EP1886938B1 - Spray nozzle and device for dispensing a liquid - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a device for dispensing a liquid according to the preamble of claim 1.

The term "liquid" is to be understood in particular also suspensions and fluids, possibly with gas phases. For example, it can be detergents or lubricants or other liquids, for example air fresheners, and in particular also other technical fluids and fluids, such as rust remover or the like.

From practice, a device with a spray head for dispensing a liquid is already known, wherein the spray head has a nozzle for atomizing the liquid into a spray. If necessary, a long dispensing tube (the length corresponds in particular essentially to the height of the elongate container with the liquid) can be mounted in front of the nozzle by insertion into the spray head in order to be able to dispense the liquid as a jet. The disadvantage is that the long output tube can be lost very easily, since it is completely separable from the spray head.

Further, a similar device is known in which the spray head projects laterally beyond the container and the long dispensing tube can be hinged laterally to the container or folded upwardly in front of the nozzle for dispensing the liquid as a jet. In this device, there is no problem that the discharge tube can be lost. The disadvantage, however, is that the laterally projecting spray head requires a special assembly that can not be performed with the conventional mounting devices that the laterally hanging on the container output tube can be damaged or even demolished inappropriate transport, that the laterally hanging down on the container output tube when gripping the container for a user can be distracting and that a conventional cover or protective cap to cover the spray head does not fit on the container.

The US 6,796,464 B1 , disclosing all features of the preamble of claim 1, relates to a spray head disposed on a container. The spray head has a fold-out dispensing tube, a joint disposed at one end of the tube, and a separate nozzle channel in the joint. When the dispensing tube is open, the liquid is passed through the dispensing tube via the joint. When the dispensing tube is folded in, liquid can also be dispensed through the nozzle channel.

The US 5,967,420 A relates to a nozzle arrangement for generating spray jets in different directions. The arrangement has an actuating cap with a receptacle for a valve element. Furthermore, protrudes from the cap from a horizontal connector. At the end of the connector is a joint having a long discharge pipe and a nozzle arranged. When the delivery pipe is in the vertical position, liquid is emitted horizontally through the nozzle. In the horizontal position of the delivery tube, liquid is dispensed horizontally through the delivery tube.

In the FR 2 462 941 A1 a spray head for dispensing liquids is described. The spray head has a dispensing tube with a hinge so that a portion of the dispensing tube is vertically hinged.

The DE 116 431 A1 relates to an aerosol container with a valve element and a pivotable dispensing tube disposed on the container. In the vertical position of the dispensing tube, the valve element can be actuated axially and a product output. In horizontal position of the dispensing tube, the device is secured against undesired operation.

In the US 6,720,042 a spray head for generating different spray patterns is described. The spray head is mounted on a valve element and has a nozzle for vertical output. Laterally on the spray head, a second spray head is arranged, which can be folded in front of the first nozzle or the first spray head and thus changes the spray pattern.

The US 4,858,792 A relates to an output device with a spray head and a pivotable dispensing tube. The dispensing tube is hinged to the side of the container arranged and pivotable in a horizontal position, wherein a connection to the valve element is established.

The US 3,116,856 A discloses a spray head for an aerosol container with a pivotable dispensing tube. The dispensing tube can be folded into a vertical position parallel to the container via a joint arranged on the spray head.

The present invention has for its object to provide a spray head and a device for dispensing a liquid that allow an optional output of the liquid as a spray and jet, with a compact design and easy assembly are possible and / or a conventional cap on the spray head or the device or a container containing the liquid fits.

The above object is achieved by a device according to claim 1. Advantageous developments are the subject of the dependent claims.

A first aspect of the present invention resides in the fact that the spray head-with the dispensing tube connected to the nozzle and / or in particular not connected-does not protrude laterally beyond the container and / or preferably fits under the protective cap.

A second aspect is that the dispensing tube is shorter than the container diameter or the inner diameter of the protective cap.

A third aspect is that the dispensing tube can be folded upwardly away from the nozzle.

