EP1935505B1 - Piezoelectric spraying system and corresponding refill - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a piezoelectric sputtering system and a refill for such a system.

Piezoelectric spraying devices are widely used for spraying low viscosity liquids, for example room fragrances.

A wick allows to supply, by capillarity, a membrane vibrated by a ceramic.

These devices are not suitable for spraying a more viscous product, such as a foundation, for example.

The patent US 5,970,974 discloses a piezoelectric spraying system comprising a housing defining at least one housing for receiving at least one removable refill, the latter comprising at least one reservoir containing the product to be sprayed and a product supply system of a piezoelectric spraying device.

The sputtering system further comprises an electric motor housed in the housing and a circuit for controlling the operation of the motor and the piezoelectric sputtering device.

International demand WO 2005/075095 discloses an electrostatic spraying system comprising a pump for supplying a spray tip in which the product is subjected to an electric field. Such a spraying system has the disadvantage of requiring a particular formulation of the product to make it polarizable and dispersible under the effect of the electric field.

The invention aims in particular to provide a spraying system for spraying products having different rheologies and formulations, polarizable or not.

According to one of its aspects, the invention relates to a piezoelectric sputtering system according to claim 1.

The invention allows the user to spray a product, depending on the selected refill.

The piezoelectric element which comprises for example a ceramic, makes it possible to transform an excitation voltage into a vibration.

The piezoelectric element can also be carried by the refill and bound to the membrane. Alternatively, the piezoelectric element may be carried by the housing. The removable refill may be devoid of piezoelectric element.

The piezoelectric spraying device can be worn only by the removable refill.

The use of a piezoelectric device can make it possible to spray with a relatively wide spray, if necessary, whether the product is polarizable or not.

The product supply system may include a pump.

The refill may comprise a product supply chamber of the piezoelectric device, delimited at least partially by the vibrating membrane of the piezoelectric device.

The pump can be configured to close, when stopped, any communication between the chamber and the tank, which can help improve the conservation of the product, especially when it comprises one or more volatile solvents. The pump may comprise for example two rotary members, for example ovoid or other shape, may or may not include a toothing.

The two rotating members can rotate in contact with each other. In the absence of teeth, means may be provided to prevent slippage of one member relative to the other, for example a friction or a suitable mechanical connection.

In an exemplary implementation of the invention, the operation of the piezoelectric spraying device is interrupted only after the direction of circulation of the product has been reversed. This can further improve the emptying of the chamber by spraying a residual amount of product.

The piezoelectric device can be operated before the product is circulated at the beginning of a spraying cycle. This can improve the particle size distribution of the sprayed product by allowing the device piezoelectric to reach a relatively stable operating regime before the actual spraying.

The reservoir may have a flexible bag, which can facilitate the removal of the product in the tank without air intake.

The housing may include a base portion housing the motor and a removable cap that can be attached to the base portion and may include an opening through which the product is sprayed.

The housing may comprise in the upper part a push button for triggering a spraying cycle.

The housing may be arranged to receive at least two refills containing first and second respective compositions, the system comprising two corresponding electric motors, the control circuit being arranged to control the motors according to the relative proportions of the first and second compositions to be sprayed. The product or products may be taken from the reservoir (s) without air intake.

The duration of circulation of the product to the chamber can be counted. An audible and / or visual signal may be emitted, as appropriate, depending on the duration of circulation of the product, to inform the user on the degree of emptying of the tank.

The sprayed product may be any cosmetic or care product, for example a makeup composition, especially a foundation or a self-tanning composition.

The sprayed product may be different from a drug.

The invention also relates, in another of its aspects, to a refill according to claim 15.

The piezoelectric sputtering device may comprise the membrane carried by the refill and a piezoelectric element for vibrating the membrane.

The piezoelectric element can be carried by the refill and be bonded to the membrane.

Alternatively, the refill may be devoid of piezoelectric element, the latter being carried, if necessary, by a housing in which the refill is intended to be introduced at least partially.

The product supply system may comprise a pump, for example a pump comprising two rotary members rotating in contact with one another.

The refill may include a supply chamber of the piezoelectric device.

The reservoir may comprise a flexible pouch.

The product contained in the refill may be a makeup composition, especially a foundation or a self-tanning composition and may be polarizable or not.

The recharge can be received at least partially in a housing of a housing.

