Spray nozzle

Translation of description of equivalent WO 9621512 A1

p0001spray nozzle.

p0002The present invention relates to a spray nozzle for mounting on an outlet channel of a fluid dispensing device for dividing said fluid into fine droplets. Some fluid products such as perfumes, for example, are preferably distributed in vaporized or powdered form to increase the spread of product and avoid excessive localized application. To do this, using a spray nozzle mounted on the outlet channel of the dispensing device which is generally a pump or a valve.

p0003The spray nozzles are usually integrated in the pushbutton of the pump or valve, in which case they move vertically upon actuation of the device. They may also be secured to a part of the device that remains static during actuation.

p0004Figures 1 to 4 illustrate a conventional spray nozzle of the prior art incorporated in a push button 100. Figure 1 is a a front view of the nozzle, while the nozzle has been removed to reveal the interior of the nozzle. The pushbutton 100 is in the form of a small cylinder closed at its upper end by a curved ergonomic surface 118 adapted to the application of a finger. The cylinder is designed with a cylindrical housing 110 which is partially filled by a core 111 of cylindrical shape which extends horizontally at the center of the housing 110. An annular space 114 is thus created between the cylindrical inner wall of the housing 110 and the core 111 . a window 112 communicates the annular space 114 with an internal channel 117, as can be seen in figures 2 and 3. the internal channel 117 receives the end of a hollow stem actuator 103.

p0005The core 111 has a smooth front surface 119. A nozzle 102 is fitted in a force on the core 111 as seen in FIG 3. The nozzle 102 is in the form of a small cup whose bottom is pierced by a orifice 121, said spray. The nozzle thus comprises a bottom and an annular skirt 122 which is engaged by force into the annular space 114 (Fig. 1). The inner wall of the skirt is made with three supply channels 113 distributed angularly and extending over the entire height of the skirt 122. The skirt does not come in contact with the bottom of the annular space 114 so that is an annular passage 115 which communicates the window with the feed channels 113 (fig. 3). On the other hand, the bottom of the nozzle 102 has a structured internal wall 129 in which are formed three swirl channels 125 and a swirl chamber 124 centered on the spray orifice 121 (Fig. 4). swirl channels and the swirl chamber are complemented by tight implementation the inner surface 129 of the nozzle against the smooth end surface 119 of the core. Swirl channels are well isolated from each other. The three swirl channels 125 are each in communication with one of three supply channels 113. The fluid dispensed by the pump or the valve therefore flows through the hollow rod 103, the internal channel 117, the window 112, the annular passage 115, the three supply channels, three channels tourbillonn ly, the swirl chamber and the spray orifice.

p0006In this nozzle of the prior art, as in those disclosed in the documents FR-2,325,434 and DE-3,314,020, the nozzle height is directly related to the height of the nozzle, and therefore its structure.

p0007The present invention aims to reduce the height of the nozzle, which reduces the total height of the dispensing device.

p0008To do this, the present invention aims to a spray nozzle for mounting on an outlet channel of a fluid dispensing device for dividing said fluid into fine droplets, said nozzle comprising a core and a nozzle defining together: a swirl chamber which communicates with the outside via a spray orifice formed in said nozzle, and a plurality of swirl channels which open into the non-radially swirl chamber, the nozzle having an oblong shape whose major longitudinal axis extends in a horizontal plane.

p0009This embodiment has the effect of decreasing the height of the nozzle: while a conventional nozzle is part of a circle as could be seen with reference to Figure 1, the nozzle according to the invention in inscπt the same circle, but only with its large reclining longitudinal axis. Therefore, the nozzle is much less high than a conventional nozzle, which reduces the height of the room in which it is formed or incorporated, such as a push button.

p0010Another problem of the spray nozzles of the prior art lies in the fact that the supply and swirl channels are supplied by a single window 112. However, the angular arrangement of the supply and swirl channels is defined at the mounting the nozzle is not angularly oriented, so that supply and swirling channel could for example be positioned just right of the window and thus be favored over the other two. It follows a poor distribution of the fluid product from the window in the different channels. This inconvenience is inevitable given that it is impossible to find a configuration that puts the three channels feeding and swirl in the same flow relationship by relative to the window. This poor flow distribution results in a vortex of malformation at the vortex chamber which results in a poor spray quality. According to the invention, this problem is solved by preferably providing that the vortex channels communicate with the outlet of the spraying device channel through several ducts symmetrical supply to each of the vortex channels corresponding to a conduit feed, so all the vortex channels are fed with fluid product evenly. This ensures that the fluid flow path is identical for each of the swirl channels. Preferably, the supply lines are two in number, extending on either side of the core in a horizontal plane.

