EP3953050B1 - Dispenser for a pressurised container - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a diffuser for a pressure vessel according to the preamble of claim 1.

Such diffusers are known from the state of the art. The nozzle generally consists of a cylindrical wall closed on one side by a front wall provided with an outlet orifice and open on the other. It carries a retention ring on the external face of the cylindrical wall. During assembly, the nozzle is forced into the nozzle housing so that its retention ring slides against the housing wall. The retention ring constitutes a “hard tooth” which hooks into the softer material of the nozzle housing. This hooking system also ensures sealing between the nozzle and the nozzle housing.

This concept allows the nozzle to be held up to pressure and temperature values commonly used today. In particular, nozzles retained in this way by deformation support pressures of up to 12 bars.

However, the current trend is to use compressed gases as propellant gas so the pressures used are much higher and can reach 20 bar or more. We know documents DE 1118708 B And US 2013/0221122 A1 broadcasters according to the preamble

The objective of the invention is therefore to modify the retention mode of the nozzle so that it resists higher pressures, and in particular so that it resists at least 20 bars.

In the diffuser of the invention, the tubular wall of the nozzle housing is provided, at a distance from its end open towards the outside, with a bearing surface which extends over at least part of its periphery and behind which can engage at least part of the retention ring of a nozzle inserted into the nozzle housing. In at least part of the housing, the invention provides a positive grip due to the fact that the retention ring, acting as a hook, is positioned behind the support surface against which it rests. The nozzle is blocked much more effectively than by retention by traditional deformation, even if this locking is not done all the way around the nozzle housing. The advantage of the invention lies in particular in the fact that it is possible to use common nozzles. It is not necessary to have specific nozzles for this type of diffuser.

The support surface is preferably defined by at least one angular section of a surface having rotational symmetry with respect to the axis. In particular, the support surface can be substantially radial relative to the axis.

Due to technical constraints for molding the outlet channel, it is not always possible for the bearing surface to extend over the entire periphery of the nozzle housing. This is particularly the case when the outlet channel is an integral part of the finger cot allowing the valve to be actuated. According to the invention, the support surface only extends over an angular section of the periphery of the tubular wall, said tubular wall extending, opposite its open end, in the angular section complementary to the support surface, by an extension in which the part of the retention ring of a nozzle which is not engaged with the support surface can cling by deformation of the extension. Such partial engagement is already sufficient to guarantee effective retention even at pressures of at least 20 bars.

Since the seal between the nozzle and the housing is not always ensured at the level of the snapping of the retention ring behind the bearing surface, it may be necessary to provide sealing means between the nozzle housing and a nozzle inserted into said housing, these sealing means being distinct from the interaction between the retention ring of a nozzle and the tubular wall of the nozzle housing.

The outlet channel can be provided at its end opening into the nozzle housing with a nipple intended to penetrate into a corresponding recess of a nozzle. The cross section of the stud can in particular be dimensioned to be greater than that of the recess of a nozzle for which it is intended, so as to be able to create, when a nozzle is placed in the nozzle housing with the stud penetrating into the recess, a sealed annular surface at the interface between the nipple and the nozzle. The contact zone constitutes an example of an embodiment of the sealing means.

It is preferable that the nipple protrudes into the nozzle housing so that its front face is closer axially to the open end of the tubular wall than the bearing surface.

Although other shapes are possible, in particular elliptical shapes, it is preferable that the cross section of the tubular surface and/or the cross section of the nipple are in the shape of a circle.

The invention also relates to a diffuser in which a nozzle provided with a retention ring is inserted into the nozzle housing, at least part of the retention ring engaging behind the support surface. In particular, the part of the nozzle retention ring which is not engaged with the support surface can be attached to the tubular surface by deformation of its extension.

