EP0663240B1 - Dispensing device with reduced pressure loss and comprising a dispensing nozzle - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a distribution device with reduced pressure drops, comprising a dispensing nozzle and intended to equip a fluid dispenser having a container containing the fluid to be dispensed.

A dispensing device generally comprises a body provided with a conduit supply, for supplying the nozzle for distributing the fluid contained in the container, and a distribution chamber in which extends a core which defines, with the distribution chamber, at least one distribution passage, the distribution nozzle having a dispensing orifice one end of which allows the outlet to the outside of the fluid to be dispensed and the other end of which is connected to said dispensing passage by at at least one distribution channel disposed transversely to the core.

Generally, the distribution nozzles are traversed by the fluid to distribute following a user action: this action is, for example, a pressure exerted on the walls of the container then provided flexible, or the actuation of a support, or push button, equipped with the nozzle, which controls the opening of a valve with which the dispenser is fitted, the container then being filled with a pressurized gas to propel the fluid to be distributed through the nozzle, or which implements means for pumping the fluid.

By construction, it is possible to secure the core, which extends into the distribution and defines with it the distribution passage, either with the body of the device, either with the dispensing nozzle.

It is important, during the distribution, on the one hand, to distribute well in a homogeneous way the fluid around the core, and, on the other hand, to limit the pressure losses to those that creates the nozzle itself and which are necessary for the pressure build-up of the fluid and its acceleration.

When the core is integral with the body, it is generally molded at the same time as the body, which is advantageous from the point of view of the number of parts; therefore, the supply duct is not arranged along the axis of the core, which would be suitable for a good even distribution around the nucleus; however, it is possible to limit the pressure losses downstream of the supply duct by tangentially feeding the (or) distribution passage (s): such a solution is, for example, described in the request French patent FR-A-2,688,712.

When the core is attached to the dispensing nozzle, which is attached to the body of the device, the supply channel can extend, at least in its part which opens out in the distribution chamber, along the axis of the core, such devices are known, such as the push button shown in Figure 1, and described below such a device has high pressure drops and is not satisfactory.

The object of the invention is to propose a dispensing device in which, at the same time, the distribution of the fluid around the core is homogeneous, the supply duct having at at least one part, which opens into the distribution passage, arranged along the axis of the core, and pressure losses are reduced.

Thus, according to the invention, a distribution device intended to equip a distributor with fluid, comprising a body provided with a supply duct, for supplying to the nozzle of distribution of the fluid contained in a container of the dispenser, and of a distribution in which a core extends which defines, with the distribution chamber, at least one dispensing passage, the dispensing nozzle having a dispensing orifice one end of which allows the fluid to be dispensed to the outside and the other of which end is connected to said distribution passage by at least one distribution channel arranged transversely to the core, the core being carried by the dispensing nozzle which is itself carried by the body of the device, the distribution passage being defined between two surfaces, an internal surface corresponding to the core and a surface external, at least the internal surface being of revolution about an axis of revolution according to which extends at least the part of the supply duct which opens into the passage distribution, the external surface also being of revolution around the same axis, the external and internal surfaces being substantially complementary, from a point on the axis of revolution and another point distant from the first and located at a distance from the axis, characterized in that the internal and external surfaces form, in section through a plane passing through the axis of revolution, a continuous curve between said point on the axis of revolution and said other point distant from the first and located at a distance from the axis.

Advantageously, the internal surface, as well as the external surface, have a profile which comprises all continuous forms, with or without inflection point, between a point on the axis of revolution and another point distant from the first and located at a distance from the axis; for example, said surface of revolution is ovoid in shape; alternatively, its shape is conical; according to another variant, its shape is hemispherical.

Advantageously, the dispensing nozzle is of revolution around a coincident axis with the axis of revolution, and the dispensing orifice extends along this axis.

Preferably, said distribution channel extends in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the nozzle.

According to a preferred form, said distribution channel is defined between two faces, one of which is the rear face of the dispensing nozzle and the other of which is the front face of the core.

Advantageously, several distribution channels are regularly distributed around the axis of revolution.

According to a first embodiment, the distribution passage is defined by all the space between the two surfaces.

