EP3953051B1 - Two-piece nozzle for aerosol dispensers - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a two-piece nozzle for an aerosol dispenser.

Many products are applied in aerosol form. To spray a product contained in a pressurized aerosol dispenser, a diffuser is placed at the valve outlet, which serves on the one hand to actuate the valve and on the other hand to direct the jet in a predefined direction. For this purpose, the diffuser is equipped with a conduit leading from the valve stem to an outlet orifice. In order to obtain a spray with finely divided droplets and not a jet of liquid or drops, a nozzle is generally placed at the outlet of the conduit. This nozzle traditionally consists of a cup-shaped insert with a small central orifice in its base and fitted onto a stud made in the diffuser, at the end of the conduit. The diffuser conduit ends with one or more longitudinal channels distributed around the circumference of the stud. Another solution is to place a two-piece nozzle in a cavity made at the end of the diffuser duct, namely an inner part fulfilling the function of the diffuser tenon and an outer part similar to the insert. The longitudinal channels are then placed either on the inner part or on the outer part. Such a two-piece nozzle is known, for example, from US 9,527,092 B2 or the document WO 03/061839 A1 . To improve spray quality, converging channels are placed in the bottom of the insert or on the front face of the tenon or inner part, opening tangentially into a circular or annular turbulence chamber surrounding the outlet orifice. This is called a swirl nozzle (mechanical break-up or MBU). The determining factors for spray quality include the geometry and distribution of the channels, the diameter of the outlet orifice and the conical shape of the outlet orifice. However, current injection techniques for inserts do not reliably produce outlet orifices with diameters less than 0.2 mm.

Furthermore, mastering the mounting of the insert in the diffuser or the assembly of the two-piece nozzle is complex and the quality of the spray depends heavily on the angular positioning of the insert on the tenon of the diffuser or the inner part relative to the outer part. To ensure that the longitudinal channels coincide with the converging channels when they are not made on the same part, it is common to design the longitudinal channels with angular sectors much larger than those of the converging channels. Even if the insert or the outer part is not exactly oriented relative to the tenon or the interior part, the converging channels are necessarily in the continuity of the longitudinal channels.

The objective of the invention is therefore to improve the two-piece nozzles of the state of the art.

• une pièce extérieure munie d'une paroi tubulaire ouverte d'un côté et fermée de l'autre par une paroi frontale en formant une cavité, la paroi frontale étant munie en son centre d'une ouverture de sortie, la pièce extérieure présentant une certaine symétrie autour d'un axe de symétrie,
• une pièce intérieure indépendante du diffuseur auquel la buse est destinée, laquelle pièce intérieure est dimensionnée pour pénétrer dans la cavité de la pièce extérieure en y étant retenue, la pièce intérieure présentant une face frontale en regard de la paroi frontale de la pièce extérieure et une face latérale à la suite de la face frontale,
• des canaux étant réalisés dans la cavité de la pièce extérieure et/ou sur la surface de la pièce intérieure, lesquels canaux débouchent dans une chambre de turbulence centrale en communication avec l'ouverture de sortie, l'ouverture de sortie étant placée dans le chemin d'écoulement du flux de produit en aval de la chambre de turbulence.

This objective is achieved by a nozzle for an aerosol diffuser, in particular for a pressurized aerosol diffuser, comprising

• an outer part provided with a tubular wall open on one side and closed on the other by a front wall forming a cavity, the front wall being provided in its center with an outlet opening, the outer part having a certain symmetry around an axis of symmetry,
• an inner part independent of the diffuser for which the nozzle is intended, which inner part is sized to penetrate into the cavity of the outer part and be retained therein, the inner part having a front face opposite the front wall of the outer part and a side face following the front face,
• channels being provided in the cavity of the outer part and/or on the surface of the inner part, which channels open into a central swirl chamber in communication with the outlet opening, the outlet opening being placed in the flow path of the product stream downstream of the swirl chamber.

