GB2335005A

GB2335005A - Method and apparatus for dispensing product in mousse form

Info

Publication number: GB2335005A
Application number: GB9803432A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Cassia Antonio Macchi; David James Sealy Powling
Original assignee: David Kennedy
Current assignee: David Kennedy
Priority date: 1998-02-18
Filing date: 1998-02-18
Publication date: 1999-09-08
Also published as: GB9803432D0

Abstract

A dispenser for producing and discharging a product, such as a hand cleansing preparation, in a mousse form comprises a storage container 10 having a passage 13 with a non-return ball valve 12 leading to an intermediate chamber 11. An outlet passage 14 leads from the chamber 11 to a foaming head 15 having a nozzle outlet 19. Compressed air form an air pump, such as a bellows 16, feeds a dose of cleanser from the chamber 11 to the foaming head 15 wherein the air mixes with the cleanser and is dispensed through the nozzle 19 in mousse form. The bellows 16 is reinflated with air drawn in past a non-return ball valve 60 in an inlet passage 36 to the chamber 11. The bellows 16 may be actuated by a bell-crank lever (41, figure 14) driven by an electric motor (50).

Description

2335005 METHOD AND DISPENSER FOR PRODUCING AND DISCHARGING HAND CLEANSING

OR SIMILAR PREPARATIONS IN MOUSSE FORM is This invention relates to a method and a dispenser for producing and discharging a hand cleansing or similar preparation in mousse form.

Dispensers for producing and discharging a hand cleansing preparation in mousse form are known. Conventionally, the hand cleansing preparation is held in a storage container. A dose of the cleanser is force fed to a chamber. Simultaneously, a piston or other means creates a charge of compressed air which mixes with the cleanser in the chamber, and then forces the aerated cleanser through a screen filter to create a lather of cleanser in mousse form which is discharged through an outlet nozzle to the user. Separate means are provided for charging the mixing chamber with the required ratio of cleanser and compressed air. This ratio determines the density of the mousse which is subsequently discharged to the user.

According to the invention there is provided a method of producing and discharging a hand cleansing or similar preparation in mousse form comprising feeding a dose of hand cleansing preparation from a storage container to a foaming head and nozzle outlet, and operating an air pump to convey a charge of compressed air to the foaming head, wherein the charge of compressed air is employed both to feed the dose of cleanser to the foaming head and to mix with the cleanser therein to produce a mousse for discharging through the nozzle outlet to the user in mousse form.

Preferably the method includes feeding the cleanser to the foaming head via an intermediate 2 is chamber, and employing the charge of compressed air to isolate the chamber from the storage container so that the chamber can be pressurised, whereby the required does of cleanser is then fed from the chamber to the foaming head.

It is also preferred that the charge of compressed air at least assists to discharge the mousse through the nozzle outlet to the user.

In the preferred embodiment, the air pump is a bellows, and the compressed air is further employed to close an air inlet valve through which air subsequently passes to reinflate the bellows in a manner which allows the method of operation to be quickly repeated.

The invention also provides a dispenser for producing and discharging a hand cleansing or similar preparation in mousse form comprising a storage container for feeding a dose of hand cleansing preparation from the storage container to a foaming head and nozzle outlet, and an air pump to convey a charge of compressed air to the foaming head, wherein an intermediate chamber is provided for receiving the dose of cleanser from the storage container, and the air pump is adapted to discharge compressed air which both feeds the dose of cleanser from the intermediate chamber to the foaming head and mixes with the cleanser therein to produce a mousse for discharging through the nozzle outlet to the user in mousse form.

Preferably the storage container is connected to the intermediate chamber by a feed passage containing a ball valve which is open to the charge of compressed air, whereby the air pressure can actuate the ball valve to isolate the intermediate chamber from the storage container, thereby allowing the chamber to be pressurised.

3 It is also preferred that there is provided an upper chamber in communication with the intermediate chamber, and that the air pump and the foaming head are both in communication with the upper chamber.

The air pump is preferably a bellows. In this case, an air inlet valve is preferably provided through which air passes to reinflate the bellows in a manner which enables the dispenser to be made available quickly for further use. The air inlet valve may be a ball valve.

In one embodiment lever means actuated by the user are provided for operating the air pump.

In another embodiment an electric motor is provided for operating the air pump. The motor may be actuated by sensing means which detect the proximity of the user's hand in relation to the nozzle outlet.

