EP1660236B1 - Apparatus for fabricating spray heads for fluid products - Google Patents

Apparatus for fabricating spray heads for fluid products Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP1660236B1
EP1660236B1 EP04767787A EP04767787A EP1660236B1 EP 1660236 B1 EP1660236 B1 EP 1660236B1 EP 04767787 A EP04767787 A EP 04767787A EP 04767787 A EP04767787 A EP 04767787A EP 1660236 B1 EP1660236 B1 EP 1660236B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
spray
pin
profile
orifice
head
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Active
Application number
EP04767787A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP1660236A1 (en
Inventor
Arnaud Helie
Philippe Herouin
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Aptar France SAS
Original Assignee
Valois SAS
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Valois SAS filed Critical Valois SAS
Publication of EP1660236A1 publication Critical patent/EP1660236A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1660236B1 publication Critical patent/EP1660236B1/en
Active legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

Links

Images

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
    • B05B1/34—Nozzles, spray heads or other outlets, with or without auxiliary devices such as valves, heating means designed to influence the nature of flow of the liquid or other fluent material, e.g. to produce swirl
    • B05B1/3405—Nozzles, spray heads or other outlets, with or without auxiliary devices such as valves, heating means designed to influence the nature of flow of the liquid or other fluent material, e.g. to produce swirl to produce swirl
    • B05B1/341—Nozzles, spray heads or other outlets, with or without auxiliary devices such as valves, heating means designed to influence the nature of flow of the liquid or other fluent material, e.g. to produce swirl to produce swirl before discharging the liquid or other fluent material, e.g. in a swirl chamber upstream the spray outlet
    • B05B1/3494—Nozzles, spray heads or other outlets, with or without auxiliary devices such as valves, heating means designed to influence the nature of flow of the liquid or other fluent material, e.g. to produce swirl to produce swirl before discharging the liquid or other fluent material, e.g. in a swirl chamber upstream the spray outlet the discharge outlet being not on the axis of the swirl chamber
    • 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
    • B05B1/34—Nozzles, spray heads or other outlets, with or without auxiliary devices such as valves, heating means designed to influence the nature of flow of the liquid or other fluent material, e.g. to produce swirl
    • B05B1/3405—Nozzles, spray heads or other outlets, with or without auxiliary devices such as valves, heating means designed to influence the nature of flow of the liquid or other fluent material, e.g. to produce swirl to produce swirl
    • B05B1/341—Nozzles, spray heads or other outlets, with or without auxiliary devices such as valves, heating means designed to influence the nature of flow of the liquid or other fluent material, e.g. to produce swirl to produce swirl before discharging the liquid or other fluent material, e.g. in a swirl chamber upstream the spray outlet
    • B05B1/3421—Nozzles, spray heads or other outlets, with or without auxiliary devices such as valves, heating means designed to influence the nature of flow of the liquid or other fluent material, e.g. to produce swirl to produce swirl before discharging the liquid or other fluent material, e.g. in a swirl chamber upstream the spray outlet with channels emerging substantially tangentially in the swirl chamber
    • B05B1/3431—Nozzles, spray heads or other outlets, with or without auxiliary devices such as valves, heating means designed to influence the nature of flow of the liquid or other fluent material, e.g. to produce swirl to produce swirl before discharging the liquid or other fluent material, e.g. in a swirl chamber upstream the spray outlet with channels emerging substantially tangentially in the swirl chamber the channels being formed at the interface of cooperating elements, e.g. by means of grooves
    • B05B1/3436—Nozzles, spray heads or other outlets, with or without auxiliary devices such as valves, heating means designed to influence the nature of flow of the liquid or other fluent material, e.g. to produce swirl to produce swirl before discharging the liquid or other fluent material, e.g. in a swirl chamber upstream the spray outlet with channels emerging substantially tangentially in the swirl chamber the channels being formed at the interface of cooperating elements, e.g. by means of grooves the interface being a plane perpendicular to the outlet axis
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T29/00—Metal working
    • Y10T29/49—Method of mechanical manufacture
    • Y10T29/49401—Fluid pattern dispersing device making, e.g., ink jet
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T29/00—Metal working
    • Y10T29/49—Method of mechanical manufacture
    • Y10T29/49428—Gas and water specific plumbing component making
    • Y10T29/49432—Nozzle making
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T29/00—Metal working
    • Y10T29/49—Method of mechanical manufacture
    • Y10T29/49428—Gas and water specific plumbing component making
    • Y10T29/49432—Nozzle making
    • Y10T29/49433—Sprayer

