Dispensing head

Abstract

The invention relates to a fluid-product dispensing head comprising a body (B) forming an insertion recess (B1) in which a core (B2) is arranged, and further comprising a nozzle (N) which is inserted into the insertion recess (B1) around the core (B2), the nozzle (N) forming a spray orifice (O), the nozzle (N) also forming, with the core (B2), a cylindrical swirl chamber (C) and at least one swirl channel (N21) which opens tangentially into the cylindrical swirl chamber (C), the nozzle (N) also forming a cylindrical intermediate chamber (I) arranged between the cylindrical swirl chamber (C) and the spray orifice (O), characterized in that the at least one swirl channel (N21) has a flow cross-section substantially close to a square or a slightly squashed rectangle resembling a square, so as to define internally a fluid-product flow path of substantially circular shape.

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 distribution head has been known for a very long time, particularly for spraying perfumes, which are mostly alcohol-based, therefore with low viscosity.

[0003] The present invention aims to define a new dispensing head architecture that allows the spraying of alcoholic formulations with a very wide spray angle (on the order of 90°) for a long time (on the order of 0.07 s to 0.1 s). Generally, when attempting to widen the spray angle, the droplet distribution forms a ring without droplets at the center of impact. This is precisely what the present invention seeks to avoid by producing a solid circle with uniformly distributed droplets. Furthermore, another objective of the invention is to achieve a long spray duration, which provides a more qualitative experience. Thus, the invention aims to define a dispensing head that produces a spray that is simultaneously open, uniform, and long-lasting.

[0004] To achieve this, the present invention proposes that the nozzle also form a cylindrical intermediate chamber located between the cylindrical swirl chamber and the spray orifice. Experience has shown that this cylindrical intermediate chamber has a significant influence on the spray pattern.

[0005] The swirl channel(s) also influence the characteristics of the spray. Said at least one swirl channel has a passage cross-section substantially approaching a square or a slightly flattened rectangle resembling a square, so as to define internally a flow channel of fluid product of substantially circular shape.

[0006] This minimum swirl channel may have an axial depth and a width of approximately 0.25 mm. Thus, this minimum swirl channel has a cross-sectional area of ​​approximately 0.063 mm². These swirl channels, with their reduced cross-sectional area, affect the spray duration due to the reduced flow rate, by approximately 40% compared to a conventional nozzle.

[0007] Advantageously, said at least vortex channel may exhibit a constant passage cross-section over most of its length.

[0008] Furthermore, the spray orifice also plays a significant role in the spray angle. In this case, it is advantageously cylindrical and can have a diameter between 0.25 mm and 0.35 mm, advantageously between 0.28 mm and 0.32 mm, and an axial depth that is advantageously less than 0.1 mm.

[0009] The dimensions of the swirling chamber also have an influence: it can have a diameter between 0.8 mm and 0.9 mm and / or an axial depth of about 0.25 mm.

[0010] As for the cylindrical intermediate chamber, it may have a diameter slightly less than or equal to that of the cylindrical swirling chamber and / or an axial depth slightly greater than or equal to that of the cylindrical swirling chamber.

[0011] According to another feature of the invention, the head may further include a connecting section linking the cylindrical intermediate chamber to the spray orifice, this connecting section having an axial depth of approximately 0.05 mm.

[0012] The invention also defines a preferred use of the invention, with a fluid alcoholic product, preferably having a viscosity of less than 5 mPa.s and a pressure between 3.5 and 7.5 bars, so as to obtain a very open spray angle of the order of 90° and advantageously a duration of the order of 0.07 s to 0.1 s.

[0013] The essence of the invention lies in this cylindrical intermediate chamber, inserted between the cylindrical swirling chamber where the swirling channel(s) open and the dispensing orifice. The configuration of the swirling channels, particularly with a reduced cumulative cross-section, extends the spray duration. The dispensing orifice and the swirling chamber also contribute to obtaining an open, homogeneous, and long-lasting spray.

[0014] 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.

[0015] In the figures:

[0016] This is a perspective and cross-sectional view through a distribution head according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0017] This is a perspective and cross-sectional view through the nozzle of the distribution head of the,

[0018] This is a view inside the nozzle of the distribution head.

[0019] This is a cross-sectional view of the nozzle of the,

[0020] Laune seen in cross-section through a portion of the nozzle in figures 2, 3 and 4, and

[0021] This is a representation of the impact of the spray on developing paper.

