JP3469353B2 - Foam stopper and method for producing foam stopper - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a foam plug which is attached to a shower head or a discharge port such as a water faucet to regulate turbulence.
And a method for producing a foam stopper.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As shown in FIG. 7, a faucet 112 used in a kitchen or the like is provided at its tip with a case 114 having a built-in rectifying mechanism, and rectified water is jetted from the outlet of the case 114. It has been known.

As shown in FIG. 8, a hollow star-shaped metal draining plate 116 and three stacked metal meshes 118 are arranged in the case 114.
A rectifying mechanism is constituted by these.

That is, when the turbulent water is sent from the faucet 112, the draining plate 116 regulates the turbulent flow of the water, and further the air is taken in by the laminated mesh 118, and the rectified water is discharged from the outlet. It is supposed to be jetted.

However, the draining plate 116 and the mesh 118 formed of metal (for example, stainless steel) are expensive. Further, since the individual products are delivered individually from the parts factory to the assembly factory, the handling is complicated, and it takes time and effort to properly insert the assembly into the small case 114 into the small case 114. Further, the rectifying mechanism having such a structure has a drawback that water is scattered when high water pressure is applied.

On the other hand, in addition to the general type rectifying mechanism as described above, a foam type rectifying mechanism as shown in FIG. 9 is known.

According to this foam-type rectifying mechanism, the deficiency of water scattering is eliminated, but the dome mesh 12
2. The regulator 124, the plurality of meshes 126, and the air intake collar 128 are required, and the number of parts is large and the cost is further increased. In particular, since the air intake collar 128 is formed by drawing by pressing, there is a risk that the cost will increase further.

Further, since the number of parts is large, it is necessary to increase the time and effort to assemble the case 114 into the small case 114.

Further, no matter which type of rectifying mechanism is used, since it is composed of metal parts, there is a drawback that a contact noise between metals is generated.

[0010]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In consideration of the above facts, the present invention provides a foam stopper and a foam stopper which are inexpensive and easy to assemble .
The purpose is to provide a manufacturing method .

[0011]

The foam plug according to claim 1 is a foam plug that is attached to a water discharge port to regulate the water flow, and is integrally formed of a resin material while being connected by thin hinge pieces. And a plurality of mounting members that are respectively housed in the tubular housing member and that allow water to respectively pass through, and a thin wall that is arranged in the circumscribed circle of the mounting members and that is formed thinnest in the hinge piece. And a part.

The foam plug according to a second aspect of the present invention is characterized in that at least one of the plurality of mounting members is a resistance plate that limits the flow rate of the water flow.

A foam plug according to a third aspect of the present invention is characterized in that an opening for taking in air is provided in a side wall of at least one of the plurality of mounting members.

The method for producing a foam plug according to claim 4 is a method for producing a foam plug, which is attached to a discharge port of a water flow to regulate a water flow, and is stored in a cylindrical storage member. In addition, a plurality of mounting members each capable of passing water are integrally molded with a gate for injecting a resin material disposed inside a circumscribed circle of the mounting member, and thereafter, the mounting member is circumscribed. The resin material connected to the mounting member via the gate is removed so that the resin material does not protrude from the inside of the circle.

[0016]

[0017]

[0018]

[0019]

[0020]

[0021]

[0022]

The function of the foam plug according to claim 1 will be described below. A plurality of mounting members that are respectively housed in the tubular housing members and that allow water to pass through are integrally formed of a resin material while being connected to each other by thin hinge pieces. Further, the thinnest portion formed in the hinge piece to be the thinnest is arranged within the circumscribed circle of the mounting member. Then, the foam plug thus formed is attached to the outlet of the water stream to regulate the water stream.

Therefore, for example, the plurality of mounting members can be delivered in a coupled state, which facilitates the handling and the mounting work of the mounting members to the storage member.

Further, when the mounting member is folded and folded, it will be bent at the thinnest part formed in the hinge piece, but since this thin part is arranged within the circumscribed circle of the mounting member, The hinge piece does not hit the inner wall surface of the storage member to be easily stored, and the work of assembling the mounting member to the storage member is further facilitated.

