Valve and aerosol-type product

Abstract

Provided are a valve capable of generating fine bubbles in a liquid jetted from an actuator irrespective of the actuator, and an aerosol-type product.　This valve (20) for an aerosol-type product (10) comprises a container for storing a liquid that includes contents, the valve (20) being characterized in that: a ventilation path (29) communicating with a gas phase part inside the container is formed; the valve (20) is provided with a stem (23) that, by being moved, jets the liquid by using the pressure of a propellant, and a porous body (27) that generates fine bubbles in the liquid by mixing the liquid introduced into the valve (20) and a gas introduced into the valve (20) via the ventilation path (29); and the porous body (27) is disposed upstream of the stem (23) in the flow of the liquid when the liquid is jetted by the stem (23).

Description

Valve and aerosol product

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[0001] The present invention relates to a valve for an aerosol product that injects contents by the pressure of an aerosol and an aerosol product.

[0002] As a conventional aerosol product, there is known one that generates fine bubbles by the function of an actuator inside a liquid ejected from the actuator (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2024-152717

[0004] However, conventional aerosol products have a problem in that they need to have a special actuator.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a valve and an aerosol product that can generate fine bubbles inside a liquid ejected from an actuator without depending on the actuator.

[0006] The valve of the present invention is a valve for an aerosol product including a container that stores a liquid containing contents, and a ventilation passage is formed that communicates with the gas phase portion inside the container. The valve includes a stem that is moved to eject the liquid by the pressure of an aerosol, and a bubble generation portion that generates fine bubbles inside the liquid by mixing the liquid introduced into the valve and the gas introduced into the valve through the ventilation passage. The bubble generation portion is arranged upstream of the stem in the flow of the liquid when ejected by the stem.

[0007] With this configuration, in the valve of the present invention, the bubble generation portion is arranged upstream of the stem in the flow of the liquid when ejected by the stem, so that fine bubbles can be generated inside the liquid ejected from the actuator without depending on the actuator.

[0008] In the valve of the present invention, the bubble generating portion is a porous body having a large number of fine holes, and the porous body may generate fine bubbles inside the liquid by mixing the liquid introduced into the valve with the gas introduced into the valve through the vent passage as the liquid passes through the inside of the porous body.

[0009] With this configuration, the valve of the present invention generates fine bubbles inside the liquid using a porous material, thus enabling the generation of fine bubbles with a simple structure.

[0010] In the valve of the present invention, the bubble generating section may have a plurality of swirling flow channels for imparting a swirling flow to the fluid, and a swirling flow groove formed by the plurality of swirling flow channels communicating with each other for imparting a swirling flow to the fluid.

[0011] With this configuration, the valve of the present invention generates fine bubbles inside the liquid through multiple swirling flow channels and swirling flow grooves, thus enabling the generation of fine bubbles with a simple configuration.

[0012] The aerosol product of the present invention is characterized by comprising the valve described above.

[0013] With this configuration, the aerosol product of the present invention has a bubble generating unit positioned upstream of the stem in the liquid flow when sprayed by the stem, so that fine bubbles can be generated within the liquid sprayed from the actuator without the actuator's intervention.

[0014] The valve and aerosol product of the present invention can generate fine bubbles within the liquid sprayed from the actuator, independently of the actuator.

[0015] This is a partial side cross-sectional view of an aerosol product according to the first embodiment of the present invention. This is a partial side cross-sectional view of an aerosol product according to the second embodiment of the present invention. This is a partial side cross-sectional view of an aerosol product according to the third embodiment of the present invention. This is a cross-sectional view taken along the line A-A in Figure 3. This is a partial side cross-sectional view of an aerosol product according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. This is a cross-sectional view taken along the line B-B in Figure 5. This is a bottom view of the nozzle shown in Figure 5.

[0016] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0017] (First Embodiment) First, the configuration of the aerosol product according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0018] Figure 1 is a side cross-sectional view of a part of the aerosol product 10 according to this embodiment.

[0019] As shown in Figure 1, the aerosol product 10 comprises a container for housing the contents to be sprayed and a propellant for spraying the contents, a valve 20 attached to the container for spraying the contents inside the container, and an actuator attached to the valve 20 for spraying the contents sprayed from the valve 20. As the propellant, for example, liquefied gases such as LPG, dimethyl ether, and fluorocarbons, and compressed gases such as carbon dioxide and nitrogen can be used. In Figure 1, the container and actuator are omitted from the illustration.