A fourth aspect is that the spray head has a preferably groove-like and / or upper-side recess for receiving the dispensing tube.

The above aspects allow individually and / or in combination a particularly compact and simple construction, with a simple, intuitive operation is possible, the dispensing tube interfere with the use as little as possible, a conventional cap can be used, with a lateral overhang of the spray head on the container is not required, wherein the risk of injury is minimized by the dispensing tube, as it preferably does not project laterally beyond the container, and / or wherein a lateral drooping of the dispensing tube is avoided on the container.

Fig. 1

einen schematischen Schnitt eines oberen Teils einer vorschlagsgemäßen Vorrichtung zur Ausgabe einer Flüssigkeit mit eingeklapptem Ausgaberohr;

Fig. 2

eine perspektivische Ansicht des oberen Teils der Vorrichtung gemäß Fig. 1;

Fig. 3

einen schematischen, zu Fig. 1 korrespondierenden Schnitt des oberen Teil der Vorrichtung bei ausgeklapptern Ausgaberohr; und

Fig. 4

eine perspektivische Ansicht des oberen Teils der Vorrichtung gemäß Fig. 3.

Further advantages, features, characteristics and aspects of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment with reference to the drawing. It shows:

Fig. 1

a schematic section of an upper part of a proposed device for dispensing a liquid with folded dispensing tube;

Fig. 2

a perspective view of the upper part of the device according to Fig. 1 ;

Fig. 3

a schematic, too Fig. 1 corresponding section of the upper part of the device with unfolded output tube; and

Fig. 4

a perspective view of the upper part of the device according to Fig. 3 ,

In the figures, the same reference numerals are used for the same or similar parts, and corresponding or comparable properties and advantages are achieved, even if a repeated description is omitted.

Fig. 1 shows in a schematic section a proposed device 1 - in particular a spray can - for dispensing a liquid 2 in the sense mentioned above.

The device 1 has a preferably elongated and / or cylindrical and / or rigid container 3 - in particular a metallic can - for the liquid 2 and a valve 4 preferably arranged on the front side of the container 3

The liquid 2 in the container 3 is either pressurizable or under pressure. In particular, the container 3 or the liquid 2 contains a suitable propellant, preferably a volatile and / or flammable propellant, compressed gas and / or carbon dioxide.

On the container 3 or valve 4, a spray head 5 is mounted, which is attached in particular after filling of the container 3 with the liquid 2, In the illustrated example, the spray head 5 is attached. However, it can also be attached in any other suitable manner - if necessary releasably.

The spray head 5 has a nozzle on the discharge side 6 for atomizing the liquid 2 and output. In the illustrated example, the nozzle 6 is formed as a separate part and, for example, subsequently inserted into the spray head 5 or injected into it. However, the nozzle 6 may also be formed in one piece with the spray head 5, in particular directly formed therefrom,

The spray head 5 is preferably made by injection molding of a suitable plastic and preferably - if necessary, with the exception of the nozzle 6 - integrally formed.

Upon actuation of the valve 4 - in the illustrated embodiment by depressing the spray head 5 - opens the valve 4. The pressurized liquid 2 can then flow in particular via a riser 7 and through the valve 4 and output via the spray head 5, wherein the liquid exits through the nozzle 6 and in particular as a spray N is atomized, as in Fig. 2 indicated.

The spray head 5 is preferably formed substantially cylindrical or rotationally symmetrical, more preferably substantially frusto-conical.

The spray head 5 is preferably arranged on the front side and / or in the middle of the container 3, particularly preferably adjacent to a lid 8 closing the container 3. Particularly preferably, the spray head 5 extends substantially in the axial direction with respect to the longitudinal axis of the container 3.

The lid 8 is connected in a conventional manner with the container 3 - in particular in the region of an edge 9 - for example by crimping. The lid 8 carries or holds in the illustrated example, the valve 4, which in turn carries the spray head 5 and holds.

