GB2153444A

GB2153444A - Pushbutton spray head for aerosol dispenser

Info

Publication number: GB2153444A
Application number: GB08501926A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Noboru Hara; Yukio Murakami; Masumi Mizukawa
Original assignee: Fumakilla Ltd; Mitani Valve Co Ltd
Current assignee: Fumakilla Ltd; Mitani Valve Co Ltd
Priority date: 1984-01-26
Filing date: 1985-01-25
Publication date: 1985-08-21
Also published as: ES284166Y; GB8501926D0; IT8520598V0; JPH027651Y2; ZA85498B; JPS60124659U; ES284166U; DE8501943U1; FR2558743A3; FR2558743B3; KR900007803Y1; KR850009755U; GB2153444B

Abstract

A pushbutton actuator for an aerosol dispenser comprises a button element 1, a plurality of liquid channels 5 extending radially and for communicating with a valve unit 2, and nozzles 6 provided at the outer ends of the respective channels 5 in such a manner that the extension of the line of one nozzle intersects with that of another nozzle at a point in the area where spray injection is to take place. With this actuator, liquid can be sprayed in fine particles of a size of about 7-8 mu m. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Pushbutton injector The present invention relates to an improved pushbutton injection actuator which is provided with at leasttwo tubular nozzles and which has such a directivitythatthe extension of the line of one nozzle intersects with the extension ofthe line of another nozzle at a point in the area where injection takes place.

Various proposals have been made to improve the dispersion of an injected liquid material by atomizing it into fine particles. However, no satisfactory results have been obtained by simply modifying the internal structure of an injection mechanism, and at the same time,theformation of atomized particlesvaries in a complex manner depending upon the nature of the liquid material to be injected, thus making it difficultto attain consistent results.

According to the present invention, a plurality of injection channels are provided within a pushbutton in the radial direction and, atthe outer ends ofthese channels, tubular nozzles are provided in such a direction thatthe extension of the line of one nozzle intersects with that of another nozzle at a point in the area where injection is to take place. The atomized particles ejecting from the nozzles collide with themselves at the intersection defined above, and the resultingfiner particles are sufficiently dispersed to give a larger angle of spread.

The present invention therefore provides a pushbutton injection actuator comprising a button element 1 which is connected to a valve stem in such a manner that itis capable of depressing a valve unit, at leasttwo liquid channels 5 provide within said button element which-extend radiallyfromthecenterofthebutton element, andtubularnozzles 6fitted to the outer ends of said channels, said nozzles having such a directivity thatthe extension of the line of one nozzle intersects withtheextension of the lineofanother nozzle art a point inthe area where injection isto take place.

Fig 1 is a plan view of the pushbutton injection actuatorofthe present invention; Fig. 2 isa longitudinal section ofthe injector of Fig.

Brand Fig. 3 is a side view ofthe injector of Fig. 1.

The pushbutton injection actuator ofthe present invention according to one embodiment is hereunder shown by reference to the accompanying drawings.

Fig. lisa plan view ofthe actuator A as mounted on the body of a container B. As shown in Fig. 2 which is a longitudinal section ofthe actuatorA,the underside of a button element 1 is provided at the center with a fitting tube 3 having a mounting hole into which a valve stem 2 is to be tightly fitted. This fitting tube3 is surrounded by a concentric guide 4. When the valve stem 2 is fitted into the tube 3, the guide 4 is urged againsttheinnerwall of the curled portion of a mountain cup Cso that the valve mechanism is securelyfastened to the pushbutton. When the button is depressed, the guide slides by a corresponding amount down the clearance between the curled outer portion and the center projection ofthe mountain cup C.The guide 4 may be composed of a ring of vertical legs that surrounds the fitting tube. The liquid channels 5 inside ofthe button element 1 communi cate with thevalve unit, and as shown, two channels may align in a straight line extending in the diametrical direction in such a mannerthatthey are open at their respective outer ends. Alternatively, a plurality of channels may extend radially across the button element from the center offitting tube 3 so that they are open at their outer ends.

As shown, the button element 1 with liquid channels 5 may assume a generally cylindrical shape in integral combination with the fitting tube 3 and guide 4. A single annular liquid channel 5 may be provided within the button element, with an opening made for connection to each nozzle. Atubular nozzle 6 has fitted thereto a nozzletip 8 with a nozzle opening 7. The base ofthe nozzle is provided with a small-diameterfitting portion 9, which is tightlyfitted to the outer end of each liquid channel 5 in the button element 1 so that the nozzle 6 is fixed at an angle with respect to the button element.

As shown in Fig. 2, two tubular nozzles 6 extend upward and face each other at an angle of 60" with respectto the button element 1. When the pushbutton injection actuator is depressed, atomized particles issuing from the two nozzles collide with each other at pointPwhich is the intersection ofthe extension ofthe line of one nozzle with that of the other nozzle. This collision produces finer particles which are dispersed in space at a wide angle of spread. It should be understood thatthe angle atwhich the tubular nozzles 6 are inclined with respect to the button element 1 is simply a matter of engineering choice and may be properly determined by the one skilled in the art.

Fig. 3 shows a lever 10 for assisting the depression of the button and may be employed as required. The button element surrounding the liquid channels may be provided with annular grooves, into which the basal portions of two tubular nozzles are fitted so that the small-diameter fitting portions ofthe respective nozzles are more securely fastened to the liquid channels. Meansfor engaging the guide 4 may be provided on the inner wall orthe outerwall of the curled portion ofthe mountain cup C. When the button element 1 is depressed, the guide 4 is temporarily fixed by such engaging means while a certain volume ofthe liquid in the container is injected continuously fromthe nozzles.

As shown above, in the present invention, at least two liquid channels are provided within a button element radiallyfrom the center, and tubular nozzles are connected to the outer ends of the respective channels in such a mannerthattheextension of the line of one nozzle intersects with that of another nozzle at a point in the area where injection occuis. The atomized particles ejecting from one nozzle collide with those coming from the other nozzle at the intersection, and the resulting finer particles of a size of about 7-8 ,am (the atomized particles issuing from the conventional product having a single nozzle have an average size of about 30 ,am) travel a longer distance in space at a greater angle of spread. These features, combined with the simple construction of the device, will expand the utility ofthe actuator of the present invention.

Claims

1. A pushbutton injection actuator comprising a button element (1 ) which is connected to a valve stem in such a manner that it is capable of depressing a valve unit, at least two liquid channels (5) provided within said button element which extend radially from the center ofthe button element, and tubular nozzles (6) fitted to the outer ends of said channels, said nozzles having such a directivitythattheextension of the line of one nozzle intersects with the extension of the line of another nozzle at a point in the area where injection is to take place.

2. An actuator according to Claim 1 which includes two liquid channels extending in diametrically opposite directions.

3. A dispersion device for attachment to the outlet of a fluid dispenserto receive fluid under pressure and form a finely divided spray, comprising a plurality of flow passages each having an associated outlet orifice, the outlet orifices being arranged so as to direct streams of fluid along respective paths such that said streams intersect whereby mutual interaction of said fluid streams produces a higher degree of atomisation than that of the individual streams.

4. A dispersion device according to Claim 3 in which the flow passages lead from a common inlet portfor said fluid.

5. A dispersion device according to Claim 4 in the form of a pushbutton actuatorforan areosol dispenser and in which the inlet port is adapted to fit overthe valve stem ofthe aerosol dispenser valve unit.

6. A dispersion device according to Claim 3 and substantially as hereinbefore described with particular reference to Figures 1,2 and 3 of the accompanying drawings.