• la figure 1 représente, en perspective, un exemple de système de pulvérisation réalisé conformément à l'invention,
• la figure 2 représente isolément une recharge pour le système de pulvérisation de la figure 1,
• la figure 3 est une vue de côté selon III de la figure 2,
• la figure 4 est une vue partielle arrière selon IV de la figure 3,
• la figure 5 représente schématiquement un exemple de pompe pouvant être utilisée,
• la figure 6 représente de manière schématique la chambre d'alimentation du dispositif piézoélectrique et la pompe associée,
• la figure 7 est un schéma en blocs représentant différents composants du système de pulvérisation,
• la figure 8 illustre une variante de réalisation du système de mise en circulation du produit,
• les figures 9 et 10 représentent partiellement, en perspective, des variantes du système de pulvérisation,
• la figure 11 est un schéma en blocs illustrant un exemple de déroulement d'un cycle de pulvérisation et,
• les figures 12 et 13 représentent de façon schématique d'autres exemples de dispositifs de pulvérisation piézoélectriques auxquels l'invention peut s'appliquer.

The invention will be better understood on reading the following detailed description, non-limiting examples of implementation thereof, and on examining the appended drawing, in which:

• the figure 1 represents, in perspective, an example of a spraying system produced according to the invention,
• the figure 2 represents in isolation a refill for the spray system of the figure 1 ,
• the figure 3 is a side view according to III of the figure 2 ,
• the figure 4 is a partial rear view according to IV of the figure 3 ,
• the figure 5 schematically represents an example of a pump that can be used,
• the figure 6 schematically represents the feed chamber of the piezoelectric device and the associated pump,
• the figure 7 is a block diagram showing different components of the spray system,
• the figure 8 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the system for circulating the product,
• the Figures 9 and 10 partially represent, in perspective, variants of the spraying system,
• the figure 11 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a spraying cycle and,
• the Figures 12 and 13 show schematically other examples of piezoelectric spraying devices to which the invention can be applied.

The spraying system 1 shown in FIG. figure 1 comprises a housing 2 housing a piezoelectric spraying device 3 for spraying a product through an opening 4 of the housing 2.

The opening 4 is for example a front opening, of axis oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X of the housing 2, as illustrated in FIG. figure 1 , but other configurations of the housing 2 are possible without departing from the scope of the present invention.

In the example, the opening 4 is formed on a removable cover 5, which can be separated from the base portion of the housing by acting on unlocking tabs 6 which are for example diametrically opposed.

The removal of the cover 5 frees access to a removable refill 10 which has been shown separately to the Figures 2 to 4 .

The spraying system 1 comprises, as illustrated schematically in FIG. figure 7 , an electrical source 11 which is for example accessible under the hood 5 and / or after removal of a hatch, not shown, so as to be replaced. In a variant, the electric source 11 can be integrated into the refill 10.

The spraying system 1 also comprises a control circuit 12 which makes it possible to control the operation of an electric motor 13 and that of the piezoelectric device 3 during a spraying cycle, as will be detailed below.

The spraying system 1 comprises, in the illustrated example, a push-button 15 located in the upper part of the housing 2. This push-button 15 can pass through a corresponding opening formed on the cover 5.

The spraying system 1 may also comprise at least one audible and / or luminous warning device 17, for example a light-emitting diode, and possibly at least one inclinometer 19 represented diagrammatically in FIG. figure 7 whose role will be explained later.

The refill 10 comprises, as shown figure 2 , a reservoir 20, which is for example in the form of a flexible bag containing at least one product to be dispensed. The product can be taken from the tank 20 without air intake, if necessary.

In the example illustrated, the refill 10 further comprises the piezoelectric device 3, which is contained in a housing 22 integral with the reservoir 20.

Representatives Figures 12 and 13 other examples of piezoelectric spraying devices 3.

The piezoelectric device 3 comprises in these examples a piezoelectric element 70 made of a piezoelectric material and a membrane 71. As can be seen in the Figures 12 and 13 , the membrane 71 is a perforated membrane, still sometimes called a grid, mechanically vibrated by the piezoelectric element 70.

In the example of the figure 12 , the piezoelectric element 70 is a ring comprising for example a ceramic, in particular zirconate (PZT), metaniobate (PN), barium titanate or zinc oxide. Requirement FR 2,886,174 discloses such an example of a piezoelectric device.

As can be seen at figure 12 , the piezoelectric device may be worn only by the removable refill 10, the piezoelectric element 70 and the membrane 71 being both carried by the refill 10.

Alternatively, as shown in FIG. figure 13 , the refill 10 may be devoid of piezoelectric element 70, the latter being integral with the housing 2 receiving the refill and being arranged to come into contact with the removable refill 10 to vibrate the membrane 71. The patent US 4,702,418 discloses such an exemplary device.

The invention is not limited to a piezoelectric element of annular shape. The piezoelectric element may comprise a sonotrode as disclosed in the international application WO 91/16997 .

The perforated membrane has for example a diameter greater than or equal to 6 mm, for example equal to 7 mm. The membrane comprises, for example, more than 100 holes, for example 150 holes.

The holes have for example a diameter of between 20 microns and 40 microns, for example equal to 30 microns.

The holes are for example located in the central region of the membrane.

