EP0526298B1 - Actuator button for a pressurized container for spraying a liquid, and container provided with such an actuator button - Google Patents

Abstract

The actuator button (4) comprises a small collar (5) intended to be fastened to a pressurised container (1), a spraying nozzle (7) and a system (8) of inner ducts capable of connecting the outlet of a valve stem (3) to the nozzle (7). The system (8) of inner ducts comprises closing means (F) capable of closing a passage (15) leading to the nozzle (7) when the angle formed by the axis (A) of the container and the vertical exceeds a predetermined gamma value, which corresponds to a poor position, while these closing means (F) are capable of opening when the said angle becomes less than the predetermined gamma value, which corresponds to a good use position. <IMAGE>

Description

The invention relates to a push button for a pressurized container intended for spraying a liquid, equipped with a hollow valve stem on which the push button can be pressed in order to push in the stem and cause the spraying, this push button comprising a collar intended to be fixed on the container, a spraying nozzle and a system of internal pipes suitable for connecting the outlet of the valve stem to the nozzle.

We know that such pressurized containers, also called aerosols, are intended to be used either "head up" or "head down", depending on the type of pressurized container, and depending on whether or not it has a dip tube with the interior. If the user positions the pressurized container improperly, the spraying will not be carried out in good conditions or will not take place at all, and the opening of the valve will cause a waste of the propellant gas contained in the pressurized container.

This problem is particularly acute when the container is pressurized not by a vapor / liquid balance at ordinary temperature, for example using a freon or other liquid, but by a compressed gas, such as air. The waste of this compressed gas is disastrous.

FR-A-2 631 320 proposed a solution consisting in mechanically blocking the push-button when the container occupies a bad position, so as to prevent use. However, if in use, that is to say when the user has already started to press the push button, a bad position is given to the pressurized container, the proposed blocking device does not intervene and does not prevent the loss of the propellant.

According to US-A-4,174,053, a double-walled bottle equipped with a push-button for the operation of a manual pump comprises a discharge conduit in which is placed a closure element of a predetermined weight which leaves open said exhaust duct when the bottle is in its vertical position and closes said duct when it is upside down or sufficiently overturned; such an arrangement has the disadvantage that the closure element is always present in the evacuation duct even when the latter is open and constitutes a brake on the flow of the product due to the pressure drop existing at the item.

The object of the invention is, above all, to provide a push button which makes it possible to reduce, or even eliminate, the waste of the propellant element of the pressurized container, by preventing any use of this pressure distributor in a bad position, even if the use started when the position was satisfactory, the spraying, when it takes place, being carried out under good flow conditions.

The invention also aims to provide such a push button which is of a simple and economical embodiment and reliable operation.

According to the invention, a push button for a pressurized container intended for spraying a liquid, equipped with a hollow valve stem on which the push button can be pressed in order to push the stem in and cause the spraying , this push button comprising a flange intended to be fixed on the container, a spray nozzle, and a system of internal pipes suitable for connecting the outlet of the valve stem to the nozzle, is characterized in that the system of internal piping is equipped with sealing means capable of closing a passage leading to the nozzle when the angle alpha formed between the axis of the container and the vertical exceeds a predetermined gamma value, which corresponds to a bad position, while these shutter means are adapted to open when said angle alpha becomes less than the predetermined gamma value, which corresponds to a good position of use, the closure means comprising the cylindrical passage formed in the pusher and serving as a housing for a movable closure member capable of moving under the action of gravity, the cylindrical passage forming a beta angle, equal to the complement (π / 2 - gamma) of the predetermined gamma value, with the axis of the push button intended to be vertical and coincident with the axis of the container when the push button is mounted on the container and that the container occupies the normal position of use, the push button comprising means for bringing the cylindrical passage to atmospheric pressure to allow the movable closure member in the closed position to move under the action of gravity.

With such a push button, spraying and loss of propellant gas are prevented, even if after having started spraying with the container in a correct position, the user, during spraying, gives said container a bad position.

The push button can be arranged for head-up use or head-down use.

The movable member is advantageously constituted by a ball. The system of internal pipes of the push button comprises an axial pipe intended to be located in the extension of the valve stem, this pipe opening into the cylindrical passage. This cylindrical passage extends, on one side, to the side wall of the push button and is closed by a plug, while at its other end, it communicates through a hole of reduced diameter with a pipe arriving at the spray nozzle.

The atmospheric pressure means are means for atmospheric pressure of the part of the cylindrical passage which is located upstream of the closure means, when the latter occupies the closed position of the nozzle, this setting atmospheric pressure occurring when the user stops pressing the push button; the means for bringing it to atmospheric pressure include elastic means suitable for removing, at rest, the push button from the end of the valve stem so as to establish a connection with the atmosphere when the button is stopped being pressed.

Advantageously, the elastic means comprise a film hinge ensuring the connection between a fixing flange on the container and an area of the push button preferably located in line with the spray nozzle, the part of this push button diametrically opposite. with the film hinge being free vis-à-vis the fixing flange, the assembly being such that in the rest position of the push button, the film hinge maintains a frustoconical end of the axial pipe spaced from the end of the valve stem.

