Spray head and fluid product dispensing device comprising such a head
A single-piece spray head with additive-printed curved channels addresses the issue of reproducibility and cost in spray heads by providing consistent and efficient distribution of fluid products.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- FR2020007187
- Authority / Receiving Office
- FR · FR
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2020-07-07
- Publication Date
- 2025-11-21
- Estimated Expiration
- 2040-07-07
AI Technical Summary
Existing spray heads for fluid product distribution devices require multiple parts and assembly, leading to manufacturing tolerances that affect spray profile reproducibility and performance consistency.
A spray head made from a single monobloc piece, manufactured through additive printing, featuring a complex spray profile with curved channels connecting to a vortex chamber, optimized for reproducible and efficient fluid distribution.
Ensures consistent spray performance by eliminating assembly steps, allowing for complex shapes and optimized geometry, thereby enhancing reproducibility and reducing manufacturing costs.
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Abstract
Description
Title of the invention: Spray head and fluid product dispensing device comprising such a head
[0001] The present invention relates to a spray head, its manufacturing process, and a fluid product distribution device comprising such a head.
[0002] More particularly, the present invention relates to a spray head made from a single monobloc piece.
[0003] Generally, to achieve a spray profile upstream of the spray orifice, an insert is inserted into the spray head.
[0004] This type of device may have certain drawbacks. For example, the manufacturing process requires the production of at least two parts, and an assembly step is then necessary. Furthermore, due to manufacturing tolerances of the parts to be assembled (the spray head and the insert), the spray profile is not always strictly identical, and the spray performance is not always reproducible.
[0005] The present invention aims to provide a spray head for a fluid product distribution device that does not reproduce the aforementioned disadvantages.
[0006] More particularly, the present invention aims to provide a spray head with a spray profile that is made from a single monobloc piece.
[0007] The present invention also aims to provide such a spray head which is produced in a single manufacturing step.
[0008] The present invention also aims to provide such a spray head which is simple and inexpensive to manufacture and assemble.
[0009] The present invention therefore relates to a spray head for a fluid product distribution device, comprising a body having a spray orifice, a central channel being connected to said spray orifice via a spray profile comprising a vortex chamber disposed directly upstream of said spray orifice, said spray profile comprising at least two curved channels extending from said central channel to said vortex chamber, each curved channel connecting non-radially to said vortex chamber, to form a spray at the outlet of said spray orifice, each curved channel being convex in shape, spreading outwards radially and axially upwards from said central channel, and then from an inflection zone, turning radially inwards and axially upwards towards said vortex chamber.
[0010] Advantageously, said spray head is of the nasal type, said central channel extending axially and said spray orifice being oriented axially.
[0011] Advantageously, said at least two curved channels open into said vortex chamber by being regularly distributed over the periphery of said vortex chamber.
[0012] Advantageously, each curved channel is rounded in shape, without any sharp angles.
[0013] Advantageously, the cross-section of each curved channel gradually decreases between said central channel and said vortex chamber.
[0014] Advantageously, said at least two curved channels are of substantially identical shapes, dimensions and curvatures between said central channel and said vortex chamber.
[0015] Alternatively, said at least two curved channels are of different shapes, dimensions and / or curvatures between said central channel and said vortex chamber.
[0016] Advantageously, said spray profile comprises two curved channels.
[0017] Advantageously, said spray profile comprises three curved channels.
[0018] The present invention also relates to a fluid product distribution device, comprising an actuation part, a reservoir containing a fluid product, a spray head provided with a spray orifice, and distribution means for distributing at least a part of said fluid product through said spray orifice during actuation, said spray head being made as described above.
[0019] Advantageously, said reservoir contains a single dose of fluid product dispensed in a single actuation of the device.
[0020] Alternatively, said reservoir contains at least two doses of fluid product distributed in several successive actuations of the device.
[0021] Advantageously, said actuating part comprises two lateral support elements pivotally mounted on said spray head, each lateral support element comprising a respective cam portion each comprising a respective cam surface cooperating with said reservoir to move it axially upwards during actuation of the device.
[0022] The present invention also relates to a method for manufacturing a spray head as described above, said method comprising producing said spray head by additive printing.
[0023] These and other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description, made with reference to the accompanying drawings, given by way of non-limiting examples, and in which:
[0024] [Fig. 1] Fig. 1 is a schematic side view of a nasal fluid product delivery device according to an advantageous embodiment,
[0025] [Fig.2] Fig.2 is a schematic perspective detail view of a pul head verification according to a first advantageous embodiment,
[0026] [Fig.3] [Fig.3] is a view similar to that of [Fig.2],
[0027] [Fig.4] Fig.4 is a schematic top view showing a cross-section the spray head shown in figures 2 and 3,
[0028] [Fig. 5] [Fig. 5] is a view similar to that of [Fig. 3], showing a second advantageous embodiment, and
[0029] [Fig.6] The [Fig.6] is a view similar to that of the [Fig.4] showing a section through the spray head of the [Fig.5].
