EP3717137A1

EP3717137A1 - Fluid product dispensing head

Info

Publication number: EP3717137A1
Application number: EP18855177.4A
Authority: EP
Inventors: stéphane Beranger; Frédéric Duquet
Original assignee: Aptar France SAS
Current assignee: Aptar France SAS
Priority date: 2017-12-01
Filing date: 2018-11-30
Publication date: 2020-10-07
Also published as: WO2019106319A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a fluid product dispensing head, comprising a spray wall (1) which defines a central axis (X) and is pierced with holes (O1, O2), through which the pressurized fluid product passes so as to form jets of fluid product, the holes (O1, O2) extending along axes (Y1, Y2) which correspond to the trajectory of the jets of fluid product. The invention is characterized in that at least some of the axes (Y1, Y2) are secant, so that the jets of fluid product, which extend along these secant axes (Y1, Y2), meet at at least one collision point (P).

Description

Fluid dispensing head

The present invention relates to a fluid dispensing head intended to be associated with a dispensing member such as a pump or a valve. The dispensing head may be integrated with, or mounted on, the dispenser member. The dispensing head may comprise a bearing surface so as to constitute a pusher on which the user presses to actuate the dispensing member. Alternatively, the dispensing head may be devoid of bearing surface. This kind of fluid dispensing head is frequently used in the fields of perfumery, cosmetics or pharmacy.

A conventional dispensing head, for example of the push-type, comprises:

a support surface on which a user can press with a finger, for example the index,

an inlet well intended to be connected to an outlet of a dispensing member, such as a pump or a valve,

an axial mounting housing in which a pin extends, defining a side wall and a front wall, and

- A bucket-shaped nozzle comprising a substantially cylindrical wall, one end of which is closed by a spray wall forming a spray orifice, the nozzle being mounted along an axis X in the axial mounting housing with its cylindrical wall engaged around the spindle and its spray wall in axial abutment against the front wall of the spindle.

In general, the inlet well is connected to the axial mounting housing by a single supply conduit. On the other hand, it is common to form a swirl system at the nozzle spray wall. A swirl system conventionally includes a plurality of tangential swirl channels that open into a swirl chamber centered on the spray orifice of the nozzle. The swirl system is disposed upstream of the spray orifice.

In the document EP1878507A2, there are described several embodiments of a nozzle comprising a spray wall pierced with several spray holes of substantially identical or perfectly identical diameter, of the order of 1 to 100 miti, with a tolerance of 20% . Such a spray wall would generate a spray whose droplet size is relatively homogeneous. In one embodiment of this document, the holes are arranged in concentric circles, with an inclination of the order of 10 to 60 degrees and a tangential orientation, so as to create a swirling spray around the central axis. In another embodiment, the spray wall is flat and the holes are parallel. In yet another mode, the wall is curved and the holes are divergent.

In EP1698399A1, the spray wall is curved, but the holes were drilled perpendicularly to the plane of the wall with a constant section, while the wall was still flat. The curvature of the wall makes it possible to make the holes diverge, once the curved wall. It is not explained in this document how or when the pierced flat wall is curved.

In these two documents, the holes generate jets of fine droplets, each of which follows a clean trajectory until the dispersion of the droplets in the cloud.

It is an object of the present invention to define a planar spray wall which utilizes another principle of dispersion of the droplets, which does not result solely from the passage of the fluid through the spray wall.

To achieve this object, the present invention provides a fluid dispensing head comprising a spray wall defining a central axis and pierced with holes through which the fluid under pressure passes to form jets of fluid, the holes extend along axes corresponding to the trajectory of the jets of fluid product, at least some of the axes being intersecting, so that the jets of fluid product, which extend along these intersecting axes, meet at the level of at least one point of collision.

Thus, the dispersion of the fluid product also results from the collision of the jets, which can be formed by trains of droplets already thin or very thin. The impact of the droplets between them will divide them into even finer droplets.

