WO2007116457A1 - Pump mechanism for discharging contents and pump-type product with the pump mechanism - Google Patents

Abstract

A pump mechanism for discharging contents has a receiving space region inside a cylinder, and the ratio of pressure reduction in the receiving space region when a piston is returned after content discharge operation is set greater. As a result, force of sucking contents into the receiving space region is increased, and outside inflow operation, a section from which the contents flows into the receiving space region is reliably closed. A multi-function columnar member (8) is provided in the receiving space region (B) of the cylinder (6), and the columnar member (8) is made up of a circular columnar section (8a) for reducing the volume of the receiving space region and of a tubular section (8d) for pressing a lower ball valve (7). The tubular section (8d) has an elastic section (8g) for pressing the ball valve (7) from the above, an inner peripheral surface (8h) for limiting the movement of the lower ball valve in the left-right directions, a vertical groove (8f) for allowing the contents to pass through between inner surfaces, and other element sections. In the state shown in the figure, when an operation button is pressed, an upper valve (5) is separated from a circular conical section (4b) of a lower piston (4), allowing the contents in the receiving space region (B) to flow in the direction of the arrow to discharge the contents to an external space.

Description

 Specification

 Pump mechanism for discharging contents and pump-type product equipped with this pump mechanism

 [0001] The present invention relates to a cylinder-shaped portion attached to the container body side, an upstream lower ball valve disposed in the cylinder-shaped portion, and a piston that is disposed in the cylinder-shaped portion and interlocks with the operation member. A pump mechanism that discharges the contents of the storage space formed by the downstream upper valve to the external space based on the opening and closing action of the lower ball valve and the upper valve as the piston moves, and the contents The present invention relates to a pump-type product equipped with a pump mechanism for discharging material.

 [0002] In particular, the actual capacity of the storage space area is actively reduced to increase the decompression ratio of the storage space area when the piston returns from its bottom dead center to the stationary mode position after the contents release operation. As a result, a high suction force of the contents from the inside of the container body to the storage space area is obtained, and the lower ball valve is biased toward the contents inflow part which is the counterpart of the action (content of the contents). The present invention relates to a pump mechanism for discharging contents, which can reliably block the inflow portion (except during inflow operation).

 [0003] In this specification, the side of the discharge port of the container contents is referred to as "front", and the opposite side of the discharge port is referred to as "rear". That is, the left direction in FIG. 1 is “front” and the right direction is “rear”.

 [0004] In addition, the "pump type" used in the present specification means that the user can reduce the volume of the content storage space by pressing, for example, an operation unit or a part of a container (such as a peripheral surface). It shows a method in which the contents inside are released into the external space, and it is a concept that includes so-called extrusion and tube methods.

 [0005] The contents to be applied include, for example, liquid or cream soaps, shampoos, rinses, cosmetics, emulsions, foaming shaving foams, hair styling foams, as described below. is there.

 Background art

[0006] A rod-shaped member for reducing the actual capacity is provided in the storage space area on the cylinder side, so that the pressure reduction ratio of the storage space area is increased during the piston return operation after the release operation. Examples of the pump mechanism disclosed in the following patent document.

 [0007] As shown in paragraph [0011] and FIG. 1, this pump mechanism has the above depressurization ratio in an upper space at a predetermined distance from a lower ball valve (suction valve [13]) in a storage space area inside the cylinder. A rod-like member [25] is provided to increase the height.

 Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-104471

 Disclosure of the invention

 Problems to be solved by the invention

 [0008] The conventional pump mechanism is thus configured to increase the pressure reduction ratio of the accommodation space within the cylinder during the piston return operation after the release operation.

 [0009] However, the lower ball valve (suction valve [13]) is a cylinder seal surface (

 = The cylinder [11] is not biased toward the inner peripheral surface. That is, no member is used for the lower ball valve to close the cylinder seal surface and hold the container and the cylinder in a closed state. Note that the bottom portion of the lower end of the rod-like member [25] only regulates the upward movement position of the lower ball valve.

