JP2016120940A - Foam discharging container - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a foam discharge container that prevents a decrease in quantity of foamy content liquid discharged and degradation of foam quality, by speedily feeding liquid content to a mixing chamber at an initial stage before the content liquid reaches the mixing chamber from a liquid passage, during subsequent use of the content liquid.SOLUTION: A foam discharging container 21 includes a foam discharging mechanism 23 that feeds accommodated content liquid into a mixing chamber 51 by opening an opening/closing valve 52 provided in a liquid passage 50, feeds air in the container body 22 to the mixing chamber 51 via an air passage 53, mixes the fed content liquid and air in the mixing chamber 51, passes the mixture through foaming members 54a, 54b, thereby foaming the content liquid, and discharges it as foamy content liquid from a nozzle part 26. The foaming mechanism 23 has a liquid storage part 55 that is interposed between the passage final end 53a of the air passage 53 and the foaming member 54a and that is formed from, for example, a porous material 56 for storing, in a portion adjacent to, preferably, the mixing chamber 51, some of content liquid flowing toward the mixing chamber 51 during discharge of the content liquid.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to a foam discharge container, and in particular, relates to a foam discharge container including a foam discharge mechanism that mixes a content liquid and air in a mixing chamber, foams the liquid by passing through a foaming member, and discharges the foamed foam.

  For example, a pump former container or a squeeze foamer container is known as a foam discharge container including a foam discharge mechanism that discharges the liquid contained in the container body in the form of foam. The pump former container is provided with a pump mechanism comprising a cylinder portion incorporating a piston for sucking, pressurizing and discharging the content liquid and a piston for sucking, pressurizing and discharging the air as a foam discharge mechanism. . The pump former container operates each piston of the pump mechanism by pushing the pump head part, pressurizes and discharges the liquid and air in the cylinder part, mixes them in the mixing chamber, and passes the foamed member. The liquid contents are discharged in the form of bubbles (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  In addition, the squeeze foamer container holds the flexible bottle-shaped container body and performs a squeeze operation (pressing operation) to reduce the volume of the container body, and is accommodated inside the container body. The mixed liquid and air are fed into the mixing chamber of the foam discharge mechanism attached to the nozzle cap, mixed, foamed by passing through a foam member (porous body), and discharged from the discharge nozzle as foam (For example, see Patent Document 2).

  On the other hand, as a container that discharges the content liquid stored in the container body, a discharge container that sends out the content liquid to the nozzle portion and discharges it by pressing the liquid surface of the content liquid by the pressure of air supplied to the container body. It is known (see, for example, Patent Document 3). Even in such a discharge container that discharges the content liquid by the air supplied to the container body, the content liquid and the air are fed into the mixing chamber and mixed as a discharge mechanism for the content liquid, and provided downstream of the mixing chamber. It is possible to use as a foam discharge container by providing a foam discharge mechanism that allows the foamed member to pass through to be foamed and discharged from the nozzle portion.

JP 7-315463 A JP 2011-51622 A JP-A-8-238317

  In the conventional foam discharge container, an opening / closing valve (check valve) made of, for example, a ball valve is provided at the end (upper end) of the liquid flow path for sending the content liquid to the mixing chamber. When the content liquid is pressurized when the content liquid is used, the on-off valve is opened so that the content liquid can be sent to the mixing chamber. Moreover, when the use of the content liquid is finished and the content liquid is no longer pressurized, the on-off valve is closed, and the content liquid can be kept inside the liquid flow path below the on-off valve. It is like that.

  However, in the conventional foam discharge container, from the state where the content liquid is pressurized when the content liquid is used and the on-off valve is opened, until the content liquid is no longer pressurized and the on-off valve is closed, Since there is a slight time difference, the liquid level of the content liquid filled in the region between the on-off valve and the mixing chamber is lowered by this time difference, so that the content in the region between the on-off valve and the mixing chamber is reduced. A void portion where no liquid exists is generated. For this reason, even if the content liquid is pressurized during the next use of the content liquid and the on-off valve is opened, the content liquid starts to be sent out from the liquid flow path due to the gap formed in the region between the on-off valve and the mixing chamber. In the initial stage until the content liquid reaches the mixing chamber, a sufficient amount of the content liquid cannot be fed into the mixing chamber, and the amount of discharged content liquid due to foam decreases and the quality of the foam decreases. It becomes easy to invite.

  In the present invention, the content liquid is pressurized at the next use of the content liquid, and a desired amount of the content liquid is quickly supplied at an initial stage until the content liquid that has started to be sent out from the liquid flow path reaches the mixing chamber. It is possible to provide a foam discharge container that can be effectively fed into the mixing chamber and can effectively prevent the amount of foam-like content liquid discharged from being reduced or the foam quality from being deteriorated in the initial stage. For the purpose.

  According to the present invention, the content liquid stored in the container body is sent to the mixing chamber by opening an on-off valve provided in the liquid channel, and the air inside the container body is sent to the mixing chamber via the air channel. Foam discharge in which the content liquid and air that are fed in are mixed in the mixing chamber, foamed by passing through a foaming member provided on the downstream side of the mixing chamber, and discharged from the nozzle portion as a foam-like content liquid A foam discharge container comprising a mechanism, wherein the foam discharge mechanism is interposed between a flow path end of the air flow path and the foaming member, and is one of the content liquids directed to the mixing chamber when the content liquid is discharged. The above object is achieved by providing a foam discharge container having a liquid storage part for storing the part.

  According to the foam discharge container of the present invention, the content liquid is pressurized at the next use of the content liquid, and the desired content liquid starts to be delivered from the liquid flow path until reaching the mixing chamber. It is possible to quickly feed the amount of the content liquid into the mixing chamber, and it is possible to effectively suppress a decrease in the discharge amount of the foam-like content liquid at the initial stage and a decrease in the foam quality. .

It is a perspective view of the dispenser which attaches and uses the foam discharge container which concerns on preferable one Embodiment of this invention so that attachment or detachment is possible. It is sectional drawing of the foam discharge container which concerns on preferable one Embodiment of this invention. It is the principal part half cross-section perspective view and A section enlarged view of the foam discharge container which concerns on preferable one Embodiment of this invention. It is a disassembled perspective view of the dispenser main body of a dispenser. It is the principal part half section perspective view and B section enlarged view of the foam discharge mechanism attached to the foam discharge container concerning other desirable embodiments of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a foam discharge container 21 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is detachably attached to a dispenser body 11 of a dispenser 10 used in a hospital or a nursing facility, for example, preferably in a cartridge form. Used interchangeably. That is, the foam discharge container 21 of this embodiment preferably constitutes the dispenser 10 together with the dispenser body 11. The dispenser 10 is an electric type equipped with an air pump 13 and a control unit 15 (see FIG. 4). As the content liquid contained in the container body 22 of the foam discharge container 21, for example, a cleaning agent such as a hand soap is preferably used. Is used as a device that automatically discharges a predetermined amount in a foam form by directly holding the hand over the sensor unit 20 of the dispenser main body 11 without directly touching the dispenser 10 with the hand.

  In the foam discharge container 21 of the present embodiment, preferably, air supplied from an air pump 13 provided in the dispenser main body 11 is sent into the container main body 22 as pressurized air (compressed air). By pressing the liquid level of the content liquid contained in the liquid, the content liquid is sent out to the nozzle portion 26 and discharged in the form of bubbles.

  In addition, the foam discharge container 21 of the present embodiment discharges the content liquid in the form of bubbles by the dispenser 10 and then uses the air supplied from the air pump 13 of the dispenser main body 11 at the next use of the content liquid. In the initial stage until the content liquid that has started to be sent out from the liquid flow path 50 (see FIG. 2) reaches the mixing chamber 51 (see FIG. 2), the discharge amount of the foam-like content liquid is It is provided with a function that makes it possible to effectively suppress a decrease or a decrease in foam quality.

