Spray head

Abstract

A spray head (T) comprising: a head body (1) defining an insertion opening (101) and a substantially flat inner wall (103) through which a spray central opening (132) penetrates, forming a housing (10) having an axis X; and a substantially tubular spray nozzle (2) axially engaging with the housing (10) of the head body (1) through the insertion opening (101), the spray nozzle (2) including an inlet portion (201) opening into a central internal duct (20), an outer wall (23) defining a central cavity (232) centered on the spray central opening (132) and a plurality of swirl channels (24) opening tangentially into the central cavity (232) and communicating with the central internal duct (20), each swirl channel (24) extending axially below the central cavity (232) to the central internal duct (20) and directly communicating with the central internal duct (20).

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a spray head intended to be combined with a dispensing member such as a pump or a valve. [Background technology]

[0002] Spray heads are known in the art and include a head body and a spray nozzle, the head body forming a housing having an axis X and defining an insertion opening and a substantially planar inner wall having a central spray opening therethrough.

[0003] The spray nozzle is a substantially tubular nozzle that axially engages within the housing of the head body through an insertion opening and has an inlet portion that opens into a central internal duct and an outer wall that defines a central cavity centered on the spray central opening and a plurality of swirl channels that open substantially tangentially to the central cavity and communicate with the central internal duct.

[0004] Conventionally, communication between the central inner duct and the tangential channels is via side windows in radial sidewalls extending radially outward from the central inner duct.

[0005] These radial side windows are opened onto axial connecting channels formed around the periphery of the spray nozzle, for example in the form of flat spots, which run in the axial direction and merge into the vortex channels substantially at right angles.

[0006] Generally, the axial depth of the swirl channel is substantially equal to the axial depth of the central cavity and cooperates with the flat inner wall through which the spray central opening passes to form a swirl chamber.

[0007] In this way, the product fluid travels through the central inner duct, then radially through the radial side windows, then axially through the axial connecting channel, then radially through the swirl channel, until it reaches the swirl chamber, where it forms a vortex and finally emerges from the spray central opening in the form of a cloud of fine droplets.

[0008] Typically, there are two or three radial side windows and an equal number of axial connecting channels and swirl channels.

[0009] To mold the radial side windows, it is necessary to use compartment pins, i.e. pins that move laterally (at right angles) to the housing axis X. The implementation of these compartment pins is always complex and therefore a source of problems. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0010] [Patent Document 1] US Patent Application Publication No. 2002 / 011530 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0011] It is an object of the present invention to simplify the molding of spray heads without the use of such compartment pins.

[0012] Another object of the present invention is to produce a mold assembly that comprises only two parts, one of which is axially movable relative to the other. [Means for solving the problem]

[0013] For this purpose, the invention proposes that the vortex channels extend axially below the central cavity up to the central internal duct and communicate directly with it, in other words, the depth of the conventional vortex channels, which have the same depth as the central cavity, can be considered to be deepened in this case by being extended axially downwards to the point where they join the central internal duct.

[0014] The invention may also be defined as follows: the swirl channel extends partially into the axial extension of the central inner duct and defines an axial fluid passageway extending from the central inner duct to the outer wall.

[0015] Advantageously, the swirl channels may have an outlet in the central cavity and be in axial communication with the central internal duct.

[0016] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the central inner duct may comprise a frustoconical portion, the vortex channels communicating directly with the frustoconical portion via windows inclined with respect to the axis X.

[0017] To achieve these inclined windows, the molding assembly of the present invention can be a molding assembly comprising a first pin for forming a central internal duct and a number of second pins for forming a number of vortex channels, the first and second pins having conical surfaces intended to come into contact with each other through relative axial movement to form the inclined windows.

[0018] The contact between the conical surfaces prevents the edges of the pins from rubbing against each other during demolding, and of course prevents the pins from sliding against each other.

[0019] According to another aspect of the invention, each vortex channel comprises two main walls extending from the outer wall to a bottom, the bottom being axially at the same height level as the central internal duct and communicating with the central internal duct through a window, the two main walls approaching each other as they move radially towards the central cavity, such that an angle is formed between each of the two main walls.

[0020] Advantageously, the central cavity may be axially separated from the window by a stopper located axially downstream of the central inner duct.

[0021] In terms of dimensions, the axial depth of the swirl channel can be 3 to 10 times, advantageously 5 to 10 times, greater than the axial depth of the central cavity, and the axial height of the window can correspond to approximately half the axial depth of the swirl channel.

[0022] The present invention also provides a fluid product dispensing device comprising a dispensing member, such as a pump or valve, attached to a fluid product container, and a spray head as described above attached to the dispensing member.

[0023] In addition to the molding and demolding functions provided by the present invention, other advantages are also seen, such as a reduced or narrower spread of spray angles compared to standard heads.