 [0010] Therefore, “moving play” for the lower ball valve inevitably occurs, and the container contents are, for example, a high-viscosity stock solution, or air mixed in a normal stock solution is formed between the lower ball valve and the cylinder seal surface. If the lower ball valve should be in close contact with the cylinder seal surface, the cylinder seal surface force may remain lifted and the original valve action of the lower ball valve will be sufficient. There was a problem that it was not secured. In addition, the lower ball valve is separated from the cylinder seal surface even when the pump mechanism (container) is turned upside down.

 [0011] Therefore, in the present invention, there is provided an adjusting member that has a function of reducing the capacity of the storage space area such as the inside of the cylinder and also biasing the lower ball valve to the contents inflow portion of the storage space area. By using

 • After the contents release operation, when the piston returns to its bottom dead center force stationary mode position, the suction ratio of the contents from the inside of the container body to the storage space area is increased by increasing the pressure reduction ratio of the storage space area. Strengthen,

In addition, when the content inflow operation is not performed, the content inflow portion to the storage space area is surely secured. Can be blocked,

 In this way, the purpose is to improve the accuracy of the content discharge operation in the pump mechanism.

[0012] Another object of the present invention is to improve the efficiency of assembling work of the component management pump mechanism by using the entire adjustment member as an integrated member (for example, a single member).

 Means for solving the problem

 [0013] The present invention solves these problems as follows.

 (1) A cylinder-shaped part (for example, a cylinder 6 described later) attached to the container body side, an upstream lower ball valve (for example, a lower ball valve 7 described later) disposed in the cylinder-shaped part, and the cylinder-shaped part A piston (for example, an upper piston 3 and a lower piston 4 which will be described later) and an upper valve on a downstream side (for example, a cylindrical upper valve 5 which will be described later) In the pump mechanism that discharges the contents of the storage space area B (described later, for example) to the outer space based on the opening and closing action of the lower ball valve and the upper valve as the piston moves,

 The storage space area is at least

 A space-adjusting action part (for example, a cylindrical part 8a described later), which is a columnar member for reducing the capacity, and whose outer peripheral surface side is the lower ball valve position force and serves as a content passage area to the upper valve position;

 It is assumed that a ball valve holding action portion (for example, a cylindrical portion 8d described later) that elastically biases the lower ball valve so that the content inflow portion is closed is provided.

 (2) In (1) above,

 The space adjusting action part and the ball valve holding action part are integrated (for example, a multifunctional columnar member 8 described later).

 (3) In (1) and (2) above,

 As the ball valve holding action part,

A plurality of elastic pieces (for example, an elastic piece 8 g described later) for pressing the lower ball valve from the upper side, and a plurality of peripheral surfaces (for example, an inner peripheral surface 8h described later) for restricting the movement of the lower ball valve in the left-right direction. ) And a groove-like portion for passing contents between the peripheral surface portions (for example, a vertical portion described later) A directional groove portion 8f) is used.

[0014] The present invention is directed to a pump mechanism for discharging contents that also has such a construction force, and a pump-type product including the pump mechanism.

 The invention's effect

 [0015] In the present invention, a multi-functional member having a function of elastically biasing the lower ball valve to the contents inflow portion of the storage space area while reducing the capacity of the storage space area such as the inside of the cylinder is used. Therefore, the decompression ratio of the storage space area such as the inside of the cylinder accompanying the piston return operation after the content release operation is increased, and the content inflow portion to the storage space area is reduced except during the operation of inflow of the content. It can be reliably occluded.

 [0016] In addition, since the entire multifunctional member is used as an integral member, it is possible to simplify parts management and the efficiency of assembling the pump mechanism.

 [0017] In addition, the lower ball valve is pressed from the upper side with a coasting piece, and a plurality of peripheral surface portions for restricting the movement of the lower ball valve in the left-right direction and a groove shape for passing contents between the peripheral surface portions. Therefore, it is possible to improve the accuracy of the contents discharge operation in the pump mechanism.

 Brief Description of Drawings

FIG. 1 is an explanatory view showing a partial cross-sectional state of the entire pump type product.

 FIG. 2 is an explanatory view showing a state where the piston has moved to its bottom dead center, that is, a state where the lower ball valve is closed and the upper valve is opened at the final stage of the operation mode.

