JP2010017672A - Atomizer - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an atomizer having a sufficiently flexible bellows part of an aspiration tube to be bent at request even when a weight lighter than that of a conventional one is used. <P>SOLUTION: The atomizer is provided with a container body 4, an atomizing head 8 fitted to the container body 4, the aspiration tube 10 extending from the atomizing head 8 and a weight 14 provided on the distal end part of the aspiration tube 10. The aspiration tube 10 is provided with the bellows part 26 having flexibility. In the use of a normal state, the distal end part of the aspiration tube 10 is dipped in a liquid stored in the bottom of the container body 4 and in the use of an inverted state, the bellows part 26 of the aspiration tube 10 is bent by the dead weight of the weight 14 and the distal end part is dipped in a liquid stored in the atomizing head 8 side of the container body 4. The bellows part 26 of the aspiration tube 10 has a first and a second flexible parts 32, 34 having different flexibility and the first flexible part 32 has the flexibility larger than that of the second flexible part 34. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a sprayer for spraying a liquid such as water, a disinfecting liquid, or a cleaning liquid, and more particularly to a sprayer that can spray a liquid even in an inverted use state upside down.

  Conventionally, a sprayer for spraying liquids such as water, disinfecting liquid, and cleaning liquid has been used (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The sprayer includes a container body for containing a liquid, a spray head attached to an opening of the container body, a flexible suction tube extending from the spray head to the inside of the container body, and a suction tube. A weight provided at the tip. The suction tube is made of a resin material having thermoplasticity, for example, polyethylene, and a bellows portion is provided in a part thereof. The weight is made of, for example, a metal material such as stainless steel, and this weight is provided with an insertion hole through which the tip of the suction tube is inserted.

  In a normal use state where the spray head is on the upper side, the tip of the suction tube is immersed in the liquid accumulated at the bottom of the container body due to the weight of the weight, and the liquid in the container body is directed toward the spray head through the suction tube. Sucked up and sprayed from this spray head. Also, in the inverted use state in which the spray head is on the lower side, the bellows portion of the suction tube is bent by the weight of the weight, and the tip portion thereof is immersed in the liquid accumulated on the spray head side of the container body. Similarly, the liquid in the container body is sucked up through the sucking tube.

JP-A-6-7712

  In such a conventional sprayer, if the flexibility of the bellows portion of the suction tube is large, there will be no problem in the normal use state, but the bellows portion is not sufficiently curved in the inverted use state, and the suction tube The tip of the tube is not immersed in the liquid accumulated on the spray head side (particularly, such inconvenience is likely to occur when the amount of the liquid decreases), and it becomes difficult to spray the liquid to the end.

  In order to solve such a problem, the weight of the weight attached to the tip of the suction tube may be increased. However, in order to increase the weight, it is necessary to increase the weight itself. However, when the weight is increased, the tip of the suction tube does not reach the corner of the bottom of the container body, and it becomes difficult to spray the liquid in the container body to the end. There is a problem that the impact of the weight colliding with the container body is increased and a loud sound is generated.

  For this reason, in the conventional sprayer, the weight of the weight is selected in consideration of the flexibility of the bellows portion of the suction tube, but sufficient flexibility can be imparted to the bellows portion. Since the weight is made of a metal having a high specific gravity, such as stainless steel, the production cost of the sprayer increases, and the container and the weight must be separated when discarded. The work becomes complicated.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a nebulizer that can sufficiently bend a bellows portion of a suction tube and bend as required even if a lighter weight is used than before.

According to the sprayer of the first aspect of the present invention, the container main body for containing the liquid, the spray head mounted in the opening of the container main body, and the suction extending from the spray head into the container main body. A normal use state in which a suction tube and a weight provided at the tip of the suction tube are provided, the suction tube is provided with a flexible bellows portion, and the spray head is on the upper side In the inverted use state in which the tip of the suction tube is immersed in the liquid accumulated in the bottom of the container body due to the weight of the weight, and the spray head is on the lower side, In the sprayer in which the bellows portion of the suction tube is curved and the tip thereof is immersed in the liquid accumulated on the spray head side of the container body,
The bellows part of the suction tube has first and second flexible parts having different flexibility characteristics, and the first flexible part is more flexible than the second flexible part. It is characterized by.

