EP1248682B1 - Method and device for the controlled dispensing of cleansing foam - Google Patents

Abstract

The dispenser has an overhead soap supply container, and intermediate container and a compressed air cylinder (82) which has at least one radial air port (89) connected pneumatically to the foam dispenser bore (80). The air flow produced by the reverse stroke of the air piston is introduced into the foam dispenser bore as excess pressure in a first phase and as vacuum in a second phase so that the foam in the bore in the first phase is for the most part blown out whilst in the second phase the remaining residual foam expands under vacuum and decomposes.

Description

The present invention relates to a method for foam output and a device according to the preamble of claim 1 or claim 4.

Such foam dispensers are often in laundry and toilet rooms, in particular of public facilities, restaurants etc. used. You can also find them in areas with high hygiene requirements such as food industry, Health care etc., where they often use soap solutions, which Disinfectants are included, operated.

From WO 90/14037, Fig. 4, is a concentric structure Foam dispenser known, via a check valve Air from the dispenser housing sucks, compresses and simultaneously promotes soap solution from an intermediate container. Both media are brought together in a mixing room; The coarse-bubble foam formed there is subsequently Homogenized via a foamer and for Wash hands out. A foam dispenser is also known from US-A-5,862,954 known.

The known device is relatively bulky and consists of numerous items polluting over time and stick and / or contaminate the donor. He also tends to dribble because in the mixing room and in the dispenser the remaining foam partially breaks down and partly, especially during longer business interruptions, bonded.

It is therefore an object of the invention a method for controlled To create foam generation and delivery and one To build foam dispenser, the disadvantages of the state does not have the technology and especially not for dripping inclines.

The donor to be created should be reliable and improved create hygienic conditions. He should have one large intermediate container with a clearly visible level indicator have enough time to do so for replacing the empty storage bottle with a new, filled is available. In addition, the donor should be economical be produced and a minimum of maintenance require.

According to the invention, the object is achieved by the features of Claim 1 solved.

According to the method, in the first phase, after foaming and -output bleeding the dispensing nozzle; in the second phase, a slight negative pressure is generated there, which destroys the remaining foam.

Experiencing the foam forming liquid fins by the Rücksog (negative pressure) an expansion and become due to their thermodynamic instability at the inner Surface of a nozzle / expansion body broken, i.e. it creates a minimal amount of soap solution, the with the next positive piston stroke (with the foam portion) foamed and expelled again.

By this measure, the nozzle chamber always remains clean; he does not encrust, allowing the dispenser even after long interruptions is functional.

In dependent claims are developments of the subject invention characterized.

The method of claim 2 is very easy in integrate existing designs of air cylinders.

The development according to claim 3 provides an economical particularly interesting solution.

A residual foam present in the foam dispensing bore becomes successfully destroyed by an upstream expansion, so that no dripping occurs.

The device according to claim 5 has the advantage of very hygienic and reliable construction.

The indicated in claim 6 crossing a single Air outlet is particularly efficient and replaces the in conceivable other designs necessary valves, air vents, Luftnachführungen, graduated piston rods for temporary air supply etc.

Particularly effective is the embodiment according to claim 7th

The embodiment according to claim 8 prevents the penetration of germs, etc. in the donor and represents a crucial Improvement of hygienic conditions safe.

To avoid confusion of the reservoir is used the embodiment according to claim 9; it increases the operational safety and serves to ensure the use of appropriate Soap solutions, especially in critical areas (Food production and distribution, health care Etc.).

The following is an example of a fed with soap solution Spenders embodiments of the invention explained.

Fig. 1

eine Teilansicht eines Schaumspenders in Perspektivdarstellung,

Fig. 2

den Spender Fig. 1 in funktionsbereiten Zustand, montiert an einer Wand,

Fig. 2a

den in Fig. 2 ersichtlichen Schwimmer einer Füllstandsanzeige,

Fig. 3

eine Schnittdarstellung des Spenders nach Fig. 1,

Fig. 4

einen Verschäumer nach Fig. 3 in einer sogen. Explosionsdarstellung mit zugehörigem Düsen-/Expansions-Körper,

Fig. 5

einen Vertikalschnitt durch den Verschäumer gemäss Fig. 4,

Fig. 6

eine zentrale Draufsicht auf den Verschäumer nach Fig. 5,

Fig. 7a

die Prinzipdarstellung eines Luftzylinders mit einem Luftkolben in drei charakteristischen Hub-Stellungen,

Fig. 7b

den typischen Druckverlauf an einem radialen Luftdurchlass des Luftzylinders Fig. 7a,

Fig. 7c

eine Schnittdarstellung durch eine untere Hälfte eines Luftzylinders mit einem angeschlossenen Düsen-/Expansions-Körper und

Fig. 8

den Düsen-/Expansions-Körper in einer Draufsicht von oben.

