ES2677710T3 - Device for producing aerosols - Google Patents

Abstract

Device (100) for producing aerosols having: a nozzle cartridge (1) with a reservoir for receiving an active substance and with a nozzle for discharging the active substance into the environment, a source of fluid pressure (102) to receive a fluid under pressure, in which the nozzle cartridge (1) can be fed by the fluid pressure source (102) with a mass flow of fluid, in which the nozzle cartridge (1) is adapted so that, during the supply of the nozzle cartridge (1), the mass flow of fluid from the fluid pressure source (102) circulates through the nozzle cartridge (1) and then escapes into the environment, in which the nozzle cartridge (1) is adapted so that an active substance can be added to the mass flow of fluid by means of the nozzle cartridge (1), and in which the nozzle cartridge (1) can be positioned in a housing (101) of the device (100), characterized in that the accommodation (101 ) It is rotatably mounted around an axis of the device (100), whereby, by turning the housing (101), the at least one nozzle cartridge (1) can be connected to and out of connection with the source of fluid pressure (102).

Description

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DESCRIPTION

Device for producing aerosols

The invention concerns a device for producing aerosols, also called a spray device. The device can be used, for example, to transform a body hygiene product, such as, for example, a deodorant or a cream, into an aerosol from a state of liquid origin and spray it onto the desired body part.

Similar devices are known in the state of the art. This is, for example, spray cans that spray, for example, a deodorant, a hair spray or a cream. Such spray cans are also known as spray cans or aerosol cans. These have a pressure vessel containing a propellant gas subjected to high pressure, such as, for example, propane, butane or mixtures thereof. As propellant gases, compressed air or nitrogen can also be used. The principle of the operation of a spray can with propane or butane as a propellant is that the propellant is present inside the pressure vessel in two phases, specifically gaseous and liquid. Due to the difference in density of the two phases, the liquid is deposited in the lower part of the canister, on top of which a gas space, also called a pressure pad, formed by a gaseous propellant is formed. In the liquid phase of the propellant it is also dissolved an active substance. The spray can has a nozzle outlet that is connected with a flexible tube that penetrates the liquid phase of the propellant. When the extraction valve is operated, the active substance dissolved in the liquid propellant escapes from the canister through the flexible tube.

Likewise, spray cans are known in which the propellant and the active substance are stored in different packages. With spray cans of this so-called aerosol technique, the active substances that cannot be mixed with or propelled agent can also be sprayed. The most widespread for this is the valve bag system. In this, apart from the compressed propellant, a bag in which the active substance is contained is found in the pressure vessel. The propellant under pressure exerts a pressure on the bag in which the active substance is stored. Therefore, when the extraction valve is activated, the pressure chamber with the propellant contained in it and the bag containing the active substance contained therein are emptied simultaneously into the environment. A spray is formed and discharged into the nozzle.

The disadvantage in the state of the art is that conventional spray cans can contain and discharge only a single active substance or a single composition of active substance. For example, it is not possible to dispense several deodorants with different aromas with the same deodorant can. It is also not possible to dispense a deodorant or a sunscreen emulsion from the same boat.

US 3 335 961 A discloses a device for discharging a pressurized fluid. During the discharge, an additive can be added to the fluid that can be selected by turning a selector element 29. The additive to be discharged is contained in chambers 42, 43 that are opened and closed by means of pistons 48.

EP 0 737 629 A1 discloses a supplement for mixing a product in the form of a continuous foam strip for a container intended to dispense a product in the form of foam.

A problem of the present invention is to provide a device for discharging aerosols, in which the active substance to be discharged can be selected at will by the user.

The problem is solved with a device for producing aerosols that contains the features of claim 1.

Advantageous improvements are subject to the dependent claims.

