JP7233999B2 - foam discharge container - Google Patents

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a foam-discharging container for discharging liquid in a container body in the form of foam.

Among foam-dispensing containers, a type that discharges a liquid in a foam-like state by pressing an elastically deformable container body is called a squeeze foamer. It is used when it is discharged in a shape. In particular, the one that discharges the contents with the nozzle facing downward is called a downward squeeze foamer (Patent Document 1).

The downward squeeze foamer of Patent Document 1 has a tube holding member that holds the dip tube, and the tube holding member is attached inside the cap so that the holding position of the dip tube is on the central axis of the container. there is The dip tube serves as an air flow path when the nozzle is directed downward to eject foam. Further, the tube holding member has a notch 30 at a position eccentric from the center axis of the container, and this notch serves as an inlet for the liquid when foam is discharged with the nozzle facing downward. Thus, the tube holding member of Patent Document 1 has both a function of taking air from the container body into the nozzle via the dip tube and a function of taking liquid from the container body into the nozzle via the intake port. .

In the downward squeeze foamer, the air intake dip tube is held by the tube holding member on the central axis of the container or at an off-center position. Regarding the holding position of the tube, whether it is on the central axis or at an eccentric position, there is almost no effect on foam discharge. This is because the tube bent in the post-processing can be used as a dip tube, and the tube can be bent so that the air intake end of the tube is positioned as high as possible with the container facing obliquely downward.

On the other hand, in many cases, the inlet for the liquid material is simply a hole in the tube holding member, and the position of the inlet is important. When foam is ejected with the nozzle facing obliquely downward, the liquid in the container body is directly taken into the nozzle through the inlet. If the position of the intake port is inappropriate, when the remaining amount in the bottle is low, the intake port will protrude above the liquid surface of the liquid, and the liquid will still remain. The air inside the container will be sucked in.

JP-A-11-292122

However, in the structure of fixing the tube holding member to the cap by fitting a cylindrical portion passing through the central axis of the tube holding member into a hole passing through the central axis of the cap as in the downward squeeze foamer of Patent Document 1, , when assembling the cap and the container body, the tube holding member may rotate around its central axis and the position of the intake may be displaced.

An object of the present invention is to provide a function of preventing rotation of the tube holding member with respect to the cap when the cap of the downward squeeze foamer is combined with the tube holding member, so that the tube holding member can be used as a liquid material remover. To provide a foam discharge container in which an inlet is maintained at an appropriate position and, as a result, a liquid can be discharged smoothly to the end.

That is, the foam discharge container according to the present invention is
The container comprises a container body, a cap attached to an opening of the container body, a tube holding member attached inside the cap, and a tube held by the tube holding member and serving as an air flow path in the container body. A foam discharge container for discharging the liquid material in the container body in a foam state by
The tube holding member is further formed with an inlet for taking in a liquid at a position eccentric from the central axis of the opening of the container body,
The cap has
an air flow path communicating with the tube;
a liquid distribution channel communicating with the inlet of the tube holding member;
a protruding piece that fits into the inlet of the tube holding member is formed,
A cross-sectional shape of the protruding piece is characterized in that it is formed so as not to completely block the intake port but to communicate with at least a part of the intake port.

According to this configuration, the cap is provided with a protruding piece, and this protruding piece fits into the inlet of the tube holding member. Both members are provided at eccentric positions from the central axis of the opening of the container body, so when attaching to the cap, by fitting both members together, alignment of the tube holding member with respect to the cap is completed. do. Moreover, the fitting state between the protruding piece and the inlet functions as a rotation stopper for the tube holding member.

Here, the shape of the cross section perpendicular to the central axis of the opening of the container body is referred to as "cross-sectional shape". Since the protruding piece has a cross-sectional shape that does not block the entire intake, even if the protruding piece and the intake are fitted together, the entire intake will not be blocked, and the liquid material can be discharged. There is no effect on the ability of the cap to enter the liquid distribution path. Moreover, since the fitted state can be easily visually confirmed from the side of the tube holding member at the time of attachment, the alignment can be easily performed.

In the foam discharge container according to the present invention, it is preferable that the outer dimension of the protruding piece is larger than the inner dimension of the inlet.

With this configuration, when the protruding piece of the cap is fitted into the inlet of the tube holding member, the protruding piece is fitted so as to expand the inlet, so that the fitted state is firmly maintained.

In the foam discharge container according to the present invention, it is preferable that the protruding piece has a length such that it protrudes from the inlet when fitted with the inlet.

With this configuration, even if force is applied to the tube holding member in the rotational direction after fitting, the tube holding member cannot easily get over the projecting piece. Therefore, the reliability of the anti-rotation function is enhanced.

In the foam-dispensing container according to the present invention, the cross-sectional shape of the protruding piece covers at least a partial range that includes the most eccentric position from the central axis of the opening of the container body within the range of the intake. It is preferably formed so as not to be blocked.

