuration of the button member according to each of the above embodiments can be combined as appropriate. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0029] 100···············Aerosol products 101···············Aerosol container 102··············Stem 103··············Mountain Cup 104······························Discharge port 105··············Shoulder 110, 210, 310, 410... Actuators for aerosols 120, 220, 320, 420... Main unit 121··············Insertion hole 122··············Engagement recess 123···············Internet board 124... Auxiliary leg plate 125, 225, 425...peripheral wall 125a...425a...Dividing wall 425b...Bridge section 127... Convex plate 126, 226, 326... Bottom wall 130, 430... Notches 131···············Concave 132················· Groove 140, 340·······Button parts 141···············Cylindrical part 142················Flange section 143, 343... Injection port 144, 344...channel 145... Engaging protrusion 150, 250··································holding part

Claims

1. It is attached around the stem provided at the top of the aerosol container, and has a main body that is connected to the stem and capable of pressing down on the stem. The main body has a holding portion that can hold an object so that the contents dispensed from the stem can be applied to it. The main body has a roughly cup shape with one end open in the vertical direction. The aerosol actuator is characterized in that the main body can be switched between a state where the top is open and a state where the bottom is open.

2. The aerosol actuator according to Claim 1, characterized in that the holding portion is formed having a vertically extending notch formed in the main body portion.

3. The aerosol actuator according to Claim 1, characterized in that the holding portion is formed having a partition plate that protrudes radially inward from the inner surface of the peripheral wall of the main body portion and supports an object so as to be able to stand upright.

4. Having a plurality of the holding parts, The aerosol actuator according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that a plurality of the holding parts are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction on the main body.

5. The invention further comprises a button member interposed between the main body and the stem, The aerosol actuator according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the button member has a flow path inside that communicates with the discharge port of the stem, and the spray port, which is the outlet of the flow path, is provided within the main body so as to face the holding portion.

6. The aerosol actuator according to claim 5, characterized in that a plurality of spray nozzles are provided so as to face each of the plurality of holding parts.

7. The aerosol container comprises an aerosol actuator mounted around a stem provided on the upper part of the aerosol container, An aerosol product characterized in that the aerosol actuator is the aerosol actuator described in any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. The aerosol product according to claim 7, characterized in that the contents inside the aerosol container have one of the following forms when sprayed from the stem: mist, foam, or paste.

9. The aerosol product according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the contents of the aerosol container are a disinfectant or toothpaste.

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