[0024] Nasal application provides better deposition in the olfactory region, which is located quite far back in the nasal cavity, and in fact penetrates deeper into the nose as the spray is ejected more axially.

[0025] Additionally, the flow is more axially centered and there are no radial baffles, reducing fluid load losses, improving flow rates, and providing at least the same spray quality at lower supply pressures. Thus, pumps delivering lower pressures can be used. Spray quality is also improved while maintaining a known standardized swirl chamber profile.

[0026] With respect to spray, lower pump pressures result in more uniform droplet size, so that lower actuation speeds and forces will provide at least equivalent spray quality.

[0027] It has also been confirmed that the reduced load loss reduces the fluctuation in the dosage and improves the stability of the dosage.

[0028] The spray head according to the invention is advantageously applied as a nasal spray, but can also be used in other pharmaceutical fields and in other fields such as cosmetics and perfumery.

[0029] The essence of the invention is to move the fluid product axially from an axially central housing through a swirl channel to the periphery of the swirl chamber.

[0030] In the illustrated example, if the needle is introduced axially into the swirl channel close to the central cavity, it will enter the central inner duct without axial deviation. This axial communication is made possible by the formation of a direct connecting window arranged at an angle between the central inner duct and the swirl channel.

[0031] A molding assembly with conical surfaces in contact allows for the formation of such angled or tilted windows. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0032] The invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, which show, by way of non-limiting example, embodiments according to the invention. [Figure 1] 1 is a cross-sectional view of a fluid product dispensing device incorporating a spray head according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the spray head shown in FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a further enlarged view of the upper part of the spray head shown in FIG. 2. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of an upper portion of the spray nozzle of the spray head shown in FIGS. 1 to 3. [Diagram 5]FIG. 5 is a cutaway view similar to FIG. 4. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is an axial top view of a spray nozzle of a spray head according to the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the fluid volume within a spray head according to the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a schematic vertical cross-sectional view showing a molding assembly making it possible to mold the spray nozzle of the spray head according to the invention; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0033] In Fig. 1 a fluid product dispensing device is shown comprising a fluid product container R to which is attached a dispensing member D, which may be a pump or a valve. The dispensing device also comprises a fixing member F which holds the dispensing member D tightly and sealingly on the fluid product container R.

[0034] This fastening member F can, for example, be screwed into a threaded neck of the container R. Other fastening methods are possible.

[0035] The discharge member D comprises a valve rod S which is axially reciprocable against a return spring, through which the pressurized fluid product is discharged by the discharge member D. A spray head T is attached to the free end of the valve rod S.

[0036] The spray head is intended to convey the fluid product provided by the valve rod S to the spray central opening 132 where it is dispensed in the form of a spray of fine droplets. The spray head T also functions as a push button for moving the valve rod S.

[0037] This design is conventional for liquid product dispensing devices in the pharmaceutical field, but is also used in the cosmetics, perfume and even food industries.

[0038] In figure 2 it can be seen that the spray head T is clearly shown designed for application to the nasal cavity, capable of spraying a fluid product into the nasal cavity through the nostrils of the nose. This particular application is not a limitation of the invention, and other spray head shapes designed for other applications can be envisaged without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0039] The spray head T comprises a head body 1, which can be manufactured in one piece by injection molding using a suitable plastic material.

[0040] The head body 1 has an axial sheath 11, which has a connecting sleeve 111 at its lower end and is extended at its upper end by a tip portion 12, which has a disk 13 perforated with a central spray opening 132.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 1, the spray head T is attached to the discharge member D by a connecting sleeve 111 which fits sealingly around the free end of the valve rod S.

[0042] The sheath 11 and tip 12 define an interior of a housing 10 that defines an insertion opening 101, an inner wall 102 that is substantially cylindrical in shape, and an upper inner wall 103 that is substantially flat.

[0043] 3 it can be seen that the flat inner wall 103 forms the underside of the disk 13 which closes the tip 12. The upper surface of the disk 13 forms a divergent cone 131 centred on the spray opening 132.

[0044] The housing 10 is thus of relatively simple construction, i.e., has a substantially tubular shape about a longitudinal axis X, an open lower end and a closed upper end, with a spray opening 132 provided at the closed upper end.

[0045] The head body 1 is also formed with an outer casing 14 that extends downward from the junction of the sheath 11 and the tip portion 12. This outer casing 14 may have a truncated cone shape to facilitate insertion of the head body 1 into the nostril.

[0046] The lower end of the outer casing 14 is extended through an annular flange 15 which functions as a push button. A user can activate the dispensing device by pressing the annular flange 15 with his index and middle fingers to depress the valve rod S.

