Dispensing spout and container with dispensing spout

Abstract

To provide a spout for pouring-out and a container with a spout for pouring-out with which a flow path for a content can be easily opened and closed, and furthermore, that can automatically close an air flow path as pouring-out progresses even if a main container is flexible.SOLUTION: A spout for pouring-out includes: a pouring-out cylinder part 10 having an opening part 11a at a tip part 11; a mounting part 50 attached to a mouth part 121 of a filling object container 120 that receives a content poured out from the opening part 11a; an air flow path 18a that releases air discharged from the filling object container 120 as the content is received; and a float member 60 that can be displaced along the pouring-out cylinder part 10. The float member 60 is displaced so as to close the air flow path 18a by coming into contact with the content poured out from the opening part 11a.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a pouring spout and a container with a pouring spout.

Background Art

[0002] In Patent Document 1, a screw that engages with a screw on the outer surface of the cylindrical opening of the main body container is provided on the inner surface of the tip of the cylindrical portion of the spout, and a tube body that can be inserted into the cylindrical opening of the main body container is provided inside the cylindrical portion. A spout for a refill container is described. In Patent Document 2, a spout main body having a pouring cylinder portion and a movable member that can move along the axial direction of the pouring cylinder portion are provided. The movable member has a closing portion of the content flow path and an air flow path. A pouring spout in which the content flow path and the air flow path are opened by moving the movable member from the tip side to the base end side is described.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the spout for a refill container described in Patent Document 1, a function of opening and closing the cylindrical opening of the main body container in a state where the main body container is connected to the filling target container is not shown. Therefore, it is necessary to open the cylindrical opening before connection and perform the connection work carefully so that the contents do not leak. The dispensing spout described in Patent Document 2 is equipped with a mechanism that automatically opens the contents channel and air channel in conjunction with operations such as inserting the tip of the movable member into the container to be dispensed. However, when the main container to which the dispensing spout is attached is flexible, there is a risk that the main container may bend between the dispensing spout and the body, making it difficult to operate while holding the body.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and aims to provide a dispensing spout and a container with a dispensing spout that can easily open and close the contents channel even if the main container is flexible, and that can automatically close the air channel as dispensing progresses. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] To solve the aforementioned problems, the present invention provides a dispensing spout comprising: a dispensing cylinder having an opening at its tip; a mounting portion attached to the mouth of a container that receives the contents dispensed from the opening; an air passage for releasing air discharged from the container as the contents are received; and a float member that is displaceable along the dispensing cylinder, wherein the float member displaces to close the air passage by coming into contact with the contents dispensed from the opening.

[0007] The air passage may protrude from the mounting portion toward the tip of the dispensing cylinder portion. The float member may, when it rises due to the buoyancy of the contents, come into contact with the wall or end of the air passage, thereby closing the air passage.

[0008] The dispensing cylinder portion has a closing portion on the tip side and an operating portion on the base side of the dispensing cylinder portion, wherein the operating portion can displace the dispensing cylinder portion at least from the base side to the tip side of the dispensing cylinder portion, and the closing portion can open the opening when it is located on the base side of the dispensing cylinder portion and close the opening when it is located on the tip side of the dispensing cylinder portion. The closing portion can also be displaced in a direction traversing the opening in conjunction with the displacement of the opening / closing member.

[0009] Furthermore, the present invention provides a container with a dispensing spout, characterized by comprising the aforementioned dispensing spout and a body for containing the contents. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the present invention, even if the main container is flexible, it is possible to provide a dispensing spout and a container with a dispensing spout that can easily open and close the contents channel and can also automatically close the air channel as dispensing progresses. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view showing the first connecting portion side of the dispensing spout of the first embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a perspective view showing the opening / closing member side of the dispensing spout of the first embodiment. [Figure 3] This is a cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of the dispensing spout of the first embodiment. [Figure 4] This is a cross-sectional view showing the state in which the float member is blocking the air passage. [Figure 5] This is a cross-sectional view showing the state in which the opening / closing member closes the contents flow path. [Figure 6] This is a cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of the dispensing spout of the second embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0012] The present invention will be described below based on preferred embodiments.

[0013] Figures 1 to 5 illustrate the pouring spout 100 of the first embodiment. FIGS. 1 and 2 are perspective views of the pouring spout 100. In FIG. 1, the connecting portion 30 is shown on the front side, and in FIG. 2, the opening / closing member 20 is shown on the front side. FIG. 3 shows the internal structure of the pouring spout 100. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the state where the float member 60 closes the air flow path 18a. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the state where the opening / closing member 20 closes the content flow path 16.

[0014] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the pouring spout 100 has a pouring cylinder portion 10 having an opening 11a at the tip portion 11, a mounting portion 50 mounted on the mouth portion 121 of the filling target container 120 that receives the content poured out from the opening 11a, and a connecting portion 30 connected to the mouth portion 111 of the main body container 110 that stores the content.

