EP1516829A1 - Spray head for an aerosol container - Google Patents

Abstract

The spray head (1) for an aerosol can (2) has a capillary (4) which from the inlet end (5) to the outlet end (6) extends in a curve (7) of about 90 degrees. The spray head also has a push rod (16) for a female fluid outlet valve (3), and the capillary extends into the push rod. The spray head has a holder for the push rod of a male outlet valve, and the capillary extends up to the holder. The inside diameter of the capillary lies preferably between 0.2 mm and 1.0 mm, and the length of the capillary is preferably between 25 mm and 50 mm. An independent claim is included for an aerosol can with the proposed spray head.

Description

The invention relates to a spray head for an aerosol container with the Features of the preamble of claim 1.

The known spray head from which the invention proceeds (WO 03/051522 A2), has the special feature that the spraying of the fluid takes place nozzle-free. The fluid is under high pressure in a capillary with very little Diameter introduced and passed in the capillary to an outlet end and sprayed from there nozzle-free. It is essential that the use of a Capillary for this form of spraying a liquid causes the Fluid also low in solvents and thus in subjective sensation "dry" can be sprayed. This novel spraying low-solvent Liquid is now referred to as "LoFlo". Characteristic This is not only because the liquid that is sprayed, low in solvents is sprayed, but that the spraying with relatively little Propellant gas can be made. In detail may to the WO 03/051522 A2, which provides comprehensive information on this Spraying is mediated by means of a capillary. In particular, volumes and volume ratios in the capillary system have been treated there. There are also extensive examples of all sorts of things with this System sprayable liquids listed. In that regard, the disclosure content this prior publication also by reference to the disclosure of the present patent application.

In the known spray head, from which the invention proceeds, extends the capillary from the inlet end to the outlet end just what the usual Alignment of a capillary corresponds. As a capillary you can here Use metal tubes, plastic tubes or glass tubes.

Spray heads for aerosol cans have been in an unmanageable way for decades Abundance of embodiments known, among which only a few examples to mention are (EP 0 409 497 A1, US 5,388,730 A, US 3,848,778 A). In classic spray heads is a non-acting as a capillary Tubes for transporting the liquid to be sprayed in the spray head. At the At the end of this tube is a spray nozzle, which is the way the spraying of the liquid causes. In this case, the pressure build-up for the spraying of the liquid at the nozzle, retroactively so in the tube. The fluid dynamic relationships here are completely different than at the spray head with a capillary for nozzle-free spraying of the fluid, from which the invention proceeds.

It is essential in the known, used millions of spray heads for Aerosol container, however, that the discharge direction of the fluid for spraying at about the right angle to that of the usual female or male Fluid outlet valve on the aerosol container defined axial fluid exit direction lies. This has to do with handling. An operator is holding the fluid container (the can) of the aerosol container with three fingers and the Embraces and presses the index finger from above onto the spray head, to actuate the fluid outlet valve of the aerosol container. In this it is usually a normal seat valve or stem valve, the also known for decades in a variety of variants. The Push down the spray head by finger pressure from the top to open the fluid outlet valve prohibits axial fluid leakage and dictates one essentially at right angles thereto directed fluid outlet.

In known classic spray heads are aerosol containers with conventional Fluid outlet valves used. Usual fluid outlet valves for aerosol containers have an upwardly spring-loaded valve body, the opposite the bias of the valve spring down in the open position can be. This happens with a female fluid outlet valve through a into a receptacle at the upper end of a valve carrier entering valve stem of the spray head. In a male fluid outlet valve is an upwardly projecting valve stem part of the valve body. The spray head has a corresponding receptacle for this valve lifter. The Depressing the valve stem opens the fluid outlet valve.

A spray head for an aerosol container with an untypical is known Fluid outlet valve (US 2,592,808 A). Here the fluid outlet valve is part of Spray head. This spray head itself has a down to the fluid container into reaching dip tube, in which a capillary far into the Fluid tank extends into it. The capillary itself puts together with a Sliding the fluid outlet valve. In the spray head is the capillary from Entry end to the outlet end in an arc of about 90 ° running arranged, wherein the sheet course by interlocking outer and Internal guides is guaranteed. This construction is in total for aerosol containers not suitable with conventional fluid outlet valves.

The teaching is based on the problem, the known spray head with capillary for an aerosol container with a conventional fluid outlet valve so design and further that the typical operation of known spray heads can also be realized here.

The above-indicated problem is with a spray head with the Features of the preamble of claim 1 by the features of the characterizing Part of claim 1 solved.