[0047] Furthermore, the head body 1 is provided with a skirt 16 extending downwards from the annular flange 15. This skirt 16 has a technical guiding function and an aesthetic function of hiding the valve rod S from view from the outside.

[0048] The spray head T also comprises a spray nozzle 2, which can also be manufactured in one piece by injection moulding from a suitable plastic material.

[0049] The spray nozzle 2 has a substantially tubular shape centered on an axis X and is axially engageable within the housing 10 via an insertion opening 101. The spray nozzle 2 forms a tubular body 21 defining therein a central internal duct 20 with an inlet portion 201 opening within the insertion opening 101 of the head body 1.

[0050] The central inner duct 20 extends to a stopper 22 which axially closes the inside of the tubular body 21. On the outside, the spray nozzle 2 forms an outer wall 23 opposite the inlet section 201. The outer wall 23 defines a central cavity 232 centred on the spray opening 132.

[0051] The central cavity 232 and the inner wall 103 together define a swirl chamber with the spray central opening 132 as its axial centerline.

[0052] The central cavity 232 is advantageously defined by a flat bottom and a number of sidewall segments connecting the bottom to the outer wall 23. The outer wall 23 also defines a number of vortex channels 24, each of which advantageously has an opening tangentially into the central cavity 232 between two sidewall segments.

[0053] This can be clearly seen in figure 4. The vortex system formed in the central chamber fed by the tangential channels is completely the same as in the conventional design.

[0054] According to the invention, each swirl channel 24 extends axially below the central cavity 232, around the stopper 22 and below the stopper 22 to the central inner duct 20. More specifically, the swirl channel 24 communicates directly with the frustoconical portion 203 of the central inner duct 20 via a window 25.

[0055] If the frustoconical portion 203 is exactly frustoconical, the window 25 extends at an angle to the longitudinal axis X of the spray nozzle 2. It should be noted that the window 25 has the shape of a trapezoid, wide at the base and limited at the top.

[0056] 4 and 5, it can be seen that each vortex channel 24 has two main walls 241, 242, advantageously flat walls, and extends axially from its main wall 23 downwards to a bottom 243 located at the height level of the stopper 22.

[0057] The swirl channel 24 also defines an outlet wall 244 which forms the axial junction between the two main walls 241,242.

[0058] It should also be noted that the two main walls 241, 242 extend at an angle toward each other toward the central cavity 232 and the window 25. The outlet wall 244 may be shaped to extend axially from the central cavity 232 to the window 25.

[0059] 4 and 6, it can be seen that each swirl channel 24 defines an outlet 245 within the central cavity 232, and that these outlets 245 are formed above the angled windows 25 and above the axially extending outlet wall 244.

[0060] Thus, it can be seen in particular from FIG. 6 that the outlet 245 or outlet wall 244 of the vortex channel 24 is in direct axial communication with the central inner duct 20 via the inclined window 25 .

[0061] Note that the central cavity 232 is not perfectly circular due to the inclusion of the outlet 245 or the outlet wall 244 .

[0062] The bottom of the central cavity 232 can also be said to define an outer edge that extends axially through the inclined window 25 into the central internal duct 20 at the junction with the outlet wall 244. The outlet 245 is thus located axially above the central internal duct 20.

[0063] It should be noted that the formation of an inclined window 25 is only one preferred embodiment of the invention, since it is also possible to produce a perfectly axially parallel window with the vortex channel 24 in flush contact with the perfectly cylindrical inner duct.

[0064] The implementation of an angled window 25 is particularly advantageous as it allows for greater axial communication and makes molding of the spray nozzle 2 easier.

[0065] Concerning the dimensions of the spray nozzle 2, it can be said that the axial depth of the swirl channels 24 is considerably greater than the axial depth of the central cavity 232, by a factor of about 3 to 10, advantageously by a factor of 5 to 10. It should also be noted that the axial height of the windows 25 corresponds to about half the axial depth of the swirl channels 24. The height of the outlet wall 244 corresponds approximately to the height of the windows 25. The diameter of the central cavity 232 corresponds approximately to the size of the diameter of the cylindrical portion 202 of the central internal duct 20.

[0066] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating the volume that can be occupied by a fluid product within a spray head T according to the present invention.

[0067] The rod 20F represents the internal volume of the central internal duct 20. This volume 20F is in direct axial communication with three volumes 24F representing the three vortex channels 24. These volumes 24F are represented substantially in the form of a three-pronged cross-sectional slice.

[0068] Volume 20F is separated from volume 232F, which corresponds to the volume of vortex chamber 232, by the presence of stopper 22. Volume 24F, which corresponds to vortex channel 24, communicates with volume 232F and forms a kind of helix.

[0069] And volume 132F corresponds to the volume of spray central opening 132. It can also be seen that the fluid product travels completely axially between volumes 20F and 232F via respective volumes 24F which extend around volumes 20F and 232F.

