Classifications

• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
  • B05B—SPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES
  • B05B11/00—Single-unit hand-held apparatus in which flow of contents is produced by the muscular force of the operator at the moment of use
  • B05B11/0005—Components or details
  • B05B11/0008—Sealing or attachment arrangements between sprayer and container
  • B05B11/0013—Attachment arrangements comprising means cooperating with the inner surface of the container
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
  • B05B—SPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES
  • B05B11/00—Single-unit hand-held apparatus in which flow of contents is produced by the muscular force of the operator at the moment of use
  • B05B11/0005—Components or details
  • B05B11/0037—Containers
  • B05B11/0039—Containers associated with means for compensating the pressure difference between the ambient pressure and the pressure inside the container, e.g. pressure relief means
  • B05B11/0044—Containers associated with means for compensating the pressure difference between the ambient pressure and the pressure inside the container, e.g. pressure relief means compensating underpressure by ingress of atmospheric air into the container, i.e. with venting means
  • B05B11/00444—Containers associated with means for compensating the pressure difference between the ambient pressure and the pressure inside the container, e.g. pressure relief means compensating underpressure by ingress of atmospheric air into the container, i.e. with venting means with provision for filtering or cleaning the air flow drawn into the container
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
  • B05B—SPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES
  • B05B11/00—Single-unit hand-held apparatus in which flow of contents is produced by the muscular force of the operator at the moment of use
  • B05B11/01—Single-unit hand-held apparatus in which flow of contents is produced by the muscular force of the operator at the moment of use characterised by the means producing the flow
  • B05B11/10—Pump arrangements for transferring the contents from the container to a pump chamber by a sucking effect and forcing the contents out through the dispensing nozzle
  • B05B11/1001—Piston pumps
  • B05B11/1023—Piston pumps having an outlet valve opened by deformation or displacement of the piston relative to its actuating stem
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
  • B05B—SPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES
  • B05B11/00—Single-unit hand-held apparatus in which flow of contents is produced by the muscular force of the operator at the moment of use
  • B05B11/01—Single-unit hand-held apparatus in which flow of contents is produced by the muscular force of the operator at the moment of use characterised by the means producing the flow
  • B05B11/10—Pump arrangements for transferring the contents from the container to a pump chamber by a sucking effect and forcing the contents out through the dispensing nozzle
  • B05B11/1042—Components or details
  • B05B11/1066—Pump inlet valves
  • B05B11/107—Gate valves; Sliding valves
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
  • B05B—SPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES
  • B05B11/00—Single-unit hand-held apparatus in which flow of contents is produced by the muscular force of the operator at the moment of use
  • B05B11/01—Single-unit hand-held apparatus in which flow of contents is produced by the muscular force of the operator at the moment of use characterised by the means producing the flow
  • B05B11/10—Pump arrangements for transferring the contents from the container to a pump chamber by a sucking effect and forcing the contents out through the dispensing nozzle
  • B05B11/1042—Components or details
  • B05B11/1073—Springs
  • B05B11/1074—Springs located outside pump chambers
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
  • B05B—SPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES
  • B05B11/00—Single-unit hand-held apparatus in which flow of contents is produced by the muscular force of the operator at the moment of use
  • B05B11/01—Single-unit hand-held apparatus in which flow of contents is produced by the muscular force of the operator at the moment of use characterised by the means producing the flow
  • B05B11/10—Pump arrangements for transferring the contents from the container to a pump chamber by a sucking effect and forcing the contents out through the dispensing nozzle
  • B05B11/1081—Arrangements for pumping several liquids or other fluent materials from several containers, e.g. for mixing them at the moment of pumping
  • B05B11/1084—Arrangements for pumping several liquids or other fluent materials from several containers, e.g. for mixing them at the moment of pumping each liquid or other fluent material being pumped by a separate pump
  • B05B11/1085—Arrangements for pumping several liquids or other fluent materials from several containers, e.g. for mixing them at the moment of pumping each liquid or other fluent material being pumped by a separate pump the pumps being coaxial
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
  • B05B—SPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES
  • B05B11/00—Single-unit hand-held apparatus in which flow of contents is produced by the muscular force of the operator at the moment of use
  • B05B11/01—Single-unit hand-held apparatus in which flow of contents is produced by the muscular force of the operator at the moment of use characterised by the means producing the flow
  • B05B11/10—Pump arrangements for transferring the contents from the container to a pump chamber by a sucking effect and forcing the contents out through the dispensing nozzle
  • B05B11/1087—Combination of liquid and air pumps
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
  • B05B—SPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES
  • B05B11/00—Single-unit hand-held apparatus in which flow of contents is produced by the muscular force of the operator at the moment of use
  • B05B11/01—Single-unit hand-held apparatus in which flow of contents is produced by the muscular force of the operator at the moment of use characterised by the means producing the flow
  • B05B11/02—Membranes or pistons acting on the contents inside the container, e.g. follower pistons
  • B05B11/026—Membranes separating the content remaining in the container from the atmospheric air to compensate underpressure inside the container

