Dispensing head

Abstract

The invention relates to a dispensing head comprising a body (B) forming a housing (B1) in which a core (B2) and a nozzle (N) inserted into the housing (B1) around the core (B2) are arranged, the core defining a peripheral wall (B21) and a front wall (B22), the nozzle (N) defining a mounting bushing (N1) and a dispensing wall (N2), the dispensing wall (N2) forming a spray opening (O), the dispensing wall (N2) also forming, together with the front wall (B22), a swirl chamber (C) centred on the spray opening (O) and at least one swirl channel (N21) which opens tangentially into the swirl chamber (C), the mounting bushing (N1) and the peripheral wall (B21) forming at least one axial duct (N11), which respectively supplies a swirl channel (N21), wherein the nozzle (N) also forms, together with the core (B2), at least one eddy chamber (T), which respectively connects an axial duct (N11) to a swirl channel (N21), characterised in that the at least one swirl channel (N21) comprises a channel bottom (N211) and the eddy chamber (T) comprises a chamber bottom (T1), the two bottoms (N211, T1) being connected by an offset axial wall (T2) thus forming a step between the two bottoms (N211, T1), the offset axial wall (T2) and the two bottoms (N211, T1) being defined by the nozzle (N), the offset axial wall (T2) being located in front of the front wall (B22) of the core (B2) and being radially offset towards the dispensing axis X out of axial alignment with the peripheral wall (B21) of the core (B2).

Description

Head of distribution

[0001] The present invention relates to a distribution head comprising a body forming an insertion housing in which a core and a nozzle are disposed. The nozzle is inserted into the insertion housing around the core. The core defines a peripheral wall and a front wall. The nozzle defines a mounting sleeve and a distribution wall. The nozzle distribution wall forms a spray orifice. The nozzle distribution wall also forms, with the front wall of the core, a swirl chamber centered on the spray orifice and at least one swirl channel that opens tangentially into the swirl chamber. The nozzle mounting sleeve and the peripheral wall of the core form at least one axial conduit that feeds a swirl channel, respectively. The distribution head defines a distribution axis passing through the core.the swirling chamber and the spray nozzle.

[0002] This type of dispensing head has been known for a long time, particularly for spraying perfumes, which are mostly alcohol-based and therefore have a low viscosity, generating little laminar flow. These dispensing heads, which are very effective for alcoholic perfumes, are, however, unsuitable for spraying non-alcoholic perfumes, which generate more laminar flow. The results are disappointing: the perfume is sprayed out in a jet rather than as fine droplets.

[0003] The present invention aims to define a new distribution head architecture, which allows the spraying of non-alcoholic perfumes and more generally of fluid products containing no alcohol or very little.

[0004] To achieve this, the present invention proposes that the nozzle also forms, with the core, at least one turbulence chamber which connects an axial duct to a vortex channel. The turbulence chamber is situated between the axial duct and the vortex channel: it is not merely an indistinguishable or arbitrarily isolable part of the axial duct or the vortex channel, but an intermediate volume or space that breaks with the linear geometry of the axial duct and / or the vortex channel.

[0005] According to the invention, said at least one vortex channel comprises a channel bottom and the turbulence chamber comprises a chamber bottom, the two bottoms being connected by an axial offset wall thus forming a step between the two bottoms. The axial offset wall and the two bottoms are defined by the nozzle. The axial offset wall is located in front of the core's front wall, radially offset towards the distribution axis and out of axial alignment with the core's peripheral wall. Since the axial offset wall (step) is located opposite the core's front wall, the fluid flowing through the axial channel enters the turbulence chamber axially, passes through it, and strikes the chamber bottom, creating initial turbulence. Subsequently, the fluid is deflected towards the axial offset wall (step), creating secondary turbulence.The fluid flows along the axial offset wall and strikes the front wall, creating third turbulence. From there, the fluid flows through the vortex channel towards the vortex chamber. All these turbulent flows serve to break the laminar flow of the fluid. Thus, the fluid arrives at the vortex chamber under optimal conditions for effective atomization. It is now clear why it is important that the axial offset wall (step) be located in front of or opposite the core, as it directs the flow directly against the front wall, right at the entrance to the vortex channel.

