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(11) | EP 1 243 216 A1 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
| published in accordance with Art. 158(3) EPC |
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| (54) | VALVE UNIT AND CONTAINER |
| (57) A valve unit and container are provided that facilitate assembly work, are easily
recycled and can be manufactured at low cost. Namely, a pipe-shaped piston section
3 is slidably inserted into a pipe-shaped valve body 2 inserted into and detachably
fitted to a container body Y, and a concertina-shaped bellows 19, which is able to
regain its form in the direction of lengthening, connects the inside of piston section
3 with an opening 13 between the insertion end of piston section 3 and opening 13. |
Technical Field
[0001] The present invention relates to a valve unit and container used, for example, in a pump-type container for shampoo and so forth used in the home.
[0002] Furthermore, the present application is based on Japanese Patent Application No. Hei 11-348191, Japanese Patent Application No. 2000-26637 and Japanese Patent Application No. 2000-101427, and the contents of these applications are incorporated herein.
Background Art
[0003] Pump-type containers have been used in the past for holding shampoo, detergent and so forth used in the home. This container is composed of a container body and a valve unit removably inserted into the container body. Normally, the valve unit is composed such that when a piston is pressed, the piston returns and draws up liquid from the container body, and when the piston is further pressed, liquid is discharged from the discharge end of the piston.
[0004] When this example is explained with reference to FIGS. 31 and 32, valve unit 1 is composed of a pipe-shaped valve body 2 that is removably inserted into a container body not shown, and a piston section 3 in the shape of an L-shaped pipe.
[0005] The above piston section 3 is inserted into the above valve body 2 while being able to slide, and liquid container unit 6 is formed within the above valve body 2 between intake port 4 of valve body 2 and piston 5 on the end of piston section 3, and communicates with the atmosphere via piston section 3. Valve 7 is provided in the above intake port 4 side of this liquid container unit 6 that restricts back flow of liquid from the liquid container unit 6 to the container body side, check valve G is provided between the discharge end of the above piston section 3 and the discharge end of liquid container unit 6 that restricts outflow of liquid from piston section 3 to liquid container unit 6, and coil spring 8 is interposed between the above piston section 3 and valve 7. Force is applied by this coil spring 8 in the direction in which the above piston section 3 increases the volume of liquid container unit 6 relative to valve body 2.
[0006] However, in the above valve unit of the background art, since coil spring 8 must be inserted between piston 5 and intake port 4, it has the problem of assembly work being bothersome.
[0007] In addition, amidst current preferences for the recycling of parts from the viewpoint of protecting the natural environment, the valve unit according to the background art impairs recycling and reuse since it is necessary for coil spring 8, which is made of metal, to be disassembled and disposed of separately.
[0008] There is also the problem of the increased number of assembly steps and increased number of parts resulting from using coil spring 8 leading to increased costs.
[0009] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a valve unit and container for which the assembly operation is simple, can be easily recycled, and can be manufactured at low cost.
Disclosure of Invention
[0010] In order to solve the above problems, the valve unit of the present invention is characterized by comprising a pipe-shaped piston section slidably inserted into a pipe-shaped valve body inserted into and detachably fitted to a container body, a liquid container unit formed between an intake port of the valve body and an intake end of the piston section and which communicates with the atmosphere via the piston section, a valve which restricts outflow of liquid from the liquid container unit to the container body on the intake port side of the liquid container unit, a check valve which restricts back flow of liquid from the piston section to the liquid container unit that is provided between a discharge end of the piston section and a discharge side of the liquid container unit, the piston section being urged, with respect to the valve body, in a direction which increases the volume of the liquid container unit, and a concertina-shaped bellows, which is able to regain its form in the direction of lengthening and which connects the inside of the piston section with the intake port, connected between the intake end of the piston section and the valve.
[0011] As a result of composing in this manner, when the piston section is pressed when there is no liquid in the bellows, although the valve closes since air in the bellows is compressed accompanying compression of the bellows, when air inside is attempted to be discharged, the check valve opens and air is discharged.
[0012] When the piston section is released, since the bellows regains its shape in the direction of lengthening, negative pressure is generated inside the bellows. Whereupon, the check valve closes, and accompanying the regaining of shape by the piston, the valve opens and liquid is drawn into the liquid container unit from the container body, thereby filling the liquid container unit.
[0013] Next, when the piston section is pressed again, since liquid in the liquid container unit is prevented from moving into the container body by the valve, the liquid opens the check valve and is expelled from the liquid container unit by the compressed bellows, and liquid in the pressed piston section is expelled to the outside from the piston section without flowing back into the liquid container unit by the check valve.
[0014] In addition, the above bellows, valve, check valve and intake port are unitarily formed in the above valve unit.
[0015] As a result of composing in this manner, it is possible to significantly reduce the number of parts.
[0016] In addition, a pipe that extends from the intake port of the valve body to a bottom wall of the container body is unitarily formed at a lower end of the bellows, the valve is provided in the bellows, the check valve is provided in the piston section, and in addition to the valve and check valve having plastic balls that block their respective valve seats, projections which prevent the balls of the valve and check valve from rising up may be unitarily formed in the bellows and piston section, respectively.
[0017] As a result of composing in this manner, in addition to it being possible to form the piston section, check valve, valve, bellows and pipes from plastic, the rising up of the balls during valve opening that occurs in the case the balls are formed from lightweight plastic can be prevented in comparison with steel balls and so forth. Here, the above balls are not necessarily required to be spherical, and also refer to balls that are bowl-shaped or hemispherical.
