EP2665662B1 - Spray head - Google Patents

Description

• einem Aufsatzelement zum Aufbringen auf einen Behälter, an dem ein Verschlußelement zum Verschließen einer Austrittsöffnung des Sprühkanals angeordnet ist und
• einem Betätigungselement,

wobei das Verschlußelement und das Betätigungselement eine Einheit bilden und wobei die Austrittsöffnung des Sprühkanals durch die Einheit in der geschlossenen Position verschließbar ist.The present invention relates to a spray head for discharging product from a container, with

• an attachment element for application to a container, on which a closure element for closing an outlet opening of the spray channel is arranged and
• an actuator,

wherein the closure element and the actuating element form a unit and wherein the outlet opening of the spray channel can be closed by the unit in the closed position.

Numerous products, especially cosmetics and food, are offered in containers, from which they are discharged, for example in the form of foam or gel. As a rule, the containers are pressure vessels.

From the DE 203 08 449 U1 For example, a spray head for foams or gels is known which has an attachment element on which a closure element is articulated. This comprises a movably mounted in the attachment element actuating element having an outlet opening and a pressure section, wherein the outlet opening is connectable via a connection with a valve opening of the container, the valve is actuated via the pressure section and the closure element in its closed position closes the outlet opening. The closure element and the actuating element form a locking device which blocks a triggering of the actuating element in a closed position of the closure element.

The EP 0 558 810 A1 describes a dispenser for a container in which an actuator is pivotable about a vertical axis from a closed to an open position.

The US 3,323,695 A describes an actuating device for a valved pressure dispenser with means for preventing undesired product leakage or contamination of the product contained in the dispenser.

From the US 2002/008119 A1 An actuating mechanism is known which has means for blocking the valve actuation.

The DE 43 90 810 T1 describes a child-resistant nozzle for a hand sprayer.

From the FR 2 933 678 A1 For example, there is known a spray cap for an aerosol container having an actuator with a screen provided with an opening, the screen being disposed between the nozzle and the outlet opening, and the actuator between a first position in which the opening with the nozzle and the outlet opening is aligned and a second position in which the Öffnugn not aligned with the nozzle and the outlet opening, can be displaced.

The object of the invention is to provide a comparison with the prior art easier and safer to handle spray head.

This object is achieved for a spray head for discharging product from a container, that upon actuation of the actuating element at the same time the outlet opening is connectable to a valve opening of the container and the valve is actuated, so that product exits from the container, that the unit to a horizontal axis is pivotable from a closed position to an operating position, that a return means for returning the unit from the operating position is provided in the closed position and that the unit comprises a blocking means, wherein by the blocking means, when it is in a first end position, a pivoting the unit in the operating position is impossible and when the blocking means is in a second end position, the unit can be pivoted into the operating position.

Unlike the DE 203 08 449 U1 in which the closure element is hinged like a cap on the attachment element and must be opened prior to actuation of the actuating element is pivoted in the present invention by actuating the actuating element forming a unit with this closure element in the actuated position and thereby releases the outlet opening of the spray channel , At the end of the product delivery, the unit pivots back into the closed position and the outlet opening of the spray channel is closed again. Another Difference to the DE 203 08 449 U1 consists in; that in this the closure element and the actuating element form a locking device which blocks in the closed position of the closure element, a triggering of the actuating element, while in the present invention in the closed position, the outlet opening of the spray channel is closed.

On the basis of a blocking agent, which is preferably arranged on top of the unit consisting of closure element and actuating element, the unit can be blocked in the closed position or brought into the operating position. Both the operation of the blocking means and the operation of the actuating element can be done with one and the same hand, so that a one-handed operation of the device is possible. Thus, no overcap is needed, as a blocking means for preventing a unwanted actuation of the actuating element is provided. It is precisely the interaction of the unit, which can be pivoted about an axis from a closed position into an actuating position, with the blocking means which blocks the unit in the closed position, in which the outlet opening of the spray channel is simultaneously closed, results in a synergistic effect.

A preferred embodiment of the invention is that the blocking means has on its underside a connecting means which is positively connected in the closed position with the attachment element.

It is part of the invention that the blocking agent is designed as a button, preferably as a push or push button.