[0006] Advantageously, the body is made in one piece from plastic material and the nozzle is also made in one piece from plastic material, the nozzle being held, advantageously by friction, snap-fit, harpooning, material interference, in the insertion housing around the core.

[0007] According to a very interesting and advantageous feature, the turbulence chamber can extend both in the axial continuation of the axial duct beyond the front wall and between the nozzle distribution wall and the front wall of the core. In other words, the turbulence chamber extends axially beyond the core and radially on either side of the circular ridge formed at the junction of the peripheral wall and the front wall of the core.It can also be said that the turbulence chamber includes an inlet contiguous to the outlet of the axial duct which terminates at the front wall of the core, extends axially beyond this front wall to the nozzle distribution wall, but also radially inwards in front of the front wall of the core and includes an outlet defined between the nozzle distribution wall and the front wall of the core, which opens directly into the vortex channel, which leads straight to the vortex chamber.

[0008] Advantageously, the axial duct has a cross-sectional area at the distribution axis, while the turbulent chamber has a larger cross-sectional area than the axial duct. It can be said that the radial extent of the turbulent chamber is greater than that of the axial duct. This implies that the turbulent chamber extends in front of the nucleus and not just around it.

[0009] Advantageously, the turbulence chamber comprises two converging axial walls located on either side of the axial shift wall in front of the core's front wall. These two converging axial walls act like a funnel, directing the fluid product towards the axial shift wall. The fluid product is thus accelerated before impacting the core's front wall.

[0010] The invention can also be defined as follows: the turbulence chamber defines two volumes, namely an outer volume defined in the extension of the axial duct beyond the front wall of the core and an inner volume defined between the nozzle distribution wall and the front wall of the core, the axial offset wall and the converging walls being located in the inner volume and formed by the nozzle distribution wall.

[0011] According to another aspect of the invention, said at least one vortex channel may have a constant cross-section, advantageously of the order of 0.015mm² to 0.09mm², over most, or even all, of its length between the turbulence chamber and the vortex chamber, the general shape of this cross-section being substantially close to a square, so as to define internally a flow channel of fluid product of substantially circular shape, in order to meet the characteristics of the so-called Poiseuille law, which considers the optimal flow velocity of viscous formulas, in this form of conduit.

[0012] Indeed, this shape offers dynamic conditions for the liquid vein that allow turbulent flow to be maintained.

[0013] Advantageously, said at least one axial duct comprises an outer wall formed by the mounting sleeve and an inner wall formed by the peripheral wall of the core, as well as two connecting walls. The outer wall and the two connecting walls extend into the turbulence chamber, while the inner wall terminates at the front wall of the core. Preferably, the connecting walls join the converging walls. The connecting walls may also be converging to direct the flow towards the converging walls and ultimately towards the axial offset (step) wall.

[0014] According to another advantageous feature of the invention, the swirling chamber comprises an inlet portion into which said at least one swirling channel opens, an intermediate portion downstream of the inlet portion and an outlet portion downstream of the intermediate portion and connecting to the distribution orifice, the inlet portion and the intermediate portion being advantageously cylindrical with substantially the same diameter.

[0015] The present invention also defines a preferred use of the distribution head defined above, with a fluid product without alcohol, preferably having a viscosity greater than 1.2 mPa.s and a pressure between 3.5 and 7.5 bars.

[0016] The essence of the invention lies in the fact that a distinct and clearly defined turbulence chamber is interposed between an axial duct and a vortex channel to condition the fluid product by creating maximum turbulence before sending it into the vortex channel. This turbulence chamber extends radially from the outside of the core inwards to the front of its front wall.

[0017] The invention will now be described in greater detail, with reference to the accompanying drawings, giving by way of non-limiting example, one embodiment of the invention.

[0018] In the figures:

[0019] This is a perspective and cross-sectional view through a distribution head according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0020] This is a straight perspective view inside the nozzle of the distribution head.

[0021] This is a cross-sectional view of the nozzle of the,

[0022] Laillustrates the flow channel formed in a swirl channel of the distribution head of the invention,

[0023] The moon seen in perspective and in section through the nozzle of figures 2 and 3, and

[0024] This is an oblique perspective view inside the nozzle of figures 2, 3 and 5.

