U.S. patent application number 11/002350 was filed with the patent office on 2007-07-19 for container.
Invention is credited to Heiko Eberhardt, Franz Steigerwald.
Application Number | 20070164056 11/002350 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 7645339 |
Filed Date | 2007-07-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070164056 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Eberhardt; Heiko ; et
al. |
July 19, 2007 |
Container
Abstract
In a container (1) with a reservoir (2), a product dispensing
opening (3), and a device (4) for discharging the product contained
in the reservoir (2) out through the product dispensing opening
(3), a sound generator (5) or a noise damper (13) is provided on
the container (1) and the sound generator (5) or the noise damper
(13) is functionally connected to the discharge device (4) in order
to generate a desired sound for a product discharge when dispensing
the product. The desired sound is one that a consumer experiences
as a positive sound.
Inventors: |
Eberhardt; Heiko; (Oberusel,
DE) ; Steigerwald; Franz; (Griesheim, DE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
STRIKER, STRIKER & STENBY
103 East Neck Road
Huntington
NY
11743
US
|
Family ID: |
7645339 |
Appl. No.: |
11/002350 |
Filed: |
February 14, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10240968 |
Oct 7, 2002 |
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PCT/EP01/06332 |
May 29, 2001 |
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11002350 |
Feb 14, 2005 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
222/402.13 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 83/46 20130101;
B65D 1/00 20130101; B65D 83/44 20130101; B65D 83/75 20130101; B65D
83/32 20130101; B65D 2203/12 20130101; B65D 83/20 20130101; B65D
83/38 20130101; B05B 11/30 20130101; B05B 1/3402 20180801; B65D
83/48 20130101; B05B 1/002 20180801; B65D 83/206 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
222/402.13 |
International
Class: |
B65D 83/00 20060101
B65D083/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jun 10, 2000 |
DE |
10028747.6 |
Claims
1-86. (canceled)
87. A container (1) comprising a reservoir (2) for a product, said
reservoir having a valve with a valve stem (11) through which said
product in the reservoir passes when the product is dispensed from
the reservoir; a cap (7) formed to slide onto said reservoir (2)
over said valve and said valve stem; a discharge device (4)
arranged in said cap (7), wherein said discharge device comprises
means for discharging said product from said reservoir, and said
discharge device (4) includes a nozzle (12) with a discharge
dispensing opening (3), a spray conduit (10) in operative
connection with said opening (3) and said nozzle (12) and an
operating button (6) provided in said cap (7),so that, when said
cap (7) is engaged with said reservoir (2) and said operating
button (6) is actuated, said spray conduit (10) cooperates
mechanically with said valve stem (11) to open said valve and
discharge said product through said spray conduit (10) and out of
said opening (3); and means for changing or altering a discharge
noise produced by the discharge of the product so that sound
frequencies of the discharge noise are shifted to produce a
pleasanter sound than said discharge noise.
88. The container as defined in claim 87, wherein said means for
changing or altering said discharge noise comprises means for
closing a gap between said operating button (6) and said cap
(7).
89. The container as defined in claim 88, wherein said means for
closing said gap between said operating button (6) and said cap (7)
comprises an acoustic seal (49) provided between said cap (7) and
said operating button (6) and wherein said acoustic seal (49)
comprises sealing lips (50, 51), one of which is provided on the
cap (7) and the other on the operating button (6), which remain in
contact with each other when the operating button (6) is
actuated.
90. The container as defined in claim 88, wherein said means for
closing said gap between said operating button (6) and said cap (7)
comprises an acoustic seal (49) provided between said cap (7) and
said operating button (6) and wherein said acoustic seal (49)
comprises an elastic connection between the cap (7) and the
operating button (6), which is sufficiently elastic so that said
operating button (6) is operable.
91. The container as defined in claim 87, wherein said spray
conduit (10) is provided with at least one sounding rib (16)
extending radially from said spray conduit (10) and said at least
one sounding rib (16) is formed to produce a sound resonance and a
tone.
92. The container as defined in claim 91, wherein said spray
conduit (10) is surrounded by a plurality of plastic layers (18,
19) dimensioned and composed to damp noise frequencies in a sound
frequency range from 1 KHz to 5 KHz.
93. The container as defined in claim 87, wherein said spray
conduit (10) is provided with a conduit insert (24) extending
within said spray conduit (10) so that higher frequencies of said
discharge noise are amplified and low frequencies of said discharge
noise are damped.
94. The container as defined in claim 87, wherein said spray
conduit (10) is encompassed by a honeycomb formation (29) and said
honeycomb formation (29) comprises a plurality of honeycombs (27)
that are open toward an exterior of the spray conduit (10) so that
higher frequencies of said discharge noise are amplified and low
frequencies of said discharge noise are damped.
95. The container as defined in claim 87, wherein said spray
conduit (10) is provided with a tubular bundle of parallel
individual conduits (35) so that said individual conduits (35)
reduce said discharge noise and shift sound frequencies produced
during the discharge of product.
96. The container as defined in claim 87, further comprising a
perforated disk (55) snapped into said stem (11) by means of a
detent element (56) and wherein said perforated disk (55) is
provided with a plurality of individual conduits (57), whose number
and length are selected to shift sound frequencies of said
discharge noise.
97. The container as defined in claim 87, further comprising a
perforated disk (5) inserted into said stem (11) and a rotatable
tubular piece (59) inserted into said stem above said perforated
disk (5), and wherein said rotatable tubular piece (59) has a
semicircular cover (58) bearing on said perforated disk (5) to
cover half of said perforated disk (5), said perforated disk (5) is
provided with individual conduits (57) in one half and with a
single opening (62) in another half, said single opening (62) being
substantially larger than each of said individual conduits (57) and
wherein said tubular piece is rotatable into different positions so
that during operation different sounds are produced when said
semicircular cover (58) is rotated relative to said perforated disk
(5).
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The invention relates to a container with a reservoir, a
product dispensing opening, and a device for discharging the
product contained in the reservoir out through the product
dispensing opening.
[0003] 2. Related Art
[0004] Containers of this kind are sufficiently well-known. Squeeze
containers, aerosol containers, and containers with spray pumps
have a discharge device. The discharge device has a deformable
container wall in squeeze containers, a valve in aerosol
containers, and a spray pump in spray pump containers. The product
travels either directly from the reservoir to an open product
dispensing opening or through a conduit and a stem to a product
dispensing opening embodied as a nozzle. In the vicinity of the
product dispensing opening of an aerosol container or a spray pump
container, a foam generator can also be provided in order to
deliver the product in the form of a foam. Whereas with squeeze
containers, hardly any perceptible noise is produced when the
product, e.g. hair shampoo, is being dispensed, aerosol containers
and spray pump containers generate a typical noise. This is
particularly true for an aerosol container with a foam
generator.
[0005] The known containers have the disadvantage that the noise
generated by them while the product is being dispensed depends
solely on the technical embodiment of the container, e.g. its
product dispensing opening, its discharge device, its dimensions
(resonances), and its materials. This noise can be subjectively
experienced as good or as less than good. If the noise does not
sound good to the user, he may draw incorrect and negative
conclusions about the technical design of the container and its
contents.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The object of the invention is to prevent, suppress, or mask
the noise of the container when dispensing the product, which is
subjectively found to be unpleasant.
[0007] According to the invention the container has
[0008] a reservoir for a product;
[0009] a discharge device with a product dispensing opening, which
comprises means for discharging the product from the reservoir
through the product dispensing opening; and
[0010] means (5, 13) for preventing, suppressing or masking noise
produced by a product discharge when dispensing the product by
means of the discharge device.
[0011] The invention has the advantage that during a product
discharge, a sound is produced that is appealing to the user. This
sound can initially be empirically determined through customer
surveys and then technically implemented. Either the container is
provided with a sound generator, which masks the natural discharge
noise with a special sound, or else the natural dispensing noise,
i.e. the noise produced when there is no sound generator or noise
damper, is entirely or selectively damped so that its unpleasant
frequencies are reduced with regard to their sound intensity or so
that these frequencies are eliminated.
[0012] If the container is an aerosol container or a spray pump
container in which a spray conduit leading to a nozzle is provided
on the container and the spray conduit has a mathematically
continuous course with regard to its inner wall, particularly a
continuously curved section of the spray conduit, i.e. a section
without any corners, then there is only a low probability of eddies
being produced in the emerging product. Since eddies generate
undesirable noises, this results in a more pleasant sound when the
product is being dispensed.
[0013] At least one sounding rib in the spray conduit, which points
in a particular direction radially away from the spray conduit,
advantageously generates tones in accordance with its dimensions.
It is also possible to provide a number of sounding ribs, whose
tones heterodyne with one another. Due to resonance and stationary
sound waves, particular pleasant sounds can thus be generated in a
cap that encompasses the spray conduit and the sounding ribs.
[0014] A spray conduit can be encompassed by a sound absorbing
material in order to thus reduce the intrinsic sound level but also
to damp certain frequency ranges to a particularly strong degree.
In the vicinity of the valve stem of a spray pump container or an
aerosol container, a measure of this kind is particularly useful
because a relatively large amount of turbulence occurs in them and
a corresponding noise generation consequently occurs.