Further, since it is not necessary to manufacture a plurality of mounting members from metal or individually, the manufacturing cost of the mounting members can be reduced and the foam plug can be manufactured at a low cost.

Further, since the mounting member is made of a resin material, unlike a metal member, no contact noise is generated.

The operation of the foam plug according to claim 2 will be described below. Also Kanade the claims the same operation as in claim 1. However, in this claim, at least one of the plurality of mounting members is a resistance plate that limits the flow rate of the water flow. Therefore, it becomes possible to save water by mounting the foam plug according to the present invention on a discharge port such as a tap of a water supply.

The operation of the foam plug according to claim 3 will be described below. Also Kanade the claims the same operation as in claim 1. However, in the present invention, at least one of the plurality of mounting members has a side wall provided with an opening for taking in air.

Therefore, when the foam plug according to the present invention is attached to the discharge port such as a faucet of water supply, the air taken in from the opening is mixed with the water flow, and foam water containing bubbles is easily generated. . Further, since the mounting member having the opening for taking in air is formed of the resin material, it is not necessary to perform the draw forming by press working, and the cost of the foam plug can be further reduced.

The operation of the method for producing a foam plug according to claim 4 will be described below. In the state where the gate for injecting the resin material is arranged within the circumscribed circle of the mounting member, a plurality of mounting members that are respectively housed in the tubular housing member and through which water can respectively pass are integrally molded. . After that, by removing the resin material that is connected to the mounting member through the gate so that the resin material does not protrude from the circumscribed circle of the mounting member, a foam plug that is mounted at the water flow outlet and regulates the water flow is created. Manufactured.

Therefore, when the mounting member is molded, the resin material is injected from the gate arranged within the circumscribed circle of the mounting member, and the resin material is prevented from projecting out of the circumscribed circle of the mounting member through the gate. By removing the resin material connected to each other, the remaining portion of the gate does not hit the inner wall surface of the storage member and the mounting member is not easily stored, and the work of assembling the mounting member to the storage member is simplified.

Further, since it is not necessary to manufacture a plurality of mounting members from metal or individually, the manufacturing cost of the mounting members can be reduced and the foam plug can be manufactured at low cost.

[0033]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A foam plug 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 1 to 6, and this embodiment will be described based on these drawings.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, a resin collar 12 which constitutes a storage member of the foam plug 10 according to this embodiment.
Is formed in a cylindrical shape having a storage portion 12A that is a circular hole inside, and the lower side of the collar 12, which is formed one step thinner than the upper side of the collar 12, penetrates between the inner and outer peripheral surfaces. A plurality of through-holes 14 are provided along the circumferential direction. The collar 12 is attached to a case 16 which is screwed and attached to an end of a faucet 18 serving as a water discharge port.
It can be stored inside.

On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the mounting member, which is a resin molded product made of resin, of the foam plug 10 according to this embodiment is formed into a dome shape through which water can pass. Dome mesh 22 having a mesh, an orifice plate 24 having a hole 42 at the center, a regulator 26 having a partition plate 26B having a plurality of small holes 44 formed therein, and two meshes 28 and 30 respectively. ing.

On the outer circumferences of the dome mesh 22 and the two meshes 28 and 30, there are arranged chamfered substantially circular frames 22A, 28A and 30A, respectively, as shown in FIG. 22A, 28
The diameter of the circumscribed circle A of A and 30A is the storage portion 12 of the collar 12.
It is smaller than the diameter of the inner wall of A. Therefore, the dome mesh 22 and the meshes 28 and 30 are stored in the storage unit 1.
It can be stored in 2A.

The diameter of the circumscribed circle A of the orifice plate 24 is also smaller than the diameter of the inner wall of the housing portion 12A of the collar 12. Therefore, the orifice plate 24 can also be stored in the storage portion 12A.

