Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
Foamer Dispenser, and Container with Foamer Dispenser
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure relates to a foamer dispenser, and a
container with
the foamer dispenser.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Some known containers are equipped with a foamer dispenser that
causes a
liquid pumped out of a container body to be ejected in the form of foam
through a
foaming net (mesh filter) by repeated pushing and releasing of the head.
SUMMARY
[0004] Even such a conventional foamer dispenser can suffer from variation
in
foam quality depending on ingredients or the like of the liquid to be foamed.
For
example, as illustrated in FIG. 5A, even in a single piece of foam F, a small
air bubble
Bi and a large air bubble Bz are sometimes present. For the foam with such a
quality,
there is room for improvement in terms of the appearance and texture.
[0005] The present disclosure is to provide a foamer dispenser and a
container with
the foamer dispenser both of which are capable of ejecting a content medium
with a
satisfactory foam quality.
[0006] One of aspects of the present disclosure resides in a foamer
dispenser,
including: a pump cover that is fitted to a container body; a pump cylinder
that
includes a large-diameter portion fixed to the pump cover and a small-diameter
portion; a small-diameter piston that is received in the small-diameter
portion of the
pump cylinder and that is configured to suck and pump a liquid in the
container body; a
large-diameter piston that is received in the large-diameter portion of the
pump
cylinder and that is configured to suck and pump ambient air; a head that
causes
pumping movement of the small-diameter piston and the large-diameter piston
and that
ejects a mixture of the liquid and the ambient air by a user pushing and
releasing the
head repeatedly; a liquid flow path of the liquid pumped from the small-
diameter
piston; an ambient air flow path of the ambient air pumped from the large-
diameter
piston; a mixture flow path of the mixture of the liquid pumped from the
liquid flow
path and the ambient air pumped from the ambient air flow path; and a mesh
filter that
is disposed in the mixture flow path to allow the mixture to pass, wherein
a connecting flow path area Si between the liquid flow path and the mixture
flow
path and a connecting flow path area S2 between the ambient air flow path and
the
mixture flow path have the following relation:
2.8 Si/ Sz 3.8
(Si : S2 = (2.8 to 3.8) : 1)
1
CA 3027089 2018-12-11
[0007] In a preferred embodiment, the connecting flow path area Si and the
connecting flow path area Sz have the following relation:
Si/ Sz = 3.8
(Si : Sz = 3.8 : I)
[0008] In another preferred embodiment, a smallest flow path area S3 of the
mixture flow path is located on an immediately upstream side of the mesh
filter, and
the smallest flow path area S3 and a flow path area S4 of the mesh filter have
the
following relation:
4 S4 / S3 10.3
(1 : 4 S3 : S4 1 : 10.3)
(S3 : S4 = 1 : (4 to 10.3))
[0009] Another aspect of the present disclosure resides in a foamer
dispenser,
including: a pump cover that is fitted to a container body; a pump cylinder
that
includes a large-diameter portion fixed to the pump cover and a small-diameter
portion; a small-diameter piston that is received in the small-diameter
portion of the
pump cylinder and that is configured to suck and pump a liquid in the
container body; a
large-diameter piston that is received in the large-diameter portion of the
pump
cylinder and that is configured to suck and pump ambient air; a head that
causes
pumping movement of the small-diameter piston and the large-diameter piston
and that
ejects a mixture of the liquid and the ambient air by a user pushing and
releasing the
head repeatedly; a liquid flow path of the liquid pumped from the small-
diameter
piston; an ambient air flow path of the ambient air pumped from the large-
diameter
piston; a mixture flow path of the mixture of the liquid pumped from the
liquid flow
path and the ambient air pumped from the ambient air flow path; and a mesh
filter that
is disposed in the mixture flow path to allow the mixture to pass, wherein
a smallest flow path area S3 of the mixture flow path is located on an
immediately
upstream side of the mesh filter, and the smallest flow path area S3 and a
flow path
area S4 of the mesh filter have the following relation:
4 S4 / S3 10.3
(1 :4 S3 : S4 1 : 10.3)
(S3 : S4 = 1 : (4 to 10.3))
[0010] In a preferred embodiment, the smallest flow path area S3 and the
flow path
area S4 of the mesh filter have the following relation:
4 S4 / S3 10.1
(1 : 4 S3 : S4 1 : 10.1)
(S3 : S4 = 1 : (4 to 10.1))
[0011] In another preferred embodiment, the smallest flow path area S3 and
the
flow path area S4 of the mesh filter have the following relation:
4 S4 / S3 6.2
(I :4 S3 : S4 1 : 6.2)
(S3 : S4 = 1 : (4 to 6.2))
2
CA 3027089 2018-12-11
[0012] In a more preferred embodiment, the smallest flow path area S3 and
the flow
path area S4 of the mesh filter have the following relation:
S4 / S3 = 4
(S3 : S4 = 1 : 4)
[0013] In yet another preferred embodiment, the mesh filter is arranged in
2
locations in the mixture flow path, and an interval Li between the smallest
flow path
area S3 and the flow path area S4 of the mesh filter and an interval L2
between the mesh
filters have the following relation:
L2 / Li = 3.9
(Li : L2 = 1 : 3.9)
[0014] In yet another preferred embodiment, the foamer dispenser further
includes:
a piston guide, inside of which the liquid flow path of the liquid pumped from
the
small-diameter piston is formed, and which extends throughout the large-
diameter
piston in a manner such that relative movement is permitted; and a jet ring,
which
includes a lower-end side concave portion in which an upper end side of the
piston
guide is received, an upper-end side concave portion in which the mesh filter
is
received, and a through path provided in a separation wall separating the
lower-end
side concave portion from the upper-end side concave portion, wherein an upper
end
side of the jet ring is connected to the head.
