Liquid dispenser and liquid dispenser

Abstract

To provide a liquid jetting device and a liquid jetting container capable of repeatedly jetting out a liquid containing a granular material irrespective of a liquid flow velocity.SOLUTION: A liquid jetting container 100A comprises: a container liquid jetting device 1A; and a container body 50. The container comprises a cylinder 12 that can be disposed in a storage space S0 of the container body 50, a piston 13 slidable inside the cylinder 12, a piston guide 15 slidably holding the piston 13 and having a liquid flow-in cylinder 15a provided on a liquid inlet A1 side of the cylinder 12, a jetting head 17 that can push the piston guide 15 into the cylinder 12, a mesh member 21 fitted to the liquid flow-in cylinder 15a, and a spacer 23 fitted inside the cylinder 12 with a space from the mesh member 21. The spacer 23 is provided with a crushing surface 23f that can crush a granular material present between the spacer and the mesh member 21 together with the mesh member 21 when the piston guide 15 is pushed into a bottom dead point.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a liquid ejector and a liquid ejection container.

Background Art

[0002] There is known a container body-mounted ejection pump for a conventional liquid ejector that can repeatedly eject a liquid containing particulate matter by defining the mesh size of a mesh (net) provided at the lower part of a cylinder (liquid suction cylinder part) (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in the above conventional liquid ejector, when the flow rate of the liquid is slow, the particulate matter may not be able to pass through the mesh member.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a liquid ejector and a liquid ejection container that can repeatedly eject a liquid containing particulate matter regardless of the flow rate of the liquid.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] (1) The liquid dispenser according to the present invention comprises a cylinder that can be placed in a liquid storage space formed inside a container body, a piston that can slide inside the cylinder, a piston guide that slidably holds the piston and has a liquid inlet pipe on the side of the liquid inlet of the cylinder, a dispenser head that can push the piston guide into the inside of the cylinder, a mesh member attached to the liquid inlet pipe provided on the piston guide, and a spacer installed inside the cylinder at a distance from the mesh member, wherein the spacer has a crushing surface that can crush granular matter interposed between it and the mesh member when the piston guide is pushed to its bottom dead center together with the mesh member.

[0007] (2) In the liquid ejector described in (1) above, the crushing surface is preferably flat.

[0008] (3) In the liquid ejector described in (1) or (2) above, it is preferable that the mesh member is attached to the ring member and, via the ring member, to the liquid inlet of the piston guide.

[0009] (4) The liquid ejection container according to the present invention comprises one of the liquid ejectors described in (1) to (3) above and the container body. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a liquid dispenser and a liquid dispenser container that can repeatedly dispense a liquid containing granular material, regardless of the liquid flow rate. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] [Figure 1] This is a partial cross-sectional view schematically showing the main part of a liquid ejection container according to the first embodiment of the present invention in its initial state, viewed from the side of the liquid ejection container in a partial cross-section. The liquid ejection container is equipped with a liquid ejector according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] Figure 1 is a schematic partial cross-sectional view of the liquid ejection container with the ejection head of the liquid ejector pushed in to its bottom dead center. [Figure 3] This is a partial cross-sectional view schematically showing the main part of a liquid ejection container according to a second embodiment of the present invention in its initial state, viewed from the side of the liquid ejection container in a partial cross-section. The liquid ejection container is equipped with a liquid ejector according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] Figure 3 is a schematic partial cross-sectional view of the liquid ejection container with the ejection head of the liquid ejector pushed in to the bottom dead center. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0012] Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings, a liquid dispenser and a liquid dispenser container according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described.

[0013] In Figure 1, reference numeral 100A denotes a liquid ejection container according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The liquid ejection container 100A comprises a liquid ejector 1A according to the first embodiment of the present invention and a container body 50.

[0014] The liquid dispenser 1A includes a cylinder 12 that can be placed in a liquid storage space S0 formed inside the container body 50, a piston 13 that can slide inside the cylinder 12, a piston guide 15 that slidably holds the piston 13 and has a liquid inlet 15a on the side of the liquid inlet A1 of the cylinder 12, a dispenser head 17 that can push the piston guide 15 into the inside of the cylinder 12, a mesh member 21 attached to the liquid inlet 15a provided on the piston guide 15, and a spacer 23 that is installed inside the cylinder 12 at a distance from the mesh member 21. The spacer 23 has a crushing surface 23f that can crush granular material interposed between the spacer and the mesh member 21 together with the mesh member 21 when the piston guide 15 is pushed to its bottom dead center.

