Pressure accumulation type sprayer and injection method

Abstract

[Problem] To provide a pressure accumulation type sprayer with which it is possible to perform continuous injection without being restricted by the maximum movable width of a trigger, and an injection method using the pressure accumulation type sprayer. [Solution] This pressure accumulation type sprayer A for spraying liquid in a container 1 comprises: a base cylinder 4 that sucks liquid from the container via a suction passage 3; a base piston 4a that slides within the base cylinder; a storage cylinder 7 positioned downstream of the base cylinder; a storage piston that slides within the storage cylinder; a valve case 6 provided around the storage cylinder; a first flow passage P1 communicating the base cylinder and the storage cylinder; a second flow passage provided between the storage cylinder and the valve case; a first valve V1 that opens and closes between the suction passage and the base cylinder; a second valve V2 that opens and closes between the base cylinder and the valve case; and a nozzle valve V3 that slides within the storage cylinder and opens and closes between the valve case and a nozzle.

Description

Accumulator sprayer and spraying method

[0001] The present invention relates to a pressure-accumulation sprayer and a spraying method, and more particularly to a pressure-accumulation sprayer and a spraying method that enable continuous spraying even after the trigger is fully pulled.

[0002] Sprayers are widely used to spray liquids from containers, and trigger sprayers are particularly popular because they are easy to control the spray direction and to use.

[0003] Among sprayers, pressure-accumulating sprayers equipped with a first valve and a second valve are particularly useful because they can apply high pressure to the liquid to spray it into a mist continuously for a certain period of time.

[0004] For example, the pressure-accumulator sprayer of Patent Document 1 is a pressure-accumulator sprayer that includes an F valve attached to the bottom of the cylinder portion, a pressure-accumulator valve attached to a passage in the body portion, and a pressing spring portion that presses the pressure-accumulator valve in the valve closing direction, and sprays liquid by rotating the trigger.

[0005] In addition, the pressure-accumulating spray container in Patent Document 2 has a pump section attached to the container body, and uses a pump cylinder that slides when the operating section is operated and a valve mechanism to suck up the liquid in the container, accumulate pressure, and spray it.

[0006] Japanese Patent No. 6833361 Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2021-123397

[0007] In typical pressure-accumulator sprayers, including those disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2, the movement of the base piston in the cylinder is linked to the rotation of the trigger (operating part). Therefore, the maximum movable width of the trigger is directly linked to the time during which continuous spraying is possible. In other words, the time during which continuous spraying is possible is limited by the maximum movable width of the trigger. Pulling the trigger slowly allows for continuous spraying for a correspondingly long period of time, while pulling the trigger quickly prevents continuous spraying.

[0008] The present invention was developed in response to the above-mentioned problems. That is, the present invention aims to provide a pressure-accumulation sprayer that is capable of continuous spraying without being restricted by the maximum movable width of the trigger, and a spraying method using the pressure-accumulation sprayer.

[0009] As a result of extensive research, the inventors have found that the above-mentioned problems can be solved by providing a third valve, providing a first flow path and a second flow path each of which is opened and closed by a valve at both ends, and accumulating pressure in the liquid in the first flow path and the second flow path by rotating a trigger. The present invention is based on this finding.

[0010] The present invention is a pressure accumulation type sprayer A for spraying liquid in a container 1, and includes a base cylinder 4 that sucks liquid from the container 1 through a suction passage 3, a base piston 4a that slides within the base cylinder 4, a storage cylinder 7 located downstream of the base cylinder 4, a storage piston 7a that slides within the storage cylinder 7, a valve case 6 provided around the storage cylinder 7, a first flow path P1 that connects the base cylinder 4 and the storage cylinder 7, a second flow path P2 provided between the storage cylinder 7 and the valve case 6, and a first valve that opens and closes between the suction passage 3 and the base cylinder 4. The pressure-accumulating sprayer A comprises a first flow path P1, a second valve V2 that opens and closes between the base cylinder 4 and the valve case 6, and a nozzle valve V3 that slides inside the storage cylinder 7 and opens and closes between the valve case 6 and the nozzle 8, and is characterized in that, by rotating a trigger 5 connected to the base piston 4a, the liquid inside the base cylinder 4 passes through the first flow path P1, the second valve V2, the second flow path P2, and the nozzle valve V3 in that order and is sprayed to the outside via the nozzle 8, and the liquid inside the base cylinder 4 passes through the first flow path P1 and the second valve V2 to fill the storage cylinder 7.