As an indication, the holes may be 10 to 500 and have a diameter of the order of 1 to 100 miti, preferably of the order of 5 to 30 miti, and preferably of the order of 5 to 20 pm. The more holes there are, the smaller the diameter, and vice versa. The cumulative section of all holes must be less than 100,000 pm ² .

Advantageously, the spray wall defines a normal at each hole, the axes of the holes being merged with their respective normal. In other words, each hole is perpendicular to the plane of the wall that surrounds it directly. Or, each hole is defined at the outer face of the spray wall, by an annular edge, advantageously circular, which is in a plane: the axis of the hole being orthogonal to this plane.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the spray wall may be profiled, so that it is not completely flat. There may therefore be one or more flat area (s), but there is also one or more non-planar area (s), for example concave or convex, or conical.

In another aspect, the holes may be aligned radially, at least in pairs (of holes), so that the jets from the radially aligned holes meet at a point of collision P. Preferably, the axes of these pairs of holes are inscribed in the orthogonal plane passing through the central axis and their respective normals.

According to a practical embodiment, the holes may be arranged along concentric circles, which are respectively located at concave and convex zones, convex and plane zones or a single concave zone. In other words, a circle can be located at a level concave zone and the other circle at a flat area, where one circle may be located at a concave zone and the other circle at a convex zone, or both circles may be located in a single concave area. Other arrangements are still possible.

The holes may be oriented such that the collision points together form a ring or a focal point. All holes may converge to one and the same collision focal point, or distinct collision points from converging hole pairs may together form a focal ring.

Advantageously, the holes may have different diameters. The holes closest to the central axis may for example have a diameter which is smaller than the holes located furthest from the central axis. Indeed, it has been found that the droplets from the collision deviate on the side where the jet has a lower speed. And the larger the diameter of the holes, the lower the droplet velocity. It is therefore wise to position the larger diameter holes on the outside, farthest from the central axis, when trying to open the angle of the spray. The opposite is also possible, especially when a restricted spray angle is sought.

According to a preferred embodiment, the holes are arranged along concentric circles, namely a small inner circle and a large outer circle, all the holes of the inner small circle having the same diameter and all the holes of the large outer circle having the same diameter, the holes of the small inner circle having a diameter smaller than the holes of the large outer circle. An open spray is thus obtained with collision points arranged in a ring. The droplets resulting from the collisions will mainly be projected outwards with respect to the central axis.

According to a practical embodiment which is conventional in the fields of perfumery, cosmetics and sometimes pharmacy, the dispensing head comprises:

- a mounting housing, - A nozzle comprising a sleeve engaged in the mounting housing, the spray wall being secured to the sleeve.

The head can be in the form of a conventional pusher with an upper bearing surface, on which a user can press with a finger, for example the index finger. The axial housing then opens laterally. The nozzle may be force-fitted and / or snapped and / or harpooned into the axial housing.

The invention also defines a method of manufacturing a spray wall as defined above, comprising:

- drill a flat strip of parallel perpendicular holes,

- Stamping this perforated flat strip for profiling so as to bring the axes of the holes (01, 02) to cross.

With holes arranged in concentric circles, it will suffice to form in the band an angle less than 180 degrees to rotate the axes of the holes of a circle to the axes of the holes of the other circle so that they intersect. The smaller the angle, the closer the collision points are to the holes. An axial distance of the order of 1 to 5 mm gives good results.

The spirit of the invention lies in the fact of making a plurality of jet collisions with a piercing wall pierced with 10 to 500 holes of 1 to 100 μm. A radial arrangement of the holes, in particular in concentric circles, is particularly advantageous. Obtaining a single focal point is preferred because the probability of collision is optimized.

The invention will now be further described with reference to the accompanying drawings, giving by way of non-limiting examples, several embodiments of the invention.

In the figures:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a pump equipped with a dispensing head according to the invention,

FIG. 2 is a greatly enlarged sectional view of the nozzle of the dispensing head of FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 is a front view of the nozzle of FIG. 2, FIGS. 4 and 5 are views similar to those of FIGS. 2 and 3 for a second embodiment of a nozzle of the invention, and

Figures 6 and 7 are views similar to those of Figures 2 and 3 for a third embodiment of a nozzle of the invention.

