EP3494065B1

EP3494065B1 - Device for spraying a product

Info

Publication number: EP3494065B1
Application number: EP17761123.3A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Valerio Paganuzzi
Original assignee: Bormioli Pharma SpA
Current assignee: Bormioli Pharma SpA
Priority date: 2016-08-03
Filing date: 2017-07-31
Publication date: 2020-05-13
Anticipated expiration: 2037-07-31
Also published as: WO2018025163A1; EP3494065A1; EP3494065B8; IT201600081579A1

Description

Technical field

The present invention relates to a device for spraying a product.
Such devices are mainly used for dispensing a product in finely dispersed particles.

Background art

Spraying devices are known comprising a spray can containing the product and a dispenser applied to an end of the spray can.
In a first known solution, the dispenser comprises a metal anchorage that is seamed to a metal spray can. In that case, it is possible to create a very solid connection. One drawback is however connected with the fact that the metal spray can has a high cost and has problems connected with disposal.
To overcome such a drawback, PET spray cans are known that allow a cheap, light and recyclable container to be made. The dispenser comprises an anchoring system that is engaged in an undercut afforded on the outside of the spray can. The undercut is defined by an annular groove that surrounds the spray can. A metal projection of the anchoring system is engaged therein, which constrains the dispenser to the spray can. The dispenser also comprises a button that integrates a nozzle for the dispersion of the product contained inside the spray can.
Spraying devices must withstand temperatures of at least 70°C without releasing the product contained in the spray can. A drawback of the construction solution described above is connected with the fact that at high temperatures the spray can and the anchoring system could be deformed excessively, such as to lead, in some cases, also to the leakage of the product. In fact, due to the deformations that can take place at high temperature, the pressurised product can leak out of the spray can transiting between the spray can and the dispenser.
Spraying devices are disclosed in WO2016/161338 and in KR20150099602 .

Disclosure of the invention

In this context, the technical task underpinning the present invention is to propose a spraying device that minimises the risk of undesired product leaks, but at the same time allows production costs to be optimised.
The technical task set and the objects specified are substantially attained by a spraying device, comprising the technical characteristics as set out in one or more of the accompanying claims.

Brief description of drawings

Further features and advantages of the present invention will become clearer from the indicative and thus non-limiting description of a preferred but non-exclusive embodiment of a spraying device, as illustrated in the attached drawings, in which:

fig. 1 in the left part shows a sectional view of the coupling between two components of the device according to the present invention and in the right part shows a non-sectional view of only one of the two components;
fig. 2 shows a lateral view of a component of the device according to the present invention.

Detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention

In the appended figures, the reference number 1 denotes a device for spraying a product. It may be used to allow the dispensing in spray form of various types of products; for example, cosmetic products such as hairsprays or deodorants, but also insecticides, etc. Such a device 1 is also known in the technical sector as an aerosol dispenser.
Such device 1 comprises a spray can 2 suitable for containing inside it a product to be dispensed. The spray can 2 is made of plastic material, preferably PET. This minimises production costs, weight and also reduces the environmental impact.
The product to be dispensed is intended to be stored under pressure inside the spray can 2.
The spray can 2 comprises a neck 200 in which a mouthpiece 20 is afforded. Such mouthpiece 20 makes it possible for the product to leak from the spray can 20. It is the only opening that allows the fluid-dynamic connection between the inside and the outside of the spray can 20.
The spray can 2 comprises a bottom 27 and a longitudinal axis 28 that extends between the bottom 27 and the mouthpiece 20.
The spray can 2 extends in thickness between an inside surface 21 and an outside surface 22.
The thickness is preferably less than 2 millimetres, with the exception of the neck 200 in which higher thicknesses are possible.
In particular, the neck 200 has a maximum thickness comprised between 3 and 5 millimetres.
The outside surface 22 of the spray can 2 defines a first undercut 23.
The device 1 comprises a dispenser 3 for dispensing the product.
In an exemplified solution, the dispenser 3 comprises a button integrating a nozzle (not illustrated). A user pressing the button allows the opening of a valve that therefore allows the pressurised product contained in the spray can 2 to leak. By releasing the button, the valve is closed, stopping the product from leaking. The dispenser 3 comprises a metal anchorage 30 that is connected to the first undercut 23 seaming the dispenser 3 to the spray can 2.
The first undercut 23 is afforded in the neck 200. Appropriately, the first undercut 23 has an annular extension.
The first undercut 23 allows a cavity, typically annular, to be identified, which opposes the extraction of the metal anchorage 30 inserted therein following the application of an extraction force applied parallel to the longitudinal axis 28.
Moving away from the mouthpiece 20 a section of the inside surface 21 of the spray can 2 defines a widening 24. Appropriately, such widening 24 is dome-shaped with the neck afforded at the top of the dome.
Advantageously, such widening 24 allows the volume of the spray can 2 intended to house the product to be increased. In a preferred solution, such widening 24 takes place gradually. In an alternative solution not illustrated, such widening 24 could however also be defined as a step (in that case there is a clear discontinuity).
The metal anchorage 30 protrudes into the spray can 2 and comprises a projection 31 which:

is engaged in said widening 24; and
comes into contact with said inside surface 21.