[0018] In addition, in the above valve unit, the check valve and the projection that prevents the ball from rising may be formed unitarily in the bellows.
[0019] As a result of composing in this manner, the projection can be formed simultaneous to forming of the bellows.
[0020] In addition, in the above valve unit, the bellows, piston section and pipe are formed unitarily into a bellows unit, the valve and check valve are provided in this bellows unit, and the projections which prevent the respective balls from rising up are unitarily formed corresponding to the valve and the check valve.
[0021] As a result of composing in this manner, the bellows having the above valve and check valve, the piston section and the pipe can be formed simply by forming the bellows unit.
[0022] In addition, in the above valve unit, a back flow prevention body may be detachably installed on the intake end of the pipe or above the check valve that prevents back flow of liquid within the pipe when the pipe is upside down.
[0023] As a result of composing in this manner, outflow of liquid over the intake end of the pipe or above the check valve can be prevented by the back flow prevention body even when the pipe is upside down.
[0024] In addition, in the above valve unit, a narrow diameter section may be formed part way along the above pipe that prevents back flow of liquid within the pipe when the pipe is upside down.
[0025] As a result of composing in this manner, outflow of liquid within the pipe can be prevented by the narrow diameter section when the pipe is upside down.
[0026] A valve unit according to another mode of the present is characterized by comprising a pipe-shaped piston section slidably inserted into a pipe-shaped valve body inserted into and detachably fitted to a container body, a liquid container unit formed between an intake port of the valve body and an intake end of the piston section and which communicates with the atmosphere via the piston section, a valve which restricts outflow of liquid from the liquid container unit to the container body on the intake port side of the liquid container unit, a check valve which restricts back flow of liquid from the piston section to the liquid container unit that is provided between a discharge end of the piston section and a discharge side of the liquid container unit, the piston section being urged, with respect to the valve body, in a direction which increases the volume of the liquid container unit, a magnet which is attached to a piston that is attached to the intake end of the piston section and that slidably contacts the inside of the valve body, and a magnet attached to the liquid container unit side of the valve, each magnet being arranged so that like poles are mutually opposed.
[0027] As a result of composing in this manner, when the piston section is pressed when there is no liquid in the liquid container unit, although the valve closes since air in the liquid container unit is compressed, when air inside is attempted to be discharged, the check valve opens and air is discharged.
[0028] When the piston section is released, since the piston section regains its shape in the direction of lengthening due to the magnets mutually repelling, negative pressure is generated inside the liquid container unit. Whereupon, the check valve closes, and accompanying movement by piston, the valve opens and liquid is drawn into the liquid container unit from the container body, thereby filling the liquid container unit.
[0029] Next, when the piston section is pressed again, since liquid in the liquid container unit is prevented from moving into the container body by the valve, the liquid, which has no where to escape, opens the check valve and is expelled from the liquid container unit that has a smaller volume due to the operation of the piston, and liquid in the pressed piston section is expelled to the outside from the piston section without flowing back into the liquid container unit by the check valve. Here, one of the magnets can be attached to the piston section, and the other magnet can be attached to the liquid container unit side of the valve, and each of the magnets can be unitarily assembled.
[0031] As a result of composing in this manner, the valve body, piston section, check valve and valve can also be formed from plastic.
[0032] In addition, in the above valve unit, the check valve may be provided on the discharge end side of the piston section, and may be a flexible section that presses against and blocks the discharge end side of the piston when negative pressure is generated inside the piston section.
[0033] As a result of composing in this manner, when liquid attempts to flow back from the piston section into the liquid container unit, the flexible section functions as a check valve by pressing against and blocking the inside of the piston section.
[0034] In addition, in the above valve unit, a separable constitution may be employed for the above bellows, piston section and pipe.
[0035] As a result of composing in this manner, the use of each part in other applications is facilitated.
[0036] The container according to the present application is a container provided with a valve unit and container body according to either of the above-mentioned modes.
[0037] As a result of composing in this manner, the number of parts and number of assembly steps for the entire container can be reduced.
Brief Description of Drawings
[0038]
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an operating state of a first embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing an operating state of a first embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a second embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a variation of the check valve of a second embodiment.
FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a variation of the check valve of a second embodiment.
FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a variation of the check valve of a second embodiment.
FIG. 7 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a variation of the check valve of a second embodiment.
FIG. 8 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a variation of the check valve of a second embodiment.
FIG. 9 is a total cross-sectional view of a third embodiment.
FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the bellows and so forth of a third embodiment.
FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing the bellows and piston section of a third embodiment.
FIG. 12 is a partial enlarged cross-sectional view of the valve of a third embodiment.
FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A of FIG. 12.
FIG. 14 is a drawing explaining an operating state of a third embodiment.
FIG. 15 is a drawing explaining an operating state of a third embodiment.
FIG. 16 is a drawing explaining an operating state of a third embodiment.
FIG. 17 is a drawing explaining an operating state of a third embodiment.
FIG. 18 is a total cross-sectional view of a fourth embodiment.
FIG. 19A is a total cross-sectional view of a fifth embodiment.
FIG. 19B is a cross-sectional view of the essential portion of another mode of a fifth embodiment.
FIG. 20 is a perspective view of the pushing member of a fifth embodiment.
