Foam discharge device

A foam discharging device includes: a storage portion that stores a liquid agent; a foamer mechanism that changes the liquid agent into foam to generate a foam body; and a discharging portion that discharges the foam body. The discharging portion includes a foam passing chamber that allows the foam body to pass, and one or a plurality of ejection-port forming wall portions that extend downward below the foam passing chamber, are formed into a closed-loop shape in plan view, have the inner space communicating with the foam passing chamber, and have the lower edge having an ejection port formed thereon. At least part of the ejection-port forming wall portion has a bottom end portion formed into a shape that has a thickness reduced toward the lower side. The ejection-port forming wall portion and a second portion. The height position of a lower edge of the first portion is higher than the height position of a lower edge of the second portion.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to foam discharging devices.

BACKGROUND ART

There is proposed a foam discharging device, which mixes air with various types of liquid material (liquid agent) such as hand soap, facial cleanser, dishwashing liquid, and a hairstyle product to make it in a foam shape, and discharge it.

For example, the foam discharging device described in Patent Document 1 has a plurality of ejection ports, each of which is disposed and has the diameter set so as to form a shaped object of foam that depicts a character with one pressing operation to the nozzle head.

RELATED ART DOCUMENT

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a foam discharging device, including:

a storage portion that stores a liquid agent;

a foamer mechanism that changes the liquid agent into foam to generate a foam body; and

a discharging portion that discharges the foam body, in which

the discharging portion includes:a foam passing chamber that allows the foam body to pass; andone or a plurality of ejection-port forming wall portions that: extend downward below the foam passing chamber; have a planer shape formed into a closed-loop shape; have an inner space communicating with the foam passing chamber; and have a lower end having an ejection port formed thereon, and

(1) a bottom end portion of at least part of the ejection-port forming wall portion is formed into a shape that has a thickness reduced toward the lower side; the ejection-port forming wall portion includes a first portion and a second portion; and the height position of a lower edge of the first portion is higher than the height position of a lower edge of the second portion, or

(2) the ejection-port forming wall portion includes a first wall portion and a second wall portion; and an adhesive property of the foam body relative to the lower edge of the first wall portion is stronger than the adhesive property of the foam body relative to the lower edge of the second wall portion.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The technique described in Patent Document 1 can only form a shaped object of foam having a simple shape.

The present invention relates to a foam discharging device capable of forming shaped objects of foam having a desired three-dimensional shape with a more elaborate design.

Hereinbelow, preferred exemplary embodiments according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that, in all the drawings, the same reference characters are attached to similar constituent components, and detailed explanation thereof will not be repeated.

As illustrated inFIG. 1, the foam discharging device100according to the exemplary embodiment provides an electrically driven foam discharging device, and includes: a storage portion10that stores a liquid agent70; a foamer mechanism21(FIG. 2) that changes the liquid agent70into foam to generate a foam body; and a discharging portion20that discharges the foam body. The discharging portion20includes: a foam passing chamber209(FIG. 2) that allows the foam body to pass; and one or a plurality of ejection-port forming wall portions82(FIG. 2) that: extend downward below the foam passing chamber209; have the planer shape formed into a closed-loop shape; have an inner space communicating with the foam passing chamber209; and have the lower end having an ejection port83formed thereon. (1) A bottom end portion of at least part of the ejection-port forming wall portion82is formed into a shape that has a thickness reduced toward the lower side; the ejection-port forming wall portion82includes a first portion and a second portion; and the height position of a lower edge of the first portion is higher than the height position of a lower edge of the second portion, or (2) the ejection-port forming wall portion82includes a first wall portion and a second wall portion; and an adhesive property of the foam body relative to a lower edge of the first wall portion is stronger than the adhesive property of the foam body relative to a lower edge of the second wall portion.

Furthermore, a foam discharging unit80according to this exemplary embodiment provides a foam discharging unit80that is attached to a foam discharging device including the storage portion10that stores the liquid agent70and the foamer mechanism21that changes the liquid agent70into foam to generate a foam body, the foam discharging unit80discharging the foam body (here, the foam discharging device represents a thing obtained by excluding the foam discharging unit80from the foam discharging device100). The foam discharging unit80includes a plate-like portion81, and also includes one or a plurality of ejection-port forming wall portions82that: protrude from a one-side surface (lower surface81a) of the plate-like portion81in a direction perpendicular to a plate surface of the plate-like portion81; are formed into a closed-loop shape when viewed from the protruding direction; have an inner space communicating with a space of the plate-like portion81on a side of an other-side surface (upper surface81b) of the plate-like portion81; and have a tip end having an ejection port83formed thereon. (1) A tip end portion of at least part of the ejection-port forming wall portion82is formed into a shape that has a thickness reduced toward the tip end; the ejection-port forming wall portion82includes a first portion and a second portion; and the distance at the first portion from the plate-like portion81to the tip end edge thereof is shorter than the distance at the second portion from the plate-like portion81to the tip end edge thereof, or (2) the ejection-port forming wall portion82includes a first wall portion and a second wall portion, and an adhesive property of the foam body relative to the tip end edge of the first wall portion is stronger than the adhesive property of the foam body relative to the tip end edge of the second wall portion.

First Exemplary Embodiment

First, the first exemplary embodiment will be described with reference toFIGS. 1 to 3(c), andFIGS. 16(a) and 16(b).

As illustrated inFIG. 1, a foam discharging device100according to this exemplary embodiment includes the storage portion10that stores the liquid agent70, the foamer mechanism21(FIG. 2) that changes the liquid agent70into foam to generate a foam body, and the discharging portion20that discharges the foam body.

As illustrated inFIG. 2, the discharging portion20includes the foam passing chamber209that allows the foam body to pass, and the one or a plurality of ejection-port forming wall portions82that: extend downward below the foam passing chamber209; are formed into a closed-loop shape in plan view; have the inner space communicating with the foam passing chamber209; and have the lower end having the ejection port83formed thereon.

As illustrated inFIGS. 3(b) and 3(c), a bottom end portion of at least part of each of the ejection-port forming wall portions82is formed into a shape that has a thickness reduced toward the lower side.

The ejection-port forming wall portion82includes a first portion (for example, an ejection-port forming wall portion82a) and a second portion (for example, an ejection-port forming wall portion82b). The height position of a lower edge of the first portion is higher than the height position of a lower edge of the second portion. The height position as used herein means a height position relative to the common reference point. That is, the height position of the lower edge of the first portion is higher than the height position of the lower edge of the second portion means that the first height difference is greater than the second height difference, where the first height difference represents a height difference in the vertical direction between the reference point and the lower edge of the first portion, and the second height difference represents a height difference in the vertical direction between the reference point and the lower edge of the second portion. It may be possible to set the reference point, for example, to be one point on a discharging destination to which the foam body is discharged.

According to this exemplary embodiment, it is possible to form a shaped object of foam having a desired three-dimensional shape with a more elaborate design.

Here, the “ejection-port forming wall portion82extending downward below the foam passing chamber209” means, for example, that the wall surface (inner surface) of the ejection-port forming wall portion82is configured as a vertical surface or substantially a vertical surface (for example, a plane inclined at an angle equal to or less than 5 degrees relative to the vertical direction).

However, the present invention is not limited to this example, and it may be possible that the “ejection-port forming wall portion82extending downward below the foam passing chamber209” means that the axis center of the ejection-port forming wall portion82extends vertically or substantially vertically (for example, the direction of the axis center extends at an angle equal to or less than 5 degrees relative to the vertical direction). The axis center of the ejection-port forming wall portion82is an imaginary line connecting the center of gravity of the inner space of the ejection-port forming wall portion82in plane cross section at the top end position (base end position) thereof, with the center of gravity of this inner space in plane cross section at the lower end position (tip end position) thereof. For example, even if the ejection-port forming wall portion82has a frustum shape or other shape having the inclined wall surface, this shape is included as long as the axis center extends vertically or substantially vertically.

Furthermore, in this specification, the ejection-port forming wall portion represents each ejection-port forming wall portion82having a planar shape with a closed-loop shape, and in some cases, also represents a collective body of a plurality of ejection-port forming wall portions82(a group of ejection-port forming wall portions).

Furthermore, the bottom end portion of the ejection-port forming wall portion82is a portion of the ejection-port forming wall portion82located in the vicinity of the lower end (in the vicinity of the lower edge) thereof.

In addition, the lower edge of the first portion is an edge of the first portion located at the lowest portion thereof. The height position of the lower edge of the first portion may be set to be the average of the height positions of the lower edges of respective portions of the first portions.

Similarly, the lower edge of the second portion is an edge of the second portion located at the lowest portion thereof. The height position of the lower edge of the second portion may be set to be the average of the height positions of the lower edges of respective portions of the second portion.

The liquid agent70that is changed into foam may include hand soap as a representative example, but is not limited to this. Examples thereof may include various things that are used in a foam shape such as facial cleanser, makeup remover, dishwashing liquid, hairstyle product, body soap, shaving cream, cosmetic agent for skin such as foundation and skin care agent, hair dye, disinfectant, and cream to be spread on bread.

It is preferable to use a liquid agent70having the viscosity equal to or more than 1 mPa·s and equal to or less than 15 mPa·s.

As illustrated inFIG. 1, the foam discharging device100includes, for example, a body60, and various constituent elements provided in the body60. These constituent elements include, for example, the storage portion10, the discharging portion20, a liquid pump (liquid-agent supplying actuator)30, a gas pump (gas supplying actuator)40, a controller50, and a detecting portion51. These constituent elements are, for example, accommodated in the body60. In addition, for example, the discharging portion20is integrated with the foamer mechanism21(seeFIG. 2).

In the description of the configuration of the foam discharging device100, the top-bottom direction indicates the direction at the time when the foam discharging device100is installed, and the ejection-port forming wall portion82extends downward below the foam passing chamber209in the state where the foam discharging device100has been installed. The direction of discharge of the foam body from the discharging portion20is the same as the direction in which the ejection-port forming wall portion82protrudes from the foam passing chamber209, and the direction of discharge of the foam body from the discharging portion20is downward inFIGS. 1 and 2. In addition, in other exemplary embodiments and modification examples described below, the direction of discharge of the foam body from the discharging portion20is also the same as the direction in which the ejection-port forming wall portion82protrudes from the foam passing chamber209, and is downward.

InFIG. 1, the body60is schematically illustrated as a side-surface shape, and schematic arrangement (arrangement in the body60) when the foam discharging device100is viewed from the side surface is illustrated for the discharging portion20and the detecting portion51.

In addition, inFIG. 1, block configuration is shown for the liquid pump30, the gas pump40, and the controller50.

The body60includes, for example, a main body portion61, and a head portion62supported by the main body portion61. The head portion62is formed integrally with the upper portion of the main body portion61so as to protrude horizontally from the upper portion of the main body portion61in a hang-over state. The direction in which the head portion62protrudes from the main body portion61is set to be forward.

The main body portion61, for example, accommodates the storage portion10. The head portion62is provided with the discharging portion20. The detecting portion51may be disposed in either the main body portion61or the head portion62. In addition, the liquid pump30, the gas pump40, and the controller50may be disposed in either the main body portion61or the head portion62.

The discharging portion20is configured, for example, so as to discharge a foam body from the lower surface of the head portion62. That is, the foam discharging device100is disposed such that the surface of the head portion62from which the foam body is discharged faces downward.

Part or whole of the discharging portion20may project downward from the lower surface of the head portion62.

Similarly, part of the detecting portion51may project downward from the lower surface of the head portion62. In addition, the detecting portion51may be provided on the main body portion61side, rather than on the head portion62.

The main body portion61may be configured such that, for example, the back surface (the surface on the right side inFIG. 1) thereof or the side surface (the surface on the side going behind the paper plane or coming out of the paper plane inFIG. 1) or other surface can be fixed on the surface of a wall, or may be configured so as to be able to be placed on a base such as a washbasin countertop.

For example, the storage portion10may be a bottle container including a bottle body that stores the liquid agent70and has a bottomed hollow-cylindrical shape with a neck portion, and a cap that is detachably mounted on the neck portion of the bottle body. The storage portion10is filled with the liquid agent70. That is, the foam discharging device100includes the liquid agent70with which the storage portion10is filled.

The body60is configured, for example, such that the storage portion10is detachable with respect to the body60. The method for refilling the foam discharging device100with the liquid agent70includes, for example, a method of replacing the storage portion10with a new one, and a method of refilling the bottle body with the liquid agent70in a state where the cap is detached from the neck portion of the bottle body.

The foam discharging device100further includes: a suction pipe31that is inserted into the storage portion10and is connected with the liquid pump30; a liquid supplying pipe32that connects the liquid pump30with the foamer mechanism21(FIG. 2); and an air supplying pipe41that connects the gas pump40with the foamer mechanism21.

The liquid pump30sucks the liquid agent70within the storage portion10through the suction pipe31, and delivers the liquid agent70through the liquid supplying pipe32to the foamer mechanism21. On the other hand, the gas pump40sucks an atmosphere (in other words, the air) around the gas pump40, and delivers the air through the air supplying pipe41to the foamer mechanism21.

In the foamer mechanism21, the liquid agent70delivered from the liquid pump30is mixed with the air delivered from the gas pump40to change the liquid agent70into foam. Then, the liquid agent70that has been changed into foam is discharged from the discharging portion20.

The detecting portion51is a sensor that detects a discharging destination serving as an object to which the foam body is discharged. Various detecting manners may be used for the detecting portion51, and it may be possible to use, for example, a transparent type sensor such as a photoelectric sensor, a reflective type sensor, a capacitive sensor, a contact sensor, and an ultrasonic sensor.

Examples of the discharging destination include, for example, a hand of a user, a sponge, various types of painting items such as a brush, a dish, a food, and a beverage poured into a dish. Below, description will be made as the discharging destination being a hand.

In the case of this exemplary embodiment, the detecting portion51detects a discharging destination, and this detection causes a discharge trigger that serves as a trigger for discharging the liquid agent that has been changed into foam. In the case where the discharge trigger occurs, the liquid pump30and the gas pump40operate so that the foam body is discharged from the discharging portion20by a predetermined amount, and then, the liquid pump30and the gas pump40stop operating.

