EP0019582A1 - Apparatus for forming lather with a proportioning device for the soap solution actuated by a lever - Google Patents

Abstract

An apparatus for forming lather or soap foam for washing and/or shaving purposes comprises an actuation lever which simultaneously serves to drive a piston, a liquid soap-dosing pump and a membrane pump for generating compressed air. A perforated wall of a conduit or line enables blowing the compressed air into a dosed quantity of liquid soap located within a mixing chamber, to thereby form a coarse bubble lather or soap foam which subsequently is blown through a porous body, homogenized and compacted. Different embodiments of the apparatus can be realized and it is particularly suitable for use as a foot actuated structure and for producing hot lather for shaving. A preferred construction contains an intermittently operated heater for preheating the compressed air, to thereby accomplish a particularly effective generation of hot lather. The apparatus has the advantage of increased economy owing to its reduced consumption of liquid soap and can be faultlessly hygienically operated and is especially environmentally protective.

Description

The present invention relates to a device for forming soap foam with a lever-operated soap solution metering device with built-in compressed gas or air source, which open into closable openings and / or lines in a mixing chamber, and wherein the device has at least one storage container for one contains aqueous soap solution.

As is well known, soap dispensers are used in a variety of designs for public and private washing facilities. Among others, are known Foam-forming soap dispensers, which use a propellant gas made of dichlorodifluoromethane (Freon 12) and whose distribution may only be carried out with great caution for environmental reasons.

A device according to the preamble of claims 1 and 2 is known (US Pat. No. 3,712,512), in which a coarse-bubble foam is produced with an exchangeable compressed gas bottle (not air) in a mixing chamber with a soap solution controlled by a float valve. By pressing an end-mounted lever connected to a valve for any length of time, the soap foam flows in appropriate quantities first through a perforated plate upstream of the valve, which causes a reduction in the bubble size and an increase in the foam density, and then through an outflow nozzle. An electric heater is installed in front of the discharge nozzle, which allows the outflowing soap foam to be heated.

This device requires a large amount of space and requires regular replacement of the compressed gas tank.

It is an object of the invention specified in claim 1 to provide a device which is environmentally friendly, requires little space, is versatile and does not require the replacement of a replaceable compressed gas source.

The invention specified in claim 2 is used to form warm soap foam and is used primarily for shaving purposes.

Advantageous developments of the invention are described in the subclaims.

With the device according to claim 3, the maximum dosage amount can be limited in portions; the foam formation after each lever operation is reproducible and independent of the operating speed of the lever.

The embodiment according to claim 4 results in a particularly simple and maintenance-free compressed air source.

The embodiment according to claim 5 is particularly space-saving and results in a kinematically favorable movement sequence in the drive mechanism of both pumps.

The variant according to claim 6 has the advantage that the return movement and thus the pressure formation with the resulting foam formation takes place by the reaction spring and is therefore constant and independent of the operator.

The embodiment according to claim 7 allows achieving particularly favorable volume ratios of soap solution to air of about 1:15 in the foam.

The embodiment according to claim 8 acts as a gas spring for the soap solution and causes the soap solution to flow rapidly out of the metering device into the mixing chamber.

An embodiment according to claim 9 results in the entry opening or line being immersed in the metered soap solution, as a result of which there is a strong formation of bubbles.

The development according to claim 10 gives the advantage of a large number of smaller bubbles.

With the embodiment according to claim 11, the bubbles are formed into a homogeneous foam of high density.

The embodiment according to claim 12 allows the foam passing through the porous body to expand freely, which results in a uniformly high foam quality even when it is compressed again later to a smaller discharge cross-section.

The embodiment according to claim 13 is cheap in terms of production technology and is very easy to service.

An actuating lever designed according to claim 14 allows a versatile use of the device and requires only low actuating forces.

The development according to claim 15 has the advantage that the force applied during the actuation is primarily available for the later compression of the air in the diaphragm pump.

A further embodiment according to claim 16 is particularly favorable for use in the private sector.

The embodiment according to claim 17 ensures perfect hygienic conditions even when used in public toilets or other washing facilities used by many people.

The embodiment according to claim 18 allows easy assembly and handling and is also intended for frequently used washing facilities.

An embodiment designed according to claim 19 has the advantage of even greater ease of use.

The variant according to claim 20 is particularly suitable for use in hairdressing salons etc. By preheating the soap solution and / or the supplied air, the soap foam can be optimally heated.

The further embodiment according to claim 21 is particularly advantageous in terms of energy.