According to the invention, the channels are divided into lateral channels made in the lateral face of the inner part and/or in the inner face of the tubular wall of the outer part, and into converging channels made in the front wall of the outer part or in the front face of the inner part. For a better effect, the cross-section of the lateral channels decreases between the upstream end of the channels, located opposite the front face or the front wall, and the downstream end of the channels, located on the side of the front face or the front wall. In particular, the lateral channels may have a bottom wall surrounded by two side walls, the side walls approaching each other in the direction of the front face of the inner part or the front wall of the outer part. It is also possible for the bottom wall to approach the inner face of the tubular wall of the outer part, when the lateral channels are placed on the outer part, or the lateral face of the inner part, when the lateral channels are placed on the inner part.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the side channels have a bottom wall surrounded by two side walls, the intersection between each side wall and the bottom wall forming a non-right angle, the two walls sloping relative to the bottom wall preferably in the same direction, the two walls preferably being inclined at the same angle and/or the two walls preferably extending parallel to each other.

In a preferred embodiment, the front face of the inner part is free of projection, or the front face of the inner part has a projection, the end of which does not penetrate into the outlet opening.

The cavity of the outer part and the inner part preferably have the shape of a cylinder of revolution or a cone of revolution around the axis of symmetry. It goes without saying that it would also be possible to provide other shapes, in particular a cylinder or a cone with a polygonal base. Similarly, it would be possible for the front face of the inner part and/or that of the front wall of the outer part to be curved, for example hemispherical.

Depending on requirements, the side channels may be substantially straight and parallel to an axial plane passing through them defined by a main axis passing through the center of the nozzle. In such a case, the length of the channels is the shortest. It is also possible for the channels not to be straight and to diverge from an axial plane defined by the main axis passing through the center of the nozzle. In particular, the side channels may be helical in shape. This latter shape is particularly simple to achieve on the inner part. In such a case, the channels are longer. Changing the length of the side channels allows the flow rate of the material stream to be adapted. It is also possible by tilting the side channels, at least at their junction with the converging channels, to orient the flow in a predetermined and optimized manner as it enters the converging channels, which contributes to perfecting the quality of the spray. This way, angles, or at least excessively large angles, can be avoided at the junction between the lateral channels and the converging channels, which are generally themselves inclined relative to the radiant plane.

The converging channels may extend from the envelope defining the side face of the inner part or the internal face of the tubular wall of the outer part towards the turbulence chamber into which they preferably open tangentially.

The inner part has a rear face, preferably substantially flat, provided with a peripheral edge projecting in the direction opposite to the front face, one or more passages being made in the peripheral edge to bring the inner face and the outer face of said peripheral edge into contact. When the lateral channels are made in the side wall of the inner part, the passages passing through the projecting edge preferably open into said lateral channels. Thus, the product leaving the outlet channel of the diffuser can enter the recess located inside the peripheral edge, pass through the passage(s) to reach the lateral channels of the inner part or the outer part.

It may be advantageous for the nozzle to be immobilized in the cavity, in particular to ensure exact alignment of the lateral channels and the converging channels. In this case, the nozzle may be provided with fixing means for fixing the inner part in the cavity of the outer part so that it is immobilized in the cavity. Another solution is to dimension the inner part so that it is retained by clamping in the cavity of the outer part so that it is immobilized there. To facilitate the assembly of the inner part in the outer part, the inner part and/or the outer part may be provided with first orientation means for orienting the inner part relative to the outer part in order to align the channels with each other. Another solution is to orient the inner part before transferring it into the cavity of the outer part.

In other cases, on the contrary, it may be advantageous for the inner part to be able to rotate in the outer part. In this case, the nozzle may be provided with retaining means for retaining the inner part in the cavity of the outer part so that it is rotatable in the cavity around the axis of symmetry.

