DE102014207053A1 - Device for generating aerosols - Google Patents

Abstract

A device for generating aerosols (100), which allows the user to select a drug to be delivered. The device (100) comprises a plurality of cartridge nozzles (1) with a reservoir (40, 50, 60) for receiving a drug and a nozzle for delivering the drug into the environment. In addition, in the device (100) a fluid pressure source (102) for receiving a pressurized fluid contained, wherein one of the cartridge nozzles (1) is replaceable by the fluid pressure source (102) with a fluid mass flow supplied. In this case, the cartridge nozzles (1) are adapted so that, during the supply of a cartridge nozzle (1), the fluid mass flow from the fluid pressure source (102) flows through the cartridge nozzle (1) and then escapes into the environment. In this case, an active ingredient can be added to the fluid flow through this cartridge nozzle (1). The cartridge nozzles (1) are positioned in a receptacle (101) on the device (100), wherein the receptacle (101) is rotatably mounted about an axis of the device (100). By rotating the receptacle (101), the cartridge nozzle (1) to be connected to the compressed air source (102) can be selected.

Description

The invention relates to a device for generating aerosols, also called spraying device. For example, the device may be used to transfer a personal care product, such as a deodorant or cream, from an initial liquid state to an aerosol and spray onto the desired body part.

Similar devices are known in the art. These are, for example, spray cans which, for example, spray a deodorant, a hairspray or a cream. Such spray cans are also known as spray cans or aerosol cans. These include a pressure vessel containing a high pressure propellant, such as propane, butane or mixtures thereof. As propellant gases and compressed air or nitrogen can be used. The principle of the action of a spray can with propane or butane as blowing agent is that the blowing agent is present in the interior of the pressure vessel in two phases, namely gaseous and liquid. Due to the density difference of the two phases, the liquid settles in the lower part of the can, above a gas space, also called pressure pad, formed of gaseous propellant. In addition, an active ingredient is dissolved in the liquid phase of the blowing agent. The spray can has a nozzle outlet which is connected to a hose which projects into the liquid phase of the propellant. Now, when the sampling valve is actuated, the active ingredient, dissolved in liquid propellant, escapes through the tube from the can.

Furthermore, spray cans are known in which the propellant and the active ingredient are stored in different containers. With spray cans of this so-called aerosol technique, it is also possible to spray those active substances which do not mix with a blowing agent or can be dissolved in it. The most widely used for this purpose is the valve bag system. Here, in addition to the compressed propellant, a bag in the pressure vessel in which the active ingredient is contained. The pressurized propellant in turn exerts a pressure on the bag in which the active substance is stored. When activating the removal valve, thus the pressure chamber, with the propellant contained therein, and the bag, with the active substance contained therein, simultaneously emptied into the environment. In this case, an aerosol is formed and discharged in the nozzle.

The disadvantage in the prior art is that conventional spray cans can contain and dispense only a single active ingredient or a single active ingredient composition. For example, it is not possible to use one and the same deodorant dispenser to dispense either with different fragrances. Also, it is not possible to issue either a deodorant, or a sunscreen emulsion from one and the same can.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a device for dispensing aerosols in which the drug to be delivered is arbitrarily selectable by the user.

The object is achieved with a device for generating aerosols, which contains the features of claim 1.

Advantageous developments are the subject of the dependent claims.

