Pump dispenser, discharge container, and discharge container article with contents

Abstract

This pump dispenser comprises: a cylinder; a piston that reciprocates in one direction within the cylinder; a discharge head that is provided on an upper part of the piston and comprises a discharge flow path through which contents flow and a discharge port for discharging the content; a base cap hermetically fitted to a container body; an urging member provided above the base cap and urging the discharge head upward; an engagement member provided on the base cap and screwing and fixing a lower end of the discharge head; and a pressing part abutting on the piston and moving the piston downward when the discharge head is pressed. The discharge head is configured to be rotatable in the circumferential direction with respect to the base cap in a set range before releasing the screwed engagement by rotating the base cap circumferentially.

Description

Pump dispenser, dispensing container, and dispensing container article containing contents

[0001] The present invention relates to a pump dispenser that dispenses, for example, a liquid content, a dispensing container having the pump dispenser, and a content-filled dispensing container article having a content stored in a container body of the dispensing container.

[0002] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a pump dispenser that includes a cylinder portion, a piston portion that slides within the cylinder portion, a nozzle head attached to the top of the piston portion, a cap portion for attaching the cylinder portion to a container body, a cylindrical packing that is installed between the piston portion and the cylinder portion, and a spring that is interposed between the cylindrical packing and the nozzle head to spring the nozzle head upward.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2009-208830

[0004] In conventional discharge containers, the parts are tightly fitted together so that they do not come apart during use or transportation, and consumers cannot easily remove the parts. However, in recent years, with growing environmental awareness, there has been a demand for the metal urging member and other synthetic resin parts to be separated and disposed of.

[0005] According to the discharge container of Patent Document 1, it is desirable that the nozzle head can be easily separated by rotating it in order to remove the spring that urges the nozzle head upward, but although it has a nozzle head that rotates freely, it is structurally difficult to remove and disassemble the nozzle head while rotating it.

[0006] The present invention aims to provide a pump dispenser that dispenses liquid contents, for example, which is easy to use and separates easily, a dispensing container having the pump dispenser, and a dispensing container article containing contents stored in the container body of the dispensing container.

[0007] A pump dispenser according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a cylinder, a piston that reciprocates in one direction within the cylinder, a discharge head provided on top of the piston and having a discharge flow path through which the contents flow and a discharge port through which the contents are discharged, a base cap that is hermetically fitted with a container body, a biasing member provided above the base cap that biases the discharge head upward, an engaging member provided on the base cap that screws into and fixes the lower end of the discharge head, and a push-down portion that abuts against the piston when the discharge head is pressed down, and moves the piston downward, and the discharge head is configured to be rotatable circumferentially within a set range relative to the base cap before rotating it circumferentially relative to the base cap to release the screw threads.

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a pump dispenser that dispenses liquid contents, which is easy to use and separate at the time of use, a dispensing container having the pump dispenser, and a content-containing dispensing container article having contents stored in the container body of the dispensing container.

[0009] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a discharge container according to one embodiment. FIG. 2A is a cross-sectional view of a plane including the central axis of the support unit shown in FIG. 1, and a perspective view of the engaging member. FIG. 2B is an enlarged view of the position indicated by reference symbol 2B in FIG. 2A. FIG. 2C is an enlarged view of the position indicated by reference symbol 2C in FIG. 2A. FIG. 2D is a schematic view showing a state in which a protrusion of the support unit is arranged on the upper side and a protrusion of the engaging member is arranged directly below it. FIG. 3A is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a series of operations of the pump body. FIG. 3B is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a series of operations of the pump body subsequent to FIG. 3A. FIG. 3C is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a series of operations of the pump body subsequent to FIG. 3B. FIG. 3D is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a series of operations of the pump body subsequent to FIG. 3C. FIG. 4 is a schematic view showing a state in which the contents are stored in the space formed by the engaging member, piston, and rod-shaped valve after the series of operations from FIG. 3A to FIG. 3D. FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing a state in which the protrusion has been removed from the outer wall of the inner cylinder of the engaging member shown in FIG. 4.

[0010] A discharge container 1 according to the embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5. FIG.

[0011] Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a discharge container 1 according to an embodiment. In this embodiment, the up-down direction refers to the container body 2 side of the discharge container 1 as the bottom, and the nozzle 30 side of the pump body 3 as the top, as shown in Fig. 1. Also, a central axis C of the discharge container 1 is taken as the axis in Fig. 1.

[0012] Fig. 2A is a cross-sectional view of a plane including the central axis C of the support part 20 shown in Fig. 1, and a perspective view of the engagement member (push-down part) 50. Fig. 2B is an enlarged view of the position indicated by reference symbol 2B in Fig. 2A. Fig. 2C is an enlarged view of the position indicated by reference symbol 2C in Fig. 2A. Fig. 2D is a schematic view showing a state in which the lower end part 220a of the protrusion 220 of the support part 20 is arranged on the upper side, and the upper end part 520a of the protrusion 520 of the engagement member 50 is arranged directly below it.

[0013] 3A to 3D are schematic cross-sectional views including the central axis C of the discharge container 1, showing a series of operations of the pump body 3. Fig. 3A is a schematic diagram showing the arrangement of the support part 20, the nozzle 30, the engaging member 50, the cylinder 60, the piston 70, and the rod-shaped valve 80 when the nozzle 30 of the pump body 3 of the discharge container 1 shown in Fig. 1 is at top dead center. Fig. 3B is a schematic diagram showing the arrangement of the support part 20, the nozzle 30, the engaging member 50, the cylinder 60, the piston 70, and the rod-shaped valve 80 when the nozzle 30 of the pump body 3 of the discharge container 1 shown in Fig. 1 is slightly lowered from top dead center. Fig. 3C is a schematic diagram showing the arrangement of the nozzle 30, the engaging member 50, the cylinder 60, the piston 70, and the rod-shaped valve 80 when the nozzle 30 of the pump body 3 of the discharge container 1 shown in Fig. 1 is at bottom dead center. 3D is a schematic diagram showing the arrangement of the nozzle 30, the engaging member 50, the cylinder 60, the piston 70, and the rod-shaped valve 80 when the nozzle 30 of the pump body 3 of the discharge container 1 shown in FIG. 1 is at a position slightly above the bottom dead center position.

[0014] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the content L has been stored in the space formed by the engaging member 50, the piston 70, and the rod-shaped valve 80 after the series of operations shown in FIGS. 3A to 3D.

[0015] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the protruding portion 510c is removed from the outer peripheral surface (outer wall) of the inner cylinder 510 of the engaging member 50 shown in FIG.

[0016] 1, the discharge container 1 includes a container body 2, a pump body (pump dispenser) 3, and a tube body 4. The discharge container 1 is a so-called hand pump that sucks up the content L stored in the container body 2 through the tube body 4 using the pump body 3 and discharges the content L to the outside, for example, as a liquid or in the form of foam, using the pump body 3.

[0017] The content L is stored in the container body 2. The content L may be, for example, a liquid containing a surfactant, such as shampoo, hand soap, facial cleanser, or shaving cream. The content L may also be a liquid medicine. A gel-like substance or the like may also be used.

[0018] The container body 2 is a cylindrical container with a bottom, for example. The container body 2 includes a main body 12 in which the contents L are stored, and a fixing part 14 having an opening where a part of the upper end of the main body 12 protrudes. The fixing part 14 has a male screw part 16 integrally molded on the outer circumferential surface.

[0019] The tube 4 is preferably a flexible tube. One end of the tube 4 is connected to the pump body 3, and the other end is a free end. The other end of the tube 4 contacts, for example, the bottom surface of the container body 2.

[0020] The container body 2 may be formed from, for example, a metal material, glass, ceramic, or a resin material. The container body 2 is preferably formed from the same material as the pump body 3 and the tube body 4, a so-called monomaterial. For this reason, in this embodiment, the container body 2 is preferably formed from a resin material that is the same material as the pump body 3 and the tube body 4. In this embodiment, the container body 2, the pump body 3, and the tube body 4 are preferably formed from, for example, polypropylene (PP) resin.

[0021] As shown in Figures 1 and 3A to 3D, the pump body (pump dispenser) 3 includes a support portion (base cap) 20, a nozzle (discharge head) 30, a biasing member 40, an engaging member (depression portion) 50, a cylinder 60, a piston 70, and a rod-shaped valve 80.

[0022] The support part 20, nozzle 30, engaging member 50, cylinder 60, piston 70, and rod-shaped valve 80 are preferably formed from a resin material. The biasing member 40 is formed from, for example, a metal material. In this embodiment, the support part 20, nozzle 30, engaging member 50, cylinder 60, piston 70, and rod-shaped valve 80 are preferably formed from a so-called monomaterial, such as polypropylene (PP) resin. The hardness of the components of the support part 20, nozzle 30, engaging member 50, cylinder 60, piston 70, and rod-shaped valve 80, or the hardness of portions of the components, is set appropriately depending on each component or portion of each component, etc.

[0023] The support part 20, the nozzle 30, the engaging member 50, the cylinder 60, and the rod-shaped valve 80 are formed, for example, to be appropriately hard, and the piston 70 is formed, depending on the part, to be softer than the support part 20, the nozzle 30, the engaging member 50, the cylinder 60, and the rod-shaped valve 80.

[0024] In this embodiment, the support part 20, the biasing member 40, the engaging member 50, the cylinder 60, the piston 70, and the rod-shaped valve 80 are preferably formed to be rotationally symmetric or approximately rotationally symmetric about the central axis C shown in FIG. 1 . Note that, as long as the portions of the support part 20 that connect to each component are formed to be rotationally symmetric or approximately rotationally symmetric about the central axis C, the appearance of the support part 20, for example, a shoulder part 206 described below, does not have to be rotationally symmetric or approximately rotationally symmetric about the central axis C. The appearance of the shoulder part 206 of the support part 20 can be formed, for example, in a shape that makes it easy for a user to hold the container body 2 and rotate the support part 20 relative to the container body 2.

[0025] The support portion 20 includes a nozzle guide cylinder 202 , a container fixing cylinder 204 , a shoulder portion 206 , an inner cylindrical portion 208 , an intermediate cylindrical portion 210 , and a flange portion 212 .

[0026] The nozzle guide cylinder 202, the container fixing cylinder 204, the shoulder portion 206, the cylindrical portion 208, and the flange portion 212 are integrally formed from, for example, a resin material. The nozzle guide cylinder 202, the container fixing cylinder 204, the shoulder portion 206, the cylindrical portion 208, the container fixing cylinder 204, and the flange portion 212 are coaxial with the central axis C.

[0027] The nozzle guide cylinder 202 is formed in a cylindrical shape. The nozzle guide cylinder 202 guides the nozzle 30 arranged above it so that the nozzle 30 can move along the central axis C. The upper end 202a of the nozzle guide cylinder 202 can abut against a bottom portion 303 (described later) of the nozzle 30. For example, when the upper end 202a of the nozzle guide cylinder 202 of the support part 20 abuts against the bottom portion 303 of the nozzle 30, the nozzle 30 is at the bottom dead center with respect to the support part 20.

