FR2677619A1 - PROCESS FOR DISPENSING A VISCOUS GEL AND DEVICE FOR IMPLEMENTING THE PROCESS. - Google Patents

Abstract

Process for projecting at a reduced rate, in the form of drops, a gel, in particular a styling gel, having a viscosity of between 2 and 8 pascals.seconds. According to this process, the gel is sprayed under pressure into a channel ending in a restricted opening (44) and a pressurized gas is introduced into said channel so as to form drops of gel separated by drops of gas (P), the gas being a gas immiscible with the gel and the gel and the gas being stored separately.

Description

PROCESS FOR DISPENSING A VISCOUS GEL AND

  DEVICE FOR IMPLEMENTING THE PROCESS.

  The present invention relates to a method of dispensing a viscous gel and a device for carrying out the method. The present invention applies in particular to the distribution over the hair of a styling gel intended to model the hairstyle These gels are generally sold in jars and the user applies the gel to the hair with the hands For reasons of cleanliness and of hygiene, we seek to obtain a localized application of the product on the

  hair, without the intermediary of the hands.

  Consideration has been given to using, for the application of styling gels, brushes with hollow bristles bringing the product directly to the hair, these brushes containing the product in a reservoir adjoining the bristles; or combs with internal conduits But styling gels which are highly viscous, more or less quickly clog the

different conduits.

  We also tried to spray

  hair sprays using aerosol

  propellant or using a pump.

  But to be able to use this type of spraying, it is necessary to lower the viscosity of the gel and the gel with lower viscosity obtained no longer allows, after application, to model

hairstyle as desired.

  The spraying devices under pres-

  sion using a pressurized gas type

  "aerosol container" are, in known manner, available

  sitives consisting of a container in which is

  held the product to be dispensed and a propellant gas The container is provided with a valve generally comprising an emerging rod on which one presses to actuate the valve, a push button making it possible to press on the emerging rod The push button generally contains a channel which communicates with the emerging rod and which opens towards the outside, to ensure the distribution of the product But these containers have hitherto been used for

  spray slightly viscous products.

  The object of the present invention is to provide a process which makes it possible to distribute a product having a high viscosity of between 20 and 80 poises (between 2 and 8 pascals seconds) without the intermediary of the

hand as an applicator.

  According to the present invention, this object is

  achieved by storing gel and non-gas separately

  miscible with gel, by forming in a channel opening by a restricted opening, a current of gel and by introducing in said current of gel, a current of gas non-miscible with gel so as to form bubbles of gas separating drops of gel, the drops of gel being ejected under the pressure of the gas through the small opening of the channel.

  example on the hair, separate drops

  very large frost at a relatively high rate

  weak Under these conditions, by moving the

  tif of distribution one can distribute the strongly viscous gel on the hair, without having to use the hands The hairstyle is then modeled in a known manner

with a comb or brush.

  The subject of the present invention is therefore a method of dispensing a viscous gel using a gas, characterized in that the gel has a viscosity of between 20 and 80 poises (2 to 8 pascals seconds), that the gel and a gas immiscible with the gel are stored in two separate chambers, that, during the distribution, the gel is sent under pressure in a channel ending in an ejection orifice of restricted section , that the immiscible gas is injected under pressure into the gel stream at a determined point in the channel, so as to form gas bubbles in the gel stream and that the gel drops separated by gas bubbles obtained in the channel through the orifice

  ejection section of said channel.

  According to this process, the gel and the dispersing gas

  tribution being separated during storage, it does not

  may be mixed only at time of distribution.

  The contact time between the gel and the gas being short and the gas not being miscible with the gel, there is therefore formation of gas bubbles which separate drops of gel Under the pressure of the distribution gas, for the viscosities of gel data, the gel drops are

  ejected through the section ejection port

  hug, gain speed and are projected onto

hair for example.

  It was found that for viscosities lower than 2 pascals seconds, the gel is too liquid on the hair and that for viscosities higher than 8 pascals seconds, the distribution becomes difficult It should be noted that at lower viscosities the gel is sprayed under form of fines

droplets or spray.

  By gel-immiscible gas is meant a

  gas that does not dissolve instantly in the gel.

  It is obvious that if the gas remained in contact with the gel during storage, the gas would at least partially dissolve in the gel.

  immiscible gas can be a compressed gas, for example-

  full of compressed air or a liquid gas at ordinary temperature, such as butane or a hydrocarbon

chlorofluorinated for example.

