FR2669243A1 - Mixer dispenser for at least two liquid products, especially for applications in the field of perfumery or of cosmetics - Google Patents

Abstract

Mixer dispenser apparatus which includes, housed inside a support case, at least two separate reservoirs (3,4) of different products and a head (5), sliding on the upper part of the case, in such a way that a pushing-in force exerted on the head brings about the delivery of defined metered quantities (doses) of these products into conduits (13) for connection with a common mixing chamber (11) which is connected to an outlet channel. According to the invention, this apparatus is characterised in that the mixing chamber (11) includes at least one movable or deformable wall (21) which interacts with the case in such a way that, when the pushing-in force is exerted on the head (5), the volume of the chamber decreases so as to expel, towards the outlet channel (14), the products collected in this chamber from the reservoirs (3, 4), and in that, when this force is no longer applied, the volume increases by virtue of the effect of a return spring (24), enabling the chamber to be supplied with new metered quantities of these products and, simultaneously, enabling at least part of the mixture of the products remaining in the outlet channel to be sucked up. Application to perfumery or similar products.

Description

 The present invention relates to a mixer dispensing apparatus of at least two liquid products, one of which is preferably not necessarily aqueous and the other more viscous, in order to provide homogeneous and regular successive doses of the mixture. intima of these products.

The invention applies more particularly in the field of perfumery and cosmetics, but can naturally find similar applscaticrs in other sectors.

 Many embodiments of distributors of this type, capable of providing, from at least two separate tanks containing the products, a mixture created in a chamber, are already known in the art.

formed in the head of the apparatus, the latter being usually movable relative to a body cu housing containing the tanks. In particular, in order to exert on the roots, valve rods or pumps provided in the upper part of these tanks, in particular on a sealing flange of them, a depressing effect suitable for ensuring the delivery These valves or dosing pumps determined corresponding products- in connecting channels with the chamber.In it, these doses of products are then mixed before being expelled out of the head in the form of a this by a common outlet port, generally arranged to further enhance the mutual interpenetration and mixing of the two products before use outside the head.

 As an indication, it is thus possible to refer to FR-A11464 where such an arrangement is clearly illustrated, or to US Pat. No. 3,521,792 in which the withdrawal of doses from the reservoirs is ensured. separate control unit, distinct from the head but strictly playing the same role as the latter when it is mounted movably on the housing of the apparatus.

 FR-A-2 603 558 also illustrates a device of this type in which the mixing chamber is made by means of two interlocking parts, in particular a body on the one hand and a cover on this body On the other hand, this arrangement is also described in the US-A-3,521,792 already cited, but obtained here with a continuous rib carried by the cover t engaging in an opposite groove of the body, presenting the same profile as the rib.

 All these conventional embodiments, however, have a drawback, which results from the very structure of the mixing chamber and the manner in which the expulsion doses delivered by the two product reservoirs are carried out at each action on the head of the dispenser. In fact, during each movement of the latter, given quantities of each of the products are admitted into the room and, after mixing, are simultaneously expelled out of it. It results eq tiu-e, in spite of means used to improve the turbulence of the doses taken and increase their intimate mixture, especially in the channel or outlet of the latter out of the head, this mixture is performed more or less well and thus does not realize a perfect mixture. In addition, in the known solutions, there is always a part of the products in the outlet channel after each maneuver of the dispenser head, this fraction of the mixture can then flow by gravity to the undesirably outside, in " drip "at the end of the channel, which is muddy and especially unhygienic.

 The subject of the present invention is a mixer dispenser of at least two products which avoids these drawbacks, by allowing a much safer and more efficient mixing of these products in the mixing chamber with each maneuver of the dispensing head and also by realigning with during the expulsion of the created emulsion, a natal draining of the outlet channel which eliminates any risk of leakage or uncontrolled flow to the outside, between two successive sprays or sprays of the mixture.

 For this purpose, the mixer dispenser considered, comprising housed inside a support housing, at least two separate tanks of different products to be mixed and a dispensing head, slidably mounted to the upper part of the housing, so that a driving force exerted on the head causes an action, preferably by means of control rods, on organs the delivery of specific doses of these products. of the kind metering valves or pumps, provided on the tanks. in order to deliver given doses of these products in connection ducts respectively with a common mixing chamber, formed in the dispensing head, this chamber being connected to an outlet channel opening towards the outside of the apparatus, is characterized in that the mixing chamber comprises at least one movable or deformable wall cooperating with the housing so that, when the driving force is exerted on the head, the volume of the chamber decreases in to expel to the outlet channel the products collected in this chamber from the tanks, and that when this effort ceases, the volume increases thanks to the effect of a return spring, to feed the chamber with new doses of these products and simultaneously suck at least a portion of the mixture of the products remaining in the exit channel.