[0015] If the spray conduit is encompassed by several layers of
sound absorbing material, in particular selectively sound absorbing
material, and includes at least one layer of a foamed or unfoamed
material, in particular a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) or a
thermoplastic polyurethane, then an existing noise produced by the
product discharge can be effectively damped or can be damped
selectively. Very favorable results can be achieved with TPE
plastics, such as Evoprene.RTM., Santoprene.RTM., Vyram.RTM., and
Hyrtel.RTM.. These plastics can be used to produce relatively
pleasant sounds for hair spray and hair foam. Hydrocerol.RTM. is
suitable as a foaming agent for the TPE plastic.
[0016] When there are several layers of sound absorbing material,
several layer combinations are suitable for laying an inner layer
against another layer. The inner layer adjoins the product
dispensing conduit, e.g. the spray conduit or the foam conduit. The
additional layer rests directly against the outside of the inner
layer. Favorable acoustic results are achieved with the following
inner layer/other layer pairings: 0.5 to 1 mm unfoamed material/1
to 5 mm foam; 1 mm unfoamed/1 to 3 unfoamed; 0.5 to 5 mm foam/1 to
3 mm unfoamed; 1 mm unfoamed PP (polypropylene)/5 mm foam; 1 mm
unfoamed PP/1 mm unfoamed, as well as with analogous combinations
of analogous materials. If a number of frequency ranges are to be
influenced, then a number of layers with corresponding properties
can be combined with one another.
[0017] Favorable results are also achieved if the outer layer is
sealed in relation to the outside by means of a film. This then
corresponds to a closed-cell foam. The function of the film can
also be performed by a film-like, smooth, and unfoamed boundary
layer produced on a mold wall. In TPU foam parts, boundary layers
are produced against the mold wall automatically during forming and
are between 0.2 and 1.0 mm thick.
[0018] If the noise damper is a spiral disposed around a spray
conduit, then this damper produces a selective, pleasant change in
the spraying sound. Suitable materials for the spiral are those,
which have a relatively high mechanical inherent loss factor and a
relatively low flexural strength, e.g. corrugated paper and tissue
paper. These materials are also very inexpensive.
[0019] If a button on a cap that can be slid onto the container is
provided as a discharge device, the button acts mechanically on the
wall of the spray conduit, and the wall acts mechanically on a stem
of the container, then when the button is depressed to dispense the
product, the wall and the stem are also depressed so that the
container valve disposed underneath the stem opens and the product
flows out. The valve can be an aerosol valve. However, it can also
be part of a spray pump so that depressing the button produces a
spray burst.
[0020] If the material of the spray conduit is harder or softer
than the material of a sounding rib, then a sound can be changed
solely by means of this difference in hardness.
[0021] If a stiffening rib is provided on the spray conduit, then
the oscillation frequency of the spray conduit is decreased as a
result.
[0022] The harder and more rigid the spray conduit is designed to
be, the more difficult it can be to set it into oscillation by
means of mechanical excitation. It is immaterial whether the
excitation is permanent or singular. The stiffening by means of
additional ribs also produces a greater component surface area. If
the surface area of a component is greater, then the oscillation
energy is distributed over this area. The overall oscillatory area
is reduced by stiffening and the frequency of the oscillation is
increased. Consequently, the sound pressure level of a component
with this increased surface area is less than one without the
stiffening rib. Furthermore, a stiffening rib also represents a
reflector against which oscillations are reflected.
[0023] Relatively hard stiffening ribs are used to generate sound
in the frequency range from approx. 4 to 15 KHZ. By contrast,
relatively soft stiffening ribs are used for sound emissions in the
frequency range from 1 to approx. 4 KHZ. Consequently, a sounding
rib, which is comprised of a material of a different hardness
compared to the hardness of the spray conduit wall is used to emit
amplified sound in a different frequency range in order to thus
change the sound when the product is being dispensed. A normally
hard wall of the spray conduit in connection with relatively soft
sounding ribs or stiffening ribs provided on the spray conduit
therefore produces a sound in which the deeper tones are amplified
in comparison to a conventional spray conduit noise. A sound of
this kind seems "richer".
[0024] If the acoustic rib is connected to the inner surface of a
cap that can be slid onto the container, in particular is injection
molded onto it, then a different sound can be produced than if the
acoustic rib does not have this connection. The sonic frequencies
emitted by the spray conduit or any component of the container
cause resonance oscillations of the acoustic rib and because of the
connection, the acoustic rib deflects the cap at the connection,
causing it to execute an analogous oscillation. If the acoustic rib
is embodied in a closed meandering form and is only connected to
the cap, then the acoustic rib defines a resonance chamber, which
particularly absorbs sound waves of the wall of the flow conduit.
Certain frequencies are damped in accordance with the dimensions of
the sinuous acoustic rib. This produces a particular sound.
[0025] To the human ear, frequencies around 4 KHZ are relatively
unpleasant. These frequencies can be significantly reduced in a
spray jet if, according to a preferred embodiment, the container is
an aerosol container or a spray pump container, a spray conduit
leading to a nozzle is provided on the container, and either the
spray conduit has a conduit insert extending inside it or the spray
conduit is comprised of a number of conduit arms that in particular
extend parallel to one another. The discharged product consequently
flows through relatively narrow conduit parts or conduit arms in
order to travel through the flow conduit to the nozzle. As a
result, the flow is laminar. The flow noise is selectively damped,
namely in the vicinity of 4 KHZ. The modified flow conduit,
however, also functions as a sound generator, namely for
frequencies that are higher than 4 KHZ. These are amplified.
Therefore a higher tone is produced.
[0026] Sufficiently deep frequencies are also positively accepted
by consumers, e.g. in an aerosol container with a foaming device. A
positive product discharge sound is achieved if, according to
another preferred embodiment, the container is an aerosol container
or a spray pump container, a spray conduit leading to a nozzle is
provided on the container, and the spray conduit has an extension
that functions as a sound generator for one frequency range and as
a noise damper for a higher frequency range.
[0027] If the container is an aerosol container or a spray pump
container, a spray conduit leading to a nozzle is provided in the
container, and the spray conduit is encompassed by a honeycomb
formation that has a number of honeycombs and, in the direction
oriented away from the spray conduit, the honeycombs are in
particular aligned radial to the spray conduit, then a selective
alteration of the spray conduit sound occurs in the spray conduit.
The honeycomb structure can, for example, be rectangular,
hexagonal, or round. The honeycombs are open at their ends and are
contiguous with one another. The acoustic oscillations that emanate
from the spray conduit heterodyne with one another in the
honeycombs and in the honeycomb walls. Consequently, the energy and
loudness of the sound waves are reduced. The honeycombs can be
comprised of cellulose material. Nomex.RTM. honeycombs are
particularly suitable for this purpose. Their relatively rigid
material increases the frequency of the spray conduit sound.
[0028] If a sound chip is provided as a sound generator, then it
can generate a sound that is favorable for a product discharge.
This sound can also be one whose frequency spectrum, when added to
the frequency spectrum of the technically induced discharge noise,
produces the frequency spectrum and therefore the tone of a desired
sound.
[0029] If the sound chip is programmable, then one or more
programmed sounds can be input to the sound chip, which are then
available for acoustic output. Several programs that can be
selected can be called up through corresponding use of the
discharge device. For example, two actuating buttons, which can
start two different programs, can be provided as the device. If the
selection depends on the position of the device, then in one
position, the one program can be called up and in the other
position, the other program can be called up. If a low or higher
spray rate is produced depending on the actuating distance of a
button or actuating knob, then each spray rate can be associated
with a correspondingly pleasant, programmed spray sound of the
sound chip. The same is true for two separate buttons or actuating
knobs on a container for producing a fine or powerful spray. The
sound chip can also be used to amplify intrinsically pleasant
sounds of the container by causing them to heterodyne with an
identical frequency spectrum.
[0030] If the sound chip contains at least one speech program, in
particular an advice program, then while the product is being
dispensed, advice can be offered to the customer with regard to the
product being used. Advice of this kind is particularly appropriate
when the use of the product is complicated. In this connection,
each time the discharge device is actuated, a piece of advisory
information is output so that the use is supported by a number of
individual pieces of information.
[0031] If the container is an aerosol container or a spray pump
container, in a preferred embodiment a spray conduit leading to a
nozzle is provided in the container, and the spray conduit has a
number of individual conduits that function as a sound generator
for one frequency range and as a noise damper for another frequency
range, then this multiplicity of conduits produces a relatively
favorable dispensing of the product. Certain turbulences that occur
in a single spray conduit and frequencies that correspond to them
are attenuated, which achieves a selective noise damping for this
frequency range. Sounds that are typical for a multiplicity of
relatively narrow individual conduits are amplified. Consequently,
this produces an altered, relatively pleasant sound when the
product disposed in the container is dispensed.
[0032] If the container is an aerosol container or a spray pump
container, in a preferred embodiment a spray conduit leading to a
nozzle is provided in the container, and the spray conduit has a
labium that functions as a sound generator for one frequency range
and as a noise damper for another frequency range, then an altered,
relatively pleasant sound can be generated when the product
disposed in the container is dispensed.