The liquid pump30and the gas pump40operate under the control of the controller50, and supply the discharging portion20with the liquid agent70and the air, respectively. The liquid pump30and the gas pump40are each driven by an electrically driven motor, and the electrically driven motor is electrically connected with the controller50.

The controller50includes: a read only memory (ROM) that stores and holds control programs for the liquid pump30and the gas pump40; a central processing unit (CPU) that controls and operates in accordance with the control program; and a random access memory (RAM) that functions, for example, as a working area for the CPU.

The power for the controller50, the detecting portion51, the liquid pump30, and the gas pump40in the foam discharging device100may be supplied through the commercial power supply or through a battery.

Next, one example of the configuration of the foamer mechanism21and the discharging portion20will be described with reference toFIG. 2. Here, while each configuration of the discharging portion20may be described on the basis of the positional relationship illustrated inFIG. 2for the purpose of convenience, this positional relationship of each configuration in the description does not necessarily match the positional relationship of each configuration of the foamer mechanism21and the discharging portion20when the foam discharging device100is in use.

As illustrated inFIG. 2, the foamer mechanism21includes a gas inlet201that allows gas (air) to be introduced through the air supplying pipe41, and a liquid-agent inlet205that allows the liquid agent70to be introduced through the liquid supplying pipe32.

The air introduced through the gas inlet201into the foamer mechanism21passes through a gas front chamber202and a narrow gas passage203in this order, and is supplied to the mixing portion207of the mixing chamber208.

On the other hand, the liquid agent70introduced through the liquid-agent inlet205to the discharging portion20passes through a narrow liquid-agent passage206, and is supplied to the mixing portion207of the mixing chamber208.

In the mixing portion207, the liquid agent70is mixed with the air, whereby the liquid agent70is changed into a coarse foam body.

A mesh210is provided at a latter stage of the mixing chamber208. The coarse foam body passes through the mesh210to be changed into fine, uniform foam body, and is introduced into the foam passing chamber209of the discharging portion20.

As described above, in the case of the this exemplary embodiment, the foam discharging device100further includes: a liquid-agent supplying actuator (liquid pump30) that supplies the liquid agent70from the storage portion10to the foamer mechanism21; a gas supplying actuator (gas pump40) that supplies gas to the foamer mechanism21; and a controller50that operates and controls the gas supplying actuator and the liquid-agent supplying actuator. The liquid agent70and the gas are supplied to the foamer mechanism21under the control of the controller50to generate the foam body.

The foamer mechanism21and the discharging portion20are provided integrally with each other to form a discharging unit200.

The discharging unit200includes, for example: a cap member220that has a hollow cylindrical portion221having a tubular shape and having an upper end portion closed by a closing portion222; a hollow cylindrical member230; a flow-path forming outside sleeve240; a flow-path forming inside sleeve250; and a flow-path forming core body260.

The closing portion222of the cap member220has a tubular portion formed so as to protrude upward and have the gas inlet201inside thereof, and an insertion hole into which a tubular portion having the liquid-agent inlet205is inserted.

The hollow cylindrical member230includes: an upper portion having a double-tube structure having an external hollow-cylindrical portion231having a tubular shape and an internal hollow cylindrical portion232having a tubular shape with a diameter smaller than that of the external hollow-cylindrical portion231; a holding portion234having a tubular shape formed so as to have a diameter larger than that of the external hollow-cylindrical portion231; and a top surface portion235that closes the upper end of the holding portion234.

The space of the inside of the holding portion234forms the foam passing chamber209. The foam passing chamber209communicates with an area where the mesh210is disposed, through an opening formed at the center of the top surface portion235.

The external hollow-cylindrical portion231of the hollow cylindrical member230and the hollow cylindrical portion221of the cap member220are fixed with each other by a fixing method such as screwing.

The flow-path forming outside sleeve240is formed so as to include a multiple-stage hollow cylindrical portion shaped such that the inner diameter and the outer diameter vary in a multiple-stage manner in the axial direction (in the top-bottom direction) of the flow-path forming outside sleeve240. That is, the flow-path forming outside sleeve240has the inner diameter and the outer diameter, each of which varies in a stepwise manner so that the inner diameter and the outer diameter increase toward the bottom portion. For example, the flow-path forming outside sleeve240has four stages of hollow cylindrical portions, and the hollow cylindrical portion located at the uppermost stage (in other words, one having the smallest diameter) of them has the liquid-agent inlet205formed inside thereof. In addition, within the hollow cylindrical portion at the lowermost stage of the flow-path forming outside sleeve240, the upper portion of the internal hollow cylindrical portion232is disposed adjacently to the inner peripheral surface of this hollow cylindrical portion.

The flow-path forming inside sleeve250is formed so as to have a tubular shape, and is fitted with the internal hollow cylindrical portion232so that the outer peripheral surface of the flow-path forming inside sleeve250is in close contact with the inner peripheral surface of the internal hollow cylindrical portion232. However, the upper portion of the flow-path forming inside sleeve250sticks out upward further than the internal hollow cylindrical portion232. The upper portion of the flow-path forming inside sleeve250is disposed so as to extend from the inside of the hollow cylindrical portion located at the lowermost stage of the flow-path forming outside sleeve240to the vicinity of the upper end of the hollow cylindrical portion located at the second stage from the bottom.

The flow-path forming core body260is formed into a cylindrical column shape, and is disposed so as to be coaxial with the flow-path forming outside sleeve240. More specifically, for example, the flow-path forming core body260is disposed so as to extend from the inside of the hollow cylindrical portion located at the second stage from the top of the flow-path forming outside sleeve240to the inside of the upper end portion of the hollow cylindrical portion located at the lowermost stage of the flow-path forming outside sleeve240. The lower portion of the flow-path forming core body260is disposed at the inside of the upper portion of the flow-path forming inside sleeve250. The flow-path forming core body260is, for example, held by the flow-path forming outside sleeve240.

The gas passage203is formed by a space between the inner peripheral surface of the hollow cylindrical portion located at the lowermost stage as well as the hollow cylindrical portion located at the second stage from the bottom of the flow-path forming outside sleeve240and the outer peripheral surface of the upper portion of the internal hollow cylindrical portion232as well as the outer peripheral surface of the upper portion of the flow-path forming inside sleeve250.

In addition, the liquid-agent passage206is formed by a space between the inner peripheral surface of the hollow cylindrical portion located at the second stage from the top of the flow-path forming outside sleeve240and the outer peripheral surface of the upper portion of the flow-path forming core body260. The liquid-agent passage206is, for example, separated into a plurality of lines.

In addition, the mixing chamber208is formed by the inner space of the flow-path forming inside sleeve250. The opening of the lower end of the flow-path forming inside sleeve250is closed by the mesh210. The mixing portion207serves as the upper end portion of the mixing chamber208, and at this mixing portion207, the downstream end of the liquid-agent passage206merges with the downstream end of the gas passage203.

In addition, the gas front chamber202is a facing space between the closing portion222and the closing portion233, and is formed by a space between the inner peripheral surface of the external hollow-cylindrical portion231and the outer peripheral surface of a portion of the flow-path forming outside sleeve240that protrudes downward beyond the closing portion222as well as the outer peripheral surface of the lower portion of the internal hollow cylindrical portion232. The gas front chamber202is, for example, formed into an annular shape in plane cross section.

The foamer mechanism21includes, from among the configurations described above, at least the gas passage203, the liquid-agent passage206, the mixing chamber208(the mixing chamber208includes the mixing portion207), and the mesh210.

The discharging portion20further includes a foam discharging unit80that is held by the holding portion234so as to close the opening of the holding portion234on the lower surface side thereof.

The foam discharging unit80includes: a plate-like portion81that defines the lower end of the foam passing chamber209; and one or a plurality of ejection-port forming wall portions82that extend downward from the lower surface81aof the plate-like portion81. As described above, the foam passing chamber209includes the bottom portion formed by the plate-like portion81, and the bottom portion has the ejection-port forming wall portions82formed thereon (the ejection-port forming wall portions82extend downward from the bottom portion).

The foam discharging unit80is held by the holding portion234in a posture in which the plate-like portion81is horizontal. The holding portion234detachably holds the foam discharging unit80.

More specifically, the plate-like portion81is formed into a circular shape in plan view, and the foam discharging unit80further includes: an annular protrusion88that is a protrusion having an annular shape in plane and erecting upward from the peripheral edge portion of the plate-like portion81; and a plurality of locking protrusions89that protrude outward in the radial direction of the plate-like portion81from the peripheral edge portion of the plate-like portion81.

On the other hand, on the lower surface side of the holding portion234, there are provided: a slit-shaped insertion hole237that makes one turn in a circular shape in plan view and into which the annular protrusion88is inserted; and an annular locking portion236that engages with the locking protrusion89to hold the foam discharging unit80. By pulling the foam discharging unit80downward, the lock of the locking portion236relative to the locking protrusion89is configured to be disengaged, whereby the foam discharging unit80can be detached from the holding portion234. In addition, by pushing the foam discharging unit80upward in a state where the annular protrusion88is aligned with the insertion hole237, the locking portion236is locked with respect to the locking protrusion89, whereby the foam discharging unit80can be held by the holding portion234.

In addition, a mesh270may be provided on the upper surface81bof the plate-like portion81as illustrated in the drawing.

The foamer mechanism21and the discharging portion20are, for example, configured as described above. However, the structures of the discharging portion20and the foamer mechanism21are not limited to those described here, and it may be possible to employ other structures.

As described above, the mesh210(porous body) is disposed at the outlet of the mixing chamber208in which the air and the liquid agent70are mixed with each other. The foam body generated in the mixing chamber208passes through the mesh210and flows into the foam passing chamber209. Then, the foam body passes through the foam passing chamber209, passes through the inside of the ejection-port forming wall portion82, and is discharged from the ejection port83at the lower end of the ejection-port forming wall portion82.

Here, as described above, the foamer mechanism21includes the mixing chamber208in which the liquid agent70and the air are mixed with each other. In addition, the maximum value of a cross sectional area (in other words, the area of plane cross section), which is perpendicular to the direction of discharge of the foam body, of the foam passing chamber209is greater than the maximum value of a cross sectional area (area of plane cross section), which is perpendicular to the direction of discharge described above, of the mixing chamber208, and also is greater than the total value of maximum values of cross sectional areas (areas of plane cross section), each of which is perpendicular to the direction of discharge described above, of inner spaces of respective ejection-port forming wall portions82.

Thus, the maximum value of the cross sectional area of the foam passing chamber209is greater than the cross sectional area (area of plane cross section), which is perpendicular to the direction of discharge described above, of the outlet of the mixing chamber208. In addition, the maximum value of the cross sectional area of the foam passing chamber209is greater than the cross sectional area described above of a portion (for example, the bottom end portion of the mixing chamber208), which is adjacent to the foam passing chamber209, of the mixing chamber208. The total value of cross sectional areas, each of which is perpendicular to the direction of discharge described above, of inner spaces of portions (upper end portions of respective ejection-port forming wall portions82), each of which is adjacent to the foam passing chamber209, of respective ejection-port forming wall portions82is smaller than the maximum value of the cross sectional area (area of plane cross section) of the foam passing chamber209. In addition, the total value of cross sectional areas, each of which is perpendicular to the direction of discharge described above, of inner spaces of portions (each of which is the upper end portion of each of the ejection-port forming wall portions82and is formed at the bottom portion of the foam passing chamber209), each of which is adjacent to the foam passing chamber209, of respective ejection-port forming wall portions82is smaller than the area of the bottom portion of the foam passing chamber209formed by the plate-like portion81.

Thus, in the course in which the foam body passes through the mixing chamber208, the foam passing chamber209, and the inside of the ejection-port forming wall portion82in this order, and is discharged from the ejection port83, the flow path area for the foam body increases at the position where the foam body flows out from the mixing chamber208into the foam passing chamber209, and then, decreases at the position where the foam body flows out from the foam passing chamber209into the ejection-port forming wall portion82.

With this configuration, it is possible to discharge the foam body from the ejection port83at the lower end of the ejection-port forming wall portions82while sufficiently filling the inside of each of the ejection-port forming wall portions82with the foam body. This makes it possible to discharge the foam body having a desired shape from each of the ejection ports83in a more reliable manner, and to make a shaped foam object91(FIGS. 16(a) and 16(b)), which is a collective body of foam bodies discharged from these ejection ports83, formed into a desired three-dimensional shape.

The area of plane cross section of the foam passing chamber209may be set so as to be constant at any position of the foam passing chamber209in the direction of discharge of the foam body, or may be set so as to change according to positions in the direction of discharge of the foam body.

It is preferable that the cross sectional area (area of plane cross section), which is perpendicular to the direction of discharge described above, of a portion (the bottom end portion of the foam passing chamber209), which is adjacent to the ejection-port forming wall portion82, of the foam passing chamber209is greater than the total value of maximum values of cross sectional areas (areas of plane cross section), each of which is perpendicular to the direction of discharge described above, of inner spaces of respective ejection-port forming wall portions82.

Here, the cross sectional area of the inner space of the ejection-port forming wall portions82means a cross sectional area of a closed area surrounded in a continuous, circuit manner by an ejection-port forming wall portion82in cross section perpendicular to the direction of discharge described above.

In addition, in this exemplary embodiment, the number of the ejection-port forming wall portions82is plural, and hence, the total value of cross sectional areas of inner spaces of respective ejection-port forming wall portions82means the total value of cross sectional areas of inner spaces of these plurality of ejection-port forming wall portions82. However, the present invention is not limited to this example, and the number of ejection-port forming wall portions82may be one. In this case, the total value of cross sectional areas of inner spaces of respective ejection-port forming wall portions82means the cross sectional area of the inner space of one ejection-port forming wall portion82.

Next, with reference toFIGS. 3(a), 3(b), and 3(c), the foam discharging unit80will be described in more detail.

As illustrated in any ofFIGS. 3(a), 3(b), and 3(c), the foam discharging unit80includes the plate-like portion81having a circular plate shape, and the plurality of ejection-port forming wall portions82that protrude from the lower surface81aof the plate-like portion81.