[0015] In the pouring cylinder portion 10 of the illustrated example, a receiving cylinder portion 14 is formed toward the main body container 110. The receiving cylinder portion 14 is connected to the main body container 110 so as to receive the content from the main body container 110. The direction in which the tip portion 11 of the pouring cylinder portion 10 is inserted into the filling target container 120 extends in a direction different from the direction in which the receiving cylinder portion 14 is connected to the main body container 110. In the example shown in FIG. 3, the insertion direction with respect to the filling target container 120 is downward in the paper surface, and the connection direction with respect to the main body container 110 is leftward in the paper surface.

[0016] The angle formed by the connection direction with respect to the main body container 110 and the insertion direction with respect to the filling target container 120 is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, about 90°. Although not particularly shown, the insertion direction may be the same as the connection direction. The central axis of the insertion direction may be arranged parallel to the central axis of the connection direction, or may be located on the same straight line.

[0017] In this specification, the front end side of the pouring cylinder portion 10 is the side that faces the filling target container 120 from the pouring cylinder portion 10 among the two directions along the insertion direction of the tip portion 11 with respect to the filling target container 120. Also, the base end side of the pouring cylinder portion 10 is the side that faces the pouring cylinder portion 10 from the filling target container 120.

[0018] In the case of the illustrated example, the proximal end portion 12 of the dispensing cylinder portion 10 is located on the proximal end side as viewed from the distal end portion 11. In the example shown in FIG. 3, the distal end side of the dispensing cylinder portion 10 is on the lower side of the paper surface, and the proximal end side of the dispensing cylinder portion 10 is on the upper side of the paper surface.

[0019] The shapes of the main body container 110 and the filling target container 120 shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 3 only show a schematic positional relationship with respect to the dispensing spout 100, and do not imply the actual shape. The dimensions of the main body container 110 and the filling target container 120 shown by the virtual line are also shown smaller in order to distinguish the mouth portions 111, 121 and the body portions 112, 122, and do not represent the actual ratio with respect to the dispensing spout 100.

[0020] The main body container 110 has a mouth portion 111 attached to the dispensing spout 100 and a body portion 112 for containing the content. The main body container 110 may have self-standing properties, or may be a container without self-standing properties like a flat bag. The dispensing spout 100 can be attached to the main body container 110 to form a container with a dispensing spout. The container with a dispensing spout includes a body portion 112 for containing the content.

[0021] The filling target container 120 is a counterpart container that receives the content of the main body container 110 dispensed from the opening 11a of the dispensing cylinder portion 10. The filling target container 120 has a mouth portion 121 attached to the dispensing spout 100 and a body portion 122 filled with the content. The filling target container 120 may have self-standing properties, or may be a container without self-standing properties like a flat bag.

[0022] The main body container 110 may also be a refill container for transferring the content to the filling target container 120. The ratio between the amount of the content stored in the main body container 110 and the capacity of the filling target container 120 is not particularly limited. The main body container 110 may be sufficient for one refill of the filling target container 120, or may be sufficient for multiple refills.

[0023] The container to be filled 120 is not particularly limited and can include refillable containers, measuring containers, and various other containers. The dispensing spout 100 of the embodiment can be suitably applied to a refilling system in which the main container 110 is a flexible packaging container such as a pouch container and the container to be filled 120 is a bottle container, but is not limited to these combinations.

[0024] The connecting portion 30 is cap-shaped, having an outer cylindrical portion 31 with a threaded portion 32 and a top surface portion 33 with a fitting portion 34 for the receiving cylindrical portion 14. In the illustrated example, the connecting portion 30 is a connecting member formed as a separate component from the dispensing cylinder portion 10. Although not specifically shown, the connecting portion 30 may also be formed integrally with the dispensing cylinder portion 10.

[0025] The threaded portion 32 formed on the inner surface of the outer cylinder portion 31 allows the dispensing spout 100 to be fastened to the mouth portion 111 of the main container 110 via the connecting portion 30. A flange-shaped connecting base portion 15 is formed on the outer circumference of the receiving cylinder portion 14. The connecting base portion 15 can also be used, for example, when connecting the connecting portion 30 to the receiving cylinder portion 14 or the mouth portion 111 using machinery, jigs, etc.

[0026] The center of the top surface 33 is open toward the receiving cylinder 14. A tapered cylinder 35 is formed from the opening of the top surface 33 toward the main container 110. The outer cylinder 31 and the tapered cylinder 35 are arranged concentrically, and the mouth 111 of the main container 110 can be inserted between the outer cylinder 31 and the tapered cylinder 35. The inner surface of the mouth 111 is in close contact with the tapered cylinder 35, making it difficult for the contents to get into the gap between the outer cylinder 31 and the tapered cylinder 35.