[0022] The dispensing head of the invention is designed to be mounted on the free end of a valve stem of a pump or, alternatively, a manual valve. By axial pressure on the head, the user actuates the pump, dispensing fluid product, either metered or unmetered, at a pressure of approximately 3.5 to 7.5 bar. The dispensing head comprises two essential parts: a body B and a nozzle N. Both can be manufactured by injection molding of a suitable plastic material, such as a polyolefin, and in particular polypropylene.

[0023] 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.

[0024] 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.More specifically, the axial conduits N11 are formed in hollows in the internal face N10 of the mounting socket N1 in the form of grooves, which are completed by the peripheral wall B21 of the core B2.

[0025] As can be seen in Figure 3, the swirl channels N21 are formed in the inner face N20 of the distribution wall N2 of the nozzle N in the form of grooves, 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. This is visible in Figures 3 and 4.The general shape of this cross-section is close to a square or a slightly flattened rectangle resembling a square, so as to define internally a channel for the passage of fluid product of a substantially circular shape.

[0026] The N21 vortex channels open substantially or perfectly tangentially into the vortex chamber C, which is cylindrical, but interrupted at the level of the N21 vortex channels.

[0027] According to the invention, the nozzle N forms, downstream of the swirl chamber C, an intermediate chamber I, which is also cylindrical. The cylindrical intermediate chamber I has a diameter slightly smaller than that of the cylindrical swirl chamber C. A small annular shoulder Ci can be seen on the face, which connects the cylindrical swirl chamber C to the cylindrical intermediate chamber I. Opposite this annular shoulder Ci, the cylindrical intermediate chamber I forms a small radius Ir, which connects to an annular bottom wall If.

[0028] Downstream of this cylindrical intermediate chamber I, the nozzle N forms a small connecting section S, which links the annular bottom wall If to the distribution orifice O.

[0029] By way of non-limiting example, certain dimensions of the distribution head of the invention are given below: - SN: Cross-sectional area of ​​N21: 0.065 mm², - PNC = Axial depth of N21: 0.25 mm, - LC: Width of N21: 0.25 mm, - PNC = Axial depth of C: identical to the axial depth of N21, i.e., 0.25 mm, - PI = Axial depth of I: slightly greater than or equal to the axial depth of C, for example, 0.28 mm, - Pr = Axial depth of Ir: approximately 0.05 mm, - PS = Axial depth of S: approximately 0.05 mm, - PO = Axial depth of O: less than 0.1 mm, - DC = Diameter of C: 0.8 mm to 0.9 mm, - DI = Diameter of I: slightly less than or equal to the diameter of C, for example 0.76 mm,- DS = External diameter of S: approximately 0.5 mm.

[0030] These dimensions are visible on the. The term "approximately" corresponds to ± 0.03 mm for dimensions in mm and ± 0.05 mm² for dimensions in mm².

[0031] The presence of the cylindrical intermediate chamber I and the specific design of the N21 swirl channels also contribute to improving spray quality, particularly for alcoholic fluids with a viscosity exceeding 5 mPa·s and delivered to the dispensing head at a pressure between 3.5 and 7.5 bar. At the outlet of the dispensing orifice O, the spray exhibits a particularly wide opening angle, approximately 90°. As can be seen in the image, which shows the spray projected onto developing paper, the spray droplets are well distributed in a uniform or homogeneous manner.

[0032] The table below compares the dispensing head of the invention with five other dispensing heads, E1 to E5, which differ from that of the invention only in the PNC depth and LC width of the N21 channels and the PI depth of the cylindrical intermediate chamber I. For each head, a spray score (out of 20) was assigned based on four criteria: appearance at the opening (0 to 2 cm after the outlet S), appearance of the spray body (2 cm and beyond after the outlet S), appearance of the spray impact on a sensitive paper placed 5 or 10 cm from the outlet S, and circularity of the spray impact at 10 cm. For the first two criteria, minimal observed defects, a regular cone, and homogeneous concentration contribute to obtaining the maximum score of 5 / 5. For the last two criteria, a circular and homogeneous impact without dripping contributes to obtaining the maximum score of 5 / 5.

[0033] Thus, it can be noted that the E1 head has a cylindrical intermediate chamber depth (PI) of 0.02 mm, significantly less than that of the INV head of the invention. All other dimensions are identical. The spray rating of E1 is 12.4, which is nearly 5 points below the spray rating of 17.3 of the INV head of the invention.