An advantageous further development of an energy-saving solution is described in claim 22.

Another variant according to claim 23 has the advantage of further design options of the device which are adapted to the respective use.

Exemplary embodiments of the subject matter of the invention are shown in the following drawings.

• Fig. 1 eine bevorzugte Ausführungsform eines Seifenspenders in Schnittdarstellung,
• Fig. 2 eine Darstellung des Betätigungsmechanismus der Einrichtung gemäss Fig 1,
• Fig. 2a den Handgriff des Betätigungshebels aus Fig. 1 und 2,
• Fig. 3 eine Variante eines Betätigungshebels für Fussbedienung,
• Fig. 4 eine Einrichtung zur Bildung von warmem Seifenschaum mit einer elektrischen Heizung zur Luftvorwärmung und einem elektrischen Durchlauferhitzer für den Seifenschaum und
• Fig. 5 eine weitere Variante mit Heisswasser-Wär-eaustauscher im Seifenlösungs-Vorratsbehälter und zwei in die Figur integrierte Beispiele einer Fussbedienung gemäss Fig. 5a und Fig. 5b.

It shows

• 1 shows a preferred embodiment of a soap dispenser in a sectional view,
• 2 shows the actuation mechanism of the device according to FIG. 1,
• 2a the handle of the actuating lever from FIGS. 1 and 2,
• 3 shows a variant of an operating lever for foot control,
• Fig. 4 shows a device for the formation of warm soap foam with an electric heater for air preheating and an electric instantaneous water heater for the soap foam and
• 5 shows a further variant with hot water heat exchanger in the soap solution storage container and two examples of a foot control according to FIGS. 5a and 5b integrated into the figure.

In Fig. 1, G denotes the housing of a soap dispenser. An actuating lever 1 with a handle 1 'protrudes from the housing G. Arranged above the housing G is a storage container V, filled with aqueous soap solution, the lower part of which extends into the housing G and is connected via chamber-like further lateral storage containers and via a feed 6 to a cylinder space 4 of a soap solution metering pump 3. A piston 2 with a cylindrical blind hole and a piston outlet opening 7 'is arranged in the soap solution metering pump 3. This piston 2 is designed like a slide valve and is sealed on one side by means of an O-ring 52 tet. A bearing journal 50 is inserted through the end part of the piston 2 and is inserted non-positively on its two end sides in a drive bracket 1a. The cylinder space 4 is connected to a mixing chamber 8 via a connection opening 7. The end of a line 18 projects through the lower part of the mixing chamber 8, through which a compressed air D flows in via a compressed air line 5 and can exit via holes 19.

The compressed air is generated by actuating the lever 1 by means of a force F in a diaphragm pump 9. The cylinder 13 of this diaphragm pump 9 has a diaphragm 14a made of rubber which is guided through a diaphragm piston 14 and which is centered on the diaphragm piston 14 by means of a screwed diaphragm holder 59. A reaction spring 12 is placed around a piston rod 14b and presses the membrane piston 14 and the actuating elements connected to it into the drawn upper position.

The membrane piston 14 can experience a maximum stroke H (downward) and in the process draws air through an air inlet 56 and a flap valve 55 into the cylinder 13. The flap valve 55 is made of rubber and is fixed on one side by a holder 57 in the cover of the cylinder 13.

Is no longer pressed on lever 1, i.e. the force F ceases to act, the diaphragm piston 14 moves relatively quickly under the influence of its reaction spring 12 into the upper position shown. The flap valve 55 is closed and a compressed air D is generated, which acts via the compressed air line 5, formed from connecting channels on a ball 60 preloaded by a valve spring 61, and the compressed air D flows into the mixing chamber 8 via the line 18 and the holes 19 leaves.

In the rest position shown, the cylinder space 4 is filled with soap solution except for a small, defined dead space 15, which is essentially predetermined by a bag space 16. If the actuating lever 1 is pressed, the slide-like piston 2 moves to the end of the cylinder space 4 and thereby generates an air cushion 17 by means of the air in the dead space 15 and sack space 16, as a result of which the soap solution is now under pressure and this in the end position of the piston 2 is pressed into the mixing chamber 8 via the piston outlet opening 7 ', the connecting opening 7 and a flap valve 54 which is open in the process.

The compressed air D now flows into the mixing space 8 in the manner mentioned and produces a coarse-bubble foam there, which is pressed through a porous body 20, a so-called frit, and finally flows through an outlet opening A via a subsequent expansion space 21 in a foam deflection body 22 and is available here as a fine, walnut-sized soap foam for cleaning purposes.

