FR2907035A1 - Device for producing rechargeable foam, comprises reservoir to supply foaming liquid of variable capacity, liquid chamber communicating with the reservoir by inlet opening and with mixing chamber by outlet opening, and non-return valves - Google Patents

Abstract

The device for producing a rechargeable foam, comprises a reservoir (100) to supply foaming liquid of variable capacity, a liquid chamber (2) communicating with the reservoir by an inlet opening and with a mixing chamber (4) by an outlet opening, a first non-return valve (21, 22) disposed to the inlet opening of the liquid chamber, a second non-return valve (411, 412) disposed to the outlet opening, an air chamber (3) comprising an inlet with a third non-return valve, and a gripping means for a user to compress the air- and liquid chamber to expel the liquid and the air. The device for producing a rechargeable foam, comprises a reservoir (100) to supply foaming liquid of variable capacity, a liquid chamber (2) communicating with the reservoir by an inlet opening and with a mixing chamber (4) by an outlet opening, a first non-return valve (21, 22) disposed to the inlet opening of the liquid chamber, a second non-return valve (411, 412) disposed to the outlet opening, an air chamber (3) comprising an inlet with a third non-return valve, and a gripping means for a user to compress the air- and liquid chamber to expel the liquid and the air by the outlet opening of the liquid and the air. The second non-return valve comprises flexible maintenance unit in a closed position. The mixing chamber comprises a mixing unit to produce the foam expulsed towards an outlet orifice, and a spring return to the air and the liquid chamber in their non-compressed positions to produce air and liquid aspiration. The second valve includes plastic knob maintained by elastic arms, which are fixed to the mixing chamber, a ball pushed against a truncated wall widening towards the ball and producing edges of the outlet of the liquid chamber, and a deformable part to ensure a tight closure of the outlet opening of the liquid. The gripping means comprises a net or a porous element disposed in a downstream of the outlet opening of the air and the liquid with respect to the flow towards an expulsion orifice. The ball is pushed by an elastic support against stop support of the mixing chamber. The elastic element is directed by a part of porous elastic foam disposed downstream of the outlet opening of air with respect to the flow through the expulsion orifice to achieve mixing of air and foaming liquid. The air chamber comprises two cylindrical walls centered around a single axis and joined to a bottom of the air chamber, and a piston closing the chamber and sliding along the axis of the chamber. The piston is pushed towards the bottom of the air chamber by the user on a protruding portion of the piston or piston is moved away from the bottom of the chamber by using the spring. The air chamber includes inlets arranged on the periphery of the chamber, and before which a valve membrane is maintained by the arm support. The mixing chamber is adjacent to the liquid chamber, and a ventilation pipe joining the outlet of the air and the mixing chamber.

Description

1 DEVICE FOR PRODUCING REVERSIBLE AND RECHARGEABLE FOAM

  The invention relates to the field of manually operated foam producing devices operating on the basis of foaming and refillable liquid. It relates more particularly to a device that can be used in all positions, standing, lying down or turned over, to produce foam. There are hand-operated foam producing devices for producing foam from foaming liquid. The patent application WO 2004/078359 and the patent EP 1 190 775 describe, for example, a type of manual device producing foam from a foaming liquid. However this type of foam producing device does not work properly in all positions. This type of device can not produce foam, for example, when the device is returned or that device is tilted horizontally and that its tank is emptied more than half. The present invention aims to remedy one or more of the disadvantages of the prior art by providing a rechargeable foam production device, operated by hand and operating in all positions. This objective is achieved by a foam production device comprising a foaming liquid supply tank, of variable capacity, characterized in that it comprises: a liquid chamber communicating with the supply tank 25 with foaming liquid; an inlet opening, and with a mixing chamber through an outlet opening of the liquid, - a first non-return valve disposed at the inlet opening of the liquid chamber, - a second non-return valve of sealing, disposed at the liquid outlet opening, allowing a flow out of the liquid chamber and comprising elastic means for holding in the closed position, 2907035 2 - an air chamber comprising at least one inlet with a third valve anti-return device for supplying air from outside and an air outlet opening communicating with the mixing chamber; 5 - gripping means for a user, for compressing the chamber; air chamber and the liquid chamber for flushing liquid and air, through the liquid outlet opening and through the air outlet opening, into the mixing chamber which comprises brewing means method for producing expelled foam to an outlet port, a return spring 10 returning the air chamber and the liquid chamber to their uncompressed position to provide suction of air and liquid. According to another feature, the second non-return sealing valve comprises a plastic boss that closes the outlet opening of the liquid, the boss being held by elastic tabs fixed to the mixing chamber, the stirring means comprising a mesh or a porous element disposed downstream of the liquid outlet opening and the air outlet opening, with respect to a flow towards the expulsion orifice. According to another feature, the second non-return valve 20 comprises a ball thrust against a frustoconical wall widening towards the ball and realizing the edges of the outlet of the liquid chamber, the ball being pushed by an elastic element in abutment against at least one bearing abutment of the mixing chamber. According to another feature, the elastic element is made by a spring, the stirring means comprising a net or a porous element disposed downstream of the air outlet opening and the liquid outlet opening, by relative to a flow towards the expulsion orifice. According to another feature, the elastic element is formed by a piece of elastic porous foam disposed downstream of the air outlet opening, with respect to a flow towards the expulsion orifice to achieve the stirring of air and foaming liquid.

