EP0864371A1

EP0864371A1 - Blow-out container

Info

Publication number: EP0864371A1
Application number: EP97943127A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Hideyuki Usami; Kazuma Nogushi; Takashi Yamaya
Original assignee: Pentel Co Ltd
Current assignee: Pentel Co Ltd
Priority date: 1996-10-03
Filing date: 1997-10-01
Publication date: 1998-09-16
Also published as: EP0864371A4; WO1998014279A1

Abstract

A blow-out container for blowing out a liquid in a liquid reservoir through a blow-out portion, wherein the liquid reservoir and the blow-out portion are communicated together through a liquid flow passage, an elastic valve with a slit is disposed at the blow-out portion, an engaging means is provided so that the elastic valve will not be detached from the blow-out portion, and the liquid reservoir is so designed as to change its volume depending upon the use of the liquid.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a container for discharging such liquid or fluidized substance as cosmetic milky lotion, cosmetic lotion, eau de Cologne, hair lotion, hand cream, foundation, shampoo, rinse, toothpaste, mayonnaise, ketchup, glue, tube colors, etc.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

One example of a conventional discharge container for discharging liquid contained in a liquid reservoir chamber through a discharge portion is shown in Fig. 39.

A pressure deformable soft container body 201 is served as a liquid reservoir chamber 202 in which liquid is stored. Formed on an upper part of the container body 201 is a discharge portion 203 on an outer periphery of which a screw portion 204 is formed. A cap 205 is removably threadingly engaged with the screw portion 204 in order to prevent drying and leakage of liquid at the time of non-use.

At the time of use, the cap 205 is removed from the container body 201, then the container body 201 is pressed by an appropriate amount, so that the liquid contained in the liquid container 202 is discharged through the discharge portion 203.

However, in the above conventional technique, it can occasionally happen that the cap 205 is forgotten to be attached to the container body 201 after use. Also, when the container is frequently used, it may happen that the cap 205 is not attached to the container body 201 for a long time because frequent attaching and detaching operation is troublesome. In such a case, the surface of the liquid present around the discharge portion 203 is kept contacted with air. The air contacting the liquid tends to dry not only the liquid present around the discharge portion 203 but also the liquid contained in the container body 201.

Air contains various bacteria- microbes, dusts, etc. which are toxic to man. When such toxic substance as bacteria- microbes, etc., is mixed into liquid, the liquid becomes an unsanitary liquid. Mold and color change occur in the worst case, resulting in extremely unsanitary liquid. Particularly, in case the liquid is cosmetic material or edible material, the situation can become very serious.

Although the container body 201 is formed of a pressure deformable soil material, there is a possibility that an equal amount of air to the amount of liquid used enters the inside of the container body 201 due to restoring function of the container body 201. This naturally enhances the speed of drying of, and the mixing density of bacteria- microbes into, the liquid.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been accomplished in order to solve the above problems. According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a discharge container for discharging liquid contained in a liquid reservoir chamber through a discharge portion, comprising a liquid passageway for communicating the liquid reservoir chamber with the discharge portion; an elastic valve formed with a slit disposed on the discharge portion; and engagement means for preventing escape of the elastic valve from the discharge portion; the liquid reservoir chamber being variable in volume in accordance with consumption of the liquid.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a discharge container for discharging liquid contained in a liquid reservoir chamber through a discharge portion, comprising a nozzle member, the discharge portion being formed in the nozzle portion, and an elastic valve disposed on the discharge portion and capable of movement under the effect of pressure of the liquid and projecting from a distal end of the nozzle member; the elastic valve being opened also by pressure of the liquid, the liquid reservoir chamber being variable in volume in accordance with consumption of the liquid.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a discharge container for discharging liquid contained in a liquid reservoir chamber through a discharge portion, comprising a liquid passageway for communicating the liquid reservoir chamber with the discharge portion; an elastic valve formed with a slit disposed on the discharge portion; the elastic valve being capable of movement forwardly and backwardly with respect to the discharge portion; a porous member arranged in the liquid passageway such that the porous member contacts the slit of the elastic valve when the elastic valve is moved backwardly.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a discharge container for discharging liquid contained in a liquid reservoir chamber through a discharge portion, comprising a valve member formed of a porous member disposed on the discharge portion and having a valve hole at the discharge portion, said valve member being capable of movement backwardly under the effect of pressure of the liquid to open a valve hole of the discharge portion.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a discharge container for discharging liquid contained in a liquid reservoir chamber through a discharge portion, comprising a liquid passageway for communicating the liquid reservoir chamber with the discharge portion; an elastic valve formed with a slit disposed on the discharge portion; an air exchange passageway for communicating the liquid reservoir chamber with outside; a filter disposed on an intermediate portion of the air exchange passageway; and an air flow- in valve disposed between the filter and the liquid reservoir chamber and capable of dilating towards only the liquid reservoir chamber side.

With respect to operation of a discharge container thus constructed, at the time of use, the slit of the elastic valve is dilated under the pressure of the liquid in the liquid reservoir chamber to form the discharge portion. At the time of non- use, the slit (discharge portion) is closed by resilient restoring force of the elastic valve. Moreover, an equal amount of volume of the liquid reservoir chamber to the amount of used liquid is reduced and/or air is invaded into the liquid reservoir chamber through the porous member and the filter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 denotes a vertical sectional view of a discharge container according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged vertical sectional view of a main portion of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view of a discharge container according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged vertical sectional view of a main portion according to a modification of the second embodiment;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged vertical sectional view of a main portion of a discharge container according to the third embodiment;

Fig. 6 is a vertical sectional view of a discharge container according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 7 is a top view of a first valve of the discharge container in the fourth embodiment;

Fig. 8 is an enlarged vertical sectional view of a main portion of the discharge container shown in Fig. 6;

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a second valve shown in the fourth embodiment;

Fig. 10 is a perspective view of a fixed ring shown in the fourth embodiment;

Fig. 11 is an enlarged vertical sectional view of the main portion showing the operation of the fourth embodiment;

Fig. 12 is an enlarged vertical sectional view of the main portion showing a way of use of the fourth embodiment and a modified embodiment of a bellows portion thereof;