[0015] Yet another aspect of the present disclosure resides in a container
with a
foamer dispenser, including: the foamer dispenser according to any one of the
above
embodiments; and a container body to which the foamer dispenser is fitted.
(Advantageous Effect)
[0016] The present disclosure makes the foam quality of the ejected foam
fine and
uniform, thereby improving the appearance and texture when a user places the
foam on
the hand.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] In the accompanying drawings:
FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a part of a container with a foamer dispenser
according to one of embodiments of the present disclosure;
FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of an upper end portion of a piston guide of FIG.
1;
FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a part view of a section of a jet ring in which a mesh ring is
mounted;
and
FIG. 5A schematically illustrates the foam quality obtained when a content
medium in a container body is ejected by using a conventional foamer
dispenser, and
FIG. 5B schematically illustrates the foam quality obtained when a content
medium in
a container body is ejected by using the foamer dispenser of FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
3
CA 3027089 2018-12-11
[0018] The following describes a container with a foamer dispenser
according to
the present disclosure in detail with reference to the drawings.
[0019] FIGs. 1 to 4 illustrate a container with a foamer dispenser and a
part thereof
according to the present disclosure. In FIG. 1 , reference numeral 20 denotes
a synthetic
resin container body including a mouth 21. A liquid content medium is filled
into an
inner space So of the container body 20 through the mouth 21. In the present
embodiment, the container body 20 is a container having a larger capacity than
a
capacity of a conventional container.
[0020] Reference numeral I denotes a foamer dispenser according to one of
embodiments of the present disclosure. The foamer dispenser 1 is capable of
ejecting a
3cc of the content medium in the form of foam.
[0021] Reference numeral 2 denotes a synthetic resin pump cover. The pump
cover
2 includes a fitting portion 2a to be fitted to the mouth 21 of the container
body 20 and
a neck 2c connected integrally with the fitting portion 2a via a shoulder 2b.
The neck
2c is provided, inside thereof, with a through path. The pump cover 2 may, for
example, be provided with a screw portion on an inner circumferential surface
of the
fitting portion 2a as illustrated in the figure and be detachably fitted to
the container
body 20 by screwing the screw portion to a screw portion provided on an outer
circumferential surface of the mouth 21 of the container body 20.
[0022] Reference numeral 3 denotes a synthetic resin pump cylinder. The
pump
cylinder 3 includes a large-diameter portion 3a fixed to the pump cover 2 and
a
small-diameter portion 3b having a smaller diameter than the large-diameter
portion
3a. The small-diameter portion 3b is provided in a lower end portion thereof
with a
suction port, and a tube 4 is connected to the suction port. When the pump
cover 2 is
fitted to the mouth 21 of the container body 20, the pump cylinder 3 is
positioned in
the inner space So through the mouth 21 of the container body 20 as
illustrated in the
figure. In the illustrated example, an upper end of the large-diameter portion
3a of the
pump cylinder 3 is formed as an outward annular flange 3c. Between the annular
flange
3c and an upper end of the mouth 21 of the container body 20, an 0-ring 5 is
disposed.
The 0-ring seals between the container body 20 and the pump cylinder 3.
[0023] Reference numeral 6 denotes a synthetic resin small-diameter piston.
The
small-diameter piston 6 is received in the small-diameter portion 3b of the
pump
cylinder 3 and configured to suck and pump the content medium in the container
body
20. In the present embodiment, the small-diameter piston 6 includes an annular
seal
portion 6a, which is slidable on an inner circumferential surface of the small-
diameter
portion 3h of the pump cylinder 3, and a tubular portion 6c, which extends
from the
annular seal portion 6a toward the large-diameter portion 3a of the pump
cylinder 3.
The tubular portion 6c is provided on an inner side thereof with a through
path Ro
which is open in an upper end portion 6b of the small-diameter piston 6. In
the present
embodiment, the upper end portion 6b of the small-diameter piston 6 is
connected to
the tubular body 6c via an annular step 6d. Accordingly, a step is also formed
in the
4
CA 3027089 2018-12-11
through path Ro due to the annular step 6d, and an inner diameter of an upper
end
opening formed in the upper end portion 6b is smaller than a lower end opening
formed
on an inner side of the annular seal portion 6a.
[0024] Reference numeral 7 denotes a synthetic resin plunger. The plunger 7
extends upward inside the pump cylinder 3 from the small-diameter portion 3b
to the
large-diameter portion 3a of the pump cylinder 3 and also extends throughout
the
small-diameter piston 6.
[0025] In the present embodiment, a plurality of fins 7d is disposed at an
interval
about an axis 0 in a lower end portion 7a of the plunger 7. Furthermore, a
plurality of
fins 3d is disposed at an interval about the axis 0 in the small-diameter
portion 3b of
the pump cylinder 3. The plunger 7 is arranged in the small-diameter portion
3b of the
pump cylinder 3 in a manner such that the fins 7d of the plunger 7 are
alternated with
the fins 3d of the pump cylinder 3.
