U.S. patent application number 11/928973 was filed with the patent office on 2008-03-13 for piston for fluid container.
Invention is credited to Masatoshi MASUDA.
Application Number | 20080061083 11/928973 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 33432342 |
Filed Date | 2008-03-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080061083 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
MASUDA; Masatoshi |
March 13, 2008 |
PISTON FOR FLUID CONTAINER
Abstract
A piston configured to be engaged inside a cylindrical container
includes: a sliding member having an upper fluidtight portion and a
lower fluidtight portion; and a support member connected to the
sliding member for supporting and urging the sliding member against
the inner wall of the cylindrical container. The upper and lower
fluidtight portions are each constituted by a pair of annular
convex bump portions each having a thickness which is the greatest
at a point where the annular convex bump portion is in contact with
the inner wall of the cylinder.
Inventors: |
MASUDA; Masatoshi; (Kyoto,
JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
KNOBBE MARTENS OLSON & BEAR LLP
2040 MAIN STREET
FOURTEENTH FLOOR
IRVINE
CA
92614
US
|
Family ID: |
33432342 |
Appl. No.: |
11/928973 |
Filed: |
October 30, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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11678536 |
Feb 23, 2007 |
7306124 |
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11928973 |
Oct 30, 2007 |
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10872021 |
Jun 18, 2004 |
7306123 |
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11678536 |
Feb 23, 2007 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
222/256 ;
222/257 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B05B 11/00416 20180801;
B05B 11/3077 20130101; B65D 83/0033 20130101; B05B 11/3035
20130101; B05B 11/3067 20130101; B05B 11/3069 20130101; B05B
11/0029 20130101; B05B 11/0062 20130101; G01F 11/028 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
222/256 ;
222/257 |
International
Class: |
G01F 11/00 20060101
G01F011/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jul 3, 2003 |
JP |
2003-191197 |
Claims
1. A piston configured to be engaged inside a cylindrical
container, constituted by an elastic member comprising: a sliding
member having an upper fluidtight portion and a lower fluidtight
portion, both of which fluidtightly and slidably contact an inner
wall of the cylindrical container; and a support member connected
to the sliding member for supporting and urging the sliding member
against the inner wall of the cylindrical container, wherein the
sliding member extends upward and downward from a position where
the support member is connected to the sliding member, wherein a
portion of the sliding member extending upward has the upper
fluidtight portion which is constituted by a pair of annular convex
bump portions each having a thickness which is the greatest at a
point where the annular convex bump portion is in contact with the
inner wall of the cylinder, wherein a portion of the sliding member
extending downward has the lower fluidtight portion which is
constituted by a pair of annular convex bump portions each having a
thickness which is the greatest at a point where the annular convex
bump portion is in contact with the inner wall of the cylinder.
2. The piston according to claim 1, wherein the portion of the
sliding member extending upward has a thickness in a direction
perpendicular to an axis of the piston decreasing toward an upper
end of the sliding member except for the upper fluidtight
portion.
3. The piston according to claim 1, wherein the portion of the
sliding member extending downward has a thickness in a direction
perpendicular to an axis of the piston decreasing toward a lower
end of the sliding member except for the lower fluidtight
portion.
4. The piston according to claim 1, wherein the position where the
support member is connected to the sliding member is located
halfway between the upper end and the lower end of the sliding
member.
5. The piston according to claim 1, wherein the supporting member
has concentric flexions for urging the sliding member against the
inner wall of the cylindrical container, said concentric flexions
including at least three concentric walls disposed in the axial
direction of the piston.
6. The piston according to claim 5, wherein the at least three
concentric walls include an outer concentric wall, an intermediate
concentric wall, and an inner concentric wall, wherein the outer
concentric wall and the intermediate concentric wall are connected
at their upper ends, and the intermediate concentric wall and the
inner concentric wall are connected at their lower end.
7. A fluid container comprising: (i) a fluid-storing portion for
storing a fluid therein; (ii) a piston engaged inside the
fluid-storing portion, said piston serving as a bottom of the
fluid-storing portion, said piston comprising: a sliding member
having an upper fluidtight portion and a lower fluidtight portion,
both of which fluidtightly and slidably contact an inner wall of
the cylindrical container; and a support member connected to the
sliding member for supporting and urging the sliding member against
the inner wall of the cylindrical container, wherein the sliding
member extends upward and downward from a position where the
support member is connected to the sliding member, wherein a
portion of the sliding member extending upward has the upper
fluidtight portion which is constituted by a pair of annular convex
bump portions each having a thickness which is the greatest at a
point where the annular convex bump portion is in contact with the
inner wall of the cylinder, wherein a portion of the sliding member
extending downward has the lower fluidtight portion which is
constituted by a pair of annular convex bump portions each having a
thickness which is the greatest at a point where the annular convex
bump portion is in contact with the inner wall of the cylinder;
(iii) a nozzle head for discharging the fluid disposed on an upper
side of the fluid-storing portion; and (iv) a fluid discharge pump
for discharging the fluid stored inside the fluid-storing portion
from the nozzle head when the nozzle head is pressed.