  And the foam discharge container 21 of this embodiment opens the opening-closing valve 52 provided in the liquid flow path 50, and the mixing liquid 51 contained in the content liquid accommodated in the container main body 22 as shown in FIG.2 and FIG.3. And the air inside the container body 22 is sent to the mixing chamber 51 through the air flow path 53, and the content liquid and the air thus fed are mixed in the mixing chamber 51, and provided downstream of the mixing chamber 51. A foam discharge mechanism 23 is provided for causing foaming by passing through the foamed members 54a and 54b and discharging the foamed liquid from the nozzle portion 26 as a foam-like content liquid. The foam discharge mechanism 23 is interposed between the flow path end of the air flow path 53 and the foam member 54a, and has a liquid storage portion 55 that stores a part of the content liquid toward the mixing chamber 51 when the content liquid is discharged. Have. The end of the flow path of this embodiment is an end opening 53a (see FIG. 3) of the air flow path 53, and is interposed between the end opening 53a and the foam member 54a, and preferably close to the mixing chamber 51. The part has a liquid storage part 55 for storing a part of the content liquid directed to the mixing chamber 51 at the time of discharge of the content liquid after completion of the discharge. In the present embodiment, the liquid storage part 55 is formed by a porous material 56 that, for example, absorbs and stores the content liquid. The end opening 53 a of the air flow channel 53 is a portion located on the mixing chamber 51 side of the air flow channel 53, and is a portion close to a portion where the air flow channel 53 merges with the liquid flow channel 50. Thus, the liquid storage part 55 is disposed close to the portion where the flow path end of the air flow path 53 and the liquid flow path 50 merge.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the liquid storage part 55 is preferably provided between the end opening 53a (flow path end) of the air flow path 53 and the mixing chamber 51, more preferably. The liquid part 55 is provided adjacent to the end opening 53 a (flow path end) of the air flow path 53.

  As described above, the foam discharge container 21 of the present embodiment presses the liquid level of the content liquid (the liquid level of the content liquid inside the pressurization chamber 30) with the air supplied to the container main body 22, so that the container The content liquid stored in the main body 22 is sent to the mixing chamber 51 via the liquid flow path 50, and the air inside the container main body 22 is sent to the mixing chamber 51 via the air flow path 53. . Further, as described above, the foam discharge container 21 is used by being detachably mounted on the dispenser body 11 of the dispenser 10 including the air supply mechanism including the air pump 13 and supplied to the container body 22 from the air supply mechanism. The air level of the content liquid stored in the container body 22 is pressed by the air.

  Further, in the foam discharge container 21 of the present embodiment, the container body 22 has a double structure including an outer container 29 and a pressurized chamber 30 disposed inside the outer container 29. And the pressurizing chamber 30 communicate with each other through a circulation port 39 provided with a bottom opening / closing valve 39a. The air is supplied to the pressurizing chamber 30 to press the liquid level of the content liquid stored in the pressurizing chamber 30, and the air inside the pressurizing chamber 30 is sent to the mixing chamber 51. Further, when the supply of air to the pressurization chamber 30 is stopped, the delivery of the content liquid to the nozzle portion 26 by the air is stopped.

  The bottom opening / closing valve 39a blocks the outflow of the content liquid from the inside of the pressurizing chamber 30 to the outer container 29 side due to the pressure state by the air inside the pressurizing chamber 30, or from the outer container 29 side to the pressurizing chamber It functions as a check valve that allows the content liquid to flow into the interior of 30. That is, the bottom opening / closing valve 39a blocks the flow of the content liquid from the inside to the outer container 29 side when the inside of the pressurizing chamber 30 is supplied and pressurized with air, for example. In a state in which the pressurization by the internal air is released, it functions as a check valve that allows the content liquid to flow into the inside from the outer container 29 side.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 4, the dispenser 10 includes a foam discharge container 21 and a dispenser main body 11 having an air supply mechanism for detachably mounting the foam discharge container 21. Consists of including. The dispenser 10 is preferably an electric dispenser that discharges the content liquid stored in the container body 22 by the air supplied from the dispenser body 11.

  The foam discharge container 21 includes a container main body 22 and a foam discharge mechanism 23 attached to the mouth portion 22a (see FIG. 2) of the container main body 22. As shown in FIG. 2, the foam discharge mechanism 23 communicates with the air supply pipe 14 (see FIG. 1) of the dispenser main body 11 to send the supplied air into the container main body 22, and the container A liquid flow path 50 is provided for sending the content liquid pressed by the pressurized air inside the main body 22 to the mixing chamber 51. The air passage portion 24 is provided with an exhaust valve 27 that degass the internal pressure air from the air passage portion 24 to the outside air when the supply of air from the air pump 13 is stopped. Note that it is not always necessary to provide the exhaust valve 27 in the air passage portion 24. Preferably, for example, an exhaust passage by a notch or a small hole formed in the upper end portion of the pressurizing chamber 30 is provided, or formed on the top plate 32a of the nozzle cap portion 32 in a portion where the upper end surface of the pressurizing chamber 30 abuts. An exhaust passage by a notch can also be provided. When the supply of air from the air pump 13 is stopped, the pressure inside the pressurizing chamber 30 can be degassed to the outside of the pressurizing chamber 30 through these exhaust passages. These exhaust passages preferably do not allow the content liquid to pass through, but have a small flow channel cross-section that is large enough to allow air to pass through.

  The dispenser main body 11 which comprises the dispenser 10 with the foam discharge container 21 of this embodiment is a part used as the principal part of the dispenser 10. FIG. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the dispenser body 11 is an electric type equipped with an air pump 13 and a control unit 15, and as an air supply mechanism, an air pump 13, an air supply pipe 14, and a control unit 15. (See FIG. 4). The dispenser main body 11 is equipped with an air pump 13 of an air supply mechanism for attaching the foam discharge container 21 to the holder portion 12 so as to be attachable and detachable and supplying air to the foam discharge container 21 as pressurized air. The dispenser main body 11 is attached to a base portion 16 in which an air pump 13 and the like are disposed, a support column portion 17 provided to stand vertically upward from a peripheral portion of the base device portion 16, and the support column portion 17. The connecting joint portion 18 and the neck holder portion 19 are included.

  In this embodiment, the base portion 16 has a hollow, flat, and substantially cylindrical shape in which the upper and lower opening surfaces are covered by the top plate 16a and the bottom plate 16b. Inside the hollow portion of the base portion 16, an air pump 13, a driving device 13a thereof, a control board as the control portion 15 of the air supply mechanism, and the like are disposed. The control unit 15 incorporates a control circuit, a signal processing circuit, and the like, and controls driving of the air pump 13 by the driving device 13a. The bottom plate 16b of the base portion 16 is formed with a battery box 16c for storing batteries in a replaceable manner. An upright sleeve 16 d for erecting the support column 17 is provided on the peripheral portion of the top plate 16 a of the base unit 16. The standing sleeve 16 d protrudes upward from the top plate 16 a and is provided in communication with the air pump 13. By inserting and fixing the lower end portion of the column portion 17 to the standing sleeve 16d in a state where the outer peripheral surface thereof is airtightly adhered to the inner peripheral surface, the column portion 17 stands vertically upward from the top plate 16a. Can be installed. A flat upper surface of the top plate 16a of the base portion 16 other than the portion from which the standing sleeve 16d protrudes, together with the neck holder portion 19, forms a holder portion 12 that holds the discharge container 21 in a detachable manner.

  In addition, the battery accommodated in the battery box 16c can use a rechargeable battery other than a dry battery. The air supply mechanism may be of a type that obtains electric power by connecting to an outlet.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the sensor unit 20 is provided so as to protrude outward from the outer peripheral surface of the region of the base unit 16 that is radially opposed to the portion where the standing sleeve 16d protrudes. The sensor unit 20 is a substantially bottomed cylindrical portion that opens upward, and a sensor 20a is disposed therein. As the sensor 20a, for example, various known sensors known as human sensors such as a pyroelectric sensor, a sensor including an infrared light emitting diode and an infrared light receiving diode, and the like can be used. The sensor 20 a is connected to a control board or the like as the control unit 15 provided in the base unit 16. The control unit 15 receives a signal detected by the sensor 20a when a human body such as a hand or arm or an object such as a sponge or a brush is held over the sensor 20a, and starts driving the air pump 13 by the driving device 13a. So that it can be controlled. The control board includes an integrated circuit, electronic components such as resistors, wiring, and the like provided on the board, and is electrically connected to the battery, the air pump 13, the sensor 20a, and the like. When the controller 15 causes the LED to blink when the voltage drops, or when the power switch is turned on, or when the operation of discharging a predetermined amount of content liquid is finished, the sensor 20a It is also possible to set a dead time in which no signal input is accepted.