Definitions

• Device for dispensing a product mixed with a fluid, dispensing assembly comprising such a device.
• the invention particularly relates to a device for dispensing a more or less viscous product, such as a cream, gel or milk, contained in a container, such as a pouch, which can be relatively flexible, the dispensed product being able to to be in the form of a "spray".
• a container such as a pouch
• the invention particularly relates to a distribution device comprising a movable part mounted on a fixed part to delimit:
• first chamber which communicates with the container for the main product, via a product inlet orifice adapted to be closed selectively by first selective closing means, and
• the movable part comprising:
• said first selective closing means authorizing the passage of the main product from the container to the first chamber
• the rod and the tubular element comprising, in two separate cooperation zones, first and second valves interposed on said first and second passages, respectively, for, depending on the relative position of the rod inside the tubular element, closing the first and second passages during said first movement and opening said first and second passages during the second movement, after said intake port is closed.
• the device of the invention appears particularly suitable in the case of vaporization of the product (especially a viscous product) by a gas which is compressed in the second chamber, even in the event of slight gas leaks in this chamber since 1 • opening of the evacuation passages is controlled, not by the gas pressure, but by the closing of the product inlet orifice and by the action of the first piston in the product chamber.
• a gas pressure slightly lower than that calculated for the device.
• the fixed part comprises a lower portion having a section and delimiting said first chamber, this lower portion being extended axially by an upper portion of upper section and delimiting said second chamber,
• tubular element crosses the second chamber to reach the first where it ends with said first piston, the tubular element further carries the second piston disposed in the second chamber.
• the device will be perfectly suited for the distribution of the aforementioned product with a second admissible product in the second chamber, these two products preferably being substances capable of reacting as a mixture and which must therefore only be brought into contact time of use.
• the device then preferably comprises means for controlling the admission of this second product so as, during the first movement of the mobile part, to authorize its admission into the second chamber and, during the second movement of the mobile part, closing the intake opening of this second product advantageously substantially at the same time as closing the intake opening of the main product.
• the invention also relates to a dispensing assembly which comprises the above-mentioned device mounted on a product container and communicating with the interior of the container.
• FIGS. 1 to 3 are views, in median cross-section, of a first embodiment of the dispensing device of the invention in place on a container, FIG. 2 being a more detailed view of the device, and
• FIG. 4 always shows, in a view in median cross-section, an alternative embodiment of the device of FIGS. 1 to 3.
• FIG. 1 shows a device 1 intended to ensure the dosing and the distribution of a product, such as for example a perfumed milk or a cosmetic cream, which may even be very viscous and have a viscosity of, for example between 15,000 and 50,000 centipoises (or m.Pa.s).
• a product such as for example a perfumed milk or a cosmetic cream
• the product is contained in a container 2, in particular consisting of a relatively flexible and deformable plastic bottle, the device being provided with an opening or inlet orifice 4 for the product communicating with the container.
• the device 1 comprises a drawer system associated with first and second means for selective control (opening / closing) of the orifice 4 and of the product discharge passages, 16, and of the fluid (gas) 18 respectively.
• general operating principle imagined in the invention is such that for a first movement of this slide system, along an axis 9 of movement (direction of arrow 5), a movable part 6 of the system discovers, thanks to two pistons 8, 14, two chambers of variable volume: a first chamber 10 for metering the product which communicates with the interior of the container 2, and a second chamber 12 suitable for enclosing the fluid used for distribution.
• the first selective closing means keep open the orifice 4 for filling the chamber 10 while the product and fluid discharge passages to the area 20 are closed.
• the drawer system which can essentially be made of plastic, comprises a fixed part 22 here linked to the container 2 by a crimping ring 24 which clamps the opening edge 36 of the container.
• this part 22 comprises a lower portion 26, substantially cylindrical and extending along the axis 9, which delimits the chamber 10.
• the portion 26 narrows to define the inlet orifice 4 by presenting here, towards the inside of the chamber, an axial neck 28 terminated by a sealing bead 48 and, towards the outside, a short axial duct 30 linked to a flexible tube 31.
