JP2003190849A - Atomizer - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a portable atomizer capable of suppressing the oxidation of liquid and being manufactured at a low cost. <P>SOLUTION: This atomizer is provided with a vessel 2 formed into a bag shape by joining flexible films to each other and capable of storing the liquid and a nozzle inserted between the flexible films liquid-tightly and fixed to the vessel. The nozzle 3 has a flow passage 31 communicating with the inside of the vessel, an eddy generating chamber 32 communicating with the flow passage and for fluidizing the liquid from the flow passage eddy-like and a jetting port 33 opened in the eddy generating chamber so as to be crossed with the eddy axis of the liquid in the eddy generating chamber. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to atomizers.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a conventional atomizer, a cylinder type atomizer is known. This type of atomizer includes a container for containing a liquid such as a disinfectant, a nozzle capable of spraying the liquid in a mist state, and a cylinder in which the piston reciprocates by the operation of a driving means such as a trigger and the internal volume changes. . In use, first the piston is moved forward to discharge the air in the cylinder, and then the piston is returned to fill the cylinder with liquid. Then, the liquid in the cylinder is pressurized by advancing the piston again, and the liquid is sent to the nozzle. The sent liquid is sprayed in a mist form from the spray port of the nozzle.

[0003]

However, conventional atomizers require a cylinder as a means for pressurizing the liquid. Therefore, the manufacturing cost is high. Further, in the conventional sprayer, air is easily mixed in the container. Therefore, when the liquid is one that is easily oxidized, such as electrolyzed acidic water or edible oil, its activity is easily lost. Moreover, conventional atomizers are large and heavy, which makes them inconvenient to carry. Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a sprayer that can suppress the oxidation of liquid, has a low manufacturing cost, and is convenient to carry.

[0004]

The sprayer of the present invention is formed into a bag shape by joining flexible films to each other and is liquid-tightly sandwiched between a container capable of containing a liquid and the flexible film. A nozzle fixed to the container, the nozzle communicating with the inside of the container, a vortex generation chamber that communicates with the flow channel and causes the liquid from the flow channel to flow in a vortex shape, and a vortex of the liquid in the vortex generation chamber It is characterized by having an injection port opened in the vortex generation chamber so as to intersect with the axis.

In the sprayer of the present invention, the liquid is contained in a bag-shaped container made of a flexible film. Further, a nozzle is fixed to the container, and the nozzle is opened in the vortex generation chamber so as to intersect the flow path communicating with the inside of the container, the vortex generation chamber that makes the liquid flowing from the flow path into a vortex, and the vortex axis. It has an injection port. Therefore, when the bag-shaped container containing the liquid is pushed from the outside, the flexible film is deformed in the direction of decreasing the volume of the container. At the same time, the liquid in the container is pressurized and introduced into the nozzle, and is sprayed in a mist form from the spray port. The injection stops when the pressure on the container is released. When further injecting, the container may be pushed again. Therefore, the present invention does not require a liquid pressurizing means such as a cylinder. Therefore, the number of parts is small and the structure is simple, so that the manufacturing cost is low. Also, because of the low manufacturing cost, the atomizer of the present invention is suitable as a disposable atomizer.

In the present invention, since the container is made of a flexible film, the elastic restoring force is small, the internal volume is maintained according to the residual liquid amount, and it is difficult for air to enter the inside. Therefore, contact between the liquid and air is prevented, and it is possible to prevent the liquid such as electrolytic acid water and edible oil from being oxidized and deactivated. Further, the sprayer of the present invention is lightweight because the container is made of a flexible film, and is therefore easy to carry. Furthermore, by cutting the container, it is possible to use the liquid in the container without ejecting it from the nozzle. At this time, a cut may be provided in the container to facilitate cutting.

In the present invention, the shape of the container is not particularly limited, but may be rectangular, for example. In this case, a container is obtained by stacking two rectangular flexible films and bonding their peripheral portions to each other. Alternatively, one flexible film may be joined in a folded state. As a means for joining the films to each other, there is, for example, heat welding. Although at least a part of the nozzle is sandwiched and fixed between the films, the size of the fixed part is not limited and may occupy most of the nozzle, for example. However, the injection port of the nozzle is left open. The means for fixing the nozzle to the container includes thermal welding.

The shape of the nozzle is not limited, but a plate shape is preferable because it is easily sandwiched between the films of the container. In this case, the preferred nozzle thickness is 2-3 mm. Even if the nozzle is not plate-shaped, it is preferable that the fixed portion of the nozzle be formed in a plate shape. When the nozzle has a plate shape, the flow path and the vortex generating chamber may be formed by a groove formed on one surface of the nozzle and a film attached to the surface. This facilitates the manufacture of the atomizer of the present invention. The film attached to the nozzle is designed to prevent liquid leakage.
It is preferably continuous with the flexible film of the container. To provide the injection port, for example, a through hole from the vortex generating chamber to the surface on the opposite side of the nozzle is formed.