[0015] The liquid dispenser 1A is equipped with a mounting cap 18 that can be attached to the mouth 51 of the container body 50.

[0016] In this embodiment, the container body 50 is a so-called bottle container. The container body 50 comprises a mouth portion 51, a shoulder portion 52 connected to the mouth portion 51, and a body portion 53 connected to the shoulder portion 52. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the lower end of the body portion 53 is closed by a bottom portion (not shown). Inside the container body 50, a storage space S0 capable of containing liquid contents is formed. As shown in Figure 1, the storage space S0 is open to the outside world through a mouth opening A50 formed inside the mouth portion 51. The storage space S50 can be filled with liquid contents. The container body 50 can be formed, for example, by blow molding using synthetic resin. However, the manufacturing method of the container body 50 is not limited to blow molding, and it can be manufactured by various methods.

[0017] In the following description, axis O is the centerline of the liquid ejection container 100A. In this embodiment, axis O is coaxial with the centerline of the liquid ejector 1A and the centerline of the container body 50.

[0018] Furthermore, in the following explanation, "up and down direction" refers to the direction extending along the axis O. In the liquid ejection container 100A, "up" includes meaning the side of the liquid ejector 1A. Also, in the liquid ejection container 100A, "down" includes meaning the side of the container body 50.

[0019] Furthermore, in the following explanation, the direction extending toward axis O is also called the axial direction, and the direction extending circumferentially around axis O is also called the circumferential direction. In addition, in the following explanation, the direction perpendicular to axis O is also called the radial direction. Furthermore, the side facing axis O is also called the "radial inner side," and the side moving away from axis O is also called the "radial outer side."

[0020] The cylinder 12 is fixed to the mouth portion 51 of the container body 50 by the mounting cap 18. In the present embodiment, the mounting cap 18 functions as a pump cover that closes the upper end opening of the cylinder 12. In the present embodiment, the mounting cap 18 is mounted by screwing it onto the mouth portion 51. However, the mounting cap 18 can be mounted by a method other than screwing, such as undercut fitting.

[0021] Referring to FIG. 1, the cylinder 12 is fixed by fitting it into the mounting cap 18. Thereby, the cylinder 12 is attached to the upper end of the mouth portion 51 of the container body 50 via the mounting cap 18. In the present embodiment, the liquid ejector 1A includes an annular seal member 19 disposed between the cylinder 12 and the mouth portion 51 of the container body 50. Thereby, the liquid ejector 1A is attached to the container body 50 in a sealed state.

[0022] The cylinder 12 is disposed in the storage space S0 through the mouth opening A50 of the container body 50 in a state where the liquid ejector 1A is attached to the container body 50. The liquid ejector 1A includes a pipe 11 connected to the lower end portion of the cylinder 12. The pipe 11 includes an internal flow path R1 that leads to the storage space S0 of the container body 50. The internal flow path R1 leads to a liquid inlet A1 formed inside the lower end portion of the cylinder 12. Thereby, the content liquid from the container body 50 can be introduced into the inside of the cylinder 12 through the liquid inlet A1.

[0023] Furthermore, the liquid ejector 1A includes a liquid introduction valve 14 that can open and close the liquid inlet A1. The liquid introduction valve 14 closes (seals) the liquid inlet A1 due to an increase in the internal pressure of the cylinder 12. Also, the liquid introduction valve 14 can open the liquid inlet A1 due to a decrease in the internal pressure of the cylinder 12. In the present embodiment, the liquid introduction valve 14 is a ball valve disposed inside the cylinder 12.