Fig. 13 is an enlarged vertical sectional view of a main portion showing a modification of the second valve shown in the fourth embodiment;

Fig. 14 is an enlarged vertical sectional view of a main portion showing a further modification of the second valve shown in the fourth embodiment;

Fig. 15 is a vertical sectional view of a discharge container according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 16 is an enlarged vertical sectional view of a main portion of Fig. 15;

Fig. 17 is a sectional view taken along line A- A of Fig. 15;

Fig. 18 is an enlarged vertical sectional view of a main portion showing the operation of the discharge container according to the fifth embodiment;

Fig. 19 is an enlarged vertical sectional view showing a modification of the fifth embodiment;

Fig. 20 is a vertical sectional view of a discharge container according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 21 is an enlarged vertical sectional view of a main portion of Fig. 20;

Fig. 22 is a sectional view taken on line B- B of Fig. 20;

Fig. 23 is an enlarged vertical sectional view of a main portion of Fig. 21;

Fig. 24 is a vertical sectional view showing the operation of the discharge container according to the sixth embodiment;

Fig. 25 is an enlarged vertical sectional view of a main portion of Fig. 24;

Fig. 26 is an enlarged vertical sectional view showing a modified embodiment of the sixth embodiment;

Fig. 27 is a vertical sectional view of a discharge container according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 28 is a sectional view taken on line C- C of Fig. 27;

Fig. 29 is a vertical sectional view when viewed in a direction as indicated by an arrow D of Fig. 27;

Fig. 30 is a sectional view taken on line E- E of Fig. 27;

Fig. 31 is a top view of an air flow- in valve in the seventh embodiment;

Fig. 32 is a vertical sectional view of Fig. 31;

Fig. 33 is a top view showing a modified embodiment of the air flow- in valve in the seventh embodiment;

Fig. 34 is a vertical sectional view of the air flow- in valve (air inlet valve) shown in Fig. 33;

Fig. 35 is a vertical sectional view showing the operation of a discharge container according to the seventh embodiment;

Fig. 36 is an enlarged vertical sectional view of a main portion of Fig. 35;

Fig. 37 is a vertical sectional view when a cap of the seventh embodiment is attached;

Fig. 38 is an enlarged vertical sectional view showing a modified embodiment of the seventh embodiment; and

Fig. 39 is a vertical sectional view of a discharge container according to the prior art.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

The first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. A container body 1 receives therein a soft bag member 3 defining a liquid chamber (liquid reservoir chamber) 2. Use of this soil bag member 3 is an easy means for preventing mixing- in of an ambient air by being contracted in accordance with consumption of the liquid contained therein. The soil bag member 3 is attached to a lower peripheral wall surface of a mouth member 4 by heat sealing, or the like, so that no leakage will occur. The mouth member 4 includes a piston 5 inside thereof. The piston 5 illustrated is attached with another piston element 6 in order to exhibit an appropriate degree of resiliency and ensure a large bore, but it may be an integrally molded product. The piston 5 is attached with a valve 7 which can be opened upwardly in the illustration. The valve 7 serves as an exit of liquid from a hollow interior 8 communicating with the liquid chamber 2.

A cylinder 10 biased upwardly in the illustration by a resilient member 9 is slidably attached to the piston 5 in a liquid tight fashion. An elastic annular portion 11, only which is provided on an outer peripheral wall of the piston member 6, serves as a liquid tight slide contact portion with respect to an inner peripheral wall of a hollow interior 12 of the cylinder 10. The cylinder 10 is provided with a valve 13 which can be opened, like the valve 7, upwardly in the illustration. The valve 13 serves as an exit for the liquid coming into the hollow interior 12 from the valve 7.

Attached to an upper part of the cylinder 10 is a nozzle member 14, which in the illustrated embodiment includes a liquid passageway 15 for discharging the liquid coming from the valve 13 outside of the container 1 and a crest portion 16 integrally formed on a top portion of the nozzle member 4. The liquid passageway 15 exhibits an L- shaped configuration within the nozzle member 14. A nearby section to an end portion of the liquid passageway 15 which end portion is located on the other side of the valve 13 is in the form of a tube (tubular section 17). That is, a gap 18 is formed between the tubular section 17 of the liquid passageway 15 and the crest portion 16. This gap 18 is circumferentially formed within the nozzle member 14.

An elastic valve 19 is fitted onto the tubular section 17 of the liquid passageway 15. The elastic valve 19 comprises a sleeve portion 20 and a bottom portion 21. The sleeve portion 20 is formed on a rear end portion (the other side of the bottom portion 21) thereof with an engagement projection 20. This engagement projection 20a is in abutment with an engagement member 22 which is press- fitted in the gap 18 of the nozzle member 14, or which is integrally formed on the nozzle member 14. Abutment between the engagement projection 20a and the engagement member 22 prevents a possible escape of the elastic valve 19 from the tubular section 17. A slit 21a is formed in the bottom portion 21. This slit 21 is dilated by liquid pressure, so that liquid can be discharged therethrough. This slit 21a serves as a discharge portion of the present invention.

The slit 21 may be simply of a linear configuration. It may also be of a reticular or a Y- shaped configuration. A nearby area of a distal end portion of the tubular section 17 is terminated in a reduced- diameter portion 17a. Owing to the foregoing arrangement, the slit 21a can be prevented from being normally dilated by irregularity in the outside diameter dimension of the tubular section 17 and the inside diameter dimension of the elastic valve 19.

Also, a gap 23 is formed between the sleeve- like engagement member 22 and the elastic valve 19. This arrangement is employed in order not to interfere the dilation of the slit 21a when liquid is discharged through the slit 21a. By virtue of the above arrangement, the slit 21a can easily be dilated and liquid can be discharged with a reduced force.