A shift key is advantageous in that there is no risk in a shift key that the key is brought by vertical pressure from the closed position to the operating position.

In this way, the unit of closure element and actuator is positively connected to the attachment element, so that a pivoting of the unit in the operating position is no longer possible. When the button is pressed again, the form-locking connection is released again and the unit can be pivoted into the actuated position.

Finally, it is expedient that the button has a profiling on its upper side.

Hereinafter, an exemplary embodiment of the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to drawings.

Fig. 1a

eine geschnittene Darstellung eines erfindungsgemäßen Sprühkopfes in Verschlußstellung,

Fig. 1b

eine Seitenansicht des erfindungsgemäßen Sprühkopfes in Verschlußstellung,

Fig. 1c

eine perspektivische Darstellung des erfindungsgemäßen Sprühkopfes in Verschlußstellung,

Fig. 2a

eine geschnittene Darstellung eines erfindungsgemäßen Sprühkopfes in Betätigungsstellung,

Fig. 2b

eine Seitenansicht des erfindungsgemäßen Sprühkopfes in Betätigungsstellung,

Fig. 2c

eine perspektivische Darstellung des erfindungsgemäßen Sprühkopfes in Betätigungsstellung,

Fig. 3a, 3b und 3c

drei Ansichten eines erfindungsgemäßen Sprühkopfes mit einem Rückstellmittel.

Show it

Fig. 1a

a sectional view of a spray head according to the invention in the closed position,

Fig. 1b

a side view of the spray head according to the invention in the closed position,

Fig. 1c

a perspective view of the spray head according to the invention in the closed position,

Fig. 2a

a sectional view of a spray head according to the invention in the operating position,

Fig. 2b

a side view of the spray head according to the invention in the operating position,

Fig. 2c

a perspective view of the spray head according to the invention in the operating position,

Fig. 3a, 3b and 3c

three views of a spray head according to the invention with a return means.

Like from the Fig. 1a to 2c 3, the spray head according to the invention has an attachment element 1 for application to a container, on which a unit 2 is pivoted about an axis from a closed position (FIG. Fig. 1a to 1c ) in an actuating position ( Fig. 2a to 2c ) is pivotally mounted. This unit 2 comprises a closure element 2a for closing an outlet opening 3 of the spray channel and an actuating element 2b, in the actuation of which the outlet opening 3 can be connected via a channel 4 to the valve opening of the container. By pressing on the actuating element 2b, the outlet opening 3 is released at the same time and the valve is actuated, so that product exits from the container. Upon release of the actuating element 2b, the unit automatically pivots back into the closed position, in which the outlet opening 3 of the spray channel is closed again. On the inside of the closure element 2a for closing the outlet opening 3 of the spray channel or on the attachment element 1 to the spray channel 3 around a sealing element, for example, with injected, can be additionally provided that additional protection against the ingress of oxygen and other undesirable Foreign substances (eg sand) offers and prevents the drying, hardening or oxidation of the product. In addition, this sealing element provides protection against re-foaming of the product.

The unit 2 has as a blocking means 5 on a button 5, which is designed here as a sliding button on the top of the unit 2. About this key 5, the unit 2 can be blocked in the closed position. For this purpose, the button 5 has on its underside a projection 6 which engages behind an element 7 of the attachment element 1 in a first end position of the button 5 (in this case towards the front end, on which the outlet opening is arranged). In this way, the key 5 and with it the unit 2 is positively connected to the attachment element 1, so that a pivoting of the unit 2 in the operating position is no longer possible. It can be provided that a tamper-evident closure is provided, which secures the unit 2 in this position prior to the first use of the spray head by the key 5 or the unit 2 is blocked by the tamper-evident in the closed position and this destroyed before the first operation got to. This ensures that the customer receives an unused product.

When the key 5 is moved to the second end position (here to the rear end, that is, away from the exit opening), the form-locking connection is released again and the unit 2 can be pivoted into the actuated position.

In order to ensure a secure hold of the finger on the button 5, the button 5 as well as the actuator 2b on its upper side have a profiling.

