Classifications

• • 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
  • B05B17/0638—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
• • 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
• • 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 an obstruction 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 an obstruction 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 of a piezoelectric element or also of an ultrasonic resonant element.
• the present invention is not limited to this particular type of vibrating plate dispenser. Indeed, it can be applied to other types of dispenser without a 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 includes a metal ball biased by a 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 actuating means are electrically controlled.
• the present invention provides an alternative solution to the electrical control of the intake valve consisting of purely mechanical actuation means for removing the valve from its seat.
• the fluid dispenser comprises 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, said conduit comprising an inlet and an outlet, a valve for selectively blocking the supply conduit, said valve comprising a movable valve member movable between an obstruction position and a passage position, the movable valve member being translatably movable along a valve axis, actuation means for moving the movable valve member between the obstruction and passage positions, the actuation means being movable transversely to said valve axis, the actuation means comprising means force transformers capable of transforming a force exerted on the actuating means into a transverse bearing force exerted on the movable valve member for moving it to its obstructed position.
• valve member is moved axially by exerting a transverse force, advantageously perpendicular, on the actuating means.
• transformation means allowing the displacement of the valve member are clearly distinguished from another mechanical technical solution consisting in moving a valve member transversely in front of an outlet of a supply duct in the manner of a drawer.
• the movable valve member comes into tight abutment against a fixed valve seat formed at the outlet of the supply duct, in the closed position, and remains distant from said seat in the passage position.
• the movable member is urged elastically in the open position by spring means.
• the transformation means comprise a cam system.
• the cam system comprises a cam element integral with the movable member and a cam part formed by the actuating means.
• the cam part is movable translatively and transversely relative to the cam element.
• the cam part can be rotatably movable transversely relative to the axis of movement of the cam element.
• the actuating means can be moved translatively in the manner of a drawer or a slide.
• the actuating means can be in the form of a wheel which can be rotated around its axis.
• the actuating means comprise a control element accessible from outside the dispenser.
• the control element can be in the form of a push-in or pull-out button or in the form of a wheel periphery segment which can be rotated with the aid of a finger.
• the dispenser comprises a closure element intended to be placed selectively in front of or behind said at least one distribution orifice for closing it.
• This closure element comes into direct contact with the surface bordering said orifice and thus cuts the passage between the supply duct and the orifice.
• This closure element can be implemented independently of the valve, since it performs a similar function.
• the cam part and the closure element are integral in displacement.
• the actuating means are produced in the form of a single piece.
• the movable member is integral with a support piece on which is mounted an element of porous material impregnated with fluid, said element being elastically biased in contact with said at least one dispensing orifice.
• the support piece comprises common spring means for simultaneously urging the element of porous material against said at least one dispensing orifice and the movable member in the open or passing position.
• the support piece forms an outlet channel connecting the outlet of the conduit to the element of porous material, the movable member being mounted inside said channel.
• the channel comprises an elastically deformable part allowing movement of the movable member and of the element of porous material.
• the support part comprises an elastically deformable membrane having an external peripheral edge fixedly held, said membrane ensuring a translational axial displacement of the movable member and of the element of porous material.
• the support part can also be produced in a single piece by integrating the movable member, the common 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, a dispensing orifice is formed through the vibrating plate.
• the use of such an inlet valve controlled by purely mechanical control means is particularly advantageous in the case where the dispenser comprises a vibrating plate advantageously perforated for dispensing the fluid product in sprayed form. This avoids any risk of fluid leaking when the dispenser is not in operation.
• 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 position of use
• Figure 3 is a view similar to that of Figure 2 taken however along a section line slightly offset from that of Figure 2
• Figure 4 is a view similar to that of Figure 2 according to the same cutting line in actuation position of the dispenser
• FIG. 5 is a view similar to that of FIG. 3 in the rest position
• FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the support piece used in the dispenser of the present invention
• Figure 7 is another perspective view of the support piece
• Figures 8 and 9 are perspective views from different angles of view of the actuating means of the dispenser of the present invention
• Figure 10 is a view in perspective showing the support piece and the actuating means in the actuating position