FIG. 21 is a perspective view of the back side of the pushing member of a fifth embodiment.
FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional view of the bellows unit of a fifth embodiment.
FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view showing an operating state of a sixth embodiment.
FIG. 24 is a cross-sectional view showing an operating state of a sixth embodiment.
FIG. 25 is a cross-sectional view of a seventh embodiment.
FIG. 26 is a perspective view of the essential portion of a seventh embodiment.
FIG. 27 is a bottom view of FIG. 26.
FIG. 28 is a cross-sectional view of an eighth embodiment.
FIG. 29 is a perspective view of the essential portion of FIG. 28.
FIG. 30A is a perspective view of the essential portion showing another mode of an eighth embodiment.
FIG. 30B is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B of FIG. 30A.
FIG. 31 is a cross-sectional view showing an operating state of the background art.
FIG. 32 is a cross-sectional view showing an operating state of the background art.
Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention
[0039] The following provides an explanation of the embodiments of the present invention with reference to the drawings.
[0040] Furthermore, the same reference symbols are used to indicate those constituent members that are the same as those of the background art.
[0041] FIGS. 1 and 2 show the valve unit and container of a first embodiment of the present invention.
[0042] Y indicates a container body that contains a liquid shampoo. This container body Y is molded from plastic, and valve unit 1 is detachably fitted to upper opening 9.
[0043] Valve unit 1 is composed of piston section 3 and valve body 2, both molded from plastic. Valve body 2 is in the shape of a pipe that is inserted into and detachably fitted to container body Y, and the above pipe-shaped piston section 3 is slidably inserted therein.
[0044] The above valve body 2 has cylindrical section 11 provided on the lower side of upper flange 10, an intake port in the form of opening 13 is formed in bottom wall 12 of the lower section of valve body 2, and ball 14 is arranged in opening 13 that is able to block opening 13. Shampoo is only allowed to flow from the lower side to the upper side of opening 13 by this ball 14, and back flow from the upper side to the lower side of opening 13 is prevented. The above opening 13, ball 14 and bottom wall 12 compose valve B. Furthermore, insertion section 15 for pipe P that extends into container body Y is formed on the lower end of cylindrical section 11.
[0045] The above piston section 3 is a pipe-shaped member that is formed roughly into the shape of the letter "L", and as previously described, the lower half is slidably inserted into the above valve body 2 from upper flange 10 of valve body 2, while the end of the upper end that extends horizontally starting at the bent section is bent slightly downward on an angle.
[0046] Here, pushing section 16 is formed on the bent section of piston section 3. In addition, ledge 17 is formed around the lower half of the above piston section 3, and this ledge 17 engages with upper flange 10 of the above valve body 2 so that piston section 3 is not inserted beyond a fixed length. Here, check valve G is inserted and fixed in the intake end on the lower end of piston section 3. Since ball 14 is housed in a cylindrical member, this check valve G allows outflow of liquid while restricting the upward movement of ball 14 by, for example, tube T having a cross-shaped slit. Ball 14 restricts back flow of liquid from piston section 3 into liquid container unit 6 by blocking opening K of joint 20 on the upper side.
[0047] Here, although an explanation has been provided of the case in which ball 14 of the above valve B and ball 14 of check valve G are spherical, the balls are not necessarily required to be spherical, but rather may be bowl-shaped or hemispherical (and this applies similarly to other embodiments as well).
[0048] On the other hand, cylindrical bracket 18 around opening 13 on bottom wall 12 of valve body 2 fits into above valve body 2, and concertina-shaped bellows 19 made of plastic, which connects the inside of piston section 3 and opening 13, and which is able to regain its form in direction of lengthening, is connected between this bracket 18 and the lower end of the above piston section 3.
[0049] Thus, the inside of this bellows 19 is composed in the form of liquid container unit 6. Here, the above bellows 19 is urged in the direction of lengthening, namely the direction in which the volume of its inside increases. Furthermore, although joints 20 respectively attached to piston section 3 and bracket 18 are formed on the upper and lower ends of bellows 19, at least one of these may be unitarily formed or unitarily assembled with the connected site.
[0050] According to the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, in the state in which there is no liquid in bellows 19, when pushing section 16 of piston section 3 is pressed down, although valve B closes since the air in bellows 19 is expelled accompanying the compression of bellows 19, when the air inside is attempted to be discharged, check valve G opens and air is discharged from piston section 3.
[0051] As shown in FIG. 2, when pushing section 16 of piston section 3 is released, since bellows 19 attempts to regain its shape in the direction of lengthening, negative pressure is formed inside bellows 19. Whereupon, check valve G closes, ball 14 of valve B opens opening 13 accompanying the return of piston section 3, and liquid is drawn into bellows 19 from container body Y resulting in bellows 19 being filled with liquid.
[0052] Next, as shown in FIG. 1, when pushing section 16 of piston section 3 is pressed again, since liquid within bellows 19 is prevented from moving to the side of container body Y as a result of ball 14 of valve B blocking opening 13, the liquid is made to push up ball 14 of check valve G by compressed bellows 19 and is expelled through opening K, while liquid inside the pushed up piston section 3 is expelled to the outside through the upper end of piston section 3 without flowing back to container body Y due to valve B.
[0053] Thus, since bellows 19 can be unitarily formed and assembled into a single unit with piston section 3 or bracket 18, assembly work is easy and bellows 19 can be manufactured at low cost. In addition, since bellows 19, piston section 3 and valve body 2 can be processed together since they are all made of plastic, recycling is easy.