[0020] The valve 20 comprises a mounting cup 21 attached to a container, a housing 22 supported by the mounting cup 21, a stem 23 movably supported by the housing 22 and to which an actuator is attached, a stem gasket 24 for sealing a stem hole 23a formed in the stem 23, a spring 25 supported by the housing 22 and pushing the stem 23, a bush 26 supported by the housing 22, a porous body 27 supported by the housing 22 and the bush 26 as a bubble generating part having a large number of fine holes, and a pipe 28 supported by the bush 26.

[0021] The stem gasket 24 is supported by the mounting cup 21 and the housing 22. The stem gasket 24 is made of, for example, rubber.

[0022] The porous body 27 may be, for example, a plastic sintered porous body made from plastics such as polyethylene or polypropylene. The average diameter of the pores formed in the porous body 27 may be, for example, several tens of micrometers to several hundred micrometers or less.

[0023] The valve 20 has a ventilation passage 29 formed therein, which serves as a passage for introducing gas from outside the valve 20 into the porous body 27 inside the valve 20. The ventilation passage 29 is formed in part of the connection between the housing 22 and the bush 26. The ventilation passage 29 communicates with the gas phase inside the container.

[0024] Next, the operation of the aerosol product 10 will be explained.

[0025] When the actuator is operated and the stem 23 is pushed against the biasing force of the spring 25, the stem gasket 24 no longer blocks the stem hole 23a, and the liquid containing the contents of the container is sprayed towards the actuator side by the pressure of the propellant through the inside of the pipe 28, the inside of the bush 26, the inside of the porous body 27, the inside of the housing 22, and the stem hole 23a in that order.

[0026] As the liquid passes through the porous body 27, the liquid introduced into the valve 20 via the pipe 28 and the gas introduced into the valve 20 via the ventilation passage 29 mix inside the porous body 27, generating numerous fine bubbles, such as fine bubbles, within the liquid. For example, the valve 20 may generate a large number of ultrafine bubbles within the liquid. Therefore, the liquid ejected from the actuator contains a large number of fine bubbles.

[0027] When the actuator is no longer operated and the stem 23 is pushed back by the biasing force of the spring 25, the stem gasket 24 closes the stem hole 23a, and the injection of the contents by the valve 20 stops.

[0028] As described above, in the aerosol product 10, the porous body 27, which serves as a bubble generating part, is positioned upstream of the stem 23 in the liquid flow when the product is sprayed by the stem 23. Therefore, fine bubbles can be generated inside the liquid sprayed from the actuator, independently of the actuator.

[0029] The aerosol product 10 generates fine bubbles inside the liquid using the porous body 27, thus enabling the generation of fine bubbles with a simple configuration.

[0030] (Second Embodiment) First, the configuration of the aerosol product according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0031] Figure 2 is a side cross-sectional view of a part of the aerosol product 110 according to this embodiment.

[0032] As shown in Figure 2, the aerosol product 110 comprises a container for housing the contents to be sprayed and a propellant for spraying the contents, a valve 120 attached to the container for spraying the contents inside the container, and an actuator attached to the valve 120 for spraying the contents sprayed from the valve 120. As the propellant, for example, liquefied gases such as LPG, dimethyl ether, and fluorocarbons, and compressed gases such as carbon dioxide and nitrogen can be used. In Figure 2, the container and actuator are omitted from the illustration.

[0033] The valve 120 comprises a mounting cup 121 attached to a container, a housing 122 supported by the mounting cup 121, a stem 123 movably supported by the housing 122 and to which an actuator is attached, a stem gasket 124 for sealing a stem hole 123a formed in the stem 123, a spring 125 supported by the housing 122 and pushing the stem 123, a first bush 126 supported by the housing 122, a second bush 127 supported by the first bush 126, a porous body 128 supported by the first bush 126 and the second bush 127 as a bubble generating part having a number of fine holes, and a pipe 129 supported by the second bush 127.

[0034] The stem gasket 124 is supported by the mounting cup 121 and the housing 122. The stem gasket 124 is made of, for example, rubber.

[0035] The porous body 128 may be, for example, a plastic sintered porous body made from plastics such as polyethylene or polypropylene. The average diameter of the pores formed in the porous body 128 may be, for example, several tens of micrometers to several hundred micrometers or less.

[0036] The valve 120 has a ventilation passage 130 formed therein, which serves as a passage for introducing gas from the outside of the valve 120 into the porous body 128 inside the valve 120. The ventilation passage 130 is formed in the second bush 127. The ventilation passage 130 communicates with the gas phase inside the container.