In another feature, the sealing check valve comprises a deformable portion to ensure a tight closure of the liquid outlet opening. According to another feature, the foaming liquid supply tank, of variable capacity, comprises a piston movable sealingly sliding in abutment against an inner wall of the tank, the movable piston being arranged opposite the inlet opening of the liquid chamber. According to another feature, the air chamber comprises two cylindrical walls centered around the same axis and joining by the bottom of the air chamber, a piston, in which are made the inlet allowing the supply of air and the air outlet opening, closing the air chamber and sliding along the axis of the air chamber, the piston of the air chamber being pushed towards the bottom of the air chamber by the action of the user on a protruding portion of the piston or the piston being moved away from the bottom of the chamber by the action of the return spring, the return spring being arranged in the air chamber, resting on the bottom. According to another feature, the liquid chamber is disposed in the center of the air chamber, the liquid chamber comprising a cylinder of the same axis as the air chamber, closed by a piston, in which the opening is made liquid outlet, the piston of the liquid chamber being integral with the piston of the air chamber, the inlet opening of the liquid chamber being formed in the bottom of the cylinder of the liquid chamber. According to another feature, the air chamber comprises a plurality of air inlets, disposed at the periphery of the air chamber, and in front of which a diaphragm valve is held by supporting arms, in the air chamber. 'air. According to another particularity, the mixing chamber is adjacent to the liquid chamber, an air duct joining the outlet of the air chamber to the mixing chamber, the expulsion orifice being disposed immediately at the outlet of the chamber. brewing means.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will emerge more clearly on reading the following description, made with reference to the appended drawings, in which: FIG. 1 represents a sectional view of an exemplary device of FIG. Foam production according to the invention; - Figures 2 and 3 each show a sectional detail of a foam production device according to the invention; FIG. 4 represents a perspective view of a sealing valve used in a foam production device according to the invention; FIGS. 5 and 6 show a partial sectional view of an example of a device for producing foam according to the invention during the operating phase. The invention will be described with reference to the figures mentioned above. The foam producing device, as shown in FIG. 1, comprises a reservoir (100) containing foaming liquid. The reservoir (100) is made, for example, inside a cylinder (101). Without limitation, the inner wall of the cylinder (101) is of round or oval cross section. A piston (102) of the same cross section is movable in the cylinder (101) and relies on the inner wall of the cylinder (101) in a sealed manner. The reservoir comprises an opening (103), in a nonlimiting manner, vis-à-vis the piston (102), through which the liquid exits the reservoir (100). The liquid outlet through the opening (103) causes a translation of the piston (102) and a decrease in the volume of the reservoir (100). The piston (102) movable partially delimiting the reservoir (100) allows to have an adaptable capacity of the tank (100), the capacity being identical to the volume of foaming liquid content. The more the foaming liquid is sucked through the opening (103), the more the piston (102) approaches the bottom of the cylinder to reduce the capacity of the reservoir (100). US Pat. No. 5,152,434 describes, for example, a pump that is not suitable for producing foam, equipped with a reservoir 30 of this type. In a nonlimiting manner, the piston (102) comprises on a face opposite the tank, a fastener (104) accessible from the outside of the foam producing device, for gripping the piston (102) during disassembling to fill the tank (100). Since the flow of fluid passing through the opening (103) of the reservoir (100) is effected in the direction out of the reservoir (100), the reservoir (100), filled initially entirely with a determined foaming liquid, contains only this liquid. The tank does not contain, for example, no air. In addition, the opening of the reservoir (100) is always fed with foaming liquid until the reservoir (100) has reached its minimum capacity, when the piston (102) advances to an abutment position, for example against the opening (103).

