DISPENSER

Abstract

 The present invention is a dispenser (1) including a pump unit (10), a push-down head (30), a restriction tube (23) and a guide tube (24). The push-down head (30) has a head peripheral wall (32) and is switchable between a restriction position at which downward movement is restricted and an allowing position at which the downward movement is allowed. A stopper protrusion (33) and a restriction protrusion (38) are formed on the head peripheral wall (32). A longitudinal groove (51) that allows downward movement of the stopper protrusion (33), and a peripheral groove (52) in which the stopper protrusion (33) is disposed when the push-down head (30) is located at the restriction position are formed in the guide tube (24). A bottom wall surface of the peripheral groove serves as a restriction wall that restricts the downward movement of the stopper protrusion (33). A slide groove (26) that allow downward movement of the restriction protrusion (38) is formed in an outer peripheral surface of the restriction tube (23). A portion of an upper opening edge of the restriction tube (23) that is adjacent to the slide groove (26) in a circumferential direction serves as a restriction surface (27) that restricts the downward movement of the restriction protrusion (38). The restriction protrusion (38) is disposed to face the slide groove (26) in a vertical direction when the push-down head (30) is located at the allowing position, and is disposed to face the regulation surface (27) in the vertical direction when the push-down head (30) is positioned at the restriction position.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a dispenser. Priority is claimed on Japanese Patent Application No. 2022-074816, filed April 28, 2022, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference.

Description of Related Art

[0002] Conventionally, a dispenser including a stem disposed inside a mouth portion of a container body to be movable downward in an upward biased state, a cylinder into which the stem is inserted, a piston linked to a vertical movement of the stem and fitted in the cylinder to be vertically slidable, and a push-down head mounted on an upper end of the stem and having a nozzle hole for discharging contents is known.

[0003] In such a type of dispenser, measures are taken to prevent the push-down head from being pushed down unexpectedly during product distribution, storage, or the like.

[0004] For example, as shown in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application, First Publication No. 2009-078255, a dispenser in which a cover for restricting a push-down operation of a push-down head is removably mounted between the push-down head and a mounting cap that puts a cylinder on a mouth portion of a container body is known. However, in this case, the cover needs to be mounted and removed every time the dispenser is used, which tends to be troublesome. Furthermore, it is necessary to store the removed cover separately, and there is a possibility that the cover may be lost.

[0005] Therefore, as a countermeasure for preventing the unexpected push-down operation of the push-down head without using such a removable part such as a cover, for example, a dispenser configured to be switchable between a restriction position at which the push-down operation is restricted and an allowing position at which the push-down operation is allowed by rotating the push-down head around a container axis is also known.

[0006] In this dispenser, for example, a stopper protrusion is formed on the push-down head, and a longitudinal groove and a stopper recess are formed on a member combined with a mounting cap or the like. The stopper protrusion is allowed to move downward by being disposed in the longitudinal groove when the push-down head is located at the allowing position. Further, the downward movement of the stopper protrusion is restricted by being disposed in the stopper recess when the push-down head is located at the restriction position.

[0007] Therefore, it is possible to switch between preventing an unexpected push-down operation of the push-down head and allowing the push-down operation simply by switching the push-down head between the restriction position and the allowing position.

[0008] However, in the above-described known dispenser, when an external force such as a drop impact is applied to the push-down head during product distribution or storage, the push-down head may be strongly pushed in at the restriction position. In this case, for example, the push-down head is pushed excessively while the stopper protrusion is strongly in contact with the stopper recess, and thus there is a problem that it is difficult for the push-down head to return to an original position thereof. Therefore, it tends to be difficult to stably and appropriately operate the push-down head.

[0009] The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a dispenser capable of stably and appropriately operating a push-down head even when a drop impact or the like is applied.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] A first aspect of the present invention is a dispenser including a pump unit having a stem disposed and configured to move downward in an upward biased state, and combined with a mouth of a container body via a mounting cap mounted on the mouth of the container body that accommodates contents, a push-down head having a nozzle hole configured to discharge the contents, mounted on an upper end portion of the stem, and configured to rotate around a container axis of the container body, a restriction tube combined with the mounting cap and extending upward, and a guide tube surrounding the restriction tube from an outside in a radial direction and configured to guide movement of the push-down head, wherein the push-down head has a head peripheral wall that surrounds the restriction tube from the outside in the radial direction and is configured to switch between a restriction position at which downward movement is restricted and an allowing position at which the downward movement is allowed by rotation around the container axis, a stopper protrusion formed to protrude outward in the radial direction, and a restriction protrusion configured to protrude inward in the radial direction and to face an upper opening edge of the restriction tube in a vertical direction are formed on the head peripheral wall, a guide groove configured to accommodate the stopper protrusion while the stopper protrusion is movable is formed in the guide tube, the guide groove includes, a longitudinal groove that allows downward movement of the stopper protrusion when the push-down head is located at the allowing position, and a peripheral groove that extends in a circumferential direction around the container axis and communicates with the longitudinal groove, and in which the stopper protrusion is disposed when the push-down head is located at the restriction position, a bottom wall surface of the peripheral groove is a restriction wall configured to restrict downward movement of the stopper protrusion by coming into contact with the stopper protrusion from below, a longitudinally long slide groove that opens upward and is configured to allow the downward movement of the restriction protrusion is formed in an outer peripheral surface of the restriction tube, a portion of the upper end opening edge of the restriction tube that is adjacent to the slide groove in the circumferential direction serves as a restriction surface that restricts downward movement of the restriction protrusion by coming into contact with the restriction protrusion from below, and the restriction protrusion is disposed to face the slide groove in the vertical direction when the push-down head is located at the allowing position, and is disposed to face the restriction surface in the vertical direction when the push-down head is located at the restriction position.