Further, on the outer periphery of the regulator 26, a side wall 26, which is also in the shape of a substantially circular cylinder with a part thereof chamfered, is also provided.
A is formed, and the side wall 26 of the regulator 26 is formed.
The diameter of the circumscribed circle A of A is smaller than the diameter of the inner wall of the storage portion 12A of the collar 12. Therefore, the regulator 26 can also be stored in the storage portion 12A. And
In the middle of the side wall 26A of the regulator 26 in the axial direction, a plurality of openings 46 for taking in air are provided along the circumferential direction.

The dome mesh 22 and the orifice plate 24, the orifice plate 24 and the regulator 26, the regulator 26 and the mesh 28, and the mesh 28 and the mesh 30 are thinly formed. Are connected by hinge pieces 32, 34, 36, 38.
Therefore, these members are integrally formed of a resin material while being connected.

As shown in FIG. 5, within the circumscribed circle A of the dome mesh 22, the orifice plate 24, the regulator 26 and the meshes 28, 30, the hinge piece 3 is formed.
At the central position of 2, 34, 36, 38, the hinge piece 3
Thin-walled grooves 32A, 34A, 36A, 38A, which are the thinnest portions formed in 2, 34, 36, 38, are arranged. Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 6, the hinge pieces 32, 34, 36, 38 can be bent at the thin-walled grooves 32A, 34A, 36A, 38A as boundaries, and these members can be continuously overlapped. Has become.

Further, as shown in FIG. 5, resin material is injected into the chamfered portions 52 provided on the outer circumferences of the dome mesh 22, the orifice plate 24, the regulator 26 and the two meshes 28 and 30, respectively. A gate 54 for performing the operation is attached so as to be arranged in each circumscribed circle A of the dome mesh 22, the orifice plate 24, the regulator 26 and the meshes 28, 30.

That is, as shown in FIG. 5, the hinge piece 3
The thin groove 32A of No. 2 is arranged in a range where the circumscribing circle A of the dome mesh 22 and the circumscribing circle A of the orifice plate 24 overlap, and the thin groove 34A of the hinge piece 34 has a circumscribing circle A of the orifice plate 24 and The circumscribed circle A of the regulator 26 is arranged within the overlapping range, and another thin groove 36A,
Similarly, 38A is also arranged within a range where the circumscribing circles A overlap. The gates 54 are also arranged within the respective circumscribing circles A.

On the other hand, on the frame 22A, a pair of coupling pieces 60 are provided upright so as to face each other, and a claw portion 62 is formed at the tip of the coupling piece 60. In the frame 30A, a pair of coupling pieces 70 are provided upright so as to face each other, and a claw portion 72 is formed at the tip of the coupling piece 70.

A pair of notches 64 are formed on the outer periphery of the orifice plate 24 in which the coupling piece 60 is fitted in the state where the dome mesh 22 and the orifice plate 24 are overlapped with each other. In the state where the mesh 28 and the mesh 30 are overlapped with each other, a pair of notches 74 into which the coupling pieces 70 are fitted are formed.

1 and 2, the side wall 26A of the regulator 26 has a pair of fitting pieces 60 fitted to the upper side of the side wall 26A of the regulator 26 with the dome mesh 22, the orifice plate 24 and the regulator 26 superposed on each other. Notch 6
6 is formed and a pair of recesses 6 are provided on which the claws 62 are locked.
8 is formed. The side wall 26A of the regulator 26 is located at a position near the upper and lower sides of FIGS.
In the state where the mesh 6 and the meshes 28 and 30 are overlapped with each other, a pair of notches 76 into which the coupling pieces 70 are fitted are formed, and a pair of recesses 78 into which the claws 72 are locked are formed.

Next, the procedure for manufacturing the foam stopper 10 according to this embodiment and mounting the foam stopper 10 on the faucet 18 will be described.

The dome mesh 22 and the orifice plate 2 are obtained by injecting a resin material through a gate 54 into a cavity formed in a mold (not shown) for injection molding.
4, regulator 26 and two meshes 28, 30
Are integrally molded with a resin material. Therefore, the weight is light and the cost is reduced, and the inclusion of an antibacterial agent in the resin material makes it possible to prevent adhesion of water stains and slime.

