EP1279607A1 - Device for spraying a fluid product - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device for spraying a fluid product comprising a reservoir (10) containing said product and air, the reservoir (10) comprising a wall having at least one deformable zone (11), the device comprising a dip tube (30), a first end (30a) of which is situated in the vicinity of the bottom of the tank and a second end (30b) of which communicates, in particular via a channel (22), with a spraying orifice (21) capable of spraying said produced in response to a pressure exerted on said deformable zone (11), an air passage (41; 42) being provided to allow at least part of the air contained in the tank to mix with the product coming from the dip tube (30), close to its second end (30b), said deformable zone (11) having a predetermined threshold of resistance to deformation such that, when the pressure exerted is less than a pressure allowing vai ncre said predetermined threshold of resistance to deformation, the internal volume of the reservoir is not substantially reduced. <IMAGE>

Description

The present invention relates to a device for spraying a fluid product. In particular, the invention relates to a miniature sprayer suitable for packaging cosmetic products, in particular perfumes.

Distributors of this type are described in particular in patent applications FR-A-2 778 639, EP-A-0 761 314, FR-A-2 443 980, or in patents US-A-3 897 005, or US-A-3 412 907. All these devices suffer mainly from at least one handicap, linked either to their manufacturing cost, to their ease of use, or to the quality of the spray that they are capable of generating.

In fact, since the samples are not generally intended for sale, their manufacturing cost must be as low as possible. It is therefore important to have devices whose parts can be easily produced in large series and whose assembly can be carried out in a simple manner. In addition, they must be able to generate a spray whose quality is as good as possible, and whose characteristics are as constant as possible.

One solution for making such packaging at as low a cost as possible would consist in making the reservoir in the form of a pod of the type of what is commonly used for the packaging of certain physiological serums, eye drops or make-up removing products. Such a pod is produced in a single piece with a spray orifice, the opening of which is caused by pulling off a nozzle, in particular by twisting the nozzle around the axis of the orifice. The filling of such a device can be done via the open bottom of the tank. The latter is then closed in particular by welding, in the manner of a tube.

However, such a solution suffers from two major drawbacks. The first is due to the fact that at the opening, the orifice which results from the tearing of the end piece by torsion is of imprecise shape and dimensions. As a result, the spray which can be obtained through such an orifice, when the compressible walls of the reservoir are pressed, has characteristics which vary greatly from one device to another. Often even, the section of the orifice is such that it is not possible to generate a spray. The product can only flow in the form of more or less large drops or a continuous stream.

In addition, the welding operation, after filling the reservoir, in particular when it is a highly volatile product such as a perfume, is not without problems. Under the effect of heat, the product may evaporate, deteriorate or even ignite.

Another solution is described, in particular in patents US 2,571,504, US 2,642,313, US 2,728,981, GB 680 815 and GB 263 699, which consists in using a device of the nebulizer type. The device described in these documents comprises a container with a deformable wall which contains a liquid product to be sprayed. The container is closed by a spray head provided with a spray orifice which communicates with the interior of the container via a dip tube. An air inlet is provided in the upper part of the tube. When the container is compressed, the interior volume of the container is reduced so that the air is compressed and pushes the product out of the container. The product then rises in the dip tube. Compressed air also tends to escape from the container and enters the dip tube through the air inlet. A mixture of air and product is then obtained in the tube before spraying. In this device, the deformation of the wall is linear, that is to say that the reduction in the internal volume of the container is proportional to the pressure exerted on the wall to deform it. The user can then deform the wall by exerting a low pressure on it so that the air is weakly compressed. At first, there is not enough energy for the air to push the product into the dip tube. However, air tends to escape from the container so that only air is sprayed.

Also, is it an object of the invention to provide a spraying device, solving all or part of the problems discussed above with reference to conventional devices.

It is in particular an object of the invention to produce such a device which is easy to produce in large series, with a cost price as low as possible.

It is another object of the invention to provide such a device which makes it possible to generate a spray of quality which is both satisfactory and reproducible from one device to another.

According to the invention, these objects are achieved by producing a device for spraying a fluid product comprising a reservoir containing said product and air, the reservoir comprising a wall having at least one deformable zone, the device comprising a dip tube a first end of which is situated in the vicinity of the bottom of the tank and a second end of which communicates, in particular via a channel, with a spray orifice capable of spraying said product in response to a pressure exerted on said deformable zone, an air passage being provided to allow at least part of the air contained in the tank to mix with the product coming from the dip tube, near its second end, before reaching the spray orifice, said deformable zone having a predetermined threshold of resistance to deformation such that, before the pressure exerted reaches a pressure making it possible to overcome the said predetermined threshold of resistance to deformation, the internal volume of the reservoir is not significantly reduced.