As a variant, several distribution passages are provided between the two surfaces; the distribution passages are hollowed out on the outer surface of the core; there are as many distribution passages as distribution channels; distribution passages are connected to the distribution channels by grooves extending parallel to the axis of revolution.

According to another variant, the distribution passage (s) extends (s) around the axis of helical-like revolution.

Advantageously, the rear faces of the nozzle and the front face of the core are substantially flat; the rear faces of the nozzle and the front face of the core are connected to the surfaces according to arcs of a circle in axial section.

As a variant, the rear faces of the nozzle and the front face of the core are also of revolution.

According to an advantageous application of the invention, the body of the device is the body of a push button fitted with a fluid distributor.

To better understand the object of the invention, we will now describe it by way of purely illustrative and not limiting, examples of embodiment shown on the attached drawings.

• La figure 1 représente, en coupe, un bouton-poussoir de l'état de la technique;
• La figure 2 est une coupe selon II - II de la figure 1;
• La figure 3 représente schématiquement en coupe un dispositif de distribution selon la présente invention;
• La figure 4 est une vue de droite montrant la face intérieure de la buse de distribution de la figure 3;
• La figure 5 est analogue à la figure 4, mais représente une variante;
• La figure 6 est analogue à la figure 3, mais concerne une variante de noyau;
• La figure 7 est analogue à la figure 3, mais concerne une variante de réalisation;
• La figure 8 est analogue à la figure 7, mais concerne une variante de noyau;
• La figure 9 est analogue à la figure 3, mais concerne une variante du dispositif de distribution;
• La figure 10 est analogue à la figure 3, mais concerne encore une variante de dispositif de distribution;
• La figure 11 est analogue à la figure 3, mais concerne une variante de dispositif de distribution, selon lequel les surfaces de révolution sont de forme hémisphérique;
• La figure 12 est analogue à la figure 3, mais concerne une variante de dispositif de distribution, selon lequel les surfaces de révolution sont de forme conique;
• Les figures 13 à 15 montrent d'autres variantes de surface de révolution;
• La figure 16 est analogue à la figure 7, mais concerne une variante dans laquelle les passages 51 sont creusés dans le bouton-poussoir 21 ;

In these drawings:

• Figure 1 shows, in section, a push button of the prior art;
• Figure 2 is a section on II - II of Figure 1;
• Figure 3 shows schematically in section a dispensing device according to the present invention;
• Figure 4 is a right view showing the inner face of the dispensing nozzle of Figure 3;
• Figure 5 is similar to Figure 4, but shows a variant;
• Figure 6 is similar to Figure 3, but relates to a variant of the core;
• Figure 7 is similar to Figure 3, but relates to an alternative embodiment;
• Figure 8 is similar to Figure 7, but relates to a variant of the core;
• Figure 9 is similar to Figure 3, but relates to a variant of the dispensing device;
• Figure 10 is similar to Figure 3, but also relates to a variant of the dispensing device;
• Figure 11 is similar to Figure 3, but relates to a variant of the dispensing device, according to which the surfaces of revolution are of hemispherical shape;
• Figure 12 is similar to Figure 3, but relates to a variant of the dispensing device, according to which the surfaces of revolution are conical in shape;
• Figures 13 to 15 show other variants of surface of revolution;
• Figure 16 is similar to Figure 7, but relates to a variant in which the passages 51 are hollowed out in the push button 21;

A push button 1 produced by assembling three parts is shown in the figure 1.

The push button 1 according to the prior art consists of a body 2 comprising a cavity 3 intended to receive the end of a hollow operating rod for actuation of a valve or a distribution pump mounted at the top a container forming a reservoir for the fluid to be dispensed. Body 2 has also a chamber 4 of cylindrical shape connected to the cavity 3 by a conduit inlet 5 for the fluid.

A dispensing nozzle 6, in the form of a cup, is forced into the chamber 4, the outer surface of the skirt 14 of the nozzle cooperating in sealed manner with the cylindrical inner surface of chamber 4; the bottom of the cup, constituting the nozzle 6, which, when the nozzle 6 is installed in the body 2 of the push button 1, is the front wall 13 of the nozzle 6, is crossed in its center by a dispensing orifice 7 which opens into a recess 8 provided on the inside of the front wall 13.

