WO2021023939A1

WO2021023939A1 - Fluid product spraying device

Info

Publication number: WO2021023939A1
Application number: PCT/FR2020/051423
Authority: WO
Inventors: Frédéric Duquet; Thierry Hondier; Florence Roullet; Sébastien GOURDON
Original assignee: Aptar France Sas
Priority date: 2019-08-05
Filing date: 2020-08-03
Publication date: 2021-02-11
Also published as: FR3099712A1; FR3099712B1; EP4010126A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a fluid product spraying device, characterised in that it comprises: - a foldable substrate (S1) defining two opposite edges (B) and a folding zone (Zp) disposed between the two opposite edges (B), the two opposite edges (B) being able to approach one another by folding the folding zone (Zp), - a carrier layer (C1) applied on the folding zone (Zp), - a fluid product (P) contained in the carrier layer (C1), so that the folding of the foldable substrate (S1) leads to an increase in the pressure of the fluid product (P) contained in the carrier layer (C1), which has the consequence of expelling the fluid product (P) out of the carrier layer (C1) in the form of small sprays of fine sprayed droplets.

Description

Fluid spray device

The present invention relates to a device for spraying a fluid product, such as perfume, capable of producing a cloud of fine droplets.

In the prior art, pumps and valves are already known which make it possible to create a spray of fluid product by pressing a pusher or by crushing a reservoir of fluid product.

Document FR2846306 is also known, which describes a fluid dispenser comprising a fluid reservoir of variable volume, defining a movable wall so as to vary the volume of the reservoir. The dispenser further comprises a dispensing orifice in communication with the reservoir, so that the fluid from the reservoir can be discharged, when the volume of the reservoir decreases, through the dispensing orifice. This dispenser comprises two actuating walls between which the reservoir is arranged. These actuating walls make it possible, firstly, to increase the volume of the reservoir by air entering the reservoir and, secondly, to reduce the volume of the reservoir by discharging air and fluid. through the dispensing orifice. More precisely, it is the differentiated curvature of the two actuating walls which thus makes it possible to vary the volume of the reservoir.

The aim of the present invention is to be able to spray a fluid product by means of the deformation (bending, bending, bending, etc.) of a single wall supporting the fluid, in the manner of an orange peel which generates gasoline sprays when folded. Indeed, the orange peel includes a layer called "epicarp" which contains gasoline glands. The epicarp covers a deep layer called the “mesocarp”. When the orange peel is folded, the gasoline glands are put under pressure and the epicarp will split, allowing the essence to escape through the slits in the epicarp, which act as a spray orifice. The gasoline is then distributed in the form of fine droplets. A goal of the invention is to artificially recreate the structure of the orange peel and more particularly its ability to create sprays when it is folded.

To do this, the present invention proposes a device for spraying a fluid product comprising:

- a foldable substrate defining two opposite edges and a folding zone arranged between the two opposite edges, the two opposite edges being able to move closer to each other by folding the folding zone,

- a carrier layer applied to the folding area,

a fluid product contained in the carrier layer, such that the folding of the pliable substrate causes an increase in the pressure of the fluid product contained in the carrier layer, which has the consequence of expelling the fluid product out of the carrier layer in the form of small sprays of fine spray droplets.

The analogy with the structure of the orange peel can be made: the pliable substrate corresponds to the mesocarp and the carrier layer containing the fluid corresponds to the epicarp. Folding the assembly generates small sprays of fluid through a plurality of spray ports.

According to an advantageous characteristic of the invention, the spray device can further comprise a spray wall which is disposed on the carrier layer, the spray wall forming spray orifices. According to one possible embodiment, the spray orifices are created when the bendable substrate is folded, advantageously from fracture initiators.

According to another advantageous characteristic of the invention, the spraying device may further comprise a film disposed on the carrier layer or on the spraying wall, this film being removed before folding the foldable substrate. We can also call this film a peelable seal. It is up to the user to remove it before folding the substrate.

According to an advantageous embodiment, the fluid product is packaged in burstable microcapsules which are embedded in the carrier layer. The microcapsules can be integrated with the carrier layer before depositing the carrier layer on the pliable substrate. In As a variant, the microcapsules can be integrated with a carrier layer, while the latter is already deposited on the foldable substrate. The carrier layer may be flexible so as to allow it to be folded, but may exhibit resistance to crushing. It can be made from a thermoplastic, advantageously an elastomer. Advantageously, the carrier layer defines an external surface, the burstable microcapsules flush with the external surface. Thus, the carrier layer has a reduced thickness, or even zero, at the places where the microcapsules are flush. This helps define areas of least resistance that will easily rupture, creating spray holes. As a variant, however, one can imagine that the microcapsules are deeply embedded in the carrier layer, which must then have properties such that it can easily split by bending to create spray orifices. In any event, the carrier layer is deformable and contributes to the bursting of the burstable microcapsules.