[0011] According to the dispenser according to the first aspect of the present invention, when the push-down head is located at the restriction position, the downward movement of the stopper protrusion is restricted by the stopper protrusion being in contact with the restriction wall, and the restriction protrusion faces the restriction surface in the vertical direction. Thus, even when an unexpected external force such as a drop impact acts on the push-down head, the restriction protrusion comes into contact with the restriction surface, and thus the external force acting on the push-down head can be received by the restriction tube. Therefore, it is possible to effectively prevent the push-down head from being pushed downward by an unexpected external force as in the related art.

[0012] Therefore, it is possible to prevent the stopper wall from being strongly pushed against, for example, the restriction wall, and it is difficult to cause inconvenience such as the push-down head being caught. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the push-down head from being difficult to return to an original position thereof, unlike the related art.

[0013] When the contents are discharged, the push-down head is rotated around the container axis to shift the push-down head from the restriction position to the allowing position. Thus, the stopper protrusion can be moved from inside the peripheral groove to inside the longitudinal groove as the push-down head rotates. Therefore, the downward movement of the stopper protrusion can be allowed using the longitudinal groove. Furthermore, as the push-down head rotates, the restriction protrusion can be moved from above the restriction surface to face an opening of the slide groove in the vertical direction. Thus, it is possible to allow the downward movement of the restriction protrusion using the slide groove. As a result, the push-down head can be pushed down against upward bias of the stem, and the stem can be pushed down while the stopper protrusion is moved downward in the longitudinal groove and the restriction protrusion is moved downward in the slide groove. As a result, the contents can be discharged through a nozzle hole using the pump unit.

[0014] As described above, since the push-down head cannot be pushed down unless the push-down head is switched from the restriction position to the allowing position, for example, it is possible to prevent unintended discharge of the contents due to an unexpected external force such as a drop impact during product distribution or storage. In particular, when the push-down head is located at the restriction position, it is possible to appropriately receive the external force acting on the push-down head using the restriction tube combined with the mounting cap, and thus it is possible to effectively prevent the push-down head from being pushed downward.

[0015] Therefore, since it is possible to prevent the push-down head from being caught due to the stopper wall being strongly pushed against the restriction wall, the push-down head can be stably and appropriately operated, and the dispenser with improved operation reliability can be obtained. Further, the stopper protrusion is formed to be directed outward in the radial direction and the restriction protrusion is formed to be directed inward in the radial direction on the peripheral wall of the head. Therefore, since the head peripheral wall has portions for receiving an external force that are formed on both the outer peripheral surface and the inner peripheral surface thereof, even when a strong external force such as a drop impact acts on the push-down head, it is possible to effectively prevent inconveniences such as deformation of the peripheral wall of the head. In this respect as well, it is possible to prevent the push-down head from being pushed downward.

[0016] According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the dispenser according to the first aspect, the restriction protrusion and the slide groove may be formed to extend in the circumferential direction.

[0017] In this case, since the restriction protrusion and the slide groove are formed to extend in the circumferential direction, for example, when the push-down head is located at the restriction position, a large contact area between the restriction protrusion and the restriction surface can be ensured even when an unexpected external force such as a drop impact is applied to the push-down head. Therefore, the external force acting on the push-down head can be received over a wide range by the restriction tube, and it is possible to more effectively prevent the push-down head from being pushed downward. Furthermore, since a large contact area can be ensured between the restriction protrusion and the restriction surface, inconveniences such as tilting of the push-down head are less likely to occur.

[0018] Furthermore, when the push-down head is pushed down at the allowing position, since it is possible to move the restriction protrusion having a large peripheral width downward within the slide groove, the push-down head can be stably pushed down with little rattling. Therefore, operability can be improved.

[0019] According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the dispenser according to the first or second aspect, the restriction protrusion may be formed to be longitudinally elongated in the vertical direction, and may be accommodated in the slide groove not to move in the circumferential direction as the push-down head is pushed down at the allowing position.

[0020] In this case, when the push-down head is pushed down at the allowing position, the restriction protrusion can be accommodated over the entire length of the slide groove and can be accommodated in the slide groove to be immovable in the circumferential direction. Therefore, it is possible to curb rattling of the push-down head around the container axis when the contents are discharged, and the push-down head can be smoothly pushed downward. Therefore, it is possible to further improve the operability.

[0021] According to the present invention, even when a drop impact or the like is applied, the push-down head can be stably and appropriately operated, and a dispenser with improved operational reliability can be provided.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] 

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a dispenser according to the present invention and is a view showing a state in which a push-down head is located in an allowing position.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a top view of the dispenser when the push-down head shown in FIG. 1 is located at a restriction position.

FIG. 4 is a top view of the dispenser shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a front view of the dispenser shown in FIG. 1 when seen from the nozzle tube side.

FIG. 6 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing a state in which the push-down head is pushed down from the state shown in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0023] Hereinafter, an embodiment of a dispenser 1 according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 1, the dispenser 1 of the present embodiment includes a pump unit 10 having a stem 11, a mounting cap 20 mounted on a mouth portion 3 of the container body 2 containing contents and combining the pump unit 10 with the mouth portion 3 of the container body 2, and a push-down head 30 mounted on the stem 11. Each of constituents of the dispenser 1 is a molded product using a synthetic resin material unless otherwise specified. Furthermore, the dispenser 1 may include a cover cap having a cylindrical shape with a top that covers the push-down head 30 and the mounting cap 20.

