PT100264B - INJECTOR, DEVICE AND PROCESS FOR THE APPLICATION OF ACTIVE SUBSTANCES - Google Patents

Abstract

A process and a device for the regulation and application of an active ingredient, such as an insecticide, fumigation agent, fertilizer or room freshener. The active ingredient is placed in a receptacle 6 and a pressurized propellant agent from a source 1 is subsequently introduced via conduits 3, 9. The propellant serves for observing the active ingredient which is dispersed from the receptacle, via the conduit 5, by means of an application opening 8 so that the active ingredient is dispersed in an air-borne dispersion. A pressure difference is created in an injector 4 via a propellant-entry orifice 4a, which is sufficient for expelling the active ingredient from the active- ingredient receptacle 6 but is less than the pressure difference required to create a cooling effect in the mixing chamber 4 and it is also lower than the pressure difference which gives rise to an erratic dispersion of the active ingredient through the application opening 8. The system is particularly suitable for the spraying of insecticides in large spaces, such as warehouses and hypermarkets. <IMAGE>

Description

DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to a process and a device for the quantitative regulation and application of an active ingredient. The invention is applicable to the release of atomized sprays and has particular application in the spraying of insecticides, especially whenever it is necessary to spray large spaces, such as warehouses and hypermarkets. However, the invention is also applicable to the release of room deodorants, fertilizers and any other active ingredients that are capable of being carried in an atomized mist. The invention can also be used to load portable pressurized fumigant applicators, etc. for manual dispersion.

Specification EP-A-425 300 (published on May 2, 1991) describes a device for the release of an active ingredient in which the active ingredient is placed in a container in which a pressurized propellant is introduced from a source of the propellant. A portion of the propellant flows directly from the propellant source to a release opening by means of a bypass. The rest of the propellant enters the container of the active ingredient and expands to form a liquid phase and a gas phase. The liquid phase serves to absorb the active ingredient, while the gas phase serves to propel the active ingredient out of the device through an outlet opening where further expansion takes place and the active ingredient is dispersed in the form of a mist. Devices to restrict the flow create a pressure difference between the outlet of the active ingredient container and the bypass part, in order to facilitate the absorption of the active ingredient into the propellant stream through the bypass. It has now been found that the correct choice of pressure difference and the inclusion of a specially designed mixing chamber can improve the efficiency of the system.

Accordingly, a first aspect of the present invention discloses an injector device for mixing a stream of a liquefied gaseous propellant and a liquid stream containing the active ingredient, the injector comprising: a mixing chamber; a first injector line for supplying the propellant, this first line opening in the mixing chamber through a main calibrated orifice; a second conduit - for supplying the active ingredient to the mixing chamber; an exit orifice that opens at the exit of the chamber and located opposite the main calibrated orifice; and a third conduit that connects the exit opening of an application opening, extending this third conduit

from the outlet opening in order to have a larger diameter than the outlet opening.

A second aspect of the invention discloses a device for mixing an active ingredient and a liquefied gaseous propellant, comprising a concentrate container for the active ingredient, an injector comprising a calibrated inlet port for the propellant and a chamber mixing, with a first duct connecting the injected inlet port to a source of propellant and a second duct connecting the concentrate container to the mixing chamber, and a third duct connecting the mixing chamber to an application opening, and a fourth conduit connecting the first conduit to the concentrate container, the device being the device characterized by providing a means to create a pressure difference between the fluid in the part of the first conduit that opens at the mixing chamber, and the fluid in the mixing chamber, the said pressure difference: (i) sufficient to expelling essentially all the active ingredient from the concentrate container; (li) less than the pressure required to cause a cooling effect in the mixing chamber, and (iii) less than the pressure that would cause an erratic dispersion of the active ingredient from the application opening.

An erratic dispersion of the mixture is one in which the mixture is released in a batch or non-uniform manner. This has been found to cause freezing of the outlet nozzles, followed by breaking of the ice, a sudden expulsion of the mixture, ice formation again and so on.

Cooling effect in the mixing chamber results from the pressure difference between the inlet current of the propellant and the mixing chamber. The actual temperature drop, for a given pressure difference, depends on the nature of the propellant and the active ingredient. Quan

of the term used here the term cooling effect means a drop in temperature greater than 15ac. For example, when the liquid propellant is liquid carbon dioxide, the drop in temperature should conveniently be less than 10 ^to C and preferably less than 5 ^to C.

a means of creating the pressure difference between the propellant and the mixing chamber is conveniently a calibrated orifice (hereinafter referred to as the main calibration orifice) at the junction of the mixing chamber and the first conduit. In its simplest form, the calibrated orifice is obtained by reducing the diameter of the first duct where it joins the mixing chamber.