Instead of the slide button 5, another blocking means 5 may be provided, for example a rotary closure. This can be arranged, for example, like the sliding button 5 on the upper side of the unit 2 and, for example, have a slot into which a screwdriver can be inserted in order to transfer the rotary element from the closed position into the actuating position. Such a trained rotary closure can serve as a tamper-evident closure at the same time. Alternatively, the rotary closure can also be arranged as a rotary ring on the outside of the attachment element 1. Furthermore, it is also possible to provide a sliding shutter ("slider"), which can also be arranged on the top of the unit 2 or on the outside of the attachment element 1 and the of a closure position can be pushed into an operating position. Turning ring and slider would each prevent in the blocking position that the unit 2 can be moved down.

Like from the Fig. 3a to 3c can be seen, a return means 8 may be provided to return the unit 2 in its closed position. In the illustrated embodiment, the return means 8 is formed as a plastic dereder 8, which is arranged on the attachment element 1 and which presses on the underside of the unit 2. When pressure is applied to the actuator 2b to connect the outlet port 3 to the valve port of the container, the return means 8 is cocked. Upon release of the actuator 2b, the return means 8 then pushes the unit 2 back to its original position, the closed position, back.

Finally, it is possible to cover the areas of the spray head passed through by the product with silver ions in order to protect the exiting product from bacteria by their antibacterial effect.

• viskose, nachleckende oder nachschäumende Produkte wie Gele und Schäume,
• licht- und luftempfindliche Produkte, die nach jeder Anwendung sofort wieder verschlossen werden müssen, wie Öle, Lebensmittel, Kosmetika, Lacke und Farben, Wachse, Sprühpflaster, Sprühkleber, pharmazeutische Produkte und Haarspray,
• Produkte, die in der Freizeit außer Haus benutzt werden und daher Verschmutzungen ausgesetzt sind, wie Sonnenschutzmittel (deren Düse vor Sand geschützt werden muß), Deodorants und Shampoos (bei denen das Auslaufen z.B. in Sporttaschen verhindert werden muß) und Haarsprays (um die ungewollte Betätigung in der Handtasche zu vermeiden),
• Wasser basierende Sprays ohne Lösungsmittel, die zum Austrocknen neigen,
• viskose Produkte mit niedriger Flußrate, die schwer auszutragen sind.

The device according to the invention is particularly suitable for

• viscous, re-leaching or post-foaming products such as gels and foams,
• light and air sensitive products which must be resealed immediately after each application, such as oils, foodstuffs, cosmetics, paints and varnishes, waxes, spray plasters, spray adhesives, pharmaceutical products and hair spray,
• Products that are used outdoors during leisure time and are therefore exposed to soiling, such as sunscreen (whose nozzle must be protected from sand), deodorants and shampoos (which must be prevented from leaking, for example, in sports bags) and hairsprays (to prevent unwanted activation to avoid in the purse),
• Water-based sprays without solvents, which tend to dry out,
• viscous products with low flow rate, which are difficult to remove.

Claims (5)

1. Spray head for dispensing product from a container, having

   • an attachment element (1) for attachment to a container, on which attachment element (1) a closure element (2a) for closing off the exit orifice (3) of the spray channel is disposed and

   • an actuating element (2b),

   the closure element (2a) and the actuating element (2b) forming a unit (2) and the exit orifice (3) of the spray channel being closable by the unit (2) in the closed position, the unit (2) being pivotable about a horizontal axis from a closed position to an actuating position,
   characterised in that activation of the actuating element (2b) renders the exit orifice (3) connectable with a valve opening of the container and simultaneously actuates the valve, allowing product to discharge from the container, that a reset means (8) for returning the unit (2) from the actuating position to the closed position is provided and that the unit (2) has a locking means (5), said locking means (5), when in a first end position, preventing the unit (2) from being swivelled into the actuating position and, when in a second end position, enabling the unit (2) to be swivelled into the actuating position.
2. Spray head according to claim 1, characterised in that, on its underside, the locking means (5) has a connecting member (6), which, in the closed position, is connectable in form-fitting manner with the attachment element (1).
3. Spray head according to claim 2, characterised in that the locking means (5) is configured as a button, preferably a press or sliding button.
4. Spray head according to claim 3, characterised in that the button (5) features a profile on its upper surface.
5. Spray head according to claim 1, characterised in that the reset means (8) is engineered as a plastic spring (8), which is mounted on the attachment element (1) and which presses on the unit (2).

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