EP0156914B1 - Method of and apparatus for application - Google Patents

Abstract

An application method in which a solution contained in an aerosol container is guided from a stem into an application member installed on a side surface of the aerosol container and is then extruded from an application surface so as to be applied to a carpet or other matting. Also disclosed is a method of effectively exterminating noxious insects, such as ticks, in matting by the above-described method. The application method is effectively carried out by an application type aerosol apparatus. The apparatus has an application unit which includes an application member secured to the outer surface of the apparatus in the longitudinal direction thereof and a guide chamber defined between inner surface of the application member and the outer surface of the apparatus, into which chamber the solution contained in the aerosol container is guided. The application unit is installed on the outer side of the aerosol container in the longitudinal direction thereof, and an inlet connected to the stem of the aerosol container is connected to the application unit, whereby the solution led from the inlet is supplied to the outer surface of the application unit.

Description

Technical area

This invention relates to a method for applying the content of an aerosol can and an apparatus for carrying out this method, according to the preamble of claims 1 and 5. The liquid content is guided by means of a rod towards an applicator element formed on a lateral part of the aerosol packaging, which causes the liquid content to flow from an application face of the applicator element, and from the application of the liquid which flows onto a given area. Insects are removed from carpets and floor coverings by treating the roots of the threads of carpets and floor coverings using the application process mentioned above - and an aerosol device suitable for this application.

Technical background

Lifestyle changes in recent years have encouraged an increasing number of homes to adopt the practice of laying carpets directly on concrete or wooden floors, or placing a mat or mat first. strongly hygroscopic tatami mats (straw mat used as floor covering), directly on these soils and then superimposing carpets on the mat or tatami mat. These floor coverings have favored the growth of various species of mites of the mite type, of house dust mites, of cheyletines, which not only displease the inhabitants but also expose them to diseases such as allergic asthma and psoriasis. Wool carpets and sheep coverings are infested with moths and anthers that live on the hair of animals. The larvae of these insect pests hide deep in the roots of carpet threads, eat at random in these roots and soil the carpets accordingly. The gradual rise in the standard of living has encouraged the frequent use of many types of agents for external application, such as, for example, furniture cleaning agents, anti-static agents for clothing, phonographic records and plastic articles, water-repellent agents. and stain removers for clothing, softeners and brighteners for leather goods, fungostatic agents and deodorants for clothing and leather goods, flame retardants for curtains and wall papers, cleaning and defrost for glassware, anti-rust lubricants for sliding doors, lubricants for various sliding surfaces, bactericidal deodorants for patient rooms and patient beds, mosquito repellents and insecticides for stuffed animals, agents for hair care, mosquito repellents and insecticides for stuffed animals, and detergents ents for carpets.

• (1) Ces dispositifs sont incapables de permettre à leurs contenus tels que des insecticides, d'atteindre les racines des fils des tapis. Les contenus qui sont appliqués, bien qu'ils soient efficaces du point de vue de la prévention, ne peuvent pas produire leurs effets autant qu'on le souhaiterait sur les mites et les insectes nuisibles logeant déjà dans les tapis.
• (2) Puisque ces dispositifs entraînent la dispersion de leurs contenus dans les espaces environnants, ils peuvent exposer leurs utilisateurs aux dangers qui consistent inhaler les substances nocives se déplaçant dans l'air et à souffrir d'une perte de santé.
• (3) Puisque ces dispositifs permettent inévitablement la dispersion de leurs contenus au cours de l'application, une partie des agents libérés qui ne peut pas atteindre les surfaces sous traitement adhère aux accessoires et aux mobiliers voisins pour tâcher leurs surfaces et salir leurs environnement.
• (4) Lorsque les objets sous traitement n'ont pas de surfaces plates lisses comme c'est le cas des articles en feutre par exemple, les dispositifs sont incapables de permettre à leur contenus d'atteindre les racines des fils lainés.

Until now, hand pumps and aerosol projectors have been the prevailing means for the application of these agents to carpets and other floor coverings. However, they have the following problems:

• (1) These devices are unable to allow their contents, such as insecticides, to reach the roots of carpet threads. The contents which are applied, although effective from the point of view of prevention, cannot produce their effects as much as would be desired on the mites and the harmful insects already lodging in the carpets.
• (2) Since these devices cause their contents to disperse in the surrounding spaces, they can expose their users to the dangers of inhaling harmful substances moving in the air and suffering health loss.
• (3) Since these devices inevitably allow the dispersion of their contents during application, some of the released agents which cannot reach the surfaces under treatment adhere to the accessories and neighboring furniture to stain their surfaces and soil their environment.
• (4) When the objects under treatment do not have smooth flat surfaces as is the case with felt articles for example, the devices are unable to allow their contents to reach the roots of the woolen threads.

As an approach to solving these problems, furniture cleaning products have been invented which have sponge adapters and toric brush caps mounted around the sprayer jets. With these devices, users just have the possibility of spraying the products on the surfaces of the donated objects and then spreading these products deposited on the surfaces using brushes or sponges, supplied separately next to the jets of the packaging. Thus, these devices are still unable to overcome the problems (1), (2), (3) and (4) listed above. The surfaces actually treated with these devices are limited and the agents released cannot be spread uniformly.

Among the patents relating to applicator devices for a liquid product originating from an aerosol package, US Pat. No. 3,565,541 describes and represents (FIGS. 4 and 5) an applicator device provided on the side of a corresponding package. This device has two separate application parts affecting the shape of two brushes. One of them is arranged opposite the projection nozzle carried by the movable rod of the aerosol can. In addition, the plate serving as support for this first brush has a hole allowing the sprayed liquid to penetrate into this brush and to be thus applied by the latter on a determined surface. However, there is absolutely no connection between the projection nozzle and the hole provided in the base of this brush. Furthermore, due to the planned arrangement, the sprayed product reaches and permeates only a very limited area of the first application brush. Finally, no connection is provided allowing this product to impregnate the second brush of greater length disposed on the side of the packaging.

