EP0401060B1 - Method and electrical, electronic and mechanical device for dispensing, metering or diffusing liquid or gaseous aromas, medicines and other liquid or viscous product - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention concerns a method for dispensing, metering or distributing a liquid product, whether volatile or not, without using a propellant gas, the liquid being more particularly a perfume, a cosmetic, an insecticide or a medicine. The method uses a vaporizer of the type with a pump for distribution (1) or spraying by expelling a liquid under pressure through a spray nozzle. A mechanical system (10, 12) is used during the expulsion stage to obtain an instantaneous pressure producing one dose or a spray, comparable to an aerosol produced by a liquefied or compressed propellant gas, in which the separate particles of liquid are no greater than 45 microns across in the liquid phase, and are less than one micron across in the gaseous phase after vaporization, with no alteration in the products. <??>The invention is also concerned with a system for protection or to ensure exclusive personal use by means of a coding-decoding method, which may be mechanical, electronic or a combination of the two, assisted by an audio-electronic speech synthesis system. <IMAGE>

Description

The present invention relates to the distribution, metering and diffusion in space, in sprayed or unsprayed form, or vaporized of all bodies of liquid phase without alteration or modification of the original properties and aromas, and making it possible to find with perfect fidelity the original scent, in particular of the perfume, or the physical, chemical and therapeutic qualities of the medicinal, hygienic, cosmetic or sanitation solutions.

The present invention thus relates to a method of diffusion and a diffuser of liquid products and, in particular, of perfumes, insecticides, drugs, cosmetics, water, etc.

In the known methods of diffusion, the diffusion can be carried out by natural or forced convection or be generated by a predetermined heat source.

Diffusers are known in which the supply means consist of a rod, or wick, of porous material which is immersed in a bottle containing the product to be diffused and ensures its ascent by capillarity. In other diffusers, the supply means consist of a simple tube immersed in the liquid and operating by gravity or by pressure or vacuum or ventilated drip.

These diffusers have certain drawbacks due to the fact that they do not make it possible to avoid phenomena of carbonization and overheating which cause cracking or oxidation of the active principles of the product to be diffused. In addition, they do not ensure the regularity of the evaporation process and the constancy of its speed which are the conditions necessary for the properties of the aromas of the original product to be maintained during use, due to the saturation of the wick for example.

Other diffusers use propellants of the fluorohydrocarbon type for example. These systems are controversial because of fears of their action on the environment. An example of such a device is described in document EP-A-0 038 598, which discloses a propellant sprayer actuated by a solenoid and associated with a heating disc: the sprayed product is deposited and absorbed on the disc, then evaporates slowly. Another example of a propellant gas system is disclosed in document EP-A-0 127 573, where an air pump creates an air pressure in the tank, so as to vaporize a product directly in the atmosphere But the pressures that can be achieved in the tank are limited.

Rather indicative of current concerns are diffusers which use a piston pump controlled by an eccentric driven by an electric motor (US-A-4 189 098). These devices are expensive and the results insufficient to replace the use of dissolved propellants.

The invention therefore aims to provide a method and a diffuser of the type indicated above but which does not have the drawbacks which have just been indicated, while obtaining a spraying of a quality higher than that which is currently obtained with aerosols.

• positionner l'organe d'actionnement à une distance prédéterminée de ladite pompe, ladite distance prédéterminée étant sensiblement égale ou légèrement inférieure à la course du piston,
• faire accélérer ledit organe d'actionnement sur ladite distance prédéterminée avant d'entrer en contact avec la pompe, ce qui permet d'obtenir une pression interne instantannée provoquant une pulvérisation dans laquelle les particules du liquide divisé ont une dimension inférieure ou égale à 45 microns environ, selon la tension superficielle du liquide expulsé.

The present invention relates to a method for dispensing, metering or diffusing a liquid product, comprising the use of a spray pump dispenser having a liquid delivery piston to create an internal pressure which expels the liquid through a nozzle , said pump being in fluid communication with a reserve of said liquid, said distributor comprising mechanical actuating means, having an actuating member adapted to come into contact with the pump to actuate it, said method being characterized in that it includes the steps of:

• positioning the actuating member at a predetermined distance from said pump, said predetermined distance being substantially equal to or slightly less than the stroke of the piston,
• accelerating said actuating member over said predetermined distance before coming into contact with the pump, which makes it possible to obtain an instantaneous internal pressure causing a spraying in which the particles of the divided liquid have a size less than or equal to 45 microns approximately, depending on the surface tension of the liquid expelled.