[0011] The present invention resides in the pressure-accumulation sprayer A described above, which is characterized in that a pressure spring body 9 is provided between the nozzle valve V3 and the storage piston 7a.

[0012] The present invention resides in a spraying method AA in which the liquid in a container 1 is sprayed to the outside from a nozzle 8 using the pressure-accumulation sprayer A described above, which comprises a filling step S1 in which the liquid in the base cylinder 4 is filled into the bottom of the storage cylinder 7 via the first flow path P1, and a spraying step S2 in which the liquid in the base cylinder 4 is sprayed to the outside from the nozzle 8 via the first flow path P1 and the second flow path P2, and is characterized in that the filling step and the spraying step are carried out simultaneously.

[0013] The present invention resides in a spraying method AA in which the liquid in the container 1 is sprayed to the outside from the nozzle 8 using the pressure-accumulation sprayer A described above, characterized by sequentially carrying out a filling step S1 in which the liquid in the base cylinder 4 is filled into the bottom of the storage cylinder 7 via the first flow path P1, and a post-filling spraying step S3 in which the liquid filled at the bottom of the storage cylinder 7 by the spring force of the pressure spring body 9 is sprayed to the outside via the second flow path P2.

[0014] The present invention may also be implemented by appropriately combining the above configurations.

[0015] The pressure-accumulation sprayer A of the present invention comprises a first flow path P1 connecting the basic cylinder 4 and the storage cylinder 7, a second flow path P2 provided between the storage cylinder 7 and the valve case 6, a first valve V1 that opens and closes between the suction passage 3 and the basic cylinder 4, a second valve V2 that opens and closes between the basic cylinder 4 and the valve case 6, and a nozzle valve V3 that slides within the storage cylinder 7 and opens and closes between the valve case 6 and the nozzle 8. This maintains a pressure-accumulated state of liquid at multiple points in the first flow path P1 and the second flow path P2, making it possible to spray continuously from the nozzle 8 even after the trigger 5 is fully pulled and rotation of the trigger 5 has ceased. This makes it possible to spray a wider area at once, improving usability.

[0016] Furthermore, by rotating the trigger 5, which is connected to the basic piston 4a, the liquid in the basic cylinder 4 passes through the first flow path P1, the second valve V2, the second flow path P2, and the nozzle valve V3 in that order, and is sprayed to the outside through the nozzle 8. Furthermore, the liquid in the basic cylinder 4 passes through the first flow path P1 and the second valve V2 and is filled into the storage cylinder 7, so that after spraying is completed, the cylinder is ready to be sprayed again.

[0017] The pressure-accumulation sprayer A of the present invention is provided with a pressure spring body 9 between the nozzle valve V3 and the storage piston 7a, so that the nozzle valve V3 and the storage piston 7a are simultaneously pressed by the pressure spring body 9. Therefore, as the liquid in the second flow path P2 is sprayed from the nozzle 8 and the pressure in the second flow path P2 is reduced, the liquid in the valve case 6 is pushed out into the second flow path P2 by the pressing force generated by the pressure spring body 9, making it possible to maintain a continuous spray from the nozzle 8.

[0018] In the pressure-accumulation sprayer A of the present invention, the pressure spring body 9 is made up of a plurality of spring pieces 9a, which makes it easy to adjust the pressure and replace parts, etc. Therefore, maintainability is improved.

[0019] The spraying method AA of the present invention comprises a filling step S1 in which the liquid in the base cylinder 4 is filled into the bottom of the storage cylinder 7 via the first flow path P1, and a spraying step S2 in which the liquid in the base cylinder 4 is sprayed to the outside from the nozzle 8 via the first flow path P1 and the second flow path P2. By performing the filling step and the spraying step simultaneously, it is possible to spray the liquid and prepare for the next spray at the same time by rotating the trigger 5 once.

