WO1992021446A1

WO1992021446A1 - Atomizer

Info

Publication number: WO1992021446A1
Application number: PCT/US1992/004675
Authority: WO
Inventors: Richard Ciaccio; John Robert Wallis
Original assignee: Tyco Investment Corp.
Priority date: 1991-06-07
Filing date: 1992-06-05
Publication date: 1992-12-10
Also published as: GB9112306D0; AU2247692A

Abstract

Flexible toy figures (2) in the forms of animals, people or imaginary creatures are formed by separate head (3) and body parts (4). An atomizing device (9) is mounted in the wall (11) defining the head part (3) in the facial area of the figure (2), particularly in the area of the nostrils or the mouth (12). A liquid reservoir (7) is provided within the figure (2), in one or the other of the body parts (4), and is coupled with the atomizing device (9). Compressed air may be provided by a separate bulb (17) within the figure (2) or by sealing one of the figure body parts (4) to effectively constitute a bulb. In certain embodiments, liquid is fed into the reservoir (7) through a slit valve (32) located in the mouth (12) area of the figure (2). In another embodiment, liquid may be drawn into the reservoir through the atomizing device itself. A mist is generated by squeezing an appropriate one of the body (4) or head parts (3) of the figure (2).

Description

ATOMIZER Field of the Invention

This invention relates to atomizers and, in particular, to perfume atomizers for children.

Background of the Invention

Perfume atomizers are well known, particularly for use by adult women.

Conventionally, these atomizers comprise a hollow container, very often made of crystal, glass or decorated porcelain into which perfume can be poured and an atomizing mechanism inserted or integrated into the lid of the container, which can be ^"operated by either a push-button mechanism or by squeezing a small flexible bulb.

While these atomizers are very attractive and appealing to adult women, they are not particularly attractive to young girls, who prefer novelties which are made of soft, pliable materials and which have a fun-like or endearing appearance. In particular, young children prefer novelty items which, as well as having a useful function, also act as a toy. Also, by the very nature of the materials from which the known perfume atomizers are made, they may present a safety hazard for young children. Summary of the Invention

In one aspect, the invention is an atomizer comprising: a hollow body shaped at least generally like a living creature; a reservoir for liquid within the hollow body; a liquid inlet passage extending from outside the hollow body, proximal a nose and mouth area of the hollow body, into the reservoir, and being configured to carry liquid from a source outside the hollow body into only the reservoir within the body; an atomizing device having an inlet, a liquid inlet and an outlet; a liquid passage between the reservoir and the liquid inlet of the atomizing device; and an atomized liquid outlet passage at the outlet end of the atomizing device extending out of the hollow body proximal the nose and mouth area.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The foregoing summary as_well as the following detailed description of the presently preferred and other embodiments of the invention will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. It should be understood, however, that this invention is not limited to the precise arrangements illustrated. In the drawings:

Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of one perfume atomizer embodiment;

Fig. 2 shows a vertical cross section through the atomizer of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 shows an enlarged cross-sectional view of the head part of the atomizer detailing a first embodiment atomizing mechanism; Fig. 4 shows a cross-sectional view of a portion of the head part shown in Fig. 3 without the atomizing mechanism in place;

Fig. 5 shows an expanded perspective view of a second embodiment atomizing mechanism;

Fig. 6 shows a section, side elevation of a third embodiment atomizing mechanism;

Fig. 7 shows an exploded, expanded section side elevation of the nozzle assembly of Fig. 6; and Fig. 8 is an enlarged view of the outlet end of the generally tubular main body of the atomizing device of Figs. 6 and 7.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments

In the drawings, like numerals are used to indicate like elements throughout.

