EP1526095A1 - Protection device for an atomizer of a spraying can - Google Patents

Abstract

The device has a cover (20) with an opening for allowing passage of jet emitted during activation of a diffuser. A contact surface inside the cover takes support against the diffuser and triggers activation of the diffuser at the time of movement of the cover against the diffuser. The cover moves between a locked state in which the cover is not to be activated and a free state in which the cover is to be activated.

Description

The present invention relates to a device for protecting a diffuser of spray can.

An aerosol can comprises, in a known manner, a shaped container cylindrical with at one end a crimped cup at the level of which is provided a valve.

This valve has on the outside of the container a tubing of which the depression and / or inclination causes the ejection of the fluid contained in the bomb via the free end of the tubing. The embodiments and These valves are well known to those skilled in the art. For facilitate the operation of the valve and adjust the characteristics of the jet emitted, a diffuser is attached to the tubing.

This diffuser can be horizontal output, that is to say perpendicular to the tubing, as shown in FIG. 5A, or with a vertical outlet, that is to say in the extension of the tubing, as shown in Figure 5B.

In known manner, the diffuser comprises at least one support surface and a conduit whose one end cooperates with the tubing and another end includes a tip to adjust the characteristics of the jet issued. A diffuser is generally adapted to the fluid emitted as well as to the shape of the desired jet.

The present invention aims to limit the risk of unwanted broadcasts.

A protective device to limit these risks is described in document FR-2.214.289. This device adapted for output diffusers vertical is attached to the top of the aerosol can and covers the diffuser.

It includes two openings, a first on the upper part allowing the passage of the emitted jet and a second opening on the lateral face by which the user can introduce a finger to actuate the diffuser. So, in pivoting the device relative to the bomb, we can make more or less difficult actuation of the diffuser, the actuation being easy if the second opening is arranged to the right of the support surface of the diffuser.

Although simple, this device is not entirely satisfactory because the user can in any case act on the diffuser, the second opening always allowing access to the broadcaster who can otherwise always be actuated.

Another device is described in the document FR-2.255.231. It includes a a fixed part attached to the end of the bomb integrating the diffuser horizontal outlet, the latter being arranged between two domes, and secondly, a moving part covering the first, with two openings on the face side, one likely to allow access to the actuator and the other to authorize the passage of the emitted jet.

Thus, by pivoting the movable part, the openings are either arranged at right of the diffuser and the other of the tip and actuation is possible, or is to the right of domes and actuation is impossible.

Even if this device makes it possible to reduce nuisance tripping, it does not does not give full satisfaction because it is relatively complex and expensive and provides a diffuser integrated in the hood so that it is necessary to provide as many hoods as pulverized products and jet shapes.

Also, the present invention aims to provide an alternative to the solutions of the art prior art, more particularly a device for protecting a diffuser for aerosol container limiting the risk of untimely diffusion, likely to adapt to the majority of existing broadcasters.

For this purpose, the subject of the invention is a device for protecting a diffuser aerosol container, said diffuser being capable of emitting a jet during its actuation, characterized in that it comprises a cover with at least one opening allowing the passage of the jet emitted during the actuation of the diffuser and inside at least one contact surface that can be supported against the diffuser and trigger its actuation during the movement of said hood against the diffuser, said hood being capable of occupying two states, a first state says blocked in which it can not be operated and a second state said free in which it can be actuated, its movement causing the actuation of the diffuser via the contact surface.

• la figure 1 est une vue en perspective du dispositif de l'invention rapporté sur une bombe aérosol,
• la figure 2 est une vue de dessus du capot,
• la figure 3 est une vue de dessous d'une première variante du capot de la figure 2,
• la figure 4 est une vue de dessous d'une autre variante améliorée du capot de la figure 2,
• la figure 5A est une vue en perspective illustrant la partie supérieure d'une bombe aérosol équipée d'un diffuseur à sortie horizontale,
• la figure 5B est une vue en perspective illustrant la partie supérieure d'une bombe aérosol équipée d'un diffuseur à sortie verticale,
• la figure 6A est une coupe schématique illustrant l'actionnement du diffuseur à sortie horizontale par le capot,
• la figure 6B est une coupe schématique illustrant l'actionnement du diffuseur à sortie verticale par le capot,
• la figure 7A est une vue en perspective de dessous représentant un diffuseur à sortie horizontale protégé par le capot de l'invention, et
• la figure 7B est une vue en perspective de dessous représentant un diffuseur à sortie verticale protégé par le capot de l'invention.