[0020] The spraying method AA of the present invention sequentially performs a filling step S1 in which the liquid in the base cylinder 4 is filled into the bottom of the storage cylinder 7 via the first flow path P1, and a post-filling spraying step S3 in which the liquid filled in the bottom of the storage cylinder 7 is sprayed out through the second flow path P2 by the spring force of the pressure spring body 9, thereby allowing continuous spraying even after the trigger 5 is fully pulled. This makes it possible to spray continuously, improving the usability of the pressure-accumulation sprayer A.

[0021] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a pressure-accumulation sprayer. FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a base cylinder. FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a base cylinder. FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a base cylinder. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an exploded cross-section from the second valve to the nozzle. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing the flow of liquid from the second valve to the second flow path. FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view showing the connection between the second flow path and the nozzle valve. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional side view showing the opening and closing of the nozzle valve. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the spraying method of the present invention. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a simplified pressure-accumulation sprayer before spraying. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing a simplified filling process and spraying process. FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing a simplified post-filling spraying process. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing a simplified suction process.

[0022] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below, with reference to the drawings as necessary. In the drawings, identical elements are designated by the same reference numerals, and duplicate explanations will be omitted. Furthermore, unless otherwise specified, positional relationships such as up, down, left, and right are based on the positional relationships shown in the drawings. Furthermore, the dimensional ratios of the drawings are not limited to those shown.

[0023] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a pressure-accumulation sprayer A. The pressure-accumulation sprayer A of the present invention is a device for spraying a liquid in a container 1 in a mist form by rotating a trigger 5. The pressure-accumulation sprayer A includes a container 1 for storing liquid, a cap portion 2 connected to the container 1, and a base portion B attached to the cap portion 2. A tubular suction passage 3 for sucking up liquid from the container 1 is attached to the base portion B. Also provided are a base cylinder 4 that sucks liquid from the container 1 via the suction passage 3, a base piston 4a that slides within the base cylinder 4, a storage cylinder 7 located downstream of the base cylinder 4, a storage piston 7a that slides within the storage cylinder 7, a valve case 6 provided around the storage cylinder 7, a first flow path P1 that connects the base cylinder 4 and the storage cylinder 7, and a second flow path P2 provided between the storage cylinder 7 and the valve case 6, and the base portion B functions as a frame that houses these components.

[0024] The pressure-accumulation sprayer A also includes a first valve V1 that opens and closes between the suction passage 3 and the base cylinder 4, a second valve V2 that opens and closes between the base cylinder 4 and the valve case 6, and a nozzle valve V3 that slides within the storage cylinder 7 and opens and closes between the valve case 6 and the nozzle 8. Under normal conditions, the first valve V1 is pressed in the valve-closing direction by the internal pressure of the base piston 4a. The second valve V2 and the nozzle valve V3 are each pressed in the valve-closing direction by a pressure spring body 9.

[0025] The container 1 is suitably made of synthetic resin or the like. The liquid stored in the container 1 may be any type, such as a household or commercial detergent, as long as it is used as a mist spray. The opening of the container 1 is threaded, for example, so that a cap 2, which will be described later, can be attached.

[0026] The cap portion 2 is attached to the opening of the container 1 by, for example, screwing. When the cap portion 2 is attached to the container 1, the suction passage 3 is immersed in the liquid in the container 1.

[0027] The base cylinder 4 is cylindrical, and is fitted with a base piston 4a that slides within the base cylinder 4. As described above, the base piston 4a slides within the base piston 4a as the trigger 5 rotates. The trigger 5 is provided so that the user can retract it by gripping it with their fingers. The trigger 5 is biased by a spring (not shown) so that it always returns to its original state when not retracted.

[0028] When the trigger 5 rotates in the return direction from the retracted state, the base piston 4a slides away from the first valve V1, increasing the volume inside the base cylinder 4. This creates a negative pressure inside the cylinder, and the first valve V1, which closes the gap between the suction passage 3 and the cylinder, opens, causing the liquid in the container 1 to flow into the cylinder via the suction passage 3.