[0024] The spacer 23 is positioned inside the cylinder 12, above the liquid introduction valve 14. In this embodiment, the spacer 23 comprises a main body 23a (hereinafter also referred to as "spacer body 23a") having a crushed surface 23f, an outer portion 23b (hereinafter also referred to as "spacer outer portion 23b") protruding radially outward from the outer peripheral surface of the spacer body 23a, and a seat portion 23c (hereinafter also referred to as "spacer seat portion 23c") protruding radially outward from the spacer outer portion 23b. In this embodiment, the spacer outer portion 23b extends vertically so as to form a stepped portion (shoulder portion) between it and the spacer body 23a. In this embodiment, the spacer seat portion 23c protrudes from the lower end of the spacer outer portion 23b (the lower end of the spacer 23). In this embodiment, the spacer seat portion 23c rests on a plurality of fin portions (thin plate portions) 12a provided on the inner circumferential surface of the cylinder 12. As a result, in this embodiment, the spacer 23 is positioned above the liquid introduction valve 14 inside the cylinder 12.

[0025] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the spacer 23 has a flow passage R2 formed therein to enable the flow of liquid contents between the liquid introduction valve 14 and the piston guide 15. In this embodiment, the flow passage R2 is formed so as to extend vertically through the outer spacer portion 23b and the spacer seat portion 23c. This allows the flow of liquid contents between the liquid introduction valve 14 and the piston guide 15 even with the spacer 23 positioned inside the cylinder 12. In this embodiment, the outer spacer portion 23b is composed of a plurality of vertical ribs that extend vertically and are provided on the outer circumferential surface of the spacer body 23a. In this embodiment, the plurality of vertical ribs are spaced apart in the circumferential direction. In this embodiment, a portion of the flow passage R2 is composed of grooves formed between the plurality of vertical ribs. In addition, in this embodiment, the spacer seat portion 23c is composed of an annular flange connected to the lower end of the plurality of vertical ribs. The annular flange extends in the circumferential direction. In this embodiment, the remaining portion of the flow passage R2 is composed of a plurality of through holes that penetrate the annular flange in the vertical direction. In this embodiment, each of the multiple through holes is connected to a corresponding groove formed between the longitudinal ribs.

[0026] In this embodiment, the spacer body 23a has a cylindrical shape. In this embodiment, the crushing surface 23f is formed by the upper end surface of the spacer body 23a. In this embodiment, the upper end surface of the spacer body 23a is a flat plane, as shown in Figure 1. That is, in this embodiment, the crushing surface 23f is a flat plane. In this embodiment, the crushing surface 23f is a circular plane.

[0027] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the liquid ejector 1A is equipped with a spring 24 that generates a biasing force (elastic force) that resists the pushing of the piston guide 15.

[0028] In this embodiment, one end of the spring 24 is held by a spacer 23. Specifically, one end of the spring 24 is supported by a spacer seat 23c. In this embodiment, the other end of the spring 24 supports a liquid inlet cylinder 15a provided on the piston guide 15.

[0029] The piston guide 15 includes a shaft portion 15b along with a liquid inlet cylinder 15a. An internal flow path R4 is formed in the shaft portion 15b, which leads to the nozzle A4 of the ejection head 17. In this embodiment, the internal flow path R4 extends vertically inside the shaft portion 15b. In this embodiment, the upper end of the internal flow path R4 is open, and the lower end of the internal flow path R4 is closed. In addition, a supply port A3 is formed in the shaft portion 15b, which allows the internal flow path R4 to be exposed to the outside world through the supply port A3.

[0030] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the shaft portion 15b of the piston guide 15 is provided with an annular bulge 15c below the supply port A3. The annular bulge 15c extends in an annular shape in the circumferential direction around the axis O.

[0031] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the piston guide 15 includes a connecting piece 15d that connects the liquid inlet cylinder 15a and the shaft portion 15b. In this embodiment, the connecting piece 15d is connected to the lower end of the annular bulge portion 15c and the inner circumferential surface of the liquid inlet cylinder 15a. In this embodiment, the piston guide 15 includes a plurality of connecting pieces 15d. The plurality of connecting pieces 15d are arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction around the axis O. As a result, a plurality of flow ports A2 are formed between the plurality of connecting pieces 15d that allow the inside of the liquid inlet cylinder 15a to be exposed to the outside.

[0032] A mesh member 21 is attached to the inside of the liquid inlet cylinder 15a of the piston guide 15. Here, "mesh member" refers to a mesh-like member that can separate granular material of a specific size.