The present invention also relates to a diffuser comprising a spraying pump with a push button for actuating the pump to transmit a pressing force on this push button to a liquid delivery piston, a return spring of the piston towards a position rest, an outlet nozzle for dividing the liquid by the effect of pressure, the diffuser comprising mechanical actuating means having an actuating member which is adapted to press on the pusher, characterized in that said member d actuation is arranged, at rest, at a predetermined distance from the pusher of the pump, and said actuating means are adapted to accelerate said actuating member over said predetermined distance before coming into contact with the pump, which provides an instantaneous internal pressure causing a spraying in which the particles of the divided liquid have a dimension less than or equal to 45 microns approx iron, depending on the surface tension of the liquid expelled.

The invention applies more particularly to pumps of the type with manual actuation normally by a finger, the chamber of which measures from 5 to 100 microliters. To obtain such a spraying, the ejection actuation duration of such a pump must be of the order of 1 to 10 milliseconds. Preferably, the pump is at precompression, for example of a type as described in French patents 2,305,241 or 2,403,465. The use of an ordinary aerosol, with propellant in the container of liquid, dissolved or not, does not allow obtain the fine spraying of a pump operating under high pressure. In the aerosol, the movement of the valve stem only controls the opening of the valve. The output of the liquid depends only on the pressure of the propellant gas and is independent of the speed of actuation. According to the present invention, the dimensions of the scattered particles can be further reduced by ricocheting them against a smooth surface, maintained at an appropriate temperature, and if necessary vibrating. An ultrasonic transducer is provided with a very high resonance frequency ≧ 1700 KHz to ensure good directivity and good range of the particles of liquid expelled at very high speed and pressure micronized to 45 μ or less in the form of spray. After reflection on the transducer, the particles are refragmented between 0.1 and 10 µ by the piezoelectric vibration of the transducer more effective than if we put a drop of greater concentration. It has been found that particles of this size (<2.5 µm) remain in suspension in the air, while larger particles fall. The smaller the particles, the faster the vaporization.

The wall of the surface is advantageously smooth, to avoid the attachment of the particles, and promote their bursting, in particular under the thermal effect.

With this type of application, the surface is heated as a function of the ambient temperature, on the one hand, and the temperature of the liquid being vaporized on the other, in order to keep the temperature at the outlet of the diffuser substantially constant, at a value higher than the surface evaporation temperature of the component to be evaporated.

The backscattering surface can be confined within a chamber.

Advantageously, the edges of the wall of the chamber are hemmed. The surface can also be convex, for example spherical.

The diffuser according to the invention, thanks to these means, ensures a constant vaporization speed, and this, always at a predetermined temperature as a function of the boiling point of the volatile components, and thus prevents the volatile components from being cracked or oxidized.

In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the heating means are constituted by an electrical resistance and its control means are associated in the form of a tilting thermistor with positive temperature coefficient with direct heating, called PTC thermistor, it is that is to say a thermosensitive resistance, constituted by a semiconductor, the resistance of which increases suddenly when its temperature, increasing, reaches a specific value.

It is well known to use positive temperature coefficient (PTC) ceramics for temperature detection, switching and current stabilization. What is less well known relates to their ability to function as a heating element. For this application, they have the advantage of rapid heating, they are also self-regulating and they do not need a thermostat or control circuit like their conventional resistance counterparts.

In addition, they can be used indiscriminately in AC circuits and DC circuits, they have no moving parts and do not produce any noise in the network or radio. They are intrinsically protected from overheating and exhibit excellent temperature stability over a long period.

Metallic PTC ceramics are supplied either in the naked state or in the form of leaded elements, in insulating tubes. They are small, efficient, reliable and inexpensive. In fact, they appear to be the ideal devices for applications for which rapid warm-up must be provided followed by moderate continuous dissipation.

With a conventional resistance, the resistance control means can advantageously cooperate with a heating surface fed by this resistance and onto which lead the means for supplying the product to be diffused, for example a metal fractionation chamber placed at the outlet of the pump.

The control means can then include a thermocouple or thermostat housed in a recess of the metal diffuser and connected to a means of cutting the heating of the resistance.

In the preferred case of using a thermistor (PTC), the body of the latter is brought into contact with the liquid leaving a spray nozzle. The thermistor then automatically fulfills the role of regulator defined above, at the same time as that of heating element, without any thermostat or control circuit.

According to another important characteristic of the invention, the spray pump is actuated by a plunger controlled by a solenoid, acting directly or by means of a lever in the pulled or pushed direction. Advantageously, when the solenoid has an armature, permanent magnetic masses or magnets act on the plunger so that the solenoid only has to exert a relatively weak force to actuate the plunger which is at the limit of the tipping point to actuate the pump, for example ten percent or less of the normal actuating force of the plunger (ex: if a force of 2 Kg 300 is required, the magnets are calculated for 2 Kg 200), and consequently, energy saving 40% electric.