[0026] On the other hand, an upper end portion 7b of the plunger 7 includes
a
conical portion 7c having a diameter increased upward. The conical portion 7c
of the
plunger 7 is formed larger than the inner diameter of the opening formed in
the upper
end portion 6b of the small-diameter piston 6. As described earlier, the upper
end
portion 6b of the small-diameter piston 6 is reduced in diameter via the
annular step
6d. The conical portion 7c of the plunger 7 may be brought into contact with
the upper
end portion 6b of the small-diameter piston 6 by forcedly extracting the
opening
formed in the upper end portion 6b. That is to say, by the conical portion 7c
of the
plunger 7 contacting the upper end portion 6b of the small-diameter piston 6,
the upper
end opening formed in the upper end portion 6b may be sealed in an openable
manner.
As a result, a pump chamber SL is formed in the small-diameter portion 3b of
the pump
cylinder 3. The content medium, after pressurized in the small-diameter piston
6, is
pumped out from the pump chamber Si. by releasing of the plunger 7.
[0027] Reference numeral 8 denotes an elastic member that may be deformed
and
restored. The elastic member 8 is disposed between the plunger 7 and the
small-diameter piston 6 in a compressed state. Accordingly, by pressing the
upper end
opening of the small-diameter piston 6 against the outer circumferential
surface of the
conical portion 7c of the plunger 7, the elastic member 8 firmly seals the
through path
Ro of the small-diameter piston 6 in an openable manner. That is to say, the
plunger 7
serves, only when the small-diameter piston 6 is pushed down against elastic
force of
the elastic member 8, as a suction valve (check valve) configured to open the
through
path Ro of the small-diameter piston 6. In the present embodiment, the elastic
member
8 is formed by a metallic or a synthetic resin spring.
[0028] Reference numeral 9 denotes a synthetic resin large-diameter piston.
The
large-diameter piston 9 has a diameter that is larger than the diameter of the
small-diameter piston 6. The large-diameter piston 9 is received in the large-
diameter
portion 3a of the pump cylinder 3 and configured to suck and pump ambient air.
In the
present embodiment, the large-diameter piston 9 includes an annular seal
portion 9a,
CA 3027089 2018-12-11
which is slidable on an inner circumferential surface of the large-diameter
portion 3a
of the pump cylinder 3, and a tubular portion 9b, which extends upward from
the
annular seal portion 9a via an annular wall 9c. The tubular portion 9b is
provided,
inside thereof, with a through path.
[0029] The annular wall 9c of the large-diameter piston 9 is provided with
a
plurality of ambient air introduction holes 9n arranged at an interval about
the axis 0.
The ambient air introduction holes 9n allow ambient air, after introduced
through an
ambient air introduction hole 3n formed in the large-diameter portion 3a of
the pump
cylinder 3, to be introduced to an air pump chamber Sair formed between the
large-diameter piston 9 and the large-diameter portion 3a of the pump cylinder
3.
[0030] Reference numeral 10 denotes a check valve configured to open and
close
the ambient air introduction holes 9n provided in the large-diameter piston 9.
When the
large-diameter piston 9 is pushed in and the air pump chamber Sall- is
compressed, the
check valve 10 closes the ambient air introduction holes 9n of the large-
diameter
piston 9 to prevent outflow of ambient air, and when the pushing of the large-
diameter
piston 9 is released and the air pump chamber Sair is expanded, the check
valve 10
opens the ambient air introduction holes 9n of the large-diameter piston 9 by
the
negative pressure in the air pump chamber Sair to allow ambient air to be
introduced
through the ambient air introduction hole 3n of the pump cylinder 3. Examples
of the
check valve 10 include an elastic valve made of a synthetic resin.
[0031] Reference numeral 11 denotes a synthetic resin piston guide. The
piston
guide 11 is provided inside thereof with a liquid flow path RL of the content
medium
pumped from the small-diameter piston 6 and extends throughout the large-
diameter
piston 9 in a manner such that relative movement is permitted. In the present
embodiment, the piston guide 11 includes a fixed tube I I a, which is fixed to
an outer
circumferential surface of the tubular portion 6c of the small-diameter piston
6 and a
tubular portion 11c, which extends upward from the fixed tube Ila toward the
neck 2c
of the pump cover 2. In the present embodiment, the tubular portion 11 c of
the piston
guide 11 is connected to the fixed tube 11 a via an annular step I Id. The
above
structure allows positioning of the small-diameter piston 6 by bringing the
annular step
6d into abutment against the annular step Ild of the piston guide 11.
[0032] The piston guide II is also provided inside thereof with a partition
wall llw
located below an upper end 1lb of the piston guide 11. In the partition wall
Ilw of the
piston guide, a tubular portion 1 1 h is provided. As illustrated in FIG. 2,
the through
path formed on an inner side of the tubular portion I 1 h is defined by a
constant-diameter inner circumferential surface hf1 extending from the lower
end with
a constant diameter and an increased-diameter inner circumferential surface 11
f2
connected to the constant-diameter inner circumferential surface 11f1 with a
diameter
increasing toward the upper end.
[0033] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 2,
the tubular
portion Ilc is provided, on an inner circumferential surface thereof, with a
plurality of
6
CA 3027089 2018-12-11
protruding ridges 1 lr extending toward the lower end from the partition wall
11w. In
the present embodiment, the protruding ridge Ilr is arranged in 6 locations at
an
interval about the axis 0. However, the protruding ridge llr may be arranged
in at
least one location.
[0034] Reference numeral 12 denotes a metallic or a synthetic resin ball
member.