[0029] Next, the trigger 5 rotates in the retracted direction, causing the base piston 4a to move closer to the first valve V1. This increases the pressure in the base cylinder 4, causing the first valve V1 to close. Meanwhile, the liquid pressurized by the base piston 4a flows into the first flow path P1.

[0030] As the trigger 5 rotates back and forth, the base piston 4a reciprocates, repeating the movement of the liquid. In other words, the base cylinder 4 is always filled with new liquid. When using a brand new pressure-accumulator sprayer A, for example, when the cylinder is not filled with liquid, the trigger 5 is rotated multiple times to expel the air from the cylinder and draw liquid into the cylinder, a so-called blank shot, thereby making the pressure-accumulator sprayer A ready for use.

[0031] Figure 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the base cylinder 4. A vent piston 4b is provided below the base piston 4a, sliding along with the base piston 4a. Additionally, on the opposite side of the base cylinder 4's bottom, i.e., the side blocked by the base piston 4a and preventing liquid from flowing in, a vent hole 4c and an exhaust hole 4d are provided, which communicate with the container 1. The vent piston 4b opens and closes communication between the base cylinder 4 and the container 1, allowing air to move, smoothly drawing liquid from the container 1 into the base piston 4a. Figure 2 shows the base piston 4a farthest from the first valve V1 (trigger-5 not pulled), with the vent piston 4b opening and closing the space between the vent piston 4b and the base piston 4a and communicating with the container 1 via the vent hole 4c and exhaust hole 4d.

[0032] Figure 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the base cylinder 4. In the state shown in Figure 3, the trigger 5 is pulled to a certain extent, and the base piston 4a and vent piston 4b are retracted to a certain extent. At this time, the movement of the vent piston 4b opens the vent hole 4c, and the space between the inner wall of the base cylinder 4 on the trigger 5 side and the vent piston 4b is connected to the container 1, allowing air to move through these spaces. The space between the inner wall of the base cylinder 4 on the trigger 5 side and the vent piston 4b is expanding as the base piston 4a and vent piston 4b move, allowing air to flow in from the container 1 and allow the base piston 4a and vent piston 4b to move smoothly. Furthermore, the space between the base piston 4a and vent piston 4b is also connected to the container 1, which is a large space, via the exhaust hole 4d. Therefore, the retraction of the trigger 5 does not compress the air, and the retraction of the trigger 5 and the movement of the base piston 4a and vent piston 4b are not hindered. The extent to which the trigger 5 must be pulled to open the vent hole 4c can be adjusted as needed, but it is preferable that the vent hole 4c be opened when the trigger 5 is pulled about 5 to 15% of the full stroke of pulling the trigger 5. This allows for smooth pulling of the trigger 5 and smooth drawing of the liquid from the container 1 into the base cylinder 4, as will be described later.

[0033] Figure 4 is an enlarged view of the base cylinder 4. In the state shown in Figure 4, the trigger 5 is fully retracted, and the base piston 4a and vent piston 4b are closest to the bottom of the base cylinder 4. At this time, neither the vent hole 4c nor the exhaust hole 4d is blocked by the vent piston 4b, and they are open.

[0034] Even when the trigger 5 is returned by spring force, the container 1 and the space between the base piston 4a and the vent piston 4b, or the space between the base piston 4a and the vent piston 4b, are connected in the reverse order to that described above, allowing for smooth rotation of the trigger 5 and smooth movement of the base piston 4a and the vent piston 4b. This allows for smooth drawing of liquid from the container 1 into the base cylinder 4. In particular, when starting to use the pressure accumulator sprayer A, the trigger 5 is rotated multiple times to release air from the base cylinder 4 and the storage cylinder 7 described below and draw in liquid (so-called dry firing), which is performed by smoothly rotating the trigger 5 and moving the base piston 4a and the vent piston 4b, allowing for easy start-up of the pressure accumulator sprayer A.

