BE1023939B1 - High sealing sprayer - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a sprayer, comprising a pump attached to a box containing a liquid to be sprayed in the form of droplets, said pump comprising a push button (2) for actuating the pump, a connection cap (15), a pump means hooking (6) of the pump to the housing, a piston (9) for releasing the contents of a pump chamber (13) through a spray nozzle (3), an outer seal (4) located between the housing and the hooking means (6) and an inner seal (14) located between the connecting cap (15) and the piston bar (7). The outer seal material (4) comprises three layers made by coextrusion and the inner seal material (14) comprises synthetic rubber. The major advantage of the sprayer according to the invention is the preservation of the guarantee of waterproofness.

Description

Title of the Invention: High Sealant Sprayer.

Technical Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a device for dispensing fluid products contained in a housing, commonly called 'sprayer.

This type of dispensing member is frequently used in the fields of perfumery, cosmetics, pharmacy or food. The aim of the invention is to provide a sprayer comprising a pump which is of reliable use, a relatively simple structure and of high sealing.

Background of the state of the art of the invention:

Sprayers are already known which dispense fluid.

There are two types of sprayers. On the one hand there are the sprayers whose fluid product is dispersed thanks to a propellant gas that is contained in the boitler. On the other hand there are the sprayers that make use of a pump through which the product is sucked up and released thanks to a piston contained in this pump.

Compressed propellant gas powered sprayers have an ecological disadvantage: in the past, chlorofluorocarbons (CFC's) were often used. These products are known for their negative effects on the ozone layer. Therefore, gas-free sprayers are now generally preferred.

This type of spray device comprises a pump for sucking and spraying the liquid.

This type of sprayer is frequently used in the fields of perfumery, cosmetics or even pharmacy to produce manual fluid dispensers fluid.

Currently, gasless sprayers for housings containing fluid products, such as for example mixtures of vegetable oils or essential oils or other plant extracts, water, alcohol or other, exist in dispensing organs whose dose distribution is usually limited to 200μΙ. However, the Belgian patent filed on February 28, 2013, having the filing number BE 2013/0138 and published as a Belgian patent issued on November 19, 2015 under the publication number BE 1021429 B1, describes higher dosage sprayers. , especially 500 μΙ and more. For any sprayer system, it is important that the sprayer ensures the greatest possible seal between the outside and the inside of the reservoir device, that is to say along the path traveled by the fluid product and also at the points of contact between the sprayer and the housing. To this end, it is known to use seals which serve to guarantee the seal between the casing and the pump and in the internal operation of the pump.

In such a way, the sprayer comprises, for example, an external sealing gasket intended to be interposed between the housing and a snap ring.

In the state of the art, it is known to use as material for this outer seal 'Silastic'. 'Silastic' is a registered trademark of Dow Corning. This name is used by this company for the marketing of a silicone resin resistant to oils and hydrocarbons. O-ring or other seals may be made from this material and may be used as an outer seal in sprayers. Also, the pump has an internal seal to seal between a connection cap and an internal piston of the pump.

In the state of the art, it is known to use as material for this inner seal rubber type 'NBR'. 'NBR' is the abbreviation for 'nitrile butadiene rubber', also known as 'nitrile rubber'. This is a synthetic rubber, ie a polymer obtained by the copolymerization of acrylnitrile with 1,3-butadiene.

International Patent Application (PCT) published under number WO 2006/084519 A1, in the name of Lumson SpA, discloses a sprayer comprising a pump attached to a housing, said pump comprising a push button for actuating the pump, a moving part activated by the push button, an outer seal located between the housing and the attachment means, and an inner seal located between a piston rod and a connecting cap. The material of the inner seal comprises synthetic rubber.

More particularly, for pump sprayers, it is very important to find a tight hooking means to best fix the pump so that the product does not escape outside the housing during handling or transport of the pump. the latter and also to ensure perfect safety vis-à-vis children for example to avoid absorption of the product.

Fastening means were used later. Fixing by screwing or crimping was previously conceivable but was not entirely satisfactory. The state of the art as described above has various disadvantages.

In particular, existing sprayers on the market quite often have problems with respect to tightness.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION The object of the invention is to solve the problems of the prior art, in particular as regards the sealing of sprayers, in particular pump-type sprayers with snap-on pumps.

More particularly, the purpose of the invention is to provide the snap-on sprayer with adequate sealing both at the snap-in collar and at the internal operation of the pump.

In view of the disadvantages described above, the present inventors have sought an adequate technical solution.

Brief description of the invention

The objects mentioned above were made in the sprayer as described in the appended claims.

In particular, the sprayer according to the invention comprises a pump fixed on a casing containing a liquid to be sprayed in the form of droplets, said pump comprising: a fixed part, comprising a push-button (2) for actuating the pump, an opening for passing the pumped liquid through a spray nozzle (3), a pump chamber (13), a plunger tube (5) for sucking the liquid and a coupling means (6) from the pump to the housing; and a movable part, activated by the push-button (2), comprising a spring (11), a piston rod (7) and a ball (12), making it possible to release the contents of the pump chamber (13) through the spray nozzle (3); - an outer seal (4) between the housing and the attachment means (6); - an inner seal (14) between the piston (9) and the connecting cap (15); characterized in that the outer seal material comprises three layers made by coextrusion and the inner seal material comprises synthetic rubber.