In the case of this exemplary embodiment, the ejection-port forming wall portions82are each formed into a circular, tubular shape, and the axis center and the wall surface of each of the ejection-port forming wall portions82are perpendicular to the lower surface81a. Each of the ejection-port forming wall portions82has a lower edge821having an ejection port83formed thereon. The height of the lower edge821of each of the ejection-port forming wall portions82is constant, and the ejection port83is disposed horizontally.

Thus, the lower edge821of the ejection-port forming wall portions82has a portion that extends horizontally. In the case of this exemplary embodiment, the entire lower edge821of the ejection-port forming wall portions82extends horizontally in a ring shape.

Here, the lower edge821of the ejection-port forming wall portion82having a portion that extends horizontally may mean, for example, that the lower edge821of the ejection-port forming wall portion82has a portion that horizontally and continuously extends so as to be longer than the thickness of this lower edge821.

Here, in the case where the length of the ejection-port forming wall portion82that protrudes from the lower surface81aof the plate-like portion81is relatively short, the height position of the lower edge821is relatively high. On the other hand, in the case where this length is relatively long, the height position of the lower edge821is relatively low.

The plurality of ejection-port forming wall portions82include the ejection-port forming wall portion82aand the ejection-port forming wall portion82b. As illustrated inFIG. 3(b), the height position of the lower edge821of the ejection-port forming wall portion82ais higher than the height position of the lower edge821of the ejection-port forming wall portion82b.

Thus, in the case of this exemplary embodiment, the ejection-port forming wall portion82aserves as the first portion, and the ejection-port forming wall portion82bserves as the second portion.

That is, the discharging portion20has the plurality of ejection-port forming wall portions82, and the plurality of ejection-port forming wall portions82include a first-portion configuring wall portion (for example, the ejection-port forming wall portion82a) that configures the first portion, and a second-portion configuring wall portion (for example, the ejection-port forming wall portion82b) that configures the second portion.

More specifically, in the case of this exemplary embodiment, the ejection port83of the first-portion configuring wall portion (for example, the ejection-port forming wall portion82a) and the ejection port83of the second-portion configuring wall portion (for example, the ejection-port forming wall portion82b) are each disposed horizontally, and the height position of the ejection port83of the first-portion configuring wall portion (for example, the ejection-port forming wall portion82a) is higher than the height position of the ejection port83of the second-portion configuring wall portion (for example, the ejection-port forming wall portion82b).

Furthermore, the lower edge821of the ejection-port forming wall portion82aand the lower edge821of the ejection-port forming wall portion82beach have a portion that extends horizontally. In the case of this exemplary embodiment, the entire lower edge821of the ejection-port forming wall portion82aextends horizontally in a ring shape, and the entire lower edge821of the ejection-port forming wall portion82bextends horizontally in a ring shape.

As described above, the foam discharging unit80is a foam discharging unit80attached to a foam discharging device (here, a thing formed by excluding the foam discharging unit80from the foam discharging device100is called a foam discharging device) that includes the storage portion10that stores the liquid agent70, and the foamer mechanism21that changes the liquid agent70into foam to generate the foam body, and the foam discharging unit80discharges the foam body. The foam discharging unit80includes the plate-like portion81, and also includes one or the plurality of ejection-port forming wall portions82that: protrude from the one-side surface (lower surface81a) of the plate-like portion81in a direction perpendicular to a plate surface of the plate-like portion81; are formed into a closed-loop shape when viewed from the protruding direction; have the inner space communicating with a space of the plate-like portion81on a side of the other-side surface (upper surface81b) of the plate-like portion81; and have a tip end having the ejection port83formed thereon. In addition, the ejection-port forming wall portion82includes the first portion (for example, the ejection-port forming wall portion82a) and the second portion (for example, the ejection-port forming wall portion82b), and the distance from the plate-like portion81to the tip end edge (lower edge821) at the first portion is shorter than the distance from the plate-like portion81to the tip end edge (lower edge821) at the second portion. In addition, the tip end portion (bottom end portion) of at least part of the ejection-port forming wall portion82is formed into a shape that has a thickness reduced toward the tip end (downward).

More specifically, in the case of this exemplary embodiment, by discharging the foam body through the plurality of ejection-port forming wall portions82of the foam discharging unit80, it is possible to form a shaped foam object91shaped like a flower as illustrated inFIGS. 16(a) and 16(b).FIG. 16(a)is a planar image obtained by imaging a shaped foam object91actually formed using the foam discharging unit80illustrated inFIG. 3, andFIG. 16(b)is a perspective image obtained by imaging the shaped foam object91from the direction of the arrow B inFIG. 16(a)(from the side surface direction). The flower that the shaped foam object91intends to be shaped like has a shape having five petals that extend radially from the center in five directions.

As illustrated inFIGS. 3(a) and 3(c), a plurality of (for example, four) ejection-port forming wall portions82bare arranged in the central portion of the foam discharging unit80, and a plurality of ejection-port forming wall portions82afor forming five petals are arranged radially from the central portion in five lines. More specifically, the four ejection-port forming wall portions82bin the central portion are each disposed at a position corresponding to each apex of a square. In addition, each of the five lines of the ejection-port forming wall portions82aincludes three ejection-port forming wall portions82athat are each disposed at equal intervals. As described above, while each of the plurality of ejection-port forming wall portions82has a circular shape in plan view, a group of ejection-port forming wall portions, which is a collective body of the plurality of ejection-port forming wall portions82, forms a non-circular shape as a whole.

By discharging a foam body through the foam discharging unit80described above, it is possible to form a shaped foam object91that integrally has petal portions91aeach shaped like a petal and a central portion91blocated at the middle of the five petal portions91a, as illustrated inFIGS. 16(a) and 16(b).

That is, by placing a hand (palm) below the discharging portion20in a horizontal posture, the detecting portion51detects the hand, which causing a discharge trigger. Then, the liquid pump30and the gas pump40are each activated, generating a foam body with the liquid agent70and the air supplied to the foamer mechanism21. This foam body passes through the foam passing chamber209and the mesh270, and is discharged from each of the ejection-port forming wall portions82. After this, once discharging of the foam body by a predetermined amount is completed, the liquid pump30and the gas pump40stop their operations.

As a result, a shaped foam object91is formed on the hand.

Here, in the case of this exemplary embodiment, since the height position of the lower edge821of the ejection-port forming wall portions82ais set to be higher than the height position of the lower edge821of the ejection-port forming wall portions82b, it is possible to form a shaped foam object91shaped such that the petal portions91aare raised so as to be higher (formed so as to be thicker) than the central portion91b. That is, the ejection-port forming wall portions82a, which are located at higher position, discharges a foam body more than that discharged from the ejection-port forming wall portions82b, and the height position at which a foam body is released from the lower edge821differs between the ejection-port forming wall portion82aand the ejection-port forming wall portion82b. Thereby, it is possible to form the petal portions91acomposed mainly by the foam body discharged from the ejection-port forming wall portions82aso as to be thicker than the central portion91bcomposed mainly by the foam body discharged from the ejection-port forming wall portions82b.

Thus, it is possible to make a shaped foam object91shaped like a flower have a three-dimensional shape with a highly elaborate design.

From the viewpoint of the shaping property of the shaped foam object91, it is preferable that the difference in height between the first portion and the second portion is equal to or more than 1 mm, and more preferably, equal to or more than 2 mm. In addition, it is preferable that this difference is equal to or less than 8 mm, and more preferably, equal to or less than 5 mm. Furthermore, it is preferable that it is equal to or more than 1 mm and equal to or less than 8 mm, and more preferably, it is equal to or more than 2 mm and equal to or less than 5 mm.

Furthermore, from a similar viewpoint, it is preferable that the length of the ejection-port forming wall portion from the plate-like portion81to the lower edge821is equal to or more than 2 mm, more preferably, equal to or more than 3 mm, still more preferably, equal to or more than 5 mm. In addition, it is preferable that this length is equal to or less than 30 mm, more preferably, equal to or less than 25 mm, still more preferably, equal to or less than 20 mm. Furthermore, it is preferable that it is equal to or more than 2 mm and equal to or less than 30 mm, more preferably, equal to or more than 3 mm and equal to or less than 25 mm, still more preferably, equal to or more than 5 mm and equal to or less than 20 mm.

In the first exemplary embodiment, while the height of the ejection-port forming wall portion82is formed into two stages: the first portion and the second portion, there is no limitation in the present invention, and there may exist three or more portions (a plurality of portions arranged in three or more stages) arranged at different stages from each other.

Furthermore, the bottom end of each of the ejection-port forming wall portions82is formed into a shape of chamfer as illustrated inFIGS. 3(b) and 3(c). Thus, the bottom end portion of each of the ejection-port forming wall portions82is formed into a shape that has a thickness reduced toward the lower side (shape of which dimension in the thickness direction becomes narrower toward the lower side).

This enables the foam to be less likely to adhere to the bottom end portion of the ejection-port forming wall portion82, and hence, it is possible to favorably separate the bottom end portion of the ejection-port forming wall portion82from the shaped foam object91. Thus, it is possible to separate the ejection-port forming wall portion82from the shaped foam object91while minimizing damage to the shape of the shaped foam object91that has been foamed.

As for the shape of chamfer of the bottom end portion of the ejection-port forming wall portion82, either a round fillet shape or chamfering shape may be employed, andFIG. 3(b)shows that the round fillet shape is employed as an example.

In the case of this exemplary embodiment, the bottom end portion of each of the ejection-port forming wall portions82is formed into a shape that has a thickness reduced toward the lower side throughout the entire periphery of the ejection port83, as illustrated inFIG. 3(b). However, the present invention is not limited to this example, and it may be possible that the bottom end portion of part of the ejection-port forming wall portion82in the circumferential direction has a shape that has a thickness reduced toward the lower side, whereby this part exhibits reduced adhesive force of the foam relative to this bottom end portion.

That is, it may be possible to employ a configuration in which the bottom end portion of at least part of the ejection-port forming wall portion82is formed into a shape that has a thickness reduced toward the lower side.

Although there is no specific limitation as to material of the foam discharging unit80, inexpensive resin materials having a light weight (for example, polypropylene) are preferably used as the material of the foam discharging unit80.

According to the first exemplary embodiment described above, the height position of the lower edge821of the first portion (ejection-port forming wall portion82a) is higher than the height position of the lower edge821of the second portion (ejection-port forming wall portion82b). Thus, it is possible to create a desired height difference for each portion of the shaped foam object91made out of the discharged foam bodies. This makes it possible to form a shaped object of foam having a desired three-dimensional shape with a more elaborate design.

Furthermore, the bottom end portion of at least part of the ejection-port forming wall portion82is formed into a shape that has a thickness reduced toward the lower side. This enables the foam to be less likely to adhere to the bottom end portion of the ejection-port forming wall portion82, and hence, it is possible to favorably separate the bottom end portion of the ejection-port forming wall portion82from the shaped foam object91. This makes it further easier to form a shaped object of foam having a desired three-dimensional shape with a more elaborate design.

Furthermore, since the discharging portion20includes the foam discharging unit80and the holding portion234that detachably holds the foam discharging unit80, it is possible to change the shape of a shaped foam object91that can be formed, into one having another shape, by replacing the foam discharging unit80with one having an ejection-port forming wall portion82having another shape.

Modification Example of First Exemplary Embodiment

Next, a modification example of the first exemplary embodiment will be described with reference toFIG. 4(a),FIG. 4(b),FIG. 4(c),FIG. 16(c)andFIG. 16(d).

FIG. 16(c)is a planar image obtained by imaging a shaped foam object91actually formed using the foam discharging unit80illustrated inFIGS. 4(a) to 4(c), andFIG. 16(d)is a perspective image obtained by imaging the shaped foam object91from the direction of the arrow D inFIG. 16(c)(from the side surface direction).

In the case of the present modification example, the height relationship between the ejection-port forming wall portion82aand the ejection-port forming wall portion82bis reversed from that in first exemplary embodiment described above.

That is, as illustrated inFIGS. 4(b) and 4(c), the height position of the lower edge821of the ejection-port forming wall portion82bis higher than the height position of the lower edge821of the ejection-port forming wall portion82a. In addition, the ejection-port forming wall portion82bserves as the first portion, and the ejection-port forming wall portion82aserves as the second portion.

In the case of the present modification example, as the height position of the lower edge821of the ejection-port forming wall portion82bis set to be higher than the height position of the lower edge821of the ejection-port forming wall portion82a, it is possible to form a shaped foam object91shaped such that the central portions91bis raised so as to be higher (formed so as to be thicker) than the petal portions91aas illustrated inFIGS. 16(c) and 16(d).

Second Exemplary Embodiment

FIG. 17(a)is a planar image obtained by imaging a shaped foam object92actually formed using the foam discharging unit80illustrated inFIGS. 5(a) to 5(c), andFIG. 17(b)is a perspective image obtained by imaging the shaped foam object92from the direction of the arrow B inFIG. 17(a)(from the side surface direction).

The foam discharging device100and the foam discharging unit80according to this exemplary embodiment differ from the foam discharging device100and the foam discharging unit80according to the first exemplary embodiment described above in terms of the shape of the ejection-port forming wall portion82, and explanation of the portions common to the foam discharging device100and the foam discharging unit80according to the first exemplary embodiment described above will not be repeated.

In the following description, the positional relationship and the shape of each of the ejection-port forming wall portions82of the foam discharging unit80may be described on the basis of the positional relationship illustrated in each of the drawings.

In the case of this exemplary embodiment, the foam discharging unit80is a unit for forming a shaped foam object92(FIGS. 17(a) and 17(b)) shaped like a butterfly. The target shape (planer shape) of a shaped foam object92formed in this exemplary embodiment is illustrated inFIG. 6.

As illustrated inFIGS. 5(a) to 5(c), the ejection-port forming wall portions (group of ejection-port forming wall portions) of the foam discharging unit80include a pair of left and right ejection-port forming wall portions82dand an ejection-port forming wall portion82edisposed at the center.