Further, it is desirable that the nozzle integrally has, near both ends which do not intersect the flow path, a film guide portion whose thickness is gradually reduced toward the end. As a result, each film sandwiching the nozzle is bonded not only to the main surface of the nozzle but also to the inclined surface of the film guide portion, and is guided to the joint along the inclination. Therefore, the gap from the nozzle to the film seam can be almost eliminated, and the liquid tightness can be improved.

In order to swirl the liquid from the flow passage in the vortex generating chamber of the nozzle, a cylindrical inner peripheral surface is provided in the vortex generating chamber,
It is preferable to connect the flow paths so that the liquid flows in from the tangential direction. As a result, the liquid flows while rotating along the inner peripheral surface of the vortex generation chamber, so that a vortex is generated. In order to further increase the force of the vortex, it is preferable that a plurality of flow passages are communicated with the vortex generation chamber and the liquid is caused to flow from each flow passage in the same rotation direction. However, the shape of the vortex generation chamber is not limited to the cylindrical shape, and the size is not limited. In addition, the number of channels, length,
Conditions such as thinness and depth are not limited, and conditions such as size, length, and three-dimensional shape of the injection port are not limited. By changing the conditions of the vortex generation chamber, the flow path, and the jet port, the force, direction, degree of diffusion of the jet liquid, the size of the water droplet, and the like can be adjusted.

The sprayer of the present invention preferably includes a cap capable of opening and closing the injection port of the nozzle. The provision of the cap can prevent the liquid from being accidentally ejected when not in use. In order to open and close the ejection port with the cap, for example, a projection that can fit with the ejection port is provided on the cap. Further, the cap may be connected to the nozzle via a thin plate that can be bent.

The material of the flexible film of the container is polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyamide synthetic polymer (nylon (registered trademark)), ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer (EVOH). ) And other resins can be used. In particular, when the liquid contained in the container is electrolytic acidic water, polyethylene terephthalate is preferable because its activity is stable. Further, the ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer is also gas impermeable and therefore suitable for preventing the oxidation of the liquid due to the invasion of oxygen. Furthermore, a laminated film in which a metal such as aluminum is laminated is also effective in preventing the oxidation of the liquid.

As the material of the nozzle, resins such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyamide synthetic polymer (nylon (registered trademark)), ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer (EVOH) and the like are used. Can be used. When the nozzle is welded to the container, it is desirable to use the same material as that of the container because the adhesive strength will be high.

[0014]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION An embodiment of a sprayer of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a front view showing a sprayer according to an embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a rear view thereof. 3 and 4 are a cross-sectional view taken along the line XX and a line YY in FIG. 1, respectively.

The sprayer 1 comprises a bag-shaped container 2 and a nozzle 3 fixed to the bag-shaped container 2. The container 2 is composed of two rectangular flexible PET films 21 and is formed by stacking these and heat-sealing the inner surfaces of the peripheral portions. Further, the welded portion of the container 2 is provided with a cut 24, from which the container 2 can be torn and cut. A liquid (not shown) such as electrolyzed acidic water is stored in the container 2.

The nozzle 3 is made of PET and has a plate shape. The lower half of the nozzle 3 is sandwiched between the flexible films on the upper end 22 of the container 2 and heat-welded. Further, film guide portions 34, which extend toward both ends while reducing the thickness, are integrally provided on both left and right sides of the lower half of the nozzle. Each film 21 sandwiching the lower half of the nozzle 3 is heat-welded to the main surface of the nozzle 3 as well as the inclined surface 34a of the film guide portion 34, and is guided to the joint 23 along the inclined surface 34a. Therefore, there is almost no gap between the nozzle 3 and the film seam 23. Therefore, the sprayer 1 has a high liquid-tightness of the container 2.

The nozzle 3 has three flow paths 31 communicating with the inside of the container 2 and a vortex generating chamber 32 communicating with these flow paths 31,
The flow path 31 and the vortex generation chamber 32 are composed of a groove formed on the back surface of the nozzle 3 and a flexible film 21 extended from the container 2 and thermally welded to the back surface of the nozzle 3. As shown in the rear view of the nozzle 3 in FIG.
The reference numeral 2 has a cylindrical inner peripheral surface 32a, and the respective flow paths 31 communicate with each other so that the liquid flows into the vortex generating chamber 32 in the tangential direction of the inner peripheral surface 32a and in the same rotation direction. for that reason,
When the liquid in the container is caused to flow into the vortex generation chamber 32 through the flow path 31, the liquid flows while rotating along the inner peripheral surface 32a and becomes a vortex. An injection port 33 is opened on the central axis of a cylindrical space surrounded by the inner peripheral surface 32a. The injection port 33 reaches the surface of the convex portion 35 formed on the front surface of the nozzle, and the inner circumference thereof is radially expanded outward.