The device has a cartridge nozzle and a fluid pressure source. The gas in the fluid pressure source is under pressure. From the fluid pressure source, a fluid mass flow of a carrier gas can be removed, which is to flow through the cartridge nozzle. This process is called spraying. During the flow through the cartridge nozzle, that is, during the spraying process, an active substance which is stored inside the cartridge nozzle is added to the fluid mass flow of the carrier gas. The cartridge nozzle is arranged during the spraying process so that the carrier gas flow passes through it. The fluid mass flow enters at the designated location in the cartridge nozzle and leaves the nozzle at the designated output and then escapes into the environment. The device may include a plurality of cartridge nozzles. The different cartridge nozzles may have different active ingredients and / or drug combinations. The at least one cartridge nozzle may be positioned by a receptacle within the device. The receptacle may be rotatably mounted about an axis of the device. The cartridge nozzles can be arranged in a receiving component (receptacle). The receptacle can thus position the cartridge nozzles on the device. By moving the holder with the cartridge nozzles contained in it, the nozzles can be positioned. This can be done by moving or rotating the recording. By rotating the receptacle about a central axis of the device, a cartridge nozzle can be brought into and out of communication with the fluid pressure source. As an active ingredient, which is to be sprayed through the device, for example, a deodorant is conceivable. Due to the possibility of using different cartridge nozzles with different active ingredients in the device, it would be conceivable to use as active ingredients deodorants with different fragrances. So a user can be customized according to the morning shower choose which deodorant fragrance he wants to use. It would also be conceivable to have a cartridge nozzle with deodorant, after-shave, moisturizer and sunscreen cream available in the device at the same time. It would also be conceivable to have available in the device various cartridge nozzles which contain the identical active ingredient but in different concentrations. This could be a Anwendungskur, for example, for human hair, realized (5-day hair cure ect.). In addition, it is conceivable to mark the different cartridge nozzles with different colors. For example, the cartridge nozzle with deodorant could be red, the aftershave blue, the sunscreen yellow. The user of the device may also purchase all personal care products from a single device. When traveling, the required products would no longer have to be carried individually. It would also be conceivable to provide the device for multiple persons in a household for use. For example, each household member could insert the cartridge nozzle with the individually preferred deodorant fragrance into the device. Thus, the device would be used by several people as a deodorant dispenser, each user is his own deodorant fragrance available.

In the recording several cartridges can be arranged. The cartridge nozzles can be inserted into the receptacle. The receptacle may have at least one pocket for receiving at least one cartridge nozzle. By rotating the receptacle, the cartridge nozzles can be brought into an exchange position and replaced. Accordingly, the cartridge nozzle connected to the fluid pressure source may be exchangeable by rotation of the receptacle while all the cartridge nozzles remain in the receptacle. The cartridge nozzles may be removable from the device and reusable. The cartridge nozzles can be designed as disposable products that can be easily disposed of after use. An advantage of this is that the cartridge nozzles always provide an optimal spray pattern, as they do not clog by a regular exchange. In addition, the device according to the invention from an ecological point of view makes most sense, since after a consumption of the drug of a cartridge nozzle exclusively the cartridge nozzle must be disposed of and replaced, but not the entire device. A known from the prior art deodorant must be completely disposed of after consumption in comparison, which heavily pollutes the environment. In addition, the device according to the invention makes it possible to realize a business model which is known in other fields. For example, coffee makers are distributed by various manufacturers, which prepare from these inserted "coffee pads" a caffeinated hot drink. The coffee machines are very cheap, often sold without profit, to the customer.

This is then forced to buy throughout the life of the coffee machine, the required "coffee pads", which is the contribution margin of the business model is generated. With the device according to the invention, a very similar business model can be realized, in which the customer can buy the device at a low price, and the cartridge nozzles with their active ingredient then have to be regularly re-purchased. Furthermore, there is a possibility of using the device for marketing purposes: It is known that, for example, in the perfume industry small perfume samples (filled in glass tubes) are spent free of charge to the end customer, so that he can test a new fragrance and then ideally intended for sale Perfume product acquires. A similar advertising concept can be implemented with the device according to the invention. It would be conceivable to issue corresponding cartridge nozzles to the end customer as "trial packs". These cartridges can contain only a small amount of active ingredient, which is sufficient only for a few applications, just for trial purposes. These sample test cartridges may also contain perfume, or other end products / agents.

The cartridge nozzles used in the device or the recording can be secured by the recording. The forces exerted by the fluid mass flow on the cartridge nozzle forces can be dissipated by the inclusion in the housing.

The device may also have a lid which can be placed on the device and is removable. This lid can at least partially enclose the cartridge nozzles used in the device. The lid may have at least one recess. Through this recess, a leaking from a cartridge nozzle into the environment fluid mass flow escape into the environment.

The cartridge nozzles can be secured in position by the lid. The forces exerted by the fluid mass flow on the cartridge nozzle forces can be discharged through the lid into the device. To replace used cartridge nozzles, the lid can be removed from the device, whereby the cartridge nozzles can be removed quickly and easily.

