TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure relates to a pump dispenser, especially to a pump stopper
inserted detachably between a nozzle head and an attachment cap of a dispenser.
BACKGROUND
[0002] As is conventionally known, a pump dispenser may include an attachment cap fitted
to a mouth tubular portion of a container main body containing a content liquid, a
pump provided in a lower portion thereof with a drawing pipe, and a nozzle head fitted
to an upper portion of the pump, and such a dispenser dispenses the content liquid
contained in the container main body through a nozzle port provided in the nozzle
head by drawing up the content liquid through the drawing pipe in response to the
nozzle head being depressed.
[0003] In such a dispenser, to prevent the content liquid from being dispensed in response
to external force applied intentionally or uninteritionally during distribution, storage,
or merchandising and display, it is also conventionally known to insert a pump stopper
between the nozzle head and the attachment cap to hinder the nozzle head from being
depressed, thereby preventing the content liquid contained in the container main body
from being dispensed unintentionally (refer to, for example, Patent Literatures 1
and 2).
CITATION LIST
Patent Literatures
SUMMARY
(Technical Problems)
[0005] However, in a dispenser described in each of Patent Literatures 1 and 2, when the
pump stopper is removed in use, the removed pump stopper is not necessary any more,
and this invokes the need for disposing of the pump stopper straight away or, if it
is expected to be used again, storing the pump stopper separately.
[0006] Moreover, in cases where a finger-pressing member is added to an existing dispenser,
the need for the additional member incurs additional manufacturing cost and also increases
the number of members, and accordingly, increases environmental load.
[0007] Moreover, although one possible way to solve the above problem is to integrate the
finger-pressing member with the attachment cap as in the dispenser described in Patent
Literature 2, the finger-pressing member, when being integrated with the attachment
cap, may disturb a user who does not need the finger-pressing member.
[0008] The present disclosure is to solve the above problems, and the present disclosure
is to provide a pump stopper that does not invoke the need for disposing of the pump
stopper, which is indispensable during distribution of the dispenser, that may be
used while remaining inserted to the dispenser, and that may also be used as the finger-pressing
member without the need for additionally increasing the number of members.
(Solution to Problems)
[0009] One of aspects of the present disclosure for solving the above problems resides in
a pump stopper configured to be inserted detachably to a dispenser including: an attachment
cap that is fitted to a mouth tubular portion of a container main body and that has
a top wall; a pump that is fitted to the attachment cap; and a nozzle head that is
fitted to an upper end of the pump and that has a tubular body extending vertically
downward. The pump stopper includes a substantially cylindrical-shaped stopper main
body provided with a side opening in a manner such that the stopper main body is C-shaped
in an upper view thereof, and the stopper main body includes, on one of an upper end
side and a lower end side thereof, a regulating portion that prevents the tubular
body of the nozzle head from being displaced downward, and, on another one of the
upper end side and the lower end side thereof, a space portion that allows the tubular
body of the nozzle head to be displaced downward when the pump stopper is inserted
between the top wall of the attachment cap and the tubular body of the nozzle head.
[0010] In a preferred embodiment of the pump stopper, the pump stopper further includes
a finger-pressing member that extends radially outward from the stopper main body.
[0011] In another preferred embodiment of the pump stopper, the stopper main body further
includes: an inner tubular wall, which is formed in a cylindrical shape a portion
of which is cut away circumferentially along side end surfaces thereof; and an outer
tubular wall, which is connected to an outer circumferential side of the inner tubular
wall with a predetermined distance therebetween and which is formed in a cylindrical
shape a portion of which is cut away circumferentially along side end surfaces thereof.
The space portion is defined between the inner tubular wall and the outer tubular
wall, and one of an upper end side and a lower end side of each of the inner tubular
wall and the outer tubular wall is connected each other as the regulating portion.