• les canaux latéraux sont placés sur face latérale de la pièce intérieure, la section transversale des canaux latéraux diminuant depuis l'extrémité amont, située à l'opposé de la face frontale, et l'extrémité aval, située du côté de la face frontale, les canaux latéraux étant munis d'une paroi de fond entourée de deux parois latérales qui chacune forme un angle non droit avec la paroi de fond, les deux parois latérales s'étendant de préférence parallèlement l'une à l'autre ;
• les canaux convergents sont placés sur la paroi frontale de la pièce extérieure ;
• la face frontale de la pièce intérieure est exempte de saillie ou présente une saillie dont l'extrémité opposée à la face frontale ne pénètre pas dans l'ouverture de sortie de la paroi frontale de la partie extérieure ;
• la pièce intérieure étant de préférence dimensionnée pour être retenue par serrage dans la cavité de la pièce extérieure de sorte à y être immobilisée.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention,

• the side channels are placed on the side face of the inner part, the cross-section of the side channels decreasing from the upstream end, located opposite the front face, and the downstream end, located on the side of the front face, the side channels being provided with a bottom wall surrounded by two side walls which each form a non-right angle with the bottom wall, the two side walls preferably extending parallel to each other;
• the converging channels are placed on the front wall of the outer room;
• the front face of the inner part is free from projection or has a projection whose end opposite the front face does not penetrate into the outlet opening of the front wall of the outer part;
• the inner part preferably being sized to be clamped into the cavity of the outer part so as to be immobilized therein.

When the nozzle is to be used with two-way valves, provision may be made for the diffuser duct to extend the separation of the two ways to its outlet end and for part of the nozzle channels to be intended for one of the ways and the rest of the channels for the other way. In this case, it is preferable to provide the nozzle with second orientation means to orient the nozzle relative to the diffuser for which it is intended. Another solution consists of separating the channels sufficiently from each other, or giving them a sufficiently small angular deployment, so that the same duct cannot be in contact simultaneously with both ways.

It is possible to provide a rear wall of the interior room with diverging channels, preferably opening into the side channels.

The nozzle of the invention may be sold alone or be mounted in a housing of an aerosol diffuser, the housing being able to have a bottom face provided with diverging channels.

Fig. 1

une vue en perspective de dessus de la pièce intérieure d'une première buse selon l'invention ;

Fig. 2

une vue en perspective de dessous de la pièce intérieure de la Fig. 1 ;

Fig. 3

une vue de dessous de la pièce intérieure de la Fig. 1 ;

Fig. 4

une vue de côté de la pièce intérieure de la Fig. 1 ;

Fig. 5

une vue en perspective de dessous de la pièce extérieure de la 1^ère buse ;

Fig. 6

une vue en coupe axiale de la 1^ère buse ;

Fig. 7

une vue en coupe radiale de la 1^ère buse ;

Fig. 8

une vue éclatée d'une deuxième buse selon l'invention ;

Fig. 9

une vue en perspective de la pièce intérieure de la 2^ème buse ;

Fig. 10

une vue en perspective du dessous de la pièce extérieure de la 2^ème buse ;

Fig. 11

une vue de dessous de la pièce extérieure de la 2^ème buse ;

Fig. 12

une coupe axiale de la pièce extérieure de la 2^ème buse ;

Fig. 13

une coupe horizontale en perspective de la pièce extérieure selon le plan A-A de la figure 18 ;

Fig. 14

une vue en perspective de dessous de la 2^ème buse ;

Fig. 15

une vue en perspective de dessus de la 2^ème buse ;

Fig. 16

une coupe horizontale de la 2^ème buse selon le plan A-A de la Fig. 18 ;

Fig. 17

une coupe horizontale de la 2^ème buse selon le plan B-B de la Fig. 18 ;

Fig. 18

une coupe verticale de la 2^ème buse selon le plan C-C de la Fig. 17 ;

Fig. 19

une coupe en perspective de la 2^ème buse selon le plan D-D de la Fig. 18

Fig. 20

une vue en perspective d'une variante de la pièce intérieure de la première buse.