[0070] 8 shows a schematic partial vertical cross-sectional view of a forming assembly making it possible to form the spray nozzle 2. This forming assembly comprises a first pin B1 intended for forming the axial internal duct 20.

[0071] As shown in the figure, the pin B1 comprises a cylindrical portion B11 which terminates in a frusto-conical portion B12. Due to its conical shape, the frusto-conical portion B12 has a conical wall B13.

[0072] Meanwhile, the forming assembly includes a plurality of second pins B2 for forming a plurality of tangential vortex channels 24. Each of these pins B2 has a conical surface B22 that contacts the surface B13 of the first pin B1 in a conical surface-to-conical surface manner during forming.

[0073] This mold assembly has several advantages.

[0074] Firstly, it is well known that conical surface-to-conical surface contact is easier to create than shear-sliding contact between two surfaces, and secondly, this conical surface-to-conical surface contact makes it possible to create inclined windows 25 that increase the axial communication between the central inner duct 20 and each of the vortex channels 24.

[0075] This embodiment is for the nasal cavity and has a significant length of the housing 10 and central internal duct 20. Other embodiments in which the length of the housing 10 and duct 20 is reduced or significantly reduced are fully contemplated.

[0076] While the embodiment used to illustrate the present invention includes three vortex channels, this number may be reduced to two, increased to four, or greater than four.

[0077] The invention makes it possible to realise a spray head with a central duct and a swirl system with direct axial feed between the central duct and the swirl system.

Claims

1. A spray head (T) intended to be combined with a discharge member (D) such as a pump or a valve, a head body (1) defining an insertion opening (101) and a substantially flat inner wall (103) having a spray central opening (132) therethrough, forming a housing (10) having an axis X; a substantially tubular spray nozzle (2) axially engaged with a housing (10) of the head body (1) through an insertion opening (101); Equipped with The spray nozzle (2) is an inlet portion (201) opening into a central internal duct (20); an outer wall (23) defining a central cavity (232) centered about the spray central opening (132) and a plurality of swirl channels (24) opening tangentially to the central cavity (232) and communicating with a central internal duct (20); Each vortex channel (24) extends axially below the central cavity (232) to the central inner duct (20) and is in direct communication with the central inner duct (20). A spray head characterized by:

2. The swirl channel (24) extends partially into the axial extension of the central inner duct (20) and defines an axial fluid passageway extending from the central inner duct (20) to the outer wall (23). A spray head according to claim 1.

3. The vortex channel (24) has an outlet (245) in the central cavity (232) and is in axial communication with the central internal duct (20). A spray head according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The central internal duct (20) comprises a frustoconical portion (203) with which the vortex channels (24) communicate directly via windows (25) inclined with respect to the axis X. A spray head according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The central cavity (232) is axially separated from the window (25) by a stopper (22) located axially downstream of the central inner duct (20). A spray head according to claim 4.

6. Each vortex channel (24) comprises two main walls (241, 242) extending from the outer wall (23) to a bottom (243); The bottom (243) is located at the same axial height level as the central internal duct (20) and communicates with the central internal duct (20) through a window (25); The two main walls (241, 242) converge as they move radially towards the central cavity (232), creating an angle between them. A spray head according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. Each vortex channel (24) comprises two main walls (241, 242); The two main walls (241, 242) converge as they move radially towards the central cavity (232) so that they are angled from each other and extend axially from the outer wall (23) to the central internal duct (20) at their closest point. A spray head according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. Each vortex channel (24) comprises two main walls (241, 242) connected by an outlet wall (244) which extends axially from the central cavity (23) to the central internal duct (20). A spray head according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. The swirl channel (24) includes an outlet (245) within the central cavity (232), the outlet being formed in an axial extension of the outlet wall (244). A spray head according to claim 8.

10. The axial depth of the vortex channel (24) is 3 to 10 times, preferably 5 to 10 times, greater than the axial depth of the central cavity (232). A spray head according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

11. The axial height of the window (25) corresponds to approximately half the axial depth of the vortex channel (24). A spray head according to claim 4 or 5.

12. 1. A fluid product dispensing device comprising: a discharge member (D), such as a pump or valve, attached to a fluid product container (R); A spray head (T) according to any one of claims 1 to 11 attached to a discharge member (D); 1. A fluid product dispensing device comprising:

13. A moulding assembly for moulding a spray nozzle (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, comprising: A first pin (B1) for forming a central internal duct (20); and a plurality of second pins (B2) for forming a plurality of vortex channels (24); The first pin (B1) and the second pin (B2) have conical surfaces (B13, B22) that are intended to come into contact with each other through relative axial movement.

13. A molded assembly comprising:

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