JP2004136212A

JP2004136212A - Operation button with flow rate control function and aerosol type product provided with the operation button

Info

Publication number: JP2004136212A
Application number: JP2002303568A
Authority: JP
Inventors: Yasuo Oshima; 大島　保夫; Hiroshi Sugano; 菅野　博史
Original assignee: Mitani Valve Co Ltd
Current assignee: Mitani Valve Co Ltd
Priority date: 2002-10-17
Filing date: 2002-10-17
Publication date: 2004-05-13
Anticipated expiration: 2022-10-17
Also published as: JP4217049B2

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To attain cost reduction by reducing the number of parts of an operation button with a flow rate control function to keep the content outflow rate constant irrespective of variations in the pressure of compressed gas of an aerosol container. <P>SOLUTION: A piston member 12 which controls the flow rate by moving inside the operation button 1 by the pressure of compressed gas of the aerosol container main body 20 is molded integrally with an annular projecting part 12a and an annular protruding part 12c which always prevent the contents from leaking out an area other than the prescribed passage and with an annular valve 12b which opens and closes the passage 11f for controlling the flow-rate in accordance with the movement of the piston member. It is not necessary to attach other members such as an elastic ring to the piston member 12. When the gas pressure of the aerosol container main body 20 is high, the bottom surface 12f of the piston member 12 receives a large force backward, and the time rate of the passage 11f being in open state is small. When the gas pressure is low, on the contrary, the rate of the passage 11f being in open state is large. The content outflow rate per unit time is stabilized by making the declining tendency of the pressure of the compressed gas and the increasing tendency of the open state of the passage 11f correspond to each other. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は、流量調整機能を備えた操作釦に関し、特に流量調整用の部品点数を削減して組み立ての手間を省き、生産コストの削減を図ったエアゾール容器用操作釦に関する。
【０００２】
なお、本明細書では、操作釦の放出孔側を「前」、放出孔とは反対側を「後」という。
【０００３】
【従来の技術】
一般に、窒素、炭酸ガス、空気などの圧縮ガスを用いて内容物を外部空間に放出させるエアゾール容器では、使用初期のように圧縮ガスの圧力が高いときと、内容物の使用量に応じて圧縮ガスの収容容積が増加してそれにともない当該ガス圧が低下したときとでは単位時間あたりの内容物の放出量が異なってくる。
【０００４】
そこで、エアゾール容器内の圧縮ガスの圧力変化にかかわらず、放出量の定量化を図った流量調整機能を備えた操作釦が提案されている（例えば特許文献１参照）。
【０００５】
図５は従来の流量調整機能を備えた操作釦の説明図であり、静止モードを示している。
【０００６】
図５において、３０は流量調整機能を備えた操作釦，３１はボディ，３１ａは内容物流入用の縦通路，３１ｂは内容物の流入口，３１ｃは内容物の流入空間部（当該流入口に続く前後方向の空間域），３１ｄは段部（の上面部分＝流入空間部の内周面），３１ｅは流入空間部３１ｃと後述の内容物収容域３５ｂとの連通路，３２は放出孔部材，３２ａは放出用通路，３２ｂは放出孔，３３は放出孔部材に嵌合した放出孔側通路部材，３３ａは内容物の通路，３３ｂは開口部，３４は静止モードで当該開口部を閉塞するパッキン，３５は後述の前側弾性リング３６や後側弾性リング３７が取り付けられたピストン部材，３５ａは当該ピストン部材の前面部，３５ｂは当該前面部と放出孔側通路部材３３との間の内容物収容域，３６はボディ３１の内周面を摺動して当該連通路を開閉する前側弾性リング，３７はボディ３１の内周面に摺動して所定の通路以外への内容物の漏洩を防止する後側弾性リング，３８はピストン部材３５を前方に付勢するスプリングをそれぞれ示している。