  The support | pillar part 17 consists of a hollow pipe-shaped member. An air supply pipe 14 of an air supply mechanism that feeds air supplied from the air pump 13 into the air passage portion 24 of the discharge container 21 is provided in the hollow interior of the support column 17 together with the connection joint portion 18 attached to the upper end portion. It has been. The air supply pipe 14 can be formed by disposing, for example, a tube member that allows the air pump 13 and the connection joint portion 18 to communicate with each other inside the column portion 17. As described above, the support column portion 17 is vertically fixed from the peripheral portion of the top plate 16a by inserting and fixing the lower end portion thereof in close contact with the standing sleeve 16d protruding from the top plate 16a. It is attached to the base part 16. A neck holder portion 19 is attached to the upper middle portion of the column portion 17 while being supported by the column portion 17. A connection joint portion 18 is attached to the upper end portion of the column portion 17 in a close contact state.

  The neck holder portion 19 is a member provided by projecting an overhanging plate portion 19 a from the support column portion 17 to the inside in the radial direction of the base portion 16. The neck holder portion 19 includes an attachment base portion 19b and an overhang plate portion 19a. The overhang plate portion 19a is provided so as to be bent vertically from the upper end portion of the mounting base portion 19b. The attachment base portion 19b includes a sandwiching surface portion 19c that is a semicircular curved surface having an inner diameter similar to the outer diameter of the support column portion 17, and a pair of joining flange portions 19d. The joint flange portion 19d is provided so as to protrude laterally from both side edge portions of the sandwiching surface portion 19c. The neck holder portion 19 is attached by projecting an overhanging plate portion 19a at a predetermined height position of the column portion 17 using an auxiliary fixing member 19g having a shape substantially similar to that of the attachment base portion 19b. That is, the auxiliary fixing member 19g protrudes laterally from the opposing sandwiching surface portion 19e that is a semicircular curved surface having an inner diameter similar to the outer diameter of the support column portion 17, and both side edges of the opposing sandwiching surface portion 19e. And a pair of opposed joint flange portions 19f provided. A pair of joint flange portions 19d and a pair of opposing joint flanges with the support column portion 17 sandwiched between the sandwiching surface portion 19c of the attachment base portion 19b of the neck holder portion 19 and the opposing sandwiching surface portion 19e of the auxiliary fixing member 19g. By joining the portions 19f, the neck holder portion 19 is attached to the column portion 17 at a predetermined height position by overhanging the overhanging plate portion 19a.

  The overhanging plate portion 19 a is a plate-like portion that protrudes from the support column portion 17 inward of the base portion 16 in a cantilever shape. As shown in FIG. 4, the overhanging plate portion 19 a is formed with a neck mounting cut 19 h that is recessed from the side portion on the overhanging tip side toward the mounting base portion 19 b. The neck portion mounting cut 19h has an arc-shaped portion 19i at a portion on the mounting base portion 19b side. The arc-shaped portion 19i has an arc shape that is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the upper neck portion 29d of the outer container neck portion 29e, which will be described later, of the container body 22 of the discharge container 21 and has an inner diameter substantially the same as this. Yes. The arc-shaped portion 19i is formed with a circumferential length exceeding a semicircle, and is connected to a mounting introduction portion 19j that extends in a tapered shape at a portion on the protruding tip side.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the foam discharge container 21 includes an annular locking rib 29f, which will be described later, provided on the upper neck part 29d of the outer container neck part 29e of the container body 22, and an upper stage neck part. An annular locking groove 29h is formed in a portion between 29d and a later-described combo cap 31 (see FIG. 2). The bottom portion of the container body 22 is placed on the top surface of the top plate 16a of the base portion 16, and the portion of the annular locking groove 29h is pushed into the neck mounting notch 19h of the overhang plate portion 19a, so that the peripheral edge of the arc-shaped portion 19i The foam discharge container 21 is detachably attached to the dispenser main body 11 by locking the portion in the annular locking groove 29h. That is, the top plate 16a of the base portion 16 and the neck holder portion 19 form a holder portion 12 for attaching the foam discharge container 21 to the dispenser body 11 so as to be detachable and replaceable.

  The connection joint portion 18 changes the longitudinal flow path of the air supply pipe 14 by the support column portion 17 in the lateral direction, and connects a communication sleeve portion 35 to be described later that forms the air passage portion 24 of the foam discharge container 21. It is a hollow member to be made. The connection joint portion 18 includes a column-shaped column-side connection portion 18a having a cylindrical shape, and a cylindrical container-side connection portion 18b provided to project radially inward from the outer peripheral surface of the column-side connection portion 18a. It consists of. The strut-side connecting portion 18 a has an inner diameter similar to the outer diameter of the strut portion 17, and the inner peripheral surface of the strut-side connection portion 18 a is in close contact with the outer peripheral surface of the strut portion 17 in the airtight state. Mounted and fixed. The container-side connection portion 18b has an inner diameter that is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the communication sleeve portion 35 of the foam discharge container 21 and substantially the same as this. A known sealing member such as an O-ring is disposed inside the container side connecting portion 18b. When the foam discharge container 21 is attached to the dispenser main body 11 via the holder part 12 by the top plate 16a of the base part 16 and the neck holder part 19, the distal end portion of the communication sleeve part 35 of the foam discharge container 21 is It inserts in the container side connection part 18b so that attachment or detachment is possible. Thereby, the air supply pipe 14 by the connection joint part 18 and the support | pillar part 17 and the air channel | path 24 of the foam discharge container 21 will communicate airtightly.

  And the foam discharge container 21 of this embodiment which comprises the dispenser 10 with the dispenser main body 11 becomes a cartridge type container which accommodated cleaning agents, such as a hand soap, as a content liquid, and it can attach or detach and replace with the dispenser main body 11. Used by mounting. As shown in FIG. 2, the foam discharge container 21 includes a container main body 22 and a foam discharge mechanism 23 attached to the mouth portion 22 a of the container main body 22.

  In the present embodiment, the container body 22 has a double structure in which the pressurized chamber 30 is disposed as an inner container inside the outer container 29. The foam discharge mechanism 23 has a former function in which the content liquid sent out from the pressurized chamber 30 of the container body 22 is mixed with air in the foam passage 25 to the nozzle portion 26 and discharged in a foamed state. Yes. The gas-liquid ratio of the air and the content liquid mixed and foamed by the foam discharge mechanism 23 having a former function is preferably 5: 1 or more, more preferably 10: 1 or more. In the present embodiment, the dispenser body 11 is electrically operated, so that the content liquid foamed to a high gas-liquid ratio can be continuously discharged in a large amount. When the dispenser body 11 is electrically operated, the gas-liquid ratio of the mixed air and the content liquid is preferably 10: 1 or more, more preferably 15: 1 or more, from the viewpoint of foam quality, amount of foam or economy. Particularly preferably, it is 20: 1 or more, preferably 100: 1 or less, more preferably 60: 1 or less.

  In the present embodiment, the outer container 29 of the container body 22 is a bottle-shaped blow-molded product made of, for example, a synthetic resin, and is continuous with a bottomed body part 29a that stores the content liquid and an upper end part of the body part 29a. A curved dome-shaped shoulder portion 29b, and an outer container neck portion 29e provided so as to protrude upward from the upper end portion of the shoulder portion 29b. The outer container neck portion 29e includes a lower neck portion 29c and an upper neck portion 29d. On the upper neck portion 29d of the outer container neck portion 29e, an annular locking rib 29f is formed on the base end side adjacent to the lower neck portion 29c. The annular locking rib 29f projects outward and is provided continuously in the circumferential direction. . A male thread ridge 29g is formed on the upper portion of the upper neck portion 29d above the annular locking rib 29f. A combo cap 31 having a female threaded ridge 31a formed on the inner peripheral surface of the peripheral wall for fixing the pressurizing chamber 30 to the outer container 29 is provided on the upper neck part 29d formed with the male threaded ridge 29g. Fastened. With the combo cap 31 fastened to the upper neck portion 29d, the neck mounting cut 19h of the neck holder portion 19 is locked at a portion between the annular locking rib 29f and the lower end of the combo cap 31. An annular locking groove 29h is formed.