  By distribution channel is meant all of the elements delimiting the path of the

  gel current from its exit from the enclosure

  holding up to the section ejection hole

embrace of the canal.

  The diameter of the ejection orifice is generally between 0.5 mm and 2 mm, from

  preferably around 1 mm; for a channel whose par-

  terminal tie restricted to a diameter close to 1 mm, gel drops having generally a diameter of 2 to 5 mm are obtained at a rate of 5 to 10

drops per second.

  According to the invention, the gel is sent into the distribution channel using a propellant gas. The propellant gas and the immiscible gas are,

  preferably one and the same gas The gel is then

  held in a flexible pouch, itself contained in a container filled with pressurized gas, part of the pressurized gas contained in the container being withdrawn during dispensing to be injected into the gel stream at a point in the channel

  distribution located before the restricted opening.

  The gas then has two functions: propelling the gel out of the flexible bag and forming bubbles in the gel stream to allow

  ejecting gel drops from the canal.

  The present invention also relates to a device for implementing the method according to the invention consisting of a pressurized container provided with a valve cup on which is crimped a valve so that the fixed valve body is disposed in the container and the valve stem emerges, the valve being actuated by a push button provided with a movable part, cooperating with the valve stem, which is pressed to push the valve stem into the valve body and in which a conduit is provided for the passage of the product to be dispensed leaving the valve stem towards the outlet opening, characterized in that the ejection orifice of the conduit has a restricted section, than a pocket made of flexible material containing the gel to be dispensed is fixed on the valve body, a non-miscible gas au5 gel being placed in the container around the bag made of flexible material and that a pipe makes it possible to introduce the immiscible gas under p recession contained in the container, at a determined point in the distribution channel, this pipe being able to be opened or closed using a seal whose movement is controlled by the push button, the passage delimited by the inlet tubing in the valve body, the

  valve stem and the conduit in the button-

  pusher constituting the gel distribution channel.

  According to a first embodiment of the device, the pipe for introducing the pressurized gas opens in the valve body. The seal is then preferably fixed on the non-emerging part of the valve stem, the seal moving. with the valve stem to open the introduction line

some gas.

  According to a second embodiment, the con-

  supply line for pressurized gas opens in the conduit formed in the push button According to a preferred variant, the introduction conduit is integral with the push button and slides in an opening formed in the valve cup, the seal closing the pipe being arranged under the valve cup.

  The description given below as

  purely illustrative and not limiting of two embodiments of the device, illustrated in the drawing in

  annex, will allow a better understanding of the invention.

  In the accompanying drawing: FIG. 1 shows a side view of a first embodiment of the device according to the invention; Figure 2 is, in longitudinal section, a more detailed view of the valve of the device of Figure 1 in the rest position; FIG. 3 shows the same view of the valve, in the dispensing position; FIG. 4 represents, in side view, a second embodiment of the device according to the invention, and

  Figure 5 is a sectional view along

  dinal in more detail of the valve and the dispensing head of the device of Figure 4, in position

rest.

  The gel dispensing device according to the first embodiment, is generally designated by the number 1 It consists of a container 2 closed by a valve cup 21 set by a bead 22 on the upper edge of the container ( in the position shown in Figure 1) On the valve cup 21, is crimped a valve 3 which is

  actuated by a push button 4.

  On the body 31 of the valve, is fixed in the container 2 a deformable pocket 5 which contains the styling gel G to be dispensed Outside the pocket 5, a propellant gas P is arranged. The valve consists of a body valve 31 fixed and by a movable rod 32, sliding in the valve body 31 In the bottom of the valve body

  valve 31, is formed an opening 34 which puts in com-

  munication the pocket 5 and the valve body 31 and per-

  puts the passage of the gel G in the valve body 31.

  The side walls 35 of the valve body 31 widen slightly outwards. On its upper edge, the valve body is in contact with an annular seal 36 held in place by a crimp 23 forming part of the valve cup.

  21 The valve stem 32 has two portions which do not

  not providing directly between them: a tubular portion 32 a cylindrical opening towards the outside, provided in the vicinity of the bottom, with an opening 33 and a cylindrical portion 32 b of larger outside diameter essentially contained in the body of

  valve 31, provided with a conical recess 37 An opening

  ture 38 perpendicular to the axis of the valve is formed through the wall of the cylindrical part 32 b A spring 39 is disposed between the lower part of the cylindrical part and the bottom of the

valve body 31.