 According to a preferred embodiment, the maximum value of the volume variation of the mixing chamber due to the displacement of said mobile or defarmable wall is determined by construction to be greater than the sum of the volumes of the doses of products delivered from the tanks. by the above-mentioned metering valves or pumps at each depression of the dispensing temperature, and preferably greater than twice this sum. Thus, all the delivered products are sucked at least once in the mixing chamber, and in the embodiment preferred, at least two times.

 Advantageously and according to a characteristic of the invention.

the volume of the outlet channel is determined by construction to be greater than the maximum value of the variation of the volume of the mixing chamber due to the displacement of said movable or deformable wall, so that the suction of the products remaining in the channel does not cause any outside air input into the chamber.

 According to another embodiment of the invention, the above-mentioned delivery members and the different parts of the dispensing head are arranged in such a way that the doses taken, admitted to the mixing chamber, do not penetrate into it until after at least a part of the mixture of the products present in said chamber before the depression of the head has begun to be expelled into the outlet channel. For example, the delivery members are constituted by pumps, called "precompresslon", commercially available, the delivery of the products occurring in this case at the end of the race of the control rods.

 In another preferred embodiment of the InventIon, said movable or deformable wall of the mixing chamber is constituted by an auxiliary piston movable in a cavity of said chamber, this piston being subjected to the effect of a spring of reminder disposed in abutment against the bottom facing the chamber and against a face of the piston which cooperates by its opposite face with a fixed control pin relative to the housing so that, when driving the head on this housing, the stud exerts an opposite force on the auxiliary piston against the return spring causing a partial limitation of the volume of the mixing chamber thereby causing expulsion to the outlet channel of the contents of this chamber, and when the head is released, the return of the auxiliary piston determines the at least partial aspiration of the mixture of the products remaining in the withdrawal channel. recalled in the mixing chamber.

 Thus, when pressing the dispensing head, by sliding it on the housing and by acting in a conventional manner on the rods of the metering valves or pumps mounted on the tanks, which due to the depression achieves If a certain quantity of the orifices contained in these reservoirs are delivered in their connection ducts with the mixing chamber, the initial volume of the mixing chamber decreases by a certain amount due to the displacement of the auxiliary piston. The products admitted into the chamber are then stirred energetically into it and then expelled at high speed through the outlet channel, which preferably has a reiluted section, the volume e movement being equal to the sum of the doses provided by each metering pumps or valves, increased by the change in volume of the mixing chamber, as a result of the displacement of the auxiliary piston and the delivered volume being equal to the sum of these doses.

 During the release of the head returning to the initial position under the effect of the rods of the valves or pumps and in particular the associated elastic means in a manner known in the art, the auxiliary piston, pushes by its return spring returns to its original position n increasing the volume of the chamber and creating in it a relative depression such that the fraction of the mixture remaining in the outlet channel is sucked again at high speed into the chamber where the mixture swirls, causing effective mixing and energetic quantities of products present in this chamber.The resulting mixture is ready to be then expelled to the next action on the dispensing head, at the same time that new doses are sucked into the chamber through the tanks and so on each time the device is operated.

 According to another particular characteristic, the control pin is provided on a fixed plate, integral with the two tanks of the products to be mixed.

Also preferably, the two tanks have their parallel axes, the fixed plate extending perpendicularly to this axis, being immobilized relative to the tanks, the control pin being disposed substantially in the center of the plate, at an equal distance from these axes. .

 Advantageously, the auxiliary piston has in its outer surface a liner reported in contact with the inner wall of the open cavity of the mixing chamber, to ensure the sealing of the chamber during the movements of the piston. In a variant, the auxiliary piston is made in such a way that it has at least one peripheral sealing lip bearing on the inner wall of the cavity. More preferably, it has two peripheral sealing lips, which also gives it an additional advantage as to its proper retention in the cavity during its displacement.

 According to yet another characteristic, the auxiliary piston comprises in its bearing surface of the return spring a recess for receiving and centering the spring, which is applied against the bottom facing the opposite of the mixing chamber, in a similar recess. .

 According to another characteristic, the dispensing head consists of two parts contiguous with interposition of a seal, to allow the mounting of the auxiliary piston and the spring in the mixing chamber.

