Button cap
A button cap with a simple configuration and flow divider for aerosol containers effectively ejects fluid over a wide area, addressing complexity issues in existing designs.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- EARTH CORP
- Filing Date
- 2021-12-03
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-04
AI Technical Summary
Existing button caps for aerosol containers have complex mechanisms for ejecting content over a wide area.
A button cap with a simple configuration featuring a main body, covering portion, and flow dividing portion with multiple injection ports and a flow divider, allowing for wide-area ejection of fluid.
The button cap achieves wide-area ejection of fluid with a simple design, enhancing user experience and efficacy.
Smart Images
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Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This disclosure relates to a button cap.
Background Art
[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a button cap that ejects an aerosol content over a wide area from a plurality of ejection ports. In this device, by providing a plurality of ejection ports, the content can be ejected along a virtual conical surface.
Prior Art Documents
Patent Documents
[0003]
Patent Document 1
Summary of the Invention
Problems to be Solved by the Invention
[0004] By the way, the device according to Patent Document 1 had room for improvement because the mechanism related to ejection was complicated.
[0005] An object of this disclosure is to provide a button cap that can eject the content over a wide area with a simple configuration.
Means for Solving the Problems
[0006] A button cap according to an aspect of this disclosure is provided at the upper end of an aerosol container, and is a button cap for injecting the fluid stored in the aerosol container, having an attachment portion attachable to the aerosol container, a main body portion having a passage forming portion for sending the fluid in the injection direction, and a covering portion provided so as to close the opening on the injection side of the passage forming portion, wherein a plurality of injection ports spaced apart from each other are opened in the covering portion, and a flow dividing portion is provided in the covering portion at a position separating the plurality of injection ports. [Effects of the Invention]
[0007] The button cap of this disclosure has a simple configuration, yet it can spray fluid over a wide vertical area. [Brief explanation of the drawing]
[0008] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing an aerosol container equipped with a button cap according to this disclosure. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the valve. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the top and button cap of the aerosol container. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a front view of the nozzle section as seen from the injection side. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the VV line in Figure 4. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a magnified view of the nozzle section. [Modes for carrying out the invention]
[0009] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing an aerosol container equipped with a button cap according to an embodiment of this disclosure.
[0010] In this embodiment, a spraying device 1 including a button cap 2 will be described. As shown in Figure 1, the spraying device 1 consists of a button cap 2 and an aerosol container 3, and the aerosol container 3 is filled with fluid under high pressure. By operating the button cap 2, the spraying device 1 can spray the fluid inside the aerosol container 3 to the outside through the button cap 2. The spraying device 1 of this embodiment is a device for applying insecticide.
[0011] In the following description, we will assume that the aerosol container 3, which is roughly cylindrical, is positioned so that its axis is vertical, and that the button cap 2 is attached to the top of the aerosol container 3 in this state. For convenience, in the following description, we will define the direction in which the button cap 2 is located relative to the center of the aerosol container 3 as upward, and the direction opposite to the center of the aerosol container 3 relative to the button cap 2 as downward.
[0012] Before describing the button cap 2, the valve 10 of the aerosol container 3 to which the button cap 2 is attached will be described. Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the top of the aerosol container 3 and the valve 10. The left half of Figure 2 shows the valve 10 in the sealed state, and the right half of Figure 2 shows the valve 10 in the operated state. As shown in Figure 2, the valve 10 has a stem 11, a housing 12, a spring 13, and a sealing member 14. The valve 10 can be in two states: a sealed state and an operated state. In the sealed state, the valve 10 seals the inside of the aerosol container 3, and in the operated state, the valve 10 is configured to spray the fluid inside the aerosol container 3.
[0013] The housing 12 is located inside the aerosol container 3. The housing 12 is positioned to cover the opening 17 of the aerosol container 3. The housing 12 is a substantially cylindrical member. A container-side communication port 15 is located at the bottom of the housing 12.
[0014] A valve chamber 16 is formed inside the housing 12 and the outer wall of the aerosol container 3. The valve chamber 16 can communicate with the outside through the opening 17 of the aerosol container 3. The valve chamber 16 also communicates with a storage area (not shown) of the aerosol container 3 through a container-side communication port 15 at the bottom of the housing 12. Part of the stem 11 and the spring 13 are housed inside the valve chamber 16.