So that the plunger can take off under the force of the return spring, almost balanced by the permanent magnets, it is provided according to the invention to place a rubber damper or the like at the end of the core, which prevents it sticking, absorbs the shock of the nucleus in the solenoid and returns it by rebound effect. It is thus possible to activate the pump very quickly. For example, it is possible to obtain a compression stroke in a time of less than 10 milliseconds for pumps of the type defined above. With a solenoid without armature, the plunger may include magnets and a magnetic mass such as soft iron. It can even include magnets and no magnetic mass. Alternatively, instead of a solenoid system, one can have a gear motor which gradually tends a powerful spring whose powerful and immediate relaxation is obtained by a cam profile. In the case of a fully manual device, the operation of the pump can be ensured by relaxing a spring, with a cam profile, the spring tension being obtained by manual rotation of a cam, the sudden relaxation of the spring being made by exhaust. The relaxation can also be obtained by rotation of a magnet, to change its polarities with respect to another magnet, so as to repel the latter after having attracted it.

The actuation and heating device can be powered by batteries, rechargeable batteries or by the sector, or other means creating electrical energy.

The product diffused by the pump can also be accompanied, or entrained by a stream of air, if necessary heated.

In certain applications, it is advantageous to distribute a product under particular conditions, for example for the presence of at least one person in a local. This presence can be detected by a radar or by a doppler effect, which triggers the operation of the device (infrared systems can be used in some cases but for the time being, are less safe in the presence of the sun).

Programming of the operation of the device can be ensured by a memory of the EEPROM type, (for example projection of deodorant or perfume at certain times in the underground corridors of public transport; by satellite system to accompany information or advertising, promotional announcements ; by gas presence detector; etc.).

As the device of the invention can use a vaporizing pump without air intake, it can operate in all positions and in all places: on the ground, on the wall, on the ceiling, even in a rarefied atmosphere. It can fully restore a drug or a fragrance, without burning or carbonizing the particles emitted.

The device can be of reduced dimensions, for example of the order of those of a pack of cigarettes.

• la figure 1 est une vue en élévation schématique, avec parties en coupe, d'un dispositif selon la présente invention,
• la figure 2 est une vue en coupe d'une variante en position de repos,
• la figure 3 est une vue en coupe d'une autre variante,
• la figure 4 est une vue de la variante de la figure 3 juste avant l'émission,
• les figures 5 et 6 sont des vues en coupe par deux plans perpendiculaires d'une chambre de fractionnement selon l'invention,
• la figure 7 est une vue en plan de la sortie de ladite chambre,
• la figure 8 est une vue en coupe d'une surface de fractionnement,
• la figure 9 est une vue partie en coupe, partie en élévation d'une forme de réalisation d'un dispositif selon l'invention,
• la figure 10 est une vue schématique d'un principe d'actionnement du dispositif de l'invention,
• la figure 11 est une vue en perspective d'un sous-ensemble renouvelable d'un dispositif selon l'invention,
• les figures 12 et 13 sont des vues en perspective des deux pièces d'un des éléments du sous-ensemble de la figure 11, et
• la figure 14 est une variante de réalisation du système d'actionnement du dispositif de la figure 9.

By way of non-limiting example, there is shown in the appended drawings examples of embodiment of diffusers according to the invention, drawings in which:

• FIG. 1 is a schematic elevation view, with parts in section, of a device according to the present invention,
• FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a variant in the rest position,
• FIG. 3 is a sectional view of another variant,
• FIG. 4 is a view of the variant of FIG. 3 just before the emission,
• FIGS. 5 and 6 are sectional views through two perpendicular planes of a fractionation chamber according to the invention,
• FIG. 7 is a plan view of the outlet from said chamber,
• FIG. 8 is a sectional view of a fractionation surface,
• FIG. 9 is a view partly in section, partly in elevation of an embodiment of a device according to the invention,
• FIG. 10 is a schematic view of an actuation principle of the device of the invention,
• FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a renewable sub-assembly of a device according to the invention,
• FIGS. 12 and 13 are perspective views of the two parts of one of the elements of the sub-assembly of FIG. 11, and
• FIG. 14 is an alternative embodiment of the actuation system of the device in FIG. 9.

