JP7193999B2 - foam dispenser - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to foam dispensers, liquid fills and foam dispenser caps.

For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a foam dispenser that foams and ejects contents.
The foam dispenser of Patent Document 1 has a liquid pump and a gas pump arranged around the liquid pump, and the liquid pressure-fed from the liquid pump and the gas pressure-fed from the gas pump It is configured to flow into and merge with the mixing section (the confluence space in the same document) via a ball valve arranged above the pump. The liquid pumped from the liquid pump flows into the mixing section almost straight up from below the mixing section, while the gas pumped from the gas pump flows into the mixing section from around the mixing section. .

JP-A-2005-262202

According to the studies of the present inventors, the foaming mechanism of the foam dispenser having the structure of Patent Document 1 is capable of sufficiently mixing liquid and gas to generate sufficiently uniform foam depending on the properties of the contents. It is not necessarily easy, and there is room for improvement regarding the structure.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and provides a foam dispenser, a liquid stuffing product, and a foam dispenser having a structure capable of better mixing gas and liquid to generate sufficiently uniform foam. It relates to a discharge cap.

The present invention provides a foamer mechanism for generating foam from a liquid,
a liquid supply unit that supplies liquid to the former mechanism;
a gas supply unit that supplies gas to the former mechanism;
a discharge port for discharging the foam generated by the foamer mechanism;
a foam channel through which the foam directed from the foamer mechanism to the discharge port passes;
with
The former mechanism is
a mixing section where the liquid supplied from the liquid supply section and the gas supplied from the gas supply section meet;
a liquid channel through which the liquid supplied from the liquid supply unit to the mixing unit passes;
a gas flow path through which the gas supplied from the gas supply unit to the mixing unit passes;
has
the froth channel includes an adjacent froth channel adjacent downstream to the mixing section;
the liquid flow path includes an adjacent liquid flow path adjacent upstream to the mixing section and having a liquid inlet open to the mixing section;
the gas flow path includes a plurality of adjacent gas flow paths adjacent upstream to the mixing section and each having a gas inlet open to the mixing section;
The liquid inlet relates to a foam dispenser arranged at a position corresponding to a confluence of the gases supplied from the plurality of adjacent gas flow paths to the mixing section through the gas inlet.

According to the invention, it is possible to mix gas and liquid better to produce a sufficiently homogeneous foam.

Fig.1 (a) is a schematic diagram of the foam dispenser which concerns on 1st Embodiment, FIG.1(b) is an enlarged view of the B section shown to Fig.1 (a). FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a more detailed structure of the foamer mechanism of the foam dispenser according to the first embodiment; FIGS. 3(a) and 3(b) are photographs showing how foam is ejected using the foamer mechanism having the structure shown in FIG. Fig. 10 is a side view of a foam dispenser according to a second embodiment; FIG. 10 is a side cross-sectional view of a foam discharge cap according to a second embodiment; FIG. 6 is a partially enlarged view of FIG. 5; 7(a) and 7(b) are diagrams showing the first member constituting the foamer mechanism of the foam dispenser according to the second embodiment, of which FIG. 7(a) is a plan view and FIG. b) is a perspective view. FIG. 8 is a plan view showing a state in which the first member and the second member that constitute the foamer mechanism of the foam dispenser according to the second embodiment are assembled. FIG. 9 is a perspective cross-sectional view along line AA of FIG. 8; FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA of FIGS. 5 and 14; FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA of FIG. 6; FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB of FIG. 6; FIG. 13 is a partially enlarged view of FIG. 12; FIG. 11 is a side cross-sectional view of a foam discharge cap according to a third embodiment; FIG. 15 is a partially enlarged view of FIG. 14; 16(a) and 16(b) are diagrams showing the first member constituting the foamer mechanism of the foam dispenser according to the third embodiment. b) is a perspective view. 17(a) and 17(b) are diagrams showing the second member constituting the foamer mechanism of the foam dispenser according to the third embodiment. b) is a bottom view. FIG. 11 is a plan view showing a state in which the first member and the second member that constitute the foamer mechanism of the foam dispenser according to the third embodiment are assembled. FIG. 19 is a perspective cross-sectional view along line AA of FIG. 18; FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view of the foam dispenser taken along line BB of FIG. 18; FIG. 16 is a partially enlarged view of FIG. 15; FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA of FIG. 21; FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB of FIG. 21; FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional view taken along line CC of FIG. 21; FIG. 25 is a partially enlarged view of FIG. 24; FIG. 25 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA of FIG. 24; FIG. 25 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB of FIG. 24; FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a foam dispenser according to a fourth embodiment; FIG. 29(a) is a schematic diagram for explaining a foam dispenser according to Modification 1, FIG. 29(b) is a schematic diagram for explaining a foam dispenser according to Modification 2, and FIG. (c) is a schematic diagram for explaining a foam dispenser according to Modification 3. FIG. 30(a) is a schematic diagram for explaining a foam dispenser according to Modification 4, and FIG. 30(b) is a schematic diagram for explaining a foam dispenser according to Modification 5. FIG. FIG. 31(a) is a schematic diagram for explaining a foam dispenser according to Modification 6, and FIG. 31(b) is a schematic diagram for explaining a foam dispenser according to Modification 7. FIG. FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram for explaining a foam dispenser according to modification 8; 33(a), 33(b), 33(c), 33(d), 33(e), 33(f) and 33(g) show Example 1 and Example, respectively. 2 shows photographs of foam produced according to Example 3, Example 4, Example 5, Example 6 and Example 7; 34(a), 34(b), 34(c), 34(d), 34(e), 34(f) and 34(g) show Example 8 and Example 8, respectively. 9 shows photographs of foams produced according to Example 10, Example 11, Example 12, Example 13 and Example 14. FIG. 35(a), 35(b), 35(c), 35(d), 35(e), 35(f) and 35(g) show Example 15 and Example 15, respectively. 16 shows photographs of foams produced by Example 16, Example 17, Example 18, Example 19, Example 20 and Example 21. FIG.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention are described below with reference to the drawings. In addition, in all the drawings, the same constituent elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and overlapping descriptions are appropriately omitted.

[First Embodiment]
First, a foam dispenser 100 according to a first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1(a) to 2. FIG.

As shown in FIG. 1A, the foam dispenser 100 according to the present embodiment includes a foamer mechanism 20 that generates foam from a liquid, a liquid supply section 29 that supplies the liquid to the foamer mechanism 20, and the foamer mechanism 20. It includes a gas supply unit 28 that supplies gas, a discharge port 41 that discharges foam generated by the foamer mechanism 20, and a foam flow path 90 through which the foam directed from the foamer mechanism 20 to the discharge port 41 passes. The former mechanism 20 includes a mixing section 21 where the liquid supplied from the liquid supply section 29 and the gas supplied from the gas supply section 28 meet, and the liquid supplied from the liquid supply section 29 to the mixing section 21 passes through. It has a liquid channel 50 and a gas channel 70 through which the gas supplied from the gas supply unit 28 to the mixing unit 21 passes. The froth channel 90 includes an adjacent froth channel 91 adjacent downstream to the mixing section 21 . The liquid flow path 50 includes an adjacent liquid flow path 51 adjacent upstream to the mixing section 21 and having a liquid inlet 52 open to the mixing section 21 . The gas flow path 70 includes a plurality of adjacent gas flow paths 71 adjacent upstream to the mixing section 21 and each having a gas inlet 72 open to the mixing section 21 . As shown in FIG. 1B, the liquid inlet 52 is arranged at a position corresponding to the junction 22 of the gases supplied to the mixing section 21 from the plurality of adjacent gas flow paths 71 via the gas inlet 72. there is
The adjacent foam channel 91 has a foam outlet 92 that opens to the mixing section 21 .

In the case of the present embodiment, the number of the mixing unit 21 is one, and the two adjacent gas flow channels 71, ie, the adjacent gas flow channel 71a and the adjacent gas flow channel 71b, supply gas to the mixing unit 21, One adjacent liquid channel 51 is adapted to supply liquid. Also, one adjacent bubble channel 91 is arranged with respect to the mixing section 21 .
A pair of adjacent gas flow paths 71 are arranged corresponding to each mixing section 21 . In other words, a plurality of (for example, a pair of) dedicated adjacent gas flow paths 71 are arranged corresponding to each mixing section 21 . Further, the number of adjacent liquid flow paths 51 arranged corresponding to each mixing section 21 is one, and the mixing section 21 is arranged corresponding to each adjacent liquid flow path 51 . In addition, the number of adjacent bubble channels 91 arranged corresponding to each mixing section 21 is one.
However, the present invention is not limited to this example. good.
That is, the former mechanism 20 has one or a plurality of adjacent liquid flow paths 51 and the mixing section 21 is arranged corresponding to each adjacent liquid flow path 51 .
In addition, in the present invention, three or more adjacent gas channels 71 may be arranged corresponding to each mixing section 21, or two or more adjacent liquid channels 71 may be arranged corresponding to each mixing section 21. 51 may be arranged, or two or more adjacent bubble channels 91 may be arranged corresponding to individual mixing sections 21 .

As shown in FIG. 1B, each gas inlet 72 is the downstream end of each adjacent gas channel 71 and is the connection end of each adjacent gas channel 71 with the mixing section 21 . The gas inlet 72a is the downstream end of the adjacent gas channel 71a, and the gas inlet 72b is the downstream end of the adjacent gas channel 71b.
The liquid inlet 52 is the downstream end of the adjacent liquid channel 51 and the connection end of the adjacent liquid channel 51 with the mixing section 21 .
The foam outlet 92 is the upstream end of the adjacent foam channel 91 and the connection end of the adjacent foam channel 91 with the mixing section 21 .

Here, one or more surfaces among the plurality of surfaces that define the mixing section 21 may be configured including a virtual surface and a wall surface, or may be a virtual surface that does not include a wall surface.
In the case of the present embodiment, the mixing section 21 has, for example, a rectangular parallelepiped shape, and the gas inlet 72a, the gas inlet 72b, the liquid inlet 52, and the foam outlet 92 (each a virtual plane not including a wall surface) define the mixing section 21. It constitutes one of four surfaces out of six surfaces, and the remaining two surfaces are wall surfaces that respectively define the front side and the back side of the mixing section 21 in the paper surface of FIG. there is That is, the mixing section 21 is defined by a plurality of gas inlets 72, liquid inlets 52, bubble outlets 92, and wall surfaces.

As described above, in the present invention, the former mechanism 20 may have multiple mixing sections 21 . That is, as an example, the foamer mechanism 20 includes a plurality of mixing sections 21, and each of the plurality of mixing sections 21 is defined by a plurality of gas inlets 72, liquid inlets 52, foam outlets 92, and wall surfaces. ing.

The confluence portion 22 is a flow of gas supplied to the mixing portion 21 from the adjacent gas flow passages 71, where the gases supplied to the mixing portion 21 from the plurality of adjacent gas flow passages 71 through the gas inlets 72 are merged. is in equilibrium, and the gas pushes against each other.
Here, in this specification, a plurality of adjacent gas flow paths 71 that are regions within the mixing section 21 and are arranged corresponding to the mixing section 21 are defined as axial centers at the downstream ends of the respective adjacent gas flow paths 71 . and a region where adjacent liquid flow paths 51 arranged corresponding to the mixing section 21 are extended in the direction of the axial center at the downstream end of the adjacent liquid flow paths 51. is referred to as a gas-liquid contact region 23 . In FIG. 1B, the gas-liquid contact area 23 is hatched.
The confluence portion 22 is a portion within the gas-liquid contact area 23 and is located between the plurality of gas inlets 72 opening to one mixing portion 21 .
In the case of this embodiment, a pair of adjacent gas passages 71 are arranged corresponding to one mixing section 21, and the gas supply direction from the pair of adjacent gas passages 71 to the corresponding mixing section 21 is , facing each other. The gas inlets 72a, 72b of the adjacent gas flow paths 71a, 71b face each other in parallel. Further, the axis AX3 of the adjacent liquid channel 51 is orthogonal to the axes AX1 and AX2. In this case, as shown in FIG. 1(b), the confluence 22 is an imaginary plane located between the two gas inlets 72a and 72b.
However, in the present invention, the former mechanism 20 may have a plurality of mixing sections 21, and in this case, a pair of adjacent gas flow paths 71 are arranged corresponding to each mixing section 21. Alternatively, the gas supply directions from the pair of adjacent gas passages 71 to the corresponding mixing portions 21 may be opposite to each other.
Thus, the former mechanism 20 has one or a plurality of mixing sections 21, and a pair of adjacent gas flow paths 71 are arranged corresponding to each mixing section 21, and the pair of adjacent gas flow The gas supply directions from the passages 71 to the corresponding mixing portions 21 are opposed to each other.

More specifically, in the case of this embodiment, the adjacent gas flow paths 71a and 71b extend linearly, the adjacent gas flow paths 71a and 71b each have a rectangular cross-sectional shape, and the gas inlet 72a The gas inlet 72b is a rectangular opening perpendicular to the axis of the gas flow path 71a, and the gas inlet 72b is a rectangular opening perpendicular to the axis of the adjacent gas flow path 71b. The gas inlet 72a and the gas inlet 72b are formed to have the same shape and the same area. That is, the gas inlets 72 opening to the mixing section 21 have the same shape, and the gas inlets 72 opening to the mixing section 21 have the same area. Further, the axial center AX1 of the adjacent gas flow path 71a and the axial center AX2 of the adjacent gas flow path 71b are arranged on the same straight line. The adjacent liquid channel 51 has a rectangular cross-sectional shape. The entire mixing section 21 is the gas-liquid contact area 23, and the mixing section 21 and the gas-liquid contact area 23 are equal to each other. The adjacent liquid channel 51 extends linearly, and the axis AX3 of the adjacent liquid channel 51 is perpendicular to the axes AX1 and AX2. The adjacent bubble channel 91 extends linearly, and the axis AX4 of the adjacent bubble channel 91 is arranged on the same straight line as the axis AX3.
In the case of this embodiment, the confluence portion 22 is located between the two gas inlets 72a and 72b and is a virtual surface (virtual surface) having the same shape and dimensions as the gas inlets 72a and 72b.

In addition, when three or more adjacent gas flow paths 71 are arranged for one mixing section 21 and the axial centers of these three or more adjacent gas flow paths 71 are arranged on the same plane, The confluence portion 22 is a virtual line (virtual line) that includes the intersection of the axes of these three adjacent gas flow paths 71 and that is perpendicular to the plane.
In addition, when three or more adjacent gas flow paths 71 are arranged for one mixing section 21 and the axes of these adjacent gas flow paths 71 do not exist on the same plane, the merging section 22 is assumed to be an imaginary point (virtual point).

The fact that the liquid inlet 52 is disposed at a position corresponding to the confluence portion 22 means that the liquid inlet 52 and the confluence portion 22 are located in the same direction as the liquid inlet 52 and the confluence portion 22 when viewed in the direction of the axial center AX3 at the downstream end of the adjacent liquid channel 51. (at least a portion of the liquid inlet 52 and at least a portion of the confluence portion 22 overlap).
The liquid inlet 52 is preferably arranged near the junction 22 . For example, it is preferable that the distance between the liquid inlet 52 and the confluence portion 22 is equal to or less than the diameter of the liquid inlet 52 . Moreover, it is more preferable that the liquid inlet 52 is arranged at a position in direct contact with the confluence portion 22 . As shown in FIG. 1( a ), in the case of this embodiment, the liquid inlet 52 is in direct contact with the confluence section 22 .

Further, it is preferable that the gas inlets 72 are arranged at positions on both sides of the mixing section 21 , sandwiching an extended area (hereinafter referred to as an extended area) of the adjacent liquid channel 51 .
Here, the extended upper region is a region that overlaps with the adjacent liquid channel 51 when viewed in the direction of the axial center AX3 at the downstream end of the adjacent liquid channel 51 in the mixing section 21 . Here, it is preferable that no obstacle exists between the extended upper region and the adjacent liquid channel 51 . However, an obstacle that impedes the flow of fluid may exist between the upper extension region and the adjacent liquid channel 51 .
The extension upper region may be a partial region of the mixing section 21 or may be the entire mixing section 21 . In the case of this embodiment, the extended upper region is the entire mixing section 21 .
The extended upper area is an area including the gas-liquid contact area 23 . In the case of this embodiment, the extended upper region, the gas-liquid contact region 23, and the mixing section 21 are equal to each other.
The expression that the gas inlets 72 are arranged at positions on both sides of the extended upper region means that the gas inlets 72 are provided on both sides of the extension line of the axis AX3 at the downstream end of the adjacent liquid channel 51. It is arranged.
The gas inlets 72 are arranged so that the gas flowing into the mixing section 21 through the gas inlets 72 reaches the upper extension area from both sides of the upper extension area.

In addition, it is preferable that each of the gas inlets 72 arranged at positions on both sides of the extended area (upper extended area) of the adjacent liquid channel 51 faces the area.
The expression that the gas inlet 72 faces the upper extension region means that any portion of the gas inlet 72 overlaps the upper extension region when viewed in the direction of the axial center of the downstream end of the adjacent gas channel 71 ( at least a portion of the gas inlet 72 and at least a portion of the extended region overlap). Although it is preferred that there be no obstructions between the upper extension region and the gas inlet 72, there may be obstructions between the upper extension region and the gas inlet 72 that impede fluid flow.

As described above, in this embodiment, a pair of adjacent gas flow paths 71 are arranged for one mixing section 21 . In this case, it is preferable that the gas inlets 72 opening to one mixing section 21 face each other with the mixing section 21 interposed therebetween. When the gas inlets 72 open to one mixing section 21 face each other with the mixing section 21 interposed therebetween, it means that one adjacent gas flow path 71a of the pair of adjacent gas flow paths 71 When viewed in the direction of the axial center AX1 at the downstream end, the gas inlet 72a of the adjacent gas channel 71a overlaps the mixing section 21 and the gas inlet 72b of the other adjacent gas channel 71b (at least part of the gas inlet 72a overlaps at least a portion of the mixing portion 21 and at least a portion of the gas inlet 72b), and when viewed in the direction of the axial center AX2 at the downstream end of the other adjacent gas flow channel 71a, the gas in the adjacent gas flow channel 71b It means that the inlet 72b overlaps the mixing section 21 as well as the gas inlet 72a of one adjacent gas flow path 71a (at least a portion of the gas inlet 72b overlaps at least a portion of the mixing section 21 and at least a portion of the gas inlet 72a). .

