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EP0511894B1 - Foam dispensing device - Google Patents

Foam dispensing device Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0511894B1
EP0511894B1 EP92401087A EP92401087A EP0511894B1 EP 0511894 B1 EP0511894 B1 EP 0511894B1 EP 92401087 A EP92401087 A EP 92401087A EP 92401087 A EP92401087 A EP 92401087A EP 0511894 B1 EP0511894 B1 EP 0511894B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
air
liquid
push button
container
groove
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP92401087A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0511894A1 (en
Inventor
Jean-Louis Gueret
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
LOreal SA
Original Assignee
LOreal SA
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
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Application filed by LOreal SA filed Critical LOreal SA
Publication of EP0511894A1 publication Critical patent/EP0511894A1/en
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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
    • B05B—SPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES
    • B05B7/00—Spraying apparatus for discharge of liquids or other fluent materials from two or more sources, e.g. of liquid and air, of powder and gas
    • B05B7/0018—Spraying apparatus for discharge of liquids or other fluent materials from two or more sources, e.g. of liquid and air, of powder and gas with devices for making foam
    • B05B7/0025—Spraying apparatus for discharge of liquids or other fluent materials from two or more sources, e.g. of liquid and air, of powder and gas with devices for making foam with a compressed gas supply
    • B05B7/0031—Spraying apparatus for discharge of liquids or other fluent materials from two or more sources, e.g. of liquid and air, of powder and gas with devices for making foam with a compressed gas supply with disturbing means promoting mixing, e.g. balls, crowns
    • B05B7/0037—Spraying apparatus for discharge of liquids or other fluent materials from two or more sources, e.g. of liquid and air, of powder and gas with devices for making foam with a compressed gas supply with disturbing means promoting mixing, e.g. balls, crowns including sieves, porous members or the like
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
    • B05B—SPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES
    • B05B11/00—Single-unit hand-held apparatus in which flow of contents is produced by the muscular force of the operator at the moment of use
    • B05B11/0005—Components or details
    • B05B11/0037—Containers
    • B05B11/0039—Containers associated with means for compensating the pressure difference between the ambient pressure and the pressure inside the container, e.g. pressure relief means
    • B05B11/0044—Containers associated with means for compensating the pressure difference between the ambient pressure and the pressure inside the container, e.g. pressure relief means compensating underpressure by ingress of atmospheric air into the container, i.e. with venting means
    • B05B11/00446—Containers associated with means for compensating the pressure difference between the ambient pressure and the pressure inside the container, e.g. pressure relief means compensating underpressure by ingress of atmospheric air into the container, i.e. with venting means the means being located at the bottom of the container or of an enclosure surrounding the container
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
    • B05B—SPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES
    • B05B11/00—Single-unit hand-held apparatus in which flow of contents is produced by the muscular force of the operator at the moment of use
    • B05B11/01—Single-unit hand-held apparatus in which flow of contents is produced by the muscular force of the operator at the moment of use characterised by the means producing the flow
    • B05B11/10—Pump arrangements for transferring the contents from the container to a pump chamber by a sucking effect and forcing the contents out through the dispensing nozzle
    • B05B11/1087—Combination of liquid and air pumps
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
    • B05B—SPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES
    • B05B11/00—Single-unit hand-held apparatus in which flow of contents is produced by the muscular force of the operator at the moment of use
    • B05B11/01—Single-unit hand-held apparatus in which flow of contents is produced by the muscular force of the operator at the moment of use characterised by the means producing the flow
    • B05B11/02—Membranes or pistons acting on the contents inside the container, e.g. follower pistons
    • B05B11/026—Membranes separating the content remaining in the container from the atmospheric air to compensate underpressure inside the container

