EP1509333B1 - Nozzle for spraying a product - Google Patents

Abstract

Spray nozzle comprising a conical body (10) having an axial channel (12) delimited at its upper end by a transverse wall (18) having a spraying orifice (20). An axial core (24) in the channel has its upper end (24A) located opposite the transverse wall to delimit a spraying chamber (21). Spray nozzle comprising a conical body (10) having an axial channel (12) delimited at its upper end by a transverse wall (18) having a spraying orifice (20). An axial core (24) in the channel has its upper end (24A) located opposite the transverse wall to delimit a spraying chamber (21). There is a communication between the channel lower wall (12B) and the spraying chamber between the core and the channel wall, the lower end communicating with a reservoir containing the product to be sprayed. The core includes a coupling flange (26) having a coupling edge (28) facing the lower end of the core and engaging the channel wall (13) to maintain the core in the channel. An Independent claim is included for a nozzle unit.

Description

The present invention relates to a tip for spraying a product, comprising a cylindroconic body having an axial channel whose first end is delimited by a transverse wall which has a spray orifice and whose second end is able to communicate with a reservoir. , the nozzle further comprising an axial core disposed in the channel, the first end of which is opposite said transverse wall and delimits therewith a spray chamber and the second end of which is situated on the side of the second end of the channel, a communication between said second end and the spray chamber being formed between the core and the channel wall.

Knuckles of this type are known which serve, for example, for the projection, in a nasal orifice, of a liquid pharmaceutical product.

The outlet of the pressure tank is for example formed by the stem of a valve or a pump on which the second end of the channel can be fitted so that pressing on the tip causes the release, in this channel , the product contained in the tank.

The presence of the core makes it possible on the one hand to reduce the dead volume inside the channel, which makes it possible, during actuation of the nozzle, to very rapidly increase the pressure in this channel in order to effectively expel the nozzle. product from the tank. This also makes it possible to avoid stagnation in the channel of a large quantity of product that could be tainted.

In addition, the core serves to delimit the spray chamber, with the transverse wall of the body.

The geometrical definition of this spraying chamber must be precise because it often determines the quality of the spraying of the product. For example, a vortex motion may be sought during spraying, in which case the product must enter the expulsion chamber in a current vortex, the vortex component being preserved during the expulsion of the product through the spray orifice.

It is therefore important that the core be positioned accurately with respect to the channel and, in particular, with respect to the transverse wall of the body, so as to precisely define the geometry of the spray chamber.

In general, the core is an elongated piece and its length may vary depending on manufacturing tolerances. A variation in the length can lead to a poor positioning of the core and thus affect the quality of the spray.

EP-A-0 534 088 describes a mouthpiece according to the preamble of claim 1.

The invention aims to overcome these disadvantages by improving the positioning of the core with respect to the channel in which it is located.

This object is achieved by virtue of the fact that the second end of the core has a lower section, of reduced diameter around which an annular space is delimited in the channel.

This annular space delimited in the channel allows the introduction of a connecting rod to the reservoir (in particular the stem of a valve or a pump), in the channel and around the second end of the core.

Thus, advantageously, the second end of the channel is plugged onto the tubular connecting rod to the reservoir and the second end of the core is engaged in said rod.

Thus, during assembly of the tip, the core is normally inserted into the channel of the cylindroconic body being pushed towards the transverse wall of the first end of the channel, from the second end of the latter. The hooking edge of the fastening collar means being turned towards the second end of the core, this thrust is not prevented. It is only when the kernel reaches its final position that its progression in the channel stops. In this final position, the core is hooked inside the channel by the hooking edge of the collar means and the second end of the core is in axial contact with the inner periphery of the rod and at least one groove of circulation is provided between said second end and said inner periphery. It is therefore well positioned for the first use of the tip. In addition, it is perfectly maintained in place, so that the position does not vary during the multiple uses of the tip, and the quality of the spray remains unchanged over time.

Of course, the means forming a catch flange are made to preserve the communication between the second end of the channel and the spray chamber.

Thus, advantageously, the spraying chamber is formed by a cavity delimited between the transverse wall of the body and the first end of the core abutting against this wall, this cavity comprising at least one non-radial groove formed in the first end of the core or the transverse wall.

Advantageously, the hooking flange means are formed of at least one annular flange sector delimited by a groove.

For example, on both sides of the collar means, the communication between the second end of the channel and the spray chamber is formed by a spacing between the channel wall and the core. This communication also includes the aforementioned groove.

