FR2714313A1 - Liquid diffuser for general use for jet spray cleaner used in homes and gardens etc. - Google Patents

Abstract

The diffuser body (4) is connected to a supply tube (14) for the liquid, or the body is arranged to enter a liquid container. This supply pipe is connected by a body channel to an orifice (18), for diffusing liquid exit. Diffusion is by a fluid driving vector from a supply chamber housed in the body, with a calibrated passage. This connects to an annular opening surrounding the orifice, opened or closed by ferrules (28,35). The ferrule (28) may slide between its two extremes by turning through about a quarter of a turn.

Description

LIQUID DIFPUSZUR
The invention relates to a liquid diffuser and a liquid diffusion assembly comprising such a diffuser.

 Such a diffuser is more especially intended for a liquid cleaning product or equivalent.

 The invention aims to achieve a liquid diffuser by means of a carrier vector fluid such as water which is simple in construction, inexpensive but nevertheless effective and efficient.

Due to its characteristics, such a diffuser is suitable for "general public" use while maintaining the house (example: surface cleaning), gardening (example: treatment product, fertilizer, protection) or even automotive maintenance (example. degreasers, waxes, etc.).

 To this end, the invention firstly proposes a liquid diffuser by means of a carrier vector fluid characterized in that it comprises: a body a tube for supplying the liquid to be diffused carried by or forming part of the body capable of submerging in a container receiving the liquid to be diffused, in communication with a channel formed in the body having a downstream orifice for diffusing the liquid; a vector fluid supply chamber provided in the body provided with a calibrated passage an annular opening surrounding the downstream orifice in communication with the supply chamber via the calibrated passage; and means capable of opening or closing the annular opening.

 According to another characteristic, the diffuser further comprises means capable of adjusting the size of the annular opening.

 According to another characteristic, the diffuser comprises a hollow sleeve of generally cylindrical shape belonging to the body, the first end part of which forms the supply chamber and the second end part of which maintains with sealing and guides a ferrule mounted to be able to be moved relative to the sleeve between two end portions where, respectively, the annular opening is open and closed.

 According to another characteristic, the diffuser further comprises a nozzle fixedly mounted in the sleeve, this nozzle comprising on the one hand a disc placed transversely in the sleeve and provided with calibrated holes defining the calibrated passage and on the other hand rigidly secured disc, a nozzle in which is formed the channel and on which is mounted transversely the tube.

 According to another characteristic, the nozzle comprises in its median zone a projection extending transversely allowing the carrier fluid to pass, supporting members comprising with members complementary to the shell to constitute together means of projection / thread type capable of ensuring sliding relative axial of the ferrule relative to the nozzle as a result of a relative rotation of the ferrule relative to the sleeve.

 According to another characteristic, the sleeve comprises, at its second free end, a return directed towards the inside with which a recess towards the outside of the shell can cooperate which is capable, in the extreme position of the shell of coming against said return, the ferrule then being advanced projecting relative to the nozzle and the annular opening being open.

 According to another characteristic, the nozzle and the ferrule each have a free end portion in the shape of a point. These two parts are able to come into contact with one another in the extreme closed position of the annular opening.

 According to another characteristic, the diffuser further comprises an adjoining skirt, rigidly secured to the sleeve extending transversely relative to it, in which the tube extends.

 The invention then proposes a diffusion system in addition to such a diffuser, a container of liquid to be diffused, and a supply of the carrier fluid. This is, in this case water from, for example, a tap.

The characteristics and advantages will be clearly understood on reading the description which follows
- Figure 1 is an elevational view of a diffuser according to the invention according to a possible embodiment (closed position)
- Figure 2 is an axial sectional view of the diffuser shown in Figure l (closed position)
- Figure 3 is a partial view of the type of that of Figure 2 showing the open position;
- Figure 4 is a diagram illustrating a system according to the invention.

 We now refer to the embodiment shown in the figures which are described in detail.

 This embodiment relates to a liquid diffusion system such as cleaning liquid, maintenance, degreasing, treatment, protection, etc.

 This liquid is contained in a container 1 on which a diffuser 2 is mounted.

 As illustrated, the diffuser 2 is removably associated with the container 1 by screwing. Other forms of association are possible.

 According to another possible embodiment, the container 1 - diffuser 2 assembly is normally inseparable and is lost once all of the liquid has been diffused.

 The system works by means of a fluid carrying vector for the liquid to be diffused as will be seen.

This vector fluid is in this case water.

 To this end, a water supply 3 is mounted on a body 4 forming part of the diffuser 2.

 The diffuser 2 is now described in more detail.

In this description, the terms "upstream" or "downstream" refer to the meaning arising from the fluid considered.

 The fluid 2 firstly comprises a body 4.