【０００７】
静止モードでは、ピストン部材３５はスプリング３８の付勢によってその前面３５ａがパッキン３４に密接し、内容物の通路３３ａおよび開口部３３ｂと内容物収容域３５ｂとは遮断されている。
【０００８】
一方、ピストン部材３５の前側弾性リング３６はボディ３１の段部３１ｄよりも前側に位置し、連通路３１ｅを介して内容物収容域３５ｂは流入空間部３１ｃやこれより上流側域と連通した状態である。
【０００９】
操作釦３０を押圧した作動モードでは、内容物放出用の弁（図示省略）が開き、エアゾール容器本体（図示省略）の内容物が、縦通路３１ａ−流入口３１ｂ−流入空間部３１ｃ−連通路３１ｅを通過して内容物収容域３５ｂに流入する。
【００１０】
これにより、当該内容物収容域の圧力が高まってピストン部材３５の前面３５ａの部分が後方への十分な当該圧力を受けるので、当該ピストン部材はスプリング３８の付勢力に抗して後方に移動する。
【００１１】
その結果、ピストン部材３５の前面３５ａがパッキン３４から離れ、内容物収容域３５ｂの内容物は開口部３３ｂ−通路３３ａ−放出用通路３２ａを経て放出孔３２ｂから外部空間に放出される。
【００１２】
ピストン部材３５の後方への移動にともなって前側弾性リング３６がボディ３１の段部３１ｄに密接し、流入空間部３１ｃと内容物収容域３５ｂとの間は遮断され、内容物は流入空間部３１ｃよりも下流側に供給されない。
【００１３】
この密接・遮断後は、内容物収容域３５ｂの圧力は弱くなり、ピストン部材３５を後方に押圧する力が低下する。
【００１４】
そして、スプリング３８の復帰力が内容物収容域３５ｂの圧力よりも勝る時点でピストン部材３５は前方に移動して前側弾性リング３６が段部３１ｄから離れ、エアゾール容器の内容物が上述の経路で内容物収容域３５ｂに流入する。
【００１５】
このように、流入空間部３１ｃと内容物収容域３５ｂとの間の開閉動作を繰り返しながら内容物は外部空間に放出される。この開閉動作の間、後側弾性リング３７のシール作用は継続しているのは勿論である。
【００１６】
使用初期のようにエアゾール容器の圧縮ガスの圧力が高い（例えば約　７．５ｋｇｗ／ｃｍ^２）ときには、この圧力に基づいてピストン部材３５が後方の上記密接位置へ移動する所要時間も短い。
【００１７】
一方、内容物の放出操作を重ねることにより容器内の圧縮ガスの圧力が低下していくと、ピストン部材３５の当該移動所要時間はこの低下に対応する形で長くなる。なお、使用最終段階における容器本体内部のガス圧力は例えば約３ｋｇｗ／ｃｍ^２となっている。
【００１８】
すなわち、単位時間あたりの内容物収容域３５ｂへの内容物の供給時間割合が、（いわば内容物の移動速度でもある）ガス圧力が使用初期の値から低下するのに応じて長くなるように、（弁作用部材としての）ピストン部材３５の移動態様を自動調整することにより、容器の使用を重ねたときに単位時間あたりの内容物放出量が減少することを防止している。
【００１９】
【特許文献１】
特公平５−３８３２３号公報
【００２０】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
従来の流量調整機能を備えたエアゾール容器用操作釦は、流量調整用部材（弁作用部材）の構成要素である、
・ピストン部材
・流量調整部（＝前側弾性リング３６）
・シール作用部（＝後側弾性リング３７）
のそれぞれが別々のパーツとなっているため、操作釦の部品点数が増えてコスト高を招き、操作釦の組立てに要する時間も長くなるなどの問題点があった。
【００２１】
そこで、本発明では、操作釦の内部空間域に設ける流量調整用部材（ピストン部材，流量調整部，シール作用部）を単一部品の態様として、操作釦の部品点数を少なくするとともにその組立て処理の簡単化を図ることを目的とする。
【００２２】
【課題を解決するための手段】
本発明は、この課題を次のようにして解決する。
（１）容器中の圧縮ガスの作用により当該容器の内容物が放出される外部空間に通じる内部空間域（例えば後述の空間部１１ｇ）と、前記内部空間域に内容物を流入させる流入口（例えば後述の縦通路１１ａ）と、前記圧縮ガスの圧力に基づいて前記内部空間域の内周面に沿った第１の方向に移動し、かつ、この移動にともなって前記流入口よりも下流側の当該内周面との間の内容物通過部分（例えば後述の通路１１ｆ）を開状態から閉状態へと遷移させる流量調整部（例えば後述の環状弁１２ｂ）、および前記流入口から当該内部空間域に流入した内容物に対するシール作用部（例えば後述の環状凸部１２ａ，環状突状部１２ｃ）を有し、全体として単一部品の形態をとるピストン状部材（例えば後述のピストン部材１２）と、前記ピストン状部材を前記第１の方向とは逆の第２の方向に付勢する弾性部材（例えば後述のスプリング１３）と、少なくとも静止モードのとき、前記第２の方向に付勢された前記ピストン状部材を受けて前記流量調整部と前記外部空間との間の通路部分（例えば後述の通路域１１ｊ）を遮断状態に設定する受け部（例えば後述の円柱状部分１１ｈ）とを備え、作動モードのとき、前記ピストン状部材が、前記圧縮ガスの圧力に基づいて前記第１の方向へ移動して前記内容物通過部分を閉状態にする動作と、前記弾性部材の弾性力に基づいて前記第２の方向へ移動して前記内容物通過部分を開状態にする動作とを繰り返す、ような流量調整機能を操作釦に持たせる。
（２）上記（１）において、前記ピストン状部材として、その内部空間を内容物が通過する鞘状の部材で、その周面部に当該内側空間と連通する開口部（例えば後述の孔部１２ｄ）を形成したものを用いる。
【００２３】
本発明によれば、上記（１）のように、操作釦の内部空間域で容器内の圧縮ガスの圧力（内容物の圧力）に応じて移動するピストン状部材を、内容物の流量調整部および内容物に対するシール作用部をも併せ持つ単一部品の態様とし、これにより操作釦の部品点数を少なくして製品のコストダウン化，部品管理の効率化を図るとともに、操作釦の組立て処理の簡単化を図っている。
【００２４】
また、上記（２）のように、ピストン状部材における内容物通過空間として鞘状部材の内部空間といった比較的広範な空間を用い、これにより当該空間に続く（狭い通路部分からなる）受け部側への内容物の流れの安定化を図っている。
