GB2402177A

GB2402177A - Aerosol container

Info

Publication number: GB2402177A
Application number: GB0415069A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Heiko Eberhardt; Franz Steigerwald
Original assignee: Wella GmbH
Current assignee: Procter and Gamble Deutschland GmbH
Priority date: 2000-06-10
Filing date: 2001-05-29
Publication date: 2004-12-01
Anticipated expiration: 2021-05-29
Also published as: GB0414934D0; GB2402713A; GB2402176A; GB2403776A; GB2403437B; GB0414834D0; GB2403437A; GB2402439B; GB0414466D0; GB0414474D0; GB2403776B; GB0413876D0; GB2403275A; GB0414478D0; GB2402176B; GB2402439A; GB2402713B; GB0414472D0; GB0414936D0; GB2402177B

Abstract

An aerosol container 1 includes a stem 11 and has a top 75 which is fitted on the stem. A sounding rib 16 is provided as a sound generator and is connected to the top 75 and rests against the rim 8 of the container, in order to generate a desired product discharge sound.

Description

2402 1 77 Aerosol Container The present invention relates to an aerosol

container.

Squeeze containers, aerosol containers, and containers with spray pumps have a discharge device. The discharge device has a deformable container wall in squeeze containers, a valve in aerosol containers, and a spray pump in spray pump containers.

The product travels either directly from the reservoir to an open product dispensing opening or through a conduit and a stem to a product dispensing opening embodied as a nozzle. In the vicinity of the product dispensing opening of an aerosol container or a spray pump container, a foam generator can also be provided in order to deliver the product in the form of a Joann. Whereas with squeeze containers, hardly any perceptible noise is produced when the product, e.g. hair shampoo, is being dispensed, aerosol containers and spray pump containers generate a typical noise. This is particularly true for an aerosol container with a foam generator.

The known containers have the disadvantage that the noise generated by them while the product is being dispensed depends solely on the technical embodiment of the container, e.g. its product dispensing opening, its discharge device, its dimensions (resonances), and its materials. This noise can be subjectively experienced as good or as less than good. If the noise does not sound good to the user, he may draw incorrect and negative conclusions about the technical design of the container and its contents.

An object of the invention is to prevent, suppress, or mask the noise of the container when dispensing the product, which is subjectively found to be unpleasant.

The present invention provides an aerosol container as set forth in claim 1.

The invention has the advantage that during a product discharge, a sound is produced that is appealing to the user. This sound can initially be empirically determined through customer surveys and then technically implemented. The container is provided with a sound generator, which masks the natural discharge noise with a special sound.

If a sounding rib is provided as a sound generator, which is connected on the one hand to a top that is slid onto a stem of a container filled with aerosol and on the other hand, rests against a rim of the container, then a sound can be produced, which depends on the width and the length of the sounding rib. The oscillation of the top is transmitted to the sounding rib, which in the direction of its end, transmits this oscillation to the edge. A noise is thus produced. If the container is also provided with a tear-off ring, which engages underneath the rim and is connected to the sounding rib by means of a weakened line, then the top can be attached to the container very securely at first.

Before it is used, the tear-off ring is removed in order to thus release the sounding rib.

If a spray conduit leading to a nozzle is provided on the container and the spray conduit has a mathematically continuous course with regard to its inner wall, particularly in a curve of the spray conduit, i.e. a course without any corners, then there is only a low probability of eddies being produced in the emerging product. Since eddies generate undesirable noises, this results in a more pleasant sound when the product is being dispensed.

A spray conduit can be encompassed by a sound absorbing material in order to thus reduce the intrinsic sound level but also to damp certain frequency ranges to a particularly strong degree. In the vicinity of the stem of an aerosol container, a measure of this kind is particularly useful because a relatively large amount of turbulence occurs in them and a corresponding noise generation consequently occurs.

If the spray conduit is encompassed by several layers of sound absorbing material, in particular selectively sound absorbing material, and includes at least one layer of a foamed or unfoamed material, in particular a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) or a thermoplastic polyurethane, then an existing noise produced by the product discharge can be effectively damped or can be damped selectively. Very favorable results can be achieved with the TPE plastics such as Evoprene (!) Santoprene (3, Vyram @, and Hyrtel (3. These can be used to produce relatively pleasant sounds for hair spray and hair foam. Hydrocerol (3 is suitable as a foaming agent for the TPE plastic.

When there are several layers of sound absorbing material, some layer combinations are suitable for a contact of an inner layer against another layer. The inner layer adjoins the product dispensing conduit, e.g. the spray conduit or the foam conduit. The additional layer rests directly against the outside of the inner layer.