Show it:

Fig. 1

a partial view of a foam dispenser in perspective,

Fig. 2

the dispenser Fig. 1 in a functional state, mounted on a wall,

Fig. 2a

the apparent in Fig. 2 float a level indicator,

Fig. 3

a sectional view of the dispenser of FIG. 1,

Fig. 4

a foamer according to Fig. 3 in a so-called. Exploded view with associated nozzle / expansion body,

Fig. 5

a vertical section through the foamer according to FIG. 4,

Fig. 6

a central plan view of the foamer of FIG. 5,

Fig. 7a

the schematic representation of an air cylinder with an air piston in three characteristic stroke positions,

Fig. 7b

the typical pressure curve at a radial air passage of the air cylinder Fig. 7a,

Fig. 7c

a sectional view through a lower half of an air cylinder with a connected nozzle / expansion body and

Fig. 8

the nozzle / expansion body in a plan view from above.

In the figure 1, 1 is a fragmentary shown Foam dispenser called, which arranged with an overhead Reservoir is supplied with soap solution. used is the supply bottle symbolized by an arrow 2 in an adapter 8 with central piercing sleeve 9 and a coding edge 10, which on a closure lid. 7 a trained in the manner of a birdbath tank 6 are embedded. On the lid 7 are In addition, clamping and locking pieces 11, the corresponding to Profiles fit in side cheeks 34 on a rear wall 30 and easy assembly and disassembly of the functionally essential Allow parts of the dispenser 1.

On the front side, a vertical, projecting, see transparent part 19, in which a float 22 with flag 22 'which is a Fill level indicator. Below are a soap dosing cylinder 83 and an air cylinder 82, the latter supplied by a not drawn air inlet valve 90 is. Furthermore, a discharge hole 80 for soap foam and to see a nozzle / expansion body 74.

Curved grooves 35 are embedded in the side cheeks 34, in the both sides of flanges 36 outstanding Pin a lever 24 grab, which on its lower Side is provided with an actuating ring 23. The operating lever 24 is opposed by two times bent spring wires 60 pressed into the drawn position.

The direction of movement of the ring 23 is denoted by + and -, wherein the + direction corresponds to the forward stroke (effective stroke) and the negative direction (-) the reverse stroke of the corresponds to 43 designated piston rod.

The air cylinder 82 is provided with a pump support 13, which is locked on the side cheeks 34; as well are in the intermediate container 6 side guides 12 embedded, which serve the exact positioning.

Furthermore, located below the side wall 34 a Joint 31, a film hinge, which is used to connect the Rear wall 30 with a hinged hood 20 is used, see Fig. 2.

In subsequent figures, the same functional parts with provided with the same reference numerals.

The view of FIG. 2 shows the outer shape of the hood 20th and thus the whole device housing, with the front one Viewing window 21 is omitted for the level indicator.

The float 22 is shown in full in Fig. 2a. From a float body 25 protrudes the flag 22, while arranged on both sides of body 25 guide profiles 26 with grooves are.

Further details of the dispenser Fig. 1 to 2 are the Sectional view Fig. 3 can be seen. In this is that lower part of the reservoir 2 completely drawn. A bottleneck 3 has a liquid-tight attached Part 4, which characterizes and codes the bottle. Inside the bottle neck 3 is a pricked Membrane 52, which serves as a bottle cap to see. The piercing happens when inserting the container 2 by the piercing sleeve 9 in the adapter 8, with his Form is adapted to the coding part 4.

