MXPA06011154A - Aerosol - Google Patents

Abstract

A spray head for attachment to an aerosol spray unit containing pressurised product is provided, the spray head having at least two separate spray outlets, wherein at least one of the spray outlets has a non-circular cross-section.

Description

AEROSOL FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an aerosol spray head, an aerosol spray unit comprising the aerosol spray head and a process for spraying pressurized product.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION A conventional approach to dispatch a product on a target application surface is by atomizing that product. One way to achieve atomization is through the combination of the product with a propellant (compressed gas) in a pressurized unit that has a delivery valve in continuous connection with a delivery outlet. When opening the dispensing valve, the product is forced through it and dispensed through the outlet in atomized form on the target application surface. However, the present inventors have established, that the current atomization technology generally does not provide a satisfactory distribution of product over the target area. In particular, it is observed that the distribution is unequal, with an increase in deposit occurring in the center and a corresponding decrease in deposits towards the ends of the target site. In addition to the unequal dispersion of the active agent and the resulting unequal achievement of benefit throughout the target site, the large amount of deposit in the center can also result in the formation of unsightly residues and unpleasant cooling in that region of the skin of the patient. consumer due to the increase in the amount of product deposited there and the increase in the amount of propellant that evaporates in that location. In addition to the deficiencies already mentioned, a single outlet spray head also determines physical limitations on the composition that can be sprayed. In particular, the high viscosity compositions may not be practically sprayed, because in said fluid sufficient energy can not be retained under normal pressurization conditions so that it can be sufficiently atomized upon exiting the roll out. With reference to the U.S. patent no. 3,767,125, a multi-outlet spray head is proposed for spraying dry powder aerosols. With reference to the U.S. patent no. No. 5,516,045, an alternative multiple outlet spray head is described, especially for spraying hairspray. It would be advantageous to provide a spray head that overcomes the disadvantages of the spray heads described in the prior art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a spray head for fastening to an aerosol container containing pressurized product; the spray head comprises at least two separate rolling outlets, wherein at least one of the roll outlets (3) has a non-circular cross-sectional shape. According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a pressurized aerosol roller unit, having a spray head as defined in the first aspect of the invention. In accordance with a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a portable aerosol tumble unit, having a spray head as defined in the first aspect of the invention. According to a fourth aspect of the invention, there is provided a process for spraying a pressurized product, comprising the steps of spraying said product through a spray head in accordance with the first aspect of the invention, such that the product It has a Reynolds number of at least 1000 when it exits through said sprinkler exits. These and other features, attributes, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will be apparent to those with experience in the industry upon reading the present disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES Although the specification concludes with claims that point particularly and clearly claim the invention, it is believed that the present invention will be better understood from the following description of preferred embodiments, which are taken together with the accompanying figures, in which like reference numbers identify identical elements and in which: Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of a spray head according to the invention. Figure 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the important parts of the spray head according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Even though the specification concludes with the claims that in a particular manner clearly state and claim the invention, it is believed that it will be better understood from the following description. All weights, measures and concentrations herein are measured at 25 ° C in the total composition, unless otherwise specified. Unless indicated otherwise, all percentages of the compositions mentioned herein are percentages by weight of the total composition (i.e., the sum of all components present) and all proportions are weight proportions. Unless indicated otherwise, the content of all literature sources mentioned in this text is incorporated in its entirety as a reference. Except in the cases in which specific examples of the measured real values are offered, the numerical values cited here should consider that they are qualified with the word "approximately". As discussed, a limitation of traditional aerosol spray head configurations is that they can produce an uneven distribution of product over the target site. In addition, the viscosity of the product to be sprayed can be practically restricted to remaining below a certain level. By introducing instability in the fluid flow at an early stage it is possible to atomize products with higher viscosities and, at the same time, improve the product distribution on the target site. The replacement of a single rollout with multiple outputs can help introduce that instability, since, for a given volume of product flow, the size of the friction interface (ie the total size of the output perimeter) is larger for the multiple outputs that for a single output. The use of one or more non-circular outputs can further help to introduce an early instability in the flow. Without wishing to be limited by theory, it is believed that these measures can prevent the formation of a smooth film structure just outside the exit where the product begins its trajectory towards the target site. The disadvantage of a soft film structure is that it can propagate a relatively thick atomization in the final stage before the product reaches the target site, with the drops in the center of the spray larger than those near the periphery. It is in the final stage of dew formation that an instability in the system can help disintegrate the product into ligaments and then more into drops to form a highly atomized spray and a better distribution of the drops. As defined above, the present invention overcomes the disadvantages of the prior industry by providing a spray head (1) comprising at least two separate spray outlets (3), wherein at least one of the spray outlets (3) and advantageously all the spray outlets (3) have a non-circular cross-sectional shape. As used herein, the term "circle" should be understood as a closed flat curve in which each point is equidistant from a fixed point within the curve and the word "circular" should be interpreted accordingly. The spray outlets (3) may have any non-circular shape, but advantageously have a cross-sectional shape selected from a group consisting of polygons, semicircles, half-moons, stars and mixtures thereof. If they are polygons, then each polygonal cross section shape can advantageously be selected from a group formed by polygon having three to ten sides. Preferably, the polygons are selected from a group consisting of triangles, rectangles, pentagons, hexagons and mixtures thereof. The spray head (1) according to the invention can have any number of spray outlets (3) above two, but preferably has from 2 to 36 and more preferably from 3 to 12 spray outputs (3). The spray head (1), according to a first aspect of the invention, can further comprise a divider chamber (4) for diverting the flow towards the spray outlets (3), wherein the driving means comprise input means ( 5) to be attached to a valve stem (11) of the aerosol unit that is in fluid communication with the divider chamber (4), wherein the divider chamber (4) is in fluid communication with the spray outlets (3) . In this case and, as is well shown in Figure 2, the ratio, L1 / L2, for each sprinkler outlet of the distance (L1) between the divider chamber (4) and the sprinkler outlet (3) with the distance (L2). ) between the inlet means (6) and the spray outlet (3) is advantageously in the range of 0.01 to 0.6, more advantageously in the range of 0.015 to 0.4 and even more advantageously in the range of 0.02 to 0.4. This is because it is advantageous to locate the point at which the flow divides to travel to the two most spaced spray outlets such that most of the fluid in the spray head occurs prior to splitting. This measure can ensure that the sprayed product is homogeneous and can minimize the differences between the sprayed product from different spray outlets. In the case that the conductors and / or conduits leading to the sprinkler outlets have a non-constant cross-sectional area such that each or both of L1 and L2 may vary depending on the measurement line, then the measurements must be made to along the center line connecting the centers of the input means (5), the conductive outlet means and the respective spray outlet (3). According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided an aerosol spray unit (10) comprising a pressurized product to be dispensed and having a spray head (1) in accordance with the first aspect of the invention. As used herein, the term "spray unit" is to be understood as a pressurized aerosol canister comprising a valve, the stem of the valve protruding from the can, generally at the top. In general such cans have a volume of up to 1000 mL, although it is more common to or less than 200 mL and are generally pressurized from 103 kPa to 552 kPa (15 to 80 psi), more generally at or less than 414 kPa ( 60 psi). As used herein, the term "product" should be understood as all components of the composition or mixture contained within the spray unit, including all active ingredients, all carrier materials and all propellants.