 [Fig. 3] Fig. 3 shows a state in which the piston has moved up from the bottom dead center in Fig. 2 and returned to the position corresponding to the stationary mode, that is, the lower ball valve opened and the upper valve closed at the transition to the stationary mode. It is explanatory drawing which shows a state.

 [FIG. 4] FIG. 4 is an explanatory view showing a multi-functional columnar member having both a capacity reducing function of a storage space area inside a cylinder and a function of even pressing a lower ball valve.

 Explanation of symbols

[0019] The components of the reference numbers with alphabets below (for example, the passage portion 2a) are in principle shown to be part of the components of the reference numbers without alphabets (for example, the head 2). 1 An operation button equipped with a known tip stop mechanism (not shown: see, for example, JP-A-11 138061)

 2 Head that is interlocked with the operation button after the check valve 2c, which will be described later, is opened in the initial stage of pressing the operation button 1.

 2a Content passage

 2b Output hole for discharge of contents following the passage

 2c Check valve for closing the output hole in the static mode (component of the tip stop mechanism)

 3 Upper piston fitted to the lower end of head 2 (passage 2a)

 3a Projection that is intermittently formed in the circumferential direction of the inner circumferential surface and receives the upper end of the lower piston 4 described later

 3b Longitudinal protrusion that is formed intermittently in the circumferential direction immediately below the protrusion 3a and holds the lower piston 4 described later

 3c Inner peripheral surface at the lower end

 4 Lower piston fitted to the vertical protrusion 3b of the upper piston 3

 4a Upper bar

 4b Bar-shaped part 4a hollow conical part below 4a

 4c Cylindrical portion 4b, a cylindrical portion guided to the inner peripheral surface of a cylinder 6 to be described later, and a connecting portion between the conical portion 4b and the cylindrical portion 4c.

 4e The upper end side force of the cylindrical part 4c is also connected to the connection part 4d, and a total of four windows for passing the contents are formed in the circumferential direction.

 5 Cylindrical upper valve that exhibits valve action with the outer peripheral surface of the lower piston 4 (conical part 4b) 5a Valve action part that is in close contact with the conical part 4b in the stationary mode, etc.

 5b Longitudinal groove for passing contents intermittently formed on the inner peripheral surface

 5c Inner reverse skirt where the upper end is in close contact with the inner peripheral surface 3c of the piston 3

 5d Outside reverse skirt where the upper end is in close contact with the inner peripheral surface of cylinder 6 to be described later

 5e Skirt part where the lower end is in close contact with the inner peripheral surface of cylinder 6 to be described later

6 Lower piston 4, upper valve 5, lower ball valve (to be described later) 7, multifunctional columnar member 8, etc. Cylinder

 6a Lower opening into which the contents of storage space area A described later flow

 6b Annular taper surface 6c that is the upper part of the peripheral surface of the lower opening 6a and becomes wider toward the upper side 6c Annular step following the annular taper surface 6b

 6d Small-diameter inner peripheral surface on the upper side of the annular step 6c

 6e Small-diameter inner peripheral surface portion Large-diameter inner peripheral surface portion that follows the upper side of 6d

 6f Annular flange with large diameter inner peripheral surface

 7 Lower ball valve with valve action between annular tapered surface 6b

 8 Multifunctional columnar member that combines the capacity reduction function of storage space area B described later and the presser function of the lower ball valve 7

 8a Small diameter solid or hollow cylindrical part responsible for the capacity reduction function described above

 8b Concave portion for passage of contents formed in the vertical direction of the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 8a 8c Bottom surface of the cylindrical portion 8a

 8d Cylindrical part Cylindrical part in charge of the above-mentioned lower ball valve presser function and capacity reducing function at the large diameter part following 8a

 8e Cylindrical part of the C-shaped planar shape that lacks the area following the concave part 8b on the upper surface of 8d

 8f Three vertical grooves 8g for passage of contents formed at equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the cylindrical portion 8d 8g Downward ball valve presser formed in a manner protruding from each of the vertical groove portions 8f to the center of the cylindrical portion Dwarf piece for