In Figure 1, there is shown a container 1 intended to contain a liquid product, to spread in the air, for example to perfume a space, medically treat an environment, do a fumigation, spray a cosmetic, etc. This container is equipped with a precompression pump, for example of a type as described in the French patents cited above. This pump is crimped into the opening of the container by a capsule 2, and can be actuated by depressing a piston by means of a pusher 30 mounted on the rod 3, which projects outside, to allow this actuation. . In order to facilitate the operation of the device, the pusher 30 is provided with a washer 4 which is integral therewith. This pusher can for example be of the type described in French patent application 8905017 of April 14, 1989. The actuation of the pump is therefore done by depressing the washer 4, to cause the expulsion of the product from the container 1, however that when the user stops pressing the piston rod, the latter is brought up by a suitably arranged return spring. To operate the pump, the washer 4 is pressed by means of a lever 21 articulated at 5, and one end 21a of which has a rounded fork, the rounding being placed on the washer 4. The other arm or end 21b of the lever 21 is connected to a magnetic plunger 10, for example by a pin 8 passing through a slot formed in the plunger and passing through a slot 9 formed in the end of the lever arm. The plunger is movable in the cavity 11 of a solenoid 12, the frame 13 of which can be rectangular or cylindrical.

At this point, we can see how the device works. The passage of current in the solenoid 12 causes the plunger 10 to rise, causing the lever to tilt, therefore pushing the piston rod 3 of the pump. A current pulse in the solenoid therefore causes an operation of a stroke of the pump, with emission of a spray. In the arrangement shown, the spraying is directed in the axis of the rod 3, that is to say in the axis of the pump. This is possible because the space which is in the axis of the pump is cleared: the actuation is done by a lever terminated by a fork. The spray outlet channel passes through the fork.

According to the invention, the stroke of the pump is rapid and violent, which makes it possible to avoid the usual formation of a large drop and to have drops of a size of the order of 25 microns. With great pressure, it is possible to obtain, for certain products such as alcohol, a spraying of the order of 10 to 20 microns.

The usual precompression pumps, commercially available, emit doses in the order of a fraction of a cubic centimeter. To have a good result according to the invention, it is necessary to cause the actuation of such a pump in a time less than or equal to 10 milliseconds. This is only possible with special mechanical means. Recall that the usual manual actuation is done in 150 approximately milliseconds. When the actuation is done in 10 ms, it develops in the outlet channel of the pump, up to the nozzle, a very high pressure which can, under these conditions, reach 40 bars or more. We will take care to have a nozzle that can withstand such pressure.

To obtain this result under advantageous conditions, in the case where the solenoid is provided with an armature 13, permanent magnetic masses 14, 14 ′ are added to the solenoid, the action of which is slightly less than the actuation force of the pump. Pumps with manual actuation generally require a push of the finger between 2 and 3 kgs. For example, for a pump set at 2.2 kg, the action of the magnets will be between 2 and 2.1 kg. Triggering can thus be very rapid, since it will be sufficient from approximately 100 to 200 g to cause it, and can be obtained by simple and space-saving means, small cells or batteries. A power of a few watts is sufficient. So that the core does not remain stuck to the bottom of the solenoid and can be returned by the pump spring, there is provided according to the invention a damper 15 between the inner end of the core and the bottom of the frame, preferably in the shape of a star and in silicone or similar material, preferably heat resistant and of blind hardness A 20 ⁺ 10, to attenuate the noise emanating from the vibratory shocks. The shock absorber can also be made of metallic braid.

For this embodiment as for the following ones, the triggering can be carried out in different ways: volumetric radar, push button, aspiration of a patient, contact, infrared, photoelectric cell, magnetic detection, etc.

In the embodiment of Figure 2, the spray is lateral to the axis of the pump. This is provided with a pusher 50 with lateral nozzle. The actuating device is placed above the pump, that is to say in the axis of the actuating rod 3 of the piston. This device essentially comprises a solenoid with a plunger, movable inside the solenoid, acting directly on the valve plunger. The plunger can move between two positions: a rest position, represented in FIG. 2, and a position in which the magnetic mass 10 is lowered by the attraction exerted by the solenoid, position in which it fully depresses at the end of the stroke. the pusher 50. According to an advantageous arrangement of the present invention, the plunger in the rest position can be detached from the pusher by a certain distance "d". This can be obtained by a spring 52. When the plunger plunger is biased by the solenoid, it travels the distance "d" before coming into contact with the pusher and therefore strikes the latter with a certain speed. The plunger is driven immediately with a significant initial speed and the pressure in the pump rises immediately and to a higher value. This effect inertia can be reinforced by loading the mass of the plunger, or by choosing a fairly heavy plunger. With pumps of the manual type, where the normal stroke of the pump is of the order of magnitude of a centimeter, the preliminary stroke "d" of the plunger may be of the same order, or a little less: 5 to 10 mm give good results. A fine spray can thus be obtained immediately, from the start of spraying and until the end.