Within the meaning of the present invention, by "a wall having a threshold of resistance to deformation" means a wall configured in such a way that its deformation does not depend linearly on the pressure exerted on it to deform it, but requires the passing of a threshold. Thus, the pressure exerted by a user on the actuating wall causes, before reaching the threshold pressure, namely, the pressure making it possible to overcome said predetermined threshold of resistance to deformation of said actuating wall, a deformation of the wall which does not make it possible to significantly reduce the internal volume of the tank, but which makes it possible to accumulate energy so that, when the pressure exerted by the user on the wall reaches the threshold pressure, the wall suddenly deforms. The volume inside the tank is reduced significantly so that an overpressure is suddenly created inside the tank. This overpressure makes it possible to push the product with sufficient energy into the dip tube to bring it up to the spray orifice so as to generate a good quality spray.

Advantageously, the device comprises a dispensing nozzle fixed to the reservoir, in which the spray orifice is formed, the channel connecting the second end of the dip tube to the spray orifice being formed in said nozzle. The device comprising two main parts is thus simple to produce by forming, on the one hand, the reservoir and, on the other hand, the spray nozzle acting as a plug.

Advantageously also, the dip tube can be made in one piece with the end piece. Alternatively, the second end of the dip tube is fixedly mounted in a cavity formed in said end piece, for example by being force-fitted.

According to a first embodiment, the air passage is formed in the dispensing nozzle. It opens, on the one hand, inside the tank and, on the other hand, into the canal. Advantageously, it opens into the channel at the level of the second end of the dip tube. The air passage then consists for example of at least one groove formed on the wall of the cavity.

According to another embodiment, the air passage is an orifice provided in the side wall of the dip tube, towards its second end.

The spray orifice can be formed in the axis of the dip tube so as to obtain a spray in the axis. Alternatively, the spray orifice is angularly offset from the axis of the dip tube. The device being preferably used head up with the tube substantially vertical, it is thus possible to obtain a spray which is not vertical, and in particular a horizontal spray which facilitates the application of the product to the skin by providing a spray orifice. offset 90 ° from the axis of the tube.

Advantageously, the actuating wall is in shape memory, that is to say that it is configured so as to resume its initial shape by elastic return when said pressure ceases. The device can then be used several times consecutively.

According to a preferred embodiment, the actuating wall has a substantially convex profile in its non-deformed position, in particular in the shape of a dome, and a substantially concave profile in its deformed position when the pressure is greater than or equal to the threshold pressure. . Such a configuration makes it easy to obtain a wall with a threshold of resistance to deformation which corresponds to the passage between the concave profile and the convex profile. In addition, this configuration facilitates the return of the wall to the convex position when the pressure ceases.

The actuating wall of the reservoir is formed of a thermoplastic material, in particular a polyethylene, a polypropylene, a polyethylene terephthalate, a polyethylene naphthalate, a polyacrylonitrile, a polyoxymethylene, a polyvinyl chloride, or a mixture of these materials.

The device is particularly suitable for packaging and spraying a sample dose of a cosmetic product, in particular a perfume.

• la figure 1 illustre une vue en perspective d'un mode de réalisation préféré du dispositif de pulvérisation selon l'invention;
• la figure 2 représente une vue en coupe axiale du dispositif illustré à la figure 1 en position de repos;
• la figure 3 représente une vue en coupe axiale du dispositif illustré à la figure 1 en position de pulvérisation;
• la figure 4 représente une vue en coupe axiale d'un second mode de réalisation du dispositif de pulvérisation selon l'invention;
• la figure 5 représente une vue en coupe transversale selon l'axe V-V du second mode de réalisation; et
• la figure 6 représente une vue en coupe axiale d'un troisième mode de réalisation d'un embout de pulvérisation du dispositif selon l'invention.

The invention consists, apart from the arrangements set out above, of a certain number of other arrangements which will be explained below, with reference to nonlimiting exemplary embodiments, described with reference to the appended figures, among which:

• Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the spray device according to the invention;
• 2 shows an axial sectional view of the device illustrated in Figure 1 in the rest position;
• Figure 3 shows an axial sectional view of the device illustrated in Figure 1 in the spray position;
• FIG. 4 represents a view in axial section of a second embodiment of the spraying device according to the invention;
• Figure 5 shows a cross-sectional view along the axis VV of the second embodiment; and
• Figure 6 shows an axial sectional view of a third embodiment of a spray nozzle of the device according to the invention.