Favorable acoustic results are achieved with the following inner layer / other layer pairings: 0.5 to 1 mm unfoamed material / 1 to 5 mm foam; 1 mm unfoamed /1 to 3 unfoamed; 0.5 to 5 mm foam / 1 to 3 mm unfoamed; 1 mm unfoamed PP (polypropylene) 15 mm foam; 1 mm unfoamed PP / 1 mm unfoamed, as well as with analogous combinations of analogous materials. If a number of frequency ranges are to be influenced, then a number of layers with corresponding properties can be combined with one another.

Favorable results are also achieved if the outer layer is sealed in relation to the outside by means of a film. This then corresponds to a closed-cell foam. The function of the film can also be performed by a film-like, smooth, and unfoamed boundary layer produced on a mold wall. In TPU foam parts, boundary layers are produced against the mold wall automatically during forming and are between 0.2 and 1.0 mm thick.

If a stiffening rib is provided on the spray conduit, then the oscillation frequency of the spray conduit is decreased as a result.

The harder and more rigid the spray conduit is designed to be, the more difficult it can be to set it into oscillation by means of mechanical excitation. It is immaterial whether the excitation is permanent or singular. The stiffening by means of additional ribs also produces a greater component surface area. If the surface area of a component is greater, then the oscillation energy is distributed over this area. The overall oscillatory area is reduced by a stiffening and the frequency of the oscillation is increased. Consequently, the sound pressure level of a component with this increased surface area is less than one without the stiffening rib. Furthermore, a stiffening rib also represents a reflector against which oscillations are reflected.

To the human ear, frequencies around 4 kHz are relatively unpleasant. These frequencies can be significantly reduced in a spray jet if a spray conduit leading to a nozzle is provided on the container, and either the spray conduit has a conduit insert extending inside it or the spray conduit is comprised of a number of conduit arms that in particular extend parallel to one another. The discharged product consequently flows through relatively narrow conduit parts or conduit arms in order to travel through the flow conduit to the nozzle. As a result, the flow is laminar. The flow noise is selectively damped, namely in the vicinity of 4 kHz. The modified flow conduit, however, also functions as a sound generator, namely for frequencies that are higher than 4 kHz. These are amplified. Therefore a higher tone is produced.

If a sound chip is provided as a sound generator, then it can generate a sound that is favorable for a product discharge. This sound can also be one whose frequency spectrum, when added to the frequency spectrum of the technically induced discharge noise, produces the frequency spectrum and therefore the tone of a desired sound.

If the sound chip is programmable, then one or more programmed sounds can be input to the sound chip, which are then available for acoustic output. Several programs that can be selected can be called up through corresponding use of the discharge device.

For example, two actuating buttons, which can start two different programs, can be provided. If the selection depends on the position of the device, then in one position, the one program can be called up and in the other position, the other program can be called up. If a low or higher spray rate is produced depending on the actuating distance of a button or actuating knob, then each spray rate can be associated with a correspondingly pleasant, programmed spray sound of the sound chip. The same is true for two separate buttons or actuating knobs on a container for producing a fine or powerful spray. The sound chip can also be used to amplify intrinsically pleasant sounds of the container by causing them to heterodyne with an identical frequency spectrum.

If the sound chip contains at least one speech program, in particular an advice program, then while the product is being dispensed, advice can be offered to the customer with regard to the product being used. Advice of this kind is particularly appropriate when the use of the product is complicated. In this connection, each time the discharge device is actuated, a piece of advisory information is output so that the use is supported by a number of individual pieces of information.

If a spray conduit leading to a nozzle is provided and the spray conduit has a number of individual conduits that function as a sound generator for one frequency range and as a noise damper for another frequency range, then this multiplicity of conduits produces a relatively favorable dispensing of the product. Certain turbulences that occur in a single spray conduit and frequencies that correspond to them arc attenuated, which achieves a selective noise damping for this frequency range. Sounds that are typical for a multiplicity of relatively narrow individual conduits are amplified.

Consequently, this produces an altered, relatively pleasant sound when the product disposed in the container is dispensed.

If a spray conduit leading to a nozzle is provided and the spray conduit has a labium that functions as a sound generator for one frequency range and as a noise damper for another frequency range, then an altered, relatively pleasant sound can be generated when the product disposed in the container is dispensed.

A selective noise damping or a selective alteration of the spray noise can be achieved through adaptation of heterodyne frequencies. Individual regions of the frequency spectrum can be singled out and obliterated or influenced by one or more sound sources.