Before its assembly in chamber 4, the nozzle 6 is previously equipped with a core 10 which is forced into it; the core 10 is cylindrical in shape and carries, as this is visible in Figure 2, longitudinal projections 12 regularly distributed circumferentially and defining between them, and in cooperation with the surface inner peripheral of the skirt 14, passages 11; channels 9 dug at the inner surface of the wall 13 of the nozzle 6, and regularly distributed circumferentially, extend from the recess 8 to the inner periphery of the skirt 14; when the nozzle 6 is mounted in the chamber 4, the front face 15 of the core 10 being pressed against the rear face 16 of the wall 13 of the nozzle 6, the rear face 17 the core 10 is spaced from the transverse bottom 18 of the chamber 4; passages 11 open on one side into the channels 9 and on the other side into the chamber 4 in which also opens the supply duct 5 which is thus connected to the orifice 7 of distribution, via passages 11 and channels 9; the dispensing orifice 7 and the conduit 5 are arranged along the axis common to the nozzle 6 and the core 10; this provision could have the advantage of a homogeneous distribution of the fluid around the core 10; unfortunately, the transverse arrangement of the rear face 17 of the core 10 which faces the supply duct 5 creates a significant pressure drop for the distribution of the fluid and affecting the homogeneity of its distribution around the core 10. The invention aims to overcome these drawbacks.

A push button according to the present invention is shown in Figures 3 to 5; such a push button 21 consists of a body 22 comprising a cavity 31 for receive the end of the operating rod whose introduction is facilitated by a frustoconical entry 32; a chamber limited by a surface of revolution 24 of axis 33 is connected to the cavity 31 by a supply duct 23; according to the example shown, the axis 33 is horizontal and the axis of the cavity 31, which corresponds to the axis of the operating rod of the dispenser for which the push button 21 is intended, is vertical: therefore, the supply duct 23 is in two parts, a horizontal part 25 and a part 30 vertical; it will be understood that the invention applies regardless of the relative provision of said axes which can be aligned or make any angle between them, from the instant that the supply conduit 23 has at least one part 25 extending along the axis 33 of the surface of revolution 24; according to the invention, the surface 24 is shaped ovoid and the part 25 of the supply conduit 23 opens into the chamber, defined by the surface 24, through an opening 42 placed at the right of the top of the ovoid corresponding.

The body 22 of the push button 21 comprises a cylindrical housing 35, with an axis 33, open to the outside and having an annular transverse bottom 38 to which the oval shaped surface of revolution 24; a distribution nozzle 26 in the form of cup is force-fitted and sealed in the housing 35, up to abutment of the annular rear face 37 of its skirt 45 against the annular bottom 38 housing 35; the front wall 39 of the nozzle 26 is crossed by an orifice distribution 27 arranged along the axis 33, and opening on the interior side into a recess 28 of circular section, larger than that of the orifice 27, provided on the face inside of the front wall 39.

Before being mounted in the housing 35 of the body 22, the spray nozzle 26 is previously equipped with a core 40 which is force fitted into the skirt 45 in cooperating closely with the cylindrical inner surface 36 thereof; furrows 29 are hollowed out on the inner surface of the wall 39 of the nozzle 26, from the hollow 28 and extend, at right angles, along a portion 41 dug on the surface inner 36 of the skirt 45, so that channels 29 are created transverse to axial distribution portions 41 when the core 40 is mounted in the skirt 45 up to abutting its front face 46 with the inner surface of the wall 39 of the nozzle 26.

The outer surface 34 of the core 40 is a surface of revolution of ovoid shape, complementary to the inner surface 24, and such that when the nozzle 26 equipped with the core 40 is mounted in its housing 35, a clearance remains between the surfaces 24 and 34, such a clearance constituting a distribution passage 44 of revolution, the portions 41 of the channels 29 opening into this distribution passage 44.

The transverse channels 29 are arranged radially, relative to the recess circular 28, as shown in Figure 4; alternatively, as shown in Figure 5, they are arranged tangentially so as to induce an effect on the fluid current swirling.

Thus, thanks to the oval shape of the distribution passage 44 which extends symmetrically around the axis 33 from the opening 42 of the axial wall 25 of the supply conduit 23, the fluid, during its distribution, is distributed homogeneously without pressure loss between surfaces 24 and 34, and all the channels 29 are identically powered.