Referring to Fig. 1, an atomizer 1 preferably comprises a soft, pliable hollow figure, which is indicated generally at 2 and is preferably molded from rubber or plastic into the shape of a person or animal or a mythical creature, for example, a dragon. The hollow figure 2 preferably comprises a hollow head part 3 and a hollow body part 4. Referring to Fig. 2, hollow head part 3 has a cavity 7 while hollow body part 4 has a cavity 8. The head part 3 preferably has first and second orifices 5 and 6, one 5 which connects the cavity 7 to the outside and the other 6 which connects the cavity 7 with the cavity 8. The figure 2 preferably is provided with an air hole 10 located in the base of the body part 4. A first embodiment atomizing device is indicated generally at 9 and preferably is connected to the outer wall 11 of the head part 3 such that an output end 12 of the device 9 is adjacent the orifice 5 so that atomized liquid can be expelled from the output end 12 through the orifice 5 and out of the body 2 from a facial area of the figure 2, in particular, from proximal a nose and mouth area of the head part 3. The device 9 preferably also comprises air and liquid inputs 13 and 14. Input 14 is connected via a passage in the form of flexible tube 15 to a reservoir of liquid 18, while the input 13 is connected via an air passage in the form of a second flexible tube 16 to a squeeze bulb 17. The squeeze bulb 17 is located in the cavity

8. The flexible tube 16 connecting the squeeze bulb 17 to the device 9 enters into the cavity 7 through the opening 6 as can be seen in Fig. 2._ When assembled with the flexible tube 15 in place, the cavity 7 is isolated from cavity 8. Cavity 7 can be used as a reservoir for the liquid 18. Flexible tube 15, which is connected to the liquid input 14 of the device 9, extends into the liquid 18, which enters the tube through a small opening provided in the tube sidewall. The two tubes 15 and 16 are preferably made from soft PVC tubing.

The atomizing device 9 will now be further described with reference to Fig. 3. The device 9 comprises a hollow outer body 19 into which is inserted a main body 20 of an atomizer core. The constituent parts of the device 9 are preferably made from polypropylene. The input 13 preferably is a tubular extension connected to the main body 20 and has external dimensions to allow it to fit snugly within one end of the flexible tube 16. The extension 13 is preferably provided with external ribs 21 at its free end. These ribs 21 are gripped by the PVC tubing 16 which conforms to their shape. This keeps the tube 16 in place and provides a seal. The main body 20 has external dimensions such that the end of the main body 20 adjacent the extension 13, when inserted into the outer body 19, fits snugly against the internal wall of the outer body 19 to maintain a seal, while the dimensions reduce in a step-wise manner towards the output end 12 so as to define an internal cavity 23 between the outside of the main body 20 and the internal wall of the hollow outer body 19. This internal cavity 23 is connected to the outside of the body 2 by a small- diameter, atomized liquid passage 24 in the outer body. A small-diameter bore 25 extends the length of the main body 20 and connects the inside of_the flexible tube 16 with the cavity 23. The liquid input 14 is preferably a tube having an open end 27 arranged to snugly receive the flexible tube 15 and having a small diameter bore 28 running the length of the tube 14 connecting the cavity 23 to the open end 27 such that the inside of the flexible tube 15 is connected to the cavity 23. In the cavity 8, the squeeze bulb 17 is preferably connected to the flexible hose 16 by means of a small connector 29. The connector 29 is preferably made from polypropylene.

The squeeze bulb 17 preferably is provided with a knife-slit valve 31, at a position remote from the connector 29. The connector 29 has a bore 30 extending throughout its length and is received into the flexible hose 16 at one end and connected to the squeeze bulb 17 at its other end.

The operation of the atomizer 1 will now be described. The body part 4 is squeezed generally across center. This, in turn, squeezes the bulb 17 which passes air through the connector 29, through the flexible hose _.15 and through the device 9. This passage of air through bore 25, cavity 23 and passage 24 from orifice 5 creates a vacuum in the cavity 23 which, in turn, sucks liquid 18 through the tube 15. The liquid 18 passes through bore 28 in inlet 14 and mixes with the air in cavity 23, becoming atomized, and is then expelled through the orifice 5 as an atomized liquid forming a fine mist. When the bulb 17 is squeezed, the knife-slit valve 31 is held shut by air pressure within the bulb. When the body part 4 is released, the bulb 17, which is resilient, resumes its. original shape. Air can rush in through the valve 31 to replace the air expelled. The cavity 7 is replenished with air through air hole 10.

