JP5844141B2 - Foam ejection container - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a foam ejection container capable of foaming and discharging a fluid content (liquid, gel-like, etc.) by squeezing a flexible body, depending on the user's preference. The foam quality of the contents can be changed with a simple operation.

  As a container that contains various liquid detergents such as shampoos, body soaps, hand soaps, facial cleansers, and hair conditioners such as set lotions, the flow of the contents is from the viewpoint of simplifying use by omitting the foaming operation. A foam member made of, for example, a mesh is incorporated in the road, and by compressing the flexible trunk, the contents and air are mixed and passed through the foam member to cause foaming. There has been proposed a foam ejection container that discharges the contents that have become from the nozzle outlet (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 58-174272

  By the way, in the foam ejection container as described above, it is possible to discharge the contents of foam quality (wet foam, dry foam) according to the user's preference with a simple switching operation. Although the advent of new containers with good quality is strongly desired, such containers have not yet been put into practical use.

  An object of the present invention relates to a foam ejection container, and is to propose an easy-to-use foam ejection container that can change the foam quality of contents by a simple switching operation.

The present invention includes a container body having a flexible body portion, the inside of which is a filling space for contents, and a bottomed cylindrical shape, and each of the contents and air in the container body is disposed inside the container body. A cylinder having a suction port and a suction port to be introduced; a base cap that is integrally connected to the cylinder via an outward flange provided on the cylinder and is attached to the mouth portion of the container body to hold the cylinder suspended; A cylinder that extends toward the bottom of the cylinder along the inner peripheral surface of the cylinder and forms a merge space between the contents and air inside the cylinder, and a discharge passage that communicates with the merge space. A nozzle that mixes and foams the contents and air in the merging space and compresses the foam-like contents from the opening at the tip thereof, and is integrally connected to the nozzle, and the cylinder cannot be rotated and pulled out. Impossible A foam ejection vessel equipped with a head for focusing,
The base cap has a support portion that rotatably supports the head,
The cylinder includes at least one air passage from the suction port to the merge space in an annular portion standing on the inner side of the cylindrical body,
The cylindrical body has a narrowed portion that protrudes into at least one of the air passages as the head rotates and narrows a part of the air passages.

The ventilation path includes a longitudinal groove formed on the outer peripheral surface of the annular portion, and a lateral groove formed on the top surface of the annular portion and continuing to the longitudinal groove.
The narrowed portion is preferably a projecting piece that is integrally connected to a ring wall protruding from the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical body and extends along the inner peripheral surface of the annular portion to cover the opening of the lateral groove.

The outward flange is formed with at least one return hole penetrating the front and back, and the nozzle is provided with a rear end opening penetrating the rear end side thereof, and the inside of the discharge passage is provided along with the restoration of the body portion. It is preferable to provide a back suction function for drawing the residual contents back into the filling space through the rear end opening and the return hole.

  In the bubble ejection container according to the present invention, a suction port and a suction port for introducing the contents and air into the inside of the cylinder suspended from the container body are formed, and the contents and air are placed inside the cylinder. Provided with a head that integrally connects a nozzle that discharges the contents, and that connects the cylinder so that it cannot rotate and cannot be pulled out, and is attached to the mouth of the container. The base cap has a support portion that rotatably supports the head, and the cylinder includes at least one air passage extending from the suction port to the joining space in the annular portion that stands up on the inside of the cylinder. In addition, a constriction that protrudes into at least one of the ventilation paths as the head rotates is provided. Accordingly, the air passage is narrowed by the rotation of the head, and the amount of air introduced into the merge space can be reduced, so that the amount of air contained in the contents can be changed with a simple operation. And since the quantity of air can be changed continuously, it becomes possible to discharge the contents with the expected foam quality.

  The narrowed portion may be provided so as to cross the middle of the air passage, but the air passage is composed of a vertical groove formed on the outer peripheral surface of the annular portion and a lateral groove formed on the top surface of the annular portion, When the constricted part is integrally connected to a ring wall projecting from the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical body and is a projecting piece that extends along the inner peripheral surface of the annular part and covers the opening of the lateral groove, the structure of the container is more It will be easy.

  When the contents are discharged, some of the contents may remain in the discharge passage of the nozzle (residual contents), and over time, the residual contents will lose their bubbles and return to their original fluidity. In order to return to the contents, the contents may sag (drip) from the spout and clog (solidify the contents) after a while after use. Here, in the case where at least one return hole penetrating the front and back surfaces is formed in the outward flange and the rear end opening penetrating the rear end side is provided in the nozzle, the residual content in the discharge passage is filled with the space. Since a back suction function for pulling back the inside can be provided, it is possible to effectively prevent these problems caused by the residual contents.