 8h Longitudinal groove 8f Inner peripheral surface

 8j Elastic piece portion 8g A circumferential opening formed in the circumferential direction of the cylindrical portion 8d in the form following the concave portion 8b with a lower end partial force having the same height as the upper surface

 9 Coil spring provided between the connecting portion 4d of the lower piston 4 and the step 8e of the multi-function columnar member 8 for urging the lower piston and the upper piston 3 upward

 10 Container body containing contents

 10a Open side cylindrical part with screw part on the outer peripheral surface

10b Sheath-shaped bottom lid fitted to the outer peripheral surface of the container body 10c Bottom cover 10b Air inflow hole formed on the bottom

 10d Bottom cover Inner cylindrical part formed on the bottom part of 10b

 10e Movable bottom plate that moves upward in response to a decrease in contents (pressure drop) in storage space area A described later

 10f Reverse skirt formed on the movable bottom plate 10e, with the upper end closely contacting the inner peripheral surface of the container body

 10g A skirt that is formed on the movable bottom plate 10e and whose lower end is in close contact with the inner peripheral surface of the container body

 10h Bottom surface for identifying the lowest position of the movable bottom plate 10e in contact with the inner cylindrical portion 10d

 11 Screw cap that has a screw part on the inner peripheral surface and engages with the opening-side cylindrical part 10a of the container body 10

 11a Central cylindrical part guiding the upper piston

 12 Annular packing sandwiched between the annular flange portion 6f of the cylinder 6 and the opening-side cylindrical portion 10a (the end surface portion) of the container body 10

 A Storage space inside the container body (internal space from the movable bottom plate 10e to the lower ball valve 7)

 B Storage space inside cylinder (internal space from lower ball valve 7 to upper valve 5) Example 1

 [0021] Here, the operation button 1, head 2, upper piston 3, lower piston 4, upper valve 5, cylinder 6, multifunctional columnar member 8, container body 10 and screw cap 11 are made of, for example, polypropylene, polyethylene, polyacetanol. , Nylon, polybutylene terephthalate, etc. are made of plastic, and the lower ball valve 7 and coil spring 9 are made of metal or plastic.

[0022] The multifunctional columnar member 8 having both the capacity reducing function of the storage space B and the pressing function of the lower ball valve 7 is an annular stepped portion of the cylinder 6 while being urged downward by the coil spring 9. 6c and the small diameter inner peripheral surface 6d are provided inside the cylinder in a manner held by [0023] The pump-type product in Fig. 1 uses a so-called "airless pump", and the content discharge operation reduces the content in the storage space A and the pressure in the storage space A decreases. The movable bottom plate 10e, which is a component of the storage space, moves upward.

 [0024] This is because the movable bottom plate 10e communicates with the external space through the hole 10c of the bottom lid 10b, and the lower surface portion of the movable bottom plate receives upward atmospheric pressure.

 [0025] In the still mode of FIG. 1 in which the operation button 1 is not pressed,

 (11) The check valve 2c of the tip stop mechanism closes the output hole 2b by a known operation,

(12) The upper piston 3, the lower piston 4 and the upper valve 5, which are integrated as a result of being urged upward by the action of the coil spring 9, have a screw cap 11 on the outer reverse skirt portion 5d of the upper valve. Is held in a state of being locked to the central cylindrical portion 11a,

 (13) The upper valve 5 and the lower ball valve 7 are in close contact with the conical portion 4b and the annular tapered surface 6b, respectively.

 (14) Storage space areas A and B are both closed spaces.

 [0026] The lower ball valve 7 is held by the inner peripheral surface 8h of the cylindrical portion 8d in the lateral direction, and is pressed toward the annular tapered surface 6b by three equally spaced flanged piece portions 8g. (See Figure 2 to Figure 4). Thus, since the lower ball valve 7 is pressed by the inertia piece portion 8g, it is held in close contact with the annular tapered surface 6b even if the pump type product is inverted.

 [0027] When the operation button 1 is pressed downward in FIG. 1, as shown in FIG.

 (21) First, the check valve 2c is retracted rightward in the figure by the action of a known tip stop mechanism, and the closed state of the output hole 2b is released.

