JP2003212261A - Liquid discharge apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a liquid discharge apparatus of which the structure can be simplified to effectively reduce the number of the components of the apparatus. <P>SOLUTION: According to the liquid discharge apparatus, a nozzle head 3 is arranged to be able to move vertically with a piston 5 against a cap 2 fitted on the mouth of a container 1, and a liquid in the container is discharged from a nozzle head. A hole 2a for inserting the piston is formed on the cap 2, and a virgin seal 11 is integrally formed with the cap 2 around the hole 2a and can be separated via a thin part 11A. The virgin seal 11 is provided with a vertical slit 12 and a gripping part 13 having a antislipping is formed at the starting point of the slit. When the liquid discharge apparatus is not used, the virgin seal 11 prevents the move of the nozzle head 3 to keep it stay at its top dead center. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a pump type liquid discharge device for discharging a highly viscous liquid such as shampoo or a low viscosity liquid such as lotion by a manual operation, and more particularly to a liquid discharge device. The present invention relates to a virgin seal body for keeping the device unused.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a liquid ejecting apparatus such as a pump dispenser, the nozzle head is moved in order to prevent the liquid in the container from being accidentally ejected from the nozzle head during transportation before use. It is equipped with a means for fixing it so that it will not come out. By the way, a virgin seal is used as a proof of a so-called unused state in which the liquid ejection device is not used at all. Generally, there are two types of fixing means for the virgin seal, one for temporarily fixing the nozzle head to a cap or the like at the bottom dead center and the other for temporarily fixing the nozzle head at the top dead center. It makes the device ready for use.

Particularly, the latter means for temporarily fixing at the top dead center is as follows.
Since the spring body incorporated in the liquid ejection device is not brought into an extremely compressed state, the effect of the spring body can always be maintained, and it is considered more useful than the former means of temporarily fixing at the bottom dead center. As an example of this latter case, for example, in the liquid ejection device according to Patent Document 1, one side is a thin breaking hinge on the outer surface of the fixed side guide tube that is erected from the upper surface of the screw cap for attaching the injector body, In addition, a part is separated via this breaking hinge so that it can be opened one side, and a knob is protruding from the outer surface of the other side to prevent the movable side guide cylinder, which is the pressing head peripheral surface body that is circumscribed to the fixed side guide cylinder, from falling. The cylindrical stopper is fitted from the side. Then, after the external fitting, a part of the cut-off portion is coupled and fixed to lock the pressing of the pressing head.

[0004]

[Patent Document 1] Utility model registration No. 2589452

[0005]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional example, the cylindrical stopper is fitted between the movable side guide cylinder and the screw cap, but is configured as a separate component independently. Is. Therefore, since the cylindrical stopper is independent of other parts, the number of parts as a whole increases, the number of assembling steps increases, and the number of failures increases. Further, such a cylindrical stopper has a complicated shape and the manufacturing die is expensive.

In view of the above situation, it is an object of the present invention to provide a liquid ejecting apparatus having a simple structure and capable of effectively reducing the number of parts.

[0007]

The inventors of the present invention, as a result of earnest research on such a problem,
The inventors have found that the virgin seal body is detachably integrated with the cap, and have completed the present invention based on this finding.

That is, the present invention is (1) configured to discharge the liquid in the container from a nozzle head mounted on a cap attached to the mouth of the container so as to be vertically movable at the same time as the piston. A liquid ejecting apparatus further comprising a virgin seal body integrally formed with the cap around a piston fitting hole formed in the cap, and when the virgin seal body is not in use, the nozzle head is mounted thereon. It exists in a liquid ejection device that is fixed at the dead point position.

(2) In the liquid ejecting apparatus, the virgin seal body is formed in a cylindrical shape and is connected to the cap through a thin portion along the piston fitting hole.

Further, (3) the present invention resides in a liquid ejecting apparatus in which a vertical slit is provided in the virgin seal body, and a knob portion is formed at the vertical slit opening portion.