It is the fragmentary sectional view in a side view, and an enlarged view about an embodiment of a foam ejection container according to the present invention. It is sectional drawing which follows AA shown in FIG. (A) is sectional drawing which follows BB shown in FIG. 1, (b) shows the annular part of a cylinder with a continuous line, and also shows a ring wall and a part of protrusion of a cylinder with a dashed-two dotted line. It is a perspective view shown. FIG. 2 is a side view of FIG. 1 showing a posture in which the head is rotated clockwise when the bubble ejection container is viewed from above. It is sectional drawing which follows CC shown in FIG. It is a fragmentary sectional view which shows the state which presses the trunk | drum of the foam ejection container shown in FIG. 1, and discharges the contents. FIG. 7 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a state in which the body portion is restored from the state shown in FIG. 6 and the residual content in the nozzle is pulled back into the container body. It is a figure corresponding to Drawing 3 (a) and (b) showing the posture which rotated the head counterclockwise from the posture shown in Drawing 3 (a) and (b).

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described more specifically with reference to the drawings.
1 is a partial cross-sectional view in a side view and an enlarged view of an embodiment of a foam ejection container according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view along AA shown in FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional view taken along the line B-B shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3B shows the annular portion of the cylinder with a solid line, and shows the ring wall of the cylinder and a part of the protruding piece at two points. FIG. 4 is a side view of FIG. 1 and shows a posture in which the head is rotated clockwise when the bubble ejection container is viewed from above, and FIG. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line CC shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a state in which the contents of the foam ejection container shown in FIG. FIG. 7 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a state in which the body portion is restored from the state shown in FIG. 6 and the residual contents in the nozzle are pulled back into the container body. The head, FIG. 3 (a), showing a posture rotated counterclockwise from the posture shown in (b), FIG. 3 (a), is a view corresponding to (b).

  In FIG. 1, the code | symbol 10 is a container main body. The container main body 10 has a cylindrical mouth portion 11 having an open top, and a tubular body portion 12 connected to a bottom portion (not shown) is connected to the mouth portion 11, and a content filling space M is formed inside thereof. Is forming. Here, the trunk portion 12 has flexibility formed by, for example, a synthetic resin. Further, an engaging portion 11 a (screw in the illustrated example) is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the mouth portion 11. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 2, a small protrusion 11b and a large protrusion 11c are provided at the base of the mouth portion 11 with an interval in the circumferential direction.

  Reference numeral 20 denotes a cylinder. As shown in FIG. 1, the cylinder 20 includes a peripheral wall 22 that rises from a bottom 21 and has a bottomed cylindrical shape. In the example shown in the drawing, the center portion of the bottom portion 21 is penetrated, the suction port 21a for introducing the contents in the filling space M into the cylinder 20, and the connecting portion between the bottom portion 21 and the peripheral wall 22 is penetrated to fill the filling space. And an inlet 21b for introducing the air in M into the cylinder 20. Further, on the lower surface side of the bottom portion 21, there is provided an annular holding portion 21 c that fixes and holds a suction pipe p that surrounds the suction port 21 a and sends the contents in the filling space M to the suction port 21 a. Note that at least one suction port 21a and at least one suction port 21b may be provided.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3A, an annular portion 23 that stands from the bottom portion 21 is provided inside the cylinder 20. A plurality of inner ribs 23a are provided on the inner peripheral surface of the annular portion 23. In the illustrated example, four inner ribs 23a are provided at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. Further, in the illustrated example, at least one vertical groove 23b (here, four cases are shown in a uniform arrangement with intervals in the circumferential direction) is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the annular portion 23. Further, as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the top surface of the annular portion 23 is provided with a lateral groove 23c continuously connected to the longitudinal groove 23b.

  As shown in FIG. 1, at least one recess 23 d (here, two as shown in FIG. 3A) is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the intermediate portion in the axial direction of the peripheral wall 22. An outward flange 24 is integrally connected to the upper portion of the peripheral wall 22. Further, the outward flange 24 is provided with a through hole (return hole) 24a penetrating the front and back surfaces thereof. As will be described later, the return hole 24a functions as a passage for returning the residual content remaining in the nozzle after discharge into the filling space. Further, on the lower surface of the outward flange 24, a cylindrical portion 25 that surrounds the peripheral wall 22 with a space and is suspended over the suction port 21b is integrally connected.