Under these conditions, the application conditions of the sprayed product are extremely poor. In any event, such a device is not able to overcome the problems mentioned above.

As for US-A-4,074,944, it describes and represents (FIGS. 6 to 8) a device in which the outlet rod of an aerosol package is connected, by a flexible tube, to the chamber of a device for application carrying a brush on one of its sides. The base of this brush is pierced with holes communicating with the interior of the supply chamber provided in the applicator device. The liquid from the aerosol can thus permeate the application brush. However, the applicator device is completely independent of the aerosol packaging if it is a relatively complex device because the supply chamber of the applicator device includes a delivery piston 42 intended to allow the pressurized liquid to be inside this room. It is therefore a very complex device which does not allow easy application of a treatment product by holding the aerosol packaging in hand to apply the content thereof against the surface to be treated. Furthermore, this device also does not solve the problems described above.

Statement of the invention

Considering the exact state of the prior art described above, the inventors have pursued a diligent study oriented towards the development of a process capable of applying precisely and surely desired active agents to clothing, leather goods, furniture and carpets. Consequently, they have found that the aerosol spray method, precisely the method which comprises the steps of guiding the liquid content of an aerosol package via a rod towards an applicator element formed on the side wall of aerosol packaging, flow of the liquid content out of the application surface of the applicator element and spreading of the agent which flows over a given surface, allows safe and effective treatment as desired . This knowledge led to perfect this invention.

The method that this invention uses for the application of an active agent such as the insecticide or miticide contained in an aerosol package is characterized in that in the application support carrying the applicator element is provided over the entire length a feed chamber located between this support and this element, this feed chamber is connected with the rod for removing the content from the packaging so as to guide the content to to this feed chamber, the content located inside the feed chamber is allowed to ooze from the latter towards the applicator element. Thus, an applicator element formed over the length of the side wall of the aerosol packaging is used, which allows the active agent to be released via the applicator element and to be deposited on a given surface, instead of using the classic adapter mounted around the nozzle of the aerosol can for example. The applicator element formed on the side wall of the aerosol package and the supply means for sending the active agent from the rod to the applicator element are not precisely limited as regards their shape.

Such an application method according to the invention as described above represents a new concept never anticipated by the conventional method for applying the content of an aerosol package.

• - le support d'application portant l'élément applicateur présente une chambre d'alimentation (16 ou 115) située entre ce support et cet élément, laquelle s'étend sur toute sa longueur,
• - l'une des extrémité de cette chambre communique avec l'orifice de sortie d'un ajutage ou conduit de raccordement partant de la tige de sortie de l'emballage aérosol,
• - et cette chambre communique par ailleurs sur toute sa longueur avec l'élément applicateur de façon que le produit contenu dans l'emballage aérosol puisse suinter vers cet élément applicateur et imprégner celui-ci, afin que l'application de ce produit sur une surface à traiter puisse être réalisée par application de cet élément applicateur contre cette surface.

This invention further relates to an aerosol apparatus of the application type, used for carrying out the method mentioned above for the application of the active agent such as the insecticide or miticide contained in the aerosol packaging. This device is characterized in that

• the application support carrying the applicator element has a supply chamber (16 or 115) located between this support and this element, which extends over its entire length,
• one of the ends of this chamber communicates with the outlet orifice of a nozzle or connection conduit leaving the outlet rod of the aerosol can,
• - And this chamber also communicates over its entire length with the applicator element so that the product contained in the aerosol packaging can seep towards this applicator element and impregnate it, so that the application of this product on a surface to be treated can be carried out by applying this applicator element against this surface.

In the aerosol apparatus for application of the invention, the applicator element can be made of a liquid absorption material and the connection between the connection duct and the application support can be made by opposing the connection duct to an upper side wall of a guide member inserted in the supply chamber between the interior surface of the supply chamber and the flow space of the active agent.

Consequently, in one embodiment of this invention, the aerosol apparatus of the application type comprises an application support disposed vertically on the external wall of the aerosol packaging and adapted to fix the applicator element made of a material. liquid absorption in the longitudinal direction on its external surface; on the internal surface of the applicator element is formed a supply chamber for the active agent contained in the aerosol packaging and a connection conduit connected to a rod of the packaging aerosol is placed in front of an upper side wall of a guide orange inserted in the supply chamber in the middle of the interior surface of the supply chamber and the flow space of the active agent, so as to allow the active agent introduced via the connection conduit to flow from the external face of the application support.

Furthermore, in the aerosol apparatus of the application type, the application support can be manufactured by forming a trough-like receiving frame closed at its opposite ends in the longitudinal direction and having an opening formed therein. In this receiving frame is installed, fixedly, the applicator element made of a non-absorbent material, having a smooth application face projecting from one side.

In this embodiment of the invention, the aerosol device for application precisely comprises a connection conduit connected to the rod of the aerosol packaging and opening in = a receiving frame in the shape of a trough, closed to its ends opposite in the longitudinal direction, an applicator element made of a non-absorbent material having its smooth application face projecting from one side and fixedly disposed in the receiving frame, and a flow space for the active agent interposed between the applicator element and the receiving frame, so that the active agent introduced via the connection conduit can flow from the external face of the application support.