Other features and advantages will become apparent from the following description of the invention, a description given by way of example only, with reference to the appended drawings in which:

• FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the device of the invention reported on an aerosol container,
• FIG. 2 is a view from above of the hood,
• FIG. 3 is a view from below of a first variant of the cover of FIG. 2,
• FIG. 4 is a view from below of another improved variant of the cover of FIG. 2,
• FIG. 5A is a perspective view illustrating the upper part of an aerosol can equipped with a horizontal outlet diffuser,
• FIG. 5B is a perspective view illustrating the upper part of an aerosol can equipped with a vertical outlet diffuser,
• FIG. 6A is a schematic section illustrating the actuation of the horizontal outlet diffuser by the hood,
• FIG. 6B is a schematic section illustrating the actuation of the vertical outlet diffuser by the hood,
• FIG. 7A is a perspective view from below showing a horizontal outlet diffuser protected by the cover of the invention, and
• Figure 7B is a bottom perspective view showing a vertical outlet diffuser protected by the hood of the invention.

In the figures, there is shown in 10 an aerosol container comprising a container of cylindrical shape with at one end a cup set with level of which is reported a valve.

This valve comprises, outside the container, a tubing of which the depression and / or inclination causes the ejection of the fluid contained in the bomb via the free end of the tubing.

These elements are not more detailed because they are within the reach of the man of the and are not the essential object of the invention.

As illustrated in FIGS. 5A and 5B, a diffuser 12 is attached to the tubing to facilitate the operation of the valve and adjust the characteristics of the jet issued.

This diffuser comprises a conduit whose end cooperates with the tubing and another end comprises a tip 14 for adjusting the characteristics of the emitted jet. A diffuser is generally adapted to the fluid emitted as well as to the shape of the desired jet.

Depending on the case, the diffuser 12 may be horizontal outlet, as illustrated on the FIG. 5A, the emitted jet being substantially perpendicular to the tubing of the valve, or vertical outlet, as shown in Figure 5B, the jet emitted being substantially in the extension of the tubing of the valve.

In all cases, the diffuser comprises at least one support surface 16 allowing to act on the diffuser to trigger the emission of the jet.

A horizontal outlet diffuser has a cylindrical shape of outside diameter D with at its free end a bearing surface 16. The tip 14 is provided at level of the side face of the cylinder.

A vertical outlet diffuser has a cylindrical shape of outside diameter d with at its base two radially extending wings, diametrically opposite, forming two bearing surfaces 16. The tip 14 is provided at the free end of the cylinder.

The diffusers that they are with exit vertical or horizontal have dimensions substantially identical and standardized exterior.

According to the invention, the aerosol container comprises a device for protecting the diffuser 12 to avoid the risk of untimely broadcast. This device comprises a first part 18, subsequently called ring, likely to be connected to the upper end of the bomb 10, and a second part 20, hereinafter called the cover connected to the ring 18.

The cover 20 comprises inside at least one contact surface 22 likely to take support against the broadcaster 12 and to trigger his actuation during movement of said cover 20 against the diffuser. This hood 20 is likely to occupy two states, a first state said blocked in which it can not be operated and a second state said free in which it can be actuated by the user, its movement causing the actuation of the diffuser via the contact surface 22.

Moreover, it comprises at least one opening 24 or clearance allowing the passage of the jet emitted during the actuation of the diffuser.

This simple and reliable arrangement makes it possible to limit the risks of diffusions untimely and suitable for the majority of broadcasters marketed so well that it is no longer necessary to provide a device for each form of jet or of broadcast products.