[0025] The dispensing head of the invention can be mounted on the free end of a valve stem of a pump or, alternatively, a manual valve. It then acts as a plunger, which is moved back and forth. By axial pressure on the head or plunger, the user actuates the pump, dispensing the fluid product, either metered or unmetered, at a pressure of approximately 3.5 to 7.5 bar. Alternatively, the dispensing head of the invention can be fixed: the pressurized fluid product is supplied to the head from a pump chamber equipped with a plunger, which is decoupled from the head.

[0026] The distribution head of the invention comprises two essential parts, namely a body B and a nozzle N. Both can be made by injection / molding of a suitable plastic material, such as a polyolefin, and in particular polypropylene. Advantageously, the body B and the nozzle N are one-piece components.

[0027] As can be seen in the figure, the body B defines an insertion housing B1, within which extends a cylindrical core B2, defining a cylindrical peripheral wall B21 and a flat front wall B22. Upstream, the receiving housing B1 is connected to a mounting sleeve. Thus, the fluid product from the pump's valve stem flows through the body B of the dispensing head, through the mounting sleeve, into the receiving housing B1. This is a perfectly conventional feature for the body of a dispensing head in the cosmetics, perfumery, and pharmaceutical industries.

[0028] The nozzle N is essentially a small cup, which is engaged in the receiving housing B1 around the core B2. The nozzle N defines a mounting sleeve N1 in contact with the peripheral wall B21 of the core B2 and a distribution wall N2 in contact with the front wall B22 of the core B2. The function of the nozzle N is to condition the fluid product from the body B, so as to generate a vortex that exits the nozzle as a spray or cloud of fine atomized droplets. The nozzle N thus forms a spray orifice O and, together with the core B2, defines two axial conduits N11, two vortex channels N21, and a vortex chamber C centered on the spray orifice O. The distribution head defines a distribution axis X passing through the core B2, the vortex chamber C, and the spray orifice O.

[0029] More specifically, the axial conduits N11 are formed as grooves in the inner face N10 of the mounting sleeve N1, which are completed by the peripheral wall B21 of the core B2. Each axial conduit comprises an outer wall N111 and two connecting walls N112 formed in the mounting sleeve N1, as well as an inner wall formed by the peripheral wall B21 of the core B2. The outer wall N111 and the inner wall B21 are curved and face each other: each forms a segment of a cylinder. The connecting walls N112 are flat and radial. Each axial conduit thus takes the form of a segment of a cylindrical annulus. This is visible in the diagram.

[0030] The swirl channels N21 are formed as grooves in the inner face N20 of the distribution wall N2 of the nozzle N, which are completed by the front wall B22 of the core B2. Each swirl channel N21 comprises a channel bottom N211 and two lateral faces N212 formed in the distribution wall N2, as well as a closing wall formed by the front wall B22. The inner face N20 makes tight contact with the front wall B22. The channel bottom N211 and the front wall B22 are preferably parallel, and the two lateral faces N212 are also parallel, so that the swirl channels N21 have a constant cross-section over most, and preferably all, of their length.Advantageously, the general shape of this cross-section closely approximates a square or a slightly flattened rectangle resembling a square, so as to define internally a flow channel for the fluid product of substantially circular shape. This is shown in Figure 1.

[0031] The vortex channels N21 open substantially or perfectly tangentially into the vortex chamber C, which includes an inlet portion C1 into which the vortex channels N21 open. This inlet portion C1 therefore has an axial depth that is identical to the axial depth of the vortex channels N21. Directly downstream, the vortex chamber C includes an intermediate portion C2. The intermediate portion C2 comprises a main cylindrical portion C21, having substantially the same diameter as the inlet portion C1. The intermediate portion C2 terminates in a small connecting radius C22, which connects to an outlet portion C3 that links to the distribution orifice O, forming a large connecting fillet. Alternatively, this large connecting fillet can be replaced by a frustoconical portion that connects the small fillet C22 to the distribution orifice O.