Each of the ejection-port forming wall portions82dis a portion for forming a butterfly-wing portion92a(FIGS. 17(a) and 17(b)), and is formed into a slit shape elongated in one direction in plan view. The pair of ejection-port forming wall portions82dextend so as to be parallel to each other. The wall surface of each portion of each of the ejection-port forming wall portions82dis perpendicular to the plate-like portion81. The ejection-port forming wall portion82dand the ejection-port forming wall portion82eeach have a non-circular shape in plan view, and the group of ejection-port forming wall portions, which is a collective body of the pair of ejection-port forming wall portions82dand one ejection-port forming wall portion82e, forms a non-circular shape in plan view as a whole. Furthermore, the group of ejection-port forming wall portions is comprised of a combination of the ejection-port forming wall portions82dand the ejection-port forming wall portion82e, which have shapes different from each other in plan view.

As illustrated inFIGS. 5(b) and 5(c), the ejection-port forming wall portion82dincludes a low-position end portion84aand a high-position end portion84b, and the height position of the lower edge821of the high-position end portion84bis higher than the height position of the lower edge821of the low-position end portion84a.

More specifically, a one-half portion of sides, which face each other, of each of the ejection-port forming wall portions82dserves as a high-position end portion84b, and the remaining portion serves as a low-position end portion84a. In each of the ejection-port forming wall portions82d, the low-position end portion84ais disposed on the outer side of the discharging portion20in plan view, whereas the high-position end portion84bis disposed on the inner side of the discharging portion20. Thus, in the group of ejection-port forming wall portions, which is a collective body of the plurality of ejection-port forming wall portions82d,82d,82e, the low-position end portion84ais disposed on the outer side, and the high-position end portion84bis disposed on the inner side. In other words, the low-position end portion84ais disposed on the peripheral side (outer side) of the area where the plurality of ejection-port forming wall portions82are arranged, and the high-position end portion84bis disposed on the central side (inner side). A transitional portion87where the height position of the lower edge821changes lies at the boundary between the low-position end portion84aand the high-position end portion84b. In the case of this exemplary embodiment, the transitional portion87is configured as a stepped portion. The transitional portion87is formed at each of both ends of each of the ejection-port forming wall portions82din the longitudinal direction.

From the viewpoint of the shaping property of the shaped foam object92, it is preferable that the difference in height between the high-position end portion84band the low-position end portion84ais equal to or more than 1 mm, more preferably, equal to or more than 2 mm. In addition, it is preferable that the difference is equal to or less than 8 mm, more preferably, equal to or less than 5 mm. Furthermore, it is preferable that it is equal to or more than 1 mm and equal to or less than 8 mm, more preferably, equal to or more than 2 mm and equal to or less than 5 mm.

Furthermore, from a similar viewpoint, it is preferable that the length of the ejection-port forming wall portion82dfrom the plate-like portion81to the lower edge821is equal to or more than 2 mm, more preferably, equal to or more than 3 mm, still more preferably, equal to or more than 5 mm. In addition, it is preferable that this length is equal to or less than 30 mm, more preferably, equal to or less than 25 mm, still more preferably, equal to or less than 20 mm. Furthermore, it is preferable that it is equal to or more than 2 mm and equal to or less than 30 mm, more preferably, equal to or more than 3 mm and equal to or less than 25 mm, still more preferably, equal to or more than 5 mm and equal to or less than 20 mm.

The height position of the lower edge821of the high-position end portion84bis configured to be uniform. Similarly, the height position of the lower edge821of the low-position end portion84ais configured to be uniform. The low-position end portion84ais formed into a flat plate shape that is vertically erected throughout the entire region, and the lower edge821of the low-position end portion84ais formed so as to be horizontal and in a straight shape almost throughout the entire region in the longitudinal direction. In other words, the low-position end portion84a(second portion) includes a portion formed into a flat plate shape that is vertically erected, and the lower edge of this flat-plate shaped portion extends horizontally. In addition, the lower edge of the flat-plate shaped portion is formed into a straight shape.

Here, in each of the ejection-port forming wall portions82d, the low-position end portion84aand the high-position end portion84bextend so as to be arranged alongside each other (for example, in parallel to each other) in plan view, and also extend almost throughout the entire region in the longitudinal direction of the ejection-port forming wall portion82din plan view. Thus, a portion of the low-position end portion84athat protrudes downward further than the high-position end portion84bexists in a region having a certain length (for example, it exists almost throughout the entire region in the longitudinal direction of the ejection-port forming wall portion82d).

As described above, in each of the ejection-port forming wall portions82d, the lower edge821of each of the low-position end portion84aand the high-position end portion84bhas a portion that extends horizontally (for example, extends horizontally in a straight shape). In addition, the portion of the lower edge821of the low-position end portion84athat extends horizontally in a straight shape and the portion of the lower edge821of the high-position end portion84bthat extends horizontally in a straight shape extend so as to be arranged alongside each other (for example, in parallel to each other) in plan view.

Furthermore, from the viewpoint of the shaping property of the shaped foam object92, it is preferable that the ratios of the low-position end portion84aand the high-position end portion84boccupying each of the ejection-port forming wall portions82in the circumferential direction are equivalent to each other, or the ratio of occupation by the low-position end portion84ais greater than the ratio of occupation by the high-position end portion84b.

The ejection-port forming wall portion82eis a portion for forming a body portion92band a pair of antenna portions92cof the butterfly (FIGS. 17(a) and 17(b)). The ejection-port forming wall portion82ehas a shape that includes a portion (a portion for forming the body portion92bof the butterfly) that extends so as to be substantially in parallel to the ejection-port forming wall portion82din plan view, and a pair of portions (portions for forming the pair of antenna portions92cof the butterfly) that protrude from that portion in a V-shape so as to be symmetrical in the left-right direction and each have a tip end that expands in a circular shape. The wall surface of each portion of the ejection-port forming wall portion82eis perpendicular to the plate-like portion81.

In the case of this exemplary embodiment, the height position of the lower edge821of the ejection-port forming wall portion82eis set so as to be equal to the height position of the lower edge821of the low-position end portion84aof the ejection-port forming wall portion82d, and is configured to be uniform.

From the viewpoint of the shaping property of the shaped foam object92, it is preferable that the planer shape of the space surrounded by each of the ejection-port forming wall portions82d, which includes the low-position end portion84aand the high-position end portion84b, has a flat shape having a long axis and a short axis. In this case, it is preferable that the long axis has a length equal to or more than 1.2 times longer than the short axis, more preferably, equal to or more than twice longer than the short axis. In addition, it is preferable that the length of the long axis is equal to or less than 30 times longer than the length of the short axis, more preferably, equal to or less than 20 times longer than the length of the short axis.

In the case of this exemplary embodiment, the high-position end portion84bserves as the first portion, and the low-position end portion84aserves as the second portion.

That is, one of the ejection-port forming wall portions82(ejection-port forming wall portion82d) includes the first portion (high-position end portion84b) and the second portion (low-position end portion84a).

Furthermore, in the case of this exemplary embodiment, it may be possible to consider that the high-position end portion84bserves as the first portion, and the ejection-port forming wall portion82eserves as the second portion. In other words, it may be possible to consider that part (high-position end portion84b) of the ejection-port forming wall portion82dforms the first portion, and the ejection-port forming wall portion82eforms the second portion. That is, the discharging portion20has the plurality of ejection-port forming wall portions82, and the plurality of ejection-port forming wall portions82include the first-portion configuring wall portion (ejection-port forming wall portion82d) that configures the first portion (high-position end portion84b), and the second-portion configuring wall portion (ejection-port forming wall portion82e) that configures the second portion.

Furthermore, the bottom end portion of each of the ejection-port forming wall portions82is shaped into chamfer as illustrated inFIGS. 5(b) and 5(c). Thus, the bottom end portion of the ejection-port forming wall portion82is formed into a shape that has a thickness reduced toward the lower side (shape of which dimension in the thickness direction becomes narrower toward the lower side).

The shape of chamfer of the bottom end portion of the ejection-port forming wall portion82may be either a round fillet shape or a chamfering shape, and the chamfering shape is shown inFIG. 5(b)as an example.

In the case of this exemplary embodiment, since the one-half portions, which are located on opposing sides to each other, of the pair of ejection-port forming wall portion82dare each configured as the high-position end portion84b(the length of downward extension of the wall is short), more foam body flows out from the high-position end portion84bside. In other words, many of the foam body discharged from the ejection-port forming wall portion82dflows out toward the ejection-port forming wall portion82eside, which is located at the center. As a result, the foam body discharged from the ejection-port forming wall portion82dhas a shape that expands toward the ejection-port forming wall portion82eside, which is located at the center, so as to be in a half-round shape. In addition, the low-position end portion84a(having a longer length of the wall that extends downward) restricts flow-out of the foam body toward the side direction, and hence, the shape of the foam body along the low-position end portion84ais formed into a straight shape that reflects the planer shape of the low-position end portion84a.

Here, the low-position end portion84aincludes a portion that is formed into a flat plate shape that is erected vertically, and the lower edge of this flat-plate shaped portion extends horizontally. That is, the low-position end portion84ais formed so as to have a uniform height throughout the entire region, and the portion of the low-position end portion84athat protrudes downward further than the high-position end portion84bis formed into a flat plate shape. With this configuration, this flat-plate shaped portion functions as a spatula, and the foam body is discharged while being stroked by this spatula. Thus, it is possible to form a three-dimensional shaped foam object92that has the outer end portion formed into a straight shape in plan view, which makes it possible to form the outline of the shaped foam object92in a well-defined manner.

The foam body discharged from the ejection-port forming wall portion82dflows out toward the high-position end portion84bside and is less likely to spread toward the low-position end portion84aside, and hence, it is possible to sufficiently obtain the spatula effect of the low-position end portion84ato form a surface that is erected in a wall shape, whereby it is possible to obtain a shaped foam object with an elaborate design.

Thus, the foam bodies discharged from the pair of ejection-port forming wall portions82dform the pair of wing portions92ashaped like a pair of wings of a butterfly (FIG. 17(a),FIG. 17(b)).

In addition, the foam body discharged from the ejection-port forming wall portion82eforms the body portion92bshaped like the body of a butterfly, and the pair of antenna portions92cshaped like antennae, and these body portion92band antenna portions92care formed integrally with the pair of wing portions92a(FIG. 17(a),FIG. 17(b)).

In the case of this exemplary embodiment, it is possible to form the shaped foam object92shaped like a butterfly so as to have a three-dimensional shape with a highly elaborate design.

Modification Example 1 of Second Exemplary Embodiment

A modification example 1 of the second exemplary embodiment will be described with reference toFIG. 7(a),FIG. 7(b),FIG. 7(c),FIG. 17(c), andFIG. 17(d).

FIG. 17(c)is a planer image obtained by imaging a shaped foam object92actually formed using the foam discharging unit80illustrated inFIGS. 7(a) to 7(c), andFIG. 17(d)is a perspective image obtained by imaging the shaped foam object92from the direction of the arrow D inFIG. 17(c)(from the side surface direction).

The present modification example differs from the second exemplary embodiment (FIGS. 5(a) to 5(c)) in that the height position of the lower edge821of the ejection-port forming wall portion82eis higher than the height position of the lower edge821of the lower edge821of the low-position end portion84a, and is lower than the height position of the lower edge821of the high-position end portion84b, as illustrated inFIGS. 7(a), 7(b), and 7(c).

In the case of the present modification example, the height position of the lower edge821of the ejection-port forming wall portion82eis higher as compared with that in the second exemplary embodiment described above. Thus, as compared with the second exemplary embodiment, it is possible to form a shaped foam object92shaped such that the body portion92bis raised in an oval shape so as to be high (formed so as to be thick), as illustrated inFIGS. 17(c) and 17(d).

Modification Example 2 of Second Exemplary Embodiment

Next, a modification example 2 of the second exemplary embodiment will be described with reference toFIGS. 8(a) and 8(b).

In the case of the present modification example, the foam discharging unit80includes one ejection-port forming wall portion82j. This ejection-port forming wall portion82jis shaped such that the pair of ejection-port forming wall portions82dand the ejection-port forming wall portion82elocated at the center in the second exemplary embodiment illustrated inFIG. 5(a)toFIG. 5(c)are connected with each other through a connecting portion86.

That is, the ejection-port forming wall portion82jhas a second low-position end portion84clocated at the center thereof and having a shape similar to the ejection-port forming wall portion82ein the second exemplary embodiment, and also has a pair of low-position end portion84aand high-position end portion84b, which are similar to those in the second exemplary embodiment, the pair being disposed at the right and the left, respectively. In addition, the central portions, in the longitudinal direction, of the left and right high-position end portion84bare each connected, through the connecting portion86having a slit shape in plan view, with the central portion, in the longitudinal direction, of the portion of the second low-position end portion84cthat forms the body of a butterfly. The ejection-port forming wall portion82jhas a closed-loop shape in planer shape as a whole, and has one ejection port83. In addition, the ejection-port forming wall portion82jthat forms one ejection port83has a non-circular shape in plan view, and portions corresponding to the ejection-port forming wall portion82dand the ejection-port forming wall portion82eaccording to the second exemplary embodiment and the connecting portion86each have a non-circular shape in plan view. Furthermore, the ejection port83(ejection-port forming wall portion82j) is comprised of a combination of the connecting portion86having a rectangle shape and the portions corresponding to the ejection-port forming wall portion82dhaving a slit shape elongated in one direction and the ejection-port forming wall portion82eshaped like the antennae and the body of a butterfly. In other words, the ejection port83(ejection-port forming wall portion82j) is comprised of a combination of plural portions (a portion corresponding to the ejection-port forming wall portion82d, a portion corresponding to the ejection-port forming wall portion82e, and the connecting portion86) having shapes different from each other in plan view.

Furthermore, as for a portion of the ejection-port forming wall portion82jthat corresponds to the pair of ejection-port forming wall portions82d, the low-position end portion84ais disposed on the outer side of the discharging portion20in plan view, and the high-position end portion84bis disposed on the inner side of the discharging portion20.

In addition, the transitional portion87where the height position of the lower edge821changes is formed in the connecting portion86. In the case of this exemplary embodiment, the transitional portion87is a sloped section in which the height position of the lower edge821gradually changes.

In this modification example, it is possible to form a shaped foam object having a shape similar to that in the second exemplary embodiment.

Modification Example 3 of Second Exemplary Embodiment

Next, a modification example 3 of the second exemplary embodiment will be described with reference toFIGS. 8(a) and 8(c).