  The pressurizing chamber 30 of the container body 22 is an injection molded product made of, for example, a synthetic resin. The pressurizing chamber 30 has an elongated, hollow, substantially cylindrical shape that gradually increases in diameter from the bottomed bottom end. The pressurizing chamber 30 has an outer diameter that can be inserted inside the outer container neck portion 29e. The pressurizing chamber 30 is preferably arranged up to the vicinity of the bottom of the outer container 29. Specifically, the pressurizing chamber 30 is formed to have a length extending from the vicinity of the bottom of the outer container 29 through the outer container neck part 29e to the upper part of the upper stage neck part 29d. The upper end portion of the pressurizing chamber 30 is a portion that becomes the mouth portion 22 a of the container body 22. An annular mounting rib 30a is formed at a boundary portion of the pressurizing chamber 30 with the upper end portion serving as the mouth portion 22a, and projects outward and continues in the circumferential direction. In the annular mounting rib 30a, grooves that extend from the inner peripheral edge to the outer peripheral edge are formed on the upper surface and the lower surface. The annular mounting rib 30a is placed on the upper end surface of the upper neck portion 29d of the outer container mouth portion 29e with an O-ring combo cap seal 40a interposed therebetween, and these are placed on the upper end surface of the upper neck portion 29d and the upper end surface of the upper neck portion 29d. The combo cap 31 is fastened to the upper neck part 29d while being sandwiched between the cap 31 and the annular top plate 31b.

  As a result, the pressurizing chamber 30 is fixed integrally to the outer container 29 in a state of being hung from the outer container neck portion 29e to the inside of the trunk portion 29a. Further, by this, the upper end portion of the pressurizing chamber 30 that becomes the mouth portion 22a of the container body 22 is cylindrically shaped above the annular top plate 31b via the opening region inside the annular top plate 31b of the combo cap 31. It protrudes and is arranged. An external thread 22b is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the mouth part 22a by the upper end portion of the pressurizing chamber 30. When the nozzle cap part 32 with the female threaded ridge 32b formed on the inner peripheral surface of the peripheral wall part is fastened to the mouth part 22a with the male threaded ridge 22b formed, the foam discharge mechanism 23 is connected to the container. It is attached to the main body 22 as a unit.

  In the state where the combo cap 31 is fastened to the upper neck part 29d and the pressurizing chamber 30 is fixed to the outer container neck part 29e, the inner peripheral part of the combo cap seal 40a and the outer peripheral surface of the pressurizing chamber 30 are By interposing the gap between them and the above-mentioned grooves formed on the upper and lower surfaces of the annular mounting rib 30a, the inside of the outer container 29 maintained water-stopping properties so that the liquid contents did not leak but air could be sucked in. In a state, it becomes possible to communicate with the outside air. Accordingly, it is possible to effectively avoid that the liquid supply from the outer container 29 to the pressurizing chamber 30 is hindered due to the negative pressure inside the outer container 29.

  Furthermore, in the present embodiment, a circulation port 39 that communicates the outer container 29 and the pressurized chamber 30 is formed at the bottom of the pressurized chamber 30. The flow port 39 is preferably provided with a float valve as the bottom opening / closing valve 39a. For example, in a state where the inside of the pressurizing chamber 30 is pressurized by the air fed into the bottom opening / closing valve 39a, the bottom liquid on / off valve 39a blocks the flow of the content liquid from the inside to the outer container 29 side through the circulation port 39. In a state where the pressurization by the air inside the pressure chamber 30 is released, the pressure chamber 30 functions as a check valve that allows the content liquid to flow into the inside from the outer container 29 via the flow port 39.

  The float valve used as the bottom opening / closing valve 39a can enlarge the valve body as much as possible so that the replenishment of the internal solution to the pressurization chamber 30 can be completed in a short time when the flow port 39 is lifted and opened. It is also preferable that the flow opening 39 can be opened as much as possible when ascending. The float valve can be formed by using a material having a large specific gravity difference from the content liquid to make the valve body float easily. For example, the buoyancy can be further increased by making the inside of the valve body hollow. . The float valve can be operated in the most stable state by making the valve body into a spherical shape. By making the valve body shape of the float valve into a flat valve body, the remaining amount of the content liquid remaining near the bottom of the pressurizing chamber 30 can be reduced.

  The pressurizing chamber 30 is a cylinder having a circular cross section in which the internal pressure is less concentrated so that the amount of resin used can be reduced, the cost can be reduced, and the rigidity that does not deform with respect to the internal pressure can be obtained efficiently. It is preferable to form in a shape. The pressurizing chamber 30 preferably has a length reaching the bottom of the outer container 29 so that the content liquid remaining at the bottom of the outer container 29 can be used efficiently. The flow port 39 and the bottom opening / closing valve 39a It is preferably provided at the bottom of the pressurizing chamber 30. It is preferable that a dip tube 38 to be described later disposed inside the pressurized chamber 30 has a length that reaches the vicinity of the bottom of the pressurized chamber 30.

  In the present embodiment, the pressurizing chamber 30 has a cylindrical shape or a substantially cylindrical shape with an inner diameter of, for example, about 3 to 30 mm, preferably about 4 to 25 mm, and more preferably about 5 to 20 mm, for example, 50 to 150 mm. The length is preferably about 100 to 145 mm. Further, it is preferable that an interval of about 0.5 to 10 mm is maintained between the inner peripheral surface of the pressurizing chamber 30 and the dip tube 38, and between the bottom surface of the pressurizing chamber 30 and the dip tube. It is preferable that an interval of about 1 to 20 mm is maintained. Moreover, in this embodiment, polyolefin, such as polyethylene and polypropylene, polystyrene, PET, polycarbonate, acrylic, polyamide, polyacetal, vinyl chloride, and the like can be preferably used as the synthetic resin for forming the pressure chamber 30.

  In the present embodiment, the foam discharge mechanism 23 attached to the mouth portion 22a of the container body 22 communicates with the air supply pipe 14 (see FIG. 1) of the dispenser body 11 to supply the supplied air as described above. An air passage portion 24 that feeds into the container body 22 and a liquid flow path 50 that feeds the content liquid pressed by pressurized air inside the container body 22 (pressure chamber 30) to the mixing chamber 51 are provided. In addition, as described above, the foam discharge mechanism 23 sends the content liquid stored in the container body 22 to the mixing chamber 51 by opening the opening / closing valve 52 provided in the liquid flow path 50, and the container body 22 ( The air inside the pressurizing chamber 30) is sent to the mixing chamber 51 via the air flow path 53, and the content liquid and the air that have been sent are mixed in the mixing chamber 51, and are provided downstream of the mixing chamber 51. It is made to foam by letting the foaming members 54a and 54b pass, and it is made to discharge from the nozzle part 26 as a foam-like content liquid.

  Furthermore, in this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the foam discharge mechanism 23 includes a nozzle cap part 32, a longitudinal channel pipe part 33, an extension nozzle pipe part 34, and a communication sleeve part 35. The former joint 37 and the dip tube 38 are included. The vertical flow path pipe portion 33 is provided so as to vertically penetrate the top plate 32 a of the nozzle cap portion 32. The extension nozzle pipe portion 34 communicates with the upper end portion of the longitudinal channel pipe portion 33 inside the communication base portion 36, and is provided so as to extend in the lateral direction passing above the nozzle cap portion 32. A nozzle portion 26 is provided at the tip portion. The communication sleeve portion 35 is provided so as to protrude from the communication base portion 36 to the side opposite to the extension nozzle pipe portion 34. The former joint 37 is attached so as to cover the lower end opening of the longitudinal channel pipe portion 33. The dip tube 38 is attached to the tube attachment portion 57 h of the lower cylindrical portion 57 b of the former joint 37 at the upper end portion and extends to the vicinity of the bottom portion of the pressurizing chamber 30.

  The nozzle cap portion 32 includes a circular top plate 32a and a peripheral wall portion extending downward from the peripheral portion of the top plate 32a. A female thread protrusion 32b is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the peripheral wall portion. A male thread ridge 22b is formed on the outer peripheral surface with an O-ring-shaped nozzle cap seal 40b interposed between the upper end surface of the mouth portion 22a of the container body 22 and the top surface plate 32a of the nozzle cap portion 32. The nozzle cap part 32 is fastened to the closed mouth part 22a (see FIGS. 1 and 2). As a result, the foam discharge mechanism 23 is attached to the container body 22 as a single unit while maintaining a strong water-stopping property with the pressurizing chamber 30.

  The longitudinal flow path pipe portion 33 is a portion having a cylindrical pipe shape that extends downward from the communication base portion 36 through the top plate 32a. The longitudinal channel pipe portion 33 has an outer diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the mouth portion 22 a formed by the upper end portion of the pressurizing chamber 30 and is disposed concentrically with the peripheral wall portion of the nozzle cap portion 32. . Thus, the air pump 13 of the dispenser main body 11 is interposed between the outer peripheral surface of the longitudinal channel pipe portion 33 and the inner peripheral surface of the pressurizing chamber 30 with the foam discharge mechanism 23 attached to the container main body 22. The air passage portion 24 through which the air fed from the air through the communication sleeve portion 35 can flow is held. A former joint 37 (described later) including a mixing chamber 51, a foam member 54 a, and an on-off valve 52 is attached to the vertical flow path pipe portion 33 so as to fit the lower end opening of the vertical flow path pipe portion 33 from below.