When the core 40 is mounted forcibly pressed into the nozzle 26 and then the nozzle itself 26 is mounted flat in its housing 35, it is of course necessary the surfaces 24 and 34 are at a sufficient distance to define a passage of distribution 44 of sufficient cross section; if we don't want to be too dependent on manufacturing and mounting tolerances of the above parts, it is possible, as this is illustrated in dotted lines under the reference 47 in Figure 3, to provide on the surface outer 34 and / or on the inner surface 24 one or more stopper pins positioning ensuring the axial positioning of the nozzle 26 - core 40 assembly by relative to the body 22, a slight axial clearance then being provided between the rear face 37 annular of the skirt 45 and the annular bottom 38 of the housing 35.

According to the variant of FIG. 6, grooves 43 are provided on the outer surface of the core 40 and arranged in line with the portions 41 of the channels 29. In this case, the channels 29 are hollowed out in the core 40, instead of being hollowed out in the nozzle 26, such arrangement facilitating the communication of the grooves 43 and the channels 29, by construction.

According to the variant of FIG. 7, the surfaces of revolution 24 and 34, of oval shape, cooperate in abutment and several distribution passages 51 are dug on the surface outside 34 of core 40; distribution passages 51 are regularly distributed around the axis 33 and there can be up to, for example, six distribution passages 51; according to this variant, as shown, the passages 51 extend along planes passing through the axis 33 from each portion 41 of the channels 29 to a recess 52 formed in the central area of the surface 24 and into which the opening opens 42 of part 25 of the supply conduit 23.

The variant of FIG. 8 is of the kind of that described in connection with FIG. 7, with several distribution passages, but these, instead of extending according to plans passing through the axis 33, are hollowed out in a helix; only one such passage, passage 48, is shown on the figure 8.

According to the variant of FIG. 9, the core 60 has a rounded edge 61 of connection between the outer surface 34 of oval shape and its front face 64 transverse; the rear face of the nozzle 66 also has a concave rounded edge complementary and the channels 29 have a portion 62 rounded accordingly.

Regarding the variants of Figures 7, 8 and 9, as has been said about FIG. 6, the channels 29 are advantageously hollowed out in the core 40 (FIGS. 7 and 8) or in the core 60 (FIG. 9) to facilitate their communication, by construction, with passages 51 (Figures 7 and 9) or 48 (Figure 8).

FIG. 10 shows another variant of push button according to the invention in which the nozzle 76 has the shape of a cup whose inner face 74 is also shaped ovoid; advantageously, when the nozzle 76 is in place, the surfaces 24 and 74 envelop a complete ovoid formed by the core 70; distribution channels 72 and the recess 73 have a section, in a plane passing through the axis, of oval shape thus that the distribution passages 71.

Figures 9 and 10 show variants in which the passages of distribution, respectively 51 and 71, are of the type shown in FIG. 7; of course, the cores 60 and 70, respectively of FIGS. 9 and 10, can be used to make distribution devices in which the supply of the orifice distribution can be carried out as described with reference to FIGS. 3, 6 or 8.

According to the variant of Figure 11, the surfaces of revolution 24 and 34 are of shape general hemispherical; according to the variant of FIG. 12, the surfaces 24 and 34 are conical.

It will be understood that it is possible to give surfaces 24 and 34 all forms of complementary revolution, provided that said surfaces of revolution have, in section by a plane passing through the axis, a symmetrical section of continuous shape from the part 25 from the supply duct 23 to the axial portions 41 of the distribution channels 29 transverse; such sections are shown schematically in Figures 13 to 15: according to FIG. 13, the curve representative of the section is at an inflection point; according to Figure 14, it has a warhead shape and according to Figure 15 a hat shape. Of course, the different shapes of surfaces 24 and 34 of revolution and the different distribution port supply types, as described here, can be combined to make a dispensing device according to the present invention.

According to Figures 7 and 8, the distribution passages 51 are hollowed out on the surface outside of the core 40; alternatively, the distribution passages 51 can be hollowed out in the push button 21; FIG. 16 represents such a variant of a figure 7: in this case, it is advantageous to clear the distribution passages 51 in an annular ring 81 defined between the outer surface of the core 40 and the cylindrical inner surface 36 of the skirt 45 of the spray nozzle 26.