p0011Height reduction is possible while ensuring a perfectly balanced diet swirl channels. Thus, a smaller nozzle is made, having in addition an improved dynamic behavior. Moreover, as the size of the nozzle is reduced, the bearing surface of the fluid on the nozzle is also reduced. Specifically, the nozzle does not need to be fitted with such force than in the prior art. For example, for a conventional nozzle, the nozzle must withstand a pressure of 30J0⁵ Pa, while for a nozzle according to the invention, a pressure of 12 to 15J0⁵ Pa enough. It is therefore easier to hang a nozzle according to the invention, since the attachment means does not need to withstand high pressures.

p0012On the other pan, spraying the fluid is achieved by the vortex that is created in the vortex chamber, that the swirl channels open out in the non-radially chamber. The fluid thus undergoes a swirling motion in the chamber which generates a centrifugal acceleration before exiting through the spray orifice which is perfectly centered on the vortex eye. The emitted fluid is then distributed in the atmosphere with a conical dispersion.

p0013It is essential that the spray opening is perfectly centered vortex eye, otherwise the fluid is distributed with large droplets, because it is in the eye of the vortex that acceleration is strongest . It is therefore necessary that the nozzle is molded with high precision, so that the swirl chamber is exactly centered on the spray orifice. In addition, the swirl channels must also be molded very accurately, and the supply channels. The nozzle thus a high-precision part. In addition, the fitting of the nozzle on the core must also be performed with high accuracy. To simplify the design of the nozzle by reducing the requirements of tolerances, said vortex channels and at least a portion of the vortex chamber are formed in a front wall of the core, the nozzle having an inner wall sealing contact with said front wall of the core to isolate the vortex channels from one another.

p0014According to another characteristic of the invention, the nozzle forms a part of the swirl chamber. The swirl chamber is made of two parts, one formed in the front wall of the core and the other in the nozzle. The portion formed in the nozzle corresponding to that where the vortex eye is formed. It was noted that although the two chamber parts are not exactly aligned, the eye of the vortex will form anyway so centered on the spray orifice, provided of course that the spray orifice is in focus with respect to the chamber portion formed in the nozzle. If both parties are not perfectly aligned, the vortex will be just a little deformed, but its acceleration properties remain intact. It is therefore the portion chamber formed in the nozzle which determines the formation position of the eye of the vortex.

p0015Advantageously, the nozzle has a symmetry relative to a plane extending perpendicular to the axis passing through the spray orifice, so that the nozzle has two identical faces making it reversible. The nozzle is then presented simply in the form of an oblong tablet with a central hole formed between two symmetrical cylindrical recesses that define both sides of swirl chamber. The nozzle includes no annular skirt as is the case in the prior art. It follows a considerable simplification of the nozzle which provides benefits at different levels. First, the nozzle is reversible due to its symmetry, which simplifies the orientation of the nozzle during its mounting on the core. Then, the nozzle requires less material because of its small size and the lack of annular skirt. On the other pan, it is easier to mold with a mold into two identical parts. Finally, parts of symmetrical chamber with the spray orifice centered are easier to realize, because the spindle necessary for molding is shorter, thereby increasing its accuracy. One can thus molding a nozzle according to the invention with great precision using a pin easier to handle.

p0016According to another feature, the nozzle is hermetically received in a housing containing the feed ducts and the core, said nozzle being provided on its periphery for contact with said housing a sealing cord which bites into the material constituting said housing . The nozzle is engaged strength in the housing and is held by a kind of harpoon effect. Using materials required, we manage to get such a commitment by material interference. Advantageously, said nozzle has a peripheral chamfer to facilitate penetration mounting of said nozzle in said housing. During assembly, the jet does not need to be brought so perfectly centered to the housing. If this is not the case, the chamfers of penetration automatically refocus the nozzle on its housing. On the other hand, the output channel of the device of spraying has a crenelated free end which communicates with the feed ducts of the nozzle. There was thus no need to provide any arrangement to the nozzle to allow the flow of fluid out of the outlet channel. This also helps to further reduce the height of the nozzle. The nozzle may form part of a pushbutton mounted on a hollow actuator rod defining the outlet channel.

p0017The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings which show by way of nonlimiting example, an embodiment of the present invention.

p0018In the drawings: - Figures 1 to 4 show the prior art and have already been discussed above; However :

p0019- Figure 1 is a front view of a push button including a spray nozzle of the prior art, the nozzle jet having been removed to reveal the interior of the nozzle, - Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view through the push-button and the nozzle of the prior art of Figure 1,

p0020- Figure 3 is an enlarged view of the spray nozzle of Figures 1 and 2 with the nozzle in place,

p0021- Figure 4 is a top view of the nozzle of Figure 3, - Figures 5 to 10 show an embodiment of a spray nozzle according to the invention. In the drawings:

p0022- Figure 5 is a front view of a push button including a spray nozzle made according to the present invention, the nozzle jet having been removed to view the inside of the nozzle. - Figure 6 is a vertical sectional view of the pushbutton and the nozzle according to the invention of Figure 5,

p0023- Figure 7 is a horizontal sectional view of the pushbutton and the nozzle according to the invention of Figure 5, with the nozzle in place,

p0024- Figures 8 to 10 are enlarged views of the nozzle according to the invention, respectively front, side and sectional.

