WO2006111368A2

WO2006111368A2 - Multi container aerosol dispenser and method for producing thereof

Info

Publication number: WO2006111368A2
Application number: PCT/EP2006/003580
Authority: WO
Inventors: Maurice Jean Robert Jansen
Original assignee: Corus Staal Bv
Priority date: 2005-04-19
Filing date: 2006-04-19
Publication date: 2006-10-26
Also published as: WO2006111368A3

Abstract

A multi container aerosol spray dispenser, having a non-pressurized product container (1) provided with a first valve, the product container being adapted to contain a product to be dispensed, and a substantially rigid propellant container (2) provided with a second valve, the propellant container being seated in the immediate vicinity of the product container and the propellant container being adapted to contain a pressurized propellant out of contact with the product to be dispensed, the multi container aerosol spray dispenser having an actuator (3) with a discharge outlet (S), wherein the actuator enables synchronized opening of the first and the second valve, thereby connecting the containers and thereby enabling drawing of the product from the product container (1) through product carrying means (5) to the actuator (3) and subsequent discharging of the product through the discharge outlet (6) wherein the product carrying means (5) are located outside the propellant container (2).

Description

MULTI CONTAINER AEROSOL DISPENSER AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING THEREOF

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to hand held sprayers for spraying aerosol products, more particularly to multi container sprayers having a product container for containing the product to be dispensed and a propellant container for containing a pressurized propellant to dispense the product.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Multi container sprayers of various types are well known, including sprayers having side by side containers, sprayers having piggyback containers wherein a propellant container is positioned on top of a product container, and sprayers wherein a propellant container is positioned within a product container to form inner and outer containers. Reference is made to WO0226392A1 according to which a particular advantage of such multi container sprayers is that they lend themselves to the use of less propellant and higher product to propellant ratios at the discharge outlet, very desirable features in view of the expense and environmental concerns relating to commonly used aerosol propellants such as those containing volatile organic compounds. For a satisfactory multi container sprayer having inner propellant and outer product containers, there are a large number of criteria that need to be addressed and satisfied, see WO0226392A1 (page 2, line 8 to page 4, Iine3) these criteria hereby deemed to be incorporated by reference.

The purpose or object of the present invention is to improve on the known multi container spray dispenser, in particular by constructing it in such a way that standardized state of the art elements can be used and a greater degree of freedom is provided as to shape, appearance and volume of such a spray dispenser.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of the invention is reached by providing a multi container aerosol spray dispenser, having a non-pressurized product container provided with a first valve, the product container being adapted to contain a product to be dispensed, and a substantially rigid propellant container provided with a second valve, the propellant container being seated in the immediate vicinity of the product container and the propellant container being adapted to contain a pressurized propellant out of contact with the product to be dispensed, the multi container aerosol spray dispenser having an actuator with a discharge outlet, wherein the actuator enables synchronized opening of the first and the second valve, thereby connecting the containers and thereby enabling drawing of the product from the product container through product carrying means to the actuator and subsequent discharging of the product through the discharge outlet wherein the product carrying means are located outside the propellant container. The present invention provides a multi container aerosol spray dispenser having a first non-pressurized container provided with a first valve adapted to contain the product to be dispensed. It is clear that more than one first non-pressurized container may be present. A substantially rigid, propellant container provided with a second valve, is seated in the immediate vicinity of the product container and is adapted to contain a pressurized propellant out of contact with the product to be dispensed. If so required, more than one propellant container may be present. There is no direct contact between the propellant and the product to be dispensed prior to entering the actuator. The product container is not pressurized and no complicated valves are required to prevent, during actuation, misdirected propellant flow from the propellant container into the product container. Also, the valves can be of a much simpler design, than those in the prior art multi-container dispensers where product carrying means run through the propellant container. The spray dispenser has an actuator e.g. in the form of a bridging portion which in normal operating conditions may be located above the product container and the propellant container which enables synchronized opening of the first and second valve and connecting of the two or more compartments or containers. The actuator further includes orifices communicating with the propellant (or second) container and the product (or first) container, and sealing means to suitably communicate with the valves of the containers. Also, use of standardized components is facilitated, particularly the valve system and the propellant container. In an embodiment of the invention the multi container aerosol spray dispenser is provided with a product carrying tube for drawing the product to be dispensed from the product container to the actuator for transporting the product to be dispensed towards the discharge outlet. The actuator is adapted to enable drawing of the product from the product container by the propellant. Characterizing feature is that there is no product carrying tube running from the product container (or first container) through the propellant container (or second container). The product container is not pressurized and no complicated valves are required to prevent, during actuation, misdirected propellant flow from the propellant container into the product container. Also, the valve system can be much simpler, and therefore the multi container spray dispenser can be produced more economically. Also, the product comes into contact with the propellant only just prior to being dispensed.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention the product actuator is provided with an insert with a venturi constriction for drawing the product to be dispensed from the product container to the actuator. The venturi constriction or the like creates an underpressure in the product container, which is not pressurized, and product is drawn from the product container, for example through a product carrying tube, to the actuator and is dispensed immediately thereafter through the discharge outlet. In an embodiment of the invention the actuator is mounted substantially on the top of the -valve stem of the valve of the propellant container, with an extension connecting the actuator to the first valve.