According to another advantageous embodiment, the carrier layer can be porous and crushable and impregnated with fluid. It can then be in the form of a foam or a sponge.

According to yet another advantageous embodiment, the carrier layer forms cuvettes filled with fluid and sealed by the spray wall. It can then be in the form of a closed cell foam, the upper face of which defines cavities, depressions, reliefs, basins, etc. making it possible to collect fluid.

According to an interesting aspect of the invention, the foldable substrate can have a slight curvature in the rest state, in order to induce the direction of the fold.

The film may for example constrain the foldable substrate into a planar state, so that after removal of the film, the foldable substrate returns to a slightly curved rest state. It is also conceivable that the underside of the foldable substrate is curved or concave.

As a variant, the bendable substrate can have at least one folding initiator, in order to induce the direction of the folding. This folding initiator can be provided at the level of the lower face of the foldable substrate, for example in the form of a groove. Furthermore, the pliable substrate can be made from cellulosic materials compatible with the perfume.

The spirit of the invention lies in the fact of reproducing the structure and dynamics of the orange peel with industrial means, in particular in terms of materials, processes and assembly, with the aim of producing a regular or random network of 'Spray orifices through which the fluid is distributed in the form of small sprays.

The invention will now be more fully described with reference to the accompanying drawings, giving, by way of non-limiting examples, several embodiments of the invention.

In the figures:

Figure 1a is a vertical cross-sectional view through a fluid spray device according to a first embodiment in the initial state of rest,

Figure 1b is an enlarged view of detail A of Figure 1a,

Figure 2a is a vertical cross section through the spray device of Figure 1a in use,

Figure 2b is an enlarged view of detail B of Figure 2a,

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 1a for a second embodiment of the invention,

Figure 4 is a view similar to Figures 1 a and 3 for a third embodiment of the invention,

Figure 5a is a plan view of the spray wall implemented in the embodiment of Figure 3,

Figure 5b is a plan view of the spray wall implemented in the embodiment of Figure 4,

Figure 6a is a view similar to Figures 1a, 3 and 4 for a fourth embodiment of the invention, and

Figure 6b is an enlarged view of detail C of Figure 6a.

Reference will firstly be made to FIGS. 1a and 1b in order to describe in detail the structure of the spraying device according to a first embodiment of the invention. It includes three essential building blocks, namely a substrate S1, microcapsules M filled with fluid P and a carrier layer C1. Optionally, the spray device also comprises a film F which covers the microcapsules M and the carrier layer C1.

The S1 substrate is in the form of a plate of substantially constant thickness. The shape of this plate is not critical to the invention. However, the substrate S1 comprises two opposite edges B as well as a folding zone Zp which is located between the two opposite edges B. Advantageously, the folding zone Zp is located midway between the two opposite edges B. According to l 'invention, the substrate S1 is foldable at the level of the folding zone Zp, as will be seen below. In order to promote folding, the folding zone Zp can be provided with a folding initiator Sp, visible in FIG. 1b. This initiation of folding Sp imposes the location of the folding as well as the direction of the folding. The S1 foldable substrate can be made from any suitable material, such as cellulosic material. Its underside can serve as a communication medium.

The microcapsules M are in the form of small spheres containing the fluid product P. The microcapsules M are crushable so as to be able to extract the fluid product P. The diameter of the microcapsules can vary from a few μm to 100 μm.

The fluid product P contained in the microcapsules M can be of any kind, such as, for example, perfume, a lotion, a serum, etc. The fluid product P can be alcoholic or aqueous.

The carrier layer C1 serves first of all as a binder for the microcapsules M, so as to be able to hold them on one side of the foldable substrate S1. This carrier layer C1 can be made with any suitable material, such as for example a plastic material. The carrier layer C1 can be substantially rigid, but nevertheless pliable, or else relatively flexible or soft so as to be able to be crushed in its thickness. The microcapsules M are embedded in the carrier layer C1. Advantageously, the carrier layer C1 defines an external surface C11, visible in FIG. 2b, and the microcapsules M come flush with this external surface C11. As a variant, the microcapsules M can be completely embedded inside the carrier layer C1. The microcapsules M can come into contact with the foldable substrate S1, or on the contrary be separated therefrom by the carrier layer C1. The carrier layer C1 and its embedded microcapsules M substantially cover the whole of the folding zone Zp. The microcapsules M are preferably placed flat on the foldable substrate S1, forming a single layer. The microcapsules M can be arranged contiguously, or on the contrary be spaced from one another by the carrier layer C1.