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a method and a machine for manufacturing a fluid spray head.
  • Fluid dispensing heads especially in the field of pharmacy, are well known.
  • the head In order to obtain a finely sprayed distribution in the form of a spray, the head generally comprises a spray profile disposed just upstream of the spray orifice.
  • the characteristics of the spray in particular, the size distribution of the droplets and the reproducibility of these characteristics are largely dependent on the shape of said spray profile. It turns out that in most fluid dispensing devices, including drug, the performance is inconsistent due to manufacturing tolerances during molding of the head. This is explained in particular by the very small dimensions required especially for the spray orifice, and which involves using relatively fragile punches.
  • the spraying profile is molded inside the head by means of a pin inserted into a head cavity and which comprises on its front face, a profile complementary to the spray profile to be produced in the face. end of the expulsion channel made inside the head.
  • the punch used to make the spray orifice is generally provided in the bottom of the impression of the head.
  • the present invention aims to provide a method and a machine for manufacturing a fluid spray head that does not reproduce the aforementioned drawbacks.
  • the present invention aims to provide a method and a machine for manufacturing a fluid spray head, said head having consistent and reproducible product spray performance and characteristics for all heads from the same mold.
  • the present invention also aims to provide a method and a machine for manufacturing a fluid spray head that is simple and inexpensive to manufacture and assemble.
  • the present invention therefore relates to a method and a machine for manufacturing a fluid spray head according to claims 1 and 7.
  • Advantageous embodiments are set forth in the dependent claims.
  • the present invention applies to all types of fluid spray head.
  • the present description will, however, be made with reference to an elongated head, for example a nasal dispensing head, having a spray orifice directed in the axis of the head.
  • the present invention could be applied to all types of heads and in particular the heads in which the spray is distributed transversely.
  • the fluid spray head comprises an expulsion channel (not shown) which is provided with a spray orifice 1 and a spray profile 10 which is arranged upstream of said spray orifice 1
  • the spraying profile 10 is formed in the bottom wall of the expulsion channel and comprises, in known manner, non-radial spray channels 11 leading into a central spraying chamber 12 disposed directly upstream of said spray orifice 1. These channels can be three in number, as shown on the figure 1 , but another configuration is possible.
  • An insert is generally provided in said expulsion channel to limit the dead volume and form the bottom of said spray profile 10. This insert is advantageously of simple and elongated shape, such as a rod, and is introduced through the interior of the head, thus forming an internal jet.
  • the spray profile is formed in the bottom of the head so that the head is formed of only two parts, an outer part forming the head and an inner part forming the insert.
  • the product flowing in the expulsion channel around said insert arrives, at the front face thereof, in the non-radial channels 11 so that it enters the spray chamber 12 by swirling before to be expelled through the spray orifice 1 in the form of spray.
  • the present invention is characterized in that the central axis X of the spray orifice 1 is as identical as possible to the central axis Y of the spray chamber 12. More precisely, these two axes X and Y are eccentric a distance of less than 0.12 mm, preferably less than 0.08 mm.
  • a particularly advantageous embodiment relates to a dispensing head in which the spray chamber 12 has a diameter of about 1 mm and the spray orifice 1 has a diameter of about 0.3 mm. It turned out that the more the X and Y axes are eccentric the less the spray performance is good. Moreover, the constancy of the characteristics and performance of the spray is affected when the eccentricity of the axes varies from one head to the other.
  • the present invention advantageously provides that spray heads from the same mold cavity has a standard deviation, as regards the eccentricity of the central axis X of the spray orifice 1 relative to the central axis Y of the spray chamber 12, less than 0.03 mm, advantageously less than 0.02 mm, and preferably less than 0.01 mm.
  • the data in this table is interpreted as follows.
  • the average D10 means that 10% of the droplets have a size less than 24 microns with the method of the invention and less than 25 microns with the standard method. It is found that the deviation D10 with the process of the invention is very much lower than that with the standard method. This conclusion is also true with the averages D50 and D75, which demonstrates that the present invention makes it possible to obtain a more homogeneous, more constant spray and therefore having improved characteristics and performances compared to the standard manufacturing process.
  • FIG. 2 is more particularly the pin 100 being placed inside the head cavity (not shown), and which defines the central expulsion channel, and the end of the spray profile at its front face.
  • the pin 100 has on its front face a profile 110 which is complementary to the spray pattern 10 of the dispensing head.
  • This profile 110 may comprise projections forming the non-radial channels 11 and the spray chamber 12, as more precisely visible on the figure 5 .
  • the spindle 100 also incorporates the punch 120 to form the dispensing orifice 1.
  • This implementation makes it possible to guarantee consistency in the eccentricity between the axis X of the spray orifice and the Y axis of the spray chamber.
  • the dimensions of the punch 120 being very small (for example 0.3 mm) this punch breaks quite frequently during molding.
  • This implementation makes it easier to insert and especially to extract the punch from the spindle when it is necessary to replace it.
  • the rod 130 extends over a large part of the length of said pin 100 to allow its extraction by simply pushing at its bottom, possibly via a lateral opening.
  • the present invention thus makes it possible to improve the fluid dispensing heads by improving the characteristics and the performances of the spray that it delivers, as well as the constancy of these characteristics.

Landscapes

  • Nozzles (AREA)
  • Containers And Packaging Bodies Having A Special Means To Remove Contents (AREA)
  • Moulds For Moulding Plastics Or The Like (AREA)

Description

La présente invention concerne un procédé et une machine de fabrication d'une tête de pulvérisation de produit fluide.The present invention relates to a method and a machine for manufacturing a fluid spray head.

