JP2008179373A - Pump container, and pump type product - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent dripping of pressurized content from a discharging port through an original discharging passage while opening an upper valve and a lower valve when air in the container which has expanded by the change of the environmental temperature pressurizes the content in a pump type product. <P>SOLUTION: For this pump container, a hole section 6a which makes the inside of the container always communicate with the external space is formed at the top surface section 6 of the container body. Therefore, the air in the container which has expanded by the change of the environmental temperature flows out to the external space through the hole section, and no dripping of the content from the discharging port 1b is caused by the pressurization of the content. Additionally, in the circulation phase of the product, the hole section is closed by a chip-form member 11 for the initial closing, and no dripping of the content from the hole section is caused. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention constantly communicates the internal space (content storage space area) and the external space of the pump container in a mode different from the outside air inflow path for preventing the decompression of the interior of the conventional container. The expansion air inside the container that is generated when the container is placed in the container is actively discharged to the external space.

  In this specification, the term “container” is used to include not only a container body that is a direct storage part of contents, but also a container body related part corresponding to a lid or the like. For example, components such as a cylinder body member, a cylinder collar member, a cover cap, an annular seal member, and an annular ventilation member, which will be described later, are also included in the “container”.

  The pump mechanism opens the upstream valve when the piston member and the operation button elastically return from the operation mode to the stationary mode, and the next discharge of the container contents is performed between the upstream valve and the downstream valve (closed state). In other words, it is sent to the buffer space area.

  In order for the upstream valve to be in this open state, the pressure inside the container (the space area upstream of the upstream valve) must be higher than that in the buffer space area.

  Conventionally, as a component for satisfying this pressure condition, a communication path inside and outside the container (= an outside air inflow path for preventing decompression inside the container) through a space region on the piston outer peripheral surface side is used.

  Further, after the transition to the stationary mode, a part of this communication path is set to an off state (= a state where the inside of the container and the external space are blocked), or minute air as shown in the background art described later. It is set as a pass band. This is to prevent the contents from spilling when the container in the stationary mode falls down.

  On the other hand, when the temperature of the environment in which it is placed becomes high (for example, when it is placed in a bathroom after use or in a bathroom in the summer), the air inside the container expands and the contents Pressurize. Then, the pressure at this time causes the upstream valve and the downstream valve in the content discharge passage set in the piston, the cylinder, etc. to be in an open state when the stationary mode is supposed to be closed.

  Then, the contents confined in the container and in the buffer space area may move through the original discharge passage to the discharge port, dripping from the discharge port, and solidifying in a “icicle” shape. In many cases, the usability becomes worse.

  In response to a request to reliably eliminate such an “icicle” phenomenon at the discharge port of the pump container, the present invention is different from the conventional concept for preventing the spilling of the contents in the stationary mode. It responds by ingenuity based on conversion.

  There has already been proposed a content discharge pump mechanism for preventing the liquid dripping by discharging the air expanded in the pump container in the stationary mode to the external space from the outside air inflow path for preventing decompression inside the container. (See Patent Document 1).

  In the case of this content discharge pump mechanism, from an outside air suction hole (= pressure-reducing prevention hole) provided in a cylinder guided by a stem (= piston) which is integrated with the push-down head (= operation part). An air outflow passage area for allowing the expanded air inside the container to escape to the external space is secured in the valve action portion of the subsequent known outside air inflow passage.

The passage area for air outflow is “a minute passage that is impermeable to water and has air permeability”. That is, in the stationary mode, the expanded air inside the container escapes to the external space, but the container contents are “micro passages” having such a size that the container contents do not leak to the external space even when the container falls down.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-181761

  The applicant of the present invention relates to the relationship between the occurrence of icicles in the discharge port in the stationary mode of the pump-type product and the size of the air passage surface in the air outflow passage area in the valve action portion of the outside air inflow passage for preventing decompression inside the container. In consideration of the above, the above-mentioned “micro-passage” does not allow the expanded air inside the container to sufficiently flow out to the external space, and it is possible to prevent the occurrence of “icicles” at the discharge port in the content passage area. I confirmed it was difficult.