Hereinafter, the configuration of the foam dispenser 100 according to this embodiment will be described in more detail.
In the case of the present embodiment, the maximum value of the lumen cross-sectional area of the mixing section 21 perpendicular to the axial direction (the direction of the axis AX3) of the adjacent liquid channel 51 is the same as the channel area of the adjacent liquid channel 51. is.
Here, the flow channel area of the adjacent liquid flow channel 51 is the average value of the lumen cross-sectional area of the adjacent liquid flow channel 51 perpendicular to the axial direction of the adjacent liquid flow channel 51, and the volume of the adjacent liquid flow channel 51 is divided by the length of the adjacent liquid channel 51 .
It is also preferable that the maximum value of the lumen cross-sectional area of the mixing section 21 perpendicular to the axial direction of the adjacent liquid flow path 51 is smaller than the flow area of the adjacent liquid flow path 51 .
That is, the maximum value of the lumen cross-sectional area of the mixing portion 21 orthogonal to the axial direction of the adjacent liquid flow channel 51 is the same as or smaller than the flow channel area of the adjacent liquid flow channel 51. .
In addition, when the adjacent liquid channel 51 is not linear, the maximum value of the lumen cross-sectional area of the mixing section 21 orthogonal to the axial direction at the downstream end of the adjacent liquid channel 51 is the channel of the adjacent liquid channel 51. It is preferably the same as the area or smaller than the channel area.

In the case of the present embodiment, the flow channel area of the adjacent foam flow channel 91 is the lumen cross-sectional area (adjacent foam flow channel It is the same as the maximum value of the cross-sectional area of the lumen of the mixing portion 21 perpendicular to the axial direction of 91).
Here, the channel area of the adjacent foam channel 91 is the average value of the lumen cross-sectional area of the adjacent foam channel 91 orthogonal to the axial direction of the adjacent foam channel 91, and the volume of the adjacent foam channel 91 is divided by the length of the adjacent bubble channel 91 .
It is also preferable that the channel area of the adjacent foam channel 91 is smaller than the maximum value of the lumen cross-sectional area of the mixing section 21 orthogonal to the axial direction of the adjacent foam channel 91 .
That is, the channel area of the adjacent foam channel 91 is equal to or larger than the maximum lumen cross-sectional area of the mixing section 21 perpendicular to the axial direction of the adjacent foam channel 91. small.
In addition, when the adjacent foam flow path 91 is not linear, the maximum value of the internal cross-sectional area of the mixing portion 21 orthogonal to the axial center at the upstream end of the adjacent foam flow path 91 is the flow path of the adjacent foam flow path 91. It is preferably the same as the area or smaller than the channel area.
More preferably, the channel area of the adjacent foam channel 91 is the value obtained by dividing the volume of the mixing portion 21 by the dimension of the mixing portion 21 in the axial direction of the adjacent foam channel 91 (with respect to the axial direction of the adjacent foam channel 91). is equal to or smaller than the average value of the lumen cross-sectional area of the mixing portion 21 perpendicular to the

It is preferable that the opening area of the bubble outlet 92 is smaller than the channel area of the adjacent liquid channel 51 or equal to the channel area of the adjacent liquid channel 51 .
The opening area of the bubble outlet 92 is preferably smaller than or equal to the lumen cross-sectional area of the mixing section 21 perpendicular to the axial direction of the adjacent bubble flow path 91 .
Furthermore, it is preferable that the cross-sectional area of the lumen of the mixing portion 21 orthogonal to the axial direction of the adjacent bubble flow path 91 is larger than the opening area of the gas inlet 72 corresponding to the mixing portion 21 . When a plurality of gas inlets 72 are arranged corresponding to one mixing section 21 , the mixing area perpendicular to the axial direction of the adjacent bubble flow paths 91 is greater than the total value of the opening areas of these gas inlets 72 . It is preferable that the lumen cross-sectional area of the portion 21 is large.

In this embodiment, the length of the adjacent bubble channel 91 is greater than the dimension of the gas inlet 72 in the axial direction of the adjacent bubble channel 91 . For that matter, the length of the adjacent foam channel 91 is longer than the dimension of the mixing section 21 in the axial direction of the adjacent foam channel 91 .

In addition, in the case of this embodiment, the adjacent bubble flow path 91 and the adjacent liquid flow path 51 are arranged on opposite sides of each other with respect to the mixing section 21 . The bubble outlet 92 and the liquid inlet 52 face each other with the mixing section 21 interposed therebetween. The expression that the foam outlet 92 and the liquid inlet 52 are opposed to each other with the mixing portion 21 interposed therebetween means that the foam outlet 92 and the liquid inlet 52 face each other when viewed in the direction of the axis at the upstream end of the adjacent foam flow path 91 . 21 and the liquid inlet 52 (at least a portion of the bubble outlet 92 overlaps at least a portion of the mixing section 21 and at least a portion of the liquid inlet 52), and viewed in the axial direction at the downstream end of the adjacent liquid channel 51 Sometimes it is meant that the liquid inlet 52 overlaps the mixing section 21 and the foam outlet 92 (at least a portion of the liquid inlet 52 overlaps at least a portion of the mixing section 21 and at least a portion of the foam outlet 92).

More specifically, in the case of this embodiment, as shown in FIG. Includes large enlarged bubble channel 93 . Therefore, it is possible to prevent the generated bubbles from clogging the adjacent bubble flow path 91, and it is possible to more preferably generate continuous bubbles.

Here, FIGS. 3(a) and 3(b) are photographs showing how foam is ejected using the foamer mechanism having the structure shown in FIG.
As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, a liquid column 80 is formed by the liquid supplied from the adjacent liquid channel 51 to the mixing section 21, and the liquid column 80 moves away from the adjacent gas channel 71b. It was confirmed that the liquid column 80 oscillates at a high speed sequentially (alternately) in the direction and the direction away from the adjacent gas flow path 71a, and fine bubbles are generated intermittently from the liquid column 80. FIG. Such action produced a large number of fine bubbles.
Although the reason why such an operation occurs is not clear, the pressure of the gas supplied to the mixing section 21 from one adjacent gas flow path 71a is equal to the pressure of the gas supplied to the mixing section 21 from the other adjacent gas flow path 71b. (the pressure of the gas supplied to the mixing section 21 from the other adjacent gas flow path 71b exceeds the pressure of the gas supplied to the mixing section 21 from the other adjacent gas flow path 71b) and one adjacent gas The pressure of the gas supplied to the mixing section 21 from the flow path 71a exceeds the pressure of the gas supplied to the mixing section 21 from the other adjacent gas flow path 71b (supplied to the mixing section 21 from the other adjacent gas flow path 71b). The reason for this is thought to be that the pressure of the gas supplied to the mixing section 21 from the other adjacent gas flow path 71b is lower than the pressure of the gas supplied to the mixing section 21 from the other adjacent gas flow path 71b) and the timing occur sequentially (alternately) at short time intervals.

The liquid column 80 is formed in a range from the mixing section 21 to the adjacent bubble channel 91 , and sometimes formed in a range from the mixing section 21 to the enlarged bubble channel 93 . In other words, bubbles can be generated not only in the mixing section 21 but also in the adjacent bubble channel 91 and the enlarged bubble channel 93 .

Thus, at least the adjacent bubble channels 91 are oriented such that the liquid columns 80 formed by the liquid are directed away from the gas inlets 72 of each of the plurality of adjacent gas channels 71 that are open to the mixing section 21 . , and constitutes a swing region that swings sequentially.
More specifically, in the case of this embodiment, a pair of adjacent gas flow paths 71 are arranged for one mixing section 21, and the liquid columns 80 alternately swing in the swing region.

By discharging foam using the foamer mechanism having the structure shown in FIG. Therefore, it becomes easy to generate sufficiently uniform and fine bubbles.
The foam dispenser 100 does not have the mesh that typical foamer mechanisms have, but is still capable of producing a sufficiently uniform and fine foam. Therefore, clogging of the mesh can be prevented.
In addition, it is possible to easily foam a liquid such as a highly viscous liquid that is not easily foamed.

Further, the details will be described later in the examples, but the amount of gas and liquid supplied to the mixing unit 21 per unit time is The fineness of the foam can be made uniform regardless of the type of foam.

According to this embodiment, the liquid inlet 52 is arranged at a position corresponding to the confluence 22 of the gases supplied to the mixing section 21 from the plurality of adjacent gas flow paths 71 via the gas inlet 72. By causing the liquid column to oscillate as described above, the liquid can be effectively bubbled by the air current. Therefore, it is possible to mix the gas and liquid satisfactorily to generate sufficiently uniform bubbles.

In addition, since the individual mixing sections 21 are arranged corresponding to the individual adjacent liquid flow paths 51, the escape of the gas and liquid from the mixing section 21 is restricted, so that the mixing of gas and liquid in the mixing section 21 is prevented. can be done more reliably.
In addition, by arranging a plurality of dedicated adjacent gas flow paths 71 corresponding to the individual mixing sections 21, the escape of the gas or liquid from the mixing section 21 is further restricted. The gas-liquid mixing at 21 can be performed more reliably.

In addition, since the channel area of the adjacent bubble channel 91 is the same as the maximum cross-sectional area of the lumen of the mixing section 21 perpendicular to the axial direction of the adjacent bubble channel 91, the liquid column as described above is formed. The rocking can be performed in a limited space, and the flow path of the airflow passing around the liquid column is also restricted. Therefore, it is possible to intermittently generate fine bubbles better.

Also, the length of the adjacent bubble channel 91 is greater than the dimension of the gas inlet 72 in the axial direction of the adjacent bubble channel 91 . In other words, in the rear stage of the mixing section 21, a sufficiently long region with a limited flow passage area is provided. Therefore, it is possible to intermittently generate fine bubbles while performing the rocking of the liquid column more reliably as described above.

In addition, since the gas supply directions from the pair of adjacent gas passages 71a and 71b to the corresponding mixing section 21 are opposite to each other, the air currents can be pushed against each other more favorably at the confluence section 22. FIG. Therefore, it is possible to intermittently generate fine bubbles while performing the rocking of the liquid column more reliably as described above.

[Second embodiment]
Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 13. FIG.
The foam dispenser 100 according to this embodiment differs from the foam dispenser 100 according to the first embodiment in the points described below, and in other respects, the foam dispenser 100 according to the first embodiment is different. It is constructed in the same manner as the device 100 .
Hereinafter, in order to simplify the explanation of the positional relationship of the constituent elements of the foam dispenser 100, the downward direction in FIG. 4 shall be the downward direction, and the opposite direction shall be the upward direction. However, these directions do not limit the directions in which the foam dispenser 100 is manufactured and used.

As shown in FIG. 4 , the foam dispenser 100 includes a storage container 10 that stores a liquid 101 and a foam ejection cap 200 detachably attached to the storage container 10 .

Although the shape of the storage container 10 is not particularly limited, for example, as shown in FIG. and a bottom portion 14 closing the lower end of the trunk portion 11 . An opening is formed at the upper end of the mouth/neck portion 13 .
The storage container 10 is filled with a liquid 101 .

A liquid-packed product 500 according to this embodiment includes a foam dispenser 100 and a liquid 101 filled in a storage container 10 .

In the present embodiment, the liquid 101 may be hand soap as a representative example, but is not limited to this, and may be face wash, cleansing agent, dishwashing detergent, hair styling agent, body soap, shaving cream, foundation, etc. Examples thereof include skin cosmetics such as beauty essences, hair dyes, disinfectants, and various foam-like products.
The viscosity of the liquid 101 before foaming is not particularly limited, but can be, for example, 1 mPa·s or more and 10 mPa·s or less at 20°C.
In addition, the foam dispenser 100 according to the present embodiment is capable of foaming 10 mPa·s or more and 100 mPa·s or less at 20° C., such as shampoo, and has a structure suitable for foaming the highly viscous liquid 101 . Thus, for example, even the liquid 101 having a viscosity of 100 mPa·s or more at 20° C. can be suitably foamed.
A Brookfield viscometer is used for viscosity measurement, and a rotor and rotation speed suitable for the viscosity range to be measured can be selected.

The foam dispenser 100 changes the liquid 101 into foam by contacting the liquid 101 stored in the storage container 10 at normal pressure with air in the mixing section 21 (FIG. 12, etc.) of the foamer mechanism 20 .
In the case of this embodiment, the foam dispenser 100 is, for example, a pump container that ejects foam by manual operation, and the liquid 101 is foamed by pressing the operation receiving portion 31 of the head member (head portion) 30. foam, and the foam is discharged. In this embodiment, the liquid supply unit that supplies the liquid 101 to the former mechanism 20 is, for example, a liquid cylinder of a liquid pump, and the gas supply unit that supplies gas to the former mechanism 20 is, for example, a gas cylinder of a gas pump. .
However, the present invention is not limited to this example. type foam dispenser.

As shown in FIG. 5, the foam discharge cap 200 includes a cap member 110 having a cylindrical mounting portion 111 detachably mounted on the mouth/neck portion 13 (FIG. 4) by a fixing method such as screwing. , a cylinder member 120 that is fixed to the cap member 110 and constitutes a cylinder of the liquid pump and the gas pump, and a head member 30 that has an operation receiving portion 31 that receives a pressing operation.
The entire foam discharge cap 200 is attached to the mouth/neck portion 13 by attaching the attachment portion 111 to the mouth/neck portion 13 . 5, the mounting portion 111 may be formed in a double-tube structure, of which the inner cylindrical portion may be screwed into the mouth/neck portion 13, It may be configured in a single tubular shape. By attaching the foam discharge cap 200 to the mouth/neck portion 13 , the opening of the mouth/neck portion 13 is closed by the foam discharge cap 200 .

The cap member 110 includes an annular closing portion 112 that closes the upper end of the mounting portion 111, and a cylindrical shape with a smaller diameter than the mounting portion 111. The cap member 110 rises upward from the central portion of the annular closing portion 112. and an upright tube portion 113 that

The cylinder member 120 includes a cylindrical gas cylinder forming portion 121 fixed to the lower surface side of the annular closing portion 112 of the cap member 110, a cylindrical liquid cylinder forming portion 122 having a smaller diameter than the gas cylinder forming portion 121, and an annular A connecting portion 123 is provided. The annular connecting portion 123 interconnects the lower end portion of the gas cylinder forming portion 121 and the upper end portion of the liquid cylinder forming portion 122 , and the liquid cylinder forming portion 122 hangs down from the annular connecting portion 123 .
The gas cylinder-constituting portion 121, the liquid cylinder-constituting portion 122, the mounting portion 111, and the standing cylinder portion 113 are arranged coaxially with each other.

The upper end portion of the gas cylinder-constituting portion 121 is fixed to the annular closing portion 112 by being fitted to the lower surface side of the annular closing portion 112 .
A cylinder (gas cylinder) of the gas pump is configured to include a gas cylinder forming portion 121 and an annular connecting portion 123 .
The piston of the gas pump is composed of a gas piston 150 which will be described later.
Hereinafter, the portion between the gas piston 150 and the annular connecting portion 123 in the internal space of the gas cylinder structure portion 121 will be referred to as a gas pump chamber 210 .
The volume of the gas pump chamber 210 expands and contracts as the gas piston 150 moves up and down.

On the other hand, the cylinder (liquid cylinder) of the liquid pump is configured with a liquid cylinder forming portion 122 .
The piston of the liquid pump is configured with a liquid piston 140, which will be described later.
The liquid pump chamber 220 is a space between a liquid discharge valve and a liquid intake valve, which will be described later. The volume of the liquid pump chamber 220 expands and contracts as the liquid piston 140 and the later-described piston guide 130 move up and down.

The liquid cylinder (liquid supply unit) is configured to pressurize the liquid 101 inside and supply the liquid 101 to the former mechanism 20 .
The gas cylinder (gas supply unit) is arranged around the liquid cylinder and configured to pressurize the gas inside and supply the gas to the former mechanism 20 .

More specifically, the foam dispenser 100 includes a head member 30 held by the mounting portion 111 so as to be vertically movable with respect to the mounting portion 111 and pushed down relative to the mounting portion 111. The mechanism 20 , the ejection port 41 and the bubble channel 90 are held by the head member 30 .
When the head member 30 is pushed down relative to the mounting portion 111, the liquid 101 inside the liquid supply portion (inside the liquid pump chamber 220) and the inside of the gas supply portion (inside the gas pump chamber 210) , are pressurized and supplied to the former mechanism 20 .

The liquid cylinder-constituting portion 122 includes a vertically extending straight portion 122a and a reduced diameter portion 122b that is connected to the lower portion of the straight portion 122a and has a diameter that decreases downward. .
A spring receiving portion 126a for receiving the lower end of the coil spring 170 is formed on the inner circumference of the lower end portion of the straight portion 122a. The spring receiving portion 126a is formed by the upper end face of a plurality of ribs 126 formed at predetermined angular intervals such as equal angular intervals on the inner periphery of the lower end portion of the liquid cylinder forming portion 122. As shown in FIG.
A lower portion of the inner peripheral surface of the diameter-reduced portion 122b forms a valve seat 127 to which a valve body 162 formed by a lower end portion of a poppet 160, which will be described later, can be in liquid-tight contact.

Furthermore, the cylinder member 120 has a cylindrical tube holding portion 125 that is connected to the lower portion of the liquid cylinder forming portion 122 . The dip tube 128 is held at the lower end of the cylinder member 120 by inserting the upper end of the dip tube 128 into the tube holding portion 125 . The liquid 101 in the storage container 10 can be sucked into the liquid pump chamber 220 via the dip tube 128 .

A packing 190 is fitted on the upper end of the cylinder member 120 . In a state where the cap member 110 is screwed to the storage container 10, the packing 190 is in airtight contact with the upper end of the mouth-and-neck portion 13 in a circumferential manner, thereby sealing the internal space of the storage container 10. It has become so.

Further, a through hole 129 is formed in the gas cylinder-constituting portion 121 so as to pass through the inside and outside of the gas cylinder-constituting portion 121 . When the head member 30 is positioned at the top dead center, the through hole 129 is closed by the outer ring portion 153 of the gas piston 150, which will be described later.