• the portion 26 is extended by a collar 32 making it possible to take a tight seal “sandwiched” with the rim 36 of the container, this collar being itself blocked by the ring 24.
• a small orifice 35 (partly shown) is provided for the entry of air into the container.
• the container could be placed in communication with the chamber 12 by a channel opening on one side into the chamber 12 and on the other into the container, a valve for closing this channel. then being provided to bear against the seal 34 on the container side to prevent the return of air to the compression chamber. This channel allowed the passage of a part of the air included in the chamber 12 in the container during said second movement of the movable part 6.
• the fixed part also includes an upper cylindrical portion 38, of larger section than that of the portion 26, which here axially extends the flange 32 above the portion 26.
• This portion 38 delimits the chamber 12 which in this case may contain air and which advantageously has a volume greater than that of the chamber 10. This produces two chambers 10, 12 concentric ent staggered and axially offset.
• the movable part 6 essentially comprises three parts: an external pusher 42, a tubular element 46 and a substantially coaxial rod 44, here fixed relative to the pusher and which slides relatively tightly in the tube 46.
• the pusher 42 hollow in the lower part, surrounds and protects the entire system up to the base of the portion 38. It contains, in the upper part, the mixing zone 20 which opens onto the outside and it extends, locally and internally downward, by a hollow axial cylinder 52.
• This cylinder 52 communicates with the zone 20 at its upper end and is open at its lower free end 52a, in this case to receive in leaktight manner to fluids the upper end 44a of the rod to which it is fixed (glued for example).
• the axial tube 46 of light 50, comprises towards its base the lower piston 8 (here of section slightly greater than that of the tube and with a relatively large bearing surface on the product) mounted to slide in the chamber 10 that it separates from the chamber 12, in a leaktight manner, by means of seals or sealing lips 106a, 106b sliding against the guide wall 110 which surrounds them.
• this tube 46 which also passes through the second chamber also incorporates the piston 14 formed by a flange which slides in leaktight manner thanks to the seals 108 against the guide wall 112 of the portion 38.
• the second piston could have been formed with the pusher, the tubular element being connected to this pusher by means of a spring.
• the flange 14, of enlarged section is provided with at least one opening (here 60, 62) for the entry of ambient air (source of fluid) into the chamber 12.
• elements of air filtration are provided at the location of the openings 60, 62 (which prevents contamination or deterioration of the product contained in the container from occurring when an air passage between the chamber 12 and the interior of container 2 is envisaged).
• Selective closing means for the openings 60 and 62 are provided, such as a ring seal 107 which covers or deviates from the openings 60, 62 according to the movements of the mobile part 6 for filling or closing the chamber 12.
• the element 46 is extended above the flange 14 by an upper section 64, sliding in the cylinder 52 (surrounding the rod), in leaktight manner thanks to the annular seals 114a, 114b.
• the end wall 66 of the section 64 is able to cooperate with a wall 68 facing the cylinder 52 so that once brought closer to each other, these walls reserve a passage 40 for the fluid towards zone 20.
• the wall 68 here connects the zone of the extension 52 where the rod is arranged and the zone where the section 64 slides.
• the rod which completely crosses the two chambers ends in an end portion 78 (here full) suitable for sliding in the axial orifice 4 in order to close it tightly or open it, here constituting the first means for selectively closing the orifice 4.
• this portion 78 of length 1 and of section substantially equal to the diameter of the orifice 4, comprises over part of its length, at least one longitudinal groove 104 (here two grooves 104a, 104b), formed from the lower end 44b of the rod.
• This sliding part 78 advantageously allows use of the device in any position.
• the rod also includes a support plane 76 transverse to the axis 9, and capable of abutting against the bead 48 for blocking the movable part 6 in a low position.
• the rod 44 defines locally and jointly with the tube 46 the passages 16 and 18, which further promotes compactness (simply).
• the fluid discharge passage 18 is formed locally by an axial space 82 reserved between the rod 44 and the element 46.
• this space 82 is delimited, in the upper part, by an axial groove 81 formed from the end 66 on the wall of the lumen 50 (the rod having at the location of this groove an outside diameter substantially equal to the diameter of the passage 50).
• This groove communicates, via the passage 40, with a channel 92 formed in the pusher for the evacuation of the fluid as far as the nozzle 20.