8. The fluid container according to claim 7, wherein the
fluid-storing portion is cylindrical and has an inner wall tapered
toward the nozzle head, wherein a diameter of the container
decreases toward the nozzle head.
9. The fluid container according to claim 8, wherein the supporting
member has concentric flexions for supporting and urging the
sliding member against the inner wall of the cylindrical container,
said concentric flexions including at least three concentric walls
disposed in the axial direction of the piston.
10. The fluid container according to claim 9, wherein the at least
three concentric walls include an outer concentric wall, an
intermediate concentric wall, and an inner concentric wall, wherein
the outer concentric wall and the intermediate concentric wall are
connected at their upper ends, and the intermediate concentric wall
and the inner concentric wall are connected at their lower end.
Description
[0001] This is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.
11/678,536, filed Feb. 23, 2007, which is a continuation of U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 10/872,021, field Jun. 18, 2004, which
claims foreign priority under 35 U.S.C. .sctn. 119 to Japanese
Patent Application No. 2003-191197, filed Jul. 3, 2003, the
disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference in their
entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates generally to a piston engaged inside
a cylindrical container, which serves as a movable bottom of the
container and functions for enhancing fluidtightness inside the
container.
[0003] As a piston for enhancing airtightness inside a cylinder,
Japanese Patent Laid-open No. 1996-280804 discloses a piston for a
syringe, for example. However, a cylinder produced by injection
molding, for example, often has a tapered inner wall for production
process convenience, and in that case, the conventional piston
could not maintain fluidtightness because an internal diameter of
the cylinder changes whereas the diameter of the piston does not
significantly change. Further, the conventional piston is normally
designed for short term use, and the seal between the piston and
the inner wall tends to be degraded with time.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] In view of the above, the present invention has been
achieved. In an aspect, an object of the present invention is to
provide a piston capable of securing fluidtightness, and a fluid
container using the same. Another object of the present invention
is to provide a piston usable for a tapered cylindrical container.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a
piston capable of maintaining high fluidtightness for a long period
of time. Yet another object of the present invention is to provide
a piston having a simple structure which achieves at least one of
the above objects.
[0005] The present invention is not intended to be limited by the
above objects, and various objects other than the above can be
accomplished as readily understood by one of ordinary skill in the
art. The embodiments described below use reference numbers used in
the drawings solely for easy understanding, and the reference
numbers are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.
[0006] In an embodiment, the present invention provides a piston
(e.g., 42, 42') adapted to be engaged inside a cylindrical
container (e.g., 40, 40'), constituted by an elastic member
comprising: (i) a sliding member (e.g., 46) having an upper
fluidtight portion (e.g., 421) and a lower fluidtight portion
(e.g., 422), both of which fluidtightly and slidably contact an
inner wall (e.g., 30, 30') of the cylindrical container; and (ii) a
support member (e.g., 45, 45') having an upper concentric flexion
(e.g., 423a) and a lower concentric flexion (e.g., 423b) to urge
the sliding member against the inner wall of the cylindrical
container.
[0007] The above embodiment includes, but is not limited to, the
following embodiments.
[0008] The lower concentric flexion (e.g., 423b) may be disposed
nearly half way between the upper fluidtight portion (e.g., 421)
and the lower fluidtight portion (e.g., 422). The upper concentric
flexion (e.g., 423a) may be disposed above the upper fluidtight
portion. Each of the upper and lower concentric flexions may be
disposed on a plane perpendicular to an axis (e.g., 47) of the
piston. The support member may further have at least another
concentric flexion (e.g., 423c, 423'c, 423d). The other concentric
flexion may be arranged on a plane perpendicular to an axis (e.g.,
47) of the piston between a plane on which the upper concentric
flexion (e.g., 423a) is disposed and a plane on which the lower
concentric flexion (e.g., 423b) is disposed. The upper and lower
fluidtight portions (e.g., 421, 422) each may be constituted by at
least one annular convex portion (e.g., 421a, 421b, 422a, 422b)
(each fluidtight portion may include two or three annular convex
portions).
[0009] In another aspect, the present invention provides a fluid
container (e.g., 40) comprising: (a) a fluid-storing portion (e.g.,
41, 41') for storing a fluid therein; (b) any one of the piston
(e.g., 42, 42') of the foregoing engaged inside the fluid-storing
portion, said piston serving as a bottom of the fluid-storing
portion; (c) a nozzle head (e.g., 20) for discharging the fluid
disposed on an upper side of the fluid-storing portion; and (d) a
fluid discharge pump (e.g., 10) for discharging the fluid stored
inside the fluid-storing portion from the nozzle head when the
nozzle head is pressed.