The device shown in overview in Figure 1 and in section in Figures 2 and 3 comprises a reservoir 10 with a deformable wall, containing the product P to be dispensed and air, on which is mounted a nozzle 20 in which is provided with a spray orifice 21. The spray orifice 21 is in communication with the interior of the reservoir by means of a dip tube 30. By exerting pressure on the wall of the reservoir, an overpressure is created at inside the reservoir which causes the product to be sprayed through the orifice 21, via the dip tube 30.

According to the embodiment shown, the reservoir 10 is configured in the form of a drop of water, but it is obvious that it can have any other shape allowing the deformation of at least one of its walls. It is obtained by molding, in particular by injection blow molding, for example in one piece, of a thermoplastic material. The reservoir is for example formed from a polyethylene, a polypropylene, a polyethylene terephthalate, a polyethylene naphthalate, a polyacrylonitrile, a polyoxymethylene, a polyvinyl chloride, or also a mixture of these materials. The wall of the reservoir comprises a zone 11 of domed shape which is deformable when pressure is exerted on it. This wall has shape memory so that it returns to its initial position when pressure on it ceases. Opposite this zone 11, the reservoir 10 has a flat wall 12. This configuration of the reservoir makes it possible to easily identify the zone over which the user must exert pressure so that the operation of the device is made evident. In addition, this configuration makes it possible to easily grasp the device between two fingers, for example by placing the thumb on the flat wall 12 and the index finger on the deformable zone 11 or vice versa. The user thus exerts pressure on the actuating wall using his index finger or his thumb so that he can easily spray the product.

The reservoir 10 ends in an open neck 13 in which the spray nozzle 20 is mounted in leaktight manner. The nozzle 20 for example comprises an annular groove 24 provided to cooperate with an annular projection 14 formed on the internal wall of the neck 13 of the tank. According to the embodiment, the dip tube 30, of axis X, is formed in one piece with the tip 20. The tip 20 and the dip tube 30 are for example obtained by molding in one piece, a thermoplastic material, in particular polyethylene or polypropylene. The first end 30a of the tube opens out substantially towards the bottom of the tank so as to be immersed in the product to be sprayed. The second end 30b is extended by the end piece 20 in which a channel 22 is formed. The channel 22 extends the conduit from the dip tube to a spray orifice 21. The channel 22 is formed along the axis X of the tube and extends beyond the neck of the reservoir, ending in a cylindrical spray head 25 in which the l 'spray orifice 21. The orifice 21 is advantageously formed in the side wall of the spray head, along an axis perpendicular to the axis X of the tube.

An orifice 41 is formed in the side wall of the dip tube 30, towards its second end 30b, namely just below the end piece 20. Thus, the air present in the reservoir 20, above the product to be sprayed, can, when it is compressed, enter the dip tube through this orifice 41 at the same time as the product rises in the tube, as shown in FIG. 3.

Referring to Figure 4, we can see another embodiment of the spray device.

According to this embodiment, the reservoir 10 ends in an open neck 13, threaded on its outer surface. The end piece 20 is screwed onto the neck of the reservoir while being disposed in the extension of the wall of the reservoir so as to form the end of the drop of water. The rest of the tank is identical to that which has just been described in accordance with FIGS. 1 to 3.

According to this embodiment, the end piece 20 is provided with a fixing skirt 26, threaded on its inner surface to cooperate with the neck 13 of the reservoir 10. A sealing skirt 27, cylindrical, is provided to come lodge inside the neck 13 of the tank and thus ensure the seal between the opening of the neck 13 and the nozzle. A cylindrical cavity 23 is provided in the end piece for forcibly receiving the end 30b of the dip tube. The channel 22 communicating the dip tube and the spray orifice 21 opens into the bottom of the cavity 23. The channel 22 has a portion 22a formed in the axis X of the tube and a portion 22b perpendicular to the axis X and which opens onto the spray orifice 21. Alternatively, provision may be made for the channel to be formed entirely in the X axis, as in the variant of this embodiment shown in FIG. 7, so as to generate a spray along the X axis.

A groove 42 is formed on the wall of the cavity 23, over its entire axial height and extends into the bottom of the cavity so as to open out between the open end of the tube and the channel 22. Advantageously, a second groove 42, diametrically opposite to the first is formed on the wall of the cavity. The two grooves 42 extend into the bottom of the cavity over its entire cross section. These grooves 42 are provided to ensure the arrival of air in the product coming from the tube, before spraying.