Advantageously, the collar means have several sectors, so as to provide at least two or three grooves, which are equidistant angularly so as to maintain the homogeneity of the product distribution from the reservoir to the spray chamber.

According to an advantageous conformation, the channel has a hooking section, with which the collar cooperates and in which the diametral dimensions of the channel are smaller than the diametral dimensions of the collar, and an introductory section, which extends between the section and the second end of the channel and wherein the diametrical dimensions of the channel are at least substantially equal to those of the collar.

As indicated above, during the assembly of the nozzle, the core is introduced into the channel by the second end of the latter. Throughout the length of the introductory section, and thanks to the timely choice of diametral dimensions of the channel on this section, the progression of the core is easy. It is only when the collar reaches the region of the attachment section that this progression becomes more difficult, and the collar clings naturally.

Advantageously, the core has axial bearing means which cooperate with the channel wall.

For example, the core has at least one radial projecting cylinder sector delimited by a groove.

Thus, advantageously, the aforementioned annular collar sector is formed by a shoulder located at the end of the cylinder sector which is turned towards the second end of the core.

These axial bearing means promote the alignment of the longitudinal axis of the core and that of the channel.

Advantageously, the core is chamfered at its second end.

This chamfer forms a ramp which, when said tubular rod is introduced into the aforementioned annular space, promotes this introduction.

Advantageously, the wall of the channel has a shoulder in the vicinity of the second end of said channel and the core extends towards the second end of the channel, beyond this shoulder.

This shoulder serves in particular to define the position of the outlet tube of the tank inside the channel.

The invention will be better understood and its advantages will appear better on reading the detailed description which follows, of an embodiment shown by way of non-limiting example.

• la figure 1 est une vue en coupe axiale d'un embout conforme à l'invention ;
• les figures 2, 3, 4 et 5 sont respectivement des coupes suivant les lignes II-II, III-III, IV-IV et V-V de la figure 1 ;
• la figure 6 est une coupe analogue à celle de la figure 1, illustrant une variante de réalisation ; et
• la figure 7 est une coupe selon la ligne VII-VII de la figure 6.

The description refers to the accompanying drawings, in which:

• Figure 1 is an axial sectional view of a nozzle according to the invention;
• Figures 2, 3, 4 and 5 are respectively sections along the lines II-II, III-III, IV-IV and VV of Figure 1;
• Figure 6 is a section similar to that of Figure 1, illustrating an alternative embodiment; and
• Figure 7 is a section along the line VII-VII of Figure 6.

The tip shown in Figure 1 comprises a cylindroconic body 10 which has an axial channel 12. This channel is surrounded by a cylindroconic skirt 14, with which it is formed in one piece to form the body 10. An interior space 16 is arranged between the wall 13 of the channel 12 and the skirt 14.

The first end 12A of the channel is delimited by a transverse wall 18 which has a spray orifice 20. In this case, this transverse wall 18 is formed in one piece with the body 10.

The second end 12B of the channel is open, which allows it to communicate with a reservoir containing the product to be sprayed. In the following, we will consider that the channel is arranged vertically, and that its first and second ends 12A and 12B are respectively the upper and lower ends.

The lower end 12B of the channel is fitted on a tubular rod 22 for connection to the reservoir. In particular, this rod may be that of a valve valve associated with a reservoir being under pressure or a pump. The position of this rod in the channel is delimited by a shoulder 13A, which has the wall 13 of the channel, on its inner periphery and with which the free end 22A of the rod 22 cooperates in abutment.

This rod itself has, on its outer periphery, a shoulder 22B that could be used to delimit the position of maximum penetration of the rod in the channel, by cooperation between said shoulder 22B and the free end of the wall 13 .

Towards its lower end, the skirt 14 has bearing surfaces 14A (for example formed on fins or on a flange) which make it possible to push the nozzle downwards to actuate the valve and thus deliver the product contained in the reservoir .

An axial core 24 is disposed in the channel 22. The upper end 24A of this core is located facing the inner face of the transverse wall 18 above. Its lower end 24B is located in the vicinity of the lower end 12B of the channel.

The core comprises means forming a latching collar which keep it hooked inside the channel by cooperation with the inner periphery of the wall 13 of the latter.

In the present case, as best seen in FIG. 3, these flange means are formed by three annular flange sectors 26 separated from one another by grooves 27.

It can be seen that each of these collar sectors has a hooking edge 28 which is turned towards the lower end 24B of the core.

Thus, these attachment edges do not oppose the insertion of the core into the channel by a displacement of this core in the direction F upwards. On their upper face, the sectors of collars are also shaped inclined ramp.