[0012] In yet another preferred embodiment of the pump stopper, the regulating portion includes
at least one connecting piece that connects an end portion of the inner tubular wall
and an end portion of the outer tubular wall, the stopper main body further includes
a tab portion that extends radially outward on an opposite side to the side opening.
(Advantageous Effects)
[0013] The pump stopper according to the present disclosure includes a substantially cylindrical-shaped
stopper main body provided with a side opening in a manner such that the stopper main
body is C-shaped in an upper view thereof, and the stopper main body includes, on
one of an upper end side and a lower end side thereof, a regulating portion that prevents
the tubular body of the nozzle head from being displaced downward, and, on another
one of the upper end side and the lower end side thereof, a space portion that allows
the tubular body of the nozzle head to be displaced downward when the pump stopper
is inserted between the top wall of the attachment cap and the tubular body of the
nozzle head. Accordingly, when the pump stopper is inverted upside-down and inserted
to the dispenser in a manner such that an end side of the stopper main body that includes
the regulating portion opposes to the top wall of the attachment cap, the tubular
body of the nozzle head may be displaced downward in the space portion defined between
the inner tubular wall and the outer tubular wall of the stopper main body. This allows
the dispenser to be used, with the pump stopper being inserted.
[0014] Furthermore, the pump stopper according to the present disclosure includes the finger-pressing
member that extends radially outward from the stopper main body. Accordingly, during
distribution, the pump stopper may serve as a normal pump stopper, and, during use,
the pump stopper may be inverted upside-down and inserted to the dispenser, and thus,
may also be used as a finger-pressing member.
[0015] This omits the need for additionally providing the finger-pressing member and contributes
to a reduction in cost and environmental load.
[0016] Moreover, the regulating portion includes at least one connecting piece that connects
an end portion of the inner tubular wall and an end portion of the outer tubular wall.
Accordingly, the inner tubular wall and the outer tubular wall are more likely to
be deformed, and this facilitates insertion of the pump stopper to the dispenser,
compared with cases where the end portion of the inner tubular wall and the end portion
of the outer tubular wall are connected all over the circumferential direction.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] In the accompanying drawings:
FIGs. 1A and 1B are respectively an upper view and a front half-sectional view, each
illustrating the state where a pump stopper is inserted to a dispenser during distribution
according to Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure;
FIG. 2 is a side sectional view illustrating the state where a pump stopper is inserted
to a dispenser during distribution according to Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure;
FIG. 3 is a front half-sectional view illustrating the state where a pump stopper
is inserted to a dispenser during use according to Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure;
FIGs. 4A and 4B are each a perspective view illustrating a pump stopper according
to Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure, with FIG. 4A illustrating the state where
the pump stopper is used as a stopper, and FIG. 4B illustrating the state where the
pump stopper is used as a finger-pressing member;
FIGs. 5A and 5B are respectively an upper view and a front half-sectional view, each
illustrating the state where a pump stopper is inserted to a dispenser during distribution
according to Embodiment 2 of the present disclosure;
FIG. 6 is a front half-sectional view illustrating the state where a pump stopper
is inserted to a dispenser during use according to Embodiment 2 of the present disclosure;
and
FIGs. 7A and 7B are each a perspective view illustrating a pump stopper according
to Embodiment 2 of the present disclosure, with FIG. 7A illustrating the state where
the pump stopper is used as a stopper, and FIG. 7B illustrating the state where the
pump stopper is used as a finger-pressing member.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0018] Preferred embodiments of the present disclosure are described below with reference
to the drawings.
[Embodiment 1]
[0019] In FIGs. 1A, 1B, and 2, reference numeral A denotes a container main body containing
a content liquid, reference numeral B denotes an attachment cap fitted to the container
main body A, reference numeral C denotes a pump fitted to the attachment cap, reference
numeral D denotes a nozzle head fitted to an upper end of the pump C, and reference
numeral E denotes a pump stopper inserted detachably between the nozzle head D and
the attachment cap B.