• FIG. 11 is a perspective view similar to that of FIG. 10 in the unused rest position
• FIG. 12 is another perspective view ve similar to figure 11
• figure 13 is another perspective view similar to figure 10.
• I comprises a fluid reservoir 1 comprising a bottom or bottom wall 13 and a dome-shaped upper wall 11 defining between them the useful volume of the reservoir.
• the upper wall 11 of the tank is also provided with an actuation button 8 which is an electrical actuation button as will be seen below.
• a vent passage can be formed at the top wall.
• the dispenser also comprises 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 bearing surface on which the dispenser rests when it is placed on a substantially flat surface.
• the shell of bottom 5 also includes a peripheral edge 51 on which the reservoir 1 is fixed.
• a compartment containing control electronics 7 for controlling 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 duct 12 and a window 52 formed in the edge 51 of the bottom shell 5.
• This complex dispensing member is shown in a greatly enlarged manner from a different angle of view in FIGS. 2 to 5, which represent this distribution member in the rest and use position according to offset cutting planes. Reference is therefore made to these Figures 2 to 5 to describe in detail the structure and operation of the complex dispensing member according to the invention.
• 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 may 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 bending deformation which has the effect of ejecting fine droplets of fluid product through the network of distribution orifices 22.
• the fluid product from the reservoir 1 is supplied to the rear face of the vibrating plate 2, that is to say the side facing the inside 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 supply conduit 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 conduit 12 is engaged in a ring 6. This ring is engaged at its outer 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 sealed 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 support piece 3 forms a tight fixing collar 341 engaged around the endpiece 62 of the ring 6.
• This collar 341 forms the upstream end of the sleeve 33 internally defining the outlet channel 32.
• the support piece 3 forms an elastically deformable section 34 which however has a shape memory so as to be able to perform a spring function reminder.
• the sleeve 33 forms a more rigid part and therefore substantially non-deformable inside of which is formed a needle 31 which acts as a movable valve member intended to come selectively in sealed bearing contact on the valve seat 61 formed by the ring 6.
• the needle 34 is away from the seat 61, while in FIGS. 4 and 5, the needle is in sealed contact on its seat 61.
• the return spring section 34 urges the needle 31 away from the seat 61 so as to clear a passage for the fluid at the outlet of the duct 12.
• This position corresponds to the position d actuation or use of the dispensing member.
• the needle 34 which acts as a movable valve member occupies a part of the section of the sleeve 33, so that an annular passage is formed between the needle 34 and the sleeve 33 to allow the fluid product coming from the conduit 12 to pass beyond the needle 34 towards the vibrating plate 2. Spacers can connect the pointer of the sleeve.
• the support piece 3 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 closes 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 soak up or soak in fluid.
• the porous material element 30 has capillary absorption properties.
• the element of porous material 30 is biased in contact with 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 part 3. Consequently, this return spring section 34 urges both the needle 34 away from its seat 61 and the piece of porous material 30 in contact with the perforated vibrating plate 2.
• the support piece 3 also forms a corollary membrane 36 which extends from the fixing housing 35 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 section 34.
• the membrane 36 can have an elastic return function to assist the section 34.
• the membrane 36 can have an elastic return function to assist the section 34.
• the sleeve 33 also has a function of guiding or holding in the axis of the sleeve 33, so that the element of porous material 30 always comes into contact with the vibrating plate 2 in the same place and can move along an axis of perpendicular movement. in the plane of the plate 2.
• This axis of movement of the piece of porous material 30 is coincident with the axis of movement of the needle 31.
• This translational axial movement of the sleeve 33 is allowed due to the fact characteristics of elastic deformation of the section 34 and of the membrane 36.
• the sleeve 33 is fixedly held at its two ends, namely at the level of the collar 341 and of the cord 361.
• 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 movement advantageously perpendicular to the plane of the vibrating plate 2.
• the complex dispensing member according to the invention also comprises actuation means 4 which make it possible to move the sleeve 33 between a first starting position in which the element of porous material 30 is in contact with the vibrating plate and the needle 34 away from the seat 61 and a second final position in which the needle 34 is in sealed support on the seat 61 and the piece of porous material 30 away from the rear face of the vibrating plate 2.
• actuating means 4 are mechanical actuation means not involving electrical or electromagnetic energy.
• the actuating means 4 are movable relative to the sleeve 33 of the support piece 3 in a transverse plane, preferably perpendicular, to the axis of movement of the sleeve 33.
• the means actuation 4 include an actuation arm 41 adapted to move translatably by sliding along an actuation axis perpendicular to the axis of movement of the valve and the piece of porous material.