The device has a nozzle cartridge and a source of fluid pressure. The gas from the fluid pressure source is under pressure. A mass flow of fluid from a carrier gas that must circulate through the nozzle cartridge can be extracted from the fluid pressure source. This process is called the spraying process. During the circulation through the nozzle cartridge, that is, during the spraying process, an active substance that is stored within the nozzle cartridge is added to the mass flow rate of the carrier gas. The nozzle cartridge is arranged during the spraying process so that the carrier gas stream circulates through it. The mass flow of fluid enters the nozzle cartridge through the site provided for it and leaves the nozzle through the outlet provided for it and then escapes into the environment. The device may have several nozzle cartridges. Different nozzle cartridges may have different active substances and / or combinations of active substances. The at least one nozzle cartridge can be positioned by a housing inside the device. The housing can be rotatably mounted around an axis of the device. The nozzle cartridges can be arranged in a housing component. Accordingly, the housing can position the nozzle cartridges in the device. By means of a movement of the housing with the nozzle cartridges contained therein, the nozzles can be positioned. This can be done by moving or turning the housing. By rotating the housing around a central axis of the device, a

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nozzle cartridge in union and out of union with the source of fluid pressure. As an active substance that must be sprayed by the device is, for example, a deodorant. Thanks to the possibility of using different nozzle cartridges with different active substances in the device it will be imaginable to use deodorants with different aromas as active substances. Thus, a user can individually choose after the morning shower the scent of deodorant he would like to use. In addition, it should be imagined to always keep a nozzle cartridge with deodorant, aftershave, moisturizer and sunscreen cream simultaneously prepared in the device. On the other hand, it is imaginable to keep different nozzle cartridges prepared in the device that include the identical active substance, but in a different concentration. Thus, an application treatment can be materialized, for example for human hair (5 day hair treatment, etc.). In addition, it is imaginable to mark the different nozzle cartridges with different colors. For example, the nozzle cartridge with deodorant could be red, blue aftershave and yellow sunscreen. In addition, the user of the device can take from a single device all body hygiene products for daily needs. The necessary products no longer have to be taken individually on trips. It is also possible to foresee the use of the device by several people in a home. Thus, each member of the household could install in the device, for example, the nozzle cartridge with the aroma of the individually preferred deodorant. Therefore, the device could be used by several people as a deodorant dispenser, with its own deodorant aroma being available to each user.

Several nozzle cartridges can be arranged in the housing. The nozzle cartridges can be inserted into the housing. The housing may have at least one receptacle for receiving at least one nozzle cartridge. By turning the housing, the nozzle cartridges can be placed in a change position and can be changed. Accordingly, the nozzle cartridge connected to the fluid pressure source can be changed by means of a rotation of the housing, while all the nozzle cartridges remain in the housing. The nozzle cartridges can be removed from the device and reinstalled. The nozzle cartridges can be conceived as single-use products that can be disposed of in a simple way after use. An advantage of this is that the nozzle cartridges thus always provide an optimal spray image, since these are not clogged due to a regular change. In addition, the device according to the invention is extremely convenient in the ecological aspect, since, after the depletion of the active substance of a nozzle cartridge, the nozzle cartridge has to be discarded and replaced, but not the entire device. In comparison with this, a deodorant canister known for the state of the art has to be completely discarded after depletion, which strongly pollutes the environment. In addition, using the device according to the invention, a business model known in other sectors can be realized. For example, coffee machines are prepared by various manufacturers that prepare a hot beverage with coffee content from "coffee tablets" introduced into said machines. In this case, kitchen machines are sold to the customer at a very favorable price, often without profit. The customer is then forced to continue buying the necessary “coffee pills” throughout the coffee machine, with which the coverage contribution of the business model is profitable. With the device according to the invention a very similar business model can be realized in which the customer can purchase the device at a favorable price and then he has to continue buying the nozzle cartridges regularly with his active substance. In addition, there is a possibility of using the device for marketing purposes: It is known that, for example in the perfume industry, small perfume samples (packaged in glass tubes) are delivered at no cost to the end customer, so that this You can test a new aroma and then ideally acquire the scented product intended for purchase. With the device according to the invention a similar advertising concept can be implemented. It is conceivable to deliver similar nozzle cartridges to the final customer as "sample containers". These nozzle cartridges may contain only a small amount of active substance that is sufficient only for a few uses, just for testing purposes. These nozzle cartridges for testing purposes may also contain a perfume or other final products / active substances.

The nozzle cartridges inserted in the device or housing can be securely held by means of the housing. The forces exerted by the mass flow of fluid on the nozzle cartridge can be diverted to the housing through the housing.

The device may also have a cover that can be seated on the device and removed from it. This cover can at least partially embrace the nozzle cartridges inserted in the device. The lid can have at least one recess. Through this recess a mass flow of fluid that passes from a nozzle cartridge to the environment can escape into the environment.