This can be achieved by means of a vibrating inner wall (labium) directly in the spray conduit. The spray noise can be influenced by the size and material of the oscillating wall. The mechanical propulsion occurs in the same way as with a "labiurn" (specialized term denoting an oscillation exciter in wind instruments), which is set into oscillation by an aerosol flowing past it or in the same way as with an "overblow conduit," which has a separation edge at its end. Stiffening is provided by the inner wall itself. Narrower conduits can also achieve an increase in the frequency.

As in an organ pipe or a recorder, the aerosol flow strikes the very sharp edge of the labium. Intense eddies are thereby produced, which excite the labium to oscillate.

Consequently, a certain note is produced. This note can be changed by the length of the double tube that encompasses the lablum (short = higher note, long = lower note).

Since the double tube is also better at absorbing the oscillations that occur, the following phenomena occur: noise reduction, frequency alteration, and reduction of the flow resistance and therefore of the turbulence that occurs, which leads to a further noise reduction.

If a valve plate of the aerosol container is provided with a valve plate insulation as a noise damper, then a pleasant discharge sound for the aerosol container can be achieved.

Valve plates are primarily made of aluminum. A layer of a sound absorbing material, in particular a polyurethane lacquer or polyurethane foam applied to the valve plate, is suitable for insulating the valve plate.

The following foamed TPE plastics are particularly suited for insulating the valve plate: Evoprene A, Santoprene A, Vyram A, and Hyrtel A. The foaming agent Hydrocerol A) is suitable for these plastics.

Suitable composites and composite materials are characterized in that they appropriately combine the sometimes conflicting properties of individual components, even for extreme intended uses. A composite, which in addition to minimizing the oscillation transmission, also has high oscillation-absorbing properties in a broad frequency range, changes the oscillation emission to an extreme degree. This large surface area composite, which is highly effective acoustically, should have a lower mass than conventional materials while simultaneously having good mechanical properties.

Chief among these properties is the greatest possible damping and insulation of mechanical oscillations of the aerosol spray system. Two layers that behave in physically different ways are combined into one composite.

A high degree of oscillation damping (high oscillation absorption) is achieved with porous, i.e. specially foamed and/or elastomer materials, which must have an open- pored structure oriented toward the oscillation source (pore size approx. 0.2 mm). This function is performed, for example, by a thermoplastic foam, which is produced through injection molding and simultaneous foaming of the above-mentioned materials, and has a high degree of porosity (up to 95%).

As a variation, it is also conceivable for the outer layer to be additionally sealed toward the outside by a film. This then corresponds to a closed-celled foam.

In order for the absorber to be able to dissipate a large amount of oscillation energy, the oscillation must first penetrate into the absorber in a reflection-free manner.

This is achieved with an open-pored thermoplastic elastomer foam or an easily excitable material. As it transitions into the absorber, the oscillation resistance should not change very much at the boundary surface in order to minimize oscillation reflection. By means of a gradually increasing inner friction resistance of the absorber, due to its numerous narrow conduits, energy is withdrawn from the back-and-forth flow of air in the form of heat and is transmitted to the skeletal material of the absorber. As a result, the amplitude of the oscillation pressure decreases. The oscillation damped by the absorber strikes the insulating layer, where on the one hand, it is reflected back into the absorber and on the other hand, it is converted into a structure-borne oscillation. In order to minimize the radiation of oscillation into the space to be protected, the flexural wave in the insulation material is damped to the greatest extent possible. A high mechanical inherent loss factor and a. low flexural strength facilitate the damping of flexural waves. These mechanical properties can be achieved with thermoplastic elastomers. The more complete the oscillation absorption of the incident and reflected oscillation is, the less oscillation energy travels into the insulation layer. The damping properties of the elastomer insulation layer further minimize the oscillation radiation into the space to be protected. The lower the density of the damping material (foam or lacquer) , the higher the frequency that is influenced.

If there is an insert at the outlet end of a spray conduit, where the insert includes a nozzle, and as a noise damper, the insert is either comprised of an elastic plastic or is attached to the spray conduit by means of an elastic adhesive, then a pleasant sound is thus produced during a spraying process. The elastic material in the vicinity of the nozzle absorbs unpleasant frequencies.

The expansion of the aerosol that takes place before the insert excites this insert, causing it to oscillate. An elastic insert hardly transmits any of this oscillation to the flow conduit.