[0034] The E2 head has a cylindrical intermediate chamber depth (PI) of 0.15 mm, less than that of the INV head of the invention. All other dimensions are identical. The spray rating of E2 is 14.6, which is nearly 3 points below the spray rating of 17.3 of the INV head of the invention.

[0035] The E3 head has a cylindrical intermediate chamber depth (PI) of 0.45 mm, significantly greater than that of the INV head of the invention. All other dimensions are identical. The spray rating of E3 is 11.1, which is more than 6 points below the spray rating of 17.3 of the INV head of the invention.

[0036] Through these examples E1, E2 and E3, we see that a depth PI of cylindrical intermediate chamber I lower or greater than that (0.28 mm) of the INV head of the invention significantly degrades the spray rating: 12.4, 14.6 and 11.1 instead of 17.3.

[0037] The E4 head has a PNC depth of 0.2 mm and a Lc width of 0.2 mm, less than the 0.25 mm and 0.25 mm of the INV head of the invention. The swirl channels of both INV and E4 have a square cross-section. However, the channel's cross-sectional area is 0.04 mm², while that of the INV head of the invention is 0.063 mm². All other dimensions are identical. The spray rating of E4 is 12.5, which is nearly 5 points lower than the spray rating of 17.3 of the INV head of the invention.

[0038] The E4 head teaches us that a much smaller passage section (0.04 instead of 0.063) degrades the spray note, even if the channel retains a square section.

[0039] The E5 head has a PNC depth of 0.2 mm and a Lc width of 0.35 mm. The E5 vortex channel has a rectangular cross-section. The vortex channel's cross-sectional area is 0.07 mm², while that of the INV head of the invention is 0.063 mm². All other dimensions are identical. The spray rating of E5 is 8.75, which is nearly 9 points below the spray rating of 17.3 for the INV head of the invention.

[0040] The E5 head teaches us that a flattened or rectangular section degrades the spray note, even if the channel maintains a close passage section (0.07 instead of 0.063).

[0041] Through these examples E4 and E5, we see that the square shape of approximately 0.25 mm on each side for the swirl channel contributes significantly to obtaining a maximum spray note.

[0042] Although the invention has been described with two axial conduits and two swirling channels, it is still possible to provide for a single axial conduit and a single swirling channel, or on the contrary more than two conduits and channels, without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0043] 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.

[0044] 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.

Claims

Fluid product dispensing head, preferably 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 distribution wall (N2), the distribution wall (N2) of the nozzle (N) forming a spray orifice (O), the distribution wall (N2) of the nozzle (N) also forming, with the front wall (B22) of the core (B2), a cylindrical swirl chamber (C) centered on the spray orifice (O) and at least one swirl channel (N21) which opens tangentially into the cylindrical 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 respectively a swirl channel (N21), the distribution head defining a distribution axis X passing through the core (B2), the cylindrical swirl chamber (C) and the spray orifice (O), the nozzle (N) also forming an intermediate cylindrical chamber (I) disposed between the cylindrical swirl chamber (C) and the spray orifice (O), characterized in that said at least one swirl channel (N21) has a passage cross-section substantially approaching a square or a slightly flattened rectangle resembling a square, so as to define internally a flow channel of fluid product of substantially circular shape. Distribution head according to claim 1, in which said at least one swirl channel (N21) has an axial depth and a width of about 0.25 mm, so as to have a passage cross-section of about 0.063 mm². Distribution head according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said at least one swirl channel (N21) has a constant passage section over most of its length. Dispensing head according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the spray orifice (O) is cylindrical and has a diameter between 0.25 mm and 0.35 mm, advantageously between 0.28 mm and 0.32 mm, and an axial depth which is advantageously less than 0.1 mm. Distribution head according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cylindrical swirling chamber (C) has a diameter between 0.8 mm and 0.9 mm. Distribution head according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cylindrical swirling chamber (C) has an axial depth of about 0.25 mm. Distribution head according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cylindrical intermediate chamber (I) has a diameter slightly less than or equal to that of the cylindrical swirling chamber (C). Distribution head according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cylindrical intermediate chamber (I) has an axial depth slightly greater than or equal to that of the cylindrical swirling chamber (C). Distribution head according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a connecting section (S) linking the cylindrical intermediate chamber (I) to the spray orifice (O), this connecting section (I) having an axial depth of about 0.05 mm. Use of the dispensing head according to any one of the preceding claims with a fluid alcoholic product, preferably having a viscosity of less than 5 mPa.s and a pressure between 3.5 and 7.5 bar, so as to obtain a very open spray angle.

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