[0027] The mounting portion 50 is cap-shaped, having an outer cylindrical portion 51 with a threaded portion 52 and a top surface portion 53 that can be fitted onto the dispensing cylinder portion 10. In the illustrated example, the mounting portion 50 is a mounting member formed as a separate component from the dispensing cylinder portion 10. Although not specifically shown, the mounting portion 50 may also be integrally formed with the dispensing cylinder portion 10.

[0028] The threaded portion 52 formed on the inner surface of the outer cylinder portion 51 allows the dispensing spout 100 to be fastened to the mouth portion 121 of the container 120 to be filled via the mounting portion 50. A flange-shaped mounting base portion 13 is formed on the outer circumference of the dispensing cylinder portion 10. The mounting base portion 13 can also be used, for example, when attaching the mounting portion 50 to the dispensing cylinder portion 10 or the mouth portion 121 using a machine, jig, etc.

[0029] The center of the top surface 53 is open so that the dispensing cylinder portion 10 can be inserted. The outer circumferential surface of the dispensing cylinder portion 10 has annularly formed connecting portion 13a that protrudes in a rib-like manner. When the top surface 53 is fitted between the connecting portion 13a and the mounting base portion 13, the mounting portion 50 is secured so that it does not fall off the dispensing cylinder portion 10. Furthermore, by rotating the mounting portion 50 around the dispensing cylinder portion 10, the threaded portion 52 can be fastened or released from the mouth portion 121 of the container 120 to be filled, without changing the orientation of the dispensing cylinder portion 10.

[0030] The mounting base 13 has an air passage 18a formed therein to release air that is discharged from the container 120 to be filled as the contents are received. A float member 60 that can be displaced along the dispensing cylinder 10 is arranged in the air passage 18a.

[0031] The air passage 18a is surrounded by a wall portion 18 formed integrally with the dispensing cylinder portion 10 on the outer circumference of the dispensing cylinder portion 10. Although not specifically shown, the wall portion 18 forming the air passage 18a may be formed as a separate component from the dispensing cylinder portion 10. In the illustrated example, the wall portion 18 is molded integrally with the dispensing cylinder portion 10, so the air passage 18a is not displaced relative to the dispensing cylinder portion 10. Since the float member 60 is displaceable, the air passage 18a may be fixed relative to the dispensing cylinder portion 10.

[0032] The float member 60 is held within the air passage 18a. For example, by locking the locking portion 63a formed on the upper end portion 63 of the float member 60 to the mounting base portion 13, it is prevented from falling off towards the tip. A bulge portion 61 is formed at the lower end portion of the float member 60. The bulge portion 61 has a liquid-contacting portion 61a on the lower side and a contact portion 61b on the upper side.

[0033] The bulge portion 61 and the upper end portion 63 are connected by a support column portion 62. When the locking portion 63a is locked to the mounting base portion 13, the bulge portion 61 is located below the air passage 18a. That is, the float member 60, with its upper end portion 63 locked to the mounting base portion 13, is suspended so that the bulge portion 61 is inserted into the container 120 to be filled.

[0034] The float member 60 can be displaced to close the air passage 18a by coming into contact with the contents dispensed from the dispensing cylinder 10. For example, as shown in Figure 4, when the liquid level L of the contents dispensed into the container 120 to be filled rises, the liquid-contacting portion 61a of the bulge 61 comes into contact with the liquid level L. As the float member 60 rises due to the buoyancy of the contents, the contact portion 61b of the bulge 61 closes the lower end of the air passage 18a.

[0035] When the air passage 18a is closed, it becomes difficult for air inside the container to be filled 120 to flow out to the outside, thus preventing the contents from continuing to flow in from the main container 110. As a result, even if it is not possible to confirm the amount of contents being poured from the main container 110 into the container to be filled 120, it is possible to suppress the over-dispensing of contents and leakage from the container to be filled 120.

[0036] In the illustrated example, the air passage 18a protrudes from the mounting portion 50 toward the tip of the dispensing cylinder portion 10. This allows the height of the liquid level L when the float member 60 closes the air passage 18a to be appropriately set. For example, the rise of the liquid level L can be stopped or slowed down below the upper end of the mouth portion 121 of the container to be filled 120. In the illustrated example, the lower end of the air passage 18a is located below the mounting portion 50.

[0037] As described above, the shape of the container 120 to be filled is schematic, so the height of the liquid level L when dispensing is stopped can be arbitrarily set with respect to the opening 121. For example, if the container 120 to be filled has a shoulder 123 between the opening 121 and the body 122, it is possible to stop the liquid level L within the range of the shoulder 123. It is also possible to stop the liquid level L within the range of the opening 121. It is also possible to stop the liquid level L within the range of the body 122.