【００２５】
本発明は、以上の特徴を持つ操作釦を対象とするとともに、この操作釦を備えたエアゾール式製品も対象にしている。
【００２６】
【発明の実施の形態】
図１乃至図４を用いて、本発明の実施の形態を説明する。
【００２７】
図１は操作釦の静止モード、図２は操作釦の作動モード（内容物の通路１１ｆの連通作用時）、図３は操作釦の作動モード（内容物の通路１１ｆのシール作用時）、図４は図２，図３の作動モード間の過渡状態をそれぞれ示している。
【００２８】
これらの図において、
１は流量調整機能を備えたエアゾール容器用操作釦，
１０はボディ，１０ａは内容物の流入口，
１１はボディに固定されたシリンダ，１１ａはシリンダの縦通路，１１ｂは当該シリンダの内周面，１１ｃは当該内周面の小径部分，１１ｄは当該内周面の大径部分，１１ｅは当該内周面の一部に形成された凹状部，１１ｆは当該シリンダの凹状部と後述のピストン部材の環状弁１２ｂとの間の内容物の通路，１１ｇは当該シリンダと後述のピストン部材１２との間の空間部，１１ｈは円柱状部分，１１ｊは当該円柱部分と後述のピストン部材１２との隙間部分からなり当該ピストン部材の移動によって開閉される内容物の通路域，１１ｋは空間部，
１２はシリンダ１１に対する、シール作用部（後述の環状凸部１２ａ，環状突状部１２ｃ）や弁作用部（後述の環状弁１２ｂ）を一体成型したピストン部材，１２ａはシリンダ内周面の小径部分１１ｃに常時密接しながら摺動する環状凸部，１２ｂはシリンダ１１の凹状部１１ｅとの間の通路１１ｆを開閉する環状弁，１２ｃはシリンダ内周面の大径部分１１ｄに常時密接しながら摺動する環状突状部，１２ｄは内容物通過用の孔部，１２ｅは当該ピストン部材の鞘状の内部空間，１２ｆは当該内部空間の底面部，
１３はピストン部材１２を前方に付勢するスプリング，
１４は放出孔部材，１４ａは当該放出孔部材とシリンダの柱状部との間の内容物の放出路，１４ｂは放出孔，
２０はエアゾール容器本体，
２１はステム，
をそれぞれ示している。
【００２９】
図１に示すように、操作釦１は、
・ボディ１０
・ボディ１０に嵌合させたシリンダ１１
・シリンダ１１の内周面１１ｂを環状凸部１２ａ，環状弁１２ｂ，環状突状部１２ｃが摺動するかたちで前後方向に移動するピストン部材１２
・ピストン部材１２を前方に付勢するスプリング１３
・放出孔部材１４
などで構成されている。
【００３０】
操作釦１のピストン部材１２には、環状凸部１２ａ，環状突状部１２ｃ（シリンダ１１との間のシール作用部）や環状弁１２ｂ（通路１１ｆを開閉する弁作用部）が一体に成型されている。
【００３１】
すなわち、従来の流量調整機能を備えたエアゾール容器用操作釦３０（図５参照）のように、別部材の前側弾性リング３６や後側弾性リング３７をピストン部材３５に取り付ける作業は必要ない。
【００３２】
ここで、環状凸部１２ａおよび環状突状部１２ｃはピストン部材１２の前後移動にかかわらず、それぞれシリンダ内周面の小径部分１１ｃおよび大径部分１１ｄに密接して内容物が所定の通路以外の部分へ漏洩することを防止している。
【００３３】
一方、環状弁１２ｂはピストン部材１２が前方に移動すると凹状部１１ｅに入って両者間に内容物の通路１１ｆが形成され、ピストン部材１２が後方に移動すると内周面１１ｂに密接して当該内容物の通路は閉塞される。
【００３４】
図１に示すように、静止モードでは、ピストン部材１２はスプリング１３の付勢力によって前方に移動してシリンダ１１の円柱状部分１１ｈに当接し、両者間の通路域１１ｊは閉塞されている。
【００３５】
このとき、環状弁１２ｂはシリンダ１１の凹状部１１ｅに入って両者間には通路１１ｆが形成されている。
【００３６】
図２に示すように、操作釦１を押圧すると、内容物放出用の弁（図示省略）が開き、エアゾール容器本体２０の内容物が圧縮ガスの圧力によって、ステム２１−流入口１０ａ−縦通路１１ａ−空間部１１ｇ−通路１１ｆ−孔部１２ｄを通過してピストン部材１２の内部空間１２ｅに流入する。
【００３７】
そして、内部空間１２ｅの圧力は高まり、当該内部空間に流入した内容物がその底面部１２ｆを後方に押圧する。
【００３８】
図３に示すように、この押圧力がスプリング１３の付勢力よりも強くなると、ピストン部材１２は当該付勢力に抗して後方に移動し、ピストン部材１２とシリンダ１１の円柱状部分１１ｈとの間には通路域１１ｊが形成される。
【００３９】
したがって、内部空間１２ｅの内容物は、通路域１１ｊ−空間部１１ｋ−放出路１４ａ−放出孔１４ｂを経て外部空間に放出される。
【００４０】
なお、ピストン部材１２が後方に移動することにより、環状弁１２ｂは凹状部１１ｅから離れてシリンダ１１の内周面１１ｂに接するので、このときエアゾール容器本体２０の内容物は内部空間１２ｅに流入しない。
【００４１】
内容物が外部空間に放出されることによりピストン部材１２内部空間１２ｅの圧力が下がり、底面部１２ｆを後方に押圧する力も低下する。
【００４２】
そして、スプリング１３の復帰力の方が、内容物が底面部１２ｆを後方に押圧力よりも勝ると、
・ピストン部材１２は前方に移動して環状弁１２ｂとシリンダ１１の凹状部１１ｅとの間には再び内容物の通路１１ｆが形成され、
・エアゾール容器本体２０の内容物が上述の経路を通過してピストン部材１２の内部空間１２ｅに流入する（図２参照）。
【００４３】
このような通路１１ｆの開閉状態が繰り返されることにより、内容物は通路域１１ｊから外部空間に放出される。なお、作動モードに移行した後の通路１１ｆの開状態のとき、ピストン部材１２の前端部分が図２に示すようにシリンダ１１の円柱状部分１１ｈに密接して通路域１１ｊが閉塞される、とは限らない。
【００４４】
図４は、図２（内容物がピストン部材１２の内部空間１２ｅに流入し始めた状態）と図３（内部空間１２ｅに流入した内容物の圧力により、ピストン部材１２が十分に後退した状態）との間の過渡状態である。
【００４５】
このとき、ピストン部材１２は、その内部空間１２ｅに流入した内容物が底面部１２ｆを押圧するので後方に移動し始め、
・ピストン部材１２の環状弁１２ｂとシリンダ１１の凹状部１１ｅとの間にはまだ通路１１ｆが形成されており、
・ピストン部材１２とシリンダ１１の円柱状部分１１ｈとの間にも通路域１１ｊが形成されている。