Les têtes de distribution de produit fluide, notamment dans le domaine de la pharmacie, sont bien connues. Pour pouvoir obtenir une distribution finement pulvérisée sous forme de spray, la tête comporte généralement un profil de pulvérisation disposé juste en amont de l'orifice de pulvérisation. Les caractéristiques du spray, en particulier, la distribution de taille des gouttelettes et la reproductibilité de ces caractéristiques sont largement dépendantes de la forme dudit profil de pulvérisation. Il s'avère que dans la plupart des dispositifs de distribution de produit fluide, notamment de médicament, les performances sont peu constantes en raison des tolérances de fabrication lors du moulage de la tête. Ceci s'explique notamment par les très petites dimensions requises notamment pour l'orifice de pulvérisation, et qui implique d'utiliser des poinçons relativement fragiles. Sur les dispositifs existants, le profil de pulvérisation est moulé à l'intérieur de la tête au moyen d'une broche insérée dans une empreinte de tête et qui comporte sur sa face frontale, un profil complémentaire du profil de pulvérisation à réaliser dans la face d'extrémité du canal d'expulsion réalisé à l'intérieur de la tête. Le poinçon utilisé pour réaliser l'orifice de pulvérisation est généralement prévu dans le fond de l'empreinte de la tête. Ainsi, lors de l'injection, qui n'est jamais parfaitement concentrique, des contraintes importantes s'exercent sur ledit poinçon, qui, en raison de ses faibles dimensions, est amené à se déplacer par rapport à la broche définissant le profil. Ceci engendre une excentration de l'axe central de l'orifice de pulvérisation par rapport à l'axe central de la chambre de pulvérisation. Cette excentration peut être assez importante et surtout être très variable d'une tête à l'autre. Ceci empêche d'obtenir des caractéristiques de spray constantes. Les documents FR-2 774 367 , FR-2446311 et US-5 378 422 décrivent des dispositifs de l'art antérieur.Fluid dispensing heads, especially in the field of pharmacy, are well known. In order to obtain a finely sprayed distribution in the form of a spray, the head generally comprises a spray profile disposed just upstream of the spray orifice. The characteristics of the spray, in particular, the size distribution of the droplets and the reproducibility of these characteristics are largely dependent on the shape of said spray profile. It turns out that in most fluid dispensing devices, including drug, the performance is inconsistent due to manufacturing tolerances during molding of the head. This is explained in particular by the very small dimensions required especially for the spray orifice, and which involves using relatively fragile punches. On existing devices, the spraying profile is molded inside the head by means of a pin inserted into a head cavity and which comprises on its front face, a profile complementary to the spray profile to be produced in the face. end of the expulsion channel made inside the head. The punch used to make the spray orifice is generally provided in the bottom of the impression of the head. Thus, during the injection, which is never perfectly concentric, significant stresses are exerted on said punch, which, because of its small dimensions, is caused to move relative to the spindle defining the profile. This causes an eccentricity of the central axis of the spray orifice with respect to the central axis of the spray chamber. This eccentricity can be quite important and especially be very variable from one head to another. This prevents constant spray characteristics. The documents FR-2 774 367 , FR-2446311 and U.S. 5,378,422 describe devices of the prior art.

La présente invention a pour but de fournir un procédé et une machine de fabrication d'une tête de pulvérisation de produit fluide qui ne reproduit pas les inconvénients susmentionnés.The present invention aims to provide a method and a machine for manufacturing a fluid spray head that does not reproduce the aforementioned drawbacks.

Plus particulièrement, la présente invention a pour but de fournir un procédé et une machine de fabrication d'une tête de pulvérisation de produit fluide, ladite tête ayant des performances et des caractéristiques de pulvérisation du produit constantes et reproductibles pour toutes les têtes issues d'un même moule.More particularly, the present invention aims to provide a method and a machine for manufacturing a fluid spray head, said head having consistent and reproducible product spray performance and characteristics for all heads from the same mold.

La présente invention a également pour but de fournir un procédé et une machine de fabrication d'une tête de pulvérisation de produit fluide qui soit simple et peu coûteuse à fabriquer et à assembler.The present invention also aims to provide a method and a machine for manufacturing a fluid spray head that is simple and inexpensive to manufacture and assemble.

La présente invention a donc pour objet un procédé et une machine de fabrication d'une tête de pulvérisation de produit fluide selon les revendications 1 et 7. Des modes de réalisation avantageux sont exposés dans les revendications dépendantes.The present invention therefore relates to a method and a machine for manufacturing a fluid spray head according to claims 1 and 7. Advantageous embodiments are set forth in the dependent claims.

D'autres caractéristiques et avantages de la présente invention apparaîtront plus clairement au cours de la description détaillée suivante d'un mode de réalisation avantageux de celle-ci, faite en référence aux dessins joints, donnés à titre d'exemples non limitatifs, et sur lesquels :

  • la figure 1 est une vue schématique en coupe horizontale à travers le profil de pulvérisation d'une tête de distribution selon la présente invention ;
  • la figure 2 est une vue schématique de côté d'une broche d'une machine de fabrication selon un mode de réalisation de la présente invention ;
  • la figure 3 est une vue en coupe transversale à travers la broche de la figure 2 ;
  • la figure 4 est une vue agrandie du détail A de la figure 3 ;
  • la figure 5 est une vue schématique en perspective du détail A représentée sur la figure 4.
Other features and advantages of the present invention will appear more clearly in the following detailed description of an advantageous embodiment thereof, with reference to the accompanying drawings, given by way of non-limiting examples, and on which :
  • the figure 1 is a schematic horizontal sectional view through the spray profile of a dispensing head according to the present invention;
  • the figure 2 is a schematic side view of a spindle of a manufacturing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention;
  • the figure 3 is a cross-sectional view through the spindle of the figure 2 ;
  • the figure 4 is an enlarged view of detail A of the figure 3 ;
  • the figure 5 is a schematic perspective view of the detail A shown on the figure 4 .

La présente invention s'applique à tous types de tête de pulvérisation de produit fluide. La présente description sera toutefois réalisée en référence à une tête allongée, par exemple une tête de distribution nasale, comportant un orifice de pulvérisation dirigé dans l'axe de la tête. Bien entendu, la présente invention pourrait s'appliquer à tous types de tête et notamment les têtes dans lesquelles le spray est distribué transversalement.The present invention applies to all types of fluid spray head. The present description will, however, be made with reference to an elongated head, for example a nasal dispensing head, having a spray orifice directed in the axis of the head. Of course, the present invention could be applied to all types of heads and in particular the heads in which the spray is distributed transversely.