This itself comprises two adjoining parts which are rigidly secured to one another, namely a sleeve 5 and a skirt 6 having respective axes 5a, 6a.

 The skirt 6 extends transversely relative to the sleeve 5, the axes 5a, 6a being orthogonal, or substantially.

 The skirt 6 is attached to the middle part of the sleeve 5 and is entirely located on the same side thereof, the sleeve 5 / skirt 6 assembly having a general shape of T.

 The sleeve 5 has a generally cylindrical shape. At its first free end portion 7, it includes a thread 8, in particular an external thread, for association with a supply connection 9 of the driving vector water forming part of the supply 3.

 The diffusion of the liquid occurs axially with respect to the axis 5a, on the side of the second free end portion 10 of the sleeve 5.

 The skirt 6 has, externally, a profiled shape of handle.

 The skirt 6 comprises, at its end part 11 opposite the sleeve 6, a thread 12 in particular inside, associated with a complementary thread 13 of the neck of the container 1.

 The container 1 can have any suitable shape and capacity. It is, in the embodiment considered, in the form of a self-supporting bottle having a certain hold.

 The diffuser is arranged to provide two circuits for the liquid of the container 1 and the entrainment water respectively.

 The liquid circuit firstly comprises a supply tube 14 immersed in the liquid of the container 1, extending in the skirt 6, in particular axially or substantially axially with respect to the axis 6a.

 This tube 14 is either carried by the body 4 while being attached to it, in particular by forced insertion, or, according to an embodiment not shown, forms an integral part of the diffuser by forming part of the body 4.

 In the embodiment considered, the tube 14 is mounted in a seat 15 carried transversely by a nozzle 16. Thus, the tube 14 is mounted relative to the nozzle 16, at least substantially orthogonal at least to its vicinity.

 The liquid circuit then comprises a channel 17 in communication with the tube 14. This channel 17 is drilled in the nozzle 16 axially with respect to the axis 5a.

 More specifically, the tube 14 opens at or towards the upstream end of the channel 17 which, in contrast, has a downstream orifice 18 through which the liquid is diffused.

 The nozzle 16 comprises several parts rigidly secured to each other, and in particular one piece: a nozzle 19, a disc 20, a projection 21, a member 22.

 The nozzle is elongated along the axis 5a and has a generally cylindrical shape. It is drilled to form channel 17.

The disc 20 is attached to the upstream end of the nozzle near the tube 14 and opposite the downstream orifice 18,
The disc 20, of axis Sa, has a transverse radial dimension greater, for example of the order of twice, than that of the nozzle 19.

 The disc 20 is provided with one or a set of calibrated holes 23 defining a calibrated passage for the drive water.

 In its middle part, therefore axially spaced from the disc 20, the nozzle 19 comprises or forms the projection 21 which, like the disc 20, extends transversely relative to the axis 5a. However, the radial dimension of the projection 21 is less than that of the disc 20. The projection 21 is therefore spaced apart in the radial direction of the sleeve 5, the space existing between them allowing the housing of a ferrule to which we will return.

 The projection 21 is discontinuous or pierced with holes or notches or the like so as to allow free passage to the drive water coming from the holes 23 of the disc 20.

 The member 22 carried by the projection 21 is complementary to another member 24 to which we return later. Together they constitute the means 22-24 of the projection / thread type capable of ensuring relative axial sliding as a result of relative rotation.

 The nozzle 19 has its free end portion 25 at the end of which is the downstream orifice 18 of decreasing radial thickness. This end part has a truncated point shape, the orifice 18 being on the side of the point.

 The nozzle 15 is mounted in the sleeve 6 from its first end part 8 with its point-shaped part 25 located on the side of the second external part of the sleeve 5. For this purpose, a recess 26 is formed in the sleeve 5 and the disc 20 abuts against this step 26.

 The first end portion 7 of the sleeve comprising the thread 8 and limited by the disc 20 therefore forms a water supply chamber 27 provided, at the outlet, with the calibrated passage thanks to the holes 23. Thus, the flow of water in downstream is known and appropriate for the intended use.

 Where appropriate, the diffuser 2 may comprise a set of discs 20 (or more exactly nozzles 16) corresponding to different water flow rates, thanks to different calibrations of the holes 23.

 The diffuser 2 also comprises a ferrule 28 mounted in the sleeve 5 towards its second end portion 10 so as to protrude from it on the one hand and, on the other hand, to be able to be displaced relatively relative to it with axial sliding and rotation around axis 5a. The ferrule 28 is, moreover, mounted on the nozzle 16 and more particularly on the projection 21 and its member 22.

 The second end portion 10 of the sleeve 5 ensures both the sealing and the guiding of the ferrule 28 which can be, in addition, moved.