This function can also be performed by a commercially available insert if this insert is glued into the flow conduit with an elastic adhesive. However, the layer thickness of the adhesive material must be great enough that hardly any oscillations are transmitted. In general, a wall thickness of approx. 4 mm for the adhesive can serve as a starting point.

Pulsating pressure fluctuations occur in the flow conduit due to the partial expansion of the aerosol in the flow conduit. An elastic insert or an elastic adhesive does not transmit these pressure fluctuations.

If the aerosol container has a valve, a valve plate, a valve housing, and a stem and if an acoustic barrier layer is provided as a noise damper between the valve and the valve plate, then this achieves an acoustic decoupling of the valve as a noise source from the valve plate as a resonance body. This decoupling prevents the valve plate and the components connected to the valve plate, e.g. the container easing, from resonating with the valve. A measure of this kind is very effective since it acts directly on the noise source of the valve. The valve itself can remain unchanged. A barrier layer can be suitably comprised of a very elastic plastic such as Evoprene A, whose thickness is preferably between 0.5 and 8 mm.

If a part of the barrier layer is provided as a seal between the valve housing and the stem, then this part fulfills the function, which is otherwise performed by a separate seal, of producing a seal between the valve housing and the stem. The use of this part is less expensive than the use of a separate seal and also acoustically decouples the valve housing from the actual valve.

If a perforated disk inserted into the stem is provided as a sound generator for one frequency range and as a noise damper for another frequency range, which perforated disk has a number of conduits and which is preferably snapped into the stem by means of a detent element, then on the one hand, this stabilizes the flow and on the other hand, produces a local laminar flow. Both of these result in the fact that individual frequency ranges are amplified and other frequency ranges are damped. On the whole an acoustic change occurs, which is found to be pleasant.

If the perforated disk has conduits on only one side and a cover, which is preferably embodied in a semicircular form and partially covers over the perforated disk that has a reverse-lock, and if the cover can rotate in relation to the perforated disk by means of a tubular piece, which is inserted into the stem, preferably has a stop, and is connected to a product dispensing opening of the container, then by rotating the part that contains the product dispensing opening, the consumer himself can determine whether he would like to have the product discharge behavior and the attendant sound that are produced with a certain rotation situation. Thus the user can choose, for example, between using the conduits and using an opening contained in the other half of the perforated disk. The stop serves as an orienting mechanism for a particular rotation position of the cover in relation to the perforated disk.

If a sounding lip inserted into a flow conduit of an aerosol container is provided as a sound generator and is connected to the lower part of a valve housing, then a particular tone can be generated by dispensing the product. The sounding lip is set into oscillation by the outflowing product. Because it is connected to the valve housing, the sounding lip can easily be produced together with the valve housing. In the proposed disposition of the sounding lip on the bosom part of the valve housing, the product is fluid so that it is not possible for adhesion and therefore limitation of the function of the sounding lip to occur there. The product flows around the sounding lip and out through the valve, producing a pleasant sound against the sounding lip while the product is being dispensed.

The sounding lip can be aligned in the direction of the flow conduit. This provides a relatively large flow cross section for the product being discharged so that almost no influence is exerted on the discharge. By contrast, if two sounding ups are provided, which are aligned perpendicular to the direction of the flow conduit and are aligned in relation to each other in such a way that a gap is formed between them, then a relatively intense sound can be generated. In this connection, the sounding lips can also overlap, which can produce an even greater sound intensity.

When dispensing the product from an aerosol container, a very special whistling tone can be produced an opening of a separating element is provided upstream of the sounding lip and one edge of the sounding lip forms a labial whistle with the opening.

This whistle is embodied so that the edge is disposed relatively close to the opening.

The frequency of the tone produced can be changed by altering the gap width of the opening or the distance of the edge from the opening. The tone is adjusted so as to make it pleasant for the user when dispensing the product.

If a number of grooves extending in the flow direction and adjoining the flow conduit are provided as a noise damper and as a sound generator, which grooves are preferably comprised of recesses in an attachment of a valve housing of a valve, then the turbulences in this region of the flow conduit can be reduced. Eliminating these turbulences damps the frequencies that are produced by these turbulences of the product being discharged. At the same time, the grooves generate a different tone. This frequency change is found to be relatively pleasant. The corresponding sound is influenced by the length, width, and depth of the grooves, as well as by the number of grooves.

If a ffiunnel-shaped speaker is provided both as a sound generator and as a noise damper, which speaker adjoins the product dispensing opening of the container embodied in the form of a nozzle and has a diameter that increases as it extends away from the nozzle, then in the same way as in a megaphone, the sound while dispensing the product is altered and simultaneously amplified. The spray cone coming out of the nozzle has a sufficient amount of clearance in the funnel.