The device of the invention, both according to FIG. 2 and to FIG. 1, can be actuated repeatedly, by sending a pulsed current into the solenoid. A simple way is to supply the solenoid with the current from the rectified sector, for example with a diode. This gives a frequency of 50 strokes per second (60 in the U.S.A.). The effect obtained is very similar to the effect of a valve emitting continuously, due to the rate and persistence of the retinal image, which is greater than one-fiftieth of a second.

If you want to carry out sprays piecemeal, with a supply on the AC sector, we will use a diode bridge. An uninterrupted uninterrupted current is thus obtained. Closing the contact causes a single movement of the plunger, which remains in the displaced position, as long as the contact is maintained.

With a continuous supply (batteries, rechargeable batteries), the repetitive effect will be obtained by means of an appropriate assembly.

In the use of products of a fixing, agglomerating, sticky, polymerizing nature in air (lacquer for example), the speed of arrival of the metered liquid is extremely rapid, which allows, under the effect of the pressure, a possible uncapping of the nozzle. Under the effect of the sudden stop of the dose to be ejected, a phenomenon of depression is created in the nozzle, tending to empty the conduit of its liquid, therefore avoids the operation.

Alternatively, the emission can be obtained by a spring, the tensioning of which can be carried out by hand or by an electric gear motor. The triggering of the spring will be obtained by escaping from a follower on an appropriate cam profile.

In FIGS. 3 and 4, a support frame 20, which can be made of plastic for example, serves to hold together the various components of the device, in particular the triggering mechanism, the bottle of product to be diffused, the hinge pin 5 of a lever and this lever 21. In FIG. 3, the lever 21 is in the rest position, after a transmission. The fork 21a of the left end is lowered. A cam 22 presses on a follower 23 to which are connected on the one hand an actuating rod 24 articulated on the right end 21b of the lever, and on the other hand a plate 25 pressing on a spring 26, the other end of which is supported on a shoulder 28 of the support 20. When the button 27 is turned, driving the cam, pushes the plate, and the arm 21b of the lever, to bring them into the position of FIG. 4. The piston rod 3 of the pump is raised. The spring 26 is compressed. As soon as the follower 23 escapes from the cam profile, the spring suddenly relaxes and brings the lever into the position of FIG. 3. The left arm pressed vigorously and quickly on the washer 4 which is lowered to eject a dose of product . The operation by the spring allows actuation with the force and within the time provided by the present invention to have the spraying to the desired fineness. The button 27 can be turned by hand, or by any desired means, such as an electric gear motor. A turbine can be simultaneously driven by the motor to cause a stream of vaporization drive air. The air flow can also be caused by a bellows driven at the same time as the pump plunger, which produces a two-phase effect: air plus liquid particles.

According to a characteristic of the present invention, a fractionation chamber or surface 30 is placed at the outlet of the spray jet from the pump. An example of such a chamber is shown in detail in Figures 5, 6 and 7; another example is shown mounted at the outlet of the pump in Figures 3 and 4; and an example of a surface is represented in FIG. 8. The chamber of FIGS. 5-7 adapting by a neck 31 to the outlet of the pump, has a volume defined by a wall 32 whose interior has a state surface polished, very close to the gloss, in a very good conductive metal such as nickel-plated copper or polished aluminum anodic oxide. The particles bounce and slide, making instant cold vaporization. It is indeed necessary to avoid that the particles cling, the prolonged stay in a heated space being able to modify the chemical structure. A hemmed edge is provided to prevent condensation of the product at the outlet (even if it is hot). To force the particles to fractionate, the exit from the chamber is not opposite the jet. A simple embodiment is obtained by pinching the outlet opening (FIG. 7) located in the axis of the jet.

In Figures 3 and 4, the chamber 30 is shown mounted at the outlet of the pump. It is suitably fixed to the support 20, for example by an arm or a tongue 20a. The narrow lower part 31 can be split to let the fork of the actuating lever pass.

The wall of the chamber may advantageously have a triple thickness: a shape 42, for example made of plastic, internally lined with an insulating layer 43, the interior of which is lined with a metallic sheet 44 that is good conductor, thermally and electrically, aluminum or nickel-plated copper.

Against the outside of the metal sheet, in the insulator, one or more resistors 45, for example CTP, can be embedded. In the latter case, the flat-shaped CTP can be supplied between its two faces, or by two bands on one side.

An electronic card 46 can receive various components, such as light-emitting diode, microprocessor, timer, trigger button, detection of the state of the batteries, odor or aspiration detector, photocell, antenna, ultrasound detector. , infrared, speech synthesis, etc.

Depending on the needs of the broadcast, one may or may not use such a room. In the absence of a chamber, when the pump projects the spraying directly into the atmosphere, a nozzle suitable for the need or for the product will be chosen. With a fractionation chamber, it is advantageous for the particles to strike the walls of the chamber, and the nozzle will be chosen so as to have a spray giving the finest particles possible.