[0030] The terms "proximal" and "distal" refer to the spray orifice. The terms "axial" and "radial" refer to the longitudinal central axis of the device. The terms "top" and "bottom" refer to the upright position of the device shown in [Fig. 1].
[0031] With reference to [Fig. 1], an example of a nasal dispensing device for a fluid product is shown, to which the present invention applies. In this example, it is a single-dose device, in which the entire dose of fluid product is dispensed in a single actuation. It should be noted that the present invention could also be adapted to other types of devices, such as, for example, double-dose or multi-dose devices, containing two or more doses of fluid product to be dispensed in two or more successive actuations of the device.
[0032] In the example of [Fig.1], the device comprises an actuation part 1, a spray head 10 comprising a body 18 provided with a spray orifice 11, a reservoir 20 containing the fluid product to be distributed and distribution means 30 for distributing a dose of fluid product when the device is actuation.
[0033] The spray head 10, here of the nasal type, has a central channel 12 connected to said spray orifice 11 via a spray profile 13. This spray orifice 11 serves to dispense a dose of fluid product from said spray head 10 when the device is actuation by a user. A cannula 120 is disposed at the distal end of the central channel 12.
[0034] The reservoir 20 is connected to the spray head 10 in any suitable manner. In the example shown, the reservoir 20 contains a single dose of fluid product dispensed by a single actuation of the device. Typically, as can be seen in the figures, the reservoir 20 can be formed by a hollow, blind body with a single proximal opening.
[0035] In another embodiment, not shown in the drawings, the reservoir might not be formed by a blind hollow body having only one opening, but by a hollow cylinder open axially at both ends. This cylinder would then be closed at the proximal end by a first plug and at the distal end by a second plug, the volume defined between said two plugs containing the fluid product to be dispensed.
[0036] In the example shown, which depicts a single-dose unit, the dispensing means 30 include a piston stopper. This piston stopper 30 seals the reservoir tightly before actuation and is adapted to be pierced by the cannula 120 at the beginning of actuation to connect the reservoir 20 to the spray orifice 11. Continued actuation moves the piston stopper within the reservoir 20, thereby expelling the fluid product through the cannula 120 to the spray orifice 11. In a multi-dose device, the dispensing means could include a pump or a metering valve.
[0037] In this example, the actuation part 1 comprises two lateral support elements 2, 3 for the user's fingers to support during actuation. These two lateral support elements 2, 3 are pivotally mounted on the spray head 10. Each lateral support element 2, 3 comprises a respective cam portion 21, 31, said cam portions 21, 31 being connected to each other to allow pivoting of the lateral support elements, for example via a lug (not shown) of the cam portion 21 sliding in a groove 35 of the cam portion 31. Each cam portion 21, 31 comprises a respective cam surface 22, 32 cooperating with the reservoir 20, in particular with its radially external distal edge, as seen in [Fig. 1].During actuation, the user compresses the lateral support elements 2, 3 towards each other, causing them to pivot, the cam surfaces 22, 32 pushing the reservoir 20 axially upwards to achieve the distribution of a dose of fluid product.
[0038] The example shown therefore demonstrates a lateral actuation of the device, but it is understood that the present invention could also be applied to a conventional axial-type actuation.
[0039] According to the invention, the spray head 10 is made in one single piece, by additive printing.
[0040] This makes it possible to produce a spray profile 13 of complex shape, difficult or even impossible to produce by molding and / or assembly.
[0041] According to the invention, the spray profile 13 comprises at least two curved channels 14, 15, 16, extending from the central channel 12 to a vortex chamber 19 disposed directly upstream of the spray orifice 11. Figures 2 to 4 show a first embodiment with two curved channels 14, 15, and Figures 5 and 6 show a second embodiment with three curved channels 14, 15, 16. A spray profile 13 could be envisaged with more than three curved channels, for example four.
[0042] In the example shown, which shows a nasal spray head, the central channel 12 is axial, as is the spray orifice 11.
[0043] It should be noted that the present invention could also be applied to a device comprising a mouth dispensing head, with a radially oriented spray orifice.
[0044] Each curved channel 14, 15, 16 connects in a non-radial manner to the vortex chamber 19, thereby generating a vortex of the flows exiting said curved channels into said vortex chamber 19, thus forming a spray at the exit of the spray orifice 11.
[0045] Preferably, the at least two curved channels 14, 15, 16 open into the vortex chamber 19, evenly distributed around its periphery. Thus, in the example of Figures 2 to 4, the two curved channels 14, 15 open diametrically opposite each other into the vortex chamber 19, and in the example of Figures 5 and 6, the three curved channels 14, 15, 16 open into the vortex chamber 19, spaced 120° apart. Alternatively, however, the curved channels could open into the vortex chamber in a non-regular manner, particularly if the dimensions of the different curved channels vary.
