Dispensing – With material treatment or conditioning means
Patent
1997-01-29
1999-01-26
Douglas, Steven O.
Dispensing
With material treatment or conditioning means
222388, 239434, 2394285, B67D 506
Patent
active
058629548
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
The present invention refers to an appliance for the formation of soap foam, with a soap solution metering pump actuated by a single lever, containing a reciprocating piston in its cylindrical space, and a device for compressing and introducing air, coaxial to the metering pump and capable of reciprocating motion, and moved synchronously with the latter, and in which openings and/or ducts which are capable of being closed lead into a foaming unit where fine-bubbled foam portions are formed.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A device corresponding to the preamble for dispensing cleaning or disinfection agents or the like is known from CH-A5-676 227. This design is based on production engineering adaptations to the designs in EP-A1-0 019 582 and EP-A1-0 079 853.
The foaming unit used here is also already known (CH-A5-676 456) and is most commonly used in the closures and dispensers fitted to bottles, usually plastic. Pressing the bottle walls causes liquid and air to be pressed into the "foamer" mounted on the bottle, where it is swirled, foamed, forced through a microfilter and dispensed directly at the nozzle as foam. In all the design forms, tolerances necessary for production engineering reasons are compensated by relative movement between the parts.
The known appliances are of relatively complicated construction (EP-A1-0 019 582 and EPA1-0 079 853) or leave something to be desired in their foam quality (CH-A5-676 227). The sizes of the individual foam portions differ with slow movements and quick movements of the lever; the valves and arrangements used tend to dribble. In addition, the air buffers in the metering pump, which are intended to ensure the ejection of the soap, have a negative effect on the constancy of the metered quantity.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The task of the invention is therefore to create a device which does not exhibit the disadvantages of the state of the art, has high operational reliability and, even after prolonged interruptions, delivers perfect, fine-pored foam. At the same time the construction should be economically designed and in particular be suitable for mass production.
The task is solved by designing the cylindrical space as flat at its end face, arranging a ball inlet valve and spring-loaded ball outlet valve opposite each other at the end face of the cylindrical space, designing the piston head as flat at its end face, and arranging the lever so that it forces the piston to make positive contact with the end face of the cylindrical space when in its end position.
The design of the cylindrical space in accordance with the invention allows precise and synchronous metering of liquid soap and of air, so that uniform foam formation results regardless of lever travel. Furthermore, the fact that the end face of the piston makes contact with the end face of the cylindrical space gives a defined stroke and thus defined delivery quantities, without any residual volumes occurring. This solution is also favourable and inexpensive from a production engineering viewpoint; other positive contact designs of the piston and the cylindrical space are equally feasible, but less favourable for adjusting to each other.
The optimum arrangement of the valves is equally important for repeatable metering of the soap solution.
Incorporation of a chamfered piston face and cylindrical space is favourable from a production engineering viewpoint and allows the contact surface between the piston and the cylindrical space to be precisely defined without subjecting either of the two parts to wear.
The selection of the ball for the inlet valve with a lower density than that of the soap solution results in a valve ball which floats in the soap solution and is therefore always fully ready for use.
Balls made of elastomer have proved particularly successful, as this gives optimum sealing tightness with minimal spring pressure.
Inclusion of an expansion/conditioning chamber downstream of a foaming unit which in itself is already known gives improved foam quality and allows the foaming unit to be pr
REFERENCES:
patent: 3168217 (1965-02-01), Nilsen et al.
patent: 4174056 (1979-11-01), Loeffler
patent: 4477000 (1984-10-01), Arabian
patent: 5570819 (1996-11-01), Uehira et al.
Ehrensperger Markus
Pachler Rupert
CWS International AG
Douglas Steven O.
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