For example, if a simple cylindrical protruding piece protrudes from the intake, the reliability of the anti-rotation function increases, but on the other hand, the protruding portion becomes a barrier and leaves a residue during use. A problem arises that the amount of liquid increases. Therefore, in the present invention, even when the protruding piece protrudes from the intake port, the remaining liquid does not increase during use, and the remaining small amount of liquid can be smoothly discharged from the intake port. The shape of the part has been improved. That is, in the structure of the present invention, even when the protruding piece and the intake are in a fitted state, a part of the intake is in a communicating state, and the portion where the communicating state is maintained is the opening of the container body. It was decided to provide it at the part that is most eccentric from the central axis. In the configuration of the present invention, the cross-sectional shape of the protruding piece does not block at least a partial range including the most eccentric position from the central axis of the opening of the container body within the range of the intake. formed. Therefore, when the nozzle is tilted downward so that the inlet is positioned at the lowest position, the little remaining liquid smoothly flows into the range of the inlet where the communication state is maintained. Other protruding portions do not form barriers for liquids, and the amount of residual liquid during use can be further reduced.

In the foam discharge container according to the present invention, the cap is a hinge cap,
It is preferable that the protruding piece and the inlet are formed at positions eccentric to the central axis of the cap on the side opposite to the hinge portion.

According to the configuration of the present invention, the user normally tilts the container body obliquely downward so that the hinge portion faces upward. eccentrically, the projecting piece and the intake port will inevitably be in the lowest position. Therefore, it is possible to reliably use the foam discharge container with the least amount of residual liquid.

In the foam discharge container according to the present invention, the liquid intake port is formed in the tube holding member at a position eccentric from the central axis of the opening of the container body, and is fitted to the intake port of the tube holding member. A protruding piece is formed in the cap and has a cross-sectional shape that does not block the entire intake. Therefore, the function of preventing rotation of the tube holding member with respect to the cap of the foam discharge container is imparted, and the proper position of the intake port for the liquid is maintained. As a result, the liquid can be discharged smoothly to the end.

Sectional drawing which shows the cap of the foam discharge container which concerns on 1st embodiment. Figure 3 is an exploded view of the components of the cap; It is a cross-sectional view showing a use state of the foam discharge container. FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing the flow path of the contents of the foam-discharging container when foam is being discharged. FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a state in which outside air is sucked after ejection is stopped in FIG. 4 ; Sectional drawing which shows the cap of the foam discharge container which concerns on 2nd embodiment. FIG. 10 is a plan view and a cross-sectional view showing a modification of the valve fitted in the cap; Sectional drawing which shows the usage condition of the foam discharge container which concerns on 3rd embodiment. The figure which shows the fitting state of the through-hole for liquid materials of a tube holder in the said foam discharge container, and the protrusion piece formed in the base cap. The figure which shows the fitting state of the through-hole for liquid materials of the said tube holder which concerns on a modification, and the protrusion piece formed in the base cap.

A foam discharge container according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows an enlarged cross-sectional structure of only the cap portion of the foam discharge container. FIG. 2 shows an exploded view of the components of the cap portion. The axis P in FIG. 1 is the central axis of the cap portion. The cap portion is an assembly in which the individual components are fitted in sequence along the axis P as in FIG. In this embodiment, a specific configuration of a downward squeeze foamer will be described as an example of a foam discharge container.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the cap 2 has a base cap 22, a tube holder 24, and a hinge cap 26 as main components. A valve 3 is fitted in the cap 2, a foam homogenizing means 5 is fitted in the opening of the cap 2 which serves as a discharge port, and a tube 6 is held on the container body side of the cap 2. there is

The base cap 22 shown in FIG. 2 is a tubular member closed on the cap opening side. and A plurality of through holes parallel to the axis P are formed in the middle top plate 22b. First, six through-holes F24 for air are arranged in a ring. In addition, six through holes F14 for liquid matter are arranged in an annular shape on the outer side thereof. These through holes F24 and F14 are arranged concentrically around the axis P. The arrangement of the air through hole F24 is called an inner ring, and the arrangement of the liquid through hole F14 is called an outer ring. . Furthermore, three through holes F53 for external air suction are concentrically arranged outside the through hole F14 for liquid material.

The outlets of the through-holes F14 and F53 for liquid matter and external air suction are formed on the same plane on the surface of the middle top plate 22b on the cap opening side, whereas the outlets of the through-hole F24 for air are formed on the same plane. is formed on the surface of the protruding portion 22d that protrudes slightly toward the cap opening side. The surfaces having the outlets of the through holes F14 and F53 are perpendicular to the axis P, whereas the surface of the projecting portion 22d having the outlets of the through hole F24 for air is opposite to the axis P. This is the surface of the conically recessed portion. The angle x shown on the base cap 22 in FIG. 2 is the angle of intersection between the surface having the outlet of the through hole F24 for air and the plane perpendicular to the axis P, and represents the angle of inclination according to the present invention. The surface having the outlet of the through hole F24 is formed such that the angle x is 2° or more and 35° or less.