After that, the dome mesh 22, the orifice plate 24, the regulator 26 and the mesh 28, 3,
These members are manufactured by removing the runner 56 connected through the gate 54 so that the resin material does not protrude from the circumscribed circle A of 0.

Further, as shown in FIG. 3 from the state shown in FIG. 1, the thin groove 32 of the hinge pieces 32, 34, 36, 38 is formed.
A, 34A, 36A, 38A, dome mesh 22,
Orifice plate 24, regulator 26 and mesh 2
Bend 8 and 30 and superimpose these members as shown in FIG. Note that this work is simply performed by the hinge pieces 32, 3
4, 36, 38 thin wall grooves 32A, 34A, 36A, 38
Since it suffices to bend along A, alignment is unnecessary.

At this time, the connecting piece 60 has the notches 64, 6
6 and the claw portion 62 of the connecting piece 60 is recessed 6
8 is locked to the dome mesh 22, the orifice plate 2
4 and the regulator 26 are held in a superposed state. Further, the coupling piece 70 is fitted into the notches 74 and 76, and the claw portion 72 of the coupling piece 70 is locked to the recess 78, so that the regulator 26 and the meshes 28 and 30 are held in a superposed state.

Finally, the dome mesh 22, the orifice plate 24, the regulator 26 and the two meshes 28, 3
Storage unit 12 for collar 12 by stacking 0
As shown in FIG. 4, the case 16 is attached to the faucet 18 in a state in which the collar 12 is attached to the case A and the collar 12 is housed in the case 16.
Screw on.

The operation of the foam plug 10 according to this embodiment will be described below. The dome mesh 22, the orifice plate 24, the regulator 26, and the meshes 28, 30 can be delivered in a combined state, so that the handling becomes easy and the dome mesh 22, the orifice plate 24, and the regulator 26 for the collar 12 can be easily handled. And mesh 28, 3
Assembly work of 0 becomes easy.

Furthermore, when the dome mesh 22, the orifice plate 24, the regulator 26 and the meshes 28, 30 are folded, the thinnest grooves 32A, 34A, 36A formed in the hinge pieces 32, 34, 36, 38 are formed. 38
It will be bent at A. At this time, the thin grooves 32A, 3
Since 4A, 36A and 38A are arranged inside the circumscribed circle A of the dome mesh 22, the orifice plate 24, the regulator 26 and the meshes 28 and 30, respectively, the hinge piece 3
2, 34, 36, 38 hit the inner wall surface of the collar 12 so as not to be easily stored, and the dome mesh 2 to the collar 12
2, the assembling work of the orifice plate 24, the regulator 26, and the meshes 28, 30 becomes easier.

Further, since it is not necessary to manufacture the dome mesh 22, the orifice plate 24, the regulator 26 and the meshes 28 and 30 from metal or individually, the dome mesh 22, the orifice plate 24, the regulator 26 and the mesh 28. , 30 can be reduced in manufacturing cost, and the foam plug 10 that regulates the water flow can be manufactured at low cost.

Since the orifice plate 24 is a resistance plate which limits the flow rate of the water flow by the hole 42, water can be saved by mounting the foam plug 10 according to the present embodiment on the faucet 18 of the water supply. Becomes

Further, the side wall 26A of the regulator 26
Since an opening 46 for taking in air is provided in
When the foam plug 10 according to the present embodiment is attached to the tap 18 of the water supply, it passes through the gap between the case 16 and the collar 12 as shown by the arrow B in FIG.
The air taken in through the opening 46 of the regulator 26 via 4 mixes with the water flow, and foamy water containing bubbles is easily generated. Further, the regulator 2 having the opening 46
Since 6 is made of a resin material, there is no need to perform draw forming by press working, and the cost of the foam plug 10 can be further reduced.