The lid may also have a plurality of recesses. These can be provided to recognize the arranged behind the lid cartridge nozzles. The various cartridge nozzles used in the device can, as already mentioned above, have different colors. These colors can be recognized by the recesses. Thus, it is possible for the user of the device to quickly and easily recognize which cartridge nozzle is currently connected to the source of fluid pressure or which agent (such as deodorant, aftershave, sunscreen, moisturizer, etc.) is currently removable from the device , In addition, the user can see through the recesses in which direction and at which angle he must rotate the receptacle to connect the desired cartridge nozzle with the fluid pressure source.

The fluid pressure source may include a gas cartridge for fluid supply. This can be exchangeable and / or refillable. In one embodiment with an exchangeable gas cartridge, it would also be conceivable that a first active substance is already contained in the gas cartridge, such as a fragrance-neutral antiperspirant. Through the cartridge nozzles, a fragrance could be added to the antiperspirant during operation of the device for use as a deodorant. In one embodiment, with a refillable gas cartridge, in turn, the waste load can be reduced to meet environmental concerns.

The fluid pressure source may also include an air compressor, such as a compressor. The fluid pressure source can also have a gas cartridge and an air compressor, in which the air compressed by the air compressor can be stored. The air compressor may be integrated into the device, or be present as an external component. In an embodiment with a compressor integrated in the device, the power supply of the compressor can be ensured by batteries or accumulators (for example lithium polymer accumulators), which can likewise be integrated into the device.

The cartridge nozzle has a main flow channel, a feed channel and a reservoir. In the reservoir, a liquid agent may be included. The main flow channel is fluidically connectable to the fluid pressure source. At the end of the main flow channel, this has a nozzle outlet opening. Through this nozzle outlet opening of the main flow channel is fluidly connected to the environment. The main flow channel is in turn connected to a feed channel, which opens into the reservoir. The reservoir may also have a variable volume. The reservoir is designed to be fluid-tight, a fluid can flow out of the reservoir exclusively via the feed channel. The cartridge nozzle is also designed as inexpensive to be mass produced part.

The operation of the nozzle can be based on the Venturi principle. In this case, the main flow channel is designed as a Venturi tube and the feed channel opens into the constriction of the Venturi tube. Now, when a fluid mass flow flows through the cartridge nozzle, this is forcibly accelerated until reaching the bottleneck in the Venturi tube. The pressure drops within the flow of the Venturi tube. Due to this low pressure in the Venturi tube, which also rests against the mouth of the feed channel in the main flow channel (Venturi tube), the contents of the reservoir via the feed channel in the Venturi tube, ie in the main flow channel, sucked.

The volume of the reservoir can be made variable. This should make it possible to remove the contents of the reservoir, without having to worry for a compensation flow into the container into it. The container reduces its volume during the suction by exactly the volume which is removed through the feed channel from the container. The volume change of the reservoir can be done by a piston which can be inserted and disengaged in the latter. This can penetrate during the emptying of the reservoir into the interior of the container to adjust the internal volume of the container.

The above-mentioned piston can be stored floating in the reservoir.

Instead of the piston, a membrane for volume adjustment or volume reduction of the reservoir can be provided. This membrane can be partially connected to the reservoir.

The reservoir may be at least partially or completely formed of an elastic shell material, which contracts when emptying the container. In addition, it is conceivable to carry out the storage container at least partially or completely from a flexible casing material, such as a film. This flexible casing material could be in the form of a bag and would change its shape during the removal of the active agent by a spraying operation so that the inner volume of the bag decreases. The film can fold up.

The cartridge nozzle may have a pressure chamber upstream of the fluid mass flow, which is upstream of the main flow channel. This pressure chamber can have a connection opening through which a fluid mass or a fluid mass flow can be fed to the cartridge nozzle. The pressure chamber may be tapered downstream of the volumetric flow in order to achieve an acceleration of the mass flow. The entire geometry of the cartridge nozzle is also designed for the properties of the active ingredient to be sprayed (such as viscosity) and the desired spray pattern.