On the other hand, the fastening edges cooperate with the inner face of the wall 13 of the channel in order to oppose a displacement of the core downwards once this is put in place in the channel.

It should be noted that this attachment can be promoted by the fact that the core 24 is made of a harder material than the body 10. For example, the core is molded polypropylene, while the body is molded polyethylene.

The core is also retained with respect to a displacement in the direction F, once it has reached its final position, by cooperation of its upper end 24A in abutment with the inner face 18A of the transverse wall 18.

In this final position, the flange means 26 are in a portion of the channel which forms a hooking portion 12C. Indeed, at this point, the diametral dimensions of the channel are smaller than those of the collar means, as clearly shown in FIG.

The core generally has the shape of a cylinder with a circular section, its diameter varying in the region of the flange sectors and, optionally, at its lower end 24B.

The channel further comprises an introduction section 12D in which its diametrical dimensions are at least substantially equal to those of the collar means. This introduction section extends from the lower end of the channel to the attachment portion 12C.

The collar means are located in the vicinity of the upper end 24A of the core, which they are spaced a length L corresponding for example to about a third or a quarter of the total length of this core. The channel 12 has an upper portion 12E, which extends from the hooking portion 12C to the upper end of this channel and which has diametrical dimensions still slightly reduced compared to those of the hooking section.

A communication is provided between the core and the channel wall to allow the flow of liquid exiting the valve stem 22 to the spray chamber 21 which is provided between the upper end 24A of the core and the wall 18.

Thus, over the entire length of the channel, except in the region in which the hooking collar means are located, an annular space 11 is formed between the core and the inner wall of the channel. The aforementioned grooves 27 establish the continuity of the communication in this space, in the region of these collar means.

The core 24 has axial bearing means which in this case are arranged between the collar and the upper end 24A of the core. They thus cooperate with the wall of the channel, in the region of the attachment portion 12C. These means are formed by at least one cylindrical sector 30 projecting radially, delimited by a groove.

In this case, three cylinder sectors 30 are provided which each extend in the axial extension of the annular flange sectors 26, and the grooves 27 extend axially between these flange sectors and these cylinder sectors. Specifically, each annular flange sector 26 is formed by a shoulder which is located at the end of a cylinder sector 30 facing the second end 24B of the core.

In fact, in the region of the grooves 27, the diametral dimensions of the core are reduced to its current diametric dimensions D.

The axial span means formed by the sectors 30 delimit, on the core, axial wall portions which rest against the inner face of the wall 13 of the core, and whose axial length I forms an axial bearing length between the core and the canal. To ensure alignment of the core with respect to the channel, additional means of axial reach, described below, can be provided.

The chamber 21 is delimited between the upper end 24A of the core and the wall 18. As can be seen in FIG. 5, this cavity comprises non-radial grooves 21A which, in this case, are formed on the internal face of the wall 18. Although it is not visible on the section of Figure 5, it is indicated in this figure the position of the spray orifice 21, and it is understood that the sprayed product, which enters the chamber 21 through the ends of the grooves 21A in communication with the annular space formed between the core and the channel, is animated in this chamber of a swirling motion which allows a swirling spray through the orifice 21.

The core is correctly positioned thanks to the presence of the means forming the attachment flange which retain it vis-à-vis a tearing movement outside the channel, and that of the means of scope previously defined.

However, another feature of the invention ensures a good positioning of the core. Indeed, as seen in Figure 1, an annular space is delimited in the channel around the lower end portion 24B of the core. The upper end of the tubular rod 22 can be inserted into this annular space, and it can thus be seen that this end section 24B is inserted into this rod 22.

In the example of Figure 1, this end section 24B has a reduced diameter and has axial fins 25 projecting its maximum diameter diameters to the diameter of the core. These fins cooperate with the inner periphery of the tubular rod 22, so as to align the axis of the core with that of this rod.

In other words, these fins form axial bearing means between the core and the inner periphery of the rod, while the circulation grooves 23 are arranged between them and this inner periphery so as to allow communication between the reservoir and the canal.

To facilitate the establishment of the rod 22 in the channel and the refocusing of the core possibly necessary, its lower end is chamfered. In this case, the fins have chamfers 23 '.

The variant of Figure 6 differs from that of Figure 1 by the conformation of the lower end portion 124B of its core 24 by that of the tubular rod 122. Indeed, the diameter D of the core is unchanged in its portion lower end 124B with respect to its current portion. This portion 124B, however, is engaged in the rod 122 and is in axial contact with the inner periphery of this rod. Circulation grooves are formed by grooves 123 of the inner periphery of this rod, the ribs 123 'formed between these grooves cooperating with the periphery of the core, to achieve the aforementioned axial bearing contact.