[0035] FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an exploded cross section from the second valve V2 to the nozzle 8. The valve case 6 is a cylindrical member, and a cylindrical storage cylinder 7 is provided therein. The bottom of the storage cylinder 7 is connected to the first flow path P1, and a second valve V2 is provided between the first flow path P1 and the storage cylinder 7. A storage piston 7a that slides within the storage cylinder 7 is provided within the storage cylinder 7, and the storage piston 7a is pressed by a pressure spring body 9, as described below. A second flow path P2 is provided between the valve case 6 and the storage cylinder 7, and the second flow path P2 is connected to the nozzle 8. A nozzle valve V3 that slides within the storage valve is provided between the second flow path P2 and the nozzle 8. The nozzle valve V3 is nail-shaped with a conical tip, and closes when the needle-shaped portion enters the nozzle 8. The nozzle valve V3 is pressed by the pressure spring body 9, as described below. That is, a storage cylinder 7 is provided in the valve case 6, and a second valve V2, a storage piston 7a, a pressure spring body 9, and a nozzle valve V3 are provided in the storage cylinder 7 in this order from the first flow path P1 side to the nozzle 8 side. A known structure can be suitably used for the nozzle valve V3.

[0036] The second valve V2 is a check valve (non-return valve) equipped with a whisker spring. The second valve V2 allows the liquid to flow in one direction from the first flow path P1 to the inside of the valve case 6.

[0037] The first flow path P1 is connected to the valve case 6, and a second valve V2 closes the second valve V2 from the first flow path P1. The second valve V2 is biased in a valve closing direction by a pressure spring body 9, as described below. Because the liquid that has flowed into the first flow path P1 is in a pressure-accumulating state as described above, it overcomes the pressing force of the pressure spring body 9 and presses the second valve V2 in a valve opening direction. This opens the second valve V2, and liquid flows from the first flow path P1 into the valve case 6. When the liquid pressure in the first flow path P1 drops as a result, the second valve V2 closes and the flow of liquid into the valve case 6 stops.

[0038] FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing the flow of liquid from the second valve V2 to the second flow path P2. Liquid drawn into the base piston 4a from the container 1 via the suction passage 3 passes through the first flow path P1, the second valve V2, the second flow path P2, and the nozzle valve V3 in this order when the trigger 5 connected to the base piston 4a is rotated, and is then sprayed to the outside via the nozzle 8. The storage piston 7a is a member that slides within the valve case 6 due to the hydraulic pressure or the pressing force of the pressure spring 9. The storage piston 7a is pressed toward the second valve V2 (outside the valve case 6) by the pressure spring 9. When liquid flows into the valve case 6 from the second valve V2, the hydraulic pressure within the valve case 6 overcomes the pressing force of the pressure spring 9 and presses the storage piston 7a in a direction away from the second valve V2 (i.e., inward toward the valve case 6). This ensures a space for the liquid to flow into the valve case 6 from the first flow path P1.

[0039] The storage piston 7a is a member that slides within the valve case 6 due to the hydraulic pressure or the pressing force of the pressure spring body 9. The storage piston 7a is pressed toward the second valve V2 (outside the valve case 6) by the pressure spring body 9. When liquid flows into the valve case 6 from the second valve V2, the hydraulic pressure within the valve case 6 overcomes the pressing force of the pressure spring body 9 and presses the storage piston 7a in a direction away from the second valve V2 (i.e., inward toward the valve case 6). This ensures space within the valve case 6 for liquid to flow into from the first flow path P1.

[0040] The pressure spring body 9 is composed of multiple spring pieces 9a. Each spring piece 9a has the same shape and is composed of a pair of disk-shaped flat portions 9aa and a connecting portion 9ab that connects the flat portions 9aa. In this embodiment, the two flat portions 9aa are connected by three arch-shaped connecting portions 9ab. The spring pieces 9a are arranged between the storage piston 7a and the nozzle valve V3 with their disk portions oriented in the same direction so that they are in contact with each other, thereby pressing the storage piston 7a and the nozzle valve V3 in directions away from each other (i.e., toward the outside of the valve case 6). The arch-shaped connecting portions 9ab allow the pressure spring body 9 to efficiently exert its pressure.