The predetermined gamma value, limit for the angle alpha, is advantageously of the order of 30 °.

The invention also relates to a pressurized container equipped with a push button as defined above.

The invention consists, apart from the arrangements set out above, of a certain number of other arrangements which will be more explicitly discussed below in connection with an exemplary embodiment described with reference to the attached drawing, but which is by no means limiting.

Figure 1 of this drawing shows, in vertical section, a push button according to the invention, in the rest position, mounted on a pressurized container partially shown outside.

Figure 2 shows, similarly to Figure 1, the push button pressed, while the container is in a good position, which allows spraying.

Figure 3, finally, similarly shows in Figure 2, the push button pressed but while the container occupies a bad position, spraying being prevented.

Referring to Figure 1, one can see a pressurized container 1 intended for spraying a liquid and capable of operating head up. This container is provided, in the upper part, with an opening closed by a cup 2 set on the edge of the opening and equipped with a valve provided with a hollow rod 3 which, when pressed, ensures the opening of the valve and allows the passage of the liquid from the container 1 to the outside. The container 1 is surmounted by a push button 4 comprising, at its base, a flange 5 for fixing the push button 4, preferably by snap-fastening, on the edge of the cup 2.

The push button 4 comprises a cylindrical upper part 6 of smaller diameter than the collar 5 and in which is provided a spray nozzle 7 and a system 8 of internal pipes suitable for connecting the outlet of the valve stem 3 to the nozzle 7.

The push-button 4 comprises elastic means E capable of moving, at rest, the frustoconical lower end 9 of the system of internal pipes 8, from the upper end of the rod 3.

As visible in FIG. 1, a space j , allowing the passage of air, exists at rest between the upper edge of the rod 3 and the surface of the end 9.

The elastic means E are advantageously constituted by a film hinge 10 provided over a reduced angular extent in line with the nozzle 7 and ensuring a connection between the flange 5 and the cylindrical part 6. Most of the lower periphery of the part 6 is free vis-à-vis the collar 5, in particular in a diametrically region opposite the hinge 10; a radial clearance 11 thus exists between the lower edge of the part 6 and the adjacent edge of the flange 5.

It is therefore possible, by pressing on the upper rear part of the push button 4 to push this push button and, with it, the rod 3. The upper part of the push button 4 is provided with a concave zone 12 in which are provided with transverse grooves 13 to allow good support of the user's finger on the push button.

The internal pipe system 8 comprises an axial pipe 14, the axis of which is substantially vertical and aligned with that of the rod 3 when the push button 4 is in the rest position, as shown in FIG. 1, the container 1 being vertical.

The piping system 8 is further equipped with shutter means F suitable for closing a passage 15 leading to the nozzle 7 when the angle alpha (see FIG. 3) formed between the axis A of the container and the vertical exceeds a value predetermined gamma. The shutter means F are suitable for opening when this angle alpha becomes less than the predetermined gamma value.

. Dans l'exemple considéré, la susdite valeur prédéterminée gamma est d'environ 30°, tandis que l'angle béta est d'environ 60°.The passage 15 is a cylindrical passage whose axis is located in the plane passing through the axis of the outlet orifice of the nozzle 7 and by the axis of the pipe 14. The passage 15 is inclined at a beta angle relative to the axis of the pipe 14 (coincident with the axis A of the container 1). This beta angle is complementary to the predetermined gamma value, that is to say that $\text{beta = π / 2- gamma}$

. In the example considered, the above predetermined gamma value is approximately 30 °, while the beta angle is approximately 60 °.

The cylindrical passage 15 opens, at its lower part, on the lateral surface of part 6. It is closed, at this end, by a plug 16. The opposite upper end 17 of this passage 15 has a frustoconical shape and communicates by a radial channel 18, of reduced section , with the outlet orifice of the nozzle 7. The pipe 14 opens into the passage 15.

The shutter means F comprise a movable shutter member constituted by a ball 19 capable of moving in the passage 15 under the action of gravity. The ball 19 can be applied sealingly against the frustoconical end 17 serving as a seat for this ball as illustrated in FIG. 3. The internal diameter of the passage 15 and the diameter of the ball 19 are greater than the internal diameter of the pipeline 14.

The pipe 14 is provided in a sleeve 20 with an outside diameter much smaller than the inside diameter of the cylindrical part 6 so that an annular space exists between these two surfaces. Stiffening wings 21, angularly spaced at regular intervals, are provided to establish a radial connection between the outer surface of the sleeve 20 and the inner surface of the part 6.

However, the operation is as follows.

In the rest position, as shown in Figure 1, the container 1 is vertical. The frustoconical end 9 of the sleeve 20 is slightly separated from the rod 3. The ball 19, by gravity, rests against the plug 16 in the lower part of the passage 15.