[0038] The float member 60 is preferably lower in specific gravity than the contents, at least in the bulging portion 61. If the contents have a density similar to that of water, it is preferable to form it from a relatively low specific gravity resin such as polyolefin resin or rubber. A hollow portion may be formed inside the bulging portion 61. The hollow portion may be a sealed space. By making it a bottomed cylindrical or box shape with an open top that does not come into contact with the contents, the average density of the portion of the bulging portion 61 below the liquid level L may be reduced.

[0039] For the displacement of the float member 60 to stop or slow down the rise of the liquid level L, the float member 60 should come into contact with the wall or end of the air passage 18a, sufficiently reducing the opening cross-sectional area of ​​the air passage 18a. The air passage 18a may be completely closed, or a small gap may remain.

[0040] The dispensing spout 100 of this embodiment is equipped with an opening / closing member 20 that can be displaced along the dispensing cylinder portion 10 in order to open and close the opening 11a. As shown in Figure 2, the opening 11a at the tip portion 11 of the dispensing cylinder portion 10 is formed on the side to which the opening / closing member 20 is attached to the dispensing cylinder portion 10.

[0041] The opening / closing member 20 can be moved from the base end to the tip end of the dispensing cylinder 10. The opening / closing member 20, once displaced towards the tip end, may be further moved from the tip end to the base end of the dispensing cylinder 10. In the case of the opening / closing member 20 shown in the illustration, movement from the base end to the tip end and movement from the tip end to the base end can be arbitrarily repeated.

[0042] As shown in Figure 3, the dispensing cylinder 10 has a content flow path 16 for dispensing the contents of the main container 110 into the container to be filled 120. The content flow path 16 is formed inside the dispensing cylinder 10 from the receiving cylinder 14 to the tip 11.

[0043] The dispensing cylinder portion 10 in the illustrated example is the main body member of the dispensing spout 100, and has a tip portion 11 with an opening 11a, a receiving cylinder portion 14 connected to the main body container 110, and a base portion 12. A stopper 40 for holding the opening / closing member 20 is attached to the base portion 12. The mounting base portion 13 described above is positioned between the tip portion 11 and the base portion 12.

[0044] The illustrated opening / closing member 20 generally has a sliding portion 21 formed to slide relative to the dispensing cylinder portion 10, and a closing portion 22 formed on the tip side of the dispensing cylinder portion 10. Furthermore, it is preferable that the opening / closing member 20 has an operating portion 23 on the base end side of the dispensing cylinder portion 10. The sliding portion 21 in the illustrated example is a thin plate shape having a thickness similar to that of the closing portion 22. The shape of the sliding portion 21 is not particularly limited, and it may be rod-shaped, columnar, thick plate-shaped, etc.

[0045] The base end portion 12 of the dispensing cylinder portion 10 has an insertion hole 12a into which the stopper 40 is inserted, and a notch 12b extending from a part of the periphery of the insertion hole 12a toward the tip. The slide portion 21 is positioned on the inner circumference side of the base end portion 12 via the portion of the base end portion 12 into which the notch 12b is formed, and the operating portion 23 is positioned on the outer circumference side of the base end portion 12.

[0046] In the illustrated example, the operating part 23 is attached to a protruding portion 23a that extends outward from the slide portion 21. The operating part 23 is shaped like a pinch to facilitate operation by the fingers. Although not specifically shown, the operating part 23 may be molded integrally with the slide portion 21. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 2, at least a portion of the operating part 23 sandwiches the area around the notch 12b between itself and the slide portion 21, thereby stably holding the opening / closing member 20 with respect to the base end portion 12.

[0047] When the stopper 40 is inserted into the insertion hole 12a of the base end 12, the opening / closing member 20 is prevented from falling out of the notch 12b towards the base end. The stopper 40 has a locking projection 44 that engages with the locking hole 12c of the base end 12. The locking projection 44 engages with the locking hole 12c, fixing the stopper 40 to the base end 12. The stopper 40 seals the insertion hole 12a, closing the contents flow path 16 to the base end side of the dispensing cylinder 10.

[0048] The plug body 40 has a substantially planar guide surface 41 on the side where the opening / closing member 20 is positioned. Furthermore, the plug body 40 has an extension portion 42 that extends toward the tip side beyond the point where the plug body 40 is fitted into the insertion hole 12a. The notch 12b is closed by the extension portion 42. The aforementioned guide surface 41 extends to the extension portion 42.

[0049] The opening / closing member 20 is guided by the notch 12b and the guide surface 41 so that it can be displaced at least from the base end to the tip end. The operating part 23 is exposed to the outside of the dispensing cylinder 10 through the notch 12b so that it can be operated to displace the opening / closing member 20.

[0050] A retaining projection 43 is formed at the tip of the extension 42. The sliding portion 21 of the opening / closing member 20 is held between the guide surface 41 and the inner wall surface of the dispensing cylinder portion 10 by the retaining projection 43. The retaining projection 43 protrudes toward the sliding portion 21, creating a gap between the sliding portion 21 and the guide surface 41, thereby reducing friction when the opening / closing member 20 is displaced.