[0041] The pressure spring body 9 is made up of small spring pieces 9a, and because it simultaneously presses the storage piston 7a and the nozzle valve V3, the spring forces of the small spring pieces 9a are equally exerted on each other, the nozzle valve V3, and the storage piston 7a, allowing them to press each other equally. This makes it possible to efficiently accumulate pressure in the valve case 6 and the second flow path P2. Because all of the small spring pieces 9a have the same shape, it is possible to easily adjust the spring force and perform maintenance when part of the pressure spring body 9 is damaged. This improves maintainability.

[0042] The storage piston 7a is always biased by the pressure spring body 9. Therefore, when the second valve V2 closes and the inflow of liquid into the valve case 6 stops, the storage piston 7a is pressed by the pressure spring body 9 and slides inside the valve case 6 toward the second valve V2, pushing out the liquid. At this time, the second valve V2 has a plurality of inlet ports for the second flow paths P2 on its outer periphery, and the liquid is pushed into the second flow paths P2.

[0043] 7 is an exploded perspective view showing the connection between the second flow path P2 and the nozzle valve V3. The second flow path P2 is provided to connect both ends of the cylindrical valve case 6, bypassing the outside of the valve case 6. The outlet of the second flow path P2 is connected to the nozzle 8, and the nozzle valve V3 closes the connection therebetween.

[0044] 8 is a cross-sectional side view showing the opening and closing of the nozzle valve V3. The nozzle valve V3 is closed by being pressed toward the nozzle 8 (outside the valve case 6) by the resilient pressure spring 9. When the liquid pressed by the storage piston 7a flows into the second flow path P2 and the liquid pressure in the second flow path P2 increases, the liquid overcomes the pressing force of the resilient pressure spring 9 and presses the nozzle valve V3, opening the nozzle valve V3. As a result, the liquid is sprayed forcefully from the nozzle 8 to the outside.

[0045] As described above, the pressure spring body 9 simultaneously presses the storage piston 7a and the nozzle valve V3. Therefore, when the storage piston 7a is pressed by the liquid flowing in from the second valve V2, the nozzle valve V3 is also strongly pressed in the valve closing direction via the pressure spring body 9. On the other hand, when the liquid flows into the second flow path P2 due to pressure from the storage piston 7a, the force pressing the pressure spring body 9 gradually weakens. In other words, the pressing force closing the nozzle valve V3 decreases. The balance between this decrease in the pressing force of the pressure spring body 9 and the increase in liquid pressure in the second flow path P2 opens the nozzle valve V3, and spraying occurs from the nozzle 8.

[0046] That is, as the liquid in the second flow path P2 is sprayed from the nozzle 8 and the pressure in the second flow path P2 is reduced, the liquid in the valve case 6 is pushed out into the second flow path P2 by the pressing force exerted by the pressure spring body 9, making it possible to maintain continuous spray from the nozzle 8.

[0047] The flow of liquid in each of the above-mentioned sections will be summarized below, and a series of liquid flows in the pressure-accumulation sprayer A of the present invention and in the liquid spraying method AA using the pressure-accumulation sprayer A will be described.

[0048] 9 is a flowchart showing the spraying method AA of the present invention. The spraying method AA includes a filling step S1 in which the liquid in the base cylinder 4 is filled into the bottom of the storage cylinder 7 via the first flow path P1, a spraying step S2 in which the liquid in the base cylinder 4 is sprayed outward from the nozzle 8 via the first flow path P1 and the second flow path P2, a post-filling spraying step S3 in which the liquid filled in the bottom of the storage cylinder 7 is sprayed outward via the second flow path P2 using the spring force of the pressure spring body 9, and a suction step S4 in which the liquid in the container 1 is sucked into the base cylinder 4 via the suction passage 3. By rotating the trigger 5, the filling step S1 and the spraying step S2 are performed simultaneously, followed by the post-filling spraying step S3 and the suctioning step S4.