 The sleeve 5 comprises at its second free end on the side of the part 10 an annular return 29 directed transversely inward. On the other hand, the ferrule 28 comprises towards its first end portion 30 placed inside the sleeve 5 a peripheral radial transverse projection 3 directed towards the outside which in the first place forms a bearing on the sleeve 5, in the second place supports a tonic seal 32 coming into contact with the sleeve 5 and, thirdly, defines a recess 33 directed towards the outside of the ferrule 28.

 The recess 33 is likely to come against the return 29 when the ferrule 28 is advanced the most projecting relative to the sleeve 5, the water outlet opening 34 then being open.

 The ferrule 28 also includes, in its first end portion 30, but inside, the member 24 cooperating with the member 22 of the nozzle 16.

 The members 22, 24 may be in the form of complementary threads. They therefore make it possible to ensure the axial sliding of the ferrule 28 between its two extreme positions as a result of the relative rotation of the ferrule relative to the nozzle 19 of the nozzle 16 around the axis 5a, the guidance and the support being also provided by the sleeve 5.

 Preferably, the rotation required for the total sliding stroke is a fraction of a turn, in particular a quarter turn.

 The ferrule 28 has, at its second end portion 35 opposite the first 30 and placed projecting outside the sleeve 5, a decreasing radial size giving it a point shape.

 According to the invention, the tip-shaped parts of the nozzle 16 and more particularly of the nozzle 19 towards the downstream orifice 18 and of the ferrule 28 in its part 35 and towards the opening 34 are capable of coming into contact. one against the other in the extreme closed position of the opening 34. To this end, the pointed parts of the nozzle 16 and of the ferrule 28 have, respectively externally and internally, the same angle of inclination relative to the axis 5a, in this case 17.

 There is provided on the ferrule 28 and at the location of the part 35 one or more fins 36 arranged radially projecting outwards. These fins 36 allow the gripping of the ferrule 28 to be favored to ensure its displacement by rotation.

 As is apparent from the drawings, the axial length of the ferrule 28 is of the order of half that of the nozzle 16.

 The opening 34 is formed at the second free end of the ferrule 28 towards the point of the part 35.

 The water circuit comprises, from the inlet 3 and via the connector 9, the chamber 27 then the calibrated passage defined by the calibrated hole or holes 23, then downstream of the disc 20 a chamber 37 placed between on the one hand the nozzle 19 and on the other hand respectively the sleeve 5 or the ferrule 28.

 This chamber 37 has a dimension, in cross section with respect to the axis 5a and to the direction of the water flow which is the largest ves the disc 20 and the calibrated passage and the smallest towards the opening 34.

 Since the free end portion 25 of the nozzle 19 is placed in the second end portion of the ferrule 35, the opening 34 has an annular shape.

 In the closed position, the ferrule 28 is the most retracted into the sleeve 5. The part 35 abuts against the part 25 of the nozzle 19. Given the respective shapes and dimensions, the opening 34 is then completely closed by the part 25.

 In this position, the water cannot be discharged through the opening 34 since it is closed and the liquid from the container 1 cannot be projected through the orifice 18.

 The operator holding the handle formed by the skirt 6 and grasping the fin (s) 36 can rotate the ferrule 28 around the axis 5a relative to the sleeve 5 and the nozzle 16. Thanks to the means 22-24, this pivoting causes the sliding of the ferrule more precisely in the direction of the outlet of the sleeve 5. As a result, the part 35 moves away from the part 25 and the opening 34 is then opened. Water can flow. The annular water jet at the location of the opening 34 creates a depression at the location of the orifice 18. This depression is sufficient to allow the liquid from the container to pass through the tube 14 and then into the channel 17 to exit the diffuser through port 18.

 The liquid is then mixed with water and this mixture can be used for any suitable purpose.

 The mounting of the ferrule 28 in the sleeve 5 is carried out by gentle friction to avoid any untimely movement of the ferrule.

 It is understood that the means 22, 23 how much to the arrangement of the parts 25, 35 constitute means capable of opening or closing the opening 34 which surrounds the downstream orifice 18. These means also make it possible to adjust the importance of the annular opening 34.

 All the parts described: body 4, nozzle 16, ferrule 28 can be made of plastic.