The head member 30 has an operation receiving portion 31 that receives a pressing operation, and double tubular portions, that is, an inner cylinder portion 32 and an outer cylinder portion 33 , which hang down from the operation receiving portion 31 . Upper ends of the inner cylinder portion 32 and the outer cylinder portion 33 are closed by the operation receiving portion 31 .
The inner tubular portion 32 extends downward longer than the outer tubular portion 33 . The inner tubular portion 32 is inserted into the standing tubular portion 113 of the cap member 110 .
The inner cylindrical portion 32 is indirectly held by the mounting portion 111 (indirectly via the cylinder member 120, the coil spring 170, etc.).
The head member 30 can be pressed within a range from the top dead center to the bottom dead center against the bias of the coil spring 170 . return to
The head member 30 moves up and down relative to the cap member 110 , and the inner tubular portion 32 is guided by the standing tubular portion 113 during this vertical movement. The inner diameter of the outer cylindrical portion 33 is set to be larger than the outer diameter of the erecting cylindrical portion 113, and when the head member 30 is pushed down, the erecting cylindrical portion 113 moves between the outer cylindrical portion 33 and the inner cylindrical portion 32. accommodated in the gap between

Further, the head member 30 integrally has a nozzle portion 40 . The nozzle portion 40 horizontally protrudes from the operation receiving portion 31 . The internal space of the nozzle portion 40 communicates with the internal space of the inner tubular portion 32 at the upper end portion of the inner tubular portion 32 . The ejection port 41 is formed at the tip of the nozzle portion 40 .

In a normal state (normal state) in which the head member 30 is not pushed down, the action of the coil spring 170 maintains the vertical position of the head member 30 with respect to the cap member 110 and the cylinder member 120 at the upper limit position (top dead center). (Fig. 5). This upper limit position is, for example, a position where the upper end of the piston portion 152 of the gas piston 150 (to be described later) contacts the annular closing portion 112 of the cylinder member 120 .
On the other hand, when the user presses down the head member 30 against the force of the coil spring 170 , the head member 30 descends relative to the cap member 110 and the cylinder member 120 . The lower limit position (bottom dead center) of the head member 30 is, for example, the position where the lower end of the flange portion 133 of the piston guide 130 (to be described later) contacts the annular connecting portion 123 of the cylinder member 120 .

Here, the former mechanism 20 is accommodated in the inner cylinder portion 32 of the head member 30 and held by the inner cylinder portion 32 . Also, the head member 30 is indirectly held by the mounting portion 111 via the cylinder member 120 , the coil spring 170 , the liquid piston 140 and the piston guide 130 . Further, the head member 30 is configured including ejection ports 41 .
Thus, the foam dispenser 100 includes the storage container 10 that stores the liquid 101, and the mounting portion 111 that is attached to the storage container 10. The foamer mechanism 20, the discharge port 41, and the foam flow path 90 are , is held by the mounting portion 111 .

Foam dispensing cap 200 further comprises piston guide 130 , liquid piston 140 , gas piston 150 , intake valve member 155 , poppet 160 , coil spring 170 and ball valve 180 .
Of these, the piston guide 130 is fixed to the head member 30 , and the liquid piston 140 is fixed to the head member 30 via the piston guide 130 . Accordingly, the head member 30, the piston guide 130 and the liquid piston 140 move vertically together.
In addition, the gas piston 150 is loosely fitted in the piston guide 130 and can move up and down relative to the piston guide 130 . An intake valve member 155 is fixed to the gas piston 150 .
The poppet 160 is inserted into the liquid piston 140 and can move up and down relative to the liquid piston 140 .
A coil spring 170 is loosely fitted around the poppet 160 .
The ball valve 180 is vertically movably held between a valve seat portion 131 (to be described later) and the lower end of a projection portion 811a (FIG. 6) of the first member 810 (to be described later).

The piston guide 130 is formed in a vertically elongated cylindrical shape (cylindrical tube shape). 32 is fixed. The piston guide 130 hangs downward from the lower end of the inner cylindrical portion 32 of the head member 30 .
A cylindrical valve seat portion 131 is formed inside the upper end portion of the piston guide 130 , and a ball valve 180 is arranged on the valve seat portion 131 . The ball valve 180 and the valve seat portion 131 constitute a liquid discharge valve. The internal space of the portion of the piston guide 130 above the valve seat portion 131 constitutes an accommodation space 132 that accommodates the ball valve 180 and the first portion 811 and the second portion 812 of the first member 810 . The accommodation space 132 communicates with the internal space (that is, the liquid pump chamber 220 ) of the piston guide 130 below the valve seat portion 131 via a through hole 131 a formed in the center of the valve seat portion 131 .
A flange portion 133 is formed in the central portion of the piston guide 130 in the vertical direction, and an annular valve configuration groove 134 is formed in the upper surface of the flange portion 133 .
A cylindrical portion 151 of a gas piston 150 is loosely fitted on the upper portion of the piston guide 130 . The upper portion of the piston guide 130 referred to here is a portion of the piston guide 130 above the flange portion 133 and below a portion of the piston guide 130 that is inserted and fixed to the inner cylindrical portion 32 . part.
The valve forming groove 134 on the upper surface of the flange portion 133 and the lower end portion of the cylindrical portion 151 of the gas piston 150 constitute a gas discharge valve.
Further, a plurality of flow passage forming grooves 135 (FIG. 10) extending vertically are formed on the outer peripheral surface of the portion of the piston guide 130 where the cylindrical portion 151 is fitted. A gap between the flow path forming groove 135 and the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 151 of the gas piston 150 is a flow path 211 (FIG. 10) through which the gas flowing out from the gas pump chamber 210 via the gas discharge valve passes. constitutes
The outer diameter dimension of the portion of the piston guide 130 below the flange portion 133 is set to be slightly smaller than the inner diameter dimension of the straight portion 122a of the liquid cylinder constituting portion 122. It is guided by the straight portion 122a when it moves up and down.
On the inner peripheral surface of the portion of the piston guide 130 below the valve seat portion 131 (however, the portion above the portion where the liquid piston 140 is inserted and fixed (for example, press-fitted)), vertically extending A plurality of ribs 136 are formed to accommodate. These ribs 136 can contact the poppet 160 under pressure.

The liquid piston 140 is formed in a cylindrical shape (circular tube shape). A lower end portion of the liquid piston 140 is formed with an outer peripheral piston portion 141 projecting radially outward.
A portion of the liquid piston 140 above the outer peripheral piston portion 141 is inserted into the lower end portion of the piston guide 130 and fixed (for example, press-fitted).
Further, the outer peripheral piston portion 141 of the liquid piston 140 is inserted into the straight portion 122 a of the liquid cylinder forming portion 122 . The outer diameter dimension of the outer peripheral piston portion 141 is set equal to the inner diameter dimension of the straight portion 122a. The outer peripheral piston portion 141 is in liquid-tight contact with the inner peripheral surface of the straight portion 122a in a circular manner, and slides against the inner peripheral surface of the straight portion 122a when the outer peripheral piston portion 141 moves up and down. do.
The inner peripheral surface of the outer peripheral piston portion 141 includes an obliquely stepped spring receiving portion 142 that receives the upper end of the coil spring 170 .
An upper end portion of the liquid piston 140 is a constricted portion 143 having an inner diameter smaller than that of the other portions.

The gas piston 150 has a cylindrical portion 151 that is loosely inserted into the upper portion of the piston guide 130 (a portion above the flange portion 133). and a piston portion 152 projecting radially outwardly from.
The tubular portion 151 can slide vertically relative to the upper portion of the piston guide 130 .
The upper end portion of the tubular portion 151 is inserted into the lower end portion of the inner tubular portion 32 . A lower end portion of the cylindrical portion 151 is formed into a shape that can be fitted into the valve-constituting groove 134 on the upper surface of the flange portion 133 of the piston guide 130 .
An outer peripheral ring portion 153 is formed on the peripheral portion of the piston portion 152 . The outer ring portion 153 is in air-tight contact with the inner peripheral surface of the gas cylinder-constituting portion 121 in a circumferential shape, and slides on the inner peripheral surface of the gas cylinder-constituting portion 121 when the gas piston 150 moves up and down. move.
The lower limit position of the relative movement (vertical movement) of the tubular portion 151 with respect to the piston guide 130 is the position where the lower end portion of the tubular portion 151 abuts against the valve-constituting groove 134 and the gas discharge valve is closed.
On the other hand, the inner peripheral surface of the lower end portion of the inner tubular portion 32 includes an upward movement restricting portion 32 a that restricts the tubular portion 151 from rising with respect to the piston guide 130 and the inner tubular portion 32 . That is, the upper limit position of the relative movement (vertical movement) of the cylindrical portion 151 with respect to the piston guide 130 is after the gas discharge valve is opened by the lower end of the cylindrical portion 151 being separated from the valve-constituting groove 134. The upper end portion of the cylindrical portion 151 is a position where movement is restricted by the upward movement restricting portion 32a.
A plurality of suction openings 154 penetrating vertically through the piston portion 152 are formed in a portion of the piston portion 152 near the tubular portion 151 .

An annular suction valve member 155 is fitted to the lower portion of the cylindrical portion 151 of the gas piston 150 . The intake valve member 155 has a valve body that is an annular membrane projecting radially outward.
The valve body of the suction valve member 155 and the lower surface of the piston portion 152 constitute a gas suction valve.
When the head member 30 is pushed down, that is, when the gas pump chamber 210 is contracted, the valve element of the intake valve member 155 is in close contact with the lower surface of the piston portion 152, thereby closing the intake opening 154 from below.
On the other hand, when the head member 30 is raised, that is, when the gas pump chamber 210 is expanded, the valve body of the suction valve member 155 is separated from the lower surface of the piston portion 152 , so that outside air enters the gas pump chamber 210 through the suction opening 154 . It is designed to be taken in.

The poppet 160 is a rod-shaped member elongated vertically, and is inserted from the inside of the piston guide 130 to the inside of the liquid cylinder component 122 while penetrating the liquid piston 140 .
The upper end portion 161 of the poppet 160 is formed to have a larger diameter than the middle portion of the poppet 160 in the vertical direction, and comes into pressure contact with the plurality of ribs 136 of the piston guide 130 . The upper end portion 161 of the poppet 160 is formed to have a larger diameter than the inner diameter of the constricted portion 143 of the liquid piston 140 , and downward movement is restricted by the constricted portion 143 .
A lower end portion of the poppet 160 constitutes a valve body 162 . The valve body 162 is formed to have a larger diameter than the middle portion of the poppet 160 in the vertical direction. The lower surface of the valve body 162 includes a conical portion that can be in liquid-tight contact with the valve seat 127 of the cylinder member 120 . The valve element 162 and the valve seat 127 constitute a liquid intake valve. A spring receiving portion 162 a is formed at the upper end portion of the valve body 162 to receive downward bias from the coil spring 170 .

The coil spring 170 is loosely fitted on the intermediate portion of the poppet 160 . The coil spring 170 is a compression type coil spring, and is held between the spring receiving portion 126a of the cylinder member 120 and the spring receiving portion 142 of the liquid piston 140 in a compressed state. Therefore, the coil spring 170 receives a reaction force from the cylinder member 120 and urges the liquid piston 140, the piston guide 130 and the head member 30 upward.
In addition, the lower end of the coil spring 170 urges the spring receiving portion 162a of the poppet 160 as well as the spring receiving portion 126a downward.

Here, the poppet 160 and the cylinder member 120 are shaped so that the poppet 160 can move slightly below the position where the height position of the spring receiving portion 162a is aligned with the height position of the spring receiving portion 126a of the cylinder member 120. and dimensions are set. When the head member 30 is pushed down and the piston guide 130 descends, the poppet 160 follows the piston guide 130 due to the friction between the plurality of ribs 136 of the piston guide 130 and the upper end portion 161 of the poppet 160. The lower surface of the valve body 162 of the cylinder member 120 is liquid-tightly adhered to the valve seat 127 of the cylinder member 120 . At this time, the spring receiving portion 162a is separated from the lower end of the coil spring 170 and descends. Thereafter, when the head member 30, the piston guide 130, and the liquid piston 140 descend together after the lower surface of the valve body 162 contacts the valve seat 127, the downward movement of the valve body 162 is restricted by the valve seat 127. . Therefore, the piston guide 130 descends relative to the poppet 160 while the plurality of ribs 136 of the piston guide 130 frictionally slide against the upper end portion 161 of the poppet 160 .
On the other hand, when the pressing operation on the head member 30 is released and the liquid piston 140, the piston guide 130, and the head member 30 are lifted together according to the bias of the coil spring 170, the spring receiving portion 162a first moves toward the lower end of the coil spring 170. The poppet 160 rises following the piston guide 130 until it abuts on the . As a result, the valve body 162 and the valve seat 127 are separated. After that, the liquid piston 140 , the piston guide 130 and the head member 30 continue to rise together under the bias of the coil spring 170 . At this time, since the upward movement of poppet 160 is restricted by coil spring 170 , piston guide 130 moves relative to poppet 160 while upper end 161 of poppet 160 slides frictionally against the plurality of ribs 136 of piston guide 130 . increase relative to
In this way, the valve body 162 of the poppet 160 is allowed to move slightly up and down in the gap between the lower end of the coil spring 170 and the valve seat 127. As the valve body 162 moves up and down, the lower end of the liquid pump chamber 220 moves. A liquid intake valve is adapted to open and close.

Here, supply routes of the gas and the liquid 101 from the gas pump chamber 210 and the liquid pump chamber 220 to the former mechanism 20 are respectively explained.

The liquid pump chamber 220 is contracted by pressing the head member 30 . At this time, when the liquid 101 in the liquid pump chamber 220 is pressurized, the liquid discharge valve composed of the ball valve 180 and the valve seat portion 131 is opened, and the liquid 101 in the liquid pump chamber 220 is discharged from the liquid discharge valve. into the housing space 132 via the , and furthermore, into the hole 815 of the first member 810 disposed above the housing space 132, that is, the liquid flow path 51 adjacent to the liquid flow path 50 of the former mechanism 20 (Fig. 9) (described later).
Although the details will be described later, the liquid 101 is supplied from the adjacent liquid channel 51 to the mixing section 21 (FIGS. 6 and 9).

Further, the gas pump chamber 210 is also contracted by pressing the head member 30 . At this time, the gas in the gas pump chamber 210 is pressurized, and the gas piston 150 rises slightly with respect to the piston guide 130, so that the lower end portion of the cylindrical portion 151 and the valve forming groove 134 are formed. The gas discharge valve opens, and the gas in the gas pump chamber 210 is sent upward through the gas discharge valve and the flow path 211 (FIG. 10) between the cylindrical portion 151 and the piston guide 130. .

Above the cylindrical portion 151 of the gas piston 150, a cylindrical gas flow path 212 (FIG. 5) is arranged which is formed by a gap between the inner peripheral surface of the lower end portion of the inner cylindrical portion 32 and the outer peripheral surface of the piston guide 130. It is The upper end of the channel 211 communicates with the lower end of the tubular gas channel 212 .
Furthermore, above the tubular gas flow path 212, a plurality of axial flow paths 213 (FIG. 5) extending vertically are intermittently formed around the upper end of the piston guide 130. As shown in FIG. In the case of this embodiment, three axial flow paths 213 are arranged at equal angular intervals. More specifically, for example, three vertically extending grooves 32b (FIGS. 5 and 6) are formed in the inner peripheral surface of the lower end portion of the inner cylindrical portion 32, and the three grooves 32b and the piston guide 130 An axial flow path 213 is formed by a gap between the upper end portion of the and the outer peripheral surface of the . The cylindrical gas channel 212 communicates with each axial channel 213 .

A circular channel 214 ( FIG. 6 ) is provided above the axial channel 213 and circularly arranged around a third portion 813 (described later) of the first member 810 . An upper end portion of the axial flow path 213 communicates with the circular flow path 214 .
A plurality of axial gas flow paths 73 (FIG. 6) extending vertically along the outer peripheral surface of a fourth portion 814 (described later) of the first member 300 are arranged above the circular flow path 214. . A circular flow path 214 communicates with the lower ends of these axial gas flow paths 73 .

Although details will be described later, the gas is supplied from the axial gas flow path 73 to the adjacent gas flow paths 71a, 71b, 71c (FIGS. 6, 9, and 12).
In this way, the gas sent upward through the flow path 211 passes through the cylindrical gas flow path 212, the axial flow path 213, the circular flow path 214, and the axial gas flow path 73 in this order. It is supplied to the gas channel 71 and is supplied to the mixing section 21 from the adjacent gas channel 71 .

An adjacent foam channel 91 ( FIG. 6 ) is arranged above the mixing section 21 , and an enlarged foam channel 93 ( FIG. 6 ) is further arranged above the adjacent bubble channel 91 .

The component configuration for realizing the former mechanism 20 is not particularly limited, but as an example, a first member 810 (Figs. The former mechanism 20 is configured by combining FIG.

The first member 810 includes a first portion 811, a second portion 812, a third portion 813 and a fourth portion 814, each of which is cylindrically formed. A second portion 812 is connected to the upper side of the first portion 811, a third portion 813 is connected to the upper side of the second portion 812, and a fourth portion 814 is connected to the upper side of the third portion 813. . The second portion 812 is formed to have a larger diameter than the first portion 811, the third portion 813 is formed to have a larger diameter than the second portion 812, and the fourth portion 814 is formed to have a larger diameter than the third portion 813. diameter. The first portion 811, the second portion 812, the third portion 813, and the fourth portion 814 are arranged coaxially with each other, and their axes extend vertically. The first member 810 further includes a plurality of (for example, four) protrusions 811 a protruding downward from the first portion 811 .

In the second portion 812 , the third portion 813 and the fourth portion 814 , the portions located radially outside the first portion 811 are provided with the second portion 812 , the third portion 813 and the fourth portion 814 vertically extending. A plurality of holes 815 are formed therethrough. These holes 815 are arranged intermittently in the circumferential direction of the first member 810 . More specifically, for example, eight holes 815 are arranged at equal angular intervals (FIG. 7(a)). The lumen cross-sectional areas of these holes 815 are, for example, relatively large at the bottom and relatively small at the top. The internal space above these holes 815 is formed, for example, in a columnar shape. Each hole 815 is, for example, formed to have the same size.

A plurality of (for example, 24) axial gas grooves 816 intermittently arranged in the circumferential direction of the fourth portion 814 are formed on the outer peripheral surface of the fourth portion 814 . Each axial gas groove 816 extends vertically and is formed from the lower end to the upper end of the fourth portion 814 (FIG. 7(a)).
Individual axial gas grooves 816 are, for example, formed with a constant depth and width throughout. Also, each axial gas groove 816 is formed to have, for example, the same depth and width as each other.
In the case of this embodiment, the cross-sectional shape of the axial gas grooves 816 perpendicular to the axial direction of each axial gas groove 816 is square. However, in the present invention, the cross-sectional shape of each axial gas groove 816 is not limited to this example.