The size of the calibrated orifice will be chosen so as to produce a pressure drop sufficient to raise the entire contents of the active ingredient container, against gravity, at a distance of (preferably) at least 3.0 m, although it can be consider it satisfactory to raise the concentrate by only 1.0 m or just 0.3 m. A small orifice creates a greater pressure difference than a large orifice. The size of the calibrated orifice used in the injector must also be chosen with reference to the flow of liquid alligator through the outlet opening, which opening, allowing the active ingredient in the propellant to be dispersed in the atmosphere, can take the form of a or a number of individual nozzles. As the flow rate decreases, the pressure drop through the calibrated orifice increases, resulting in freezing of the mixing chamber and poor spray characteristics. We found that the optimal size of the calibrated orifice is indicated by the formula:

d = 0.6 ( ⁴ ^ F / ~ 6) where d is the diameter of the orifice in mm and F represents the flow of the current through the outlet orifice (ie, the total flow of all nozzles) in g / s. For better clarification, in case of bad impression or transcription of the previous formula, note that d is equal to three fifths of the fourth root of a sixth of F.

A satisfactory operation was found when the referred pressure difference is between 1 to 5 atmospheres (Ι, ΟΙχΙΟ ² - 5.05x10 ² KPa). Typically said pressure difference is about 2 atmospheres (2.02x10 ¹⁰ KPa) for example 1.8 to 2.2 atmospheres (1.82 to 2.22x10 ¹⁰ kPa). Preferably, the pressure drop is essentially continuous, in other words, maintained throughout the operation of the device.

At the end of the operation, however, when the pres; supply of the carbon dioxide decreases to a level at which the carbon dioxide, at least after passing through the calibrated orifice, is gaseous, the pressure drop through the calibrated orifice rises to about 3.0, 4, 0 or 5.0 bar (300, 400 or 500 kNm ^-2 ). This has the beneficial effect of completely removing the contents of the concentrate container, which not only ensures that the desired dose of the active ingredient is released, but also cleans the concentrate container and makes it safer, both for disposal and disposal. for reuse.

In a preferred embodiment, the injector and at least the beginning of the second and fourth ducts are arranged in a single mixing unit assembly.

Preferably the active ingredient container is placed below the mixing chamber, so that it is exclusively the pressure difference that drags the active ingredient out of the active ingredient container, and the discharge only takes place when the propellant is flowing. If the active ingredient container is not placed in this position, a valve system is then incorporated into the system to prevent the active ingredient from being siphoned into the mixing head.

Below is understood at a lower level, but not necessarily below.

Propellant is a liquefied gaseous propellant. This propellant is preferably liquefied carbon dioxide, but other propellants, such as butane or propane / butane mixtures, may also be used, particularly outdoors where there is no risk of fire as these gases are confined. At least when the propellant is liquefied carbon dioxide, we have found that system performance is optimal if liquefied carbon dioxide is delivered to the main calibrated orifice at about 500-1500 psi (3450-10340 kNm “ ² ) depending on temperature (typically 0-40 ⁹ C) and if the pressure at the nozzle or at each outlet nozzle is as close as possible to the pressure of the carbon dioxide source. In practical terms, however, it is acceptable for the pressure drop between the carbon dioxide source and the outlet nozzle or nozzles to be about 40-70 psi (275-480 kNm ~ ² ), for example about 50- 60 psi (345-415 kNm ^-2 ) A pressure drop of 0.5-5.0 bar (50-500 kNm ^-2 ), preferably 1.0 to 3.0 and most preferably about 2.0 bar (200 kNm ^-2 ) in the main calibrated orifice, and thus the remaining pressure drop occurs in the third conduit. This third conduit typically consists of a series of conduits that branch into successive T junctions in successively narrower conduits. The Poiseuille formula can be used to calculate the pressure difference in each line:

Δρ = 896i / GL / 22pb ⁴ where Δρ represents the pressure difference in bar, ^ is the viscosity in Nsm “ ² , G is the mass flow in kgs ¹ , L is the length of the tube in m, p is the density in kgm ³ and b is the orifice diameter in m. In the previous formula the product of Ύ | , G, L and 896 is divided by the product of 22, p (ró) and the fourth power of b.