The projection 31 comes into contact with the inside surface 21 of the spray can 2 at a joining zone between the neck 200 and the widening 24. Appropriately the projection 31 is an annular convexity.
The widening 24 defines an additional undercut. Such additional undercut opposes the extraction of the projection 31 following the application of an extraction force applied parallel to the longitudinal axis 28.
In an exemplified, but not limiting, solution illustrated in figure 1, the first undercut 23 appropriately defines an annular surface 231 transversal (preferably orthogonal) to a direction identified by said longitudinal axis 28 and a surface 232 coaxial to said longitudinal axis 28. The widening 24 of the inside surface 21 corresponds to a widening 240 of the outside surface 22. The widening 240 of the outside surface 22 extends starting from said coaxial surface 232.
The anchorage 30 comprises a flap 300 which overlaps with the annular surface 231 transversal to at least one portion of said coaxial surface 232. The device 1 comprises a groove 25 afforded in the neck 200. It could define a second undercut 250 into which the anchorage 30 protrudes (this is not highlighted in figure 1). The groove 25 is annular. The groove 25 is however used to allow the grip of a preform intended to be introduced into a blowing device for generating the spray can 2.
The spray can 2 comprises an end 26 placed at the mouthpiece 20. The end 26 is opposite the bottom 27. The second undercut 250 is interposed between the first undercut 23 and the end 26.
Appropriately, said widening 24 starts at less than 9 millimetres from said end 26.
The metal anchorage 30 is preferably a single monolithic body. Advantageously, it defines a gap 32, typically annular, into which the neck 200 is inserted. The anchorage 30 surmounts the end 26 remaining adjacent thereto. The anchorage 30 further defines a cylindrical surface 40 at the end of which said projection 31 extends. The cylindrical surface 40 of the anchorage 30 remains in contact with a cylindrical surface afforded inside the neck 200.
The present invention provides important advantages.
First of all, it allows an excellent connection of the dispenser 3 to the spray can 2. In fact, the particular reinforced seaming allows the risk of product leaks from the spray can to be minimised even in the most demanding conditions (e.g. deformations induced by high temperatures).
The invention as it is conceived is susceptible to numerous modifications and variants, all falling within the scope of the inventive concept characterising it, as defined in the appended claims. Further, all the details can be replaced with other technically-equivalent elements. In practice, all the materials used, as well as the dimensions, can be any according to requirements.

Claims

A spraying device, comprising:
- a spray can (2) made of plastic material suitable for containing inside it a product to be dispensed and comprising a neck (200) in which a mouthpiece (20) is afforded, said spray can (2) extending in thickness between an inside surface (21) and an outside surface (22); the outside surface (22) of the spray can (2) defining a first undercut (23); moving away from said mouthpiece (20) a section of the inside surface (21) of the spray can (2) defines a widening (24);

- a product dispenser (3), said dispenser (3) comprising a metal anchorage (30) that protrudes into the spray can (2) and is connected to the first undercut (23) seaming the dispenser (3) to the spray can (2);
characterised in that said metal anchorage (30) comprises a projection (31) which:
- is engaged in said widening (24); and

- comes into contact with said inside surface (21);
the widening (24) of the inside surface (21) corresponding to a widening (240) of the outside surface (22).
The device according to claim 1, characterised in that said projection (31) comes into contact with the inside surface (21) of the spray can (2) at a junction zone between the neck (200) and said widening (24), said widening (24) defining an additional undercut in which the projection (31) is engaged.
The device according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that said projection (31) is an annular convexity.
The device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that said first undercut (23) is afforded in the neck (200).
The device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that it comprises a groove (25) afforded in the neck (200) and which defines a second undercut (250) into which the anchorage (30) protrudes.
The device according to claim 5, characterised in that said spray can (2) comprises an end (26) placed at the mouthpiece (20), said second undercut (250) being interposed between the first undercut (23) and said end (26).
The device according to claim 5 or 6, characterised in that said groove (25) is annular.
The device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that said metal anchorage (30) is a single and monolithic body which defines an annular gap (32) into which said neck (200) is inserted.
The device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that said spray can (2) comprises a bottom (27) and a longitudinal axis (28) that extends between the bottom (27) and the mouthpiece (20); the first undercut (23) defining an annular surface (231) transversal to a direction identified by said longitudinal axis (28) and a surface (232) coaxial to said longitudinal axis (28); said widening (240) of the outside surface (22) extending from said coaxial surface (232).
The device according to claim 9, characterised in that said anchorage (30) comprises a flap (300) which overlaps with said transversal annular surface (231) and at least one portion of said coaxial surface (232).