When inserting the reservoir 2, a pushes on Bottle neck 3 provided projection on a hemispherical Closure plug 50, removes this from the valve seat 51 and open the passage for the soap solution, so that adjusts the level represented by which a nachgespeisten airspace L is kept constant. Of the Closure plug 50 is in one piece via a spring leaf 48 provided with two opposite mounting pins 49 and inserted in the closure cap 7.

It can also be seen that the float 22 on a guide rail 47 slides up, so soon soap solution located in the intermediate container 6.

The soap solution can via a soap passage 69 and a Passage pin 84 to a buoyant check valve 44, which is the top side to the soap dispensing cylinder 83 is arranged. On the opposite side is another check valve 44 'over a valve spring 45 is pressed against its upper valve seat is. Below is a foamer 73 to see through completed a nozzle / expansion body 74 and with a oblique discharge hole 80 is provided.

In the air cylinder 82 is an axially displaceable air piston 42, which is integral with the piston rod 43 and a frontal soap dissolving piston 40 is formed. Further, in the air cylinder 82 two holes are visible, the radial one air passage 89 to the nozzle / expansion body 74 and the axial one air passage 91 to Foamer 73 is.

The rear end of the piston rod 43 is inserted between two Side guides 54 and has a bearing pin 39 which is engaged laterally in a pressure cam 38. By this positive coupling will be the piston rod 43 in + and - direction (see Fig. 1) with the actuating lever 24th horizontally guided; the front end position of the lever 24 is indicated by a dashed line. Also is the observer side front spring 60 to see in the manner of a leaf spring, the provision of the lever 24 causes in its rear end position.

In Figure 4 are in an enlarged view, the items the foamer and the formation of the nozzle / expansion body 74 to see. In addition to Fig. 3 is a Valve ball 70, a plug 71 with a central passage, and a pipe section 72, the leadership of the spring 45th serves, visible. In the lower part of the foamer 73, however, still arranged in this is a foam divider 86 to see.

Other items of the foamer 73 are the enlarged Representations of Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 can be seen. Here you can see a designed as a room surface Vorschäumkammer 87 the serving through the air ducts channels 88 is supplied with compressed air; the metered soap solution 3, supplied from above a jacket space 92.

The foaming principle is notoriously known as such, as well as that of refinement and homogenization Membrane sieve 85 at the lower end of the foamer 73 as well the foam divider 86.

The plan view of the foamer 73 is notoriously shown in FIG known foam nozzles through which from above through the Luftführüngen 88 the compressed air in the Vorschäumkammer 87 foam formed through drives.

The air cylinder 82 shown schematically in FIG. 7a lets you see how it works.

A foaming of soap solution serving forward stroke H _w is effective from passing over the air piston 42 via the radial air passage 89; it builds on the stroke H of Fig. 7b drawn pressure curve p, up to a maximum value of the effective pressure P _w , on. This active pressure P _w is delivered via the axial air passage 91 to the connected foamer.

In the case of the backward stroke H _B , the pressure curve shown in dashed lines builds up according to FIG. 7 _b , up to a maximum value P _A that is reached before the air passage 89 is passed over. Thereafter, the pressure drops p and changes after passing over the air passage 89 through the piston 42 its sign. This part of the reverse stroke is designated H _s and assumes a relatively small maximum negative pressure -P _s .

It is thus apparent from the two figures that with nozzle / expansion bodies communicating with the air passage 82 74 first blown out through the bore 80 is, and that then takes place sucking back.

A preferred embodiment of an air cylinder 82 with foamer 73 and nozzle / expansion body 74 is shown in Fig. 7c shown on one side.

In contrast to the embodiment of FIG. 3 is in Fig. 7c only a single air passage 89 provided.- In addition to a radial Passage 89 has the variant of FIG. 3 channels 93, which is also connected to the nozzle / expansion body 74 are.

In Fig. 7c, the single air passage 89 is formed analogous to Fig. 7a; also the reverse stroke H _B and the further reverse stroke H _{s are} entered. Corresponding to the end position of the air piston 42, the return suction direction characterized by arrows is designated by -p.

The physical effect of the sucking back is due to the Nozzle / expansion body 74 according to Fig. 7c and Fig. 8 can be seen:

As soon as a negative pressure in the air cylinder 42 is formed, is about the between the lower end of the foamer 73 and the nozzle / expansion body 74 formed slit-shaped Room there sucked lather, the on Leitnocken 78 impinges and as a result of the following Surface enlargement on a drainage surface 79 as small soap drops precipitate and into the annular Valve / drip chamber 75 expires.

