JP2005527434A - Fluid dispenser - Google Patents

Abstract

A fluid dispenser, said entrained gas reservoir (10), wherein said entrained gas reservoir (10) is provided with drive means (12 ') suitable for pressurizing the gas stored therein; A fluid reservoir (3) and a dosing opening (21) which serves to pass a mixture of entrained gas and fluid, the fluid reservoir (3) having a partition (31 ″; 31 ′ '') Separated from the gas reservoir (10), the partition allowing gas to pass but not fluid, whereby pressurized gas passes through the partition into the fluid reservoir (3). Entering and with it entraining the fluid in the direction of the dosing opening, characterized by the fluid being pushed in the direction of the dosing opening by the thrust means (32 ″; 32 ′ ″), so that the dosing The fluid is always present at the position of the opening. Cormorant fluid dispenser.

Description

  The present invention includes an entrained gas reservoir, a fluid reservoir, and a dosing opening through which a mixture of entraining gas and fluid is passed, the entrained gas reservoir being a gas in the reservoir It is related with the fluid dispenser provided with the drive means suitable for applying a pressure to. The entrained gas reservoir serves as an air flush to entrain the contents of the fluid reservoir toward the dosing opening. The contents are then dispensed in the opening in the form of a gas / liquid or gas / powder two-phase mixture.

  Many fluid dispensers of this type already exist, especially in the field of perfumes and cosmetics, especially pharmaceuticals. In many cases, the fluid is stored in the same reservoir as the entrained gas. Still, sometimes the fluid and entrained gas are stored in separate reservoirs. What is needed is that the entrained gas allows some or all of the contents of the fluid reservoir to be removed.

  As a prior art, FR-2 038 476 describes a powder dispenser having a gas (air) reservoir having a bellows shape and having a cylindrical duct installed in the bellows. The dispenser further has an end piece designed to be installed at the free end of the duct. The end piece then forms a powder reservoir, which is closed with a partition made of a porous material that allows air to pass but not powder. Furthermore, the end piece is formed with a dosing opening which can be closed with a cap. When the bellows is squeezed, pressurized air is released through the partition and enters the powder reservoir. This creates a turbulent flow in the reservoir, which allows the powder and air to be mixed and released from the dosing opening.

  This partition allows not only to keep the fluid inside the fluid reservoir, but also to distribute the gas flow coming from the entrained gas reservoir. Thus, the fluid is entrained in a better way towards the dosing opening. The divider acts as a screen, grid, or bundle structure in which a number of holes are formed. Since fluid remains in these holes, if a flow of pressurized gas passes through the holes, the fluid will be entrained. Lattice, screen, or bundle structures are suitable for fluids that are in the form of powders, while porous structures are more suitable for fluids that are in the form of liquids.

  An object of the present invention is to appropriately facilitate the operation of entraining fluid by the flow of entrained gas.

  In order to achieve this object, the present invention provides a fluid dispenser, which is an entrained gas reservoir, provided with driving means suitable for pressurizing the gas stored therein. A gas reservoir, a fluid reservoir, and a dosing opening that serves to pass a mixture of entrained gas and fluid, the fluid reservoir being separated from the gas reservoir by a partition, Is characterized by allowing gas to pass but not fluid, so that the pressurized gas enters the fluid reservoir through the partition and entrains the fluid in the direction of the dosing opening. Is a fluid dispenser in which the fluid is pushed in the direction of the dispensing opening by the thrust means, so that there is always fluid at the position of the dispensing opening.

  In one embodiment in accordance with the present invention, the fluid reservoir partition is located in a constriction formed by an entrained gas reservoir. For example, a gas reservoir has a body and a neck, the neck is formed with an opening that connects to the interior of the body via a duct, and the partition of the fluid reservoir is at least partially within the duct. Has been placed. This is a very practical embodiment. Another feature of the present invention is that the end piece meshes with the neck of the gas reservoir in a leak-proof manner and the end piece is formed with a dosing opening. Further, as an effective configuration, a part of the fluid reservoir is formed by the end piece.

  In another embodiment, the body of the fluid reservoir is engaged with the end piece, and the partition is formed in the body. As an effective configuration, the end piece is formed with a socket that opens toward the gas reservoir and is partially closed at the position of the administration opening. Is formed with a main body fitted into the socket.