If a flow loop embodied as a conduit in a valve body of a valve of the container is provided as a sound generator, then an additional sound is generated directly in the valve. This sound is relatively intense since the valve is one of the loudest noise generators in an aerosol container. A relatively small portion of the product being dispensed flows through the conduit.

If the aerosol container has an ascending tube leading to a valve, in which the ascending tube has an extension that functions as a sound generator and the extension adjoins the bottom wall or side wall of the container, then on the one hand, the flow sound of the aerosol in the ascending tube is amplified in the extension. On the other hand, this amplified sound is transmitted to a container wall so that the container wall serves as a resonator. The sound generated consequently depends on the dimensions of the walls and produces a relatively pleasant sound while the product is being dispensed, particularly in aluminum containers.

If the aerosol container side wall or bottom wall is provided with a sound generator in the form of an alternating wall thickness that is sometimes thicker and sometimes thinner, then this wall produces a different acoustic pattern when the product is being dispensed. An aerosol discharge sound that is found to be pleasant can be achieved depending on the intensity difference and the dimensions of the greater wall thickness.

In the accompanying drawings: Fig. 1 shows a side view with a partial vertical section through an aerosol container with a top slid onto it, in which a sounding rib extends between the top and an upper rim of the container; Fig. 2 shows an enlarged detail of the connection of the sounding rib in Fig. 1 to the top; Fig. 3 shows another enlarged detail of a weakened line from Fig. 1; Fig. 4 shows a side view with a partial vertical section through a subject analogous to Fig. 1, but with two sounding ribs and with a tear-off ring underneath the sounding ribs; Fig. 5 shows a top view of the subject of Fig.4; Fig. 6 shows an enlarged detail of the connection between a sounding rib and the tear-off ring; Fig. 7 shows a vertical section through a valve plate of an aerosol container in which a polyurethane lacquer is applied to the valve plate as a noise damper; Fig. 8 shows a vertical section through a valve plate analogous to Fig. 7, but with a polyurethane foam as the noise damper.

Fig. 9 shows a vertical section through a valve plate and a valve of an aerosol container in which ar, acoustic bander layer is provided between the valve and the valve plate; Fig. 10 shows a vertical section through a subject analogous to Fig. 9, but with a separate seal between the valve housing and the valve plate; Fig. 11 shows a vertical section through a stem of an aerosol container in which a perforated disk with conduits is snapped in place by means of a circumferential detent element in order to locally generate a laminar flow in the stem; Fig. 12 shows a vertical section through a subject analogous to Fig. 11, but with a rotationally secured perforated disk, which has a number of conduits in one half and has an opening in another half, with a semicircular cover, which is connected to a tubular segment inserted into the stem; Fig. 13 shows a section along the line A-A in Fig. 12 through the cover, which covers the opening; Fig. 14 shows a section along the line A - A in Fig. 12 through the subject of Fig. 13, but with its opening rotated by 180 degrees so that the conduits are covered and the opening is unblocked; Fig. 15 shows a vertical section through a valve with the valve plate, valve housing, stem, and ascending tube for use in an aerosol container in which at the lower end of the valve housing, a sounding lip, which is oriented downward in the direction of the flow conduit, is provided in a flow conduit; Fig. 16 shows a section along the line A-A in Fig. 15 through the sounding lip of the subject of Fig. 15; Fig. 17 shows a vertical section through a subject analogous to Fig. 15, but with a sounding lip oriented upward; Fig. 18 shows a section along the line A-A in Fig. 17 through the sounding lip of the subject of Fig. 46; Fig. 19 shows a vertical section through a subject analogous to Fig. 15, but with two sounding lips oriented toward each other in the flow conduit; Fig. 20 shows an enlargement of the sounding lips of the subject of Fig. 19; Fig. 21 shows a section along the line A-A in Fig. 20; Fig. 22 shows a vertical section through a subject analogous to Fig. 19, but with partially overlapping sounding lips; Fig. 23 shows an enlargement of the sounding lips of the subject of Fig. 22; Fig. 24 shows a section along the line A-A in Fig. 23; Fig. 25 shows a vertical section through a subject analogous to Fig. 1 S. but with an edge on a lower tip of the sounding lip, which edge reaches an opening of a separating element in order to thus constitute a labial whistle; Fig. 26 shows a vertical section through an enlarged detail from Fig. 25; Fig. 27 shows a section along the line A-A in Fig. 26; Fig. 28 shows a section along the line B - B in Fig. 26; Fig. 29 shows a vertical section through a valve with the valve plate, valve housing, stem, and ascending tube for use in an aerosol container in which an attachment of the valve housing is provided with a number of grooves that adjoin a flow conduit; Fig. 30 shows a section along the line A -- A in Fig. 29 through the enlarged region of the grooves in Fig. 29; Fig. 31 shows a vertical section through a valve of an aerosol container, with the stem and the valve plate, in which a flow loop is provided in the valve body; Fig. 32 shows an enlarged detail from Fig. 3 1; Fig. 33 shows a section along the line A-A in Fig. 32; Fig. 34 shows a side view with a partial vertical section through a container embodied as an aerosol container, which has an ascending tube leading to a valve, in which the ascending tube has an extension thatfunctions as a sound generator and the extension rests against the bottom wall and the side wall of the container; Fig. 35 shows a side view with a partial vertical section through a subject analogous to Fig. 34, but with a spiral-shaped extension that rests against only the bottom wall, and Fig. 36 shows a side view with a partial vertical section through a container embodied as an aerosol container, which has an ascending tube leading to a valve, in which the bottom wall of the container has a sound generator in the form of an alternating wall thickness that is sometimes thicker and sometimes thinner.

