Dispensing – With discharge assistant – Fluid pressure
Patent
1992-02-07
1994-08-16
Kashnikow, Andres
Dispensing
With discharge assistant
Fluid pressure
222635, B65D 8358
Patent
active
053379292
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a mixing chamber for mixing a gaseous and a liquid component, said mixing chamber being provided with separate inlet connections for the pressurized components for the mixture which is to be formed, and an outlet connection for the formed mixture to a space which is at a lower pressure.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Mixing a gaseous and a liquid component with a view to forming a fine mist can lead to difficulties when the fine droplets formed in a spray nozzle flow together in the jet to form larger drops. This leads to an irregular distribution of the liquid on a sprayed surface. By the use of a propellent gas, which dissolves in the liquid and evaporates easily therefrom, such flowing together may be avoided, but there is a growing concern about the use of such propellent gases because of their harmful effects on the environment or their flammability.
When air is used as a propellent, the flowing together of the formed droplets can be prevented by mixing it with the liquid by turbulence in a mixing chamber, but it is difficult to achieve a satisfactory mix in the case of mixing chambers of small size. This applies especially in the case of aerosol cans, in which the mixing chamber needs to be integrated with the distribution valve and the spray nozzle to a unit of limited size which is to be placed on an aerosol can. This impedes the wider use of aerosols using air as their propellent, so that aerosols using the harmful propellent gases remain in general use. In view of, inter alia. a ban in the foreseeable future of the latter aerosols, there is a great need for a solution to this problem. However, this problem of mixing is not limited to aerosol cans and the finding of a solution for such aerosol cans may lead to its application in other fields.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The solution to the problem is provided by a mixing chamber for mixing a gaseous and a liquid component, said mixing chamber being provided with separate inlet connections for the pressurized components for the mixture which is to be formed, and an outlet connection for the formed mixture to a space which is at a lower pressure and wherein at least one of the inlet connections consists of narrow channels in a wall of the mixing chamber with a transverse dimension not greater than about 1 mm, and preferably less than about 0.25 mm.
It has been found that by the use of such narrow channels a mixing suitable for the aforementioned purpose can be achieved, while their dimensions and number may depend on the viscosity of the liquid and the size and construction of the assembly formed by the mixing chamber and the outlet means connected thereto.
The forming of such channels is extremely problematical, especially in the case of mixing chambers formed by injection moulding such as are used in aerosol cans. The use of laser beams is not merely expensive, but may lead to inaccuracies if used on plastics. According to the present invention, this drawback may be eliminated by application of a mixing chamber comprising two parts having connecting surfaces which meet at the inner wall, at least one of these surfaces being provided with grooves which, together with the other said surface, delimit the narrow channels. Such grooves may be formed in a perfectly reproducible way, particularly in moulds for forming plastic parts.
Further details are enumerated in the other subclaims.
The invention further relates in general terms to a method for forming narrow channels in a body or object by producing the body or object out of two parts interconnecting via a surface, in that grooves are formed in at least one of the interconnecting surfaces which, together with the interconnecting surface portion of the other part, delimit the narrow channels, and in that the two portions are put together to form the finished body or object. In a more preferred embodiment the method is carried out using a self-releasing injection mould provided with the appropriate form surfaces with grooves, which, together wit
REFERENCES:
patent: 3159318 (1964-12-01), Green
patent: 3583606 (1971-06-01), Ewald
patent: 4227631 (1980-10-01), Schneider
patent: 4396152 (1983-08-01), Abplanalp
patent: 4431119 (1984-02-01), Stoody
patent: 4940171 (1990-07-01), Gilroy
Airspray International B.V.
Kashnikow Andres
Kaufman Joseph A.
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