Preferred embodiments of the invention are described in the dependent claims attached.

Brief Description of the Drawings The invention will now be further described with reference to the accompanying drawings giving a preferred embodiment of the invention.

The advantages and features of the invention will be apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment, given as an indicative and nonlimiting example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which. * - Figure 1 shows b sprayer in full ie the aluminum housing, the pump and the protective cover; - Figure 2 shows the pump; - Figure 3 is a sectional view of a sprayer and a pump according to the invention; FIG. 4 is an assembled view of FIG. 3; - Figure 5 is a sectional view of a sprayer and an alternative pump according to the invention.

In Figure 3, the reference signs below indicate the parts of the pump, res. of the sprayer, listed below:

Reference sign from the sprayer, resp. pump 1 protective cover 2 push button 3 spray nozzle 4 outer seal 5 dip tube 6 hooking means, preferably ring 7 piston rod 8 spring 9 piston 10 spring 11 spring 12 ball 13 pump chamber 14 seal internal 15 connection cap 16 actuating rod (connector) 17 neck holding the actuating rod of the pump (the piston rod 7)

In FIG. 5, representing a variant of the sprayer according to the invention, the reference signs designate the same parts of the pump, resp. of the sprayer listed above. In this variant, the inner seal (14) is located between the piston rod (7) and the connection cap (15); in this embodiment, this connection cap (15) forms with the attachment means (6) a rigid single structure. The actuating rod or the piston rod (7) passes and is held in position by a neck or cup (17); and the inner seal (14) is located or is located at the air passage between the connecting cap (15) and the cup (17).

The whole point of improvement of the pump, the result of the researches of the present inventors, lies in the sealing of the system, that is to say in the choice of the materials of the casing / means of attachment of the pump interfaces. part, and (holding collar) the piston rod / cap of connection on the other hand.

Detailed description of the invention

The sprayer according to the invention comprises a housing as well as a pump and internal and external seals which seal on the one hand between the housing and the pump (by the outer seal) and on the other hand between specific parts internal of the pump (through the inner seal).

The housing may be formed of rigid material, preferably aluminum.

The pump is snapped into the top opening of the housing.

The housing internally forms a watertight wall. Preferably this housing is coated with an internal protective varnish to prevent direct contact between the fluid and aluminum.

The protective varnish may be, and not limited to, a varnish of any kind.

Indeed, quite often, the liquids that are in the case contain strongly active elements. On the outside, the case may be provided with a label or marking indicating the contents and composition of the product as well as the make and address of the manufacturer and the person responsible for the distribution.

The housing includes a lower end and an upper end forming a neck. The neck defines an opening of the housing on which the pump is snapped, preferably via a snap ring. This fixing ring is intended to engage with the neck of the case.

To ensure the positioning and fixing of the pump relative to the housing, it is necessary a waterproof fastening system to best fix the pump on the neck of a tank.

Existing housings are provided with different types of collars.

Faced with the disadvantages, the present inventors have sought a technical solution that prevents the product from flowing and spreading out of the housing.

There are various fastening systems in the state of the art, including screw or clamp systems. The present inventors have selected a latching system. Thanks to the latching system, the product losses have been considerably reduced and preferably eliminated.

In the mode of the invention this ring is a snap ring (6): the ring forms a detent head intended to engage below a peripheral rim formed by the neck of the housing.

To ensure watertightness, placement of an outer seal (4) between the housing and the pump is necessary.

In the description which follows, as well as in the claims, this seal is referred to as the 'outer seal' (4). On the other hand, an inner seal (14) is required; this seal is placed between the piston (9) and the connecting cap (15).

Following the execution of a large series of different tests, the inventors came to the conclusion that the best result as regards the sealing of the sprayer is obtained by the use of an external seal (4) whose material comprises three layers manufactured by coextrusion in combination with an inner seal (14) comprising synthetic rubber.

The box can also be provided with a protective cover (1). This can be placed on the sprayer between two uses.

As described above, in order to spray the liquid contained in the housing in the atmosphere, the sprayer comprises a pump. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention the operation of such a pump is described below.

The figures show two pump variants that can be used according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.

The pump comprises a push button (2) equipped with a dispensing orifice (3).

The pump distributes liquid product and has a fixed part and a movable part.

The fixed part comprises in particular ν 'a protective cover (1); a pushbutton (2) for actuating the pump; S an opening for passing the pump liquid through a spray nozzle (3); S a pump chamber (13); S a dip tube (5) for sucking the liquid; S means for attaching the pump to the housing (6).

The moving part, activated by the push button, comprises a spring (11), a piston (7) and a ball (12), for releasing the contents of the pump chamber through the spray nozzle (3).

This pump has two positions; a rest position when the push button (2) is released and an active position when the push button (2) is depressed and it is in this position that the fluid liquid will be released.

This pump comprises a pump chamber (13) of fluid product.