All the embodiments described above share the basic operating principle, namely that the active agent contained in the aerosol packaging is sent from the rod to the applicator element formed on the side wall of the aerosol packaging. and that it can then flow from the application face of the applicator element. The applicator element formed on the side wall of the aerosol package and the supply means located between the rod and the applicator element are not particularly limited as to their shape.

The application device of the present invention described above represents an entirely new concept, never provided for by the conventional device, developed for the application of the contents of the aerosol package.

Other objects and features of this invention will become apparent from the subsequent description of the invention made in the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Brief description of the drawings

• Figure 1 is a perspective view of an aerosol device of the application type according to an embodiment of the invention.
• Figure 2 is an enlarged cross-section of part of the apparatus of Figure 1.
• FIG. 3 is a lateral cross section of the part of a connection duct in the diagram of FIG. 1.
• FIGS. 4 and 5 are lateral transverse sections illustrating modifications of the part of the connection duct of FIG. 3.
• Figure 6 is a cross section of the apparatus of Figure 1.
• Figure 7 is a partial cross section of an aerosol apparatus of the application type according to another embodiment of this invention.
• Figure 8 is a partial cross-section of an aerosol device of the application type according to another embodiment of this invention.
• FIG. 9 is an elevation of a reception frame shown in the diagram of FIG. 8.
• Figure 10 is a cross section taken along the line IX - IX in the diagram of Figure 9.
• Figure 11 is a partial perspective diagram illustrating an application support.
• Figure 12 is a side cross section of a connecting tube holding a receiving frame and an application support assembled.
• FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the positions in which the fungal spores are transplanted onto a cover used in the experiment (4).

Modes of Carrying Out the Invention The present invention will be described more precisely below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of an aerosol apparatus of the application type according to an embodiment of this invention. Figure 2 is an enlarged cross section of part of the embodiment of Figure 1. Figure 3 is a side cross section of the portion of a connecting conduit in the apparatus of Figure 1. In these diagrams , an aerosol package 1 consists of an aerosol unit, a pump type injector, a clamping cylinder unit, etc. At the upper end of a cylinder 2, a mounting cup is fixed by means of a fixing flange 3. A rod 5 passes and leaves the mounting cup 4. To this rod 5 is connected a button 6. The pressure button 6 is constructed so that when lowered, the contents such as an insecticide, a paint, a cleaning agent or a wax prepared in an applicable form, spurts through a nozzle 7 due to the propelling force of an accumulated pressure propellant or the pressure generated by a pump mechanism. This nozzle 7 is integrally formed, via its outer end, with a button cover 8, fixed on the upper end of the aerosol can 1. While the pressure button 6 is kept lowered, the nozzle 7 bends slightly and changes shape to guide the contents of the aerosol can 1 towards the outside. Along most of its length in the vertical direction of the aerosol container 1, a media applica- t ⁱ is 11 is fixed via relief flanges 10 of the cover button 8. This application support 11 allows a sheet-like applicator element 12 made of an absorbent material such as felt, open-cell foam, paper, nonwoven fabric or fabric, to cover three sides of its outer surface in the direction lengthwise, admits the opposite sides of the applicator element 12 into adjustment grooves 13 each formed on its opposite sides and maintains the applicator element 12 over a prescribed width with assembly bars 14. In the support d application 11, a supply chamber 15 for the content of the aerosol package is formed in the direction of its length on the internal surface of the applicator element 12. The nozzle 7 of the aerosol package 1 is connected to the upper end of the supply chamber 15 and a guide member 17 of cylindrical shape is inserted in the supply chamber 15 in the middle of the internal surface of the supply chamber 15 and of a flow space 16 for the contents of the aerosol can. An injection orifice 18 of the nozzle 7 mentioned above is placed opposite the central part of an upper side wall of the guide member 17.

In the apparatus constructed in the manner described above, when the pressure button 6 is depressed to cause the contents of the aerosol can 1 to spurt out through the nozzle 7, almost all of the contents which spurts from the nozzle 7 strikes the upper side wall of the guide member 17. Only a portion of this content advances directly through the interior surface of the supply chamber 15 and the flow space 16 in the upper part of the applicator element 12. The greater part of the content which has sprung up is partly caused to settle on the guide member 17 and to flow along the flow space 16, being partly entrained by the content which then springs from the nozzle 7 then is brought into contact with the internal surface of the application support 11 and is absorbed there. Consequently, this content is uniformly dispersed over the entire surface of the applicator element 12 disposed in the vertical direction of the aerosol can 1 and adapted to have a large surface.

In the embodiment described above, the applicator element 12 is in the form of a sheet and the application support 11 causes this applicator element 12 to cover three of its sides in the direction of the length of its outer surface. It admits the opposite faces of the applicator element into the adjustment grooves 13 each formed on its opposite sides, and it fixes the applicator element 12 according to a prescribed width by means of bars 14. According to a modification of this embodiment , the applicator element 12 can be produced in the form of a plate having its outer surface curved outwards, this applicator element in the form of a plate 12 can be fixedly mounted on the front face of the applicator element 11 , as shown in figure 4 and in figure 5.

In the previous embodiment, the guide member 17 is of cylindrical shape. According to a modification of this embodiment, it can be in the form of a flat plate or in the form of a flattened cylinder having an elliptical cross section as illustrated in FIG. 4 and in FIG. 5.