On the other hand, the user knows immediately whether the broadcaster may or may not be actuated because either the hood is blocked and the user knows he can not operate it or the hood is free and then the user can act and cause the broadcast of the product.

According to one embodiment, the ring 18 is clipped at the upper end of 10. The forces generated by the clipping are such that said ring 18 is stationary with respect to said bomb 10.

The cover 20 has in the lower part a cylinder shape whose diameter is adapted to the inner diameter of the ring 18 and can pivot by relative to said ring 18. For this purpose, the cover 20 comprises at least one projecting element, called lug 26, capable of moving in a housing 28 arranged at the level of the ring.

To obtain the two states, the housing 28 has adapted shapes capable of to immobilize the lug 26 in a first position corresponding to the state blocked and to allow movement in the vertical direction (corresponding to the axis of the valve tubing) of the lug 26 in a second position corresponding to the free state. For this purpose, the housing includes a first part in the form of a slot 30 whose dimensions are adapted to those of the pin so as to prohibit the displacement in the vertical direction of the latter, as well as a second part in the form of an opening 32 whose dimensions allow a displacement in the substantially vertical direction of the ergot 26. According to a preferred embodiment, the hood comprises three pins 26 and the ring 18 three housings 28.

To improve the handling of the hood, when it includes several 26, one of the housings 28.1 has a shape allowing only the pivoting of the cover 20 relative to the ring 18 and prohibiting any vertical movement of the corresponding ergot 26.1. Thus, when the hood is actuated by the user, said hood pivots with respect to a fixed point materialized by the spur 26.1. This arrangement makes it possible to obtain a leverage that facilitates the actuation of the hood and consequently of the diffuser.

According to another characteristic, the housing or dwellings 28 comprise a recess 34 to mark the transition from blocked state to state free, this recess 34 being disposed between the slot 30 and the opening 32.

According to a preferred embodiment, the ring 18 and the cover 20 are made of plastic material by molding, and are preferably obtained in one piece, bridges likely to be broken during the first use connecting the two elements.

According to a preferred embodiment, the cover has an envelope outer cylindrical with a top surface 36 facilitating the stacking, and two indentations 38 disposed substantially symmetrical, one of them having a surface 40 on which can press the user to cause the broadcast. Advantageously, this surface 40 has streaks to improve actuation. Streaks 41 are also provided at the side walls of the hood to facilitate the pivoting of the hood versus the ring and show the user which of these two elements must rotate.

Advantageously, the hood comprises two orifices 24 to allow the passage of the jet, one 24.1 at the notch 38 opposite the surface actuator 40, provided for the horizontal outlet diffusers, and the other 24.2 at the upper surface 36 for the outlet diffusers vertical.

The orifice 24.2 is substantially centered at the level of the upper surface 36.

This arrangement makes it possible to obtain a versatile hood that can adapt to to diffusers with vertical or horizontal outlet.

Preferably, the orifice 24.1 has an indented shape to allow during the mounting the passage of a capillary that can be provided at the tip of the horizontal diffusers.

According to a preferred embodiment, the indentation 38 in which is provided the orifice for the diffusers with horizontal exit is disposed at the right of the spur 26.1.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, the orifice 24.2 extends inside the hood by a conduit 42 whose lower end plays the surface function of contact 22 likely to actuate the broadcaster.

This duct has a diameter adapted to the diffuser, less than the diameter D of the horizontal and top outlet diffusers with diameter of diffusers vertical outlet as shown in FIGS. 6A, 6B, 7A and 7B.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the lower end of the led 42, capable of playing the contact surface function 22, is not horizontal but slightly inclined or curved to compensate for the devers generated by the slight tilting of the hood during actuation, in order to to obtain a substantially horizontal contact surface when the diffuser is activated, which gives the assurance of having a horizontal or vertical jet.

Advantageously, a second contact surface 22 is provided for actuating diffusers 12 with vertical output. According to a first simplified variant, this contact surface 22 can be obtained by the inner surfaces protruding 44 of the hood corresponding to the notches 38, as illustrated by Figure 3.