Fig. 1 :

Des vues en perspective d'un diffuseur selon l'invention, (a) équipé d'une buse et (b) sans buse ;

Fig. 2 :

Une vue en coupe du diffuseur de la figure 1 équipé d'une buse ;

Fig. 3 :

Des agrandissements de la figure 2 au niveau du logement de buse, (a) avec la buse et (b) sans la buse ;

Fig. 4 :

Des vues en perspective des moyens de retenue observés depuis l'intérieur du diffuseur, (a) avec la buse et (b) sans la buse ;

Fig. 5 :

Des vues en perspective du logement de buse, observé en direction de l'intérieur du diffuseur et en coupe perpendiculairement à l'axe du conduit de sortie, au niveau de la zone d'étanchéité, (a) avec la buse et (b) sans la buse ;

Fig. 6 :

Des vues semblables à celles de la Fig. 5, mais dans la zone de retenue, (a) avec la buse et (b) sans la buse ;

Fig. 7 :

Des vues dans le même plan de coupe que sur la figure 6, mais en direction de l'extérieur du diffuseur, (a) avec la buse et (b) sans la buse ;

Fig. 8 :

Des vues dans l'alignement du conduit de sortie observé depuis l'extérieur du diffuseur, (a) avec la buse et (b) sans la buse ;

Fig. 9 :

Des vues en perspective d'une buse, (a) de dos et (b) de face ;

Fig. 10 :

Une vue en coupe d'une variante du diffuseur de la figure 1 équipé d'un canal de sortie encliqueté et muni d'une buse.

The invention is described in more detail using an exemplary embodiment presented in the following figures which show:

Fig. 1:

Perspective views of a diffuser according to the invention, (a) equipped with a nozzle and (b) without nozzle;

Fig. 2:

A sectional view of the diffuser of the figure 1 equipped with a nozzle;

Fig. 3:

Expansions of the figure 2 at the nozzle housing, (a) with the nozzle and (b) without the nozzle;

Fig. 4:

Perspective views of the retaining means observed from inside the diffuser, (a) with the nozzle and (b) without the nozzle;

Fig. 5:

Perspective views of the nozzle housing, viewed toward the interior of the diffuser and in section perpendicular to the axis of the outlet duct, at the sealing area, (a) with the nozzle and (b) without the nozzle;

Fig. 6:

Views similar to those of the Fig. 5 , but in the retention zone, (a) with the nozzle and (b) without the nozzle;

Fig. 7:

Views in the same cutting plane as on the Figure 6 , but towards the outside of the diffuser, (a) with the nozzle and (b) without the nozzle;

Fig. 8:

Views in alignment with the outlet duct observed from outside the diffuser, (a) with the nozzle and (b) without the nozzle;

Fig. 9:

Perspective views of a buzzard, (a) from behind and (b) from the front;

Fig. 10:

A sectional view of a variant of the diffuser of the figure 1 equipped with a snap-in outlet channel and fitted with a nozzle.

The invention relates to a diffuser (1) intended to actuate the valve of an aerosol generator in order to diffuse its contents. Such a diffuser is essentially provided with a tubular skirt (10), a finger cot (20) located at the top of the skirt and an outlet channel (30, 30') placed inside the diffuser, under the finger cot with which it cooperates to operate the valve. The finger cot can be articulated on the skirt via a tab (21) so that it can be pushed towards the inside of the diffuser by pivoting around an axis passing through the tab. It can also be separated from the skirt by being able to be pushed towards the inside of the diffuser either by translation or by pivoting around a support point.

The outlet channel (30, 30') consists of a conduit (31) and a nozzle housing (32) for receiving a nozzle. The first end (311) of the conduit (31) is designed to actuate the valve of a pressure container such as an aerosol generator and the second end (312) opens into the nozzle housing (32). In the present example, the first end of the conduit (311) is dimensioned to cooperate with the stem (also known as the rod or nozzle) of a male type valve. It would also be possible that this first end is designed to operate a female type valve. Additionally, the nozzle housing extends around an axis (A).

• un premier tronçon sensiblement vertical qui, à l'état monté sur une valve, se trouve dans le prolongement du stem de la valve, et
• un second tronçon incliné par rapport au premier tronçon, dans l'exemple présenté ici d'un angle d'environ 76°.