On the upper surface of the fourth portion 814, a plurality (e.g., eight) of first upper surface grooves 817 are intermittently arranged in the circumferential direction of the fourth portion 814, and intermittently arranged in the circumferential direction of the fourth portion 814. A plurality (eg, eight) of second upper surface grooves 818 and a plurality of (eg, eight) of third upper surface grooves 819 intermittently arranged in the circumferential direction of the fourth portion 814 are formed.
In plan view, the first upper surface groove 817, the third upper surface groove 819, and the second upper surface groove 818 are arranged repeatedly in this order clockwise.
Each first upper surface groove 817 corresponds to each hole 815 on a one-to-one basis. Each second upper surface groove 818 corresponds to each hole 815 on a one-to-one basis. Each third upper surface groove 819 corresponds to each hole 815 on a one-to-one basis.
Each first upper surface groove 817 is formed in an L shape on the upper surface of the fourth portion 814 . On the upper surface of the fourth portion 814 , each first upper surface groove 817 extends radially inward from the radially outer end to the vicinity of the corresponding hole 815 , and then bends to the corresponding hole 815 . reached.
Each second upper surface groove 818 is formed in an inverted L shape on the upper surface of the fourth portion 814 . On the upper surface of the fourth portion 814 , each second upper surface groove 818 extends radially inward from the radially outer end to the vicinity of the corresponding hole 815 , and then bends to the corresponding hole 815 . reached. The bending direction of the first upper surface groove 817 and the bending direction of the second upper surface groove 818 are opposite to each other.
Each third upper surface groove 819 extends linearly inward in the radial direction from the outer end in the radial direction on the upper surface of the fourth portion 814 . The inner peripheral side end of each third upper surface groove 819 reaches the corresponding hole 815 .
Each axial gas groove 816 corresponds one-to-one with one of the plurality of first upper surface grooves 817 , the plurality of third upper surface grooves 819 , or the plurality of second upper surface grooves 818 . The upper ends of the axial gas grooves 816 that correspond one-to-one with the plurality of first upper surface grooves 817 are connected to the outer peripheral side ends of the corresponding first upper surface grooves 817 . The upper ends of the axial gas grooves 816 corresponding to the plurality of second upper surface grooves 818 on a one-to-one basis are connected to the outer ends of the corresponding second upper surface grooves 818 . The upper ends of the axial gas grooves 816 that correspond one-to-one with the plurality of third upper surface grooves 819 are connected to the outer peripheral side ends of the corresponding third upper surface grooves 819 .
The individual first upper surface grooves 817 are, for example, formed with a uniform depth and width throughout. Also, each of the first upper surface grooves 817 is formed to have the same depth and width, for example.
The individual second upper surface grooves 818 are, for example, formed with a uniform depth and width throughout. Also, each of the second upper surface grooves 818 is formed to have, for example, the same depth and width.
The individual third upper surface grooves 819 are, for example, formed with a constant depth and width throughout. Further, each third upper surface groove 819 is formed to have the same depth and width, for example.
Also, the axial gas groove 816, the first upper surface groove 817, the second upper surface groove 818, and the third upper surface groove 819 are formed with the same depth and width, for example.
In the case of this embodiment, the cross-sectional shape of the first upper surface grooves 817 perpendicular to the axial direction of each first upper surface groove 817, the cross section of the second upper surface grooves 818 perpendicular to the axial direction of each second upper surface groove 818 The shape and the cross-sectional shape of each third upper surface groove 819 perpendicular to the axial direction of each third upper surface groove 819 are square. However, in the present invention, the cross-sectional shape of each first upper surface groove 817, each second upper surface groove 818, and each third upper surface groove 819 is not limited to this example.
For example, a pair of recesses 810a are formed on the top surface of the fourth portion 814 .

As shown in FIGS. 6, 8 and 9, the second member 820 includes, for example, a cylindrical tubular portion 822 and a flat plate portion 823 closing the lower end of the tubular portion 822. It is configured.
The axial direction of the cylindrical portion 822 extends vertically. The plate portion 823 is arranged horizontally. The outer diameters of the tubular portion 822 and the plate portion 823 are approximately equal to the outer diameter of the fourth portion 814 of the first member 810 .
A plurality of holes 824 are formed in the plate portion 823 so as to vertically penetrate the plate portion 823 . These holes 824 are arranged intermittently in the circumferential direction of the plate portion 823 . More specifically, for example, eight holes 824 are arranged at equal angular intervals. The internal space of the hole 824 is, for example, cylindrical. Each hole 824 is formed, for example, with the same inner diameter.
The second member 820 has, for example, a pair of convex portions 820a projecting downward from the plate portion 823 . Each protrusion 820 a is provided at a position corresponding to each recess 810 a of the first member 810 .

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 9, the first member 810 and the second member 820 are assembled together by fitting the convex portions 820a of the second member 820 into the concave portions 810a of the first member 810. there is The lower surface of the plate portion 823 of the second member 820 and the upper surface of the fourth portion 814 of the first member 810 are in surface contact with each other and are in airtight contact.
Here, the holes 815 of the first member 810 and the holes 824 of the second member 820 are in one-to-one correspondence. A corresponding hole 824 is arranged immediately above each hole 815 .
For example, the upper portion of the hole 815 and the hole 824 have the same inner diameter and are arranged coaxially with each other.

As shown in FIG. 6, inside the inner cylindrical portion 32, a holding portion 32c is formed to accommodate and hold the third portion 813 and the fourth portion 814 of the first member 810 and the second member 820. there is The internal space of the holding portion 32c is a columnar space. With the first member 810 and the second member 820 assembled together, the third portion 813 and the fourth portion 814 of the first member 810 and the second member 820 are fitted and fixed to the holding portion 32c. there is
A second portion 812 of the first member 810 is fitted and fixed to the upper end of the piston guide 130 . The outer peripheral surface of the second portion 812 is in air-tight contact with the inner peripheral surface of the upper end portion of the piston guide 130 in a circumferential manner.
A first portion 811 of the first member 810 is inserted into the upper end of the piston guide 130 . The protrusion 811 a of the first portion 811 of the first member 810 is arranged inside the housing space 132 .
A circular flow path 214 is formed between the outer peripheral surface of the third portion 813 of the first member 810 and the inner peripheral surface of the holding portion 32c.

As shown in FIG. 11, between each axial gas groove 816 on the outer peripheral surface of the fourth portion 814 of the first member 810 and the inner peripheral surface of the holding portion 32c, an axial gas flow path extending vertically is provided. 73 are formed (FIG. 11).
The upper end of the internal space of each hole 815 of the first member 810 constitutes the mixing section 21 . That is, in the case of this embodiment, the former mechanism 20 has a total of eight mixing units 21 . These mixing units 21 are arranged on the same circumference.
The mixing portion 21 is, for example, a portion of the inner space of the hole 815 above the bottom surfaces of the first upper surface groove 817 , the second upper surface groove 818 and the third upper surface groove 819 .
A portion of the internal space of each hole 815 of the first member 810 below the mixing section 21 constitutes the adjacent liquid channel 51 .
The axial direction of the adjacent liquid channel 51 is the vertical direction. Liquid is supplied upward from the adjacent liquid channel 51 to the mixing section 21 .

As shown in FIG. 12, adjacent gas channels 71a are formed between each first upper surface groove 817 on the upper surface of the fourth portion 814 of the first member 810 and the lower surface of the plate portion 823 of the second member 820. ing.
Between each second upper surface groove 818 on the upper surface of the fourth portion 814 of the first member 810 and the lower surface of the plate portion 823 of the second member 820, adjacent gas flow paths 71b are formed.
Between each third upper surface groove 819 on the upper surface of the fourth portion 814 of the first member 810 and the lower surface of the plate portion 823 of the second member 820, adjacent gas flow paths 71c are formed.
The adjacent gas flow path 71a, the adjacent gas flow path 71b, and the adjacent gas flow path 71c each extend horizontally, for example.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 9, the inner space of each hole 824 of the second member 820 defines adjacent bubble flow paths 91 .
The inner space of the concave portion 821 of the cylindrical portion 822 of the second member 820 constitutes the enlarged bubble flow path 93 .

In the case of this embodiment, the former mechanism 20 has a plurality of (for example, three) adjacent gas flow paths 71, that is, adjacent gas flow paths 71a, 71b, and 71c, corresponding to one mixing section 21, respectively. That is, the former mechanism 20 has a total of 24 adjacent gas flow paths 71, for example.
In the case of this embodiment, the former mechanism 20 has one adjacent liquid channel 51 corresponding to each individual mixing section 21 .
In the case of this embodiment, the channel area of each adjacent gas channel 71 is smaller than the channel area of the adjacent liquid channel 51 .
The downstream end of the adjacent gas channel 71a, that is, the connection end of the adjacent gas channel 71a to the mixing section 21 is the gas inlet 72a. Similarly, the downstream end of adjacent gas channel 71b is gas inlet 72b, and the downstream end of adjacent gas channel 71c is gas inlet 72c.

In the case of this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 13, the direction of the axis AX1 at the downstream end of the adjacent gas channel 71a, the direction of the axis AX2 at the downstream end of the adjacent gas channel 71b, and the direction of the axis AX2 at the downstream end of the adjacent gas channel 71c. 120 degrees from the direction of the axis AX13 at the downstream end of . Three gas inlets 72a, 72b, 72c are arranged around the mixing section 21 at equal angular intervals.

Thus, in the case of this embodiment, the former mechanism 20 includes a plurality of mixing sections 21, and three adjacent gas flow paths 71 (adjacent gas flow paths 71a, 71b, 71c) corresponding to the individual mixing sections 21. ) are arranged, and the gas supply directions from these three adjacent gas flow paths 71 to the corresponding mixing portions 21 are positioned on the same plane (for example, a horizontal plane), and from the adjacent liquid flow paths 51 to the corresponding The direction in which the liquid is supplied to the mixing section 21 is a direction intersecting (for example, perpendicular to) the plane.
With such a configuration, as compared with the case where gas is supplied from two adjacent gas flow paths 71 to one mixing section 21, the liquid column swings at high speed in a shorter cycle, resulting in finer bubbles.
In addition, the present invention is not limited to the example in which the former mechanism 20 includes a plurality of mixing units 21, and when the number of the mixing units 21 provided in the former mechanism 20 is one, three units corresponding to the mixing unit 21 Adjacent gas flow paths 71 are arranged, and the gas supply direction from these three adjacent gas flow paths 71 to the mixing section 21 is located on the same plane, and from the adjacent liquid flow path 51 to the mixing section. The direction of liquid supply to 21 may be a direction that intersects the plane. In this case as well, the period of high-speed rocking of the liquid column is shortened, resulting in finer bubbles.

The directions in which gases are supplied from the three adjacent gas flow paths 71 to one mixing section 21 are arranged at 120 degree intervals as in the present embodiment, from the viewpoint of the uniformity of the period in which the liquid fluctuates at high speed. preferable.
However, the present invention is not limited to this example, and the directions in which gases are supplied from the three adjacent gas flow paths 71 to one mixing section 21 may be at unequal intervals. As an example, gas may be supplied to the mixing section 21 from two directions facing each other and from one direction orthogonal to these two directions. That is, for example, three adjacent gas flow paths 71 may be arranged in a T shape around one mixing section 21 .

As shown in FIG. 13, in the case of the present embodiment, the gas-liquid contact area 23 includes an area extending the adjacent gas flow path 71a in the direction of the axis AX1 at the downstream end of the adjacent gas flow path 71a, A region extending the adjacent gas channel 71b in the direction of the axis AX2 at the downstream end of the adjacent gas channel 71b, a region extending the adjacent gas channel 71c in the direction of the axis AX13 at the downstream end of the adjacent gas channel 71c, and an adjacent liquid The area where the adjacent liquid channel 51 is extended in the direction of the axis of the channel 51 overlaps. In FIG. 13, the gas-liquid contact area 23 is hatched.
Also, the confluence portion 22 is positioned between the gas inlet 72a, the gas inlet 72b, and the gas inlet 72c.
In the case of this embodiment, the gas inlet 72a, the gas inlet 72b, and the gas inlet 72c face directions different from each other by 120 degrees. Therefore, the junction 22 is not a plane but a line extending vertically.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 9, an adjacent foam channel 91 is arranged above each mixing section 21, and the adjacent foam channel 91 extends vertically. That is, the foamer mechanism 20 has a plurality (eg, eight) of adjacent foam channels 91 . The cross-sectional shape of the adjacent bubble channel 91 is circular, for example. In the case of this embodiment, the inner space of the adjacent bubble channel 91 is formed in a cylindrical shape, and the cross-sectional area of the adjacent bubble channel 91 is constant. However, the adjacent bubble channel 91 may expand or contract gradually (tapered) toward the enlarged bubble channel 93, or may expand or contract stepwise.
In the case of this embodiment, the axial direction of the adjacent liquid channel 51 and the axial direction of the adjacent bubble channel 91 are coaxially arranged.

Here, as in this embodiment, the cross-sectional shape of the adjacent liquid channel 51 and the cross-sectional shape of the mixing section 21 are circular, and the cross-sectional shape of the adjacent bubble channel 91 is also circular. do. In this case, the diameter of the adjacent bubble channel 91 is preferably the same as the diameter of the mixing section 21 or smaller than the diameter of the mixing section 21 . The diameter of the adjacent bubble channel 91 is preferably the same as the diameter of the adjacent liquid channel 51 or smaller than the diameter of the adjacent liquid channel 51 .
The cross-sectional shape of the adjacent bubble channel 91 is circular, but when the cross-sectional shape of the adjacent liquid channel 51 and the cross-sectional shape of the mixing portion 21 are square, the diameter of the adjacent bubble channel 91 is equal to the cross-sectional shape of the mixing portion 21. It is preferably the same as the length of one side in or smaller than the length of the one side, and is the same as the length of one side in the cross-sectional shape of the adjacent liquid flow channel 51 or smaller than the length of the one side is preferred.

In the case of this embodiment, the dimensions of the gas inlets 72a, 72b, 72c and the dimensions of the mixing section 21 are equal to each other in the axial direction (vertical direction) of the adjacent liquid flow path 51 and the adjacent bubble flow path 91 . In addition, the positions of the gas inlets 72 a , 72 b , 72 c and the position of the mixing section 21 coincide with each other in the axial direction of the adjacent liquid channel 51 and the adjacent foam channel 91 .
However, in the direction around the axis of the adjacent liquid channel 51 and the adjacent foam channel 91, wall surfaces defining the mixing section 21 are present around (both sides) of each of the gas inlets 72a, 72b, 72c.
Therefore, while a sufficient amount of liquid is supplied to the mixing section 21, gas can be supplied to the liquid from the gas inlets 72a, 72b, and 72c. Since the shortage of the liquid used for the gas-liquid mixing can be suppressed, the gas-liquid can be stably and continuously mixed, and bubbles can be generated continuously.

In this embodiment, the area of the individual gas inlets 72 is smaller than the area of the liquid inlets 52 . More specifically, the area of liquid inlet 52 is greater than three times the area of gas inlet 72 . That is, the area of the liquid inlet 52 is larger than the total area of the three gas inlets 72a, 72b, 72c.
That is, the area of each gas inlet 72 arranged corresponding to one mixing section 21 is smaller than the area of the liquid inlet 52 arranged corresponding to one mixing section 21 .
Further, the total area of the gas inlets 72 arranged corresponding to one mixing section 21 is smaller than the area of the liquid inlets 52 arranged corresponding to one mixing section 21 .
However, the present invention is not limited to this example. It may be equal to or larger than the area.

In the case of this embodiment, the channel area of the adjacent foam channel 91 is the lumen cross-sectional area of the mixing section 21 perpendicular to the axial direction of the adjacent foam channel 91 (with respect to the axial direction of the adjacent foam channel 91 cross-sectional area of the mixing section 21 perpendicular to each other). Therefore, also in this embodiment, the liquid column can be swung within a limited space.

Also in this embodiment, the length of the adjacent bubble channel 91 is longer than the dimension of the gas inlet 72 in the axial direction of the adjacent bubble channel 91 . Therefore, it is possible to intermittently generate fine bubbles while performing the rocking of the liquid column more reliably as described above.
More specifically, the length of the adjacent foam channel 91 is greater than the dimension of the mixing section 21 in the axial direction of the adjacent foam channel 91 .

Thus, the foamer mechanism 20 comprises a plurality of mixing sections 21 and the foam channels 90 comprise individual adjacent foam channels 91 corresponding to the individual mixing zones 21 . With such a configuration, even when a plurality of mixing sections 21 exist, the range in which the liquid columns generated in each mixing section 21 sway in the adjacent bubble flow paths 91 is limited, so that the liquid columns alternate at high speed. A swinging motion can be suitably realized.
Further, an enlarged bubble channel 93 is arranged above the adjacent bubble channel 91 . Each adjacent bubble channel 91 merges into one enlarged bubble channel 93 . That is, the foam flow path 90 includes an enlarged foam flow path 93 adjacent to the downstream side of the adjacent foam flow path 91 and having a flow area larger than that of the adjacent foam flow path 91, and corresponds to the plurality of mixing portions 21 respectively. Adjacent foam channels 91 merge into one expanded foam channel 93 .
Therefore, the bubbles generated by mixing gas and liquid in the plurality of mixing units 21 can be merged into the expanded bubble flow path 93 and discharged from the discharge port 41 all at once.

A space above the second member 400 in the internal space of the inner cylindrical portion 32 forms a channel 32d through which bubbles flowing from the enlarged bubble channel 93 pass.
The upper end of the flow path 32 d communicates with the discharge port 41 via the internal space of the nozzle portion 40 .

In this embodiment, the gas flow path 70 is composed of an axial gas flow path 73 and adjacent gas flow paths 71 .
In the case of this embodiment, the liquid channel 50 is composed of adjacent liquid channels 51 .

The foam dispenser 100 is constructed as described above.

In addition, the foam discharge cap 200 is configured by a portion of the structure of the foam discharger 100 excluding the storage container 10 .
That is, the foam discharge cap 200 includes a mounting portion 111 mounted on a storage container 10 that stores a liquid 101, a foamer mechanism 20 held by the mounting portion 111 and generating foam from the liquid 101, and a foamer held by the mounting portion 111. A liquid supply section that supplies liquid to the mechanism 20, a gas supply section that is held by the mounting section 111 and supplies gas to the foamer mechanism 20, and a discharge port that is held by the mounting section 111 and discharges foam generated by the foamer mechanism 20. 41 and a foam flow path 90 through which foam held by the mounting portion 111 and directed from the foamer mechanism 20 to the discharge port 41 passes. The configuration of the former mechanism 20 is as described above.