  And pump-type products that contain contents that are prone to this “icicle” condition are usually easy to clean even if the containers in a stationary mode, such as bathrooms or washstands, collapse and some contents leak. Often used in difficult environments.

  In the present invention, paying attention to the expansion air outflow action and usage environment of the pump type product, “the air inside the container is always in communication with the outside space, that is, in the hole mode for communicating the inside and outside of the container even in the stationary mode. By performing a very significant change in concept such as `` providing a passage area on the upper surface portion of the container body and the lower peripheral surface portion of the container neck in a manner different from the outside air inflow path for preventing internal decompression of the container '', The purpose is to actively cause the expanded air inside the container in the stationary mode to flow out from the air passage area to the external space, thereby minimizing the generation of “icicles” at the contents discharge port.

The present invention solves the above problems using the following pump container.
(1) In a pump container in which container contents are discharged to the external space by a valve action based on movement of a piston (for example, a piston 3 to be described later) in conjunction with an operation unit (for example, an operation button 1 to be described later) inside the cylinder,
An air passage area (for example, holes 5e, 6a, 7a, a notch part 7b, and an annular ventilation member 9 described later) for always communicating the inside of the container and the external space is an external space communication area between the piston and the cylinder ( For example, it is assumed that it is provided in the upper portion of the container in a manner that does not include a path of the outside air flow r described later.
(2) In (1) above,
As the air passage area, a hole (for example, a hole 6a described later) formed in an upper surface portion (for example, an upper surface 6 of a container body described later) is used.
(3) In (1) above,
As the air passage area, a hole (for example, a hole 7a described later) formed in a lower peripheral surface portion of a container neck (for example, a container neck 7 described later) is used.
(4) In the above (1) to (3),
As the air passage area, a shielding member (for example, an initial closing chip member 11, 14, an initial closing film member 12, an initial closing C-shaped member 13, an initial sealing ring member 15) is removed. Use the one provided in a free form.

  The present invention is directed to a pump container having the above-described configuration and a pump-type product including the pump container.

  In the present invention, the air passage area such as a hole for communicating the inside and outside of the container even in the stationary mode as described above, for example, on the upper surface portion of the container body or the lower peripheral surface portion of the container neck, the outside air inflow path for preventing decompression inside the container. It is provided in a different manner.

  Therefore, the expansion air inside the container in the stationary mode actively flows out from the air passage area for measures against the expansion air to the outside space, so that the expansion air presses the contents of the container to the downstream side. This prevents the release action to move toward the side, and suppresses the occurrence of "icicles" on the content discharge port side.

  In addition, since the air passage area for measures against the expansion air inside the container is provided exclusively on the container side, not only the operation button and the piston, but also the constituent elements for securing the pressure reducing prevention path so far (the pressure reducing prevention The existing cylinder body member provided with the hole and the like can be used as it is.

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

here,
FIG. 1 shows a pump container (No. 1) in which a hole as an air passage area for communication between the inside and outside of the container is formed on the upper surface of the container body,
FIG. 2 shows a pump container (No. 2) in which a hole as an air passage area for communication between the inside and outside of the container is formed on the upper surface of the container body,
FIG. 3 shows a pump container in which a hole is formed as an air passage area for communication inside and outside the container on the lower peripheral surface of the neck of the container,
FIG. 4 shows a pump container in which a hole as an air passage area for communication between the inside and outside of the container is formed on the upper surface of the cylinder collar member,
FIG. 5 is a vertical direction of the drawing as a notch portion as an air passage area for communication between the inside and outside of the container is formed at the upper end of the container neck portion, and as an air passage area for communication between the inside and outside of the container at each screw portion of the container neck portion and the cover cap Shows a pump container in which a screw missing region of a substantially continuous mode is formed,
FIG. 6 shows that the seal member sandwiched between the upper end surface of the container neck and the bottom surface of the annular flange of the cylinder body member has air permeability, and the container neck and the screw portion of the cover cap are connected to the inside and outside of the container. The pump container in which the screw missing area of the aspect substantially continuous to the drawing up-down direction as an air passage area was formed is shown.

  The constituent elements (for example, the screw portion 1a) of the following reference numbers with alphabets indicate that they are part of the constituent elements (for example, the operation button 1) of the numerical portions of the reference numbers in principle.