In the sprayer according to claim 2 of the present invention, the bellows crest portion of the first flexible portion is formed to have a larger outer diameter than the bellows crest portion of the second flexible portion. .
In the sprayer according to claim 3 of the present invention, the bellows pitch of the first flexible part is smaller than the bellows pitch of the second flexible part.

In the sprayer according to claim 4 of the present invention, the first flexible part is provided at at least both ends of the bellows part.
Furthermore, in the sprayer according to claim 5 of the present invention, the first flexible portion and the second flexible portion are provided alternately in the axial direction of the bellows portion.

  According to the sprayer of the first aspect of the present invention, the bellows portion of the suction tube has the first and second flexible portions having different flexibility characteristics. Sufficient flexibility can be ensured by the flexible portion, and a certain degree of rigidity can be ensured by the second flexible portion that is less flexible than the first flexible portion. Therefore, in normal use, the tip of the suction tube is located at the corner of the bottom of the container body due to the weight of the weight, and the liquid accumulated in the bottom of the container body can be sucked up almost to the end. In the inverted use state, the bellows portion of the suction tube, particularly the first flexible portion, is greatly curved by its own weight, and its tip portion is located on the spray head side and collected on the spray head side of the container body. The liquid can be sucked up almost to the end.

  According to the sprayer of the second aspect of the present invention, the bellows crest portion of the first flexible portion is formed to have a larger outer diameter than the bellows crest portion of the second flexible portion. The flexibility of the bending portion can be increased more than the second.

  In the sprayer according to claim 3 of the present invention, the bellows pitch of the first flexible part is formed smaller than the bellows pitch of the second flexible part. The flexibility of the flexible part can be made higher than that of the second flexible part.

  In the sprayer according to claim 4 of the present invention, since the first flexible portion is provided at least at both ends of the bellows portion, a rise in temperature is suppressed when the bellows portion is formed by molding by heat. The first flexible portion is present in the portion to be provided, and thereby, the suction tube can have sufficient flexibility.

  Furthermore, according to the sprayer of the fifth aspect of the present invention, the first flexible portion and the second flexible portion are alternately provided in the axial direction of the bellows portion. Can be increased.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of a sprayer according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a sprayer according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the sprayer in a use state in which the container body of FIG. 1 is inverted, and FIG. FIG. 4 is a partial front view of a part of a suction tube in the sprayer of FIG. 1 as viewed from the front, FIG. 4 is an enlarged view showing a region A in FIG. 3, and FIG. FIG. 6 is a partial front view of a portion of the suction tube as viewed from the front, FIG. 6 is a partial enlarged view showing a region B in FIG. 5, and FIG. FIG. 8 is an enlarged view showing a part of the suction tube according to the third modified embodiment. FIG.

  Referring to FIG. 1, the illustrated sprayer 2 includes a container main body 4 for storing a liquid such as water, a cleaning liquid, a disinfecting liquid, and an insecticidal liquid, and a spray head mounted on the opening 6 of the container main body 4. 8, a flexible suction tube 10 extending from the spray head 8 to the inside of the container body 4, and a weight 14 provided at the distal end portion 12 of the suction tube 10.

  In this embodiment, an opening 6 is provided at the upper end of the container body 4, and a spray head 8 is detachably attached to the opening 6 via a mounting cap 16. The spray head 8 includes a head body 18, a pump (not shown) built in the head body 18, a trigger handle 20 for manually driving the pump, and spraying liquid discharged from the pump to the outside. Spray nozzle 22.

  The suction tube 10 is made of a flexible resin material such as polyethylene. The suction tube 10 has a proximal end portion 24 and a distal end portion 12 formed in an elongated cylindrical shape, and a bellows portion 26 is provided at an intermediate portion thereof. The proximal end portion 24 of the suction tube 10 is connected to a pump (not shown) of the spray head 8, and the bellows portion 26 has flexibility as will be described later.