 In a particular embodiment of the apparatus and in a manner known per se, the outlet channel has a zig-zag profile, possibly provided with baffles or the like, between the mixing chamber and its end orifice. the outside of the dispensing head, the channel preferably extending through a projection spout protruding from the dispensing head However, according to an advantageous variant of the invention, the output anal has successively a series narrower and wider parts, causing in the mixture of products to be expelled to the outside, circulating in the channel, alternating movements of acceleration and slowing, improving the mixing of these products.

 According to a preferred embodiment, the outlet channel has a cross section of constant area, but of variable profile depending on its position on the longitudinal axis of this channel. Preferably, when the channel is traversed in the direction of its longitudinal axis, said profile of the cross section progressively takes an elongate shape, alternately in two orthogonal directions. Thus, the progression of the mixture through the channel on the one hand is carried out at all points at constant speed, unlike in the case of the previous embodiment, which avoids loss of load and the existence in some places dead volumes and secondly is accompanied by alternate stretching in the two perpendicular directions above, this yes improves the mixing of the mixture by spreading flows.

 For example, the profile of the right section of the channel is a rectangle whose length decreases and the width increases and vice versa, so as to maintain a constant area along the aforementioned axis.

 In another particular embodiment, the cana this outlet consists of a succession of identical portions having a cross-section of constant area but of variable profile depending on its position on the longitudinal axis of this channel, the passage of a portion to the other in the channel exhibiting a sectional break. Preferably, the profile of the cross section at one and the other end of each portion has an elongate shape, such as a rectangular shape and the one and the other said sections being oriented in two orthogonal directions.

 According to an additional characteristic, the channel portions are arranged in such a way that the orientation direction of the exit section of one and that of the entry section of the next one are perpendicular, thus conferring on the cutting longitudinal channel u. general appearance in "fir branches". It will be understood that, in this particular embodiment, the progression of the mixture in each portion of the channel is accompanied, as in the preceding mode, by successive stretching along two perpendicular directions, but that, in addition, the speed of progression underwent a sudden variation accompanied by turbulence at each passage from one portion to another.

 According to a preferred variation, the value of the smallest dimensions of the cross-section of the outlet channel, of constant or non-constant area, is chosen so that at rest, the residual mixture present in the channel is retained by sufficient surface tension forces to prevent flow of said mixture by the action of gravity alone.

 In yet another embodiment of the invention, the auxiliary piston is in a fixed position relative to the housing and moves in a cavity of the mixing chamber, the return spring being disposed between the housing and a bearing surface provided in the head, said return spring being mounted, either inside the mixing chamber, as in the previously described mode, or outside this chamber.

 According to another variant, the return spring is disposed outside the mixing chamber, while inside thereof is arranged transversely a grid intended to increase the turbulence phenomena within the products during the expulsion and suction effects caused by the displacement of the dispensing head, thus further improving the homogeneity of the mixture.

Other characteristics of a mixer dispenser established in accordance with the invention will become apparent from the following description of various exemplary embodiments, given by way of nonlimiting indication, with reference to the appended drawings on which
- Figure 1 is an elevational view and partly in partial longitudinal section of a distributor mélar.geur, implementing dIsposItions themselves known in the art, including to achieve the mixture of two products inside a chamber in the dispensing head of the apparatus.

 - Figure 2 is a side view, with a portion in partial longitudinal section, of the mixing valve according to Figure l.

 - Figure 3 is a cross sectional view of the mixing valve according to Figures 1 and 2, a plane located at the mixing chamber.

 - Figure 4 is a sectional view on a larger scale of a portion of the head of the mixing valve according to the preceding figures may wherein the mixing chamber is provided with an auxiliary piston conformemen: I 1'invention.

 - Figure 4a illustrates a detail of the embodiment of the auxiliary piston in another alternative embodiment.

 - Figure 5 is a top view partially broken away of the dispensing head shown in Figure 4, illustrating the implementation of other improvements according to the invention.

 - Figures 6 and 6a relate to a preferred embodiment of the channel provided in the dispensing head at the outlet of the mixing chamber, and respectively show a front view in the direction of the axis of this channel and a view in perspective of two deml-cuts of this canal.

 - Figure 7 is a top view in partial longitudinal section of another embodiment of the outlet channel of the mixture.

 - Figure 8 is a sectional view similar to Figure 4 but relating to another embodiment.