Specific examples of the elastic valve may include rubber- like elastic members such as a silicon rubber, a nitrile rubber, an acrylic rubber, a fluoro rubber, a natural rubber, a chloroprene rubber, a butyl rubber, a neoprene rubber, an SBR, an NBR, elastomer, and soft polyethylene, and a film- like soil member formed of a single- layer structure such as PET, polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, or nylon. The film- like soft material may take the form of a two- layer structure obtained by adhering polyethylene to a lower surface of PET, or by adhering polypropylene to a lower surface of PET. It may also take a three- layer structure obtained by adhering PET to an upper surface of aluminum foil and polyethylene to a lower surface thereof, or by adhering PET to an upper surface of aluminum foil and polypropylene to a lower surface thereof. Furthermore, the film- like soft material may be obtained by adhering polyethylene to a lower surface of PET coated with vinylidene chloride, polypropylene to a lower surface of PET coated with vinylidene chloride, polyethylene to a lower surface of PET coated with silicon oxide, polypropylene to a lower surface of PET coated with silicon oxide, or by coating a hot- melt resin to a lower surface of PET. In short, the material of the elastic valve can be appropriately selected depending on liquid to be used.

Use example will now be described. When the crest portion 16 is depressed, the resilient member 9 of the cylinder 10 is caused to slide downward in the illustration against the resiliency of the resilient member 9. At that time, the valve 13 is opened and liquid flows into the liquid passageway 15 of the nozzle member 14 from the inside of the hollow interior 12 of the cylinder 10 thereby to increase the internal pressure of the liquid passageway 15. This pressure increase causes the slit 21a of the elastic valve 19 to be dilated to form the discharge portion, and liquid is allowed to be discharged through the discharge portion. When the depression force to the crest portion is released, the slit 21a is returned to its initial position due to the restoring force of the elastic valve 19 itself and closed. At the same time, the cylinder 10 is caused to slide (return) upwardly in the illustration. At that time, the valve 7 is opened to allow liquid to flow out of the hollow interior 8 of the piston 5 into the hollow interior of the cylinder 10 so as to be ready for next operation.

Because the elastic valve is covered with the nozzle member, the crest portion can be depressed without a need of touching the elastic valve. Therefore, the manner of operation is sanitary. In addition, no external force is exerted directly to the elastic valve by depressing operation. As a result, aging deterioration of the elastic valve can be prevented as much as possible. The above is also applicable to the second embodiment to be described hereinafter.

The present invention can be embodied in other various forms. Fig. 3 shows the second embodiment of the present invention. Description of the same construction as in the first embodiment is omitted. A nozzle member 26 comprised of a linkage member 24 and a crest portion 25 is attached to an upper part of the cylinder 10. Within the nozzle member 26, there is disposed an L- shaped tube member 29 one end of which is press- fitted to a liquid passageway 27 of the nozzle member 26 and the other end of which is located at an opening portion 28 of the nozzle member 26. Located on a distal end of the tube member 29 is an elastic valve 30 which is fixed to the tube member 29 by a presser ring 31. A slit 32, which can be dilated by liquid pressure, is formed in a central area of the elastic valve 30. When this sit 32 is dilated, a discharge portion is formed and liquid is allowed to be discharged therethrough.

A circular projection 33 is formed on the central portion of the elastic valve 30. Owing to a provision of the circular projection 33, the central portion of the elastic valve 30 is coplanar with a front end face 34a of an inner flange portion 34 of the presser ring 31. The elastic valve 30 is fixedly sandwiched between a distal end face of the tube member 29 and a rear end face 24b of the inner flange portion 34 of the presser ring 31, thus serving as an engagement means of the present invention.

An outside diameter of a basal portion of the elastic valve 30 is smaller than an inside diameter of the presser ring 31, while an outside diameter of the projection 33 of the elastic valve 30 is smaller than an inside diameter of the inner flange portion 34. That is, an outer periphery of the elastic valve 30 is opened, so that no external force will be transmitted thereto. By virtue of the foregoing arrangement, the slit 32 can easily be dilated and liquid can be discharged with a reduced force as in the preceding embodiment.

Some specific examples of the material of the tube member will now be described. The tube member may include metal material such as stainless steel, carbon steel, and copper alloy (phosphor bronze), and material obtained by coating resin such as polyamide, vinyl chloride, polyethylene, and polyurethane to the surface of those metal material, or a resin molded product such as POM, ABS, PP, PET and PE. The point is that material, which is hardly susceptible to corrosion by liquid to be used, should be selected in accordance with necessity.

Examples of use will now be described. Upon depression of the crest portion 25, the cylinder 10 slides downwardly in the illustration against the resilient force of the resilient member 9. At that time, the valve 13 is opened to allow liquid to flow out of the inside of the hollow interior 12 of the cylinder 10 into the tube member 29 via the liquid passageway 27 of the nozzle member 26. This increases the internal pressure to cause the slit 32 of the elastic valve 30 to be dilated to thereby form the discharge portion. The liquid is discharged from this discharge portion. When the depression force to the crest portion 25 is released the slit 32 is returned to its initial position and closed by the restoring force of the elastic valve 30 itself. At the same time, the cylinder 10 is caused to slide (return) upwardly in the illustration by the resilient force of the resilient member 9. At that time, the valve 7 is opened to allow liquid to flow out of the hollow interior 8 of the piston 5 into the hollow interior 12 of the cylinder 10, so as to be ready for next operation.

In this second embodiment, the resilient member 9 is disposed outside the hollow interior 12 of the resilient member 9. By preventing the resilient member 9 from contacting the liquid, contamination of the liquid caused by rust is prevented.

Fig. 4 shows an example in which the presser ring 31 in the second embodiment is not used in order to achieve cost down. The elastic valve 35 includes a sleeve portion 36 and a bottom portion 37 as in the first example. In addition, an enlarged- diameter portion 36a is formed on an outer peripheral surface of the sleeve portion 36 and a circumferential rib 36b is formed on an inner peripheral surface portion. An inner peripheral flange portion 37 subjected to be abutment with a front end face of the enlarged- diameter portion 36a of the sleeve portion 36 is formed on the rest portion 25. Owing to this arrangement, the elastic valve 29 is prevented from being escaped from the tube member 29 when an excessive liquid pressure occurs. Normally, a front end face of the enlarged- diameter portion 36a is not in abutment with the inner peripheral flange portion 37. In doing so, opening and closing of the slit 38, through which liquid is discharged, is not disturbed. However, the elastic valve 35 and the tube member 29 are prevented from being escaped through engagement between the circumferential rib 36b and a circumferential recess 39 formed in an outer periphery of the tube member 29.