  The pipe 6 for introducing the gas into the channel consists of an opening pierced in the side wall 35 of the valve body 31 above the attachment of the pocket 5 on the body 31 This pipe 6 is in the rest position , closed by an O-ring 7, disposed around the outer wall of the

valve stem 32.

  In the push-button visible in FIG. 1, a duct 41 is bent at a right angle. The part of the duct 41 a, parallel to the axis of

  the valve, ends with a cylindrical widening

  conical 42 in which the upper part 32 a of the rod 32 can be inserted in a sealed manner and inside the part 41 b perpendicular to the axis

  of the valve is fixed, by fitting, a tubular piece

  area 43 which ends in a restricted internal opening 44 with a diameter less than the internal diameter of the tubular part 43 This element projects by

compared to push button 4.

  The device operates in the manner described below: when the user wishes to distribute the gel over his hair for example, he aims at the chosen point of the hair with the element 43 He presses on the upper face of the push button 4, which in turn presses on the part 32a emerging from the valve stem The stem sinks into the valve body 31, compressing the spring 39 The opening 33 emerges from the seal 36 and the gel can come out of the pocket , under the pressure exerted by the contained gas

  in container 2, through the pro-

  duit that is to say by the opening 34 inside the valve body 31 then in the recess 37; the freeze

  then passes through the opening 38 in the annu-

  area between the valve body and the stem

  valve, then through opening 33 in the emer-

  gente 32 has valve stem and from there in the con-

  duit 41 formed in the push button and in

item 43.

  Simultaneously, the seal 7 fixed on the part

  32 b of the valve stem, lowers and releases the con-

  pick 6 for introducing the propellant gas (see FIG. 3) Gas bubbles are formed in the gel stream in the channel, gas bubbles which separate drops of gel At the ejection orifice 44, the drops are accelerated and ejected by the pressurized gas The user applies drops of gel to the hair at a low rate To distribute the gel, simply move the device according to

the invention.

  When the user wishes to stop the

  tribution, he stops pressing the push button.

  Under the action of the spring 39, the valve stem 32

  returns to the rest position (see Figure 2).

  The opening 33 is again closed by the seal 36 and the pipe 6 by the seal 7 The distribution of the gel

stop.

  The second embodiment is illustrated in Figures 4 and 5 The device is designated as a whole by 101 It consists of a container 102 closed on its upper edge by a

  valve cup 121, set by a bead 122.

  On the valve cup is crimped a valve 103 com-

  carrying a fixed valve body 131 and a movable rod

  132, of which a tubular part 132 a is emerging.

  On the emerging stem is fixed a button-

push-button 104.

  Inside the container 102, a deformable pocket 105 is arranged which is welded to the valve body 131, the deformable pocket containing the gel G. In the container 102 around the deformable pocket

, the propellant gas is arranged.

  The valve 103 consists of a valve body 131 fixed by a crimping 123 on the valve cup 121, a seal 136 being disposed between the dome of the valve cup and the valve body 131 At the bottom of the valve body is made an opening 134

  for the passage of the gel, from the container into the valve.

  The valve stem 132 has two parts

  separated by a partition; part 132 a is a part

  cylindrical tubular tie opening towards the outside and provided in the vicinity of the partition with a radial opening 133 which, in the valve rest position 103,

  is located at seal 136 A return spring

  pel 139 is arranged between the bottom of the valve body and

  the lower part 132 b of the valve stem 132.

  The push button 104 is provided with an internal conduit comprising two parts arranged at a right angle. The part 141 a is parallel to the axis of the valve and ends in a cylindrical-conical bore 142 in which the upper part of the rod 132 a can be inserted Part 141 b is perpendicular to the valve axis; in this part, a tubular element 143 is fitted by force, fitted with an ejection orifice

restricted section 144.

  The gas injection pipe 106 is a pipe comprising two parts at right angles; part 106 a is perpendicular to the valve axis and opens into the gel distribution channel, at the end of part 141 b of conduit 141, in the axis of said part 141 b Part 106 b is parallel to the valve shaft and is inserted through a thinned end into an opening 124 in the

valve cup 121.