 The mixer dispenser shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, designated as a whole under the reference 1, uses a set of arrangements which are themselves already known in the art of manufacturing such apparatus. It comprises in particular a lower casing 2a. 2 inside which are arranged two tanks, respectively 3 and 4 (see Figure 4A, each containing a specific product at least one of which is for example of aqueous consistency and the other more viscous, these two products to be intimately mixed in the device prior to their expulsion out of it in the form of a jet, the volume of which corresponds to the sampling of determined doses of each of these products from the tanks 3 and 4. For this purpose and very generally adopted in this type of apparatus, the bolter 2 is associated with a dispensing head 5 forming a lid at the upper part of the housing and able to move relative to the latter, following a slight thrust force applied to the top of the head, as shown schematically by the arrow F in Figures 1 and 2.

 The tanks 3 and 4, mounted next to each other in the housing INTERIOR with their parallel axes, are preferably identical but if necessary could be different. Each of them comprises at its upper part a ring 6, fixed to the corresponding orifice of the reservoir and allowing the mounting therein of a delivery member consisting of a valve T-slot, provided with a stem if necessary hollow control 7a, lorue the tank contains at the same time as the product spraying a reserve of compressed gas) the good of a psape, housed inside the housing, especially such that a depression of the rod 7a produces the controlled opening of this valve or the control of the movement of the pump, allowing in either case the output through the rod of a given amount of the product contained in the tank concerned. Such a device is well known in the art and is in particular the subject of provisions covered by numerous patents belonging to the manufacturers of such pumps or valves, the latter being used as such in the mixer dispenser under consideration. it is not part of the present invention in itself. The head 5 preferably has an open lower extremity Sa, suitably profiled so that, when a driving force is exerted on this head, it does not abut in any way on the housing 2, the limitation of the maximum stroke of the head at each thrust on it for the delivery of the consecutive doses of the products, being carried out by the pumps or metering valves 7 themselves.

 In order to allow mounting of the auxiliary piston 21 and the spring 24 in the mixing chamber 11, the dispensing head 5 comprises a two-part structure, respectively an inner liner 8 and an outer cover 9 covering this liner, sealing against between the two parts being formed by a flat gasket 10. The jacket 8 and the lid are shaped so as to delimit between them in the interior of the head 5 an enclosed chamber forming a mixing chamber 11.The jacket 8 also comprises in its outer surface, at the right of each of the rods 7a of the reservoirs 3 and L, a hollow end piece 12 into which the end of the corresponding rod penetrates, so that the force exerted on the head 5 in the direction of the arrow F is suitably transmitted to this rod, particularly in the direction of its axis.Each tip 12 is pierced in the extension of the rod by a conduit 13 connecting with the interior of the chamber mel angel 11 to allow the dose of product taken from the corresponding reservoir to spread in the chamber 11 where it is stirred and, where appropriate, depending on the nature of the products, emulsified with the dose withdrawn simultaneously from the other reservoir, under the effect of the pressure created, either by the gas contained in one or both reservoirs delivering the products through the valves of the latter, is so by the repression of the pumps they comprise.

 The mixing chamber 11 also communicates with a channel of fate e extending up to the outside of the dispensing head 5 through a projection spout 15, come from manufacture or attached to the lid 9. Preferably and also known in this type of apparatus, the channel 14 has a sinuous or zig-zag profile, with 5s longitudinal parts connected by transverse portions 17, the channel extending into the nozzle 15 up to an orifice outlet 18 for the mixture produced in the chamber (see in particular FIGS. 3 and 5).

 In a mixing dispenser thus realized, however, it can be seen that part of the total volume corresponding to the doses taken from the reservoirs with each movement of the dispensing head remains at the end of the stroke inside the outlet channel 14, this remaining fraction being It is projected outside during a new head depressing action before being replaced by an equivalent fraction from the following doses, and so on every time the appliance is used. As a result, this remaining fraction can "drip" at the outlet port Sa of the channel 14, causing an unwanted flow by gravity and making the dispenser unhygienic. Moreover, depending on the nature of the products used, 1 is necessary to achieve with them, to obtain a mixture of satisfactory homogeneity, an extremely energetic stirring. that conventional devices do not always allow to perform.

 For this purpose and according to a particular embodiment of the invention shown in Figure 4, prior to the assembly of the two parts 8 and 9 of the dispensing head 5 and a for immobilization by crimping or welding in 19 around the joint 1 !, to mount inside the open cavity 20 threats in the mixing chamber 11, an auxiliary piston 21.