• the actuating arm 41 forms, in cooperation with the support piece 3, a force transformation system making it possible to transform a force exerted along an axis into a force exerted along a transverse axis, preferably perpendicular. More specifically, this force transformation system is here in the form of a cam system, part of which is formed by the actuating means 4 and the other part by the support part 3.
• the actuating arm 41 forms a cam part 42 which is in the general form of a fork with two teeth. Each tooth of the cam piece 42 forms an inclined cam plane 43.
• the two forks formed by the cam system 42 are spaced from one another and arranged in such a way that the actuating arm 41 can be moved in the direction of the sleeve 33 so that this sleeve 33 can be received between the two forks.
• the support piece 3 forms two cam elements 37 which are in the form of two corners each defining a cam surface 371. The two corners forming the cam element 37 are arranged in part and others of the sleeve 33, as can be seen in FIGS. 10, 11 and 12.
• the actuating arm 41 is translatable so that the cam plane 43 comes into contact with the cam surface 371, and that these surfaces remain in contact with each other with a relative slip over a certain distance.
• the cam part 42 with its cam planes 43 during the movement of the arm 41 towards the support part 3, will move the cam element 37 translatively along the allowed axis of movement of the sleeve 33.
• This displacement takes place in the direction of the supply conduit 12 so that the needle 34 is displaced in contact with its seat 61 and that the piece of porous material 30 is displaced away from the rear face of the vibrating plate 2.
• the Action of the cam piece 42 on the cam element 37 is of a completely conventional type and easily understood by any person skilled in the art.
• FIGS. 4 and 5 represent the actuating arm 41 advanced in engagement with the support piece 3.
• FIG. 4 is a sectional view through the needle 31 and FIG. 5 is a sectional view through a fork and a wedge formed respectively by the cam system 42 and the cam element 37.
• the cam system 42 is housed between the cam element 37 and the fixing housing 35.
• the actuating means 4 also comprise an actuating element 45 by which the actuating means 4 can be actuated manually or mechanically.
• the control element 45 can be accessible from outside the dispenser through an opening 53 made in the bottom 50 of the bottom shell 5, as visible in FIG. 1.
• the actuation of the means of actuation 4 would be performed automatically as soon as the dispenser is placed on a flat surface.
• the actuating means are moved in such a way that the cam system 43 engages with the cam element 37 and urges the needle 34 to press against its seat 61
• the actuating means are elastically biased by a spring 44 so as to disengage the cam system 43 from the cam element 37, so that the needle 34 can return in the disengaged position of its seat 61 and the element of porous material 30 in contact with the rear face of the vibrating plate 2.
• Any rewetting means (not shown) are provided to maintain the actuating means in the depressed or engaged position against the action of the spring 44.
• the control element 45 can be located anywhere in the dispenser, it can for example be e operated manually using the user's finger.
• the dispenser comprises a closure element 46 which is positioned in front of or behind the vibrating perforated plate, and more generally in front of or behind the dispensing orifice (s).
• the closure element can move along the valve axis or along a perpendicular axis.
• the actuating means 4 also form a shutter 46 which is translatable by sliding so as to come to be positioned in front of the vibrating perforated plate 2.
• the shutter 46 is movable with the arms
• the piece of porous material also fulfills a sealing function by keeping the fluid product away from the vibrating plate in the rest position.
• the actuation means 4 clearly visible in FIGS. 8 and 9, are preferably produced in a single piece by injection of plastic. It is the same for the support part which can be produced in a single piece by injection of a flexible plastic material such as an elastomeric plastic part. The support piece is clearly visible from various angles in FIGS. 6 and 7. It will be easy to understand the cooperation of the actuation means 4 with the support piece 3 with reference to FIGS. 11 to 13.
• rotary actuation means for example in the form of a roller forming on one of its faces a cam track capable of coming into engagement with a corresponding cam element formed by the support part 3.

Landscapes

• Containers And Packaging Bodies Having A Special Means To Remove Contents (AREA)
• Devices For Dispensing Beverages (AREA)
• Special Spraying Apparatus (AREA)
• Loading And Unloading Of Fuel Tanks Or Ships (AREA)
• Mechanically-Actuated Valves (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Publications (2)

Family

ID=32799451

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (8)

Cited By (1)

Families Citing this family (1)

Family Cites Families (4)

• 2003
  • 2003-02-20 FR FR0302080A patent/FR2851551B1/fr not_active Expired - Fee Related
• 2004
  • 2004-02-18 WO PCT/FR2004/000371 patent/WO2004076076A1/fr not_active Ceased
  • 2004-02-18 EP EP04712082A patent/EP1596994B1/de not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 2004-02-18 BR BRPI0407736-9A patent/BRPI0407736A/pt not_active Application Discontinuation
  • 2004-02-18 DE DE602004001670T patent/DE602004001670T2/de not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 2004-02-18 ES ES04712082T patent/ES2270346T3/es not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 2004-02-18 JP JP2006502154A patent/JP2006518275A/ja not_active Withdrawn
  • 2004-02-18 CN CN 200480004715 patent/CN1750885A/zh active Pending

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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