[0051] Although not specifically shown in the figures, the structure that guides the opening / closing member 20 so that it can be displaced at least from the base end to the tip end may be formed in the dispensing cylinder portion 10 or in the stopper body 40. The structure that guides the opening / closing member 20 is not limited to a planar guide surface 41, but may also be a linear groove, shaft, column, etc.

[0052] When the opening / closing member 20 is positioned on the base end side of the dispensing cylinder portion 10, the closing portion 22 can open the opening 11a. In the case of the opening / closing member 20 shown in the illustration, when the opening 11a is opened, the tip of the closing portion 22 is separated from the bottom 17 of the dispensing cylinder portion 10, and at least a portion of the opening 11a is in communication with the contents flow path 16.

[0053] The operating unit 23 can displace the opening / closing member 20 at least from the base end side to the tip side of the dispensing cylinder 10. It is also possible to displace the opening / closing member 20, which has been displaced towards the tip side, back towards the base end side. It is also possible to stop the opening / closing member 20 at any position midway between the tip end position and the base end position. The closing unit 22 not only switches the opening and closing of the opening 11a, but can also continuously or stepwise adjust the opening area of ​​the opening 11a according to the position of the opening / closing member 20.

[0054] In the example shown in Figure 3, the opening area of ​​the opening 11a is relatively small, and the flow rate of the contents is relatively small. Although not specifically shown, it is also possible to further displace the opening / closing member 20 toward the base end than in the state shown in Figures 1-3 to enlarge the opening area of ​​the opening 11a and further increase the flow rate of the contents. Within the range in which the upper end of the opening / closing member 20 is guided on the guide surface 41, the amount of displacement of the opening / closing member 20 can be arbitrarily adjusted.

[0055] As shown in Figure 5, when the opening / closing member 20 is positioned towards the tip of the dispensing cylinder 10, the closing part 22 can close the opening 11a. In the case of the opening / closing member 20 shown in the illustration, the opening 11a is closed when the tip of the closing part 22 contacts the bottom 17 of the dispensing cylinder 10.

[0056] The tip portion 11 of the dispensing cylinder portion 10 has an opening surface 11b at a position where the closing portion 22 crosses the opening 11a in conjunction with the displacement of the opening / closing member 20. In the illustrated example, the opening surface 11b is set within a certain section along the length direction of the tip portion 11. Although not specifically shown, the opening surface 11b may be set in a direction that is inclined or perpendicular to the length direction of the tip portion 11. The opening surface 11b may be a curved surface or other curved surface, or a flat surface such as a horizontal surface, a vertical surface, or an inclined surface.

[0057] In the illustrated example of the dispensing spout 100, the dispensing cylinder portion 10 may have guide portions 11c and 11d that guide the closing portion 22 along the opening surface 11b. In the illustrated example, the guide portions 11c and 11d have an outer guide portion 11c that guides the outer surface side of the closing portion 22 and an inner guide portion 11d that guides the inner surface side of the closing portion 22. The position where the closing portion 22 is displaced between the outer guide portion 11c and the inner guide portion 11d becomes the opening surface 11b.

[0058] In the case of the dispensing spout 101 of the second embodiment shown in Figure 6, the opening surface 11b of the tip portion 11 is curved so as to be inclined with respect to the longitudinal direction of the tip portion 11. In this case, at least the closing portion 22 of the opening / closing member 20 is flexible, and as shown by arrow 24, the closing portion 22 can be displaced along the curved opening surface 11b.

[0059] The opening and closing member 20 of the dispensing spout 101 is configured such that when the closing portion 22 is displaced toward the tip, the closing portion 22 does not protrude from the opening 11a toward the tip of the dispensing cylinder portion 10. The outer guide portion 11c is a convex ridge that protrudes in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the paper in Figure 6, and contacts both sides of the closing portion 22 in this direction perpendicular to the plane of the paper. The flexible closing portion 22 can be curved along the opening surface 11b by contacting the outer guide portion 11c.

[0060] The dispensing spout 101 of the second embodiment can be configured in the same way as the dispensing spout 100 of the first embodiment, except that the closing portion 22 is bendable. For this reason, redundant explanations of points that the dispensing spout 101 of the second embodiment has in common with the dispensing spout 100 of the first embodiment may be omitted.

[0061] In the dispensing cylinder portion 10 shown in Figure 6, the inner guide portion 11d is formed only on the base end side of the opening surface 11b, but the inner guide portion 11d may also be formed up to the tip side of the opening surface 11b. If the closing portion 22 is flexible, the restoring force due to elastic deformation acts in the direction in which the closing portion 22 presses against the outer guide portion 11c, so the inner guide portion 11d near the opening 11a can be omitted.