This piston has in its lateral surface a seal 22, in contact with the inner wall of the cavity 20> to maintain the tightness of the chamber 11. It also comprises, in its face facing inwards of the chamber, a recess 23 for centering a return spring 24, applied against the bottom opposite the chamber L1 in a similar recess 25, provided in the cover 9.The auxiliary piston 21 finally has, in its opposite face to that having the recess 23, a housing 26 in which engages the suitably shaped end of a pin 27, provided in the central portion of a fixed support plate 28, immobilized on the closure collars 6 arranged at the upper part of the tanks 3 and 4, this plate being freely traversed by the hollow rods 7a associated with these reservoirs, by passages 29 suitably arranged to the right thereof. shown in FIG. 1c, the auxiliary piston 21 is made of a sufficiently elastic material so that at least one and preferably two peripheral lips 22a, obtained in particular by molding the piston, can ensure the tightness of the chamber, while prohibiting the relative tilting of the piston during its movements and its jamming in the cavity 20.

 Thanks to these provisions, it is immediately understood that the depression of the dispensing head 5 on the casing 2, at the same time that it causes through the hollow rods 7a the delivery of the doses provided, withdrawn from the reservoirs 3 and 4 and their admission into the mixing chamber 11, ensures displacement of the auxiliary piston 21 pushed back inside the cavity 20 by the effect of the stud 27 against the spring 24, making a relative decrease in the volume of the chamber 11, thus ensuring in the manner explained below a first mixing of the products inside the chamber.

In addition, the channel 14 is for example arranged to present in its parts 16 and 17 sensitive sectional variations, the longitudinal portions 16 having for example a narrower section and the transverse portions 17 a wider section (see Figure 5). , in order to create in the flow of the mixture coming from the chamber 11, a succession of compressions uuis- relaxation with acceleration and braking of the product mixture and improvement of the quality of the latter
In another preferred variant, illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 6a, the output anal 14 has a cross section in the form of a rectangle.

100 the width 32 and the length 33 vary e direction. In the opposite direction, channel 14 traverses along the direction of its axis, indicated by an arrow in FIG. 6a, so that the area of said section remains constant. Preferably, and as it is apparent in FIG. 6, one of the sides of the rectangle evolves parallel to itself in a plane 34.This last particulull characteristic makes it possible to easily produce the channel 14 by assembling two parts made of for example on the one hand of the aforementioned sleeve 8, in which the profile of the channel 14 previously described, which communicates with the upper part of the mixing chamber 11, and on the other hand of the cover Q, the sealing between these two parts being provided attached 10
In yet another variant, represented in FIG. 7, the channel 14 consists of a succession of identical portions 31, such as that located between the levels C and D of this Figure, conferring on the logitudinal section represented a general appearance in FIG. As a preferred embodiment of this variant, the front view of each portion in the direction of the axis of the channel is identical to that of FIG. 6, the right section 35 of the front face and the one 36 of the rear face presenting the elm does not have two rectangles orthogonally oriented, the airs of these two straight dimensions that of the intermediate straight sections being equal. According to this embodiment, the channel may consist of two parts, as in the previous variant Illustrated by Figures 6 and 6a, one may be the liner 3 and the other lid 9 above. It is then understood from FIGS. 6 and 7 that the successive portions 31 of the channel 14 are arranged in such a way that the direction of orientation of the exit section of the one and that of the entry section of the the next are perpendicular, thus forming a sudden rupture of the dimensions of passage from one portion to another.

 In operation and regardless of the embodiment variant adopted for the shape of the outlet channel, at each depressing movement of the dispensing head 5, there is a sample of a given dose of product from the tanks 3 and 4, supplying the mixing chamber 11. Simulatnément, the auxiliary piston 21 back in its cavity 20 and decreases the volume of this chamber. The two products are already in this first phase energetically fired and discharged to the outlet channel, the delivered volume returned through the outlet orifice 18 being equal to the sum of the doses provided by each of the tanks.

 When the head 5 is released, which rises in position in particular under the effect of the springs (not shown) of the metering valves or pumps 7, the auxiliary piston 21 subjected to the action of the spring 24 descends to the interior of the cavity 20 by creating in the chamber 11, due to the volume increase thus caused, a sudden depression aspirant in said cavity the fraction of the mixture remaining in the channel of the 14 th spell at the end of the previous action of depressing 5. This results in an additional energetic stirring of this mixing fraction, increased by the new doses of products delivered by the metering valves or pumps 7 during 1 depression of the head 5, due to the turbulence phenomena occurring during the rapid return of the mixture inside the cavity. In addition, there is an at least partial emptying of the outlet channel, which helps to avoid unwanted flows t possible pollution at the end of the nozzle 15.