[0049] The basic cylinder 4 is filled with liquid. When starting to use the pressure-accumulator sprayer A, the trigger 5 is rotated with the tip of the suction passage 3 in contact with the liquid in the container 1, a so-called blank shot. When the trigger 5 returns from its gripped state to its normal state, the basic piston 4a in the basic cylinder 4 slides, and liquid is drawn into the cylinder from the container 1 via the suction passage 3 and the first valve V1. The first valve V1 opens when negative pressure is created inside the cylinder, and closes when liquid flows into the cylinder and the liquid pressure reaches a certain level.

[0050] Figure 10 is a simplified explanatory diagram showing the pressure-accumulator sprayer A before spraying. The arrows in Figures 10 to 13 indicate the direction of liquid flow or the direction of piston movement. Before spraying, both the base cylinder 4 and the storage cylinder 7 are filled with liquid. At this time, the base piston 4a is far from the first valve V1, and the volume inside the base cylinder 4 is large.

[0051] 11 is an explanatory diagram showing a simplified representation of the filling step S1 and the injection step S2. When the trigger 5 is pulled, the base piston 4a slides, increasing the liquid pressure in the base cylinder 4. At this time, the first valve V1 is closed, so the liquid flows into the first flow path P1 and accumulates pressure.

[0052] At this time, when the liquid pressure in the first flow path P1 increases, the second valve V2, which is a check valve, opens, and liquid flows from the first flow path P1 into the valve case 6. As a result, the liquid in the base cylinder 4 flows into the bottom of the storage cylinder 7 via the first flow path P1. The bottom of the storage cylinder 7 and the valve case 6 are connected, and the liquid that flows into the bottom of the storage cylinder 7 overcomes the pressing force of the pressure spring body 9 and pushes the storage piston 7a, filling the bottom of the valve case 6.

[0053] Meanwhile, the liquid that has flowed into the bottom of the storage cylinder 7 passes through the second flow path P2, opens the nozzle valve V3, and is sprayed outward. In this way, by pulling the trigger 5, both the filling of the storage cylinder 7 with liquid and the spraying of the liquid outward are accomplished.

[0054] FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing a simplified post-filling injection step S3. In the aforementioned filling step S1 and injection step S2, when the liquid in the base cylinder 4 is discharged, the second valve V2 is closed. After this, the liquid filled at the bottom of the storage piston 7a passes through the second flow path P2 and is injected to the outside from the nozzle valve V3. That is, the spring force of the pressure spring body 9 moves the storage piston 7a toward the second valve V2. As a result, the liquid at the bottom of the storage piston 7a is pressurized and is injected to the outside from the nozzle valve V3 through the second flow path P2. This is because the liquid is pressurized in the first flow path P1 and the second flow path P2 by the first valve V1, the second valve V2, and the nozzle valve V3 between the container 1 and the nozzle 8.

[0055] Specifically, the base piston 4a in the base cylinder 4 is linked to the rotation of the trigger 5, and the sliding of the base piston 4a causes pressure accumulation of the liquid in the first flow path P1. In the present invention, a pressure accumulation state occurs in the second flow path P2 between the second valve V2 and the nozzle valve V3. Therefore, even after the liquid flows out of the first flow path P1 and the pressure accumulation state in the first flow path P1 is resolved, spraying can continue until the pressure accumulation state in the second flow path P2 is resolved by spraying from the nozzle 8.

[0056] In the ejection step S2, when the liquid in the second flow path P2 is ejected to the outside from the nozzle 8, the liquid pressure at the bottom of the storage cylinder 7, which is in communication with the second flow path P2, drops. As a result, the elastic force of the pressure spring body 9 overcomes the liquid pressure at the bottom of the storage cylinder 7 and presses the liquid. At this time, because the second valve V2 is closed, the liquid flows into the second flow path P2, increasing the liquid pressure in the second flow path. This liquid pressure opens the nozzle valve V3, and the liquid continues to be ejected.