[0062] In common to the dispensing spouts 100 and 101, the opening surface 11b of the dispensing cylinder portion 10 is set along the periphery of the opening 11a. Although not specifically shown, if the wall surface of the tip portion 11 extends toward the tip side beyond the opening surface 11b, the opening surface 11b may be set at a position different from the periphery of the opening 11a.

[0063] For example, although not specifically shown, if the opening 11a faces downward and the peripheral edge of the opening 11a is formed on a surface perpendicular to the length direction of the dispensing cylinder 10, the opening surface 11b may be set in a direction inclined with respect to the length direction of the dispensing cylinder 10, as shown in Figure 6.

[0064] In this embodiment, the opening / closing member 20 is configured such that the closing portion 22 is displaced in a direction traversing the opening 11a in conjunction with the displacement of the opening / closing member 20 along the axial direction. Although not specifically shown, the closing portion 22 may be displaced in a direction perpendicular to the surface where the opening 11a from which the contents are dispensed is formed.

[0065] For example, the length direction of the dispensing cylinder 10 may be defined as the height direction, and the closing part 22 may close the opening 11a when it is at the same height as the opening 11a, and the opening 11a may be left open when the closing part 22 is at a different height from the opening 11a. More specifically, for example, through holes may be formed in both the dispensing cylinder 10 and the opening / closing member 20, and the contents may be dispensed when the heights of the through holes in both are the same, and the dispensing of the contents may be prevented when the heights are different.

[0066] In the illustrated example, the dispensing cylinder portion 10 is a substantially cylindrical shape with a flat surface on the side where the opening / closing member 20 is located, but the dispensing cylinder portion 10 can be any cylindrical shape. Although not specifically shown, the dispensing cylinder portion 10 may be a triangular cylinder, a square cylinder, an elliptical cylinder, or the like.

[0067] To transfer the contents from the main container 110 to the container to be filled 120 using the dispensing spouts 100 and 101, first, the mouth 111 of the main container 110 may be connected to the connecting part 30, and then the mouth 121 of the container to be filled 120 may be attached to the mounting part 50. When attaching an empty container to be filled 120 to the mounting part 50, the mouth 111 of the main container 110 may remain facing upward relative to gravity.

[0068] With the opening 11a of the dispensing cylinder 10 open, the contents of the main container 110 can be dispensed into the container 120 to be filled by tilting or turning the mouth 111 of the main container 110 sideways.

[0069] In the illustrated example, the receiving cylinder portion 14 is tapered such that the inlet 14a on the main container 110 side has a larger flow path cross-sectional area than the outlet 14b that faces the tip portion 11 side. The flow path cross-sectional area of ​​the inlet 14a may be twice or more the flow path cross-sectional area of ​​the outlet 14b, for example, it may be about three times. The larger flow path cross-sectional area of ​​the inlet 14a promotes dispensing from the main container 110 even when the contents have high viscosity.

[0070] Although not specifically shown in the diagram, the cross-sectional area of ​​the inlet 14a may be less than twice the cross-sectional area of ​​the outlet 14b. The receiving cylinder 14 may be made into a straight pipe, so that the cross-sectional areas of the inlet 14a and the outlet 14b are approximately the same.

[0071] Since the contents flow path 16, which flows from the receiving cylinder 14 to the tip 11, is formed inside the dispensing cylinder 10, the contents can be smoothly redirected even if the central axis directions of the openings 111 and 121 are different. Because the contents flow path 16 communicates in only two directions, towards the tip 11 and towards the receiving cylinder 14, leakage of the contents can be suppressed even if the orientation of the opening 111 of the main container 110 and the opening 121 of the container to be filled 120 are different.

[0072] The mounting base 13 has an air passage 18a for releasing air that is discharged from the container 120 to be filled in exchange for the contents when the contents are dispensed, thus facilitating smooth air discharge. For example, when dispensing a highly viscous liquid, the air from the container 120 to be filled is released to the outside via the air passage 18a, rather than being moved towards the main container 110, allowing for rapid dispensing.

[0073] As shown in Figure 4, when the liquid level L of the contents poured into the container 120 to be filled comes into contact with the float member 60, the float member 60 rises due to buoyancy and closes the air passage 18a. As a result, even if there are contents remaining in the main container 110, the pouring of the contents stops or slows down, thus suppressing excessive pouring.

[0074] When the filling of the container 120 is complete, the opening / closing member 20 is displaced from the base end to the tip end along the length of the dispensing cylinder 10. This ensures that the opening 11a of the tip 11 is securely closed. Even if some contents remain in the contents flow path 16 of the dispensing cylinder 10, dripping of the contents can be suppressed.