By judiciously choosing the lengths and diameters of the ducts, the desired overall pressure drop between the mixing chamber and the outlet nozzles can be obtained, and an excessive pressure drop along each individual duct can be avoided, once that the other way an undesirable level of cooling will occur, leading to the formation of ice on the outside of the duct. Optimum pressure differences in each nozzle of about 500-1000 psi (3450-6900 kNm ^-2 ), preferably 700-900 psi (4830-6200 kNm ^-2 ) and more preferably about 800 psi (5500 kNm ^-2 ).

active ingredient is in liquid form. The choice of active ingredient will depend on the function to be performed and, consequently, a number of compounds can be used, including but not limited to, bactericidal repellents, fungicides, germicides, deodorants, antiviral substances, biological substances, maturation agents, regulators growth factors such as methoprene, hydroprene, dimiline, and phenoxycarb, and anti-fouling compounds. The chemical substances which are preferred active ingredients of the present invention are natural pyrethrum and synthetic pyrethroids. The pyrethrin contains pyrethrins, botanical insecticides and whose active constituents are pyrethrins I and II and jasmine I and II, generically known as pyrethrins. Synthetic pyrethroids include alethrin, bifenthrin, bioremethrin, cyfluthrin, cyhalothrin, cypermethrin, phenothrin, deltamethrin, sbiotrin, enothrin, fenvalerate, fluvalinate, lambda cyhalothrin, permethrin, resmethrin, tetramethrin and tralometrine.

It is possible to have many different concentrations of the chemical active ingredient in the final mixture and those are better adjusted by changing the concentration of the active ingredient in the concentrate, rather than changing the ratio of concentrate to propellants. We have found that a proportion of about 9.0 - 15.0% of the concentration (especially if it is based on a petroleum distillate) in the propellant (especially if it is carbon dioxide) is convenient, preferably about 12%. For example, a mixture of 0.5% pyrethrins, 4.0% piperonyl butoxide, 7.9% petroleum distillate and 87.6% liquid carbon dioxide can be applied. This mixture is recommended for the following dose rates (use):

1. flying insects

2. crawling insects

3. cereal beetles and tobacco

- 8 g per 1000 ft ³ (28.32 m ³ )

- 16 g per 1000 ft ³ (28.32 m ³ )

- 24 g per 1000 ft ³ (28.32 m ³ ) at 2 hours of exposure.

Expressed as a supplied dose of active ingredients. the same doses provided are:

1. flying insects - 0.04 g IA / 1000 z 3 pe (28.32 m ³ ) 2. crawling insects - 0.08 g IA / 1000 ³ foot (28.32 m ³ ) 3. cereal beetles and tobacco - 0.12 g IA / 1000 '3 feet (28.32 m ³ ).

The pressures, viscosities and other parameters mentioned above lead to the release of a fine mist of droplets of about 7 p.m of average diameter.

For a release via a 32-64 nozzle system (releasing 6 gs each nozzle) a volume of concentrate of about 5.0-10.0 liters (4.0-8.0 kg) and about 30 , 0-80.0 kg of liquid carbon dioxide are sufficient to supply this volume.

It was found that it was advantageous, particularly with the aforementioned parameters of injector and pressure dimensions, that the viscosity of the active ingredient concentrate is comprised from 0.1 to 20 mPas (millipascal second) as determined by the ASTM D445 test, and preferably 0.5-10.0 mPas and more preferably about 1.5-3.0 mPas. A typical viscosity is about 2.17 mPas.

Another aspect of the invention reveals a reci. a liquid concentrate of an active ingredient, the container having an upper connecting piece comprising a first orifice: a second orifice; a transverse hole that extends between the first and second holes and that opens in these; a slide piston located in the transverse hole between the first and second holes, the slide piston being requested for one of said holes, but being prevented from entering the said hole by a locking piston; a first closed conduit that opens in the container at a point adjacent to the top of it; and a second closed conduit that opens in the conduit adjacent to its lower part; the assembly being arranged in such a way that a pin can be inserted into the hole that houses the locking piston to dislodge the locking piston and such that the subsequent removal of the pin allows the sliding piston to enter the said hole and thus prevent readmission the pin.