[0028] The container fixing cylinder 204 has a larger diameter than the nozzle guide cylinder 202 and is capable of fixing the container body 2. That is, the support part 20 is hermetically fitted to the container body 2 using a packing 610 described below. The inner peripheral surface of the container fixing cylinder 204 has a female thread part 20a that is fixed to the male thread part 16 of the container body 2. It is preferable that the male thread part 16 of the container body 2 and the female thread part 20a of the support part 20 are formed so that the fastening relationship is constant. For this reason, it is preferable that the positional relationship when the support part 20 of the pump body 3 of the discharge container 1 is fixed to the container body 2 is constant.

[0029] The shoulder 206 provides continuity between the nozzle guide cylinder 202 and the container fixing cylinder 204. The shoulder 206 supports the cylinder 60 in a fixed state.

[0030] The cylindrical portion 208 extends on the opposite side to the nozzle guide cylinder 202. The cylindrical portion 208 is provided in a cylindrical shape at the lower end of the nozzle guide cylinder 202 of the support portion 20.

[0031] The intermediate cylindrical portion 210 is provided between the inner cylindrical portion 208 and the container fixing cylinder 204. The intermediate cylindrical portion 210, together with the container fixing cylinder 204 and the shoulder portion 206, supports a fixing portion (flange portion) 614 of the cylinder 60, which will be described later.

[0032] The flange portion 212 protrudes radially inward from the boundary between the nozzle guide cylinder 202 and the cylindrical portion 208. The inner diameter of the flange portion 212 is larger than the outer diameter of an inner cylinder 302 of the nozzle 30, which will be described later.

[0033] The nozzle 30 can be rotated circumferentially by 45° or more and up to 360° relative to the support part 20. To allow the nozzle 30 to rotate within this range relative to the support part 20, a protrusion (first protrusion) 220 is provided on the inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical part 208 of the support part 20 and on the lower surface of the flange part 212, as shown in Figures 2A and 2B. One or more protrusions 220 of the support part 20 are formed in the circumferential direction on the inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical part 208.

[0034] When one protrusion 220 of the support portion 20 is formed circumferentially on the inner surface of the cylindrical portion 208, by forming one protrusion (second protrusion portion) 520 of the engaging member 50 described later, the nozzle 30 can be rotated circumferentially up to 360° relative to the support portion 20.

[0035] Note that the protrusion 220 of the support part 20 actually has a thickness in the circumferential direction, and the protrusion 520 described later also has a thickness in the circumferential direction. Therefore, the nozzle 30 actually rotates less than approximately 360° in the circumferential direction relative to the support part 20. When describing the circumferential angle at which the protrusions 220 are arranged, the circumferential thickness of the protrusions 220, 520 will be ignored, and the description will be based on the angle along the central axis of the protrusions 220, 520 along the radial direction from the central axis C of the discharge container 1. This also applies to the protrusions 510a and the protruding parts 510c, 512a described later.

[0036] When a plurality of protrusions 220 are formed on the support portion 20, they are preferably formed at predetermined angular intervals in the circumferential direction of the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 208. When there are two protrusions 220, it is preferable that they are formed, for example, at intervals of 180°.

[0037] When the nozzle 30 is rotated 45° in the circumferential direction relative to the support part 20, the protrusions 220 of the support part 20 are provided at a pitch of at least 45°. In this case, the protrusions 520 of the engaging member 50 are also provided at a pitch of at least 45°. If the pitch of either the protrusions 220, 520 is 45°, the nozzle 30 can be rotated 45° in the circumferential direction relative to the support part 20.

[0038] When the nozzle 30 is rotated, the protrusion 220 of the support part 20 interferes with a protrusion 520 of the engagement member 50 (described later), thereby restricting the rotation of the nozzle 30 in the circumferential direction relative to the support part 20 .

[0039] In this way, the nozzle 30 can rotate within a predetermined range in the circumferential direction relative to the support part 20, so that when the discharge container 1 is held by hand for use, the direction of the nozzle 30 relative to the support part 20 can be easily changed, and there is no need to re-hold or re-place the discharge container 1 when using it, which is convenient.

[0040] The lower end 220a of the protrusion 220 is formed so that when a protrusion 520 (described later) of the engaging member 50 abuts against the lower end 220a while moving up and down along the central axis C, it is difficult for the support portion 20 and the engaging member 50 to maintain their abutting state, causing a circumferential misalignment between the support portion 20 and the engaging member 50. For example, the shape of the lower end 220a of the protrusion 220 is preferably such that the abutting force of the protrusion 520 of the engaging member 50 against the lower end 220a of the protrusion 220 can be vector-converted in the circumferential direction. The lower end 220a of the protrusion 220 is preferably formed so as to taper downward, for example. As an example, the lower end 220a of the protrusion 220 is preferably formed in a tapered shape that tapers downward, for example. The lower end 220a of the protrusion 220 may be an inclined surface or a curved surface.

[0041] It is also preferable that the lower end 220a of the protrusion 220 is inclined in the opposite direction to the upper end 520a of the protrusion 520 as it moves from the radially inward direction to the radially outward direction (toward the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 208).

[0042] 1 and 3A to 3D, the nozzle 30 is disposed above the support part 20. The nozzle 30 has an inner cylinder 302, an outer cylinder 304 on the outside of the inner cylinder 302, and a discharge cylinder 306 that is continuous with the upper end of the inner cylinder 302 and discharges a fluid. The inner cylinder 302, the outer cylinder 304, and the discharge cylinder 306 are integrated together using, for example, a resin material.

[0043] The inside of the inner tube 302 and the inside of the discharge tube 306 are connected to each other and form a discharge flow path 30a through which the contents (a foamy liquid or a liquid) L flows. The distal end of the discharge tube 306 relative to the inner tube 302 is formed as a discharge port 306a for the contents.

[0044] The inner cylinder 302 and the outer cylinder 304 are concentric with respect to the central axis C. The inner cylinder 302 and the outer cylinder 304 reciprocate vertically along the central axis C relative to the support part 20 between a first position (normal position (top dead center position)) and a second position (pressing position (bottom dead center position)) different from the first position.

[0045] The discharge tube 306 protrudes from the upper end of the inner tube 302 toward the side away from the central axis C, for example, in a cylindrical shape.

[0046] A male thread portion 308 is formed on the outside of the lower end portion of the inner cylinder 302 of the nozzle 30. The male thread portion 308 can pass through the inside of the flange portion 212 of the support portion 20 and can be screwed into a female thread portion 504 (described later) of the engagement member 50.

[0047] A mesh filter 310 is supported inside the lower end of the inner tube 302 of the nozzle 30. The mesh filter 310 is located on the flow path 30a. The mesh filter 310 has, for example, two meshes 310a and 310b spaced apart from each other. When the liquid and gas pass through the meshes 310a and 310b of the mesh filter 310 on the flow path 30a, the contents L tend to become foamy, and the foamy contents L are discharged from the discharge tube 306 of the flow path 30a. The mesh filter 310 is used to discharge the contents L from the nozzle 30 as fine bubbles. Therefore, if it is not necessary to discharge the contents L as foam from the discharge container 1, the mesh filter 310 is not necessary and may be formed as the discharge flow path 30a.

[0048] The biasing member 40 is a compression coil spring wound in a coil shape around the axis. The inner diameter of the biasing member 40 as a compression coil spring is larger than the outer diameter of the inner cylinder 302 of the nozzle 30. The outer diameter of the biasing member 40 as a compression coil spring is smaller than the inner diameter of the outer cylinder 304 of the nozzle 30. A lower end 40a of the biasing member 40 is supported by the flange portion 212 of the support portion 20, and an upper end 40b of the biasing member 40 is supported by the bottom portion 303 between the inner cylinder 302 and the outer cylinder 304 of the nozzle 30. Therefore, the biasing member 40 biases the nozzle 30 toward the top dead center.

[0049] Note that when the nozzle 30 is at the top dead center relative to the support portion 20, this refers to a state in which the lower end 40a of the biasing member 40 is on the flange portion 212 of the support portion 20, the upper end 40b of the biasing member 40 is in contact with the bottom portion 303 of the nozzle 30, and the male thread portion 308 of the nozzle 30 is threaded into the female thread portion 504 of the engaging member 50, which will be described later, and no external force is being applied to the nozzle 30 by the user or the like.

[0050] The engaging member 50 is movable along the central axis C into and out of the cylindrical portion 208 below the flange portion 212 of the support portion 20 .

[0051] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3A to 3D, the engaging member 50 has an upper cylinder portion 502, a female thread portion 504, a fitting cylinder 506, a mixing chamber 508, an inner cylinder 510, and an outer cylinder (push-down portion) 512.

[0052] The upper cylindrical portion 502 is formed in a cylindrical shape and can be accommodated from below below the flange portion 212 within the cylindrical portion 208 of the support portion 20 .

[0053] 2A and 2C, a protrusion 520 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the upper cylindrical portion 502. The protrusion 520 may be provided on the outer peripheral surface of the upper cylindrical portion 502 alone, or may be formed at a predetermined pitch in the circumferential direction. In Fig. 2A, the protrusion 520 is shown by a solid line and the protrusion 520 is shown by a dashed line to indicate that the engaging member 50 may have one or more protrusions 520.

[0054] When multiple protrusions 520 are formed on the engaging member 50, it is preferable that, for example, three protrusions 520 are formed at intervals of 120° or six protrusions are formed at intervals of 60° on the outer peripheral surface of the upper cylindrical portion 502. When the number of protrusions 520 is large, it is preferable that, for example, eight protrusions are formed at intervals of 45°.

[0055] It is preferable that the nozzle 30 can be rotated 90° or more relative to the support part 20. When the support part 20 has one protrusion 220, it is also preferable that the engagement member 50 has four protrusions 520 formed on the outer peripheral surface of the upper cylindrical part 502, for example, at 90° intervals, three protrusions formed at 120° intervals, or two protrusions formed at 180° intervals. Alternatively, the engagement member 50 may have one protrusion 520 in the circumferential direction. In this case, the support part 20 may have a plurality of protrusions 220 in the circumferential direction. The number of protrusions 220 of the support part 20 and the number of protrusions 520 of the engagement member 50 may be the same or one may be greater.

[0056] Therefore, it is preferable that the nozzle 30 can be rotated circumferentially relative to the support part 20 by an angle of 45° or more and less than 360°, and it is preferable that the maximum range over which the nozzle 30 can rotate circumferentially is 90° or more and less than 360°.