[0015] The stem 11 is provided inside the valve chamber 16 so as to be vertically movable. The stem 11 is a substantially cylindrical member having a smaller diameter than the opening 17 of the aerosol container 3. The stem 11 penetrates through the opening 17 of the aerosol container 3. The lower part of the stem 11 is located inside the aerosol container 3, and the upper part of the stem 11 protrudes outside the aerosol container 3.
[0016] Inside the stem 11, a stem inner passage 11A is formed. On the upper surface of the stem 11, a cap-side opening 11B that communicates the stem inner passage 11A with the outside is open. The lower surface of the stem 11 is closed, separating the stem inner passage 11A from a storage area (not shown) of the aerosol container 3. On the side surface of the stem 11, a hole that communicates the stem inner passage 11A with the valve chamber 16 is open.
[0017] The spring 13 is composed of an elastic body such as a coil spring. The spring 13 is provided inside the valve chamber 16 between the lower part of the stem 11 and the housing 12. The spring 13 pushes the stem 11 that has moved downward upward.
[0018] The seal member 14 is fixed to the inner surface of the housing 12 at a position facing the side surface of the stem 11. The seal member 14 is composed of an elastically deformable rubber or the like. The seal member 14 is a substantially disk-shaped member through which the stem 11 penetrates inside. The outer peripheral side end of the seal member 14 is fixed to the inner surface of the housing 12. The inner peripheral side end 14A of the seal member 14 abuts against the side surface of the stem 11. The inner peripheral side end 14A of the seal member 14 can close the communication port 15 of the stem 11.
[0019] In the sealed state of the valve 10, the stem 11 is pressed upward by the spring 13 and is located at the upper limit position of the movable range of the stem 11. In the sealed state, the seal member 14 closes the communication port 15 of the stem 11. For this reason, the valve chamber 16 and the outside of the aerosol container 3 are blocked by the seal member 14, and the fluid stored inside the aerosol container 3 does not flow out to the outside.
[0020] In the operating state of valve 10, the stem 11 is pressed downward by the button cap 2 against the elastic restoring force of the spring 13 and moves downward. In the operating state of valve 10, the inner circumferential end 14A of the sealing member 14 elastically deforms downward as the stem 11 moves. As a result, a gap is created between the inner circumferential end 14A of the sealing member 14 and the side surface of the stem 11, the communication port 15 of the stem 11 communicates with the valve chamber 16, and the valve chamber 16 communicates with the stem internal passage 11A. In this operating state, the high-pressure fluid inside the aerosol container 3 can flow out of the aerosol container 3 through the valve chamber 16, the communication port 15, and the stem internal passage 11A. When the pressure on the stem 11 by the button cap 2 is released, the stem 11 is pushed upward by the spring 13, and the valve 10 returns to a sealed state.
[0021] Next, the button cap 2 will be described with reference to Figure 3. Figure 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the button cap 2. The button cap 2 has a main body portion 21 including a trigger 24, a cover portion 22, a protective piece 23, a mounting portion 27, and a nozzle portion 30. The fluid flowing from the valve 10 is ejected to the outside from the nozzle portion 30 of the button cap 2. X is the direction of ejection. By operating the trigger 24 of the button cap 2, the button cap 2 pushes down the stem 11 of the valve 10, changing the valve 10 from a sealed state to an open state.
[0022] The cover portion 22 is a roughly hemispherical part that covers the main body portion 21. The cover portion 22 enhances the appearance and design of the button cap 2. The mounting portion 27 is located at the bottom of the cover portion 22. The cover portion 22 is attached to the top of the aerosol container 3 via the mounting portion 27. The mounting portion 27 is fitted onto the aerosol container 3.
[0023] The main body 21 consists of a trigger 24 and a passage forming section 25. The main body 21 is mounted to the housing 12 so as to be rotatable around the mounting point P. The main body 21 is provided with an internal cap passage 26 that communicates with the internal stem passage 11A of the stem 11. The passage forming section 25 forms this internal cap passage 26. The internal cap passage 26 consists of a first passage 26A that extends upward from the communication opening 15 of the stem 11, and a second passage 26B that bends from the first passage 26A and extends laterally. An enlarged diameter section 28 that covers the upper part of the stem 11 is provided at one end of the first passage 26A. A nozzle section 30 is connected to the end of the second passage 26B. The fluid flowing out of the aerosol container 3 flows through this internal cap passage 26 and is carried to the nozzle section 30.