Further, (4) the liquid ejection device has a slip stopper on at least the outer peripheral surface of the virgin seal body provided with the knob portion.

Further, (5) the present invention resides in a liquid ejecting apparatus in which a corner portion of the knob portion is formed in a rising shape.

Further, (6) the present invention resides in a liquid ejecting apparatus having a cutout provided in the thin-walled portion for better separation.

Further, (7) the present invention resides in a liquid ejecting apparatus in which a tab which is a gripping portion for facilitating gripping is extended at a vertical slit opening portion.

Further, (8), a liquid discharge device configured to discharge the liquid in the container from a nozzle head that is vertically movable at the same time as a piston with respect to a cap attached to the mouth of the container. A device is provided with a virgin seal body integrally formed around the piston fitting hole formed in the cap so as to be separable with the cap through a thin portion, and the virgin seal body is provided with a vertical slit. The vertical slit opening is provided with a grip portion having a slip stopper, and when not in use, the virgin seal body prevents the nozzle head from moving and fixes the liquid at the top dead center position. Exists in the discharge device.

According to the present invention, the virgin seal body integrally formed with the cap is provided around the piston fitting hole formed in the cap. This virgin seal body is formed in a cylindrical shape, and is joined to the cap through a thin portion along the piston fitting hole. At the time of use, the thin portion can be broken by grasping and pulling the knob portion, and the virgin seal body can be easily and properly removed. The present invention can effectively employ a configuration in which two or more selected from the above 2 to 8 are combined as long as it meets the purpose.

[0017]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Preferred embodiments of a liquid ejecting apparatus according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Figure 1
FIG. 3 shows the overall configuration of the liquid ejection device of the present invention in this embodiment. The illustrated device is held in an unused state by a virgin seal body described later. In FIG. 1, 1 is a container containing the liquid L, 2 is a cap attached to the mouth of the container 1, and 3 is a nozzle head mounted on the cap 2 so as to be vertically movable simultaneously with a piston. Further, the liquid L in the container 1 can be discharged to the outside by moving the nozzle head 3 up and down.

Also in FIG. 1, 4 is a housing which is connected to the inside of the cap 2 and hangs down inside the container 1, 5 is integrally connected to the lower part of the nozzle head 3, and a piston 6 which moves up and down together with the nozzle head 3 is shown. A spring for urging the piston 5 upwards, 7 is a valve mounted in the piston 5, 8
Is a valve mounted in the housing 4.

The cap 2 is formed with a piston fitting hole 2a, and the piston fitting hole 2a is deeply formed at the inner portion thereof.
The hanging ring portion 9 is integrally formed. The housing 4 is fitted to the ring portion 9 at the upper fitting portion 4a. Further, the piston 5 comes into contact with the inside of the ring portion and moves up and down.

The present invention is characterized in that the virgin seal body 11 for preventing the downward movement of the nozzle head 3 is provided integrally with the cap 2 in a detachable state. That is, the virgin seal body 11 integrally formed with the cap 2 is provided around the piston fitting hole 2a formed in the cap 2. This virgin seal body 11 fixes the nozzle head 3 at the top dead center position without moving it downward. That is, as shown in FIG. 1, when not in use, the virgin seal body 11 is attached to the lower end of the nozzle head 3 (see FIG. 2) so that the nozzle head 3 does not descend from the top dead center position. There is.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the virgin seal body 11 is preferably formed in a cylindrical shape, and is joined to the cap 2 via a thin portion 11A along the piston fitting hole 2a. Since this thin portion 11A is weak in strength, it can be easily separated at this portion. In this example, in order to grasp the trigger for separation, the notch 11B (see FIG. 3) is formed in a part of the thin portion 11A, which makes it extremely easy to separate the virgin seal body 11. However, this notch 11B is not always necessary. It is preferable that the virgin seal body 11 has substantially the same diameter as the lower end portion of the nozzle head 3 and does not project outward.