 At each depressing movement of the dIstrIbution head, the mixing of two doses of products admitted in the chamber It is also largely improved through the particular profile of the outlet channel 14. Thus, in the cariante shown in Figure 5 the progress of mixing is accelerated in the narrow longitudinal portions 16 and then slowed down in the wider transverse portions 17 in successive cycles, which further increases the stirring effect of the components. Preferably, the narrowest passages of the channel have sufficiently small dimensions to retain, at rest, by capillarity, the residual mixture present in the channel 14, thus avoiding a flow by gravity. Of course, these dimensions depend in particular on the nature of the liquid products and the viscosity resulting from their mixing.

 In the variant according to FIGS. 6 and 6a, the mixture of the products progressing in the channel 14 undergoes stretching alternately oriented in two perpendicular directions, because of the modification of the profile of the section successively elongating according to one then the other of these two directions, without, however, changing the flow velocity of the mixture.

 Preferably the elongated shape of the section of the channel 14 will have a width sufficiently small to prevent any flow of the mixture by the simple effect of gravity. For example, in the case of a cosmetic emulsion having a viscosity of about 1000 centipoise, the minimum width will be of the order of 0.6 mm for a sectional area of about 1 mm 2.

 In the variant according to FIG. 7, the mixture is stretched alternately in two orthogonal directions during its progression in the channel 4, and its speed undergoes abrupt variations at the passages from one portion to the other, as explained above. .

 In all cases, the maximum value of the variation of the volume of the mixing chamber is determined by construction so as to be greater than the sum of the volumes of the doses delivered by the two reservoirs, so that at each release of the head 5 causing the lowering of the auxiliary piston 21, all of the products thus delivered is sucked back at least once inside the mixing chamber, and as a result at least a portion of the mixture expelled into the channel during the preceding operation of depressing the head is also réaspîrée in and chambre.De preferably) the volume of said chamber is at least twice the sum of the aforementioned volumes so that all products delivered from reservoirs 3 and 4 are sucked back at least twice in this chamber by the effect of successive displacements of the dispensing head.

 Also preferably, the delivery members and the different parts of the dispensing head are arranged so that the doses taken and admitted into the mixing chamber do not enter it until at least a part of the mixture of products present in said chamber 11, before the depression of the head 5, began to be expelled into the outlet channel 14. For example, the delivery members are constituted by pumps called "precompression", commercially available In this case, the delivery of the products only occurs at the end of the stroke of the control rods 7a. Otherwise, the apparatus would carry the risk that some of the doses directly taken from the tank would be expelled. passing through the top of the mixture present in the chamber and therefore not be sucked into the latter at the release of the head. Under these conditions, at each recessing movement of the latter, all the newly collected products remaining in the outlet channel are necessarily taken up by at least one fsis by the elane chamber, which implies for each component of the mixture of three once in the channel, respectively during a first displacement of the head followed by the return to the chamber during the release of the exerted force, then the expulsion during the next action. The products withdrawn from the tanks therefore pass through the dispensing head with great strength and high energy, given the volume displaced and the speed of movement created in a very short time. This speed will be, as one camprenet even greater than the average section of the channel will be low, which is generally sought for the implementation of the present invention.

The delivered mixture has a perfect homogeneity, irrespective of the operating speed of the dispensing head of which it does not depend.

 In another variant shown schematically in Figure 8, there is a general arrangement of the different parts of the dispensing head 5 similar to that d, in the example shown on the Fife 4. However, in this case, the piston auxiliary 21 is no longer mounted freely movable inside the cavity 20 of the mixing chamber 11, but is an integral part of the support plate 28, which is fixed relative to the housing 2, so that the displacement RelatIf the piston within the cavity 20 relative to the head 5 is a direct result of the movements of the latter, biased by pressure or return forces as already discussed above.

The piston 21 can be easily manufactured with the plate 28 by molding the latter, the return spring 24, working at the cosDression, being mounted around the piston in its connection area with the support plate, relying on a part against the latter between the two reservoirs 3 and 4 and secondly in the bottom of a housing 225 forming, support bearing, made in the sleeve 8 of the head 5.Delatively the latter is guided in its displacement so that the piston 21 is properly engaged in the interior of the cavity 20. the sealing of the mixing chamber being carried out, as in the previous examples, by means of a packing or a
Seal 22 mounted in the outer surface of the piston. Where appropriate, a grid 40 may be connected to the liner 8 through the chamber 1, this grid being able to be made either by molding in one piece with the liner 8, or attached to it and fixed with a any way, for example by welding or pinching, the presence of this grid increasing the turbulence phenomena, within the mixture during the aforementioned expulsion and aspIration effects thus making it possible to further improve the homogeneity of the mixture of products in the chamber, without hindering its final ejection through the outlet channel or its re-expansion into the chamber from the latter, due to the movements of the auxiliary piston
Thus, a mixer dispenser of simple design which has many advantages vis-à-vis devices of the kind known in the art, including allowing to provide an optimal mixture, even with products having different viscosities and / or relatively high the apparatus avoiding any collapse is controlled and therefore particularly clean and economical.