In order for the invention to be perceived with greater clarity, preferred construction variants will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a schematic representation of a simplified system that embodies the concept of the invention;

fig. 2 is a more detailed longitudinal sectional view of an injector and part of the concentrate container suitable for use in the system of fig. 1;

fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional view of the mixing chamber and the recovery zone of the injector of fig. 2; and fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view of the top of a concentrate container for connection to the injector of fig. 2.

Example 1

Fig. 1 shows a simple arrangement that incorporates a source of propellant 1 that is very

conveniently supplied in a metal bottle, but if a large volume is required, it can be a series of metal bottles connected by a valve. The propellant source 1 is connected via valves 2a and b, in a first conduit 3, to a main calibrated orifice 4a that opens to a mixing chamber 4b in an injector 4, and the source of the propellant is connected to a container concentrate 6 through a fourth conduit 5.

propellant is, for example, liquid carbon dioxide and the active ingredient in the concentrate is a desired composition, as enumerated in the preceding paragraphs of this specification. This example will be described in association with the desired dispersion of the active ingredient in the amount required to fumigate, or to treat in any other way, a known metered volume space. According to the known volume to be fumigated, a previously calculated amount of the active ingredient is placed in an active ingredient container 6.

To start the application the valves 2a and b are rotated in order to connect the source of propellant 1 to the container of concentrate 6. The propellant, in this case liquid carbon dioxide, is under pressure (approximately 840 psi, 5782 kPa) and flows through the first conduit 3, so that part of the flow passes through the calibrated orifice 4a in the injector 4 and part of the flow enters the concentrate container 6 through the first conduit 3 and the fourth conduit 9. Upon entering the concentrated liquid carbon dioxide can act as a solvent, absorbing the active ingredient in the concentrate container 6.

The pressure of liquid carbon dioxide from the propellant source 1 is sufficient to prevent any reflux of active ingredient absorbed from the concentrate container into the propellant source 1 and, consequently, it is not necessary to re-manipulate valves 2a and b. The pressure in the concentrate container requires the combination of

propellant and the active ingredient contained therein to flow through the second conduit 9 into the mixing chamber.

The mixing chamber 4 is in communication with the outlet opening 8 via a third conduit 7 and, thus, the mixing chamber (and the active ingredient chamber) are effectively emptied into the atmosphere through the outlet opening 8 which , in this constructive variant, consists of a series of nozzle bundles 8a-8h. Each beam has 4 individual nozzles. After exiting through outlet opening 8 the liquid carbon dioxide expands, forming an air-borne dispersion of particles of the active ingredient.

This state will persist until all the active ingredient that has previously been placed in the active ingredient container 6 is discharged. At this point the system can be closed isolated from the source of propellant 1 via valve 2a and the active ingredient container can be replaced or refilled with active ingredient when the system has rebalanced with atmospheric pressure.

From the previous description of the constructive variant shown in fig. 1 of the drawings, it can be understood that a previously measured amount of the active ingredient can be discharged and therefore it is not necessary to discharge neither more nor less active ingredient than that which is necessary for the purpose in view. The system is extremely simple in nature since the valves are the only moving parts, and the system requires only a source of liquid carbon dioxide to act as a propellant, a container for receiving the previously calculated load of the active ingredient, and ducts that connect the component parts together and lead to an outlet opening. The ducts are preferably flexible tubes with quick-connect devices at their ends, not only to allow a quick and convenient assembly and disassembly of the system, but also to facilitate the replacement of exhausted gas bottles and containers. Better control of congestion release can be achieved

content of the active ingredient container including a measuring means 10 in the second conduit 9.

In the previous constructive variant the mixing chamber and the attached parts of the pipes connected to it are shown as located externally to the active ingredient container. In an alternative arrangement (as shown in Fig. 2) the mixing chamber and the attached parts of the first, second, third and fourth conduits are arranged in a single mixing head assembly.

In the previous construction variants, the absorbed active ingredient has been described as being discharged from an outlet opening. Note that if a warehouse or factory is to be fumigated, the discharge site will more conveniently take the form of an upper spray system from which the active ingredient can be dispersed evenly throughout the contained volume.

Thus, the outlet opening 8 can consist, for example, of 32 or 64 individual nozzles.

The system may be provided with a dosing vessel connected to the first conduit 3 by means of a 3-way connection such that a pre-measured amount of pulsating agent can be used, taken from a larger source of propelling agent capable of delivering several of these doses. Non-return valves and in-line filters can be incorporated into the propellant ducts, as necessary.

