FR3041330A1

FR3041330A1 - Assembly comprising two bonbonnes for forming aerosol of a bi-component product

Info

Publication number: FR3041330A1
Application number: FR1558783A
Authority: FR
Inventors: Christian Bernad
Original assignee: MARQUAGE PLUS
Current assignee: MARQUAGE PLUS
Priority date: 2015-09-18
Filing date: 2015-09-18
Publication date: 2017-03-24

Abstract

The subject of the invention is an assembly comprising two fluid products intended to be mixed to form an aerosol under spray pressure of a two-component product, comprising two axially aligned carboys (2, 4) each containing one of the components, the two end pieces of these carboys equipped with a valve being opposite each other to transfer one of the said additional products to the other so-called basic product, this assembly comprising an elongated outer package (6) containing the two carboys (2, 4) which maintain their alignment while allowing the application of an axial force (F) on one of the carboys (4), and an intermediate connecting piece (10) surrounding the two end pieces and ensuring the between them, while transmitting the axial force on these tips to open their valves.

Description

ASSEMBLY COMPRISING TWO BONBONNES FOR FORMING AEROSOL OF A PRODUCT

BI-COMPONENT

The present invention relates to an assembly comprising two bottles containing components intended to be mixed to form an aerosol under spray pressure of a two-component product.

Some products intended to be sprayed include an additional product that must be introduced into a commodity just before spraying. After stirring, a reaction is obtained between the products which makes it necessary to make this mixture shortly before the projection to obtain a good result.

In particular for the two-component paints comprising a paint base and a hardener, the mixture of this hardener starts the polymerization reaction of the base, which limits the time of use of the mixture.

A variety of products requiring mixing just prior to spraying can be prepared in this way, such as different types of paint, resins, varnishes or treatment products. The mixture obtained can be liquid or pasty.

One known type of assembly for spraying a two-component product, presented in particular in the document EP-A1-0997396, comprises a first bottle containing the base product covered by an elongated cap fitted on its upper contour, comprising interior guides receiving a small upper cylinder aligned with the first. The upper bottle containing the additional product, has its tip turned down which is connected to that of the first aerosol.

To transfer the additional product and to mix it with the basic product, a vertical pressure is applied on the upper bottle through the cap which is flexible, in order to obtain a mutual axial force between the two ends of the carboys, which opens their valves and allows by differential pressure the automatic transfer of the additional product to the lower cylinder.

However, this assembly uses a cap having particular shapes for the axial guidance of the upper aerosol, which is relatively large and complex. This cap has a high cost, and requires for a plastic molding, the manufacture of tools that is expensive.

Another type of known assembly for the spraying of a bi-component product, presented in particular by the document US-3698453, comprises an intermediate support between the two carboys which is supported on each side on an outer collar of the carboy. For the upper cylinder an axial clearance is provided between its flange and the intermediate support, filled by a protective band during storage. This band is removed to release the game, and allow by axial pressure the sliding down of the upper cylinder, to act on the valves of the tips and transfer the additional product.

There is also a connecting piece guiding the upper cylinder which is relatively large and complex. In addition it is necessary to provide a piece in addition, the band of protection.

Another type of known assembly for the spraying of a two-component product, presented in particular by the document US-B2-6848601, comprises an intermediate connecting piece disposed between the ends of the two carboys, having on each side a cylindrical bore which fits on a circular ring of a small diameter surrounding the tip of each bottle. The bores of the connecting piece are provided to perform axial guidance of the two bottles together, while allowing a sliding which actuates the valves of the two ends for the transfer of the additional product.

However, this type of guiding between the two carboys acting on a small diameter circular portion surrounding the nozzle, much lower than that of the carboy, does not provide a rigid axial guide between these carboys. In particular by pressing the upper bottle, it can tilt and rock the stack of bottles.

The present invention is intended to avoid these disadvantages of the prior art.

To this end, it proposes an assembly comprising two fluid products for forming an aerosol under spray pressure of a two-component product, this assembly comprising two axially aligned carboys each containing one of the fluid products, the two end pieces of these carboys equipped with a valve being opposite each other for transferring an additional product into a base product. This assembly is remarkable in that it comprises an elongated outer package containing the two cylinders which maintains their alignment while allowing the application of an axial force on one of the cylinders, and an intermediate connecting piece surrounding the two ends and ensuring sealing between them, while transmitting the axial force on these tips to open their valves.