[0054] Here, since it is not necessary in this embodiment to provide a piston that is made to slide into the inner periphery of valve body 2 on the lower end of piston section 3, and it is not necessary to provide an air venting hole in the cylindrical section as in the second and sixth embodiments to be described later, forming is easy, thereby making this advantageous.
[0055] Next, an explanation is provided of a second embodiment based on FIG. 3 by assigning the same reference symbols corresponding to the same sections of the above-mentioned first embodiment.
[0056] This embodiment eliminates the above-mentioned bracket 18 in the above first embodiment, positions ball 14 of valve B in the lower section of bellows 19, and inserts and fixes the upper section of bellows 19 in the lower end of piston section 3 by means of a tube T. In addition, check valve G, which is able to open and close opening K with ball 14, is unitarily formed in the upper section of bellows 19. The above pipe P is unitarily formed in the lower end of bellows 19. In other words, bellows 19, valve B, check valve G and an intake port in the form of pipe P in the above embodiment are unitarily formed.
[0057] Thus, this embodiment offers the advantages of being able to significantly reduce the number of parts while also facilitating assembly.
[0058] Here, an explanation of a variation of this second embodiment, and more specifically a variation of check valve G, is provided according to FIGS. 4 through 8.
[0059] In FIG. 4, check valve G of the above second embodiment is formed with ball 14 and opening K part way along piston section 3. In addition, instead of providing tube T, communication hole R is formed offset from the center in the bent section of the path within piston section 3, and as a result, prevents the flow path of liquid that runs out from being blocked by ball 14.
[0060] According to this mode, the structure of check valve G can be simplified, and tube T can be eliminated, thereby making it possible to significant reduce the number of parts.
[0061] Next, the mode shown in FIG. 5 is provided with truncated cone-shaped valve body 14a instead of ball 14 of check valve G of the second embodiment. This mode is able to demonstrate a similar function even if this check valve G is used.
[0062] In addition, the mode shown in FIG. 6 is provided with the valve body 14a of the mode shown in FIG. 5 within piston section 3. As a result of providing valve body 14a within piston section 3 in this manner, there is the advantage of not requiring communication hole R as shown in FIG. 4. In other words, in the case this valve body 14a is operated to open, since there is no blockage of communication hole R by valve body 14a, it is no longer necessary to provide the above communication hole R offset from the center as shown in FIG. 4.
[0063] Next, the mode shown in FIG. 7 is provided with a lip type of check valve G inside piston section 3, and more specifically on the discharge end side, instead of check valve G of the second embodiment. This check valve G is attached so that a pair of flexible conical thin film lips L gradually approach the discharge end side of piston section 3, and when liquid attempts to flow back into liquid container unit 6, these thin film lips L block the opening and prevent air from flowing in, thereby preventing back flow of liquid. According to this check valve G, the number of parts can be further reduced.
[0064] Next, the mode shown in FIG. 8 has the discharge end of piston section 3, which is normally open, formed with an flexible section D made of rubber and so forth that blocks the flow path by pressing together (state shown in FIG. 8) when negative pressure is generated inside piston section 3. Thus, since this flexible section D itself functions as a check valve, despite offering the simplest structure, it is able to prevent back flow of liquid by preventing air from flowing into piston section 3 in the same manner as the variation of FIG. 7. Furthermore, since the discharge end of piston section 3 becomes soft by means of flexible section D, it offers the secondary advantage of being safe even if it is bumped into a user.
[0066] In FIG. 9, valve unit 1 is detachably fitted into the upper opening 9 of container body Y by cap C which is screwed onto the opening 9.
[0067] Valve unit 1 is composed of piston section 3 and valve body 2 which are both formed with plastic. Valve body 2 is in the shape of a pipe that is inserted into and detachably fitted to container body Y, and a pipe-shaped piston section 3 is slidably inserted inside.
[0068] The above valve body 2 is provided with cylindrical section 11 on the lower side of upper flange 10, and opening 13 is formed in bottom wall 12 of the lower section.
[0069] The above piston section 3 is a pipe-shaped member formed roughly into the shape of the letter "L" overall, and as shown in FIG. 11, is divided into two members consisting of piston body 3A and bent section 3B. As was previously described, piston body 3A is slidably inserted into the above valve body 2 from upper flange 10 of valve body 2, and the end of bent section 3B is bent downward on a slight angle. Here, pushing section 16 is attached to bent section 3B of piston section 3.
[0070] In addition, check valve G is provided in piston body 3A of piston section 3. This check valve G has plastic ball 14 housed in piston body 3A, and projection 25, which prevents ball 14 from rising upward, is unitarily formed with piston body 3A above this ball 14. Furthermore, the above plastic ball 14 is lighter than a steel ball. This projection 25 allows liquid to flow through while restricting the upward movement of ball 14. The back flow of liquid from piston section 3 into liquid container unit 6 is restricted by this ball 14 by blocking valve seat 26 inside piston body 3A. Here, the above ball 14 is assembled by pushing into piston body 3A. Check valve G is composed of the above ball 14 and valve seat 26.