The present modification example differs from the modification example 2 illustrated inFIG. 8(b)in that the second low-position end portion84cat the center of the ejection-port forming wall portion82jis similar to that in the modification example 1 illustrated inFIG. 7(a)toFIG. 7(c), and in other points, the present modification example is similar to the modification example 2 illustrated inFIG. 8(b).

With the present modification example, it is possible to form a shaped foam object having a shape similar to that with the modification example 1 of the second exemplary embodiment.

Third Exemplary Embodiment

FIG. 18(a)is a planar image obtained by imaging a shaped foam object93actually formed using the foam discharging unit80illustrated inFIGS. 9(a) to 9(c), andFIG. 18(b)is a side image obtained by imaging a shaped foam object93from the direction of the arrow B inFIG. 18(a)(from the side surface direction).

The foam discharging device100and the foam discharging unit80according to this exemplary embodiment differ from the foam discharging device100and the foam discharging unit80according to the first exemplary embodiment described above in terms of the shape of the ejection-port forming wall portion82, and explanation of the portions common to those in the foam discharging device100and the foam discharging unit80according to the first exemplary embodiment described above will not be repeated as appropriate.

In the following description, the positional relationship and the shape of each of the ejection-port forming wall portions82of the foam discharging unit80may be described on the basis of the positional relationship illustrated in each of the drawings.

As illustrated inFIGS. 9(a) and 9(c), in the case of this exemplary embodiment, the foam discharging unit80includes five ejection-port forming wall portions82in total: one ejection-port forming wall portion82idisposed at the center; a pair of left and right ejection-port forming wall portions82fdisposed so as to be symmetrical in the left-right direction with the ejection-port forming wall portion82ibeing disposed therebetween; and an ejection-port forming wall portion82gand an ejection-port forming wall portion82hdisposed so as to be symmetrical in the front-back direction with the ejection-port forming wall portion82ibeing disposed therebetween.

The ejection-port forming wall portion82iis formed into a circular tubular shape, and the ejection-port forming wall portions82fare each formed into a slit shape elongated in one direction in plan view, and extend on the same straight line.

Furthermore, the ejection-port forming wall portion82gand the ejection-port forming wall portion82hare each formed into a slit shape elongated in one direction in plan view, extend on the same straight line, and extend in a direction perpendicular to the ejection-port forming wall portion82f.

Thus, the ejection-port forming wall portion82i, the ejection-port forming wall portions82f, the ejection-port forming wall portion82g, and the ejection-port forming wall portion82hform the shape of a cross in plan view.

The wall surfaces of portions of the ejection-port forming wall portion82i, the ejection-port forming wall portions82f, the ejection-port forming wall portion82g, and the ejection-port forming wall portion82hare perpendicular to the plate-like portion81.

Furthermore, the bottom end portions of the ejection-port forming wall portion82i, the ejection-port forming wall portions82f, the ejection-port forming wall portion82g, and the ejection-port forming wall portion82hare each formed into the shape of chamfer as illustrated inFIGS. 9(b) and 9(c). With this configuration, the bottom end portion of each of the ejection-port forming wall portions82is formed into a shape that has a thickness reduced toward the lower side (shape of which dimension in the thickness direction becomes narrower toward the lower side).

In addition, the height position of the lower edge821of the ejection-port forming wall portion82i, the height position of the lower edge821of the ejection-port forming wall portions82f, and the height position of the lower edge821of the ejection-port forming wall portion82gare each configured to be uniform.

The height positions of the lower edges821of the ejection-port forming wall portions82f, the ejection-port forming wall portion82g, and the ejection-port forming wall portion82hare each set to be equal to each other, and are set so as to be lower than the height position of the lower edge821of the ejection-port forming wall portion82i.

Furthermore, as described later, the lower edge821of the ejection-port forming wall portion82hhas a sawtooth, uneven shape such that a protruding portion85bwith a crest shape and a recessed portion85awith a trough shape are alternately formed. In this description, the height position of the lower edge821of the ejection-port forming wall portion82h, which is equal to the height positions of the lower edges821of the ejection-port forming wall portions82fand the ejection-port forming wall portion82g, represents the height position of the protruding portion85b, which is the lowest end.

Here, as illustrated inFIG. 9(a), the wall thickness of the ejection-port forming wall portion82gis thicker than the wall thickness of each of the ejection-port forming wall portions82f.

With this configuration, the width size, in the thickness direction, of the lower edge821of the ejection-port forming wall portion82gis greater than that of the lower edge821of each the ejection-port forming wall portions82f. The ejection-port forming wall portion82ghaving the lower edge821with a greater width size serves as the first wall portion, and the ejection-port forming wall portion82fhaving the lower edge821with a width size smaller than that of the first wall portion serves as the second wall portion.

Thus, the adhesive property (adhesive property resulting from the surface tension) of a foam body relative to the lower edge821of the ejection-port forming wall portion82g(first wall portion) is stronger than the adhesive property of the foam body relative to the lower edge821of the ejection-port forming wall portion82f(second wall portion).

In other words, of the ejection-port forming wall portion82gand the ejection-port forming wall portions82f, the ejection-port forming wall portion82gserves as the first wall portion, and the ejection-port forming wall portions82fserves as the second wall portion.

As described above, in the case of this exemplary embodiment, (1) the bottom end portion of at least part of the ejection-port forming wall portion82is formed into a shape that has a thickness reduced toward the lower side; the ejection-port forming wall portion82includes a first portion and a second portion; and the height position of a lower edge of the first portion is higher than the height position of a lower edge of the second portion, and (2) the ejection-port forming wall portion82includes the first wall portion and the second wall portion; and the adhesive property of the foam body relative to the lower edge of the first wall portion is stronger than the adhesive property of the foam body relative to the lower edge of the second wall portion.

The width size of the lower edge821of the first wall portion may be set to be an average of width sizes of individual portions (individual portions of the ejection-port forming wall portion82gin the circumferential direction) of the first wall portion. Similarly, the width size of the lower edge821of the second wall portion may be set to be an average of width sizes of individual portions (individual portions of the ejection-port forming wall portions82fin the circumferential direction) of the second wall portion.

In this exemplary embodiment, each of the first wall portion and the second wall portion is the entirety of each of the ejection-port forming wall portion82. That is, the discharging portion20includes a plurality of ejection-port forming wall portions82, and the plurality of ejection-port forming wall portions82include a first-wall-portion configuring wall portion (for example, the ejection-port forming wall portion82g) that configures the first wall portion, and a second-wall-portion configuring wall portion (for example, the ejection-port forming wall portion82f) that configures the second wall portion.

Hereinbelow, the adhesive property of a foam body relative to the lower edge821of the ejection-port forming wall portion82is also referred to simply as an adhesive property.

The adhesive property of a foam body represents a degree at which a foam body is likely to adhere due to the surface tension, and the foam body is more likely to adhere as the adhesive property becomes stronger. In addition, the adhesive property of a foam body means an adhesive property per unit length of the ejection-port forming wall portion82in the circumferential direction.

The degree of the adhesive property of a foam body can be determined by evaluating how far the foam body is pulled by the ejection-port forming wall portion82in the direction in which the ejection-port forming wall portion82is relatively moved with respect to the foam body when the ejection-port forming wall portion82is detached from the foam body discharged from the ejection port83. That is, with increase in the distance of the foam body being pulled by the ejection-port forming wall portion82, the adhesive property of a foam body relative to the lower edge821of the ejection-port forming wall portion82increases. More specifically, in the case where the ejection-port forming wall portion82protrudes downward, the ejection-port forming wall portion82is moved upward relatively to the foam body when the ejection-port forming wall portion82is detached from the foam body discharged from the ejection port83(for example, by moving downward the foam body together with the discharging destination such as a hand). As described above, the adhesive property of a foam body relative to the tip end edge (lower edge821) of the ejection-port forming wall portion82becomes stronger with increase in the distance of the foam body being pulled upward when the ejection-port forming wall portion82is detached from the foam body.

Determining of the degree of the adhesive property of a foam body is not limited to the example described above. For example, first, a test piece is cut out from an ejection-port forming wall portion82of the foam discharging device100so that the test piece includes the tip end edge of the ejection-port forming wall portion82. After this, when the test piece is pressed against the foam body and then, the test piece is pulled upward, the distance of the foam body being pulled upward by the test piece is measured. As the measured distance increases, it can be determined that the adhesive property of the foam body becomes stronger.

Here, in the case where the bottom end portion of the ejection-port forming wall portion82is formed into the shape of chamfer, the width size of the lower edge821represents the width size of the lower surface excluding the chamfer portion (rather than the width size including the chamfer portion).

The width size of the lower edge821of the first wall portion may be set to be an average of width sizes of individual portions (individual portions of the ejection-port forming wall portion82gin the circumferential direction) of the first wall portion. Similarly, the width size of the lower edge821of the second wall portion may be set to be an average of width sizes of individual portions (individual portions of the ejection-port forming wall portions82fin the circumferential direction) of the second wall portion.

In this exemplary embodiment, each of the first wall portion and the second wall portion is the entirety of each of the ejection-port forming wall portion82. However, the present invention is not limited to this example, and one ejection-port forming wall portion82may include the first wall portion and the second wall portion.

Furthermore, it is preferable to vary the curvature (R) of the lower edge821of the ejection-port forming wall portion82in the thickness direction, thereby controlling the adhesive property of a foam body relative to the lower edge821.

More specifically, the adhesive property becomes stronger with a reduction in the curvature (increase in the radius of curvature) of the lower edge821in the thickness direction, as compared with the case where the curvature increases (reduction in the radius of curvature). Thus, if one ejection-port forming wall portion82and another ejection-port forming wall portion82are set so as to have the same width size of the lower edge821in the thickness direction and have different curvatures in the thickness direction, it is possible to make them have different adhesive properties relative to the lower edge821of the ejection-port forming wall portion82. In addition, it may be possible to make them have different adhesive properties, by setting them so as to have different width sizes of the lower edge821in the thickness direction as well as different curvatures in the thickness direction.

Furthermore, the wall thickness of the ejection-port forming wall portion82his configured to be thicker than the wall thickness of the ejection-port forming wall portion82f.

With this configuration, the width size in the thickness direction of the lower edge821of the ejection-port forming wall portion82h(first wall portion) is greater than that of the lower edge821of the ejection-port forming wall portions82f(second wall portion).

Thus, the adhesive property of a foam body relative to the lower edge821of the ejection-port forming wall portion82his stronger than the adhesive property of the foam body relative to the lower edge821of the ejection-port forming wall portions82f.

In other words, of the ejection-port forming wall portion82hand the ejection-port forming wall portions82f, the ejection-port forming wall portion82hserves as the first wall portion, and the ejection-port forming wall portions82fserve as the second wall portion.

Furthermore, the width size of the lower edge821of the ejection-port forming wall portion82gand the width size of the lower edge821of the ejection-port forming wall portion82hare configured to be equal to each other.

Furthermore, as illustrated inFIGS. 9(b) and 9(c), the lower edge821of the ejection-port forming wall portion82his formed into an uneven shape, whereas the lower edge821of the ejection-port forming wall portion82gis formed into a flat shape. With the lower edge821of the ejection-port forming wall portion82hbeing formed into an uneven shape, the surface area of the lower edge821thereof per unit plane area is greater than the surface area of the lower edge821of the ejection-port forming wall portion82gper unit plane area. With this configuration, the adhesive property of a foam body (adhesive property resulting from the surface tension) relative to the lower edge821of the ejection-port forming wall portion82his stronger than the adhesive property of the foam body relative to the lower edge821of the ejection-port forming wall portion82g.

More specifically, on the lower edge821of the ejection-port forming wall portion82h, a recessed portion85aand a protruding portion85bof the uneven shape are alternately formed in the circumferential direction of the ejection-port forming wall portion82h. Still more specifically, the uneven shape of the lower edge821of the ejection-port forming wall portion82his formed into a sawtooth shape such that the protruding portion85bwith a crest shape and the recessed portion85awith a trough shape are alternately formed. From the viewpoint of controlling the adhesive property, it is preferable that the difference in height between the protruding portion85band the recessed portion85ais equal to or more than 0.5 mm, more preferably, equal to or more than 1 mm. In addition, it is preferable that it is equal to or less than 5 mm, more preferably, equal to or less than 3 mm. Furthermore, it is preferable to set it to be equal to or more than 0.5 mm and equal to or less than 5 mm, more preferably, equal to or more than 1 mm and equal to or less than 3 mm.

Furthermore, the uneven shape may be other shape such as emboss.

It may also be considered that the ejection-port forming wall portion82hhaving the lower edge821with the uneven shape serves as the first wall portion, and the ejection-port forming wall portion82ghaving the lower edge821formed into a flat shape serves as the second wall portion.

Thus, the adhesive property of a foam body (adhesive property resulting from the surface tension) relative to the lower edge821of the ejection-port forming wall portion82h(first wall portion) is stronger than the adhesive property of the foam body relative to the lower edge821of the ejection-port forming wall portion82g(second wall portion).

Furthermore, it may also be considered that the ejection-port forming wall portion82hhaving the lower edge821with a greater width size and also having the lower edge821with the uneven shape serves as the first wall portion, and the ejection-port forming wall portion82fhaving the lower edge821with a smaller width size than that of the first wall portion and also having the lower edge821formed into a flat shape serves as the second wall portion.

As described above, the ejection-port forming wall portion82includes the first wall portion and the second wall portion, and the adhesive property of the foam body relative to the lower edge of the first wall portion is stronger than the adhesive property of the foam body relative to the lower edge of the second wall portion.

In this exemplary embodiment, the adhesive property of a foam body differs between the first wall portion and the second wall portion according to the existence or absence of the uneven shape on the lower edge821, or the width size of the lower edge821. However, the present invention is not limited to this example, and it may be possible that the adhesive property of a foam body differs between the first wall portion and the second wall portion according to difference in materials used for the lower edges821.

In the case of this exemplary embodiment, the foam body is discharged through the foam discharging unit80, whereby a shaped foam object93shaped like the shape of a cross can be formed as illustrated inFIG. 18(a).