An advantage of this set is that two separate parts are used, comprising the connecting piece ensuring the seal between the two end pieces allowing the sliding necessary for the transfer of a component, which is with a compact and economical small diameter, and the outer packaging made of a lightweight and inexpensive material such as cardboard, effectively performing the maintenance and guidance of the two bottles between them. In addition, the packaging can perform other functions at the same time, such as the protection of the assembly for transport and sale, and the support for an external marking displaying technical characteristics or commercial and advertising elements. The assembly for forming an aerosol according to the invention may furthermore comprise one or more of the following characteristics, which may be combined with one another.

Advantageously, the outer packaging is made of cardboard, forming a light and recyclable material, which can make a rigid box.

In this case, the outer package may comprise an elongated cardboard box comprising a pivoting lid at one end, receiving the two bottles that are axially wedged in this box.

In particular, the cardboard box may include an intermediate wedging device arranged radially between this box and a carboy which is smaller than the other. It is thus possible to use two carboys of different diameters by stalling the smaller one.

Advantageously, a cylinder having a male outlet nozzle of the fluid, the connecting piece has a conical portion pressing on the upper contour of this nozzle to seal.

In particular, the two bottles may include a male outlet fluid outlet. This arrangement makes it possible to use two bottles of a less common model than the bottles equipped with female ends, which particularizes the product.

Advantageously, the junction piece comprises an outer cone of small slope, centering on a bottle. With a centering of the connecting piece to the two bottles, it is thus possible to align the two bottles together.

Advantageously, the additional product to be added to the base product has a pressure at least equal to substantially twice that of the base product.

In particular, the pressure of the base product can be about 4.2 bars, that of the additional product being about 9 bars.

In particular, the assembly may contain a base paint and a hardener for producing a two-component paint.

In this case, advantageously, the hardener has a viscosity of less than approximately 15 seconds, by measuring the time for the emptying of a section of normalized viscosity according to the cutting standard "AFNOR No. 4".

In addition, advantageously, the endpieces comprise valves comprising two radial holes for fluid passage, having a diameter of approximately 0.5 mm. These last two provisions facilitate the flow of the hardener to the base paint.

In particular, the bottle of the base product may have a diameter of at least about 50 mm.

In addition, the assembly may comprise two products producing after transfer of the additional product a chemical reaction between them. The invention also relates to a method of implementing an assembly comprising any one of the preceding features, comprising a step of opening an upper cover of the package, a pressure step on the upper bottle. for the transfer of one of the products, and a step of leaving a bottle of the package to form the spray aerosol. Other features and advantages will become apparent from the following description of the invention, a description given by way of example only, with reference to the appended drawings, in which: FIG. 1 is a partial axial sectional view of an assembly according to the invention, comprising two different cylinders, Figure 2 is a view of the outer packaging of this assembly, made of cardboard which is unfolded, Figure 3 is an axial sectional view of an assembly comprising two identical carboys, having the upper part of a cylinder receiving the joining piece, FIG. 4 is a detailed view of the valve of this bottle according to a variant, FIG. 5 is an external view of the connecting piece, FIG. in axial section along the section plane VI-VI of this junction piece, and Figure 7 is a detail view of the central portion of this junction piece.

Figure 1 shows an assembly comprising a lower cylinder 2 containing a base product, and an upper cylinder 4 containing an additional product to be introduced by pressure difference in the first cylinder to achieve a two-component mixture.

The two cylinders having a cylindrical outer shape resistant to pressure, are aligned along the same vertical axis, their ends being arranged opposite each other. A junction piece 10 surrounds the ends of the bottles 2, 4, to ensure a seal between these tips while allowing a small axial sliding of the upper cylinder 4 opening the valves of the tips.

The joining piece 10 is guided in an intermediate flange 42 disposed at the top of the lid 16 of the lower bottle 2.

An outer package made of folded cardboard 6 having a parallelepipedal outer shape, receives directly adjusted the lower cylinder 2, and through a radial wedge 8 arranged upwardly, the upper cylinder which has a smaller diameter.

Figure 2 shows the carton 6 comprising four elongate sides 20 having a gluing tab 22 on the left to form a square section box.

Two opposite sides 20 have below a lower flap 24 folding to close the bottom of the box 6, the other two sides have a lower flap 26 having a tongue 32 which fits with each other, to block these flaps to keep the bottom of the box closed.