p0025Referring to Figures 5 to 7, the push button is designated in this example by reference numeral 1. It is intended to be fitted on an output channel such as a hollow actuating rod 3 of a device dispensing fluid such as a pump or a valve. The spray nozzle made according to one embodiment of the invention is integrated in the push-button 1, as is usually customary. However, the spray nozzle will now be described in detail can equally well be incorporated to another element of a spray device incorporating an outlet channel. The invention relates to the structure of the nozzle and not at its disposal in relation to the dispensing device. The embodiment chosen to illustrate the invention, however, puts out spray nozzle in a pushbutton generally conventional form.

p0026The pushbutton 1 is in the form of a small hollow cylinder closed at its upper end by a surface 18 adapted to receive a pressure exerted by a finger, for example. The push-button 1 on its cylindrical portion comprises an oblong housing 10 in which is received a correspondingly shaped nozzle. Figures 5 and 6 show the push-button with the nozzle removed to reveal the interior of the elongated housing 10. This contains a core 11 partially filling said housing 10 and two ducts 12 and 13 that said feeding s 'sink in the push button on either side of the core and extending parallel in a horizontal plane, when the surface 18 is directed upward, as shown in figures 5 and 6. While in conventional manner, the core is surrounded by an annular passage (see 114, fig. 1), according to the invention, there are two separate supply conduits 12 and 13 which extend towards the center of the push button 1 where they intercept a internal channel 17 formed in the push button in which is engaged by force the hollow operating rod 3 of the dispensing device. The core is no longer a protruding pin surrounded by an annular space, but is directly connected by its upper and lower portions in the constituent mass of the push button 1, as shown in Figures 5 and 6. The core does not project over free way forward, but literally part of the push button. In a way, the core is a partition for the two supply ducts 12, 13. The core 1 1 extends radially inwardly of the push button and ends just before flowing into the internal channel 17 in which is mounted the actuator rod 3.

p0027The latter has an open upper end 30 which is formed with a serration whose tips are in abutment against the upper wall of the internal channel that also defines part of the cam surface 18. With this serration, the fluid can s' flow out of the actuating rod 3 without it being necessary to provide any means to the upper wall of the inner channel 17 to prevent the upper open end 30 of the rod 3 is in sealing contact with the top wall of the inner channel 17, which would prevent the flow of fluid. This saves height since. actuating rod 3 penetrates maximally in the pushbutton 1. It should be noted that with this particular arrangement of the supply lines 12,

p002813 and internal channel 17, the flow of fluid in the conduits 12, 13 is balanced and equally, because the two ducts 12, 13 connect the inner channel 17 symmetrically. The conduits 12, 13 will therefore always be each fed with the same quantity of fluid equal rate.

p0029On the other hand, compared with a conventional nozzle of the prior art, where the supply channels 113 (Fig. 4) are extremely thin, the two supply conduits 12, 13 of the invention exhibit much higher working sections . Moreover, as the supply ducts connect the internal channel 17 without performing throttle, there is no loss of charge at this level, while in a conventional nozzle of the prior art, the window 112 ( fig. 1) was a cause of a great loss of charge just before the feed channels 113. Thus, with the upper section of the supply conduits and the proper junction of these conduits with the internal channel, the channels swirl can be supplied with fluid optimally without creating a pressure drop before they enter.

p0030The core 11 has a front end wall 19 which is slightly recessed in the 10 about 1 millimeter housing. This wall 19 is not flat, but incorporates a swirl chamber portion 14 and two swirl channels 15 and 16 which open with one of their ends into the swirl chamber 14 and non-radially with each other their ends respectively in each of the supply conduits, as shown in Figure 5. While it is normally usual to mold the chamber and swirl channels in the nozzle according to the present invention, they are molded into the front wall of the core 11. the spindle used in the mold suitable for molding such a nozzle is of a relatively simple design. Indeed, this pin has two branches corresponding to the power lines 12 and 13 connected together by a bridge in which the negative chamber and swirl channels is machined, for example by EDM. Spindle branches extend into the inner channel 17 which is formed by a further cylindrical pin whose upper end is inserted between the two arms of the core pin. This is why the core has a substantially trapeze to facilitate engagement and disengagement of the pin of the inner channel respectively in and out of the branches of the core pin. Looking at Figure 7, it is understood that the branches of the core pin engage in the inner channel 17. The portion of the spray nozzle is an integral part of the push button is very simple to make with only two pins extremely simple.

