[Technical field]
[0001] The present invention relates to a double pressurized container, a discharge product,
a discharge member, a dispenser system using the same, and a manufacturing method
for the discharge product. Note that in the following explanation, instead of "discharge
product", it may be called as "pressurized product" or "double pressurized product",
but it refers to the same product.
[Background Technology]
[0002] Fig. 11 of Patent Document 1 discloses a contents storage container provided with
a container body having an opening part at the upper end and a valve housing part
which closes the opening part and is fixed to the container body, in which the valve
housing part has a cylindrical housing part and a sealed part detachably fitted to
a hole formed at the bottom face of the housing part. Further, Fig. 7 of Patent Document
1 discloses the contents storage container provided with a closing part which is to
be opened by breaking the bottom part of the valve housing part. Those containers
are used by detachably storing a pump valve or an aerosol valve in the valve housing
part, and by fixing with a screw cap, so as to dismount the sealed part with a dip
tube or to break the closing part. Therefore, there are advantages such that the valve
can be used repeatedly, and the contents storage container can be manufactured at
a lower cost.
[0003] Patent Document 2 discloses a bilayer discharging container provided with an outer
container, an inner container stored in the outer container and a valve assembly which
closes the outer container and the inner container. Patent Document 2 discloses a
technology in which the inner container is filled with a concentrate and a space between
the inner container and the outer container is filled with a pressurizing agent, and
a technology in which the outer container and the inner container are formed by biaxial
stretch blow molding at the same time.
[0004] Patent Document 3 discloses a manufacturing method for a double aerosol product in
which after making a negative pressure inside the inner container by fitting the valve
to the mouth of the inner container and sucking air inside the inner container against
the resilience of the inner container, a pressurizing agent is charged in a space
between the outer container and the inner container from a gap between the mouth of
the outer container and the valve, and after fixing and sealing the valve to the outer
container, the concentrate is charged into the inner container from the valve. Further,
in paragraphs [0046] and [0047] of the specification, there is disclosed a manufacturing
method for a double bottle in which a preform for an inner container is inserted into
a preform for an outer container, and the obtained double preform is blow-molded so
as to mold the outer container and the inner container at the same time.
[0005] Patent Document 4 discloses a double pressurized container which is provided with
an outer container, an inner container stored inside the outer container and having
flexibility and a mounting sleeve (plug) holding a valve provided at the upper end
of the inner container, where the mounting sleeve itself is mounted on the outer container
and seal the outer container. Further, Patent Document 4 discloses a manufacturing
method combining an under-cup charging and an ultrasonic wave welding in which a pressurized
gas is charged in a space between the outer container and the inner container through
a gap between the mounting sleeve and the outer container, and after that, the periphery
of the mounting sleeve is welded to the outer container by the ultrasonic-wave welding.
[Prior Art Document]
[Patent Document]
[0006] [Patent Document 1] International Patent Application Publication No.
WO2015/80252
[Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2016-16896
[Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2017-119534
[Patent Document 4] Japanese Patent No. 5138777
[Disclosure of the Invention]
[Problems to Be Solved by the Invention]
[0007] Since the contents storage container of Patent Document 1 is opened by screwing the
valve provided with a dip tube on the container, the tip end is easily shifted from
the position of the sealed part by the curvature of the dip tube. Further, the dip
tube is made of soft material and so, it is bend easily, and it hardly performs an
opening operation. Further, when erroneously turning upside down and discharging,
only the pressurizing agent is discharged, and the remaining concentrate cannot be
discharged. In the case that the container is made of synthetic resin, when it is
dropped during distribution processes such as at the time of transportation, at the
time of storage in a warehouse, at the time of display at a shop, etc., it may be
destroyed or the pressurizing agent or the concentrate may be leaked.
[0008] In the bilayer discharging container of Patent Document 2, the concentrate and the
pressurizing agent are separately charged, so that it is not necessary to use the
dip tube, and the discharge member is simplified. However, since the valve is projected
from the discharging container, it is necessary to be protected very carefully in
order not to operate the valve in the distribution process.
[0009] In the manufacturing method in Patent Document 3, temporarily, the air inside the
inner container is sucked for pressure reduction, and therefore, the inner container
shrinks and is separated from the outer container. After that, the concentrate is
charged into the inner container via the valve. Therefore, it takes time to charge
the concentrate.
[0010] A technical object in the present invention is to provide a double pressurized container,
a discharge product, a discharge member, a dispenser system and a manufacturing method
for the discharge product, which provide high safety at the time of distribution,
easy to use by consumers, safe and environment-friendly.
[Means for Solving the Problems]
[0011] A double pressurized container 11, 31 of the present invention is provided with an
outer container 13, 33, an inner container 14, 34 stored inside the outer container
13, 33 having flexibility, and a plug 15, 35 fixed to at least one of the outer container
13, 33 and the inner container 14, 34 and sealing both of the outer container 13,
33 and the inner container 14, 34. The inside of the inner container 14, 34 is a concentrate
chamber Sc to be filled with the concentrate C. A space between the outer container
13, 33 and the inner container 14, 34 is a pressurizing agent chamber Sp to be filled
with the pressurizing agent P. The plug 15, 34 is provided with an openable seal part
(a part to be unsealed) 15d, 44 for opening the concentrate chamber.
[0012] The double pressurized container of the present invention is used with charging the
concentrate in the inner container. Since the plug seals the inner container which
is the concentrate chamber and the plug is provided with the openable seal part capable
of unsealing, it cannot be discharged unless a dedicated discharge member to open
the openable seal part. Therefore, there is no accidental discharge at the time of
distribution, and high safety is performed. Further, in the case that both of the
outer container and the inner container are made of synthetic resin, when the concentrate
is charged in the concentrate chamber of the inner container, and the pressurizing
agent is charged into the pressurizing agent chamber between the outer container and
the inner container, the outer container becomes high elasticity by the pressure of
the pressurizing agent, so that it is strong against impact due to falling, etc. and
reduces the influence on the inner container. In addition, in case, if a crack is
formed in the outer container by the impact, only the pressurizing agent (compressed
gas) escapes but the concentrate does not splash. Therefore, the safety is highly
enhanced. In the case that the concentrate chamber is filled with the concentrate
in a liquid-tight state, and the shoulder part and the bottom part of the inner container
abut to the shoulder part and the bottom part of the outer container, respectively,
specifically, the elasticity becomes high and it becomes strong against impact due
to falling.
[0013] Accordingly, since the safety of the double pressurized container is high, it is
not required to use a strong dedicated container for distribution of dangerous goods,
and therefore, it is easily transported. Further, the consumers can easily purchase
it through internet sales.
[0014] In such double pressurized container 11, 31, it is preferable that the plug 15, 35
is provided with a flange part 15b, 40 covering the upper end surface 13e, 34e, 14e,
34e of the outer container 13, 33 and the inner container 14, 34, and a bottomed cylindrical
shaped closing part 15a, 39 to be inserted into the opening of the inner container
14, 34; and it is provided with the openable seal part 15d, 44 at the bottom part
15c, 42 of the closing part 15a, 39.
[0015] In the double pressurized container in which the plug has a flange part covering
the upper end surface of the outer container and the inner container, and the bottomed
cylindrical shaped closing part to be inserted into the opening of the inner container,
and it is provided with the openable seal part at the bottom part of the closing part,
the users are more difficult to open and discharge it without the dedicated discharge
member since the openable seal part is positioned in the inner part. Therefore, it
has further high safety. Further, since the plug has a flange, it is easily fixed
to the outer container or the inner container.
[0016] It is preferable that the inner container 34 is provided with a flange 38b which
is held on the upper end surface 13f of the outer container 33, and that the flange
40 of the plug 35 is provided with an annular disk part 46 which covers the upper
end surface 38a of the inner container 34, and an outer cylindrical part 47 in which
the outer periphery surface of the flange 40 of the inner container 34 is internally
inserted.
[0017] In the case that the inner container is provided with the flange which is held on
the upper end surface of the outer container, and that the flange of the plug is provided
with the annular disk part, which covers the upper end surface of the inner container,
and an outer cylindrical part in which the outer periphery surface of the flange of
the inner container is internally inserted, when the pressurizing agent is charged
in the pressurizing agent chamber, the pressurizing agent is hardly mixed in the concentrate
chamber erroneously. Further, even if the plug is fixed by welding, it can prevent
the plug from slipping, so that the position of the openable seal part is hardly shifted.
[0018] It is preferable that the annular projection 38c is provided on the upper end surface
38a of the inner container 34 or the lower surface of the annular disk part 46 of
the plug 35, and the annular projection 36b is provided on the upper end surface 36a
of the outer container 33 or the lower end surface of the outer cylindrical part 47
of the plug 35.
[0019] In the case that the annular projection is provided on the upper end surface of the
inner container or the lower surface of the annular disk part of the plug, and the
annular projection is provided on the upper end surface of the outer container or
the lower end surface of the outer cylindrical part of the plug, the plug is easily
fixed to the inner container and the outer container at one time welding step.
[0020] It is preferable that the upper end surface 13f of the outer container 13 and the
upper end surface 14e of the inner container 14 are arranged at the same height, and
that the flange 15b of the plug 15 covers the upper end surface 14e of the inner container
14 and the upper end surface 13f of the outer container 13.
[0021] In the case that the upper end surface of the outer container and the upper end surface
of the inner container are arranged at the same height, and the flange of the plug
covers the upper end surface of the inner container and the upper end surface of the
outer container, the plug is easily fixed to the outer container and the inner container,
and they are easily and equally fixed.
[0022] In this case, it is preferable that the annular step part 13h is formed at the upper
end inner periphery of the outer container 13, and that the inner container 14 is
provided with the flange 14f which is held to the annular step part 13h of the outer
container 13.
[0023] In the case that the annular step part is formed at the upper end inner periphery
of the outer container, and the flange held to the annular step part of the outer
container is provided, it is easy to arrange the upper end surface of the outer container
and the inner container at the same height, and the plug is easily and equally fixed
to the outer container and the inner container.
[0024] Further, an inclined part 15b2 for welding may be formed at a base part between the
flange 15b of the plug 15 and the closing part 15a.
[0025] In the case that the inclined part for welding is formed at a base part between the
flange of the plug and the closing part, fixing and sealing in both the horizontal
direction and the vertical direction can be obtained at one sealing.
[0026] It is preferable that the closing part 39 is provided with an inner cylindrical part
15a1 extending downwardly along the inner surface of the neck part 14d of the inner
container 14, a fitting cylindrical part 41 provided concentrically with the inner
cylindrical part 15a1 at the lower side of the inside of the inner cylindrical part
15a1, a connection part (step part) 15a7 connecting the lower end of the inner cylindrical
part 15a1 and the upper end of the fitting cylindrical part 41, 15a2, and a bottom
part 42, 15c closing a part which is slightly higher position than the lower end of
the fitting cylindrical part 41, 15a2, and that the bottom part 42, 15c of the fitting
cylindrical part is provided with the openable seal part 44, 15d.
[0027] In the case that the closing part is provided with an inner cylindrical part extending
downwardly along the inner surface of the neck part of the inner container, a fitting
cylindrical part provided concentrically with the inner cylindrical part at the lower
side of the inside of the inner cylindrical part, a connection part connecting the
lower end of the inner cylindrical part and the upper end of the fitting cylindrical
part, and a bottom part closing a part which is slightly higher position than the
lower end of the fitting cylindrical part, and that the bottom part of the fitting
cylindrical part is provided with the openable seal part, a dimensional accuracy of
the inner periphery surface of the fitting cylindrical part can be enhanced. Therefore,
the reliability of the sealing with the valve is enhanced.
[0028] It is preferable that the closing part 15a is provided with an inner cylindrical
part 15a1 extending downwardly along the inner surface of the neck part 14d of the
inner container 14, a fitting cylindrical part (sealing cylindrical part) 15a2 provided
concentrically with an inner cylindrical part 15a1 inside the inner cylindrical part
15a1, a connection part 15a6 connecting both lower ends of the inner cylindrical part
and the fitting cylindrical part 15a2, and a bottom part 15c closing a part which
is slightly higher than the lower end 15a5 of the fitting cylindrical part 15a2, and
that the bottom part 15c is provided with the openable seal part 15d.
[0029] In the case that the closing part is provided with an inner cylindrical part extending
downwardly along the inner surface of the neck part of the inner container, a fitting
cylindrical part (sealing cylindrical part) provided concentrically with an inner
cylindrical part inside the inner cylindrical part, a connection part connecting both
lower ends of the inner cylindrical part and the fitting cylindrical part, and a bottom
part closing a part which is slightly higher than the lower end of the fitting cylindrical
part, and that the bottom part of the fitting cylindrical part is provided with the
openable seal part, when a horn abuts to the upper surface of the plug and the ultrasonic
wave welding is performed, the vibration transmitted to the lower side through the
inner cylindrical part is transmitted to the concentrate side, and therefore, it is
hardly transmitted to the openable seal part of the bottom part. Accordingly, it can
prevent the openable seal part from melting or falling by the vibration at the time
of ultrasonic wave welding.
[0030] In this case of the double pressurized container 58, it is preferable that the neck
part 14d of the inner container 14 is provided with a cylindrical upper part 14d1
and a tapered part 14d2 which becomes narrower toward the lower side, and further
that the lower part of the inner cylindrical part 15a1 of the plug 15 fits to the
tapered part 14d2 of the neck part 14d of the inner container 14.
[0031] In the double pressurized container having the connection part connecting both lower
ends of the inner cylindrical part and the fitting cylindrical part, in the case that
the neck part of the inner container is provided with the cylindrical upper part and
the tapered part which becomes narrower toward the lower side, and the lower part
of the inner cylindrical part of the plug is formed in a taper shape to fit to the
tapered part of the neck part of the inner container, the concentrate can be smoothly
discharged when the user starts using it, since the space (head space, gas phase)
which is positioned higher than the liquid surface of the concentrate becomes small.
[0032] The discharge product 11a, 31a of the present invention is provided with any of the
aforementioned double pressurized containers 11, 31, the concentrate C charged in
the concentrate chamber Sc, and the pressurizing agent P charged in the pressurizing
agent chamber Sp.
[0033] In the discharge product of the present invention, since the aforementioned double
pressurized containers are used, the effect of the double pressurized containers is
obtained.
[0034] In the discharge product 11a, 31a, it is preferable that the fixation of the plug
15, 35 is welding, and the openable seal part 15d, 44 contacts with the concentrate
C in the concentrate chamber Sc.
[0035] Further, in the discharge product in which the fixation of the plug is welding and
the openable seal part contacts with the concentrate in the inner container, the openable
seal part is cooled by the concentrate, so that it prevents the openable seal part
from transmitting heat or energy at the time of welding, and it can suppress the problems
such as melting the openable seal part. Therefore, the openable seal part can be made
thinner so that it is easily opened.
[0036] The discharge member 12, 32 of the present invention is the discharge member 12,
32 used for the aforementioned discharge products 11a, 31a, and is provided with a
mounting part (cap 20) detachably mounted to the outer container 13, 33, an seal opening
part 27 opening the openable seal part 15d, 44 of the plug 15, 35, a valve (21) communicating
with the inner container 14, 34 via the seal opening part 27 and switching between
the communicating and blocking with the outside, and an operation part (23) mounted
to the valve (21) and discharging the concentrate C by the operation.
[0037] Since the discharge member of the present invention is provided with the mounting
part detachably mounted to the outer container and the seal opening part opening the
openable seal part of the plug, the aforementioned discharge products can be opened
by the user's intension. Further, when the concentrate is used up all and the container
becomes empty, the discharge member can be removed and replaced to new discharge product.
Therefore, it contributes a resource saving.
[0038] The discharge device 10, 30 of the present invention is provided with any of the
aforementioned discharge products 11a, 31a, and the aforementioned discharge members
15, 32 which are detachably mounted to the discharge products 11a, 31a.
[0039] In the discharge device of the present invention, since the aforementioned discharge
products and the discharge members are used, the effect is obtained by them.
[0040] The dispenser system of the present invention is provided with the first discharge
device group made of the aforementioned discharge devices 10, 30 in which the concentrate
chamber is filled with the first concentrate, the second discharge device group made
of the aforementioned discharge devices 10, 30 in which the concentrate chamber is
filled with the second concentrate which is different from the first concentrate,
and the discharge member 15, 32 of the discharge device 10 of the first and second
groups is capable of being mounted to the discharge product 11a, 31a of the same group,
and it is made so as not to be mounted to the other group of the discharge product
11a, 31a.
[0041] The dispenser system of the present invention can prevent improper mounting by the
user, by forming a shape to be able to fit with the discharge product and discharge
member depending on an object, for example, for hair or for skin, etc., product categories
such as cosmetics or pharmaceuticals, etc., a discharge form such as spray or foam,
etc., a use form such as upright or inverted, etc.
[0042] In the aforementioned double pressurized container, it is preferable that the plug
is provided with the openable seal part 15d which is surrounded by an annular weakening
line and is to be opened by pressing from the upper part, and it is preferable that
the openable seal part 15d is provided with a pressure receiving part 15d1 which is
projected higher than the periphery on the upper surface of the openable seal part
15d.
[0043] Since the openable seal part is provided with the pressure receiving part on the
upper surface, it is pressed down at the time of opening. Therefore, it is easily
broken along the weakening line.
[0044] It is preferable that the pressure receiving part 15d1 is provided on the central
axis of the plug, and the shape is approximately circular shape.
[0045] When the pressure receiving part is provided on the central axis of the plug, and
the shape is approximately circular shape, an equal force is applied to the pressure
receiving part by pressing, the openable seal part is easily pressed straight down,
and the breaking along the weakening line is facilitated further.
[0046] Further, it is preferable that the weakening line 15f is partially interrupted, and
the openable seal part 15d continues with the periphery by the interrupted part 15e.
[0047] In the case that the weakening line is partially interrupted, and the openable seal
part continues with the periphery by the interrupted part, the interrupted part is
hardly broken, and therefore, the openable seal part is hardly fallen to the inside
of the container body.
[0048] It is preferable that the interrupted part 15e of the weakening line 15f is provided
with a reinforcement part 15g which is thicker than the periphery.
[0049] Further, when the interrupted part of the weakening line is provided with a reinforcement
part which is thicker than the periphery, the breaking of the interrupted part is
suppressed further.
[0050] Another aspect of the discharge device of the present invention comprises the discharge
product having the aforementioned double pressurized container, the concentrate C
and the pressurizing agent P charged in the double pressurized container, and the
aforementioned discharge member, and the bottom face 27a of the seal opening part
27 at the time of opening abuts to almost whole of the pressure receiving part 15d1.
[0051] When the bottom face of the seal opening part abuts to almost whole of the pressure
receiving part, a reaction force can be surely received at the time of opening, and
the deformation of the top end is suppressed. Therefore, the discharge member can
be used repeatedly. When the mounting part is screwed to the container body, the bottom
face of the seal opening part gradually presses the pressure receiving part of the
openable seal part, so that the openable seal part easily stretches by the extensibility
of the synthetic resin and it is hardly broken. However, the openable seal part is
surrounded by the weakening line, and the pressure receiving part is projected, so
that the weakening line can be broken, and tearing off and falling off the openable
seal part can be suppressed. Further, the bottom face of the seal opening part is
hardly deformed, and the discharge member can be repeatedly used.
[0052] The discharge device system of the present invention is provided with the first discharge
device group made of the discharge device 10, 30, 230 in which the concentrate chamber
Sc is filled with the first concentrate, and the second discharge device group made
of the discharge device 10A, 30A, 230 in which the concentrate chamber Sc is filled
with the second concentrate which is different from the first concentrate, and there
is a misuse prevention means, so that the first group discharge member 15 can be used
in the first group discharge product 11a, and it cannot be used in the second group
discharge product 11aA.
[0053] In the discharge device system of the present invention, the misuse prevention means
is provided in order not to mount the discharge member of the first discharge device
to the discharge product of the second discharge device, or even if it is mounted,
the plug cannot be opened, so that it can prevent the discharge member of the first
discharge device from being erroneously mounted to the discharge product of the second
discharge device. When the use of the first discharge device is for non-human body,
for example, an insecticide, etc., and the use of the second discharge device is for
human body, for example, hair care products, etc., it can prevent the discharge member
used for discharging the concentrate for non-human body from discharging the concentrate
for human body, so that it is safe. Such discharge device system can be preferably
employed in a case that a product group used for multiple purposes is provided for
a market as series of product groups in which the appearance is unified.
[0054] Further, it is preferable to provide the second misuse prevention means in order
not to mount the discharge member 12A of the second discharge device 10A to the discharge
product 11a of the first discharge device 10, or so as not to open the plug even if
it is mounted.
[0055] In the case that the second misuse prevention means is provided in order not to mount
the discharge member of the second discharge device to the discharge product of the
first discharge device, or even if it is mounted, so as not to open the plug, it can
prevent the discharge member of the second discharge device from being erroneously
used to the discharge product of the first discharge device. In the aforementioned
examples, it can prevent the discharge member for discharging the concentrate for
human body from discharging the concentrate for non-human body. Therefore, for example,
when the discharge device for discharging the concentrate for human body is mounted
to the discharge product in which the insecticide is charged, it can prevent the user
from using the insecticide to the human body when the user misunderstands.
[0056] The misuse prevention means may be the mounting prevention means which prevents the
discharge member 12 of the first group from being mounted to the discharge product
31a of the second group, and the mounting prevention means may be to control a radial
direction of the outer container 13, 33 to the discharge member 12.
[0057] In the case that the misuse prevention means is the mounting prevention means preventing
the discharge member from being mounted to the discharge product, even if the user
tries to erroneously mount the discharge member of the first discharge device to the
discharge product of the second discharge device, the user cannot mount it. Therefore,
it can prevent an erroneous use.
[0058] The misuse prevention means may be the mounting prevention means which prevents the
discharge member 15 of the first group from being mounted to the discharge product
31a of the second group, and the mounting prevention means may be to control a radial
direction of the plug 15 to the discharge member 12.
[0059] In the case that the mounting prevention means is to control a radial direction of
the plug and the discharge member, by preventing the axial direction movement of the
discharge member with respect to the plug, the mounting can be prevented.
[0060] The misuse prevention means may be a mounting prevention means which prevents the
discharge member 15 of the first group from being mounted to the discharge product
31a of the second group, and the mounting prevention means may be to control a screw
shape of the container body 16 and the discharge member 12.
[0061] In the case that the mounting prevention means is to control the screw shape of the
container body and the discharge member, it can prevent the container body and the
discharge member from screwing.
[0062] Further, it is preferable that the misuse prevention means is provided with an opening
prevention means, so that it is possible to perform the opening of the openable seal
part by the seal opening part with respect to the discharge product of the same group,
and the opening of the openable seal part is prevented by the seal opening part when
it is mounted to the discharge product of another group.
[0063] When the misuse prevention means is the opening prevention means which prevents the
opening of the plug by the seal opening part, even if the user erroneously mounts
the discharge member of the first discharge device to the discharge product of the
second discharge device, the plug of the discharge product cannot be opened. Therefore,
it can prevent an erroneous use.
[0064] In this case, the opening prevention means can be realized by control (setting a
dimension) in the axial direction of the plug 15 and the seal opening part 27 of the
discharge member 12.
[0065] In the case that the opening prevention means is a control of the axial direction
of the plug and the seal opening part of the discharge member, even if it is erroneously
mounted, the length in the axial direction of the discharge member is not enough,
or engaging in the axial direction is stopped in a halfway, etc., so that the opening
of the plug can be prevented.
[0066] Another aspect of the double pressurized container 11 of the present invention is
that among the portions with respect to the upper end surface 13f, 14e of the neck
part 13d, 14d and the plug 15, at the position slightly inside than the outer periphery
edge of at least one of sides, the annular projection 13g, 13g1, 13g2 for welding
is formed, and at the outer periphery edge on the top surface 17c of the plug 15,
an annular outer periphery cut portion 17d, 130a, 41 is provided.
[0067] Since the double pressurized container of the present invention is provided with
an annular outer periphery cut portion at the outer periphery edge on the top surface
of plug, when a horn for oscillating an ultrasonic vibration abuts to the top surface,
and further, when the ultrasonic vibration is oscillated from the horn in the pressurized
state, the oscillation of the horn to the lower side of the outer periphery cut portion
is controlled. Therefore, the vibration energy flowing to the periphery of the plug
is reduced. Accordingly, the melted annular projection stays within a range between
the upper surface of the mouth and the lower surface of the plug, and the protrusion
toward the outer periphery surface side is reduced. Thus, it prevents the appearance
of the discharge product, in which the contents are charged and the plug is sealed
by the ultrasonic wave welding, from deteriorating by the resin piece (welding waste)
which is made of the cooled protrusing resin. Further, it prevents the welding from
interrupting by the welding waste, and the welding part (portion where the welding
members are abutted and pushed each other) can be surely welded, and the welding strength
is enhanced, so that the occurrence of contents leakage can be suppressed.
[0068] It is preferable that the outer periphery cut portion 17d, 130a, 41 is provided more
outside than the portion with respect to the annular projection 13g, 13g1, 13g2.
[0069] In the case that the annular outer periphery cut portion is provided more outside
than the portion with respect to the annular projection on the top surface of the
plug, the vibration energy is easily transmitted to the annular projection via the
plug, and the melting of annular projection is facilitated, so that the plug and the
container body (outer container and the inner container) are easily welded. Further,
the vibration energy is hardly transmitted to the lower side of the annular outer
periphery cut portion, and specifically, the vibration energy flowing to the portion
which is more outside than the annular projection is reduced. Therefore, the melted
annular projection easily stays within the range between the upper surface of the
mouth and the lower surface of the plug, and the protrusion toward the outer peripheral
surface side is reduced.
[0070] Further, in a preferable case, the container body 16 is provided with the outer container
13 having a cylindrical neck part 13d, and the inner container 14 which is stored
inside the outer container 13 and has a neck part 14d fitting with the neck part 13d
of the outer container 13; and the inner container 14 is provided with a flange 14f
projected upward from the upper end surface 13f of the outer container 13 at the upper
end of the neck part 14d and engaged with the upper end surface 13f of the neck part
13d of the outer container 13; and the plug 15 seals the upper end opening of the
outer container 13 and the inner container 14 by mounting the plug 15 and welding
it on the upper end surface of the neck parts 13d, 14d of the outer container 13 and
the inner container 14, respectively.
[0071] In the case that the container body is provided with the outer container having a
cylindrical neck part, and the inner container which is stored inside the outer container
and has a neck part fitting with the neck part of the outer container; the inner container
is provided with a flange projected upward from the upper end surface of the outer
container at the upper end of the neck part of the inner container and engaged with
the neck part of the outer container; and the upper end opening of the outer container
and the inner container is sealed by mounting the plug and welding it on the upper
end surface of the neck parts of the outer container and the inner container, respectively,
although the heights of the welding part of the outer container and the welding part
of the inner container are different, any of these welding parts are highly sealed.
[0072] That is, normally, in the case that the heights of the welding part of the outside
and the welding part of the inside are different, the vibration energy tends to be
concentrated at only one side (usually high inside), and the welding at the other
side (usually lower outside) becomes insufficient. However, in the pressurized container
of the present invention, spreading the vibration energy to the outer periphery of
the plug is suppressed, and it is easily transmitted to the annular projection which
is the lower side of the surface abutted with the horn, so that both of the welding
parts having different heights can be sufficiently welded. Accordingly, the contents
leakage is suppressed for long time.
[0073] Further, it is preferable that the plug 15 is provided with the outer cylindrical
part 17a fitting with the outer periphery of the flange 14f of the inner container
14, the inner cylindrical part 15a1 to be inserted into the neck part 14d of the inner
container 14, and the flat part 17 abutted with the upper end surface 14e of the flange
14f of the inner container 14, and the lower end 17a1 of the outer cylindrical part
17a is abutted with the upper end surface 13f of the neck part 13d of the outer container
13.
