WO2002040364A1 - Foam delivering container and method for charging contents into the same - Google Patents

Abstract

A foam delivering container (1) which comprises a flexible body (2) to be filled with foamable contents, a delivery port (2a) which is formed on the body (2) and delivers contents when the body (2) is pressed, and foam forming articles (4a-4c) which are held inside the body (2) and has flexibility. The foam delivering container (1) can be manufactured at a low cost and with simple finishing processing, and has excellent portability.

Description

 Description Foam discharge container and method of filling contents into foam discharge container

 The present invention relates to a foam discharge container that foams contents and discharges them in the form of a foam, and a method for filling the contents into the foam discharge container. Background art

 As a container (foam discharge container) that foams and discharges a foaming liquid containing a surfactant, an aerosol container that foams and ejects a liquid by a gas ejection force is widely used. Also, by using a dispenser, a method of foaming with the mesh loaded in the top part of the pump with a so-called pump foamer, or by squeezing the bottle using the mesh loaded in the discharge part of the squeeze bottle A foaming method is also known.

 However, the conventional foam discharge containers all have a large number of parts and the mechanism is not simple, so there has been a problem that the container cost and the finishing cost are high.

 Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a foam discharge container having a novel structure for foaming and discharging the contents.

 Another object of the present invention is to provide a foam discharge container which can reduce the container cost, is easy to finish, and is excellent in portability. Disclosure of the invention

The first invention for achieving the above object is to foam and discharge a liquid content. A bubble discharge container. The foam discharge container contains a surfactant and water, and has a foaming content, a flexible and tubular main body filled with the content, and a main body. It has a spout from which the contents are discharged when the part is pressed, and at least one elastic foam housed inside the main body part.

 Here, in the first invention, the spout is projected from the main body in a cylindrical shape, and it is preferable that no foam is present inside the cylindrical shape of the spout. Since it is easy to introduce external air into the container, the resilience of the foam can be ensured, and the contents can be continuously foamed.

 The foam is preferably present at least in the vicinity of the spout, and the foam density of the foam is desirably higher in the vicinity of the spout than in the other parts. For example, when three foams are housed inside the main body, it is desirable to make the density of the adjacent foams different. Further, a cylindrical portion serving as a discharge passage, which protrudes toward the bottom of the main body from a portion where the spout and the main body are connected, may be provided. Further, the main body is transparent or translucent, and the color of the foam is made different from the color of the content filled in the main body, whereby a design effect can be obtained. The present invention relates to a method for filling a foam discharge container with contents. This filling method includes a step of inserting at least one elastic foam from an opening provided at the bottom of a flexible and tubular main body, comprising a surfactant and water; And a step of filling the content having the above from the opening, and a step of sealing the opening. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a top view of a preferred foam discharge container according to the present invention, and FIG. It is a side view in the state where the cap of the foam discharge container was removed. FIG. 3 is an explanatory view of filling the contents into the foam discharge container.

 FIG. 4 is a top view of a foam discharge container having a round cap, FIG. 5 is an explanatory view of a main part of the foam discharge container according to the second embodiment, and FIG. It is principal part explanatory drawing of the attached foam discharge container. BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

 Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

 FIG. 1 is a top view of a tubular foam discharge container according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a side view with a cap removed.

 The foam discharge container 1 includes a main body 2, a cap 3, and foams 4a to 4c. In addition, the foam discharge container 1 is filled with foamable contents such as a liquid cleaning agent and a shaving foam.