2 and 3 show examples of the structure around the virgin seal body. The virgin seal body 11 is provided with a vertical slit 12. This vertical slit 12 makes it easier for the fingertip to be caught. The width of the vertical slit 12 may be wider than that for the purpose of preventing the nozzle head 3 from descending from the top dead center position. That is, the virgin seal body 11 is
Even if it does not necessarily surround the entire circumference of the piston,
It only needs to surround a part.

A knob portion 13 is formed at the opening of the vertical slit 12 for facilitating the knob. Further, a slip stopper 14 is provided on at least the outer peripheral surface of the virgin seal body 11 provided with the knob portion 13. The slip stopper 14 is, for example,
As in the example shown in the figure, those having vertical stripe-shaped concavities and convexities or those provided with island-shaped protrusions (not shown) are used, and the point is that the fingers should not slip easily.

[0024] Also, anti-slip 1 on both front and back surfaces of the knob 13
It is natural that the number 4 is provided because the effect is further enhanced. Further, if the corner portion 13a of the picking portion 13 is formed in a raised shape, it is easier to pick when picking.

FIG. 4 is a view showing the coupling relationship between the virgin seal body and the cap. It can be seen that the virgin seal body 11 is connected and integrated with the cap 2 via the thin portion 11A.

FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 show a modified example (another embodiment) of another virgin seal body. In the case of this example, a tab T is extended at the opening portion of the vertical slit 12 for easy picking, and this tab serves as a picking portion. If you pull this tab T with your finger and pull it easily
Separates from the cap 2 [FIG. 6 (A) → (B)].
As shown in the figure, the tab T is also provided with a vertical striped concave-convex portion, which is effective for easy picking. In this example as well, the notch 11 is formed in a part of the thin portion 11A for grasping the device for separation.
Since B is formed, the virgin seal body 11 can be separated very easily.

In the above structure, the liquid ejecting apparatus of the present invention includes the virgin seal body 11 formed integrally with the cap 2. In the assembled state, the virgin seal body 11 is attached to the lower end of the nozzle head 3,
It can be seen that it prevents the nozzle head 3 from descending from the top dead center position. Therefore, when the nozzle head 3 is not used, the liquid is not ejected without further descending the nozzle head 3.

On the other hand, as described above, since the virgin seal body 11 is detachably integrated with the cap 2, it can be easily detached and removed at the time of use. That is, since the virgin seal body 11 is connected to the cap 2 via the thin portion 11A along the piston fitting hole, it can be easily separated during use.

In this case, the thin portion 11A is broken by grasping the knob portion 13 and strongly pulling it, and the virgin seal 1
1 can be easily and properly removed from the cap 2. [FIG. 3 (A) → (B), FIG. 6 (A) → (B)]. By removing the virgin seal body 11 in this manner, the liquid ejection device is ready for use as shown in FIG.

FIG. 7 shows the top dead center position of the nozzle head. At this top dead center position, as shown in FIG.
The piston 5 seals the gap between the ring portion 9 and the housing 4, thereby preventing the liquid L from entering from the communication hole 15 through the gap between the ring portion 9 and the housing 4 as indicated by the arrow B, and thereby the liquid L A dense state can be maintained. Further, since the valve 7 or the valve 8 is a constant pressure valve, the invasion of the liquid L as shown by the arrow C is prevented if the pressure is within a certain pressure, and the liquid tight state can be maintained.

In the state shown in this figure, by further pushing down the nozzle head 3 at the top dead center position against the elasticity of the spring 6, the liquid L in the housing 4 is pressurized and discharged from the nozzle head 3. (FIG. 7 → FIG. 9). When the nozzle head 3 is pushed down to the extreme, it reaches the bottom dead center position as shown in FIG. At this time, the liquid-tight state is released through the communication hole 15 and opening to the atmosphere as shown by arrow D.