[0074] In the case that the plug is provided with the outer cylindrical part fitting with
the outer periphery of the flange of the inner container, the inner cylindrical part
to be inserted into the neck part of the inner container, and the flat part abutted
with the upper end surface of the flange of the inner container, and the lower end
of the outer cylindrical part is abutted with the upper end surface of the neck part
of the outer container, since the position of the plug and the container body is not
shifted during the vibration energy is applied, the welding strength between the plug
and the inner container and between the plug and the outer container is high, and
the sealability is further enhanced.
[0075] In this case, at the upper end inner side of the inner cylindrical part 15a1 of the
plug 15, an annular inner periphery cut portion 133 which is different from the outer
periphery cut portion 17d may be formed.
[0076] In the case that at the upper end inner side of the inner cylindrical part of the
plug, and an annular inner periphery cut portion which is different from the outer
periphery cut portion is formed, when the vibration energy is applied by abutting
the horn to the top surface of the plug, flowing the vibration energy to the lower
side from the inner cylindrical part can be suppressed. Therefore, the welding strength
of the welding part is further enhanced, and the sealability is further enhanced.
Further, in the case that there is a bottom part at the lower side of the inner cylindrical
part, and the bottom part is provided with the openable seal part, flowing the vibration
energy to the bottom part can be suppressed, so that it can prevent the bottom part
from melting.
[0077] In any of the cases, the outer periphery cut portion 17d, 130a, 41 is preferably
a rectangular shape in cross section.
[0078] Further, when the outer periphery cut portion is a rectangular shape in cross section,
spreading the vibration energy to the outer periphery is suppressed, and therefore,
the protrusion of the welding waste is suppressed and it is easily welded.
[0079] The plug 15 used for the double pressurized container of the present invention is
provided with the flange 15b covering the upper end surface 13f of the outer container
13 and the neck part 14d of the inner container 14 and welding the lower surface to
the upper end surface 13f, and an annular outer periphery cut portion 17d, 130a, 41
is formed at the outer periphery edge on the top surface 17c of the flange 15b.
[0080] The plug used for the pressurized container of the present invention, since the annular
outer periphery cut portion is provided at the outer periphery edge on the top surface
of the flange, when the horn for oscillating the ultrasonic vibration is abutted to
the top surface, and further, when the ultrasonic vibration is oscillated from the
horn in the pressurized state, the oscillation of the horn to the lower side of the
outer periphery cut portion is controlled. Therefore, the vibration energy flowing
to the periphery of the plug is reduced. Accordingly, the melted annular projection
stays among the range between the upper surface of the mouth and the lower surface
of the plug, and the protrusion toward the outer periphery surface side is reduced.
Thus, it prevents the appearance of the discharge product, in which the contents are
charged and the plug is sealed by the ultrasonic wave welding, from deteriorating
by the resin piece (welding waste) which is made of the cooled protrusion or overflow
resin. Further, it prevents the welding from interrupting by the welding waste, and
the welding part (portion where the welding members are abutted and pushed each other)
can be surely welded, and the welding strength is enhanced, so that the occurrence
of contents leakage can be suppressed.
[0081] In such plug 15, it is preferable that the flange 15b has a flat part 17 and an outer
cylindrical part 17a provided at the outer periphery lower surface of the flat part,
and that the lower surface 17a1 of the outer cylindrical part 17a is the portion to
be which is welded to the neck part 13d.
[0082] In such plug, in the case that the flange has a flat part and an outer cylindrical
part provided at the outer periphery lower surface of the flat part, and that the
lower surface of the outer cylindrical part is the portion to be welded to the neck
part, the vibration energy easily flows downward via the outer cylindrical part, and
the welding between the outer cylindrical part and the container body becomes more
secure.
[0083] Further, it is preferable that the inner cylindrical part 15a1 is provided on the
inner periphery lower surface of the flange 15b, and makes a space from the outer
cylindrical part, and is provided concentrically with the outer cylindrical part 17a.
[0084] Further, in the case that the inner cylindrical part is provided on the inner periphery
lower surface of the flange, and makes a space from the outer cylindrical part, and
is provided concentrically with the outer cylindrical part, when the horn abuts to
the plug for the oscillation, and the inner cylindrical part is stored inside the
container body, the plug is stably held against oscillation.
[0085] It is preferable that an annular inner periphery cut portion 133 which is different
from the outer periphery cut portion 17d is formed at the upper end inner side of
the inner cylindrical part 15a1.
[0086] Further, in the case that the annular inner periphery cut portion which is different
from the outer periphery cut portion is formed at the upper end inner side of the
inner cylindrical part, the oscillation is hardly transmitted to the lower side of
the inner cylindrical part, so that the vibration energy is easily concentrated to
the welding part, and therefore, the welding is more secured.
[0087] It is preferable that a bottomed cylindrical shaped closing part 15a is provided
at the lower part of the inner cylindrical part 15a1.
[0088] In the case that the bottomed cylindrical shaped closing part is provided at the
lower part of the inner cylindrical part, the vibration energy is hardly transmitted
to the closing part, so that although the openable seal part is provided at the bottom
part of the closing part, it is not melted by the oscillation.
[0089] In any of the aforementioned plugs, it is preferable that the outer periphery cut
portion 17d, 130a, 41 is a rectangular shape in a cross section.
[0090] In the case that the outer periphery cut portion 17d is a rectangular shape in cross
section, spreading the vibration energy to the outer periphery is more suppressed,
so that the protrusion of the welding waste is suppressed and it is easily welded.
[0091] In yet another aspect of the double pressurized container 11, 31, 51 of the present
invention, the openable seal part 15d is divided from the periphery by the breakable
annular weakening line 15f, and is provided with a sharp point 15e2 perforating the
inner container 14 in the lower surface side.
[0092] At the time of opening the closing part when the double pressurized container is
used, the breaking part is broken by applying a force to the pressure receiving part
in which the upper surface is flat, and the closing part is torn off and falls to
the bottom of the inner container. When almost all the concentrate inside the inner
container is discharged and the inner container is largely contracted by the pressure
of the pressurizing agent, the sharp point penetrates through the inner container.
Therefore, it is possible to discharge the pressurizing agent, which is sealed between
the outer container and the inner container, to the outside, so that it can be safely
discarded. Further, the closing part provided with the sharp point is automatically
fallen inside the inner container, so that it is not required to be inserted before
charging the concentrate, and the manufacturing is facilitated.
[0093] It is preferable that the breaking part 15f is formed at the periphery of the pressure
receiving part 15d1.
[0094] In the double pressurized container in which the breaking part is formed at the periphery
of the pressure receiving part, the shearing force is applied to the breaking part,
so that the closing part is easily teared off.
[0095] Further, it is preferable that the rod-shaped project part 15e1 which projects downward
is provided to the lower surface side of the openable seal part 15d, and the sharp
point 15e2 is formed at the lower end of the project part 15e1.
[0096] In the case that the rod-shaped project part 15e1 projecting downward is provided
to the lower surface side of the closing part, and the sharp point 15e2 is provided
at the lower end of the project part 15e1, the rod-shaped project part 15e1 is laid,
and the sharp point of the closing part breaks through the bottom part or the body
part of the inner container.
[0097] Further, it is preferable that a hemispherical project part 232 projecting downward
is provided to the lower surface side of the openable seal part 15d, and the sharp
point 15e is provided at the lower end of the project part 232.
[0098] In the case that the hemispherical project part projecting downward is provided to
the lower surface side of the openable seal part and the sharp point is provided at
the lower end of the project part, the project part is easily arranged along the bottom
face of the inner container, and the sharp point is easily abutted perpendicular to
the bottom face. Therefore, the sharp point easily penetrates the bottom part of the
inner container, and the inner container is more surely penetrated.
[0099] In any of the cases, it is preferable to provide a flexible protection part 53 surrounding
the periphery of the sharp point 15e2.
[0100] In the case that the flexible protection part 53 surrounding the periphery of the
sharp point is provided, it can prevent the inner container from being perforated
and releasing the pressurizing agent before contracting it sufficiently. Further,
it can prevent the user from being injured by the sharp point during assembly, etc.,
so that it is safe.
[0101] In yet another aspect of the double pressurized container 11 of the present invention,
the outer container 13 and the inner container 14 are made of synthetic resin, and
have a joint part 13a3, 14a3 mutually connecting a part of the bottom part of the
outer container 13 with a part of the bottom part of the inner container 14.
[0102] When the concentrate is discharged from the concentrate chamber, the inner container
is contracted by receiving a pressure from the pressurizing agent of the pressurizing
agent chamber. At this time, the joint part of the inner container pulls the joint
part of the outer container inwardly, and finally, the joint part of the outer container
is teared off. Therefore, a hole corresponding to the joint part is made in the outer
container, and the pressurizing agent is released outside.
[0103] Further, the joint part 13a3 or its periphery is preferably made thin compare to
other part of the bottom part 13a.
[0104] In the case that the joint part or its periphery of the outer container is made thin
compare to other part of the bottom part, it becomes easy to tear off the joint part
of the outer container.
[0105] Further, it is preferable that the bottom part 13a of the outer container 13 and
the bottom part 14a of the inner container 14 are overlapped, and these bottom parts
13a, 14a are internally projected while curving.
[0106] Specifically, in the case that the bottom part of the outer container and the bottom
part of the inner container are overlapped, and these bottom parts are internally
projected while curving, the joint part is easily molded. In addition, even when the
inner pressure inside the outer container is reduced due to the discharge of the concentrate,
the shape of the bottom part of the outer container is hardly deformed. Therefore,
it is easy to tear off the joint part of the outer container.
[0107] Further, it is preferable that the joint part 13a3, 14a3 is recessed in the outer
surface side and is projected in the inner surface side.
[0108] In the case that the joint part is recessed in the outer surface side and is projected
in the inner surface side, the molding is facilitated, and it is easy to tear off
the joint part.
[0109] As the manufacturing method of the double pressurized container, the blow molding
is performed in the state that the outer container and the inner container are overlapped,
and before the resin is cured at the time of the blow molding or after the molding,
a part of the outer container and the inner container is pushed inwardly, and they
are bonded with each other by thermo-compression so as to be the joint part.
[0110] In the manufacturing method of the double pressurized container, by only performing
a simple processing or machining in the middle of manufacturing, a gas discharge function
can be applied.
[0111] The manufacturing method of the discharge product of the present invention includes
the steps of preparing the outer container 13 and the inner container 14 which is
stored inside the outer container 13, contracts by the outside force, and the concentrate
C is charged inside (SI to S3, S11 to S12); tightly mounting the plug 15 to the mouth
14f2 of the inner container 14 (S4); releasing the outside force which contracts the
inner container 14 (S5); charging the pressurizing agent P between the outer container
13 and the inner container 14 via the gap between the mouth 13g1 of the outer container
13 and the mouth 14f2 of the inner container 14 (S6); and sealing the gap between
the mouth 13g1 of the outer container 13 and the mouth 14f2 of the inner container
14 by the plug 15 (S7).
[0112] In the manufacturing method of the present invention, the concentrate can be charged
to the inner container from the mouth before the plug is mounted to the inner container.
Therefore, it can be charged efficiently compare to the case in which it is charged
via the valve. Since the concentrate is incompressible fluid, even when the contract
of the inner container is released, in the state that the air cannot be entered from
the outside when the plug is mounted, the shape of the inner container cannot be returned,
so as to maintain the contracted state. Therefore, the pressurizing agent is easily
charged between the outer container and the inner container. In addition, when the
pressurizing agent is charged, the pressurizing agent does not enter the inside of
the inner container.
[0113] In such manufacturing method of the discharge product 10, the inner container 14
may be compressed by compressing the outer container 13 in the preparation steps (S1
to S3), so that the inner container 14 is contracted.
[0114] In such double pressurized product manufacturing method, in the case that the inner
container is compressed together by compressing the outer container in the aforementioned
preparation steps, the contraction can be performed by a simple operation, and it
is easy to maintain the contracted state.
[0115] The compressing step S2, S12, may be performed before the concentrate C is charged
(S2), or after the concentrate C is charged (S12).
[0116] In the case that the compressing step is performed before the concentrate is charged,
it can be quickly compressed since there is no concentrate at the time of the compressing
operation.
[0117] In the case that the compressing step is performed after the concentrate is charged,
the charging of the concentrate is facilitated since it can be filled with remaining
a head space.
[0118] In the manufacturing method S1 to S8 in which the outer container 13 and the inner
container 14 are compressed together, it is preferable to release the compress of
the outer container 13 (S5) and elastically return to the original state before the
pressurizing agent P is charged between the outer container 13 and the inner container
14.
[0119] In the case that the compressing of the outer container is released and elastically
returned to the original state before the pressurizing agent is charged between the
outer container and the inner container, the inner container does not expand, and
only the outer container expands. Accordingly, the space to be filled with the pressurizing
agent can be easily formed between them, and the charging of the pressurizing agent
is facilitated.
[0120] In any of the aforementioned manufacturing methods, it is preferable to seal the
gap between the outer container 13 and plug 15, the gap between the inner container
14 and the plug 15, or both of the gaps by the ultrasonic wave welding (S7).
[0121] In the case that the gap between the outer container and the plug, the gap between
the inner container and the plug, or both of the gaps is sealed by the ultrasonic
wave welding, the charging of the pressurizing agent and the sealing can be continuously
performed, so that it is efficient.
[0122] Another aspect of the manufacturing method of the discharge product 10 of the present
invention includes the steps of preparing the outer container 13 and the inner container
14 which is stored in the outer container 13, contracting the inner container 14 (S2,
S21); charging the concentrate C inside the inner container 14 in the state that the
volume inside the inner container 14 is reduced to the specified volume (S3); tightly
mounting the plug 15 to the mouth 14f2 of the inner container 14 (S4); charging the
pressurizing agent P between the outer container 13 and the inner container 14 through
the gap between the mouth 13g1 of the outer container 13 and the mouth 14f2 of the
inner container 14 (S5); and sealing the gap between the mouth 13g1 of the outer container
13 and the mouth 14f2 of the inner container 14 by the plug 15 (S6).
[0123] In the manufacturing method of the present invention, the concentrate can be charged
in the inner container from the mouth before the plug is mounted to the inner container.
Therefore, it can be efficiently charged compare to the charging via the valve. Further,
since the inner container is contracted before the charging of the pressurizing agent,
the pressurizing agent is easily charged between the outer container and the inner
container. In addition, since the inner container is sealed by the plug at the time
of charging the pressurizing agent, the pressurizing agent does not enter the inside
of the inner container when the pressurizing agent is charged.
[0124] In such manufacturing method of the discharge product 10, the inner container 14
may be contracted by reducing the pressure inside the inner container 14 in a state
that the gap between the mouth 13g1 of the outer container 13 and the mouth 14f2 of
the inner container 14 is opened.
[0125] In such double pressurized product manufacturing method, when the inner container
is contracted by reducing the pressure inside the inner container in a state that
the gap between the mouth of the outer container and the mouth of the inner container
is opened, the inner container can be easily contracted.
[0126] Further, the inner container 13 may be contracted by charging fluid between the outer
container 13 and the inner container 14 through the gap of the mouth 13g1 of the outer
container 13 and the mouth 14f2 of the inner container 14 in the state that the mouth
14f2 of the inner container 14 opens.
[0127] Further, in the case that the inner container is contracted by charging fluid between
the outer container and the inner container through the gap of the mouth of the outer
container and the mouth of the inner container in the opening state of the mouth of
the inner container, the inner container can be easily contracted.
[0128] In any of the aforementioned manufacturing methods, it is preferable that the gap
between the outer container 13 and the plug 15, the gap between the inner container
14 and the plug 15, or the both is sealed by the ultrasonic wave welding (S6).
[0129] In the case that the gap between the outer container and the plug, the gap between
the inner container and the plug, or the both is sealed by the ultrasonic wave welding,
the charging of the pressurizing agent and the sealing can be continuously performed,
so that it is efficient.
[0130] Yet another aspect of the discharge product manufacturing method of the present invention,
it includes a step of charging the concentrate C to the inside of the inner container
14; a step of charging the pressurizing agent P between the inner container 14 and
the outer container 13; a step of fixing the plug 15 to the opening; and a step of
contracting the inner container 14 by dissolving gas G inside the inner container
14 to the concentrate C. Note that the phrase "gas G inside the inner container 14"
refers to the gas existed inside the inner container 14.
[0131] The discharge product manufacturing method of the present invention includes the
step of contracting the inner container by dissolving gas inside the inner container
to the concentrate. In this way, when the gas inside container is dissolved to the
concentrate, the formation of the gas-phase inside the inner container can be suppressed.
[0132] It may include a replacement step to replace the gas G inside the inner container
14 with another gas of which solubility to the concentrate C is higher than air.
[0133] In the case that it includes the replacement step to replace the gas G inside the
inner container 14 with another gas of which solubility to the concentrate C is higher
than air, the gas inside the inner container is easily dissolved to the concentrate,
and the formation of the gas-phase inside the inner container can be suppressed.
[0134] Further, it may includes the replacement step to replace the gas G inside the inner
container 14 with another gas of which solubility to the concentrate C is higher than
the pressurizing agent P.
[0135] In the case that it includes the replacement step to replace the gas inside the inner
container with another gas of which solubility to the concentrate is higher than the
pressurizing agent, the gas inside the inner container is easily dissolved to the
concentrate, and the formation of the gas-phase inside the inner container can be
suppressed.
[0136] It is preferable that the solubility of the gas G inside the inner container 14 with
respect to 1 ml of the concentrate under 1 atm at 25°C is more than 0.02 ml.
[0137] In the case that the solubility of the gas inside the inner container with respect
to 1 ml of the concentrate under 1 atm at 25°C is more than 0.02 ml, the gas inside
the inner container is easily dissolved to the concentrate.
[0138] Further, it is preferable that the step in which the plug 15 is fixed to the opening
is the welding, and after the welding step, the step in which the inner container
14 is contracted is performed by dissolving the gas G inside the inner container 14
to the concentrate C.
[0139] When the plug is welded to the opening, if there is the concentrate in the vicinity
of the welding part, there is a possibility that the welding may not be sufficient
due to the oscillation or the heat on the concentrate at the time of welding. Therefore,
the welding has to be performed in the state that the inner container is not charged
full with the concentrate and a gas-phase is remained. However, when the step to contracting
the inner container is performed after welding the plug by dissolving the gas inside
the inner container to the concentrate, the gas-phase inside the inner container can
be minimal, or can be disappeared.
[0140] Yet another aspect of the discharge product manufacturing method of the present invention
includes a step of preparing the outer container 13 and the inner container 14 having
a gas permeable; a step of charging the concentrate C into the inside of the inner
container 14; a step of charging the pressurizing agent P into the pressurizing chamber
Sp; a step of fixing the plug 15 to the openings of the outer container and the inner
container; and a step of contracting the inner container 14 by permeating the pressurizing
agent P charged between the inner container 14 and the outer container 13 through
the inner container and dissolving the pressurizing agent P to the concentrate C.
[0141] The discharge product manufacturing method of the present invention includes the
step of contracting the inner container by dissolving the pressurizing agent charged
between the inner container and the outer container to the concentrate. When the pressurizing
agent is dissolved to the concentrate, the gas inside the inner container permeates
the inner container, so that the formation of the gas-phase inside inner container
can be suppressed.
[0142] The solubility of the pressurizing agent P to the concentrate C is preferably higher
than the gas G inside the inner container 14.
[0143] In the case that the solubility of the pressurizing agent to the concentrate is higher
than the gas inside the inner container, the pressurizing agent is easily dissolved
to the concentrate, and the formation of the gas-phase inside inner container can
be suppressed.
[0144] The solubility of the pressurizing agent P with respect to 1 ml of the concentrate
under 1 atm at 25°C is preferably more than 0.02 ml.
[0145] In the case that the solubility of the pressurizing agent with respect to 1 ml of
the concentrate under 1 atm at 25°C is more than 0.02 ml, the pressurizing agent is
easily dissolved to the concentrate.
[0146] Further, it is preferable that the step of fixing the plug 15 to the openings is
the welding, and after the welding step, the step of contracting the inner container
14 is performed by dissolving the pressurizing agent P to the concentrate C.
[0147] When the plug is welded to the opening, if there is the concentrate in the vicinity
of the welding part, there is a possibility that the welding is not sufficient due
to the oscillation or the heat on the concentrate at the time of welding. Therefore,
the welding has to be performed in the state that the inner container is not charged
full with the concentrate and a gas-phase is remained. However, when the step to contracting
the inner container is performed after welding the plug by dissolving the pressurizing
agent inside the inner container to the concentrate, the gas-phase inside the inner
container can be minimal, or can be disappeared.
[0148] The gas containing food manufacturing method of the present invention includes preparing
the aforementioned double pressurized container, a food C in which the dissolved quantity
of the gas is equal to or less than 0.05, and a compressed gas P for dissolving in
the food in which the solubility to water under 25°C is equal to or less than 0.05;
charging the food C to the concentrate chamber Sc; after charging the gas P to the
pressurizing agent chamber Sp, welding the plug 15 to the container body 16 by the
ultrasonic wave welding and sealing the outer container 13 and the inner container
14; and permeating the gas P to be contained in the food C.
[0149] According to the gas containing food manufacturing method of the present invention,
the food in which the dissolved quantity of the gas is equal to or less than 0.05
is charged, so that almost all the gas does not evaporate from the food when the plug
is welded to the container body by the ultrasonic wave welding, and it can be surely
welded. Further, since the gas is dissolved to the food by permeating the inner container,
the food in which the gas is dissolved is obtained. Since the container body and the
plug are made of the same material, the recycling becomes easy after discharging the
food. Further, even when a space (head space) exists inside the inner container right
after the concentrate is charged, the gas is dissolved to concentrate by permeating
the inner container, and the inner container is contracted so as to eliminate the
head space. Therefore, when the plug is opened, the concentrate is prevented from
scattering. Further, since the pressure is largely lowered due to the dissolution
of the gas, the container body can be thin.
[0150] It is preferable that the food C is charged to the inner container 14, and the pressurizing
agent P is charged to the space between the outer container 13 and the inner container
14.
[0151] In the case that the food is charged to the inner container, and the pressurizing
agent is charged to the space between the outer container and the inner container,
the heat is hardly transmitted from the outside to the food inside the inner container,
and when the food cooled in advance is charged inside the inner container, the gas
between the outer container and the inner container is easily and quickly dissolved.
[0152] Further, it is preferable that the gas inside the inner container 14 is replaced
with the aforementioned gas P after the food C is charged to the inner container 14
.
[0153] When the gas inside the inner container is replaced with the aforementioned gas,
the gas is easily dissolved to the food.
[Brief Description of the Drawings]
[0154]
[Fig. 1] Figs. 1A and 1B are a schematic cross-sectional view showing an embodiment
of selling state of a discharge device of the present invention, respectively.
[Fig. 2] Figs. 2A and 2B are a schematic cross-sectional view of the discharge device
of Fig. 1 after it is opened and after it is used, and Fig. 2C is a main part cross-sectional
view showing another embodiment.
[Fig. 3] Figs. 3A and 3B are a main part cross-sectional view showing another embodiment
of the discharge device of the present invention before it is opened and after it
is opened.
[Fig. 4] Figs. 4A, 4B, and 4C are cross-sectional views showing another embodiment
of a double container, a discharge product, and a discharge device related to the
discharge device of the present invention.
[Fig. 5] Figs. 5A and 5B are main part cross-sectional views showing another embodiment
of the double pressurized container of the present invention before the plug is welded
and after the plug is welded.
[Fig. 6] Figs. 6A and 6B are main part cross-sectional views showing yet another embodiment
of the double pressurized container of the present invention before the plug is welded
and after the plug is welded.
[Fig. 7] Fig. 7 is a main part cross-sectional view showing yet another embodiment
of the double pressurized container of the present invention.
[Fig. 8] Fig. 8A is a main part cross-sectional view showing another embodiment of
the discharge member, and Fig. 8B is a main part cross-sectional view showing another
embodiment of the pressurized container.
[Fig. 9] Fig. 9A is a X-X line cross-sectional view of Fig. 8B, and Figs. 9B, 9C,
and 9D are plan cross-sectional views showing another embodiments of the same part
of Fig. 9A.
[Fig. 10] Figs. 10A and 10B are main part cross-sectional views showing another embodiment
of the discharge device of the present invention before opening and after opening.
[Fig. 11] Fig. 11A is a cross-sectional view showing another embodiment of the discharge
device of the present invention, Fig. 11B is a main part cross-sectional view showing
the discharge device after opening, and Fig. 11C is a Y-Y line cross-sectional view
of Fig. 11A.
[Fig. 12] Fig. 12A is a cross-sectional view showing the state in which another embodiment
of a plug covers the container body of Fig. 1B, and Fig. 12B is a cross-sectional
view showing the state after the plug is welded to the container body.
[Fig. 13] Fig. 13 is a cross-sectional view showing another embodiment of the discharge
member of the present invention.
[Fig. 14] Fig. 14A is a cross-sectional view showing the state in which the plug related
to another embodiment of the pressurized container covers the container body, and
Fig. 14B is a cross-sectional view after the plug is welded to the container body.
[Fig. 15] Fig. 15A is a whole cross-sectional view showing the state in which the
plug related to yet another embodiment of the pressurized container covers the container
body, and Fig. 15B is a main cross-sectional view showing the state after the plug
is welded to the container body.
[Fig. 16] Fig. 16A is a cross-sectional view showing another embodiment of the pressurized
container of the present invention before the plug is welded, and Fig. 16B is a cross-sectional
view showing the pressurized container, after the plug is welded, together with the
discharge member.
[Fig. 17] Fig. 17 is a cross-sectional view showing one embodiment of a discharge
device system of the present invention, in which the uses are different in the right
side and the left side discharge devices.
[Fig. 18] Figs. 18A and 18B are main part cross-sectional views showing the state
in which the pressurized product and the discharge member are correctly assembled,
respectively, and Figs. 18C and 18D are main part cross-sectional views showing the
state in which the pressurized product and the discharge member are incorrectly assembled,
respectively.
[Fig. 19] Fig. 19 is a main cross-sectional view showing another embodiment of the
discharge device related to the present invention.
[Fig. 20] Figs. 20A and 20B are a main cross-sectional view showing the state in which
the pressurized product and the discharge member are correctly assembled, respectively,
and Figs. 20C and 20D are a main cross-sectional view showing the state in which the
pressurized product and the discharge member are incorrectly assembled, respectively.
[Fig. 21] Fig. 21 is a main part cross-sectional view showing another embodiment of
the discharge device system of the present invention.
[Fig. 22] Fig. 22 is a cross-sectional view showing another embodiment of the discharge
device related to the present invention.
[Fig. 23] Fig. 23A is a main part cross-sectional view showing the discharge member,
Fig. 23B is a main part cross-sectional view showing another embodiment of the double
pressurized container, and Fig. 23C is a II-II line cross-sectional view of Fig. 23A.
[Fig. 24] Figs. 24A and 24B are main part cross-sectional views showing the discharge
device before opening and after opening.
[Fig. 25] Fig. 25 is a whole cross-sectional view showing the discharge device of
Fig. 24A after opening.
[Fig. 26] Figs. 26A and 26B are cross-sectional views showing yet another embodiment
of the discharge device of the present invention before opening and after opening.
[Fig. 27] Fig. 27 is a whole cross-sectional view showing the discharge device of
Fig. 26A after opening.
[Fig. 28] Fig. 28 is a main part cross-sectional view showing yet another embodiment
of the discharge device of the present invention before opening.
[Fig. 29] Fig. 29 is a whole cross-sectional view showing the discharge device of
Fig. 28 after opening.
[Fig. 30] Fig. 30A is a cross-sectional view showing yet another embodiment of the
double pressurized container (discharging container) of the present invention together
with the discharge member, and Fig. 30B is a cross-sectional view showing the double
pressurized container before the plug is mounted.
