JP2002104546A - Apparatus for delivering liquid in small quantities - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve the problem that a liquid product stored in a container is on the market; however, such container is too bulky to be discarded as dust, and hence a product comprising a bag which can be filled with liquid so that the bag can be pressed into a ball is on sale as a refill, but a refilling work is troublesome and the mount of residue is large. SOLUTION: The apparatus for delivering a liquid in small quantities includes a discharge tube which communicates with the interior of a bag filled with a liquid through an aperture provided on the bag, a sealing tool to watertightly close a portion of the aperture excluding the discharge tube, and a discharge tool connected to an end of the tube.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a dispenser used for dispensing a liquid such as a detergent, and more particularly, a shampoo or rinse, a kitchen detergent, etc. packed in a bag called a refill. The present invention relates to a structure of a take-out device that can be used as it is without refilling.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Hand-operated pump-type containers have been around for a long time as products filled with shampoo, rinse and kitchen detergent. It is convenient and easy to use because it is not necessary to lift the container when trying to take out the required amount. In addition, a bottle-type container that does not have a pump function and is filled with a detergent or the like has been around for a long time.

[0003] However, the mechanism of the pump is too costly to dispose of, and it is not preferable from the viewpoint of resources, and there is a problem in disposal because it is bulky garbage. Yes, plastic bags filled with contents are commercially available as "refillable". In the case of a bottle-type container without a pump function (a container comprising a cap and a bottle), a plastic sheet bag filled with detergent or the like is called a refill, and the bag is a bag. Therefore, after refilling, it can be folded and discarded in a small state, can be provided at a lower cost than bottle containers, and so on.

[0004]

However, although having such an effect, the operation itself of transferring refillable items to empty containers is extremely troublesome, and a highly viscous detergent is completely removed from the bag. It is practically impossible to give up, and it is often discarded with a considerable amount left, and it does not enter well through the small mouth of the pump container, and it is not rare that detergent etc. is spilled. There are disadvantages.

[0005]

In view of the above points, the present inventor has finally completed the present invention as a result of intensive studies. The feature of the present invention is that a small amount of liquid is filled in a bag. A discharge tube communicating with the inside of the bag through an opening provided in the liquid-filled bag, and a sealing device for closing a portion other than the discharge tube portion of the opening in a watertight manner. And a discharge tool connected to the other end of the discharge tube.

Here, the "bag" is a flexible container filled with a liquid, and there is no particular limitation on the shape and material. On the contrary, it is one of the features of the apparatus of the present invention that elasticity can be dealt with with respect to a slight difference in shape, size, material, and the like. Therefore, basically any shape bag can be adopted. Therefore, if it has the same strength and properties as bags of detergents and the like conventionally marketed as "for refilling", that is, "pouch" type bags and "stand pack" type bags, it is sufficient. Can be used.

[0007] The "opening" is to make a cut in the bag,
Alternatively, it is obtained by cutting off a part of the bag. Taking a bag of a refillable liquid detergent as an example, such bags are usually devised in various ways so that it can be easily poured into the mouth of a container or cut off without using scissors or a cutter. In other words, it can be said that openings of various shapes exist in various bags. The “opening” in the present invention may use the original opening of such a bag as it is, or may cut another part of the bag without using the opening. By doing so, the types of bags applicable to the dispensing device of the present invention will be significantly increased.

[0008] The "sealing device" closes the opening provided in the bag in a watertight manner, and its details are not particularly limited. However, a clip type is preferable from the viewpoint that sealing can be performed by a simple operation. What is a clip?
After the two members that are in surface contact or line contact with each other while being urged by an appropriate pressing force are separated by the force of a finger, the material (preferably a sheet-like material) sent between the two members is After removing the power of the finger, the finger is to be pinched by the pressing force, such as a binder clip or a snake-eye clip. And such a structure is called "clip type thing". However, the contact surface (or contact line) of the binder clip or snake clip
Is straight (straight), whereas in the case of the clip-type closure employed in the present invention, it is preferred that the closure is bent or curved. If the opening of the bag is sealed in a V-shape or U-shape by this bending or bending, and one end of the discharge tube is located at the lowermost portion, the liquid in the bag has dropped by its own weight. The entire amount will be discharged through the funnel-like bottom of the back seal.

The "discharge tube" serves as a flow path when taking out the liquid from the bag, and communicates with the internal space of the bag when used. This communication state is maintained even after the opening of the bag is sealed with the sealing device. An effective structure for this is that the closure is of the clip type,
And the sealing surface or the sealing line is bent or curved, and the sealing surface or the sealing line intersects the discharge tube, and the discharge tube is fitted at the intersection. There is a structure in which a concave portion is formed. Also, since the discharge tube is inserted and removed when replacing with a new bag, it is preferable that the discharge tube be of a structure and material suitable for it. For example, a method of forming a part of the bellows corresponds to this. The term "tube" means an elongated hollow body such as a tube or a cylinder, and its size, material,
The structure and the like are not particularly limited. Therefore, "hoses" such as rubber hoses and vinyl hoses are also included in the "tube" of the present invention.