1 to 6,
1 is an operation button (operation member) that moves up and down,
1a is a screw portion formed on the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion of the operation button,
1b is the outlet for the contents,
1c is a discharge passage for the contents leading to the discharge port,
2 is a ball-shaped upper valve (= downstream valve),
3 is a piston that is urged upward by a well-known coil spring (not shown), and is integrated with the operation button 1 by an upper fitting action;
3a is an annular receiving surface for the upper valve 2,
3b is an upper skirt portion that provides a sealing and guiding action for an inner peripheral surface of a cylinder body member 4 to be described later.
3c is formed on the inner side of the upper skirt portion, and in a stationary mode, contacts a lower end surface 5b of a cylinder collar member 5 (cylindrical portion 5a), which will be described later, and is a well-known outside air inflow path r for preventing decompression inside the container. An annular recess to shut off,
3d is a lower skirt portion that provides a sealing and guiding action for an inner peripheral surface of a cylinder body member 4 to be described later.
4 is a cylinder body member that guides the piston 3 and has a well-known lower valve (upstream valve: not shown) and also acts as a storage space for contents.
4a is a decompression preventing hole for preventing negative pressure inside the container,
4b is an annular flange formed on the upper outer peripheral surface,
4c is an upper end side cylindrical portion formed continuously above the annular flange,
5 is a cylinder collar member that is tightly fitted to the cylinder body 4;
5a is a cylindrical part for setting the upward movement position (stationary mode position) of the piston 3,
5b is in contact with the annular recess 3c of the piston 3 in the stationary mode position and shuts off the outside air inflow passage r for preventing decompression inside the container (of the cylindrical portion),
5c is a screw portion formed on the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 5a and screwed with the operation button 1 (screw portion 1a) from the shipment to the purchase / use of the product, for example.
5d is an annular hanging portion whose inner peripheral surface is strongly unevenly coupled with the outer peripheral surface of the upper cylindrical portion 4c of the cylinder body member 4;
5e is a hole (FIG. 4) as an air passage area for communication between the inside and outside of the container formed in the ceiling portion between the upper end side cylindrical portion 4c of the cylinder body member 4 and the cylindrical portion 5a of the cylinder collar member 5.
6 is the upper surface of the container body in which the contents are stored,
6a is a hole (FIGS. 1 and 2) formed on the upper surface as an air passage area for communicating inside and outside the container;
7 is a cylindrical container neck that stands up from the opening area of the upper surface 6 of the container body,
7a is a hole (FIG. 3) as an air passage area for communication inside and outside the container formed on the peripheral surface on the lower end side.
7b is a notch portion (FIG. 5) formed as an air passage area for communication inside and outside the container formed at the upper end portion.
7c is a screw portion formed on the outer peripheral surface,
7d is a screw missing area (FIGS. 5 and 6) of the screw part,
8 is an annular seal member (FIGS. 1 and 5) sandwiched between the bottom surface of the cylinder body member 4 (annular flange 4b) and the upper end surface of the container neck 7.
9 is an annular ventilation member with a sealing property (FIG. 6) sandwiched between the bottom surface of the cylinder body member 4 (annular flange 4b) and the upper end surface of the container neck 7.
10 is a cylindrical shape that is screwed into the outer peripheral surface of the container neck 7 to fix the cylinder body member 4, the annular seal member 8, and the annular ventilation member 9 to the container side in a state of being sandwiched between the container neck upper end surface. Cover cap,
10a is a screw portion for screwing formed on the inner peripheral surface,
10b is a screw missing region (FIGS. 5 and 6) of the screw part,
11 is a chip-like member for initial closing (FIG. 1), which closes the hole 6a of the upper surface 6 of the container body and is removed at the use stage of the user.
11a is a projection for closing the hole,
12 is a film-like member for initial closing (FIG. 2) that closes the hole 6a of the upper surface 6 of the container body and is removed at the use stage of the user.
12a is an adhesive portion adhered to the upper surface 6,
12b is a non-adhesive part on both sides of the adhesive part,
Reference numeral 13 denotes an initial closing C-shaped member (FIG. 3) that closes the hole 7a of the container neck 7 and is removed at the use stage of the user.
13a is a projection for closing the hole,
14 is a chip-like member for initial closing (FIG. 4), which closes the hole 5e of the cylinder collar member 5 and is removed at the use stage of the user.
14a is a projection for closing the hole,
15 is formed on the lower end side of the cover cap 10 so as to come into contact with the upper surface 6 of the container body after assembling.
15a is a thin portion which is a connection area with the lower end side of the cover cap 10,
15b is a tab for tearing operation,
r is “a space region between the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 5 a and the outer peripheral surface of the piston 3 -a space region between the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 5 a and the inner peripheral surface of the cylinder body member 4 —for prevention of decompression. Flow of outside air for preventing decompression inside the container corresponding to the path of the hole 4a ",
s is the approximate flow of the expanded air inside the container,
Respectively.