[Fig. 31] Fig. 31 is a cross-sectional view showing the outer container of the double
pressurized container of Fig. 30A after opening.
[Fig. 32] Fig. 32A and Fig. 32B are main part enlarged cross-sectional views showing
the state before opening the outer container and after opening the outer container
of the double pressurized container of Fig. 31A.
[Fig. 33] Fig. 33 is a cross-sectional view showing one embodiment of the manufacturing
method of the double pressurized container of the present invention.
[Fig. 34] Fig. 34 is a partial process diagram showing one embodiment of the manufacturing
method of the present invention.
[Fig. 35] Fig. 35 is a partial process diagram continued from Fig. 34.
[Fig. 36] Fig. 36 is a process diagram showing another embodiment of concentrate charging
step.
[Fig. 37] Fig. 37A is a main part cross-sectional view showing one embodiment of a
plug welding step related to the present invention, and Fig. 37B is a cross-sectional
view showing the state after the welding.
[Fig. 38] Fig. 38 is a partial cross-sectional front view showing the pressurizing
agent charging device used in the manufacturing method of the present invention.
[Fig. 39] Fig. 39 is a schematic process diagram showing one embodiment of the manufacturing
method of the pressurized product of the present invention.
[Fig. 40] Fig. 40 is a partial process diagram showing one embodiment of the manufacturing
method of the present invention.
[Fig. 41] Fig. 41 is a partial process diagram continued from Fig. 40.
[Fig. 42] Fig. 42 is a process diagram showing another embodiment of the concentrate
charging step.
[Preferred Embodiments of the Invention]
[0155] First, the outline of a discharge device of the present invention will be described
with reference to Figs. 1A and 1B. The discharge device 10 shown in Fig. 1A is provided
with a double pressurized container 11, a discharge member 12, and concentrate C and
pressurizing agent (propellant) P charged in the double pressurized container 11.
The double pressurized container 11 filled with concentrate C and the pressurizing
agent P is the discharge product (the pressurized product, and the double pressurized
product) 11a. The discharge product 11a and the discharge member 12 are sold as a
set product before assembling (see Fig. 1A), or it is sold in the unopened half assembled
state (see Fig. 1B). The discharge product 11a may be sold together with the discharge
member 12, and also, it is sold individually for a replacement. Also, the discharge
member 12 may be sold individually.
[0156] The double pressurized container 11 is provided with an outer container 13, an inner
container 14 stored inside the outer container and having flexibility, and a plug
15 sealing the outer container 13 and the inner container 14. The valve or a pump
is not provided. The inside of the inner container 14 is a concentrate chamber for
charging the concentrate C, and a space between the container 13 and the inner container
14 is a pressurizing agent chamber for charging the pressurizing agent P. They are
sealed by the plug 15.
[0157] The outer container 13 is provided with a hemispherical bottom part 13a, a cylindrical
body part 13b continued from its upper end, a shoulder part 13c continued from its
upper end, and a thick cylindrical neck part 13d which projects upward from its upper
end. A male screw 13e is formed at the outer periphery of the neck part 13d. The upper
end surface 13f of the neck part 13d is approximately flat in order to fix the plug
15. Note that an annular projection (see reference numeral 36b in Fig.3A) may be provided
at the upper end surface 13f. Since the bottom part 13a is formed in a hemispherical
shape, the pressure resistance is enhanced, and the impact resistance at the time
of dropping, etc. is enhanced. Therefore, it is safe at the time of distribution in
a single item or delivery as a home delivery.
[0158] The inner container 14 is the same as the outer container 13 and is provided with
a bottom part 14a, a body part 14b, a shoulder part 14c, and a neck part 14d. The
outer surface of the neck part 14d of the inner container 14 is tightly attached to
the inner surface of the neck part 13d of the outer container 13. The inner surface
of the neck part 14d of the inner container 14 is a smooth cylindrical surface. At
the upper end of the neck part 14d of the inner container 14, a flange for engaging
with the upper end surface 13f of the neck part 13d of the outer container 13 may
be provided (see reference numeral 38b in Fig. 3A). The bottom part 14a of the inner
container 14 abuts to the bottom part 13a of the outer container 13, and at the time
of charging the pressurizing agent or fixing the plug 15, etc., the inner container
14 is supported so as not to drop down.
[0159] Both the outer container 13 and the inner container 14 are made of synthetic resins,
and specifically, made of thermoplastic resin such as polyethylene terephthalate,
polyethylene naphthalate, polyethylene, polypropylene, etc., and for example, they
can be manufactured by inserting a preform for the inner container into a preform
for the outer container, and blow-molding the parts lower than the shoulder parts
13c, 14c at the same time. Specifically, it is preferable to use an injection-blow-molding
method in which a predetermined shaped preform is performed by injection-molding and
next the blow-molding is performed. As described above, by perform the blow-molding
at the same time, the outer container 13 and the inner container 14 can be molded
in approximately the same shape except the neck parts 13d, 14d. The outer container
13 is made thick to have pressure resistance, and the inner container 14 is made thin
to have flexibility or collapsibility. Note that when the outer container 13 is made
by blow molding with using a preform which is mixed with fine bubbles, it becomes
white opaque by elongating the bubbles. Accordingly, the shape of the inner container
14 can be hidden. In this case, since it does not include a pigment, it is easy for
recycling.
[0160] The plug 15 is provided with a bottomed cylindrical shaped closing part 15a which
is inserted into the inside of the neck part 14d of the inner container 14, and an
annular flange 15b continuing to its upper end. At the bottom part 15c of the closing
part 15a, an openable seal part 15d which is made thin is provided. Since the openable
seal part 15d is easily opened by the seal opening part 27 which will be described
later, a weakening line such as annular thin part, annular groove, etc. can be formed.
Further, the closing part 15a or the openable seal part 15d is partially hardened
by cooling condition at the time of molding, and the elongation at the time of opening
is suppressed, so that it may be easily broken. It is preferable that the outer periphery
surface of the cylindrical part of the closing part 15a provides a fitting state with
the inner surface of the neck part 14d of the inner container so that the air inside
the inner container 14 can be discharged from a gap between them when the plug 15
is mounted to the neck part 14d of the inner container, and can liquid-seal the concentrate
C inside the inner container 14. Further, the inner periphery surface of the cylindrical
part of the closing part 15a is a preferably a smooth cylindrical surface so as to
form a sealing with a valve when the openable seal part 15d is opened and not to leak
the concentrate, or the inner periphery surface may be a tapered shape which decreases
in a diameter toward lower side. After charging the concentrate C or the pressurizing
agent P, the flange 15b of the plug 15 is fixed to the upper end surface 13f of the
neck part 13d of the outer container 13 and the upper end surface 14e of the neck
part 14d of the inner container 14 by an ultrasonic wave welding, a laser welding,
a high frequency welding, etc., and they are sealed at the same time.
[0161] As the material of the plug 15, a thermoplastic resin having high thermal bondability
to the outer container 13 and the inner container 14 is used and in the case that
it is fixed by welding, the material is preferably the same as the material of the
outer container 13 and the inner container 14. Other than the welding, the plug 15
may be adhered by an adhesive agent. By sealing the concentrate chamber and the pressurizing
agent chamber with the plug 15, and by welding to any of the inner container 14 and
the outer container 13, or both of them, the contents (concentrate C, pressurizing
agent P) can be safely stored for a long time without leaking.
[0162] As the concentrate C, it includes human body goods such as skin supplies such as
face cleanser, detergent, bath agents, moisturizers, cleansing agents, sunscreen,
skin lotions, shaving agents, depilatory agents, antiperspirants, sterilizing disinfectants,
pest repellents, etc., hair supplies such as treatment agents, styling agents, hair
dyeing agents, etc., foods such as whipped cream, etc., household goods such as deodorants,
fragrances, insecticide, insect repellent, pollen remover, germicide, etc. However,
it is not limited to these applications. The concentrate C is preferably attached
to the inner surface side of the openable seal part 15d. With this, when the plug
5 is welded to the outer container 13 or the inner container 14, the openable seal
part 15d is cooled by the concentrate C. Therefore, the problem such that the openable
seal part 15d is melted by heat can be solved.
[0163] As the pressurizing agent P, it is preferable to include compressed gas such as nitrogen
gas, compressed air, carbon dioxide, etc. The pressure inside the double pressurized
container by the pressurizing agent is preferably 0.1 to 0.5 MPa (25°C, gauge pressure),
and it is preferable to have pressure 0.3 to 0.5 MPa (25°C, gauge pressure) which
is almost same pressure as a carbonated drink. Further, the capacity of the outer
container 13 is preferably 30 to 500 ml. The capacity of the inner container (concentrate
chamber) 14 is preferably approximately 20 to 300 ml. The capacity of the pressurizing
agent chamber is preferably approximately 10 to 200 ml.
[0164] As describe above, the number of parts of the double pressurized container 11 is
few, and it does not include a moving part such as a valve, so that it can be manufactured
at low cost. Since the pressure of the double pressurized container 11 is low and
is almost same as the carbonated drink, it is safe when consumers carries or when
distributors delivery. Further, in case, if the outer container 13 cracks, only the
pressurizing agent P leaks, but the concentrate C does not leak. Therefore, safety
can be further enhanced.
[0165] The discharge member 12 is provided with a cap (mounting part)20 screwing with a
male screw 13e of the neck part 13d of the outer container 13, a valve (valve) 21
held by the cap 20, and an operation button (operation part) 23 mounted to the stem
22 of the valve 21. The cap 20 is a bottomed cylindrical shape, and a female screw
is formed in the inner periphery surface. The upper bottom 20a is provided with a
shallow bottomed cylindrical shaped valve holding part 20b for holding an upper part
of the housing 24 of the valve 21 in the manner of being upwardly projected, and a
hole 20c for passing through a stem 22 is formed at the center of the upper bottom.
[0166] The valve 21 has a known basic structure which has a bottomed cylindrical shaped
housing 24, the stem 22 movably vertically stored inside the housing, a spring 25
energizing the stem 22 upwardly, and a stem rubber 26 provided between the upper end
of the housing 24 and the upper bottom face of the valve holding part 20b. Further,
in this embodiment, the housing 24 is provided with a thin tubular seal opening part
27 which is projected downward at the lower end thereof, and a seal member 28 such
as O-ring, etc. is mounted at the lower part outer periphery of the housing 24. The
lower end 27a of the seal opening part 27 is sharp in order to easily break the openable
seal part 15d. The seal member 28 is a member to seal between the inner periphery
surface of the closing part 15a of the plug 15 and the housing 24 at the time of opening
and after the opening.
[0167] At the time of distribution and sale, the cap 20 is attached to the outer container
13 as shown in Fig. 1B, and the double pressurized container 11 and the discharge
member 12 are temporarily connected by loosely screwing the cap 20. Accordingly, the
consumer who purchases it can easily perform the opening operation. In this state,
the seal member 28 does not abut to the inner surface of the closing part 15a. It
sometimes sales and distributes as a set in which the discharge product 11a and the
discharge member 12 are not assembled.
[0168] When the user purchases the discharge device 10 and uses it, first, the cap 20 is
screwed in. Accordingly, the seal member 28 seals between the plug 15 and the housing
24. Next, when the cap 20 is further screwed in, the lower end 27a of the seal opening
part 27 of the housing 24 breaks through the openable seal part 15d of the plug 15,
and connects the concentrate chamber inside the housing 24 with inside the inner container
14 (see Fig. 2A).
[0169] When the openable seal part 15d is broken, there is a possibility that the concentrate
C leaks from the gap between the inner periphery of the openable seal part 15d and
the outer periphery of the seal opening part 27. However, since the gap between the
closing part 15a and the housing 24 is sealed by the seal member 28, the concentrate
C remains inside the closing part 15a, and it does not leak outside. Further, the
inner pressure functions as pushing up the housing 24, but the cap 20 and the outer
container 13 are screwed, so that scattering out the discharge member 12 is suppressed.
[0170] Since the concentrate C inside the concentrate chamber is pressurized by the pressurizing
agent P through the inner container 14, when the user presses the operation button
23 attached to the stem 22, the stem 22 is lowered and the stem rubber 26 is deflected.
Then the stem hole opens, so that the concentrate C inside the inner container 14
is discharged to the outside through the seal opening part 27, the housing 24, the
stem 22, and the operation button 23. When stop pressing, the stem 22 is raised, and
it stops discharging. The pressurizing agent chamber in which the pressurizing agent
P is charged is closed, and it does not connect with the outside or the concentrate
chamber, so that the pressurizing agent P does not leak outside.
[0171] When the amount of the concentrate C in the inner container 14 decreases, the inner
container 14 is contracted as shown by the imaginary lines in Fig. 2A. And, after
discharging all, the walls of the inner container 14 are tightly contacted to each
other and become flat as shown in Fig. 2B. Further, since the inner container 14 is
molded by the blow molding, an area from the lower end of the neck part 14d to the
shoulder part 14c is thicker than the body part 14b. Therefore, at last, the shoulder
part 14c is deformed and pushed up into the neck part 14d. In this state, the cap
20 is removed from the outer container 13. Since the double pressurized container
11 uses compressed gas as the pressurizing agent P, when the concentrate C becomes
empty, the pressure decreases as approximately 0.01 to 0.2 MPa (gauge pressure). However,
in order to discharge the pressurizing agent P in the outer container 13, it is preferable
to provide a spike 15e extending downward at the bottom part of the seal part 15a
as shown in Fig. 2C, so that a hole is automatically made when the inner container
14 is contracted and the shoulder part 14c is pushed up. With this, the pressurizing
agent P inside the outer container 13 can be safely discharged, and the outer container
13 can be crushed, volume-reduced, and discarded. Note that the removed discharge
member 12 is reused so as to be mounted to a new double pressurized container 11.
It is preferable that a plurality of spikes 15e is projected downwardly.
[0172] Next, another embodiment of the discharge device will be described with reference
to Figs. 3A and 3B. The double pressurized container 31 and the discharge member 32
of the discharge device 30 of Fig. 3A are provided in the same basic structure as
the double pressurized container 11 and the discharge member 12 of Figs. 1A and 1B,
and these are partially changed.
[0173] The double pressurized container 31 is provided with an outer container 33, an inner
container 34, and a plug 35. An annular projection 36b is formed at the upper end
surface 36a of the neck part 36 of the outer container 33, to make a seal point with
the plug 35 by increasing the contact pressure when performing the ultrasonic wave
welding. The annular projection may be provided at the plug 35 side, or it may be
provided at both sides. A plurality of inclined parts 36c are provided at the inside
of the upper end surface 36a, and these provide a space to store resin pieces which
are made by cooling the resin melted when performing the ultrasonic wave welding,
so that it is not projected. The upper end surface 38a of the neck part 38 of the
inner container 34 is projected higher than the upper end surface 36a of the outer
container 33, and a flange 38b engaging with the upper end surface 36a of the outer
container 33 is formed at the projected part. The thickness of the flange 38b (dimension
of radial direction) is approximately 1/3 to 1/2 of the thickness of the neck part
36 of the outer container 33. Further, at the upper end surface 38a of the neck part
38 of the inner container 34, an annular projection 38c for welding is formed in order
to make a seal point by increasing the contact pressure with the plug 35. Such annular
projection may be provided at the plug 35 side, or it may be provided at both sides.
[0174] At the lower surface of the flange 38b of the inner container 34, a horizontal groove
38d for charging the pressurizing agent extending in the radial direction is formed.
Further, at the outer periphery surface of the neck part 38 of the inner container
34, a vertical groove 38e continuing to the horizontal groove 38d is formed. The upper
part of the neck part 38 of the inner container 34 is tightly fitted to the inner
periphery surface of the neck part 36 of the outer container 33 except the vertical
groove 38e.
[0175] The plug 35 is provided with a bottomed cylindrical shaped seal part 39 to be inserted
into the neck part 38 of the inner container 34, and an annular flange 40 continuing
to the upper end of the seal part. It is preferable that the inner surface of the
neck part 38 of the inner container 34 fits with the outer surface of the seal part
39 in a fitting state that air inside the inner container 34 can be discharged when
the plug 35 is mounted to the neck part 38 of the inner container, and further, the
concentrate inside the inner container 34 can be sealed. The seal part 39 is provided
with a tubular shaped fitting cylindrical part 41 projecting downwardly at the center
of the bottom part of the seal part. The bottom part 42 is provided in a position
slightly higher than the lower end of the fitting cylindrical part 41, and an openable
seal part 44 surrounded by the annular weakened line 43 is provided at the center
of the bottom part 42. The weakened line 43 has sufficient seal function in the unopened
state, and it has a shape which is easily broken. In this embodiment, the weakened
line 43 is formed in a V-groove.
[0176] The bottom part 42 is provided at the position slightly higher than the lower end
of the fitting cylindrical part 41 to enhance the rigidity of the bottom part 42 and
to facilitate the breaking of the weakened line 43. The diameter of the fitting cylindrical
part 41 becomes smaller than the diameter of the seal part 39 in order to enhance
the molding accuracy of the inner surface of the fitting cylindrical part 41, and
in order to decrease the upward force applied to the plug 35 by reducing the area
which is surrounded by the seal member 45 of the discharge member 32 and receives
the internal pressure. Further, this is to secure a space for storing the valve holding
part 20b which is projected downwardly. The lower end of the fitting cylindrical part
41 may be a tubular shape, but a groove may be provided so as not to accumulate gas
between the lower end and the bottom part 42, or a spike may be provided to penetrate
the inner container 32 (see reference numeral 15e in Fig. 2C).
[0177] The flange 40 of the plug 35 is provided with an annular disk part 46 which expands
radially outward from the upper end of the seal part 39, and an outer cylindrical
part 47 which extends downward from the outer edge of the annular disk part 46. The
lower surface of the annular disk part 46 is a part to be sealed by abutting to the
upper end surface 38a of the neck part 38 of the inner container 34, and the lower
surface of the outer cylindrical part 47 is a part to be sealed by abutting to the
upper end surface 36a of the neck part 36 of the outer container 33. Also in this
embodiment, welding and sealing of those sealing surfaces are performed at the same
time by the ultrasonic wave welding, etc.
[0178] The discharge member 32 is provided with a cap 20, a valve 21 held by the cap 20,
and an operation button (see Fig. 4C) mounted to the stem 22 of the valve 21. In this
embodiment, a cylindrical valve holding part 20b is projected downward from the center
of the cap 20. The valve 21 is provided with a housing 24, a stem 22 which is stored
inside the housing in a up-down movable manner, a spring 25 energizing the stem 22
upwardly, and a stem rubber 26. At the outer periphery of the housing 24, an annular
groove is formed, and a seal member 45 such as an O-ring, etc. is stored in the annular
groove. Those are practically the same as the embodiment of Figs. 1A and 1B, so that
the detailed description will be omitted.
[0179] In this embodiment, the lower end of the housing 24 is a seal opening part 27 which
is provided with the approximately conical shape projection. As shown in Fig. 3B,
a communication hole 48a and a vertical groove 48b are formed in the seal opening
part 27 in order to communicate between the inside of the housing 24 and the inside
of the inner container 34 after opening. The communication hole 48a and the vertical
groove 48b may be formed at one place, but multiple of these may be provided. At the
lower end 27a of the seal opening part 27, an end surface which is positioned closely
to or abuts to the upper surface of the openable seal part 44 is formed. As shown
in Fig. 3A, the position of the end surface is a position which abuts to the openable
seal part 44 when the cap 20 is screwed approximately one or two times to the male
screw of the outer container 33. Accordingly, at the time of shipping, the discharge
member 35 and the double pressurized container 31 can be connected in a state that
the cap 20 is loosely screwed and the openable seal part 44 is not broken with remaining
sealing state.
[0180] When the user uses, opening can be done by only rotating the cap 20 a few times.
When the cap 20 is rotated, the whole cap 20 and the valve 21 are lowered. Then, the
end surface 27a of the seal opening part 27 presses and breaks the openable seal part
44, as shown in Fig. 3B. For example, the weakened line 43 is not formed or the V-groove
is made shallow at one section in advance, so that the openable seal part 44 does
not drop off when opening, and it remains as a hanging state from the bottom part
42. Therefore, there is an advantage that the communication hole 48a is not blocked
by the openable seal part 44 which becomes free. When a plurality of communication
holes 48a are provided, if one is blocked, other communication holes 48a can communicate.
[0181] The double container 50 shown in Fig.4A is provided with the outer container 33 and
the inner container 34 stored inside the outer container. The plug is not provided
yet. In this embodiment, the bottom part 33a of the outer container 33 is provided
with an annular flat surface 51 and a dome-shaped project part 52 which is provided
at the center of the flat surface and projects upwardly. The inner container 34 also
has a bottom part 34a which is similar to the outer container 33. It may be a petaloid
type. This can be stably placed on a flat surface of a table, etc. Further, an annular
support part 53 is provided at the outer periphery of the neck part 36 of the outer
container 33. The support part 53 is held by a claw or a holder, etc. at the time
of the transport of the double container 50 or the manufacturing steps of charging
the concentrate, charging the pressurizing agent, welding the plug, etc. Other points
are practically the same as the double container of Fig. 1A.
[0182] The discharge product 31a of Fig. 4B is the double container 50 of Fig. 4A in which
the concentrate C is charged in the inside (concentrate chamber) of the inner container
34, and the pressurizing agent (propellant) P is charged between the inner container
34 and the outer container 33 (pressurizing agent chamber), and the upper end opening
of the inner container 34 and the outer container 33 is sealed by the plug 35. The
plug 35 is similar to the plug 35 of Fig. 3A, and the bottom part 42 of the plug 35
is provided with the openable seal part 44. The flange 40 of the plug 35 is welded
to the upper end of the neck part 36 of the outer container 33 and the upper end of
the neck part 38 of the inner container 34 by the ultrasonic wave welding. Instead
of the ultrasonic wave welding, it may be bonded by adhesive agents.
[0183] In this discharge product 31a, it is sealed by the plug 35, and a valve for opening
is not provided, and the openable seal part 44 is provided inside, so as to have high
safety at the time of transportation. Particularly, since the outer container 33 and
the inner container 34 are made of synthetic resin, and the inner container 34 is
surrounded by the pressurizing agent P, and further, it is surrounded by the outer
container 33, the elasticity of the discharge product 31a is high, and even dropped,
it is hardly broken. Further, since the openable seal part 44 is provided inside,
it reduces the risk that the openable seal part 44 is erroneously broken. Therefore,
the safety is further enhanced.
[0184] The discharge device 30 of Fig. 4C is a device in which the discharge member 32 is
mounted to the discharge product 31a of Fig. 4B, and it is shown in the opening state.
The discharge member 32 is provided with a cap 20, a valve 21 held to the cap 20,
and an operation button (actuator) 23 attached to the stem 22 of the valve 21. The
cap 20 and the valve 21 are practically the same as the cap 20 and the valve 21 of
the discharge member 32 of Fig. 3A. The operation button 23 is practically the same
as the operation button 23 of Fig. 1A.
[0185] As described above, in the discharge device of the present invention, after the concentrate
chamber is empty, the discharge member can be removed and replaced to a new discharge
product. However, when the discharge member used for, for example, spraying insecticide
is attached to a discharge product for hair care product, there is a risk that will
harm the user's health. Further, when different types of concentrates are mixed, there
is a risk that an unexpected chemical reaction may occur. The dispenser system of
the present invention can avoid the aforementioned problems by not be able to mount
the discharge member of the particular group to the discharge product of another group.
[0186] The reuse between the different types of concentrations each other is prevented by,
for example, changing a dimension or a shape of the part fitting the seal part of
the plug and the housing in each type of the concentrates or by changing an inner
diameter of the cap or a pitch of the screw. Further, it may be considered that a
combination in a case in which a risk is high is surely prevented, and if the risk
is low, it is accepted.
[0187] In the double pressurized container 11 of Fig. 1A, the height of the upper end surface
13f of the neck part 13d of the outer container 13 and the height of the upper end
surface 14e of the neck part 14d of the inner container 14 are the same. Therefore,
when the flange 15b of the plug 15 abuts to both of the upper end surfaces 13f, 14e
of the neck parts 13d, 14d, and the horn (reference numeral H of Fig. 5A) abuts to
the upper surface of the flange 15b, and the ultrasonic wave welding is performed,
the vibration is transmitted via the part which is the same thickness as the flange
15b. Accordingly, the vibration is approximately equally transmitted, and both can
be welded nearly equal. The problem such that only one side is welded, and the other
is insufficiently welded does not occur.
[0188] The double pressurized container 55 of Fig. 5A is similar to the double pressurized
container 11 of Fig. 1A and is provided with the outer container 13, the inner container
14, and the plug (lid) 15. The inside of the inner container 14 is the concentrate
chamber Sc, and the space between the outer container 13 and the inner container 14
is the pressurizing agent chamber Sp. The outer container 13 is almost the same as
the outer container 33 of Fig. 4, and is provided with the bottom part, the body part,
the shoulder part 13c, and the neck part 13d. However, in the double pressurized container
55, at the inner periphery side of the upper end surface 13f of the neck part 13d
of the outer container 13, an annular step part 13h is formed. Note that it can be
seen that a protruding wall 13i is provided at the outer periphery side of the upper
end surface.
[0189] On the other hand, the inner container 14 is practically the same as the inner container
34 of Fig. 4A, and is provided with the bottom part, the body part, the shoulder part
14, and the neck part 14d. In this inner container 14, a flange 14f is provided at
the outer periphery of the upper end of the neck part 14d. The thickness of the flange
14f in the vertical direction is the same as the depth of the annular step part 13h,
and the outer diameter of the flange 14f is smaller than the internal diameter of
the annular step part 13h. Accordingly, the flange 14f can be engaged with the annular
step part 13h. In the engagement state, the heights of the upper end surface 13f of
the neck part 13d of the outer container 13 and the upper end surface 14e of the neck
part 14d of the inner container 14, that is, the upper end surface of the flange 14f,
are the same.
[0190] At the upper end surface 13f of the neck part 13d of the outer container 13, an annular
projection 13g is formed in order to provide a seal point by increasing the contact
pressure with the plug 15 when performing the ultrasonic wave welding. Further, at
the upper end surface 14e of the neck part 14d of the inner container 14, an annular
projection 14g is formed in order to provide a seal point by increasing the contact
pressure with the plug 15 when performing the ultrasonic wave welding.
[0191] The plug 15 is provided with a bottomed cylindrical shaped seal part 15a which is
inserted into the inside of the neck part 14d of the inner container 14, and a disk-shaped
flange 15b expanding outward from the upper end of the seal part. The seal part 15a
is provided with an inner cylindrical part 15a1 of the upper side, a narrow tubular-shaped
fitting cylindrical part (valve housing part) 15a2 of the lower side, and a bottom
part 15c. The inner periphery surface of the fitting cylindrical part 15a2 is a cylindrical
surface, and after fitting the discharge member, this is the part where the seal member
(reference numeral 28 of Fig. 1A, reference numeral 45 of Fig. 3A) is tightly contacted.
At the bottom part 15c, the thickened openable seal part 15d is provided. In order
to being easily opened by the seal opening part (reference numeral 27 of Figs. 1A
and 3B), the openable seal part 15d is surrounded by the weakened line 15f such as
an annular thin part, an annular groove, etc. Further, a reinforcement part (reinforcing
rib) 15g is provided at the bottom part 15c, and at the part, the weakened lines is
not provided, so that when it is broken by the seal opening part, it is hanged down
with the connection of the bottom part 15c at the reinforcement part 15g. However,
it may be possible that the reinforcement part 15g is not provided and the openable
seal part 15d is dropped off.
[0192] Further, at the double pressurized container of Fig. 5A, the openable seal part 15d
is made thicker than the bottom part 15c and is projected upwardly. Accordingly, when
a pressure receiving part 15d1 of the upper surface of the openable seal part 15d
is pressed by the seal opening part (reference numeral 27 of Fig. 3) of the discharge
member, the openable seal part 15d is hardly deformed, so that the weakened line 15f
is easily broken.