Example 2

Fig. 2 shows a development of the injector of the simple system of fig. 1. The injector is generally represented at 20 and comprises an inlet 22 for the liquid carbon dioxide propellant, which opens to a dividing chamber 24 that divides the carbon dioxide stream between a carbon dioxide to concentrate conduit 26 and a conduit carbon dioxide into the calibrated orifice 28, which

ends at a main calibrated orifice 30 that opens to a mixing chamber 32. The carbon dioxide conduit for concentrate 26 is equivalent to part of the fourth conduit in the constructive variant of fig. 1. The carbon dioxide duct for concentrate 26 ends at a tapered orifice 34 adapted to penetrate a seal 36 that closes the inlet duct 38 of a concentrate container 40, of which only the upper part is shown in fig. 2. Said inlet line 38 constitutes the remainder of the fourth line of fig. 1. The concentrate container 40 is also provided with an outlet conduit 42 similarly equipped with a sealing seal 44, adapted to be penetrated by the tapered end 46 of a mixing conduit 48, which through a metered orifice 49 and a annular region 54 surrounding the carbon dioxide conduit to the calibrated orifice 28, leads to the mixing chamber 32. The outlet conduit 42 and the mixing conduit 48 consist of the second conduit of fig. 1. Said carbon dioxide inlet 22, the dividing chamber 24, the ducts 26, 28 and 48 and the mixing chamber are all components of a so-called mixing head that can be screwed tightly by means of a threaded ring 52 on the concentrate container 40 so that the tapered holes 34, 46 penetrate the respective seals 36, 44.

The mixing chamber 32 consists of a generally cylindrical part 56 adjacent to the calibrated orifice 30, and a tapered part 58 centered around an outlet opening 60. The outlet opening 60 opens to a divergent conical recovery zone 62 that ends in a female connector part 64 adapted to receive a corresponding male connector part (not shown) at the end of a conduit leading to the outlet nozzles, i.e. the third conduit of fig. 1.

Fig. 3 shows the mixing chamber and the recovery zone in more detail. The total length of the represented device is 95 mm. The annular region 54 of the mixing duct 48 and the cylindrical part 56 of the mixing chamber extend over 36 mm and both have a diameter of 13 mm. Ring portion 54 of mixing duct 48 is included for manufacturing convenience only and serves only to send the initial concentrate / carbon dioxide mixture to the mixing chamber. It is equally effective, although more difficult to manufacture, that said mixture is sent directly to the mixing chamber through a simple (non-annular) conduit. The tapered part extends over an axial length of about 10 mm and has a tapering angle of about 452 with respect to the axis of the device, the tapered part 58 being smoothly rounded for seamless connection to the cylindrical part 56 and smoothly rounded to meets outlet opening 60, which has a diameter of 4.2 mm. The size of the outlet opening is not particularly critical and can be increased, for example to 5.0 mm if a higher flow is required (for example for a 64 nozzle system). The recovery zone 62 extends axially by 33 mm, the first 3.0 mm of which have a parallel wall hole and the remaining 30 mm have divergent conical walls at an inclusive angle of 5 ² (that is, an angle of 2.5 ^a in relation to the center line or axis) in such a way that it ends in a diameter of 7.0 mm. The length of the orifice section of parallel walls of the recovery zone should be as short as possible and preferably does not exceed 5.0 mm. A length of not more than 3.0 mm, 2.0 mm or 1.0 mm is preferred. Expressed in terms of proportions, the length of the orifice portion of parallel walls preferably does not exceed 15% of the total length of the recovery zone, and most preferably is not greater than 10%, 5%, 2% or 1% of the same. All of these are considered to constitute a divergent conical recovery zone immediately adjacent to the outlet opening.

When the male connection terminal of the outlet conduit is placed in position on the female connection part 64, the internal cavity of the conduit is in alignment with the internal cavity of the recovery zone 62 so that there is no sudden transition. A smooth flow of the chain is important.

The gap between the calibrated orifice 30 and the outlet opening 60 is preferably 5 to 10 mm, since the shape of the calibrated orifice then becomes less critical. A gap of less than 5 mm can be used with a smaller calibrated hole. A gap of more than 10 mm does not cause an efficient drag of the mixture by carbon dioxide.