[0010] The above embodiment includes, but is not limited to, the
following embodiments.
[0011] The fluid-storing portion (e.g., 40) may be cylindrical and
has an inner wall (e.g., 30) tapered toward the nozzle head (e.g.,
20). The gradient of the tapered wall may be in the range of about
0.degree. to about 10.degree., preferably more than about 0.degree.
but less than about 7.degree., more preferably about 1.degree.to
about 5.degree.. Within the above ranges, the inner wall can have
uneven surfaces.
[0012] The piston may have at least another concentric flexion
(e.g., 423d), said other concentric flexion being arranged inward
of the upper concentric flexion (e.g., 423a) and the lower
concentric flexion (e.g., 423b) with respect to an axis (e.g., 47)
of the piston and between the upper concentric flexion (e.g., 423a)
and the lower concentric flexion (e.g., 423b) with respect to
respective planes perpendicular to the axis of the piston. The
lower concentric flexion (e.g., 423b) may be arranged nearly half
way between the upper and lower fluidtight portions (e.g., 421,
422). The upper concentric flexion (e.g., 423a) may be arranged
above the upper fluidtight portion (e.g., 421).
[0013] In another embodiment, the present invention provides a
piston (e.g., 42, 42') adapted to be engaged inside a cylindrical
container (e.g., 40, 40'), constituted by an elastic member
comprising: (i) a sliding member (e.g., 46) having an upper
fluidtight portion (e.g., 421) and a lower fluidtight portion
(e.g., 422), both of which fluidtightly and slidably contact an
inner wall (e.g., 30, 30') of the cylindrical container; and (ii) a
support member (e.g., 45, 45') having an upper flexion (e.g., 423a)
and a lower flexion (e.g., 423b) to urge the sliding member against
the inner wall of the cylindrical container, each of the upper and
lower flexions being disposed on a plane perpendicular to an axis
(e.g., 47) of the piston.
[0014] The above embodiment includes, but is not limited to, the
following embodiments.
[0015] A cross section of the cylindrical container, the upper
flexion, and the lower flexion may have homologous shapes on a
plane perpendicular to the axis. The homologous shapes mean that
the shapes are nearly the same but different in size. The
cylindrical container may have a cross section perpendicular to the
axis which is not only a circle but also an oval or any other shape
having no sharp inflection point in cross section.
[0016] In the above, a distance between the upper flexion (e.g.,
423a) and the axis (e.g., 47) may be greater than a distance
between the lower flexion (e.g., 423b) and the axis (e.g., 47). The
lower flexion (e.g., 423b) may be disposed nearly half way between
the upper fluidtight portion (e.g., 421) and the lower fluidtight
portion (e.g., 422). The upper flexion (e.g., 423a) may be disposed
above the upper fluidtight portion (e.g., 421). The support member
further may have at least another homologous flexion (e.g., 423c,
423'c, 423d) inward of the upper and lower flexions (e.g., 423a,
423b). The other flexion (e.g., 423d) may be arranged between the
upper flexion (e.g., 423a) and the lower flexion (e.g., 423b) with
respect to respective planes perpendicular to the axis (e.g., 47).
The upper and lower fluidtight portions (e.g., 421, 422) each may
be constituted by at least one annular convex portion (e.g., 421a,
421b, 422a, 422b).
[0017] In still another embodiment, the present invention provides
a fluid container (e.g., 40, 40') comprising: (a) a fluid-storing
portion (e.g., 41, 41') for storing a fluid therein; (b) any one of
the piston (e.g., 42, 42') of the foregoing engaged inside the
fluid-storing portion, said piston serving as a bottom of the
fluid-storing portion; (c) a nozzle head (e.g., 20) for discharging
the fluid disposed on an upper side of the fluid-storing portion;
and (d) a fluid discharge pump (e.g., 10) for discharging the fluid
stored inside the fluid-storing portion from the nozzle head when
the nozzle head is pressed.
[0018] The above embodiment includes, but is not limited to, the
following embodiments.
[0019] The fluid-storing portion may be cylindrical and has an
inner wall (e.g., 30) tapered toward the nozzle head. The gradient
of the tapered wall may be in the range described above.
[0020] The piston may have at least another flexion (e.g., 423d),
said other flexion (e.g., 423d) being arranged inward of the upper
and lower flexions (e.g., 423a, 423b) with respect to an axis
(e.g., 47) of the piston and between the upper and lower flexions
(e.g., 423a, 423b) with respect to respective planes perpendicular
to the axis (e.g., 47) of the piston. The lower flexion (e.g.,
423b) may be arranged nearly half way between the upper and lower
fluidtight portions (e.g., 421, 422). The upper flexion (e.g.,
423a) may be arranged above the upper fluidtight portion (e.g.,
421).