With the invention, the position of the core inside the channel is perfectly maintained. In addition, the axes of this core and the channel can be perfectly aligned, which allows to have the upper face 24A of the core, which is generally perpendicular to its axis, in an optimal position of support against the underside of the wall 18. Thus, the partial closure of the channels 21A made by the upper face of the core is correctly performed, without angular positioning defect of the core relative to the channel. In this way, the swirling motion is perfectly assured.

The core is wedged in the channel, but it is by the attachment edge of the collar means and not the valve stem that it is retained vis-à-vis a downward movement. The rod is also in abutment cooperation with the body of the tip, a push on the tip to spray the product contained in the reservoir exerts itself directly on the valve stem, without axially soliciting the core.

Claims (14)

1. Nozzle for spraying a product, comprising a cylindrical-conical body (10) with an axial channel (12) in which the first end (12A) is delimited by a transversal wall (18) with a spraying orifice (20) and in which the second end (12B) is capable of communicating with a reservoir, the nozzle comprising, in addition, an axial core (24) placed in the channel (12) the first end (24A) of which is situated opposite said transversal wall (18) and delimits together with the latter a spraying chamber (21) and the second end (24B) of which is situated on the side of the second end (12B) of the channel, communication between said second end and the spraying chamber being arranged between the core (24) and the wall (13) of the channel (12), and said core (24) having means forming a hooking flange (26) with a hooking edge (28) that is turned towards the second end (24B) of the core (24) and which cooperates with the wall (13) of the channel (12) to retain the core in said channel, characterised in that, on its second end (24B), the core (24) has a lower section with a reduced diameter around which an annular space is delimited in the channel.
2. Nozzle according to claim 1, characterised in that the means that form the hooking flange are formed by at least one annular flange section (26) delimited by a groove (27).
3. Nozzle according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the channel has a hooking section (12C), with which the means forming the flange (26) are able to cooperate and in which the diametrical dimensions of the channel (12) are less than the diametrical dimensions of said means, and an insertion section (12D), which extends between the hooking section (12C) and the second end (12B) of the channel (12) and in which the diametrical dimensions of the channel are at least approximately equal to those of the means that form the flange.
4. Nozzle according to any one of the claims from 1 to 3, characterised in that the core (24) has means (30) forming an axial seat which are able to cooperate with the wall (13) of the channel (12).
5. Nozzle according to claim 4, characterised in that the core (24) has at least one radially projecting cylinder sector (30) delimited by a groove (27).
6. Nozzle according to claims 2 and 5, characterised in that the annular flange section (26) is formed by a shoulder situated at the end of the cylinder sector (30) which is turned towards the second end (24B) of the core (24).
7. Nozzle according to any one of the claims from 1 to 6, characterised in that the spraying chamber (21) is formed by a cavity delimited between the transversal wall (18) of the body (10) and the first end (24A) of the core (24) which comes to a stop against this wall, this cavity comprising at least one non-radial groove (21A) made in the first end of the core (24) or the transversal wall (18).
8. Nozzle according to one of the claims from 1 to 7, characterised in that the end section (24B) has projecting axial fins (25).
9. Nozzle according to any one of the claims from 1 to 8, characterised in that the core (24) is chamfered at its second end.
10. Nozzle according to any one of the claims from 1 to 9, characterised in that the wall (13) of the channel (12) has a shoulder (13A) near the second end (12B) of said channel and in that the core (24) extends, towards the second end of the channel, beyond said shoulder.
11. Nozzle assembly according to any one of the claims from 1 to 10 and a tubular rod assembly (22) for connecting to a reservoir, characterised in that the second end (12B) of the channel (12) is inserted on the tubular rod (22) and the second end (24B) of the core (24) is inserted in said rod (22).
12. Assembly according to claim 11, characterised in that the second end (24B) of the core (24) is in axial supporting contact with the inner periphery of the rod (22) and in that at least one circulation groove (23, 123) is arranged between said second end and said inner periphery.
13. Assembly according to claim 12, with a nozzle according to claim 9, characterised in that the fins (25) cooperate with the inner periphery of the rod (22) and the spaces (23) between these fins form circulation grooves.
14. Assembly according to claim 12, characterised in that the circulation groove is formed by at least one groove (123) of the inner periphery of the rod (122).

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