Patent Publication Number: US-2021178414-A1

Title: Spray pump

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     Technical Field 
     The present invention relates to a spray pump capable of spraying a content evenly. 
     Description of the Related Art 
     In a cosmetic container and the like, a spray pump may be coupled to the opening at the upper part of a container holding a liquid content such as a perfume, etc., to eject and spray the content to the exterior in designated amounts. When the user presses down on a nozzle corresponding to a button so as to spray the liquid content, the content that had entered the inside of the spray pump may be pressurized, move upward along the discharge passage, and be sprayed through the nozzle. When the pressure on the nozzle is released, the discharge passage may be mechanically closed by the rising of the nozzle, the pressure inside the pump may be lowered, and the content may be drawn in from the container to make up for the pressure loss. 
     A spray pump such as the above is being used not only for spraying perfumes and cosmetics but also a variety of other contents such as air fresheners, insecticides, etc. Due to the convenience of ejecting designated amounts of a content with a single pressing of the nozzle button, without having the content exposed to the exterior, use of the spray pump continues to grow. 
     A conventional spray pump may have the orifice, for spraying the content, formed with a very small diameter in order to spray the content in the form of fine particles. As a result, it may occur that the pumped liquid content is unable to easily pass through the orifice having a small diameter, and this in turn can result in an inability to eject a content in a uniform manner. Also, in the conventional spray pump, the length of the flow path exposed to outside air is long. This can incur problems of the content evaporating, spoiling, or being polluted by impurities. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Technical Problem 
     The present invention, which has been derived to resolve the problem above, aims to provide a spray pump that is capable of ejecting a content in a uniform manner. 
     Also, the present invention aims to provide a spray pump in which the length of the flow path exposed to outside air is minimized so as to prevent the content from being evaporated or contaminated. 
     Other objectives of the present invention will be more clearly appreciated from the embodiments set forth below. 
     Technical Solution 
     A spray pump according to one aspect of the present invention may include: a housing that has an inflow space and is configured to be coupled to the opening of a container; a housing cover that is coupled to an upper end of the housing; a disk that is configured to open or close the housing according to the pressure of the inflow space; a valve that is movably inserted through the inside of the housing cover and includes a valve head, a valve passage formed in the valve head, and a valve body; a guide that has a portion inserted in the valve body and a remaining portion positioned outside the valve body and includes a guide passage corresponding to a flow path for discharging a content; a pump spring that is configured to provide an elastic force pressing the valve upward; a piston that is movably inserted onto the outer perimeter of the guide and is configured to open or close the guide passage by way of a vertical movement of the valve; a nozzle that includes a valve insertion protrusion, which may be coupled to the valve head, and connects with the valve passage; a valve ball that is positioned at the inside of the nozzle and is capable of closing an upper end of the valve passage; and a pump spring that is configured to press the valve ball downward. 
     A spray pump based on the present invention can include one or more of the following features. For example, an insert including an orifice can be inserted into the nozzle, and the upper end of the valve passage can be positioned lower than the orifice. 
     The pump spring can be inserted onto the periphery of the valve and can have one end supported by the housing cover. 
     The guide passage can include a first guide passage that is formed in the periphery of the guide and a second guide passage that connects with the first guide passage and is formed along the lengthwise direction of the guide to connect directly with the valve passage, while the piston can open or close the first guide passage. 
     A protrusion can be formed on the outer perimeter of the guide, and an indentation in which the protrusion may be inserted can be formed in the inner perimeter of the valve body. 
     A gap that allows an entry of air to the inside of the container can be formed at a coupling portion between the valve and the housing cover and at a coupling portion between the housing cover and the housing. 
     The nozzle can include a nozzle passage, through which a fluid discharged from the valve passage may move, and an insert protrusion, onto which an insert may be inserted, while the nozzle passage can be positioned below the insert protrusion. 
     The insert protrusion can extend downward from an upper surface of the nozzle and can extend horizontally. 
     Advantageous Effects 
     The present invention can provide a spray pump that is capable of ejecting a content in a uniform manner. 