 Of course, it goes without saying that the invention is not limited to the embodiments more specifically described and shown above; on the contrary, it embraces all variants. In particular, it would easily be possible to mount inside the housing a number of separate tanks greater than two, each of which directly into the mixing chamber. Similarly, one could envisage associating with the two or more preceding reservoirs a pressurized gas container, for supplying the mixing chamber with a suitable quantity of this gas simultaneously with the introduction of the slabs of the products delivered by the tanks, to further improve the quality of the product mixture. Finally, although in the various examples mentioned above, the implementation of an auxiliary piston, fixed or movable, has been provided each time, but in relative displacement with respect to the distribution head, it is also possible to climb into the cavity. of the latter a simple deformable wall, extending transversely in this chamber and whose positional variations would realize, identically to the auxiliary piston, changes in the volume of this chamber during the various phases of operation of the dispenser.

Claims (22)

 1 - Mixer dispensing apparatus, comprising housed inside a support housing (2), at least two separate tanks (3,4) of different products to be mixed and a dispensing head (5), slidably mounted at the upper part of the housing, so that a driving force exerted on the head causes an action preferably by means of control rods (7a), on delivery members (7) of specific doses of these products. , of the kind metering valves or pumps provided on the tanks, in order to deliver given doses of these products in connecting ducts (13) respectively with a common mixing chamber (11), formed in the dispensing head, this chamber being connected to an outlet channel (14 ') opening towards the outside of the apparatus, characterized in that the mixing chamber (11' comprises at least one movable or deformable wall (21) cooperating with the housing (2) of such so that, when the driving force is exerted on the head (5), the volume of the chamber decreases so as to expel to the outlet channel (14 ') the products collected in this chamber from the reservoirs ( 3, 4), and when this force ceases, the volume increases by 1 'of a return spring (24), to feed the chamber with new doses of these products and simultaneously to suck at least part of the mixture of products remaining in the outlet channel.  2 - mixing valve according to claim 1, characterized in that cue the maximum value of the volume variation of the mixing chamber (11), due to the displacement of the wall mobile or deformable (21), is determined by construction to be greater the sum of the volumes of the doses of products delivered from the tanks (3, 4) by the metering valves or pumps (7) at each depression of the dispensing head (5), and preferably greater than twice this sum.  3 - mixing valve according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the volume of the outlet channel (14) is determined by construction to be greater than the maximum value of the variation of the volume of the mixing chamber (11 ) due to the displacement of the movable or deformable wall (21).  4 - Mixer dispenser according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the delivery members (7) and the different parts of the dispensing head '5) are arranged so that the sampled doses allowed in the mixing chamber (11) does not penetrate into it until at least a part of the mixture of the products present in the chamber before the head has been dumped has started to be expelled into the outlet channel ( 14).  5 - mixer dispenser according to claim 4, characterized in that the delivery members (7) are constituted by so-called precompression pumps.  6 - mixer dispenser according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that said movable or deformable wall of the mixing chamber (11) is constituted by an auxiliary piston '2L', movable in an open cavity (20) of the chamber, this pistou being subjected to the effect of a return spring (24) disposed in abutment against the bottom '9' opposite the chamber and against a face of the piston which cooperates by its opposite side with a stud control device (27) fixed to the housing, so that, when driving the head on the housing, 1 pin exerts an opposite force on the auxiliary piston against the return spring causing a partial limitation of the volume of the mixing chamber thus causing the expulsion towards the outlet channel (14 ') of the contents of this chamber and that, when the head is released, the return of the auxiliary piston determines the at least partial suction of the mixture of products remaining in the e outlet channel, recalled in the mixing chamber.  7 - mixing valve according to claim 6, characterized in that the control pin (27) is provided on a fixed plate (28) integral with the two tanks (3,4) of the products to be mixed.  8 - mixing valve according to claim 7, characterized in that the two tanks (3,4) have their parallel axes, the fixed plate '28) extending perpendicularly to this axis, being immobilized relative to the tanks, the nipple control (27) being disposed substantially in the center of the plate, at equal distance from these axes.  9 - mixing valve according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the movable wall of the chamber (11 'is constituted by an auxiliary piston (21) in a fixed position relative to the housing (2), such output that the relative displacement of the piston inside the cavity (20) relative to the head (5) results directly from the movements of the latter, biased by pressure or return forces.  