The nozzle member and the elastic valve of the first and second examples may be attached to the discharge portion of the previously mentioned conventional container. Although a constant quantity of liquid cannot be discharged compared with the various examples mentioned before, the quantity of discharge can be varied depending on each user's desire and the valve mechanism for discharging a constant quantity can be omitted. Therefore, a manufacturing cost can be reduced.

The third embodiment will now be described with reference to Fig. 5. In this embodiment, a soft porous member 40 is disposed beneath the cylinder 10 (nozzle member 14) according to the first embodiment. In addition to the resilient resistive force of the resilient member 9, the resistive force of the porous member 40 is also added to the resistive force when the pressing operation is performed. In this embodiment, the resistance means is a porous member such as a sponge. In the alternative, the beneath part of the resilient member may be of dense spiral structure. The pressing force becomes larger at an intermediate stage of the pressing operation rather than at the start of the depressing operation. Due to this function, the downward moving speed of the nozzle member is decreased. By utilizing this phenomenon, liquid is prevented from being abruptly discharged from the slit 21a of the elastic valve 19. In this embodiment, the resilient member 9 is disposed outside the hollow interior 12. Owing to this arrangement, contamination of the liquid caused by rust or the like when the resilient member 9 is made of metal is prevented.

The fourth embodiment will now be described with reference to Figs. 6 to 11. As in the preceding embodiment, a container body 41 receives therein a soft bag member 43 within which a liquid chamber (liquid reservoir chamber) 42 is defined. This soil bag member 43 is attached to a lower peripheral wall surface of a mouth member 44 attached to an opening portion of the container body 41 by heat sealing, or the like, so that no leakage will occur. The mouth member 44 is a sleeve- like member having a bottom portion 45. Formed in a central portion of the bottom portion 45 is a hollow interior 46 which is in communication with the liquid chamber 42. A first valve 47 capable of opening upwardly in the illustration is attached to the hollow interior 6. The first valve 47 comprises a fixed ring portion 47a to be fixed to the bottom portion 45 of the mouth member 44, a valve portion 47b, and three arcuate leg portions 47c for separatably/restorably interlinking the fixed ring portion 47a and the valve portion 47b, so that it can easily be actuated even by liquid having low viscosity (see Fig. 7). The valve portion 47b of the first valve 47 serves as a substantial exist for the liquid from the liquid chamber 42.

The mouth member 44 is slidably attached with a nozzle member 48 with its lower part embedded in the mouth member 44 and with its upper part projected from the mouth member 44. Within the nozzle member 48, a liquid passageway 49 is formed, one end portion of which is served as a tubular discharge port 50 through which liquid is discharged. The discharge port 50 is slidably attached with a second valve 52 (see Figs. 8 and 9) having a slit 51 formed in a lower part of its distal end and serving as a final discharge portion for liquid.

A presser ring 53 is disposed in front of the second valve 52 in such a way to cover the second valve 52. The presser ring 53 is fixed to the nozzle member 48. Behind the presser ring 53 (left direction in Fig. 8), doglegged hinge portions 54 are formed on vertically corresponding locations (see Fig. 10). The second valve 52 is biased backwardly by the hinge portions 54. Reference numeral 55 denotes a flange portion formed on a rear end of the second valve 52. Rear ends of the hinge portions 54 are in abutment with the flange portion 55.

Examples of the material of the second valve 52 may include the same rubber- like elastic members as in the elastic valve of the preceding embodiment, such as a silicon rubber, a nitrile rubber, an acrylic rubber, a fluoro rubber, a natural rubber, a chloroprene rubber, a butyl rubber, a neoprene rubber, a SBR, an NBR, elastomer, and soft polyethylene.

One end of an expansible sleeve- like bellows member 56 is fixed to the other end side of the liquid passageway 49 of the nozzle member 48, while the other end of the bellows member 56 is fixed such that the first valve 47 is placed within the hollow interior 46 of the mouth member 44. The bellows member 56 is expansible and has an elastic property. The nozzle member 48 is biased upwardly by the bellows member 56. That is, when the nozzle member 48 is depressed downwardly, the bellows member 56 is contracted and when the depression is canceled, the bellows member 56 is stretched (returned to its initial position) by its own elastic force.

The bellows member 56 is fixed to the nozzle member 48 and the mouth member 44 through male- and- female engagement for the sake of easy assembly. Depending on viscosity of the liquid, however, they may be fixed by other fixing means such as bonding or welding, so that sealability and escape preventability can be enhanced.

Examples of the material of the bellows member may include rubber- like elastic members such as a silicon rubber, a nitrile rubber, an acrylic rubber, a fluoro rubber, a natural rubber, a chloroprene rubber, a butyl rubber, a neoprene rubber, a SBR, an NBR, elastomer, and soft polyethylene, and a soft member formed of a single- layer structure such as PET, polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, or nylon. The soft material may take the form of a two- layer structure obtained by adhering polyethylene to a lower surface of PET, or by adhering polypropylene to a lower surface of PET. It may also take a three- layer structure obtained by adhering PET to an upper surface of aluminum foil and polyethylene to a lower surface thereof, or by adhering PET to an upper surface of aluminum foil and polypropylene to a lower surface thereof. Furthermore, the soft material may be obtained by adhering polyethylene to a lower surface of PET coated with vinylidene chloride, polypropylene to a lower surface of PET coated with vinylidene chloride, polyethylene to a lower surface of PET coated with silicon oxide, polypropylene to a lower surface of PET coated with silicon oxide, or by coating a hot- melt resin to a lower surface of PET.

Use example will now be described. Upon depression of the nozzle member 48, the bellows member 56 is contracted downwardly in the illustration against its own elastic force. As a result, the liquid within the bellows member 56 and the liquid passageway 49 is pressurized. This causes the second valve 52 to proceed forwardly against the resilient force of the hinge portions 54 of the presser ring 53. As a result, the slit 51 of the second valve 52 is exposed. At that time, the slit 51 is slightly dilated by pressure of the liquid to allow the liquid to be discharged (see Fig. 11: in this illustration, the amount of dilation of the slit of the second valve is shown in a somewhat exaggerated manner).