Selon l'invention, la tête de pulvérisation de produit fluide comporte un canal d'expulsion (non représenté) qui est pourvu d'un orifice de pulvérisation 1 et d'un profil de pulvérisation 10 qui est disposé en amont dudit orifice de pulvérisation 1. Le profil de pulvérisation 10 est réalisé dans la paroi de fond du canal d'expulsion et comporte de manière connue, des canaux de pulvérisation non radiaux 11 menant dans une chambre de pulvérisation centrale 12 disposée directement en amont dudit orifice de pulvérisation 1. Ces canaux peuvent être au nombre de trois, comme représenté sur la figure 1, mais une autre configuration est envisageable. Un insert est généralement prévu dans ledit canal d'expulsion pour limiter le volume mort et former le fond dudit profil de pulvérisation 10. Cet insert est avantageusement de forme simple et allongée, tel qu'une tige, et est introduit par l'intérieur de la tête, formant ainsi un gicleur interne. Ceci évite tout risque d'expulsion du gicleur pendant l'actionnement du dispositif. De préférence, le profil de pulvérisation est réalisé dans le fond de la tête de sorte que la tête n'est formée que de deux pièces, une pièce externe formant la tête et une pièce interne formant l'insert. Ainsi, le produit s'écoulant dans le canal d'expulsion autour dudit insert parvient, au niveau de la face frontale de celui-ci, dans les canaux non radiaux 11 de sorte qu'il entre dans la chambre de pulvérisation 12 en tourbillonnant avant d'être expulsé à travers l'orifice de pulvérisation 1 sous forme de spray.According to the invention, the fluid spray head comprises an expulsion channel (not shown) which is provided with a spray orifice 1 and a spray profile 10 which is arranged upstream of said spray orifice 1 The spraying profile 10 is formed in the bottom wall of the expulsion channel and comprises, in known manner, non-radial spray channels 11 leading into a central spraying chamber 12 disposed directly upstream of said spray orifice 1. These channels can be three in number, as shown on the figure 1 , but another configuration is possible. An insert is generally provided in said expulsion channel to limit the dead volume and form the bottom of said spray profile 10. This insert is advantageously of simple and elongated shape, such as a rod, and is introduced through the interior of the head, thus forming an internal jet. This avoids any risk of expulsion of the nozzle during actuation of the device. Preferably, the spray profile is formed in the bottom of the head so that the head is formed of only two parts, an outer part forming the head and an inner part forming the insert. Thus, the product flowing in the expulsion channel around said insert arrives, at the front face thereof, in the non-radial channels 11 so that it enters the spray chamber 12 by swirling before to be expelled through the spray orifice 1 in the form of spray.

La présente invention est caractérisée par le fait que l'axe central X de l'orifice de pulvérisation 1 est le plus possible identique à l'axe central Y de la chambre de pulvérisation 12. Plus précisément, ces deux axes X et Y sont excentrés d'une distance qui est inférieure à 0,12 mm, de préférence inférieure à 0,08 mm. Un mode de réalisation particulièrement avantageux concerne une tête de distribution dans laquelle la chambre de pulvérisation 12 à un diamètre d'environ 1 mm et l'orifice de pulvérisation 1 à un diamètre d'environ 0,3 mm. Il s'est avéré que plus les axes X et Y sont excentrés moins les performances du spray sont bonnes. Par ailleurs, la constance des caractéristiques et des performances du spray est affectée lorsque l'excentration des axes varie d'une tête à l'autre. Or, avec les procédés standards, dans lesquels le poinçon formant l'orifice de pulvérisation 1 est solidaire de l'empreinte de tête et non de la broche, comme cela sera expliqué ci-après, les têtes issues d'une même empreinte de moule présentent des écarts importants en ce qui concerne l'excentration des axes X et Y.The present invention is characterized in that the central axis X of the spray orifice 1 is as identical as possible to the central axis Y of the spray chamber 12. More precisely, these two axes X and Y are eccentric a distance of less than 0.12 mm, preferably less than 0.08 mm. A particularly advantageous embodiment relates to a dispensing head in which the spray chamber 12 has a diameter of about 1 mm and the spray orifice 1 has a diameter of about 0.3 mm. It turned out that the more the X and Y axes are eccentric the less the spray performance is good. Moreover, the constancy of the characteristics and performance of the spray is affected when the eccentricity of the axes varies from one head to the other. However, with standard methods, in which the punch forming the spray orifice 1 is integral with the head impression and not the pin, as will be explained hereinafter, the heads coming from the same mold cavity have significant differences as regards the eccentricity of the X and Y axes.