【００４６】
したがって、エアゾール容器本体２０の内容物は通路１１ｆを通過してピストン部材１２の内部空間１２ｅに流入し、前述の経路を通って外部空間に放出されている。
【００４７】
内容物がピストン部材１２の内部空間１２ｅに流入する量は、放出孔１４ｂから外部空間に放出される量よりもはるかに多いため、このような過渡状態を経てやがてピストン部材１２が十分に後退した図３の状態となる。
【００４８】
上述のように通路１１ｆの開閉動作の間中、ピストン部材１２の環状凸部１２ａおよび環状突状部１２ｃは、それぞれシリンダ内周面１１ｂの小径部分１１ｃおよび大径部分１１ｄに摺動して両者間をシールする。
【００４９】
使用初期のようにエアゾール容器本体２０のガス圧が高いとき（例えば　７．５ｋｇｗ／ｃｍ^２）には、その後の使用回数に応じてガス圧が低下した状態に比べて、
・ピストン部材１２の内部空間１２ｅの圧力も高く、
・内部空間１２ｅの底面部１２ｆに作用する後方への力（容器の圧縮ガスに基づく内容物の圧力）も大きい。
【００５０】
一方、スプリング１３からピストン部材１２に対して作用する弾性力は、ガス圧の高低にかかわらず一定（スプリングの変位量に応じた一定値）である。
【００５１】
そのため、エアゾール容器の圧縮ガスの圧力が高い（エアゾール容器の使用回数が少ない）ときには、単位時間あたりの通路１１ｆの閉回数が多い。すなわち通路１１ｆの開状態の時間割合が少ない。
【００５２】
エアゾール容器の使用回数を重ねて圧縮ガスの圧力が低くなるにつれて、これと逆の状態、すなわち単位時間あたりの通路１１ｆの開状態の時間割合が多くなる。
【００５３】
このように、圧縮ガスの圧力の低下傾向と、通路１１ｆの開状態の時間割合の増加傾向とを対応させることにより、単位時間あたりの内容物放出量の安定化を図っている。このこと自体は図５の操作釦の場合と同様である。
【００５４】
本発明の基本的特徴は、ピストン部材１２とシール作用部（環状凸部１２ａ，環状突状部１２ｃ），弁作用部（環状弁１２ｂ）とからなる流量調整要素を一つのパーツにしたことである。
【００５５】
このパーツをはじめ、操作釦１の構成要素のうちスプリング１３以外の各要素の材質は合成樹脂である。例えば、ＰＰ，ＨＤＰＥ，ＬＤＰＥなどの合成樹脂を用いている。なお、合成樹脂製のスプリングを用いることもできる。
【００５６】
合成樹脂製のシール作用部は使用回数を重ねても劣化しにくく、これが十全には期待できないゴム製のシール作用部を用いる場合に比べ、操作釦１は良好なシール性能を長期にわたって維持することができる。
【００５７】
以上の操作釦を用いるエアゾール式製品としては、洗浄剤，清掃剤，制汗剤，忌避剤（殺虫剤），医薬品，医薬部外品，化粧品，洗濯のりなどの各種製品がある。
【００５８】
このエアゾール式製品の内容物には、金属塩類粉末，無機物粉末や樹脂粉末などを用いる。例えばタルク，カオリン，アルミニウムヒドロキシクロライド（アルミ塩），硫酸バリウム，セルロース，これらの混合物などである。また、紫外線吸収剤，油性原料，界面活性剤，保湿剤，高分子化合物，酸化防止剤，金属イオン封鎖剤なども用いる。
【００５９】
このエアゾール式製品の放出用ガスには、炭酸ガス，亜酸化窒素，窒素ガス，圧縮空気，酸素ガス，これらの混合ガスなどを用いる。
【００６０】
【発明の効果】
本発明は、このように、操作釦の内部空間域で容器内の圧縮ガスの圧力（内容物の圧力）に応じて移動するピストン状部材を、内容物の流量調整部および内容物に対するシール作用部をも併せ持つ単一部品の態様としているので、操作釦の部品点数を少なくして製品のコストダウン化，部品管理の効率化を図るとともに、操作釦の組立て処理の簡単化を図ることができる。
【００６１】
また、ピストン状部材における内容物通過空間として鞘状部材の内部空間といった比較的広範な空間を用いているので、これに続く（狭い通路部分からなる）受け部側への内容物の流れの安定化を図ることができる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明の、静止モードにおける操作釦の状態を示す説明図である。
【図２】本発明の、作動モード（内容物の通路１１ｆの連通作用時）における操作釦の状態を示す説明図である。
【図３】本発明の、作動モード（内容物の通路１１ｆのシール作用時）における操作釦の状態を示す説明図である。
【図４】本発明の、図２，図３の作動モード間の過渡状態を示す説明図である。
【図５】従来の、流量調整機能を備えたエアゾール容器用操作釦（静止モード）を示す説明図である。
【符号の説明】
１：エアゾール容器用操作釦
１０：ボディ
１０ａ：内容物の流入口
１１：シリンダ
１１ａ：内周面
１１ｃ：小径部分
１１ｄ：大径部分
１１ｅ：凹状部
１１ｆ：内容物の通路
１１ｇ：空間部
１１ｈ：円柱状部分
１１ｊ：内容物の通路域
１１ｋ：空間部
１２：ピストン部材
１２ａ：環状凸部
１２ｂ：環状弁
１２ｃ：環状突状部
１２ｄ：孔部
１２ｅ：内部空間
１２ｆ：底面部
１３：スプリング
１４：放出孔部材
１４ａ：放出路
１４ｂ：放出孔
２０：エアゾール容器本体
２１：ステム
３０：操作釦
３１：ボディ
３１ａ：内容物流入用の縦通路
３１ｂ：内容物の流入口
３１ｃ：内容物の流入空間部（当該流入口に続く前後方向の空間域）
３１ｄ：段部（の上面部分＝流入空間部の内周面）
３１ｅ：連通路
３２：放出孔部材
３２ａ：放出用通路
３２ｂ：放出孔
３３：放出孔側通路部材
３３ａ：内容物の通路
３３ｂ：開口部
３４：パッキン
３５：ピストン部材
３５ａ：前面部
３５ｂ：内容物収容域
３６：前側弾性リング
３７：後側弾性リング
３８：スプリング[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an operation button having a flow rate adjustment function, and more particularly, to an operation button for an aerosol container that reduces the number of parts for flow rate adjustment, saves assembly work, and reduces production costs.