The ball member 12 rests on the increased-diameter inner circumferential
surface 11f2
of the tubular portion Ilh provided in the piston guide 11 to seal the inner
side of the
tubular portion 11h in an openable manner.
[0035] Reference numeral 13 denotes a synthetic resin slip-off preventing
member
configured to prevent the ball member 12 from slipping out. The slip-off
preventing
member 13 is fixed to the inner circumferential surface of the piston guide 11
that is
located near the upper end 11 b to form space in which the ball member 12 is
received.
The slip-off preventing member 13, together with the piston guide 11, forms an
opening port Ai on an inner side of the upper end 11 b of the piston guide 11.
The
opening port Ai serves to open the liquid flow path RL provided in the piston
guide 11.
[0036] In the present embodiment, the slip-off preventing member 13
includes a
circumferential wall 13a, which is fixed between the inner circumferential
surface of
the piston guide 11 that is located near the upper end lib and the tubular
portion Ilh, a
ceiling wall 13b located above the ball member 12, and a plurality of
connecting pieces
13c connected to the ceiling wall 13b and the circumferential wall 13a. The
connecting
pieces 13c are arranged at an interval about the axis 0, so that a plurality
of apertures
Ao are formed between adjacent connecting pieces 13c. For example, 3 apertures
Ao
may be formed. In the present embodiment, a tubular portion 13d extends upward
from
and is integrated with an outer edge of the ceiling wall 13b. The above
structure forms
the annular opening port Ai extending around the axis 0 on the inner side of
the upper
end 11 b of the piston guide 11 and between the upper end 11 b and the tubular
13d.
That is to say, in the present embodiment, the opening port Ai of the liquid
flow path
RL forms an annular flow path area Si defined by the upper end 11 b of the
piston guide
11 and the tubular portion 13d of the slip-off preventing member 13.
[0037] In this way, in the liquid flow path RL provided inside the piston
guide 11 in
the present embodiment, the annular opening port Ai formed in the upper end 11
b of
the piston guide 11 is opened and closed by the ball member 12. That is to
say, the ball
member 12 serves as a discharge valve (check valve) that, only when the
plunger 7 is
released and the content medium is pumped to the liquid flow path RL of the
piston
guide 11, opens the annular opening port Ai formed in the upper end llb of the
piston
guide 11.Especially in the present embodiment, the liquid flow path RL formed
between the plunger 7 and the ball member 12 also serves as an accumulator
that
pressurizes the content medium, after pumped from the small-diameter piston 6,
to a
predetermined pressure and pump the pressurized content medium.
[0038] As illustrated in FIG. 3, the tubular portion 11 c of the piston
guide 11
extends throughout the inner side of the tubular portion 9b of the large-
diameter piston
7
CA 3027089 2018-12-11
9. Between the tubular portion 11c of the piston guide 11 and the tubular
portion 9b of
the large-diameter piston 9, a gap is formed to allow relative movement in the
direction of the axis 0.
[0039] Besides, the tubular portion 1 1 c of the piston guide 11 is
provided with a
plurality of annular protrusions lie extending around the axis 0. Each annular
protrusion lie is provided, on an upper side thereof, with an annular groove
hg
extending around the axis 0. A lower end portion 9d of the tubular portion 9b
of the
large-diameter piston 9 may be brought into contact with the annular groove
11g. With
the above structure, when the lower end portion 9d of the tubular portion 9b
of the
large-diameter piston 9 comes off the annular groove llg of the piston guide
11 and
the contact is released, the air pump chamber Sair, which is formed between
the
large-diameter piston 9 and the large-diameter portion 3a of the pump cylinder
3, is
brought into communication with the gap formed between the tubular portion 11c
of
the piston guide 11 and the tubular portion 9h of the large-diameter piston 9.
That is to
say, the tubular portion 9b of the large-diameter piston 9 and the annular
groove 1 lg of
the piston guide 11 serve as an opening / closing valve, and the gap serves as
the first
ambient air path Rai, for the ambient air which has been pumped from the
large-diameter piston 9.
[0040] In the present embodiment, a plurality of protruding ridges Ilk are
provided
at an interval about the axis 0 on an outer circumferential surface of the
tubular
portion 11c of the piston guide 11. In the present embodiment, the protruding
ridge ilk
is arranged in 12 locations at an interval about the axis 0. The protruding
ridges llk
guide ambient air without contacting the tubular portion 9b of the large-
diameter
piston 9. Additionally, the protruding ridge Ilr may be arranged in at least
one
location.
[0041] In the present embodiment, an annular cutout extending around the
axis 0 is
further formed in an upper end of each annular protruding portion 1 I e. In
the cut-out, a
plurality of guide walls 1 1 j are provided at an interval about the axis 0,
and a plurality
of receiving portions C3, configured to prevent inflow of foreign substances,
is also
provided between adjacent guide walls 11j. The guide walls 1 I j are arranged
to be
aligned with the protruding ridge Ilk. That is to say, in the present
embodiment, the
guide wall 1 1 j is also arranged in 12 locations at an interval about the
axis 0.
However, the guide wall I 1 j may also be arranged in at least one location.