[0057] When the nozzle 30 can be rotated by 90° or more relative to the support part 20, for example, when the nozzles 30 of adjacent discharge containers 1 interfere with each other in a carton during the transport carton packing process during production of a product (a discharge container 1, or an article (content-containing discharge container article) 1a in which content L is placed in a discharge container 1), the position can be adjusted by rotating the nozzle 30, eliminating the need to remove the entire discharge container 1 from the carton and adjust the orientation of the nozzle 30, thereby preventing a decrease in carton packing efficiency.

[0058] It is preferable that the upper end 520a of the protrusion 520 of the engaging member 50 has a shape that can vector-convert the contact force of the upper end 520a of the protrusion 520 of the engaging member 50 against the lower end 220a of the protrusion 220 in the circumferential direction, similar to the lower end 220a of the protrusion 220 of the support part 20. It is preferable that the upper end 520a of the protrusion 520 is formed so as to taper upward, for example. As an example, it is preferable that the upper end 520a of the protrusion 520 is formed in a tapered shape that tapers upward, for example. The upper end 520a of the protrusion 520 may be an inclined surface or a curved surface.

[0059] 2D , it is also preferable that the upper end 520a of the protrusion 520 be inclined in the opposite direction to the lower end 220a of the protrusion 220 as it moves from the radially outer side to the radially inner side (to the outer peripheral surface of the upper cylindrical portion 502). In the example shown in FIG. 2D , the lower end 220a of the protrusion 220 is inclined upward as it moves from the inner side to the outer side, and the upper end 520a of the protrusion 520 is inclined downward as it moves from the inner side to the outer side. For this reason, the protrusions 220 and 520 are likely to be misaligned with each other in the circumferential direction.

[0060] 2A to 2D , it is assumed that both the lower end 220 a of the protrusion 220 of the support part 20 and the upper end 520 a of the protrusion 520 of the engaging member 50 have shapes that allow for vector conversion of their mutual contact forces in the circumferential direction. Either or both of the lower end 220 a of the protrusion 220 of the support part 20 and the upper end 520 a of the protrusion 520 of the engaging member 50 may have a shape that allows for vector conversion of their mutual contact forces in the circumferential direction, such as by forming at least one of the lower end 220 a of the protrusion 220 of the support part 20 and the upper end 520 a of the protrusion 520 of the engaging member 50 into a tapered shape.

[0061] 1 and 3A to 3D , the female thread portion 504 is provided on the inner circumferential surface of the upper cylindrical portion 502 and is threadedly engaged with the male thread portion 308 at the lower end of the inner cylindrical portion 302 of the nozzle 30. In this embodiment, the fastening force when the female thread portion 504 of the engaging member 50 is threadedly engaged with the male thread portion 308 of the inner cylindrical portion 302 of the nozzle 30 is set so as not to be released by the force generated when the protrusions 220, 520 come into contact with each other in the circumferential direction when the orientation of the nozzle 30 is changed by rotating the nozzle 30 relative to the support portion 20. For this reason, the nozzle 30 is configured to be rotatable circumferentially relative to the support portion 20 within a set range before being rotated circumferentially relative to the support portion 20 to release the threaded engagement. The fastening force in a state in which the female thread portion 504 of the engaging member 50 is threadedly engaged with the male thread portion 308 of the inner tube 302 of the nozzle 30 is set to be released when the protrusions 220, 520 abut against each other in the circumferential direction and the nozzle 30 is further rotated so that the abutment force between the protrusions 220, 520 increases. It is expected that the fastening in a state in which the female thread portion 504 of the engaging member 50 is threadedly engaged with the male thread portion 308 of the inner tube 302 of the nozzle 30 will be released when the pump body 3 is recycled or disposed of. For this reason, during normal use of the discharge container 1, the fastening in a state in which the female thread portion 504 of the engaging member 50 is threadedly engaged with the male thread portion 308 of the inner tube 302 of the nozzle 30 will not be released.

[0062] The fitting cylinder 506 fits into the lower end of the mesh filter 310, which is provided inside the female thread portion 504. The fitting cylinder 506 is disposed between the outer peripheral surface of the lower end of the mesh filter 310 and the inner peripheral surface of the inner cylinder 302 of the nozzle 30.

[0063] The mixing chamber 508 is provided below and inside the fitting cylinder 506. The mixing chamber 508 has a first annular portion 532 that protrudes radially inward from the lower end of the fitting cylinder 506 and supports the mesh 310a at the lower end of the mesh filter 310 from above, a recess 534 whose inner diameter decreases as it extends downward from the first annular portion 532, and a second annular portion 536 that is provided at the lower end of the recess 534. The opening diameter (inner diameter) of the second annular portion 536 is formed to be smaller than the outer diameter of the upper portion 802 of the rod-shaped valve 80.

[0064] The mixing chamber 508 communicates with the flow path 30a of the nozzle 30 above the mixing chamber 508 through an opening formed by the first annular portion 532. In this embodiment, the mixing chamber 508 communicates with the mesh filter 310 immediately above the mixing chamber 508.

[0065] The inner cylinder 510 is cylindrically formed below the mixing chamber 508. An upper portion 802 (described later) of the rod-shaped valve 80 is fitted into the inner cylinder 510. The inner cylinder 510 has a plurality of protrusions 510a on its inner peripheral surface, for example, at a predetermined pitch in the circumferential direction. In other words, the protrusions 510a are provided on the wall surface of the engaging member 50 facing an internal passage 953 (described later). Preferably, there are three or more protrusions 510a. Preferably, each protrusion 510a has the same shape and size. In this embodiment, four protrusions 510a are formed at 90° intervals in the circumferential direction of the inner cylinder 510. The upper portion 802 of the rod-shaped valve 80 is fitted into the plurality of protrusions 510a. The plurality of protrusions 510a restrict the upper portion of the rod-shaped valve 80 from moving upward beyond a predetermined position. The gap between the protrusions 510a arranged at a predetermined pitch in the circumferential direction of the inner cylinder 510 and the outer circumferential surface of the upper portion 802 of the rod-shaped valve 80 is used as a flow path for liquid and gas.

[0066] The inner tube 510 of the engaging member 50 has a plurality of protrusions 510c on its outer circumferential surface, for example, at a predetermined pitch in the circumferential direction. Preferably, there are three or more protrusions 510c. Preferably, each protrusion 510c has the same shape and size. In this embodiment, six protrusions 510c are formed at 60° intervals in the circumferential direction of the inner tube 510.

[0067] The protrusions 510a and 510c of the inner tube 510 of the engaging member 50 divide the air passages 953 and 973 into multiple sections in the circumferential direction. The protrusions 510a and 510c of the inner tube 510 narrow the air passages 953 and 973, respectively, and force the air passing through the air passages 953 and 973 to flow forcefully and merge with the contents L.

[0068] The outer cylinder 512 is provided on the outside of the inner cylinder 510 and can be brought into contact with and separated from an air piston 702 of the piston 70, which will be described later.

[0069] The outer cylinder 512 has a plurality of protrusions 512a on its inner peripheral surface, for example, at a predetermined pitch in the circumferential direction. Preferably, there are three or more protrusions 512a. Preferably, each of the protrusions 512a has the same shape and size. In this embodiment, six protrusions 512a are formed at 60° intervals in the circumferential direction of the outer cylinder 512. The plurality of protrusions 512a are capable of contacting the outer peripheral surface of the inner cylinder 716 of the piston 70, suppressing vibration of the inner cylinder 716 of the piston 70, and guiding the central axis of the piston 70 to coincide with the central axis C of the engaging member 50.

[0070] The outer peripheral lower end portion (outer pushing portion) 513 of the outer cylinder 512 is capable of coming into contact with and separating from a second inclined portion (pushed portion) 744 of a piston head 712 (described later) of the piston 70 from above. That is, the engaging member 50 includes the outer peripheral lower end portion 513 of the outer cylinder 512 that abuts against the second inclined portion 744 of the piston head 712. The outer peripheral lower end portion 513 of the outer cylinder 512 is formed so that the abutment surface with the second inclined portion 744 of the piston head 712 is along the inclination direction. It is preferable that the outer peripheral lower end portion 513 of the outer cylinder 512 is chamfered, for example. In other words, the outer peripheral lower end portion 513 of the outer cylinder 512 is formed so that its plate thickness becomes thinner toward the direction of contact with the second inclined portion (pushed portion) 744 of the piston head 712. Here, the chamfer of the lower end portion 513 on the outer periphery side of the outer cylinder 512 is depicted as an outwardly convex curve in the cross section including the central axis C of the discharge container 1 shown in Figures 3A to 3D, but it is also preferable to form it in a straight line in the cross section shown in Figures 3A to 3D. Therefore, when the lower end portion 513 on the outer periphery side of the outer cylinder 512 comes into contact with the second inclined portion 744 of the piston 70, the lower end portion 513 of the outer cylinder 512 can be elastically deformed to seal the air passage 901.

[0071] Furthermore, the engaging member 50 according to this embodiment is configured so that the outer peripheral lower end 513 of the outer cylinder 512 abuts against the second inclined portion 744 of the piston 70, which serves as a valve for opening and closing the intake / exhaust passages, rather than being pressed against the second inclined portion 744. This reduces the impact between the outer peripheral lower end 513 of the outer cylinder 512 of the engaging member 50 and the second inclined portion 744 of the piston 70, thereby reducing wear between the outer peripheral lower end 513 of the outer cylinder 512 of the engaging member 50 and the second inclined portion 744 of the piston 70. Meanwhile, the outer peripheral lower end 513 of the outer cylinder 512 of the engaging member 50 and the second inclined portion 744 of the piston 70 tightly abut against each other, thereby blocking communication between the interior of the cylinder 60 and the upper part (outside) of the air piston 702, thereby maintaining good discharge operation of the pump body 3.

[0072] Furthermore, the second inclined portion 744 of the piston 70 in this embodiment, which is used as a valve to open and close the intake / exhaust passage, is prevented from deforming due to pressure from the lower end portion 513 on the outer periphery of the outer tube 512, even with repeated use of the pump body 3, and is less likely to develop a habit of deformation, thereby preventing malfunctions in the operation of the pump body 3.

[0073] 1 , 3A, and 3B, the cylinder 60 is supported by the support part 20. The cylinder 60 is substantially cylindrical. The cylinder 60 is integrally molded from, for example, a resin material. The cylinder 60 includes a first cylinder 602, a second cylinder 604 having an inner circumferential surface with a smaller diameter than the inner circumferential surface of the first cylinder 602, a mounting cylinder 606 having an inner circumferential surface with a smaller diameter than the inner circumferential surface of the second cylinder 604 and to which the tube body 4 is attached, a spherical valve body 608, and a packing 610. The axial centers of the first cylinder 602, the second cylinder 604, and the mounting cylinder 606 coincide with the central axis C of the support part 20.

[0074] The first cylinder 602 has a first sliding portion 612 with a constant inner diameter so that an air piston 702 (described later) of the piston 70 can slide thereon.