It is essential that the spray head itself provides the guidance to the capillary, which in itself has an elongated, straight shape, in the necessary Arc for realizing the correct orientation of the exit end of the To force capillary. The spray head is an independent component, the in a conventional female fluid outlet valve in a valve lifter terminates, in which the capillary extends, in a conventional male Fluid outlet valve ends in a receptacle into which the capillary extends.

Preferred embodiments and further developments of the invention Teaching are the subject of the subclaims.

Of particular importance is the exact dimensioning of the capillary to, which is described in claim 4.

Particular importance also comes to the embodiment of claim 6, the one closed guide of the capillary on the inside or at least guaranteed on the outside.

Finally, it is particularly preferred that the capillary is made in one piece as mentioned in claim 12.

The invention also relates to an aerosol container with a fluid container and a top side attached thereto and closing the fluid container Fluid outlet valve and with a mounted on the fluid container Spray head with the characteristics of one or more of the Sprayer head claims.

Fig. 1

im Schnitt ein erstes Ausführungsbeispiel eines erfindungsgemäßen Sprühkopfes für ein weibliches Fluidaustrittsventil am Aerosolbehälter,

Fig. 2

ein Ausführungsbeispiel eines erfindungsgemäßen Sprühkopfes, nunmehr für ein männliches Fluidaustrittsventil, ansonsten wie Fig. 1,

Fig. 3

ein weiteres Ausführungsbeispiel eines erfindungsgemäßen Sprühkopfes, hier für ein weibliches Fluidaustrittsventil, gleichzeitig der Aerosolbehälter mit angedeutet,

Fig. 4

einen zweiteiligen, erfindungsgemäßen Sprühkopf im Schnitt,

Fig. 5

ein weiteres Ausführungsbeispiel eines erfindungsgemäßen Sprühkopfes in einer prinzipiellen Darstellung,

Fig. 6

ein weiteres Ausführungsbeispiel eines erfindungsgemäßen Sprühkopfes mit einer integrierten, vom Sprühkopf selbst gebildeten Kapillare in auseinander gezogener Darstellung,

Fig. 7

den Sprühkopf aus Fig. 6 in zusammengesetzter Darstellung,

Fig. 8

eine Ansicht des Sprühkopfs aus Fig. 7 von links in Fig. 7 und

Fig. 9

einen Ausschnitt der Darstellung aus Fig. 8 mit einer anderen Kontur der integral ausgeformten Kapillare.

Moreover, the teaching and its preferred embodiments and further developments will be explained and described below in connection with the explanation of preferred embodiments with reference to the drawing. In the drawing shows

Fig. 1

in section a first embodiment of a spray head according to the invention for a female fluid outlet valve on the aerosol container,

Fig. 2

An embodiment of a spray head according to the invention, now for a male fluid outlet valve, otherwise as in FIG. 1,

Fig. 3

a further embodiment of a spray head according to the invention, here for a female fluid outlet valve, at the same time the aerosol container indicated,

Fig. 4

a two-part, spray head according to the invention in section,

Fig. 5

a further embodiment of a spray head according to the invention in a schematic representation,

Fig. 6

a further embodiment of a spray head according to the invention with an integrated, formed by the spray head itself capillary in exploded view,

Fig. 7

the spray head of Fig. 6 in an assembled representation,

Fig. 8

a view of the spray head of Fig. 7 from the left in Fig. 7 and

Fig. 9

a detail of the illustration of FIG. 8 with another contour of the integrally formed capillary.

The invention shown in Fig. 1 in a first embodiment Spray head 1 is intended for placement on an aerosol container and suitable. Such is indicated for example in Fig. 3 with. Otherwise there the state of the art here a wealth of suggestions.

The aerosol container has a fluid outlet valve 3, which has an axial fluid outlet direction A defines. Provided here is a conventional fluid outlet valve 3, either a conventional female fluid outlet valve 3 with a receptacle for a valve lifter, which is then arranged on the spray head 1 is, or a male fluid outlet valve 3 with a valve lifter, the one Recording is assigned to the spray head. Also for it may on the state of the Reference may be made, in particular WO 03/051522 A2, US Pat 3,848,778 A for a conventional male fluid outlet valve 3 and for example DE 201 16 335 U1 for a conventional female fluid outlet valve. Such a spray head is used for spraying a liquid, preferred here a solvent-poor liquid and sets to a capillary 4 to Guiding and nozzle-free spraying of the liquid - the fluid - a. The The inlet end 5 of the capillary 4 closes when placed on the aerosol container 2 Spray head 1 axially against the fluid outlet valve 3. By pressing down the spray head 1 against the aerosol container 2 is the fluid outlet valve 3 opens and fluid enters the capillary 4 under high pressure its inlet end 5, then flows at low pressure, the pressure drop when entering is relevant, in the capillary 4, builds in a corresponding Flow course and finally occurs at the outlet end of the 6 Capillary 4 as a spray of finely divided droplets of selectable droplet size and size distribution. In detail may for the explanation of here pending phenomena are referred to WO 03/051522 A2.

For the invention is now essential that the capillary 4 in the spray head 1 from Entrance end 5 to the outlet end 6 in an arc 7, preferably in one Arc of about 90 °, extending arranged. In the illustrated embodiment So it is so that the arc 7 of the capillary 4 is about 90 °, in the illustrated embodiment exactly 90 °, in the embodiment of Fig. 3 is slightly less than 90 °. The spray head 1 provides the means, the capillary 4 in this sheet 7, which is otherwise stretched by itself, just wants to have or take shape.

The arc shape of the capillary 4 in the spray head 1 can be on different Realize ways. This becomes the individual embodiments explained in more detail.

First, it is preferable for the material of the spray head 1 Choose plastic material like that from practice for spray heads in the speech standing species has long been known. Furthermore, it is recommended that the Capillary 4 from a feasible in an arc 7 material, in particular Metal, or, preferably and so also predominantly provided, from Produce plastic. It should be taken into account, what the beginning of the Pressure reduction before the capillary 4 has been explained. In the capillary 4 itself There is no excessively high pressure, so that an execution of the Capillary 4 plastic is practically possible without further notice.

For the inner diameter of the capillary 4 recommend those from the stand the technique so far known dimensions, ie dimensions between about 0.1 mm and about 2.0 mm, preferably about 0.2 mm and about 1.0 mm. The length of the Capillary 4 is in some connection to the inner diameter the capillary 4 and should be about 10 mm to about 100 mm, preferably about 25 mm to about 50 mm. Typical of the course in a usual Spray head is a length of the capillary 4 of about 30 mm to about 40 mm.

That for a spray head 1 for a female fluid outlet valve 3 on the aerosol container 2 provided system shows in Fig. 1 on the - indicated - Aerosol container 2 snap-on lower part 8, on the other hand, a limited movable Upper part 9, which is latched onto the lower part 8 of the spray head 1, and the Capillary 4, the top of the inlet end 5 in the lower part 8, and there via a considerable distance, and at the outlet end 6 between the lower part 8 and the upper part 9 of the spray head 1 is held, but in between the bow. 7 exposed. In fact, by the snapping of the upper part 9 on the lower part 8, the capillary 4 in the embodiment shown in Fig. 1 at the outlet end 6 brought into their holding position and fixed there.

Both parts of the spray head 1 are made of plastic and are, as already explained, clipped together.

The embodiment shown in Fig. 2 shows the same basic construction as in Fig. 1 with the same parts. The difference is only in that the capillary 4 is here in a spray head 1 for a male fluid outlet valve 3 is arranged with upwardly projecting stem valve.

Fig. 3 shows a slightly different type of embodiment, the first Spray head 1 can be detected attached to the aerosol container 2. Furthermore you can here details of the female fluid outlet valve shown here 3 recognize. It can be seen a valve carrier 10 with a valve chamber 11 and a valve spring 12 disposed thereon, the valve body 13 in Fig. 3 presses upwards in a closed position. Right on the valve carrier 10, a riser 14 is arranged, for example, via a not shown, there connectable dip tube in the liquid reservoir in the aerosol container 2 can dip. Located at the upper end of the riser 14 There is a passage 15, which is at slightly downwardly pressed valve body 13th can be associated with the inlet end 5 of the capillary 4. The capillary 4 itself is located with its inlet end 5 in a valve lifter 16, which is part of the spray head 1 in this embodiment. When placing the spray head 1 on the aerosol container 2, the valve stem 16 coupled to the valve carrier 10.

The embodiment shown here is characterized in that the Spray head 1 a the desired arc shape of the capillary 4 corresponding Outside guide 17 and that the sheet 7 of the capillary 4 at the Outside guide 17 is guided fitting.

It can be seen at the top of the spray head 1 left a bracket 18, in which the outlet end 6 of the capillary 4 just enters and is fixed there. Otherwise, will the arc 7 of the capillary 4 defined by the outer guide 17, the of the spray head 1 itself is specified. The spray head 1 is here in one piece Plastic designed and firmly connected to the valve stem 16. If the Spray head 1 is pushed all the way down against the aerosol container 2, the fluid outlet valve 3 opens and the spraying of the fluid takes place via the capillary 4. The outer guide 17 in the spray head 1 leads and bends the Capillary 4 in its desired arcuate orientation during the Spray head 1 placed on the aerosol container 2 and the valve stem 16 in the receiving socket 19 is inserted at the upper end of the valve carrier 10 becomes.