Figure 8 is a sectional view showing a hemispherical reflecting surface 55. The spray is directed towards the top of the hemisphere. Inside is placed, against this top, a heating resistor 56 for example CTP, supplied for example by a spring 57 and by a lug 58 on the hemisphere. The interior is filled with insulating material. Such a surface can be fixed opposite the spray orifice and distributes the spray all around, for example to diffuse a perfume or a sanitizing product. The impact surface may be a ceramic vibrated from a piezoelectric ultrasonic transducer.

FIG. 10 schematically represents another mechanical means of triggering. A magnet SN 87 is placed between two magnets NS 86, 88 one of which, 86, can be rotated. Initially, the magnet 87 is attracted on both sides and is therefore placed in equilibrium (unstable) by turning the magnet 86, the latter then repels the magnet 87 while the magnet 88 attracts it. We can use this principle to have a very fast action piecemeal.

The pump is preferably without return air and is fixed to a pocket which folds up as the liquid which it contains is expelled.

The diffuser, whether or not it has a turbine, can be powered by low-voltage batteries. It could also be on rectified alternating current or not.

FIG. 9 represents an embodiment of an application of the invention. The object of the device shown is to spray a liquid product in a pseudo-continuous manner. It is in fact a question of replacing the emission of a spraying usually carried out by a propellant gas, using a pump, without any propellant, actuated by the device of the invention.

A container 60 containing a liquid to be sprayed, for example a hair spray, a moisturizing solution for the skin, etc., is fitted with a pump crimped onto the container by means of a capsule 61. The outlet tube 62 the pump also serves as a pump actuation rod. On this tube is mounted a pusher 63, with lateral outlet, on the right of the figure. The pusher being actuated repeatedly by a plunger 64 whose movement is controlled by a solenoid consisting of two windings 65, 65 '. The rod 64 of the plunger can advantageously be made of plastic. The impact and the push on the pusher 63 will thus be silent. To be actuated by the windings 65, the plunger 64 is furnished with three permanent magnets 66, 67, 68. The windings 65 and 65 'are in opposite directions, so that when they receive a current pulse, the winding 65 pushes the magnet 67 while the winding 65 attracts it. The polarities of the magnets 66 and 68 are fixed to cause stress in the same direction. The plunger may also include inertia masses 85, for example made of plastic, copper, aluminum, etc. The assembly is fixed in a housing 69 the bottom of which, at the top, is lined with a magnetic metal blade 70. The purpose of this blade is to maintain the plunger in the high position, by attraction by the magnet 68. This blade can also serve at the same time as a shock absorber. In this case, it can be constituted by a corrugated metal washer (brand "Onduflex"), or by a washer of compressed metallic fabric. This latter embodiment is advantageously silent. In this way, when the solenoid is not excited, the magnet 68 is kept attracted against the blade 70. After a current pulse, the plunger strikes and presses the pusher 63, and, when the pulse ceases, the plunger is returned by the return spring of the pump, to be applied against the blade 70. Even at speeds of 50 or 60 Hz, the system is silent. The plunger is controlled by electronics not described in detail, and which is mounted on the support 90.

Figure 14 is a sectional view of a variant of the actuation system of the device of Figure 9. It comprises a housing 100, for example of plastic, which is extended by the housing enveloping the container 60 of Figure 9 In this housing 100 is housed a solenoid 101 constituted by a wire wound on a coil 102, the hub 103 of which serves as a guide for the plunger. The plunger comprises a core 104 made of soft iron, extended by a rod 105 made of non-magnetic material (stainless steel or brass). It is the end of this rod which strikes the pusher 63 on the device of FIG. 9. In order to increase the energy of this triggering system, the core is formed with a washer 106 at the end opposite to the stem. This washer 106 is spaced from the coil 102 by a distance E which represents the stroke of the plunger. On the left half of the figure, this washer is shown with a peripheral skirt 106A which partially envelops the coil 102, which makes it possible to recover the flux emitted by the coil and thus ensures energy savings of up to 25%, in addition to the savings obtained by the presence of the magnets. The edge of the skirt will be in the rest position, at a distance from the magnet 112 at least equal to the distance E of the stroke of the plunger. Against the washer 106 is disposed a flat magnet 107, of the same circular shape, and a soft iron blade 108 also of the same shape. In the case of operation with alternating current, the magnet 107 is not used. On the bottom 100F of the housing is fixed a small magnet 109, the function of which is to retain the plunger in the high, rest position. In order to increase the attraction force on the plunger, after it has been detached from the magnet 109, there is provided against the wall 100H of the housing 100, a soft iron washer 111, a magnet 112 in the form washer, and a magnet 113, pierced with an axial hole. The rod 105 of the plunger passes through the soft iron washer 111 and the two magnets 112 and 113. In order to improve the magnetic flux between the plunger 104 and the magnet 113, in particular at the end of the race, when they become neighbors, the limitation surfaces of the plunger and the magnet 113 may be of corresponding conical shape. The different means shown can be used jointly, or only some of them.