When the depression to the nozzle member 48 is canceled here, the bellows member 56 is stretched by its own restoring force and the inside pressure of the bellows member 56 becomes negative. This, together with the elastic force of the hinge portions 54, causes the second valve 52 to be retracted and covered again with the presser ring 53. Further, since the pressure of the liquid is reduced, the slit 51 is also closed. The closing action of the slit 51 is sometimes performed immediately before retraction of the second valve 52. Occasionally, the slit 51 is slowly closed after the second valve 52 is retracted. This depends on viscosity of the liquid to be used, the resilient force of the bellows member 56, and some other factors of a similar nature.

At that time, the first valve 47 opens upwardly in the illustration to draw the liquid in the liquid reservoir chamber 42 into the bellows member 62 through the hollow interior 46.

Since the slit 51 serving as the liquid discharge port of the second valve 52 is normally covered with the presser ring 53, it is sanitary. Moreover, since no external force is applied to the second valve 52 which would otherwise be applied thereto by depressing operation, aging deterioration can be prevented as much as possible.

The present invention can be embodied in other various forms. Fig. 12 shows a modified embodiment of the bellows member. Description of the same construction as in the above embodiment is omitted. A pan member 58 is attached to the top of the nozzle member 57. Under the pan member 58, there is disposed a second valve 59 which is opened only upwardly in Fig. 12. A discharge port 58a serving as final exit for liquid is formed in a central portion of the pan member 58.

A bellows member 61 having a smaller contractibility than the bellows member of the above embodiment is fixed to the a liquid passageway 60 formed within the nozzle member 57 and the hollow interior 46 of the mouth member 44. Of course, this bellows member 61 also has a self- restoring property (elasticity). In this modified embodiment, a small constant amount of discharge is intended by reducing the expanding/contracting length of the bellows member 61. Particularly, this discharge container is effective to be used for storing such liquid as hand washing soap.

Figs. 13 and 14 show modified embodiments of the second valve. In the modified embodiment shown in Fig. 13, an expansible and restorable bellows member 64 is formed on a sleeve portion 63 of the second valve 62. Reference numeral 65 denotes a fixed ring adapted to prevent the second valve 62 from escaping. Reference numeral 66 denotes a slit through which liquid is allowed to be discharged. This way of construction is simpler in mold structure than the above embodiment in which the hinge portions 54 are formed on the fixed ring 53. Moreover, removability from the mold is good and effective. In the modified embodiment shown in Fig. 14, an expansible and restorable bellows portion 67 is formed on the sleeve portion 63 of the second valve 62. The mold structure is even simpler in this modified embodiment than the preceding modified embodiment. Moreover, mold removability, aging stability through expanding/contracting action, durability are also good.

The fifth embodiment will now be described with reference to Figs. 15 and 17. In this embodiment, when air, bacteria- microbes, etc. enter the liquid chamber, such entry is prevented through a porous member. This will be specifically described hereinafter. Within a tubular container body 68, a liquid chamber 69 for storing liquid therein is defined. It is also accepted that a bag member, which is readily contracted in accordance with consumption of liquid, is disposed within the container body 69 and the bag member is served as a liquid chamber. Also, a restorable comparatively hard container may be employed. A sleeve- like mouth portion 70 is formed on an upper part of the container body 68 such that the former projects therefrom. Knobs 72 subjected to engagement with a cap 71 are each vertically circumferentially formed on two locations of the outside area of the mouth portion 70.

A nozzle member 73 serving as an exit for liquid from the liquid chamber 69 is press- fitted in a lower interior of the mouth portion 70. A vertically circumferential recess 74 and two discharge ports 75 for discharging liquid therethrough are formed on the nozzle member 73. A porous member 76 such as a sponge is attached to a central portion of the nozzle member 73 through an antibacterial substance. An elastic valve 77 is slidably attached to the recess 74 of the nozzle member 73. An upper end of the elastic valve 77 is terminated in a bottom portion 79 formed with a slit 78 serving as a final discharge port for liquid. An inner surface of the bottom portion 79 is normally in contact with an upper end face of the porous member 76.

A presser ring 80 is fixedly press- fitted in an upper interior of the mouth portion 70 in such a way to surround the sleeve- like elastic valve 77. Under the presser ring 80, doglegged hinge portions 8, as in the fourth embodiment, having elasticity are formed on laterally opposing locations (see Fig. 10). The elastic valve 77 is biased downwardly by the hinge portions 81. Reference numeral 82 denotes a flange portion formed on a lower end of the elastic valve 77. Rear ends of the hinge portions 81 are in abutment with the flange portion 82.

The material of the container body will now be described. Firstly, in case the container body 68 is a container which can be restored into its initial position after it is once depressed, examples of preferable material of the container body 68 may include polyethylene, polypropylene, nylon, vinyl chloride, polyester, polycarbonate, and the like. In case the container body 68 is not required to be restored into its initial position after it is once depressed, in other words, in case the container body 68 is of the type gradually contracted as the liquid is reduced, examples of preferable material may include lead, aluminum, tin, laminated film, and the like.

One example of the antibacterial substance through which the porous member is provided, may include, as an inorganic substance, fine grains or solution such as silver, copper, zinc, magnesium, silver oxide, copper oxide, cuprous oxide, copper sulfide, sulfur, sulfonic sodium, hydoxyapatite silver, thiosulfuric silver complex salt, amino acid metal soap, and the like, or those obtained by fixedly absorbing those substances to inorganic fine grains such as silicon oxide, silica gel, aluminum oxide, silica- alumina ceramic, calcium phosphate, calcium carbonate, ceramic, titanium oxide, zeolite, and the like, or those obtained by chemically or mechanochemically fixing the above substances to the surface of inorganic fine grains, or resin fine grains. As a commercially available product, there are Apertizer- AW (sintered mixture of calcium phosphate and metallic silver, manufactured by Sangi Seisakusho K.K.), Zeomic (product obtained by ion exchanging silver ion to zeolite, manufactured by Shinagawa Nenryo K.K.), Amenitop (product obtained by coating thiosulfuric silver complex salt supported by silica gel with silica, manufactured by Matsushita Denki Sangyo K.K.), Amolden TS305 (product obtained by supporting thiazole based compound on metal oxide, manufactured by Yamato Kagaku Kogyo K.K.), antibacterial ceramics (obtained by combining phosphate based ceramics with silver ion, manufactured by Shinto Kogyo K.K.), Kokin- Oh (mixture of zeolite and liquefied petroleum gas, manufactured by Kimura Kogyo K.K.), Boron Killer Beads Seller CC37- 105W, - ditto- T19- 033W, - ditto- T37- 035W (product obtained by coating amino acid metal soap to silica- alumina ceramic, manufactured by Nikko Seisakusho K.K.), C- bio (hydrate of calcium and zinc, manufactured by Hoyu System K.K.), Die Killer (manufactured by Dainichi Seika Kogyo K.K.), and the like, and as an organic substance, it may include imidazole based compounds such as 2- (4- thiazorilbenz imidazole, 2- methoxycalbonyl aminobenz imidazole, and the like. With respect to a container containing a cosmetic material as a liquid or a solid, it is desirable from a view point of safety that zinc- based anti- bacterial substances are used.