[0033] In this embodiment, the mesh member 21 is attached to the ring member 22. In this embodiment, the mesh member 21 is attached to the inside of the liquid inlet cylinder 15a of the piston guide 15 via the ring member 22.

[0034] In this embodiment, the ring member 22 is a cylindrical member. In this embodiment, the through hole formed inside the ring member 22 is an internal flow path R3 that allows the liquid to flow in the vertical direction. In this embodiment, the mesh member 21 is attached to one of the two axial ends of the ring member 22. The mesh member 21 is attached so as to be a flat plane with respect to the axial end of the ring member 22. An example of a mesh member 21 attached to the ring member 22 is a mesh ring 20 comprising the mesh member 21 and the ring member 22.

[0035] In this embodiment, the mesh ring 20 is attached to the inside of the liquid inlet 15a of the piston guide 15 by fitting it to the inner circumferential surface of the liquid inlet 15a. In this embodiment, the upper side of the mesh ring 20 is positioned by the lower end of the connecting piece 15d, as shown in Figure 1. Specifically, one of the two axial ends of the ring member 22 (the upper end of the ring member 22 in Figure 1) is in contact with the lower end of the connecting piece 15d. In addition, in this embodiment, the lower side of the mesh ring 20 is positioned by a projection 15e that protrudes radially inward from the inner circumferential surface of the liquid inlet 15a, as shown in Figure 1. Specifically, the other of the two axial ends of the ring member 22 (the lower end of the ring member 22 in Figure 1) is in contact with the projection 15e. As a result, in this embodiment, the mesh ring 20 is positioned in the vertical direction between the connecting piece 15d and the projection 15e inside the liquid inlet 15a of the piston guide 15. In this embodiment, the mesh ring 20 is arranged such that the mesh member 21 is positioned on the upper side.

[0036] The piston 13 has a lower outer circumference 13a and an upper outer circumference 13b that are slidable on the inner circumferential surface of the cylinder 12. This allows the piston 13 to slide vertically on the inner circumferential surface of the cylinder 12. The piston 13 also has a through hole through which the piston guide 15 passes. Furthermore, the piston 13 has a lower inner cylinder portion 13c that forms the lower end of the through hole and an upper inner cylinder portion 13d that forms the upper end of the through hole. In this embodiment, both the lower inner cylinder portion 13c and the upper inner cylinder portion 13d can slide vertically on the shaft portion 15b of the piston guide 15. This allows the piston 13 to slide vertically on the outer circumferential surface of the shaft portion 15b of the piston guide 15. That is, the piston 13 can move integrally with the piston guide 15 and the stem 16 (described later), and can slide between the piston guide 15 and the stem 16.

[0037] In this embodiment, the lower inner cylinder portion 13c of the piston 13 is in contact with the annular bulge portion 15c of the piston guide 15 when the liquid dispenser 1A is in its initial state, as shown in Figure 1. As shown in Figure 1, the supply port A3 is sealed by the lower inner cylinder portion 13c and the upper inner cylinder portion 13d of the piston 3 when the liquid dispenser 1A is in its initial state.

[0038] Furthermore, the liquid ejector 1A is equipped with a stem 16 that can push the piston guide 15 into the cylinder 12. The stem 16 is connected to the shaft portion 15b of the piston guide 15. This allows the piston guide 15 to move integrally with the stem 16. Inside the stem 16, an internal passage R5 is formed, which leads to the nozzle A4 of the ejection head 17. The internal passage R5 penetrates the stem 16 in the vertical direction. The internal passage R5 communicates with an internal passage R4 formed in the piston guide 15.

[0039] The discharge head 17 is equipped with a discharge port A4 and is connected to the stem 16. In this embodiment, the discharge head 17 comprises a head body 17a connected to the stem 16 and a nozzle tip 17b on which the discharge port A4 is formed. The discharge head 17 has an internal flow path R6 that leads to the discharge port A4. In this embodiment, the internal flow path R6 is formed in the head body 17a. The internal flow path R6 communicates with an internal flow path R5 formed in the stem 16.

[0040] The piston guide 15 can be pushed into the inside (downward) of the cylinder 12 together with the piston 13, as shown in Figure 2, by the pushing (downward) of the ejection head 17 against the biasing force of the spring 24.