This content is a foamable liquid containing a surfactant and water, and penetrates the foams 4a to 4c (particularly, the foam 4c which functions as a tank as described later). It is preferable that the viscosity is such that the liquid can be stored and the liquid is hardly dripped or foamed. The viscosity of the content that satisfies this requirement and enables dense foam generation is the viscosity measured at 25 ° C with a B-type rotary viscometer and is not less than 5 O cps and not more than 600 cps. Within the range is preferred. Surfactants are added not only to obtain foaming properties, but also to enhance detergency, and to solubilize various components and make the contents transparent. In addition, in addition to the combination of surfactant and water, the contents include components such as polyhydric alcohols, oils, salts, solvents, antioxidants, chelating agents, neutralizing agents, and pH adjusting agents. Can be blended. Examples of the contents include household goods such as various cosmetics, bath detergents and toilet detergents in addition to those described above. Examples of the surfactant include an anionic surfactant, a cationic surfactant, a nonionic surfactant, and an amphoteric surfactant. The compounding amount of the surfactant is preferably in the range of 3% by mass or more and 30% by mass or less, and within this range, good cleaning properties can be obtained with uniform foam. Specific examples of anionic surfactants include fatty acid stones, α-acyl sulfonates, alkyl sulfonates, alkyl aryl sulfonates, alkyl naphthalene sulfonates, alkyl sulfates, and alkyl ether sulfates. And alkyl amide sulfates, alkyl phosphates, alkyl amide phosphates, alkylalkyl taurine salts, glycylamino acid salts, sulfosuccinate salts, and perfluoroalkyl phosphate esters. Specific examples of the cationic surfactant include alkyltrimethylammonium chloride, stearyltrimethylammonium chloride, stearyltrimethylammonium bromide, cetostearyltrimethylammonium chloride, distearyldimethylammonium chloride, and stearyldimethylchloride. Benzyl ammonium, benzenyl trimethyl ammonium bromide, and the like.

 Specific examples of the nonionic surfactant include lauric acid alkanolamide, Ρ0Εsorbin fatty acid ester, Ρ〇Ρ〇glycerin fatty acid ester, ΡΡ Εfatty acid ester, and polyether modified silicone. No.

 Specific examples of the amphoteric surfactant include a carboxybetaine type, an amide betaine type, a sulfobetaine type, a hydroxysulfobetaine type, an amidosulfobetain type, a phosphobetaine type, and an amide carboxylate type. , Imidazoline derivative type, amidoamine type and the like.

In addition, other than the above, natural surfactants such as saponin and sugar-based surfactants may be used. The content of the surfactant in the contents is as follows: for cleansing face wash, body shaving, hair shampoo, shaving foam, etc. Nonionic surfactants and anionic surfactants at 1% by mass or more. It is preferable to be within the range of 0 mass% or less. In addition, in the case of cosmetics such as body mouth, sunscreen, face mouth, makeup base, hand lettuce, and shaving, surfactants such as nonionic surfactants are mainly used. It is preferable that the compounding ratio be in the range of 0.1% by mass or more and 5% by mass or less. Furthermore, in the case of hair cosmetics such as hair rinse, rinse tonic, hair nick, and hair liquid, a surfactant such as a nonionic surfactant is used in an amount of 0.1% by mass or more and 5% by mass or less. It is preferable to mix them.

 The main body 2 has a flexible tube shape and is a single layer of polyethylene or a laminate of polyethylene and one of nylon, polyethylene, and polypinyl alcohol copolymers, and is formed by an extrusion molding method. ing. The main body 2 is transparent or translucent so that the internal state can be visually confirmed from the outside. In addition, a cylindrical spout 2a having a small diameter such that a foam 4a at the tip, which will be described later, does not enter the head of the main body 2 is formed integrally with the head. Since the outer peripheral surface of the spout 2 a has a shape into which the cap 3 can be screwed, the cap 3 is detachable from the main body 2.

Inside the main body 2 (excluding the spout 2a), three substantially spherical foams 4a to 4c are accommodated in order to foam the filled contents. These foams 4a to 4c are porous members having moderate elasticity and having a large number of fine pores continuously on the surface and inside.For example, foams of urethane, NBR, NR, silicone, etc. Body, natural sponge, etc. can be used. In addition, the foaming density of the foams 4 a to 4 c (that is, the number of holes per unit area) is not the same for the reason described later, and in the present embodiment, the foam 4 a located near the spout 2 a The foam density is higher than that of the other foams 4b (or 4c). Further, the foams 4a to 4c each have a color different from the color of the content, for example, an appropriate color such as blue yellow red. That is, when the transparent contents are filled, the transparent or translucent main body 2 can be seen from the outside of the main body 2 through a plurality of foams 4 a to 4 c colored in various colors. A design effect can be obtained.