     Also, the present invention can provide a spray pump in which the length of the flow path exposed to outside air is minimized to prevent the content from being evaporated or contaminated. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a cross-sectional view illustrating a spray pump according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view of the spray pump illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view illustrating the disk in a spray pump according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view illustrating the spray pump in  FIG. 1  when the nozzle is moved downward. 
         FIG. 5  is a magnified view of part A in  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view illustrating the entry of air in  FIG. 4 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Below, a detailed description is provided of certain embodiments of the present invention, with reference to the appended drawings. In the descriptions referencing the appended drawings, the same reference numerals are assigned to the same or corresponding elements, regardless of the figure number, and redundant descriptions are omitted. 
       FIG. 1  is a cross-sectional view illustrating a spray pump  100  according to an embodiment of the present invention, and  FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view of the spray pump  100  illustrated in  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 3  is a perspective view illustrating the disk  190  in a spray pump  100  according to an embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view illustrating the spray pump in  FIG. 1  when the nozzle  110  is moved downward, and  FIG. 5  is a magnified view of part A in  FIG. 4 . 
     Incidentally,  FIG. 1  illustrates the spray pump  100  when there is no external force applied, so that the nozzle  110  is raised as much as possible. Also, in  FIG. 1 , the arrows illustrate the flow of the content entering the inside of the housing  200 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 to 5 , a spray pump  100  according to this embodiment can be coupled to the upper end of a container (not shown) to spray a liquid content, which was injected into the container, in the form of fine particles, etc. The spray pump  100  according to this embodiment is not limited by the type or material of the coupled container or by the form, quality, and type of the sprayed content. 
     A cap  130  may be coupled to the opening of the container, and a cap cover  132  may be coupled to an upper portion of the cap  130 . A packing  210  can be provided between the container and the cap  130  to prevent the content from leaking to the exterior. Also, a cover flange  162  of a housing cover  160  may be positioned between the packing  210  and an internal protrusion  134  of the cap  130 . This may prevent the housing cover  160  from moving in position with respect to the cap  130 . 
     The cap cover  132  may be coupled to an upper portion of the cap  130  to prevent the outer surface of the cap  130  from being exposed to the exterior. At the upper end of the cap cover  132 , a through-hole (no number assigned) may be formed, through which a nozzle  110  and a nozzle cap  118  can be inserted in a manner that allows vertical movement. Between the nozzle cap  118  and the cap cover  132 , a gap may be formed, through which air can enter into the inside of the housing  200  and the inside of the container. 
     The housing  200  may be positioned at the lowermost portion of the spray pump  100  and may provide an inflow space  202 , which may be positioned within the container and into which the content can enter. The housing  200  may be structured such that the upper end and the lower end are both open and may have the inflow space  202  formed inside into which the content can enter. A housing cover  160  may be coupled to an upper portion of the housing  200 . 
     The inflow space  202  of the housing  200  may correspond to a space that can receive an entry of the content through a disk  190 . When the nozzle  110 , piston  180 , valve  140 , and guide  170  are raised so that the pressure within the inflow space  202  is a vacuum or a near-vacuum, the content may be drawn into the inflow space  202 , as the pressure in the container is higher than in the inflow space  202  (see the arrows of  FIG. 1 ). Since the upper portion of the inflow space  202  is closed by the piston  180  and the guide  170 , the content may not flow to the exterior and may remain only in the inflow space  202 , when the nozzle  110  is not in a pressed state. 
     At the upper end of the housing  200 , an outwardly protruding housing flange  203  may be formed. A lower surface of the housing flange  203  may contact the packing  210 . Also, the cover flange  162  of the housing cover may be positioned at an upper portion of the housing flange  203 . The cover flange  162  may be pressed downward by the internal protrusion  134  of the cap  130 , and as a result, the housing  200  may also be coupled to be constricted in vertical movement with respect to the container. 
     The inner perimeter of the housing  200  can be formed straight, without any steps formed. The inner perimeter of the housing  200  may tightly contact the outer piston  188  of the piston  180 . As a result, the content can be prevented from leaking, and the inside of the inflow space  202  can maintain a vacuum. 