The membrane is for example glued on a ceramic having a thickness of between 0.5 and 0.7 mm, for example equal to 0.6 mm, for example with an outer diameter of 20 mm, and an internal diameter equal to 5 mm. .

The ceramic is for example excited by a sinusoidal voltage 100 kHz 100 peak to peak.

The control circuit 12 can supply the excitation current of the piezoelectric material ring, when the piezoelectric element has the shape of a ring, and comprise the electronic components possibly making it possible to maintain the excitation frequency at the value of resonance.

The reservoir 20 can be connected to the housing 22 in a detachable manner, if necessary, for example to allow its replacement while retaining the piezoelectric device 3.

The tank 20 may optionally be made to allow its reloading product and may include an opening for this purpose.

The housing 22 houses, in the example of the figure 2 , in addition to the piezoelectric device 3, a pump 26 which allows the circulation of the product from the reservoir 20 to a feed chamber 27 of the piezoelectric device 3. The chamber 27 is delimited on one side by the vibrating membrane of the piezoelectric device .

The chamber 27 may have a volume less than or equal to 1 ml, for example a volume of between 0.25 and 0.75 ml.

The flow rate of product to the chamber 27 during the spraying is for example between 0.1 g / min and 5 g / min, ranging for example from 0.7 to 0.9 g / min.

The pump 26 comprises for example two rotary members 28 and 29 which rotate in contact with one another, which makes it possible to close the communication between the chamber 27 and the reservoir 20 when the pump is at a standstill.

The pump 26 can be rotated by means of a first coupling member 30 accessible on one face of the casing 22, arranged to cooperate with a second coupling member 31 which is only shown schematically in FIG. figure 7 driven by the motor 13. Thus, the rotation of the motor can be transmitted, via the first and second coupling members 30 and 31, to the rotary members 28 and 29.

The spraying system may comprise, where appropriate, a gearbox between the motor 13 and the second coupling member 31.

The housing 22 also comprises, in the example in question, electrical conductors 32 intended for the electrical supply of the piezoelectric device 3, the housing 2 housing corresponding electrical contacts connected to the control circuit 12.

During the introduction of the refill 30 in the housing 2, the first and second coupling members 30 and 31 cooperate and the conductors 32 can be supplied by the control circuit 12.

The operation of the spraying system 1 during the spraying cycle is for example the following, as illustrated in FIG. figure 11 .

First, pressing the push-button 15 is detected by the control circuit 12 in step 40.

The circuit 12 can then control the operation of the piezoelectric device 3 in step 41, then that of the motor 13 so as to cause in step 42 the circulation of the product to the chamber 27.

The spraying can take place, for example, as long as the user holds down the pushbutton 15.

When the release thereof is detected in step 43, the operation of the piezoelectric device 3 can be maintained while the direction of rotation of the motor 13 is reversed, so that the pump 26 empties the chamber 27. After a predefined duration, the piezoelectric device 3 can be stopped in step 45.

Even a relatively viscous product can be repeatedly sprayed by the piezoelectric spraying device, since drying and the formation of a large solid deposit of product in the feed chamber between two time-spaced uses is avoided.

The chamber 27 may be powered by a channel 48 located in the lower part thereof. This channel 48 preferably has a small section.

The control circuit 12 may be arranged to signal to the user by means of the inclinometer 19, for example by emitting a light and / or sound signal, that the spraying system 1 is not in the most suitable orientation. the complete emptying of the chamber 27, in this case head up in the example of the figure 6 .

The control circuit 12 can also, if necessary, record the operating time of the motor 13 when it drives the pump 26 so as to supply the product to the chamber 27. This operating time thus counted can be compared to a preset value and the control circuit 12 may be arranged to warn the user of the imminent emptying of the tank 20 by emitting for example a sound and / or light signal.

The alarm 17 is for example an LED which changes color or which flashes when the reservoir 20 is empty or practically empty. This LED can also light to indicate that the device is working properly.

Once empty, the refill 10 can be removed and replaced by a new refill, the reservoir 20 is full.

The invention is not limited to a particular drive means for circulating the product to the chamber 27 from the tank 20 or vice versa, and one can use various types of pumps, for example using a peristaltic pump, to gears or screw.

The reservoir 20 may be further defined at least partially by a piston 65, as illustrated in FIG. figure 8 and the motor 13 can drive a pusher 50 which moves the piston 20 in one direction or another, depending on whether it is desired to supply the chamber 27 or empty it.

The invention is not limited to the spraying of a single product and the housing 2 may for example receive at least two refills which are for example each associated with a spraying device 3, the housing 2 may comprise in this case two openings 4a and 4b for respectively spraying each of the products, as illustrated in FIG. figure 9 .

The spraying system 1 may then comprise a selector 52 which allows the user to choose one or the other of the products, or even to allow the simultaneous spraying of the two products with a user-determined ratio, the control can for example in this case control the respective engines of the corresponding pumps with different speeds of rotation depending on the relative proportion of the products to be sprayed.