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a device for dispensing foam from a container containing a liquid with a foaming agent, and capable of mixing the liquid leaving the container and the air.
  • EP-A-0 392 238 A device of this kind is shown by EP-A-0 392 238.
  • the device for dispensing this document is complicated because it involves a large number of parts and, moreover, is bulky, particularly along the axial direction of the container.
  • the object of the invention is, above all, to provide a dispensing device of the kind defined above which no longer has, or to a lesser degree, the drawbacks mentioned above.
  • the invention aims in particular to provide a compact distribution device, and simplified construction involving only a reduced number of parts.
  • the device for dispensing foam from a container containing a liquid with a foaming agent, and suitable for producing a mixture of the liquid leaving the container and air is characterized by the fact that the end of the container, where the pumping means is provided, is closed by a head having a bottom set back, in the direction of the axis of the container, relative to the end of a sleeve central bearing the pumping means and delimiting, in part, said annular chamber, while the push button comprises, at its base, a collar forming a plate suitable for closing said annular chamber and for compressing the air in this chamber when the button push-button is pressed, the central part of the push-button having a smaller diameter than that of the collar and comprising a cylindrical cavity, covering the pumping means and communicating with said chamber.
  • the push-button is in mechanical abutment against a rod controlling the pumping means, which is actuated mechanically by the push-button when the latter is pressed.
  • the push button is advantageously formed by a base and a cap fixed to each other.
  • the base is traversed by a passage for the liquid and at least one passage for the compressed air and comprises, on its upper face, grooves starting from the ends of said passages and going towards the porous part.
  • the groove for the liquid is arranged along the axis of the outlet channel while the groove or grooves reserved for the compressed air are located on either side, or on one side only, of the groove for the liquid.
  • the groove for the liquid is arranged perpendicular to the axis of the outlet channel.
  • the grooves for the compressed air can be parallel to the groove for the liquid, or converge towards the porous part.
  • the grooves for the liquid and for the compressed air can remain separated from each other and end up on the porous part where the liquid / air mixture takes place.
  • the arrival of the air grooves on the porous part can be carried out parallel, or orthogonally, to the direction of arrival of the liquid on this porous part.
  • the groove of the liquid opens into the air groove (s) upstream of the porous part.
  • a jet breaker can be provided at the end of the liquid groove facing the porous part.
  • a crown of elastic porous material in particular of elastomeric foam, may be provided in said annular chamber.
  • the cylindrical wall of this annular chamber can be entirely provided on the head closing the end of the container; in this case, the flange of the push button is capable of sliding inside this cylindrical wall, in the manner of a piston.
  • the cylindrical side wall of the annular chamber is only partially formed by the side wall of the head; in this case, the flange of the push button is provided, on its outer periphery, with a cylindrical skirt cooperating with said wall of the head to define the annular chamber.
  • the skirt of the push button sealingly surrounds the side wall of the head closing the end of the container.
  • the side wall of the annular chamber consists of a deformable bellows cooperating, on one side, with the flange of the push button, and connected on the other side to the container.
  • the container comprises a rigid wall. It can be fitted with a pump without return air, in which case a flexible pocket containing the liquid product can be provided inside the container, the aforementioned pump being mounted on this pocket.
  • the chamber of the container containing the foaming liquid product is delimited by the rigid cylindrical side wall of this container and by a piston, constituting the background of the chamber, and being able to slide in leaktight fashion as the product is dispensed.
  • the air intake valve provided in the push button, is advantageously formed by an elastic piece whose edge is clamped between the base and the cap of the push button, this elastic piece comprising at least one bump turning its convexity towards the container, suitable for closing the outlet of an air passage, the elastic piece extending to the end of an outlet spout for the push button.
  • the elastic piece can be arranged to also close the spout, downstream of the porous piece.
  • the elastic piece closes, upwards, the grooves provided in the base.
  • the push-button is in two complementary parts fitted one inside the other and trapping the flexible part between them, one of the parts being the cap which carries the outlet channel whose axis is parallel to that of the stem.
  • the flexible part extends around the base, forming the other part of the push button, to the right of the holes in the collar of the base to constitute the non-return means of the (or) air return valve (s).
  • a screen can be placed on the porous part in contact with the foam dispensing orifice, in order to obtain a more homogeneous foam in density.
  • a device D for dispensing foam from a container R comprising a flexible bag 1 without air, containing a liquid with a foaming agent.
  • the bag 1 is placed in a rigid cylindrical envelope 2 comprising a bottom 3 in which an opening 4 is provided for an air inlet.
  • the pocket 1 is closed by a head 5 in the form of a bowl turning its concavity from side opposite the bottom 3.
  • the upper edge of the flexible pocket 1 is tightly tightened against the cylindrical wall of the head 5 engaged in the pocket 1.
  • the head 5 is provided with an upper rim 6 projecting radially towards the outside, pressing against the upper end of the casing 2.
  • the head 5 has a bottom 7 provided, in its central part, with a sleeve 8 projecting from the side opposite to the pocket 1.
  • the body 9 of a manual pump 10, constituting a means of pumping the liquid contained in the pocket 1, is mounted tightly in this sleeve 8.
  • a hollow rod 11 projects axially from the pump body 9, on the side opposite to the pocket 1. This rod 11 is subjected to an elastic return; the depression of the rod 11 in the pump body 9 ensures pumping.
  • the pump 10 is a pump without air intake; it is crimped, snapped or screwed onto the sleeve 8.
  • An anti-prisoner device 12 for example constituted by a flexible openwork chimney, or by a sort of grid, extending from the head 5 towards the bottom of the pocket 1, is provided to prevent the walls of this pocket from sticking together. one against the other, under the action of atmospheric pressure, as the liquid is pumped.
  • An annular chamber 13 is formed in the head 5 between the exterior surface of the sleeve 8 and the interior surface of the wall of the head 5.
  • a rigid push button 14 is provided above the head 5.
  • This push button 14 is formed by a base 15 and a cap 16 fixed to one another, in particular by gluing, welding or snap-fastening.
  • the push button 14 has at its base a collar 17, forming a plate, capable of compressing the air in the annular chamber 13.
  • the collar 17 slides, in a substantially sealed manner, against the interior surface of the peripheral wall of the head 5, like a piston.
  • the central part 18 of the base 15 of the push button has a smaller outside diameter than that of the collar 17; this part 18 comprises a cylindrical cavity 19, coaxial with the sleeve 8, covering the rod 11 and the upper part of the pump body.
  • the internal cylindrical wall of the cavity 19 has a diameter greater than the maximum diameter of the pump body 9 so that a gap 20 remains to establish communication between the chamber 13 and the cavity 19.
  • the flange 17 is crossed by holes 21 provided, on the side of the chamber 13, with air return valves 22 allowing air to enter from the outside into the chamber 13 but opposing the outlet.
  • the upper wall of the base 15 has, in the center, an axial passage 23 opening through a tapered flared mouth 24 on the side of the pump 10. The upper end of the rod 11 comes to bear in a substantially sealed manner against this mouth 24.
  • At least one other passage 25, parallel to passage 23, crosses the upper wall of the base 15, parallel to the axis of the rod 11, but with a radial offset towards the outside relative to this axis.
  • two passages 25 are provided on either side of the vertical plane passing through the axis of the outlet channel 26 of the foam.
  • On the upper face of the base 15 are provided two grooves 27 starting from the upper end of the passages 25 and converging towards one another in the direction of a cavity containing a porous part 28.
  • Another groove 29 s' extending along the axis of the channel 26 and forming a bisector of the grooves 27, is provided between the upper end of the passage 23 and the cavity containing the porous part 28.
  • the downstream ends of the channels 27 and 29 are in contact with the porous part 28 where the air / liquid mixture takes place. Upstream of the part 28, the channels 27 and 29 are separated from each other.
  • the porous part 28 can be, for example, a sintered polyethylene, a metallic or ceramic sinter, an open-cell foam, a grid, fiberglass, a felt, a nesting of a multitude of obstacles, forming by example a kind of labyrinth, or any other porous material.
  • the base 15, seen in plan, is limited, on the side opposite to the outlet of the product, by a semicircular contour and, on the product outlet side, by a trapezoidal outline, the small base of which forms a spout B for the foam outlet.
  • the cover 16 comprises, in the region situated above each passage 25, a cavity 31, which forms a housing for receiving an air intake valve 32.
  • the valve 32 is advantageously formed, for each passage 25, by a rounded bump, turning its convexity towards the passage 25, provided in a flexible piece 33, preferably made of elastomer, of generally flattened shape and the edge of which is clamped between the base 15 and the cover 16.
  • the flexible part 33 passes over the porous part 28 and ends with a lip 34 inclined downward, suitable for closing the outlet of the expansion chamber 30.
  • the part 33 closes the grooves 27 and 29 upwards, and defines with these grooves the air and liquid inlet channels.
  • the valve 32 allows the movement of air from the passage 25 to the porous part 28 and opposes a movement in the opposite direction. Aspiration of the liquid towards the chamber 19 is thus prevented.
  • a cap 35 is provided for covering, during storage, the push button 14, this cap 35 fitting onto the upper end of the envelope 2.
  • the user After removing the cap 35, presses the push button 14.
  • the rod 11 of the pump 9 without air intake is depressed, which causes the product contained by the bag 1 to exit through the passage 23 and the groove 29 in the direction of the porous part 28.
  • the collar 17 pressed into the annular chamber 13 compresses the air trapped in this chamber.
  • the pressurized air is discharged through the passages 25 which causes the valves 32 to open and the air to flow, through the grooves 27, in the direction of the porous part 28.
  • An air / liquid mixture is produced on this piece porous and the expansion of the foaming liquid / air mixture can take place in the chamber 30.
  • the foam comes out of the spout B by lifting the lip 34.
  • the distributor of Figure 1 is a distributor without air intake, therefore aseptic.
  • the groove 27, starting from the passage 25, has a hairpin shape surrounding the groove 29 and ends against the porous part 28.
  • the groove 29 for the liquid ends on the porous part 28, as in the case of FIG. 2 a According to this variant, the air and liquid inlets on the porous part 28 take place in parallel directions.
  • FIG. 2 c illustrates an alternative embodiment of the base 15 with an arrangement of the passages 23 and 25 identical to that of FIG. 2 b ; however, the groove 29 of liquid does not end directly against the porous element 28 but opens in the branches of the air groove 27, upstream of this element 28, on a jet breaker 36 capable of bursting and to slow the flow of liquid. This flow is therefore separated into two parts which mix, respectively, with the air arriving in each branch of the hairpin groove 27, then enters the porous element 28.
  • FIG. 2 d illustrates a variant of the base in which the groove 29 for the liquid ends up on the porous part 28 while communicating, just before this part 28, by a lateral passage 37, with a single branch of the groove 27, parallel to groove 29.
  • Figure 2 e shows an alternative embodiment of the base 15 in which the groove 27 with two branches, hairpin, for air under pressure communicates, upstream of the porous part 28, by side openings 38 with the groove 29 for the liquid. The air thus arrives substantially perpendicularly in the liquid flow upstream of the porous part 28.
  • FIG. 2 f illustrates another alternative embodiment of the base 15 of the push button.
  • the two branches of the groove 27 starting from the end of the air passage 25 form a sort of clamp whose ends come into contact with the transverse faces of the porous part 28 so that the arrival of air on this porous part takes place in a direction perpendicular to the arrival of liquid, by the groove 29 whose axis coincides with the axis of the outlet channel 26.
  • the air / liquid mixture is carried out in the porous part 28 by the meeting of the two air and liquid flows oriented perpendicularly.
  • the liquid passage 23 can be located in front, behind or at the same level as the air passage 25, depending on the direction of the axis of the outlet channel 26.
  • FIG. 2 g illustrates an alternative embodiment of the flexible part 33 a made of elastomeric material.
  • the bump constituting the valve 32 a for the air intake is located upstream, in the direction of flow of the fluid, of a wall 39 delimiting, on the side opposite to the valve 32 a , the liquid outlet.
  • a tongue 40 is provided to constitute a non-return closure in each air groove such as 27.
  • the flexible part 33 a of FIG. 2 g is intended for a push-button in which the exit of the foam takes place in a direction directed upwards; the lip 34 a is arranged accordingly.
  • the elastic material of the part 33, 33 a is preferably a natural or synthetic elastomer.
  • elastomers which can be used, there may be mentioned, for example, styrene-butadiene copolymers, nitrile rubbers, polychloroprene or neoprene, EPDM rubber, polyurethanes, silicone rubber and ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers.
  • the lip 34, 34 is optional, and is in sealing contact with the base 15 when there is no dispensing, and away from the base by bending under the thrust of the product to be dispensed.
  • the lip returns by elasticity in sealed contact with the base 15 when the dispensing ceases.
  • the elastic piece 33, 33 a is mounted on the base by snap-fastening, welding or gluing, or can be maintained using the rigid cover 16.
  • valve 32 or in combination with this valve, placing a flap valve in the air inlet passage 25 (or any other type of valve), as illustrated in FIGS. 4 to 7.
  • baffles or systems such as labyrinths
  • the pump 10 is of the type without air intake, and that the bag 1 containing the product is without air, it is possible to store the dispenser upside down, and to distribute the foam also upside down.
  • the rigid outer casing 102 constitutes the container itself and contains the product without air, the flexible bag 1 having been removed.
  • the head 105 is an integral part of this envelope 102, the bottom 107 always being set back, in the axial direction, relative to the upper end of the central sleeve 108.
  • the bottom of the envelope 102 is open and a piston 41 is provided to slide in a sealed manner inside said envelope, as the volume of the liquid contained in this envelope decreases following pumping. There is a pump 10 without air intake.
  • a ring 42 of elastic porous material, in particular of elastic foam, is provided in the annular chamber 13. This ring 42 is compressed when the push-button 14 is pressed.
  • the operation of this device is identical to that described with reference to FIG. 1.
  • the piston 41 gradually rises in the envelope 102, as and when the liquid contained in this envelope is used up.
  • the crown 42 made of elastic porous material makes it possible, by its own volume, to adjust by reduction the volume of compressed air sent by the passage 25, when the pusher 14 is pressed.
  • the volume of air sent each time the push button is pressed can be modified by adding elastic foam crowns of different densities.
  • Figure 4 of the drawings shows a device according to the invention combined with an air intake pump 210 mounted on a container 202 with rigid walls containing the liquid and air.
  • the bottom 203 of the container 202 is fixed and rigid.
  • the upper part forms a head 205 similar to that described with reference to FIG. 3 with a central sleeve 208 and a bottom 207 recessed.
  • the return air pump 210 is fitted with a dip tube 43.
  • the or each air passage 25 is provided with a non-return valve 2 32, so that the elastic piece 33 does not have a bump similar to the bump 32 in FIG. 1.
  • this device is similar to that described in connection with FIG. 1. However, since the pump 210 is of the return air type with dip tube 43, this device must be used push button 14 at the top.
  • FIG. 5 illustrates an alternative embodiment in which the push-button 14 is combined with a skirt 44, in which it can slide, which carries at the lower part of its internal surface, a snap-fit bead 45 suitable for cooperating with a groove 46 provided in the upper part of a container 302 equipped with a pump 310 with air intake and dip tube 43.
  • the air passage 25 is equipped with a non-return valve 332, while the elastic piece 33 does not include a bump.
  • the pump 310 is mounted in a central sleeve 308 projecting from the bottom wall 307 of the upper end or head 305 of the container.
  • the skirt 44 constitutes a kind of adapter suitable for creating the cylindrical wall of the annular chamber 13 in combination with the bottom 307 of the upper part of the container 302.
  • the push button 14 can thus be adapted, as illustrated in FIG. 5, to an existing container.
  • Operation is identical to that of the device in FIG. 4 and must be carried out at the top with the push button.
  • FIG 6 shows an alternative embodiment of the dispensing device.
  • the head 405 does not have a cylindrical peripheral wall at the edge of its bottom 407.
  • a deformable bellows 47 covers the edge from the bottom 407 of the head. The lower edge of this bellows 47 is, for example, sealingly engaged in a peripheral groove 48 provided on the edge of the bottom 407.
  • the upper edge of the bellows 47 is supported in a groove 49 provided at the lower part of the collar 17 of the push button 14.
  • the annular chamber 13 is thus delimited, laterally, by this bellows 47.
  • the flange 17 of the base 15 is equipped with air return valves 22 described above.
  • the bellows 47 can be in simple support in the groove 49 so that a seal is established between the wall of this groove and the bellows 47 when the push button 14 is pressed.
  • this push-button 14 rises elastically, there is no longer sealed contact between the upper edge of the bellows 47 and the wall of the groove 49; an air inlet is then possible between this groove wall and the bellows 47, in the chamber 13, during the raising of the push button 14.
  • the air passage 25 is equipped with a non-return valve 432.
  • FIG. 7 illustrates an alternative embodiment in which the head 505, attached to the upper end of the container 502, has a cylindrical side wall 50 whose length, in the axial direction of the central sleeve 508, is less than the length of this muff.
  • This cylindrical wall 50 only partially determines the annular chamber 13.
  • the base 17 of the push button is provided, at its periphery, with a cylindrical skirt 51 extending downward, surrounding the wall 50 and suitable for sliding in leaktight manner against this wall.
  • the skirt 51 has, at its lower part, an internal bead 52 while the wall 50 has, at its upper end, an external bead 53. The cooperation of the beads 52, 53 ensures the retention towards the top of the skirt 51 relative to the wall 50.
  • a return spring 54 is provided around the sleeve 508 between the bottom 507 of the head 505 and the base 15 of the push button.
  • the operation of the device in FIG. 7 is similar to that of the devices described above.
  • FIG 8 we can see an alternative embodiment of the dispensing device D adapted to a push button 14 whose axis of the outlet channel 26 is parallel to the axis of the container R, similar to that of the Figure 1.
  • the push button 14 is in two complementary parts, nested one inside the other, and trapping between them the flexible part 33 in which is formed the valve 32.
  • one of the two parts, constituting the push button is the cap 16 in which the outlet channel 26 is formed, the cap 16 covering the other part which is the base 15, the central part 18 of which comprises the cylindrical cavity 19, of the same axis as the sleeve 8, covering the rod 11 and the upper part of the pump body; as before, the flange 17 of the base is crossed by holes 21 provided with air intake valves 22; the holes 21 are opposite holes also provided in a complementary flange presented by the cap 16; the two said flanges also serve for the assembly, for example by gluing, of the two parts 15 and 16 constituting the push button.
  • FIG. 9 shows the arrangement of the grooves 27 and 29 dug in the upper part of the base 15, and of the porous part 28.
  • FIG. 10 illustrates a variant of flexible part applied to a container of the type of that shown in FIG. 3, but whose axis of the outlet channel is there again, as in FIG. 8, vertical.
  • the push button is analogous to the push button of the variant of FIG. 8 but, here, the flexible part 33 extends all around the base 15 and covers its central part 18 and its flange 17; thanks to this arrangement, the elastic part of the air intake valves 22 is constituted by a portion of the flexible part 33.
  • the device of the invention makes it possible to produce a liquid-air mixture in a liquid / air volume ratio of between 10/90 and 50/50.
  • This device is compact and flat at the push button.