[0021] The sliding member and the supporting member may preferably
be configured to provide at least 4% elastic deformation evenly in
a radial direction (including about 5%-about 10%), although an
elastic deformation may range from about 3% to about 30% in an
embodiment. The flexions and the material enable the above, so that
the piston can fit in a cylindrical container having a different
inner diameter, a different shape, an uneven inner wall, an slanted
inner wall, etc., without degrading fluidtightness between the
piston and the inner wall of the cylindrical container from the
bottom position to the top position of the piston in the
cylindrical container. The sliding member may basically have an
outer periphery corresponding to the inner cross section of the
cylindrical container, which has a larger diameter than the maximum
diameter of the cylindrical container in accordance with the degree
of elastic deformation of the piston and the shape of the inner
wall of the cylindrical container.
[0022] The piston may be constituted by any suitable material such
as a resin, rubber, composite, etc. Preferably, the piston may be
constituted by a resin such as polypropylene or polyethylene, a
resin containing a rubber material such as silicon rubber, a
mixture of the foregoing, and the like. Hardness of the material
can be adjusted by adjusting a ratio of a hard resin to a soft
resin. Further, in the present invention, all of the elements can
be made of a resin, rubber, composite, or mixture thereof, and the
hardness and elasticity of each can be adjusted depending on the
function required for the element. For example, a bending or
flexing portion (e.g., a valve body) can be made of a more flexible
material than the other portions (e.g., a valve seat).
[0023] In the present invention, the flexion may be an elbow having
an acute angle or a point of turning in a cross section along the
axis. Each flexion may be on a plane perpendicular to the axis. The
flexions may be comprised of at least one upper flexion and one
lower flexion; e.g., from the outer periphery to the center, (I) an
upper flexion and an lower flexion, (II) a first upper flexion, a
lower flexion, and a second upper flexion, (III) a first lower
flexion, an upper flexion, and a second lower flexion, etc. In a
preferable embodiment, the plane perpendicular to the axis on which
the second lower flexion is arranged is closer to the upper
fluidtight portion than is the plane on which the first lower
flexion is arranged, so that the piston can smoothly travel upward
without degrading fluidtightness as the fluid inside is used. For
the same reason, as described above, in a preferable embodiment,
the plane on which the first lower flexion is arranged is nearly
half way between the upper fluidtight portion and the lower
fluidtight portion.
[0024] In all of the foregoing embodiments, any element used in an
embodiment can interchangeably be used in another embodiment, and
any combination of elements can be applied in these embodiments,
unless it is not feasible.
[0025] For purposes of summarizing the invention and the advantages
achieved over the related art, certain objects and advantages of
the invention have been described above. Of course, it is to be
understood that not necessarily all such objects or advantages may
be achieved in accordance with any particular embodiment of the
invention. Thus, for example, those skilled in the art will
recognize that the invention may be embodied or carried out in a
manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of
advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other
objects or advantages as may be taught or suggested herein.
[0026] Further aspects, features and advantages of this invention
will become apparent from the detailed description of the preferred
embodiments which follow.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0027] These and other features of this invention will now be
described with reference to the drawings of preferred embodiments
which are intended to illustrate and not to limit the
invention.
[0028] FIG. 1 is a longitudinal view of a fluid container according
to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, where a piston is at the
bottom of the container.
[0029] FIG. 2 is a longitudinal view of the fluid container
according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, wherein the
piston is at the top of the container.
[0030] FIG. 3 is an enlarged longitudinal view of the fluid
discharge pump 10 the nozzle head 20 in the closed position,
wherein an inflow portion 211 is not communicated with an opening
portion 222.
[0031] FIG. 4 is a longitudinal view of the fluid discharge pump 10
the nozzle head 20 in the open position, wherein the inflow portion
211 is communicated with the opening portion 222.
[0032] FIGS. 5(a)-(c) are a side view, cross sectional view, and
bottom view, respectively, showing an inflow valve seat member 111
in an embodiment comprising an inflow valve mechanism 11 in the
fluid discharge pump 10.
[0033] FIGS. 6(a)-(c) are a side view, cross sectional view, and
bottom view, respectively, showing an inflow valve member 112 in an
embodiment comprising the inflow valve mechanism 11 in the fluid
discharge pump 10.
[0034] FIGS. 7(a)-(c) are a top view, cross sectional view, and
bottom view, respectively, showing an outflow valve seat member 121
in an embodiment comprising the outflow valve mechanism 12 in the
fluid discharge pump 10.
[0035] FIGS. 8(a)-(c) are a top view, side view, and bottom view,
respectively, showing an outflow valve member 122 in an embodiment
comprising the outflow valve mechanism 12 in the fluid discharge
pump 10.
[0036] FIG. 9 is an explanatory view showing dismantling the nozzle
head 20 in a closed position in an embodiment.
[0037] FIG. 10 is an explanatory view showing dismantling the
nozzle head 20 in an open position in an embodiment.
[0038] FIG. 11 is a front view of the nozzle head 20 in the closed
position.