Claims (23)

REVEMDICATIOMS  1. Liquid diffuser by means of a carrier vector fluid characterized in that it comprises  - a body (4);  - a tube for supplying the liquid to be diffused (14) carried by or forming part of the body (4) capable of plunging into a container (1) receiving the liquid to be diffused, in communication with a channel (17) formed in the body having a downstream liquid diffusion orifice (18);  - A supply chamber (27) of the carrier fluid formed in the body (4) provided with a calibrated passage 23;  - an annular opening (34) surrounding the downstream orifice (18) in communication with the supply chamber (27) via the calibrated passage (23);  - And means (22, 24, 25, 35) able to open or close the annular opening (34).  2. Diffuser according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises means capable of adjusting the size of the annular opening (34).  3. Diffuser according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a chamber (37) placed between the calibrated passage (23) and the annular opening (18), the dimension of which is in cross section with respect to the direction of flow of carrier fluid is the largest towards the calibrated passage (23) and the smallest towards the annular opening (18).  4. Diffuser according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it comprises a hollow sleeve (5) of generally cylindrical shape belonging to the body (4) whose first end part (7) forms the chamber lead (27) and the second end portion (10) of which maintains with sealing and guiding a ferrule (28) mounted so that it can be moved relative to the sleeve (5) between two extreme positions where, respectively, the annular opening (34) is open and closed.  5. Diffuser according to claim 4, characterized in that it further comprises a nozzle (16) fixedly mounted in the sleeve (5), this nozzle (16) comprising on the one hand a disc (20) placed transversely in the sleeve (5) and provided with calibrated hole (s) (23) defining the calibrated passage and on the other hand rigidly secured to the disc (20), a nozzle (19) in which the channel (17) is formed and on which the tube (14) is mounted transversely.  6. Diffuser according to claim 5, characterized in that the disc (20) is attached to the upstream end of the nozzle (19) near the tube (14) and opposite the downstream orifice (18) .  7. Diffuser according to claim 5, characterized in that the tube (14) is mounted relative to the nozzle (16) at least substantially orthogonal at least in the vicinity of said nozzle (16).  8. Diffuser according to any one of claims 4 and 5, characterized in that the nozzle (19) comprises in its median zone a projection (21) extending transversely allowing the carrier fluid to pass, supporting members (22) comprising with complementary members (24) of the ferrule (28) to constitute together means of projection / thread type capable of ensuring relative axial sliding of the ferrule (28) relative to the nozzle (16) as a result of rotation relative of the ferrule (28) relative to the sleeve (5).  9. Diffuser according to claim 5, characterized in that the nozzle (19) has a free end portion (25) opposite the disc (20) of decreasing radial thickness in the shape of a tip.  10. Diffuser according to claim 5, characterized in that the nozzle (16) is mounted in the sleeve (5) by its first end part (7) stretch in abutment against a recess (26) formed in the sleeve (5).  11. Diffuser according to claim 5, characterized in that the sleeve (5) comprises at its second free end (10), a return (29) directed inwards with which a recess (33) can cooperate outwards of the ferrule (28) which is capable, in the extreme position of the ferrule, of coming against said return (29), the ferrule (28) then being advanced projecting relative to the nozzle (16) and the annular opening ( 34) being open.  12. Diffuser according to claim 4, characterized in that the ferrule (28) has at its first end part (30) a transverse projection (31) forming a bearing on the sleeve (5) and supporting a tonic seal (32 ); and at its second opposite end part (35) a decreasing radial size giving it a point shape.  13. Diffuser according to any one of claims 9 to 12, characterized in that the point-shaped parts (25) of the nozzle (16) and (35) of the ferrule are capable of coming into contact one against the other in the extreme closed position of the annular opening (34).  14. Diffuser according to claim 12, characterized in that the ferrule (28) comprises one or more fin (s) radial (s) (36) in line with the point-shaped part (35) to promote gripping there ferrule (28).  15. Diffuser according to claim 8, characterized in that the means (22, 24) of projection / thread type are capable of ensuring the sliding of the ferrule (28) along the axis (5a) between its two extreme positions as a result of the relative rotation of the ferrule (28) by a fraction of a turn, in particular of the order of a quarter turn.  16. Diffuser according to claim 4, characterized in that the first end part (7) of the sleeve (5) of the body (4) comprises a thread (8) for association with a connector (9) for supplying the carrier fluid .  17. Diffuser according to claim 1, characterized the supply tube (14) is an integral part of the diffuser (2) or is attached to it in particular by forced insertion.  18. Diffuser according to claim 17, characterized in that there is provided on the nozzle (16) a seat (15) for the supply tube (14).  19. Diffuser according to claim 4, characterized in that the body (4) comprises a skirt (6) rigidly adjoining rigidly to the sleeve (5) extending transversely relative to it, in which the tube (14) extends .  20. Diffuser according to claim 19, characterized in that the skirt (6) has, externally, a profiled shape of handle.  21. Diffuser according to claim 4, characterized in that the skirt (6) comprises, at its end part (11) opposite the sleeve (6) a thread (12) for association with the container (1).  22. Liquid diffusion system comprising a container (1) of the liquid to be diffused, a diffuser (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 21, mounted on this container (1) and a supply of the carrier fluid (3) mounted on the body (4) in communication with the chamber (27).  23. System according to claim 22, characterized in that the carrier fluid is water.