Landscapes

  • Containers And Packaging Bodies Having A Special Means To Remove Contents (AREA)
  • Closures For Containers (AREA)
  • Nozzles (AREA)

Description

L'invention est relative à un dispositif pour la distribution de mousse à partir d'un récipient contenant un liquide avec un agent moussant, et propre à réaliser un mélange du liquide sortant du récipient et de l'air.The invention relates to a device for dispensing foam from a container containing a liquid with a foaming agent, and capable of mixing the liquid leaving the container and the air.

Plus précisément, les dispositifs pour la distribution de mousse, visés par l'invention, sont du genre de ceux qui comprennent :

  • un moyen de pompage, prévu à une extrémité du récipient, pour faire sortir le liquide,
  • une pièce poreuse située en aval du moyen de pompage et disposée dans un canal de sortie,-
  • une chambre d'expansion située en aval de la pièce poreuse,
  • un moyen de compression d'air pour envoyer sur la pièce poreuse de l'air sous pression en vue de son mélange avec le liquide et de la formation de mousse,
  • et une valve d'admission d'air prévue pour permettre l'arrivée d'air sur la pièce poreuse et s'opposer à un retour,
   ce dispositif comprenant en outre un bouton-poussoir rigide monté sur ladite extrémité du récipient, une chambre annulaire formée autour du moyen de pompage et délimitée par le bouton-poussoir lequel provoque, lors de ses déplacements, une variation de volume de cette chambre annulaire, et au moins une valve de reprise d'air pour permettre l'entrée d'air dans cette chambre annulaire,
   l'ensemble étant tel que lorsque le bouton-poussoir est enfoncé, la pompe est actionnée tandis que l'air de la chambre annulaire est comprimé et envoyé vers la pièce poreuse.More specifically, the devices for dispensing foam, targeted by the invention, are of the type which include:
  • pumping means, provided at one end of the container, for discharging the liquid,
  • a porous part located downstream of the pumping means and disposed in an outlet channel, -
  • an expansion chamber located downstream of the porous part,
  • an air compression means for sending pressurized air to the porous part for mixing with the liquid and foaming,
  • and an air intake valve provided to allow the arrival of air on the porous part and to prevent a return,
this device further comprising a rigid push button mounted on said end of the container, an annular chamber formed around the pumping means and delimited by the push button which causes, during its movements, a variation in volume of this annular chamber, and at least one air return valve to allow the entry of air into this annular chamber,
the assembly being such that when the push button is pressed, the pump is actuated while the air from the annular chamber is compressed and sent to the porous part.

Un dispositif de ce genre est montré par EP-A-0 392 238. Le dispositif de distribution de ce document est compliqué car il fait intervenir un grand nombre de pièces et, en outre est encombrant, particulièrement suivant la direction axiale du récipient.A device of this kind is shown by EP-A-0 392 238. The device for dispensing this document is complicated because it involves a large number of parts and, moreover, is bulky, particularly along the axial direction of the container.

L'invention a pour but, surtout, de fournir un dispositif de distribution du genre défini précédemment qui ne présente plus, ou à un degré moindre, les inconvénients rappelés ci-dessus. L'invention vise en particulier à fournir un dispositif de distribution compact, et de construction simplifiée ne faisant intervenir qu'un nombre de pièces réduit.The object of the invention is, above all, to provide a dispensing device of the kind defined above which no longer has, or to a lesser degree, the drawbacks mentioned above. The invention aims in particular to provide a compact distribution device, and simplified construction involving only a reduced number of parts.

Selon l'invention, le dispositif pour la distribution de mousse à partir d'un récipient contenant un liquide avec un agent moussant, et propre à réaliser un mélange du liquide sortant du récipient et de l'air, du genre défini précédemment, est caractérisé par le fait que l'extrémité du récipient, où est prévu le moyen de pompage, est fermée par une tête ayant un fond situé en retrait, suivant la direction de l'axe du récipient, par rapport à l'extrémité d'un manchon central portant le moyen de pompage et délimitant, en partie, ladite chambre annulaire, tandis que le bouton-poussoir comporte, à sa base, une collerette formant plateau propre à fermer ladite chambre annulaire et à comprimer l'air dans cette chambre lorsque le bouton-poussoir est enfoncé, la partie centrale du bouton-poussoir ayant un diamètre plus faible que celui de la collerette et comportant une cavité cylindrique, coiffant le moyen de pompage et communiquant avec ladite chambre.According to the invention, the device for dispensing foam from a container containing a liquid with a foaming agent, and suitable for producing a mixture of the liquid leaving the container and air, of the kind defined above, is characterized by the fact that the end of the container, where the pumping means is provided, is closed by a head having a bottom set back, in the direction of the axis of the container, relative to the end of a sleeve central bearing the pumping means and delimiting, in part, said annular chamber, while the push button comprises, at its base, a collar forming a plate suitable for closing said annular chamber and for compressing the air in this chamber when the button push-button is pressed, the central part of the push-button having a smaller diameter than that of the collar and comprising a cylindrical cavity, covering the pumping means and communicating with said chamber.

Avantageusement, le bouton-poussoir est en appui mécanique contre une tige commandant le moyen de pompage, lequel est actionné mécaniquement par le bouton-poussoir lorsque celui-ci est enfoncé.Advantageously, the push-button is in mechanical abutment against a rod controlling the pumping means, which is actuated mechanically by the push-button when the latter is pressed.

Le bouton-poussoir est avantageusement formé d'une embase et d'un chapeau fixés l'un à l'autre.The push button is advantageously formed by a base and a cap fixed to each other.

L'embase est traversée par un passage pour le liquide et au moins un passage pour l'air comprimé et comporte, sur sa face supérieure, des rainures partant des extrémités desdits passages et se dirigeant vers la pièce poreuse.The base is traversed by a passage for the liquid and at least one passage for the compressed air and comprises, on its upper face, grooves starting from the ends of said passages and going towards the porous part.

De préférence, la rainure pour le liquide est disposée suivant l'axe du canal de sortie tandis que la ou les rainures réservées à l'air comprimé sont situées de part et d'autre, ou d'un côté seulement, de la rainure pour le liquide. En variante, la rainure pour le liquide est disposée perpendiculairement à l'axe du canal de sortie. Les rainures pour l'air comprimé peuvent être parallèles à la rainure pour le liquide, ou converger vers la pièce poreuse.Preferably, the groove for the liquid is arranged along the axis of the outlet channel while the groove or grooves reserved for the compressed air are located on either side, or on one side only, of the groove for the liquid. Alternatively, the groove for the liquid is arranged perpendicular to the axis of the outlet channel. The grooves for the compressed air can be parallel to the groove for the liquid, or converge towards the porous part.

Les rainures pour le liquide et pour l'air comprimé peuvent rester séparées l'une de l'autre et aboutir sur la pièce poreuse où s'effectue le mélange liquide/air.The grooves for the liquid and for the compressed air can remain separated from each other and end up on the porous part where the liquid / air mixture takes place.

L'arrivée des rainures d'air, sur la pièce poreuse, peut s'effectuer parallèlement, ou orthogonalement, à la direction d'arrivée du liquide sur cette pièce poreuse.The arrival of the air grooves on the porous part can be carried out parallel, or orthogonally, to the direction of arrival of the liquid on this porous part.

Selon une autre possibilité, la rainure du liquide débouche dans la ou les rainures d'air en amont de la pièce poreuse. Un brise-jet peut être prévu à l'extrémité de la rainure de liquide tournée vers la pièce poreuse.According to another possibility, the groove of the liquid opens into the air groove (s) upstream of the porous part. A jet breaker can be provided at the end of the liquid groove facing the porous part.

On peut prévoir également que les rainures pour le liquide et pour l'air comprimé débouchent dans un canal de mélange en amont de la pièce poreuse, ledit canal de mélange pouvant présenter une géométrie apte à augmenter la turbulence.Provision may also be made for the grooves for the liquid and for the compressed air to open into a mixing channel upstream of the porous part, said mixing channel possibly having a geometry capable of increasing turbulence.

Une couronne en matière poreuse élastique, notamment en mousse élastomère, peut être prévue dans ladite chambre annulaire.A crown of elastic porous material, in particular of elastomeric foam, may be provided in said annular chamber.

La paroi cylindrique de cette chambre annulaire peut être entièrement prévue sur la tête fermant l'extrémité du récipient ; dans ce cas, la collerette du bouton-poussoir est propre à coulisser à l'intérieur de cette paroi cylindrique, à la manière d'un piston.The cylindrical wall of this annular chamber can be entirely provided on the head closing the end of the container; in this case, the flange of the push button is capable of sliding inside this cylindrical wall, in the manner of a piston.

En variante, la paroi latérale cylindrique de la chambre annulaire n'est formée qu'en partie par la paroi latérale de la tête ; dans ce cas, la collerette du bouton-poussoir est munie, sur son pourtour extérieur, d'une jupe cylindrique coopérant avec ladite paroi de la tête pour définir la chambre annulaire. De préférence, la jupe du bouton-poussoir entoure, de manière étanche, la paroi latérale de la tête fermant l'extrémité du récipient.Alternatively, the cylindrical side wall of the annular chamber is only partially formed by the side wall of the head; in this case, the flange of the push button is provided, on its outer periphery, with a cylindrical skirt cooperating with said wall of the head to define the annular chamber. Preferably, the skirt of the push button sealingly surrounds the side wall of the head closing the end of the container.