[0075] The first cylinder 602 has, at its upper end, a fixed portion 614 that is supported by the shoulder portion 206 of the support portion 20. The fixed portion 614 is provided above the first sliding portion 612. The fixed portion 614 is supported by the shoulder portion 206 of the support portion 20, for example, by fitting. An annular gasket 610 is provided below the fixed portion 614. The gasket 610 is sandwiched between the upper end of the fixed portion 14 of the container body 2 and the fixed portion 614 of the support portion 20.

[0076] The first cylinder 602 has a first annular portion 616 at its lower end, which is continuous with the second cylinder 604. The first annular portion 616 is provided below the first sliding portion 612.

[0077] The second cylinder 604 has a second sliding portion 622 with a constant inner diameter on which a liquid piston 704 (described later) of the piston 70 can move along the central axis C, and a second annular portion 624 that connects the second sliding portion 622 and the mounting cylinder 606. The second annular portion 624 has a valve seat 624a for the spherical valve element (sphere) 608. The valve seat 624a is formed as an annular surface.

[0078] The pipe 4 is inserted into and fixed to the mounting cylinder 606. The length of the pipe 4 is adjusted according to the distance from the bottom of the container body 2.

[0079] As shown in Figures 1 and 3A to 3D, the piston 70 is supported on the outer periphery of the rod-shaped valve 80 and is disposed within the support portion 20 and the cylinder 60. The piston 70 is integrally molded from a resin material. As shown in Figures 3A to 3D, the piston 70 has an air piston 702 and a liquid piston 704. The piston 70 is capable of reciprocating in one direction within the cylinder 60.

[0080] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3A to 3D, the axis of the air piston 702 and the axis of the liquid piston 704 coincide with the central axis C.

[0081] The air piston 702 includes a piston head 712, an annular body 714 that is attached to the outer periphery of the piston head 712 and slides along the inner periphery of the cylinder 60 integrally with the piston head 712, an inner cylinder 716 that is provided inside the piston head 712, an annular valve body 718 that is provided in the inner cylinder 716, and a plurality of through holes 720 that are provided between the piston head 712 and the inner cylinder 716 and adjacent to the outer periphery of the inner cylinder 716.

[0082] The piston head 712 divides the interior of the cylinder 60 into upper and lower compartments. An air chamber 632 is formed inside the cylinder 60 below the piston head 712 and outside the liquid piston 704.

[0083] The piston head 712 has an annular protruding portion 722 that protrudes upward between the inside of the body portion 714 and the outside of the inner cylinder 716. The protruding portion 722 of the piston head 712 has an outer inclined portion 732 whose outer circumferential surface faces radially outward, an inner inclined portion 734 whose inner circumferential surface faces radially inward, and an annular connecting portion 736 that connects the outer inclined portion 732 and the inner inclined portion 734. The body portion 714 is maintained in contact with the inner circumferential surface 612 a of the first sliding portion 612 of the cylinder 60 by the protruding portion 722, and is therefore disposed within the first sliding portion 612 of the cylinder 60 in a state contracted radially inward.

[0084] The outer inclined portion 732 faces the inner circumferential surface of the body portion 714. It is preferable that the normal to the outer circumferential surface of the outer inclined portion 732 (the surface when the piston 70 is viewed from above) is directed horizontally or upward from the horizontal.

[0085] The inner inclined portion 734 faces the outer peripheral surface of the inner cylinder 716. The inner inclined female portion 734 inclines inward (toward the outer peripheral surface of the inner cylinder 716) as it extends downward. It is preferable that the normal to the inner peripheral surface of the inner inclined portion 734 (the surface when the piston 70 is viewed from above) be oriented upward rather than horizontally.

[0086] The inner inclined portion 734 includes a first inclined portion 742 on the connecting portion 736 side and a second inclined portion (pressed portion) 744 on the inner cylinder 716 side.

[0087] The first inclined portion 742 inclines inward (toward the outer peripheral surface of the inner cylinder 716) as it extends downward. The second inclined portion 744 is integrally formed at the lower end of the first inclined portion 742. The second inclined portion 744 is formed in a cone shape that inclines inward (toward the outer peripheral surface of the inner cylinder 716) as it extends downward. When the nozzle 30 is pressed down, the lower end portion 513 of the outer cylinder 512 of the engaging member 50 abuts against the second inclined portion 744. Here, consider the surface of the first inclined portion 742 or the second inclined portion 744 on which the lower end portion 513 of the outer cylinder 512 of the engaging member 50 is disposed. The inclination angle of the first inclined portion 742 is greater than the inclination angle of the second inclined portion 744. That is, the inclination angle of the first inclined portion 742 is closer to the direction along the central axis C than the inclination angle of the second inclined portion 744. The inclination angle of the second inclined portion 744 is preferably close to horizontal, perpendicular to the central axis C. In other words, the angle formed between the outer circumferential surface of the inner cylinder 716 of the piston 70 and the second inclined portion 744 is larger than the angle formed between the outer circumferential surface of the inner cylinder 716 and the first inclined portion 742.

[0088] Consider the portion of the surface of the second inclined portion 744 that contacts the lower end 513 of the outer tube 512 of the engaging member 50, along the cross section shown in FIGS. 3A to 3D . The portion connecting the outer peripheral surface of the inner tube 716 of the piston 70 or the through-hole 720 to the first inclined portion 742 is formed so as to be considered as a substantially straight line. The portion connecting the outer peripheral surface of the inner tube 716 of the piston 70 or the through-hole 720 to the first inclined portion 742 may be an upwardly convex curve or a downwardly convex curve. The second inclined portion 744 is formed in a cone shape by converging such straight lines, upwardly convex curves, or downwardly convex curves. In any case, it is sufficient that the lower end 513 of the outer tube 512 of the engaging member 50 can stably contact and separate from the second inclined portion 744.

[0089] In this embodiment, the inner inclined portion 734 of the piston 70 is described as having two inclined portions 742, 744, but the two inclined portions 742, 744 may be formed without a boundary and in a curved shape from the connecting portion 736 toward the lower end of the inner cylinder 716. In this case, too, it is preferable that the inclined portions 742, 744 approach a horizontal plane perpendicular to the central axis C as they move from the connecting portion 736 toward the lower end of the inner cylinder 716, similar to the relationship between the inclined portions 742, 744.

[0090] In this embodiment, when the piston 70 moves up and down along the central axis C relative to the support part 20 by the engaging member 50 or the rod-shaped valve 80, the lower end part 513 of the outer cylinder 512 of the engaging member 50 abuts against the inner inclined part 734. At this time, the piston head 712 is more likely to receive a downward pressing force from the lower end part 513 of the outer cylinder 512 of the engaging member 50 when the lower end part 513 of the outer cylinder 512 of the engaging member 50 abuts against the second inclined part 744 rather than when the lower end part 513 of the outer cylinder 512 of the engaging member 50 abuts against the first inclined part 742. Therefore, when the nozzle 30 is pressed down to press down the engaging member 50, the lower end part 513 of the outer cylinder 512 of the engaging member 50 is more likely to apply a downward pressing force to the piston 70 over a short stroke. In this embodiment, the lower end part 513 of the outer cylinder 512 of the engaging member 50 is arranged to abut against the second inclined part 744.

[0091] The inner inclined portion 734 is formed to be harder than the lower end portion 513 of the outer cylinder 512 of the engaging member 50. Therefore, when the lower end portion 513 of the outer cylinder 512 of the engaging member 50 abuts against the second inclined portion 744 of the inner inclined portion 734, the lower end portion 513 of the outer cylinder 512 of the engaging member 50 elastically deforms more than the second inclined portion 744 and continues to abut against the second inclined portion 744, thereby blocking the passage of fluid between the inside and outside of the outer cylinder 512 of the engaging member 50.

[0092] The hardness of the inner inclined portion 734 may be the same as the hardness of the lower end portion 513 of the outer tube 512 of the engaging member 50 , or may be softer than the hardness of the lower end portion 513 of the outer tube 512 of the engaging member 50 .

[0093] The connecting portion 736 is located above the upper end 716a of the inner cylinder 716 of the piston 70. The connecting portion 736 can come into contact with and separate from the lower end 208a of the inner cylindrical portion 208 of the support portion 20. Therefore, the uppermost position of the piston 70 is set in a state in which the connecting portion 736 of the piston 70 abuts against the lower end 208a of the inner cylindrical portion 208 of the support portion 20.

[0094] As the air piston 702 moves along the central axis C, the piston head 712 changes the volume of the air chamber 632 and the liquid chamber 634 .

[0095] When the air piston 702 moves along the central axis C, the body portion 714 slides on the inner circumferential surface 612a of the first sliding portion 612 of the cylinder 60. The body portion 714 is formed in an arch shape such that the outer diameters of the upper and lower ends of the surface facing the inner circumferential surface 612a of the first sliding portion 612 are larger than the outer diameter of the portion between the upper and lower ends. The body portion 714 elastically deforms when it comes into contact with the inner circumferential surface 612a of the first sliding portion 612 of the cylinder 60, and the arch shape changes while maintaining contact with the inner circumferential surface 612a of the first sliding portion 612 of the cylinder 60, thereby preventing excessive sliding resistance.

[0096] The inner cylinder 716 is disposed between the inner cylinder 510 and the outer cylinder 512 of the engaging member 50 .

[0097] The annular valve element 718 is formed in an annular shape on the inner circumferential surface of the lower end of the inner cylinder 716, and is capable of coming into contact with and separating from the outer circumferential surface of the conical portion 812 of the lower portion 804 of the rod-shaped valve 80. The annular valve element 718 is formed to protrude radially inward and upward from the lower end of the inner cylinder 716, so as to fit along the outer circumferential surface of the conical portion 812 of the rod-shaped valve 80.

[0098] The plurality of through holes 720 are formed near the outer peripheral surface of the inner tube 716 so as to penetrate in the up-and-down direction between the outer peripheral surface of the inner tube 716 and the lower end portion 513 of the outer tube 512 of the engaging member 50. It is preferable that the plurality of through holes 720 be formed near the outer peripheral surface of the inner tube 716 at a predetermined pitch in the circumferential direction.

[0099] The liquid piston 704 is formed as a cylindrical body. The axis of the liquid piston 704 coincides with the central axis C. The liquid piston 704 is slidable on the inner circumferential surface of the second sliding portion 622 of the second tube 604 of the cylinder 60. The liquid piston 704, together with the cylinder 60 and the air piston 702, forms part of the air chamber 632. The liquid piston 704, together with the cylinder 60, forms part of the liquid chamber 634. The liquid piston 704 moves together with the air piston 702 in accordance with the reciprocating motion of the nozzle 30 along the central axis C, changing the volumes of the air chamber 632 and the liquid chamber 634.