[0025] The stem 11 and the mounting cap 20 are disposed coaxially with a container axis O of the container body 2. Hereinafter, along the container axis O, the push-down head 30 side will be referred to as upward, the container body 2 side will be referred to as downward, and a direction along the container axis O will be referred to as a vertical direction. Further, in a plan view seen in the vertical direction, a direction intersecting the container axis O is called a radial direction, and a direction rotating around the container axis O is called a circumferential direction.

[0026] Further, in the circumferential direction, a clockwise direction around the container axis O in a top view of the dispenser 1 is referred to as a first direction Ml, and a counterclockwise direction around the container axis O is referred to as a second direction M2. Furthermore, one of directions orthogonal to each other among the radial directions is referred to as a forward and rearward direction L1, and the other direction is referred to as a left and right direction L2.

(Container body)

[0027] The container body 2 is formed in a cylindrical shape with a bottom in which the mouth portion 3, a shoulder portion 4, a body portion 5 and a bottom portion (not shown) are successively disposed from above. A male screw portion 6 is formed on an outer peripheral surface of the mouth portion 3 of the container body 2.

(Mounting cap)

[0028] The mounting cap 20 includes a mounting tube 21 that surrounds the mouth portion 3 of the container body 2 from the outside in the radial direction, an annular cap ceiling wall 22 that protrudes inward in the radiation direction from an upper end of the mounting tube 21, and a restriction tube 23 and a guide tube 24 that extend upward from the cap ceiling wall 22.

[0029] A female screw portion 25 is formed on an inner peripheral surface of the mounting tube 21 to be screwed onto the male screw portion 6 formed on the mouth portion 3 of the container body 2. Thus, the mounting cap 20 is mounted on the mouth portion 3 of the container body 2 by screwing the male screw portion 6 and the female screw portion 25 together.

[0030] However, a mounting method of the mounting cap 20 is not limited to screwing, and it may be mounted on the mouth portion 3 of the container body 2 by, for example, undercut fitting.

[0031] The restriction tube 23 is formed integrally with an inner peripheral edge portion of the cap ceiling wall 22 and is formed to extend upward from the inner peripheral edge portion. However, the restriction tube 23 does not have to be formed integrally with the mounting cap 20, and may be formed separately and combined with the mounting cap 20.

[0032] The restriction tube 23 is formed in a tubular shape having a larger outer diameter than the stem 11. In the illustrated example, the restriction tube 23 is formed to surround the stem 11 with an annular gap between the restriction tube 23 and the stem 11. Further, the restriction tube 23 extends upward from the cap ceiling wall 22 to have a length approximately equal to a length of the mounting tube 21 in the vertical direction.

[0033] A vertically long slide groove 26 that allows downward movement of a restriction protrusion 38 described below is formed in an outer peripheral surface of the restriction tube 23 to open upward. A pair of slide grooves 26 are formed to face each other in the radial direction with the container axis O interposed therebetween. In the illustrated example, the slide grooves 26 are formed to face each other in the forward and rearward direction L1 with the container axis O interposed therebetween.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 2, each of the slide grooves 26 is formed to extend in the circumferential direction, and is formed in an arc shape in a plan view seen in a direction of the container axis O. In the illustrated example, each of the slide grooves 26 is formed to have a peripheral width of about 1/4 of the restriction tube 23 in a plan view.

[0035] In the restriction tube 23 configured as described above, a portion of an upper end opening edge that is adjacent to the slide groove 26 in the circumferential direction functions as a restriction surface 27 that restricts downward movement of the restriction protrusion 38 by coming into contact with the restriction protrusion 38, which will be described below, from below. Therefore, in the present embodiment, a portion of the upper end opening edge of the restriction tube 23 that is located between the pair of slide grooves 26 and disposed to face each other in the left and right direction L2 with the container axis O interposed therebetween functions as the restriction surface 27.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 1, the guide tube 24 is formed so as to extend upward from the cap ceiling wall 22 to surround the restriction tube 23 from the outside in the radial direction. However, the guide tube 24 does not need to be formed integrally with the mounting cap 20, and may be formed separately and combined with the mounting cap 20. The guide tube 24 is formed in a tubular shape having an outer diameter larger than that of the restriction tube 23 and smaller than that of the mounting tube 21.

[0037] In the illustrated example, the guide tube 24 is formed to surround the restriction tube 23 with an annular gap between the guide tube 24 and the restriction tube 23, and is formed to have a lower protrusion height than the restriction tube 23.

[0038] The guide tube 24 serves to guide movement (vertical movement and rotational movement around the container axis O) of the push-down head 30. A guide mechanism 40 that guides the push-down head 30 is provided between the guide tube 24 and a head peripheral wall 32 of the push-down head 30 which will be described below. The guide mechanism 40 will be described below.

(Pump unit)

[0039] The pump unit 10 mainly includes the stem 11, a cylinder 12, a support tube 13, a valve member 15, a piston guide 16, a piston 17 and a biasing member (not shown).

[0040] As shown in FIG. 1, the cylinder 12 is formed in a tubular shape having a cylinder peripheral wall 12a and is disposed coaxially with the container axis O. An annular flange portion 12b that protrudes outward in the radial direction is formed on an upper end portion of the cylinder peripheral wall 12a.