Selon une autre variante, la paroi latérale de la chambre annulaire est constituée par un soufflet déformable coopérant, d'un côté, avec la collerette du bouton-poussoir, et lié de l'autre côté au récipient.According to another variant, the side wall of the annular chamber consists of a deformable bellows cooperating, on one side, with the flange of the push button, and connected on the other side to the container.

Généralement, le récipient comprend une paroi rigide. Il peut être muni d'une pompe sans reprise d'air auquel cas une poche souple contenant le produit liquide peut être prévue à l'intérieur du récipient, la susdite pompe étant montée sur cette poche.Generally, the container comprises a rigid wall. It can be fitted with a pump without return air, in which case a flexible pocket containing the liquid product can be provided inside the container, the aforementioned pump being mounted on this pocket.

Selon une autre possibilité, dans le cas où le récipient est équipé d'une pompe sans reprise d'air, la chambre du récipient contenant le produit liquide moussant est délimitée par la paroi latérale cylindrique rigide de ce récipient et par un piston, constituant le fond de la chambre, et pouvant coulisser de manière étanche au fur et à mesure de la distribution du produit.According to another possibility, in the case where the container is equipped with a pump without air intake, the chamber of the container containing the foaming liquid product is delimited by the rigid cylindrical side wall of this container and by a piston, constituting the background of the chamber, and being able to slide in leaktight fashion as the product is dispensed.

La valve d'admission d'air, prévue dans le bouton-poussoir, est avantageusement formée par une pièce élastique dont le bord est serré entre l'embase et le chapeau du bouton-poussoir, cette pièce élastique comportant au moins une bosse tournant sa convexité vers le récipient, propre à fermer la sortie d'un passage d'air, la pièce élastique se prolongeant jusqu'à l'extrémité d'un bec de sortie du bouton-poussoir. La pièce élastique peut être agencée pour assurer également la fermeture du bec, en aval de la pièce poreuse.The air intake valve, provided in the push button, is advantageously formed by an elastic piece whose edge is clamped between the base and the cap of the push button, this elastic piece comprising at least one bump turning its convexity towards the container, suitable for closing the outlet of an air passage, the elastic piece extending to the end of an outlet spout for the push button. The elastic piece can be arranged to also close the spout, downstream of the porous piece.

La pièce élastique ferme, vers le haut, les rainures prévues dans l'embase.The elastic piece closes, upwards, the grooves provided in the base.

Avantageusement, le bouton-poussoir est en deux pièces complémentaires emboîtées l'une dans l'autre et emprisonnant entre elles la pièce flexible, l'une des pièces étant le chapeau qui porte le canal de sortie dont l'axe est parallèle à celui de la tige.Advantageously, the push-button is in two complementary parts fitted one inside the other and trapping the flexible part between them, one of the parts being the cap which carries the outlet channel whose axis is parallel to that of the stem.

En variante, la pièce flexible se prolonge autour de l'embase, formant l'autre pièce du bouton-poussoir, jusqu'au droit des trous de la collerette de l'embase pour constituer les moyens anti-retour de la (ou des) valve(s) de reprise d'air.As a variant, the flexible part extends around the base, forming the other part of the push button, to the right of the holes in the collar of the base to constitute the non-return means of the (or) air return valve (s).

Une trame peut être placée sur la pièce poreuse en contact avec l'orifice de distribution de la mousse, dans le but d'obtenir une mousse plus homogène en densité.A screen can be placed on the porous part in contact with the foam dispensing orifice, in order to obtain a more homogeneous foam in density.

L'invention est également relative à un bouton-poussoir pour dispositif tel que défini précédemment ;
   L'invention consiste, mises à part les dispositions exposées ci-dessus, en un certain nombre d'autres dispositions dont il sera plus explicitement question ci-après à propos d'exemples de réalisation décrits avec référence aux dessins ci-annexés, mais qui ne sont nullement limitatifs.

  • La figure 1, de ces dessins, est une coupe verticale selon la ligne I-I de la figure 2a d'un récipient équipé d'un dispositif distributeur conforme à l'invention ;
  • La figure 2a est une coupe du bouton-poussoir de la figure 1 montrant les passages d'arrivée d'air et de liquide et la pièce poreuse ;
  • La figure 2b est une coupe d'une variante de réalisation du bouton-poussoir ;
  • Les figures 2c à 2f sont des coupes d'autres variantes de réalisation du bouton-poussoir ;
  • La figure 2g est une coupe d'une pièce élastique formant soupape d'admission d'air;
  • La figure 3 est une coupe verticale axiale d'un récipient dont le fond est constitué par un piston mobile, équipé d'un dispositif distributeur selon l'invention, avec pompe sans reprise d'air.
  • La figure 4 est une coupe axiale verticale d'un dispositif distributeur équipant un récipient muni d'une pompe à reprise d'air avec tube plongeur ;
  • La figure 5 illustre, partiellement en coupe, une variante de réalisation de la figure 4;
  • La figure 6 est une coupe verticale axiale d'un dispositif dans lequel un soufflet déformable limite la chambre annulaire ;
  • La figure 7 est une coupe axiale verticale d'une variante dans laquelle la chambre annulaire est limitée, en partie, par une jupe cylindrique prévue à la partie inférieure du bouton-poussoir.
  • La figure 8 est une coupe verticale selon la ligne VIII-VIII de la figure 9 d'un récipient, analogue à celui de la figure 1, équipé d'un dispositif distributeur, conforme à l'invention, adapté à un bouton poussoir dont l'axe du canal de sortie est vertical ;
  • La figure 9 est une vue de dessus de l'embase 15 du bouton-poussoir de la figure 8 montrant les passages d'arrivée d'air et de liquide et la pièce poreuse ;
  • La figure 10 est une coupe partielle analogue à la figure 3 montrant une variante de pièce flexible appliquée à un récipient du type de celui montré figure 3, mais dont l'axe du canal de sortie est vertical.
The invention also relates to a push button for a device as defined above;
The invention consists, apart from the arrangements set out above, of a certain number of other arrangements which will be more explicitly discussed below in connection with embodiments described with reference to the attached drawings, but which are in no way limiting.
  • Figure 1 of the drawings is a vertical section along line II of Figure 2 has a container equipped with a dispensing device according to the invention;
  • Figure 2 a is a sectional view of the pushbutton of Figure 1 showing the air supply passages and the liquid and the porous component;
  • Figure 2b is a section of an alternative embodiment of the push button;
  • Figures 2 c to 2 f are sections of other alternative embodiments of the push button;
  • Figure 2g is a section through an elastic piece forming an air intake valve;
  • Figure 3 is an axial vertical section of a container whose bottom consists of a movable piston, equipped with a dispensing device according to the invention, with pump without air intake.
  • Figure 4 is a vertical axial section of a dispensing device fitted to a container with an air return pump with dip tube;
  • Figure 5 illustrates, partially in section, an alternative embodiment of Figure 4;
  • Figure 6 is an axial vertical section of a device in which a deformable bellows limits the annular chamber;
  • Figure 7 is a vertical axial section of a variant in which the annular chamber is limited, in part, by a cylindrical skirt provided at the lower part of the push button.
  • Figure 8 is a vertical section along line VIII-VIII of Figure 9 of a container, similar to that of Figure 1, equipped with a dispensing device, according to the invention, adapted to a push button whose l the axis of the outlet channel is vertical;
  • Figure 9 is a top view of the base 15 of the push button of Figure 8 showing the air and liquid inlet passages and the porous part;
  • Figure 10 is a partial section similar to Figure 3 showing a variant of flexible part applied to a container of the type shown in Figure 3, but whose axis of the outlet channel is vertical.

En se reportant à la figure 1 des dessins, on peut voir un dispositif D pour la distribution de mousse à partir d'un récipient R comprenant une poche souple 1 sans air, contenant un liquide avec un agent moussant. La poche 1 est placée dans une enveloppe rigide cylindrique 2 comportant un fond 3 dans lequel est prévue une ouverture 4 pour une entrée d'air. A sa partie supérieure, la poche 1 est fermée par une tête 5 en forme de cuvette tournant sa concavité du côté opposé au fond 3. Le bord supérieur de la poche souple 1 est serré de manière étanche contre la paroi cylindrique de la tête 5 engagée dans la poche 1. La tête 5 est munie d'un rebord supérieur 6 faisant saillie radialement vers l'extérieur, venant en appui contre l'extrémité supérieure de l'enveloppe 2.Referring to Figure 1 of the drawings, one can see a device D for dispensing foam from a container R comprising a flexible bag 1 without air, containing a liquid with a foaming agent. The bag 1 is placed in a rigid cylindrical envelope 2 comprising a bottom 3 in which an opening 4 is provided for an air inlet. At its upper part, the pocket 1 is closed by a head 5 in the form of a bowl turning its concavity from side opposite the bottom 3. The upper edge of the flexible pocket 1 is tightly tightened against the cylindrical wall of the head 5 engaged in the pocket 1. The head 5 is provided with an upper rim 6 projecting radially towards the outside, pressing against the upper end of the casing 2.

La tête 5 comporte un fond 7 muni, dans sa partie centrale, d'un manchon 8 en saillie du côté opposé à la poche 1. Le corps 9 d'une pompe manuelle 10, constituant un moyen de pompage du liquide contenu dans la poche 1, est monté serré dans ce manchon 8. Une tige creuse 11 fait saillie axialement du corps de pompe 9, du côté opposé à la poche 1. Cette tige 11 est soumise à un rappel élastique ; l'enfoncement de la tige 11 dans le corps de pompe 9 assure le pompage. La pompe 10 est une pompe sans reprise d'air ; elle est sertie, claquée ou vissée sur le manchon 8.The head 5 has a bottom 7 provided, in its central part, with a sleeve 8 projecting from the side opposite to the pocket 1. The body 9 of a manual pump 10, constituting a means of pumping the liquid contained in the pocket 1, is mounted tightly in this sleeve 8. A hollow rod 11 projects axially from the pump body 9, on the side opposite to the pocket 1. This rod 11 is subjected to an elastic return; the depression of the rod 11 in the pump body 9 ensures pumping. The pump 10 is a pump without air intake; it is crimped, snapped or screwed onto the sleeve 8.

Un dispositif antiprisonnier 12, par exemple constitué par une cheminée ajourée souple, ou par une sorte de grille, s'étendant depuis la tête 5 vers le fond de la poche 1, est prévu pour empêcher les parois de cette poche de se coller l'une contre l'autre, sous l'action de la pression atmosphérique, au fur et à mesure du pompage du liquide.An anti-prisoner device 12, for example constituted by a flexible openwork chimney, or by a sort of grid, extending from the head 5 towards the bottom of the pocket 1, is provided to prevent the walls of this pocket from sticking together. one against the other, under the action of atmospheric pressure, as the liquid is pumped.