[0002]
In the present specification, the discharge hole side of the operation button is referred to as “front”, and the side opposite to the discharge hole is referred to as “rear”.
[0003]
[Prior art]
In general, in an aerosol container that uses a compressed gas such as nitrogen, carbon dioxide, or air to discharge the contents to the external space, it is compressed according to the amount of the content used when the pressure of the compressed gas is high as in the initial stage of use. The amount of content released per unit time differs from when the gas storage volume increases and the gas pressure decreases accordingly.
[0004]
In view of this, there has been proposed an operation button having a flow rate adjusting function for quantifying the discharge amount regardless of the pressure change of the compressed gas in the aerosol container (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
[0005]
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of a conventional operation button having a flow rate adjusting function, and shows a stationary mode.
[0006]
In FIG. 5, 30 is an operation button having a flow rate adjustment function, 31 is a body, 31a is a vertical passage for inflow of contents, 31b is an inflow opening for contents, 31c is an inflow space for contents (in the inflow opening) (Continuous space area in the front-rear direction), 31d is a stepped portion (upper surface portion = inner peripheral surface of the inflow space portion), 31e is a communication path between the inflow space portion 31c and a content storage area 35b described later, and 32 is a discharge hole member. 32a is a discharge passage, 32b is a discharge hole, 33 is a discharge hole side passage member fitted to the discharge hole member, 33a is a passage for contents, 33b is an opening, and 34 is closed in a stationary mode. Packing 35 is a piston member to which a later-described front elastic ring 36 and rear elastic ring 37 are attached, 35a is a front surface portion of the piston member, and 35b is a content between the front surface portion and the discharge hole side passage member 33. Housing area 36 is body 31 A front elastic ring 37 that slides on the inner peripheral surface to open and close the communication passage, 37 is a rear elastic ring that slides on the inner peripheral surface of the body 31 to prevent leakage of contents to other than the predetermined passage, 38 Respectively show springs that urge the piston member 35 forward.
[0007]
In the stationary mode, the front surface 35a of the piston member 35 is brought into close contact with the packing 34 by the urging of the spring 38, and the passage 33a and the opening 33b for the contents and the contents accommodating area 35b are blocked.
[0008]
On the other hand, the front elastic ring 36 of the piston member 35 is located on the front side of the step portion 31d of the body 31, and the content accommodation region 35b communicates with the inflow space portion 31c and the upstream side region via the communication passage 31e. It is.
[0009]
In the operation mode in which the operation button 30 is pressed, the content discharge valve (not shown) is opened, and the contents of the aerosol container body (not shown) are connected to the vertical passage 31a-inlet 31b-inlet space 31c-communication passage. It passes through 31e and flows into the content accommodation area 35b.
[0010]
As a result, the pressure in the content storage area increases and the portion of the front surface 35a of the piston member 35 receives a sufficient rearward pressure, so that the piston member moves rearward against the biasing force of the spring 38. .
[0011]
As a result, the front surface 35a of the piston member 35 is separated from the packing 34, and the contents in the contents storage area 35b are discharged from the discharge hole 32b to the external space through the opening 33b, the passage 33a, and the discharge passage 32a.
[0012]
As the piston member 35 moves rearward, the front elastic ring 36 comes into close contact with the step portion 31d of the body 31, the space between the inflow space portion 31c and the content storage area 35b is cut off, and the content flows into the inflow space portion 31c. It is not supplied further downstream.
[0013]
After the close contact / blocking, the pressure in the content accommodation area 35b becomes weak, and the force for pushing the piston member 35 backward decreases.
[0014]
Then, when the restoring force of the spring 38 exceeds the pressure in the content storage area 35b, the piston member 35 moves forward, the front elastic ring 36 is separated from the step portion 31d, and the contents of the aerosol container are moved along the above-described path. It flows into the content accommodation area 35b.
[0015]
In this way, the contents are discharged into the external space while repeating the opening and closing operation between the inflow space portion 31c and the contents accommodation area 35b. Of course, the sealing action of the rear elastic ring 37 continues during this opening and closing operation.
[0016]
When the pressure of the compressed gas in the aerosol container is high (for example, about 7.5 kgw / cm ² ) as in the initial period of use, the time required for the piston member 35 to move to the close position behind is short based on this pressure.