Next, the operation will be explained.

First, in a normal state in which the head member 30 is not pressed down, the head member 30 exists at the top dead center position as shown in FIG.
In this state, the spring receiving portion 162 a of the valve body 162 of the poppet 160 is in contact with the lower end of the coil spring 170 , and the valve body 162 is slightly spaced upward from the valve seat 127 . That is, the liquid intake valve is open. Also, the ball valve 180 is in contact with the valve seat portion 131, and the liquid discharge valve is closed.
Further, the lower end of the tubular portion 151 of the gas piston 150 is fitted into the valve configuration groove 134 on the upper surface of the flange portion 133 of the piston guide 130, and the gas discharge valve is closed. Also, the valve body of the suction valve member 155 is in contact with the lower surface of the piston portion 152 of the gas piston 150, and the gas suction valve is closed. Further, the through hole 129 of the gas cylinder component 121 is closed by the outer ring portion 153 of the gas piston 150 .

When the head member 30 is pushed down, the piston guide 130 and the liquid piston 140 descend integrally with the head member 30 . Along with this descent, the coil spring 170 is compressed and the volume of the liquid pump chamber 220 is reduced.
At the beginning of the downward movement of piston guide 130 and liquid piston 140 , poppet 160 descends slightly following piston guide 130 due to friction with rib 136 of piston guide 130 . As a result, the valve body 162 is in liquid-tight contact with the valve seat 127, and the liquid intake valve is closed.
After the liquid intake valve is closed, the liquid piston 140 further descends, pressurizing the liquid 101 in the liquid pump chamber 220 and pumping the liquid 101 upward. That is, the pressure of the liquid 101 lifts the ball valve 180 from the valve seat 131 to open the liquid discharge valve, and the liquid 101 flows from the liquid pump chamber 220 through the liquid discharge valve and the housing space 132 to the liquid flow path. 50 is distributed into each of the adjacent liquid channels 51 .
Here, the adjacent liquid channels 51 are arranged at equal angular intervals, and the channel areas of the adjacent liquid channels 51 are equal to each other. Therefore, the liquid 101 evenly flows into each adjacent liquid channel 51 .
Further, the liquid 101 passes through each adjacent liquid channel 51 and flows through the liquid inlet 52 at the upper end of each adjacent liquid channel 51 to the mixing section 21 connected to the upper side of each adjacent liquid channel 51. inflow.

Further, when the head member 30 is pushed down, the gas in the gas pump chamber 210 is compressed and pumped to the former mechanism 20 .
That is, at the beginning of the downward movement of the liquid piston 140 and the piston guide 130, the gas piston 150 rises relative to the piston guide 130 (however, the gas piston 150 is substantially stationary with respect to the cylinder member 120). or slightly lower). As a result, the lower end portion of the cylindrical portion 151 of the gas piston 150 is separated upward from the valve configuration groove 134 of the flange portion 133, thereby opening the gas discharge valve.
After that, the upper end of the cylindrical portion 151 contacts the upward motion restricting portion 32a of the inner cylindrical portion 32, thereby restricting the gas piston 150 from rising relative to the head member 30 and the piston guide 130. A reference numeral 150 descends together with the head member 30 and the piston guide 130 . Thereby, the gas in the gas pump chamber 210 is pressurized.
Therefore, the gas in the gas pump chamber 210 is discharged through the gas exhaust valve, the flow path 211 (FIG. 10), the cylindrical gas flow path 212 (FIG. 5), the axial flow path 213 (FIGS. 5 and 6), and the circular flow. Via passages 214 (FIGS. 5 and 6) in this order, the gas flow passage 70 is evenly distributed to the 24 axial gas passages 73 (FIGS. 6, 9 and 11).
Additionally, gas is supplied from each of the 24 axial gas channels 73 to the corresponding adjacent gas channel 71 . That is, the gas is evenly supplied to the eight adjacent gas flow paths 71a, the eight adjacent gas flow paths 71b, and the eight adjacent gas flow paths 71c.
Gas flows into each mixing section 21 from the corresponding adjacent gas passages 71a, 71b, 71c via the gas inlets 72a, 72b, 72c.

That is, gas is supplied to each mixing section 21 from the adjacent gas flow paths 71a, 71b, and 71c via the gas inlets 72a, 72b, and 72c, and from the adjacent liquid flow path 51 via the liquid inlet 52. A liquid is supplied, and the gas and the liquid are mixed in the mixing section 21 .
Here, also in this embodiment, the liquid inlet 52 corresponds to the confluence portion 22 of the gases supplied from the adjacent gas flow paths 71a, 71b, 71c to the mixing portion 21 via the gas inlets 72a, 72b, 72c. It is placed in a position where Therefore, the liquid can be effectively bubbled by the airflow. That is, for example, as described in the first embodiment, the liquid supplied from the adjacent liquid channel 51 to the mixing section 21 forms a liquid column. Then, the operation of sequentially supplying gas to the mixing section 21 from the three adjacent gas flow paths 71a, 71b, and 71c corresponding to one mixing section 21 is repeated. Therefore, the liquid column oscillates at a high speed in order in a direction away from the adjacent gas flow channel 71a, a direction away from the adjacent gas flow channel 71b, and a direction away from the adjacent gas flow channel 71c. Fine bubbles form in the
Therefore, it is possible to mix the gas and liquid satisfactorily and generate sufficiently uniform bubbles.

Here, in the case of this embodiment, individual axial gas flow paths 73 are provided corresponding to the individual adjacent gas flow paths 71 . For this reason, compared to the case where the gas is distributed from one axial gas flow channel 73 to a plurality (two) of adjacent gas flow channels 71 as in the third embodiment described later, the gas can flow in the axial direction at a low pressure. Since it can pass through the gas flow path 73, the magnitude of the force required to push down the head member 30 can be reduced. In addition, the gas can be more evenly distributed and supplied to the adjacent gas flow paths 71, thereby suppressing the generation of large bubbles called crab bubbles and stabilizing the quality of the generated bubbles. can.

In this embodiment, too, the foam dispenser 100 does not have the mesh that typical foaming mechanisms have, but it is still capable of producing sufficiently uniform and fine foam. Therefore, clogging of the mesh can be prevented.
In addition, it is possible to easily foam a liquid such as a high-viscosity liquid that is not easily foamed.

In addition, individual mixing units 21 are arranged corresponding to individual adjacent liquid channels 51 . As a result, the escape of the gas and liquid from the mixing section 21 is restricted, so that the gas-liquid mixing in the mixing section 21 can be performed more reliably.
In addition, by arranging a plurality of dedicated adjacent gas flow paths 71 corresponding to the individual mixing sections 21, the escape of the gas or liquid from the mixing section 21 is further restricted. The gas-liquid mixing at 21 can be performed more reliably.

Note that bubbles can be generated not only in the mixing section 21 but also in the adjacent bubble channel 91 and the enlarged bubble channel 93 .
That is, the bubbles generated in the mixing section 21 and the adjacent bubble flow path 91 join the enlarged bubble flow path 93, and the bubbles may become finer here as well.
The foam is discharged from the expanded bubble flow path 93 to the outside from the discharge port 41 through the flow path 32 d and the internal space of the nozzle portion 40 .

Thereafter, when the pressing operation on the head member 30 is released, the coil spring 170 is elastically restored and extended. Therefore, the liquid piston 140 is urged by the coil spring 170 to rise, and the piston guide 130 and the head member 30 rise together with the liquid piston 140 . At this time, the expansion of the liquid pump chamber 220 causes the pressure in the liquid pump chamber 220 to become negative, so that the ball valve 180 comes into contact with the valve seat portion 131 and the liquid discharge valve is closed.

As the piston guide 130 rises, the poppet 160 follows the piston guide 130 and slightly rises due to friction with the rib 136 . As a result, the valve body 162 is separated from the valve seat 127 and the liquid suction valve is opened. After the spring receiving portion 162 a of the valve body 162 contacts the lower end of the coil spring 170 , the poppet 160 stops rising, and the piston guide 130 rises while the rib 136 slides against the poppet 160 .
As the piston guide 130 and the liquid piston 140 are further raised to expand the liquid pump chamber 220 , the liquid 101 in the storage container 10 is sucked into the liquid pump chamber 220 through the dip tube 128 .

In addition, in the process in which the piston guide 130 rises, the piston guide 130 rises relative to the gas piston 150, and the lower end of the cylindrical portion 151 of the gas piston 150 is fitted into the valve-constituting groove 134 of the flange portion 133. do. As a result, the gas exhaust valve is closed.
As the piston guide 130 rises further, the gas piston 150 rises together with the piston guide 130 .
As the gas piston 150 rises and the gas pump chamber 210 expands, the inside of the gas pump chamber 210 becomes negative pressure. Open state. As a result, the air outside the foam dispenser 100 flows into the gap between the upper end of the standing tube portion 113 and the lower end of the outer tube portion 33, the gap between the standing tube portion 113 and the inner tube portion 32, the annular closing portion 112 and the piston portion. 152 , and through the intake opening 154 of the piston portion 152 and the gas intake valve, into the gas pump chamber 210 .
The upward movement of the head member 30 , the piston guide 130 , the liquid piston 140 and the gas piston 150 is stopped, for example, when the upward movement of the piston portion 152 is restricted by the annular blocking portion 112 .

When the head member 30 or the like is lifted after the pressing operation is released, the liquid 101 in the storage container 10 is sucked into the liquid pump chamber 220, thereby creating a space above the liquid surface of the liquid 101 in the storage container 10. becomes a negative pressure due to the expansion of the volume.
However, after that, the head member 30 is pushed down, and the through hole 129 is changed from being blocked by the outer peripheral ring portion 153 to being not blocked, so that the air outside the foam dispenser 100 rises. Via the gap between the upper end of the cylindrical portion 113 and the lower end of the outer cylindrical portion 33, the gap between the standing cylindrical portion 113 and the inner cylindrical portion 32, the gap between the annular closing portion 112 and the piston portion 152, and the through hole 129, It flows into the storage container 10 . As a result, the space above the liquid surface of the liquid 101 in the storage container 10 returns to the atmospheric pressure.

The structure and operation of the foam discharge cap 200 described here are merely examples, and other widely known structures may be applied to this embodiment without departing from the gist of the present invention. .

According to the second embodiment as described above, the liquid inlet 52 is arranged at a position corresponding to the confluence portion 22 of the gases supplied from the plurality of adjacent gas flow paths 71 to the mixing section 21 via the gas inlet 72 . Therefore, by causing the liquid column to oscillate as described above, the liquid can be effectively bubbled by the air current. Therefore, it is possible to mix the gas and liquid satisfactorily to generate sufficiently uniform bubbles.

[Third embodiment]
Next, a third embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 14 to 27. FIG.
16(a), 17(a) and 18 correspond to each other, and the positions of BB lines in FIGS. 16(a), 17(a) and 18 are correspond to each other.
The foamer mechanism 20 of the foam dispenser 100 according to this embodiment differs from the foamer mechanism 20 of the foam dispenser 100 according to the above-described first embodiment in the points described below. It is configured in the same manner as the foamer mechanism 20 of the foam dispenser 100 according to the first embodiment.
The foam dispenser 100 and the foam discharge cap 200 according to the present embodiment are configured in the same manner as the foam dispenser 100 and the foam discharge cap 200 according to the above-described second embodiment except for the foamer mechanism 20. there is

In the above-described second embodiment, the former mechanism 20 is configured to include the first member 810 and the second member 820, whereas in the case of this embodiment, as an example, each of the first members described below is provided. The former mechanism 20 is configured by combining the member 300 (FIGS. 16A and 16B) and the second member 400 (FIGS. 17A and 17B).

As shown in any of FIGS. 15, 16(a), 16(b), 19 and 20, the first member 300 is a tubular member, and the axis of the first member 300 is It extends vertically.
The first member 300 includes a first cylindrical portion 311, a second cylindrical portion 312 connected to the upper side of the first cylindrical portion 311, a third cylindrical portion 313 connected to the upper side of the second cylindrical portion 312, and a third cylindrical portion 313 connected to the upper side of the second cylindrical portion 312. A fourth tubular portion 314 connected to the upper side of the third tubular portion 313 and a plurality of (for example, four) projecting portions 321 protruding downward from the first tubular portion 311 are provided.
The lower portion of the first cylindrical portion 311 is, for example, tapered downward in diameter.
The second tubular portion 312 is formed to have a larger diameter than the first tubular portion 311 .
The third cylindrical portion 313 is formed with a larger diameter than the second cylindrical portion 312 .
The fourth tubular portion 314 is formed to have a diameter smaller than that of the third tubular portion 313 .
The first tubular portion 311, the second tubular portion 312, the third tubular portion 313, and the fourth tubular portion 314 are arranged coaxially with each other.
A central hole 301 is formed in the central portion of the first member 300 so as to vertically penetrate the first member 300 .

The outer peripheral surface of the third cylindrical portion 313 is formed with a plurality of outer peripheral notched portions 331 intermittently arranged in the circumferential direction. The outer peripheral notched portion 331 is formed from the lower end to the upper end of the third tubular portion 313 . More specifically, for example, eight outer peripheral notched portions 331 are arranged at equal angular intervals.

A plurality of radial gas grooves 341 extending in the radial direction are formed on the upper surface of the third cylindrical portion 313 . Each radial gas groove 341 is arranged at the center position of each outer peripheral notched portion 331 in the circumferential direction of the third cylindrical portion 313 . Therefore, in this embodiment, eight radial gas grooves 341 are arranged at equal angular intervals. The radial gas groove 341 extends from the radially outer end to the radially inner end on the upper surface of the third tubular portion 313 .

Further, a plurality of (for example, two) positioning recesses 390 are formed on the upper surface of the third cylindrical portion 313 at positions avoiding the outer peripheral cutout portion 331 and the radial gas grooves 341 .

A plurality of axial gas grooves 342 intermittently arranged in the circumferential direction are formed on the outer peripheral surface of the fourth cylindrical portion 314 . Each axial gas groove 342 extends upward from the inner end of each radial gas groove 341 . Therefore, in the case of this embodiment, eight axial gas grooves 342 are arranged at equal angular intervals. The axial gas groove 342 is formed from the lower end to the upper end of the outer peripheral surface of the fourth tubular portion 314 .

A plurality of radial grooves 345 intermittently arranged in the circumferential direction are formed in the upper surface of the fourth cylindrical portion 314 . Each radial groove 345 extends radially from the radially inner end to the radially outer end on the upper surface of the fourth tubular portion 314 . A radially outer end of the radial groove 345 is, for example, a groove tip 346 that bulges in an arc shape in a plan view.
The radial groove 345 is, for example, formed to have a constant depth (vertical dimension) and width regardless of its position in the radial direction.
Each radial groove 345 is arranged at an intermediate position between positions where adjacent axial gas grooves 342 are arranged in the circumferential direction of the first member 300 .

Furthermore, a circumferential groove 344 shallower than the radial groove 345 is formed in the peripheral edge portion of the upper surface of the fourth tubular portion 314 . The circumferential groove 344 connects adjacent radial grooves 345 near their outer ends in the radial direction. Each peripheral circumferential groove 344 is formed in an arc shape centering on the central axis of the first member 300 . The circumferential groove 344 is, for example, formed to have a constant depth (vertical dimension) and width regardless of its position in the circumferential direction.

As shown in any one of FIGS. 15, 17(a), 17(b), 19 and 20, the second member 400 includes, for example, a cylindrical tubular portion 410 and a disk-shaped plate portion. 420 and.
The axis of cylindrical portion 410 extends in the vertical direction.
The plate portion 420 is horizontally arranged inside the tubular portion 410 at an intermediate position between the upper end and the lower end of the tubular portion 410 . The plate portion 420 is arranged, for example, below the center of the cylindrical portion 410 in the vertical direction.
In the tubular portion 410 , the space above the plate portion 420 is a recess 411 , and the space below the plate portion 420 is a recess 412 .
For example, the inner diameter of the recess 411 is set larger than the inner diameter of the recess 412 .
The plate portion 420 is formed with a plurality of (e.g., eight) holes 421 vertically penetrating the plate portion 420 from the recess 411 to the recess 412 .
The holes 421 are arranged at equal angular intervals around the axis of the tubular portion 410 .
As shown in FIG. 17(b), a plurality of (for example, two) alignment projections 490 are formed on the lower surface of the tubular portion 410. As shown in FIG.
A stepped portion 413 may be formed in the recessed portion 411 . In the concave portion 411 , the inner diameter of the portion above the stepped portion 413 is slightly larger than the inner diameter of the portion below the stepped portion 413 .

As shown in FIGS. 15, 19, 20, and 21, the inner diameter of the recess 412 is set equal to the outer diameter of the fourth cylindrical portion 314, and the fourth cylindrical portion 314 fits into the recess 412. Thus, the first member 300 and the second member 400 are assembled together.
Here, the first member 300 and the second member 400 are assembled so that the alignment protrusions 490 are fitted in the respective alignment recesses 390, whereby the first member 300 and the second member 400 are assembled. 400 are circumferentially aligned with each other.
As shown in FIG. 18 , each hole 421 is arranged near the radially outer end of the radial groove 345 in plan view.
The upper surface of the fourth cylindrical portion 314 is in airtight contact with the lower surface of the plate portion 420 .
The outer peripheral surface of the fourth cylindrical portion 314 is in airtight contact with the inner peripheral surface of the recess 412 .
The outer diameter of the tubular portion 410 is set equal to the outer diameter of the third tubular portion 313 .

As shown in FIG. 15, inside the inner cylindrical portion 32, a holding portion 32c is formed to accommodate and hold the first member 300 and the second member 400 that are assembled to each other. The internal space of the holding portion 32c is a cylindrical space. The first member 300 and the second member 400 assembled to each other are fitted and fixed to the holding portion 32c.
The first tubular portion 311 is fitted and fixed to the upper end portion of the piston guide 130 .
The protrusion 321 is arranged inside the housing space 132 .

The outer peripheral surface of the first cylindrical portion 311 is in airtight contact with the inner peripheral surface of the upper end portion of the piston guide 130 in a circumferential manner.
A circular flow path 214 (FIG. 20) is formed between the outer peripheral surface of the second cylindrical portion 312 and the inner peripheral surface of the holding portion 32c.
The outer peripheral notched portion 331 forms an axial communication fluid passage 75 (FIG. 20) between the outer peripheral surface of the third tubular portion 313 and the inner peripheral surface of the holding portion 32c. In this embodiment, the former mechanism 20 has a plurality (e.g., eight) of axially communicating fluid channels 75 .
The inner space of the central hole 301 constitutes a large-diameter liquid channel 53 .