Une chambre annulaire 13 est formée, dans la tête 5, entre la surface extérieure du manchon 8 et la surface intérieure de la paroi de la tête 5.An annular chamber 13 is formed in the head 5 between the exterior surface of the sleeve 8 and the interior surface of the wall of the head 5.

Un bouton-poussoir rigide 14 est prévu au-dessus de la tête 5. Ce bouton-poussoir 14 est formé d'une embase 15 et d'un chapeau 16 fixés l'un à l'autre notamment par collage, soudage ou encliquetage.A rigid push button 14 is provided above the head 5. This push button 14 is formed by a base 15 and a cap 16 fixed to one another, in particular by gluing, welding or snap-fastening.

Le bouton-poussoir 14 comporte à sa base une collerette 17, formant plateau, propre à comprimer l'air dans la chambre annulaire 13. Dans le cas de la figure 1, la collerette 17 coulisse, de manière sensiblement étanche, contre la surface intérieure de la paroi périphérique de la tête 5, à la manière d'un piston. La partie centrale 18 de l'embase 15 du bouton-poussoir a un diamètre extérieur plus faible que celui de la collerette 17 ; cette partie 18 comporte une cavité cylindrique 19, coaxiale au manchon 8, coiffant la tige 11 et la partie supérieure du corps de pompe. La paroi cylindrique interne de la cavité 19 a un diamètre supérieur au diamètre maximum du corps de pompe 9 de sorte qu'un interstice 20 subsiste pour établir une communication entre la chambre 13 et la cavité 19.The push button 14 has at its base a collar 17, forming a plate, capable of compressing the air in the annular chamber 13. In the case of FIG. 1, the collar 17 slides, in a substantially sealed manner, against the interior surface of the peripheral wall of the head 5, like a piston. The central part 18 of the base 15 of the push button has a smaller outside diameter than that of the collar 17; this part 18 comprises a cylindrical cavity 19, coaxial with the sleeve 8, covering the rod 11 and the upper part of the pump body. The internal cylindrical wall of the cavity 19 has a diameter greater than the maximum diameter of the pump body 9 so that a gap 20 remains to establish communication between the chamber 13 and the cavity 19.

La collerette 17 est traversée par des trous 21 munis, du côté de la chambre 13, de valves 22 de reprise d'air permettant l'entrée d'air depuis l'extérieur dans la chambre 13 mais s'opposant à la sortie. La paroi supérieure de l'embase 15 comporte, au centre, un passage axial 23 s'ouvrant par une embouchure évasée tronconique 24 du côté de la pompe 10. L'extrémité supérieure de la tige 11 vient en appui de manière pratiquement étanche contre cette embouchure 24.The flange 17 is crossed by holes 21 provided, on the side of the chamber 13, with air return valves 22 allowing air to enter from the outside into the chamber 13 but opposing the outlet. The upper wall of the base 15 has, in the center, an axial passage 23 opening through a tapered flared mouth 24 on the side of the pump 10. The upper end of the rod 11 comes to bear in a substantially sealed manner against this mouth 24.

Au moins un autre passage 25, parallèle au passage 23, traverse la paroi supérieure de l'embase 15, parallèlement à l'axe de la tige 11, mais avec un décalage radial vers l'extérieur relativement à cet axe.At least one other passage 25, parallel to passage 23, crosses the upper wall of the base 15, parallel to the axis of the rod 11, but with a radial offset towards the outside relative to this axis.

Lorsque l'embase 15 est agencée comme représenté sur la figure 2a, deux passages 25 sont prévus de part et d'autre du plan vertical passant par l'axe du canal de sortie 26 de la mousse. Sur la face supérieure de l'embase 15 sont prévues deux rainures 27 partant de l'extrémité supérieure des passages 25 et convergeant l'une vers l'autre en direction d'une cavité contenant une pièce poreuse 28. Une autre rainure 29 s'étendant suivant l'axe du canal 26 et formant bissectrice des rainures 27, est prévue entre l'extrémité supérieure du passage 23 et la cavité contenant la pièce poreuse 28.When the base 15 is arranged as shown in FIG. 2 a , two passages 25 are provided on either side of the vertical plane passing through the axis of the outlet channel 26 of the foam. On the upper face of the base 15 are provided two grooves 27 starting from the upper end of the passages 25 and converging towards one another in the direction of a cavity containing a porous part 28. Another groove 29 s' extending along the axis of the channel 26 and forming a bisector of the grooves 27, is provided between the upper end of the passage 23 and the cavity containing the porous part 28.

Les extrémités aval des canaux 27 et 29 sont en contact avec la pièce poreuse 28 où s'effectue le mélange air/liquide. En amont de la pièce 28, les canaux 27 et 29 sont séparés les uns des autres.The downstream ends of the channels 27 and 29 are in contact with the porous part 28 where the air / liquid mixture takes place. Upstream of the part 28, the channels 27 and 29 are separated from each other.

La pièce poreuse 28 peut être, par exemple, un polyéthylène fritté, un fritté métallique ou céramique, une mousse à cellules ouvertes, une grille, de la fibre de verre, un feutre, un emboîtement d'une multitude d'obstacles, formant par exemple une sorte de labyrinthe, ou toute autre matière poreuse.The porous part 28 can be, for example, a sintered polyethylene, a metallic or ceramic sinter, an open-cell foam, a grid, fiberglass, a felt, a nesting of a multitude of obstacles, forming by example a kind of labyrinth, or any other porous material.

Du fait de la coupe décalée de la figure 2a, on pourrait avoir l'impression trompeuse, sur la figure 1, que les rainures 27 et 29 communiquent ; il n'en est rien puisqu'elles se trouvent dans des plans décalés. Cette remarque s'applique également aux figures 3 à 7.Due to the offset section of Figure 2a, one might get the wrong impression, in Figure 1, the grooves 27 and 29 communicate; it is not so since they are in offset planes. This also applies to Figures 3 to 7.

Comme visible sur la figure 2a, l'embase 15, vue en plan, est limitée, du côté opposé à la sortie du produit, par un contour semi-circulaire et, du côté de la sortie du produit, par un contour trapézoïdal dont la petite base forme un bec B pour la sortie de la mousse. Une chambre d'expansion 30, située en avant de la pièce poreuse 28 et dont la section augmente dans le sens de la sortie, est prévue à l'extrémité avant du bec B.As visible in FIG. 2 a , the base 15, seen in plan, is limited, on the side opposite to the outlet of the product, by a semicircular contour and, on the product outlet side, by a trapezoidal outline, the small base of which forms a spout B for the foam outlet. An expansion chamber 30, located in front of the porous part 28 and whose section increases in the direction of the outlet, is provided at the front end of the spout B.

Le couvercle 16 comporte, dans la région située au-dessus de chaque passage 25, une cavité 31, qui forme un logement pour recevoir une valve 32 d'admission d'air.The cover 16 comprises, in the region situated above each passage 25, a cavity 31, which forms a housing for receiving an air intake valve 32.

La valve 32 est avantageusement formée, pour chaque passage 25, par une bosse arrondie, tournant sa convexité vers le passage 25, prévue dans une pièce flexible 33, de préférence en élastomère, de forme générale aplatie et dont le bord est serré entre l'embase 15 et le couvercle 16. La pièce flexible 33 passe au-dessus de la pièce poreuse 28 et se termine par une lèvre 34 inclinée vers le bas, propre à fermer la sortie de la chambre d'expansion 30. La pièce 33 ferme les rainures 27 et 29 vers le haut, et définit avec ces rainures les canaux d'arrivée de l'air et du liquide.The valve 32 is advantageously formed, for each passage 25, by a rounded bump, turning its convexity towards the passage 25, provided in a flexible piece 33, preferably made of elastomer, of generally flattened shape and the edge of which is clamped between the base 15 and the cover 16. The flexible part 33 passes over the porous part 28 and ends with a lip 34 inclined downward, suitable for closing the outlet of the expansion chamber 30. The part 33 closes the grooves 27 and 29 upwards, and defines with these grooves the air and liquid inlet channels.

La valve 32 permet le déplacement de l'air depuis le passage 25 vers la pièce poreuse 28 et s'oppose à un déplacement en sens inverse. Une aspiration du liquide vers la chambre 19 est ainsi empêchée. Un capuchon 35 est prévu pour coiffer, lors du stockage, le bouton-poussoir 14, ce capuchon 35 venant s'emboîter sur l'extrémité supérieure de l'enveloppe 2.The valve 32 allows the movement of air from the passage 25 to the porous part 28 and opposes a movement in the opposite direction. Aspiration of the liquid towards the chamber 19 is thus prevented. A cap 35 is provided for covering, during storage, the push button 14, this cap 35 fitting onto the upper end of the envelope 2.

Ceci étant, le fonctionnement du dispositif de la figure 1 est le suivant.That said, the operation of the device of Figure 1 is as follows.

Pour obtenir la distribution d'une dose de mousse, l'utilisateur , après avoir retiré le capuchon 35, appuie sur le bouton-poussoir 14.To obtain the distribution of a dose of foam, the user, after removing the cap 35, presses the push button 14.

De ce fait, la tige 11 de la pompe 9 sans reprise d'air est enfoncée, ce qui provoque la sortie du produit contenu par la poche 1 à travers le passage 23 et la rainure 29 en direction de la pièce poreuse 28. En même temps, la collerette 17 enfoncée dans la chambre annulaire 13 comprime l'air emprisonné dans cette chambre. L'air sous pression est refoulé par les passages 25 ce qui provoque l'ouverture des valves 32 et l'écoulement de l'air, par les rainures 27, en direction de la pièce poreuse 28. Un mélange air/liquide est réalisé sur cette pièce poreuse et l'expansion du mélange liquide moussant/air peut se réaliser dans la chambre 30. La mousse sort du bec B en soulevant la lèvre 34.As a result, the rod 11 of the pump 9 without air intake is depressed, which causes the product contained by the bag 1 to exit through the passage 23 and the groove 29 in the direction of the porous part 28. At the same time time, the collar 17 pressed into the annular chamber 13 compresses the air trapped in this chamber. The pressurized air is discharged through the passages 25 which causes the valves 32 to open and the air to flow, through the grooves 27, in the direction of the porous part 28. An air / liquid mixture is produced on this piece porous and the expansion of the foaming liquid / air mixture can take place in the chamber 30. The foam comes out of the spout B by lifting the lip 34.

Le distributeur de la figure 1 est un distributeur sans reprise d'air, donc aseptique.The distributor of Figure 1 is a distributor without air intake, therefore aseptic.