In the exemplary embodiment of Figs. 1 to 3, a sounding rib 16 is provided as a sound generator 5, which is connected on the one hand to a top 75 slid onto a stem 11 of a container 1 filled with aerosol and, on the other hand, rests against a rim of the container 1. The sounding rib l 6 engages underneath the rim 8 by means of a bead 76 and is therefore relatively rigidly affixed. A tear-offelement 78 can be bent at a weakened line 79 and thus removed from the top 75. A user can alternatively produce a simple or a modified sound with or without the tear-off element.

In the exemplary embodiment of Figs. 4 to 6, a tear-offring- 77, which engages underneath the rim S of the container and is connected to two sounding ribs 16 by means of a weakened line 79, is provided on the container l in a modified manner.

First, the tear-off ring 77 that is provided for transport purposes, is removed, by breaking along the weakened line 79. Then the top 75, which functions as a discharge device 4, is depressed. The product flowing out through the stem l l, the spray conduit 10, and the nozzle 12 generates a tone, which excites the two unevenly sized sounding ribs 16 to oscillate (Fig. 5). This produces a dual tone, which is found to be pleasant.

In Figs. 7 and 8, a valve plate insulation 38 is provided as a noise damper 13 on a valve plate 37 of an aerosol container. The valve plate insulation 38 is a layer of a sound absorbing material that is applied to the valve plate 37. In the one instance, this material is a polyurethane lacquer 39 (Fig. 7) and in the other instance, it is a polyurethane foam 40 (Fig. 8).

The valve plate 37 is sealed in relation to an upper rim of an aerosol container by means of a circumferential seal 41. When the product is being dispensed from the aerosol container, e.g. by manual actuation of a spray head, the frequencies emitted by the valve plate 37 are damped by the valve plate insulation 38. In this manner, for example, a relatively pleasant spraying sound is achieved. A foam dispensing sound can also be altered in an analogous manner. The aerosol container then has a foam generator at its product dispensing opening.

In Fig. 9, an aerosol container, which has a valve 44, a valve plate 37, a valve housing, and a stem 11. An acoustic barrier layer 46 is provided as a noise damper 13 between the valve 44 and the valve plate 37. A part 47 of the barrier layer 46 is provided as a seal between the valve housing 45 and the stem 11. In this way, the valve plate 37 and the valve housing 45 are acoustically decoupled from the valve 44, which causes a damping of the oscillations that would otherwise be transmitted from the valve 44 to the valve plate 37 and therefore to the container. A product discharge is quieter and more pleasant sounding.

the exemplary embodiment of Fig. l O. this is analogously the case, but in contrast to the subject of Fig. 32, in this instance, a separate seal 48 is provided between the stem l l and the valve housing 45 in order to produce an optimal seal there. 1/

In Fig. 11, a perforated disk 55, which is inserted into a stem 11, is provided as a sound generator 5 for one frequency range and as a noise damper 13 for another frequency range; this perforated disk has a number of conduits 57 and is preferably snapped into the stem by means of a detent element 56. When an aerosol is dispensed, it flows through the conduits 57. A laminar flow takes place in the conduits 57, and is still partially present downstream of the perforated disk 55. This reduction in turbulence results in the fact that individual frequencies are reduced in sound intensity and other frequencies are amplified. By and large, a frequency change is produced, which results in a new sound being produced. This sound is a function of the number and length of the conduits 57 and is generally found to be relatively pleasant.