 (22) Thereafter, the head 2, the upper piston 3, and the lower piston 4 move downward together with the operation button 1 while resisting the elastic biasing force of the coil spring 9.

 (23) During the movement of the piston, the upper valve 5 does not follow the upper piston 3 and the lower piston 4, and the valve action portion 5a is separated from the conical portion 4b.

[0028] As a result, the contents previously contained in the storage space B of the cylinder 6 are indicated by the arrows in FIG. 2 as “the first concave portion between the longitudinal groove portion 5b and the longitudinal projection portion 3b—the projection. The second concave portion between the two shaped portions 3a is discharged into the external space through the path of the internal space of the upper piston 3, the passage portion 2a and the output hole portion 2b. [0029] When the user stops pressing the operation button 1,

 (31) By the action of the coil spring 9, the head 2, the upper piston 3, and the lower piston 4 return to the stationary mode position shown in Fig. 1.

 (32) By the return of the lower piston 4, the valve operating portion 5a of the upper valve 5 comes into close contact with the conical portion 4b, and the upper valve 5 is closed.

 [0030] In the returning operation of the piston 4, the lower pressure of the storage space B of the cylinder 6, the self-weight of the lower ball valve 7 and the urging force of the three inertial pieces 8g are also applied to the lower ball valve. Therefore, the lower ball valve 7 is slightly upward while resisting the urging force of the elastic piece 8g. Move (see Figure 3).

 [0031] The decompression ratio of the storage space B when the piston is restored is the amount corresponding to the multifunctional columnar member 8.

 Since it is increased (as compared with the case where this member is not provided), a strong suction force to the storage space acts on the contents inside the container body.

 [0032] As a result, the contents previously contained in the storage space A of the container body 10 are indicated by the arrows in FIG. 3 as “lower opening 6a—longitudinal groove 8f—bottom surface 8c and inertia piece 8g. The air flows into the storage space area B of the cylinder 6 through a path such as a space area between them (opening around the circumferential surface ¾) concave portion 8b ”.

 [0033] At the stage when the above-mentioned downward resultant force exceeds the above-mentioned upward pressure in the storage space area A due to the inflow of the contents, the lower ball valve 7 reliably moves downward and comes into close contact with the annular tapered surface 6b. The pump mechanism returns to the static mode shown in Fig. 1. As described above, the movable bottom plate 10e moves up by the action of atmospheric pressure in accordance with the decrease in the internal pressure of the storage space area A.

 [0034] The check valve 2c also returns to the closed state of the output hole 2b by the action of a known tip stop mechanism.

[0035] As clearly shown in FIG. 4, the multi-function columnar member 8 has a function of reducing the capacity of the storage space B inside the cylinder as a whole, and the inertial piece 8g of the cylindrical portion 8d. The ball valve 7 is energized in the downward direction and has the function of restricting the movement of the lower ball valve 7 in the left-right direction (radial direction of the cylindrical portion) on the inner peripheral surface 8h of the cylindrical portion. In addition, it is a single member that is integrally formed. [0036] When the lower ball valve 7 moves a little while resisting the biasing force of the inertial piece 8g and the ball valve opens (see Fig. 3), the contents of the storage space A inside the container body are three places. It flows into the cylinder through the vertical groove 8f.

[0037] Note that the peripheral surface opening portion ¾ is a mold used for setting a space area between the bottom surface 8c of the cylindrical portion 8a and the three longitudinal groove portions 8f, a so-called punch hole, However, it also acts as a passage area for the content that has entered, such as the vertical groove 8f.

[0038] Of course, the present invention is not limited to the illustrated mechanism.

 (41) Fit the operation button 1 to the upper piston 3 without using the tip stop mechanism.

 (42) Instead of the operation button 1, a known trigger type operation member (for example, see JP-A-11-197563),

 (43) The upper valve 5 is of the pressure accumulation type.

 (44) The lower valve 7 is, for example, a non-ball-shaped and integrally formed member with a multifunctional columnar member 8 (elastic piece 8g).

 (45) As the multi-functional columnar member 8, an integrated member of a cylindrical portion 8a and a cylindrical portion 8d manufactured separately is used.

 (46) Form an inertia piece 8g on the inner peripheral surface 8h.