[0041] As shown in Figure 2, when the piston guide 15 is pushed to its bottom dead center, the mesh member 21 moves to a position close to the crushing surface 23f of the spacer 23. This allows the crushing surface 23f of the spacer 23 to crush granular material interposed between the crushing surface 23f and the mesh member 21 together with the mesh member 21.

[0042] Here, when the piston guide 15 is pushed to its bottom dead center, the distance (vertical gap) C at which the mesh member 21 and the crushing surface 23f of the spacer 23 come into close proximity should be such that granular material interposed between the mesh member 21 and the crushing surface 23f can be crushed to a size that allows it to pass through the mesh of the mesh member 21. However, according to the present invention, when the piston guide 15 is pushed to its bottom dead center, the mesh member 21 and the crushing surface 23f of the spacer 23 can also be brought into contact.

[0043] As shown in Figure 2, in this embodiment, the spacer body 23a can be inserted inside the ring member 22 (internal flow path R3). In this case, the granular material between the mesh member 21 and the crushing surface 23f is less likely to escape to the outside because the ring member 22 acts as a barrier, thus efficiently crushing the granular material. In particular, it is preferable that the gap (radial gap) between the outer diameter of the spacer 23 and the inner diameter of the mesh ring 20 is smaller than the size of the granular material (for example, the (average) diameter of the granular material). In this case, backflow of granular material through the gap between the outer diameter of the spacer 23 and the inner diameter of the mesh ring 20 can be prevented.

[0044] In this embodiment, the piston 13 functions as a liquid supply valve that opens and closes the supply port A3. As shown in Figure 2, when the ejection head 17 is pushed in, the supply port A3 of the piston guide 15 can be opened by the piston 13 sliding upward relative to the piston guide 15.

[0045] Furthermore, when the push-in of the ejection head 17 is released, the piston guide 15 can be returned to its initial position by the biasing force (restoring force) of the spring 24, as shown in Figure 1. At this time, the piston 13 can close the supply port A3 again by sliding downward relative to the shaft portion 15b of the piston guide 15.

[0046] Here, we will explain an example of how to use the liquid ejection container 100A.

[0047] The liquid ejection container 100A, by using the liquid ejector 1A, can have its ejection head 17 pushed in from the initial state shown in Figure 1, similar to conventional liquid ejection containers. This causes the piston 13 to be pushed downward toward the spacer 23 together with the piston guide 15, against the biasing force (elastic force) of the spring 24. The piston 13, together with the piston guide 15, compresses the pump chamber formed inside the cylinder 12 between the liquid inlet valve 14 and the piston 13 and piston guide 15. Specifically, the fluid filled inside the pump chamber is pumped from the internal flow path R3 formed inside the ring member 22 of the mesh ring 20 through the mesh of the mesh member 21 by the crushing surface 23f of the spacer 23, to the flow port A2 formed between the connecting pieces 15 of the piston guide 15.

[0048] Furthermore, when the pressure in the pump chamber exceeds a predetermined pressure due to the piston guide 15 being pushed against the biasing force of the spring 24, the piston 13 slides upward relative to the piston guide 15. At this time, the supply port A3 formed in the shaft portion 15b of the piston guide 15 opens to the side of the flow port A2, as shown in Figure 2, and communicates with the flow port A2. As a result, the fluid, which is pumped from the internal flow path R3 formed inside the ring member 22 of the mesh ring 20 through the mesh of the mesh member 21 by the crushing surface 23f of the spacer 23 to the flow port A2 formed between the connecting pieces 15 of the piston guide 15, is ejected to the outside world through the nozzle A4, after passing through the internal flow path R4 formed in the piston guide 15, the internal flow path R5 formed in the stem 16, and the internal flow path R6 formed in the ejection head 17, from the supply port A3 formed in the shaft portion 15b of the piston guide 15.

[0049] Thus, by using the liquid ejector 1A, the liquid ejector container 100A can, like conventional liquid ejector containers, eject the contents of the container body 50 through the nozzle A4 of the ejector head 17 by pushing in the ejector head 17 from the initial state shown in Figure 1, as shown in Figure 2.