[0042] Reference numeral 14 denotes a synthetic resin jet ring. As
illustrated in
FIG. 4, the jet ring 14 includes a lower-end side concave portion Ci, in which
the
upper end 11 b side of the piston guide 11 is received, an upper-end side
concave
portion C2, in which two mesh rings 15 which are described later are received,
and a
separation wall 14a, which separates the lower-end side concave portion Ci
from the
upper-end side concave portion C2 and is provided with a through path. In the
present
embodiment, the separation wall 14a is formed as a circumferential wall that
connects
a lower-end side circumferential wall 14b, which surrounds the upper end 11 b
side of
8
CA 3027089 2018-12-11
the piston guide 11, and an upper-end side circumferential wall 14c, which
surrounds
the two mesh rings 15.
[0043] In more detail, the separation wall 14a is formed by the first
reduced
circumferential wall portion 14ai, which is connected to the lower-end side
circumferential wall 14b and has an inner diameter smaller than the smaller
inner
diameter of the lower-end side circumferential wall 14b, a same-diameter
circumferential wall portion 14a2, which has the same inner diameter as the
first
reduced circumferential wall portion 14ai, the second reduced circumferential
wall
portion 14a3, which has an inner diameter smaller than that of the same-
diameter
circumferential wall portion 14a2, a large-diameter circumferential wall
portion 14a4,
which has a diameter increased from the second reduced circumferential wall
portion
14a3 to the upper end, and the third reduced circumferential wall portion
14a5, which,
together with the large-diameter circumferential wall portion 14a.4, is
connected to the
upper-end side circumferential wall 14c and which has an inner diameter
smaller than
that of the upper-end side circumferential wall 14c.
[0044] Especially in the present embodiment, a plurality of reinforcing
plates 14a6
is provided at an interval about the axis 0 between the first reduced
circumferential
wall portion 14ai and the third reduced circumferential wall portion 14a5 The
reinforcing plate 14a6 may be arranged in 4 locations at an equal interval
about the axis
0. The result is that the separation wall 14a is formed as a waist, and the
amount of
resin used in the jet ring 14 is reduced. Moreover, the mesh ring 15 may be
enlarged,
and the amount of foam to be dispensed is increased. However, reinforcing
plate 14a6
may be arranged in at least one location.
[0045] Furthermore, an annular bulging portion 14p extending around the
axis 0 is
provided on an inner circumferential surface 141) of the lower-end side
circumferential
wall 14b of the jet ring 14. The bulging portion 14p forms, on an inner side
of the
lower-end side circumferential wall 14b, an inner circumferential surface 14f2
having
an inner diameter smaller than that of the inner circumferential surface 14fi.
In the
present embodiment, the inner diameter of the bulging portion 14p is defined
as the
smallest inner diameter of the lower-end side circumferential wall 14b.
Besides, in the
lower-end side concave portion CI of the jet ring 14, a plurality of L-shaped
grooves
14g is formed to extend from the bulging portion 14p to the first reduced
circumferential wall portion 14ai of the separation wall 14a. In the present
embodiment, the L-shaped groove 14g is arranged in 12 locations at an interval
about
the axis 0. However, the L-shaped groove 14g may be arranged in at least one
location.
[0046] Reference numeral 15 denotes the mesh ring that is received in the
upper-end side concave portion C2 of the jet ring 14. The mesh ring 15
includes a mesh
filter 15a. The mesh filter 15a is a member formed with fine apertures through
which
the content medium may pass and is, for example, a resin net. The mesh filter
15a is
fixed to an end of a synthetic resin ring member 15b. The ring member 15b,
together
9
CA 3027089 2018-12-11
with the mesh filter 15a, is fitted and held inside the upper-end side concave
portion C2
of the jet ring 14.
[0047] As illustrated in FIG. 3, the jet ring 14 receives the upper end 11
b side of
the piston guide 11, with the upper end llb of the piston guide 11 abutting
against the
first reduced circumferential wall portion 14ai and with the outer
circumferential
surface of the tubular portion 1 lc of the piston guide 11 fitted to an inner
circumferential surface f2 of the bulging portion 14p provided in the lower-
end side
circumferential wall 14b. This allows the opening port Ai of the piston guide
11 to
communicate with the upper-end side concave portion C2 of the jet ring 14
through the
through path provided in the separation wall 14a of the jet ring 14.
[0048] Furthermore, since in the present embodiment the L-shaped grooves
14g are
formed to extend from the bulging portion 14p of the jet ring 14 to the first
reduced
circumferential wall portion 14ai of the separation wall 14a, the second
ambient air
flow paths Rair are formed between the piston guide 11 and the jet ring 14.
The second
ambient air flow paths Rai, allow the ambient air that has been pumped from
the
large-diameter piston 9 to communicate with the through path provided in the
separation wall 14a of the jet ring 14. In the present embodiment, 12 second
ambient
air flow paths Rair, defined by the L-shaped grooves 14g of the jet ring 14
and the
piston guide 11, are formed. That is to say, in the present embodiment, an
opening port
A2 of the second ambient air flow paths Rair has a flow path area S2 defined
by the
L-shaped grooves 14g formed in the first reduced circumferential wall portion
14ai of
the separation wall 14a of the jet ring 14 and the upper end 11 b of the
piston guide 11.
Additionally, the second ambient air flow path Rai, may be arranged in at
least one
location.
[0049] In the present embodiment, the inner circumferential surface 14f1 of
the
lower-end side circumferential wall 14b of the jet ring 14 is sealed and
slidably held
by an upper end portion 9e of the tubular portion 9b of the large-diameter
piston 9.
This allows the second ambient air flow paths Rair to communicate with the
first
ambient air flow paths Rai, in an air-tight manner.