A circular gas flow path 74 (FIGS. 20 and 22) is formed between the upper surface of the third tubular portion 313 and the lower surface of the tubular portion 410 . The circular gas flow path 74 also includes the space within the radial gas grooves 341 .
The outer peripheral surface of the fourth cylindrical portion 314 is in airtight contact with the inner peripheral surface of the recess 412 except for the axial gas groove 342 . The axial gas groove 342 forms an axial gas flow path 73 (FIGS. 20 and 23) extending vertically between the outer peripheral surface of the fourth cylindrical portion 314 and the inner peripheral surface of the recess 412. there is In this embodiment, the former mechanism 20 has a plurality (e.g., eight) of axial gas passages 73 . The axial gas channel 73 extends parallel to the large diameter liquid channel 53 . That is, the axial direction gas channel 73 (intersecting gas channel) extends in a direction parallel to the large-diameter liquid channel 53 . A plurality of axial gas channels 73 (intersecting gas channels) are intermittently arranged around the large-diameter liquid channel 53 .

The upper surface of the fourth cylindrical portion 314 is in airtight contact with the lower surface of the plate portion 420 except for the radial groove 345 (including the groove tip portion 346 ) and the circumferential groove 344 .
The adjacent liquid channel 51 and the mixing section 21 are formed between the upper surface of the fourth cylindrical portion 314 and the lower surface of the plate portion 420 by the radial groove 345 .
The adjacent liquid channel 51 is formed between the plate portion 420 and a portion of the radial groove 345 that is radially inner than the intersection with the circumferential groove 344 .
Here, the large-diameter liquid channel 53 has a larger channel area than the adjacent liquid channel 51 . Each adjacent liquid channel 51 extends from the downstream end of the large-diameter liquid channel 53 to the periphery in a direction intersecting (for example, perpendicular to) the axial direction of the large-diameter liquid channel 53 .
The mixing portion 21 is formed in the radial groove 345 between an intersection with the circumferential groove 344 and a portion radially outside the intersection (groove tip portion 346 ) and the plate portion 420 .
In this embodiment as well, the maximum value of the lumen cross-sectional area of the mixing section 21 orthogonal to the axial direction of the adjacent liquid flow path 51 is the same as the flow area of the adjacent liquid flow path 51 .
In the case of this embodiment, the former mechanism 20 has one adjacent liquid channel 51 corresponding to each individual mixing section 21 .
In this embodiment, the former mechanism 20 has a plurality (eg, eight) of radially arranged adjacent liquid flow paths 51 and a plurality (eg, eight) of mixing sections 21 .
The plurality of mixing portions 21 are arranged along the circumference, and the plurality of adjacent liquid flow paths 51 are radially arranged inside the circumference.

Thus, the former mechanism 20 includes a plurality of mixing units 21, and the liquid flow path 50 is adjacent to the adjacent liquid flow path 51 on the upstream side and has a flow area larger than that of the adjacent liquid flow path 51. A plurality of mixing sections 21 are arranged around the downstream end of the large diameter liquid channel 53 , and a plurality of adjacent liquid channels 51 are arranged in the large diameter liquid channel 53 . extends from the downstream end of the large-diameter liquid channel 53 toward the periphery in the in-plane direction that intersects with the axial direction of .
With such a structure, a configuration in which the former mechanism 20 includes a plurality of mixing units 21 can be suitably realized.

In addition, the adjacent gas flow path 71 is formed between the upper surface of the fourth cylindrical portion 314 and the lower surface of the plate portion 420 by the circumferential groove 344 .
Here, the circumferential groove 344 and the axial gas groove 342 communicate with each other at a groove upper end portion 343 that is the upper end portion of the axial gas groove 342 . That is, the upper end portion of the axial direction gas channel 73 communicates with the adjacent gas channel 71 .
As shown in FIGS. 24 and 25 , each axial gas channel 73 branches off from its upper end into two adjacent gas channels 71 . Each adjacent gas flow path 71 extends horizontally in an arc.
In the case of this embodiment, the former mechanism 20 has a plurality (for example, a pair) of adjacent gas flow paths 71 corresponding to one mixing section 21 . That is, the former mechanism 20 has, for example, a total of 16 adjacent gas channels 71 .
In the case of this embodiment, the channel area of the adjacent gas channel 71 is smaller than the channel area of the adjacent liquid channel 51 .
Each adjacent gas channel 71 is composed of a portion of an annular channel arranged along the circumference.

In this way, the gas flow path 70 is adjacent to the adjacent gas flow path 71 on the upstream side and extends in a direction intersecting the adjacent gas flow path 71 (axial gas flow path). 73), and one intersecting gas flow path includes one (adjacent gas flow path 71a) of a pair of adjacent gas flow paths 71 corresponding to one mixing section 21 and a pair corresponding to the other mixing section 21. and one of the adjacent gas flow paths 71 (adjacent gas flow path 71a).

As shown in FIGS. 25 to 27, in the case of the present embodiment, the gas-liquid contact region 23 includes a region extending the adjacent gas channel 71a in the direction of the axial center AX1 at the downstream end of the adjacent gas channel 71a, and an adjacent gas channel 71a. A region extending the adjacent gas channel 71b in the direction of the axis AX2 at the downstream end of the gas channel 71b and a region extending the adjacent liquid channel 51 in the direction of the axis AX3 of the adjacent liquid channel 51 overlap. This is the area where
Also, the confluence portion 22 is positioned between the gas inlet 72a and the gas inlet 72b.
In the case of this embodiment, the gas inlets 72a and 72b are not strictly parallel to each other. Since the gas inlets 72b are arranged parallel to each other, as shown in FIGS.
A groove tip portion 346 that protrudes in an arc shape is formed at the radially outer end portion of the radial groove 345, so that the gas-liquid contact area 23 and the confluence portion 22 are arranged near the center of the mixing portion 21 in plan view. It is

Further, as shown in FIGS. 18, 26 and 27, an adjacent bubble channel 91 is arranged above each mixing section 21, and the adjacent bubble channel 91 extends vertically. That is, the foamer mechanism 20 has a plurality (eg, eight) of adjacent foam channels 91 . The cross-sectional shape of the adjacent bubble channel 91 is circular, for example. Adjacent bubble channels 91 may gradually (tapered) expand or contract toward expanded bubble channels 93 or may expand or contract stepwise.

In the case of this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 26 and 27, the dimensions of the gas inlets 72a and 72b in the direction of the axis AX4 of the adjacent bubble flow path 91 are smaller than the dimensions of the mixing section 21 in that direction. The inlets 72a and 72b are opened at the end of the mixing section 21 on the side of the adjacent bubble channel 91 .
For this reason, the gas is supplied to the end portion of the mixing portion 21 on the adjacent bubble flow path 91 side, and the liquid can be stocked. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the shortage of the liquid used for gas-liquid mixing, so that the gas-liquid can be stably and continuously mixed, and bubbles can be continuously generated.
More specifically, the vertical dimension of the gas inlets 72 a and 72 b is smaller than the vertical dimension of the mixing section 21 , and the gas inlets 72 a and 72 b are open at the upper end of the mixing section 21 .

In this embodiment, the area of the individual gas inlets 72 is smaller than the area of the liquid inlets 52 . More specifically, the area of the liquid inlet 52 is more than twice the area of the gas inlet 72 .
That is, the area of each gas inlet 72 arranged corresponding to one mixing section 21 is smaller than the area of the liquid inlet 52 arranged corresponding to one mixing section 21 .
Further, the total area of the gas inlets 72 arranged corresponding to one mixing section 21 is smaller than the area of the liquid inlets 52 arranged corresponding to one mixing section 21 .
However, the present invention is not limited to this example. It may be equal to or larger than the area.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 18 , each adjacent bubble channel 91 is accommodated inside each mixing section 21 in plan view. In the case of the present embodiment, the flow channel area of the adjacent foam flow channel 91 is the lumen cross-sectional area perpendicular to the axial direction of the adjacent foam flow channel 91 of the mixing section 21 ( cross-sectional area of the mixing section 21 perpendicular to each other). Therefore, the rocking motion of the liquid column as described in the first embodiment can be performed in a more limited space, and the flow path of the airflow passing around the liquid column is also restricted. Therefore, it is possible to intermittently generate fine bubbles better.
In the case of the present embodiment, of the surfaces defining the mixing section 21, the surface including the bubble outlet 92 is composed of the bubble outlet 92 and the wall surface around the bubble outlet 92 (the lower surface of the plate section 420).

Also in this embodiment, the length of the adjacent bubble channel 91 is longer than the dimension of the gas inlet 72 in the axial direction of the adjacent bubble channel 91 . Therefore, it is possible to intermittently generate fine bubbles while performing the rocking of the liquid column more reliably as described above.
More specifically, the length of the adjacent foam channel 91 is greater than the dimension of the mixing section 21 in the axial direction of the adjacent foam channel 91 .

In the case of this embodiment, the axis AX3 of the adjacent liquid channel 51 and the axis AX4 of the adjacent bubble channel 91 intersect (for example, intersect each other at right angles).

Further, an enlarged bubble channel 93 is arranged above the adjacent bubble channel 91 . Each adjacent bubble channel 91 merges into one enlarged bubble channel 93 .
That is, the foamer mechanism 20 comprises a plurality of mixing sections 21, the foam channels 90 comprise individual adjacent foam channels 91 corresponding to the individual mixing sections 21, and the foam channels 90 comprise adjacent foam channels. An enlarged foam channel 93 adjacent to the downstream side of 91 and having a channel area larger than that of the adjacent foam channel 91 is included, and the adjacent foam channels 91 corresponding to the plurality of mixing parts 21 are one enlarged foam channel. Joins 93.
Therefore, the bubbles generated by mixing gas and liquid in the plurality of mixing units 21 can be merged into the expanded bubble flow path 93 and discharged from the discharge port 41 all at once.

A space above the second member 400 in the internal space of the inner cylindrical portion 32 constitutes a channel 32d through which bubbles flowing from the enlarged bubble channel 93 pass.
The upper end of the flow path 32 d communicates with the discharge port 41 via the internal space of the nozzle portion 40 .

In the case of this embodiment, the gas flow path 70 is composed of an axial communication flow path 75 , a circular gas flow path 74 , an axial gas flow path 73 and adjacent gas flow paths 71 .
As shown in FIG. 24, the gas supplied from the axial direction gas channel 73 to the adjacent gas channel 71 branches into the adjacent gas channel 71a and the gas inlet 72b, and is supplied to the corresponding mixing section 21. be.

In the case of this embodiment, the liquid channel 50 is composed of the large-diameter liquid channel 53 and the adjacent liquid channel 51 . The large-diameter liquid channel 53 has a larger channel area than the adjacent liquid channel 51 .

In the case of this embodiment, the ball valve 180 is held between the valve seat portion 131 and the lower end of the projecting portion 321 of the first member 300 so as to be vertically movable.
An internal space of a portion of the piston guide 130 above the valve seat portion 131 forms an accommodation space 132 that accommodates the ball valve 180 and the first cylindrical portion 311 of the first member 300 .
In the case of this embodiment, when the head member 30 is pressed down, the liquid 101 in the liquid pump chamber 220 is pressurized, thereby opening the liquid discharge valve composed of the ball valve 180 and the valve seat portion 131 . , the liquid 101 in the liquid pumping chamber 220 flows into the housing space 132 via the liquid discharge valve, and furthermore, the liquid in the former mechanism 20 flows into the central hole 301 of the first member 300 arranged above the housing space 132 . It is adapted to be supplied to the large-diameter liquid channel 53 of the channel 50 . The liquid 101 is supplied from the large-diameter liquid flow path 53 to the adjacent liquid flow path 51 (FIGS. 15 and 24), and further supplied to the mixing section 21 (FIG. 24).

In the case of the present embodiment, above the axial direction flow path 213, a circular flow path 214 (FIGS. 14 and 15) is arranged in a circular shape around a second cylindrical portion 312 (described later) of the first member 300. is provided.
A plurality of axial communication flow passages 75 ( FIG. 20 ) extending vertically along the outer peripheral surface of a third tubular portion 313 (described later) of the first member 300 are arranged above the circular flow passage 214 . ing. A circular channel 214 communicates with the lower ends of these axially communicating member channels 75 .
On the upper side of the axially communicating body flow path 75, a circular gas flow path 74 ( 20) are arranged. The upper end portion of each axially communicating member flow path 75 communicates with the circular gas flow path 74 .
Gas is supplied from the circumferential gas channel 74 to the axial gas channel 73 (FIG. 20) and further to the adjacent gas channels 71 (FIGS. 20 and 24).
Thus, the gas sent upward through the flow path 211 is divided into the cylindrical gas flow path 212, the axial flow path 213, the circular flow path 214, the circular gas flow path 74, and the axial gas flow path 73. in this order to be supplied to the adjacent gas flow path 71 .

The foam dispenser 100 is constructed as described above.

Next, the operation will be explained.

First, in a normal state in which the head member 30 is not pressed down, the head member 30 exists at the top dead center position as shown in FIG.
When the head member 30 is pushed down, the liquid 101 in the liquid pump chamber 220 is pressurized, and the liquid 101 flows from the liquid pump chamber 220 through the liquid discharge valve and the storage space 132 to the large-diameter liquid flow path 50 . It flows into the liquid channel 53 .
Further, the liquid 101 branches off from the upper end of the large-diameter liquid channel 53 and flows into eight adjacent liquid channels 51 .
Here, the adjacent liquid channels 51 are arranged around the large-diameter liquid channel 53 at equal angular intervals, and the channel widths of the adjacent liquid channels 51 are equal to each other. Therefore, the liquid 101 evenly flows into each adjacent liquid channel 51 .
Further, the liquid 101 passes through each adjacent liquid flow channel 51 and reaches the liquid inlet of each adjacent liquid flow channel 51 with respect to the mixing section 21 connected to the radially outer end of each adjacent liquid flow channel 51 . Inflow via 52 .

Further, when the head member 30 is pushed down, the gas in the gas pump chamber 210 is compressed and pumped to the former mechanism 20 .
That is, the gas in the gas pump chamber 210 passes through a gas exhaust valve, a flow path 211 (FIG. 10), a cylindrical gas flow path 212 (FIG. 14), an axial flow path 213 (FIGS. 14 and 15), and a circular flow. Via passages 214 (FIGS. 15, 21) in that order, the gas flow passage 70 is evenly distributed to the eight axial communicating fluid passages 75 (FIG. 22).
The gases flowing into the eight axial communication flow passages 75 pass through these axial communication flow passages 75, then join once in the circular gas flow passage 74, and then flow into the eight axial gas flow passages. It is evenly distributed over the channels 73 (Figs. 22 and 23).
Further, gas branches from each of the eight axial gas channels 73 into two adjacent gas channels 71a, 71b.
Gas flows into each mixing section 21 from the corresponding adjacent gas passages 71a and 71b via the gas inlets 72a and 72b.

That is, each mixing section 21 is supplied with gas from the adjacent gas channels 71a and 71b through the gas inlets 72a and 72b, and is supplied with liquid from the adjacent liquid channel 51 through the liquid inlet 52. , the gas and the liquid are mixed in the mixing section 21 .
Here, also in this embodiment, the liquid inlet 52 is arranged at a position corresponding to the junction 22 of the gases supplied to the mixing section 21 from the adjacent gas flow paths 71a and 71b via the gas inlets 72a and 72b. It is Therefore, the liquid can be effectively bubbled by the airflow. That is, for example, as described in the first embodiment, the liquid supplied from the adjacent liquid channel 51 to the mixing section 21 forms a liquid column, and the liquid column moves away from the adjacent gas channel 71b and the adjacent gas channel 71b. The liquid column oscillates alternately at high speed in a direction away from the flow path 71a, and intermittent fine bubbles are generated from the liquid column.
Therefore, it is possible to mix the gas and liquid satisfactorily and generate sufficiently uniform bubbles.

In addition, individual mixing units 21 are arranged corresponding to individual adjacent liquid channels 51 . As a result, the escape of the gas and liquid from the mixing section 21 is restricted, so that the gas-liquid mixing in the mixing section 21 can be performed more reliably.
In addition, by arranging a plurality of dedicated adjacent gas flow paths 71 corresponding to the individual mixing sections 21, the escape of the gas or liquid from the mixing section 21 is further restricted. The gas-liquid mixing at 21 can be performed more reliably.

In addition, since the gas supply directions from the pair of adjacent gas passages 71a and 71b to the corresponding mixing section 21 are opposite to each other, the air currents can be pushed against each other more favorably at the confluence section 22. FIG. Therefore, it is possible to intermittently generate fine bubbles while performing the rocking of the liquid column more reliably as described above.

Note that bubbles can be generated not only in the mixing section 21 but also in the adjacent bubble channel 91 and the enlarged bubble channel 93 .
That is, the bubbles generated in the mixing section 21 and the adjacent bubble flow path 91 join the enlarged bubble flow path 93, and the bubbles may become finer here as well.
The foam is discharged from the expanded bubble flow path 93 to the outside from the discharge port 41 through the flow path 32 d and the internal space of the nozzle portion 40 .

Also according to the third embodiment as described above, the liquid inlet 52 is arranged at a position corresponding to the junction 22 of the gases supplied to the mixing section 21 from the plurality of adjacent gas flow paths 71 via the gas inlet 72 . Therefore, by causing the liquid column to oscillate as described above, the liquid can be effectively bubbled by the air current. Therefore, it is possible to mix the gas and liquid satisfactorily to generate sufficiently uniform bubbles.

[Fourth Embodiment]
Next, a foam dispenser according to a fourth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The foam dispenser according to this embodiment differs from the foam dispenser 100 according to the above-described third embodiment in that the foamer mechanism 20 has a partition portion 350. It is configured in the same manner as the foam dispenser 100 according to the embodiment.

In this embodiment, the first member 300 has partitions 350 . The partition part 350 divides the axial gas flow path 73 in the above third embodiment into two, and is adjacent to the adjacent gas flow path 71a arranged adjacent to each other in the above third embodiment. The gas flow path 71b is separated from each other.
Therefore, each axial gas flow path 73 is dedicated to each adjacent gas flow path 71a, 71b as in the second embodiment.