The cavity 7 preferably is filled and refilled with liquid through a liquid inlet passage in the form of a small knife slit 32 through the outer wall of the head part 3, preferably again proximal to the nose and mouth area of that part. In particular, to increase the novelty value of this device, the liquid is provided in a small, soft plastic bottle 33 which has a spout 33a that can be inserted into the slit 32 as shown in Fig. 1. The plastic bottle 33 is squeezed and the liquid 18 is dispensed into the cavity 7. The knife slit 32 acts as a one-way valve preventing spilling of liquid from the cavity 7 should the atomizer 1 be tipped over. In this particular embodiment, the orifice 5 is arranged to be adjacent or in the area of the figure's nostrils 35, while the slit 32 is preferably provided adjacent or in the mouth area 36 of the figure 2 so that the figure appears to be fed through its mouth, while expelling mist through its nostrils.

The atomizer 1 is preferably manufactured in two major parts, namely the head part 3 and the body part 4, preferably by rotomolding each part 3 and 4 from a suitable, flexible plastic material. The head part 3 preferably is molded with a cavity 34 for receiving the atomizing device 9, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4. The molded head part 3 is then assembled with the device 9 and its tubes 15 and 16. Tube 16 is then connected to the squeeze bulb 17. The head part 3 is then inserted into opening at the neck region 37 of the body part 4, the neck region 37 having a flange _38 around its upper open end. The head portion 3 is preferably glued to the flange 38. The atomizing device 9 preferably is glued into the cavity 34.

Fig. 5 shows the major mechanical components of a second atomizer embodiment of the invention using a second type of atomizing device 50. This device 50 uses a conventional push-button mechanism, which is also used in many standard cosmetic dispensers. The atomizing device is located inside a figure 2 as described above. The device 50 preferably is connected by a flexible tube 51 to a reservoir 52. One end 53 of an outer tubular housing 57 of device 50 is connected by a tube 54 to a nozzle 55. The outlet of the nozzle is either exposed on the face of the figure of the atomizer or positioned in an outlet passage (not depicted) extending through the outer wall of the head part 3 of the figure. In a conventional atomizing device 50 of this type, atomization is effected by pushing an inner tube, within outer housing 57, downwards relative to the outer housing 57, using a push button at the top of the device 50. This action draws the liquid up from a reservoir 52 and forces it through the nozzle which atomizes it. However, because it is desired that the atomizing device 50 be operated by squeezing the body part 4 of the figure 2, the device 50 cannot be operated in the usual manner of using a vertical push button and is, therefore, modified.

In this embodiment, the relative movement between the two parts of device 50 is effected by moving the outer part 57 with respect to the contained inner part. This is achieved by attaching a collar 58 to the outer part 57 as shown in Fig. 5, attaching a lever mechanism, indicated generally at 59, to the collar 58. The lever mechanism 59 comprises two mirror levers 60, only one of which is shown in Fig. 5. Each of levers 60 is identically attached by a hinged connection 61 to the collar 58 so that pressing the levers 60 together causes the collar 58 to move in a vertical direction, thus effecting upward translational movement of the outer part 57 with respect to the inner part 56, and thus atomizing the liquid which is sucked up from the reservoir 52.