In operation, the mixing head 50 is screwed onto the concentrate container 40 as mentioned, and a source of liquid carbon dioxide is connected to the inlet of carbon dioxide 22. Part of carbon dioxide passes into the container of concentrate 40 and mix it with the concentrate. The remainder passes through the calibrated orifice 30 to the mixing chamber 32 in order to create a pressure difference between the carbon dioxide source and the chamber. This pressure drop draws the mixture of carbon dioxide and concentrate from the concentrate container 40 through the conduit 48 to the mixing chamber 32, after which it mixes with the carbon dioxide therein and exits through the outlet opening 60.

the relatively long length of the carbon dioxide duct for the calibrated orifice 28 helps to eliminate turbulence and eddies there, which in turn allows for a more controlled and axially symmetrical current of the mis. mixing chamber 32.

A length of 36 mm is appropriate. Longer lengths are also usable, although they are usually unnecessary. A length of less than 25 mm may be less satisfactory.

The delivery rate of the active ingredient can be controlled via the dosing port 49. Any suitable measuring device can be used and is adjusted with reference to the flow rate and viscosity of the mixture passing through it. It has been found that the operation of the system, in terms of efficient exhaustion of the concentrate from the container 40 and the delivery to the outlet nozzles, is only affected by the adjustment of the dosing orifice 49 only if the release rate

through the nozzles it is low, for example about 1.0 -30.0 gs in total. In fact, for release rates greater than about 180 gs, the adjustment of the orifice of the doser 49 is not critical with regard to the behavior of the system. The tapered end 46 of the mixing duct 48 can be constructed to be removable from the mixing head 50 together with the dosing orifice 49, so that this dosing orifice 49 can be replaced to adapt to different delivery systems.

For an elevation of 0.3-0.5 m (from the concentrate level in the concentrate container to the mixing chamber) and a typical paraffin or diesel viscosity, an opening of about 2 mm in diameter (usually 1.5-2.5 mm). For a less viscous concentrate, a diameter of 1.0-0.5 mm may be convenient, and for a more viscous concentrate, a diameter of 2.5-3.0 mm may be better.

Due to the pressure drop through the calibrated orifice 30, some of the carbon dioxide evaporates to form a vapor or gas. The conical recovery zone 62 allows this vapor or gas to condense and redissolve in the carbon dioxide / concentrate mixture in such a way that, the moment the current enters the duct leading to the outlet nozzles, it does not there is essentially gas or vapor present in the stream. It is extremely important that the current at the end of the recovery zone is essentially completely liquid, since this makes the sending of the mixture to and through the outlet nozzles smoother. An additional benefit of the recondensation and redissolution of gaseous carbon dioxide in the liquid stream in the recovery zone is that the small amount of heat produced helps to counteract the cooling effect in the mixing chamber and thus helps to prevent freezing.

Fig. 4 shows a section through the top part of the concentrate container 40 which, in fig. 2, is represented only schematically. Top piece 70 has a first cavity 72 adapted to receive a first pin (not shown) in the mixing head and a second hole 74 adapted to receive a second pin (also not shown) in the mixing head. The first and second pins are arranged in an orthogonal arrangement with respect to the tapered ends 34, 36 of the carbon dioxide conduit for concentrate 26 and the mixing conduit 48. A transverse hole 76 extends through one side of the top piece 70 and through the first and second holes 72, 74 to end in a blind hole. A suitable plunger 78 is located in the central part of the transverse hole 76, in other words, between the first and the second holes 72, 74. The plunger 78 is provided with a hole where a spiral compression spring 80 is placed, which is placed in position, under compression, by a hollow sleeve 82 which is in alignment with the first orifice 72. The sliding plunger 78 is prevented from being requested to the second orifice 74 by a locking plunger 84 which has a narrower area to accommodate to the adjacent end of the slide piston 78.

Concentrate container is provided to the user with the appropriate load of active ingredient already placed in the container and the seals 36, 44 (shown in Fig. 2 and referred to above) intact. These seals may be color coded to assist the user in identifying which of the holes corresponds. Additionally, as seen clearly in figs. 2 and 3, one of the holes 74 is narrower than the other 72 and the pins in the mixing head have corresponding dimensions so that the mixing head and the concentrating container cannot be connected in the wrong way.