[0033] A selective noise damping or a selective alteration of the
spray noise can be achieved through adaptation of heterodyne
frequencies. Individual regions of the frequency spectrum can be
singled out and obliterated or influenced by one or more sound
sources.
[0034] This can be achieved by means of a vibrating inner wall
(labium) directly in the spray conduit. The spray noise can be
influenced by the size and material of the oscillating wall. The
required mechanical energy is supplied in the same way as with a
"labium" (specialized term denoting an oscillation exciter in wind
instruments), which is set into oscillation by an aerosol flowing
past it or in the same way as with an "overblow conduit", which has
a separation edge at its end. Stiffening is provided by the inner
wall itself. Narrower conduits can also achieve an increase in the
frequency.
[0035] As in an organ pipe or a recorder, the aerosol flow strikes
the very sharp edge of the labium. Intense eddies are thereby
produced, which excite the labium to oscillate. Consequently, a
certain note is produced. This note can be changed by varying the
length of the double tube that encompasses the labium (short length
produces a higher note, long length, a lower note).
[0036] Since the double tube is also better at absorbing the
oscillations that occur, the following phenomena occur: noise
reduction, frequency alteration, and reduction of the flow
resistance and therefore of the turbulence that occurs, which leads
to a further noise reduction.
[0037] If the container is an aerosol container and a valve plate
of the aerosol container is provided with valve plate insulation as
the noise damper, then a pleasant discharge sound for the aerosol
container can be achieved.
[0038] Valve plates are primarily made of aluminum. A layer of a
sound absorbing material, in particular polyurethane lacquer or
polyurethane foam applied to the valve plate is suitable for
insulating the valve plate.
[0039] The following foamed TPE plastics are particularly suited
for insulating the valve plate: Evoprene.RTM., Santoprene.RTM.,
Vyram.RTM., and Hyrtel.RTM.. The foaming agent Hydrocerol.RTM. is
suitable for these plastics.
[0040] Suitable composites and composite materials are
characterized in that they appropriately combine the sometimes
conflicting properties of individual components, even for extreme
intended uses. A composite, which in addition to minimizing the
oscillation transmission, also has high oscillation-absorbing
properties in a broad frequency range, changes the oscillation
emission to an extreme degree. This large surface area composite,
which is highly effective acoustically, should have a lower mass
than conventional materials while simultaneously having good
mechanical properties.
[0041] Chief among these properties is the greatest possible
damping and insulation of mechanical oscillations of the aerosol
spray system. Two layers that behave in physically different ways
are combined into one composite.
[0042] A high degree of oscillation damping (high oscillation
absorption) is achieved with porous, i.e. specially foamed and/or
elastomer materials, which must have an open-pored structure
oriented toward the oscillation source (pore size approx. 0.2 mm).
This function is performed, for example, by thermoplastic foam,
which is produced through injection molding and simultaneous
foaming of the above-mentioned materials, and has a high degree of
porosity (up to 95%).
[0043] As a variation, it is also conceivable for the outer layer
to be additionally sealed toward the outside by a film. This then
corresponds to a closed-celled foam.
[0044] In order for the absorber to be able to dissipate a large
amount of oscillation energy, the oscillation must first penetrate
into the absorber in a reflection-free manner. This is achieved
with an open-pored thermoplastic elastomer foam or an easily
excitable material. As it transitions into the absorber, the
oscillation resistance should not change very much at the boundary
surface in order to minimize oscillation reflection. By means of a
gradually increasing inner friction resistance of the absorber, due
to its numerous narrow conduits, energy is withdrawn from the
back-and-forth flow of air in the form of heat and is transmitted
to the skeletal material of the absorber. As a result, the
amplitude of the oscillation pressure decreases. The oscillation
damped by the absorber strikes the insulating layer, where on the
one hand, it is reflected back into the absorber and on the other
hand, it is converted into a structure-borne oscillation. In order
to minimize the radiation of oscillation into the space to be
protected, the flexural wave in the insulation material is damped
to the greatest extent possible. A high mechanical inherent loss
factor and a low flexural strength facilitate the damping of
flexural waves. These mechanical properties can be achieved with
thermoplastic elastomers. The more complete the oscillation
absorption of the incident and reflected oscillation is, the less
oscillation energy travels into the insulation layer. The damping
properties of the elastomer insulation layer further minimize the
oscillation radiation into the space to be protected. The lower the
density of the damping material (foam or lacquer), the higher the
frequency that is influenced.
[0045] If the container is an aerosol container with an insert on
the outlet end of a spray conduit, where the insert includes a
nozzle, and as a noise damper, the insert is either comprised of an
elastic plastic or is attached to the spray conduit by means of an
elastic adhesive, then a pleasant sound is thus produced during a
spraying process. The elastic material in the vicinity of the
nozzle absorbs unpleasant frequencies.
[0046] The insert is excited causing it to oscillate by the
expansion of the aerosol that takes place at the insert. An elastic
insert hardly transmits any of this oscillation to the flow
conduit.
[0047] This function can also be performed by a commercially
available insert if this insert is glued into the flow conduit with
an elastic adhesive. However, the layer thickness of the adhesive
material must be great enough so that hardly any oscillations are
transmitted. In general, a wall thickness of approx. 4 mm for the
adhesive can serve as a starting point.
[0048] Pulsating pressure fluctuations occur in the flow conduit
due to the partial expansion of the aerosol in the flow conduit. An
elastic insert or an elastic adhesive does not transmit these
pressure fluctuations.
[0049] If a sound generator is provided in the form of a resonance
surface inside a cap of the container, then when excited, this
resonance surface produces a sound that corresponds to its
dimensions. The resonance surface can be a sounding board that
divides the cap into two spaces. The resonance surface can contain
one or more openings. Both the position and the material selection
influence the sound. It is also possible to provide more than two
spaces or to provide only dividing walls in order to separate
spatial regions. Between one resonance surface and the inner wall
of the cap, it is also possible to provide a silicone seal in order
to prevent resonance noise from being transmitted to the cap.
However, if cap resonance is sought in order to produce a desired
sound, then instead of a silicone seal, it is necessary to provide
the best possible rigid contact between the resonance surface and
the inner wall of the cap, e.g. by means of a plastic welding.
[0050] If the container is an aerosol container, which has a valve,
a valve plate, a valve housing, and a stem and if an acoustic
barrier layer is provided as a noise damper between the valve and
the valve plate, then this achieves an acoustic decoupling of the
valve as a noise source from the valve plate as a resonance body.
This decoupling prevents the valve plate and the components
connected to the valve plate, e.g. the container casing, from
resonating with the valve. A measure of this kind is very effective
since it acts directly on the noise source of the valve. The valve
itself can remain unchanged. A barrier layer can be suitably
comprised of a very elastic plastic, such as Evoprene.RTM., whose
thickness is preferably between 0.5 and 8 mm.
[0051] If a part of the barrier layer is provided as a seal between
the valve housing and the stem, then this part fulfills the
function, which is otherwise performed by a separate seal, of
producing a seal between the valve housing and the stem. The use of
this part is less expensive than the use of a separate seal and
also acoustically decouples the valve housing from the actual
valve.
[0052] If the container is an aerosol container or a spray pump
container, a button on a cap that can be slid onto the container is
provided as a discharge device, and an acoustic seal is provided
between the button and the cap, then this produces a noise damping
by means of an acoustic sealing of the cap. The seal can be
produced by two sealing lips, where the one sealing lip is provided
on the cap and the other sealing lip is provided on the button, or
the seal is produced by means of an elastic connection between the
button and the edge region of the cap adjoining the edge region of
the button.
[0053] In the prior art, it is customary in a cap to actuate the
valve stem by means of a button in order to dispense the product.
The known buttons, however, also have a more or less large gap in
relation to the cap encompassing them. If this gap is then closed,
this causes the oscillating air mass in the cap and the oscillation
of the cap to change. This thereby produces an altered spray noise.
However, the cap must still remain mobile.
[0054] There are a number of possibilities for achieving this, for
example: [0055] Possibility 1: [0056] The actuator button is
connected to the spray cap by means of a very flexible plastic
through the use of the two-component injection molding method. The
spray cap is thus comprised of one piece and has no gap between the
button and the spray cap. An extremely flexible plastic takes the
place of this gap. [0057] Possibility 2: [0058] Tapering sealing
lips that curve downward are affixed to the transition surfaces
between the cap and the button, e.g. through the use of the
two-component injection molding method. When they are not actuated,
the two sealing lips are situated next to each other and seal
completely. If the button is depressed, then the sealing lip of the
button slides downward and the valve opens. At the same time,
during the downward travel, more space is produced for the tip of
the button sealing lip, which strives to move outward. As a result,
the gap between the cap and the button is always closed and the
inner space of the cap is acoustically sealed.
[0059] In a preferred embodiment a perforated disk is inserted into
a valve stem and provides a sound generator for one frequency range
and a noise damper for another frequency range. This perforated
disk has a number of conduits and is preferably snapped into the
stem by means of a detent element. This stabilizes the flow and
produces a local laminar flow. Both of these results produce sound
amplification in the one frequency range and attenuation in the
other frequency range. On the whole an acoustic change occurs,
which is found to be pleasant.