Products can also be sprayed together through a single opening, as shown in figure 10 .

In this case, the spraying system may comprise two tanks respectively containing the two products to be sprayed and corresponding pumps for feeding a single chamber associated with the spraying device.

The piezoelectric device can be made in various ways and comprise for example any form of vibrating membrane. The invention is not limited either to a feed chamber of the piezoelectric device of particular shape. The shape of the feed chamber of the piezoelectric device may in particular depend on the shape of the vibrating membrane.

If necessary, the recharging may comprise means for informing the control circuit 12 on the nature of the product contained therein, for example reliefs cooperating with contactors of the housing and whose state is analyzed by the control circuit .

The refill can also comprise an electronic memory or a barcode containing information representative of the product contained inside, and possibly also additional characteristics, such as, for example, information relating to the spraying conditions of the product, for example the flow rate. supply of the piezoelectric device.

Any type of piezoelectric device comprising one to be vibrated and a piezoelectric element intended to vibrate the membrane and which is adapted to spray the product concerned can be used.

The piezoelectric device may for example have a shape as disclosed in the application WO 9116997 .

The expression "having one" shall be understood as being synonymous with "having at least one", unless the opposite is specified.

Claims (24)

1. A Piezoelectric spraying system (1), comprising:

   - a case (2) defining at least one housing to receive at least one removable refill (10), the latter comprising:

   - at least one reservoir (20) containing a product to be sprayed;

   - part of at least one piezoelectric spraying device (3); and

   - at least one product supply system (26; 65) for the piezoelectric spraying device,
   the piezoelectric spraying system further comprising:

   - an electric motor (13) housed in the case so as to activate the product supply system of the refill; and

   - a control circuit (12) of the operation of the motor and of the piezoelectric spraying device,

   the system being characterized by the fact that the piezoelectric spraying device (3) comprises a membrane (71) for being brought into vibration, carried by the removable refill (10), and a piezoelectric element (70) for bringing the membrane into vibration.
2. A system according to claim 1, wherein the piezoelectric element (70) is carried by the removable refill (10) and is linked to the membrane (71).
3. A system according to claim 1, wherein the piezoelectric element (71) is carried by the case (2).
4. A system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the product supply system for the refill comprises a pump (26).
5. A system according to claim 4, wherein the pump comprises two rotary members (28, 29) turning in contact with each other.
6. A system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the refill comprises a supply chamber (27) for the piezoelectric device (3).
7. A system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the reservoir (20) comprises a flexible pocket.
8. A system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the case (2) comprises a base portion housing the motor (13) and a removable lid (5) comprising an opening (4) through which the product is sprayed.
9. A system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the case comprises on the top, a push-button (15) enabling to trigger a spraying cycle.
10. A system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the product is a make-up composition, in particular a foundation.
11. A system according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the product is an auto-bronzing composition.
12. A system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the case (2) is arranged to receive at least two refills containing the first and second compositions respectively, wherein the system comprises two corresponding electric motors, and wherein the control circuit is arranged to control the motors according to relative proportions of the first and second compositions to be sprayed.
13. A system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the control circuit is arranged to count the spraying duration and according to this duration, supply the user with information informing the user about the degree of emptying in the reservoir.
14. A system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the product is non-polarizable.
15. A refill (10) for a piezoelectric spraying system (1), comprising:

    - at least one reservoir (20) containing a product to be sprayed;

    - a part of at least one piezoelectric spraying device (3); and

    - at least one product supply system (26; 65) for the piezoelectric spraying device, this supply system comprising at least one movable member of which the movement causes the composition to flow from the reservoir towards the spraying device,

    the refill being characterized by the fact that the piezoelectric device (3) includes a membrane (71) for being brought into vibration.
16. A refill according to claim 15, wherein the piezoelectric device (3) includes a piezoelectric element (70) linked to the membrane, the piezoelectric element (70) being for bringing the membrane (71) into vibration.
17. A refill according to claim 15, wherein the refill is devoid of any piezoelectric element.
18. A refill according to any one of claims 15 to 17, wherein the product supply system comprises a pump (26).
19. A refill according to claim 18, wherein the pump (26) comprises two rotary members turning in contact with each other.
20. A refill according to any one of claims 15 to 19, wherein the refill comprises a supply chamber (27) of the piezoelectric device (3).
21. A refill according to any one of claims 15 to 20, wherein the reservoir (20) comprises a flexible pocket.
22. A refill according to any one of claims 15 to 21, wherein the product is a make-up composition, in particular a foundation.
23. A refill according to any one of claims 15 to 21, wherein the product is an auto-bronzing composition.
24. A refill according to any one of claims 15 to 23, wherein the product is non-polarizable.

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