By way of example, specific embodiments in accordance with the invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:Figure 1 is a diagrammatic representation of a dispenser for discharging a cleansing preparation in mousse form with the bellows in its rest condition; Figure 2 shows the dispenser of Figure 1 with the bellows depressed, and indicating schematically the flow of air to a foaming head and nozzle outlet for discharging the cleansing preparation to the user; Figure 3 is a section through the foaming head and nozzle outlet; Figure 4 is a detail of the foaming head and nozzle outlet showing the air outflow path; Figure 5 shows the dispenser of Figure 1 with the bellows released, and indicating schematically the inflow of air; Figure 6 is a front elevation of a dispenser of the type indicated in Figure 1, the dispenser having a 4 pull lever to depress the bellows; Figure 7 is a section along line 7-7 in Figure 6; Figure 8 is a plan view of part of the dispenser of Figure 6; Figure 9 is a section along line 9-9 in Figure 8; Figure 10 is a section along line 10-10 in Figure 8; Figure 11 and 12 are plan and side views respectively of the dispenser of Figure 6, partly cut- away and in section to illustrate the locking means for the cover; Figures 13 is a front elevation of a non-touch version of a dispenser of the type indicated in Figure 1; Figure 14 is a section along line 14-14 in Figure 13; and Figure 15 is a section along line 15-15 in Figure 14.

Referring to Figures 1 to 5, there is shown schematically a dispenser for discharging a hand cleaning or similar preparation in mousse form. Generally, the dispenser has a storage container 10 for the cleansing preparation mounted above an intermediate chamber 11 for holding at least a quantity of the cleanser 62. A non- return valve 12, shown as a ball valve, in a feed passage 13 between the container 10 and chamber 11, allows cleanser to refill the chamber to a given level when a dose is removed therefrom.

When the ball is raised to close the valve 12, the chamber 11 is isolated from the storage container 10 preventing both cleanser and air from passing back into the container. The chamber is thereby sealed and can be pressurised.

An outlet passage 14 connects the cleanser in the chamber 11 to a foaming head 15 having a nozzle outlet 19. A bellows 16 or other means is connected to the chamber 11 for supplying compressed air both to the chamber 11 and the foaming head 15.

A second ball valve 60 is provided above the level of the cleanser in the chamber 11 to allow air to be drawn in through inlet passage 36 to reinflate the bellows. Depressing the bellows 16 (Figure 2) emits a supply of compressed air into the chamber 11 to perform a series of functions. First, the compressed air holds the ball valve 60 closed. Secondly, the compressed air acts to lift the ball valve 12 against valve seat 63 to shut off or isolate the chamber 11 from the storage container 10. With the valves 60,12 closed, the chamber 11 can be pressurised, and the compressed air from the bellows 16 propels a dose of cleanser through the outlet passage 14 to the foaming head 15. Thirdly, the compressed air is directed to the foaming head 15 where it mixes with the cleanser fed through the passage 14 to form a mousse. The pressure of air further assists to discharge the mousse through the nozzle outlet 19 into the hand of the user.

Subsequently, the positive external pressure relative to the pressure within the chamber 11 opens the ball valve 60 (Figure 5), causing air to flow past the ball into the chamber 11. This returns the air within the chamber 11 to the external ambient air pressure and the incoming air quickly reinflates the bellows 16. The cycle can then be repeated immediately.

In this embodiment, the foaming head 15 is substantially a proprietary item which contains a gauze filter 17 and washer 18, but has a modified nozzle outlet 19 arranged so that, in this embodiment, 6 the mousse produced is discharged downwardly and forward of the dispenser. As shown in Figure 4, the compressed air conducted to the foaming head 15 flows along an outflow path passing through the filter 17, the air separating the washer 18 from the filter so that the compressed air becomes diffused and acts to aerate the cleanser within the head thereby forming the required mousse.

A first practical embodiment of this conception is illustrated in Figures 6 to 12. The dispenser shown has a back plate 20 with key hole slots or other suitable means for wall mounting the dispenser. A cover 21 is pivotally attached to the back plate by pegs (not shown) on the back plate engaging in slots moulded in the cover. Housed within the cover is the dispensing mechanism of storage container 10, intermediate chamber 11, bellows 16, foaming head 15 and nozzle outlet 19. The cover 21 is locked to the back plate 20 by latch bar 24 which is mounted for sliding movement on the back plate (Figure 11). One end of the latch bar 24 carries a hook 25 which engages a projection 26 on the cover. The other end of the latch bar 24 is engaged by a lever 27 carried by a locking rod 28 which is rotated by a key 29. on rotation of the rod 28 by the key 29, the lever 27 slides the latch bar 24 to release the hook 25 and thereby unlock the cover 21. Return movement of the bar 24 is effected by integral spring 30.