[0037] Next, the operation of the aerosol product 110 will be explained.

[0038] When the actuator is operated, the stem 123 is pushed against the biasing force of the spring 125, the stem gasket 124 no longer blocks the stem hole 123a, and the liquid containing the contents of the container is sprayed towards the actuator by the pressure of the propellant, sequentially through the inside of the pipe 129, the inside of the second bush 127, the inside of the porous body 128, the inside of the first bush 126, the inside of the housing 122, and the stem hole 123a.

[0039] As the liquid passes through the porous body 128, the liquid introduced into the valve 120 via the pipe 129 and the gas introduced into the valve 120 via the ventilation passage 130 mix inside the porous body 128, generating numerous fine bubbles, such as fine bubbles, within the liquid. For example, the valve 120 may generate a large number of ultrafine bubbles within the liquid. Therefore, the liquid ejected from the actuator contains a large number of fine bubbles.

[0040] When the actuator is no longer operated and the stem 123 is pushed back by the biasing force of the spring 125, the stem gasket 124 closes the stem hole 123a, and the injection of the contents by the valve 120 stops.

[0041] As described above, in the aerosol product 110, the porous body 128, which serves as a bubble generating section, is positioned upstream of the stem 123 in the liquid flow when sprayed by the stem 123. Therefore, fine bubbles can be generated inside the liquid sprayed from the actuator, independently of the actuator.

[0042] The aerosol product 110 generates fine bubbles inside the liquid using the porous body 128, thus enabling the generation of fine bubbles with a simple configuration.

[0043] (Third Embodiment) First, the configuration of the aerosol product according to the third embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0044] Figure 3 is a side cross-sectional view of a part of the aerosol product 210 according to this embodiment.

[0045] As shown in Fig. 3, an aerosol product 210 includes a container that stores a content to be ejected and an ejectant for ejecting the content, a valve 220 attached to the container for ejecting the content inside the container, and an actuator attached to the valve 220 for ejecting the content ejected from the valve 220. As the ejectant, for example, liquefied gases such as LP gas, dimethyl ether, and fluorocarbons, and compressed gases such as carbon dioxide gas and nitrogen can be adopted. In Fig. 3, the container and the actuator are omitted from the drawing.

[0046] The valve 220 includes a mounting cup 221 attached to the container, a housing 222 supported by the mounting cup 221, a stem 223 movably supported by the housing 222 to which the actuator is attached, a stem gasket 224 for closing a stem hole 223a formed in the stem 223, a spring 225 supported by the housing 222 for pushing the stem 223, a bush 226 supported by the housing 222, a tip 227 supported by the housing 222 and the bush 226 for imparting a swirling flow to the fluid, and a pipe 228 supported by the bush 226.

[0047] The stem gasket 224 is supported by the mounting cup 221 and the housing 222. The stem gasket 224 is, for example, made of rubber.

[0048] Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the A - A arrow in Fig. 3.

[0049] As shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the tip 227 includes four protrusions 227a formed on the outer peripheral surface to form a flow path 229 as a fluid passage between the tip 227 and the inner peripheral surface of the housing 222. The four protrusions 227a are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the tip 227.

[0050] The tip 227 has four grooves 227b formed between it and the housing 222 as a swirling flow channel 230 for imparting a swirling flow to the fluid, and a circular swirling flow groove 227c formed at one end, which is located in the center so as to communicate with the four grooves 227b and is for imparting a swirling flow to the fluid. The four grooves 227b are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the tip 227.

[0051] The portion of the housing 222 and the tip 227 that forms the four swirling flow channels 230 and the swirling flow groove 227c constitutes the bubble generation section 220a, as it imparts a swirling flow to the fluid and generates fine bubbles inside the liquid, as will be described later.

[0052] The tip 227 has grooves formed on both ends, similar to those on one end.

[0053] The valve 220 has a vent passage 231 formed therein, which serves as a passage for introducing gas from outside the valve 220 into the flow path 229 inside the valve 220. The vent passage 231 is formed in part of the connection between the housing 222 and the bush 226. The vent passage 231 communicates with the gas phase inside the container.

[0054] Next, the operation of the aerosol product 210 will be explained.

[0055] When the actuator is operated, the stem 223 is pushed against the biasing force of the spring 225, the stem gasket 224 no longer blocks the stem hole 223a, and the liquid containing the contents of the container is injected by the propellant pressure in the following order towards the actuator: inside the pipe 228, inside the bush 226, the flow path 229, the swirling flow path 230, the swirling flow groove 227c, inside the housing 222, and the stem hole 223a.