Further, the sprayer 1 is provided with a cap 4. The cap 4 is integrally formed with the nozzle 3 together with the bendable thin plate 5, and the convex portion 35 of the nozzle 3 is formed.
Also, it has a recess 41 and a protrusion 42 that can be fitted to the ejection port 33, respectively. Therefore, the ejection port 33 of the nozzle 3 can be opened and closed by the cap 4. Further, since the cap 4 and the nozzle 3 are connected by the plate 5 even when the cap 4 is opened, the cap 4 is not lost.

To use the sprayer 1 of this embodiment, first, the cap 4 is opened and the injection port 33 is directed toward the injection target. Then, pressure is applied to the liquid in the container by gripping the container 2 with a hand. Then, the liquid enters the vortex generation chamber 32 through the flow path 31, and is further ejected from the ejection port 33. At this time, since the liquid is jetted while swirling, the jetted liquid becomes a mist. The jet stops when the pressure is reduced. The container 2 does not swell and returns to its original shape, and is maintained in a shape having an internal volume equal to the residual liquid amount. Therefore, it is difficult for air to flow into the interior from the ejection port 33. After injection, cap 4
The injection port 33 is closed with. This prevents the liquid from being accidentally ejected when not in use. Further, in this embodiment, since the container 2 is provided with the cut line 24, it is easy to use the liquid without ejecting it by cutting the container 2 from this and opening it.

In the sprayer 1 of this embodiment, since the container 2 is made of the flexible film 21, it is possible to pressurize the container 2 from the outside and pressurize the liquid therein to the nozzle 3. Therefore, a liquid pressurizing means such as a cylinder is not required, so that the number of parts is small and the structure is simple. Therefore, the atomizer 1 of this embodiment can be manufactured at low cost. Further, it is convenient to use as a disposable sprayer, and since the container 2 is made of the film 21, it can be easily disposed of after use. Further, the atomizer 1 jets the liquid without letting air in and out, and the container 2 is made of PE.
It consists of T. Therefore, stable storage of electrolyzed acidic water is possible. In addition, this sprayer 1 is lightweight and easy to carry.

[0021]

According to the atomizer of the present invention, the oxidation of the liquid can be suppressed. Further, the atomizer of the present invention can be manufactured at low cost and is convenient to carry.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view showing a sprayer according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a rear view showing the sprayer of the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line XX of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line YY of FIG.

FIG. 5 is a rear view showing the nozzle of the sprayer of the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 sprayer 2 container 21 film, 22 upper end, 23 joint, 24 cut 3 nozzle 31 flow path, 32 vortex generating chamber, 32a inner peripheral surface, 33 injection port,
34 film guide portion, 34a inclined surface, 35 convex portion 4 cap 41 concave portion, 42 protrusion 5 plate

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification code FI theme code (reference) B65D 83/00 B65D 83/00 GF term (reference) 3E014 PA01 PB01 PC04 PC16 PD15 PE17 PE18 PE30 PF01 PF06 PF10 3E064 AA01 BA25 BA30 BA36 BC08 EA03 EA10 FA04 HD01 HN05 HP01 HS07 4F033 BA03 CA00 DA01 EA01 GA08 KA00 NA01

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A container, which is formed into a bag shape by joining flexible films to each other and can store a liquid, and a nozzle fixed to the container while being liquid-tightly sandwiched between the flexible films, The nozzle has a flow passage communicating with the inside of the container, a vortex generating chamber communicating with the flow passage and causing the liquid from the flow passage to flow in a vortex, and a vortex generating chamber so as to intersect the vortex axis of the liquid in the vortex generating chamber. A nebulizer characterized in that it has an open jet. 2. The atomizer according to claim 1, wherein the nozzle has a plate shape. 3. The flow path of the nozzle and the vortex generating chamber are constituted by a groove formed on one surface of the nozzle and a flexible film attached to the surface and continuous with the container. Atomizer. 4. A nozzle is provided near both ends that do not intersect the flow path,
The atomizer according to claim 2 or 3, which integrally has a film guide portion whose thickness gradually decreases toward the end. 5. The atomizer according to claim 1, wherein the vortex generating chamber has a cylindrical inner peripheral surface, and the flow passages communicate with each other so that liquid flows in from a tangential direction thereof. 6. The atomizer according to claim 5, wherein a plurality of flow passages through which the liquid flows in the same rotation direction are communicated with the vortex generation chamber. 7. The atomizer according to claim 1, further comprising a cap capable of opening and closing the injection port of the nozzle. 8. The atomizer according to claim 1, wherein the container is made of a resin selected from polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyamide synthetic polymers and ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer. 9. The nozzle comprises polyethylene terephthalate,
The atomizer according to any one of claims 1 to 8, which is made of a resin selected from polyethylene, polypropylene, a polyamide-based synthetic polymer, and an ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer.