Classifications

• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
  • B05B—SPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES
  • B05B17/00—Apparatus for spraying or atomising liquids or other fluent materials, not covered by the preceding groups
  • B05B17/04—Apparatus for spraying or atomising liquids or other fluent materials, not covered by the preceding groups operating with special methods
  • B05B17/06—Apparatus for spraying or atomising liquids or other fluent materials, not covered by the preceding groups operating with special methods using ultrasonic or other kinds of vibrations
  • B05B17/0607—Apparatus for spraying or atomising liquids or other fluent materials, not covered by the preceding groups operating with special methods using ultrasonic or other kinds of vibrations generated by electrical means, e.g. piezoelectric transducers
  • B05B17/0638—Apparatus for spraying or atomising liquids or other fluent materials, not covered by the preceding groups operating with special methods using ultrasonic or other kinds of vibrations generated by electrical means, e.g. piezoelectric transducers spray being produced by discharging the liquid or other fluent material through a plate comprising a plurality of orifices
  • B05B17/0646—Vibrating plates, i.e. plates being directly subjected to the vibrations, e.g. having a piezoelectric transducer attached thereto
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
  • B05B—SPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES
  • B05B1/00—Nozzles, spray heads or other outlets, with or without auxiliary devices such as valves, heating means
  • B05B1/30—Nozzles, spray heads or other outlets, with or without auxiliary devices such as valves, heating means designed to control volume of flow, e.g. with adjustable passages
  • B05B1/3033—Nozzles, spray heads or other outlets, with or without auxiliary devices such as valves, heating means designed to control volume of flow, e.g. with adjustable passages the control being effected by relative coaxial longitudinal movement of the controlling element and the spray head
  • B05B1/304—Nozzles, spray heads or other outlets, with or without auxiliary devices such as valves, heating means designed to control volume of flow, e.g. with adjustable passages the control being effected by relative coaxial longitudinal movement of the controlling element and the spray head the controlling element being a lift valve
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
  • B05B—SPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES
  • B05B17/00—Apparatus for spraying or atomising liquids or other fluent materials, not covered by the preceding groups
  • B05B17/04—Apparatus for spraying or atomising liquids or other fluent materials, not covered by the preceding groups operating with special methods
  • B05B17/06—Apparatus for spraying or atomising liquids or other fluent materials, not covered by the preceding groups operating with special methods using ultrasonic or other kinds of vibrations
  • B05B17/0607—Apparatus for spraying or atomising liquids or other fluent materials, not covered by the preceding groups operating with special methods using ultrasonic or other kinds of vibrations generated by electrical means, e.g. piezoelectric transducers
  • B05B17/0653—Details
  • B05B17/0676—Feeding means
  • B05B17/0684—Wicks or the like

Definitions

• the present invention relates to a fluid dispenser comprising a fluid reservoir, at least one dispensing orifice through which the fluid is dispensed, a fluid supply conduit connecting the reservoir to the dispensing orifice, a valve for selectively closing the supply duct and actuating means for moving the valve between a closed position and a position allowing passage.
• a fluid dispenser comprising a fluid reservoir, at least one dispensing orifice through which the fluid is dispensed, a fluid supply conduit connecting the reservoir to the dispensing orifice, a valve for selectively closing the supply duct and actuating means for moving the valve between a closed position and a position allowing passage.
• a dispenser can in particular be used in the fields of perfumery, cosmetics or even pharmacy.
• the present invention applies more particularly to dispensers provided with a vibrating plate generating vibrations in the fluid product for dispensing it through the dispensing orifice (s).
• vibration means are generally provided in the form. a piezoelectric element or an ultrasonic resonant element.
• the present invention is not limited to this particular type of vibrating plate dispenser. Indeed, efle can be applied to other types of dispenser without vibrating plate.
• document FR 2 820408 describes a dispenser comprising a fluid reservoir, a vibrating perforated plate dispensing member, a supply conduit connecting the reservoir to the vibrating plate as well as an intake valve able to open and cut the passage formed by the supply duct.
• the valve comprises a metal ball urged by a metal spiral spring on a valve seat formed inside the supply duct. To release the ball from its seat, electromagnetic means are provided making it possible to attract the ball away from its seat. The ball moves axially inside the duct and the actuation means are electrically controlled.
• the fluid dispenser comprises a fluid reservoir, at least one dispensing orifice through which the fluid is dispensed, a fluid supply conduit from the reservoir to the dispensing orifice, said conduit comprising an inlet and an outlet, a valve for selectively closing the supply conduit, said valve comprising a movable valve member movable between a closed position and a passage position, the movable valve being translatable movable along a valve axis, the movable valve member coming into leaktight abutment against a fixed valve seat formed at the outlet of the supply duct, in the closed position, and remaining distant from said seat in position passage, the distributor further comprising an outlet channel formed by a sleeve connecting the outlet of the conduit to the dispensing orifice, said sleeve comprising an elastically deformable section, said movable valve member being located inside said channel, said elastically deformable section urging
• the movable valve member is displaceable by deforming the sleeve elastically, which advantageously has a shape memory which urges it towards a state of least stress, here corresponding to the closed position.
• the movable valve member and the sleeve are preferably made in one piece.
• said sleeve comprises a connection end mounted on the duct and a movable distribution end forming receiving means for an element of porous material urged away from said at least one distribution orifice by the elastic section deformable.
• the dispenser further comprises actuating means for moving the movable valve member towards its obstructed position, said actuating means being electromagnetic means.
• the actuation means comprise a fixed element and a movable element pushed away from the fixed element when supplied with current, said movable element being integral in displacement with the outlet channel.
• the fixed element is integral in displacement with the connection end and the movable element is integral in displacement with the dispensing end.
• the movable valve member is integral in displacement with the dispensing end.
• the sleeve is formed by a support piece further comprising an elastically deformable membrane having an outer peripheral edge fixedly held, said membrane ensuring a translational axial movement of the movable member and the element
• a support piece further comprising an elastically deformable membrane having an outer peripheral edge fixedly held, said membrane ensuring a translational axial movement of the movable member and the element
• of porous material in which the support part is made in one piece.
• the sleeve comprises a substantially rigid section disposed between the dispensing end and the elastically deformable section.
• the movable valve member is integral in displacement with the rigid section.
• the support piece comprises an elastically deformable membrane having an external peripheral edge fixedly held, said membrane ensuring a translational axial movement of the movable member and of the element of porous material.
• the support piece can be produced in a single piece by integrating the movable member, spring means, the outlet channel, the support for the element of porous material, as well as the elastically deformable membrane.
• the dispenser comprises a vibrating plate generating vibrations in the fluid product, said plate advantageously being driven in vibration by a piezoelectric element.
• said at least one dispensing orifice is formed through the vibrating plate.
• the principle of displacement of the element of porous material in contact and away from the dispensing orifice (s) can be implemented independently, that is to say with or without the presence of a check valve. admission, and with any means of actuation. In other words, the movement of the porous material element can be protected per se.
• the deformable sleeve, with or without a valve, constitutes a nonlimiting mode of movement and the electromagnetic actuation means constitute a nonlimiting actuation mode.
• FIG. 1 is an overall cross-sectional view of a fluid dispenser according to the invention
• FIG. 2 is a greatly enlarged vertical cross-section view of the dispensing part of a dispenser. fluid product according to the invention in the rest position
• Figure 3 is a view similar to that of Figure 2 in the use position.
• the fluid dispenser according to the invention shown in Figure 1 comprises a fluid reservoir 1 comprising a bottom or bottom wall 13 and an upper dome-shaped wall 11 defining between them the useful volume of the reservoir.
• a fluid reservoir 1 comprising a bottom or bottom wall 13 and an upper dome-shaped wall 11 defining between them the useful volume of the reservoir.
• Wall upper 11 of the tank is also provided with an actuation button 8 which is an electrical contact button as will be seen below.
• a venting passage can be formed at the top wall 11 under the actuation button 8.
• the dispenser also includes a bottom shell 5 on which the reservoir 1 is mounted so as to define several compartments between the bottom wall 13 and the bottom shell 5.
• the bottom shell 5 comprises a substantially flat bottom wall 50 which serves as a support surface on which the dispenser rests when it is placed on a substantially flat surface.
• the bottom shell 5 also includes a peripheral edge 51 on which the tank 1 is fixed.
• a compartment containing control electronics 7 for controlling the dispenser In a neighboring compartment, there are two batteries 71 to power the dispenser.
• the distributor In its right-hand part in FIG. 1, the distributor also forms a supply conduit 12 which leaves from the reservoir 1 so as to supply fluid product to a complex distribution member which makes it possible to distribute fluid product outside the distributor. This dispensing member is disposed between the outlet of the conduit 12 and a window 52 formed in the edge 51 of the bottom shell 5.
• the complex dispensing member in this nonlimiting embodiment of the invention comprises a vibrating plate 2 which is here advantageously perforated with several dispensing orifices 22.
• the dispensing orifices 22 can for example be arranged in the form of a network comprising rows and columns of distribution orifices.
• the vibrating plate which can have a certain flexibility, can be associated with a vibration generating element such as a piezoelectric element or a very high frequency resonant element such as an ultrasonic element.
• the vibrating plate can consist of a piezoelectric layer associated with a non-piezoelectric layer so that the plate thus formed will undergo flexural deformation when supplied with a given current and frequency.
• the plate 2 is held at its peripheral edge 21 fixedly against the edge 51 of the bottom shell 5.
• the vibrating plate will start to vibrate by a phenomenon of deformation by bending which has the effect of ejecting fine droplets of fluid product through the network of distribution orifices 22.
• fluid product from the reservoir 1 is supplied on the rear face of the vibrating plate 2, that is to say the face facing the interior of the dispenser.
• the front face facing the outside of the dispenser is located in the window 52 formed by the bottom shell 5.
• the outlet end 121 of the conduit supply 12 communicates with the rear face of the vibrating plate 2 via an outlet channel 32 which connects the conduit 12 to the plate 2.
• This outlet channel 32 is formed by a sleeve 33 which is an integral part of a support piece 3. More specifically, the outlet end 121 of the supply duct 12 is engaged in a ring 6 which is engaged at its external peripheral edge 63 with the edge 51 of the bottom shell 5 The ring 6 forms an endpiece 62 inside which the end 121 of the conduit 12 is in leaktight engagement. On the other hand, this endpiece 62 forms an intake valve seat 61 which is located just after the end 121 of the duct 12.
• the sleeve 33 forms a sealed fixing collar 341 engaged around the endpiece 62 of the ring 6.
• This collar 341 forms an upstream connection end of the sleeve 33 internally defining the outlet channel 32.
• the sleeve 33 forms an elastically deformable section 34 which however has a shape memory so as to be able to ensure a return spring function.
• the sleeve 33 forms a more rigid part 37 and of this is substantially non-deformable inside of which a needle 31 is formed which acts as a movable valve member intended to come selectively into sealed support contact on the valve seat 61 formed by the ring 6.
• the needle 34 is away from the seat 61, while in FIG.
• the needle is in sealed contact on its seat 61.
• the return spring section 34 urges the needle 31 towards and on the seat 61 so as to close the passage for the fluid at the outlet of the conduit 12. This position corresponds to the rest or storage position of the dispensing member.
• the needle 34 which acts as a movable valve member, occupies part of the section of the sleeve 33, so that an annular passage is formed around the needle 34 in the sleeve 33 to allow the fluid product from the conduit 12 to pass beyond the needle 34 towards the vibrating plate 2.
• the sleeve 33 also forms a fixing housing 35 for an element of porous material 30.
• This fixing housing 35 is formed at the downstream end of the sleeve 33.
• the element of porous material 30 fixedly received in the housing 35 blocks the outlet. of the channel 32, so that the fluid product from the conduit 12 and passing around the needle 34 is forced to penetrate inside the element of porous material 30. In this way, the element of porous material 30 will s '' impregnate or soak with fluid.
• the porous material element 30 has capillary absorption properties.
• the element of porous material 30 is biased away from the rear face of the vibrating plate 2, at the level where the distribution orifices are formed, by the section of return spring 34 formed by the support piece 3. Consequently, this return spring section 34 urges both the needle 34 towards its seat 61 and the piece of porous material 30 away from the perforated vibrating plate 2.
• the support piece 3 also forms a corollary membrane 36 which extends from the fixing housing 3 . 5 radially outwards and forms at its external periphery a fixing cord 361 engaged between the ring 6 and the peripheral edge 21 of the vibrating plate 2. More precisely, the fixing edge 63 of the ring 6 pushes the cord 361 in contact pressed against the periphery 21 of the vibrating plate 2.
• the membrane 36 can have an elastic return function to assist the return section 34. However, the membrane
• the support piece 3 which supports both the movable valve member, namely the needle 34, and the piece of porous material 30 is capable of moving axially translatively along an axis of perpendicular movement. in the plane of the vibrating plate 2.
• the complex dispensing member according to the invention also comprises actuating means which make it possible to move the sleeve 33 between a first starting position (fig. 2) in which the element of porous material 30 is away from the plate vibrator and the needle 34 in leaktight support on the seat 61 and a second final position (fig. 3) in which the needle 34 is away from the seat 61 and the piece of porous material 30 in contact with the rear face of the vibrating plate 2.
• actuation means are electromagnetic actuation means.
• the actuation means comprise a fixed element 41 fixed to the ring 6 and therefore integral with the conduit 12 and the connection end of the sleeve 33.
• the actuation means also comprise a movable element 42 fixed to the part or rigid section
• the mobile element can be a ferromagnetic element and the mobile element an electromagnet, or vice versa.
• the two elements can also be electromagnets.
• An elastically deformable sleeve connecting the outlet of the supply duct to the distribution orifices may comprise a valve which acts elsewhere than at the outlet of the duct, for example at the distribution orifices, in place of or in addition to the porous material element.
• the sleeve can be an integral part of the conduit.
• the valve seat can be formed by the sleeve or the support piece. Thanks to the invention, it is ensured that the fluid dispenser cannot leak at the outlet of its supply duct 12.

Landscapes

• Devices For Dispensing Beverages (AREA)
• Closures For Containers (AREA)
• Nozzles (AREA)
• Containers And Packaging Bodies Having A Special Means To Remove Contents (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=32799453

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (6)

Cited By (1)

Families Citing this family (4)

Family Cites Families (3)

• 2003
  • 2003-02-20 FR FR0302082A patent/FR2851484B1/fr not_active Expired - Fee Related
• 2004
  • 2004-02-18 BR BRPI0407712-1A patent/BRPI0407712A/pt not_active Application Discontinuation
  • 2004-02-18 EP EP04712086A patent/EP1596991A2/de not_active Withdrawn
  • 2004-02-18 JP JP2006502152A patent/JP2006520723A/ja not_active Withdrawn
  • 2004-02-18 WO PCT/FR2004/000369 patent/WO2004076069A2/fr not_active Application Discontinuation
  • 2004-02-18 CN CN200480004713.XA patent/CN1750882A/zh active Pending

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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