     The housing cover  160  may be coupled to an upper portion of the housing  200  and may have a valve  140  penetrating therethrough. The housing cover  160  may include, with respect to the cover flange  162 , a cover upper part  164  that protrudes upward and a cover lower part  166  that protrudes downward. 
     The cover lower part  166  may be inserted through an upper portion of the housing  200 . The valve  140  may be inserted into the hollow cavity of the cover lower part  166 . Referring to  FIG. 6 , a gap for forming an air passage  168  may be formed between the outer perimeter of the cover lower part  166  and the inner perimeter of the housing  200 . A gap for forming an air passage may also be formed between the inner perimeter of the cover lower part  166  and the outer perimeter of the valve  140 . Through such an air passage, air from the exterior may enter the housing  200  and subsequently enter the container. 
     The cover flange  162  may be a portion that protrudes outward in a certain length from the outer perimeter of the housing cover  160 . The diameter of the cover flange  162  can be the same or almost the same as the diameter of the housing flange  203  of the housing  200 . The cover flange  162  may be mounted on the upper portion of the housing flange  203 . Also, the cover flange  162  may be pressed downward by the internal protrusion  134  of the cap  130 . As a result, any vertical movement of the housing cover  160  may be prevented. The upper surface of the cover flange  162  may contact the lower end of a pump spring  158 . 
     The cover upper part  164  may be a hollow tube that protrudes upward from the cover flange  162  and may have the valve  140  penetrating therethrough. A pump spring  158  may be positioned around the cover upper part  164 . When the nozzle  110  is pressed downward, the end portion of the cover upper part  164  may contact the valve  140 , preventing any further downward movement of the valve  140  (see  FIG. 4 ). 
     The valve  140  may be inserted through the inside of the housing cover  160  and may move vertically with respect to the housing cover  160  so as to open or close the flow path through which the content may be discharged. The valve  140  may be structured as a hollow tube, with both the upper end and lower end open, and may include a valve head  142 , a valve passage  144 , and a valve body  150 . 
     The valve head  142  may be formed with a diameter somewhat larger than that of the valve body  150  and may be positioned at the outside of the housing cover  160 . The valve head  142  at its center may include a valve passage  144  that penetrates therethrough along its entire lengthwise direction. The valve passage  144  may be the part through which the content that has been transported through the guide  170  passes, and the content that passes through the valve passage  144  may be sprayed through the nozzle  110  and the insert  120  to the exterior. 
     The upper end of the valve passage  144  can be closed by a valve ball  220 . When the nozzle  110  is pressed downward and the pressure of the inflow space  202  is increased, the valve ball  220  may be moved upward by the pressure increase to open the valve passage  144  (see  FIG. 4  and  FIG. 5 ). When there is no external pressure applied, the valve ball  220  may be pressed downward by a valve spring  230  to close the valve passage  144 . 
     The upper end of the valve passage  144  can be formed lower than the orifice  124 , which corresponds to the passage for spraying the fluid. This is to decrease the pressure loss of the content by shortening the path of movement of the fluid, i.e. the content. Due to the decreased pressure loss of the content, the content can be sprayed through the orifice  124  in a uniform manner. 
     Around the periphery of the valve passage  144 , there may be formed a valve cavity  143 . The valve cavity  143  may have an open top and may have a certain depth. A valve insertion protrusion  116  of the nozzle  110  may be inserted into the valve cavity  143 . As a result, the valve  140  and the nozzle  110  may move together as an integrated body. 
     A valve flange  148  may protrude outward at the upper end of the valve head  142 . A lower surface of the valve flange  148  may contact the pump spring  158 . Thus, the valve  140  may receive an upwardly pressing elastic force applied by the pump spring  158 . 
     The valve body  150  may be divided from the valve head  142  by a step (no number assigned). The valve body  150  may be movably inserted at the center of the housing cover  160 . Also, the valve body  150  may have a guide  170  inserted and screw-joined therein over the entire lengthwise direction. The guide  170  may not move vertically with respect to the valve body  150 . As a result, the valve  140  and the guide  170  may move vertically as an integrated body. Also, a gap for forming an air passage may be formed between the outer perimeter of the valve body  150  and the inner perimeter of the housing cover  160 . 