In Figure 1, the dispensing head T is mounted on a dispensing member D, such as a pump or a valve, which has a design quite conventional in the fields of perfumery or pharmacy. This dispensing member D is actuated by the user by pressing axially with a finger, generally the index, on the head T.

The dispensing member D is mounted on a fluid reservoir by means of a fixing ring F: this thus constitutes a fluid dispenser, which is entirely manual, without energy input, especially electrical.

In the case of a pump, the normal pressure generated by this axial support on the fluid product inside the pump P and the head T is of the order of 5 to 6 bar, and preferably of 5.5 at 6 bars. Peaks at 7 to 8 bar are possible, but it is then in abnormal conditions of use. Conversely, at the approach of 2.5 bar, the spray is deteriorated, between 2.5 and 2.2 bar, the spray is strongly altered, and below 2 bar, there is no more spray.

In the case of an aerosol equipped with a valve, the initial pressure generated by the propellant gas is of the order of 12 to 13 bar and then drops, as the aerosol empties, until about 6 bars. An initial pressure of 10 bars is common in the field of perfumery and cosmetics.

In comparison, in the technical field of ultrasonic vibration sprayers (especially piezoelectric), the pressure of the fluid product at the nozzle is of the order of 1 bar, that is to say the atmospheric pressure, or slightly less . Because of the pressure value used and the energy used, these ultrasonic vibration sprayers are outside the scope of the invention. Referring to Figures 1 to 3 to describe in detail the component parts and their mutual arrangement, a dispensing head T made according to the invention.

The dispensing head T comprises two essential components, namely a head body T1 and a nozzle G. The head body T1 is preferably made in one-piece fashion: it can, however, be made from several parts assembled together. other. The nozzle G may be made monobloc mono-material, but preferably, it is made by overmoulding, as will be seen below

The head body T1 comprises a connecting sleeve which is mounted on the free end of an actuating rod of the dispensing member D. The head body T1 also comprises a lateral mounting housing T2 in which the nozzle G is engaged. The head body T1 also defines an upper support surface T3 on which a user can press with the aid of a finger.

The dispensing head T is here in the form of a conventional pusher in the fields of perfumery, cosmetics or pharmacy.

The nozzle G has a substantially cylindrical overall configuration in the form of a small sleeve 2 which is closed off by a spray wall 1 at which several holes or spray orifices 01, 02 are formed. More specifically, the sleeve 2 is substantially cylindrical overall shape, preferably with axial symmetry of revolution about an axis X, as shown in Figures 2 and 3. The sleeve 2 is preferably overmolded on the spray wall 1.

The nozzle G normally does not need to be angularly oriented before its presentation in front of the inlet of the axial mounting housing T2. The sleeve 2 forms an external mounting wall 21 which is advantageously provided with hooking reliefs adapted to cooperate with the mounting housing T2.

The spray wall 1 may be a single-piece mono-material part, an assembly of several parts or a product multilayer, for example laminated. It can be made of metal, for example stainless steel. More generally, any material that can be pierced with small holes or holes is usable. The thickness of the spray wall 1 at the level where the holes 01, 02 are formed is of the order of 10 to 100 μm and preferably of the order of 50 μm. The number of holes 01, 02 can vary from 10 to 500. The diameter of the spray wall 1 at the level where the holes are formed is of the order of 0.5 to 5 mm. In principle, the spray wall 1 has a constant thickness, but it is not entirely flat. The holes 01, 02 have a diameter of the order of 1 to 100 μm, advantageously of the order of 5 to 30 μm, and preferably of the order of 5 to 20 μm.

In FIG. 2, it can be seen that the spray wall 1 comprises an outer annular peripheral zone 11, the outer portion of which is embedded in the sleeve 2. This peripheral zone 11 is also pierced with a first series of holes 02 which are arranged in a circle C2 around the axis X. These holes 02 have an orientation which extends along axes Y2 which are perpendicular to the peripheral area 11. It can also be said that the peripheral area 11 defines at the level of each hole 02 a normal N which is perpendicular to the plane of the peripheral range 11. The axes Y2 of the holes 02 are coincident with their respective normals. The axes Y2 are therefore all parallel to each other, and in addition parallel to the axis X. The distance between the axes Y2 and the axis X is identical, since the axes Y2 extend in a circle around the axis X.