In the following, the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to a preferred embodiment with reference to the figures.

1 is an exploded perspective view of an apparatus for generating aerosols.

2 shows a sectional view of a cartridge nozzle, which has a reservoir which is delimited by a piston.

3 is a sectional view of a cartridge nozzle having a reservoir which is bounded by an elastic shell material.

4 shows a perspective view of an apparatus for generating aerosols.

1 shows a device for generating aerosols 100 in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The device for generating aerosols 100 is cylindrical. In the lower part of the figure is a cylindrical gas cylinder 102 , At the upper end of the gas cylinder 102 a circular guide rail is arranged in the circumferential direction, which is a selector ring 103 receives and guides, so that this in the circumferential direction about the vertical axis of the device 100 is rotatable. Through this guide is the position of the selector ring 103 set vertically. The dial 103 again takes a shot 101 on. The recording 101 and the dial 103 are not rotatable relative to each other. The recording 101 and the dial 103 can only be used simultaneously around the vertical axis of the device 100 rotate. The recording 101 has pockets 109 into which cartridge nozzles 1 can be used. At the upper end of the gas cylinder 102 is a shaft body 105 arranged, which firmly with the compressed gas tank 102 connected and integrally formed therewith. The shaft body 105 has a gas outlet opening 106 on. The gas outlet opening is fixed in the shaft body 105 positioned. The position of the gas outlet opening 106 is therefore with respect to the compressed gas tank 102 fixed. The cartridge nozzles 1 in turn are forced to rotate the recording 101 and the dial 103 around the vertical axis of the device 100 to follow. When the compressed gas tank 102 , the dial ring 103 , the recording 101 and the one or more cartridge nozzle (s) 1 are mounted, that is, that the selector ring on the guide of the gas cylinder 102 sits up, the recording 101 in the dialing ring 103 is inserted and the cartridge nozzles 1 in the designated pockets 109 the recording 101 are used, the cartridge nozzles 1 regarding the recording 101 in its position in the circumferential direction of the device 100 established. The cartridge nozzles 1 are also through the shaft 105 of the compressed gas tank 102 in the radial direction of the device 100 set inside, since the cartridge nozzles 1 on the shaft 105 of the compressed gas tank 102 issue. To the cartridge nozzles 1 also upwards and in the radial direction of the device 100 to fix in their position to the outside becomes a lid 104 over the cartridge nozzle 1 slipped (on the device 100 attached) and this on the dial 103 fixed. To replace used cartridge nozzles 1 can the lid 104 from the device 100 be removed. The lid 104 has several recesses 107 on which in the lateral surface of the lid 104 are formed. These are small pockets, which only at the bottom of the outer surface of the lid 104 are formed. The recesses 107 are either, as shown here, designed as downwardly open recesses, or as window-shaped recesses. In addition, the lid points 104 in its lateral surface a large recess 108 on, which is almost up to the upper limit of the lid 104 extends. Also this big recess 108 can be window-shaped. In the assembled state of all in 1 shown components can through the small recesses 107 in the lid 104 the cartridge nozzles behind it 1 be recognized, or it can be recognized whether behind it, in the appropriate pocket 109 the recording 101 , an inserted cartridge nozzle 1 is and what color this has. The small recesses 107 give a look at the cartridges used 1 free, although the lid 104 the cartridge nozzles 1 covering almost completely to the outside. The big recess 108 in the lid 104 is arranged so that the nozzle outlet opening 4 the cartridge nozzle 1 , which are in the position of exactly this recess 108 is not covered to the outside. The lid 104 is with respect to the compressed gas tank 102 and thus also with regard to the position of the fluid outlet 106 of the compressed gas tank 102 firmly arranged. That is, the lid 104 takes on a rotational movement of the selector ring 103 and the recording 101 and the cartridge nozzles 1 not part. That is why the large recess of the lid 104 always arranged so that these exactly at the point in the radial circumferential direction of the device 100 located at which also the gas outlet opening 106 of the compressed gas tank 102 is arranged. Upon actuation of the spray device 100 this flows in the container 102 pressurized fluid from the opening 106 in the shaft 105 of the pressure vessel 102 out, then penetrates into the cartridge nozzle 1 One is in this with the one in the cartridge nozzle 1 enriched active ingredient and exits the nozzle outlet opening 4 the cartridge nozzle 1 , and thus from the device 100 through the large recess 108 out.