[0050] The through path provided in the separation wall 14a forms the first
mixture
flow path Rm for a mixture of the content medium pumped from the opening port
Ai of
the liquid flow path RL and the ambient air pumped from the opening port A2 of
the
second ambient air flow paths Rair. In the present embodiment, in a portion of
the first
mixture flow path Rm that is located on the inner side of the of the same-
diameter
circumferential wall 14a2 of the jet ring 14, the tubular portion 13d of the
slip-off
preventing member 13 may be received. This enlarged path, in which the tubular
portion 13d of the slip-off preventing member 13 is received, extends from the
smallest inner diameter path formed on the inner side of the second reduced
circumferential wall portion 14a3 to the large-diameter circumferential wall
portion
14a4 and to the curved path formed on the inner side of the third reduced
circumferential wall portion 14a5 and then, communicates with the second
mixture
CA 3027089 2018-12-11
flow path Rm formed on the inner side of the ring member 15b of the mesh ring
15.
[0051] Next, reference numeral 16 in FIG. 3 denotes a synthetic resin head.
By a
user pushing and releasing the head 16 repeatedly, the head 16 causes pumping
movement of the small-diameter piston 6 and the large-diameter piston 9 and
ejects the
mixture of the content medium and ambient air. In the present embodiment, the
head
16 includes a ceiling wall 16a, on which the user performs a pushing
operation, and a
fixing tube 16b suspended from the ceiling wall 16a. Inside the fixing tube
16b, the
upper-end side circumferential wall 14c of the jet ring 14 is fitted and held.
The head
16 further includes a nozzle 16c communicating with the inside of the fixing
tube 16b.
As illustrated in FIG. 1, the nozzle 16c is provided in a front end thereof
with an
ejection orifice la from which the content medium, after passing through the
mesh
rings 15, is ejected in the form of foam.
[0052] Furthermore, the ceiling wall 16a of the head 16 is provided in a
lower end
thereof with a plurality of fixing ribs 16r extending radially around the
fixing tube
16b. In the lower end of the ceiling wall 16a of the head 16, an outer tube
16d as a
separate member is also disposed. In the present embodiment, the outer tube
16d may
receive the fixing ribs 16r on the inner side of the outer tube 16d and may be
fixed by
the fixing ribs 16r.
[0053] In FIG. 1, reference numeral 17 denotes a stopper configured to
prevent the
head 16 form pushed down. The stopper 17 is an existing stopper that is
arranged
detachably between the shoulder 2c of the pump cover 2 and the outer tube 16d
of the
head 16. That is to say, the stopper 17 includes two curved arms 17c
extending, in a
C-shape in the cross section, from a base 17b having a grip 17a, thereby
detachably
fitted to the neck 2c of the pump cover 2. Thus, the stopper 17 contacts the
upper end
of the shoulder 2c and the lower end of the outer tube 16d and prevents the
head 16
from pushed down.
[0054] The large container with a foamer dispenser according to the present
disclosure allows a large volume of content medium, after pumped from the
container
body 20, to pass through the mesh filters 15a and ejects the content medium in
the
form of foam by repeated pushing and releasing of the head 16.
[0055] In the present embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 3, a connecting
flow path
area Si between the liquid flow path RL and the mixture flow path Rm and a
connecting
flow path area S2 between the ambient air flow path Rair and the mixture flow
path Rm
are defined, and the connecting flow path area Si for the liquid and the
connecting
flow path area S2 for ambient air satisfy the following condition.
2.8 Si/ S2 3.8 . . . (1)
(2.8: 1 Si : S2 3.8: 1)
[0056] More preferably, the connecting flow path area Si for the liquid and
the
connecting flow path area S2 for ambient air are set to satisfy the following
condition.
Si/ S2 = 3.8 . . . (2)
(Si : S2 = 3.8 : 1)
11
CA 3027089 2018-12-11
[0057] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, in a through path formed
inside
the jet ring 14, the same-diameter circumferential wall portion 14a2 has the
smallest
inner diameter. That is to say, the smallest flow path area S3 of the mixture
flow path
Rm is located on an immediately upstream side of one of the mesh filters 15a.
In this
case, the smallest flow path area S3 of the mixture flow path Rm and a flow
path area S4
of the mesh filter 15a are preferably set to satisfy the following condition.
4 S4 / S3 :5_ 10.3 . . . (3)
(1:4 S3 : S4 1: 10.3)
[0058] Preferably, the smallest flow path area S3 of the mixture flow path
Rm and
the flow path area S4 of the mesh filter 15a are set to satisfy the following
condition.
4 S4 / S3 10.1 ... (4)
(1:4 S3 : S4 1 : 10.1)
[0059] More preferably, the smallest flow path area S3 of the mixture flow
path Rm
and the flow path area S4 of the mesh filter 15a are set to satisfy the
following
condition.
4 S4 / S3 6.2 . (5)
(1:4 S3 : S4 1 : 6.2)
[0060] Even more preferably, the smallest flow path area S3 of the mixture
flow
path Rm and the flow path area S4 of the mesh filter 15a are set to satisfy
the following
condition.
S4 / S3 = 4 . .. (6)
(S3 : S4 = 1 : 4)
[0061] Moreover, in the present embodiment, the mesh filter 15a is arranged
in two
locations in the mixture flow path Rm. In this case, an interval Li between
the smallest
flow path area S3 of the mixture flow path Rm and the flow path area S4 of the
mesh
filter 15a and an interval L2 between the mesh filters 15a are preferably set
to satisfy
the following condition.