The nozzle cartridges can be secured in position by the lid. The forces exerted by the mass flow of fluid on the nozzle cartridge can be derived to the device through the lid. To replace worn nozzle cartridges, the device cover can be removed, so that the nozzle cartridges can be removed quickly and easily.

The lid can also have several rebates. These may be provided to be able to recognize the nozzle cartridges arranged behind the lid. As already mentioned above, the different nozzle cartridges inserted in the device may have different colors. These colors can be recognized through rebates. Therefore, it is possible that the user of the device can quickly and easily recognize the nozzle cartridge that is attached at that precise moment with the source of fluid pressure or the active substance (as, by

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for example, deodorant, aftershave, sunscreen, moisturizer, etc.) that can currently be removed from the device. In addition, the user can recognize through the recesses the direction and angle at which the housing has to rotate to join the desired nozzle cartridge with the source of fluid pressure.

The fluid pressure source may have a gas cartridge for supplying fluid. This can be replaceable and / or refillable. In an embodiment with a replaceable gas cartridge it will also be imaginable that a first active substance is already contained in the gas cartridge, such as, for example, a neutral aroma antiperspirant. Through the nozzle cartridges, an aromatic substance for use as a deodorant may be added to the antiperspirant during operation of the device. In an embodiment with a refillable gas cartridge, the overload by garbage can also be reduced to meet ecological aspects.

In addition, the fluid pressure source may have an air densifier, such as, for example, a compressor. The fluid pressure source may also have a gas cartridge and an air densifier in which air densified by the air densifier can be stored. The air densifier may be integrated in the device or it may be present as an external component. In an embodiment with a densifier integrated in the device, the supply of energy to the densifier can be guaranteed by means of batteries or accumulators (for example lithium-polymer accumulators), which can also be integrated into the device.

A nozzle cartridge may have a main flow channel, a feed channel and a reserve vessel. A liquid active substance may be contained in the reservoir. The main flow channel can be fluidly linked with the fluid pressure source. At the end of the main flow channel it may have a nozzle outlet opening. Through this nozzle outlet opening the main flow channel can be fluidly connected with the environment.

The main flow channel may in turn be connected to a feed channel that can flow into the reserve vessel. The reserve container may also have a variable volume. The reservoir container is constructed as a fluid tight, and a fluid can exit the reservoir vessel exclusively through the feed channel. The nozzle cartridge may also be designed as a cheap manufacturer serial part.

In the following, the invention will be explained in more detail using a preferred embodiment and referring to the drawings.

Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of a device for producing aerosols.

Figure 2 shows a sectional view of a nozzle cartridge not belonging to the invention, which presents a reserve container that is limited by a piston.

Figure 3 is a sectional view of a nozzle cartridge not belonging to the invention, which has a reserve container that is limited by an elastic wrapping material.

Figure 4 shows a perspective view of a device for producing aerosols.

Figure 1 shows a device 100 for producing aerosols according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The device 100 for producing aerosols is constructed in a cylindrical shape. In the lower part of the figure there is a cylindrical compressed gas container 102. At the lower end of the compressed gas container 102, a circularly shaped grating rail is received in peripheral direction that receives and grinds a selector ring 103, whereby it can be rotated in the peripheral direction around the vertical axis of the device 100. Thanks to this guidance, the position of the selector ring 103 is fixed vertically. The selector ring 103 in turn accommodates a housing 101. The housing 101 and the selector ring 103 cannot be rotated relative to each other. The housing 101 and the selector ring 103 can rotate exclusively at the same time around the vertical axis of the device 100. The housing 101 has receptacles 109 in which nozzle cartridges 1 can be inserted. At the upper end of the compressed gas container 102 is arranged a neck body 105 that is fixedly connected with the compressed gas container 102 and is formed in one piece with it. The neck body 105 has a gas outlet opening 106. The gas outlet opening is fixedly positioned in the neck body 105. Accordingly, the position of the gas outlet opening 106 is fixed with respect to the gas container. compressed gas 102. The nozzle cartridges 1 in turn are forced to follow a turning movement of the housing 101 and the selector ring 103 about the vertical axis of the device 100. When the compressed gas container 102, the selector ring 103, the housing 101 and the one or more nozzle cartridges 1 are mounted, that is to say that the selector ring is seated on the compressed gas container 102, the housing 101 is inserted in the selector ring 103 and the nozzle cartridges 1 are inserted in the receptacles 109 of the housing 101 provided for them, the nozzle cartridges 1 are fixed with respect to the housing 101 in their position in the peripheral direction of the device 100. In addition, the cartridges hos nozzle 1 is immobilized inwardly by the neck 105 of the compressed gas container 102 in the radial direction of the device 100, since the nozzle cartridges 1 are applied to the neck 105 of the compressed gas container 102. To also immobilize the nozzle cartridges 1 in its upward position and, in the radial direction of the device 100,