[0024] The trigger 24 is a portion that extends downward from the passage forming portion 25, which forms the second passage 26B. The operator's finger can be placed on this trigger 24. When the operator places their finger on the trigger 24 and moves the trigger 24 as indicated by the arrow Y in the figure, the position of the button cap 2 rotates counterclockwise around the mounting point P in Figure 3. As a result, the lower surface of the main body portion 21 pushes downwards against the upper surface of the stem 11. This causes the valve 10 to change from a sealed state to an open state, as described above.
[0025] The fluid ejected from the nozzle 30 diffuses in the direction of ejection, and some of it may be directed towards the trigger 24 located near the nozzle 30. Therefore, to prevent the fluid from adhering to the finger placed on the trigger 24, a protective piece 23 is provided on the outer circumference of the nozzle 30. At least a portion of the protective piece 23 is positioned to block the spray opening 32 of the nozzle 30 from the trigger 24.
[0026] Next, the nozzle portion 30 will be described with reference to Figure 4. Figure 4 is a front view of the nozzle portion 30 as seen from the spraying side. As shown in Figure 4, the nozzle portion 30 is a cylindrical member that extends in the spraying direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the aerosol container 3. Inside the nozzle portion 30, an internal nozzle passage 36 (see Figure 3) is formed that extends in the spraying direction X.
[0027] The nozzle portion 30 is fitted into the main body portion 21, and the cap internal passage 26 and the nozzle internal passage 36 are in communication. The nozzle portion 30 is the part that guides the fluid discharged from the cap internal passage 26 to the outside via the nozzle internal passage 36. The nozzle portion 30 has a cover portion 31 at the injection side end. The cover portion 31 is a plate-shaped component provided to close the injection side end of the nozzle internal passage 36. The cover portion 31 has an injection port 32, a flow divider portion 33, a recess 34, and a guide portion 35. The recess 34 and the guide portion 35 are provided on the injection side surface 31A of the cover portion 31.
[0028] The cover portion 31 is provided with two injection ports 32 that penetrate in the injection direction X. The nozzle internal passage 36 communicates with the outside through the injection ports 32. The two injection ports 32 are arranged to be aligned in the vertical direction (first direction).
[0029] The flow diversion section 33 is a part of the cover section 31 that is positioned to block the nozzle internal passage 36. The flow diversion section 33 is located between the two injection ports 32. The flow diversion section 33 is the part that guides the fluid that has passed through the nozzle internal passage 36 to the injection ports 32.
[0030] As shown in Figure 4, the recess 34 is a hole provided on the injection side surface 31A of the cover portion 31, extending toward the side opposite to the injection. Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VV in Figure 4. As shown in Figure 5, the recess 34 has a bottom surface and does not penetrate to the nozzle internal passage 36. Figure 4 is a view of the injection side surface 31A of the cover portion 31 as seen from the injection direction. In the example shown in Figure 4, a pair of recesses 34 are provided so as to sandwich the two injection ports 32. When the injection side surface 31A of the cover portion 31 is viewed from the injection direction, the recess 34 is shaped to follow the outer circumference of the cover portion 31 and is bordered by a curve. The two recesses 34 are provided along the left-right direction (second direction) which is perpendicular to the up-down direction (first direction) when viewed from the injection direction. The recesses 34 are provided near the outer edge of the cover portion 31.
[0031] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the enticing portion 35 is a shallower recess than the recess 34, provided on the injection side surface 31A of the cover portion 31. As shown in Figure 4, when viewing the injection side surface 31A of the cover portion 31 from the injection direction, the enticing portion 35 is provided between the recess 34 and the injection port 32. In other words, the enticing portion 35 is provided closer to the injection port 32 than the recess 34.
[0032] Next, we will explain the function of the nozzle section 30 when the fluid (e.g., drug) inside the aerosol container 3 is sprayed. As mentioned above, the fluid sprayed from the valve 10 passes through the internal passage 26 in the cap of the main body 21 and is sent to the nozzle section 30.