[0100] The rod-shaped valve 80 is formed in a cylindrical shape with a closed top and an open bottom. An upper portion 802 of the rod-shaped valve 80 is formed in a rod shape with a substantially constant outer diameter. The upper portion 802 of the rod-shaped valve 80 is fitted onto a plurality of protrusions 510a of the inner tube 510 of the engaging member 50. It is preferable that the plurality of protrusions 510a of the inner tube 510 of the engaging member 50 are provided at a predetermined pitch in the circumferential direction. Therefore, flow paths for liquid and air are formed between the outer peripheral surface of the upper portion 802 of the rod-shaped valve 80 and the inner tube 510 of the engaging member 50.

[0101] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3A to 3D, the rod-shaped valve 80 has an upper portion 802 that is generally cylindrical rod-shaped, and a lower portion 804 that has a flared outer diameter larger than that of the upper portion 802.

[0102] An annular recessed groove 802a is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the upper portion 802 of the rod-shaped valve 80 around the central axis C. Annular convex portions 510b, for example, that fit into the recessed groove 802a are formed on the multiple protrusions 510a of the inner cylinder 510 of the engaging member 50. Therefore, the rod-shaped valve 80 is fitted to the engaging member 50 in a state where it is positioned at a predetermined position on the inner cylinder 510.

[0103] The outer diameter of the upper portion 802 of the rod-shaped valve 80 is smaller than the inner diameter of the liquid piston 704 and also smaller than the inner diameter of the valve body 718 of the piston 70 .

[0104] The lower portion 804 of the rod-shaped valve 80 is formed with a larger outer diameter than the upper portion 802. The outer peripheral surface of the lower portion 804 has a conical portion 812 whose outer diameter increases from the upper portion 802 side toward the lower end of the rod-shaped valve 80.

[0105] The outer diameter of the conical portion 812 is smaller than the inner diameter of the liquid piston 704 and larger than the inner diameter of the valve body 718 of the piston 70 .

[0106] Next, a method for assembling the pump body 3 configured as above will be briefly described.

[0107] When assembling the pump body 3, the support portion 20, the nozzle 30, the biasing member 40, the engaging member 50, the cylinder 60, the piston 70, and the rod-shaped valve 80 are prepared.

[0108] For example, with the lower end 40a of the biasing member 40 disposed on the flange portion 212 of the support portion 20, the biasing member 40 is disposed between the outer peripheral surface of the inner cylinder 302 of the nozzle 30 and the nozzle guide cylinder 202 of the support portion 20. In this state, the nozzle 30 is pressed down against the support portion 20 against the biasing force of the biasing member 40.

[0109] The female thread portion 504 of the engagement member 50 is screwed into the male thread portion 308 on the outer circumferential surface of the lower end portion of the nozzle 30 .

[0110] Then, the inner cylinder 716 of the piston 70 is disposed between the inner cylinder 510 and the outer cylinder 512 of the engaging member 50, and the upper part 802 of the rod-shaped valve 80 is fitted into the protrusion 510a of the inner cylinder 510 of the engaging member 50. At this time, the recessed groove 802a of the rod-shaped valve 80 and the annular convex part 510b of the protrusion 510a of the inner cylinder 510 of the engaging member 50 are fitted together.

[0111] At this time, the groove 802a on the outer surface of the upper part 802 of the rod-shaped valve 80 is fitted into the convex part 510b of the protrusion 510a of the inner cylinder 510 of the engaging member 50, so that the valve body 718 of the piston 70 is supported on the outer surface of the conical part 812 of the rod-shaped valve 80.

[0112] Then, the liquid piston 704 of the piston 70 is placed in the second tube 604 of the cylinder 60, and the fixing portion 614 of the cylinder 60 is fitted into the shoulder portion 206 of the support portion 20 and fixed.

[0113] In this manner, the pump body 3 is manufactured.

[0114] The pipe body 4 is fixed to the mounting tube 606 of the cylinder 60 .

[0115] Then, the male thread portion 16 of the container body 2 containing the contents L, such as a surfactant, is fixed to the female thread portion 20a of the support portion 20 of the pump body 3 formed in this manner, thereby manufacturing the discharge container 1 shown in Figure 1.

[0116] Next, the operation of the discharge container 1 including the pump body 3 configured as above will be described.

[0117] 1, the tube body 4 is inserted into and fixed to the mounting cylinder 606 of the pump body 3. The female thread portion 20a of the container fixing cylinder 204 of the support portion 20 is fastened to the male thread portion 16 of the fixing portion 14 of the container body 2, thereby assembling the discharge container 1. Here, an example will be described in which liquid contents L are stored in the container body 2, the contents L are present in the liquid chamber 634, and the foamy contents L is discharged from the nozzle 30 of the pump body 3.

[0118] It is also assumed that the female screw portion 20a of the support portion 20 is fastened in a predetermined state to the male screw portion 16 of the fixing portion 14 of the container body 2. In other words, it is assumed that the position of the protrusion 220 of the support portion 20 relative to the container body 2 is in a predetermined position. It is also assumed that the bottom of the container body 2 is supported on a horizontal surface.

[0119] First, when the nozzle 30 is rotated without pressing the nozzle 30 downward relative to the support part 20, one of the protrusions 520 of the engaging member 50, which is threadably integrated with the nozzle 30, rotates until it abuts against the protrusion 220 of the support part 20. That is, when the nozzle 30 is rotated relative to the support part 20, the protrusion 220 of the support part 20 and the protrusion 520 of the engaging member 50 interfere with each other when the nozzle 30 is at the top dead center. Therefore, the discharge port 306a of the nozzle 30 can be oriented in a desired direction within a predetermined range relative to the support part 20. For example, by rotating the discharge tube 306 of the nozzle 30 in an appropriate direction relative to the support part 20, it is possible to save space in the discharge container 1 during transportation, and also to orient the discharge port 306a of the nozzle 30 in a direction desired by the user during use.

[0120] 1 and 3A to 3D, a series of operations in which the nozzle 30 of the pump body 3 moves from the top dead center to the bottom dead center and back to the top dead center will be described.

[0121] 1 and 3A , the nozzle 30 is at the uppermost position (top dead center) relative to the support portion 20 when the biasing member 40 places the nozzle 30 at the top of the support portion 20. The connecting portion 736 of the piston head 712 abuts against the lower end 208 a of the cylindrical portion 208 of the support portion 20. The valve body 718 of the piston head 712 abuts against the outer circumferential surface of the conical portion 812 of the rod-shaped valve 80. This prevents liquid from moving from the liquid piston 704 to the upper side of the valve body 718, and prevents liquid above the valve body 718 from flowing down toward the liquid piston 704. The lower end portion 513 of the outer cylinder 512 of the engaging member 50 is spaced above the second inclined portion 744 of the piston head 712. This allows communication between the upper side of the piston head 712 and the air chamber 632. An air passage 901 that communicates with the air chamber 632 through the through-hole 720 is formed between the outer peripheral surface of the outer cylinder 512 of the engaging member 50 and the inner inclined portion 734 of the piston 70. The air passage 901 is used when air is sucked into the air chamber 632 from the outside.

[0122] When the user presses the nozzle 30, which is at the top dead center shown in FIG. 3A , slightly downward along the central axis C relative to the support part 20 against the biasing force of the biasing member 40 and moves it to the position shown in FIG. 3B , the integrated nozzle 30, engaging member 50, and rod-shaped valve 80 move downward relative to the support part 20. Meanwhile, the piston 70 maintains a vertical gap between the annular bottom 511 between the inner cylinder 510 and outer cylinder 512 of the engaging member 50 and the upper end 716a of the inner cylinder 716 of the piston 70. Friction also occurs between the inner circumferential surface 612a of the first sliding portion 612 of the cylinder 60 and the body 714 of the piston 70. Therefore, the piston 70 maintains the same position as at the top dead center. Therefore, the connecting portion 736 of the piston head 712 abuts against the lower end 208a of the cylindrical portion 208 of the support part 20. Then, the rod-shaped valve 80 moves down relative to the valve disc 718 of the piston 70, and the valve disc 718 and the conical portion 812 of the rod-shaped valve 80 move apart. This forms a flow path for circulating the contents L between the liquid chamber 634 and the mixing chamber 508. Furthermore, the lower end portion 513 of the outer cylinder 512 of the engaging member 50 abuts against the second inclined portion 744 of the piston 70, and the lower end portion 513 of the outer cylinder 512 elastically deforms to come into close contact with the second inclined portion 744 of the piston 70 in an annular shape, thereby blocking the flow of air to the air chamber 632 below the air piston 702.

[0123] In this state, if the user continues to press the nozzle 30 further downward against the biasing force of the biasing member 40 from the position shown in Fig. 3B to the bottom dead center position shown in Fig. 3C, the integrated nozzle 30, engaging member 50, and rod-shaped valve 80 will move down relative to the support part 20, and the piston 70 will be pressed downward with the lower end part 513 of the outer cylinder 512 of the engaging member 50 abutting against the second inclined part 744 of the air piston 702. As a result, the air piston 702 and liquid piston 704 of the piston 70 will move downward along the central axis C.

[0124] It is assumed that the user presses down the nozzle 30 against the biasing force of the biasing member 40 until the bottom 303 of the nozzle 30 abuts against the upper end 202a of the nozzle guide cylinder 202 of the support part 20. At this time, the nozzle 30 is at the bottom dead center.

[0125] When the nozzle 30 is at the bottom dead center, the protrusion 220 of the support part 20 and the protrusion 520 of the engaging member 50 do not interfere with each other during rotation of the nozzle 30 relative to the support part 20. This is because the engaging member 50 is not located at a horizontal position on the support part 20. Therefore, when the nozzle 30 is at the bottom dead center, the nozzle 30 can be rotated, for example, 360° or more relative to the support part 20.

[0126] 3C, the lower end 513 of the outer cylinder 512 of the engaging member 50 remains in close contact with the second inclined portion 744 of the piston 70. This maintains a state in which air is not taken into the air chamber 632 of the cylinder 60 below the air piston 702. When the air piston 702 is lowered in this state, the air pressure in the air chamber 632 of the cylinder 60 increases. This pressurizes the air chamber 632 of the air piston 702 and the liquid chamber 634 of the liquid piston 704, and also pressurizes the spherical valve element 608 downward.

[0127] Furthermore, when the piston 70 moves downward, the outer peripheral surface of the conical portion 812 of the rod-shaped valve 80 lowers and maintains a spaced-apart state relative to the valve element 718 of the piston 70. Therefore, the content L in the liquid piston 704 in the second tube 604 of the cylinder 60 enters the recess 534 of the mixing chamber 508 through a gap between the inner peripheral surface of the liquid piston 704, a passage 951 between the valve element 718 of the piston 70 and the outer peripheral surface of the conical portion 812 of the lower part 804 of the rod-shaped valve 80, a passage 952 between the valve element 718 of the piston 70 and the upper part 802 of the rod-shaped valve 80, an internal passage 953 between the projections 510a of the inner tube 510 of the engaging member 50 and the outer peripheral surface of the upper part 802 of the rod-shaped valve 80, and the opening 536a of the annular portion 536 of the engaging member 50.