  The above-mentioned operation button 1, piston 3, cylinder body member 4, cylinder collar member 5, container body upper surface portion 6, container neck portion 7, annular seal member 8, annular ventilation member 9, cover cap 10, and chip member for initial closure 11. Initial closing film member 12, initial closing C-shaped member 13, initial closing tip member 14 and initial sealing ring member 15 are made of synthetic resin such as polypropylene, polyethylene, polyacetal, nylon, polybutylene terephthalate. belongs to. The annular ventilation member 9 may be made of ceramic. The upper valve 2 is made of metal or synthetic resin.

The basic features of each pump container of FIGS.
(11) The path of the expanded air flow s inside the container is connected to the upper part of the container (cylinder collar member 5, upper surface part 6 of the container body, container neck 7, annular ventilation member 9, cover cap 10 and the like). Set separately from the path of the external air flow r to prevent internal decompression,
(12) A blocking member or a seal member (blocking member 11 for initial closing, film-like member 12 for initial closing, C-type for initial closing) for shutting off the path of the flow s until the product is used, for example. Member 13, initial closing tip member 14, initial sealing ring member 15, etc.) are provided in a removable form.
That is.

  This ensures that the expanded air inside the container flows out to the external space in the stationary mode at the product use stage, and also prevents spillage of the contents at the product shipping / sales stage. it can.

  Note that the sizes of the holes 5e, 6a, 7a, the notch 7b, the screw missing areas 7d, 10b, etc., as air passage areas for communication between the inside and outside of the container are the same as those in the state in which the above-described blocking member and seal member are removed. It is set appropriately in consideration of the degree of generation of the expanded air inside and the degree of spillage of the container contents as the container falls. The number of each setting is also arbitrary.

  For example, the length of these holes and notches in the direction substantially perpendicular to the air flow direction is, for example, 0.1 to 6.0 mm. Further, the screw missing areas 7d and 10b, which can be called second gates (first gate is the notch portion 7b and the annular ventilation member 9) with respect to the expanded air to be spilled, have a higher degree of freedom in size than these hole portions and notch portions. .

  Here, the operation of the operation button 1 and the piston 3 integrated with the operation button 1 is the same as that of a known pump mechanism.

  The operation button 1 and the piston 3 in the illustrated stationary mode are urged upward by the elastic force of a known coil spring (not shown), and the bottom surface of the annular recess 3 c of the piston is directed to the lower end surface 5 b of the cylinder collar member 5. Stops in contact. That is, the flow r of the outside air for preventing the decompression of the inside of the container is blocked at this contact portion.

The initial closing tip member 11, the initial closing film member 12, the initial closing C-shaped member 13, the initial closing tip member 14 and the initial sealing ring member 15 are removed from the container side. In the stationary mode, the air expanded inside the container
-Hole 6a on the top surface of the container body (in the case of FIGS. 1 and 2)
-Hole 7a in the container neck (in the case of FIG. 3)
・ Cylinder collar member hole 5e (in the case of FIG. 4)
-The notch 7b of the container neck, and the screw missing areas 7d and 10b of the container neck and the cover cap following the notch 7b (in the case of FIG. 5)
-Annular ventilation member 9 and subsequent screw neck areas 7d and 10b of the container neck and cover cap (in the case of FIG. 6)
Each outflow path (flow s) passing through the space moves to the external space.