The spray wall 1 also comprises a convex zone 13 which is centered on the axis X. The convex zone is convex from the outside. This curved zone 13 can define a curvature corresponding to that of a circle, the center of which is positioned on the axis X. This curved zone 13 is pierced with a second series of holes 01, which are also arranged in a circle C1 around the X axis. Therefore, the holes O1 are arranged concentrically inside the holes O2. The holes O1 extend along axes Y1, which are also coincident with their respective normals N. can thus say that the holes 01 are also made of perpendicularly to the spray wall 1. It can be seen in FIG. 2 that the axis Y1 extends divergently with respect to the axis X, so that the axes Y1 and Y2 intersect at a P. Collision point In order to ensure that the jet of fluid product from a hole 01 meets the jet of fluid product from a hole 02, the holes 01 and 02 are arranged in pairs aligned along a a radius starting from the central axis X. This ensures that the axes Y1 and Y2 are inscribed in an orthogonal plane passing through the X axis and the two normal N of the pair of aligned holes 01 and 02. This orthogonal plane is the of the sheet for FIG. 2. Thus, with a spray wall 1 pierced with two concentric circles C1 and C2 of

24 holes each, we obtain 24 points of collision P, which together form a ring R whose diameter is identical to that of the circle C2 of the holes 02. The distance between the ring R and the peripheral range 11 depends on the orientation more or less pronounced Y1 axes and the spacing between the holes 01 and 02.

In this embodiment, the holes 01 and 02 may have an identical diameter. Alternatively, the diameter of the holes 01 of the small circle C1 is smaller than that of the holes 02 of the large circle C2.

Referring to Figures 4 and 5, there is shown a second embodiment for a spraying wall 1 'pierced with concentric holes

01 'and 02' centered on the central axis X. Just as in the first embodiment, the holes OT and 02 'extend along Y1 axes, respectively Y2, which coincide with their respective normal N. As can be seen in FIG. 4, the spray wall T also comprises a peripheral zone 11 which is embedded in the sleeve 2. The wall T comprises an annular depression 12 'which extends towards the inside of the sleeve 2. In the center, the wall T forms a central boss 13 'centered on the axis X. The holes OT and 02' are arranged in the two opposite sides of the annular depression 12 ', so that the axes Y1 and Y2 are convergent , so as to intersect at points of collision P. Again, the holes OT and 02 'are aligned radially in pairs. The holes OT may have a diameter greater than the holes 02 '. FIGS. 6 and 7 show a third embodiment for a spray wall 1 "comprising a peripheral zone 11 and a concave curved zone 13" centered on the axis X. If the curved zone 13 of FIG. to be described as convex, the zone 13 "can be described as concave. This concave zone 13 "is pierced with two sets of holes 01" and

02 ", always arranged in concentric circles C1 and C2. Due to the concavity of the zone 13 ", the axes Y1 and Y2 of the holes O1 'and O2' converge towards the axis X and all meet at a point of focal collision Pf, itself located on the X axis. The holes 01 "have a smaller diameter than the holes 02". Although the holes 01 "and 02" can be aligned radially in pairs, as is already the case in the two previous embodiments, this alignment is not mandatory here, since all the axes Y1 and Y2 converge. to a single focal point Pf collision. The advantage of this embodiment lies in the fact that a jet from any hole has a very high probability of meeting another jet from another hole, since there are 48 streams which are all oriented at the same point Pf. This embodiment can therefore be considered as a preferred mode.

The spray walls of the three embodiments which have just been described can be produced according to a manufacturing method in which first parallel perpendicular holes are drilled in a flat strip. Only the diameter of the holes can vary. Then, this perforated flat strip is stamped for the profiling so as to bring the axes Y1, Y2 of the holes 01, 02 to intersect, in pairs as in the first two embodiments to form a ring R, or at the level of a single focal point Pf, as in the third embodiment.