  As described above, the extension nozzle pipe portion 34 communicates with the upper end portion of the longitudinal flow passage pipe portion 33 inside the communication base portion 36 and extends above the nozzle cap portion 32 in the lateral direction. This is a portion having an elongated cylindrical pipe shape. In the present embodiment, the extension nozzle pipe portion 34 is provided so as to extend in a direction parallel to the bottom surface of the container main body 22 so as to extend beyond the outer peripheral surface of the container main body 22 by the outer container 29. . A portion bent obliquely below the tip of the extended nozzle pipe portion 34 is a nozzle portion 26 that discharges the foamed content liquid. The tip of the nozzle portion 26 is disposed beyond the outer peripheral surface of the outer container 29 of the container body 22 at a predetermined distance from the outer peripheral surface. The distance (the radial direction of the outer container 29) between the tip of the nozzle portion 26 and the outer peripheral surface of the outer container 29 is preferably 10 mm to 100 mm. Thus, the user of the dispenser 21 can easily receive the foam-like content liquid in the palm of the hand without touching the dispenser 21 below the nozzle portion 26. An outlet-side foam member 54b made of, for example, a mesh member or a porous member is mounted and fixed inside the distal end portion of the extension nozzle pipe portion 34 adjacent to the nozzle portion 26.

  The longitudinal flow path pipe portion 33 and the extension nozzle pipe portion 34 that communicate with each other inside the communication base portion 36 are the nozzle portion 26 in a state where the content liquid mixed with air in the mixing chamber 51 is foamed in a foam state. The foaming flow path 25 for sending out toward is formed.

  As shown in an enlarged view in FIG. 3, the former joint 37 includes an outer cylindrical body 57 and an inner bottomed cylindrical body 58 attached to the upper inner side of the outer cylindrical body 57. The outer tubular body 57 includes a large-diameter upper tubular portion 57a, a small-diameter lower tubular portion 57b, and a connecting step tubular portion 57c between these portions. The inner bottomed tubular body 58 includes an inner tubular portion 58a, an overhanging bottom plate portion 58b, and an annular rib portion 58c provided to project downward from the lower surface of the overhanging bottom plate portion 58b. The upper cylindrical portion 57a of the outer cylindrical body 57 has an inner diameter similar to the outer diameter of the substantially lower half portion of the vertical flow path pipe portion 33 of the foam discharge mechanism 23, and the upper cylindrical portion 57a The inner bottomed cylindrical body 58 is mounted on the inner side from above. The inner cylindrical portion 58a of the inner bottomed cylindrical body 58 has an outer diameter similar to the inner diameter of the substantially lower half portion of the longitudinal flow path pipe portion 33, and the outer peripheral surface of the overhanging bottom plate portion 58b is: It has the same outer diameter as the inner diameter of the upper cylindrical portion 57a of the outer cylindrical body 57.

  The inner bottomed tubular body 58 is configured so that the outer peripheral surface of the projecting portion of the projecting bottom plate portion 58b extends along the inner peripheral surface of the upper cylindrical portion 57a, while The upper cylinder of the outer cylindrical body 57 is placed on the first step surface 57d and pushed from above until the lower end surface of the annular rib portion 58c contacts the second difference surface 57e of the connection step cylindrical portion 57c. It is attached inside the shaped part 57a. As a result, between the upper cylindrical portion 57a of the outer cylindrical body 57 and the inner cylindrical portion 58a of the attached inner bottomed cylindrical body 58, the meat at the lower end portion of the longitudinal channel pipe portion 33 is placed. An annular fitting recess 59 is formed in a state where the same interval as the thickness is maintained. The former joint 37 is fitted into the fitting recess 59 by fitting the substantially lower half portion of the vertical flow passage pipe portion 33 so that the former joint 37 becomes substantially lower half of the vertical flow passage pipe portion 33 of the foam discharge mechanism 23. It is attached to the part as one piece.

  Moreover, in this embodiment, the foaming member 54a is attached to the upper end inner side part of the inner side cylindrical part 58a of the attached inner bottomed cylindrical body 58. As shown in FIG. A mixing chamber 51 is formed in an inner region of the inner cylindrical portion 58a between the lower portion of the foam member 54a and the overhanging bottom plate portion 58b. In the mixing chamber 51, the content liquid sent through the liquid flow path 50 and the air sent through the air flow path 53 are mixed. In the inner region of the inner cylindrical portion 58a of the overhanging bottom plate portion 58b, inflow holes 58d for allowing the content liquid and air to flow into the mixing chamber 51 are formed through a plurality of locations. In the present embodiment, as the foam members 54a and 54b that are provided on the downstream side of the mixing chamber 51 and foam the content liquid, a known molded mesh preferably including an outer peripheral frame portion and a mesh plate portion is used. it can.

  Further, in the present embodiment, on the inner side surface of the outer cylindrical body 57, the lower cylindrical tube having a small diameter on the second differential surface 57e is passed from the upper cylindrical portion 57a through the first step surface 57d of the connection step cylindrical portion 57c. An elongated notch groove 57f is formed so as to extend continuously up to the connection angle portion with the shape portion 57b. The notch grooves 57f are formed at a plurality of locations at intervals in the circumferential direction of the outer cylindrical body 57. When the former joint 37 is integrally attached to the substantially lower half portion of the vertical flow path pipe portion 33 of the foam discharge mechanism 23, the outer peripheral surface of the vertical flow path pipe portion 33 is formed by these notch grooves 57f. A long and narrow continuous space is maintained between the outer peripheral surface of the projecting bottom plate portion 58 b of the inner bottomed cylindrical body 58 and the outer peripheral surface of the annular rib portion 58 c and the inner side surface of the outer cylindrical body 57. An air flow path 53 is formed by these elongated continuous spaces. In the air flow path 53 formed by the notch groove 57f, an end opening 53a through which air flows out is opened toward the radially inner side of the annular rib portion 58c at the inner corner portion of the lower end surface of the annular rib portion 58c.

  The lower tubular portion 57b of the outer tubular body 57 is a portion that forms the liquid flow path 50 together with the dip tube 38, and includes a substantially upper half opening / closing valve portion 57g and a substantially lower half portion tube mounting portion 57h. (See FIG. 2). The on-off valve portion 57g is a small-diameter cylindrical portion that has a smaller diameter than the connection step cylindrical portion 57c, and a valve seat member 57i is mounted and fixed therein (see FIG. 3). The taper-shaped valve seat portion of the mounted and fixed valve seat member 57i is preferably disposed loosely in a portion between the valve seat portion and the overhanging bottom plate portion 58b of the inner bottomed cylindrical body 58. Makes the ball valve open / close valve 52 seat in a close contact state. Thus, the upper end portion of the liquid flow path 50 can be closed inside the on-off valve portion 57g so as to be openable and closable.

  The tube mounting portion 57h of the lower cylindrical portion 57b is a cylindrical portion whose inner diameter and outer diameter are further reduced than the inner diameter and outer diameter of the on-off valve portion 57g via a stepped portion. As shown in FIG. 2, the upper end portion of the dip tube 38 is fitted into the tube mounting portion 57 h with the inner peripheral surface in close contact with the outer peripheral surface of the tube mounting portion 57 h. The dip tube 38 is made of a flexible synthetic resin pipe member, and is provided to extend from the tube mounting portion 57 h to the vicinity of the bottom of the pressurizing chamber 30. The liquid flow path 50 is formed with the lower cylindrical part 57b. When the inside of the pressurizing chamber 30 of the container body 22 is pressurized by the pressurized air, the liquid surface of the internal content liquid is pressed, so that the content liquid passes through the liquid flow path 50 and the pressurization chamber. From the bottom of 30, the upper on-off valve 52 can be opened and fed into the mixing chamber 51 through an inflow hole 58 d (see FIG. 3) formed in the overhanging bottom plate portion 58 b.