  It should be noted that the screw missing areas 7d and 10b of the container neck 7 and the cover cap 10 are formed so as to conform to a substantially straight line in the vertical direction of the figure in the assembled state (FIGS. 5 and 6).

  As described above, the operation of the pump mechanism is well-known. When the illustrated operation button 1 in the stationary mode is depressed, the piston 3 is also moved downward, and the upper valve 2 and the well-known lower valve (not shown) are closed. ), The volume of the buffer space area (the internal space area of the piston 3 and the cylinder 5) is reduced.

  As a result, the pressure in the buffer space increases and the upper valve 2 opens, and the content in the buffer space is discharged from the discharge port 1b to the external space via the discharge passage 1c.

  At this time, the lower valve (upstream valve) is closed as is well known. Further, since the bottom surface of the annular recess 3c of the piston 3 is separated from the lower end surface 5b of the cylinder collar member 5, the above-described blocking state of the outside air inflow path (flow r) is released.

  When the user stops pressing the operation button 1, the piston 3 is moved up by the elastic action of a well-known coil spring (not shown) to shift to the illustrated stationary mode.

  As the volume of the buffer space increases with the upward movement, the pressure in the buffer space decreases, so that a well-known lower valve (not shown) is opened, and the contents of the container body are transferred from the lower valve to the buffer space. Inflow.

  The inflow of the contents reduces the air pressure inside the container (in the space where the contents do not exist), but the amount of outside air corresponding to the decreased amount flows in the direction opposite to the flow r or flow s. In the interior of the container.

  As is well known, the operation button 1 in the shipment / sales stage of the pump-type product is pushed down from the lower position by the normal operation of the user, and its screw portion 1a is the cylinder collar member 5. The screw portion 5c is set in a screwed state.

  Of course, the present invention is not limited to the pump container of the shape shown in FIGS.

  For example, the illustrated pump container uses an existing cylinder body member 4, that is, a cylinder body member in which a decompression prevention hole 4a is formed. You may use the cylinder main body member of the form which abbreviate | omitted the said hole part (except the pump container of FIG. 4 in which the common hole part 5e was formed). This is because the expansion air outflow path s inside the container also acts as an outside air inflow path for preventing decompression inside the container.

Also,
(21) The cover cap 10 of FIG. 6 is provided with the same thing as the initial seal ring-shaped member 15 of FIG.
(22) The cylinder body member 4 is formed with a decompression prevention hole 4a to secure an inflow path for the outside air flow r, and is formed in the holes 5e, 6a, 7a and the notch 7b as air passage areas. A directional valve member, that is, a valve member that allows only outflow from the inside of the container to the outside, is provided.
You may do it.

  Pump-type products to which the present invention is applied include shampoos, rinses, liquid soaps, cleaning agents, cleaning agents, antiperspirants, cooling agents, muscle anti-inflammatory agents, hair styling agents, hair treatment agents, hair dyes, hair restorers , Cosmetics, shaving foam, etc.

  The contents stored in the container main body are, for example, a powdery substance, an oil component, an alcohol, a surfactant, a polymer compound, and an active ingredient corresponding to each application.

  As the powder, metal salt powder, inorganic powder, resin powder, or the like is used. For example, talc, kaolin, aluminum hydroxychloride (aluminum salt), calcium alginate, gold powder, silver powder, mica, carbonate, barium sulfate, cellulose, and a mixture thereof are used.

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

  As alcohols, monovalent lower alcohols such as ethanol, monovalent higher alcohols such as lauryl alcohol, polyhydric alcohols such as ethylene glycol, and the like are used.

  Surfactants include anionic surfactants such as sodium lauryl sulfate, nonionic surfactants such as polyoxyethylene oleyl ether, amphoteric surfactants such as lauryldimethylaminoacetic acid betaine, and cations such as alkyltrimethylammonium chloride. A surfactant is used.

  As the polymer compound, methyl cellulose, gelatin, starch, casein and the like are used.