[0020] Additionally, in the following description, an upper direction as seen in FIG. 1B
is defined as "upward", and a lower direction as seen in FIG. 1B is defined as "downward".
[0021] A dispenser is formed by assembling the attachment cap B, the pump C, and the nozzle
head D.
[0022] The container main body A includes a mouth tubular portion 1 and a trunk 2. The mouth
tubular portion 1 is provided, on an outer circumference thereof, with a male screw
3 to which the attachment cap B is screwed.
[0023] The attachment cap B includes a top wall 5, a guide tube 6 extending in a standing
manner through a middle portion of the top wall 5, and a side circumferential wall
7 extending vertically downward from an outer circumferential edge of the top wall
5.
[0024] The guide tube 6, on an inner circumference thereof, guides the nozzle head D being
displaced upward and downward as described later, and the guide tube 6 is also provided,
in an outer circumferential upper end thereof, with an engagement protruding ridge
8.
[0025] The side circumferential wall 7 is provided, in an inner circumferential upper end
thereof, with an engagement portion 9 that engages with the pump C, and the side circumferential
wall 7 is also provided, below the engagement portion 9, with a female screw 10 that
is screwed to the male screw 3.
[0026] As illustrated in FIG. 2, the pump C includes a large-diameter air cylinder 15, which
is fitted via the engagement portion 9 to the inner circumferential upper end of the
side circumferential wall 7 included in the attachment cap B, and a small-diameter
liquid cylinder 16, which extends vertically below the air cylinder 15 coaxially.
[0027] Inside the liquid cylinder 16 and the air cylinder 15, a stem 19, which is urged
upward with respect to the attachment cap B, is fitted in a manner such that the step
19 is displaceable upward and downward. The stem 19 has a tubular shape with open
upper and lower ends, and a liquid piston 18 is fitted to a lower portion of the stem
19, and an air piston 17, which slides inside the air cylinder 15, is also coupled
to an outer circumferential upper portion of the stem 19.
[0028] The liquid cylinder 16 has a bottom portion from which a pipe holding tube 21 extends
integrally, and to the pipe holding tube 21, a drawing pipe 22 is connected.
[0029] Between the stem 19 and a fitting tubular portion 20, there is defined an air-liquid
mixing chamber 23, in which a liquid from the liquid cylinder 16 and air from the
air cylinder 15 join. In the fitting tubular portion 20, which communicates with the
air-liquid mixing chamber 23, two foaming members 24 are fitted.
[0030] In the present embodiment, a pair of ring bodies, with meshes having different coarseness
being stretched, is fitted as the foaming members 24. However, a single ring body,
with a mesh being stretched, may be fitted, or three or more meshes may be fitted,
and any of these may be selected as needed.
[0031] To an upper end of the stem 19, the fitting tubular portion 20 is fitted, and moreover,
a lower end of a fitting tubular body 27 included in the nozzle head D, which is described
later, is fitted.
[0032] The inside of the pump C is configured in a known manner and not limited to a particular
configuration, as long as the pump C may supply the content liquid and air and may
allow the mixed liquid and air to be foamed through the foaming members and dispensed
through the nozzle.
[0033] As illustrated in FIGs. 1A, 1B, and 2, the nozzle head D includes a head portion
26 provided, on one side thereof, with a nozzle 25, fitting tubular body 27 extending
vertically below the head portion 26, and a tubular body 28.
[0034] Inside the fitting tubular body 27, a circulation path 29 is defined in communication
with the stem 19, and a dispensing path 30, which communicates with the circulation
path 29 and extends to a front end of the nozzle 25, is also provided, with a front
end thereof forming a nozzle port 31.
[0035] To an inner circumference of a lower end of the tubular body 28, an engagement member
32 is fitted, and a small gap is defined with respect to an outer circumference of
the guide tube 6 (the engagement protruding ridge 8) included in the attachment cap
B.