[0050] In contrast, when the push-in shown in Figure 2 is released, the piston 13 is pushed back upward together with the piston guide 15 by the biasing force (elastic force) of the spring 24. At this time, the piston 13 slides downward relative to the piston guide 15, so the supply port A3 formed in the shaft portion 15b of the piston guide 15 is closed again, as shown in Figure 1.

[0051] Furthermore, when the piston guide 15 is pushed up by the biasing force of the spring 24, the liquid inlet valve 14 is pulled up by the negative pressure generated in the pump chamber, thereby opening the liquid inlet A1 of the cylinder 12. As a result, the liquid contents of the container body 50 are introduced into the inside of the cylinder 12 (the pump chamber) through the liquid inlet A1 of the cylinder 12. After the liquid contents of the container body 50 have been introduced into the inside of the cylinder 12 (the pump chamber), the liquid inlet valve 14 closes the liquid inlet A1 of the cylinder 12 again due to its own weight.

[0052] Thus, by using the liquid ejector 1A, the liquid ejector container 100A can be returned to the initial state shown in Figure 1 by releasing the push-in shown in Figure 2, similar to conventional liquid ejector containers.

[0053] As described above, with the liquid dispenser 1A, by repeatedly pushing in and releasing the spray head 17, the liquid contents contained in the storage space S0 of the container body 50 can be ejected from the nozzle A4, similar to conventional liquid dispensers.

[0054] In addition, the liquid dispenser 1A brings the mesh member 21 close to the crushing surface 23f of the spacer 23 by pushing in the ejection head 17, as shown in Figure 2. In this case, the liquid contents interposed between the mesh member 21 and the crushing surface 23f are pumped through the mesh of the mesh member 21 under high pressure between the mesh member 21 and the crushing surface 23f. As a result, the granular material contained in the liquid contents passes through the mesh of the mesh member 21 as crushed granular material. Therefore, with the liquid dispenser 1A, the liquid contents containing granular material can be repeatedly ejected from the nozzle A4 by performing the same operation as a conventional liquid dispenser.

[0055] In particular, with the liquid ejector 1A, by bringing the mesh member 21 close to the crushing surface 23f of the spacer 23, granular material such as lumps interposed between the mesh member 21 and the crushing surface 23f can be crushed into fine granular material and then removed through the mesh of the mesh member 21. Therefore, with the liquid ejector 1A, even if the flow velocity of the liquid content passing through the mesh member 21 is slowed down by, for example, pushing the ejection head 17 in slowly, the granular material contained in the liquid content can be crushed and then repeatedly ejected from the nozzle A4 as liquid content containing granular material.

[0056] Therefore, the liquid dispenser 1A, and by extension the liquid dispenser container 100A, can repeatedly dispense liquid containing granular material, regardless of the flow rate of the liquid.

[0057] Furthermore, in the liquid ejector 1A, the crushing surface 23f is flat. In this case, by pressurizing the liquid contents interposed between the mesh member 21 and the crushing surface 23f toward the mesh member 21 in an even direction (upward), the crushing of granular material can be performed more effectively. Therefore, when the crushing surface 23f is flat, as in the liquid ejector 1A and by extension the liquid ejector container 100A, the ejection of the liquid contents containing granular material can be repeated for a longer period, regardless of the flow rate of the liquid contents.

[0058] Furthermore, in the liquid ejector 1A, the mesh member 21 is attached to the ring member 22, and via the ring member 22, it is attached to the liquid inlet 15a of the piston guide 15. In this case, the work of attaching the mesh member 21 to the liquid inlet 15a of the piston guide 15 becomes easier. Therefore, in this case, the productivity of the liquid ejector 1A, and consequently the liquid ejector container 100A, is improved.

[0059] Figure 3 schematically shows the main parts of the liquid ejection container 100B in its initial state according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The liquid ejection container 100B is equipped with a liquid ejector 1B according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0060] In the liquid ejector 1B, the liquid inlet valve 14 is composed of an elastic valve. In this embodiment, the liquid inlet valve 14 includes a valve body 14a that opens and closes the liquid inlet A1 of the cylinder 12, a fixed cylinder 14b fixed to the inside of the cylinder 12, and an elastic piece 14c that connects the valve body 14a and the fixed cylinder 14b. In this case, the valve body 14a closes (seals) the liquid inlet A1 by the biasing force (elastic force) of the elastic piece 14c. Furthermore, the valve body 14a can open the liquid inlet A1 against the biasing force of the elastic piece 14c due to a decrease in the internal pressure of the cylinder 12.