[0041] The flange portion 12b is disposed on the upper opening edge of the mouth portion 3 of the container body 2 via a packing 14, and is sandwiched in the vertical direction between the upper opening edge of the mouth portion 3 and the mounting cap 20 mounted on the mouth portion 3 of the container body 2.

[0042] Thus, the entire pump unit 10 including the cylinder 12 is mounted in the mouth portion 3 of the container body 2 via the mounting cap 20. The cylinder 12 extends downward with respect to the mouth portion 3 of the container body 2 and is mounted in the mouth portion 3 of the container body 2 via the mounting cap 20 to enter the inside of the container body 2.

[0043] The cylinder peripheral wall 12a opens upward through the inside of the cap ceiling wall 22. Thus, the stem 11 is inserted from above inside the cylinder peripheral wall 12a.

[0044] The valve member 15 functions as a lower valve body in the pump unit 10 and serves to switch communication and blocking between the inside of the container body 2 and the inside of the cylinder 12. Specifically, the valve member 15 restricts the contents inside the cylinder 12 flowing back into the container body 2 when the inside of the cylinder 12 is pressurized, and allows the contents in the container body 2 to flow into the cylinder 12 when the inside of the cylinder 12 is depressurized.

[0045] The stem 11 stands upright inside the mouth portion 3 of the container body 2 to be movable downward while the stem 11 is biased upward. The stem 11 is formed in a tubular shape extending in the vertical direction, and is disposed inside the cap ceiling wall 22 and inside the cylinder peripheral wall 12a. The stem 11 is disposed so that an upper end portion thereof protrude upward with respect to the restriction tube 23 and the guide tube 24 and a lower end portion thereof is accommodated in the cylinder 12 in a state before the push-down head 30 is pushed down.

[0046] The lower end portion of the stem 11 is formed as an enlarged diameter portion 11a that is enlarged outward in the radial direction. Thus, the stem 11 is formed in a two-stage tubular shape with an outer diameter that varies in the vertical direction.

[0047] The piston guide 16 is disposed coaxially with the container axis O in a state in which the piston guide 16 is disposed below the stem 11. The piston guide 16 functions as an upper valve body in the pump unit 10 in cooperation with the piston 17. The piston 17 is linked to the vertical movement of the stem 11 and fitted inside the cylinder 12 to be slidable in the vertical direction. The stem 11 is biased upward by a biasing member (not shown) through the piston guide 16.

[0048] The support tube 13 functions as a retaining member for each of the components disposed inside the cylinder 12 such as the piston 17. The support tube 13 is mounted inside the upper end portion of the cylinder peripheral wall 12a and disposed coaxially with the container axis O.

(Push-down head)

[0049] As shown in FIG. 1, the push-down head 30 is disposed above the pump unit 10 and mounted on the upper end portion of the stem 11.

[0050] The push-down head 30 is formed in a cylindrical shape with a top having a head top wall 31 and a head peripheral wall 32, is disposed coaxially with the container axis O, and is rotatable around the container axis O.

[0051] The head peripheral wall 32 is formed in a tubular shape surrounding the stem 11 and the restriction tube 23 from the outside in the radial direction, and is disposed between the restriction tube 23 and the guide tube 24. The head peripheral wall 32 can move downward inside the guide tube 24 when the push-down head 30 is pushed down (refer to FIG. 6). Thus, the entire push-down head 30 is movably guided by the guide tube 24.

[0052] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a first protrusion portion (a stopper protrusion according to the present invention) 33 and a second protrusion portion 34 (a stopper protrusion according to the present invention) are formed at a lower end portion of the head peripheral wall 32 to protrude outward in the radial direction.

[0053] As shown in FIG. 2, the first protrusion portion 33 and the second protrusion portion 34 are formed to face each other in the radial direction with the container axis O interposed therebetween, and are disposed inside the guide tube 24. In the illustrated example, the first protrusion portion 33 and the second protrusion portion 34 are formed at the lower end portion of the head peripheral wall 32 to be elongated longitudinally.

[0054] The first protrusion portion 33 and the second protrusion portion 34 are formed to extend with a predetermined peripheral width in the circumferential direction in a plan view seen in the direction of the container axis O. In the illustrated example, the second protrusion portion 34 is formed to have a peripheral width longer than that of the first protrusion portion 33.

[0055] However, the present invention is not limited to this case, and the peripheral width of the second protrusion portion 34 may be equal to the peripheral width of the first protrusion portion 33 or may be smaller than the peripheral width of the first protrusion portion 33.

[0056] The first protrusion portion 33 and the second protrusion portion 34 are located inside an upper end portion of the guide tube 24 in a state before the push-down head 30 is pushed down, as shown in FIG. 1. Thus, the first protrusion portion 33 and the second protrusion portion 34 are hidden inside the guide tube 24 and are not exposed to the outside. Thus, an exterior of the dispenser 1 can be improved, and deterioration of designability can be curbed.

[0057] A connection tube 35 that extends downward from the head peripheral wall 32 is formed coaxially with the container axis O inside the head peripheral wall 32. The connection tube 35 is formed in a tubular shape surrounding the upper end portion of the stem 11 from the outside in the radial direction, and is disposed inside the restriction tube 23. Then, the connection tube 35 is fitted to the stem 11. Thus, the push-down head 30 is mounted on the upper end portion of the stem 11.

[0058] The push-down head 30 includes a nozzle tube portion 36 that extends outward in the radial direction from the head peripheral wall 32.