The spray actuator may be mounted substantially on the top of the valve stem of the valve of the propellant container, with an extension overlying an opening at the top of the product container, part of the actuator co-operating with the opening at the top of the product container so as to function as a valve. The actuator has a discharge opening, and may have an insert with a venturi constriction to obtain high product to propellant ratios. This bridging portion, which is located above the product container and the propellant container enables synchronized opening of the first and second valve and connecting of the two or more compartments or containers. By engaging the actuator the bridging portion synchronically opens the first and second valves for allowing the propellant to draw the product from the product container and to transport the product to the discharge outlet.

In an embodiment of the invention the first valve is adapted to uncontrolled release of the product if the spray dispenser is subjected to a sudden under-pressure or to tilting of the dispenser.

Since the product container is not pressurized, a sudden under-pressure, as sometimes happens in an aircraft, may give rise to uncontrolled release of product from the product container if the pressure in the product container is higher than the pressure in the surrounding space. To prevent this uncontrolled release, a valve may be placed between the discharge opening and the liquid in the product container, but preferably between the actuator and the liquid in the product container to prevent release of the product when the actuator is not engaged. This valve function may be integrated in the first valve. This valve should also prevent release of the product while the dispenser is tilted or kept upside down and the actuator is not engaged. The product container may be provided with means to allow equalization of pressure in the product container and the surrounding space, such as a resealable seal. To avoid build-up of pressure in the product container, a venting mechanism such as a one-way valve or seal may be used. This venting mechanism may be selected to open at a certain preselected over-pressure.

In a preferred embodiment the first valve is of the so called gasket-stem-bore type. In this embodiment the stem of the valve is formed by part of the actuator which extends in an opening in the product container provided with a gasket. When the actuator is pressed down, the gasket is bent, and an opening in the wall of the stem is no longer sealed by the gasket, so that the propellant container is connected to the channel through the stem. If the propellant container is a standard aerosol can, the spring of the valve of the aerosol can serves to return not only the second valve to its closed position but also the first valve as well as the actuator to its rest position.

The invention is also embodied in an aerosol spray dispenser, comprising in combination a product container for containing a product to be dispensed provided with a first valve adapted to contain the product to be dispensed, a propellant container seated in the immediate vicinity of the product container for containing a pressurized propellant out of contact with the product to be dispensed provided with a second valve, actuator means to enable synchronized opening of the first and second valve and connecting of the two compartments via a venturi to draw product from the product container, wherein there is no product carrying tube running through the propellant container. The invention is also embodied in a multi container aerosol spray dispenser wherein a product carrying tube is provided for drawing the product to be dispensed from the product container to the actuator for transporting or propelling the product to be dispensed towards the discharge outlet. The actuator means may be mounted substantially on the top of the valve stem of the valve of the propellant container, with an extension connecting the actuator to the first valve. The first valve may be adapted to prevent leakage or uncontrolled release of the product if the spray dispenser is subjected to a sudden under-pressure or to tilting of the dispenser. The propellant container may be in the form of a standard aerosol can filled with a propellant. This propellant container, the propellant container, may be a metal container, such as a steel or aluminium container, which may be a so-called 2-part or a 3-part can, but it may also be produced of a different material able to withstand the internal pressure in the propellant container. These materials include polymer materials. In an embodiment the multi container aerosol spray dispenser comprises two or more product containers and at least one propellant container. In this embodiment the spray dispenser comprises a propellant container and a plurality of product containers, each containing a product to be dispensed. These products may be components of a multi- component spray (such as a multicomponent glue containing glue and a hardening component, a multi-component paint containing paint and a hardening component, a cleaning agent and a conserving agent, or a plurality of different odours) so as to be mixed while spraying, thereby optionally enhancing the effect of the product to be sprayed. By appropriately adapting the actuator the different product containers may be accessed simultaneously so as to achieve the proper mixing ratio of the various components, or even separately. The latter may be relevant for a spray dispenser containing different odours of product in separate product containers. In case of a multi-component glue or paint, it may be necessary to adapt the actuator to enable it to be cleaned after use to prevent clogging of the conduits and/or discharge outlet, or to supply the dispenser with one or more spare actuators which can be exchanged with the used actuator.