The outlet conduit (31) shown in the figures is divided into two sections:

• a first substantially vertical section which, in the state mounted on a valve, is in the extension of the stem of the valve, and
• a second section inclined relative to the first section, in the example presented here at an angle of approximately 76°.

The second section extends along the axis (A), at least at the level of the second end (312) of the conduit. The inclination of the second section is only dictated by the intended use of the diffuser or the desired aesthetic. Depending on the needs, it can be horizontal, inclined downwards, inclined upwards as in the present example, or even vertical and in the extension of the first section.

To facilitate understanding, the adjectives “downstream” and “upstream” are used in the remainder of the description which relate to the direction of flow of the product when the diffuser is mounted on a pressure vessel. Likewise, we use “radial” or “axial” adjectives which relate to the axis (A).

The outlet channel (30) may be an integral part of the finger cot under which it is formed during molding of the finger cot, as in the present example. In another embodiment not shown, it can be connected to the skirt, for example by a flexible tab. Finally, it can consist of an insert (30') fixed on the skirt or on the finger cot during assembly, like the conduit described in the French patent application FR 19 00 676 . In the example of the Figure 10 , the outlet duct (30') and the basic body of the diffuser, consisting of the skirt (10) and the finger cot (20), are two separate parts connected together by mechanical hooking means, in particular by snap-fastening for example of a tenon placed at the top of the outlet conduit (30') in a corresponding opening made in the finger cot (20).

The outlet channel (30, 30'), at the second end (312) of the conduit, forms a cylindrical pin (33) ending in a front face (331) and onto which the nozzle (40) must be threaded. The nipple (33) projects slightly into the nozzle housing (32), which is delimited by a tubular wall (34) coaxial with the nipple, but of larger diameter. This nozzle housing opens, opposite the nipple (33), on the outside either into the skirt or into the finger cot (case of the example presented here) depending on the needs.

The nozzle (40) essentially consists of a tubular wall (41) closed at a first end by a front wall (42) provided with an outlet orifice (421) and open at the other end. The tubular wall (41) is provided on its exterior face, near the open end, with a retention ring (43) whose downstream face (431) directed towards the front wall is substantially radial, while the face opposite upstream (432) is preferably inclined so as to form a ramp. The retention ring therefore constitutes a hook. The interior face of the front wall (42) can be provided with reliefs to improve the quality of the jet. The nozzle can also be provided with an interior part (44) also intended to improve the quality of the jet. The nozzle is therefore provided with a recess (45) into which the nipple (33) can penetrate.

In the diffusers of the state of the art, the nozzle housing forms a blind hole closed at the bottom by a radial wall into which the second end (312) of the conduit opens. The end of the conduit can be flush with this bottom wall, or as in the present example, continue with a stud (33) projecting from the bottom wall into the nozzle housing. The nozzle is inserted into the nozzle housing until its open end, opposite the front wall (42), touches the bottom wall of the nozzle housing, or when there is a nipple, the nozzle is threaded on the nipple (33) until the internal face of the front wall of the nozzle, or the internal face of the interior part (44), touches the front face of the nipple (33). The nozzle is forced into the housing. The diameter of the nozzle retention ring (43) is greater than the diameter of the cylindrical wall (34) of the nozzle housing. The retaining ring acts like a “hard tooth” that grips the softer material of the nozzle housing. The nozzle is therefore retained in the housing by deformation thereof. This retention system also ensures sealing at the interface between the retention ring and the deformed cylindrical wall of the nozzle housing.