  Reference numeral 30 denotes a base cap that integrally connects the cylinder 20 via the outward flange 24. The base cap 30 includes a cylindrical outer wall 31 that surrounds the mouth portion 11 of the container body 10, and an engaged portion 31 a (illustrated) that engages with the engaging portion 11 a of the mouth portion 11 is formed on the inner surface of the outer wall 31. In this example, a screw) is provided. Further, as shown in FIG. 2, a detent rib 31b is provided at the lower end of the outer wall 31. Thus, when the base cap 30 is screwed, immediately before the screwing is finished, the rotation prevention rib 31b gets over the small protrusion 11b and is held between the small protrusion 11b and the large protrusion 11c. It is suspended and held by the mouth 11 of the main body 10. In the illustrated example, the base cap 30 is fixedly held by screws, but may be fixedly held by undercutting. Thus, an annular passage K that connects the return hole 24 a of the outward flange 24 and the filling space M is formed between the mouth portion 11 and the tubular portion 25.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the outer wall 31 is integrally connected with the outward flange 24 and is in close contact with the inner surface of the mouth portion 11 so that the container body 10 and the base cap 30 are hermetically sealed. A holding seal wall 32 is provided. Further, on the upper surface of the base cap 30, in the illustrated example, on the upper surface of the outward flange 24, a claw portion is provided on the outer peripheral surface side of the annular wall portion (even in the circumferential claw portion that is continuous in the circumferential direction, A support portion 33 may be provided.

  Reference numeral 40 is a cylinder provided inside the cylinder 20. The cylinder 40 includes a cylinder body 41 that extends along the inner peripheral surface of the cylinder 20 toward the bottom 21 and surrounds the annular portion 23. The outer peripheral surface of the cylinder body 41 is slidably and airtightly in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the cylinder 20. In addition, a ring wall 42 that protrudes along the top surface of the annular portion 23 is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical body portion 41. Thereby, there is a vertical groove between the outer peripheral surface of the annular portion 23 and the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical body main portion 41 and between the top surface of the annular portion 23 and the ring wall 42 of the cylindrical main body portion 41. An air passage composed of 23b and the lateral groove 23c is formed, and the air in the filling space M can be introduced into the cylindrical body 40. The vertical groove 23b and the horizontal groove 23c provided in the cylinder 20 may be provided on the cylinder 40, specifically, on the inner peripheral surface of the cylinder body 41 and the lower surface of the ring wall 42. It may be provided on both of the bodies 40.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3A and 3B, at the radially inner end edge of the ring wall 42, at least a protruding piece 42a extending along the inner peripheral surface of the annular portion 23 is provided. One, four in the illustrated example, is provided, and most of the openings located on the radially inner side of the lateral groove 23c are covered with the projecting pieces 42a. That is, the projecting piece 42a functions as a constricted portion that narrows a part of the air passage formed by the vertical groove 23b and the horizontal groove 23c. In addition, although illustration is abbreviate | omitted, the hollow for avoiding interference with the protrusion 42a may be provided in the annular part 23, and the protrusion 42a may be provided so that the horizontal groove 23c may be crossed. As will be described later, the cylinder 40 shown in FIG. 1 is non-rotatably connected to the head 60, and rotates in the cylinder 20 with the rotation of the head 60, so that the projecting piece 42a is in relation to the lateral groove 23c. Although moving in the circumferential direction, in the example shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, as shown in FIG. 4, the head 60 is rotated clockwise when the bubble ejection container is viewed from above. Shown in state.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 1, a rod 43 that extends in the axial direction of the cylindrical body 40 is provided inside the ring wall 42 in the radial direction. Here, the upper portion of the rod body 43 is held integrally connected with a connecting piece 44 extending obliquely upward from the ring wall 42. As shown in FIG. 5, a plurality of connection pieces 44 are provided (three in total in the example shown in the figure) with an interval in the circumferential direction.

  With the above-described configuration, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the contents in the filling space M are separated from the suction pipe p, the gap between the inner ribs 23 a, and the gap between the connecting pieces 44. It can introduce | transduce into the inside of the cylinder 40 by the channel | path through which it passes in order. On the other hand, the air in the filling space M passes through the passage in the order of the suction port 21b, the vertical groove 23b, the horizontal groove 23c, the opening of the horizontal groove 23c narrowed by the protruding piece 42a, and the gap between the connecting pieces 44. It is introduced inside the cylinder 40. Here, the inside of the cylinder 40 is a merge space G of the contents and air.