[0193] As described above, since the heights of the upper end surface 13f of the outer container
13 and the upper end surface 14e of the inner container are the same, the thickness
of the flange 15b of the plug 15 (dimension of the vertical direction) can be uniformed.
Accordingly, when the horn H is contacted to the upper surface of the plug 15 and
the ultrasonic wave welding is performed, the contact pressure between the flange
15b and the upper end surface 13f of the outer container 13 and the contact pressure
between the flange 15b and the upper end surface 14e of the inner container 14 can
be almost the same, and as shown in Fig. 5B, the welding of both of the welding parts
Y1, Y2 can be almost the same. That is, the problem such that when one is welded,
the other is insufficiently welded does not occur. Note that since the flange 14f
of the inner container 14 is supported by the annular step part 13h of the outer container,
the force pressing the horn H does not escape.
[0194] In the double pressurized container 55 of Fig. 5A, at the lower surface of the flange
14f of the inner container 14, a horizontal groove 14h for charging pressurizing agent
extending in a radial direction is formed. Further, at the outer periphery surface
of the neck part 14d of the inner container 14, a vertical groove 14i continuing to
the horizontal groove 14h is formed. The upper part of the neck part 14d of the inner
container 14 fits tightly to the inner periphery surface of the neck part 13d of the
outer container 13 except the vertical groove 14i. Further, within the outer periphery
surface of the flange 14f of the inner container 14, at the part corresponding to
the horizontal groove 14h, a notch groove 14f1 for charging pressurizing agent which
extends in the vertical direction is formed.
[0195] In a double pressurized container 56 shown in Fig. 6A, the annular projection in
order to provide a seal point by increasing the contact pressure with the plug 15
when performing the ultrasonic wave welding is not provided in the outer container
13 and the inner container 14, and it is provided in the plug 15 side. That is, the
upper end surface 13f of the neck part 13d of the outer container 13 and the upper
end surface 14e of the flange 14f of the inner container are formed flat, and an annular
projection 15b 1 in order to provide a seal point at the lower surface of the flange
15b of the plug 15 in between with the upper end surface 13f of the outer container
13 is provided. Further, at the lower surface of the flange 15b of the plug 15 and
the root (base part) of the outer periphery surface of the seal part 15a, an inclined
part (fillet part) 15b2 in order to provide a seal point in between with the corner
of the upper end inner periphery of the neck part 14d of the inner container 14 is
formed. Other points are similar to the double pressurized container 55 of Fig. 5A.
[0196] In the double pressurized container 56 with such structure, as shown in Fig. 6B,
after the ultrasonic wave welding, a welding part Y1 is formed between the upper end
surface 13f of the outer container 13 and the flange 15b of the plug 15, and a welding
part Y3 is formed between the inclined part 15b2 of the plug 15 and the corner of
the upper end inner periphery of the inner container 14. Since the welding part Y3
by the inclined part 15b2 is welded at two surfaces of the horizontal surface (upper
end surface 14e) and the vertical surface (inner periphery surface) with respect to
the inner container 14, the welding strength and the sealability are high.
[0197] In the double pressurized container 58 shown in Fig. 7, an approximately cylindrical
seal part 15a extends to the lower side, and a fitting cylindrical part 15a2 is concentrically
provided at the inner side of the seal part 15a. The fitting cylindrical part 15a2
raises upward from the central area of the bottom part 15c of the seal part 15a, and
the upper end opens. The upper part of the seal part 15a is approximately cylindrical
shape, and the lower part 15a3 is a tapered shape which becomes narrow downwardly.
However, it may be a cylindrical shape from the upper part to the lower part. An annular
step part or a rib may be provided at the outer side of the lower part 15a3, and in
this case, the annular step part or the rib form a line seal with a tapered part 14d2
of an inner container 14 which will be described later when mounting the plug 15 to
the container body 16. And when the pressurizing agent P is charged in the pressurizing
agent chamber Sp, the line seal can prevent the pressurizing agent from entering the
inside of the inner container 14.
[0198] On the other hand, the neck part 14d of the inner container 14 has a shape almost
closed contact with the outer periphery surface of the seal part 15a, and is provided
with a cylindrical upper part 14d1, a tapered part 14d2 which becomes narrow downwardly
below the cylindrical upper part, and a cylindrical part 14d3 extending downward from
the lower end of the tapered part. The lower end of the cylindrical part 14d3 continues
to the shoulder part 14c. That is, the tapered part 14d2 of the neck part 14d of the
inner container 14, the cylindrical part 14d3 and the upper part of the shoulder part
14c form a narrowed portion.
[0199] The point in which the openable seal part 15d surrounded by the weakened line 15f
is provided at the bottom part 15c of the fitting cylindrical part 15a2 is similar
to the double pressurized container 11 of Figs. 1A and 3A. However, in the double
pressurized container 58 of Fig. 7, a pressure receiving part 15d1 is provided on
the upper surface of the openable seal part 15d. Therefore, the openable seal part
15d is hardly deformed, and the breaking of the openable seal part 15d by the seal
opening part (reference numeral 27 of Fig. 1A) of the discharge member is facilitated.
Further, a notch 15h is provided at the outer periphery of the upper surface of the
plug 15. By this notch 15h, when performing the ultrasonic wave welding by pressing
the horn to the upper surface of the plug 15, the vibration of the horn is concentrated
to the annular projection 13g on the upper end of the neck part of the outer container
13.
[0200] In the plug 15 of Fig. 7, a fitting cylindrical part 15a2 is provided inside the
seal part 15a, and the lower end 15a4 of the aforementioned tapered lower part 15a3
is connected to the lower end of the lower cylindrical part 15a5 extending downward
from the fitting cylindrical part 15a2 via a connection part 15a6. Further, the openable
seal part 15d is provided to the bottom part 15c which closes the position slightly
upper than the lower end of the lower part cylindrical part 15a5. Accordingly, when
performing the ultrasonic wave welding by pressing the horn to the upper surface of
the plug 15, the vibration of the horn is easily transmitted to the concentrate C
side from the lower end 15a4 of the seal part via the seal part 15a (see arrow B).
Further, since the openable seal part 15d is provided higher than the connection part
15a6, the vibration is hardly transmitted to the openable seal part 15d. Therefore,
the melting or the penetrating, etc. of the weakened line 15f is prevented.
[0201] In the double pressurized container 58 of Fig. 7, a narrowed part configured with
the tapered part 14d2 and the cylindrical part 14d3 is formed at the neck part 14d
of the inner container 14, and since the narrowed part is tightly contacted with the
seal part 15a of the plug 15, when the concentrate C is charged into the inner container
14, the gas-phase Gp (head space Hs) becomes small. Accordingly, it reduces a risk
of occurring such problems that the concentrate C is discharged vigorously by the
gas pressurized due to the gas-phase Gp and splashes when the user starts using, and
further, the gas is mixed with the concentrate C and the concentrate C is not continuously
discharged at the time of discharging. Therefore, the discharging becomes smooth.
Particularly, even if the concentrate includes a post-foaming gel composition or a
post-forming cream composition containing a foaming agent such as isopentane, 1-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoropropene,
etc., in which the boiling point is 10 to 35°C, the gas-phase Gp is small, so that
the concentrate is prevented from foaming right after the charging, and it can be
discharged in the gel state or the cream state.
[0202] In the above, the preferable embodiments of the present invention were described.
However, the present invention is not limited to the aforementioned embodiments, and
various modifications may be made within the scope of the present invention. In the
aforementioned embodiments, the plug is welded to both of the inner container and
the outer container, but it may be fixed to any one of these, and the other one may
be simply sealed by O-ring, etc. Further, in the aforementioned embodiments, the inner
container and the outer container are manufactured by the blow molding at the same
time, but it may be manufactured separately, and after that, the inner container may
be stored inside the outer container, or the inner container may be manufactured by
the blow molding in the molded outer container. The annular projections 38c, 36b which
can make sure the seal point of Fig. 3A, etc. can be also provided at the outer container
13, the inner container 14, or the plug 15 of Fig. 1A.
[0203] In the double pressurized container 58 of Fig. 7, the neck part 14d of the inner
container 14 and the lower part 15a3 of the seal part 15a of the plug 15 may be a
straight cylindrical shape. However, it is preferable that the narrowed portion is
provided in the neck part 14d of the inner container 14, and the lower part 15a3 of
the seal part 15a of the plug 15 is formed in a tapered shape, since the diameter
and the volume of the gas-phase Gp can be smaller.
[0204] As shown in Fig. 8B, the plug 15 is provided with the bottomed cylindrical shaped
seal part 15a to be inserted into the inside of the neck part 14d of the inner container
14 and the annular flange 15b continuing to the upper end of the seal part. The lower
part of the seal part 15a is the fitting cylindrical part 15a2 which has a smaller
diameter than the upper part. An openable seal part 15d provided with the pressure
receiving part 15d1 which is made thicker as compared with that of the periphery,
is provided at the bottom part of the seal part 15a, that is, the bottom part 15c
of the fitting cylindrical part 15a2. Normally, the openable seal part 15d is a circular
shape in plane view. However, other shapes such as rectangle shape, etc. can be employed.
Further, in the embodiment of Fig. 8B, the upper surface of the openable seal part
15d is projected, but it may be convex shape in a cross-section by denting the bottom
part.
[0205] The periphery of the openable seal part 15d is surrounded by the weakened line 15f
such as an annular groove, etc. except a part (continuous part) 15d2. The aforementioned
pressure receiving part 15d1 is provided at the entire upper surface of the openable
seal part 15d, and the weakened line 15f is formed at the upper surface of the bottom
part 15c in a manner of surrounding the periphery of the pressure receiving part 15d1.
The weakened line 15f is formed in, for example, a V-groove. At the continuous part
15d2 of the openable seal part 15d, the reinforcement part (reinforcing rib) 15g is
provided in a manner of extending in the radial outward direction. The reinforcement
part 15g is a member to maintain the connection of the openable seal part 15d with
the bottom part 15c to prevent the openable seal part 15d from dropping off inside
the container (see Fig. 10B) when the openable seal part 15d is broken along the weakened
line 15f. The height of reinforcement part 15g is equal to or lower than the pressure
receiving part 15d1 so as not to disturb the contact between the seal opening part
27 of the discharge member 12 and the pressure receiving part 15d1 of the openable
seal part 15d. The seal part 15a or the openable seal part 15d may be partially hardened
by cooling condition, etc. at the time of molding, so that stretching at the time
of opening is suppressed, and it can be easily broken.
[0206] Though the reinforcement part 15g is one rib as shown in Fig. 9A, it can be two ribs
spaced in a predetermined angle as shown in Fig. 9B. In this case, the weakened line
15f is not provided between the reinforcement parts 15g. By providing reinforcement
part 15g at two sections, the connection of the openable seal part 15d can be surely
maintained while assuring the wide space of the fluid channel at the time of opening.
Further, as shown in Fig. 9C, by forming a fan-shaped reinforcement part 15g, the
fluid channel can be assured at the time of opening, and the dropping off prevention
of the openable seal part 15d can be further enhanced. Note that the reinforcement
part may not be provided as shown in Fig. 9D, and simply, the weakened line 15f may
not be formed in a predetermined angular range (90 degrees in Fig. 9D). The range
where the weakened line 15f is not provided is the continuous part 15d2.
[0207] The discharge member 12 shown in Fig. 8A is provided with a cap (mounting part) 20
screwing with the male screw 13e of the neck part 13d of the outer container 13, a
valve 21 held by the cap 20, and an operation button (operation part, actuator) 23
mounted to the stem 22 of the valve 21. The cap 20 is a bottomed cylindrical shape,
and a female screw is formed at inner peripheral surface. At the lower side of the
upper bottom 20a, a valve holder 18 which has a cylindrical valve holding part 18a
for holding the upper part of the housing 24 of the valve 21 is assembled.
[0208] As shown in Fig. 8A, the valve holder 18 is provided with an annular rubber retainer
18b extending to the inside from the upper end of the valve holding part 18a, and
a flange 18c expanding outward. And a hole 18d in which a stem 22 passes through is
formed in the center of the rubber retainer 18b. An opening 20b in which the stem
22 passes through and the base part of the operation button 23 passes through is formed
at the center of the upper bottom 20a of the cap 20.
[0209] The valve 21 has a known basic structure which is provided with the bottomed cylindrical
shaped housing 24, the aforementioned stem 22 vertically movably stored inside the
housing, a spring 25 energizing the stem 22 upward, and a stem rubber 26 provided
between the upper end of the housing 24 and the rubber retainer 18b of the valve holder
18. Further, in this embodiment, the housing 24 is provided with an approximately
columnar shaped seal opening part 27 projecting downward at the lower end of the housing,
and a seal member 28 such as an O-ring, etc. is mounted at the lower part outer periphery
of the housing 24. The bottom face (lower surface) 27a of the seal opening part 27
is set as the size with which the whole pressure receiving part 15d1 of the plug 15
can be abutted, and it is made flat in an abutting manner with the upper surface of
the pressure receiving part 15d1. In the embodiment, the diameter of the seal opening
part 27 is equal to or slightly larger than the pressure receiving part 15d1. Further,
it is slightly smaller than the diameter of the range surrounded by the weakened line
15f. With this, at the time of breaking, the bottom face 27a of the seal opening part
does not abut to the outer periphery part more outside than the weakened line of the
bottom part 15c, so as not to disturb the pressing of the pressure receiving part
15d1. And after breaking, the bottom face 27a of the seal opening part 27 can be projected
lower than the opening which is formed by unsealing, so that the passage of the concentrate
C is easily secured.
[0210] The seal member 28 is a member to seal between the inner periphery surface of the
fitting cylindrical part 15a2 of the plug 15 and the housing 24 at the time of unsealing
and after unsealing. A deep hole 27b communicating with the inside of the housing
24 is formed in the center of the seal opening part 27, and a horizontal hole 27c
communicating with the inside and the outside of the deep hole 27b is formed in the
seal opening part 27. After opening, the horizontal hole 27c communicates between
the inside of the housing 24 and the inside of the concentrate chamber Sc in the inner
container 14, to serve as a passage for concentrate to be discharged. Since the horizontal
hole 27c is not blocked by the broken openable seal part 15d, the stable discharging
state is maintained. Instead of the horizontal hole 27c, a vertical hole reaching
to the bottom face 27a at the center of the seal opening part 27 can be formed. Further,
both the horizontal hole and the vertical hole may be formed.
[0211] As shown in Fig. 10A, the position in the height direction of the bottom face 27a
of the seal opening part 27 is a position abutting to the pressure receiving part
15d1 when the cap 20 is screwed one to two times to the male screw of the outer container
13. Accordingly, at the time of shipping, the openable seal part 15d is not broken
by loosely screwing the cap 20, and the discharge member 12 can be connected with
the double pressurized container 11 with remaining in the sealing state.
[0212] At the time of distribution and sale, as shown in Fig. 10A, the cap 20 is mounted
to the outer container 13, and the double pressurized container 11 and the discharge
member 12 are loosely screwed and temporarily connected. In this state, the seal member
28 closely contacts with the inner surface of the fitting cylindrical part 15a2. With
this, the user who purchased it can easily open by only turning and screwing the cap
20 few times.
[0213] When the user uses the purchased discharge device 10, first, the cap 20 is screwed
onto the male screw 13e of the outer container. With this, whole cap 20 and the valve
21 are lowered, and the bottom face 27a of the seal opening part 27 pushes down the
openable seal part 15d. Accordingly, the openable seal part 15d is broken along the
weakened line 15f, the bottom part 15c of the fitting cylindrical part 15a2 is broken
through, and the inside of the housing 24 is communicated with the concentrate chamber
Sc which is the inside of the inner container 14 (see Fig. 10B).
[0214] Note that since the cap 20 is screwed to the outer container 13, the lowering amount
of the valve 21 is small as compared to the operation amount of the cap. Accordingly,
the bottom face 27a of the seal opening part 27 gradually presses the pressure receiving
part 15d1 of the openable seal part 15d. Since the plug 15 is made of synthetic resin,
when gradually pressing, the openable seal part 15d is easily extended and hardly
broken by its extensibility. However, in this embodiment, since the openable seal
part 15d is surrounded by the annular weakened line 15f, and the pressure receiving
part 15d1 is projected, the stress concentration to the weakened line 15f is increased,
and it can be smoothly broken. Further, since the bottom face 27a of the seal opening
part 27 is formed flat, it is hardly deformed by the opening operation, and the discharge
member can be repeatedly used.
[0215] The openable seal part 15a is provided with the thickened and approximately circular
shaped pressure receiving part 15d1 at the upper part thereof on the central axis
of the plug 15. And the openable seal part abuts to the circular shaped bottom face
27a of the seal opening part 27. Therefore, when it is pressed by the bottom face
27a, the openable seal part 15d is pushed straight, and the break progresses along
the weakened line 15f. When beginning the break, the openable seal part 15d begins
to lean while maintaining the connection at the reinforcement part 15g. Since the
broken openable seal part 15d continues to the periphery (outer periphery part more
outside than the weakened line 15f) at the continuous section 15d2, it is not dropped
off and remains in the hanging state from the bottom part 15c. Note that since the
continuous section extends due to the extensibility of the aforementioned synthetic
resin, the tearing-off of the openable seal part 15d can be suppressed. Accordingly,
the dropped-off openable seal part 15d does not disturb the discharge of the concentrate.
[0216] The discharge device 30a shown in Fig. 11A is practically the same as the discharge
device 10 shown in Figs. 8 to 10B other than the shape difference around the seal
opening part 27 of the discharge member 12. Therefore, the same reference numerals
are used for the same parts, and the descriptions thereof will be omitted. In the
discharge device 30a, the seal opening part 27 provided at the lower part of the housing
24 has smaller diameter than the openable seal part 15d of the plug 15. A plurality
of reinforcing plates 27d are radially provided between the columnar shaped seal opening
part 27 and the lower surface 24a of the housing 24 (see Fig. 11C). The number of
the reinforcing plates 27d is preferably three to five.
[0217] The reinforcing plates 27d do not reach the lower end of the seal opening part 27,
and the vicinity of the lower end of the seal opening part 27 is to remain in the
columnar shape, and the bottom face 27a is flat. The passage communicating between
the inside of the housing 24 and the concentrate chamber Sc inside the inner container
14 is formed as a vertical hole 24c which vertically penetrates the bottom plate 24b
of the housing 24. The vertical hole 24c is formed at a space between the reinforcing
plates 27d which are adjacent to each other, and the number of vertical holes is equal
to the number of the reinforcing plates 27d (see Fig. 11C). However, it may be fewer
than that such as one to two, etc. The shape of the vertical hole 24c in a plane view
can be an approximately fan shape.
[0218] In this discharge device 30a, when the cap 20 is screwed to the neck part 13d of
the outer container 13, the bottom face 27a of the seal opening part 27 presses the
pressure receiving part 15d1 downwardly as shown in Fig. 11B, and it breaks the openable
seal part 15d along the weakened line 15f. The broken openable seal part 15d is hanged
down from the bottom part 15c in the connecting state with the continuous section
15d2. At this time, the lower part of the seal opening part 27 is inserted into the
through-hole after the openable seal part 15d is opened. But the diameter of the seal
opening part 27 is smaller than the diameter of the openable seal part 15d, so that
there is a space between the seal opening part 27 and the through-hole, and the concentrate
C can pass through it. Further, even when the seal opening part 27 is inserted into
the hole in which the broken openable seal part 15d is opened, the multiple reinforcing
plates 27d prevent blockage of the concentrate C passage.
[0219] Fig. 12A shows the state in which the plug 15 is mounted on the container body 16.
The welding of the plug 15 is not done yet. At this time, the concentrate C is charged
in the concentrate chamber Sc, but the pressurizing agent P is not charged in the
pressurizing agent chamber Sp. As shown in Fig. 12A, at the upper end surface 13f
of the neck part 13d of the outer container 13, an annular projection 13g is formed,
so that the contact pressure with the plug 15 is increased to facilitate the dissolving
and a welding part to integrate with the plug 15 is formed, at the time of the ultrasonic
wave welding. The annular projection 13g is an approximately triangular shape in cross
section, and particularly, it is an isosceles triangle or an equilateral triangle.
In this embodiment, the annular projection 13g is provided at approximately center
in the thickness range of the neck part 13d. The annular projection can be provided
at the plug 15 side so that the upper end surface 13f of the neck part 13d is flat.
A plurality of the inclined parts 13h is provided at the inner side of the upper end
surface 13f, and it is used as a space to store the resin piece (welding waste), which
is made by cooling the melted resin at the time of the ultrasonic wave welding, so
that it is not projected.
[0220] As shown in Fig. 12A, the upper part of the neck part 14d of the inner container
14 is projected from the upper end surface 13f of the outer container 13, and at the
projected part, a flange 14f engaging with the upper end surface 13f of the outer
container 13 is formed. The thickness of the flange 14f (dimension of the radial direction)
is approximately 1/3 to 1/2 of the thickness of the neck part 13d of the outer container
13. Accordingly, when the flange 14f is engaged on the upper end surface 13f of the
neck part 13d of the outer container 13, the upper end surface 13f of the neck part
13d of the outer container 13 is left uncovered at the outside part. The annular projection
13g of the upper end of the outer container 13 is provided at the outside part. Also,
at the upper end surface 14e of the neck part 14d of the inner container 14, an annular
projection 14 g is formed to provide a welding part with the plug 15 by increasing
the contact pressure with the plug 15 at the time of the ultrasonic wave welding.
In this embodiment, this annular projection 14g is also an approximately triangular
shape in cross section, and particularly, it is an isosceles triangle or an equilateral
triangle.
[0221] At the lower surface of the flange 14f of the inner container 14, a horizontal groove
14h for charging pressurizing agent which extends in the radial direction is formed
at four sections at an equal interval. Further, at the outer periphery surface of
the neck part 14d of the inner container 14, a vertical groove 14i communicating with
the horizontal groove 14h is formed. The vertical groove 14i is extended to the upper
end of the shoulder part 14c from the horizontal groove 14h, and with this, the pressurizing
agent P is easily charged inside the pressurizing agent chamber Sp.
[0222] Both the outer container 13 and the inner container 14 are made of synthetic resins,
and particularly, made of thermoplastic resin such as polyethylene terephthalate,
polyethylene naphthalate, polyethylene, polypropylene, etc. With these materials,
for example, it can be manufactured by inserting a preform for the inner container
into a preform for the outer container, and blow-molding the parts lower than the
lower ends of the neck parts 13d, 14d at the same time. Specifically, it is preferable
to use an injection blow molding method in which a predetermined shaped preform is
provided by injection molding and blow molding.
[0223] The plug 15 is provided with the bottomed cylindrical shaped seal part 15a inserted
inside the neck part 14d of the inner container 14, and the annular flange 15b which
continues to the upper end of the seal part. The upper part of the seal part 15a is
the inner cylindrical part 15a1 fitting to the inner surface of the neck part 14d
of the inner container 14 with remaining a gap, and the lower part is the valve housing
part (fitting cylindrical part) 15a2 to store the valve 12 of the discharge member
detachably in the fitting state via a seal material (reference numeral 28 of Fig.
13). The valve housing part 15a2 has a smaller diameter than the inner cylindrical
part 15a1.
[0224] The flange 15b of the plug 15 is provided with the flat part 17 expanding radially
outward from the upper end of the seal part 15a, and the outer cylindrical part 17a
extending downward from the outer edge of the flat part 17. The lower surface 17b
of the flat part 17 is a part which forms a welding part (reference numeral Y1 of
Fig. 12B) and seals by abutting to the upper end surface 14e of the neck part 14d
of the inner container 14, particularly, to the annular projection 14g. The lower
surface 17a1 of the outer cylindrical part 17a is a part which forms a welding part
(reference numeral Y2 of Fig. 12B) and seals by abutting to the upper end surface
13f of the neck part 13d of the outer container 13, particularly, to the annular projection
13g. The top surface 17c (top surface of the flange 15b) of the flat part 17 is an
abutting surface with the horn oscillating the ultrasonic vibration of the ultrasonic
wave welding machine. Accordingly, it is [the outer diameter of the abutting surface
(top surface 17c of the flat part) with the horn < the outer diameter of the outer
cylindrical part 17a].
[0225] The characteristic of the pressurized container 11 is a point in which the annular
outer periphery cut portion 17d is formed at the outer periphery edge of the flat
part 17. In this embodiment, the outer periphery cut portion 17d is an annular step
part in the rectangular cross-section. The dimension Nv in the height direction of
the outer periphery cut portion 17d is approximately 0.1 to 0.4 times of the thickness
of the outer cylindrical part 17a. It is preferable that the position Nh in the horizontal
direction is positioned more outward than the position N1 of the inner surface of
the outer cylindrical part 17a, and is positioned more inward than the position N2
which is more slightly outward than the annular projection 13g of the outer container
13, and particularly, almost the same as the annular projection 13g of the outer container
13 (width of the base part of the approximately triangular shaped annular projection
13g). Accordingly, it is [the inner diameter of the outer cylindrical part 17a < the
outer diameter of the top surface 17c of the flat part ≒ the annular projection 13g
of the outer container). Note that the outer diameter of the outer cylindrical part
17a may be almost the same as the diameter of the outer container 13 (except the male
screw 13e) or may be slightly smaller.
[0226] The ultrasonic wave welding is performed in the state in which the concentrate chamber
Sc inside the inner container 14 is filled with the concentrate C, the opening of
the container body 16 is covered with the plug 15, the pressurizing agent chamber
Sp between the outer container 13 and the inner container 14 is filled with the pressurizing
agent P, and the pressurized state is maintained. Since the outer periphery cut portion
17d is provided at the plug 15, when the horn H abuts to and presses down the top
surface 17c of the flat part 17, and the vibration energy is applied downward from
the top surface 17c, the vibration energy is hardly expanded outwardly, and the vibration
energy flowing to the outer periphery side of the outer cylindrical part 17a is reduced.
Therefore, the annular projection 13g of the outer container is easily melted and
welded, and the projection of the resin melted in the welding part Y2 between the
outer container 13 and the plug 15 is reduced, and it can be welded without interfered
by the solidified welding waste (see Fig. 12B).
[0227] After welding, as shown in Fig. 12B, the lower surface of the outer cylindrical part
17a is welded to the upper end surface 15f of the outer container 13, and it becomes
the pressurized product 11a. And, as described above, the melted resin is not projected
outside from the gap between the outer container and the plug. Further, since the
welding is continuously and sufficiently performed, it prevents the pressurizing agent
P from leaking from the pressurizing agent chamber Sp for a long period of time. The
resin which is projected inside at the time of welding is stored in the inclined part
(inclined groove) 13h, and it does not flow into the pressurizing agent chamber Sp.
On the other hand, the lower surface 17b of the flat part 17 is welded to the upper
end surface 14e of the neck part 14d of the inner container 14.
[0228] Note that at the bottom part of the seal part 15a, that is, at the bottom part 15c
of the inner cylindrical part 15a1, the openable seal part 15d having the pressure
receiving part 15d1 made thicker as compare with that of the periphery is formed.
The periphery of the openable seal part 15d is surrounded by the weakened line 15f
such as an annular groove, etc. except a part (continuous section) 15d2. The pressure
receiving part 15d1 is provided on the whole upper surface of the openable seal part
15d, and the weakened line 15f is formed on the upper surface of the bottom part 15c
in the manner of surrounding the periphery of the pressure receiving part 15d1. The
weakened line 15 is formed in, for example, a V-groove. At the continuous section
15d2 of the openable seal part 15d, the reinforcement part (reinforcing rib) 15g is
provided in a manner of extending in the radial outward direction.