On the other hand, when forming the dome mesh 22, the orifice plate 24, the regulator 26 and the meshes 28 and 30, the dome mesh 22, the orifice plate 24, the regulator 26 and the meshes 28 and 30 are arranged in the respective circumscribed circles A. A resin material is injected from the gate 54, and the runner 5 is connected to these members through the gate 54 so that the resin material does not protrude from the circumscribed circle A.
I will remove 6. As a result, even if the remaining portion of the gate 54 slightly protrudes from the dome mesh 22 or the like, it does not easily come into contact with the inner wall surface of the collar 12 and the dome mesh 22, the orifice plate 24, the regulator 26, and the meshes 28 and 30 are housed. The work of assembling these members to 12 is also simplified.

Since the dome mesh 22, the orifice plate 24, the regulator 26 and the meshes 28, 30 are made of a resin material, no contact noise is generated unlike the case where the dome mesh 22, the orifice plate 24, the regulator 26 and the meshes 28, 30 are made of metal parts. .

In the above embodiment, the dome mesh 22, the orifice plate 24, the regulator 26 and the meshes 28, 30 are used in a connected state, but they are cut by the thin grooves 32A, 34A, 36A, 38A, respectively. May be used. Even in this case, since the thin grooves 32A, 34A, 36A, 38A are arranged in the circumscribing circle A, the storage in the collar 12 is not hindered.

Although the collar 12 is used in the above embodiment, the dome mesh 22, the orifice plate 24, the regulator 26 and the meshes 28 and 30 may be directly housed in the case 16 without using the collar 12. However, in this case, the case 16 serves as a storage member.

Further, the resin forming the dome mesh 22, the orifice plate 24, the regulator 26 and the meshes 28, 30 can be selected as appropriate, and polypropylene, polyacetal or the like can be considered.

Further, as shown in FIG. 1, since the meshes of the adjacent meshes 28 and 30 are formed so as to intersect obliquely, the mesh size of the mesh itself is
When seen in a plan view, the grid in the folded state is smaller. Therefore, fine dust can be removed, and small bubbles are generated to prevent water splashing.

[0063]

As described above, the present invention provides a foam stopper and a method of manufacturing the foam stopper which are low in cost and easy to assemble.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a state before stacking mounting members of a foam plug according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view showing a state before the mounting members of the foam stopper according to the embodiment of the present invention are overlapped with each other.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a state in which a mounting member for a foam plug according to an embodiment of the present invention is bent.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a foam stopper according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a plan view illustrating a state in which the runner is attached to the attachment member of the foam plug according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of a foam stopper according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a faucet provided with a conventional rectifying mechanism.

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view showing a conventional mesh and a draining plate.

FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of another prior art.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 foam stopper 12 colors 22 Dome mesh 24 Orifice plate 26 Regulator 28 mesh 30 mesh 32, 34, 36, 38 Hinge pieces 32A, 34A, 36A, 38A Thin groove

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (56) Reference JP-A-7-92645 (JP, A) JP-A-6-128915 (JP, A) JP-A-6-306901 (JP, A) Actual Kaihei 5- 49870 (JP, U) Actual Kaihei 6-24067 (JP, U) (58) Fields investigated (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) B05B 1/00-1/36 A47K 3/28 E03C 1/084

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] 1. A water flow outlet is attached to adjust the water flow.
It is a foam plug, and it is integrated while being connected with each other by a thin hinge piece.
Is made of a resin material and has a cylindrical storage member.
Multiple attachments that can be stored and allow water to pass through
Member and the hinge arranged in a circumscribed circle of the mounting member
A thin-walled portion formed thinnest in one piece, and a foam plug. 2. At least one of the plurality of mounting members
One is a resistance plate that limits the flow rate of water flow.
The foam stopper according to claim 1. 3. At least one of the plurality of mounting members
The side wall of the mounting member has an opening for taking in air.
The foam according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that
plug. 4. The water flow is regulated by being attached to a water flow outlet.
A method for producing a foam stopper , comprising: storing the water in a cylindrical storage member and water respectively.
A plurality of mounting members that can pass through
The gate for this is placed inside the circumscribed circle of this mounting member
Then, the resin material is projected from the inside of the circumscribed circle of the mounting member.
It is installed through the gate so that it does not become
A method for producing a foam stopper , which comprises removing a resin material connected to a member .