However, the virgin seal body 11 described above is used.
As described above, the downward movement of the nozzle head 3 can be prevented by. However, since the virgin seal body 11 is provided outside, a child or the like may inadvertently disconnect it. Then, if the nozzle head 3 is inadvertently lowered due to touching the nozzle head 3 or the liquid ejecting apparatus falling, the liquid may be ejected by mistake. Here, in order to reliably prevent such an accident, an example of a valve seal body for ensuring safety by the internal structure of the liquid ejection device will be shown.

FIG. 10 shows the overall structure of the liquid ejecting apparatus of the present invention in this embodiment, and shows the position of the top dead center of the nozzle head. 11 is a diagram showing an enlarged view of a portion A of FIG. 10, (A) is a sectional view thereof,
(B) is a plan view. It should be noted that the virgin seal body 11 here is appropriately shown in FIG. 6 but is not limited to this, and other virgin seal bodies described in FIGS. 2 and 3 may be employed. Of course it is possible. FIG. 12 shows the overall configuration of the liquid ejection apparatus of the present invention in this embodiment, and shows the bottom dead center position of the nozzle head. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an enlarged view of a portion A of FIG. 12, (A) is a sectional view thereof, and (B) is a plan view.

In the internal structure of the liquid ejecting apparatus, a valve seat 51 for allowing the flow of liquid is provided inside the piston 5.
Has been extended. The valve seat 51 here is the valve seat 5 of FIG.
As can be seen from comparison with No. 1, the length is positively extended. In the unused state, the opening portion 51B of the valve seat is closed by the valve seal body 51A.

As shown in FIG. 11, the valve sealing body 51A
Is coupled to the valve seat 51 via the thin portion 51A1 of the valve seat. Since this thin portion 51A1 is weak in strength, it can be easily separated at this portion. Also, the thin portion 51
A part of A1 is formed to be thick (thick part 51A2), and since the part 51A2 is strong in strength, it is not separated, and the valve seal body 51A should be connected to the valve seat 51. You can The valve seal body 51A is the valve seat 51.
Is never completely separated from.

Now, the valve seal body 51A is composed of the valve 8
Is separated by a tip portion 81 extending upward from. The tip portion 8A extends from the tip of the valve 8 and is integrally formed. The length of this tip portion 8A is as shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 2, when the nozzle head 3 is pushed down to the bottom dead center position, the valve seal body 51A is pushed up from below so that the valve seal body 51A can be reliably separated, and of course the length does not reach the valve 7. The thickness of the tip portion 8A is the same as the opening 5 of the valve seat.
It is formed to be slightly thinner than the size of 1B.

Now, when enabling the liquid discharge device,
First, the virgin seal body 11 is easily separated from the cap 2 by pinching the tab T with a finger and pulling it. Then, the nozzle head 3 at the top dead center position is strongly pushed down to the bottom dead center position against the elastic force of the spring 6 (see FIG. 10 →
(Fig. 12). When the nozzle head 3 is pushed down, the valve sealing body 51A is strongly pushed up from below by the tip portion 8A of the valve, and this pushing force breaks the thin portion 51A1 and bends upward through the thick portion 51A2. In this way, the valve seal body 51A can be easily and properly removed from the valve seat 51. At this time, a click feeling "kacha" is felt, and it can be easily recognized that the opening 51B of the valve seat is opened. In addition, since the direction in which the liquid L flows is always upward,
The bent valve seal body 51A does not return to the original state (the state in which the opening of the valve seat is closed).

As described above, since the valve seal body 51A for closing the flow path of the liquid L in the unused state is provided inside the liquid ejecting apparatus here, the virgin seal body 11 is provided.
Even if the nozzle head 3 is inadvertently separated, the liquid L will not be accidentally ejected even if the nozzle head 3 moves up and down to some extent. Virgin seal body 11 as the first-stage safety valve and valve seal body 5 as the second-stage safety valve
Due to the multi-stage seal structure with 1A, the safety of the liquid ejecting apparatus becomes extremely high.