[0229] The discharge member 12 shown in Fig. 13 is provided with the cap (mounting part)
20 screwed to the male screw 13e of the neck part 13d of the outer container 13, the
valve held by the cap 20, and the operation button (operation part, actuator) 23 mounted
to the stem 22 of the valve 21. The discharge member 12 is mounted to the discharge
product 11a of Fig. 2B or the discharge product 31a of Fig. 4B and is used for discharging
the contents. The cap 20 of Fig. 13 is a bottomed cylindrical shape, and a female
screw is formed at the inner periphery surface. At the lower side of the upper bottom
20a, the valve holder 18 provided with the cylindrical valve holding part 18a which
holds the upper part of the housing 24 of the valve 21 is attached.
[0230] The valve 21 has a known basic structure which is provided with the bottomed cylindrical
shaped housing 24, the aforementioned stem 22 vertically movably stored inside the
housing, the spring 25 energizing the stem 22 upwardly, and the stem rubber 26 provided
between the upper end of the housing 24 and the rubber retainer 18b of the valve holder
18. Further, in this embodiment, the approximately columnar shaped seal opening part
27 projecting downwardly at the lower end of the housing 24 is provided, and a seal
member 28 such as an O-ring, etc. is attached at the lower part outer periphery of
the housing 24.
[0231] The seal member 28 is used for sealing between the inner periphery surface of the
valve housing part (fitting cylindrical part) 15a2 of the plug 15 and the housing
24 at the time of opening and after the opening. At the center of the seal opening
part 27, a deep hole 27b communicating with the inside of the housing 24 is formed,
and a horizontal hole 27c communicating between the inside and the outside of the
deep hole 27b is formed in the seal opening part 27. After opening, the horizontal
hole 27c communicates between the inside of the housing 24 and the concentrate chamber
Sc inside the inner container 14, and it serves as a passage of the concentrate which
is discharged. Since the horizontal hole 27c is not blocked by the broken openable
seal part, a stable discharging state can be maintained. Instead of the horizontal
hole 27c, a vertical hole reaching to the bottom face 27a can be formed at the center
of the seal opening part 27. Further, both the horizontal hole and the vertical hole
may be formed.
[0232] The position in the height direction of the bottom face 27a of the seal opening part
27 is a position which abuts to the pressure receiving part 15d1 (see Fig. 12B) when
the cap 20 is screwed approximately one to two times to the male screw of the outer
container 13. Accordingly, at the time of shipping and distribution, the openable
seal part 15d is not broken by loosely screwing the cap 20, and while maintaining
the sealing state, the discharge member 12 and the pressurized container 11 can be
temporality connected. Therefore, the user who purchases it can easily open by screwing
the cap 20 few times.
[0233] When the user uses the discharge device (reference numeral 10 of Fig. 1 or reference
numeral 30 of Fig. 4C) purchased by the user, first, the cap 20 is screwed into the
male screw 13e of the outer container. With this, the whole cap 20 and the valve 21
are lowered, and the bottom face 27a of the seal opening part 27 pushes down the openable
seal part 15d. Accordingly, the openable seal part 15d is broken along the weakened
line 15f, the bottom part 15c of the valve housing part 15a2 is broken through, and
the concentrate chamber Sc communicates with the inside of the housing 24. After that,
by pushing down the operation button 23, the concentrate C can be discharged.
[0234] Fig. 14A shows another embodiment of the pressurized container. In this pressurized
container 130, the annular outer periphery cut portion 130a which is formed around
the top surface 17c of the plug 15 is not a rectangular in cross-section, but it is
an inclined surface (approximately conical surface). The upper end of the inclined
surface is positioned at the approximately same position as the outside of the annular
projection 13g of the upper end surface of the outer container 13 in a plane view.
In another points, they are the same as the pressurized container 11 of Fig. 12A,
and therefore, the same reference numerals are used and the descriptions thereof will
be omitted.
[0235] In this pressurized container 30, when abutting the horn H to the top surface of
the plug 15 and applying the vibration energy while being pressurized, the vibration
energy hardly expands outwardly. Therefore, as shown in Fig. 14B, projection of the
melted resin projected outside at the welding part Y2 between the outer container
13 and the plug 15 is reduced, so that it can be welded without interruption by the
solidified welding waste. Further, the appearance becomes excellent.
[0236] Fig 15A shows still another embodiment of the pressurized container. In the pressurized
container 131, other than the outer periphery edge of the top surface 17c of the plug
15, at the corner of the inside of the recess 132, an annular inner periphery cut
portion 133 which is a rectangular shape in cross-section is also formed. Note that
it can be seen that the annular projection part 134 which is a rectangular shape in
cross-section is formed at the top surface of the plug 15. The position of the standing
wall 133a of the inner periphery cut portion 133 is positioned at the approximately
same position as the inner surface of the neck part 14d of the inner container 14
in a plane view. Other points are the same as the pressurized container 11 of Fig.
2B or the double container 50 of Fig. 4A, so that the same reference numerals are
used and the descriptions will be omitted. The outer periphery cut portion 17d, the
inner periphery cut portion 133, or the both may be the annular inclined surface such
as Fig. 14A.
[0237] In this pressurized container 131, when abutting the horn H to the top surface 17c
of the plug 15 and applying the vibration energy, the vibration energy does not expand
to the outside or the inside and is transmitted almost straight downward. Therefore,
as shown in Fig. 15B, the projection of the melted resin projected outside and inside
at the welding part Y between the outer container 13 and the plug 15 is reduced, and
it can be welded without the interruption by the solidified welding waste. Further,
the appearance becomes excellent. Further, the vibration energy hardly flows to the
bottom part 15c from the inner cylindrical part 15a1 by the inner periphery cut portion
133, and it can prevent the weakened line 15f, which is provided for opening the openable
seal part 15d by the user, from melting.
[0238] In the pressurized container 144 shown in Fig. 16A, the neck part 13d of the outer
container 13 is shortened and an annular locking protrusion 145 is provided instead
of a male screw. Note that it can be seen that the annular locking groove 146 is provided.
The lower surface 145a of the locking protrusion 145 is inclined slightly upward toward
outside. Other points are the same as the pressurized container of Fig. 12A.
[0239] With respect to the pressurized container 144 of Fig. 16A, the discharge member 147
shown in Fig. 16B is mounted. The discharge member 147 shown in Fig. 16B is not provided
with female screw on the inner surface of the cap 20, and is provided with an annular
locking crow 148 which performs a snap engagement to a locking protrusion 145 at the
outer periphery of the neck part 13d of the outer container 13. The upper surface
148a of the locking crow 148 is inclined slightly downward toward the inside so as
to correspond to the lower surface 145a of the locking protrusion 145. Further, the
inner surface 148b of the locking crow 148 is formed as a tapered surface which expands
downwardly so as to be pressurized inwardly when it is lowered and abuts to the upper
end of the locking protrusion 145 of the outer container 13. Accordingly, when the
discharge member 147 is mounted on the pressurized container 144 and is pressed downwardly,
the locking crow 148 is elastically slightly expanded and returned so as to be engaged
with the locking protrusion 145. At the position of the locking crow 148 and slightly
higher than that, a plurality of slits may be formed, and therefore, the deformation
of the locking crow 148 is facilitated.
[0240] Note that in this embodiment, a small diameter columnar shaped seal opening part
27 is provided at the lower end of the housing 24 of the discharge member 147, and
a plurality of the reinforcing plates 27d is radially provided at a space between
the seal opening part 27 and the housing 24. The number of the reinforcing plates
27d is preferably three to five. The reinforcing plates 27d are not reached to the
lower end of the seal opening part 27, and the vicinity of the lower end of the seal
opening part 27 is still the columnar shape, and the bottom face 27a is flat. The
passage communicating between the inside of the housing 24 and the concentrate chamber
Sc inside the inner container 14 is formed as a vertical hole 24c which vertically
penetrates the bottom plate 24b of the housing 24. The vertical hole 24c is formed
at a space between the reinforcing plates 27d which are adjacent to each other. Other
points are practically the same as the discharge member 12 of Fig. 13, and the same
reference numerals are used to the corresponding parts and the descriptions are omitted.
[0241] When the discharge member 147 is mounted to the pressurized container 144 as described
above, the bottom face 27a of the seal opening part 27 presses down the pressure receiving
part 15d1 as shown in Fig. 16B, and breaks the openable seal part 15d along the weakened
line 15f. The broken openable seal part 15d hangs down from the bottom part 15c in
the connecting state with the continuous section 15d2. At this time, the lower part
of the seal opening part 27 is inserted into the through-hole after the openable seal
part 15d is opened, but the diameter of the seal opening part 27 is smaller than that
of the openable seal part 15d, so that there is a space between the seal opening part
27 and the through-hole, and the concentrate C can pass through it. Further, although
the seal opening part 27 is inserted into the through-hole of the broken openable
seal part 15d, by the plurality of reinforcing plates 27d, it prevents the passage
of the concentrate from closing.
[0242] The discharge device 10 shown in the left side of Fig. 17 is provided with the double
pressurized container 11, the discharge member 12, and the concentrate (contents)
C and the pressurizing agent P charged in the double pressurized container 11. A double
pressurized container 11 filled with concentrate C and the pressurizing agent P is
a discharge product 11a. The pressurized product 11a and the discharge member 12 are
sold as a set of products before assembled (see Fig. 16), or in the unopened state
with half assembled (see Fig. 19). The pressurized product 11a is soled with the discharge
member 12, and also, it is sold individually as a refill. Also, the discharge member
12 may be sold individually.
[0243] The double pressurized container 11 is provided with the outer container 13, the
inner container 14 having flexibility and stored inside the outer container, and the
plug (lid) 15 sealing the outer container 13 and the inner container 14. The valve
or the pump is not provided. The assembled outer container 13 and inner container
14 is a container body 16 (see Fig. 6A). The inside of the inner container 14 is a
concentrate chamber Sc for charging the concentrate C, and a space between the outer
container 13 and the inner container 14 is a pressurizing agent chamber Sp for charging
the pressurizing agent P. They are sealed by the plug 15.
[0244] That is, in this embodiment, the concentrate C and the pressurizing agent P are separately
stored in the double pressurized container 11, and only the concentrate C is discharged.
With this, it can prevent the pressurizing agent P such as compressed gas from leaking.
However, the mixture of the pressurizing agent P and the concentrate C may be charged
in the container body 16 without using the inner container 14. In this case, the mixture
becomes the contents.
[0245] In the discharge device 10A shown in the right side of Fig. 17, the concentrate CA
charged in the inner container 14 is different from the concentrate C of the discharge
device 10 of the left side. For example, the inner container 14 of the discharge device
10 of the left side is filled with the concentrate C for a human body such as hair
care products, and the inner container 14 of the discharge device 10A of the right
side is filled with the concentrate CA for a non-human body such as insecticide. And,
in the discharge device 10A of the right side, the neck part 13d of the outer container
13 is made thicker than the discharge device 10 of the left side, and the diameter
D2 of the male screw 13e is larger than the diameter D1 of the male screw 13e of the
discharge device 10 of the left side. Further, the diameter of the female screw 20d
of the cap 20 of the discharge device 10A of the right side is also larger than the
diameter of the female screw 20d of the cap 20 of the discharge device 10 of the left
side. And, the discharge device system 1 is configured by the whole combining the
group of the discharge device 10 of the left side and the group of the discharge device
10A of the right side. Note that the right and left discharge devices 10, 10A are
practically the same except the aforementioned differences, and hereinafter, the discharge
device 10 of the left side will be basically described.
[0246] The outer container 13 is provided with the bottom part 13a, the cylindrical body
part 13b, the shoulder part 13c, and the cylindrical neck part 13d. At the outer periphery
of the neck part 13d, the male screw 13e is formed. Further, at the lower part of
the neck part 13d, an identification ring 13d2 presenting a predetermined color for
identifying a type of the concentrate C is mounted. The identification ring 13d2 is
arranged to be used as a support part in order to hang the container in the charging
step, etc. The identification ring 13d2 and the cap 20 are presented in the same color,
and in a different group, it is presented in a different color so as to be easily
identified. For example, when the discharge device 10 of the left side is presented
in blue color, and the discharge device 10A of the right side is presented in yellow
color, the user can be urged so as to assemble with the discharge member which is
used for discharging the same concentrate, and therefore, the erroneous use can be
prevented.
[0247] The inner container 14 is similar to the outer container 13 and is provided with
a bottom part 14a, a body part 14b, a shoulder part 14c, and a neck part 14d. The
outer surface of the neck part 14d of the inner container 14 has a small gap between
it and the inner surface of the neck part 13d of the outer container 13. The inner
surface of the neck part 14d of the inner container 14 is smooth cylindrical surface.
The flange 14f is provided at the upper end of the inner container 14, and the flange
14f is engaged with the upper end of the neck part 13d of the outer container 13 (see
Fig. 18C).
[0248] Both the outer container 13 and the inner container 14 are made of synthetic resins,
and specifically, made of thermoplastic resin such as polyethylene terephthalate,
polyethylene naphthalate, polyethylene, polypropylene, etc. With those containers,
it is preferable to perform an injection blow molding method in which, for example,
a preform for the inner container is inserted into a preform for the outer container
which are respectively made by an injection molding, and those parts lower than the
lower ends of the neck parts 13d, 14d are blow-molded at the same time.
[0249] The plug 15 is provided with a bottomed cylindrical shaped seal part 15a inserted
to the inside of the neck part 14d of the inner container 14, and an annular flange
15b continuing to the upper end of the seal part (see Fig. 18C). The lower part of
the seal part 15a is formed as the fitting cylindrical part 15a2 in which the diameter
is smaller than the upper part. The upper part is connected with the lower part through
an approximately horizontal step part 15a7. The inner diameter and the depth to the
step part (connection part) 15a7 are set as a dimension in which the valve holding
part 18a can be stored when the discharge member 12 is mounted to the pressurized
product 11a. At the center of the bottom part 15c of the fitting cylindrical part
15a2, the openable seal part 15d which is made thinner as compare with that of the
periphery, or which is surrounded by the weakened line (see reference numeral 15f
of Fig. 3) is provided.
[0250] The discharge member 12 is provided with a cap (mounting part) 20 screwed with the
male screw 13e of the neck part 13d of the outer container 13, a valve holder 18 mounted
to the lower surface of the upper bottom 20a of the cap 20, and a valve 21 held by
the valve holder 18. As the discharge member 12, any member to operate a valve such
as a push button (reference numeral 23 of Fig. 25) mounted to the stem 22 of the valve
21, a lever type operation member 240 of Fig. 27, etc. At the inner periphery surface
of the outer cylindrical part 20b of the cap 20, a female screw 20d screwing with
the male screw 13e of the outer container 13 is formed. At the center of the upper
bottom 20a, a hole 20c in which the stem 22 passes through and the base part of the
operation member passes through is formed. The valve holder 18 has a disk-shape so
as to be mounted in the lower surface side of the cap 20, and is provided with the
cylindrical valve holding part 18a which holds the upper part of the housing 24 of
the valve 21, and an annular rubber retainer 18b which expands to the inner side of
the valve holding part.
[0251] For example, as shown in the right side of Fig. 21, the valve 21 has a known basic
structure which is provided with the bottomed cylindrical shaped housing 24, the aforementioned
stem 22 vertically movably stored inside the housing, the spring 25 energizing the
stem 22 upwardly, and the stem rubber 26 provided between the upper end of the housing
24 and the rubber retainer 18b of the valve holder 18. Further, in this embodiment,
the approximately columnar shaped seal opening part 27 projecting downward is provided
at the lower end of the housing 24, and a seal member 28 such as an O-ring, etc. is
mounted at the lower part outer periphery of the housing 24.
[0252] The lower end 27a of the seal opening part 27 is formed in a truncated conical shape
in order to break the openable seal part 15d of the plug 15. The length to the lower
end of the seal opening part 27 is approximately the length to break the openable
seal part 15d when the cap 20 is screwed into the male screw 13e of the outer container
13. The seal member 28 seals between the inner periphery surface of the fitting cylindrical
part 15a2 of the plug 15 and the housing 24 at the time of unsealing and after the
unsealing. At the center of the seal opening part 27, a communication hole 27b communicating
with the inside of the housing 24 is formed.
[0253] The position in the height direction of the bottom face 27a of the seal opening part
27 is preferably a position abutting to the openable seal part 15d when the cap 20
is screwed approximately one to two times to the male screw of the outer container
13 (see Fig. 19). In this case, at the time of shipping, the discharge member 12 and
the double pressurized container 11 can be connected in such state that the openable
seal part 15d is not broken by loosely screwing the cap 20, and while maintaining
the sealing state.
[0254] At the time of distribution and sale, the cap 20 is mounted to the outer container
13, and the double pressurized container 11 and the discharge member 12 are loosely
and temporarily connected. In this state, the seal member 28 is tightly contacted
with the inner surface of the fitting cylindrical part 15a2. The user who purchases
it can easily open by only turning the cap 20 several times and screwing in.
[0255] When the user uses the purchased discharge device 10, first, the user turns the cap
20 to screw on the male screw 13e of the outer container. With this, the cap 20 and
the valve 21 are lowered, and the lower end 27a of the seal opening part 27 breaks
through the openable seal part 15d, and the inside of the housing 24 is communicated
with the concentrate chamber Sc inside the inner container 14 (see Fig. 18A). At this
time, since a force increasing function is realized by the screw mechanism, the user
can easily open it.
[0256] When the openable seal part 15d is broken, the concentrate C may leak from the gap
between the inner periphery of the openable seal part 15d and the outer periphery
of the seal opening part 27. However, since the gap between the fitting cylindrical
part 15a2 and the housing 24 is sealed by the seal member 28, the concentrate C remains
inside the fitting cylindrical part 15a2 and it does not leak outside. After the discharge
member 12 is mounted, when the user mounts the operation button to the stem 22 and
presses it, the stem 22 is lowered, the stem rubber 26 is deformed, and the stem hole
opens to discharge the concentrate C inside the concentrate chamber Sc.
[0257] When the concentrate C inside the inner container 14 runs out, the user removes the
discharge member 12 from the outer container 13 by rotating the cap 20 in the loosening
direction, and mounts it to a new pressurized production 11a. At this time, since
the female screw 20d of the cap 20 of the discharge member 12 matches to the male
screw 13e of the outer container 13, it can be screwed until the end tightly. And
the discharge member 12 can be mounted to pressurized product 11a while opening the
openable seal part 15d (see Fig. 18A). The discharge device 10A of the right side
of Fig. 17 is also the same (see Fig. 18B).
[0258] In the aforementioned discharge device 10, after the concentrate chamber Sc is empty,
the discharge member 12 is removed and it can be attached to a new pressurized product
11a. The discharge product 10A of the other one is also the same. However, for example,
when the discharge member 12A which has been used for spraying the insecticide is
mounted to the pressurized product 11a for hair care products, there is a risk that
will harm the user's health. Further, when different types of concentrates are mixed,
there is a risk that an unexpected chemical reaction may occur. The aforementioned
problem can be avoided by preventing the discharge member 12 of the particular group
to the discharge product 11a of another group from being used.
[0259] As a means for preventing such erroneous use described above, the colors of the identification
ring 13d2 and the cap 20 are corresponded each other. Accordingly, the user can make
sure and mount the discharge members 12, 12A corresponding to the pressurized products
11a, 11aA. However, there is a case in which the user tries to erroneously mount the
discharge member 12A of the discharge device 10A (for a non-human body) of the right
side to the pressurized product 11a of the discharge device 10 (e.g., for a human
body) of the left side. In this case, since the inner diameter of the female screw
20d is larger than the outer diameter of the male screw 13e, the cap 20A idles and
cannot be screwed (see Fig. 18C). Accordingly, the opening of the plug 15 and the
discharge of the erroneous concentrate CA are prevented. When the user realizes that
the cap 20A cannot be screwed, the user realizes his/her mistake.
[0260] Note that since the diameter of the male screw 13e is smaller than the female screw
20d, the user may presses the cap 20A straight to the mouth of the pressurized product.
However, in this case, since there is no force increasing function by the screw, it
is hardly opened, and the actual opening is prevented. Therefore, it can prevent the
discharge member 12A used for discharging the concentrate for a non-human body from
erroneously mounting to the pressurized product 11a filled with the concentrate C
for a human body.
[0261] On the other hand, when the user tries to mount the discharge member 12 of the discharge
device 10 of Fig.17A to the pressurized product 11aA of the discharge device 10A for
a non-human body, the inner diameter (inner diameter of the thread groove) of the
female screw 20d of the cap 20 is smaller than the outer diameter of the male screw
13e, so that the cap 20 cannot even be mounted around the male screw 13e (see Fig.
18D). Accordingly, it can prevent the discharge member 12 for a human body from being
erroneously used to the pressurized product 11aA filled with the concentrate for a
non-human body.
[0262] In the pressurized products 10, 10A of Fig. 17, the correctness of combination is
recognized by the diameters of the female screw 20d of the caps 20, 20A and the male
screw 13e of the container body 13, and the mounting is allowed only when correct
combination is made. The parts that do not include thread, for example, such as the
inner container 14, the plug 15, the valve 21, etc. can be shared, and the mass production
effect is expected. Note that when the male screw part is manufactured as a separate
part, and mounted to an original male screw, the outer container 13 can be also shared.
[0263] In the aforementioned embodiment, the discharge devices 10, 10A are distinguished
by the diameters of the male screw 15e and the female screw 20d, but it can be identified
by a screw pitch, a shape of crest and trough of a screw, number of threads (single
thread screw, 2-thread screw, etc.), whether right-hand thread or lefthand thread,
etc. In the discharge device system 1 of Fig. 17, two types of the discharge devices
10, 10A are employed, but by combining the plurality of misuse prevention means, three
types or more can be employed.
[0264] Next, with reference to Fig. 19 and Figs. 20A to 20D, another embodiment will be
described. In the aforementioned discharge device system 1, it performs the prevention
of the erroneous mounting of the discharge members 12, 12A to the pressurized product
11a. But in the discharge device 30 of Fig. 19, the erroneous mounting can be prevented
by blocking the movement of the axial direction of the discharge member 12. The discharge
device 30 of Fig. 19 is almost the same as the discharge device 10 of Fig. 17. But
the cap 20 doubles as the valve holder (see reference numeral 18 of Fig. 17), and
the shapes of the seal opening part 27 of the discharge member 12 and the openable
seal part 15d of the plug 15, etc. are different. That is, in the discharge device
30 of Fig. 19, the upper bottom 20a of the cap 20 and the valve holding part 18a are
integrally formed, and at the lower surface of the upper bottom 20a, the stem rubber
26 pushes to the upper end of the housing 24, and the valve holder is omitted.
[0265] Further, the seal opening part 27 is a columnar shape, and the lower end 27a is flat,
and a deep hole 27c is formed at the inside of the seal opening part 27. The deep
hole 27c communicates with the inside of the housing 24, and does not penetrate to
the lower end. The deep hole 27c communicates with the inside of the fitting cylindrical
part 15a2 by the horizontal hole 27a which opens at the side surface of the seal opening
part 27. In the openable seal part 15d, a columnar shaped pressure receiving part
15d1 surrounded by the weakened line 15f such as a V-groove, etc. is provided. In
a space between the pressure receiving part 15d1 and the inner surface of the fitting
cylindrical part 15a2, the reinforcement part (reinforcing rib) 15g is formed so as
to extend in the radial direction. In the range of the reinforcement part 15g, the
weakened line 15f is interrupted. With this, when the discharge member 12 is mounted
to the pressurized product, the lower end of the seal opening part 27 presses the
pressure receiving part 15d1 downwardly, and the openable seal part 15d is broken
along the weakened line 15f. However, the reinforcement part 15g is not broken, and
the openable seal part 15d hangs down in the connecting state at the reinforcement
part 15g (see Fig. 20A).
[0266] On the other hand, in another discharge device 30A shown in Fig. 20B, the length
of the valve holding part 18a of the cap 20 is longer than the length of corresponding
part in the discharge device 30 of Fig. 20A. And, at the pressurized product 11a side,
in order to store the valve holding part 18a, the depth to the step part 15a2 of the
seal part 15a of the plug 15 is made deeper than the depth in the discharge device
30 of Fig. 20A. Further, the length of the seal opening part 27 is longer than the
seal opening part 27 of the discharge device 30 of Fig. 20A. The female screw 20d
of the cap 20 and the male screw 13e of the container body 16 are made in the same
screw standard.
[0267] In this embodiment, since the screw standard is the same, the discharge member 12A
of the discharge device 30A of Fig. 20B can be mounted to the pressurized product
11a of the discharge device 30 of Fig. 20A. However, even when the cap 20 is screwed,
the valve holding part 18a abuts to the step part 15a2 as shown in Fig. 20C, and it
cannot be lowered more than that. With this, the lower end 27a of the seal opening
part 27 does not reach to the pressure receiving part 15d1, so that it cannot be opened.
Therefore, the erroneous use is prevented.
[0268] On the other hand, in a case in which the discharge member 12 of Fig. 21A is mounted
to the pressurized product 11aA of Fig. 20B, as shown in Fig. 20D, the upper bottom
20a of the cap 20 abuts to the flange 15b of the plug 15, and it prevents the discharge
member from lowering more than. Accordingly, the lower end 27a of the seal opening
part 27 does not reach to the pressure receiving part 15d1. With this, the erroneous
use is prevented.
[0269] The discharge device system 2 of Fig. 21 identifies whether or not the combination
of the inner diameter of the seal part 15a of the plug 15 of the pressurized product
11a and the outer diameter of the valve holding part 18a of the cap 20 is correct,
and if it is incorrect, it prevents the discharge member 12 from engaging. Further,
it identifies whether or not the combination is correct by the inner diameter of the
fitting cylindrical part 15a2 of the plug 15 and the outer diameter of the part upper
side than the seal member 28 in the housing 24 of the valve 21, and if it is incorrect,
it prevents the discharge member 12 from engaging in the axial direction.
[0270] The discharge member 12A of the left side of Fig. 21 is an original member to be
combined with the pressurized product 11aA of the right side, and it is an erroneous
combination in which the outer diameter of the valve holding part 18a of the valve
holder 18 is larger than the inner diameter of the seal part 15a of the plug 15 of
the pressurized product 11a. Accordingly, the cap 20 cannot be mounted to the pressurized
product 11a. On the other hand, in the discharge member 12 of the right side which
should be originally combined with the pressurized product 11a of the left side, the
outer diameter of the valve holding part 18a is smaller than the inner diameter of
the seal part 15a of the plug 15 of the pressurized product 11aA. Accordingly, the
valve holding part 18a can be inserted into the seal part 15a. However, within the
housing 24, the outer diameter of the part upper side than the seal member 28 is larger
than the inner diameter of the fitting cylindrical part 15a2 of the plug 15. Therefore,
in the combination of the right side, the discharge member 12 cannot be mounted to
the pressurized product 11aA.
[0271] Note that it is possible to check an error in only one side, and allow the other
side. For the one which is high risk, for example, when there is a risk to use the
insecticide to a human body, it prevents the discharge member 12 from being inserted,
and on the other hand, if the risk is low, it allows to be inserted. With this, the
identification mechanism can be simplified.
[0272] In the discharge device 230 shown in Fig. 22, the operation member 245 provided with
the lever type operation part 244 is mounted to the discharge device 10 of Fig. 17.
The operation member 245 is provided with a cup-shaped cap holding part 241 which
is used for supporting the operation part 244 and fits to the periphery of the cap
20, a cover part 242 which extends downward from the surrounding wall of the cap holding
part 241, and is put on the shoulder part of the container body 16, and a supporting
wall 243 which extends upward from the cap holding part 241. The rear end of the operation
part (operation lever) 244 is rotatably connected to the upper part rear end of the
supporting wall 243 via a hinge or a pin.
[0273] A spray nozzle 246 is mounted to the upper part of the operation part 244. The spray
nozzle 246 is mounted to the front end of the L-shaped passage member 247, and the
lower end of the passage member 247 is fitted to the stem 22. The user holds the cover
part 242 and the container body 16, and pulls the operation part 244, so that the
operation part 244 is rotated downward around the rear end, and the discharge device
230 can discharge through the passage member 247 by opening the valve 21. When stop
operating, it stops discharging. Such lever operation type discharge device 230 is
used for a space spray such as, mainly, insecticides, deodorant aromatic air fresheners,
etc. Accordingly, it is used and distinguished from the one used for a human body.