Au contraire, la présente invention prévoit avantageusement que des têtes de pulvérisation issues d'une même empreinte de moule présente un écart type, en ce qui concerne l'excentration de l'axe central X de l'orifice de pulvérisation 1 par rapport à l'axe central Y de la chambre de pulvérisation 12, inférieure à 0,03 mm, avantageusement inférieure à 0,02 mm, et de préférence inférieure à 0,01 mm. Ces valeurs d'excentration relativement faibles, ainsi que cet écart type très inférieur à ce qui existe à ce jour sont obtenus avec un procédé et une machine de fabrication telle qu'elle sera décrite ci-après, dans laquelle le poinçon définissant l'orifice de pulvérisation 1 est formé solidaire de la broche disposée à l'intérieur de l'empreinte de tête pour définir le profil de pulvérisation.On the contrary, the present invention advantageously provides that spray heads from the same mold cavity has a standard deviation, as regards the eccentricity of the central axis X of the spray orifice 1 relative to the central axis Y of the spray chamber 12, less than 0.03 mm, advantageously less than 0.02 mm, and preferably less than 0.01 mm. These relatively low eccentricity values, as well as this much smaller standard deviation than today, are obtained with a method and a manufacturing machine as will be described hereinafter, in which the punch defining the orifice Spray 1 is formed integral with the spindle disposed within the head cavity to define the spray profile.

Le graphique ci-après illustre en millimètre ces excentrations entre les axes X et Y, en représentant les valeurs correspondantes pour 30 têtes réalisées respectivement dans la même empreinte de moule. On constate qu'avec les procédés standards, non seulement les valeurs d'excentration sont supérieures mais en plus l'écart type est très important ce qui affecte la constance des caractéristiques du spray. Au contraire, la présente invention garantit des valeurs stables et constantes.

Figure imgb0001
The following graph illustrates in millimeters these eccentricities between the X and Y axes, representing the corresponding values for 30 heads made respectively in the same mold cavity. It can be seen that, with the standard methods, not only the eccentricity values are higher, but in addition the standard deviation is very important, which affects the constancy of the characteristics of the spray. On the contrary, the present invention guarantees stable and constant values.
Figure imgb0001

Le tableau ci-après compare le procédé de l'invention avec le procédé standard au niveau du test DSD (Dropplet Size Distribution - distribution de taille de gouttelette). Données Procédé de l'invention Procédé standard Moyenne D10 24 25 Ecartype D10 3 7 Moyenne D50 57 60 Ecartype D50 11 21 Moyenne D75 103 102 Ecartype D75 17 24 The following table compares the process of the invention with the standard method in the Dropplet Size Distribution (DSD) test. Data Process of the invention Standard process Average D10 24 25 D10 Ecartype 3 7 Average D50 57 60 D50 Ecartype 11 21 Average D75 103 102 D75 Ecartype 17 24

Echantillonage : 80 poussoirs par procédé.Sampling: 80 pushers per process.

Les données de ce tableau s'interprètent de la manière suivante. La moyenne D10 signifie que 10% des gouttelettes ont une taille inférieure à 24 µm avec le procédé de l'invention et inférieur à 25 µm avec le procédé standard. On constate que l'écartype D10 avec le procédé de l'invention est très nettement inférieur à celui avec le procédé standard. Cette conclusion se vérifie également avec les moyennes D50 et D75, ce qui démontre que la présente invention permet d'obtenir un spray plus homogène, plus constant et donc ayant des caractéristiques et des performances améliorées par rapport au procédé de fabrication standard.The data in this table is interpreted as follows. The average D10 means that 10% of the droplets have a size less than 24 microns with the method of the invention and less than 25 microns with the standard method. It is found that the deviation D10 with the process of the invention is very much lower than that with the standard method. This conclusion is also true with the averages D50 and D75, which demonstrates that the present invention makes it possible to obtain a more homogeneous, more constant spray and therefore having improved characteristics and performances compared to the standard manufacturing process.

En se référant plus particulièrement aux figures 2 à 5, il est représenté une partie d'une machine de fabrication d'une tête selon la présente invention. La figure 2 représente plus particulièrement la broche 100 venant se placer à l'intérieur de l'empreinte de tête (non représentée), et qui définit le canal central d'expulsion, ainsi que l'extrémité du profil de pulvérisation au niveau de sa face frontale. Pour ce faire, la broche 100 comporte sur sa face frontale un profil 110 qui est complémentaire du profil de pulvérisation 10 de la tête de distribution. Ce profil 110 peut comporter des projections formant les canaux non radiaux 11 et la chambre de pulvérisation 12, comme plus précisément visible sur la figure 5. Selon l'invention, la broche 100 incorpore en outre le poinçon 120 pour former l'orifice de distribution 1. Cette mise en oeuvre permet de garantir une constance au niveau de l'excentration entre l'axe X de l'orifice de pulvérisation et l'axe Y de la chambre de pulvérisation. Les dimensions du poinçon 120 étant très faibles (par exemple 0,3 mm) ce poinçon se casse assez fréquement pendant le moulage. Pour éviter d'avoir à changer toute la broche 100, il est avantageux de réaliser le poinçon solidaire d'une tige 130 amovible s'étendant à l'intérieur de la broche, et pouvant être remplacé sans avoir à changer toute la broche. Cette mise en oeuvre permet de faciliter l'insertion et surtout l'extraction du poinçon à partir de la broche lorsqu'il est nécessaire de le remplacer. Avantageusement, la tige 130 s'étend sur une grande partie de la longueur de ladite broche 100 pour permettre son extraction par simple poussée au niveau de son fond, éventuellement par l'intermédiaire d'une ouverture latérale.With particular reference to Figures 2 to 5 , there is shown a part of a machine for manufacturing a head according to the present invention. The figure 2 is more particularly the pin 100 being placed inside the head cavity (not shown), and which defines the central expulsion channel, and the end of the spray profile at its front face. To do this, the pin 100 has on its front face a profile 110 which is complementary to the spray pattern 10 of the dispensing head. This profile 110 may comprise projections forming the non-radial channels 11 and the spray chamber 12, as more precisely visible on the figure 5 . According to the invention, the spindle 100 also incorporates the punch 120 to form the dispensing orifice 1. This implementation makes it possible to guarantee consistency in the eccentricity between the axis X of the spray orifice and the Y axis of the spray chamber. The dimensions of the punch 120 being very small (for example 0.3 mm) this punch breaks quite frequently during molding. To avoid having to change all the pin 100, it is advantageous to make the integral punch of a removable rod 130 extending inside the pin, and can be replaced without having to change the whole pin. This implementation makes it easier to insert and especially to extract the punch from the spindle when it is necessary to replace it. Advantageously, the rod 130 extends over a large part of the length of said pin 100 to allow its extraction by simply pushing at its bottom, possibly via a lateral opening.