The reservoir 52 preferably is connected to a fill hole 62 by a flexible tube 63, which is connected at one end to an inlet port 64 of the reservoir 52 and at its other end to a rigid fill tube 65 defining the inlet port 64, as shown in Fig. 5. Filling can be effected in the same way as in the first embodiment by positioning the fill hole 62 adjacent a slit opening in the head portion of a figure such that bottle 33 can be inserted through such slit into the open end of tube 65. The tubes 54 and 65, fill hole 62 and nozzle 55 preferably are formed in a substantially rigid frame 70. The lever mechanism 59 is connected to the frame 70 by pegs 66 arranged to locate into slots 67 while pegs 68 are arranged to locate into corresponding slots 69 in the frame 70 to connect the lever mechanism 59 to the collar 58. The whole assembled mechanism of the second embodiment shown in Fig. 5 is inserted into a body part with a head part pulled over the frame 70 and the two body parts glued or otherwise permanently or removably secured together to form a figure. In this embodiment, the entire internal mechanism is preferably manufactured from plastic material, in particular, the frame.may be made of ABS, the lever mechanism 59 of polypropylene and the reservoir 52 of polyethylene.

Yet another complete atomizer embodiment of the invention, indicated generally at 101, is depicted in Fig. 6. Referring to the figure, atomizer 101 also comprises a hollow figure, which is indicated generally at 102, and is preferably made from a soft, pliable plastic material, preferably rotomolded into the shape of a creature, animal or person. Figure 102 preferably comprises hollow head part 103 having an internal cavity 107 and hollow body part 104 having internal cavity 108. The body part 104 includes an air hole 110 located in the base thereof. Head part 103 preferably includes a first orifice 105 and a second orifice 106. A third embodiment atomizing device 109 is received in a cavity 134 molded into the head part 103. An output end 112 of the atomizing device 109 is exposed at or through the first orifice 105. The device 109 further includes a liquid input 113 and a separate air input, indicated generally at 114. Liquid input 113 receives an end of a preferably flexible tube 115. Air input 114 of the device 109 is open to the interior of a generally tubular structure 116 which is bent at approximately a right angle and has one tubular end receiving the nozzle assembly 109 and a remaining tubular end which extends into the cavity 108 of the body part 104. Preferably, an at least flexible bladder 117 is applied over the end of the tubular structure 116 extending into the body part cavity 108 and held in position by suitable means such as a flexible strap 118.

Bladder 117 and at least a lower portion of tubular member 116 extending downwardly into the body part 104 collectively define an elongated container, which is oriented generally longitudinally within the figure 102. The upper longitudinal end of the container is proximal to the atomizing device 109 while the opposing longitudinal end, formed by the bottom of bladder 117, is distal to the atomizing device 109. Preferably, a funnel 130 is provided within the downwardly extending portion of the tubular member 116. Funnel 130 tapers downwardly from its upper end as it extends downwardly into the container towards the lower end of bladder 117. The outer surface of the upper end of the funnel 130 is sealed with the inner surface of tubular member 116 such that the only outlet from bladder 117 is through a smaller opening 131 provided at -li¬

the extreme downwardly tapered end of the funnel 130. Opening 131 receives tube 115 and is sufficiently large to provide an air passageway around the tube 115, thereby pneumatically coupling the interior of bladder 117 with the air input 114 of nozzle assembly 109.