  The thinned end has a sufficient length

  fisante so that the part 106 b can slide in the opening 124 when the push button 104 is pressed. An annular seal 107 is arranged around the valve body between the internal face of the valve cup 121 and an annular flange 138 fixed on the outer wall of the valve body 131 In the rest position, this seal 107 closes the inlet of the pipe

  106 which is located radially outwardly

the collar 138.

  Device 101 works the way

  described below When the user wishes to

  tribute the gel, it presses on the upper face of the push-button 104 and pushes the valve stem 132 which compresses the spring 139 The opening 133 is released from the seal 136 Under the action of the propellant gas which compresses the flexible bag 105, the gel passes through the opening 134 in the valve body, around the valve stem then through the opening 133 in the tubular part 141, then in the element 143 to exit

  through the restricted section ejection port 144.

  Simultaneously, the pipe 106 presses on the seal 107 which deforms The propellant gas can then pass through the pipe 106 It enters the gel stream at the end of the part 141 b of the pipe 141 It is formed, in this part 141 b, gas bubbles

  which separate drops of gel and exert pressure

  sion on them The separate drops of gel are thus sprayed onto the hair at the point referred to in it

  using the tubular element 143.

  To better distribute the

  the user just has to move the device

tif 101.

  When the user stops pressing the push button, the return spring 139 returns the valve stem to the rest position; the opening 133 is again closed by the seal 136 and the gel does not

  can no longer flow through conduit 141.

  Simultaneously, the push button goes up and con-

  pick 106 also rises and stops pressing on the seal 107 which closes said pipe 106 The device

  101 is again in the rest or storage position.

Claims (9)

  1 Method of dispensing a viscous gel using a gas, characterized in that the gel has a viscosity of between 2 and 8 pascals seconds, that the gas is a gas immiscible with the gel, that the the gel and the gel-immiscible gas are stored in two separate chambers, which, during distribution, the gel is sent under pressure in a distribution channel ending in an ejection orifice of restricted section, that the the immiscible gas is injected under pressure into the gel stream at a determined point in the channel, so as to form gas bubbles in the gel stream and the gel drops separated by the bubbles are ejected gases obtained in the channel through the ejection orifice restricted section of the canal.   2 Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the diameter of the restricted section ejection orifice is between 0.5 mm and 2 mm.   3 Method according to one of claims 1   or 2, characterized by the fact that gel drops having a diameter of 2 to 5 mm are ejected at a   rate of 5 to 10 drops per second.   4 Method according to one of claims 1   to 3, characterized in that the gel is sent   in the distribution channel using pro gas   the propellant and the immiscible gas   ble au gel are one and the same gas.   5 Device for implementing the   method according to one of claims 1 to 4,   set up by a pressurized container (2, 102) provided with a valve cup (21, 121) on which a valve (3, 103) is crimped so that the stationary valve body (31, 131) is disposed in the container (2, 102) and that the movable valve stem (32, 132) emerges, the valve (3, 103) being actuated by a push button (4, 104) provided with a movable part cooperating with the stem (32, 132) of a valve which is pressed to push the valve stem (32, 132) into the valve body (31, 131), the distribution channel being constituted by the various elements allowing the passage of the gel between its outlet from the container (2, 102) and the ejection orifice (44, 144) and in which a conduit (41, 141) is formed for the passage of the gel to be dispensed leaving the rod (32, 132) valve towards the orifice (44, 144) for ejecting the gel, characterized in that the orifice (44, 144) for ejecting the duct is of restricted section, than a pocket (5, 105) in m flexible material containing the gel (G) to be dispensed is fixed on the valve body (31, 131), a gas (P) immiscible with the gel being arranged   in the container around the pouch made of material   ple and that a pipe (6, 106) makes it possible to introduce the immiscible gas at any point of the distribution channel, this pipe being opened or closed by means of a seal (7, 107) the displacement is controlled by the push button.   6 Device according to claim 5, characterized in that the introduction pipe (6) of the immiscible gas opens in the valve body (31).   7 Device according to claim 6, characterized in that the seal (7) closing said pipe (6) is fixed on the rod (32) of valve.   8 Device according to claim 5, characterized in that the introduction pipe   (106) gas (P) under pressure, opens in the con-   duit (141) formed in the push button (104).   9 Device according to claim 8, characterized in that the pipe (106) is integral with the push button (104) and slides in an opening (124) formed in the valve cup (121), the seal (107) closing the pipe (106) being   arranged under the valve cup (121).