Although the present invention has been described above, it is needless to say that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments and various other modifications can be made without departing from the essence thereof. For example, the vertical slits of the virgin seal body 11 may be extremely thin slits (so-called cut lines) that can be separated. In particular, when a tab is provided, the thin slit can be easily broken by picking and pulling the tab.

[0040]

As described above, according to the present invention, by integrating the virgin seal body with the cap in this type of liquid ejecting apparatus, the structure can be simplified and the number of parts can be effectively reduced. . Further, since the number of assembling steps is reduced, it is possible to provide a low-priced product. Further, at the time of use, there is no need to rotate the cap, and it is sufficient to pull the virgin seal body and it does not take much time to open it, so that a device with extremely excellent handleability can be realized. Further, when the valve seal body that closes the valve seat in the piston is provided, a multi-stage seal structure is formed to further improve safety.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of a liquid ejection device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing a configuration example around a virgin seal body in the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a main part showing a configuration example around a virgin seal body in an embodiment of the present invention and a state at the time of breakage.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a connected state of a virgin seal body and a cap in the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view showing a configuration example around a virgin seal body in another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a main part showing a structural example around a virgin seal body in another embodiment of the present invention and a state at the time of breakage.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a state in which the virgin seal body according to the embodiment of the present invention is removed.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of part A of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a bottom dead center position state of the nozzle head according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of a liquid ejection apparatus according to the present invention in this embodiment, showing the position of the top dead center of the nozzle head.

11 is a diagram showing an enlarged view of a portion A of FIG. 10, (A) is a sectional view thereof, and (B) is a plan view.

FIG. 12 shows the overall structure of a liquid ejection apparatus according to the present invention in this embodiment, and shows the bottom dead center position of the nozzle head.

13 is a diagram showing an enlarged view of a portion A of FIG. 12, (A) is a cross-sectional view thereof, and (B) is a plan view.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... Container 2 ... Cap 2a ... Piston insertion hole 3 ... Nozzle head 4 ... Housing 4a ... Upper fitting part 5 ... Piston 51 ... valve seat 51A ... Valve seal 51A1 ... Thin-walled part 51A2 ... Thick part 51B ... Opening 6 ... Spring 7,8 ... Valve 8A ... Tip 9 ... Ring part 11 ... Virgin seal body 11A ... thin-walled part 11B ... Notch 12 ... Vertical slit 13 ... Picking part 13a ... Corner 14 ... non-slip 15 ... Communication hole T ... tab

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A liquid ejecting apparatus configured to eject liquid in the container from a nozzle head that is vertically movable at the same time as a piston with respect to a cap attached to the mouth of the container. A virgin seal body integrally formed with the cap around a piston fitting hole formed in the cap, and when the virgin seal body is not used, the nozzle head is fixed at the top dead center position. A liquid ejecting apparatus characterized in that 2. The liquid discharge according to claim 1, wherein the virgin seal body is formed in a cylindrical shape, and is connected to the cap through a thin portion along the piston fitting hole. apparatus. 3. The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the virgin seal body is provided with a vertical slit, and a knob portion is formed at the vertical slit opening portion. 4. The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 3, wherein at least an outer peripheral surface of the virgin seal body provided with the knob portion has a slip stopper. 5. The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 3, wherein a corner portion of the knob portion is formed in a rising shape. 6. The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the thin portion is provided with a notch for improving separation. 7. The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 3, wherein a tab, which is a gripping portion for facilitating gripping, is extended at the vertical slit opening portion. 8. A liquid discharge device configured to discharge the liquid in the container from a nozzle head that is attached to a cap attached to the mouth of the container so as to be vertically movable at the same time as a piston, A virgin seal body integrally formed around the piston fitting hole formed in the cap so as to be separable from the cap through a thin portion, and the virgin seal body,
A vertical slit is provided, and a grip portion having a slip stopper is formed at the vertical slit opening portion.When not in use, the virgin seal body prevents the nozzle head from moving and fixes it at the top dead center position. A liquid ejecting apparatus characterized in that