Instead of the microcapsules M, it is also possible to provide a porous carrier layer, such as an open-cell foam, in which the fluid product is soaked.

The film F covers the carrier layer C1 and its embedded microcapsules M so as to surround the folding zone Zp. The outer periphery of the film F can be sealed to the foldable substrate S1. The film F can include a gripping tab F1 by which a user can grip the film F to remove it from the foldable substrate S1 and from the carrier layer C1, so as to uncover it. The user can then grip the bendable substrate S1 by its two opposite edges B and exert pressure so as to bring them together, which generates a folding at the level of the folding zone Zp, initiated by the folding initiator Sp, as visible in figure 2a. The folding of the zone Zp generates stresses in the foldable substrate S1, these stresses then being exerted on the carrier layer C1 and its microcapsules M. The microcapsules M will thus be put under pressure or tension until they burst. at the level of the external surface C11 of the carrier layer C1, as can be seen in FIG. 2b. The fluid product P pressurized in the microcapsules thus finds passages or outlet openings through which the fluid product is sprayed in the form of fine droplets. In other words, each microcapsule M is strained until it bursts forming an outlet passage for the pressurized fluid product. Given that the microcapsules M advantageously come flush with the external surface C11 of the carrier layer C1, the passage output is thus imposed at the level where the microcapsule M is not completely surrounded by the carrier layer C1.

The bending angle of the Zp zone can range from 60 ° to 180 °. The two opposite edges B may even come into contact with each other.

Advantageously, the bursting of the microcapsules M results from the stresses exerted by the foldable substrate S1 on the carrier layer C1, which then exerts a stress on the microcapsules M. The stress exerted by the carrier layer C1 can be a crushing stress, or on the contrary, a stretch constraint. The stress exerted by the folding zone Zp can also be exerted directly on the microcapsules M, so that their bursting results from the combination of the stresses exerted by the zone Zp and the carrier layer C1. The stress exerted by the carrier layer C1 can also be a crushing stress in the direction of the thickness of the carrier layer C1. Folding leads to rupture of the carrier layer and / or of the microcapsules M which form spray orifices for the fluid product contained in the microcapsules, which is thus expelled therefrom in the form of small sprays of fine droplets.

FIG. 3 illustrates an alternative embodiment in which the foldable substrate S2 has a lower face Sc which is concave, but can nevertheless serve as a communication medium. Due to this concavity, the wall thickness of the foldable substrate S2 is lower at its folding zone Zp than at its opposite edges B. Thus, the location and direction of the folding is imposed at the level where the foldable substrate S2 has its minimum thickness. In this second embodiment, the peelable film F has been replaced by a spray wall W1 which covers the carrier layer C1 and its microcapsules M filled with fluid P. Unlike the peelable film F, the spray wall W1 is mounted at remains and is not intended to be removed in order to use the spray device. The spray wall W1 can for example be formed with rupture initiators W11, which are visible in FIG. 5a. Thus, in the initial state of rest as shown in Figure 3, the spray wall W1 is intact and has no holes. In use, the folding of the substrate S2 will generate a stretching stress on the spray wall W1 which will thus break at the level of the fracture initiators W11. As a variant, it is also possible that the wall W1 does not include the initiation of a rupture and splits during folding in a random or regular manner. The spray wall W1 can for example have a variable thickness so that spray openings are formed at the level where they have the least thickness.

The spray device of Figure 4 may include a collapsible substrate S1, which is advantageously compatible with alcohol. It can for example be made from a cellulosic material. On the other hand, this spraying device does not include microcapsules M, but a carrier layer C2 which is porous, crushable and impregnated with fluid. The carrier layer C2 can, for example, be in the form of a crushable foam with open pores. The carrier layer C2 can be entirely or partially filled with fluid. For example, it is conceivable that the cavities of the carrier layer are half filled with fluid products and air, so as to produce a two-phase spray. The carrier layer C2 is covered by a spray wall W2 which can be formed with spray ports W21, as can be seen in Fig. 5b. As a variant, it is also possible to replace the spray wall W2 with the spray wall W1 of Figures 3 and 5a. It is also conceivable that the spray wall does not include a spray orifice or a break initiator and splits when folding. The spray wall W2 is here covered with a peelable film F, similar or identical to that of the first embodiment.