The invention is described in more detail below using two exemplary embodiments presented in the following figures which show:

Fig. 1

a perspective view from above of the inner part of a first nozzle according to the invention;

Fig. 2

a perspective view from below of the interior room of the Fig. 1 ;

Fig. 3

a bottom view of the interior room of the Fig. 1 ;

Fig. 4

a side view of the interior room of the Fig. 1 ;

Fig. 5

a perspective view from below of the outer part of the ^1st nozzle;

Fig. 6

an axial sectional view of the ^1st nozzle;

Fig. 7

a radial sectional view of the ^1st nozzle;

Fig. 8

an exploded view of a second nozzle according to the invention;

Fig. 9

a perspective view of the inner part of the ^2nd nozzle;

Fig. 10

a perspective view of the bottom of the outer part of the ^2nd nozzle;

Fig. 11

a bottom view of the outer part of the ^2nd nozzle;

Fig. 12

an axial section of the outer part of the ^2nd nozzle;

Fig. 13

a horizontal perspective section of the exterior room according to plan AA of the figure 18 ;

Fig. 14

a perspective view from below of the ^2nd nozzle;

Fig. 15

a perspective view from above of the ^2nd nozzle;

Fig. 16

a horizontal section of the ^2nd nozzle according to plane AA of the Fig. 18 ;

Fig. 17

a horizontal section of the ^2nd nozzle according to plane BB of the Fig. 18 ;

Fig. 18

a vertical section of the ^2nd nozzle according to the CC plane of the Fig. 17 ;

Fig. 19

a perspective section of the ^2nd nozzle according to plan DD of the Fig. 18

Fig. 20

a perspective view of a variant of the inner part of the first nozzle.

The invention relates to a nozzle (1, 2) for an aerosol dispenser to be placed on a valve of a pressurized container. The nozzle can also be used with an aerosol dispenser cooperating with a container that is not pressurized. The nozzle consists of an inner part (11, 21) and an outer part (12, 22). Two examples of nozzles are shown in the figures. The constituent elements of variants are indicated by a "'" sign.

The nozzle and its components have a certain rotational symmetry around a principal axis (A) passing through the nozzle parallel to the general direction of diffusion of the product. It will be seen that this rotational symmetry is not absolute, certain parts of the nozzle deviating from it. The adjectives "axial" or "radial" relate to this principal axis and define an element parallel to the axis or perpendicular to this axis respectively. To simplify the description, spatial references such as "upper" and "lower", "above" or "below" refer to the nozzle and its components as represented for example on the Fig. 6 or the Fig. 18 for example. This is not an absolute position, but only a reference position for the description, the nozzle integrated in a diffuser can be used in any position suitable for the product to be delivered.

The outer part (12, 22) has the general shape of a bucket formed by a tubular wall (121, 221) open on one side and closed on the other by a front wall (122, 222). The cavity defined by the tubular wall and the front wall has the general shape of a cylinder of revolution or a cone of revolution. An outlet opening (123, 223) is made in the center of the front wall to bring the cavity into contact with the external face of the front wall.

The inner part (11, 21) has the general shape of a cylinder of revolution or a cone of revolution essentially complementary to that of the cavity of the outer part. It has a front face (111, 211) which, in the mounted state of the nozzle, is opposite the wall front (122, 222) of the outer part, generally being partially in contact with it. The front face (111, 211) is free of projection. It is preferably smooth or substantially smooth. A projection could be provided, but this does not penetrate into the outlet orifice (123, 223).

The inner part has a substantially flat rear face (115, 215). It is provided with a peripheral edge (115a) projecting in the opposite direction to the front face (111). One or more passages (115b) are provided in the peripheral edge to bring the inner face and the outer face of said peripheral edge into contact. These passages (115b) open into the lateral channels (112) when said lateral channels are made in the side wall of the inner part. This is the case of the ^1st nozzle, as is clearly visible in the Fig. 2 notably.