[0059] The nozzle tube portion 36 is formed with a length that protrudes outward in the radial direction with respect to the mounting tube 21 of the mounting cap 20. Further, the nozzle tube portion 36 is formed to extend toward the inside of the head peripheral wall 32 and communicates with the inside of the connection tube 35.

[0060] The length of the nozzle tube portion 36 is not particularly limited, and may be set to a length that does not protrude outward in the radial direction with respect to the mounting tube 21 of the mounting cap 20, for example.

[0061] A nozzle hole 37 that discharges the contents to the outside is formed at a tip end portion of the nozzle tube portion 36. Therefore, the nozzle hole 37 communicates with the inside of the stem 11 through the inside of the nozzle tube portion 36 and the inside of the connection tube 35. Therefore, the contents supplied into the stem 11 can be discharged to the outside through the nozzle hole 37.

[0062] The push-down head 30 configured as described above can be switched between a restriction position P1 in which downward movement is restricted and an allowing position P2 in which the downward movement is allowed by rotation around the container axis O.

[0063] As shown in FIG. 2, the restriction position P1 is a state in which the restriction protrusion 38 formed on the push-down head 30 which will be described below is disposed above the restriction surface 27 of the restriction tube 23 (a state in which the restriction protrusion 38 faces the restriction surface 27 in the vertical direction). When the push-down head 30 is located at the restriction position P1, as shown in FIG. 3, the first protrusion portion 33 and the second protrusion portion 34 formed on the push-down head 30 are located in a first peripheral groove 52 and a second peripheral groove 57 which will be described below.

[0064] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the allowing position P2 refers to a state in which the restriction protrusion 38, which will be described below, formed on the push-down head 30 is disposed above the slide groove 26 formed in the restriction tube 23 (a state in which the restriction protrusion 38 faces the slide groove 26 in the vertical direction). When the push-down head 30 is located at the allowing position P2, as shown in FIG. 4, the first protrusion portion 33 and the second protrusion portion 34 formed on the push-down head 30 are located inside a first longitudinal groove 51 and a second longitudinal groove 56 which will be described below.

[0065]  In the present embodiment, when the push-down head 30 is located at the allowing position P2, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the nozzle tube portion 36 is substantially aligned with the forward and rearward direction L1, and the nozzle hole 37 opens forward. Further, it is possible to switch from the allowing position P2 to the restriction position P1 by rotating the push-down head 30 in the first direction M1 around the container axis O. On the contrary, it is possible to switch from the restriction position P1 to the allowing position P2 by rotating the push-down head 30 in the second direction M2.

[0066] In the present embodiment, when the push-down head 30 is located at the restriction position P1, the nozzle tube portion 36 is directed in the left and right direction L2 in a plan view seen from the direction of the container axis O, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. Therefore, switching between the restriction position P1 and the allowing position P2 can be performed by rotating the push-down head 30 around the container axis O by 90 degrees. However, a switching angle of the push-down head 30 is not limited to 90 degrees.

[0067] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the restriction protrusion 38 that protrudes inward in the radial direction is formed on the head peripheral wall 32 of the push-down head 30 configured as described above.

[0068] A pair of restriction protrusions 38 are formed to face each other in the radial direction with the container axis O interposed therebetween, and are formed to extend longitudinally along an inner peripheral surface of the head peripheral wall 32. Thus, each of the restriction protrusions 38 is formed in a vertical rib shape. In addition, an upper end portion of the restriction protrusion 38 is formed integrally with the head top wall 31.

[0069] The restriction protrusion 38 is formed to be disposed above an upper end opening edge of the restriction tube 23 in the state before the push-down head 30 is pushed down. In the illustrated example, in the state before the push-down head 30 is pushed down, the lower end portion of the restriction protrusion 38 is in contact with or close to the upper opening edge of the restriction tube 23 from above.

[0070] Further, the restriction protrusion 38 is formed to extend in the circumferential direction to correspond to a shape of the slide groove 26 formed in the restriction tube 23, and is formed in an arc shape in a plane view seen in the direction of the container axis O. A peripheral width of the restriction protrusion 38 is formed to be slightly shorter than a peripheral width of the slide groove 26.

[0071] The restriction protrusion 38 configured as described above is disposed above an opening of the slide groove 26 when the push-down head 30 is located at the allowing position P2. Thus, since the downward movement of the restriction protrusion 38 within the slide groove 26 is allowed, the push-down head 30 can be pushed down at the allowing position P2.

[0072] On the other hand, the restriction protrusion 38 is disposed above the restriction surface 27 to face the restriction surface 27 of the restriction tube 23 when the push-down head 30 is located at the restriction position P1. As a result, since the downward movement of the restriction protrusion 38 is restricted by the restriction surface 27, the push-down operation of the push-down head 30 can be restricted at the restriction position P1.

(Guide mechanism)

[0073] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the guide mechanism 40 is provided between the head peripheral wall 32 of the push-down head 30 and the guide tube 24 to guide the push-down head 30 movably between the restriction position P1 and the allowing position P2 in the circumferential direction.

[0074] The guide mechanism 40 cooperates with the restriction protrusion 38 and the slide groove 26 described above to allow the downward movement of the push-down head 30 at the allowing position P2 and to restrict the downward movement of the push-down head 30 at the restriction position P1.

[0075] Specifically, the guide mechanism 40 includes a first guide groove (a guide groove according to the present invention) 50 and a second guide groove (a guide groove according to the present invention) 55 formed in the guide tube 24. The first guide groove 50 and the second guide groove 55 accommodate the first protrusion portion 33 and the second protrusion portion 34 formed on the head peripheral wall 32 while the first protrusion portion 33 and the second protrusion portion 34 are movable, respectively. The first protrusion portion 33 and the second protrusion portion 34 constitute the guide mechanism 40.