Referring to Fig. 7, the preferred atomizing device 109 comprises a preferably one-piece, generally tubular main body 119 and a one-piece, generally cylindrical orifice plug 120. The outlet end of main body 119 is depicted in Fig. 8 without plug 120. Main body 119 includes an outer, generally cylindrical wall 121, an inner, generally cylindrical wall 122 concentric with the outer wall 121 and coupled with the outer wall by a transverse web indicated at 123. The hollow interior defined by inner wall 122 defines the liquid inlet 113 and receives the end of tube 115. A chamber is defined by the inner surface of wall 121, outer surface of wall 122 and web 123 and constitutes air inlet 114. Two axially extending passages 124 extend through the web 123. The inner cylindrical wall includes an inner transverse web with a very small diameter fluid passage 125 extending axially therethrough. The main body 119 and outer plug 120 are mated at the output end 112 of the device 109 with the outer cylindrical wall of plug 120 frictionally mating with the inner cylindrical surface of the outer cylindrical wall 121. A narrow annular passage 126 is defined between the inner circumferential surface of the outer plug 120 and the facing outer circumferential surface of the inner cylindrical wall 122. The preferred device 109 includes a plurality (four) lands 127 which extend axially at the output end 112 of the inner cylindrical wall 22 and face mating, opposing mirror lands on the inner transverse surface of the orifice plug 120. The mating lands define an equal plurality of radially extending channels 127, one of which is marked in Fig. 8. Channels 127 converge together in a small chamber 128 defined between the output end 112 of the inner cylindrical wall 121 and the inner transverse surface of the plug 120. The very small diameter fluid passage 125 is located approximately at the center of this small chamber 128. Plug 120 further includes an axially extending orifice 129, which provides an outlet from the small chamber 128. Atomizing device 109 is preferably a part No. 92027737 of the W. Braun Company, Chicago, IL. Operation of the atomizer 101 will now be described. The body part 104 is squeezed generally across its center. The bladder 117 is preferably sized and shaped so that it also is squeezed when the body part 104 is squeezed. Squeezing bladder 117 compresses air trapped in the bladder above the level of the liquid 18. This further compresses air caught within the funnel 130 and upper portion of tubular member 116, forcing the air under pressure into the atomizing device air inlet 114. Simultaneously, the liquid 18 in the bladder 117 is pressurized by the compressed air in the bladder 117 and is forced through flexible tube 115 and through the liquid inlet 113 of the atomizing assembly 109. Pressurized air passing from the chamber defining air inlet 114, passes axially through diametric air passages 124, axially between the spaced, facing inner and outer circumferential surfaces of plug 120 and inner cylindrical wall 122, through the radially extending channels 127 as indicated by arrows in Fig. 8 into the small chamber 128. Air enters chamber 128 tangentially to the fluid passage 125 and forms a centrifugal vortex atomizing liquid entering the chamber 123 through passage 125. The atomized liquid is expelled as a fine mist (atomized liquid) from the output end 112 of the atomizing device 109 through orifice 129.

The atomizer 101 is filled with liquid 18 simply by squeezing the body part 104 and the bladder 117 within, placing the outlet end 112 of the nozzle assembly 109 into a container of liquid, and releasing the body 104. The body 104 and bladder 117 are preferably sufficiently resilient to spring back to their original shape. Body 104 is preferably sealed to the lower portion of tubular member 116 received within the body. As the outer wall defining the body part 104 and bladder 117 expand back to their original configuration, a partial vacuum is created within the expanding bladder 117 thereby drawing liquid through the nozzle assembly 109 and into the bladder 117. If the first embodiment atomizer 1 were filled with liquid using bulb 17, at least some portion, perhaps even a major portion of the liquid would be drawn into the bulb rather than into cavity 7. Funnel 130 is preferably provided to prevent liquid 18 from entering the air inlet 114 of the nozzle assembly 109. Preferably, tubular member 116, funnel 130, and bladder 117 are all sized and positioned such that when the maximum amount of liquid 18 is drawn into the bladder 117, an air space remains between the level of the liquid 18 and the lower funnel opening 131, regardless of the orientation of the atomizer 101. However, one of ordinary skill will appreciate that the funnel 130, can be omitted, if one is willing to tolerate the production of a solid stream of liquid when the atomizer is inverted or tipped sufficiently. The invention provides a very simple atomizer which can be readily adapted to a variety of shapes, which need not be limited to novelty or toy shapes. The atomizer can also be filled easily and safely.

The liquid which is atomized need not be restricted to perfume, but may be other liquids, for example, water. To enhance the novelty factor of the invention, the perfume may be colored so that the mist breathed out by the figure 2 may be a colored mist.

Any of the atomizing device described above may be replaced by other atomizing devices, provided that they can be operated from outside the atomizer body, while being located inside the body.