Channels are provided in the inner part and/or in the outer part to bring the product to be diffused coming from the valve to the outlet opening (123, 223) of the nozzle. These channels are divided into two parts: lateral channels (112, 112', 224) leading from the nozzle inlet to the front wall and converging channels (125, 225) leading from the end of the lateral channels (112, 224) to a turbulence chamber (127, 227) from which the outlet opening (123, 223) starts. The lateral channels can be provided on the cylindrical or frustoconical wall of the inner part (11) as in the first nozzle or on the internal face of the tubular wall (221) of the outer part as in the second nozzle. In the examples presented here, the converging channels (125, 225) are made in the bottom of the bucket, on the internal face of the front wall (122, 222) of the outer part. It would however be possible to make them on the front face (111, 211) of the inner part (11, 21).

The converging channels are used to form the spray. These channels start from the peripheral edge of the front wall (122, 222) of the cavity of the outer part or from the front face (111, 211) of the inner part, and open tangentially, or at least non-radially, into a circular cavity so that when the two parts are assembled, a turbulence chamber (127, 227) is formed, promoting the formation of the spray. This is the process known as "mechanical break-up".

The outlet opening (223, 223') is always located downstream of the central swirl chamber (227, 227') and, when placed on the axis of symmetry (A), behind the swirl chamber in the direction of flow of the product, but it does not start necessarily closer to the external face of the front wall (222) than certain parts of the converging channels. In other words, the outlet opening can be surrounded in its lower part by at least part of the converging channels without them however opening into this outlet opening. This is clearly visible for example on the section of the Fig. 18 .

The side channels (112, 224) may be vertical, as in the exemplary embodiments presented in Fig. 1 And Fig. 8 . In other words, the channels are straight and extend parallel to an axial plane passing through them defined by the axis of symmetry (A). They define the shortest path between the nozzle inlet and the converging channels. It is also possible to make them with a geometry that deviates from the vertical. For example, they can be helical in shape as in the Fig. 20 , or even zigzag. In this case, the lateral channels (112') do not extend parallel to an axial plane defined by the axis of symmetry (A), but diverge from this axial plane. This makes it possible to lengthen the channels while maintaining the same height for the nozzle. Generally speaking, the shorter the channel, the greater the flow rate. By moving the lateral channels away from the vertical, their length is increased, which makes it possible to adapt the flow rate to specific needs while maintaining the same size for the nozzle. In addition, it is possible to incline the product flow, at least at the junction with the converging channels, which allows the flow to penetrate these converging channels optimally.

In the example of the ^1st nozzle, the side channels are placed on the inner part (11). The cross-section of these side channels decreases slightly between the inlet located at the lower face (115) and the outlet located at the front face (111).

The side channels (112, 112', 224) may have a bottom wall (112a) surrounded by two side walls (112b). To reduce the cross-section of the side channels, it is possible, for example, to bring the side walls (112b) closer to each other in the direction of the front wall (122, 222) or the front face (111, 211). In other words, the closer one is to the bottom face (115), the further apart the side walls are, while the closer one is to the front face (111), the closer they are. This is clearly visible on the Figures 3 and 4 . In an alternative or complementary variant, it is the bottom wall (112a) which gets closer and closer to the surface in which it is made. In other words, the closer one gets to the front face, the closer the bottom wall gets to the side face (113, 223) and the shallower the channel.

The two side walls (112b) of the side channels can be inclined relative to the bottom wall (112a), preferably in the same direction, generally at the same angle. This is clearly visible on the Fig. 3 in particular. It would also be possible that the two side walls (112b) extend parallel to each other.

The side channels (224) of the ^2nd nozzle are placed on the inner face of the tubular wall (221) of the outer part. They also have a cross section which decreases due to a slight inclination of the side walls and the bottom wall of the channels. In other words, the closer the side channels get to the front wall (122, 222), the closer the side walls get to each other. Another alternative or complementary solution may provide that the closer the side channels get to the front wall (122, 222), the closer the bottom wall (112a) gets to the inner face of the tubular wall (121, 221) of the outer part.

The intersection between each side wall and the bottom wall of the side channels may form a non-right angle, the two walls sloping relative to the bottom wall preferably in the same direction, the two walls preferably being sloping at the same angle. It would also be possible for the two walls to extend parallel to each other.