On the surface of the container body side of the middle top plate 22b, there are formed a plurality of entrances of the above-mentioned through holes, two types of cylindrical portions 22e and 22f that protrude annularly, and a protruding piece 22g for anti-rotation. . The two types of cylinders are: the first is the annular inner cylinder 22e that surrounds all the through holes F24 for air; It is an annular outer cylindrical portion 22f that surrounds the entire hole F14. The inner tubular portion 22e has an annular shape centered on the axis P, while the outer tubular portion 22f has an annular shape eccentric from the axis P. As shown in FIG. Due to the eccentricity of the two types of cylindrical portions 22e and 22f in this manner, a detent piece 22g is formed between the two types of cylindrical portions 22e and 22f at a portion where they are largely separated.

The tube holder 24 in FIG. 2 is a thin tubular member with a flange, and is formed at a tube holding cylinder 24a for inserting and fixing the tube 6 inside and at the end of the tube holding cylinder 24a on the cap opening side. and a flange portion 24b. The outer diameter of the flange portion 24b corresponds to the inner diameter of the inner tubular portion 22a of the base cap so that the tube holder 24 can be fitted along the axis P into the inner tubular portion 22a of the base cap. The diameter of the cylindrical portion 24g on the cap opening side of the tube holding cylinder 24 is larger than the diameter of the cylindrical portion on the container main body side, and when the tube holder 24 is fitted into the base cap 22, the end portion of the tube holder 24 on the cap opening side is larger than the diameter of the cylindrical portion 24g on the container body side. surrounds the air through hole F24 of the middle top plate 22b of the base cap.

A cylindrical portion 24g on the cap opening side of the tube holder 24 is not a perfect cylindrical shape, and is partially cut out to have a cutout portion 24c. A groove portion 24d is formed on the surface of the flange portion 24b on the cap opening side so as to be continuous with the notch portion 24c. The notch portion 24c and the groove portion 24d serve as communication passages through which the through hole F53 for external air suction communicates with the inside of the tube holding cylinder 24a of the tube holder 24 when the base cap 22 is fitted.

An annular inner cylindrical portion 24e that protrudes toward the cap opening side is formed at the tip of the cylindrical portion 24g on the cap opening side of the tube holder 24 . The inner tubular portion 24 e of the tube holder 24 has an annular shape centered on the axis P and has a diameter corresponding to the inner tubular portion 22 e of the base cap 22 . When fitting into the base cap 22 , the inner tubular portion 24 e of the tube holder 24 is fitted inside the inner tubular portion 22 e of the base cap 22 .

Further, on the surface of the flange portion 24b on the cap opening side, an outer cylinder portion 24f protruding in an annular shape and a through hole F12 for liquid matter are formed. The outer tubular portion 24f of the tube holder 24 is annular, eccentric from the axis P, and has a diameter corresponding to the outer tubular portion 22f of the base cap. When fitting into the base cap 22 , the outer tubular portion 24 f of the tube holder is fitted outside the outer tubular portion 22 f of the base cap 22 . The through-hole F12 for the liquid material is positioned exactly corresponding to the protruding piece 22g of the base cap 22, and when the base cap 22 is fitted, the protruding piece 22g of the base cap 22 is positioned to fit the liquid material of the tube holder 24. , and functions as a detent for the tube holder 24 .

In this way, when the tube holder 24 is fitted into the base cap 22 and the tube 6 is inserted into the tube holding cylinder 24a of the tube holder 24, the air flow path F2 inside the tube 6 as shown in FIG. The six air through holes F24 of the base cap 22 are communicated through the inside of the holding cylinder 24a. Further, the liquid material flow path F1 in the container main body communicates with the six liquid material through holes F14 of the base cap 22 via the liquid material through holes F12 of the tube holder 24 . At this time, the two types of cylindrical portions 22e and 22f of the base cap 22 and the two types of cylindrical portions 24e and 24f of the tube holder 24 are fitted to each other to form an air flow path F2 in the space between the base cap 22 and the tube holder 24. , the liquid distribution channel F1 and the outside air suction channel F5 are reliably isolated from each other, and the contents are not mixed with each other. However, the external air suction flow path F5 merges with the air flow path F2 inside the tube holder 24 via the connecting passage.

The valve 3 of FIG. 2 has a cylindrical fixed ring 32, an inner valve 34 corresponding to the variable membrane of the present invention, and an outer valve 36 corresponding to the external air suction valve of the present invention. It is formed integrally with various elastomers such as olefin resin so as to be elastically deformable. While the cylindrical fixed ring 32 is thick, the thickness of the inner valve 34 and the outer valve 36 is thin.