[0071] As shown in FIG. 9, a concertina-shaped bellows 19, which connects the inside of piston section 3 with opening 13, and which is made of plastic and able to regain its form in the direction of lengthening, is interposed, between opening 13 of bottom wall 12 of the above valve body 2 and the intake end of piston body 3A. Thus, the inside of this bellows 19 is composed as liquid container unit 6. Here, the above bellows 19 is urged in the above direction of lengthening, namely in the direction in which the volume inside increases. As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, pipe P, which extends to the bottom wall of container body Y from the above opening 13, is unitarily formed with bellows 19 on the lower end of bellows 19, and constriction 19A that engages with the periphery of the above opening 13 is formed between this bellows 19 and the root of pipe P, while valve chamber 12A of valve B is provided at the lower end of this constriction 19A. Bellows 19 engages with the above opening 13 and prevents the escape due to the above constriction 19A.
[0072] The above valve B has a plastic ball 14 inside valve chamber 12A that is continuous with the concertina section of bellows 19. This ball 14 is composed so as to be able to block valve seat 12B of valve chamber 12A, and when this ball opens, shampoo is only allowed to flow upward from the upper end of pipe P, and when ball 14 closes valve seat 12B, back flow of shampoo downward from the upper end of pipe P is prevented. Valve B is composed of the above valve chamber 12A, ball 14 and valve seat 12B.
[0073] Here, the above ball 14 is assembled by pushing into bellows 19 and piston body 3A of piston section 3.
[0074] As shown in the enlarged views of FIGS. 12 and 13, projections 25, which prevent ball 14 of valve B from rising upward, are unitarily formed on walls inside bellows 19 by forming the above constriction 19A on the peripheral edge between bellows 19 and valve chamber 12A. Furthermore, these projections 25 have the same constitution as the above projection 25 of check valve G. Here, these projections 25 achieve the object by giving the hole an irregular shape.
[0075] According to the above embodiment, in the state in which bellows 19 does not contain liquid, when pushing section 16 of piston section 3 is pressed down (FIGS. 14 and 15), although valve B closes due to air inside bellows 19 being expelled accompanying bellows 19 being compressed, when the air inside is attempted to be discharged, check valve G opens and the air is discharged from piston section 3.
[0076] As shown in FIG. 16, when pushing section 16 of piston section 3 is released, since bellows 19 attempts to regain its form in the direction of lengthening, negative pressure is generated inside bellows 19. Whereupon, check valve G closes, ball 14 of valve B opens valve seat 12B accompanying the return of piston section 3, liquid is drawn in from pipe P from container body Y to bellows 19, and bellows 19 is filled with liquid. At this time, although plastic ball 14 of valve B seems like it would rise upward due to its light weight, since upward movement is effectively restricted by projections 25, it is able to prepare for the next valve closing operation.
[0077] Next, as shown in FIG. 17, when pushing section 16 of piston section 3 is pressed again, since liquid inside bellows 19 is prevented from moving into container body Y by ball 14 of valve B blocking valve seat 12B, liquid pushes up ball 14 of check valve G due to compression of bellows 19, liquid is expelled due to opening of the flow path inside piston body 3A, and the expelled liquid inside piston section 3 is expelled to the outside from the upper end of piston section 3 without flowing back into container body Y due to valve B that blocks valve seat 12B. At this time, although it seems that plastic ball 14 of check valve G would rise upward due to its light weight, since its upward movement is effectively restricted by projections 25, it can prepare for the next valve closing operation.
[0078] Thus, piston body 3A can be molded with plastic in entirety since ball 14 of check valve G is molded with plastic. In addition, since bellows 19 as well as ball 14 of valve B are also molded with plastic, the entire structure can be molded with plastic together with pipe P. Accordingly, the entire structure can be processed without having to separate, thereby facilitating recycling.
[0079] In addition, since valve seat 26 and projection 25 in check valve G are unitarily formed with piston body 3A, and pipe P, projections 25 and valve chamber 12A in bellows 19 are formed unitarily, the number of man-hours required for assembly work can be reduced, and the valve unit and container can be manufactured at low cost.
[0081] This embodiment unitarily forms piston body 3A and bent section 3B in the above third embodiment into an integrated piston section 3, and provides check valve G in the above third embodiment on the bellows 19 side. Namely, the section from pipe P to bellows 19 and to piston section 3 is composed of two parts, which is fewer parts than the third embodiment in which this section is composed of three parts.
[0082] The above check valve G and valve B are provided in bellows 19. Valve B has a similar constitution as in the previous embodiment, while plastic ball 14 and projection 25 of check valve G are again unitarily formed with bellows 19, with ball 14 blocking valve seat 26.
[0083] Here, this bellows 19 is assembled by pushing in the two balls 14 of check valve G and valve B, and ball 14 of check valve G has a larger diameter than ball 14 of valve B (and this applies similarly in FIGS. 19A, 19B and 22 of the fifth embodiment). Furthermore, since the constitutions of other components are the same as in the above third embodiment, the same reference symbols are used for the same components, and their explanations are omitted.
[0084] Thus, according to the above embodiment, since balls 14 of check valve G and valve B are molded with plastic, and because of this, they can be prevented from rising upward by projections 25, they can be recycled easily while also offering the effect of allowing balls 14 of check valve G and valve B to operate smoothly. Since the section from pipe P to bellows 19 and piston section 3 is composed of two parts, the number of parts can be further reduced, resulting in a greater decrease in man-hours required for assembly, while also offering the effect of reduced costs.