Dans la variante de réalisation de la figure 2b, un seul passage 25, ayant son axe situé dans le plan vertical passant par l'axe du canal de sortie 26, est prévu dans l'embase 15 en arrière du passage 23. La rainure 27, partant du passage 25, a une forme en épingle à cheveux entourant la rainure 29 et se termine contre la pièce poreuse 28. La rainure 29 pour le liquide aboutit sur la pièce poreuse 28, comme dans le cas de la figure 2a Selon cette variante, les arrivées d'air et de liquide sur la pièce poreuse 28 s'effectuent suivant des directions parallèles.In the alternative embodiment of FIG. 2b , a single passage 25, having its axis situated in the vertical plane passing through the axis of the outlet channel 26, is provided in the base 15 behind the passage 23. The groove 27, starting from the passage 25, has a hairpin shape surrounding the groove 29 and ends against the porous part 28. The groove 29 for the liquid ends on the porous part 28, as in the case of FIG. 2 a According to this variant, the air and liquid inlets on the porous part 28 take place in parallel directions.

La figure 2c illustre une variante de réalisation de l'embase 15 avec une disposition des passages 23 et 25 identique à celle de la figure 2b ; toutefois, la rainure 29 de liquide n'aboutit pas directement contre l'élément poreux 28 mais s'ouvre dans les branches de la rainure d'air 27, en amont de cet élément 28, sur un brise-jet 36 propre à éclater et à ralentir le flux de liquide. Ce flux est donc séparé en deux parties qui se mélangent, respectivement, avec l'air arrivant dans chaque branche de la rainure 27 en épingle à cheveux, puis pénètre dans l'élément poreux 28.FIG. 2 c illustrates an alternative embodiment of the base 15 with an arrangement of the passages 23 and 25 identical to that of FIG. 2 b ; however, the groove 29 of liquid does not end directly against the porous element 28 but opens in the branches of the air groove 27, upstream of this element 28, on a jet breaker 36 capable of bursting and to slow the flow of liquid. This flow is therefore separated into two parts which mix, respectively, with the air arriving in each branch of the hairpin groove 27, then enters the porous element 28.

La figure 2d illustre une variante de l'embase dans laquelle la rainure 29 pour le liquide aboutit sur la pièce poreuse 28 tout en communiquant, juste avant cette pièce 28, par un passage latéral 37, avec une branche unique de la rainure 27, parallèle à la rainure 29.FIG. 2 d illustrates a variant of the base in which the groove 29 for the liquid ends up on the porous part 28 while communicating, just before this part 28, by a lateral passage 37, with a single branch of the groove 27, parallel to groove 29.

La figure 2e montre une variante de réalisation de l'embase 15 dans laquelle la rainure 27 à deux branches, en épingle à cheveux, pour l'air sous pression communique, en amont de la pièce poreuse 28, par des ouvertures latérales 38 avec la rainure 29 pour le liquide. L'air arrive ainsi sensiblement perpendiculairement dans l'écoulement de liquide en amont de la pièce poreuse 28.Figure 2 e shows an alternative embodiment of the base 15 in which the groove 27 with two branches, hairpin, for air under pressure communicates, upstream of the porous part 28, by side openings 38 with the groove 29 for the liquid. The air thus arrives substantially perpendicularly in the liquid flow upstream of the porous part 28.

La figure 2f illustre une autre variante de réalisation de l'embase 15 du bouton-poussoir. Les deux branches de la rainure 27 partant de l'extrémité du passage d'air 25 forment une sorte de pince dont les extrémités viennent au contact des faces transversales de la pièce poreuse 28 de sorte que l'arrivée d'air sur cette pièce poreuse s'effectue suivant une direction perpendiculaire à l'arrivée de liquide, par la rainure 29 dont l'axe est confondu avec l'axe du canal de sortie 26. Le mélange air/liquide s'effectue dans la pièce poreuse 28 par la rencontre des deux flux d'air et de liquide orientés perpendiculairement.FIG. 2 f illustrates another alternative embodiment of the base 15 of the push button. The two branches of the groove 27 starting from the end of the air passage 25 form a sort of clamp whose ends come into contact with the transverse faces of the porous part 28 so that the arrival of air on this porous part takes place in a direction perpendicular to the arrival of liquid, by the groove 29 whose axis coincides with the axis of the outlet channel 26. The air / liquid mixture is carried out in the porous part 28 by the meeting of the two air and liquid flows oriented perpendicularly.

Il est clair que différentes configurations sont possibles au niveau des passages de liquide 23 et d'air 25. Le passage de liquide 23 peut être situé en avant, en arrière ou au même niveau que le passage d'air 25, suivant la direction de l'axe du canal de sortie 26.It is clear that different configurations are possible at the level of the liquid 23 and air passages 25. The liquid passage 23 can be located in front, behind or at the same level as the air passage 25, depending on the direction of the axis of the outlet channel 26.

La figure 2g illustre une variante de réalisation de la pièce flexible 33a en matière élastomère. La bosse constituant la valve 32a pour l'admission d'air, est située en amont, selon le sens d'écoulement du fluide, d'une paroi 39 délimitant, du côté opposé à la valve 32a, la sortie de liquide. Une languette 40 est prévue pour constituer une obturation anti-retour dans chaque rainure d'air telle que 27.FIG. 2 g illustrates an alternative embodiment of the flexible part 33 a made of elastomeric material. The bump constituting the valve 32 a for the air intake, is located upstream, in the direction of flow of the fluid, of a wall 39 delimiting, on the side opposite to the valve 32 a , the liquid outlet. A tongue 40 is provided to constitute a non-return closure in each air groove such as 27.

La pièce flexible 33a de la figure 2g est destinée à un bouton-poussoir dans lequel la sortie de la mousse s'effectue suivant une direction dirigée vers le haut ; la lèvre 34a est disposée en conséquence.The flexible part 33 a of FIG. 2 g is intended for a push-button in which the exit of the foam takes place in a direction directed upwards; the lip 34 a is arranged accordingly.

Le matériau élastique de la pièce 33, 33a est, de préférence, un élastomère naturel ou synthétique. Parmi les élastomères utilisables, on peut citer, par exemple, les copolymères styrène-butadiène, les caoutchoucs nitrile, le polychloroprène ou néoprène, le caoutchouc EPDM, les polyuréthanes, le caoutchouc de silicone et les copolymères éthylène-vinylacétate.The elastic material of the part 33, 33 a is preferably a natural or synthetic elastomer. Among the elastomers which can be used, there may be mentioned, for example, styrene-butadiene copolymers, nitrile rubbers, polychloroprene or neoprene, EPDM rubber, polyurethanes, silicone rubber and ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers.

La lèvre 34, 34a, facultative, est en contact étanche avec l'embase 15 lorsqu'il n'y a pas de distribution, et s'écarte de l'embase par flexion sous la poussée du produit à distribuer. La lèvre revient par élasticité en contact étanche avec l'embase 15 lorsque cesse la distribution.The lip 34, 34 is optional, and is in sealing contact with the base 15 when there is no dispensing, and away from the base by bending under the thrust of the product to be dispensed. The lip returns by elasticity in sealed contact with the base 15 when the dispensing ceases.

La pièce élastique 33, 33a est montée sur l'embase par claquage, soudure ou collage, ou peut être maintenue à l'aide du capot rigide 16.The elastic piece 33, 33 a is mounted on the base by snap-fastening, welding or gluing, or can be maintained using the rigid cover 16.

On pourrait également envisager, en remplacement de la valve 32 ou en combinaison avec cette valve, de placer une valve à clapet dans le passage d'arrivée d'air 25 (ou tout autre type de valve), comme illustré sur les figures 4 à 7.One could also consider, replacing the valve 32 or in combination with this valve, placing a flap valve in the air inlet passage 25 (or any other type of valve), as illustrated in FIGS. 4 to 7.

On peut prévoir, en plus des rainures d'amenée d'air et de liquide 27 et 29, toutes sortes de chicanes ou de systèmes, tels que des labyrinthes, pour créer des tourbillons en vue de prémélanger l'air et le liquide, notamment avant leur passage au travers de la pièce poreuse 28.One can provide, in addition to the air and liquid supply grooves 27 and 29, all kinds of baffles or systems, such as labyrinths, to create vortices in order to premix the air and the liquid, in particular before they pass through the porous part 28.

Du fait que la pompe 10 est du type sans reprise d'air, et que la poche 1 contenant le produit est sans air, il est possible de stocker le distributeur tête en bas, et de distribuer la mousse également tête en bas.Because the pump 10 is of the type without air intake, and that the bag 1 containing the product is without air, it is possible to store the dispenser upside down, and to distribute the foam also upside down.

En se reportant à la figure 3, on peut voir une variante de réalisation du dispositif distributeur D dans laquelle l'enveloppe extérieure rigide 102 constitue le récipient lui-même et contient le produit sans air, la poche souple 1 ayant été supprimée. La tête 105 fait partie intégrante de cette enveloppe 102, le fond 107 étant toujours situé en retrait, suivant la direction axiale, relativement à l'extrémité supérieure du manchon central 108. Le fond de l'enveloppe 102 est ouvert et un piston 41 est prévu pour coulisser de manière étanche à l'intérieur de ladite enveloppe, au fur et à mesure que le volume du liquide contenu dans cette enveloppe, diminue suite au pompage. On retrouve une pompe 10 sans reprise d'air.Referring to Figure 3, we can see an alternative embodiment of the dispensing device D in which the rigid outer casing 102 constitutes the container itself and contains the product without air, the flexible bag 1 having been removed. The head 105 is an integral part of this envelope 102, the bottom 107 always being set back, in the axial direction, relative to the upper end of the central sleeve 108. The bottom of the envelope 102 is open and a piston 41 is provided to slide in a sealed manner inside said envelope, as the volume of the liquid contained in this envelope decreases following pumping. There is a pump 10 without air intake.

Une couronne 42 en matière poreuse élastique, notamment en mousse élastique, est prévue dans la chambre annulaire 13. Cette couronne 42 est comprimée lorsque le bouton-poussoir 14 est enfoncé.A ring 42 of elastic porous material, in particular of elastic foam, is provided in the annular chamber 13. This ring 42 is compressed when the push-button 14 is pressed.

Les autres éléments du dispositif de la figure 3 identiques à des éléments déjà décrits à propos de la figure 1 sont désignés par les mêmes références numériques sans que leur description soit reprise.The other elements of the device of FIG. 3 identical to elements already described in connection with FIG. 1 are designated by the same reference numbers without their description being repeated.

Le fonctionnement de ce dispositif est identique à celui décrit à propos de la figure 1. Le piston 41 monte progressivement dans l'enveloppe 102, au fur et à mesure de l'épuisement du liquide contenu dans cette enveloppe. La couronne 42 en matière poreuse élastique permet, par son volume propre, d'ajuster par réduction le volume d'air comprimé envoyé par le passage 25, lors de l'enfoncement du poussoir 14.The operation of this device is identical to that described with reference to FIG. 1. The piston 41 gradually rises in the envelope 102, as and when the liquid contained in this envelope is used up. The crown 42 made of elastic porous material makes it possible, by its own volume, to adjust by reduction the volume of compressed air sent by the passage 25, when the pusher 14 is pressed.