L2 / Li = 3.9 . . . (7)
(Li : L2 = 1 : 3.9)
[0062] Moreover, the foamer dispenser of the present embodiment includes
the
piston guide 11, inside of which the liquid flow path RL of the content medium
pumped
from the small-diameter piston 6 is formed, and which extends throughout the
large-diameter piston 9 in a manner such that relative movement is permitted,
and the
jet ring 14, which includes the lower-end side concave portion Ct in which the
upper
end 11b side of the piston guide 11 is received, the upper-end side concave
portion C2
in which the mesh filters 15a are received, and the through path provided in
the
separation wall 14a separating the lower-end side concave portion CI from the
upper-end side concave portion C2.
Furthermore, the annular bulging portion 14p is provided on the inner
circumferential surface of the lower-end side concave portion CI of the jet
ring 14, the
upper end 1 lb of the piston guide 11 is abutted against the separation wall
14a of the
12
CA 3027089 2018-12-11
jet ring 14, the piston guide 11 is fitted to the inner side of the bulging
portion 14p,
and the inner diameter surface of the lower-end side concave portion CI of the
jet ring
14 is sealed slidably by the large-diameter piston 9.
Moreover, the plurality of L-shaped grooves 14g is formed to extend from the
bulging portion 14p to the separation wall 14a of the jet ring 14 to form the
plurality of
ambient air flow paths Ran- between the piston guide 11 and the jet ring 14.
The
ambient air flow paths Rai, allow the ambient air that has been pumped from
the
large-diameter piston 9 to communicate with the lower-end side concave portion
CI of
the jet ring 14. The ambient air flow paths Rair, together with the liquid
flow path RL of
the piston guide 11, are connected to the through path of the separation wall
14a.
Moreover, the upper end I 1 b side of the jet ring 14 is connected to the head
16.
[0063] Using an assembly of the piston guide 11 and the jet ring 14
according to
the present embodiment facilitates settings of the connecting flow path area
Si for the
liquid and the connecting flow path area Sz for ambient air. For example, as
illustrated
in FIG. 2, the connecting flow path area Si for the liquid is defined between
the upper
end 11 b of the piston guide 11 and the tubular portion 13d of the slip-off
preventing
member 13. Accordingly, the connecting flow path area Si for the liquid may be
suitably changed simply by changing an inner diameter of the upper end 11 b of
the
piston guide 11 and an outer diameter of (the tubular portion 13d of) the slip-
off
preventing member 13. Moreover, the connecting flow path area Sz for ambient
air is
defined by the L-shaped grooves 14g of the jet ring 14 illustrated in FIG. 4,
and
accordingly, the connecting flow path area Sz may be suitably changed simply
by
changing the width and depth of the L-shaped grooves 14g.
[0064] Next, another embodiment of the present disclosure is described.
This other
embodiment is also directed to the foamer dispenser with the structure
illustrated in
FIGs. 1 to 4 in which the same-diameter circumferential wall portion 14a2 has
the
smallest inner diameter in the through path formed inside the jet ring 14.
That is to say,
the smallest flow path area S3 of the mixture flow path Rm is located on an
immediately upstream side of one of the mesh filters 15a. The smallest flow
path area
S3 of the mixture flow path Rm and a flow path area S4 of the mesh filter I 5a
are
preferably set to satisfy the aforementioned condition (3). Thus, in the
foamer
dispenser with the structure illustrated in FIGs. 1 to 4 according to the
other
embodiment of the present disclosure, the smallest flow path area S3 of the
mixture
flow path RNA is located on an immediately upstream side of one of the mesh
filters 15a,
and the smallest flow path area S3 and the flow path area S4 of the mesh
filter 15a are
preferably set to satisfy the same condition as the condition (3).
[0065] In this other embodiment also, in addition to the condition (3), the
aforementioned conditions (4) to (7) are preferably satisfied. Furthermore, in
addition
to the condition (3), the aforementioned conditions (1) and (2) may also be
satisfied.
[0066] The following describes test results of Examples using a foamer
dispenser
with the structure illustrated in FIGs. 1 to 4 and Comparative Examples. The
tests were
13
CA 3027089 2018-12-11
conducted by using a body soap (skin cleanser) with ingredients of Table 1
shown
below as the content medium of Examples and Comparative Examples.
[0067]
[Table 1]
Ingredients Mass %
Sodium laurylaminopropionate 3
Lauramidopropyl betaine 20
Sodium N-cocoyl methyl taurate 2
Polyoxyethylene (2) disodium alkyl (12-14)
sulfosuccinate
Sorbitol 3
Glycerin 3
Proplylene glycol 20
Sodium benzoate 0.9
Citrate 0.7
Honey 0.1
Sodium DL-pyrrolidone carboxylate solution 0.1
Dye 0.01
Purified water Reminder
[Example 1]
[0068] Si / S2(all) = 3.8
(Si : 52(all) = 3.8 : 1)
Connecting flow path area Si for the liquid = 27.3 mm2
Connecting flow path area Sz for ambient air = 7.2 mm2
Note that the connecting flow path area Sz herein refers to a total sum area
S, of
12 connecting flow paths for ambient air.
[Example 2]
[0069] Si / S2(all) = 2.8
(Si : S2(all) = 2.8 : 1)
Connecting flow path area Si for the liquid = 20.16 mm2
Connecting flow path area Sz for ambient air = 7.2 mm2
Note that the connecting flow path area Sz herein refers to a total sum area
Sz of
12 connecting flow paths for ambient air.