[0075] When the amount of contents contained in the main container 110 exceeds the capacity of the container to be filled 120, it is necessary to stop dispensing the contents before they overflow from the container to be filled 120. Since the float member 60 operates automatically in response to the liquid level L of the contents, the dispensing of the contents can be automatically stopped or slowed down even if the user is not observing the liquid level L of the contents.

[0076] Since the upper end portion 63 of the float member 60 is exposed above the mounting base portion 13, the user can easily confirm the operation of the float member 60. A mark or coloring may be applied to a part of the float member 60 so that the displacement of the upper end portion 63 is noticeable when the float member 60 rises due to buoyancy.

[0077] Since the operating unit 23 is exposed to the outside of the container 120 to be filled, the user can quickly operate the operating unit 23 to close the opening 11a when they want to stop dispensing the contents.

[0078] When stopping dispensing, the direction in which the operating part 23 is displaced is the same vertical direction as the tip 11 of the dispensing cylinder 10 and the opening 121 of the container 120 to be filled. Therefore, dispensing can be stopped simply by pushing the operating part 23 straight downwards, and operation is easy even when the opening 121 is facing upwards. Unlike conventional taps, complex movements such as twisting in the axial direction or horizontal movements across the flow path are unnecessary, thus preventing errors such as insufficient closure of the opening 11a or tipping the container 120 to be filled sideways.

[0079] When the dispensing of contents is stopped, the tip 11 of the dispensing cylinder 10 remains inserted into the container 120 to be filled, and the opening 11a is closed. Therefore, when the dispensing cylinder 10 is withdrawn from the opening 121, the contents contained in the contents flow path 16 are not dispensed into the container 120 to be filled, but can be recovered into the main container 110.

[0080] The height of the liquid level L when the dispensing of the contents is stopped can be adjusted by the position of the wetted portion 61a of the float member 60. Therefore, the height of the liquid level L of the contents can be kept at an appropriate level relative to the upper surface of the mouth 121 of the container 120 to be filled.

[0081] If there is still contents remaining in the main container 110 connected to the dispensing spouts 100 and 101, the main container 110 with the dispensing spouts 100 and 101 attached may be stored with the closing part 22 of the opening / closing member 20 closing the tip 11 of the dispensing cylinder part 10. Alternatively, the connection between the connecting part 30 and the mouth part 111 may be released, the dispensing spouts 100 and 101 may be removed from the main container 110, and the main container 110 may be stored with an appropriate cap or the like attached to the mouth part 111.

[0082] If the dispensing spouts 100 and 101 are to be stored attached to the main container 110 after dispensing the contents, a cover member 70 can be attached to the mounting portion 50, for example, as shown by the dashed line in Figure 1. The cover member 70 preferably has a shape that covers the tip portion 11, and may be attached to the mounting portion 50 using a threaded portion 52.

[0083] The cover member 70 may be attached to the mounting portion 50 before the dispensing spouts 100, 101 are used to dispense the contents. The cover member 70 may be removed from the tip portion 11 before dispensing the contents. The cover member 70 may be connected to the dispensing cylinder portion 10 via a string, chain, or the like.

[0084] Although the present invention has been described above based on preferred embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[0085] The materials used to form the dispensing cylinder portion 10, the opening / closing member 20, the connecting portion 30, the stopper body 40, the mounting portion 50, and the float member 60 are not particularly limited, but can be molded from various molding materials such as synthetic resins like thermoplastic resins and thermosetting resins, or metals.

[0086] The configuration of the body portion 112 of the main container 110 is not particularly limited, but examples include bottle containers, pouch containers, tube containers, etc. If the main container 110 is a molded container such as a bottle container, the connecting portion 30 may be integrated with the main container 110 as part of the molded container, although not shown in the figures.

[0087] When joining the mouth portion 111 of the main container 110 to the pouch container of the body portion 112, a pouch component such as a film or sheet may be joined to the mouth portion 111. The pouch component has a sealant layer or adhesive layer made of thermoplastic resin on at least one side, which allows it to interlock with the other pouch components and join the pouch component to the mouth portion 111. Examples of pouch containers include standing pouches and gusseted containers with film folds on the sides or bottom.

[0088] The structure of the body 122 of the container 120 to be filled is not particularly limited, but examples include bottle containers, pouch containers, tube containers, etc. Examples of materials used to mold molded containers such as bottle containers include various synthetic resins such as thermoplastic resins and thermosetting resins. Containers such as pouch containers, tube containers, and bottle containers may also include layers made of materials other than resin, such as metal, paper, inorganic compounds, or organic compounds.

[0089] The contents are not particularly limited, but fluids such as liquids, powders, and granules can be used. The types of contents are not particularly limited, but include beverages, food products, seasonings, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, detergents, adhesives, household goods, and industrial products. Examples of liquid contents include beverages, seasonings, detergents, and pharmaceuticals. Examples of powder or granular contents include salt, sugar, pepper, granular seasonings, and powdered detergents.