To cushion the end of the plunger stroke, a rubber washer 114 may be provided against the washer 106, preferably, as indicated above, with Shore A hardness 20⁺.

As a variant, the shock absorber can be placed against the magnet 113, and have, where appropriate, the same conical shape for joining the magnet 113 and the plunger 104. If the shock absorber 115 is placed at this location, it will advantageously be made of magnetic material, to reduce the air gap, for example in compressed or molded metallic fabric, or may also be constituted by a corrugated metal washer.

The operation of this system is simple. When the solenoid is traversed by a current wave, there is attraction of the core downwards, under the electromagnetic effect at the beginning, and to which is added the effect of attraction of magnets 112 and 113, when the core approaches them. The end of the rod 105 strikes the pusher 63, then pushes it.

The fineness of the spray depends on the speed of penetration. Repetitive actuation of the solenoid achieves almost continuous spraying, if the rate is sufficient. A cadence of 50 strokes per second supplied by the AC current gives an excellent result.

As appears from the description given with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10, the device comprises on the one hand a container 60, with a pump 61 actuated by a rod 62 equipped with a pusher 63, and a repetitive actuation system constituted for example the plunger 64 and the solenoid 65 mounted in the housing 69, 71, or the system shown in Figure 14. The actuation system must be adapted to the product to be sprayed. These are numerous and have very different properties. The expulsion rates, the pump strokes are different. Gold; when a container 60 is empty, it must be replaced whereas often, the actuation system is reusable, and an actuation system can be used for one or more hundreds of receptacles which are then considered as refills (there is no is not excluded according to the invention to have cheap actuation systems of the disposable type with the container when the latter is empty). To avoid putting an improper refill with an actuating system, the invention provides a polarization system, described with reference to FIGS. 11, 12 and 13.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the actuation device comprises a housing 71, in which the refill 60 is placed with its pump and its pusher 63. To avoid errors on the part of customers, the seller of the refill garnishes the latter with a box 72 having the general shape of a cube enveloping the head, or emerging part, of the pump and its fixing capsule on the neck of the container. This box is formed by a box 73 (Figure 12) having five sides of a cube, and a cover 74 (Figure 13). The box 73 therefore has an open face, and one face is formed with a cutout 75 so as to be able to be engaged on the head of the pump. Once the box has been engaged on the pump head, the cover 74 is put in place definitively, by ultrasonic welding, gluing, snap-fastening, to close the open face of the box and prevent it from being able to be removed from the refill. The box has an orifice 76 on one side, to allow the plunger to come and push the pusher, and another orifice 77 to let the end of the pusher, fitted with the nozzle. The assembly then presents itself as shown in FIG. 11. It is then possible, by means of this box, to provide associations with the housing 71 to avoid refill replacement errors.

The refill is housed in the housing 71. At least one of the faces of the box 72 may include one or more ribs 78, which cooperate with a corresponding groove formed in the housing. If the rib (or the ribs) does not have the correct width, or is not in the correct location, the refill cannot be slid into place in the case. In the case where a user could remove the rib, the face of the box coming to be placed at the bottom of the housing which is intended for it may include appropriate reliefs 79 (see FIGS. 9 and 13) cooperating with corresponding recesses 80 formed in the bottom housing. If there is no match, the refill cannot be pushed in completely, and the plunger will not be in front of hole 76. The system will not work. In in addition, it is possible to provide in this wall of the box magnetic elements 81, 82, the presence of which, opposite HALL effect electronic components 91 sensitive to the magnets placed at corresponding places in the housing 71, can control the authorization or prohibition of the operation of the device.

To this end, the housing 71 is equipped with appropriate electronics, with members sensitive to the presence of the magnets 81, 82, at the location which corresponds to the correct use of the device.