However, since the upper part of the pressurized product is covered by the cover part
242, once, when the cover part 242 is mounted, the user hardly realizes the erroneous
mounting. Therefore, the discharge device system of the present invention has great
effect in which the erroneous mounting at the time of mounting is prevented, and the
user easily realize an error.
[0274] In the aforementioned embodiment, as the mounting prevention means, mainly, the means
based on the radial direction control such as a mismatch between the outer diameter
of the outer container 13 and the inner diameter of the cap 20, a mismatch between
the colors of the cap 20 and the identification ring 13d2, a screw part standard difference
between the male screw 13e and the female screw 20d, etc., a fitting size difference
between the outer diameter of the valve holding part 18a or the housing 24 and the
inner diameter of the seal part 15, etc. are employed. Further, in the aforementioned
embodiment, as the opening prevention means, the means based on the axial direction
control such as the size relationship of the depth of the step part 15a7 and the length
of the valve holding part 18a, the length of the seal opening part 27, etc. are employed.
However, other means such as the length of the cap 20, the existence or non-existence
of the support ring 13d1 or the identification ring 13d2 may be employed.
[0275] Next, with reference to Figs. 23A to 29, the structure discharging the pressurizing
agent from the discharging container after use will be described. Similar to the above
description, the plug 15 shown in Fig. 23B is provided with the bottomed cylindrical
shaped seal part 15a inserted into the neck part 14d of the inner container 14 which
is the same as described above, and the annular flange 15b continuing to the upper
end of the seal part. The lower part of the seal part 15a is formed as the fitting
cylindrical part 15a2 which is smaller diameter than the upper part. The bottom part
of the seal part 15a, that is, the bottom part 15c of the fitting cylindrical part
15a2 is provided with a closing part (openable seal part) 15d in which the pressure
receiving part 15d1 made thicker as compare with that of the periphery is provided.
Normally, the closing part 15d is formed in a circular shape in the plan view. However,
other shapes such as a rectangular shape, etc. may be employed. In the plug 15, there
is a characteristic in which a projection part 15e1 is provided at the lower surface
side of the closing part 15d.
[0276] The periphery of the closing part 15d is surrounded by a breakable thin part (breaking
part, weakening line) 15f such as an annular groove, etc. The pressure receiving part
15d1 is provided on almost the whole of the upper surface of the closing part 15d,
and the thin part 15f is formed on the upper surface of the bottom part 15c. Note
that the thin part 15f may be formed on the lower surface. The thin part 15f is formed
by, for example, a V-groove. The thin part 15f is continued, but if it is breakable,
it may not be continued. The project part 15e1 provided on the lower surface of the
closing part 15d is a rod-shape in this embodiment, specifically, a columnar shape,
and the sharp point 15e2 for perforating the inner container 14 is provided at the
lower end of the project part. The project part 15e1 and whole of the sharp point
15e2 can be seen as the sharp point.
[0277] After breaking the closing part 15d along the thin part 15f and dropping off the
bottom of the inner container 14, the sharp point 15e2 perforates the inner container
14 when the inner container 14 is largely contracted by discharging the concentrate,
so that it is possible to discharge the pressurizing agent (see Fig. 25). As the sharp
point 15e2, a conical shape, etc. is employed. The diameter of the project part 15e1
is almost the same as the diameter of the lower end of the thin part 15f, and it is,
for example, 1 to 10 mm, and the length is approximately 2 to 10 mm. The height of
the sharp point 15e2 is preferably approximately 1 to 5 mm. Other than the circular
shape, the cross-sectional shape of the project part 15e1 may be an angular shape,
a cross shape, a star shape, etc. for the material saving. The seal part 15a and the
closing part 15d are partially hardened in a temperature condition, etc. at the time
of molding, and the elongation at the time of opening is suppressed and it may be
easily broken.
[0278] When the user who purchases it uses the discharge device 10, first, the cap 20 is
screwed onto the male screw 13e of the outer container. With this, whole cap 20 and
the valve 21 are lowered, and the bottom face 27a of the seal opening part 27 pushes
down the closing part 15d. Accordingly, the thin part 15f is broken, and the closing
part 15d is teared off from the fitting cylindrical part 15a2 of the housing 24, and
is separated and dropped off from the housing 24. And, the seal opening part 27 breaks
through the bottom part 15c of the fitting cylindrical part 15a2, and the inside of
the housing 24 and the concentrate chamber Sc inside the inner container 14 are connected
(see Fig. 24B). The dropped closing part 15d is fallen into the bottom of the inner
container 14 (see Fig. 25).
[0279] Note that since the cap 20 is screwed onto the outer container 13, the lowering amount
of the valve 21 is small as compared with the operation amount of the cap 20. Accordingly,
the bottom face 27a of the seal opening part 27 gradually presses the pressure receiving
part 15d1 of the closing part 15d. Since the plug 15 is made of synthetic resin, when
gradually pressing, by its extensibility, the closing part 15d is easily elongated
and hardly broken. However, in this embodiment, since the closing part 15d is surrounded
by the annular thin part 15f, and the pressure receiving part 15d1 is projected, the
stress concentration to the thin part 15f is increased, and it can be smoothly broken.
In addition, since the outline of the project part 15e1 is also almost the same as
the thin part 15f, the closing part 15d is hardly bent, and the breaking is further
smoothly performed. Further, since the bottom face 27a of the seal opening part 27
is flat, it is hardly deformed by the opening operation, and the discharge member
can be repeatedly used.
[0280] Since the closing part 15a is provided with the approximately circular shaped pressure
receiving part 15d1, which is provided on the central axis of the plug 15 and is thickened
to the upper part, and abuts to the circular shaped bottom face 27a of the seal opening
part 27, when it is pressurized by the bottom face 27a, the closing part15a is pushed
straight and is broken along the thin part 15f, and the broken closing part 15d is
dropped off and fallen down onto the bottom of the inner container 14. However, the
pressure receiving part 15d1 or the bottom face 27a of the seal opening part 27 may
be inclined, so that the thin part 15f is broken in the order from one side to another
side.
[0281] When the closing part 15d is broken, there is a case in which the concentrate C leaks
from the gap between the inner periphery of the bottom part 15c and the outer periphery
of the seal opening member 27. However, since the gap between the fitting cylindrical
part 15a2 and the housing 24 is sealed by the seal member 28, the concentrate C remains
inside the fitting cylindrical part 15a2 and it does not leak outside. Further, the
reaction force at the time of breaking and the internal pressure after the breaking
function as to push the housing 24 upwardly. However, the cap 20 and the outer container
13 are screwed, and the upper bottom 20a of the cap 20 and the valve holder 18 form
a double support, so that jumping out of the discharge member 12 is suppressed. Further,
the deformation of the upper bottom 20a of the cap 20 is suppressed.
[0282] After the discharge member 12 is mounted, when the user presses the operation button
23 mounted on the stem 22, the stem rubber 26 is bent by lowering the stem 22, and
the stem hole opens. Since the concentrate C inside the concentrate chamber Sc is
pressurized by the pressurizing agent P via the inner container 14, it is discharged
to the outside via the seal opening part 27, the housing 24, the stem 22, and the
operation button 23. When a finger releases from the operation button 23, the stem
22 is raised so as to stop the discharge. The pressurizing agent chamber Sp in which
the pressurizing agent P is charged is closed by the plug 15, and it does not communicate
with the outside or the concentrate chamber Sc, so that the pressurizing agent P does
not leak to the outside by the discharging operation.
[0283] When the concentrate C inside the inner container 14 becomes low, the inner container
14 is contracted. And, after discharging all, as shown in an imaginary line in Fig.
25, the walls of the inner container 14 tightly contact to each other, and become
flat. Since the aforementioned closing part 15d is fallen down onto the bottom of
the inner container 14, specifically, the annular recessed portion 14a1 projected
downwardly, and the rod-shaped project part 15e1 is laid, the sharp point 15e2 of
the closing part 15d breaks through the bottom part 14a or the body part 14b of the
inner container 14, and the pressurizing agent P enters the inside of the inner container
14. Therefore, by only pressing the operation button 23, the pressurizing agent P
can be discharged via the valve 21.
[0284] Note that the inner container 14 formed by the blow molding forms a dome part 14a2,
so that the thickness of the recessed portion 14a1 around the dome part is thin. Therefore,
the recessed portion 14a1 is easily penetrated by the sharp point 15e2. In the state
in which the pressurizing agent P is discharged from the container body 16 as described
above, the discharge member 12 is removed by rotating the cap 20. The removed discharge
member 12 is mounted to a new double pressurized product 11a. The empty double pressurized
container 11 can be safely recycled as a synthetic resin.
[0285] Next, with reference to Figs. 26A and 26B, another embodiment of the double pressurized
container will be described. The discharge device 30 of Fig. 26A is provided with
a double pressurized container 31 which is almost the same as the double pressurized
container 11 of Fig. 24A, and a valve 21 which is practically the same as the valve
21 of Fig. 24A other than the reinforcing plate 27d. In the double pressurized container
31, the whole bottom part 15c of the fitting cylindrical part 15a2 of the seal part
15a is formed as a hemispherical project part 232 which is projected downwardly, and
a root section of this project part 232 functions as the closing part (openable seal
part). And, at the boundary between the fitting cylindrical part 15a2 and the outer
periphery surface of the closing part, an annular thin part 15f is formed. Further,
at the lower center of the project part 232, the sharp point 15e2 to penetrate the
inner container 14 is projected. Also in this embodiment, the thin part 15f is a weakening
line shaped in a V-shape in the cross section.
[0286] Further, at the discharge member 12 of Fig. 26A, the reinforcing plate 27d of the
seal opening part 27 which is provided at the lower part of the housing 24 is a rectangular
shape, and it is not formed in a triangular shape which becomes narrower toward the
lower side as shown in Fig. 24A. After broken at the thin part 15f, it is largely
opened downwardly, so that it does not have to form a narrow shape, and it is preferable
that the lower end of the reinforcing plate 27d is made bigger because it surely pushes
the pressure receiving part 15d1. In other points, it is similar to the discharge
member 12 of Fig. 23A.
[0287] In this discharge device 30, when the cap 20 is screwed to the neck part 13d of the
outer container 13, the bottom face 27a of the seal opening part 27 presses the pressure
receiving part 15d1 downwardly as shown in Fig. 26B and the closing part 232 is teared
off along the thin part 15f. The teared-off closing part 232 is fallen down into the
bottom of the inner container 14 as shown in Fig. 27. Specifically, when there is
the annular recessed portion 14a1 at the bottom part 14a of the inner container 14,
the closing part 232 rolls along the inner surface of the recessed portion 14a1, and
the sharp point 15e2 hits to the bottom part 14a or the wall surface of the body part
14b at right angle. Further, the thickness of the recessed portion 14a1 is thin as
described above. Therefore, when the concentrate C is discharged and the inner container
14 is largely contracted, the sharp point 15e2 of the closing part 232 easily penetrates
the wall of the inner container 14.
[0288] Note that as shown in Fig. 27, instead of the operation button, it may be a discharge
device 230 in which a lever type operation member 240 operating the stem 22 is mounted.
The operation member 240 is provided with a cup-shaped cap holding part 241 fitting
with the periphery of the cap 20, a cover part 242 extending downward from the surrounding
wall of the cap holding part 241 and covering the shoulder part of the container body
16, and a supporting wall 243 extending upward from the cap holding part 241. And,
the rear end of the operation lever 244 is rotatably connected to the upper part rear
end of the supporting wall 243 via a hinge or a pin.
[0289] The spray nozzle 246 is mounted to the upper part of the operation lever 244. The
spray nozzle 246 is mounted to the front end of the L-shaped passage member 247, and
the lower end of the passage member 247 is fitted to the stem 22. The user holds the
cover part 242 and the container body 16, and pulls the operation lever 244, so that
by rotating the operation lever 244 downward around the rear end, the discharge device
230 can discharge through the passage member 247 by opening the valve 21. When stop
operating, it stops discharging. Such lever operation type operation member 240 is
used for a space spray of, mainly, insecticides or deodorant aromatic air fresheners,
etc.
[0290] Next, with reference to Figs. 28 and 29, another embodiment of the double pressurized
container will be described. The double pressurized container 251 of the discharge
device 250 of Figs. 28 and 29 is practically the same as the double pressurized container
31 of Fig. 1A except the protection part 253 around the sharp point 15e2 is provided
at the closing part (openable seal part) 252, and the bottomed cylindrical shaped
base cup 254 is mounted at the outer container 13 in order to stand by itself, since
the bottom parts 13a, 14a of the outer container 13 and the inner container 14 are
formed in hemispherical shapes projecting downwardly. In the double pressurized container
51, the whole bottom part 15c of the fitting cylindrical part 15a2 of the seal part
15a is a columnar shaped closing part 252, and a thin part (breaking part) 15f is
formed at the boundary of the fitting cylindrical part 15a2 and the outer periphery
surface of the closing part 252.
[0291] Further, at the lower center of the closing part 252, a conical or an acicular sharp
point 15e2 is projected. Further, at the periphery of the lower end of the closing
part 252, a thin cylindrical protection part 253 is provided around the sharp point
15e2. The protection part 253 is separated into a plurality of protective pieces 253b
by the multiple breaks 253a so as to be made easily bendable. Further, since the bottom
parts 13a, 14a of the outer container 13 and the inner container 14 are formed in
a hemispherical shape, and a pressure resistance of the container is high, it can
be entirely made thin, and it is easily perforated by the sharp point 15e2.
[0292] In the double pressurized container 251, the broken closing part 252 is arranged
at the hemispherical bottom part 14a of the inner container 14. Since the sharp point
15e2 is surrounded by the protection part 253, even if the closing part 252 is dropped
off inside the inner container 14, the sharp point 15e2 does not touch the inner container
14. When almost all the concentrate is discharged, the hemispherical bottom part 14a
of the inner container 14 is contracted so as to be flipped, and the protective piece
253b is bent, and then, the sharp point 15e2 penetrates the inner container 14 for
the first time. Therefore, the pressurizing agent is not discharged in the state of
remaining the concentrate. Further, since the sharp point 15e2 is surrounded by the
protection part 253, the worker injuries at the time of manufacturing are suppressed.
[0293] Next, with reference to Figs. 30A to 33, a discharge device discharging the pressurizing
agent to the outside directly by making a hole to the outer container 13 will be described.
The discharge device 10 is provided with a double pressurized container 11, the discharge
member 12, and the concentrate (contents) C and the pressurizing agent P charged in
the double pressurized container 11. The one in which the concentrate C and the pressurizing
agent P are charged in the double pressurized container 11 is the pressurized product
11a. It is sold as a set of products before the pressurized product 11a and the discharge
member 12 are assembled (see Fig. 1A), or in the unopened half assembled state (see
Fig. 24A). The pressurized product 11a is sold with the discharge member 12, and also,
it is sold individually as a replacement. Also, the discharge member 12 may be sold
individually.
[0294] The double pressurized container 11 is provided with the outer container 13, the
inner container 14 which is stored inside the outer container and has flexibility,
and the lid (plug) 15 sealing the outer container 13 and the inner container 14. The
valve or the pump is not provided. However, the valve or the pump may be mounted to
the container body 16. The assembly of the outer container 13 and the inner container
14 is the container body 16 (see Fig. 1B). The inside of the inner container 14 is
a concentrate chamber Sc to be filled with the concentrate C, and a space between
the outer container 13 and the inner container 14 is a pressurizing agent chamber
Sp to be filled with the pressurizing agent P. They are sealed by the plug 15. That
is, in the double pressurized container 11, the concentrate C and the pressurizing-propellant
P are separately stored, and only the concentrate C can be discharged, and accordingly,
the leakage of the pressurizing agent P such as compressed gas, etc. can be prevented.
[0295] As shown in Fig. 30B, the outer container 13 is provided with a bottom part 13a,
a cylindrical body part 13b, a shoulder part 13c, and a cylindrical neck part 13d.
A male screw 13e is formed at the outer periphery of the neck part 13d. The upper
end surface 13f of the neck part 13d is approximately flat in order to fix the plug
15. In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 32A, the bottom part 13a of the outer container
13 is provided with an annular contact area 13a1 projected downwardly, and a dome
part 13a2 provided at the center of the contact area and projected upwardly. Accordingly,
the pressure resistance is enhanced, and the impact resistance at the time of dropping,
etc. is enhanced. Therefore, it is safe at the time of distribution as a single item
or at the time of delivery as a home delivery. Further, since it has the contact area
13a1, it can be directly placed on the top such as a flat base, etc. in a stable manner.
However, it may be a spherical bottom face. At the central part of the dome part 13a2,
the lower surface (outer surface side) is recessed, and the upper surface (inner surface
side) is formed as a projected joint part 13a3.
[0296] Returning to Fig. 30B, the inner container 14 is provided with the bottom part 14a,
the body part 14b, the should part 14c, and the neck part 14d similarly to the outer
container 13. Also, at the bottom part 14a of the inner container 14, the annular
recessed portion 14a1 which is projected downwardly, and the dome part 14a2 which
is provided at the center of the recessed portion and projected upwardly are formed.
The central part of the dome part 14a2 is a joint part 14a3 in which the lower surface
(outer surface side) is recessed, and the upper surface (inner surface side) is projected.
The joint part 14a3 of the inner container 14 is thermally welded with the joint part
13a3 of the aforementioned outer container 13. The outer surface of the neck part
14d of the inner container 14 has a small gap in a space with the inner surface of
the neck part 13d of the outer container 13. The inner surface of the neck part 14d
of the inner container 14 is smooth cylindrical surface. The bottom part 14a of the
inner container 14 abuts to the bottom part 13a of the outer container 13, and in
the case of charging the pressurizing agent or fixing the plug 15, etc., the inner
container 14 is supported to prevent from hanging. The bottom part 13a of the outer
container 13 and the bottom part 14a of the inner container 14 merely abuts to each
other but they are not joined except the joint parts 13a3, 14a3.
[0297] Both of the outer container 13 and the inner container 14 are made of thermoplastic
resins such as polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene naphthalate, polyethylene,
polypropylene, etc. With these materials, for example, they can be manufactured by
inserting a preform for the inner container into a preform for the outer container,
and blow-molding the parts lower than the shoulder parts 13c, 14c at the same time.
Specifically, it is preferable to use an injection-blow-molding method in which a
predetermined shaped preform is performed by injection-molding and next the blow-molding
is performed.
[0298] Further, by raising up the bottom part 13a of the outer container 13 by a dome-shaped
mold 62 provided in a vertically movable state at the center of the lower mold 61
at the time of molding the dome parts 13a2, 14a2, the annular recessed portion 14a1
of the inner container 14 can be stretched and made thin. Accordingly, it is easily
crushed and discarded. The dome-shaped mold may be integrated with the lower mold
61.
[0299] Further, before hardening the bottom parts 13a, 14a by cooling the outer container
13 and the inner container 14, by pushing up the central part of the bottom part 13a
by using a stick (reference numeral 60 in Fig. 33), etc., making a recess in the outer
surface side (bottom face side) and a projection in the inner surface side, and by
welding a part of the bottom part 14a of the inner container 14 and a part of the
bottom part 13a of the outer container 13, the joint parts 13a3, 14a 3 can be formed
(see Fig. 33). Accordingly, the periphery of the joint part 13a3 of the outer container
13 (rising part 13a4 in Figs. 32A and 33) becomes thin, and it becomes easily broken.
Note that the joint parts 13a3, 14a3 may be adhered by an adhesive agent.
[0300] When the user who purchases it uses the discharge device 10, first, for example,
the cap 20 of Fig. 11A screws onto the male screw 13e of the outer container. With
this, the whole cap 20 and the valve 21 are lowered as shown in Fig. 11B, and the
bottom face 27a of the seal opening part 27 pushes down the closing part (openable
seal part) 15d. With this, the thin part 15f is broken, and the closing part 15d is
teared off from the fitting cylindrical part 15a2 of the housing 24, and it hangs
down from the housing 24 with remaining connection at a part (reinforcement part 15g),
or it is dropped off by being separated. And, the seal opening part 27 breaks through
the bottom part 15c of the fitting cylindrical part 15a2 to communicate the inside
of the housing 24 with the concentrate chamber Sc which is the inside of the inner
container 14 (see Fig. 11B). The dropped off closing part 15d is fallen down onto
the bottom of the inner container 14.
[0301] When the discharge member 12 is mounted as shown in Fig. 31, the aforementioned openable
seal part 15d is opened. Accordingly, when the user pushes the operation button 23
mounted to the stem 22, the stem 22 is lowered and the stem rubber 26 is bent, so
that the stem hole opens. Since the concentrate C inside the concentrate chamber Sc
is pressurized by the pressurizing agent P via the inner container 14, the concentrate
is discharged to the outside via the seal opening part 27 of Fig. 11B, the housing
24, the stem 22, and the operation button 23. When a finger releases from the operation
button 23, the stem 22 is raised so as to stop the discharge. The pressurizing agent
chamber Sp in which the pressurizing agent P is charged is closed by the plug 15,
and it does not communicate with the outside or the concentrate chamber Sc, so that
the pressurizing agent P does not leak to the outside by the discharging operation.
[0302] When the amount of the concentrate C inside the inner container 14 becomes smaller,
the inner container 14 becomes to be contracted radially inward. And, after discharging
almost all, as shown in Fig. 31, the walls of the body part 14b of the inner container
14 are tightly contacted to each other, and become flat. Further, the bottom part
14a of the inner container 14 is pulled up upwardly. Accordingly, the center of the
bottom part 13a of the outer container 13 which is joined at the joint parts 13a3,
14a3 is also pulled up upwardly. Finally, the periphery of the joint part 13a3 of
the outer container 13 is broken, and it is moved upward while jointing with the joint
part 14a3 of the inner container 14. Therefore, a hole is opened at the bottom part
13a of the outer container 13, and the pressurizing agent P inside the pressurizing
agent chamber Sp is discharged from the hole (see Fig. 32B).
[0303] Note that as to the joint parts 13a3, 14a3 which are formed by pushing up by the
stick 60, etc.at the time of the blow molding, or right after that, the thickness
of the rising part 13a4 around the joint parts is thin. Accordingly, when the inner
container 14 is contracted, the periphery of the joint part 13a of the outer container
13 is easily broken. Note that in the case in which the joint part 14a3 of the inner
container 14 is broken and attached to the outer container 13 side, the pressurizing
agent P can be discharged via the valve 21 by pushing the operation button 23. In
the state in which the pressurizing agent P is discharged from the container body
16 as described above, the cap 20 is turned, and the discharge member 12 is removed.
And, the removed discharge member 12 is mounted to a new pressurized product 11a.
The empty double pressurized container 11 can be safely recycled as a synthetic resin.
[0304] Since the double pressurized container 11 of the present invention as described above
breaks the outer container 13 by using the deformation of the inner container 14 as
shown in Figs.32A and 32B and the pressurizing agent P is discharged, a spike (see
reference numeral 15e of Fig. 2C) is not required to perforate the inner container.
Accordingly, there is no risk that a worker or a user is injured. Further, addition
parts are not required, so that a low cost can be realized.
[0305] In the above, the preferable embodiments of the present invention were described.
However, the present invention is not limited to the aforementioned embodiments, and
various modifications may be made within the scope of the present invention. For example,
a thin part such as a V-groove, etc. is provided at the periphery of the joint part
13a3, so that the periphery of the joint part 13a3 is easily broken. Such thin part
can be formed by providing an annular edge at the upper end of the stick 60 of Fig.
33. Further, other than that the joint parts 13a3, 14a3 are thermally bonded to each
other, they may be adhered by an adhesive agent. Note that other than the bottom part,
the joint part can be formed at the body part, the shoulder part, etc. In the aforementioned
embodiments, it is the double pressurized container in which the container body 16
is sealed by the plug 15 and the valve is not provided. However, in the present invention,
the double pressurized container (discharge device) in which the container body 16
is sealed by the valve 21 can be applied.
[0306] Next, with reference to Figs. 34 and 35, the manufacturing method of the double pressurized
product 10 will be described. In this method, first, in the inside of the double container
body 16 molded by the blow molding from the double preform as described above, the
air nozzle 317 is inserted, and the inside is cleaned by the air blow (air blow step
S1). Next, the body part 13b of the outer container 13 is pinched by the clamp member
318 from the both sides and is compressed, and the external force of compression is
transmitted to the inner container 14, and the internal volume of the double container
body 16 is contracted (contraction step S2). At this point, it is contracted so that
a head space does not occur inside the inner container 14, that is, the volume corresponding
to the head space is reduced when charging the concentrate C.
[0307] While maintaining the compressed state, the concentrate C is charged in the inner
container 14 (concentrate charging step S3). The concentrate C is preferably charged
at an amount such that the bottom part of the plug 15 contacts to the concentrate
C and no vacant space remains when mounting the plug 15. With this, at the time of
welding the plug 15, the openable seal part 15d is cooled by the concentrate C so
as not to be melted. Further, by not leaving or reducing the vacant space, the discharge
becomes smooth.
[0308] The concentrate C includes goods for human body such as skin supplies such as face
cleansers, detergents, bath agents, moisturizers, cleansing agents, sunscreens, skin
lotions, shaving agents, refreshing agents, antiperspirants, sterilizing disinfectants,
pest repellents, etc., hair supplies such as treatment agents, styling agents, hair
dyeing agents, etc., goods for foods such as whipped cream, olive oil, etc., goods
for household such as deodorants, fragrances, insect repellents, insecticides, pollen
removers, herbicides, liquid fertilizer, etc. However, it is not limited to these
uses.
[0309] Next, as shown in Fig. 35, the plug 15 is mounted airtight to the mouth 14f2 of the
inner container 14 while maintaining the pressurized state, and the inner container
14 is sealed (plug mounting step S4). Next, the clamp member 318 opens and releases
the compression of the outer container 13. With this, the outside air enters between
the outer container 13 and the inner container 14, and the outer container 13 is elastically
returned to the original shape (external force release step S5). On the other hand,
since the concentrate C is charged and the inner container 14 is sealed by the plug
15, even when the compression force (outside force to compress) by the clamp member
318 is released, it does not return to the original shape, and it maintains the contracted
state. Therefore, the outer container 13 and the inner container 14 which are blow
molded from the double preform are smoothly separated, and the pressurizing agent
chamber Sp is formed therebetween.
[0310] Next, the outer container 13 and the inner container 14 are set to the pressurizing
agent charging device 320 which is provided with an ultrasonic wave welding machine
319, and the pressurizing agent chamber Sp is filled with the pressurizing agent P
by an undercup charging (pressurizing agent charging step S6), and next, the plug
15 is fixed to the outer container 13 and the inner container 14 by the ultrasonic
wave welding by the ultrasonic wave welding machine 319 (welding step S7). The pressurizing
agent charging device 320 is provided with a cylindrical charging tool 323 opening
downward, and a horn H for ultrasonic wave welding which closes the upper part opening
of the charging tool 323 and which can be raised and lowered inside the charging tool
323.
[0311] At the lower end of the charging tool 323, an annular seal material 325 abutting
to the shoulder part 13c of the outer container 13 is provided. At the charging tool
323, a pressurizing agent supply pipe 326 is connected. In the pressurizing agent
charging device 320, the charging tool 323 and the outer container 13 are placed close
to each other in an axial direction, and it provides a mechanism to press each other.
Such pressing mechanism is constituted with a mechanism for lifting the charging tool
323 or a lifting mechanism 327L for lifting a support tray 327 which supports the
outer container 13. The ultrasonic wave welding machine 319 is provided with the lifting
mechanism 328 for lifting the aforementioned horn H, and the annular seal material
329 which allows sliding is provided between the lifting mechanism 328 and the charging
tool 323.