[0090] The tip of the opening / closing member 20 in this embodiment is a plate-shaped closing portion 22 without holes, so as to prevent leakage even if the contents are liquid. If the contents are solid matter of a certain size, such as granules, the closing portion 22 may have holes, grids, meshes, etc., that are small enough to prevent the contents from leaking out.

[0091] In this embodiment, the float member 60 stops or slows down the dispensing of the contents by closing the lower end of the air passage 18a when the liquid level L of the contents rises. Although not specifically shown in the figures, it is also possible to stop or slow down the dispensing of the contents by closing the upper part of the air passage 18a when the float member 60 rises due to buoyancy.

[0092] For example, the upper part of the air passage 18a may be tapered upwards, so that the upper part of the float member 60, which rises due to buoyancy, closes the upper part of the air passage 18a. Alternatively, the opening of the upper part of the air passage 18a may be oriented horizontally, so that when the liquid level L is low, the air passage 18a flows above the float member 60, and when the liquid level L rises, the upper part of the float member 60 closes the opening of the air passage 18a.

[0093] Furthermore, a mechanism may be provided to convert the direction of displacement of the float member 60 to either a sideways or downward direction, so that the displacement of the member that closes the air passage 18a in a sideways or downward direction is linked to the displacement of the float member 60. Alternatively, a valve or door-like structure may be provided to open and close the air passage 18a, and the valve or door-like structure may be operated to close the air passage 18a when the float member 60 rises.

[0094] From the viewpoint of reducing the number of parts in the dispensing spouts 100 and 101 and simplifying the structure, it is preferable that when the float member 60 rises, at least a part of the float member 60 comes into contact with at least a part of the air passage 18a, thereby closing the air passage 18a. Furthermore, it is preferable that the buoyancy generated on the float member 60 by the liquid level L of the dispensed contents is used as a power source to close the air passage 18a, without using an external energy source such as electricity. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0095] L...Liquid level, 10...Dispensing cylinder, 11...Tip, 11a...Opening, 11b...Opening surface, 11c...Outer guide, 11d...Inner guide, 12...Base end, 12a...Insertion hole, 12b...Notch, 12c...Locking hole, 13...Mounting base, 13a...Connecting part, 14...Receiving cylinder, 14a...Inlet, 14b...Outlet, 15...Connecting base, 16...Contents flow path, 17...Bottom, 18...Wall, 18a...Air flow path, 20...Opening / closing member, 21...Slide part, 22...Closing part, 23...Operating part, 23a...Protruding part, 24...Arrow, 30...Connecting part, 31...Outer cylinder part, 32...Threaded part, 33...Top surface, 34...Fit Joint part, 35...Tapered cylinder part, 40...Stopper body, 41...Guide surface, 42...Extension part, 43...Pressing projection, 44...Locking projection, 50...Mounting part, 51...Outer cylinder part, 52...Threaded part, 53...Top surface part, 60...Float member, 61...Bulging part, 61a...Wetted part, 61b...Contact part, 62...Support column part, 63...Upper end part, 63a...Locking part, 70...Cover member, 100, 101...Dispensing spout, 110...Main container, 111...Mouth of main container, 112...Body of main container, 120...Container to be filled, 121...Mouth of container to be filled, 122...Body of container to be filled, 123...Shoulder of container to be filled.

Claims

1. A dispensing cylinder having an opening at its tip, A mounting part that is attached to the mouth of a container that receives the contents poured out from the opening, An air channel for releasing the air discharged from the container as the contents are received, It comprises a float member that can be displaced along the aforementioned dispensing cylinder portion, The spout is characterized in that the float member is displaced to close the air passage by coming into contact with the contents dispensed from the opening.

2. The dispensing spout according to claim 1, characterized in that the air passage protrudes from the mounting portion toward the tip of the dispensing cylinder portion.

3. The dispensing spout according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the float member comprises a support portion held within the air passage and a bulge formed at the lower end of the support portion, and when it rises due to the buoyancy of the contents, the bulge contacts the wall or end of the air passage to close the air passage.

4. The dispensing cylinder portion has a closing portion on the tip side and an opening / closing member having an operating portion on the base end side of the dispensing cylinder portion. The operating unit is capable of displacing the opening / closing member at least from the base end side of the dispensing cylinder to the tip side of the dispensing cylinder, The dispensing spout according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the closing portion opens the opening when it is located on the base end side of the dispensing cylinder portion and closes the opening when it is located on the tip side of the dispensing cylinder portion.

5. The dispensing spout according to claim 4, characterized in that at least the closing portion of the opening / closing member is flexible, and the closing portion is able to be displaced along the opening surface of the opening in conjunction with the displacement of the opening / closing member.

6. A container with a dispensing spout, characterized by comprising a dispensing spout according to any one of claims 1 to 5 and a body for containing contents.

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