A chamber (2) of liquid with an inlet opening (103) and an outlet opening (25) communicates through its inlet opening (103) with the reservoir and communicates through its outlet opening (25) with a mixing chamber (4). The inlet opening of the chamber (2) of liquid coincides with the opening of the reservoir. The liquid chamber (2) is formed inside a cylinder (23) of the liquid chamber and is closed by a piston (24) sliding in the cylinder (23). The piston (24) movable in translation in the cylinder (23) of the liquid chamber, is pressed against the inner wall of the cylinder (23) sealingly. A non-return valve (22) disposed at the inlet (103) of the chamber (2) of liquid prevents a circulation 20 of the liquid returning to the reservoir (100). When the piston (24) of the chamber (2) of liquid is pulled in a movement away from the bottom of the cylinder (23), a depression is created in the chamber (2) of liquid, creating a flow (1000) d suction of liquid from the reservoir (100) and pushing the check valve (22) provided at the inlet (103) of the chamber (2), as shown in Figure 5. The check valve arranged to the inlet of the liquid chamber is, for example, a ball (22) bearing against a frustoconical wall (21) widening towards the ball and forming the edges of the opening (103) of the chamber inlet (2) liquid. When the piston (24) of the chamber (2) of liquid is pushed towards the bottom of the cylinder (23), an overpressure is created in the chamber (2) of liquid creating a blockage of the check valve (22) non-return for plug the opening (103) inlet of the liquid chamber. A flow (2000) of liquid is then expelled 2907035 6 through the outlet opening (25) of the chamber (2) of liquid, by pushing the valve disposed at the outlet (25) of the chamber (2) of liquid. The foaming liquid is then thrown into the mixing chamber (4), as shown in FIG. 6. The valve disposed at the outlet of the chamber (2) of liquid comprises elastic means for holding in the closed position, making it possible to close the sealingly the outlet opening (25) of the chamber (2) of liquid as the pressure in the chamber (2) of liquid is insufficient for the liquid contained in the chamber (2) of liquid does not push the flapper d sealing.

The sealing valve, as shown in FIG. 2, is produced, in a nonlimiting manner, by a ball (412) pushed by an elastic element (413, 415) against a frustoconical wall (411) widening toward the ball (412). The ball (412) is for example made of plastic or glass, the wall (411) being, for example made of plastic. In a nonlimiting manner, the frustoconical wall (411) has a hardness determined to deform in contact with the ball (412). The element (413, 415) elastic is for example in abutment against a ring (414) fixed support relative to the chamber (4) mixing. The elastic element is made, in a nonlimiting manner, by a resilient porous foam (413) exerting a force for holding the ball (412) against the frustoconical wall. The porous foam (413) also mixes the liquid with the air to produce foam. According to another exemplary embodiment, as represented in FIG. 1, the elastic element is a spring (415) bearing on the bearing ring (414) and against the ball (412), a thread (42) or a porous foam being disposed downstream of the ring (414), with respect to the direction (5000) of expulsion, for stirring the foaming liquid with air and producing foam (51). The spring (415) is for example metal or plastic. According to another exemplary embodiment, as represented in FIG. 3, the sealing valve comprises a boss (416) held in abutment against the outlet (25) of the chamber (2) of liquid, by arms (417). elastic. This valve (416, 417) shown in perspective in Figure 4, for example 2907035 7 is held by its arms (417) pinched at their end, by clamping means of the foam producing device. In a nonlimiting manner, the boss (416) is resilient to plug the outlet opening (25) of the chamber (2) of liquid by deforming upon insertion into the outlet opening (25). A chamber (3) of air is for example made around the chamber (2) of liquid, as shown in Figure 1. The chamber (3) of air is formed by a cylinder (31) in which slides sealing a piston (32). The cylinder (31) of the air chamber (3) is, for example, arranged coaxially and around the cylinder (23) of the liquid chamber. The piston (32) of the air chamber (3) is connected to the piston (24) of the chamber (2) of liquid. When the piston (32) of the chamber (3) of air is pushed towards the bottom of the cylinder (31) of the chamber (3) of air, the volume of the chamber (3) of air is reduced, l The air is then expelled from the air chamber. One or more air inlets (33), associated with a nonreturn valve, for example a membrane (36) supported by arms (37), then clog automatically. A flow of air (3002) is expelled from the air chamber (3) through the outlet (s) (34) of the air chamber to the mixing chamber (4). The piston (32) of the chamber (3) of air being connected to the piston (24) of the chamber (2) of liquid, an overpressure 20 is created at the same time in the chamber (3) of air and in the chamber (2) of liquid, when the user exerts pressure for example on the head (61) of expulsion. The expulsion head (61) is for example mounted in abutment on a piece forming the piston of the liquid chamber and the piston of the air chamber. The diameter of the opening of the outlet (34) of the air chamber (3) is, for example, dimensioned with respect to the outlet diameter (25) of the liquid chamber (2) to produce a mixture of air and foaming liquid product in a proportion determined. Without limitation, the air chamber (3) is arranged adjacent to the mixing chamber (4), the outlet (34) of the air chamber (3) opening directly into the mixing chamber (4). as shown in Figure 2.