For actuation of the spray head 5, namely for depression, the spray head 5 is preferably provided with an actuating surface 10, in particular substantially flat or flat or smooth and / or arranged at the free end of the spray head 5 and / or preferably slightly to the direction of actuation or Container axis is inclined. The main discharge direction of the nozzle 6 is - in the illustrated example in FIG Fig. 1 substantially horizontal - only slightly inclined relative to the main plane of the actuating surface 10, in the illustrated embodiment, preferably less than 20 degrees.

It should be noted that the diameter of the spray head 5 is preferably less than 50%, in particular less than 40%, in particular substantially 35%, of the diameter of the container 3 or container rim 9.

The spray head 5 has, according to the proposal, a dispensing tube 11, which can optionally be connected on the outlet side to the nozzle 6, in particular in front of the nozzle 6, is foldable. By means of the dispensing tube 11, the liquid 2 can optionally be sprayed as N (without dispensing tube 11 directly, cf. Fig. 2 ) or as a jet S (passing through the delivery tube 11, cf. Fig. 4 ).

Fig. 1 shows the proposed device 1 with the proposed spray head 5 with folded output tube eleventh Fig. 2 shows in a perspective view of the device 1 with the spray head 5 with folded output tube eleventh Fig. 3 shows in one too Fig. 1 corresponding schematic section of the device 1 with the spray head 5 with unfolded output tube eleventh Fig. 4 shows in one too Fig. 2 corresponding perspective view of the device 1 with the spray head 5 with unfolded output tube eleventh

In Fig. 2 is additionally indicated schematically, as the liquid 2 is discharged directly from the nozzle 6 as a spray N. In Fig. 4 is schematically indicated how the liquid 2 is discharged through the nozzle 6 and the subsequent discharge tube 11 as a spray jet S.

In Fig. 1 and 3 is schematically (dashed) an optional protective cap 12 indicated, which serves a cover of the spray head 5 and in particular by clamping on the container 3 and Behalterrand 9 can be placed, in particular attachable, is.

In particular, the protective cap 12 is placed axially or frontally on the container 3. For use, the protective cap 12 is removed manually.

The dispensing tube 11 is preferably shorter than the container diameter or the inner diameter of the protective cap 12.

It is envisaged that the spray head 5 - with the connected to the nozzle 6 and / or not connected output tube 11 - does not protrude laterally beyond the container 3 or container edge 9 and / or fits under the cap 12. In particular, the protective cap 12 is thus always independent of the pivotal position of the dispensing tube 11 can be placed.

Preferably, the dispensing tube 11 is folded away from the nozzle 6 upwards. Particularly preferably, the dispensing tube 11 is pivotable or foldable about an axis extending in front of and / or above the nozzle 6.

Particularly preferably, the spray head 5 has a preferably groove-like and / or upper-side recess 13 for receiving the dispensing tube 11. The recess 13 is embedded or formed in particular in the actuating surface 10 of the spray head 5. Particularly preferably, the recess 13 and the dispensing tube 11 are adapted to each other and / or the spray head 5 is formed so that the dispensing tube 11 is receivable in the recess 13 without it protrudes beyond the actuating surface 10. However, this does not exclude that the delivery tube 11 protrudes laterally over the spray head 5 and the actuating surface 10 in the retracted or received in the recess 13, as in Fig. 1 and 2 indicated.

Preferably, the recess 13 and the dispensing tube 11 are adapted to one another in such a way that the dispensing tube 11 is held in the recess 13 in the folded-in or in the state received by the recess 13 in a clamping or latching manner.

The dispensing tube 11 is preferably not detachable from the spray head 5. However, in a simplified embodiment, the dispensing tube 11 can also be detachable from the spray head 5. Preferably, the dispensing tube 11 is then in this case from the recess 13 can be received, in particular in this clamped. Alternatively, then, the recess 13 may also be formed, for example, as a bore into which the dispensing tube 11 can be inserted. In this case, the bore may, for example, also run transversely to the main dispensing direction and / or axially or in the direction of actuation of the spray head 5.

The delivery tube 11 is preferably straight and / or rigid. The length of the dispensing tube 11 preferably corresponds at least substantially to the diameter of the spray head 5 or exceeds this in particular by at most 30%.