In a subsequent positive stroke of the air flow occurs through the air passage 89 via the upper expansion space 94 on the impact head 76 and foamed in the drip chamber 75 again; Subsequently, it is ejected via the bore 80 due to the longer path and the lower pressure approximately simultaneously with the foam generated by the active stroke H _w .

The necessary for the effective stroke H _w filling of the air cylinder is largely on the indicated in Fig. 1 air inlet valve 90, since this represents a significantly smaller flow resistance, as the labyrinthine configuration of the by-pass on and in the nozzle / expansion body 74th The same applies to the discharge of the foam; it is no premature eyesight of the portioned foam detectable.

The subject invention is compared to the aforementioned State of the art in relation to its reliability, Cleanliness and hygiene a considerable improvement represents.

Due to the electromechanically driven dispensers, freely selectable constant lifting speeds can the subject invention again optimize and There shows additional effect when sucking back.

Claims (12)

1. A method for the controlled portion-wise delivery of foam in a device for producing and metering foam that is prepared from a foamable liquid by supplying compressed air to produce a coarse-bubbled foam and is refined and homogenised in a downstream foamer, wherein, in a compressed air cylinder, a forward stroke of the air piston is used for foam production and a backward stroke is used for blowing the foam out of a foam delivery bore, characterised in that the air flow produced by the backward stroke of the air piston (42) is introduced into the region of the foam delivery bore (80) as excess pressure in a first phase and as negative pressure in a second phase, the foam present in the delivery bore (80) being for the most part blown out in the first phase and the residual foam which remains expanding under negative pressure and collapsing in the second phase.
2. A method according to claim 1, characterised in that the reversal of the direction of pressure flow is produced by a radial air passage which, in the first phase, is in front of the air piston which is being moved on the backward stroke and, in the second phase, is behind the air piston which is on the backward stroke.
3. A method according to claim 2, characterised in that the reversal of the direction of pressure flow is produced by a single air passage that is arranged radially in the compressed air cylinder and that is stationary in the region of the backward stroke.
4. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that, behind the foam delivery bore, the pressure flow of the backward stroke is expanded.
5. An apparatus for carrying out the method according to claim 1 in a device (1) for the production and controlled portion-wise delivery of foam, consisting of an overhead supply vessel (2) for a soap solution, an intermediate vessel (6) having a filling level indicator, a metering device for soap solution and a compressed air cylinder (82) having a double-action air piston (42), the compressed air produced on the forward stroke leaving at the front, a mixing chamber for air and soap solution and a foamer (73) having a downstream delivery bore (80) for metered soap foam, characterised in that there is provided in the compressed air cylinder (82) at least one radial air passage (89) and the latter is pneumatically connected to the foam delivery bore (80).
6. An apparatus according to claim 5, characterised in that a single air passage (89) is present over which the air piston slides during the backward stroke.
7. An apparatus according to claim 5 or 6, characterised in that a nozzle/expansion body (74) is connected between the air passage (89) and the outlet of the foamer (73).
8. An apparatus according to claim 6, characterised in that the intermediate vessel (6) is covered at the top by a closure lid (7) in which a resiliently arranged closure plug (50) is mounted in such a manner that the intermediate vessel (6) is always closed when a supply vessel (2) is not inserted.
9. An apparatus according to claim 8, characterised in that an adapter is provided on the closure lid (7), which adapter has a keying edge (10) that corresponds to keying parts (4) arranged on the neck (3) of a supply vessel (2).
10. An apparatus according to claim 6 or claim 8, characterised in that guide elements (47) are provided in the intermediate vessel (6), which guide elements (47) guide a vertically movable float (22) with an indicating lug (22') in a projecting vertical portion.
11. An apparatus according to claim 6 or either of claims 8 and 9, characterised in that a piercing sleeve (9) is provided in the closure lid (7), which piercing sleeve (9) pierces a diaphragm (52) in the supply bottle (2) as the latter is being placed on the closure lid (7).
12. The use of the apparatus according to any one of claims 6 to 11 in a manually or electromechanically operated foam dispenser for delivering soap foam for hand washing.

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