In an embodiment of the invention the propellant container at least the side wall of the propellant container is substantially completely, preferably completely, enclosed by the product container or containers. In this embodiment the propellant container can be a standard aerosol can. In an embodiment the propellant container is substantially completely, preferably completely, enclosed by the product container or containers, i.e. also the bottom part of the dispenser. In an embodiment of the invention the propellant container is a shaped can so as to enable the external surface of the spray dispenser to be formed by at least part of the shaped can. The product container may provide the remainder, or part of the remainder of the external surface of the spray dispenser.

The multi-container aerosol spray dispenser may be provided with means to allow refilling of the product container, for instance through a resealable opening or seal. The dispenser may also be provided with means to allow exchange of the propellant container, for instance if the container is empty while the product container is not empty, or for exchange of the propellant container after a refilling of the product container. In an embodiment the side wall and/or the bottom of the spray dispenser is formed by the propellant container or containers, wherein the propellant container is a shaped can. In another embodiment the product container, or, in the event there is more than one product container, at least one of the product containers, is a shaped can. According to a second aspect, a method is provided to produce a shaped multi- container aerosol spray dispenser wherein part of the casing and/or the bottom of the spray dispenser is formed by at least part of a shaped propellant container, the method comprising the following steps:

• producing a propellant container • shaping of the propellant container

• filling and closing of the propellant container

• producing a product container or containers

• assembling the propellant container and the product container into a spray dispenser.

This method provides an economic way to produce multi-container spray dispenser having a large degree of freedom as to shape, appearance and volume of such a spray dispenser. The propellant container may be a two-part container comprising a body and a top cone, or a three part container comprising a bottom-part, a wall part and a top cone. The propellant container is made of a formable material such as a metal, for instance a suitable formable steel alloy or formable aluminium or a formable aluminium alloy. It may also be produced of a different material able to withstand the internal pressure in the propellant container. These materials include thermoplastic or thermosetting polymer materials. It will be clear that the same method can be used to produce a multi-container spray dispenser comprising one or more shaped product containers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a photographic representation of a spray dispenser of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional side view of the spray dispenser of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic representation of different stages in the method to produce a spray dispenser comprising a shaped propellant container.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENT

FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate generally an aerosol spray dispenser having product container 1 for containing a product to be dispensed. Container 1 may be made from a variety of plastics in a variety of shapes, sizes and colors to meet marketing needs, e.g. as suggested in Fig. 1 , it may be made of a transparent polymer.

Container 1 will not contain a propellant, and accordingly may be made of any suitable material since a particular strength is not required to resist propellant deformation or possible rupture. The products to be dispensed may include household products, insecticides, herbicides, cosmetic products, paints, etc.

In the embodiment shown, seated within container 1 is container 2 for containing a liquefied propellant having a liquid phase and an overlying gaseous phase. Inner container 2 may be a conventional aerosol can e.g. made of metal. This container 2 may be a 2-part or a 3-part can. The use of such containers 2, which preferably are of a standard size, allows optimal flexibility of the external shape of the spray dispenser whilst keeping the costs of the propellant container down. The spray dispenser according to the invention may be constructed in such a way that the first and/or the propellant container may be refilled or exchanged. Container 2 e.g. has an ordinary aerosol valve assembly including a valve stem. If actuator 3 is operated, propellant from container 2 will flow through the bore in the actuator and spray from the discharge outlet 6. At the same time, as actuator 3 when operated also connects discharge outlet 6 and dip tube 5 via a venturi constriction, the flow of propellant draws product from container 1 up dip tube 5 and transports it towards discharge outlet 6.