It is more preferable that those antibacterial substances are disposed on those members which can easily be touched by finger, such as , for example, the discharge port member, the presser ring, and the cap.

Operation will now be described. In the state of Fig. 15, when the container body 68 is depressed, the liquid pressure in the liquid chamber 69 is increased. By this liquid pressure, the elastic valve 77 is raised upwardly in the illustration against the elastic force of the hinge portions 81 and projected from a front end face of the presser ring 80 (see Fig. 18). At that time, the slit 78 of the elastic valve 79 is also dilated by the liquid pressure and liquid is allowed to be discharged through the slit 78.

When the depressing operation of the container body 68 is canceled here, the liquid pressure in the liquid chamber 69 is reduced (or becomes equal to that of outside the container) and the dilated slit 78 is closed. Then, accompanied with the elastic restoring force of the hinge portions 81, the elastic valve 77 is retracted and embedded in the pressure ring 80. Since the elastic valve 79 is surrounded with the presser ring 80 at that time, the slit 78 is positively closed.

The various bacteria or the like attached to the slit 78 is reduced without being reproduced because the slit 78 contacts (or is in contact with) the porous member 76 on which the antibacterial substances are disposed. Thus, the nearby area of the slit 8 is, of course, always sanitary and in addition, the liquid in the liquid chamber 69 can also be kept sanitary without being mixed with various bacteria or the like and in spite of passage of time.

In the above embodiment, the porous substance on which the antibacterial substance is disposed is provided in order to positively reduce the various bacteria from the valve. However, such a substance is not always necessary depending on liquid to be used. The hinge portions may also be replaced with a metal or resin coil spring 82 in consideration of the mold cost, and the presser ring may be formed as a simple ring member 83 (see Fig. 19). As in the preceding embodiment, the bellows portion or a reduced- wall portion may be formed on the elastic valve itself.

The sixth embodiment will now be described with reference to Figs. 20 to 25. In the preceding fifth embodiment, the elastic valve is moved and normally kept in contact with the front end of the porous member. In contrast, in this sixth embodiment, the porous member is moved and normally kept in contact with the elastic valve. This will be specifically described hereinafter. The interior of the restorable container body 84 is defined by the liquid chamber 85 for storing liquid. A sleeve- like mouth portion 86 is formed on an upper part of the container body 84 in such a way to project therefrom, and a male screw 88 for detachably threadingly engaged with a cap 87 is formed on outside the mouth portion 86.

A lid- like liquid discharge port member 89 is fixed press- fitted to an upper end face of the mouth portion 86. A hole 90 for allowing liquid to be discharged therethrough is formed in a central portion of the liquid discharge port member 89. In this embodiment, the hole 90 is simply circular. However, it may be a slit having a shape of star, Y, or reticule. In case the hole 90 is formed into a circular shape or a star shape, the material of the discharge port member 89 is preferably selected from comparatively hard polypropylene, polyacetal, or ABC. However, in case it is formed as a slit, the material of the discharge port member 89 is preferably selected from comparatively soft and elastically deformable silicon rubber, nitrile rubber, fluoro rubber, or soft polyethylene.

On the other hand, a nozzle member 91 serving as an exit for liquid from the liquid chamber 85 is press- fitted in the interior of the mouth portion 86. The nozzle member 91 is of duplex sleeve structure. Specifically, an outer sleeve 92 and an inner sleeve 93 are connected together by equally spacedly formed ribs 94. That is, other area than the ribs 94 formed by the outer sleeve 92 and the inner sleeve 93 is served as a vertical groove passageway hole 95 through which liquid can flow. The inner sleeve 93 is smaller in length than the outer sleeve 92 and therefore, as if embedded in the outer sleeve 92.

A porous member 96 consisting of bundles of fibers on which antibacterial substances or the like are disposed is provided on a central portion of a hollow interior 93a of the inner sleeve 93. However, instead of the bundle of fibers, a porous substance such as urethane, sponge, or a sintered member such as a resin ball or inorganic fine grains which can exhibit the same function may be employed. A flange portion 97 having a slightly smaller outside diameter than the inside diameter of the inner sleeve is formed on a lower end of the porous member 96. Between the flange portion 97 and a lid member 98 fixed to a lower end of the inner sleeve 93, a resilient member 99 such as a coil spring having an extremely small resilient force is disposed.

That is, the porous member 96 is biased upwardly by the resilient member 99. A distal end of the porous member 96 is contacted with an inner surface of the discharge port member 89 with a small force. Specifically, the contacted area is the portion of the hole 90 formed in the discharge port member 89. The hole 90 is closed by the distal end of the porous discharge member 96 contacting the hole 90.

An outer peripheral portion of an upper end of the porous member 96 is subjected to chamfering treatment (chamfering portion 100), and very small convexities and concavities 101 are formed on the upper end face by knurling or the like. However, they may be flat surfaces.

Reference numeral 102 denotes ribs formed on interior of the inner sleeve 93. The porous member 96 is prevented from being swung sidewise by the ribs extending from four directions.

The porous member 96 is subjected to water repellent finishing. Owing to this treatment, the porous member 96 allows air to permeate therethrough but liquid is difficult to flow therethrough. Thus, the liquid in the container body is difficult to infiltrate therein.