The inner valve 34 is a thin membrane extending inward from a position slightly above the lower end of the fixed ring 32, and has an opening F31 in the center. The overall shape of the inner valve 34 can be said to be a thin annular shape. In addition, the inner valve 34 is inclined toward the container body side from the connecting portion with the fixed ring 32 toward the axis P. As shown in FIG. This angle of inclination is the same as or slightly larger than the angle x shown on the base cap 22 in FIG. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 2, the cross-sectional shape of the inner valve 34 is an inverted V-shape, and the cross-sections of the left and right inclined portions are substantially straight lines.

The outer valve 36 is a thin membrane extending outward from a position slightly above the lower end of the fixed ring 32, and its overall shape can be said to be a thin circular ring. The difference from the shape of the inner valve 34 is that the cross-sectional shape draws a gentle curve that swells toward the container body in the vicinity of the connecting portion with the fixed ring 32, and the portion away from the connecting portion with the fixed ring 32. It is slanted toward the cap opening side.

The hinge cap 26 of FIG. 2 is fitted into the base cap 22 so as to cover the base cap 22, and the valve 3 is sandwiched between them. Specifically, the hinge cap 26 has an outer cylindrical portion 26a, a top plate 26b, a nozzle portion 26c, a hinge portion 26d, and a hinge lid 26e, which are integrally formed.

The outer tubular portion 26a is a tubular member that is fitted to the outside of the inner tubular portion 22a of the base cap, and the cap opening side of the tubular member is closed with a top plate 26b. A cylindrical nozzle portion 26c is provided in the center of the top plate 26b. The nozzle portion 26c is formed with a large opening that spatially communicates from the container body side to the cap opening side. In addition, a hinge lid 26e that is freely foldable via a hinge portion 26d is formed integrally with a portion of the connecting portion between the top plate 26b and the outer cylindrical portion 26a. On the surface of the top plate 26b, one outside air intake F51 is formed at a position approximately midway between the nozzle portion 26c and the hinge portion 26d. The hinge lid 26e simultaneously opens and closes the cap opening F4 and the outside air intake F51.

The nozzle portion 26c has a tubular member having a diameter that allows the foam homogenizing means 5 to be fitted on the cap opening side, and a tubular member with a double tubular structure having a relatively large diameter on the container body side. A deep groove 26f that opens toward the container body is formed by the tubular member of the double cylinder structure on the container body side. The deep groove 26f is circumferential with the axis P as the center.

The foam homogenizing means 5 is composed of a cylindrical net holder fitted in a cylindrical member on the cap opening side of the nozzle portion 26c of the hinge cap, and nets attached to both upper and lower ends of the cylindrical net holder. ing. The net attached to the net holder is finer on the cap opening side (downstream side) than on the container body side (upstream side) in order to obtain uniform and fine bubbles. A foam homogenizing means using three or more nets may be used, or a foam homogenizing means using a sponge or the like without using a net may be used.

The hinge cap 26 as described above is fitted to the outside of the base cap 22 so as to sandwich the valve 3 . At this time, most of the portion of the fixed ring 32 of the valve on the cap opening side is fitted into the deep groove 26f of the nozzle portion 26c. The container body side end of the fixed ring 32 of the valve is fitted into a circular shallow groove 22h formed in the surface of the middle top plate 22b of the base cap. The shallow groove 22h is formed at a position surrounding all the through holes F24 and F14 for air and liquid matter, and the through hole F53 for external air suction is positioned outside the shallow groove 22h. .

By fitting the hinge cap 26 to the base cap 22, the stepped portion 26g formed inside the top plate 26b of the hinge cap comes into contact with the surface of the middle top plate 22b of the base cap, and a valve is formed between the two. A space is formed in which the inner valve 34 and the outer valve 36 can operate. In the inner valve 34 of the valve, the leading end portion inclined at the inclination angle x contacts the surface of the projecting portion 22d of the base cap which is similarly inclined at the inclination angle x. As a result, the air through-holes F24 formed in the projecting portion 22d are all closed. At the same time, the through-hole F14 for the liquid substance of the base cap 22 is also completely closed by the inner valve 34 . A mixing chamber F3 is formed by the inner space of the cylindrical member of the double-cylinder structure of the nozzle portion 26c of the hinge cap. It is not in communication with the physical distribution path F1 either.

On the other hand, the outer peripheral end of the outer valve 36 contacts the outer surface of the top plate 26b of the hinge cap outside the outside air intake F51. As a result, the outer valve 36 blocks the outside air intake F51 of the hinge cap from the container body side.

FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional view of how the foam discharge container of this embodiment is used. The foam dispensing container comprises a container body 1 , the aforementioned cap 2 , a valve 3 , foam homogenizing means 5 and a tube 6 extending to the vicinity of the bottom of the container body 1 . The container body 1 has an elastically deformable body and a cylindrical opening that serves as an inlet for the contents, and the foamable liquid material A is pre-filled into the body from the opening by a predetermined amount. be done. In this embodiment, a spiral groove is formed on the outer circumference of the cylindrical portion of the opening of the container body 1, and the cap 2 can be attached to and detached from the opening of the container body 1 by screw fitting with the spiral thread of the cap 2. Although it is attached, it may also be attached to the container body 1 by a method of pushing the cap into the opening.