[0076] The first guide groove 50 includes a first longitudinal groove (a longitudinal groove according to the present invention) 51 that allows downward movement of the first protrusion portion 33 when the push-down head 30 is located at the allowing position P2, and a first peripheral groove 52 (a peripheral groove according to the present invention) that extends in the circumferential direction and communicates with the first longitudinal groove 51 and in which the first protrusion portion 33 is disposed when the push-down head 30 is located at the restriction position P1.

[0077] Similarly, the second guide groove 55 includes a second longitudinal groove (a longitudinal groove according to the present invention) 56 that allows the downward movement of the second protrusion portion 34 when the push-down head 30 is located at the allowing position P2, and a second peripheral groove 57 (a peripheral groove according to the present invention) that extends in the circumferential direction and communicates with the second longitudinal groove 56 and in which the second protrusion portion 34 is disposed when the push-down head 30 is located at the restriction position P1.

[0078] The first longitudinal groove 51, the first peripheral groove 52, the second longitudinal groove 56 and the second peripheral groove 57 will be described in detail.

[0079] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the first longitudinal groove 51 and the second longitudinal groove 56 are formed in the inner peripheral surface of the guide tube 24 at intervals in the circumferential direction. The first longitudinal groove 51 and the second longitudinal groove 56 are formed to face each other in the radial direction with the container axis O interposed therebetween, and are formed to be arranged in the left and right direction L2 in a plan view seen from the direction of the container axis O. Furthermore, the first longitudinal groove 51 and the second longitudinal groove 56 are formed over the entire length of the guide tube 24.

[0080] As shown in FIG. 2, the first longitudinal groove 51 is formed in a shape corresponding to an exterior of the first protrusion portion 33 in a plan view seen from the direction of the container axis O, and is formed to have a peripheral width slightly larger than the peripheral width of the first protrusion portion 33. Furthermore, a depth (an amount of recess in the radial direction) of the first longitudinal groove 51 is greater than an amount of protrusion in the radial direction of the first protrusion portion 33.

[0081] The second longitudinal grooves 56 are formed similarly to the first longitudinal grooves 51. That is, the second longitudinal groove 56 is formed in a shape corresponding to an exterior of the second protrusion portion 34 in a plan view seen in the direction of the container axis O, and is formed to have a peripheral width slightly larger than the peripheral width of the second protrusion portion 34. Furthermore, a depth (an amount of recess in the radial direction) of the second longitudinal groove 56 is greater than an amount of protrusion in the radial direction of the second protrusion portion 34.

[0082] Therefore, when the push-down head 30 is located at the allowing position P2, in addition to the restriction protrusion 38 being disposed above the opening of the slide groove 26, the first protrusion portion 33 is located within the first longitudinal groove 51 and the second protrusion portion 34 is located within the second longitudinal groove 56. Thus, the push-down head 30 can be pushed down.

[0083] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the first peripheral groove 52 is formed in an inner peripheral surface of the upper end portion of the guide tube 24. The first peripheral groove 52 is formed to communicate with the inside of the first longitudinal groove 51 and to extend in the circumferential direction from the first longitudinal groove 51 toward the first direction M1. Furthermore, the first peripheral groove 52 is open upward.

[0084]  Among wall surfaces that define the first peripheral groove 52, a bottom wall surface facing upward functions as a restriction wall 58 that restricts the downward movement of the first protrusion portion 33 by coming into contact with the first protrusion portion 33 from below when the push-down head 30 is located at the restriction position P1.

[0085] Therefore, when the first protrusion portion 33 is located within the first peripheral groove 52, since the first protrusion portion 33 rides on the restriction wall 58, the downward movement of the first protrusion portion 33 can be restricted. Therefore, it is possible to restrict the push-down operation of the push-down head 30.

[0086] A peripheral end wall that defines the first peripheral groove 52 faces the second direction M2, and serves as a positioning surface 53 with which the first protrusion portion 33 comes into contact when the first protrusion portion 33 moves in the first direction M1. Thus, rotation of the push-down head 30 in the first direction M1 can be restricted, and the push-down head 30 can be appropriately positioned at the restriction position P1.

[0087] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 2, a wall surface that faces the first direction M1 among the wall surfaces that define the first longitudinal groove 51 is a positioning surface 54 with which the first protrusion portion 33 comes into contact when the first protrusion portion 33 moves in the second direction M2. Thus, the rotation of the push-down head 30 in the second direction M2 can be restricted, and the push-down head 30 can be appropriately positioned at the allowing position P2.

[0088] In the first peripheral groove 52 configured as described above, a region excluding a portion in which the first longitudinal groove 51 and the positioning surface 53 are formed (a portion at which the first protrusion portion 33 is located at the restriction position P1) is formed to have a smaller depth (an amount of recess in the radial direction) than that of a portion in which the first longitudinal groove 51 and the positioning surface 53 are formed.

[0089] Thus, when the push-down head 30 is located at the restriction position P1 and the allowing position P2, it is possible to curb the movement of the first protrusion portion 33 in the circumferential direction. Therefore, it is possible to curb the push-down head 30 unintentionally rotating from the restriction position P1 and the allowing position P2.