  As another practical feature, the fluid reservoir has a first end and a second end formed with a dispensing opening, the second end not allowing fluid or gas to pass through. Sometimes it is. As an effective configuration, the main body of the fluid reservoir has a tubular segment in which the partition is formed. The tubular portion is fitted into an end piece, and the segment is formed with a first end adjacent to the dosing opening and a second end closed by a sealing member that does not allow gas to pass through. It is.

  With such a configuration, administration with higher reliability and uniformity can be realized. This is because the entrained gas is forced to pass through the administration opening, so that fluid is always supplied to the opening. In one embodiment, the fluid reservoir has a movable wall, and the moving direction of the wall is a direction in which the volume of the reservoir decreases as the movement proceeds. Further, the partition is movably installed with respect to the administration opening, and as an effective configuration, it is effective that the moving direction is also a direction toward the administration opening. In addition, as a preferable configuration, the partition is elastically pushed, and the partition is pushed in a direction in which the internal volume of the fluid reservoir is reduced by being pushed. Further, as an effective configuration, the partition forms a part of the moving wall. Further, in a practical embodiment, the partition is installed on the scraper piston, and the piston is fitted in the cylinder so as to be slidable. Furthermore, in the modified example, the partition is installed on an elastic film in a state where pressure is applied in advance, and the elastic film is configured to return toward the rest position.

  Moreover, according to other embodiment, a wall will be moved by the flow of pressurized gas.

The present invention will be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings showing various embodiments of the present invention as non-limiting examples in the following portions.
In the embodiment used to describe the present invention, the fluid dispenser has an entrained gas reservoir 10, which is formed by a container 1 in the form of a small flask or bottle as shown in FIGS. Yes. It has a generally flat shape and is shaped with two generally flat surfaces 12, 13 facing each other, which are interconnected via a generally circular peripheral edge 11. The flask 1 is further provided with a neck 15 in which an internal duct 16 is formed, and the reservoir 10 is connected to the outside via the duct. The neck 15 is provided with an annular top edge 150 and a recessed inner wall 151. The reservoir 10 serves to store gas (eg, air). However, another type of gas may be used depending on the fluid to be administered.

The particular structure of the reservoir 10 based on the flask 1 shown here is not the only possible structure. The entrained gas reservoir 10 can have other shapes as shown in FIGS. 5-8, and the reservoir shown in these figures is in the form of a squeezable valve.
1-4, one or two (preferably two) flat surfaces 12, 13 are substantially elastically deformable, so that if both surfaces are pressed, for example with two fingers, they touch each other. The volume of the reservoir 10 can be reduced. Then, the gas stored inside becomes a pressurized state, and as a result, the gas is sent out through the duct 1. However, since the narrow portion is formed in the duct, the gas passing through the duct is accelerated. Two arrows with reference symbol P indicate the direction of the force applied to the drive walls 12, 13 of the reservoir 10. As a matter of course, other driving means for reducing the volume of the reservoir 10 can be considered, for example, a piston installed so as to move inside the cylinder forming the reservoir. Conceivable.

  In all embodiments, the entrained gas is configured to lead to dosing end pieces 2, 2 ′, 2 ″ installed in the neck 15 of the flask 1. More precisely, the dosing endpiece is formed with a fixing sleeve 24 and fitted into the neck 15 in a leak-proof manner. In order to allow the end piece to be properly held, the sleeve 24 is formed with a protruding profile or locking bead 241 which is received in a recess 151 formed in the inner wall of the neck 15. Work in shape. A cradle collar 23 is formed at the end of the sleeve 24 at the end piece. The collar protrudes inward in the radial direction, and comes into contact with the top end 150 of the neck 15. At a position ahead of this collar 23, the end piece 2 is formed with drums 22, 22 ′, 22 ″, 22 ′ ″, the free end of which has a dosing opening 21. Partially closed by the front end wall 20. It is also possible to have a shape having a plurality of administration openings 21. Inside the dosing endpiece, sockets 25, 25 'are formed, which extend inside the sleeve 24, the collar 23 and the drum. The socket 25 is largely open at the position of the free end of the sleeve 24 but is partially closed by the administration front end wall 20 provided with the opening 21.