2 shows a side sectional view of the cartridge nozzle 1 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. In the lower part of the cartridge nozzle 1 is a storage container 40 . 50 . 60 formed, which in its lower part by a floating piston 41 . 51 is closed. The storage tank 40 . 50 . 60 is completely filled with a liquid agent (not shown). The cartridge nozzle 1 has a connection opening in the left area of the figure 6 on. During operation of the device for generating aerosols 100 flows a carrier gas jet or fluid mass flow in the horizontal direction (with respect 2 ) from left to right through the cartridge nozzle 1 through and exits the cartridge nozzle 1 on the right side (referring 2 ) from the nozzle outlet opening 4 in the area. In this case, a fluid mass flow through a main flow channel 2 from left to right in 2 educated. The cross section of the main flow channel 2 is significantly smaller than the cross section of a pressure chamber 5 , According to the law of the equation of continuity, the flow must be through the main flow channel 2 (with a small cross-section) flow faster than through the pressure chamber 5 (with large cross section). The pressure of the flow in the main flow channel drops 2 according to the law of Bernoulli, since the flow velocity in the main flow channel 2 elevated. The negative pressure in the main flow channel caused by the venturi effect 2 causes a suction of the in the reservoir 40 . 50 . 60 active ingredient through the feed channel 3 , into the flow through the flow channel 2 , It forms in the main flow channel 2 a mixture of the carrier gas stream and the fluid passing through the feed channel 3 from the reservoir 40 . 50 . 60 is sucked off. During the process of emptying the reservoir 40 . 50 . 60 Consequently, the amount of in the reservoir decreases 40 . 50 . 60 located fluid. The floating piston shifts 41 . 51 upwards, which the reservoir 40 . 50 . 60 at the bottom of its environment fluid-tight demarcated. This will change the internal volume of the reservoir 40 . 50 . 60 reduced.

3 shows another cartridge nozzle 1 according to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, wherein the reservoir 60 from an elastic shell 61 is limited, which is fluid-tight with the cartridge nozzle 1 connected is. While the reservoir 60 is emptied, pulls the elastic shell 61 together to adapt to the changed content volume of the reservoir 60 adapt. The remaining components or the rest of the structure corresponds to that of the cartridge nozzle 2 ,

4 shows a perspective view of the device for generating aerosols 100 out 1 , In the upper part of the picture is the lid 104 to recognize which in the left section a small recess 107 behind which a small area of a cartridge nozzle 1 is recognizable. Furthermore, on the right side of the picture in the lid 104 a large recess 108 to recognize which is the view of another cartridge nozzle 1 releases, wherein the nozzle outlet opening 4 this cartridge nozzle 1 from the lid 104 not covered. One out of this cartridge nozzle 1 , or from its nozzle outlet opening 4 Exiting fluid mass flow can escape freely into the environment. With a rotating operation of the selector ring 103 remain the compressed gas tank 102 and the lid 104 rigid in their position. Also the positions of the recesses of the lid 104 stay unchanged. With a rotating operation of the selector ring 103 become the recording not visible in this view 101 and the cartridge nozzles 1 around the vertical axis of the device 100 turned. Thus, the cartridge nozzle 1 , which are behind the large recess of the lid 104 located and connected to the fluid pressure source, against another in the receptacle 101 located cartridge nozzle 1 be replaced.