Le volume d'air envoyé à chaque enfoncement du bouton-poussoir peut être modifié par adjonction de couronnes de mousse élastique de densités différentes.The volume of air sent each time the push button is pressed can be modified by adding elastic foam crowns of different densities.

La figure 4 des dessins montre un dispositif conforme à l'invention combiné avec une pompe 210 à reprise d'air montée sur un récipient 202 à parois rigides contenant le liquide et de l'air. Le fond 203 du récipient 202 est fixe et rigide. La partie supérieure forme une tête 205 semblable à celle décrite à propos de la figure 3 avec un manchon central 208 et un fond 207 en retrait. La pompe à reprise d'air 210 est équipée d'un tube plongeur 43.Figure 4 of the drawings shows a device according to the invention combined with an air intake pump 210 mounted on a container 202 with rigid walls containing the liquid and air. The bottom 203 of the container 202 is fixed and rigid. The upper part forms a head 205 similar to that described with reference to FIG. 3 with a central sleeve 208 and a bottom 207 recessed. The return air pump 210 is fitted with a dip tube 43.

Le ou chaque passage d'air 25 est muni d'un clapet anti-retour 2 32, de sorte que la pièce élastique 33 ne comporte pas de bosse semblable à la bosse 32 de la figure 1.The or each air passage 25 is provided with a non-return valve 2 32, so that the elastic piece 33 does not have a bump similar to the bump 32 in FIG. 1.

Les autres éléments du dispositif de la figure 4 identiques à des éléments déjà décrits à propos de la figure 1 sont désignés par les mêmes références numériques sans que leur description soit reprise.The other elements of the device of FIG. 4 identical to elements already described in connection with FIG. 1 are designated by the same reference numbers without their description being repeated.

Le fonctionnement de ce dispositif est semblable à celui décrit à propos de la figure 1. Toutefois, du fait que la pompe 210 est du type à reprise d'air avec tube plongeur 43, ce dispositif doit être utilisé bouton-poussoir 14 en haut.The operation of this device is similar to that described in connection with FIG. 1. However, since the pump 210 is of the return air type with dip tube 43, this device must be used push button 14 at the top.

La figure 5 illustre une variante de réalisation dans laquelle le bouton-poussoir 14 est combiné avec une jupe 44, dans laquelle il peut coulisser, qui porte à la partie inférieure de sa surface interne, un bourrelet d'encliquetage 45 propre à coopérer avec une gorge 46 prévue à la partie supérieure d'un récipient 302 équipé d'une pompe 310 avec reprise d'air et tube plongeur 43.FIG. 5 illustrates an alternative embodiment in which the push-button 14 is combined with a skirt 44, in which it can slide, which carries at the lower part of its internal surface, a snap-fit bead 45 suitable for cooperating with a groove 46 provided in the upper part of a container 302 equipped with a pump 310 with air intake and dip tube 43.

Le passage d'air 25 est équipé d'un clapet anti-retour 332, tandis que la pièce élastique 33 ne comporte pas de bosse.The air passage 25 is equipped with a non-return valve 332, while the elastic piece 33 does not include a bump.

La pompe 310 est montée dans un manchon central 308 en saillie sur la paroi de fond 307 de l'extrémité supérieure ou tête 305 du récipient.The pump 310 is mounted in a central sleeve 308 projecting from the bottom wall 307 of the upper end or head 305 of the container.

La jupe 44 constitue une sorte d'adaptateur propre à créer la paroi cylindrique de la chambre annulaire 13 en combinaison avec le fond 307 de la partie supérieure du récipient 302.The skirt 44 constitutes a kind of adapter suitable for creating the cylindrical wall of the annular chamber 13 in combination with the bottom 307 of the upper part of the container 302.

Le bouton-poussoir 14 peut ainsi être adapté, comme illustré sur la figure 5, à un récipient existant.The push button 14 can thus be adapted, as illustrated in FIG. 5, to an existing container.

Le fonctionnement est identique à celui du dispositif de la figure 4 et doit être effectué bouton-poussoir en haut.Operation is identical to that of the device in FIG. 4 and must be carried out at the top with the push button.

La figure 6 représente une variante de réalisation du dispositif de distribution. La tête 405, qui fait partie intégrante du récipient 402 dont le fond 403 est fixe, comporte toujours, en son centre, un manchon 408 en saillie du côté opposé au récipient. Une pompe 410 à reprise d'air, avec tube plongeur 43, est montée dans le manchon 408. La tête 405 ne comporte pas de paroi périphérique cylindrique en bordure de son fond 407. Un soufflet déformable 47, en accordéon, vient coiffer la bordure du fond 407 de la tête. Le bord inférieur de ce soufflet 47 est, par exemple, engagé de manière étanche dans une rainure périphérique 48 prévue en bordure du fond 407.Figure 6 shows an alternative embodiment of the dispensing device. The head 405, which is an integral part of the container 402, the bottom 403 of which is fixed, always has, in its center, a sleeve 408 projecting from the side opposite to the container. A pump 410 with return air, with plunger tube 43, is mounted in the sleeve 408. The head 405 does not have a cylindrical peripheral wall at the edge of its bottom 407. A deformable bellows 47, in accordion, covers the edge from the bottom 407 of the head. The lower edge of this bellows 47 is, for example, sealingly engaged in a peripheral groove 48 provided on the edge of the bottom 407.

Le bord supérieur du soufflet 47 est en appui dans une gorge 49 prévue à la partie inférieure de la collerette 17 du bouton-poussoir 14.The upper edge of the bellows 47 is supported in a groove 49 provided at the lower part of the collar 17 of the push button 14.

La chambre annulaire 13 est ainsi délimitée, latéralement, par ce soufflet 47.The annular chamber 13 is thus delimited, laterally, by this bellows 47.

Dans l'exemple de réalisation de la figure 6, la collerette 17 de l'embase 15 est équipée des valves de reprise d'air 22 décrites précédemment. Le soufflet 47 peut être en appui simple dans la gorge 49 de telle sorte qu'une étanchéité s'établit entre la paroi de cette gorge et le soufflet 47 lorsque l'on enfonce le bouton-poussoir14. Par contre, lorsque ce bouton-poussoir 14 remonte élastiquement, il n'y a plus contact étanche entre le bord supérieur du soufflet 47 et la paroi de la gorge 49 ; une entrée d'air est alors possible entre cette paroi de gorge et le soufflet 47, dans la chambre 13, lors de la remontée du bouton-poussoir 14. Ainsi, il est possible de supprimer les passages 21 et les valves 22, la reprise d'air étant assurée par la fuite entre la gorge 49 et le soufflet 47 dès que l'on cesse d'appuyer sur le bouton-poussoir 14.In the embodiment of Figure 6, the flange 17 of the base 15 is equipped with air return valves 22 described above. The bellows 47 can be in simple support in the groove 49 so that a seal is established between the wall of this groove and the bellows 47 when the push button 14 is pressed. On the other hand, when this push-button 14 rises elastically, there is no longer sealed contact between the upper edge of the bellows 47 and the wall of the groove 49; an air inlet is then possible between this groove wall and the bellows 47, in the chamber 13, during the raising of the push button 14. Thus, it is possible to remove the passages 21 and the valves 22, the recovery air being ensured by the leak between the groove 49 and the bellows 47 as soon as the push button 14 is stopped.

Le passage d'air 25 est équipé d'un clapet anti-retour 432.The air passage 25 is equipped with a non-return valve 432.

Les autres éléments du dispositif de la figure 6 identiques ou semblables à des éléments déjà décrits à propos des figures précédentes sont désignés par les mêmes références numériques sans que leur description soit reprise.The other elements of the device of FIG. 6 identical or similar to elements already described in connection with the preceding figures are designated by the same reference numbers without their description being repeated.

Le fonctionnement du dispositif de la figure 6 est semblable à celui déjà décrit précédemment. Du fait que la pompe 410 est du type à reprise d'air, avec tube plongeur 43, le dispositif doit être utilisé tête en haut.The operation of the device of Figure 6 is similar to that already described above. Because the pump 410 is of the return air, with dip tube 43, the device must be used head up.

La figure 7 illustre une variante de réalisation dans laquelle la tête 505, rapportée sur l'extrémité supérieure du récipient 502, comporte une paroi latérale cylindrique 50 dont la longueur, suivant la direction axiale du manchon central 508, est inférieure à la longueur de ce manchon. Cette paroi cylindrique 50 ne détermine qu'en partie la chambre annulaire 13.FIG. 7 illustrates an alternative embodiment in which the head 505, attached to the upper end of the container 502, has a cylindrical side wall 50 whose length, in the axial direction of the central sleeve 508, is less than the length of this muff. This cylindrical wall 50 only partially determines the annular chamber 13.

La base 17 du bouton-poussoir est munie, à sa périphérie, d'une jupe cylindrique 51 s'étendant vers le bas, entourant la paroi 50 et propre à coulisser de manière étanche contre cette paroi. De préférence, la jupe 51 comporte, à sa partie inférieure, un bourrelet interne 52 tandis que la paroi 50 comporte, à son extrémité supérieure, un bourrelet externe 53. La coopération des bourrelets 52, 53 assure la retenue vers le haut de la jupe 51 relativement à la paroi 50.The base 17 of the push button is provided, at its periphery, with a cylindrical skirt 51 extending downward, surrounding the wall 50 and suitable for sliding in leaktight manner against this wall. Preferably, the skirt 51 has, at its lower part, an internal bead 52 while the wall 50 has, at its upper end, an external bead 53. The cooperation of the beads 52, 53 ensures the retention towards the top of the skirt 51 relative to the wall 50.

Un ressort de rappel 54 est prévu autour du manchon 508 entre le fond 507 de la tête 505 et l'embase 15 du bouton-poussoir.A return spring 54 is provided around the sleeve 508 between the bottom 507 of the head 505 and the base 15 of the push button.

Il est à noter qu'un tel ressort de rappel pourrait être également prévu dans les modes de réalisation décrits précédemment, en complément du ressort de rappel prévu dans la pompe et agissant sur la tige 11.It should be noted that such a return spring could also be provided in the embodiments described above, in addition to the return spring provided in the pump and acting on the rod 11.

Le fonctionnement du dispositif de la figure 7 est semblable à celui des dispositifs décrits précédemment.The operation of the device in FIG. 7 is similar to that of the devices described above.