In the embodiment described above, the release of the contents which gushes out is carried out by depressing the pressure button 6. When the packaging is a spray bottle, this release of the contents can be carried out by pressing the cylinder 2 of the bottle. When using an aerosol unit, a continuous spray mechanism can be adopted, capable of continuously spouting the contents. In another way, the applicator element 11 can be adapted so that the gushing of the content is obtained by pressing the applicator element 11 against the object to be treated and by allowing the pressure thus applied to press directly on the rod 5. The forced release of the content by the pressure of the applicator element 11 will now be described, more specifically with reference to FIG. 6. The rod 5 is connected to an inclined operating valve adapted to make the content spout out when it is pressed in a direction intersecting its axial direction. The applicator element 11 which is connected to this rod 5 via the nozzle 7, is separated from the aerosol can 1 by a suitable distance 20. In addition, one face at the lower end of the applicator element 11 is pivotally supported on the base support 21 with a fixing rod 22. In the apparatus constructed in the manner described above, when the applicator 12 is pressed against the object to be treated, the application support 11 moves in the direction of the aerosol container 1 with the fixing rod 22 as a fulcrum for tilting the rod 5 via the nozzle 7. Consequently, the valve of the packaging aerosol 1 is released to make the contents spout out through the nozzle 7 and, thanks to the operation mentioned above, to cause the spurting contents to disperse over the entire surface of the applicator element 12.

A similar embodiment, according to the present invention, is shown in FIG. 7.

Figure 7 is a partial cross section of the apparatus. In the drawing, an aerosol package 1 is fixed with an application support 11 over its entire length in the vertical direction. The application support 11 has an applicator element of the sheet type 12 made of an absorbent material such as felt, open-cell foam, paper, a nonwoven fabric or cloth and so on, or an applicator element made of a non-absorbent material so as to distribute the liquid content over the entire applicator element 12, and a flow space 16 formed inside the applicator element 12 and connected to a nozzle.

In the apparatus constructed in the manner described above, when the pressure button 6 is lowered to make the contents of the aerosol container 1 spout out via the nozzle 7, the contents strike a guide orange 17 and is also guided by a flow space 16 to flow therein or to be entrained therein due to the depression of the content then projected by the nozzle 7. The content is thus uniformly dispersed over the entire surface of the applicator element disposed vertically on the package 1 so as to perform the desired application.

Thanks to the construction described above, the present invention provides the following effect. Since the application support which has the applicator element fixed in the direction of the length on its external surface, is fixed in the vertical direction on the external wall of the aerosol can, the device offers a large application surface . Because the projection nozzle of the aerosol can or the connection conduit connected to the rod is placed opposite the guide member inside the supply chamber, almost all the content projected by via the projection nozzle strikes an upper side wall of the guide member and only a small portion of the projected content is absorbed by the applicator element via the interior surface of the supply chamber and content flow space and becomes applicable. In the same pads, most of the projected content remains on the guide member, flows along the flow space and disperses uniformly over the entire surface of the element applied. a large area. As a result, the applicator element may have a large surface for the application of the content and allows the application of the content to a large surface with great efficiency.

Now, another embodiment according to the invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Figure 8 is a partial cross section of the aerosol apparatus of the application type according to another embodiment of this invention. Figure 9 is an elevation of a housing frame in the apparatus illustrated in Figure 8. Figure 10 is a cross-section along line IX - IX shown in the diagram in Figure 9. Figure 11 is a partial perspective view of the application support. FIG. 12 is a lateral cross-section of the portion of a connection tube serving to hold the reciprocally assembled housing frame and the application support.

In these diagrams, an aerosol package 101 has a mounting cup 104 fixed to the upper end of a cylinder 102 by means of a flange 103. A rod 105 exits from this mounting cup 104. At this rod 105 is connected a pressure button 107 having a tilting connection tube 106 protruding on one of its sides. The rod 105 is adapted so that when the pressure button 107 is lowered, a valve mechanism placed inside it opens and the content of the aerosol such as an insecticide, a paint, a product of cleaning or a wax prepared in an applicable form, spurts accordingly through the connection tube 106. The front end of the connection tube 106 is fixed to a side wall 110 of a button cover 108, fixed to the upper end of the aerosol can 105. On the external surface of the fixing element 111 is formed a depression 112 for its insertion. A receiving frame 113 is connected to the outer side wall of the touch-sensitive cover 108 and to the aerosol can 101 along the length of the assembly in the axial direction towards the lower end of the aerosol 101. This housing frame 113 is formed of a flattened trough-like element 115, having its extreme ribs in its longitudinal direction closed with walls 114 facing each other. A connection tube 117 communicating with a connection duct 116 opening into the flattened trough-like element 115 projects beyond the rear. This connection tube 117 is detachably connected to the depression 112. Consequently, by means of this connection tube 117, the content of the aerosol supplied by the connection tube 106 is introduced into the depression in the form of 'trough 115. This trough-shaped depression 115 has an arcuate applicator element, with a smooth surface 118, protruding on one side in the direction of the length which must be provided with an application support 120, produced in a non-absorbent material. On the rear surface 122 of the trough-shaped depression 115 which is in very good contact with the rear face 121 of the application support 120, a groove 123 communicating with the rear of the connection duct 116 is formed in the part central, in the direction of the length of the trough-shaped depression 115. A notch 124 is formed on the rear side 121 of the application support 120 in the position corresponding to the front end part of this groove 123. A groove of dispersion 126, communicating with this notch 124, is formed in the direction of the length of the side wall 125 of the application support 120. On the side wall 125 of the application support 120, continuing in the dispersion groove 126 and on the side of the application support 120, fine surface irregularities 127 are produced resembling the aventurine model. Therefore, a small flow space for the contents of the aerosol is formed along the inner wall 128 of the side wall of the receiving frame 113. This flow space still appears between the groove 123 mentioned above. and the rear face 121 of the application support 120, between the notch 124 and the bottom surface 122 of the receiving frame 113, and between the dispersion groove 126 and the internal surface 128 of the side wall of the frame 113. Thus , through this flow space, the content of the aerosol can be distributed to the applicator element 118 of the application support 120. The reception frame 113 is formed in the manner described above to place in the direction of the length on a side face of the aerosol can 101. The connection of this frame 113 with the aerosol can 101 is done by causing the insertion of the fixing of a hanging tab 132, protruding from the lower end of the c reception area 113 in the assembly groove 131 of the fixing element 130 fixed on the lower bottom of the aerosol can 101. At the same time, it determines the pinching of a fixing tab 133 which protrudes from opposite faces in the direction of the upper end of the receiving frame 113 and which must be engaged with hooking depressions (not shown), on the external lateral face of the key cover 108 fixed to the upper end of the aerosol packaging 101. The fixed connection of the receiving frame 113 and the application support 120 is done by causing the insertion with grip of the hanging projections 134 each formed at the upper and lower ends of the rear face 121 of the support. application 120 and parts provided for hanging 135 of the frame 113.