Preferable examples of the material of the container body may include restorability- abundant polyethylene, polypropylene, nylon, vinyl chloride, polyester, polycarbonate, and the like.

The antibacterial substance disposed on the porous member may be appropriately selected from those listed in the above fifth embodiment.

Operation will now be described. When a side portion of the container body 84 is pressed (see Fig. 24) in the state shown in Fig. 20, the liquid pressure in the liquid chamber 2 is increased. By this liquid pressure, the liquid is raised to pass through the vertical groove passageway hole 95 of the nozzle member 91 and flows into the hollow interior 93a of the inner sleeve 93. At the same time, the liquid pressure acts on the chamfering portion 100 of the porous member 96. When the container body 84 is further pressed here to increase the liquid pressure, the liquid flows into a contacting portion between the porous member 96 and the discharge port member 89, and the liquid flowed into the hollow interior 93a of the inner sleeve 93 reaches the upper surface of the flange portion 97 of the porous member 96. By action of the liquid at those two places, the porous member 96 is retracted (see Fig. 25). By retraction of the porous member 96, the hole 90 is opened to allow liquid to be discharged therethrough.

When the discharge of a pressed amount of liquid is completed here, the liquid pressure in the liquid chamber 85 is reduced (or becomes equal to the pressure outside the container), and both the pressure to the upper surface of the porous member 96 and the liquid pressure to the flange portion 97 are reduced. Due to reducing of the liquid pressure for biasing the porous member 96 backwardly, the porous member 96 is kept raised until it contacts the discharge port member 89 by action of the resilient member 99 and closes the hole 90.

When the pressing operation of the container body 84 is canceled here, the container body 84 is restored to its original position and air invades into the container body through the hole 90. However, this air passes through the porous member 96 on which the antibacterial substance is disposed and invades into the container body. At that time, the bacteria are reduced and dusts, etc. are filtrated and removed.

In the above embodiment, the porous member on which the antibacterial substance is disposed is provided in order to positively reduce the various bacteria from the valve. However, such a substance is not always necessary depending on liquid to be used. Dusts may be filtrated merely by, and removed through, the porous member.

A modified embodiment of the sixth embodiment will now be described with reference to Fig. 26. A nozzle member 103 is press- fitted in the mouth portion 86 of the container body. This nozzle member 103 is also comprised of an outer sleeve 104 and an inner sleeve 105 but slight different from the above embodiment. Specifically, a horizontal throughhole 107 is formed in an intermediate area of the inner sleeve 105. This throughhole 107 intercommunicates the hollow interior portion 108 of the inner sleeve 105 and the vertical groove passageway hole 109 therethrough. The upper end face of the outer sleeve 104 and the upper end face of the inner sleeve 105 are flush with each other and are in contact with the inner surface of the discharge port member 89. That is, the liquid in the liquid chamber 85 flows from the vertical groove passageway hole 109 into the hollow interior portion 108 of the inner sleeve 105 via the throughhole 106 and presses the flange portion 111 of the porous member 110.

Furthermore, in this modified embodiment, the upper end face of the porous member 110 is a flat and planar surface portion 112.

Two modified embodiments have been described hereinbefore, but many other modifications may be possible. For example, it is accepted that the resilient member for biasing the porous member is formed of a resinous plate spring so that manufacturing cost can be reduced, and a recess is formed in a central area of the upper end face of the porous member so that air can easily enter the porous member.

The seventh embodiment will now be described with reference to Figs. 27 to 32, and Figs. 35 to 37. The interior of a container body 113 is defined by a liquid chamber (liquid reservoir chamber) 114 for storing liquid therein. A nozzle member 115 is attached to an upper part of the container body 113 by press- fitting, or the like. A circular recess 116 is formed in the interior of the upper part of the nozzle member 115. Four vertical throughholes 117 are formed downwardly from the recess 116. Those four vertical holes 117 are interconnected in the upper end opening portion through lateral grooves 118 (see Fig. 28).

A discharge port member 119 is fixed press- fitted in the recess 116 of the nozzle member 115, and a discharge port portion 120 is formed in a central area of the discharge port member 119. An elastic valve 122 formed with a slit 121 is attached to the discharge port portion 120. The slit 121 may be simply of a linear configuration. It may also be of a reticular or a Y- shaped configuration.

The liquid passageway in this embodiment is comprised of the vertical holes 117, the lateral grooves 118, and the discharge port portion 120. An inner hole 123 is formed in the interior of the nozzle member 115 in such a manner to extent all the way to the lower end. A throughhole 124 is laterally formed in the hollow interior 123 and in communication with outside the nozzle member 115 (see Figs. 29 and 30). A porous member (filter) 125 is disposed on an intermediate area of the hollow interior 123, and a valve seat portion 126 is disposed under the porous member 125. Disposed under the valve seat portion 126 is an air flow- in valve 127 which is capable of opening only in a direction of the liquid chamber 114.

The air flow- in valve 127 will now be described in detail here. As shown in Figs. 31 and 32, a valve closure 129 substantially serving as a valve is located inside the outer peripheral ring portion 128, and a circumferential projection 29a is formed on an upper surface of the valve closure 129. Since the circumferential projection 129a contacts the lower surface of the valve member 126, it is prohibited from dilating upwardly. The outer peripheral ring portion 28 and the valve closure 129 are interconnected by three arcuate linkage elements 130. In doing so, the valve can be opened/closed as least force as possible, and yet a structure of high sealability can be provided. A ring- like valve fixture member 131 is press- fitted to a lower end of the air flow- in valve 127 with respect to the hollow interior 123. This valve fixture member 131 prevents the air flow- in valve 127 from escaping and also serves as a positioning member when the air flow- in valve 127 is fitted in the hollow interior 123.

As shown in Figs. 33 and 34, the air flow- in valve may be served as an air flow- in valve by interconnecting the valve closure 129 and the outer peripheral ring portion 128 by a single hinge portion 132, or by merely forming a slit in a circular elastic sheet and serving a central portion of the elastic sheet as the valve closure portion 129. In short, inasmuch as the air flow- in valve is prevented from being dilated upwardly by causing the upper surface of the valve closure 129 to contact the lower surface of the valve seat portion 126, various valve structures can be selected.