In the device of the invention, the upstream end of the nozzle housing (32), located on the outlet channel side, is at least partly open. The tubular wall (34) is provided, at a distance from its end open towards the outside, with a support surface (341) which extends over at least part of its periphery and behind which can engage a at least part of the retention ring (43) of a nozzle inserted into the nozzle housing. The support surface (341) is defined by at least one angular section of a surface having rotational symmetry with respect to the axis (A). In the simplest embodiment, the bearing surface (341) is substantially radial. When the channel (30) is, as here, an integral part of the finger cot (20), it is not possible to simply mold a bearing surface (341) over the entire circumference of the tubular wall (34). In other words, at least part of the upstream part of the tubular wall (34) continues by an extension (342) beyond the bearing surface (341) in the direction opposite to the open end, thus extending a corresponding part of the nozzle housing. The tubular wall (34) is therefore divided into two angular sections: the first ends with the support surface (341) and the second, complementary to the first, continues with the extension (342). In the example presented here, the two angular sections are approximately equal and equal approximately 180°. This is clearly visible on the figures 4 , 6, 7 and 8 . This means that approximately 50% of the retention ring is snapped behind the bearing surface and that the remaining 50% is retained by deformation of the extension (342). It goes without saying that other values could be provided depending in particular on molding constraints.

When the nozzle (40) is inserted into the nozzle housing (32), its retention ring (43) slides along the tubular wall (34) until part of its downstream face (431) penetrates in the opening located upstream of the bearing surface (341) of the tubular wall (34) and engages behind said bearing surface (341) where there is such a bearing surface. The remainder of the retention ring (43) acts as a “hard tooth” on the extension (342) as is the case in the state of the art. This situation is clearly visible on the figure 3a . In the lower part, the retention ring (43) engages with the bearing surface (341), while in the upper part, the retention ring (43) has deformed the extension (342) of the tubular wall (34) by acting like a “hard tooth”. The nozzle (40) is therefore retained partly by snapping the retention ring (43) behind the bearing surface (341) and partly by deformation of the extension (342) of the tubular wall. Snapping the retention ring behind the bearing surface of a on the other hand and the retention of the retention ring by deformation of the extension (342) constitute means for retaining the nozzle in the nozzle housing. When the nozzle is engaged behind the bearing surface, the front face (331) of the nipple is preferably in contact with the internal face of the front wall (42) of the nozzle, or with the rear face of the interior part (44), to a precise assembly game taking into account the dimensional tolerances of the different parts.

While sealing is ensured at the level of the deformation of the extension (342) of the tubular wall by the retention ring (43), this is not always the case at the level of the snapping of the retention ring onto the support surface. It is therefore preferable to provide additional sealing means. In the example presented here, the internal diameter of the tubular wall (41) of the nozzle is less than the external diameter of the nipple (33). Thus, the nozzle is forced onto the stud (33) so that the annular interface (35) between the exterior face of the stud (33) and the interior face of the tubular wall (41) of the nozzle forms a connection waterproof clearly visible on the figures 3a, 5a , 6a and 7a . For a more reliable result, it is preferable that the nipple (33) projects into the nozzle housing (32) beyond the bearing surface (341) so that the front end of the nipple (33) is placed further downstream than the support surface. In other words, the front face (331) of the nipple is closer axially to the open end of the tubular wall (34) than the bearing surface (341). The sealing function and the retaining function are therefore separated. The seal could be obtained by means other than adjusting the annular interface. For example, a seal could be provided between the front face of the nipple and the internal face of the front wall of the nozzle or the internal face of the interior part.

Among the possible materials for the nozzle housing, and therefore generally for the finger cot or even the diffuser, we can cite polymer materials (PE, PP, PLA, PHA, PBS) whether new or recycled, from petroleum or from natural resources, biodegradable or not, even compostable or not. They can contain mineral fillers (glass, basalt, etc.), be reinforced with mineral or plant fibers. One can also consider non-polymeric materials, such as lignin-based materials (cardboard, wood), materials containing textiles, metals, etc. For the nozzle, we can cite as a non-limiting example POM, PBT, PA or more generally any polymer sufficiently rigid to ensure a hard tooth effect while being capable of being injected with great precision.

Thanks to the invention, it is possible to manufacture diffusers capable of receiving and retaining nozzles up to pressures of at least 20 bars. The nozzles used on diffusers provided with a nozzle housing forming a blind hole of the state of the art can be used in this new diffuser. It is therefore not necessary to have a stock of specific nozzles. The invention adapts equally well to one-piece nozzles and to two-piece nozzles such as those described in the patent application PCT/EP2018/078705 .