[0032] According to the invention, two turbulence chambers T are further formed between the core B2 and the nozzle N. Each turbulence chamber T is arranged and / or interposed between an axial duct N11 and a vortex channel N21. Within the turbulence chamber T, two volumes Te and Ti can be defined: an outer volume Te defined in the axial extension of the axial duct N11 beyond the front wall B22 of the core B2, and an inner volume Ti defined between the distribution wall N21 of the nozzle N and the front wall B22 of the core B2. Considering the forward projection (towards the distribution orifice O) of the peripheral wall B21, which is cylindrical, the outer volume Te is located outside this cylindrical projection and the outer volume Ti is located inside this cylindrical projection: the two volumes Te and Ti (forming the turbulence chamber T) being located axially beyond the front wall B22 of the core B2.The internal volume Ti is located in front of the core B2, while the external volume Te is located around the core B2, but beyond the front wall: the external volume Te does not surround the peripheral wall. Since the turbulence chamber T extends radially inward in front of the front wall B22, it has a larger cross-section than the axial duct N11.

[0033] The external volume Te results from the axial extension of the axial duct N11. The external wall N111 and the two connecting walls N112 extend into the turbulence chamber (T), while the internal wall terminates at the front wall B22 of the core B2. Thus, the external wall N111 and the two connecting walls N112 are common to the axial duct N11 and its turbulence chamber T. The external volume Te is contiguous with the internal volume Ti in the extension of the peripheral wall B21, beyond the front wall B22. The peripheral wall B21 is represented by dashed lines on the diagram.

[0034] The turbulence chamber T includes a chamber bottom T1, which is common to both volumes Te and Ti. This chamber bottom T1 is formed by the distribution wall N2 of the nozzle N.

[0035] The internal volume Ti is formed axially between the distribution wall N2 of the nozzle N, which forms the chamber bottom T1, and the front wall B22 of the core B2. The internal volume Ti is delimited by an axial offset wall T2 and two converging walls T3. The axial offset wall T2 connects the chamber bottom T1 to the channel bottom N211, creating a step in the axial direction. The two converging walls T3 connect the connecting walls N112 to the axial offset wall T2, forming a converging orientation towards the axial offset wall T2.

[0036] We can say that the axial offset wall T2 extends in the plane of the vortex channel inlet N21: the front wall B22 extends above the axial offset wall T2, on the other side of the vortex channel inlet N21. The axial offset wall T2 is therefore radially offset towards the distribution axis relative to the projection of the peripheral wall B21, defined above.

[0037] The turbulence chamber T thus forms a blind lower section, delimited by the chamber bottom T1, which extends axially beyond the channel bottom N211, since these two bottoms T1 and N211 are separated by the axial offset wall T2. The flow of fluid product traveling in an axial channel N11 has no choice but to enter the turbulence chamber, where it will successively impact the chamber bottom T1, the axial offset wall T2, and the front wall B22, thereby creating complex turbulence. This turbulent flow can then pass through the vortex channel N21 to reach the vortex chamber C, where it will swirl before exiting through the distribution orifice as a fine, sprayed droplet.

[0038] The impact of the flow against the front wall located above the axial offset wall T2, which is radially offset inwards, contributes to breaking or disturbing the laminar flow by creating additional turbulence.

[0039] The particular design of the N21 swirl channels, creating a circular passage vein, and of the C swirl chamber with distinct portions, also contribute to improving the quality of the spray, especially for non-alcoholic fluid products with a viscosity greater than 1.2 mPa.s and delivered to the distribution head with a pressure between 3.5 and 7.5 bar.

[0040] By way of non-limiting example, certain dimensions of the distribution head of the invention are given below: Axial depth of N21: 0.15 mm to 0.3 mm, Axial depth of C1: same as axial depth N21, Axial depth of C2: < 0.3 mm, Axial depth of C3: 0.1 mm to 0.2 mm, Axial depth of O: less than 0.1 mm, Diameter of C1 and C2: 0.65 mm to 0.85 mm, Diameter of O: 0.2 mm and 0.35 mm,

[0041] Although the invention has been described with two axial ducts, two swirl channels and two turbulence chambers, it is still possible to provide for a single axial duct, a single swirl channel and a single turbulence chamber, or on the contrary more than two ducts, channels, and turbulence chambers, without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0042] Although the invention has been described with axial conduits and swirl channels cut into the nozzle, it is still possible that at least part of the conduits and / or channels are cut into the core.

[0043] Although the invention has been described with vortex channels of constant cross-section, it is still possible to provide vortex channels of decreasing cross-section towards the vortex chamber.

[0044] Although the invention has been described with a swirling chamber having three distinct portions, other geometries or designs are conceivable.