[0060] If the perforated disk has the conduits on only one side and
a cover, which is preferably semicircular and partially covers the
perforated disk, and if the cover can rotate in relation to the
perforated disk by means of a tubular piece, which is inserted into
the stem, which preferably has a cover rotation stop, and is
connected to a product dispensing opening of the container, then by
rotating the part that contains the product dispensing opening, the
consumer himself can determine whether he would like to have the
product discharge behavior and the attendant sound that are
produced with a certain rotation situation. Thus the user can
choose, for example, between using the conduits and using an
opening contained in the other half of the perforated disk. The
rotation stop serves as an orienting mechanism for a particular
rotation position of the cover in relation to the perforated
disk.
[0061] If a sounding lip inserted into a flow conduit of an aerosol
container is provided as a sound generator and is connected to the
lower part of a valve housing, then a particular tone can be
generated by dispensing the product. The sounding lip is set into
an oscillation by the outflowing product. Because it is connected
to the valve housing, the sounding lip can easily be produced
together with the valve housing. In the proposed disposition of the
sounding lip on the bottom part of the valve housing, the product
is fluid so that adhesion is not possible and therefore the
operation of the sounding lip is not impaired there. A spray head
of the aerosol container, which is depressed to open a valve,
serves as a discharge device. The product flows around the sounding
lip and out through the valve, producing a pleasant sound against
the sounding lip while the product is being dispensed.
[0062] The sounding lip can be aligned in the direction of the flow
conduit. This provides a relatively large flow cross section for
the product being discharged so that almost no influence is exerted
on the discharge. By contrast, if two sounding lips are provided,
which are aligned perpendicular to the direction of the flow
conduit and are aligned in relation to each other in such a way
that a gap is formed between them, then a relatively intense sound
can be generated. In this connection, the sounding lips can also
overlap, which can produce an even greater sound intensity.
[0063] When dispensing the product from a spray pump container or
an aerosol container, a very special whistling tone can be produced
if, analogous to the foregoing embodiment, an opening of a
separating element is provided upstream of the sounding lip and one
edge of the sounding lip forms a labial whistle with the opening.
This whistle is embodied so that the edge is disposed relatively
close to the opening. The frequency of the tone produced can be
changed by altering the gap width of the opening or the distance of
the edge from the opening. The tone is adjusted so as to make it
pleasant for the user when dispensing the product.
[0064] If a number of grooves extending in the flow direction and
adjoining the flow conduit are provided as a noise damper and as a
sound generator, which grooves are preferably comprised of recesses
in an attachment of a valve housing of a valve, then the turbulence
in this region of the flow conduit can be reduced. Eliminating this
turbulence damps the frequencies that are produced by this
turbulence of the product being discharged. At the same time, the
grooves generate a different tone. This frequency change is found
to be relatively pleasant. The corresponding sound is influenced by
the length, width, and depth of the grooves, as well as by the
number of grooves.
[0065] If a funnel-shaped speaker is provided both as a sound
generator and as a noise damper, which speaker adjoins the product
dispensing opening of the container embodied in the form of a
nozzle and has a diameter that increases as it extends away from
the nozzle, then in the same way as in a megaphone, the sound while
dispensing the product is altered and simultaneously amplified. The
spray cone coming out of the nozzle has a sufficient amount of
clearance in the funnel.
[0066] If a sounding rib is provided as a sound generator, which is
connected to a top that is slid onto a stem of a container filled
with aerosol and rests-against a rim of the container, then a sound
can be produced, which depends on the width and the length of the
sounding rib. The vibrations of the top are transmitted to the
sounding rib, which transmits these vibrations to the edge at its
end. The sounding rib produces a pleasant sound. If the container
is also provided with a tear-off ring, which engages underneath the
rim and is connected to the sounding rib by means of a weakened
line, then the top can be attached to the container very securely
at first. Before it is used, the tear-off ring is removed in order
to thus release the sounding rib.
[0067] If a flow loop embodied as a conduit in a valve body of a
valve of the container is provided as a sound generator, then an
additional sound is generated directly in the valve. This sound is
relatively intense since the valve is one of the loudest noise
generators, particularly in an aerosol container. A relatively
small portion of the product being dispensed flows through the
conduit.
[0068] If the container is an aerosol container, which has an
ascending tube leading to a valve, in which the ascending tube has
an extension that functions as a sound generator and the extension
adjoins the bottom wall or side wall of the container, then on the
one hand, the flow sound of the aerosol in the ascending tube is
amplified in the extension. On the other hand, this amplified sound
is transmitted to a container wall so that the container wall
serves as a resonator. The sound generated consequently depends on
the dimensions of the walls. A relatively pleasant sound is
produced, while the product is being dispensed, particularly in
aluminum containers.
[0069] If the container is an aerosol container whose side wall or
bottom wall is provided with a sound generator in the form of an
alternating wall thickness that is sometimes thicker and sometimes
thinner, then this wall produces a different acoustic pattern when
the product is being dispensed. An aerosol discharge sound that is
found to be pleasant can be produced, depending on the intensity
difference and the dimensions of the greater wall thickness.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
[0070] The objects, features and advantages of the invention will
now be illustrated in more detail with the aid of the following
description of the preferred embodiments, with reference to the
accompanying figures in which:
[0071] FIG. 1 is a partially vertical cross-sectional, partially
side view of an aerosol container according to the invention with a
cap in which a spray conduit is provided with sounding ribs for
sound generation;
[0072] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line A-A in
FIG. 1 through the spray conduit together with the four sounding
ribs;
[0073] FIG. 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view through a cap for
an aerosol container, in which a spray conduit leading to a nozzle
is provided and encompassed by a sound absorbing material;
[0074] FIG. 4 shows a section along the line A-A in FIG. 3 through
the spray conduit and the sound absorbing material;
[0075] FIG. 5 shows a vertical section through a spray conduit,
which leads to a nozzle and is encompassed by a foamed material,
and has a film on the outside as a boundary layer;
[0076] FIG. 6 is a partially vertical cross-sectional, partially
side view of an aerosol container according to the invention with a
cap, in which a spray conduit leading to a nozzle is provided with
a spiral;
[0077] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line A-A in
FIG. 6 through the cap and spiral shown in FIG. 6;
[0078] FIG. 8 shows a vertical section through a spray conduit of
an aerosol container, whose wall has sounding ribs for sound
generation;
[0079] FIG. 9 shows a section along the line A-A in FIG. 8 through
the sounding ribs of FIG. 8;
[0080] FIG. 10 is a partially vertical cross-sectional, partially
side view of an aerosol container with a cap, in which a spray
conduit leading to a nozzle is provided with a meander-shaped
sounding rib;
[0081] FIG. 11 shows a section along the line A-A in FIG. 10
through the cap shown in FIG. 10;
[0082] FIG. 12 is a partially vertical cross-sectional, partially
side view of an aerosol container with a cap, in which a spray
conduit leading to a nozzle is provided with a conduit insert;
[0083] FIG. 13 shows a section taken along the line A-A in FIG. 12
through the spray conduit in FIG. 12;
[0084] FIG. 14 shows a section through a spray conduit similar to
that shown in FIG. 13, but with two separate conduit arms;
[0085] FIG. 15 is a partially vertical cross-sectional, partially
side view of an aerosol container with a cap, in which a spray
conduit leading to a nozzle and an extension for the spray conduit
are provided;
[0086] FIG. 16 shows a section through a spray conduit, which is
encompassed by a honeycomb formation;
[0087] FIG. 17 shows a side view of a honeycomb formation with a
number of rectangular honeycombs;
[0088] FIG. 18 is a side cross-sectional view through a cap for an
aerosol container, in which a spray conduit leading to a nozzle is
provided with a button, two switch elements, a sound chip, and a
battery;
[0089] FIG. 19 is a partially vertical cross-sectional, partially
side view through an aerosol container with a cap, in which a spray
conduit leading to a nozzle comprises a number of individual
conduits;
[0090] FIG. 20 shows a section along the line A-A in FIG. 19
through the spray conduit in FIG. 19;
[0091] FIG. 21 is a partially vertical cross-sectional, partially
side view of an aerosol container with a cap, in which a spray
conduit leading to a nozzle is provided with a labium inside the
spray conduit;
[0092] FIG. 22 shows a section along the line A-A in FIG. 21
through the spray conduit in FIG. 21;
[0093] FIG. 23 is a detailed cutaway cross-sectional view through
the spray conduit in the cap shown in FIG. 21 with the labium;
[0094] FIG. 24 shows a vertical section through a valve plate of an
aerosol container in which a polyurethane lacquer is applied to the
valve plate as a noise damper;
[0095] FIG. 25 shows a vertical section through a valve plate
analogous to
[0096] FIG. 24, but with a polyurethane foam as the noise
damper;
[0097] FIG. 26 is a side cross-sectional view through a cap for an
aerosol container, in which an elastic plastic insert containing
the nozzle and acting as a noise damper and a spray conduit leading
to the nozzle are provided;
[0098] FIG. 27 is a side cross-sectional view through a cap for an
aerosol container, in which a spray conduit leading to a nozzle is
provided, and with a disk-shaped resonance surface;
[0099] FIG. 28 is a side cross-sectional view through a cap that is
similar to the cap shown in FIG. 27, but with two vertically
aligned resonance surfaces;
[0100] FIG. 29 shows a bottom view of the cap from FIG. 28;
[0101] FIG. 30 is a side cross-sectional view through a cap for an
aerosol container according to the invention which is similar to
the cap shown in FIG. 27, but with a circumferential resonance
surface;
[0102] FIG. 31 shows a bottom side view of the cap from FIG.