  In this embodiment, the porous material 56 is attached to the inner bottomed tubular body 58 prior to mounting the inner bottomed tubular body 58 inside the upper tubular portion 57a of the outer tubular body 57. Install it in advance. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the porous material 56 is a disk-shaped member having an outer diameter similar to the inner diameter of the annular rib portion 58c protruding downward from the lower surface of the overhanging bottom plate portion 58b. Yes. The porous material 56 is attached so as to be fitted into the annular rib portion 58c from below the overhanging bottom plate portion 58b. Accordingly, when the inner bottomed cylindrical body 58 is integrally attached to the inner side of the upper cylindrical portion 57 a of the outer cylindrical body 57, the porous material 56 is connected to the end opening 53 a of the air flow path 53. The region between the foam member 54 a is preferably disposed in a portion adjacent to the mixing chamber 51, preferably interposed between the end opening 53 a of the air flow channel 53 and the mixing chamber 51. Also, by this, the porous material 56 is provided adjacent to the end opening 53 a of the air flow channel 53. As will be described later, the porous material 56 functions as a liquid storage section 55 that absorbs a part of the content liquid toward the mixing chamber 51 when the content liquid is discharged and stores the content liquid.

  In addition, the porous material 56 uses, for example, a filter member used for an air filter from the viewpoint that the liquid content can be stored through the communicating holes, and that the airflow resistance is low and the water retention capacity is appropriate. It is particularly preferable to form them. Furthermore, if the fiber itself is a type of material that absorbs the content liquid, it cannot be used effectively even if water can be retained. Therefore, the porous material 56 does not store liquid in the fiber but stores the content liquid in the structure. For example, the material is preferably formed using synthetic fibers such as polyester, polyethylene, polyolefin, rayon, nylon, and acrylic, and examples thereof include non-woven fabrics, knitted fabrics, woven fabrics, and bonded materials. The porous material 56 is preferably formed using a material having a small thickness and excellent ventilation.

  Here, from the viewpoint of holding the content liquid, the thickness (measured with no load) of the porous material 56 is preferably 0.2 to 5 mm, and is preferably 0.5 to 2 mm. More preferably. The porous material 56 can be formed by using a foam material such as a liquid-absorbing sponge having a large number of open cells, a filter material having air permeability, or the like, and can be formed by overlapping a plurality of meshes.

  When the porous material 56 is formed using a foam material, the foam material needs to have cells that communicate with each other, and the number of cells is preferably 50 to 100 cells / 25 mm.

When the porous material 56 is formed using a filter material, for example, a nonwoven fabric can be used as the filter material. The basis weight of the nonwoven fabric is preferably 10 to ²⁰⁰ g / m ^2, more preferably 50 to 100 g / m ² , and the thickness of the nonwoven fabric is preferably 0.5 to 5 mm, more preferably 1 to 2 mm. Moreover, 5-200 Pa is preferable and, as for the pressure loss of a nonwoven fabric, 5-50 Pa is still more preferable. The pressure loss is a pressure difference between the upstream side and the downstream side when air having a flow rate of 1 m / s is passed through the filter material.

  When forming using the mesh which laminated | stacked the porous material 56 in multiple numbers, 20-200 micrometers is preferable, the mesh opening of 30-120 micrometers is more preferable, and 50-100 micrometers is still more preferable. The wire diameter of the mesh is preferably 25 to 50 μm. In addition, the number of meshes to be stacked is preferably 1 to 10, more preferably 2 to 5. Examples of the material of the mesh include resin mesh such as metal and nylon, but there is no particular limitation as long as it does not react with the content liquid.

  Furthermore, the storage amount of the content liquid in the liquid storage unit 55 by the porous material 56, the liquid storage unit 60, which will be described later, or the like is within a range in which a desired amount of the content liquid can be fed into the mixing chamber 51 at the initial stage of discharge. It is desirable to make it as small as possible in terms of suppressing the generation of germs. It is preferable that the liquid storage amount of the content liquid in the liquid storage unit 55 be smaller than the amount of use of the content liquid for one use. It is preferable that the liquid storage part 55 includes a portion arranged at a position higher than the end opening 53 a of the air flow path 53.

  Further, in this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a communication sleeve portion 35 is provided so as to protrude from the communication base portion 36 of the foam discharge mechanism 23 to the opposite side to the extended nozzle pipe portion 34. Yes. The communication sleeve portion 35 is a cylindrical portion having an outer diameter substantially the same as the inner diameter of the container side connection portion 18 b of the connection joint portion 18 of the dispenser body 11. The hollow interior of the communication sleeve portion 35 forms an air passage portion 24 through which air supplied from the dispenser main body 11 is sent into the pressurized chamber 30 of the container main body 22 (see FIG. 2). At the tip of the communication sleeve portion 35 on the dispenser main body 11 side, a communication port 24a of the air passage portion 24 with the air supply pipe 14 of the dispenser main body 11 is opened.

  On the outer peripheral surface of the distal end portion of the communication sleeve portion 35, a notch recess 35a extending continuously in the circumferential direction is formed. An O-ring-shaped communication part seal 40c is attached to the notch recess 35a. When the discharge container 10 is attached to the dispenser main body 11 while the distal end portion of the communication sleeve portion 35 is inserted inside the container side connection portion 18b of the connection joint portion 18, the outer peripheral surface of the communication sleeve portion 35 is connected to the communication portion seal. It is made to contact | adhere to the inner peripheral surface of the container side connection part 18b via 40c. Thereby, the air supply pipe 14 of the dispenser body 11 and the air passage portion 24 of the discharge container 10 can be communicated in an airtight manner.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, a backflow prevention valve 28 is provided at a portion in the hollow interior of the communication sleeve portion 35 adjacent to the communication port 24 a so as to be supported by the step locking portion 35 b. The backflow prevention valve 28 allows the air supplied from the dispenser main body 11 to pass, and the liquid or air outflow from the pressurizing chamber 30 to the dispenser main body 11 through the air passage portion 24, and the container main body 22. It has a function to block outflow of contents liquid and air to the outside.

  In the present embodiment, the air passage portion 24 inside the communication sleeve portion 35 is connected to the outer peripheral surface of the longitudinal flow passage pipe portion 33 by way of a bent passage portion 24c that is bent downward at the communication base portion 36. And the air passage portion 24 held between the inner circumferential surface of the pressurizing chamber 30 and the air passage portion 24 as a unit. In the present embodiment, the air passage portion 24 in the communication base portion 36 is disposed immediately above the bent passage portion 24 c, and the deaeration hole 24 b is formed to open to the top surface of the communication base portion 36. ing. An exhaust valve 27 is provided in the deaeration hole 24b. When the supply of air sent from the air pump 13 of the dispenser main body 11 is stopped, the exhaust valve 27 deaerates the pressure air inside the air passage portion 24 from the air passage portion 24 to the outside air. The exhaust valve 27 includes various known valve bodies (duck bill valves, umbrella valves, pressure control valves, etc.), cloth with waterproof breathability such as Gore-Tex (registered trademark), and exhaust valves made of porous materials. Can be used. The exhaust valve 27 may be a mechanism that presses and exhausts an installed exhaust valve using a solenoid, a servo mechanism, or the like that is operated by an electric signal. The exhaust valve 27 also functions as a pressure regulating valve when supplying air, and the pressure in the pressurizing chamber 30 is suitable for foaming (preferably 3 KPa or more and 20 KPa or less, more preferably 6 KPa or more and 15 KPa or less, most preferably 8 KPa or more. 12 KPa or less).

  The dispenser 10 in which the foam discharge container 21 of the present embodiment having the above-described configuration is mounted on the dispenser main body 11 is installed and used in, for example, a hospital or a nursing facility. The user preferably does not directly touch the dispenser 10 with his / her hand, for example, by simply holding his / her hand over the sensor unit 20, and the liquid is automatically discharged in the form of foam and received by the palm or the like for use. it can. That is, when a user holds a human body or an object over the sensor unit 20, the sensor 20 a detects it and sends a detection signal to the control unit 15. Upon receiving a signal from the sensor 20a, the control unit 15 drives the driving device 13a for a predetermined time so that a predetermined amount of the content liquid is foamed and discharged from the nozzle unit 26. The pressure is supplied to the pressure chamber 30 of the container body 22 of the foam discharge container 21 as pressurized air.

  When the air supplied from the air pump 13 of the dispenser main body 11 is sent in, the pressure inside the pressurizing chamber 30 rises, and the liquid level of the content liquid inside the pressurizing chamber 30 by the pressurized air due to the increased pressure. Is pressed. As a result, the porous material 56 is opened while the content liquid is opened by pushing up the on-off valve 52 by the ball valve through the liquid flow path 50 by the lower cylindrical portion 57b of the dip tube 38 and the outer cylindrical body 57. And it passes through 58 d of inflow holes, and is sent into the mixing chamber 51 (refer FIG. 3). Further, the air inside the pressurizing chamber 30 is a porous material as mixing air through the air flow channel 53 and the end opening 53a formed by the notch groove 57f formed on the inner surface of the outer cylindrical body 57. 56 and the inflow hole 58d to be fed into the mixing chamber 51. The content liquid and air sent to the mixing chamber 51 are mixed in the mixing chamber 51 and foamed by passing through the foaming members 54a and 54b when being sent to the nozzle portion 26 through the foaming channel 25. Then, it is discharged from the nozzle part 26 as a foam-like content liquid.