Win to feed this fluid pump chamber, its chamber comprises a dip tube (5) having an upper portion fixed in the chamber opening (13) and a lower portion disposed against the bottom of the housing.

This dip tube (5) communicates with the fluid product contained in the housing. 3ar pressing the push button (2), and through springs {8,10,11), the piston (7) moves and will vary the volume of the pump chamber. The pressure of the product: kept in the pump chamber increases. A ball (12) pushed by the piston, will lodge in the bottom of the chamber (13) to prevent the fluid contained in the dip tube (S) from entering the chamber. Fluid product will flow out of the chamber (13) to flow to an outlet port (3), but often without limitation, the outlet port (3) consists of a nozzle which: pump by a different color. For example, the nozzle may be empty while the pump is white.

Insult when the user releases the pushbutton (2), the piston (7) and the ball 12) back up the pump chamber (13) and the fluid can touveau enter the pump chamber (13). )

The sprayer according to the invention comprises a pump operating according to the conventional design of pump sprayers. However modifications must be made to achieve and keep the operating tightness.

When the pump is mounted on the neck of the housing the dip tube (5) enters the inside of the tank. In this way the fluid product stored in the housing can penetrate inside the tube (5) and via the piston chamber, can be released by pressing the button (2) which will open the outlet valve (3). .

To allow movement of the piston (7), the dispensing member comprises a pusher (2) with a bearing surface. The pusher (2) also comprises an actuating rod (the connector 16) which is engaged with the piston (9).

It is easily understood that by pressing on the support surface (2) of the pusher, the connector is pressed into the piston rod (7) which has the effect of moving, via springs, the piston.

This has the effect of clearing an outlet passage for the fluid which can then flow via the dispensing orifice (3).

As described above, the pump is attached to the housing by a snap ring (6). Unlike a fixing system by screwing or clamping, such a snap ring, in combination with the outer seal (4) according to the invention is a guarantee of superior sealing. This ring can not be easily removed from the housing or the pump. The assembly of the pump on the housing will now be described.

The pump is first assembled independently of the housing.

More specifically, the fixing member (6) is attached around the pump body, and then the moving part of the pump is assembled by arranging the connector, the springs, the piston, and the pump chamber and the tube on the body. pump. The dispensing tip is then transferred to the pump. Then the protective cover (1) is brought back onto the snap ring (6).

The assembly of the pump is thus obtained, which can then be mounted on the housing. Simply press the top of the protective cover (1) which will push the ring (6) to snap onto the housing. The pump is attached to the upper surface of the neck of the housing, the outer seal (4) being interposed between the pump and the neck.

The material of the outer seal (4) according to the invention comprises three layers manufactured by coextrusion. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the three layers of the material of the outer seal (4) consist of a central layer of a polyethylene foam covered with two solid polyethylene surfaces. Preferably this central layer of polyethylene foam comprises closed cells and takes the form of an aerated polyethylene structure. The overall structure of the material is a unique polymeric product that can not be delaminated.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the construction of the outer seal material comprises solid PE-EVA / solid EPE / PE-EVA foam.

The core layer provides the resilience necessary for sealing and the outer solid layers prevent evaporation and penetration of the product to be sprayed.

As stated above, the material of the inner seal (14) between the piston (9) and the connecting cap (15) comprises synthetic rubber.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, this material comprises a fluoropolymer elastomer.

According to a more preferred embodiment of the invention, this inner seal (14) takes the form of an O-ring.

Seals made using the material described above are commercially available under the trade name 'Vtton' and are marketed by DuPont Performance Elastomers L.L.C.

The present invention has been tested with different liquids such as mixtures combining essential oils, water, alcohol, floral waters, plant extracts, menthyl lactate, menthol, etc. and at different concentrations.

In particular, the material of the internal and external seals has a validated compatibility with the essential oils and vegetable extracts.

Claims (7)

Claims: A sprayer comprising a pump attached to a case containing a liquid to be sprayed in the form of droplets, said pump comprising: a fixed part, comprising a push button (2) for actuating the pump, an opening for passing the pumped liquid through a spray nozzle (3), a pump chamber (13), a plunger tube (5) for sucking the liquid and a coupling means (6) from the pump to the housing; and a movable part, activated by the push-button (2), comprising a spring (11), a piston rod (7) and a ball (12), making it possible to release the contents of the pump chamber (13) through the spray nozzle (3); - an outer seal (4) between the housing and the attachment means (6); an inner seal (14) located between the piston rod (7) and a connecting cap (15); characterized in that the outer seal material comprises three layers made by coextrusion and the inner seal material comprises synthetic rubber. 2. Sprayer according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the attachment means (6) comprises a ring. 3. Sprayer according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the ring is hooked by snapping on the housing. 4. Sprayer according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the three layers of the outer seal material consist of a core layer of an aerated polyethylene foam covered with two surfaces of solid polyethylene. Sprayer according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the synthetic rubber of the inner seal material comprises a fluoropolymer elastomer. 6. Sprayer according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the liquid comprises mixtures of vegetable oils or essential oils or other plant extracts, water, alcohol or other. Sprayer according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the inner seal is an O-ring.