Naturally, it is possible to advance the content of the aerosol towards the application support 120, simply by depressing the press button with a finger. In the embodiment presented, the progression of the content of the aerosol is carried out using a permanent valve opening mechanism 136. This mechanism 136 is produced by providing the pressure button 107 on its opposite faces an operating lever 140, the lower ends of which are pivotally supported on the fulcrum of an axis 137, and the upper end of which forms a hollow plate 138, by perforating an oblong groove 142 in the direction vertical in the support wall 141 of the operating lever 140, again forming a latching depression 143 on the side faces of the oblong groove 142 and letting the latching depression 143 communicate with the oblong groove 142. In addition, a hooking projection 145 is fixed on the internal faces of the external walls 144 of the button cover 108 and is inserted into the oblong groove 142. The hooking projection 145 and the element of support of the axis 137 of the operating lever 140 in the conditions which do not cause the aerosol content to spurt out, are separated by a distance less than the distance between the support element of the axis 137 and the attachment depression 143. This difference in distance constitutes the stroke of the depression exerted on the pressure button 107 for the spouting of the content of the aerosol. The support wall 141 on which are formed the oblong groove 142 mentioned above and the hanging depression 143 on the side opposite to the pressure button 107, at its upper end connected to the upper hollow plate 138 so as to ensure a precise pressing of the press button 107. In addition, a display means 146 protrudes from the upper face on one end of the upper plate 138. In a cover plate 147 of the receiving frame 113 above the button cover 108, a viewing opening 148 is provided, which allows the means 146 to exit only during the operation of the continuous opening valve of the operating lever 140 and does not allow its exit in the absence of the operation of this valve.

In the apparatus constructed in the manner described above, when the upper depression plate 138 of the operating lever 140 is lowered, the button 107 is pressed down via the fulcrum of the axis 137 so as to release the valve mechanism and advance the content of the aerosol towards the connection tube 106. When the upper plate 138 no longer supports the vacuum, the button 107 rises thanks to the spring of the valve mechanism and the gushing of the content towards the connection tube 106 stops. The content of the aerosol which has progressed can flow along the flow space defined between the connection tube 106, the connection conduit 116, the groove 123, the notch 124, the dispersion groove 126 and the fine surface irregularities 127 on the one hand and their opposite external faces on the receiving frame 113 and the application support 120 on the other hand. As the applicator element 118 must take a lower horizontal position relative to the device as a whole, the content of the aerosol is uniformly dispersed in the applicator element and can be applied uniformly to the object to be treated. The intermittent spurting of the aerosol contents mentioned above is sufficient to apply a small amount of the active agent to a small area. For the application of a large quantity of active agent on a large surface, it becomes necessary to continuously spray the contents of the aerosol. To achieve continuous spouting of the contents of the aerosol, the operating lever 140 is lowered to start spouting and is then placed obliquely in the direction opposite to spouting as indicated by the dashed line in Figure 8 so that the latching projection 145 is brought into engagement with the latching depression 143 formed continuously along the oblong groove 142. When the latching projection 145 is in the condition which does not cause the contents of the aerosol, it is held inside the oblong groove 142 of the operating lever 140 and it can have no effect on this lever. Since the distance between the fulcrum of the axis 137 and the latching projection 145, when the press button 107 is in the conditions which do not involve the spouting of the aerosol content, is less than the distance between the fulcrum of the axis lever 137 and the latching depression 143 and that this difference in distance constitutes the sinking stroke that the pressure button 107 requires to initiate the spouting of the content of the aerosol, the attachment established between the attachment depression 143 and the attachment projection 145 keeps the pressure button 107 lowered and allows the continuous spouting of the content of the aerosol. This continuous gushing causes the movements relating to the attachment of the attachment projection 145 with the attachment depression 143 placed along the oblong groove 142 and to the lowering of the fulcrum of the axis 137. Consequently, the operating lever 140 which serves as a permanent valve opening mechanism 136 moves relative to the position which it ensures in the absence of spouting of the content of the aerosol. In particular, the display unit 146 protruding at one end of the recessed upper plate 138 greatly changes its position so as to come out of the display opening 148 of the cover plate 147 of the key cover 108 to clearly indicate that the permanent valve opening mechanism 136 is then in action. A red color or a fluorescent color applied to the upper part of the display means 146 helps by adding a lot to highlighting the operating state.