[0033] At least a portion of the fluid that passes through the nozzle passage 36 and is carried in the injection direction strikes the flow divider 33 and flows upward and downward, and is discharged to the outside from the injection port 32 located at the top and the injection port 32 located at the bottom, respectively. In addition to the fluid that passes through the nozzle passage 36 and is carried linearly and moves parallel to the injection direction, fluid that is blocked by the flow divider 33 and moves upward enters the injection port 32. Compared to the case where only fluid moving parallel to the injection direction enters the injection port 32, in the nozzle section 30 of this embodiment, the fluid is injected from the injection port 32 located at the top in a manner that spreads more upward.
[0034] Similarly, fluid is ejected from the nozzle 32 located at the bottom, spreading further downwards. In this way, the button cap 2 of this embodiment can eject fluid over a wider area in the vertical direction compared to a button cap with a single nozzle and no flow divider 33. Furthermore, because the two nozzles 32 are arranged side by side in the vertical direction, fluid can be ejected over a wider area in the vertical direction than in the horizontal direction.
[0035] It is desirable for the injection nozzles 32 to widen the fluid injection range in the vertical direction. Therefore, as shown in Figure 4, it is desirable that the ratio d / D between the distance d between the center points of the two injection nozzles 32 and the length D of the flow divider 33 along the line segment direction passing through the two center points be between 1.2 and 4.0. If the ratio d / D is less than 1.2, the injection nozzles 32 are too far apart, causing the injection ranges from each nozzle 32 to be divided vertically, resulting in a smaller spray volume between each nozzle 32. If the ratio d / D exceeds 4.0, the width of the flow divider 33 becomes narrower, causing the injection nozzles 32 to be too close together, resulting in the fluids injected from each nozzle 32 merging and becoming more directional, making it difficult to achieve a wide-angle injection in the vertical direction.
[0036] Furthermore, in order to widen the fluid injection range in the vertical direction, the ratio L / l of the vertical width L to the horizontal width l of the injection nozzle 32 is preferably 0.9 or more and 4.0 or less, as shown in Figure 4, and the shape is preferably approximately elliptical. If the ratio L / l is less than 0.9, the sprayed fluid will have a higher directional trajectory, and the vertical spread of the spray range will be suppressed. Conversely, if the ratio L / l exceeds 4.0, the spray range will spread too wide vertically, increasing the likelihood of spraying an excessive amount of chemical.
[0037] By setting the ratio L / l of the spray nozzle 32 to 0.9 or more and 4.0 or less, the ratio W / w of the maximum vertical width W to the maximum horizontal width w of the treated surface when sprayed onto an object (screen door) standing vertically at a distance of 20 cm from the spray nozzle 32 can be set to 2.0 or more and 7.0 or less. When the ratio W / w is 2.0 or less, the spray pattern becomes close to circular, making it difficult to spray the corners of a square-shaped treated surface. Therefore, when spraying the chemical onto a screen door, it becomes difficult to spray the chemical into the corners. Also, when the ratio W / w is 7.0 or more, the spray range in the vertical direction becomes too wide, increasing the possibility of spraying an excessive amount of chemical during treatment.
[0038] The average particle size of the fluid sprayed from the nozzle 32 is determined by the ratio S / s of the cross-sectional area S of the nozzle passage 36 and the total area s of the nozzle 32, as shown in Figure 6. Ideally, the average particle size should be between 40 and 170 μm. If the average particle size of the sprayed fluid is smaller than 40 μm, the risk of the operator inhaling particles increases, impairing the user experience. Furthermore, the fluid may become more susceptible to rebound and wind, potentially reducing its adhesion to the treated object. Conversely, if the average particle size is larger than 170 μm, dripping from the nozzle 32 is more likely. Additionally, the chemical may drip or adhere to the treated surface, potentially causing stains and impairing the user experience. In this embodiment, in order to control the particle size of the sprayed fluid within the range described above, it is desirable that the ratio S / s of the cross-sectional area S of the nozzle passage 36 to the total area s of the spray port 32 be between 6.3 and 19.6. The average particle size (D50) of the aerosol composition at a spray distance of 20 cm was calculated by measuring the particle size at a distance of 20 cm under 25°C conditions using a laser particle size distribution analyzer (Tohnichi Computer Applications Co., Ltd., LDSA-1400A). The measurement method was key-start averaging (averaging count 3 times, interval 0.60 ms), and the average value of the three measurements was calculated.