30;
[0103] FIG. 32 shows a vertical section through a valve plate and a
valve of an aerosol container, in which an acoustic barrier layer
is provided between the valve and the valve plate;
[0104] FIG. 33 shows a vertical section through a valve plate and a
valve that is similar to that shown in FIG. 32, but with a separate
seal between the valve housing and the valve plate;
[0105] FIG. 34 is a partially vertical cross-sectional, partially
side view of an aerosol container with a cap, in which a spray
conduit leading to a nozzle is provided, which a button presses
against, and with an acoustic seal in the form of sealing lips
between the button and the cap;
[0106] FIG. 35 shows a vertical section through two sealing lips of
an acoustic seal when the button is not being activated;
[0107] FIG. 36 shows a vertical section through the two sealing
lips shown in FIG. 35, but when the button is being activated;
[0108] FIG. 37 is side view of a cap for an aerosol container, in
which an elastic connection is provided as an acoustic seal between
the cap and a button on the cap;
[0109] FIG. 38 is a detailed cross-sectional view through the
elastic connection shown in FIG. 37 when the button is not being
activated;
[0110] FIG. 39 is a detailed cross-sectional view through the
elastic connection shown in FIG. 38, but when the button is being
activated;
[0111] FIG. 40 is a cross-sectional view through a valve stem of an
aerosol container in which a perforated disk with conduits is
snapped in place by means of a circumferential detent element in
order to locally generate a laminar flow in the stem;
[0112] FIG. 41 is a cross-sectional view through a valve stem
similar to that shown in FIG. 40, but with a rotationally secured
perforated disk, which has a number of conduits in one half and has
an opening in another half, with a semicircular cover, which is
connected to a tubular segment inserted into the stem;
[0113] FIG. 42 shows a section along the line A-A in FIG. 41 with
the cover covering the opening;
[0114] FIG. 43 shows a section along the line A-A in FIG. 41 with
the cover rotated by 180 degrees so that the conduits are covered
and the opening is unblocked;
[0115] FIG. 44 shows a vertical section through a valve with the
valve plate, valve housing, stem, and ascending tube for use in an
aerosol container, in which at the lower end of the valve housing,
a sounding lip, which is oriented downward in the direction of the
flow conduit, is provided in a flow conduit;
[0116] FIG. 45 shows a section along the line A-A in FIG. 44
through the sounding lip of FIG. 44;
[0117] FIG. 46 shows a vertical section through a device similar to
that shown in FIG. 44, but with a sounding lip oriented upward;
[0118] FIG. 47 shows a section taken along the line A-A in FIG. 46
through the sounding lip shown in FIG. 46;
[0119] FIG. 48 shows a vertical section through a valve with a
valve plate and valve stem similar to that shown in FIG. 44, but
with two sounding lips oriented toward each other in the flow
conduit;
[0120] FIG. 49 is a detailed sectional view of the sounding lips
shown in FIG. 48;
[0121] FIG. 50 shows a section taken along the line A-A in FIG. 49
through the device shown in FIG. 49;
[0122] FIG. 51 shows a vertical section through a valve with a
valve plate and valve stem similar to that shown in FIG. 48, but
with partially overlapping sounding lips;
[0123] FIG. 52 is a detailed sectional view of the sounding lips of
FIG. 51;
[0124] FIG. 53 shows a section taken along the line A-A in FIG. 52
through the device shown in FIG. 52;
[0125] FIG. 54 shows a vertical section through a valve with a
valve plate and valve stem similar to that shown in FIG. 44, but
with an edge on a lower tip of the sounding lip, which extends to
an opening in a separating element in order to thus constitute a
labial whistle;
[0126] FIG. 55 is a detailed cross-sectional view of the labial
whistle shown in FIG. 54;
[0127] FIG. 56 shows a section taken along the line A-A in FIG. 55
through the whistle shown in FIG. 55;
[0128] FIG. 57 shows a section taken along the line B-B in FIG. 55
through the whistle shown in FIG. 55;
[0129] FIG. 58 shows a vertical section through a valve with the
valve plate, valve housing, stem, and ascending tube for use in an
aerosol container in which an attachment of the valve housing is
provided with a number of grooves that adjoin a flow conduit;
[0130] FIG. 59 shows a section taken along the line A-A in FIG. 58
through the enlarged region of the grooves in FIG. 58;
[0131] FIG. 60 is a partially vertical cross-sectional, partially
side view of an aerosol container, whose stem has a top with a
spray conduit, a nozzle, and a funnel-shaped speaker;
[0132] FIG. 61 is a partially vertical cross-sectional, partially
side view of an aerosol container similar to that shown in FIG. 60,
but with a top embodied as a cap;
[0133] FIG. 62 is a vertical cross-sectional view through an
aerosol container with a top slid onto it, in which a sounding rib
is clamped between the top and an upper rim of the container;
[0134] FIG. 63 is a detailed sectional view of the connection of
the sounding rib in FIG. 62 to the top;
[0135] FIG. 64 is another detailed sectional view of a weakened
section in the top shown in FIG. 62;
[0136] FIG. 65 is a vertical cross-sectional view through an
aerosol container with a top similar to that shown in FIG. 62, but
with two sounding ribs and with a tear-off ring underneath the
sounding ribs;
[0137] FIG. 66 is a top plan view of the container shown in FIG.
65;
[0138] FIG. 67 is a detailed cutaway cross-sectional view of the
connection between a sounding rib and the tear-off ring in the
container shown in FIG. 65;
[0139] FIG. 68 is a vertical cross-sectional view through a valve
of an aerosol container, with the stem and the valve plate, in
which a flow loop is provided in the valve body;
[0140] FIG. 69 is a detailed cutaway cross-sectional view of the
sound generator in the device shown in FIG. 68;
[0141] FIG. 70 is a detailed cross-sectional view taken along the
section line A-A in FIG. 69;
[0142] FIG. 71 is a vertical cross-sectional view of an aerosol
container, which has a valve with an ascending tube, which has an
extension that functions as a sound generator and rests against the
bottom wall and the side wall of the container;
[0143] FIG. 72 is a vertical cross-sectional view of an aerosol
container similar to that shown in FIG. 71, but with a
spiral-shaped extension that rests against only the bottom wall,
and
[0144] FIG. 73 is a vertical cross-sectional view of an aerosol
container, which has an ascending tube leading to a valve, in which
the bottom wall of the container has a sound generator due to
alternating wall thickness.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0145] A first embodiment of a container 1 according to the
invention includes a reservoir 2, a product dispensing opening 3,
and a device 4 for discharging the product contained in the
reservoir 2 out through the product dispensing opening 3, a sound
generator 5 and a noise damper 13 (FIGS. 1 and 2). The sound
generator 5 and the noise damper 13 are functionally connected to
the discharge device 4 in order to generate a desired sound when a
product discharge occurs or while the product is being
dispensed.
[0146] A button 6 in a cap 7 of the container 1 serves as part of
the discharge device 4. The cap 7 can be slid onto a rim 8 of the
container 1. A recess 9 at the bottom end of a spray conduit 10
receives a stem 11 of the container 1. The container 1 is an
aerosol container. The spray conduit 10 that leads to a nozzle 12
is provided in the cap 7 of the container. As a noise damper 13, or
more clearly stated, as a technique for preventing an excessive
noise generation, the spray conduit 10, in particular in a curved
section 14 of the spray conduit 10, has a mathematically continuous
surface on its inner wall 15.
[0147] The spray conduit 10 is provided with four sounding ribs 16
extending radially out from the spray conduit 10. The sounding ribs
16 form respective 90 degree angles in relation to one another. If
the button 6 is actuated, then the spray conduit 10 and the stem 11
are pressed downward and a valve (not shown in FIGS. 1 and 2) in
the container 1 is actuated. The aerosol emerging through the stem
11 flows through the spray conduit 10 and is sprayed out through
the nozzle 12. Through the action of the noise damper 13 and the
sound generator 5, a sound is produced when the device 4 is
actuated that is relatively quiet and is also found to be very
pleasant due to the resonances in the cap 7.
[0148] In the exemplary embodiment in FIGS. 3 and 4, a cap 7 is
provided to be slid onto a container that contains an aerosol. The
cap 7 has a spray conduit 10, which is designed to receive a stem
of the container in a recess 9. The spray conduit 10 is encompassed
by a foamed material 17 and is therefore selectively sound
insulated. The material 17 is comprised of a thermoplastic
elastomer based on polypropylene. The spray conduit 10 can be
pivoted downward by means of a button 6 so that it opens a valve of
the container disposed on the stem and the product is discharged
from the nozzle 12.