[0086] As shown in FIG. 19A, this embodiment unitarily forms piston section 3 and bellows 19 in the fourth embodiment. Namely, the section from pipe P to bellows 19 and piston section 3 is composed with a single part in the form of bellows unit 27, resulting in fewer parts than the fourth embodiment in which this section is composed of two parts.
[0087] Since the basic structure of bellows 19, including the providing of the above check valve G and valve B, is similar to that of the above fourth embodiment, the same reference numerals are used to indicate the same components, and its explanation is omitted. Here, bellows unit 27 is unitarily provided with pipe P, valve chamber 12A, bellows 19 and piston section 3, and a concertina section 28 shown in FIG. 22 is formed at the location serving as the bent portion in piston section 3. This concertina section 28 is provided after forming so as to facilitate bending, and pushing member 16A is inserted and fixed at this location as shown in FIGS. 20 and 21. Furthermore, a thin-walled section having thinner walls than other sites may be formed instead of the above concertina section 28.
[0088] The above pushing member 16A is a member in the shape of a cap, circular engaging groove 16C is formed in peripheral wall 16B, and as shown in FIG. 21, bracket 16D is provided so as to cover the bottom opening while partially leaving open the engaging groove 16C side of the bottom opening roughly in the shape of the letter "T", with engaging groove 16F formed in bracket 16D as well. The end of piston section 3 is inserted through the above engaging groove 16F of pushing member 16 formed in this manner, bent at concertina section 28 and pulled out from engaging groove 16C, followed by attaching pushing member 16A to piston section 3 of bellows unit 27.
[0089] Thus, according to the above embodiment, since a further significant reduction in the number of parts can be realized in addition the effects of the above fourth embodiment, the number of man-hours required for assembly work can be further decreased and costs can be reduced.
[0090] Here, FIG. 19B shows another mode of the fifth embodiment in which the above unitarily formed pipe P (and referring to that which includes valve chamber 12A), bellows 19 and piston section 3 can each be composed separately. As a result of composing in this manner, since each part, namely pipe P, bellows 19 and piston section 3, can be used interchangeably as individual parts, they can be used as shared parts, thereby making it possible to reduce manufacturing costs. Furthermore, in FIG. 19B, the same reference symbols are assigned to those components that are the same as in FIG. 19A, and their explanation is omitted.
[0091] Next, an explanation of sixth embodiment is provided as shown in FIGS. 23 and 24. Furthermore, the explanation is provided using the same reference symbols for those parts that are the same as in the above second embodiment.
[0092] In this sixth embodiment, valve unit 1 is composed with piston section 3 and valve body 2 both molded with plastic. Valve body 2 is in the shape of a pipe that is inserted into and detachably fitted to container body Y, and the above piston section 3 in the shape of a pipe is slidably inserted inside.
[0093] The above valve body 2 is equipped with cylindrical section 11 beneath upper flange 10, an intake port in the form of opening 13 is formed in bottom wall 12 of the lower end, and ball 14 is arranged in opening 13 that is able to block opening 13. This ball 14 only allows shampoo to flow from the lower side of opening 13 to the upper side of opening 13, and prevents back flow of shampoo from the upper side to the lower side. Valve B is composed with the above opening 13, ball 14 and bottom wall 12. Furthermore, air venting hole 21 is formed in the upper outer peripheral surface of cylindrical section 11, and an insertion section 15 for pipe P, which extends into container body Y, is formed in the lower end of cylindrical section 11.
[0094] The above piston section 3 is a pipe-shaped member that is formed roughly into the shape of the letter "L", and as previously described, the lower half is slidably inserted into the above valve body 2 from upper flange 10 of valve body 2, while the end of the upper end that extends horizontally starting at the bent section is bent slightly downward on an angle.
[0095] Here, pushing section 16 is formed on the bent section of piston section 3. In addition, ledge 17 is formed around the lower half of the above piston section 3, and this ledge 17 engages with upper flange 10 of the above valve body 2 so that piston section 3 is not inserted beyond a fixed length.
[0096] In addition, piston 22 that slidably contacts the inner periphery of valve body 2 is formed on the lower end of piston section 3. Check valve G having a similar constitution as in the first embodiment is attached to the lower end of piston section 3.
[0097] On the other hand, cylindrical bracket 18 fits into the above valve body 2 around opening 13 on bottom wall 12 of valve body 2, and plastic magnets 23 and 24, in a state in which like poles are mutually opposed, are attached between this bracket 18 and the lower end of piston 22 of the above piston section 3. More specifically, plastic magnet 23 fits into valve body 2 in a state in which it is supported by bracket 18, while plastic magnet 24 is embedded in piston 22. Communication holes 23A and 24A are respectively formed in the centers of plastic magnets 23 and 24.
[0098] Thus, the space between plastic magnet 24 attached to the above piston 22 and plastic magnet 23 attached to bracket 18 is composed as liquid container unit 6.
[0099] According to the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 23, when pushing section 16 of piston section 3 is pressed down in the state in which there is no liquid in liquid container unit 6, although valve B closes since air inside liquid container unit 6 is compressed accompanying compression of the inside of liquid container unit 6, when the air inside is attempted to be discharged, check valve G opens and air is discharged from piston section 3.
[0100] As shown in FIG. 24, when pushing section 16 of piston section 3 is released, since check valve G closes and piston section 3 attempts to regain its form in the direction of lengthening due to plastic magnets 23 and 24 mutually repelling, negative pressure is generated inside liquid container unit 6. Whereupon, check valve G closes, ball 14 of valve B opens opening 13 accompanying the return of piston section 3, and liquid is drawn into liquid container unit 6 from container body Y through communication hole 23A of plastic magnet 23, resulting in liquid container unit 6 being filled with liquid.