[0046] As can be seen in particular in figures 2, 3 and 5, each curved channel 14, 15, 16 is convex in shape, spreading out radially outwards and axially upwards from the central channel 12, then from an inflection zone 140, 150, 160, returning radially inwards and still axially upwards towards the vortex chamber 19. The said inflection zones 140, 150, 160 therefore form the radially outermost parts of the said curved channels 14, 15, 16.
[0047] Advantageously, each curved channel 14, 15, 16 is rounded in shape, without any sharp angles. This notably limits pressure losses, so that the flows from the curved channels enter the vortex chamber 19 with maximum energy, thus generating an excellent quality spray at the outlet of the spray orifice 11.
[0048] Advantageously, the cross-section of each curved channel 14, 15, 16 gradually decreases between the central channel 12 and the vortex chamber 19. This makes it possible in particular to accelerate the flows flowing in said curved channels, optimizing their speed when they open into the vortex chamber 19.
[0049] Advantageously, the at least two curved channels 14, 15, 16 are of substantially identical shape, dimensions, and curvature between the central channel 12 and the vortex chamber 19. However, alternatively, curved channels could be made with different shapes, dimensions (particularly length and cross-section), and curvatures, thus generating different flow rates in each curved channel. Combined with a non-regular distribution of the curved channels around the vortex chamber, this could make it possible to produce sprays of any desired shape.
[0050] As mentioned previously, the invention could also be applied to a double-dose device. In this case, the contents of the reservoir would be dispensed in two successive actions. Document WO2014147329 describes an example of a double-dose device. More generally, the present invention applies to all types of single-dose, double-dose, or multi-dose devices.
[0051] According to an advantageous aspect of the invention, the spray head 10 is manufactured by additive printing or 3D printing. This manufacturing process makes it possible to produce complex one-piece shapes, such as the spray head 10 including the spray profile 13, in a single one-piece, without the assembly of one or more insert(s), and with perfectly reproducible performance from one spray head to another.
[0052] The present invention provides several advantages, including: - it improves the reproducibility of the spray, with each spray head having an identical spray profile; - it avoids having to assemble two or more parts manufactured separately, eliminating a manufacturing step and an assembly step; - it allows the creation of any desired complex shapes, through the use of additive printing; - It allows for the optimization of spray properties through an optimized geometry of the spray profile.
[0053] Of course, other embodiment variants are also conceivable, without departing from the scope of the present invention, as defined by the attached claims.
Claims
Demands
1. A spray head (10) for a fluid product dispensing device, comprising a body (18) having a spray orifice (11), a central channel (12) being connected to said spray orifice (11) via a spray profile (13) comprising a vortex chamber (19) disposed directly upstream of said spray orifice (11), characterized in that said spray profile (13) comprises at least two curved channels (14, 15, 16) extending from said central channel (12) to said vortex chamber (19), each curved channel (14, 15, 16) connecting non-radially to said vortex chamber (19) to form a spray at the outlet of said spray orifice (11), each curved channel (14, 15, 16) being convex in shape, radiating outwards and axially upwards from said central channel (12), and then from of an inflection zone (140, 150, 160),by moving back inwards and axially upwards in the direction of said vortex chamber (19).
2. Spray head (10) according to claim 1, wherein said spray head is of the nasal type, said central channel (12) extending axially and said spray orifice (11) being oriented axially.
3. Spray head (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said at least two curved channels (14, 15, 16) open into said vortex chamber (19) being regularly distributed over the periphery of said vortex chamber (19).
4. Spray head (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each curved channel (14, 15, 16) is rounded in shape, without any sharp angles.
5. Spray head (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cross-section of each curved channel (14, 15, 16) gradually decreases between said central channel (12) and said vortex chamber (19).
6. Spray head (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said at least two curved channels (14, 15, 16) are of substantially identical shapes, dimensions and curvatures between said central channel (12) and said vortex chamber (19).
7. Spray head (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein said at least two curved channels (14, 15, 16) are of different shapes, dimensions and / or curvatures between said channel central (12) and said vortex chamber (19).
8. Spray head (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said spray profile (13) comprises two curved channels (14, 15).
9. Spray head (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein said spray profile (13) comprises three curved channels (14, 15, 16).
10. Fluid product distribution device, comprising an actuation part (1), a reservoir (20) containing a fluid product, a spray head (10) provided with a spray orifice (11), and distribution means (30) for distributing at least a part of said fluid product through said spray orifice (11) upon actuation, characterized in that said spray head (10) is made according to any one of the preceding claims.
11. Device according to claim 10, wherein said reservoir (20) contains a single dose of fluid product dispensed in a single actuation of the device.
12. Device according to claim 10, wherein said reservoir (20) contains at least two doses of fluid product distributed in several successive actuations of the device.
13. Device according to any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein said actuating part (1) comprises two lateral support elements (2, 3) pivotally mounted on said spray head (10), each lateral support element (2, 3) comprising a respective cam portion (21, 31) each comprising a respective cam surface (22, 32) cooperating with said reservoir (20) to move it axially upwards when the device is actuated.
14. A method for manufacturing a spray head (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that said method comprises producing said spray head (10) by additive printing.