Two opposite sides 20 comprise above an upper flap 28 folding to close the top of the box 6, another side comprises the folding cover 12 comprising at its end a tongue 30 which is inserted behind the upper flaps 28 to block this lid.

With this cardboard box is obtained a rigid outer packaging 6, including a good compressive strength in the vertical direction through its square cross section maintained by the bottles 2, 4 fitted in.

The two-component product packages can then be conveniently stored in shipping crates and taken out for sale, with the outer packaging protecting them effectively, particularly accidental compression on the top that would trigger the transfer of the additional product to the other bottle.

For the preparation of the two-component product the operator then opens the lid 12 of the box 6 leaving the carboys inside, and presses on the top of the upper bottle 4 as shown by the arrow F in FIG. to transfer the additional product to the lower cylinder 2. The box 6 then simply forms a holding and an axial guide of the upper cylinder 4, which remains aligned and can not rock.

Once the transfer of the additional product finished, the operator retrieves the lower cylinder 2 to detach it from the junction piece 10, and put a spray head to perform the projection of the two-component product. This user manual can be printed on the box 6, in order to facilitate the use of the assembly. The outer packaging 6 is made very economically, the cardboard is a cheap material, and the tooling to achieve the box with a reduced cost. In addition, the carton of the outer packaging 6 is a light, ecological and easily recyclable material.

Alternatively, it is possible to use an outer packaging having a different shape, such as a tube for example, also made of cardboard, or in an economic material such as a plastic material.

FIG. 3 shows the intermediate plate 40 around the end piece 52 of the lower bottle 2, comprising an intermediate flange 42 forming a circular groove open downwards receiving a seal 44, intended to grip the upper contour of the lid 16. of the bottle with a seal.

The central portion of the intermediate plate 40 forms a downwardly open recess, receiving a coupling 46 which is held nested by an outer circular boss 48 engaged over a tightening of this recess. The coupling 46 axially clamps a seal 50 on an upper flat portion at the bottom of the recess, to seal between this connection and the intermediate plate 40.

The connector 46 has a substantially cylindrical inner chamber 64, having on one side an opening 60 for the passage of the fluid contained in the bottle to this chamber.

An axially movable nozzle 52 has a cylindrical portion fitted into the chamber of the connector 64, at axial grooves 62 formed in this chamber to allow a passage of the fluid above this cylindrical portion.

A coil spring 54 disposed in the chamber 64, applies an upward pressure on the tip 52 to maintain the upper contour of its cylindrical portion bearing axially on the central portion of the seal 50. In this position the seal seal 50 fits in a circular groove 56 of the nozzle, closing a valve formed by a radial bore 58 allowing the passage of fluid to an outlet formed by an upper axial bore of the nozzle 52.

With an axial pressure on the top of the nozzle 52, the tip is lowered by compressing the spring 54. The radial bore 58 descends below the seal 50, which opens the valve and allows the pressurized fluid contained in the fitting chamber 64 to go through this bore to enter the nozzle, then out through its upper axial bore.

As a variant shown in FIG. 4, two radial bores 58 can be placed on the end piece 52 in order to increase the flow rate by this endpiece, in particular for the more viscous fluids.

Figures 3,5, 6 and 7 show the junction piece 10 having a symmetry with respect to a horizontal plane of symmetry S, and a form of revolution along the central vertical axis of the cylinders, comprising a cylindrical outer shape 70 which is terminates at each end with a slightly conical outer portion 72 tapering downwardly.

The conical outer portion 72 allows interlocking in the intermediate flange 42 so as to center the joining piece 10. The base of the conical outer portion 74 comes a little above the bottom of a circular hollow of the intermediate sheet 40 , so as to allow a small axial descent of the joining piece 10 according to the stroke C. In practice a stroke C of about 2mm is suitable for the usual bottles.

The center of the joining piece 10 comprises a cylindrical inner hollow 76 receiving the upper part of the endpiece 52, ending upwards by a conical portion 78 pressing on the upper contour of this endpiece, and a central piercing hole 80 in communication with the symmetrical inner hollow receiving the tip of the upper bottle. The conical portion 78 pressing on the contour of the end piece 52, makes it possible to transmit a pressure on this endpiece while ensuring a seal with the connecting piece 10.