[0101] Next, as shown in FIG. 23, when pushing section 16 of piston section 3 is pressed again, since the liquid in liquid container unit 6 is prevented from moving to the container body Y side as a result of opening 13 being blocked by ball 14, the liquid, which has no where to escape, pushes up ball 14 of check valve G, opens opening K and is expelled into piston section 3 through communication hole 24A of plastic magnet 24 from liquid container unit 6 that has a smaller volume due to the operation of piston 22, and the expelled liquid in piston section 3 is expelled to the outside from piston section 3 without being allowed to flow back into liquid container unit 6 by check valve G.
[0102] Thus, since it become possible to unitarily assemble each magnet, by assembling the plastic magnets 24 in piston 22 and the plastic magnet 23 in the bracket 18 on the side of liquid container unit 6, the number of man-hours required for assembly and the number of parts can be decreased and manufacturing costs can be reduced in comparison with the case of using a coil spring.
[0103] In addition, since the above magnets 23 and 24 are plastic magnets, they can be molded with plastic together with valve body 2, piston section 3, check valve G and valve B, thereby facilitating recycling.
[0104] This also makes it possible to reduce the number of parts and man-hours required for assembly for the entire container comprising container body Y and valve unit 1, while also facilitating recycling.
[0105] Next, an explanation is provided of a seventh embodiment with reference to FIGS. 25 through 27. Here, this embodiment and the eighth embodiment have check valve G of the previously mentioned third embodiment shown in FIG. 9 formed unitarily in the manner of valve B. Accordingly, the same reference symbols are used to indicate those constituent parts that are the same as FIG. 9, and their explanation is omitted. In addition, since these seventh and eighth embodiments relate to a variation of the above pipe P, they can also be applied to the other first, second and fourth through sixth embodiments.
[0106] In this embodiment, a plastic back flow prevention body 30 is detachably installed on the intake end of pipe P in each of the previous embodiments that prevents back flow of liquid in pipe P in the case pipe P is upside down. This back flow prevention body 30 is a cylindrical cap with a bottom that is placed over the intake end of pipe P to block it, and has a cross-shaped slit 32 formed in bottom wall 31. Although this slit 32 opens when acted on by negative pressure to draw in the above liquid, in the case pipe P, namely the entire container body Y, is turned upside down, the inflow of liquid into pipe P can be prevented.
[0107] Thus, even in the case pipe P, namely the entire container body Y, is upside down, since the flow of liquid at the intake end of pipe P can be prevented by back flow prevention body 30, overflow of liquid outside the container body due to back flow of liquid can be effectively prevented. Furthermore, the shape of the above slit 32 is not limited to the shape of a cross, but rather may be in the form of a dash or asterisk.
[0108] Next, an explanation is provided of an eighth embodiment according to FIGS. 28, 29, 30A and 30B. In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 28 and 29, a narrow diameter section 34 is formed part way along pipe P in each of the previously mentioned embodiments that prevents back flow of liquid in pipe P in the case pipe P is upside down. This narrow diameter section 34 is equipped with thin-walled diaphragm 35. Although this narrow diameter section 34 is able to expand by pressure and draw up liquid without hindrance in the case of drawing up the above liquid, in the case pipe P, namely the entire container body, is turned upside down, has a cross-sectional area that prevents liquid from flowing past diaphragm 35. Thus, since liquid inside pipe P is able to be prevented from flowing through this section by diaphragm 35 of narrow diameter section 34 in the case container body Y is upside down, the overflow of liquid outside the container body due to back flow of liquid can be effectively prevented.
[0109] In addition, FIGS. 30A and 30B show other modes of the eighth embodiment. Diaphragm 35 in FIG. 30A is formed in the shape of a cross-sectional slit as shown in FIG. 30B. In this state as well, although slit-shaped diaphragm 35 expands by pressure and takes in liquid in the case liquid is drawn in, in the case container body Y is upside down, since liquid inside pipe P can be prevented from flowing past this section by slit-shaped diaphragm 35 of narrow diameter section 34, overflow of liquid outside the container body due to back flow of liquid can be effectively prevented.
[0110] Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the previously described embodiments, but rather for example, the variations of the check valve in the second embodiment (shown in FIGS. 4 through 8) can also be applied to the first and sixth embodiments.
[0111] In addition, a metal magnet or rubber magnet can be used instead of the plastic magnets in the sixth embodiment. In this case, by pre-assembling the magnets by insert molding, the number of parts and the number of man-hours required for assembly can be reduced.
Industrial Applicability
[0112] According to the valve unit of the present invention, a bellows can be unitarily formed and unitarily assembled with a piston or valve, thereby resulting in the effects of being able to manufacture the valve unit at low cost, while also facilitating assembly work and recycling.
[0113] In addition, a bellows, valve, check valve and intake port are formed unitarily, thereby resulting in the effect of being able to significantly reduce the number of parts.
[0114] In addition, in addition to being able form a piston section, check valve, valve, bellows and pipe from plastic, the rising up of a ball and so forth during valve opening, which occurs in the case of forming the ball and so forth from lightweight plastic in comparison with a steel ball, can be prevented, thereby resulting in the effects of facilitating recycling while also allowing the valve and check valve to operate reliably.