[0039] FIG. 12 is a front view of the nozzle head 20 in the open
position.
[0040] FIG. 13 is an enlarged longitudinal view showing the fluid
discharge pump 10 and the nozzle head 20 in the open position,
where the nozzle head is pressed.
[0041] FIG. 14 is an enlarged longitudinal view showing the fluid
discharge pump 10 and the nozzle head 20 in the open position,
wherein the nozzle head is released.
[0042] FIGS. 15(a)-(c) are a top view, side view, and cross
sectional view of A-A line, respectively, showing a piston member
42 in an embodiment comprising the fluid-storing portion 40.
[0043] FIGS. 16(a)-(c) are a top view, side view, and cross
sectional view of A-A line, respectively, showing the piston member
42 in an alternative embodiment.
[0044] FIG. 17 is a longitudinal view showing a fluid container
according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention, where a piston
is at the bottom of the container.
[0045] FIG. 18 is a longitudinal view showing the fluid container
according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention, wherein the
piston is at the top of the container.
[0046] Explanation of symbols used is as follows: 10: Fluid
discharge pump; 11: Inflow valve mechanism; 12: Outflow valve
mechanism; 16: Bellows member; 16a: Inflow opening; 16b: Outflow
opening; 17: Packing; 20: Nozzle head; 21: Tubular member; 22:
Guiding member; 40: Fluid-storing portion; 41: Cylinder member; 42:
Piston member; 43: Inner lid; 43a: Air vent; 43b: Upper side of the
bottom; 44: Outer lid; 44a: Hole; 111: Inflow valve seat member;
111a: Opening portion; 111b: Joined portion; 112: Inflow valve
member; 112a: Valve body; 112b: Supporting portion; 112c: Coupling
portion; 121: Outflow valve seat member; 121a: Opening portion;
121b: Joined portion; 121c: Inflow portion; 122: Outflow valve
member; 122a: Valve body; 122b: Base portion; 211: Inflow portion;
212: Outflow portion; 213: Convex portion; 214: Engaging portion;
215: Knob portion; 221: Pushing portion; 222: Opening portion; 223:
Guiding portion; 223a: First regulating portion; 223b: Second
regulating portion; 224: Groove portion; 421: Fluidtight portion;
421a: Convex portion; 421b: Convex portion; 422: Fluidtight
portion; 422a: Convex portion; 422b: Convex portion; 423: 423:
Flexion.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0047] As explained above, the present invention can be
accomplished in various ways including, but not limited to, the
foregoing embodiments. The present invention will be explained in
detail with reference to the drawings, but the present invention
should not be limited thereto.
[0048] Preferred embodiments of the present invention are described
by reference to drawings. FIGS. 1 to 2 are longitudinal
cross-sections of the fluid container according to an embodiment of
the present invention.
[0049] This fluid container may be used as a container for beauty
products for storing gels such as hair gels and cleansing gels,
creams such as nourishing creams and cold creams or liquids such as
skin lotions used in the cosmetic field. Additionally, this fluid
container also can be used as a container for medicines, solvents
or foods, etc. In this specification, high-viscosity liquids,
semifluids, gels that sol solidifies to a jelly, and creams and
regular liquids are all referred to as fluids. Preferably, the
fluid is a flowable or dischargable substance including a liquid
phase, a liquid and solid mixed phase, a solid and gas mixed phase,
a liquid, solid, and gas mixed phase when being stored in the
container. Preferably, fluidtightness is liquidtightness.
[0050] The fluid container according to an embodiment of the
present invention comprises a fluid pump 10, a nozzle head 20
switchable between an open position enabling a fluid to pass
through between inside and outside the fluid container and a closed
position shutting off passage of the fluid, and a fluid-storing
portion storing the fluid therein.
[0051] Additionally, in this specification, upward and downward
directions in FIGS. 1 and 2 are defined as upward and downward
directions in the fluid container. In other words, in the fluid
container according to the embodiment of the present invention, the
side of the nozzle head 20 shown in FIG. 1 is defined as the upward
direction; the side of a piston member 42 is defined as the
downward direction.
[0052] The fluid-storing portion 40 has a tubelike cylinder member
41, a piston member traveling inside the cylinder member 41 up and
down, an inner lid 43 in which multiple air vents 43a are formed,
and an outer lid 44. The cylinder member 41 in the fluid-storing
portion 40 and the fluid discharge pump 10 are connected
fluidtightly via packing 17. Additionally, if an inflow valve
mechanism 11 connected with the cylinder member of the fluid
discharge pump 10 is adequately elastic, the packing 17 can be
omitted.
[0053] The outer lid 44 is attached to the lower portion of the
cylinder member 41 in a position in which the outer lid 44 holding
the inner lid 43 between the outer lid 44 and the lower portion of
the cylinder member 41. In the inner lid 43, the upper side of the
bottom 43b for positioning the tail end of the piston member 42
inside the fluid-storing container is formed. By changing a height
of this upper side of the bottom 43b, a storable fluid amount
inside the fluid-storing container can be changed.