  Moreover, as shown in FIG. 1, the upper part of the cylinder 40 is expanded in diameter with the level | step-difference part d, and the foaming member shown with the code | symbol 50 here is provided. The foam member 50 is made of a mesh 52 fixed to the end face of the ring 51, and the foamed member 50 can be foamed by passing the mixed contents of air through the foam member 50. In the example shown in the figure, two foam members 50 are provided, but the number of installed members, the mesh roughness of the mesh 52, and the like are appropriately changed according to the type of contents.

  An outer rib 40 a that protrudes radially outward and fits in the recess 23 d of the peripheral wall 22 is provided on the outer peripheral surface in the axially intermediate portion of the cylindrical body 40, as shown in FIG. Further, as shown in the enlarged view of FIG. 1, a claw portion 45 protruding radially outward is provided on the upper outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical body 40 (even in the circumferential claw portion, the circumferential claw portion is spaced in the circumferential direction). In the illustrated example, at least one concave portion 46 is provided on the upper portion of the claw portion 45.

  Reference numeral 60 denotes a head provided on the base cap 30. As shown in the enlarged view of FIG. 1, the head 60 includes an inner cylinder 61 and an outer cylinder 62 that are concentrically arranged at the center, and is formed between the inner cylinder 61 and the outer cylinder 62. The upper part of the cylinder body 41 is inserted into the annular space. Further, on the radially inner side of the outer cylinder 62, a protrusion 62a that engages with the claw portion 45 is provided, and a convex portion 62b that corresponds to the concave portion 46 is provided. Thereby, the cylinder 40 is held by the head 60 so that it cannot rotate and cannot be pulled out. Note that the concave portion 46 and the convex portion 62b may be interchanged so that the convex portion is provided in the cylinder 40 and the concave portion is provided in the head 60. The outer peripheral surface of the outer cylinder 62 is slidably and airtightly in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the cylinder 20. In the illustrated example, the cylindrical body 40 and the head 60 are separate bodies, but they may be integrally connected. Further, when the lower end of the inner cylinder 61 is brought into contact with the upper surface of the foam member 50 as in the illustrated example, the foam member 50 can function as a retaining member.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the head 60 includes a top wall 63 that covers the support portion 33 of the base cap 30, and an outer peripheral wall 64 that surrounds the support portion 33 is provided at the edge of the top wall 63. . Here, protrusions corresponding to the claw portions of the support portion 33 are formed on the inner peripheral surface of the outer peripheral wall 64, and the head 60 is held so as to be rotatable with respect to the base cap 30 and not to be pulled out. Further, an inner annular wall 63a that is slidable and airtightly contacted with the radially inner side surface of the support portion 33 is provided on the lower surface of the top wall 63.

  Further, a nozzle 65 is integrally connected to the upper portion of the top wall 63 of the head 60. The inside of the nozzle 65 serves as a discharge passage H communicating with the merge space G, and the contents can be discharged from the tip opening 66 of the nozzle 65. On the other hand, in the nozzle 65, a rear end opening 67 is formed on the opposite side of the front end opening 66.

  Reference numeral 70 is a check valve. In the illustrated example, the check valve 70 includes an annular valve body 72 that elastically displaces outside the ring 71. The ring 71 is fitted and held in the outer cylinder 62 of the head 60, and the valve body 72 is in close contact with the lower surface of the top wall 63. As a result, air and contents from the filling space M side are prevented from flowing into the discharge passage H, while outside air or the like is introduced from the discharge passage H into the filling space M through the return hole 24a.

  In the foam ejection container configured as described above, the filling space M is pressurized under the action of the check valve 70 in accordance with the squeezing of the body portion 12 as shown in FIG. The merging space G is reached via the gap between the inner ribs 23 a and the gap between the connecting pieces 44. Similarly, the pressurized air enters the merging space G via the suction port 21b, the vertical groove 23b, the horizontal groove 23c, the opening of the horizontal groove 23c narrowed by the protruding piece 42a, and the gap between the connecting pieces 44. It reaches. Then, the contents that are foamed by passing the contents and air through the foaming member 50 are discharged from the tip opening 66 of the nozzle 65 through the discharge passage H.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 3, when the opening of the lateral groove 23c is narrowed by the projecting piece 42a, the amount of air reaching the confluence space G is reduced, so that the content is a foam with a wet feeling. It becomes.

