EP0680383B1 - Pushbutton mounted on a valve or a pump fitted on a dispenser, and dispenser provided with such pushbutton - Google Patents

Abstract

The pushbutton (1) for mounting on a valve or a pump of a dispenser enables, by actuation of said pushbutton, liquid contained in a container to be sprayed through at least two spraying nozzles (5, 6) provided in the pushbutton and connected to a central channel (4) of the pushbutton; each nozzle (5, 6) has an axis (A5, A6) oriented substantially transversally with respect to the axis (A4) of the central channel (4) of the pushbutton. The axes of the spraying nozzles of the pushbutton being situated in the same plane, the axes (A5, A6) of the spraying nozzles form between each other an angle (B, C) between 1° and 40° and the nozzles (5, 6) are supplied by means of two conduits (7, 8) whose axes are parallel.

Description

The invention relates to a push button intended to be mounted on a valve or a pump fitted to a dispenser to allow, by action on this push button, to cause a spraying of the liquid contained in the dispenser, through at least two spray nozzles provided in the push button and connected to a central channel of this push button, each nozzle having an axis oriented substantially transversely to the axis of the central channel of the push button.

US-A-3,406,913 shows a push button of this type in which two spray orifices of oblique axes, non-concurrent, are provided so that the jets of fluid ejected through each orifice are tangent or substantially tangent to create turbulence capable of breaking up particles or agglomerates of liquid or solid.

The German utility model DBGM 70 42 354 describes a push button with two superimposed outlet openings with parallel axes. The spray cloud obtained with such a push button needs to be improved, in particular as regards its homogeneity and density symmetry.

FR-A-2 067 520 describes a push-button whose central channel is divided into two distinct radial channels lying in the same plane perpendicular to the central channel and forming between them an angle of approximately 60 to 90 °, this arrangement allowing a diffusion of the product in a wide solid angle, thus reducing the sweeping movement to be carried out to distribute the product.

The object of the invention is, above all, to provide a push button which, while remaining simple and easy to make, makes it possible to increase the spray impact surface while maintaining a good distribution, as homogeneous as possible, of the sprayed product, and to obtain a less wetting result.

To achieve this goal, according to the invention, a push button of the kind defined above, the axes of the spray nozzles of the push button being located in the same plane, is characterized by the fact that the axes of the spray nozzles form an angle between 1 ° and 40 ° between them, and the nozzles are supplied by two conduits with parallel axes.

The impact surface of the spray cloud is formed by the crossing of two discs, with a less wetting effect, especially when it is a lacquering of the hair.

Preferably, the angle of the axes of the nozzles of the push button is between 16 ° and 24 °.

Advantageously, the plane of the axes of the spray nozzles is orthogonal to the axis of the central channel of the push button. The nozzles can be constituted by independent parts, attached to the push-button; the axes of the conduits are located in a plane substantially orthogonal to the axis of said central channel.

Thus, the angle between the axes exists only at the orifices of the spray nozzles, while the conduits provided in the push button are parallel, which facilitates molding and demolding operations.

Each duct communicates with an annular chamber limited by a pillar-shaped element whose front face, against which the corresponding nozzle is pressed, is oblique relative to the axis of the duct in question; the obliquity of the faces is provided so that at the nozzles the desired angle is found.

The internal face of each nozzle is parallel to the external face of each pillar-shaped element of the push button and the orifice of each nozzle has its axis perpendicular to this external face.

The two nozzles can be connected by a middle part and form a single piece.

Each nozzle may include vortex supply channels which are advantageously positioned so that the supply channels of the push button open at equal distance from two vortex channels, in particular with a view to producing uniform spray clouds.

Preferably, the push button has, in its central region, a projecting part facing inward so as to separate the flow of liquid into two equal parts in order to feed each nozzle with substantially the same flow rate.

The axes of the spray nozzles can be divergent towards the outside or convergent towards the outside.

The invention also relates to a dispenser equipped with a push button as defined above. The invention relates more particularly to a spray distributor equipped with a pump and intended for lacquering the hair, the push button of the invention making it possible to substantially improve the results obtained with such a distributor.

The invention consists, apart from the arrangements set out below, of a certain number of other arrangements which will be discussed below in connection with an exemplary embodiment described with reference to the attached drawings, but which n 'is in no way limiting.

Figure 1 of these drawings is a schematic elevational view of the upper end of a dispenser equipped with a push button according to the invention.

Figure 2 is a section along line II-II of Figure 1.

Figures 3 and 4 are rear views of the swirl nozzles.

Figure 5 is an elevational view of the push button of Figure 2, the nozzles having been removed.

Figure 6 is a diagram of a section of the spray cloud.

Figure 7, finally, shows, similarly to Figure 2, an alternative embodiment.

Referring to the drawings, in particular to Figures 1 and 2, one can see a push button 1 intended to be mounted on a hollow rod 2 outlet of a valve or of a pump equipping a dispensing container 3. The button- pusher 1, as visible in FIG. 2, has a central channel 4 in which the rod 2 is engaged, in a sufficiently sealed manner.