Claims (18)

1. Dispensing device intended to be fitted to a fluid dispenser, comprising a dispensing nozzle (26, 66, 76), a body (22) equipped with a conveying duct (23) for conveying to the dispensing nozzle (26, 66, 76) the fluid contained in a container of the dispenser, and with a dispensing chamber into which there extends a core (40, 60, 70) which together with the dispensing chamber defines at least one dispensing passage (44, 48, 51, 71), the dispensing nozzle (26, 66, 76) having a dispensing orifice (27), one end of which allows the fluid to be dispensed to exit to the outside, and the other end of which is connected to the said dispensing passage (44, 48, 51, 71) by at least one dispensing channel (29, 72) which is arranged transversely with respect to the core (40, 60, 70), the core (40, 60, 70) being carried by the dispensing nozzle (26, 66, 76) which is itself carried by the body (22) of the device, the dispensing passage (44, 48, 51, 71) being defined between two surfaces, an internal surface (34) corresponding to the core (40, 60, 70) and an external surface (24), at least the internal surface (34) having symmetry of revolution about an axis of revolution (33) along which at least that part (25) of the conveying duct (23) which opens into the dispensing passage extends, the external surface (24) also having symmetry of revolution about the game axis (33), the external surface (24) and the internal surface (34) more or less complementing one another, from a point on the axis of revolution and another point distant from the first and lying some distance from the axis, characterized in that the internal surface (34) and the external surface (24) form, in section on a plane passing through the axis of revolution (33), a continuous curve between the said point on the axis of revolution and the said other point distant from the first and lying some distance from the axis,
2. Dispensing device according to Claim 1, characterized in that the said surface of revolution (24, 34) is ovoid in shape.
3. Dispensing device according to Claim 1, characterized in that the said surface of revolution (24, 34) is conical in shape.
4. Dispensing device according to Claim 1, characterized in that the said surface of revolution (24, 34) is hemispherical in shape.
5. Dispensing device according to one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the dispensing nozzle (26, 66, 76) has symmetry of revolution about an axis which is coincident with the axis of revolution (33), and the dispensing orifice (27) extends along this axis (33).
6. Dispensing device according to one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the said dispensing channel (29) extends in a plane perpendicular to the axis (33) of the nozzle (26, 66, 76).
7. Dispensing device according to one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the said dispensing channel (29) is defined between two faces, one of which is the rear face of the dispensing nozzle, and the other of which is the front face (46, 64) of the core (40, 60, 70).
8. Dispensing device according to one of Claims 1 to 7, characterized in that several dispensing channels (29, 72) are uniformly distributed around the axis of revolution (33).
9. Dispensing device according to one of Claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the dispensing passage (44) is defined by the entire space between the two surfaces (24, 34).
10. Dispensing device according to one of Claims 1 to 7, characterized in that several dispensing passages (44, 48, 51, 71) are provided between the two surfaces (24, 34).
11. Dispensing device according to Claim 10, characterized in that the dispensing passages (44, 48, 51, 71) are cut into the external surface (34) of the core (40, 60, 70).
12. Dispensing device according to Claims 7 and 9, characterized in that there are as many dispensing passages (44, 48, 51, 71) as there are dispensing channels (29, 72).
13. Dispensing device according to Claims 7 and 9, characterized in that the dispensing passages (44) are connected to the dispensing channels (29) by grooves (43) that run parallel to the axis (33) of revolution.
14. Dispensing device according to one of Claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the dispensing passage(s) (48) extend(s) around the axis of revolution (33) in a helical kind of way.
15. Dispensing device according to Claim 7, characterized in that the rear face of the nozzle and the front face (46, 64) of the core (40, 60, 70) are more or less flat.
16. Dispensing device according to Claim 15, characterized in that the rear face of the nozzle and the front face (64) of the core (60) connect to the surfaces (24, 34) along what, in axial section, are arcs of a circle (61).
17. Dispensing device according to Claim 7, characterized in that the rear face (74) of the nozzle (76) and the front face of the core (70) also have symmetry of revolution.
18. Device according to one of Claims 1 to 17, characterized in that the body (22) of the device is the body of a push-button fitted to a fluid dispenser.

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