[0036] As illustrated in FIGs. 4A and 4B, the pump stopper E includes a substantially cylindrical-shaped
stopper main body 35 that is provided with a side opening 38 in a manner such that
the stopper main body 35 is C-shaped in an upper view thereof and that is inserted
to the outer circumference of the guide tube 6 included in the attachment cap B. The
pump stopper E further includes two finger-pressing members 36, which extend radially
outward from an outer circumferential lower end side of the stopper main body 35,
and a tab portion 37 extending radially outward from an outer circumferential upper
end side of the stopper main body 35.
[0037] The tab portion 37 is arranged on an opposite side to the side opening 38 of the
stopper main body 35, and the two finger-pressing members 36 are each arranged to
foam an angle of approximately 90 degrees with respect to the tab portion 37.
[0038] Although in the present embodiment the two finger-pressing members 36 are provided,
the finger-pressing members may be omitted or, if provided, the shapes and the positions
thereof may be suitably selected.
[0039] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the tab portion 37 has a flat-plate shape
extending horizontally from the outer circumferential upper end side of the stopper
main body 35 and includes an anti-slippery convex portion 37a formed on an upper surface
of the tab portion 37. However, the shape of the tab portion 37 may be suitably selected
and may be, for example, an elongated flat-plate shape.
[0040] The stopper main body 35 includes an inner tubular wall 39, which is formed in a
cylindrical shape a portion of which is cut away circumferentially along side end
surfaces 39a, an outer tubular wall 40, which is connected to an outer circumferential
side of the inner tubular wall 39 with a predetermined distance therebetween and which
is formed in a cylindrical shape a portion of which is cut away circumferentially
along end surfaces 40a similarly to the inner tubular wall 39, and flat plate-shaped
connecting pieces 41, which connect an upper end side 39b of the inner tubular wall
39 and an upper end side 40b of the outer tubular wall 40 at three positions and which
each has a fan shape in an upper view.
[0041] Between the inner tubular wall 39 and the outer tubular wall 40 and from the lower
end side to the connecting pieces 41 on the upper end side, there is defined a space
portion 42, which permits the tubular body 28 of the nozzle head D to be displaced
downward, and the three connecting pieces 41 serve as regulating portions that hinder
the nozzle head D from being depressed.
[0042] Here, a description is given of modes of use and advantageous effects of the present
embodiment.
[0043] Firstly, when the pump stopper E is inserted to the guide tube 6 included in the
attachment cap B in manufacturing or the like of the dispenser in which the attachment
cap B, the pump C, and the nozzle head D are assembled, as illustrated in FIGs. 1A,
1B, and 4A, the tab portion 37 is held and pushed radially inward in the state where
the side opening 38 of the stopper main body 35 faces to the guide tube 6 so that
the upper end side of the stopper main body 35 that includes the three connecting
pieces 41 as the regulating portions opposes to the lower end portion of the tubular
body 28 included in the nozzle head D.
[0044] At this time, the side end surfaces 39a of the inner tubular wall 39 of the stopper
main body 35 firstly abuts against an outer circumferential surface of the guide tube
6, and as the stopper main body 35 is pushed radially inward in this state, the side
end surfaces 39a of the inner tubular wall 39 are stretched out due to elastic deformation,
and, correspondingly, the outer tubular wall 40, which is connected to the inner tubular
wall 39 by the connecting pieces 41, is inserted to the guide tube 6 while undergoing
elastic deformation.
[0045] Thus, the pump stopper E is inserted to the guide tube 6.
[0046] Additionally, although in the present embodiment the three connecting pieces 41 are
used to connect the upper end side 39b of the inner tubular wall 39 and the upper
end side 40b of the outer tubular wall 40, the number of the connecting pieces 41
may be increased or reduced as needed, and even a single connecting piece may be used
to connect the inner tubular wall 39 and the outer tubular wall 40 over the entire
circumferences.