In this device, the axes 10 and 11 of the pistons 2 and 14 are perpendicular to each other. The power transmission from the lever 1, which is designed with two arms, takes place via journals 50 and 51 on a drive bracket 1a and .. on the piston rod 14b.

1 also shows closures 62 of mounting bores and a recess 23 for mounting purposes. Furthermore, the foam deflecting body 22 has a centering nose 22 ′ and an O-ring seal 53. The flap valve 54 is made of synthetic rubber and centered on the edge side by a partially circumferential retaining ring 58.

All parts are made of commercially available materials; A frit made of PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) has proven itself as a porous body 20. The membrane 14a is preferably a so-called roll membrane without fabric based on acrylonitrile butadiene rubber (Carl Freudenberg, D-6101 Reichelsheim).

In the following drawings, the same reference numerals have been chosen for the same parts.

In a partial section, Fig. 2, the actuating mechanism with its individual parts can be seen in more detail. The actuating lever 1 is configured with two arms and has a bearing pin 50a on the outside of its kink, while in its interior, in a recess 1 ″ shown in FIG. 2a, a drive bracket 1a is mounted in each of two further pins 50 ′ arranged on the edge, in which for its part, a bearing pin 50 is inserted through which the force is transmitted to the piston 2.

As can be seen from the drawing, an actuating force F leads to a sectoral rotary movement of the actuating lever 1 and pulls the diaphragm piston 14, not shown, over its piston rod 14b and the bearing pin 51 inserted through it. At the same time, a much lower force, which is transmitted to the piston 2 via the pin 50 ″ and the drive bracket 1a and the further bearing pin 50, brings the piston 2 into its front end position.

2a, the actuating surface 1 ', which is designed for manual actuation, can also be seen in more detail.

3 shows an actuating lever 1b, which leads to a wall-mounted soap dispenser - not shown - and is longer and narrower than FIGS. 1 to 2a and is carried out in masonry M. A guide bush 63 is embedded in the masonry M, which has a slot 63 'for the actuating lever 1b and in the interior of which a pin 64, which is cambered on one side, is slidably arranged. The pin 64 has a blind hole 65, into which the end of the actuating lever 1b protrudes and through which a rotatable pin 66 is inserted. If a force F now appears on the pin 64 in the manner shown, the actuating lever 1b comes into operation in the manner described above. In this case too, the return spring 12 described above takes over the resetting of the actuating lever 1b and of the pin 64.

This variant has the advantage of being able to be actuated away from the actual device; it is particularly suitable for hygienic foot control.

4 two heaters are integrated, which allow the formation of warm soap foam and are mainly used for shaving purposes.

A heater 29 is arranged in the compressed air line 5 and heats the flowing compressed air D before it enters the mixing chamber 8. As a second variant, a continuous-flow heater 33 is provided, which heats the emerging soap foam.

The heater 29 and the water heater 33 are preferably operated by means of a non-hazardous heating voltage UH of 12 to 24 volts. For timely switching this voltage UH is used by a microswitch 34, which is shown in the switched-off state and whose function is determined by the upper end of the actuating lever 1.

The terminal connections marked with plus and minus can of course also be supplied with AC voltage and can be routed via thermostatic or electronic switches and delay elements. Instead of electromechanical switching elements, electro-optical (light barriers) can also be used. Furthermore, the heating can be switched on and / or off by means of room lighting or room ventilation via relays.

The heater 29 for preheating the air has proven to be particularly advantageous, since it has approximately 15 times the volume fraction in the finished soap foam compared to the soap solution.

Another variant serving to preheat the soap solution can be seen in FIG. 5. The reservoir V, which is designed like a chamber on both side surfaces of the housing G, contains a feed line 30 leading from a hot water source B (boiler) to a hot water tap 31 (mixing tap) - or a bypass thereof. A lamellar heat exchanger 32, which is placed on the feed line 30, serves to improve the heat dissipation to the soap solution.

5 also symbolically shows different types of drive mechanisms for foot actuation of the lever 1. A tensioning device 28 (pneumatic, hydraulic, electrical or electromechanical) is arranged obliquely in such a way that its maximum force F 'in one end position of the lever 1 - reaction spring 12 tensioned - developed a maximum torque.

As a further possibility, the use of a cable 25 with a deflection roller 26 is shown in the lower end region of the lever 1.