The delivery tube 11 is preferably associated with a connecting portion 14 which is connectable to a nozzle 15 associated with the seal 15, in particular in this insertable. In the illustrated embodiment, the seal 15 is in particular annular or hollow cylindrical and in particular arranged in front of the nozzle 6, for example, received in a corresponding recess of the spray head 5.

Particularly preferably, the dispensing tube 11 is provided with an adapter 16, in particular held by this and / or plugged into this. In the illustrated example, the adapter 16 forms the connecting portion 14, Preferably, the adapter 16 is pivotally mounted on the spray head 16.

Particularly preferably, the spray head 5 at least one, preferably two in particular laterally adjacent and / or above the nozzle 6 arranged brackets 17 for pivotally mounting the dispensing tube 11 and adapter 16,

Particularly preferably, the adapter 16 is clipped with corresponding lateral bearing projections 18 in the brackets 17 or pivotally connected in any other way.

Preferably, the dispensing tube 11 in the unfolded position or in front of the nozzle 6 can be clamped and / or latched or held.

Claims (16)

1. Device (1) for discharging a liquid (2) having a preferably cylindrical container (3) containing the liquid (2) particularly under pressure and a spray head (5), which in particular is assigned to a valve (4) of the container (3), so that by pressing down the spray head (5) the liquid (2) can be discharged via the spray head (5), wherein the spray head (5) comprises a nozzle (6) for the atomization of the liquid (2) and a discharge tube (11), and wherein the main discharge direction of the nozzle (6) is essentially horizontal,
   characterized in
   that the discharge tube can optionally be connected to the outlet side to the nozzle (6), in order to discharge the liquid (2) optionally as an atomized spray (N) or jet (S), and
   that the discharge tube (11) is foldable in front of the nozzle and that the spray head (5) with the discharge tube (11) connected to the nozzle (6) does not protrude laterally above the container (3).
2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the discharge tube (11) is shorter than the container diameter or the inner diameter of the protective cap (12), that the spray head (5) fits under the protective cap (12), that the discharge tube (11) is folded upwards away from the jet nozzle (6), and/or that the spray head (5) comprises a preferably groove-like and/or topside located recess (13) for accommodating the discharge tube (11).
3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the discharge tube (11) can be pivoted or folded about an axis running in front of and/or above the nozzle (6).
4. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the discharge tube (11) cannot be detached from the spray head (5).
5. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the discharge tube (11) is designed straight and/or rigid.
6. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the length of the discharge tube (11) corresponds at least essentially to the diameter of the spray head (5) or exceeds the latter by at most 30%.
7. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the recess (13) is integrated into an actuation area (10) of the spray head (5).
8. Device according to claim 7, characterized in that the recess (13) and the discharge tube (11) are adapted to each other and/or the spray head (5) is designed such that the discharge tube (11) can be accommodated in the recess (13), without protruding above the actuation area (10).
9. Device according to one of the aforementioned claims, characterized in that the discharge tube (11) comprises a connection section (14), which can be connected, in particular can be inserted to a seal (15) which is assigned to the nozzle (6) and/or preferably arranged on the spray head (5).
10. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the discharge tube (11) is provided with an adapter (16), in particular is plugged into the latter.
11. Device according to claims 9 and 10, characterized in that the adapter (16) forms the connection section (14).
12. Device according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that the adapter (16) is pivot-mounted on the spray head (5).
13. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the spray head (5) comprises at least one, preferably two brackets (17) arranged particularly laterally next to and/or above the nozzle (6) for the pivot-mounting of the discharge tube (11).
14. Device according to claims 12 and 13, characterized in that the adapter (16) is held by the bracket(s) (17), in particular is clipped into the latter.
15. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the discharge tube (11) can be locked in a latching and/or clamping manner in the folded out position in front of the nozzle (6) and/or in the folded in position.
16. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the container (3), particularly the liquid (2), is or can be brought under pressure and/or contains a propellant, in particular a volatile and/or combustible propellant, compressed gas and/or carbon dioxide.

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