 Of the foams 4a to 4c, the foam 4a on the distal end side is required to have restorability. This is because if the foam 4a on the tip side does not have a sufficient restoring force, the foam 4a is pushed out and clogged by the discharge port 2a serving as a discharge port of the contents during continuous use. Because.

 In addition, the foam 4a does not exist inside the cylindrical shape of the cylindrical spout 2a. Because, when the foam 4a exists in the internal space of the outlet 2a, it becomes difficult for external air to enter the inside of the main body 2 from the outlet 2a, and the resilience of the foam 4a cannot be obtained. This is because foaming becomes incomplete. In other words, the absence of the foam 4a inside the cylindrical shape of the spout 2a enables continuous foaming of the contents.

From the viewpoint of facilitating the introduction of outside air in this manner, when a polyurethane sponge is used as the foam 4a on the front end side, for example, an ether-based urethane sponge in which a polyol to be subjected to a diisocyanate reaction is ether-bonded is used. It is preferable to use an ester-based urethane sponge having an ester bond. In addition, it is preferable to use an ester-based urethane sponge in view of the uniformity of the pores (cells) of the foams 4a to 4c and the variability of the size. Further, it is preferable that the fourth foam also has a strong restoring force and a fast restoring speed.

 The shapes of the foams 4a to 4c do not necessarily have to be substantially spherical, but may be cylindrical, elliptical, square, or a combination of various shapes.

 When discharging the contents from the foam discharge container 1 having such a configuration, the user squeezes the body 2 well with the cap 3 attached thereto, before discharging the contents. By this squeeze, the air contained in the many micropores in the foams 4a to 4c is mixed with the content to foam the content, and the cap 3 is removed to remove the discharge port 2a. When the main body 2 is pressed by hand in the exposed state, the foam-like content is discharged from the tip of the spout 2a. After that, when the main body 2 is released, the elasticity of the main body 2 returns the main body 2 to the original shape. At that time, since the air is sucked in from the outlet 2a, the micropores in the foams 4a to 4c contain the air again.

 In the foam discharging container 1 having the above-described configuration, the foaming density of each of the foams 4 a to 4 c was changed and the foam state of the content to be discharged was examined. It was found that a good foam state was obtained in the above.

 (Foaming density)

 Foam 4a Foam 4b Foam 4c Case 1 High Medium High

 Case 2 High Low Medium

 Case 3 High Low High

What is common to all cases is that the density of adjacent foams is different, and that the foam 4a near the spout 2a is higher than the other foams 4b (or 4c). The point is that the density is set high. This is When the foams 4a to 4c are viewed operatively, the foam 4c farthest from the outlet 2a acts as a tank for storing the contents, and the central foam 4b pushes out the air. It is considered that the foam 4a near the outlet 2a mainly functions as a bubble generating portion. Therefore, the fineness of the discharged bubbles strongly depends on the foaming density of the foam 4a in which the action as the bubble generating portion is dominant, and the higher the density, the finer the creamy foam is generated. can do.

 However, the higher the foaming density of the foams 4a to 4c, the more the intake resistance increases, which may cause a decrease in the usability of the foam discharge container 1. Therefore, it is preferable to determine the foaming density of each of the foams 4a to 4c in consideration of both the required fineness of foam and the feeling of use.

 Next, a method of filling the above-described foam discharge container 1 with contents will be described with reference to FIG. First, with the cap 3 mounted, the main body 2 is disposed so that the bottom thereof faces a nozzle (not shown) for filling the contents, and the foam 5 is formed through the opening 5 provided on the bottom. Insert 4a to 4c sequentially into the main body 2. Then, after filling a predetermined amount of the content from the opening 5, the opening 5 is sealed with a heat seal or the like.

 In the present embodiment, the main body 2 is well squeezed, and the foamed content is mixed with the air contained in the numerous micropores in the foams 4a to 4c to foam the content. . Then, by removing the cap 3 and pressing the main body 2, a good foam-like content can be discharged. The foam discharge container 1 has a smaller number of parts and a simpler mechanism than conventional foam discharge containers such as an aerosol container and a pump former, so that the container cost is low.