Specific examples of the porous member (filter) may include a sintered member formed of polyethylene, polypropylene, or the like, a plastic foamed member formed of urethane or the like, a metal sintered member formed of aluminum, titanium, zirconium or the like, a ceramic sintered member formed of aluminum or the like, a filter paper formed of cellulose, silica, glass fiber, fluoro resin, a bundled substance obtained by bundling fibrous substance such as metal or the like, or a mesh- like substance obtained by knitting them. The illustrated materials may be overlapped (for example, a plastic sintered member and a metal sintered member, and so forth) and then attached.

The configuration of the porous member may be selected from various shapes such as circular sleeve, circular cone, bag, plate, film, and the like.

The examples of the material of the elastic valve and the air flow- in valve may include the same materials for the elastic valve according to the first embodiment, etc.

Use example will now be described. When a side portion of the container body 113 is pressed, the liquid in the liquid chamber 114 passes the liquid passageway consisting of the vertical holes 117, the lateral grooves 118 and the discharge port portion 120, causes the slit 121 of the elastic valve 122 to be dilated by its own liquid pressure, and is allowed to be discharged therethrough (see Fig. 35). When the discharge is completed, the slit 121 of the elastic valve 122 is returned to its original position by its restoring force and closed (the state of Fig. 27). In this state, the discharged liquid is wiped off with fingers, etc. At that time, the liquid pressure also acts on the air flow- in valve 127. However, since the upwardly dilating force of the air flow- in valve 127 is prevented by the valve seat portion 126, it is not dilated upwardly and therefore, liquid is not flowed into the hollow interior 123.

When the pressing to the container body 113 is canceled here, an equal amount of liquid to the discharged liquid tends to invade into the liquid chamber 114 of the container body 113. Since the elastic valve 122 is already shielded, air invades through the throughhole 124 formed in the nozzle member 115 and filtrated while passing through the porous member (filter) 125. The filtrated air causes the air flow- in valve 127 and enters the interior of the liquid chamber 114 (see Fig. 36).

Fig. 37 depicts the container body 113 threadingly engaged with the cap 133 when not in use. Instead of threading engagement, the cap may be press- fitted to the container body. This cap 133 is adapted to protect the elastic valve 122, and it also serves to prevent undue air from flowing into the container body 113 or exchanged through the throughhole 124.

A modified embodiment will now be described with reference to Fig. 38. In the above embodiment, the elastic valve 122, the porous member 125, etc. are coaxially arranged. In this modified embodiment, however, they are arranged in different locations. A mouth member 134 is attached to an upper part of the container body 113. A discharge port portion 136, which is formed therein with a liquid passageway 135 communicating with the liquid chamber 114, is formed in a central area of the mouth member 134. An elastic valve 122 formed with a slit 121 is disposed on an upper end portion of the discharge port portion 136.

A hollow interior 138 is formed in the interior of an element portion 137 of the mouth member 134. Within the hollow interior 138, the porous member 125, the valve seat portion 126, and the air flow- in valve 127 are arranged as in the above embodiment. A throughhole 139 for intercommunicating the hollow interior 138 and outside the container body is formed in the element portion 137.

Reference numeral 140 denotes a bevel member for preventing entry of foreign matter, water and the like directly into the hollow interior 138. A throughhole 141 for intercommunicating the hollow interior 138 and outside is formed in the bevel member 140. Reference numeral 142 denotes a screw member for threadingly attaching the cap. This screw member 142 may be integrally molded with the mouth member 134 and the bevel member 140.

Since a discharge container according to the present invention is constructed in the manner as mentioned above, air, etc. do not enter not only the interior of the discharge port portion but also the interior of the container body. Thus, liquid can be prevented from being dried and kept sanitary.

Claims

A discharge container for discharging liquid contained in a liquid reservoir chamber through a discharge portion, comprising a liquid passageway for communicating said liquid reservoir chamber with said discharge portion; an elastic valve formed with a slit disposed on said discharge portion; and engagement means for preventing escape of said elastic valve from said discharge portion; said liquid reservoir chamber being variable in volume in accordance with consumption of the liquid.
A discharge container according to claim 1, further comprising a nozzle member movably disposed on said discharge container, said nozzle member being formed with said discharge port; and movement resisting means for providing resistance to movement of said nozzle member.
A discharge container according to claim 1, wherein an expansible bellows member is disposed on an intermediate portion of said fluid passageway, and valves capable of opening in a discharging direction but incapable of opening in the opposite direction to the discharging direction are each disposed on an upper and a lower part of said bellows member.
A discharge container for discharging liquid contained in a liquid reservoir chamber through a discharge portion, comprising a nozzle member, said discharge portion being formed in said nozzle portion, and an elastic valve disposed on said discharge portion and capable of movement under the effect of pressure of the liquid and projecting from a distal end of said nozzle member; said elastic valve being opened also by pressure of the liquid, said liquid reservoir chamber being variable in volume in accordance with consumption of the liquid.
A discharge container for discharging liquid contained in a liquid reservoir chamber through a discharge portion, comprising a liquid passageway for communicating said liquid reservoir chamber with said discharge portion; an elastic valve formed with a slit disposed on said discharge portion; said elastic valve being capable of movement forwardly and backwardly with respect to said discharge portion; a porous member arranged in said liquid passageway such that said porous member contacts said slit of said elastic valve when said elastic valve is moved backwardly.
A discharge container for discharging liquid contained in a liquid reservoir chamber through a discharge portion, comprising a valve member formed of a porous member disposed on said discharge portion and having a valve hole at the discharge portion, said valve member being capable of movement backwardly under the effect of pressure of the liquid to open a valve hole of said discharge portion.
A discharge container for discharging liquid contained in a liquid reservoir chamber through a discharge portion, comprising a liquid passageway for communicating said liquid reservoir chamber with said discharge portion; an elastic valve formed with a slit disposed on said discharge portion; an air exchange passageway for communicating said liquid reservoir chamber with outside; a filter disposed on an intermediate portion of said air exchange passageway; and an air flow- in valve disposed between said filter and said liquid reservoir chamber and capable of dilating towards only said liquid reservoir chamber side.