Claims

Fluid product dispensing head, preferably non-alcoholic, comprising a body (B) forming an insertion housing (B1) in which is disposed a core (B2) and a nozzle (N) which is inserted into the insertion housing (B1) around the core (B2), the core defining a peripheral wall (B21) and a front wall (B22), the nozzle (N) defining a mounting sleeve (N1) and a dispensing wall (N2), the dispensing wall (N2) of the nozzle (N) forming a spray orifice (O), the dispensing wall (N2) of the nozzle (N) also forming, with the front wall (B22) of the core (B2), a swirl chamber (C) centered on the spray orifice (O) and at least one swirl channel (N21) which opens tangentially into the swirl chamber (C),the mounting sleeve (N1) of the nozzle (N) and the peripheral wall (B21) of the core (B2) forming at least one axial conduit (N11) which feeds a swirl channel (N21) respectively, the distribution head defining a distribution axis X passing through the core (B2), the swirl chamber (C) and the spray orifice (O), wherein the nozzle (N) also forms, with the core (B2), at least one turbulence chamber (T) which connects an axial conduit (N11) to a swirl channel (N21) respectively, characterized in that said at least one swirl channel (N21) comprises a channel bottom (N211) and the turbulence chamber (T) comprises a chamber bottom (T1), the two bottoms (N211, T1) being connected by an axial offset wall (T2) thus forming a step between the two bottoms (N211, T1), the axial offset wall (T2) and the two bottoms (N211, T1) being defined by the nozzle (N),the axial shift wall (T2) being located in front of the frontal wall (B22) of the nucleus (B2), radially shifted towards the distribution axis X out of axial alignment with the peripheral wall (B21) of the nucleus (B2). Distribution head according to claim 1, in which the body (B) is made in one piece of plastic and the nozzle (N) is made in one piece of plastic, the nozzle (N) being held in the insertion housing (B1) around the core (B2). Distribution head according to claim 1 or 2, in which the turbulence chamber (T) extends both in the axial continuation of the axial conduit (N11) beyond the front wall (B22) and between the distribution wall (N2) of the nozzle (N) and the front wall (B22) of the core (B2). Distribution head according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the axial conduit (N11) has a cross-section to the distribution axis X, the turbulence chamber (T) having a cross-section greater than that of the axial conduit (N11). Distribution head according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the turbulence chamber (T) comprises two converging axial walls (T3) located on either side of the axial offset wall (T2) in front of the front wall (B22) of the core (B2). Distribution head according to claim 5, in which the turbulence chamber (T) defines two volumes (Te, Ti), namely an outer volume (Te) defined in the extension of the axial conduit (N11) beyond the front wall (B22) of the core (B2) and an inner volume (Ti) defined between the distribution wall (N21) of the nozzle (N) and the front wall (B22) of the core (B2), the axial offset wall (T2) and the converging walls (T3) being located in the inner volume (Ti) and formed by the distribution wall (N2) of the nozzle (N). Distribution head according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said at least one swirl channel (N21) has a constant cross-section, advantageously of the order of 0.015mm² to 0.09mm², over most, or even all, of its length between the turbulence chamber (T) and the swirl chamber (C), the general shape of this cross-section being substantially close to a square, so as to define internally a flow channel of fluid product of substantially circular shape. Distribution head according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said at least one axial conduit (N11) comprises an outer wall (N111) formed by the mounting sleeve (N1) and an inner wall formed by the peripheral wall (B21) of the core (B2), as well as two connecting walls (N112), the outer wall (N111) and the two connecting walls (N112) extending into the turbulence chamber (T), while the inner wall stops at the front wall (B22) of the core (B2). Distribution head according to claim 8, in which the connecting walls (N112) join respectively the converging walls (T3). Distribution head according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the swirling chamber (C) comprises an inlet portion (C1) into which said at least one swirling channel (N21) opens, an intermediate portion (C2) downstream of the inlet portion (C1) and an outlet portion (C3) downstream of the intermediate portion (C2) and connecting the distribution orifice (O), the inlet portion (C1) and the intermediate portion (C2) advantageously being cylindrical with substantially the same diameter. Use of the dispensing head according to any one of the preceding claims with a free alcohol-free fluid product, preferably having a viscosity greater than 1.2 mPa.s and a pressure between 3.5 and 7.5 bar.

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