As described above, this invention allows the content of the aerosol supplied via the connection conduit to flow from the external face of the application support by causing the opening of the connection conduit connected to the rod. from aerosol packaging to the trough-like receiving frame closed on its opposite sides in its longitudinal direction, and at the same time allowing the solid fixing of the application support made of a non-absorbent material in the frame the receiving frame with the flat and smooth surface applicator element protruding on one side which gives rise to the space for the aerosol contents to flow between the application support and the frame. Thus, the applicator element exerts an extremely low friction resistance on flexible materials such as carpets and fabrics. Therefore, we can press it strongly against a flexible object of great thickness such as a carpet so that the content of the aerosol is applied to the deep cavities of the object.

The aerosol device of the application type used according to the invention is not necessarily limited to the above embodiments. For example, the shape of the applicator element can be freely chosen to suit the intended use and the surface of the object to be treated. When adopting the apparatus for applying the content of the aerosol to articles of furniture and clothing which have large surfaces, it proves to be very effective since the applicator element extends practically over the entire length of aerosol packaging. When the apparatus is intended for articles of small surface, the part of the applicator element formed over a part of the entire length proves effective.

- Since the content of the aerosol is in the liquid state when it passes the connection section, it can have any desired shape. It is only necessary that the content of the aerosol progresses towards the applicator element.

The gas spout orifice may for example be in the form of a tube deployed on the lateral face of the packaging and provided in suitable positions with spouting orifices, the application support being able to be fixed to this tube.

In addition, in the device constructed as illustrated in the diagrams, it is possible to insert a guide bar adapted to adjust the movement of the content of the aerosol. Although the guide member is effective in guiding the content of the spray aerosol towards the supply chamber, it is not an essential constituent when the application support is made of a non-absorbent material or when the the upper part of the guide bar is opposite to the gushing outlets of the nozzle.

Examples of the solvent for the active agent fixed in the content of the aerosol include alcohols, ketones, ethers, oils, halogenated hydrocarbons, fluorohalogenated hydrocarbons and various other substances. This solvent can be chosen to suit the intended use. Petroleum-based solvents generally excel in their ability to facilitate the absorption of active agents by the treated surfaces, but they are likely to wet the surfaces. When the objects to be treated require the rapid and safe drying of the active agents, the use of a non-flammable solvent or their mixtures chosen from the group comprising lower alcohols, ethers and fluorohalogenated hydrocarbons having boiling points not exceeding not 100 ° C is desirable. As a propellant, any conventional propellant can be used, such as those generally adopted for mist aerosols. To ensure safety against fire, it is desirable that such a propellant be used in admixture with a flame retardant gas.

Examples of the active ingredient to be incorporated into the contents of the aerosol include furniture cleaning products such as "Carnauba", "Ceresin", and "Silicone 200" waxes, antistatic agents or agents for removing static electricity containing sulfates of higher alcohols and organic amine salts of phosphates of higher alcohols, waterproofing agents such as stearamide methylpyridinium chloride, octadecylethylene urea and silicone resins, softening agents and brighteners for leather goods using spermaceti alcohol, liquid paraffin and fatty acid esters of glycerin as main constituents, varnishes, fungicide products such as sorbic acid and acid dehydroacetic, deodorants such as glycerol and hexachlorophene, glass cleaning products containing sodium chain alkylbenzenesulfonate ire and potassium pyrophosphate, stain removers and de-icing agents using alcohols and diethylene glycol, anti-rust lubricants and lubricants for supplies consisting of metallic soaps, sorbitane mono-oleate and naphthenic acid, fungicidal deodorants for patient rooms, such as cresol or benzalkonium chloride, agents for hair care using the sodium salt, lauryl ethyl sulfate as the main constituent, salicylic acid, acrinol, and invert soap. Examples of insecticides and miticides include various pyrethroid compounds such as phenothrin, perhrin, resmethrine, 3'-phenoxybenzyl 2,2,3,3, -tetramethylcyclopropane carboxylate, allethrin, furamethrin, ementa penthrin and other specialties , synergistic agents for pyrethroid compounds such as IBTA, S-421, lethane 384, piperonyl butylate, "Synepyrin 222" and "Synepyrin 500", various organophosphorus insecticides such as sumithion, diazinon, various carbamate insecticides such as "MTMC", and "MPMC", other insecticides and mosquito repellants such as "Deet" and benzyl benzoate. The combined use of these active ingredients with fungicides and bactericides is also possible. Also included are insecticides and mosquito repellents containing pyrethroid-like compounds used to protect stuffed animals and stuffed animals. These examples are cited only to illustrate and not to limit the active ingredient in the content of the aerosol which is suitably determined according to the intended use and the conditions of application for example.

For the extermination of various species of dust mites from homes infesting carpets, the application of a pyrethrum-type compound at a rate of 0.5 mg to 5 g per square meter, possibly in combination with an agent increasing the synergy pyrethrum type compound applied at a rate of 0.5 mg to 5 g is sufficient. This app is very safe.

This invention is particularly intended for the protection of carpets and floor coverings. It is effective in exterminating various species such as house dust mites. cheyletins, mite type mites and wool-damaging insects such as moths, web moths, various beetles, black beetles infesting carpets at all stages of their growth, i.e. eggs, larvae , nymphs, imagos. In addition, it is effective in exterminating household ticks, atropos and beetles, wasp flies, cockroaches, cereal pests such as rice weevils, fleas, lice and bedbugs.

This invention is not limited at all as to the type of carpet or floor covering to be treated. It is also effective in the treatment of oriental blankets, wool carpets, looped carpets, fur and sheep cushions, and all kinds of floor coverings without reference to the depth of the threads or pile.

This invention is quite unique in the sense that it adopts an aerosol apparatus of the application type, designed to be used safely (free from toxicity and combustion) indoors and such as the application surface of a material with a freely chosen shape, ensures efficient and uniform application of the active agent mentioned above.