The push-button 1 has two spray nozzles 5, 6. By pressing the push-button 1, generally by successive depressions and releases, it is possible to cause the liquid contained in the container 3 to be sprayed through the nozzles 5 and 6.

Each nozzle has its axis A5, A6 oriented transversely with respect to the axis A4 of the central channel 4.

The axes A5, A6 of the spray nozzles 5 and 6 are diverging towards the outside; the axes A5 and A6 are located in the same plane and their extensions, upwards according to the representation in FIG. 2, intersect at a point I shown in FIG. 6.

The angle B of divergence formed between the axes A5 and A6 is between 1 ° and 40 ° and is preferably between 16 ° and 24 °. In the embodiment shown in Figure 2, the angle B is substantially equal to 17 °.

Preferably, the plane of the axes A5, A6 is orthogonal to the axis A4 of the central channel 4.

The nozzles 5 and 6 are supplied by two conduits 7, 8, with parallel axes. The axes of the conduits 7 and 8 are located in a plane orthogonal to the axis A4. The arrangement of the conduits 7 and 8 with their parallel axes facilitates the molding and demolding operations of the push button 1.

The nozzles 5 and 6 are provided in attachments on the push button 1. Advantageously, as illustrated in FIG. 2, the nozzles 5 and 6 are provided in one and the same insert 9.

The push button 1 comprises two elements 10, 11, in the form of pillars of circular section (see FIG. 5), generally called "center posts", parallel, the walls of which delimit annular chambers 31, 32 supplied by the conduits 7, 8 (see FIG. 5) communicating with channel 4, and separated by a middle part 12. The flow of liquid, coming from channel 4, is thus separated into two equal parts in order to supply each conduit 7, 8 and each nozzle 5 , 6 with the same liquid flow.

The elements 10, 11 terminate externally in a space 13, limited by the internal walls 14 of a cavity provided in the push-button 1.

The front face, respectively 10 a , 11 has pillars 10, 11, is not perpendicular to the axes of these pillars or to the axes of the conduits 7,8. The axis 15 of the central wall 12 is parallel to the axes of the pillars 10, 11.

The angle formed by the plane of each front face 10 a , 11 a with the plane passing through the axis 15 and the axis A4 is equal to 90 ° - B / 2.

The insert 9 has a peripheral skirt 16 which is inserted into the annular chambers 31, 32 against the walls of these chambers. The part 9 comprises, in its central region, wall zones 17, 18 which are applied with a slight tightening against the external faces of the central wall 12.

The part 9 has two internal faces 19, 20, located in different planes, and corresponding to the internal faces of the nozzles 5 and 6. The internal face 19 is parallel to the front face 10 a against which it is applied. Similarly, the inner face 20 is parallel to the front face 11a against which it is applied.

The axes A5, A6 of the nozzles are perpendicular respectively to the front faces 10 a , 11 a and to the internal faces 19 and 20. The part 9 also has two external faces 21, 22 parallel to the internal faces 19 and 20, connected by a surface transition 23 orthogonal to axis 15.

Each nozzle 5, 6 has a central orifice 5 a , 6 a with an axis perpendicular to the corresponding internal face 19, 20 of the part 9. When this part is engaged in the push button 1, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the orifices 5 a , 6 a nozzles have their axes A5, A6, perpendicular to the front face 10 a , 11 a of the respective pillar 10, 11.

The arrival of the fluid in the orifices 5 a , 6 a can be ensured by vortex supply channels such as 24 (see FIGS. 3 and 4) in the form of recesses with a triangular contour formed in the internal face 19, 20 orthogonal to the axis of the corresponding orifice 5 a , 6 a . The peripheral extent of each channel 24 decreases when one approaches the center. The internal radial end of the channel 24 opens tangentially into the corresponding orifice 5 a , 6 a . The channels 24 associated with the nozzle 5 a can be oriented in the opposite direction to those associated with the nozzle 6 a . The channels 24 are positioned around the axes A5, A6 which pass through the centers of the orifices 5 a , 6 a , so that the end of each conduit 7, 8 opens, not in a channel 24, but at equal distance of two channels 24. The presence of vortex channels 24 makes it possible to generate uniform spray clouds.

It is clear that one could also have conventional nozzles with a single orifice, without the presence of vortex channels.

It should also be noted that the communication between the central channel 4 and the distribution conduits 7, 8 can be carried out tangentially for example as described and claimed in application FR 92 03353 filed on March 20, 1992 in the name of the same company plaintiff.

This being so, when the user presses the push button 1 to cause the liquid contained in the container 3 to be sprayed, the two nozzles 5, 6 fed substantially by the same flow rate of liquid owing to their arrangement and the central wall 12, each producing a spray cloud. The two clouds cross. The impact surface of all the clouds, on a plane orthogonal to axis 15, and located approximately 15 cm from nozzles 5 and 6, is illustrated in Figure 6.

The impact for the nozzle 5 can be likened to a disc limited by a circumference 25, corresponding to an area of the cloud relatively charged with droplets. This disc is surrounded by an annular zone 26 delimited by a concentric circumference 27. In the annular zone 26, or crown, the density of droplets is lower.