p0031On a hydraulically, it should be noted that the swirl channels, since they each communicate with a supply conduit, are perfectly symmetrical with respect to the swirl chamber and which will be supplied with identically fluid. This is a particularly advantageous feature as it ensures a perfect formation of the vortex in the vortex chamber. It has been seen so far what the structure of part of the spray nozzle that is integral, that is to say molded in one piece with the push-button 1. The nozzle portion as described still requires the addition of a nozzle which is denoted overall by reference numeral 2 in figures 6 to 10. more particularly, reference is made to figures 7 to 10 for explaining its structure and function, as it represents the an enlarged manner.

p0032The nozzle 2, correspondingly to the shape of the housing 10 wherein it is received, is elongate, ie wider than high. For example, the nozzle has a width of about 3 mm to a height of about 1 millimeter. These values ​​should not be limiting. Compared to a conventional nozzle of the prior art, there is a gain of nearly 2 millimeters in height affects the height of the push button 1. The nozzle is in the form of an oblong grain pierced a central hole 21, said spray. The spray orifice is formed between two substantially cylindrical symmetrical recesses that communicates that define each part of 24 additional vortex chamber to the chamber portion 14 formed in the core 11. According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention , the nozzle is symmetrical with respect to a vertical plane perpendicular to the axis passing the center of the spray orifice is contained and wherein the longitudinal axis of the nozzle. The plan thus passes between the two parts of swirl chamber 24, and thus makes the reversible nozzle, which explains the doubling of the complementary part 24 of the swirl chamber. Only one additional chamber portions 24 fulfill the function for which it is intended, the other then serving only as exhaust nozzle. This reversibility of the nozzle to remove a pre-orientation operation of the nozzle before mounting on the push button. This eliminates a baffle in the bowl for the orientation of the nozzle in the assembly line.

p0033For the attachment of the nozzle in the housing 10, the technique used is preferably the strength of engagement with respect to interference. To do this, the nozzle is provided on its outer periphery oblong with a sealing bead 22 which gives the nozzle overdimensioned relative to the housing 10. By making the nozzle with a material harder than that of the push-button, by example POM (polyoxymethylene) for the nozzle and polyethylene for the push button, the bead 22 will bite into the inner wall of the housing by material deformation. To facilitate engagement of the nozzle in the housing 10, the nozzle is formed with penetration chamfers that can automatically center the nozzle on its housing.

p0034Once fully engaged in the housing 10, the nozzle is in contact by one of its faces 29, incorporating part of turbulence chamber 24, with the end wall 19 core incorporating chamber 14 and the channels 15, 16. The contact between the face 29 and the end wall 19 is sealed, so that the swirl channels are isolated from each other between full swirl chamber 14, 24 and the respective supply ducts 12, 13. in Figure 6, the front wall 19 of the core extends vertically when the nozzle is held upright. Alternatively, it is possible to produce a core with an end wall at an angle with respect to the vertical. In this case, the nozzle would be fitted obliquely, so that the jet is sprayed with a scattering angle relative to the horizontal. One can imagine such an embodiment in a pharmaceutical application, for example, wherein the fluid reservoir must remain vertically oriented while the spray jet must be directed upwards with a predetermined diffusion angle.

p0035The swirl chamber which is traditionally formed only in the nozzle is constituted of two parts formed respectively in the one core and the other in the nozzle. This division into two parts causes no complications in the formation of vortices in the vortex chamber, as it has been noticed that the vortex eye always forms the center of the spray port, provided that the nozzle chamber portion is centered. In other words, the eye vortex forms in the spray orifice even though the two chamber parts are not perfectly aligned. The precision in molding must be paid on the nozzle. Now it is much easier to mold a flat nozzle (without annular skirt 122; fig. 3) which is more perfectly symmetrical. In fact, the necessary mold consists only of two identical parts each incorporating a spindle for the formation of parts of swirl chamber 24 and spray orifice. The two pins required are extremely short and it is known that the molding accuracy is so much greater that the pins are short. Therefore, increased molding accuracy is achieved without use of more specific pins. In the prior art, as the room was formed in the bottom of the nozzle, you had to use a longer pin, resulting in a loss of precision. Thanks to the invention, the nozzle is easy to mold with a minimum of material, using a simple two-piece mold. It is also easy to mount on the pushbutton by virtue of its reversibility and the decrease in pressure which is exerted on it. Indeed, as the nozzle has a contact surface which is more than twice less than that of a conventional nozzle, the force exerted thereon is also more than two times less, since the force is proportional to the bearing surface. Less efficient attachment means may be used to insert the nozzle into the housing 10, the means described constitutes only a preferred embodiment.