Abstract:
A foam pump for pumping a foamable liquid from a foamable liquid source includes a premix chamber having an interior volume receiving the foamable liquid from the foamable liquid source. The foam pump also include a premix chamber air inlet valve, and a collapsible air chamber surrounds the premix chamber and fluidly communicates with the interior volume of the premix chamber through said premix chamber air inlet valve. The collapsible air chamber has an expanded volume and a compressed volume, and, when the collapsible air chamber is moved from its expanded volume to its compressed volume, air within the collapsible air chamber is forced into the premix chamber through the premix chamber air inlet valve and mixes with the foamable liquid received in the premix chamber. An outlet communicates with the premix chamber and, upon compression of the collapsible air chamber from its expanded volume to its compressed volume, foamable liquid and air are advanced from the premix chamber into the outlet. This foamable liquid and air mixture is homogenized into a foam product by advancement through a mesh screen.
Abstract:
Exemplary foam-at-a-distance systems, refill units and foam generators are disclosed herein. An exemplary foam generator includes a body having an inlet for receiving air and an inlet for receiving liquid. The foam generator includes a plurality of baffles located within the body. A plurality of elongated spaces are formed at least in part by the baffles. The elongated spaces have a length that is greater than a width.
Abstract:
Exemplary pumps, nozzles and refill units are disclosed herein. An exemplary refill unit includes a container, a pump and an outlet nozzle. The outlet nozzle has a lower conical shaped portion that reduces in cross-sectional area in the direction of fluid flow. The conical shaped portion has a helical groove about its inner surface and the helical groove has an end proximate an outlet. Another exemplary refill unit includes a container, a pump and an outlet nozzle. The outlet nozzle has a lower portion that has a passage. At least a portion of the walls of the passage contain a plurality of partial conical shapes that intersect and the passage has a cross-sectional area that reduces along the fluid flow path. The outlet has a multi-lobed cross-section.
Abstract:
A foam soap generator is provided for implementation with various types of foam soap delivery systems. The foam soap generator includes converging air and liquid soap passages at a mixing chamber, where a prefoam is generated for ultimate extrusion through a porous passage member. In one embodiment of the invention, the soap and air are delivered through coaxial tubes, with the soap being introduced axially into the mixing chamber and the air being introduced radially angularly. In another embodiment, the liquid soap is drawn into an entrainment zone by high velocity air passing through the air passageway and into the mixing chamber.
Abstract:
A dip tube assembly for use with a fluid container and a pump attached to the container includes a dip tube support attachable to the pump and disposed in the interior of the container for access to the contents thereof. The dip tube assembly includes a hollow support attachable to the pump and extending downward from a distal end of the pump and opening toward the end of the container to which the pump is attached.
Abstract:
A foam pump for pumping a foamable liquid from a foamable liquid source includes a premix chamber having an interior volume receiving the foamable liquid from the foamable liquid source. The foam pump also include a premix chamber air inlet valve, and a collapsible air chamber surrounds the premix chamber and fluidly communicates with the interior volume of the premix chamber through said premix chamber air inlet valve. The collapsible air chamber has an expanded volume and a compressed volume, and, when the collapsible air chamber is moved from its expanded volume to its compressed volume, air within the collapsible air chamber is forced into the premix chamber through the premix chamber air inlet valve and mixes with the foamable liquid received in the premix chamber. An outlet communicates with the premix chamber and, upon compression of the collapsible air chamber from its expanded volume to its compressed volume, foamable liquid and air are advanced from the premix chamber into the outlet. This foamable liquid and air mixture is homogenized into a foam product by advancement through a mesh screen.
Abstract:
The present invention is directed to dispensers, dispenser components and related methods for reducing or preventing sticking, drying, buildup, clogging, and/or misdirection of carbomer gel based products such as hand sanitizers by incorporating one or more salts, such as sodium chloride, as an additive to the polymer used to make certain pump and nozzle components of dispensers in such a way as to allow the salt crystals to access the polymer surface. The polymer/salt mixture is then formed into the desired dispenser component part by any conventional means, including without limitation, injection molding, compression molding, transfer molding, liquid injection molding, over molding, insert molding and/or blow molding.
Abstract:
A foam soap generator and pump is provided for receipt by a liquid soap container in a foam soap dispenser. The foam soap generator and pump comprise an air cylinder and a liquid cylinder, integral with each other, and in parallel arrangement. Each receives a respective air and liquid piston, again of integral construction. The pistons are provided with arms having passages therethrough that ultimately bring the liquid and air together under pressure for the generation of foam and extrude of the same through an appropriate screen or open cell foam disk.