[0128] On the other hand, air A passes through an air passage 970. The air passage 970 is provided between the engaging member 50 and the piston 70, and when the nozzle 30 is pressed down, the air in the air chamber 632 is compressed and flows into the mixing chamber 508. Air A flows from the air chamber 632 through the through hole 720, an outer passage 971 between the inner peripheral surface of the outer tube 512 of the engaging member 50 and the inner tube 716 of the piston 70, a connecting passage 972 between the bottom 511 of the engaging member 50 and the upper end 716a of the inner tube 716 of the piston 70, an inner passage 973 between the outer peripheral surface of the inner tube 510 of the engaging member 50 and the inner peripheral surface of the inner tube 716 of the piston 70, a passage 974 between the lower end of the inner tube 510 of the engaging member 50 and the upper part of the valve body 718 of the piston 70, an internal passage 953 between the projection 510a of the inner tube 510 of the engaging member 50 and the outer peripheral surface of the upper part 802 of the rod-shaped valve 80, and the opening 536a of the annular portion 536 of the engaging member 50. The communication passage 972 is formed between the upper side of the inner cylinder 716 of the piston 70 and the engaging member 50 , and connects the outer passage 971 and the inner passage 973 .

[0129] Therefore, the internal passage 953 and the opening 536a of the annular portion 536 of the engaging member 50 serve as common flow paths for the contents L and air A. Accordingly, the contents L and air are mixed between the protrusions 510a of the inner tube 510 of the engaging member 50 and the outer peripheral surface of the upper portion 802 of the rod-shaped valve 80, and in the mixing chamber 508. The contents L mixed with air in this manner passes through the mesh filter 310 in the discharge flow path 30a, thereby further reducing the bubbles formed by the contents L and air. Therefore, the contents L become foamy in the flow path 30a of the nozzle 30, and are discharged from the discharge port 306a of the discharge tube 306 of the nozzle 30.

[0130] When the user releases the nozzle 30 after pushing it to the bottom dead center, the biasing force of the biasing member 40 causes the integrated nozzle 30, engaging member 50, and rod-shaped valve 80 to rise relative to the support portion 20 from the position shown in FIG. 3C to that shown in FIG. 3D . At this time, the lower end portion 513 of the outer cylinder 512 of the engaging member 50 moves away from the second inclined portion 744 of the piston 70, and air from the gap between the flange portion 212 of the support portion 20 and the inner cylinder 302 of the nozzle 30 is taken into the air chamber 632 below the piston head 712 through the gap (air passage 901) between the lower end portion 513 of the outer cylinder 512 of the engaging member 50 and the second inclined portion 744 of the piston 70 and the through-hole 720. Also, at this time, the spherical valve element 608 moves upward relative to the valve seat 624a, and the content L from the tube 4 is introduced into the cylinder 604 and the liquid piston 704.

[0131] Furthermore, the outer peripheral surface of the conical portion 812 of the rod-shaped valve 80 moves upward while maintaining contact with the valve body 718 of the piston 70. As a result, the piston 70 rises, and the nozzle 30 returns to the top dead center shown in FIG. 3A.

[0132] When the nozzle 30 moves from the bottom dead center to the top dead center, the upper end 520a (see FIGS. 2C and 2D) of the protrusion 520 of the engaging member 50 may come into contact with the lower end 220a (see FIGS. 2B and 2D) of the protrusion 220 of the support portion 20. However, due to the biasing force of the biasing member 40 and the shapes of the end 220a of the protrusion 220 and the end 520a of the protrusion 520, the contact surfaces of the protrusions 220 and 520 push each other away from each other, causing a circumferential misalignment. The protrusion 220 of the support portion 20 and the protrusion 520 of the engaging member 50 are then circumferentially misaligned from each other. When the container body 2 is fixed to the support portion 20, the upper end 520a of the protrusion 520 of the engaging member 50 typically rotates so as to be circumferentially misaligned relative to the protrusion 220 of the support portion 20. Therefore, the nozzle 30 rotates together with the engaging member 50 relative to the support portion 20. In this way, the nozzle 30 is returned to the top dead center relative to the support portion 20.

[0133] If the discharge container 1 is left standing after the nozzle 30 returns to the top dead center relative to the support part 20, for example, bubbles in the discharge flow path 30a of the nozzle 30 will flow down as liquid (contents) L, pass through the mesh filter 310, and accumulate in the space directly below the mixing chamber 508, as shown in Figure 4. In other words, the pump body 3 has a space for storing the contents L remaining in the discharge flow path 30 and the mixing chamber 508 after the nozzle 30 is pressed down relative to the support part 20. The volume of the space for storing the contents L is equal to or greater than the volume of the contents L remaining in the discharge flow path 30a and the mixing chamber 508.

[0134] In this embodiment, the liquid (contents) L flows from the opening of the annular portion 536 of the mixing chamber 508 of the engaging member 50 and accumulates in an internal passage 953 between the projections 510a of the inner cylinder 510 of the engaging member 50 and the outer peripheral surface of the upper portion 802 of the rod-shaped valve 80, in the passage between the lower end of the inner cylinder 510 of the engaging member 50 and the upper portion of the valve body 718 of the piston 70, and in an inner passage between the outer peripheral surface of the inner cylinder 510 of the engaging member 50 and the inner peripheral surface of the inner cylinder 716 of the piston 70. At this time, the liquid level of the liquid L is allowed to reach the position of the upper end 716a of the inner cylinder 716 of the piston 70.

[0135] For example, by setting the volume of liquid that may remain in the discharge flow path 30a of the nozzle 30 including the mesh filter 310 to be equal to or less than the combined volume of these paths, even if the contents L accumulate directly below the mixing chamber, the liquid level of the contents L can be made lower than the upper end 716a of the inner cylinder 716 of the piston 70. This makes it possible to prevent the contents L from exceeding the upper end 716a of the inner cylinder 716 of the piston 70 and flowing into the air chamber 632 through the through-hole 720 of the piston 70.

[0136] For example, the volume of the contents L that can be liquefied by the foam remaining after the contents L are discharged from the nozzle 30 shown in FIGS. 1 and 4 is calculated by multiplying the volume of the discharge flow path 30a (excluding the volume of the passage that bends toward the discharge port 306a) by the volume of the mixing chamber 508 by the foam density. Because the foam in the discharge flow path 30a is liquefied after passing through the mesh filter (foam atomization means) 310, the foam inside the mesh filter 310 and the mixing chamber 508 is considered to be large and almost entirely composed of air. Therefore, the volume of the contents L that can be liquefied by the foam remaining after the contents L are discharged from the nozzle 30 may be calculated by multiplying the volume of the discharge flow path 30a (excluding the volume of the passage that bends toward the discharge port 306a and the mesh filter (foam atomization means) 310) by the foam density. By forming a space of this volume above the valve body 718 and up to the upper end 716a of the inner cylinder 716, the contents L can be prevented from flowing into the air chamber 632.

[0137] The position of the upper end 716a of the inner cylinder 716 of the piston 70 can be extended upward in relation to the annular bottom 511 between the inner cylinder 510 and outer cylinder 512 of the engaging member 50. A mixing chamber 508 is formed inside the bottom 511 of the engaging member 50. By changing the position or shape of the mixing chamber 508, it is also possible to adjust the volume of the space that stores the contents L, which are liquefied foam remaining after the contents L are discharged from the nozzle 30. Alternatively, the "volume of the discharge flow path 30a (excluding the volume of the passage that bends toward the discharge port 306a)" of the nozzle 30 may be adjusted.

[0138] In this embodiment, a protrusion 512a that protrudes radially inward is provided on the inner circumferential surface of the outer cylinder 512 of the engaging member 50. Therefore, the area of ​​the flow path through which air A passes between the inner circumferential surface of the outer cylinder 512 of the engaging member 50 and the outer circumferential surface of the inner cylinder 716 of the piston 70 is narrowed by the protrusion 512a. This prevents a decrease in the flow rate of air A in the flow path through which air A passes between the inner circumferential surface of the outer cylinder 512 of the engaging member 50 and the outer circumferential surface of the inner cylinder 716 of the piston 70.

[0139] In this embodiment, a protrusion 510c that protrudes radially outward is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the inner cylinder 510 of the engaging member 50. Therefore, the area of ​​the flow path through which air A passes between the outer peripheral surface of the inner cylinder 510 of the engaging member 50 and the inner peripheral surface of the inner cylinder 716 of the piston 70 is narrowed by the protrusion 510c. Therefore, a decrease in the flow rate of air A in the flow path through which air A passes between the outer peripheral surface of the inner cylinder 510 of the engaging member 50 and the inner peripheral surface of the inner cylinder 716 of the piston 70 is prevented.

[0140] Furthermore, a protrusion 510a that protrudes radially inward is provided on the inner circumferential surface of the inner tube 510 of the engaging member 50. Therefore, the flow path area through which air A passes between the inner circumferential surface of the inner tube 510 of the engaging member 50 and the outer circumferential surface of the upper part 802 of the rod-shaped valve 80 is narrowed by the presence of the protrusion 510a. Therefore, a decrease in the flow rate of air A in the flow path through which air A passes between the inner circumferential surface of the inner tube 510 of the engaging member 50 and the outer circumferential surface of the upper part 802 of the rod-shaped valve 80 is prevented.

[0141] Therefore, the pump body 3 according to this embodiment can increase the amount of foamed contents L discharged from the discharge port 306a of the discharge tube 306 of the nozzle 30 and reduce the volume of foam remaining in the discharge flow path 30a that returns to liquid. By providing multiple protrusions 510a and 512a on the inner walls of the inner tube 510 and outer tube 512 of the engaging member 50, the pressure of the air and contents L pumped by the piston head 712 when the nozzle 30 is pressed can be increased and discharged from the nozzle 30. This can prevent the contents L from remaining in the internal passage 953 and the inner-side passage 973 above the valve body 718 and in the space up to the upper end 716a of the inner tube 716. This can keep the amount of contents L stored in the internal passage 953 and the inner-side passage 973 below a certain level after the discharge of the contents L from the nozzle 30, preventing the remaining amount of contents L from increasing with repeated discharge operations and entering the cylinder 60.

[0142] By adjusting the number, length, thickness, etc. of the protrusions 510a, 510c, 512a on the inner wall of the engaging member (push-down portion) 50, it is possible to adjust the volume of space for storing the contents L remaining in the space above the valve body 718 up to the upper end 716a of the inner tube 716 after ejection from the nozzle 30.

[0143] In this embodiment, by providing the protrusion 510c on the outer wall of the inner cylinder 510 of the engaging member (push-down portion) 50, the sliding surface between the inner wall of the inner cylinder 716 of the piston 70 and the protrusion 510c of the inner cylinder 510 of the engaging member (push-down portion) 50 can slide smoothly without being easily misaligned in the axial and circumferential directions. Furthermore, by providing the protrusion 510c on the outer wall of the inner cylinder 510 of the engaging member (push-down portion) 50, the position of the engaging member 50 with respect to the piston 70 can be stabilized.