The material of the container body 1 is a polyolefin resin such as polypropylene (PP) or polyethylene (PE), which has good so-called squeezing properties, which makes it easy to press the container, and so-called squeeze-back properties, which makes it easy to return to its original shape after being pressed. In addition, polyester resins such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET) can be used singly or as a mixture of plural kinds thereof. In particular, PP is preferable from the viewpoint that good squeezability can be obtained even when used continuously. The thickness of the body of the container body 1 is preferably 0.5 to 1.5 mm, more preferably 0.8 to 1.2 mm, from the viewpoint of obtaining good squeezability.

When the nozzle portion of the foam discharge container is directed downward as shown in FIG. The air inside the body 1 is filled inside the tube 6 . When the container main body 1 is pressed in this state, the internal pressure of the container increases. Then, the air and liquid A inside are pressurized to open the valve 3 of the cap 2, so that the air and liquid A enter the mixing chamber. In the mixing chamber, the inflowing liquid A and air are mixed to form foam. The formed foam passes through the two nets of the net holder to become fine, homogeneous foam and is discharged from the outlet of the hinge cap.

4 and 5 show in detail the flow of air and liquid during ejection. The flow in the air flow path F2 is indicated by a white triangular arrow, and the liquid material flow path F1 is indicated by a black triangular arrow.
When the container body 1 is pressed with the foam discharge container facing downward, air is supplied from the tube 6 as shown in FIG. 4 to open the inner valve 34 . The inner valve 34 is elastically deformed so as to be reversed in the direction of the axis P from the container body side to the cap opening side. Thereby, air flows into the mixing chamber F3 from the through-hole F24 for air. Further, the liquid passes through the through hole F14 for the liquid from the liquid intake and flows into the mixing chamber F3.

FIG. 5 shows the flow of the outside air during the squeeze back after the foam is discharged as the outside air suction flow path F5. When the pressing of the container body 1 (body portion) is stopped and the body portion tries to return to its original shape due to the restoring force of the body portion, the inside of the container becomes negative pressure, and the inner valve 34 opens through holes for air and liquid. Close all F14 and F24. Further, since the outer valve 36 opens the outside air intake F51 by the negative pressure inside the container, the air outside the container is sucked through the outside air intake F51. The sucked outside air flows to the tube 6 through the connecting passage between the base cap 22 and the tube holder 24 . When the air pressure outside the container and the air pressure inside the container become the same and the negative pressure state inside the container is eliminated, the outer valve 36 is closed to block the outside air intake F51.

According to this embodiment, since the closed inner valve 34 is inclined toward the container main body, even if the liquid remaining in the liquid material flow path F1 drips from the liquid material through hole F14, , the inner valve 34 does not bend downward and prevents the dripping of the liquid material, so that the liquid can be prevented from dripping.
If the inner valve 34 is formed horizontally, the weight of the liquid material remaining in the liquid material flow path F1 causes the inner valve 34 to bend, causing the liquid material to drip into the mixing chamber F3 and pass through the net. It is not preferable because it may be discharged from the ejection port.
In particular, it is preferable that the angle x at which the inner valve 34 inclines toward the container is greater than 0° toward the container. If the angle is greater than 0°, it is possible to prevent the liquid from dripping unintentionally. Also, the angle x is preferably 35° or less. When the angle x exceeds 35°, the inner valve 34 becomes difficult to open, the flow velocity of the liquid material and air flowing into the mixing chamber F3 becomes small, and the mixture is not well mixed in the mixing chamber F3, resulting in deterioration of foam quality. I don't like it because
A more preferable range of the angle x is 2° to 35° from the viewpoint of foam discharge performance and anti-drip performance. By setting the angle x within such a range, the valve can be smoothly opened and closed, and it becomes possible to stably discharge foam of good foam quality.

Here, the container body 1, the base cap 22, and the hinge cap 26 are made of polypropylene (PP), the tube holder 24 is made of high density polyethylene (HDPE), the tube 6 is made of polypropylene (PP), and the valve A downward squeeze foamer was prepared by forming No. 3 from an olefinic elastomer. The thickness of the inner valve 34 and the outer valve 36 was set to 0.15 mm. The anti-drip performance and foam quality were compared with the inclination angle x of the inner valve 34 set at −5°, 0°, 2°, 5°, 20°, 35° and 40°. Regarding the anti-dripping performance, "x" indicates that liquid dripping occurred after the foam was ejected, and "good" indicates that it did not. The foam quality was evaluated as "○" when fine and good quality, and "x" when rough and poor quality. Table 1 shows the results. Drooling occurred at -5° and 0° and not at angles greater than 2°. As for foam quality, coarse foam was generated at 40°. The foam quality was the best at 5° and 20°. If the angle x is 40°, the pressing force required to discharge the liquid becomes too large and is not suitable for practical use. became. From the above results, the inclination angle x is preferably 2° or more and 35° or less, more preferably 5° or more and 20° or less.

