EP1405676A1

EP1405676A1 - Spraying device

Info

Publication number: EP1405676A1
Application number: EP20020078744
Authority: EP
Inventors: Markus Froehlich; Thomas Wilhelm Hauser; Hans Schatz
Original assignee: Nestec SA
Current assignee: Nestec SA
Priority date: 2002-09-11
Filing date: 2002-09-11
Publication date: 2004-04-07

Abstract

Spraying device, comprising a lower part (8) connected to a rotary upper part (6), a toric cylinder (1) having a one direction entry valve (2) and being fixed within the upper part (6), and a curved piston (9) cooperating with the cylinder (1) but joined with the lower part (8).

Description

The present invention relates to a spraying device.
Many devices of distribution are known and make it possible to pour any kind of products in ready to use form. The handling of existing devices is often difficult resulting in product drops and stains. It is not possible to really control the quantity of product distributed.
The object of this invention is to provide a device allowing:

an easy handling;
a clean service by preventing all handlings of corks that can dirty hands;
and a controlled dosing thanks to a measuring device.

This has been made possible by a spraying device, comprising a lower part connected to a rotary upper part, a toric cylinder having a one direction entry valve and being fixed within the upper part by means of bolts, and a curved piston cooperating with the cylinder but joined with the lower part.
The one direction entry valve may be placed at an end of the cylinder opposite to an entry end of the cylinder for the piston. The cylinder may also comprise an outlet valve at the connection between the cylinder and a pipe. The product may be expelled by a spray nozzle, situated at the central axis of the container and having an open end on the outside through the upper part thanks to an orifice. An automatic return of the piston through the cylinder may be provided by a rotary spring fixed at a first extremity to the upper part of the spraying device through a notch and connected with the piston by a second extremity. The rotary spring may make at least one loop around the central axis of the container surrounding the spray nozzle, locked down by a plinth and held up by the pipe connected with the spray nozzle. The rotary movement of the lower part may be transmitted to the piston by means of a bar which is parallel to and may rotate around the axis of the container. The rotation of the upper part may be blocked during the loading of the cylinder, by an abutment and during the ejection, by the bar. The upper and the lower part may be joined by a clicking mechanism. A seal ensures the hermetical tightness. The two parts may be brought together forming a container with a cylindrical shape, easy to handle, with a size comprised between 100 and 150 ml, for example.
An embodiment of the spraying device according to the present invention including details of the mechanical parts are described hereafter with reference to the drawings in which:

figure 1 is a perspective view of the spraying device without the upper part,
figure 2 is a general view of the spraying device in perspective with the representation of all its parts and the indication of the reference number, and
figure 3 is a face section of the spraying device with the details of additional parts allowing the closing of the container.

As shown in figures 1 and 2, the spraying device comprises a lower part (8) connected to a rotary upper part (6), a toric cylinder (1) having a one direction entry valve (2) and being fixed within the upper part (6) by means of bolts (17), and a curved piston (9) connected to the cylinder (1) but joined with the lower part (8). The functioning of the spraying device is based on the rotation of the lower part (8) whose movement is transmitted to the piston (9) by the bar of transmission (7).
The piston (9) is rigidly locked with the bar of transmission (7) and it has a curved shape with a guide that may be a disc. It carries out a rotation around the central axis of the upper part (6) and fits perfectly into the cylinder (1) whose form is toric. A first rotary movement makes penetrate the piston (9) into the cylinder (1) expelling the remaining air. The automatic return of the piston (9) is ensured by a rotary spring (12), one of its ends is fixed to the upper part (6) through a notch (11), the other one being connected to the piston (9). The rotary spring (12) is blocked between a plinth (10) situated below the spray nozzle (16) and a pipe (15) connecting the cylinder (1) to the spray nozzle (16). Due to a negative pressure inside the cylinder while withdrawing the piston (9) from the cylinder (1), the one direction entry valve (2) moves to the open position and allows the product to enter into the cylinder (1). A second reverse rotary movement expels the product imprisoned in the cylinder (1) through the outlet valve (3), towards the spray nozzle via the pipe (15). The rotary movement of the upper part (6) in the sense of the seasoning loading of the cylinder (1) is limited by an abutment (4) which stops the movement of the bar of transmission (7). During the ejection, the rotation of the upper part (6) is blocked by the bar of transmission (7). The third figure shows how the upper part (6) and the lower part (8) of the spraying device are joined by the intermediary of a "clicking" device of closing (13). A seal (14) between the two parts ensures a hermetic sealing.
This system enables a volumetric controlled dosing of the seasoning that is to be sprayed out, for example, and preventing the users dirtying their hands or staining themselves, thanks to a clean and neat ejection. The characteristic design enables it to be easily recognized by the consumer. This spraying device may associate aestheticism and ergonomics by offering a shape easy to handle. The volume of the distributor once assembled may comprise between 100 and 150 ml, for example. Once the container is empty, it is possible to refill it thanks to a system of refill which may be available in food stores. These refills contain the seasoning in liquid form and may offer a varied choice in the range of tastes and flavours proposed.

Claims

Spraying device, comprising a lower part (8) connected to a rotary upper part (6), a toric cylinder (1) having a one direction entry valve (2) and being fixed within the upper part (6), and a curved piston (9) cooperating with the cylinder (1) but joined with the lower part (8).
Spraying device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cylinder (1) comprises a one direction entry valve (2) placed at an end of the cylinder (1) opposite to an entry end of the cylinder (1) for the piston (9), and an outlet valve (3) at the connection between the cylinder (1) and a pipe (15).
Spraying device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the product is expelled by a spray nozzle (16), situated at the central axis of the container.
Spraying device as claimed in the claim 1, wherein an automatic return of the piston (9) through the cylinder (1) is provided by a rotary spring (12) fixed at a first extremity to the upper part of the spray (6) through a notch (11) and connected with the piston (9) by a second extremity.
Spraying device as claimed in the claim 1, wherein the rotary spring (12) makes at least one loop around the spray nozzle (16), one end fixed by a plinth (10) and held down by the pipe (15) which connects the spray nozzle with the cylinder (16).
Spraying device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the movement imparted to the lower part (8) is transmitted to the piston (9) by means of a bar (7) which is parallel to and may rotate around the axis of the container.
Spraying device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the rotation of the upper part (6) is blocked during the loading of the cylinder (1), by an abutment (4) and during the ejection, by the bar (7).
Spraying device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the upper (6) and the lower part (8) are joined by a clicking mechanism of closing (13), in a hermetical manner, by the interposition of a seal (14).
Spraying device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the two parts (6) and (8) are brought together forming a container with a cylindrical shape, easy to handle, with a size of between 100 and 150 ml.