  The dispenser has a fluid reservoir 3 in which a liquid or powdery fluid is stored. 1-4, the fluid reservoir 3 is formed by a tube 31 fitted in a socket 25, one end being closed by an end wall 32 or a stopper 32 'and the other end being It is partially closed by an administration front end wall 20 provided with an administration opening 21. Thus, it can be said that the main part constituting the fluid reservoir is the tube 31 closed at the end wall position and closed by the administration front end wall 20 of the end piece 2. In the example shown here, the shape of the reservoir 3 is also tube-shaped depending on the shape of the tube 31, but it goes without saying that other shapes can be considered for the shape of the reservoir. However, since the reservoir 3 can be mounted at least inside the socket 25, it is effective to have a tube shape. Furthermore, the cylindrical annular space 16 can be made inside the neck 15 by making the shape of the reservoir 3 into a tube shape. In general, as seen in the various views of FIGS. 1-4, it is advantageous for the reservoir 3 to extend inside the neck 15 and preferably into the interior of the reservoir 10. The annular space 16 is formed with an annular constriction, in which the pressurized gas coming from the reservoir 10 is considerably accelerated.

The end wall 32 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 may be formed integrally with the tube 31 and made of the same material as that of the tube. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the stopper 32 ′, which is a separate member, is installed at the end of the tube 31, so that the tube itself does not have an end wall.
A partition is formed in the reservoir 3 at the position of the tube 31 and / or the end wall 32, and the partition allows gas from the reservoir 10 to pass therethrough but allows fluid stored in the reservoir 3 to pass through. I won't let you. Therefore, the liquid or powdery fluid stored in the reservoir 3 does not enter the reservoir 10. On the other hand, the gas stored in the reservoir 10 can be fed into the reservoir 3 via the porous or permeable partition of the reservoir 3 and is sprayed from there in a two-phase manner. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the pressurized gas coming from the reservoir 10 can enter the reservoir 3 at the location of the tube 31 and also the end wall 32. In the modification shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the stopper 32 ′, which is a separate part, has a property of not allowing any gas to pass therethrough. I can't get in. Therefore, most or all of the partition 31 is placed inside the neck 15 (preferably the whole is placed). In such a configuration, when the pressurized gas is subjected to a force, all enters the annular space 16 where it is accelerated considerably. In this way, the gas enters the reservoir 3 with the appropriate pressure and force.

  The container 1 of the dispenser shown in FIG. 5 has a substantially valve shape, and its wall 12 'can be deformed. A gas reservoir 10 is formed inside the container. The container is also formed with a wide neck 15, which forms a large opening. The overall design of the end piece 2 'is similar to that used in the previously described embodiments. The end piece 2 ′ is fitted into the neck 15 at the sleeve 24 and is placed on the neck at the collar 23. The end piece 2 ′ is further formed with an administration opening 21 at the position of the front wall 20. This wall 20 is connected to the collar 23 via a drum 22 'which is partially frustoconical. An internal socket 25 'is formed on the end piece 2'. A partition 31 ′ that does not allow fluid (liquid or powder) to pass but allows gas to pass is fitted inside the socket, for example, at the position of the snap-on recess 220. A partition 31 'divides the socket into two compartments. One of them forms a fluid reservoir 3 and the other is part of a gas reservoir 10. As described above, the partition 31 ′ is formed with a main body extending so as to cross the inside of the socket 25 ′. For this, it is effective to serve as a support material for holding the fluid.

  The internal socket formed on the end piece in the third embodiment has a relatively large diameter or cross-sectional area. The partition 31 ′ is effective in the form of a simple porous plate, but has a shape extending perpendicular to the direction in which the pressurized gas flows. Therefore, the gas passes through the partition more directly, and therefore does not encounter a large head loss or resistance. As a result, the velocity of the gas in the reservoir 3 beyond the partition is more than sufficient for entraining the fluid in the direction of the opening 21, but in this respect, the frustoconical shape of the drum 22 ′. Is helped by the shape of. That is, with this shape, the two-phase flow is directed toward the opening and concentrated.

From here on, the concept of the present invention not incorporated in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 5 will be described with reference to FIGS. However, these embodiments include effective features that can be realized with the present invention.
FIG. 7 shows a fourth embodiment relating to the present invention. The container forming the reservoir 10 may be similar or identical to the design in FIGS. 5 and 6 (ie, the shape of the valve that can squeeze out the contents). The reservoir 10 is also formed with a neck 15 into which a dosing end piece 2 '' is fitted. The end piece also includes a sleeve 24 that fits into the neck 15, a radial collar 23 that rests on the top end of the neck 15, a substantially cylindrical drum 22 '', a front end wall 20, and An administration opening 21 is formed. In the example shown here, the drum 22 'and the front end wall 20 are separate parts from the rest of the end piece 2''(the part formed by the sleeve 24 and the collar 23). However, as in the embodiment described above, a modification in which the entire end piece 2 '' is made as one part can be considered. In the example shown here, the drum 22 '' and the front end wall 20 are made in the shape of a cup, as can be seen in the figure, and the end wall is provided with a through-hole as a dosing opening 21. It has been. The cup is connected at the free end edge of the drum 22 ″ to the rest of the end piece 2 ″, which surrounds the fixing bush 220 formed substantially in line with the sleeve 24. It is installed. The edge of the drum comes into contact with the radial collar 23 and the cradle.