  The weight 14 is formed in a cylindrical shape, and an insertion hole (not shown) is provided through the weight 14, and the distal end portion 12 of the suction tube 10 is attached through the insertion hole. A plurality of slits 28 extending in the axial direction are provided at one end portion of the weight 14 at intervals in the circumferential direction of the insertion hole. The plurality of slits 28 allow the one end portion of the weight 14 to have a certain amount in the radial direction. It is comprised so that it can be elastically deformed, and mounting | wearing to the suction tube 10 of the weight 14 becomes easy by comprising in this way.

  The above-described sprayer 2 is used as follows, for example. In a normal use state in which the spray head 8 is on the upper side (that is, a use state in which the container body 4 is in an upright state as shown in FIG. 1), as shown in FIG. Due to its own weight, the tip 12 of the suction tube 10 extends downward from the spraying head 8 so that the liquid accumulated in the bottom 38 of the container body 4 (when the liquid is low, the corner of the bottom 30 is Dipped in the accumulated liquid). When the trigger handle 20 is operated in such a state, the liquid in the container body 4 is sucked up from the distal end portion 12 of the sucking tube 10 by the action of a pump (not shown), and the sucked up liquid is sucked up. After being sucked into the pump through the tube 10, it is sprayed to the outside from the nozzle 22.

  Further, in the inverted use state in which the spray head 8 is on the lower side (that is, the use state in which the container body 4 is in the inverted state as shown in FIG. 2), as shown in FIG. The bellows portion 26 is greatly curved by the dead weight of the weight 14, and the distal end portion 12 of the suction tube 10 is immersed in the liquid accumulated on the spray head 8 side of the container body 4. When the trigger handle 20 is operated in such a state, the liquid accumulated on the spray head 8 side in the container body 4 is sucked up from the distal end portion 12 of the sucking tube 10 and sucked up in the same manner as described above. Liquid is sprayed from the nozzle 22 to the outside.

  Next, the suction tube 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4 together with FIGS. The bellows part 26 of the suction tube 10 shown in the figure has first and second flexible parts 32 and 34 having different flexibility characteristics. In this embodiment, the first flexible portion 32 is provided at both end portions and the central portion of the bellows portion 26 in the axial direction (left and right direction in FIG. 3), and the second flexible portion 34 is provided between the first flexible portions 32. The first flexible portion 32 is configured to be more flexible than the second flexible portion 34 (that is, configured to be flexible and easily bent).

  In this embodiment, as shown in an enlarged view in FIG. 4, the outer diameter of the bellows peak portion 36 in the first flexible portion 32 is formed larger than the outer diameter of the bellows peak portion 38 of the second flexible portion 34, The outer diameter of the bellows crest 36 is formed, for example, around 10 mm, and the outer diameter of the bellows crest 38 is formed, for example, around 9 mm. With this configuration, the first flexible portion 32 is more easily curved than the second flexible portion 34 and functions as a large flexible region S. By providing the first flexible portion 32 in this way, the flexibility of the bellows portion 26 of the suction tube 10, particularly the first flexible portion 32, is increased, and the weight 14 having a weight smaller than that of the conventional one is used. However, the suction tube 10 can be bent as required, and for example, a synthetic resin weight 14 can be used. The bellows crest portions 36 and 38 of the first and second flexible portions 32 and 34 can be provided in an appropriate number in order to give each of the desired flexibility, but the first flexible portion 32 can be provided. For example, about 5 to 10 bellows can be provided.

  In this embodiment, the first flexible portion 32 is provided at both end portions and the central portion of the bellows portion 26 of the suction tube 10. However, the first flexible portion 32 is not limited to such a configuration. You may make it provide only in the both ends of the part 26, or may provide two or more in the intermediate part in addition to the both ends 26 of the bellows part 26. Note that such a suction tube 10 is formed by heating and stretching a normal thin tube to form a thin portion as disclosed in, for example, Japanese Examined Patent Publication No. 7-4561, and forming a molding die on the thin portion. When forming the bellows part and further pressurizing the formed bellows part in the axial direction, when forming the bellows part, the temperature at both ends thereof tends to decrease, and this tends to reduce flexibility. By providing bellows crests having a large outer diameter (that is, the first flexible portion 32) at both ends of the bellows portion, the thickness of the both end portions is reduced, the flexibility is increased, and the flexibility is high. A bellows portion 26 can be provided.