According to this embodiment, it can be expected that the pressure of the gases supplied from the adjacent gas flow paths 71a and 71b to the one mixing section 21 will be more stable. can be expected to generate
In addition, compared to the case where each axial gas flow path 73 is shared by a pair of adjacent gas flow paths 71 (third embodiment), the uniformity of the fineness of bubbles is improved with respect to the mixing unit 21. is less dependent on the amount of gas and liquid supplied per unit time.
In addition, compared to the case where each axial gas flow path 73 is shared by a pair of adjacent gas flow paths 71 (third embodiment), the force required to push down the head member 30 is reduced. .

<Modification 1>
In the case of Modified Example 1 shown in FIG. 29A, the channel area of the adjacent bubble channel 91 is smaller than the lumen cross-sectional area of the mixing portion 21 orthogonal to the axis AX4 of the adjacent bubble channel 91, and the adjacent This embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the flow area of the gas flow path 71 is smaller than that of the adjacent liquid flow path 51, and is otherwise the same as the first embodiment. .
In addition, in the case of this modification, of the surfaces defining the mixing section 21 , the surface including the bubble outlet 92 is configured by the bubble outlet 92 and the wall surface around the bubble outlet 92 .

<Modification 2>
In the case of Modified Example 2 shown in FIG. This embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the flow area of the gas flow path 71 is larger than that of the adjacent liquid flow path 51, and is otherwise the same as the first embodiment. .
In addition, in the case of this modification, of the surfaces defining the mixing section 21 , the surface including the liquid inlet 52 is configured by the bubble outlet 92 and the wall surface around the liquid inlet 52 .

<Modification 3>
Modification 3 shown in FIG. 29C is different from Modification 2 in that the channel area of the adjacent gas channel 71 is larger than the channel area of the adjacent liquid channel 51. This is the same as the modification 2.

<Modification 4>
In the case of Modified Example 4 shown in FIG. 30( a ), the axis AX1 of the adjacent gas flow path 71 a and the axis AX2 of the adjacent gas flow path 71 b are positioned at an angle of less than 90 degrees with respect to the axis AX3 of the adjacent liquid flow path 51 . It is different from the first embodiment in that the gas inlet 72a and the gas inlet 72b face each other in parallel, and the other points are the same as in the first embodiment. is. The flow direction of the gas from the adjacent gas passages 71 a and 71 b to the mixing section 21 is forward with respect to the direction of liquid flow from the adjacent liquid passage 51 to the mixing section 21 .

<Modification 5>
In the case of Modified Example 5 shown in FIG. 30(b), the flow direction of the gas from the adjacent gas channel 71a to the mixing section 21 is the same as the flow direction of the liquid from the adjacent liquid channel 51 to the mixing section 21. It is different from Modification 4 in that it is in the opposite direction instead of the direction, and is the same as Modification 4 in other respects.

<Modification 6>
In the case of Modified Example 6 shown in FIG. 31(a), the axis AX1 of the adjacent gas flow path 71a and the axis AX2 of the adjacent gas flow path 71b are parallel to each other but are arranged at positions shifted from each other. The gas inlets 72a and 72b are parallel and face each other, but a portion of the gas inlet 72a and a portion of the gas inlet 72b face each other, and the remaining portions do not face each other. This modification is also the same as the above-described first embodiment in other respects.
In the case of this modified example, the dimensions of the gas-liquid contact area 23 in the directions of the axes AX3 and AX4 of the adjacent liquid channel 51 and the adjacent bubble channel 91 are smaller than in the first embodiment.

<Modification 7>
In the case of Modified Example 7 shown in FIG. are configured to include the surrounding wall surfaces, respectively.
This modification is also the same as the above-described first embodiment in other respects.

<Modification 8>
In the case of Modified Example 8 shown in FIG. 32, three adjacent gas flow paths 71 (adjacent gas flow paths 71a, 71b, and 71c) are arranged corresponding to one mixing section 21 . The three adjacent gas flow paths 71 corresponding to one mixing section 21 each extend, for example, on the same plane.
The adjacent gas channel 71a is arranged at a position facing the adjacent liquid channel 51 with the mixing section 21 as a reference.
As shown in FIG. 32, a gas inlet 72a of the adjacent gas flow path 71a, a gas inlet 72a that is the gas inlet 72 of the adjacent gas flow path 71a, a gas inlet 72b that is the gas inlet 72 of the adjacent gas flow path 71b, It is preferable that the gas inlets 72c, which are the gas inlets 72 of the adjacent gas flow paths 71c, are arranged at approximately equal angular intervals with the center of the mixing section 21 as a reference. By doing so, the gas can be evenly supplied from each adjacent gas flow path 71 to the mixing section 21 .
Further, the axial centers of the three adjacent gas flow paths 71 corresponding to one mixing section 21 are arranged so that the gas supply directions to the mixing section 21 from the three adjacent gas flow paths 71 are arranged at equal angular intervals. It is preferable that they are arranged at approximately equal angular intervals with the center of the mixing section 21 as a reference. Therefore, the peripheral circumferential groove 344 is formed in a bent line shape at the downstream end of the axial gas flow path 73 . Since the gas supply directions from the three adjacent gas flow paths 71 corresponding to one mixing section 21 to the mixing section 21 are arranged at equal angular intervals, Gas can be supplied evenly.
In the case of this modification, compared to the case where the number of adjacent gas flow paths 71 corresponding to one mixing section 21 is two, the number of times the liquid column oscillates per unit time increases, and bubbles are generated per unit time. increases (this point is the same as in the above-described second embodiment). Therefore, finer bubbles can be generated.

In addition, in each of the above-described embodiments and modifications, each component of the foam dispenser 100 and the foam dispenser cap 200 does not need to exist independently. that a plurality of constituent elements are formed as one member, that one constituent element is formed of a plurality of members, that a certain constituent element is part of another constituent element, or that a certain constituent element is one It is permissible for a part and a part of another component to overlap, and so on.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and modifications, and includes various modifications and improvements as long as the object of the invention is achieved.

For example, the adjacent liquid channel 51 may have a reduced diameter (a gradual (tapered) diameter reduction or stepwise reduction) toward the liquid inlet 52 .
Also, the adjacent gas flow path 71 may have a reduced diameter (a gradual (tapered) diameter reduction or stepwise reduction) toward the gas inlet 72 .

Foam dispenser 100 may also include a mesh if desired. For example, in the second and third embodiments, a cylindrical member provided with mesh at one end or both ends can be placed in the recess 411 of the second member 400 .

Further, when a pair of adjacent gas flow paths 71a and 71b are arranged for one mixing section 21, the opening area of the gas inlet 72a and the opening area of the gas inlet 72b may be slightly different. By doing so, the pressure of the airflow supplied from the gas inlet 72a to the mixing section 21 and the pressure of the airflow supplied to the mixing section 21 from the gas inlet 72b become unbalanced from the initial state. It can be expected that the rocking of the liquid column can be started more quickly.

The above embodiments include the following technical ideas.
<1> a foaming mechanism that generates foam from a liquid;
a liquid supply unit that supplies liquid to the former mechanism;
a gas supply unit that supplies gas to the former mechanism;
a discharge port for discharging the foam generated by the foamer mechanism;
a foam channel through which the foam directed from the foamer mechanism to the discharge port passes;
with
The former mechanism is
a mixing section where the liquid supplied from the liquid supply section and the gas supplied from the gas supply section meet;
a liquid channel through which the liquid supplied from the liquid supply unit to the mixing unit passes;
a gas flow path through which the gas supplied from the gas supply unit to the mixing unit passes;
has
the froth channel includes an adjacent froth channel adjacent downstream to the mixing section;
the liquid flow path includes an adjacent liquid flow path adjacent upstream to the mixing section and having a liquid inlet open to the mixing section;
the gas flow path includes a plurality of adjacent gas flow paths adjacent upstream to the mixing section and each having a gas inlet open to the mixing section;
The liquid inlet is arranged at a position corresponding to a confluence of the gases supplied from the plurality of adjacent gas flow paths to the mixing section through the gas inlet.
<2> the former mechanism has one or more adjacent liquid channels,
The foam dispenser according to <1>, wherein the mixing section is arranged corresponding to each of the adjacent liquid flow paths.
<3> The foam dispenser according to <2>, wherein the plurality of dedicated adjacent gas flow paths are arranged corresponding to the individual mixing sections.
<4> The former mechanism includes a plurality of the mixing sections, and the adjacent gas flow path corresponding to one of the mixing sections adjacent to each other and the adjacent gas flow path corresponding to the other mixing section. The foam dispenser according to <3>, which has a partition portion that partitions adjacent gas flow paths from each other.
<5> The former mechanism includes a plurality of the mixing units,
the liquid channel includes a large-diameter liquid channel adjacent to the adjacent liquid channel on the upstream side and having a larger channel area than the adjacent liquid channel;
The plurality of mixing sections are arranged around a downstream end of the large-diameter liquid channel,
<2> A plurality of adjacent liquid channels extend from a downstream end of the large-diameter liquid channel toward the periphery in an in-plane direction that intersects the axial direction of the large-diameter liquid channel. The foam dispenser according to any one of <4>.
<6> The former mechanism includes a plurality of the mixing units,
The foam dispenser according to any one of <2> to <5>, wherein the foam flow path is provided with the individual adjacent foam flow paths corresponding to the individual mixing sections.
<7> The foam channel includes an expanded foam channel adjacent to the downstream side of the adjacent foam channel and having a larger channel area than the adjacent foam channel,
The foam dispenser according to <6>, wherein the adjacent foam flow paths respectively corresponding to the plurality of mixing sections merge into one expanded foam flow path.
<8> The channel area of the adjacent foam channel is equal to or larger than the maximum lumen cross-sectional area perpendicular to the axial direction of the adjacent foam channel of the mixing portion. The foam dispenser according to any one of <1> to <7>, wherein the diameter is small.
<9> The foam dispenser according to <8>, wherein the length of the adjacent foam channel is longer than the dimension of the gas inlet in the axial direction of the adjacent foam channel.
<10> The former mechanism has one or more mixing units,
A pair of the adjacent gas passages are arranged corresponding to each of the mixing sections, and the directions of supply of the gas from the pair of adjacent gas passages to the corresponding mixing sections are opposite to each other. The foam dispenser according to any one of <1> to <9>.
<11> The former mechanism includes one or more of the mixing units,
Three adjacent gas flow paths are arranged corresponding to each of the mixing sections, and the gas supply directions from these three adjacent gas flow paths to the corresponding mixing sections are located on the same plane. <9> according to any one of <1> to <9>, wherein the liquid is supplied from the adjacent liquid channel to the mixing section in a direction that intersects the plane. foam dispenser.
<12> The foam dispenser according to any one of <1> to <11>, wherein the adjacent foam channel has a foam outlet opening to the mixing section.
<13> The former mechanism includes a plurality of the mixing units,
The foam dispenser according to <12>, wherein each of the plurality of mixing sections is defined by the plurality of gas inlets, the liquid inlet, the foam outlet, and a wall surface.
<14> a storage container for storing the liquid;
a mounting portion mounted on the storage container;
with
The foam dispenser according to any one of <1> to <13>, wherein the foamer mechanism, the ejection port, and the foam flow path are held by the mounting portion.

<15> The foam dispenser according to any one of the above items, wherein the length of the adjacent foam channel is longer than the dimension of the mixing section in the axial direction of the adjacent foam channel.
<16> Any one of the above items, wherein the foam channel includes an expanded foam channel that is adjacent to the adjacent foam channel on the downstream side and has a larger channel area than the adjacent foam channel. foam dispenser.
<17> The plurality of mixing units are arranged along the circumference,
A foam dispenser according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the plurality of adjacent liquid flow channels are arranged radially inside the circumference.
<18> The foam dispenser according to <17>, wherein each of the adjacent gas flow paths is composed of a part of an annular flow path arranged along the circumference.
<19> The foam dispenser according to any one of the above items, wherein the axial center of the adjacent liquid channel and the axial center of the adjacent foam channel intersect each other.
<20> The foam dispenser according to any one of the above items, wherein the number of adjacent foam flow paths arranged corresponding to each of the mixing sections is one.
<21> The foam dispenser according to any one of the above items, wherein the number of the adjacent liquid flow paths arranged corresponding to each of the mixing sections is one.

<22> The gas flow path includes an intersecting gas flow path adjacent to the adjacent gas flow path on the upstream side and extending in a direction intersecting the adjacent gas flow path,
One of the intersecting gas flow paths branches into one of the pair of adjacent gas flow paths corresponding to one of the mixing sections and one of the pair of adjacent gas flow paths corresponding to the other mixing section. A foam dispenser according to any one of the preceding claims.
<23> A pair of said adjacent gas flow paths are arranged corresponding to one said mixing part,
the gas flow path includes an intersecting gas flow path adjacent to the adjacent gas flow path on the upstream side and extending in a direction intersecting the adjacent gas flow path;
One of the intersecting gas flow paths branches into one of the pair of adjacent gas flow paths corresponding to one of the mixing sections and one of the pair of adjacent gas flow paths corresponding to the other mixing section. and
A foam dispenser according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the intersecting gas channels extend in a direction parallel to the large liquid channel.
<24> The foam dispenser according to any one of the above items, wherein the plurality of intersecting gas flow paths are intermittently arranged around the large-diameter liquid flow path.
<25> The foam dispenser according to any one of the above items, wherein the adjacent foam channel and the adjacent liquid channel are arranged on opposite sides of the mixing section.
<26> The liquid supply unit is configured to pressurize the liquid inside and supply the liquid to the former mechanism,
The foam dispenser according to any one of the above items, wherein the gas supply section is arranged around the liquid supply section and configured to pressurize the gas therein and supply the gas to the foamer mechanism.
<27> comprising a head portion held by the mounting portion so as to be vertically movable with respect to the mounting portion, and pushed down relative to the mounting portion;
The former mechanism and the ejection port are held by the head portion,
When the head portion is pushed down relative to the mounting portion, the liquid inside the liquid supply portion and the gas inside the gas supply portion are pressurized and supplied to the former mechanism. A foam dispenser according to any one of the preceding claims.

<28> At least the adjacent bubble channel is directed in a direction in which the liquid column formed by the liquid moves away from the gas inlet of each of the plurality of adjacent gas channels that are open to the mixing section. A foam dispenser as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, defining an oscillating region that oscillates sequentially.
<29> A pair of said adjacent gas flow paths are arranged for one said mixing part,
The foam dispenser according to <24>, wherein the liquid column alternately swings in the swinging region.
<30> Three or more adjacent gas flow paths are arranged for one mixing unit,
A foam dispenser according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the axes of said three or more adjacent gas passages are arranged coplanar with each other.
<31> The foam dispenser according to any one of the above items, wherein the adjacent liquid flow path extends linearly.
<32> The foam dispenser according to any one of the above items, wherein the adjacent foam flow path extends linearly.
<33> The foam dispenser according to any one of the above items, wherein the gas inlets are arranged at positions on both sides of the mixing section that extend from the adjacent liquid flow paths.
<34> The foam dispenser according to <33>, wherein each of the gas inlets arranged at positions on both sides of an extended area of the adjacent liquid flow path faces toward the area.
<35> A pair of adjacent gas flow paths are arranged for one mixing unit,
A foam dispenser according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said gas inlets opening to said one mixing section are opposed to each other with said mixing section interposed therebetween.
<36> The foam dispenser according to any one of the above items, wherein the gas inlet openings to the mixing section have the same shape.
<37> The foam dispenser according to any one of the above items, wherein the areas of the gas inlet openings to the mixing section are equal to each other.
<38> The total area of the gas inlets arranged corresponding to one mixing section is equal to or smaller than the area of the liquid inlets arranged corresponding to one mixing section A foam dispenser according to any one of the preceding claims.
<39> Any one of the above items, wherein the area of each of the gas inlets arranged corresponding to one mixing section is smaller than the area of the liquid inlet arranged corresponding to one mixing section. foam dispenser.

<40> The foam dispenser according to any one of the above items;
the liquid filled in the storage container;
A liquid pack comprising a
<41> a mounting portion attached to a storage container that stores a liquid;
a foaming mechanism held by the mounting portion and configured to generate foam from the liquid;
a liquid supply unit held by the mounting unit and supplying liquid to the former mechanism;
a gas supply unit held by the mounting unit and supplying gas to the former mechanism;
a discharge port that is held by the mounting portion and discharges the foam generated by the foamer mechanism;
a foam flow path held by the mounting portion and through which the foam flowing from the foamer mechanism to the ejection port passes;
with
The former mechanism is
a mixing section where the liquid supplied from the liquid supply section and the gas supplied from the gas supply section meet;
a liquid channel through which the liquid supplied from the liquid supply unit to the mixing unit passes;
a gas flow path through which the gas supplied from the gas supply unit to the mixing unit passes;
has
the froth channel includes an adjacent froth channel adjacent downstream to the mixing section;
the liquid flow path includes an adjacent liquid flow path adjacent upstream to the mixing section and having a liquid inlet open to the mixing section;
the gas flow path includes a plurality of adjacent gas flow paths adjacent upstream to the mixing section and each having a gas inlet open to the mixing section;
The liquid inlet is disposed at a position corresponding to a confluence of the gases supplied to the mixing section from the plurality of adjacent gas flow paths through the gas inlet.

Examples will be described below with reference to FIGS. 33(a) to 35(g).
Each of FIGS. 33( a ) to 35 ( g ) shows foam generation by using a foamer mechanism having a structure similar to that of the first embodiment (a structure including an enlarged foam flow channel as in FIG. 2 ). It is the photograph which discharged on the petri dish and imaged the foam and the petri dish. The overall structure of the foam dispenser was the same as that of the third embodiment, and instead of the foamer mechanism of the third embodiment, the same foamer mechanism as that of the first embodiment was incorporated.
Of these, each of FIGS. 33(a) to 33(g) has a bubble outlet of an adjacent bubble channel with a circular diameter of 0.5 mm, and a liquid inlet of an adjacent liquid channel with a square with a side of 0.5 mm, This is an example (hereinafter referred to as Example 1) in which the gas inlet of each adjacent gas channel is a square with a side of 0.35 mm.
Each of Figures 34(a) to 34(g) shows that the bubble outlet of the adjacent bubble channel is circular with a diameter of 0.79 mm, the liquid inlet of the adjacent liquid channel is square with a side of 0.3 mm, and each adjacent This is an example in which the gas inlet of the gas flow path is a square with a side of 0.5 mm (hereinafter, Example 2).
Each of Figures 35(a) to 35(g) shows that the bubble outlet of the adjacent bubble channel is circular with a diameter of 0.5 mm, the liquid inlet of the adjacent liquid channel is square with a side of 0.7 mm, and each adjacent This is an example in which the gas inlet of the gas flow path is a square with a side of 0.3 mm (hereinafter, Example 3).
In each of Examples 1, 2, and 3, the gas-liquid ratio, that is, the volume ratio (volume of gas/volume of liquid) of the gas and the liquid supplied to the mixing section 21 was set to 13.
Therefore, in any of Examples 1, 2, and 3, the amounts of gas and liquid supplied to the mixing section per unit time are the same, but the flow rate of the gas supplied to the mixing section is Example 3 is the fastest, followed by Example 1, and Example 2 is the slowest. Further, the flow rate of the liquid supplied to the mixing section is the fastest in Example 2, the second fastest in Example 1, and the slowest in Example 3.
No mesh was used in any of Examples 1, 2, and 3.