One of the side walls of the lateral channels is rounded and is an extension of the side wall of the converging channels. This rounded shape of the side wall helps guide the flow into the corresponding converging channel. The second side wall of the lateral channels is straight and substantially radial.

The converging channels can be placed in the front wall of the cavity of the outer part or on the front face of the inner part.

In the example of the ^2nd nozzle, there are two sets of converging channels. The converging channels of the first set start from the lateral channels and open radially into a first annular cavity from which the channels of the second set start, which open radially into a second circular or annular cavity forming the turbulence chamber (227) and from which the outlet opening (223) starts.

When the side channels and the converging channels are not made in the same part, it is preferable that the inner part (11) is well oriented with respect to the outer part (12) and that it maintains this orientation throughout the use of the diffuser carrying the nozzle in order to ensure proper operation of the nozzle and to limit the cross-section of the lateral channels (112) at their junction with converging channels. For this, it is possible to provide first orientation means, such as foolproofers or orientation markers. Another solution consists of correctly orienting the inner part before introducing it into the outer part. Furthermore, to maintain the correct orientation of the inner part in the outer part throughout the lifetime of the diffuser, the inner part (11) can be slightly oversized compared to the cavity of the outer part (12) so that it is forced in and held in the correct position by clamping. Thanks to this correct orientation of the two parts, it is possible to limit the cross-section of the lateral channels (112) since it is certain that they will open exactly into the inlet of the converging channels (125). It goes without saying that in the second nozzle too, the inner part (21) can be locked in the cavity of the outer part (22) either by orientation means or by clamping or force-fitting, although the question of the alignment of the side channels and the converging channels does not arise.

When the side channels and the converging channels are placed on the same part, in the case of the second nozzle on the outer part (22), the question of orientation does not arise. It is then possible to provide that the inner part (21) is held in the cavity of the outer part (22) while being able to rotate around the main axis (A). In this case, it is possible to provide retaining means, for example a snap-in system, which prevents the inner part from coming out of the cavity without preventing it from rotating. This solution can promote the vibration of the nozzle and create a resonance phenomenon in the flow, further improving the quality of the spray.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the nozzle is used in a diffuser for a two-way valve. In this case, the diffuser duct is designed to maintain the separation of the paths between the outlet of the valve stem and the nozzle. The first path of the valve is brought into contact with a portion of the side channels and the second path with the remainder of the side channels. The mixing of the products then takes place in the turbulence chamber. It is therefore necessary for the nozzle to be correctly oriented in the diffuser. This can be done either by maintaining the initial orientation of the nozzle, for example by keeping it in its molding cavity until it is placed in the diffuser, or by providing orientation means such as polarizing devices. Another solution consists of distributing the inlets of the side channels and/or their angular extent in such a way that, whatever whatever the position of the nozzle, the same side channel cannot be in contact simultaneously with the first channel and with the second channel.

It is further possible to provide on the rear face (115, 215) of the inner part (11, 21), the face opposite the front face (111, 211), one or more diverging channels, identical or different from the converging channels.

The outer part (12, 22) is preferably made of polyacetal such as POM. It can also be made of polyamide or semi-crystalline polyester such as PBT. The inner part (11, 21) is preferably made of polyacetal such as POM. It can also be made of polyamide or semi-crystalline polyester such as PBT. These materials offer the advantage of being fluid and allow the molding of precision parts with good geometric and dimensional stability. In addition, they are rigid, which allows good anchoring of the nozzle in the diffuser via the anchoring means (126, 226) which grip in the softer PP-type material of the diffuser. In addition, in the case where sterilization by ionizing radiation is required for the diffuser equipped with its nozzle, the PBT will have better behavior than the POM or certain PAs.

The nozzle of the invention is placed in a housing provided directly at the outlet of the duct. Anchoring means (126, 226) ensure secure attachment of the nozzle to the outlet of the diffuser duct. The nozzle thus retained cannot be ejected, even when the pressure inside the duct is high and the valve is open. If necessary, the bottom of the housing can have diverging channels opening into the lateral channels of the nozzle.