  In this embodiment, the dosing end piece 2 ″ is further provided with an internal radial flange 26 protruding inwardly. This radial flange 26 serves as a cradle member for the spring 33. The spring 33 serves to push a driven piston or scraper piston 32 '' fitted in the drum 22 ''. The scraper piston 32 '' can also be made from a material that allows entrained gas to pass but not fluid. However, the scraper piston 32 ″ in the embodiment shown in FIG. 7 does not allow the entrained gas to pass through. Instead, as a support member, the partition (31 ′) has the property of allowing the entrained gas to pass but not the fluid. ') Is supported. Thereby, when the reservoir 10 is squeezed, the entrained gas drawn from the reservoir is forced to pass through the partition 31 ″ and reaches the inside of the fluid reservoir 3. Accordingly, the fluid reservoir 3 is formed by the drum 22 ′, the front end wall 20 provided with the through opening 21 and the scraper piston 32 ″ supporting the partition 31 ″. Since the scraper piston 32 ″ is elastically pushed by the spring 33, the fluid inside the reservoir 3 is therefore also pushed in the direction of the dispensing opening 21. This ensures that the fluid is always present at the position of the dosing opening 21, which ensures that the quality of the dosing beyond the opening 21 is good. In the example shown here, the piston 32 ″ with the partition 31 ″ is moved in the direction of the administration opening 21. However, as a variant, it is certain that the piston acts in any other direction (eg transverse direction) and nevertheless it is ensured that the dispensing opening 21 is continuously supplied with fluid. Embodiments are also conceivable. The purpose of the piston 32 ″ (more generally speaking, the moving wall) is to ensure that fluid is present in the dosing opening 21. Needless to say, this may be realized by other means.

  Finally, refer to FIG. This figure shows the fifth embodiment, but this is only a modification of the embodiment shown in FIG. The entrained gas reservoir 10 may have exactly the same shape (ie, a valve shape). The approximate shape of the administration end piece 2 ′ ″ is substantially the same as the shape of the end piece 2 ″ shown in FIG. The end piece 2 ′ ″ is provided with a sleeve 24 fitted into the neck 15 of the reservoir, a radial collar 23 in contact with the top end of the neck 15, a drum 22 ′ ″, and a dosing opening 21. Having a front end wall 20 formed thereon. The administration end piece 2 '' 'in this example is made of one piece.

  As also shown in the embodiment of FIG. 7, the fluid stored in the reservoir 3 is also pushed in the direction of the dosing opening 21, thereby ensuring a continuous and continuous supply. In this example, in order to ensure such a continuous supply, an elastically deformable membrane 32 ′ ″ is provided, which constitutes a movable wall element of the fluid reservoir 3. The membrane 32 '' 'is held along its peripheral edge by a holding ring 26' fitted to the drum 22 '' '. More precisely, the outer peripheral edge of the membrane 32 '' 'is wedged in contact with the front end wall 20 by a ring 26'. The membrane 32 'may be manufactured from a material that allows entrained gas to pass but not fluid. However, the membrane 32 ″ preferably serves as a support member for the partition 31 ′ ″ (effectively positioned at the center of the membrane). Since the membrane 32 '' 'is pre-compressed in the initial state, it tends to return naturally to the rest position. Accordingly, the fluid inside the reservoir 3 is subjected to pressure applied from the membrane 32 '' '. For this reason, the fluid 3 is continuously pushed toward the administration opening 21. As can be readily seen in FIG. 8, the membrane 32 ′ ″ tends to return to a flat state that contacts the front end wall 20. It can be imagined that the membrane 32 '' 'will be planar or flat in the rest position.