[0054] Additionally, a hole 44a is formed in the central portion of
the outer lid 44. Because of this hole, the air can pass through
between outside of the fluid container and the air vents 43a formed
in the inner lid 43.
[0055] The piston member 42 may require a configuration allowing
the piston member 42 to travel smoothly inside the cylinder member
while achieving high liquidtightness. A configuration of the piston
member 42 for serving this purpose is described in detail
later.
[0056] In this fluid container, by reciprocating the piston member
42 up and down by pressing the nozzle head 20 switched over to the
open position, a fluid stored inside the fluid-storing portion 40
is discharged from the nozzle head 20 by the action of the fluid
discharge pump 10 described in detail later. As a fluid amount
inside the fluid-storing portion 40 decreases, the piston member 42
travels toward the nozzle head 20 inside the cylinder member 41 as
shown in FIG. 2.
[0057] FIG. 3 is a longitudinal cross section showing the fluid
discharge pump 10 and the nozzle head 20 in the closed position;
FIG. 4 is a longitudinal cross section showing the fluid discharge
pump 10 and the nozzle head 20 in the open position.
[0058] The fluid discharge pump 10 may comprise a resinous bellows
member 16 having an inflow opening 16a and an outflow opening 16b,
a resinous inflow valve mechanism 11 fixed in the inflow opening
16b of the bellows member 16, and the resinous outflow valve
mechanism 12 fixed in the outflow opening 16b of the bellows
member. The inflow valve mechanism 11 here may be used for letting
a fluid stored inside the fluid-storing portion 40 flow into the
fluid discharge pump 10 as the bellows member 16 stretches; the
outflow valve mechanism 12 may be used for letting the fluid having
flowed into the fluid discharge pump flow out to the nozzle head as
the bellows member 16 folds up.
[0059] FIG. 5(a) is a front view of an inflow valve seat member 111
comprising the inflow valve mechanism 11 in the fluid discharge
pump 10; FIG. 5(b) is a lateral cross section of the same; FIG.
5(c) is a backside view of the same. FIG. 6(a) is a front view of
the inflow valve member 112 comprising the inflow valve mechanism
11 in the fluid discharge pump 10; FIG. 6(b) is a cross section of
the same; FIG. 6(c) is a backside view of the same.
[0060] As shown in FIGS. 5(a)-(c), the inflow valve seat member 111
may comprise an opening portion 111a for letting a fluid inside the
fluid-storing portion 40 flow in, and a joined portion 111b to be
joined with the inflow valve member 112 described later.
[0061] As shown in FIGS. 6(a)-(c), the inflow valve member 112 may
comprise a valve body 112a having a shape corresponding to a shape
of the opening portion 111a of the inflow valve seat member 111, a
supporting portion 112b fixed in the joined portion 111b of the
inflow valve seat member 111, and four coupling portions 112c for
coupling the valve body 112a and the supporting portion 112b. The
respective four coupling portions 112c may have one pair of
flexions 112d, hence adequate flexibility is provided.
[0062] FIG. 7(a) is a plane view showing an outflow valve seat
member 121 comprising an outflow valve mechanism 12 in the fluid
discharge pump 10; FIG. 7(b) is a lateral view of the same; FIG.
7(c) is a backside view of the same. FIG. 8(a) is a plane view
showing an outflow valve member 122 comprising then outflow valve
mechanism 12 in the fluid discharge pump 10; FIG. 8(b) is a lateral
view of the same; FIG. 8(c) is a backside view of the same.
[0063] As shown in FIGS. 7(a)-(c), the outflow valve seat member
121 may comprise an opening portion 121a, a joined portion 121b
joined with the outflow valve member 122 described later, and an
inflow portion 121c for letting a fluid inside the fluid discharge
pump 10 flow in.
[0064] As shown in FIGS. 8(a)-(c), the outflow valve member 122 may
comprise a nearly dish-shaped flexible valve portion 121a
contacting an inner surface of the opening portion 121a of the
outflow valve seat member 121, and a base portion 122b joined with
the joined portion 121b of the outflow valve seat member 12. In the
base portion 122b, a passage groove 122c for letting the fluid flow
in is formed.
[0065] FIG. 9 is an explanatory cutaway view showing a portion of
the nozzle head 20 in the closed position; FIG. 10 is an
explanatory cutaway view showing a portion of the nozzle head 20 in
the open position.
[0066] The nozzle head 20 may comprise a tubular member 21 and a
guiding member 22. The tubular member 21 may have an inflow portion
211 for letting the fluid flow in from the outflow valve mechanism
12 in the fluid discharge pump described later, an outflow portion
212 for letting the fluid having flowed in from the inflow portion
211 flow out, a convex portion 213 guided by the guiding member 22,
and an engaging portion 214.