[0149] In the exemplary embodiment in FIG. 5, a spray conduit 10
provided with a nozzle 12 is encompassed with three layers 19 of a
selectively sound absorbing material. The inner layer 19 adjoining
the spray conduit 10 is comprised of an unfoamed material 18. This
is adjoined by a foamed material 17. The latter is encompassed on
the outside by an unfoamed material 18, a film 19. All of the
materials 17, 18 are comprised of plastic. The selective sound
absorption is improved by means of the layer transitions. In
particular, unpleasant frequencies in the vicinity of 1 KHZ and 5
KHZ are damped in this way. The material 17, 18 can be
polypropylene.
[0150] In the exemplary embodiment in FIGS. 6 and 7, a button 6 of
a cap 7 that can be slid onto a container 1 is provided as part of
the discharge device 4. The button 6 acts mechanically on the wall
15 of the spray conduit 10. The wall 15 in turn acts mechanically
on a stem 11 of the container 1. When the button 6 is depressed, a
valve (not shown) disposed underneath the stem 11 is opened so that
the product is sprayed out through the spray conduit 10 and a
nozzle 12. A spiral 20 that is disposed around the spray conduit is
provided as a noise damper 13. The spiral 20 is comprised of
corrugated paper. The spiral 20 damps the spray noise selectively
so that it is found to be comparatively pleasant.
[0151] In the exemplary embodiment according to FIGS. 8 and 9, a
spray conduit 10 is used to dispense the product from an aerosol
container. The spraying process is started by exerting manual
pressure on a button 6 of the container. A nozzle 12 provides a
product dispensing opening 3. Four ribs are provided on the spray
conduit 10 as sound generators 5, which simultaneously serve both
as sounding ribs 16 and as stiffening ribs 21. The wall 15 of the
spray conduit 10 is thus stiffened. The wall 15 is comprised of a
relatively hard unfoamed material 18, whereas the ribs are
comprised of a relatively soft foamed material 17. The material is
polypropylene. The ribs amplify the deeper tones of the product
discharge sound, which is found to be relatively pleasant.
[0152] In the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 10 and 11, a spray
conduit 10 is used to dispense the product from an aerosol
container. The spraying process is started by manually pressing an
actuating button 7 of the container 1. A nozzle 12 provides a
product dispensing opening 3. A meander-shaped rib, which serves as
a sounding rib 16 and as a resonator, is provided on the spray
conduit 10 as both a sound generator 5 and a selective noise damper
13. The wall 15 of the spray conduit 10 is comprised of a
relatively hard, unfoamed material 18, whereas the ribs are
comprised of a relatively soft unfoamed material 17. The material
is polypropylene. In accordance with their dimensions, the ribs
amplify some tones of the product dispensing sound, which is
therefore found to be relatively pleasant. The cap 7 of the
container 1 also contributes to the acoustic pattern because the
connections 22 cause the sound oscillations of the sounding ribs 16
to be transmitted to the cap 7. The sound is determined by half the
length of the part 23 of the sounding rib 16 disposed between two
adjacent connections.
[0153] In the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 12 and 13, the spray
conduit 10 is provided with a conduit insert 24 extending inside
the spray conduit. If the button 6, as part of the discharge device
4, is depressed, then the wall 15 of the spray conduit 10 in the
recess 9 presses with its wall 15 against the stem 11. The product
that then flows out of the reservoir 2 travels along the conduit
insert 24 to the product dispensing opening 3. Since the conduit
insert 24 narrows the flow conduit 10, the flow acts in a laminar
fashion and a frequency increase occurs in the acoustic pattern of
the product dispensing noise. For frequencies around 4 KHZ, the
conduit insert 24 acts as a noise damper 13, but for higher
frequencies, it acts as a sound generator 5. In the exemplary
embodiment of FIG. 14, this is also true. In this instance, the
spray conduit 10 is comprised of two parallel conduit arms 25. The
two relatively small cross sections of the conduit arms 25 reduce
turbulences that emit frequencies around 4 KHZ.
[0154] In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 15, a button 6 of a cap
7 that can be slid onto a container 1 is provided as part of the
discharge device 4. The button 6 acts mechanically on the wall 15
of the spray conduit 10. The wall 15 in turn acts mechanically on a
stem 11 of the container 1. When the button 6 is depressed, a valve
(not shown) disposed underneath the stem 11 is opened so that the
product is sprayed out through the spray conduit 10 and a nozzle
12. An extension 26 for the spray conduit 10 functions as a noise
damper 13 for higher frequencies and as a sound generator 5 for
lower frequencies. The wall 15 of the spray conduit 10, together
with the extension 26, is relatively long, which is why low
frequencies with correspondingly long wavelengths are preferable. A
frequency shift occurs, compared to a spray conduit 10 of normal
length, i.e. without an extension 26. Analogously, a shortening of
the spray conduit 10 could achieve a frequency shift toward higher
frequencies.
[0155] In the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 16 and 17, the spray
conduit 10 is encompassed by a honeycomb formation 29, which has a
number of honeycombs 27; in the direction oriented away from the
spray conduit 10, the honeycombs 27 are aligned radially in
relation to the spray conduit 10. The honeycomb structure is
rectangular. The honeycombs 27 are open and increase the
frequencies of the spray conduit noise due to the relatively high
rigidity of the honeycomb walls 28. Consequently, the honeycomb
formation 29 acts as a sound generator 5 for higher frequencies and
as a noise damper 13 for lower frequencies.
[0156] In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 18, a button 6 in a cap
7 for a container is provided as part of the discharge device 4.
The cap 7 can be slid onto an upper rim of the container 1. A
recess 9 at the lower end of a spray conduit 10 receives a stem of
the container 1. The container 1 is an aerosol container. The spray
conduit 10 leading to a nozzle is provided in the cap 7. Two switch
elements 31, 32 are attached to the spray conduit 10. In the
initial position of the button 6 shown in FIG. 18, a rounded
element 24 of the button 6 is disposed above the one switch element
31. If the button 6 is pressed down a little, then only the switch
element 31 is actuated, as a result of which a particular
programmed sound is generated by a sound chip 30. The sound chip 30
is supplied with current from a battery 33. With further depression
of the button 6, the rounded element 34 travels off the switch
element 31 and onto the second switch element 32, as a result of
which the first sound is switched off and the second sound is
switched on. Instead of the second sound, a piece of product
information can also be triggered, which plays after the first
sound is switched off.
[0157] In a container 1 with a reservoir 2, a product dispensing
opening 3, and a discharge device 4 for dispensing the product
contained in the reservoir 2 out of the product dispensing opening
3, a sound generator 5 and a noise damper 13 are provided on the
container 1 (FIGS. 19, 20). The sound generator 5 and the noise
damper 13 are functionally connected to the device 4 in order to
generate a desired sound for a product discharge while the product
is being dispensed.
[0158] A button 6 in a cap 7 of the container 1 serves as part of
the discharge device 4. The cap 7 can be slid onto a rim 8 of the
container 1. The cap 7 can be slid onto a rim 8 of a container 1. A
recess 9 at the bottom end of a spray conduit 10 receives a stem 11
of the container 1. The container 1 is an aerosol container. The
spray conduit leading to a nozzle 12 is provided in the cap 7 of
the container. A large number of individual conduits 35 are
provided as a noise damper 13 and a sound generator 5.
[0159] This decreases certain turbulences and corresponding
frequencies that occur in a single spray conduit, as a result of
which a selective noise damping is achieved for this frequency
range. Consequently, the individual conduits 35 function as a noise
damper 13. Sounds that are typical for a large number of individual
conduits 35 are amplified. In this connection, the individual
conduits 35 function as a noise damper 13. Consequently an altered,
relatively pleasant sound is generated when the product in the
container 1 is dispensed.
[0160] A known spray conduit has a diameter of 2 mm with a length
of 20 mm, which results in a cross sectional surface area of 3.141
mm.sup.2. However, if six individual conduits 35 (FIG. 20) are
combined into a bundle in which each individual conduit 35 has a
diameter of 0.8 mm, then this results in a combined flow cross
section of 3.141 mm.sup.2. Since the tubular bundle is also better
able to absorb the oscillations that occur, the following effects
are produced: noise reduction, frequency change, and reduction of
the flow resistance and therefore of the eddies that occur, which
results in a further noise reduction.
[0161] In another exemplary embodiment (FIGS. 21, 22, 23), in a
container 1 with a reservoir 2, a product dispensing opening 3, and
a discharge device 4 for discharging the product contained in the
reservoir 2 out through the product dispensing opening 3, a sound
generator 5 and a noise damper 13 are provided on the container 1.
The sound generator 5 and the noise damper 13 are functionally
connected to the device 4 in order to generate a desired sound for
a product discharge while the product is being dispensed.
[0162] A button 6 in a cap 7 of the container 1 serves as part of
the discharge device 4. The cap 7 can be slid onto a rim 8 of the
container 1. A recess 9 at the bottom end of the spray conduit 10
receives a stem 11 of the container 1. The container 1 is an
aerosol container. A spray conduit leading to a nozzle 12 is
provided in the cap 7 of the container. A labium 36 in the spray
conduit 10 is provided as a noise damper 13 and a sound generator
5. The labium 36 is a sound generator 5 and functions together with
the vertically aligned part of the spray conduit 10 in a fashion
similar to an organ pipe when the aerosol from the container 1
flows past it. It simultaneously functions as a noise damper 13
since its presence causes other frequencies that are otherwise
present to be suppressed or prevented.