Alternatively, it is also possible to drill holes with an initial inclination in a flat strip, or on the contrary parallel holes in a curved or curved strip.

Whatever the manufacturing method used, the invention provides a multi-hole spray wall, the droplet dispersion comes on the one hand from the finesse of the micro-holes and on the other hand from the collision between the streams from these converging holes.

The total number of holes, the arrangement of the holes on the spray wall, the number of holes per circle, the orientation of the holes and the diameter of the holes are all parameters which influence the characteristics of the spray. These parameters must be set according to the fluid to be sprayed and the desired functions.

Claims

claims

T-Fluid dispensing head (T) comprising a spray wall (1; T, 1 ") defining a central axis (X) and pierced with holes (01, 02; OT, 02 '; 01", 02 " ) through which the pressurized fluid product passes in order to form jets of fluid, the holes (01, 02; 01 ', 02'; 01 ", 02") extend along axes (Y1, Y2) corresponding to the trajectory of the jets of fluid product,

characterized in that at least some of the axes (Y1, Y2) are intersecting, so that the jets of fluid product, which extend along these intersecting axes (Y1, Y2), meet at the level of at least one collision point (P, Pf).

2. Dispensing head according to claim 1, wherein the spray wall (1; T, 1 ") defines a normal (N) at each hole (01, 02; 01 ', 02'; 01", 02 "), the axes (Y1, Y2) of the holes (01, 02; OT, 02 '; 01", 02 ") coinciding with their respective normal (N).

3. Dispensing head according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the spray wall () is profiled, so that it is not completely flat.

4. A dispensing head according to any preceding claim, wherein the holes (01, 02; OT, 02 '; 01 ", 02") are aligned radially, at least in a pair of holes, so that the jets from the radially aligned holes meet at a P collision point.

5. A dispensing head according to any preceding claim, wherein the holes (01, 02; OT, 02 '; 01 ", 02") are arranged along concentric circles (C1, C2), which are respectively located at concave and convex zones, convex and plane zones or a single concave zone.

6. Dispensing head according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the collision points (P) together form a ring (R) or a focal point (Pf).

7. Dispensing head according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the holes (01, 02; OT, 02 '; 01 ", 02") have different diameters.

8. Dispensing head according to claim 4, wherein the holes (01 ") located closest to the central axis (X) have a diameter which is smaller than the holes (02") located farthest from the central axis (X).

9. Dispensing head according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the holes (01, 02; OT, 02 '; 01 ", 02") are arranged along concentric circles (C1, C2), namely a small inner circle C1 and a large outer circle (C2), all the holes (01; OT; 01 ") of the small inner circle (C1) having the same diameter and all the holes (02; 02 '; 02") of large outer circle (C2) having the same diameter, the holes (01; OT; 01 ") of the small inner circle (C1) having a smaller diameter than the holes (02; 02 '; 02") of the large outer circle (C2) .

10. Dispensing head according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the holes (01, 02; OT, 02 '; 01 ", 02") are 10 to 500 and have a diameter of the order from 1 to 100 miti, advantageously of the order of 5 to 30 miti, and preferably of the order of 5 to 20 pm.

11. Dispensing head according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising:

a mounting housing (T2),

- a nozzle (G; G '; G ") comprising a sleeve (2) engaged in the mounting housing (T2), the spray wall (1; 1'; 1") being integral with the sleeve (2).

12. A fluid dispenser comprising a fluid dispensing head (T) according to any one of claims 1 to 11 mounted on a pump (D) or a valve, itself mounted on a fluid reservoir.

13. A method of manufacturing a spray wall (26) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, comprising

- Drilling a flat strip of parallel holes (O), which are perpendicular to the flat strip,

- stamping this perforated flat strip to the profile so as to bring the axes (Y1, Y2) of the holes (01, 02; OT, 02 '; 01 ", 02") to intersect.