• this space 82 consists of a slight radial clearance J due to a difference in diameter between the rod 44 and the light 50.
• the passage 18 is connected to the chamber 12 by an orifice 90 transverse to the axis 9, this orifice formed in the wall of the element 46 being disposed above the piston 8.
• the product discharge passage 16 is defined locally by an inner conduit 70 of the rod which extends over part of the length of this rod. At the end 44a, this conduit 70 opens into a channel 74 formed in the pusher (here normally at axis 9) for the evacuation of the product towards the zone 20.
• This essentially axial conduit 70 is bent at its lower end to end with an orifice 72, transverse to the axis 9, which is formed in the wall of the rod above the support plane 76.
• this orifice 72 is retracted inside the tube 46, or is axially spaced therefrom to open into the chamber 10.
• an annular seal 113 is provided between the rod and the light 50, above the orifice 72 and which closes the space 82.
• the rod 44 and the element 46 also comprise first and second valves 94, 96 which here constitute the second means for selectively closing the passages 16 and 18.
• these valves are formed respectively in two distinct zones 98 , 100 of cooperation between the rod 44 and the element 46, being each arranged across the passages 16 and 18.
• the valve 94 is formed by the orifice 72 and the wall portion 102 of the tube 46 against which this orifice 72 slides during the displacement of the rod relative to the element 46. It will be noted that a seal 115 has been provided on this portion 102.
• the second valve 96 advantageously comprises joint planes 80 and 84 forming a valve and seat provided at the junction between the groove 81 and the space 82. These complementary planes 80 and 84 consist respectively of two shoulders formed on the external wall of the rod and on the internal wall of the element 46, transverse to the axis 9, the shoulder 80 of the rod here being inclined downward towards the axis of the rod.
• elastic means are provided, in this case at least one helical spring 116 disposed in the axis 9, here in the internal volume of the pusher, so as to bear on one side on the pusher and on the other on the piston 14 to which it is linked.
• the spring 116 will be calibrated to be compressed by a pressure exerted on it (for example at least 0.5 bar and possibly up to about 3 or even 4 bars) at least equal to the pressure that actually exerts on this spring (via the piston 14) the compressed gas in the chamber 12 when the orifice 4 is closed.
• the pressure of the gas to be reached when the orifice 4 is closed (for example 2 bars and possibly up to 4 bars) will be determined as a function of the viscosity of the product, or even of the volume of the product to be vaporized and will depend in this case the stroke traveled by the pistons until the orifice 4 closes.
• this pressure will remain substantially constant during the major part of the time for evacuating the gas to the nozzle.
• the mixing zone 20 comprises two tubular parts 120, 122 each closed by an end wall 124, 126 (these parts having a longitudinal U-shaped section) and fitted coaxially closely together.
• Housing 128 generally annular in shape and opening onto the outside is provided in the pusher for closely receiving the parts 120, 122 here along an axis 123 substantially normal to the axis 9 for lateral distribution of the product (other distribution orientations could have been envisaged).
• the internal part 120 reserves between it and the pusher an annular space 121 extending the channel 74 for the arrival and circulation of the product in the area 20.
• Two holes 132, 134 for bringing the product and the fluid into contact, are formed in the wall of the part 120, below its end 124, and emerge respectively, substantially perpendicularly, in two longitudinal channels or grooves 136, 138 for supplying the fluid, which are formed between the parts 120 and 122 by extending the channel 92.
• These grooves extend on the wall 124 to connect to each other in a central zone 140 and advantageously have a section which decreases holes 132, 134 to the zone 140.
• An orifice 142 for exit from the mixture passes through the wall 126, being formed facing the zone 140 and with a section going here decreasing according to the direction of exit of the mixture.
• at least one spring 144 may be disposed in an annular recess 150 formed externally at the base of the portion 38, so that these elastic means bear on one side on the bottom of the clearance 150 and the other, against an inner wall of the pusher.
• FIGS. 1 to 3 the operation of the device in FIGS. 1 to 3 is as follows:
• the mobile part 6 is in a high position (FIG. 1), the chambers 10 and 12 being assumed to be full, with maximum volume. Pressing the pusher 42 (arrow 11) causes the rod and the element 46 driven by the spring 116 to descend. The orifice 72 (disposed in the tube 46) remains closed and the orifice 4 is kept open since the product passes into the grooves 104. Likewise, the valve 80 is in leaktight abutment against the seat 84 and the openings 60, 62 are closed by the seal 107, the chamber 12 being thus closed.