The storage container 10 is linked to the intermediate chamber 11 by a vertical pipe comprising the feed passage 13 containing a ball valve 12 permitting cleanser to flow into the intermediate chamber below, but with the ball raised against the valve seat 63, cleanser is prevented from passing in the reverse direction back into the container 10. The 7 intermediate chamber 11 is thus self-filling.

The container 10 has a neck portion 31 with a tight fitting internal cylindrical stopper 59, closed at its inner end by membrane 35. Alternatively, the stopper flange may be welded hermetically to the free end of the neck portion 31. In either case, the container 10, is sealed against air entering the container between the stopper and the container. The container is loaded in an inverted position with the neck portion engaging in a socket 32 disposed above the intermediate chamber 11. Projecting upwardly within the socket 32 is a concentric pipe 64 which comprises the upper portion of the feed passage 13 which extends downwardly into the intermediate chamber 11. An inwardly projecting, annular rib 33 on the stopper 59 is a sealing fit on the outside of the pipe 64. The upper end of the pipe 64 is formed at an angle so that on loading a fresh container 12, the pipe pierces the membrane 35 which turns up within the container 11 without becoming detached.

The sheared membrane 35 thereby cannot block the feed passage 13. The sealing rib 33 between the stopper 59 and the pipe 64 precludes any air entering the container other than upwardly through the pipe 64 as cleanser flows through the feed passage 13 into the intermediate chamber 11 during each cycle of operation. Consequently, between cycles, the level of cleanser in the intermediate chamber 11 is maintained constant.

The lower end portion of the feed passage 13 provides valve seat 63 for the ball of ball valve 12 and extends downwardly as a guide for the ball between the valve seat 63 and the ball rest 34 which is within the chamber 11 below the level of the quantity of cleanser 62 therein.

Part of this downward extension of the feed passage 13 is castellated so that with the valve 12 open, air can pass over the top of the ball and up the feed passage 13 into the container 10. This has., been found to be advantageous because otherwise when a fresh container 10 is first loaded 0 is 8 - full of cleanser without any substantial quantity of air, the ball 12 tends to seal against the valve seat 63 and preclude the flow of cleanser from the container into the chamber 11.

A flexible tube comprising the outlet passage 14 interconnects the intermediate chamber 11 and the foaming head 15. One end of the tube 14 is fixed in a submerged position in the intermediate chamber. The other end of the tube 14 is connected by a converter 37 to the head 15, the converter being located in an upper chamber 38 which is above the level of the cleanser. The upper chamber 38 has a fitting 39 with an external screw thread to which the foaming head 15 is screw fitted whereby the head becomes linked to the converter. The converter 37 is separately moulded from the fitting 39 so that the adjacent end of the tube 14 is held captive and the tube is not rotated when the foaming head 15 is screw mounted onto the fitting 39.

The upper chamber 38 is open to the intermediate chamber 11 and includes ball valve 60 which is above the level of the cleanser. The ball sits on its valve seat above downwardly extending passage 36 which is open ended to the external air. In this embodiment, the ball is formed of glass or other hard material which resists any tendency for the ball to stick on the valve seat.

Bellows 16 is also connected to the upper chamber 38 for discharging a stream of compressed air through passage 36 into the upper chamber. As explained above, this stream of compressed air performs a series of functions. First it holds the ball of ball valve 60 on its valve seat. Secondly, the supply of compressed air provided by depressing the bellows 16 lifts the ball of ball valve 12 to close the valve and to 9 isolate the container 10 from the intermediate chamber 11. With the valves 60,12 closed, the interconnected chambers 38,11 can be pressurised and the compressed air from the bellows 16 propels a dose of cleanser through tube 14 to the foaming head 15. Pressurised air also passes into the foaming head 15 where it mixes with the cleanser to form a mousse, and to assist the discharge of mousse into the user's hand, in the manner described above.

For depressing the bellows 16, there is provided a bell-crank lever 41, which is mounted on the back plate 20 for pivotal movement about axis 42 (Figure 7). One arm 44 of the lever 41 engages the top surface of bellows 16. A lever 45 is also pivotally mounted on the back plate 20 for engaging the other arm 46 of the lever 41. The lever 45 extends downwardly through an aperture in the cover 21 whereby a pull action on the lever 45 by the user rotates the lever 41 from its rest position, in which the lever is illustrated, and depresses the bellows 16. Cleanser in mousse form is thereby discharged through the nozzle outlet 19 into the user's hand. On release of the lever 45, the bellows is reinflated by the air drawn in through the valve 60 in the manner described above, and the lever 41 is returned to its rest position by the reinflation of the bellows. The cycle can then be repeated.