The shaped foam object93includes: a pair of first portions93aeach composed mainly by the foam body discharged through the pair of ejection-port forming wall portions82f; a second portion93bcomposed mainly by the foam body discharged through the ejection-port forming wall portion82g; a third portion93ccomposed mainly by the foam body discharged through the ejection-port forming wall portion82h; and a fourth portion93dcomposed mainly by a foam body discharged through the ejection-port forming wall portion82i.

Here, the foam body discharged from the ejection port83is flattened between the discharging destination and the ejection port83and spreads to a wider area than the ejection port83in plan view (expands toward the vicinity of the ejection port83), and hence, the shape of the foam body is affected by the adhesive property of a foam body relative to the lower edge821.

More specifically, as illustrated inFIG. 18(b), the thickness of the second portion93bis thicker than the thickness of the first portion93aby Δt1. This is because the width size of the lower edge821of the ejection-port forming wall portion82gis greater (in other words, the area of foam body adhered per unit length in the circumferential direction of the ejection-port forming wall portion82is greater) than that of the ejection-port forming wall portions82f, and hence, the foam body is pulled upward to be higher by the ejection-port forming wall portion82g.

Furthermore, the thickness of the third portion93cis thicker than that of the second portion93bby Δt2. This is because, while the lower edge821of the ejection-port forming wall portion82gis flat, the lower edge821of the ejection-port forming wall portion82his formed into an uneven shape, and hence, the area of foam adhered per unit plane area of the lower edge821of the ejection-port forming wall portion82his greater, which makes the foam body pulled upward to be higher by the ejection-port forming wall portion82h.

In addition, the ejection-port forming wall portion82iis disposed at the middle point among the ejection-port forming wall portions82f,82g, and82h. Thus, due to the existence of the foam body discharged from the ejection port83of the ejection-port forming wall portion82i, discharging is performed from the entire ejection port83of each of the ejection-port forming wall portions82in a well-balanced manner. That is, since the foam body discharged from the ejection port83of each of the ejection-port forming wall portions82f,82g, and82hcan be prevented from flowing and moving toward the middle point, it is possible to prevent the shape of the foam body discharged from each of the ejection-port forming wall portions82f,82g, and82hfrom becoming distorted. As a result, it is possible to easily recognize the difference in height of the foam bodies discharged from the ejection-port forming wall portions82f,82g, and82h(the difference in height of the foam bodies is set on the basis of the difference in adhesive property relative to the lower edge821of each of the ejection-port forming wall portions82f,82g, and82has described above).

Fourth Exemplary Embodiment

FIG. 19(a)is a planer image obtained by imaging a shaped foam object94actually formed using the foam discharging unit80illustrated inFIGS. 10(a) to 10(c), andFIG. 19(b)is a side image obtained by imaging the shaped foam object94from the direction of the arrow B inFIG. 19(a)(from the side surface direction).

The foam discharging device100and the foam discharging unit80according to this exemplary embodiment differ from the foam discharging device100and the foam discharging unit80according to the first exemplary embodiment described above in terms of the shape of the ejection-port forming wall portion82, and explanation of the portions common to the foam discharging device100and the foam discharging unit80according to the first exemplary embodiment described above will not be repeated as appropriate.

In the following description, the positional relationship and the shape of each of the ejection-port forming wall portions82of the foam discharging unit80may be described on the basis of the positional relationship illustrated in each of the drawings.

As illustrated inFIG. 2, the discharging portion20includes the foam passing chamber209that allows the foam body to pass, and one or a plurality of ejection-port forming wall portions82that: protrude from the foam passing chamber209; are formed into a closed-loop shape when viewed from the protruding direction; have an inner space communicating with the foam passing chamber209; and have a tip end having the ejection port83formed thereon.

The ejection-port forming wall portion82includes a first wall portion (for example, the circular portion823illustrated inFIG. 10(a)) and a second wall portion (for example, the circular portion822illustrated inFIG. 10(a)). The adhesive property of a foam body relative to the tip end edge (for example, the lower edge821) of the first wall portion is stronger than the adhesive property of the foam body relative to the tip end edge (for example, the lower edge821) of the second wall portion.

In this exemplary embodiment, the adhesive property of a foam body differs between the first wall portion and the second wall portion according to the existence or absence of the uneven shape on the tip end edge, or the width size of the tip end edge. However, the present invention is not limited to this example, and it may be possible that the adhesive property of a foam body differs between the first wall portion and the second wall portion according to difference in materials used for the tip end edge.

In the case of this exemplary embodiment, the protruding direction of the ejection-port forming wall portion82from the foam passing chamber209is downward, and the downward is a direction from the foam passing chamber209toward the ejection port83. The downward is not limited to the vertically downward, and includes a direction having an angle equal to or less than 5 degrees relative to the vertical direction.

Since the protruding direction of the ejection-port forming wall portion82from the foam passing chamber209is downward, the tip end edge of the ejection-port forming wall portion82is the lower edge821. In addition, the “ejection-port forming wall portion82is formed into a closed-loop shape when viewed from the protruding direction” means that the ejection-port forming wall portion82is formed into a closed-loop shape in plan view.

In the case of this exemplary embodiment, the mesh210(porous body) is disposed at the outlet of the mixing chamber208in which the air and the liquid agent70are mixed with each other. The foam body generated in the mixing chamber208passes through the mesh210and flows into the foam passing chamber209. After the foam body passes through the foam passing chamber209, it passes through the inside of the ejection-port forming wall portion82, and is discharged from the ejection port83at the tip end (for example, the lower end) thereof.

Furthermore, the maximum value of the cross sectional area (in this exemplary embodiment, the area of plane cross section), which is perpendicular to the direction of discharge of the foam body, of the foam passing chamber209is greater than the maximum value of the cross sectional area (in this exemplary embodiment, the area of plane cross section), which is perpendicular to the direction of discharge described above, of the mixing chamber208, and is greater than the total value of maximum values of cross sectional areas (in this exemplary embodiment, the area of plane cross section), each of which is perpendicular to the direction of discharge described above, of inner spaces of respective ejection-port forming wall portions82.

Thus, the maximum value of the cross sectional area described above of the foam passing chamber209is greater than the cross sectional area (in this exemplary embodiment, the area of plane cross section), which is perpendicular to the direction of discharged described above, of the outlet of the mixing chamber208. In addition, the maximum value of the cross sectional area described above of the foam passing chamber209is greater than the cross sectional area described above of a portion (in this exemplary embodiment, the bottom end portion of the mixing chamber208), which is adjacent to the foam passing chamber209, of the mixing chamber208. The total value of cross sectional areas, each of which is perpendicular to the direction of discharged described above, of inner spaces of portions (in this exemplary embodiment, the upper end portion of each of the ejection-port forming wall portions82), each of which is adjacent to the foam passing chamber209, of each of the ejection-port forming wall portion82is smaller than the maximum value of the cross sectional area described above (in this exemplary embodiment, the area of plane cross section) of the foam passing chamber209. In addition, the total value of cross sectional areas, each of which is perpendicular to the direction of discharge described above, of inner spaces of portions (in the case of this exemplary embodiment, these portions are upper end portions of respective ejection-port forming wall portions82, and are formed at the bottom portion of the foam passing chamber209), which are adjacent to the foam passing chamber209, of the each of the ejection-port forming wall portions82is smaller than the area of the bottom portion of the foam passing chamber209formed by the plate-like portion81.

Thus, in the course in which the foam body passes through the mixing chamber208, the foam passing chamber209, and the inside of the ejection-port forming wall portion82in this order, and is discharged from the ejection port83, the flow path area for the foam body increases at the position where the foam body flows out from the mixing chamber208into the foam passing chamber209, and then, decreases at the position where the foam body flows out from the foam passing chamber209into the ejection-port forming wall portion82.

With this configuration, it is possible to discharge the foam body from the ejection port83at the lower end of the ejection-port forming wall portions82while sufficiently filling the inside of each of the ejection-port forming wall portions82(in the case of this exemplary embodiment, one ejection-port forming wall portion82) with the foam body. This makes it possible to discharge the foam body having a desired shape from each of the ejection ports83(in the case of this exemplary embodiment, one ejection port83) in a more reliable manner, and to make a shaped foam object94(FIG. 19(a),FIG. 19(b)), which is a foam body discharged from these ejection ports83, formed into a desired three-dimensional shape.

The area of plane cross section of the foam passing chamber209may be set so as to be constant at any position of the foam passing chamber209in the direction of discharge of the foam body, or may be set so as to change according to positions in the direction of discharge of the foam body.

It is preferable that the cross sectional area (in this exemplary embodiment, area of plane cross section), which is perpendicular to the direction of discharge described above, of a portion (the bottom end portion of the foam passing chamber209), which is adjacent to the ejection-port forming wall portion82, of the foam passing chamber209is greater than the total value of maximum values of cross sectional areas (in this exemplary embodiment, areas of plane cross section), each of which is perpendicular to the direction of discharge described above, of inner spaces of respective ejection-port forming wall portions82.

Here, the cross sectional area of the inner space of the ejection-port forming wall portions82means a cross sectional area of a closed area surrounded in a continuous, circuit manner by an ejection-port forming wall portion82in cross section perpendicular to the direction of discharge described above.

In addition, in this exemplary embodiment, the number of the ejection-port forming wall portions82is one as illustrated inFIG. 10(a), and hence, the total value of cross sectional areas of inner spaces of respective ejection-port forming wall portions82means the cross sectional area of the inner space of one ejection-port forming wall82.

In the case of this exemplary embodiment, the foam discharging unit80is a unit for forming a shaped foam object94(FIG. 19(a),FIG. 19(b)) shaped like a snowman, and has one ejection-port forming wall portion82as illustrated inFIG. 10(a).

As illustrated inFIG. 10(a), this ejection-port forming wall portion82includes a circular portion822for forming the head portion94a(FIG. 19(a)) of a snowman, and a circular portion823for forming the body portion94bof the snowman. The circular portion822is connected with the circular portion823through the connecting portion86having a slit shape in plan view, and the inner spaces of the two circular portions822and823communicate with each other through the inner space of the connecting portion86. The circular portion823is formed so as to have a size in plan view larger than that of the circular portion822.

The ejection-port forming wall portion82that forms one ejection port83has a non-circular shape in plan view. The ejection-port forming wall portion82is comprised of a combination of the circular portion822having a smaller size, the circular portion823having a larger size, which are portions having shapes in plan view different from each other, and the connecting portion86. Since the size in plan view differs between the circular portion822and the circular portion823, they are regarded in this specification as having different shapes from each other.

Furthermore, the bottom end portion of part of the ejection-port forming wall portion82is formed into a shape of chamfer as illustrated inFIGS. 10(b) and (c). Thus, the bottom end portion of part of the ejection-port forming wall portion82is formed into a shape that has a thickness reduced toward the lower side (the shape of which dimension in the thickness direction becomes narrower toward the lower side).

As illustrated inFIG. 10(b), the circular portion822is a low-position end portion84a(second portion), and the circular portion823is a high-position end portion84b(first portion).

In addition, the transitional portion87where the height position of the lower edge821changes is formed in the connecting portion86. In the case of this exemplary embodiment, the transitional portion87is configured to be a sloped section in which the height position of the lower edge821gradually changes.

More specifically, the width size, in the thickness direction, of the tip end edge of the first wall portion is greater than the tip end edge of the second wall portion. That is, the width size, in the thickness direction, of the lower edge821of the circular portion823is greater than that of the lower edge821of the circular portion822. With this configuration, the adhesive property of a foam body relative to the lower edge821of the circular portion823is stronger than the adhesive property of the foam body relative to the lower edge821of the circular portion822.

More specifically, the tip end edge of the first wall portion is formed into an uneven shape, and the tip end edge of the second wall portion is formed into a flat shape. That is, the lower edge821of the circular portion823is formed into an uneven shape, and the lower edge821of the circular portion822is formed into a flat shape. This configuration also makes the adhesive property of a foam body relative to the lower edge821of the circular portion823stronger than the adhesive property of the foam body relative to the lower edge821of the circular portion822.

More specifically, on the tip end edge of the first wall portion, a recessed portion and a protruding portion of the uneven shape are alternately formed in the circumferential direction. That is, on the lower edge821of the circular portion823, the recessed portion85aand the protruding portion85bof the uneven shape are alternately formed in the circumferential direction (the uneven shape having the recessed portion85aand the protruding portion85balternately in the circumferential direction is formed).

In the case of this exemplary embodiment, one ejection-port forming wall portion82includes the circular portion823(first wall portion) and the circular portion822(second wall portion). In the case of this exemplary embodiment, the lower edge821of the connecting portion86is formed similarly to the lower edge821of the circular portion822, whereby the adhesive properties are similar to each other, and the connecting portion86corresponds to the second wall portion.

As described above, in the case of this exemplary embodiment, the ejection-port forming wall portion82has wall portions having different adhesive properties of a foam body from each other, and having different shapes in plan view from each other. That is, the ejection-port forming wall portion82includes the circular portion822having a smaller size (and the connecting portion86), and the circular portion823having a larger size.

As illustrated inFIG. 10(b), the height position of the lower edge821of the circular portion823is higher than the height position of the lower edge821of the circular portion822. The height position of the lower edge821of the circular portion823may be set to be an average of height positions of lower edges821of individual portions of the circular portion823. Similarly, the height position of the lower edge821of the circular portion822may be set to be an average of height positions of lower edges821of individual portions of the circular portion822. In addition, the lower edge821of the circular portion823has a sawtooth, uneven shape such that a protruding portion85bwith a crest shape and a recessed portion85awith a trough shape are alternately formed, and in the description here, the height position of the lower edge821of the circular portion823represents the height position of the protruding portion85b, which is the lowest end.

The lower edge821of the circular portion822is disposed so as to be horizontal.

Similarly, the lower edge821of the circular portion823is disposed so as to be horizontal. That is, the height positions of the recessed portions85aof the lower edge821of the circular portion823are set so as to be equal to each other, and the height positions of the protruding portions85bof the lower edge821of the circular portion823are set so as to be equal to each other.

Furthermore, the connecting portion86includes the transitional portion87in which the height position of the lower edge821changes. In the case of this exemplary embodiment, the transitional portion87is configured as a sloped section in which the height position of the lower edge821gradually changes.