[0144] In this embodiment, by providing the protrusion 512a on the inner wall of the outer cylinder 512 of the engaging member (push-down portion) 50, the sliding surface between the outer wall of the inner cylinder 716 of the piston 70 and the protrusion 512a of the outer cylinder 512 of the engaging member (push-down portion) 50 can slide smoothly without being easily misaligned in the axial and circumferential directions. Furthermore, by providing the protrusion 512a on the inner wall of the outer cylinder 512 of the engaging member (push-down portion) 50, the position of the engaging member 50 with respect to the piston 70 can be stabilized.

[0145] Furthermore, in this embodiment, an example has been described in which a protrusion 512a is provided on the inner wall of the outer tube 512 of the engaging member (push-down portion) 50, and one or more protrusions 510c are provided on the outer peripheral surface (outer wall) of the inner tube 510 of the engaging member 50, protruding toward the inner tube 716 of the piston 70. These protrusions 510c, 512a increase the pressure of the air and contents L pumped by the piston head 712 when the nozzle 30 is pressed down, and allow them to be discharged from the nozzle 30. Note that while an example in which both protrusions 510c, 512a are provided is shown in FIG. 5, only one of them may be provided.

[0146] Next, the procedure for disassembling the pump body 3 will be briefly described.

[0147] First, the female screw portion 20a of the support portion 20 of the pump body 3 is released from the male screw portion 16 of the container body 2, and the container body 2 and the pump body 3 are separated.

[0148] When the nozzle 30 is rotated in one direction relative to the support part 20, the protrusion 520 of the engaging member 50, which rotates together with the nozzle 30, abuts against the protrusion 220 of the support part 20. In this state, when the nozzle 30 is rotated with an even greater force relative to the support part 20, the protrusion 520 of the engaging member 50 cannot move circumferentially relative to the protrusion 220 of the support part 20. Therefore, the threaded fastening between the male threaded portion 308 of the nozzle 30 and the female threaded portion 504 of the engaging member 50 is released while the protrusion 520 of the engaging member 50 abuts against the protrusion 220 of the support part 20. In this way, the nozzle (ejection head) 30 is disengaged from the engaging member 50 by rotating in one direction. Therefore, the nozzle 30 can be disengaged from the engaging member 50 by rotating in one direction.

[0149] Therefore, the nozzle 30 is removed from the support part 20. Also, the biasing member 40 is removed from the support part 20.

[0150] In this manner, the biasing member 40 is separated from the pump body 3. In this embodiment, all components of the pump body 3, except for the biasing member 40, are formed of a monomaterial, such as PP. Therefore, in this embodiment, if the biasing member 40, made of, for example, a metal material, can be separated, the remaining components are also monomaterial. Therefore, in the pump body 3 according to this embodiment, if the biasing member 40, made of, for example, a metal material, can be separated, the remaining components do not need to be disassembled. Furthermore, in this embodiment, all components of the pump body 3, except for the biasing member 40, can be easily recycled in the regeneration process. This reduces the amount of waste of used parts of the pump body 3.

[0151] To separate the biasing member 40 according to this embodiment, the nozzle 30 is simply rotated relative to the support portion 20 when the nozzle 30 is at the top dead center. This allows the pump body 3 to be separated into the biasing member 40 and the other mono-material components with a simple operation, for example, in a state where the user's hands are unlikely to get soiled with the contents L. This allows the user to separate the components of the pump body 3 (the biasing member 40 and the other mono-material components) by material and recycle them.

[0152] If the user rotates the nozzle 30 with force relative to the support part 20, or drops the discharge container 1, the fastening between the male thread part 308 of the nozzle 30 and the female thread part 504 of the engaging member 50 may be unintentionally released. The assembly procedure for such a case will be briefly described below.

[0153] Even if the male thread portion 308 of the nozzle 30 and the female thread portion 504 of the engaging member 50 are disengaged, the amount by which the engaging member 50 and the rod-shaped valve 80 fitted to the engaging member 50 move downward due to friction between the piston 70 and the cylinder 60, for example, is approximately the same as the amount by which the lower end portion (outer push-down portion) 513 on the outer circumferential side of the outer cylinder 512 of the engaging member 50 moves from top dead center until it abuts against the second inclined portion 744 of the piston 70. In other words, the engaging member 50 is prevented from falling freely relative to the support portion 20 and the nozzle 30.

[0154] Therefore, the user rotates the nozzle 30 relative to the protrusion 220 of the support part 20 in the direction opposite to the direction in which the male thread portion 308 of the nozzle 30 and the female thread portion 504 of the engaging member 50 are disengaged. The user then abuts the protrusion 520 of the engaging member 50 against the protrusion 220 of the support part 20. Then, with the protrusion 520 of the engaging member 50 abutting against the protrusion 220 of the support part 20, the user further rotates the nozzle 30. This causes the male thread portion 308 of the nozzle 30 to be fastened to the female thread portion 504 of the engaging member 50. This procedure allows the pump body 3 to be used in the future. Therefore, the nozzle 30 according to this embodiment is configured so that, after being disengaged from the engaging member 50 by rotating it in one direction, the lower end of the nozzle 30 can be re-threaded and fixed to the engaging member 50 by rotating it in the opposite direction.

[0155] According to this embodiment, it is possible to provide a pump dispenser 3 that dispenses liquid contents, which is easy to use and separates easily, a dispensing container 1 that has the pump dispenser 3, and a dispensing container item 1a containing contents L, which has contents L stored in the container body of the dispensing container 1.

[0156] Furthermore, in the pump body 3 according to this embodiment, a space is formed directly below the mixing chamber 508 as a portion for storing the contents (liquid) L, for example, after each time the liquid contents L is discharged. Therefore, according to this embodiment, it is possible to provide a pump dispenser 3, a discharge container 1 having the pump dispenser 3, and a contents L-containing discharge container article 1a having the contents L stored in the container body of the discharge container 1, which can receive the contents L remaining in the nozzle 30 after each time the liquid contents L is discharged and prevent the contents (liquid) L from entering the air chamber 632.

[0157] In conventional discharge containers, the intake and exhaust passages are opened and closed by an elastomer valve body as a means for taking in and exhausting air from the air chamber. However, because the elastomer valve body is made of a thin, soft material, it is prone to deformation even during transportation between component molding and assembly, and repeated discharge operations. If the deformation becomes habitual, there is a possibility that the valve will not function properly. In contrast, according to this embodiment, when the lower end portion (push-down portion) 513 on the outer periphery of the outer tube 512 of the engaging member 50 presses the second inclined portion (pressed portion) 744 of the piston 70 while moving the piston 70 downward, the lower end portion (push-down portion) 513 on the outer periphery of the engaging member 50 comes into contact with the second inclined portion (pressed portion) 744 of the piston 70, and a closer contact can be achieved due to the elastic force of the lower end portion (push-down portion) 513 on the outer periphery of the outer tube 512 of the engaging member 50 and the pressure applied to the second inclined portion (pressed portion) 744 of the piston 70 due to the increase in internal pressure within the cylinder 60 as the piston 70 moves downward, thereby effectively blocking air communication between the inside of the cylinder 60 and the outside of the cylinder 60. The outer peripheral lower end (push portion) 513 of the engaging member 50 and the second inclined portion (push portion) 744 of the piston 70 are formed without using a thin-walled elastomer or the like so as not to deform or develop a tendency to deform when opening and closing the intake / exhaust passages. By using such a pump body 3, operational problems can be prevented, for example, when discharging liquid contents L. Therefore, according to this embodiment, it is possible to provide a pump dispenser that discharges contents by suctioning / exhausting the air chamber without using a valve body that is easily deformed, and that prevents operational problems from occurring when discharging liquid contents, for example, a dispensing container having the pump dispenser, and an article having contents stored in the container body of the dispensing container.

[0158] [Supplementary Note 1] For example, Japanese Patent No. 6226763 discloses a pump dispenser that dispenses liquid from a container directly or in a foamed state from a discharge port by vertical movement of a discharge head. This technology improves the usability of pump dispensers equipped with an air intake hole for introducing outside air into the discharge head. The technology discloses a flexible synthetic resin elastic valve element between the lower outer peripheral surface of the intermediate connecting portion of the air piston and the upper surface of the annular protrusion formed on the outer peripheral surface of the liquid piston. Conventional pump dispensers use an elastomer valve element to open and close the intake and exhaust passages of the air chamber of the pump dispenser. However, because the elastomer valve element is made of a thin, soft material, it is prone to deformation even during repeated transport and dispensing operations between component molding and assembly. If this deformation persists, the valve element may malfunction. Therefore, there is a need for a pump dispenser that can intake and exhaust air from the air chamber without using a valve element that is prone to deformation. In Appendix 1, it is possible to provide a pump dispenser that dispenses contents, for example, suppressing operational malfunctions when dispensing liquid contents, a dispensing container having the pump dispenser, and a content-containing dispensing container article having contents stored in the container body of the dispensing container.

[0159] [Appendix 1-1] A pump dispenser comprising: a base cap that is hermetically fitted with a container body in which contents are stored, a cylinder supported by the base cap, a piston that reciprocates in one direction within the cylinder and forms an air chamber together with the cylinder, a discharge head that is provided above the piston and has a discharge flow path through which the contents flow and a discharge port through which the contents are discharged, a push-down portion that comes into contact with the piston when the discharge head is pressed against the base cap and moves the piston downward, and a pressed-down portion that slopes inward as it goes downward and against which the push-down portion comes into contact when the discharge head is pressed down, wherein when the discharge head is pressed down, the push-down portion comes into contact with the pressed-down portion to block communication between the air chamber and the outside of the cylinder. [Appendix 1-2] The pump dispenser according to Appendix 1-1, wherein the push-down portion comprises an outer push-down portion that comes into contact with the pressed-down portion, and the outer push-down portion is formed so that its thickness decreases toward the direction of contact with the pressed-down portion. [Appendix 1-3] The pump dispenser according to Appendix 1-2, wherein the outer push-down portion is formed so that the abutment surface with the pushed-down portion is along an inclined direction. [Appendix 1-4] The pump dispenser according to Appendix 1-1, comprising the push-down portion and an engaging member that is provided on the base cap and engages with and fixes the lower end of the discharge head. [Appendix 1-5] A dispensing container comprising: the pump dispenser according to any one of Appendix 1-1 to Appendix 1-4; and a bottomed container body to which the pump dispenser is attached. [Appendix 1-6] A content-filled dispensing container article comprising: the dispensing container according to Appendix 1-5; and the content that is stored in the container body and dispensed to the outside from the pump dispenser.