In addition, since the foams 4a to 4c and the contents can be filled only by heat sealing the bottom of the main body 2, finishing is also easy. did Therefore, in the foam discharge container according to the present embodiment, total manufacturing cost can be reduced. The foam discharge container is lightweight and small, and is excellent in portability.

 In addition, by changing the foaming density of the foams 4a to 4c, a low-density foam having a tank function and a high-density foam having a function of foaming the contents are discharged separately. The fineness of the foam can be adjusted. <Furthermore, the body 4 is made transparent or translucent, and the color of the foams 4 a to 4 c is made different from the color of the contents, so that the foams 4 a to 4 c The presence of can be visually recognized. As a result, novelty can be given to the purchaser, and the product appeal can be improved.

 In the above-described embodiment, an example in which three foams 4a to 4c are accommodated in the main body 2 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and at least one foam is accommodated. It should just be done. However, it is preferable to provide a foam at least in the vicinity of the outlet 2a, where the function as the bubble generating section is dominant in view of the state of the foam to be discharged. In addition, in the case of one foam, when the main body 2 is pressed, the body is easily displaced (easily escaped). By providing a plurality of foams, such a displacement can be prevented.

 The method using a plurality of foams having different foam densities is the cheapest and simplest technique, but the same effect can be obtained by using one foam having different foam densities for each part.

In this embodiment, the cylindrical cap 3 is used. However, as shown in FIG. 4, a round cap 3 ′ having a spherical top may be used. Since the bubble discharge container 1 cannot be made to stand on its own with the 3 ′ facing downward, it is possible to prevent the contents from being stored in a state where the contents are accumulated inside the shoulder of the tubular main body 2. So As a result, at the time of use, it is possible to effectively prevent contents that are not sufficiently foamed from being discharged in a liquid state.

 (Second embodiment)

 In the first embodiment described above, there is a possibility that non-foamed contents may accumulate inside the shoulder portion of the main body 2 on the tube, and in some cases, the spout 2a may not pass through the foam 4a at the tip. It is possible that the contents are discharged in a liquid state. Thus, the present embodiment relates to the structure of the foam discharge container 1 in which a countermeasure against defective foaming is taken. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of a main part of the foam discharge container according to the present embodiment. Note that the same members as those described in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted (the same applies to FIG. 6 described later).

 The main body 2 is formed with a cylindrical portion 2b having a substantially cylindrical shape in order to regulate the discharge passage of the filled contents. The cylindrical portion 2b protrudes toward the bottom of the main body 2 from a portion where the outlet 2a and the main body 2 are connected, and forms a part of the discharge passage. Its inside diameter is small (typically approximately the same diameter as the spout 2a) so that the foam 4a at the tip does not enter the inside. The tip of the tubular portion 2b is in contact with the foam 4a. In this manner, the foam 4a at the tip is connected to the side of the tubular portion 2b (ie, the body 2). It does not exist on the inside of the shoulder) and is pushed into the bottom of the main body 2.

When the foam discharge container is used, the contents A accumulated inside the shoulder portion of the main body 2 return to the foam 4a side once as indicated by the solid line arrow in the same figure, and then mix with the air. Then, it is discharged from the spout 2a through the cylindrical portion 2b. That is, the cylindrical portion 2b functions as a guide member for preventing the content A inside the shoulder portion of the main body portion 2 from being discharged without passing through the foam 4a. As a result, the contents remain in a liquid state inside the shoulder of the main body 2. Even so, when it is discharged, it foams well.

 Further, a mesh structure may be provided in the middle of the discharge passage constituted by the outlet 2a and the cylindrical portion 2b (for example, at the tip of the outlet 2a). In this case, the contents A inside the shoulder portion of the main body portion 2 return to the foam 4a side once, are mixed with air there, and are discharged from the tip of the outlet 2a through the discharge passage. Will be issued. At that time, the content is foamed again in the mesh 7 at the tip of the outlet 2a, so that the density of the discharged foam can be improved.

 As a result of repeated experiments and studies by the inventors, the setting of mesh 7 was set within the range of 70 mesh or more and 400 mesh or less, more preferably within the range of 150 mesh or more and 350 mesh. It was found that good foam could be discharged by setting the value to.