[0010] The "discharge tool" is a member for finally discharging the liquid in the bag, and has a discharging function.
It is desirable to have water tightness that does not cause liquid leakage when not in use. The specific structure of the discharging tool is not limited, and may be a cock like a valve having only a valve opening / closing mechanism, or may be a pump structure for discharging liquid.

[0011]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below in more detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a component of an example of a dispensing apparatus 1 (hereinafter, referred to as the present invention apparatus 1) according to the present invention, wherein a sealing clip 2 shown in FIG. ) And a discharge pump 4 shown in FIG. The sealing clip 2 is formed by opposing an integrally molded plastic product including a sealing portion 21 and a knob 22 and rotatably connecting them while urging them with a spring. However, unlike a normal clip, the sealing portion 21 is bent in an “H” shape, and the bent portion has a semicircular curved portion 23. Even when the contact is made, a portion corresponding to the curved portion 23 has a circular hole. The discharge tube 3 is provided with the bellows 31
One end is connected to the sealing clip 2 and the other end is connected to the discharge pump 4. Discharge pump 4
Has a push button 41 and a discharge nozzle 42 provided on a main body thereof, and has a connection mechanism for connecting the discharge tube 3 (not shown).

The device 1 of the present invention comprises these sealing clips 2,
It will work if the discharge tube 3 and the discharge pump 4 are combined and a bag filled with liquid is attached appropriately, but these are usually stored in some container to make it easy to use. FIG. 2 shows an example of such a container. In the case of the container (referred to as a frame 5) in this example, an arm 52 that straddles a part of the front surface of the back plate 51 in the left-right direction.
, The discharge pump 4 is fixed to the structure. A bag filled with a liquid such as a detergent is disposed in a gap between the arm 52 and the back plate 51. A horizontal recess at the lower end of the frame 5 is provided with two recesses 53 for inserting and fixing the knob 22 of the sealing clip 2. Further, four suction cups 6 are provided on the back surface of the back plate 5, and the container is intended to be mounted on a vertical surface.

FIG. 3 (a) shows an example of a bag B filled with a liquid such as shampoo, rinse or kitchen detergent, which is a typical example of a commercially available bag for refilling. . In many cases, such bags are provided with projections x for convenience in refilling work, and a part thereof is cut out with scissors or the like, and the cutout is put in the mouth of the container to be refilled, and the refilling work is performed. It is what you do. However, since the shape and size of the projection x vary widely and may not be suitable for the device 1 of the present invention, the projection x is basically not used in the present invention.
For example, as shown in the figure, the upper end is cut off with scissors or the like in a state where the protruding portion x is set down as shown in FIG. Prepare with. Of course, a portion other than the broken line may be cut off (not shown). At the time of sealing, since the discharge tube 3 is attached to the curved portion 23 of the sealing clip 2 in advance, the discharge tube 3 communicates with the internal space of the bag B simultaneously with the sealing.

The bag B thus provided with the sealing clip 2
Is fitted to the frame 5 with the sealing clip 2 facing down, and the free end of the discharge tube 3 is connected to the discharge pump 4 to obtain a state as shown in FIG. If this is fixed to a bathroom wall tile or the like, it will be completed. In use, when the push button 41 is pressed, the liquid is discharged from the discharge nozzle 42. Since the bag itself is deformed as the amount of liquid in the bag B decreases, the content liquid can be discharged without any problem if the pump has a normal capacity. Alternatively, a hole may be formed at an appropriate location (for example, the projection x) to open the internal space of the bag B to the atmosphere. In the example shown in the figure, the air hole y opened near the upper end of the bag also serves as a locking hole for the hook 54 fixed to the back plate 51 of the frame 5, whereby the liquid in the bag B Even if the amount is reduced and the shape retention force is reduced, it does not hinder the liquid discharge.

It is not necessary to remove the suction cup 6 when replacing the bag thereafter. In addition, the fixing force by the suction cup is
Each time the push button 41 is pressed, the entire device is pressed against the wall surface side, so that it can be said that the device is not easily weakened. Since the use of the suction cup 6 is not indispensable to the present invention, it may not be used at all, and a magnet or a double-sided adhesive tape may be used instead of the suction cup (not shown). Furthermore,
The present invention is not limited to fixing to a vertical surface such as a wall surface.

FIGS. 5A, 5B and 5C show another example of the container of the apparatus 1 of the present invention.
It is a box-shaped product (a in the figure), and only the discharge pump 4 can be seen when the lid is closed (b in the figure). If the design is elaborated, it becomes a novel product. Further, if two bags can be stored in the internal space (c in the figure), two kinds of liquids such as a shampoo and a rinse can be stored as shown in the figure, so that the practicality is higher. .