Container 1 may be provided with a pressure equalizing valve in order to substantially maintain ambient pressure in it. The function of pressure equalizing may be integrated in the first valve. In a preferred embodiment the first valve is of the so called gasket- stem-bore type. In this embodiment the stem of the valve is formed by part of the actuator which extends in an opening in the product container provided with a gasket. When the actuator is pressed down, the gasket is bent, and an opening in the wall of the stem is no longer sealed by the gasket, so that container 2 is connected to the channel through the stem. If container 2 is a standard aerosol can, the spring of the valve of the aerosol can serves to return not only the second valve to its closed position but also the first valve as well as the actuator to its rest position. In Fig. 3 the method to produce a shaped multi-container spray dispenser wherein part of the casing and (in this particular example) the bottom of the spray dispenser comprises a shaped propellant container is illustrated. Fig. 3a shows the production of the body, which may be preprinted, as well as the necking and flensing of top and bottom of the body. Fig. 3b. shows the addition of a top cone, and the aerosol after shaping, for instance by a blowing operation. Fig. 3c shows the propellant container after filling and closing (left) as well as the product container (right). Fig. 3d shows the multi-container aerosol dispenser having a shaped propellant container and a product container after assembly.

Claims

1. A multi container aerosol spray dispenser, having a non-pressurized product container (1 ) provided with a first valve, the product container being adapted to contain a product to be dispensed, and a substantially rigid propellant container

(2) provided with a second valve, the propellant container being seated in the immediate vicinity of the product container and the propellant container being adapted to contain a pressurized propellant out of contact with the product to be dispensed, the multi container aerosol spray dispenser having an actuator (3) with a discharge outlet (6), wherein the actuator enables synchronized opening of the first and the second valve, thereby connecting the containers and thereby enabling drawing of the product from the product container (1 ) through product carrying means (5) to the actuator (3) and subsequent discharging of the product through the discharge outlet (6) characterised in that the product carrying means (5) are located outside the propellant container (2).

2. A multi container aerosol spray dispenser according to claim 1 wherein the product carrying means (5) comprise a product carrying tube (5) for drawing the product to be dispensed from the product container (1) to the actuator (3).

3. A multi container aerosol spray dispenser according to claim 1 wherein the actuator (3) is provided with an insert with a venturi constriction for drawing the product to be dispensed from the product container (1 ) to the actuator (3) and transporting the product to be dispensed towards the discharge outlet (6).

4. A multi container aerosol spray dispenser according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the actuator is mounted substantially on the top of the valve stem of the valve of the propellant container, with an extension connecting the actuator to the first valve.

5. A multi container aerosol spray dispenser according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the first valve is adapted to prevent uncontrolled release of the product if the spray dispenser is subjected to a sudden under-pressure or to tilting of the dispenser.

6. An aerosol spray dispenser, comprising in combination a product container for containing a product to be dispensed provided with a first valve adapted to contain the product to be dispensed, a propellant container seated in the immediate vicinity of the product container for containing a pressurized propellant out of contact with the product to be dispensed provided with a second valve, actuator means to enable synchronized opening of the first and second valve and connecting of the two compartments via a venturi to draw product from the product container, wherein there is no product carrying tube running through the propellant container.

7. A multi container aerosol spray dispenser according to claim 6 wherein a product carrying tube (5) is provided for drawing the product to be dispensed from the product container (1 ) to the actuator (3) for transporting the product to be dispensed towards the discharge outlet (6).

8. A multi container aerosol spray dispenser according to claim 6 or 7 wherein the actuator means are mounted substantially on the top of the valve stem of the valve of the propellant container, with an extension connecting the actuator to the first valve.

9. A multi container aerosol spray dispenser according to any one of claims 6, 7 or 8 wherein the first valve is adapted to prevent uncontrolled release of the product if the spray dispenser is subjected to a sudden under-pressure or to tilting of the dispenser.

10. A multi container aerosol spray dispenser according to any one of the preceding claims comprising two or more product containers and at least one propellant container.

1 1. A multi container aerosol spray dispenser according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the product container or containers completely enclose the side walls of the propellant container.

12. A multi container aerosol spray dispenser according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the side wall and/or the bottom of the spray dispenser is formed by the propellant container.

13. A multi container aerosol spray dispenser according to claim 12 wherein the side wall and/or the bottom of the spray dispenser is formed by the propellant container or containers, and wherein the propellant container is a shaped can.

14. A multi container aerosol spray dispenser according to any one of the preceding claims wherein at least one of the product containers is a shaped can.

15. Method to produce a shaped multi container aerosol spray dispenser wherein part of the casing and/or the bottom of the spray dispenser is formed by at least part of a shaped propellant container comprising the following steps:

^■ producing a propellant container

^■ shaping of the propellant container ^■ filling and closing of the propellant container

^■ producing a product container

^■ assembling the propellant container and the product container into a spray dispenser.