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outwardly, a cover 104 on the nozzle cartridge 1 is installed (said cover is seated on the device 100) and this cover is immobilized on the selector ring 103. To replace worn nozzle cartridges 1, the cover 104 of the device 100 can be removed. The cover 104 has several recesses 107 that are formed on the enveloping surface of said cover 104. These are small receptacles that are formed only on the lower edge of the enveloping surface of the cover 104. As shown here, the recesses 107 are configured as open recesses downwards or as recesses in the form of windows. In addition, the cover 104 has a large recess 108 on its surrounding surface that extends almost to the upper limit of the cover 104. This large recess 108 can also be configured as a window. In the assembled state of all the components shown in figure 1, the nozzle cartridges 1 located behind it can be recognized through the small recesses 107 of the cover 104, or it can be recognized if it is behind it, in the respective receptacle provided 109 of the housing 101, an insert nozzle cartridge 1 and what color this has. Accordingly, the small recesses 107 free a vision of the nozzle cartridges inserts 1, even though the cover 104 almost completely covers the nozzle cartridges 1 outwards. The large recess 108 of the cover 104 is arranged so that it does not cover out the outlet opening 4 of the nozzle of the nozzle cartridge 1 which is in the exact position of this recess 108. The cover 104 is fixedly arranged with respect to the compressed gas container 102 and, therefore, also with respect to the position of the fluid outlet 106 of the compressed gas container 102. This means that the cover 104 does not participate in a rotational movement of the selector ring 103, the housing 101 and the nozzle cartridges 1. For this reason, the large recess of the cover 104 is always arranged so that it is exactly in place, in the radial peripheral direction of the device 100, in which the opening of the gas outlet 106 of the compressed gas container 102. When the spray device 100 is operated, the fluid under pressure in the container 102 exits through the opening 106 of the neck 105 of the pressure vessel 102, penis afterwards in the nozzle cartridge 1, it is enriched therewith with the active substance located in the nozzle cartridge 1 and leaves the outlet opening 4 of the nozzle of the nozzle cartridge 1, and also of the device 100, through the large recess 108.

Figure 2 shows a side sectional view of a nozzle cartridge 1 not belonging to the invention. In the lower zone of the nozzle cartridge 1 a reserve container 40, 50, 60 is formed which is closed in its lower zone by a piston 41, 51 mounted in a floating manner. The reserve container 40, 50, 60 is completely filled with a liquid active substance (not shown). The nozzle cartridge 1 has in the left area of the image a connection opening 6. During operation of the device 100 to produce aerosols a jet of carrier gas or a mass flow of fluid circulates in a horizontal direction (with respect to Figure 2) from left to right through the nozzle cartridge 1 and out of this nozzle cartridge 1 from the right side (with respect to figure 2) to move from the outlet opening 4 of the nozzle to the environment. In this case, a mass flow of fluid is formed from left to right in Figure 2 through the main flow channel 2. The cross section of the main flow channel 2 is clearly smaller than the cross section of a pressure chamber 5. According to the law of the continuity equation, the flow through the main flow channel 2 (of small cross-section) then has to circulate faster than through the pressure chamber 5 (large cross-section). Then the flow pressure in the main flow channel 2 decreases according to Bernouilli's law, since it increases the flow rate in the main flow channel 2. The depression produced in the main flow channel 2 by the venturi effect causes a suction of the active substance contained in the reservoir container 40, 50, 60 to pass it through the feed channel 3 and introduce it into the flow through the flow channel 2. A mixture is then formed in the main flow channel 2 of the carrier gas stream and the fluid that is sucked from the reserve container 40, 50, 60 through the feed channel 3. Consequently, during the emptying process of the reserve container 40, 50, 60 the amount is reduced of the fluid contained in the reservoir container 40, 50, 60. The floatingly mounted piston 41, 51 is then moved upwards, which delimits the reservoir vessel 40, 50, 60 downward in a fluid tight manner with beef Pecto to its surroundings. The internal volume of the reserve container 40, 50, 60 is thus reduced.