In principle, it is also possible and sometimes particularly appropriate that the spray head 1 a the desired arc shape of the capillary 4 corresponding Inner guide 20 and the bow 7 of the capillary 4 on the inner guide 20 is guided fitting. This too leads to a controlled arcuate guidance of the capillary 4, which is thus not close to the entrance end 5 or the outlet end 6 uncontrollably kinks, which is the function would ruin.

In Fig. 4, the spray head 1 forms an outer guide 17 and an inner guide 20th

Not shown in the drawing is an alternative, which is characterized is that the outer guide 17 and the inner guide 20 to a closed Channel are connected to each other and the capillary 4 in the channel is inserted. Such a threading of the capillary 4, which is preferred in this respect should be made of plastic, of course, manufacturing technology consuming and will therefore only be realized in exceptional cases.

The embodiment shown in Fig. 4 shows another variant, the also to an outer guide 17 and an inner guide 20 for the capillary 4 leads. Here it is provided that the spray head 1 is made in two parts and at the upper part 9, the outer guide 17 and at the lower part 8, the inner guide 20 has. Fig. 4 shows the composite spray head 1 of a such embodiment with the capillary 4. Man recognizes the trough-like inner guide 20 on a quarter-circle-shaped rib 21, which is formed on a disc-like base plate 22, in turn again at the bottom of the valve stem 16 carries. Fig. 4 shows the assembly including a guide rib 23. The entire spray head 1 is made in both parts 8, 9 made of plastic. It can be seen in the upper part 9 a Outlet opening 24 from which atomized from the outlet end 6 of the capillary 4 Fluid flow can escape undisturbed. Furthermore, one recognizes that here the Upper part 9 with a foot part 9 'is made in one piece, on the edge of a Aerosol container 2 is placed.

The embodiment shown in Fig. 5 realized the arcuate guided Capillary 4 in a very different way than the previously described embodiments.

In the embodiment shown in Fig. 5 it is provided that the Spray head 1 is made in two parts and the two parts 25 half-shell-like trained and common to form outer guide 17 and inner guide 20 are interconnected. Here is a lateral, half-shell-like Composition of the spray head 1 to form the necessary Bow guide for the capillary 4.

Both in the parts 8, 9 (lower part / upper part) and in the parts 25th you can realize the connection of the parts in different ways, For example, by gluing, clipping, welding, locking, screwing, Drafts or in other technically meaningful way. The Parts 8, 9 of the embodiment of FIG. 4 are locked. The parts 25 of the embodiment of FIG. 5 are dotted together as shown in FIG. 5 recognizable.

From a manufacturing point of view, it could be recommended that parts 8, 9, but certainly also the parts 25 of the spray head 1, if this is made of plastic is, via a hinge, in particular a film hinge, to each other connect and, in particular, as a piece, so in one piece mold manufacture.

Although the embodiment shown in FIG. 3 shows that the capillary 4 here is made in several pieces, namely located in the valve stem 16 Part of the capillary 4 of the arcuately guided in the arc 7 part of the capillary 4 is disconnected. But especially preferred is here also a one-piece Execution of the capillary 4. In any case, the capillary 4, einstükkig extends or more pieces, up to the lower edge of the valve stem 16, the part of the spray head 1 is. This is an immediate transition from the fluid outlet valve 3 ensured in the capillary 4.

In contrast, Fig. 2 shows a variant which is characterized in that the spray head 1, a receptacle 26 for a valve stem 16 of a male Fluid outlet valve 3 and the capillary 4 up to the recording 26 extends. A male fluid outlet valve 3 has one upwards protruding, not shown in this drawing valve lifter. This is a typical embodiment of an aerosol container 2. With this configuration can the spray head 1 as a whole, if necessary, even attached to the aerosol container 2 be, namely by the recording 26 of the spray head 1 on the upwardly projecting valve stem of the fluid outlet valve 3 of the aerosol container 2 is attached. Such a spray head 1 can be quickly from the Remove the fluid outlet valve 3 of the aerosol container 2 and, for example against another spray head 1, maybe a capillary 4 with other Inner diameter, replace. That's in terms of this interchangeability more expedient than an attachment of the spray head 1 itself on the aerosol container 2 directly.