[0056] As the liquid passes through the swirling flow channels 230 and swirling flow grooves 227c, a swirling flow is generated in the liquid introduced into the swirling flow grooves 227c from each of the four swirling flow channels 230. Therefore, as the liquid passes through the swirling flow channels 230 and swirling flow grooves 227c, the liquid introduced into the valve 220 via pipe 228 and the gas introduced into the valve 220 via vent passage 231 mix vigorously inside the swirling flow grooves 227c, generating a large number of fine bubbles, such as fine bubbles, within the liquid. For example, valve 220 may generate a large number of ultrafine bubbles within the liquid. Therefore, the liquid ejected from the actuator contains a large number of fine bubbles.

[0057] When the actuator is no longer operated and the stem 223 is pushed back by the biasing force of the spring 225, the stem gasket 224 seals the stem hole 223a, and the injection of the contents by the valve 220 stops.

[0058] As described above, in the aerosol product 210, the bubble generating unit 220a is positioned upstream of the stem 223 in the liquid flow when the product is sprayed by the stem 223, so that fine bubbles can be generated within the liquid sprayed from the actuator without the actuator's intervention.

[0059] The aerosol product 210 generates fine bubbles inside the liquid through four swirling flow channels 230 and swirling flow grooves 227c, thus enabling the generation of fine bubbles with a simple configuration.

[0060] The aerosol product 210 has four swirling flow channels 230 that communicate with the swirling flow groove 227c. However, the aerosol product 210 may have more than four swirling flow channels communicating with the swirling flow groove 227c, as long as multiple swirling flow channels communicating with the swirling flow groove 227c are formed.

[0061] In this embodiment, the tip 227 has similar grooves formed at both ends. Therefore, either end of the tip 227 can come into contact with the housing 222 during assembly of the valve 220, thus facilitating the assembly process. However, the tip 227 may also have grooves formed at only one end.

[0062] (Fourth Embodiment) First, the configuration of the aerosol product according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0063] Figure 5 is a side cross-sectional view of a part of the aerosol product 310 according to this embodiment.

[0064] As shown in Figure 5, the aerosol product 310 comprises a container for housing the contents to be sprayed and a propellant for spraying the contents, a valve 320 attached to the container for spraying the contents inside the container, and an actuator attached to the valve 320 for spraying the contents sprayed from the valve 320. As the propellant, for example, liquefied gases such as LPG, dimethyl ether, and fluorocarbons, and compressed gases such as carbon dioxide and nitrogen can be used. In Figure 5, the container and actuator are omitted from the illustration.

[0065] The valve 320 comprises a mounting cup 321 attached to a container, a housing 322 supported by the mounting cup 321, a stem 323 movably supported by the housing 322 and to which an actuator is attached, a stem gasket 324 for sealing a stem hole 323a formed in the stem 323, a spring 325 supported by the housing 322 and pushing the stem 323, a bush 326 supported by the housing 322, a nozzle 327 supported by the housing 322 and the bush 326 for imparting a swirling flow to the fluid, a center post 328 supported by the bush 326 and the nozzle 327, and a pipe 329 supported by the bush 326.

[0066] The stem gasket 324 is supported by the mounting cup 321 and the housing 322. The stem gasket 324 is made of, for example, rubber.

[0067] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line B-B in Figure 5. Figure 7 is a bottom view of the nozzle 327.

[0068] As shown in Figures 5 to 7, the nozzle 327 is provided with three protrusions 327a formed on its inner circumferential surface to form a fluid passage 330 between itself and the outer circumferential surface of the center post 328. The three protrusions 327a are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the nozzle 327.

[0069] The nozzle 327 has three grooves 327b for forming a swirling flow channel 331 between itself and the end face of the center post 328, which serves as a passage for imparting a swirling flow to the fluid; a circular swirling flow groove 327c located in the center so as to communicate with the three grooves 327b, which serves as a groove for imparting a swirling flow to the fluid; and a through hole 327d formed in the center of the swirling flow groove 327c. The three grooves 327b are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the nozzle 327. The diameter of the swirling flow groove 327c decreases as it approaches the through hole 327d.

[0070] The nozzle 327 and the center post 328, specifically the portion forming the three swirling flow channels 331 and the swirling flow groove 327c, constitute the bubble generation section 320a, as they impart a swirling flow to the fluid and generate fine bubbles within the liquid, as will be described later.