Other modifications to the invention could be made. For example, although the distal end of tube 15 is secured to the bottom of the head part cavity 107 so as to maintain the position of that end of the tube 15 at the bottom end of the cavity, the distal end of tube 15 could be left unconnected to move freely within the lower portion of cavity 107, if desired. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that each of the described atomizers could be modified to adopt one or more features of one atomizer in one of the others. For example, atomizer 1 could be modified to operate with pressurized atomizing device 109 by disconnecting tube 16 from the air inlet 13 and allowing tube 16 to pressurize the interior of cavity 7, thereby providing pressurized air both at the air inlet 113 and on liquid 18. Indeed, bulb 17 could be dispensed with entirely under such a system, with the air and liquid in cavity 7 being compressed simply by squeezing the head part 3. Similarly, reservoir 52 and bladder 117 could be omitted in favor of using a similarly designed head part 3 to function as a reservoir for the liquid 18 in figure 102.

While preferred and other embodiments have been described and various changes thereto suggested, one of ordinary skill will appreciate that still other changes could be made to the disclosed embodiments of the invention without departing from the broad, inventive concepts thereof. Accordingly, reference should be made to the appended claims, rather than to the foregoing specification, as indicating the scope of the invention.

Claims

E CLAIM:

1. An atomizer comprising: a hollow figure shaped at least generally like a living creature and having a facial area; a reservoir for liquid within the hollow figure; a liquid inlet passage in the facial area extending from outside the hollow figure into the reservoir and configured to carry liquid from a source outside the hollow figure into only the reservoir within the figure; an atomizing device in the figure and having an air inlet, a separate liquid inlet and a separate outlet; a liquid passage between the reservoir and the liquid inlet of the atomizing device; and the atomizing device being positioned such that the outlet directs atomized liquid out of the hollow figure in the facial area.

2. The atomizer of claim 1 in combination with a perfumed liquid in a reservoir.

3. The atomizer of claim 1 further comprising an atomized liquid outlet passage extending at least from the outlet of the atomizing device through an outer wall of the hollow figure and wherein at least one of the liquid inlet passage and the atomized liquid outlet passage passes through the outer wall of the hollow figure at the mouth of the figure.

4. The atomizer of claim 1 further comprising an atomized liquid outlet passage extending at least from the outlet of the atomizing device through an outer wall of the hollow figure and wherein at least one of the liquid inlet passage and the atomized liquid outlet passage passes through an outer wall of the hollow figure at the nose of the figure.

5. The atomizer of claim 4 wherein the remaining one of the liquid inlet passage and the atomized liquid outlet passage passes through the outer wall at the mouth of the figure.

6. The atomizer of claim 1 further comprising an air passage between the reservoir and the air inlet of the atomizing device, the air passage being separate from the liquid passage between the reservoir and the liquid inlet of the atomizing device.

7. The atomizer of claim 6 further comprising means for pressurizing air within the reservoir to simultaneously pass compressed air through the air passage from the reservoir to the atomizing device and pressurized liquid through the liquid passage from the reservoir to the atomizing device.

8. The atomizer of claim 7 wherein the means for pressurizing air in the reservoir comprises at least a portion of an outer wall of the hollow body which is inwardly deflectable.

9. The atomizer of claim 8 wherein the reservoir comprises a flexible bladder within the hollow figure, the bladder being sized and positioned to be compressed when at least the deflectable portion of the outer wall is inwardly deflected.

10. The atomizer of claim 6 wherein the reservoir comprises an elongated container oriented generally longitudinally within the body, one longitudinal end of the container being generally proximal the atomizing device and an opposing longitudinal end of the container being generally distal to the atomizing device, the container including a funnel tapering downwardly while extending from the proximal end of the container inwardly towards the distal end of the container, a smaller tapered end of the funnel within the container defining an opening, the opening being the only outlet from the container, wherein the liquid passage comprises a tube extending between the liquid inlet of the atomizing device through the funnel, through the smaller tapered opening of the funnel and into the elongated container, and wherein the air passage comprises a space between the liquid passage tube and the smaller tapered end of the funnel.

11. The atomizer of claim 10 wherein the _ elongated container comprises a flexible bladder and wherein the funnel is provided by a tube more rigid than the bladder and having an end extending into an open end of the bladder.