 Further, the cylindrical portion 2b may be formed integrally with the main body portion 2, but may be formed as an inner plug type formed separately from the main body portion 2 and attached to the spout 2a. FIG. 6 is an explanatory view of a main part of a foam discharge container in which a cylindrical portion is attached separately. The mesh 7, 7 ′ described above may be provided at the tip of the spout 2 a or at the end of the tubular portion 6 on the foam body side of the inner plug type tubular portion 6. In particular, it is more convenient to attach the cylindrical portion 2b integrally to the main body 2 in terms of manufacturing the main body 2 and it is advantageous in terms of cost. The meshes 7 and 7 'are made of a mesh such as nylon, polyolefin, or polyester, and are attached to the tip of the cylindrical portion 6 or the tip of the spout 2a by heat bonding or the like. Industrial applicability

As described above, according to the foam discharge container of the present invention, air and contents are mixed in the foam housed in the tubular container by the squeeze of the user. Therefore, the contents can be efficiently foamed and discharged. In addition, such a tube-shaped foam discharge container is compared with a conventional container. Therefore, the container cost can be kept low, the finishing process is simple, and the portability is excellent.

Claims

The scope of the claims 1. A foam discharge container that foams and discharges a liquid content, comprising a foaming content containing a surfactant and water, and a soft and tubular main body filled with the content. A spout formed in the main body, the spout being configured to discharge the contents when the main body is pressed, and at least one elastic foam contained in the main body. A foam discharge container characterized by having a body.  2. The foam discharge container according to claim 1, wherein the outlet is formed in a cylindrical shape from the main body, and no foam is present inside the cylindrical portion of the outlet.  3. The foam discharge container according to claim 1, wherein the foam is present at least near a spout.  3. The foam discharge container according to claim 1, wherein a foaming density of the foam is higher in a portion near the spout than in portions other than the vicinity.  5. The foam discharge container according to claim 3, wherein a foaming density of the foam is higher in a portion near the spout than in portions other than the vicinity. ·  6. The foam discharge container according to claim 4, wherein three foams are housed inside the main body, and adjacent foams have different densities.  7. The foam discharge container according to claim 5, wherein three foams are accommodated inside the main body, and adjacent foams have different densities.  8. The method according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a cylindrical portion that protrudes from a portion where the spout and the main body are connected to the bottom of the main body and serves as a discharge passage. Foam discharge container. 9. The foam discharge container according to claim 3, further comprising a tubular portion that protrudes toward the bottom of the main body from a portion where the spout and the main body are connected to each other, and further has a cylindrical portion serving as a discharge passage. 10. The foam discharge container according to claim 4, further comprising a tubular portion that protrudes from the portion where the spout and the main body are connected to the bottom of the main body and serves as a discharge passage. .  1 1. Any one of claims 5 to 7, further comprising a tubular portion protruding from the portion where the spout and the main body are connected to the bottom of the main body and serving as a discharge passage. A foam discharge container according to the above description.  1 2. The foam discharge container according to claim 1, wherein the main body is transparent or translucent, and the color of the foam is different from the color of the content filled in the main body.  1 3. The foam discharge container according to claim 3, wherein the main body is transparent or translucent, and the color of the foam is different from the color of the content filled in the main body. 1 4. The foam discharge container according to claim 4, wherein the main body is transparent or translucent, and the color of the foam is different from the color of the content filled in the main body. 15. The foam discharging container according to claim 5, wherein the main body is transparent or translucent, and the color of the foam is different from the color of the content filled in the main body.  1 6. The foam discharge container according to claim 8, wherein the main body is transparent or translucent, and the color of the foam is different from the color of the contents filled in the main body. 1 7. The foam discharge according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the main body is transparent or translucent, and the color of the foam is different from the color of the content filled in the main body. container.  18. The foam discharging container according to claim 11, wherein the main body is transparent or translucent, and the color of the foam is different from the color of the content filled in the main body. _Five 1 9. In the method of filling the contents into the foam discharge container, the amount of elastic foam is reduced from the opening provided at the bottom of the flexible tubular body. At least one inserting step, a step of filling a content containing a surfactant and water and having a foaming property from the opening, and a step of tightly closing the opening. Characteristic method of filling the contents into the foam discharge container.