Further, according to the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the tube holder 24 is formed with a through-hole (intake) F12 for the liquid substance at a position eccentric from the axis P, and the nozzle is directed obliquely downward, a flow indicated by a liquid flow path F1 is generated. The base cap 22 is formed with a protruding piece 22g that fits into the through hole F12 of the tube holder 24. As shown in FIG. The cross-sectional shape of the projecting piece 22g is C-shaped, and the opening side of the C-shape faces the axis P side. Due to such a cross-sectional shape of the projecting piece 22g, the through hole F12 is not entirely blocked, and at least a part of the through hole F12 is maintained in a communicating state.

According to the configuration of this embodiment, both members of the projecting piece 22g and the through hole F12 that are fitted to each other are provided at positions eccentric from the axis P, respectively. Therefore, when attaching to the base cap 22, the inner cylindrical portion 24e of the tube holder 24 formed concentrically with the axis P is fitted into the inner cylindrical portion 22e of the base cap 22, and the protruding piece 22g and the through hole By fitting F12, alignment of the tube holder 24 with respect to the base cap 22 is completed. Moreover, the fitting state of the projecting piece 22g and the through hole F12 functions as a rotation stopper for the tube holder 24. As shown in FIG. In addition, since the fitted state can be easily visually confirmed from the tube holder 24 side at the time of attachment, positioning of the tube holder 24 can be easily carried out.

In addition, in the configuration of the present embodiment, the outer dimension of the protruding piece 22g of the base cap 22 is larger than the inner dimension of the through hole F12 for the liquid material, and the protruding piece 22g is fitted into the through hole F12. Since the protruding piece 22g is fitted into the through-hole F12 so as to widen it, the fitted state is firmly maintained.

The outer cylindrical portion 26a of the hinge cap 26 of this embodiment is fitted outside the inner cylindrical portion 22a of the base cap 22 . The inner wall of the outer cylindrical portion 26a of the hinge cap 26 is formed with a plurality of grooves parallel to the axis P, and the outer wall of the inner cylindrical portion 22 of the base cap 22 is formed with a plurality of ribs parallel to the axis P. and both mesh with each other. Therefore, if the hinge cap 26 is grasped by hand and pressed against the opening of the container body 1 and screwed, the base cap 22 and the opening of the container body 1 can be screwed together without idle rotation of the hinge cap 26. combination becomes possible.

A tube holder 24 is attached to the inside of the base cap 22 , and when it is screwed into the opening of the container body 1 , an outer cylindrical portion 24 h that protrudes annularly from the surface of the tube holder 24 on the container body side is attached to the container body 1 . fits inside the opening of the Then, a frictional force acts on the tube holder 24 when the base cap 22 and the opening of the container body 1 are screwed together, and this frictional force tends to rotate the tube holder 24 .

On the other hand, according to the configuration of the present embodiment, the protruding piece 22g of the base cap 22 is engaged with the through hole F12 for the liquid material, and the tip thereof extends from the through hole F12 of the tube holder 24. It has a length that protrudes. Therefore, even if force is applied to the tube holder 24 in the rotational direction after fitting, the tube holding member cannot easily get over the projecting piece. Therefore, the reliability of the anti-rotation function is high.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 2, according to the configuration of the present embodiment, the projecting piece 22g of the base cap 22 and the through hole F12 for the liquid material are positioned opposite to the hinge portion 26d of the hinge cap 26 with respect to the axis P. It is formed in a position eccentric to the side. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 3, the user normally tilts the container body 1 obliquely downward so that the hinge portion 22d faces upward, so that the protruding piece 22g and the through hole F12 are inevitably positioned at the lowest position. be in position. Therefore, even a small amount of residual liquid can be easily discharged from the through hole F12, and the foam discharge container can be used with a small amount of residual liquid.

Next, a foam discharge container according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described based on the cross-sectional view of the cap in FIG. The foam discharge container of the present embodiment differs from the foam discharge container of the above-described first embodiment in each configuration of the external air suction flow path formed in the cap and the external air suction valve. It is almost the same. Corresponding configurations are given reference numerals incremented by 100, and descriptions of common parts are omitted.

That is, in the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the air flow path F2 is branched within the cylindrical portion 24g of the tube holder 24 to form an external air suction flow path F5 leading to the external air intake F51 of the hinge cap 26. there is The outside air suction flow path F5 communicates with the outside air intake F51 of the hinge cap 26 from the cylindrical portion 24g of the tube holder 24 through the communication passage (notch portion 24c, groove portion 24d) and through hole F53. Further, the outer valve 36 for opening the outside air intake F51 is formed integrally with the inner valve 34 as an outside air suction valve.