     The pump spring  158  may be positioned between the housing cover  160  and the valve  140  to provide an elastic force that moves the valve  140  upward. Since the housing cover  160  and the housing  200  do not move vertically with respect to the container, only the valve  140  and the guide  170  may move vertically. That is, when an external force is applied, the valve  140  and the guide  170  may be moved downward (see  FIG. 4 ), and when the external force is removed, the valve  140  and the guide  170  may be moved upward by the elastic restoring force of the pump spring  158  and returned to their original positions (see  FIG. 1 ). 
     The pump spring  158  may not contact the content while positioned around the valve  140  and housing cover  160 . Thus, any contamination of the content by the metallic material of the pump spring  158  can be prevented, and the problem of the durability of the pump spring  158  being lowered by the content can be avoided. 
     The guide  170  may move vertically as an integrated body with the valve  140  and may provide guide passages  172 ,  174  through which the content can move. The guide  170  may be shaped as a hollow cylinder and may have a guide head  176  formed at its lower end, where the guide head  176  may have a larger diameter. Also, a portion of the guide  170  may be inserted in the valve  140 , while a remaining portion may be exposed outside the valve  140 . The piston  180  may be positioned around the portion of the guide  170  that is exposed outside the valve  140 . 
     The guide passage may include a first guide passage  172  and a second guide passage  174 . 
     The first guide passage  172  may be formed perpendicularly to the lengthwise direction of the guide  170 , and its opening may be formed in the outer perimeter of the guide  170 . It is possible to have two or more first guide passages  172 , of which the other ends may all connect with the second guide passage  174 . The first guide passage  172  can be formed adjacent to the guide head  176  formed at the lower end of the guide  170 . 
     The first guide passage  172  can be opened or closed by the piston  180 . That is, when the nozzle  110  is raised, the first guide passage  172  may be closed by the piston  180  (see  FIG. 1 ), with the result that the content within the inflow space  202  may not be sprayed. When the nozzle  110  is lowered, the first guide passage  172  may move beyond the piston  180  and be opened (see  FIG. 4 ), with the result that the content can move through the first guide passage  172 . 
     The second guide passage  174  may be formed in a direction perpendicular to that of the first guide passage  172 , in the lengthwise direction of the guide  170 . The upper end of the second guide passage  174  may connect directly with the valve passage  144 . 
     The guide head  176  may be formed at the lower end of the guide  170  with a diameter somewhat larger than the diameter of the guide  170 . The guide head  176  may have an outer diameter that is larger than the inner diameter of the inner piston  182 . Thus, when the nozzle  110  is raised, the guide head  176  may be caught on the inner piston  182 , which may limit the rising of the guide  170 . Also, when the movement of the guide  170  is stopped, the movement of the valve  140 , nozzle  110 , and nozzle cap  118 , which move together as an integrated body, may be stopped as well. 
     The diameter of the guide head  176  can be formed somewhat smaller than the inner diameter of the inflow space  202  of the housing  200 . Referring to  FIG. 4 , the content that had entered the inflow space  202  may enter the first guide passages  172  through the gap formed between the guide head  176  and the inner perimeter of the housing  200 . 
     The piston  180  may be inserted onto the periphery of the guide  170  and may move vertically along the lengthwise direction of the guide  170  to open or close the first guide passage  172 . The piston  180  may include an inner piston  182  and an outer piston  188  formed as an integrated body. 
     The inner piston  182  may have the shape of a hollow tube, and at the inside of the inner piston  182 , the guide  170  may be inserted in a movable manner. The inner perimeter of the inner piston  182  may tightly contact the outer perimeter of the guide  170  such that the content does not leak out. For implementing such a sealing function, the piston  180  can be formed from a flexible material such as rubber, etc. 
     The lower portion of the inner piston  182  can open or close the first guide passage  172 . That is, depending on the relative positions of the guide  170  and the piston  180 , the first guide passage  172  can be opened or closed by the inner piston  182 . The outer piston  188  may be formed around the periphery of the inner piston  182 . 