The container 1 being intended to be operated head up, if a user presses the push button 4, as illustrated in FIG. 2, keeping the container 1 in the correct vertical position, the button 4 switches around the hinge 10 clockwise, and the frusto-conical end 9 presses tightly on the rod 3 by pushing it. The ball 19 remains in the bottom of the passage 15, against the plug 16. The sprayed liquid will come out through the rod 3, the pipe 14, the upper part of the passage 15 and the nozzle 7 as illustrated in FIG. 2.

If, for any reason, the user inclines the axis A of the container 1 relatively to the vertical, as illustrated in FIG. 3, by an angle alpha greater than the gamma value, the ball 19 moves, under the action of gravity, to come to apply against the frustoconical seat 17 and close the passage to the nozzle 7. The spraying can no longer take place.

It should be noted that this stopping of the spraying is of the dynamic type because it occurs, even if the spraying has started under the conditions of FIG. 2, as soon as, for any reason, the user tilts the container 1 to- beyond the authorized limit while continuing to press button 4.

Of course, if the tilt is given to the container 1 before even pressing the push button 4, spraying will be prevented when the user presses the button 4.

When the user places the container 1 in its vertical position have ceased pressing the button 4, the film hinge 10 returns the button 4 in the position of Figure 1 and recovers the clearance j which makes the atmosphere the pipe 14 and the part of the passage 15 located upstream of the ball 19 which is in abutment against the frustoconical seat 17. The gas under pressure contained in the passage 15 and the pipe 14 can escape, and the ball 19 can return to the lower position shown on the figure 1.

The description has been given with regard to a container intended to operate "head up".

It is clear that the push button of the invention could be provided for a container intended to operate "upside down", the inclination of the passage 15 being chosen accordingly to produce the same results as those mentioned above, c that is to say closure of the outlet nozzle when the inclination of the axis of the container, relative to the vertical, exceeds a predetermined value.

Claims (9)

1. A push button for a pressurized container (1) intended for the spraying of a liquid, fitted with a hollow valve stem (3) whereon the push button (4) can bear with a view to depressing the stem (3) and to producing the spraying, this push button (4) comprising a collar (5) intended to be fixed on the container (1), a spraying nozzle (7) and an internal duct system (8) capable of connecting the outlet of the valve stem (3) to the nozzle (7), characterized in that the internal duct system (8) is provided with obturating means (F) capable of closing a passage (15) leading to the nozzle (7) when the angle alpha formed between the axis (A) of the container (1) and the vertical exceeds a predetermined value gamma, which corresponds to an unsuitable position whilst these obturating means (F) are capable of opening when the said angle alpha again falls below the predetermined value gamma which corresponds to a proper position of use, the obturating means (F) including the cylindrical passage (15) arranged in the push button (4) and serving as a housing for a movable obturating element (19) capable of displacement under the effect of gravity, the cylindrical passage (15) forming an angle beta, equal to the complement (π/2 - gamma) of the predetermined value gamma with the axis of the push button (4) intended to be located vertically and coinciding with the axis (A) of the container when the push button (4) is mounted on the container (1) and when the container (1) occupies the normal position of use, the push button (4) comprising means (E, j) for exposing the cylindrical passage (15) to atmospheric pressure, to make it possible for the movable obturating element (19) to be displaced in the closure position under the effect of gravity.
2. A push button according to claim 1, characterized in that the movable element (19) is constituted by a ball.
3. A push button according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the internal duct system (8) of the push button includes an axial duct (14) intended to be located in the extension of the valve stem (3), this duct opening out in the cylindrical passage (15).
4. A push button according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the cylindrical passage (15) is extended on one side as far as the side wall of the push button, and is closed by a plug (16), whilst at its other end, it communicates via a hole with a reduced diameter with a duct (18) coming to the spraying nozzle (7).
5. A push button according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the means for exposure to atmospheric pressure are means for exposing the portion of the cylindrical passage (15) which is situated ahead of the obturating means (F, 19) to atmospheric pressure when these latter occupy the position for closing the nozzle (7), this exposure to atmospheric pressure taking place when the user stops pressing on the push button (4).
6. A push button according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the means for exposure to atmospheric pressure include resilient means (E) capable of moving the push button (4) in the rest position from the end of the valve stem (3) so as to establish a communication (j) with the atmosphere when the pressure on the button (4) is stopped.
7. A push button according to claim 6, characterized in that the resilient means (E) include a film hinge (10) ensuring the connection between a collar (5) for the fixing on the container (1) and a zone (6) of the push button (4) situated opposite the spraying nozzle (7), the portion of this push button (4) diametrically opposed to the film hinge (10) being free relative to the fixing collar (5), the assembly being such that in the rest position of the push button (4), the film hinge (10) keeps a frustoconical end (9) of the axial duct (14) at a distance from the end of the valve stem (3).
8. A push button according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the predetermined value gamma which is the limit for the angle alpha is of the order of 30°.
9. A pressurized container fitted with a push button according to one of the preceding claims.

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