According to another exemplary embodiment, the outlet (34) of the air chamber communicates with a duct (35) leading to the mixing chamber (4). A spring (39), for example, disposed in the air chamber (3), pushes the piston (32) of the air chamber from the bottom of the cylinder of the air chamber and pushes the piston of the chamber of liquid from the bottom of the cylinder of the liquid chamber. Advantageously, the spring (39) disposed in the chamber (3) of air is protected against possible corrosive attacks by the foaming liquid. A vacuum is then created in the air chamber and a current (3001) of incoming air pushes back the check valve (s) (36) of the air inlet (s) (33) of the air chamber. . The air chamber then fills with air from outside the foam producing device. In a nonlimiting manner, the communication between the air chamber and the mixing chamber is left free. The air inlet (s) (33) of the air chamber (3) have in fact a cross section sufficient to supply the air chamber with an air flow coming from the outside. Air can also pass through the orifice (5) and the mixing chamber (4) to enter the air chamber through the outlet (s) (34), although in practice this inflow of air is negligible.

A suction (3001) of air is created in the chamber (3) of air together with a suction (1000) of foaming liquid in the chamber (2) of liquid, as shown in Figure 5. L expulsion of foaming liquid and air into the mixing chamber (4) allows stirring of the foaming liquid by the stirring element (42), as shown in FIG. 6. Without limitation, as shown in FIG. 2, the foam produced by the stirring element (413) is directed in an expulsion conduit (6) to an expulsion orifice (5) of the foam, or as represented in FIG. foam produced by the stirring member (42) exits directly through the expulsion orifice (5).

When the foam-producing device is not activated, the sealing valve, at the outlet of the chamber (2) of liquid, prevents leakage in the event of overturning. In addition, this sealing valve makes it possible to keep the foaming liquid away from the air, certain product requiring to be kept away from the air. Preferably for products that react rapidly in contact with air, the expulsion orifice (5) is arranged against the stirring element (42), as shown in FIG. 3, to avoid storing foam in an expulsion duct (6) or to be able to rinse the mixing chamber (4) after use.

When the foam producing device is activated, foaming liquid will always be present at the inlet (103) of the liquid chamber (2), regardless of the inclination of the foam producing device. The reservoir of course provides foaming liquid in all positions, as long as the reservoir (100) is not emptied. In addition, the sealing valve plugging the outlet opening (25) of the liquid chamber prevents the defusing of the chamber (2) of liquid in case of overturning. Indeed if the user exerts a pressure to compress the liquid chamber and the air chamber, in the inverted position, the overpressure in the liquid chamber allows the expulsion (200) of foaming liquid in the chamber (4) of mixing, the elastic member (415) of the sealing valve then bringing it back into its closed position, even if the user holds the head of the foam producing device in the depressed position. It should be obvious to those skilled in the art that the present invention allows embodiments in many other specific forms without departing from the scope of the invention as claimed. Therefore, the present embodiments should be considered by way of illustration, but may be modified within the scope defined by the scope of the appended claims, and the invention should not be limited to the details given above. 30

Claims (11)