[0090] Furthermore, when the push-down head 30 is switched between the restriction position P1 and the allowing position P2, for example, the first peripheral groove 52 is pressed against the outer peripheral surface of the first protrusion portion 33 with moderate frictional resistance, and resistance can be applied to the first protrusion portion 33. Therefore, it is possible to perform the switching operation of the push-down head 30 while an operational feeling is felt.

[0091] The second guide groove 55 has the same configuration as the first guide groove 50 described above. Therefore, detailed description of the second guide groove 55 will be omitted, and the same reference numerals are given to the components corresponding to the first guide groove 50.

(Action of dispenser)

[0092] Next, a case in which the contents are discharged using the dispenser 1 configured as described above will be described.

[0093] First, as shown in FIG. 3, when the push-down head 30 is located at the restriction position P1, the restriction protrusion 38 is disposed above the restriction surface 27 of the restriction tube 23 and faces the restriction surface 27 in the vertical direction. Thus, even when an unexpected external force such as a drop impact acts on the push-down head 30, since the restriction protrusion 38 comes into contact with the restriction surface 27, the restriction tube 23 can receive the external force acting on the push-down head 30. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the push-down head 30 from being pushed downward by an unexpected external force as in the related art.

[0094] In particular, when the push-down head 30 is located at the restriction position P1, as shown in FIG. 3, the first protrusion portion 33 and the second protrusion portion 34 formed on the push-down head 30 are in a state in which they ride on the restriction wall 58 in the first peripheral groove 52 and the second peripheral groove 57. Even in such a situation, since the restriction protrusion 38 and the restriction surface 27 can prevent the push-down head 30 from being pushed downward, for example, it is possible to prevent the first protrusion portion 33 and the second protrusion portion 34 from being strongly pushed against the restriction wall 58 in the first peripheral groove 52 and the second peripheral groove 57. Therefore, problems such as deformation of the first protrusion portion 33 and the second protrusion portion 34 can be prevented. As a result, problems such as the push-down head 30 being caught are less likely to occur.

[0095] Next, a case that the contents are discharged will be described.

[0096] In this case, the push-down head 30 is rotated in the second direction M2 around the container axis O to move the push-down head 30 from the restriction position P1 shown in FIG. 3 to the allowing position P2 shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4. At this time, since the push-down head 30 is guided by the guide mechanism 40 to move in the circumferential direction, the push-down head 30 moves smoothly to the allowing position P2 with little rattling. Furthermore, the push-down head 30 is allowed to move downward when it reaches the allowing position P2.

[0097] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, the first protrusion portion 33 can be moved from inside the first peripheral groove 52 to inside the first longitudinal groove 51 and the second protrusion portion 34 can be moved from inside the second peripheral groove 57 to inside the second longitudinal groove 56 by rotating the push-down head 30 in the second direction M2. Thus, the downward movement of the first protrusion portion 33 and the second protrusion portion 34 can be allowed using the first longitudinal groove 51 and the second longitudinal groove 56.

[0098] Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the restriction protrusion 38 can be moved from above the restriction surface 27 to above the opening of the slide groove 26 by locating the push-down head 30 at the allowing position P2. Thus, the downward movement of the restriction protrusion 38 can be allowed using the slide groove 26.

[0099] As a result, the restriction on the downward movement of the push-down head 30 can be released, and the downward movement of the push-down head 30 can be allowed.

[0100] Since the first protrusion portion 33 can be brought into contact with the positioning surface 54 of the first longitudinal groove 51 and the second protrusion portion 34 can be brought into contact with the positioning surface 54 of the second longitudinal groove 56, the push-down head 30 can be appropriately located at the allowing position P2. Further, when the push-down head 30 is located at the allowing position P2, the nozzle tube portion 36 is switched to a posture facing forward.

[0101] As shown in FIG. 5, a longitudinally long first positioning groove 60 is formed in a portion of the outer peripheral surface of the guide tube 24 that faces forward. Further, a longitudinally long second positioning groove 61 is formed in a portion of the outer peripheral surface of the head peripheral wall 32 of the push-down head 30 that is located below the nozzle tube portion 36.

[0102] Thus, when the push-down head 30 is located at the allowing position P2, the first positioning groove 60 and the second positioning groove 61 can be arranged in a straight line in the vertical direction. Therefore, the push-down head 30 can be appropriately located at the allowing position P2, and the nozzle tube portion 36 can be appropriately directed forward by visually recognizing a positional relationship between the first positioning groove 60 and the second positioning groove 61.

[0103] Then, after the push head 30 is switched to the allowing position P2, the push head 30 can be pushed down against the upward bias of the stem 11 as shown in FIG. 6. Thus, the stem 11 can be pushed down while the restriction protrusion 38 is moved downward in the slide groove 26 and the first protrusion portion 33 and the second protrusion portion 34 are moved downward in the first longitudinal groove 51 and the second longitudinal groove 56. As a result, the contents can be discharged through the nozzle hole 37 using the pump unit 10.

[0104] As described above, according to the dispenser 1 of the present embodiment, unless the operation of switching the push-down head 30 from the restriction position P1 to the allowing position P2 is performed, since the push-down head 30 cannot be pushed down, it is possible to prevent the contents from being discharged unintentionally due to an unexpected external force such as a drop impact, for example, during product distribution or storage.