  For example, after the user holds his / her hand over the sensor unit 20 and air is sent from the air pump 13 to the pressurizing chamber 30 for a predetermined time, the driving of the air pump 13 is stopped by the control of the control unit 15 to supply air. Stops. When the supply of air is stopped, the increased pressure inside the pressurizing chamber 30 is quickly reduced by exhausting the pressurized air (air) from the exhaust valve 27, and the discharge of bubbles is stopped immediately. By the exhaust from the exhaust valve 27, the pressurized state by the air inside the pressurized chamber 30 is released. For example, when the inside of the pressurized chamber 30 approaches atmospheric pressure, the bottom opening / closing provided at the bottom of the pressurized chamber 30 is opened / closed. The valve 39 a is opened, and the content liquid flows into the pressurized chamber 30 through the circulation port 39. The content liquid flows into the pressurized chamber 30 from the outer container 29 side until the liquid level inside the outer container 29 and the liquid level inside the pressurized chamber 30 reach the same level. Note that when the pressurized state in which the inflow of the content liquid is permitted by the bottom opening / closing valve 39a is released, the pressure inside the pressurized chamber 30 does not need to return to the pressure state before the pressurization by the air.

  As a result, the electric dispenser 10 can discharge the content liquid in a foamed state in a stable state at a constant discharge amount for a predetermined time controlled by the control unit 15.

  And according to the foam discharge container 21 of this embodiment provided with the above-mentioned structure, after using the content liquid by driving the dispenser 10, the use of the content liquid is terminated and the content liquid is contained inside the container body 22. At the initial stage from when the content liquid is no longer pressurized, the content liquid is pressurized again at the next use of the content liquid and the content liquid that has started to be sent out from the liquid flow path 50 reaches the mixing chamber 51. It is possible to quickly feed the amount of the content liquid into the mixing chamber 51, and effectively suppress the decrease in the discharge amount of the foam-like content liquid or the deterioration of the foam quality in the initial stage. Is possible.

  That is, according to the foam discharge container 21 of the present embodiment, it is preferably interposed between the end opening 53a (see FIG. 3) of the air flow channel 53 and the mixing chamber 51, and in a portion adjacent to the mixing chamber 51. A liquid storage portion 55 is provided which is made up of a porous material 56 that stores a part of the content liquid toward the mixing chamber 51 when the content liquid is discharged, and preferably absorbs the content liquid.

  Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the content liquid is no longer pressurized and the upper on-off valve 52 is closed from the state in which the content liquid is pressurized when the content liquid is used and the upper on-off valve 52 is opened by the ball valve. The liquid level of the content liquid filled in the region between the upper on-off valve 52 and the mixing chamber 51 is lowered due to the time difference until the content reaches the region between the upper on-off valve 52 and the mixing chamber 51. Even when a void portion in which no liquid exists is generated, the content liquid is stored in the liquid storage portion 55 by the porous material 56 provided between the end opening 53a of the air flow channel 53 and the foam member 54a. A part of the content liquid heading to the mixing chamber 51 is stored when the liquid is discharged. As a result, when the content liquid is next used, the content liquid is pressurized again, and the content liquid that has started to be sent out from the liquid flow path 50 while opening the upper on-off valve 52 is transferred to the upper on-off valve 52 and the mixing chamber 51. It is possible to quickly feed the liquid content stored in the liquid storage portion 55, which is preferably disposed in the vicinity of the mixing chamber 51, into the mixing chamber 51 prior to filling the region between the two. become. Thus, according to the present embodiment, the content liquid is re-pressurized at the next use of the content liquid, and a desired amount is obtained at the initial stage until the content liquid that has started to be delivered reaches the mixing chamber 51. The content liquid can be quickly fed into the mixing chamber 51 from the liquid storage part 55, and the discharge amount of the foam-like content liquid discharged from the nozzle part 26 is reduced or the foam quality is lowered. Can be effectively suppressed.

  Further, according to the foam discharge container 21 of the present embodiment, the content liquid inside the container body 22 can be reduced by a simple configuration in which the pressurized chamber 30 including the bottom opening / closing valve 39a is disposed inside the outer container 29. Even if the remaining amount is low, the content pressure can be discharged by quickly increasing the internal pressure with the supplied air so that it does not take too long from the start of air supply until the internal pressure rises. Can be suppressed, or the foam quality of the content liquid discharged in the form of foam can be suppressed from changing.

  That is, according to the foam discharge container 21 of the present embodiment, the container body 22 has a double structure including the outer container 29 and the pressurizing chamber 30, and the air supplied from the air pump 13 is pressurized. By pressing the liquid level of the content liquid sent into the chamber 30 and stored inside, the content liquid is sent out to the nozzle part 26. Further, the bottom opening / closing valve 39a blocks the flow of the content liquid from the inside to the outer container 29 side in a state where the inside of the pressurizing chamber 30 is pressurized, and pressurization inside the pressurizing chamber 30 is prevented. In the released state, the content liquid is allowed to flow into the inside from the outer container 29 side.

  As a result, the head space above the content liquid, which presses the liquid surface by the air being sent and the pressure is increased, has a cross-sectional area and volume much smaller than the cross-sectional area and volume of the head space of the outer container 29. It becomes possible to keep only the head space portion of the pressurized chamber 30. In addition, by this, even if the remaining amount of the content liquid stored inside the pressurizing chamber 30 decreases, the cross-sectional area of the pressurizing chamber 30 is small, so that the volume of the head space can be kept small. It is possible to increase the internal pressure promptly after starting to send air, and to effectively suppress the delay of the discharge of the content liquid due to the pressurized air.

  This also allows the air and content liquid set at a predetermined gas-liquid mixing ratio to be smoothly and stably delivered to the mixing chamber 51 while continuing to send air into the pressurized chamber 30. When the liquid is mixed with air and discharged in the form of foam, it is possible to effectively suppress the change in foam quality.

  According to the present embodiment, the dispenser 10 can discharge the content liquid without taking it into the dispenser main body 11, and when the degassing is performed by stopping the driving of the air pump 13, The contained liquid can be prevented from entering the air supply pipe 14 of the dispenser body 11. This makes it possible to use the dispenser 10 more hygienically.

  In other words, according to the present embodiment, the dispenser 10 has a mechanism that only feeds air from the dispenser body 11 and does not take the content liquid from the container body 22 of the foam discharge container 21 into the dispenser body 11. Yes. Accordingly, it is possible to use the dispenser 10 in a sanitary manner, preferably without replacing the remaining content liquid for a long period of time by appropriately replacing the foam discharge container 21 with a cartridge type.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, the foam discharge mechanism 23 of the foam discharge container 21 communicates with the air supply pipe 14 of the dispenser main body 11, and the air passage portion 24 that sends the supplied air into the container main body 22. The air passage portion 24 is provided with a deaeration hole 24b and an exhaust valve 27 for degassing the internal pressure when the supply of air from the air pump 13 is stopped. Thus, even if the exhausted air contains a mist-like content liquid, the content liquid contained in the air is not passed through the air supply pipe 14 of the dispenser main body 11 and the air passage portion 24 of the foam discharge container 21. It is possible to directly discharge to the outside air through the deaeration hole 24b and the exhaust valve 27 provided in the air. This also allows the content liquid contained in the air to be used more hygienically so as not to enter the air supply pipe 14 of the dispenser body 11. Further, as described above, since the user can automatically receive and receive the liquid contents by simply holding the human body or object over the sensor unit 20 without directly touching the dispenser 10, the dispenser 10 can be sanitized. Can be used. Further, when the pressure inside the pressurizing chamber 30 is released by the exhaust from the exhaust valve 27, the discharge of bubbles from the nozzle part 26 is quickly stopped, and the tip of the nozzle part 26 after the stop is stopped. It is possible to effectively prevent the liquid from dripping.

  Furthermore, according to the present embodiment, the backflow prevention valve 28 is provided in the air passage portion 24 in the vicinity of the communication port 24a with the air supply pipe 14 of the dispenser body 11. Thus, when the air pump 13 is stopped and deaerated, the content liquid contained in the air can be more reliably avoided from entering the air supply pipe 14 of the dispenser body 11.