• La cavité de la pièce extérieure (12, 22) et la pièce intérieure (11, 21) peuvent avoir la forme d'un cylindre ou d'un cône, non pas de révolution, mais à base polygonale. Notamment, on peut prévoir une base polygonale ayant le même nombre de côtés qu'il y a de canaux latéraux.
• La paroi frontale (12, 22) de la pièce extérieure et la face frontale (111, 211) de la pièce intérieure sont sensiblement radiales dans les exemples présentés ici. On pourrait leur donner une autre forme, par exemple conique ou bombée, par exemple hémisphérique.
• Le nombre de canaux latéraux et de canaux convergents est généralement de deux ou de quatre. D'autres configurations peuvent être cependant envisagées.

The examples presented here are not limiting. In particular, the following variants can be considered as needed:

• The cavity of the outer part (12, 22) and the inner part (11, 21) may have the shape of a cylinder or a cone, not of revolution, but with a polygonal base. In particular, a polygonal base may be provided having the same number of sides as there are lateral channels.
• The front wall (12, 22) of the outer part and the front face (111, 211) of the inner part are substantially radial in the examples presented here. They could be given another shape, for example conical or curved, for example hemispherical.
• The number of side channels and converging channels is usually two or four. However, other configurations can be considered.

• canaux latéraux non verticaux, c.-à-d. divergents du plan axial, par exemple des canaux hélicoïdaux ;
• pièce intérieure libre en rotation dans la pièce extérieure.

It goes without saying that the following characteristics can be used independently of each other and that it would be possible to provide nozzles having one or more of these characteristics:

• non-vertical lateral channels, i.e. diverging from the axial plane, e.g. helical channels;
• free rotating inner part in the outer part.

By choosing a two-piece structure, it is possible to give all kinds of shapes to the channels, especially the side channels, and adjustable lengths for a constant given size of the internal part.

List of references

1 ^1st nozzle 2 ^2nd nozzle 11 Interior room 21 Interior room 111 Front face 211 Front face 112 Side channels 112a Back wall 112b Side walls 113 Side face 213 Side face 115 Back side 215 Back side 115a Peripheral edge 115b Passages 12 Outdoor room 22 Outdoor room 121 Tubular wall 221 Tubular wall 122 Front wall 222 Front wall 123 Exit opening 223 Exit opening 224 Side channels 125 Converging channels 225 Converging channels 126 Anchoring methods 226 Anchoring methods 127 Turbulence chamber 227 Turbulence chamber

Claims (14)

1. Two-piece nozzle for an aerosol dispenser, comprising,

   - an outer piece (12, 22) provided with a tubular wall (121, 221) open on one side and closed on another side by a front wall (122, 222) forming a cavity, the front wall being provided at a center thereof with an outlet opening (123, 223), the outer piece having a certain symmetry about an axis of symmetry (A),

   - an inner piece (11, 21) separate from the dispenser for which the nozzle is intended, which inner piece (11, 21) is dimensioned to penetrate into the cavity of the outer piece while being retained therein, the inner piece having a front face (111, 211) facing the front wall (122, 222) of the outer piece and a lateral face following the front face,

   channels (112, 125, 224, 225) being made in the cavity of the outer piece (12, 22) and/or on the surface of the inner piece (11, 21), which channels open into a turbulence chamber (127, 227) in communication with the outlet opening (123, 223), the outlet opening (123, 223) being placed in the flow path of the product flow downstream of the turbulence chamber (127, 227),

   wherein the channels are divided into lateral channels (112, 224) made in the lateral face of the inner piece (11, 21) and/or in the inner face of the tubular wall of the outer piece (12, 22), and into converging channels (125, 225) made in the front wall (122, 222) of the outer piece or in the front face (111, 211) of the inner piece.