[0312] When charging the pressurizing agent P, first, the charging tool 323 and the outer
container 13 are brought close to each other, and the space between the charging tool
323 and the outer container 13 is sealed by the seal material 325 of the lower part
of the charging tool 323. Next, the pressurizing agent P is supplied to the charging
tool 323 from the pressurizing agent supply pipe 326. With this, the pressurizing
agent P is undercup-charged to the pressurizing agent chamber Sp through the space
between the upper end of the neck part 13d of the outer container 13 and the flange
15b of the plug 15, the space between the seal opening member 13g1 of the outer container
13 and the seal opening member 14f2 of the inner container 14, and further, through
a passage between the neck part 13d of the outer container 13 and the neck part 14d
of the inner container 14 (pressurizing agent charging step S6).
[0313] As the pressurizing agent P, it is preferable to include compressed gas such as nitrogen
gas, compressed air, carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide gas, etc. The pressure inside the
double pressurized container by the pressurizing agent is 0.1 to 0.5 MPa (25°C, gauge
pressure), and particularly, it is preferably 0.3 to 0.5 MPa (25°C, gauge pressure)
which is almost the same pressure as carbonated drink. Further, the capacity of the
outer container 13 is preferably 30 to 500 ml. The capacity of the concentrate chamber
Sc is preferably approximately 20 to 300 ml. The capacity of the pressurizing agent
chamber Sp is preferably approximately 10 to 200 ml.
[0314] After charging the pressurizing agent P, while maintaining the sealing by the seal
material 325, the horn 324 is lowered, and the ultrasonic vibration is transmitted
to the horn 324 in the state in which the plug 15 is pressurized downwardly. With
this, the flange 15b of the plug 15 is welded to the upper end surface 13f of the
neck part 13d of the outer container 13, and the upper end surface 14e of the neck
part 14d of the inner container 14 by the ultrasonic wave welding (welding step S7).
Accordingly, the double pressurized product 10 is obtained.
[0315] After welding, the doble pressurized product 10 is taken out from the pressurizing
agent charging device 320 by lifting the charging tool 323 or lowering the support
tray 327. Next, by the pressure measuring device 330 detecting an internal pressure
of the double pressurized product 10, it confirms whether the internal pressure is
within a predetermined range (pressure measuring step S8). The pressure measuring
device 330 is provided with a grip 331 pressurizing the body part 13b of the outer
container 13, a load cell 332 detecting a pressure force by the grip, and a sensor
detecting a deformation amount of the body part 13b, and the internal pressure is
measured based on the calibration curve of the deformation amount and the pressure
force.
[0316] In the manufacturing method of the aforementioned double pressurized product, after
charging the concentrate C in the inner container 14, the inner container 14 is tightly
closed by the plug 15, and it allows the outer container 13 to be elastically returned
by releasing the clamping force (external force) of the clamp member 318. Accordingly,
the outer container 13 and the inner container 14 can be smoothly separated, and the
pressurizing agent chamber Sp can be easily formed.
[0317] Next, another embodiment of the manufacturing method of the double pressurized product
of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 36. First, the inside
of the double container body 16 is cleaned by air blow (air blow step S1). Next, the
concentrate C is charged to the inner container 14 (concentrate charging step S11).
Next, the body part 13b of the outer container 13 is sandwiched and pressurized from
the both sides by the clamp member 318, and the volume of the inner container 14 is
contracted (contraction step S12). At this point, it is contracted so as not to include
a head space Hs inside the inner container 14, that is, to reduce the volume corresponding
to the head space.
[0318] After that, it is similar to the aforementioned embodiments, and it performs the
plug mounting step S4 in which the plug 15 is air-tightly mounted to the mouth of
the inner container 14 while maintaining the pressurized state as shown in Fig. 3,
and seals the inner container 14, and the external force release step S5 in which
the clamp member 318 is opened and the compression of the outer container 13 is removed.
Further, it performs in the order of the charging pressurizing agent step S6 in which
the pressurizing agent P is undercup-charged to the pressurizing agent chamber Sp,
the welding step S7 in which the plug 15 is fixed to the outer container 13 and the
inner container 14 by the ultrasonic wave welding, and the pressure measuring step
S8.
[0319] In the manufacturing method of Fig. 36, the concentrate C is charged, and the contracted
inner container 14 is tightly closed by the plug, and the clamping force to the outer
container 13 is released, so that the outer container 13 and the inner container 14
can be smoothly separated.
[0320] Next, with reference to Figs. 37A to 39, the technology in which after sealing by
the plug 15, a head space is minimized by absorbing the gas at the gas-phase into
the concentrate will be described. Fig. 37A shows the state in which the plug 15 is
put on the container body 16. At the top surface 17c of the plug 15, the horn for
ultrasonic wave welding 324 is abutted. The welding of the plug 15 is not done yet.
At this time, the concentrate C is charged in the concentrate chamber Sc, but the
pressurizing agent P is not charged in the pressurizing agent chamber Sp. At the upper
end surface 13f of the neck part 13d of the outer container 13, the annular projection
13g is formed so that the welding is facilitated by increasing the contact pressure
with the plug 15 at the time of the ultrasonic wave welding, and to provide a welding
part (reference numeral Y2 in Fig. 37B) so as to be integrated with the plug 15. The
annular projection 13g is an approximately triangular shape in cross section, and
particularly, it is an isosceles triangle or an equilateral triangle.
[0321] In this embodiment, the annular projection 13g is provided approximately at the center
in the thickness range of the neck part 13d. The annular projection can be provided
at the plug 15 side, and the upper end surface 13f of the neck part 13d can be flat.
A plurality of the inclined parts 13h is provided at the inner side of the upper end
surface 13f, and it is used as a space to store the resin piece (welding waste), which
is made by cooling the melted resin at the time of the ultrasonic wave welding, so
that it is not projected.
[0322] As shown in Fig. 37A, the upper part of the neck part 14d of the inner container
14 is projected higher than the upper end surface 13f of the outer container 13, and
the flange 14f engaging with the upper end surface 13f of the outer container 13 is
formed at the projection part. The thickness of the flange 14f (dimension of the radial
direction) is approximately 1/3 to 1/2 of the thickness of the neck part 13d of the
outer container 13. Accordingly, when the flange 14f is locked to the upper end surface
13f of the neck part 13d of the outer container 13, at the upper end surface 13f of
the neck part 13d of the outer container 13, the outside part is not covered and it
remains. The annular projection 13g of the upper end of the outer container 13 is
provided at the outside part. Also, at the upper end surface 14e of the neck part
14d of the inner container 14, an annular projection 14 g is formed to provide a welding
part (reference numeral Y1 of Fig. 37B) with the plug 15 by increasing the contact
pressure with the plug 15 at the time of the ultrasonic wave welding. In this embodiment,
this annular projection 14g is also an approximately triangular shape in cross section,
and particularly, it is an isosceles triangle or an equilateral triangle.
[0323] At the lower surface of the flange 14f of the inner container 14, a horizontal groove
14h for charging pressurizing agent which extends in the radial direction is formed
at four sections at an equal interval. Further, at the outer periphery surface of
the neck part 14d of the inner container 14, a vertical groove 14i communicating with
the horizontal groove 14h is formed. The vertical groove 14i is extended to the upper
end of the shoulder part 14c from the horizontal groove 14h, and with this, the pressurizing
agent P is easily charged inside the pressurizing agent chamber Sp.
[0324] Both the outer container 13 and the inner container 14 are made of synthetic resins,
and particularly, made of thermoplastic resin such as polyethylene terephthalate,
polyethylene naphthalate, polyethylene, polypropylene, etc. For the inner container
14, it is preferable to have gas permeability permeating the pressurizing agent P
or gas G inside the inner container 14. With these materials, for example, they can
be manufactured by inserting a preform for the inner container into a preform for
the outer container, and by blow-molding the parts lower than the lower ends of the
neck parts 13d, 14d at the same time. Specifically, it is preferable to use an injection
blow molding method in which a predetermined shaped preform is provided by performing
injection molding and next, performing blow molding.
[0325] The plug 15 is provided with the bottomed cylindrical shaped seal part 15a inserted
inside the neck part 14d of the inner container 14, and the annular flange 15b which
continues to the upper end of the seal part. The upper part of the seal part 15a is
the inner cylindrical part 15a1 fitting to the inner surface of the neck part 14d
of the inner container 14 with a space, and the lower part is the valve housing part
(fitting cylindrical part) 15a2 which stores the valve 21 of the discharge member
12 detachably, and fits with the valve 21 via a seal material (reference numeral 28
of Fig. 1). The valve housing part 15a2 has a smaller diameter than the inner cylindrical
part 15a1.
[0326] The flange 15b of the plug 15 is provided with the flat part 17 expanding radially
outward from the upper end of the seal part 15a, and the outer cylindrical part 17a
extending downward from the outer edge of the flat part 17. The lower surface 17b
of the flat part 17 is a part which abuts to the upper end surface 14e of the neck
part 14d of the inner container 14, particularly to the annular projection 14g, to
form a welding part (reference numeral Y1 of Fig. 37B) and to be sealed. The lower
surface 17a1 of the outer cylindrical part 17a is a part which abuts to the upper
end surface 13f of the neck part 13d of the outer container 13, particularly, the
annular projection 13g, to form a welding part (reference numeral Y2 of Fig. 37B)
abutting to and to be sealed. The welding part Y1 of the inner container 14 seals
the space between the concentrate chamber Sc and the pressurizing agent chamber Sp.
The welding part Y2 of the outer container 13 seals the space between the pressurizing
agent chamber Sp and the outer part. The top surface 17c of the flat part 17 (top
surface of flange 15b) is an abutting surface with the horn H oscillating the ultrasonic
vibration of the ultrasonic wave welding machine. The horn H is formed in a cylindrical
shape, and the lower surface HI of the horn is flat.
[0327] After charging the concentrate C to the concentrate chamber Sc inside the inner container
14, and covering the plug 15 to the opening of the container body 16, the ultrasonic
wave welding of the plug 15 can be done by the pressurizing agent charging device
assembled with the horn H for welding (see reference numeral 330 of Fig. 38). The
ultrasonic wave welding is done after undercup charging the pressurizing agent P to
the pressurizing agent chamber Sp between the outer container 13 and the inner container
14.
[0328] After welding, as shown in Fig. 37B, the lower surface 17a1 of the outer cylindrical
part 17a is welded with the upper end surface 13f of the outer container 13, and the
lower surface 17b of the flat part 17 is welded with the upper end surface 14e of
the inner container 14, and it becomes the pressurized product 11a. And, as described
above, the melted resin is not projected to the outer part from the space between
both. Further, since two welding parts Y1, Y2 are continuously and sufficiently formed
by welding, the pressurizing agent P is not leaked from the pressurizing agent chamber
Sp for a long time, and the concentrate C is not leaked from the concentrate chamber
Sc. The resin projecting inwardly at the time of welding is stored in the inclined
part (inclined groove) 13h, and does not flow into the pressurizing agent chamber
Sp.
[0329] In a case in which the gas (particularly, gas in the head space Hs which will be
described later) G inside the inner container 14 is substituted to another gas, as
the substitute gas R, the one satisfying the following relationship with the concentrate
C is chosen. It is preferable that the solubility with respect to 1 ml of the concentrate
under 1 atm at 25°C is higher than air, and for example, it is equal to or more than
0.02 ml, and particularly, it is equal to or more than 0.05 ml. When the solubility
is high, the substitute gas R which is the gas G inside inner container 14 is quickly
dissolved to the concentrate C, so that the gas-phase is easily disappeared, and the
pressure of the pressurized product 11a can be stabilized in a short period of time.
[0330] For example, in the case in which the concentrate C includes equal to or more than
70 mass% of water, the substitute gas R may be soluble compressed gas (carbon dioxide,
nitrous oxide) or mixed gas of soluble compressed gas and low solubility gas (compressed
air, oxygen, nitrogen, hydrogen), and the gas in which the dissolved amount with respect
to 1 ml of the concentrate under 1 atm at 25°C is 0.02 ml, and it is preferably equal
to or more than 0.05 ml, is used.
[0331] As the concentrate C including water which is equal to or more than 70 mass%, for
example, it can be human body goods such as skin lotions, shaving (foam, gel, post-foaming
gel, cream), hand cream, hand soap, body soap, face cleanser, shampoo, hair treatment,
hair color, infusion, etc., miscellaneous goods such as pollen adhesion inhibitor,
etc. to inhibit pollen adhesion to such as clothing or mask, etc., household goods
such as indoor deodorants/fragrances, pollen removers, contact lens cleaners, bath
agents, gardening fertilizers, gardening insecticide, etc., and foods such as seasonings,
dietary supplements, beverages, whipped cream, etc. However, it is not limited to
these uses.
[0332] For example, in the case in which the concentrate C includes equal to or more than
20 mass% of alcohol or oil, the substitute gas R includes compressed gas such as carbon
dioxide, nitrous oxide, oxygen, nitrogen, hydrogen, etc., vaporized gas of liquefied
gas such as liquefied petroleum gas, dimethyl ether, hydrofluoroolefin, etc., and
mixed gas thereof, and the gas, in which the dissolved amount with respect to 1 ml
of the concentrate under 1 atm at 25°C is equal to or more than 0.02 ml, and preferably,
it is equal to or more than 0.05 ml, is used. In the case in which the concentrate
C includes equal to or more than 20 mass% of alcohol or oil, the dissolved amount
of the air with respect to 1 ml of the concentrate under 1 atm at 25°C is also equal
to or more than 0.02 ml (equal to or more than 0.05 ml). Accordingly, it does not
necessarily substitute the air in the head space Hs to another gas.
[0333] As the concentrate which includes equal to or more than 20 mass% of alcohol, for
example, it includes human body goods such as hair sprays, sunscreens, antiperspirants,
coolants, hand sterilizing disinfectants, pest repellents, etc., household goods such
as indoor deodorant/fragrances, sterilizing disinfectants, etc., and batteries such
as fuel cell, etc. However, it is not limited to these uses.
[0334] As the concentrate which includes equal to or more than 20 mass% of oil, for example,
it includes human body goods such as cleansings, sunscreens, etc., household goods/industrial
supplies such as lubricants, etc., and edible oil such as olive oil, soybean oil,
corn oil, safflower oil, sunflower oil, sesame oil, rice bran oil, etc. However, it
is not limited to these uses.
[0335] The concentrate C is preferably attached to the inner surface side of the openable
seal part 15d. With this, when the plug 15 is welded to the container body 16, the
openable seal part 15d is cooled by the concentrate C. Therefore, the problem such
that the openable seal part 15d is melted by heat can be solved.
[0336] As the pressurizing agent P, it is preferably compressed gas having low solubility
in which the solubility is lower than the gas G (substitute gas R) inside the inner
container 14 such as nitrogen, compressed air, oxygen, hydrogen, etc. Further, the
pressure inside the pressurized container 11 by the pressurizing agent P is 0.2 to
0.6 MPa (25°C, gauge pressure), and particularly, it is preferably 0.3 to 0.5 MPa
(25°C, gauge pressure) which is almost the same pressure as carbonated drink.
[0337] Note that in the case in which the pressurizing agent P permeates the inner container
14, and is dissolved to the concentrate C, it is preferable to use, as a pressurizing
agent P, the soluble compressed gas such as carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, etc., or
mixed gas of the soluble compressed gas and the low solubility gas (compressed air,
oxygen, nitrogen, hydrogen), which is higher solubility than the gas G inside the
inner container 14, particularly than air. Specifically, the gas, in which the solubility
with respect to 1 ml of the concentrate under 1 atm at 25°C is equal to or more than
0.02 ml, and it is preferably equal to or more than 0.05 ml, is used. Further, the
pressurizing agent P is charged to be the pressure of 0.2 to 0.6 MPa (25°C, gauge
pressure) in the saturated dissolution state.
[0338] The capacity of the outer container 13 is preferably 30 to 500 ml. The capacity of
the inner concentrate (concentrate chamber Sc) 14 is preferably approximately 20 to
300 ml. The capacity of the pressurizing agent chamber Sp is preferably approximately
10 to 200 ml.
[0339] Next, with reference to Fig. 38, one example of the pressurizing agent charging device
used for charging the aforementioned pressurizing agent P and welding will be described.
The pressurizing agent charging device 320 of Fig. 38 is provided with a base 321,
a support tray (lifting platform) 327 provided at the base 321, a cylindrical charging
tool 323 arranged at the upper side of the lifting platform 327, and the horn H for
ultrasonic wave welding which closes the upper opening of the charging tool 323 and
which is provided inside the charging tool 323 in a vertically movable manner. The
charging tool 323 is height adjustably supported by two columns which are stood from
the base 321. At the lower end of the charging tool 323, a seal material 325 is provided
and air-tightly abuts to the shoulder part 13c of the outer container 13. The horn
H is mounted to the ultrasonic oscillator via the lifting mechanism which is provided
with a drive source such as a fluid cylinder or an electric motor, etc. The support
tray 327 is also height adjustably supported by the lifting device 327L.
[0340] The middle part Hm of the horn H is set to be fitted with the internal diameter of
the charging tool 323 in a vertically sliding manner while sealing the inside of the
aforementioned charging tool 323. Further, the horn H is reduced in diameter from
the upper part Hu to the middle part Hm in order to amplify the vibration energy from
the ultrasonic oscillator toward the lower side, and in addition, it is reduced in
diameter from the middle part Hm to the lower part Hb. Accordingly, near the lower
end 328 becomes the smallest diameter.
[0341] The manufacturing method of the pressurized product 11a shown in Fig. 39 includes
the concentrate charging step S1, the replacement step S2 in which the gas G inside
the inner container 14 is substituted to the substitute gas R, the plug mounting step
S3 in which the substitute gas R is confined by the plug 15, the pressurizing agent
charging and plug welding step S4, and the inner container contraction step S5. In
this manufacturing method, first, the container body 16 in which the inner container
14 is mounted to the outer container 13 is prepared. The double container body 16
can be manufactured by the double blow molding. And, when performing the concentrate
charging step S1 in which the concentrate C is charged inside the inner container
14, it leaves a space (head space) Hs in which the concentrate C is not charged at
the upper part of the inner container 14.
[0342] Next, in the replacement step S2, the plug 15 is held in the state that the gas is
capable of entering to and leaving from the concentrate chamber Sc, and the substitute
gas R which is high solubility to the concentrate C is charged from the space between
the opening of the inner container 14 and the plug 15, and the air in the head space
Hs inside the inner container 14 is discharged outside, and the gas G inside the inner
container 14 is replaced to the substitute gas R (replacement step). Particularly,
it is preferable to replace to the gas which is higher in solubility to the concentrate
C than the pressurizing agent P.
[0343] Next, in the plug mounting step S3, the plug 15 is put on the opening of the container
body 16, and the replaced gas is confined inside the head space Hs. By using gas in
which the density (molecular weight) is larger than air, it is easily confined inside
the head space Hs.
[0344] Next to the plug mounting step S3, the pressurizing agent charging and plug welding
step S4 in which the pressurizing agent P is charged to the pressurizing agent chamber
Sp between the inner container 14 and the outer container 13, and the plug 15 is welded
and fixed to the opening of the inner container 14 and the opening of the outer container
13 is performed. In this step, the pressurizing agent P is charged into the pressurizing
agent chamber Sp through the space between the plug 15 and the outer container 13
(undercup charging). After that, the plug 15 is welded to the outer container 13 and
the inner container 14 and it is sealed. In this step, for example, the pressurizing
agent charging device 320 of Fig. 38, etc. can be used, and the welding method of
Fig. 37A can be employed. Accordingly, the welding waste hardly leaks outside, and
the sealability between the plug 15 and the outer container 13 is enhanced so as to
reduce the leakage, and the pressurized product 11a having an excellent appearance
can be obtained.
[0345] Note that in the case in which the solubility of the pressurizing agent P to the
concentrate C is higher than air inside the head space Hs, the pressurizing agent
P easily permeates the inner container 14 to be dissolved to the concentrate C, so
that the replacement step S2 is not required.
[0346] Further, when the pressurizing agent P is charged, the pressurizing agent P may be
charged inside the head space Hs. That is, in this step, the air inside the head space
Hs can be replaced with the pressurizing agent P (replacement step S4a). In this case,
the substitute gas R is the pressurizing agent P, and the gas G inside the inner container
14 is the pressurizing agent P.
[0347] Note that the inner container 14 may be heat-contracted by charging wormed concentrate
C in the concentrate charging step S1, or the inner container 14 may be heat-contracted
by blowing heat air before the concentrate charging step S1. After that, the concentrate
C is charged. Further, the inner container 14 may be contracted by vacuuming air inside
the inner container 14, or the pressurizing agent or the compressed air is charged
into the pressurizing agent chamber Sp between the outer container 13 and the inner
container 14, so that the inner container 14 is contracted by pressurizing from the
outside. When the inner container 14 and the outer container 13 are manufactured by
the double blow molding, etc., the inner container 14 and the outer container 13 are
tightly attached, so that the pressurizing agent chamber Sp is small and it is hardly
filled. With this, when the pressurizing agent chamber Sp is formed by contracting
the inner container 14 before charging the pressurizing agent P, it becomes easier
to charge the pressurizing agent P. Further, by dissolving the gas which will be described
later, it becomes easier to contract the inner container 14.
[0348] When completing the plug welding step S4, the pressure inside container body 16 becomes
high, so that the gas G inside the head space Hs is compressed, and further, it is
dissolved to the concentrate C. Alternatively, since the pressurizing agent P of the
pressurizing agent chamber Sp permeate into the inside of the inner container 14,
and the concentrate C is dissolved. Therefore, the air (gas) G inside the head space
Hs which could not be dissolved is pushed out from the inner container 14, and the
gas-phase becomes small, or it is disappeared. Accordingly, the inner container 14
is gradually contracted. This is the inner container contraction step S5.
[0349] In this way, according to the manufacturing method of the pressurized production
11a of the present invention, the gas G inside the inner container 14 can be dissolved
to the concentrate C, or the gas can be pushed out from the inner container 14, so
that forming the gas-phase inside the inner container 14 can be suppressed. Specifically,
in the case in which the plug 15 is welded by the ultrasonic wave welding, when the
concentrate C is positioned at the vicinity of the welding part, the concentrate C
is atomized by the ultrasonic vibration, so that there is possibility that the dissolution
of the welding part is inhibited, and the welding becomes insufficient. Therefore,
it is necessary to provide the gas-phase inside the inner container 14 to separate
the liquid surface of the concentrate C from the welding part, and the gas-phase inevitably
occurs in the inner container 14. However, since the inner container contraction step
S5 is provided, the gas-phase can be minimized or can be disappeared, so that the
stable discharge of the concentrate C can be realized.
(Example 1)
[0350] By using the pressurized container 11 provided with the outer container and the inner
container which are made of polyethylene terephthalate (full volume 210 ml of the
outer container), 120g of water is charged as the concentrate C inside the inner container.
Next, the air in the head space Hs inside the inner container is replaced to carbon
dioxide (solubility to water: 0.76 (25°C, 1 atm)), and it is covered by the plug made
of polyethylene terephthalate. Further, nitrogen (solubility to water: 0.014 ((25°C,
1 atm)) is charged as the pressurizing agent P in the pressurizing agent chamber Sp
through the space between the outer container and the plug, and the plug is fixed
to the container body by the ultrasonic wave welding. The pressure immediately after
production is 0.5 MPa. After that, when it is stored at the temperature-controlled
room at 25°C, after 1 day, the inner container is contracted and the gas-phase is
almost disappeared.
(Example 2)
[0351] By using the pressurized container 11 provided with the outer container and the inner
container which are both made of polyethylene terephthalate (full volume 210 ml of
the outer container), 120g of water is charged as the concentrate C inside the inner
container. Next, the container body is covered by the plug made of polyethylene terephthalate.
Further, carbon dioxide (solubility to water: 0.76 (25°C, 1 atm)) is charged as the
pressurizing agent P in the pressurizing agent chamber Sp through the space between
the outer container and the plug, and the plug is fixed to the container body by the
ultrasonic wave welding. The gas G in the head space Hs inside the inner container
is air. The pressure immediately after production is 0.5 MPa. After that, when it
is stored at the temperature-controlled room at 25°C, after 1 day, the inner container
is contracted and the gas-phase is almost disappeared. Accordingly, in example 2,
the replacement steps S2, S4a are not required.
(Example 3)
[0352] By using the pressurized container 11 provided with the outer container and the inner
container which are both made of polyethylene terephthalate (full volume 210 ml of
the outer container), 100g of ethanol is charged as the concentrate C inside the inner
container. Next, the plug made of polyethylene terephthalate is put on the container
body. Further, nitrogen (solubility to ethanol: 0.14 (25°C, 1 atm)) is charged as
the pressurizing agent P in the pressurizing agent chamber Sp through the space between
the outer container and the plug, and the plug is fixed to the container body by the
ultrasonic wave welding. The gas G in the head space Hs inside the inner container
is air. The pressure immediately after production is 0.5 MPa. After that, when it
is stored at the temperature-controlled room at 25°C, after 1 day, the inner container
is contracted and the gas-phase is almost disappeared. Accordingly, in example 3,
the replacement steps S2, S4a are not required.
(Example 4)
[0353] By using the pressurized container 11 provided with the outer container and the inner
container which are both made of polyethylene terephthalate (full volume 210 ml of
the outer container), 100g of olive oil is charged as the concentrate C inside the
inner container. Next, the plug made of polyethylene terephthalate is put on the container
body. Further, carbon dioxide (solubility to olive oil: 1.1 ((25°C, 1 atm)) is charged
as the pressurizing agent P in the pressurizing agent chamber Sp through the space
between the outer container and the plug, and the plug is fixed to the container body
by the ultrasonic wave welding. The gas G in the head space Hs inside the inner container
is air. The pressure immediately after production is 0.5 MPa. After that, when it
is stored at the temperature-controlled room at 25°C, after 1 day, the inner container
is contracted and the gas-phase is almost disappeared. Accordingly, in example 4,
the replacement steps S2, S4a are not required.
[0354] In the above, the preferable embodiments of the present invention were described.
However, the present invention is not limited to the aforementioned embodiments, and
various modifications may be made within the scope of the present invention. For example,
the pressurized product 11a may not be produced in the air, but it may be produced
in the atmosphere such as carbon dioxide, etc. which is higher solubility with respect
to the concentrate than the air. In this case, the replacement steps S2, S4a are not
required.
[0355] The aforementioned pressurized production manufacturing method can be applied to
a food production method. That is, in the concentrate charging step S1 of Fig. 39,
a food as the concentrate C, particularly, liquid foods, beverages, is charged, and
in the pressurizing agent charging step, the gas for food dissolution is employed
as the pressurizing agent P, so that the gas-containing food can be obtained as the
pressurized product 11a. Hereinafter, with reference to Figs. 37 to 39, the gas-containing
food and its manufacturing method will be described.
[0356] Same as the combination of the aforementioned pressurized product and the discharge
product, the gas-containing food 11a is sold as a set of products before assembled
with the discharge member 12 or in the state that the discharge member 12 is screwed
some amount to the upper end of the gas-containing food 11a and in an unopened half
-assembled state. The gas-containing food 11a is sold with the discharge member 12,
and other than that, it may be sold individually as a replacement. In this case, the
discharge member 12 is repeatedly used, so that it is resource saving. There is a
case that the discharge member 12 may be sold individually.
[0357] The pressurized container 11 used for the gas-containing food 11a is provided with
the outer container 13, the inner container 14 stored inside the outer container and
having flexibility, the lid (plug) 15 for sealing the outer container 13 and the inner
container 14. The valve or the pump is not provided. Further, the outer container
13, the inner container 14, and the plug 15 are made of the same material. Accordingly,
the pressurized container 11 is made of a single material. The combination of the
outer container 13 and the inner container 14 is the container body 16. The inside
of the inner container 14 is the concentrate chamber Sc to be filled with the concentrate
C, and the space between the outer container 13 and the inner container 14 is the
pressurizing agent chamber Sp to be filled with the pressurizing agent P (see Fig.