[0071] The valve 320 has a vent passage 332 formed therein, which serves as a passage for introducing gas from outside the valve 320 into the flow path 330 inside the valve 320. The vent passage 332 is formed in the bush 326. The vent passage 332 communicates with the gas phase inside the container.

[0072] Next, the operation of the aerosol product 310 will be explained.

[0073] When the actuator is operated, the stem 323 is pushed against the biasing force of the spring 325, the stem gasket 324 no longer blocks the stem hole 323a, and the liquid containing the contents of the container is injected by the propellant pressure in the following order towards the actuator: inside the pipe 329, inside the bush 326, the flow path 330, the swirling flow path 331, the swirling flow groove 327c, the through hole 327d, inside the housing 322, and the stem hole 323a.

[0074] As the liquid passes through the swirling flow channels 331 and swirling flow grooves 327c, a swirling flow is generated in the liquid introduced into the swirling flow grooves 327c from each of the three swirling flow channels 331. Therefore, as the liquid passes through the swirling flow channels 331 and swirling flow grooves 327c, the liquid introduced into the valve 320 via the pipe 329 and the gas introduced into the valve 320 via the vent passage 332 mix vigorously inside the swirling flow grooves 327c, generating a large number of fine bubbles, such as fine bubbles, within the liquid. For example, the valve 320 may generate a large number of ultrafine bubbles within the liquid. Therefore, the liquid ejected from the actuator contains a large number of fine bubbles.

[0075] When the actuator is no longer operated and the stem 323 is pushed back by the biasing force of the spring 325, the stem gasket 324 closes the stem hole 323a, and the injection of the contents by the valve 320 stops.

[0076] As described above, in the aerosol product 310, since the bubble generating unit 320a is positioned upstream of the stem 323 in the liquid flow when sprayed by the stem 323, fine bubbles can be generated within the liquid sprayed from the actuator without the actuator's intervention.

[0077] The aerosol product 310 generates fine bubbles inside the liquid through three swirling flow channels 331 and swirling flow grooves 327c, thus enabling the generation of fine bubbles with a simple configuration.

[0078] The aerosol product 310 has three swirling flow channels 331 that communicate with the swirling flow groove 327c. However, the aerosol product 310 may have more than three swirling flow channels communicating with the swirling flow groove 327c, as long as multiple swirling flow channels are formed that communicate with the swirling flow groove 327c.

[0079] The nozzle 327 may be the same shape and size as the nozzle used in the actuator of the aerosol product 310, or in the actuator of an aerosol product other than the aerosol product 310. By using a nozzle 327 that is the same shape and size as the nozzle used in the actuator of the aerosol product 310, or in the actuator of an aerosol product other than the aerosol product 310, the manufacturing cost of the nozzle 327 can be reduced.

[0080] 10 Aerosol product 20 Valve 23 Stem 27 Porous material (bubble generation section) 29 Ventilation passage 110 Aerosol product 120 Valve 123 Stem 128 Porous material (bubble generation section) 129 Ventilation passage 210 Aerosol product 220 Valve 220a Bubble generation section 223 Stem 227c Swirling flow groove 230 Swirling flow path 231 Ventilation passage 310 Aerosol product 320 Valve 320a Bubble generation section 323 Stem 327c Swirling flow groove 331 Swirling flow path 332 Ventilation passage

Claims

1. A valve for an aerosol product comprising a container for storing a liquid containing its contents, wherein a vent passage is formed which communicates with the gas phase inside the container, the valve comprises a stem which is moved to eject the liquid by the pressure of a propellant, and a bubble generating unit which generates fine bubbles inside the liquid by mixing the liquid introduced inside the valve with the gas introduced inside the valve through the vent passage, the bubble generating unit being positioned upstream of the stem in the flow of the liquid when it is ejected by the stem.

2. The valve according to claim 1, wherein the bubble generating section is a porous body having a large number of fine holes, and the porous body generates fine bubbles inside the liquid by mixing the liquid introduced into the valve with the gas introduced into the valve through the ventilation passage as the liquid passes through the inside of the porous body.

3. The valve according to claim 1, characterized in that the bubble generating section has a plurality of swirling flow channels for imparting a swirling flow to the fluid, and a swirling flow groove formed by the plurality of swirling flow channels communicating with each other for imparting a swirling flow to the fluid.

4. An aerosol product characterized by comprising the valve described in claim 1.

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