  Even if the suction tube is configured as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, for example, the same effect can be achieved. The suction tube according to the first modification will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6. In the suction tube 10A, as shown in an enlarged view in FIG. 6, the bellows portion 26A has a bellows having a large outer diameter. A first flexible portion 32A having a mountain portion 36A and a second flexible portion 34A having a bellows mountain portion 38A having a small outer diameter are provided. The first flexible part 32A is composed of one bellows peak part 36A, and the second flexible part 34A is composed of one bellows peak part 38A. These first flexible part 32A (one bellows peak part 36A) and The second flexible portions 34A (one bellows crest portion 38A) are alternately arranged in the axial direction (left-right direction in FIGS. 5 and 6).

  Since the suction tube 10A including the bellows portion 26A includes the first flexible portion 32A, the flexibility (flexibility) of the bellows portion 26A can be increased. Further, in this modified embodiment, the first flexible portion 32A (the bellows crest portion 36A having a large outer diameter) and the second flexible portion 34A (the bellows crest portion 38A having a small outer diameter) are alternately provided. The flexibility of the entire bellows portion 26A can be increased.

  Even if the suction tube is configured as shown in FIG. 7, for example, the same effect can be achieved. Referring to FIG. 7, the suction tube of the second modification will be described. In this suction tube 10 </ b> B, as shown in an enlarged view in FIG. 7, the bellows portion 26 </ b> B has a bellows mountain portion 36 </ b> B having a large outer diameter. And a second flexible portion 34B having a bellows crest portion 38B having a small outer diameter. The first flexible portion 32B is composed of two bellows mountain portions 36A, and the second flexible portion 34A is composed of one bellows mountain portion 38B, and these first flexible portions 32B (two bellows mountain portions 36B) and The second flexible portions 34B (one bellows crest portion 38B) are alternately arranged in the axial direction (left-right direction in FIGS. 5 and 6).

  Since the suction tube 10B provided with such a bellows part 26B also includes the first flexible part 32B, the flexibility (flexibility) of the bellows part 26B can be increased. Further, in this modification, the first flexible portion 32B (two bellows crest portions 36B) and the second flexible portion 34B (one bellows crest portion 38B) are alternately provided, so that the entire bellows portion 26B is provided. The flexibility can increase the flexibility (softness) more than the first modification described above.

  In the second modification, the first flexible portion 32B is composed of two bellows mountain portions 36B, the second flexible portion 34B is composed of one bellows mountain portion 38B, and the bellows mountain of the first flexible portion 32B. The portion 36B is provided more than the bellows crest portion 38B of the second flexible portion 34B. However, the present invention is not limited to such a configuration, and the first flexible portion 32B is composed of, for example, one bellows crest portion 36B. For example, the two flexible portions 34B may be configured by two bellows crest portions 38B, and the bellows crest portions 36B of the first flexible portion 32B may be provided less than the bellows crest portions 38B of the second flexible portion 34B. The number of bellows crest portions 36B and 38B of the first and second flexible portions 32B and 34B can be set as appropriate.

  In the suction tube described above, the outer diameter of the bellows peak portion of the bellows portion is increased to increase flexibility (flexibility). However, the pitch of the bellows peak portion is reduced to increase flexibility (flexibility). You may make it raise.