En se reportant à la figure 8, on peut voir une variante de réalisation du dispositif distributeur D adapté à un bouton-poussoir 14 dont l'axe du canal de sortie 26 est parallèle à l'axe du récipient R, analogue à celui de la figure 1. Le bouton-poussoir 14 est en deux pièces complémentaires, emboîtées l'une dans l'autre, et emprisonnant entre elles la pièce flexible 33 dans laquelle est formée la valve 32. Plus précisément, l'une des deux pièces, constituant le bouton-poussoir, est le chapeau 16 dans lequel est formé le canal de sortie 26, le chapeau 16 coiffant l'autre pièce qui est l'embase 15 dont la partie centrale 18 comporte la cavité cylindrique 19, de même axe que le manchon 8, coiffant la tige 11 et la partie supérieure du corps de pompe ; comme précédemment, la collerette 17 de l'embase est traversée par des trous 21 munis de valves 22 de reprise d'air ; les trous 21 sont en regard de trous prévus également dans une collerette complémentaire présentée par le chapeau 16 ; les deux dites collerettes servent également à l'assemblage, par exemple par collage, des deux pièces 15 et 16 constituant le bouton poussoir. La figure 9 montre la disposition des rainures 27 et 29 creusées à la partie supérieure de l'embase 15, et de la pièce poreuse 28.Referring to Figure 8, we can see an alternative embodiment of the dispensing device D adapted to a push button 14 whose axis of the outlet channel 26 is parallel to the axis of the container R, similar to that of the Figure 1. The push button 14 is in two complementary parts, nested one inside the other, and trapping between them the flexible part 33 in which is formed the valve 32. More specifically, one of the two parts, constituting the push button is the cap 16 in which the outlet channel 26 is formed, the cap 16 covering the other part which is the base 15, the central part 18 of which comprises the cylindrical cavity 19, of the same axis as the sleeve 8, covering the rod 11 and the upper part of the pump body; as before, the flange 17 of the base is crossed by holes 21 provided with air intake valves 22; the holes 21 are opposite holes also provided in a complementary flange presented by the cap 16; the two said flanges also serve for the assembly, for example by gluing, of the two parts 15 and 16 constituting the push button. FIG. 9 shows the arrangement of the grooves 27 and 29 dug in the upper part of the base 15, and of the porous part 28.

Le fonctionnement de ce dispositif est identique à celui décrit à propos de la figure 1.The operation of this device is identical to that described with reference to FIG. 1.

La figure 10 illustre une variante de pièce flexible appliquée à un récipient du type de celui montré figure 3, mais dont l'axe du canal de sortie est là aussi, comme sur la figure 8, vertical. Le bouton-poussoir est analogue au bouton-poussoir de la variante de la figure 8 mais, ici, la pièce flexible 33 se prolonge tout autour de l'embase 15 et recouvre sa partie centrale 18 et sa collerette 17 ; grâce à cette disposition, la partie élastique des valves 22 de reprise d'air est constituée par une portion de la pièce flexible 33.FIG. 10 illustrates a variant of flexible part applied to a container of the type of that shown in FIG. 3, but whose axis of the outlet channel is there again, as in FIG. 8, vertical. The push button is analogous to the push button of the variant of FIG. 8 but, here, the flexible part 33 extends all around the base 15 and covers its central part 18 and its flange 17; thanks to this arrangement, the elastic part of the air intake valves 22 is constituted by a portion of the flexible part 33.

Le fonctionnement de ce dispositif est identique à celui décrit à propos de la figure 3.The operation of this device is identical to that described with reference to FIG. 3.

Le dispositif de l'invention permet de réaliser un mélange liquide-air dans un rapport liquide/volume air compris entre 10/90 et 50/50.The device of the invention makes it possible to produce a liquid-air mixture in a liquid / air volume ratio of between 10/90 and 50/50.

Ce dispositif est compact et plat au niveau du bouton-poussoir.This device is compact and flat at the push button.

Claims (22)

  1. A device for dispensing foam from a container (R) containing a liquid with a forming agent and capable of obtaining a mixture of the liquid emerging from the container (R) and of air comprising:
    - a container (R),
    - a pumping means (10) provided at one end of the container (R) for causing the liquid to emerge,
    - a porous component (28) situated downstream from the pumping means (10) and disposed in an outlet duct,
    - an expansion chamber (26) situated downstream from the porous component (28),
    - an air compression means for passing pressurized air onto the porous component (28) with a view to mixing it with the liquid and the formation of foam,
    - and an air intake valve (32) to allow air to flow onto the porous component (28) and to prevent any return,
    this device comprising, moreover, a rigid push button (14) mounted on the said end of the container (R), an annular chamber (13) formed round the pumping means (10) and delimited by the push button (14) that produces during its displacements a variation of the volume of this annular chamber (13), and at least one renewed air intake valve (22) to allow air to enter into this annular chamber (13),
    the whole assembly being such that when the push button (14) is being depressed, the pump (10) is actuated, while the air of the annular chamber (13) is compressed and directed towards the porous component (28),
    characterized in that the end of the container (R) where the pumping means (10) is provided, is closed by a head (5, 105-505) having a bottom (7, 107-507) recessed along the direction of the axis of the container relative to the end of a central sleeve (8, 108-508) which carries the pumping means and partly delimits the said annular chamber (13), while the push button (14) has at its bottom a collar (17) forming a plate capable of closing the said annular chamber (13) and of compressing the air in this chamber when the push button (14) is being depressed, the central portion (18) of the push button having a smaller diameter than that of the collar (17), and having a cylindrical cavity (19) surmounting the pumping means (10) and communicating with the said chamber (13).
  2. A device according to claim 1, characterized in that the push button (14) bears mechanically against a stem (11) controlling the pumping means (10), which is mechanically actuated by the push button (14) when the latter is being depressed.
  3. A device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the push button has a seating (15) and a cap (18) fixed to each other, the seating (15) being traversed by a duct (23) for the liquid and at least one duct (25) for the compressed air, and having on its upper face grooves (27, 29) starting from the ends of the said ducts and being directed towards the porous component (28).
  4. A device according to claim 3, characterized in that the groove (29) for the liquid is disposed along the axis of the outlet duct (26), while the groove or grooves (27) intended for the compressed air are situated on either side or only on one side of the groove (29) for the liquid.
  5. A device according to claim 3, characterized in that the groove (29) for the liquid is disposed perpendicularly to the axis of the outlet duct (26), while the groove or grooves (27) intended for the compressed air, are situated on either side, or only on one side of the groove (29) for the liquid.
  6. A device according to one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that the grooves (27) for the compressed air converge towards the porous component.
  7. A device according to one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that the arrival of the grooves (27) for the compressed air at the porous component (28) takes place parallel to the direction of the inflow of the liquid onto this porous component.
  8. A device according to one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that the arrival of the grooves (27) for the compressed air at the porous component (28) takes place orthogonally to the direction of the inflow of the liquid onto this porous component (28).
  9. A device according to one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that the groove (29) for the liquid opens out into the groove or grooves (27) for the compressed air upstream from the porous component (28).
  10. A device according to claim 9, characterized in that provision is made for an anti-splash guard (36) at the end of the groove (29) for the liquid directed towards the porous component (28).
  11. A device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it has baffles or systems for creating eddies with a view to premixing the air and the liquid.
  12. A device according to one of claims 3 to 11, characterized in that a flexible component (33, 33a) closes the grooves (27, 29) of the seating towards the top.
  13. A device according to claim 12, characterized in that the air intake valve (32, 32a) is formed on the flexible component (33, 33a) which has at least one boss (32, 32a) with its convexity turned towards the container, capable of closing the outlet of the air duct (25).
  14. A device according to claim 13, characterized in that the flexible component (33, 33a) is extended as far as the end of a discharge nozzle of the push button (14) and is arranged to provide the closing means (34) for the nozzle downstream from the porous component (28).
  15. A device according to claim 13, characterized in that the push button (14) consists of two complementary components (15, 16) fitted one into the other, and confining between them the flexible component (33), one of the components being the cap (18) which carries the outlet duct (26) whose axis is parallel to that of the stem (11).
  16. A device according to claim 15, characterized in that the flexible component (33) extends round the seating (15), forming the other part of the push button (14), as far as opposite the holes (21) of the collar (17) of the seating (15) so as to constitute the non-return means of the renewed air intake valve or valves (22).
  17. A device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a ring (42) of a flexible porous material is disposed in the said annular chamber (13).
  18. A device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cylindrical wall of the annular chamber (13) is provided entirely on the head (5, 105, 205) closing the end of the container, the collar (17) of the push button (14) being capable of sliding inside this cylindrical wall in the manner of a piston.
  19. A device according to one of claims 1 to 17, characterized in that the cylindrical side wall of the annular chamber (13) is only partly formed by the side wall (50) of the head (505), the collar (17) of the push button (14) being provided on its outer circumference with a cylindrical skirt (51) cooperating with the said wall (50) of the head so as to define the annular chamber.
  20. A device according to one of claims 1 to 17, characterized in that the side wall of the annular chamber (13) is constituted by a deformable bellows (47) cooperating at one side with the collar (17) of the push button (14) and being connected to the container (402) at the other side.
  21. A device according to one of claims 1 to 18, wherein the container (R) has a rigid wall (2), characterized in that it is provided with a pump (10) without a renewed air intake, and that inside the container (R, 2) provision is made for a flexible pouch (1) containing the liquid product, the said pump (10) being mounted on this pouch (1).
  22. A device according to one of claims 1 to 18, characterized in that the container (102) is provided with a pump (10) without a renewed air intake, and that the chamber of the container containing the foaming liquid product is delimited by the rigid cylindrical wall (102) of this container and by a piston (41) forming the bottom of the chamber and being capable of sliding in a leakproof manner as the product is being dispensed.
EP92401087A 1991-04-30 1992-04-17 Foam dispensing device Expired - Lifetime EP0511894B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR9105290 1991-04-30
FR9105290A FR2676010B1 (en) 1991-04-30 1991-04-30 DEVICE FOR DISPENSING FOAM, AND PUSH-BUTTON FOR SUCH A DEVICE.

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0511894A1 EP0511894A1 (en) 1992-11-04
EP0511894B1 true EP0511894B1 (en) 1995-06-21

Family

ID=9412383

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP92401087A Expired - Lifetime EP0511894B1 (en) 1991-04-30 1992-04-17 Foam dispensing device

Country Status (7)

Country Link
US (1) US5289952A (en)
EP (1) EP0511894B1 (en)
JP (1) JP3395065B2 (en)
CA (1) CA2064665C (en)
DE (1) DE69203034T2 (en)
ES (1) ES2073883T3 (en)
FR (1) FR2676010B1 (en)

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Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE69203034D1 (en) 1995-07-27
JPH06211261A (en) 1994-08-02
FR2676010B1 (en) 1993-08-13
CA2064665C (en) 2004-02-17
ES2073883T3 (en) 1995-08-16
EP0511894A1 (en) 1992-11-04
US5289952A (en) 1994-03-01
JP3395065B2 (en) 2003-04-07
CA2064665A1 (en) 1992-10-31
FR2676010A1 (en) 1992-11-06
DE69203034T2 (en) 1996-03-21

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