     The upper end of the inner piston  182  can be caught on a step (no number assigned) formed on the inside of the valve  140 . That is, referring to  FIG. 4 , when the nozzle  110  is moved down, the upper end of the inner piston  182  may be caught on the step formed on the inside of the valve  140 , so that the valve  140  may be moved down together. Also, referring to  FIG. 1 , when the nozzle  110  is moved up, the outer piston  188  may be caught on the housing cover  160  to be stopped in moving further upward, and the inner piston  182  may be positioned outside the valve  140  without being inserted therein. 
     The outer perimeter of the outer piston  188  may tightly contact the inner perimeter of the housing  200 . As a result, the content that had entered the inside of the housing  200  can be prevented from leaking out, and the downward movement of the piston  180  may be limited. However, the guide  170  that is movably inserted through the inside of the piston  180  can undergo a further downward movement, with the result that the first guide passage  172  may move beyond the inner piston  182  and be exposed outside (see  FIG. 4 ). 
     The disk  190  may, while positioned on the mount step  206  within the housing  200 , open or close the inflow hole  208  according to the pressure inside the inflow space  202 . The disk  190  can be formed from a material having an elastic quality such as rubber, flexible plastic, etc. The disk  190  may include a connection member  192 , an operating plate  194 , and a disk body  196 . 
     The disk body  196  may be the portion that is placed on the mount step  206  and may form the outer body of the disk  190 . An upper end of the disk body  196  may be caught on the curb step  205 , whereby the disk  190  may be prevented from becoming detached from the mount step  206 . 
     The connection member  192  may correspond to a portion that connects the disk body  196  with the operating plate  194 . The connection member  192  can be formed from a material having an elastic quality to be capable of changing length. This allows the operating plate  194  to move upward (see  FIG. 1 ) from its original position (see  FIG. 4 ). 
     The operating plate  194  may be connected to the connection member  192  and may open or close the inflow hole  208 . The diameter of the operating plate  194  can be formed somewhat larger than the diameter of the inflow hole  208 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , when the pressure inside the inflow space  202  is lower compared to the inside of the container, the operating plate  194  may be raised due to the pressure difference, and the inflow hole  208  may be opened. As a result, the content within the container may be moved to the inflow space  202 . Also, as illustrated in  FIG. 4 , when the pressure inside the inflow space  202  is higher compared to the inside of the container, the operating plate  194  may remain at its original position to close the inflow hole  208 . As a result, the content in the container cannot move to the inflow space  202 , and the content that had already entered the inflow space  202  may be sprayed through the nozzle  110  to the exterior. 
     The nozzle  110  may be coupled to the upper end of the valve  140  and may continue from the valve  140  to provide a passage through which the content may be discharged. Also, the nozzle  110  may protrude to the outside of the cap  130  to be positioned for pressing by the user. At an upper portion of the cap  130 , a space may be formed in which the nozzle  110  can move vertically. 
     In the center on the inside of the nozzle  110 , a valve insertion protrusion  116  may be formed which can be inserted into the valve cavity  143 . The valve insertion protrusion  116  may be inserted into the valve cavity  143  by way of a screw joint or a press fit. Thus, the nozzle  110  may not rotate with respect to the valve  140  but rather may move as an integrated body. 
     A nozzle passage  117  may be included within the nozzle  110 . The nozzle passage  117  may be positioned below the insert protrusion  114 . Also, referring to  FIG. 5 , the nozzle passage  117  may be positioned adjacent to the valve passage  144 . That is, the upper end of the valve passage  144  may be positioned below the insert protrusion  114  and may be formed slightly below the upper end of the nozzle passage  117 . As a result, the path from the upper end, i.e. the distal end, of the valve passage  144  to the orifice  124  can be minimized. 
     By forming the path of movement of the content with a short distance, pressure losses caused by friction during the movement can be minimized, and as a result, the content can be sprayed in a uniform manner. 
     The nozzle  110  can have a cylindrical shape of which only the lower side is open. Also, on the outer perimeter of the nozzle  110 , an insert holder part  112  can be formed. An insert  120  may be inserted in the insert holder part  112 . In the inner perimeter of the insert holder part  112 , an insert groove  113  may be formed. A detent protrusion  122  formed on the outer perimeter of the insert  120  may be inserted in the insert groove  113 . As a result, even as the content is sprayed, the insert  120  may not become detached from the insert holder part  112 . 