[0163] In the exemplary embodiments of FIGS. 24 and 25, a valve
plate insulation 38 is provided as a noise damper 13 on a valve
plate 37 of an aerosol container. The valve plate insulation 38 is
a layer of a sound absorbing material that is applied to the valve
plate 37. In the one instance, this material is a polyurethane
lacquer 39 (FIG. 24) and in the other instance, it is a
polyurethane foam 40 (FIG. 25).
[0164] The valve plate 37 is sealed in relation to an upper rim of
an aerosol container by means of a circumferential seal 41. When
the product is being dispensed from the aerosol container, e.g. by
manual actuation of a spray head, the frequencies emitted by the
valve plate 37 are damped by the valve plate insulation 38. In this
manner, for example, a relatively pleasant spraying sound is
achieved. A foam dispensing sound can also be altered in an
analogous manner. The aerosol container then has a foam generator
at its product dispensing opening.
[0165] A product dispensing opening 3 and a device 4 for
discharging the product from the product dispensing opening 3 are
provided in a cap 7 for a container (FIG. 26). A noise damper 13 is
functionally connected to the discharge device 4 in order to
generate a desired sound for a product discharge while the product
is being dispensed.
[0166] A button 6 in a cap 7 of the container serves as part of the
discharge device 4. The cap 7 can be slid onto a rim of the
container. A recess 9 at the bottom end of a spray conduit 10
receives a stem of the container. The container is an aerosol
container. The spray conduit 10 leading to a nozzle 12 is provided
in the cap 7 of the container. As a noise damper 13, or more
clearly stated, as a technique for preventing an excessive noise
generation, the outlet end of the spray conduit 10 is provided with
an insert 42, which contains the nozzle 12, is comprised of an
elastic plastic, and therefore functions as a noise damper 13.
[0167] The emerging aerosol flows through the spray conduit 10 and
is sprayed out 40 through the nozzle 12. The action of the noise
damper 13 generates a sound that is relatively quiet and, due to
the selective damping in the plastic, is also found to be very
pleasant when the device 4 is actuated.
[0168] In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 27, in a container 1
with a reservoir 2, a product dispensing opening 3, and a device 4
for discharging the product contained in the reservoir 2 out
through the product dispensing opening 3, a sound generator 5 is
provided. The sound generator 5 is functionally connected to the
device 4 in order to generate a desired sound for a product
discharge while the product is being dispensed.
[0169] A button 6 in a cap 7 of the container 1 serves as part of
the discharge device 4. The cap 7 can be slid onto a rim 8 of the
container 1. A recess 9 at the bottom end of a spray conduit 10
receives a stem 11 of the container 1. The container 1 is an
aerosol container. The spray conduit 10 leading to a nozzle 12 is
provided in the cap 7 of the container.
[0170] A horizontal, disk-shaped resonance surface 43 that extends
radially away from the spray conduit 10 is provided on the spray
conduit 10 as a sound generator 5. If the button 6 is actuated,
then the spray conduit 10 is pressed downward with the stem 11 and
a valve (not shown) in the container 1 is actuated. The aerosol
emerging through the stem 11 flows through the spray conduit 10 and
is sprayed out the nozzle 12. The action of the sound generator 5
when the device 4 is actuated produces a sound that is found to be
very pleasant, which is predetermined by the resonances of the
resonance surface 43. The resonance surface 43 is rigidly connected
to the inner wall of the cap 7. The resonance surface 43 is a disk
made of plastic.
[0171] In the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 28 and 29, as well as
in the exemplary embodiment of the FIGS. 30 and 31, a technique for
sound alteration is used that corresponds to the exemplary
embodiment of FIG. 27. In the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 28 and
29, two parallel vertical resonance surfaces 43 are provided inside
a cap 7, whereas in the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 30 and 31, an
annular, circumferential resonance surface 43 is provided in a cap
7. Depending on the arrangement in the cap 7, the number of
resonance surfaces 43, the material selection, the surface area
dimensions, and a possibly existing connection to the cap 7, a
corresponding sound can be produced when dispensing the
product.
[0172] In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 32, a container (not
shown) is an aerosol container, which has a valve 44, a valve plate
37, a valve housing 45, and a stem 11. An acoustic barrier layer 46
is provided as a noise damper 13 between the valve 44 and the valve
plate 37. A part of the barrier layer 46 acts as a seal between the
valve housing 45 and the stem 11. In this way, the valve plate 37
and the valve housing 45 are acoustically decoupled from the valve
44, which causes a damping of the oscillations that would otherwise
be transmitted from the valve 44 to the valve plate 37 and
therefore to the container. A product discharge is quieter and more
pleasant sounding.
[0173] In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 33, this is analogously
the case, but in contrast to the subject of FIG. 32, in this
instance, a separate seal 48 is provided between the stem 11 and
the valve housing 45 in order to produce an optimal seal there.
[0174] In the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 34, 35, and 36, in a
container 1 with a reservoir 2, a product dispensing opening 3, and
a device 4 for discharging the product contained in the reservoir 2
out through the product dispensing opening 3, a noise damper 13 is
provided. The noise damper 13 is functionally connected to the
device 4 in order to generate a desired sound for a product
discharge while the product is being dispensed.
[0175] A button 6 in a cap 7 of the container 1 serves as part of
the discharge device 4. The cap 7 can be slid onto a rim 8 of the
container 1. A recess 9 at the bottom end of a spray conduit 10
receives a stem 11 of the container. The container 1 is an aerosol
container. The spray conduit 10 leading to a nozzle 12 is provided
in the cap 7 of the container. An acoustic seal 49 between the
button 6 and the cap 7 serves as a noise damper 13. Two sealing
lips 50, 51 produce the seal 49; one sealing lip 51 is provided on
the cap 7 and another sealing lip 50 is provided on the button 6
(FIGS. 34 and 35). Even when the button 6 is depressed (FIG. 6),
the sealing lips remain in contact with each other and thus seal
the interior of the cap 7 in relation to the outside.
[0176] In the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 37, 38, and 39, the
seal 49 is produced by an elastic connection 52 between the button
6 and the edge region 54 of the cap 7 adjoining the edge 53 of the
button 6. The seal is maintained even after the button 6 is
depressed (FIG. 39) due to an expansion of the elastic connection
52. If the button 6 is actuated, then a spray conduit is pressed
downward along with a stem (not shown) and a valve (not shown) in
the container is actuated. The aerosol emerging from the stem flows
through the spray conduit and is sprayed out through a nozzle. The
action of the noise damper 13 produces a sound that is relatively
quiet and, due to the resonances in the cap 7, is also found to be
very pleasant when the device 4 is actuated.
[0177] In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 40, a perforated disk
55, which is inserted into a stem 11, is provided as a sound
generator 5 for one frequency range and as a noise damper 13 for
another frequency range; this perforated disk has a number of
conduits 57 and is preferably snapped into the stem by means of a
detent element 56. When an aerosol is dispensed, it flows through
the conduits 57. A laminar flow takes place in the conduits 57, and
is still partially present downstream of the perforated disk 55.
This reduction in turbulence results in the fact that individual
frequencies are reduced in sound intensity and other frequencies
are amplified. By and large, a frequency change is produced, which
results in a new sound being produced. This sound is a function of
the number and length of the conduits 57 and is generally found to
be relatively pleasant.
[0178] In the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 41 to 43, the
perforated disk 55 only has conduits 57 on one half of its disk; a
semicircular cover 58 covers the perforated disk 55 that has a
reverse-lock 61, and this cover 58 can be rotated in relation to
the perforated disk 55 by means of a tubular piece 59, which is
inserted into the stem 11, has a stop 60, and is connected to a
product dispensing opening, not shown, of the container. In the
position that is shown in FIGS. 41 and 42, the cover 58 covers an
opening 62 while the conduits 57 are unblocked. An aerosol product
consequently flows through the conduits 57 and generates a
particular sound, causing the perforated disk 55 to function as a
sound generator 5. A different noise, which arises from diverse
turbulences, is reduced due to the laminar flow that occurs in the
conduits 57. Consequently, the perforated disk 55 also functions as
a noise damper 13. By rotating the tubular section 59 by 180
degrees, the cover 58 moves over the conduits 58 (FIG. 43). This
unblocks the opening 62. In this rotation position, a different
sound is produced when the aerosol flows out, which is connected
with a different, more powerful outflow. In a particular rotation
position, the stop 60 becomes functional and is correlated with a
particular swivel position of a product dispensing opening provided
at the upper end of the tubular piece 59 in such a way that the
user is informed about a particular outflow behavior depending on
the swivel position. Instead of an opening 62, the perforated disk
55 could also have an uninterrupted disk material there. Then the
number of conduits 57 that are used would be determined by rotating
the tubular piece 59.
