Fluent material handling – with receiver or receiver coacting mea – Capillary type
Patent
1996-03-01
1998-04-28
Jacyna, J. Casimer
Fluent material handling, with receiver or receiver coacting mea
Capillary type
141 1, 141286, 2395903, B67C 326
Patent
active
057433119
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a foam control element for use in the dispensing head of a dispenser for liquids which tend to foam upon being filled into individual containers. The invention also relates to a dispenser with a foam control element.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
It is well known to dispense liquids, neat or diluted with water, from a bulk container into smaller, individual containers, for example in industrial kitchens, hotels and the like where various cleaning products are dispensed into small containers for use by individual members of the cleaning staff. An example of a dispenser for use in this fashion is described in European Published Patent Application 564,303 in the name of Diversey Corporation. The liquid being dispensed tends to foam due to agitation and turbulence, which often tends to be the case with cleaning liquids which are inherently susceptible to foaming. A problem arises in that the individual containers become partly filled with foam as the liquid is poured or dispensed into the container. Either the containers have to be only partly filled with liquid or the foam is forced to overflow while more liquid is dispensed into the container. Obviously, neither of these alternatives is at all satisfactory.
The creation of foam can to some extent be reduced by directing the flow of liquid to the side of the container, rather than in the middle where it tends to agitate the liquid already in the container. Examples of such dispensing heads are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,757,835, 4,512,379 and 4,574,853. But, even this measure limits the formation of foam to only a small extent. Moreover, in many types of dispensers, it is simply not possible to direct the flow of liquid in this way.
It is also known to fit flow reducers in nozzles which dispense foaming products. Such flow reducers incorporate one or more apertured screens across the direction of flow. Examples of these types of dispensers are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,698,452; 3,805,856 and 4,553,574. It has been found that these screens reduce foaming to only a limited extent and then only at relatively low delivery pressures.
There are various types of nozzle attachments for water spouts which have wire screen mesh, open cell foam, perforated plate and the like, where such attachments are designed to aerate the flow of water to minimize thereby splashing of water as it flows under pressure. Examples of such aeration devices are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,515,600; 2,929,567; 2,995,309; 2,998,930; 3,239,152; 3,428,258; 3,642,213; 3,707,236; 3,730,439; 4,119,276 and 4,730,786. Although these aerator devices are useful for reducing water splashing, they are not acceptable for use as foam control devices because, by introducing air bubbles to the liquid flow, foaming of susceptible liquids would be increased.
The object of the present invention is to provide a foam control element which is relatively simple and relatively inexpensive and yet still produces a significant foam reduction effect.
Accordingly, the invention provides a foam control element comprising a three-dimensional mesh of a multiplicity of fine fibers which are connected together to create a great plurality of irregular liquid paths through the spaces between the fibers.
The invention also provides a dispenser for foaming liquids which is fitted with such a foam control element.
The inventors have found that a section of a three-dimensional mesh of fine fibers is very effective in reducing foaming of liquids being dispensed into containers. This mesh, which is commonly used for scouring pads for example, is readily available and relatively inexpensive. It might have been expected that such a mesh would have a poor effect on flowthrough of liquid, or would create blockages, but the inventors found that this was not the case. Sections of the mesh can be easily fitted in the outlet nozzles of existing dispensers and can significantly reduce foaming, thereby increasing the efficiency of the dispensers and avoiding hazardous and tro
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Crossdale Garry William
Stevens Michael James
Diversey Lever Inc.
Huffman A. Kate
Jacyna J. Casimer
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