     On the inside of the insert holder part  112 , an insert protrusion  114  may be formed. The insert protrusion  114  can be a protrusion that protrudes downward from the upper surface of the nozzle  110  and then extends in a horizontal direction in a cylindrical shape. The insert  120  may be inserted onto the periphery of the insert protrusion  114 . A gap may be present between the outer perimeter of the insert protrusion  114  and the inner perimeter of the insert  120 , and the content may be sprayed through this gap to the exterior of the nozzle  110 . 
     A nozzle cap  118  can be coupled to the exterior of the nozzle  110 . 
     The insert  120  may be shaped as a hollow cylinder having only one end open and may be inserted onto the insert holder part  112 . In the surface of the other end of the insert  120 , an orifice  124  may be formed. The content may be sprayed through the orifice  124  in the form of fine particles. Between the closed other end of the insert in which the orifice  124  is formed and the end of the insert protrusion  114 , a certain gap may be formed through which the content can move. 
     On the outer perimeter of the insert  120 , a detent protrusion  122  may be formed. The detent protrusion  122  may be inserted in the insert groove  113  to prevent the insert  120  from becoming detached. 
     In the center at the inside of the nozzle  110 , a center cavity  119  may be formed. The center cavity  119  may be formed with a certain depth and may be configured to receive a valve spring  230  inserted therein. 
     In the space formed below the center cavity  119 , the valve ball  220  may be inserted. The valve ball  220  may be pressed downward by the valve spring  230  to close the valve passage  144 . As a result, the content may not be discharged through the valve passage  144  to the exterior. Also, since the upper end of the valve passage  144  may be closed by the valve ball  220 , the parts of the movement path of the content that come into contact with outside air (i.e. from the orifice  124  to the upper end of the valve passage  144 ) can be formed in a minimum distance. 
     The valve ball  220  can have a spherical shape and can be formed from a material such as metal, plastic resin, etc. 
     When the nozzle  110  is raised as in  FIG. 1 , the valve ball  220  may be pressed downward by the elastic force of the valve spring  230  to close the valve passage  144 . Also, when the nozzle  110  is lowered as in  FIG. 4  and  FIG. 5 , the valve ball  220  may be raised by the pressure increase of the content to open the valve passage  144 . When a certain amount of the content is discharged through the valve passage  144  so that the pressure of the content is decreased, the valve ball  220  may be pressed downward by the elastic force of the valve spring  230  and may again close the valve passage  144 . 
     Although a valve ball  220  according to this embodiment is illustrated as having a spherical shape, the present invention is not limited by the shape of the valve ball  220 . Therefore, a valve ball according to another embodiment of the present invention can have any of a variety of shapes, such as for example a valve ball of which one portion has a spherical shape and a remaining portion has a cylindrical shape. Also, a valve ball  220  according to another embodiment of the present invention can have any of a variety of shapes other than a sphere, such as for example a conical shape, a frustoconical shape, etc. 
     The following describes the operation of a spray pump  100  according to this embodiment, with reference to  FIG. 1 ,  FIG. 4 , and  FIG. 5 . 
       FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view illustrating the spray pump in  FIG. 1  when the nozzle  110  is moved downward. The arrows in  FIG. 4  illustrate the discharge path of the content.  FIG. 5  is a magnified view of part A in  FIG. 4 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , when there is no external force applied on the nozzle  110 , the positions of the nozzle  110 , valve  140 , and guide  170  may be raised as much as possible by the pump spring  158 . Also, the rising of the guide  170  may cause the piston  180  to be raised as well, to be raised as much as possible and caught on the lower end of the housing cover  160 . Here, the piston  180  may close the first guide passage  172  of the guide  170 . 