A practical exemplary embodiment in connection with a tensioning device 28 acting on a pressure P 'is shown in FIG. 5a. A hydraulic cylinder 28 'with a footrest 24 is embedded in a masonry M and generates the pressure P' required for actuating the tensioning device 28.

As an alternative to this, FIG. 5b shows a roller 27 mounted in masonry M, which can be rotated by means of a further footrest 24 'and supplies the force F "required for actuating the lever 1 in the cable 25 via the cable 25.

All of the exemplary embodiments require little space and can be integrated into the housing of conventional soap dispensers or combined with them. The molded parts of the device are advantageously produced by injection molding from thermoset (thermosetting plastic).

To reduce the force F to be applied to the actuating lever 1, the compressed air could also be pre-tensioned by other pneumatic auxiliary means (C0 ₂ capsules, rotating small compressor, etc.).

The invention makes it possible to wash and shave hygienically and economically shape. In addition, the consumption of soap or soap solution is considerably reduced compared to the known product due to the high proportion of air in the finished soap foam, which on the one hand less pollutes the waste water and on the other hand no ozone-depleting propellant gas enters the atmosphere.

Claims (23)

1. Device for forming soap foam with a lever-operated soap solution metering device with built-in compressed gas or air source, which open into closable openings and / or lines in a mixing chamber and wherein the device contains at least one storage container for an aqueous soap solution, thereby characterized in that the actuating lever (1) is simultaneously provided for driving the piston (2) of a soap solution metering pump (3) arranged in a cylinder space (4) and for compressing and introducing the compressed gas or compressed air (D). 2. Device for the formation of warm soap foam with a lever-operated soap solution metering device with built-in compressed gas or air source, which open into closable openings and / or lines in a mixing chamber, the device having at least one storage container for an aqueous soap solution and one Heater, characterized in that the actuating lever (1) simultaneously for driving the piston (2) arranged in a cylinder space (4) and a soap solution metering pump (3) and for compressing and introducing the compressed gas or compressed air (D ) is provided. 3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the piston (2) as a slide for closing and opening the feed (6) for the soap solution in the cylinder space (4) and for closing and opening the connection opening (7) between the cylinder space (4) and the mixing chamber (8) is formed. 4. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the compressed air source is designed as a membrane pump (9). 5. Device according to claim 4, characterized in that the axis (10) of the diaphragm pump (9) perpendicular to the axis (11) of the piston (2) or to a parallel to the axis (11) of the piston (2) of the soap solution Dosing pump (3) runs. 6. Device according to claim 4, characterized in that the diaphragm pump (9) is provided with a reaction spring (12). 7. Device according to claim 4, characterized in that the dimension of the cylinder (13) and the stroke (H) of the membrane piston (14) are dimensioned in relation to a given metering volume. 8. Device according to claim 3, characterized in that the cylinder space (4) is provided with a dead space (15) which has a pocket space (16) for an air cushion (17). 9. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the inlet opening or line (18) opens into the lower part of the mixing chamber (8). 10. The device according to claim 9, characterized in that the wall of the inlet opening or line (18) is designed perforated. 11. The device according to claim 9, characterized in that a porous body (20) is arranged between the mixing chamber (8) and the outlet opening (A) for the foam. 12. The device according to claim 11, characterized in that an expansion space (21) is provided between the porous body (20) and the outlet opening (A). 13. The device according to claim 12, characterized in that the expansion space (21) is contained in an exchangeable foam deflecting body (22). 14. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the actuating lever (1) is designed as a two-armed lever. 15. The device according to claim 14, characterized in that the lever arm for the actuation of the spring-provided diaphragm pump (9) is longer than that for driving the piston (2) of the soap solution metering pump (3). 16. The device according to claim 14, characterized in that the actuating lever (1) has a handle (1 '). 17. The device according to claim 14, characterized in that the actuating lever (1) has a footrest (24). 18. Device according to claim 14, characterized in that the actuating lever (1) has a cable pull (25) connected to the footrest (24). 19. The device according to claim 14, characterized in that the actuating lever (1) has a pneumatic or hydraulic or electromechanical clamping device (28). 20. The device according to claim 2, characterized in that it contains at least one thermostatically and / or electro-optically and / or by the actuating lever (1) electromechanically controlled electric heater (29). 21. The device according to claim 2, characterized in that a feed line (30) of a hot water tap (31) is guided through the reservoir (V). 22. The device according to claim 21, characterized in that the feed line (30) is designed as a heat exchanger (32). 23. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that it is provided with at least one electric instantaneous water heater (33).

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