[0061] In addition, in the liquid dispenser 1B, the cylinder 12 is also fixed to the mounting cap 18. However, in this embodiment, the upper end opening of the cylinder 12 is closed by the pump cover 25.

[0062] Furthermore, in the liquid ejector 1B, the stem 16 is provided with a large-diameter portion 16a at the lower end and a small-diameter portion 16b at the upper end which has a smaller diameter than the large-diameter portion 16a at the lower end.

[0063] The upper end of the shaft portion 15b of the piston guide 15 is fixed to the inside of the small-diameter portion 16b at the upper end of the stem 16. This allows the piston guide 15 to move integrally with the stem 16.

[0064] On the other hand, the upper inner cylinder portion 13d of the piston 13 is housed inside the lower large-diameter portion 16a of the stem 16. The upper inner cylinder portion 13d of the piston 13 is positioned inside the upper large-diameter portion 16a of the stem 16 so as to be slidable along the inner circumferential surface of the lower large-diameter portion 16a of the stem 16. The piston 13 is positioned between the piston guide 15 and the stem 16 so as to be slidable in the vertical direction. This allows the piston 13 to move integrally with the piston guide 15 and the stem 16, and also to slide between the piston guide 15 and the stem 16.

[0065] In the liquid ejector 1B, the outer circumferential surface of the liquid inlet cylinder 15a of the piston guide 15 is provided with a plurality of vertical ribs 15f to reduce the sliding resistance that may occur between the liquid inlet cylinder 15a and the cylinder 12 when the liquid inlet cylinder 15a slides against the inner circumferential surface of the cylinder 12. The plurality of vertical ribs 15f extend in the vertical direction and are spaced apart in the circumferential direction.

[0066] Furthermore, in the liquid ejector 1B, the spacer seat 23c is supported by the fixed cylinder 14b of the liquid inlet valve 14. The spacer seat 23c has a dome shape that covers the valve body 14a of the liquid inlet valve 14 from above, and the flow passage R2 is composed of multiple openings formed at intervals in the circumferential direction around the axis O.

[0067] Furthermore, in the liquid dispenser 1B, the dispenser head 17 is equipped with a cover 17c. In this embodiment, the cover 17c is attached to the head body 17a. In addition, the liquid dispenser 1B is equipped with an overcap 26 that is detachably attached to the mounting cap 18.

[0068] The liquid ejector container 100B can also be used with the liquid ejector 1B, which has the overcap 26 removed, to return to the initial state of Figure 3 by pushing in the ejector head 17 as shown in Figure 4, and then releasing the push-in as shown in Figure 4, similar to the conventional liquid ejector container. The liquid ejector 1B can also be used with the liquid ejector 1B to eject the liquid contents contained in the storage space S0 of the container body 50 from the ejector port A4, similar to the conventional liquid ejector, by repeatedly pushing in and releasing the ejector head 17.

[0069] In addition, the liquid dispenser 1B also brings the mesh member 21 close to the crushing surface 23f of the spacer 23 by pushing in the ejection head 17, as shown in Figure 4. In this case, the liquid contents interposed between the mesh member 21 and the crushing surface 23f are pumped through the mesh of the mesh member 21 under high pressure between the mesh member 21 and the crushing surface 23f. As a result, the granular material contained in the liquid contents passes through the mesh of the mesh member 21 as crushed granular material. Therefore, with the liquid dispenser 1B, just like with the liquid dispenser 1B, the liquid contents containing granular material can be repeatedly ejected from the nozzle A4 by performing the same operation as with a conventional liquid dispenser.

[0070] Liquid ejector 1B also allows for the crushing of granular material, such as lumps, interposed between the mesh member 21 and the crushing surface 23f of the spacer 23 by bringing the mesh member 21 close to the crushing surface 23f of the spacer 23, thereby crushing it into fine granular material, which can then be removed through the mesh of the mesh member 21. Therefore, with liquid ejector 1B, similar to liquid ejector 1A, even if the flow velocity of the liquid passing through the mesh member 21 is slowed down by, for example, pushing the ejection head 17 in slowly, the granular material contained in the liquid can be crushed and then repeatedly ejected from the nozzle A4.