In this way a downward axial pressure on the upper cylinder transmitted to the junction piece 10, simultaneously compresses the ends 52 of the two carboys which opens their valves, and puts them in communication with a seal.

Thus we obtain in a simple and effective way an assembly comprising two parts forming a combination, comprising a small connecting part made economically by a plastic molding, ensuring the opening of the bottles with a seal, and an outer packaging ensuring in particular a protection of the bottles, as well as a maintenance and guidance during the transfer of the additional product.

In particular, it is possible to produce a two-component paint in the lower bottle with a paint base, and in the upper bottle a hardener of the isocyanate or amine type. To ensure easy complete transfer of the hardener to the paint base, tests have highlighted the following design criteria, presented in the order of importance starting from the most important.

The viscosity of the hardener must be low, a little higher than that of water, with a value preferably of less than 15 seconds, this value being determined by measuring the time for the emptying of a section of standardized viscosity, according to the standard cutting edge "AFNOR N ° 4".

The additional product pressure is at least twice the pressure of the base product. For a pressure of the base product of 4.2 bars, it is then preferably a pressure of the additional product of the order of 9 bars.

The diameter of the bottle of the additional product is at least equal to 50 mm, and preferably equal to 65 mm.

The radial bores 58 of the end pieces 52 must allow a sufficiently free passage of the fluid to avoid excessive pressure loss. Preferably, there is provided on each end 52 two holes 58 arranged in parallel, each having a diameter of 0.5mm. Moreover, for a two-component paint, the pressurizing gas of the paint cylinder generally used is a dimethyl ether and for the hardener cylinder of dry air or nitrogen.

It will be noted that the two-component paints having a much higher quality, it is interesting to be able to offer practical and economical containers to develop this type of paint. In general, one can provide a set with bottles of identical capacity, or different by using a length or a variable diameter between the two bottles, according to the proportions of the products to be mixed. The example described above has a male end for each bottle, it is possible alternatively by adapting the connecting piece 10 use two female ends, or a mix with a male end and a female end.

Claims

1. An assembly comprising two fluid products for forming a spraying pressure aerosol of a two-component product, comprising two axially aligned carboys (2, 4) each containing one of the components, the two end pieces of these carboys (52) equipped with a valve (58) being opposite each other for transferring one of said additional products to the other so-called basic product, characterized in that it comprises an elongate outer packaging (6) containing the two cylinders (2, 4) which maintains their alignment while allowing the application of an axial force (F) on one of the bottles (4), and an intermediate connecting piece (10) surrounding the two end pieces (52) and sealing between them, while transmitting the axial force on these tips to open their valves.

2. An assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that the outer package (6) is cardboard.

3. An assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that the outer package comprises an elongated cardboard box (6) comprising a pivoting lid at one end (12), receiving the two carboys (2,4) which are axially wedged in this box.

4. An assembly according to claim 3, characterized in that the cardboard box (6) comprises an intermediate wedging device (8) arranged radially between this box and a carboy (4) which is smaller than the other (2) .

5. An assembly according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a cylinder (2, 4) having a male outlet fluid end (52), the connecting piece (10) comprises a conical portion (78). ) pressing the upper contour of this tip to seal.

6. Assembly according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the two bottles (2, 4) comprise a male outlet fluid outlet (52).

7. Assembly according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the junction piece (10) comprises an outer cone of low slope (72), centering on a cylinder (2, 4).

8. Assembly according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the additional product to be added to the base product has a pressure at least equal to substantially twice that of the base product.

9. The assembly of claim 8, characterized in that the pressure of the base product is about 4.2 bar and the pressure of the additional product is about 9 bar.

10. Assembly according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it contains a base paint and a hardener for producing a two-component paint.

11. The assembly of claim 10, characterized in that the hardener has a viscosity of less than substantially 15 seconds, by measuring the time for emptying a standard viscosity section according to the cutting standard "AFNOR No. 4".

12. Assembly according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the end caps (52) comprise valves comprising two radial holes (58) for the passage of the fluid having a diameter of about 0.5mm.

13. Assembly according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bottle of the base product (2) has a diameter at least equal to about 50mm.

14. A method of implementation of an assembly according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a step of opening an upper lid of the package, a pressure step on the upper cylinder for transferring one of the products, and a step of removing a bottle from the package to form the spray aerosol.