10 - mixing valve according to claim 9, characterized in that the return spring (24) is disposed in abutment against the bottom (9) facing the chamber and against a face of the piston which cooperates with the housing (2). in such a way that, when the head (5) is pressed onto this housing, the piston exerts a force against the return spring, causing a partial limitation of the volume of the mixing chamber, thus causing expulsion to The outlet channel (14) of the contents of this chamber, and that, when the head is released, the return of the auxiliary piston determines the at least partial suction of the mixture of products remaining in the outlet channel. the mixing chamber, wherein the mixing piston according to any one of claims 6 to 10, characterized in that the auxiliary piston (21) comprises in its bearing face of the return spring (24) a receiving recess and centering (23) the spring, which is applied against the opposite bottom (9) of the mixing chamber (11), in a similar recess (25).  12 - mixing valve according to claim 9, characterized in that the return spring (24) is disposed outside the chamber (11) between a portion of the housing (2) or a plate (28) connected to this housing and a bearing surface (225) formed in the head.  13 - mixing valve according to claim 12, characterized in that inside the chamber (11) is arranged transversely a grid (40).  14 - mixing valve according to one of claims 12 or 13, characterized in that the auxiliary piston (21) is an integral part of the plate (28).  15 - mixing valve according to any one of claims 6 to 1t, characterized in that the auxiliary piston (21) has in its outer surface an insert insert (22) in contact with the inner wall of the cavity (20) of the mixing chamber (11), to ensure the sealing of the chamber during the movements of the piston.  16 - mixing valve according to any one of claims 6 to 14, characterized in that the auxiliary piston (21) is formed such that it has at least one and preferably two peripheral sealing lips (22a), bearing on the inner wall of the cavity (20).  17 - mixer dispenser according to any one of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that the dIstributIon head (5) consists of two contiguous parts (5,9) with interposition of a seal (10). to allow mounting of the auxiliary piston (21) and the spring (24) in the mixing chamber r  Mixer dispenser according to one of Claims 1 to 17, characterized in that the outlet channel (14) has a zig-zag profile, optionally provided with baffles or the like, between the mixing chamber (11). and n an end port (18) on the outside of the dispensing head, the channel preferably extending through a projecting spout (15) projecting from the dispensing head '5'.  19 - the mixer istributor according to claim, characterized in that the outlet channel (14) has successively a serIe share teus narrower (16) and then wider (17), causing in the mixture products to expel outwardly , circulating in the channel, alternating movements of acceleration and slowing down, improving the mixing of these products.  20 - mixing valve according to any one of claims 1 to 17, characterized in that the outlet channel (14) has a cross section of constant area, but variable profile according to its position on the longitudinal axis of this channel.  21 - Mixer distributor according to the revenalcation 20, characterized in that, when one traverses the channel (14) in the direction of its longitudinal axis, said profile of the cross section gradually takes an elongated shape, cernely following two orthogonal directions.  22 - mixer dispenser according to one of revendIcatIons 20 and 21, characterized in that the profile of the cross section of the channel (14) is a rectangle whose length (33) decreases and the width (32) increases and vice versa, in order to maintain a constant area throughout the aforementioned area.  23 - Mixer dispenser according to any one of claims 1 to 17, characterized in that the channel consists of a succession of portions (31) identical, having a cross section of constant area but variable profile depending on its position on the longitudinal axis of this channel, the passage from one portion to another having a section break.  24 - mixing valve according to claim 23, characterized in that the profile of the cross section at one and the other end of each portion (31) has an elongated shape, such as a rectangular shape, one and the other aforementioned sections being oriented in two orthogonal directions.  Mixer dispenser according to claim 24, characterized in that the portions (31) are arranged in such a way that the direction of orientation of the outlet section of the one and that of the inlet section of the follower perpendicular teeth, thus conferring on the longitudinal section of the channel (14) a general appearance in "fir branches".  26 - Mixer distributor according to any one of claims i to 25, characterized in that the value of the smallest dimensions of the cross section of the outlet channel (14), of constant area or not, is chosen so as to at rest, the residual mixture present in the channel is retained by sufficient surface tension forces to prevent flow of the mixture by the action of gravity alone.