Preferably, the product to be dispensed is a cosmetic product, more preferably it is selected from the group consisting of antiperspirants, deodorants and mixtures thereof. If the product to be dispensed is an antiperspirant, then it may comprise active antiperspirant particles and a carrier such that the antiperspirant active particles are not soluble in the carrier. Alternatively, the antiperspirant active can be solubilized in the carrier. According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a portable aerosol spray unit (10) comprising a pressurized product to be dispensed and a spray head (1) in accordance with the first aspect of the invention. As used herein, the term "portable" used in connection with an aerosol spray unit should be understood as being easily transported in one hand by a single adult person of common strength. According to a fourth aspect of the invention, there is provided a process for spraying a pressurized product comprising the steps of spraying said product through a spray head having at least two separate spray outlets (3), wherein less one of the spray outlets (3) has a non-circular cross section, such that the product has a Reynolds number of at least 3000 when it exits the spray outlets (3).

It is understood that the examples and embodiments described in the present invention are for illustrative purposes only and that in the light of the same to a person with experience in the industry various changes and modifications will be suggested without departing from the scope of the present invention. All documents cited in the Detailed Description of the Invention are incorporated, in their relevant part, as reference herein. The citation of any document should not be construed as being prior industry with respect to the present invention. To the extent that any meaning or definition of a term in this written document contradicts any meaning or definition of the term in a document incorporated by reference, the meaning or definition assigned to the term in this written document shall govern. While particular embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the industry that various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It has been intended, therefore, to cover in the appended claims all changes and modifications that are within the scope of the invention.

Claims (15)

NOVELTY OF THE INVENTION CLAIMS

1. A spray head for attaching to an aerosol spray unit containing a pressurized product; the spray head comprises at least two separate spray outlets, wherein at least one of the spray outlets has a non-circular cross-sectional shape.

2. The spray head according to claim 1, further characterized in that all the spray outlets have a non-circular cross-section.

3. The spray head according to any of the preceding claims, further characterized in that one or more of the spray outputs have a selected cross-sectional shape of polygons, semicircles, half-moons, stars or mixtures thereof.

4. The spray head according to any of the preceding claims, further characterized in that each cross-sectional shape is selected from polygons having three to ten sides.

The spray head according to any of the preceding claims, further characterized in that each polygonal cross-sectional shape is selected from triangles, rectangles, pentagons, hexagons and mixtures thereof.

6. The spray head according to any of the preceding claims, further characterized by having from 2 to 36 spray outputs.

The spray head according to any of the preceding claims, further characterized in that it also comprises driving means and a divider chamber for diverting the flow to the spray outlets, wherein the driving means comprise input means for the attachment to the rod of the valve of the aerosol spray unit and an outlet means that is in continuous communication with the divider chamber, where the divider chamber is in continuous communication with the spray outlets, and where for each sprinkler outlet, the ratio L1 / L2 of the distance (L1) between the divider chamber and the spray outlet with the distance (L2) between the input means and the rolling outlet is 0.01 to 0.6.

8. The spray head according to any of the preceding claims, further characterized in that the ratio L1 / L2 is 0.015 to 0.4.

9. An aerosol spray unit comprising a pressurized product to be dispensed and having a spray head according to any of the preceding claims.

10. The spray head according to any of the preceding claims, further characterized in that the product to be dispensed is a cosmetic product.

11. The spray head according to any of the preceding claims, further characterized in that the product to be dispensed is selected from antiperspirants, deodorants and mixtures thereof.

The spray head according to any of the preceding claims, further characterized in that the product to be dispensed is an antiperspirant composition comprising antiperspirant active particles and a carrier, wherein the antiperspirant active particles are not soluble in the carrier.

The spray head according to any of the preceding claims, further characterized in that the product to be dispensed is an antiperspirant composition comprising an antiperspirant active and a carrier, wherein the antiperspirant active is solubilized in the carrier.

The spray head according to any of the preceding claims, further characterized in that the aerosol spray unit is portable.

15. A process for spraying a pressurized product characterized by the steps of spraying the product through a spray head according to any of the preceding claims, such that the product has a Reynolds number of at least 3000 when output for the sprinkler exits.