     The rising of the valve  140  and guide  170  may cause the inflow space  202  inside the housing  200  to expand while in a sealed state, lowering the pressure and forming a vacuum or a near-vacuum. The inside of the container may maintain atmospheric pressure due to the inflow of outside air described later on. Therefore, as the pressure inside the container is higher than the pressure inside the inflow space  202 , the disk body  196  may be raised by the pressure difference, and the inflow hole  208  may be opened. As the inflow hole  208  is opened, the content held in the container may be suctioned into the inflow space  202  (see arrows of  FIG. 1 ). Here, the inner piston  182  may tightly contact the outer perimeter of the guide  170  to prevent any leaking of the content and to maintain the vacuum state of the inflow space  202 . Also, the outer piston  188  may tightly contact the inner perimeter of the housing  200  to prevent any leaking of the content and to maintain the vacuum state of the inflow space  202 . 
     From the state illustrated in  FIG. 1 , when the nozzle  110  is pressed downward in order to spray the content, the valve  140  and the guide  170  may move downward together with the nozzle  110 . As the valve  140  moves a certain distance, the valve  140  may be caught on the piston  180 , whereby the valve  140  and the piston  180  may move downward together. Also, since the outer perimeter of the piston  180  may be in tight contact with the inner perimeter of the housing  200 , the guide  170  may move faster than the piston  180 , and as a result, the guide head  176  may pass through the inside of the piston  180 , increasing the gap between the two and opening the first guide passage  172 . 
     As the piston  180  and guide  170  are lowered, the volume inside the inflow space  202  may be decreased, causing an increase in pressure. In particular, the pressure inside the inflow space  202  can be increased to or beyond a certain value, since the upper end of the valve passage  144  is closed by the valve ball  220 . When the pressure inside the inflow space  202  is increased to or beyond a certain value, the valve ball  220  may be raised, while deforming the valve spring  230 , to open the valve passage  144  (see  FIG. 5 ). As a result, the content that had entered the inflow space  202  may sequentially pass through the first guide passage  172 , the second guide passage  174 , the valve passage  144 , and the nozzle passage  117 , to be sprayed through the orifice  124  to the exterior. 
     As the distance from the valve passage  144  to the orifice  124  is short, the loss of pressure of the content during movement can be reduced, whereby the content can be sprayed uniformly. Also, the short distance from the orifice  124  to the valve ball  220 , corresponding to the part where there is contact with outside air, can resolve such problems as the content being evaporated, spoiled, contaminated by impurities, etc. When the pressure inside the inflow space  202  is increased, the operating plate  194  of the disk  190  may be moved down by the pressure to close the inflow hole  208 . 
     From the state illustrated in  FIG. 4 , when the external pressure is removed, the nozzle  110 , valve  140 , guide  170 , and piston  180  may be generally raised by the elastic restoring force of the pump spring  158 . Here, the rising of the piston  180  and the guide  170  may cause a decrease in pressure inside the inflow space  202 , with the result that the valve ball  220  may be pressed downward by the valve spring  230  to close the valve passage  144 . 
     The following describes the inflow of outside air into a spray pump  100  according to this embodiment, with reference to  FIG. 6 . 
       FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view illustrating the flow of outside air to the inside of the pump  100  and the container for a spray pump  100  according to an embodiment of the present invention. Incidentally, the arrows in  FIG. 6  illustrate the flow of air. 
     Referring to  FIG. 6 , outside air may be drawn to the inside of the container. That is, air that enters through the gap formed between the nozzle cap  118  and the cap  130  may enter the inside of the nozzle  110  and then flow through the gap between the valve  140  and the housing cover  160 , the gap between the housing cover  160  and the housing  200 , and the gap between the housing  200  and the opening of the container, to enter the inside of the container. If the outside air does not enter the inside of the container, a vacuum would form inside the container, and it would not be possible to suction the content to the inside of the housing  200  with the weak vacuum generated in the inflow space  202 . Thus, the passage for air movement may be formed to prevent the forming of a vacuum inside the container. 
     The inflow of outside air to the inside of the container and the spraying of the content that had entered the inside of the inflow space  202  can occur simultaneously. 
     While the foregoing provides a description with reference to an embodiment of the present invention, the person having ordinary skill in the relevant field of art would understand that various modifications and alterations can be made to the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention set forth in the scope of claims below.