[0105] In particular, when the push-down head 30 is located at the restriction position P1, an external force acting on the push-down head 30 can be appropriately received using the restriction tube 23 combined with the mounting cap 20, and thus it is possible to effectively prevent the push-down head 30 from being pushed downward. Therefore, as described above, it is possible to prevent inconveniences such as deformation of the first protrusion portion 33 and the second protrusion portion 34, and it is difficult to cause inconveniences such as the push-down head 30 being caught. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the push-down head 30 from being difficult to return to an original position thereof as in the related art. Therefore, the push-down head 30 can be stably and appropriately operated, and the dispenser 1 with improved operation reliability can be obtained.

[0106] Further, the first protrusion portion 33 and the second protrusion portion 34 directed outward in the radial direction, and the restriction protrusion 38 directed inward in the radial direction are formed on the head peripheral wall 32. Therefore, since the head peripheral wall 32 is formed with portions for receiving external forces on both the outer peripheral surface and the inner peripheral surface, even when a strong external force such as a drop impact acts on the push-down head 30, it is possible to effectively prevent inconvenience such as deformation of the head peripheral wall 32. In this respect as well, it is possible to prevent the push-down head 30 from being pushed downward.

[0107] Furthermore, in the dispenser 1 of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, since the restriction protrusion 38 and the slide groove 26 are formed in an arc shape extending in the circumferential direction in a plan view, for example, when the push-down head 30 is located at the restriction position P1, a large contact area between the restriction protrusion 38 and the restriction surface 27 is ensured even when an unexpected external force such as a drop impact is applied to the push-down head 30. Therefore, the external force acting on the push-down head 30 can be received over a wide range by the restriction tube 23, and it is possible to more effectively prevent the push-down head 30 from being pushed downward. Furthermore, since a large contact area can be secured between the restriction protrusion 38 and the restriction surface 27, inconveniences such as tilting of the push-down head 30 are less likely to occur.

[0108] Furthermore, when the push-down head 30 is pushed down at the allowing position P2, the restriction protrusion 38 having a large peripheral width can be moved downward within the slide groove 26, and thus the push-down head 30 can be stably pushed down with little rattling. Therefore, operability can be improved.

[0109] Further, the restriction protrusion 38 is formed in a shape of a vertical rib and is accommodated in the slide groove 26 so as not to move in the circumferential direction as the push-down head 30 is pushed down at the allowing position P2. Therefore, it is possible to curb rattling of the push-down head 30 around the container axis O when the contents are discharged, and the push-down head 30 can be smoothly pushed downward. Therefore, it is possible to further improve the operability.

[0110]  While preferred embodiments of the invention have been described and illustrated above, it should be understood that these are exemplary of the invention and are not to be considered as limiting. Additions, omissions, substitutions, and other modifications can be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the invention is not to be considered as being limited by the foregoing description, and is only limited by the scope of the appended claims.

[0111] For example, in the above-described embodiment, although the two restriction protrusions 38 and the two slide grooves 26 are provided, the present invention is not limited to this case, and for example, it may be one, or three or more may be formed.

[0112] Similarly, in the above embodiment, although the first protrusion portion 33 and the second protrusion portion 34 are provided, the number of protrusions is not limited to two. For example, it may be one, or three or more may be formed.

[0113] In addition, it is possible to appropriately replace the constituent elements in the above embodiment with known constituent elements without departing from the scope of the present invention, and the above embodiment and the above modified example may be combined as appropriate.

Claims

1. A dispenser comprising:

a pump unit having a stem disposed and configured to move downward in an upward biased state, and combined with a mouth of a container body via a mounting cap mounted on the mouth of the container body that accommodates contents;

a push-down head having a nozzle hole configured to discharge the contents, mounted on an upper end portion of the stem, and configured to rotate around a container axis of the container body;

a restriction tube combined with the mounting cap and extending upward; and

a guide tube surrounding the restriction tube from an outside in a radial direction and configured to guide movement of the push-down head,

wherein the push-down head has a head peripheral wall that surrounds the restriction tube from the outside in the radial direction and is configured to switch between a restriction position at which downward movement is restricted and an allowing position at which the downward movement is allowed by rotation around the container axis,

a stopper protrusion formed to protrude outward in the radial direction, and a restriction protrusion configured to protrude inward in the radial direction and to face an upper opening edge of the restriction tube in a vertical direction are formed on the head peripheral wall,

a guide groove configured to accommodate the stopper protrusion while the stopper protrusion is movable is formed in the guide tube,

the guide groove includes,

a longitudinal groove that allows downward movement of the stopper protrusion when the push-down head is located at the allowing position, and

a peripheral groove that extends in a circumferential direction around the container axis and communicates with the longitudinal groove, and in which the stopper protrusion is disposed when the push-down head is located at the restriction position,

a bottom wall surface of the peripheral groove is a restriction wall configured to restrict downward movement of the stopper protrusion by coming into contact with the stopper protrusion from below,

a longitudinally long slide groove that opens upward and is configured to allow the downward movement of the restriction protrusion is formed in an outer peripheral surface of the restriction tube,

a portion of the upper end opening edge of the restriction tube that is adjacent to the slide groove in the circumferential direction serves as a restriction surface that restricts downward movement of the restriction protrusion by coming into contact with the restriction protrusion from below, and

the restriction protrusion is disposed to face the slide groove in the vertical direction when the push-down head is located at the allowing position, and is disposed to face the restriction surface in the vertical direction when the push-down head is located at the restriction position.

2. The dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the restriction protrusion and the slide groove are formed to extend in the circumferential direction.

3. The dispenser according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the restriction protrusion is formed to be longitudinally elongated in the vertical direction, and is accommodated in the slide groove not to move in the circumferential direction as the push-down head is pushed down at the allowing position.

Drawing