[0039] Furthermore, when the fluid is injected, some of the injected fluid may adhere to the injection side surface 31A of the cover portion 31. If a large amount of fluid adheres, the fluid may drip from the cover portion 31. Therefore, in the button cap 2 of this embodiment, a recess 34 is provided to store the fluid that adheres to the injection side surface 31A of the cover portion 31. This prevents the fluid from dripping from the cover portion 31.
[0040] Furthermore, since the fluid adhering to the cover portion 31 moves downward due to its own weight, it is conceivable to provide a recess 34 below the nozzle 32. However, if a recess 34 is provided below the nozzle 32, the nozzle portion 30, including the cover portion 31, becomes too large in the vertical direction. Therefore, in this embodiment, the recesses 34 are provided to the left and right of the nozzle 32. This is because it has been found that the fluid adhering to the cover portion 31 tends to remain on the spray side surface 31A, and even if the recesses 34 are provided to the left and right of the nozzle 32, the fluid adhering to the cover portion 31 can move to the recesses 34. By providing the two recesses 34 side by side in the left-right direction in this way, the enlargement of the nozzle portion 30 is suppressed.
[0041] Furthermore, in order to reliably guide the fluid adhering to the spray side surface 31A into the recess 34, the button cap 2 of this embodiment is provided with a guide portion 35. Since a large amount of fluid tends to adhere to the area around the spray nozzle 32, a guide portion 35 is provided that is more recessed than other parts, guiding the fluid from the guide portion 35 towards the recess 34. By providing the guide portion 35, dripping can be further suppressed. The bottom surface of the guide portion 35 may be a flat surface, an inclined surface, or a shape with multiple indentations and recesses.
[0042] Although two examples of the injection nozzle 32 were described in the embodiments described above, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, three or more injection nozzles 32 may be provided.
[0043] However, the present invention is not limited to these examples, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims as shown, and equivalents thereof. [Explanation of symbols]
[0044] 1: Spraying device 2: Button cap 3: Aerosol container 10: Valve 11: Stem 11A: Stem internal passage 11B: Cap side opening 12: Housing 13: Spring 14: Sealing material 14A: Inner circumference end 15: Container side communication port 16: Valve chamber 17: Opening 21: Main body 22: Cover section 23: Protective piece 24: Trigger 25: Passage forming part 26: Inside the cap passageway 26A: First aisle 26B:Second aisle 27: Mounting part 30: Nozzle part 31: Covering part 31A: Injection side 32: Nozzle 33: Diversion section 34: Recess 35: The enticing department 36: Nozzle passage X: Injection direction Y: Trigger movement direction P: Mounting point L: Vertical width of the spray nozzle l: Nozzle width S: Cross-sectional area of the nozzle passage s: Total nozzle area
Claims
1. A button cap provided at the upper end of an aerosol container for spraying the fluid stored in the aerosol container, It comprises a mounting portion that can be attached to the aerosol container, a main body portion having a passage forming portion that sends fluid in the spraying direction, and a cover portion provided to close the spraying side opening of the passage forming portion, The covering portion has multiple nozzles that are spaced apart from each other. The opening on the injection side of the passage forming section and the injection port are in linear communication along the injection direction. The cover portion is provided with a flow divider at a position separating the multiple injection nozzles. The covering portion has a recess that opens on the injection side of the covering portion and extends toward the opposite side of the injection. Button cap.
2. The button cap according to claim 1, wherein, when viewed from the injection direction, the ratio d / D of the distance d between the center points of the two injection nozzles and the length D of the flow diversion section along the line segment direction passing through the two center points is 1.2 or more and 4.0 or less.
3. When viewed from the aforementioned spraying direction, the button cap is attached so as to be aligned in the first direction relative to the aerosol container. The button cap according to claim 1 or 2, wherein two nozzles are provided along the first direction, and two recesses are provided toward a second direction perpendicular to the first direction.
4. The button cap according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the covering portion is provided with a shallower guide portion than the recess, extending from the vicinity of the nozzle toward the recess, for guiding fluid adhering to the spray side surface of the covering portion toward the recess.