  1. Device for producing foam comprising a reservoir (100) for supplying foaming liquid, of variable capacity, characterized in that it comprises: a chamber (2) of liquid communicating with the foaming liquid supply tank by an inlet opening (103), and with a mixing chamber (4) through an opening (25) for the outlet of the liquid, - a first non-return valve (21, 22) arranged at the inlet opening (103) of the chamber (2) of liquid, - a second valve (411, 412; 416) non-return sealing, disposed at the outlet opening (25) of the liquid, allowing a flow out of the chamber (2) of liquid and comprising means (415, 413; 417) elastic holding in the closed position, - an air chamber (3) comprising at least one inlet (33) with a third non-return valve allowing the an air supply coming from the outside and an outlet opening (34) of the air communicating with the mixing chamber (4), - means Gripper (61) for a user to compress the air chamber (3) and the liquid chamber (2) for flushing liquid and air through the liquid outlet opening (25) and the air outlet opening (34) in the mixing chamber (4) which comprises stirring means (42) for producing foam (51) expelled to an outlet (5), a spring (39) returning the chamber (3) of air and the chamber (2) of liquid in their uncompressed position to achieve suction of air and liquid.   2. Device for producing foam according to claim 1, characterized in that the second non-return valve comprises a sealing boss (416) plastic coming to close the outlet opening (25) of the liquid, the boss being maintained by elastic tabs (417) fixed to the mixing chamber (4), the stirring means comprising a thread (42) 2907035 11 or a porous element disposed downstream of the outlet opening (25) of the liquid and the outlet opening (34) of the air, with respect to a flow towards the expulsion orifice (5).   3. Device for producing foam according to claim 1, characterized in that the second non-return valve comprises a ball (412) pressed against a frustoconical wall (411) widening towards the ball and forming the edges the outlet (25) of the chamber (2) of liquid, the ball being pushed by an elastic member (415, 413) bearing against at least one abutment (414) of support of the chamber (4) mixing. 10   4. Device for producing foam according to claim 3, characterized in that the elastic element is formed by a spring (415), the stirring means comprising a thread (42) or a porous element disposed downstream of the opening outlet (34) of the air and the outlet opening (25) of the liquid, with respect to a flow towards the orifice (5) of expulsion. 15   Foam production device according to claim 3, characterized in that the elastic element is formed by a piece (413) of elastic porous foam disposed downstream of the outlet opening (34) of the air, by relative to a flow towards the orifice (5) of expulsion to achieve the mixing of air and foaming liquid. 20   6. Device for producing foam according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the check valve comprises a deformable portion to ensure a tight closure of the opening (25) of the liquid outlet.   Foam production device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the foaming liquid supply tank, of variable capacity, comprises a piston (102) movably sliding sealingly against an inner wall. of the reservoir, the movable piston being disposed vis-à-vis the inlet opening (103) of the chamber (2) of liquid. 2907035 12   8. Foam production device according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the air chamber (3) comprises two cylindrical walls centered around the same axis and meeting at the bottom of the air chamber. a piston (32) in which the inlet (33) for the air supply and the air outlet opening (34) are formed, closing the air chamber (3) and sliding according to the axis of the air chamber, the piston (32) of the air chamber being pushed towards the bottom of the air chamber by the action of the user on a protruding part (61) of the piston or the piston being away from the bottom of the chamber by the action of the spring (39) of return, the spring (39) 10 of return being arranged in the air chamber, resting on the bottom.   Foam production device according to claim 8, characterized in that the liquid chamber (2) is arranged at the center of the air chamber (3), the liquid chamber (2) comprising a cylinder (23). with the same axis as the air chamber (3), closed by a piston (24), in which the outlet opening (25) of the liquid is formed, the piston (24) of the chamber (2) of liquid being integral with the piston (32) of the air chamber, the inlet opening (103) of the chamber (2) of liquid being formed in the bottom of the cylinder of the liquid chamber.   Foam production device according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the air chamber (3) comprises a plurality of air inlets (33) arranged at the periphery of the air chamber. , and in front of which a diaphragm valve (36) is held by support arms (37) in the air chamber (3).   Foam-producing device according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the mixing chamber (4) is adjacent to the liquid chamber (2), an air duct (35) joining the outlet ( 34) of the air chamber (3) to the mixing chamber (4), the expulsion orifice (5) being arranged immediately at the outlet of the stirring means (42).