  Thereafter, when the squeezing of the body 12 is released as shown in FIG. 7, the flexible body 12 is restored to its original shape. As a result, the filling space M has a negative pressure, and the foamed residual content in the discharge passage H is pulled back to the rear end side of the discharge passage H together with the outside air. Here, while the inside of the cylinder 40 is relatively difficult to flow air or the like by the vertical groove 23b, the horizontal groove 23c, etc. in addition to the foam member 50, the check valve 70 is connected to the filling space M from the discharge passage H. Since the flow toward the direction is easily released, the residual content can be pulled back to the filling space M from the return hole 24a through the annular passage K.

  Further, when the contents pulled back into the suction port 21b enter, the mixing ratio of the contents in the merging space G and the air changes from the expected ratio, and the foam quality of the contents to be discharged deteriorates (bubbles) In the example shown in the figure, the cylindrical portion 25 is provided to cover the suction port 21b. Therefore, even if the amount of residual contents to be pulled back repeatedly increases, The expected foam quality can be maintained.

  When the head 60 is rotated counterclockwise when the bubble ejection container is viewed from above in the present embodiment, the radial direction of the lateral groove 23c is as shown in FIGS. Since the inner opening is not covered with the projecting piece 42a, the contents are mixed with a relatively large amount of air, resulting in bubbles with a dry feeling. Here, since the recess 23d and the outer rib 40a function as a stopper for the head 60, a problem that the head 60 is rotated more than a required rotation amount is effectively prevented.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 4, for example, when the display indicating the change in foam quality accompanying the rotation of the head 60 is provided on the outer wall 31 of the base cap 30 and the outer peripheral wall 64 of the head 60, the alignment of the head 60 is performed. Since it becomes easy, usability can be improved more.

  Further, in the present embodiment, when the amount of air is reduced most, the protruding pieces 42a are provided so that the openings of all the horizontal grooves 23c are slightly opened, but when a plurality of the horizontal grooves 23c are provided, All of the lateral grooves 23c except for the at least one lateral groove 23c are closed, and the at least one lateral groove 23c is provided with a projecting piece 42a in an arrangement in which the opening is slightly open or always open. Also good.

  According to the present invention, since the foam quality of the contents can be changed by a simple switching operation, an easy-to-use foam ejection container can be provided.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Container main body 11 Mouth part 12 Body part 20 Cylinder 21a Suction port 21b Suction port 23 Annular part 23b Vertical groove (air flow path)
23c Transverse groove (ventilation passage)
24 outward flange 24a return hole (through hole)
30 Base Cap 33 Supporting Section 40 Cylinder 41 Cylinder Body 42 Ring Wall 42a Projection Piece (Stenosis)
60 head 65 nozzle 66 front end opening 67 rear end opening G merge space H discharge passage M filling space

Claims (3)

A container main body having a flexible body portion, the inside of which is a filling space for contents, and a suction port that forms a bottomed cylinder and introduces the contents and air in the container main body to the inside And a cylinder having a suction port, a base cap that is integrally connected to the cylinder via an outward flange provided on the cylinder, and that is attached to the mouth portion of the container body and holds the cylinder in a suspended state. A cylindrical body that extends toward the bottom of the cylinder along the inner peripheral surface and forms a merge space between the contents and air inside the cylinder, and has a discharge passage that communicates with the merge space. A nozzle that mixes and foams the contents and air in the merging space and discharges the foam-like contents from the opening at the front end thereof is connected to the nozzle and connected to the nozzle so that the cylinder cannot rotate and cannot be pulled out. F A foam ejection vessel and a de,
The base cap has a support portion that rotatably supports the head,
The cylinder includes at least one air passage from the suction port to the merge space in an annular portion standing on the inner side of the cylindrical body,
The bubble ejecting container according to claim 1, wherein the cylindrical body has a narrowed portion that protrudes into at least one of the air passages to narrow a part of the air passage as the head rotates. The ventilation path includes a longitudinal groove formed on the outer peripheral surface of the annular portion, and a lateral groove formed on the top surface of the annular portion and continuing to the longitudinal groove.
The narrowed portion is a protruding piece that is integrally connected to a ring wall protruding from the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical body and extends along the inner peripheral surface of the annular portion to cover the opening of the lateral groove. The foam ejection container as described. The outward flange is formed with at least one return hole penetrating the front and back, and the nozzle is provided with a rear end opening penetrating the rear end side thereof, and the inside of the discharge passage is provided along with the restoration of the body portion. The foam ejection container according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a back suction function for drawing the residual contents back into the filling space through the rear end opening and the return hole.

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