In Figs. 12 to 14, the perforated disk 55 only has conduits 57 on one half of its disk; a semicircular cover 58 covers the perforated disk 55 that has a reverse-lock 51, and this cover 58 can be rotated in relation to the perforated disk 55 by means of a tubular piece 59, which is inserted into the stem 11, has a stop 60, and is connected to a product dispensing opening, not shown, of the container. In the position that is shown in Figs. 12 and 13, the cover 58 covers an opening 62 while the conduits 57 are unblocked. An aerosol product consequently flows through the conduits 57 and generates a particular sound, causing the perforated disk 55 to function as a sound generator 5. A different noise, which arises from diverse turbulences, is reduced due to the laminar flow that occurs in the conduits 57. Consequently, the perforated disk 55 also functions as a noise damper 13. By rotating the tubular section 59 by 180 degrees, the cover 58 moves over the conduits 58 (Fig. 14). This unblocks the opening 62. In this rotation position, a different sound is produced when the aerosol flows out, which is connected with a different, more powerful outflow. In a particular rotation position, the stop 60 becomes functional and is correlated with a particular swivel position of a product dispensing opening provided at the upper end of the tubular piece 59 in such a way that the user is informed about a particular outflow behavior depending on the swivel position. Instead of an opening 62, the perforated disk 55 could also have an uninterrupted disk material there. Then the number of conduits 57 that are used would be determined by rotating the tubular piece 59.

In Figs. 15 and 16, a sounding lip 64 inserted into a flow conduit 63 of an aerosol container is provided as a sound generator 5. This sounding lip 64 is of one piece with the lower part of the valve housing 45. Thus a particular tone can be generated by dispensing the product. The sounding lip 64 is set into an oscillation by the outflowing product. Due to the connection to the valve housing the sounding lip 64 can easily be produced along with the valve housing 45. With the proposed disposition of the sounding lip on the bottom part of the valve housing 45, the product is fluid so that an adhesion and therefore a limitation of the function of the sounding lip 64 cannot occur there. A spray head (not shown) of the aerosol container serves as a discharge device and when pressed downward, causes a valve 44 to open. The product flows around the sounding lip 64 and up through the valve 44 and produces a pleasant sound against the sounding lip 64 while the product is being dispensed. The sounding lip 64 is aligned in the direction of the flow conduit 63. As a result, a relatively large flow cross section is available for the outflowing product so that virtually no influence is exerted on the outflow. The length of the sounding lip 64 is designed for a resonance of a particular frequency and its overtones. Instead of pointing downward, the sounding lip 64 can also point upward (Figs. 17 and 18).

In Figs. 19 to 21, two sounding lips 64 are 30 provided, which are aligned perpendicular to the direction of the flow conduit 63 and are aligned in relation to each other in such a way that a gap 65 is formed between them. As a result, a relatively intense tone can be generated. Alternatively, the sounding lips 65 can also overlap (Figs. 22 to 24), which can produce an even greater sound intensity. In these two exemplary embodiments, a relatively narrow opening, through which the product must flow, is produced in the flow conduit 63. On the one hand, the opening is produced by the gap 65 (Fig. 20) and on the other hand, the opening is produced by the fact that the overlapping sounding lips are pivoted upward and therefore pressed away from each other (Fig. 23). Recesses 67 at the edge of the sounding lips 65 (Fig.24) permit the sounding lips 65 to pivot in the flow conduit 63. The portion of the product flowing through the recesses 67 produces a different tone there. Therefore a sound is produced which on the one hand, depends on the vibration of the sounding lips 65 and their distance from each other and on the other hand, depends on the size of the recesses 67.

This sound is also found to be relatively pleasant.

A vertical sounding lip 64 can be used as a sound generator 5 (Fig. 15), for example for hairspray that produces a normal hold of the hair. By contrast, sounding lips 64 in Figs. 22 and 23 can be used as sound generators 5 in hairspray for extra hold and super hold. The user is therefore signaled as to which kind hairspray is being sprayed by the tone of the product dispensing sound.

In Figs. 25 to 28, when dispensing the product from the aerosol container, a very special whistling tone is produced. An opening 68 of a separating element 69 is provided upstream of the sounding lip 64 and one edge 70 of the sounding lip 64 forms a labial whistle 71 with the opening 68. The labial whistle 71 is embodied so that the edge 70 is disposed relatively close to the opening 68. The frequency of the tone produced can be changed by altering the gap width of the opening 68 or the distance of the edge 70 from the opening 68. The tone is adjusted so that it is found to be pleasant by the user when dispensing the product. The conditions shown in Figs. 25 to 28 produce a relatively rich tone in the mid frequency range. The sounding lip 64 could also have a gap that divides it completely from top to bottom. Then the first tone would sound along with a second tone, which would produce a different, relatively pleasant acoustic pattern.