[0047] Preferably, a single connecting piece is used for connection, because, by doing so,
the inner tubular wall 39 and the outer tubular wall 40 are more likely to be deformed,
and this facilitates insertion of the pump stopper E to the dispenser, compared with
cases where the upper end side 39b of the inner tubular wall 39 and the upper end
side 40b of the outer tubular wall 40 are connected all over the circumferential direction.
[0048] Furthermore, in cases where the finger-pressing members 36 of the pump stopper E
are not required, the outer tubular wall 40 may be omitted in the stopper main body
35. In this case, only the inner tubular wall 39, and the connecting pieces 41 and
the tab portion 37, which extend radially outward from the outer circumferential upper
end side of the inner tubular wall 39, may be provided, and the configuration of the
pump stopper E is simplified.
[0049] Thus, in the state where the pump stopper E is inserted to the guide tube 6, the
three connecting pieces 41, as the regulating portions provided on the upper end side
of the stopper main body 35, are close to or in abutment with a lower end edge of
the tubular body 28 included in the nozzle head D, and the lower end side of the stopper
main body 35 is located above the top wall 5 included in the attachment cap B. This
hinders downward displacement of the nozzle head D.
[0050] Subsequently, when the pump stopper E is removed from the guide tube 6 in use or
the like of the dispenser, the tab portion 37 is pulled radially outward (in an arrow
direction in FIG. 1A. Then, both circumferential end edges of the inner tubular wall
39 included in the stopper main body 35 are stretched out due to elastic deformation,
and, correspondingly, the outer tubular wall 40, which is connected to the inner tubular
wall 39 by the connecting pieces 41, undergoes elastic deformation. Thus, the pump
stopper E is removed from the guide tube 6.
[0051] Subsequently, as illustrated in FIG. 3, after being removed from the guide tube 6,
the pump stopper E is inverted upside-down and inserted to the guide tube 6 in a manner
such that the three connecting pieces 41 are located above the top wall 5 included
in the attachment cap B.
[0052] This allows, when the nozzle head D is depressed, the lower end edge of the tubular
body 28 to be displaced downward in the space portion 42 defined in the stopper main
body 35.
[0053] Furthermore, when the finger-pressing members 36 are used, fingers may be pressed
up against the finger-pressing members 36 for one-handed operation.
[0054] To dispense the content liquid in the form of foam, the nozzle head D is depressed.
Then, the stem 11, which is fitted to the fitting tubular body 27, is depressed and
pressurizes the liquid contained in the liquid cylinder 16 and air contained in the
air cylinder 15. Consequently, the liquid and air are supplied to the air-liquid mixing
chamber 23 to be joined, foamed through the foaming members 24, and subsequently,
pass through the circulation path 29 and the dispensing path 30 and are dispensed
to the outside from the nozzle port 31 included in the nozzle head D.
[0055] Additionally, although in the present embodiment a so-called foamer pump that dispenses
the liquid in the form of foam from the nozzle is illustrated as the dispenser, a
pump that dispenses the liquid from the nozzle without foaming the liquid may be used
instead of the foamer pump or, alternatively, a so-called aerosol dispenser may also
be used.
[Embodiment 2]
[0056] Next, a description is given of Embodiment 2 in which the configuration of the finger-pressing
member is changed.
[0057] Regarding the present embodiment, the same constituent portions as those in the first
embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and a detailed description
thereof is omitted, and the description focuses on differences.
[0058] In FIGs. 5A and 5B, reference numeral A denotes the container main body containing
a content medium, reference numeral B denotes the attachment cap fitted to the container
main body A, reference numeral C denotes the pump fitted to the attachment cap, reference
numeral D denotes the nozzle head fitted to an upper end of the pump C, and reference
numeral F denotes a pump stopper detachably inserted between the nozzle head D and
the attachment cap B.
[0059] As illustrated in FIGs. 7A and 7B, the pump stopper F includes the stopper main body
35, which is inserted to the outer circumference of the guide tube 6 included in the
attachment cap B, and two finger-pressing members 43, which extend radially outward
from the outer circumferential upper end side of the stopper main body 35, and the
tab portion 37.