[0017]
On the other hand, when the pressure of the compressed gas in the container is lowered by repeating the contents discharging operation, the time required for the movement of the piston member 35 becomes longer corresponding to this reduction. Note that the gas pressure inside the container body at the final stage of use is, for example, about 3 kgw / cm ² .
[0018]
That is, the supply time ratio of the content to the content storage area 35b per unit time becomes longer as the gas pressure (which is also the moving speed of the content) decreases from the initial value of use. By automatically adjusting the movement mode of the piston member 35 (as a valve action member), it is possible to prevent the amount of content released per unit time from decreasing when the container is used repeatedly.
[0019]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent Publication No. 5-38323 [0020]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
The operation button for an aerosol container having a conventional flow rate adjustment function is a component of a flow rate adjustment member (valve action member).
・ Piston member ・ Flow rate adjuster (= front elastic ring 36)
-Sealing part (= rear elastic ring 37)
Since each of these is a separate part, the number of parts of the operation button is increased, resulting in an increase in cost, and the time required for assembling the operation button is increased.
[0021]
Therefore, in the present invention, the flow rate adjusting member (piston member, flow rate adjusting portion, sealing action portion) provided in the internal space region of the operation button is formed as a single part, and the number of parts of the operation button is reduced and its assembly processing is performed. The purpose is to simplify.
[0022]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention solves this problem as follows.
(1) An internal space area (for example, a space portion 11g described later) leading to an external space from which the contents of the container are discharged by the action of the compressed gas in the container, and an inlet ( For example, it moves in the first direction along the inner peripheral surface of the internal space area based on the longitudinal passage 11a) described later and the pressure of the compressed gas, and with this movement, the downstream side of the inflow port. A flow rate adjusting portion (for example, an annular valve 12b, which will be described later) for causing a content passage portion (for example, a passage 11f, which will be described later) to transition from the open state to the closed state, and the internal space from the inlet. A piston-like member (for example, a later-described piston member 12) having a sealing action portion (for example, a later-described annular convex portion 12a and an annular projecting portion 12c) for the contents flowing into the region and taking the form of a single part as a whole; The fixie An elastic member (for example, a spring 13 to be described later) for urging the shaped member in a second direction opposite to the first direction, and the piston shape urged in the second direction at least in the stationary mode. A receiving portion (for example, a columnar portion 11h described later) that receives a member and sets a passage portion (for example, a passage region 11j described later) between the flow rate adjusting portion and the external space in a closed state; The piston-like member moves in the first direction based on the pressure of the compressed gas to close the content passage portion and the second force based on the elastic force of the elastic member. The operation button is provided with a flow rate adjusting function that repeats the operation of moving in the direction of and moving the content passage portion open.
(2) In the above (1), the piston-like member is a sheath-like member through which contents pass through the internal space, and an opening portion (for example, a hole portion 12d described later) that communicates with the inner space on the peripheral surface portion. Is used.
[0023]
According to the present invention, as described in the above (1), the piston-like member that moves in accordance with the pressure of the compressed gas in the container (the pressure of the content) in the internal space region of the operation button is used as the flow rate adjusting unit for the content. And a single part that also has a seal action part for the contents, thereby reducing the number of parts of the operation button, reducing the cost of the product, improving the efficiency of parts management, and simplifying the assembly process of the operation button We are trying to make it.
[0024]
Further, as described in (2) above, a relatively wide space such as the internal space of the sheath-like member is used as the content passage space in the piston-like member, whereby the receiving portion side (consisting of a narrow passage portion) that follows the space. Stabilization of the flow of contents to
[0025]
The present invention is directed to the operation button having the above features, and also to an aerosol type product including the operation button.
[0026]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0027]
1 is a still mode of the operation button, FIG. 2 is an operation mode of the operation button (when the content passage 11f is communicating), FIG. 3 is an operation mode of the operation button (when the content passage 11f is sealing), Reference numeral 4 denotes a transient state between the operation modes of FIGS.
[0028]
In these figures,
1 is an operation button for an aerosol container having a flow rate adjusting function,
10 is a body, 10a is an inlet for contents,
11 is a cylinder fixed to the body, 11a is a longitudinal passage of the cylinder, 11b is an inner peripheral surface of the cylinder, 11c is a small diameter portion of the inner peripheral surface, 11d is a large diameter portion of the inner peripheral surface, and 11e is the inner diameter A concave portion formed in a part of the peripheral surface, 11f is a passage of contents between the concave portion of the cylinder and the annular valve 12b of the piston member described later, and 11g is between the cylinder and the piston member 12 described later. 11h is a cylindrical portion, 11j is a passage region of the contents that is formed by a gap portion between the cylindrical portion and a piston member 12 described later, and is opened and closed by movement of the piston member, 11k is a space portion,
12 is a piston member in which a sealing action portion (annular convex portion 12a and annular protrusion 12c described later) and a valve action portion (annular valve 12b described later) are integrally formed with respect to the cylinder 11, and 12a is a small diameter portion of the inner peripheral surface of the cylinder. An annular convex portion that always slides in close contact with 11c, 12b is an annular valve that opens and closes a passage 11f between the concave portion 11e of the cylinder 11, and 12c slides in constant contact with the large-diameter portion 11d of the inner peripheral surface of the cylinder. An annular projecting portion that moves, 12d is a hole for passage of contents, 12e is a sheath-like internal space of the piston member, 12f is a bottom surface portion of the internal space,
13 is a spring for urging the piston member 12 forward;
14 is a discharge hole member, 14a is a discharge path for the contents between the discharge hole member and the columnar portion of the cylinder, 14b is a discharge hole,
20 is the aerosol container body,
21 is a stem,
Respectively.