[0115] In addition, projections can be formed simultaneous to formation of a bellows, thereby resulting in the effect of being able to reduce the number of parts and the number of man-hours required for assembly.
[0116] In addition, a bellows having the above valve and check valve, piston section and pipe can be formed simply by forming a bellows unit, thereby resulting in the effect of being able to significantly reduce the number of parts and man-hours required for assembly.
[0117] In addition, the down flow of liquid over the intake end of a pipe or a check valve can be prevented by a back flow prevention body even when the pipe is upside down, thereby resulting in the effect of being able to effectively prevent overflow of liquid outside the container body due to back flow of liquid.
[0118] In addition, the down flow of liquid within a pipe can be prevented by a narrow diameter section even when the pipe is upside down, thereby resulting in the effect of being able to effectively prevent overflow of liquid outside the container body due to back flow of liquid.
[0119] In addition, two magnets can be assembled unitarily, with one magnet in a piston section and the other magnet on the side of a liquid container unit of a valve, thereby resulting in the effect of facilitating assembly work, facilitating recycling and being able to lower manufacturing cost.
[0120] In addition, a valve body, piston section, check valve and valve can all be molded from plastic, thereby resulting in the effect of facilitating recycling.
[0121] In addition, a flexible section presses together to function as a check valve that blocks the inside of a piston section when liquid attempts to flow back from the piston section to a liquid container unit, thereby resulting in the effects of being able to simplify the structure and further reduce the number of parts.
[0122] In addition, interchanging of each part is easy, thereby resulting in the effects of being able to share parts and reduce manufacturing cost.
[0123] According to the container of the present invention, the container is provided with a valve body and container body according to any of the above modes, thereby resulting in the effects of being able to reduce the number of parts of the entire container, reduce the number of man-hours required for assembly, and manufacture the container at low cost.
1. A valve unit comprising: a pipe-shaped piston section slidably inserted into a pipe-shaped
valve body inserted into and detachably fitted to a container body, a liquid container
unit formed between an intake port of the valve body and an intake end of the piston
section and which communicates with the atmosphere via the piston section, a valve
which restricts outflow of liquid from the liquid container unit to the container
body on the intake port side of the liquid container unit, a check valve which restricts
back flow of liquid from the piston section to the liquid container unit that is provided
between a discharge end of the piston section and a discharge side of the liquid container
unit, the piston section being urged, with respect to the valve body, in a direction
which increases the volume of the liquid container unit, and a concertina-shaped bellows,
which is able to regain its form in the direction of lengthening and which connects
the inside of the piston section with the intake port, connected between the intake
end of the piston section and the valve.
2. The valve unit according to claim 1 wherein, the bellows, valve, check valve and intake
port are unitarily formed.
3. The valve unit according to claim 1 wherein, a pipe that extends from the intake port
of the valve body to a bottom wall of the container body is unitarily formed at a
lower end of the bellows, the valve is provided in the bellows, the check valve is
provided in the piston section, and in addition to the valve and check valve having
plastic balls that block their respective valve seats, projections which prevent the
balls of the valve and check valve from rising up are unitarily formed in the bellows
and piston section, respectively.
4. The valve unit according to claim 3 wherein, the check valve and projections that
prevent the balls from rising are formed unitarily in the bellows.
5. The valve unit according to claim 3 wherein, the bellows, piston section and pipe
are formed unitarily into a bellows unit, the valve and check valve are provided in
the bellows unit, and the projections which prevent the respective balls from rising
up are unitarily formed corresponding to the valve and the check valve.
6. The valve unit according to claim 3 wherein, a back flow prevention body is detachably
installed on the intake end of the pipe or above the check valve that prevents back
flow of liquid within the pipe when the pipe is upside down.
7. The valve unit according to claim 3 wherein, a narrow diameter section is formed part
way along the pipe that prevents back flow of liquid within the pipe when the pipe
is upside down.
8. A valve unit comprising: a pipe-shaped piston section slidably inserted into a pipe-shaped
valve body inserted into and detachably fitted to a container body, a liquid container
unit formed between an intake port of the valve body and an intake end of the piston
section and which communicates with the atmosphere via the piston section, a valve
which restricts outflow of liquid from the liquid container unit to the container
body on the intake port side of the liquid container unit, a check valve which restricts
back flow of liquid from the piston section to the liquid container unit that is provided
between a discharge end of the piston section and a discharge side of the liquid container
unit, the piston section being urged, with respect to the valve body, in a direction
which increases the volume of the liquid container unit, a magnet which is attached
to a piston that is attached to the intake end of the piston section and that slidably
contacts the inside of the valve body, and a magnet attached to the liquid container
unit side of the valve, each magnet being arranged so that like poles are mutually
opposed.
9. The valve unit according to claim 8 wherein, the magnets are plastic magnets.
10. The valve unit according to any of claims 1, 2 or 9 wherein, the check valve is provided
on the discharge end side of the piston section, and is a flexible section that presses
against and blocks the discharge end side of the piston when negative pressure is
generated inside the piston section.
11. The valve unit according to any of claims 5 through 7 wherein, a separable. constitution
is employed for the bellows, piston section and pipe.
12. A container provided with a valve unit and container body according to any of claims
1 through 9.
13. A container provided with the valve unit and container body according to claim 10.
14. A container provided with the valve unit and container body according to claim 11.