[0057] Therefore, in the pressure-accumulation sprayer A of the present invention, the liquid is maintained in a pressure-accumulation state at multiple locations in the first flow path P1 and the second flow path P2, and continuous spraying from the nozzle 8 is possible even after the trigger 5 is fully pulled and rotation of the trigger 5 has ceased. This makes it possible to spray over a wider area at once, improving usability.

[0058] Figure 13 is an explanatory diagram showing a simplified suction step S4. As mentioned above, the retracted trigger 5 is returned to its unretracted state by a spring (not shown). At this time, because the base piston 4a and trigger 5 are linked, the base piston 4a slides within the base cylinder 4 in a direction away from the first valve V1 as the trigger 5 returns due to its spring force. This creates negative pressure within the base cylinder 4, opening the first valve V1 and sucking liquid from the container 1 into the base cylinder 4 via the suction passage 3. As a result, the base cylinder 4 is once again filled with liquid, ready for the next injection.

[0059] Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments.

[0060] The diameter and shape of the nozzle 8 are optional. Depending on the desired shape of the spray, the size of the diameter may be adjusted, or a structure such as a net may be provided.

[0061] In this embodiment, the pressure spring body 9 is made up of a plurality of spring pieces 9a, but this is not limiting. For example, it may be made up of a single spring coil. In this case, the number of parts can be reduced. Also, the pressure spring body can exert a relatively high pressing force.

[0062] The pressure-accumulator sprayer A of the present invention can be widely used as a sprayer for home or commercial use when continuous spraying is required.

[0063] A...Accumulator sprayer AA...Spraying method 1...Container 2...Cap portion B...Base portion 3...Suction passage 4...Base cylinder 4a...Base piston 4b...Vent piston 4c...Vent hole 4d...Exhaust hole 5...Trigger 6...Valve case 6a...Valve case cylinder 7...Storage cylinder 7a...Storage piston 8...Nozzle P1...First flow path P2...Second flow path V1...First valve V2...Second valve V3...Nozzle valve 9...Pressure spring body 9a...Small spring piece 9aa...Flat plate portion 9ab...Connecting portion S1...Filling process S2...Spraying process S3...Spraying process after filling S4...Suctioning process

Claims

1. A pressure-accumulating sprayer for spraying a liquid in a container, comprising: a base cylinder that sucks the liquid from the container through a suction passage; a base piston that slides within the base cylinder; a storage cylinder located downstream of the base cylinder; a storage piston that slides within the storage cylinder; a valve case provided around the storage cylinder; a first flow path that connects the base cylinder and the storage cylinder; a second flow path provided between the storage cylinder and the valve case; a first valve that opens and closes between the suction passage and the base cylinder; a second valve that opens and closes between the base cylinder and the valve case; and a nozzle valve that slides within the storage cylinder and opens and closes between the valve case and a nozzle; and by rotating a trigger connected to the base piston, the liquid in the base cylinder passes through the first flow path, the second valve, the second flow path, and the nozzle valve in that order, and is sprayed to the outside via the nozzle. The pressure-accumulating sprayer is characterized in that the liquid in the basic cylinder is filled into the storage cylinder through the first flow path and the second valve.

2. The pressure-accumulating sprayer according to claim 1, characterized in that a pressure spring body is provided between the nozzle valve and the storage piston.

3. The pressure-accumulator sprayer according to claim 2, wherein the pressure spring body is made up of a plurality of small spring pieces.

4. A spraying method for spraying the liquid in the container to the outside from the nozzle using the pressure-accumulating sprayer described in claim 1, comprising: a filling step for filling the liquid in the base cylinder into the bottom of the storage cylinder via the first flow path; and a spraying step for spraying the liquid in the base cylinder to the outside from the nozzle via the first flow path and the second flow path, characterized in that the filling step and the spraying step are carried out simultaneously.

5. A spraying method for spraying the liquid in the container to the outside from the nozzle using the pressure-accumulation sprayer described in claim 2, characterized by sequentially carrying out a filling step in which the liquid in the base cylinder is filled into the bottom of the storage cylinder via the first flow path, and a post-filling spraying step in which the liquid filled into the bottom of the storage cylinder by the spring force of the pressure spring body is sprayed out through the second flow path.

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