Figures 33(a), 34(a) and 35(a) show the bubbles when the head portion is pushed at a speed of 5 mm/sec. ) shows the foam when the head portion is pushed at a speed of 10 mm/sec, and FIGS. Figures 33(d), 34(d) and 35(d) show bubbles when the head portion is pushed at a speed of 30 mm/sec, and Figures 33(e), 34(e) and 35 (e) shows bubbles when the head portion is pushed at a speed of 40 mm/sec, and FIGS. 33(f), 34(f) and 35(f) show when the head portion is pushed at a speed of 50 mm/sec FIGS. 33(g), 34(g) and 35(g) show the bubbles when the head section is pushed at a speed of 60 mm/sec, respectively.

In any of Examples 1, 2, and 3, the fineness of the bubbles was substantially uniform regardless of the pressing speed of the head portion (that is, the amount of gas and liquid supplied to the mixing portion per unit time). rice field.
The reason for this is that when the pushing speed of the head portion increases, the rocking period of the liquid column as described above shortens, but the amount of gas supplied to the mixing portion per unit time also increases. This is considered to be the case.

Further, in Example 1, the foam was finer than in Example 2, and in Example 3, the foam was finer than in Example 1. From this, it was found that when the total area of the two gas inlets is equal to or smaller than the area of the liquid inlet, the effect of making the bubbles finer increases. In other words, by increasing the flow velocity of the gas supplied to the mixing section to a certain extent or more, it is possible to make finer bubbles.
Also in the case of Example 2, sufficiently fine bubbles could be generated by using the mesh.

10 Storage container 11 Body 13 Mouth-neck 14 Bottom 20 Foamer mechanism 21 Mixing section 22 Merging section 23 Gas-liquid contact area 28 Gas supply section 29 Liquid supply section 30 Head member (head section)
31 Operation receiving portion 32 Inner cylindrical portion 32a Upward movement restricting portion 32b Groove 32c Holding portion 32d Channel 33 Outer cylindrical portion 40 Nozzle portion 41 Discharge port 50 Liquid channel 51 Adjacent liquid channel 52 Liquid inlet 53 Large-diameter liquid channel 70 Gas passages 71 , 71 a , 71 b , 71 c Adjacent gas passages 72 , 72 a , 72 b , 72 c Gas inlet 73 Axial gas passage 74 Circular gas passage 75 Axial communication fluid passage 80 Liquid column 90 Bubble passage 91 Adjacent foam channel 92 Foam outlet 93 Enlarged foam channel 100 Foam dispenser 101 Liquid 110 Cap member 111 Mounting portion 112 Annular closing portion 113 Standing tubular portion 120 Cylinder member 121 Gas cylinder constituent portion 122 Liquid cylinder constituent portion 122a Straight portion 122b Contraction Diameter portion 123 Annular connection portion 125 Tube holding portion 126 Rib 126a Spring receiving portion 127 Valve seat 128 Dip tube 129 Through hole 130 Piston guide 131 Valve seat portion 131a Through hole 132 Accommodating space 133 Flange portion 134 Valve configuration groove 135 Flow path configuration groove 136 Rib 140 Liquid piston 141 Outer peripheral piston portion 142 Spring receiving portion 143 Constricted portion 150 Gas piston 151 Cylindrical portion 152 Piston portion 153 Outer peripheral ring portion 154 Suction opening 155 Suction valve member 160 Poppet 161 Upper end portion 162 Valve body 162a Spring receiving portion 170 Coil spring 180 Ball valve 190 Packing 200 Foam discharge cap 210 Gas pump chamber 211 Channel 212 Cylindrical gas channel 213 Axial channel 214 Circular channel 220 Liquid pump chamber 300 First member 301 Central hole 311 First cylindrical portion 312 Second cylindrical portion 313 Third cylindrical portion 314 Fourth cylindrical portion 321 Protruding portion 331 Outer peripheral notched portion 341 Radial gas groove 342 Axial gas groove 343 Groove upper end portion 344 Peripheral circumferential groove 345 Radial groove 346 Groove tip portion 350 Partition Part 390 Alignment recess 400 Second member 410 Cylindrical part 411 Recess 412 Recess 413 Stepped part 420 Plate part 421 Hole 490 Alignment projection 500 Liquid filling product 810 First member 810a Recess 811 First part 811a Protrusion 812 Second part 813 Third portion 814 Fourth portion 815 Hole 816 Axial gas groove 817 First upper surface groove 818 Second upper surface groove 819 Third upper surface groove 820 Second member 820a Convex portion 821 Concave portion 822 Cylindrical portion 823 Plate portion 824 Hole

Claims (16)

a foamer mechanism for generating foam from a liquid;
a liquid supply unit that supplies liquid to the former mechanism;
a gas supply unit that supplies gas to the former mechanism;
a discharge port for discharging the foam generated by the foamer mechanism;
a foam channel through which the foam directed from the foamer mechanism to the discharge port passes;
with
The former mechanism is
a mixing section where the liquid supplied from the liquid supply section and the gas supplied from the gas supply section meet;
a liquid channel through which the liquid supplied from the liquid supply unit to the mixing unit passes;
a gas flow path through which the gas supplied from the gas supply unit to the mixing unit passes;
has
the froth channel includes an adjacent froth channel adjacent downstream to the mixing section;
the liquid flow path includes an adjacent liquid flow path adjacent upstream to the mixing section and having a liquid inlet open to the mixing section;
the gas flow path includes a plurality of adjacent gas flow paths adjacent upstream to the mixing section and each having a gas inlet open to the mixing section;
The liquid inlet is arranged at a position corresponding to a confluence of the gases supplied from the plurality of adjacent gas flow paths to the mixing section via the gas inlet ,
the former mechanism having one or more of the adjacent liquid flow channels;
The mixing section is arranged corresponding to each of the adjacent liquid flow paths,
The former mechanism includes a plurality of the mixing units,
The foam dispenser , wherein said foam channels comprise individual adjacent foam channels corresponding to individual said mixing sections . the foam channel includes an enlarged foam channel that is downstream and adjacent to the adjacent foam channel and has a larger channel area than the adjacent foam channel;
2. The foam dispenser of claim 1 , wherein said adjacent foam channels corresponding to each of said plurality of mixing sections merge into one said expanded foam channel. a foamer mechanism for generating foam from a liquid;
a liquid supply unit that supplies liquid to the former mechanism;
a gas supply unit that supplies gas to the former mechanism;
a discharge port for discharging the foam generated by the foamer mechanism;
a foam channel through which the foam directed from the foamer mechanism to the discharge port passes;
with
The former mechanism is
a mixing section where the liquid supplied from the liquid supply section and the gas supplied from the gas supply section meet;
a liquid channel through which the liquid supplied from the liquid supply unit to the mixing unit passes;
a gas flow path through which the gas supplied from the gas supply unit to the mixing unit passes;
has
the froth channel includes an adjacent froth channel adjacent downstream to the mixing section;
the liquid flow path includes an adjacent liquid flow path adjacent upstream to the mixing section and having a liquid inlet open to the mixing section;
the gas flow path includes a plurality of adjacent gas flow paths adjacent upstream to the mixing section and each having a gas inlet open to the mixing section;
The liquid inlet is arranged at a position corresponding to a confluence of the gases supplied from the plurality of adjacent gas flow paths to the mixing section via the gas inlet ,
the former mechanism having one or more of the adjacent liquid flow channels;
The mixing section is arranged corresponding to each of the adjacent liquid flow paths,
The plurality of dedicated adjacent gas flow paths are arranged corresponding to the individual mixing units,
The former mechanism includes a plurality of mixing sections, and the adjacent gas flow path corresponding to one of the mixing sections adjacent to each other and the adjacent gas flow corresponding to the other mixing section. A foam dispenser having a partition that separates the channels from each other . a foamer mechanism for generating foam from a liquid;
a liquid supply unit that supplies liquid to the former mechanism;
a gas supply unit that supplies gas to the former mechanism;
a discharge port for discharging the foam generated by the foamer mechanism;
a foam channel through which the foam directed from the foamer mechanism to the discharge port passes;
with
The former mechanism is
a mixing section where the liquid supplied from the liquid supply section and the gas supplied from the gas supply section meet;
a liquid channel through which the liquid supplied from the liquid supply unit to the mixing unit passes;
a gas flow path through which the gas supplied from the gas supply unit to the mixing unit passes;
has
the froth channel includes an adjacent froth channel adjacent downstream to the mixing section;
the liquid flow path includes an adjacent liquid flow path adjacent upstream to the mixing section and having a liquid inlet open to the mixing section;
the gas flow path includes a plurality of adjacent gas flow paths adjacent upstream to the mixing section and each having a gas inlet open to the mixing section;
The liquid inlet is arranged at a position corresponding to a confluence of the gases supplied from the plurality of adjacent gas flow paths to the mixing section via the gas inlet ,
the former mechanism having one or more of the adjacent liquid flow channels;
The mixing section is arranged corresponding to each of the adjacent liquid flow paths,
The former mechanism includes a plurality of the mixing units,
the liquid channel includes a large-diameter liquid channel adjacent to the adjacent liquid channel on the upstream side and having a larger channel area than the adjacent liquid channel;
The plurality of mixing sections are arranged around a downstream end of the large-diameter liquid channel,
A foam dispenser in which a plurality of said adjacent liquid channels extend outwardly from a downstream end of said large-diameter liquid channel in an in-plane direction intersecting the axial direction of said large-diameter liquid channel . . a foamer mechanism for generating foam from a liquid;
a liquid supply unit that supplies liquid to the former mechanism;
a gas supply unit that supplies gas to the former mechanism;
a discharge port for discharging the foam generated by the foamer mechanism;
a foam channel through which the foam directed from the foamer mechanism to the discharge port passes;
with
The former mechanism is
a mixing section where the liquid supplied from the liquid supply section and the gas supplied from the gas supply section meet;
a liquid channel through which the liquid supplied from the liquid supply unit to the mixing unit passes;
a gas flow path through which the gas supplied from the gas supply unit to the mixing unit passes;
has
the froth channel includes an adjacent froth channel adjacent downstream to the mixing section;
the liquid flow path includes an adjacent liquid flow path adjacent upstream to the mixing section and having a liquid inlet open to the mixing section;
the gas flow path includes a plurality of adjacent gas flow paths adjacent upstream to the mixing section and each having a gas inlet open to the mixing section;
The liquid inlet is arranged at a position corresponding to a confluence of the gases supplied from the plurality of adjacent gas flow paths to the mixing section via the gas inlet ,
The channel area of the adjacent foam channel is equal to or smaller than the maximum lumen cross-sectional area perpendicular to the axial direction of the adjacent foam channel of the mixing section. Ejector. 6. The foam dispenser of claim 5 , wherein the length of said adjacent foam channel is greater than the dimension of said gas inlet in said axial direction of said adjacent foam channel. a foamer mechanism for generating foam from a liquid;
a liquid supply unit that supplies liquid to the former mechanism;
a gas supply unit that supplies gas to the former mechanism;
a discharge port for discharging the foam generated by the foamer mechanism;
a foam channel through which the foam directed from the foamer mechanism to the discharge port passes;
with
The former mechanism is
a mixing section where the liquid supplied from the liquid supply section and the gas supplied from the gas supply section meet;
a liquid channel through which the liquid supplied from the liquid supply unit to the mixing unit passes;
a gas flow path through which the gas supplied from the gas supply unit to the mixing unit passes;
has
the froth channel includes an adjacent froth channel adjacent downstream to the mixing section;
the liquid flow path includes an adjacent liquid flow path adjacent upstream to the mixing section and having a liquid inlet open to the mixing section;
the gas flow path includes a plurality of adjacent gas flow paths adjacent upstream to the mixing section and each having a gas inlet open to the mixing section;
The liquid inlet is arranged at a position corresponding to a confluence of the gases supplied from the plurality of adjacent gas flow paths to the mixing section via the gas inlet ,
The adjacent foam channel has a foam outlet opening to the mixing section,
The former mechanism includes a plurality of the mixing units,
A foam dispenser , wherein each of said plurality of mixing sections is defined by a plurality of said gas inlets, said liquid inlets, said foam outlets and a wall surface . the former mechanism having one or more of the adjacent liquid flow channels;
8. The foam dispenser according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the mixing section is arranged corresponding to each of the adjacent liquid flow paths. 9. A foam dispenser as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein a plurality of dedicated adjacent gas flow paths are arranged corresponding to each said mixing section. The former mechanism has one or more mixing units,
A pair of the adjacent gas passages are arranged corresponding to each of the mixing sections, and the directions of supply of the gas from the pair of adjacent gas passages to the corresponding mixing sections are opposite to each other. 10. A foam dispenser according to any one of claims 1-9. The former mechanism comprises one or more of the mixing units,
Three adjacent gas flow paths are arranged corresponding to each of the mixing sections, and the gas supply directions from these three adjacent gas flow paths to the corresponding mixing sections are located on the same plane. 10. The foam ejection according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein a direction of supplying the liquid from the adjacent liquid channel to the mixing section is a direction that intersects the plane. vessel. a storage container for storing the liquid;
a mounting portion mounted on the storage container;
with
12. The foam dispenser according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the foamer mechanism, the outlet, and the foam channel are retained in the mounting portion. a foam dispenser according to claim 12 ;
the liquid filled in the storage container;
A liquid pack comprising a a mounting portion attached to a storage container that stores liquid;
a foaming mechanism held by the mounting portion and configured to generate foam from the liquid;
a liquid supply unit held by the mounting unit and supplying liquid to the former mechanism;
a gas supply unit held by the mounting unit and supplying gas to the former mechanism;
a discharge port that is held by the mounting portion and discharges the foam generated by the foamer mechanism;
a foam flow path held by the mounting portion and through which the foam flowing from the foamer mechanism to the ejection port passes;
with
The former mechanism is
a mixing section where the liquid supplied from the liquid supply section and the gas supplied from the gas supply section meet;
a liquid channel through which the liquid supplied from the liquid supply unit to the mixing unit passes;
a gas flow path through which the gas supplied from the gas supply unit to the mixing unit passes;
has
the froth channel includes an adjacent froth channel adjacent downstream to the mixing section;
the liquid flow path includes an adjacent liquid flow path adjacent upstream to the mixing section and having a liquid inlet open to the mixing section;
the gas flow path includes a plurality of adjacent gas flow paths adjacent upstream to the mixing section and each having a gas inlet open to the mixing section;
The liquid inlet is arranged at a position corresponding to a confluence of the gases supplied from the plurality of adjacent gas flow paths to the mixing section via the gas inlet ,
the former mechanism having one or more of the adjacent liquid flow channels;
The mixing section is arranged corresponding to each of the adjacent liquid flow paths,
The former mechanism includes a plurality of the mixing units,
The foam dispensing cap , wherein said foam channels comprise individual said adjacent foam channels corresponding to respective said mixing sections . a mounting portion attached to a storage container that stores liquid;
a foaming mechanism held by the mounting portion and configured to generate foam from the liquid;
a liquid supply unit held by the mounting unit and supplying liquid to the former mechanism;
a gas supply unit held by the mounting unit and supplying gas to the former mechanism;
a discharge port that is held by the mounting portion and discharges the foam generated by the foamer mechanism;
a foam flow path held by the mounting portion and through which the foam flowing from the foamer mechanism to the ejection port passes;
with
The former mechanism is
a mixing section where the liquid supplied from the liquid supply section and the gas supplied from the gas supply section meet;
a liquid channel through which the liquid supplied from the liquid supply unit to the mixing unit passes;
a gas flow path through which the gas supplied from the gas supply unit to the mixing unit passes;
has
the froth channel includes an adjacent froth channel adjacent downstream to the mixing section;
the liquid flow path includes an adjacent liquid flow path adjacent upstream to the mixing section and having a liquid inlet open to the mixing section;
the gas flow path includes a plurality of adjacent gas flow paths adjacent upstream to the mixing section and each having a gas inlet open to the mixing section;
The liquid inlet is arranged at a position corresponding to a confluence of the gases supplied from the plurality of adjacent gas flow paths to the mixing section via the gas inlet ,
The channel area of the adjacent foam channel is equal to or smaller than the maximum lumen cross-sectional area perpendicular to the axial direction of the adjacent foam channel of the mixing section. discharge cap. a mounting portion attached to a storage container that stores liquid;
a foaming mechanism held by the mounting portion and configured to generate foam from the liquid;
a liquid supply unit held by the mounting unit and supplying liquid to the former mechanism;
a gas supply unit held by the mounting unit and supplying gas to the former mechanism;
a discharge port that is held by the mounting portion and discharges the foam generated by the foamer mechanism;
a foam flow path held by the mounting portion and through which the foam flowing from the foamer mechanism to the ejection port passes;
with
The former mechanism is
a mixing section where the liquid supplied from the liquid supply section and the gas supplied from the gas supply section meet;
a liquid channel through which the liquid supplied from the liquid supply unit to the mixing unit passes;
a gas flow path through which the gas supplied from the gas supply unit to the mixing unit passes;
has
the froth channel includes an adjacent froth channel adjacent downstream to the mixing section;
the liquid flow path includes an adjacent liquid flow path adjacent upstream to the mixing section and having a liquid inlet open to the mixing section;
the gas flow path includes a plurality of adjacent gas flow paths adjacent upstream to the mixing section and each having a gas inlet open to the mixing section;
The liquid inlet is arranged at a position corresponding to a confluence of the gases supplied from the plurality of adjacent gas flow paths to the mixing section via the gas inlet ,
The adjacent foam channel has a foam outlet opening to the mixing section,
The former mechanism includes a plurality of the mixing units,
A foam dispensing cap , wherein each of said plurality of mixing sections is defined by a plurality of said gas inlets, said liquid inlet, said foam outlet and a wall surface .

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