On the other hand, in the cap 102 of this embodiment shown in FIG. An outside air suction flow path F5 is formed through the inside of the chamber 122i to reach an outside air intake F53 opened in the center of the middle top plate 122b of the base cap 122. As shown in FIG. The outside air intake F53 communicates with the outside of the container via the mixing chamber F3.

A ball valve 42 as the outside air suction valve 4 is provided in the outside air suction valve chamber 122i so as to be pressed toward the cap opening side by a coil spring 44 to close the outside air intake F53. A communication hole 122j that communicates with the inside of the cylindrical portion 124g of the tube holder 124 is formed in the external air suction valve chamber 122i.

The valve 103 for opening and closing the liquid and air passages of the cap 102 is composed of a cylindrical fixed ring 132 and an inner valve 134 and is fitted between the hinge cap 126 and the base cap 122 . The middle top plate 122b of the base cap 122 has a plurality of holes centered around the central outside air intake F53. arranged in a circle. As in the above-described embodiment, the inner valve 134 of the valve 103 is elastically deformable so that the direction of inclination of the thin film is reversed in the direction of the axis P. The liquid and air flow paths are opened and closed depending on the conditions.

According to the foam discharge container of this embodiment, the outside air intake F53 is formed in the center of the middle top plate 122b of the base cap 122 and closed by the ball valve 42. As shown in FIG. Even if the inside of the container body is pressurized during foam discharge, the ball valve 42 keeps the outside air intake F53 closed. Therefore, the pressurized air and liquid in the container body 1 open the inner valve 134 of the valve 103, enter the mixing chamber F3, mix in the mixing chamber F3 and become foam, and the foam homogenizing means 5 , and is discharged from the discharge port of the hinge cap 126.

On the other hand, when the inside of the container becomes negative pressure during squeeze back, the inner valve 134 closes all the through holes for air and liquid material, and the differential pressure between the inside and outside of the container causes the ball valve 42 to move in the direction of contracting the coil spring 44 . , the ball valve 42 opens the outside air intake F53, and the outside air is sucked through the mixing chamber F3. The sucked outside air flows into the tube 6 through the communication hole 122j of the outside air suction valve chamber 122i. When the pressure outside the container and the pressure inside the container become the same and the negative pressure state inside the container is eliminated, the ball valve 42 closes the outside air intake F53.

According to the configuration of the foam discharge container of this embodiment, the external air suction flow path F5 is formed in the central portion of the middle top plate 122b of the base cap 122, thereby simplifying the shapes of the base cap 122 and the cap holder 124. be able to.

FIG. 7 shows a modification of the valve in the first and second embodiments. In particular, the description of the outer valve is omitted in order to describe the modification relating to the shape of the inner valve. Corresponding configurations are given reference numerals with 200, 300, and 400 added, respectively, and description of common parts is omitted.

The valve 203 of FIG. 7A is common to the inner valves of the above-described embodiments in that an inner valve 234 is formed inside a cylindrical fixed ring 232 and an opening F31 is provided in the center of the inner valve 234. do. However, the inclination angle x of the inner valve 234 is not constant, and the cross-sectional shape of the inner valve 234 is gentle so that the inclination angle x of the inner valve 234 gradually increases from the connection portion with the fixed ring 232 toward the axis P. It is formed to draw a nice curve. In addition, in the range covered by the inner valve 234 on the base cap 222, eight through-holes are formed in an annular shape centering on the axis P, of which four through-holes F14 for the liquid material are formed in the left half, The four holes on the right half are through holes F24 for air. The inner valve 234 is inclined in the direction of the axis P, and simultaneously opens and closes the through holes F14 and F24 for liquid material and air according to the pressurization/decompression in the container body.

A valve 303 shown in FIG. 7B has an inner valve 334 formed inside a fixed ring 332 having a rectangular tubular shape, and an opening F31 in the center of the inner valve 334 . The inner valve 334 is composed of four sloped films formed in the shape of an inverted truncated pyramid, and the slope angle x of each sloped film is constant. The cross-sectional shape of the inner valve 334 draws an inverted V shape toward the container main body side. In the range covered by the inner valve 334 on the base cap 322, two through holes are formed at positions corresponding to the four inclined films of the inner valve 334. The through hole F24 is for air, and the one farther from the axis P is the through hole F14 for liquid. The inner valve 334 is inclined in the direction of the axis P, and simultaneously opens and closes the through holes F14 and F24 for liquid material and air according to the pressurization/decompression in the container body.