FIG. 6A shows an example of a device for connecting the sealing clip 2 and the discharge tube 3 while maintaining watertightness.
(B). This is because an outer edge 32 is provided at the end of the discharge tube 3, a fixing ring 33 is fixed in the vicinity of the outer edge 32, and furthermore, a regulating ring 36 is loosely fitted, and an O-ring 35 is inserted between the outer edge 32 and the regulating ring 36. A spring 34 is interposed between 36 and a fixing ring. The fixing ring 33 is provided in a crimped form so as not to be shifted on the discharge tube 3, but the regulating ring 36 can slide freely on the discharge tube 3.
It is fixed to an appropriate place on the side of the sealing clip 2. Since the spring 34 is urged to increase the distance between the restriction ring 36 and the fixed ring 33, the outer edge 32 tends to move toward the restriction ring 36 unless an external force is applied. That is, when no external force is applied, the outer edge 32 is in contact with the sealing clip 2 in a state of pressing the sealing clip 2 at all times.

When the sealing clip 2 is mounted on the bag B, the discharge tube 3 is inserted into the opening provided in the bag B with the sealing portion 21 opened.
Start by inserting. At this time, since the outer edge 32 of the discharge tube 3 needs to be separated from the sealing clip 2, the outer edge 32 is separated by the force of a finger or the like (a in the figure). Next, bag B
Of the discharge tube 3 is released, and the force applied to separate the outer edge 32 of the discharge tube 3 from the sealing clip 2 is released. Then, the outer edge 32 of the discharge tube 3 moves to the sealing clip 2 so as to sandwich the bag B. At this time, since the O-ring 35 is also present, the watertightness is suitably maintained (b in the figure). In addition, since the notch 24 into which the outer edge 32 and the O-ring 35 are fitted is provided in the sealing portion 21, the watertightness is further improved, and the upper end position of the discharge tube 3 is lowered, so that the liquid in the bag B is reduced. Has the side effect of being able to completely discharge the gas.

Further, as shown in FIG. 7, a locking cylinder 7 is provided on the sealing clip 2 side, and a member having the same structure as that of FIG.
You may make it fit inside. The sealing cylinder 7 has a groove 71 formed therein, and the fixing ring 3 of the discharge tube 3 is formed.
The lever 37 attached to 3 projects beyond this slot 71. The slot 71 is provided with the lever 37 at several places as shown in the figure.
The outer edge 32 can be inadvertently
And the sealing clip 2 are not separated from each other, so that thorough liquid leakage can be prevented.

[0021]

As described above in detail, the dispensing device according to the present invention is a device for taking out the liquid filled in the bag little by little, and the opening provided in the bag filled with the liquid is provided. A discharge tube that communicates with the inside of the bag through the opening, a sealing device that closes the opening other than the discharge tube portion in a watertight manner, and a discharge device that is connected to the other end of the discharge tube. Characterized by the fact that
This is a very advanced invention having various effects as described below.

(1) Since the liquid in the refill bag is used as it is without refilling, there is no need to purchase the main body. (2) Since it is used without refilling, problems associated with refilling work, such as a problem of spilling liquid, are eliminated. (3) In the case of a highly viscous liquid, the amount of liquid that must be discarded without being refilled tends to be large, but in the case of the present invention where the installation posture does not change, most of the liquid can be used, which is economical. It is. (4) Storing in a compact container facilitates wall fixing and the like.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an all-perspective view showing an example of a component of a dispensing device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an example of a container for a dispensing device according to the present invention.

FIG. 3A shows an example of a bag used in the present invention.
(B) is a front view showing a state in which this is sealed with a sealing member.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an example of a use state of the dispensing device according to the present invention.

FIGS. 5 (a), (b) and (c) are front views each showing another example of the container for the dispensing device according to the present invention.

FIGS. 6A and 6B are schematic front views each showing an example of an end structure of a discharge tube.

FIG. 7 is a schematic front view showing another example of the end structure of the discharge tube.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Dispensing apparatus according to the present invention 2 Sealing clip 21 Sealing part 22 Knob 23 Curved part 24 Notch 3 Discharge tube 31 Bellows part 32 Outer edge 33 Fixing ring 34 Spring 35 O-ring 36 Restriction ring 37 Lever 4 Discharge pump 41 Push button 42 Discharge nozzle 5 Frame 51 Back plate 52 Arm 6 Sucker 7 Sealing cylinder 71 Slot B Bag x Projection

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. An apparatus for removing a liquid filled in a bag little by little, comprising: a discharge tube communicating with the inside of the bag through an opening provided in the liquid-filled bag; A dispensing device, comprising: a sealing member for closing a portion other than the tube portion while maintaining watertightness; and a discharging device connected to the other end of the discharging tube. 2. The closure is of the clip type, such as a binder clip or a serpentine clip, and the sealing surface or line is bent or curved;
2. The dispensing device according to claim 1, wherein the sealing surface or the sealing line intersects the discharge tube, and a concave portion into which the discharge tube is fitted is formed at the intersection. 3. The dispensing device according to claim 1, wherein the discharging tool is a hand pump. 4. The dispensing device according to claim 1, wherein the discharge tube has a bellows portion. 5. A shell having the sealing device, the discharge tube therein, and an internal space for storing a bag filled with liquid, wherein the discharging device is provided outside the shell. 5. The dispensing device according to claim 1, wherein the dispensing device is mounted on a surface. 6. The dispensing device according to claim 5, wherein a suction cup, a magnet, or a double-sided adhesive tape for fixing is attached to a back surface or a bottom surface of the shell.