Now, the invention will be described more precisely with reference to various examples of implementation. It should be noted, however, that the following examples do not limit this invention.

Experiment 1: (test on the extermination effect)

Comme témoin, on essaie en même temps le procédé par pulvérisation classique (essais N° 5 et 6).7 cm squares cut from a carpet are all infested with about 200 mites of house dust and after a period of one day, they are treated with a variety of agents according to the process of this invention. Each square of carpet thus treated is placed in a glass container and left to stand under conditions which are 25 ° C. for the temperature and 65% for the humidity. After a period of one week under these conditions, the square is heated to hunt the surviving mites. The extermination rate is determined by taking into account the surviving mites thus driven out of the treated square.

As a control, the conventional spraying process is tested at the same time (tests No. 5 and 6).

The results of the test indicate that in all the tests carried out according to the aerosol method by application according to the invention, the rates of extermination of the dust mites of dwellings are invariably 100% while in the tests conducted according to In the conventional spraying process, the extermination rates are very low because the agents cannot reach the roots of the carpet threads. In the formulation of test No. 3 which uses petroleum as solvent, the agent applied does not dry as quickly as desired and tends to make the surface of the treated carpet tacky.

Experiment 2: (test on the preventive effect)

Comme témoin, on essaie en même temps le procédé de pulvérisation classique (essais n° 4 et n° 5).Squares of 7 cm cut from a carpet are treated with a variety of agents according to the method of the invention, and after a period of 1 day, they are infested with about 200 mites of house dust. Then, following the procedure of Example 1, the extermination rate of the mites is determined after a period of one week.

As a control, the conventional spraying process is tested at the same time (tests no. 4 and no. 5).

The results of the test indicate that the treatment by the aerosol method by application according to the invention is highly effective, by preventing the carpet from being infested with mites and that the agents applied manifest significant residual effects. In the tests carried out according to the conventional spraying method, although the preventive effects are relatively higher than the extermination effects, they remain insufficient.

Experiment 3: (test of the furniture cleaning product as to the effect)

Various cleaning products are applied to areas of 1 m ² of the surfaces of articles of furniture completely soiled with greasy dirt, using the aerosol device of the type for application of the invention.

Les résultats de l'essai indiquent que le procédé d'application de l'aérosol (essais n° 1 et n° 2) selon l'invention dépasse de loin les procédés classiques, c'est-à-dire le procédé par pulvérisation (essais n° 3) et le procédé utilisant l'appareil qui possède un adapteur torique en éponge fixé à proximité de l'ajutage de pulvérisation (essai n° 4 ), à l'égard de la propreté due au traitement, à la prévention de la dispersion de l'agent appliqué dans la zone environnante et à la durée du traitement.As a control, the same treatment is carried out according to the conventional spraying method and the method using an apparatus which has a felt toroidal adapter near the spray nozzle. After the treatment, the surfaces are examined in relation to cleanliness (A), the degree of dispersion of the active agent in the surrounding area (B) and the duration of the treatment (C). The results of the test are classified on the four-point scale in which ++++, +++, ++ and + denote progressively decreasing orders starting respectively from the highest degree of cleanliness in (A), the lowest degree of dispersion of the active agent in (B) and the shortest duration of treatment in (C).

The results of the test indicate that the method of applying the aerosol (tests 1 and 2) according to the invention far exceeds the conventional methods, that is to say the spray method ( tests n ° 3) and the process using the apparatus which has a toric adapter sponge fixed close to the spray nozzle (test n ° 4), with regard to the cleanliness due to the treatment, to the prevention of the dispersion of the agent applied in the surrounding area and the duration of the treatment.

Experiment 4: (test on the fungicidal and deodorant effect on a woolen article)

Molds developing in a cabinet are incubated and transplanted in 5 points on a variety of covers (0.5 m wide and 1.5 m long) at the positions indicated by the mark X in Figure 13. Then the blanket is left under 100% humidity for 2 weeks. To the covers thus prepared, various active agents are applied by the method of this invention and the conventional methods for examining the fungicidal and deodorant effect, the degree of dispersion of the active agent (A), and the duration of the treatment (B). . In treatments according to conventional methods, the agents are sprayed at a distance of approximately 40 cm from the surface of the covering.

Les résultats de l'essai indiquent que le procédé d'application de l'aérosol par application (essais n° 1 et n° 2) selon l'invention surpasse de loin les procédés classiques (essais n° 3 et n° 4 ) en ce qui concerne les effets fongicides et désodorisants, la prévention de la dispersion de l'agent actif dans la zone environnante et la durée du traitement.The results of the test are classified according to the four-point scale in which ++++, +++, ++ and + denote progressively decreasing orders, starting respectively from the highest fungicidal and deodorant effect, lowest degree of dispersion of active agent and shortest duration of treatment.

The results of the test indicate that the method of applying the aerosol by application (tests 1 and 2) according to the invention far surpasses the conventional methods (tests 3 and 4) in with regard to the fungicidal and deodorant effects, the prevention of the dispersion of the active agent in the surrounding area and the duration of the treatment.

While the spray method is not applicable for the active agent to reach the roots of the carpet yarns, the method of the invention is capable of distributing the active agent all over the entire surface of the blanket.

Example 1

In a mixed solvent ethanol and F-113, 1.0 g of d-resmethrin and 2.0 g of "Synepyrin 500" are dissolved. The solution is placed in an aerosol packaging of the spreading type and a pressurized propellant is added thereto to produce an aerosol. About 1/4 of the total volume of the aerosol mentioned above is applied to the entire surface of a carpet covering 6 tatami mats (straw mats) and suffering from the significant growth of house dust mites. After a period of 1 week, the coverage is examined to find out the survival rate of the mites. The rate is less than 2%.