A valve 403 in FIG. 7C has an inner valve 434 formed inside a cylindrical fixed ring 432, and openings F31 of the inner valve 434 are formed at a plurality of positions off the center. That is, when the inner valve 434 is viewed in a plan view, the openings F31 are formed at positions in the 12 o'clock direction and the 6 o'clock direction about the axis P, respectively. In addition, the inclination angle x of the inner valve 434 is not constant, and the inclination angle x gradually increases toward the axis P. After reaching a certain inclination angle, the inclination angle x decreases again, and the inner valve 434 is formed so as to be substantially orthogonal to the axis P at the central portion of the . Regarding the through-holes on the base cap 422, when the inner valve 434 is viewed in a plan view, through-holes are formed at the 2 o'clock, 4 o'clock, 8 o'clock and 10 o'clock positions around the axis P. are formed, the one closer to the axis P is the through hole F24 for air, and the one farther from the axis P is the through hole F14 for liquid matter. The inner valve 434 is inclined in the direction of the axis P, and simultaneously opens and closes the through holes F14 and F24 for liquid material and air according to the pressurization/decompression in the container body.

Next, a foam discharge container according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described based on a cross-sectional view of FIG. 8 showing how the foam discharge container is used. The foam discharge container of this embodiment differs from the foam discharge container of the above-described first embodiment in the shape of the protruding piece 22k of the base cap 22 that fits into the through hole F12 for the liquid material. are substantially the same. The same reference numerals are given to the corresponding configurations, and the description of the common parts is omitted.

The cross-sectional shape of the projecting piece 22k is C-shaped, and the C-shaped opening faces outward (the side opposite to the axis P). That is, the cross-sectional shape of the protruding piece 22k is formed so as not to block at least a partial range including the most eccentric position from the axis P within the range of the through hole F12.

FIG. 9 is a simplified view showing an enlarged state of fitting between the through hole F12 of the tube holder 24 and the projecting piece 22k of the base cap 22. As shown in FIG. A point A represents the most eccentric position from the axis P within the range of the through hole F12. In a partial range including this point A, the flow of the liquid material is ensured even in the fitted state.

For example, if a simple cylindrical protruding piece protrudes from the through hole F12, the protruding portion becomes a barrier to the flow of the liquid, resulting in a large amount of residual liquid during use. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, even when the protruding piece 22k and the through hole F12 are in a fitted state, a part of the through hole F12 is in a communicating state, and the portion where the communicating state is maintained is the container body. It is a range including the point A which is the most eccentric from the central axis of the opening of 1. Therefore, when the nozzle is tilted downward so that the through-hole F12 is at the lowest position, the little remaining liquid smoothly flows into the range of the through-hole F12 where the state of communication is maintained. so that the amount of liquid remaining during use can be reduced.

FIG. 10 is a simplified diagram showing a fitting state between the through hole F12 and the projecting piece 22m according to the modification. Such a projecting piece 22m having a cross-shaped cross section can also reduce residual liquid during use, as in FIG.

According to the configuration of this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, the protruding piece 22k and the through hole F12 are formed at positions eccentrically opposite to the hinge portion 26d of the hinge cap 26 with respect to the axis P. . Therefore, as in the first embodiment, the user normally inclines the container body 1 obliquely downward so that the hinge portion 22d faces upward, so the protruding piece 22k and the through hole F12 are inevitably positioned at the lowest position. will be located in Therefore, even a small amount of residual liquid can be easily discharged from the through hole F12, and the foam discharge container can be used with the least amount of residual liquid.

Indications may be provided on the outer surface of the container body 1 to indicate how to hold the squeeze foamer during discharge, the orientation of the container body during discharge, the vertical direction during use, and the like.

1 container body 2 cap 22 base cap 22g protruding piece 24 tube holder (tube holding member)
26 hinge cap 3 valve 32 cylindrical fixed ring 34 inner valve (variable membrane)
36 outer valve 5 foam homogenizing means 6 tube A liquid F12 liquid through-hole (inlet)
x tilt angle

Claims (5)

The container comprises a container body, a cap attached to an opening of the container body, a tube holding member attached inside the cap, and a tube held by the tube holding member and serving as an air flow path in the container body. A foam discharge container for discharging the liquid material in the container body in a foam state by
The tube holding member is further formed with an inlet for taking in a liquid at a position eccentric from the central axis of the opening of the container body,
The cap has
an air flow path communicating with the tube;
a liquid distribution channel communicating with the inlet of the tube holding member;
a protruding piece that fits into the inlet of the tube holding member is formed,
A foam discharge container, wherein the lateral cross-sectional shape of the protruding piece is formed so as not to completely block the intake port, but to communicate with at least a part of the intake port. 2. The foam dispensing container according to claim 1, wherein the outer dimension of said projecting piece is larger than the inner dimension of said inlet. The foam dispensing container according to claim 1 or 2,
The foam discharge container, wherein the protruding piece has a length that protrudes from the inlet when fitted with the inlet. 4. The foam discharge container according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the protruding piece partially includes a position most eccentric from the central axis of the opening of the container body within the range of the intake port. A foam discharge container characterized in that it is formed so as not to at least block a range. In the foam discharge container according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
the cap is a hinge cap,
The foam discharge container, wherein the protruding piece and the intake port are formed at positions eccentric to the central axis of the cap on the side opposite to the hinge portion.

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