[Example 3]
[0070] Si / S3 = 4
(S3 : S4 = 1 : 4)
Smallest flow path area S3 of mixture flow path Rm = 24.63 mm2
Flow path area S4 of mesh filter = 98.52 mm2
14
CA 3027089 2018-12-11
[Example 4]
[0071] S4 / S3 = 4.2
(S3 : Sa = 1 : 4.2)
Smallest flow path area S3 of mixture flow path Rm = 23.76 mm2
Flow path area S4 of mesh filter = 98.52 mm2
[Example 51
[0072] S4 / S3 = 6.2
(S3 : S4 = 1 : 6.2)
Smallest flow path area S3 of mixture flow path Rm = 15.89 mm2
Flow path area S4 of mesh filter = 98.52 mm2
[Example 6]
[0073] S4 / S3 = 10
(S3 : S4 = 1 : 10)
Smallest flow path area S3 of mixture flow path Rm = 9.85 mm2
Flow path area S4 of mesh filter = 98.52 mm2
[Example 7]
[0074] S4 / S3 = 10.3
(S3 : S4 = 1: 10.3)
Smallest flow path area S3 of mixture flow path Rm = 9.57 mm2
Flow path area S4 of mesh filter = 98.52 mm2
[0075] In the following, test results of the aforementioned Examples 1 to 7
according to the present disclosure are shown in Table 2. In Table 2, "good"
indicates
that the foam quality is good, and "excellent" indicates that the foam quality
is better
than good.
[0076]
[Table 2]
Foam
quality
Example 1 Excellent
Example 2 Good
Example 3 Excellent
Example 4 Good
Example 5 Good
Example 6 Good
Example 7 Good
[0077] It can be clearly seen from Examples 1 and 2 in Table 2 shown above
that
the foam quality of the ejected foam may be improved by setting the connecting
flow
path area Si for the liquid and the connecting flow path area S2 for ambient
air to
satisfy the aforementioned condition (1).Especially, as can be clearly seen
from
CA 3027089 2018-12-11
Example 1, the foam quality is better when the aforementioned condition (2) is
satisfied.
[0078] It can also be clearly seen from Examples 3 to 7 in Table 2 shown
above
that the foam quality of the ejected foam may be improved by setting the
smallest flow
path area S3 of the mixture flow path Rm and the flow path area S4 of the mesh
filter to
satisfy the aforementioned conditions (3) to (6).Especially, as can be clearly
seen from
Example 3, the foam quality is better when the condition (6) is satisfied. In
cases of
Examples 3 to 7, in which the smallest flow path area S3 of the mixture flow
path Rm
and the flow path area S4 of the mesh filter are set to satisfy the conditions
(3) to (6),
even when a large volume is ejected from the head, the head may be pushed down
with
feeling of lightness, as opposed to heaviness.
[0079] .. In cases in which Example 1 and Example 3 were combined, the foam
quality was also better.
Furthermore, regarding Examples 1 to 7, when the interval Li between the
smallest flow path area S3 and the flow path area S4 of the mesh filter was
set to be 3.8
mm and when the interval L2 between the mesh filters was set to be 15 mm and
when the dimension settings of Li : L2 = 1 : 3.9 were combined with Example 1
or
Example 3, the foam quality was even more than better. Moreover, when the
above
dimension settings were combined with Example 1 and Example 3, the foam
quality
was best. The foam quality obtained in this case is schematically illustrated
in FIG. 5B.
As illustrated in FIG. 5B, according to the present disclosure, the small air
bubbles B
are evenly dispersed in the single piece of foam F compared with conventional
example illustrated in FIG. 5A.
[0080] .. Additionally, although Examples use the jet ring of a type that may
form the
liquid flow path RL and the air flow path Rair at the time of assembly, the
present
disclosure may also be adopted in a foamer dispenser using the jet ring of a
conventional type that may form only the liquid flow path RL.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
[0081] The present disclosure is applicable to a foamer dispenser that
mixes a
liquid content medium and ambient air and ejects the mixture in the form of
foam and
to a container with the foamer dispenser. The content medium may be anything,
such
as a face cleanser and a hair liquid, that may be mixed with ambient air and
ejected in
the form of foam.
REFERENCE SIGNS LIST
[0082]
1 Foamer Dispenser
2 pump cover
3 pump cylinder
3a large-diameter portion
16
CA 3027089 2018-12-11
3b small-diameter portion
6 small-diameter piston
8 elastic member
9 large-diameter piston
11 piston guide
12 ball member
13 slip-off preventing member
13d tubular portion
14 jet ring
14a separation wall
14ai first reduced circumferential wall portion
14a2 same-diameter circumferential wall portion
14a3 second reduced circumferential wall portion
14a4 large-diameter circumferential wall portion
14a5 third reduced circumferential wall portion
14a6 reinforcing plate
14g L-shaped groove
15 mesh ring
15a mesh filter
20 container body
21 mouth
Ai opening port of liquid flow path
A2 opening port of ambient air flow path
Ci lower-end side concave portion of jet ring
C2 upper-end side concave portion of jet ring
RL liquid flow path
Rair ambient air flow path
Rm mixture flow channel
Si connecting flow path area between liquid flow path and mixture flow
path
Sz connecting flow path area between ambient air flow path and mixture
flow
path
S3 smallest flow path area of mixture flow path
S4 flow path area of mesh filter
17
CA 3027089 2018-12-11