As described above, the foam discharging unit80is a foam discharging unit80attached to a foam discharging device (here, a thing formed by excluding the foam discharging unit80from the foam discharging device100is called a foam discharging device) that includes the storage portion10that stores the liquid agent70and the foamer mechanism21that changes the liquid agent70into foam to generate a foam body, and the foam discharging unit80discharges the foam body. The foam discharging unit80includes the plate-like portion81, and also includes one or the plurality of ejection-port forming wall portions82that: protrude from one-side surface (lower surface81a) of the plate-like portion81; are formed into a closed-loop shape when viewed from the protruding direction; have the inner space communicating with a space of the plate-like portion81on a side of the other-side surface (upper surface81b) of the plate-like portion81; and have a tip end having the ejection port83formed thereon. In addition, the ejection-port forming wall portion82includes the first wall portion (for example, the circular portion823) and the second wall portion (for example, the circular portion822), and the adhesive property of a foam body relative to the tip end edge (for example, the lower edge821) of the first wall portion is stronger than the adhesive property of the foam body relative to the tip end edge (for example, the lower edge821) of the second wall portion.

As illustrated inFIGS. 19(a) and 19(b), in the case of this exemplary embodiment, the shaped foam object94includes the head portion94a, and the body portion94bconnected with the head portion94a. The head portion94ais composed mainly by a foam body discharged from the circular portion822, and the body portion94bis composed mainly by a foam body discharged from the circular portion823.

Here, as illustrated inFIG. 19(b), the body portion94bis formed so as to have a thickness thicker than the head portion94a.

This is because of the following complex reasons.

First, this is due to a difference in the amount of foam body discharged. The amount of foam body as used here means the amount per unit plane area.

That is, the reason is that, since the diameter of the circular portion823is greater than that of the circular portion822, the amount of foam body discharged from the circular portion823is greater.

Next, the reason is that the amount of foam body discharged from the circular portion823, which is the high-position end portion84b, is greater than the amount of foam body discharged from the circular portion822, which is the low-position end portion84a. The reason for a difference in the amount of foam body discharged is that the high-position end portion84bis disposed at a position higher than the low-position end portion84a.

Next, the reason is that the amount of foam discharged from the circular portion823at a higher height position is greater than the amount of foam discharged from the circular portion822at a lower height position, and the height position where the foam body is released from the lower edge821differs between the circular portion822and the circular portion823. The amount of foam as used here means the amount per unit plane area, and the reason for the difference in the amount of foam discharged is that the circular portion823is disposed at a position higher than the circular portion822.

Another reason is a difference in the adhesive property of a foam body of the lower edges821.

More specifically, the reason is that the width size, in the thickness direction, of the lower edge821of the circular portion823is greater than the width size, in the thickness direction, of the lower edge821of the circular portion822, and hence, the circular portion823has the adhesive property of a foam body per unit length in the circumferential direction of the ejection-port forming wall portion82stronger than that of the circular portion822.

In addition, while the lower edge821of the circular portion822is formed into a flat shape, the uneven shape is formed on the lower edge821of the circular portion823, and hence, the circular portion823has the adhesive property of a foam body per unit length in the circumferential direction of the ejection-port forming wall portion82stronger than that of the circular portion822.

The bottom end portion of the ejection-port forming wall portion82may be formed into the shape of chamfer as needed. The portion of the ejection-port forming wall portion82, of which bottom end portion is formed into the shape of chamfer, is formed into a shape that has a thickness reduced toward the lower side (the shape of which dimension in the thickness direction becomes narrower toward the lower side).

The foam is less likely to adhere on the portion of the ejection-port forming wall portion82, of which bottom end portion has the shape having a thickness reduced toward the lower side. This enables the bottom end portion of this portion to be favorably separated from the shaped foam object94. Thus, it is possible to separate the ejection-port forming wall portion82from the shaped foam object94while minimizing damage to the shape of the shaped foam object94that has been foamed.

In the case of this exemplary embodiment, for example, the bottom end portions of the circular portion822and the connecting portion86are configured to have the shape of chamfer, and it is possible to favorably separate these portions from the shaped foam object94.

The shape of chamfer of the bottom end portion of the ejection-port forming wall portion82may be either a round fillet shape or a chamfering shape, and the chamfering shape is shown inFIG. 10(a)as an example.

In the case of this exemplary embodiment, the bottom end portion of part (for example, the circular portion822and the connecting portion86) of the ejection-port forming wall portion82in the circumferential direction is formed into a shape that has a thickness reduced toward the lower side, as illustrated in any ofFIGS. 10(a) to 10(c), whereby this part exhibits reduced adhesive force of the foam relative to this bottom end portion. However, the present invention is not limited to this example, and it may be possible that, throughout the entire periphery of the ejection port83of the ejection-port forming wall portion82, the bottom end portion of the ejection-port forming wall portion82has a shape that has a thickness reduced toward the lower side.

That is, it may be possible to employ a configuration in which the bottom end portion of at least part of the ejection-port forming wall portion82is formed into a shape that has a thickness reduced toward the lower side.

Here, in the case where the bottom end portion of the ejection-port forming wall portion82is formed into the shape of chamfer, the width size of the lower edge821is the width size of the lower surface excluding the chamfer portion (rather than the width size including the chamfer portion).

According to the fourth exemplary embodiment described above, the adhesive property of a foam body relative to the lower edge821of the circular portion823is stronger than the adhesive property of a foam body relative to the lower edge821of the circular portion822. Thus, it is possible to create a desired height difference for each portion of the shaped foam object94made by the discharged foam body. This makes it possible to form a shaped object of foam having a desired three-dimensional shape with a more elaborate design.

Modification Example 1 of Fourth Exemplary Embodiment

Next, a modification example 1 of the fourth exemplary embodiment will be described with reference toFIGS. 11(a), 11(b), and 11(c).

The foam discharging unit80according to this modification example differs from the foam discharging unit80according to the fourth exemplary embodiment described above in that the width size of the lower edge821of the circular portion823is the same as the width size of the lower edge821of the circular portion822, and in other points, is configured similarly to the foam discharging unit80according to the fourth exemplary embodiment.

In the case of the present modification example, the difference in thickness between the head portion94aand the body portion94bis smaller than that in the case of the fourth exemplary embodiment described with reference toFIG. 10(a),FIG. 10(b),FIG. 10(c),FIG. 19(a), andFIG. 19(b). The reason for this is that the difference between the adhesive property of a foam body relative to the lower edge821of the circular portion822and the adhesive property of a foam body relative to the lower edge821of the circular portion823results from the existence or absence of unevenness, and does not result from the difference in width size of the lower edge821.

Modification Example 2 of Fourth Exemplary Embodiment

Next, a modification example 2 of the fourth exemplary embodiment will be described with reference toFIGS. 12(a), 12(b), and 12(c).

The foam discharging unit80according to this modification example differs from the foam discharging unit80according to the fourth exemplary embodiment in that the lower edge821of the circular portion823is formed into a flat shape, and in other points, is configured similarly to the foam discharging unit80according to the fourth exemplary embodiment.

In the case of the present modification example, the difference in thickness between the head portion94aand the body portion94bis smaller than that in the case of the fourth exemplary embodiment described with reference toFIG. 10(a),FIG. 10(b),FIG. 10(c),FIG. 19(a), andFIG. 19(b). The reason for this is that the difference between the adhesive property of a foam body relative to the lower edge821of the circular portion822and the adhesive property of a foam body relative to the lower edge821of the circular portion823results from the difference in width size of the lower edge821, and does not result from the difference in the existence or absence of unevenness.

Modification Example 3 of Fourth Exemplary Embodiment

Next, a modification example 3 of the fourth exemplary embodiment will be described with reference toFIGS. 13(a), 13(b), and 13(c).

The foam discharging unit80according to this modification example differs from that in the modification example 1 illustrated inFIGS. 11(a), 11(b), and 11(c)in that the lower edge821of the circular portion823is formed into a flat shape, and in other points, is configured similarly to the foam discharging unit80according to the modification example 1 illustrated inFIGS. 11(a), 11(b), and 11(c).

In the case of the present modification example, the difference in thickness between the head portion94aand the body portion94bis smaller than that in the case of the modification example 1 illustrated inFIGS. 11(a), 11(b), and 11(c).

<Modification Example of Shape of Bottom End Portion of Ejection-Port Forming Wall Portion>

Next, a modification example of the shape of the bottom end portion of the ejection-port forming wall portion82will be described with reference toFIGS. 14(a), 14(b), and 14(c).FIGS. 14, 14(b), and14(c) each illustrate a cross section obtained by cutting the lower portion of the ejection-port forming wall portion82along the thickness direction. The right side area of the ejection-port forming wall portion82shown inFIGS. 14, 14(b), and14(c) is the inner space (a space inside the closed-loop shape of the ejection-port forming wall portion82in plan view) that allows foam to pass through.

As illustrated inFIGS. 14(a) and (b), the bottom end portion of the ejection-port forming wall portion82may be formed into a tapered shape that has a thickness reduced toward the lower side, and may have a tip end having a sharp shape. The bottom end portion of the ejection-port forming wall portion82may have a one-side tapered shape (one side of the ejection-port forming wall portion82in the thickness direction is tapered) as illustrated inFIG. 14(a), or may have both-side tapered shape (both sides of the ejection-port forming wall portion82in the thickness direction are tapered) as illustrated inFIG. 14(b).

In addition, as illustrated inFIG. 14(c), the bottom end portion of the ejection-port forming wall portion82may be formed into a stepwise shape such that the one-half portion on one side of the ejection-port forming wall portion82in the thickness direction protrudes downward further than the one-half portion on the other side.

By forming the bottom end portion of the ejection-port forming wall portion82so as to have the shape as illustrating inFIGS. 14, 14(b), and14(c), it is possible to suppress the adhesive property of a foam body (adhesive property relative to the bottom end portion of the ejection-port forming wall portion82) due to the surface tension, and hence, it is possible to favorably separate the bottom end portion of the ejection-port forming wall portion82from the shaped foam object, which makes it easier to form a shaped object of foam having a desired three-dimensional shape with a more elaborate design.

Fifth Exemplary Embodiment

Next, a fifth exemplary embodiment will be described with reference toFIG. 15.

In the first exemplary embodiment described above, description has been made of an example in which the foam discharging device100is an automatic dispenser. In this exemplary embodiment, description will be made of an example in which the foam discharging device100is a manual-type foam discharging container. That is, in the case of this exemplary embodiment, the foam discharging device100includes a foam pump mechanism110configured to include a foamer mechanism21, and generate a foam body with a pushing-down operation.

The shape of the storage portion10is not specifically limited. However, as illustrated inFIG. 15, the storage portion10has a shape that includes: a body portion11having a bottomed hollow-cylindrical shape; a shoulder portion12that is connected with the upper side of the body portion11and has the area of plane cross section of the cavity thereof reduced toward the upper side; and a neck portion13that has a hollow cylindrical shape and is connected with the upper side of the shoulder portion12. An opening is formed on the upper end of the neck portion13.

The foam pump mechanism110includes, for example: a mounting portion111that is mounted on the storage portion10; an erected tube112that is erected upward from the mounting portion111; a head portion120that is held by the erected tube112so as to be able to move in an up-down direction relative to the mounting portion111; a holding member (holding portion)290that is detachable relative to the head portion120; and the foam discharging unit80that is held by the holding member290.

The head portion120includes a pushing-down portion121that receives a pushing-down operation, and a nozzle portion122that protrudes (for example, protrudes almost horizontally) from the pushing-down portion121. The foam pump mechanism110contains a spring (not illustrated) that biases the head portion120upward. By pushing down the head portion120relatively to the mounting portion111so as to resist against the bias of the spring, the liquid agent70in the storage portion10is sucked through the suction pipe (not illustrated), and is discharged from the tip end of the nozzle portion122. During this course, the liquid agent70changes into foam by the foamer mechanism21that the foam pump mechanism110contains, and hence, the foam body is discharged from the nozzle portion122. The structure of the foam pump mechanism110is well known, and hence, detailed explanation of the structure will be omitted herein.

The foam passing chamber209is formed within the holding member290. As in the first exemplary embodiment, the foam passing chamber209has the bottom portion formed by the plate-like portion81, and the ejection-port forming wall portion82is formed on the bottom portion.

The holding member290includes a locking hook283that is locked relative to the nozzle portion122. With the locking hook283being locked relative to the nozzle portion122, the holding member290is retained in a state of being held by the nozzle portion122, and the flow path (not illustrated) of the foam body within the nozzle portion122and the foam passing chamber209within the holding member290are configured to be kept in a communicating state.

It is preferable that, with the locking hook283being locked relative to the nozzle portion122, the tip end portion of the nozzle portion122is in a state of being inserted into the inside of the holding member290.

The holding member290is shaped such that the lower surface side of the foam passing chamber209is opened. However, the foam discharging unit80is provided on the lower surface side of the foam passing chamber209. The locking portion236as in the first exemplary embodiment is formed at the lower portion of the holding member290, and the foam discharging unit80is held by the locking portion236. With this configuration, the opening on the lower surface side of the holding member290, except for the ejection port83of the ejection-port forming wall portion82of the foam discharging unit80, is closed.

In the case of this exemplary embodiment, the foam body discharged from the nozzle portion122with the head portion120being pushed down flows into the foam passing chamber209, and is discharged to the outside through the ejection-port forming wall portion82of the foam discharging unit80.

The foam discharging unit80may employ, for example, the structures described in any of the exemplary embodiments or the modification examples thereof. Thus, in response to the pushing-down operation to the pushing-down portion121, the foam body is discharged through the foam discharging unit80, whereby the foam body is formed into a shaped foam object having a predetermined shape.

In the fifth exemplary embodiment, description has been made of the foam discharging device100of the type in which a foam body is generated through a hand-pressing operation. However, unlike the fifth exemplary embodiment described above, the foam discharging device100may be configured such that a liquid agent70is discharged as a foam body using, for example, a highly pressurized gas stored, for example, in a cylinder.