   characterized in that

   - the transverse cross-section of the lateral channels (112, 112', 224) decreases between the upstream end of the channels, located opposite to the front face (111, 211) or the front wall (122, 222), and the downstream end of the channels, located on the side of the front face (111, 211) or the front wall (122, 222), and in that

   - the inner piece has a rear face (115, 215) provided with a peripheral edge projecting in the direction opposite to the front face (111, 211), one or more passages being made in the peripheral edge to bring in contact the inner face and the outer face of said peripheral edge, which passages open into the lateral channels when said lateral channels are made in the lateral wall of the inner piece.
2. Nozzle (1, 2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the lateral channels (112, 112', 224) have a bottom wall (112a) surrounded by two side walls (112b), and in that the closer the side channels come to the front wall (122, 222) or the front face (111, 211), the closer the side walls (112b) come to each other and/or the closer the bottom wall (112a) comes to the inner face of the tubular wall (121, 221) of the outer piece, when the channels are placed on the outer piece, or to the lateral face of the inner piece, when the channels are placed on the inner piece.
3. Nozzle (1, 2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the lateral channels have a bottom wall surrounded by two side walls, the intersection between each side wall and the bottom wall forming a non-right angle, the two walls being preferably inclined relative to the bottom wall in the same direction, the two walls preferably being inclined at the same angle and/or the two walls preferably extending parallel to each other.
4. Nozzle (1, 2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the front face (111, 211) of the inner piece is free of protrusion, or in that the front face (111, 211) of the inner piece has a protrusion, the end of which does not penetrate into the outlet opening (123, 223').
5. Nozzle (1, 2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cavity of the outer piece (12, 22) and the inner piece (11, 21) have the shape of a cylinder of revolution or of a cone of revolution about the axis of symmetry (A).
6. Nozzle (1, 2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the lateral channels (112, 224) are substantially rectilinear and parallel to an axial plane passing through them and defined by a main axis (A) passing through the center of the nozzle.
7. Nozzle (1, 2) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the lateral channels are not rectilinear and diverge from an axial plane defined by a main axis (A) passing through the center of the nozzle, the lateral channels preferably having a helical shape.
8. Nozzle (1, 2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the converging channels extend from the envelope that defines the lateral face of the inner piece or the inner face of the tubular wall of the outer piece toward the turbulence chamber (127, 227) into which they open preferably tangentially.
9. Nozzle (1, 2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the rear face (115, 215) of the inner piece is substantially planar.
10. Nozzle (1, 2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that

    - the nozzle is provided with fixing means for fixing the inner piece (11, 21) in the cavity of the outer piece (12, 22) so that it is immobilized in the cavity, or in that

    - the inner piece (11, 21) is dimensioned to be retained by a tight fit in the cavity of the outer piece (12, 22) so as to be immobilized therein.
11. Nozzle (1, 2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that

    - the inner piece and/or the outer piece are provided with first orientation means for orienting the inner piece relative to the outer piece in order to align the channels with one another, and/or in that

    - the nozzle (1, 2) is provided with second orientation means for orienting the nozzle relative to the dispenser for which it is intended.
12. Nozzle (1, 2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that

    - the lateral channels are placed on the lateral face of the inner piece, the transverse cross-section of the lateral channels decreasing from the upstream end, located opposite to the front face, and the downstream end, located on the side of the front face, the lateral channels being provided with a bottom wall surrounded by two side walls which each form a non-right angle with the bottom wall, the two side walls preferably extending parallel to each other;

    - the converging channels are placed on the front wall of the outer piece;

    - the front face of the inner piece is free of protrusion, or has a protrusion whose end opposite to the front face does not penetrate into the outlet opening of the front wall of the outer piece;

    - the inner piece preferably being dimensioned to be retained by a tight fit in the cavity of the outer piece so as to be immobilized therein.
13. Nozzle (1, 2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the inner piece (11, 21) has a rear face (115, 215) provided with divergent channels, preferably opening into the lateral channels.
14. Nozzle (1, 2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the nozzle is mounted in a housing of an aerosol dispenser, the housing possibly having a bottom face provided with divergent channels.

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