Figure 3 shows another nozzle cartridge 1 not belonging to the invention, in which the reservoir container 60 is limited by an elastic wrap 61 that is tightly bonded to the fluid with the nozzle cartridge 1. While the reservoir container is emptied 60, the elastic wrap 61 is contracted to accommodate the modified volume of the contents of the reservoir container 60. The remaining components or the remaining construction correspond to those of the nozzle cartridge of Figure 2.

Figure 4 shows a perspective view of the device 100 for producing aerosols of Figure 1. In the upper area of the image, the cover 104 can be seen, which has a small recess 107 in the left section, behind which a small area of a nozzle cartridge 1. Likewise, on the right side of the image a large recess 108 can be seen in the cover 104 which leaves the vision of another nozzle cartridge 1 free, the outlet opening not being covered by the cover 104 4 of the nozzle of this nozzle cartridge 1. A mass flow of outgoing fluid from this nozzle cartridge 1 or from the outlet opening 4 of its nozzle can escape freely into the environment. When a rotary drive of the selector ring 103 is performed, the compressed gas container 102 and the cover 104 remain firmly in position. The positions of the recesses of the cover 104 also remain unchanged. With a rotary actuation of the selector ring 103, the housing 101 not visible in this view and the nozzle cartridges 1 are rotated around the vertical axis of the device 100. nozzle cartridge 1, which is located behind the large recess of the cover 104 and is connected to the fluid pressure source, can be exchanged for another nozzle cartridge 1 located in the housing 101.

Claims (8)

5 10 fifteen twenty 25 30 35 1. Device (100) for producing aerosols that has: a nozzle cartridge (1) with a reserve container for receiving an active substance and with a nozzle for discharging the active substance into the environment, a source of fluid pressure (102) to receive a fluid under pressure, wherein the nozzle cartridge (1) can be fed by the fluid pressure source (102) with a mass flow of fluid, wherein the nozzle cartridge (1) is adapted so that, during the feeding of the nozzle cartridge (1), the mass flow of fluid from the fluid pressure source (102) circulates through the nozzle cartridge (1) and then escape into the environment, wherein the nozzle cartridge (1) is adapted so that an active substance can be added to the mass flow of fluid by means of the nozzle cartridge (1), and wherein the nozzle cartridge (1) can be positioned in a housing (101) of the device (100), characterized in that the housing (101) is rotatably mounted around an axis of the device (100), whereby, by means of a rotation of the housing (101), the at least one nozzle cartridge (1) can be put together and out of union with the source of fluid pressure (102). 2. Device (100) according to claim 1, wherein the housing (101) has several receptacles (109) for receiving a respective nozzle (1) and wherein, while remaining in the housing (101), the nozzle cartridge (1) connected to the fluid pressure source (102) can be placed in a change position by a rotation of the housing (101) and can be changed 3. Device (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the at least one nozzle cartridge (1) can be held securely by means of the housing (101). 4. Device (100) according to any of claims 1 to 3, which has: a cover (104) that can be detachably disposed in the device (100), in which the cover (104) at least partially hugs the nozzle cartridges, in which the cover (104) has at least one recess (108 ) Y in which the at least one recess (108) of the cover (104) allows a mass flow of fluid to escape into the environment from the nozzle cartridge (1). 5. Device according to claim 4, wherein the nozzle cartridges (1) can be secured securely by means of the cover (104). 6. Device according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the cover (104) has several recesses (107) that are adapted so that the nozzle cartridge (1) arranged behind each recess (107) can be seen. 7. Device (100) according to any of claims 1 to 6, wherein the fluid pressure source (102) has a replaceable and / or refillable gas cartridge. 8. Device (100) according to any of claims 1 to 7, wherein the fluid pressure source has an air compressor for generating pressure.