[0029]
As shown in FIG.
・ Body 10
-Cylinder 11 fitted to the body 10
A piston member 12 that moves in the front-rear direction in such a manner that the annular protrusion 12a, the annular valve 12b, and the annular protrusion 12c slide on the inner peripheral surface 11b of the cylinder 11.
A spring 13 that biases the piston member 12 forward
-Release hole member 14
Etc.
[0030]
The piston member 12 of the operation button 1 is integrally molded with an annular convex portion 12a, an annular protruding portion 12c (a sealing action portion between the cylinder 11) and an annular valve 12b (a valve action portion for opening and closing the passage 11f). ing.
[0031]
That is, unlike the conventional aerosol container operation button 30 (see FIG. 5) having a flow rate adjusting function, there is no need to attach the front elastic ring 36 or the rear elastic ring 37, which are separate members, to the piston member 35.
[0032]
Here, the annular protrusion 12a and the annular protrusion 12c are in close contact with the small-diameter portion 11c and the large-diameter portion 11d of the inner peripheral surface of the cylinder, respectively, regardless of whether the piston member 12 is moved back and forth, and the contents are other than a predetermined passage. Prevents leakage to the part.
[0033]
On the other hand, the annular valve 12b enters the concave portion 11e when the piston member 12 moves forward, and a passage 11f of contents is formed between the two, and when the piston member 12 moves rearward, the annular valve 12b comes into close contact with the inner peripheral surface 11b. The object passage is blocked.
[0034]
As shown in FIG. 1, in the stationary mode, the piston member 12 moves forward by the urging force of the spring 13 and abuts on the columnar portion 11h of the cylinder 11, and the passage area 11j between the two is closed.
[0035]
At this time, the annular valve 12b enters the concave portion 11e of the cylinder 11 and a passage 11f is formed between them.
[0036]
As shown in FIG. 2, when the operation button 1 is pressed, the valve for discharging the contents (not shown) is opened, and the contents of the aerosol container body 20 are driven by the pressure of the compressed gas so that the stem 21 -the inlet 10 a -the longitudinal passage 11a—space portion 11g—passage 11f—passes through hole 12d and flows into internal space 12e of piston member 12.
[0037]
Then, the pressure in the internal space 12e increases, and the contents flowing into the internal space press the bottom surface portion 12f rearward.
[0038]
As shown in FIG. 3, when the pressing force becomes stronger than the urging force of the spring 13, the piston member 12 moves rearward against the urging force, and the piston member 12 and the cylindrical portion 11h of the cylinder 11 A passage area 11j is formed between them.
[0039]
Therefore, the contents of the internal space 12e are discharged to the external space through the passage area 11j, the space portion 11k, the discharge path 14a, and the discharge hole 14b.
[0040]
Since the piston member 12 moves rearward, the annular valve 12b moves away from the concave portion 11e and comes into contact with the inner peripheral surface 11b of the cylinder 11. At this time, the contents of the aerosol container body 20 do not flow into the internal space 12e. .
[0041]
By releasing the contents to the external space, the pressure in the internal space 12e of the piston member 12 is reduced, and the force for pressing the bottom surface portion 12f backward is also reduced.
[0042]
And, when the restoring force of the spring 13 is greater than the pressing force of the contents pushing the bottom surface portion 12f backward,
The piston member 12 moves forward, and a passage 11f of contents is formed again between the annular valve 12b and the concave portion 11e of the cylinder 11,
The content of the aerosol container body 20 passes through the above-described path and flows into the internal space 12e of the piston member 12 (see FIG. 2).
[0043]
By repeatedly opening and closing the passage 11f, the contents are discharged from the passage area 11j to the external space. When the passage 11f is in the open state after shifting to the operation mode, the passage region 11j is closed by the front end portion of the piston member 12 being in close contact with the cylindrical portion 11h of the cylinder 11 as shown in FIG. Is not limited.
[0044]
4 shows a state in which the content has started to flow into the internal space 12e of the piston member 12, and FIG. 3 shows a state in which the piston member 12 has fully retracted due to the pressure of the content flowing into the internal space 12e. It is a transient state between.
[0045]
At this time, the piston member 12 begins to move backward because the content flowing into the internal space 12e presses the bottom surface portion 12f,
A passage 11f is still formed between the annular valve 12b of the piston member 12 and the recessed portion 11e of the cylinder 11,
A passage region 11j is also formed between the piston member 12 and the cylindrical portion 11h of the cylinder 11.
[0046]
Therefore, the contents of the aerosol container body 20 pass through the passage 11f, flow into the internal space 12e of the piston member 12, and are discharged to the external space through the above-described path.
[0047]
Since the amount of the content flowing into the internal space 12e of the piston member 12 is much larger than the amount discharged from the discharge hole 14b to the external space, the piston member 12 is sufficiently retracted eventually after such a transient state. The state shown in FIG. 3 is obtained.
[0048]
As described above, during the opening / closing operation of the passage 11f, the annular convex portion 12a and the annular protruding portion 12c of the piston member 12 slide on the small diameter portion 11c and the large diameter portion 11d of the cylinder inner peripheral surface 11b, respectively. Seal the gap.
[0049]
When the gas pressure of the aerosol container body 20 is high (for example, 7.5 kgw / cm ² ) as in the initial stage of use, compared to the state in which the gas pressure decreases according to the number of subsequent use,
-The pressure in the internal space 12e of the piston member 12 is also high,
-The backward force (the pressure of the contents based on the compressed gas in the container) acting on the bottom surface portion 12f of the internal space 12e is also large.