  In the sixth embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the shape of the dispenser is substantially the same as that shown in FIG. 7, and therefore the same reference numerals are used. The main difference from FIG. 7 is that the piston 32 that moves the permeable partition 31 ″ does not receive the force from the spring. When the reservoir is full in the initial state, the piston is placed on the bush 220. Thereafter, as the reservoir is emptied, the piston is moved by the pressurized air stream. The air flow pushes the piston and passes through the partition. As an effective configuration, the inner wall 221 of the drum 22 '' may be provided with a notch as a frame, thereby preventing the piston from returning backward. The means for pushing the movable wall of the fluid reservoir will here be the air being pushed out (which occurs when the reservoir 10 is squeezed).

  In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 6 to 8, the permeable partitions 31 ″, 31 ′ ″ allow the fluid inside the reservoir 3 to be pushed towards the dosing opening 21 and to pass through it. It is connected to. However, as a variant, the embodiment is such that the permeable partition is not constituted by means enabling the fluid to be delivered via the opening 21 and is neither integrated nor fixed thereto. Can think. However, it is preferable that the partition moves in the direction of the administration opening 21 so that the moving distance of the entrained gas within the fluid reservoir 3 becomes shorter as the dispenser is used.

The material used for the partition that allows gas to pass but not fluid may have a porous structure, a lattice structure, a screen structure, or a bundle structure depending on the fluid to be administered.
With the present invention, a two-phase “gas / liquid” or “gas / powder” dispenser can be realized that is simple in design, low in cost and easy to use.

It is sectional drawing which shows 1st Embodiment of the fluid dispenser concerning this invention, and is the figure of the state seen from the top. It is sectional drawing which shows 1st Embodiment of the fluid dispenser in connection with this invention, and is the figure of the state seen from the side surface. It is a figure similar to FIG. 1, and is a figure which shows 2nd Embodiment of the fluid dispenser in connection with this invention. It is a figure similar to FIG. 2, and is a figure which shows 2nd Embodiment of the fluid dispenser in connection with this invention. It is a notch perspective view which shows 3rd Embodiment of the dispenser concerning this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows 4th Embodiment of the dispenser in connection with this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows 5th Embodiment of the dispenser concerning this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows 6th Embodiment of the dispenser in connection with this invention.

Claims (10)

A fluid dispenser,
An entrained gas reservoir (10), wherein the entrained gas reservoir (10) is provided with drive means (12 ') suitable for pressurizing the gas stored therein;
A fluid reservoir (3);
A dosing opening (21) that serves to pass a mixture of entrained gas and fluid;
The fluid reservoir (3) is separated from the gas reservoir (10) by a partition (31 ″; 31 ′ ″), which allows gas to pass but not fluid, thereby adding pressure. The pressurized gas enters the fluid reservoir (3) through the partition and with it entrains the fluid in the direction of the dosing opening,
The feature is
The fluid is forced towards the dispensing opening by the thrust means (32 ″; 32 ′ ″), so that there is always fluid at the position of the dispensing opening
A fluid dispenser. The fluid reservoir has movable walls (32 ″, 32 ′ ″) and the direction of movement of the walls is such that the volume of the reservoir decreases with movement;
The dispenser according to claim 1. The partition (31 ″, 31 ′ ″) is installed so as to be movable with respect to the administration opening, and as an effective configuration, its moving direction is also a direction toward the administration opening,
The dispenser according to claim 1 or 2. The partitions (31 ″, 31 ′ ″) form part of a movable wall;
The dispenser according to claim 2 or 3. The partitions (31 ″, 31 ′ ″) are elastically pressed, and are pushed in the direction that the internal volume of the fluid reservoir is reduced by pushing the partitions.
The dispenser according to any one of claims 2 to 4. The partition (31 ″) is installed on the scraper piston (32 ″), and the piston (32 ″) is slidably fitted in the cylinder (22 ″). ,
The dispenser according to any one of claims 1 to 5. The partition (31 ′ ″) is installed on the elastic membrane (32 ′ ″) in a state where pressure is applied in advance, and the elastic membrane (32 ′ ″) is configured to return toward the rest position. is being done,
The dispenser according to any one of claims 1 to 5. The wall is moved by the flow of pressurized gas,
The dispenser according to any one of claims 2 to 6. The location of the partition of the fluid reservoir is in the constriction (16) formed in the entrained gas reservoir (1);
The dispenser according to any one of claims 1 to 8. The end piece (2, 2 ′, 2 ″, 2 ′ ″) meshes with the neck (15) of the gas reservoir in a leak-proof manner, and the end piece is formed with a dosing opening (21). That
The dispenser according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

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