[0067] The guiding member 22 may have a pushing portion 221, an
opening portion 222 communicated with the inflow portion 211 of the
tubular member 21 in an open position, a guiding portion 223
guiding a switchover between an open position and a closed position
of the tubular member 21 described later, and a groove portion 224
having a shape corresponding to the engaging portion 214 of the
tubular member 21.
[0068] The engaging portion 214 of the tubular member 21 may be
fitted in the groove portion 224 in the guiding member 22. By this,
the tubular member 21 can be supported rotatably on its shaft
center against the guiding member.
[0069] With the above-mentioned configuration provided, it is
possible to switch the nozzle head 20 between the open position and
the closed position: In the open position, the inflow portion 211
of the tubular member 21 and the opening portion 222 of the guiding
member 22 are communicated, and fluid passage between the inflow
portion 211 of the tubular member 21 and the outflow valve
mechanism described later is enabled; in the closed position, fluid
passage between the inflow portion 211 and the outflow valve
mechanism 12 is shut off. Consequently, when the nozzle head 20 is
switched over to the closed position, it becomes possible to fully
prevent leaking out of the fluid from the fluid container.
[0070] FIG. 11 is a front view of the nozzle head 20 in the closed
position; FIG. 12 is a front view of the nozzle head 20 in the open
position.
[0071] Switching over of the nozzle head 20 between the open
position and the closed position may be achieved by rotating the
tubular member 21 on its shaft center against the guiding member
22. At this time, the convex portion 21 of the tubular member 21
may be guided by the guiding portion 223 of the guiding member
22.
[0072] Additionally, the guiding member 22 may have a first
regulating portion 223a and a second regulating portion 223b. The
first regulating portion 223a stops a rotation of the tubular
member by contacting the convex portion 213 of the tubular member
21 in the open position; the second regulating portion stops a
rotation of the tubular member by contacting the convex position
213 of the tubular member 21 in the closed position. By these first
regulating portion 223a and second regulating portion 223b, a
switchover between the open position and the closed position can be
achieved easily.
[0073] Fluid discharge actions in the above-mentioned fluid
container are described below.
[0074] FIGS. 13 and 14 are longitudinal cross sections showing the
fluid discharge pump 10 and the nozzle head 20 in the open
position. Of these, FIG. 13 shows a position in which, with the
pushing portion 221 in the nozzle head 20 being pressed, the
bellows member 16 is deforming to a folded-up position in which it
holds a relatively small amount of fluid from a stretched position
in which it holds a relatively large amount of fluid inside it;
FIG. 14 shows a position in which, with a pressure applied to the
pushing portion 221 in the nozzle head 20 removed, the bellows
member 16 is deforming back to the stretched position again.
[0075] As shown in FIG. 13, when the pushing portion 221 in the
nozzle head 20 is pressed, a capacity of the bellows member 16 may
reduce and inside the fluid discharge pump 10 may be pressurized.
By this, the valve body 112a of the inflow valve member 112 can be
disposed in a position in which it contacts the opening portion
111a of the inflow valve seat member 111 and the opening portion
11a is closed; simultaneously, the valve body 122a of the outflow
valve member 122 can be disposed in a position in which it
separates from the opening portion 121a of the outflow valve seat
member 121 and the opening portion 121a is open. Consequently, the
fluid inside the fluid discharge pump 10 flows out to the outflow
portion 212 of the nozzle head 20 in the open portion.
[0076] As shown in FIG. 14, when a pressure applied to the pushing
portion 221 in the nozzle head 20 is removed, a capacity of the
bellows member 16 may expand by the resilience of the bellows
member 16 and inside the fluid discharge pump may be depressurized.
By this, the valve body 112a of the inflow valve member 112 may be
disposed in a position in which it separates from the opening
portion 111a of the inflow valve seat member; simultaneously, the
valve body 122a of the outflow valve member 122 may be disposed in
a position in which it contacts the opening portion 121a of the
outflow valve seat member 121. Consequently, the fluid stored
inside the fluid-storing portion 40 can flow into the fluid
discharge pump 10.
[0077] A configuration of the fluid-storing portion 40 is described
below.
[0078] The cylinder member 41 used for this fluid-storing portion
40 may be made of an injection molded resin. Consequently, as shown
in FIGS. 1 and 2, for production process convenience, etc., a tip
of the cylinder member 41 may have a tapered shape.
[0079] FIG. 15(a) is a plane view showing the piston member 42
comprising the fluid-storing portion 40; FIG. 15(b) is a front view
of the same; FIG. 15(c) is a cross section showing an A-A section
in FIG. 15(a).