[0050]
On the other hand, the elastic force acting on the piston member 12 from the spring 13 is constant (a constant value corresponding to the amount of displacement of the spring) regardless of the gas pressure level.
[0051]
Therefore, when the pressure of the compressed gas in the aerosol container is high (the number of times the aerosol container is used is small), the number of times of closing the passage 11f per unit time is large. That is, the time ratio of the passage 11f in the open state is small.
[0052]
As the pressure of the compressed gas decreases with repeated use of the aerosol container, the time ratio of the opposite state, that is, the open state of the passage 11f per unit time increases.
[0053]
In this way, the content discharge amount per unit time is stabilized by associating the decreasing tendency of the pressure of the compressed gas with the increasing tendency of the time ratio of the passage 11f in the open state. This is the same as that of the operation button in FIG.
[0054]
The basic feature of the present invention is that the flow rate adjusting element comprising the piston member 12, the sealing action part (annular convex part 12a, annular projection part 12c), and the valve action part (annular valve 12b) is made into one part. is there.
[0055]
The material of each element other than the spring 13 among the components of the operation button 1 including this part is a synthetic resin. For example, synthetic resins such as PP, HDPE, and LDPE are used. A synthetic resin spring can also be used.
[0056]
The synthetic resin sealing action part is not easily deteriorated even after repeated use, and the operation button 1 maintains a good sealing performance over a long period of time compared to the case where a rubber sealing action part that cannot be fully expected is used. be able to.
[0057]
The aerosol type products using the above operation buttons include various products such as cleaning agents, cleaning agents, antiperspirants, repellents (insecticides), pharmaceuticals, quasi drugs, cosmetics, and laundry pastes.
[0058]
As the contents of the aerosol type product, metal salt powder, inorganic powder, resin powder, or the like is used. For example, talc, kaolin, aluminum hydroxychloride (aluminum salt), barium sulfate, cellulose, and a mixture thereof. In addition, ultraviolet absorbers, oily raw materials, surfactants, humectants, polymer compounds, antioxidants, sequestering agents, and the like are also used.
[0059]
Carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, nitrogen gas, compressed air, oxygen gas, a mixed gas thereof, or the like is used as the gas for releasing the aerosol type product.
[0060]
【The invention's effect】
Thus, the present invention provides a piston-like member that moves according to the pressure of the compressed gas (the pressure of the contents) in the container in the internal space region of the operation button, and seals the contents against the flow rate adjusting unit and the contents. Since it has a single part configuration that also has a part, it is possible to reduce the number of parts of the operation button, reduce the cost of the product, improve the efficiency of parts management, and simplify the assembly process of the operation button. .
[0061]
In addition, since a relatively wide space such as the internal space of the sheath-like member is used as the content passage space in the piston-like member, the flow of the content to the receiving side (consisting of a narrow passage portion) following this is stabilized. Can be achieved.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a state of an operation button in a still mode according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a state of an operation button in an operation mode (when the content passage 11f communicates) according to the present invention.
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a state of an operation button in an operation mode (when the contents passage 11f is sealed) according to the present invention.
4 is an explanatory diagram showing a transient state between the operation modes of FIGS. 2 and 3 according to the present invention. FIG.
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a conventional aerosol container operation button (stationary mode) having a flow rate adjusting function.
[Explanation of symbols]
1: Aerosol container operation button 10: Body 10a: Content inflow port 11: Cylinder 11a: Inner peripheral surface 11c: Small diameter portion 11d: Large diameter portion 11e: Concave portion 11f: Content passage 11g: Space portion 11h: Cylindrical portion 11j: content passage area 11k: space portion 12: piston member 12a: annular convex portion 12b: annular valve 12c: annular projection portion 12d: hole portion 12e: internal space 12f: bottom surface portion 13: spring 14: Release hole member 14a: Release path 14b: Release hole 20: Aerosol container body 21: Stem 30: Operation button 31: Body 31a: Vertical passage 31b for contents inflow 31c: Content inlet 31c: Content inflow space (Space in the front-rear direction following the inlet)
31d: Stepped portion (upper surface portion = inner peripheral surface of inflow space portion)
31e: Communication passage 32: Release hole member 32a: Release passage 32b: Release hole 33: Release hole side passage member 33a: Content passage 33b: Opening 34: Packing 35: Piston member 35a: Front portion 35b: Content Housing area 36: front elastic ring 37: rear elastic ring 38: spring

Claims

An internal space area that leads to an external space through which the contents of the container are released by the action of the compressed gas in the container;
An inflow port for allowing contents to flow into the internal space region;
Based on the pressure of the compressed gas, it moves in the first direction along the inner circumferential surface of the internal space area, and with this movement, it moves between the inner circumferential surface and the downstream side of the inlet. A piston that has a flow rate adjusting portion that causes the content passage portion to transition from an open state to a closed state, and a sealing action portion for the content that has flowed into the internal space region from the inflow port, and takes the form of a single part as a whole A member,
An elastic member for biasing the piston-like member in a second direction opposite to the first direction;
At least in the stationary mode, a receiving portion that receives the piston-like member biased in the second direction and sets a passage portion between the flow rate adjusting portion and the external space in a shut-off state,
In the operation mode, the piston-shaped member moves in the first direction based on the pressure of the compressed gas to close the content passage portion, and based on the elastic force of the elastic member. Repeating the operation of moving in the second direction and opening the content passage part,
An operation button having a flow rate adjustment function characterized by that.

As the piston-shaped member, a sheath-shaped member through which contents pass through the internal space, and a peripheral surface portion formed with an opening communicating with the inner space is used.
The operation button having a flow rate adjusting function according to claim 1.

An aerosol-type product comprising the operation button according to claim 1 and containing a release gas and contents.