[0160] [Appendix 2] Furthermore, for example, Japanese Patent No. 6096631 discloses technology relating to a pump dispenser that can prevent the contents from flowing back into the air cylinder and maintain good foam quality. This pump dispenser is designed to prevent the contents from entering the air passage, which occasionally occurs when the contents are repeatedly dispensed. However, with a pump dispenser, the contents remaining in the dispense head sink due to gravity after each dispense. Appendix 2 provides a pump dispenser that dispenses contents and can accept the contents remaining in the dispense head after each dispense of, for example, liquid contents, a dispenser having the pump dispenser, and a dispenser article containing the contents stored in the container body of the dispenser.

[0161] a piston that reciprocates in one direction within the cylinder and forms an air chamber together with the cylinder; a discharge head that is provided above the piston and has a discharge flow path through which the contents circulate and a discharge port through which the contents are discharged; a push-down section that comes into contact with the piston and moves the piston downward when the discharge head is pressed down against the base cap; a rod-shaped valve engaged with the push-down section; a mixing chamber that is formed by the push-down section and the rod-shaped valve and that mixes the contents with air in the air chamber when the discharge head is pressed down; and a space that stores the contents remaining in the discharge flow path and the mixing chamber by the push-down section, the rod-shaped valve, and the piston after the discharge head is pressed down. [Supplementary Note 2-2] The pump dispenser according to Supplementary Note 2-1, wherein the volume of the space for storing the contents is equal to or greater than the volume of the contents remaining in the discharge flow path and the mixing chamber. [Supplementary Note 2-3] The pump dispenser according to Supplementary Note 2-1, wherein the piston comprises a valve body that, together with the rod-shaped valve, blocks the flow of the contents when the discharge head is at top dead center and allows the flow of the contents when the discharge head is depressed from the top dead center, and comprises: an air passage provided between the depression portion and the piston for drawing air from the outside into the air chamber, and a through-hole provided in the piston, which communicates with the air chamber and is blocked from communication between the air passage and the air chamber when the piston is depressed by the depression portion, and the space comprises: an internal passage provided between the depression portion and the rod-shaped valve, which allows the contents to flow to the mixing chamber when the discharge head is depressed, and an air passage provided between the depression portion and the piston, which allows air in the air chamber to be pressurized and flow to the mixing chamber when the discharge head is depressed. [Supplementary Note 2-4] The pump dispenser according to Supplementary Note 2-3, wherein a protrusion is provided on a wall surface of the depression portion facing the internal passage.[Supplementary Note 2-5] The pump dispenser according to Supplementary Note 2-3, wherein the air passage comprises: an outer passage formed between an outer peripheral surface of the inner cylinder of the piston and the push-down portion; an inner passage formed between an inner peripheral surface of the inner cylinder of the piston and the push-down portion; and a communication passage formed between an upper side of the inner cylinder of the piston and the push-down portion, connecting the outer passage and the inner passage. [Supplementary Note 2-6] The pump dispenser according to Supplementary Note 2-5, wherein a protrusion is provided on a wall surface of the push-down portion facing at least one of the outer passage and the inner passage. [Supplementary Note 2-7] The pump dispenser according to Supplementary Note 2-1, comprising the push-down portion and an engaging member provided on the base cap that engages with and fixes a lower end of the discharge head. [Supplementary Note 2-8] A dispensing container comprising: the pump dispenser according to any one of Supplements 2-1 to 2-7; and a bottomed container body to which the pump dispenser is attached. [Supplementary Note 2-9] A content-filled discharge container article, comprising: the discharge container according to Supplementary Note 2-8; and the content stored in the container body and discharged to the outside from the pump dispenser.

[0162] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made in the implementation stage without departing from the spirit of the invention. Furthermore, the embodiments may be implemented in appropriate combinations, in which case the combined effects can be obtained. Furthermore, the above-described embodiments include various inventions, and various inventions can be extracted by combining selected elements from the disclosed elements. For example, if the problem can be solved and the desired effect can be obtained even if some elements are deleted from all elements shown in the embodiments, the configuration from which these elements are deleted can be extracted as an invention.

[0163] 1...discharge container, 2...container body, 3...pump body, 4...tube body, 12...body, 14...fixing portion, 16...male thread portion, 20...support portion, 20a...female thread portion, 202...nozzle guide cylinder, 202a...upper end, 204...container fixing cylinder, 206...shoulder portion, 208...inner cylindrical portion, 208a...lower end, 210...intermediate cylindrical portion, 212...flange portion, 220...projection, 220a...lower end, 30...nozzle, 30a...discharge flow path, 302...inner cylinder, 303...bottom, 304...outer cylinder, 30 6...Discharge tube, 306a...Discharge port, 308...Male thread portion, 310...Mesh filter, 310a, 310b...Net, 40...Using member, 40a...Lower end, 40b...Upper end, 50...Engaging member, 502...Upper tube portion, 504...Female thread portion, 506...Fitting tube, 508...Mixing chamber, 510...Inner tube, 510a...Protrusion portion, 510b...Annular convex portion, 511...Bottom portion, 512...Outer tube, 512a...Protrusion portion, 513...Lower end portion, 520...Protrusion, 520a...Upper end portion, 532...Annular portion , 534...recess, 536...annular portion, 60...cylinder, 602...first cylinder, 604...second cylinder, 606...mounting cylinder, 608...spherical valve body, 610...packing, 612...first sliding portion, 612a...inner peripheral surface, 614...fixing portion, 616...annular portion, 622...second sliding portion, 624...annular portion, 624a...valve seat, 632...air chamber, 634...liquid chamber, 70...piston, 702...air piston, 704...liquid piston, 712...piston head, 714...body portion, 716...inner tube, 716a...upper end, 718...annular valve body, 720...through hole, 722...protrusion, 732...outer inclined portion, 734...inner inclined portion, 736...connecting portion, 742...first inclined portion, 744...second inclined portion, 80...rod-shaped valve, 802...upper portion, 802a...groove, 804...lower portion, 812...conical portion, 901...ventilation passage, 951...passage, 952...passage, 953...internal passage, 971...outer passage, 972...communicating passage, 973...inner passage, 974...passage.

Claims

1. A pump dispenser comprising: a cylinder; a piston that reciprocates in one direction within the cylinder; a discharge head that is provided on top of the piston and has a discharge flow path through which the contents flow and a discharge port from which the contents are discharged; a base cap that is hermetically fitted with a container body; a biasing member that is provided above the base cap and biases the discharge head upward; an engaging member that is provided on the base cap and screws onto and fixes the lower end of the discharge head; and a push-down section that abuts against the piston when the discharge head is pressed down, for moving the piston downward; wherein the discharge head is configured to be rotatable circumferentially within a set range relative to the base cap before rotating it circumferentially relative to the base cap to release the screw engagement.

2. The pump dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the discharge head can be rotated circumferentially by an angle of 45° or more and less than 360° relative to the base cap.

3. The pump dispenser according to claim 2, wherein the maximum range in which the discharge head can rotate in the circumferential direction relative to the base cap is equal to or greater than 90° and less than 360°.

4. A pump dispenser as described in claim 1, wherein a first protrusion is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the base cap, and a second protrusion is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the engaging member, and when the discharge head is rotated, the first protrusion and the second protrusion interfere with each other to restrict rotation in the circumferential direction, and the discharge head is configured to be detachable from the engaging member by rotating it in one direction.

5. A pump dispenser as described in claim 4, wherein the discharge head is configured so that after being released from the engaging member by rotating it in one direction, the lower end of the discharge head can be screwed back into the engaging member and fixed by rotating it in the opposite direction.

6. A pump dispenser as set forth in claim 4, wherein, during rotation of the discharge head relative to the base cap, the first protrusion of the base cap and the second protrusion of the engaging member interfere with each other when the discharge head is at top dead center, but do not interfere with each other when the discharge head is at bottom dead center.

7. The pump dispenser according to claim 6, wherein at least one of the lower end of the first protrusion of the base cap and the upper end of the second protrusion of the engaging member is tapered.

8. A pump dispenser as described in claim 1, comprising a depressed portion that slopes inward as it goes downward and against which the depressed portion abuts when the discharge head is pressed down, the cylinder is supported by the base cap, the piston forms an air chamber together with the cylinder, and when the discharge head is pressed down, the depressed portion abuts against the depressed portion, blocking communication between the air chamber and the outside of the cylinder.

9. A pump dispenser as described in claim 8, wherein the push-down portion comprises an outer push-down portion that abuts against the pressed-down portion, and the outer push-down portion is formed so that its plate thickness decreases in the direction of contact with the pressed-down portion.

10. The pump dispenser according to claim 9, wherein the outer pushing portion is formed so that the contact surface with the pushed portion is inclined.

11. A pump dispenser as described in claim 1, comprising: a rod-shaped valve fitted with the depression portion; a mixing chamber formed by the depression portion and the rod-shaped valve, which mixes the content with air in an air chamber formed by the cylinder and the piston when the discharge head is pressed down; and a space for storing the content remaining in the discharge flow path and the mixing chamber after the discharge head is pressed down by the depression portion, the rod-shaped valve, and the piston, wherein the cylinder is supported by the base cap.

12. The pump dispenser according to claim 11, wherein the volume of the space for storing the contents is equal to or greater than the volume of the contents remaining in the discharge flow path and the mixing chamber.

13. The pump dispenser according to claim 11, wherein the piston comprises a valve body that, together with the rod-shaped valve, blocks the flow of the contents when the discharge head is at top dead center and allows the flow of the contents when the discharge head is pressed down from top dead center; an air passage provided between the push-down portion and the piston for drawing air from the outside into the air chamber; and a through-hole provided in the piston, which communicates with the air chamber and through which communication between the air passage and the air chamber is blocked when the piston is pressed down by the push-down portion; and the space comprises: an internal passage provided between the push-down portion and the rod-shaped valve, which allows the contents to flow to the mixing chamber when the discharge head is pressed down; and an air passage provided between the push-down portion and the piston, which allows air in the air chamber to be pressurized and flow into the mixing chamber when the discharge head is pressed down.

14. The pump dispenser according to claim 13, wherein a protrusion is provided on a wall surface of the depression portion facing the internal passage.

15. A pump dispenser as described in claim 13, wherein the air passage comprises: an outer passage formed between the outer peripheral surface of the inner cylinder of the piston and the push-down portion; an inner passage formed between the inner peripheral surface of the inner cylinder of the piston and the push-down portion; and a communicating passage formed between the upper side of the inner cylinder of the piston and the push-down portion, connecting the outer passage and the inner passage.

16. The pump dispenser according to claim 15, wherein a protrusion is provided on a wall surface of the depression portion facing at least one of the outer passage and the inner passage.

17. The pump dispenser according to claim 11, further comprising an engaging member provided on the base cap, the engaging member including the depression portion and configured to engage with and fix a lower end of the discharge head.

18. A dispensing container comprising: a pump dispenser according to any one of claims 1 to 17; and a bottomed container body to which the pump dispenser is attached.

19. A content-filled discharge container product comprising: the discharge container according to claim 18; and the content stored in the container body and discharged to the outside from the pump dispenser.

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