  And in this embodiment, the dispenser main body 11 of the dispenser 10 used by mounting | wearing the bubble discharge container 21 so that attachment or detachment is possible is an electric thing provided with the air pump 13 and the control part 15 (refer FIG. 4). Yes. The electric dispenser 10 can easily manage the discharge amount for discharging the foam-like content liquid by the driving time of the air pump 13. In such an electric dispenser 10, when the air pump 13 is driven to discharge the foam-like content liquid, the foam quality and the discharge amount (discharge speed) of the content liquid from the start to the end of the discharge are discharged. ) Is preferably kept constant, so that the foam discharge container 21 of the present embodiment capable of stabilizing the foam quality and discharge amount (discharge speed) of the content liquid is used, particularly in the initial stage. It is valid.

  FIG. 5 shows a main part of a foam discharge mechanism 23 ′ attached to a foam discharge container 21 ′ according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention. The bubble discharge mechanism 23 ′ shown in FIG. 5 is different from the bubble discharge mechanism 23 shown in FIG. 3 only in the configuration of the liquid storage unit 55. That is, in the foam discharge mechanism 23 ′ shown in FIG. 5, the liquid storage part 55 is formed by a concave liquid storage part 60 that stores and stores the content liquid. In the foam discharge mechanism 23 ′ shown in FIG. 5, the same components as those of the foam discharge mechanism 23 shown in FIG. 3 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted as appropriate. The description of the foam discharge mechanism 23 shown in FIG. 3 is applied as appropriate to the components having the same reference numerals as those of the foam discharge mechanism 23 shown in FIG.

  In the foam discharge mechanism 23 ′ shown in FIG. 5, the second difference surface 57e of the connecting step cylindrical portion 57c with which the lower end surface of the annular rib portion 58c of the inner bottomed cylindrical body 58 of the former joint 37 abuts. An annular inner peripheral wall 61 is continuously provided in the circumferential direction so as to stand upward from the inner peripheral edge. The inner peripheral wall 61 is erected concentrically with the annular rib portion 58c from the inner peripheral edge portion of the second differential surface 57e at a distance from the inner peripheral surface of the annular rib portion 58c. The annular liquid reservoir 60 having a concave cross section that communicates with the air flow path 53 through the end opening 53a that is the flow path end of the air flow path 53 is formed. Thereby, the liquid storage part 55 by the liquid reservoir part 60 is preferably interposed between the end opening 53a of the air flow path 53 and the mixing chamber 51, and the end opening 53a in a part close to the mixing chamber 51. Are provided adjacent to each other. In the liquid reservoir 60, a part of the content liquid directed to the mixing chamber 51 is stored at the time of the previous discharge of the content liquid. The liquid reservoir 60 having a concave cross section is not necessarily provided continuously in an annular shape in the circumferential direction, and may be provided only in a portion close to the end opening 53a of the air flow channel 53.

  Also in the foam discharge container 21 ′ having the foam discharge mechanism 23 ′ shown in FIG. 5, the content liquid is filled in the region between the upper on-off valve 52 and the mixing chamber 51 in the next use of the content liquid. In addition, the content liquid stored in the liquid storage section 55 by the liquid storage section 60, which is preferably disposed in a portion adjacent to the mixing chamber 51, can be quickly fed into the mixing chamber 51. The same effect as the foam discharge container 21 provided with the foam discharge mechanism 23 shown in FIG.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made. For example, the liquid storage part that stores the content liquid can also be formed using a member or structure other than the porous material or the liquid reservoir. A foam discharge container having a foam discharge mechanism provided with a liquid storage part is detachably attached to the dispenser body, and the liquid level is made foam by pressing the liquid surface with air supplied from the air supply mechanism. Pump former container that discharges the liquid in a foam state by pushing the pump head part, and a squeeze foamer that discharges the liquid in a foam state by squeezing the container body A container etc. may be sufficient.

  In addition, the content liquid to be discharged in the form of foam is a hand disinfectant that can be foamed by adding an activator in addition to cleaning agents such as hand soaps, hair conditioners, fixatives, hair restorers, etc. May be cosmetics for hair, cosmetics for skin such as lotion, milky lotion, and beauty essence, shaving foam, dishwashing detergent and the like. From the viewpoint of foamability, the viscosity of the content liquid stored in the liquid storage part is preferably 1 to 1000 mPa · s, more preferably 1 to 100 mPa · s, and still more preferably 1 to 40 mPa · s. The viscosity can be measured at 20 ° C. and measured using a digital viscometer (viscometer TVB-10M (manufactured by Toki Sangyo Co., Ltd.)), rotor N0.3, rotation speed: 30 rpm).

  Furthermore, the liquid storage part does not necessarily have to be provided between the channel end of the air channel and the mixing chamber, or adjacent to the channel end of the air channel. What is necessary is just to be interposed between the road terminal and the foamed member. For example, the bottom portion of the mixing chamber can be formed of a member capable of storing liquid such as a foamed member to form a liquid storage unit. The liquid storage part can also be provided in a state where the liquid storage part bites into the air flow path from the end opening of the air flow path.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Dispenser 11 Dispenser main body 21,21 'Foam discharge container 22 Container main body 22a Mouth part 23,23' Foam discharge mechanism 24 Air passage part 25 Foam flow path 26 Nozzle part 29 Outer container 30 Pressurization chamber 32 Nozzle cap part 33 Vertical direction Flow path pipe part 34 Extension nozzle pipe part 37 Former joint 38 Dip tube 39 Flow port 39a Bottom opening / closing valve 50 Liquid flow path 51 Mixing chamber 52 Opening / closing valve 53 Air flow path 53a End opening (flow path end)
54a, 54b Foaming member 55 Liquid storage part 56 Porous material 57 Outer cylindrical body 57a Upper cylindrical part 57b Lower cylindrical part 57c Connection step cylindrical part 57d First step surface 57e Second difference surface 57f Notch groove 57g Opening / closing Valve portion 57h Tube mounting portion 57i Valve seat member 58 Inner bottomed cylindrical body 58a Inner cylindrical portion 58b Overhanging bottom plate portion 58c Annular rib portion 58d Inflow hole 59 Fitting recess 60 Liquid reservoir portion 61 Inner peripheral wall

Claims (9)

The content liquid stored in the container body is sent to the mixing chamber by opening the on-off valve provided in the liquid flow path, and the air inside the container body is sent to the mixing chamber via the air flow path and sent to the mixing chamber. The foam is provided with a foam discharge mechanism that mixes the content liquid and air in the mixing chamber, causes the foam to pass through a foaming member provided on the downstream side of the mixing chamber, and causes the foamed liquid to be discharged from the nozzle portion. A discharge container,
The foam discharge mechanism includes a liquid storage unit that is interposed between a flow path end of the air flow path and the foaming member, and stores a part of the content liquid toward the mixing chamber when the content liquid is discharged. Has a foam discharge container.   The foam discharge container according to claim 1, wherein the liquid storage part is provided between a flow path end of the air flow path and the mixing chamber.   The foam discharge container according to claim 2, wherein the liquid storage part is provided adjacent to a flow path end of the air flow path.   The said liquid storage part is a foam discharge container of any one of Claims 1-3 currently formed with the porous material which absorbs a content liquid and stores it.   The foam storage container according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the liquid storage part is formed by a concave liquid storage part that stores and stores the content liquid.   By pressing the liquid level of the content liquid with air supplied to the container body, the content liquid contained in the container body is sent to the mixing chamber through the liquid flow path, and the air inside the container body is The foam discharge container according to claim 1, wherein the foam discharge container is fed into the mixing chamber through the air flow path.   The container body has a double structure including an outer container and a pressurized chamber disposed inside the outer container, and the outer container and the pressurized chamber are provided with a lower opening / closing valve. The air is communicated through a circulation port, and the air is supplied to the pressurizing chamber and presses the liquid level of the content liquid stored in the pressurizing chamber, and the air inside the pressurizing chamber is The foam discharge container according to claim 6, which is fed into the mixing chamber.   A device that is detachably mounted on a dispenser main body of a dispenser that includes an air supply mechanism, and presses the liquid level of the content liquid contained in the container main body by air supplied from the air supply mechanism to the container main body. The foam discharge container according to 6 or 7.   The foam discharge container according to claim 8, wherein the dispenser is an electric type including an air pump and a control unit.

Images