For nozzle 6, there is a similar diagram with the circumference 28 limiting the loaded disc; the crown 29 less loaded with droplets is limited by the circumference 30.

In Figure 6, there are four zones.

A zone Z1, in the form of a bi-convex lens, corresponds to the intersection of the circumferences 25 and 28 and to the maximum density of droplets in the spray cloud.

A zone Z2, formed of two parts, corresponds to the zones of the discs 25, 28 external to one another.

A zone Z3, also formed of two parts, corresponds to the part of the intersection of the crowns 26 and 29 external to the discs 25,28.

Finally, a zone Z4 made up of two parts in the form of two extreme crescents corresponds to the non-intersecting parts of the crowns 26 and 29.

The actual useful impact surface of the spray cloud obtained with the nozzle 1 according to the invention essentially consists of the zones Z1, Z2, Z3. The density of these areas is more weak, than that of the disk loaded with a cloud obtained with a conventional nozzle and with a single orifice for the same overall flow of liquid. The push button of the invention therefore produces a less wetting effect, improving the quality of hair lacquering.

In the embodiment described so far, the axes A5, A6 of the nozzles are diverging towards the outside.

FIG. 7 illustrates an alternative embodiment of push button 101, according to which the axes A105, A106 of the nozzles converge towards the outside, forming an angle C comprised within the same value limits as those indicated for the angle B .

The elements of the push button 101 in FIG. 7, identical or playing roles similar to elements already described with respect to FIG. 2, are designated either by the same reference numbers or by the sum of the number 100 and the reference numeral used previously; the description of these elements will not be repeated.

It will be noted that the assembly formed by the face 121, the transition surface 123 and the face 122, is concave towards the front, whereas in the case of FIG. 2 this assembly is convex.

The explanations provided, in particular with regard to FIG. 6, concerning the spray cloud of the push button are also valid for the push button 101 of FIG. 7.

Claims (13)

1. Pushbutton (1, 101), intended to be fitted on a valve or pump equipping a dispenser, to allow, through action on this pushbutton (1, 101), the liquid contained in the dispenser to be sprayed through at least two spray nozzles (5, 6; 105, 106) provided in the pushbutton (1, 101) and connected to a central channel (4, 104) of this pushbutton (1, 101), each nozzle (5, 6; 105, 106) having an axis (A5, A6; A105, A106) oriented substantially transversely with respect to the axis of the central channel (4, 104) of the pushbutton (1, 101), the axes (A5, A6; A105, A106) of the spray nozzles (5, 6; 105, 106) of the pushbutton (1, 101) being situated in one and the same plane, characterized in that the axes (A5, A6; A105, A106) of the spray nozzles (5, 6; 105, 106) between them form an angle (B, C) lying between 1° and 40°, and the nozzles (5, 6; 105, 106) are supplied via two conduits (7, 8) with parallel axes.
2. Pushbutton according to claim 1, characterized in that the angle (B, C) between the axes (A5, A6; A105, A106) lies between 16° and 24°.
3. Pushbutton according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the plane of the axes (A5, A6; A105, A106) of the spray nozzles (5, 6; 105, 106) is orthogonal to the axis (A4) of the central channel (4) of the pushbutton.
4. Pushbutton according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the nozzles (5, 6; 105, 106) consist of independent pieces attached to the pushbutton.
5. Pushbutton according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the nozzles (5, 6; 105, 106) are connected by a middle part and form a single piece (9, 109).
6. Pushbutton according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the axes of the conduits (7, 8) are situated in a plane substantially orthogonal to the axis (A4) of the said central channel (4).
7. Pushbutton according to one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that each conduit (7, 8) communicates with an annular chamber (31, 32) bounded by a post-like element (10, 11; 110, 111) of which the front face (10a, 11a; 110a, 111a), against which the corresponding nozzle (5, 6; 105, 106) rests, is oblique relative to the axis of the conduit (7, 8) in question, the obliqueness of the faces (10a, 11a; 110a, 111a) being intended so that the desired angle (B, C) might be obtained at the nozzles (5, 6; 105, 106).
8. Pushbutton according to claim 7, characterized in that the internal face of each nozzle (5, 6; 105, 106) is parallel to the external face (10a, 11a; 110a, 111a) of each post-like element (10, 11; 110, 11) [sic]) of the pushbutton and the orifice (5a, 6a; 105a, 106a) of each nozzle has its axis perpendicular to this external face (10a, 11a; 110a, 111a).
9. Pushbutton according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each nozzle (5, 6; 105, 106) includes swirl-inducing supply channels (24).
10. Pushbutton according to claim 9, characterized in that the swirl-inducing supply channels (24) are positioned such that the supply channels (7, 8) of the pushbutton emerge at equal distances from two swirl-inducing channels, for the purpose of producing homogeneous clouds of spray.
11. Pushbutton according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the axes (A5, A6) of the spray nozzles (5, 6) diverge outward.
12. Pushbutton according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the axes (A105, A106) of the spray nozzles (105, 106) converge outward.
13. Dispenser, more particularly dispenser equipped with a pump and intended for spraying the hair with lacquer, characterized in that it is equipped with a pushbutton according to one of the preceding claims.

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