Claims (15)

Device for generating aerosols ( 100 ), comprising: a cartridge nozzle ( 1 ) with a reservoir for receiving a drug and a nozzle for applying the drug in the environment, a fluid pressure source ( 102 ) for receiving a pressurized fluid, wherein the cartridge nozzle ( 1 ) by the fluid pressure source ( 102 ) can be supplied with a fluid mass flow, wherein the cartridge nozzle ( 1 ) is adapted to the fact that during the care of the cartridge nozzle ( 1 ) the fluid mass flow from the fluid pressure source ( 102 ) through the cartridge nozzle ( 1 ) and then escapes into the environment, wherein the cartridge nozzle ( 1 ) is adapted to the fluid mass flow by means of the cartridge nozzle ( 1 ) an active substance is zusetzbar, wherein the cartridge nozzle ( 1 ) into a recording ( 101 ) on the device ( 100 ) is positionable, wherein the recording ( 101 ) rotatable about an axis of the device ( 100 ) is stored, whereby by a rotation of the receptacle ( 101 ) the at least one cartridge nozzle ( 1 ) with the fluid pressure source ( 102 ) into and out of communication. Contraption ( 100 ) according to claim 1, wherein the receptacle ( 101 ) several pockets ( 109 ) for receiving one nozzle each ( 1 ), which in conjunction with the fluid pressure source ( 102 ) standing cartridge nozzle ( 1 ), in the recording ( 101 ) remaining, by a rotation of the recording ( 101 ) can be brought into an exchange position and interchangeable. Contraption ( 100 ) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the at least one cartridge nozzle ( 1 ) by the recording ( 101 ) is securable. Contraption ( 100 ) according to one of claims 1 to 3, comprising: a lid ( 104 ), which is detachable on the device ( 100 ) can be arranged, wherein the lid ( 104 ) at least partially surrounds the cartridge nozzles, wherein the lid ( 104 ) at least one recess ( 108 ), wherein the at least one recess ( 108 ) of the lid ( 104 ) one from the cartridge nozzle ( 1 ) escaping fluid mass flow escape into the environment. Device according to claim 4, wherein the cartridge nozzles ( 1 ) through the lid ( 104 ) are securable. Device according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the lid ( 104 ) several recesses ( 107 ), which are adapted to the behind each recess ( 107 ) arranged cartridge nozzle ( 1 ) to recognize. Contraption ( 100 ) according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the fluid pressure source ( 102 ) has a replaceable and / or refillable gas cartridge. Contraption ( 100 ) according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the fluid pressure source for generating pressure comprises an air compressor. Cartridge nozzle ( 1 ), comprising: a main flow channel ( 2 ), a feed channel ( 3 ), a reservoir ( 40 . 50 . 60 ) for an active ingredient, the main flow channel ( 2 ) with a fluid pressure source ( 102 ) is fluidically connectable, wherein the main flow channel ( 2 ) a nozzle outlet opening ( 4 ), through which the main flow channel ( 2 ) is fluidly connected to the environment, wherein the main flow channel ( 2 ) with a feed channel ( 3 ) is fluidically connected, wherein the feed channel ( 3 ) with the reservoir ( 40 . 50 ) is fluidically connected, wherein the reservoir ( 40 . 50 . 60 ) has a variable volume. Cartridge nozzle ( 1 ) according to claim 9, wherein the operation of the nozzle based on the venturi principle, wherein the main flow channel ( 2 ) is designed as Venturi tube and the feed channel ( 3 ) opens into the constriction of the Venturi tube so that a in the reservoir ( 40 . 50 . 60 ) content of a fluid mass flow through the main flow channel ( 2 ) via the feed channel ( 3 ) is sucked. Cartridge nozzle ( 1 ) according to claims 9 or 10, wherein the volume of the reservoir ( 40 . 50 ) by a piston which can be inserted and 41 . 51 ) is changeable. Cartridge nozzle ( 1 ) according to claim 11, wherein the piston ( 41 . 51 ) in the reservoir ( 40 . 50 ) is floating. Cartridge nozzle ( 1 ) according to claim 11 or 12, wherein instead of the piston ( 51 ) one on the reservoir ( 50 ) fixed membrane for volume change of the reservoir ( 50 ) is provided. Cartridge nozzle ( 1 ) according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the storage container ( 60 ) is formed at least partially from an elastic and / or flexible casing material, whereby the volume of the storage container ( 60 ) is changeable. Cartridge nozzle ( 1 ) according to one of claims 9 to 14, wherein the cartridge nozzle ( 1 ) a pressure chamber ( 5 ), which communicates with the main flow channel ( 2 ) is fluidically connected and a connection opening ( 6 ), through which the pressure chamber ( 5 ) a fluid mass can be supplied.

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