In the two embodiments which have just been described, the reservoir is configured so as to generate a good quality spray. To this end, the deformable zone 11 has a predetermined threshold of resistance to deformation below which the wall deforms slightly and beyond which the wall deforms suddenly to present a concave profile as shown in FIG. 3. This threshold is determined according to the geometry of the actuating wall but also to the nature of the material used to form this wall and finally to the thickness of the wall. Thus, the reservoir can pass from a first convex position corresponding to its non-deformed position, to a second concave position corresponding to its deformed position. This second position is pre-established, again as a function of the geometry of the wall. In addition, the remainder of the reservoir is not substantially deformed so that, when the actuating wall is deformed, the interior volume of the reservoir decreases. The air present in the tank is then compressed and an overpressure is created inside the tank. However, this overpressure being created very suddenly when crossing the threshold, the product is suddenly pushed inside the dip tube, by its end 30a at the same time as the air is introduced therein, via the orifice 41 or the groove 42, so that a product-air mixture is formed in the dip tube and / or in the channel 22. The mixture obtained is then sprayed through the orifice 21.

When the wall returns to its initial shape, air then enters the reservoir, in particular through the spray orifice 21. If there is product remaining inside the reservoir, it is again possible to create an overpressure by deforming the actuating wall and thus spray another dose of product.

According to a particular example given by way of nonlimiting illustration, a reservoir 10 made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is used. The wall of the reservoir comprises a deformable zone 11 which, in the non-deformed position has a convex profile which becomes concave in the deformed position. The deformable zone 11 in the non-deformed state is substantially a portion of a sphere which has a radius of curvature of the order of 50 mm. The deformable wall has a thickness of approximately 0.3 mm. In the undeformed state, the reservoir has a volume of 7.5 ml. The reservoir has a deformable volume of 0.5 ml so that, in the concave position of the actuating wall, the volume of the reservoir is 7.0 ml.

In the foregoing detailed description, reference has been made to preferred embodiments of the invention. It is obvious that variants can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention as claimed below.

Claims (15)

Device for spraying a fluid product comprising a reservoir (10) containing said product and air, the reservoir (10) comprising a wall having at least one deformable zone (11), the device comprising a dip tube (30) a first end (30a) of which is situated in the vicinity of the bottom of the tank and a second end (30b) of which communicates, in particular via a channel (22), with a spraying orifice (21) capable of spraying said product in response to a pressure exerted on said deformable zone (11), an air passage (41; 42) being provided to allow at least part of the air contained in the tank to mix with the product coming from the dip tube (30) , near its second end (30b), said deformable zone (11) having a predetermined threshold of resistance to deformation such that, before the pressure exerted reaches a pressure making it possible to overcome said predetermined threshold of resist due to deformation, the internal volume of the tank is not significantly reduced. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the device comprises a dispensing nozzle (20) fixed to the reservoir (10), in which the spray orifice (21) is formed, the channel (22) connecting the second end ( 30b) from the dip tube (30) to the spray orifice (21) being formed in said nozzle (20). Device according to claim 2, characterized in that the second end (30b) of the dip tube (30) is fixedly mounted in a cavity (23) formed in said end piece. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that the dip tube (30) is made in one piece with the end piece (20). Device according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the air passage (42) is formed in the dispensing nozzle (20). Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the air passage (42) opens, on the one hand, inside the tank (10) and, on the other hand, into the channel (22) . Device according to claim 6, characterized in that the air passage (42) opens into the channel (22), at the level of the second end (30b) of the dip tube (30). Device according to claims 3 and 7, characterized in that the air passage (42) consists of at least one groove formed on the wall of the cavity (23). Device according to any one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the air passage (41) is an orifice provided in the side wall of the dip tube (30), near its second end (30b). Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the spray orifice (21) is formed in the X axis of the dip tube (30). Device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the spray orifice (21) is angularly offset with respect to the axis X of the dip tube (30). Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said actuating wall (11) is configured so as to resume its initial shape by elastic return when said pressure ceases. Device according to claim 12, characterized in that said actuating wall (11) has a substantially convex profile in its non-deformed position, in particular in the shape of a dome, and a substantially concave profile in its deformed position when the pressure is higher or equal to the pressure making it possible to overcome said predetermined threshold of resistance to deformation of said actuating wall (11). Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the actuating wall (11) of the reservoir is formed from a thermoplastic material, in particular a polyethylene, a polypropylene, a polyethylene terephthalate, a polyethylene naphthalate, a polyacrylonitrile, a polyoxymethylene, polyvinyl chloride, or a mixture of these materials. Use of a device according to any one of the preceding claims for packaging and spraying a sample dose of a cosmetic product, in particular a perfume.

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