[0060] The tab portion37 is arranged on the opposite side to the side opening 35 of the
stopper main body 35, and the two finger-pressing members 43 are each arranged to
foam an angle of approximately 90 degrees with respect to the tab portion 37.
[0061] Here, a description is given of modes of use and advantageous effects of the present
embodiment.
[0062] The pump stopper F according to the present embodiment differs from the pump stopper
E according to the Embodiment 1 in that the positions of the finger-pressing members
36 and the length of each finger-pressing member 36 in the radial direction are changed.
[0063] That is to say, in the present embodiment, the finger-pressing members 43 are arranged
on the outer circumferential upper end side of the stopper main body 35, and the finger-pressing
members 43 extend further outward than an outer edge of the attachment cap B.
[0064] Accordingly, even when being used in a dispenser that is smaller than that in Embodiment
1, the pump stopper F according to the present embodiment allows, during use in which
the pump stopper F is inverted upside-down, the finger-pressing members 43 and the
head portion 26 to be positioned at an appropriate distance, by increasing the distance
between the finger-pressing members 43 and the head portion 26.
[0065] Furthermore, similarly to Embodiment 1, the configuration of the pump stopper F is
simplified. That is to say, the outer tubular wall 40 may be omitted in the stopper
main body 35, and only the inner tubular wall 39, and the connecting pieces 41, the
finger-pressing members 43, and the tab portion 37, which extend radially outward
from the outer circumferential upper end side of the inner tubular wall 39, may be
provided.
[0066] In this case, unlike Embodiment 1, the finger-pressing members 43 may be provided.
[0067] Other advantageous effects are substantially the same as those in Embodiment 1.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
[0068] A pump stopper according to the present disclosure is applicable to a dispenser including
a foamer pump that dispenses a content liquid from a nozzle and other types of a dispenser,
such as a dispenser that dispenses a content liquid directly in the form of liquid,
a spray dispenser that sprays a content liquid in the form of atomized particles,
and an aerosol dispenser. During distribution, the pump stopper serves as a normal
pump stopper, and during use, the pump stopper is inverted upside-down and inserted
to a dispenser. Accordingly, the pump stopper does not need to be stored separately,
and if needed, may also be used as a finger-pressing member. Thus, the pump stopper
may be widely used as a pump stopper in a pump dispenser, especially as a pump stopper
for a container filled with a content medium, such as a cleanser and a cosmetic product,
for which a nozzle head of the dispenser needs to be depressed during use.
REFERENCE SIGNS LIST
[0069]
- A
- Container main body
- B
- Attachment cap
- C
- Pump
- D
- Nozzle head
- E, F
- Pump stopper
- 1
- Mouth tubular portion
- 2
- Trunk
- 3
- Male screw
- 5
- Top wall
- 6
- Guide tube
- 7
- Side circumferential wall
- 8
- Engagement protruding ridge
- 9
- Engagement portion
- 10
- Female screw
- 15
- Air cylinder
- 16
- Liquid cylinder
- 17
- Air piston
- 18
- Liquid piston
- 19
- Stem
- 20
- Fitting tubular portion
- 21
- Pipe holding tube
- 22
- Drawing pipe
- 23
- Gas-liquid mixing chamber
- 24
- Foaming member
- 25
- Nozzle
- 26
- Head portion
- 27
- Fitting tubular body
- 28
- Tubular body
- 29
- Circulation path
- 30
- Dispensing path
- 31
- Nozzle port
- 32
- Engagement member
- 35
- Stopper main body
- 36, 43
- Finger-pressing member
- 37
- Tab portion
- 37a
- Anti-slippery convex portion
- 38
- Side opening
- 39
- Inner tubular wall
- 39a, 40a
- Side end surfaces
- 39b, 40b
- Upper end side
- 40
- Outer tubular wall
- 41
- Connecting piece (regulating portion)
- 42
- Space portion