 (47) Set the number of each of the longitudinal groove 8f, elastic piece 8g, inner peripheral surface 8h arbitrarily,

(48) Instead of the movable bottom plate lOe and the hole portion 10c, a well-known content suction pipe and a hole portion for inflowing the outside air into the storage space A (see, for example, JP-A-11-138061) may be used. Good.

 Example 2

 [0039] Pump type products to which the present invention is applied include cleaning agents, cleaning agents, antiperspirants, cooling agents, muscle anti-inflammatory agents, hair styling agents, hair treatment agents, hair dyes, hair restorers, cosmetics, Shavebing foam, food, droplets (such as vitamins), pharmaceuticals, quasi-drugs, paints, horticultural agents, repellents (insecticides), cleaners, deodorants, laundry glue, urethane foam, fire extinguishing There are various applications such as containers, adhesives, and lubricants.

[0040] The contents stored in the container main body include, for example, oil components, alcohols, surfactants, polymer compounds, powders, and active ingredients according to each application. [0041] As the powder, a metal salt powder, an inorganic powder, a resin powder, or the like is used. For example, talc, kaolin, aluminum hydroxychloride (aluminum salt), calcium alginate, gold powder, silver powder, mica, carbonate, barium sulfate, cellulose, and mixtures thereof are used.

[0042] As the oil component, silicone oil, palm oil, eucalyptus oil, camellia oil, olive oil, jojoba oil, paraffin oil, myristic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid, linoleic acid, linolenic acid and the like are used.

 [0043] Examples of alcohols include monovalent lower alcohols such as ethanol, monovalent higher alcohols such as lauryl alcohol, and polyhydric alcohols such as ethylene glycol.

 [0044] Examples of the surfactant include an anionic surfactant such as sodium lauryl sulfate, a nonionic surfactant such as polyoxyethylene glycol ether, an amphoteric surfactant such as lauryl dimethylamino betaine acetate, and a salt. Forces such as alkyltrimethyl ammonium thione surfactants are used.

[0045] As the polymer compound, methylcellulose, gelatin, starch, casein and the like are used.

 [0046] Active ingredients according to each application include anti-inflammatory analgesics such as methyl salicylate and indomethacin, antibacterial agents such as sodium benzoate and taresol, insect repellents such as Hillesroid and Jettilamide, Antiperspirants such as zinc, softeners such as camphor and menthol, anti-asthma drugs such as ephedrine and adrenaline, sweeteners such as sucralose and aspartame, adhesives and paints such as epoxy resin and urethane, Use dyes such as aminophenol, fire extinguishing agents such as ammonium dihydrogen phosphate, sodium bicarbonate and potassium.

 In addition to the above contents, suspending agents, ultraviolet absorbers, emulsifiers, humectants, antioxidants, sequestering agents, and the like can also be used.

Claims

The scope of the claims  [1] A cylinder-shaped portion attached to the container body side, an upstream lower ball valve disposed in the cylinder-shaped portion, a piston disposed in the cylinder-shaped portion and interlocking with an operation member, and a downstream upper portion In the pump mechanism that discharges the contents of the storage space formed by the valve to the external space based on the opening / closing action of the lower ball valve and the upper valve as the piston moves!  In the storage space area, at least,  A columnar member for reducing the capacity, and a space adjusting operation portion whose outer peripheral surface side is a content passage region from the lower ball valve position to the upper valve position;  A ball valve holding action portion that elastically biases the lower ball valve so that the content inflow portion is closed.  A pump mechanism for discharging contents.  [2] The space adjusting action part and the ball valve holding action part are integrated.  2. The pump mechanism for discharging contents according to claim 1. [3] The ball valve holding action portion includes:  A plurality of inertial pieces that press the upper force of the lower ball valve; a plurality of peripheral surface portions that restrict movement of the lower ball valve in the left-right direction; and a groove-like portion for passing contents between the peripheral surface portions; With  The pump mechanism for discharging contents according to claim 1 or 2. [4] The pump mechanism for discharging the contents according to any one of claims 1 to 3 is provided, and the contents are contained inside the container body.  This is a pump-type product.