Claims (23)

1. A method for dispensing, issuing, or diffusing a liquid product, including the use of a dispenser having a spray pump with a liquid delivery piston for creating an internal pressure which expels the liquid through a nozzle, said pump being fluidly coupled to a storage (1, 60) of said liquid, said dispenser including mechanical actuating means (10, 12; 22, 26; 86, 87; 66, 67, 68, 65, 65') which have an actuating member (51, 105, 64) adapted to contact the pump to actuate it, said method being characterized in that it includes the following steps:

   - positionning said actuating member (51, 105, 64) a predetermined distance (d) from said pump, said predetermined distance being substantially equal or slightly less than the piston stroke,

   - accelerating said actuating member (51, 105, 64) through said predetermined distance (d) before said actuating member contacts the pump, thereby providing an instantaneous internal pressure producing a spray in which the particles of fractionated liquid are not greater than about 45 microns, depending on the surface tension of the expelled liquid.
2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the volume of liquid expelled by the pump lies in the range of about 5 microliters to about 100 microliters, and the expulsion takes place in a period of time no greater than 10 milliseconds.
3. A method according to claim 2, wherein said spray is directed towards a smooth surface in order to cause the p articles to be fractionated by impact, thereby obtaining particles of said fractionated liquid having a dimension no greater than about 1 micron, said smooth surface being maintained at a predetermined temperature above the vaporisation temperature of the liquid.
4. A method according to claim 3, wherein the smooth surface is a ceramic material caused to vibrate by means of a piezoelectric ultrasonic transducer.
5. A diffuser having a spray pump which is provided with a pushbutton (4, 50) for actuating said pump, wherein a bearing force exerted on said pushbutton is transmitted to a liquid delivery piston, a return spring for returning the piston towards a rest position, an outlet nozzle for fractionning the liquid by the pressure by the pressure effect, said diffuser including mechanical actuating means (10, 12; 22, 26; 86, 87; 66, 67, 68, 65, 65') having an actuating member (51, 105, 64) which is adapted to bear on the pushbutton, characterized in that said actuating member (51, 105, 64) is disposed, at rest, a predetermined distance (d) away from the pump pushbutton (4, 50), said distance being substantially equal or slightly less than the piston, stroke, and said actuating means are adapted to accelerate said actuating member (51, 105, 64) through said predetermined distance (d) before contacting the pump, thereby providing an instantaneous internal pressure producing a spray in which the particles of fractionated liquid are not greater than about 45 microns, depending on the surface tension of the expelled liquid.
6. A diffuser according to claim 5, wherein the volume of liquid expelled by the pump lies in the range of about 5 microliters to about 100 microliters, and the expulsion takes place in a period of time no greater than 10 milliseconds.
7. A diffuser according to claim 5 or claim 6, wherein said mechanical actuator means comprise a spring.
8. A diffuser according to claim 5 or claim 6, wherein said mechanical actuator means for the pump comprise a plunger (10) controlled by a solenoid (12).
9. A diffuser according to claim 5 or claim 6,wherein said mechanical actuator means include at least two magnets (86, 87) whose relative positions give rise to mutual attraction or repulsion.
10. A diffuser acording to claim 8, wherein magnets are provided for attracting said plunger (10, 104) in order to at least partially balance the return spring of the piston.
11. A diffuser according to any one of the claims 5 to 10, further comprising a smooth fractioning surface, with heating means (45) which regulate the temperature, said spray being directed towards said surface.
12. A diffuser according to any one of claims 5 to 11, further comprising means for establishing a flow of air around and inside the spray and in the same direction as the spray.
13. A diffuser according to claim 11, wherein said heater means are servo-controlled to provide a temperature at a value above the vaporisation temperature of said liquid.
14. A diffuser according to any one of claims 5, 6 or 8, further comprising repetitive control means for operating said mechanical actuator means so as to produce peudo-continuous operation.
15. A diffuser according to claims 5, 6 or 8, further comprising stroke-by-stroke control means basis.
16. A diffuser according to claim 8, wherein said plunger includes a rod of a non-magnetic material fixedly coupled to magnets (66, 67, 68, 107) and possibly inertia masses of non-magnetic material.
17. A diffuser according to claim 8, further comprising a housing with an mechanism for receiving a liquid receptacle (1, 60) with said pump, wherein the external portion of the pump is provided with keying means constituted by reliefs (79, 80) complimentary with reliefs in the housing for ensuring that only appropriate receptacles can be admitted into the housing.
18. A diffuser according to claim 17, further comprising electronic keying means which include magnets and magnet sensors, at selected positions.
19. A diffuser according to claim 16, further comprising a shock absorber (15, 114, 115) for dampening plunger motion, the shock absorber being made of rubber, compressed metal cloth or corrugated metal.
20. A diffuser according to claim 8, wherein said plunger includes a core of a magnetic material (104) extending between a rod of a non-magnetic material directed tocards the pushbutton (63) of the pump, and a washer (106) of said magnetic material.
21. A diffuser according to claim 20, wherein said magnetic material is soft iron.
22. A diffuser according to claim 5, wherein said predetermined distance (d) is in the ring of 5 to 10 mm for a piston stroke of about 10 mm.
23. A method according to claim 1, wherein said predetermined distance (d) is in the ring of 5 to 10 mm for a piston stroke of about 10 mm.

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