[0080] On the upper side of this piston member 42, a fluidtight
portion 421 contacting an inner circumference of the cylinder
member 41 may be formed; on the underside of the piston member 42,
a fluidtight portion 422 contacting an inner circumference of the
cylinder member 41 may be formed. In other words, on an outer
peripheral surface of the piston member 42, a pair of fluidtight
portions 421, 422 respectively contacting an inner circumference of
the cylinder member 41 may be disposed apart from each other at a
certain distance.
[0081] A contacting portion in the fluidtight portion 421, which
contacts an inner circumference of the cylinder member 41, may
comprise a pair of convex portions 421a, 421b disposed adjacently.
A contacting portion in the fluidtight portion 422, which contacts
an inner circumference of the cylinder member 41, may comprise a
pair of convex portions 422a, 422b disposed adjacently.
[0082] In this piston member 42, by the action of a pair of
fluidtight portions 421, 422, which are disposed apart from each
other at a certain distance, the shaft center of the piston member
42 and the shaft center of the cylinder member 41 always can be
brought in line regardless of a direction of stress applied to the
piston member 42. Consequently, it becomes possible for the piston
member 42 to smoothly travel inside the cylinder member 41.
[0083] Additionally, in the piston member 42, concentric flexions
423a, 423b, 423c with the fluidtight portions 421, 422, which serve
as contacting portions contacting the inner circumference of the
cylinder member 41, may be formed in a plane perpendicular to a
traveling direction of the piston member inside the cylinder member
41. The piston member 42, therefore, may have momentum from the
central portion to an outer perimeter in a plane perpendicular to a
traveling direction of the piston member inside the cylinder member
41 and may be configured to be capable of expanding and contracting
according to a shape of the inner circumference of the cylinder
member 41. Consequently, in the case of the cylinder member 41
having a tapered shape toward a nozzle direction or the cylinder
member 41 having a low accuracy, i.e., having an uneven internal
surface, it becomes possible to secure adequate liquidtightness for
the cylinder member 41 and the piston member 42, not by altering an
inside diameter of the cylinder 41.
[0084] Furthermore, because more flexions are formed above the
central portion of the piston member 42 than below the central
portion, as shown in FIG. 2, it becomes possible to get relatively
a small amount of the fluid remaining inside the fluid-storing
portion 40 when the piston member 42 travels to the most elevated
position inside the cylinder member 41.
[0085] FIGS. 16(a)-(c) are explanatory views each showing the
piston member 42' in an alternative embodiment. While three
flexions 423a, 423b, 423c are formed in the piston member 42 in the
fluid container according to Embodiment 1, five flexions 423a,
423b, 423'c, 423d, 423e also can be formed in this embodiment as
shown in FIGS. 16(a)-(c). Additionally, the number of flexions
formed can be other than five, or it can be a single one.
[0086] FIGS. 17 and 18 are longitudinal cross sections showing the
fluid container according to a further alternative embodiment
(Embodiment 2). While a cylinder member 41 in the fluid container
according to the embodiments previously described has a tapered
inner surface 30, even when the cylinder member having a
non-tapered inner surface 30' as shown as a cylinder member 41' of
a container 40' in FIGS. 17 and 18 is used, the piston member 42
shown in FIGS. 15(a)-(c) and 16(a)-(c) also can be used.
[0087] According to an embodiment of the present invention, when
the piston comprises an elastic member in which a concentric
flexion with an outer perimeter is formed in a plane perpendicular
to a traveling direction of the piston inside the cylinder and has
momentum from the central portion in an outer peripheral direction,
it becomes possible to secure airtightness even when a cylinder
diameter changes.
[0088] According to another embodiment of the present invention,
when in the fluid container possessing a fluid discharge pump for
discharging a fluid stored inside a fluid-storing portion from a
nozzle head disposed on the upper side of the fluid-storing portion
by pressing the nozzle head, the fluid-storing portion possesses a
cylinder member, and a piston engaged inside the cylinder member,
which comprises an elastic member in which a concentric flexion
with an outer perimeter is formed in a plane perpendicular to a
traveling direction of the piston inside the cylinder member, and
has momentum from the central portion in an outer peripheral
direction, it becomes possible to secure airtightness even when a
cylinder diameter changes.
[0089] According to still another embodiment of the present
invention, when the cylinder member has a tapered shape toward the
nozzle head, throughput of the cylinder member is improved;
simultaneously it becomes possible to secure airtightness even when
a cylinder diameter changes.
[0090] According to yet another embodiment of the present
invention, when within a contacting surface of the piston, which
contacts the cylinder, more flexions are formed in a tapered
direction of the cylinder member, it becomes possible to get
relatively a small amount of the fluid remaining inside the
fluid-storing portion 40 when the piston member 42 travels to the
most elevated position inside the cylinder member 41.
[0091] It will be understood by those of skill in the art that
numerous and various modifications can be made without departing
from the spirit of the present invention. Therefore, it should be
clearly understood that the forms of the present invention are
illustrative only and are not intended to limit the scope of the
present invention.
* * * * *