1

Diffuseur

10

Jupe

20

Doigtier
21 Languette d'articulation

30

Canal de sortie
31 Conduit
311 1^ère extrémité du conduit
312 2^ème extrémité du conduit
32 Logement de buse
33 Téton
331 Face frontale du téton
34 Paroi cylindrique
341 Surface d'appui
342 Prolongement
35 Interface étanche téton / buse

30'

Canal de sortie (pièce rapportée encliquetée)

40

Buse
41 Paroi tubulaire
42 Paroi frontale
421 Orifice de sortie du jet
43 Bague de rétention
431 Face aval
432 Face amont
44 Pièce intérieure
45 Évidement

A

Axe du logement de buse

List of references

1

Streamer

10

Skirt

20

Finger cot
21 Joint tab

30

Output channel
31 Conduit
311 ^1st end of the conduit
312 ^2nd end of conduit
32 Nozzle housing
33 Nipple
331 Frontal aspect of the nipple
34 Cylindrical wall
341 Support surface
342 Extension
35 Waterproof nipple/nozzle interface

30'

Outlet channel (snap-in insert)

40

Nozzle
41 Tubular wall
42 Front wall
421 Jet exit port
43 Retention ring
431 Downstream side
432 Upstream face
44 Interior room
45 Recess

HAS

Nozzle Housing Axis

Claims (10)

1. Dispenser for a pressurized container, the dispenser being provided with an outlet channel (30, 30') that opens into a nozzle housing (32) intended to receive and retain a nozzle (40) provided with a retention ring (43), the nozzle housing (32) comprising a tubular wall (34) that extends around an axis (A) and is open towards the outside at its end opposite to the outlet channel, the tubular wall (34) being provided, at a distance from its end open towards the outside, with a support surface (341) that extends over at least a portion of its periphery and behind which at least a portion of the retention ring (43) of a nozzle introduced into the nozzle housing can come into engagement, characterized in that the support surface (341) extends only over an angular section of the periphery of the tubular wall (34), said tubular wall (34) being continued, opposite to its open end, in the angular section complementary to the support surface, by an extension (342) configured such that the portion of the retention ring (43) of the nozzle which is not engaged with the support surface (341) can come to be caught in the extension by deformation of the extension.
2. Dispenser according to claim 1, characterized in that the support surface (341) is defined by at least an angular section of a surface having rotational symmetry relative to the axis (A).
3. Dispenser according to claim 2, characterized in that the support surface is substantially radial relative to the axis (A).
4. Dispenser according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that sealing means are provided between the nozzle housing (32) and a nozzle (40) introduced into said housing, these sealing means being distinct from the interaction between the retention ring (43) of the nozzle and the tubular wall (34) of the nozzle housing.
5. Dispenser according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the outlet channel is provided, at its end (312) that opens into the nozzle housing (32), with a stud (33) intended to penetrate into a corresponding recess (45) of a nozzle (40).
6. Dispenser according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the transverse cross-section of the stud (33) is dimensioned to be greater than that of the recess (45) of a nozzle for which it is intended, so as to be able to create, when a nozzle (40) is placed in the nozzle housing with the stud penetrating into the recess, a sealed annular surface (35) at the interface between the stud and the nozzle.
7. Dispenser according to one of claims 5 or 6, characterized in that the stud (33) protrudes into the nozzle housing (32) so that its front face (331) is axially closer to the open end of the tubular wall (34) than the support surface (341).
8. Dispenser according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the transverse cross-section of the tubular surface (34) and/or the transverse cross-section of the stud (33) are in the shape of a circle.
9. Dispenser according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a nozzle (40) provided with a retention ring (43) is introduced into the nozzle housing, a portion of the retention ring (43) being engaged behind the support surface (341).
10. Dispenser according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the portion of the retention ring (43) of the nozzle which is not engaged with the support surface (341) is hooked to the tubular surface (34) by deformation of its extension (342).

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