Example 2

An aerosol is prepared by spreading following the method of Example 1 but using 1.5 g of d-phenothrin of 2.0 g of benzyl benzoate. About 1 / 5th of the total volume of the aerosol thus produced is applied to the entire surface of a pure wool carpet covering 4 and a half mats. After a period of one day, 100 moth larvae and 200 moth eggs are transplanted. After a week's duration, the cover is examined to see the number of surviving moth larvae. The number of moth larvae surviving is less than 2. When examined after a period of one month, no new born mites are observed. Thus the extermination method according to the present invention has a significant effect against the harmful insects of wool.

Example 3

In 80 g of a mixed solvent of isopropanol and n-propanol, 5.0 g of diethylene glycol are dissolved. We place the solution in aerosol packaging per application. A pressurized propellant is added. Therefore, an aerosol is produced.

About 1 / 5th of the total volume of the aerosol thus produced is applied to the entire surface of a completely smudged window (approximately 3 m ² ). The glass immediately becomes perfectly clean.

Example 4

An aerosol is prepared by application following the method of Example 1 and using 8 g of a sodium alkyl higher benzene sulfonate and 2 g of potassium pyrophosphate. About 1/4 of the total volume of the aerosol is applied by spreading thus produced over the entire surface of a mat covering 4 and a half mats and soiled with fatty food.

The treatment does not cause any dispersion of the active agent and lasts a short time (approximately 15 minutes). It results in elimination of tasks.

Claims (11)

1. Method for application of the contents of an aerosol package on a surface by transfer of said contents from a discharge stem of the package to an applicator element carried by an application support disposed along an external longitudinal side of the package, and application of this element against the surface to be treated, characterized in that:

- within the application support (11 or 120) which carries the applicator element (12 or 118), provision is made along the entire length of this latter for a feed chamber (16 or 115) located between this support and this element,

- connection of this feed chamber (16 or 115) with the stem (5 or 105) for discharging the contents from the package (1 or 101) is established so as to guide these contents to this feed chamber,

- the contents located within the feed chamber (16 or 115) are permitted to seep from this latter towards the applicator element (12 or 118).

2. Method in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the contents of said aerosol package contain an insecticide or a moth-killing agent by way of active ingredient.

3. Method in accordance with either claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that the contents of said aerosol package are applied on carpets and floor coverings for extermination of moths and insecticides which have a harmful effect on these carpets and floor coverings.

4. Method in accordance with either claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that said insecticide or moth-killing agent is applied for treating the roots of threads of carpets and floor coverings.

5. Aerosol apparatus of the application type, comprising an aerosol package provided with a stem for discharging its contents and having an applicator along an external longitudinal side of this package, characterized in that:

- the application support (11 or 120) which carries the applicator element (12 or 118) has a feed chamber (16 or 115) which is located between this support and this element and which extends over its entire length,

- one end of this chamber (16 or 115) communicates with the discharge orifice of a nozzle or connecting duct (7, 106) which extends from the discharge stem (5, 105) of the aerosol package (1 or 101

- and this chamber also communicates over its entire length with the applicator element (12 or 118) in such a manner as to ensure that the product contained in the aerosol package (1 or 101) can seep towards this applicator element (12 or 118) and impregnate this latter in order that the application of this product on a surface to be treated may be carried out by application of this applicator element (12 or 118) against this surface.

6. Aerosol apparatus of the application type in accordance with claim 5, characterized in that the applicator element (12) is made of absorbent material and the connection of the connecting duct (7) to the application support (11) is achieved by joining said duct to a top lateral face of a guide member (17) inserted in said feed chamber (16) at the centre of the internal surface of said feed chamber and of the space for the flow of said contents.

7. Aerosol apparatus of the application type in accordance with either claim 5 or claim 6, characterized in that the application support (11) formed in the vertical direction on the external face of the aerosol package (1) includes said applicator element (12) which is made of absorbent material and disposed in the longitudinal direction on the external surface of said application support (11), said feed chamber (16) for said contents of said aerosol package (1) and formed on the internal surface of said applicator element and that said connecting duct (7) communicates with said stem (5) of said aerosol package (1) and is placed opposite to an upper lateral end of said guide member (17) which is inserted in said feed chamber (16) at the centre of the internal surface of said chamber and of said flow space so as to allow the contents introduced via said connecting duct (7) to flow from the external surface of said application support (11).

8. Aerosol apparatus of the application 20 type in accordance with one of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that the connecting duct (7) which provides a connection between the discharge stem (5) of the aerosol package (1) and the feed chamber (16) provided in the application support (11) is constituted by a tube which is capable of slight bending.

9. Aerosol apparatus of the application type in accordance with claim 5, characterized in that said application support (120) opens into a troughshaped housing (115) which forms the feed chamber for the product to be applied and which is closed at its opposite ends (114) in its longitudinal direction and that an applicator element (118) made of non-absorbent material with a flat and smooth application face which projects on one of its faces is securely fixed in a receiving frame (113).

10. Aerosol apparatus of the application type in accordance with either claim 5 or claim 9, characterized in that the connecting tube (106) opens into said trough-shaped receiving frame (113) which is closed at its opposite ends in its longitudinal direction, that said applicator element (118) made of non-absorbent material and having a flat and smooth application face which projects on one of its sides is mounted in a fixed manner within said receiving frame (113) and that said applicator element and said frame define a feed and flow chamber (115) for said contents so as to ensure that the contents introduced via the connecting tube (106) can flow from the external surface of the application support.

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