The exemplary embodiments described above include the following technical ideas.

a storage portion that stores a liquid agent;

a foamer mechanism that changes the liquid agent into foam to generate a foam body; and

a discharging portion that discharges the foam body, in which the discharging portion includes:a foam passing chamber that allows the foam body to pass; andone or a plurality of ejection-port forming wall portions that: extend downward below the foam passing chamber; have a planer shape formed into a closed-loop shape; have an inner space communicating with the foam passing chamber; and have a lower end having an ejection port formed thereon, and

(1) a bottom end portion of at least part of the ejection-port forming wall portion is formed into a shape that has a thickness reduced toward the lower side; the ejection-port forming wall portion includes a first portion and a second portion; and the height position of a lower edge of the first portion is higher than the height position of a lower edge of the second portion, or

(2) the ejection-port forming wall portion includes a first wall portion and a second wall portion; and an adhesive property of the foam body relative to a lower edge of the first wall portion is stronger than the adhesive property of the foam body relative to a lower edge of the second wall portion.

<2> The foam discharging device according to <1>, in which

the foam passing chamber has a bottom portion formed as a plate-like portion, and the ejection-port forming wall portion is formed on the bottom portion.

<3> The foam discharging device according to <1> or <2>, in which

the bottom end portion of at least part of the ejection-port forming wall portion is formed into a shape that has a thickness reduced toward a lower side, the ejection-port forming wall portion includes a first portion and a second portion,

the height position of a lower edge of the first portion is higher than the height position of a lower edge of the second portion, and

one of the ejection-port forming wall portions includes the first portion and the second portion.

<4> The foam discharging device according to <3>, in which

the second portion includes a portion that is formed into a flat plate shape that is vertically erected, and

a lower edge of this flat-plate shaped portion extends horizontally.

<5> The foam discharging device according to any one of <1> to <4>, in which

the bottom end portion of at least part of the ejection-port forming wall portion is formed into a shape that has a thickness reduced toward a lower side, the ejection-port forming wall portion includes a first portion and a second portion,

the height position of a lower edge of the first portion is higher than the height position of a lower edge of the second portion,

the discharging portion includes a plurality of the ejection-port forming wall portions, and

the plurality of ejection-port forming wall portions include a first-portion configuring wall portion that configures the first portion, and a second-portion configuring wall portion that configures the second portion.

<6> The foam discharging device according to any one of <1> to <5>, in which

the ejection-port forming wall portion includes a first wall portion and a second wall portion,

the adhesive property of the foam body relative to the lower edge of the first wall portion is stronger than the adhesive property of the foam body relative to the lower edge of the second wall portion, and

one of the ejection-port forming wall portions includes the first wall portion and the second wall portion.

<7> The foam discharging device according to any one of <1> to <6>, in which

the ejection-port forming wall portion includes a first wall portion and a second wall portion,

the adhesive property of the foam body relative to the lower edge of the first wall portion is stronger than the adhesive property of the foam body relative to the lower edge of the second wall portion,

the discharging portion includes a plurality of the ejection-port forming wall portions, and

the plurality of ejection-port forming wall portions include a first-wall-portion configuring wall portion that forms the first wall portion, and a second-wall-portion configuring wall portion that forms the second wall portion.

<8> The foam discharging device according to any one of <1> to <7>, in which

(1) the bottom end portion of at least part of the ejection-port forming wall portion is formed into a shape that has a thickness reduced toward the lower side; the ejection-port forming wall portion includes a first portion and a second portion; and the height position of a lower edge of the first portion is higher than the height position of a lower edge of the second portion, and

(2) the ejection-port forming wall portion includes a first wall portion and a second wall portion; and the adhesive property of the foam body relative to the lower edge of the first wall portion is stronger than the adhesive property of the foam body relative to the lower edge of the second wall portion.

<9> The foam discharging device according to any one of <1> to <8>, in which the ejection-port forming wall portion includes a first wall portion and a second wall portion,

the adhesive property of the foam body relative to the lower edge of the first wall portion is stronger than the adhesive property of the foam body relative to the lower edge of the second wall portion, and

a width size, in a thickness direction, of the lower edge of the first wall portion is greater than that of the lower edge of the second wall portion.

<10> The foam discharging device according to any one of <1> to <9>, in which

the ejection-port forming wall portion includes a first wall portion and a second wall portion,

an adhesive property of the foam body relative to the lower edge of the first wall portion is stronger than the adhesive property of the foam body relative to the lower edge of the second wall portion, and

the lower edge of the first wall portion is formed into an uneven shape, and the lower edge of the second wall portion is formed into a flat shape.

<11> The foam discharging device according to <10>, in which

the lower edge of the first wall portion is formed such that a recessed portion and a protruding portion of the uneven shape are alternately formed in a circumferential direction.

<12> The foam discharging device according to any one of <1> to <11>, in which

the discharging portion includes:a foam discharging unit including:a plate-like portion that defines a lower end of the foam passing chamber; andone or a plurality of the ejection-port forming wall portions that extend downward from a lower surface of the plate-like portion; anda holding portion that detachably holds the foam discharging unit.
<13> The foam discharging device according to any one of <1> to <12>, in which

the lower edge of the ejection-port forming wall portion has a portion that extends horizontally.

<14> The foam discharging device according to any one of <1> to <13>, further including:

a liquid-agent supplying actuator that supplies the liquid agent from the storage portion to the foamer mechanism;

a gas supplying actuator that supplies gas to the foamer mechanism; and

a controller that operates and controls the gas supplying actuator and the liquid-agent supplying actuator, in which

the liquid agent and the gas are supplied to the foamer mechanism under the control of the controller to generate the foam body.

<15> The foam discharging device according to any one of <1> to <13>, further including:

a foam pump mechanism configured to include the foamer mechanism to generate the foam body with a pushing-down operation.

<16> The foam discharging device according to any one of <1> to <15>, further including the liquid agent with which the storage portion is filled.

<17> A foam discharging unit that is attached to a foam discharging device including: a storage portion that stores a liquid agent; and a foamer mechanism that changes the liquid agent into foam to generate a foam body, the foam discharging unit discharging the foam body, in which

the foam discharging unit includes:a plate-like portion; andone or a plurality of ejection-port forming wall portions that: protrude from a one-side surface of the plate-like portion in a direction perpendicular to a plate surface of the plate-like portion; are formed into a closed-loop shape when viewed from the protruding direction; have the inner space communicating with a space of the plate-like portion on a side of an other-side surface of the plate-like portion; and have a tip end having an ejection port formed thereon, and

(1) a tip end portion of at least part of the ejection-port forming wall portion is formed into a shape that has a thickness reduced toward a tip end; the ejection-port forming wall portion includes a first portion and a second portion; and the distance at the first portion from the plate-like portion to the tip end edge thereof is shorter than the distance at the second portion from the plate-like portion to the tip end edge thereof, or

(2) the ejection-port forming wall portion includes a first wall portion and a second wall portion, and an adhesive property of the foam body relative to a tip end edge of the first wall portion is stronger than the adhesive property of the foam body relative to a tip end edge of the second wall portion.

<18> The foam discharging device according to any one of those described above, in which

it is preferable that a difference in height between the first portion and the second portion is equal to or more than 1 mm, more preferably, equal to or more than 2 mm,

it is preferable that the difference in height is equal to or less than 8 mm, more preferably, equal to or less than 5 mm, and

it is preferable that the difference in height is equal to or more than 1 mm and equal to or less than 8 mm, more preferably, equal to or more than 2 mm and equal to or less than 5 mm.

<19> The foam discharging device according to any one of those described above, in which

the bottom end portion of the ejection-port forming wall portion is formed into a shape of chamfer.

<20> The foam discharging device according to any one of those described above, in which

the bottom end portion of the ejection-port forming wall portion is formed into a tapered shape that has a thickness reduced toward a lower side.

<21> The foam discharging device according to any one of those described above, in which,

while a plurality of the ejection-port forming wall portions are each formed into a circular shape in plan view, a group of ejection-port forming wall portions, which is a collective body of the plurality of the ejection-port forming wall portions, forms a non-circular shape as a whole.

<22> The foam discharging device according to any one of those described above, in which

a group of ejection-port forming wall portions, which is a collective body of a plurality of the ejection-port forming wall portions, forms a non-circular shape in plan view.

<23> The foam discharging device according to any one of those described above, in which

the ejection-port forming wall portion forms a non-circular shape in plan view.

<24> The foam discharging device according to any one of those described above, in which

a group of ejection-port forming wall portions, which is a collective body of a plurality of the ejection-port forming wall portions, is comprised of a combination of the plurality of the ejection-port forming wall portions having shapes different from each other in plan view.

<25> The foam discharging device according to any one of those described above, in which

the ejection-port forming wall portion is comprised of a combination of a plurality of portions having shapes different from each other in plan view.

<26> The foam discharging device according to any one of those described above, in which

in a group of ejection-port forming wall portions, which is a collective body of a plurality of the ejection-port forming wall portions, a low-position end portion is disposed on a peripheral side (outer side), and a high-position end portion is disposed on a central side (inner side).

<27> The foam discharging device according to any one of those described above, in which

in the ejection-port forming wall portion, a low-position end portion is disposed on a peripheral side (outer side), and a high-position end portion is disposed on a central side (inner side).

<28> The foam discharging device according to any one of those described above, in which

the lower edge of the flat-plate shaped portion is formed into a straight shape.

<29> The foam discharging device according to any one of those described above, in which

the foamer mechanism includes a mixing chamber in which the liquid agent and air are mixed with each other,

the maximum value of a cross sectional area (area of plane cross section), which is perpendicular to a direction of discharge of the foam body, of the foam passing chamber is greater than the maximum value of a cross sectional area (area of plane cross section), which is perpendicular to the direction of discharge, of the mixing chamber, and also is greater than the total value of maximum values of cross sectional areas (areas of plane cross section), each of which is perpendicular to the direction of discharge, of inner spaces of respective ejection-port forming wall portions.

<30> The foam discharging device according to <29>, in which

a cross sectional area (area of plane cross section), which is perpendicular to the direction of discharge, of a portion (the bottom end portion of the foam passing chamber), which is adjacent to the ejection-port forming wall portion, of the foam passing chamber is greater than the total value of maximum values of cross sectional areas (areas of plane cross section), each of which is perpendicular to the direction of discharge, of inner spaces of respective ejection-port forming wall portions.

a storage portion that stores a liquid agent;

a foamer mechanism that changes the liquid agent into foam to generate a foam body; and

a discharging portion that discharges the foam body, in which

the discharging portion includes:a foam passing chamber that allows the foam body to pass; andone or a plurality of ejection-port forming wall portions that: extend downward below the foam passing chamber; have a planer shape formed into a closed-loop shape; have an inner space communicating with the foam passing chamber; and have a lower end having an ejection port formed thereon,

a bottom end portion of at least part of the ejection-port forming wall portion is formed into a shape that has a thickness reduced toward a lower side,

the ejection-port forming wall portion includes a first portion and a second portion, and

the height position of a lower edge of the first portion is higher than the height position of a lower edge of the second portion.

<A2> A foam discharging unit that is attached to a foam discharging device including: a storage portion that stores a liquid agent; and a foamer mechanism that changes the liquid agent into foam to generate a foam body, the foam discharging unit discharging the foam body, in which

the foam discharging unit includes:a plate-like portion; andone or a plurality of ejection-port forming wall portions that: protrude from a one-side surface of the plate-like portion in a direction perpendicular to a plate surface of the plate-like portion; are formed into a closed-loop shape when viewed from the protruding direction; have an inner space communicating with a space of the plate-like portion on a side of an other-side surface of the plate-like portion; and have a tip end having an ejection port formed thereon,

a tip end portion of at least part of the ejection-port forming wall portion is formed into a shape that has a thickness reduced toward a tip end,

the ejection-port forming wall portion includes a first portion and a second portion, and

the distance at the first portion from the plate-like portion to the tip end edge thereof is shorter than the distance at the second portion from the plate-like portion to the tip end edge thereof.

<B1> The foam discharging device including:

a storage portion that stores a liquid agent;

a foamer mechanism that changes the liquid agent into foam to generate a foam body; and

a discharging portion that discharges the foam body, in which

the discharging portion includes:a foam passing chamber that allows the foam body to pass; andone or a plurality of ejection-port forming wall portions that: protrude from the foam passing chamber; are formed into a closed-loop shape when viewed from the protruding direction; have an inner space communicating with the foam passing chamber; and have a tip end having an ejection port formed thereon,

the ejection-port forming wall portion includes a first wall portion and a second wall portion, and

an adhesive property of the foam body relative to a tip end edge of the first wall portion is stronger than the adhesive property of the foam body relative to a tip end edge of the second wall portion.

<B2> The foam discharging device according to <B1>, in which

a width size, in a thickness direction, of the tip end edge of the first wall portion is greater than that of the tip end edge of the second wall portion.

<B3> The foam discharging device according to <B1> or <B2>, in which

the tip end edge of the first wall portion is formed into an uneven shape, and

the tip end edge of the second wall portion is formed into a flat shape.

<B4> The foam discharging device according to <B3>, in which

the tip end edge of the first wall portion is formed such that a recessed portion and a protruding portion of the uneven shape are alternately formed in a circumferential direction.

<B5> The foam discharging device according to any one of <B1> to <B4>, in which

the ejection-port forming wall portion is comprised of a combination of shapes different from each other in plan view.

<B6> The foam discharging device according to <B5>, in which

the ejection-port forming wall portion includes wall portions having adhesive properties of the foam body different from each other and having shapes different from each other in plan view.

<B7> A foam discharging unit that is attached to a foam discharging device including: a storage portion that stores a liquid agent; and a foamer mechanism that changes the liquid agent into foam to generate a foam body, the foam discharging unit discharging the foam body, in which

the foam discharging unit includes:a plate-like portion; andone or a plurality of ejection-port forming wall portions that: protrude from a one-side surface of the plate-like portion; are formed into a closed-loop shape when viewed from the protruding direction; have an inner space communicating with a space of the plate-like portion on a side of an other-side surface; and have a tip end having an ejection port formed thereon,

the ejection-port forming wall portion includes a first wall portion and a second wall portion, and

an adhesive property of the foam body relative to the tip end edge of the first wall portion is stronger than the adhesive property of the foam body relative to the tip end edge of the second wall portion.

EXPLANATION OF REFERENCE CHARACTERS