37A). They are sealed by the plug 15. Note that Fig. 4A shows the container body in
which the concentrate C and the pressurizing agent P are not charged, and the plug
is not welded yet. In this embodiment, the concentrate C and the pressurizing agent
P are stored with separated state by the inner container 14, and by mounting the discharge
member 12, the concentrate C becomes to a state capable of discharging.
[0358] Both the outer container 13 and the inner container 14 are made of synthetic resins,
and particularly, made of thermoplastic resin such as polyethylene terephthalate,
polyethylene naphthalate, polyethylene, polypropylene, etc. With these materials,
for example, a preform for the inner container is inserted into a preform for the
outer container, and it can be manufactured by blow-molding the parts lower than the
lower ends of the neck parts 13d, 14d at the same time. Specifically, it is preferable
to use an injection blow molding method in which a predetermined shaped preform is
provided by performing injection molding and next, performing blow molding.
[0359] In the inner container 14, the thickness of the body part 14b is 0.05 to 0.3 mm which
is made thin by performing the blow molding, so that the pressurizing agent P easily
permeates. On the other hand, the thickness of the body part 13b of the outer container
13 is equal to or more than 0.35 mm which is made thick by performing the blow molding,
so that the strength in which it is not deformed largely by the pressure right after
the charging (in the state before the pressurizing agent P is dissolved to the concentrate
C) is obtained. Accordingly, the thickness of the body part 13b of the outer container
13 is preferably thicker than the thickness of the body part 14b of the inner container
14.
[0360] The aforementioned plug 15 is, for example, provided with the bottomed cylindrical
shaped seal part 15a which is inserted inside the neck part 14d of the inner container
14 shown in Fig. 5, and the annular flange 15b which continues to the upper end of
the seal part. The upper part of the seal part 15a is the inner cylindrical part 15a1
which is fitted to the inner surface of the neck part 14d of the inner container 14
with a space. And at the lower part, the valve 21 of the discharge member 12 is detachably
stored, and it is the valve housing part (fitting cylindrical part) 15a2 which is
fitted via the seal material (reference numeral 28 of Fig. 1A). The diameter of the
valve housing part 15a2 is smaller than the inner cylindrical part 15a1.
[0361] The flange 15b of the plug 15 is provided with the flat part 17 expanding radially
outward from the upper end of the seal part 15a, and the outer cylindrical part 17a
extending downward from the outer edge of the flat part 17. The lower surface 17b
of the flat part 17 is a part which abuts to the upper end surface 14e of the neck
part 14d of the inner container 14, particularly to the annular projection 14g, to
form a welding part (reference numeral Y1 of Fig. 37B) and to be sealed. The lower
surface 17a1 of the outer cylindrical part 17a is a part which abuts to the upper
end surface 13f of the neck part 13d of the outer container 13, particularly to the
annular projection 13g, to form a welding part (reference numeral Y2 of Fig. 37B)
and to be sealed. The welding part Y1 of the inner container 14 seals the space between
the concentrate chamber Sc and the pressurizing agent chamber Sp. The welding part
Y2 of the outer container 13 seals the space between the pressurizing agent chamber
Sp and the outer part. The top surface 17c of the flat part 17 (top surface of flange
15b) is an abutting surface with the horn H oscillating the ultrasonic vibration of
the ultrasonic wave welding machine. The horn H is formed in a cylindrical shape,
and the lower surface HI of the horn is flat. The diameter D of the lower surface
HI is equal to the diameter of the annular projection 13g.
[0362] After the concentrate C is charged inside the concentrate chamber Sc, and the plug
15 is put on the opening of the container body 16, the ultrasonic wave welding of
the plug 15 can be performed by the pressurizing agent charging device (see reference
numeral 320 of Fig. 39) in which the horn H for welding is assembled. The ultrasonic
wave welding is performed after the pressurizing agent P is undercup-charged into
the pressurizing agent chamber Sp between the outer container 13 and the inner container
14 as shown in Figs. 1A and 2A.
[0363] After welding, as shown in Fig. 3B, the lower surface 17a1 of the outer cylindrical
part 17a is welded to the upper end surface 13f of the outer container 13, and the
lower surface 17b of the flat part 17 is welded to the upper end surface 14e of the
inner container 14, and the pressurizing agent P permeates the inner container 14,
and it becomes the gas-containing food 11a by dissolving the pressurizing agent P
to the concentrate C. In order for dissolving the required amount of the pressurizing
agent P into the concentrate C, it can be stored (refrigerated) in the atmosphere
at, for example, 5°C (refrigerator, warehouse, transportation container, etc.) for
more than 3 hours. However, it does not always have to be refrigerated. And, as described
above, the melted resin is not projected to the outer part from the space between
both. Further, since two welding parts Y1, Y2 are continuously and sufficiently formed
by welding, the pressurizing agent P is not leaked from the pressurizing agent chamber
Sp for a long time, and the concentrate C is not leaked from the concentrate chamber
Sc. The resin projecting inwardly at the time of welding is stored in the inclined
part (inclined groove) 13h, and does not flow into the pressurizing agent chamber
Sp.
[0364] A thermoplastic resin having high thermal bondability with the outer container 13
and the inner container 14 is used for the material of the plug 15, and the material
is the same as the material of the outer container 13 and the inner container 14.
As shown in Fig. 5B, the concentrate chamber Sc and the pressurizing agent chamber
Sp are sealed by the plug 15, and by fixing it to both of the inner container 14 and
the outer container 13, the contents (concentrate C, pressurizing agent P) can be
safely stored for a long time without leaking. After discharging the concentrate,
the pressurized container becomes to a single material, so that it is easily recycled.
[0365] In a case in which the gas (particularly, gas in the head space Hs which will be
described later) G inside the inner container 14 is substituted to another gas, as
the substitute gas R, the one satisfying the following relationship with the concentrate
C is chosen. It is preferable to choose the one in which the solubility with respect
to 1 ml of concentrate under 1 atm at 25°C is higher than air, and for example, it
may be soluble compressed gas (carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide) or the mixed gas of
soluble compressed gas and low solubility gas (compressed air, oxygen, nitrogen, hydrogen),
and it is equal to or more than 0.02 ml, and particularly, equal to or more than 0.05
ml. When the solubility is high, the substitute gas R which is gas inside the inner
container 14 is quickly dissolved into the concentrate C, so that the gas-phase is
easily disappeared, and the pressure of the gas-containing food 11a can be stabilized
in a short period of time.
[0366] The concentrate C includes foods in a liquid state, a jelly state, a gel state such
as soft drinks, alcoholic beverages, desserts, seasonings, dietary supplements, whipped
cream, etc. However, it is not limited to this use. The air or gas may be dissolved
into the concentrate C in advance. However, the dissolved amount of the gas is equal
to or less than 0.05. When the dissolved amount of the gas exceeds 0.05, the large
amount of the gas escapes and interferes the ultrasonic wave welding at the time of
the ultrasonic wave welding. Note that the dissolved amount of gas is the volume (ml)
of gas dissolved per 1 ml of the concentrate.
[0367] The concentrate C preferably contacts with the inner surface side of the openable
seal part 15d. Accordingly, at the time of welding the plug 15 and the container body
16, the openable seal part 15d is cooled by the concentrate C, so that the problem
in which the openable seal part 15d is melted by the heat can be solved.
[0368] As the pressurizing agent P, it is preferable to use soluble compressed gas such
as carbon dioxide (0.76), nitrous oxide (0.059), etc., or mixed gas of soluble compressed
gas and low solubility gas (air (0.017), oxygen (0.028), nitrogen (0.014), hydrogen
(0.018)), in which the solubility is higher than the gas G inside the inner container
14, particularly, air. Note that the numbers in the parentheses indicate the solubility
to water at 25°C. Specifically, the gas, in which the solubility with respect to 1
ml of the concentrate under 1 atm at 25°C is equal to or more than 0.02 ml, and it
is preferably equal to or more than 0.05 ml, is used. Further, the pressurizing agent
P is charged, so that the pressure in the saturated dissolution state is 0.2 to 0.6
MPa (25°C, gauge pressure), and it is preferably 0.3 to 0.5 MPa (25°C, gauge pressure)
which is almost the same pressure as a carbonated drink.
[0369] The capacity of the outer container 13 is preferably 30 to 500 ml. The capacity of
the inner concentrate (concentrate chamber Sc) 14 is preferably approximately 20 to
300 ml. The capacity of the pressurizing agent chamber Sp is preferably approximately
10 to 200 ml.
[0370] As described above, the gas-containing food 11a used for the pressurized container
11 has less number of components, and the valve is not provided, so that it can be
manufactured inexpensively, and the pressurized container 11 can be a single material
so as to be easily recycled. Further, in the case in which the consumer carries or
the distributor delivers, in case, if the outer container 13 is cracked, only the
pressurizing agent P is leaked, but the concentrate C inside the inner container 14
is not leaked, so that it is safe. Further, in the case in which the consumer carries
after cooling it in a refrigerator at home, the space between the outer container
13 and the inner container 14 is rolled as a cold insulator, so that the outside air
temperature is hardly transmitted and it can be taken in the cold state for a long
period of time.
[0371] In the case in which the user who purchases it uses the discharge device 10, first,
the cap 20 is screwed into the male screw 13e of the container 13. With this, whole
cap 20 and the valve 21 are lowered, and the bottom face 27a of the seal opening part
27 pushes down the openable seal part 15d. Accordingly, the openable seal part 15d
is broken at the weakening line 15f, and the seal opening part breaks through the
bottom part 15c of the valve housing part 15a2, and the inside of the housing 24 is
communicated with the concentrate chamber Sc. After that, by pressing down the operation
button 23, the concentrate C can be discharged by the pressure of the pressurizing
agent P.
[0372] When the concentrate C becomes empty, the gas-containing food 11a is removed from
the discharge member 12 by reversing the cap 20. The pressurized container 11 in which
the concentrate C is empty is made by a single material so as to be easily recycled.
Further, since the inner container 13 is thin, when the concentrate C is empty, the
pressurizing agent P easily permeates, and the pressurizing agent P is gradually discharged
to the outside from the openable seal part 15d which is opened. In addition, by replacing
the valve 21 or the operation button 23 which contact to the concentrate C, the discharge
member 12 can be repeatedly used in a hygienic condition.
[0373] The manufacturing method of the gas-containing food (pressurized product) 11a as
shown in Fig. 39 includes a concentrate charging step S1, a replacement step S2 in
which the gas G inside the inner container 14 is replaced to the substitute gas R,
a plug mounting step S3 in which the substitute gas R is confined by mounting the
plug 15, a pressurizing agent charging and plug welding step S4, and an inner container
contraction step S5. However, the replacement step S2 is not always required. In this
manufacturing method, first, the container body 16 in which the inner container 14
is mounted to the outer container 13 is prepared. The double container body 16 can
be manufactured by the double blow molding. And, in the inner container 14, the concentrate
C in which the gas is intentionally not dissolved (gas undissolved food) is charged.
In the concentrate C, the dissolved mount may be reduced by the deaeration of the
saturated dissolved air which is previously decompressed. Further, the concentrate
C is preferably cooled under 5°C in advance. At the time of the concentrate charging
step S1, a blank space (head space) Hs in which the concentrate C is not charged is
left at the upper part of the inner container 14.
[0374] Next, in the replacement step S2, the plug 15 is held in the state that the gas is
capable of entering to and leaving from the concentrate chamber Sc, and the substitute
gas R which is high solubility to the concentrate C is charged from the space between
the opening of the inner container 14 and the plug 15, and the air in the head space
Hs inside the inner container 14 is discharged outside, and the gas G inside the inner
container 14 is replaced to the substitute gas R (replacement step). Particularly,
it is preferable to replace to the gas which is the one wants to be dissolved into
the concentrate C.
[0375] Next, in the plug mounting step S3, the plug 15 is put on the opening of the container
body 16, and the replaced gas is confined inside the head space Hs. By using gas in
which the density (molecular weight) is larger than air, it is easily confined inside
the head space Hs.
[0376] Next to the plug mounting step S3, the pressurizing agent charging and plug welding
step S4 in which the pressurizing agent P is charged to the pressurizing agent chamber
Sp between the inner container 14 and the outer container 13, and the plug 15 is welded
and fixed to the opening of the inner container 14 and the opening of the outer container
13 is performed. In this step, the pressurizing agent P is charged into the pressurizing
agent chamber Sp through the space between the plug 15 and the outer container 13
(undercup charging). After that, the plug 15 is welded to the outer container 13 and
the inner container 14 and it is sealed. In this step, for example, the pressurizing
agent charging device 320 of Fig. 4 can be used, and the welding method of Fig. 2A
can be employed. Accordingly, the welding waste is hardly projected outside, and the
sealability of the plug 15 and the outer container 13 is enhanced, so that the leakage
is few, and the gas-containing food 11a with excellent appearance can be obtained.
[0377] Note that in the case in which the solubility of the pressurizing agent P to the
concentrate C is higher than air inside the head space Hs, the pressurizing agent
P easily permeates the inner container 14 to be dissolved to the concentrate C, so
that the replacement step S2 is not required.
[0378] Further, when the pressurizing agent P is charged, the pressurizing agent P may be
charged inside the head space Hs. That is, in this step, the air inside the head space
Hs can be replaced with the pressurizing agent P (replacement step S4a). In this case,
the substitute gas R is the pressurizing agent P, and the gas G inside the inner container
14 is the pressurizing agent P.
[0379] Note that the inner container 14 may be heat-contracted by charging wormed concentrate
C in the concentrate charging step S1, or the inner container 14 may be heat-contracted
by blowing heat air before the concentrate charging step S1. After that, the concentrate
C is charged. Further, the inner container 14 may be contracted by vacuuming air inside
the inner container 14, or the pressurizing agent or the compressed air is charged
into the pressurizing agent chamber Sp between the outer container 13 and the inner
container 14, so that the inner container 14 is contracted by pressurizing from the
outside. When the inner container 14 and the outer container 13 are manufactured by
the double blow molding, etc., the inner container 14 and the outer container 13 are
tightly attached, so that the pressurizing agent chamber Sp is small and it is hardly
filled. With this, when the pressurizing agent chamber Sp is formed by contracting
the inner container 14 before charging the pressurizing agent P, it becomes easier
to charge the pressurizing agent P. Further, by dissolving the gas which will be described
later, it becomes easier to contract the inner container 14.
[0380] When completing the plug welding step S4, the pressure inside container body 16 becomes
high, so that the gas G inside the head space Hs is compressed, and further, it is
dissolved to the concentrate C. Alternatively, since the pressurizing agent P of the
pressurizing agent chamber Sp permeate into the inside of the inner container 14,
the concentrate C is dissolved. Therefore, the air (gas) G inside the head space Hs
which could not be dissolved is pushed out from the inner container 14, and the gas-phase
becomes small, or it is disappeared. Accordingly, the inner container 14 is gradually
contracted. This inner container contraction step S5 is preferably performed in a
refrigerated state.
[0381] With this, according to the manufacturing method of the gas-containing food 11a of
the present invention, since the gas G inside the inner container 14 is dissolved
into the concentrate C, or the gas is pushed out from the inner container 14, the
formation of the gas-phase inside the inner container 14 can be suppressed. Specifically,
in the case in which the plug 15 is welded by the ultrasonic wave welding, when the
concentrate C is positioned at the vicinity of the welding part, the concentrate C
is atomized by the ultrasonic vibration, so that there is possibility that the dissolution
of the welding part is inhibited, and the welding becomes insufficient. Therefore,
it is necessary to provide the gas-phase inside the inner container 14 to separate
the liquid surface of the concentrate C from the welding part, and the gas-phase inevitably
occurs in the inner container 14. However, since the inner container contraction step
S5 is provided, the gas-phase can be minimized or can be disappeared, so that the
stable discharge of the concentrate C can be realized.
[0382] Further, when using carbon dioxide as the pressurizing agent P, the carbon dioxide
can be dissolved into the concentrate C, and the food including carbon dioxide (carbonated
water, carbonated drink, etc.) can be manufactured.
(Example 1)
[0383] By using the pressurized container 11 provided with the outer container and the inner
container which are made of polyethylene terephthalate (full volume 250 ml of the
outer container), 150g of water (dissolved amount 0.017), adjusting at 25°C, in which
air is saturated and dissolved is charged inside the inner container as the concentrate
C. Next, the plug made of polyethylene terephthalate is put on the container body.
Further, carbon dioxide (solubility to water: 0.76 ((25°C, 1 atm)) is charged as the
pressurizing agent P in the pressurizing agent chamber Sp through the space between
the outer container and the plug, and the plug is fixed to the container body by the
ultrasonic wave welding. The gas G in the head space Hs inside the inner container
is air. The pressure immediately after production is 0.55 MPa. After that, when it
is stored at the refrigerator at 5°C. After 6 hours, the inner container is contracted
and the gas-phase is almost disappeared, and the pressure is lowered to 0.4 MPa. Accordingly,
in example 1, the replacement steps S2, S4a are not required. When the completed gas-containing
food 11a is opened by using the discharge member 12 and the concentrate C is discharged,
the stimulation which is almost the same as the commercial carbonated drink charged
in a PET bottle is obtained, and it is recognized that the sufficient amount of the
pressurizing agent P is dissolved into the concentrate C. Further, after discharging
almost all of the concentrate C, the discharge member is removed, and it is left for
3 days at a room temperature. In this case, the pressurizing agent inside the pressurizing
agent chamber Sp permeates the inner container, and it is discharged outside through
the openable seal part, so that when grabbing the container body, it can be easily
deformed.
(Comparative example 1)
[0384] By using the pressurized container 11 provided with the outer container and the inner
container which are made of polyethylene terephthalate (full volume 250 ml of the
outer container), 150g of carbonated water (dissolved amount 0.76) adjusting at 25°C
in which carbon dioxide is saturated and dissolved is charged inside the inner container
as the concentrate C. Next, the plug made of polyethylene terephthalate is put on
the container body. Further, when the carbon dioxide is charged as the pressurizing
agent P in the pressurizing agent chamber Sp through the space between the outer container
and the plug, and the plug is welded to the container body by the ultrasonic wave
welding, the carbonated water is overflowed, so that it cannot be welded.
[0385] In the above, the preferable embodiments of the present invention were described.
However, the present invention is not limited to the aforementioned embodiments, and
various modifications may be made within the scope of the present invention. For example,
not in the air, in the atmosphere such as carbon dioxide, etc. which is the one wants
to be dissolved to the concentrate C, the gas-containing food 11a may be manufactured.
In this case, the replacement steps S2, S4a are not required. In this case, since
the pressurizing agent P which permeates the inner container 14 is dissolved into
the concentrate C, the gas-containing food is obtained. Further, other than the case
in which the plug 15 is opened by the discharge member 12, a picking part which continues
to the openable seal part 15d may be provided so that, as a pull top, the openable
seal part 15d can be teared off by picking and pulling the picking part etc.
[0386] Next, with reference to Figs. 40 and 41, the manufacturing method of the double pressurized
product 10 will be described. The air nozzle 17 is inserted into the inside of the
double container body 16 which is molded by the blow molding from the double preform
as described above, and the inside is cleaned up by the air blow (air blow step S1).
[0387] Next, in the state in which the space between the mouth 13g1 of the outer container
13 and the mouth 14f2 of the inner container 14 is opened, the inner container 14
is contracted by depressurizing the inside of the inner container 14. Specifically,
a vacuum piping 347 is connected to the seal opening member of the inner container
14, and the air inside the inner container 14 is vacuumed (depressurizing the inside
of the inner container 14). The lower end of the suction nozzle of vacuum piping 347
extends to the vicinity of the bottom part of the inner container, and a suction hole
is provided at the side surface of the suction nozzle. The inside of the inner container
is depressurized by the vacuum piping, but it is abutted, so that the inner container
is not contracted to the opening side by the bottom part of the suction nozzle. With
this depressurization, the capacity inside the inner container 14 is reduced to a
predetermined volume.
[0388] Specifically, the inner container 14 is contracted to the capacity of 40 to 70% from
the capacity before the inner container 14 is contracted. At the time of depressurization,
since the space between the mouth 13g1 of the outer container 13 and the mouth 14f2
of the inner container 14 is opened, the outside air is introduced between the outer
container 13 and the inner container 14 through the space. Accordingly, the outer
container 13 is not contracted, and only the inner container 14 is contracted (contraction
step S2). With this, the outer container 13 and inner container 14 blow molded from
the double preform are smoothly separated, so that the pressurizing agent chamber
Sp is formed between them. After the inner container 14 is contracted to the predetermined
amount, the vacuum piping 347 is removed. The thickness of the body part 14b of the
inner container 14 is 0.1 to 0.3 mm, and since it has hardness almost maintaining
the contracted state, the inner container 14 maintains to be contacted even when the
vacuum piping 347 is removed. In fact, it is slightly expanded elastically, but it
does not return to the original shape, so that it maintains the predetermined capacity.
[0389] Note that in order to surely maintain the contracted state of the inner container
14, it may be performed that the space between the mouth 13g1 of the outer container
13 and the mouth 14f2 of the inner container 14 is airtightly closed, and then, the
vacuum piping 347 is removed. Further, the airtightly closed state in the space between
the mouth 13g1 of the outer container 13 and the mouth 14f2 of the inner container
14 may be maintained until the plug mounting step (S4) which will be described later.
[0390] Next, the concentrate C is charged in the inner container 14 (concentrate charging
step S3). The amount of the concentrate C is preferably such that the bottom part
of the plug 15 contacts to the concentrate C and no vacant space remains when mounting
the plug 15. With this, at the time of welding the plug 15, the openable seal part
15d is cooled by the concentrate C so as not to be melted. Further, by not leaving
the vacant space or reducing the vacant space, the discharge becomes smooth.
[0391] Next, as shown in Fig. 41, the plug 15 is airtightly mounted to the mouth 14f2 of
the inner container 14, and the inner container 14 is sealed (plug mounting step S4).
[0392] Next, the outer container 13 and the inner container 14 are set to the pressurizing
agent charging device 320 provided with the ultrasonic wave welding machine 319, and
the pressurizing agent P is charged to the pressurizing agent chamber Sp by the undercup
charging (pressurizing agent charging step S5). Next, by the ultrasonic wave welding
machine 39, the plug 15 is fixed to the outer container 13 and the inner container
14 by the ultrasonic wave welding (welding step S6). The pressurizing agent charging
device 320 is provided with a cylindrical shaped charging tool 323 which opens at
the lower side, and a horn 324 for ultrasonic wave welding which closes the upper
part opening of the charging tool 323 and is provided inside the charging tool 323
in a vertically movable manner.
[0393] At the lower end of the charging tool 323, an annular seal material 325 abutting
to the shoulder part 13c of the outer container 13 is provided. At the charging tool
323, a pressurizing agent supply pipe 326 is connected. In the pressurizing agent
charging device 320, the charging tool 323 and the outer container 13 are placed close
to each other in an axial direction, and it provides a mechanism to press each other.
Such pressing mechanism is constituted with a mechanism for lifting the charging tool
323 or a lifting mechanism 327L for lifting a support tray 327 which supports the
outer container 13. The ultrasonic wave welding machine 319 is provided with the lifting
mechanism 328 for lifting the aforementioned horn 324, and the annular seal material
329 which allows sliding is intervened between the lifting mechanism 328 and the charging
tool 323.
[0394] When charging the pressurizing agent P, first, the charging tool 323 and the outer
container 13 are brought close to each other, and the space between the charging tool
323 and the outer container 13 is sealed by the seal material 325 of the lower part
of the charging tool 323. Next, the pressurizing agent P is supplied to the charging
tool 323 from the pressurizing agent supply pipe 326. With this, the pressurizing
agent P is undercup-charged in the pressurizing agent chamber Sp through the space
between the upper end of the neck part 13d of the outer container 13 and the flange
15b of the plug 15, and the space between the opening part 13g1 of the outer container
13 and the opening part 14f2 of the inner container 14, and further, the passage through
between the neck part 13d of the outer container 13 and the neck part 14d of the inner
container 14 (pressurizing agent charging step S5).
[0395] As the pressurizing agent P, it is preferable to include compressed gas such as nitrogen
gas, compressed air, carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide gas, etc. The pressure inside the
double pressurized container by the pressurizing agent is 0.1 to 0.5 MPa (25°C, gauge
pressure), and particularly, it is preferably 0.3 to 0.5 MPa (25°C, gauge pressure)
which is almost the same pressure as carbonated drink. Further, the capacity of the
outer container is preferably 30 to 500 ml. The capacity of the concentrate chamber
Sc is preferably approximately 20 to 300 ml. The capacity of the pressurizing agent
chamber Sp is preferably approximately 10 to 200 ml
[0396] After charging the pressurizing agent P, while maintaining the sealing by the seal
material 325, the horn 324 is lowered, and the ultrasonic vibration is transmitted
to the horn 324 in the state in which the plug 15 is pressurized downwardly. Accordingly,
the flange 15b of the plug 15 is welded to the upper end surface 13f of the neck part
13d of the outer container 13 and the upper end surface 14e of the neck part 14d of
the inner container 14 by the ultrasonic wave welding (welding step S6). Therefore,
the double pressurized product 10 is obtained.
[0397] After welding, the doble pressurized product 10 is taken out from the pressurizing
agent charging device 320 by lifting the charging tool 323 or lowering the support
tray 327. Next, by using the pressure measuring device 330 which detects internal
pressure of the double pressurized product 10, the internal pressure is confirmed
within the predetermined range (pressure measuring step S7). The pressure measuring
device 330 is provided with a grip 331 pressurizing the body part 13b of the outer
container 13, a load cell 332 detecting a pressure force by the grip, and a sensor
detecting a deformation amount of the body part 13b, and the internal pressure is
measured based on the calibration curve of the deformation amount and the pressure
force.
[0398] Next, with reference to Fig. 42, another embodiment of the manufacturing method of
the double pressurized product of the present invention will be described. First,
the inside of the double container body 16 is cleaned by air blow (air blow step S1).
Next, in the opening state of the mouth 14f2 of the inner container 14, the fluid
(air, gas, liquid) is fed into the space between the outer container 13 and the inner
container 14 by passing through the space between the mouth 13g1 of the outer container
13 and the mouth 14f2 of the inner container 14, so that the inner container 14 is
contracted. In this case, the capacity inside the inner container 14 is reduced to
the predetermined volume. Specifically, the inner container 14 is contracted to the
capacity of 40 to 70% from the capacity before the inner container 14 is contracted
(contraction step S21). By this contraction step S21, the outer container 13 and the
inner container 14 blow molded from the double preform are smoothly separated, and
the pressurizing agent chamber Sp is formed between them.
[0399] Since the thickness of the body part 14b of the inner container 14 is 0.1 to 0.3
mm and it has the hardness to maintain the contracted state, even if the fluid (air,
gas, liquid) stops to be fed into the space between the outer container 13 and the
inner container 14, the inner container 14 maintains to be contracted. However, in
order to ensure the maintaining of the contraction of the inner container 14, at the
same time when the fluid (air, gas, liquid) is stopped from being sent between the
outer container 13 and the inner container 14, the gap may be closed airtightly. It
can be realized while the feeding device (not shown) is being mounted. Further, the
state in which the space of the mouths of the outer container 13 and the inner container
14 is airtightly closed may continues to the plug mounting step (S4) which will be
described later.
[0400] Next, the concentrate C is charged inside the inner container 14 (concentrate charging
step S3). After that, it is the same as the aforementioned embodiment, and the plug
mounting step S4 in which the plug 15 is airtightly mounted to the mouth of the inner
container 14 and the inner container 14 is sealed, is performed. Further, the pressurizing
agent charging step S5 in which the pressurizing agent P is undercup-charged into
the pressurizing agent chamber Sp, the welding step S6 in which the plug 15 is fixed
to the outer container 13 and the inner container 14 by the ultrasonic wave welding,
and the pressure measuring step S7 are performed in its order.