La présente invention permet donc d'améliorer les têtes de distribution de produit fluide en améliorant les caractéristiques et les performances du spray qu'elle délivre, ainsi que la constance de ces caractéristiques.The present invention thus makes it possible to improve the fluid dispensing heads by improving the characteristics and the performances of the spray that it delivers, as well as the constancy of these characteristics.

Bien que la présente invention a été décrite en référence à un mode de réalisation particulier de celle-ci, il est clair qu'elle n'est pas limitée par ce mode de réalisation. Au contraire, un homme du métier peut y apporter toutes modifications utiles sans sortir du cadre de la présente invention tel que défini par les revendications annexées.Although the present invention has been described with reference to a particular embodiment thereof, it is clear that it is not limited by this embodiment. On the contrary, a person skilled in the art can make any useful modifications without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims (11)

  1. A process for manufacturing a fluid spray head comprising an expulsion channel provided with a spray orifice (1) and a spray profile (10) formed in an end wall of said expulsion channel, said spray profile (10) comprising non-radial spray channels (11) opening out to a central spray chamber (12) disposed directly upstream from said spray orifice (1), the process being characterized in that it comprises the following steps:
    - providing a mold cavity of said spray head,
    - providing a pin (100) incorporating on its front face a profile (110) that is complementary to the spray profile (10) of the spray head, said pin (100) comprising a punch (120) for forming the spray orifice (1), said punch being removable from said pin,
    - placing said pin (100) in said mold cavity, and
    - molding said spray head such that the central axis (X) of said spray orifice (1) is offset from the central axis (Y) of the spray chamber (12) by a distance that is less than 0.12 mm, and preferably less than 0.08 mm.
  2. A process according to claim 1, in which said spray chamber (12) has a diameter of 1 mm.
  3. A process according to claim 1 or claim 2, in which said spray orifice (1) has a diameter of 0.3 mm.
  4. A process according to any one of the preceding claims, in which said punch (120) is secured to a stem (130) that extends inside said pin (100).
  5. A process according to any one of the preceding claims, in which said pin (100) comprises on its front face projections forming said non-radial channels (11) and the spray chamber (12).
  6. A process according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising to mold a plurality of spray heads from a same mold cavity, the standard deviation of the offset of the central axis (X) of the spray orifice (1) relative to the central axis (Y) of the spray chamber (12) for all of the spray heads coming from a common mold cavity being less than 0.03 mm, and advantageously less than 0.01 mm.
  7. A machine for manufacturing a fluid spray head comprising an expulsion channel provided with a spray orifice (1) and a spray profile (10) formed in an end wall of said expulsion channel, said spray profile (10) comprising non-radial spray channels (11) opening out to a central spray chamber (12) disposed directly upstream from said spray orifice (1), said spray orifice (1) and said spray chamber (12) being part of the same integral element forming the spray head, the central axis (X) of said spray orifice (1) being offset from the central axis (Y) of the spray chamber (12) by a distance that is less than 0.12 mm, and preferably less than 0.08 mm, said machine including at least one mold provided with at least one mold cavity of said head, said machine including a core pin (100) for each mold cavity, the front face of said pin (100) incorporating a profile (110) that is complementary to the spray profile (10) of the head, said complementary profile (110) being made up of projections forming non-radial channels (11) and the spray chamber (12), said pin (100) further incorporating a punch (120) so as to form the dispenser orifice (1), characterized in that said punch (120) is removable from said pin (100), making it possible to replace said punch (120) without having to change the pin (100).
  8. A machine according to claim 7, in which said punch (120) is secured to a stem (130) that extends longitudinally inside the pin (100) over a substantial fraction of its length.
  9. A machine according to claim 7 or claim 8, in which said spray chamber (12) has a diameter of 1 mm.
  10. A machine according to claim 7, claim 8 or claim 9, in which said spray orifice (1) has a diameter of 0.3 mm.
  11. A machine according to any one of claims 7 to 10, in which the standard deviation of the offset of the central axis (X) of the spray orifice (1) relative to the central axis (Y) of the spray chamber (12) for all of the spray heads coming from a common mold cavity is less than 0.03 mm, and advantageously less than 0.01 mm.
EP04767787A 2003-08-04 2004-07-27 Apparatus for fabricating spray heads for fluid products Active EP1660236B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR0309628A FR2858567B1 (en) 2003-08-04 2003-08-04 FLUID SPRAY HEAD
PCT/FR2004/002005 WO2005018820A1 (en) 2003-08-04 2004-07-27 Spray head for fluid product

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1660236A1 EP1660236A1 (en) 2006-05-31
EP1660236B1 true EP1660236B1 (en) 2010-04-21

Family

ID=34073019

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP04767787A Active EP1660236B1 (en) 2003-08-04 2004-07-27 Apparatus for fabricating spray heads for fluid products