Not shown in the drawing is a further alternative, characterized characterized in that the spray head 1 in any case in the region of the capillary. 4 made in one piece and the capillary 4 as a curved channel in the spray head 1 is integrally formed. As a result, the capillary 4 is an integral part of the spray head 1, so does not have to be provided as a separate component be.

Fig. 6 to 9 show an embodiment, the above-mentioned idea picks up, but modifies. Here it is provided that the spray head. 1 multi-part, preferably designed in two parts and the capillary 4 by sealingly intermeshing positively locking formations 27, 28 of the parts 8, 9 is integrally formed in the spray head 1. The form-locking education 27 am Lower part 8 is a form-fitting rib, the form-locking formation 28 on the upper part 9, as shown in FIG. 8 in section, a positive locking groove. With sufficiently close If the two fit together, the capillary 4 will emerge in between by itself. In FIG. 8, it is a capillary 4 of square cross-section, FIG. 9 shows a variant, which leads to a total circular cross-section capillary 4. This too is particularly expediently feasible with a spray head 1, which is made of plastic.

The invention is also an aerosol container 2, a conventional Fluid container 2 with a conventional, the top side attached and the Fluid container 2 occlusive, male or female fluid outlet valve 3 has. On the fluid container 2 sits a spray head 1, according to the previously explained in detail teaching of the invention is designed.

Claims (16)

spray nozzle
for an aerosol container (2) closed by a conventional fluid outlet valve (3), the fluid outlet valve (3) serving to spray a fluid - fluid - from the aerosol container (2) and defining an axial fluid outlet direction (A),
with a capillary (4) for guiding and nozzle-free spraying of the fluid with an inlet end (5) and an outlet end (6),
wherein the inlet end (5) of the capillary (4) axially adjoins the fluid outlet valve (3) when the spray head (1) is mounted on the aerosol container (2) and the outlet end (6) of the capillary (4) is open towards the ambient atmosphere,
characterized in that the capillary (4) in the spray head (1) from the inlet end (5) to the outlet end (6) in an arc (7) of approximately 90 ° is arranged extending and
in that the spray head (1) also has a valve tappet (16) for a customary female fluid outlet valve (3) and the capillary (4) extends into the valve tappet (16) or
in that the spray head (1) has a receptacle (26) for a valve tappet (16) of a conventional male fluid outlet valve (3) and the capillary (4) extends as far as the receptacle (26). Spray head according to claim 1, characterized in that the spray head (1) consists of plastic material. Spray head according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the capillary (4) consists of metal or, preferably, of plastic material. Spray head according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the inner diameter of the capillary (4) is between about 0.1 mm and about 2.0 mm, preferably between about 0.2 mm and about 1.0 mm, in one Length of the capillary from about 10 mm to about 100 mm, preferably from about 25 mm to about 50 mm. Spray head according to one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the capillary (4) is held at the inlet end (5) and at the outlet end (6) in the spray head (1) and is exposed in the arc (7) therebetween. Spray head according to one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the spray head (1) has an outer guide (17) and / or inner guide (20) corresponding to the desired curve of the capillary (4) and the arc (7) of the capillary (4 ) is guided fittingly on the outer guide (17) and / or on the inner guide (20). Spray head according to claim 6, characterized in that the outer guide (17) and the inner guide (20) are connected together to form a closed channel and the capillary (4) is inserted into the channel. Spray head according to Claim 6, characterized in that the spray head (1) has a plurality of parts, preferably two parts, and the outer guide (17) at the upper part (9) and / or the inner guide (20) at the lower part (8). Spray head according to Claim 6, characterized in that the spray head (1) has a two-part design and the two parts (25) have a half-shell-like construction and are interconnected for common formation of outer guide (17) and inner guide (20). Spray head according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the parts (8, 9; 25) are glued together, clipped, welded, latched, dovetailed, screwed or otherwise connected. Spray head according to one of Claims 8 to 10, characterized in that the parts (8, 9; 25) are connected to one another via a hinge, in particular a film hinge, and, in particular, are produced in one piece. Spray head according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the capillary (4) is made in one piece. Spray head according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the capillary (4) is made in several pieces. Spray head according to one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the spray head (1) is made in one piece in the region of the capillary (4) and the capillary (4) is integrally formed as an arcuate channel in the spray head (1). Spray head according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the spray head (1) is designed in several parts, preferably in two parts, and the capillary (4) by sealingly interlocking positive engagement formations (27, 28) of the parts (8, 9) in the spray head ( 1) is integrally formed. Aerosol container with a fluid container (2) and a top side attached thereto and the fluid container (2) closing the usual fluid outlet valve (3) and with a spray head (1),
characterized in that the spray head (1) is designed according to one of claims 1 to 15.

Images