  The suction tube according to the third modification will be described with reference to FIG. 8. In the suction tube 10C, the bellows portion 26C has a small pitch P1 between the peaks as shown in FIG. The first flexible portion 32C having the bellows crest portion 36C and the second flexible portion 34C having the bellows crest portion 38C having a large pitch P2 between the crest portions are provided. In this modification, the outer diameters of the bellows crest portions 36C and 38C of the first and second flexible portions 32C and 34C of the bellows portion 26C are formed to be about 9 to 10 mm, and the bellows crest portion 36C of the first flexible portion 32C. The pitch P1 between them is formed around 1.5 mm, and the pitch P2 between the bellows portions 38C of the second flexible portion 34C is formed around 2.5 mm. With this configuration, the first flexible portion 32C is formed. The flexibility (softness) of the second flexible portion 34C can be increased. For example, when formed as disclosed in the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Publication No. 7-4561, the thickness between the bellows crests becomes thinner and the thickness becomes thinner, so that a flexible bellows is formed. Can do.

  The first flexible portion 32C can be provided at both ends and the central portion of the bellows portion 26C of the suction tube 10C as in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, and by configuring in this way, The same effect as described above is achieved. The first flexible portion 32C may be provided only at both ends of the bellows portion 26C.

Such first and second flexible portions having different peak pitches may be provided as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, and in this case, the flexibility (flexibility) of the entire bellows portion is increased. be able to. For example, the first flexible portion is configured from two (three or more) bellows ridges having a small pitch P1, and the second possible from two (three or more) bellows ridges having a large pitch P2. You may make it comprise a bending part and arrange | position these 1st flexible parts and 2nd flexible parts by turns in an axial direction.
As mentioned above, although embodiment of the sprayer according to this invention was described, this invention is not limited to this embodiment, A various deformation | transformation thru | or correction | amendment are possible, without deviating from the scope of the present invention.

  For example, in the embodiment described above, in order to increase the flexibility, the outer diameter of the bellows mountain portion is increased in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 7, and the pitch of the bellows mountain portion is decreased in the embodiment shown in FIG. However, these configurations may be combined, that is, the outer diameter of the bellows peak portion may be increased and the pitch of the bellows peak portion may be decreased.

The schematic sectional drawing which shows the sprayer by one Embodiment of this invention. The schematic sectional drawing which shows the sprayer in the use condition by which the container main body of FIG. 1 was inverted. The partial front view which looked at a part of suction tube in the sprayer of FIG. 1 from the front. The enlarged view which shows the part of the area | region A in FIG. The partial front view which looked at a part of suction tube of the 1st modification from the front. The elements on larger scale which show the part of the area | region B in FIG. The enlarged view which expands and shows a part of suction tube of a 2nd deformation | transformation form. The enlarged view which expands and shows a part of suction tube of a 3rd deformation | transformation form.

Explanation of symbols

2 Sprayer 4 Container body 8 Spray head 10, 10A, 10B, 10C Suction tube 14 Weight 26, 26A, 26B, 26C Bellows part 32, 32A, 32B, 32C First flexible part 34, 34A, 34B, 34C Second Flexible part 36, 36A, 36B, 36C, 38, 38A, 38B, 38C Bellows mountain

Claims (5)

A container body for containing a liquid; a spray head attached to an opening of the container body; a suction tube extending from the spray head into the container body; and a tip of the suction tube. In a normal use state in which the suction tube is provided with a flexible bellows portion and the spray head is on the upper side, the tip of the suction tube is caused by its own weight. In an inverted use state where the portion is immersed in the liquid accumulated in the bottom of the container body and the spray head is on the lower side, the bellows portion of the suction tube is curved by the weight of the weight, and the tip thereof In a sprayer in which the part is immersed in the liquid accumulated on the spray head side of the container body,
The bellows part of the suction tube has first and second flexible parts having different flexibility characteristics, and the first flexible part is more flexible than the second flexible part. A nebulizer characterized by.   2. The sprayer according to claim 1, wherein the bellows crest portion of the first flexible portion has a larger outer diameter than the bellows crest portion of the second flexible portion.   The sprayer according to claim 1, wherein a bellows pitch of the first flexible part is smaller than a bellows pitch of the second flexible part.   The sprayer according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the first flexible portion is provided at at least both ends of the bellows portion.   The sprayer according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first flexible part and the second flexible part are alternately provided in the axial direction of the bellows part.

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