The spray wall W2 may for example comprise from 10 to 500 spray orifices having a diameter ranging from 5 μm to 100 μm. It is also possible to envisage providing holes for the spray orifices of different size on the same spray wall W2.

In the fourth embodiment of Figures 6a and 6b, the foldable substrate S3 is laminated and comprises two layers S31 and S32. The upper layer S31 can for example be produced with a film based on a cellulosic material compatible with alcohol. As for the lower layer S32, it can be made from a sheet of cellulose cardboard and can define a folding initiator Sp. The underside of the lower layer S32 can serve as a communication medium. The carrier layer C3 is here in the form of a flexible wafer forming small cuvettes C31. The carrier layer C3 can for example be produced from a closed cell foam or from an elastomer. The small bowls C31 are partially or totally filled with fluid P, as can be seen in FIG. 6b. The cuvettes C31 containing the fluid product P are then sealed using a spray wall W1, which may be identical or similar to that of FIGS. 3 and 5a. In use, the substrate S3 is folded so as to deform the carrier layer C3 and to break the fracture initiators of the spray wall W1. The fluid product P put under pressure in the cuvettes C31 is thus discharged through the spray wall W1 in the form of a spray consisting of fine droplets. Instead of the spray wall W1, it is also possible to use the spray wall W2 in combination with a peelable film F.

Regardless of the embodiment, the fluid product P is supported by or contained in a carrier layer which is stressed using a pliable substrate. The fluid P is thus pressurized in the carrier layer until it finds outlet passages through which it is sprayed in fine droplets. The outlet passages for the fluid product can be created by the bursting of microcapsules or the implementation of a pre-pierced spray wall or which will rupture under the combined action of the pressure of the fluid product and the stresses. exerted on it.

Claims

1. Device for spraying fluid product, characterized in that it comprises: a bendable substrate (S1; S2; S3) defining two opposite edges (B) and a bending zone (Zp) arranged between the two opposite edges (B ), the two opposite edges (B) being able to come closer to one another by folding of the folding zone (Zp), a carrier layer (C1; C2; C3) applied to the folding zone (Zp ), a fluid product (P) contained in the carrier layer (C1; C2; C3), such that the folding of the foldable substrate (S1; S2; S3) causes an increase in the pressure of the fluid product (P) contained in the carrier layer (C1; C2; C3), which has the consequence of expelling the fluid product (P) out of the carrier layer (C1; C2; C3) through a plurality of spray orifices in the form of small sprays of fine spray droplets.

2. Fluid spray device according to claim 1, further comprising a spray wall (W1; W2) which is arranged on the carrier layer (C1; C2; C3), the spray wall (W1; W2) forming spray orifices (W21).

3. Fluid spray device according to claim 2, wherein the spray orifices (W21) are created at the time of folding of the bendable substrate (S1; S2; S3), advantageously from fracture initiators (W11). .

4. Fluid spray device according to claim 1, 2 or 3, further comprising a film (F) disposed on the carrier layer (C1; C2; C3) or on the spray wall (W1; W2), this film (F) being removed before folding from the foldable substrate (S1; S2; S3).

5. Fluid product spray device according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the fluid product (P) is packaged in burstable microcapsules (M) which are embedded in the carrier layer (C1).

6. Fluid spray device according to claim 5, wherein the carrier layer (C1) defines an outer surface (C11), the burstable microcapsules (M) flush with the outer surface (C11).

7. A fluid spray device according to claims 5 or 6, wherein the carrier layer (C1) is deformable and contributes to the bursting of the burstable microcapsules (M).

8. Fluid spray device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the carrier layer (C2) is porous and crushable and impregnated with fluid (P).

9. Device for spraying fluid product according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the carrier layer (C3) forms bowls (C31) filled with fluid product (P) and sealed by the spray wall (W1; W2).

10. A fluid spray device according to any preceding claim, wherein the bendable substrate (S2) has a slight curvature in the rest state, in order to induce the direction of the bending.

11. Fluid spray device according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the bendable substrate (S1; S3) has at least one folding initiator (Sp), in order to induce the direction of the folding.

A fluid spray device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the bendable substrate (S1; S2; S3) is made from cellulose materials compatible with perfume.