  Active ingredients according to each application include anti-inflammatory analgesics such as methyl salicylate and indomethacin, antibacterial agents such as sodium benzoate and cresol, insect repellents such as Hillesroid and diethyltoluamide, antiperspirants such as zinc oxide, Coolants such as camphor and menthol, anti-asthma drugs such as ephedrine and adrenaline, sweeteners such as sucralose and aspartame, adhesives and paints such as epoxy resin and urethane, dyes such as paraphenylenediamine and aminophenol, dihydrogen phosphate Use a fire extinguishing agent such as ammonium or sodium bicarbonate.

  Further, other than the above-mentioned contents, suspending agents, ultraviolet absorbers, emulsifiers, humectants, antioxidants, sequestering agents, etc. can be used.

It is explanatory drawing which shows the pump container (the 1) by which the hole as an air passage area for container internal / external communication was formed in the upper surface of a container main body. It is explanatory drawing which shows the pump container (the 2) by which the hole as an air passage area for the inside and outside communication of a container was formed in the upper surface of a container main body. It is explanatory drawing which shows the pump container by which the hole as an air passage area for container internal / external communication was formed in the lower end side surrounding surface of a container neck part. It is explanatory drawing which shows the pump container by which the hole as an air passage area for container internal / external communication was formed in the upper surface of a cylinder collar member. A notch is formed at the upper end of the container neck as an air passage area for communication between the inside and outside of the container, and is substantially continuous in the vertical direction of the drawing as an air passage area for communication between the container neck and the cover cap. It is explanatory drawing which shows the pump container in which the screw missing area of the aspect was formed. The seal member sandwiched between the upper end surface of the container neck and the bottom surface of the annular flange of the cylinder body member has air permeability, and serves as an air passage area for communication between the container neck and the cover cap at the screw portions of the container neck and the cover cap. It is explanatory drawing which shows the pump container in which the screw | thread lacking area | region of the aspect substantially continuous in the drawing up-down direction was formed.

Explanation of symbols

1: Operation buttons (operation members)
1a: Screw portion 1b: Discharge port 1c: Discharge passage 2: Ball-shaped upper valve (= downstream valve)
3: Piston 3a: annular receiving surface 3b: upper skirt portion 3c: annular recess 3d: lower skirt portion 4: cylinder body member 4a: decompression prevention hole portion 4b: annular flange portion 4c: upper cylindrical portion 5: cylinder Collar member 5a: cylindrical portion 5b: lower end surface 5c: screw portion 5d: annular hanging portion 5e: hole (FIG. 4)
6: Upper surface 6a of container body: Hole (FIGS. 1 and 2)
7: cylindrical container neck 7a: hole (FIG. 3)
7b: Notch (FIG. 5)
7c: Screw portion 7d: Screw missing area (FIGS. 5 and 6)
8: Annular seal member (Figs. 1 and 5)
9: Annular ventilation member (Fig. 6)
10: cylindrical cover cap 10a: screw portion 10b: screw missing region (FIGS. 5 and 6)
11: Chip member for initial closing (FIG. 1)
11a: Protruding portion for closing the hole 12: Film member for initial closing (FIG. 2)
12a: Adhered portion 12b: Non-adhered portion 13: C member for initial closing (FIG. 3)
13a: Protruding portion 14 for closing the hole 14: Chip-like member for initial closing (FIG. 4)
14a: Protruding portion 15 for closing the hole 15: Ring-shaped member for initial sealing (FIG. 5)
15a: Thin-walled portion 15b: Tab for tearing operation r: Flow of outside air for preventing depressurization inside the container s: Schematic flow of expanded air inside the container,

Claims (5)

In the pump container in which the contents of the container are released to the external space by the valve action based on the movement of the piston in conjunction with the operation part inside the cylinder,
The air passage area that always communicates the interior of the container and the external space is provided in the upper portion of the container in a manner that does not include the external space communication area between the piston and the cylinder.
A pump container characterized by that. The air passage area is a hole formed in the upper surface portion of the container body.
The pump container according to claim 1. The air passage area is a hole formed in a lower peripheral surface portion of the container neck.
The pump container according to claim 1. The shielding member for the air passage area is provided in a detachable form,
The pump container according to any one of claims 1 to 3. The pump container according to any one of claims 1 to 4, comprising the contents,
This is a pump-type product.

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