• the pistons move along the axis 9 and exert pressure on the contents of the chambers, which causes the return of part of the product towards the interior of the container 2 and the compression of the gas.
• the portion 78 of the rod closes the orifice 4 (zone without groove of this part 78)
• the gas has substantially reached the pressure desired for the vaporization of the product.
• the product is blocked in the chamber 10 (completely closed) and then exerts a back pressure on the piston 8 which is momentarily immobilized with the part 46.
• the communication between the chamber 12 and the passage 18 is opened slightly before the passage 16 and the chamber 10 are brought into communication.
• the orifice 90 will be located in the portion 26 of reduced section to increase the speed of the gas in its evacuation passage.
• the downward movement of the movable part continuing and the evacuation passages 16, 18 being kept open due to the back pressure exerted at all times by the product on the element 46 (the orifice 4 remaining closed) , the product is forced in its passage 16 (orifice 72, conduit 70 then channel 74) towards zone 20, the same for the gas in its passage 18 (orifice 90, space 82, passage 40 then channel 92) to mix with the produced in zone 20.
• the gas sucks in the Venturi effect the product and causes it to vaporize into very fine droplets projected outside.
• the size of the separate passages 16 and 18 will gradually decrease from the chambers 10, 12 to the zone 20.
• the pusher and the rod are locked in the low position ( Figure 3) and the product still present in the chamber exerts pressure on the part 46, against the spring 116 keeping the communications open.
• the compressed gas still contained in the chamber 12 sucks the product still present in the passage 16 and in the chamber 10.
• This emptying of the product causes the part 46 to descend with respect to the rod, this part 46 being also pushed by the relaxation of the spring 116 which occurs due to the drop in gas pressure in the chamber 12.
• the orifice 72 closes while the valve 96 is still open, which favors the suction of the remaining product .
• the return spring 144 urges the mobile part 6 in its upward movement (arrow 5), the element 46 being driven by the rod through the seat 80 and by the spring 116. This allows the product to rise in the chamber 10 when the grooves come opposite the orifice 4 and the entry of air into the chamber 12 by deviating ent from the crown 107 of the openings 60, 62.
• the mobile part remains in the low position and must be manually reassembled by the user.
• the device 1 is ready for spraying a new dose of the product.
• FIG. 4 illustrates an alternative embodiment for the simultaneous distribution without vaporization of two products, for example two more or less viscous liquids which react as a mixture.
• the essential difference consists in that the chamber 12 is no longer in communication with the ambient air but with a source of a second product and therefore comprises an inlet opening 152 of the second product, by species formed in the collar 32 and which communicates with the interior of the container.
• the container 2 separately contains the two products, one of them being for example contained in a deformable pocket 155.
• the device also comprises third means for selectively closing the opening 152 which in this case comprises an axial rod 154 fixed at its upper end 154a to the piston 14 to move with the latter by sliding through the orifice 152.
• This rod 154 of section less than that of the orifice 152 comprises an outer ring 156, frustoconical, for sealing the orifice 152.
• the rods 4 and 154 slide respectively through the orifices 4 and 152 allowing a part of the two products to return to the container (alternatively, one could conceive of the closure of the orifices 4 and 152 at the start of the second movement).
• the openings 4 and 152 this causes the displacement of the element 46 relative to the rod 44 and therefore the opening of the communications (by taking up the clearance JL) for the evacuation of the two products.
• the spring 116 relaxes causing the spreading of the zone 52a of the pusher from the zone 53 of the element 46 and the closing of communications between each chamber 10, 12 and its discharge passage 16, 18.
• the ascent of the mobile part to its high position allows the filling of the two chambers.

Landscapes

• Containers And Packaging Bodies Having A Special Means To Remove Contents (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=9463084

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (6)

Families Citing this family (32)

Family Cites Families (13)

• 1994
  • 1994-05-10 FR FR9405755A patent/FR2719789B1/fr not_active Expired - Fee Related
• 1995
  • 1995-05-09 JP JP7528734A patent/JPH09500325A/ja active Pending
  • 1995-05-09 WO PCT/FR1995/000600 patent/WO1995030490A1/fr not_active Application Discontinuation
  • 1995-05-09 EP EP95920932A patent/EP0708687A1/de not_active Withdrawn
  • 1995-05-09 US US08/556,968 patent/US5752627A/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 1995-05-09 AU AU26188/95A patent/AU2618895A/en not_active Abandoned

Non-Patent Citations (1)

Also Published As

Similar Documents

Legal Events