Referring to Figures 13 to 15, there is shown another embodiment of a socalled no touch version of dispenser in which the lever 41 is rotated by an electric motor 50 instead of manually. The motor 50 is operated by batteries 51 to rotate disc 52, via a gear box. Carried on disc 52 are a pair of eccentric rollers 53 spaced apart by 1800. Rotation of disc 52 causes one of the rollers 53 to pivot arm 54 which is - i mounted to rotate in fixed relation with lever 41 or is integral therewith (Figure 15), and thereby cause the arm 44 of lever 41 to depress the bellows 16. When the operative roller 53 has moved past the arm 54, the arm 54 and consequently the arm 44 of lever 41 move upwardly driven by reinflation of the bellows 16 by air incoming through the valve 60 as before. Rotation of the disc 52 through half of one revolution is thus sufficient to depress the bellows and to discharge a dose of cleanser in mousse form from the nozzle outlet 19 into the user's hand.

Sensing means are provided for detecting the proximity of the user's hand to the nozzle outlet 19 and thereby to actuate the motor 50. The sensing means are mounted in the area occupied by the lever 45 in the manual version and operate through a cosmetic window 57. In this embodiment, the sensing means comprise an LED transmitter 54 and a receiver 55 mounted within a shrouded housing 56. when the user's hand is in the vicinity of the nozzle outlet 19, a pulse signal from the transmitter 54 is reflected to the receiver 55 thereby actuating the motor 50 to rotate the disc 52 through half of one revolution, in this embodiment, and then to stop. An LED indicator light 58 is provided to show when the battery power is low and the batteries 51 require changing.

The invention is not restricted to the details of the specific embodiments described. For example, the bellows may be replaced by another kind of air pump.

11

Claims

1. A method of producing and discharging a hand cleansing or similar preparation in mousse form comprising feeding a dose of hand cleansing preparation from a storage container to a foaming head and nozzle outlet, and operating an air pump to convey a charge of compressed air to the foaming head, wherein the charge of compressed air is employed both to feed the dose of cleanser to the foaming head and to mix with the cleanser therein to produce a mousse for discharging through the nozzle outlet to the user in mousse form.

2. A method as claimed in Claim 1, including feeding the cleanser to the foaming head via an intermediate chamber, and employing the charge of compressed air to isolate the chamber from the storage container so that the chamber can be pressurised, whereby the required dose of cleanser is then fed from the chamber to the foaming head.

3. A method as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the charge of compressed air at least assists to discharge the mousse through the nozzle outlet to the user.

4. A method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the air pump is a bellows and wherein the compressed air is further employed to close an air inlet valve through which air subsequently passes to reinflate the bellows in a manner which allows the method of operation to be quickly repeated.

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5. A dispenser for producing and discharging a hand cleansing or similar preparation in mousse form comprising a storage container for feeding a dose of hand cleansing preparation from the storage container to a foaming head and nozzle outlet, and an air pump to convey a charge of compressed air to the foaming head, wherein an intermediate chamber is provided for receiving the dose of cleanser from the storage container, and the air pump is adapted to discharge compressed air which both feeds the dose of cleanser from the intermediate chamber to the foaming head and mixes with the cleanser therein to produce a mousse for discharging through the nozzle outlet to the user in mousse form.

is

6. A dispenser as claimed in Claim 5, wherein the storage container is connected to the intermediate chamber by a feed passage containing a ball valve which is open to the charge of compressed air, whereby the air pressure can actuate the ball valve to isolate the intermediate chamber from the storage container, thereby allowing the chamber to be pressurised.

7. A dispenser as claimed in Claim 5 or Claim 6, including an upper chamber which is in communication with the intermediate chamber, and wherein both the air pump and the foaming head are provided in communication with the upper chamber.

8. A dispenser as claimed in any one of Claims to 7, wherein the air pump is a bellows.

9. A dispenser as claimed in Claim 8, wherein an air inlet valve is provided through which air passes to reinflate the bellows in a manner which - 13 enables the dispenser to be made available quickly for further use.

10. A dispenser as claimed in Claim 9, wherein the air inlet valve is a ball valve.

11. A dispenser as claimed in any one of Claims 5 to 10, wherein lever means actuated by the user are provided for operating the air pump.

12. A dispenser as claimed in any one of Claims 5 to 10, wherein an electric motor is provided for operating the air pump.

13. A dispenser as claimed in Claim 12, wherein the motor is actuated by sensing means which detect the proximity of the user's hand in relation to the nozzle outlet.

14. A method of producing and discharging a hand cleansing or similar preparation in mousse form substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

15. A dispenser for producing and discharging a hand cleansing or similar preparation in mousse form substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.

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