[0071] Therefore, the liquid ejector 1B, and by extension the liquid ejector container 100B, can repeatedly eject the liquid containing granular material, regardless of the flow rate of the liquid.

[0072] Regarding the other parts of the liquid dispenser 1B, and by extension the liquid dispenser container 100B, the parts that are substantially the same as those of the liquid dispenser 1A and the liquid dispenser container 100A are to be described by using the same reference numerals.

[0073] The above describes a liquid dispenser and liquid dispenser container according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments and can be modified in various ways within the scope of the claims. For example, the mesh ring 20 can be attached to the outside of the liquid inlet 15a of the piston guide 15. Specifically, the inner surface of the ring member 22 of the mesh ring 20 is attached to the outer surface of the lower end of the liquid inlet 15a of the piston guide 15. That is, the ring member 22 can be attached to the outside of the liquid inlet 15a by fitting it to the outer surface of the lower end of the liquid inlet 15a, for example. However, in this case, the ring member 22 is attached to the outer surface of the lower end of the liquid inlet 15a such that the mesh member 21 is positioned at the lower end of the ring member 22. Alternatively, the mesh member 21 can be directly attached to the liquid inlet 15a of the piston guide 15. Specifically, the mesh member 21 is attached to the lower end of the liquid inlet 15a of the piston guide 15. Furthermore, the components adopted in each embodiment (for example, specific members, specific parts) can be adopted individually and substituted for each other. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0074] 1A: Liquid ejector (first embodiment), 1B: Liquid ejector (second embodiment), 11: Pipe, 12: Cylinder, 12a: Fin portion of cylinder, 13: Piston, 14: Liquid inlet valve, 14a: Valve body of liquid inlet valve, 14b: Fixing cylinder of liquid inlet valve, 14c: Elastic piece of liquid inlet valve, 15: Piston guide, 15a: Liquid inlet cylinder of piston guide, 15b: Shaft portion of piston guide, 15c: Annular bulge portion of piston guide, 15d: Connecting piece of piston guide, 15e: Projection projecting radially inward from the inner circumferential surface of liquid inlet cylinder, 15f: Vertical rib provided on the liquid inlet cylinder of piston guide, 16: Stem, 17: Discharge head, 17a: Head body, 17b: Nozzle tip, 18: Mounting cap, 19: Annular sealing member, 20: Mesh ring, 21: Mesh member, 22: Ring member, 23: Spacer, 23a: Spacer body, 23b: Spacer outer part, 23c: Spacer seat, 23f: Compression surface provided on the spacer, 24: Spring, 25: Pump cover, 26: Overcap, 50: Container body, 51: Mouth of container body, 52: Shoulder of container body, 53: Body of container body, 100A: Liquid ejection container (first embodiment), 100B: Liquid ejection container (second embodiment), A1: Liquid inlet, A2: Flow port, A3: Supply port, A4: Outlet, R1: Internal flow path of the pipe, R2: Flow path formed in the spacer, R3: Internal flow path formed by the ring member, R4: Internal flow path formed in the piston guide, R5: Internal flow path formed in the stem, R6: Internal flow path formed in the ejection head

Claims

1. The container comprises a cylinder that can be placed in a liquid storage space formed inside the container body, a piston that can slide inside the cylinder, a piston guide that slidably holds the piston and has a liquid inlet pipe on the side of the liquid inlet of the cylinder, a ejection head that can push the piston guide into the inside of the cylinder, a mesh member attached to the liquid inlet pipe provided on the piston guide, and a spacer installed inside the cylinder with a gap between it and the mesh member. The liquid dispenser is provided with a spacer having a crushing surface capable of crushing granular material interposed between it and the mesh member when the piston guide is pushed to its bottom dead center, together with the mesh member.

2. The liquid ejector according to claim 1, wherein the crushing surface is flat.

3. The liquid ejector according to claim 1, wherein the mesh member is attached to a ring member and, via the ring member, is attached to the liquid inlet of the piston guide.

4. A liquid ejection container comprising a liquid ejector as described in any one of claims 1 to 3 and the container body.

Images