Country Status (7)

Country Link
US (3) US20070267522A1 (en)
EP (1) EP1660236B1 (en)
JP (1) JP4740848B2 (en)
CN (1) CN100427216C (en)
DE (1) DE602004026741D1 (en)
FR (1) FR2858567B1 (en)
WO (1) WO2005018820A1 (en)

Families Citing this family (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US7891583B2 (en) * 2008-10-30 2011-02-22 Gojo Industries, Inc. Dome pump spray assembly
US9383018B2 (en) * 2012-03-15 2016-07-05 Aktiebolaget Skf Rotary cartridge seal with internal face-sealing surfaces
US9138772B2 (en) 2012-10-31 2015-09-22 Nordson Corporation Dispensing assembly and method using snap engagement of a mixer and a cartridge
US9999895B2 (en) * 2014-08-06 2018-06-19 S. C. Johnson & Son, Inc. Spray inserts
FR3062581B1 (en) * 2017-02-09 2021-09-24 Aptar France Sas FLUID PRODUCT SPRAY HEAD AND USE OF SUCH A HEAD.
CN107855230A (en) * 2017-11-28 2018-03-30 佛山科学技术学院 A kind of chemical industry, pharmaceutical liquid sprayer unit
US12004502B2 (en) 2019-12-06 2024-06-11 The Procter & Gamble Company Pest control spray

Family Cites Families (27)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2904263A (en) * 1956-08-30 1959-09-15 Delavan Mfg Company Liquid spray nozzle
NL219346A (en) * 1956-11-08
FR1257009A (en) 1959-04-03 1961-03-31 Ind Werke Ag Deutsche Installation for casting cores
US3635406A (en) * 1970-05-27 1972-01-18 Clayton Corp One-piece spray head and core pin construction therefor
US3680793A (en) * 1970-11-09 1972-08-01 Delavan Manufacturing Co Eccentric spiral swirl chamber nozzle
FR2122053A5 (en) * 1971-01-15 1972-08-25 Siebel Carl
JPS5539376B2 (en) * 1972-07-26 1980-10-11
US4020979A (en) * 1975-10-15 1977-05-03 Summit Packaging Systems, Inc. Squeeze-bottle-type spray dispenser
DE2849599A1 (en) * 1978-11-15 1980-05-22 Schwarzkopf Gmbh Hans AEROSOL CAN WITH A FINE FILLING VALVE WITH FILLING CONTAINING A DRIVING AGENT, METHOD FOR THE PRODUCTION THEREOF AND THEIR USE
US4367847A (en) * 1980-12-29 1983-01-11 Precision Valve Corporation One-piece mechanical break up (MBU)
ES272902Y (en) * 1983-06-14 1984-05-01 Workum Donald "SPRAYER FOR MANUALLY DEFORMABLE CONTAINERS"
JPH0665484B2 (en) * 1986-09-09 1994-08-24 住友重機械工業株式会社 Injection molding method for molded products with punched holes
US4805839A (en) * 1988-05-11 1989-02-21 S. C. Johnson & Son, Inc. Tilt-spray aerosol actuator button and dies
US4923448A (en) * 1988-12-06 1990-05-08 Mark Anderson Syringe with spray nozzle tip
JP2922935B2 (en) * 1989-08-11 1999-07-26 東興薬品工業株式会社 Disposable adapter for nasal spray container for viscous liquid
ES2114032T3 (en) * 1992-01-15 1998-05-16 Johnson & Son Inc S C FORMATION AND ASSEMBLY OF A DRIVE HOOD AND INSERTED NOZZLE.
US5358179A (en) * 1993-08-18 1994-10-25 The Procter & Gamble Company Atomization systems for high viscosity products
US5664732A (en) * 1995-08-16 1997-09-09 Owens-Illinois Closure Inc. Nozzle for pump dispensers
DE19750068C1 (en) * 1997-11-12 1999-06-24 Lechler Gmbh & Co Kg Axial hollow cone nozzle for gas washer
FR2774367B1 (en) * 1998-02-03 2000-03-24 Valois Sa PUMP OR VALVE DISTRIBUTION HEAD
JP2000153188A (en) * 1998-11-17 2000-06-06 Toyo Aerosol Ind Co Ltd Button for compressed gas aerosol
DE19907899A1 (en) * 1999-02-24 2000-08-31 Bosch Gmbh Robert Fuel injector
US6488413B1 (en) 1999-06-09 2002-12-03 Corning Cable Systems Llc Gating system for high precision molding
NL1012778C2 (en) * 1999-08-05 2001-02-12 Axxicon Moulds Eindhoven Bv Movable punching member.
JP2001076991A (en) * 1999-08-31 2001-03-23 Canon Inc Charged particle beam exposure system and method for controlling the same
US6569370B1 (en) 2000-05-25 2003-05-27 Husky Injection Molding System Ltd. Injection molding system and method using cavity flange and neck ring insert
FR2816523B1 (en) * 2000-11-15 2003-01-10 Oreal CLEANABLE DISPENSING HEAD AND DISPENSER THUS EQUIPPED

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
JP2007501113A (en) 2007-01-25
US8769818B2 (en) 2014-07-08
CN100427216C (en) 2008-10-22
CN1849175A (en) 2006-10-18
EP1660236A1 (en) 2006-05-31
FR2858567B1 (en) 2006-03-03
US8323020B2 (en) 2012-12-04
FR2858567A1 (en) 2005-02-11
JP4740848B2 (en) 2011-08-03
US20100102477A1 (en) 2010-04-29
WO2005018820A1 (en) 2005-03-03
US20070267522A1 (en) 2007-11-22
US20110061236A1 (en) 2011-03-17
DE602004026741D1 (en) 2010-06-02