According to another variant, illustrated in FIG. 4, a second duct 46 is provided inside the hood, coaxial with the first conduit 42 and disposed at the outside of the latter, whose lower end can play the role of second contact surface 22.

Thus, as can be seen in FIGS. 6A, 6B, 7A and 7B, the diameter interior of this duct is such that it allows the housing of an outlet diffuser horizontal and that its lower end can press on the wings forming support surface of a diffuser with vertical outlet.

This duct 46 allows pressing on the wings 16 of the diffuser whatever their positions.

Advantageously, the lower end of the duct 46 can be inclined to the way of that of the conduit 42.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the cover 20 comprises inside stiffeners 48 between the second conduit 46 and the side walls for stiffen the assembly and prevent the lugs from coming out of the housing.

Of course, the invention is obviously not limited to the embodiment represented and described, but covers all variants, particular with regard to the shapes, dimensions and materials of the different elements.

Thus, the device of the invention is likely to be mounted on bombs commercial aerosols, of different diameters, equipped with diffusers conventional vertical or horizontal emission.

Furthermore, the contact surface or surfaces preferably have shapes adapted to obtain a jet, depending on the type of diffuser, in the axis of the bomb aerosol for diffusers with vertical exit, or perpendicular to the axis of the aerosol can for horizontal outlet diffusers.

Claims (9)

Device for protecting an aerosol dispenser (12), said diffuser (12) being capable of emitting a jet during its actuation, characterized in that it comprises a ring (18) capable of being connected to the upper end of the bomb (10) and a cover (20) having at least one opening (24) allowing the passage of the jet emitted during the actuation of the diffuser (12), at least one contact surface (22) to the interior may bear against the diffuser (12) and trigger its actuation during the movement of said cover (20) against the diffuser and at least one projecting element, called pin (26), likely to move in a housing (28) provided at the ring (18) allowing a rotational movement of the cover (20) relative to the ring (18), said cover (20) being capable of occupying two states following a rotational movement, a first state said blocked in which it can not be operated and a second state said free in which it can be actuated, its movement causing the actuation of the diffuser through the contact surface (22). Device for protecting an aerosol dispenser according to claim 1, characterized in that the housing (28) comprises a first portion in the form of a slot (30) whose dimensions are adapted to those of the ergot. to prohibit the displacement in the vertical direction of the latter corresponding to the blocked state, and a second portion in the form of an opening (32) whose dimensions allow a displacement in the substantially vertical direction of the lug (26). ) corresponding to the free state. Device for protecting an aerosol dispenser according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the housing or recesses (28) comprise a recess (34) making it possible to mark the passage from the blocked state to the free state. Device for protecting an aerosol dispenser according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the cover (20) comprises a plurality of lugs (26), one of the housings (28.1) having a shape allowing only the pivoting the cover (20) relative to the ring (18) and prohibiting any vertical movement of the pin (26.1) corresponding. Device for protecting an aerosol dispenser according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the cover (20) comprises two orifices (24) to allow the passage of the jet, one (24.1) for the horizontal outlet diffusers, and the other (24.2) for the vertical outlet diffusers. Device for protecting an aerosol dispenser according to any one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the orifice (24.2) provided for the vertical outlet diffusers is extended inside the hood by a duct ( 42) whose lower end acts as a contact surface (22) capable of actuating the diffuser (12). Device for protecting an aerosol dispenser according to the claim 6, characterized in that the hood (20) comprises a second duct (46), coaxial with and disposed outside the first conduit (42), the lower end can act as a second contact surface (22), more particularly suitable for diffusers with vertical output. Device for protecting an aerosol dispenser according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the contact surface or surfaces (22) are slightly inclined or curved to compensate for the deviation caused by the slight tilting of the hood during the actuation, in order to obtain a substantially horizontal contact surface when the diffuser is actuated. Device for protecting an aerosol dispenser according to one of Claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the cover (20) has a cylindrical outer casing with a flat surface (36) and two notches (38) in the upper part. ) arranged substantially symmetrically, one of them having a surface (40) on which the user can press to cause diffusion.

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