In Figs. 29 and 30, a number of grooves 73 extending in the flow direction and adjoining the flow conduit 63 are provided simultaneously as noise dampers 13 and as sound generators 5. The flow conduit 63 is used for a discharge of the aerosol product through the flow conduit 63 when the stem 11 of the valve 44 of the container 1 is tilted.

These grooves 73 are preferably embodied as recesses in an attachment 72 of a valve housing 45 of a valve 44. The turbulences in this region of the flow conduit 63 can therefore be reduced. Eliminating these turbulences damps the frequencies that are produced by these turbulences of the outflowing aerosol product. At the same time, the grooves 73 generate a different tone. This frequency change is found to be relatively pleasant. The corresponding sound is influenced by the length, width, and depth of the grooves 73, as well as by the number of grooves 73. The grooves 73 could also be disposed somewhat higher and could be provided inside the ascending tube 66 or inside the stem 11. They always perform the same function, but have a different effect on the product dispensing sound depending on their precise location.

In Figs. 31 to 33, a flow loop, which is embodied as a conduit, is provided as a sound generator S for an aerosol container. The flow loop 80 is disposed in the valve body 81 of the valve 44. By tilting the stem 11, the valve 44 is opened and an aerosol product flows out through the flow conduit 63. Due to flow turbulences before entry into the stem 11, a relatively small portion of the product flow travels into the flow loop and generates a resonance oscillation there. The expansion of the fluid propellant into its gaseous phase that occurs at the entry into the flow loop 80 is converted to pressure in the flow loop 80 and thus produces an additional sound while the product is being dispensed.

In Figs. 34 and 35, the container 1 is an aerosol container, which has an ascending tube 66 leading to a valve 44. The ascending tube 66 has an extension 82 that functions a sound generator 5. The extension 82 rests either against only the bottom wall 83 (Fig. 35) or against both the bottom wall 83 and the side wall 84 of the container (Fig. 34). The flow sound of the aerosol in the ascending tube 66 is amplified on the one hand in the extension 82. On the other hand, this amplif ed sound is transmitted to a container wall so that the container wall serves as a resonator. The sound generated consequently depends on the dimensions of the walls and produces a slightly deeper, relatively pleasant sound while the product is being dispensed, particularly in aluminum containers. In the exemplary embodiment of Fig. 7], because of the two transmission points for the ascending tube 66, an amplitude shift occurs between a stationary wave in the side wall on the one hand and a stationary wave in the bottom wall on the other.

This also advantageously changes the acoustic pattern.

In the exemplary embodiment of Fig. 36, the container 1 is an aerosol container whose bottom wall 83 is provided with a sound generator 5 in the form of an alternating wall thickness that is sometimes thicker 86 and sometimes thinner 85. The bottom wall i 83 thus produces an altered acoustic pattern when the product is being dispensed. An aerosol dispensing sound that is found to be pleasant can be achieved depending on the intensity difference and the dimensions of the greater wall thickness 86. Alternatively, the side wall 84 can be embodied analogously to the bottom wall 83 or a wall could be embodied in a wave form with a constant wall thickness.

Claims

Claims: 1. An aerosol container including a stem and having a top which is

fitted on the stem, wherein a sounding rib is provided as a sound generator, which is connected on the one hand to the top and on the other hand rests against a rim of the container, in order to generate a desired product discharge sound.
2. An aerosol container as claimed in claim 1, including a tear-offring which engages underneath the rim and is connected to the sounding rib by means of a weakened line.
3. An aerosol container substantially as describedwith reference to, and as shown in, Figures 1 to 3 or Figures 4 to 6 of the accompanying drawings.

3. An aerosol container substantially as described with reference to, and as shown in, Figures 1 to 3 or Figures 4 to 6 of the accompanying drawings.

Amendmenta to the claims have been filed as follows Claims: 1. An aerosol container including a stem and having a top which is fitted on the s. m, wherein a sounding rib is provided as a sound generator, which is connected to the top and rests against a rim of the container, in order to generate a desired product discharge sound.

2. An aerosol container as claimed in claim 1, including a tear-offring which engages underneath the rim and is connected to the sounding rib by means of a weakened line.