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
EP2475463B1 (en) Device for dispensing liquid
FR3066082B1 (en) COSMETIC PRODUCT STICK INCLUDING TWO COMPOSITIONS HAVING A RELIEF SURFACE, METHOD AND DEVICE FOR MANUFACTURING SUCH A COSMETIC PRODUCT STICK
FR3074429A1 (en) METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING A DISTRIBUTION WALL
EP3164223B1 (en) Device for dispensing a fluid product
EP2321108B1 (en) Apparatus for injection moulding an article having a field of hooks
EP1660236B1 (en) Apparatus for fabricating spray heads for fluid products
EP0988079A1 (en) Nasal applicator and device for dispensing device comprising same
WO2002070141A1 (en) Spray nozzle with profiled channels
EP2579991B1 (en) Dispensing head for a fluid
EP2879998B1 (en) Method and equipment for manufacturing a hollow glass article having a specific inner glass distribution
WO2021023938A1 (en) Stick of cosmetic product comprising two compositions, method and device for manufacturing such a stick of cosmetic product
EP3717135B1 (en) Head for dispensing fluid product and corresponding method
EP1677916B1 (en) Spray head for liquid product
WO2003078126A2 (en) Method of producing a compression-moulded plastic part comprising a neck which is equipped with a dispensing orifice
FR2653752A1 (en) STERILE PACKAGING ASSEMBLY FOR DISPENSING LIQUID, AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING SUCH A ASSEMBLY.
EP1048581B1 (en) Tube-shaped hollow body for pasty product and method of manufacturing of the same
EP3736047B1 (en) Two-part nozzle for aerosol diffusers
FR2480175A1 (en) METHOD AND DEVICE FOR REMOVING THE MASSELOTTE WHICH APPEARS AT THE END OF A THERMOPLASTIC ARTICLE INJECTION MOLDING OPERATION
EP4061538A1 (en) Method for producing a distribution wall
WO2021001628A1 (en) Process for manufacturing a distribution partition
EP3964341A1 (en) Device for manufacturing pipes with a non-circular section opening geometry and method for manufacturing same
FR2817793A1 (en) Mould for injecting plastic packaging tube blank has body with recess adjoining main cavity to receive centering peg on mobile core
WO2004103858A2 (en) Distribution head for a distribution element for a fluid product
EP1415785A1 (en) Tool for extrusion blow moulding of a flexible tube and tube

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 20060303

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): DE FR GB IT

DAX Request for extension of the european patent (deleted)
RBV Designated contracting states (corrected)

Designated state(s): DE FR GB IT

17Q First examination report despatched

Effective date: 20061130

GRAP Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR1

RTI1 Title (correction)

Free format text: APPARATUS FOR FABRICATING SPRAY HEADS FOR FLUID PRODUCTS

GRAJ Information related to disapproval of communication of intention to grant by the applicant or resumption of examination proceedings by the epo deleted

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSDIGR1

APBK Appeal reference recorded

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNREFNE

APBN Date of receipt of notice of appeal recorded

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNNOA2E

APBR Date of receipt of statement of grounds of appeal recorded

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNNOA3E

APBV Interlocutory revision of appeal recorded

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIRAPE

GRAP Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR1

GRAS Grant fee paid

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR3

GRAA (expected) grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: B1

Designated state(s): DE FR GB IT

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: GB

Ref legal event code: FG4D

Free format text: NOT ENGLISH

REF Corresponds to:

Ref document number: 602004026741

Country of ref document: DE

Date of ref document: 20100602

Kind code of ref document: P

PLBE No opposition filed within time limit

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT

26N No opposition filed

Effective date: 20110124

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R082

Ref document number: 602004026741

Country of ref document: DE

Representative=s name: BITTNER & PARTNER, DE

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R082

Ref document number: 602004026741

Country of ref document: DE

Representative=s name: BITTNER & PARTNER, DE

Effective date: 20130617

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R081

Ref document number: 602004026741

Country of ref document: DE

Owner name: APTAR FRANCE SAS, FR

Free format text: FORMER OWNER: VALOIS SAS, LE NEUBOURG, FR

Effective date: 20130617

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R082

Ref document number: 602004026741

Country of ref document: DE

Representative=s name: STAUDT IP LAW, DE

Effective date: 20130617

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R082

Ref document number: 602004026741

Country of ref document: DE

Representative=s name: STAUDT IP LAW, DE

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: FR

Ref legal event code: PLFP

Year of fee payment: 12

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: FR

Ref legal event code: PLFP

Year of fee payment: 13

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: FR

Ref legal event code: PLFP

Year of fee payment: 14

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: FR

Ref legal event code: PLFP

Year of fee payment: 15

P01 Opt-out of the competence of the unified patent court (upc) registered

Effective date: 20230526

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: IT

Payment date: 20230707

Year of fee payment: 20

Ref country code: GB

Payment date: 20230725

Year of fee payment: 20

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: FR

Payment date: 20230728

Year of fee payment: 20

Ref country code: DE

Payment date: 20230712

Year of fee payment: 20

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R082

Ref document number: 602004026741

Country of ref document: DE

Representative=s name: SONNENBERG HARRISON PARTNERSCHAFT MBB PATENT- , DE