In order to use the device, the user contacts the mixing head and the concentration container to break the seals. In doing so, the locking pin is pushed down into the second hole 74 of the top part of the concentrate container by the second pin of the mixing head and the sliding piston 78 is held in its position only by 17

the tapered end 46 of the mixing duct 48. When the mixing head is removed after use, the sliding plunger is requested to the second hole 74 by spring 80 and will then act to prevent the replacement of a mixing head . This prevents the user from reusing the concentrate container. Instead, it is returned to the manufacturer for controlled refilling, which involves removing the sleeve 82 and readjusting the previously described spring and plunger arrangement.

Claims (1)

- ia - Injector (20) for mixing a stream of a liquefied gaseous propellant and a liquid stream containing an active ingredient, characterized in that the injector comprises: a mixing chamber (32); a first injector line (28) for supplying the propellant, this first line opening in the mixing chamber through a main calibrated orifice (30); a second conduit (48) for supplying the active ingredient to the mixing chamber; an outlet orifice (60) that opens at the outlet of the chamber and located opposite the main calibrated orifice; and a third conduit (62, 64) connecting the outlet opening to an application opening, this third conduit extending from the outlet opening so as to have a larger diameter than the outlet opening. -2 ^ - Injector according to claim 1, characterized in that the third duct extends from a point immediately adjacent to the outlet port. -3a - Injector according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the region of the third conduit widens at an angle of no more than 10 ⁹ . -4a - Inject according to claim 3, characterized in that said angle is from 3 to 52. Device for mixing an active ingredient and a liquefied gaseous propellant, comprising a concentrate container (6) for the active ingredient, an injector (4) comprising a calibrated inlet port (4a) for the propellant and a mixing chamber (4b), a first duct (3) connecting the injected inlet port (4a) to a source of propellant (1) and a second duct (9) connecting the concentrate container (6) to the mixing chamber (4b), a third conduit (7) connecting the mixing chamber to an application opening (8) and a fourth conduit (5) connecting the first conduit (3) to the concentrate container (6), characterized in that a means for creating a pressure difference between the fluid in the part of the first conduit that opens in the mixing chamber, and fluid in the mixing chamber, said pressure difference (I) being sufficient to expel essentially all the active ingredient from the co container. ncentric (6), (II) less than the pressure necessary to cause a cooling effect in the mixing chamber, and (III) less than the pressure that causes an erratic dispersion of the active ingredient from the application opening (8 ). 6. The device according to claim 5, characterized in that the pressure difference is between 1.01 x 10 ² and 5.05 x 10 ² KPa. _ 7â _ Device according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the injector and at least part of the second and fourth ducts (6,9) are located in a single mixing head assembly. Device according to one of Claims 5 to 7, characterized in that it additionally comprises a regulating means (10) in the second conduit (9) for controlling the release of the contents of the concentrate container - 9â _ Process for mixing and applying a liquid active ingredient with a liquefied gaseous propellant, including the steps of attaching a charge of the active ingredient in a container (6) to a source of the propellant (1), in dividing the flow of the propellant upstream of the active ingredient container (6) so as to give a first portion of the propellant flowing into the active ingredient container (6) and a second portion of the propellant entering a mixing chamber (4b) through a main calibrated orifice (4a) describing a path that does not pass through the active ingredient container, the mixing chamber having an outlet opening that opens to a third pipe leading to an opening, and creating a pressure difference across the main calibrated orifice (4a), characterized in that said pressure difference is (I) sufficient to allow essentially all the active ingredient to be removed acid from the active ingredient container, (II) such that in the mixing chamber there is a cooling effect of not more than 15%, and (III) is less than that which would cause an erratic dispersion of the active ingredient at the exit of the application opening (8). - 10 ^A method according to claim 9 wherein the blowing agent is carbon dioxide. liquid. - Container for a liquid concentrate of an active ingredient, characterized in that it comprises a top connection piece (70) comprising a first orifice (72) and a second orifice (74); a transverse orifice (76) that extends between the first and second orifices and which opens in these; a sliding piston (78) located in the transverse hole between the first and the second hole, the sliding piston being requested for one of said holes, but being prevented from entering the said hole by a locking piston; a first closed conduit (38) which opens in the container at a point adjacent to the top of the same; and a second closed conduit (42) that opens in the conduit adjacent to its lower part; the assembly being arranged in such a way that a pin can be inserted into the hole that houses the locking piston (84) to dislodge the locking piston (84) and such that subsequent removal of the pin allows the sliding piston (78) to enter in the said orifice and thus prevent the pin from being readmitted.