[0179] In the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 44 and 45, a sounding
lip 64 inserted into a flow conduit 63 of an aerosol container is
provided as a sound generator 5. This sounding lip 64 is of one
piece with the lower part of the valve housing 45. Thus a
particular tone can be generated by dispensing the product. The
sounding lip 64 is set into an oscillation by the outflowing
product. Due to the connection to the valve housing 45, the
sounding lip 64 can easily be produced along with the valve housing
45. With the proposed disposition of the sounding lip on the bottom
part of the valve housing 45, the product is fluid so that an
adhesion and therefore a limitation of the function of the sounding
lip 64 cannot occur there. A spray head (not shown) of the aerosol
container 20 serves as a discharge device and, when pressed
downward, causes a valve 44 to open. The product flows around the
sounding lip 64 and up through the valve 44 and produces a pleasant
sound against the sounding lip 64 while the product is being
dispensed. The sounding lip 64 is aligned in the direction of the
flow conduit 63. As a result, a relatively large flow cross section
is available for the outflowing product so that virtually no
influence is exerted on the outflow. The length of the sounding lip
64 is designed for a resonance of a particular frequency and its
overtones. Instead of pointing downward, the sounding lip 64 can
also point upward (FIGS. 46 and 47).
[0180] In the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 48, 49, and 50, two
sounding lips 64 are provided, which are aligned perpendicular to
the direction of the flow conduit 63 and are aligned in relation to
each other in such a way that a gap 65 is formed between them. As a
result, a relatively intense tone can be generated. Alternatively,
the sounding lips 65 can also overlap (FIGS. 51, 52, and 53), which
can produce an even greater sound intensity. In these two exemplary
embodiments, a relatively narrow opening, through which the product
must flow, is produced in the flow conduit 63. On the one hand, the
opening is produced by the gap 65 (FIG. 49) and on the other hand,
the opening is produced by the fact that the overlapping sounding
lips are pivoted upward and therefore pressed away from each other
(FIG. 52). Recesses 67 at the edge of the sounding lips 65 (FIG.
53) permit the sounding lips 65 to pivot in the flow conduit 63.
The portion of the product flowing through the recesses 67 produces
a different tone there. Therefore a sound is produced which on the
one hand, depends on the vibration of the sounding lips 65 and
their distance from each other and on the other hand, depends on
the size of the recesses 67. This sound is also found to be
relatively pleasant.
[0181] A vertical sounding lip 64 can be used as a sound generator
5 (FIG. 44), for example for hairspray that produces a normal hold
of the hair. By contrast, sounding lips 64 in FIGS. 49 and 52 can
be used as sound generators 5 in hairspray for extra hold and super
hold. The user is therefore signaled as to which kind hairspray is
being sprayed by the tone of the product dispensing sound.
[0182] In the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 54 to 57, when
dispensing the product from an aerosol container, a very special
whistling tone is produced. An opening 68 of a separating element
69 is provided upstream of the sounding lip 64 and one edge 70 of
the sounding lip 64 forms a labial whistle 71 with the opening 68.
The labial whistle 71 is embodied so that the edge 70 is disposed
relatively close to the opening 68. The frequency of the tone
produced can be changed by altering the gap width of the opening 68
or the distance of the edge 70 from the opening 68. The tone is
adjusted so that it is found to be pleasant by the user when
dispensing the product. The conditions shown in FIGS. 54 to 57
produce a relatively rich tone in the mid frequency range. The
sounding lip 64 could also have a gap that divides it completely
from top to bottom. Then the first tone would sound along with a
second tone, which would produce a different, relatively pleasant
acoustic pattern.
[0183] In the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 58 and 59, a number of
grooves 73 extending in the flow direction and adjoining the flow
conduit 63 are provided simultaneously as noise dampers 13 and as
sound generators 5. The flow conduit 63 is used for a discharge of
the aerosol product through the flow conduit 63 when the stem 11 of
the valve 44 of the container 1 is tilted. These grooves 73 are
preferably embodied as recesses in an attachment 72 of a valve
housing 45 of a valve 44. The turbulences in this region of the
flow conduit 63 can therefore be reduced. Eliminating these
turbulences damps the frequencies that are produced by these
turbulences of the outflowing aerosol product. At the same time,
the grooves 73 generate a different tone. This frequency change is
found to be relatively pleasant. The corresponding sound is
influenced by the length, width, and depth of the grooves 73, as
well as by the number of grooves 73. The grooves 73 could also be
disposed somewhat higher and could be provided inside the ascending
tube 66 or inside the stem 11. They always perform the same
function, but have a different effect on the product dispensing
sound depending on their precise location.
[0184] In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 60, a funnel-shaped
speaker 74 is provided both as a sound generator 5 and as a noise
damper 13, which speaker adjoins a product dispensing opening 3 of
the container 1 embodied in the form of a nozzle 12. The speaker 74
has a diameter that increases as it extends away from the nozzle
12. In the same way as in a megaphone, the sound while dispensing
the product is altered and simultaneously amplified. The spray cone
emerging from the nozzle 12 has a sufficient amount of clearance in
the speaker 74. The top 75 is slid with its recess 9 onto the stem
11 of the container 11. If the top 75 is pressed downward, then an
aerosol flows out through the stem 11, the spray conduit 10, the
nozzle 12, and the speaker 74 and, through frequency shifting and
sound amplification, produces a pleasant sound in the speaker 74.
The top 75 in this instance is used as a discharge device 4.
[0185] In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 61, a button 6 of a cap
7 that can be slid 5 onto a container 1 is provided as part of the
discharge device 4. The button 6 acts mechanically on the wall 15
of the spray conduit 10. The wall 15 in turn acts mechanically on a
stem 11 of the container 1. When the button 6 is depressed, a valve
(not shown) disposed underneath the stem 11 is opened so that the
product is sprayed out through the spray conduit 10 and a nozzle
12. In the same way as in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 60, a
speaker 74 functions both as a noise damper 13 and as a sound
generator 5.
[0186] In the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 65 to 67, a sounding
rib 16 is provided as a sound generator 5, which is connected on
the one hand to a top 75 slid onto a stem 11 of a container 1
filled with aerosol and on the other hand, rests against a rim of
the container 1. The sounding rib 16 engages underneath the rim 8
by means of a bead 76 and is therefore relatively rigidly affixed.
A tear-off element 78 can be bent at a weakened line 79 and thus
removed from the top 75. A user can alternatively produce a simple
or a modified sound with or without the tear-off element.
[0187] In the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 65 to 67, a tear-off
ring 77, which engages underneath the rim 8 of the container and is
connected to two sounding ribs 16 by means of a weakened line 79,
is provided on the container 1 in a modified manner. First, the
tear-off ring 77 that is provided for transport purposes, is
removed, by breaking along the weakened line 79. Then the top 75,
which functions as a discharge device 4, is depressed. The product
flowing out through the stem 11, the spray conduit 10, and the
nozzle 12 generates a tone, which excites the two unevenly sized
sounding ribs 16 to oscillate (FIG. 66). This produces a dual tone,
which is found to be pleasant.
[0188] In the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 68 to 70, a flow loop,
which is embodied as a conduit, is provided as a sound generator 5
for an aerosol container. The flow loop 80 is disposed in the valve
body 81 of the valve 44. By tilting the stem 11, the valve 44 is
opened and an aerosol product flows out through the flow conduit
63. Due to flow turbulences before entry into the stem 11, a
relatively small portion of the product flow travels into the flow
loop 80 and generates a resonance oscillation there. The expansion
of the fluid propellant into its gaseous phase that occurs at the
entry into the flow loop 80 is converted to pressure in the flow
loop 80 and thus produces an additional sound while the product is
being dispensed.
[0189] In the exemplary embodiments of FIGS. 71 and 72, the
container 1 is an aerosol container, which has an ascending tube 66
leading to a valve 44. The ascending tube 66 has an extension 82
that functions a sound generator 5. The extension 82 rests either
against only the bottom wall 83 (FIG. 72) or against both the
bottom wall 83 and the side wall 84 of the container (FIG. 71). The
flow sound of the aerosol in the ascending tube 45 is amplified on
the one hand in the extension 82. On the other hand, this amplified
sound is transmitted to a container wall so that the container wall
serves as a resonator. The sound generated consequently depends on
the dimensions of the walls and produces a slightly deeper,
relatively pleasant sound while the product is being dispensed,
particularly in aluminum containers. In the exemplary embodiment of
FIG. 71, because of the two transmission points for the ascending
tube 66, an amplitude shift occurs between a stationary wave in the
side wall on the one hand and a stationary wave in the bottom wall
on the other. This also advantageously changes the acoustic
pattern.
[0190] In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 73, the container 1 is
an aerosol container 10 whose bottom wall 83 is provided with a
sound generator 5 in the form of an alternating wall thickness that
is sometimes thicker 86 and sometimes thinner 85. The bottom wall
83 thus produces an altered acoustic pattern when the product is
being dispensed. An aerosol dispensing sound that is found to be
pleasant can be achieved depending on the intensity difference and
the dimensions of the greater wall thickness 86. Alternatively, the
side wall 84 can be embodied analogously to the bottom wall 83 or a
wall could be embodied in a wave form with a constant wall
thickness.
* * * * *